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Showing posts from April, 2014

Ukraine crisis needs peaceful solution, Putin and Cameron agree

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Russian President Vladimir Putin and British Prime Minister David Cameron agreed in a phone conversation on Wednesday that an end to the crisis in Ukraine can only be reached through peaceful means, the Kremlin said in a statement. "The leaders of Russia and the United Kingdom agreed that the end of the serious political confrontation can only be reached through peaceful means. They agreed to continue bilateral exchange at several levels," the statement said. The Kremlin said the phone call was initiated by Cameron and that Putin took the opportunity to underline the "fundamental importance of a swift and unconditional implementation of the April 17 Geneva accord." That deal between Russia, Ukraine, the EU and United States was intended to ease tensions in Ukraine with a requirement that all armed groups lay down their arms and for a cessation of violence. But on Wednesday Ukraine's armed forces were on full alert against a possible Russian invasion,

NOSDRA seeks oil spill response base

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(Nigeria) The National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency, NOSDRA, has called on the military to establish an Oil Spill Response Base, OSRB, for quick intervention during oil spill emergencies. Mr Peter Idabor, the Director General of the agency, made the call on Wednesday during a courtesy visit to Vice Admiral Usman Jibril, the Chief of Naval Staff, in Abuja. Idabor said the base, if established, would serve as a veritable security for quick response and intervention by the agency during oil spill emergencies. He recalled the Bonga oil spill incident and commended the Navy for providing a vessel to NOSDRA that ensured quick response. According to him, crises usually occurred between affected communities and companies involved during oil spill emergencies. He said partnership with the Navy had become critical due to its role in providing security to the maritime environment. ``It has become more critical for us to partner with the Nigerian Navy, especially when it

Atiku hails workers’ sacrifices amid tough times

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(Nigeria) Former Vice President and chieftain of All Progressives Congress, APC, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has extolled the patriotism, unbroken faith in Nigeria and sacrifices of the Nigerian workers in the face of tough times. In a statement by his media office in Abuja on the occasion of May Day or Workers’ Day, the former Vice President said workers were the greatest assets of every nation because, the human capital is the pivot around which development revolves. Atiku Abubakar extolled the sacrifices, perseverance and the indomitable spirit of the Nigerian workers in the face of grim and tough challenges of economic survival. He explained that the weakening purchasing power of the workers might naturally affect morale, but urged the workers to soldier on and to never lose hope. The former Vice President, however, advised political office holders to recognize the country’s economic realities before paying themselves salaries and allowances, which show insensitivity to the e

APC to Nigerians workers: Keep hope alive

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(Nigeria)  The All Progressives Congress, APC, has urged Nigerian workers to remain strong and keep hope alive, despite the prevailing situation that has seen many of them lose their jobs or have their pay check drastically eroded amid rising cost of living. APC in a statement in Lagos on Wednesday by its Interim National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, to mark the 2014 Workers' Day, said the past 12 months have been particularly challenging for Nigerian workers due to worsening state of social infrastructure, especially the dwindling power supply which has affected production and forced many companies to downsize or relocate to neighbouring countries. It also noted that the prevailing state of insecurity in the country has either forced many to relocate to safer climes, with the attendant loss of job opportunities; drastically curtailed workers' productive abilities and also reduced the inflow of foreign investments that could led to the creation of more job

9 illegal migrants die, hundreds rescued in Sudan-Libya desert

Nine illegal immigrants have died among some 300 abandoned by smugglers in the scorching Sudanese-Libyan desert, with the others in poor condition, Khartoum's army said Wednesday. "They were on their way to Libya as illegal immigrants," spokesman Sawarmi Khaled Saad told AFP. "The smugglers left them in the desert... on the border between Sudan and Libya," he said, adding that all of the dead were Sudanese. The others are from various nationalities and include Ethiopians, Eritreans, Pakistanis and Bangladeshis, Saad said. Sudanese and Libyan troops rescued the migrants in a joint operation, the army spokesman said in a statement posted on the defence ministry's website. In all, 319 people were abandoned in the desert, he said. "Nine of them died and the others are in a bad condition. They are getting treatment and being transferred to Dongola," a town about 500 kilometres (300 miles) northwest of Khartoum, he added. The loosely gov

