**Summary:** Chilean administration officials have strongly criticized former presidents Gabriel Boric and Michelle Bachelet for publicly questioning the country's adhesion to the U.S.-led Shield of the Americas security initiative.

**Key points:**
- Former presidents Boric and Bachelet issued a joint statement arguing that the U.S.-led initiative and concepts like continental sovereignty could weaken national sovereignty.
- Interior Undersecretary Máximo Pavez rejected the criticism, stating that international policy should not be used by former leaders to attack the government through the press.
- Government officials defended the agreement as a voluntary coordination mechanism involving over 15 nations to combat transnational organized crime rather than a treaty.
- Administration insiders noted the joint letter surprised President José Antonio Kast while he was returning from New York.

**Why it matters:** The public clash between current government officials and former heads of state highlights sharp divisions over foreign policy direction and national sovereignty regarding international security pacts.

Diario Financiero - La Moneda no esconde molestia con Boric y Bachelet por criticas a Escudo de las Américas: “No nos parece que los presidentes usen la política exterior para atacar al gobierno”

La Tercera - Cómo se gestó la carta entre Bachelet y Boric que sorprendió a Kast en Nueva York

La Tercera - Ojos de la llave: Barros en un tanque a lo Bachelet, lo que se no vio de la gira de Kast y el homenaje a la expresidenta

La Tercera - Pavez eleva el tono por comunicado de Boric y Bachelet por Escudo de las Américas: “No corresponde ni la forma ni el fondo”

Chilean Government Rebukes Ex-Presidents Over Security Pact Critique

**Summary:** Kyrgyzstan's state budget revenues have exceeded 588 billion som, while President Sadyr Japarov announced plans to complete over 20,000 apartments nationwide by the end of 2026.

**Key points:**
- President Sadyr Japarov stated that around 20,000 families are expected to receive homes by the end of 2026.
- Keys to new apartments in Bishkek's Asman Residence-1 complex were distributed to representatives of various state and security agencies.
- The administration aims to provide housing for approximately 100,000 families in need between 2026 and 2027, with a long-term goal of universal access by 2030.

**Why it matters:** The milestone in state budget revenues supports large-scale domestic development initiatives, such as government-backed residential construction aimed at alleviating nationwide housing needs.

AKIpress - Kyrgyzstan's state budget revenues exceed 588 billion som

Trend - Kyrgyzstan to complete more than 20,000 apartments by end of 2026

Kyrgyzstan State Budget Revenues Surpass 588 Billion Som

**Summary:** The 2nd Azerbaijan International Investment Forum opened in Baku under the theme of rebuilding trust and enhancing the South Caucasus's role in global connectivity, featuring the signing of 12 cooperation documents.

**Key points:**
- President Ilham Aliyev delivered an address emphasizing economic diversification, non-oil sector growth, and strategic transport corridors.
- Twelve cooperation documents were signed across sectors including renewable energy, digital technologies, construction, and agriculture.
- Discussions at the two-day forum cover the Middle Corridor, green energy transition, artificial intelligence, and investment opportunities.

**Why it matters:** The forum highlights Azerbaijan's efforts to strengthen regional connectivity, attract foreign investment, and expand its non-oil economy amid evolving global trade and transport routes.

Trend - 2nd Azerbaijan International Investment Forum hosts signing of multiple documents (PHOTO)

vestikavkaza.ru - Азербайджанский международный инвестфорум стартовал в Баку

en.apa.az - President Ilham Aliyev addresses participants of Second Azerbaijan International Investment Forum

Second Azerbaijan International Investment Forum Opens in Baku

**Summary:** A technical fault in the Central Asian integrated power grid triggered emergency protection systems, causing temporary electricity disruptions across Kyrgyzstan.

**Key points:**
- Automatic emergency protection systems were activated to prevent a broader system-wide failure.
- The power outage affected certain districts in Bishkek and the Chuy Region.
- National Electric Grid of Kyrgyzstan stated that the energy system has returned to normal operation.
- Specialists from the National Electric Grid of Kyrgyzstan and regional system operators are investigating the causes of the failure.

**Why it matters:** The incident highlights the vulnerabilities and interdependencies of regional integrated power infrastructure, affecting essential services and stability.

