Ethiopia: UN forced to abort humanitarian aid flight into Tigray – OCHA

A general food distribution point in Afar, Ethiopia ADDIS ABABA, Oct 24 (NNN-UNNS) — A UN humanitarian aid flight destined for the capital of the Tigray region in northern Ethiopia, was forced to return to Addis Ababa due to airstrikes on Friday, raising “serious concerns” for the safety of staff…

Somalia: At least 20 killed as Somalia troops battle moderate Islamist militia

The skyline beyond the northern suburbs of Mogadishu in Somalia, seen through a bullet hole in the window of a hotel MOGADISHU, Oct 24 (NNN-AGENCIES) — At least 20 people were killed and more than 40 wounded on Saturday when a moderate Islamist group clashed with Somali government troops over…

Covid-19: UK records another 44,985 new cases

LONDON, Oct 24 (NNN-Xinhua) — Another 44,985 people in Britain have tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the total number of coronavirus cases in the country to 8,734,934, according to official figures released Saturday. The country also reported a further 135 coronavirus-related deaths. The total number of coronavirus-related deaths in Britain…

Covid-19: German state premiers urge continued federal-imposed measures as cases rise

People queue to receive a vaccine against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) BERLIN, Oct 24 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The premiers of Germany’s 16 states urged the federal government to maintain a countrywide legal framework for imposing restrictions to contain the coronavirus pandemic.The premiers saw it as “of the greatest significance that the…

Covid-19: Russia reports record deaths and cases

Yastrebkovskoe cemetery outside Moscow, which serves as one of the burial grounds for Russia’s Covid-19 victims MOSCOW, Oct 24 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Russia on Saturday reported a record 1,075 COVID-19 deaths in 24 hours as Europe’s hardest-hit country with dramatically low vaccination rates braces for nationwide curbs from next week. Despite…

Covid-19: US administers nearly 413 million doses of vaccines

October 24, 20213:14 AM +08Last Updated 12 hours ago United States U.S. administers nearly 413 mln doses of COVID-19 vaccines A person receives a vaccine for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) WASHINGTON, Oct 24 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United States has administered 412,856,169 doses of COVID-19 vaccines in the country as of…

UK warns of ‘gaps’ with EU as talks to solve Northern Ireland Brexit issues resume

LONDON, Oct 24 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Talks between Britain and the European Union to resolve problems with the Brexit agreement regarding Northern Ireland will move to London next week with the UK government warning onSaturday that “substantial gaps” remained.    A negotiating team from the European Commission will travel to London…

Somalia’s Khadar Ahmed wins top prize at Fespaco film fest

  OUAGADOUGOU, Oct 24 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Somali film-maker Khadar Ahmed won the top prize at the Fespaco film festival in Burkina Faso Saturday for “The Gravedigger’s Wife”, which he wrote and directed.    The 40-year-old was not at the ceremony to receive the Golden Stallion award, but his work beat…

US envoy urges North Korea to stop missile tests

  SEOUL, Oct 24 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The US on Sunday urged North Korea to stop “counterproductive” missile tests, but expressed hope Pyongyang would respond positively to Washington’s call for dialogue.   It comes after North Korea fired a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) on Tuesday, prompting an emergency meeting of the…

Hurricane Rick gains strength as it advances on Mexico

  MEXICO CITY, Oct 24 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Hurricane Rick gained strength as it advanced toward Mexico’s Pacific coast Saturday and risked becoming a major hurricane, the US National Hurricane Center said.   At 0000 GMT on Saturday, Rick was located 265 km from Zihuatanejo and 305 km from Acapulco, both…