Rooftop parties to forget about the pandemic in Mexico

Mexico City's government is promoting indigenous and other traditionally-woven baskets and reusable bags in an effort to help residents curb their addiction to plastic, now that Mexico City has banned the use of plastic bags.

Camille Berthomier, better known by her stage name Jehnny Beth, has made a name for herself leading the critically acclaimed, all-female British punk band Savages and now she's going solo. Her powerful debut album "To Love Is to Live" was released on June 12. FRANCE 24's Florence Villeminot checked in with her to talk about the record, which features raw honesty and chaotic sounds. Also, we look at new releases from American folk hero Bob Dylan, plus John Legend and Nicki Minaj.

A 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck southern Mexico, sending residents into the streets and prompting hospital evacuations. There have been five reported deaths, although an initial tsunami warning was later reversed.

Firefighters and residents inspect the damage at the Sina At'har health centre in the upmarket northern neighbourhood of Tajrish after a powerful explosion erupted at the clinic the night before, killing 19 people and damaging surrounding buildings.

At least 25 people were killed and around 2,500 others injured when a powerful explosion rocked Beirut's port. Buildings were destroyed and windows shattered, with dozens of Red Cross teams racing to the scene.

Mammoth skeletons are discovered at an airport construction site just north of Mexico City -- not far from the scene of a similar discovery in 2019 -- and experts say that remains of other prehistoric animals have also been recovered in the area of the find.

Eimear Quinn shot to fame in 1996, winning the Eurovision award for Ireland. Since then, she's gone on to have a successful music career, touring all over the planet. She recently released her fourth solo studio album, "Ériu", an orchestral record of Irish music.

Kept off the campaign trail for 10 days by Covid-19, President Donald Trump takes center stage again in Florida, saying he's in "great shape" with 22 days to go until he faces Joe Biden in the election.

Strong winds and rain hit the Philippines as Typhoon Goni batters the country, forcing thousands of families to evacuate from their homes. Authorities have warned of "catastrophic" conditions in the hardest-hit regions including Albay province, where at least four people have been killed.

Students from the Faculty of Arts and Design of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) paint a mural on the façade of the National School of Nursing and Obstetrics, dedicated to nurses who have worked throughout the coronavirus crisis in Mexico. More than one hundred students are involved in the project, working in small teams each day to avoid crowds, and the mural will eventually extend to a length of over 100 metres, featuring the portraits of nurses who have cared for Covid-19 patients.

With nearly two decades of music behind her, Norwegian singer-songwriter Ane Brun has made a name for herself the world over as a moving and passionate songwriter. This autumn, she's back with her first body of original music in five years, two albums released a month apart: "After the Great Storm" and "How Beauty Holds the Hand of Sorrow". She tells FRANCE 24's Florence Villeminot about the different moods and musical landscapes on the album and how they reflect two sides of her.

"A sad Christmas is coming, with hunger, in which people will cry as they don't have anything to eat," says one Mexico City street vendor, after local authorities ordered the closure of local businesses due to a rise in Covid-19 cases. Some street vendors attempt to defy orders to keep selling, but without success, says 80-year-old Julieta Muñoz: "I haven't sold a single item, nothing in the last four days."