Moscow (AFP) – President Vladimir Putin warns of a “real” risk of nuclear war if the West escalates the conflict in Ukraine, offering a defiant and emboldened stance in his annual speech to Russians. Speaking in Moscow, Putin says his soldiers are advancing in Ukraine and warns the West against sending troops to Kyiv.
Berlin (AFP) – Following statements by French President Emmanuel Macron on the possible deployment of Western troops to Ukraine, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz says he will not send any German soldiers to the conflict.
Paris (AFP) – Demonstrators for and against abortion rights gather in Paris as the French Senate backs a government move to enshrine the “freedom” to have an abortion in the country’s constitution.
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.
