**Summary:** During Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to China, he and Chinese President Xi Jinping signed a joint declaration advocating for a multipolar world order and a new model of international relations.

**Key points:**
- The leaders signed 40 cooperation documents covering trade, education, technology, and nuclear energy.
- The joint declaration emphasizes the principles of open cooperation, indivisible security, and the democratization of international relations.
- Both nations agreed to extend the 2001 Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation.
- The declaration explicitly opposes hegemony, power politics, and the return to a 'jungle law' international environment.

**Why it matters:** The declaration signals a deepening strategic partnership between China and Russia aimed at challenging the current global governance structure and promoting a multipolar international order.

中国军网 - 俄罗斯总统普京访华期间两国元首会晤成果文件清单

第一财经 - 中华人民共和国和俄罗斯联邦关于倡导世界多极化和新型国际关系的联合声明

俄罗斯卫星通讯社 - 中国专家评中俄联合声明 多极世界已拉开序幕

联合早报 - 【 视频 】 普京访华 ： 中美俄关系微妙 三巨头或APEC同框

China and Russia Sign Joint Declaration on Multipolarity and New International Relations

**Summary:** The Republic of Guinea and France have reaffirmed their support for Morocco's sovereignty and its autonomy initiative regarding the Sahara region, citing the plan as the sole credible solution to the long-standing regional conflict.

**Key points:**
- Guinean Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Integration and Guineans Residing Abroad, Morissanda Kouyaté, expressed his country's support during meetings in Rabat with Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita.
- The diplomatic discussions occurred on the sidelines of the Second Ministerial Conference on Peacekeeping in the Francophone Space.
- Guinea and France both highlighted the importance of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2797, adopted on October 31, 2025, which supports the Moroccan autonomy plan.

**Why it matters:** These diplomatic endorsements strengthen Morocco's international position on the Sahara issue, aligning with a growing global consensus supporting the Moroccan autonomy initiative as a realistic political solution.

yabiladi.com - La France réitère que le «présent et l’avenir du Sahara s’inscrivent dans la souveraineté du Maroc»

hespress.com - غينيا تجدد الدعم لمغربية الصحراء

Guinea and France Reiterate Support for Morocco's Sovereignty Over the Sahara

**Summary:** French and Moroccan officials have confirmed that a state visit by King Mohammed VI to France is now scheduled, marking a significant step in bilateral relations. The visit will feature the signing of a historic treaty between the two nations.

**Key points:**
- The visit will be preceded by a meeting of the high-level joint commission in Rabat this July.
- The planned bilateral treaty is described as the first of its kind for France with a non-European country.
- The announcement was made in Rabat by French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot and Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita.
- The treaty is intended to establish a long-term framework for the strategic relationship between Paris and Rabat.

**Why it matters:** The signing of this unprecedented treaty signals a formal strengthening of ties between France and Morocco, setting a new diplomatic framework for their future cooperation.

yabiladi.com - Le Maroc et la France annoncent une visite d’État du roi Mohammed VI et un traité bilatéral inédit

jeuneafrique.com - Paris et Rabat annoncent une visite prochaine du roi Mohammed VI en France

France and Morocco Announce Upcoming State Visit by King Mohammed VI

**Summary:** Russian President Vladimir Putin concluded a two-day visit to China, where he and Chinese President Xi Jinping signed 44 documents to strengthen their comprehensive strategic partnership.

**Key points:**
- The leaders signed a joint statement aimed at enhancing strategic cooperation and stability in global politics.
- The visit included the extension of the Treaty of Good-Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation.
- President Xi Jinping emphasized aligning China's 15th Five-Year Plan with Russia's development strategy through 2030.
- The two nations pledged to oppose unilateral bullying and actions that attempt to revive fascism or militarism.

**Why it matters:** The visit underscores the deepening strategic alignment between Moscow and Beijing, signaling a unified approach to global governance and international relations.

english.news.cn - Xi , Putin jointly meet press

pravda.ru - Putin Wraps Up Two-Day China Visit With New Strategic Partnership Deals

Russian President Vladimir Putin Concludes Two-Day Strategic Visit to China

**Summary:** The United States has formally indicted former Cuban President Raul Castro, marking a significant escalation in the Trump administration's pressure campaign against the Cuban government.