AKIpress - Central Asian power grid outage causes temporary electricity disruptions across Kyrgyzstan, reasons investigated

Interfax - В Объединенной энергосистеме Центральной Азии произошел технологический сбой

Central Asian power grid outage causes disruptions in Kyrgyzstan

**Summary:** Pope Leo XIV arrived in France for a four-day visit, marking his first major papal trip to the country with stops in Paris, Lourdes, and Metz.

**Key points:**
- Pope Leo XIV was received at Paris-Orly airport by French President Emmanuel Macron.
- The itinerary includes addresses at the Elysee Palace and UNESCO, as well as a large gathering at the Stade de France and a mass on the Place de la Concorde.
- Key themes of the visit include artificial intelligence regulation, the migrant crisis, and the Catholic Church's handling of sexual violence.

**Why it matters:** This rare and high-profile papal visit addresses critical socio-ethical issues and holds significant religious and diplomatic weight for France and the wider European Union.

RTBF - Léon XIV attendu dans la ferveur en France, entre sécurité XXL et défis pour l'Église

L'essentiel - DIRECT. Visite du pape Léon XIV : le souverain pontife arrive sur le sol français à 10 heures, une première visite très attendue... Suivez les temps forts

Pope Leo XIV Begins Four-Day Visit to France

**Summary:** US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping held a summit at the White House, announcing a new trade agreement and discussing global issues such as artificial intelligence and the Taiwan issue.

**Key points:**
- President Trump presented President Xi with a bald eagle statue during the state visit.
- President Xi urged the US to handle the Taiwan issue prudently and avoid supporting Taiwan independence.
- The two leaders discussed artificial intelligence cooperation and the need to prevent its misuse.
- High-profile business leaders, including tech and finance executives, attended the state dinner.

**Why it matters:** The summit between the US and China marks a significant diplomatic engagement, yielding a new trade accord and establishing dialogue frameworks on key economic and technological issues.

newspim.com - [ 미중정상회담 사진 ] 中 시진핑 주석 , 트럼프 대통령의 백악관 환영식 참석

newspim.com - 트럼프 · 시진핑 , 국빈 만찬서 덕담 … 양국 관계 이보다 좋았던 적 없어

newspim.com - [ 미중정상회담 사진 ] 미 · 중 국빈만찬 참석한 젠슨 황 내외와 팀 쿡

newspim.com - [ 미중정상회담 사진 ] 국빈만찬 참석한 월가 거물 제이미 다이먼

ohmynews.com - 시진핑 미중 새 무역합의 도달 ... 대만문제엔 신중 처리 촉구

US and China Reach New Trade Agreement During Summit

**Summary:** During a historic state visit to Canada, Vietnam's General Secretary and President Tô Lâm met with Prime Minister Mark Carney to formally upgrade bilateral relations to a Strategic Partnership.

**Key points:**
- The upgraded partnership is structured around eight key pillars, encompassing bilateral cooperation, trade, infrastructure, digital technology, energy security, and defense.
- The diplomatic milestone marks the first official visit by a General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam to Canada since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1973.

**Why it matters:** The formalization of a Strategic Partnership deepens diplomatic, economic, and regional ties between Vietnam and Canada, establishing a structured framework to address shared global and regional challenges in the Indo-Pacific.

vietbao.vn - Tuyên bố chung về Quan hệ Đối tác Chiến lược giữa Việt Nam và Canada

Vietnam and Canada Establish Strategic Partnership During State Visit

**Summary:** Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and South Korean President Lee Jae-myung signed the Plan of Action 2026-2030 during a meeting in Mexico City, establishing 17 memorandums of understanding to enhance bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors.

**Key points:**
- The agreement encompasses frameworks for trade, financial credit schemes, customs measures against illicit goods, and intellectual property protection.
- Both nations agreed to expand cooperation in cutting-edge technologies, artificial intelligence, aerospace industries, and defense modernizations.
- President Claudia Sheinbaum announced cultural initiatives, including a potential K-pop cultural center in Mexico and a planned performance by the group BTS in 2027.

**Why it matters:** This strategic agreement deepens the institutional and economic ties between Mexico and South Korea, shaping their cooperative agenda across trade, security, and technology through the end of the decade.

Quarte Bot