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Stockholm (AFP) – Stockholm is seeing a surge in serious crime, including shootings and bombings, with the city’s interim police chief announcing that a special crisis group will be deployed to try end the violence. “What we have today is not one conflict, but several conflicts that are going on at the same time” explained police chief Mattias Andersson. Four shootings and three bombings have occurred in the Swedish capital this week, with a total of 21 such incidents and two deaths since December 25.

Siem Reap (Cambodia) (AFP) – 15 Ukrainian deminers are in Cambodia, learning from local experts with decades of experience in one the world’s most heavily mined countries. In December, President Volodymyr Zelensky called for long-term help in clearing Ukraine of mines and other unexploded ordnance, which he said now covers an area roughly the size of Cambodia. One priority for those in training is to protect “the health and lives” of those carrying out this dangerous work.

London (AFP) – Domestic abuse charity Refuge lays 1,071 rotten apples outside London’s New Scotland Yard, headquarters of the city’s Metropolitan Polcie. Each apple represents an officer in the UK’s largest force who is currently, or has been, under investigation for “domestic abuse or other forms of sexual violence against women”. The Met is reeling from a week in which a serving officer was exposed as a serial rapist and two retired officers were charged with child sex offences.

Davos (Switzerland) (AFP) – Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg attends at a Fridays for Future demonstration in Davos on the final day of the World Economic Forum meeting. She and other activists have launched an online petition demanding that energy firms stop any new oil, gas or coal extraction projects — or face possible legal action. IMAGES

Lima (AFP) – Peru’s president, Dina Boluarte, calls for “dialogue” and “calm” as the anti-government protests that have been raging across the country for over a month reach the capital city, Lima. Protesters gathered in the city of Thursday to take their demands — for Boluarte to step down and for fresh elections to take place — directly to the presidential palace. In regions like Cusco, Puno and Arequipa, clashes continue and Peru’s human rights authority has reported a total of 44 people killed in the unrest, which was triggered by the ousting and arrest of former president Pedro Castillo in early December last year.

Montevideo (AFP) – Dancers and musicians from 48 different groups parade down Montevideo’s main avenue to mark the opening of Uruguay’s carnival, known as the longest in the world.

Seoul (AFP) – Around 500 people were forced to flee their homes after a fire broke out in a slum made of unlicensed dwellings located in Seoul’s wealthy Gangnam district. One of South Korea’s last remaining slums, Guryong village contains mostly structures made from vinyl plywood panels. The fire broke out at around 6:30 in the morning and is believed to have burned down around 60 homes. According to fire authorities, it was completely extinguished at around noon (0300 GMT).

Aden (AFP) – In the government-controlled city of Aden, battered by the war, the first performance of a Shakespeare play in many years has resurrected hopes of a cultural revival.

Yokohama (Japan) (AFP) – “Plastic”, a new production by renowned Japanese ballet company K-BALLET, aims to draw attention to the scourge of pollution through some unusual set and wardrobe design.

Lima (AFP) – Thousands marched through Peru’s capital Thursday in a large anti-government rally punctuated by clashes with police. Some of the Lima protesters, who are demanding the resignation of President Dina Boluarte and fresh elections, threw stones and bottles at officers in the city center.