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Mekelle (Ethiopia) (AFP) – Flights between Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa, and the city of Mekelle in its northern Tigray state have resumed after being suspended for more than two weeks. The flights come after the Ethiopian army pushed back the rebel Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) and seized their capital, Mekelle. Unconfirmed reports say that there could be about five flights daily, and if the demand increases, the Ethiopian airline may increase the number of flights.

Mumbai (India) (AFP) – For three decades, conservation architect Abha Narain Lambah has pioneered efforts to preserve some of India’s most significant historic sites — from ancient Buddhist caves and Islamic tombs to Hindu temples and Mumbai’s imperial-era Gateway of India. In the world’s most populous nation and one of its fastest-growing major economies, urban development is advancing at dizzying speed. “It’s only in the last 30 years that we’ve managed to have city-wide listings and heritage regulations,” she says.

Washington (United States) (AFP) – US President Donald Trump urges Ukraine to replace Volodymyr Zelensky with a new leader, lashing out at him for strikes on Russian oil refineries that have contributed to pre-election high diesel prices. “He better damn well stop,” Trump says, before adding that he thinks “it’s time for Ukraine to get a new president” who will agree to end the war.

New Delhi (AFP) – India’s “cockroach” movement founder Abhijeet Dipke is released along with two other leaders, a day after they were detained to thwart a major protest against the country’s election commissioner. Dipke and two of his Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) associates were detained before they could disembark from their flight on Saturday after arriving from Mumbai. IMAGES

Taipeh (AFP) – Taiwan aims to “deter war” by increasing its defence spending, the democratic island’s leader says, as China uses military pressure to assert its territorial claims. “Our aim by increasing investment in national defence is not to provoke, rather, it is to deter war,” President Lai Ching-te says in a speech celebrating Taiwan’s National Day.

Manchester (AFP) – “Everywhere was just run down (…) Since the stadium’s come, it seems to have pulled the communities together,” says Adam Wilson near the Etihad Stadium where the transformation of East Manchester over the past two decades has been remarkable. Since Manchester City’s takeover by deep-pocketed Abu Dhabi investors in 2008, long-neglected districts between the stadium and the city centre have become symbols of the northern city’s rebirth. The club has been found guilty of more than 100 breaches of Premier League financial rules, but denies any wrongdoing.

Dos Hermanas (AFP) – Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez says that he “will strengthen and uphold that housing decree-law” if he secures an absolute majority in the general election scheduled for 29 November. Sanchez aims to pull off another unlikely comeback as he begins campaigning for a snap vote dominated by housing protests that have shaken Spain.

Lysekil (AFP) – Europe’s top rabbit athletes hop into action in Lysekil, Sweden, this weekend, racing down straight courses and leaping over high bars at the European Rabbit Jumping Championships. The three-day competition, running from October 9 to 11, has drawn competitors from across the continent. Among those taking part are 12-year-old Maja Hockerbo Fredriksson and her rabbit Willow, described as “very good at jumping” and ready to tackle ever-higher obstacles.

Neu Delhi (AFP) – Indian police chase protesters and haul them into vehicles in New Delhi, where a major protest against the Election Commission has triggered strict security measures. The demonstration is the culmination of weeks of opposition mobilisation following allegations of misconduct during a nationwide voter-roll revision by the Election Commission of India (ECI). Police have also detained head of the satirical “cockroach” online movement, Abhijeet Dipke. The UN office for the high commissioner for human rights has urged India to immediate release people “arbitrarily detained” in protests against alleged misconduct by electoral authorities.

Shelekhov (Russia) (AFP) – People in Shelekhov, Siberia, express concern after a woman died of suspected plague in the town, despite efforts by the authorities to play down the incident. “Of course we’re worried, but given our situation here… How on earth are we supposed to protect ourselves?” says construction technician Tatyana. Russia has detected no health issues or dangerous micro-organisms after tracing all contacts of a woman who reportedly died of plague, the governor of Siberia’s Irkutsk region says.

Lima (AFP) – BTS fans gathered in Lima ahead of the first of three concerts by the South Korean K-pop group in Peru. Fans from across the country and beyond queued outside the venue carrying flags and wearing BTS merchandise. “They introduced me to a whole new world, and I’m so excited to finally be able to see these people after so long” says Carolina Montoya, as she waits in line to enter the venue.

Tehran (AFP) – An Iranian woman challenges social conventions by training female stunt performers to execute daring feats before an impressed Tehran audience. Nasrin Teymouri, 36, is leading Iran’s first and only all-female stunt crew, breaking into a male-dominated field of filmmaking where women are increasingly making their mark. “I’m a very fearful person,” she says. “But facing my fear gives me immense pleasure.”