AFP Video

Gaza City (Palestinian Territories) (AFP) – The Israel-Gaza war casts a pall of gloom over Christmas mass at the Greek Orthodox Church of Saint Porphyrius in Gaza City. The October 7 attack by Hamas resulted in the deaths of around 1,140 people in Israel, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures. Militants also took around 250 hostages back to Hamas-ruled Gaza. In response, Israel launched a relentless offensive that has claimed over 22,300 lives, according to the territory’s health ministry.

Oruro (Bolivia) (AFP) – Bolivia reports its biggest-ever cocaine seizure: more than 8 tons of the drug apparently destined for the Netherlands and found in a massive shipment of timber on December 30.

Beirut (AFP) – The European Union’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, warns against a regional conflict that would involve Lebanon, as border clashes intensified nearly three months into Israel’s war with Hezbollah ally Hamas. “It is absolutely necessary to avoid Lebanon being dragged into a regional conflict,” he says.

Cicalengka (Indonesia) (AFP) – Aerial images show derailed railcars after a train crash in West Java province, Indonesia killed four and injured dozens more.

Blue Bell (United States) (AFP) – US President Joe Biden launches his harshest attack yet on Donald Trump as he kickstarts his 2024 reelection campaign, accusing the Republican of echoing Nazi Germany and posing a threat to democracy. The 81-year-old Democrat branded his likely challenger in November “sick” in a speech on the eve of the third anniversary of the deadly January 6 Capitol attack by pro-Trump supporters.

Latchi (Cyprus) (AFP) – Cypriots race to retrieve a cross tossed into the sea by a Greek Orthodox priest, in the coastal town of Latchi, as part of the Blessing of the Waters tradition that takes place every year to celebrate the day of Epiphany. Epiphany is one of the most highly esteemed holidays in the Greek Orthodox faith. For Eastern Christians, it commemorates the day when John the Baptist christened 30-year-old Jesus Christ in the Jordan River more than 2,000 years ago.

Jordan Valley (Palestinian Territories) (AFP) – On a windy December day, a group of Israeli activists are carrying heavy rocks near Palestinian farms in the Jordan Valley, West Bank. As peace advocates, they are working to protect the farmers against violence perpetrated by extremist Israeli settlers, which has soared since the Hamas militant group’s October 7 attack on Israel.

Newark upon Trent (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Aerial images show flooding around the River Trent near Newark after Storm Henk brought heavy rains and high winds to parts of the United Kingdom. The extreme weather has led authorities to issue hundreds of flood warnings as residents face severe travel disruption and power cuts in some areas.

Amsterdam (AFP) – Reducing clothes waste and fashion industry pollution is the aim of Amsterdam’s “LENA, the fashion library”, where your next outfit can be completely rented. The “big shared wardrobe” is billed as one of the world’s only physical centres for renting used and new clothing.

Tel Aviv (AFP) – Three Israelis who were considered missing since the October 7 attacks by Hamas have been declared by Israel as hostages in the Gaza Strip, says army spokesperson Daniel Hagari. 136 people are still held by Hamas, he adds. The October 7 attack by Hamas resulted in the deaths of around 1,140 people in Israel, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures. Militants also took around 250 hostages back to Hamas-ruled Gaza. In response, Israel launched a relentless offensive that has claimed over 22,300 lives, according to the territory’s health ministry.