Women defy rain in Abuja to protest abducted schoolgirls’ situation

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(Nigeria) Women from various civil society organisations, CSOs, on Thursday defied a downpour in Abuja to protest the delay in securing the release of 234 abducted schoolgirls in Borno by insurgents. The women were also at the National Assembly to seek intervention from the lawmakers in the efforts to rescue the girls. Senate President David Mark, while receiving the protesters, said the lawmakers shared in their pain and would work with them for the rescue of the girls. ``Government is its doing its best to address the situation. I therefore urge you all to collaborate with government to ensure we rescue the girls as soon as possible,’’ he said. Dr Oby Ezekwesili, one of the protest leaders and a former World Bank Vice-President, appealed to the Federal Government to intensify efforts to immediately rescue the girls. ``There must be concerted efforts to bring back our girls. We are frustrated that 234 girls are lost and there are no adequate information about their wh

Military will not use heavy power attacks to free abducted school girls ---CDS

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(Nigeria)Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, Wednesday,  said the military was avoiding the use of heavy power attacks on the abductors of school girls in Chibok, Borno, for the sake of the girls’ safety. Badeh made the remark when Board and Management of National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency, NOSDRA, paid a visit to the Defence Headquarters in Abuja. The Chief of Defence Staff assured that the military would soon free the school girls from their abductors. He condemned the activities of the insurgents in the north, ``what is happening in the northern Nigeria is pure madness. ``It is not the number of those abducted that is the issue but the attendant psychological trauma of every parent. We were given information about where they are. We cannot use heavy power attack because we will kill the school girls but I assure you that we will free them’’, he said. Badeh said the military would continue to support NOSDRA to combat illicit oil

NERC stops payment of N750 service charge in areas without power supply

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(Nigeria) The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC on Wednesday in Abuja directed electricity Distribution Companies, DISCOS, to stop collecting  N750 monthly fixed charge in any area without power supply for 15 days in the month. The fixed charge is an element of an electricity customer’s monthly bill to enable the “Discos” to maintain and recover costs on permanent investments, such transformers, cables and poles. The NERC Chairman, Dr Sam Amadi, who announced the decision in a news conference, said the order would be effective from May 1.  He said that the commission took the decision based on consideration of complaints and agitations from customers and in line with its role in the electricity industry as provided by an Act of 2005.  ``It is hereby ordered that effective from May 1, 2014, where any customer of a distribution licencee has not received continuous electricity supply for a period of 15 days in a month such customer shall not be required to pay th

ASUU, others plot fresh protest over fee hike in LASU

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(Nigeria) The Academic and Non-academic staff unions of the Lagos State University, LASU, Ojo, on Wednesday expressed readiness to stage a fresh protest over fee hike on May 1 in Lagos. The Joint Action Front, JAF, will also join the two unions in the protest, which would commence by 9:30 a.m., at the Onikan Stadium in Marina, Lagos. Mr Abiodun Aremu, JAF Secretary, who made this known in a consultative forum with the unions at LASU, said the protest would focus on the reversal of the fee hike in the university. However, scores of students of the university at the forum objected to the struggle. Aremu said JAF, being a coalition of civil society groups, deemed it fit to intervene in the lingering crisis. ``We are here at the eve of the workers' day to discuss our future, as the workers day symbolises workers' struggle against injustice. It is not enough to go out on May 1 to match, when there is injustice in the system that needs to be addressed. We must all come t

Electricity workers protest in Akure over severance entitlement

(Nigeria) The Ondo State Chapter of Nigeria Union of Electricity Workers on Wednesday in Akure protested over non-payment of severance entitlements of some workers and the fixed charge on consumers. The protest affected free-flow of traffic along NEPA Road and office of Benin Electricity Distribution Company, BEDC. The protesters carried placards with inscriptions like: “All outstanding allowances must be paid” and “Stop payment of slave wage to electricity workers,” among others. Mrs Bosede Daramola, Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC in Ondo, said that the protest was a struggle against the pains being inflicted by government and private investors on consumers. "We are against the payment of fixed charge on a meter on monthly basis. This extortion must stop; there is also poor power supply and one cannot boast of two-hour power supply in Ondo State. "Some of the disengaged workers of defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, are yet to be paid and those

