Philippine coastguards loading floating oil containment barriers, suction skimmer, and oil dispersant onto a boat in the port of Limay as as they prepare to go out to sea to contain spill after a Philippine-flagged tanker carrying 1.4 million litres of industrial fuel oil sank off Manila on Thursday. IMAGES
Maracaibo (Venezuela) (AFP) – Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro dances on stage during a closing rally in Maracaibo amid a climate of nervousness about possible fraud in the July 28 vote and violence in the aftermath. Maduro, seeking a third six-year term, trails far behind opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia in stated voter intent, but observers doubt he is ready to give up power. IMAGES
Caracas (AFP) – Venezuelan’s opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia and opposition leader Maria Corina Machado drive across Caracas on the final day of campaigning ahead of the country’s presidential election on July 28. IMAGES
Caracas (AFP) – Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro closes his presidential election campaign in Caracas amid a climate of nervousness about possible fraud in the July 28 vote and violence in the aftermath. Maduro, seeking a third six-year term, trails far behind opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia in stated voter intent, but observers and experts doubt he will give up power after the vote. IMAGES
Muzo (Colombia) (AFP) – One man’s trash can very well become another man’s treasure in the Colombian town of Muzo, the emerald capital of the world. In this small community in the foothills of the eastern Andes mountains, multinational mining company Esmeralda Mining Services (EMS) deposits tons of earth it has processed from its operations into a cage-like enclosure. A few times a month, EMS allows hundreds of miners — known as “guaqueros” or treasure hunters — to search through the detritus and take home any precious stones they find.
Maracaibo (Venezuela) (AFP) – On the final day of campaigning, supporters of President Nicolas Maduro rally in Maracaibo (west) amid a climate of nervousness about possible fraud in the July 28 vote and violence in the aftermath. IMAGES
Maracaibo (Venezuela) (AFP) – On the final day of campaigning, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, who is seeking a third six-year term, holds a rally in Maracaibo (west) amid a climate of nervousness about possible fraud in the July 28 vote and violence in the aftermath. Maduro, in office since taking over from Hugo Chavez in 2013, counts the electoral authorities, military top brass and other state On the final day of campaigninginstitutions among his backers. He also has enjoyed unlimited access to state media and funding for propaganda on everything from building facades to toll booth signage and even ambulances. IMAGES
Vadlūru (India) (AFP) – Donald Trump’s running mate JD Vance has the unlikely support of a Hindu priest living in India’s Vadluru. Subhramanya Sharma wants to see Vance’s wife become the second lady of the US as her ancestral home is in his quiet village.
Washington (AFP) – US President Joe Biden tells Americans he quit the 2024 election to unite the country, saying in a historic Oval Office speech that it was time to pass the torch to a new generation.
Kathmandu (AFP) – A passenger plane crashed on take-off in Kathmandu on July 24, with the pilot rescued from the wreckage but all 18 others aboard killed, police in the Nepali capital told AFP. Nepal has a woeful track record on aviation safety and the Himalayan republic has seen a spate of deadly light plane and helicopter crashes over the decades. The country’s last major incident involving a commercial flight was in January 2023, when a Yeti Airlines service crashed while landing at Pokhara, killing all 72 aboard.
Manila (AFP) – The Philippines deploys rescuers across its densely populated capital, Manila, to help evacuate residents from low-lying homes after downpours caused by Typhoon Gaemi turned streets into rivers. “I cannot go home because our house is now underwater” says one local resident.
Paris (AFP) – With a spectacular opening ceremony along the Seine due to kick off the 2024 Olympic Games this Friday, enthusiasm in the French capital is growing. “These are times when you have to be a bit positive,” says one resident. “I think we’re going to have a great show and competition and it’s going to be fun.”
