Covid-19: New daily cases top 4,000 in Germany, not seen since April

BERLIN, Oct 9 (NNN-AGENCIES) — New cases of coronavirus infections in Germany have soared past 4,000, official data showed, reaching a daily level not seen since April 11 when the country was still in lockdown. The alarming jump in numbers came with autumn school holidays about to begin, prompting calls…

Paraguay declares national emergency as forest fires rage across Chaco

Fire burns in a forest in the Chaco region, near Cadete Pando, Paraguay ASUNCION, Oct 7 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) – Paraguay’s Congress declared a national emergency as forest fires raged, burning vast swaths of the Chaco dry forest, home to sprawling cattle ranches, jaguars and many indigenous tribes. The emergency declaration boosts…

Covid-19: Madagascar lifts curfew as state of health emergency extended until Oct 18

ANTANANARIVO, Oct 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Madagascar’s President Andry Rajoelina has lifted a curfew imposed to curb the spread of coronavirus. The president announced that sporting activities would be allowed but with an audience of not more than 200 people.  Passengers boarding domestic flights will be required to take a coronavirus…

Covid-19: Zimbabwe teachers refuse to return to work over low pay and lack of sanitation

 Teachers say students have turned up to school with rags covering their faces as they cannot afford masks HARARE, Oct 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Teachers in Zimbabwe are refusing to return to work after the resumption of some classes this week, accusing the government of failing to adequately prepare for the opening of…

Flooding hits six million people in East Africa

In South Sudan, large areas of land near the River Nile have been submerged  JUBA, Oct 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) —The number of people hit by seasonal flooding in East Africa has increased more than five fold in four years, according to UN figures. Nearly six million people have been affected this year with…

Chile: President calls for fast-track law to modernize national police force

SANTIAGO, Oct 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Chilean President Sebastian Pinera urged Congress to expedite legislation on the modernization of the Carabineros, or national police force, despite allegations of excessive force against protesters. The objective of the bill legislators are debating is to “strengthen” the entity “so that it can better and more effectively fulfill its role…

Covid-19: Italy prepares to make masks outdoors mandatory nationwide

Health Minister Roberto Speranza ROME, Oct 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Italy is considering making the use of masks outdoors mandatory nationwide to fight the coronavirus, Health Minister Roberto Speranza said. Infections in Italy, the first European country to be hit by the virus, have risen steadily over the past two months…

UN extends probe into possible crimes against humanity in Venezuela

Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro GENEVA, Oct 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United Nations Human Rights Council extended by two years the mandate of investigators who have documented executions, disappearances and torture in Venezuela that they say may amount to crimes against humanity. It condemned “widespread targeted repression and persecution” by security…

Covid-19: Six US states report record hospitalisations, new restrictions in place

A man has a swab sample taken for the coronavirus disease at a testing centre in the Far Rockaway section of the Queens borough of New York NEW YORK, Oct 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Six states reported record numbers of hospitalised COVID-19 patients, including Wisconsin, where officials on Tuesday issued a…

Update: Powerful hurricane nears Mexico’s Caribbean coast

CANCUN (Mexico), Oct 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) — An “extremely dangerous” hurricane bore down on Mexico’s Caribbean coast, triggering the mobilization of thousands of soldiers and the evacuation of residents and tourists in a string of top beach resorts. Hurricane Delta rapidly intensified in the Caribbean to reach Category 4 status, the…