AFP UK

Malmedy (Belgium) (AFP) – Belgium is far from being a snowsport hub, low-lying and lacking the regular snow needed. But one workshop in Malmedy, in the country’s east, has put geography and climate aside, carving a respected niche for itself in the world of high-end ski manufacture. Each pair of Pierre Gerondal’s handmade wooden skis take around 30 hours to make. “Our goal isn’t to become the biggest ski manufacturer in the world” he says, explaining that his team aims instead “to be sure that each pair of skis is made with the same care.”

Taipei (AFP) – Taiwan’s military says it will shoot down any “targets” that it deems a security threat after revealing that Chinese balloons fly frequently over the democratic self-ruled island. “If we ascertain that a target poses a high level of threat, our response will of course include shooting it down as it nears or enters our territorial space” says Huang Wen-Chi, Assistant Deputy Chief of the country’s General Staff For Intelligence.

Lisbon (AFP) – Lisbon residents are shocked by the report published by an independent commission revealing that at least 4,815 minors have been sexually abused in the Portuguese Catholic Church since 1950.

Kupiansk (Ukraine) (AFP) – In Kupiansk, eastern Ukraine, residents are torn between staying or leaving. Ukrainian military is on high alert, deploying tanks that rumble through streets where flattened buildings are pockmarked with bullet holes. Victoria Garnaya fled with her 13-year-old son in order to secure education for her children.

Auckland (AFP) – High winds and heavy rain lash New Zealand as the severe tropical storm Gabrielle swept away roads, inundated homes and left tens of thousands of residents without power. New Zealand has declared a national state of emergency and officials call it an “unprecedented weather event”. IMAGES

Washington (AFP) – “Even though we had no indications that any of these three objects were surveilling, we couldn’t rule that out,” W. House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby says as questions about 3 flying objects downed by US Air Force jets intensify.

Washington (AFP) – White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre tells reporters “there is no indication of aliens or extraterrestrial activity with these recent takedowns,” as questions about three unidentified flying objects downed by US Air Force intensify.

Dire Dawa, (Ethiopia) (AFP) – In Dire Dawa, in eastern Ethiopia, commuters still use the ‘Franco-Ethiopian Railway’ built over a century ago by the French. The old track remains indispensable for trade and transport, even with the recent arrival of a modern, Chinese-built line. Twice a week, passengers and cargo pile into carriages dating back to 1955 to make the 12-hour, 200-kilometre (125-mile) journey by diesel locomotive from Dire Dawa to Dewele, on the border of Djibouti.

Le Havre (France) (AFP) – Amateur footage shows an asteroid disintegrating as it comes into contact with the Earth’s atmosphere near the coast of the English Channel on Sunday night. The phenomenon produces an intense light that lasts a few seconds, which could be seen from northern France and the south of the United Kingdom.

Jableh (Syria) (AFP) – A week on from a deadly 7.8-magnitude earthquake, the search for survivors in northern Syria continues. But as the hope of finding survivors in the rubble fades, focus is beginning to shift to the millions left homeless by the disaster. Aid has been slow to reach the worst-hit parts of the country, where years of civil war have already left vital infrastructure ill-equipped. While aid convoys have now been able to cross the border from Turkey, Syria is still staring down the barrel of a vast humanitarian crisis.

Phoenix (AFP) – Supporters of the Kansas City Chiefs are delighted after the team beat the Philadelphia Eagles 38-35 in a tightly contested Super Bowl 57 on Sunday. Patrick Mahomes threw for three touchdowns and 182 yards, but the Chiefs had game-winning displays across the field as they came back from 10 points down at half-time to hand head coach Andy Reid a victory over his former team.

Conqueiros (Portugal) (AFP) – A 30-year-old guard dog who cheated death in his first days of life has been declared the world’s oldest dog ever. Bobi, now living out his twilight years as a celebrity in central Portugal, was recognised by Guinness World Records as the world’s oldest dog on February 1, breaking a nearly century-old record previously held by Bluey, an Australian cattle dog who died in 1939 at the age of 29 years and five months.