Mexico City (AFP) – US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Mexico’s Foreign Minister Alicia Barcena hold a press conference in Mexico City, following high-level security talks helds at the National Palace. IMAGES
Taft (United States) (AFP) – A century ago, Taft was built on top of California’s most productive oil field. Since then, the local economy hasn’t stopped relying on oil extraction to provide jobs. But with California committed to halting petroleum production by 2045 and suing the world’s largest oil companies over climate change deception, producers worry the town will die before the last drop is extracted. “Scientifically we’re 2.5% of the problem in California pollution or air pollution, but we get about 100% of the credit,” says Fred Holmes, chairman of the board at Holmes Western Oil Corporation.
Washington (AFP) – The White House condemns a “horrifying” strike that killed at least 51 people in a village in eastern Ukraine, saying the attack underscored the need to keep supporting Kyiv against Russia. “It is incredibly horrifying for the people of Ukraine,” Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre tells a briefing.
Zapopan (Mexico) (AFP) – Mexicans take their pets to church to be blessed on World Animal Day in the western Jalisco state. The activities take place at the Saint Francis of Assisi church in Zapopan, as World Animal Day is celebrated on the feast day of Saint Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals.
Hroza (Ukraine) (AFP) – Rescuers clear rubble and carry victims in the aftermath of a Russian strike on the eastern Ukrainian village of Groza that has killed at least 51 people, including one child. The village has a population of around 300 people and is located in the Kharkiv region, 30 kilometres west from the frontline town of Kupiansk. Ukrainian authorities said the attack targeted a grocery store and a cafe where people were gathered for a wake. ++ TEXT 33XG8WE
Sochi (Russia) (AFP) – Russian President Vladimir Putin says Moscow’s mission is to create a “new world”, during a conference in Sochi. “We did not start the so-called war in Ukraine”, he adds, “on the contrary, we are trying to finish it.”
Hasakeh (Syria) (AFP) – Hundreds of solar panels have cropped up over the years in northeast Syria as farmers seek to stave off electricity shortages in the war-ravaged region. Solar energy has offered a lifeline for the farmers. The area used to be the country’s breadbasket, but 12 years of war have battered the country’s infrastructure and industry with the state barely supplying a few hours of electricity per day.
Tehran (AFP) – CCTV footage shows 16-year-old Armita Garawand’s incident in a metro carriage in Tehran, reportedly leaving her in a coma. Kurdish-focused rights group Hengaw claims the teen was attacked by female police officers for violating the strict dress rules for women. Iranian authorities say she fainted due to low blood pressure, denying any involvement of security forces. The incident occurs just over a year after the death in custody of Mahsa Amini, who had been arrested for allegedly violating the strict dress rules.
Puerto Ayora (Ecuador) (AFP) – With a long grey beard and old-school brown suit, a Charles Darwin lookalike observes marine iguanas and the blue-footed booby – an iconic bird on the Galapagos Islands. Two centuries after the British biologist visited the archipelago which inspired his theory of evolution, retired US professor Kenneth Noll, 66, has tracked part of his journey all while dressed as his 19th-century hero.
Granada (Spain) (AFP) – EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell warns leaders that Europe will not be able to fill any funding gap left by the United States. Fresh US funding for Ukraine has been put on hold as part of a deal struck with opposition Republicans to avert a US government shutdown.
