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​Melons on parade - Hundreds roll down Mexico’s Xallitic bridge in annual cantaloupe race

​Melons on parade - Hundreds roll down Mexico’s Xallitic bridge in annual cantaloupe race

"The 2025 Melon Race brought festive crowds to the historic Xallitic Bridge in Xalapa, Veracruz, on Monday, as more than 200 decorated melons sped down the slope in a quirky competition now in its 21st year. Footage shows participants proudly displaying melons dressed as film characters, cartoons, and internet icons before releasing them down the bridge to cheers and applause. Families and visitors gathered along the route, cheering on their favorites as the melons rolled toward the finish line. Ahead of the main race, participants entered the “Most Handsome Melon” contest, where costumed melons strutted down a catwalk and were judged by audience applause. "Well, good, I like everything here, the atmosphere," said Susana, one of the participants who entered with 'Toothless melon.' "We were very happy because we had participated the other times as well," said Luis, a participant who competed with 'Scissor Hands melon'. The unusual competition has become a pre-Independence Day tradition in Xalapa, attracting not only local families but also national and international visitors eager to take part in the city’s offbeat celebration."

'SECOND strike on narcoterrorists!' - Trump's footage of attack on 'Venezuelan drug boat'

'SECOND strike on narcoterrorists!' - Trump's footage of attack on 'Venezuelan drug boat'

"US President Donald Trump announced that the US military in Southern Command launched a second strike on an alleged Venezuelan vessel carrying drugs, releasing footage of the attack on Monday on his Truth Social platform. Footage shows a boat being targeted before getting hit. Flames and smoke were seen rising in the aftermath of the strike. The exact location of the footage released by Trump's Truth Social could not be independently verified. "This morning, on my Orders, US Military Forces conducted a SECOND Kinetic Strike against positively identified, extraordinarily violent drug trafficking cartels and narcoterrorists in the SOUTHCOM area of responsibility," Trump posted. "The Strike occurred while these confirmed narcoterrorists from Venezuela were in International Waters transporting illegal narcotics (A DEADLY WEAPON POISONING AMERICANS!) headed to the US. These extremely violent drug trafficking cartels POSE A THREAT to US National Security, Foreign Policy, and vital US Interests," he wrote. Trump claimed that three individuals were killed in the strike. He also stated that Washington had 'proof' indicating that the cargo contained narcotics, speaking at the Oval Office over the same day. "All you have to do is look at the cargo. It was like it spattered all over the ocean. Big bags of cocaine and fentanyl all over the place," he pointed out. On September 2, the US carried out its first strike on a Venezuelan vessel, killing 11 and sinking the boat, which Trump claimed was transporting illegal narcotics to the US. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro condemned the operations, accusing Washington of 'imperialist aggression' and attempting to seek a 'regime change' in the nation. Tensions between Caracas and Washington have escalated amid the increased US military presence in the Caribbean, which Washington says targets international drug trafficking networks."

I really love Moscow! - Intervision contestants from Vietnam, Egypt and UAE stroll around Red Square

I really love Moscow! - Intervision contestants from Vietnam, Egypt and UAE stroll around Red Square

"Intervision 2025 stars from Vietnam, Egypt and the UAE took the tour of Red Square in Moscow on Monday, ahead of the iconic song competition at the weekend. Footage shows Vietnamese pop singer Duc Phuc tasting ice cream in the legendary department store 'GUM', while Mustafa Saad, soloist from the Egyptian Opera House in Alexandria, posed for a photo with his family in front of the famous St Basil's Cathedral. The video also shows Saif Al-Ali listening to a tour guide. "I really love Moscow. This is the first time I came here. When I arrived in Moscow two days ago, I really loved the weather, " said Duc Phuc. Mustafa Saad added that he had long wanted to visit the centre of the Russian capital. "Red Square is one of the most famous and beautiful places in Russia. I often saw it on television, especially during the 2018 World Cup, which took place in Russia, including Moscow, as Egypt was participating. Therefore, I always had a dream to visit it. I am very happy that today this dream has come true," said the musician. The Intervision 2025 final will be held in Moscow on September 20, with representatives from 23 countries taking part. The contest will be opened by Cuban artist Zulema Iglesias Salazar. Russia's own representative, singer Shaman (aka Yaroslav Dronov), will be the ninth to take the stage with the song 'Straight to the Heart'."

