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Colombo (AFP) – Sri Lankans take a dip in the pool and relax at the garden Wednesday in the colonial-era presidential palace which has embodied state authority for more than 200 years. It’s now become the island’s new symbol of people power. Sri Lanka’s embattled president flew out of the country to the Maldives early Wednesday, in a probable prelude to his resignation after months of widespread protests against his island nation’s worst-ever economic crisis. DURATION: 01:45

Suva (Fiji) (AFP) – The United States launched a major push into the Pacific on Wednesday, seeking to hold off China’s advance in the region, with Vice President Kamala Harris announcing $600 million in funding at a key regional summit. This would include a $60 million pledge for economic assistance to the Forum Fisheries Agency. DURATION: 01:09

Amsterdam (AFP) – A mysterious late-night ring of a doorbell has led to the recovery of what is believed to be one of the most sacred artefacts recently stolen from the Catholic Church, the Dutch art detective Arthur Brand says. Brand is known as the “Indiana Jones of the art world” for his remarkable recoveries of stolen art including a Picasso and a ring belonging to Oscar Wilde.

Korçë (Albania) (AFP) – In Albania, treasure hunters are plundering ancient cities left ruined in the mountains in search of priceless artefacts. Archaeologists worry that the looters are causing irreversible damage to the Balkan nation’s cultural heritage.

Beijing (AFP) – China accuses Taiwan of a “political plot” after its Vice President William Lai attended former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe’s funeral. “There is no so-called Vice President” of Taiwan, foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin says.

Yosemite National Park (United States) (AFP) – Firefighters and rescue services are scrambling to protect the Yosemite National Park’s ancient sequoia trees from blazing wildfires. “We’ve got a ton of hand crews, fire engines, bulldozers all on scene working tremendously hard,” says fire official Joshua Boehm.

Greenbelt (United States) (AFP) – The James Webb Space Telescope releases a new wave of cosmic images, heralding a new era of astronomy.

Yakutsk (Russia) (AFP) – Heavy rainfall has flooded several villages in Russia’s East Siberian region of Yakutia, a particularly vulnerable region to the effects of climate change.

United Nations (United States) (AFP) – The UN Security Council adopts a resolution extending a system for cross-border aid to Syria by six months, the duration demanded by Russia while other members had sought a full year.

Tokyo (AFP) – The hearse carrying the body of Shinzo Abe is passes by the parliament building in Tokyo as Japan mourns the former prime minister who was shot at close range in the city of Nara on Friday.

Tokyo (AFP) – The hearse carrying the body of Shinzo Abe stops outside PM’s office in Tokyo as Japan mourns the former Japanese PM who was shot at close range in the city of Nara on Friday.

Tokyo (AFP) – Images show the entrance of Zojoji temple in Tokyo and men wearing black suits as family and friends of assassinated former prime minister Shinzo Abe gathered inside for a private funeral. Abe was shot at close range on Friday while giving a campaign speech in the city of Nara, days ahead of the upper house elections that saw his ruling party strengthen its hold on power. IMAGES