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Rwanda bans skin bleaching products from shops countrywide Many fear the ban in Rwanda will encourage women to buy unregulated products which could put their health at risk. Skin-whitening creams are being removed from shelves in Rwanda as the government enforces a ban on the products. Sales in African countries are worth billions every year. But many fear the ban in Rwanda will encourage women to buy unregulated products which could put their health at risk.

Decision to take in refugees stranded at sea announced on condition that Malta provides its docks for disembarkation. 08 Jan 2019 GMT+3 European leaders have said they are in discussions to resolve the case of 49 refugees and migrants trapped on the Mediterranean since December 21. Ten European countries, including Germany, Luxemburg, Portugal and Romania, are offering to host the stranded passengers on the condition that Malta provides its docks for their disembarkation. Valletta said it would accept the proposal if said countries agreed to take in another batch of 249 people rescued in Maltese waters between Christmas and New Years Eve. Pope Francis urges EU leaders to help refugees stranded off Malta (2:28) Passengers stuck on board two rescue boats - the Dutch Sea Watch 3 and the German Sea Eye - are hostages of a heated dispute between Malta and Italy over who should welcome them. The 49 refugees and migrants have been stranded for a record 18 days. Prior to that,...

Smugglers kill custom Suspected smugglers on Sunday reportedly killed a Customs Assistant I, Hamisu Sani and injured an Inspector, Tijani Michael during an ambush at Asero community in Abeokuta, Ogun State. The killed customs officer The Spokesperson of the Command, Abdullahi Maiwada in a statement made available to journalists in Abeokuta on Monday said the operatives attached to the Nigerian Customs Service ,Ogun Area Command were on a routine anti-smuggling patrol in an attempt to secure eight reconstructed vehicles loaded with smuggled rice and kept in Asero community. The spokesman said the victim had been buried in line with Islamic rites. He however, disclosed that two suspects have been arrested by the Police, while the eight vehicles loaded with smuggled rice have been secured in connection with the incident He said an Inspector of Customs who equally sustained injuries from machete cut is recuperating. He vowed that the command would ensure the perpetrators “of this devili...

Gabon soldiers seize national radio station in coup attempt Gunfire heard in the capital after troops denounce president and announce a new 'restoration council'. 8 minutes ago Soldiers in Gabon have attempted a coup, announcing the establishment of a "restoration council" after taking over the national radio station. There were reports of shots being fired in the capital Libreville on Monday. Reading out a statement, the military officers condemned President Ali Bongo who addressed his compatriots last week from Morocco for the first time since reportedly suffering a stroke in October. A New Year's address by Bongo "reinforced doubts about the president's ability to continue to carry out of the responsibilities of his office", said Lieutenant Kelly Ondo Obiang, leader of the self-declared Patriotic Movement of the Defence and Security Forces of Gabon. "Once again, one time too many, the wielders of power deceptively continue to instrume...

Spain rescues 549 migrants crossing Mediterranean in small boats over one weekend Number of authorised migrants reaching Spain has risen, despite a five-year low in Europe-wide arrivals Some of migrants arrive at Motril's Port in Spain Some of migrants arrive at Motril's Port in Spain ( EPA ) Spain’s maritime rescue service has rescued 549 migrants trying to cross the Mediterranean in small boats over two days. Officials said rescue craft had intercepted six small smuggling boats carrying a total of 350 migrants on Saturday in waters east of the Strait of Gibraltar. On Sunday another 199 migrants were pulled from five different boats, including two tiny inflatable dinghies meant for small bodies of water or near the beach. One of the dinghies was carrying four children, while the other was packed with 10 adults. The EU’s border agency Frontex said 57,000 migrants reached Spain last year, double the figure for 2017. UK government funding drones to spot migr...

Daily Trust, one of the most widely read newspapers in the Northern part of Nigeria, might have incurred the wrath of the military with its lead report on Sunday with the bold caption: “Military prepares massive operation to retake Baga, others”. Soldiers in front of Daily Trust’s office in Maiduguri, shutting the office. Shortly after the paper hit the streets on Sunday, heavily armed soldiers in several vehicles laid siege to Daily Trust headquarters in Abuja. The soldiers also surrounded the premises, dismissed the Mobile Police guards, barring everyone from entering or leaving the premises. Another set of angry soldiers had earlier in the day taken over the paper’s office in Maiduguri and arrested two reporters, including the Bureau Chief, Usman Abubakar. In its Sunday Lead report entitled “Military prepares massive operation to retake Baga, others”, Daily Trust highlighted how the military planned to retake those towns, which it claimed, were under ISWAP control, with m...