A round-up of other world stories in brief...
UN forced to end aid flights in west Africa
GENEVA – The UN has said it will shut down its humanitarian air services in much of west Africa because of a shortage of funds.
Emilia Casella of the UN World Food Programme said yesterday the chartered helicopters and aircraft used to ferry aid workers and supplies to remote parts of Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia and the Ivory Coast would stop on Friday. “In areas that are not reachable by land . . . aid workers will not be able to reach vulnerable people with medical care, food, water and sanitation,” she said. – (Reuters)
Namibia declares flood emergency
WINDHOEK – Namibia’s president yesterday declared a state of emergency in areas hit by what he said could be some of the worst floods in recent memory.
“It is with a heavy heart that I declare an emergency for the north-central and northeastern parts of Namibia, Hifikepunye Pohamba told reporters.
He said 92 people had drowned since flooding began in early February and 5,032 people had been left homeless in the southern African country. – (Reuters)
Europe launches satellite
MOSCOW – Europe launched its most sophisticated satellite yesterday after a technical problem caused a one-day delay at its lift-off site in Russia.
The European Space Agency’s (Esa) state-of-the- art satellite will beam back data on the strength of gravity around the world for analysis on climate change. “We have a successful launch,” Esa spokesman Franco Bonacina said. “Another mission is starting and it’s very positive.” – (Reuters)
UK joblessness to pass two million
LONDON – The relentless growth in Britain’s jobless will be confirmed today as unemployment is set to burst through two million for the first time in more than 10 years.
Experts are warning that unemployment will easily break the three million barrier this year, with many more people facing a grim 2009 that is likely to keep consumer spending and the economy depressed. – (Guardian service)
Way cleared for NY mayor to run again
NEW YORK – The US justice department cleared one of the last obstacles to New York mayor Michael Bloomberg’s bid to seek a third term when it announced yesterday that it would not intervene in New York’s new term-limit law.
The department said the law, which extended elected officials’ allowable time in office to three consecutive four-year terms from two, was not intended to and would not discriminate against minority groups. – (Reuters)