Paro (Bhutan) (AFP) – Atop a steep hillside in Bhutan, an arrow slices through the air and slams into a wooden target with a thud, prompting a round of celebratory song. Traditional archery is Bhutan’s national sport and has a storied history, but some fans fear for its future as development and safety concerns eat away at space for archery ranges.
Berlin (AFP) – Dozens of opposition protesters gather outside the Russian embassy in Berlin on the final day of Russia’s parliamentary elections and shred fake votes into ballot boxes. In Belgrade, Russian opposition organisers and voters bring apples in solidarity with Russia’s banned anti-war party Yabloko (‘apple’ in Russian), collecting donations and writing letters to Russian political prisoners. Only parties that support President Vladimir Putin and the Kremlin’s military campaign in Ukraine have been registered to run in the parliamentary election.
Berlin (AFP) – Dozens of opposition protesters gather outside the Russian embassy in Berlin on the final day of Russia’s parliamentary elections and shred fake votes into ballot boxes. In Belgrade, Russian opposition organisers and voters bring apples in solidarity with Russia’s banned anti-war party Yabloko (‘apple’ in Russian), collecting donations and writing letters to Russian political prisoners. Only parties that support President Vladimir Putin and the Kremlin’s military campaign in Ukraine have been registered to run in the parliamentary election.
Schwerin (Germany) (AFP) – Voters in the German states of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Berlin head to the polls in regional elections where far-right and far-left gains could send fresh shock waves through Berlin and rock the government of embattled Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Merz has scheduled a crisis meeting of his centre-right CDU party leadership to discuss the first results as they come in, cleared his calendar for the following days and is skipping a trip to the UN General Assembly to deal with potential aftershocks.
France (AFP) – French President Emmanuel Macron says a deal between the United States, Denmark and Greenland helps “to reaffirm Danish sovereignty” over the Arctic territory. US President Donald Trump announced on Friday that he had struck a deal with Denmark to give Washington “permanent control” over Greenland’s security, barring Russia and China from setting up bases there. Denmark and Greenland — an autonomous Danish territory — both hailed the deal and said they would sign it on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.
France (AFP) – French President Emmanuel Macron says a deal between the United States, Denmark and Greenland helps “to reaffirm Danish sovereignty” over the Arctic territory. US President Donald Trump announced on Friday that he had struck a deal with Denmark to give Washington “permanent control” over Greenland’s security, barring Russia and China from setting up bases there. Denmark and Greenland — an autonomous Danish territory — both hailed the deal and said they would sign it on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.
Gaza City (Palestinian Territories) (AFP) – Palestinian artist Ubayy Al-Qarashli paints a mural of US rapper Macklemore on the ruins of a building in Gaza City in tribute to his support for Palestinians. Macklemore was booted from Ed Sheeran’s tour after his declaration of “Free Palestine” at a New Jersey concert this month drew backlash from owners of US stadiums hosting future dates. Sheeran has since called the situation in Gaza “unjustifiable,” following a wave of criticism that he had failed to back his opening act.
Chile (AFP) – The El Nino weather phenomenon has brought rainfall to parts of Chile’s Atacama Desert, activating the flowering of plants across areas of the normally arid landscape. The bloom has drawn visitors and photographers to the region to document the seasonal transformation. “While there are several deserts that bloom when it rains, the geographical scope and diversity of species found here are unique,” biologist Cesar Pizarro Gacitua tells AFP.
Chile (AFP) – The El Nino weather phenomenon has brought rainfall to parts of Chile’s Atacama Desert, activating the flowering of plants across areas of the normally arid landscape. The bloom has drawn visitors and photographers to the region to document the seasonal transformation. “While there are several deserts that bloom when it rains, the geographical scope and diversity of species found here are unique,” biologist Cesar Pizarro Gacitua tells AFP.
Pasadena (United States) (AFP) – Chinese dancer Wu Yufei alongside his crew of robots have made it to the finale of the popular US TV show America’s Got Talent. From synchronized dance routines to kung fu moves, Wu says the robots’ rapid learning ability is “quite terrifying.”
Pasadena (United States) (AFP) – Chinese dancer Wu Yufei alongside his crew of robots have made it to the finale of the popular US TV show America’s Got Talent. From synchronized dance routines to kung fu moves, Wu says the robots’ rapid learning ability is “quite terrifying.”
Madrid (AFP) – Shakira kicks off a marathon 12-concert run in Madrid, bringing an end to both her world tour and the Colombian superstar’s eight-year absence from Spain. The 49-year-old “Hips Don’t Lie” and “Waka Waka (This Time For Africa)” singer will take to a temporary 50,000-seater “Shakira stadium” erected in the south of the Spanish capital up.
