Berlin (AFP) – “We agree that we must do everything we can to significantly reduce irregular migration in Europe,” says German Chancellor Friedrich Merz during a press conference alongside his Austrian counterpart Christian Stocker. Merz says that at a recent European Council meeting, leaders discussed how to implement “decisive action” on migration.
Tel Aviv (AFP) – Israeli army spokesman Effie Defrin says the military’s mission in Gaza “is not yet complete” and that it was “preparing for a variety of scenarios and continuing to operate against Hamas in Gaza”.
Toubab Dialaw (Senegal) (AFP) – Surrounded by smiling students, dance pioneer Germaine Acogny leads a masterclass in the open-air studio of her school on the Senegalese coast. At 81, the founder of African contemporary dance continues to teach moves to new generations.
Venice (AFP) – Stars including Kim Kardashian, Leonardo Di Caprio, Orlando Bloom, and Oprah Winfrey leave their hotel in Venice to attend the pre-wedding party of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and former TV presenter Lauren Sanchez.
Sayama (Japan) (AFP) – As matcha becomes the new drink of choice in trendy cafes around the world, Japanese producers are struggling to keep up with the explosion in global demand for the powdered green tea.
Kuhmo (AFP) – In the Finnish town of Kuhmo, a stone’s throw from Russia, Moscow’s reported military build-up on its side of the border is raising concerns about the Nordic country’s security. Recent satellite images obtained by media outlets including the New York Times, Finnish public broadcaster Yle and Swedish broadcaster SVT have revealed an expansion of Russian military infrastructure in various locations near the Finnish border. “After a long period of peace, everyone is of course now talking about war,” says Samuli Pulkkinen, a market vendor in the town.
Batken (AFP) – In a remote town in southern Kyrgyzstan, a library, conference hall and sports centre for women are being built, with construction mostly funded by Kyrgyz emigrants sending money home from Russia. An all-time high of $3 billion flowed into Kyrgyzstan from migrant workers living abroad last year, accounting for around 25 percent of the country’s GDP. In neighbouring Tajikistan, the $6 billion made-up almost half its GDP — the highest level in the world.
Yangon (AFP) – Myanmar’s junta torches an estimated $300 million worth of seized narcotics, sending huge plumes of black smoke into the air over Yangon. Other drug burning ceremonies took place in Mandalay and Taunggyi and included more than 1,700 kilograms of heroin, 16,000 kilograms of methamphetamine and 281 million stimulant pills, police said. Despite the vast quantities, a senior police officer says drug hauls have in fact been plunging because of intensifying fighting in the country’s civil war.
(AFP) – “The Islamic Republic dealt a severe slap to the face of America,” says Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a video statement. Referring to US President Donald Trump, who had claimed to have “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear programme, Khamenei adds that Trump “exaggerated events in unusual ways”.
Paris (AFP) – Rain leaks through the roof of the lower house of parliament during French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou’s speech, forcing lawmakers to suspend talks on conflict in the Middle East. Storms have occurred across France after a sweltering heatwave with temperatures passing 35 degrees Celsius (95 F).
Sinchon (North Korea) (AFP) – North Korean held a mass rally in Sinchon County of South Hwanghae Province to mark the 75th anniversary of the Korean War, which began on June 25, 1950. The date is observed as “the day of struggle against US imperialism” in North Korea.
Rongjiang (China) (AFP) – Six people have died from floods inundating China’s Guizhou province, state media said Thursday, after more than 80,000 people were driven from their homes this week.
