Jardin (Colombia) (AFP) – Juan Guillermo Jaramillo, agronomist and Colombian nature photographer, is the co-author of an inventory that led to Colombia being recognized as having the widest variety of butterfly species in the world. The Checklist of Colombian Butterflies identifies 3,642 different species, which makes up 19.4 percent of the known global varieties.
Vladivostok (Russia) (AFP) – Russian President Vladimir Putin says he hopes the Taliban will behave in a “civilised” manner in Afghanistan so the global community can maintain diplomatic ties with Kabul. “Russia is not interested in the disintegration of Afghanistan. If this happens, then there will be no one to talk to,” Putin says.
Taez (Yemen) (AFP) – Many Yemini school children have only ever known makeshift schooling. Classes take place wherever they can, on roofs, in bombed out buildings and on the streets. As a new school year rolls around, the students’ simple hope of a ‘real school’ remains a distant reality in the war-torn city of Taez. With 600,000 people under government control but besieged by the Huthi rebels since 2015, Taez is one of Yemen’s most troubled cities, and has been repeatedly bombed by insurgents.
Glacier d’Aletsch (Switzerland) (AFP) – As head of Glacier Monitoring Switzerland (Glamos), Matthias Huss is at the forefront of observing the impact of climate change because glaciers are like a “giant thermometer” that indicates that upheavals are “very, very fast”.
Stockholm (AFP) – Fans of ABBA in Stockholm outside a museum dedicated to the group say they are thrilled after the Swedish superstars announced a musical comeback with a new album and a London show featuring their performances captured by digital avatars.
Tokyo (AFP) – Paris 2024 CEO says they “are proud to be driving the development of a new global standard for accessibility in major sport and cultural event” ahead of the Games’ handover ceremony.
Alexandria (United States) (AFP) – Alexanda Kotey, a member of the notorious Islamic State kidnapping cell dubbed the “Beatles,” pleaded guilty Thursday in a US court to charges of conspiring to murder four American hostages. “Contrary to the propaganda perpetrated by ISIS, we have given Alexanda Kotey the opportunity to face justice,” acting US Attorney Raj Parekh tells reporters outside the court, alongside some of the victims’ parents.
Queens (United States) (AFP) – High waters and heavy rain are seen through a vehicle’s window in New York as Storm Ida wreaks further havoc on the northeast United States. The storm has forced airport closures and state of emergency declarations in the state and neighbouring New Jersey.
Doha (AFP) – Qatar’s Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani says his country is working with Taliban to reopen Kabul airport “as soon as possible”, during a joint press conference with his British counterpart Dominic Raab in Doha.
Goma (DR Congo) (AFP) – Three months on from its eruption, the volcanic Mount Nyiragongo looms over the Congolese city of Goma, and the damage it’s left in its wake. At a camp north of the city, thousands of people displaced by the destruction live in makeshift shelters, and are calling for government help.
Mbodiène (Senegal) (AFP) – One year after singer Akon laid the first stone of the $6 billion futuristic city he plans to build in his native Senegal, the site remains grassland. Construction of “Akon City,” a project due to feature ultramodern twisting skyscrapers, was already meant to have begun near the Atlantic Ocean village of Mbodiene. But building work is yet to start, prompting residents who were hoping for jobs to wonder about its future.
Herat (Afghanistan) (AFP) – In the western city of Herat, about 50 Afghan women take to the streets demanding the right to work and for representation in the Taliban’s new government. It comes as the Islamist militants say they are close to forming their cabinet. “It is our right to have education, work and security. We are not afraid, we are united,” the protesters chant in unison.
