Europe
Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaks during a virtual press conference at Downing Street, London on Sept 9, following the announcement that the legal limit on social gatherings is set to be reduced from 30 people to six. The change in England will come into force on Monday as the Government seeks to curb the rise in corona
virus cases. (AP)
Assange extradition paused:
The London hearing on WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange’s extradition from Britain to the United States was suspended Thursday because one of the lawyers may have been exposed to the coronavirus.
District Judge Vanessa Baraitser ordered the proceedings adjourned until Monday while a lawyer representing the US government is tested for the virus.
Assange is fighting American prosecutors’ attempt to get the British government to send him to the US to stand trial on spying charges. (AP)
Wildfire threatens homes:
A new wildfire on Thursday near Athens led to more home evacuations a day after a different blaze near the Greek capital forced thousands of residents to leave their dwellings.
The fire service said about 100 firefighters assisted by three water-dropping helicopters were trying to extinguish the blaze burning through low vegetation among scattered homes in the seaside resort of Artemis.
Residents were asked to leave their homes as strong winds whipped on the flames. There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries. (AP)
Villagers want to save homes:
Villagers living on the edge of a vast German coal mine said Wednesday they have lodged a case with Germany’s top court in a bid to save their homes.
The villagers say that a law intended to phase out the country’s use of coal over the next 18 years will nevertheless result in the destruction of communities to make way for the Garzweiler lignite mine.
The law was agreed to as part of a 54 billion euro ($64 billion) package of measures to reduce Germany’s greenhouse gas emissions and tackle climate change. (AP)
tion centers in one or more countries outside the EU to diminish the incentive for migrants to seek asylum in Denmark. The Danish government also wants to improve the deportation of rejected asylum-seekers