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Beijing (AFP) – Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko tells his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping his country “fully supports” Beijing’s proposals for ending the Ukraine war. The visit to the Chinese capital by Lukashenko — a staunch ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin — comes after Beijing published a position paper on Moscow’s war in Ukraine insisting it is a neutral party and calling for dialogue. The position paper was met with scepticism from Ukraine’s allies, who believe China may soon supply weapons to Russia.

New York (AFP) – New Yorkers wake up to something they have barely seen this winter: snow. The United States’s National Weather Service measured 1.8 inches (4.6 centimeters) of snowfall in Central Park, the first time more than an inch had been recorded there all season.

Baghdad (AFP) – Haydar Karar spends eight hours a day tidying a carpentry shop and carrying around wood beams, forced like many other Iraqi children into work by poverty and conflict.

Washington (AFP) – Students and activists gather outside the US Supreme Court in Washington, DC, as the court heard arguments Tuesday in a challenge to President Joe Biden’s plan to erase nearly $400 billion of student debt.

Seoul (AFP) – Born into an elite North Korean family with ties to the ruling dynasty, Oh Hye Son grew up believing she was “special”, but then she tasted freedom overseas and decided to defect.

Saitama (Japan) (AFP) – With her wide eyes and demure smile, Licca-chan is known as Japan’s Barbie. And her appeal is spreading to all ages, with adults turning the doll into a social media superstar.

Abuja (AFP) – Ruling party candidate Bola Tinubu has won the most votes in Nigeria’s highly disputed weekend election, according to final results on Wednesday, almost certainly securing him the presidency of Africa’s most populous democracy.

Larissa (Greece) (AFP) – At least 32 people were killed and another 85 injured after a collision between two trains caused a derailment near the Greek city of Larissa late Tuesday night.

Larissa (Greece) (AFP) – At least 32 people were killed and another 85 injured after a collision between two trains caused a derailment near the Greek city of Larissa late Tuesday night. IMAGES

Abuja (AFP) – Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announces that ruling party candidate Bola Tinubu has won the presidency of Africa’s most populous democracy after a highly disputed election.

Abuja (Nigeria) (AFP) – Final vote tallies for the Nigerian presidential election are announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at the national collation centre in Abuja. IMAGES

Freetown (AFP) – Between the mountain slopes and the Atlantic Ocean, Sierra Leone’s capital Freetown is struggling to accommodate a growing population, now estimated by city authorities to be 1.5 million. Faced with the challenges of housing, the impoverished residents have found a solution: building on the sea. This is called ‘banking’, an illegal method that allows construction on the water. However it is not regulated and comes with risks, from flooding to fires, as well as a lack of access to basic services.