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Around 43,000 people may have died in Somalia last year after several failed rainy seasons, a new report from the Somali government and UN suggests. It is the first official death toll from the drought in the Horn of Africa. Half of the fatalities are thought to be in children under five. The crisis is "far from over", with 18,000-34,000 more deaths expected in the first six months of this year. In 2011, a famine in Somalia killed over a quarter of a million people. "We are racing against time to prevent deaths and save lives that are avoidable," said World Health Organisation (WHO) representative Dr Mamunur Rahman Malik. He added that the "cost of our inaction" would mean children, women and vulnerable people would die as "we hopelessly, helplessly witness the tragedy unfold".

Poland would have 'no choice' but to 'enter the conflict' in Ukraine if the war-torn country fails to defend itself, Warsaw's ambassador to France has warned. Jan Emeryk Rościszewski said Poland would have to enter the war if Ukraine failed to defend itself against Russia because the basis of its 'civilisation and culture' would be threatened.

The Rolls-Royce Black Badge Wraith Black Arrow has been revealed as the British firm’s final ever V12-powered coupé, ahead of its switch to all-electric power. Limited to just 12 units, which have already been sold to customers around the world, the Black Arrow sees out 10 years of Wraith production. It has been described by Rolls-Royce as a “fitting finale” for the two-door coupé.

The World Health Organization (WHO) took aim at Chinese officials for withholding information that could shed light on the origin of COVID-19. "These data could have — and should have — been shared three years ago," WHO Director General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said Friday, according to a report from the New York Times. Ghebreyesus' comments come after Chinese data that first became available in January was suddenly pulled offline after researchers offered to collaborate with Chinese scientists to analyze the data.

The Air Force revealed last week that the debut flight of the B-21 Raider stealth bomber is delayed several months. Speaking at the McAleese & Associates conference in Washington, Air Force secretary Frank Kendall said the B-21’s first flight "slipped from the original schedule" but is still within the baseline schedule and cost.

The US Federal Reserve and several other major central banks announced a coordinated effort Sunday night to boost the flow of US dollars through the global financial system with the aim of keeping credit flowing to households and businesses. “The Bank of Canada, the Bank of England, the Bank of Japan, the European Central Bank, the Federal Reserve, and the Swiss National Bank are today announcing a coordinated action to enhance the provision of liquidity via the standing US dollar liquidity swap line arrangements,” the central banks said in a joint statement

Former President Donald Trump holds an average double-digit advantage over Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in national 2024 Republican primary surveys. That, in itself, isn’t notable given Trump, the frontrunner, has been ahead of DeSantis (by far his nearest competitor or potential competitor) since polling began about the race. But what may surprise is how Trump is ahead. An average of CNN/SSRS and Quinnipiac University polls released this week reveals that Trump’s lead may, in large part, be because of his clear edge among potential Republican primary voters of color.

Last month, Cyclone Gabrielle smashed into New Zealand's North Island - killing 11 people and displacing at least 10,000 more. It's triggered a national debate about climate change and whether vulnerable homes should be rebuilt or written off. "I don't want to go back there," said Amy Bowkett. The mother of two lived in the Hawkes Bay area, one of the regions worst hit by Cyclone Gabrielle. When the Category 3 storm hit with wind speeds of up to 159km/h (99mph), her home was completely destroyed. Along with 50 of her neighbours she spent a terrifying 48 hours trapped without power, water or phone signal.   Eventually she was able to make a call and a friend organised a helicopter rescue from a neighbour's backyard.    

Troubled bank Credit Suisse has been rescued by its Swiss rival UBS in a government-backed deal. Sunday evening's announcement came after a weekend of emergency talks in Switzerland between the two banks and the country's financial regulators. The Swiss National Bank said the deal was the best way to restore the confidence of financial markets and to manage risks to the economy. The Bank of England said it welcomed the "comprehensive set of actions". Credit Suisse shareholders were deprived of a vote on the deal and will receive one share in UBS for every 22.48 shares they own, valuing the bank at $3.15bn (£2.6bn). At the close of business on Friday Credit Suisse was valued at around $8bn (£6.5bn). But the deal has achieved what regulators set out to do - secure a result before the financial markets opened on Monday.

But now experts are warning that even the more ethical 'softcore' variety is damaging, leading to poorer satisfaction with their other half. Researchers at Brigham Young University quizzed 3,500 people in relationships who were about 38 years old on their porn use and happiness with their partner.

President Biden denied that his family received more than $1 million in payments from accounts related to Hunter Biden’s business associate Rob Walker and their Chinese business ventures in 2017, even though financial records indicate otherwise. On Thursday, GOP lawmakers on the House Oversight Committee revealed that they had obtained bank documents showing that Hunter Biden, the president's brother Jim, and Hallie Biden, the widow of his son Beau, received payments from Hunter's business associate Rob Walker and their joint venture with Chinese energy firm CEFC. A spokesperson for Hunter Biden's legal team confirmed the payments Thursday but emphasized that the recipients' accounts "belonged to Hunter, his uncle and Hallie – nobody else."

This is my memory of the Triumph 2.5 PI

It seems Thailand isnt the ONLY place Russians are headed........