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Chinese President Xi Jinping unveiled a five-point cooperation plan to strengthen ties with Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries at the China-CELAC Forum in Beijing.

The roadmap includes initiatives on solidarity, development, cultural exchange, peace, and people-to-people connectivity. Xi pledged to link China's Belt and Road Initiative with LAC development objectives, boost imports of high-quality products, and stimulate Chinese investment in the region. He also expressed his support for multilateralism and the UN-centered world system, according to Xinhua.

China plans to grant 3,500 scholarships, 10,000 training opportunities, and expand visa-free entry to five LAC countries in order to strengthen educational and cultural ties. Cooperation in areas like cybersecurity, disaster response, and anti-corruption will be strengthened under the peace initiative.

Leaders from Colombia, Brazil, Chile, and Uruguay endorsed the plan, calling for enhanced economic, technological, and infrastructure cooperation, and reaffirmed a shared commitment to sovereignty, development, and global South solidarity, Xinhua reported.

The initiative aims to build a shared future for China and LAC nations.

South Korea has announced 4.6trn won ($3.25bn) in assistance measures for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that are expected to be harmed by US tariffs.

The strategy calls for financial aid, subsidies to offset logistics costs, and assistance in growing export markets. The government stated that, while SMEs accounted for 17 percent of Korea's exports in the first quarter, 81 percent consider themselves vulnerable to the 25 percent US tariffs introduced in April, which are currently suspended for 90 days, as reported by Reuters.

Earlier this month, the government approved an additional 13.8trn won budget, part of which will be used to mitigate the economic impact of these tariffs.

Nepali Embassy in Japan organized a program on the occasion of the 2569th Buddha Jayanti.

Various cultural and religious programs were held in the program participated by more than 500 Japanese citizens and Nepali nationals.

Speaking at the event, Nepali Ambassador to Japan Durga Bahadur Subedi said that Nepal and Japan share a long history of cultural, religious and diplomatic ties, according to a statement issued by the Nepali Embassy in Japan.

Praising Japan’s valuable support for the economic and social development of Nepal, Ambassador Subedi mentioned that Buddhism is the main basis of Nepal-Japan relations.

On the occasion, the speakers also talked about Buddhism, Lumbini, the birthplace of Gautam Buddha, and Buddha’s teachings.  

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva held talks in Beijing on Tuesday, reaffirming their countries strategic partnership and agreeing to deepen cooperation in multiple sectors.

Marking the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations, the leaders emphasized advancing a “China-Brazil community with a shared future.” Xi advocated for coordinated development policies and increased collaboration in infrastructure, agriculture, energy, aerospace, the digital economy, and artificial intelligence. He also emphasized the importance of enhancing exchanges in education, culture, and local government, according to Xinhua.

Xi addressed the need of reciprocal support for fundamental interests and urged greater international cooperation to uphold multilateralism, develop global governance, and resist protectionism and unilateralism.

President Lula assured Brazil's commitment to aligning its development program with China's Belt and Road Initiative. He stood for more collaboration in trade, finance, science, and technology. Lula also supported joint initiatives to elevate the voice of the Global South and promote fairness in global development, Xinhua reported.

The leaders witnessed the signing of 20 cooperation agreements in crucial areas such as agriculture, science, digital economy, and media. They also issued joint statements on bilateral cooperation, multilateralism, and the Ukraine crisis.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated that he will only attend Thursday's peace talks in Istanbul if Russian President Vladimir Putin attends, accusing him of avoiding direct negotiations.

The Kremlin has not confirmed Putin’s attendance. Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated an announcement would be made if the president decides to go, Reuters reported.

Zelensky is advocating for a 30-day cease-fire as a step toward ending the war, which is currently in its third year.

US President Donald Trump is sending Secretary of State Marco Rubio, as well as senior envoys Steve Witkoff and Keith Kellogg, to the meetings. Trump additionally pledged to attend personally, according to Reuters.

Russian airstrikes continue, with three people reported killed in Ukraine’s Kharkiv region on Tuesday.

Wildlife victims in Mustang are still waiting for compensation for livestock losses, even two years after submitting application recommendation letters to the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) office. Despite completing the required process, many farmers have yet to receive any relief. The ongoing human-wildlife conflict, particularly with snow leopards, is putting Mustang’s traditional livestock farming under serious threat. Farmers say the main challenge is finding a balance between conserving wildlife and sustaining their livelihoods.

While the government does provide compensation for wildlife-related livestock damage through designated agencies, the process is lengthy and burdensome. Farmers have voiced frustration over the delay in receiving relief payments.

Sakendra Gauchan, a farmer from Thasang-2, Naurikot, said he has not received compensation for two goat kids lost in fiscal year 2023/24. “It would have been better if we could get compensation shortly after the incident,” he said. Likewise, Purna Bahadur Nepali from Gharapjhong-4, Jomsom, reported that he has been waiting for over two years for compensation despite submitting all necessary documents to the ACAP office.

It has emerged that most livestock farmers in Mustang have not received any compensation for damages caused by wild animals over the past two fiscal years. The ACAP Mustang office acknowledged that while all damage reports have been forwarded to the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation for approval, the government has not yet released the corresponding funds.

In total, 280 livestock from 76 households were reported as damaged by wild animals in fiscal years 2023/24 and 2024/25. Of these, 119 livestock from 39 households were reported under the Jomsom office and 161 from 37 households under the Lomanthang office.

According to Rajesh Gupta, Chief of the ACAP Jomsom Office, 56 livestock from 27 households were lost to wildlife in 2023/24, and 63 from 12 households in 2024/25. This year alone, households in Jomsom (six), Muktinath (one), Kobang (one), Kunjo (one), Marpha (one), and Kagbeni (two) have suffered livestock losses. A total of 54 yaks, eight buffaloes, and one horse were killed. Gupta added that in the previous fiscal year, 30 yaks, two horses, 19 more yaks, and five chickens were also lost to wildlife attacks across 27 households in Kobang, Marpha, Muktinath, and Kagbeni.

The Jomsom office did distribute Rs 550,000 to 12 households last year for 31 livestock losses incurred in fiscal year 2022/23. However, no funds have been received for claims filed for the last two fiscal years. Similarly, in the Lomanthang area, no compensation has been provided for two consecutive fiscal years. Umesh Poudel, Chief of the ACAP Lomanthang Office, confirmed that 27 households had submitted relief applications for livestock damages in 2023/24.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged member states to increase financing for peacekeeping missions, describing them as a crucial symbol of international collaboration, Xinhua reported.

He emphasized the need for more adaptable and resilient operations at the UN Peacekeeping Ministerial in Berlin, as global conflicts and displacement continue to escalate. Guterres also paid respect to the 4,400 peacekeepers who lost their lives while on service.

"We are now facing the highest number of conflicts since the foundation of the United Nations, and record numbers of people fleeing across borders in search of safety and refuge," Guterres said as stated by Xinhua.

The two-day forum gathered representatives from around 130 countries to shape the future of UN peacekeeping.

An Israeli air strike on the European Hospital in Khan Younis killed 28 people and injured dozens, according to Gaza’s civil defence agency.

BBC said six bombs struck the hospital compound, leaving deep craters and burying vehicles.

The Israeli military claimed it targeted a Hamas command center beneath the hospital in a “precise strike.”

Drones were reportedly seen hovering over the region, causing rescue efforts to be delayed. Two civil defence officers were injured by a quadcopter drone during the response, BBC reported.