Pakistan braces for locust invasion
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A farmer tries to chase away locusts in a field in Pishin district, Pakistan. AFP -
An agriculture department official sprays pesticides to kill locusts in a field in Pishin district, about 60 km from Quetta, Pakistan. AFP -
Locusts are seen flying over Hyderabad, Pakistan. EPA -
Locusts are seen flying over Hyderabad, Pakistan. EPA -
Pakistan's farmers are struggling to combat the worst locust plague in nearly three decades. AFP -
Insect swarms decimate entire harvests in the country's agricultural heartlands and send food prices soaring. AFP -
A locust is pictured in a field in Pishin district. AFP -
Pakistan's farmers are struggling to combat the worst locust plague in nearly three decades. AFP -
A man holds Locusts in Hyderabad, Pakistan. EPA
Pakistan faces renewed waves of marauding locust swarms in the coming weeks, which could cause billions of dollars of crop losses as the country attempts to combat the Covid-19 pandemic.
The world's sixth most populous nation has spent the past year battling its worst infestation in a quarter of a century. Perfect winter breeding conditions have meant more swarms now moving across the country and further waves are soon predicted to sweep in from neighbouring Iran, or the Horn of Africa.
The UN's’ Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) estimates losses to the voracious pests could reach $2.2 billion (Dh8.08 bn) for winter crops like wheat and potatoes and about $2.9 bn for summer crops.
Read more on the locust issue from Ben Farmer here.
Iran sentences French academic to six years in prison
Iran sentenced a French-Iranian academic to six years in prison on national security charges on Saturday, her lawyer said.
Fariba Adelkhah was "sentenced to five years for gathering and conspiring against national security, and one year for propaganda against the Islamic republic," Said Dehghan said.
He said his client would only be expected to serve the longer, five-year jail term and that she intended to appeal against the verdict.
There was no immediate French reaction to the verdict.
Jordanians outraged by murder of teen girl by brother for joining Facebook
The killing of a 14-year-old girl by her brother for setting up a Facebook account has caused outrage in Jordan, sparking calls for the perpetrator to be executed.
A man in his mid-20s has been charged with “intentional killing” for fatally stabbing his sister on Friday after she created a Facebook account using his phone, according to local media reports.
In some conservative circles it is believed a woman's honour is at stake as a result of using social media due to the perception that they are platforms for inappropriate behaviour.
"Social media has become a space for meeting people and where a lot of relationships are formed these days," secretary general of the Jordanian National Committee for Women's Affairs, Salma Al Nemes, told The National.
Iran news agency accuses US of acting 'like pirates' on Venezuela fuel shipment
An Iranian news agency close to the elite Revolutionary Guards said that there would be repercussions if the United States acts "just like pirates" against an Iranian fuel shipment to Venezuela.
A senior official in President Donald Trumps administration told Reuters on Thursday the United States was considering measures it could take in response to Iran's shipment of fuel to crisis-stricken Venezuela.
The oil sectors of Iran and Venezuela – members of Opec that both are deeply at odds with the United States – are under tough US sanctions. The Trump administration official declined to specify the measures being weighed but said options would be presented to Mr Trump.
Rwanda genocide fugitive Kabuga arrested after 26 years on the run
Rwanda genocide suspect Felicien Kabuga has been arrested near Paris, the French Justice Ministry said on Saturday.
Kabuga, 84, who was living under a false identity in a flat in Asnieres-Sur-Seine, near Paris, had been pursued by international justice for 25 years, the ministry said in a statement.
Gendarmes arrested him at 05.30am local time on Saturday, the ministry said.
