North Korean capital blanketed by snow
Pyongyang (AFP) – Snow blankets the North Korean capital Pyongyang, leaving a layer of white over the city streets.
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Satellite photos show areas covered in ash after Tonga volcano
Tonga (Tonga) (AFP) – Satellite images of areas in Tonga before and after the Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha’apai volcano erupted. The photos taken on January 18 show buildings in a residential area and port facilities covered by volcanic ash.
Sotheby’s unveils sneakers designed by the late Virgil Abloh
New York (AFP) – Sotheby’s has unveiled a pair of Louis Vuitton and Nike ‘Air Force 1’ sneakers designed by the late US fashion icon Virgil Abloh. Two hundred pairs will be open for bidding from January 26 to February 8. The former artistic director of Louis Vuitton’s menswear died in November 2021.
China rebuffs Australia’s concern over detained writer
Beijing (AFP) – China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Zhao Lijian says “all legal rights and interests of Yang Jun have been fully protected,” as China rejects comments made by the Australian Foreign Minister about the deteriorating health of the Australian academic, currently held in China, during a press briefing in Beijing.
Kazakhstan’s ex-leader denies conflict with successor
Nur-Sultan (Kazakhstan) (AFP) – Former leader of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev denies any conflict with his successor in his first appearance since unrest in the Central Asian country sparked rumours of a power struggle. Much of the anger amid protests earlier this month that erupted into violence appeared directed at Nazarbayev, who had ruled Kazakhstan since 1989 before handing over power, but who was widely believed to remain in control behind the scenes.
Saudis make the most of rare snowfall on Tabuk mountain
Tabuk (Saudi Arabia) (AFP) – People head to Jabal al-Lawz (Almond Mountain) in Saudi Arabia’s northwestern region of Tabuk, as snow covers the area following temperature drops in the kingdom. Each year, Saudis head to the 2580 metre mountain when snow falls and set up tents or picnics to experience the cold weather.
Festival of fire: horses run through fire at Spain’s ‘Las Luminarias’ festival
San Bartolome de Pinares (Spain) (AFP) – In the central Spanish village of San Bartolome de Pinares, horsemen ride through a bonfire for the the traditional religious festival of “Las Luminarias”. The festival is held in honour of San Antonio Abad, patron saint of animals, and the ritual of riding through fire is mant to purify and protect the animal.
Djokovic deported from Australia after losing court battle
Melbourne (AFP) – Exclusive AFP images show Novak Djokovic walking through Melbourne Airport as he is deported from Australia after a failed last-gasp bid to avoid deportation, ending a sensational legal battle over his coronavirus vaccination status and dashing his dream of a record 21st Grand Slam.
Serbian president denounces Australia ‘witch hunt’ after Djokovic deportation
Belgrade (AFP) – Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic says Australian authorities have ‘no principles’ in its deportation of world number one tennis player Novak Djokovic over his Covid-19 vaccination status.
Tonga ‘covered in volcanic dust’ after eruption: New Zealand’s Ardern
Auckland (AFP) – “Boats and large boulders washed ashore,” in Tonga, says New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, after a huge volcano eruption at the islands. The Tongan capital Nuku’alofa “is covered in a thick film of volcanic dust,” Ardern adds.
