Kinmen (Taiwan) (AFP) – Kinmen residents are preparing to vote in a crucial presidential election on Saturday that is being watched closely from Beijing to Washington, and whose winner will set democratic Taiwan’s course over the next four years.
Las Vegas (AFP) – Two teams of five drones each, protected by spherical carbon frames, face off at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. As part of the ‘drone soccer’ demo, both teams attempt to fly their ‘striker’ drone through a goal post suspended 3.5 meters above the pitch. Ro Sang Heub, President of the Federation of International Drone Soccer Association, says he wants to see it become ‘one of the major sports played by everybody.’
East Flores (Indonesia) (AFP) – Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki in eastern Indonesia continues to erupt, spewing towering ash clouds as authorities raise the alert status to the highest level. The eruption follows weeks of heightened volcanic activity on the mountain, located on Flores Island, and prompted thousands to leave their homes and stay at temporary shelters.
The Hague (AFP) – South Africa accuses Israel of breaching the UN Genocide Convention, saying that even the deadly October 7 Hamas attack could not justify such alleged actions, as it opens a case at the top UN court.
Quito (AFP) – With city streets largely deserted apart from a military deployment, Ecuador finds itself in a “state of war” according to its president, as drug cartels wage a campaign of kidnappings and attacks in response to a government crackdown.
Belgorod (Russia) (AFP) – A train carrying hundreds of children leaves the Russian city of Belgorod near the border with Ukraine after weeks of deadly shelling by Kyiv’s forces. It is one of the biggest civilian evacuations on Russian soil since Moscow launched its Ukraine offensive in February last year. Yelena Gokova, one of hundreds of parents escorting their children to the station, says that she “decided to choose the lesser of two evils” by agreeing to an offer by authorities to send them to children’s camps further from the border.
Beijing (AFP) – China calls on the US to “refrain from intervening” in self-ruled Taiwan’s elections, saying it “firmly opposed” official visits betwen the island and the US after Washington said it would send a delegation there following this week’s polls.
London (AFP) – Props, costumes and sets from the hit Netflix drama “The Crown” are displayed before going to auction in London.
Shenzhen (China) (AFP) – Willy is Taiwanese and Louis is from mainland China – their cross-strait love story places them on opposite sides of one of the 21st century’s tensest flashpoints.
Port Moresby (AFP) – Papua New Guinean Prime Minister James Marape urges the police and defence forces to “take duty seriously” after a night of violent riots in the capital Port Moresby. A festering pay dispute involving the nation’s security forces sparked angry protests which spiralled into violence as large crowds were seen streaming into and out of damaged shopfronts while smoke poured from buildings in the city.
