Ina (Japan) (AFP) – Schoolchildren in Ina, Japan, handle the real fur and skull of an Asian black bear during a safety class on living alongside the animals, as fatal bear attacks rise elsewhere in the country. No deaths have been reported in this region of Japan, but sightings are common. “I am convinced it’s safe to live with them as long as humans don’t offend them,” says school principal Hiroshi Aruga.
Moscow (AFP) – Russia rejects a U.S. statement that Ukrainian strikes on Russian energy sites could help bring an end to the more than four-year war between Moscow and Kyiv. “We see certain misconceptions within the White House administration — that by escalating military pressure, it can help move to a peace settlement. That is a mistaken view,” says Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.
Mashhad (Iran) (AFP) – Crowds gather on the airport tarmac in the eastern holy city of Mashhad, Iran, as the body of slain supreme leader Ali Khamenei arrives in his birthplace ahead of his burial. The ceremony comes as fresh US strikes threaten to escalate the US-Iran war, after Trump said the ceasefire is “over”.
Gantang (China) (AFP) – Residents clean up their homes in Gantang town, in southern China’s Guangxi region, after devestating floods this week. A dam breach at Liulan Reservoir, east of Gantang, left scores dead and several missing, according to state media. IMAGES
Ishtiwī (Afghanistan) (AFP) – In a remote province of northeastern Afghanistan, women farmers are playing a vital role in their community’s survival. Almost a third of the Afghan population needs emergency food aid, according to the UN, so the women’s harvest helps support food security in their home village. The Afghan women are generally allowed to farm despite being banned by the Taliban government from most employment.
Liulan (China) (AFP) – Residents and volunteers shovel water and clear debris from flooded houses in China’s Guangxi province following massive rains that caused a nearby reservoir to burst its banks. In the southern region, six people died, and at least 130,000 people were evacuated to safety after torrential rain and severe flooding from Typhoon Maysak, according to officials.
Iwik (Mauritania) (AFP) – Where the arid Sahara meets the Atlantic Ocean, the Imraguen, a desert fishing people, have for centuries developed fishing practices in harmony with nature, a way of life now threatened by climate change, overfishing and the difficulty of passing it onto the next generation. “The Imraguen life we once knew no longer exists,” says Mariam Bilal, a fish processor. “Even if it still exists, what remains is something basic, because they have nothing. There’s no fish.”
Ankara (AFP) – “I love it when sometimes between friends you can fight each other because it makes you stronger,” says NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte at a NATO summit in Ankara where US President Donald Trump began the day by lashing out at allies over their response to his war on Iran.
Bandar Abbas (Iran) (AFP) – The US launches fresh strikes on Iranian military targets, following days of attacks on commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz. US President Donald Trump says that the ceasefire deal signed in June is now “over”, as he berates his NATO allies for not backing him up in his campaign against Tehran.
Miami Beach (United States) (AFP) – “What a crazy match!” says Argentina fan Mariana, after a late comeback from Lionel Messi saw Argentina beat Egypt 3-2, securing their place in the quarter finals. Despite the heartbreak, fans in Egypt are proud of their team, which made its first group of 16 match since 1934. “We did the impossible, and the impossible wasn’t enough. Today, our players were heroes,” says Egypt fan, Ali El Deeb.
Beijing (AFP) – China denounces a sharp escalation in hostilities in the Middle East after the United States carried out strikes on dozens of targets in Iran, with Beijing’s foreign ministry warning both sides against “reigniting” the war in the Middle East. “Reigniting the war is not in the interests of either side, and military means cannot solve the fundamental problems,” foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told a news conference. Iran and the US signed a ceasefire agreement on June 17, which US President Donald Trump now says is “over”.
Brussels (Belgium) (AFP) – Belgium fans erupt after beating the United States in a World Cup last-16 game mired in controversy over President Donald Trump’s lobbying of FIFA to overturn a one-game ban given to US striker Folarin Balogun. “I’m especially happy that we proved Trump wrong after he wanted to change the rules and ended up losing,” says one fan in Brussels.
