Roissy-Charles de Gaulle airport (France) (AFP) – “I will start my life, start my job here. And I’m happy because I’m free,” says women’s rights activist Naveen Hashim after she arrived in France along with four other Afghan women who were threatened by the Taliban. The women had been unable to leave Afghanistan on airlifts to Western countries when the Taliban returned to power in 2021.
Jakarta (AFP) – Southeast Asian leaders meet in Indonesia to seek a united voice on the years-long Myanmar crisis and tackle rifts including China’s growing assertiveness in the contested South China Sea.
Sochi (Russia) (AFP) – President Vladimir Putin says he is “ready to promote” a return to the Black Sea grain deal initiative provided Russia’s demands are met, which would primarily involve removing sanctions on Russian exports and agricultural technology. However, both Putin and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan insist they will go ahead with plans to implement a separate initiative to directly deliver tens of thousands of tons of grain to six African countries. The comments come at a press conference following bilateral Russo-Turkish talks aimed at reviving the Black Sea grain deal.
Venice (AFP) – Traditional Italian boats and gondolas parade down Venice’s Grand Canal for the city’s annual Historical Regatta. “As a Venetian it is always a wonderful experience every year to see it,” says Martina Eckel.
Chamonix (France) (AFP) – Twenty years after it started, the Mont Blanc Ultra Trail is still full of surprises. American Courtney Dauwalter and her compatriot Jim Walmsley have won the 20th edition of the 173 km race. Crossing the line in first place after 23 hours 29 minutes and 14 seconds, Dauwalter became the first athlete of any gender to win three major ultra races in the same year.
Taitung (Taiwan) (AFP) – Typhoon Haikui toppled hundreds of trees, damaged coastal roads and dumped torrential rains across Taiwan Monday before it weakened into a severe storm and headed for southern China.
Niamey (Niger) (AFP) – Waving flags, some Nigerien, some Russian, thousands rally in Niamey to demand the withdrawal of French troops from Niger. The west African country has seen a weekend of demonstrations after its new military regime accused France of “blatant interference”, following comments made by President Emmanuel Macron in support of his ousted counterpart Mohamed Bazoum.
Riyadh (AFP) – Over the course of its eight-week run, around 3,000 people are expected to attend Gamers8, a video game museum, educational programme and eSports tournament all rolled into one event being held in the Saudi capital, Riyadh. The oil-rich Gulf kingdom takes gaming seriously and with a Call of Duty playing Crown Prince, as well as a $38 billion video games investment strategy, it’s hoping to generate a wave of homegrown developers.
Otavalo (Ecuador) (AFP) – “It’s sad” says Luisa Gonzalez, Ecuador’s presidential frontrunner, “to run a political campaign where a candidate was assassinated”. As she speaks at a meeting with indigenous women, Gonzalez wears a bulletproof vest, having last week claiming to receive death threats. In early August, another candidate, Fernando Villavicencio, was shot dead in Quito as he left a political rally. Since then, Ecuador has seen violence mount as drug trafficking related crime spills onto the street.
Cajamarca (Peru) (AFP) – Archaeologists work at the excavation site of a newly discovered pre-Hispanic burial chamber in Peru’s northern department of Cajamarca. The site, where human remains and several items used as offerings were found, was devoted to the cult of ancestors, according to experts.
Rueil-Malmaison (France) (AFP) – “It’s an incredible energy” says Raphael Ibanez, the French national rugby coach, as his team is welcomed to their World Cup base camp by some 5,000 fans. The 2023 Rugby World Cup kicks off on Friday when hosts France take on three-time champions New Zealand. “We’re lucky enough to be playing this World Cup in France” says Louis Bielle-Biarrey, France winger, “I hope it makes a difference in the matches.”
Taitung (Taiwan) (AFP) – Residents in southeastern Taiwan batten down the hatches as Typhoon Haikui bears down on the island nation. Around 2,800 people have been evacuated from seven cities in areas expected to be worst hit as authorities warn of strong winds, heavy rains and large waves. “I almost forgot what it’s like to be in a typhoon” says Huang Jun-Tong, a restaurant owner in Taitung County.