Oil theft: Navy destroys 1.5 million litres of crude oil in Delta

(Nigeria) The Nigerian Navy on Wednesday said it destroyed more than 1.5 million litres of crude oil along the shores of Gbekbo Creek in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta. Other products destroyed by the Navy were 203 drums of illegally refined diesel and seven drums of petrol. The Navy personnel stormed the creek with two fortified gunboats in an operation that lasted about six hours.  Addressing newsmen at the scene, the Commander NNS Delta, Capt. Musa Gemu, said the exercise was in compliance with the directive of the Chief Naval Staff to sanitise the creeks of illegalities.  Gemu, who led the operation, said it was going to be a continuous exercise until illegal oil bunkering and other criminal activities were completely eradicated along the waterways.  ''The exercise is successful and the fight continues. Like I said earlier, this is almost the fifth exercise and it is a continuous one. We will keep coming from time to time until they stop the illegal activi

4 touts remanded in prison custody over alleged gang-rape of woman

(Nigeria) An Ebute Meta Chief Magistrate Court on Wednesday in Lagos remanded four suspected touts in Ikoyi Prisons over alleged robbery and gang-rape of a woman under a bridge in Lagos. The accused are Tochukwu Ilom, 21; Confidence Oziegbo, 20; Simon Peter, 25; and Nnemeka Ugochukwu, 26. They are facing a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy, rape and armed robbery. The Magistrate, Mr M.O. Tanimola, said the accused should be kept behind bars pending advice from the State Director of Public Prosecutions, DPP. Earlier, the prosecutor, Cpl. Samuel Ishola had said that the accused committed the offences on April 11 at 6.00 a.m., under the bridge at Apakun area along Airport Road, Toyota Bus Stop, Isolo.  According to him, the woman and two other friends were going to work in the morning when the accused attacked them.  ``The complainant (the rape victim) tried to escape, but the accused caught up with her and pointed a gun at her to scare her. The other women, who escap

Over 21,000 S/Sudan refugees flood Ethiopian camps----Red Cross

No fewer than 12,000 South Sudanese who fled violence in their country had arrived Ethiopian refugee camps, the  Red Cross Society, ICRC, said on Wednesday, reports NAN. Ariane Tombet, Head of the ICRC delegation in Ethiopia, said the 12,000 were among those who arrived recently and required immediate medical attention and other aids. ``Most of them are with small children, walking for days to arrive at the Ethiopian Gambella and other refugee camps’’, Tembet said. The Ethiopian Aid Organisation had also said that it was collaborating with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent counterpart to provide the new refugees with medical care and basic services. It was gathered that no fewer than 95,000 South Sudanese had fled to neighbouring Ethiopia camps since the violence broke out in December 2013. The number is expected to rise following the recent violence in some parts of the country that left more than 200 dead and many others injured. Some fled to Kenya

Sudanese Army retakes rebel stronghold

The Sudanese Army, SAF, says it has retaken a stronghold town of the rebel Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North, SPLM-N. SAF spokesman, Col. Sawarmi Saad, who announced this on Wednesday said the town is in the centre of the Nuba Mountains in the contested South Kordufan region. Saad said the strategic SPLM-N command stronghold town of Abri was ``liberated’’ along with the nearby Sarafayah village by SAF, with heavy losses inflicted on the rebels. ``This is part of the ongoing SAF operations aimed at putting an end to the rebellion in South Kordufan,’’ he said. Saad admitted that a number of government soldiers were killed in the fighting over Abri, without giving figures. The statement came at a time the government and SPLM-N were engaged in negotiations in Addis Ababa. The talks have been marred by persistent differences over the technicalities of ceasefire or cessation of hostilities.

CJN, AGF, others eulogise retired Justice Chukwuma-Eneh

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(Nigeria) The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Aloma Mukhtar, in Abuja on Wednesday eulogised, retired Justice Christopher Chukwuma-Eneh of the Supreme Court, for his immense contributions to the Nigerian judiciary. Mukhtar, who eulogised Chukwuma-Eneh at valedictory session held his honour, said the jurist was a distinguished judge and richly endowed with a sharp analytical mind. She said that the jurist brought his wealth of experience to bear in his numerous judgments. ``I have had the privilege of sitting with Hon. Justice Chukwuma-Eneh, throughout his seven years as a justice of this court in numerous cases and he was meticulous, judicious and a valued assistance to the court. The judiciary is undoubtedly going to miss an assiduous and most learned gentleman; his many judgments are venerated references to judges and counsel alike,’’ Mukhtar said. Also, in his speech, the Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke, said Chukwuma-Eneh’s profile was ``impressive and intimidating

