Flumserberg (Switzerland) (AFP) – In Flumserberg, a resort nestled in the heart of the Swiss mountains, nine cows and their female riders line up at a start marked out with hay — all hoping to claim the crown of the Cow Grand Prix. The race, which began in 2006, is open to exclusively women.
Ljubljana (AFP) – Asked about a planned meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to discuss an end to the war in Ukraine, French President Emmanuel Macron says any negotiations regarding Ukraine’s territory must be handled only by President Volodymyr Zelensky. “The only peace that can exist is a robust and lasting peace,” says Macron during a visit to Slovenia.
Kathmandu (AFP) – People in Kathmandu celebrate Kukur Tihar, the second day of the five-day Tihar festival, which is dedicated to honouring dogs as agents of Yama, the Hindu God of Death and Justice, and for appreciating their loyalty and companionship to humans.
Mumbai (India) (AFP) – Toxic air in India’s capital hit more than 56 times the UN health limit after fireworks for the Hindu festival of Diwali worsened air pollution.
Paris (AFP) – Nicolas Sarkozy’s lawyer calls it “a grim day” for France as the former French president is taken into custody at La Sante prison in Paris. Sarkozy has been given a five-year jail term for criminal conspiracy over a plan for late Libyan dictator Moamer Kadhafi to fund his electoral campaign. He denies any wrongdoing.
Gaza City (Palestinian Territories) (AFP) – Palestinians at Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City and at the Nuseirat camp for displaced people mourn relatives killed in strikes the day before. Israel resumed enforcement of a Gaza ceasefire after carrying out dozens of deadly strikes on Hamas positions Sunday, accusing the group of targeting its troops, in the most serious violence since the truce began.
Paris (AFP) – “We stood in line like 40 minutes until they finally got confirmation that it had been closed,” says an American tourist as the Louvre is closed for a second consecutive day following a major jewellery heist from its Apollo Gallery. Officials said a team of 60 investigators was working on the theory that an organised crime group was behind the theft of nine pieces of jewellery, one of which — a crown covered in more than 1,000 diamonds — they dropped as they fled.
Jerusalem (AFP) – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tells parliament Israel dropped 153 tons (337,307 pounds) of bombs on Sunday on targets in Gaza in response to what the army said was a ceasefire breach by the Palestinian group Hamas.
La Paz (AFP) – Supporters of Bolivian presidential candidate Rodrigo Paz celebrate his victory in the general election on the streets of La Paz. Bolivians elect the pro-business center-right senator as their new president, ending two decades of socialist rule that have left the South American nation deep in economic crisis. IMAGES
Lodi (AFP) – For more than a century, Lodi’s grape growers have supplied the old wineries that make this Californian city famous. But rocketing costs, falling demand, and competition from imports mean some are now abandoning their vineyards. Some farmers are reluctantly giving up the grapes, at least on a portion of their land, opting instead for in-demand and lower-cost products like almonds.
New York (AFP) – Huge crowds take to the streets in all 50 US states, including New York, Florida, and DC, to vent their anger over President Donald Trump’s hardline policies at ‘No Kings’ protests that Republicans ridiculed as ‘Hate America’ rallies. Demonstrators are up in arms over what they see as strong-arm tactics since the Republican billionaire returned to the White House in January, including attacks on the media, prosecuting political opponents and a vast immigration crackdown.
Mexiko-Stadt (AFP) – Mexicans parade with huge mythical creatures made of ‘cartoneria’, a kind of papier-mache, during the Alebrijes Parade, an annual event that celebrates the country’s handcrafts and folk art. The parade travels from the Zocalo Square to the Angel de la Independencia monument in Mexico City, where the mythical creatures remain on display.
