Saturday 5 November 2016
Saturday 22 October 2016
Monday 10 October 2016
Nigerians object as judges detained, suspected of corruption
Wednesday 5 October 2016
ISIS Again
ABUJA, Nigeria — The disputed leader of Boko Haram knows how to cheat death — and do it in style.
After the Nigerian army declared him “fatally wounded” on Aug. 19, Abubakar Shekau appeared in a new video last week to mock the government that has claimed to have killed him at least four times already.
“To the despot Nigerian government: Die with envy. I’m not dead,” a man purporting to be Shekau says in the video.
But if Shekau looks untouchable in the fight against the Nigerian army, he has proved much more vulnerable to threats from within his organization. Less than 18 months after he led Boko Haram into a high-profile partnership with the Islamic State, the Iraq- and Syria-based caliphate shunted him aside in favor of a new representative in Nigeria. In an interview published in the Islamic State’s propaganda magazine in August, Abu Musab al-Barnawi, the son of the late Boko Haram founder Mohammed Yusuf, was named the new leader of Boko Haram.
Shekau rejected Barnawi’s appointment and insisted he was still in charge, setting off a propaganda war between supporters of the two jihadi leaders that raged until Shekau was supposedly killed in an air raid last month. That propaganda war — and the broader struggle for control of the world’s most deadly terrorist outfit — has been revitalized with the release of Shekau’s latest video, in which he appears in front of an Islamic State flag.
At the heart of Boko Haram’s most serious leadership rift in years are fundamental disagreements over ideology, tactics, and the group’s relationship with the Islamic State. Boko Haram has never been a one-man show. It has always had competing factions led by powerful local commanders who disagree on how to achieve the group’s goal of an Islamic caliphate.
But these disagreements have hardened since Shekau assumed leadership of Boko Haram in 2009. His ruthlessness and zeal for violence alienated many of his followers, and may even have proved too much for the Islamic State to stomach, prompting the group to replace him with a more conservative leader.
Under Shekau, Boko Haram embarked upon an indiscriminate scorched-earth campaign against anyone — Muslim or non-Muslim — who didn’t subscribe to the group’s harsh doctrine. Often, the group’s handiwork was featured in grisly propaganda videos in which Shekau gleefully took responsibility for kidnapping schoolgirls or slaughtering women and children.
The approach invited condemnation from mainstream Muslims, including the Sultan of Sokoto, the spiritual leader of Nigeria’s Muslims, who has repeatedly stressed that “more Muslims have died from Boko Haram activity than Christians.”
Shekau’s tactics also provoked dissent from within Boko Haram’s ranks, including from Barnawi, who opposes targeting fellow Muslims. Since being tapped by the Islamic State to lead Boko Haram, he has said, “Attacks on mosques, markets, and other venues belonging to Muslims do not represent IS, they only represent themselves. … We don’t authorize or approve such attacks.”
In an audio recording released the same week as Barnawi’s appointment, Mamman Nur, another senior Boko Haram commander, rejected Shekau’s leadership, claiming he was “ignorant and needs to be taught the rudiments of Islam.” Nur said he and other fighters defected from Boko Haram because they did not want to be “part of a caliphate of injustices and shedding of blood.”
So aggrieved were commanders like Barnawi and Nur that they reportedlycomplained directly to the Islamic State’s leadership about Shekau’s brutality, erratic behavior, and impulsive use of executions to silence internal dissent. It seems likely that these complaints, which raised the possibility of a major split within the Nigerian terror group that would dilute the Islamic State’s influence, persuaded the Iraq- and Syria-based group to appoint a new leader.
Fear that Shekau’s brutality might threaten the unity of Boko Haram was well founded.
Four years ago, a splinter group calling itself Ansaru defected from Boko Haram and openly complained about the group’s targeting of Muslims. Although Ansaru eventually mended fences with Shekau, Boko Haram continued its indiscriminate campaign of terror.
