Update: Somali forces end Al-Shabaab hotel siege – security commander

MOGADISHU, Aug 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Somali forces have ended a deadly siege by Al-Shabaab militant group at a hotel in the capital Mogadishu that lasted about 30 hours, a security commander said. At least 13 civilians have been killed and dozens wounded since militants from the Al-Qaeda affiliate unleashed a…

The world’s cotton supply is shrinking hit by drought and heat

PARIS, Aug 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Extreme weather is wreaking havoc upon virtually all of the world’s largest cotton suppliers. In India, the top-producing country, heavy rains and pests have cut into cotton crops so much that the nation is importing supplies. A heat wave in China is raising concerns about…

UAE donates $6.8 million in aid to flood ravaged Sudan

KHARTOUM/ABU DHABI, Aug 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed ordered $6.8 million (AED 25 million) of humanitarian aid to Sudan after floods killed at least 79 and destroyed over 14,500 houses. “The directives of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed to provide such assistance are an expression of…

Malawi cholera cases rise despite vaccination campaign

Malawi cholera cases rise despite vaccination campaign BLANTYRE, Aug 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Despite a nationwide vaccination campaign that started in May, Malawi is struggling to contain a cholera outbreak that has infected more than 1,073 people and caused 44 deaths. The figures from the Malawi Ministry of Health, updated as…

Ethiopia: WFP says almost half of people in Tigray in need of food aid

ADDIS ABABA, Aug 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The World Food Program says that half the population of Ethiopia’s Tigray region need food aid after nearly two years of civil war. Aid agencies say Ethiopia’s federal authorities are limiting aid to the region, which the head of the World Health Organization calls…

On Humanitarian Day, UK will fund £36 million to help people in Ukraine, East Africa and Syria

LONDON, Aug 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The UK has announced £36 million (approx. US$ 42 million) in UK humanitarian funding to help people in Ukraine, East Africa, and Syria.  People whose lives have been upended by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, drought and food shortages in East Africa, and conflict in Syria will…

Leader of 2005 Peru uprising released early from prison

LIMA, Aug 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Antauro Humala, the brother of a former Peruvian president and leader of a failed 2005 uprising, was released early from prison on Saturday, hinting at a return to politics. The sibling of former President Ollanta Humala and an ex-military officer is the leader of Peru’s…

Cuba’s first monkeypox case recorded in Italian tourist

HAVANA, Aug 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Cuba reported its first case of monkeypox Saturday in an Italian tourist who is in “critical” condition, the health ministry said. The patient, who arrived in Cuba Monday and was hospitalized three days later, “is in critical condition with his life in danger,” the health…

French president heads to Algeria to relaunch ties

French President Emmanuel Macron PARIS, Aug 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — French President Emmanuel Macron will visit former colony Algeria next week in a bid to improve strained ties between Paris and Algiers, the French presidency said. French-Algerian ties hit a low late last year after Macron reportedly questioned whether Algeria had…

Thousands fete South Africa’s new Zulu king

NONGOMA (KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa), Aug 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Thousands of people gathered at the Zulu royal palace in South Africa on Saturday to witness the crowning of a new king in the country’s richest and most influential traditional monarchy. Misuzulu Zulu, 47, ascended to the throne once held by his…