Tokyo (AFP) – Simone Biles says it’s important to “put mental health first” after her shock withdrawal from the team final, with the superstar gymnast’s participation in the rest of the Tokyo Olympics now plunged into uncertainty.
Tokyo (AFP) – Triathlete Flora Duffy describes her historic gold medal win after delivering the first Olympic gold medal in history for the tiny island of Bermuda.
Tokyo (AFP) – An energetic squad of cheerleaders whose average age is 70 train in Tokyo for their 25th anniversary performance. Cheerleading is a fun way to stay fit for the “Japan Pom Pom” girls, who get together once a week for a rigorous two-hour practice with almost no break.
Leverkusen (Germany) (AFP) – At least one person has died and 16 people are injured following an explosion at a chemical park in Leverkusen in western Germany. Residents have been urged to stay indoors because of black smoke rising from the area.
President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen says that the European Union has hit its target of vaccinating 70% of adults with at least one dose by July.
Thousands protest in the Philippines capital Manila as they mark one year left in power for President Rodrigo Duterte. The groups — from several different sectors — are calling for Duterte to step down. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte hailed his signature drug war policy, but lamented there was a “long way” to go in the controversial crackdown that has killed thousands of people.
The United States will continue air strikes in support of Afghan forces fighting the Taliban in coming weeks, a top US general says as the insurgents press on with offensives across the country ahead of the US military withdrawal by August 31.
Battered by the wind and swell for 400 years and nicknamed the “king of lighthouses”, France’s Cordouan beacon wins recognition from UNESCO. The lighthouse, which will be added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List, is the last to be inhabited in France and only the second after Spain’s La Coruna to win the plaudit from the world heritage body.
Mostar (Bosnia and Herzegovina) (AFP) – Men take part in the 455th edition of the Old Bridge Diving competition in Mostar, in Bosnia. This prestigious Balkan competition was won this year by Serbian Dragan Milnovic, who won the “swallow” discipline, which consists of diving head first into the river.
Stykkisholmur (Iceland) (AFP) – On a remote island in Breidafjordur Bay off the west coast of Iceland, a thousand-year-old harvest takes place — the hunt for elusive eiderdown, used to make some of the world’s best duvets and quilts.
Valea -Trestieni (Moldova) (AFP) – A growing cohort of farmers in Moldova are fuelling an ambitious resurgence of lavender oil, whose cultivation had collapsed along with the Soviet Union.
Tunis (AFP) – People protest shortly after Tunisian President Kais Saied announced the suspension of parliament and dismissal of Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi following a day of protests against the ruling party, who condemned the move as a “coup d’etat”.
