Tokyo (AFP) – Hundreds of rowdy spectators, many heavily tattooed, roar at a Tokyo arena usually reserved for boxing — except the contestants were not athletes, but barbers. The event was the World Barber Classic where a dozen contestants show off their hairdressing skills.
Nuseirat (Palestinian Territories) (AFP) – Gaza’s civil defence agency said Israeli air strikes on Sunday killed more than 40 Palestinians, including children at a water distribution point, as talks for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas stalled.
Tonalea (AFP) – Workmen plant electricity poles in the rust-orange earth of the Navajo Nation and run cables to Christine Shorty’s house — finally giving her power against the searing Arizona desert heat. It will be a luxury in the vast Native American reservation, the largest in the United States, where more than 10,000 families are still without electricity and therefore air conditioning.
Chichen Itza (AFP) – Cachimba, like many of the dogs living in Chichen Itza, is one of the furry guardians of the majestic Mayan city in southeastern Mexico. Some of the dogs arrived badly injured, sick or malnourished at the site of the Kukulkan pyramid. Most were left to fend for themselves during the Covid pandemic, says Maria Guadalupe Espinosa, director of the archaeological site where they now receive food, vaccinations and “a lot of love”.
Paris (AFP) – When French astronaut Sophie Adenot arrives at the International Space Station (ISS) in 2026, she will dine on French gastronomical classics such as lobster bisque, foie gras and onion soup prepared especially for her by a chef with 10 Michelin stars. Food delivered to the ISS must meet strict specifications and most meals in space are canned, vacuum-packed or freeze-dried from a set of options provided by space agencies. But to spice things up, one out of every 10 meals is prepared for specific crew members according to their personal tastes.
Caral (AFP) – A 3,800-year-old citadel of the Caral civilization — one of the oldest in the world — has opened its doors to visitors in Peru, after eight years of study and restoration work. Located in the Supe valley, some 110 miles (180 kilometers) north of the Peruvian capital Lima and around 12 miles from the Pacific ocean, Penico was a hilly landscape before exploration work began in 2017. Archaeologists believe it could hold insights into why the Caral civilization — which flourished between 3,000 and 1,800 BC — faded.
Neuschwanstein (AFP) – The Neuschwanstein castle in Germany’s Bavaria, perhaps best known for inspiring Walt Disney’s fairytale castles, has been named a World Heritage site, according to the UN cultural agency. Neuschwanstein combines an idealised medieval exterior with architectural techniques considered cutting-edge at the time. Three other royal residences, also constructed in the late 19th Century under the famously arts-obsessed King Ludwig II of Bavaria, have also been added to the coveted list: Herrenchiemsee, Linderhof and Schachen.
Brüssel (AFP) – European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen says Brussels will continue to hold off on retaliating against US steel and aluminium tariffs as it seeks a deal to avoid broader 30 percent levies. The EU has “always been very clear that we prefer a negotiated solution”, von der Leyen says, adding, “This remains the case, and we will use the time that we have now till August 1.”
San Juan (AFP) – Bad Bunny launches his historic residency with an explosive performance that fuses folkloric drumming and dance with the reggaeton beats that have made him a global star, as thousands of Puerto Ricans scream along to every word. The concert series in San Juan is Bad Bunny’s showcase of Puerto Rican pride and resilience. The first nine shows are limited to Puerto Rican residents, with the residency continuing into September over subsequent Friday to Sunday three-day weekends.
Los Angeles (AFP) – Business owners in the Fashion District of downtown Los Angeles say raids by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency targeting undocumented immigrants are keeping Latino customers away and bringing sales down. “With Latinos no longer coming, we are going bankrupt,” says Manuel Suarez, a street vendor who sells toys.
London (AFP) – London swelters in the United Kingdom’s third official heatwave of the year, with temperatures rising above 30 degrees Celsius and extending into the weekend with several heat health alerts in place. England experienced its warmest June since records began in 1884, while the UK recorded its second-warmest June over the same period.
Langeais (AFP) – Sandbanks are starting to appear along the Loire in France as the river’s level has dropped, a consequence of a lack of rainfall and intense heat in June and July.
