Hasakeh (Syria) (AFP) – Hundreds of solar panels have cropped up over the years in northeast Syria as farmers seek to stave off electricity shortages in the war-ravaged region. Solar energy has offered a lifeline for the farmers. The area used to be the country’s breadbasket, but 12 years of war have battered the country’s infrastructure and industry with the state barely supplying a few hours of electricity per day.
Tehran (AFP) – CCTV footage shows 16-year-old Armita Garawand’s incident in a metro carriage in Tehran, reportedly leaving her in a coma. Kurdish-focused rights group Hengaw claims the teen was attacked by female police officers for violating the strict dress rules for women. Iranian authorities say she fainted due to low blood pressure, denying any involvement of security forces. The incident occurs just over a year after the death in custody of Mahsa Amini, who had been arrested for allegedly violating the strict dress rules.
Puerto Ayora (Ecuador) (AFP) – With a long grey beard and old-school brown suit, a Charles Darwin lookalike observes marine iguanas and the blue-footed booby – an iconic bird on the Galapagos Islands. Two centuries after the British biologist visited the archipelago which inspired his theory of evolution, retired US professor Kenneth Noll, 66, has tracked part of his journey all while dressed as his 19th-century hero.
Granada (Spain) (AFP) – EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell warns leaders that Europe will not be able to fill any funding gap left by the United States. Fresh US funding for Ukraine has been put on hold as part of a deal struck with opposition Republicans to avert a US government shutdown.
Kalimpong (India) (AFP) – At least 14 people have died in the wake of devastating flash floods in northeastern India. Rescue teams are searching for 102 missing people. The deadly water surge was triggered by a high-altitude glacial lake burst.
Russia (Russia) (AFP) – Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu oversees training routines of contract service members at a military ground situated in Russia’s south, according to the Defence Ministry, in the region bordering Ukraine.
Pingtung County (Taiwan) (AFP) – Typhoon Koinu knocks out power to thousands of homes as it grazes the southern edge of Taiwan, lashing the island with record-strength winds.
Ahmedabad (India) (AFP) – Fans gather at the world’s biggest cricket arena, the 130,000-capacity Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, which is hosting the opening match of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup between defending champions England and New Zealand.
Jerusalem (AFP) – Hundreds of Palestinian and Israeli women rally in Jerusalem and the Dead Sea in the occupied West Bank, calling for an end to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Havana (AFP) – Rescue efforts are ongoing in the Cuban capital Havana after at least one person, a rescuer, died and two others were reported missing follwowing the collapse of a building housing around 50 people.
Cambridge (United States) (AFP) – MIT professor Moungi Bawendi speaks after winning the 2023 Nobel chemistry prize for helping develop “quantum dots” — nanoparticles that are now found in next generation TV screens and help illuminate tumors within the body.
Taif (Saudi Arabia) (AFP) – As Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar pack Saudi stadiums, a quieter but equally dramatic transformation is unfolding for women’s professional football, which didn’t even exist in the Gulf kingdom five years ago. “Come here to Saudi, have a look – witness yourself what is happening and how to see these players how they are passionate,” says Monika Staab, technical director of the Saudi female national football team.
