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Showing posts from July 16, 2016

Pakistani model killed after offending conservatives

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Pakistani model killed by brother   Play Video 1:11 8 Pakistani fashion model Qandeel Baloch was strangled to death by her brother on July 16, according to police.  (AP) ISLAMABAD — Pakistani fashion model Qandeel Baloch, who recently stirred controversy by posting pictures of herself with a Muslim cleric on social media, was strangled to death by her brother, police said Saturday. Her parents told police one of her six brothers strangled her to death as she slept in the family’s home in Multan, police spokeswoman Nabila Ghazanfar told The Associated Press.

A less glamorous side of Olympic life: Peeing in a cup under watchful eyes

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The entrance to the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) is shown on October 17, 2003, in Colorado Springs. (Thomas Cooper/Getty Images)  Emily Infeld disappeared into a tent. She’d placed second in the 10,000 meter race at the U.S. Olympic track and field trials, earning a spot on the U.S. Olympic team. Her adrenaline was still rushing, but she knew that wasn’t what was needed at that particular moment.

U.S. and Russia have plan to quell conflict in Syria but won’t say what it is

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 The United States and Russia agreed Friday to take steps that could reduce the violence in Syria, but Secretary of State John F. Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said they will not outline what they are to prevent “spoilers” from disrupting the initiative.

Turkey quashes coup; Erdogan vows ‘heavy price’ for plotters

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Turkish citizens wave their national flags as they protest against the military coup outside Turkey’s parliament  Pouring out into the streets, forces loyal to Turkey’s president quashed a coup attempt in a night and day of explosions, air battles and gunfire. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan vowed that those responsible “will pay a heavy price for their treason” and demanded that the United States extradite the cleric he blamed for the attempted overthrow of his government.

EgyptAir crash: On-board recording discusses fire

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Image copyright AFP Image caption The flight recorders were in need of repair after being located An audio recording made on board an EgyptAir flight that crashed in the Mediterranean Sea in May discusses a fire, investigators say. An Egyptian-led team said on Saturday that the information was found on a cockpit flight recording. But the investigative committee said it was too early where or why the fire broke out.

5 NBA Free Agents with the Most to Prove During 2016-17 Season

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DeMar  DeRozan, Mike Conley, Hassan Whiteside and Andre Drummond will have to live up to their massive paydays now that they've each re-signed with their old teams. Al Horford will be tasked with carrying the Boston Celtics to the upper tier of the Eastern Conference. Even Ian Clark needs to meet the expectations of his new deal now that he's back with the Golden State Warriors for another year.

N’Golo Kante's first Words as Chelsea Player

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Chelsea new boy, N’Golo Kanté has described his move to Chelsea as a dream come true. The French international moved from Leicester City to Chelsea for a five-year contract worth £30m. Kanté, who made more tackles and interceptions than any other player in the Premier League last season, said the opportunity to work under the new Chelsea manager, Antonio Conte, was “simply too good to turn down”. “I am so happy to have signed for one of the biggest clubs in Europe. It’s a dream come true for me,” Kanté said. “The opportunity to work with Antonio Conte, a brilliant coach, and some of the best players in the world was simply too good to turn down. “My first season in English football was very special and now I hope to go on to achieve even more during my time as a Chelsea player. I am looking forward to meeting up with my new team-mates and helping the club achieve a lot of success.”

APC Govs Dare Nigerian Senators to Impeach President Buhari

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APC Governors under the Progressive Governors' Forum has dared the Nigerian Senate to begin proceedings to impeach President Muhammadu Buhari. Speaking on Saturday at the flagging off of APC's governorship campaign in Edo state, the governors said any attempt to impeach Buhari will be met with strict resistance, like the failed military coup in Turkey. APC National chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, who handed the APC flag to Godwin Obaseki and his running mate, Philip Shuaibu, said Obaseki is a hardworking and focused young man “who will make us proud after Oshiomhole”.

FG Clarifies Confusion Over 2016 UTME Admission

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The Federal Government on Saturday clarified its ban on Post-Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination and the general admission procedures, saying it “does not in any way affect the statutory role of the Senate of any University or the academic boards of any tertiary institution conducting its admissions.” The Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, stated this in a statement by the Deputy Director (Press and Public Relations) in the Ministry of Education, Mr. Ben. Bem-Goong. He said the clarification became necessary “following conflicting reports in the media over the roles of universities and the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board in admission under the new dispensation.” According to him, the role of JAMB is to conduct the UTME, compile the list of candidates whose scores meet the cut-off marks (180 and above) and send same to the Universities.

