Nigeria closes shop over coronavirus seafood fears

The FCCPC said they made the discovery during a “surprise” inspection. ABUJA, Jan 30 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The consumer protection agency in Nigeria says it has closed down a supermarket selling “illegally imported seafood and meat” in the capital, Abuja, over ongoing fears about the spread of coronavirus. The Federal Competition…

Diarrhea kills 15 people in central Somalia

MOGADISHU, Jan 30 (NNN-XINHUA) — An outbreak of acute watery diarrhea has killed 15 people in Somalia’s central region of Hiraan, an official said. HirShabelle State health minister Abdi Mo’alim Mohamed told reporters that acute watery diarrhea broke out in BeledWeyne town causing deaths. “Acute Watery Diarrhoea killed up to…

Libya: UN-backed forces claim downed drone as Turkish support arrives

TRIPOLI, Jan 30 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Forces aligned with Libya’s UN-backed government said they had shot down a drone operated by their rivals, suggesting a strengthening of air defenses as they receive accelerated military support from Turkey. The drone was shot down just east of Misrata, a key source of military…

Central African Republic: Militia infighting kill around 40

BANGUI, Jan 30 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Militia infighting in Central African Republic (CAR) killed around 40 people over the weekend and forced several hundred from their homes, local authorities said. The bloodshed was some of the worst since armed groups agreed a peace deal last February. That was meant to bring…

Brazil: More torrential rain raises death toll to 54

BELO HORIZONTE (Brazil), Jan 30 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Another torrentialdownpour left the Brazilian city of Belo Horizonte paralyzed, withruined cars abandoned on streets cake with mud, as the death toll from days of violent weather reached 54. Another 47,000 people across Minas Gerais, the southeastern state where the city is located,…

Mali jihadists recapture village where earlier raid killed 20 soldiers

NOUAKCHOTT, Jan 30 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Jihadists on Wednesday regainedcontrol of a village in central Mali, locals said, returning to the site of arecent attack that killed 20 members of the security forces. The Malian army, which had retaken control of Soloko, had “fallen back” tothe neighbouring area of Diabaly and…

Update: Death toll in eastern DR Congo massacre rises to 36

OICHA (DR Congo), Jan 30 (NNN-AGENCIES) — At least 36 people were killed overnight in a suspected militia attack in the eastern DR Congo, a local official said. “They were all hacked to death. The total number of bodies is 36,” local Beni governor Donat Kibwana said. Officials had earlier…

US Pres Trump signs long-awaited North American trade deal

WASHINGTON, Jan 30 (NNN-AGENCIES) — President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed the new North American trade pact with Canada and Mexico into law, pronouncing a “glorious future” for US industry. It was another opportunity for Trump to tout successes in the midst of an impeachment trial where he is fighting…

Trump, White House seek to quash Bolton testimony at Senate trial

WASHINGTON, Jan 30 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Pres Donald Trump and White House lawyers pushed back on Wednesday against Democratic efforts to have John Bolton testify at the Senate impeachment trial of the president, arguing that the former national security adviser could reveal government secrets. Senate Democratic Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said…

Two hundred Americans to face quarantine in California

The chartered flight carrying US citizens arrived in Alaska early Wednesday morning for refuelling and additional screenings  LOS ANGELES, Jan 30 (NNN-AGENCIES) —Some 200 US citizens are due to be quarantined in California after arriving from Wuhan, China amid the coronavirus oubreak. The passengers, mostly diplomats, were evacuated via a chartered…