"Yes, we do intend to restore the relationship with Peru. We did not break off that relationship; they did, they decided to. It is good that the president-elect today wishes... to restore the relationship," Sheinbaum said.

She added that she had instructed Mexico's foreign minister to begin discussions with Peru's incoming administration.

"Given her statements, I asked the foreign minister to establish communication with the new team that is going to govern in order to look at the specifics of restoring that relationship," she said.

Peru cut diplomatic relations with Mexico in November 2025 after the Mexican government granted political asylum to former Peruvian prime minister Betssy Chavez.

Chavez and former president Pedro Castillo were later sentenced to 11 years and five months in prison over Castillo's failed attempt to dissolve Congress and govern by decree in December 2022. Castillo is serving his sentence at the Barbadillo prison complex inside a police base in Lima.

The decision, announced by the government on Friday June 26, accuses France of pursuing “neocolonial ambitions” and interfering in domestic affairs, a claim Paris has rejected, calling the move “hostile and baseless” while reviewing its response. The rupture follows years of deteriorating relations, including the expulsion of French troops and diplomats, and reflects a broader regional trend in West Africa where leaders are increasingly pushing back against France’s presence.

Brazil received eight red cards in a chaotic 1-0 loss to the United States women's national team in Fortaleza. Coach Arthur Elias and three assistants were sent off during the second half, while players Bia Zaneratto and Tarciane were dismissed late in the match. Kerolin and Ludmila also saw red after the final whistle for dissent. Sophia Wilson scored the game's only goal in the 63rd minute, with Brazil failing to register a shot on target before a crowd of more than 55,000 fans.

Brazil intercepts 108 Cuban migrants as asylum requests surge

Brazilian authorities rescued 108 Cuban migrants from suspected smugglers in Roraima state, marking the largest humanitarian rescue operation ever recorded in the region. Five alleged traffickers were arrested. Officials say the operation reflects a growing wave of Cuban migration through Brazil's northern border with Guyana. Cubans became the leading nationality seeking refugee status in Brazil in 2025, with more than 40,000 applications, driven by Cuba's deepening economic crisis. Roraima and neighbouring Amapá have emerged as key entry points, with authorities warning that migration flows could continue to rise amid worsening conditions on the island.

EU deepens digital ties with Brazil to reduce reliance on US tech

The European Union and Brazil are set to sign a digital partnership covering data , cybersecurity, connectivity and online safety, as Brussels seeks to strengthen ties with trusted partners and reduce dependence on U.S. technology. EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen said Brazil will become the bloc's fifth digital partner, joining Canada, Japan, South Korea and Singapore. The move follows the EU-Mercosur trade agreement and comes as Europe works to boost its own tech sovereignty, particularly in cloud services and semiconductor production.

Brazil's Alisson unfazed by World Cup favourites tag

Brazil goalkeeper Alisson Becker says being labelled a World Cup favourite offers no advantage, insisting what matters is a team's form when the tournament begins. The Liverpool keeper, fully fit for his third World Cup, credited coach Carlo Ancelotti with improving morale after a difficult qualifying campaign. He said Brazil have become more organised defensively under the Italian and is ready for their opening match against Morocco in New Jersey.

Brazilian woman, 38, accused of posing as child in years-long fraud

A 38-year-old Brazilian woman has been arrested for allegedly posing as a 12-year-old girl and deceiving a couple who housed and supported her for more than a year. Amanda Maria Souza de Oliveira is accused of fraud and identity offences after reportedly creating a fake identity, convincing the family to cover her expenses and treating her as a child. Prosecutors described the case as an "elaborate fraud scheme" involving emotional manipulation. Authorities say Oliveira has faced similar allegations in other Brazilian states.

Some of the world ’s biggest bank robberies have involved not just organised criminals, but wars, political instability and highly coordinated insider operations, with losses ranging from tens of millions to nearly $1 billion.

According to records documented by Guinness World Records and financial reporting archives, including World Finance, the largest known bank robbery in history remains the 2003 theft from the Central Bank of Iraq, where more than $920 million was stolen in the chaotic days surrounding the Iraq War.

Iraq Heist Remains the Largest on Record

The Central Bank of Iraq robbery unfolded shortly before the United States-led invasion of Iraq in March 2003.

According to reports widely cited by Guinness World Records, Saddam Hussein allegedly sent his son Qusay Hussein to withdraw approximately $920 million in cash from the central bank using handwritten notes shortly before coalition forces entered Baghdad.

Much of the money was later recovered by U.S. troops hidden inside palace walls, although large sums remain unaccounted for.

The robbery continues to be regarded as the largest bank theft ever recorded.

Dar es Salaam Heist Shocked East Africa

Among the largest modern commercial bank robberies was the Dar es Salaam Bank heist in Iraq, estimated at roughly $282 million.

The case highlighted growing concerns over corruption, weak institutional oversight and the vulnerability of financial systems in conflict-affected regions.

Financial crime experts say some of the largest robberies in history succeeded not through sophisticated hacking, but through insider access and political instability.

Britain’s Most Famous Vault Robberies

Several of the world’s most notorious heists took place in the United Kingdom.

