Grim start to 2021 for Brazil with 200,000 Covid deaths

Two more teams qualify for the World Cup last 16, meaning that there are still 13 squads looking to book their place. If you thought the matches were exciting so far, they're bound to get even tougher over the coming days. Portugal make it through with a double from Bruno Fernandes, as do Brazil despite Neymar’s absence. Plus, Cameroon come from behind in a 3-3 thriller against Serbia, while Ghana beat South Korea 3-2.

In a DW interview, Frank-Walter Steinmeier said he hoped Chinese authorities would "respect" the protesters' freedom, and expressed that he did not see a way out of Russia's war on Ukraine "at this point in time."

Authorities in at least seven districts in Guangzhou announced lifting temporary lockdowns. State media also cited a top official as saying the virus was weakening.

Statements by authorities suggesting a relaxation of pandemic control measures look more like a move to relieve political pressure than a turnaround in policy. Experts say fully opening is still too risky.

Brazil, Pele ,hospital, says  

So close yet so far for the indomitable lions of Cameroon as Vincent Aboubacar's 92nd minute strike snatched victory over Brazil. But they still crash out after the Swiss recorded a brilliant win over Serbia in a five-goal thriller.

The New Zealand government is to investigate its handling of the coronavirus pandemic. The country's zero-tolerance policy on the spread of the disease was initially praised but later criticized for its wider cost.

Judges have ruled that Germany should be able to take part in the EU's €750-billion COVID-19 reconstruction fund. The court rejected two complaints that participation hands too much power from Berlin to Brussels.

China has said it will allow COVID patients with mild symptoms to isolate at home, it has also reduced the scope of lockdowns where cases are noticed and made regional travel easier. This follows widespread protests.

Wildlife trafficking is the third most profitable illegal activity in the world, after arms trafficking and drug trafficking. In Brazil, where traffickers can earn nearly $2 billion a year, some 80 percent of trafficked animals are birds – often endangered species.

China has now relaxed many of its Covid restrictions, removing requirements for PCR tests in many places and allowing people to isolate at home. The new measures come following a wave of anti-lockdown protests.

Zagreb goes crazy as Croatia shock Brazil