AFP Video

Madrid (AFP) – Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez pledges a 10.6 billion euro aid package for affected regions from Spain’s flood, describing it as a ‘good first step’ to recovery. In addition, Sanchez says nearly 15,000 troops have been deployed to affected regions, in particular the Valencia region. The floods are Spain’s deadliest in a generation, killing at least 218 people, with the death toll likely to increase as authorities search for missing persons.

East Flores (Indonesia) (AFP) – A volcano in eastern Indonesia erupts again, blowing an ash column into the sky, a day after it spewed fireballs on nearby villages, killing nine. Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, a 1,703-metre (5,587-feet) twin volcano located on the popular tourist island of Flores, shot flaming rocks at residential areas overnight, setting wooden houses on fire and pockmarking the ground.

Birmingham (United Kingdom) (AFP) – From a life-size English queen to a Roman sea god, an international fair in Birmingham is drawing cake artists from around the world to showcase their multi-tiered talents. The three-day decorating, sugar art and baking event, now in its 30th edition, runs until November 3. A life-sized replica of American pop star Taylor Swift had to be withdrawn after being damaged in transit.

Lahore (Pakistan) (AFP) – Choking haze covers Lahore, Pakistan’s second largest city over the weekend — a mix of fog, low grade diesel fumes, and seasonal agricultural burn-offs combined with cooling autumn temperatures. The thick smog has been affecting the city of 14 million people for days.

Tokyo (AFP) – At the Sanrio Puroland theme park outside Tokyo this week, fans are marking the 50th anniversary of the iconic Japanese character, Hello Kitty. The park in Tama City offers attractions, live shows, shopping outlets and restaurants featuring the beloved character.

Mexico City (AFP) – Miss Universe contestants arrive at a gala wearing ‘Catrina’ make-up as Mexico celebrates the Day of the Dead, days before the ceremony of the annual international beauty pageant. ‘La Catrina’ is a symbol of Mexico’s Day of the Dead festivities.

Paiporta (Spain) (AFP) – Spanish police wade through garages in shoulder-high water as the search goes on for people who could have been trapped in the flooding that has left more than 200 people dead.

London (AFP) – The UK’s battle-scarred Conservatives elect “anti-woke” candidate Kemi Badenoch as its new leader, replacing Rishi Sunak, who quit after the party’s disastrous showing in the July general election.

Oostduinkerke (Belgium) (AFP) – Clad head to toe in yellow oilskins, atop a horse near the North Sea, Gunther Vanbleu is helping to keep traditional horseback shrimp fishing alive in Belgium. On UNESCO’s intangible heritage list, it was once practiced around Europe. Now Oostduinkerke “is the only place in the world where shrimp fishing is still practiced with horses,” says Gunther.

Kharkiv (Ukraine) (AFP) – As the US election approaches, residents of Kharkiv, a Ukrainian city often the target of Russian bombing, worry about the possibility of a Trump presidency.