It’s no accident that the Islamic State selected Barnawi, whose disciplined and understated demeanor contrasts sharply with that of Shekau, as its new leader in Nigeria. As the son of Yusuf, he has a hereditary claim to leadership. He has also appeared in Boko Haram videos, but none that rival Shekau’s trademark brutality — and always with his face obscured.
Given that Shekau hasn’t gone quietly into the night, however, the Islamic State may have set the stage for a protracted intra-jihadi fight. The Boko Haram faction led by Nur has made oblique threats against Shekau. In September, there were unconfirmed reports of clashes between rival Boko Haram factions.
Although its internal rifts suggest weakness, the power struggle within Boko Haram is not necessarily good news for Nigeria. Even the most moderate factions remain committed to overthrowing the government. And more factions mean less chance of a negotiated deal to end the bloody insurgency, which has left over 20,000 dead during the last seven years.
No Boko Haram commander wields sufficient control over the entire group to make all of its factions adhere to a cease-fire or armistice deal. And even if one leader could achieve sufficient consensus, any discussions between Boko Haram and the Nigerian government would require at least tacit approval from the Islamic State.
It seems that there are now different brands of Boko Haram. Some are answerable to the Islamic State’s leadership, and others are not. Shekau’s uncanny ability to survive means he will likely continue to enjoy the backing of at least some of the group’s fighters — regardless of what the Islamic State says.Sunday 2 October 2016
Mystery in Paradise: What Killed These 2 Sisters Found Dead at $2,000-a-Night Resort?
An autopsy has showed two Minnesota sisters both died of acute pulmonary edema, a buildup of fluid in the lungs while on vacation in a hillside villa in a luxury resort in Seychelles, off the coast of Africa.
One sister additionally had cerebral edema, which is fluid in the brain.
Ann Marie Korkki, 37, and her 42-year-old sister, Robin Marie, have become the center of a baffling mystery. They were found dead in the same bed by hotel staff who said the sisters were drinking heavily the previous day.
No visible signs of injuries were found on the bodies.
The pair had reportedly been helped to their room by staff after spending the day drinking at the resort, which they originally planned to leave on September 22, but extended their stay for two more days.
Pulmonary edema is often linked to poisons and to drug overdoses but how could both sisters die at the same time from the same cause. Could there be foul play?
Tuesday 12 July 2016
Eagle tries to carry off Australian boy
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| An eagle attempted to lift a little boy into the air during a bird show at Alice Springs in Australia |
A wedge-tailed eagle tried to fly away with a terrified boy at a popular wildlife show in central Australia.
A crowd of stunned onlookers watched the enormous bird latch its talons on to the screaming boy's head during a show at Alice Springs Desert Park.
Witnesses said the bird attempted to pick him up "like a small animal".
Breaking News; Italy train crash: 'Twelve killed' near Bar
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| Several carriages were completely destroyed in the collision on a single-track line near Andria |
Twelve people have been killed and dozens more hurt in a head-on collision involving two passenger trains in southern Italy, reports say.
The two trains were on a single-track line at the time of the crash, between the coastal towns of Bari and Barletta.
Monday 11 July 2016
The refugee who fled civil war and became a multi-millionaire
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| Daniele's life changed again for the better when she started her own business |
Daniele Henkel decided she had to flee Algeria because she felt her children were no longer safe.
"Islamists were starting to attack girls in the street," she says. "I had to think about my daughters, so I decided to move to Canada."
This was back in 1990, and Algeria was about to descend into more than a decade of civil war between a secular government and various Islamist groups.
Sunday 10 July 2016
'Kill white people'
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| Micah Johnson |
On Thursday, five white police officers were shot dead by a black man, Micah Johnson, during a protest rally against the police killings.
US police shootings: Protests spread with dozens of arrests
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| Protesters in Minneapolis call for justice for Philando Castile |
Protests continue to spread across US cities against the killing of black men by police, following recent deaths in Minnesota and Louisiana.
Roads were blocked and missiles thrown in Minnesota, while armed New Black Panther Party members confronted police in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Dozens of arrests have been made but the rallies were mostly peaceful.
