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.
Santiago (Chili) (AFP) – Jeannette Jara, a longstanding member of the Communist Party who leads the center-left coalition, casts her ballot in the runoff vote against right-wing candidate Jose Antonio Kast. Polls show Kast as the strong front-runner, with his tough-on-crime and anti-migrant message seemingly registering with Chileans. IMAGES
Santiago (Chili) (AFP) – Chile’s far-right candidate Jose Antonio Kast casts his ballot in the runoff vote against his rival Jeannette Jara, a longstanding member of the Communist Party. Almost 16 million citizens can cast their ballot in the election, with Kast’s tough-on-crime and anti-migrant message seemingly resonating with many Chileans. IMAGES
Santiago (Chili) (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. Almost 16 million citizens can cast their ballot in the runoff vote between Jose Antonio Kast and his rival Jeannette Jara, a longstanding member of the Communist Party. IMAGES
Santiago (Chili) (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. Almost 16 million citizens can cast their ballot in the runoff vote between Jose Antonio Kast and his rival Jeannette Jara, a longstanding member of the Communist Party. IMAGES
Mont-de-Marsan (AFP) – Farmers protest outside the Landes department prefecture against the culling of cows following an outbreak of lumpy skin disease (nodular dermatitis). A delegation was received by the prefect to discuss the issue. IMAGES
Carbonne (France) (AFP) – Farmers in southwestern France block roads and set fire to bales of hay to protest the culling of cows due to a skin disease, as the government says one million cattle would be vaccinated. French farmers have been angry over what they see as the government’s heavy-handed response to an outbreak of nodular dermatitis, widely known as lumpy skin disease. IMAGES
Deir Ezzor (Syria) (AFP) – The eastern Syrian city of Deir Ezzor has been left in ruins after nearly 14 years of civil war, which ended when Islamist-led forces toppled long-time ruler Bashar al-Assad in December last year.
Almería (Spain) (AFP) – Spanish police seize drugs during an operation against aerial drug trafficking, announcing they have thwarted a criminal gang that flew helicopters to smuggle hashish into the country from Morocco. Six people have been arrested in connection with these events, they say.
Los Angeles (United States) (AFP) – Two members of the creative team behind the French indie video game “Clair Obscur: Expedition 33” say that the game’s success comes from trying “to make a work that’s original, moving, emotional, that appeals to everyone’s creative side.” The role-playing game dominated the annual Game Awards in Los Angeles, winning a record of nine categories including best video game of the year.
Thailand (AFP) – On the grey walls of a rural Thai school’s concrete bunkers, a man calmly paints details of a rocket as artillery booms nearby. “Peace amidst chaos — not everyone can feel this way,” says Watthanachai Kamngam, a 38-year-old music teacher whose vibrant murals are inspired by the harsh reality around him. At least 25 people have died in the past week since the conflict was reignited.
