Rio de Janeiro (AFP) – Latin pop queen Shakira delights crowds of two million packing Rio’s famed Copacabana beach under a full moon, delivering fan-favorite hits and words of love for Brazil. The 49-year-old Colombian superstar took the stage dressed in Brazil’s national colors shortly after 11 pm (0200 GMT), heralded by drones overhead forming the image of a she-wolf — Shakira’s nickname.
Vatikanstadt (AFP) – Pope Leo XIV remembers “the many journalists and reporters who have fallen victim to war and violence” as he marks World Press Freedom Day. “Unfortunately, this right is often violated, sometimes in a blatant manner and sometimes more covertly,” the 70-year-old pontiff tells the crowd at St Peter’s Square following his Regina Coeli prayer.
Brighton (AFP) – Footage captured by the Sussex Dolphin Project shows dolphins jumping and swimming in the sea off the coast from Brighton marina on England’s southern coast.
Machakos (AFP) – Kenyan motorists and local residents in Syokimau, Machakos County, just southeast of the capital Nairobi, face severe disruption from flooding caused by heavy rains.
Croydon (AFP) – If there is a recipe for success in the entertainment industry, the BRIT School in London perhaps deserves a standing ovation for hitting all the right notes. Singers Amy Winehouse, Adele and Raye as well as actor Tom Holland are among the alumni of the state-funded school, which prides itself on being free. “This is a brave space for brave young people to try stuff, experiment,” says headmaster Stuart Worden.
Washington (AFP) – US President Donald Trump says that he is “not happy” with the latest proposal from the Iranians and warns that the alternative to negotiations is to “blast the hell out of” the Islamic Republic. “Do we want to go and just blast the hell out of them and finish them forever, or do we want to try and make a deal? I mean, those are the options,” Trump tells reporters from the White House south lawn, while reiterating that, in his view, Iranian leaders are “disjointed” and unable to agree on a strategy for ending the conflict.
Hamilton (AFP) – Speaking at a Government House garden party in Bermuda, Britain’s King Charles III says he is the first reigning king to visit the archipelago in 400 years. “I’m terribly sorry it’s taken so long,” Charles quips, prompting laughter from the crowd.
Nordsee (AFP) – A humpback whale that had been struggling to survive after beaching near the German coast is released into the North Sea off Denmark after being transported in a barge. Dubbed ‘Timmy’ by the German media, the whale was first spotted stuck on a sandbank on March 23 near the city of Luebeck before freeing itself and then becoming stuck again several times.
Badaling (AFP) – Large crowds of visitors pack the most popular section of China’s Great Wall, Badaling, on the first day of the country’s week-long May Day holiday. The May Day holiday counts as one of China’s three big “Golden Weeks”, along with the October 1 National Day and the Spring Festival in January or February.
Ierapetra (AFP) – Dozens of activists on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla which was intercepted by Israeli forces in international waters off Crete disembark at a small port on the island. Israel’s foreign ministry says around 175 activists, the majority of them nationals of European countries, were taken off more than 20 boats on Thursday. Flotilla organisers put the number at 211. The war in Gaza, triggered by the Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023, has led to severe shortages of food, water, medicine and fuel.
London (AFP) – A statue of a suited man marching, with one leg off the plinth, while carrying a flag covering his face, has emerged in central London. Anonymous graffiti artist Banksy has confirmed on social media that he made the statue after his signature on the its base caused a speculative frenzy. “It’s about bad, blind nationalism leading us collectively off the cliff,” says art student Ollie Isaac.
Edinburgh (AFP) – On a clear, cold night in the Scottish capital, an estimated 5,000 spectators gather to celebrate the Beltane fire festival. Held on Calton Hill annually since 1988, the Celtic festival commemorates the rebirth of ‘Green Man’ — representing life — courtesy of the ‘May Queen’, who represents fertility.
