AFP UK

Jerusalem (AFP) – Thousands of Christians throng Jerusalem for the traditional Holy Fire rite ahead of the Orthodox Easter, despite a security clampdown in the holy city.

Vatican City (AFP) – Pope Francis says he is following the events in Sudan with ‘concern’ as fighting rages for a second day. Speaking from St Peter’s Square, the pontiff urged ‘dialogue’ and the abandonment of weapons in the troubled African nation where battles between rival generals, who seized power in a 2021 coup, have left over 50 civilians including three UN staff dead and sparked international alarm.

Washington (AFP) – Hundreds of abortion rights activists protest in Washington after a ruling by a federal judge in Texas aimed at curtailing nationwide access to a widespread abortion drug.

Kenya’s first operational satellite is launched into orbit by a SpaceX rocket that took off from California, USA, according to images from the US space company. Designed and developed by a team of Kenyan researchers, the satellite is intended to provide data for agriculture and environmental monitoring in Kenya, much needed in the East African country which is currently experiencing a historic drought.

Beijing (AFP) – Brazil’s president says that the United States should stop “encouraging war” in Ukraine, as he wrapped a state visit to China in which he has strengthened economic ties with his country’s main trading partner.

Munich (Germany) (AFP) – Hundreds gather in Munich as Germany prepares to switch off its last three nuclear reactors, exiting atomic power even as it seeks to wean itself off fossil fuels and manage an energy crisis caused by the war in Ukraine.

Indianapolis (AFP) – Guests inspect firearms while attending the 152nd National Rifle Association Convention at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis.

Rennes (France) (AFP) – Fire burns the doors of a police station and the former Convent of the Jacobins in Rennes, during demonstrations against the decision of the French Constitutional Council, which validated most of the controversial government pension reform.

Protestors invade the streets of Paris after France’s constitutional court approved the key elements of President Emmanuel Macron’s pension reform.

Corona (United States) (AFP) – Tourists zipline over the colorful landscape of flowering California poppies after several springs of absence and heavy winter rainfalls. Some trails have been closed to walkers to protect these bright orange plants, very popular with photographers and social media users

Guwahati (India) (AFP) – Over 11,000 dancers and musicians are performing Assam’s Bihu dance at a stadium in Guwahati, in northeast India, setting two world records and taking the traditional dance form to the global stage. Bihu dance is an integral part of Assamese culture and is performed during the annual Bihu festival, which marks the beginning of the Assamese New Year.

Kourou (AFP) – The European Space Agency’s JUICE space probe has successfully launched on a mission to discover whether Jupiter’s icy moons are capable of hosting extraterrestrial life in their vast, hidden oceans. The rocket was launched from Europe’s spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana and its trajectory is “nominal”, i.e. in line with what is expected, according to the teams on site.