Hong Kong (AFP) – A Hong Kong transport hub was taken over Sunday by googly eyed aliens, extraterrestrial jellyfish and a cast of eccentric characters — all part of a live performance by British artist Sam Cox, better known as Mr Doodle.
Fontainebleau (France) (AFP) – A hat belonging to Napoleon Bonaparte when he was French emperor sold for a record of nearly two million euros, according to the French auction house, Osenat, in Fontainebleau. It went for 1.932 million euros – breaking the previous record for a Napoleonic hat, held by the same auction house, of 1.884 million euros in 2014 shelled out by a South Korean businessman.
Uttarkashi (India) (AFP) – Indian rescuers are battling to free 41 men trapped in a road tunnel for nine days since 12 November, as they prepare to dig an entirely new shaft after previous efforts failed. The tunnel in the northern Himalayan state of Uttarakhand is part of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s infrastructure project aimed at cutting travel times between some of the most popular Hindu sites in the country, as well as to improve access to strategic areas bordering rival China.
Beijing (AFP) – Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi says the world must “act urgently” to calm the Israel-Hamas war as he hosted diplomats from Arab and Muslim-majority nations in Beijing. China has sought to play a greater role in the Middle East, facilitating a historic rapprochement between Saudi Arabia and Iran and sending an envoy to the region to push for a ceasefire in the conflict.
Beijing (AFP) – Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry arrives in Beijing for talks with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi and a delegation of foreign ministers from the Palestinian Authority, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia and Jordan. The delegation is in Beijing this week for talks aimed at a “de-escalation” of the current Israel-Hamas conflict. China has sought to play a greater role in the Middle East, facilitating a historic rapprochement between Saudi Arabia and Iran and sending an envoy to the region to push for a ceasefire in the conflict.
Bireun (Indonesia) (AFP) – Three boats filled with more than 500 Rohingya refugees landed in Indonesia’s westernmost province on Sunday, a UN agency said, in one of the biggest arrivals since Myanmar launched a military crackdown on the minority group in 2017.
Buenos Aires (Argentina) (AFP) – Libertarian outsider Javier Milei speaks at his party headquarters in Buenos Aires after winning Argentina’s presidential election. The self-described “anarcho-capitalist” has fired up Argentines fed-up with decades of economic stagnation under the long-dominant populist Peronist coalition. IMAGES
Buenos Aires (AFP) – Supporters of Libertarian outsider Javier Milei celebrate after his rival, Economy Minister Sergio Massa, conceded defeat in Argentina’s election. Massa, had around 44 percent of the total, with 86 percent of votes counted. IMAGES
Paris (AFP) – Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo and actor Gilles Lellouche inaugurate the Christmas lights on the Champs-Elysees avenue, where hundreds of people have gathered for the occasion. IMAGES
Kyiv (Ukraine) (AFP) – Ukrainian train attendant Tetyana Kogut has accompanied Western leaders visiting her country since the start of the Russian invasion. She lives in a Ukrainian mountain village, but Tetyana Kogut, 36, has rubbed shoulders with powerful world leaders. Since Russia’s invasion of her country she has taken on an unlikely role in her job as a “providnytsa” — a sleeping car attendant — welcoming countless VIPs travelling by rail to show their support for Kyiv.
Ivry-sur-Seine (France) (AFP) – With only a few months left before the Paris 2024 Games, Parkour fans gather on the outskirts of the French capital for a speedrun event, and discuss whether or not their sport may one day have a place of its own at the Olympics. The sport was considered for the Paris 2024 Games but certain Parkour practitioners are sceptical. “As far as the physical discipline, it’s very comparable. But the ethos behind it is quite different,” says Parkour fan Miles Calderon.
Ahmedabad (India) (AFP) – Fans arrive at the world’s largest stadium in the city of Ahmedabad for the men’s Cricket World Cup final match between India and Australia. The Narendra Modi Stadium’s entrance is a sea of blue as Indian fans line the street outside, waiting to take their seats for the blockbuster match.
