Harare (AFP) – Supporters celebrate the release from prison of 14 Zimbabwean opposition activists who each had to pay bail of 50,000 Zimbabwe dollars (US$78). Their release came just days after a mission from the Commonwealth arrived to assess if conditions were conducive to warrant Zimbabwe’s readmission into the grouping of mainly former British colonies.
Pretoria (AFP) – For a little over a year, ‘The Upsidedown’, a group of paranormal enthusiasts, have been seeking out the ghosts and spirits trapped in the dark corners of the South Africa’s complex and violent history. Using technology, including infrared cameras and motion detectors, the team search an abandoned university building that housed a mortuary during the 1980s, and where guards have reported unexplained noises in the night.
Bamako (AFP) – In Mali, a few lines from the country’s proposed draft constitution are fueling an ongoing debate about what its official language – or languages – should be. Since Mali gained independence from France in 1960, French has been the language of government business, used on road signs and in state TV broadcasts. Now, local languages such as Bambara, the country’s most-used language, are being suggested as additions to or even a replacement of French as the official language. N°32N83FZ
Bangkok (AFP) – US Secretary of State Antony Blinken says that Russia bears ultimate responsibility for a deadly blast in Poland, where an initial probe blamed Ukrainian air defences, during his media address at APEC summit in Bangkok. “Whatever its final conclusion, we already know the party ultimately responsible for this tragic incident — Russia,” says Blinken.
Sharm el Sheikh (Egypt) (AFP) – ‘This is a demand that is equitable (…) and should be accepted,’ says G77 chief negotiator Nabeel Munir about climate reparations during a speech at the COP27 summit in Egypt’s Sharm el Sheikh.
Kyiv (Ukraine) (AFP) – Speaking via videolink at the Bloomberg New Economy Forum in Singapore, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky slams a fresh wave of rocket strikes across the country as “another Russian terrorist attack”.
Medinaceli (Spain) (AFP) – The “Toro de Jubilo” festival in the central Spanish town of Medinaceli, dating back to the 16th century, is criticised for its practice of setting fire to a metal frame placed on the horns of a bull. “The animal’s been inside a box for several hours” explains Jaime Posada, an activist, “he can’t defend himself, he can’t run, he can’t do anything”. “It’s just animal abuse and they enjoy it” he says of the event’s organisers, who did not respond to AFP’s requests for comment.
Przewodów (Poland) (AFP) – Exclusive aerial footage of the grain warehouse in Przewodow, Poland where a missile fell on Tuesday, killing two people. Western leaders moved to calm fears of a dangerous escalation in Russia’s war in Ukraine on Wednesday, saying the blast was likely an accident caused by Ukrainian air defence systems. The United States, like NATO, has firmly supported Warsaw’s assessment that the deadly missile was probably fired by Ukraine, despite Kyiv pointing the finger at Russia. EXCLUSIVE AERIAL IMAGES
Vatican City (AFP) – The Vatican erects a 26-metre high silver fir tree at the centre of St. Peter’s Square, just over a month before Christmas. The 62-year-old tree comes from a forest in the Abruzzo region of Italy.
Bangkok (AFP) – French President Emmanuel Macron visits the Rajadamnern Thai boxing stadium in Bangkok. Macron is joining other world leaders in Thailand for the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting.
Brooklyn (United States) (AFP) – The Brooklyn Botanic Garden in New York kicks off the holiday season with giant luminous sculptures and artworks nestled in the landscapes. “You can hear the holiday music, it’s a good gateway into the season”, says a visitor.
Bangkok (AFP) – Chinese President Xi Jinping arrives in Thailand on Thursday for a summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, which is due to focus on pandemic recovery and the war in Ukraine.
