Arbil (Iraq) (AFP) – The taps have run dry, and the wells are almost empty. In Arbil, capital of Iraq’s autonomous Kurdistan region, Babir hasn’t bathed in weeks and impatiently waits for trucked-in water deliveries. The water levels of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers have plummeted and the UN now classifies Iraq as one of the countries most impacted by some effects of climate change.
Penteli (Greece) (AFP) – Greek emergency services say they have made progress to contain the spread of wildfires that have scorched the Athens suburbs, causing widespread damage and forcing thousands to flee their homes. At least one woman has died, with her body found in a burned-out factory.
Caracas (AFP) – At least eight people have died after a gas leak caused an explosion and the collapse of a house in a Caracas slum. The incident took place on August 12 in the Union de Petare neighborhood, the largest in Venezuela. IMAGES
La Ceja (Colombia) (AFP) – Deep in Colombia’s northwestern forests, an orchid enthusiast has gathered a colorful collection of nearly 25,000 specimens, some of which he is cloning to protect them from extinction. Around the world, the unique flowering plants are increasingly threatened by the slashing down of forests, where most orchids are found. Agricultural technologist Daniel Piedrahita, 62, has made it his life’s mission to preserve the flowers at his sanctuary dubbed “The Soul of the Forest” in La Ceja, a town in the department of Antioquia. Colombia, which will host the COP16 UN biodiversity summit later this year, has the world’s largest number of orchid species, and new varieties are regularly discovered.
Geneva (AFP) – The United Nations voices deep concern over what it says is a climate of fear in Venezuela following the country’s disputed presidential election results. A UN human rights spokesperson says they are troubled by the high number of arbitrary detentions and the disproportionate use of force.
Kyiv (Ukraine) (AFP) – Ukraine says it is not interested in “taking over” territory it has captured during its cross-border incursion into Russia’s Kursk region, calling Ukrainian operations there “absolutely legitimate”. “Ukraine is not interested in taking over the territory of the Kursk region, but we want to protect the lives of our people,” says Ukrainian foreign ministry spokesperson Georgiy Tykhy during a press conference.
Chiayi City (Taiwan) (AFP) – Growing up on Taiwan’s west coast where mollusc farming is popular, Eddie Wang saw discarded oyster shells transformed from waste to function — a memory that inspired him to create a unique and environmentally friendly fabric called “Seawool”.
London (AFP) – After a goat, pelicans, and a cat, a rhinoceros has been added to a menagerie of animals created by graffiti artist Banksy on the streets of London in recent days. This time the work appeared on Westmoor Street, in the Charlton area of the British capital.
Penteli (Greece) (AFP) – A massive wildfire in Athens’ northeastern suburbs has forced thousands of residents to flee their homes and sparked a Greek government appeal for international help.
Mendoza (Argentina) (AFP) – Images of a property in Mendoza where two French rugby players accused of rape in Argentina, Hugo Auradou and Oscar Jegou, are being held under house arrest after their release. The prosecutor’s office said that the players must remain in the country until the end of the trial. IMAGES
Mendoza (Argentina) (AFP) – French rugby players Hugo Auradou and Oscar Jegou leave the Mendoza residence in which they arer serving house arrest in Argentina. Auradou and Jegou, accused of rape and detained in Argentina, were released but must remain in the country until the trial is over, according to a court ruling. IMAGES
Tel Aviv (AFP) – “We are in a period of vigilance and preparation, at a time when the threats from Tehran and Beirut could materialise,” says Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant to the members of the Foreign Affairs and Security Committee. International pressure mounted for a ceasefire in Gaza, with Britain, France and Germany issuing a joint plea for an end to fighting between Israel and Hamas with “no further delay”.
