AFP UK

Montevideo (AFP) – Dancers and musicians from 48 different groups parade down Montevideo’s main avenue to mark the opening of Uruguay’s carnival, known as the longest in the world.

Seoul (AFP) – Around 500 people were forced to flee their homes after a fire broke out in a slum made of unlicensed dwellings located in Seoul’s wealthy Gangnam district. One of South Korea’s last remaining slums, Guryong village contains mostly structures made from vinyl plywood panels. The fire broke out at around 6:30 in the morning and is believed to have burned down around 60 homes. According to fire authorities, it was completely extinguished at around noon (0300 GMT).

Aden (AFP) – In the government-controlled city of Aden, battered by the war, the first performance of a Shakespeare play in many years has resurrected hopes of a cultural revival.

Yokohama (Japan) (AFP) – “Plastic”, a new production by renowned Japanese ballet company K-BALLET, aims to draw attention to the scourge of pollution through some unusual set and wardrobe design.

Lima (AFP) – Thousands marched through Peru’s capital Thursday in a large anti-government rally punctuated by clashes with police. Some of the Lima protesters, who are demanding the resignation of President Dina Boluarte and fresh elections, threw stones and bottles at officers in the city center.

Queensland (Australia) (AFP) – Australian rangers have killed an invasive “monster” cane toad discovered in the wilds of a coastal park — a warty brown specimen as long as a human arm and weighing 2.7 kilograms (6 pounds). The toad was spotted after a snake slithering across a track forced wildlife workers to stop as they were driving in Queensland’s Conway National Park, the state government said. The animal was taken away and euthanised.

Lima (Peru) (AFP) – Riot police use tear gas to disperse protesters in Lima as they march to demand the resignation of President Dina Boluarte, the dissolution of parliament and immediate fresh elections. IMAGES

Arequipa (Peru) (AFP) – Anti-government protestors clash with police as they try to enter Alfredo Rodriguez Ballon International Airport in Arequipa, Peru.

Paris (AFP) – Demonstrators marching against pension reform arrive at Place de la Nation in Paris where police officers try to disperse them.

Rumah (Saudi Arabia) (AFP) – The cries of camel herders Hamad al-Marri and Mansour al-Qatula mean nothing to the untrained ear, but their animals respond instantly, gathering behind them to walk together across the Saudi desert. This special mode of communication, known as Alheda’a, was last month added to UNESCO’s list of intangible cultural heritage, highlighting the deep traditional connection between camels and inhabitants of the Arabian Peninsula.

Yakutsk (Russia) (AFP) – Russians brave the ice cold waters of the Lena river in Yakutsk, eastern Siberia, generally considered to be the world’s coldest city. The plunge is in celelbration of Orthodox Epiphany and has gone ahead despite local weather services warning that temperatures could sink as low as -62°C in some remote areas. “The feelings are always wonderful, it’s always a feeling of purity – wonderful sensations – of warmth, ” says pensioner, Irina Korsakova.

Bordeaux (AFP) – “It’s about having a nice end of life” says Philippe, a postman protesting in Bordeaux, south west France, as strikes rage across the country, triggered by deeply unpopular pension reform. The plans presented by President Emmanuel Macron’s government last week would raise the retirement age for most people from 62 to 64 and would also increaes the years of contributions required for a full pension.