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Mongolia’s building boom traps residents of capital in rising concrete jungle


Ulaanbaatar (AFP) – While economic growth normally brings opportunity, the residents of the Mongolian capital, Ulaanbaatar, are seeing their horizons shrink – literally. A decade-long mining windfall has fuelled a construction boom in the city, leaving many of its inhabitants watching on as vast commercial blocks rise around them, often at the expense of vital infrastructure. “The residents’ living standards… were never considered” says Battsetseg Dorjlkhagva.

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Migrants cross US-Mexico border and surrender to US Customs and Border Protection


Brownsville (United States) (AFP) – Men, women and children walk on the US side of the US-Mexico border after crossing the Rio Grande river that divides the two countries, before surrendering and being processed by US Customs and Border Protection agents. The US is readying its response to an expected surge of migrants seeking to enter as tens of thousands of people are waiting at crossing points for the end of pandemic-era rules that had forbidden virtually all asylum claims at the border. The so-called Title 42 expires overnight Thursday into Friday.

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Beyonce fans from around the world descend on Stockholm for first show of star’s new tour


Stockholm (AFP) – From Latvia, Denmark and the United States, Beyonce fans from all over the world have descended on Stockholm, Sweden, to catch the first show of the superstar’s new tour. “She’s the Queen” says one of those queuing hours ahead of the concert. The US star’s world tour is set to run until September, taking in 57 stops and earning a projected $2.1 billion.

©AFP

Real Madrid semi-final second leg is ‘a final’, says Manchester City’s Guardiola


Madrid (AFP) – Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola, describes his team’s semi-final second leg clash against Real Madrid as “a final”. The tie’s first leg in Madrid ended in a 1-1 draw, with both teams scoring against the run of play. “When we were better they made an incredible transition for Camavinga and incredible finishing from Vinicius” says Guardiola.

©AFP

Alberta residents dig through ash and debris as Canada wildfires ease


Entwistle (Canada) (AFP) – After days of wildfire sweeping through their homes and businesses, residents of western Canada’s Alberta province can finally survey the damage. Around 110 fires were burning over the weekend, a figure that has dropped to 81, but an expected return of hot and dry conditions later this week has firefighters braced for more.

©AFP

Migrants surge at US border ahead of pandemic-era restrictions end


Ciudad Juárez (Mexico) (AFP) – Migrants wait ahead of the lifting of pandemic-era border Title 42 restrictions that have made claiming asylum at the border all but impossible. Inherited by President Joe Biden, the measure previously exempted asylum seekers from countries such as Venezuela, Nicaragua and Cuba. While the exemptions have already been rolled back, those nationalities still benefit from special asylum programs, such as through the CBP One mobile app.

©AFP

Migrants surge at US border ahead of pandemic-era restrictions end


Ciudad Juárez (Mexico) (AFP) – Migrants wait ahead of the lifting of pandemic-era border Title 42 restrictions that have made claiming asylum at the border all but impossible. Inherited by President Joe Biden, the measure previously exempted asylum seekers from countries such as Venezuela, Nicaragua and Cuba. While the exemptions have already been rolled back, those nationalities still benefit from special asylum programs, such as through the CBP One mobile app.

©AFP

ASEAN leaders arrive at 42nd summit venue in Indonesia


Labuan Bajo (Indonesia) (AFP) – Leaders of Southeast Asian nations arrive at the Meruorah Hotel in Labuan Bajo in Eastern Indonesia to attend the 42nd ASEAN Summit. Turmoil in junta-ruled Myanmar has dominated talks at this week’s Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Indonesia, as the regional bloc faces criticism for its perceived inaction.

©AFP

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