Manila (AFP) – Protesters march in Manila holding placards, flags, and religious icons as they demand accountability over an alleged multi-billion-dollar flood-control corruption scheme involving lawmakers, officials, and construction contractors.
Nairobi (AFP) – Kenya’s iconic matatus — the brightly painted, music-blasting minibuses that dominate Nairobi’s streets moving millions every day — take centre stage at the Nganya Awards, where the flashiest rides compete for top honours. The event celebrates design, sound and road safety, spotlighting a transport system that has become a pillar of Kenyan urban culture.
Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) (AFP) – Thousands of fans erupt into cheers at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro where they watch the live stream of Flamengo defeating Palmeiras 1-0 to win the Copa Libertadores, becoming the most successful Brazilian team in the history of South America’s top club competition by lifting the title for a fourth time.
La Guaira (Venezuela) (AFP) – Maiquetia international airport in La Guaira after US President Donald Trump warns that the airspace above and near Venezuela should be considered closed, the latest escalation in a standoff with leftist leader Nicolas Maduro. IMAGES
Colombo (AFP) – Emergency crews rescue people stranded in flooded areas of Sri Lanka, after the country declared a state of emergency and appealed for international assistance to help with extreme flooding caused by Cyclone Ditwah. Authorities say at leats 132 people have died, with another 130 reported missing.
Unknown (AFP) – Images put out by the Ukraine Security Service show what they say are sea drone attacks on tankers in the Black Sea that Kyiv believes were transporting sanctioned Russian oil. The two tankers were rocked by explosions in Turkish waters late overnight and early this morning, according to Turkey’s transport ministry.
Kyiv (Ukraine) (AFP) – A Russian drone strike on Kyiv has killed one person and wounded several others, according to authorities. “Today, what appeared to be rocket fragments hit our house. We were asleep, and all the windows were blown out,” says local resident Galyna.
Istanbul (AFP) – Pope Leo XIV visits Istanbul’s famed Blue Mosque on the third day of his trip to Turkey. It was the first time the American pope, who was elected in May as leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics, has visited a Muslim place of worship since taking over from his late predecessor Francis.
Dschenin (AFP) – AFP footage shows a Palestinian man raising his hands in surrender before Israeli forces in Jenin. He is directed inside the building before gunshots ring out, and the troops are later seen moving a body. The Palestinian Authority says two men aged 26 and 37 were killed by Israeli fire, and condemns the incident in Jenin as a “war crime” and a “brutal” summary execution. The UN has called for an investigation into the incident.
Yokohama (AFP) – Shoes squeaking in perfect unison, dozens of Japanese students move in formation through a Yokohama sports hall in training for a synchronised walking performance expected to draw thousands. For more than half a century, students at Nippon Sport Science University have captivated audiences in a practice known as Shudan Kodo, meaning “collective action”.
Istanbul (AFP) – Pope Leo XIV struggles to unveil a plaque inside the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit in Istanbul, where he met bishops, clergy and pastoral workers during the second day of his Turkey tour.
(AFP) – Days of devastating flooding across Southeast Asia have killed more than 300 people across Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia, according to authorities. Heavy monsoon season rains paired with a tropical storm system have inundated areas across the three countries, stranding residents on roof tops and cutting off entire communities.