**Key points:**
- The 94-year-old former leader served as Cuba's defense minister before assuming the presidency in 2008.
- The indictment follows a pattern of the U.S. Department of Justice using criminal prosecutions against foreign adversaries.
- Washington has previously imposed a de facto blockade on the island by threatening sanctions against fuel suppliers.
- The move mirrors the earlier U.S. indictment of former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

**Why it matters:** The indictment of a former head of state represents a rare and aggressive diplomatic escalation that further strains U.S.-Cuba relations amid an ongoing regional pressure campaign.

reforma.com - Presenta EU cargos contra Ral Castro

cyprus-mail.com - Former Cuban President Raul Castro is indicted in US

Diario Financiero - EEUU acusa formalmente al expresidente cubano Raúl Castro y escala presión contra La Habana

US Indicts Former Cuban President Raul Castro

**Summary:** The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared a public health emergency of international concern following an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, with experts warning of significant under-detection.

**Key points:**
- Official reports confirm 51 cases in the Ituri and North Kivu provinces, though the WHO estimates the actual scale is much larger with nearly 600 suspected cases and 139 deaths.
- The outbreak involves the Bundibugyo virus strain, which has complicated diagnostic efforts due to initial testing calibration issues.
- The United States has issued a level 4 travel advisory for the Ituri province, citing limited capacity to provide emergency services.
- Researchers from the Imperial College of London and the WHO suggest the true number of cases could be two to five times higher than current official figures.

**Why it matters:** The declaration of a public health emergency highlights the critical risk of regional spread and the challenges of managing a lethal virus in conflict-prone areas.

Global News - Ebola epidemic scale ‘much larger’ than known cases, WHO head says

Mediapart - Nouvelle épidémie d’Ebola: «La difficulté n’est pas sanitaire, mais géopolitique et sécuritaire»

pressafrik.com - Ebola en RDC : une étude dexperts de lOMS et de lImperial College estime le nombre de cas deux à cinq fois supérieur aux chiffres connus à ce jour

WHO Declares Ebola Outbreak in DRC and Uganda a Public Health Emergency

**Summary:** Israeli forces intercepted the Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters, detaining approximately 430 activists who were attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.

**Key points:**
- Israeli Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir faced criticism after posting a video mocking detained activists.
- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated the minister's conduct did not align with Israeli values and ordered the deportation of the activists.
- The flotilla consisted of approximately 50 vessels, with detainees being processed at the port of Ashdod.
- France and Italy have formally requested clarifications from Israel regarding the treatment of their citizens.

**Why it matters:** The incident has triggered diplomatic tensions between Israel and several European nations over the treatment of international activists and the ongoing maritime blockade of Gaza.

elpopular.uy - Israel interceptó últimos barcos de la Flotilla Global Sumud

elcomercio.pe - Israel afirma que traslada a su territorio a 430 activistas de Flotilla para Gaza

huffingtonpost.es - El ministro israelí Itamar Ben-Gvir se burla en un vídeo de los activistas de la flotilla detenidos, arrodillados y esposados: "Bienvenidos a Israel"

Israel intercepts Global Sumud Flotilla, detaining over 400 activists

**Summary:** The Togolese government has implemented a visa-free entry policy for all African travelers while simultaneously engaging in high-level diplomatic efforts to balance its partnerships with France and Russia.

**Key points:**
- African citizens with valid passports can now enter Togo for up to 30 days by completing an online travel declaration.
- French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot visited Lomé in late April, marking the first such high-level visit in 24 years.
- Russia has pursued increased influence in Togo through a 2025 military cooperation agreement and proposed infrastructure projects, including a railway and oil pipeline.
- The visa exemption policy aims to promote continental integration and aligns with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) objectives.

**Why it matters:** Togo is positioning itself as a strategic regional hub while navigating the competing geopolitical interests of Western and Russian influence in West Africa.

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