Manila (AFP) – Philippine human rights campaigner Leila de Lima moved a step closer to freedom on Friday as one of two drug trafficking charges levelled against her was dismissed. The 63-year-old former senator and justice minister has been detained since 2017 on charges filed under then president Rodrigo Duterte, of whom de Lima was a critic. Rights groups say the charges were fabricated in revenge for de Lima’s opposition.
Unknown (AFP) – The head of Russia’s private Wagner mercenary group Yevgeny Prigozhin says Moscow “must stop lying immediately” about the situation in Bakhmut.” Prigozhin adds it “will lead to a global tragedy for Russia”.
Beijing (AFP) – China will send a special envoy to Ukraine, Russia and other European nations from Monday. Beijing says the visit — by the highest-ranking Chinese diplomat to the war-torn country since the Russian invasion began — “is another manifestation of China’s commitment to promoting peace and talks.”
Rome (AFP) – Pope Francis calls for politicians to find solutions to reverse Italy’s declining birthrate. Francis says that young people today “live in a social climate in which starting a family is turning into a titanic effort”.
Galápagos (Equateur) (AFP) – Darwin’s flycatcher, also known as the little vermilion flycatcher, is making modest but noticeable headway on the Galapagos Islands in its battle back from near extinction. The only 15 remaining pairs of the birds have produced 12 chicks this year.
Saint-Germain-en-Laye (France) (AFP) – Lionel Messi will start PSG’s match this weekend against Ajaccio, says head coach Christophe Galtier, marking the Argentine star’s return from a suspension handed to him by the club over an unauthorised trip to Saudi Arabia. “I saw him invested in his work all week” says Galtier, adding that Messi is “very calm.”
Sainte-Rose (France) (AFP) – During a visit to Reunion Island, Elisabeth Borne welcomes the release of two Frenchmen held in Iran, Benjamin Briere and Bernard Phelan. “These two people are in good health and are being repatriated to France,” said the French Prime Minister.
Geneva (AFP) – Some 200,000 people have now fled Sudan to escape fighting that erupted in mid-April, in addition to hundreds of thousands who have been displaced inside the country, says UN refugee agency spokesperson Olga Sarrado.
Lima (AFP) – Clad in protective suits and armed with fumigators, health personnel go door to door in the Peruvian capital, Lima, to eradicate mosquito larvae and halt an outbreak of deadly dengue fever. “We’ve never seen it so bad” says Erika Toribio, a resident of Lima who explains that the disease is “in every neighborhood… in every street”. The outbreak has killed 79 people already in 2023, with more than 73,000 infected.
Stockholm (AFP) – Climate activists from the group Scientist Rebellion throw red paint on Sweden’s Ministry of Finance in Stockholm, demanding the government stop funding fossil fuels. “The science is clear, we need to act now” says Susanna Klevebro, a researcher and activist.
Churachandpur (India) (AFP) – Around 60 people have been killed and 30,000 displaced across the northeastern Indian state of Manipur in an explosion of inter-ethnic violence. Most victims are thought to be from the mainly Christian Kuki tribal group in the hills of Manipur, but members of the majority Meitei people, who are mostly Hindus, have also been targeted.
New York (AFP) – A six-year wait came to an end for “Zelda” fans across the world as Nintendo released the long-awaited next instalment of its 40-year-old gaming saga.
