World news in brief
Mountain lion found in downtown San Francisco
A young mountain lion has been found roaming the streets of downtown San Francisco. The disoriented cat was spotted sleeping in a plant bed and gazing at his reflection in the glass of an office tower in his two days in the city, before he was spotted by a police officer near the San Francisco Giants’ baseball grounds. Officers quickly established a perimeter and animal control officials were able to capture the 22kg lion in an apartment building’s shrubbery-rich garden, without the use of sedatives. “In 24 hours, it only moved a few blocks. The poor guy really needed some help,” animal care and control spokesperson Deb Campbell said. “We never had a mountain lion right in the middle of downtown San Francisco.” Ms Campbell said officials in San Francisco receive reports of cougars in San Francisco about once a year. The animals come up along the Pacific coast from the hills south of the city but eventually find their way back to the wilderness.
Zimbabwe minister charged in Covid corruption case
The Zimbabwean health minister has been charged in a case looking at government contracts awarded during the coronavirus pandemic. Obadiah Moyo appeared in court yesterday over allegations he illegally handed a contract for Covid-19 testing kits, drugs and personal protective equipment to a shadowy company. He has now been charged with criminal abuse of duty as a public officer. The former hospital administrator was arrested by the national anti-corruption agency on Friday – the day before his court appearance. Local journalists exposed how the health minister allegedly chose the company to sell medical supplies to the government at inflated prices that included masks for $28 (£22) each. The health minister could be fined or face up to 15 years in prison if he is convicted.
French health ministry daubed in red-paint virus protest
Protesters in France have covered the country’s health ministry with red paint to campaign against poor working conditions for healthcare staff. A small group of activists sprayed the building yesterday in an act meant to symbolise the blood of those who have died from coronavirus. “For years, health workers have been alerting us to the fact they don’t have enough resources with regards to staff, beds and equipment to be able to allow us to look after people decently,” Aurelie Trouve, a spokesperson for the Attac activist group behind the protest, said. Staff are demanding higher pay and more hospital staff after France’s oncerenowned healthcare system struggled to cope with the virus crisis following years of cost cuts. Protesters also placed a giant, medal-shaped banner dubbed Medal of Contempt on the steps of the health ministry to highlight what they said was the government’s failure to listen to the concerns of healthcare workers.
Lawyer on Epstein investigation refuses to resign
The US prosecutor investigating Jeffrey Epstein and his links to Prince Andrew has insisted he is not resigning, after the US Department of Justice released a statement announcing he was stepping down. Geoffrey Berman, who accused the Duke of York of “shutting the door” on the investigation into child sex offender Epstein, said he learned he was apparently withdrawing in the press release on Friday. The US attorney for the Southern District of New York said in a statement on Twitter: “I have not resigned and have no intention of resigning ... I will step down when a presidentially appointed nominee is confirmed by the Senate. Until then, our investigations will move forward without delay or interruption. I cherish every day that I work with the men and women of this office to pursue justice without fear or favour – and intend to ensure that this office’s important cases continue unimpeded.”
Mr Berman’s office has prosecuted a number of Donald Trumps’ associates, including the president’s former lawyer Michael Cohen, who was jailed for lying to Congress and campaign finance violations. Mr Trump’s personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, is currently under investigation by Mr Berman’s office over his efforts to find dirt on Joe Biden and his son Hunter in Ukraine.