Bogotá (AFP) – Colombia’s Attorney General says that the father of Liverpool winger Luis Diaz “could at some point be in Venezuela” as police, assisted by more than 120 soldiers, continue their search. The English Premier League player’s parents were reported kidnapped over the weekend, with Diaz’s mother being recovered. Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro says authorities “are fully mobilized.”
Abu Dhabi (AFP) – British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly says the UK is working with Egypt and Israel to secure a temporary “humanitarian pause” to get aid into the Gaza Strip. Speaking while on a visit to the United Arab Emirates, Cleverly adds that aid is “‘trickling through, but we need a significant increase in the volume”. While the UK government has increased its level of aid to Gaza, Cleverly says it is predominantly stuck in Egypt. Under a US-brokered deal, a limited amount of aid has entered the besieged strip, but its volume has fallen far short of the hundreds of trucks a day humanitarians say are needed.
Buenos Aires (AFP) – Hundreds of people in Spider-Man costumes gather in Buenos Aires in an attempt to break the world record for the largest gathering of people dressed as Spider-Man at a single event. The current record is currently held by an event of 685 people in Malaysia. Guinness World Records are yet to confirm if the Argentine event has set a new record.
Cairo (AFP) – “Impeding relief supplies… may constitute a crime within the court’s jurisdiction,” says ICC prosecutor Karim A. Khan, speaking after he visited the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing. Since the October 7 attack by Hamas militants on Israel, which killed at least 1,400 people according to Israeli officials, Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry says more than 8,000 Palestinians have been killed by retaliatory bombardments by Israel, nearly half of them children.
New York (AFP) – Matthew Perry was always their friend, too. That was the feeling among fans of the American actor, known for his iconic role as Chandler Bing on the hit sitcom “Friends,” as they gathered Sunday outside the New York apartment building used in the show’s filming. “He was such a heartwarming, kind, uplifting person that I feel like everyone could just turn on the TV and feel immediately comforted by him,” a fan told AFP.
Jerusalem (AFP) – More than three weeks after their relatives were seized by Hamas on October 7, several families of hostages join a protest outside the Israeli president’s residence. The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza says the retaliatory Israeli bombardment has killed more than 8,000 people, mainly civilians.
New York (AFP) – Fans gather outside 90 Bedford Street, a six-story building in the West Village in New York City that was featured on the show “Friends,” to pay tribute to actor Matthew Perry, who died Saturday.
Khan Yunis (Palestinian Territories) (AFP) – It’s been close to three weeks since war erupted between Israel and Palestinian-based militant group Hamas. The conflict has forced many, including hundreds of journalists, to flee Gaza City and work in fear and in dire conditions. A surprise attack by Hamas killed over 1,400 people in Israel on October 7 and left 220 hostages, according to officials. Israeli forces have been bombing the Gaza Strip since, killing over 6,500 people, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. Among them, more than 22 journalists, says the Palestinian journalists’ union.
YTokyo (Japan) (AFP) – A Tokyo-based start-up firm has developed a mobile suit robot that rekindles the moving, battling gigantic machines seen in the “Gundam” anime series. Whilst the “Archax” robot showcased by Tsubame Industries is not battling in the galaxy just yet, it’s still attracting visitors with gleaming eyes at the Tokyo Mobility Show.
Acapulco (Mexico) (AFP) – Hurricane Otis caused major damage and killed at least 27 people as it lashed Mexico’s resort city of Acapulco as a scale-topping category 5 storm. The storm partially destroyed many buildings, leaving gaping holes in the walls of high-rise towers.
Beijing (AFP) – China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning says they “deeply” mourn the death of former premier Li Keqiang, in Beijing’s first public comment on his passing. Li had a heart attack on 26 October and passed away in Shanghai, state-run news agency Xinhua says.
Seoul (AFP) – Kim Cho-long escaped death by chance last October — pulled from packed streets in South Korea’s capital by a friend, as those around her were swept into an alley where 159 people later died in a crowd crush. She struggled with feelings of survivor’s guilt, and eventually her therapist suggested that writing about her feelings might allow her to process what had happened.
