Tel Aviv (AFP) – The Israeli government rejects the death toll provided by Gaza’s civil defence agency for a strike on the Al Mawasi humanitarian zone in the southern city of Khan Yunis. According to this toll, the strike killed 40 people and wounded a further 60, but Israeli government spokesperson David Mencer says the figures do “not align with the truth.”
Kennedy Space Center (United States) (AFP) – SpaceX has launched its daring Polaris Dawn mission, carrying a four-member civilian crew, who will take part in the first spacewalk by non-professional astronauts. The crew underwent more than two years of training and are equipped with newly-developed, hi-tech SpaceX suits.
Paris (AFP) – Russian opposition figure Vladimir Kara-Murza, who was recently released as part of the biggest prisoner exchange since the end of the Cold War, says Russian President Vladimir Putin cannot be allowed “a face-saving exit” from the war in Ukraine. Speaking exclusively to AFP, Kara-Murza says the “Putin regime must be defeated.”
Al Mawāşī (Palestinian Territories) (AFP) – With deep craters where dozens of tents used to stand, Palestinians in Al Mawasi, in the southern Gaza city of Khan Yunis, are reeling from a deadly Israeli strike. The area was designated a safe zone by Israel early in the war, but the country has repeatedly accused Hamas of embedding military sites in these areas, surrounding them with human shields. The group denies this. Gaza’s civil defence agency says the overnight strike killed 40 people, wounding a further 60.
Pittsburgh (AFP) – Residents in the US city of Pittsburgh, in the key presidential swing state of Pennsylvania, are split ahead of the first televised debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. The debate will take place in Philadelphia, also in Pennsylvania, with both candidates recognising how crucial the state’s support is in securing the White House in November. Much has been made of the candidates’ different styles, with Trump under pressure to rein in his aggression and Harris needing to reach out to undecided voters with policy.
Thái Nguyên (Vietnam) (AFP) – Emergency workers in Vietnam are racing to evacuate thousands of people from severe flooding after Typhoon Yagi tore through the country’s north. Authorities say scores of people have been killed by the extreme weather, which has downed bridges, ripped roofs off buildings and triggered widespread flooding and landslides. Before hitting Vietnam, Yagi swept through southern China and the Philippines, killing at least 24 people.
Colombo (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s upcoming presidential election is being seen by many as an opportunity to vent their anger at established politicians who they blame for the country’s economic crisis. While the economy of the South Asian island shows “signs of stabilisation”, according to the World Bank, poverty rates rose for the fourth year in a row last year.
Sao Paulo (AFP) – Smoke from intense wildfires in the Amazon rainforest and other parts of Brazil are choking major cities, like Sao Paulo, and wafting into neighboring countries. The situation has been aggravated by the country’s worst drought in 70 years.
Bethesda (United States) (AFP) – Forget the polls, ditch the data, and stop sending journalists to swing state diners to interview undecided voters: historian Allan Lichtman already knows who is going to win the US presidential election. “Harris will win,” Lichtman confidently announces to AFP.
Dili (East Timor) (AFP) – Pope Francis meets youth with disabilities at the Irmas Alma School in Dili, East Timor. The 87-year-old is on a three-day visit to the capital as part of a wider Asia-Pacific tour. More than half of East Timor’s 1.3 million people are expected to attend one of the biggest masses of his papacy.