The situation is also tense in Dallas, where five officers were killed by a black man during a protest rally.
Thursday 30 June 2016
A suicide bombing by a Boko Haram jihadist
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| A suicide bombing by a Boko Haram jihadist |
Yaound – at least 10 people in northern Cameroon, a security source said on Thursday.
It was the latest in a spate of attacks blamed on the Nigeria-based Islamist militant group in northern Cameroon, which have driven tens of thousands of people from their homes.
The security source said the attacker blew himself up in the town of Djakana near the Nigerian border overnight.
"Seven people were killed immediately, including the bomber. Four others later succumbed to their wounds", the security source said.
"Others who were wounded are in hospital. We fear the number of victims could rise."
Most of the victims were members of a local vigilante group tasked with hunting down Boko Haram fighters.
"They were gathered in a video room when the attacker entered and triggered his explosives," the security source said.
Boko Haram's seven-year insurgency has left at least 20 000 people dead in Nigeria and border areas of neighbouring Niger, Chad and Cameroon, and made more than 2.6 million homeless.
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| EFCC |
No fewer than 300,000 applications were received for the 750 positions advertised by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, an official has said.
Its Director of Public Affairs, Mr Osita Nwaja, announced the figures in Enugu when he visited the Enugu zonal office of the News Agency of Nigeria.
Nwaja said that the recruitment was segmented, adding that the first phase of the exercise ended on June 26.
“We had more than 300,000 applicants for the 750 positions which are in three cadres, junior, middle and senior cadres.
“We are considering a whole lot of junior staff so that they will grow in the system.
“The criteria were well spelt out and those that met them wrote the examination,” he said.
Nwaja said that by the recruitment, the EFCC had moved to fortify its ranks in view of the onerous task of fighting corruption.
“The fight against corruption is fundamental to everything we do in this country. It is a fight we cannot afford to lose.
“We must keep on recruiting foot soldiers to meet our objective as it is geared toward the direction of making Nigeria greater,” he said.
The director said that the commission would not fail Nigerians, but could not fight corruption alone.
Yinka Ayefele debunks rumours on his converison to Islam
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| Yinka Ayefele |
Gospel Tungba crooner, Yinka Ayefele, hosted Muslim faithfuls to a Ramadan lecture sparking rumours about his convertion to Islam – The renown Christian gospel singer has finally swiftly to the allegations and explained the situation Shortly after gospel Tungba crooner, Yinka Ayefele, hosted thousands of fasting Muslim faithfuls at a Ramadan lecture this Tuesday, rumour about his alleged convertion to Islam spread like wildfire.
In a swift reaction to the conjectures supported by various media resources, Mr Ayedele released a refuting statement through his publicist David Ajiboye. The statement reads in part: “We believe the rumour must have emanated from the annual Ramadan Lecture, which Fresh 105.9FM, owned by Ayefele, organized on Tuesday, in Ibadan.
Our station, Fresh 105.9FM had invited popular Islamic preacher, Alhaji Muideen Ajani Bello, as the Guest Preacher at our annual Ramadan Lecture which had over 4,000 people in attendance and because of this, some naive minds went to town to spread the rumour about Ayefele’s conversion.” The station positions itself as open for each and everyone regardless of religion, race or colour, it adds: “We believe its part of our social responsibility to organize such a spiritual rebirth programme to sensitize our Muslim listeners on the ideals of Islam most especially in this holy season.” Nigeria, the largest African country by population (over 182 million in 2015), is nearly equally divided between Christianity and Islam though the exact ratio is uncertain.
Nigeria has one of the largest Muslim populations in West Africa, with the Pew Research Center estimating that it is between 48.5% (2010) and 50.4% (2009). The CIA estimates 50% while the BBC estimates slightly over 50% (2007)
Fayose dares Buhari’s wife
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| Fayose dares Buhari’s wife |
The ultimatum given by the president’s wife to Governor Fayose has expired on June 29 – However, the Ekiti governor didn’t withdraw his accusations against Mrs. Buhari – Buhari’s wife left the country for lesser hajj in Saudi Arabia
The wife of President Muhammadu Buhari, Aisha Buhari, has given the Governor of the Ekiti state Ayo Fayose, five days to apologise or face legal action. The ultimatum which Mrs. Buhari issued to the governor, demanding to drop his accusations, expired on June 29, Wednesday.
