News in Brief (2023-10-19)

Hunger doubles

in Sudan due to

conflict: UN

GENEVA, Oct 18: The number of Sudanese families going hungry has near-doubled after six months of fighting between rival generals, the United Nations said Wednesday. Thousands have been killed and millions displaced or forced to flee Sudan-while more than half of those remaining need humanitarian aid. "The number of hungry families has almost doubled," the UN's health and children's agencies said in a joint statement. "700,000 children are suffering from severe acute malnutrition and 100,000 children require life-saving treatment for acute malnutrition with medical complications," the World Health Organization and UNICEF said. — AFP

Three killed in

Russian strikes

on Ukraine

ZAPORIZHZHIA, Oct 18: Russian overnight strikes on Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia and Dnipropetrovsk regions killed at least three people on Wednesday morning, Ukrainian officials said. Two were killed in a missile strike that hit a residential building in the southeastern city of Zaporizhzhia, the local governor said, and a 31-year-old woman was killed in a strike on a town just outside the city of Dnipro, Ukraine's internal affairs minister Igor Klymenko said. Zaporizhzhia governor Yuriy Malashko said Russia "launched six missile attacks on Zaporizhzhia city" between 1:33 am and 1:48 am (2233 and 2248 GMT Tuesday). — AFP

Four killed in US

multicar crash

MALIBU, Oct 18: A multicar crash on Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu killed four people and injured two others Tuesday night, authorities said. The crash occurred at about 8:30 p.m., according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department. Four people were pronounced dead at the scene and two others were taken to the hospital but there was no immediate word on their conditions. The cause of the crash was under investigation. — AP

India to send

astronaut to

Moon by 2040

NEW DELHI, Oct 18: India aims to send an astronaut to the Moon by 2040, the government has said. The country's space goals also include plans for a space station by 2035. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced these ambitions on Tuesday, and also asked scientists to work on missions to Venus and Mars. In August, India became the first country to land a spacecraft on the Moon's south pole, and in September it launched a rocket to study the Sun. The Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) is also working on the Gaganyaan project, which aims to send a human crew to an orbit of 400km (248 miles) and bring them back safely to land in Indian waters. On Saturday, the space agency will conduct a key test in the mission. — BBC

Jordan loses first

vote for House

speakership

NEW YORK, Oct 18: Republican Jim Jordan has lost the first vote in his bid to become US House of Representatives Speaker after stiffer-than-expected opposition from members of his own party. Despite intense lobbying, 20 Republicans refused to vote for the right-wing Ohio congressman. The Trump ally abandoned plans for another vote until Wednesday morning. Congress's lower chamber has had no Speaker since Kevin McCarthy was ousted two weeks ago in a right-wing revolt. Without a leader, the House is unable to pass any bills or approve White House requests for emergency aid. — BBC