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Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – British Prime Minister Andy Burnham arrives in Manchester to open his newly created “Number 10 North” office in a flagship move to devolve centralised power in London. Burnham says the office will put “power in every postcode so that people can turn things around for themselves and make changes”. Burnham — who took over from Keir Starmer in 10 Downing Street on Monday — aims to work in Manchester at least one day a week.

New Delhi (AFP) – Talks between the Indian government and the youth-led “Cockroach” movement fail to make headway on the protest demand for the resignation of the education minister, both sides say. “If we do not get Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation, these protests will become even more widespread,” says Ashutosh Ranka, spokesman for the Cockroach Janta Party protest group.

New Delhi (AFP) – Talks between the Indian government and the youth-led “Cockroach” movement fail to make headway on the protest demand for the resignation of the education minister, both sides say. “If we do not get Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation, these protests will become even more widespread,” says Ashutosh Ranka, spokesman for the Cockroach Janta Party protest group.

Saint Petersburg (AFP) – Ukrainian drones hit a warehouse for a Russian e-commerce giant near Saint Petersburg early Friday, triggering a fire that sent smoke pouring over the historic city, according to local officials. Kyiv has targeted Saint Petersburg as it steps up long-range drone strikes on Russian energy, military and logistics sites in recent weeks. IMAGES

Saint Petersburg (AFP) – Ukrainian drones hit a warehouse for a Russian e-commerce giant near Saint Petersburg early Friday, triggering a fire that sent smoke pouring over the historic city, according to local officials. Kyiv has targeted Saint Petersburg as it steps up long-range drone strikes on Russian energy, military and logistics sites in recent weeks. IMAGES

Villars-sur-Ollon (Switzerland) (AFP) – “You feel like you’re flying,” says tourist Anais Fougairolles after experiencing a new swing installed at 2,110 metres atop the Swiss Alps in the Villars resort. The ski area’s director Martin Deburaux says he hopes the swing will allow the resort to attract thrill seekers during the snowless seasons as it prepares for “more unpredictable snowfall” amid climate change.

Harlow (United Kingdom) (AFP) – New UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham visits a pub in Essex after announcing a tax cut for struggling pubs, clubs and live music venues in a bid to ease the cost of living crisis. “Pubs need to know that the cavalry is coming,” says Burnham. The latest tax cut is expected to save some 32,000 hospitality businesses in England around £1,100 ($1,400) a year, but ministers have struggled to give full details of how it would be funded.

Manila (AFP) – The UK’s new Foreign Minister Ed Miliband highlights the importance of reopening the Strait of Hormuz to ease the cost of living crisis, supporting Ukraine against “Russian aggression” and relieving the suffering of the people of Gaza whilst on the sidelines of the ASEAN Southeast Asian summit in Manila in footage provided by the UK government. The summit comes during Miliband’s first week in his new role in Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s new cabinet.

Manila (AFP) – The UK’s new Foreign Minister Ed Miliband highlights the importance of reopening the Strait of Hormuz to ease the cost of living crisis, supporting Ukraine against “Russian aggression” and relieving the suffering of the people of Gaza whilst on the sidelines of the ASEAN Southeast Asian summit in Manila in footage provided by the UK government. The summit comes during Miliband’s first week in his new role in Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s new cabinet.

La Guaira (Venezuela) (AFP) – Hundreds of animals rescued from the rubble after the twin earthquakes in Venezuela remain in temporary shelters, waiting to be reunited with their families or adopted. The Mision Nevado shelter in hard-hit La Guaira has already reunited more than 50 pets with their owners and is taking care of over 300 animals. “It’s always emotional for us,” says veterinary student and shelter worker Amanda Gonzalez. “Because when an animal connects with a person, that’s pure energy to us. But at a reunion, we all end up crying.”

La Guaira (Venezuela) (AFP) – Hundreds of animals rescued from the rubble after the twin earthquakes in Venezuela remain in temporary shelters, waiting to be reunited with their families or adopted. The Mision Nevado shelter in hard-hit La Guaira has already reunited more than 50 pets with their owners and is taking care of over 300 animals. “It’s always emotional for us,” says veterinary student and shelter worker Amanda Gonzalez. “Because when an animal connects with a person, that’s pure energy to us. But at a reunion, we all end up crying.”

Skrat (Bulgaria) (AFP) – “For now I feel fine,” says Kiril Apostolov who, at 90-years-old, is still doing the rounds as the only doctor in the Bulgarian village of Skrat, climbing steep mountain roads as he carries out at-home patient visits. Apostolov’s case is far from unusual in Bulgaria, where many general practitioners continue working well past retirement age, with no one to replace them, especially in rural areas.