Peter Okoye misses brother’s wedding

<script type="text/javascript"> <script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script> <script type='text/javascript'> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529"; google_ad_slot = "4870332095"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; </script> <script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'> </script> <div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div trbidi='on' style='text-align: left;' dir='ltr'><br /><div style='clear: both; text-align: center;' class='separator'><a href="http://ift.tt/1jTpAEa" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ift.tt/1jTpAEa"/> </a> </div><br /><div style='clear: both; text-align: center;' class='separator'><a href="http://ift.tt/1jTpAEk" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="162" src="http://ift.tt/1jTpAEk" width="640"/> </a> </div><br /><p>Peter was noticeably absent in the photos from his brother Jude’s wedding today. Fans have been bombarding his page with questions and he responded by posting the pic above.</p><br /><p>Remember during his own traditional wedding, Jude didn’t attend,instead,he posted a pic in the studio with Wizkid.. Hope this is not payback.?</p><br /></div><br /><p><img height="1" src="http://ift.tt/1ywm4m3" width="1"/> </p><br /></div>

Peter Okoye misses brother’s wedding

Peter was noticeably absent in the photos from his brother Jude’s wedding today. Fans have been bombarding his page with questions and h...

Read more »

Two Businessmen Abducted By Boko Haram In Borno

<script type="text/javascript"> <script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script> <script type='text/javascript'> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529"; google_ad_slot = "4870332095"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; </script> <script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'> </script> <div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><br /><p>Two Nigerian businessmen have been kidnapped by the outlawed Boko Haram sect in Gamboru, a border town with Cameroon in Borno State, Nigeria’s northeast.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>The two businessmen were taken away in two unmarked Toyota Hilux pick-ups to an unknown destination along the Nigerian border with Cameroon at 7.34pm, reports have said.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>Gamboru is a border town with Cameroon and 138 kilometres northeast of Maiduguri, the Borno state capital.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>An eyewitness who spoke on phone with journalists from Gamboru on Thursday, said “some hoodlums burst into the market square in Hilux vehicles, and told the people not to panic.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>“They subsequently went for the two businessmen who they bundled into their vehicle and sped off without killing any person at the market square and mosque,” the eyewitness said.</p><br /><br/><br />="left"><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/> </div><br /></div>

Two Businessmen Abducted By Boko Haram In Borno

Two Nigerian businessmen have been kidnapped by the outlawed Boko Haram sect in Gamboru, a border town with Cameroon in Borno State, Nigeria...

Read more »

295 people aboard crashed MH17 killed says Malaysia Airlines

<script type="text/javascript"> <script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script> <script type='text/javascript'> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529"; google_ad_slot = "4870332095"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; </script> <script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'> </script> <div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'>Malaysia Airlines said on Thursday that a passenger plane feared crashed in eastern Ukraine was carrying 295 people, amid speculation it had been shot down.<br/><br /><p><br/><br /><br/><br />"Malaysia Airlines confirms it received notification from Ukrainian ATC (air traffic control) that it had lost contact with flight MH17 at 1415 (GMT)… approximately 50 km (31 miles) from the Russia-Ukraine border," the airline said on its Twitter account.</p><br /><br/><br /><p><br/><br /><br/><br />The flag carrier, still reeling from the mysterious March 8 disappearance of flight MH370, said the aircraft was travelling from Amsterdam on an overnight flight to Kuala Lumpur with 280 passengers and 15 crew.</p><br /><br/><br /><p><br/><br /><br/><br />It had been expected in the Malaysian capital at 6:10 am on Friday (2210 GMT Thursday). It gave no further information on what might have happened to the plane.</p><br /><br/><br /><p><br/><br /><br/><br />Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak was seen arriving at Kuala Lumpur International Airport to meet with officials on the tragedy.</p><br /><br/><br /><p><br/><br /><br/><br />"I am shocked by reports that an MH plane crashed," he said earlier on his Twitter feed.<br/><br /><br/><br />"We are launching an immediate investigation."<br/><br /><br/><br />Government officials were expected to hold a press conference early Friday.</p><br /><br/><br /><p><br/><br /><br/><br />Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said the jet crashed over rebel-held eastern Ukraine and may have been shot down.</p><br /><br/><br /><p><br/><br /><br/><br />"We do not exclude that the plane was shot down and confirm that the Ukraine Armed Forces did not fire at any targets in the sky," Poroshenko said in a statement posted on the president's website.</p><br /><br/><br /><p><br/><br /><br/><br />Regional officials in Donetsk in eastern Ukraine confirmed the plane had come down near the town of Shaktarsk.</p><br /><br/><br /><p><br/><br /><br/><br />A social media site attributed to a top Ukrainian rebel commander said insurgents had shot down an army transporter at the location where the plane came down near the Russian border.<br/><br /><br/><br />The comments suggest the separatists had shot down the aircraft by mistake, believing it was a large Ukrainian army transport plane.<br/><br /><br/><br />Emergency services were rushing to the scene, a security source told Interfax-Ukraine.</p><br /><br/><br /><p><br/><br /><br/><br />The incident is a fresh body blow to the flag carrier which, along with the Malaysian government, is still struggling to provide answers to the disappearance of flight MH370.</p><br /><br/><br /><p><br/><br /><br/><br />That plane went missing with 239 passengers and crew on board and is now believed to have diverted off its flight path and crashed in the remote Indian Ocean.</p><br /><br/><br /><p><br/><br /><br/><br />No trace of the plane has yet been found.<br/><br /><br/><br />Kiev earlier accused Russia of downing a Ukrainian military plane on a mission over the east of the country, stoking tensions in the growing conflict on the edges of Europe that has claimed over 600 lives.</p><br /><br/><br /><p><br/><br /><br/><br />Malaysian Transport Minister Liow Tiong Lai, who was on a China visit, tweeted: "I'm taking the first flight back from Beijing to be on top of #MH17. Pray and hope please."</p><br /><br/><br /><p><br/><br /><br/><br />Liow took over last month in a cabinet shuffle from then-acting transport minister Hishammuddin Hussein, who gained world notoriety with his daily briefings on the MH370 saga.</p><br /><br/><br /><p><br/><br /><br/><br />Hishammuddin remains defence minister.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>AFP<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</p><br /><br/> </div><br /></div>