Why Ikpeazu was sacked – Court

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The Federal High Court yesterday said Justice Okon Abang ordered Abia State Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu’s sack because the judge found that he allegedly submitted false tax information to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The court said the case had nothing to do with forgery of tax documents. The court’s Chief Registrar, Emmanuel Gakko, said in a statement that there were two different cases against Ikpeazu. He said one of the cases was filed by Sir Friday Nwosu against Dr. Ikpeazu and Dr. Sampson Uche Ogah as defendants. The case was before Justice Ambrose Allagoa. In the second suit before Justice Abang, Dr. Ogah was the plaintiff while Dr. Ikpeazu and Sir Nwosu were the defendants.

Why Turkey's coup attempt matters big time for the United States

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The Turkish government appeared to be regaining control of major cities Saturday the morning after a faction of the Turkish military tried to take over the country. A failed coup in Turkey -- a longtime ally of the U.S. and member of NATO -- could have significant and wide-ranging implications for the U.S. That's particularly the case, since Turkey is one of the world's few Muslim majority democracies and it sits at a key crossroads between the West and the Middle East, with Turkey playing a critical role in the fight against ISIS in Syria, the handling of Syrian refugees and in serving as a transit point for foreign ISIS fighters. The impact was felt almost immediately as a key asset in the U.S. anti-ISIS campaign, the Incirlik Air Base in southern Turkey just 60 miles from the Syrian border, was forced to halt operations amid the uncertainty. As of Saturday morning, Turkish military authorities had closed the airspace around Incirlik, making it impossible for U.S. airstrik

Sudan's Bashir Travels to Rwanda Despite ICC Arrest Warrant

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President Omar al-Bashir of Sudan has arrived in Rwanda to attend an African Union summit despite calls for his arrest by the International Criminal Court. Rwandan Foreign Minister Louise Mushikiwabo told reporters this week that Rwanda's government would not arrest Bashir if he traveled to Kigali. She said the ICC had written to Rwanda urging its government to arrest Bashir if he travels there. Bashir is wanted by the ICC for alleged atrocities in Sudan's Darfur region. Bashir has recently traveled to other African countries, including attending the inauguration of Uganda's president in May.

Osinbajo at AU Summit, says Buhari’s priority is to address poverty, inequality in Nigeria

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Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has said that the utmost priority of President Mohammadu Buhari’s administration was to reduce poverty and address social inequalities, urging other African leaders to do so. Osinbajo who spoke at an event hosted by the President of Ghana, Mr. John Mahama on the sidelines of the African Union meeting in Kigali, Rwanda on Saturday said the resolve was in line with the tenets of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Incidentally, the event was focused on Africa and SDGs. Osinbajo who lead the Nigerian delegation to the continent-wide meeting told his audience made up by a number of presidents and several heads of delegations that whole idea of the SDGs “is really about addressing inequality and poverty.” Vice President Prof Osinbajo attends a Breakfast SDG Meeting organized by the Ghanian President John Dramani Mahama at the 27th African Union Summit, Kigali Rwanda He said that the social programmes of the government for which N500 billion had been ear

JUST IN: Obama pledges US cooperation with Turkey

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The Latest on the attempted military coup in Turkey (all times local): 9:05 p.m. President Barack Obama is pledging U.S. cooperation with the Turkish government to help maintain safety after the failed coup attempt. A portrait of Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan appears on a billboard in Tunali Hilmi Street in Ankara, Turkey, Saturday, July 16, 2016. Forces loyal to Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan quashed a coup attempt in a night of explosions, air battles and gunfire that left dozens dead Saturday. Authorities arrested thousands of people as President Recep Tayyip Erdogan vowed those responsible "will pay a heavy price for their treason." (AP Photo/Burhan Ozbilici) In a statement, the White House says Obama received a morning briefing from national security advisers about the situation in Turkey. The White House says there are no indications that any Americans were killed or injured in the violence. Obama stressed the need for the demo

Progressive Governors proffer solution for Fulani herdsmen, community crisis

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Members of the Progressives Governors Forum have urged their counterparts across the country to engage Fulani Herdsmen in their states with a view to resolving the lingering clashes between host communities and the herdsmen. The Forum gave this position shortly after inaugurating the National Governorship Campaign Council for the September 10, 2016 governorship election in Edo State. In a communique issued after its meeting at the Government House in Benin on Friday night by the Forum’s Chairman and Governor of Imo state, Owelle Rochas, the forum also appealed to Nigerians to continue to support the President Muhammadu Buhari’s led administration in the face of the challenges the nation is going through.

