AFP UK

Berlin (AFP) – German Chancellor Angela Merkel says Germany is not planning to follow France and other countries in introducing compulsory Covid-19 vaccinations for parts of the population.

Tokyo (AFP) – In Tokyo’s busy business area of Shinjuku, a giant 3D cat on a 4K billboard greets shoppers. Passers-by are flocking to photograph it, with many unable to believe how lifelike it is.

Dallas (AFP) – A cartridge of Nintendo’s classic video game “Super Mario 64” sets a world record, selling for $1.56 million (€1.32 million) after a 20% buyer’s premium at the Dallas-based Heritage Auctions. The sale, the first ever of a game cartridge to surpass $1 million, came just two days after a sealed copy of “The Legend of Zelda”, made for the old Nintendo NES console, sold for a then-record of $870,000.

Tokyo (AFP) – Yoko Nishimura, a Japanese mother and housewife, recreates a dish to be served at the Olympic village. She was one of the winners in the Olympic village food recipe contest, in which her recipe was selected to bring the taste of Japan to athletes competing at the Games. The athletes will also be able to enjoy typical Japanese dishes such as tempura, ramen and wagyu beef — but only at cafeterias inside the village due to tough virus restrictions.

Nasiriyah (Iraq) (AFP) – Protesters gather at an Iraqi hospital where at least 52 people have died and several others wounded in a massive fire that engulfed a coronavirus isolation ward. The fire broke out at the Al-Hussein hospital in the southern city of Nasiriyah late Monday.

Milan (AFP) – At the Bagni Misteriosi in Milan, a historic swimming pool in the Italian city, one of the most eagerly awaited events of the summer calendar took place on Monday with a performance by the La Scala ballet.

Nasiriyah (Iraq) (AFP) – Protesters gather at an Iraqi hospital where at least 52 people have died and several others wounded in a massive fire that engulfed a coronavirus isolation ward. The fire broke out at the Al-Hussein hospital in the southern city of Nasiriyah late Monday.

Havana (AFP) – Cubans giver their views a day after unprecedented protests took place against the communist government and the country’s president Miguel Diaz-Canel.

Washington (AFP) – US President Joe Biden calls on Haiti’s political leaders to ‘come together’ in the wake of Haitian president Jovenel Moise’s assassination.

London (AFP) – Gareth Southgate condemns the “unforgivable” racist abuse aimed at the three England players who missed penalties in Sunday’s Euro 2020 final defeat against Italy. Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka were the victims of sickening social media taunts in the aftermath of the 3-2 penalty shoot-out loss at Wembley.

Katlehong (South Africa) (AFP) – Deadly violence and looting continue in South Africa as unrest sparked by the jailing of ex-president Jacob Zuma enters its fourth day. In Katlehong, south of Johannesburg, and in Durban city central in KwaZulu-Natal, hundreds of people take to the streets and raid shopping centres and businesses.

Port-au-Prince (AFP) – Haitian police announce they have arrested 18 Colombians and six Haitians in relation to the assassination of President Jovenel Moise last week. According to Haitian authorities, the 28-member hit squad burst into Moise’s family home and opened fire on him and his wife, Martine. The president was killed and his wife gravely injured. She was airlifted to a Miami hospital for treatment.