Ebola virus rapidly spreading across West Africa, according to WHO report
The number of deaths caused by the Ebola virus has risen to 4,493, according to a report released by the World Health Organisation on Wednesday. The report also states that the situation has worsened throughout West Africa, especially in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. A total of 8,997 confirmed, probable and suspected cases of Ebola have been reported in seven countries, as of data collected till October 12. Meanwhile, a second healthcare worker tested positive for Ebola in Texas, United States, according to local health department officials.
Police use pepper spray against pro democracy protesters in Hong Kong
Hong Kong's embattled Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying on Thursday agreed to hold talks with pro-democracy protesters, one week after government authorities had canceled the dialogue process. Leung's change of heart has reportedly been attributed to a video footage on Wednesday that showed police beating a handcuffed demonstrator. The video has sparked widespread anger against the authorities and led to an increase in the number of demonstrators. Chinese authorities, meanwhile, have blocked the telecast of Britain's national broadcaster, BBC, in light of growing media coverage of the protests against Beijing's decision to screen candidates for the 2017 civic elections in Hong Kong.
Pakistan Election Commission suspends 200 lawmakers for not declaring assets
The Election Commission of Pakistan on Wednesday suspended over 200 parliamentarians and state legislators for failing to submit the annual details of their financial assets. According to the Pakistani constitution, lawmakers are bound to report the details of their wealth by September 30 very year. Despite extending the deadline to October 15, 210 lawmakers failed to declare their financial assets to authorities.
Snowstorm atop Annapurna range in the Himalayas kill over 20 trekkers and guides
A snowstorm, followed by an avalanche, killed over 20 trekkers and their respective guides atop the Annapurna range in Nepal, according to local government officials on Wednesday. Authorities had to wait until Wednesday for the weather to clear up, before they could begin their search for any survivors. Over 100 people are still missing, according to search teams.
Islamic State militants close in on strategic Iraqi town
Islamic State militants were on the verge of laying siege to a strategic town in Anbar province, located 25 miles west of Baghdad, according to local officials on Wednesday. After scoring a series of tactical victories in Anbar province against Iraqi government forces, IS militants were seen approaching the rural town of Amariyat al-Falluja from the north, west and east, through surrounding farmland. Despite air strikes by United State-led forces, IS militants have been able to gather significant ground in the region.
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The number of deaths caused by the Ebola virus has risen to 4,493, according to a report released by the World Health Organisation on Wednesday. The report also states that the situation has worsened throughout West Africa, especially in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. A total of 8,997 confirmed, probable and suspected cases of Ebola have been reported in seven countries, as of data collected till October 12. Meanwhile, a second healthcare worker tested positive for Ebola in Texas, United States, according to local health department officials.
Police use pepper spray against pro democracy protesters in Hong Kong
Hong Kong's embattled Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying on Thursday agreed to hold talks with pro-democracy protesters, one week after government authorities had canceled the dialogue process. Leung's change of heart has reportedly been attributed to a video footage on Wednesday that showed police beating a handcuffed demonstrator. The video has sparked widespread anger against the authorities and led to an increase in the number of demonstrators. Chinese authorities, meanwhile, have blocked the telecast of Britain's national broadcaster, BBC, in light of growing media coverage of the protests against Beijing's decision to screen candidates for the 2017 civic elections in Hong Kong.
Pakistan Election Commission suspends 200 lawmakers for not declaring assets
The Election Commission of Pakistan on Wednesday suspended over 200 parliamentarians and state legislators for failing to submit the annual details of their financial assets. According to the Pakistani constitution, lawmakers are bound to report the details of their wealth by September 30 very year. Despite extending the deadline to October 15, 210 lawmakers failed to declare their financial assets to authorities.
Snowstorm atop Annapurna range in the Himalayas kill over 20 trekkers and guides
A snowstorm, followed by an avalanche, killed over 20 trekkers and their respective guides atop the Annapurna range in Nepal, according to local government officials on Wednesday. Authorities had to wait until Wednesday for the weather to clear up, before they could begin their search for any survivors. Over 100 people are still missing, according to search teams.
Islamic State militants close in on strategic Iraqi town
Islamic State militants were on the verge of laying siege to a strategic town in Anbar province, located 25 miles west of Baghdad, according to local officials on Wednesday. After scoring a series of tactical victories in Anbar province against Iraqi government forces, IS militants were seen approaching the rural town of Amariyat al-Falluja from the north, west and east, through surrounding farmland. Despite air strikes by United State-led forces, IS militants have been able to gather significant ground in the region.