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Showing posts from August, 2015

Amaechi didn’t follow due process in Hotel Olympia sale ----Witness

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(Nigeria) Former Accountant General of Rivers State, Mr Ngozi  Abu and the Director, Ministry of Finance Incorporated limited, MOFI, Mrs Abiye Tobin-West on Monday, said they were not aware of details of Hotel Olympia concessioned by former Governor Rotimi Amaechi.

Donbas special status removed from constitution -----Poroshenko

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(Ukraine) Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said on Monday that any provisions which could give eastern regions a special status had been removed from the country’s constitution.

Kanye West to run for US presidency in 2020

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(US) Kanye West announced he was running for president in 2020 during the MTV Video Music Awards.

ISIS burns four Iraqi Shia prisoners chained upside down

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(Middle East) ISIS have burnt to death four Iraqi men by chaining them upside down and setting fire to a trail of petrol that engulfed them in flames.

Buhari swears-in SGF, NSA, SA Media

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(Nigeria) President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday in Abuja administered the oath of office and oath of allegiance to Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Babachir Lawal.

Amaechi left over N10bn for Wike ---- Aide

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Former Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State, has challenged his successor, Governor Nyesom Wike to publish the statements of government accounts with Skye Bank, FAAC, Zenith Bank and Access Bank, insisting that about N7.5billion cash was left as balance in the state Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, as at May 29, 2015, alongside money in other accounts totaling over N10bn.

Kidnap of Dornu Kogbara underscores breakdown of security ---- APC

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(Nigeria) The All Progressives Congress, APC, Rivers State chapter, has said that it was in great pains following the abduction of renowned essayist /columnist, Ms Dornu Kogbara last Sunday in Port Harcourt by gunmen.

Amaechi’s snubbing probe commission, an admission of guilt ----PDP

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(Nigeria) The Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has said that former Governor Rotimi Amaechi’s refusal to honour the invitation extended to him over allegations of monumental frauds and acts of illegality committed by him while in office was born out of fear and guilty conscience.

Ukrainian drafts kids to military camp

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(Ukraine) More than 100 Ukrainian schoolchildren will have unusual tales to tell their mates when classes resume, after spending part of their summer vacations undergoing training by the National Guard. 

Oshiomhole backs Buhari’s appointments so far

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(Nigeria) Mr Adams Oshiomhole, governor of Edo State has called on Nigerians to encourage President Muhammadu Buhari to confront the problems facing the country by appointing persons into positions based on merit and not ethnicity.

Dozens injured in grenade explosion outside Ukraine parliament

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A grenade exploded outside Ukraine's parliament Monday during a protest as legislators voted in favour of a draft law to give special status to the eastern regions that are locked in a conflict between the Ukrainian military and separatists.

Thousands of young women to dance for Swazi king

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(Swaziland) Thousands of young women were Monday preparing to sing and dance in honour of Africa's last absolute monarch, King Mswati III of Swaziland, located between South Africa and Mozambique.

Police raid Oscar Pistorius' prison cell

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(South Africa) Oscar Pistorius had his cell searched in a dawn raid by prison officers suspicious of his friendship with an underworld figure.

ISIS destroys parts of Syrian temple of Bel

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(Middle East) The Islamic State extremist group has demolished parts of the temple of Bel, the largest monumental complex in the ancient city of Palmyra, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights has said.

Putin pumping iron in the gym

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(Europe) From horse riding to hunting, Vladimir Putin has long portrayed himself as Russia's action-man president and this morning was no different as he was pictured enthusiastically working out with prime minister Dmitry Medvedev in his gym in Sochi.

Boko Haram kills 58 in Borno village

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(Nigeria) No fewer than 68 people were killed while several others were injured when members of Boko Haram terrorists group invaded Baanu  Village in Nganzai Local Government Area of Borno State, weekend.

Flood destroys N100m farm produce in Sokoto

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(Nigeria) Farm produce worth over N100 million were destroyed by flood in 27 villages in Wurno Local Government Area of Sokoto State, the Chairnan of the council, Alhaji Shehu Chacho, has said. Chacho disclosed this to newsmen in Wurno on Sunday.

