UN sanctions six DR Congo rebel leaders

Thousands of people have been displaced by the ongoing violence in eastern DR Congo UNITED NATIONS, Feb 22 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The UN has imposed an arms embargo, travel ban and asset freeze against six rebel leaders in the Democratic Republic of Congo amid violence in the country’s east.Those sanctioned include…

Senegal releases hundreds of political prisoners

Justice Minister Aissata Tall Sall DAKAR, Feb 22 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Senegal’s Justice Minister Aissata Tall Sall has announced the release of nearly 400 protesters from prison.They were arrested and imprisoned during the political demonstrations of March 2021 and June 2023.She did not indicate whether opposition leader Ousmane Sonko and presidential…

At least 16 dead in Venezuela illegal mine collapse

LA PARAGUA (Venezuela), Feb 22 (NNN-AGENCIES) — At least 16 people died when an illegal gold mine collapsed in the jungles of southern Venezuela, officials said revising down an earlier figure. The incident happened Tuesday at the “Bulla loca” mine in the state of Bolivar, a seven-hour boat ride from…

Cuban official in Kenya amid claims kidnapped doctors killed

The doctors were kidnapped in Mandera town, on Kenya’s border with Somalia NAIROBI, Feb 22 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The president of Cuba’s National Assembly, Esteban Lazo Hernández, has travelled to Kenya to seek clarification over recent unconfirmed reports which suggested that two Cuban doctors who were kidnapped in Kenya in 2019…

Nigeria customs to distribute seized food amid crisis

There have been protests across Nigeria because of the rising inflation ABUJA, Feb 22 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) plans to distribute seized food items in stores around the country to tackle the current challenges of food security amid protests in at least five states.The customs service said…

DRC’s Goma city bans vehicles with tinted glass amid security alerts

A side view of a tinted car window GOMA (DR Congo), Feb 22 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Local authorities on Tuesday banned the circulation of vehicles with tinted glass in Goma, the capital of North Kivu Province, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), where fighting rages between the Congolese soldiers and…

Zambia bans maize exports over dry spell

Zambia says it has deployed defence personnel to guard all known smuggling routes. LUSAKA, Feb 22 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The Zambian government announced a restriction on the export of maize and mealie meal (maize flour) due to a prolonged dry spell that could affect the harvest.Minister of Agriculture Reuben Phiri said the…

South Africa: Government raises US$3.3 billion to support climate change initiatives

PRETORIA, Feb 22 (NNN-SANEWS) — The South African Government has raised US$3.3 billion so far from Multilateral Development Banks and International Finance Institutions to support climate change, energy, and just transition objectives.  Delivering the 2024 National Budget Speech, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana said National Treasury plays a crucial role in…

South Africa budget boosts welfare grants ahead of May election

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana PRETORIA, Feb 22 (NNN-AGENCIES) — South Africa’s finance minister has boosted welfare payments to more than 18 million people in his last budget ahead of May’s general election. The governing African National Congress (ANC) is facing a tough political challenge as it battles to maintain its outright…

Hummingbird to be declared Costa Rica’s national symbol

SAN JOSE, Feb 21 (NNN-PRENSA LATINA) — The hummingbird (trochilidae) will be declared Costa Rica’s national symbol and will integrate a list of 19 insignias of the flora, fauna, customs and traditions that characterize its natural and cultural wealth, it was reported here. The Legislative Assembly approved in a first…