295 people aboard crashed MH17 killed says Malaysia Airlines

Malaysia Airlines said on Thursday that a passenger plane feared crashed in eastern Ukraine was carrying 295 people, amid speculation it had...

Read more »

Safe Schools Initiative Committee Holds Inaugural Meeting

<script type="text/javascript"> <script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script> <script type='text/javascript'> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529"; google_ad_slot = "4870332095"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; </script> <script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'> </script> <div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><br /><p>The steering committee of the ‘Safe Schools Initiative’ held its inaugural meeting today in Abuja.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who disclosed government’s resolve at the inaugural meeting of the Committee on Safe School Initiative said the think-tank was put in place following the security challenges presently confronting the country.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>The minister said when fully operational, the Safe Schools Initiative would instill more confidence in parents and erase fears by school children to go to school.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>Okonjo-Iweala, who stated that the initiative predated the kidnap of over 200 school girls in Chibok, Borno State, pointed out, however, that the incident crystallised the urgency to act.</p><br /><br/><br />="left"><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/> </div><br /></div>

Safe Schools Initiative Committee Holds Inaugural Meeting

The steering committee of the ‘Safe Schools Initiative’ held its inaugural meeting today in Abuja. Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iwe...

Read more »

Photos from Wizkid’s 24th birthday party last night

<script type="text/javascript"> <script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script> <script type='text/javascript'> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529"; google_ad_slot = "4870332095"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; </script> <script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'> </script> <div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div style='clear: both; text-align: center;' class='separator'><a href="http://ift.tt/1zLmJBE" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ift.tt/1zLmJBE"/> </a> </div><br /><p>Wizkid celebrated his 24th birthday party with friends and colleagues at Escape Nightclub in Lagos last night. See more photos after the cut…</p><br /><p><a id="more" name="more"> </a> </p><br /><div style='clear: both; text-align: center;' class='separator'><a href="http://ift.tt/1l6Beq5" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ift.tt/1l6Beq5"/> </a> </div><br /><div style='clear: both; text-align: center;' class='separator'><a href="http://ift.tt/1zLmLJN" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ift.tt/1zLmLJN"/> </a> </div><br /><div style='clear: both; text-align: center;' class='separator'><a href="http://ift.tt/1l6Beq7" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ift.tt/1l6Beq7"/> </a> </div><br /><div style='clear: both; text-align: center;' class='separator'><a href="http://ift.tt/1zLmJBG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ift.tt/1zLmJBG"/> </a> </div><br /><div style='clear: both; text-align: center;' class='separator'><a href="http://ift.tt/1l6BfKz" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ift.tt/1l6BfKz"/> </a><a href="http://ift.tt/1zLmJBI" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ift.tt/1zLmJBI"/> </a> </div><br /><div style='clear: both; text-align: center;' class='separator'><a href="http://ift.tt/1l6BfKD" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ift.tt/1l6BfKD"/> </a> </div><br /><p><script type='text/javascript' src='http://ift.tt/11vBQyT'><br /></script> </p><br /></div>

Photos from Wizkid’s 24th birthday party last night

Wizkid celebrated his 24th birthday party with friends and colleagues at Escape Nightclub in Lagos last night. See more photos after the c...

Read more »

