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Sadd Dūkān (AFP) – Water levels at Iraq’s vast Dukan Dam reservoir have plummeted as a result of dwindling rains and further damming upstream, hitting millions of inhabitants already impacted by drought with stricter water rationing. Amid these conditions, visible cracks have emerged in the retreating shoreline of the artificial lake, which lies in northern Iraq’s autonomous Kurdistan region and was created in the 1950s. Iraq has been intensely impacted by the effects of climate change, experiencing rising temperatures, year-on-year droughts and rampant desertification.

Lissabon (AFP) – Hundreds of colourfully-clad revellers celebrate the pan-European LGBTQ pride event, EuroPride, in Lisbon, which is hosting the annual parade for the first time. The EuroPride festival, an event advocating for LGBTQ equality, is held in a different European city each year. “It’s very important to take to the streets, beyond the celebration itself, for demands, equality, visibility, and everything we need in this world,” says Xurry, a painter.

Istanbul (AFP) – Iran will defend itself by all means necessary, its foreign minister says, following the US strikes against key sites in Iran’s nuclear programme. “Iran continues to defend Iran’s territory, sovereignty, security and people by all means necessary against not just US military aggression, but also the reckless and unlawful actions of the Israeli regime,” says Iranian diplomatic chief Abbas Araghchi on the sidelines of a meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Istanbul.

Santa Catarina (AFP) – At least eight people have been killed after a hot air balloon with 21 passengers caught fire in southern Brazil, according to the governor of Santa Catarina state, where the incident occurred. It was the second fatal balloon accident in the vast South American country in less than a week after a woman died during a balloon ride in southeastern Sao Paulo state.

Washington (AFP) – President Donald Trump says the US military has carried out strikes on three Iranian nuclear sites, following days of speculation over whether the United States would join its ally Israel’s bombing campaign. Trump’s intervention threatens to dramatically widen the conflict after Israel launched an unprecedented bombing campaign on Iran last week, with Tehran vowing to retaliate if Washington joined in.

(AFP) – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says that his promise to destroy Iran’s nuclear facilities has been “fulfilled” following strikes carried out “in perfect coordination” between the Israeli and US militaries.

Guayaquil (Equateur) (AFP) – Images of the Litoral Penitentiary, a high-security prison in Guayaquil from which the leader of one of the criminal gangs that have made Ecuador one of the most violent countries in Latin America escaped. “Fede”, leader of the Los Aguilas gang, escaped from a prison complex where the country’s most dangerous prisoners are held. Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa denounced the “complicity” of prison officials, calling for an investigation by the Public Prosecutor’s Office. IMAGES

Santiago du Chili (AFP) – With drums beating, flags waving and rainbow costumes on display, thousands take to the streets of Santiago for Chile’s Pride March, celebrating diversity and demanding equal rights. IMAGES

Santa Catarina (Brésil) (AFP) – Images released by Brazil’s firefighters department show the remains of a hot air balloon that caught fire and crashed into a field in southern Brazil, killing at least eight people. The balloon had 21 people on board and the survivors are being treated in area hospitals, authorities said. An investigation was launched to determine the cause of the accident. IMAGES

Stonehenge (AFP) – Tens of thousands of people gather at Britain’s Stonehenge to celebrate the longest day of the year, enchanted by its standing stones built to align with the sun on the solstices. “The sunrise actually came up in the northeastern horizon and shone right into the centre of Stonehenge. So it’s built to reflect the solstices,” says Senior Property Curator at English Heritage, Heather Sebire.

Batken (AFP) – As barbed wire goes up on the Kyrgyzstan-Tajikistan border — a controversial Soviet-era demarcation leaving thousands of Tajiks in exclaves surrounded by Kyrgyz territory — so too does a monument designed to denote a fresh start between the recently warring nations. Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan signed in March the last of a series of deals to formalise the long-disputed borders between the Central Asian countries in the Fergana Valley, a region that has ignited several violent clashes.

Neu Delhi (AFP) – Hundreds of yoga enthusiasts gather at iconic locations across India — including New Delhi’s Lodhi Garden, Srinagar’s Dal Lake, and Mysuru Palace — to mark the 11th International Yoga Day.