La Paz (AFP) – Bolivians cast their votes at a polling station in La Paz in presidential and congressional elections marked by a deep economic crisis that has seen the left implode and the right eyeing its first shot at power in 20 years. The Andean country is struggling through its worst crisis in a generation, marked by annual inflation of almost 25 percent and critical shortages of dollars and fuel. IMAGES
Potiskum (Nigeria) (AFP) – Torrential rains have sparked intense floods and damaged hundreds of homes in the northeast Nigerian town of Potiskum, forcing many to relocate to stay with relatives. No deaths have been reported. “In all my life, I have never seen so much water. It destroyed my three rooms and two toilets,” says Adamu Mohammed, a victim of the rainfall.
El Jadida (Morocco) (AFP) – In the Moroccan coastal town of El Jadida, the air rings with the sound of guns and hooves, as thousands of riders and horses celebrate Tbourida, the traditional festival of Moroccan equestrian art, the legacy of an ancient warrior tradition. “It’s more than a passion […] It’s a heritage that runs in my blood, passed down from generation to generation,” says Abdelkebir Lahlou, cavalry chief. Tbourida, which dates back to the 16th century, has been designated by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity.
Anaheim (United States) (AFP) – Thousands of Pokemon fans flock to Anaheim, California, for the World Championships, with players from around 50 countries competing in card and video game battles for more than two million dollars in prizes. “This is my first World Championships, but it’s very fun and a very good experience for our team,” said Minha Cho, a Pokemon video game player from South Korea. “And we now win [won], so I’m very happy.”
Poissy (France) (AFP) – PSG coach, Luis Enrique, says his goal this season is to ‘continue making history’ by winning a second Champions League title, following the club’s first victory in 2025. ‘It’s extremely difficult for a team to win the Champions League twice in a row. It is our goal. We are very ambitious,’ the Spaniard declares during a press conference.
Belgrade (AFP) – Thousands of anti-government protesters clash again with police in Serbia’s capital late on Friday, as days of unrest fuel fears of a worsening crackdown on a months-long push for early elections. After a tense stand-off between right-wing government loyalists and the larger crowd of protesters, fireworks, tear gas and stun grenades erupt among the anti-graft demonstrators.
Cualedro (Spain) (AFP) – Spain fights several ongoing fires in the country, Galicia being one the most affected regions. In some villages, residents battle blazes however they can even before firefighters arrive. The fires have already killed three people in the country. All of Spain is on heatwave alert, while its weather agency warns that much of the country is at “very high to extreme risk” from wildfires.
Anchorage (AFP) – In a press conference following direct talks on the Ukraine conflict with his US counterpart Donald Trump, Russian leader Vladimir Putin praises Trump’s “understanding of Russia’s national interests”, adding that the pair’s “businesslike and trusting relationship” could soon bring an end to the fighting in Ukraine — “the sooner, the better”. The much-hyped talks ended earlier than expected without a deal following a narrow format three-on-three discussion, with negotiations not moving on to delegation level.
Beijing (AFP) – Kicking, sprinting, twirling and even drumming, more than 500 androids take part in the world’s first-ever humanoid robot games. Teams from 16 countries have gathered in Beijing to compete for gold in events ranging from hurdles to five-a-side football. The competition comes as the Chinese government tries to cement the country as an industry leader, with authorities working to raise awareness of the sector across society and pouring funding into robotics and tech.
Trujillo (Peru) (AFP) – At least three people were injured and around a hundred homes were affected by a dynamite attack in the Peruvian city of Trujillo, amid clashes between criminal organizations, authorities have reported. The powerful explosion occurred on August 14 in a residential and commercial area of this northern city, which has been an epicenter of criminal group activity for more than a year. According to police, as cited by the press, the attackers used about 15 sticks of dynamite against the target, a three-story building that was virtually destroyed. IMAGES
On the outskirts of Moscow, the Losiny Ostrov — or ‘Elk Island’ — national park offers a respite from urban life in the Russian capital. But the nature reserve, home to hundreds of species of wildlife including endangered birds, has come under increasing threat from construction work. Those opposing a highway set to carve through the park have found themselves arrested, interrogated and fined, with environmental activists among the dissident voices being silenced amid Moscow’s offensive in Ukraine. “There’s no democracy,” says Dmitry Trunin, an environmental defence lawyer.
Tokyo (AFP) – Tens of thousands pay their respects at a controversial Tokyo shrine on the 80th anniversary of Japan’s surrender in World War II. Yasukuni Shrine honours 2.5 million mostly Japanese soldiers from the late 19th century, but also a number of convicted war criminals. “I came here to look back at what Japan has done,” says one visitor, “including its failures.”