Court refuses to stop review of NMA constitution

(Nigeria) An Abuja High Court on Wednesday refused to restrain the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, from amending its constitution. Dr Alabo Amabibi, the plaintiff in March filed a case seeking the court to restrain the NMA from reviewing its constitution at its 54th Annual General Conference and Delegates Congress, scheduled to hold on May 2 in Benin, Edo. In his ruling, Justice Valentine Ashi refuses to grant the prayers of Amabibi. According to Ashi, there is need to put the NMA on notice. Ashi adjourned the matter until June 4 for hearing and ordered the NMA counsel, Mr Alex Akoja to file his preliminary objections challenging the suit. Earrlier, Counsel to the plaintiff, Mr Adeshina Oluwole told the court that he had filed a motion for an order of perpetual injunction, praying the court to stop the NMA from reviewing its constitution. Oluwole told the court that he had also filed a motion on notice with a 42 paragraph affidavit as a matter of urgency to stop the rev

4 men, 2 women arraigned for allegedly using cripple to solicit arms in Lagos

(Nigeria) Six persons, including two women, who allegedly used a physically-challenged teenager to solicit alms, were on Wednesday charged before an Apapa Magistrate Court in Lagos. The accused are Chukwuka Eze, 24; Tochukwu Obi, 22; Ogbonna Okoro, 24; Monday Nnoha, 25. The female accomplices are Amaka Anih, 20, and Chinasa Eze, 21. The accused, whose addresses are unknown, are facing a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy, extortion and human trafficking. According to the prosecutor, Insp. Festus Osaghale, the accused with a man still at large had between August 2013 and April  committed the offences at various locations in Lagos. Osaghale said the accused conspired and used a teenager, Chinasa Amakor, a disabled, for street begging. ``The accused capitalised on the disability of Amakor to solicit alms on Lagos streets.” The prosecutor alleged that the accused and their accomplice unlawfully entered into an agreement with Chinasa’s mother, Victoria Amakor, on how t

Ukraine orders troops to full readiness amid tension with Russia

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Ukrainia's acting president Oleksandr Turchynov on Wednesday ordered the country's armed forces to full readiness due to the "real threat of aggression" from Russia, reports Xinhua. "There is a real threat that the Russian Federation will unleash a war on the territory of continental Ukraine. That's why our troops are in full readiness," Turchynov said during his meeting with the heads of regional administrations here. Pro-Russia protesters have spread their movement beyond eastern Ukraine, Turchynov said, with attempts to destabilize the situation in the country's southern and southeastern regions. To prevent further escalation of tension across Ukraine, the authorities have ordered the creation of special regional military units, he added. Turchynov's comments came after protests spread beyond Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region on Tuesday, as activists seized control of official buildings in the neighboring Lugansk region. T

Abduction: Court remands 2 market women

(Nigeria) A Magistrate Court in Makudi, Benue State on Wednesday ordered the remand of two market women pending legal advice over an alleged trespass and abduction of a three-month-old baby. Sarah Agbile and Dooshima Abel, both of Akpehe Logo II, Makurdi, are facing a two-count charge of criminal trespass and abduction of a baby. The magistrate, Mrs Franca Yuwa, gave the order after going through the first information report against the two women. She said that the plea of the accused persons could not be taken for want of jurisdiction. Yuwa adjourned the case until May 20 for legal advice from the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Benue Ministry for Justice. The prosecutor, ASP. James Onwone, had told the court that Mrs Racheal Terfa of Akpehe Logo II, Makurdi, lodged a report against the accused at the `B' Division Police Station on April 25. He said that the accused persons conspired and trespassed into the complainant's house and abducted her three