DSS arrests 20 Boko Haram commanders, members

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(Nigeria) The Department of State Services, DSS, said it had arrested 20 more suspected Boko Haram commanders and members in Lagos, Kano, Plateau, Enugu and Gombe states between July 8 and August 25.

Kiri Dam submerge 7 communities in Adamawa

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(Nigeria) Seven communities were on Sunday flooded in Demsa and Numan Local Government Areas of Adamawa State, following heavy flow of water from Kiri dam in the state.

Auto crash on Ogbomoso-Oyo road claims 7 lives

(Nigeria) Seven people lost their lives on Sunday when a commercial bus and an articulated vehicle ran into each other on the Ogbomoso-Oyo Road, Oyo state.

Mikel Obi has son, daughter from different women

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Chelsea footballer John Obi Mikel has a secret son and daughter by two different women living in the UK, it has been claimed today.

Iran jails 2 for spying for US, Israel

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Iranian official IRNA news agency, has said that two people have been sentenced to 10 years in prison after being convicted of spying for the United States and Israel.

Buhari working to steady Nigeria ----- Alex Ideh

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(Nigeria) All Progressive Congress, APC, chieftain, Dr. Alex Ideh, has urged Nigerians to be patient with President Muhammadu Buhari, who he said is working hard to steady the ship of the Nigerian state.

Saraki leads delegation to UN conference of parliamentary heads

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(Nigeria) Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Saraki,  will on Monday, lead the Nigerian delegation to participate in the 4th Unite Nations Conference of Parliamentary Heads holding at the organisation's headquarters in New York, United States.

35 killed in Saudi coalition air raid on Yemeni factory

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(Middle East) Some 35 workers were killed in a Saudi-led coalition air strike Sunday on a factory in a northern Yemeni town, medical officials said.

N-Delta leaders slam Bayelsa APC factional chairman

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(Nigeria) Niger Delta leaders on Sunday warned former factional chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Bayelsa State, Richard Kpodo against provocative statements, reminding the people of the state to be careful of those working for the interest of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Tinubu urges Sylva to contest Bayelsa guber poll

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(Nigeria) Former governor of Lagos State and All Progressives Congress, APC, National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has called on Chief Timipre Sylva to contest the December 5, 2015 Governorship election in Bayelsa State.

Audu emerges Kogi’s APC governorship candidate

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(Nigeria) A former governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Abubakar Audu, on Sunday emerged the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the governorship election slated for November 21.

Poroshenko vows to rebuild Donetsk

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Ukraine’s Presiden, Petro Poroshenko congratulated Donetsk residents with Donetsk City Day on Sunday and vowed to restore the buildings and infrastructure destroyed by the Ukrainian army’s shelling.

Police repels pirates attack on passenger boat in Bayelsa

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(Nigeria) The Bayelsa State Police Command on Sunday said its Marine Division in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state had repelled an attack by sea pirates on a passenger boat in the area.

PDP mess must be cleared for Nigerians to enjoy better life ----APC

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(Nigeria) The All Progressives Congress, APC, has listed new instances of the insane looting of the treasury by some officials of the Goodluck Jonathan administration, saying that the corruption mess that characterized the administration was so pervasive that until it is cleaned, Nigeria will not be able to actualize its potentials.

US court sanctions NSA phone tapping

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A United States appeals court in Washington ruled in favour of the government in a case challenging the National Security Agency's collection of millions of phone records. The US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia reversed a decision by a lower court that found the programme was likely illegal and sent the matter back to the lower court for reconsideration, reports dpa . US President Barack Obama signed into law reforms to the programme earlier this year, but legal challenges continue to make their way through the courts because the changes are not due to take effect until November 29. The court's finding means the NSA can continue to collect the phone records until the changes go into effect. The reforms - the most far-reaching of US surveillance programmes since fugitive whistleblower Edward Snowden exposed widespread spying on telephone and internet records - curtail some of the powers granted to the NSA in the wake of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks

