Fudschaira (AFP) – Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony can be heard as vehicles move along a 750-metre-long musical road stretch in the UAE emirate of Fujairah. When driving over the rumble strips on the tarmac, the vibrations produce a melody.
Malaysia (AFP) – Kubah National Park, in Borneo, is home to some of the world’s smallest and most unusual frog species. Visitors from around the world have been trekking through the rainforest on the hunt for the exotic amphibians in a pastime dubbed “frogging”.
Buenos Aires (AFP) – Paraguayan President Santiago Pena and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula Da Silva hold a meeting on the sidelines of the Mercosur summit in Buenos Aires. The fate of a landmark trade deal with the European Union, which France is trying to block, looms over the gathering of South America’s bloc. IMAGES
Buenos Aires (AFP) – Argentine President Javier Milei arrives at the San Martin Palace in Buenos Aires where he will host the 66th Summit of Leaders of Mercosur and Associated States. The fate of a landmark trade deal with the European Union, which France is trying to block, looms over the gathering of South America’s bloc. IMAGES
Aarhus (AFP) – The EU is “ready for a deal” with the United States, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen says as negotiators are set to meet in Washington ahead of a July 9 deadline. EU trade chief Maros Sefcovic is currently in Washington and is due to meet his US counterparts.
Martigny (AFP) – At the newly reopened Barryland theme park in the Swiss Alpine valley town of Martigny, Switzerland’s iconic St. Bernard dog takes centre stage. Built in the shape of a paw print, the main building offers interactive experiences and virtual reality tours of the history and myths surrounding the St. Bernard, as well as the chance to interact with the big dogs themselves.
Wonsan (AFP) – North Korea has opened a massive resort area on its east coast, according to state media, with the tourism pet project of leader Kim Jong Un reportedly set to welcome Russian guests later this month. The North last year permitted Russian tourists to return for the first time since the pandemic, and Western tour operators briefly returned in February this year. But given the limited capacity of available flights, international tourism to the new beach resort is “likely to remain small in scale,” according to Seoul’s unification ministry.
Srinagar (AFP) – Hindus begin a vast month-long pilgrimage in contested Indian Kashmir, with many of the faithful starting from near the site where a deadly April attack triggered a four-day conflict with Pakistan. It was the worst standoff by the nuclear-armed nations since 1999, with more than 70 people killed in missile, drone and artillery fire on both sides before a May 10 ceasefire.
Brugelette (AFP) – Animals in Italy’s Bioparco di Roma and the Pairi Daiza animal park in southern Belgium enjoy frozen fruit and meat popsicles to cope with the heat.
Seoul (AFP) – South Korean President Lee Jae Myung says his administration is doing its “best” to secure a trade deal with the United States. Already hit by sector levies on steel and car exports, Seoul is laser-focused on negotiations over a 25 percent country-specific tariff that has been suspended until next week. Without an agreement, it will come into effect just after midnight Washington time on July 9.
Ketapang (Indonesia) (AFP) – At least four people were dead and dozens unaccounted for Thursday after a ferry sank in rough seas on its way to Indonesian resort island Bali, according to rescue authorities who said 31 survivors had been plucked from the water so far.
Buenos Aires (AFP) – Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva arrives to Buenos Aires, Argentina, for the Mercosur summit. This is the first time Lula visits Argentina since Javier Milei took office in December 2023. The Brazilian President will meet with former president Cristina Kirchner, who has been sentenced to six years in prison for corruption and to whom he has already expressed his solidarity, in a visit that could take place on July 3, according to the court document that authorized it. IMAGES