The 1987 Knightsbridge Security Deposit robbery in London saw Italian criminal Valerio Viccei and accomplices steal an estimated $97 million worth of cash, jewellery and valuables after gaining access to safety deposit vaults by posing as customers.

Meanwhile, the 2006 Securitas depot robbery in Kent became Britain’s largest cash theft, with armed criminals stealing approximately £53 million, equivalent to around $83 million at the time. Many of those involved were later arrested, though part of the money was never recovered.

Brazil’s Underground Bank Burglary

In Brazil, the 2005 Banco Central burglary became famous for the method used rather than sheer violence.

A criminal gang spent months digging a tunnel beneath the city of Fortaleza before stealing roughly $71.6 million from the Central Bank of Brazil.

Authorities later described the operation as one of the most technically elaborate bank robberies ever conducted.

Northern Ireland’s Political Shadow

The 2004 Northern Bank robbery in Belfast resulted in the theft of around £26.5 million, equivalent to roughly $41 million at the time.

The robbery drew international attention amid allegations of involvement by paramilitary groups linked to the Irish republican movement, claims that were politically sensitive during Northern Ireland’s peace process.

The latest example came in 2026, when Polish YouTube collective ŁatwoGang reportedly raised an extraordinary $68.9 million in just nine days , setting a new benchmark for creator-led fundraising events.

The figure eclipses previous records set by France’s ZEvent, one of Europe’s most successful charity streaming marathons, and reflects the growing influence of digital creators in mobilising global audiences.

French livestream charity event ZEvent has become one of the most recognised fundraising initiatives in the online creator economy.

Founded by French streamers Adrien “ZeratoR” Nougaret and Alexandre “Dach” Dachary, the event brings together dozens of creators annually to raise money for humanitarian and environmental causes.

According to organisers and reporting from BBC News , the 2021 edition raised more than €10 million for Action Against Hunger, becoming one of the largest charity streaming campaigns ever recorded at the time. Subsequent editions continued to grow rapidly, with the 2025 event reportedly generating nearly $19 million within three days.

The event’s success has highlighted the power of livestream communities to convert audience engagement directly into donations at unprecedented speed.

In the United States, creators have also begun testing the limits of online fundraising.

A 2025 livestream collaboration involving YouTube creator MrBeast and streamer Adin Ross reportedly generated approximately $12 million in just 18 hours, demonstrating how major internet personalities can attract audiences comparable to large broadcast events.

MrBeast, whose real name is Jimmy Donaldson, is widely recognised for blending philanthropy with entertainment content and has built one of the world ’s largest YouTube audiences, with hundreds of millions of subscribers across platforms, according to Forbes.

Platforms such as Twitch, YouTube and Kick are increasingly functioning as large-scale fundraising infrastructure rather than simply entertainment services.

Data from Streams Charts shows charity livestreams consistently rank among the highest-engagement online events globally, often attracting millions of cumulative viewing hours and international participation.

Industry analysts say the format succeeds because livestreaming combines entertainment, direct audience interaction and real-time donation tracking, creating a sense of collective participation difficult to replicate through traditional fundraising methods.

Charity streaming first gained traction through gaming communities in the late 2010s, but has since expanded far beyond esports audiences.

One of the earliest large-scale examples came from Twitch streamer DrLupo, who raised nearly $900,000 in 24 hours in 2019 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Over five years, his fundraising efforts surpassed $10 million, according to campaign records and Twitch reporting.

Since then, creator-led charity events have broadened to include music, politics, lifestyle content and global humanitarian campaigns.

The visit also comes less than a week after US President Donald Trump completed his own state visit to China, placing additional attention on Beijing’s global diplomatic positioning.

Putin’s 2024 state visit to China

One of the most significant recent meetings between the two leaders took place in May 2024, when Putin travelled to Beijing for his first foreign trip after re-election.

Xi welcomed Putin with a formal state ceremony featuring military honours, red carpet events, marching troops, and performances by a Chinese military band. The two leaders later launched the “Years of Russian-Chinese Culture” programme, marking 75 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

During the visit, Xi described the relationship as strategically important for both nations. Putin also praised the state of relations between Moscow and Beijing.

In a lighter moment during the event, Putin joked that he felt comfortable enough in China to forget interpreters were needed.

“I feel at home here, so I thought everyone here already speaks Russian,” he said.

Xi responded by welcoming Putin’s decision to make China his first overseas destination after beginning his new presidential term.

Moscow Victory Day celebrations in 2025

The two leaders met again in Moscow in May 2025 during Russia’s Victory Day commemorations, marking the 80th anniversary of the Soviet victory in World War II.

Footage from the Kremlin showed Putin and Xi holding bilateral talks, overseeing document signing ceremonies, and attending military parades together on Red Square.

Speaking during the Moscow meetings, Putin described Russia-China relations as a stabilising force in global affairs.

Xi highlighted the importance of Russia in China’s foreign relations.

The leaders were later seen together during the Victory Day parade as Chinese troops marched through Red Square.

Beijing Victory Day events in 2025

In September 2025, Putin returned to Beijing for China’s Victory Day commemorations, where he again appeared alongside Xi during major military ceremonies and public events.

Footage from Tiananmen Square showed the two leaders attending parades, concerts, and official receptions together. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un was also present at some of the events.