AFP UK

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

Ciudad de México (Mexico) (AFP) – The Mexican police block protesters gathered on Paseo de la Reforma as they head toward Mexico City’s Zocalo. The protest, led by members of “Gen Z,” referring to those under 28, initially erupted on September 8 in Nepal after the government imposed a ban on social media. IMAGES

Belém (Brésil) (AFP) – Security officers are evacuating the COP30 venue in Belem, Brazil, and forming a security perimeter after a fire erupted at a pavilion inside the site of the UN climate talks. IMAGES

Belém (Brésil) (AFP) – Security crews form a security perimeter barring access to the zone where a fire broke out at a pavilion inside the venue of the UN’s climate talks in Brazil. IMAGES

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.