Seoul (AFP) – Early voting in South Korea’s presidential elections begins with scores of people casting their ballot at a polling station in the capital Seoul. The presidential election was triggered by ex-leader Yoon Suk Yeol’s ill-fated suspension of civilian rule last year. IMAGES
Mumbai (AFP) – Students in India’s financial capital of Mumbai react to the US State Department’s suspension of student visa processing — the latest escalation of a Trump administration crackdown on foreign students. “The chances of better lifestyle and better colleges… will be less for Indian students,” says student Shelomith Mhaske.
Moskau (AFP) – President Vladimir Putin says Russia doesn’t “have enough potatoes”, during a meeting of a platform for entrepreneurship and networking. Potato prices increased by 1.7 percent from May 13 to 19, according to Russia’s official statistics body Rosstat, as the country battles high inflation since it launched its offensive against Ukraine in 2022 and is hit by Western sanctions.
Paris (AFP) – Several NGOs stage a symbolic protest in Paris, dyeing the water of a fountain red to represent what they call the “bloodbath” in Gaza. “A genocide is unfolding, and political inaction is increasingly becoming a form of complicity,” says Jean-François Julliard, Executive Director of Greenpeace France.
Berlin (AFP) – German Chancellor Friedrich Merz says during a visit by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that Berlin will help Kyiv develop new long-range weapons that can hit targets in Russian territory. Zelensky’s visit comes days after Russia launched some of its heaviest missile and drone attacks yet in its invasion of Ukraine.
Damaskus (AFP) – After decades of poverty and isolation under the Assad dynasty, exotic fruits like pineapples, kiwis and mangoes are available again in Syria’s bustling markets, making mouths water and eyes twinkle. Fruits that were once designated luxury items are now as common as potatoes or onions, cooking staples for many of the country’s population.
Moskau (AFP) – In Moscow, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov describes Germany’s plans to ramp up defence spending as “very worrying”, citing the world wars of the 20th century.
Rafah (Palestinian Territories) (AFP) – Thousands of Palestinians rushed into a new aid distribution centre run by a US-backed group in southern Gaza, leading to chaotic scenes as Israel implemented a new distribution system. The UN did not take part in the scheme, accusing the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation of failing to adhere to humanitarian principles.
Ramallah (Palestinian Territories) (AFP) – Israeli forces confiscate equipment and detain employees as they raid the Al-Khaleej Exchange Company in Ramallah following accusations that their parent company has “connections with terrorist organisations”, according to an army closure notice.
Liverpool (AFP) – Liverpool supporters and locals share their views a day after a car ploughed into a packed crowd celebrating the home team winning the Premier League title, leaving dozens injured, including children.
La Lande-de-Fronsac (France) (AFP) – An association near Bordeaux is taking on the challenge of building a Romanesque chapel, a cloister, and a Gothic cathedral-like structure using medieval techniques, all over an estimated time span of 40 years.
Beijing (AFP) – Beijing defends its international lending practices as an Australian think-tank warns in a new report that the world’s poorest nations face a “tidal wave of debt” as repayments to China hit record highs in 2025.
