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Hong Kong (AFP) – Hong Kongers gather to buy traditional paper lanterns and flock to illumination shows as Hong Kong gears up for the annual mid-autumn festival.

Toronto (Canada) (AFP) – British musician Elton John pays tribute to Queen Elizabeth II at a concert in Toronto on September 8, the day she died aged 96. “She was an inspiring presence to be around (…) she led the country through some of our greatest and darkest moments with grace and decency and a genuine caring warmth,” he tells the audience as images of the queen are projected on screens over the stage.

Los Angeles (AFP) – US actress Jamie Lee Curtis comments on the death of Queen Elizabeth II, as she walks a Hollywood red carpet at Universal Studios: “It was a life of dedication to the people of her country, and that’s inspiring,” she says.

Toronto (Canada) (AFP) – The Toronto International Film Festival opens with “The Swimmers,” a movie based on the life of refugee Yusra Mardini who, after surviving a dangerous sea crossing in a rubber dinghy alongside her sister, made it into the refugee team at the 2016 Rio Olympics. “I know how Arabs are seen, I know how they portray them in films,” says Manal Issa, the actress playing Yusra Mardini’s sister.

Columbus (AFP) – US President Joe Biden says that he will attend the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in Britain. “I don’t know what the details are yet, but I will be going,” the Democratic leader tells reporters before boarding Air Force One at Columbus International Airport in Ohio, where he gave a speech. The date of the funeral has not yet been confirmed, but it is expected to take place in Westminster Abbey in London on September 19.

Ballater (United Kingdom) (AFP) – The Queen was “frail” but in “good spirits” when Press Association photographer Jane Barlow took the last public pictures of her. In typical British fashion, Barlow says the Queen talked about the weather, and that she was very “smiley” during their brief conversation.

Venice (AFP) – At the Venice Film Festival, Ana de Armas, Brad Pitt and the rest of the cast of “Blonde,” a film dedicated to the life of Marilyn Monroe, come together for its premiere.

Zaporizhzhia (Ukraine) (AFP) – In a maternity hospital ward not far from the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, expectant mothers and mothers with newborns worry about the possibility of an accident, as well as shelling from Russian forces.

London (AFP) – King Charles III is greeted by thousands of well-wishers gathered outside Buckingham Palace as he returns to London with Queen Consort Camilla following the death of his mother Queen Elizabeth II. IMAGES

London (AFP) – IMAGES Bells ring at St Paul’s Cathedral in tribute to Queen Elizabeth II, who died Thursday at the age of 96.