A kiss from Putin

 

Derbent, Russia

The Russian president meets people in a street during a working trip to Dagestan. Photograph: Gavril Grigorov/Sputnik/Kremlin pool/EPA

Prison Graduate in California

 

Folsom, US

Jose Catalan poses for photos after his graduation ceremony at Folsom State prison in California.  He earned his bachelor’s degree in communications through the Transforming Outcomes project.  Photograph:  Jae C Hong/AP

Les Diablerets, Switzerland

 

Tourists on the Peak Walk suspension bridge at an altitude of 3,000 metres in the Glacier 3000 resort above Les Diablerets.  Photograph:  Fabrice Coffrini/AFP/Getty Images

Donetsk, Ukraine

 

A Ukrainian serviceman carries a Leleka-100 reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicle after it landed in Donetsk region.  Photograph:  Genya Savilov/AFP/Getty Images

Wedding among the ruins

 

Hatay, Turkey

A couple who were engaged before the earthquake, marry in the container city where their families are staying.  Photograph: Dia Images/Getty Images

 

Ukrainian tradition dance

 

People dance traditional Ukrainian dances during the choreographic performance “Dance of my People” during the celebration of the Ukrainian Constitution Day in Lviv.  AFP

 

 

 

Texas 46C heat wave

 

Residents cool off at Barton Creek on June 27, 2023, in Austin, Texas. A dangerous and prolonged heat wave blanketed large parts of the southern US on Tuesday, buckling highways and forcing people into air-conditioned shelters as temperatures soared past 115 degrees Fahrenheit (46 Celsius).

500 year old Kirkstall Missal

 

A rare copy of the Kirkstall Missal was returned to the ruins of Kirkstall Abbey, Leeds, where it was diligently inscribed and studied by monks more than 500 years ago. Photograph: Danny Lawson/PA Wire

Sweden scraps Ministry of Environment

 

In October 2022, the Swedish government decided to scrap its Ministry of Environment, and instead, the coalition intends to construct new power station reactors.  The country will have no dedicated environment ministry for the first time in 35 years. https://tinyurl.com/5n6uh3ch

When will it end?

 

Relatives of a Ukrainian serviceman recently killed in Zaporizhzhia region, grieve during a funeral service in the church of St Nicholas in Kyiv.

 

Sergei Shoigu still in power

 

Ukraine

The Russian defence minister, Sergei Shoigu centre and Yevgeny Nikiforov, the commander of the western military district right, inspect a command post of one of the formations of the Zapad (West) appearance since a mercenary uprising demanded his removal.  Photograph: AP

 

Beau Biden Jr

 

Ford McNair, Washington DC

Joe Biden helps his grandson Beau Biden Jr off Masrine One upon arrival in Washington.  Photograph: Andrew Harnik/AP

Princess Diana's jumper

 

Detail from a jumper worn by Diana, Princess of Wales, that is predicted to sell at auction for up to 70,000 pounds at Sotheby’s in New York in September. Photograph: Sotheby’s/PA

President Volodymyr Zelensky visits frontline

 

President Volodymyr Zelensky and a serviceman meet at a gas station during a visit to the frontline which is partly occupied by Russian forces.  He visited military units involved in heavy fighting around the city of Bakhmut, and met soldiers relaxing at a highway gas station. AFP

Prime Minister Erdogan wins unfair election

 

Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan and his son Bilal 

What is astonishing is how the majority of Turkish people elected Erdogan despite a worsening economy and now chronic hyperinflation that would likely bring down any government in a democratic country.

So, how did Erdogan win the election and, more significantly, what is likely to happen in the country in the foreseeable future?

https://twitter.com/i/status/1660345098981318658

Where is President Putin?

 

Two aircraft belonging to the Russian presidency, typically the only jets used by Vladimir Putin for air travel, have both departed Russia's capital and were last tracked headed toward the northwestern city of St. Petersburg.

However, Putin’s spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, has said the Russian president remains in the Kremlin.

Where are they?

 

Yevgeny Prigozhin, wearing a Putin T-shirt, with his wife and daughter Polina

Hugs for Wagner soldier

 

A young boy hugs a member of Wagner group in Rostov-on-Don, on 24 June 2023.   Photograph: Roman Romokhov/AFP/Getty Images

Who funds Wagner Fighters?

