Dover (United Kingdom) (AFP) – A patrol vessel carrying migrants picked up at sea by Border Force after attempting to cross the Channel from France, arrives in Dover. Migrants are then seen disembarking the vessel after it arrives at the Marina in Dover.
Viña del Mar (Chile) (AFP) – After a wildfire devastated Chile’s largest botanical garden, the century-old park rebuilds with trees it hopes are less likely to go up in flames. The wildfire of February 2024, considered the deadliest in Chile’s recent history, killed 136 people and destroyed 90 percent of the 990-acre garden in the coastal city of Vina del Mar. [+ ARCHIVES IMAGES 04:13:12-05:10:18]
Damascus (AFP) – German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock warns Syria’s new leaders that Europe “will not fund new Islamist structures” after the overthrow of longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad last month. Syrians who came to Europe will only go back to rebuild the country if they are certain “the lives of their children and daughters are safe and free”, Baerbock tells reporters on a visit to Damascus.
Seoul (AFP) – Supporters of South Korea’s impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol rally near the Gwanghwamun Gate in Seoul one day after investigators abandoned the attempt to arrest Yoon, citing safety concerns after a standoff with his security team. IMAGES
Muan (South Korea) (AFP) – South Korean investigators lifting wreckage from the tail section of Jeju Air flight 2216, which crashed on landing at Muan Airport killing 179 people on board. South Korean air safety officials are heading the investigation, assisted by the US Federal Aviation Administration which frequently aids with probes into global plane crashes.
Kyiv (Ukraine) (AFP) – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says that US President-elect Donald Trump’s “unpredictability” could be decisive in the war with Russia. “He can help us stop Putin,” Zelensky says. Trump has previously said he will end the nearly three-year conflict “in 24 hours”, a claim that has drawn scepticism from Kyiv which fears it will be forced to give up land for peace.
New Orleans (AFP) – Bourbon Street in New Orleans reopens after a New Year’s attack that killed at least 15 people. Thousands gather for the postponed Sugar Bowl football match under heightened security, while a vigil takes place. Later that evening, mourners gather for a vigil. IMAGES
London (AFP) – Keepers at London Zoo begin the annual stocktake, the occasion for them to “formally recognise the total number of animals” in their care. In the coming days, zoo workers will log more than 10,000 animals from over 400 species.
Seoul (AFP) – Protesters demanding the arrest of South Korea’s impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol gather near his residence in Seoul after investigators called off their attempt to detain him, citing safety concerns after a standoff with his security team. IMAGES
Jerusalem (AFP) – Air raid sirens are heard around Jerusalem as Israel’s military said a missile fired from Yemen had crossed into Israeli territory. The missile was intercepted and fragments fell on Modiin according to Israeli army. IMAGES
Podgorica (AFP) – Montenegro’s interior minister, Danilo Saranovic, says the gunman who went on a shooting rampage died on the way to the hospital after a suicide attempt. The shooting in a village restaurant near the southern city of Cetinje killed at least 12 people, including two children, and seriously injured four others, with one in critical condition, according to authorities.
Seoul (AFP) – South Korean supporters of impeached president, Yoon Suk Yeol, face off with police near the presidential residence, where the embattled leader remains holed up in defiance of an arrest warrant. Yoon vows to “fight” authorities seeking to question him over his failed martial law bid last month. The bungled declaration on December 3 led to Yoon’s impeachment and now leaves him facing possible arrest, imprisonment or, at worst, the death penalty. Yoon has refused summonses for questioning three times.
