AFP UK

Arlington (United States) (AFP) – The United States will deploy 1,500 additional troops to the border with Mexico, the Pentagon says, ahead of an expected surge of migrants when Covid-era restrictions are lifted next week. “For 90 days, these 1,500 military personnel, who will be sourced from the active duty component, will fill critical capability gaps, such as ground-based detection and monitoring, data entry, and warehouse support,” spokesman Brigadier General Pat Ryder tells reporters during a press conference.

Jaén (Spain) (AFP) – May “the Lord help us and save us from this drought”: Worshippers take part in the “El Abuelo” religious procession in the southern Spanish city of Jaen, where temperatures already exceed 30 degrees, to ask for rain as the country’s water reservoirs run low. Mainland Spain and Portugal have broken temperature records for a month of April as both nations wilt in an unusually early heatwave. The last “El Abuelo” procession held in Jaén to ask for rain was in 1949, according to the province’s diocese.

United Nations (United States) (AFP) – “Stop the threats and attacks. Stop detaining and imprisoning journalists for doing their jobs. Stop the lies and disinformation.” says UN Chief Guterres in a pre-recorded video message as UNESCO hosts the 30th anniversary of World Press Freedom Day at the United Nations in New York. 

Minneapolis (AFP) – 16-year-old Jasper relocated from Texas to Minnesota with their parents in order to escape from the alarming multiplication of bills targeting transgender youth. “I feel like this is much, much safer,” says Mary, the mother of Jasper (their names have been changed to protect their identity). 

Khartoum (AFP) – In Sudan, fierce fighting between the army and paramilitaries continues, ignoring a truce that is routinely violated, while the international community is concerned about a humanitarian situation that has reached “catastrophe” proportions.

Malindi (Kenya) (AFP) – Self-proclaimed pastor Paul Nthenge Mackenzie appears in court in the Kenyan town of Malindi, as he faces terrorism charges in connection with the deaths of over 100 people. The victims were found buried in what has been dubbed the “Shakahola forest massacre”, according to prosecutors.

Geneva (AFP) – The United Nations’ International Organization for Migration (IOM) spokesperson Paul Dillon says an estimated 334,000 people have been internally displaced by the fighting in Sudan since it broke out on April 15. The number of people displaced in the last two weeks “exceeds all conflict-related displacement in Sudan in 2022”, Dillon adds.

New York (AFP) – Rihanna showing off her baby bump with her husband, the Kardashians, Doja Cat dressed as a cat and of course Anna Wintour arrive at the 2023 Met Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. The Fashion’s party of the year celebrates the late king of couture, Karl Lagerfeld.

Kharkiv (Ukraine) (AFP) – Images show Ukrainian servicemen training in a forest in the eastern region of Kharkiv, as Kyiv says preparations for a widely expected counter-offensive against Moscow’s forces are nearly complete.

Santiago (AFP) – “Taking advantage of this time is so valuable to me,” says David Contreras, a Chilean warehouse assistant as workers in the country get to enjoy more free time thanks to a new law that reduces the work week from 45 to 40 hours. The regulation was promulgated on April 14 by leftist President Gabriel Boric and is gradually being implemented over the course of five years.

Sydney (AFP) – In the capital Sydney, people welcome Australia’s decision to crackdown on vaping, as the country moves to ban single-use disposable vapes, halt imports of non-prescription versions, and restrict how much nicotine e-cigarettes may contain.

Caracas (AFP) – Tens of thousands of protesters in Venezuela, Mexico, Chile, Ecuador and Argentina join massive demonstrations to mark International Labour Day. They demand workers’ rights, increased salaries, job security, economic reforms against inflation and various issues.