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Chappaqua (United States) (AFP) – The Republican chair of the panel that grilled former US president Bill Clinton on his ties to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein credits him with answering every question, but another lawmaker points to “inconsistencies.” “We believe this was a very productive deposition, that president Clinton answered every question — or attempted to answer every question,” US House Oversight Committee chairman James Comer says after the hearing. SOUNDBITE

Buenos Aires (Argentina) (AFP) – Dozens of people demonstrate as Argentina’s Senate prepares to turn into law a labour reform promoted by President Javier Milei, which has the necessary backing despite resistance from opposition groups and unions. IMAGES

London (AFP) – UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer reacts after his Labour party suffers a humiliating third-place finish, losing a traditional stronghold in a crunch vote to the Greens. “We were fighting two parties, Reform on the right with their politics of hatred and division, the Greens on the left with their politics of getting out of NATO in the middle of the conflict with Ukraine,” he says.

Tokio (AFP) – Tokyo residents visit the Yushima Tenmangu Shrine to enjoy the plum blossoms, one of the earliest signs that spring is approaching. While cherry blossoms attract most attention in Japan, plum blossoms are cherished for their delicate flowers, subtle fragrance and long cultural history.

(AFP) – Afghan government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid tells a news conference in Kandahar that 13 Afghan soldiers have been killed and 13 civilians wounded, after “attacks” carried out by Pakistan. Pakistan has bombed major cities in Afghanistan including the capital Kabul, with Islamabad’s defence minister declaring the neighbours at “open war” following months of tit-for-tat clashes.

Bansko (AFP) – “It’s a hidden gem of entrepreneurship,” says Robert Hamisch, part of a wave of digital nomads who have moved to the Bulgarian ski town of Bansko. The town of 10,000 inhabitants has seen three co-working spaces pop up in recent years, alongside restaurants and coffee shops catering to foreign workers drawn in by the setting and Bulgaria’s favourable tax system.

Kopenhagen (AFP) – Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen says that she has decided to call a general election to be held on 24 March. “Dear Danes, today I have asked His Majesty the King to call an election for the Folketing,” Denmark’s parliament, Frederiksen tells the house.

Hangzhou (AFP) – Chancellor Friedrich Merz says Germany and China face challenges that they “must tackle together” as he ends his two-day visit to the country in the tech hub of Hangzhou. “Above all, there are issues relating to competition,” Merz tells reporters a day after meeting President Xi Jinping and sealing an Airbus deal.

Naraha (AFP) – Images released by Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) show a new snake-like remote-controlled device that can help remove radioactive debris from inside Japan’s stricken Fukushima nuclear plant. The 22-metre-long, 4.6-tonne robot arm can move through small tunnel-like passages and inspect complex structures within a confined space. TEPCO plans to use it later this year to conduct the third trial debris removal operation at one of the melted reactors in the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.

Kyoto (Japan) (AFP) – Japanese researchers have unveiled a robot monk powered by AI that they say can dispense spiritual advice, and which could one day ease shortages of its human counterparts.

Ubá (Brazil) (AFP) – Streets in the commercial district lie strewn with debris after the Uba River overflows, collapsing a bridge and several buildings. Torrential rains, floods, and landslides have killed at least 40 people and left 27 missing, authorities said. IMAGES