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.
New York (AFP) – “Even the morning after, we’re still uncovering the true depth of the loss,” New York Governor Kathy Hochul says during a news conference a day after remnants of Hurricane Ida slammed New York City.
Shizuoka (Japan) (AFP) – With a violin bow fixed to her prosthetic arm, Manami Ito’s short but breathtaking performance at the Tokyo Paralympics opening ceremony was the product of many years of determination.
Doha (AFP) – Just days ago, Beheshta Arghand made history by becoming the first female Afghan journalist to interview a Taliban official live on television — now she’s a refugee overcome by emotion appealing for help.
Dakar (AFP) – In a place where concrete is cheap, one man, Doudou Deme, dreams of an ecological, sustainable alternative. Compressed earth bricks, manufactured in his factory outside Dakar, offer better temperature regulation as well as benefiting the planet.
Colombo (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s main elephant orphanage recorded a rare twin birth Tuesday as a 25-year-old named Surangi delivered healthy male calves, the first elephant twins born in captivity in the country for 80 years. Official records show there are about 200 domesticated elephants in the island country and an estimated 7,500 in the wild.
Bangui (Central African Republic) (AFP) – With a precise and delicate touch, Debonheur Koli paints the nails of his clients in his nail salon in Bangui, the capital of Central African Republic. While the manicure and pedicure industry in the West is dominated by women, in Bangui, it’s man’s work.
Rosario (Argentina) (AFP) – The Parana River, second in size only to the Amazon in South America, is suffering its worst low since 1941, with experts unsure as to whether this owes to its natural cycle or to climate change. The river is crucial for providing drinking water and irrigating farmland, generating electricity as well as for transporting goods to landlocked Paraguay and Bolivia.
Montegut (United States) (AFP) – Hurricane Ida has left a trail of destroyed houses and flooded roads in the community of Point-Aux-Chenes, Louisiana, after slamming into the US State as a Category 4 storm.
Ahangama (Sri Lanka) (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s aim to become the world’s first 100 percent organic food producer is threatening its famous tea industry. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s ban on chemical fertiliser earlier this year has sparked concerns of a severe reduction in tea, the island’s main export commodity, as well other crops by the end of this year.
Vladivostok (Russia) (AFP) – Russian President Vladimir Putin says that the United States’ 20-year campaign in Afghanistan ended in “only tragedies, only losses.” Moscow has regularly slammed the US policy in Afghanistan, which is now controlled by the Taliban after their takeover this month ahead of the American pullout on August 31.
Wickwar (United Kingdom) (AFP) – An alpaca named Geronimo has been dominating headlines in the UK, due to a fierce battle between his owner and the government over whether the animal should be put down or not. Geronimo’s owner disputed the validity of two positive tests for bovine tuberculosis, making several court bids to prevent his destruction. More than 140,000 people signed a petition calling on the government to offer the animal a reprieve, but the animal was euthanised by government vets.