Mr. Fayose didn’t apologise to Buhari’s wife for linking her to American Congressman William Jefferson’s bribery scandal of which the US legislator was convicted in 2009.
Daily Trust reports that the media director in the Office of the Wife of the President, Zakari Nadabo, confirmed that the office had not received any message from the governor as of 7.00pm of Wednesday. He also revealed that the wife of the president had left Nigeria for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for lesser hajj. Nigeria’s anti-graft commission has on June 20 frozen bank accounts of Ayo Fayose. The Ekiti governor reacting to the news issued a statement which contained excerpts of court documents sourced from the United States Department of Justice Website. He stated that Aisha Buhari was an accomplice in the bribery scandal that landed Jefferson in jail.
In 2009, Jefferson was found guilty of 11 counts of corruption and was sentenced to 13 years’ imprisonment. Aisha Buhari through her lawyers, Ismaila Alasa and Mary Ekpere, defined Fasoye’s accusation as “very wild and unfounded” as well as threatened to drag the governor to court if the statement was not retracted within five working days.
Wednesday 29 June 2016
KING: With tight poll numbers, Donald Trump could absolutely become President of the United States
Yes, this is real life.
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KING: With tight poll numbers, Donald Trump could absolutely become President of the United States |
In two new polls (NBC News & Quinnipiac),
Donald Trump is now nearly tied with Hillary Clinton in the presidential race.
How?
Trump is
crushing it with white people, men, and independents — three significant voting
blocs that are highly unlikely to be breaking for Hillary Clinton. This race is
close. Donald Trump could absolutely become President of the United States.
Woman brutalizes 7-year-old nephew for stealing N100
Woman rubs pepper on her 7-year-old nephew’s private part for stealing N100
7-year-old Razak Qudus, a primary 4 pupil, reportedly had his private part set on fire after his aunty identified as Saratu, accused him of stealing N100.
Razak who lives with his aunt at Afariogun, Oshodi, had fallen onto an open stove fire, causing burns to his private part.
Saratu was arrested after neighbours reported her to a Child Protection Network coordinator, Ebenezer Omejalile, who took the matter to the Makinde police division.
According to Omejalile, Razak was taken to a hospital for checkup, while Saratu was charged to court. Here’s what he said:
Tuesday 28 June 2016
BREAKING NEWS;Istanbul Ataturk airport attack: At least 28 dead and dozens injured
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| Ambulances around the Istanbul airport |
The Istanbul governor gave the new toll after reports of 10 fatalities.
Up to three attackers were involved, with one reportedly opening fire with a Kalashnikov as they targeted an entry point to the terminal.
Recent bombings in Turkey have been linked to either Kurdish separatists or the so-called Islamic State group.
Tuesday's airport attack looks like a major, co-ordinated assault, says the BBC's Mark Lowen at the scene.
Monday 27 June 2016
Benue first lady kneelsdown to greet Mrs Kumuyi
Benue first lady kneelsdown to greet Mrs Kumuyi
Bimpe Onakoya’s Shocking Robbery at Gunpoint in Johannesburg on Her Way From the Airport
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Top makeup artist Bimpe Onakoya was robbed this morning at gunpoint after a flight from Lagos to Johannesburg, when driving into the city. |
My hubby and I were robbed at gun point this morning in Jo’burg, less than 1 hour after touch down, they crossed our car, four guys came out armed to the teeth with sophisticated looking guns, they emptied us, took everything, my makeup box, my camera and lenses, 2 Mac laptops, all our clothes, our international passports, so right now we don’t have identity in a foreign land, the police have been wonderful to us, still trying to find a solution to this mess!!! #strandedinjoburg!!
