Elanora (AFP) – A huge tree lies atop a house after ex-Cyclone Alfred unleashes dangerous gusts and heavy rain on Australia’s east coast. Near the property, crews work to repair electricity lines while others clear fallen trees blocking roads. The tropical cyclone — now downgraded to a depression — battered the coastline with gale-force winds, toppling trees, bringing down power lines, and damaging buildings.
Jakarta (AFP) – People rallied on International Women’s Day across Asia and Europe, with more protests expected in the Americas later on.
Rom (AFP) – Worshippers continue to pray for Pope Francis outside the Gemelli hospital in Rome, where the 88-year-old head of the Catholic Church has been battling pneumonia since February 14. According to the latest report from the Vatican, the pontiff “is going on with treatment and physiotherapy this morning”, following a “calm” night.
Berlin (AFP) – The German conservatives of Friedrich Merz and the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) reveal that they have reached an in-principle agreement to form a government that plans to invest heavily in reviving and rearming Europe’s largest economy. Merz, who won Germany’s February 23 election, says alongside Lars Klingbeil of the SPD that they have successfully finished exploratory talks and will now move towards formal talks to build a coalition government.
Moe Bye (AFP) – Amid Myanmar’s ongoing civil war, two women fighters from anti-junta armed resistance group the Urban Revolutionary Front (URF), based in Kayah state, share their personal journeys of resistance since the 2021 coup. Sagawah Aung used to work in the media industry and planned to pursue a master’s degree, but after witnessing women being killed during the anti-junta protests, she decided to join the force. Monica, a student, is also determined to fight — one of very few women soldiers on the frontline.
London (AFP) – UK police close off the area around Big Ben in London after a man holding a Palestinian flag climbed up the tower housing the famous clock and bell. Police say they were first alerted “to a man climbing up the Elizabeth Tower at the Houses of Parliament” shortly after 0700 GMT.
Dobropillia (AFP) – Scenes of destruction after overnight Russian strikes kill at least 11 people in Dobropillia in eastern Ukraine, according to the country’s emergency service. The assault comes days ahead of talks in Saudi Arabia between US and Ukrainian negotiators aimed at a truce.
Lagos (AFP) – Battling the traffic in Lagos, Nigeria’s economic capital, Amaka Okoli is one woman among many joining the traditionally male ranks driving the city’s commercial ‘danfo’ buses. The 38-year-old mother of two was a banker until three years ago. “It’s a means of livelihood now to get food on the table,” she explains, as Nigeria suffers its worst economic crisis in a generation.
Gaza City (Palestinian Territories) (AFP) – Surrounded by rubble and tents, residents of Gaza City break their fast during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, a rare expression of joy after nearly a year and a half of war between Israel and the militant group Hamas.
United Kingdom (AFP) – Red hot debris rains through the sky above the Turks and Caicos Islands after the SpaceX Starship exploded minutes after its launch from the company’s base in Texas. The incident is the second consecutive flight on which SpaceX has lost its rocket’s upper stage, with a January launch also ending with the craft disintegrating over the Caribbean.
Miramar (Panama) (AFP) – With dreams of a new life in the United States torn apart by President Donald Trump’s hardline stance on immigration, migrants gather in the Panamanian town of Miramar, hoping to take boats home. The Central American country has seen a flood of arrivals from the north and a sharp decrease in the number crossing from the south following the Trump administration’s canceling of asylum appointments and promise of mass deportations.
Beijing (AFP) – China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi says his country and the United States must “coexist peacefully,” adding that the two could “become partners, achieve mutual success, and prosper together”. Yi’s comments come amid an escalating trade war between Washington and Beijing, triggered by US President Donald Trump placing tariffs on Chinese imports.
