Afghanistan appeals for aid commitments despite COVID

Myanmar's junta chief will be replaced by a non-political representative at a summit of southeast Asian nations later this month. ASEAN has grown frustrated about the crackdown following February's military coup.

Somaliland broke away from Somalia in 1991, but few countries recognise it statehood. The territory of 4.5 million is fiercely proud of its independence, but three decades on, the lack of official status hobbles economic hopes.

In Turkey, young people recently expressed their frustration with the authorities when students protested an ongoing spike in housing prices. This protest movement reflects the growing difficulties of the general population amid sky-high living costs, even as the government refuses to acknowledge the economic crisis. Our Istanbul correspondents Ludovic de Foucaud, Hussein Asad and Shona Bhattacharyya report.

Hundreds of school children stormed the Democratic Republic of Congo's parliament on Thursday (October 21) amid a strike by school teachers over unresolved issues related to the roll-out of government's free primary education program. Teachers went on strike at the start of the school year on Oct. 4 over several issues including salaries, bonus pay and retirement age, according to the Congo Teachers Union.

Speaking on state TV, Russia's deputy prime minister addressed Europe's gas supply crunch. Prices have increased 800% this year, which Russia blames on reserve shortfalls.

ZooTampa in Florida vaccinates a skunk with a specific vaccine developed exclusively for animals. The zoo in Tampa has begun to vaccinate animals who have been identified as most susceptible to Covid-19. The use of the special vaccine, which was developed exclusively for animals by the Michigan-based veterinary pharmaceutical company Zoetis, has been used for vaccinating those species that are known to be more vulnerable to contracting the virus in other zoological organizations throughout the United States. ZooTampa says it has received a shipment of approximately 220 doses – enough to vaccinate roughly 19 species which includes 93 animals such as Florida panthers, skunks, otters and primates.