Mcthomas updates

      TEHRAN (FNA)- Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu stressed that militants of the ISIL terrorist organization are moving to Central and Southeast Asia after having been defeated in Syria and Iraq. "After the defeat of the ISIL, militants are moving to other regions from Syria and Iraq, including to Central and Southeast Asia. New terrorist cells are being created there," Shoigu said Tuesday during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) meeting in Beijing, RIA Novosti reported. "The situation is complicated by the fact that terrorists use modern means of destruction, including unmanned aerial vehicles… capable of operating over a distance of 100 kilometers [62 miles]," he stated. Their creation is impossible without the technical assistance of developed countries," the Russian Defense Minister added.

  By Sani Tukur Saudi Arabian authorities are threatening to block Nigerian pilgrims from attending this year's Hajj exercise. Nigeria has one of the largest contingents in the annual religious exercise with about 95,000 pilgrims. The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) on Monday said Saudi Arabia is taking the decision because of reports of Lassa fever outbreak in Nigeria. Outbreak of Lassa fever has been reported in a number of states. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), 1081 suspected cases and 90 deaths have been reported from 18 states (Anambra, Bauchi, Benue, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Ekite, Federal Capital Territory, Gombe, Imo, Kogi, Lagos, Nasarawa, Ondo, Osun, Plateau, Rivers, and Taraba) between January 1 through February 25 this year. During the period, 317 cases have been classified as confirmed and eight as probable, including 72 deaths. WHO however, said in a report Sunday that there is a steady decline in Lassa fever cases