It is Decision day in EKiti

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Fayemi, Fayose in battle royal
. Police deploy 12,000; IGP vows to deal with trouble makers
. 8433 INEC staff for poll
After weeks of intense campaign that occasionally turned murky, thousands of voters will today troop out across Ekiti State to elect a governor among the 18 candidates jostling for the position.
Determined to make the Ekiti governorship election one of the best, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has deployed a total of 8,433 staff to conduct the election.
About 12,000 policemen are providing security for the election while hundreds of soldiers have also been deployed to ensure that the election is hitch free.
In practical terms, today’s contest is expected to be a straight fight between two candidates – incumbent governor Kayode Fayemi of the All Progressives Congress and Ayodele Fayose of the Peoples Democratic Party.

Dreams fall apart: Story of Nigerian ex-bank manager dying in US hospital

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Inside the intensive Care Unit of Wake Medical Center in Raleigh, North Carolina, seven thousand miles from her country home, Ebere Ukwu sleeps, eyes open; kept alive by the hospital’s life support machine. Her fate is hanging between faith and modern medicine. Her life didn’t have to come to this painful circle. She was an ambitious dreamer that wanted to explore her young world and excel. The ICU room wasn’t supposed to be her final destination. But early spring of 2013, her exciting life of adventure suddenly collapsed during a visit to the Emergency Room for minor aches, pain and high body temperature.

Australia offers asylum-seekers $10k to return home: report

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Australia is offering asylum-seekers in its Pacific immigration camps up to $10,000 (US$9,400) if they voluntarily return to their home country, a report said Saturday, prompting outrage from refugee campaigners.
Fairfax Media reported that those returning to Lebanon from detention centres on Papua New Guinea’s Manus Island and the tiny Pacific state of Nauru were offered the highest amount of $10,000.
Iranians and Sudanese were given $7,000 if they dropped bids for refugee status, Afghans $4,000 and those from Pakistan, Nepal and Myanmar $3,300, the report in The Sydney Morning Herald said.

Blame Jonathan if military aborts democracy –Balarabe

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• Nigerians must protect civil rule –Oyegun • Presidency denies repression against APC
Former Governor of Kaduna State, Alhaji Balarabe Musa, on Friday expressed deep concern over the involvement of the military in the conduct of elections in the country, warning that President Goodluck Jonathan, as the Commander in Chief of Arm Forces, should be held responsible if the democratic rule is truncated by soldiers.

He spoke on the heels of the reported ambush of some All Progressives Congress (APC) governors by military men on their way to the campaign rally of Governor Kayode Fayemi on Thursday in Ekiti State.

Our Findings May Threaten National Security

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The presidential fact-finding committee on the abduction of the schoolgirls in Chibok, Borno State yesterday submitted its report to President Goodluck Jonathan with an advice that the findings be kept secret as they had the potential of threatening national security as well as jeorpadising rescue efforts.

The committee also confirmed that the actual number of the school girls abducted in Chibok, Borno State was 276, out of which 119 were still missing, explaining that out of the 276 girls abducted on April 14, about 57 later escaped and had since been reunited with their families.

God Told me to share the Adam's Apple to my Church members - Enugu Pastor impregnates congregants (Pic)

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Timothy Ngwu(in yellow)and two of his concubines
The Police in Enugu State have arrested one Timothy Ngwu, the General Overseer of Vineyard Ministry of the Holy Trinity, located at Ihe/Owerre, Nsukka in Enugu State.Before his arrest on Friday, the self acclaimed Pastor, who said he was obeying God’s command, has put no less than 20 members of his church in a family way.

Update on the handsome guy whose mugshot caused a storm online

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More details has emerged on the 30 year old felon whose mugshot won the hearts of thousands of women around the world after it was posted on Facebook. He is gorgeous but behind those ice-blue eyes is a much less attractive story of gangs, grand theft and forgery. UK Daily Mail reports below... 

