Brandenhusen (Germany) (AFP) – Rescue teams are deployed in the Baltic Sea to save a humpback whale that has beached itself again in shallow waters off the German coast. After being freed twice, the 13.5-metre (44-foot) long mammal became stranded again just a few hours after its last rescue.
Copenhagen (AFP) – Hot air balloons light up central Copenhagen as thousands of people gather at a free event in City Hall Square in celebration of the NightGlow Festival. “It’s very cool, there are massive balloons and it’s cool how they do everything… I just want them to lift at some point. Come on now!” says one spectator. While the balloons did not take off, they were lit up to the sounds of famous songs, such as the Star Wars theme tune and songs by Swedish producer Avicii.
Busuma (Burundi) (AFP) – More than 470 refugees, mainly from South Kivu province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, leave the Busuma camp in Burundi as part of a UN repatriation operation. The United Nations repatriated the first group of Congolese who fled to Burundi from the conflict in the DRC, among the thousands who fled a surge in violence last year.
Nicosia (AFP) – Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez says that he has “no worries at all” following press reports suggesting that the United States was considering suspending Spain from NATO in retaliation for its opposition to the war against Iran. During a European Union summit in Cyprus, Sanchez calls the war “a big mistake” and says he hopes for prompt “deescalation”.
Barikot (Afghanistan) (AFP) – The UN estimates about 12,000 schoolchildren in Afghanistan have been displaced or had their education severely disrupted due to the ongoing conflict with Pakistan. AFP visited the Afghan border village of Barikot where the school has been smashed by shells and the playground left deserted after weeks of war.
Tokyo (AFP) – Table tennis robot ‘Ace’ competes against a professional ping pong player during project tests, in footage shared by Japanese tech group Sony. The robot uses a network of cameras and AI to perform complex, real-time interactive tasks with accurate predictions of the ball’s trajectory.
London (AFP) – Members of the British public express mixed opinions as both chambers of the country’s parliament approve a bill to ban children aged 17 and under from buying cigarettes during their lifetime. “I think it’s a really good idea,” says nurse Christine Methnani. “Teenagers will never start to smoke and be peer pressured into smoking cigarettes,” she adds. Meanwhile, 18-year-old Reece Mellor argues that “it will 100% become more of a black market thing where people get them (cigarettes) off the streets”.
Al-Zawayda (Palestinian Territories) (AFP) – In an art studio in the Gaza Strip, children meet rabbits, dogs, hedgehogs and birds as part of a psychological support session. “The natural presence of animals and birds with their vibrant colours, absorbs negative energy,” says project leader Rashid Anbar. “Interacting with them fosters an atmosphere of happiness and positive energy”. Anbar rescued abandoned animals from the streets of Gaza and gave them a new purpose supporting children in the area.
London (AFP) – Film stars and creatives behind glamorous sequel “The Devil Wears Prada 2” walk the red carpet at the film’s European premiere in London. Lead actor Anne Hathaway reflects on how she and her character Andy Sachs have changed in the 20 years since the first film. “I think we’re both more confident,” she says. Director David Frankel reflects on the expectations surrounding the sequel. “I felt crushing pressure to get it right.”
Strait of Hormuz (AFP) – Images released by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards on 23 April 2026 show what it says are its naval forces seizing two commercial ships attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz. This comes amid a fragile ceasefire between the US and Iran, which President Donald Trump has extended indefinitely. The Strait of Hormuz is usually the gateway for about one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquified natural gas.
Kyiv (Ukraine) (AFP) – A video published by Ukraine’s national railway operator shows Britain’s Prince Harry arriving in Kyiv for a surprise trip: his latest visit to show support amid the Russian invasion. Harry has previously visited the war-torn country to support wounded veterans as part of his Invictus Games Foundation.
Seoul (AFP) – The sound of tinkling bells drifts through an alley in central Seoul, an unmistakable sign that a shaman is near — although in this case the mystic is a program powered by artificial intelligence. The cultural products store, Vinaida, is offering readings by computer-generated avatars on screens. “I saw something that said ‘AI’, which made me curious,” visitor Kim Da-ae tells AFP.
