*) Missile strikes leaves many dead in Ukraine's Odessa

Seventeen people have been killed in missile strikes on an apartment building and recreation centre in southern Ukraine's Odessa region, authorities said.

Fourteen were killed and 30 wounded in the strike on a nine-storey apartment block, the emergency services said on Telegram.

Odessa military administration spokesperson said the missiles were fired by aircraft that flew in from the Black Sea.

Greece says Türkiye has 'reasonable concerns' on terrorism

Türkiye has legitimate concerns about terrorism, the Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis said, telling media at the NATO summit that Ankara "paid a heavy price".

He said Türkiye has some reasonable concerns when it comes to the issue of terrorism perpetrated by organisations like PKK or YPG.

“Türkiye has paid a heavy price for such terrorist acts," Mitsotakis told a press conference at the summit in Madrid.

*) China's Xi swears in new Hong Kong chief on its handover anniversary

Chinese President Xi Jinping has officiated the swearing-in ceremony of Hong Kong's new leader John Lee as the city marked the 25th anniversary of its return from Britain to China.

Xi said Hong Kong's "true democracy" started after the city's handover to China from colonial Britain 25 years ago.

He said after reuniting with the motherland, Hong Kong's people became the masters of their own city.

*) Anti-coup protests turn deadly in Sudan as thousands take to streets

Four Sudanese demonstrators have been killed with thousands of anti-coup protesters taking to the streets demanding an end to the military rule.

Protesters urged the reversal of the October military coup by army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan that prompted foreign governments to slash aid, deepening an economic crisis.

Security forces were reported to have fired tear gas and stun grenades to disperse demonstrations.

And finally…

*) N. Korea suggests balloons flown from South brought Covid-19

North Korea has suggested its Covid-19 outbreak began in people who had contact with balloons flown from South Korea.

Activists for years have flown balloons across the border to distribute hundreds of thousands of propaganda leaflets critical of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un

South Korea’s Unification Ministry said there was no chance South Korean balloons might have spread the virus to North Korea.

*) Finland, Sweden get official invite to join NATO after Türkiye's consent

NATO has officially invited Finland and Sweden to become members of the alliance.

The announcement came as part of the Madrid summit declaration following the meeting of NATO heads of state and government.

NATO welcomed the conclusion of the trilateral memorandum between Türkiye, Finland, and Sweden.

Israel lawmakers dissolve parliament, set election for November 1

Israel’s parliament has voted to dissolve itself and send the country to the polls in November for the fifth time in less than four years.

Yair Lapid, Israel’s foreign minister and architect of the outgoing coalition government, will become the country’s caretaker prime minister just after midnight on Friday.

He will be the 14th person to hold that office, taking over from Naftali Bennett, Israel's shortest serving prime minister.

New elections will be held on November 1.

*) Amnesty accuses Russia of bombing Mariupol theatre

A theatre sheltering civilians destroyed in March in the Ukrainian city of Mariupol was likely hit by a Russian air strike in a "war crime," says Amnesty International report.

Oksana Pokalchuk, head of Amnesty's Ukraine branch said "We were speaking about an alleged war crime. Now we can clearly say it was one, committed by the Russian armed forces,"

She dismissed the Russian claims that the theatre was hit in a false-flag attack by the city's Ukrainian defenders.

*) US govt 'supports' F-16 fighter jet sales to Türkiye

The Biden administration has thrown its support behind the potential sale of US F-16 fighter jets to Türkiye.

Celeste Wallander, Assistant Secretary for Defense for International Security Affairs at Pentagon, told media that strong Turkish defence capabilities would reinforce NATO's defences.

Wallander said that the US supports Türkiye's modernisation of its fighter fleet because that is a contribution to NATO security and therefore American security.

And finally…

*) First ever 'Africa Fashion' exhibition opens in UK

UK's most extensive exhibition of African fashion is set to open in London, showcasing designers past and present, as well as the continent's diverse heritage and cultures.

"Africa Fashion", at the Victoria and Albert Museum, is the country's first exhibition dedicated to the medium.

The exhibition includes objects, sketches, photos and film from across the continent, starting from the African liberation years to up-and-coming contemporary designers.

*) Türkiye's memorandum with Sweden, Finland

Turkiye has lifted its objection to the NATO membership bids of Sweden and Finland, after a breakthrough in talks in Madrid.

Ankara had previously blocked the two countries from joining the military alliance over concerns about arms exports and terrorism.

In a memorandum, Finland and Sweden agreed to fully co-operate with Türkiye in the fight against terror groups, including the PKK, its offshoots and the FETO.

Sweden and Finland also agreed not to impose embargoes on the Turkish defence industry.

*) Ukraine's Zelenskyy calls for Russia's expulsion from UN

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has urged Russia's expulsion from the United Nations.

Zelenskyy urged the UN to establish an international tribunal to investigate "the actions of Russian occupiers on Ukrainian soil" and to hold the country accountable.

"We need to act urgently to do everything to make Russia stop the killing spree," Zelenskyy said.