Jeremy Meeks' handsome photograph made social media swoon when the Stockton Police Department shared it on its Facebook page on Wednesday - sparking thousands of shares, 'likes', memes and very suggestive propositions.

But the married 30-year-old dad, who was arrested on five weapons charges and one gang charge when cops allegedly found a pistol in his trunk, has a much less desirable rap sheet, it has emerged.

For a decade, he has been in and out of courtrooms in California and Washington for crimes including resisting arrest, faking his identity and grand theft, for which he served two years.Continue...

Italy to repatriate several dozen prisoners

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The Italian Ambassador to Nigeria, Fulvius Rusticu, yesterday June 19th revealed plans by the Italian Government to repatriate 700 Nigerian prisoners currently serving jail amount of time in Italian prisons. While  addressing pressmen in Abuja, Fulvius said Italian and Nigerian Govt officials were in talks for a Transfer Agreement (PTA) and would meet first week in July in Rome to conclude negotiations. He explained bringing the prisoner closer home is in the interest of the prisoners 

"Each country is responsible for its prisons; the logic in signing a PTA is that we think that it is better for Nigerians and even Italians to serve their terms at home. Already to be in prisons is not a nice experience, being abroad is even worse, so given the prisoner the chance to return home is in their own interest. It is very rare for a prisoner to want to stay in a foreign country, we have cases of Italians serving in prisons abroad and they look forward, and are happy to return home,” he said

No fewer than 15,316 Nigerians are in various prisons abroad with the largest No. of 752 in the UK.

Notorious terrorist shot dead by military along Jos-Bauchi Rd

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A notorious terrorist and gang leader simply known as Mallam Husaini was shot dead today June 20th along the Jos-Bauch highway by the Nigerian military after his gang engaged soldiers in a shoot out after attacking a military convoy that was on an operational patrol between Jos and Bauchi.

In a press statement released today by the Defence Headquarters, Mallam Husaini had led a series of attacks on security personnel and led the attack on the Police Special Anti-Robbery Squad HQ in Abuja in Nov. 2012 and also led the attack on a military convoy moving from Lokoja to Kaduna where two soldiers were killed in January 2013.

After the shoot out, the military recovered the Ford bus used by the terrorists to operate, 8 Primed Improvised Explosive Devices, rifles, pistols and about 70 rounds of ammunition. See more photos after the break...*viewer discretion advised*

LASU management announces resumption of academic activities in The school.

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The management of the Lagos State University, LASU, has announced the resumption of academic activities in the school. The institution re-opens June 23rd after it absolutely was power down following weeks of students'protest over upsurge in school fees. The institution fees have since been reduced.

Below is a statement released by the school's spokesperson, Kayode Sutton...

"Sequel to the Lagos State government’s agreement to the reduction of the Lagos State University School Fees by 34% to 60% across different faculties, the university management has come up with the precise amount to be paid by students in all departments and faculties. In a swift compliance to this agreement, the Governing Council of the University has approved new school fees which now ranges between N76,250.00 for a final year student in the Arts Department (49.3% reduction), and N158, 250.00 for a 200 level Engineering and Medical (Direct entry) student.

No agreement achieved on main nuclear issues yet - Iran's FM

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Iran and world powers are yet to find common ground on the main issues in nuclear talks aimed at reaching a comprehensive agreement, Tehran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said Friday, AFP reports. 


His remarks, broadcast live on state television, came after five days of negotiations in Vienna that seek to transform an interim deal into a lasting accord to resolve a decade-long stand-off over Iran's nuclear ambitions.

Uganda dismisses US sanctions for anti-gay laws

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Uganda's government Friday said US sanctions slapped on the country for tough anti-gay laws would have little impact and rejected rights groups' reports that the legislation had led to a rise in assaults.

"Ugandans know they are moving away from donor dependency," government spokesman Ofwono Opondo told AFP Friday.

