Tanegashima Space Center (Japan) (AFP) – Japan’s next-generation H3 rocket failed after liftoff on Tuesday, with the space agency issuing a destruct command after concluding the mission could not succeed. IMAGES
Bukovel (Ukraine) (AFP) – Far from the Ukraine war’s frontlines, only the whirring of generator-powered ski lifts disturbs the calm at Bukovel in the country’s west, a winter resort nestled in the pine-forested Carpathian Mountains. Bukovel is the largest ski resort in Ukraine that has remained open during the war, receiving guests for both relaxation and a respite from the conflict.
Vienna (AFP) – The UN’s nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), holds its quarterly Board of Governors meeting in Vienna. The meeting comes just days after the IAEA’s Director-General said that Iran has agreed to reconnect surveillance cameras at several nuclear sites and increase the pace of inspections, a “marked improvement” in talks with the Iranian government. IMAGES
Pazarcık (Turkey) (AFP) – In the remote village of Buyuknacar, perched high in the mountains of southern Turkey, locals have been struggling to return to normal life since the deadly earthquake struck the region. Little is still standing in the settlement that was home to 2,000 people before the 7.8-magnitude struck on February 6, its epicentre just 26 kilometres (16 miles) to the south.
Decín (Czech Republic) (AFP) – A Czech company producing inflatable weapon decoys including Himars rocket launchers and Abrams tanks has seen its profits soar as the Russian invasion in Ukraine continues.
London (AFP) – “We’re meeting a top opponent. You can see from their results in the Bundesliga, they are in a fantastic vein of form,” says Chelsea coach Graham Potter ahead of Champions League clash against Borussia Dortmund.
Cox’s Bazar (Bangladesh) (AFP) – A fire at a Rohingya refugee camp in Bangladesh on Sunday has left thousands homeless. The blaze broke out during the afternoon at camp number 11 in Kutupalong, one of the world’s largest refugee settlements.
Tokyo (AFP) – The author of a sci-fi manga about to hit shelves in Japan admits he doesn’t have drawing talent, so turned to artificial intelligence to create the images. All the contraptions and creatures in “Cyberpunk: Peach John” were intricately rendered by Midjourney, a viral AI tool.
Phang Nga (Thailand) (AFP) – As scores of leatherback turtle hatchlings crawled across a Thai beach last month, 12-year-old Prin Uthaisangchai was watching closely. The Bangkok secondary school pupil is producing a short documentary about the endangered creatures, under a programme run by the Environmental and Social Foundation, an NGO working to educate children about conservation.
Sibi (Pakistan) (AFP) – Edhi Foundation ambulance arrives at courtyard of hospital in Sibi, in southwestern Pakistan, after a suicide bomber killed nine police officers and wounded dozens. Security forces have been battling a years-long insurgency by militants in Balochistan demanding a bigger share of the province’s wealth, as well as attacks by the Pakistan Taliban (TTP).
Kabul (AFP) – Male students resume their classes after Afghan universities reopen after winter break, but women remain barred by Taliban authorities. IMAGES
Singapore (AFP) – After a series of rapid passes and powerful jumps, Irene Tan slams the ball into a trampoline-like “rebounder” to score a point. Singapore has only ever produced a few world champions, but the city-state is ranked number one in women’s tchoukball — a little-known sport similar to handball.
