ETHIOPIA: The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission today called for an investigation into the killing of a prominent opposition figure recently released from prison.

Bate Urgessa was killed on Tuesday night while visiting his home town of Meki in Oromia, Ethiopia’s biggest region, according to an official with the Oromo Liberation Front.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals.

TOGO: The Togolese government today banned a planned three-day protest this week over the arrest of opposition figures and new legislation scrapping presidential elections.

The interior and security ministries said the protests set to begin on Thursday would seriously disturb public order. In a separate notice, the government also delayed parliamentary elections until April 29, pushing the vote back by just over a week.

GREECE: Rescuers on the eastern Greek island of Chios today recovered the bodies of three girls who died after a boat carrying migrants from nearby Turkey hit rocks, officials said.

Some 14 people, including eight other children, were rescued by the coastguard off the north east of the island, 12.5 miles from Turkey. 

Two men were also found ashore.

Coastguard officials said three patrol vessels were looking for other possible survivors, while the boat is believed to have sunk.

FRANCE: The French government presented a Bill today to allow adults with terminal cancer or other incurable illness to take lethal medication, as public demands grow for legal options for aid in dying.

Many French people have travelled to neighbouring countries where medically assisted suicide or euthanasia are legal. 

French President Emmanuel Macron has long promised such a Bill.