Nigeria: Pres Buhari launches massive gas pipeline project

‘Two Chinese companies will build the 614km gas pipeline’ ABUJA, July 1 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has launched an ambitious gas pipeline project linking the south of the country with the north.Nigeria secured a $2.6bn loan from the China Export and Credit Insurance Corporation, also known as Sinosure,…

Iranian fleet ‘illegally fishing in Somalia’: government

The Iranian fleet is operating in Somalia and Yemen MOGADISHU, July 1 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A fleet of Iranian fishing vessels has been detected operating in Somali waters, according to Somalia’s government and two non-governmental organisations.One of the organisations, Global Fishing Watch, termed it as one of the world’s largest illegal…

Ethiopia: 7 killed, 94 injured protesting the murder of famous political singer

The 34-year-old’s songs focused on the rights of his Oromo people ADDIS ABABA, July 1 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Demonstrations have broken out in parts of Ethiopia following the shooting dead of musician Hachalu Hundessa, well known for his political songs.Seven have died during the spontaneous protests, medics said.Hachalu’s songs often focused…

Former first lady granted bail in Lesotho murder case

Maesaiah Thabane is described as ‘very dangerous’ by police MASERU, June 30 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Lesotho’s former first lady – who has been charged with murdering her husband’s estranged wife – has been granted bail despite police objections that she might use it to escape.The deputy police commissioner, Paseka Moketem, said…

Covid-19: Record rise in virus cases sees Algeria keep borders shut

President Abdelamadjid Tebboune ALGIERS, June 30 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Algeria’s borders are to remain closed “until Allah sets us free from this pandemic”, President Abdelamadjid Tebboune has said.Some 305 new infections in a 24-hour period were reported on Sunday, in a new record.Three weeks after easing lockdown restrictions, Algeria has registered…

Covid-19: Nigeria eases school, travel bans as cases mount

ABUJA, June 30 (NNN-AGENCIES) –– Nigeria said it was allowing children to go back to school to take exams and permitting cross-country travel despite fears over mounting coronavirus infections. The head of the presidential task force, Sani Aliyu, gave the go-ahead for the “safe re-opening of schools to allow students…

Belgian king expresses ‘deepest regrets’ over DR Congo colonial past

BRUSSELS, June 30 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Belgium’s King Philippe expressed his “deepest regrets” for the harm done during Belgian colonial rule in DR Congo, in a first for his country. “I want to express my deepest regrets for these wounds of the past whose pain is reawakened today by the discrimination…

Potato diplomacy as Malta seeks new era of Namibian relations

VALLETTA, June 30 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Malta is donating 500 tonnes of potatoes to Namibia under its overseas aid programme in an effort to open a new chapter in relations between the two countries. Maltese farmers had expected to export the potatoes to the Netherlands, but a drop in demand there…

Spain says PM off to Africa for summit on Sahel region security issues

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez S MADRID, June 30 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez is to make his first international trip since the coronavirus crisis to west Africa on Tuesday for a summit on Sahel region issues with other heads of state including France’s President Emmanuel Macron. The…

Nigeria saddened by Christie’s sale of ‘looted’ statues

The wooden objects, one male and one female, represent deities from the Igbo community  ABUJA/PARIS, June 30 (NNN-AGENCIES) —Nigeria is “saddened” by the sale of two sculptures belonging to the south-eastern Igbo community, an official from the Nigerian National Commission for Museums and Monuments, has said. A prominent art historian had…
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