Chiang Mai (Thailand) (AFP) – Hazardous pollution levels in northern Thailand have left the historic city of Chiang Mai choking under thick smog, with locals worried about the impact on tourism — and their health.
Kyiv (Ukraine) (AFP) – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky denounces Russian “beasts” as as a video supposedly showing the decapitation of a Ukrainian prisoner of war surfaces on social media. “There is something that no one in the world can ignore: how easily these beasts kill,” he says in a message posted on his social media.
Seoul (AFP) – A dust storm obscures the sky over Seoul, with dust particles affecting air quality in the South Korean capital. South Korea’s Ministry of Environment says that it has raised its yellow dust warning from “attention” to “caution”.
Taipei (AFP) – Taiwan’s Vice President, William Lai, who has been nominated as the candidate for next year’s presidential elections by the country’s pro-independence ruling Democratic Progressive Party, is outspoken on Taiwanese independence: “The 2024 election is apparently not a choice between war and peace, but a choice between democracy and autocracy,” he says during a press conference in Taipei.
Amsterdam (AFP) – Residents of Amsterdam find themselves unexpectedly siding with the city’s sex workers as they oppose plans put forward by Mayor Femke Halsema to move legal prostitution from the historic red light district to a suburban “erotic centre”.
Nakhon Ratchasima (Thailand) (AFP) – One of Thailand’s oldest railway stations is facing demolition as the kingdom presses ahead with a long-delayed Chinese-backed high-speed line that has caused unease about lost heritage and closer ties to Beijing.
New York (AFP) – A pair of Air Jordan sneakers worn by basketball legend Michael Jordan during Game 2 of the 1998 NBA Finals sold for $2.2 million, setting a record price at auction for game–worn sports footwear.
London (AFP) – Junior doctors working in England public health service have begun a four-day walkout, in what has been billed as the most disruptive strike in its history, calling for pay rises and better working conditions. Up to a quarter of a million appointments could be postponed, according to the National Health Service Confederation.
Beijing (AFP) – Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson says China will take “strong measures” to protect national sovereignty in response to Taiwan’s claim that they detected nine Chinese warships and 26 aircraft around the island. China announced it ended its three-day military exercises around self-ruled Taiwan on Monday.
Manila (AFP) – The Philippines and the United States hold an opening ceremony in Manila for their largest-ever joint military exercises, as the longstanding allies seek to counter growing Chinese assertiveness in the region. Nearly 18,000 troops are taking part in the annual exercises dubbed Balikatan, or “shoulder to shoulder” in Filipino, which for the first time will include a live-fire drill in the South China Sea, which Beijing claims almost entirely.
Mogadishu (AFP) – Visiting UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres appeals for “massive” international support for Somalia as it battles a devastating drought and a grinding Islamist insurgency. “Although Somalis make no contribution to climate change, the Somalis are among the greatest victims. Nearly five million people are experiencing high levels of acute food insecurity,” he says.
Ciudad Juárez (Mexico) (AFP) – A large group of migrants gathers at the US-Mexico border crossing bridge in Mexico’s Ciudad Juarez hoping to enter the United States after a rumour spread that the crossing restrictions imposed under Title 42 were to be lifted. The restrictions were implemented under Donald Trump’s administration, ostensibly as a health measure to reduce the flow of people during the Covid pandemic. In response to the big crowds, the US Customs and Border Protection members temporarily closed to pedestrians and vehicles. The crossing was then reopened hours later without incident.
