Berlin (AFP) – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says “progress” has been made in Berlin talks with the US envoys on Washington’s security guarantees for Ukraine in its showdown with Russia. During his press conference after the talks, Zelensky adds that Kyiv and Washington still have divergent positions on the key question of ceding Ukrainian territory after two days of talks in Berlin aimed at ending the war with Russia.
Santiago (Chile) (AFP) – Chilean President Gabriel Boric hosts president-elect Jose Antonio Kast, following the arch-conservative’s victory over his leftist runoff rival. Kast won some 58 percent of the vote to beat Jeannette Jara, a communist who headed a broad leftist coalition. IMAGES
Sydney (AFP) – Australia’s leaders have agreed to tougher gun laws after the country’s worst mass shooting in almost three decades saw a father and son open fire on a Jewish festival at Bondi Beach, killing 15 people including a child.
Santiago (Chili) (AFP) – Jose Antonio Kast’s supporters celebrate in the streets of Santiago the candidate’s election win over his leftist runoff rival. With almost all the ballots counted, Kast won some 58 percent of the vote and held an unassailable lead over Jeannette Jara, a communist who headed a broad leftist coalition. IMAGES
Santiago (Chili) (AFP) – Chilean presidential candidate Jeannette Jara speaks to her supporters in Santiago after conceding defeat to right-wing presidential candidate Jose Antonio Kast IMAGES
Santiago (Chili) (AFP) – Supporters of presidential candidate Jose Antonio Kast in Santiago cheer and wave flags while they wait for the presidential candidate to react to election results. First results point to thumping victory for Chile’s hard right presidential candidate. IMAGES
Santiago (Chili) (AFP) – Election officials in Santiago show ballots as they count votes following the closing of polls in Chile’s presidential runoff election. Chilean voters are poised to elect as president the most right-wing candidate in 35 years of democracy or a Communist Party member who leads a broad leftist coalition. Results are expected within hours, but hard-right candidate Jose Antonio Kast is the strong frontrunner, leading his rival Jeannette Jara by double digits in the pre-election surveys. IMAGES
Munich (Germany) (AFP) – Krampus figures, demonic characters from Central Alpine folklore linked to punishing misbehaving children with birch rods, march through the streets of Munich during an annual Christmas parade. The costumed procession forms part of pre-Christmas traditions in southern Germany.
London (AFP) – From the Pope to the Grinch, hundreds of sausage dogs in fancy dress gather in Hyde Park for a Christmas walk. Dog-owner Ana Rodriguez has been organising get-together events for sausage dogs in London for eight years, estimating that today’s event has been her biggest event yet with around 1,000 dachshunds joining the walk. “Hundreds of people will join us, even from outside London, even from abroad,” she says.
Bondi Beach (Australia) (AFP) – UGC footage shows people running along Bondi Beach in Sydney, while what appears to be a burst of gunfire can be heard. Then helicopters fly overhead and vehicles with flashing lights park above the beach. At least 11 people have been killed in a mass shooting at the iconic beach.
Sao Paulo (AFP) – Protesters gather in Sao Paulo against efforts by Congress to reduce the jail term of former president Jair Bolsonaro, who was convicted over a botched coup plot. The country’s conservative-majority Congress on December 10 approved a bill that could slash Bolsonaro’s 27-year sentence if it passes into law. IMAGES
Santiago (Chile) (AFP) – Chileans begin voting for a new president, making a stark choice between the most right-wing candidate in 35 years of democracy and the head of a leftist coalition. “We are expecting issues like crime, migration, national health, and pensions to be addressed. There are many pending issues that no previous candidate has resolved,” adds Veronica Tirado.
