Russian FM slams US sanctions on Venezuela as ‘illegal’

CARACAS, Feb 8 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Friday slammed US sanctions against Venezuela as “illegal” during an official visit to Caracas. “These sanctions are illegal and are the main cause of the crisis in the Venezuelan economy,” said Lavrov after meeting his Venezuelan counterpart Jorge Arreaza.…

Exceptional 549 carat white gem diamond recovered in Botswana

GABORONE, Feb 8 (NNN-XINHUA) — Lucara Diamond Corp, 100 percent owners of Karowe Mine in the northwestern part of Botswana, announced the recovery of an unbroken 549 carat white diamond of exceptional purity. The 549 carat diamond was recovered from direct milling of ore following a recent recovery of a…

Nigeria: Pres Buhari vows to re-equip military amid fight against terrorism

President Muhammadu Buhari ABUJA, Feb 8 (NNN-XINHUA) — Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari said the military will be re-professionalized and re-equipped to meet the growing exigencies of security in the country, assuring citizens that the promise of ending terrorism would soon be realized. “We promise to re-professionalize and re-equip the armed…

IOM calls for prosecuting migrant smugglers in Libya

TRIPOLI, Feb 8 (NNN-XINHUA) — The International Organization for Migration (IOM) called for prosecuting migrant smugglers and traffickers in Libya. The inter-governmental organization related to the United Nations made the appeal following the report that 5 migrants were killed and 12 others injured in a traffic accident as they were…

South African Airways axes more domestic, international routes

PRETORIA, Feb 8 (NNN-AGENCIES) — South Africa’s ailing national airline announced plans to close almost all its domestic services and some international flights, the latest bid to save cash after a spree of cancellations.Flag carrier South African Airways (SAA) has failed to make a profit for more than a decade…

Botswana auctions permits to hunt elephants to ease human-wildlife conflict

A pair of male elephants in the Okavango Delta GABORONE, Feb 8 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Botswana auctioned licences to hunt a total of 70 elephants in seven districts, the first such hunting to take place since President Mokgweetsi Masisi lifted a five-year ban on big game hunting last May. Africa’s overall…

Lassa fever now in 27 Nigerian states – Health Minister

ABUJA, Feb 8 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The Minister for Health, Osagie Ehanire, said at least 27 states of the federation have recorded cases of Lassa fever as at the last count.Ehanire said this during a meeting with state health commissioners across the 36 states, at a two-day event organised by the…

Ethiopia tests six travellers for coronavirus

Health officials screening travellers at an airport in Addis Ababa ADDIS ABABA, Feb 8 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Six people have been quarantined in Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa, awaiting the results of coronavirus test.The five Ethiopians and a Chinese national had all travelled from Wuhan, the Chinese city at the centre of…

Two Rwandan ministers resign from cabinet

Evode Uwizeyimana (left) and Dr Isaac Munyakazi KIGALI, Feb 8 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Two Rwandan Ministers of State affiliated to the Justice and the Education docket have stepped down. Evode Uwizeyimana, the Minister of State in charge of Constitutional & Legal Affairs and Isaac Munyakazi the Minister of State in charge…

Coronavirus: First Canadians repatriated from Wuhan arrive in Canada

TRENTON (Canada), Feb 8 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A plane bringing home the first Canadians from Wuhan, epicenter of the coronavirus epidemic, landed Friday at a Canadian military base where they will be quarantined. The government-chartered jetliner landed at Trenton air force base east of Toronto around 6:30 am, after a refueling…