Update: France reports 12,565 new COVID-19 cases in past 24 hours

France reinforces mask-wearing in public places PARIS, Oct 5 (NNN-AGENCIES) — France reported 12,565 new confirmed coronavirus infections over the last 24 hours, falling from the previous daily toll that had a set a new record. The total number of infections since the start of the epidemic rose to 619,190…

Covid-19: UK cases jump to 22,961 after glitch causes backlog

Britain reported a jump in daily COVID-19 cases to a record 22,961 on Sunday LONDON, Oct 5 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Britain reported a jump in daily COVID-19 cases to a record 22,961 on Sunday, after authorities said a technical issue had meant that over 15,000 test results had not been transferred…

Storm Alex: France, Italy steps up search efforts after floods

A man in Italy’s Piedmont region surveys the damage outside his property after a mudslide brought on by the brutal weather BREIL-SUR-ROYA (France), Oct 5 (NNN-AGENCIES) — French and Italian rescue services stepped up their search efforts after floods cut off several villages near the two countries’ border, causing widespread…

Trial to begin of suspects in UK migrant truck tragedy

The grim discovery of 31 men and eight women inside the container truck on an industrial estate east of London last year threw fresh light on the plight of migrants desperate to reach Britain LONDON, Oct 5 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Four men are due to go on trial in Britain on…

California wildfires burn 1.6 million hectares this year, double previous record

A Cal Fire firefighter monitors a firing operation while battling the Glass Fire in Calistoga, California NAPA (California), Oct 5 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Wildfires in California have burned more than 1.6 million hectares in 2020, over twice the previous record for any year and an area larger than Connecticut, the state’s fire agency…

Update: Azerbaijan says Armenia attacks city, threatens retaliation

A shop is seen on fire following recent shelling during a military conflict over the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh in Stepanakert BAKU/YEREVAN, Oct 5 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Azerbaijan said that Armenian forces had fired rockets at its second city of Ganja, killing one civilian and wounding four, and threatened to retaliate…

Guatemala sends over 3,000 Honduran migrants home from caravan

Honduran migrants run away after hurling stones at Guatemalan soldiers blocking a road to stop migrants from reach the Mexico’s border, in San Pedro Cadenas, Izabal, Guatemala GUATEMALA CITY, Oct 5 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Guatemalan authorities sent more than 3,000 Honduran migrants back to their home country over the past few…

Mozambique: President wants to strengthen capabilities of Defense Forces to fight insurgencies

PRESIDENT OF MOZAMBIQUE, FILIPE NYUSI MAPUTO, Oct 5 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi said that Mozambique aims to continue strengthening the capabilities of the Defense and Security Forces to stop the incursions by armed groups in Cabo Delgado. “It is our desire to continue to strengthen the capacity for…

Ethiopia’s Oromos celebrate thanksgiving amid tight security; 500 arrested ahead of festivities

The Irreecha festival marks the end of the rainy season and the start of the harvest ADDIS ABABA, Oct 5 (NNN-AGENCIES) — An annual thanksgiving festival observed by Ethiopia’s largest ethnic group, the Oromo, has been held amid tight security due to fears of political unrest.Unlike previous years only a…

Mali sees spike in malaria cases, fatalities

BAMAKO, Oct 5 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Malaria cases in northern Mali have spiked, according to medical workers, claiming 23 lives in the often lawless desert region last week alone. Mali’s ministry of health said this week that 59 people have died of malaria in the north since the start of the…