People
China's largest freshwater lake sees record water rise
The level of the lake was rising at an unprecedented pace and had reached 22.65 metres by 9 p.m. Saturday (1300 GMT), above the record high set in 1998 and well over the alert level of 19.50 metres, the CCTV said. It estimated that water levels at some stations along the Yangtze River will continue to increase by 0.5 to 1.0 meter in the next few days. More than 140 people are either dead or miss... [Full Article...]
Hagia Sophia converted into mosque as Erdoğan signs decree
The fact that he whole-heartedly backed the change Hagia Sophia's status from a symbol of Ataturk's modern Turkey to a showpiece of his own version of his country, which hoped to shape into a staunchly conservative and religious republic, is par the course in Erdogan's Turkey and can be considered a shock for the heads of UNESCO and the leaders of the European Union. [Full Article...]
Mandela's daughter Zindzi dies in South Africa
Cape Town - South Africa's ambassador to Denmark and daughter of former president Nelson Mandela and struggle stalwart Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, Zindzi Mandela died on Sunday night, her family has confirmed to Independent Media. Minisiteri y'ububanyi n'amahanga ya Afurika y'epfo yatangaje ko ibabajwe n'urupfu rwa Zindzi Mandela ambasaderi w'iki gihugu muri Denmark. By the time her father was se... [Full Article...]
Florida reports record-breaking 15,299 coronavirus cases in one day
The most recent surge in cases in Florida came as Walt Disney World in Orlando reopened its Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom theme parks on Saturday. "I really do think we could control this, and it's the human element that is so critical. I think when you see the younger folks, I think a lot of it is more just social interactions, so that's natural". [Full Article...]
No Lawyers for Australian Brenton Tarrant at NZ Sentencing
The accused will be sentenced on 51 charges of murder, 40 charges of attempted murder and a charge of committing a terrorist act after he entered shock guilty pleas to all charges in March. The outcome of this morning's hearing was delayed by an hour so victims and family members could be updated. Tarrant's sentencing hearing, delayed by the coronavirus pandemic, will begin in Christchurch on Augu... [Full Article...]
Virginia tops 70000 coronavirus cases, reporting another 888 on Sunday
The surge of coronavirus deaths among the state's residents appears to confirm concern among health experts that fatalities would increase after cases climbed in Florida and around the southwest. In Bulgaria, authorities reintroduced restrictions lifted a few weeks ago because of a new surge in cases. That number dropped to 93 in the state's Friday report, only to more than double overnight to 188... [Full Article...]
Covid-19: One new case today in managed isolation
A man escaped from a New Zealand coronavirus quarantine facility, cutting through a fence to go to the liquor store. New Zealand's laboratories processed 2057 tests yesterday. The freakish episode followed an equally odd incident on Thursday when a man in his 50s allegedly absconded from the Distinction Hotel in Hamilton to stock up on alcohol. [Full Article...]
Oxygen already runs low as Covid-19 surges in South Africa
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa will address the nation at 8 p.m. on Sunday, amid reports the government is considering tightening lockdown regulations. More than 30 percent of South Africa's cases are in the economic hub of Gauteng province, which includes the largest city, Johannesburg, and the capital, Pretoria. [Full Article...]