Over 125 dead in European floods
The tragic toll of bad weather and floods in Germany has risen to 103 victims and 1,300 missing – devastating a large part of northern Europe, with an overall still provisional toll of 125 deaths. Deutsche-Welle says most of the victims are in Westphalia, also due to a new landslide that overwhelmed homes and cars. The huge number of missing people is partly attributable to the inability to communicate due to the telephone network blackout. Bad weather is also affecting the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg and Switzerland.
UN concern over excessive use of force in Cuba
The New York Times quotes UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, expressing concern over “the excessive use of force in Cuba”. She appealed for the release of “all those who have been arrested for exercising their rights” adding: “I am very worried about the excessive use of force against the demonstrators in Cuba and the arrest of a large number of people, including several journalists”.
212 dead in South Africa violence
Channel Africa reports that the violence that has rocked South Africa for almost a week has caused at least 212 deaths. Updating figures, the government said that in Johannesburg, another six deaths were recorded, bringing the total to 32, while in the province of Kwazulu-Natal (East) – where the violence began – to the previous death toll were added another 89 deaths, bringing the total to180.
‘Hollywood ripper’ sentenced to death
Los Angeles Times says that ‘Hollywood ripper’, Michael Gargiulo, was sentenced to death for killing two women and attempting to kill another. Los Angeles judge Larry Fidler said wherever Gargiulo went, “he was followed by death and destruction,” the judge said. The case of Gargiulo, 45, hit the headlines because one of the victims, Ashley Ellerin, was preparing to go on a date with actor Ashton Kutcher. Ellerin was killed with 47 stab wounds. The other victim was Maria Bruno, 32 and mother of four children. Gargiulo killed her and cut her breast to remove the prostheses. The survivor, Michelle Murphy, fought him, forced him to flee and routed the investigators to solve the two previous cases.Gargiulo will now likely be extradited to Illinois, where he is accused of killing another woman.
Children killed, detained in Myanmar
Since the military coup in Myanmar, “75 children have been killed, about 1,000 arbitrarily detained, and countless others are deprived of essential medical care and education”. Tribune de Geneve says reliable information obtained by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child shows children’s rights are facing an attack that threatens to leave an entire generation damaged. Committee chairman Mikiko Otani warned that children are in fact “under siege”.
Quarantine to remain for British residents returning from France
The Guardian reports British residents arriving in England from France, following the easing of coronavirus restrictions on July 19, will still have to remain in quarantine for 10 days, at home or in other accommodation, even if fully vaccinated against COVID-19. As of Monday, UK residents arriving from Amber List countries and fully vaccinated will no longer need to be quarantined, but the government said that this will not apply to France, following persistent cases of the Beta variant, first identified in South Africa.
Italian national football team honoured
Ansa says Italian President Sergio Mattarella has conferred honours of the Order of Merit of the Republic to the players and staff of the National football team as a sign of recognition of the sporting values and national spirit that animated the Italian victory at the European championship. He has conferred the honour of Grand Official to the President of the Olympic Committee, Gabriele Gravina and to the coach, Roberto Mancini; of Commendatore to the Team Manager, Gabiriele Oriali and to the Head of Delegation, Gianluca Vialli; of Officer to the team captain, Giorgio Chiellini and of Knight to all holders and reserves of the national team.
