Kinshasa (AFP) – Performers dressed in cans, tubes, mirrors and other materials salvaged from rubbish bins parade through the streets of Kinshasa, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, for the 5th edition of the “KinAct” festival, which aims to raise awareness of the environment as well as art.
Darwin (Australia) (AFP) – In quirky and colourful boats made from recycled materials, participants attempt to paddle their way to triumph in a Beer Can Regatta at Mindil Beach in the Australian city of Darwin.
Conakry (AFP) – Guineans say they are optimistic the day after a military-led coup toppled 83-year-old President Alpha Conde and scrapped the contested constitution. Public discontent had been brewing for months over a flatlining Covid-hit economy and Conde’s leadership of Conde, who became Guinea’s first democratically elected president in 2010. Five years later, he was re-elected — but in 2020 he sparked fury after ramming through changes to the constitution enabling him to serve a two-term limit.
Cetinje (Montenegro) (AFP) – Opponents of the inauguration of the new head of the Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC) in Montenegro create a road block of burning tires in the historic town of Cetinje, in an attempt to prevent SPC dignitaries reaching a nearby monastery to celebrate the inauguration.
Húsavík (Iceland) (AFP) – About ten nautical miles from the small port village of Húsavík in northern Iceland, scientists collect spray from the blowholes of humpback whales to assess their stress level when encountering whale watching boats, a booming industry on the subarctic island.
Hagen (Germany) (AFP) – German Chancellor Angela Merkel says ‘of course’ her government must talk with the Taliban in order to get people who have worked for German development organisations out of Afghanistan.
Havana (AFP) – Cuban authorities launch a national campaign to vaccinate children aged two to 18 against Covid-19. With the Delta variant spreading across the island of 11.2 million, the country’s health care system has been pushed to the brink, and the government says it will only gradually re-open schools for in-person instruction in October after the vaccination campaign among children is completed.
Lausanne (AFP) – Inspired by Beethoven’s unfinished 10th symphony, a computer has generated ‘BeethovANN Symphony 10.1’, imagining how the mysterious piece might have sounded, with ANN referring to the artificial neural network that created it.
Kabul (AFP) – The Taliban whitewash the walls of the Afghan capital, erasing the colourful murals of Kabul, covering them with black and white Islamist texts and quotes from Taliban leaders, celebrating the departure of US troops. The Taliban are reportedly announcing a new government in the next few days, pledging inclusivity while many fear a return to the brutal regime of 1996 – 2001.
Tlaquepaque (Mexico) (AFP) – Local residents wade down flooded streets while the Mexican military support evacuation efforts after heavy rains in the city of Tlaquepaque, Jalisco state, Mexico.
Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Manchester United fans rush to snap up shirts with Cristiano Ronaldo’s iconic number seven, that he will wear again after Edinson Cavani agreed to give it up. The Portuguese player rejoined United from Juventus last week, and is set to make his second debut in the Premier League match against Newcastle on September 11.
Wellington (AFP) – New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern reacts to the country’s first death from the coronavirus in six months. A woman in her 90s is the 27th person to die with Covid-19 in New Zealand and the first recorded since February 16 this year.
