AFP Video

Seoul (AFP) – South Korean supporters of impeached president, Yoon Suk Yeol, face off with police near the presidential residence, where the embattled leader remains holed up in defiance of an arrest warrant. Yoon vows to “fight” authorities seeking to question him over his failed martial law bid last month. The bungled declaration on December 3 led to Yoon’s impeachment and now leaves him facing possible arrest, imprisonment or, at worst, the death penalty. Yoon has refused summonses for questioning three times.

New Orleans (AFP) – Tourists in New Orleans for New Year’s Eve recall the moments before a US army veteran steered a pickup truck into a crowd of revellers in the early hours of 2025, killing at least 15 people and wounding dozens. “It was just scary, I cried my eyes out honestly,” says Ethan Ayersman. With the investigation still ongoing, the FBI has said “an ISIS flag was located in the vehicle,” using another name for the Islamic State jihadist group.

Kabul (AFP) – Families are seen enjoying the first snow of the season outside Afghanistan’s capital, Kabul. “We wanted to enjoy this beauty of nature with my family and come here to celebrate our happiness together with our compatriots,” says Mir Mahmood Shah Hoshang. Weather forecast predicts snowfall until January 4.

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.