UN warns of severe polio outbreak in SomaliaAugust 17, 2013 - 09:49 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The UN has warned of a severe outbreak of polio in Somalia, days after a medical charity pulled out of the country, citing insecurity, BBC News reported. At least 105 cases of polio have been recorded in Somalia this year - almost half the number of cases around the world in 2012. The World Health Organization is trying to eradicate polio and the number of cases has fallen dramatically. Most of the Somali cases are in areas controlled by Islamist group al-Shabab. Polio is now only considered endemic in three countries - Afghanistan, Nigeria and Pakistan. Somalia was declared polio-free six years ago and some four million people have been vaccinated. The BBC's international development correspondent Mark Doyle says in many parts of Somalia the charity is the only provider of health care ranging from basic medical supplies to major surgery. Some 18,000 African Union troops are in the country supporting the UN-backed government - the first one in more than two decades to be recognised by the US and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The Islamist al-Shabab militant group no longer has bases in Mogadishu and has also been pushed out of other cities. But it remains in control of smaller towns and large swathes of the countryside in central and southern Somalia and continues to launch occasional suicide attacks. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Narek Manasyan wins European Boxing Championships silver for Armenia Armenia’s Narek Manasyan (92kg) won Armenia’s second silver medal at the European Boxing Championships 2024 on April 28. Blinken urges Azerbaijan to continue negotiations with Armenia Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has urged Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to continue negotiations with Armenia. Pashinyan, Blinken talk Armenia-U.S. ties over the phone Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on April 28, Pashinyan’s office reports. Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. |