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From Japan getting its teeth into its bear problem to why all is not so sunny for the Swedes... Your weekly roundup of offbeat stories from around the world.
➡️ u.afp.com/S8mM
➡️ u.afp.com/S8mM
December 26, 2025 at 4:55 PM
From Japan getting its teeth into its bear problem to why all is not so sunny for the Swedes... Your weekly roundup of offbeat stories from around the world.
➡️ u.afp.com/S8mM
➡️ u.afp.com/S8mM
🇷🇺 🇺🇦 Russia has accused Ukraine of trying to "torpedo" talks on a US plan to end its military offensive, saying a text presented by Kyiv this week was "radically different" to one Moscow negotiated with Washington.
➡️ u.afp.com/S8mP
➡️ u.afp.com/S8mP
December 26, 2025 at 4:52 PM
🇷🇺 🇺🇦 Russia has accused Ukraine of trying to "torpedo" talks on a US plan to end its military offensive, saying a text presented by Kyiv this week was "radically different" to one Moscow negotiated with Washington.
➡️ u.afp.com/S8mP
➡️ u.afp.com/S8mP
🕌 An explosion killed at least eight worshippers at a mosque in a predominantly Alawite area of Syria's Homs on Friday, state media said, with an Islamist militant group claiming responsibility.
➡️ u.afp.com/S8mY
➡️ u.afp.com/S8mY
December 26, 2025 at 4:40 PM
🕌 An explosion killed at least eight worshippers at a mosque in a predominantly Alawite area of Syria's Homs on Friday, state media said, with an Islamist militant group claiming responsibility.
➡️ u.afp.com/S8mY
➡️ u.afp.com/S8mY
🇺🇦 Inside an abandoned control room at Ukraine's Chernobyl nuclear power plant, a worker in an orange hardhat gazed at a grey wall of seemingly endless dials, screens and gauges that were supposed to prevent disaster.
➡️ u.afp.com/S8mf
➡️ u.afp.com/S8mf
December 26, 2025 at 4:30 PM
🇺🇦 Inside an abandoned control room at Ukraine's Chernobyl nuclear power plant, a worker in an orange hardhat gazed at a grey wall of seemingly endless dials, screens and gauges that were supposed to prevent disaster.
➡️ u.afp.com/S8mf
➡️ u.afp.com/S8mf
🇮🇱 Israel has formally recognised Somaliland as an "independent and sovereign state" and signed an agreement to establish diplomatic ties between the two countries, the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said.
➡️ u.afp.com/S8mN
➡️ u.afp.com/S8mN
December 26, 2025 at 4:20 PM
🇮🇱 Israel has formally recognised Somaliland as an "independent and sovereign state" and signed an agreement to establish diplomatic ties between the two countries, the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said.
➡️ u.afp.com/S8mN
➡️ u.afp.com/S8mN
🇺🇸 🇳🇬 Nigeria has signalled that more strikes against jihadist groups were expected after a Christmas Day bombardment by US forces against militants in the north of the country, which it said was a joint operation with its military.
➡️ u.afp.com/S8mc
➡️ u.afp.com/S8mc
December 26, 2025 at 4:10 PM
🇺🇸 🇳🇬 Nigeria has signalled that more strikes against jihadist groups were expected after a Christmas Day bombardment by US forces against militants in the north of the country, which it said was a joint operation with its military.
➡️ u.afp.com/S8mc
➡️ u.afp.com/S8mc
🇹🇭 An elusive wild cat long feared extinct in Thailand has been rediscovered three decades after the last recorded sighting, conservation authorities and an NGO said Friday.
➡️ u.afp.com/S8Wc
➡️ u.afp.com/S8Wc
December 26, 2025 at 4:00 PM
🇹🇭 An elusive wild cat long feared extinct in Thailand has been rediscovered three decades after the last recorded sighting, conservation authorities and an NGO said Friday.
➡️ u.afp.com/S8Wc
➡️ u.afp.com/S8Wc
🇲🇾 A Malaysian judge sentenced former prime minister Najib Razak to 15 more years in jail on Friday after convicting him of abuse of power and money laundering in a sovereign wealth fund graft scandal.
➡️ u.afp.com/S8Wq
➡️ u.afp.com/S8Wq
December 26, 2025 at 3:50 PM
🇲🇾 A Malaysian judge sentenced former prime minister Najib Razak to 15 more years in jail on Friday after convicting him of abuse of power and money laundering in a sovereign wealth fund graft scandal.
➡️ u.afp.com/S8Wq
➡️ u.afp.com/S8Wq
🇺🇸 Hundreds of Santas hit the ski slopes for charity in the US
Hundreds of people dressed as Santa Claus take to the South Ridge slope in Maine, US, skiing together to raise money for two local charities.
Hundreds of people dressed as Santa Claus take to the South Ridge slope in Maine, US, skiing together to raise money for two local charities.
December 26, 2025 at 3:40 PM
🇺🇸 Hundreds of Santas hit the ski slopes for charity in the US
Hundreds of people dressed as Santa Claus take to the South Ridge slope in Maine, US, skiing together to raise money for two local charities.
