Teheran (AFP) – Iran’s foreign ministry says that the United States is not serious about pursuing diplomacy. “On the contrary, there are repeated and numerous indications that no seriousness exists in the US when it comes to advancing diplomacy,” says ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei in a weekly press briefing in Tehran.
Peking (AFP) – China pits humanoid robots against human runners at a half marathon race in Beijing, showing off the speed and technological advancements of new machines. “With how fast technology is developing, I think robots will soon surpass humans in many ways. I mean, not just in speed, but also in things like AI-driven behaviour,” says Xie Lei, who came to watch the race with his child.
New York (AFP) – “Absolute insanity. It’s ridiculous. You want to go see a great World Cup game… and then you’re getting price-gouged,” says New York City resident Nick Quesnel, reacting to the $150 fare New Jersey plans to charge World Cup fans traveling to and from the state’s Meadowlands stadium near New York. “I feel like that’s an embarrassment and a shame. It’s taking advantage of the fans — abusing authority over the sports we’re into,” says another New York resident, Guy Dixon.
Sidon (Lebanon) (AFP) – Thousands of Lebanese civilians take to the road hoping that a ten-day ceasefire with Israel will allow them to return to their homes in southern Beirut and the war-torn south of the country. The Lebanese army warned the residents not to return to the areas, which have been pounded by Israeli strikes targeting Hezbollah, and the Iran-backed movement said its finger “remained on the trigger”.
Tel Aviv (AFP) – Israel’s defence minister Israel Katz says that the campaign against the militant group Hezbollah is not yet complete, just hours after a 10-day ceasefire came into force in Lebanon. Katz also warns that if the fighting resumes, displaced residents returning to the country’s war-torn south will have to evacuate again.
Sao Gonçalo (Brazil) (AFP) – Family and friends gather outside a court to support 20-year-old Alana Rosa as she attends the first hearing in the trial of Luis Felipe Sampaio, the man accused of attempting to kill her after she refused to date him. Sampaio allegedly stabbed Rosa more than 40 times with a pocket knife after breaking into her home. The case has reignited debate over domestic violence in Brazil, which recorded 1,568 murders of women in 2025 — the highest since femicide became a specific crime over a decade ago.
Douala (AFP) – Tens of thousands of people gather for a giant open-air mass by Pope Leo XIV at a stadium in Cameroon’s economic capital Douala, as part of his several day visit to the Central African nation. “I see the Pope as my spiritual father, the representative of Jesus on earth, the representative of Jesus, who is God on earth,” says Jean-Marie Vianney Ewodo.
Antalya (Turkey) (AFP) – Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa says he could consider “long-term negotiations” with Israel on the disputed Golan Heights if Israel agrees to withdraw from recently occupied Syrian territories. Since the fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, Israel has sent troops into a buffer zone patrolled by the UN that had separated Israeli and Syrian forces on the Golan Heights.
Beijing (AFP) – China’s foreign ministry says Beijing “welcomes all efforts that contribute to a ceasefire” as a 10-day truce between the Israel and Lebanon begins and Trump signals he may fly to Pakistan to sign any agreement reached with Iran. “[China] hopes that the relevant parties will maintain the momentum of the ceasefire,” says spokesman Guo Jiakun.
Willemstad, Curaçao (Netherlands Antilles) (AFP) – “Small island, big dreams” reads a poster for the football team of the Caribbean island of Curacao — the smallest country ever, by population, to qualify for football’s World Cup.
Willemstad, Curaçao (Netherlands Antilles) (AFP) – “Small island, big dreams” reads a poster for the football team of the Caribbean island of Curacao — the smallest country ever, by population, to qualify for football’s World Cup.
Southern Beirut suburbs (Lebanon) (AFP) – Few cars and motorcycles are seen in Beirut’s southern suburbs, Hezbollah’s heartland, at the first hours of the day following the ten-day ceasefire deal. A ten-day ceasefire deal agreed between Lebanon and Israel took effect on Friday, as US President Donald Trump said he was trying to set up the first-ever face-to-face meeting between the leaders of the two countries. IMAGES
