Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) (AFP) – An extraordinary botanical spectacle is drawing crowds in Rio de Janeiro: several talipot palm trees, planted more than six decades ago, are blooming for the first — and last — time in their lives.
Bogotá (AFP) – Cyclists, runners, rollerbladers and pedestrians take over Bogota’s streets during the Colombian city’s Christmas Nighttime Cycle. For the event, over 95 kilometers of roads are adapted and opened to the public, creating a space that blends recreation, sustainability and festive celebrations in the lead-up to Christmas. “I believe that these events greatly motivate people to strengthen the cycling culture in our city,” says Luis Castro, who participated in the cycle.
Mexico (AFP) – Pilgrims camp outside the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City. IMAGES
Bangkok (AFP) – Thailand’s prime minister Anutin Charnvirakul dissolves parliament, paving the way for general elections early next year as deadly border clashes continue with neighbour Cambodia. The move comes earlier than expected and just three months after Anutin Charnvirakul — of the conservative Bhumjaithai party — became prime minister when his predecessor was removed from office over an ethics violation.
Temuco (Chili) (AFP) – Chilean presidential candidate Jose Antonio Kast speaks and takes selfies with supporters during his closing campaign rally in Temuco, Chile. Chileans will head to the polls to choose their next president on Sunday, December 14. IMAGES
Thailand (AFP) – Artillery rounds echo in the distance as Thai evacuee Boonkerd Yoodeerum settles into a folding bed, sheltering with his family under a bridge near the Cambodia border during an ongoing violent border dispute. “Just make it stop so villagers like us can live safely,” the 64-year-old tells AFP as his wife and nephew rest on a bamboo frame in their makeshift shelter.
Berlin (AFP) – Russian President Vladimir Putin “has only played the peacemaker when it suits him,” says NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte who, speaking in Berlin, says the alliance needs to “put Putin to the test” and “see if he really wants peace.”
Unknown (AFP) – Images shared by US Attorney General Pam Bondi’s X account show the US military seizing an oil tanker carrying what she claims to be sanctioned oil from Venezuela and Iran. Venezuela has criticised the seizure, calling it a “blatant theft”. This comes after months of escalating tension between the two countries, with the US deploying warships and an aircraft carrier near Venezuela to “combat drug trafficking”.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro accuses his US counterpart Donald Trump of “misinformation” about the fight against drug trafficking, in a new clash between the two historic allies. In recent months, Washington has withdrawn Colombia’s certification as a counter-narcotics ally, imposed sanctions against Petro and his associates, and accused the Colombian president of being a drug trafficking leader.
Heart-stopping footage released by Australian authorities shows the moment a skydiver was left dangling thousands of metres in the air after their parachute got caught on the plane’s tail. The skydiver was able to cut themselves free and deploy an emergency parachute, which saved their life.
Mrauk U (Myanmar) (AFP) – A Myanmar military air strike killed more than 30 people at a hospital, an on-site aid worker says, as the junta wages a withering offensive ahead of elections beginning on December 28.
Hong Kong (AFP) – As Hong Kong reels from its deadliest fire in decades, survivors of another tragedy — as well as victims’ families who spent 13 years seeking answers — are waiting for a coroner’s ruling to shed light on the tragedy. The hearing was due to take place in December but has been postponed until January next year. . A ruling was due to be made on Thursday into one of the city’s deadliest maritime disasters, but on Tuesday the hearing was adjourned to a date to be determined.
