Tokyo (AFP) – Tennis star Naomi Osaka admis she has gone through “more down than up” in her career this year, as she tries to break out of a slump at The Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo this week. In a season hampered by injury, the former world number one and four-time Grand Slam champion has plummeted to 48 in the women’s tennis world rankings after a run that has seen her crash out in the first round of her last three tournaments.
Izumi (Japan) (AFP) – The Sendai river in southern Japan flows rapidly, debris blocks roads, and train services are suspended after Typhoon Nanmadol made landfall on Sunday. Millions were urged to seek shelter from the powerful storm’s high winds and torrential rain.
English Harbour Town (Antigua and Barbuda) (AFP) – At dusk, Mike Rose, chairman of the Royal Naval Tot Club in Antigua and Barbuda, leads a circle of loyalists in raising their daily ration of rum and toasting King Charles III. “To the King, God bless him,” the dozen or so people standing in a semicircle facing Rose say as they knock back the rum — for the first time since Queen Elizabeth II died earlier this month, they got the words right and toasted her son rather than her. They are carrying on a tradition that began in 1655, when the British Royal Navy began giving its sailors a daily half pint of rum. “We believe we’re probably the only club in the whole world that meets daily and toasts the monarch,” Royal Naval Tot Club member Richard Fear says.
London (AFP) – In the last official hommage to Queen Elizabeth II before her funeral on Monday, Britain observes a minute of silence in her memory. Citizens are encouraged to mark the the moment on their doorsteps or at community events and vigils.
London (AFP) – US President Joe Biden solemnly recalls Queen Elizabeth II’s “notion of service” at Buckingham Palace as he attends a reception hosted by King Charles III. After signing the book of condolences, he also reminisces on eating crumpets with the late queen, and how “she had that look like, “Are you okay? Anything I can do for you?” The President will attend the queen’s state funeral on Monday.
London (AFP) – US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden arrive by car at Buckingham Palace for a reception hosted by King Charles III, ahead of Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral on Monday.
Yerevan (AFP) – US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi condemns Azerbaijan’s attack on Armenia, days after border clashes between the arch foes claimed the lives of more than 200 people.
London (AFP) – Queen Consort Camilla leaves Buckingham Palace where dozens of people are waiting to catch a glimpse of her and King Charles III. IMAGES
Cardiff (United Kingdom) (AFP) – King Charles III greets crowds at Cardiff Castle, Wales, after attending a prayer service for Queen Elizabeth II at Llandaff Cathedral. The trip to Cardiff was the last of his visits to the UK’s four nations. IMAGES
London (AFP) – With Britain swept up in a wave of pro-monarchy sentiment since Queen Elizabeth II died on September 8, the 73-year-old Charles has won almost universal praise in the media. An outpouring of tributes from world leaders and ordinary people has underlined the Queen’s status as a figure of constancy, recognising the central part Britain’s longest-serving monarch has played in national life — and as a global figure — for 70 years. Thousands of mourners — many waiting through the night — have been queueing to file past and pay their last respects to the much-loved monarch while her coffin lies in state. The state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II will take place at London’s Westminster Abbey on September 19.
Cardiff (United Kingdom) (AFP) – King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla arrive at Llandaff Cathedral to attend a prayer service for the late Queen Elizabeth II in Cardiff, Wales. Her death last week at the age of 96 has triggered an outpouring of emotion, with tens of thousands queueing for hours, many through the night, to pay their respects to the late monarch in Westminster Hall.
Senigallia (Italy) (AFP) – Italian firefighters and other emergency services evacuate residents fom the town of Senigallia after at least seven people died when violent storms in the centre of the country flooded roads and homes. The Corriere della Sera newspaper said about 400 millimetres (16 inches) of rain fell in two hours — about the quantity normally recorded in six months in this zone. IMAGES
