NEWS IN BRIEF

SYRIA TROOPS CAPTURE KEY TOWN IN IDLIB

AP, Damascus, Syria

Syrian troops are in full control of a key rebel-held town in the country’s northwest after days of intense fighting and airstrikes that displaced tens of thousands of people, the Syrian army said yesterday. The capture of the town of Maaret al-Numan in Idlib province marks another victory for President Bashar Assad’s forces, which now control most of Syria after a nearly nine-year conflict that left more than 400,000 people dead and displaced half of Syria’s population.

 

NEW ZEALAND VOLCANO DEATH TOLL RISES TO 21

AFP, Wellington

The death toll from New Zealand’s White Island volcano eruption climbed to 21 Wednesday, with a further death in hospital more than a month after the tragedy, police said. Deputy police commissioner John Tims said the person died in hospital in Auckland, without releasing further details.

 

LASSA FEVER DEATHS IN NIGERIA RISE TO 41

AFP, Lagos

The death toll from Lassa fever in Nigeria since the beginning of January has risen to 41 as cases were confirmed in more regions, Nigeria’s disease control agency said. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) said Tuesday that from January 1 to January 26 a total of 258 confirmed cases, including five health workers, were reported across 19 states. The latest figures marked an increase from 29 deaths and 195 confirmed cases given by the authorities for the period up to January 24.

 

NEWS IN BRIEF

SYRIA TROOPS CAPTURE KEY TOWN IN IDLIB AP, Damascus, Syria Syrian troops are in full control of a key rebel-held town in the countrys northwest after days of intense fighting and airstrikes that displaced tens of thousands of people, the Syrian army said yesterday. The capture of the town of Maaret al-Numan in Idlib province marks another victory for President Bashar Assads forces, which now control most of Syria after a nearly nine-year conflict that left more than 400,000 people dead and displaced half of Syrias population. NEW ZEALAND VOLCANO DEATH TOLL RISES TO 21 AFP, Wellington The death toll from New Zealands White Island volcano eruption climbed to 21 Wednesday, with a further death in hospital more than a month after the tragedy, police said. Deputy police commissioner John Tims said the person died in hospital in Auckland, without releasing further details. LASSA FEVER DEATHS IN NIGERIA RISE TO 41 AFP, Lagos The death toll from Lassa fever in Nigeria since the beginning of January has risen to 41 as cases were confirmed in more regions, Nigerias disease control agency said. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) said Tuesday that from January 1 to January 26 a total of 258 confirmed cases, including five health workers, were reported across 19 states. The latest figures marked an increase from 29 deaths and 195 confirmed cases given by the authorities for the period up to January 24.