Havanna (AFP) – Over a year ago, a simple yet powerful graffiti began appearing around the Cuba’s capital, Havana: “You need to be happy.” This seemingly innocent message on weathered walls and signs in the city is prompting introspection for many, as well as inspiring Cuban artists.
Cetinje (AFP) – “That’s more than a crime”. Residents of the town of Cetinje in the south of Montenegro are in shock after a killing spree which took place in the neighbouring village of Bajice. A gunman killed 12 people, including two children, before shooting himself after an hours-long manhunt.
Seoul (AFP) – Supporters of South Korea’s impeached president Yoon Seok Yul protest near his residence in Seoul. Yoon, who was suspended from office by lawmakers over his attempt to subvert civilian rule last month, has been inside his residence for weeks while fending off investigators’ efforts to question him. IMAGES
Cetinje (Montenegro) (AFP) – At least 10 people, including two children, were killed Wednesday by a gunman who launched a shooting spree in a restaurant near the southern Montenegro city of Cetinje that spanned several locations, authorities said.
Several hundred people brave chilly temperatures for the traditional New Year’s dip in Argelès-sur-Mer, in southern France, to celebrate the start of 2025.
Abidjan (AFP) – President Alassane Ouattara announces French forces in the West African nation will withdraw in January, during his end-of-year address. The Ivory Coast becomes the latest African country to weaken military ties with the former colonial power, France.
Byblos (Lebanon) (AFP) – Lebanese in the city of Byblos, north of Beirut, welcome the new year, saying they are “hopeful” it will be better than 2024 which was marked by war with Israel, with a 60-day ceasefire agreement reached on November 27.
London (AFP) – Thousands of people line the banks of the Thames River to watch the 2025 New Year fireworks as they light up the sky around the London Eye.
Pyongyang (AFP) – People in North Korea’s Pyongyang celebrate the 2025 New Year with a firework display and dance performances on Kim Il Sung Square. IMAGES
Seoul (AFP) – Hundreds of supporters of South Korea’s impeached president, Yoon Suk Yeol, gather near the presidential residence in the capital Seoul after a court issues an arrest warrant for Yoon over his short-lived bid to impose martial law in the country.
Berlin (AFP) – In his traditional New Year’s address, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz says the next federal elections “will not be decided by the owners of social media channels”. His statement comes after Elon Musk, a key supporter of US President-elect Donald Trump, posted on his social media platform X this month that “only the AfD [German far-right movement, ed.] can save Germany”.
Firebaugh (United States) (AFP) – In California’s central valley, vegetable, nut and dairy farmers aren’t sure how US President-elect Donald Trump’s deportation plans will impact their operations. While some dairy farmers don’t believe mass expulsions will happen at all, other fruit and nut farmers fear that if they do, it could be especially hard on their industry, since many harvests rely on hand picking by documented and undocumented migrant workers.
