No doubt about it, this World Cup has come down through the gears this last five days after what was a breakneck opening to the tournament.

Nearly one in three Air New Zealand international flights will be cancelled over six days from July 18 if the majority of the carrier’s long-haul cabin staff goes on strike, the company warned today.

Japan intensified security at airports, nuclear plants and government facilities today as a precaution against a possible terror attack.