CBN, FMDQ launch Naira-settled OTC FX futures market
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has made history in the Nigerian FX market as it becomes the pioneer seller of the Naira-settled OTC FX Futures contracts on FMDQ OTC Securities Exchange (FMDQ) today, Monday, June 27, 2016.
This comes exactly one week after two-way quote trading commenced in the Nigerian FX market on the back of the recent release of the revised CBN Guidelines for the Operation of the Nigerian Inter-Bank FX Market (the Guidelines), essentially transitioning the market from a pegged FX rate regime to a floating one.
The Naira-settled OTC FX Futures product, whilst of tremendous benefit to Nigerian corporates, is of immense importance and advantage to the CBN, the Nigerian FX market, and the nation’s economy as a whole.
The Federal Government to deliver mass housing for Nigerians
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| Rent to Own housing scheme |
Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, has unveiled plans by the Federal Government to deliver mass housing for Nigerians. Speaking at an interactive session with the House of Representatives Committee on Housing, Fashola disclosed plans to build 360 houses in three states through Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement in the first phase, develop “Rent to Own” housing scheme for those who cannot afford mortgage and incorporate a new housing model into the National Building Code. Fashola however lamented that the N36 billion appropriated for housing sector in the 2016 budget is grossly inadequate.
Thursday 23 June 2016
Man who opened fire in German cinema shot dead by police
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| Murder |
A masked man has been shot dead after entering a cinema in south-west Germany with a weapon and taking several hostages.
No one else was injured in the incident in which the armed man entered the Kinopolis movie theatre in the early afternoon in the town of Viernheim and apparently fired a gun.
Police shot the suspect dead about three hours later, Hesse interior minister Peter Beuth said.
"We believe that there were no injured people, and that the people who were in the cinema with the perpetrator could be freed uninjured," he said.
Omisore in EFCC's Net
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has uncovered payment of N1.310billion to three firms linked with a former Deputy Governor of Osun State, Iyiola Omisore.
The cash was part of the N4.74billion which a former Minister of State (Defence), Musiliu Obanikoro hauled to Governor Ayodele Fayose in a chartered plane on June 12, 2014.
The firms are Fimex Gilt Limited, Metropolitan Consortium and Sawanara.
Preliminary findings indicated that the companies’ accounts in which the N1.310billion was paid into allegedly belong to Omisore.
According to a report by the EFCC, the N1.310billion traced to Omisore and the three companies was remitted as follows: Fimex Gilt Limited (N160m) -8/8/2014in UBA; Metropolitan Consortium (N350m)—9/7/14 in First Bank; Sawanara (N300m)—1/8/14 in First Bank and Metropolitan Consortium (N350m)-1/8/14 in First Bank.
A top EFCC source, who spoke in confidence, said: “Preliminary findings have shown that N1.310billion out of the N4.745billion from ONSA was remitted to the three firms and the accounts of these three companies belong to Omisore. This is one of the reasons we have invited the former Deputy Governor but he is yet to show up.
“We have also declared him wanted and we are still looking for him.”
In an affidavit before a court, Omisore once admitted that he had a link with Fimex Gilt Limited as a director.
He said the EFCC was desperate to arrest and humiliate him.
He said although he was a director of the company, he had since resigned.
He said he loaned the company through its MD the “funds required to perform the contract.”
He added: “That upon the company’s receipt of the payment from ONSA for the contract, the MD repaid to me the prior sum I had lent to Fimex Gilt Limited after I had resigned as a director of the company.
“That since resigning as a director of Fimex Gilt Limited, I have no further interests, affiliations or dealings with same and I was in no way involved in the performance of the contract between ONSA and Fimex Gilt Limited.
The anti-graft agency wrote to Omisore on April 7, inviting him for interrogation.
The letter, signed by Abubakar Madaki on behalf of the Acting Chairman of EFCC, reads in part: “The commission is investigating an alleged case in which your name featured prominently.
“In view of the above, you are kindly requested to interview the undersigned on Monday, 11th of April 2016 at No.30, Harper Crescent, Wuse Zone 7 at 10am.