PSC Elevates 18 Commissioners to AIGs

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The Police Service Commission (PSC) has released names of newly promoted 18 police officers, who were promoted from the rank of Commissioners of Police to that of Assistant Generals of Police (AiG). The Commission also approved their postings with four other AIGs, 12 are to man the 12 Police Zonal Commands, while the remaining 10 will head Police special formations such as Operations, Training, Police Academy, Info-Tech, Investment, among others. This is contained in a statement by Ikechukwu Ani, Head, Press and Public Relations of the commission in Abuja on Saturday. The Commissioner of Police, Kaduna State, Ibrahim Adamu, is now AIG, Zone 1; Abdulmajid Ali, CP, Ogun State, AIG, Zone 2; and Usman Tilli, AIG in charge of Border is now AIG zone 3.

‘Economy needs urgent fix, Nigerians are hungry’

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President Muhammadu Buhari A Niger Delta group, Urhobo Monitoring and Development Group, on Saturday called on President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration to fix the country’s ailing economy from sliding into total collapse. Prince Kingsley Oberuruaria, National President of UMDG, told journalists that Nigerians are hungry noting that the economy needs proactive measure to prevent it sliding into eminent ‘recession.’ Oberuruaria stressed that there was nothing wrong for a government to wedge war against corruption but the same attention should also be accorded to the nation’s dying economy where the average Nigerian can hardly afford a meal per day at present.

PMB Impeachment: New facts emerge on Senate's move

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New facts are emerging on how some senators made an attempt to move a motion for the impeachment of President Muhammadu Buhari – The Senate is at the moment in disarray over the Buhari’s government’s decision to institute a court case against its leaders bordering on forgery – The government’s move has divided the Senate into camps The comment by the Senate’s spokesperson, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, that the red chamber did not attempt to impeach President Buhari may have been false. Abdullahi who was reacting to the All Progressives Congress (APC) stance that the purported move was a huge joke, described the reports as ”not genuine.” He went on to describe the reports as as a “piece of fabrication which is only the figment of the imagination of the writers and their sponsors.”  Times however revealed that some senators loyal to Senate President, Bukola Saraki made a move to discuss impeachment at the executive session. At least six senators who attended the session,

We Muslims must end our silence on Islamist terror

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Radicalism is a disease of the mind. You cannot see it, hear it, feel it or know it exists until it is too late, as revellers in Nice enjoying Bastille Day fireworks found out on Thursday evening. As terrorists evolve strategies to attack innocent life with evermore creative methods, the global response remains mired in advancing techno-gadgetry that no longer gets the job done.

Arms scam: Probe Dambazau, Buratai, ex-military officers tell Buhari

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President Muhammadu Buhari (left) and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (right) decorating the new chief of Army Staff , Lt. General Tukur Buratai at the decoration ceremony inside the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa, Abuja …yesterday (13-08-2015) . GODWIN OMOIGUI In a twist to President Muhammadu Buhari’s order for the probe of two former Chiefs of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika and Lt. -Gen. Kenneth Minimah, and 52 others, over arms procurement scandal, some retired military officers and other Nigerians have said that the probe should be extended to the Minister of Interior, Lt. -Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau (retd.), and the current Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai. They questioned the exclusion of Dambazau and Buratai from the list of those to be probed when the chief of army staff was the Director of Military Procurement during the period the arms scandal was alleged to have been committed.

At Dino Melaye and Andrea Leadsom: Women are more than baby production factories

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A disturbing trend on the bias and stereotype which devalues women seems to be on the rise. Culture and tradition seem to have passed a distorted view of humanity. Can we conclude that men have become more physically abusive and demanding of sexual favours because that is the only time they feel in control? Is taking control the only time men feel they are in charge? Does motherhood truly affect a woman’s view on the future? Can a woman sincerely decide to put off childbearing and marriage in pursuit of her dreams without being termed overly ambitious and selfish? Can a single woman hold a political office? Do mothers have moral superiority over childless women? How do we separate the woman, wife, mother from the business mogul?

