Magelang (Indonesia) (AFP) – Hundreds of lanterns were released into the sky by Indonesian Buddhists celebrating Vesak day at the temple of Borobudur for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic hit the country.
Grenoble (France) (AFP) – The French city of Grenoble on Monday authorised the wearing of the so-called “burkini” by Muslim women in state-run swimming pools, reigniting one of France’s most contentious debates on religious dress.
Khartoum (AFP) – Tucked away east of Sudan’s capital Khartoum, a sanctuary of lush green vegetation has been a haven for dozens of exotic birds from far and wide. Akram Yehia, owner of the Marshall Nature Reserve set up the huge caged aviary in his house’s front yard four years ago, and has handcrafted dozens of birdhouses. He created a habitat of trees, adding a garden pond and mist nozzles for cooling off against Sudan’s scorching heat. Over 100 birds of 13 different species currently inhabit the reserve.
Istanbul (AFP) – Nursimangul Abdureshid has had no contact with her family for several years, ever since they disappeared in China’s western Xinjiang region. But a recent leaked list of thousands of detained Uyghurs has helped her at least shed some light on their whereabouts.
Cannes (France) (AFP) – Cannes film festival director Thierry Fremaux comments on why there will be no official Russian representatives at the event, nor a total boycott of Russian cinema. The festival banned official Russian delegations from the event but will feature “Tchaikovski’s Wife” by exiled Russian director Kirill Serebrennikov, who has been outspoken about the war. DURATION: 01:10
Rio de Janeiro (AFP) – Brazilian dancer David Motta, who left Moscow’s Bolshoi Ballet two months ago due to the war in Ukraine, stars in the Swan Lake ballet at Rio de Janeiro’s Municipal Theatre before joining the Staatsballett in Berlin.
Vatican City (AFP) – Pope Francis quips that a shot of tequila would help him with a painful knee that has forced the 85-year-old Argentinian to use a wheelchair. “You know what I need for my leg? A little tequila!” Francis jokes with a group of newly-ordained Mexican priests in a video that went viral on TikTok.
Jacobabad (Pakistan) (AFP) – Jacobabad in Pakistan’s arid Sindh province is in the grip of the latest heatwave to hit South Asia -– peaking at 51 degrees Celsius (124 Fahrenheit) at the weekend. Experts say the searing weather is in line with projections for global warming.
Moscow (AFP) – President Vladimir Putin says that while Russia does not see Finland and Sweden’s decision to join NATO as a threat, deployment of military infrastructure there may trigger a response from Moscow.
Berlin (AFP) – Speaking virtually at a NATO meeting in Berlin, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg says Ukraine can defeat Russia’s invasion, urging the alliance to keep sending military aid to Kyiv.