“Your cooperation in this regard is solicited.”
Instead of honouring the invitation, Omisore wrote through one of his lawyers, Wole Jimi-Bada and Co., that the interview should be rescheduled to April 14.
The counsel said: “We regret to inform you that our client travelled briefly out of Abuja but will return by Wednesday evening accordingly to our instructions. Consequently and unfortunately, he will not be able to attend the interview scheduled for Monday, 11th April 2016 as requested in your letter under reference.
The Nation Nigeria
The cash was part of the N4.74billion which a former Minister of State (Defence), Musiliu Obanikoro hauled to Governor Ayodele Fayose in a chartered plane on June 12, 2014.
The firms are Fimex Gilt Limited, Metropolitan Consortium and Sawanara.
Preliminary findings indicated that the companies’ accounts in which the N1.310billion was paid into allegedly belong to Omisore.
According to a report by the EFCC, the N1.310billion traced to Omisore and the three companies was remitted as follows: Fimex Gilt Limited (N160m) -8/8/2014in UBA; Metropolitan Consortium (N350m)—9/7/14 in First Bank; Sawanara (N300m)—1/8/14 in First Bank and Metropolitan Consortium (N350m)-1/8/14 in First Bank.
A top EFCC source, who spoke in confidence, said: “Preliminary findings have shown that N1.310billion out of the N4.745billion from ONSA was remitted to the three firms and the accounts of these three companies belong to Omisore. This is one of the reasons we have invited the former Deputy Governor but he is yet to show up.
“We have also declared him wanted and we are still looking for him.”
In an affidavit before a court, Omisore once admitted that he had a link with Fimex Gilt Limited as a director.
He said the EFCC was desperate to arrest and humiliate him.
He said although he was a director of the company, he had since resigned.
He said he loaned the company through its MD the “funds required to perform the contract.”
He added: “That upon the company’s receipt of the payment from ONSA for the contract, the MD repaid to me the prior sum I had lent to Fimex Gilt Limited after I had resigned as a director of the company.
“That since resigning as a director of Fimex Gilt Limited, I have no further interests, affiliations or dealings with same and I was in no way involved in the performance of the contract between ONSA and Fimex Gilt Limited.
The anti-graft agency wrote to Omisore on April 7, inviting him for interrogation.
The letter, signed by Abubakar Madaki on behalf of the Acting Chairman of EFCC, reads in part: “The commission is investigating an alleged case in which your name featured prominently.
“In view of the above, you are kindly requested to interview the undersigned on Monday, 11th of April 2016 at No.30, Harper Crescent, Wuse Zone 7 at 10am.
“Your cooperation in this regard is solicited.”
Instead of honouring the invitation, Omisore wrote through one of his lawyers, Wole Jimi-Bada and Co., that the interview should be rescheduled to April 14.
The counsel said: “We regret to inform you that our client travelled briefly out of Abuja but will return by Wednesday evening accordingly to our instructions. Consequently and unfortunately, he will not be able to attend the interview scheduled for Monday, 11th April 2016 as requested in your letter under reference.
The Nation Nigeria
Monday 20 June 2016
Police await new chief as Inspector-Gen. Arase bows out
Commission approves promotion of 4,542 senior police officers
The Police Service Commission (PSC) has approved the promotion of 4,542 Senior Police Officers to their next ranks between May and June.
This information was contained in a statement issued in Abuja yesterday by Mr Ikechukwu Ani, the Head, Press and Public Relations of the commission.
The statement said seven Commissioners of Police were elevated to the rank of AIG and six Deputy Commissioners of Police to Commissioners of Police.
Five ways naira flotation will affect Nigeria
Nigeria is allowing its struggling currency, the naira, to trade freely in a move to tackle the financial crisis in Africa's most populous nation. Financial blogger Feyi Fawehinmi looks at how it will affect people's lives.
1. Petrol prices will remain stable
Refined petrol is Nigeria's single biggest import. The story of how an oil exporting nation has to import almost all of its refined products is well told.
