Maiquetía (Venezuela) (AFP) – A two-year-old Venezuelan girl, separated from her parents after being deported from the United States without her, is reunited with her family in Caracas — earning President Donald Trump rare praise from Venezuela’s government.
Sloviansk (Ukraine) (AFP) – Gathered in a wedding hall in the Ukrainian city of Sloviansk, near the front line, Anna and Pavlo Chornobai exchange rings to the applause of a dozen of the groom’s fellow soldiers. The bride insisted on a white dress for the civil ceremony. But on everything else, including the prospect of celebrating with friends and family, the Russian invasion of Ukraine has forced her to make compromises.
Aleppo (Syria) (AFP) – Syrians in the city of Aleppo take to the streets to celebrate US President Donald Trump’s decision to lift sanctions on their war-torn country. In a speech during his trip to Riyadh, Trump said he was offering Syria a “chance for greatness” after Bashar al-Assad’s fall, as he casts himself as a peacemaker in the Middle East. The lingering sanctions have widely been seen as a major obstacle to Syria’s economic recovery and post-war reconstruction.
Hanoi (AFP) – Vietnamese Buddhists welcome the relics of Shakyamuni Buddha in Hanoi during Vesak Day celebrations, the most sacred day in the religion’s calendar. Vesak Day commemorates the birth, enlightenment and death of Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, all traditionally believed to have occurred on the full moon day of the Vesakha month in the ancient Indian lunar calendar.
Beit Lahia (Palestinian Territories) (AFP) – Palestinians mourn over the bodies of their loved ones killed in Israeli strikes, as negotiations take place in Qatar for the release of hostages still held in the war-battered territory. “The number of martyrs killed in the ongoing Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip since dawn today has risen to 80, including 59 in the northern Gaza Strip,” civil defence official Mohammed al-Mughayyir told AFP.
Montevideo (AFP) – Supporters of former Uruguay’s president Jose “Pepe” Mujica stand outside the building of the political movement he founded and greet and applaud when his coffin passes by. IMAGES
Berlin (AFP) – Germany’s new Chancellor Friedrich Merz urges all sides to avoid a “famine” in Gaza, which has been under an aid blockade by Israel since early March, calling it a “humanitarian obligation” for everyone involved.
Montevideo (AFP) – Latin America mourns the death of Uruguay’s former president Jose “Pepe” Mujica, an ex-guerrilla fighter revered by the left for his humility and progressive politics.
Vatican City (AFP) – “The Holy See is always ready to help bring enemies together,” says Pope Leo XIV, offering to mediate peace between the leaders of countries at war. “I will make every effort so that peace may prevail,” he tells a meeting of members of 23 Eastern Catholic Churches located across Eastern Europe, the Middle East, India, and parts of Africa.
Tabayin (Myanmar) (AFP) – A Myanmar junta air strike hit a school on May 12 killing 22 people, including 20 children, witnesses said, despite a purported humanitarian ceasefire called to help the Southeast Asian nation recover from a devastating earthquake.
Montevideo (AFP) – Uruguay’s President Yamandu Orsi arrives to the house of former president Jose “Pepe” Mujica, after his death. An ex-guerrilla fighter and hero of the Latin American left, Mujica died at the age of 89, the government announces. “With deep sorrow, we announce the passing of our comrade Pepe Mujica. President, activist, guide and leader. We will miss you greatly, old friend,” Yamandu Orsi, says on X. IMAGES
Montevideo (AFP) – Scene outside the home of former president of Uruguay Jose “Pepe” Mujica after his death. Uruguay’s leftist ex-leader Jose “Pepe” Mujica, a cult figure for his modest lifestyle, has died after losing his battle with cancer, according to the government in Montevideo. IMAGES
