Karokh (Afghanistan) (AFP) – Many Afghan schoolgirls are resorting to working in the country’s saffron fields in the western province of Herat since the Taliban shut their schools for more than a year now. While the industry has always recruited women, this year it has seen a surge in female employment as more and more high school girls work in the fields.
Los Angeles (AFP) – Librarian Rosie Grant spends her free time baking cookies from recipes found on gravestones throughout the country. She documents her cooking on TikTok, under the account @ghostlyarchive, where she currently has over one hundred thousand followers and 4.5 million likes.
Morbi, Gujarat (India) (AFP) – India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits the disaster site where a newly renovated pedestrian bridge collapsed in his home state of Gujarat, leaving 134 people dead. Nine people have been arrested on homicide charges over the collapse of the 150-year-old structure. The suspension bridge was packed with people celebrating the final day of the Diwali holidays. Forty-seven children were among those killed.
Tokyo (AFP) – The Tokyo Metropolitan Government building is illuminated with rainbow lights as the Japanese capital begins issuing partnership certificates to same-sex couples who live and work in the megacity, a long-awaited move in a country without marriage equality.
Mumbai (AFP) – Worshippers in Mumbai pray to the setting and rising sun as part of Chhath Puja. The four-day festival is dedicated to Surya, the Hindu sun god.
Kennedy Space Center (United States) (AFP) – SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy launches the USSF-44 mission to orbit from a launch complex at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
Beijing (AFP) – China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian rejects a “false” statement signed onto by fifty countries at a UN debate that condemned the “severe and systematic” human rights violations in Xinjiang region.
Tokyo (AFP) – A government building lights up in rainbow colours as Tokyo begins recognition of partnership certificates to same-sex couples who live and work in the capital, a long-awaited move in a country without marriage equality. IMAGES
Berlin (AFP) – An exhibition of over 250 art pieces created during the communist era (1949-1990) by the deceased East German artist, Jürgen Wittdorf (1932 – 2018), has been a success. The exhibit has attracted more than 20,000 visitors since it opened last month in Biesdorf Castle, a suburb far from Berlin’s historic city centre. At a time when sexual freedom is under renewed attack around the world, even amongst EU democracies like Hungary or Romania, Wittdorf’s work is enjoying a renaissance four years after his death.
Tokyo (AFP) – Tokyo lesbian couple Miki and Katie have long been without any official proof of their relationship, but that changes as the Japanese capital commences a much-awaited same-sex partnership programme.
Paris (AFP) – This Parisian bicycle-hearse offers a new method of mourning to grieving families. Isabelle Plumereau, founder and director of a small funeral home, says her “Corbicyclette” allows for a procession “to the rhythm of the steps of the people.”
Morbi, Gujarat (India) (AFP) – Search and rescue workers probe the site of a pedestrian bridge collapse in the Indian state of Gujarat on Tuesday. At least 137 people died after the bridge collapsed on Sunday evening, sending hundreds tumbling into the river. Nine people were arrested on Monday in connection with the disaster.
