London (AFP) – New British Prime Minister Liz Truss enters her official residence at London’s 10 Downing Street, joined by her husband Hugh O’Leary. Truss vowed action this week to tackle “unaffordable energy bills” caused by Russia’s “appalling” war in Ukraine and listed three priorities in office: the economy, energy and healthcare. SOUNDBITE
10 Downing Street, London (United Kingdom) (AFP) – New British Prime Minister Liz Truss, addressing the nation from Downing Street after a heavy downpour in central London, vows to “ride out the storm” of the economic crisis. SOUNDBITE
10 Downing Street, London (United Kingdom) (AFP) – New British Prime Minister Liz Truss says she will “take action this week” on the energy crisis in the United Kingdom, as Britons tighten their belts in response to double-digit inflation and soaring energy costs. SOUNDBITE
Ussuriysk (Russia) (AFP) – President Vladimir Putin attends large-scale military exercises involving China and several Russia-friendly countries, and meets with his officials at the Sergeevski military range. The military drills, called Vostok-2022, started on September 1 and are due to take place until September 7 across several training grounds in Russia’s Far East and in the waters off its eastern coast.
Brussels (AFP) – The EU vetoes the buyout of promising US cancer test startup Grail by biotech giant Illumina over fears the deal could one day create a monopoly. Illumina’s takeover of fellow US company Grail would “stifle the ongoing innovation race between Grail and its rivals, and ultimately lead to less innovation, less choice and higher prices” says the European Commission. SOUNDBITE
Sarajevo (AFP) – Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is welcomed at the Bosnian Presidency in Sarajevo at the start of a Balkan tour that will also take him to Serbia and Croatia. IMAGES
Ballater (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Liz Truss on Tuesday officially became Britain’s new prime minister, at an audience with head of state Queen Elizabeth II after the resignation of Boris Johnson. The symbolic ceremony took place at the sovereign’s remote Balmoral retreat in the Scottish Highlands, as the queen, 96, was deemed unfit to return to London due to ill health.
Ussuriysk (Russia) (AFP) – President Vladimir Putin attends large-scale military exercises involving China and several Russia-friendly countries, and meets with his officials at the Sergeevski military range. The military drills, called Vostok-2022, started on September 1.
Protaras (Cyprus) (AFP) – A green turtle (Chelonia Mydas) is spotted near a sandy cove on the eastern coast of Cyprus, close to the bustling town of Protaras. The Mediterranean island of Cyprus is considered the third most important location for the reproduction of turtles after Greece and Turkey.
Hong Kong (AFP) – Hong Kong is witnessing a surge in pet abandonments as the city experiences an exodus of residents due to China’s crackdown on dissent as well as some of the world’s strictest Covid restrictions. High prices and strict legislation in transporting dogs makes taking them an extremely complex and expensive process for owners, often forcing potential emigrants to leave their pets behind.
New Delhi (AFP) – Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina receives a ceremonial welcome at India’s presidential palace during her four-day visit to the country, where she was greeted by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Sukkur (Pakistan) (AFP) – Aerial images show flooded farmland in Pakistan’s southeastern province of Sindh. Nearly a third of Pakistan is under water — an area the size of the United Kingdom — following months of record monsoon rains that have killed 1,300 people and washed away homes, businesses, roads and bridges. Officials say the repair bill will top $10 billion for a country already in the grip of an economic crisis, with hundreds of thousands homeless as the monsoon draws to an end and winter approaches.
