Rights activists protest outside the House of Representatives after lawmakers approved legislation that would outlaw sex outside marriage in a move critics said was a huge setback to rights in the world’s most populous Muslim country. IMAGES
Wearing yellow and blue jerseys, thousands of Bangladeshi football fans cheer and blow vuvuzelas to celebrate Brazil’s victory over South Korea at the World Cup. Like their rivals Argentina, Brazil have a large fanbase in the South Asian nation.
Ulaanbaatar (AFP) – Thousands brave freezing temperatures in Mongolia’s capital to protest alleged corruption in the country’s coal industry and soaring inflation. Public outrage has also been stoked by whistleblower claims that a so-called “coal faction” of lawmakers with ties to the industry has stolen billions of dollars worth of the sedimentary rock. In mid-November, Mongolia’s anti-corruption authority announced that over 30 officials — including the CEO of the state-owned coal mining company Erdenes Tavan Tolgoi — were under investigation for embezzlement.
Washington (AFP) – Visitors have until New Year’s Day to admire the US National Christmas Tree and the 58 smaller trees outside the White House in Washington, DC. Decorated by students, the trees represent the various states and territories of the United States. Outside the Capitol, a 78-foot tall red spruce from North Carolina nicknamed “Ruby” is also delighting the crowds.
Yangzhou (China) (AFP) – Sirens wailed out across China at the beginning of a public memorial service for former leader Jiang Zemin on Tuesday, who died last week at the age of 96.
Fountains of lava and rivers of molten rock continue to spew from Mauna Loa, in Hawaii, the world’s biggest volcano.
Elyes Jelassi, a Tunisian nurse, packs his bags before travelling to Germany to take up a new job. Germany is becoming a key destination for disillusioned young Tunisians despite a language barrier and the North African nation’s long history of ties with France.
Heavy rains in northwest Colombia sent a wall of earth crashing onto a winding road, swallowing up a bus and other vehicles and killing 27 people on Sunday. The landslide prompted a large rescue effort, with dozens of people in hard hats using backhoes and excavators to dig through the earth looking for victims.
Doha (AFP) – Brazil fans party in the streets of Doha ahead of the round of 16 match against South Korea. Fans pay tribute to their beloved idol, Pele, who is currently hospitalized in Brazil.
Johannesburg (AFP) – The general secretary of the ANC, Paul Mashatile, tells the press that the National Executive Committee “will vote against the adoption of the report of the section 89 panel” which alleges that President Cyril Ramaphosa was involved in a cover-up on a robbery on his farm. SOUNDBITE
Stromboli (Italy) (AFP) – Ashy smoke billows and lava flows from Mount Stromboli in Italy after a 4.6 magnitude tremor on Sunday, caused by the ‘sciara del fuoco’ section of the volcano that broke off and slammed into the sea, triggering a tsunami wave off the volcanic island. The wave, which was about one and a half metres high, did not reach the coast. According to the Civil Protection Services no damage was reported.
Pucon (Chile) (AFP) – A string of seismic events from Villarrica volcano in the south of Chile has alerted authorities to make emergency plans. At the Southern Andes Volcanological Observatory scientists monitor the volcano and data “to avoid any natural disaster.”