Mark, 21 Senators to meet Jonathan over 234 abducted girls

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(Nigeria) The Senate President, Sen. David Mark, would today lead 21 other senators to meet with President Goodluck Jonathan on the recent abduction of 234 girls by insurgents in Chibok, Borno. Mark, who made the announcement during Wednesday's plenary, said the meeting was aimed at finding ways to rescue the affected girls and end insurgency in the nation. He said the meeting, slated for 10 p.m., would hold at the Aso Rock Villa. The Senate had on Tuesday resolved to ask the Federal Government to intensify efforts to secure immediate rescue of the abducted female students. It also urged the Federal Government to seek the assistance of Economic Community for West African State, ECOWAS and the United Nations for modern equipment to aid the search and rescue. Members of the delegation include Senators  Boluwaji Kunlere, Babafemi Ojudu, Zainab Kure, Alkali Jajere, James Manager, Helen Esuene and Chris Anyanwu, Others are Ali Ndume, Ahmed Zannah, Maina Lawan, Ahmed Makar

Police arraign lawyer for attempting to deceive Chief of Army Staff

(Nigeria) The police on Wednesday arraigned a lawyer, Mr John Apoche, in a Karu Chief Magistrate Court, Abuja, for attempting to obtain favour from the Chief of Army Staff with forged documents. Apoche appeared before Chief Magistrate Hadiza Dodo on three counts of criminal conspiracy, forgery and using  a forged document. The prosecutor, ASP Adams Peter, told the court that the accused carried out the act with one Alhaji Musa, a civil servant, who is now at large. Peter alleged that Apoche and Musa forged a letter of recommendation in the name of the Attorney-General of the Federation, AGF, in a bid to gain favour from the top military chief. According to him, the accused and his accomplice presented the fake letter at the Defence Headquarters claiming that it was from the AGF. He said that the army chief suspected foul play and called in the police, who  investigated into the case and discovered that the letter was forged. The offence, according to him, contravened the p

Man, 55 arraigned for allegedly raping girl, 10

(Nigeria) A Kaduna Chief Magistrate Court on Wednesday ordered the remand of one Emmanuel Jeremiah at the Kaduna Central Prison for allegedly raping  a 10-year-old girl. Jeremiah, who resides and works as a security guard at No. 210, Gubarau Rd., Angwar Rimi, Kaduna, was arraigned on a one-count charge of rape. The police prosecutor, Mr Sanni Umar, told the court that the case was reported by one Hauwa Habib of A34, Charanchi Road, Kabala Doki, Kaduna State, on April 14, 2014. Umar said the accused lured the victim into his security room and had carnal knowledge of her contrary to Section 282 of Penal Code. When the case was mentioned, the accused told the court that he understood the charges against him. The presiding magistrate, Mr Bashir Shittu, said that the court lacked jurisdiction to hand the case. Shittu said the accused was only brought to court for cognisance pending the conclusion of police investigation and legal advice from the state Ministry of Justice. ``Y

Ukraine police abandon HQ to pro-Russian protesters

Ukrainian police on Tuesday abandoned their regional headquarters in the eastern city of Lugansk to a crowd of pro-Moscow protesters laying siege to the building. An AFP journalist saw the officers, some of them visibly scared, file out of the building wearing helmets but unarmed and climb into buses that had been sent to collect them, as an angry crowd shouted at them to "go home". 

Ethiopia jails 9 journalists

The Committee to Protect Journalists , CPJ, has said it is alarmed by the Ethiopian government's arrests of nine journalists in what it called one of the worst crackdowns against free expression in the country. ``With the latest arrests, Ethiopian authorities are turning the peaceful exercise of free expression into a crime,’’ CPJ East Africa Representative Tom Rhodes said in a statement on Tuesday. ``We call on Ethiopian authorities to halt their slide into paranoia and authoritarianism, and instead to allow critical commentary and public debate to thrive. These nine journalists should be released immediately,’’ Rhodes said. On Sunday, a public prosecutor in the capital, Addis Ababa, accused the detainees-editor of working with foreign human rights organisations and using social media to create instability in the country. The detainees are Asmamaw Hailegeorgis, freelancers Tesfalem Waldyes and Edom Kassaye, and bloggers Abel Wabella, Atnaf Berhane, Mahlet Fantahun, Natnai

ASUP, COEASU protest in Abuja over FG’s failure to meet demands

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(Nigeria) The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, ASUP and the Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union, COEASU, Tuesday, protested in Abuja, over the continued closure of Polytechnics and Colleges of Education, following the strike by ASUP, over the Federal Government’s refusal to meet their demands. The strike has entered its fifth month. Meanwhile, the police at a point disrupted the protest by attacking the lecturers with tear gas canisters. Also, the Federal Government, has said that it was committed to resolving the face-off between it and two academic trade unions in tertiary institutions, Labour and Productivity Minister, Mr Emeka Wogu, has said. Wogu gave the assurance on in Abuja in an address to protesting members of ASUP and COEASU. Some 300 protesting lecturers and students of polytechnics and colleges of education stormed the Federal Secretariat demanding that government should implement agreements reached with them since 2009. Addressing the prot

