Indonesia’s Sumatra island flooded, forcing thousands to flee homes
Banda Aceh (Indonesia) (AFP) – At least one person is dead and thousands have been temporarily displaced as heavy flooding hits Indonesia’s Sumatra island.
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Alcohol crackdown in Kabul: Agents pour 3,000 away litres of alcohol
Kabul (AFP) – A team of Afghan intelligence agents pour around 3,000 litres of liquor into a canal in Kabul and arrest three dealers, as the new Taliban authorities crack down on the selling of alcohol.
Drone images of flooding in Brazil
Itapetinga (Brazil) (AFP) – The death toll from heavy rains that have battered the Brazilian state of Bahia since November rose to 18 on Sunday, amid incessant torrents that have displaced 35,000 people.
Leaders Man City hit six after Leicester scare
Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – “It was a rollercoaster,” Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola tells reporters after the team opened up a six-point lead at the top of the Premier League with a first half demolition of Leicester in a thrilling 6-3 win.
Streets of Seoul light up as South Koreans celebrate Christmas
Seoul (AFP) – South Koreans gather outside a Shinsegae department store in Seoul to watch a Christmas-themed LED light display.
NASA releases images of James Webb Telescope ahead of launch
Greenbelt (United States) (AFP) – The James Webb Space Telescope — soon to become the most powerful ever to be launched into space — after technical and weather delays is set to take off on Christmas Day from the base in France’s South American department.
Shanghai rings in holiday cheer with lights, Christmas markets
Shanghai (AFP) – Shanghai residents head to Christmas markets to soak in the festive atmosphere amid the light displays and performances.
‘High probability’ of Covid-19 infections during China Winter Olympics: Official
Beijing (AFP) – There is a “high probability” of Covid-19 outbreaks inside the Winter Olympics bubble, Chinese officials say at a press conference.
Hong Kong university dismantles Tiananmen statue
Hong Kong (AFP) – Hong Kong’s oldest university launched an overnight operation Thursday to dismantle and remove a statue commemorating those killed in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square in the latest blow to academic freedoms as China cracks down.
Burundi’s traditional drumming is celebrated in the country’s capital
Gitega (Burundi) (AFP) – In Burundi’s capital, drummers take part in the final of a drumming competition between participants from all of the country’s provinces. Listed as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity by UNESCO since 2014, the ritual dance of the royal drum is a tradition that Burundians hope to preserve and share with the world.
Microchip allows you to carry your Covid pass under your skin
Stockholm (AFP) – A Swedish company has come up with a microchip that can be inserted under the skin so that users can carry their Covid passports in their arm.
UK Treasury announces support for businesses
London (AFP) – UK Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, announces measures to support businesses as the Omicron Covid-19 variant sweeps through the country.
