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Beijing (AFP) – Scientists in China say they have discovered fish fossils dating back 440 million years and that their findings could change the “understanding of the whole evolutionary framework”. “This is actually a very precious fossil evidence for us to better understand the origin and earliest evolution of jaws,” says Min Zhu, a researcher from the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology (IVPP) under the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Mexico City (AFP) – Pro-abortion rights activists demonstrate to demand the legalisation of abortion on the Global Day of Action for Safe and Legal Abortion in Mexico City. Eight of Mexico’s 32 states have decriminalised abortion, but in September 2021 the Supreme Court declared several state laws banning abortion unconstitutional, effectively allowing it throughout the country. IMAGES

Washington (AFP) – The United States will “never” recognize Russian attempts to annex parts of Ukraine and is preparing new economic sanctions on Moscow, the White House says. “We will never recognize these illegal and illegitimate attempts at annexation,” Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre tells reporters after Moscow said that Russian-occupied parts of Ukraine had voted to join Russia.

Punta Gorda (United States) (AFP) – Strong winds and torrential rain lash Punta Gorda, Florida, threatening catastrophic damage and flooding as Hurricane Ian slams into the coast of southwest Florida as a monster Category 4 storm.

Punta Gorda (United States) (AFP) – Hurricane Ian unleashes heavy rains and strong winds over Punta Gorda as the Category 4 storm nears landfall in southwest Florida.

Punta Gorda (United States) (AFP) – Hurricane Ian unleashes heavy rains and strong winds over Punta Gorda as the Category 4 storm makes landfall in southwest Florida.

Tallahassee (United States) (AFP) – “This is going to be a nasty, nasty day,” Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida says as Hurricane Ian approaches the state after strengthening to a Category 4 storm.

Liverpool (AFP) – Exiled Belarusian opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya says long-term Kremlin ally Alexander Lukashenko is in a “difficult situation” following Russia’s so-called referendums to annex more territories to the east and south of Ukraine, which she denounces as a “sham.”

Punta Gorda (United States) (AFP) – Heavy winds and rain pummel Punta Gorda in Florida as Hurricane Ian intensifies to just shy of the strongest Category 5 level, threatening to wreak “catastrophic” destruction on the southern US state.

Vaalimaa (Finland) (AFP) – A Finnish border officer explains that they have seen an up to 40% increase in traffic on the border with Russia since Moscow’s military call-up announcement last Wednesday.

Gabrovo (Bulgaria) (AFP) – Once a booming industrial hub, the region of Gabrovo in the centre of Bulgaria now has the country’s lowest natural birth rate. As more and more young people move out in search of work, the number of newborns has dropped dramatically – from around 1000 babies born in 1985, to just 263 in 2021.

Port Charlotte (United States) (AFP) – Palm trees sway in the wind and heavy rain falls on Port Charlotte as Hurricane Ian barrels toward Southwest Florida after strengthening to to a Category 4 storm.