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Villa Hidalgo Yalalag (Mexico) (AFP) – “The problem we have had lately with the plagiarism of one of our models by a company called Adidas has left us upset,” says Raymundo Cuevas as Mexico is seeking compensation from Adidas, which is accused of cultural appropriation for bringing out sandals resembling a traditional design from the southern state of Oaxaca. The Mexican government is now seeking compensation for the alleged misuse of the centuries-old huarache design, a craft passed down through generations.

Buner (Pakistan) (AFP) – Rescuers struggle to retrieve bodies from muddy debris after flash floods triggered by heavy monsoon rains across northern Pakistan killed at least 344 people in the past 48 hours, authorities say. Most were killed in flash floods and collapsing houses, while at least 137 others were injured.

Jakarta (AFP) – Indonesia celebrates 80 years of independence from Dutch colonial rule with a grand public festival in Jakarta. The event featured a military airshow, flag-raising ceremony, music and cultural performances. One of the performances included Rayyan Dhika, the boy behind the viral “aura farming” boat racing dance.

La Paz (AFP) – Presidential candidate Samuel Doria Medina casts his vote in La Paz, as Bolivia’s presidential and congressional elections take place amid a deep economic crisis that has seen the left implode and the right eye its first shot at power in 20 years. IMAGES

La Paz (AFP) – Bolivians cast their votes at a polling station in La Paz in presidential and congressional elections marked by a deep economic crisis that has seen the left implode and the right eyeing its first shot at power in 20 years. The Andean country is struggling through its worst crisis in a generation, marked by annual inflation of almost 25 percent and critical shortages of dollars and fuel. IMAGES

Potiskum (Nigeria) (AFP) – Torrential rains have sparked intense floods and damaged hundreds of homes in the northeast Nigerian town of Potiskum, forcing many to relocate to stay with relatives. No deaths have been reported. “In all my life, I have never seen so much water. It destroyed my three rooms and two toilets,” says Adamu Mohammed, a victim of the rainfall.

El Jadida (Morocco) (AFP) – In the Moroccan coastal town of El Jadida, the air rings with the sound of guns and hooves, as thousands of riders and horses celebrate Tbourida, the traditional festival of Moroccan equestrian art, the legacy of an ancient warrior tradition. “It’s more than a passion […] It’s a heritage that runs in my blood, passed down from generation to generation,” says Abdelkebir Lahlou, cavalry chief. Tbourida, which dates back to the 16th century, has been designated by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity.

Anaheim (United States) (AFP) – Thousands of Pokemon fans flock to Anaheim, California, for the World Championships, with players from around 50 countries competing in card and video game battles for more than two million dollars in prizes. “This is my first World Championships, but it’s very fun and a very good experience for our team,” said Minha Cho, a Pokemon video game player from South Korea. “And we now win [won], so I’m very happy.”

Poissy (France) (AFP) – PSG coach, Luis Enrique, says his goal this season is to ‘continue making history’ by winning a second Champions League title, following the club’s first victory in 2025. ‘It’s extremely difficult for a team to win the Champions League twice in a row. It is our goal. We are very ambitious,’ the Spaniard declares during a press conference.

Belgrade (AFP) – Thousands of anti-government protesters clash again with police in Serbia’s capital late on Friday, as days of unrest fuel fears of a worsening crackdown on a months-long push for early elections. After a tense stand-off between right-wing government loyalists and the larger crowd of protesters, fireworks, tear gas and stun grenades erupt among the anti-graft demonstrators.

Cualedro (Spain) (AFP) – Spain fights several ongoing fires in the country, Galicia being one the most affected regions. In some villages, residents battle blazes however they can even before firefighters arrive. The fires have already killed three people in the country. All of Spain is on heatwave alert, while its weather agency warns that much of the country is at “very high to extreme risk” from wildfires.

Anchorage (AFP) – In a press conference following direct talks on the Ukraine conflict with his US counterpart Donald Trump, Russian leader Vladimir Putin praises Trump’s “understanding of Russia’s national interests”, adding that the pair’s “businesslike and trusting relationship” could soon bring an end to the fighting in Ukraine — “the sooner, the better”. The much-hyped talks ended earlier than expected without a deal following a narrow format three-on-three discussion, with negotiations not moving on to delegation level.