Unknown (AFP) – The Chief spokesperson for Russia’s Defence Ministry, Igor Konashenkov, says that Russia has completed its withdrawal of forces from the western bank of the Dnipro river, after Moscow said it had made the “difficult decision” to withdraw in the face of Ukrainian advance.
Warsaw (AFP) – Tens of thousands of people gather in the centre of Warsaw for Poland’s Independence Day celebrations. The event is organised by Polish nationalist groups and is expected to attract over 100,000 people.
Rome (AFP) – Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemns what she calls the “aggressive reaction” of the French government to taking in a migrant rescue vessel rejected by Rome. She tells a press conference it is “incomprehensible and unjustified”, after Paris said it would accept the Ocean Viking and the 234 migrants onboard, but suspend a previous plan to take in 3,500 refugees currently in Italy.
Toulon (France) (AFP) – A charity ship carrying more than 200 migrants rescued in the Mediterranean enters the French port of Toulon, after the country allowed the ship to disembark in response to Italy’s refusal to take passengers in.
Phnom Penh (AFP) – Chinese Premier Li Keqiang holds talks with ASEAN leaders on Friday afternoon, before joining Biden and other regional leaders for an East Asia Summit in Phnom Penh on Sunday.
Al-Shahaniya (Qatar) (AFP) – At a camel race in the Qatari desert, jockeys are nowhere to be seen. But the animals are actually guided by remote-controlled units mounted on their backs, which are operated by drivers following alongside in all-terrain trucks. The hi-tech sport is a traditional Gulf pastime that is hoping to get a boost on the back of football as Qatar braces for the arrival of more than one million World Cup fans.
London (AFP) – After a five-year restoration project, the world-famous Big Ben bell towering above Britain’s Houses of Parliament is resuming daily operations and will be permanently reconnected from Remembrance Sunday on November 13.
Phnom Penh (AFP) – Southeast Asian leaders meet in the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh. The escalating crisis in Myanmar will dominate summit talks between the leaders struggling to find a way to calm the growing bloodshed in the junta-ruled country. IMAGES
Paarl (South Africa) (AFP) – South Africa’s first “green school” aims to raise a new generation of environmentally-conscious citizens, fostering children’s creativity and resilience in the face of climate disruption. Founder Alba Brandt says she came up with the idea in 2017 after spending six months at a similar initiative in Bali, Indonesia.
Mykolaiv (Ukraine) (AFP) – Ukrainians in Mykolaiv, the largest city near the Kherson front, say they cannot believe Russians are really withdrawing troops from Kherson. “It is impossible to believe in this” says one local as Russian generals ordered their troops to abandon their main southern bastion and other positions on the west bank of the Dnipro River. Wednesday’s televised announcement capped weeks of creeping progress by Ukraine’s forces toward the biggest city — and only regional capital — Russia had captured in the war.
Kyiv (Ukraine) (AFP) – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky created the trend by wearing khaki outfits in every setting since the beginning of the Russian invasion in February. In the eight months of war, his people have followed his sartorial lead.
Rome (AFP) – Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni meets with Jens Stoltenberg at Rome’s Palazzo Chigi after the NATO chief took part in the NATO Cyber Defence Pledge Conference in the Italian capital. IMAGES
