Covid-19: Spain reports 4,708 infections as post-lockdown surge continues

Dozens of schools across Spain registered fresh coronavirus cases during the first week of classes MADRID, Sept 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Spain reported 4,708 new coronavirus infections in the last 24 hours, bringing its cumulative total to 566,326 – the highest in western Europe. Spain has been regularly revising up its…

Covid-19: England’s infections doubling each week – Imperial College study

A coronavirus testing centre in England.  LONDON, Sept 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The spread of the coronavirus is speeding up across all parts of England with the number of cases doubling about every week, according to a new study by Imperial College, which will fuel concerns that renewed restrictions may need…

Covid-19: France says crisis ‘worsening’, aims to avoid lockdown

People, wearing a protective face mask as a precaution against the coronavirus, sit on the terrace of a cafe, in Paris PARIS, Sept 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — French Prime Minister Jean Castex warned the country was seeing a “clear worsening” of the coronavirus pandemic, but aimed to avoid a new nationwide…

US wildfires: 16 dead as cool weather brings hope

A firefighter puts out a hot spot along a highway in California as wildfires continued to burn FRESNO (California, US), Sept 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — More than 20,000 firefighters from across the United States battled sprawling deadly wildfires up and down the West Coast as the arrival of cooler weather offered…

Covid-18: French teachers walk out of high school after coronavirus infected support staff

People wearing protective face masks walk past the College Valmy school in Paris PARIS, Sept 11 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Teachers at a junior high school in central Paris went on strike on Thursday, forcing the school’s closure, after support staff were quarantined following two COVID-19 infections. Teachers said the safety of…

Rwanda genocide suspect ‘freed after arrest in Netherlands’

Newly discovered remains of victims of the 1994 genocide were buried last year AMSTERDAM, Sept 11 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Rwanda genocide suspect Charles Ndereyehe has been released after he was arrested on Tuesday evening at his house near Netherlands capital, Amsterdam, his political party has said. The Rwandan government had in…

Somalia appoints prosecutor for ‘crimes against journalists’

Media advocacy organisations in Somalia have hailed the appointment of the special prosecutor MOGADISHU, Sept 11 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Somalia’s attorney general has appointed a special prosecutor for crimes against journalists. The prosecutor will probe and prosecute “those who carried out killings and maiming of journalists,” Dr Suleiman Mohamed Mohamud said…

Eritrea ‘releases evangelical Christian prisoners on bail’

If they’re not Lutheran, Evangelical Christian women in Eritrea have to pray together in secret ASMARA, Sept 11 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The Eritrean government has released on bail more than 20 prisoners who had been in detention for years because of their faith. The prisoners from Christian evangelical and Pentecostal denominations…

Mauritius bans fish sales from polluted lagoon

Carcasses of 39 dolphins washed up on shore in Mauritius after the oil spill PORT LOUIS, Sept 11 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Mauritius’ fisheries ministry has banned the sale and consumption of fish and seafood caught in a south-eastern lagoon after samples from the area returned positive tests for traces of hydrocarbons.…

Mali begins 3-day national talks ahead of transition deadline

Col Assimi Goita (C) has been reaching out to key political figures BAMAKO, Sept 11 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A three-day national consultation on the make-up of Mali’s transitional government begins on Thursday in the capital, Bamako. The talks come ahead of a deadline given by West African leaders for the appointment…