The head of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Samantha Power, tells a press conference in Kyiv that “countries and leaders near and far should publicly condemn” Russia’s decision to withdraw from the grain export deal negotiated last summer. “The aim was to transport food from Ukraine to the rest of the world”, where “economies are dependent on Ukrainian wheat imports”, she says.
Pyramid (United States) (AFP) – In the Nevada desert, beneath a bone-dry lakebed, real estate projects are flourishing thanks to an ambitious water project by a private company. With a 45-kilometer underground pipeline, Vidler Water Resources is bringing water from a remote ranch area straight into the rapidly sprawling northern suburbs of Reno — a gamble that could prove lucrative in a region regularly hit by droughts. But local farmers and environmentalists worry about the long-term impact of these water transfers.
Manila (AFP) – Barbie fans in the Philippines express mixed feelings at the premiere of the film about the famous doll, which almost fell foul of censors. The movie sparked scrutiny from the country’s censors over a scene with a fictitious world map criticised for allegedly showing China’s claims in the disputed South China Sea.
Odesa (Ukraine) (AFP) – Ukrainian firefighters battle to extinguish the flames after a Russian strike on the city of Odesa, as seen in images released by the country’s State Emergency Service. “Brave rescuers eliminate the consequences of Russian terror. Civilian objects were again hit by the occupiers. Five people were injured”, Sergiy Kruk, the emergency sevice’s head wrote on Twitter. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused Russia of “deliberately” targeting grain export infrastructure in Odesa, after Moscow ended a landmark deal and lifted security guarantees in the Black Sea.
Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – A year after winning the Euros, England head to Australia as one of the favourites in the women’s World Cup, despite missing some key players to injury. “Everyone knows now what it takes to win,” says forward Lauren Hemp, adding, “obviously there’s going to be a lot of pressure on us going into the tournament.” The squad has the backing of the men’s team, with star Phil Foden admitting he thinks “it’s coming home”.
Brussels (AFP) – President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva says Brazil wants the war in Ukraine to stop, saying that a group of countries is needed to convince Moscow and Kyiv. Lula was speaking the day after the end of the EU-CELAC Summit, which brings together the countries of the European Union, Latin America and the Caribbean which failed to agree on a statement holding Russia to account for the war in Ukraine.
Kabul (AFP) – A group of Afghan women protest against an order by Taliban authorities to shut beauty parlours across the country, the latest curb to squeeze them out of public life.
Agios Sotiras (Greece) (AFP) – Drone footage shows hills scorched by wildfires near the town of Agios Sotiras, northwest of Athens, as Greece faces a new a wave of heat after days of scorching temperatures.
Moscow (AFP) – Russia says it hit military facilities overnight near Ukraine’s port of Odesa, where Kyiv accused Moscow of targeting sites used to export grain. “At night, Russia’s armed forces carried out a group strike with long-range precision-guided air and sea-launched weapons against military industrial facilities, infrastructure for fuel and ammunition depots of the Ukrainian armed forces near the city of Odesa,” army spokesperson Igor Konashenkov says, adding that Russian forces have advanced one kilometre (less than one mile) along the frontline in Ukraine’s northeastern region of Kharkiv.
Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – A year after winning the Euros, England head to Australia as one of the favourites in the women’s World Cup, despite missing some key players to injury. “Everyone knows now what it takes to win,” says forward Lauren Hemp, adding, “obviously there’s going to be a lot of pressure on us going into the tournament.” The squad has the backing of the men’s team, with star Phil Foden admitting he thinks “it’s coming home”.
Bangkok (AFP) – Images of Pita Limjaroenrat in the parliament as Thailand’s Constitutional Court suspended prime minister candidate while it hears a case that could see him disqualified as an MP. IMAGES
Manzanillo (Mexico) (AFP) – In an unlikely rescue reminiscent of the Tom Hanks movie “Cast Away,” Australian sailor Timothy Shaddock and his dog “Bella” were rescued by a tuna vessel after more than two months adrift in the Pacific Ocean.
