Gaza conflict: Israel hits refugee camp, says UN

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Tank fire has killed at least 15 Palestinians sheltering at a school in a Gaza refugee camp, the UN says.

Witnesses at the UN-run Abu Hussein school, where thousands were taking refuge, said walls had been destroyed.

Israel, which has accused the militant group Hamas of using schools as bases to launch rockets, said it was investigating the reports.  At least 1,200 Palestinians and 55 Israelis have been killed since Israel launched its offensive on July 8.

Pro-Jonathan Group Warns Against Desecrating President’s Office In The Name Of Politics

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A pro-Jonathan group, the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN), has cautioned opponents of President Goodluck Jonathan against disrespecting the nation’s top office in the name of politics.

Co-ordinator of the legal department of the group, Mr Nureni Otutu, stated this in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital yesterday.
He said:  “it is only in Nigeria that an individual or group of individuals will hurl insults on the person of the President. Yes there is freedom of speech, this freedom should be exercised with decorum, decency and respect”.

Tinubu, Governors Condole With El-Rufai Over Son’s Death

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Former Lagos State Governor and national leader of All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and some governors yesterday commiserated with former Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, on the death of his son, Hamza, in an accident.

Hamza, a graduate of the University of Virginia and United World College of the Atlantic in the United States, died in a ghastly motor accident in Abuja early Tuesday morning.

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Vulture funds: Argentina hours away from bond default

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Argentina’s economy minister is expected to return to the negotiating table on Wednesday in a last-ditch attempt to prevent the country defaulting on its bonds.

Axel Kicillof’s talks with “hold-out” investors ended late on Tuesday night in New York without agreement.

They are demanding a full pay-out of $1.3bn (£766m) on the bonds they hold.

A US judge has ruled that the “hold-outs” must be paid by Wednesday night if no deal is agreed.

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National interest saved Pres. GEJ from impeachment – Senator

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A senator representing Edo North Senatorial District at the National Assembly, Domingo Obende, has said that the senate jettisoned impeachment moves against President Goodluck Jonathan in the interest of stability.

Domingo, who spoke to newsmen at his country home, Igarra in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of the Edo State, decried the use of power by the Peoples Democratic Party-controlled Federal Government to intimidate the opposition.

Libya militias seize Benghazi special forces base

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A special forces base in the Libyan city of Benghazi has been seized by militias, fighters and officials say.
The site was captured by Islamist-led militias after days of fighting in the eastern city, officials said.

Meanwhile, Italy has offered to help extinguish a huge blaze that has engulfed the biggest fuel depot in the Libyan capital, Tripoli.

Libya has been gripped by instability since the 2011 uprising, with swathes of the country controlled by militias.

‘Propagandist’, Akinwusi slams Aregbesola

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Candidate representing the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the forthcoming governorship election in Osun State, ‘Segun Akinwusi has slammed the incumbent governor of their state, Rauf Aregbesola over last Saturday's live debate that featured only the governor.

New IGP: Pres. Jonathan, Police Council Choose Suleiman Abba

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Indications emerged, yesterday, in Abuja, that President Goodluck Jonathan and the Police council made up of the 36 state governors and the Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Mike Mbama Okiro (IGP, rtd) have settled for the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 7, Mr. Suleiman Abba as the next Inspector General of Police when incumbent, Mohammed Dahiru Abubakar retires tomorrow after attaining the mandatory 35 years in service.
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BPP Helping Rivers Save Billions

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Director General of Rivers Bureau on Public Procurements, RSBPP, Mr. Franklin Nlerum, has said that the people of the state get value for money spent on projects and the provision of infrastructures, as Governor Rotimi Amaechi had made consistent and effective use of RSBPP, which has led to the state saving billions of naira.

Tank Farms To Be Moved From Apapa-Oshodi Road

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The Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro has disclosed that there were plans to relocate the tank farms along the Oshodi/Apapa expressway as a way of finding a lasting solution to the unending gridlock.

Obanikoro made this known yesterday in Lagos, during his visit to Oshodi/Apapa expressway. He also urged the Lagos State Government to provide a permanent parking bay for trucks, from where drivers could be reached.
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Guinea concert stampede takes 2 dozen souls

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At least 24 people have died in a stampede at a beach concert in Conakry, the capital of Guinea, to mark the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. The president’s office has declared a week of national mourning after what it called a “tragic drama” at a concert by the Guinean rap group Instinct Killers.

Dozens of people were injured, said police sources quoted by AFP. The concert took place on Tuesday evening on a beach in Ratoma, a northern suburb of Conakry.  The authorities were “shocked by the tragic drama caused by mass movements at a cultural event,” said a statement from the president’s office.  Hospital sources said there were 13 girls among the dead.

10-Yr-Old Boy Arrested For alleged Witchcraft In Rivers

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A 10-year-old boy said to have allegedly converted into a pet to witch-hunt a family group in Iwofe, Rumuolumeni in Obio/Akpor Local Government Section of Rivers State has been arrested by law enforcement, reports have said.

