Klungkung (Indonesia) (AFP) – Indonesian animal experts were preparing Thursday to conduct an autopsy on an 18-metre whale that died after washing up on a beach in Bali. Forensic experts are investigating the cause of its death.
Blumenau (Brazil) (AFP) – Mourners hold a candlelight vigil for four children who were killed by a man armed with a small axe at a preschool in the southern Brazilian city of Blumenau. The attacker also wounded four other children before turning himself in to the police.
Gaza City (Palestinian Territories) (AFP) – Israel launches air strikes on the Gaza Strip, after vowing to retaliate over a barrage of cross-border rockets fired from Lebanon, which it blamed on Palestinian groups. IMAGES
Washington (AFP) – The White House says that US President Joe Biden “is not focused” on the indictment of former commander-in-chief, Donald Trump. Press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre says that Biden is instead focused on building an economy “that leaves no one behind”. In the same press conference, Jean-Pierre addresses China’s response to Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen’s visit to the United States, saying there is no reason for Beijing to “overreact”.
Beijing (AFP) – French President Emmanuel Macron says he is pleased to have the opportunity to discuss “major bilateral issues”, as well as the “context of the war that is raging in Ukraine” during his meeting with the chairman of China’s National People’s Congress, Zhao Leji, in Beijing.
Dunajská Lužná (Slovakia) (AFP) – Working through the night, staff at a Slovakian orchard carefully place paraffin flames under cherry trees. These are just one tool in the fight to save the trees’ precious buds against spring frost. To maintain a temperature between -1 and 0 degrees, workers use candles, pellet stoves, and smoke machines for the cherry trees, while apple trees are covered in ice, a procedure which creates a bubble around the buds, maintaining the most sensitive parts at a temperature of 0 degrees.
Taipei (AFP) – Residents of Taiwan express mixed feelings about this week’s meeting between President Tsai Ing-wen and US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Tsai’s visit to the US sparked an angry response from China, with Beijing vowing a “firm and forceful” response, before deploying a number of warships to waters around Taiwan. “It’s meaningless” says one man in Taipei, “the only thing out of it is a newspaper headline.”
Donetsk region (Ukraine) (AFP) – Surrounded by trees splintered by the fighting and destroyed armoured vehicles semi-submerged in a bog, a Ukrainian mortar unit holds its position near the Donetsk frontline. “Russia has a lot of artillery here” says Mykolai, a member of the unit, “it’s difficult to manoeuvre.”
Paris (AFP) – As governments across Europe battle record levels of inflation to keep food and energy prices within reach, one Paris chocolate shop is stepping in and doing its bit. Edwart, in the city centre, has altered its recipes to use more affordable ingredients, and has simplified some of its products to save time and money. With Easter around the corner, both methods have been vital in enabling the shop to keep its prices the same as last year.
London (AFP) – Dissident artist Ai Weiwei will launch his new show “Making Sense” on Friday at London’s Design Museum. The show by the Chinese artist features monumental site-specific installations, blending politics and the personal, and his largest-ever Lego artwork inspired by Monet.
