Tel Aviv (AFP) – A large billboard in Tel Aviv urges President Donald Trump to “finish the job” as he mulls the prospect of US involvement in the Iran-Israel war. Israel, saying Iran was on the verge of developing a nuclear weapon, launched a massive wave of strikes a week ago, triggering an immediate retaliation.
Ingiriya (AFP) – The alms bowl, or “paathra”, is a symbol of monks, yet in Sri Lanka, artisans are struggling as cheap substitutes flood the market, igniting a debate over Buddhist tradition and quality. Thenuwara Badalge Sarath says he is the only blacksmith left in a village that once supplied much of the country. “Prices of raw materials have gone up,” he says. “But the bigger disaster is the cheap aluminum alms bowls that are coming from abroad.”
Le Bourget (AFP) – During a visit to the Paris Air Show, French President Emmanuel Macron reaffirms France’s position on the escalating conflict between Iran and Israel, emphasising the urgent need to resume “substantive negotiations”.
Kamphaeng Phet (Thailand) (AFP) – In the thick and steamy forests of western Thailand, 20 skittish sambar deer dart from an enclosure into the undergrowth — unaware they may find themselves in the jaws of one of the habitat’s 200 or so endangered tigers. The release is part of a project run by the government and WWF to boost the kingdom’s fragile tiger population by providing them with sambar to hunt and eat. The release is part of a project run by the government and WWF to boost the kingdom’s fragile tiger population by providing them with sambar to hunt and eat. The wild tiger population in Thailand’s Western Forest Complex, near the border with Myanmar, has increased almost fivefold in the last 15 years from about 40 in 2007 to between 179 and 223 last year, according to the kingdom’s Department of National Parks (DNP).
Rome (AFP) – Wobbling on rented bikes near the Colosseum, Rome’s cyclists try to dodge barriers, potholes, and avoid being sideswiped by passing cars. Thousands of people explore the Italian capital daily on two wheels, despite the city offering just 321 kilometres of cycle paths and having a reputation for chaotic traffic. The regional head of environment association Legambiente Roberto Scacchi, an advocate for better cycle infrastructure, says that despite Rome making progress since Covid, it still lags far behind other European cities.
Nairobi (AFP) – In a private, underground space, a “ball” takes place in Nairobi where LGBTQ+ members can feel safe. In a country where being queer remains criminalised, organisers say such events, and tolerance, are growing. But the predominantly conservative Christian nation remains overwhelmingly hostile to those living outside the accepted norms, and a new anti-LGBT bill threatens the community.
Kapıköy (Turkey) (AFP) – Dragging two suitcases and a backpack, Homa crosses the Kapikoy border post in eastern Turkey after a long journey from Tehran. She was in the Iranian capital on vacation on June 13 when Israel launched a large-scale attack on the country, to which Iran responded, with the two countries now engaging militarily with unprecedented intensity. A business analyst in Canada, Homa found herself stranded in Iran, as the country closed its airspace, and had to take a bus on a 850km (530 miles) trip to the Turkish border.
Freetown (AFP) – At the Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary, in Sierra Leone’s capital Freetown, two baby chimps in their caretakers’ arms are unaware that deforestation and illegal building are threatening their habitat. Aside from the wildlife, the threat to the forests is also endangering the city’s water supply — a risk experts warn could spark security concerns in a country already vulnerable to climate change.
Beijing (AFP) – China urges countries in the Middle East but “especially Israel” to immediately cease fighting after fresh exchanges of fire with Iran. Their foreign ministry spokesperson also says it opposes the “use of force”, in response to a question about US President Donald Trump warning he was weighing up US military involvement in the conflict.
Beersheba (Israel) (AFP) – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says that in Iran, ‘no one is immune’ when asked if Israel would target Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on the seventh day of war between the arch foes. He also thanks Donald Trump for his ‘partnership’ with Israel — after the US President said he was considering joining Israel’s military action against Iran.
Puerto Escondido (Mexique) (AFP) – Boats lie stranded on the beach and buildings bear the scars of Hurricane Erick, as residents and authorities begin clearing debris in the popular tourist town of Puerto Escondido. The powerful Category Three storm slammed into Mexico’s Pacific coast, bringing winds of up to 205 kilometers (125 miles) an hour. In the southern state of Oaxaca, locals boarded up homes and businesses and sought shelter as Erick swept through the palm-fringed coastline, leaving a trail of damage in its wake. IMAGES
New York (AFP) – New York’s pride parade, the highest-profile US LGBTQ gathering, is ramping up efforts to raise funds from individual community members as corporate donations have been squeezed as Washington demonizes diversity. NYC Pride’s spokesman Kevin Kilbride said “just about 80 percent of the fundraising goal” for the city’s largest pride parade group had been met.
