Uruguay has the highest share of urban residents in Latin America, with 95.9% of its population living in urban areas in 2024, according to the United Nations Population Division's World Urbanisation Prospects .

The UN estimates that nearly all Uruguayans now live in cities and towns, reflecting one of the world's most urbanised societies. The country's population is heavily concentrated around Montevideo, which, together with its surrounding metropolitan area, accounts for more than half of the national population.

Puerto Rico ranks second with 93.7%, followed by Argentina at 92.6%. Venezuela places fourth with 88.5%, narrowly ahead of Chile at 88.1% and Brazil at 88.0%.

Among Latin America's largest economies, urban populations now dominate national demographics.

Brazil, the region's most populous country, has almost nine in ten people living in urban areas. São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Brasília, Belo Horizonte and Salvador remain among the country's largest metropolitan centres.

Mexico ranks tenth with 81.9%, driven by continued growth around Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey. Colombia follows closely with 82.7%, where Bogotá, Medellín, Cali and Barranquilla account for a significant share of the country's population.

The Dominican Republic records 85.0%, while Costa Rica reaches 83.2%, with urban growth concentrated around Santo Domingo and the Greater Metropolitan Area of San José, respectively.

According to the United Nations, Latin America and the Caribbean is one of the world's most urbanised regions, with urbanisation accelerating rapidly throughout the second half of the 20th century as millions of people moved from rural areas to cities in search of employment, education and healthcare.

The UN projects that urbanisation will continue increasing across much of the region over the coming decades, although growth is expected to slow as many countries approach saturation levels where the overwhelming majority of their populations already live in urban areas.

Chairman of the State Administration Council and Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing has called for stronger investment in education , agricultural productivity and infrastructure during a visit to Minbu Township in Magway Region. Speaking with local elders, departmental officials and community representatives, he said regional development depended on improving schools, expanding irrigation, modernising agriculture and upgrading transport links. The Senior General stressed that education remains fundamental to long-term national development and urged local authorities to improve learning opportunities for young people. He also highlighted the need to increase agricultural output by making better use of available land and water resources, while encouraging the cultivation of crops suited to local conditions.

Government steps up support to revive Myanmar's cotton industry

Myanmar is intensifying efforts to increase domestic cotton production as part of a broader strategy to reduce reliance on imported raw materials for its textile industry. Authorities are providing farmers with improved seed varieties, technical guidance and other forms of state support to raise yields and improve production efficiency. Officials say boosting cotton cultivation could strengthen domestic manufacturing by supplying more locally produced fibre to garment factories, reducing import costs and supporting rural incomes. Cotton remains an important strategic crop because of its connection to Myanmar's textile and apparel sector, one of the country's major export industries. The programme also reflects wider government efforts to improve agricultural productivity through better farming techniques and greater support for growers. By encouraging higher yields, authorities hope to increase both farmer earnings and national industrial competitiveness.

Pyin Oo Lwin plants 3,000 saplings to expand urban green spaces

Residents, government agencies and community organisations in Pyin Oo Lwin have planted 3,000 tree saplings as part of an environmental campaign to increase urban greenery and improve ecological sustainability. The initiative supports Myanmar's broader reforestation and environmental conservation efforts. The campaign aims to improve air quality, enhance biodiversity and create greener public spaces while encouraging greater community participation in environmental protection. Tree-planting activities have become a regular feature of government conservation programmes across several regions. Officials said expanding urban forests also helps reduce soil erosion, moderate temperatures, and improve the quality of life for residents. The initiative forms part of wider efforts to balance urban development with environmental conservation.

ASEAN meeting overshadowed by report that more than 300 women were killed

ASEAN foreign ministers have met with representatives of Myanmar's military administration as international concern grows over continuing violence inside the country . The diplomatic engagement came as rights groups reported that more than 300 women have been killed by the military, underscoring the worsening humanitarian situation since the 2021 military takeover. The meeting reflects ASEAN's continuing efforts to engage Myanmar under its Five-Point Consensus, although progress toward ending the conflict has remained limited. Human rights organisations continue to document civilian casualties, displacement and alleged abuses while urging stronger regional action to protect civilians and restore democratic governance. The latest figures concerning women killed during the conflict have added to international pressure on ASEAN to seek more effective measures to address the prolonged crisis.

