Lima (AFP) – Peruvian shamans perform rituals to welcome the new year on a cliff in Lima, using coca leaves, ayahuasca and pictures of world leaders to visualize their predictions for 2026. The shamans pour a corn-based drink over and hit with flowers images of world leaders including US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Gaza City (Palestinian Territories) (AFP) – “We hope this marks the end of the war for us,” says a Gazan woman as Palestinians bid farewell to 2025. A fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has been in place since 10 October 2025, following two years of devastating fighting. But despite the truce, Gazans still face a severe humanitarian crisis, and most of those displaced by the war have been left with little or nothing.
London (AFP) – “20 percent of people are here for the darts, 80 percent for the atmosphere,” says Stephen Lyons, a darts fan attending the World Darts Championship. The multi-week contest is held at London’s Alexandra Palace, affectionately nicknamed ‘Ally Pally’, and draws thousands of fans each day from darts-loving nations including Germany and the Netherlands. Fancy dress has become a theme for attendees, with costumes featuring everyone from Super Mario to the Pope.
Catania (Italy) (AFP) – A skier takes to the slopes of Mount Etna in Sicily as it erupts.
Beijing (AFP) – China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian says live-fire drills around Taiwan are “a punitive response to Taiwan independence separatist forces” and “necessary” to defend national sovereignty. The statement comes as China’s military drills around Taiwan enter their second day, with dozens of fighter aircrafts and navy vessels deployed to simulate a blockade of the self-ruled island’s key ports and assaults on maritime targets.
Geneva (AFP) – Washington pledges an initial $2 billion for United Nations humanitarian aid in 2026, far less than it has provided in recent years. UN humanitarian aid chief Tom Fletcher says that the “$2 billion goes a huge way to saving millions of lives,” but adds that more donations will be needed to reach the UN’s goal of $23 billion for their 2026 humanitarian plan.
Hong Kong (AFP) – Hong Kong fire survivor Yip Ka-kui still sends daily voice notes to his beloved wife, Pak Shui-lin, who died in the huge blaze that destroyed their home in November. The 68-year-old is among thousands grieving the 161 killed at the Wang Fuk Court housing complex. AND SOUNDBITES ++ ALSO SEE WRAP OF FIRE VIDI_86BE8T9 ++
Madrid (AFP) – The leader of Spain’s conservative Popular Party (PP), Alberto Nuñez Feijoo, says he is open to reaching specific agreements with the far-right to pass laws if he comes to power, ruling out establishing a “cordon sanitaire” around the Vox party. Most polls suggest the PP would win a general election but lack a majority. Spain’s next general election is scheduled for 2027.
Deir el-Balah (Palestinian Territories) (AFP) – Gazans clear out flooded tents in a camp for displaced Palestinians east of Deir el-Balah in the central Gaza Strip. “We no longer have mattresses or blankets for our children,” says a displaced mother. Winter rains have made an already precarious life worse for the hundreds of thousands of Palestinians displaced by war in the Gaza Strip, many of whom now survive on aid provided by humanitarian organisations.
West Palm Beach (United States) (AFP) – US President Donald Trump says he believes talks to end the war in Ukraine are in the “final stages”, adding that “it will either end, or it’s going to go on for a long time”. Trump, who had promised to finish the war on day one of his presidency, said he had no deadline but is embarking on a year-end diplomatic sprint as he welcomes Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to his Florida estate.
