Greece: Tour operators climb Colosseum to protest against Holy Year selling ban

Six Roman tour operators climbed on Romes Colosseum on 7 December to protest against an order banning them from approaching tourists on the streets to sell them their packages. The decree, passed by Romes municipality last month, came just before the Holy Year, due to start on 8 December and to last almost one year, when millions of pilgrims and tourists are expected to flock to the Italian capital as well as to the Vatican. Dec 8, 2015

China: Beijing issues first ever red smog alert

Chinas capital Beijing issued its first ever red alert, the highest of a four-colour warning system for pollution, late on 7 December, as the city government warned that Beijing would be shrouded in heavy smog for three days starting from the following morning. Chinas leadership has vowed to crack down on environmental degradation, including the air pollution that blankets many major cities, following decades of unbridled economic growth. Dec 8, 2015