San José (AFP) – Polls close in Costa Rica’s presidential and parliamentary election, in which a hotly-tipped conservative candidate vowing a crackdown on drug trafficking is hoping for a landslide win. Vote counting begins after 12 hours of voting for one of 20 presidential candidates, including frontrunner Laura Fernandez, and 57 members of the Legislative Assembly. IMAGES
Vatikanstadt (AFP) – Pope Leo XIV calls for an ancient Olympic truce ahead of the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. “These major sporting events send a powerful message of brotherhood and rekindle hope for a peaceful world,” the Pope says.
Moskau (AFP) – Thrillseekers in Moscow put on bright red wetsuits and relax in the icy waters of the Moskva River, as the trend known as “ice floating” reaches the country’s capital. Ice floating has become a popular activity across Russia, from Lake Baital in the east to the Murmansk region in the north.
Minneapolis (AFP) – Residents of Minneapolis gather at a makeshift memorial for Alex Pretti while others take part in an open-air prayer in his honor, a week after the 37-year-old ICU nurse was killed by US federal agents. “Our city is hurting, we’re all hurting,” says one resident.
Teheran (AFP) – Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, warns of a “regional war” if the United States attacks following heavy military deployments by Washington in the Gulf. “The Americans should know that if they start a war, this time it will be a regional war,” says Khamenei from Tehran in a speech aired on state television.
Gaza (AFP) – Just metres from tents for displaced people, men of all ages take to the beach in Gaza City for swimming practice. Two years of war and air strikes have destroyed most recreational facilities in the Palestinian territory, including swimming pools. “We practise swimming amid serious dangers — foremost among them the Israeli patrol boats which chase swimmers and fishermen out at sea,” says Abu Mahmud, the group’s captain.
Venedig (AFP) – St Mark’s Square sees Venice’s past brought back to life as Venetians and tourists in sumptuous 18th-century gowns, gothic dresses and ornate masks launch the city’s 2026 carnival. Crowds pose for photos, browse mask stalls and celebrate with “no inhibitions, no restraints”.
San José (AFP) – Laura Fernandez, the 39-year-old candidate of outgoing President Rodrigo Chaves’s party and runaway favorite to become the next leader of Costa Rica, votes at a polling station in San José. IMAGES COMPLETE VIDI94QC7G3_EN
San José (AFP) – The first voters arrive at a polling station in San José, Costa Rica, to elect their president as well as their deputies. Laura Fernandez, the 39-year-old candidate of outgoing President Rodrigo Chaves’s party, is the runaway favorite to become the next leader of the Central American country to which tourists flock for its sandy beaches, especially from the United States. IMAGES
Caracas (AFP) – Exterior of the US embassy in Caracas. The new head of the US diplomatic mission to Venezuela arrived in the country and was welcomed by the South American country’s foreign minister, as relations gradually warm after the ouster of Nicolas Maduro in a US military raid. IMAGES
Teheran (AFP) – Billboards in central Tehran display coffins draped in American and Israeli flags, bearing the warning: “Watch out for your soldiers”. Iranian army chief Amir Hatami has warned the United States and Israel against an attack, saying his country’s forces are on high alert following Washington’s heavy military deployments in the Gulf.
(AFP) – Firefighters attend to houses set ablaze after an overnight strike in Ukraine’s northeastern Sumy region. According to the emergency services, there have been no casualties.
