Torkham (Afghanistan) (AFP) – Islamabad, accusing Afghans of links to narcotics and “supporting terrorism”, announced a new campaign in March to expel hundreds of thousands of Afghans, with or without documents. Many Afghans had lived in Pakistan for decades after fleeing successive wars and crises.
Taif (Saudi Arabia) (AFP) – After decades of pruning thorny bushes and working arduous harvests, Khalaf Allah al-Talhi has perfected the art of capturing the fragrant aroma of the desert rose in a bottle. Known as “the city of roses”, the hills of Taif produce around 300 million of the area’s signature pink roses annually at its 800 flower farms. During harvest, workers on Al-Talhi’s farm are able to pick tens of thousands of flowers daily. But after working more than 40 harvests, the greater frequency of erratic weather — including searing summer heat, frigid winters and unexpected flooding — has presented a potent threat to Taif’s famed roses.
Vatican City (AFP) – Pope Francis’s body arrives in the Vatican’s St Peter’s Basilic, where it will lie in state until Saturday’s funeral. The late pontiff’s coffin rests before the Altar of the Confession underneath Michelangelo’s soaring dome.
Srinagar (India) (AFP) – A day after gunmen opened fire on tourists in Pahalgam, a town in Indian-administered Kashmir, the popular summer retreat lies empty. On Tuesday 22 April, gunmen emerged from the forests and killed 26 people in the region’s deadliest attack on civilians since 2000, sparking a major manhunt and global outrage.
Kyiv (Ukraine) (AFP) – Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky pushes back against calls for Kyiv to recognise Russia’s control of Crimea. Speaking ahead of fresh talks on ending the war, Zelensky says “there is nothing to talk about… this will not happen”. His comments come amid US media reports that President Donald Trump is ready to accept recognition of annexed land in Crimea as Russian territory.
Washington (AFP) – US President Donald Trump says the country “can’t have a trial” for every undocumented immigrant and hopes for “cooperation from the courts” to deport “very bad people”. Speaking in the White House, Trump says “we have thousands of people that are ready to go out,” adding, “we’re going to have a very dangerous country if we’re not allowed to do what we’re entitled to do.”
Afghanistan (AFP) – In March 2001, the Taliban shocked the world by blowing up the giant Buddhas of Bamiyan. Two decades later, back in power in Afghanistan, they claim to be making strides to preserve the country’s cultural heritage. While the group’s apparent commitment to protecting ancient artefacts has surprised some, experts have highlighted that Taliban authorities do not extend the same concern to intangible heritage like music, dance, folklore and anything involving women.
Manila (AFP) – Catholic faithful across the globe participate in memorials and prayer services for Pope Francis, who died of a stroke on Monday 21 April aged 88. Tributes have poured in for the Argentine pontiff, whose funeral is expected to draw huge crowds and be attended by a raft of world leaders, with Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky and US President Donald Trump among those saying they will be there.
Madrid (AFP) – Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez pays his respects to Pope Francis, saying “I am convinced that the world will miss his courage, his message”. Speaking at the start of a press conference the day after the pontiff’s death at the age of 88, Sanchez adds that Spain “will honour his figure.”
Sydney (AFP) – Early voting is open in Australia’s national election ahead of the official polling day on 3 May. Both the ruling Labor and opposition Liberal parties have vowed to tame the cost of living, which tops voters’ concerns in the polls, but are divided on how to tackle climate change. Prime Minister and Labor leader Anthony Albanese’s government has embraced decarbonisation, while Liberal leader Peter Dutton’s signature policy is a $200 billion scheme to build seven nuclear reactors.
San Salvador (AFP) – A delegation of Democratic US lawmakers has visited El Salvador in a new push to secure the release of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the US resident wrongly deported by the Trump administration. The 29-year-old was expelled along with nearly 300 other migrants who US authorities say are criminals and gang members, with the Trump administration paying El Salvador millions of dollars to lock them up.
Vatican City (AFP) – Pope Francis lies in an open coffin at his residence, the Vatican City’s Casa Santa Marta, following his death at the age of 88. The pontiff died on Monday 21 April, with his funeral set to be held later in the week.
