Latest news

Middle East crisis  Situation in Iran
Mojtaba Khamenei vows to avenge father's death

Iran will avenge the slain Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. His son, Mojtaba Khamenei, promises this, according to the state-run Fars. In a written statement purportedly from Khamenei, he says that revenge is the will of the nation.

"We promise to avenge your innocent blood and the blood of all martyrs in these wars from the criminal and dishonorable murderers," he writes.

Khamenei has not been seen since the attack that killed the ayatollah in February. He also did not appear during the funeral ceremonies for his father this week. 

Demographic crisis in Japan
Akiko's tofu cart gives meaning to elderly Tokyo residents: "Magical"

For 23 years, tofu vendor Akiko Sugaya has driven her pink cart around the alley-like streets of eastern Tokyo. To some extent, the job is about selling healthy food, but just as much about breaking people's loneliness, writes the AP.

Over the years, several of her elderly customers have died and on several occasions it has been Akiko herself who has found their bodies. One of her customers, Shinji Saito, describes Akiko's personality as "magical" and her work as a link to old Japan, when you didn't just have your food delivered to your door or pay at the cash register at the grocery store.

- Nowadays, you can easily spend a day without having a conversation with anyone, says Shinji Saito.

Depending on the day of the week, Akiko Sugaya and her tofu cart take different routes through the neighborhood.

- I go out even if it's raining because my customers expect me to come - or just want to chat.

Extreme weather in Europe
New heat wave paralyzes France – Eiffel Tower closes earlier

A new heat wave is expected to reach France this weekend after a few weeks of respite from the extreme heat, French media report. The French weather service Météo-France has issued a red warning for extreme heat in just over a third of the country.

In Paris, temperatures are expected to reach around 35 degrees Celsius this weekend and next week. Several popular tourist attractions have therefore had to take measures and will close earlier than usual. Among other things, the Eiffel Tower will close at 4 p.m. instead of midnight. The home of Mona Lisa, the Louvre, will also close earlier.

It is also extremely hot in Italy and Spain this weekend, with temperatures around 35 degrees Celsius.

Hurricane season
Almost a million flee their homes as Typhoon Davi approaches

Strong winds are mixed with torrential rain and twelve-meter-high waves on the Japanese island of Okinawa after Typhoon Bavi made landfall this morning, AFP reports. The typhoon could be the worst in the area in decades.

Meanwhile, nearly 900,000 people in eastern China have fled their homes ahead of the storm's arrival. Residents in the multi-million city of Wenzhou have taped their windows and shops have reinforced their metal shutters with wooden planks to protect themselves from the rain.

In northern Taiwan, the streets are also deserted after two days of whipping rain. Cafe owner Tsai braves the storm.

“Everyone is afraid of the harsh weather and stays indoors, but I have to go out because I have orders to take care of,” he tells AFP.