Impeachment Saga: Buhari Blasts Jonathan

<script type="text/javascript"> <script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script> <script type='text/javascript'> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529"; google_ad_slot = "4870332095"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; </script> <script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'> </script> <div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><br/><br /><br/><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1mkz45C" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="340" src="http://ift.tt/1mkz45C" width="640"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><b>Former military Head of State and leader of opposition All Progressives Congress, APC, General Muhammadu Buhari (retd), has lambasted President Goodluck Jonathan over the gale of impeachments ostensibly masterminded by his government across the country.</b><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Buhari was reacting to the impeachment of APC Governor, Murtala Nyako of Adamawa State and the impending impeachment of another APC governor, Tanko Almakura of Nassarawa State. There are rumours also that Edo Governor, Adams Oshiomhole and his Rivers State counterpart, Rotimi Amaechi, both APC governors, would be impeached.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Buhari described the action of the ruling party as impunity and polical rascality, warning that Nigerians had defeated impunity before and they would do so again.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The former presidential candidate, posted the statement on his facebook page on Wednesday<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />According to Buhari, “what we are witnessing today, impunity and political rascality as demonstrated by the selective targeting and persecution of opposition politicians, is an attempt to subdue the will of Nigerians who have made clear their commitment to free their country from the grip of an incompetent leadership that is bent on severing the ties of nationhood and ruining whatever progress we have made as a country.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“These actions portray a government that has run out of ideas, resorting to arbitrariness and executive criminality in order to silence dissent. Nigeria has been through this road before. This is a replay of the selective persecution using instruments of federal might in an attempt by previous regimes to perpetuate themselves in power.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Buhari further stated that “these regimes are now history, subdued by the collective struggle of the Nigerian masses. It is only a matter of time before this administration joins its predecessors in the garbage bin of history.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“Nigerians have defeated impunity before, and they have not relented in their determination to stamp it out in the future. The primary role of government is to fulfill its constitutional obligations to the citizenry and not go on a witch-hunting spree against the opposition and whoever dares to expose its lies and deceptions.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Meanwhile, the Police Command in Nasarawa State on Wednesday beefed up security in major towns following youths protest over the House of Assembly’s notice of impeachment served on Governor Tanko Almakura.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The command’s spokesman, ASP Ismaila Numan, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that some youths in Lafia, Mararaba and Keffi came out to protest over the notice of impeachment on Almakura.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Numan, however, said the police dispersed them before it could get out of control in all the affected towns.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />He said no life or property was lost and that policemen had been deployed to strategic locations to forestall any breach of the peach.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“We have also intensified patrol across the nooks and crannies of the state to ensure the security of lives and property,” Numan said.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />He assured members of the public of adequate protection, and urged them to go about their normal business without fear of molestation.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />NAN reports that some youths took to the streets in Lafia on Wednesday morning chanting solidarity slogans in support of Al-Makura.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The youths set bonfires in strategic areas, including Emir Palace Road, Doma Road, Keffi-Mararaba Road, and had attempted to block the federal highway before the police intervened.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />NAN reports that the youths carried placards with various inscriptions.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The protest also resulted in heavy gridlock on Keffi-Abuja Road with youths calling on the state legislators to rescind their action.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />NAN recalls that the Assembly had on Monday directed that Almakura be served with notice of impeachment for alleged gross misconduct.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The Nasawara State legislators are expected to serve the governor the impeachment notice through alternate service Thursday.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The national Chairman of APC, Chief Odigie Oyegun, said Wednesday at a press conference in Abuja that it was wrong for the lawmakers in Adamawa State House of Assembly to impeach Nyako for the perceived sins he committed five years ago while he was still in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />He also denounced the witch-hunting of the opposition by the President Jonathan administration.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

Impeachment Saga: Buhari Blasts Jonathan

Former military Head of State and leader of opposition All Progressives Congress, APC, General Muhammadu Buhari (retd), has lambasted Pres...

Read more »

6 Months Maternity Leave For Female Civil Servants

<script type="text/javascript"> <script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script> <script type='text/javascript'> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529"; google_ad_slot = "4870332095"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; </script> <script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'> </script> <div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1mkz19Z" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="http://ift.tt/1mkz19Z" width="640"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State has approved six months maternity leave for female public servants who just gave birth to new born babies.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The six months maternity leave shall be for the first two babies to be delivered by any female civil servant, while on giving birth to the third baby, the maternity leave would be reduced to three months.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />At a news conference on Thursday at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa, Lagos, Southwest Nigeria, the Head of Service, Josephine Williams, said the government has approved 24 weeks maternity leave with full pay in the case of a nursing mother’s first two deliveries, saying that the said leave shall commence at least two weeks before the expected delivery date.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />She added that a male officer to whom a new baby (or babies in case of multiple births) is born shall be entitled to 10 working days paternity leave in relation to and at the time of his spouse’s first two deliveries.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“Any third and subsequent deliveries by any employee shall only attract 12 weeks maternity leave for female officers, while the male officer shall not be entitled to paternity leave in that circumstance.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“In other words, leave entitlement in respect of the third and subsequent children of an employee shall be in line with the extant (now old) maternity leave regulations. It would be recalled that in the old dispensation, female officers were entitled to only 12 weeks maternity leave at every point of delivery, while male officers do not enjoy paternity leave. The 12 weeks were to be taken six weeks before and six weeks after delivery,” she said.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />According to Williams, the new leave gesture by government was further informed by the fact that nursing mothers leave their children in the hands of carers at such tender age of six weeks and that one could not imagine the level of concentration to expect from such an employee at her desk.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“However, at six months, a baby is considered strong enough to be left in a decent crèche for proper care having gone through close affection and nurturing by the mother for those very important and delicate first few months of his or her life,” she stated.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“While it is hoped that nursing parent-employees in Lagos State Public Service would utilise this privilege to devote fuller attention to their children, thereby promoting emotional bonding between parent and children when it matters the most, all public officers are again enjoined to remain dedicated and productive in their various beats and schedules,” she added.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Williams said the new policy took effect immediately, saying government is appealing to other employers of labour to take a cue from this lofty policy in order to advance a balanced family-work life.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

6 Months Maternity Leave For Female Civil Servants

Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State has approved six months maternity leave for female public servants who just gave birth to new bo...