 

Victoria Nuland, the U.S. undersecretary of state for political affairs, told Congress earlier this year gold mining in countries like the Central African Republic and Mali “directly funds the Wagner group fighters engaged in in Ukraine.”

In December, the U.S. believed that the Wagner Group had an estimated 50,000 personnel inside Ukraine — around 10,000 contractors and 40,000 convicts from Russian prisons, U.S. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said.

Wagner soldiers treated like heroes

 

A woman poses with a Wagner soldier in Rostov-on-Don. EPA

 

 

A young boy hugs a member of Wagner group in Rostov-on-Don, on June 24 2023. Getty Images 

Simon Crean dies aged 74

 

The former Labor leader and cabinet minister, Simon Crean, has died age 74.

Crean died suddenly while overseas on Sunday, Guardian Australia understands.

Crean led the Australian Labor Party from November 2001 to December 2003, a difficult period for the party after its third federal election defeat to John Howa

Wagner boss strikes a deal and mutiny ends

 

Yevgeny Prigozhin leaves the headquarters of Russia’s southern military district.  Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said the criminal case opened against Prigozhin for armed mutiny would be dropped, and the Wagner fighters who took part in his “march for justice” would not face any action.

Wagner fighters head to Moscow

 

Fighters of Wagner private mercenary group stand guard in a street near the headquarters of the Southern Military District in the city of Rostov-on-Don in Russia on June 24. Reuters

Putin has warned that those on "path of treason" or armed rebellion will be punished."

 

 

Nuclear Fusion

 

Germany’s Science Minister Bettina Stark-Watzinger arrives for a news conference to present the government’s new strategy for supporting research into nuclear fusion, a technology some hope will will provide almost unlimited clean energy, in Berlin, Germany

Which country is leading in nuclear fusion?

Russia is considered the nuclear superpower of the world, with the highest number of nuclear weapons and has also made strides in nuclear fusion.

 

Evan Gershkovich Appeal

 

Thursday, June 22, 2023

Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who was arrested in March while on a reporting trip and accused of espionage, stands behind a glass wall for defendants before a court hearing to consider an appeal against his detention, in Moscow, Russia. Reuters/Evgenia Novozhenina

Stonehenge Summer Solstice

 

Revellers gather at Stonehenge to celebrate the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year near Salisbury, England.

 

 

International Yoga Day

 

Guwahati, India

Hindu holy men take part in the International Day of Yoga at Kamakhya temple.  Photograph: Anupam Nath/AP

 

 

Linda Burney raised by whites

 

My aunt and uncle were non-Aboriginal and it was a very small town. I don't know why they decided to take me in, but it probably kept me out of institutional care, and they raised me with old, solid values that have served me every day of my life."   https://tinyurl.com/mtkkxzhw

 

 

Royalty greets the crowd in Brussels

 

Dutch Queen Maxima, second left and Belgium’s Queen Mathilde, left, greet the crowds at the Grand-Place in Brussels, Belgium

Wuhan University Graduates

 

Graduates attend a graduation ceremony at Wuhan University. China is forecast to produce 11.58 million fresh graduates this year. Photograph: Getty Images

 

 

Cambridge, UK

 

A fireworks display over the River Cam during the Trinity May Ball at Cambridge University’s Trinity College celebrating the end of the academic year.  The first official May Ball was held in Trinity College grounds in 1866 with the tradition quickly spreading to the other colleges.  Photograph:  Joe Goddems/PA

Aoraki, New Zealand

 

This football pitch in the valley of the Aoraki/Mount Cook, the highest mountain in New Zealand, was created over six weeks to promote tourism for the upcoming FIFA Womens World Cup which will be played in Australia and New Zealand.  Photograph:  Brett Phibbs/Tourism New Zealand/AFP/Getty Images

Why is Donald Trump Junior coming to Australia?

 

Whatever gave him the idea that Australians would be interested in whatever he has to say.  Please go away.

$89 entry fee, booking fee may apply, 

$59 students, ID required on entry.

