Belém (Brésil) (AFP) – EU climate chief Wopke Hoekstra participates in a meeting on Net Zero and Clean Growth during COP30 climate talks. Hoekstra rules out revisiting financial pledges or being “lured into a phony conversation about trade measures” after a draft agreement was released at the UN COP30 summit. IMAGES
United Nations (United States) (AFP) – The US ambassador to the United Nations thanks the Security Council for voting in favour of a “historic and constructive” resolution that endorses President Donald Trump’s Gaza peace plan, authorizing an International Stabilization Force. Speaking at the UN in New York, Mike Waltz says the resolution “represents another significant step towards a stable Gaza.”
Sydney (AFP) – Usually reserved for toast, Australia’s divisive Vegemite spread has made its way onto front pages around the world after being pulled into a bitter legal row. A convicted murderer in the state of Victoria has sued the prisons commissioner over his lack of access to the quintessentially Australian condiment. Andre McKechnie argues he should be allowed to enjoy the spread — banned in Australian prisons since 2006 — as a basic human right.
Caracas (AFP) – President Donald Trump says he will talk to Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro, as Washington’s military buildup stokes tensions in the region. Hours after Trump’s comments, Maduro said he was ready to talk “face to face”.
Caracas (AFP) – President Donald Trump says he will talk to Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro, as Washington’s military buildup stokes tensions in the region. Hours after Trump’s comments, Maduro said he was ready to talk “face to face”.
Unknown (AFP) – Jeffrey Epstein survivors make a direct appeal to US Congress ahead of a vote on releasing files related to the millionaire sex offender.
Dhaka (AFP) – A Bangladesh court sentenced ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina to death after finding her guilty of crimes against humanity. Hasina was “found guilty on three counts,” including incitement, ordering to kill, and inaction to prevent the atrocities, Judge Golam Mortuza Mozumder read to the packed court in Dhaka.
New Taipei City (Taiwan) (AFP) – Taiwan’s president says China has “severely impacted peace and stability” in the Indo-Pacific region in its row with Japan. The spat unfolded after suggestions from Japan’s prime minister that the country could intervene militarily in any attack on Taiwan, which China claims as part of its territory. Lai Ching-te’s comments come on the same day that Japan’s defence ministry said it had scrambled aircraft after detecting a Chinese drone near a southern island, close to Taiwan.
Beijing (AFP) – China calls for a gradual resumption of “exchanges” with Syria, after Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with his Syrian counterpart, Assad al-Shaibani, who made his first official trip to Beijing. “China is willing to worth together with the international community to contribute to Syria’s security and stability,” says foreign minister spokesperson Mao Ning.
London (AFP) – London’s world-renowned botanical attraction, Kew Gardens, has opened its annual “Christmas at Kew” lights installation, which takes visitors on an illuminated trail around the site. This year is the event’s 13th iteration. “It sells out almost every year that we’ve run it,” says Adam Thow, head of commercial operations at Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Brazzano (Italy) (AFP) – Firefighters in Brazzano di Cormons, northeastern Italy, search for two people left missing by a mudslide that swept through a building. Overnight, the Friuli Venezia Giulia region was hit by torrential rains, leaving large areas under water and triggering an emergency operation drawing on specialised units from neighbouring regions.
Charlotte (AFP) – Residents of Charlotte, North Carolina, protest outside a Department of Homeland Security office in the city, which has become the latest target of immigration enforcement operations. Federal immigration officers have begun operation in the Democrat-run city, following crackdowns in Los Angeles and Chicago. Since returning to the White House in January, President Donald Trump has pushed for a massive wave of deportations, with aggressive immigration raids around the country sparking protests and allegations of rights violations.
