Balasore (India) (AFP) – Workers remove the mangled wreckage of a multi-train crash in the eastern Indian state of Odisha, and clear the tracks after the devastating accident on Friday that has killed almost 300 people and injured hundreds more.
Belgorod (Russia) (AFP) – The governor of Russia’s Belgorod region bordering Ukraine says “I propose a conversation on POWs”. The announcement came as border villages have been intensively shelled by Ukraine this week, forcing thousands to flee to the regional hub of Belgorod.
Belgorod (Russia) (AFP) – Almost five thousand people flee their villages near Russia’s southwestern border with Ukraine as shelling intensifies. These displaced people now seek shelter in accommodation centres being provided by the city of Belgorod. Residents of the town of Shebekino, the most affected city, settle themselves temporarily at the Belgorod Sports arena. “We are trying to re-settle people as quickly as possible among the nearest dormitories and other premises that are more suitable for permanent residence”, affirms Valentin Demidov, mayor of Belgorod.
Mojokerto (Indonesia) (AFP) – Visitors and devotees flock around the giant Buddha statue at Maha Vihara Mojopahit temple in Mojokerto, in East Java, Indonesia, as Buddhists observe Vesak Day, the most sacred holiday for Buddhists as it celebrates the birth of the Buddha.
Hong Kong (AFP) – Hong Kong Police arrest at least 4 people, including two performance artists on the eve of the 34th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square crackdown in Beijing.
Yorkshire (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Historical war doctrines, including strategies from trench-based conflicts like World War I, are being used to train Ukrainian volunteers in the north of England. The training has, of course, been updated to address the realities of modern warfare, including the use of drones and sophisticated weaponry. Instructors say the training process is reciprocal one, incorporating feedback and experiences from the Ukrainian frontlines to fine-tune tactics for different environments.
Ankara (AFP) – Turkey’s Recep Tayyip Erdogan is sworn in for a third term as president, promising to serve “impartially” after winning a historic runoff election to extend his two-decade rule until 2028. The inauguration in parliament will be followed by a lavish ceremony at his palace in the capital Ankara attended by dozens of world leaders.
Balasore (India) (AFP) – Emergency services work among the wreckage of a three-train collision in the eastern Indian state of Balasore, which officials say has killed at least 288 people and left hundreds more injured. Some carriages were tossed far from the tracks and others flipped over entirely by the force of the crash which occurred late on Friday and is India’s deadliest rail accident in more than 20 years. “We felt massive jerky movements” says Ravindra Singh, a passenger on one of the trains, “we felt a massive impact and people started falling.”
Dakar (AFP) – Night-time aerial images show fires burning on roads in the Ngor district of Dakar, the Senegalese capital. The fires were set by demonstrators on a second day of protests in Senegal after opposition leader, Ousmane Sonko, was sentenced to two years in prison for “corrupting youth”. The United Nations and African Union have both called for calm after an outbreak of deadly violence in the west African country which has seen at least 10 people killed and prompted authorities to deploy the army.
As the fourth edition of the London Design Biennale opens, all eyes are on robot Ai-Da and her household items’ designs. The exhibition explores new forms of collaboration through design — from environment to artificial intelligence. The exhibition also includes a project to send reusable windows to war-damaged Ukraine.