Based on a resident of the city, a cat jumped right into a room from nowhere as the occupants were wide awake. The cat was said to have transformed to a son as they were planning on how best to chase out what they thought was just a pet, he told Vanguard.

The occupants of the area had screamed to attract their neighbours who came for their aid after the cat converted into a boy.

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“Dokubo Asari Hired Us To Kill Buhari” — Arrested Suspect Confess

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We received reports Yesterday that the clearly homosexual cross-dresser suspect arrested at the site of the bomb explosion on Maj. General Buhari’s life at Kawo market in Kaduna, has said that Asari Dokubo, the Niger Delta terrorizing leader paid N1 million each to five members of the assassination squad to kill the General last week.

Dokubo-Asari faults Jonathan’s comments on Buhari

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The Leader of Niger-Delta Peoples Volunteers Force, Alhaji Mujahid Dokubo-Asari, on Tuesday slammed President Goodluck Jonathan over his comment that Nigeria would have boiled if a former Head of State Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) had died in the Kaduna blast.

He also exonerated himself from the allegation that he paid the alleged masterminds of the Kaduna blast N5m to carry out the attacks, saying people were out to tarnish his image.

While describing the President’s comment as unnecessary, he stated that placing the life of one Nigerian above the over 80 persons who died in the incident was wrong.

Doctor who treated more than 100 Ebola patients dies from the virus

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The Sierra Leonean doctor who treated more than 100 Ebola patients has also died. Dr Sheik Umar Khan (pictured above), who was hailed as a national hero for disregarding his own health and helping sick patients, died today July 29th from the disease after being diagnosed with the virus last week. He contacted the virus despite wearing protective gear when treating patients.

In an interview last month, the 39yr old doctor had expressed fears for his life because of his constant contact with Ebola patients.

"I am afraid for my life. Health workers are prone to the disease because we are the first port of call for somebody who is sickened by the disease. Even with the full protective clothingyou put on, you are at risk" He told Reuters

IG, Amosun, help us!

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I request the Inspector-General of Nigeria Police and Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State to beam searchlight on the high rate of kidnapping going on in Ijebu-Ode. I can inform that about 15 active business owners have had themselves or family members kidnapped just between the months of June and July 2014 with ransoms ranging between N2million and N10million collected from them. This is a verifiable fact within the town. Urgent actions are needed to safeguard the lives of these people before they become totally discouraged which might eventually lead to paralysis of the local economy of the town and job scarcity.

Kazeem M.A.,

Olisa Street, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State,

+23480240168.

Explosion rips through ‘busy area’ in Potiskum

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A yet-to-be-identified number of residents might have died in an explosion in a “busy area” of Potiskum, Yobe State, on Tuesday night.  Details of the bombing is still sketchy but our correspondent said many people might have been killed as the area where the explosion went off plays host to a lot of people every day.  Earlier on Monday, suspected Boko Haram members had sacked a military base in the Birni Yadi area before killing no fewer than eight people.  The terrorists reportedly blew off a bridge linking Damaturu, the state capital, through Birni Yadi with Borno and Adamawa states.

Details later…

EU Confirms New Economic Sanctions Against Moscow

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 The European Union agreed on Tuesday a new set of economic sanctions against Russia over the Ukrainian crisis, a joint communique by EU leaders said. “Today the European Union has agreed a package of significant additional restrictive measures targeting sectoral cooperation and exchanges with the Russian Federation,” a statement by the President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy and the President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso said.

“These decisions will limit access to EU capital markets for Russian State-owned financial institutions, impose an embargo on trade in arms, establish an export ban for dual use goods for military end users, and curtail Russian access to sensitive technologies particularly in the field of the oil sector,” the document said.

Northern leaders can stop Boko Haram —Senator

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The Chairman, Senate Committee on Special Duties, Senator Marcus Ikisikpo, in this interview with SUNDAY ABORISHADE, speaks about Nigeria’s security challenges, the 2015 elections and the misappropriation of ecological funds, among other issues

Hamas Armed Wing Says No To Truce Until Siege Stops

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The leader of the military wing of Hamas has said there will be no truce in Gaza unless Israel lifts its siege, in comments broadcast hours after an attempt at a 24-hour ceasefire stalled with disagreements.

In an audio statement on Tuesday, Qassam Brigades commander Mohammed Deif said the ceasefire “will not take place unless the siege is lifted and the border crossings are all open”.
The leader of the military wing of Hamas has said there will be no truce in Gaza unless Israel lifts its siege, in comments broadcast hours after an attempt at a 24-hour ceasefire stalled with disagreements.
In an audio statement on Tuesday, Qassam Brigades commander Mohammed Deif said the ceasefire “will not take place unless the siege is lifted and the border crossings are all open”.