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Santa Marta (Colombia) (AFP) – The first global talks on phasing out fossil fuels are due to end on April 29 in Colombia, with nations casting an exit from oil and gas as not just a climate priority but also vital for energy independence. Ministers are seeking to reignite the shift away from planet-heating fossil fuels at the conference in Santa Marta, amid a deepening global energy crisis triggered by the Iran war. IMAGES

Dushanbe (Tajikistan) (AFP) – On the facade of an apartment block in Tajikistan’s capital Dushanbe, a giant mosaic depicting cosmonauts and engineers celebrates the scientific triumphs of the Soviet Union. Like so many other relics of the Soviet past in Central Asia, it is doomed to vanish amid a distancing from Russia and a top-down drive to boost national culture. Over the past decade, Central Asia has shown little interest in preserving its Soviet heritage. Architectural landmarks and art, including mosaics, frescoes and sculptures, have been rapidly demolished.

Fuefuki (Japan) (AFP) – A worn-out Pikachu plushie, tired teddy bear or stained stuffed animal can all get a new lease of life at a Japanese laundry service, making beloved toys squeaky clean again. Business is booming at ‘Cleaning Yonmarusan’, a regional chain in Yamanashi, west of Tokyo, with customers coming from all over the world for the service.

Beijing (AFP) – Beijing accuses Washington of slander after the United States led a group of regional countries in calling China’s actions during a dispute over the Panama Canal a “threat”. “It is the United States that is politicising and over-securitising the port issue. It is the United States that is hypocritically posturing and spreading rumours and smears everywhere,” Chinese ministry spokesman Lin Jian tells a news briefing.

London (AFP) – Hundreds of plant enthusiasts and curious onlookers descend on London’s Kew Gardens to get a whiff of a rare flowering of the titan arum, nicknamed the ‘corpse flower’ for the potent smell it emits to attract pollinators. The current flower will last for up to 48 hours before it collapses. Then it will take another four to seven years to bloom again.

Insel Poel (Germany) (AFP) – A special boat carrying a stranded humpback whale that Germany has been trying to rescue for weeks sets off for the open seas. Rescuers had earlier succeeded in coaxing the animal into the barge, which has a water-filled hold and is usually used to carry other boats, in a last-ditch attempt to return it to its natural habitat.

Pune (India) (AFP) – Blink and you might miss Indian speed climber Deepu Mallesh scaling a wall five buses high in five seconds. India, a country obsessed with cricket, has seen a surge in popularity in climbing but those who want to compete internationally have had to crowd-fund and there is little government recognition or help.

Washington (United States) (AFP) – King Charles gives US President Donald Trump a taste of his own medicine at a White House state dinner as he jokes that without the British, Americans would be speaking French. “You recently commented, Mr President, that if it were not for the United States, European countries would be speaking German. Dare I say that, if it wasn’t for us, you’d be speaking French,” Charles quipped.

Washington (United States) (AFP) – King Charles gives US President Donald Trump a taste of his own medicine at a White House state dinner as he jokes that without the British, Americans would be speaking French. “You recently commented, Mr President, that if it were not for the United States, European countries would be speaking German. Dare I say that, if it wasn’t for us, you’d be speaking French,” Charles quipped.

Khulna (Bangladesh) (AFP) – The slow growth in the number of tigers in Bangladesh’s Sundarbans, despite years of conservation work, is stoking fears that the world’s largest mangrove forest may one day lose its apex predator. The big cats face pressure from habitat loss, poaching and climate change. Activist Abdul Goni Gazi devotes his life to protecting the creatures, claiming to have saved Bengal tigers from traps and humans from their jaws.

Andorra la Vella (Andorra) (AFP) – French President Emmanuel Macron predicts that the Parisian team PSG will win “3-1” against Bayern Munich ahead of the Champions League semi-final. “I’m an OM [Olympique de Marseille] fan, but tonight it’s PSG playing, so I’m rooting for PSG,” says the president, when asked by pupils at a school during a visit to Andorra.

Amsterdam (AFP) – Orange-clad crowds fill the streets of Amsterdam as part of the Dutch monarch Willem-Alexander’s birthday celebrations. “It’s a funny celebration because it’s weird that you celebrate the king’s birthday,” says student Florence Matter, adding, “but it’s so fun because everyone goes out.”