"We cannot compel the Americans to give us their money. Ugandans must be ready and we are rightly doing so, paying our bills. We need to be frugal."

UN places blame on Ukraine's gov't for war crimes

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The United Nations Human Rights monitoring commission has published a report on the Ukrainian issue. The report might stir Kiev, the US and the EU up, if only the West still respects the UN. The report says that the Ukrainian government violates human rights and the international conventions in the Federal State of Novorossiya, which is southeastern Ukraine.

The violations include detentions, kidnapping, tortures and killing of people, including women and children.

US does not need UN mandate for Iraq military action - UN chief, Ban Ki-moon

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The US would not need the approval of the UN Security Council for military operations in Iraq if it acts on a request by the Baghdad government, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has said.

The US "will have to decide whether they intervene in the conflict with ground troops or other military means, and whether they will coordinate such a course of action with the regional power of Iran," Ban told the Swiss daily, Neue Zuercher Zeitung.

EC, Ukraine discuss conditions for upcoming Association Agreement as fight continues in the eastern Part of the country.

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The European Commission is assessing legal consequences of Crimea’s secession from Ukraine and offers economic, trade and financial restrictions on Crimea with immediate effect, according to a draft roadmap of the EU-Ukraine association deal released on Friday. In compensation, the EU offers Ukraine the most favored-nation treatment in trade, the creation of a free trade zone with a positive effect of €500 million a year from the removal of trade barriers and Ukraine’s participation in the European Neighborhood and Partnership Instrument (ENPI) program with a seven-year budget of €12 billion.

Ukrainian President Petr Poroshenko said on Thursday he would sign the economic part of the Association Agreement with the European Union on June 27.

Iraq's top Shiite cleric says Jihadists must be expelled from country now

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Iraq's top Shiite cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani said Friday that Sunni jihadists who have overrun swathes of territory must be expelled from the country before it is too late.

If the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant is not "fought and expelled from Iraq, everyone will regret it tomorrow, when regret has no meaning," his spokesman announced on his behalf.

Donetsk militia gathers evidence of phosphorous bombs use by Ukrainian military

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The self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic is planning to carry out tests to prove that the Ukrainian government forces used prohibited weapons in Semyonovka.

"The video evidence of phosphorous bombs being used in Semyonovka is not a signal either to Europe, or America, or international organizations. Nothing convinces them, so we had to take soil from Semyonovka and bring it to Donetsk where it is currently being tested," DPR Supreme Council Chairman Denis Pushilin told a press conference in Moscow on Friday.

He said the test results will show whether chemical weapons were used.

33 gov'ts help NSA to monitor internet data worldwide

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Huge volumes of private emails, phone calls, and internet chats are being intercepted by the National Security Agency with the secret cooperation of more foreign governments than previously known, according to newly disclosed documents from whistleblower Edward Snowden.

Using the codename RAMPART-A, the NSA would work with these third-party countries to attempt to intercept as much of the world’s online communications as possible, says the Danish privacy news website Dagbladet Information.

Just in: Footballer, Yaya Toure’s Younger Brother Dies At 28

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Ibrahim Toure, younger brother of Yaya and Kolo Toure, has died suddenly at the age of just 28. Ibrahim Toure was also a professional footballer, playing as a striker for clubs including Egypt’s Misr El-Maqasah and Lebanese side Al Safa.

Both Yaya and Kolo are currently in Brazil with the Ivory Coast national team, who have taken three points from their opening two games at the World Cup.
Continue...

6 Men Arrested In India Yesterday For Smuggling Heroin

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Yesterday, Wednesday 18th June 2014, the Punjab police arrested six Nigerian men in Delhi, India. It is said to be a major breakthrough in Delhi’s drive against drug trafficking.

According to The Hindustan Times, the men whose names include Sydney Obinna, Uzochekwu Clement, Alogsis Ezechinelu, Mike, Victor and Peter, were caught by a joint team of the State Special Operations Cell (SSOC) from Mohali and Patiala.

