AFP Video

Beijing (AFP) – China’s Foreign Ministry urges the United States, Britain and Australia to drop the “Cold War mentality” of the so-called AUKUS defence pact. A number of states in Southeast Asia have expressed reluctance to back the agreement, in which the US and Britain have pledged to help Australia acquire nuclear-powered submarines as part of plans to counter China’s influence. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin also says Beijing has “always upheld an objective and just position” on the war in Ukraine.

Hiroshima (Japan) (AFP) – At the Hiroshima Peace Memorial, people give their views on Christopher Nolan’s film ‘Oppenheimer’, which became one of the most awarded films in Oscar history when it swept up seven statuettes on Sunday.

Kyoto (Japan) (AFP) – Visitors will be banned from entering private alleys in Kyoto’s famous geisha district, as the ancient city tackles overtourism after the pandemic. Kyoto residents have long expressed frustration with tourists behaving badly, especially in the city’s picturesque Gion neighbourhood, home to teahouses where “geiko” — as geisha are locally known — and their young “maiko” apprentices, perform.

Port-au-Prince (AFP) – The Haitian capital Port-au-Prince is facing an increasingly precarious humanitarian situation as it spirals deeper into gang violence.

Melbourne (AFP) – Particpants at the Moomba Festival’s Birdman Rally fling themselves into Melbourne’s Yarra River with costumes and inventive homemade flying devices.

Klungkung (Indonesia) (AFP) – Hindus in the Indonesian island of Bali hold an effigy parade and a purification fire ceremony in preparation for the Hindu new year.

Gaza City (Palestinian Territories) (AFP) – In Gaza City, residents try to collect the remains of food fallen on the ground from airdropped parcels as famine looms in parts of the besieged territory. UN agencies warn the airdropped aid falls far short of the needs of Gaza Strip’s 2.4 million people.

Libreville (AFP) – Gabon’s Foreign Affairs Minister announces that the country has been reinstated into the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), after it was suspended following the army coup that overthrew President Ali Bongo Ondimba on August 30, 2023.

Larnaca (Cyprus) (AFP) – A ship belonging to the Spanish charity Open Arms is loaded with humanitarian aid in Cyprus’s Larnaca port as they prepare to set sail to war-torn Gaza ahead of Ramadan. The boat is “ready” to embark but awaiting final authorisation, according to the charity. The sea route aims to counter aid access restrictions, which humanitarians and foreign governments have blamed on Israel, more than five months into the war which has left Gaza’s 2.4 million people struggling to survive.

Oudtshoorn (South Africa) (AFP) – From fashion runways around the world to the Moulin Rouge cabaret in Paris and the Rio carnival, South African ostrich feathers have taken centre stage. The country dominates the world market — generating around 70% of by-products, including feathers, leather, eggs and meat, with the majority of these coming from the small town of Oudtshoorn.