Matsusaka (Japan) (AFP) – Far from Parisian bistros where Burgundy snails are usually served, one Japanese man has figured out how to farm the slimy species — a feat that has long eluded the French. Toshihide Takase, 76, says he is “the only person in the world” breeding this specific delicacy.
Beijing (AFP) – China hits back after G7 leaders warned Beijing to stop sending weapons components to Russia, saying their end-of-summit statement was “full of arrogance, prejudice and lies”. When the seven leaders met last week in Italy, souring trade relations with Beijing as well as tensions over Ukraine and the South China Sea were a focus of their discussions.
Nirmaljote (India) (AFP) – At least eight people have been killed in India’s West Bengal state, when an express passenger train and a goods train collided, derailing three passenger carriages.
Sao Paulo (AFP) – Thousands take to the streets of Brazil’s most populous city, Sao Paulo, to march in favor of the decriminalization of marijuana and protest against a proposed constitutional amendment that would criminalize possession, regardless of the quantity.
Gelsenkirchen (Germany) (AFP) – England coach Gareth Southgate praises the ‘spirit’ of his England side after the Three Lions secured a 1-0 victory over Serbia in their opening match of Euro 2024. Serbian coach Dragan Stojkovic says his side had improved on two years ago.
Swiss President and host of a first summit on peace in Ukraine, Viola Amherd, outlines the key points of the final declaration at the summit’s closing ceremony. The topics covered include nuclear energy safety, safe passage of merchant ships, the exchange of prisoners of war, and the return of deported Ukrainian children. “A just and lasting peace in Ukraine is fundamental for the people in the war zones and for all those directly affected by the consequences of the war. For the whole world, international relations must be based on rules, on international law and on the charter of the United Nations,” says Amherd in Burgenstock.
Düsseldorf (Germany) (AFP) – “We are at a crucial moment in our country’s history,” says France captain Kylian Mbappé in response to a Euro 2024 press conference question about the current political situation in his country. The French star striker is calling on young people in particular to vote in the forthcoming parliamentary elections that could see the far-right National Rally (RN) leading the government and its leader Jordan Bardella, 28, as prime minister.
Bureij (Palestinian Territories) (AFP) – People in central Gaza’s Bureij camp gather to pray after a grim start to Eid al-Adha. Gazans, like Muslims the world over, would usually slaughter sheep for the holiday — whose Arabic name means “feast of the sacrifice” — and share the meat with the needy. But this year, after a devastating Israeli campaign that has flattened much of Gaza, displaced most of the besieged territory’s 2.4 million people and sparked repeated warnings of famine, the holiday is marred by the war.
Hamburg (AFP) – Thousands of Netherlands fans parade in their traditional orange attire in Hamburg before their team’s first Euro 2024 match against Poland. The Dutch will be hoping to make a strong start to Group D, with a game against tournament favourites France to follow next Friday before facing Austria on June 25.
Warsaw (AFP) – People dance through the streets of Poland’s capital Warsaw for Equality Parade.
Navinwadi (India) (AFP) – Far from the gleaming high-rises of India’s financial capital Mumbai, impoverished villages in areas supplying the megacity’s water are running dry — a crisis repeated across the country that experts say foreshadows terrifying problems. “Whatever water we have, all of that goes to the city (Mumbai) and our situation remains as it was and we don’t get water to drink,” says Sunita Pandurang Satgir. Demand is increasing in the world’s most populous nation of 1.4 billion people, but supplies are shrinking — with climate change driving erratic rainfall and extreme heat.
London (AFP) – Catherine, Princess of Wales, tentatively returns to UK public life for the first time since being diagnosed with cancer, attending a military parade in London to mark King Charles III’s official birthday. Kate, as she is widely known, travelled in a state carriage alongside her three children at the outset of the annual event before watching the ceremonial proceedings from a viewing point.
