Pristina (AFP) – Fevzi Aliu, a chicken farmer in Kosovo capital Pristina, counts among the animals under his care several specimens of a unique local species. Known as ‘Kosovo Longcrowers’, these largely black-feathered roosters can issue their hoarse crow for almost 90 seconds without stopping. “This cockerel is my favourite,” says Fevzi Aliu, pointing to Arab, one of his ‘Kosovo singers.’
London (AFP) – Stella Assange says attempts to extradite her husband, jailed WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, to the US to face espionage charges over the publication of secret military and diplomatic files are a criminalisation of journalism and the truth. “They want impunity, they don’t want to be scrutinised and journalism stands in the way,” she tells supporters outside the UK court where Assange’s lawyers are making a last-ditch bid to fight the extradition.
Kyiv (Ukraine) (AFP) – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky proposes a meeting with the Polish government to solve the border blockade, which he says is threatening the supply of weapons to Kyiv’s army at the front. “I have instructed my government to be on the border between our countries as soon as possible, by February 24,” he says.
Rio de Janeiro (AFP) – Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov arrives at the Foreign Ministers G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro. IMAGES
Luang Prabang (Laos) (AFP) – The $3 billion Luang Prabang hydroelectric dam on the Mekong river, backed by a Thai-led consortium, is one of seven new mainstream dams that Laos plans to build to capitalise on its huge hydro potential.
Dharamshāla (India) (AFP) – As Tibetans mark 65 years since fleeing into exile after an uprising against Chinese rule, the diaspora’s elected leader says Beijing is crushing his people, but insists that hope of resolution remains.
London (AFP) – “It’s about the right to be able to speak freely without being put in prison,” says Julian Assange’s wife Stella outside the London High Court where a hearing for his final appeal against extradition to the United States is underway. The hearing opened in the absence of the 52-year-old WikiLeaks founder who “is not feeling well”, according to his lawyer Edward Fitzgerald. Assange is facing trial in the United States for publishing secret military and diplomatic files.
Florence (Italy) (AFP) – Every two months, Michelangelo’s statue of David, completed in 1504, undergoes a careful cleaning at its home in Florence’s Accademia Gallery, where it has resided for over 150 years. His personal restorer, Eleonora Pucci, climbs on a scaffolding for an up-close view — part of a monitoring and cleaning ritual necessary for the preservation of the Renaissance icon visited by over two million visitors last year.
Florence (Italy) (AFP) – Every two months, Michelangelo’s statue of David, completed in 1504, undergoes a careful cleaning at its home in Florence’s Accademia Gallery, where it has resided for over 150 years. His personal restorer, Eleonora Pucci, climbs on a scaffolding for an up-close view — part of a monitoring and cleaning ritual necessary for the preservation of the Renaissance icon visited by over two million visitors last year.
kharp (Russia) (AFP) – The mother of late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny appeals to President Vladimir Putin for the release of her son’s body. “I demand that Alexei’s body be released immediately so that I can bury him in a humane way,” says Lyudmila Navalnaya. AFP can confirm that she is speaking against the backdrop of a church that corresponds to photos available in the media of the Russian Arctic prison colony where Navalny was jailed and died, according to the prison service.