Mark urges full scale military campaign against insurgents

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(Nigeria) The Senate President, David Mark, on Tuesday in Abuja, urged the Federal Government to declare full scale military operation against insurgents in the North East. Mark made the call in an address to welcome senators back from Easter recess. He said the heightened spate of terrorist attacks and killings carried out by insurgents in the North East amounted to a declaration of war against the country. He noted that in view of the fact that the insurgents had rejected calls for dialogue, the government should embark on comprehensive military onslaught to stamp out the menace. ``There is no doubt that our nation is at war. The enemy has clearly and unequivocally served the nation notice of its vile intentions. It is obvious that we are dealing with insurgents and well-funded nihilists who are determined to violently trample upon the secularity of the Nigerian state and destroy the country. ``Therefore, a clear, unambiguous and decisive military response from the gove

Police arrest 33 in Edo for alleged rape, robbery

(Nigeria) The Police in Edo State said in Benin on Tuesday that it had arrested 33 suspects for various offences in the past three weeks. Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Foluso Adebanjo, told newsmen that the suspects were arrested between April 9 and 29. ``They were arrested for rape/defilement, armed robbery, child theft, threats to life, possession of firearms, electricity cable vandalism, murder and fraud. A breakdown of the figure showed that seven persons were arrested for defilement and rape, five for armed robberies, nine for stealing, two for cultism and unlawful possession of firearms, one for abduction and three for fraud. He also listed the number of items recovered in the operation to include 12 guns, five live ammunition, 67 cartridges, seven laptop computers and two vehicles The commissioner further said that one of the suspects, Friday Ayemere, 31, was arrested for having canal knowledge of three sisters - a five year old and three years twin sisters.

Violence flares in Ukraine, deepening crisis

Fresh violence erupted in eastern Ukraine Tuesday as thousands of pro-Russian protesters stormed key buildings, escalating the crisis after Moscow hit back at "Iron Curtain"-style Western sanctions. A mob spearheaded by around 30 men carrying Kalashnikov assault rifles and grenade-launchers attacked the regional police headquarters in Lugansk, raising the heat in the worst East-West confrontation since the Cold War. They had earlier seized the regional prosecutors' office, tearing down the Ukrainian flag and replacing it with that of Russia, which the West blames for stoking the violence in the ex-Soviet Republic. More than a dozen towns and cities in the east have now fallen to pro-Russian rebels, who see the Western-backed leaders in Kiev as illegitimate "fascists" and want either independence or outright accession to Russia. "It's good what the young people are doing. We don't want this Nazi junta that has seized power in Kiev. We don

Eko, Ikeja DISCO withdraw ID cards of 5,075 workers

(Nigeria) The managements of Eko and Ikeja Electricity Distribution Companies on Tuesday withdrew the identification cards of their 5,075 contract staff few days to the end of their contracts. The workers, who were disengaged employees of the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, were given six months contract spanning November 1, 2013 to April 30. The six-month contract offer was part of the processes introduced by the new power investors to address the labour crisis that heralded the take-over of the facilities and other liabilities. A breakdown of the number of the affected workers shows that 2,600 workers had their identity cards withdrawn by Eko Distribution Company, DISCO, while 2,475 were stripped of their identity cards by Ikeja DISCO. A dependable source at one of the companies told NAN that permanent appointments would be given to those they considered fit for the jobs. ``The six months probation period was to ascertain those who would be employed permane

Car bomb kills 2 Libyan soldiers in Benghazi

A car bomb exploded on Tuesday at a military base in the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi, killing two soldiers and injuring several others, a military official reported. The  military official said on condition of anonymity that the bomb exploded at the main gate of the former Libyan Special Forces 21st Battalion headquarters in the second largest Libyan city, reports Xinhua. The official said that camp guards failed to stop the car from dashing toward the main gate and the explosion caused major damage to the barrack's wall. A medical official in Galaa Hospital told reporters that the wounded were transferred to the Benghazi Medical Centre for treatment. Benghazi police said in a statement that they had rapidly intervened in the case and would look into the identities of the attackers. Benghazi is the birthplace of the 2011 uprising against former leader Muammar Gaddafi. After the attack on the American diplomatic mission on Sept. 11, 2012, which killed U.S. Ambassado

