Anti-flood efforts in Bolivia after heavy rains
La Paz (AFP) – Soldiers and rescue volunteers work to prevent flooding in a river in Bolivia’s capital La Paz after heavy downpours.

La Paz (AFP) – Soldiers and rescue volunteers work to prevent flooding in a river in Bolivia’s capital La Paz after heavy downpours.

Tokyo (AFP) – The imposing towers of Tokyo’s city government headquarters are now home to the world’s largest permanent projection mapping display.

Rafah (Palestinian Territories) (AFP) – Palestinians reflect on the impact of the conflict as the death toll nears 30,000 since the war between the militant group and Israel began nearly five months ago. While mediators say a truce deal between Israel and Hamas could be just days away, aid agencies have sounded the alarm of a looming famine in Gaza’s north.

Darwin (Australia) (AFP) – Conservation efforts in Australia’s far north are credited with helping wrestle the saltwater predators back from the verge of extinction, with experts Grahame Webb and Charlie Manolis describing a unique program that relies on wild egg harvesting, removing problem crocodiles and safety campaigns that allow the scaly predators to coexist with the locals in Australia’s Northern Territory. Darwin’s Crocodylus Park, founded by Webb, is home to problem crocodiles that were removed for eating cattle or posing a risk to people. Croc keeper Jess Grills says the crocodiles under her care are now in “paradise” and her tours help visitors respect the imposing reptiles.

Re’im (Israel) (AFP) – Thousands of visitors have been flocking weekly to the site of Israel’s Supernova music festival to pay their respects to the 364 people killed there by Hamas in the 7 October attacks. The Supernova festival saw the highest death toll by far when Hamas militants broke through from Gaza, resulting in the deaths of more than 1,160 people in Israel.

Paris (AFP) – Qatar’s emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani arrives in France on a state visit, with talks on organising an Israel-Hamas ceasefire to allow the release of hostages held in Gaza dominating his first day of talks with President Emmanuel Macron. The two leaders share a moment with France football captain Kylian Mbappe, who has announced that he is planning to quit Qatari-owned PSG at the end of the current season.

Tirana (AFP) – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky compares Russia’s President Vladimir Putin to the notorious Nazi leader Adolf Hitler, as he calls for greater backing to help Kyiv fend off the invading Russian forces. Zelensky has repeatedly pleaded with allies for more aid, warning that a Ukrainian victory depends on the West boosting support for his outgunned nation.

Cypress (United States) (AFP) – Texas, last an independent country around 180 years ago, now boasts a pocket of people who want that status back, advocating a divorce from the United States they call “Texit”. Its advocates say the dramatic decoupling — loosely inspired by Britain’s Brexit from the European Union — would help resolve a roiling immigration border crisis and a fight with Washington over who controls the border with Mexico.

Namapa (Mozambique) (AFP) – A throng of displaced people wait for humanitarian aid in the town of Namapa after having fled from northern Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado, a region where tens of thousands have been driven from their homes by a wave of jihadist attacks. Mozambique has been battling an insurgency since October 2017 when fighters — since proclaimed to be affiliated with the Islamic State group — attacked coastal areas in gas-rich Cabo Delgado, close to the Tanzanian border.

Pando (Bolivia) (AFP) – At least 40 people have died as a result of Bolivia’s ongoing rainy season which has caused intense flooding in many parts of the country. The South American nation’s rainy season, which began in December and is expected to continue until March, has been exacerbated by the El Nino weather phenomenon, causing rivers to overflow.

Montreal (AFP) – The Canadian city of Montreal is experiencing almost summer-like heat, with temperatures hitting 15 degrees Celsius, even though winter is not yet over.

London (AFP) – New banknotes and coins bearing the image of King Charles III are on display at the Bank of England museum in London.
