News In Brief

35 million in dire hunger in Africa, UN report says

Africa's prolonged drought has left 35 million people desperately hungry and caused ''the worst human disaster in the recent history'' of the continent, according to a United Nations report released Monday. The report published by the office of the UN Disaster Relief Coordinator said 36 African nations face food shortages and that 27 of them are urgently in need of food aid from abroad.