38 girls to dance for king of Swazilan die in auto crash

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Dozens of girls on their way to dance in honour of the king of Swaziland are dead after a road accident, local media and monitoring groups reported Saturday. The Swaziland Solidarity Network, a human rights group, put the death toll at 38, repoets dpa. The girls and young women had been riding to the annual Umhlanga Reed dance on the bed of a lorry when it was involved in a crash Friday on a highway between the cities of Mbabane and Manzini. The group reported another 20 girls were seriously injured. The annual dance sees young women and girls perform for the king in a ceremony that sometimes ends with the polygamous monarch taking a new wife. Thousands of performers are expected at the event on Monday. King Mswati III, 47, Africa's last absolute monarch, has between 13 and 15 wives, according to different reports. Further details on the accident were difficult to obtain because of censorship in the country's media of news the royal house finds objectionable. Independent me

Egyptian court jails 3 Al Jazeera journalists 3yrs each

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An Egyptian court on Saturday jailed a trio of Al Jazeera journalists for three years each on charges of broadcasting false news and working without permits in the retrial of a case that has highlighted the country's crackdown on the media. The judgement, handed down after the initial seven-year sentences against the three were overturned on appeal, drew rapid condemnation from rights groups, reports dpa . The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists said, "Abuse of the law ... has made Egypt one of the riskiest countries in the world to be a journalist." Judge Hassan Farid said Peter Greste, Mohammed Fahmy and Baher Mohammed broadcast false news and operated without permits or licenses. Farid asserted that the three men were not in fact journalists because they were not registered with the Egyptian Journalists Syndicate or the Information Ministry, which issues permits to foreign journalists. He did not mention prosecution claims that the defendants had colla

Putin, Merkel, Hollande discuss Ukraine conflict

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Russian president Vladimir Putin during a telephone conversation with German chancellor Angela Merkel and French president Francois Hollande has discussed the crisis situation in southeastern Ukraine and the progress in the implementation of the minsk agreements, taking into account the meetings of the contact group and its working subgroups that took place in Minsk on August 26 and 27, the Kremlin press service said on Saturday. "Angela Merkel and Francois Hollande informed [Putin] about the results of their recent meeting with the president of Ukraine in Berlin. Vladimir Putin expressed concern about the continuing artillery bombardments of populated localities in Donbass by the Ukrainian military, the build-up of the Ukrainian Armed Forces along the line of demarcation," the press service said, reports Tass . "The three leaders emphasized the need to establish a direct dialogue between Kiev and representatives of Donetsk and Lugansk and of lifting the financial and

U.S VP condemns militia threat to seize more Ukraine territory

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Vice President Joe Biden is criticizing pro-Russian separatists in Ukraine for threatening to take more territory and hold their own elections. Biden spoke to Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko (por-oh-SHEHN'-koh) by phone Friday, reports AP . The White House says Biden offered United States support for steps Poroshenko is taking to decentralize power and fulfill Ukraine's obligations under a peace plan. Biden is also praising Poroshenko for reaching a deal with Ukraine's creditors to restructure its debt. The deal with international bondholders will lighten Ukraine's public debt burden in a move aimed at helping the country avoid default. The White House says Biden and Poroshenko also discussed Ukraine's upcoming local elections and says they condemned recent attacks by pro-Russian forces, including attacks on international monitors.

Ebonyi auto crash death toll hits 7

(Nigeria) The death toll from the ghastly motor accident which occurred at the Nkalagu junction of the Enugu-Abakaliki express road on Friday, has reached seven. Mr Charles Aborchi, the Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Commission in Ebonyi, spoke in Abakaliki on Saturday. He had earlier confirmed that three persons died in the crash on Friday. ``The hospital authorities informed us that the death toll has reached seven – five male and two female passengers. He had noted that officers of the command responded on receiving the news of the crash and led the evacuation of the dead and injured. ``The dead victims have been deposited at the Annunciation Hospital in Emene, Enugu, while the injured are receiving treatment at the same hospital”, he said. He advised motorist to drive carefully as reckless driving had resulted in wasteful loss of lives on the roads. ``Over speeding causes death as drivers suddenly attempt to stop the vehicles and when this fails, the result is m

Cholera claims 20 lives in Bauchi

(Nigeria) Twenty persons have died of cholera in the Shira Local Government Area of Bauchi State. In a statement by the Information Officer of the council, Malam Danlami Baza, in Bauchi on Saturday, said that 200 persons were admitted in the hospital. It added that the Acting Chairman of the conluncil, Alhaji Usman Mashema, called on the public to come out for treatment as soon as they noticed any sign of cholera. The statement appealed to the Federal and State Governments as well as donor agencies to come to the aid of those affected. It added that the affected communities included Bakul, Dunmagari and Gallari, among others.

