Pope Francis calls for end to violence as police are accused of using live rounds against demonstratorsThe death toll from anti-government protests in Nicaragua has risen to 25 as the national police were accused of using live rounds against demonstrators. Those killed include Ángel Gahona, a journalist who was shot dead while presenting a live broadcast on protests in Bluefields, a town on the country’s Caribbean coast. According to human rights groups, 25 people have died since 18 April in unrest over social security reforms planned by the government of president Daniel Ortega. At least 67 people have been shot by the police with live rounds or rubber bullets, or beaten by members of the Sandinista Youth and other pro-government groups. The disturbances turned increasingly violent on Friday, with police using teargas and live rounds against protesters armed with stones.

Source: The Guardian April 22, 2018 06:58 UTC