Vosketap’ (Armenia) (AFP) – In Armenia’s Ararat valley, apricots are getting swept into the centre of a geopolitical battle between Russia and the West. Angered at Yerevan’s pivot away from Moscow, the Kremlin imposed bans and restrictions on the imports of a wide range of Armenian goods, including fruits, vegetables and flowers, ahead of parliamentary elections last month.
Kyiv (Ukraine) (AFP) – Hundreds take to the streets in Kyiv to protest against the removal of defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov, as demonstrations erupt across Ukraine following President Volodymyr Zelensky’s sweeping reshuffle. Only appointed six months ago, Fedorov carved a reputation as a moderniser who tried to reform the Ukrainian military, which has seen scandals and is plagued by fatigue and manpower shortages more than four years into the Russian invasion.
Moscow (AFP) – Russia sees no “immediate prospects for a resumption of negotiations” with Ukraine, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov tells reporters while commenting on Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan’s visit to Kyiv. Fidan, who met President Vladimir Putin in Russia last month, has said that Turkey is ready to host future talks.
Beijing (AFP) – China says it “firmly opposes” a sanctions bill proposed by US senators and supported by President Donald Trump that targets countries buying Russian energy. The bipartisan legislation could potentially clear the way for the United States to exert stronger pressure on Russia over its war in Ukraine. IMAGES AND SOUNDBITE
Buenos Aires (Argentina) (AFP) – Thousands of fans celebrate in Buenos Aires after Argentina beat England 2-1 to reach the World Cup final, where they will face Spain. “It’s incredible that we’re in the final two years in a row,” says supporter Valentina Estefanoli. Meanwhile in Brighton, England fans commiserate after missing out on reaching their first World Cup final in 60 years.
Bogotá (AFP) – Top ex-FARC commander Rodrigo Londono — aka Timochenko– says that “hate messages” could fuel violence, after Colombia’s president-elect vowed to jail him and unwind a key part of the country’s landmark 2016 peace deal. He says former guerrilla leaders had written to right-wing leader Abelardo de la Espriella, recognizing his recent election victory and seeking dialogue over the peace accord.
Gibraltar (AFP) – People cross between Spain and the tiny British territory of Gibraltar after midnight as border checks — a source of tension and frustration — are finally lifted. Under an agreement reached between Brussels and London following Britain’s exit from the European Union in 2020, border controls have now been eliminated.
Madrid (AFP) – Spanish fans celebrate in Madrid after Spain’s 2-0 victory over France secures their place in the 2026 World Cup final, moving one win away from a second world title. “We’ve dreamt of a moment like this since we were 6 years old”, say Spanish fans Juan Martinez and Alejandro Salinas.
Beijing (AFP) – Chinese lifestyle app Xiaohongshu, known as RedNote in English, has shaken up the tourism industry in China. Travellers use the app to discover new destinations and plan their itineraries around photogenic locations. Xiaohongshu’s user base has grown to 350 million monthly active users, and the platform is reportedly preparing to file to go public as soon as this year.
Portland (United States) (AFP) – Protesters take to the streets of Maine following the second fatal shooting by ICE agents in less than a week. The incident has prompted the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement to suspend the use of traffic stops to detain immigrants, according to media reports.
London (AFP) – It’s time for the yearly swan count, called ‘Swan Upping’, run by King Charles’ Chief Swan Marker David Barber. He’s happy with this year’s swan count, though distressed about the rising amount of litter in the Thames in London, United Kingdom.
Srinagar (India) (AFP) – Members of the Sikh community in Srinagar organise special screenings of the film “Satluj” after it was removed from an online platform amid a censorship row in India. The film, originally named “Punjab 95” and directed by Honey Trehan, is based on the life of a human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, who risked his life setting out to trace the people who disappeared in Punjab during the separatist insurgencies in the 1980s and 1990s, before he himself disappeared and was presumed murdered.
