AFP UK

Belém (Brésil) (AFP) – A fire erupted at a pavilion inside the venue of the UN’s climate talks in Brazil, prompting panicked delegates to run for the exits. IMAGES

Lyon (AFP) – Despite disappointing yields due to mixed weather conditions, France’s Beaujolais Nouveau celebration makes its return, buoyed by ‘great quality’ wine. The event is celebrated far beyond the wine’s region of origin. In Lyon, as is tradition, wine barrels are rolled from a nearby barge to the front of the city hall, where young Rhone winemakers unveil their vintages during a tasting.

Jerusalem (AFP) – Israeli government spokesperson Shosh Bedrosian says in a briefing that Israel “made the decision independently” to strike the Gaza Strip. The new strikes came the morning after one of the deadliest days in Gaza since the truce came into effect on October 10, and after Israel launched a string of attacks targeting Hezbollah in Lebanon despite the nearly year-long ceasefire there.

Spetses (AFP) – Off the Greek island of Spetses, divers lift abandoned fishing nets from reefs in the Aegean Sea. The nets, known as ghost nets, continue to trap marine animals on the seabed for years before breaking down into microplastics. Aegean Rebreath, the group leading the operation, says its volunteers have removed more than 35 tonnes of ghost nets and other marine litter from Greek waters over the past seven years.

Kastoria (AFP) – Researchers collect samples from a huge spider web discovered in “Sulfur Cave” on the Albania-Greece border. The web — spanning an area exceeding 100 square metres — is home to some 111,000 spiders, including approximately 69,000 house spiders (Tegenaria domestica) and more than 42,000 Prinerigone vagans dwarf weavers (Linyphiidae), according to a study published in October, after researchers made multiple trips to the cave. The discovery is the first recorded instance of “colonial web formation” of two species that are normally solitary.

Aviemore (AFP) – Reindeer graze in the snow in the Scottish Highlands as cars driving through the Cairngorms mountain range stop to look at the animals, part of the UK’s only free-ranging herd. Britain has been experiencing its first cold snap of the winter, with parts of Northern England and Scotland blanketed in snow.

Taipeh (AFP) – Images of Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te holding a plate of sushi have been posted on social media in a show of support for Tokyo after reports that China will halt Japanese seafood imports. The row between Japan and China was triggered by new Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggesting this month that Tokyo could intervene militarily in any attack on Taiwan.

Lumajang (Indonesia) (AFP) – Clouds of ash and gas rise above Mount Semeru on Indonesia’s main island of Java after eruptions force officials to raise the alert status to its highest level. At least 300 people have been evacuated so far, according to Indonesia’s National Disaster Agency.

Chaumont-Gistoux (Belgium) (AFP) – Convinced that his farm has suffered for years from the effects of climate change, a Belgian farmer is taking the multinational TotalEnergies to court. Supported by several NGOs, Hugues Falys argues that the company plays a major role in the climate crisis and so should redirect its profits towards a sustainable transition, rather than exploring for new fossil-fuel reserves.

North Yorks (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Snow settles on the higher ground of the Yorkshire Dales, as the UK experiences its first arctic blast of the winter.

Glasgow (AFP) – Scotland fans celebrate with hugs, chants and cheers at Glasgow’s Clockwork bar as their team secures a dramatic 4-2 victory over Denmark, clinching a spot in the 2026 World Cup, a goal that has been “years in the making”. “It’s just amazing,” says 18-year-old Lewis Connolly, speaking from the bar.

Willemstad, Curaçao (Netherlands Antilles) (AFP) – The tiny Caribbean nation of Curacao celebrates after its national football team secured a historic qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The qualification adds Curacao to a growing list of debutants, including Cape Verde, Jordan, and Uzbekistan, as excitement builds ahead of next year’s World Cup in Mexico, US, and Canada. OF CURACAO