ETHIOPIA: The authorities of two cities in the Amhara region have introduced night-time curfews as anti-government protests continue to spread.

Dessie and Debrebirhan followed historic Gondar in imposing the restrictions after mass rallies took place in both cities on Monday.

Demonstrating without a permit and the carrying of weapons by civilians was already banned.

KENYA: Two unions representing national and county government employees announced plans today to strike.

Thousands of workers have not received their wages due to what the government admitted was a cash crunch that has delayed payments to thousands of public-sector workers.

The government said it had to decide whether to pay the outstanding wages or service millions of dollars in external debt due this month.

SOUTH KOREA: A wildfire fanned by strong winds burned parts of the eastern coastal city of Gangneung today, killing at least one person and forcing hundreds to flee before being slowed by rain.

It took nearly 3,000 firefighters eight hours to put out the blaze, which destroyed about 70 homes and other buildings.

SOMALIA: United Nations secretary-general Antonio Guterres has appealed for massive international support for the east African country, which is facing the worst drought in decades. 

During a visit to Somalia, Mr Guterres said that its humanitarian crisis coincided with it combating a serious terrorism threat.

He told reporters he was there “to ring the alarm on the need of massive international support because of the humanitarian difficulties the country is facing.”