The news outlet reports that the men had been obtaining heroin smuggled from Pakistan, through Punjab and J&K borders.
Continue..

Former Customs Officer And Her Daughter Killed by Fraudsters in Lagos

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A suspected fraudster, Alhaji Olatunji Azeez, has allegedly killed a 64-year old retired customs officer, Angela Uzo Kery and her adopted 10-year-old daughter, Obiagulum after selling the victim’s landed properties.
Azeez was arrested with two alleged accomplices by the police at Oko Oba Division under Area ‘G’ Command, Lagos State, southwest Nigeria, after the missing victims was traced to him during investigation.

"Beat Bosnia" -- Okonji-Iweala Begs Eagles

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Nigeria’s Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has charged the Super Eagles of Nigeria to beat Bosnia in their next round of game in the ongoing World Cup tournament in Brazil.

According to the Minister, Nigeria could still make it even after the draw with Iran Monday.

Video: Unidentified Woman found Dead on the Street In Benin

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Unidentified Woman Found Dead In ezoti street, Benin, edo state
A middle aged woman was found lying dead along Ezoti Street in Benin City, Edo State. The unidentified woman's death caused disruption in the area as security agencies gathered to spot the cause of her death before taking her to the mortuary.
Watch the video(Link) after the break.

Impeachment: I'm not bothered by Plot to remove me - Nyako

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Nineteen out of 25 members of the Adamawa State House of Assembly yesterday endorsed a move to impeach Governor Murtala Nyako and his deputy Barrister Bala James Ngilari.

This is the first time in this political dispensation that a state assembly, will serve an impeachment notice on a governor and his deputy in line with section 188 of the1999 Constitution (amended).
The latest move followed weeks of intense altercation between the executive and legislative arms of government which led to the invitation and even arrest of some commissioners who failed to honour the House’s invitation to answer charges of financial recklessness levelled against them.
But Nyako who spoke through his spokesman Mallam Ahmad Sajoh stated that he is not bothered about the move of the lawmakers to remove him.
Continue..

16yr old kidnapped, beaten and left for dead in a shopping trolley by Paris vigilantes

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These are the shocking pics of a Roma teenager who was beaten and left for dead in a supermarket trolley. Vigilantes kidnapped the 16-year-old boy, known only as Darius, from the camp he shares with his family near the northern commuter town of Pierrefitte-sur-Seine on the outskirts of Paris.

The thugs rang the youngster's mother demanding a €12,000 ransom for the safe return of her son. The figure was later reduced to €4,000, but when it was not paid, the gang battered Darius before dumping him in a shopping trolley before leaving it on the roadside....

Gov. Amaechi Arrested, Detained By Soldiers In Ondo – Rivers Govt.

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The Rivers State Government has issued a statement saying the state Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, has been arrested and detained by security operatives in Odudu, Ondo state.
Governor Amaechi had arrived Ondo state en-route Ado-Ekiti where he was to join his fellow APC Governor, Kayode Fayemi for the last lap of his re-election campaign today in when he was refused entry into the state. He decided to turn back to Ondo state to go board the private jet that brought him but was however arrested by security agents.

Fast rising singer Cynthomania aka Ada Owerri dies.

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According to her management, Cynthia, who was getting ready to drop her 1st album, died yesterday June 18th after a brief illness. They didn't give any further details. She was in her 20s. Too sad! May her soul rest in peace...
Ase.. 

PDP Accuses APC of Diverting Lagos Funds for Ekiti Election

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• State ruling party denies allegation
Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State and his predecessor and national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Bola Tinubu, have been alleged of siphoning funds meant for the local government areas in the state to finance this weekend re-election bid of Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State.

The Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Taofiq Gani, who said his party had a grapevine information to buttress the claim in a statement yesterday, alleged that the chairmen of the 57 councils in the state were compelled to contribute N25 million each from their May, federal allocation or source it from the banks to support Fayemi.