EFCC interrogates Okupe over N162m fraud, grants him bail on health grounds

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Erstwhile Senior Special Assistant to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan on Public Affairs, Doyin Okupe, has been questioned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, over alleged fraud to the tune of N162m. The commission questioned the former spokesman over alleged N162million illicit payments to him and his companies by a former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd), and Chanchaga Local Government in Niger State. Okupe who was not detained, was given the privilege to be reporting at the commission’s office at regular interval.

Ronaldo treats himself to a brand new Bugatti for 2.5million euros to celebrate his victory

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Cristiano Ronaldo has continued his celebrations after Portugal’s Euro 2016 triumph in style by spending 2.5 million euros on a new Bugatti. Ronaldo in his new Bugatti The 31-year-old showed off his new purchase on social media and, despite not being able to enjoy it just yet, Ronaldo shared his happiness for having receive his new toy. “The animal has come,” he said. Very few units of the Bugatti in question have been produced and were only available upon request, so it’s likely Ronaldo had been waiting weeks to receive the car. The cost of the vehicle goes far beyond the sale price.

Largest phone market in Kano on fire (photos)

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The popular ‘Kasuwar Waya’ which is located around Farm Centre area of Kano state is the largest phone market in the state. Fire gutted the GSM market on Friday, July 15. According to NAN, an eyewitness said the incident happened about 5:30pm when shop owners had closed business. The eyewitness also said the inferno which destroyed phones and other valuables worth millions of Naira was said to have been caused by a spark from a converter supplying power to some of the shops, adding that no life was lost, but no fewer than 44 shops. The Kano state director of the Fire Service Alhaji Mustapha Rulwan confirmed the incident. Rulwan said a total of 44 wooden shops were destroyed by the fire. The state director said:

Not less than 37 soldiers sustain injuries in auto crash in Kano

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When contacted, the sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps in Kano state, Mr Aminu Umar confirmed the incident. Nigerian Army (REUTERS/Afolabi Sotunde) Not fewer than 37 soldiers were injured when a military truck conveying soldiers was involved in an accident along Kano- Gaya road on Friday. An eye witness told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kano on Friday that the accident happened between 8 a.m. to 9a.m. According to the witness, the military truck with registration number NA1716 BO5 was travelling to Dutse in Jigawa when the incident occurred. NAN gathered that the accident was caused by break failure. When contacted, the sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps in Kano state, Mr Aminu Umar confirmed the incident.

South Africa Can, and Must, Act to Prevent a Disaster in Zimbabwe

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South Africa's track record in Zimbabwe is not good. But with our northern neighbour's political situation deteriorating daily, and its economy on the brink of a complete collapse, we have no choice but to act. This time, our diplomats must get it right. Activists and opposition groups in Zimbabwe are rightly proud of their recent efforts to resist the repressive regime led by President Robert Mugabe. It’s not every day in Harare that thousands of ordinary citizens gather in defiance outside the city’s Magistrate’s Court, forcing a usually-pliant magistrate to uphold the law through the sheer force of their collective will. They deserve to celebrate Pastor Evan Mawarire’s release, and the huge publicity generated by the #ThisFlag campaign.

26 impressive highlights Wizkid career as he turns 26 today

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To celebrate the award winning Starboy whose international rating has  spiked tremendously, here are 26 impressive highlights of his career so far.. Nigerian pop star, Wizkid turns 26 today. Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun  popularly known as  Wizkid  turns 26 today, July 16, 2016. To celebrate the award winning Starboy whose international rating has spiked tremendously, here are 26 impressive highlights of his career so far… Wizkid was born in the Surulere part of Lagos which has inspired a lot of his lyrics. He started music at the age of 11 while understudying notable producer,  OJB Jezreel . Wizkid’s first musical effort is a 7-track mixtape in 2001. He was then known as Lil Prinz.

Kenya: Seven Family Members Among 16 Dead in Two Road Crashes

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Sixteen people died in two separate road accidents in Maai Mahiu and Salgaa on Friday night. The dead include seven members of the same family, who died in the road crash at Salgaa area on the busy Nakuru-Eldoret highway. The accident occurred at around 2:30 am and involved a personal vehicle that was heading to Kitale, a Greenline matatu and a truck-trailer from Eldoret. Rongai police boss (OCPD) Joseph Mwamburi told the Nation that the personal vehicle was trying to overtake the bus when the accident occurred. The personal vehicle was ferrying members of the same family. It attempted to overtake the bus when it collided head-on with an oncoming trailer," he said. Those who died were a father, his son and daughter, his daughter in law (sons' wife), and three grandchildren. They were all coming from a burial in Nyahururu.

