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Irpin (AFP) – Schoolchildren in the town of Irpin, northwest of Kyiv, mark the start of the academic year with a ceremony, ringing bells and carrying Ukrainian flags. In Irpin’s Mriya school, more than 2,700 students begin the academic year, some returning from abroad. Along with other towns on the outskirts of Kyiv, Irpin was seized and occupied by Russian forces in the weeks after Moscow’s offensive began last year, but was liberated by Kyiv’s forces following a bloody, month-long battle.

Nuseirat (AFP) – Palestinians in Nuseirat camp in the centre of the Gaza Strip receive meals distributed by a charity organisation. “If it wasn’t for the charity, I wouldn’t find food and I would have died of hunger,” says Atef Jarbou, a displaced Gazan. The United Nations has declared a state of famine in the territory, warning that 500,000 people face “catastrophic” conditions.

Tokio (AFP) – Japan sweltered this year through its hottest summer since records began in 1898, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. Temperatures the world over have soared in recent years as climate change creates ever more erratic weather patterns.

Tianjin (AFP) – Russian President Vladimir Putin hails Russia-India ties as he meets Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Tianjin, with the two leaders coming under increasing US pressure over Russia’s war in Ukraine. US President Donald Trump has accused India of fuelling Moscow’s deadly attacks on Ukraine by purchasing Russian oil.

Tianjin (AFP) – Chinese President Xi Jinping says the world has entered “a new period of turbulence” and warns against a “Cold War mentality” while addressing members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and guest countries at a summit in Tianjin.

Hanoi (AFP) – Every morning at dawn, Nguyen Thi Van walks down from her home in Hanoi’s French Quarter and starts setting up her cart on a bustling street. By mid-morning, locals on their way to work and curious tourists line up for her take on Vietnam’s iconic street food: bánh mì. Once a byproduct of French colonialism, the baguette sandwich has become a proud emblem of Vietnamese culture.

Venice (AFP) – Jude Law and other stars arrive on the Venice Film Festival red carpet for the premiere of “The Wizard of the Kremlin”, directed by French director Olivier Assayas. The film depicts Law playing Russian President Vladimir Putin alongside fellow actors Paul Dano, Alicia Vikander and Jeffrey Wright.

Barcelona (AFP) – In an interview with AFP, Swedish activist Greta Thunberg discusses the Global Sumud Flotilla, which left Barcelona for Gaza on Sunday. “A mission like this should not have to exist,” Thunberg says on the eve of its departure. “It is the responsibility of countries, of our governments and elected officials to act to try to uphold international law, to prevent war crimes, to prevent genocide.”

Madrid (AFP) – During a press conference on the wildfires, the head of Spain’s Civil Protection, Virginia Barcones, says: “This tragic episode in our country’s history, involving simultaneous large forest fires over a period of 20 days, in a very important part of our country, has come to an end.” Blazes that flared across Spain this month have ravaged over 350,000 hectares (865,000 acres), killing four people and forcing thousands to temporarily evacuate.

Vatican City (AFP) – During the Angelus prayer, Pope Leo XIV reiterates his urgent appeal for an immediate ceasefire and a sincere commitment to dialogue amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. It comes after a Russian attack on Kyiv on Thursday that killed at least 25 people.

Venice (AFP) – Thousands protest Israel’s siege of Gaza on the sidelines of the Venice Film Festival. Organised by left-wing political groups in northeast Italy, the demonstration began early Saturday evening, a few kilometres from the festival where Hollywood stars like George Clooney, Adam Sandler and Laura Dern have recently walked the red carpet.

Buenos Aires (Argentine) (AFP) – Police officers are seen leaving the National Disability Agency in Buenos Aires after a raid on their offices, as well as those of a pharmaceutical company at the center of a corruption scandal involving President Javier Milei’s influential sister. Karina Milei is accused of receiving a three-percent cut on the amount paid by the National Disability Agency (Andis) for the purchase of medicine from Argentine pharma firm Suizo Argentina. IMAGES