Chime Begins Annual Vacation, Jets off to the states.

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• Fail to indicate who takes charge in his absence
The vacation, according to a statement from Commissioner for Information, Chuks Ugwoke, commenced from June 18.
The statement, which was issued after the weekly state executive council meeting chaired by the governor however did not state how long the vacation will last.

Ekiti Poll: Police IG Restricts Movement in & Out Of The State

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In a bid to ensure maximum security, ensure proper coordination of security operations and organise a hitch-free election, devoid of electoral fraud in Ekiti State, Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, has restricted movement in Ekiti state.

Abubakar has also deployed an Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Bala M Nasarawa and five Commissioners of Police to supervise security arrangements. CP Ikechukwu Aduba will function as CP in charge of Ekiti State for the period of the election. The other Commissioners of Police are Danladi Y. Mshelbwala (Ekiti-North), Mohammed Ibrahim (Ekiti-Central) and Augustine Eubakhabokum (Ekiti-South).
Continue...

Our Governors Barred from travelling to Ekiti, Says APC

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• Alleges detention of Gov. Amaechi's convoy
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has cried out that its Governors were being prevented by security agencies apparently acting
on ''orders from above'' from going to Ado-Ekiti for the party's final campaign on Friday for the Ekiti State Governorship election.
In a statement issued on Thursday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said at least three

I'm out of government - OBJ

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Former President of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo Thursday said, he is out of government for good. He stated this at the 2nd World Sickle Cell Day event themed 'Improving blood safety in Developing nations' organised by the Olusegun Obasanjo Foundation at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos. In his words, he said, "I am out of government for good. I am happy to be out of government. The Olusegun Obasanjo Foundation is charity based in London UK, established to improve human security for all in Africa.
Source: Daily Times

Coup d’ etat rumours unfounded – CDS

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The Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, has refuted rumors of a possible coup d'etat by the military, stating that the rumour was unfounded.

ACM Badeh stated this on Tuesday June 18th while receiving the Director General of the National Orientation Agency , Dr Mike Omeiri in his office. He explained the Military would always work to protect the democracy of Nigeria and not destroy it.

"Rumours in some quarters of a possible coup d’état in the country are unfounded. Why should anyone be thinking in the negative fashion? Tell them we will not do it. Those spreading rumours of coups must be living elsewhere and not in Nigeria. The Armed Forces are defenders of democracy. We are an arm of democracy, so how can an arm of democracy work against the democracy that we are part of?” he said

OAU shut down following days of students' protest over school fees

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 Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, has been closed down indefinitely following days of students'protest over increase in their school fees that was the introduced in May.

The college administration this afternoon released a record announcing an indefinite shutdown of the institution and ordered students to vacate its premises by Thursday afternoon, citing'persistent disruption of normal activities and peace on campus consequently of violent demonstrations by students, led by the Student Union Executive'as their reason behind turning off the school. 

Continue..

Drumless Supporters Club

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The Nigeria Football Supporters Club were by world football governing FIFA stripped off their fanfare during the game between Nigeria and Iran decided at the Arena Da Baixada.
FIFA in collaboration with hosts Brazil before the game ordered that the Nigerian supporters must not be allowed to enter the stadium with their drums. It was gathered the move was purely for security reasons since the drums were sealed round without anyone knowing the content of what might be hidden inside.

Nigerian Family Gives up New Home In Belfast, UK after racist protest

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A Nigerian man whose home was subjected this week to a racist protest in Belfast said the incident was "like a flashback" to an attempted racial assault on him three years earlier.  Michael Abiona has been forced to give up the house he was allocated in the Knocknagoney area of East Belfast after racists turned up on his doorstep on Tuesday.  Five people including a woman held up banners with the slogans "Houses 4 Local People" and "We need Homes 2" on them.

