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Salem (India) (AFP) – Despite failing 238 times in his bid for public office in India, K. Padmarajan is unperturbed as he prepares, yet again, to stand for election in the world’s largest democracy. The 65-year-old tyre repair shop owner began fighting elections in 1988 from his home town of Mettur in the southern state of Tamil Nadu. Popularly dubbed the “Election King”, Padmarajan has competed across the country in votes ranging from presidential to local polls. The 65-year-old tyre repair shop owner began fighting elections in 1988 from his home town of Mettur in the southern state of Tamil Nadu. Popularly dubbed the “Election King”, Padmarajan has competed across the country in elections ranging from presidential to local polls.

Jerusalem (AFP) – US and Israel’s “unbreakable bond” is “irreplaceable”, says Israeli President Isaac Herzog during a meeting in Jerusalem with US Congress Democrats delegation.

Plobannalec-Lesconil (France) (AFP) – Impressive waves caused by Storm Nelson are pounding the rocks and piers of the Finistere coast in Brittany, which is under an orange wind warning.

Meulaboh (Indonesia) (AFP) – Dozens of Rohingya refugees saved after their boat capsized off Indonesia’s westernmost coast last week have been forced from their temporary shelter due to local protests.

Taipei (AFP) – A US congressman says during a visit to Taipei that Washington’s partnership with Taiwan is key to countering China’s “increasingly aggressive actions in the region”. “Our delegation is here to show Congress’ continued support for our partnership. We will continue to assure our colleagues that this strategic relationship is key for the future security of the region,” says US Congressman Jack Bergman, who leads the delegation, during a meeting with Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen.

Baltimore (AFP) – Residents of Baltimore react to the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, which was struck by a container ship. Six of the eight-man construction crew are believed to have been killed, with four bodies yet to be found.

Sao Paulo (AFP) – France’s President Emmanuel Macron arrives at the Federation of Industries of the State of Sao Paulo (FIESP) in Sao Paulo, a Franco-Brazilian economic forum aimed to establishing ways to make the economy greener. IMAGES

Gaza Strip (Palestinian Territories) (AFP) – A Spanish military aircraft drops humanitarian aid over the Gaza Strip. The Spanish army dropped 26 tonnes of food by plane, consisting of more than 11,000 food rations, according to the Spanish government. With only a trickle of aid getting into the starving north of the Gaza Strip, the United Nations has warned of “imminent famine” as it accuses Israel of blocking deliveries.

Motala (Sweden) (AFP) – Discarded crisp bags, ketchup bottles and Tupperware containers speed along conveyer belts at a massive high-tech sorting plant dubbed “Site Zero”, which Sweden hopes will revolutionise its plastic recycling. Infrared lights, lasers, cameras and even artificial intelligence are used to sort the piles of plastic waste, Mattias Philipsson, CEO of Swedish Plastic Recycling, a non-profit organisation owned by the plastic industry, explains as he gives a tour of the plant. “We are burning more than we recycle” says Asa Stenmarck, plastics expert at the Swedish environmental agency, “so we really need to work with sorting.”

Belgrade (AFP) – A bombed-out building in Belgrade, which has stood as a national symbol of the 1999 NATO strikes on Serbia, might soon become a luxury hotel financed by Donald Trump’s son-in-law — much to the anger of locals. “I’m against the idea of making a gift to anyone, and particularly to those who were the initiators of what happened, namely official American policy at the time,” says former journalist Srdja Nikolic.

Morelia (Mexico) (AFP) – A forest fire hits an avocado plantation in Cerro del Aguila, recognized as a Protected Natural Area and Forest Restoration site in Morelia, state of Michoacan, Mexico. Forest fires affecting 18 of Mexico’s 32 states have devastated 3,049 hectares of forested areas as of 26 March, according to a report by authorities.

Baltimore (AFP) – Aerial images of Francis Scott Key Bridge that was struck by cargo ship Dali, in Baltimore. Authorities are set to focus on expanding recovery efforts for the bodies of six men — all reported to be Latin American immigrants — presumed killed when a giant cargo ship slammed into the bridge where they working the night shift fixing potholes.