Hundreds of people dressed as Santa Claus take to the South Ridge slope in Maine, US, skiing together to raise money for two local charities.
⚽ Veteran Knowledge Musona scored as Zimbabwe came from behind to draw 1-1 with Angola in Marrakesh on Friday as the second round of Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) group matches kicked off.
➡️ u.afp.com/S8mS
➡️ u.afp.com/S8mS
December 26, 2025 at 3:30 PM
⚽ Veteran Knowledge Musona scored as Zimbabwe came from behind to draw 1-1 with Angola in Marrakesh on Friday as the second round of Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) group matches kicked off.
➡️ u.afp.com/S8mS
➡️ u.afp.com/S8mS
🇺🇸 🇺🇦 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is to meet US President Donald Trump in Florida on Sunday for talks on how to end the Russian invasion, Kyiv said Friday.
➡️ u.afp.com/S8mw
➡️ u.afp.com/S8mw
December 26, 2025 at 3:10 PM
🇺🇸 🇺🇦 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is to meet US President Donald Trump in Florida on Sunday for talks on how to end the Russian invasion, Kyiv said Friday.
➡️ u.afp.com/S8mw
➡️ u.afp.com/S8mw
🇮🇱 🇵🇸 A Palestinian killed a man and a woman in a stabbing and car-ramming attack in northern Israel on Friday, triggering a threat from the defence minister to crack down on the assailant's village in the occupied West Bank.
➡️ u.afp.com/S8mk
➡️ u.afp.com/S8mk
December 26, 2025 at 3:00 PM
🇮🇱 🇵🇸 A Palestinian killed a man and a woman in a stabbing and car-ramming attack in northern Israel on Friday, triggering a threat from the defence minister to crack down on the assailant's village in the occupied West Bank.
➡️ u.afp.com/S8mk
➡️ u.afp.com/S8mk
🇵🇰 Dancing Santas and camel rides: Pakistan's Christians celebrate Christmas
Hundreds of Christians celebrate Christmas on the streets of Karachi, with people dancing, riding camels and dressing up as Santa Claus.
Hundreds of Christians celebrate Christmas on the streets of Karachi, with people dancing, riding camels and dressing up as Santa Claus.
December 26, 2025 at 1:40 PM
🇵🇰 Dancing Santas and camel rides: Pakistan's Christians celebrate Christmas
Hundreds of Christians celebrate Christmas on the streets of Karachi, with people dancing, riding camels and dressing up as Santa Claus.
Hundreds of Christians celebrate Christmas on the streets of Karachi, with people dancing, riding camels and dressing up as Santa Claus.
🇯🇵 Fourteen people were injured in a stabbing attack in a factory in central Japan during which an unspecified liquid was also sprayed, an emergency services official said on Friday.
➡️ u.afp.com/S8WL
➡️ u.afp.com/S8WL
December 26, 2025 at 1:00 PM
🇯🇵 Fourteen people were injured in a stabbing attack in a factory in central Japan during which an unspecified liquid was also sprayed, an emergency services official said on Friday.
➡️ u.afp.com/S8WL
➡️ u.afp.com/S8WL
🧊 The ice cores that could help save the world's glaciers
Glaciologists hope fist-sized ice samples can help them understand why the glaciers in Tajikistan they came from are the only ones to resist rapid melting seen almost everywhere else.
Glaciologists hope fist-sized ice samples can help them understand why the glaciers in Tajikistan they came from are the only ones to resist rapid melting seen almost everywhere else.
December 26, 2025 at 12:40 PM
🧊 The ice cores that could help save the world's glaciers
Glaciologists hope fist-sized ice samples can help them understand why the glaciers in Tajikistan they came from are the only ones to resist rapid melting seen almost everywhere else.
Glaciologists hope fist-sized ice samples can help them understand why the glaciers in Tajikistan they came from are the only ones to resist rapid melting seen almost everywhere else.
🇾🇪 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia, the main backer of Yemen's internationally-recognised government, conducted air strikes on separatist positions in Hadramawt on Friday, according to local media and the UAE-backed separatist Southern Transitional Council.
➡️ u.afp.com/S8WP
➡️ u.afp.com/S8WP
December 26, 2025 at 12:00 PM
🇾🇪 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia, the main backer of Yemen's internationally-recognised government, conducted air strikes on separatist positions in Hadramawt on Friday, according to local media and the UAE-backed separatist Southern Transitional Council.
➡️ u.afp.com/S8WP
➡️ u.afp.com/S8WP
🇺🇸 🇳🇬 Nigeria has signalled more strikes against jihadist groups were expected after a Christmas Day bombardment by US forces against militants in the north of the country.
➡️ u.afp.com/S8Wm
➡️ u.afp.com/S8Wm
December 26, 2025 at 11:50 AM
🇺🇸 🇳🇬 Nigeria has signalled more strikes against jihadist groups were expected after a Christmas Day bombardment by US forces against militants in the north of the country.
➡️ u.afp.com/S8Wm
➡️ u.afp.com/S8Wm
🇮🇷 Iran's women bikers take the road despite legal, social obstacles
Maryam Ghelich has helped hundreds of women to navigate not only Tehran's gridlocked streets but the barriers facing female motorcyclists in the conservative Islamic republic.
