Global COVID cases cross 66 mn
Washington, Dec 6: The overall number of global coronavirus cases has crossed the 66 million mark, while the deaths have surged to more than 1.52 million, according to the Johns Hopkins University. In its latest update on Sunday, the University’s Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) revealed that the current global caseload and death toll stood at 66,460,498 and 1,527,972, respectively. The US is the worst-hit country with the world’s highest number of cases and deaths at 14,575,623 and 281,134, respectively, according to the CSSE. India comes in second place in terms of cases at 9,608,211, while the country’s death toll soared to 139,700. (IANS)
22 arrested in Paris protest
Paris, Dec 6: At least 22 people were arrested in Paris after a protest against police brutality and a controversial bill turned violent, the Interior Ministry has confirmed. BFM TV footage showed cars and barricades were set on fire in Gambetta district, west of Paris, on Saturday, reports Xinhua news agency. Several windows, including those of a supermarket and a bank, were damaged. The footage also showed that face-masked individuals threw projectiles at the police, who responded by firing tear gas. The Ministry said 400 to 500 vandals had infiltrated the march. Violence also broke out on November 28 when people rallied against police violence and urged the government to withdraw a controversial article from a security bill. (IANS)
Saudi prince criticises Israel
Dubai, Dec 6: A prominent Saudi prince harshly criticized Israel on Sunday at a Bahrain security summit that was remotely attended by Israel’s foreign minister. Prince Turki al-Faisal, who led Saudi intelligence for more than two decades and served as ambassador to the US and Britain, warned that any normalisation deals needed to help the Palestinians obtain their own independent state. He described Israel as a “Western colonising” power. He said Israel has “incarcerated (Palestinians) in concentration camps under the flimsiest of security accusations— young and old, women and men, who are rotting there without recourse to justice. They are demolishing homes as they wish and they assassinate whomever they want.” (PTI)