Monaco Journal - News from Monaco, Monte-Carlo and the world

The G7 group of rich democracies on Sunday announced an attempt to compete with China's formidable Belt and Road Initiative by raising some $600 billion for global infrastructure programmes in poor countries.

Delegates from almost 200 nations have made little progress towards hammering out a blueprint for a global pact to protect nature from human activity, after almost a week of difficult talks in Nairobi.

Turkish police on Sunday forcibly intervened in a Pride march in Istanbul, detaining more than 150 demonstrators and an AFP photographer, AFP journalists on the ground and an NGO reported.

At least 21 teenagers, the youngest possibly just 13, died at the weekend after a night out at a township tavern in South Africa, in a tragedy whose cause remains unclear.

Two popular coves in the "Calanques" area near Marseille, among southern France's main attractions, saw visitor numbers capped on Sunday for the first time to protect their fragile ecosystem.

Bangladesh picked up two early wickets but Kyle Mayers ensured the West Indies were still able to extend their first innings lead on a rain-shortened third morning of the second and final Test at the Daren Sammy Stadium in St Lucia on Sunday.

Stefanos Tsitsipas believes Rafael Nadal must feel "immortal" after winning the French Open and moving halfway to the first men's calendar Grand Slam in more than half a century.

Jack Leach took 10 wickets in a Test for the first time in his career on Sunday as England were set a target of 296 to complete a 3-0 series whitewash of New Zealand.

Russian strikes hit a residential building in Kyiv on Sunday in the first attack on the capital in almost three weeks, Ukraine said, calling for increased support from G7 leaders meeting in Germany.

It's been nine years since Sergiy Stakhovksy stunned Roger Federer at Wimbledon in a Centre Court seismic shock.

England were set a target of 296 to complete a series whitewash of New Zealand after dismissing the Black Caps for 326 in the third Test on Sunday.

World powers on Sunday agreed to ban gold exports from Russia, kicking off a G7 meeting aimed at taking new steps to deplete Moscow's war chest and bolster Ukraine's defences.

Finland's Kalle Rovanpera won the Kenya Safari Rally for the first time on Sunday to stretch his lead at the top of the world championship standings.

Norway paid tribute on Sunday to the victims of a deadly shooting near a gay bar in the capital that shocked the normally peaceful country and led to the cancellation of a Pride march.

Italy's Francesco Bagnaia won the Dutch MotoGP on Sunday after championship leader Fabio Quartararo crashed out of an incident-packed race following what he called a "rookie's mistake".

A rejuvenated New South Wales forced a decider in the best-of-three State of Origin rugby league series after a scintillating 44-12 victory over Queensland on Sunday.

New Zealand's Daryl Mitchell and Tom Blundell frustrated England again on Sunday as they denied the hosts a fresh breakthrough in their quest for a series whitewash.

Nick Kyrgios resumes his bittersweet relationship with Wimbledon vowing to continue making "top 10 players look ordinary."

Iran's next revolution will be brought on by women taking back the freedoms denied to them in the Islamic republic, said Zar Amir Ebrahimi, the winner of this year's Best Actress award at Cannes.

Boys scurry, duck and weave through crowds sheltering from the suffocating heat before upending buckets of cooling water on beefy bovines waiting to compete at the annual traditional Thai buffalo races in Chonburi on Sunday.

Kwon Soon-woo may munch on a chocolate bar on Centre Court when he tackles defending champion Novak Djokovic in Monday's Wimbledon opener.

Cash-strapped Sri Lanka on Sunday announced sending ministers to Russia and Qatar to try and secure cheap oil a day after the government said it had all but run out of fuel.

US rapper Kendrick Lamar will bring the curtain down on Britain's Glastonbury Festival on Sunday, after Paul McCartney ran through a set of Beatles classics, helped out by Bruce Springsteen and Dave Grohl.

Russian strikes hit a residential building in Kyiv on Sunday, the first attacks on the capital in almost three weeks, sparking calls by Ukraine for more support from G7 leaders meeting in Germany.

England wicketkeeper Ben Foakes has tested positive for Covid-19, with Kent's Sam Billings taking his place for the remainder of the ongoing third Test against New Zealand, it was announced Sunday.

Iraq's prime minister met with Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, in the kingdom Sunday as part of Baghdad's efforts to mediate between Riyadh and Tehran.

Canadian 15-year-old Summer McIntosh headlined a crop of golden teenagers too young to drive who caught the eye at the World Swimming Championships, but a number of former prodigies showed they are still driven to win too.

Ecuador's National Assembly suspended early Sunday a no-confidence hearing for President Guillermo Lasso, after eight hours of acrimonious deliberations by lawmakers over his responsibility for nationwide protests against rising fuel and living costs.

Consumers should start cutting back on their energy use immediately, the bosses of France's three big energy companies urged Sunday, warning of social tensions next winter unless reserves are replenished.

World powers on Sunday agreed to ban gold exports from Russia, in new concerted action to cut off Moscow's financial lifeline as G7 leaders met in southern Germany to lock down new support for Ukraine.

Explosions rocked a residential neighbourhood in Kyiv Sunday morning as G7 leaders gathered in Germany to discuss their backing of Ukraine against Russia's invasion, with a crucial NATO meeting set to follow in days.

Indonesian President and G20 chairman Joko Widodo set off on Sunday to Europe where he said he plans to visit Russia and Ukraine and meet with the countries' leaders to urge peace talks.