*) US, allies creating 'Asian NATO' – NK media

North Korea has said that joint drills by the United States, South Korea and Japan are part of a dangerous prelude to the creation of an "Asian version of NATO".

Pyongyang accused the US of having a "sinister aim" toward North Korea.

It also accused Washington of fomenting a new Cold War.

*) Inmates die in Colombia prison fire

At least 52 inmates have been killed and 26 more injured after a fire broke out during a prison riot in southwestern Colombia.

The tragedy occurred when rioting inmates set a fire, attempting to prevent police from entering their enclosure at the prison in the city of Tulua.

Authorities had initially said they were investigating whether the incident occurred as part of an escape attempt, but later said it was a riot.

And finally…

*) Hamilton, F1 condemn Nelson Piquet

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton and Formula One have condemned former world champion Nelson Piquet's racially offensive term against the British driver.

Piquet reportedly uttered the Portuguese version of the N-word against Hamilton.

Hamilton said that these archaic mindsets need to change and have no place in the sport.

Formula One backed Hamilton, stressing that discriminatory and racist type of language "has no part in society".

*) Russian missile strike hits crowded shopping mall in Ukraine

A Russian missile strike on a crowded mall in the central Ukrainian city of Kremenchuk has killed at least 16 people.

59 others were wounded in the strike, the head of Ukraine’s emergency services said.

Russia's Defence Ministry said it fired missiles against a weapons depot, with the subsequent explosion of ammunition triggering a fire in a nearby shopping mall.

The Group of Seven leaders had condemned the attack as a “war crime", saying Russian President Putin and those responsible would be held to account.

*) G7 vows to stand with Ukraine ‘for as long as it takes’

G7 leaders have pledged to continue supporting Ukraine "for as long as it takes" in the face of the Russian onslaught.

In a statement from the G7 summit in Germany, the group said they would continue to provide financial, humanitarian, military and diplomatic support to Ukraine.

They also urged Moscow to allow grain shipments to leave Ukraine.

*) Dozens found dead in trailer in US state of Texas

At least 46 migrants have been found dead inside a tractor-trailer in the US state of Texas.

The cause of death was indicated as suffocation.

The incident appears to be one of the most deadly recent incidents of human smuggling along the US-Mexico border.

A local fire department official said 16 people, including 12 adults and four children, were transported to the hospital.

Police said three people were detained.

*) Toxic gas explosion at Jordan’s Aqaba port

A toxic gas explosion has killed at least 10 people and injured more than 250 in Jordan's Aqaba port.

A container of 30 tonnes of toxic gas plunged from a crane on a moored vessel as an iron rope that was carrying it broke, resulting in the escape of the poisonous substance.

Officials said specialists and the civil defence were dealing with the incident.

Nearby areas were evacuated and residents told to stay indoors.

*) Tokyo faces worst June heatwave since 1875

Japan’s capital Tokyo has faced the worst heatwave for June in more than 150 years.

The city saw three successive days of temperatures topping 35C, marking the worst streak of hot weather in June since records began in 1875.

At least two people are believed to have died from heatstroke, media said, as the number of hospitalisation cases from heat stroke rose.

Authorities asked residents in the Tokyo area to conserve electricity to avoid a looming power cut.

#Russia #Ukraine #G7 #texas #Smuggling #migrants #Jordan #Explosion #Tokyo #heatwave

*) Ukraine urges G7 to provide more weapons

The Ukrainian government has urged G7 leaders to provide more weapons to Kiev and impose further sanctions against Moscow.

"G7 summit must respond with more sanctions on Russia and more heavy arms for Ukraine. Russia's sick imperialism must be defeated," Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba tweeted.

The call comes as Russia steps up its offensive in Ukraine and the world's seven leading economies gather in Germany to discuss the conflict-related food and energy crises.

*) Russia ‘defaults’ on foreign debt

Russia looks set for its first sovereign default in a century as a grace period of 30 days expired on payments of 100 million dollars in interest on two bonds.

Some bondholders say they have not received overdue interest, while the Kremlin has repeatedly said there are no grounds for Russia to default.

Moscow says it is unable to pay bondholders because of sanctions, accusing the West of trying to drive it into an "artificial default".

*) G7 launches $600B project to counter China

The United States has announced a G7 project to rival China's Belt and Road Initiative.

"Together with G7 partners, we aim to mobilise $600 billion by 2027 in global infrastructure investments in poor countries,” said the White House.

The plan will target countries desperately needing everything, from roads to harbours, and that have until now often relied on the Chinese.

*) African Union calls for probe after migrants die

The African Union has called for an immediate investigation into the deaths of dozens of migrants trying to cross from Morocco into the Spanish enclave of Melilla.

The AU commission chairperson reminded “all countries of their obligations under international law to treat all migrants with dignity and to prioritise their safety".

Around 2,000 migrants, many from Sudan, tried to cross the militarised border between Morocco and Spain on Friday and were met with force.

Moroccan authorities said at least 23 people died in the violence.

