UNITED STATES: Democratic governors in 20 US states are launching a network intended to strengthen abortion access in the wake of the Supreme Court decision ending a woman’s constitutional right to end a pregnancy and instead shifting regulatory powers over the procedure to state governments.

Organisers described the Reproductive Freedom Alliance as a way for governors and their staff to share best practices and affirm abortion rights.

SOMALIA: Security forces in Somalia have ended a siege by al-Shabab extremists that killed 10 people and wounded three others at a home in the capital Mogadishu.

The Information Ministry said on Tuesday that the al-Qaida-linked fighters launched the rare attack on a private home with a suicide bombing. Al-Shabab often attacks hotels and government buildings.

CHINA: The Chinese Taiwan Affairs Office denounced a visit to the territory by a senior Pentagon official and reaffirmed it has sanctioned Lockheed Martin and a unit of Raytheon for supplying military equipment to the island.

The comments underscore the dramatic deterioration in relations between Beijing and Washington over Taiwan, technology, spying allegations and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

FRANCE: Tuesday marked 31 days since there has been any significant rainfall in France. This matches a record set in the spring of 2020 and raises concerns about water reserves in the country after France and the rest of Europe faced severe drought last year. 

Winter is normally a crucial period for recharging groundwater levels with rainfall.