New York (AFP) – A locker used by Kobe Bryant for the majority of his legendary NBA career has sold for $2.9 million on 2 August in New York, as part of an auction of rare sports memorabilia at Sotheby’s.
Bristol (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Right-wing protesters clash with anti-racism demonstrators and police during tense rallies in Bristol and Nottingham. Clashes also broke out in other British towns after the stabbing of three young girls in Southport on 29 July.
Bronte (Italy) (AFP) – Italy’s Mount Etna has erupted once again, carving clouds of smoke and ash as lava grumbles, forcing the nearby Sicily’s Catania Airport to reduce arrivals. At 3,324 metres, Etna is the tallest active volcano in Europe and has erupted frequently in the past 500,000 years.
Undisclosed (Ukraine) (AFP) – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says the country has received its first batch of US-made F16 fighter jets, which Kyiv has been pleading its Western allies for. Speaking to reporters in front of several aircraft, Zelensky says “we made possible what was our ambition,” but adds that the number of F16s and trained pilots “is not enough.”
Caracas (AFP) – Hundreds of supporters of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro gather in Caracas for a pro-government rally, responding to the president’s call to compete with the opposition’s rallies in the capital. Eleven civilians reportedly have died and more than 1,000 have been detained in the protests that erupted after the country’s CNE election authority, loyal to Maduro, proclaimed him the winner with 52 percent of the vote to 43 percent for opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia. IMAGES
Caracas (AFP) – Hundreds of Venezuelans on motorbikes respond to President Nicolas Maduro call to demonstrate in the capital, showing support for the presidential election results. IMAGES
Caracas (AFP) – After spending several days in hiding, Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado arrives at a Caracas rally attended by thousands of demonstrators protesting President Nicolas Maduro’s disputed claim that he won his country’s election. Machado is greeted by cheers and cries of “Freedom, freedom!” and is accompanied by several opposition leaders but not her presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia. IMAGES
Caracas (AFP) – Members of Venezuela’s opposition rally in Caracas atop a truck, surrounded by supporters on motorbikes and in vehicles, as the country braces for fresh protests, after President Nicolas Maduro’s disputed election victory was ratified. Both Maduro and the opposition, led by Maria Corina Machado and her presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, have called on their supporters to demonstrate, in the wake of the country’s controversial vote. IMAGES
Caracas (AFP) – Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, walk into the Supreme Court of Justice in Caracas, where they join other presidential candidates who have been summoned. Venezuela’s supreme court has summoned all candidates to a hearing following Maduro’s request that it initiate a process to investigate and certify the election result. IMAGES
Caracas (AFP) – Venezuelan presidential candidates walk into the Supreme Court of Justice (TSJ) in Caracas after being summoned for a hearing regarding an appeal for the highest court to certify the election process. Opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, who claims to be the rightful winner, did not attend the hearing. IMAGES TO COMPLETE VIDI368D7AV_EN
Abuja (AFP) – At least 13 people have died during protests over economic hardship in Nigeria, according to rights group Amnesty International, which accused security forces of killing peaceful demonstrators. Conflicting accounts emerged on the number of deaths a day after thousands of protesters took to the streets in cities across Nigeria to demonstrate against government policies and the high cost of living.
United States (AFP) – Freed US journalist Evan Gershkovich speaks to reporters at Joint Base Andrews Air Force base, Maryland, after a major prisoner swap between Russia and the West. In footage filmed on August 1, Gershkovich says he would like to “potentially do something” to help other, less well-known, political prisoners still held in Russian jails.
