Ciudad Juárez (Mexico) (AFP) – Images of the Mexico-US border in Ciudad Juarez ahead of Donald Trump’s inauguration for a second term as US president. The Republican has vowed to unleash a blitz of executive orders undoing outgoing president Joe Biden’s legacy, and to launch immediate deportations of undocumented migrants. IMAGES
Hong Kong (AFP) – Chinese-owned app Xiaohongshu – or Red Note in English – was recently propelled to the top of the US Apple App Store free downloads chart, as American users facing a potential TikTok ban look for an alternative.
Tibú (Colombia) (AFP) – A fresh outbreak of guerrilla violence amid a faltering peace process in Colombia has left more than 80 people dead, including civilians, and displaced thousands in just four days.
(AFP) – “I don’t believe that a war of this magnitude can be ended in one day. It’s not realistic. This is a romantic idea…” says Volodymyr, 37th Marine Brigade battalion commander operating in Ukraine’s Donetsk region. With the United States about to inaugurate Donald Trump as president for the second time, Ukrainian soldiers on the eastern frontlines voice their concerns about a possible cut in funding, and scepticism about the prospect of a brisk end to the war. During the US election campaign Trump said he could bring the war to an end in a day but has failed to say how he would do so, although some fear he envisions pressuring Ukraine to give up land that Russia has captured.
Jabalia (Palestinian Territories) (AFP) – Scores of displaced Palestinians walk along a road in Jabalia, as they leave areas near Gaza City where they had taken refuge, and head further north. Israel on Sunday said a truce with Hamas began in Gaza at 0915 GMT, nearly three hours after initially scheduled, following a last-minute delay on the orders of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Rockville (United States) (AFP) – Beijing residents share their views on TikTok disconnecting access to its users in the United States. The shut down came late on Saturday, shortly before a national ban on the app was to take effect, with President-elect Donald Trump unable to intervene until he takes office. The law requires Apple and Google to remove TikTok from their app stores, blocking new downloads. The companies could face penalties of up to $5,000 per user who can access the app.
Moscow (AFP) – Dozens of people in Moscow take a dip in freezing water to mark Epiphany, a major holiday in Orthodox Christianity. The ritual marks the baptism of Jesus Christ and is said to cleanse the participant of sin.
Pasadena (United States) (AFP) – Pet owners are reunited with their animals at the NGO Pasadena Humane, which took in more that 500 pets when fires broke out in the Los Angeles area on January 6. Some were given to the organisation temporarily by evacuated residents while they had nowhere to keep them, and others are stray animals. Photos of the strays found are being published on the website of the shelter, allowing owners who had to leave them behind when they evacuated the fire to identify them.
Ciudad Juárez (Mexico) (AFP) – Mexican authorities give journalists access inside a 300-meter-long tunnel that was discovered on January 10 under the Mexico-US border in Ciudad Juarez. Authorities say the tunnel was linked to a natural sewage system at the border, and that investigations are ongoing to determine how long the tunnel had been in use, and as to how it was able to operate before its discovery.
Kolkata (AFP) – Protest outside Sealdah court in India, where 33-year-old Sanjoy Roy is found guilty for the rape and murder of a female doctor, a crime that sparked nationwide protests and hospital strikes last year. Roy is brought to court by a prison van and greeted by a crowd of protesters, held at bay by police officers, demanding he be given the death penalty.
Ciudad Juárez (Mexico) (AFP) – United States Customs and Border Protection agents put up barricades on the Paso del Norte International Bridge that connects Mexico’s Ciudad Juarez with El Paso, Texas. The barbed wire fencing is placed on the border as part of security exercises ahead of Donald Trump taking office for a second term as US president on January 20.
Washington (AFP) – Supporters of President-elect Donald Trump, who have travelled to the US capital to attend Monday’s inauguration, share their disappointment after the announcement that the events will move indoors due to expected freezing weather. The change of plan means Trump will not stand on the Capitol steps overlooking the National Mall, which traditionally hosts a large crowd to welcome new presidents. Instead, the Republican president will give his Inauguration Address in the Capitol Rotunda.
