AFP Video

Kyiv (Ukraine) (AFP) – Ukrainians sing and wave flags in celebration on Kyiv’s independence square after news broke that Ukraine’s forces had entered the city in the country’s south.

Sharm el Sheikh (Egypt) (AFP) – President Joe Biden tells the COP27 conference that the “very life of the planet” is at stake in the climate crisis, and assures that the United States is on track to slash carbon emissions.

Lanzarote (Spain) (AFP) – German astronaut Alexander Gerst together with other trainees, takes part in the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Pangaea training course on the Spanish isle of Lanzarote. The course seeks to give astronauts as well as space engineers and geologists skills needed for expeditions to other planets.”What makes it special is that this place here has lavas that are very, very similar to the ones that we find on the moon,” says Alexander.

Beijing (AFP) – China says the US should work with the country and put relations “back on the right track of healthy and stable development” after confirming that Chinese President Xi Jinping will meet US President Joe Biden next week in Bali.

Unknown (AFP) – The Chief spokesperson for Russia’s Defence Ministry, Igor Konashenkov, says that Russia has completed its withdrawal of forces from the western bank of the Dnipro river, after Moscow said it had made the “difficult decision” to withdraw in the face of Ukrainian advance.

Warsaw (AFP) – Tens of thousands of people gather in the centre of Warsaw for Poland’s Independence Day celebrations. The event is organised by Polish nationalist groups and is expected to attract over 100,000 people.

Rome (AFP) – Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemns what she calls the “aggressive reaction” of the French government to taking in a migrant rescue vessel rejected by Rome. She tells a press conference it is “incomprehensible and unjustified”, after Paris said it would accept the Ocean Viking and the 234 migrants onboard, but suspend a previous plan to take in 3,500 refugees currently in Italy.

Toulon (France) (AFP) – A charity ship carrying more than 200 migrants rescued in the Mediterranean enters the French port of Toulon, after the country allowed the ship to disembark in response to Italy’s refusal to take passengers in.

Phnom Penh (AFP) – Chinese Premier Li Keqiang holds talks with ASEAN leaders on Friday afternoon, before joining Biden and other regional leaders for an East Asia Summit in Phnom Penh on Sunday.

Al-Shahaniya (Qatar) (AFP) – At a camel race in the Qatari desert, jockeys are nowhere to be seen. But the animals are actually guided by remote-controlled units mounted on their backs, which are operated by drivers following alongside in all-terrain trucks. The hi-tech sport is a traditional Gulf pastime that is hoping to get a boost on the back of football as Qatar braces for the arrival of more than one million World Cup fans.