Paraguay vows to uphold its diplomatic ties with Taiwan and announces an August visit by Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te, reinforcing its stance against China’s claims. Paraguayan President Santiago Pena and Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Lin Chia-Lung emphasize the ongoing alliance during meetings in Asuncion.
Japan’s Defense Ministry has raised concerns over China’s increased military activities, which it states could seriously impact Japan’s security. The ministry’s annual white paper highlights the first confirmed incursion by a Chinese military aircraft into Japanese airspace and the intensifying military operations around Japan.
Cambodia will enforce mandatory military conscription starting in 2026 due to rising tensions with Thailand. All Cambodian citizens aged 18 to 30 will be required to serve 24 months in the military, as announced by Prime Minister Hun Manet.
Fauja Singh, the world’s oldest marathon runner known as the “Turbaned Tornado,” died at 114 in a road accident in Punjab, India. Singh was a symbol of endurance and perseverance in the running community globally.
A SpaceX capsule successfully returned astronauts from India, Poland, Hungary, and the United States after a 20-day mission in space. The capsule splashed down off the California coast, concluding Axiom Mission 4 with a safe and coordinated landing. This mission highlights international cooperation in space exploration and the reliability of SpaceX technology.
UNESCO has added the megaliths of Carnac and Morbihan in France to its World Heritage List, recognizing their historical significance. The site, spanning 1,000 square kilometers, includes more than 550 Neolithic monuments. The designation aims to preserve the site and attract international interest.
An Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025, killed 260 people. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau reported a fuel supply switch shift caused engine shutdowns. The investigation into the tragic accident is ongoing.
The Department of Migrant Workers is verifying reports that three Filipino seafarers were killed by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea. The MV Eternity C, attacked off the coast of Yemen, had a crew of 22, mostly Filipinos. Five crew members have been rescued, and the DMW is assisting the families of the victims.
In his visit to North Korea, Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov warned the US, South Korea, and Japan against forming a security alliance targeting North Korea. The visit is part of efforts to strengthen Russia-North Korea cooperation amidst ongoing regional tensions, emphasizing military and economic ties to safeguard strategic interests against potential security threats.
Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was detained again Thursday due to accusations related to his martial law declaration. The Seoul Central District Court ordered his arrest amid concerns of evidence tampering. The case against Yoon could expand to include additional charges.