Russian Ambassador-at-Large Alexander Trofimov discusses the ongoing process to establish a Eurasian security architecture, emphasizing the need for concerted efforts, balance of interests, and trust among nations.
The UAE has expanded its visa-on-arrival programme, allowing Indian and Filipino passport holders with valid visas/residence permits from approved countries (US, UK, EU, Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea) to enter without pre-approval, with options for 14-day (extendable) or 60-day stays.
The Indian Army is adopting logistics drones to resupply remote high-altitude posts in regions like Ladakh, addressing the limitations of costly helicopter operations and slow foot transport. Domestic companies like BonV Aero and IdeaForge are developing drones meeting specific payload and altitude requirements, supported by initiatives like HIM-DRONE-A-THON and HIMTECH.
Hong Kong is proactively working to strengthen its position as a leading international financial centre, with HKEX reviewing feedback on new measures. The city is also developing its commodities ecosystem, using gold as a strategic entry point, with plans for expanded storage, refinery capacity, and reactivating a US dollar gold futures contract.
L'Afrique du Sud a autorisé plus de 15 000 ressortissants malawites à quitter le pays face à des manifestations anti-immigrés prévues la semaine prochaine, craignant des violences xénophobes. Des milliers d'autres attendent des autorisations dans des camps aux conditions précaires.
Texas public schools will require students to read selected Bible passages starting in the 2030-2031 school year as part of English and language arts instruction. The plan, approved by the State Board of Education, includes biblical stories and New Testament passages, aiming to expose students to influential texts. Critics express concerns about blurring lines between religious and public education and reflecting religious diversity.
Texas education board mandates Bible passages for over 5 million public school students, sparking debate on religion in classrooms. The rollout begins in 2030 with elementary students.
Across France, Germany, Mali, and India, diverse environmental efforts are underway, including growing Miscanthus for sustainability, transforming a minibus into an environmental message, and operating a 'tree ambulance' to preserve urban trees.
Hong Kong's two major electricity suppliers will provide HK$80-90 million in rebates to eligible households between August and October. This initiative aims to ease financial pressure on residents due to increased energy prices, attributed to the US-Israel war on Iran.
The US Air Force is developing the Air Force Long Range Weapon (AFLRW) program, aiming for a next-generation air-launched standoff missile with a minimum range of 1,850 km. This ambitious project, driven by the vast distances of the Pacific and China's missile advancements, will be discussed at a closed-door meeting with defense industry representatives in August 2026 at Eglin AFB.
Dubai announced three major development projects approved by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. These include the world's first AI-powered park design challenge, a new Dubai Falcon Market, and an 8km lighting transformation of Dubai Creek, aiming to enhance quality of life and preserve cultural identity.
Telangana's 2BHK Housing Scheme offers free two-bedroom homes with full infrastructure to poor and homeless BPL families. The scheme includes reservations for SC/ST and minorities, with beneficiaries selected through a multi-stage verification and draw of lots process.
Oracle founder Larry Ellison has quietly donated over $45 million to pro-Trump nonprofits since 2024, a fact not publicly reported until recently. These low-profile contributions coincided with significant Oracle contracts and regulatory approvals for Ellison's family businesses from the Trump administration.
FIDE and World Chess launched a two-year pilot, "First Rating Experiment," allowing online play for initial OTB blitz and rapid ratings up to 1,800 Elo. This move, aimed at democratizing chess, has divided Indian Grandmasters, with some welcoming it as barrier-breaking and others fearing it compromises the rating system's credibility due to cheating concerns.
China, the UN, and the African Union partnered to train security officials from Africa's Great Lakes region in Beijing on small arms control. This initiative aims to reduce illicit weapons circulation and support the AU's "Silencing the Guns" project, addressing instability that threatens China's economic interests.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico vowed Slovakia will not participate in a proposed €70 billion NATO loan package to finance arms for Ukraine, citing concerns about supporting the war. He emphasized dialogue with Russia and criticized the EU's approach, while NATO plans to discuss the aid at its upcoming Ankara summit.
Biohub, funded by the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, announced its fourth round of Rare As One Network grants this fall, committing over $150 million to rare disease initiatives. It also expanded its partnership with Every Cure, leveraging AI to repurpose existing drugs for rare conditions, aiming to accelerate patient-centered research.
O duelo entre Brasil e Escócia em Miami registrou 30ºC, evidenciando o calor na Copa do Mundo nos EUA, México e Canadá. Pesquisas alertam para temperaturas "potencialmente perigosas" em 14 sedes. A Fifa tornou pausas para hidratação obrigatórias, mas especialistas as consideram insuficientes.
Mumbai's Slum Rehabilitation Authority is expanding its redevelopment efforts to three large slum pockets (Antop Hill, Majaswadi, Behrampada) after the Juhu Galli pilot project's success. The state government aims for a slum-free city, with Delhi also approving a new policy for large-scale rehabilitation.
Eligible Filipino passport holders can now get a UAE visa on arrival starting June 25, simplifying entry for tourists and business travelers. This move reflects strong bilateral ties and the large Filipino community in the UAE.
Russia is constructing at least 17 large protective shelters for its strategic bombers at Engels Air Base, a key hub for its Long-Range Aviation branch. This move, prompted by drone attacks on airbases, signifies a shift from past practices of keeping bombers visible for arms-control transparency.
Former US Attorney Robert Fisher stated the US is in an "era of China Initiative 2.0," observing a significant rise in federal and state investigations targeting China-linked researchers, scientists, and professors, though many cases have not yet led to indictments.
Meta is reportedly experimenting with a new prediction market platform internally dubbed "Arena." The platform would allow users to make predictions using points, aiming to leverage Meta's vast user base across Facebook and Instagram for mainstream adoption. This marks another foray into crypto-adjacent technologies for the company.
La Cour des comptes a clôturé sa cinquième campagne de participation citoyenne, enregistrant un record de 1 096 propositions de contrôle. Plus de 20 000 personnes ont participé, et une trentaine de thèmes seront sélectionnés pour les programmes de travail de la Cour début 2027.