Read more »

Ozil uses World Cup winnings to pay for surgery of 23 ill Brazilian children

<script type="text/javascript"> <script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script> <script type='text/javascript'> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529"; google_ad_slot = "4870332095"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; </script> <script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'> </script> <div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1oMyHSZ" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://ift.tt/1oMyHSZ" width="640"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><b><br/> </b> <b>Arsenal star, Mesut Ozil has donated his World Cup winnings to pay for the surgery of 23 seriously ill children in Brazil.</b><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Ozil agreed to pay for 11 youngsters' treatment before the tournament began but has since pledged to support 12 more children, in line with the number of players in the victorious German squad.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The Arsenal midfielder, who played a key role as Joachim Low's men defeated Argentina 1-0 in the final, says the gesture is his way of thanking the Brazilian general public.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“Prior to the World Cup, I supported the surgery of 11 sick children,” he posted on his official Facebook page.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“Since the victory in the World Cup is not only due to 11 players but to our whole team, I will now raise the number to 23.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“This is my personal thank you for the hospitality of the people of Brazil.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Each member of Germany's squad received €300,000 [£240,000] for defeating Argentina at the Maracana and Ozil's donation is part of the BigShoe project – whose goal is to help underprivileged children with medical needs.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

Ozil uses World Cup winnings to pay for surgery of 23 ill Brazilian children

Arsenal star, Mesut Ozil has donated his World Cup winnings to pay for the surgery of 23 seriously ill children in Brazil. Ozil agreed t...

Read more »

Chibok Schoolgirls: Ezekwesili blasts F.G on #BringBackOurGirls

<script type="text/javascript"> <script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script> <script type='text/javascript'> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529"; google_ad_slot = "4870332095"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; </script> <script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'> </script> <div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1zMAUX9" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="218" src="http://ift.tt/1zMAUX9" width="640"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />A former Minister of Education, Obiageli Ezekwesili, on Thursday, condemned the Goodluck Jonathan administration’s attempt to smear the image of the #BringBackOurGirls campaign through a foreign Public Relations firm, Levick.<br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Ms. Ezekwesili in a tweet through her Twitter handle, @obyezeks, said it was hateful for the presidency to hire the PR firm to help government tag Nigerian citizens as terrorists.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“It’s to SUCH HATE? That our Presidency deployed our public resources to hire US firm @LEVICK to label INNOCENT CITIZENS “terrorists”??” she tweeted.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The former minister said she doubted it when she first learnt that the PR firm was helping the Federal Government spread lies that the #BringBackOurGirls group was a franchise until the spokesperson for the State Security Services, Marilyn Ogar, said so.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The federal government paid the PR firm owned by Richard Levick $1.2 million (N195 million) to help manage what many consider government’s inept handling of the abduction of over 200 schoolgirls by the Boko Haram terrorist group.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />According to The Hill, an American newspaper specialised in covering the American congress, the contract was awarded to help change “international and local media narrative” surrounding government’s efforts to rescue the girls.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Details contained in the contract document obtained by The Hill showed that the firm would also be “assisting the government’s efforts to mobilise international support in fighting Boko Haram as part of the greater war on terror”.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The firm also promised to assist the government in effecting “real change” in Nigeria.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Mr. Levick was expected to work with Jared Genser, a human rights attorney, who has also worked for notable personalities such as South African Nobel Peace Prize winner, Desmond Tutu; and Burmese pro-democracy advocate, Aung Suu Kyi.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The team would publicise the “President Goodluck Jonathan Administration’s past, present and future priority to foster transparency, democracy and the rule of law throughout Nigeria.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />According to the contract, Levick would be paid $75,000 (about N11.6 million) per month for its effort plus extra cost for advertisements, video production and website development. This would be done through an unnamed state-owned media agency.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The company would get an additional fee of $22,500 (N3.48million) if an associate of the company travelled to Nigeria.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />An associate of Mr. Genser’s company, Perseus Strategies, would get $25,000 (N3.87million) per month as retainer.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Ms. Ezekwesili, however, advised Mr. Jonathan to take actions that would rebuild citizen’s trust rather than engage in such frivolous spending.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“My FREE image laundering advice to our Presidency is to take actions that would rebuild citizens TRUST. ACT to #BringBackOurGirls CONCRETELY,” she tweeted.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

Chibok Schoolgirls: Ezekwesili blasts F.G on #BringBackOurGirls

A former Minister of Education, Obiageli Ezekwesili, on Thursday, condemned the Goodluck Jonathan administration’s attempt to smear the im...

Read more »

Gunmen kill Tunisian soldiers near Algeria

<script type="text/javascript"> <script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script> <script type='text/javascript'> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529"; google_ad_slot = "4870332095"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; </script> <script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'> </script> <div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1p01l5Y" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="206" src="http://ift.tt/1p01l5Y" width="400"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />At least 14 Tunisian soldiers have been reported killed and 20 wounded after gunmen attacked military checkpoints near the Algerian border, where the army has been conducting an operation to flush out armed groups, the ministry of defence told Al Jazeera.<br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The fighters, one of whom was reported killed, were armed with rocket-propelled grenades and rifles and attacked the checkpoints in the Mount Chaambi area.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Since April, thousands of Tunisian troops have been deployed to the area, where a small group of fighters have been holed up, some since the French military operation drove al-Qaeda-affiliated fighters out of Mali last year.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“They attacked military checkpoints in Mount Chaambi, there are dead and wounded in this attack with RPGs and rifles,” Rachid Hawela, a defence ministry spokesman told the Reuters news agency.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The attacks came nearly one year after Tunisian soldiers were ambushed in the same region of Mount Chaambi.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Eight soldiers were killed in the attack on July 29 last year which happened several days after the assassination of opposition politician Mohamed Brahmi in Tunis, causing a political crisis in the north African country.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Tunisian security officials say the numbers of fighters in the mountains are only in the dozens, but the government has struggled to comabt the threat.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Last month al-Qaeda in the Islamic Mahgreb, for the first time, claimed responsibility for recent attacks in Tunisia, including an assault in May on the home of the interior minister that left four security guards dead.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />(AlJazeera)<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

Gunmen kill Tunisian soldiers near Algeria

At least 14 Tunisian soldiers have been reported killed and 20 wounded after gunmen attacked military checkpoints near the Algerian border...

