Wednesday, July 28 2021

*) Tunisia's biggest party ready for elections, warns against 'autocratic regime' Tunisia's biggest political party, Ennahda, is calling for dialogue after President Kais Saied sacked the prime minister and suspended parliament. Saied has been accused of launching a coup. But he says he's acting within Tunisia's constitution. The party's top official said it is ready to go to early legislative and presidential elections while warning against delays as a pretext to maintain the status quo. *) US police officers testify at first House hearing on Capital riots A US House select committee has held its first hearing into the deadly attack on the Capitol building in Washington, DC on January 6. At least five people were killed as a mob of former president Donald Trump’s supporters stormed the building. Four police officers shared testimony of being attacked while trying to protect the building. Officer Daniel Hodges testified he had no doubt that the rioters were there to kill members of Congress. *) Landslide kills Rohingya refugees at Cox' Bazar camp At least six Rohingya refugees, including children, have been killed in a landslide that hit their camp in Bangladesh. It happened at Cox's Bazar refugee camp, in which more than a million people reside. Heavy monsoon rains have prompted Bangladeshi authorities to relocate thousands of Rohingya to safer areas. *) Torrential rain triggers mudslides in towns around Lake Como Extreme weather continues to grip Europe, this time Italy. Dozens of houses have been hit by mudslides and floods near Lake Como, the popular holiday hotspot. Houses and villas were submerged in debris in the towns of Laglio, Cernobbio and Brienno. Italian firefighters carried out more than 60 rescues in the area. And finally ... *) Vatican tries former senior cardinal on corruption charges A landmark fraud trial of ten people has started at the Vatican. It includes a cardinal who was once a close ally of the Pope. Cardinal Angelo Becciu is the most senior Vatican official