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Dire Dawa, (Ethiopia) (AFP) – In Dire Dawa, in eastern Ethiopia, commuters still use the ‘Franco-Ethiopian Railway’ built over a century ago by the French. The old track remains indispensable for trade and transport, even with the recent arrival of a modern, Chinese-built line. Twice a week, passengers and cargo pile into carriages dating back to 1955 to make the 12-hour, 200-kilometre (125-mile) journey by diesel locomotive from Dire Dawa to Dewele, on the border of Djibouti.

Le Havre (France) (AFP) – Amateur footage shows an asteroid disintegrating as it comes into contact with the Earth’s atmosphere near the coast of the English Channel on Sunday night. The phenomenon produces an intense light that lasts a few seconds, which could be seen from northern France and the south of the United Kingdom.

Jableh (Syria) (AFP) – A week on from a deadly 7.8-magnitude earthquake, the search for survivors in northern Syria continues. But as the hope of finding survivors in the rubble fades, focus is beginning to shift to the millions left homeless by the disaster. Aid has been slow to reach the worst-hit parts of the country, where years of civil war have already left vital infrastructure ill-equipped. While aid convoys have now been able to cross the border from Turkey, Syria is still staring down the barrel of a vast humanitarian crisis.

Phoenix (AFP) – Supporters of the Kansas City Chiefs are delighted after the team beat the Philadelphia Eagles 38-35 in a tightly contested Super Bowl 57 on Sunday. Patrick Mahomes threw for three touchdowns and 182 yards, but the Chiefs had game-winning displays across the field as they came back from 10 points down at half-time to hand head coach Andy Reid a victory over his former team.

Conqueiros (Portugal) (AFP) – A 30-year-old guard dog who cheated death in his first days of life has been declared the world’s oldest dog ever. Bobi, now living out his twilight years as a celebrity in central Portugal, was recognised by Guinness World Records as the world’s oldest dog on February 1, breaking a nearly century-old record previously held by Bluey, an Australian cattle dog who died in 1939 at the age of 29 years and five months.

Beijing (AFP) – Beijing says that Washington sent balloons into its airspace more than 10 times since January 2022, deepening a row between the two powers after an alleged Chinese surveillance craft was shot down over the United States. “It’s also common for US balloons to illegally enter the airspace of other countries” says Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Wang Wenbin.

Auckland (AFP) – Images of a damaged house and road after a tropical storm hits northern New Zealand. A state of emergency was declared in five regions on the North Island, covering almost one-third of New Zealand’s entire population of 5.1 million. 

Waddur (India) (AFP) – A dizzying array of changes brought by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration since taking direct control have left the Muslim-majority territory simmering in anger. Denying deceased rebels proper funerals has added more disquiet to the situation. “Martyrs’ graveyards”, as they are known locally, have traumatised the families of slain young men and outraged Kashmiris chafing under a broader clampdown on dissent. Officials have justified the policy by saying it aims to stop “glamourising terrorists” during often violent anti-India demonstrations that accompany the public funerals of dead rebels.

Washington (AFP) – Rescue dogs doorstep lovers with flowers in Washington, DC, thanks to a partnership between a florist and a local rescue organization. For an extra $35, clients can surprise their loved ones with four-legged delivery good boys ahead of Valentine’s Day.

Gaza City (Palestinian Territories) (AFP) – An Israeli strike lights up the sky in Gaza as it hits an underground Hamas complex in a response to a rocket fired from the Palestinian enclave at the weekend.