Congo and Rwanda have signed a US-backed peace deal to end years of war, marking a significant development in the region's conflict resolution efforts. The agreement, facilitated by the United States, aims to bring stability and security to the area. The deal is seen as a major breakthrough, with both countries committing to work towards a lasting peace.
https://www.livemint.com/news/us-news/congo-rwanda-sign-us-backed-peace-deal-to-end-years-of-war-11751069070314.htmlForeign Ministers from the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda signed a landmark peace agreement at the US State Department, witnessed by Secretary Marco Rubio. The comprehensive agreement addresses territorial integrity, disarmament protocols, and reintegration of displaced populations, creating a foundation for lasting peace in eastern DRC. Foreign Minister Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner expressed gratitude to President Trump and Secretary Rubio for their commitment to peace in Africa, while President Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo emphasized the broader implications of the agreement, including attracting American investment and enhancing regional trade corridors.
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/88-dragons-pr-inc-historic-peace-agreement-signed-between-democratic-republic-of-congo-and-rwanda-302493669.htmlIn the southern Gaza Strip, six people were killed by gunfire while seeking food, as over 500 have died near US-backed aid centres or in areas where UN food trucks were set to pass since late May. Israeli soldiers claim they ordered troops to shoot at crowds to disperse them, but legal representatives dispute this, saying incidents are not isolated cases. The Gaza health authorities attribute the deaths to confusion about access to aid, with a 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew imposed on approach routes to aid sites.
https://www.asiaone.com/world/israeli-military-orders-war-crime-probe-gaza-shootings-paper-saysTens of thousands of LGBTQ+ rights supporters are expected to attend the Budapest Pride march on June 28, defying a police ban imposed by Prime Minister Viktor Orban's government. The event has become a symbol of resistance against Hungary's nationalist government, which has gradually curtailed the rights of the LGBTQ+ community in recent years. European Commissioner for Equality Hadja Lahbib and about 70 members of the European Parliament are among those expected to attend, along with participants from 30 different countries. Over 30 embassies have expressed support for the march, while Hungarian mayor Gergely Karacsony has organized the event as a municipal affair, attempting to circumvent the law that led to the police ban.
https://www.asiaone.com/world/tens-thousands-expected-attend-budapest-pride-defiance-banThe IDF has launched an investigation into potential war crimes in Gaza following the deaths of hundreds of people who were seeking aid. The probe was initiated after reports emerged of civilians being killed or injured during the conflict, with many more dying from lack of access to basic necessities like food and water.
https://www.firstpost.com/world/idf-opens-probe-into-possible-war-crimes-in-gaza-as-hundreds-die-seeking-aid-13901191.htmlIndia has rejected a ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague on two hydroelectric projects in Jammu and Kashmir, citing that India never accepted the framework under which the arbitration was conducted. The Ministry of External Affairs stated that India does not recognize the jurisdiction of the court, particularly regarding dispute resolution mechanisms involving Pakistan under the Indus Waters Treaty. The ruling is seen as a "desperate attempt" by Pakistan to escape accountability for its role in terrorism, with the MEA calling it a "fabricated arbitration mechanism."
https://www.livemint.com/news/world/india-rejects-hague-courts-illegal-ruling-on-j-k-hydroelectric-projects-charade-at-pakistans-behest-11751075148585.htmlIsrael's military is under investigation for suspected war crimes at aid distribution centers in Gaza, where over 500 people have been killed near aid points since May. The Israeli military denies deliberately shooting at civilians, citing directives that prohibit attacks on innocents. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz rejected allegations of "blood libels" against the military, stating they operate to avoid harming innocents.
https://www.brecorder.com/news/40369958/netanyahu-rejects-report-israeli-troops-ordered-to-fire-on-gaza-aid-seekersIsrael has allowed a limited supply of food into Gaza since mid-May, but efforts by the United Nations to distribute it have been hindered by armed gangs and crowds. The American-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation is running newly formed aid sites, where Palestinians have been shot and wounded while attempting to receive food. Israeli troops have opened fire on crowds approaching these sites, prompting an investigation into civilian casualties.
https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-war-news-06-28-2025-0baefcaa74fad04b81c1e5f2b9236c75Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban's governing coalition has amended laws and the constitution to ban the annual Pride march in Budapest, citing "child protection" grounds. The move is part of a years-long clampdown on LGBTQ rights in the country. Despite the ban, dozens of European lawmakers attended the march in defiance, while EU officials including Ursula von der Leyen and Hadja Lahbib have called for the ban to be reversed. The event was marred by clashes between police and protesters, with some people gathered along the route to protest against LGBTQ rights. Orban's government has faced criticism for its handling of civil rights and rule of law issues, with analysts saying he is "polarising society" ahead of next year's election.
https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/news/nation/major-turnout-as-budapest-pride-defies-orbans-ban-in-hungary/article_ecb217ad-7ecb-5251-ba19-8427a2da205b.html