And finally…

*) Lockdown for Australian bees as pest detected near port

Beehives in southeast Australia have gone under lockdown as authorities race to prevent the spread of a potentially devastating parasite plague.

The Varroa Mite was detected at the Port of Newcastle, prompting authorities to throw up a strict biosecurity zone to stop the spread.

Keepers inside the 50-kilometre biosecurity zone will not be able to move hives, bees, honey or comb until further notice.

The tiny red-brown mites attack and feed on honey bees, killing entire colonies.

*) US welcomes Türkiye's efforts in Ukraine grain

The United States welcomes Türkiye's involvement in brokering an agreement to get grain out of Ukraine, John Kirby, the national security spokesman said.

Kirby said that the US is working with allies and partners to get some grain out of Ukraine, exports that have been thwarted by Russia's incursion on Ukraine.

*) Athens fuels up crisis with naval base expansion in Crete Island

Athens is ramping up its ongoing armament programme, with plans to step up the military buildup on the island of Crete and upgrade its arsenal, according to a Greek media report.

Greece will allocate about $200 million to upgrade and expand a naval base at Souda Bay, the daily Kathimerini reported.

Greek Defense Minister informed the Parliamentary Committee on Defense Affairs about the additional allocation for the naval base, the report said.

*) Tunisia's police arrest former PM Jebali over money laundering allegations

Tunisian police arrested former prime minister Hamadi Jebali, who is also a former senior member of the Ennahda party, on suspicion of money laundering, his lawyer said.

Police in the city of Sousse seized Jebali's phone and his wife's phone and took him to an unknown location, according to a statement by his family.

Jebali's arrest raises opposition concerns over human rights record since President Kais Saied seized control of executive power last year.

*) UK Tory party chairman resigns after twin by-election losses

The chairman of Britain's ruling Conservatives quit after the party lost two parliamentary by-elections.

Oliver Dowden wrote in a resignation letter to Prime Minister and Tory leader Boris Johnson that party’s supporters are distressed and disappointed by recent events, and I share their feelings.

He added, "We cannot carry on with business as usual. Somebody must take responsibility and I have concluded that, it would not be right for me to remain in office."

And finally…

*) FIFA increases squad limit to 26 players for 2022 Qatar World Cup

FIFA will allow countries to select up to 26 players for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, increasing the maximum squad size by three for the tournament.

FIFA stated, "The number of players to be included on the final list has been increased to at least 23 and a maximum of 26.”

World football's governing body said the decision to expand squads was made "given the need to retain additional flexibility due to the unique timing" of this year's competition.

*) Casualties soar as Afghanistan reels from deadliest earthquake in decades

A powerful earthquake devastated a rural, mountainous region of eastern Afghanistan, killing at least 1,150 people and injuring 1,600 more.

The magnitude 6.1 temblor hit near the Pakistan border, but quakes of that strength can cause severe damage in areas where buildings are poorly constructed.

Rescue workers continue clearing the rubble to release the injured and recover bodies.

*) Ukraine crisis sounds alarm for humanity — China

The conflict in Ukraine has “sounded an alarm for humanity,” Chinese leader Xi Jinping said, as China continues to assume a position of neutrality while backing its ally Russia.

“Countries will surely end up in security hardships if they place blind faith in their positions of strength, expand military alliances, and seek their own safety at the expense of others," Xi said.

In other comments, Xi said imposing sanctions could act as a “boomerang” and a “double-edged sword,” and that the global community would suffer from “politicising, mechanising and weaponising” global economic trends and financial flows.

*) Türkiye, Saudi Arabia stress 'new era of cooperation' in boost to ties


Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman declared their determination to launch a new era of cooperation in bilateral ties, including in the political, economic, military, security and cultural spheres.

According to a joint declaration, the leaders emphasised the countries' determination to start a new era of comprehensive cooperation in many areas.

Ankara and Riyadh decided to deepen consultation and cooperation in regional issues to strengthen stability and peace, it said.

*) UN: Greece creates 'atmosphere of fear' for migrants, rights organisations

Human rights defenders in Greece are “under severe pressure” while trying to protect the refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants in the country, the UN human rights body said.

“Geopolitical circumstances and a lack of support by the EU have led to questions being posed of Greece that many other States have not been asked concerning migration,”

Commenting on the difficulties faced by the human rights defenders in Greece, UN Special Rapporteur Mary Lawlor said that the government's current approach creates an “atmosphere of fear – particularly a fear of criminalisation.”

And finally…

*) Musk 'losing billions of dollars' in Berlin, Austin Tesla factories

Tesla’s new car factories in Texas and Berlin are "losing billions of dollars" as they struggle to increase production because of a shortage of batteries and China port issues.

Chief Executive Elon Musk said "Both Berlin and Austin factories are gigantic money furnaces right now.” adding, “It's really like a giant roaring sound, which is the sound of money on fire,"

Musk also said he expected Tesla would start production of its Cybertruck electric pickup trucks in mid-2023.