MORE than two million people in Somalia could die of starvation by the end of summer unless international aid is sent quickly, warns a UN emergency relief co-ordinator.
UN undersecretary-general Mark Lowcock said $700 million (£550m) is needed after a drought killed livestock and crops in the African country.
He said: “What was forecast to be an average rainy season in Somalia is now one of the driest on record in over 35 years.”
The UN Central Emergency Response Fund has allocated $45m (£35m) to cover foot shortages, water and daily necessities in Somalia and drought-stricken parts of Kenya and Ethiopia.
A fifth of Somalia’s population are struggling to meet minimum food requirements, as shortages are 40% worse than during the winter.
The country’s humanitarian fund is currently depleted.
ELSEWHERE, a former nurse, who liked to put patients into cardiac arrest because he enjoyed the feeling of being able to resuscitate them, has been convicted of 85 counts of murder in Oldenburg, Germany.
The death toll is believed to make Niels Hoegal the worst serial killer in Germany’s modern history.
Hoegel was tried on 100 counts of murder, however was found not guilty of 15 due to a lack of evidence.
His victims were aged between 34 and 96-years-old
Judge Buerhrmann sentenced the 42-year-old to life in prison, noting in his verdict the “particular seriousness of the crimes”.
Hoegel worked in a hospital in Oldenburg between 1999 and 2002, before moving to another hospital nearby from 2003 to 2005. During the seven-month trial, Hoegel admitted to 43 killings however he disputed five as well as saying he could not remember the other 52 deaths.
MEANWHILE Denmark’s prime minister resigned after his centre-right party were crushed by the Social Democrats in a recent general election.
Professor Rune Stubager, from Denmark’s University of Aarhaus, said the results show a “considerable swing to the left” over issues of welfare and climate.
The Social Democrats have promised to put welfare first and reverse the centre-right governments cuts, however they will continue the current tough anti-immigration stance.
AND finally, Russian protest band Pussy Riot are planning a concert in Alabama after it passed the nation’s toughest anti-abortion law.
The show is set to benefit both Planned Parenthood and the Yellow Hammer Fund, which provides funding for anyone seeking care at one of the state’s three abortion clinics. Planned Parenthood, along with ACLU, are suing to block the Alabama law, which bans abortions unless a woman’s health is at risk.
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