AFP UK

Campinas (Brazil) (AFP) – Gabi Matos walks through Taquaral Lake Park in Campinas, cradling a baby in her arms and cooing softly. But a closer look reveals the baby isn’t human — it’s a hyper-realistic doll, meticulously crafted by artists to look just like a real infant. In Brazil, demand for these lifelike replicas, which originated in the United States in the early 1990s, has surged in recent years. The craze has attracted criticism from both social media and Brazil’s Congress.

Rugezi (Rwanda) (AFP) – Rwanda faces many accusations of rights abuses, but it has been praised for its conservation work, which is key to its vital tourism sector. Spearheading efforts to preserve the Grey Crowned Crane is conservationist Olivier Nsengimana, whose work has seen the migratory bird make a comeback in recent years. N°43DK462

Goiania (AFP) – Two Brazilian nuns, Sister Marizele and Sister Marisa, have gone viral on social media after their energetic beatboxing and dancing during a religious program in Goiania, in the Central-West region of Brazil. The sisters are members of the Copiosa Redencao congregation.

Madrid (AFP) – Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez says that “the whole of the European Union should join in the arms embargo on Israel”, while hosting Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob in Madrid. “There is no alternative to a peaceful coexistence between Israel and Palestine with its two states,” he adds.

Deir el-Balah (AFP) – Thousands of desperate Palestinians storm a United Nations warehouse in central Gaza as gunshots ring out. The World Food Programme has reported two possible deaths in the tumult as Israel and the UN trade blame over the deepening hunger crisis. The issue of aid has come sharply into focus amid starvation fears and intense criticism of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a private US-backed aid group that has bypassed the longstanding UN-led system in the territory.

Vélizy-Villacoublay (AFP) – Peyo, a Belgian Malinois, is the first dog in the French armed forces to be trained in drone guidance. Assigned to Air Parachute Commando No. 20, Peyo can independently “follow the drone using his ears and eyes”, says Chief Sergeant Dorian, and reach a designated area without his handler, where he can search for explosives and weapons, or even intercept a suspect.

Peking (AFP) – Beijing criticises the US decision to “unreasonably” revoke the visas of Chinese students, saying it has lodged representations with Washington following the announcement by Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Seoul (AFP) – Early voting in South Korea’s presidential elections begins with scores of people casting their ballot at a polling station in the capital Seoul. The presidential election was triggered by ex-leader Yoon Suk Yeol’s ill-fated suspension of civilian rule last year. IMAGES

Mumbai (AFP) – Students in India’s financial capital of Mumbai react to the US State Department’s suspension of student visa processing — the latest escalation of a Trump administration crackdown on foreign students. “The chances of better lifestyle and better colleges… will be less for Indian students,” says student Shelomith Mhaske.

Moskau (AFP) – President Vladimir Putin says Russia doesn’t “have enough potatoes”, during a meeting of a platform for entrepreneurship and networking. Potato prices increased by 1.7 percent from May 13 to 19, according to Russia’s official statistics body Rosstat, as the country battles high inflation since it launched its offensive against Ukraine in 2022 and is hit by Western sanctions.