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Prek Takeo (Cambodia) (AFP) – For thousands of Cambodians, the economic uplift promised by the $1.7 billion Funan Techo canal counts for little in the face of potential displacement. Many who live in the project’s path stand to lose their homes with little notice and, as yet, little government assurance that compensation will be paid. Lim Tong Eng is one of those worrying that he’ll be left without a home and lacking in money to buy land and build a replacement.

Woodstock (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky hails the spirit of Winston Churchill at the opening session of the European Political Community (EPC) meeting. The summit is being held in Blenheim Palace, the birthplace of Britain’s World War II leader.

Dhaka (AFP) – Bangladesh experienced the deadliest day of ongoing student protests so far on July 18, which saw government buildings torched by demonstrators and a nationwide internet blackout put into effect.

Anaheim (United States) (AFP) – Employees at Disneyland, the so-called “Happiest Place in the World”, are threatening strike action as they demand higher wages and improved worker rights. Gathering outside the world-famous California resort, more than 200 Disneyland staff, some in costume, have also denounced alleged anti-union practices after claims were made that the company had reprimanded hundreds of employees for wearing union badges.

Moscow (AFP) – Barred from running in Russia’s latest presidential election and branded a “foreign agent”, politician Yekaterina Duntsova remains determined to “change” her country. With almost all of President Vladimir Putin’s opponents exiled or in jail, the 41-year-old mother of three has refused to back down, founding a political party – Rassvet (Dawn) – to speak out against the conflict in Ukraine.

Woodstock (United Kingdom) (AFP) – UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer pledges that his Labour government would “never withdraw from the European Convention on Human Rights” and will approach the issue of irregular migration “with humanity”. Quitting the accord was an idea flirted with by Starmer’s Conservative predecessor Rishi Sunak who, under pressure from his party’s right flank, argued that “foreign courts” should not stop Britain from deporting migrants to Rwanda.

Woodstock (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky says that Vladimir Putin has “missed his primary target” of causing division in Europe. Speaking at a meeting of the European Political Community in the UK, Zelensky also criticises efforts to make deals with Russia behind Kyiv’s back, after Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s visit to Moscow earlier in July during what he described as a “peace mission.”

Tokyo (AFP) – Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida expresses concern over “unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force” in the Asia-Pacific region. The comments come during the 10th PALM summit in Tokyo, attended by 18 Pacific island state leaders. Neither Kishida nor a joint statement issued after the summit make explicit reference to China, but the language used is often employed by the US and its allies to reference Beijing’s growing hold and military capacity in the region.

Kabul (AFP) – Mohammad Samim Faizad is the only Afghan Olympian to be training for the Games inside the Taliban-controlled country. The judo star follows a rigorous regime whilst facing the challenges that come with living in a country mired in poverty and recovering from war.

Milwaukee (AFP) – “Just a piece of paper and you put it over your ear”, explains Arizona delegate Joe Neglia, who wears a white ear bandage “to honor” Donald Trump along with his fellow delegate Stacey Goodman.

Tampere (Finland) (AFP) – Travelling to skateboard competitions around the world, 13-year-old Heili Sirvio leads a life unlike the average Finnish teen. Her next stop is Paris where she will compete as Finland’s youngest ever Olympic athlete.

Kenema (Sierra Leone) (AFP) – In the Kambui forest of eastern Sierra Leone, rangers are fighting against deforestation and illegal gold mining. Only 62 of them patrol some 14,000 hectares, trying to stop illegal activities harming the environment and the surrounding communities.