AFP UK

Pulang Pisau (Indonesia) (AFP) – Firefighters in Indonesia have intensified their battle against wildfires across the archipelago, using cloud seeding and water bombing as officials warn of the smoke and haze being produced by the blazes. On the islands of Borneo and Sumatra, more than five million people have been directly exposed to the haze, according to deputy health minister Dante Saksono Harbuwono. Between January and July this year, more than 200,000 hectares have been burnt across Indonesia, as the country experiences its latest El Nino season. The naturally occurring climate phenomenon brings worldwide changes in winds, air pressure and rainfall patterns, and is typically experienced as drought in Indonesia.

Beijing (AFP) – China’s foreign ministry insists the country has been “open, transparent and timely” in its release of information on the catastrophic flooding and landslides that hit parts of Nepal and Tibet. Asked about international reports that Beijing is censoring images of the disaster and underreporting deaths, spokesperson Guo Jiakun says “malicious smearing and sensationalism using the disaster situation will not receive popular support.” Chinese police say they have penalised 10 people, who are accused of spreading misinformation, with some suggesting that the number of dead or missing is much higher than official figures show.

(AFP) – Footage released by Iranian state media shows what it says are drones being launched at the Al Minhad US Air base in the United Arab Emirates. The UAE has condemned an Iranian drone attack intercepted over its territorial waters, describing it as a “dangerous escalation” after weeks of relative calm.

Chamonix (France) (AFP) – The 2,500 participants in the Mont Blanc Ultra Trail (UTMB), the Holy Grail of ultra-trail running, set off on Friday in Chamonix, two hours later than originally scheduled due to stormy weather in the mountain range. The run is approximately 170 kilometers with about 10,000 m of elevation gain.

Oslo (AFP) – “He was the best man we could have had,” says Lilian Haabrakke, one of those signing books of condolence in Oslo, following the death of Norway’s King Harald. Town halls in many Norwegian cities have made books of condolence available in the wake of Harald’s death, after 35 years on the throne, with his son succeeding him as King Haakon VIII.

Nuwakot (Nepal) (AFP) – Buildings and vehicles lie half-buried in Nepal’s Nuwakot district after a devastating tsunami-like wall of freezing water and mud wiped out towns.

Beijing (AFP) – China has offered to assist Nepal with rescue operations and emergency relief following deadly flooding and mudslides along their shared border, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesman says. The pledge follows a high-level meeting chaired by Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday to deploy disaster relief, with Premier Li Qiang dispatched to the disaster zone in Tibet to direct emergency response operations on the ground.

Nuwakot (Nepal) (AFP) – Scene of devastation in Nepal’s Nuwakot district with buildings, vehicles, roads covered in mud after a devastating tsunami-like wall of freezing water and mud wiped out towns. Nearly 2,500 people were still missing Saturday and around 600 confirmed dead after flash floods and landslides hit the Nepal-Tibet border. IMAGES

Kandy (Sri Lanka) (AFP) – Large crowds gather outside the historic Temple of the Tooth in Kandy, Sri Lanka, to watch dance and music performances and a parade featuring decorated elephants as part of the Esala Perahera Buddhist festival celebrations. The annual celebration pays tribute to a relic believed to be the Sacred Tooth of the Buddha and seeks blessings for protection and prosperity.

Toronto (Canada) (AFP) – Canadians in Toronto react after US President Donald Trump signed an executive order to rename Lake Ontario as “Lake America” amid an escalating trade dispute with Canada. “Typical Trump,” says Mark Weicker of Kitchener, Ontario. “He’s being a bully, he goads, he antagonizes, he tries to get under your skin.”

Nuwakot (Nepal) (AFP) – Nepal flood victims take temporary shelter in a local hospital after landslides left at least 552 dead and more than 1,400 missing on the Nepal-Tibet border. “I don’t know where to go,” says Kula Priya, whose son is still missing. “I just want my son back. If any of you could rescue my son, please do it for me”. The devastating tsunami-like wall of freezing water and mud wiped out entire villages under a torrent of sludge, engulfing homes, and smashing bridges and dams.

Los Angeles (United States) (AFP) – Hundreds of people gather at Los Angeles’ landmark Griffith Observatory to watch the deep partial lunar eclipse as Earth’s shadow covers 96 percent of the moon’s surface and it turns blood red. After this, there isn’t expected to be a good partial or total eclipse until 2028.