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Vladivostok (Russia) (AFP) – Russian President Vladimir Putin denies that Moscow is using energy as a “weapon”, days after Russia halted natural gas deliveries via a key pipeline to Europe.

Kharkiv (Ukraine) (AFP) – A zoo employee persuades an escaped chimpanzee wandering the streets of the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv to return home by offering it a rain jacket. According to local news reports, the animal known as Chichi untangled the protective fence and easily opened the locks on the enclosure, and then went for a walk in the city. Chichi was also offered some treats but what persuaded the chimp to return home was its favourite yellow rain jacket, followed by a hug from the zoo employee.

Vladivostok (Russia) (AFP) – Russian president Vladimir Putin meets with Myanmar junta chief Min Aung Hlaing on Wednesday for economic talks at the Eastern Economic Forum in the city of Vladivostok.

United Nations (United States) (AFP) – The UN’s atomic watchdog calls for a “a nuclear safety and security protection zone” to be set up around Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, which is occupied by Russia, as the area was hit by fresh shelling. “We are playing with fire and something very, very catastrophic could take place,” warns IAEA chief Rafael Grossi during a United Nations Security Council meeting.

Jenin (Palestinian Territories) (AFP) – Mourners march as they accompany the body of 29-year-old Mohammed Sabaaneh during his funeral in Jenin, in the occupied West Bank. Sabaaneh was killed and 16 other Palestinians were wounded when Israeli troops entered Jenin to carry out a home demolition.

Düsseldorf (Germany) (AFP) – The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle, are welcomed to Dusseldorf by a cheering crowd, a year before the start of the Invictus Games 2023. “I think they’re much more genuine than Kate and William,” says one fan.

10 Downing Street, London (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Members of the British Conservative Party arrive at 10 Downing Street after Liz Truss became the new Prime Minister. Arrivals include Suella Braverman, expected to be the new home secretary, Therese Coffey, expected to be the new health minister, James Cleverly, expected to be the new foreign secretary, and Wendy Morton, expected to be the new chief whip. IMAGES

Washington (AFP) – White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre congratulates Kenya “on the conclusion of a peaceful electoral process”, after the country’s Supreme Court upheld William Ruto’s victory in the August 9 presidential election, capping weeks of uncertainty.

Weldon (Canada) (AFP) – Images show a makeshift memorial with flowers, outside the house where one of the stabbing victims was found in Weldon, Canada. The killings in the remote James Smith Cree Nation Indigenous community in Saskatchewan province left 10 people dead and 18 wounded.

London (AFP) – New British Prime Minister Liz Truss enters her official residence at London’s 10 Downing Street, joined by her husband Hugh O’Leary. Truss vowed action this week to tackle “unaffordable energy bills” caused by Russia’s “appalling” war in Ukraine and listed three priorities in office: the economy, energy and healthcare. SOUNDBITE

10 Downing Street, London (United Kingdom) (AFP) – New British Prime Minister Liz Truss, addressing the nation from Downing Street after a heavy downpour in central London, vows to “ride out the storm” of the economic crisis. SOUNDBITE

10 Downing Street, London (United Kingdom) (AFP) – New British Prime Minister Liz Truss says she will “take action this week” on the energy crisis in the United Kingdom, as Britons tighten their belts in response to double-digit inflation and soaring energy costs. SOUNDBITE