Narita (Japan) (AFP) – Hundreds of Japanese football fans flock to Tokyo’s Narita International Airport to greet coach Hajime Moriyasu and members of the Blue Samurai as they return from the World Cup in Qatar. Japan were eliminated by Croatia on penalties in the Round of 16, denying them a first ever appearance in the quarter-finals.
Beijing (AFP) – China has announced a nationwide loosening of its hardline Covid restrictions, which had hammered the world’s second biggest economy and ignited rare protests against the ruling Communist Party.
Kyiv (Ukraine) (AFP) – Candles, coal and wood burning stoves: one restaurant in Kyiv’s city centre is doing all it can to keep welcoming its customers during the frequent blackouts affecting the Ukrainian capital. Continuous Russian strikes on Ukraine’s energy grid have made dark restaurant halls a new reality, but resilient customers and staff are doing their best to adapt.
Bad Lobenstein (Germany) (AFP) – German police stage nationwide raids, arresting 25 people suspected of belonging to a far-right “terror cell” plotting to overthrow the government and attack parliament.
Kabul (AFP) – Afghanistan’s capital has a bold new landmark that puts it at the centre of the world — or rather the world at the centre of Kabul. Municipal authorities have unveiled a giant hand-painted globe of planet Earth in Dahan-e-bagh square, and the eye-catching structure is already turning heads.
Bad Mitterndorf (Austria) (AFP) – Townsmen dressed head-to-hoof in shaggy black sheepskin costumes and scaring children — welcome to Austria’s annual Saint Nicholas play awarded UNESCO heritage status. “Nikolospiel” as it is known in German, has been performed every December 5, the eve of Saint Nicholas Day, for more than 150 years in the Austrian town of Bad Mitterndorf.
Lecherías (Venezuela) (AFP) – Local authorities in the Venezuelan state of Anzoategui (northeast) announce the closure of several beaches as a result of an oil spill that covers several kilometres of coastline. According to Gustavo Castillo, director of the local civil protection, the affected beaches will be closed for 72 hours, “but given the seriousness of the event, this suspension will possibly be extended”.
Lviv (Ukraine) (AFP) – People lay flowers and gather remembrance as Ukraine pays tribute to its fallen soldiers on Army Day at Lychakiv Cemetery in the western city of Lviv.
Doha (AFP) – Thousands of proud Morocco fans from across the world descend on the streets to celebrate their country becoming the first Arab nation to reach the World Cup quarter-finals on Tuesday.
Lyon (AFP) – Japanese chef Ryutaro Shiomi lifts the trophy at the 13th World pate en croute Championship held in Lyon.
Washington (AFP) – The United States voices concern over a law that cleared Indonesia’s parliament that would outlaw extramarital sex, warning it could hurt the investment climate in the world’s most populous Muslim-majority country. “We are concerned regarding how these changes could impact the exercise of human rights and fundamental freedoms in Indonesia,” State Department spokesman Ned Price tells reporters.
Washington (AFP) – The United States says it is “not encouraging” Ukraine to strike into Russia after drone attacks on bases widely seen as carried out by Kyiv. “We are not enabling Ukraine to strike beyond its borders; we are not encouraging Ukraine to strike beyond its borders,” State Department spokesman Ned Price tells reporters at a briefing.
