World News

Managua (AFP + Diplomat.so) - Nicaragua switched diplomatic allegiance from Taiwan to China on Thursday, meaning just 14 nations now recognize the democratic island that Beijing has vowed to one day seize.

MADRID (AP + Diplomat.so) — Spain's prime minister on Monday urged people to "remain prudent" about COVID-19 over the holidays, as Christmas festivities at one Spanish hospital are suspected of infecting dozens of staff.

Geneva, Switzerland (AFP + Diplomat.so) - The Omicron variant has been detected in 38 countries but no deaths have yet been reported, the WHO said on Friday, as authorities worldwide rushed to stem the spread of the heavily mutated Covid-19 strain.

Addis Ababa (AFP + Diplomat.so) - Britain on Wednesday urged its nationals to leave Ethiopia as soon as possible, citing the potential for fighting to move closer to the capital.

Addis Ababa (FBC + Diplomat.so) – The Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF) has called on the former military personnel to register and join the national army in the fight against the terrorist TPLF Group forces.

Kabul (AFP + Diplomat.so) - A Taliban military commander in Kabul was among the fighters killed when his men responded to an Islamic State attack on a hospital, officials said Wednesday.

TRIPOLI (Xinhua + Diplomat.so) - Libya's High National Elections Commission (HNEC) on Sunday announced a plan for the upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections.

Kampala (Reuters + Diplomat.so) - A deadly blast in Kampala late on Saturday appeared to be an act of terrorism, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni said on Sunday.

Tel Aviv (AFP + Diplomat.so) - Israel plans to build more residences for Jewish settlers in the occupied West Bank, a government ministry said Sunday, adding to those announced in August by the new ruling coalition.

KYIV, Ukraine (AP + Diplomat.so) — Ukraine's coronavirus infections and deaths reached all-time highs for a second straight day Friday, in a growing challenge for the country with one of Europe's lowest shares of vaccinated people.

Seoul (AFP + Diplomat.so) - North Korea fired a ballistic missile into the sea on Tuesday, South Korea's military said, the latest in a series of tests by Pyongyang as a US envoy repeated calls for dialogue.

Abuja (AFP + Diplomat.so) - At least 16 Nigerian soldiers and two anti-jihadist militia have been killed in an ambush by IS-allied fighters on their patrol on a highway in northeast Borno State, two military sources told AFP on Thursday.

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP + Diplomat.so) — Taiwan's weather bureau warned of high winds and heavy rain as Typhoon Chanthu roared toward the island Saturday and said the storm's center was likely to pass its east coast instead of hitting land.

Washington (Reuters + Diplomat.so) - President Joe Biden on Thursday will present a six-pronged strategy intended to fight the spread of the highly contagious coronavirus Delta variant and increase U.S. COVID-19 vaccinations, the White House said on Tuesday.

Dar Es Salaam (Reuters + Diplomat.so) - Tanzanian police said on Thursday the slain gunman who killed three police officers and a private security guard on a rampage through a diplomatic quarter of Tanzania's main city Dar es Salaam last month was a terrorist.

Juba (AFP + Diplomat.so) - South Sudanese Vice President Riek Machar's movement suffered a fresh blow Thursday as his deputy quit to join a rival military faction, following deadly clashes between the two sides.

DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP + Diplomat.so) — Bangladesh's government and aid agencies started vaccinating Rohingya refugees Tuesday as a virus surge raises health risks in the sprawling, cramped camps where more than 1 million people who fled Myanmar are sheltering.

JOHANNESBURG (AP + Diplomat.so) — Rwandan troops have joined Mozambican forces to launch a major offensive against Islamic rebels in northern Mozambique as more troops arrive from South Africa and other neighboring countries to battle the insurgency.

Kabul (Reuters + Diplomat.so) - United States will to continue to carry out airstrikes to support Afghan forces facing attack from the insurgent Taliban, a regional U.S. commander said on Sunday as U.S. and other international forces have drawn down troops in Afghanistan.

Abuja (AFP + Diplomat.so) - Nigeria has received six of 12 turboprop light attack aircraft from the United States to help fight mounting insecurity, its air force said.