First Thing: Utah officials sued over failure to save Great Salt Lake

Environmental and community groups file lawsuit as the lake shrinks from overuse. Plus, US Open struggles in New York heatwave

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Good morning.

Environmental and community groups have sued Utah officials over failures to save its iconic Great Salt Lake from irreversible collapse.

Can the lake be saved? Despite growing political momentum on the issue, scientists say the proposed measures are not nearly enough to save the lake, which has lost about 40bn gallons of water annually since 2020.

What else did Russia say about the decision? In a social media post on Telegram, the Russian foreign ministry spokesperson, Maria Zakharova, sharply criticised the US decision, writing: What is this: a lie or stupidity?" She claimed an increase in cancer cases had been noted in places where ammunition with depleted uranium was used.

What else is happening? Blasts have been reported in the Russian city of Rostov, near the headquarters of the southern military district command, which plays a key role in Russia's invasion of Ukraine and was one of the sites seized by the late Wagner leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, during his failed mutiny in June.