While You Were Sleeping: 5 stories you might have missed, June 16
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (centre) hopes the peace summit in Switzerland will lay the groundwork for a “just” and “lasting” settlement with invading neighbour Russia. PHOTO: REUTERS
PHOTO: REUTERS
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Zelensky seeks internationally agreed peace plan
As world leaders lined up to offer their support at a summit for peace in Ukraine on June 15, President Volodymyr Zelensky voiced hope of garnering international agreement around a proposal to end the war that he could present to Moscow.
More than two years after Russia invaded, leaders and senior officials from more than 90 states gathered in a Swiss mountainside resort for a two-day summit dedicated to Kyiv’s plan to end the largest European conflict since World War II.
Most voiced strong support for Ukraine, demanding a “just peace”. Others, however, criticised Moscow’s exclusion and warned Kyiv it would need to compromise if it wanted to end the war.
In his opening remarks, Mr Zelensky told the assembly: “We must decide together what a just peace means for the world and how it can be achieved in a lasting way. Then it will be communicated to the representatives of Russia, so that at the second peace summit we can fix the real end of the war.”
Manila submits UN claim to extended continental shelf
AFP
The Philippines has sought recognition from the United Nations for its claim to an extended continental shelf off the island that is closest to a hotly disputed region of the South China Sea.
China claims almost the entire waterway through which trillions of dollars in ship-borne trade passes annually, and huge unexploited oil and gas deposits are believed to lie under its seabed. The sea is also important as a source of fish for growing populations.
In the submission filed on June 15, Manila claimed it was entitled to “establish the outer limits of its continental shelf” up to 350 nautical miles (648km) off the western island of Palawan, the maximum allowed under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).”
Muslim haj pilgrims pray atop scorching Mount Arafat
AFP
Vast crowds of Muslims gathered for hours under the hot sun atop Mount Arafat on June 15 for the high point of the annual haj pilgrimage, offering prayers including for Palestinians in war-ravaged Gaza.
Clad in white, worshippers began arriving at dawn for the most gruelling day of the annual rites, climbing the rocky, 70m-high hill where the Prophet Muhammad is believed to have given his last sermon.
The temperature on Mount Arafat hit 46 deg C, the spokesman for the national meteorology centre said on X, creating taxing conditions for pilgrims who had spent the night in a giant tented city in Mina, a valley outside Mecca, Islam’s holiest city.
Britain’s Kate in first public appearance since cancer diagnosis
REUTERS
Kate, Britain’s Princess of Wales, waved to crowds and smiled broadly from the balcony of Buckingham Palace after watching a military parade on June 15, making her first public appearance in 2024 as she undergoes treatment for cancer.
The princess, 42, spent two weeks in hospital in January after she underwent major abdominal surgery. Two months later, she announced in a video message that tests had revealed the presence of cancer and she was receiving preventative chemotherapy.
She is still undergoing treatment, but her improved health meant she was able to appear in public for the first time since December. The princess rode in a covered carriage with her three children to watch the “Trooping the Colour”, an annual military parade to mark the official birthday of the British monarch, King Charles.
Spain’s ‘vertical football’ too much for ageing Croatia
EPA-EFE
Having dominated international football for years with their possession-based “tiki-taka” style, Spain’s switch to a faster, more direct approach saw them cruise to an easy 3-0 win over Croatia on June 15 as they laid down a marker for Euro 2024.
The previous day, Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic had spoken about how the current Spain side tried to move the ball into attacking areas more quickly, and when Croatia failed to make the ball stick in attack midway through the first half, the Spaniards showed exactly what he meant.
Marc Cucurella’s clearance found Rodri in midfield, and he passed calmly to Fabian Ruiz - a couple of touches later, the midfielder split the defence with a sublime ball to Alvaro Morata and he slotted it home. Croatia never recovered.
