AFP Video

London (AFP) – People come from near and far to see the fresh Banksy mural that has appeared in North London. Now claimed by the enigmatic street artist, Banksy’s latest work sits behind a leafless tree.

Moscow (AFP) – Vladimir Putin thanks Russians for voting and backing him as he hails an election victory that paves the way for the former spy to become the longest-serving Russian leader in more than 200 years.

Moscow (AFP) – Russian President Vladimir Putin insists he had agreed to a proposal to exchange opposition leader Alexei Navalny prior to Navalny’s death last month. Putin made the comments at a press conference following his re-election victory, in a vote which featured no credible opposition and guaranteed his fifth term in office.

Rio de Janeiro (AFP) – People in Rio de Janeiro seek ‘open spaces’ and shades in a park as a new heatwave hits Brazil, with record-breaking temperatures. In western Rio, the head index reached 60.1 ºC on Saturday, a maximum since the Rio Alert System began taking these measurements in 2014. On Sunday, thermometers were reading between 37 and 38 ºC in most parts of the city.

DONETSK REGION (AFP) – Residents of a Moscow-controlled area near the city of Donetsk in eastern Ukraine vote at a mobile polling station which is located on a bus. Once inside, the voters cast their ballots to the tune of patriotic songs on the last day of Russia’s presidential elections, set to hand veteran leader Vladimir Putin another six years in the Kremlin.

Bangalore (AFP) – Indian food company MTR Foods set a new record for the world’s longest dosa, a popular Indian dish. A team of 75 chefs made the 37.5-metre crepe by pouring batter across a specially made pan and rolling it up in synchronised motions.

Istanbul (AFP) – People wait outside polling stations abroad for the last day of the 2024 Russian presidential election. In the run-up to the election, opposition figure Yulia Navalnaya has called on protesters to show up in large numbers simultaneously to overwhelm polling stations. President Vladimir Putin is running virtually unchallenged in the 15-17 March contest, and victory would enable the ex-KGB agent to extend his hardline rule until 2030.

Sergiyev Posad (AFP) – Russians vote on the second day of the country’s presidential elections in the city of Sergiyev Posad, known for its blue-and-golden domed monastery. President Vladimir Putin is running virtually unchallenged in the 15-17 March contest, and victory would enable the ex-KGB agent to extend his hardline rule until 2030.

Cannes-Écluse (AFP) – Numerous failures in the new exam for explosive detection dogs have led to fears of a shortage for the Paris Olympics. However, the training centre promises that there will be enough sniffer dogs this summer. “Most failures are linked to the handlers rather than the dogs because the dogs are selected beforehand,” says an Instructor at the French police force’s national training centre for dog-handling units.

Svartsengi (AFP) – Glowing lava and billowing smoke are emitted from a new volcanic eruption on the Reykjanes peninsula. Icelandic police declared a state of emergency late March 16, the fourth eruption to hit the area since December.