VIP meeting 1 on 1 with junior - $295

Backstage pass - $495

Private dinner – price on application.

 

Farmers fighting land mines in Ukraine

 

Serhii Vorobyov with some of his surviving cattle.

When Russian troops occupied the Husarivka dairy farm, almost all of its 2,500 cattle were killed. Those that were not blown up or gunned down starved. They were so hungry, they ate each other’s tails. The survivors standing at the trough in one of the farm’s wrecked sheds have stubs where their tails once were. 

The Guardian https://tinyurl.com/4swcwpam

 

 

No Pride parade allowed in Istanbul

 

Police detain an activist to prevent him from marching in a Pride Parade which is banned in central Istanbul, Turkey 18 June. Reuters/Dilara Senkaya

Hunt for people smugglers in UK

 

Grays, Essex, England

Officers from the National Crime Agency enter a property of a man suspected of being a member of a group arranging small boat crossings and HGV journeys for migrants.  Photograph:  Aaron Chown/PA

Geoff Clark's Aboriginal Trust fraud trial

 

In September 2022 Geoff, Trudy and Jeremy Clark appeared in Melbourne Court via video-link for a directions hearing for alleged fraud trials involving former Framlingham Aboriginal Trust.

However the trial was postponed for at least 12 months and as yet, no trial date has been released.

  

David Sharaz, Brittany Higgins boyfriend

 

David Sharaz, 32, was born in Wrexham, north Wales, to a Welsh mother and Indian father but put up for adoption. 

He was briefly married to Treasury adviser Alexandra Craig but it ended in a bitter break-up.

According to the Daily Mail, he battled with booze and mental health issues for years before the couple was thrown into the spotlight by her rape allegations. The journalist-turned-government media advisor has been branded Ms Higgins' 'puppet master' and the mastermind behind the media blitz surrounding her case.

Margaret Olley: 100 Years

 

Margaret Olley in in her studio in Paddington, Sydney, in 2005. Photograph: Patrick Riviere/Getty Images

Margaret Olley: 100 Years opens at Philip Bacon Gallery, Brisbane on 20 June and runs until 15 July.

Lidia Thorpe and ex-Rebels president Dean Martin

 

Lidia Thorpe and ex-president of the Rebels bikie gang in Victoria, Dean Martin 

Fishing boat survivor reunites with brother

 

Syrian survivor Fedi 18 right, one of 104 people who were rescued from the Aegean Sea after their fishing boat crammed with migrants sank, reacts as he reunites with his brother Mohammad, who came from Italy to meet him at the port of Kalamata, Greece.

 

Dakar, Senegal

 

Penda Fall helps her family with chores during International Albinism Awareness Day in Dakar.  Photograph:  Annika Hammerschlag/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

 

Silvio Berlusconi funeral in Milan

 

Milan, Italy

The hearse carrying the casket of former Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi leaves after his state funeral at Milan’s Duomo Cathedral.  He was given the privilege of a state funeral which appalled critics of the scandal-tainted former Italian Prime Minister.  Photograph:  Claudio Furlan/AP

Putin and Berlusconi on holiday

 

Vladimir Putin and Silvio Berlusconi on holiday in Sardinia, Italy, 2003.

UN visits Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant

 

The head of the UN atomic energy agency has said the situation at the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in Ukraine is “serious” and that ensuring water for cooling was the high priority of his visit.  If followed, he said the station could operate safely for “some time”.

The Guardian https://tinyurl.com/46zyswr3

Denmark's dolphin slaughter

 

This handout picture from Sea Shepherd UK shows people hunting dolphins in Leynar, Denmark, 14 June 2023. People in the Faroe Islands have killed more than 500 dolphins since its controversial hunt resumed in May.

Moscow, Russia

 

 

People view the Trinity icon by Andrei Rublev at Christ the Savior Cathedral in Moscow, Russia.

Beirut banks continue to restrict funds

 

A protester smashes windows at Byblos Bank during a protest demanding the release of depositors’ trapped savings in Beirut, Lebanon.  The banks have imposed informal capital controls, restricting depositors from accessing their funds while the country’s currency has collapsed and inflation has spiraled.