register their names as a health worker (R) wearing Personal
Protective Equipment (PPE) suit collects a swab sample from a woman
to test for COVID-19, at a primary health centre in Hyderabad on
September 4, 2020. NOAH SEELAM / AFP
India overtook Brazil on Monday as the country with
the second highest number of confirmed coronavirus cases, even as
key metro train lines re-opened as part of efforts to boost the
South Asian nation’s battered economy.
India has emerged in recent weeks as the new global
pandemic hotspot, although cases continue to soar across the globe
with reported infections worldwide nearing 27 million and deaths
surpassing 880,000.
France, Israel and Australia were among the nations forced in
recent days to extend travel restrictions or impose new ones to try
and contain fresh surges.
India, home to some of the world’s most densely populated
cities, has been reporting the highest single-day rises in the
world and on Monday it confirmed a new record of nearly 91,000 new
cases.
Protective Equipments (PPE) check the temperature and the oxygen
level of an elderly resident during a COVID-19 coronavirus
screening in the Dharavi slum, in Mumbai on August 11, 2020. (Photo
by INDRANIL MUKHERJEE / AFP)
India’s cases have now risen above 4.2 million, surpassing
Brazil’s total and making it the second-highest tally behind the
United States’ 6.25 million.
However, with India’s economy imploding following months of
travel restrictions, authorities pressed on with risky reignition
plans.
The metro in the capital of New Delhi began reopening on Monday
after a five-month shutdown and 12 other cities began restarting
subway services.
Authorities imposed strict rules on passengers, with masks,
social distancing and temperature checks mandatory.
During peak hour in New Delhi on Monday morning, carriages were
sparsely filled as people followed guidelines dictating that only
alternate seats could be occupied.
For total deaths worldwide, the United States has the most with
more than 188,000, followed by Brazil with
126,000. India is next with about 71,000 fatalities.
New European spikes
Britain is battling another spike, with the number of daily
cases hitting nearly 3,000 on Sunday, a level not seen since late
May, according to health ministry figures.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the latest sufferers were
predominantly young people.
“It’s important that people don’t allow this illness to infect
their grandparents and to lead to the sort of problems that we saw
earlier in the year,” he said.
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The British government said it would tighten local restrictions
in areas showing sharp rises in cases rather than impose a second
national lockdown for fear of its effect on the economy.
display of facemasks, being sold due to the COVID-19 pandemic, in
Glasgow on September 2, 2020 after the Scottish government imposed
fresh restrictions on the city after an rise in cases of the novel
coronavirus. (Photo by Andy Buchanan / AFP)
In neighbouring France authorities placed seven more regions
covering major cities including Lille, Strasbourg and Dijon on high
alert Sunday as increases in infections accelerate.
Of the country’s 101 “departments”, 28 are now considered “red
zones” where authorities will be able to impose exceptional
measures to slow the virus if necessary.
The curbs come after France reported a record of nearly 9,000
daily cases on Friday, In Paris masks are now mandatory in all
public spaces.
Lockdowns have also been imposed or extended Israel and
Australia in recent days.
Israel decided Sunday to begin “a nightly closure” of 40 cities
and towns with the highest infection rates.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said “educational
institutions” would be closed and gatherings limited from
Monday.
“I know these limitations are not easy, but in the current
situation, there’s no way to avoid them,” Netanyahu said.
According to data collected by AFP, Israel has risen to fifth in
the world for the number of infections per capita, ahead of Brazil
and the United States.
In Spain, the government is trying to restart schools even as it
records the highest number of new infections on the European
continent.
Some Spanish parents are refusing to send their children back to
class for the new school year despite the threat of sanctions from
authorities.
“You have your whole life to learn, but if you lose your health,
that’s it,” said Aroa Miranda, a 37-year-old mother-of-two in the
coastal town of Castellon de la Plana.
“Going back to school is being treated like an experiment, we’re
like guinea pigs… for my eight-year-old, I will pretend he’s ill so
I don’t have to send him to school.”
AFP
Troops Raid Guma Forest, Eliminate 5 B’Haram in
Gwoza
1. In continuation of the aggressive kinetic operations against
armed banditry, cattle rustling and other sundry crimes in the
North-Central zone, troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE have arrested
4 armed bandits and recovered arms and ammunition during two daring
raids at identified bandits’ camps.
2. In one of the operations conducted on 6 September 2020,
troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE deployed at Guma in Benue State
and Keana in Nasarawa State, conducted a dawn raid at identified
armed bandits’ camp at Guma forest along the Benue-Nasarawa border
following actionable intelligence reports on the location of the
camp. Adopting an aggressive posture and profile, the gallant
troops stormed the location and engaged the bandits in a firefight,
overwhelming them with superior fire. In the process, troops
neutralized one bandit while others fled with gunshot wounds into
the forest. Troops also recovered one AK-47 rifle, one AK-47 rifle
magazine, one locally made pistol and 3 mobile phones at the scene
while the camp was subsequently destroyed.
3. Similarly, troops of Sector 1 deployed at Gagbe in Gwer West
Local Government Area of Benue State conducted another dawn raid on
another suspected armed bandits’ hideout at Tse Agi in the general
area. The gallant troops stormed the hideout and apprehended 4
suspects at the scene while one AK 47 rifle, 2 AK-47 rifle
magazines and 46 rounds of 7.62 mm special ammunition were also
recovered at the location. The hideout was subsequently destroyed
while the suspects are currently being profiled after which they
will be handed over to the appropriate prosecuting agency for
further action.
4. The Military High Command appreciates the general public for
their cooperation in providing credible information which has so
far facilitated the successes of the operations. The Armed Forces
of Nigeria assures that these offensives against the common enemies
of this Nation will not cease until normalcy is restored to all the
troubled zones of the Country.
JOHN ENENCHE
Major General
Coordinator
Defence Media Operations
Defence Headquarters
7 September 2020.
………….
PRESS RELEASE
OPERATION LAFIYA DOLE: TROOPS NEUTRALISE BOKO HARAM/ISWAP
ELEMENTS, RESCUE KIDNAPPED VICTIMS IN GWOZA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA
OF BORNO STATE
1. In continuation of the aggressive clearance operation to
stamp out the North-East zone of the country against the insurgents
and other criminal elements, troops of Operation LAFIYA DOLE has
recorded tremendous successes against BHT/ISWAP elements. Acting on
credible intelligence on the activities of BHT/ISWAP terrorists at
Hamdaga Makaranta town in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno
State, troops of 192 Battalion supported by the Air Task Force of
Operation LAFIYA DOLE on 6 September 2020 raided the location. The
gallant troops overwhelmed them killing 5, while others escaped
with gun shots wounds. Troops also cleared 9 identified isolated
BHT/ISWAP structures and farmlands in the area.
2. Furthermore, troops successfully rescued 7 kidnapped victims
comprising 2 females and 5 children. Currently the gallant troops
have dominated the area with aggressive patrols.
3. The Military High Command congratulates the gallant troops
for their dexterity and encourages them to intensify the onslaught
against the criminal elements in the North-East zone of the
country.
JOHN ENENCHE
Major General
Coordinator
Defence Media Operations
Defence Headquarters
7 September 2020.