Myanmar diaspora plans US rallies in support of UN Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun

Myanmar communities across the United States are organising rallies to support Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun , the country's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, amid continued efforts by Myanmar's military authorities to remove him from the post. Kyaw Moe Tun has remained internationally recognised by the UN despite rejecting the military takeover in February 2021 and publicly pledging loyalty to Myanmar's elected civilian government. Since then, the junta has repeatedly sought to replace him, while many Western governments and Myanmar's pro-democracy movement continue to back his representation. Organisers say the rallies are intended to demonstrate continued international support for democratic governance in Myanmar and to reinforce calls for the United Nations to maintain Kyaw Moe Tun's credentials. The planned demonstrations also highlight the continuing role of Myanmar's overseas communities in advocating for democracy and international accountability more than five years after the military seized power.

The index, published by the Global Tax Expenditures Lab (GTEL), evaluates how governments disclose tax expenditures, including tax exemptions, deductions, credits and reduced tax rates. These measures represent government revenue forgone through the tax system and are widely used to support economic sectors, investment and social policy .

Indonesia climbed one place from the previous edition to lead the global rankings with 79.9 points, narrowly ahead of the Republic of Korea, which scored 78.3 after slipping from first place.

Australia recorded one of the greatest improvements, rising eight places to third with 76.3, while the Netherlands also climbed eight positions to fourth on 75.5. Canada completed the top five with 72.9, despite dropping two places.

Germany ranked sixth with 72.2, followed by the Russian Federation on 71.3. Benin emerged as Africa's highest-ranked country, placing eighth globally with 71.0, while France and Brazil rounded out the top ten with 68.9 and 68.8, respectively.

Unlike broader tax competitiveness rankings, the GTETI focuses exclusively on transparency. It assesses whether governments publish comprehensive information about tax expenditures, including their legal basis, estimated fiscal cost, policy objectives, beneficiaries and regular evaluations.

The index examines five key dimensions: institutional frameworks, the quality and scope of reporting, accessibility of information, oversight and accountability, and the use of evaluations to determine whether tax incentives achieve their intended goals.

According to the Global Tax Expenditures Lab, transparent reporting allows governments, legislators and the public to better understand the true cost of tax incentives and whether they deliver value for money.

Tax expenditures can amount to several percentage points of a country's gross domestic product and often rival direct government spending in size. Yet many governments still provide limited public information on these measures.

The GTETI argues that stronger reporting improves fiscal accountability, supports evidence-based policymaking and helps governments assess whether tax incentives remain justified over time.

Al-Aqili said Yemen would take action using all available means to defend its sovereignty, stressing that patience had been exhausted. He added that the response would aim to deter further incidents and reaffirm the country’s ability to protect its territory across land, sea and air.

Addressing the audience, Putin also acknowledged the challenges faced by those on the front line and behind the scenes, noting that fear is a natural response in difficult circumstances. However, he emphasised that resilience and unity remain key factors in overcoming adversity, highlighting the mobilisation of millions of people in support of the country’s goals.

Speaking in Brussels on Monday, Albares criticised remarks Rajoy made in a newspaper column published ahead of Tuesday's World Cup semi-final between Spain and France.

Rajoy wrote in El Debate that France had a world-class squad, "but without French players," prompting criticism in both Spain and France.

"I am not a judge, but of course that phrase conceals something terrible," Albares said.

"It is not only hurtful, but extraordinarily dangerous. We cannot allow it. We cannot allow that under phrases spoken in such a way, which seem to conceal, deep down, directly or indirectly, racist and xenophobic sentiments."

The foreign minister urged Popular Party leader Alberto Nunez Feijoo to publicly reject Rajoy's remarks and called for the article to be withdrawn.

"France, alongside Spain, is a driving force of European construction. We share values. The Popular Party is acting against all of that. Going against all of that is nothing more and nothing less than a former Prime Minister. I respect the figures of former Prime Ministers immensely, but I also demand responsibility from them in how they conduct themselves and what they say," Albares said.

Feijoo, who has a long-standing political and personal relationship with Rajoy, had not publicly responded to the minister's demand at the time of publication.

The controversy also drew criticism from France.

French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez described Rajoy's remarks as unacceptable and said France is a diverse country where everyone has a place.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez also weighed in, saying a person's national identity should not be judged by their "surname, place of birth, or skin colour."

