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Mumbai (AFP) – Worshippers in Mumbai pray to the setting and rising sun as part of Chhath Puja. The four-day festival is dedicated to Surya, the Hindu sun god.

Kennedy Space Center (United States) (AFP) – SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy launches the USSF-44 mission to orbit from a launch complex at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Beijing (AFP) – China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian rejects a “false” statement signed onto by fifty countries at a UN debate that condemned the “severe and systematic” human rights violations in Xinjiang region.

Tokyo (AFP) – A government building lights up in rainbow colours as Tokyo begins recognition of partnership certificates to same-sex couples who live and work in the capital, a long-awaited move in a country without marriage equality. IMAGES

Berlin (AFP) – An exhibition of over 250 art pieces created during the communist era (1949-1990) by the deceased East German artist, Jürgen Wittdorf (1932 – 2018), has been a success. The exhibit has attracted more than 20,000 visitors since it opened last month in Biesdorf Castle, a suburb far from Berlin’s historic city centre. At a time when sexual freedom is under renewed attack around the world, even amongst EU democracies like Hungary or Romania, Wittdorf’s work is enjoying a renaissance four years after his death.

Tokyo (AFP) – Tokyo lesbian couple Miki and Katie have long been without any official proof of their relationship, but that changes as the Japanese capital commences a much-awaited same-sex partnership programme.

Paris (AFP) – This Parisian bicycle-hearse offers a new method of mourning to grieving families. Isabelle Plumereau, founder and director of a small funeral home, says her “Corbicyclette” allows for a procession “to the rhythm of the steps of the people.”

Morbi, Gujarat (India) (AFP) – Search and rescue workers probe the site of a pedestrian bridge collapse in the Indian state of Gujarat on Tuesday. At least 137 people died after the bridge collapsed on Sunday evening, sending hundreds tumbling into the river. Nine people were arrested on Monday in connection with the disaster.

Seoul (AFP) – South Korea’s president and other government officials lay flowers at a makeshift memorial set up in Seoul’s Itaewon neighbourhood to pay respects to the victims of a crowd surge that killed more than 150 people over the weekend.

Seoul (AFP) – People lay flowers and monks chant in Seoul’s Itaewon neighbourhood to pay tribute to the victims of a crowd surge that killed more than 150 people over the weekend.

London (AFP) – Activists from the Just Stop Oil group spray orange painting on several landmark building in the British capital, including the Bank of England and Rupert Murdoch’s UK media conglomerate News Corp, asking to put an end to new North Sea oil and gas exploration.

Sinop (Brazil) (AFP) – Images show supporters of Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro blocking sections of a major highway overnight in Sinop, Mato Grosso, after veteran leftist Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva defeated the far-right incumbent in a divisive presidential election.