INEC clears 18 parties for governorship election in Ekiti

(Nigeria) The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, on Tuesday, said candidates of 18  political parties have been cleared to contest the June 21 governorship election in Ekiti State. The Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, in the state, Alhaji Halilu Pai, announced this in Ado-Ekiti.  Four women, who will contest the position of deputy governor, were among those cleared to contest. They are Prof Modupe Adelabu, who is the running mate to the incumbent governor, Mrs Bolanle Bruce who stands on the platform of Labour Party, Mrs taiwo Phebe of Action Alliance and Mrs Adegoro Adolu of the National Conscience Party. The list includes the incumbent governor. Dr Kayode Fayemi of the APC, a former governor Chief Ayo Fayose of the PDP,  Mr Opeyemi Bamidele of the Labour Party, Mr Kole Ajayi, of the Accord Party and Mr Opeyemi Akinyemi of the Action Alliance. Citizens Popular Party, CPP, is fielding Mr Ayodele Olayinka while Social Democratic Party, SDP, has Mr Adekola A

Jonathan sacks Political Adviser

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(Nigeria) President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday terminated the appointment of his Special Adviser, Political, Alhaji Ahmed Gulak. This is contained in a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati. The statement said the President thanked Gulak for his services to the administration and wished him success in his future endeavours. It said a replacement for Gulak would be announced in due course.

Chibok women protest in Abuja, urge action to rescue kidnapped girls

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(Nigeria) Some women of Chibok, Borno State, on Tuesday marched to National Assembly, urging the Federal Government to intensify efforts to rescue the remaining 230 female students  abducted two weeks ago. It will be recalled that 273 girls were abducted from Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno, by suspected Boko Haram insurgents on April 14. The number, 43 girls had so far escaped from the captors unharmed. However, the women, led by Mrs Naomi Mutah, said since the incident, no government official had reached the community to explain the efforts being made to rescue the girls. ``Our daughters were carried away by the insurgents like cows into the wilderness. If they are dead; we want to see their corpses. For the past two weeks that the incident occurred, nobody has talked to us; has the government thrown away the bath water with the baby?’’ Mutah said that they came to Abuja to express their dissatisfaction with the way the rescue effort of their kidnapped d

30 dead as Yemen army launches new assault on Qaeda

Suspected Al-Qaeda militants killed 18 Yemeni soldiers in separate ambushes Tuesday as the army launched a ground offensive against their remaining strongholds in the south, medical and security sources said. Twelve militants were also killed when the ambush in Shabwa province sparked a firefight, tribal sources said. Ten soldiers were also wounded and 15 captured, medics and an officer said. The ground offensive, which was launched just hours before the opening of a donors' conference in London, seeks to capitalise on Al-Qaeda losses in a blistering US-backed air offensive last week in which nearly 60 suspected militants were killed. Commanders are seeking to expel the jihadists from a series of smaller towns and hill districts in Abyan and Shabwa provinces where they retained a presence after a 2012 offensive in which the army recaptured the major towns. Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula -- a merger of the network's Yemeni and Saudi branches -- is regarded by Washi

2 remanded for alleged rape in Osogbo

(Nigeria) An Osogbo Magistrate Court, Osun State  on Tuesday remanded two persons in prison over alleged rape. The two accused persons are Bassey Effiong, 28, and James Ofem, 27,  whose addresses were not known. The magistrate, Mr Olusola Aluko, ordered that the accused persons be remanded  because of the gravity of the offence. The prosecutor, ASP Mireti Wilson, told the court that the accused committed the offence on Friday  at 11. 35 a.m.,  at the Federal Government College, Ikirun, Osun. Wilson said the accused  unlawfully had carnal knowledge of the complainant without her consent. He said the accused persons committed the two count-charge of conspiracy and rape, adding that they contravened sections  516 and 358 of the Criminal Code Cap 34 Vol.11 Laws  of Osun, 2003. The accused pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to them. The counsel to the accused, Mr Taiwo Awokunle, had prayed the court to grant his clients bail on  liberal terms. The magistrate, howev