Kyiv (Ukraine) (AFP) – In a cosy barn on the outskirts of Kyiv, a group of Ukrainian soldiers take a break from battle with a session of hippotherapy — using riding and contact with horses to relieve the stress brought by their time at the front.
Nairobi (AFP) – Kenyan riot police fire tear gas and water cannon against demonstrators joining a day of action called by the opposition to protest a punishing cost-of-living crisis.
Paris (AFP) – Hundreds of students gather in central Paris on Monday night to demonstrate against French President Emmanuel Macron’s pension reforms, which raise the retirement age from 62 to 64.
Pretoria (AFP) – South Africa’s opposition holds rallies under tight security in a bid to force out President Cyril Ramaphosa over his handling of the country’s sickly economy and crippling energy crisis.
Brussels (AFP) – Thousands of Iranians demonstrated in the streets of Brussels, demanding that the European Union place the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps on a blacklist. A dozen Ukrainians are also present in the demonstration.
Kayah State (Myanmar) (AFP) – Displaced Myanmar villagers prepare makeshift bunkers of earth and sandbags as fighting between junta troops and anti-coup rebels rages and military shelling becomes an almost daily occurence.
Sabratha (Libya) (AFP) – Dozens of Libyan chefs get to work preparing a couscous platter the size of a large inflatable swimming pool as they seek international recognition for their country’s beloved dish. “It’s part of our identity, our culture, our heritage and we’re proud of it,” says spectator Ahlam Fakhri, watching the four-metre (13-foot) diameter semolina dish take shape.
Moscow (AFP) – Russian President Vladimir Putin says that deepening ties between Moscow and African countries is a key goal for the Kremlin, as it seeks to expand it influence on the continent. Speaking at a summit on Africa and Russia, Putin calls cooperation with African nations “consistent priorities of Russian foreign policy”, and vows to continue supplying African countries with grain if Moscow exited a landmark agreement with Ukraine to allow exports from the country’s Black Sea ports.
Jakarta (AFP) – Around a hundred of Muslims in Indonesia protested the participation of the Israeli football squad in the FIFA Under-20 World Cup, which will be held in the country in May and June. Israel has qualified for the tournament and is expected to visit Indonesia.
Barcelona (AFP) – After a Franck Kessie goal in the final minutes helped his team to a 2-1 Clasico win over Real Madrid, Barcelona coach Xavi says he is “very satisfied” with his team. “I think it’s time to appreciate what these players are doing… I think we’re having an amazing season”, he adds. The victory, which moved Barcelona 12 points clear at the top of La Liga, dents Madrid’s ambitions of retaining the title and leaves the Catalans close to lifting the trophy for the first time since 2019.
Valencia (Spain) (AFP) – At end of the week of Valencia’s Las Fallas festival, the traditional Cremà brings the celebrations to a close in a pyrotechnic blaze. The wooden and papier-mâché monuments planted in the streets of Valencia are set alight on the night of 19th March, the feast day of the city’s patron Saint Joseph, with many of the effigies filled with firecrackers for good measure.
Ramallah (Palestinian Territories) (AFP) – Palestinian prime minister Mohammad Shtayyeh blasts remarks made by Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich that Palestinians do not exist as “racist”. “There are no Palestinians, because there are no Palestinian people,” Smotrich said on Sunday. Smotrich last year became a minister in the cabinet of Israel’s veteran leader Benjamin Netanyahu, which analysts have called the most right-wing government in the country’s history.