7 kiled in Kaduna Airforce helicopter crash

(Nigeria) A Nigerian Air Force helicopter crashed into Ribadu Cantonment (Old NDA), killing seven people on board at 6.45 a.m. on Saturday. Alhaji Musa Ilallah, the North West Zonal Coordinator, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), confirmed the crash in Kaduna. ``We received a report that there was a helicopter crash at the old NDA. ``We immediately reached out to the Red Cross, Civil Defense Corps, and the Kaduna State Fire Service, among others, and went for rescue. Meanwhile, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, has set up a panel to investigate circumstances surrounding the crash of Nigerian Air Force, NABF, Dornier-228 aircraft with call sign NAF030. In a statement issued in Abuja on Saturday by Air Commodore Dele Alonge, the Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF Headquarters, said that the panel is headed by an Air Vice Marshal. The statement said the chief of air staff has aborted his official trip to Port Harcourt and would visit the

12 killed in India, Pakistan border clashe

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No fewer than 12 civilians were killed overnight Friday as Indian and Pakistani troops exchanged fire at several points across their tense border, defence officials in both countries said. It was the highest single-day toll since the current round of hostilities broke out between the nuclear-armed rivals in 2013, reports dpa. Eight Pakistani villagers including a woman and a child fell victim to mortars and bullets fired by Indian troops from across the border near the eastern city of Sialkot, a military statement said. Nearly 50 people, a majority of them women and children, were injured, the statement added. In separate clashes across the de factor border in the disputed region of Kashmir, four Indian civilians including a woman were killed by Pakistani artillery, an Indian security official said. Pakistan Rangers used automatic weapons and mortars to target India's Border Security Force (BSF) position from midnight, the official added, seeking anonymity. Pakistan's For

Army destroys Boko Haram arm factory in Borno

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(Nigeria) The troops of 25 Task Force Brigade, Nigerian Army, on have discovered and destroyed another Improvised Explosives Device, IED, making factory in Borno State operated by Boko Haram insurgents . In a statement by Col. Sani Usman, acting Director Army Public Relations in Abuja on Friday, stated that the factory was discovered at Miyati and Nyaleri villages in Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State . ``The troops of 25 Task Force Brigade Nigerian Army achieved an unprecedented feat today in the fight against the Boko Haram terrorists in its area of operations. ``The Brigade, during a cordon and search operation at Sandia, Kokakowa and Nyaleri villages suspected to be Boko Haram enclaves early today, discovered and destroyed the factory. ``It was situated along Maiduguri-Bulabulin-Damboa road, in Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State, Nigeria.’’ It added that three terrorists, comprising an ``Ameer’’, a high contact and a foot soldier were also arrested. Accordin

Rivers poll tribunal refuses APC’s prayer to scan election materials

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(Nigeria) The Rivers State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja on Friday, dismissed an application by All Progressives Congress, APC to scan and crop all the materials used for 2015 governorship election in the state. APC and its candidate in the April 11 governorship election, Mr Dakuku Peterside, are seeking the nullification of the election of Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State. APC and Peterside are alleging that the election was characterised by irregularities and fraudulent practices. They sought to inspect all the materials used for the election to prove allegations of falsification and allotment of votes for Wike. Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Muazu Pindiga, had on June 11 granted APC the leave to inspect the materials used in the election. But the APC had also applied for cropping and scanning of election materials before the Court of Appeal which will be sitting on Monday, August 31. According to Pindiga, the fresh application by the APC is an

