LONDON -- Fianna Fail and Fine Gael, members of Ireland's incumbent governing coalition, have held on to power after the final votes were counted in the country's general election on Monday night.

The two parties secured a combined 86 seats in the 174-seat Dail, Ireland's lower house of parliament, falling just two seats short of a majority.

Fianna Fail won 48 seats, 10 more than Fine Gael. The main opposition party Sinn Fein won 39 seats. (Ireland-General Election)

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LOS ANGELES -- The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) on Monday urged Californians to get vaccinated against flu, COVID-19, and other winter viruses during holidays.

"Flu and COVID vaccines can help keep you and your family stay healthy, happy, and together this holiday season," said Dr. Tomas J. Aragon, CDPH director and state public health officer. "Vaccines lower your chances of serious illness, helping to make sure you and your loved ones can gather safely during the winter holidays."

Respiratory viruses such as flu, COVID-19, and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) peak during the winter. (U.S.-California-Vaccination)

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CAIRO -- A Comoros-flagged cargo ship began sinking near coral reefs off the coast of Quseir city in Egypt's Red Sea Governorate on Monday, according to the Egyptian Ministry of Environment.

The vessel, VSG Glory, carrying 4,000 tons of bran, 70 tons of diesel, and 50 tons of solar equipment, was en route from Yemen to Port Tawfiq in Suez when it ran aground. All 21 crew members were safely evacuated and are currently being questioned by Egyptian authorities.

Strong winds, high waves, and a technical malfunction caused the ship to lose control and collide with the reef, resulting in a 60-centimeter crack in its hull, according to the ministry. (Egypt-Cargo Ship-Sinking)

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DAKAR -- Senegal's National Assembly on Monday elected Minister of Infrastructure, Land and Air Transport El Hadj Malick Ndiaye as its president for a five-year term.

Ndiaye, the only candidate and a leading figure of the ruling PASTEF party, got 139 votes in the 165-member National Assembly. After the election, he resigned from the government to assume the presidency of the National Assembly.

Ndiaye, 41, was elected deputy in the Nov. 17 legislative elections. He has a degree in management, international trade, transport and logistics. (Senegal-National Assembly-President) Enditem

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