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A towering new statue of the Virgin Mary has been unveiled in a small Polish village, instantly becoming the tallest statue anywhere in Europe. Standing at 55.6 metres, the monument now dominates the local skyline. The devotional sculpture was consecrated by a local bishop during a ceremony held on Saturday in the rural village of Konotopie. The unveiling comes at a notable moment, as the Catholic Church’s broader influence over public life in Poland continues to decline. Despite its scale, the statue sits in a remote location, far from any of Poland’s major population centres. Its placement was reportedly requested specifically by a wealthy local couple who funded the project. During the ceremony, two helicopters were seen circling above the towering figure, which stands with arms open and a large crown atop its head. The dramatic aerial display added to the significance of the occasion. While Poland remains a predominantly Catholic country, many younger Poles living in urban areas have grown increasingly distant from the church and its traditions. The statue’s unveiling arrives against that broader backdrop of shifting religious engagement. Among those attending Saturday’s ceremony was Lech Walesa, the former Polish president who played a central role in the collapse of communism in the country. Now 82, Walesa reflected on his own life journey in comments to the Associated Press, describing his story as one that started and ended with the Virgin Mary. Local authorities are hoping the massive structure will serve a dual purpose going forward, functioning as both a significant pilgrimage site and a tourist attraction. To support that goal, the statue includes a viewing platform built directly into its base, offering visitors a chance to take in sweeping views of the surrounding countryside. The unveiling adds Poland to the small list of countries hosting record-breaking religious monuments, and local officials appear hopeful the structure will draw visitors from well beyond the immediate region in the years ahead.

Myanmar’s military leader Min Aung Hlaing has arrived in Thailand for an official state visit, marking his first international trip to a neighbouring democracy since assuming the role of civilian president following highly contested national elections. The visit comes despite international condemnation surrounding Min Aung Hlaing’s role as the chief commander responsible for the 2017 campaign of mass violence and expulsion against Muslim Rohingyas in Rakhine State. Already subject to Western sanctions and target of an International Criminal Court arrest warrant application for crimes against humanity, the former general faces renewed calls for accountability. Human rights organisations, including the Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK, have petitioned international judiciaries to coordinate with Thai authorities to execute active arrest warrants regarding acts of genocide and persecution. Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul received Min Aung Hlaing with full diplomatic honours at Government House in Bangkok, including an official guard of honour and a scheduled state dinner. The two leaders are set to preside over a bilateral business forum aimed at bolstering economic ties, cross-border security, and trade infrastructure between the nations. Thailand’s formal reception of Min Aung Hlaing highlights a policy of “calibrated re-engagement” with Naypyidaw, separating Bangkok from several Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) members that continue to exclude Myanmar’s leadership over unfulfilled peace commitments. While Thai officials maintain that direct high-level dialogue is essential to address shared border concerns and transnational crime, rights campaigners argue that hosting the general grants undeserved diplomatic legitimacy to an administration accused of severe human rights violations.

Indian authorities have suspended a police officer after he fired an AK-47 rifle into the air while attempting to disperse student protesters in the eastern state of Bihar. The incident has intensified criticism of the government’s handling of nationwide demonstrations that recently led to the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The confrontation took place on Saturday in the city of Siwan, where students were protesting against alleged irregularities in national examinations and broader concerns about unemployment. Videos shared on social media showed a police officer in riot gear running toward a crowd of protesters before pointing his assault rifle into the air and firing at least three rounds. Police later confirmed that the footage was authentic. Senior Bihar police official Nilesh Kumar said no one was injured during the incident. He explained that the suspended officer belonged to an intelligence unit that normally deals with dangerous criminals and had been issued the rifle as part of his official duties. However, Kumar said the weapon was used inappropriately because the protesters were students and did not pose a threat that justified such action. He said the officer’s conduct could not be defended under any circumstances and confirmed that disciplinary proceedings had begun. According to Kumar, further action will be taken following an investigation into the incident. The protests began after question papers for a national medical college entrance examination were leaked in May. More than two million students had taken the exam before authorities were forced to order a retest because of the security breach. The controversy sparked widespread anger among young people who accused the government of failing to protect the integrity of the examination process. As demonstrations grew larger, students also began raising concerns about rising unemployment and fears that artificial intelligence could reduce future job opportunities, especially in India’s information technology and outsourcing sectors. These issues helped expand the movement beyond the examination scandal, drawing support from students across different parts of the country. Public pressure eventually led to the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who stepped down after nearly five weeks of protests. Despite the resignation, demonstrations have continued as students demand broader reforms and greater accountability from the government. The police response has faced increasing criticism. Officers have been accused of using excessive force against demonstrators, including beating students with batons and firing tear gas during a large march toward India’s parliament in New Delhi earlier this month. Human rights advocates and opposition leaders argue that authorities have responded too aggressively to mostly peaceful protests. Speaking in parliament, Congress Party president Mallikarjun Kharge condemned the police action and described it as one of the most serious attacks on democratic rights in recent years. He said reports that an assault rifle had been used against student protesters in Bihar were deeply troubling and called for those responsible to be held accountable. Parliamentary proceedings were repeatedly disrupted as opposition lawmakers raised the issue and demanded answers from the government. Ministers did not immediately respond before both houses were adjourned amid heated exchanges. The controversy also drew attention from India’s judiciary. Supreme Court Justice Ujjal Bhuyan expressed concern about what he described as the shrinking space for people to express different opinions in the country. In a public speech, he said the right to voice opinions and participate in peaceful demonstrations is a fundamental freedom guaranteed to every citizen. His remarks were seen as an unusual intervention by a sitting judge and added to growing calls for restraint in the handling of public protests.