Trujillo (Peru) (AFP) – In April this year, a criminal gang demanded $2,500 from Peruvian school owner Diomedes Sanchez, before planting a bomb outside the building when he refused to pay. The 50-year-old is one of many hit by an extortion epidemic targeting both the rich and poor across the country, with an association representing businesses claiming an estimated cost of $1.6 billion per year.
Duluth (United States) (AFP) – With just over a week to go until the US presidential election, Republican candidate Donald Trump calls his Democrat rival Kamala Harris a “low IQ individual”. Speaking at a rally near Atlanta, Georgia, Trump accuses the vice-president of “importing millions of illegals”, continuing along the anti-immigration line seen throughout a campaign in which the former president has falsely accused migrants of eating pets.
Douglas (United States) (AFP) – With immigration cited as a key issue for voters ahead of the US presidential election, Arizona, the only swing state bordering Mexico, has become something of a battleground. Both Donald Trump and Kamala Harris have visited the state in recent weeks, posing for photos and delivering speeches. But for some residents near the wall, the reduction of immigration to little more than a political football is raising concerns.
Cagayan Province (Philippines) (AFP) – More than 20 people have been killed by flooding in the northern Philippines, where Tropical Storm Trami brought torrential rains, submerging entire villages. Rescuers are working to reach residents still stranded in the hard-hit Bicol region.
Kazan (Russia) (AFP) – Chinese President Xi Jinping says “world peace and development still faces serious challenges” as he addresses leaders from the BRICS group of emerging economies at a summit in Russia. Xi praises “the common march of the Global South towards modernity” and also calls “for a ceasefire in Gaza.”
Maple Grove (United States) (AFP) – If you want to know who’s going to win the White House in November, try asking the people of Clallam County. The folks who live in this strip of mountains, forests and coast in the far northwest of the continental United States haven’t been wrong about their presidential pick in almost half a century.
Beirut (AFP) – Lebanese mayors and municipal leaders from across the country gather in central Beirut to observe a moment of silence in memory of municipal representatives killed in Israeli strikes.
Peking (AFP) – Beijing says it is “perfectly normal” for its aircraft carriers to sail near Taiwan, after the self-ruled island said a Chinese aircraft carrier group sailed through the Taiwan Strait. “It is perfectly normal for Chinese aircraft carriers to sail in its own territory and territorial waters,” foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian tells a regular media briefing.
Blériot-Plage (AFP) – Firefighters participate in rescue operations at Bleriot-Plage after French authorities announced that three people had died while attempting to cross the Channel from northern France to Britain early Wednesday, adding that around 50 more people had been rescued.
London (AFP) – London and Berlin hail a “landmark” in military cooperation as Europe’s two biggest defence spenders sign a new pact that will see German submarine-hunting planes operate from British bases and counter threats from Russia after its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