How Labour faction disrupted NECA Annual General Meeting

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A faction of the Nigeria Labour Congress led by Joseph Ajaero has disrupted the Annual General Meeting of the employers group, Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association. Members of the labour faction stormed NECA’s yearly meeting carrying placards and sang solidarity songs on Friday. In conjunction with the members of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers and National Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions Employees, they used a fuel tanker and vehicles to barricade the entrance of the NECA office in Alausa, Ikeja, preventing the guests and visitors from accessing the building and holding the AGM.

Arsenal transfer news and rumours - live: Riyad Mahrez linked with Emirates move after Leicester contract 'snub'

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Riyad Mahrez in action for Leicester CREDIT: AFP Here is some more information on Arsenal's possible target, in the form of a handy breakout box: 9:29am 'No regrets' for Hayden One Arsenal player who has already completed his summer move - midfielder Isaac Hayden, who joined Newcastle in search of regular first team football - has been speaking about his frustrations at not being given more time on the field at the Emirates. “It’s s shame at Arsenal I never really got a chance to show what I was capable of, but, for me, Newcastle is a massive club,” said Hayden. “To get the opportunity to come and a chance to progress my football is huge. As soon as I got the opportunity, I took it with both hands.”

NBC and Katy Perry Partner to Create Inspiring Pre-Olympics Tribute

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The 2016 Rio Summer Olympics have seemingly all but officially arrived. And for any soon-to-be spectators who can't seem to find an anticipatory thrill for the upcoming games, Katy Perry and NBC have created the ultimate remedy.

Dwyane Wade finally signs with Bulls

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Nine days after receiving the verbal commitment that shocked the NBA and four days after taking their free-agent prize to dinner in Chicago, the Bulls made it official Friday night when they announced the signing of Dwyane Wade. "We are thrilled that Dwyane has decided to come to Chicago," general manager Gar Forman said of the 12-time All-Star in a statement. "

FIFA recommends four-year ban for ex-official Makudi

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In a statement, FIFA’s Ethics Committee also recommended a ban for no less than four years and a fine of no less than 25,000 Swiss francs (25,400 Euros). FIFA has recommended their former council member, Worawi Makudi, be banned from footballing activities for four years, the association confirmed on Friday.

Rio: Olympic team to remain in Atlanta with or without govt support

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The Olympic soccer team preparing for the Rio Games say they will not be discouraged by the comments of Sports Minister Solomon Dalung even as they expressed their disappointment. Siasia-Dalung The coach Samson Siasia-led team are in Atlanta preparing for the Games with a private sponsor shouldering their bills for only ten days that will run out next week.

Electricity Tariff Reversal: Court judgement is a setback—NERC

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 Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) yesterday described the judgement reversing electricity tariff in the country, which became operational on February 1, as a setback to the electricity sector, saying it will appeal the judgement. Power “We will challenge this decision. We have instructed our lawyer to appeal.

Kris Jenner Praises Taylor Swift Despite Singer's Feud With Kim Kardashian and Kanye West

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The Kardashian-Jenner matriarch can't stop gushing over Swift while discussing the singer's new relationship with Tom Hiddleston in a radio interview. Kim Kardashian and Kanye West's feud with Taylor Swift doesn't stop Kris Jenner from adoring the singer.

The Latest: Turkish military chief rescued at air base

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The Latest on what appears to be an attempted military coup in Turkey (all times local): 8:35 a.m. Turkey's state-run news agency says military chief of staff Gen. Hulusi Akar has been rescued in an operation launched at an air base in the outskirts of Ankara .

Benue to return 136 schools to private individuals –Ortom

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Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom The Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has said his administration is reviewing policies that placed all schools in the hands of the government. The government, he said, was taking the decision because of lean resources and present economic hardship sweeping through the country.

Charges against me politically motivated – Fani-Kayode

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Fani-Kayode, in a statement shortly after he was released from detention on Friday, said he was being hounded for his criticism of the government. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had dragged the former Minister to court over an alleged N4.9 billion fraud A former Minister of Aviation and spokesman of the Peoples Democratic Party Presidential Campaign Organisation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, has said his ongoing trial for fraud was politically motivated.