SWARMS OF LOCUSTS INVADE DRC

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East Africa is in danger of suffering a huge hunger threat following an invasion of desert locusts as the insects continue to ravage the region. The U.N. Food and Agriculture Agency now says the insects have entered Congo. Leon Solomon reports from Kampala.

 

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IN: The UN agency  says locusts  have been sighted on the western shore of Lake Albert in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

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Establishment of SADC Renewable Energy Center on track

This was said by SADC director for Infrastructure Mapolao Mokoena at a 4 day SADC energy sub-committee meeting held in Dar es Salaam and attended by high-level officials.  

Isaac Lukando reports from Dar es salaam.

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UK overhauling its approach to foreign policy in biggest review of its kind since Cold War

The UK will "overhaul its approach to foreign policy" as part of a government review. It's the largest review of the country's foreign, defence and security policy since the end of the Cold War. 

No 10 Downing Street says it will look at areas such as Armed Forces' procurement process and ways to more cohesively tackle organised crime 

With the details, here's our UK correspondent Benji Hyer. 

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European ministers refuse to close borders despite Italian spike in cases

European countries have said they will keep borders open, despite a continued rise in coronavirus cases in Italy outside of the northern Lombardy region. 

Italy has seen the largest number of cases outside of Asia, with 322 infections and 11 deaths. 

Austria, Switzerland and Spain have now also reported cases for the first time. 

Lucy Hough (HOFF) has more from Brussels:

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French luxury fashion brand re-opens stores in China

The French luxury designer Hermes said it was starting to see a return to normality in China, with just four of its 43 stores still closed due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Many high-end brands are facing a drop in sales - Jessica King has more from Paris. 

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US slaps more sanctions on Russia over Iran, Ukraine

The United States imposed sanctions on several Russian entities and individuals for supporting Iran's missile programme. It also extended for one year its anti-Russia sanctions over its 2014 aggression against Ukraine. Bondarchuk reports from Moscow.
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Deadly violence continues in several parts of New Delhi

Violence spread in parts of New Delhi at a time when President Trump was officially visiting India with his family.

Multiple people died and more than a hundred and fifty people were injured with gunshot wounds and other injuries.

Sreoshi Mukherjee reports.

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Democratic presidential candidates slug it out in last debate before several primaries

Another raucous TV debate in the US overnight as seven democratic presidential candidates slugged it out in the final faceoff before more than a dozen states vote in the coming week.

Front-runner Bernie Sanders bore the brunt of the attacks as his competitors fought to stay in the race.

Our US correspondent Kate Fisher reports on a fiery night in South Carolina

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South Korea battles coronavirus outbreak

South Korea's government says it's maximizing containment measures in areas hit hardest by the coronavirus outbreak.

Around 1000 cases of COVID-19 have been identified in South Korea, with the majority in the city of Daegu and a neighbouring province.

Our Seoul correspondent Bruce Harrison has more on the government's response

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US health officials warn of "severe" disruption from coronavirus

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is warning
disruption from coronavirus may be "severe".

It says the American public must be prepared after the number of new
cases increased in countries worldwide.

US correspondent Nick Harper reports.

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Dems line-up for latest TV debate as Bernie Sanders takes early Primary lead

For a second time in a week Democratic candidates will line-up for their latest TV debate

South Carolina will host seven competitors chasing the party nomination just days ahead of the State's primary

From Washington Kevin McAleese has this…

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EU signs off negotiating mandate to allow UK trade talks to begin on March 2nd

The EU has signed off its negotiating mandate for trade talks with the UK, which will now form the basis for the first round talks to begin in Brussels next week. 

The bloc's chief negotiator Michel Barnier said the UK's level of access to the free market would depend on the extent to which it confirms with EU rules and standards. 

The UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has signalled he wants to be free to diverge on some areas. 

Lucy Hough (HOFF) has more from Brussels:

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Detained Tanzanian Journalist freed

Detained Tanzanian journalist Erick Kabendera has been freed seven months after he was arrested.

He had been charged with money laundering, tax evasion and leading organized crime.

Isaac Lukando reports.

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Campaigners welcome Weinstein conviction

Women's rights campaigners have welcomed the conviction of Harvey
Weinstein for rape and sexual assault.

Meanwhile the former film producer was taken to hospital after the end
of his trial on Monday.

Sarah Walton reports from New York.

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US seeks $2.5bn for coronavirus funding

The Trump administration is asking the government to set aside $2.5
billion to tackle the coronavirus outbreak.

But sSpeaking to reporters President Donald Trump said the United
States has the situation "under control" and predicted that the virus
is a "problem that's going to go away."

US correspondent Nick Harper reports.

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UK TELLS BRITS RETURNING FROM ITALY TO SELF-ISOLATE

Anyone returning to the UK from Northern Italy is being told to immediately self-isolate in a bid to stop the spread of the Coronavirus. 

The British government has updated it's advice as Italy tries to contain an outbreak that has reached as far south as Sicily. 

Holly Hudson has more. 

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Brexit: EU ministers agree UK trade talks mandate

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen says the European Union is "ready to build a close, ambitious partnership with the UK." 

Her comments come as ministers from the EU approve their mandate for post-Brexit trade talks with Britain. 

The 46-page document, published on Tuesday, calls for common high standards between the bloc and the UK.

With the details, here's our correspondent Benji Hyer. 

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India and US announced $3 billion dollar defence deal

India and the US have announced a three billion dollar defence deal as Donald Trump wraps up his first visit to the country.

His trip comes at a time when both countries are engaged in a tariff war. Last year India imposed higher tariffs on over 20 American products after the Trump administration stopped India from exporting 2000 products to the US duty-free.

However, despite expectations, no trade deal was announced.

Neha Poonia has more. 

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EU to keep borders open despite Italy coronavirus death spike

A meeting of health ministers is taking place in Rome after Italy reported a seventh death from the coronavirus on Monday, in the biggest national outbreak outside of Asia. 

European countries say they have no plans to suspend the open border policy within the Schengen travel zone, warning against a "panic" response. 

Staff at the European Parliament are being warned to stay at home if they've travelled to any high-risk areas, including Italy and mainland China. 

Lucy Hough (HOFF) has more from Brussels: 

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Tanzanian Journalist Erick Kabendere Released

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A Tanzanian journalist who had been detained for seven months has been set free after entering a plea bargain with the prosecution.

He had been charged with money laundering and tax evasion, a crime that campaigners say is another way to clamp down on media.

Isabel Nakirya reports.

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