The celebration attracted a steady stream of visitors, including fans who had travelled from overseas.

Although now approaching the size of her mother, with only her smaller frame and smooth ears setting her apart, Moo Deng has lost little of her appeal.

Moo Deng became a global social media phenomenon shortly after birth through videos shared by her keeper, propelling the endangered pygmy hippopotamus into the international spotlight.

Speaking at a daily press briefing in Beijing on Monday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said restoring navigation through the strategic waterway was in the interests of all parties after Iran claimed it had closed the strait and the United States announced further strikes on Iranian targets.

"The Strait of Hormuz is a waterway used for international navigation, and restoring safe and free passage through the strait as soon as possible is in the interests of all parties. The issue of navigation through the strait should be properly addressed. China is willing to maintain communication with relevant countries and the international community on this matter," Lin said.

Iran's claim that it had closed the Strait of Hormuz was disputed by Washington, which maintained that the waterway remained open. The renewed fighting has placed additional pressure on a route that is vital for global energy supplies and commercial shipping.

During the same briefing, Lin rejected allegations from US Federal Maritime Commission chair Laura DiBella that China was using port state control inspections to target Panama after a dispute over port concessions near the Panama Canal.

He said Panama-flagged vessels had been involved in a disproportionate number of maritime incidents in Chinese waters.

"From January to July of this year, Panama-flagged vessels accounted for nearly 20 percent of the total number of foreign-flagged vessel calls at Chinese ports, while their share of vessel accidents and deaths or missing persons reached approximately 50 percent, respectively," Lin said.

Responding to DiBella's comments, Lin defended China's inspection regime.

"Port State control, as an important measure to ensure the safety of vessel navigation and the cleanliness of waters, serves as the primary means by which countries manage the safety of foreign-flagged vessels calling at their ports. China attaches great importance to waterborne traffic and personal safety and conducts port State control inspections on vessels calling at Chinese ports in accordance with laws and regulations, which is fully consistent with international conventions," he added.

Lin also confirmed that Chinese President Xi Jinping will attend the opening ceremony of the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance in Shanghai later this week.

At least 27 people were killed after a fire tore through the packed Rong Beer Na Lat Phrao bar and restaurant in northern Bangkok late on Sunday, leaving dozens more injured.

Footage captured on Monday showed the scale of the destruction, with overturned furniture, abandoned shoes and burnt wreckage scattered around the venue.

The entrance was blackened by the blaze, while shattered windows and damaged musical instruments remained inside as police secured the area and gathered evidence.

The fire broke out shortly before midnight local time in Bangkok's Chatuchak district. Firefighters brought the blaze under control about 30 minutes later.

Authorities said the cause of the fire remains under investigation.

A police inspector confirmed that officers were continuing to collect evidence and interview witnesses, adding that further details would be released once the investigation progresses.

Officials said nine men and 18 women were among those killed.

Sixty-three people were taken to hospital, including 22 who remain in critical condition.

Most of those who died were found inside the venue's toilets, where they are believed to have sought shelter as the flames spread.

After the strike, people returned to inspect the damage, including a large crater at the impact site.

“Our neighbours had a blacksmith workshop, and it was hit. They [IDF] told us to evacuate the area. So, we evacuated our children before they hit the area. You can see the destruction,” eyewitness Wael Manasra said.

Palestinian media reported that four people were killed and others were injured after the strike hit a blacksmith workshop on Al-Sina'a Street in southwestern Gaza City.

The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said it had targeted a “weapons production site,” alleging that Hamas operatives were using the location to manufacture weapon components.

“In a blatant violation of the ceasefire agreement, Hamas operatives operated from a weapons production site to produce weapon components in an attempt to rehabilitate the organisation's military capabilities,” the IDF said in a statement.

The military added that “steps were taken to mitigate harm to civilians, including the use of precise munitions and aerial surveillance.”

The war in Gaza began on October 7, 2023, after Hamas-led attacks killed 1,139 people, mostly Israeli civilians, and more than 200 people were taken hostage.

According to Gaza's Health Ministry, Israel's military campaign has killed 73,223 Palestinians and injured 173,654 others since the conflict began.

In January, US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff announced the second phase of President Donald Trump's 20-point Gaza plan, aimed at moving from a ceasefire toward demilitarisation, technocratic governance and reconstruction.

