AFP UK

Islamabad (Pakistan) (AFP) – Across the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, rooftops are dotted with solar panels, a sign of the country’s widespread adoption of the renewable energy source, which analysts say has cushioned it from the full impact of the Middle East war. According to a recent study from Renewables First and the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air, Pakistan avoided more than $12 billion in oil and gas imports up to February this year as a result of its uptake of solar around 2018, with projections that it could save a further $6.3 billion by the end of 2026.

Brussels (Belgium) (AFP) – The EU Commission hails the two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran as “a step back from the brink.” The truce was announced barely an hour before the deadline imposed on Tehran by US President Donald Trump to agree a deal or face obliteration. “It is crucial that negotiations for enduring solution to conflict continue,” says EU spokesperson Anouar El Anouni.

New York (AFP) – Protesters in New York express doubt over a two-week ceasefire announced between the United States, Israel and Iran. The truce came barely an hour before a deadline imposed on Tehran by President Donald Trump to make a deal or face obliteration. “Anytime people aren’t dying, that’s good,” says Lindsey Cole, who sees the truce as “clear market manipulation.” Another of those protesting against the war, Matthew Cavalletto, thinks “we may have to go through this all again in just a couple of weeks.”

Siem Reap (Cambodia) (AFP) – Cambodia unveils a statue of the landmine-hunting rat, Magawa, the only rat ever awarded the PDSA Gold Medal for animal bravery. The giant African pouched rat, originally from Tanzania, helped detect over 100 mines and other unexploded ordinance covering an area equivalent to 20 football pitches. Cambodia remains littered with mines, discarded ammunition and other arms from decades of war starting in the 1960s.

Paris (France) (AFP) – French President Emmanuel Macron says “around 15 countries” are involved in a mission to restart maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, following a two-week ceasefire agreement between the US and Iran. Speaking at a Defence Council meeting at the Elysee Palace, Macron says the aim is to implement “a strictly defensive mission, in coordination with Iran,” to reopen the vital oil thoroughfare.

Washington (United States) (AFP) – US President Donald says Iran is “not too strong at all,” adding “but we’re soon going to find out, aren’t we?” as he speaks next to the Easter Bunny at the annual White House Easter Egg Roll, an event that opens the South Lawn to children to mark the holiday. He also praises the rescue of two servicemen shot down over Iran and lauds the US military: “I built it in my first term and I didn’t know I was going to be using it this much in my second term,” Trump says.

Ayutthaya (Thailand) (AFP) – Thai police seize 1.6 tonnes of ketamine and crystal methamphetamine buried under cabbages in the bed of a pickup truck, with the driver arrested on drug trafficking charges. The Thai man, aged 39, was arrested over the weekend when he stopped his truck at a petrol station in central Ayutthaya province, police said.

Doha (AFP) – Qatar Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed Al Ansari says the Middle East war is “very close” to a point where it cannot be controlled, as Doha urges all sides to find a resolution before the conflict spirals further. “We have been warning since 2023 that escalation left unchecked will get us into a situation where it cannot be controlled and we are very close to that point,” he says.

Lagos (AFP) – Thousands of revellers don elaborate costumes to bring the rhythm, vibrancy and colours of Brazil’s Rio Carnival to the streets of Lagos in Nigeria. For generations, the Fanti Carnival has been a living bridge between Brazil and Africa, reflecting the legacy of Afro-Brazilian returnees who settled in Lagos centuries ago after the abolition of slavery in the Americas.

Budapest (AFP) – US Vice President JD Vance throws his support behind Hungary’s nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban, ahead of this weekend’s fiercely fought parliamentary elections, accusing Brussels of “foreign election interference”. Orban — the EU leader with the closest ties to US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin — is facing an unprecedented challenge to his 16-year rule in Sunday’s vote.

Brasilia (AFP) – Indigenous communities from all over Brazil begin a march in Brasilia to demand greater speed in the demarcation of land from the government of Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and to protest against Congress, six months before the elections in which the leftist leader is seeking re-election. IMAGES

Sydney (AFP) – One of Australia’s most-decorated soldiers has been charged with murdering unarmed prisoners captured in Afghanistan, police said following a sweeping war crimes probe.