London (AFP) – The BBC announces the death of Britain’s longest-serving monarch, Queen Elizabeth II. On the throne for 70 years, for billions of people she was the one constant in a world of bewildering change, an omnipresent matriarch linking the past with the present. IMAGES
Kyiv (Ukraine) (AFP) – In his nightly address, President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, says the death of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II is “a heavy loss for the whole of Europe and the world.”
Washington (AFP) – US President Joe Biden and allied leaders discussed stepping up coordination Thursday on securing reliable energy supplies for Europe as the continent faces possible shortfalls in the coming winter due to the Ukraine war. Leaders of the United States, Britain, Canada, Germany, Japan and other countries “discussed Russia’s weaponization of energy and the need for further coordination to secure sustainable and affordable energy supplies for Europe,” White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre says to reporters after the video conference.
Washington (AFP) – US President Joe Biden has been briefed and will be updated throughout the day on the concerning news out of the United Kingdom about Queen Elizabeth’s health. “His and the first lady’s thoughts are with the queen and the family today,” White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre tells reporters during a briefing.
Washington (AFP) – Interrupted during a White House briefing because of the death of Britain’s longest-serving monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre says, “our hearts and our thoughts go to the family members of the Queen, goes to the people of United Kingdom.”
Ramstein Air Base (Germany) (AFP) – The progress of the Ukrainian counteroffensive against Russian troops is “steady”, says US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Mark Milley. The progress of this counteroffensive is “steady and it’s deliberate,” Milley tells reporters after a meeting of Ukraine’s allies at the US base in Ramstein, Germany, to coordinate military aid to Kyiv.
Kyiv (Ukraine) (AFP) – United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken makes a surprise trip to Kyiv as the United States unveiled nearly $2.8 billion in new military support to Ukraine and neighbours, to face Russia. Blinken travelled in secrecy on his second trip to Kyiv since the Russian invasion in February.
Bracknell (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Prince William and his wife Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, accompany their children Prince George, aged nine, Princess Charlotte, seven, and four-year-old Prince Louis to a settling-in afternoon for new pupils at Lambrook School, near Ascot in southern England, a change in schools after moving their main home to Windsor.
Paris (AFP) – Renowned conductor Gustavo Dudamel calls himself a “vehicle of music” as he inaugurates his second season as music director of the Paris Opera.
Rio de Janeiro (AFP) – President Jair Bolsonaro attended celebrations marking 200 years of independence from Portugal. In Rio de Janeiro thousands turned out in green and yellow to support the far-right leader, just a few weeks before the October 2 election. Brazil is deeply divided heading into the election, with Bolsonaro trailing leftist ex-president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