"You made us proud, truly proud. We cherish you and everything you have accomplished," El-Sisi said.

"You brought joy to everyone's hearts because your performance was characterised by competitiveness, competence, merit, and above all, high values," he added.

El-Sisi also said Egypt's population of 120 million should be capable of producing many more football stars like Mohamed Salah and the current national team.

Egypt's campaign ended with a 3-2 defeat to Argentina in the Round of 16 on July 7, marking the country's best-ever World Cup performance in its fourth appearance at the tournament.

During the summit, Trump criticised Spain, calling it a "wasted cause" and announcing a halt to US trade with the country after Madrid resisted US calls to increase defence spending and support military action against Iran .

Fico said the meeting also showed that some NATO members were interested in opening dialogue with Russia, a position Slovakia has long supported.

He reiterated that Slovakia would not contribute to NATO's €70 billion military aid package for Ukraine or the EU's €90 billion military loan.

"We are in favour of cooperation, dialogue and humanitarian aid; however, we are not in favour of war ," Fico said.

NATO leaders agreed during the July 7-8 summit to provide €70 billion in military equipment, assistance and training for Ukraine in 2026, with a commitment to maintain similar support in 2027.

"The Executive Committee meeting held this Saturday, July 11, 2026, decided to initiate the termination procedure for the national head coach, Mr Pape Thiaw, as well as his entire technical staff," FSF Head of Communications Bakary Cisse said.

He added that the decision followed a review of the team's recent performances and future prospects.

Senegal's football federation has also tasked FSF President Abdoulaye Fall with formally notifying Thiaw and overseeing a broader reorganisation of the country's national teams.

Senegal were knocked out in the Round of 32 of the World Cup after surrendering a 2-0 lead to Belgium before losing 3-2 after extra time.

The disappointing campaign has prompted criticism of the federation's leadership, with local reports questioning the team's preparations and raising concerns over the FSF's financial management.

Viory reports that former France international Patrick Vieira, who was born in Dakar, has been linked in local media as a possible successor to Thiaw.

The hospital, deployed as part of El Salvador's humanitarian assistance, provides medical services for people of all ages and also offers veterinary care for companion animals, including dogs and cats.

The initiative was launched by the government of President Nayib Bukele in response to the earthquake emergency.

The Salvadoran team includes doctors, paramedics and veterinary staff. Medical personnel will provide care around the clock, while veterinary services for pets will operate daily from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Services available at the field hospital include medical consultations, emergency stabilisation for seriously injured patients, psychological support for survivors and treatment for injured or vulnerable domestic animals.

The deployment follows the first phase of El Salvador's emergency response, during which Salvadoran rescue teams helped search for people trapped beneath collapsed buildings and assisted with debris removal in affected areas.

The twin earthquakes struck Venezuela on June 24, when a magnitude 7.2 earthquake was followed 39 seconds later by a stronger magnitude 7.5 quake. The disaster caused widespread destruction across several states, including La Guaira, and triggered thousands of aftershocks.

According to figures released on Saturday, the earthquakes have killed 4,333 people and injured 16,740 others. Authorities said 31,193 patients have received hospital treatment, with more than 90% having since been discharged.

"We demand that the government of the Republic of Poland take all measures to oppose any development of Ukraine's integration process with the European Union . The European Union cannot be based on an ideology contrary to Christian values, European values," Czarnek said.

His remarks followed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's May 26 decree granting a Special Operations Forces unit the honorary title "Heroes of the UPA." While Ukraine says the title was chosen by the unit's soldiers and was not intended as an anti-Polish gesture, Poland holds the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) responsible for the wartime massacres of Polish civilians in Volhynia and Eastern Galicia, which it recognises as genocide.

"Ukraine is not doomed to glorify perpetrators of genocide. Ukraine has its own heroes. But Ukraine will not be free and will not be a member of the European Union," Czarnek said.

Ukraine applied for EU membership on February 28, 2022, four days after the conflict with Russia began. It was granted candidate status in June 2022, with EU leaders agreeing to open accession negotiations in December 2023. Formal talks began on June 25, 2024, followed by a screening process to assess Ukraine's alignment with EU legislation. Ukraine completed that process in September 2025, and on June 15, 2026, the EU and Kyiv opened the first negotiating cluster covering the rule of law, fundamental rights , democratic institutions, public administration reform and economic criteria, Viory reports.