ZIMBABWE: Public gatherings were banned in Harare today in a bid to curb a cholera outbreak that has killed 21 people.

Police spokeswoman Charity Charamba said the ban aims to alleviate “the continuous spread” of cholera in the capital, where the government has declared an emergency.

The number of infections has risen to 3,067, up from just over 2,000 reported  yesterday, according to Health Minister Obadiah Moyo.

HUNGARY: European Parliament members voted overwhelmingly today for action against the Budapest government of Prime Minister Viktor Orban for undermining the EU’s democratic values and the rule of law.

They voted 448-197 for a report recommending the launch of an “article seven” procedure, which could lead to Hungary’s EU voting rights being suspended.

Some members of the European People’s Party conservative bloc, of which Mr Orban’s Fidesz is a member, voted against their ally.

GERMANY: Ryanair is cancelling dozens of flights after pilots and flight attendants went on strike over pay and conditions, the Cockpit union reported today.

The 24-hour action began at 3am today and has affected all the airline’s bases in Germany, including Frankfurt and Berlin airports.

Cockpit, representing pilots, is fighting alongside the Ver.di union representing flight attendants.

ROMANIA: Equal marriage will be challenged next month after senators voted 107-13 to hold a referendum on changing a constitutional reference to marriage as a union between “spouses.”

Three million citizens signed a petition demanding that it be redefined as a union between a man and a woman.

EU member states Poland, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Lithuania and Latvia don’t recognise same-sex marriage or offer legal protection to same-sex couples.