Read more »

Ebola death toll doubles in West Africa

<script type="text/javascript"> <script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script> <script type='text/javascript'> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529"; google_ad_slot = "4870332095"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; </script> <script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'> </script> <div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1zMuYxx" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://ift.tt/1zMuYxx" width="640"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><b><br/> </b> <b>High numbers of new Ebola cases and deaths in Africa are prompting increased efforts to contain the deadly outbreak.</b><br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />As of July 12, the cumulative number of Ebola virus cases in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone was at 964, including 603 deaths. The death toll has almost doubled in a month's time; reported deaths in the three countries in mid-June was 350.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />A coordination center is being established in Conakry, Guinea, where the World Health Organization is sending epidemiologists, communications experts and other support staff. Trained volunteers are also helping officials find possible cases and isolate infected individuals.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The Ebola outbreak in Guinea was first reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in March. By the end of the month, UNICEF said at least 59 out of 80 people who contracted Ebola there had died. In April, the outbreak spread to Conakry, Guinea's capital, and to neighboring countries Liberia and Sierra Leone.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Ebola typically kills 90% of those infected with the virus, but the death rate in this outbreak has dropped to roughly 60% thanks to early treatment.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Officials believe that the Ebola outbreak has taken such a strong hold in West Africa due to the proximity of the jungle --where the virus originated -- to Conakry, which has a population of 2 million. Since symptoms don't immediately appear, the virus can easily spread as people travel around the region. Once the virus takes hold, many die in an average of 10 days as the blood fails to clot and hemorrhaging occurs.<br/><br /><br/><br /><b><br/> </b> <b>What you need to know about Ebola</b><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The disease isn't contagious until symptoms appear. Symptoms include fever, headache and fatigue. At that point, the Ebola virus is spread via bodily fluids.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The CDC says this particular outbreak is challenging to contain due to weak healthcare infrastructures and community mistrust and resistance in the affected countries. It is the first time a major outbreak of the virus has been seen in West Africa, which aids in the confusion and fear over the current situation, the WHO said on its website.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />(CNN)<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

Ebola death toll doubles in West Africa

High numbers of new Ebola cases and deaths in Africa are prompting increased efforts to contain the deadly outbreak. As of July 12, the...

Read more »

Meeting with Chibok parents: Jonathan embarrassed Nigeria – APC

<script type="text/javascript"> <script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script> <script type='text/javascript'> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529"; google_ad_slot = "4870332095"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; </script> <script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'> </script> <div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1oZYHgK" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" src="http://ift.tt/1oZYHgK" width="400"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The All Progressives Congress (APC) has described as a compound embarrassment the fact that it took 17-year-old girl-child education campaigner, Pakistani Malala Yousafzai, to visit and convince President Goodluck Jonathan to agree to a meeting with representatives of the parents of the kidnapped school girls.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />”President Jonathan, who has already embarrassed himself and the entire people of Nigeria by his inexplicable failure to visit Chibok since the girls were abducted over 90 days ago, has compounded the embarrassment and insulted Nigerians by waiting for Malala to goad him to meet with the girls’ parents, not in Chibok but in Abuja,” the party said in a statement in Lagos, Thursday, by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />It said after the meeting failed, because the parents were not properly informed and invited, a shameless presidency turned around to blame the opposition and the patriotic and selfless Nigerians who have been campaigning daily, under the #Bringbackourgirls group.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />”Fortunately, and to the eternal discomfiture of the presidency, the Chibok community has said the decision not to meet with President Jonathan in Abuja was theirs and theirs alone, and that they took that decision because their sole reason for coming to Abuja was to meet with Malala, and not the President who did not invite them anyway.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />”With this explanation, one would have expected a presidency that has regard for the truth to immediately retract its earlier panic statement, which it issued to save face after what was nothing but a PR gimmick blew up in their face, and apologize to the opposition and the #Bringbackourgirls group that were unjustly pilloried by them.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />”Instead, the presidency has persisted in its distortion of the truth, for which they have now become infamous, even as a new date has been agreed for the meeting. This is unfortunate, condemnable and irresponsible,” APC said. ”If indeed, as the presidency claimed earlier, that the opposition was behind the earlier refusal by the parents and escaped girls not to see the President, what has then happened to make them change their minds? Has the opposition now asked them to meet with the President?”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The party alerted Nigerians that the reason President Jonathan, whose wife bullied and harangued the girls’ parents on the grounds that they were lying and that no girl was missing, agreed to meet with the parents is so that he could use the meeting as a photo-op, after Malala pushed for it and the President’s US-based image laundering firm acceded to it.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />”Mr. President, your frantic effort to meet with the Chibok parents now is too little too late, and no amount of photo-op will change that. If your handlers had been sincere, Mr. President, they would have told you that the best venue of the meeting is Chibok, not Abuja where your people tried, but failed, to waylay the parents who came for a meeting with Malala.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />”Mr. President, you have ceaselessly compared yourself to the great leaders of our time, including US President Barack Obama. But do you think Obama would have refused to visit the parents of these abducted school girls if the abduction had occurred in the US? Do you think Obama, as Commander-in-Chief, would have refused to visit his troops in the front line of the anti-terror fight as you have done?<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><table align='center' cellpadding='0' cellspacing='0' class='tr-caption-container' style='margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;'><br /><tbody><br /><tr><br /><td style='text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1mQBoX2" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="280" src="http://ift.tt/1mQBoX2" width="640"/> </a> </td><br /></tr><br /><tr><br /><td class='tr-caption' style='text-align: center;'>Malala pictured with families of the kidnapped school girls in Chibok, Nigeria</td><br /></tr><br /></tbody><br /></table><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />”Do you think, Mr. President, that a band of rogue elements like Boko Haram would have restricted Obama’s movement within his own country as they have done to you? No true and caring President will ever fail to visit the sites of disasters and offer solace to his compatriots,” it said.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />APC reminded President Jonathan that neither in Nigeria’s culture nor in any other culture are those hit by tragedy invited to be offered solace, adding that the practice is to visit those to be offered solace ‘in situ’.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The party reiterated its earlier call on the President to shake off his lethargy and bring the abducted school girls home safely, instead of playing politics with the lives of over 200 human beings.<br/><br /><br/><br />- See more at: http://ift.tt/1oZYIBn<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

