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Venice (AFP) – “I would have loved to have more female colleagues in competition,” says director May el-Toukhy, one of only two female directors in the top competition at this year’s Venice Film Festival. Speaking to AFP, alongside the lead actress from her film ‘Woman Unknown’, el-Toukhy adds that she has “been the only woman in so many different settings,” and hopes to “be part of changing the discourse.” The festival’s initial list of nominees for the top prize saw el-Toukhy as the only woman, compared with 20 male directors, before a second film directed by a woman was added into the mix. Venice boss Alberto Barbera angered many observers in July when he said the initial 20-1 male domination of the top competition was because the submissions from women “were not enough to put them into the competition”.

London (AFP) – British Foreign Minister Ed Miliband announces to parliament that the UK will bring in “a new comprehensive sanctions regime” targeting trade with Israeli settlements in the West Bank, after increasing attacks by Israeli settlers against Palestinians in the occupied territory. The UK is one of 12 countries to have announced such measures, with their foreign ministers issuing a joint statement on Tuesday.

Manila (AFP) – In a Manila market, a platoon of plastic Santa Claus figures hangs from the ceiling of a shop that is already stacked high with Christmas decorations, despite the holiday being four whole months away. But in the Philippines, the arrival of the “ber months” — September, October, November, December — signals the start of the world’s longest and most anticipated Christmas season in the predominantly Catholic country.

Manila (AFP) – In a Manila market, a platoon of plastic Santa Claus figures hangs from the ceiling of a shop that is already stacked high with Christmas decorations, despite the holiday being four whole months away. But in the Philippines, the arrival of the “ber months” — September, October, November, December — signals the start of the world’s longest and most anticipated Christmas season in the predominantly Catholic country.

London (AFP) – An eight-metre embroidered “Beer Tapestry” tracing the history of brewing through the ages adorns The Museum Tavern pub opposite the British Museum, as London welcomes visitors to the Bayeux Tapestry exhibition. The installation aims to offer a light-hearted tribute to the medieval masterpiece’s historic visit to Britain, on loan from the Bayeux Museum in Normandy, northwestern France. The Bayeux Tapestry tells in intricate detail the 1066 Battle of Hastings, which marked the start of the Norman Conquest and was pivotal in England’s development.

London (AFP) – An eight-metre embroidered “Beer Tapestry” tracing the history of brewing through the ages adorns The Museum Tavern pub opposite the British Museum, as London welcomes visitors to the Bayeux Tapestry exhibition. The installation aims to offer a light-hearted tribute to the medieval masterpiece’s historic visit to Britain, on loan from the Bayeux Museum in Normandy, northwestern France. The Bayeux Tapestry tells in intricate detail the 1066 Battle of Hastings, which marked the start of the Norman Conquest and was pivotal in England’s development.

Jerusalem (AFP) – Israeli President Isaac Herzog warns against British sanctions on settlements in the occupied West Bank expected to be announced, saying the decision would “fall on the wrong side of history” and calling it a “grave miscalculation”. The anticipated UK move follows weeks of increasing settler attacks against Palestinians in the occupied territory.

Jerusalem (AFP) – Israeli President Isaac Herzog warns against British sanctions on settlements in the occupied West Bank expected to be announced, saying the decision would “fall on the wrong side of history” and calling it a “grave miscalculation”. The anticipated UK move follows weeks of increasing settler attacks against Palestinians in the occupied territory.

Nuwakot (Nepal) (AFP) – Nepali Buddhist monks lead prayers on the banks of the Trishuli River in Nuwakot, a town that was hit badly by flash floods on August 26, while others perform Hindu rituals in their homes on a day of national mourning for the victims. The glacial and mountain collapse on the China-Nepal border killed at least 1,398 people, with more than 5,500 missing, including around 800 foreigners.

Nuwakot (Nepal) (AFP) – Nepali Buddhist monks lead prayers on the banks of the Trishuli River in Nuwakot, a town that was hit badly by flash floods on August 26, while others perform Hindu rituals in their homes on a day of national mourning for the victims. The glacial and mountain collapse on the China-Nepal border killed at least 1,398 people, with more than 5,500 missing, including around 800 foreigners.

Magdeburg (Germany) (AFP) – Voters are split over election results in the ex-communist eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt after Germany’s far-right AfD won a landslide victory in the key regional vote. “People are unhappy,” says Manuela Segger, who voted for the AfD, adding, “I think they deserve a chance.” Green party voter Karine Kroeger says, “I think it’s absolutely dreadful. I didn’t expect such a shocking result.”

Magdeburg (Germany) (AFP) – Voters are split over election results in the ex-communist eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt after Germany’s far-right AfD won a landslide victory in the key regional vote. “People are unhappy,” says Manuela Segger, who voted for the AfD, adding, “I think they deserve a chance.” Green party voter Karine Kroeger says, “I think it’s absolutely dreadful. I didn’t expect such a shocking result.”