June 23 - Every week, Reuters journalists produce scores of multimedia features and human-interest stories from around the world.
Below are some stories from this week selected by our editors, as well as explanatory context and background to help you understand world headlines. For a full schedule of news and events, please go to our editorial calendar on Reuters Connect https://www.reutersconnect.com/planning.
Scientists probe link between 'snow blood' and climate change
CHAMONIX, France - Standing on a snowy mountainside about 2,500 meters above sea level, Eric Marechal holds up a crimson test tube. Inside is an algae sample known as "snow blood," a phenomenon that accelerates Alpine thaw and that scientists worry is spreading. (CLIMATE-CHANGE/GLACIER-BLOOD (TV, PIX), 340 words)
Cubans sweat in the dark as government scrambles to end blackouts
GUANAJAY, Cuba - Summertime power outages, when demand is highest, are nothing new to residents of Cuba. But a convergence of pressures from high fuel prices to the lingering economic toll of the pandemic are now straining the the Communist-run island's already frail grid. (CUBA-BLACKOUTS/ (TV, PIX), 641 words)
Chilean beachgoers become guardians of Elasmosaurus fossils
SANTIAGO - While strolling along Los Tubos beach on the central Chilean coast, a group of neighbors found strange remains which turned out to be fossils of an ancient marine reptile that lived in the surrounding sea millions of years ago. (CHILE-FOSSIL/ (TV, PIX), 290 words)
Mekong villagers land heaviest ever freshwater fish
Cambodian villagers on the Mekong River have caught what researchers say is the world's biggest freshwater fish ever recorded, a stingray that weighed in at 300kg (661 lb) and took around a dozen men to haul to shore. (MEKONG-RIVER/STINGRAY (TV, PIX), 221 words)
In Italy, a glimmer of resurrection for art damaged in 2016 quakes
SAN SEVERINO MARCHE, Italy - At the opening of a new museum in the picturesque Italian town of San Severino Marche, the guests of honor did not dress up. They were firemen in gear worn when they rescued artworks damaged in earthquakes in 2016 that is now restored and on display. (ITALY-QUAKE/ART (PIX), 641 words)
Pizza wars: heated words in Italy over fair price of dish
ROME - Pizza: high-end gourmet fare or affordable food for the people? That is the question pitting Italian billionaire Flavio Briatore against chefs in Naples, where pizza making has UNESCO world heritage status. (ITALY-PIZZA/ (PIX), 281 words)
Volunteer archaeologists discover ancient Roman temple in Netherlands
AMSTERDAM - Archaeologists have discovered an ancient Roman sanctuary with a relatively intact Roman temple in the Dutch central-east Gelderland province, the country's cultural heritage agency said, describing the find as "exceptional." (NETHERLANDS-ARCHAEOLOGY/ROMAN EMPIRE (PIX), 187 words)
Limited edition of Citroen's mini EV sells out in under 18 minutes
PARIS - A limited edition of 50 Citroen mini electric cars sold out in less than 18 minutes, parent company Stellantis said, prompting the French brand to post a cheeky message to electric car pioneer Elon Musk. (STELLANTIS-CITROEN/AMI (PIX), 196 words)
Desperate Chinese property developer willing to 'swap wheat for house'
HONG KONG - A desperate developer in China's softening property market is coming up with a novel promotion to attract buyers, offering to take wheat and garlic as down payments. (CHINA-PROPERTY/DEBT-SALES (PIX), 387 words)
Italy's "drugged" construction boom hits a wall
ROME - Innovative incentives for people to green up their homes revived Italy's construction sector last year boosted its economy and drew international praise. A few months on it is close to ending in tears. (ITALY-ECONOMY/CONSTRUCTION (ANALYSIS, PIX), 1,009 words)
EXPLANATORY CONTENT
EXPLAINER-What to know about COVID vaccines for young children
FACTBOX-What's in, and what's out, of the U.S. Senate's gun safety bill
EXPLAINER-What's at stake in U.S. Supreme Court abortion case?
FACTBOX-U.S. companies offering abortion travel benefits
EXPLAINER-Why is there a worldwide oil-refining crunch?
FACTBOX-Quake in Afghanistan is its deadliest since 2015
FACTBOX-From Meta to Peloton, companies slow hiring as economy sputters
NEWSMAKER-Colombia's new leftist president Petro promises to fight inequality
(Compiled by Mark Porter and Patrick Enright)
