Rio de Janeiro (AFP) – Brazilian dancer David Motta, who left Moscow’s Bolshoi Ballet two months ago due to the war in Ukraine, stars in the Swan Lake ballet at Rio de Janeiro’s Municipal Theatre before joining the Staatsballett in Berlin.
Vatican City (AFP) – Pope Francis quips that a shot of tequila would help him with a painful knee that has forced the 85-year-old Argentinian to use a wheelchair. “You know what I need for my leg? A little tequila!” Francis jokes with a group of newly-ordained Mexican priests in a video that went viral on TikTok.
Jacobabad (Pakistan) (AFP) – Jacobabad in Pakistan’s arid Sindh province is in the grip of the latest heatwave to hit South Asia -– peaking at 51 degrees Celsius (124 Fahrenheit) at the weekend. Experts say the searing weather is in line with projections for global warming.
Moscow (AFP) – President Vladimir Putin says that while Russia does not see Finland and Sweden’s decision to join NATO as a threat, deployment of military infrastructure there may trigger a response from Moscow.
Berlin (AFP) – Speaking virtually at a NATO meeting in Berlin, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg says Ukraine can defeat Russia’s invasion, urging the alliance to keep sending military aid to Kyiv.
Kyiv (Ukraine) (AFP) – Kyiv residents get an unexpected boost after Ukraine swept to victory at the Eurovision Song Contest with an infectious hip-hop folk melody. The win has raised spirits in the embattled nation which fighting off a Russian invasion that has killed thousands and displaced millions of people.
Turin (Italy) (AFP) – ‘The victory is very important to Ukraine, especially this year,’ says Kalush Orchestra frontman, Oleh Psiuk, after winning the Eurovision Song Contest for Ukraine with an infectious hip-hop folk melody. The band received special authorisation from Ukraine’s government to attend Eurovision, since men of fighting age are prohibited from leaving the country, but that permit expires in two days. Psiuk said he was not sure what awaited the band as war rages back home.
Berlin (AFP) – NATO countries are ready to provide military assistance to Ukraine to help it repel Russia’s invasion for as long as it is needed, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock says. of Annalena Baerbock
Santiago (AFP) – Images of a total lunar eclipse underway in the sky of Santiago in Chile.
Bangkok (AFP) – Thailand commemorates Visakha Bucha, which marks Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and death, and is held on the full moon of the third lunar month. Monks and devotees lit candles at Bangkok’s Wat Benchamabophit Dusitvanaram, also known as the marble temple.
