LAGOS -- Nigeria's anti-drug agency on Monday announced the seizure of 21.9 kg of cocaine at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, the country's capital.

The illicit substance, concealed in two suitcases, was the largest single seizure by the airport command of the agency, said Jonah Achema, spokesperson for the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, in a statement reaching Xinhua. (Nigeria-Drug-Seizure)

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LILONGWE -- Malawi President Lazarus Chakwera has announced new measures against the spread of COVID-19 amid rising infections and mounting deaths related to the pandemic in the country.

The measures include closure of non-boarding schools for three weeks and disinfection, at least once a week, of all buildings used by the public, and installation of handwashing facilities at their entrances and exits. (Malawi-COVID-19-Lockdown)

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MANILA -- The Department of Health of the Philippines on Monday reported 2,163 new daily confirmed coronavirus disease cases, the highest in more than two months in this Southeast Asian country.

The last time the daily new cases in the Philippines exceeded Monday's number was on Nov. 8, 2020, which stood at 2,442. (The Philippines-COVID-19 Case)

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TOKYO -- Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga on Monday reiterated his government's commitment to hosting the postponed Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games this summer.

"We will continue the preparation and are determined to take thorough countermeasures against the coronavirus for the Olympic Games," Suga told Japan's parliament in his policy speech. (Japan-Olympic Games)

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SEOUL -- Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong, an heir apparent of South Korea's biggest family-controlled conglomerate Samsung Group, was sentenced to two years and a half in prison for corruption charges linked to his management succession, local media reported Monday. (South Korea-Samsung-Corruption)