Meeting with Chibok parents: Jonathan embarrassed Nigeria – APC

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has described as a compound embarrassment the fact that it took 17-year-old girl-child education campa...

Read more »

Sultan of Sokoto begs Boko Haram to embrace peace

<script type="text/javascript"> <script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script> <script type='text/javascript'> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529"; google_ad_slot = "4870332095"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; </script> <script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'> </script> <div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1nOc0Bs" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="http://ift.tt/1nOc0Bs" width="640"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><b>Sultan of Sokoto and President General of the Jama’atu Nasril Islam, JNI, Alhaji. Sa’ad Abubakar III, has pleaded with Boko Haram and other terrorist groups in the country to cease hostilities in the country and embrace peace.</b><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Abubakar also urged Muslims in the country to make the best use of the last 10 days of the Ramadan to seek for the night of power. This was contained in statement signed by the Secretary General of JNI, Dr. Khalid Aliyu Abubakar in Kaduna yesterday.<br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The statement read, ‘’The Sultan of Sokoto has called on Nigerian Muslims to mark the significance of the last 10 days of Ramadan by maximally reciting more of the Qur’an; being punctual in observing the daily obligatory prayers- the Tarawih and Tahajjud in congregation<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“They are also implored to intensify their generosities in giving alms to the poor, the needy, the orphans and the handicapped in the society, especially to families living from hand to mouth.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“More importantly, they should watch out for Laylatul Qadr (the Night of Power) which often comes up on one of the five exceptional nights within the last ten nights of Ramadan- the five nights.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“As always, we urge the Muslim faithful to intensify prayers for the Ummah against all manners of upheavals; particularly special prayers (Al-Qunuut) for the people of Borno State, the entire North East and the nation at large, should be offered, as they are being massacred with seeming impunity almost every day.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />’’The Sultan wishes all Muslim faithful Allah’s pardon in the sacred days and after, and urges them to pray fervently for Allah’s acceptance of their Ramadan Fast.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />’’The Sultan then called on all those who had taken up arms against the state to rescind their decision and become peaceful during the Ramadan and after.’<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

Sultan of Sokoto begs Boko Haram to embrace peace

Sultan of Sokoto and President General of the Jama’atu Nasril Islam, JNI, Alhaji. Sa’ad Abubakar III, has pleaded with Boko Haram and othe...

Read more »

Staff members rape six-year-old girl in India school

<script type="text/javascript"> <script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script> <script type='text/javascript'> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529"; google_ad_slot = "4870332095"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; </script> <script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'> </script> <div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1oZYIkN" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://ift.tt/1oZYIkN" width="640"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><b><br/> </b> <b>A six-year-old schoolgirl has been allegedly raped by two staff members at a prominent school in the southern Indian city of Bangalore, police say.</b><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The child was assaulted on 2 July, but her parents discovered it only a few days ago after she complained of stomach ache and was taken to hospital.<br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Meanwhile, hundreds of parents have protested outside the school, pulling down its gates and shouting slogans.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Police have registered a case, but they are yet to make any arrests.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The BBC’s Andrew North in Delhi says it’s the latest in a series of sexual assault cases that have made headlines in India.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The new Prime Minister Narendra Modi has promised a zero tolerance approach on crimes against women, but violence and discrimination against women in remain deeply entrenched in society.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The girl was allegedly raped by a security guard and a gym teacher, but as there are multiple guards and gym instructors in the school, police say they are trying to identify the guilty, BBC Hindi’s Imran Qureshi reports from Bangalore.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />As news of the child’s rape became public, hundreds of parents gathered outside the school, protesting against the alleged insensitivity of the school management, our correspondent adds.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“They have handled it very shoddily,” said Vivek Sharma, parent of a boy studying in the school.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />On Thursday, school chairman Rustom Kerawala addressed a meeting of the parents where he offered his “sincere apologies” and promised “full cooperation” with the police in investigation.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Scrutiny of sexual violence in India has grown since the 2012 gang rape and murder of a student on a Delhi bus.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The brutal crime led to a massive outrage in the country and forced the government to introduce tougher anti-rape laws, including the death penalty in rare cases.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />But the law has failed to act as a deterrence as is borne out by the statistics – according to the National Crime Records Bureau for 2013, one rape was reported every 21 minutes in the country.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />BBC<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

Staff members rape six-year-old girl in India school

A six-year-old schoolgirl has been allegedly raped by two staff members at a prominent school in the southern Indian city of Bangalore, ...

