Philippines (AFP) – Entomologist Cristian Lucanas is the Philippines’ lone expert on cockroaches and says the ubiquitous bugs, which many deride as disgusting pests, deserve more study — and credit — for their key role in the planet’s ecosystem.
United Nations (United States) (AFP) – The UN’s humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher says that “we’re seeing staggering amounts of money, reportedly a billion dollars a day” being spent on the Middle East war, rather than addressing the world’s “huge humanitarian caseload.” He tells reporters during a press briefing at the United Nations in New York, “It breaks my heart… we’ve lost our bearings somehow in the world”.
Kharkiv (Ukraine) (AFP) – Ukrainian pensioner Grygory Gladysh is the last occupant of a shelled residential block in Kharkiv, having seen everyone leave since the start of the war. The 79-year-old refuses to leave, saying it is too late for him to start over again elsewhere.Instead, he has endured bombing and several gruelling winters, largely alone, living off food rations and without heating or access to running water. “There’s no end in sight,” Gladysh says. “No one has said anything sensible yet — neither Russia nor Ukraine.”
Beirut (Lebanon) (AFP) – Beirut’s streets are lined with dozens of makeshift encampments after an unprecedented Israeli evacuation warning for the entirety of Beirut’s southern suburbs sent thousands in search of safety. Lebanon has been swept up in the Middle East’s war, after the Iran-backed armed Lebanese group Hezbollah fired missiles at Israel to avenge the death of Iranian leader Ali Khamenei.
Washington (United States) (AFP) – The military campaign that the United States is waging against Iran is going “very well,” US President Donald Trump tells press at the White House. “Their army is gone… Their communications are gone. Their leaders are gone,” Trump says.
Ecuador (AFP) – Ecuador and US forces destroy a training camp for drug traffickers that belongs to the Comandos de la Frontera, a guerilla group implicated in the killing of 11 Ecuadorian soldiers in 2025, according to Ecuadorian authorities. The operation follows reconnaissance missions by the Ecuadorian Armed Forces using aircraft, helicopters, vessels, drones and specialized personnel.
Unknown (AFP) – In a week dominated by the US and Israel starting a war in the Middle East by attacking Iran, AFP looks back on the top stories from around the world in the last seven days.
London (AFP) – Across the UK, British schoolchildren take part in the annual tradition of dressing up as their favourite fictional character to mark World Book Day. At this primary school in South West London, pupils arrive at the school gates dressed as Hermione Granger, Sherlock Holmes and Pippi Longstocking, all clasping a copy of their chosen book.
Tehran (AFP) – Hundreds gather in Iran’s capital, Tehran, for the first Friday prayers since the start of the war, and to demonstrate against attacks on the country by the United States and Israel, as well as the killing of Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. With the war going into its seventh day, the city continues to be rocked by fresh Israeli strikes, as Iran’s army says it attacked US bases in Kuwait.
Huelva (Spain) (AFP) – Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez calls the US war against Iran an “extraordinary mistake that we are going to pay for”. Now in its seventh day, the war embroils nations beyond the region, upends the world’s energy and transport sectors, and brings chaos to even usually peaceful areas around the Gulf.
Geneva (AFP) – The United Nations human rights chief calls for “cool heads to prevail” in the Middle East and urges the warring sides to pull back and “give peace a chance”. Fresh strikes rock Iran and Lebanon as Israel and the United States step up their attacks in the sprawling Middle East war, with powerful explosions shattering the skies of Tehran.
Birmingham (United Kingdom) (AFP) – With plenty of barks, treats and tail-wagging, the world’s biggest and most famous dog show gets underway in Britain, with a record number of overseas entries among those bidding for Crufts glory. More than 20,000 pooches of varying size, shape and personality are competing in the four-day showcase. “It’s joy. It’s like Disney World, but for dog lovers,” says visitor Hayley Ashdown.
