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New York (AFP) – Hundreds gather outside Trump Tower in New York City to advocate for workers’ rights and voice criticism of US President Donald Trump’s policies. “We are here to make sure President Trump realizes that there are many of us that are not happy with his decisions,” says Jill Pitman, a protester and negotiator for Unions. “There are many of us that want him out of the White House because he doesn’t protect the middle class and he doesn’t protect workers.”

(AFP) – Rescuers treat the injured in Afghanistan’s Kunar province after a powerful earthquake struck the country’s east at the weekend. The 6.0-magnitude earthquake killed more 1,400 and injured 3,000 others, according to the Taliban government, making it one of the deadliest to hit the country in decades.

Caracas (AFP) – During a press conference in Caracas, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro shows off his mobile phone, a Huawei gifted by his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping. “The best phone in the world, the Huawei. And it cannot be tapped, not even by the gringos, nor by spy planes, nor by satellites,” he says.

Irpin (AFP) – Schoolchildren in the town of Irpin, northwest of Kyiv, mark the start of the academic year with a ceremony, ringing bells and carrying Ukrainian flags. In Irpin’s Mriya school, more than 2,700 students begin the academic year, some returning from abroad. Along with other towns on the outskirts of Kyiv, Irpin was seized and occupied by Russian forces in the weeks after Moscow’s offensive began last year, but was liberated by Kyiv’s forces following a bloody, month-long battle.

Nuseirat (AFP) – Palestinians in Nuseirat camp in the centre of the Gaza Strip receive meals distributed by a charity organisation. “If it wasn’t for the charity, I wouldn’t find food and I would have died of hunger,” says Atef Jarbou, a displaced Gazan. The United Nations has declared a state of famine in the territory, warning that 500,000 people face “catastrophic” conditions.

Tokio (AFP) – Japan sweltered this year through its hottest summer since records began in 1898, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. Temperatures the world over have soared in recent years as climate change creates ever more erratic weather patterns.

Tianjin (AFP) – Russian President Vladimir Putin hails Russia-India ties as he meets Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Tianjin, with the two leaders coming under increasing US pressure over Russia’s war in Ukraine. US President Donald Trump has accused India of fuelling Moscow’s deadly attacks on Ukraine by purchasing Russian oil.

Tianjin (AFP) – Chinese President Xi Jinping says the world has entered “a new period of turbulence” and warns against a “Cold War mentality” while addressing members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and guest countries at a summit in Tianjin.

Hanoi (AFP) – Every morning at dawn, Nguyen Thi Van walks down from her home in Hanoi’s French Quarter and starts setting up her cart on a bustling street. By mid-morning, locals on their way to work and curious tourists line up for her take on Vietnam’s iconic street food: bánh mì. Once a byproduct of French colonialism, the baguette sandwich has become a proud emblem of Vietnamese culture.

Venice (AFP) – Jude Law and other stars arrive on the Venice Film Festival red carpet for the premiere of “The Wizard of the Kremlin”, directed by French director Olivier Assayas. The film depicts Law playing Russian President Vladimir Putin alongside fellow actors Paul Dano, Alicia Vikander and Jeffrey Wright.

Barcelona (AFP) – In an interview with AFP, Swedish activist Greta Thunberg discusses the Global Sumud Flotilla, which left Barcelona for Gaza on Sunday. “A mission like this should not have to exist,” Thunberg says on the eve of its departure. “It is the responsibility of countries, of our governments and elected officials to act to try to uphold international law, to prevent war crimes, to prevent genocide.”

Madrid (AFP) – During a press conference on the wildfires, the head of Spain’s Civil Protection, Virginia Barcones, says: “This tragic episode in our country’s history, involving simultaneous large forest fires over a period of 20 days, in a very important part of our country, has come to an end.” Blazes that flared across Spain this month have ravaged over 350,000 hectares (865,000 acres), killing four people and forcing thousands to temporarily evacuate.