Tokyo (AFP) – Japan’s ruling party begins voting to choose its fifth leader in as many years, with the eventual winner almost certain to be approved by parliament as prime minister. The frontrunners for the Liberal Democratic Party’s top seat are Sanae Takaichi, a China hawk who would be Japan’s first woman premier, and the youthful but potentially out-of-his-depth Shinjiro Koizumi. IMAGES
Chan Junis (AFP) – Gazans scramble to receive hot meals distributed by a Turkish foundation and organised by local volunteers at a charity kitchen in Khan Yunis. The Israeli military is waging an air and ground offensive on the territory’s largest urban centre, from which hundreds of thousands have been forced to flee.
Luxemburg (AFP) – Following his swearing-in ceremony, Guillaume, the new Grand Duke of Luxembourg, comes out to greet the crowd from the balcony of the Grand Ducal Palace. He is accompanied by his wife, Grand Duchess Stéphanie and then joined by their children, their families, and the Belgian and Dutch royal families.
New York (AFP) – For Taylor Swift fans, a new era is finally here. Swift’s hotly anticipated album ‘The Life of a Showgirl’ has dropped, with release parties taking place all around the world. In New York, hundreds of ‘Swifties’ queue for hours to attend a pop-up event celebrating the album’s release.
Canterbury (AFP) – The newly nominated Archbishop of Canterbury, Sarah Mullally, makes an address at Canterbury Cathedral in which she reflects on being the first woman to hold the 1,500 year-old position, and says that racism and hatred “cannot be allowed to tear us apart” in the wake of an attack on a synagogue in Manchester. Mullally also addresses abuse scandals in the church, saying “we must all be willing to have light shone on our actions, regardless of our role in the Church.”
Benidorm (AFP) – Fifty years after General Francisco Franco’s death, Benidorm still clings to the mass tourism model it pioneered under his dictatorship, even as anti-tourism protests sweep other Spanish holiday hotspots. “The only industry we have is tourism,” says hotel owner Angela Barcelo, “there are no car factories or soap factories here.” Formerly a village of just 3,000 inhabitants, Benidorm, on Spain’s southern coast, has grown into a city of more than 100 skyscrapers.
Manchester (AFP) – UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his wife Victoria visit the scene of the Manchester synagogue car ramming and stabbing attack that left two people dead and three injured. Britain is on heightened alert to ensure the Jewish community’s safety after the attack outside the synagogue. UK authorities swiftly declared the attack a “terrorist incident”, staged as Jewish communities around the world marked Yom Kippur, the holiest holiday in the Jewish calendar.
Ordos (AFP) – Across the deserts of Inner Mongolia, China has been carrying out a colossal greening project for decades. Over 90 million hectares of the desert have been transformed into forest so far. For farmers like Bai Lei, the campaign has brought new business opportunities. But for some ethnic Mongolians, it poses a threat to their traditional farming practices.
Taipei (AFP) – A restaurant in Taiwan is introducing mooncakes aimed at a very special clientele: pets. The treats, which are traditionally eaten and given as gifts during the Mid-Autumn Festival, are allowing furry companions to join in the festive fun.
Buenos Aires (Argentine) (AFP) – Argentina’s struggling President Javier Milei suffers a new setback after Congress overturns his vetoes of laws increasing funding for public universities and the country’s biggest pediatric hospital. Senators invalidate both vetoes, which were rejected last month by the lower house Chamber of Deputies, bringing to three the number of laws validated by Congress despite vehement opposition from the cost-cutting Milei. IMAGES
Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – “I think I’ve lost a friend today,” says Sam Martin, one of those gathered near the scene of a car and stabbing attack in Manchester, north England, where two people were killed and three others badly wounded outside a synagogue. Described by local police as a “terrorist” act, the attack took place on Yom Kippur, a prominent holiday celebrated by the Jewish community. Responding officers shot the suspect and later confirmed their death. Two others have been arrested so far, according to authorities.
Tchibanga (Gabon) (AFP) – “It’s very, very reassuring for us, as consumers, to know where our products come from,” says Mathieu Msellati who, eating in a Gabonese restaurant, has just tucked into something of a rarity. Msellati’s steak was produced just 50 kilometres away, an uncommon proximity in a country highly reliant on food imports, but where a movement is growing to champion local produce and develop a greater degree of food self-sufficiency.
