Paris (France) (AFP) – France experienced its hottest night from Wednesday to Thursday since measurements began in 1947, the national weather agency said, breaking a record set earlier in the week. The extreme temperatures have prompted dozens of Parisians to seek cool air in the middle of the night, with some choosing to sleep under the stars at the the Buttes-Chaumont park.
Chacao (Venezuela) (AFP) – Residents and people gather aorund a collapse building in Chacao municipality, Caracas, after a magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck Venezuela. Police and emergency services are on site. IMAGES
Miami Beach (United States) (AFP) – Scottish football fans take over Miami beach, donning kilts and playing bagpipes, on the eve of their World Cup match against Brazil. The match will be the country’s last of the Group Stage, having won against Haiti and lost to Morocco. This will be the fifth time Scotland and Brazil meet in the World Cup group stages, with Scotland winning one and drawing one of their previous meetings. The Scottish side is determined to qualify for the World Cup knockout rounds for the first time in their history.
London (AFP) – Reigning Formula 1 World Champion Lando Norris comes face-to-face with his first-ever Madame Tussauds London figure ahead of the British Grand Prix. Posing with the figure, the 26-year-old McLaren driver says it being in his home of London “is the perfect place”.
Moscow (AFP) – Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin’s spokesperson, says that nuclear weapons are the “only” bulwark preventing the world from slipping into a global war, amid fears of a fresh multi-country arms race. The last nuclear arms control treaty between Russia and the United States, New START, expired in February, releasing restrictions on the world’s two largest nuclear powers.
Tours (France) (AFP) – As temperatures across Europe soar above 35C, people in France cool off in lakes and rivers, despite widespread bans over safety fears. 40 people have drowned in heatwave-related incidents in the space of five days, according to the French Interior Ministry. “There are very few freely accessible, easy or free ways to cool down, and that is a concern for us,” says one swimmer, adding: “Measures will need to be put in place, but at the moment there do not seem to be many, which is somewhat worrying”.
Foxborough (United States) (AFP) – England and Ghana supporters reacted differently outside Boston stadium after a 0-0 draw, with English fans frustrated by their team’s inability to break down Ghana’s defense, while Ghana fans celebrated a disciplined and organized performance.
Hong Kong’s subdivided flats are being phased out after a law to regulate them came into effect in March. Chinese President Xi Jinping ordered the wealthy finance hub to resolve its housing woes which are the result of decades of pervasive inequality, an acute housing shortage and eye-watering rents. AND SOUNDBITES
Moskau (AFP) – Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says Europe is becoming “a major threat to international peace and security”, by providing military support to Ukraine. In recent months Moscow has grown increasingly critical of Europe’s role in supporting Ukraine and trying to stop US President Donald Trump pushing Kyiv to accept a Russia-friendly peace.
Washington (AFP) – US President Donald Trump critizes outgoing British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, saying the Labour leader faced “problems” over energy, immigration and relations with Washington. Starmer’s resignation comes after months of pressure from his own party over U-turns, ministerial resignations and scandal surrounding ex-envoy Peter Mandelson.
(AFP) – Footage released by North Korean state media shows leader Kim Jong Un presiding over a three-day meeting of the Workers’ Party of Korea in the western province of North Pyongan. During the meeting, which wrapped up on Monday, Kim reportedly vowed to beef up his country’s defence capabilities. According to state media, Kim cited military modernisation efforts by South Korea and the United States pushing the region “to the brink of a nuclear war”.
London (AFP) – UK ministers attend a cabinet meeting at 10 Downing Street a day after Keir Starmer’s resignation as prime minister and leader of the Labour party. Andy Burnham is currently the favourite to replace Starmer, having returned to parliament this week following the high-stakes Makerfield by-election.