Coach Stephen Keshi To Nigerians: I'm not God

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Nigerians dreaming about the likely defeat of Bosnia Herzegovina in Saturday’s 2014 Brazil World Cup game against the Super Eagles in Cuiaba should do so with plenty of caution.
Eagles chief coach Stephen Keshi stunned his audience at the post-match conference in Curitiba on Monday night when he stated categorically that he couldn’t guarantee anyone his team’s ability to beat their Bosnian counterparts insisting that: ”I’m not God to tell you with all conviction that the Super Eagles will beat Bosnia on Saturday.”

Video Post: Unidentified Woman found Dead on the Street In Benin

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King Felipe VI takes Spanish crown

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King Felipe VI took the Spanish crown Thursday, setting the stage for celebrations in the flag-festooned capital a day after his father quit the throne with tears in his eyes.

Felipe, 46, legally became king at the stroke of midnight (22:00 GMT) as an act of parliament signed by his father came into force, formalising the end of 76-year-old Juan Carlos' 39-year reign - reports AFP.

Naija commercial S3x hawker, Girl, Stabbed Army Officer To Death For Refusal To Pay ‘Extra round’

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Fear has gripped commercial s3x workers in Bayelsa State after one of them allegedly stabbed a soldier attached to the Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Pulo Shield to death for refusing to pay for a daybreak s3x romp.

The soldier whose name has been kept under wraps was reportedly stabbed twice in his stomach by his s3x partner from Edo State identified simply as Bini girl.
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Israel responds to attacks: war jets strike Gaza

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Israeli war jets carried out several airstrikes early Thursday, targeting training facilities that belong to the Islamic Hamas movement in northern Gaza Strip and Gaza city, security officials said. Officials in Gaza said several explosions damaged northern and central Gaza Strip as well as eastern and western Gaza city. Israeli jets hovered over the coastal enclave before carrying out the strikes, reports DPA.

Why Nigeria Could Not Defeat Iran – Keshi Opens up

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The Super Eagles Coach, Stephen Keshi has revealed why the team, yesterday, June 17 ended up with a goalless draw with Iran in their first match at the on-going FIFA World Cup in Brazil. 
Stephen Keshi told FIFA.COM that he blamed their performance on lack of inspiration.
He said: 

"We played very well in the first half. The forwards were very active and they had a couple of chances to score, though we couldn't put them away. We lost our shape in the second half," he said. "I felt we could have won the game but we were lacking a bit of inspiration on the pitch."

2 women bags 5 months each for slapping a police man in Abuja

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An Upper Area court in Zuba, FCT, on Wednesday sentenced two women – Binta Mamman, 35, and Safiya Aliyu, 19, both of Deidei, Abuja, to five months imprisonment for slapping a police man.

The women had also been charged with using abusive language and public nuisance.

Malam Aminu Sa’ad, the presiding judge, handed down the sentence after the women pleaded guilty to the three-count charge of criminal force and assault, use of abusive language and public nuisance.

Sa’ad ruled that on the first count of criminal force and assault, the convicts shall serve a jail term of one month each without an option of fine. 
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More than 20 unknown poems by Nobel laureate Pablo Neruda found in archives

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Researchers have found more than 20 previously unknown poems of the world famous Chilean poet Pablo Neruda. Experts plan to publish them in late 2014 - early 2015, reports TV channel Telesur. Specialists from "Pablo Neruda Foundation" discovered it, during their research through the writer's archives. Poems, some of which are written by hand, and some - typed, were found in one of the boxes that belonged to the writer.

American fighters begin reconnaissance flights over Iraq

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American F-18 fighter from the aircraft carrier "George Herbert Walker Bush" in the Persian Gulf began to fly reconnaissance missions over Iraq. This was reported on Wednesday TV "Fox News." According to its sources in the Pentagon, one of the goals of these flights is to demonstrate US commitment to decisive action on the situation in Iraq.

"It is not that important to see something, but to be seen," said the representative of the US military. He stressed that the F-18 are exactly fighter planes.