According to the National Bureau of Statistics, refined petrol imports in the first three months of 2016 amounted to 226bn naira ($1.1bn; £791m) or 15.6% of total imports.
A beautifulfeminines of Senegal makes history at Fifa
Senegal's Fatma Samba Diouf Samoura makes history today, as she begins her role as secretary general of football's world governing body Fifa.
Coach to Ethiopian athletics stars arrested in Spain
The Spanish Anti-Doping Agency has confirmed that Athletics coach Jama Aden was arrested earlier today at a hotel in Spain in a joint operation with the sport's world governing body, the IAAF, and Catalan police.
Nigeria's currency woes
Interbank trading shows that Nigeria's currency, the naira, now has an official value of around 250 to the dollar, compared with 350 on the black market.
The central bank is hoping the the naira will stabilise around this figure.
It took the decision to float the currency to deal with a chronic shortage of foreign currency, which was eroding Nigeria's foreign reserve.
Sunday 19 June 2016
Turkey border guards 'shot Syrian children' - monitors
Turkish border guards have shot dead at least eight Syrians, including four children, who were trying to cross into Turkey, activists say.
A historic gathering of Orthodox Churches council opens on Crete despite Russia's absence
A historic gathering of Orthodox Churches has opened on the Greek island of Crete, despite the absence of four denominations including the Russians.
The Holy and Great Council had been billed as the first meeting of fellow Church leaders since 787 AD.
Russia Lake Syamozero: Children die after storm catches boating group
At least 11 children and an adult died when a storm caught a boating party on Lake Syamozero in northern Russia's Karelia region.
Ten children on holiday from Moscow were killed, according to the mayor of the Russian capital, Sergei Sobyanin, quoting preliminary information.
Italy elections: Rome set to elect Virginia Raggi as first female mayor
Italy elections: Rome set to elect Virginia Raggi as first female mayor
Virginia Raggi, from the anti-establishment Five Star Movement, is seen as the favourite against Roberto Giachetti of the centre-left Democratic Party (PD).
Saturday 18 June 2016
Muslim attitudes about LGBT are complex, far from universally anti-gay
As one of a tiny number of openly gay imams in the world, Daayiee Abdullah has felt the sting of rebuke from fellow Muslims.
Oakland police chief steps down after 2 days on the job
OAKLAND, Calif. - Oakland lost its third police chief in eight days Friday as it struggles with allegations that a number of officers had sex with a teenage prostitute and exchanged racist text messages.
Mayor Libby Schaaf said acting Police Chief Paul Figueroa was on the job for two days before stepping down but said his decision was not connected to the two scandals.
Twelve arrests as Belgium swoops on terror suspects
Police in Belgium have made 12 arrests in a huge anti-terror operation, nearly three months after the deadly bomb attacks on Brussels.
Friday 17 June 2016
IFTAR tips for caring mothers
Ramadan Kareem to all the GPSO Mothers out there, doing their best to ensure their families have the best options during this fasting period.
Fasting is very important as it is one of the pillars of Islam and it increases devotion to God. The essence of fasting is summed up in one word, ‘Taqwa’ which is a recurring theme in the Qur’an and a paramount Islamic value. It is both an attitude and a process.
We did not meet with Kachikwu - Niger Delta Avengers
The Niger Delta Avengers said it did not have any meeting with Ibe Kachikwu – The militants said anybody parading as their representative was a political jobber The Niger Delta Avengers has denied reports that its representatives met with Ibe Kachikwu, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Petroleum. Kachikwu paid a visit to Delta state on Thursday, June 16, where he was reported to have met with the militants at the state government house.
A copy of the communique of the meeting obtained by Sahara reports showed that the meeting had in attendance Governor Patrick Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta state, an Itsekiri militant leader, Ayirimi Emami, a representative of Gbaramatu Kingdom, Michael Johny and two persons representing the interest of the Niger Delta Avengers: Gbeneka Godspwoer and Dan Ekpebide. In reaction, the Avengers took to its official Twitter handle to say whoever met with Kachikwu was not their representative.
