Russia echoes Saudi view for OPEC hike

Career diplomat Choe Son Hui will represent North Korea on the international stage as Pyongyang pushes ahead with a series of sanctions-busting weapons tests and ignores US calls for talks.

Egypt's Minister of International Cooperation, Rania A. Al-Mashat, granted an interview to FRANCE 24 in Ivory Coast's economic capital Abidjan. Although the war in Ukraine is threatening Egypt's food security, the minister believes that "pre-emptive action" undertaken by Cairo in the past few years will help "mitigate" the impact of a possible wheat shortage. Al-Mashat also called for the COP27 climate summit in the Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheikh in November to be one turning of "pledges" into "implementation".

German Health Minister Karl Lauterbach has recommended the voluntary wearing of masks in indoor public spaces amid a summer wave of infections. He also indicated that stricter rules are likely on their way.

The world "missed a historic chance for a clean energy recovery", warns the sustainable energy network REN21. Despite growing investment, clean energy still lags behind fossil fuels when it comes to powering homes and businesses. FRANCE 24's Kate Moody talks to REN21's Executive Director Rana Adib.

Marcos Jr. has given himself the position of secretary of agriculture ahead of taking his presidential office and amid prohibitively high global prices. The Philippines is heavily reliant on importing its staple — rice.

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Foreign Minister Yair Lapid have agreed to dissolve parliament and call early elections. It will be Israel's fifth election in three years.

A viral video on Facebook, claims that Russia transported seven trucks worth of Iskander nuclear missiles to its border with Finland, in response to Finland's NATO bid. We tell you more in this edition of Truth or Fake.

Russia and Lithuania have become embroiled in a row after the EU state barred transport of some Kaliningrad-bound goods through its territory. But where is Kaliningrad, why is it part of Russia and what makes it so key?

French prosecutors said on Wednesday they were investigating a junior minister in President Emmanuel Macron's government after two allegations of rape were brought against her.

President Vladimir Putin has slammed the West as Russia is hit by sanctions. He called on emerging economies to cooperate with Russia as the Kremlin seeks to reroute trade.

Since Russia invaded Ukraine four months ago, the cost of living crisis has become a global issue. Prices have gone up around the world. In Europe, the countries that use the euro saw an average of 8.1 percent inflation in May. Pressure on prices, combined with stuttering economic growth, has sparked fears of a recession. These concerns could still come into play regarding the EU's response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. In this programme, we're joined by two MEPs to discuss how the EU should balance sanctions against Russia with the risk of recession.

Baghdad is hoping to revive talks between Iran and Saudi Arabia following the deadly confrontation in Yemen. Diplomatic ties between Tehran and Riyadh have been non-existent for years.