Read more »

Israel army foils Gaza militants ‘infiltration’

<script type="text/javascript"> <script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script> <script type='text/javascript'> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529"; google_ad_slot = "4870332095"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; </script> <script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'> </script> <div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1nAdxGw" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ift.tt/1nAdxGw"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The Israeli army said it foiled an “infiltration” into southern Israel by Gaza militants on Thursday, shortly before a humanitarian ceasefire with Hamas took effect.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“This morning our forces successfully foiled a terror attack,” army spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Peter Lerner told journalists in a telephone briefing.<br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Thirteen militants emerged from a tunnel under the southern Gaza border, and were headed towards Sufa kibbutz, a small community just over a kilometre (mile) away, when they were spotted, Lerner said.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Israel forces killed at least one of the militants in an air raid, he said, leaving the rest scurrying back towards the tunnel.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />There were no details of any other deaths or injuries, and there were no casualties on the Israeli side, Lerner said.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Hamas’s armed wing, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, claimed in a statement that it was behind the “operation”.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />But it denied any of its members had been killed in an air strike, instead saying they had completed their “mission” at 4:00 am (0100 GMT) before retreating back to the tunnel.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />It did not elaborate on the aim of the mission.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />AP<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

Israel army foils Gaza militants ‘infiltration’

The Israeli army said it foiled an “infiltration” into southern Israel by Gaza militants on Thursday, shortly before a humanitarian ceasef...

Read more »

US actress jailed 18 years for posting poisoned letters

<script type="text/javascript"> <script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script> <script type='text/javascript'> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529"; google_ad_slot = "4870332095"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; </script> <script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'> </script> <div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1jBegvS" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://ift.tt/1jBegvS" width="320"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />An actress who posted ricin-laced letters to US President Barack Obama and New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg has been given an 18-year prison term.<br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Shannon Richardson, 36, from Texas, had accused her estranged husband Nathaniel of sending the three poisoned letters in an apparent attempt to frame him.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“I never intended for anybody to be hurt,” she told the court.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />She pleaded guilty in December to the charge of possessing and producing a biological toxin.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />A federal judge gave her the maximum sentence under that plea deal and ordered her to pay restitution of about $367,000 (£214,000).<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Richardson, a mother of six, has played small roles in The Vampire Diaries and The Walking Dead, according to IMDB.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Prosecutors say that after ordering the ingredients online, she made the ricin and then posted three letters before going to police and claiming her estranged husband was to blame.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />According to a federal indictment, one letter to Mr Obama read, exactly as she wrote it: “What’s in this letter is nothing compared to what ive got in store for you mr president.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Another letter received by Mr Bloomberg, a gun control advocate, contained a threat to “shoot in the face” anyone who came for the sender’s guns.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />A third ricin-laced letter was opened by Mark Glaze, director of Mayors Against Illegal Guns, a gun control advocacy group founded by Mr Bloomberg.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />In asking the judge for leniency on Wednesday, Richardson apologised and said: “I’m not a bad person. I don’t have it in me to hurt anyone.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />She asked for “mercy and compassion” and said she’d already been punished by being parted from her six children.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />BBC<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

US actress jailed 18 years for posting poisoned letters

An actress who posted ricin-laced letters to US President Barack Obama and New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg has been given an 18-year pris...

Read more »

EU moves to abolish death penalty in Nigeria

<script type="text/javascript"> <script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script> <script type='text/javascript'> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529"; google_ad_slot = "4870332095"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; </script> <script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'> </script> <div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1neuo7u" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="202" src="http://ift.tt/1neuo7u" width="400"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><b><br/> </b> <b>The European Union, EU, yesterday, urged Nigeria to explore other alternatives to death penalty, saying it had commenced moves to secure the release of 88 inmates sentenced to death by different courts across the federation.</b><br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The EU, which made the call at the official release of a report on cases of death penalty in Nigeria from since 2011 by an international human right body, Avocats Sans Frontieres France, ASFF, also known as Lawyers Without Borders, said it had, through the Saving Lives, SALI, project, succeeded in securing freedom for 35 inmates facing the death penalty.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The Head, Political Governance and Democracy Section of the EU delegation to Nigeria and to the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, Mr. Alan Munday, insisted that the death penalty ought to have been abolished in the country, “especially in view of the imperfect legal system in existence.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“Under the SALI project, the enforcement of certain rights has been brought to the fore.<br/><br /><br/><br />“The case of Maimuna Abdulmumini, accused of murder when she was 13 years old and sentenced to death while nursing an infant emphasises this.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“Her case highlighted the rights of minors under both regional and international laws and secured a victory through the judgment awarding damages as given by the ECOWAS Court of Justice.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

EU moves to abolish death penalty in Nigeria

The European Union, EU, yesterday, urged Nigeria to explore other alternatives to death penalty, saying it had commenced moves to secure...