IG, Arase redeploys 19 AIGs, 49 CPs

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(Nigeria) The Inspector-General of Police, Mr Solomon Arase has approved the redeployment of 19 Assistant Inspectors General of Police, AIGs and 49 Commissioners of Police. In a statement by the Deputy Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Abayomi Shogunle on Friday in Abuja, listed those redeployed to include AIG Joseph Mbu, who was posted as Commandant, Police Staff College, Jos, Adenrele Shinaba as Commandant, Nigeria Police Academy, Kano, and Patrick Dokumor AIG Force Headquarters, Abuja. The posting also affected all the 12 zonal commands of the police. The affected officers include: Tambari Mohammed; AIG zone 1 Kano, Bala Hassan; AIG zone 2 Lagos, Mohammed Abubakar; AIG zone 3 Yola, and Yahaya Ardo, AIG zone 4 Makurdi. Others were, Musa Daura; AIG zone 5 Benin, Adisa Bolanta; AIG zone 6 Calabar, Ballah Nasarawa; AIG zone 7, Abuja, Lawal Tanko; AIG zone 8 Lokoja, Usman Gwary; AIG zone 9, Umuahia. The rest were, Mohammed Gana; AIG zone 10 Sokoto, Helen Adeyemi, AIG zone 11 Osogb

Buhari directs Defence Ministry to join weapons procurement probe panel

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(Nigeria) President Muhammadu Buhari has directed that the Ministry of Defence should be included in the Committee to Investigate Weapons Procurement.

Britain to voluntarily limit UN veto — envoy

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The United Kingdom, a permanent member of the UN Security Council, backs France’s proposal to voluntarily undertake not to use the veto when urgent measures are needed to stop mass atrocity, Britain’s UN Ambassador Matthew Rycroft said.

Russia to assumes UN Security Council chairmanship, Sept 1

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Russia is taking over the United Nations Security Council chairmanship on September 1, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova told a press briefing on Thursday.

Rivers group commend EFCC probe of Amaechi

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(Nigeria) The Patriots Alliance, TPA, in Rivers State, has commended the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for initiating a probe into the N60billio sale proceeds under the former Governor Rotimi Amaechi’s administration, but urged the commission to have the court order restraining it from probing former Governor Peter Odili, set aside.

Chibok girls 500 days in captivity, women group asks Buhari to act

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(Nigeria) Women Arise for Change Initiative, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to do everything legitimately possible to ensure that the Chibok girls and every other women and children being held in Boko Haram captivity are rescued as a matter of priority, as it remembers the sad incident of the night of April 14, 2014, wherein 276 schoolgirls were abducted from their school dormitory in Chibok, Borno State.

Amaechi foisted non-performing firm on ill-fated Monorail project--- witnesses

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(Nigeria) Former Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State, has been accused of unilaterally dissolving his State Executive Council to compel commissioners to accept his choice of a non-performing company for the ill-fated Monorail project, which has gulped N33.9billion for its downgraded Phase 1A for slightly about four kilometres as against the original design of the Phase 1 which spans over 12kilometres.

Dangote inaugurates $250 m plant in Cameroon

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(Nigeria) Dangote Cement Plc, on Thursday, achieved another feat with the inauguration of $250 million- (N48.75 billion) cement grinding plant in Douala, Cameroon.

20 dead migrants found in truck in Austria

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Austrian police on Thursday discovered the decomposing bodies of at least 20 — and possibly up to 50 — migrants stacked in a truck parked on the shoulder of the main highway from Budapest to Vienna.

8 troops, woman killed in fresh fighting in Donetsk

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Ukraine and rebels on Thursday reported the death of eight people in fresh clashes that endanger nascent talks on a new truce agreement for the war-torn separatist east.

Buhari appoints SSG, Chief of Staff

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(Nigeria) President Mohammadu Buhari's has appointed a Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief of Staff and other key positions.

West grants Ukraine debt relief

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Ukraine secured an agreement with Western creditors on Thursday to restructure around 18 billion dollars of bonds, the Finance Ministry announced, while President Petro Poroshenko held talks in Brussels on the country's security and economic challenges.