Niamey (Niger) (AFP) – Waving flags, some Nigerien, some Russian, thousands rally in Niamey to demand the withdrawal of French troops from Niger. The west African country has seen a weekend of demonstrations after its new military regime accused France of “blatant interference”, following comments made by President Emmanuel Macron in support of his ousted counterpart Mohamed Bazoum.
Riyadh (AFP) – Over the course of its eight-week run, around 3,000 people are expected to attend Gamers8, a video game museum, educational programme and eSports tournament all rolled into one event being held in the Saudi capital, Riyadh. The oil-rich Gulf kingdom takes gaming seriously and with a Call of Duty playing Crown Prince, as well as a $38 billion video games investment strategy, it’s hoping to generate a wave of homegrown developers.
Otavalo (Ecuador) (AFP) – “It’s sad” says Luisa Gonzalez, Ecuador’s presidential frontrunner, “to run a political campaign where a candidate was assassinated”. As she speaks at a meeting with indigenous women, Gonzalez wears a bulletproof vest, having last week claiming to receive death threats. In early August, another candidate, Fernando Villavicencio, was shot dead in Quito as he left a political rally. Since then, Ecuador has seen violence mount as drug trafficking related crime spills onto the street.
Cajamarca (Peru) (AFP) – Archaeologists work at the excavation site of a newly discovered pre-Hispanic burial chamber in Peru’s northern department of Cajamarca. The site, where human remains and several items used as offerings were found, was devoted to the cult of ancestors, according to experts.
Rueil-Malmaison (France) (AFP) – “It’s an incredible energy” says Raphael Ibanez, the French national rugby coach, as his team is welcomed to their World Cup base camp by some 5,000 fans. The 2023 Rugby World Cup kicks off on Friday when hosts France take on three-time champions New Zealand. “We’re lucky enough to be playing this World Cup in France” says Louis Bielle-Biarrey, France winger, “I hope it makes a difference in the matches.”
Taitung (Taiwan) (AFP) – Residents in southeastern Taiwan batten down the hatches as Typhoon Haikui bears down on the island nation. Around 2,800 people have been evacuated from seven cities in areas expected to be worst hit as authorities warn of strong winds, heavy rains and large waves. “I almost forgot what it’s like to be in a typhoon” says Huang Jun-Tong, a restaurant owner in Taitung County.
Dadía (Greece) (AFP) – Firefighters continue to battle devastating wildfires in Greece’s Dadia National Park, which have been burning for two weeks. The European Commission has said the blaze is the continent’s largest wildfire on record. This week, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis told parliament that the wildfires burning across the country were expected to consume more that 150,000 hectares of land.
Ulaanbaatar (AFP) – With a tiny Catholic population of just 1,400, Mongolia has welcomed Pope Francis as the 86-year-old pays the first papal visit to the isolated Central Asian country. “We waited for this moment for many years” says one of those gathered in the capital, Ulaanbaatar. While hugely significant to members of one of the Catholic church’s youngest communities, the Pope’s visit is also aimed at fostering a connection between the Vatican and Mongolia’s neighbours China and Russia.
Lyon (AFP) – “We’re here to win a tournament” says All Blacks coach Ian Foster as his team arrive in Lyon for the 2023 Rugby World Cup. The three-time champions play their first game against hosts France on Friday September 8, with Foster saying the “All Blacks French game has always been a special one.”
Hong Kong (AFP) – Fallen trees and snapped branches litter the streets of Hong Kong after Typhoon Saola — the region’s strongest storm in decades — swept across southern China. Tens of millions of people in densely populated centres sheltered indoors on Friday after Saola triggered Hong Kong’s highest threat level, which has only been issued 16 times since World War II. “Yesterday it was a bit scary” says Angelie, “because the wind was so strong.”
