Sukabumi (Indonesia) (AFP) – Seven critically endangered Javan slow lorises were released into the jungles of Indonesia’s Gunung Halimun Salak National Park on Java island on Friday. A dedicated rescue team traversed wet, muddy terrains within the conservation area to release the lorises into their natural habitat.
London (AFP) – UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak says it is “not sustainable” to attempt to counter Huthi attacks on shipping in the Red Sea after they have been launched. Speaking in parliament after a second round of joint US-UK strikes on Huthi targets in Yemen, Sunak says the strikes are aiming to “degrade” the Huthis’ capacity to launch such attacks.
Tel Aviv (AFP) – “War has a very painful and heavy price”, says Israeli army spokesperson Daniel Hagari after 21 soldiers were killed in the Gaza Strip, the biggest daily death toll for the military since the start of its ground operation on October 27 following the unprecedented attacks by Hamas on October 7 that resulted in the deaths of about 1,140 people in Israel. Most of the victims were civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures. Israel has since vowed to destroy Hamas in response. Its relentless bombardment and ground offensive have killed at least 24,927 people, mostly women and children, according to Gaza’s health ministry. TO COMPLETE VIDI34GE3ZK_EN
Bogotá (AFP) – Firefighters attempt to put out wildfires that have broken out in the Cerros Orientales, causing smoky conditions in the Colombian capital of Bogota. IMAGES
Ayodhya (India) (AFP) – Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the opening of a temple Monday heralded a “new era” for India, at a ceremony that embodies the triumph of his muscular Hindu nationalist politics, galvanising loyalists ahead of elections this year.
Singapore (AFP) – In Singapore, where graffiti is banned, young creatives have taken over an old shopping mall, spray painting colourful murals and holding art workshops to bring the space back to life. Around half a century old, Peace Centre is scheduled to face the wrecking ball later this year, but fans say it has provided a rare space for self-expression.
Big Bend (United States) (AFP) – Vice President Kamala Harris puts abortion rights at the center of President Biden’s reelection campaign. “Every time reproductive freedom has been on the ballot, the people of America have voted for freedom,” Harris says to a crowd in Big Bend, Wisconsin, which is expected to be one of the most closely fought states in this year’s election.
Pyongyang (AFP) – Images of daily life on the streets of Pyongyang, North Korea as temperatures drop to as low as -15 degrees celsius. IMAGES
Canberra (AFP) – Australian officials announce “unprecedented” sanctions against a Russian hacker over a crippling 2022 cyber attack that involved the theft of sensitive medical records from Medibank Private, one of the country’s largest private health insurers.
After Florida Governor Ron DeSantis suspended his campaign for the Republican presidential nomination on January 21, saying he would throw his support behind frontrunner Donald Trump, his supporters in New Hampshire say they are “very upset” and “disappointed”.
Masham (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Heavy rain brought by Storm Isha causes flooding and road closures in North Yorkshire, after the whole of the United Kingdom was subject to weather warnings for its ninth named storm since September.
Samarra (Iraq) (AFP) – A concrete wall built to protect the Iraqi city of Sammara is stopping many from leaving and hampering sorely-needed urban expansion. Built more than a decade ago at the height of Iraq’s civil war, which tore apart the multi-faith, multi-ethnic country, authorities say the wall must remain to prevent the threat of sectarian jihadist violence, even as security has gradually improved.
