Significant legal and political developments unfolded overnight. In Hong Kong, an appellate court overturned the fraud conviction against media entrepreneur Jimmy Lai, ruling that there was insufficient basis for the initial judgment, although he remains imprisoned on national security charges. This decision could have a broader impact on press freedom in Hong Kong, reigniting discussions around the treatment of dissidents in the wake of the controversial security law.

Meanwhile, violence erupted off the coast of Cuba where four individuals were shot and killed by the Cuban coast guard as their boat allegedly breached Cuban waters. The Cuban government accused the exiled Cubans on board of planning a terrorist act, while U.S. authorities announced they would investigate the incident, underscoring the ongoing tensions surrounding Cuban-American relations and the complex dynamics within the region.

In Norway, Guri Melby, the leader of the Liberal Party, stated that supporting a reduction in defense ambitions is unacceptable for her party and warned of potential withdrawal from the defense agreement should the government cut its plans. This position is reflective of the increased focus on national security and defense budgets among European nations, driven by heightened geopolitical tensions stemming from Russia's ongoing military actions in Ukraine, where recent drone and missile strikes resulted in injuries and further escalated the conflict in the region.