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Costa Mesa (United States) (AFP) – Joy Womack built herself a fairytale life in Russia’s notoriously tough world of classical dance after becoming the first American to graduate from the Bolshoi Ballet Academy. But her career exploded as Moscow’s first bombs rained down on Ukraine, and she became one of dozens of dancers who fled Vladimir Putin’s war. Some exiled dancers have now reunited with one-time colleagues from the Russian stage for a single performance near Los Angeles next month.

Tehran (AFP) – Iranian pupils, some without headscarves, chant “death to the dictator” as they march in central Tehran. Activists called for nationwide protests Wednesday in response to a bloody crackdown on demonstrations over Mahsa Amini’s death that a human rights group says has killed at least 108 people.

Moscow (AFP) – Russian president Vladimir Putin denounces Nord Stream leaks as an act of “international terrorism”, during his speech at the plenary session of the Russian Energy Week.

Rome (AFP) – From emperors to saints, dictators to diplomats, and Mussolini’s pet chicken, Rome is the resting place of some of history’s most consequential figures. This year, Italy’s oldest pet cemetery, located in the southwest of the Eternal City, turns 100. The informal graveyard began in 1922 when Italy’s new leader, Benito Mussolini, buried his family’s beloved pet hen in the plot, inspiring others to follow suit.

Astana (Kazakhstan) (AFP) – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev welcomes Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani after his arrival in Kazakhstan for a state visit.

Prague (AFP) – Energy ministers of European Union countries pose for a group photo as they gather in Prague for an informal meeting.

Brussels (AFP) – The European Commission says it is recommending that EU countries give Bosnia candidacy status to join the bloc.

Astana (Kazakhstan) (AFP) – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev welcomes his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Astana in an official ceremony.

Berlin (AFP) – As he unveils the official autumn economic forecasts, German Economy Minister Robert Habeck warns that Germans “are currently experiencing a serious energy crisis, which threatens to become an economic and social crisis”, which he blames on “Putin’s war” in Ukraine.

Prague (AFP) – Energy ministers of European Union countries pose for a group photo as they gather in Prague for an informal meeting.

Las Tejerías (Venezuela) (AFP) – Rescue workers look for victims after a devastating landslide swept through the Venezuelan town of Las Tejerias on Saturday. More than 30 have died, and hopes of finding any of the missing people are fading.

Kyoto (Japan) (AFP) – More than a million people aged 15 to 64 in Japan live highly reclusive lives, retreating from social contact for at least six months, according to a 2020 government estimate. Through an experimental theatre project, two French artists are hoping to offer recovering hikikomori, or “shut-ins”, a chance to express themselves and regain self-confidence.