Maryam Ghelich has helped hundreds of women to navigate not only Tehran's gridlocked streets but the barriers facing female motorcyclists in the conservative Islamic republic.
December 26, 2025 at 11:40 AM
🇮🇷 Iran's women bikers take the road despite legal, social obstacles
Maryam Ghelich has helped hundreds of women to navigate not only Tehran's gridlocked streets but the barriers facing female motorcyclists in the conservative Islamic republic.
Maryam Ghelich has helped hundreds of women to navigate not only Tehran's gridlocked streets but the barriers facing female motorcyclists in the conservative Islamic republic.
🇪🇸 Thousands of runners dressed as Santa take part in Barcelona race
Not flying on a sleigh, but out of the gates, thousands of runners dressed as Santa Claus take part in a five kilometre race to kick off Barcelona's Christmas festivities
Not flying on a sleigh, but out of the gates, thousands of runners dressed as Santa Claus take part in a five kilometre race to kick off Barcelona's Christmas festivities
December 26, 2025 at 11:20 AM
🇪🇸 Thousands of runners dressed as Santa take part in Barcelona race
Not flying on a sleigh, but out of the gates, thousands of runners dressed as Santa Claus take part in a five kilometre race to kick off Barcelona's Christmas festivities
Not flying on a sleigh, but out of the gates, thousands of runners dressed as Santa Claus take part in a five kilometre race to kick off Barcelona's Christmas festivities
🇹🇭 An elusive wild cat long feared extinct in Thailand has been rediscovered three decades after the last recorded sighting, conservation authorities and an NGO said Friday.
➡️ u.afp.com/S8Wc
➡️ u.afp.com/S8Wc
December 26, 2025 at 11:00 AM
🇹🇭 An elusive wild cat long feared extinct in Thailand has been rediscovered three decades after the last recorded sighting, conservation authorities and an NGO said Friday.
➡️ u.afp.com/S8Wc
➡️ u.afp.com/S8Wc
🇸🇦 Saudi belly dancers shake off taboos behind closed doors
In a Riyadh fitness studio, dozens of women move to Arabic music, practising belly dance in secret. Despite their enthusiasm, none reveal their names or faces -— a reflection of the deep stigma that surround the dance in Saudi Arabia.
In a Riyadh fitness studio, dozens of women move to Arabic music, practising belly dance in secret. Despite their enthusiasm, none reveal their names or faces -— a reflection of the deep stigma that surround the dance in Saudi Arabia.
December 26, 2025 at 10:40 AM
🇸🇦 Saudi belly dancers shake off taboos behind closed doors
In a Riyadh fitness studio, dozens of women move to Arabic music, practising belly dance in secret. Despite their enthusiasm, none reveal their names or faces -— a reflection of the deep stigma that surround the dance in Saudi Arabia.
In a Riyadh fitness studio, dozens of women move to Arabic music, practising belly dance in secret. Despite their enthusiasm, none reveal their names or faces -— a reflection of the deep stigma that surround the dance in Saudi Arabia.
🇲🇾 Former Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak was found guilty on Friday of abusing his power to plunder millions from the 1MDB sovereign wealth fund and launder the proceeds.
➡️ u.afp.com/S8Wq
➡️ u.afp.com/S8Wq
December 26, 2025 at 10:30 AM
🇲🇾 Former Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak was found guilty on Friday of abusing his power to plunder millions from the 1MDB sovereign wealth fund and launder the proceeds.
➡️ u.afp.com/S8Wq
➡️ u.afp.com/S8Wq
🇦🇺 🏴 An astounding 20 wickets fell on a frantic day one of the fourth Ashes Test in Melbourne on Friday with Australia all out for 152 before storming back to dismiss England for 110 and leave the clash on a knife-edge ➡️ u.afp.com/S8WU
December 26, 2025 at 9:30 AM
🇦🇺 🏴 An astounding 20 wickets fell on a frantic day one of the fourth Ashes Test in Melbourne on Friday with Australia all out for 152 before storming back to dismiss England for 110 and leave the clash on a knife-edge ➡️ u.afp.com/S8WU
🇲🇾 Former Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak was found guilty on Friday of abusing his power in the 1MDB graft scandal, which saw billions plundered from the now-defunct sovereign wealth fund ➡️ u.afp.com/S8W4
December 26, 2025 at 9:13 AM
🇲🇾 Former Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak was found guilty on Friday of abusing his power in the 1MDB graft scandal, which saw billions plundered from the now-defunct sovereign wealth fund ➡️ u.afp.com/S8W4
Russia has made an offer to France regarding a jailed researcher facing espionage charges that could see him sentenced to 20 years in prison, the Kremlin said Thursday. The surprise public overture prompted hopes from Laurent Vinatier's family that he could soon be freed. u.afp.com/S8Ps
December 26, 2025 at 1:00 AM
Russia has made an offer to France regarding a jailed researcher facing espionage charges that could see him sentenced to 20 years in prison, the Kremlin said Thursday. The surprise public overture prompted hopes from Laurent Vinatier's family that he could soon be freed. u.afp.com/S8Ps