CHINA

They’re dashed from dining. Chinese officials are not allowed entry to a popular Michelin-starred eatery in Beijing due to a government ruling. Officials have been banned, without public explanation, from dining at King’s Joy, known for its vegetarian menu, since last year, according to CNN. The famed eatery is just one of an unpublished list of spots officials cannot frequent. Although no official reason for the ban has been given, it is believed to reflect concerns over King’s Joy’s $250-per-person tasting menu, amid President Xi Jinping’s broader crackdown on excess consumption and food waste.

MEXICO

Their cup’s overflowing — with money. The World Cup opening weekend alone made close to $70 million for Mexico City. The report, by Forbes Mexico and the Confederation of National Chambers of Commerce, Services and Tourism, calculated the revenue for the first weekend of the tournament, which began on June 11. The impressive stat took into account factors such as hotel occupancy, merch purchases and food and beverage sales at restaurants, which reported an up to 40% increase in earnings during the tournament’s first weekend.

AUSTRALIA

A town crier earned a Guinness World Record when his yell measured an impressive 122.4 decibels, the same level as a rock concert and a military jet taking off. Lord Joseph, aka Joseph McGrail-Bateup, who serves as the official town crier for Canberra and Queanbeyan, was appointed to the position in 2017. He set the world record for the loudest shout by an individual (male) in May.

NIGERIA

Goalkeeper Maduka Okoye has gone viral during the World Cup due to his good looks. The 25-year-old was showered with praise on social media this week after he was caught on camera during a pre-match presentation before Nigeria lost 2-1 in a friendly game against Portugal.

ISRAEL

This kid is a real piece of work. A priceless painting at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem was damaged by a 5-year-old boy holding a pine cone. Conservators are currently working to restore the 1959 oil painting “Castle of the Pyrenees” by the famed Belgian artist René Magritte.

With Wires