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Johannesburg (AFP) – Russia’s war in Ukraine can only be ended on terms that have Kyiv’s “unconditional consent”, says German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on the sidelines of a G20 summit. “Wars cannot be ended by major powers over the heads of the countries involved,” he adds. This comes after the US issued a plan to end the conflict. President Donald Trump gave Ukraine less than a week to approve the 28-point plan to end the nearly four-year conflict, which would see the invaded country cede territory, cut its army, and pledge to never join NATO.

Caracas (AFP) – Cheered on by hundreds of students celebrating Student Day, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro declares that the United States’ “ploys” would not stop him during an event where he danced to tropical rhythms with his wife. Since August, the United States has deployed a flotilla of warships, including the world’s largest aircraft carrier. Washington claims the maneuvers are aimed at curbing drug trafficking, while Caracas denounces a “lethal military threat” to overthrow Maduro.

Washington (AFP) – US President Donald Trump says “That’s OK. You can just say yes,” after a reporter asked New York mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani to affirm whether he thinks Trump is a “fascist”. Months of sniping melted away as the incoming leftist mayor and the president were all smiles at a White House meeting — promising to set aside their feud and cooperate on the city’s future.

The National Police of Colombia announce the seizure of 14 tons of cocaine at the port of Buenaventura, in Valle del Cauca. Authorities say this is the largest cocaine bust in “the last decade.” The discovery in the world’s largest cocaine-producing country comes as the White House pressures Colombian President Gustavo Petro through financial sanctions and by removing Colombia from the list of allied nations in the war on drugs as it deems its anti-drug policies to be insufficient.

Kamisato (Japan) (AFP) – Japan is strongly opposed to a proposal by the EU, Panama and Honduras to list all 17 species of eels worldwide under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). It cites a recent study by Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology that says the Japanese eel population has tripled across East Asia since 1990.

Morelia (Mexico) (AFP) – Seven members of Mexican mayor Carlos Manzo’s security team, arrested as suspects in his murder, arrive at a prison in Morelia, Michoacan state. The assassination of the Uruapan mayor during a public event in the city shocked the country, sparking protests and prompting the reinforcement of federal forces in Michoacan. IMAGES

Faisalabad (AFP) – A witness recounts the moment a powerful explosion rocked a chemical factory in Pakistan’s Faisalabad city, killing at least 15 people and injuring dozens. A major gas leak caused the blast in the early morning, which triggered a fire and caused the collapse of several homes, according to the local district commissioner’s office.

Kiew (AFP) – Volodymyr Zelensky says he will not “betray” Ukraine and will propose “alternatives” to a US plan to end the war with Russia widely seen as giving in to a host of Moscow’s demands. “I will present arguments, I will persuade, I will propose alternatives,” Zelensky says in an address to the nation published on social media.

Belém (AFP) – The EU’s climate chief Wopke Hoekstra warns the UN climate summit could end without a deal after COP30 host Brazil proposed an agreement that does not include a roadmap away from fossil fuels.

(AFP) – Floods submerge houses in Gia Lai and rescuers evacuate stranded people on the streets of Khanh Hoa as widespread flooding has inundated central Vietnam, killing dozens. Relentless rain has lashed south-central Vietnam since late October and popular holiday destinations have been hit by several rounds of flooding.

Tulkarem (AFP) – Ten months after he was forced out of the occupied West Bank’s Tulkarem refugee camp, Hakam Irhil doesn’t know if he will ever be able to return. Irhil was displaced and his home demolished after Israel launched a major military operation in mid-January in multiple northern Palestinian refugee camps, where the army says it is seeking to root out armed groups. Violence in the West Bank, which Israel has occupied since 1967, has soared since the Hamas attack on Israel triggered the Gaza war in October 2023.

Peking (AFP) – China urges Japan to “immediately retract its erroneous remarks, and earnestly demonstrate its commitments to China through concrete actions”. The move comes after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said that she wants “constructive” ties with China and that the country’s stance on Taiwan remains “unchanged” amid a spat with Beijing over the island.