Read more »

Real Madrid complete Toni Kroos deal

<script type="text/javascript"> <script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script> <script type='text/javascript'> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529"; google_ad_slot = "4870332095"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; </script> <script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'> </script> <div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1neuV9y" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="http://ift.tt/1neuV9y" width="400"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><b><br/> </b> <b>Bayern Munich have announced that Toni Kroos has completed his transfer to Real Madrid for an undisclosed fee.</b><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The attacking midfielder had long been linked with a move to the Champions League holders and he has now signed a contract with Madrid until the summer of 2020.<br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />"We would like to thank Toni for his time at Bayern Munich," said Bayern chief Karl-Heinz Rummenigge on the deal.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />"We enjoyed some great successes together. We wish him and his family all the best in Madrid and at Real."<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Bayern were initially keen to hold on to the 24-year-old, yet they put him up for sale after failing to reach an agreement over a contract renewal.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Manchester United also showed an interest in signing the Germany international, but Kroos eventually opted against a move to the Premier League giants in favour of Madrid.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Kroos, who played a key role in Germany's World Cup win this summer, will be presented to the media and fans on the honorary balcony at the Santiago Bernabeu at 17:00CET on Thursday.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The midfielder came through the ranks of the Hansa Rostock youth academy, but joined Bayern at the age of 16. He made over 170 official appearances for Bayern since breaking into the first team in September 2007.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />He also enjoyed a successful loan spell at Bayer Leverkusen from January 2009 until the summer of 2010.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />(Goal.com)<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

Real Madrid complete Toni Kroos deal

Bayern Munich have announced that Toni Kroos has completed his transfer to Real Madrid for an undisclosed fee. The attacking midfielder ...

Read more »

NEW FIFA RANKING: Nigeria move up 10 places after World Cup performance

<script type="text/javascript"> <script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script> <script type='text/javascript'> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529"; google_ad_slot = "4870332095"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; </script> <script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'> </script> <div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1l7yiJI" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="284" src="http://ift.tt/1l7yiJI" width="640"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><b><span style='font-size: large;'><br/> </span> </b> <b><span style='font-size: large;'>Nigeria rose up ten spots to 34th place in the Fifa rankings released on Thursday, courtesy of the Super Eagles' second round finish at the World Cup in Brazil.</span> </b><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The Eagles are now the third-ranked African side behind Algeria and Cote d'Ivoire who finished in the 24th and 25th positions.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />World champions Germany (1) climbed to the top of the pile after defeating Argentina (2) in the showpiece final on July 13. The South Americans are now in second place.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The Netherlands who won bronze at the World Cup rose twelve places to finish 3rd on the rankings as Colombia were also rewarded with a 4th position.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Belgium (5) and Uruguay (6) follow but hosts Brazil dropped four places to finish 7th after a disastrous end to their campaign saw them concede 10 times in two matches.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Former world champions Spain fell from first place to 8th spot as they crashed out in the group stage. Switzerland dropped three places to finish 9th while France climbed up seven places to the 10th spot.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />England dropped ten places to finish in 20th place after their first round elimination.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />In Africa, Ghana dropped one place to finish in 38th place and fifth in Africa with Egypt holding onto the 36th spot and fourth in the region.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Cameroon moved up three places to 53rd depsite losing all three matches at the World Cup. They are now the eighth highest-ranked African side behind Tunisia (42) and Guinea (51) while Burkina Faso (58) and Mali (60) round up the top ten.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

NEW FIFA RANKING: Nigeria move up 10 places after World Cup performance

Nigeria rose up ten spots to 34th place in the Fifa rankings released on Thursday, courtesy of the Super Eagles' second round finis...

Read more »

Terrorists having upper hand – Danjuma

<script type="text/javascript"> <script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script> <script type='text/javascript'> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529"; google_ad_slot = "4870332095"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; </script> <script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'> </script> <div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1mjfW84" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="184" src="http://ift.tt/1mjfW84" width="320"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Former Defence Minister, Lt General Theophilus Danjuma (Rtd.), yesterday, lamented that insurgents appear to be having an upper hand in the country at the moment and tasked President Goodluck Jonathan to bring the insurgency to an end.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />President Jonathan, on his part, is seeking approval of the National Assembly for a $1billion loan to enable him fight terrorism, saying that the days of terrorists are numbered.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Both President Jonathan and General Danjuma spoke in Abuja at the inauguration of the Presidential Committee on Victims Support Fund. The fund is for victims of the Boko Haram insurgency. The committee is headed by General Danjuma.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />In his speech, Danjuma, who told the President jokingly that members of the committee would be willing to go to Sambisa Forest if the President, as Commander-in-Chief leads, challenged government to bring the insurgency to an end.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“But seriously, this war must be brought to an end. We must win this war immediately; it is taking too long. I called it civil war when it began and people say it is insurgency. The insurgents appear to be having an upper hand at this very moment. They pick and choose where to strike; they are even holding positions and displacing us. We must win this war, Mr. President, we must do so immediately”, he said.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />General Danjuma promised that his committee “will raise the funds, and we will disburse it. I promise you we will do so diligently and transparently but we must win this war, Mr. President. May God bless our country”.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />President Jonathan, who spoke earlier said: “The menace of terrorism has emerged as one of the most complex and challenging problems confronting governments in different parts of the world. Terrorists aim to cause social dislocation, spread fear and panic among the populace and disrupt government activities. But they never win. They have not won in the Middle East, in the USA, in China, in Colombia, in Italy, in the United Kingdom, in Kenya, etc. They will not win in Nigeria, and, with the support of all Nigerians, we would ensure they do not win in Nigeria. Good must prevail over evil,” he said.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

Terrorists having upper hand – Danjuma

Former Defence Minister, Lt General Theophilus Danjuma (Rtd.), yesterday, lamented that insurgents appear to be having an upper hand in th...

Read more »