Three Syrian soldiers wounded by Israeli fire near Golan: state media

DAMASCUS, Feb 28 (NNN-AGENCIES) — At least three Syrian soldiers werewounded by Israeli helicopter fire near the annexed Golan Heights lateThursday, the official SANA agency reported. “Israeli helicopters launched missiles above the occupied Golan Heights,hitting (Syrian) army positions at Kahtaniyeh, Al-Horiyyat and the liberatedtown of Quneitra, leaving three wounded among…

Covid-19: Nigeria confirms coronavirus case, first in sub-Saharan Africa – minister

LAGOS, Feb 28 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Nigeria on Friday announced the firstconfirmed case of the novel coronavirus in sub-Saharan Africa. “The case is an Italian citizen who works in Nigeria and returned fromMilan, Italy to Lagos, Nigeria on the 25th of February 2020,” Health MinisterOsagie Ehanire said in a statement on…

China reports 44 new virus deaths, lowest rise in new cases in over a month

BEIJING, Feb 28 (NNN-AGENCIES) — China reported 44 more deaths from thenovel coronavirus epidemic on Friday and 327 fresh cases, the lowest dailyfigure for new infections in more than a month. The death toll now stands at 2,788 in mainland China, according to theNational Health Commission. The number of fatalities…

Covid-19: China bans consumption of wild animals

BEIJING, Feb 28 (NNN-AGENCIES) — It’s official, China has banned the consumption of wild animals More than 2,700 people have died as a result of the novel COVID-19, with another 81,000 cases confirmed across the globe. And now, China’s government has officially banned the trade and consumption of wildlife in…

Japan orders nationwide shutdown of schools over coronavirus

Students of Ariake-nishi Gakuen School wear protective face masks, following the outbreak . TOKYO, Feb 28 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Japan’s entire school system, from elementary to high schools, will be asked to close from Monday until spring break late in March to help contain the coronavirus outbreak, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe…

Vatican: Pope Francis reportedly falls ill a day after praying for coronavirus sufferers

VATICAN CITY, Feb 28 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Pope Francis has reportedly taken ill and cancelled an event at a Rome basilica just a day after he prayed for coronavirus sufferers in Italy.According to the UK Mirror, the pontiff prayed for coronavirus sufferers on Ash Wednesday, while masking free, and even took…

33 Turkish soldiers killed in Syrian air raid in Idlib

ANKARA, Feb 28 (NNN-AGENCIES) — At least 33 Turkish soldiers have been killed in an air raid by Syrian government forces in the northwestern Idlib province, the governor in the southeastern province of Hatay said early on Friday, raising an earlier death toll, while also threatening an escalation of conflict…

Malawi legalises growing of cannabis for medicines, not for personal use

LILONGWE, Feb 28 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Malawi has become the latest southern African country to legalise the growing, selling and exporting of cannabis. Recreational smokers consider, “Malawi Gold”, as they call it, to be one of the finest forms of the drug.But the authorities have stopped short of legalising it for…

Nigerian soldier kills himself and four colleagues; two others injured

MAIDUGURI (Borno, Nigeria), Feb 28 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A formal investigation has been launched in Nigeria after a solider shot dead four colleagues on Wednesday before taking his own life, the army says.Two other soldiers were injured in the incident at a military base in Borno state and were taken to…

Women take up 55% of cabinet seats in Rwanda

KIGALI, Feb 28 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Women now constitute 55 per cent of cabinet seats, up from 52 per cent. The development follows Wednesday’s cabinet reshuffle which saw eight new faces, including four women, join cabinet. Members of cabinet have also increased from 27 to 29 following the creation of two…