Buhari extends lockdown in Lagos, Ogun and FCT, Global cases pass 1.85 million, deaths slow in Spain

Ile Ife is the cultural center of Nigeria's Yoruba people. Our guide is the leader of the Yoruba king's personal band.

Starting on Saturday September 23, China is hosting the Asian Games, a major multi-sport event held every four years between the Olympics. The 19th edition, postponed from last year, brings together some 12,000 athletes from across the continent, competing in 40 sports over two weeks in the eastern city of Hangzhou. For the first time, e-sports are featured as an official medal sport event, with seven golds on offer. But a lot of attention is also focused on what's happening outside the tracks and arenas. FRANCE 24's Oliver Farry tell us more about the geopolitical aspect of the event.

Philippines and Chinese vessels face off in the South China Sea, marking the latest in a series of confrontations over competing territorial claims in the important maritime passageway.

Pakistan has seen an upsurge in terrorist attacks since the Taliban retook power in neighbouring Afghanistan in August 2021. A large proportion of these attacks are carried out by the TTP, also known as the Pakistani Taliban, against security forces. Faced with this new threat, the Pakistani police are now taking on the role of a counter-terrorism force. They must not only maintain law and order, but also protect themselves from terrorist attacks. Our correspondents report.

The Cook Islands and Niue have been recognized by the United States as "sovereign and independent states." The move appeared to be aimed at curbing further Chinese inroads into the Pacific region.

Diplomats from Beijing, Seoul, and Tokyo have met to explore restarting regular three-way summits to foster regional cooperation. The initiative has been on hold for the past few years.

Malaysia intends to double the quantity of palm oil it exports to China, in an effort to counterbalance the EU's push to cut down on its own imports.

Spain's Popular Party leader Alberto Nunez Feijoo did not win enough votes to form a coalition, in spite of his party taking the most seats in the July general election.

A visit of Nepalese PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal to China saw the two nations pledge to boost trade amid plans of new transport links through the Himalayas. But Dahal said Nepal would not join any security alliances.

A new report predicts a dip in economic output this year, correcting earlier forecasts of moderate growth. But experts are optimistic for 2024.

Yury Garavsky has confessed to being involved in the kidnapping of political opponents of Belarus' leader in 1999. They were later murdered. He now is on trial in Switzerland, and the verdict is expected on Thursday.

As Myanmar's junta fights armed rebel groups, and North Korea is running out of food, the two pariah states have a mutual interest in closer cooperation.