The United States said its allies in Asia should spend 5 percent of their gross domestic product on defense, which is the level its European allies are discussing as a global standard.

Turkish President Erdogan said on Saturday that Türkiye is ready to do its part, including facilitating dialogue, amid the ongoing Iranian-Israeli conflict. He made the remarks in a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister who is visiting Türkiye to attend the 51st session of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation Council of Foreign Ministers in Istanbul, the Turkish Presidency stated. During their meeting, Erdogan highlighted the importance of taking prompt steps toward diplomacy through both technical-level and high-level talks between Iran and the United States.

In a forested area near the Hetaoping Wild Training Base in Wolong, three mother panda and cub pairs are undergoing a stage of training designed to prepare the cubs for independent life in the wild.

Parisians sunbathe on the lawns of Belleville Park as temperatures soar above 30 degrees in the capital and a heatwave peaks across France, with 16 departments still under an orange 'heatwave' warning, according to France's weather agency, Meteo-France.

French Health Minister urged the French public to stay hydrated and to moderate their alcohol consumption to avoid exposure to heat, especially between 11 am and 4 pm and to stay hydrated.

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Maritime rescue charity Sea-Watch said it rescued 70 people stranded in a rubber dinghy in the central Mediterranean on 20 June, coinciding with World Refugee Day.

The charity said the youngest person onboard was only one year old. One of those rescued had to be medically evacuated to Malta while several others are suffering fuel burns, dehydration and exhaustion after being stranded at sea for more than 24 hours. Sea-Watch spokesperson said they demand an immediate European rescue program and safe passage for all.
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The sixth Qingdao Multinationals Summit ended in the coastal city of Qingdao, east China’s Shandong Province on Friday, with the conclusion of multi-billion-U.S.-dollar agreements on 40 key projects related to foreign investment and foreign trade. Valued at 5.93 billion U.S. dollars, the projects covered by the deals signed at the event span various industries, including high-end equipment, new energy materials, and next-generation information technology.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the 11th International Day of Yoga celebrations from Andhra Pradesh’s Visakhapatnam. Addressing the crowd at a 26-km-long yoga corridor, where over 3 lakh people performed Yoga together, Modi emphasized that Yoga is universal transcending borders, age, and background. On the occasion, Modi also released a commemorative postage stamp marking the 11th edition of International Yoga Day.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks with China's Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang on June 20 in Saint Petersburg.

Putin told Xuexiang that he "will gladly accept the invitation" of President Xi Jinping to visit China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit, and WWII commemorations between August 31 - September 3. He also met the Secretary General of Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, to whom he expressed his hope of oil demand remaining on a "high level".

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Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing visited Shwe Pyi Agriculture and Livestock Breeding Zone under the Myanmar Economic Corporation in Hmawby Township of Yangon Region on Saturday.

In the briefing hall, officials provided update reports on work implementations, breeding of poultry and pig, cultivation of maize and construction of animal feed factory. The Prime Minister instructed for systematic sales of the produces and boosting production to meet the demand of consumers.

Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing made inspection at the factories and workshops in Yangon Region on Saturday.

The Prime Minister and party visited Solar Panel Factory of Shwe Katha Company Limited, being operated at the Electronics and Electric Motor Workshop of No.2 Heavy Industries. He heard reports on work undertakings and production f solar panels at the factory.