‘When diesel goes up, everything goes up’ – Hundreds rally in Ecuador’s Guayaquil against subsidy removal

‘When diesel goes up, everything goes up’ – Hundreds rally in Ecuador’s Guayaquil against subsidy removal

"Hundreds of protesters took to the streets of Ecuador’s Guayaquil on Monday after President Daniel Noboa announced the removal of the diesel subsidy. Demonstrators warned the measure would drive up the cost of living in a country already struggling with economic hardship and widespread criminal violence. Footage shows protesters marching through the city center with flags and labor union banners, chanting slogans such as ‘Out with Noboa, out’ and ‘When diesel goes up, everything goes up’. Noboa signed the decree on September 12, raising the price of diesel from $1.80 to $2.80 per gallon. The government defended the move, arguing that the subsidy cost the state about $1.1 billion annually and fueled smuggling, illegal mining, and other illicit activities. "The elimination of diesel subsidies logically leads to a series of increases in all foodstuffs that need to be transported in vehicles on the countrys roads," said Fabian Macias, a neighborhood representative who took part in the protest. To ease the transition, the government pledged temporary compensation for more than 23,000 transport operators, offering monthly payments between $400 and $1,000 for eight months, starting September 15. However, sectors such as heavy transport and agriculture were excluded from the scheme. "He is totally wrong because he is making compensations for the transport operators, quote organized unquote, or for the transport leadership. But for the farmer who leaves his house to move a tractor to plant rice or harvest corn, in what way is he given compensation?," declared Rafael Navarrete, representative of the farmers. Noboa’s administration framed the subsidy cut as part of a wider economic plan to reduce Ecuador’s fiscal deficit, which stood at nearly 5 percent of GDP in 2023. The reform is also linked to the government’s $5 billion credit program with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), running through 2028. Unions have vowed to continue street demonstrations indefinitely until the government reverses its decision."

'It's an honour, motivation and responsibility!' – Xabi Alonso ahead of Real Madrid Champions League opener against Marseille

'It's an honour, motivation and responsibility!' – Xabi Alonso ahead of Real Madrid Champions League opener against Marseille

"Real Madrid kicked off preparations for their upcoming Champions League campaign with a full training session in Madrid on Monday, overseen by head coach Xabi Alonso. "We're approaching everything with the utmost excitement that comes with playing in the Champions League with Madrid," Alonso said during a press conference after the training session. "The Champions League is special everywhere, but even more so for Madrid. A little more so at the Bernabeu with all its history. It's even more motivating. We start our season in European competition after the start of La Liga." Alonso also praised the integration of his squad, highlighting the balance between individual talent and collective play. "I was optimistic that we would be able to connect, that we would be able to get to know each other little by little. You see the player, how curious he is about the game. He really likes football, he really likes to understand things, and when he understands them and feels them, that individual quality flourishes. Different, isn't it? But it's not just Kylian or Vini or Rodrygo, we need the team to work, we need to have that collective quality with the ball, without the ball," said Alonso. When asked about French striker Kylian Mbappe's leadership over the past three months, Alonso responded: "Without a doubt. Because of his personality, his experience, and the influence he has on the rest, he is one of them." Alonso remained focused on the team's objectives, one of which is to win the Champions League. "It's an honour. It's a motivation. It's a responsibility that you live with, that you enjoy. When you come and put on the shirt or train, that's what it's for. It's a privilege," he stressed. Real Madrid will host Olympique de Marseille on Tuesday in their opening match of the 2025-2026 Champions League season."