2015-01-09 21:04
Damaturu - Shooting and heavy artillery fire were heard on the
outskirts of Damaturu in northeastern Nigeria on Friday, a Reuters
witness said.
No further details were immediately available.
Suspected
Boko Haram militants raided Damaturu - the capital of Yobe state and
130 km (80 miles) from Maiduguri, the capital of the Islamist fighters'
Borno state stronghold - in early December. The military used ground and
air forces to repel them.
Saturday, 10 January 2015
Boko Haram clash with troops in Damaturu
2015-01-09 21:37
Kano - Boko Haram gunmen fought running battles with Nigerian troops on the streets of the northeastern city of Damaturu on Friday, in an apparent reprisal attack after a recent raid on a militant stronghold, residents told AFP.
Also read: Thousands flee Boko Haram
"The gunmen arrived at around 7:30 pm (1830 GMT), firing guns and shouting 'Allahu Akbar!' (God is greatest)," said Mukhtar Sani, a student of the Yobe State University in the city.
Troops intercepted the insurgents and Aishatu Bala, who lives nearby, added: "All the streets are deserted. Everybody has moved indoors and all we hear are sounds of gunfire."
Kano - Boko Haram gunmen fought running battles with Nigerian troops on the streets of the northeastern city of Damaturu on Friday, in an apparent reprisal attack after a recent raid on a militant stronghold, residents told AFP.
Also read: Thousands flee Boko Haram
"The gunmen arrived at around 7:30 pm (1830 GMT), firing guns and shouting 'Allahu Akbar!' (God is greatest)," said Mukhtar Sani, a student of the Yobe State University in the city.
Troops intercepted the insurgents and Aishatu Bala, who lives nearby, added: "All the streets are deserted. Everybody has moved indoors and all we hear are sounds of gunfire."
Chelsea cool Messi talk
2015-01-10 06:59
London - Chelsea assistant manager Steve Holland on Friday distanced the Premier League giants from a move for Barcelona's Argentina star Lionel Messi.
The Stamford Bridge club have been linked with an approach for Messi whose future in Spain has been thrown into doubt because of a breakdown in relations with Barca coach Luis Enrique.
The four-times world player of the year has a $302m buy-out clause in his contract with the La Liga club.
But his wage demands mean that any move for the player would require a total outlay of around $756m.
Playing squad
Chelsea are one of the few clubs believed to have the resources to fund a deal of that size, but Holland believes Financial Fair Play regulations would prohibit a move.
And Holland insists Blues manager Jose Mourinho has no intention of making changes to his playing squad during the current transfer window.
Mourinho did not attend Friday's routine media conference after being charged with misconduct by the Football Association.
And Holland said: "With Financial Fair Play, many players have been sold to balance the books. That has been the case in the last 12 months.
"But when you see the numbers that have been mentioned around the Messi deal I would think it looks impossible under Financial Fair Play."
He added: "I think he has made it clear in this window nobody leaves, nobody goes.
Hope and expectation
"I recall he said a similar thing at this time last year and a few things happened that meant we had to be reactive. Manchester United made a huge offer for Juan Mata and there was an offer for Kevin de Bruyne.
"Jose was happy to keep them. But sometimes you have to react. But the hope and expectation is that nobody comes or leaves."
Mourinho will take charge of his side against Newcastle this weekend, a few days after being hit with a FA misconduct charge for comments he made in the wake of his side's draw at Southampton.
The Chelsea manager condemned referee Anthony Taylor's display after midfielder Cesc Fabregas was booked for diving when television replays showed the player was fouled inside the Southampton penalty area.
That was the latest in a succession of controversial decisions to affect Mourinho's side.
And while Holland insists the manager remains unaffected by the charge, he insisted Mourinho's frustration was shared throughout the club.
Holland said: "Jose's been fine today (on Friday). He's very focused on the game against Newcastle. We lost away to Newcastle only very recently. We're very determined to put that right.
Tensions were rising
"There is a frustration with all of us, the coaching staff and the players, not just Jose with an accumulation of events which surfaced at the Southampton game with Cesc.
"We are all together in this. But we have to move on."
The draw at Southampton was followed by a 5-3 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur, allowing Manchester City to draw level at the head of the Premier League table.
And Holland admitted that the intensity of the title race meant tensions were rising.
He added: "At the halfway mark the difference between success and failure is so small. In a game like Southampton where clearly a penalty should have been given and you assume you would go on to win the game and get two extra points that could prove to be vital.
"So when managers speak straight after the game there is a frustration. Small margins define success or failure."
London - Chelsea assistant manager Steve Holland on Friday distanced the Premier League giants from a move for Barcelona's Argentina star Lionel Messi.
The Stamford Bridge club have been linked with an approach for Messi whose future in Spain has been thrown into doubt because of a breakdown in relations with Barca coach Luis Enrique.
The four-times world player of the year has a $302m buy-out clause in his contract with the La Liga club.
But his wage demands mean that any move for the player would require a total outlay of around $756m.
Playing squad
Chelsea are one of the few clubs believed to have the resources to fund a deal of that size, but Holland believes Financial Fair Play regulations would prohibit a move.
And Holland insists Blues manager Jose Mourinho has no intention of making changes to his playing squad during the current transfer window.
Mourinho did not attend Friday's routine media conference after being charged with misconduct by the Football Association.
And Holland said: "With Financial Fair Play, many players have been sold to balance the books. That has been the case in the last 12 months.
"But when you see the numbers that have been mentioned around the Messi deal I would think it looks impossible under Financial Fair Play."
He added: "I think he has made it clear in this window nobody leaves, nobody goes.
Hope and expectation
"I recall he said a similar thing at this time last year and a few things happened that meant we had to be reactive. Manchester United made a huge offer for Juan Mata and there was an offer for Kevin de Bruyne.
"Jose was happy to keep them. But sometimes you have to react. But the hope and expectation is that nobody comes or leaves."
Mourinho will take charge of his side against Newcastle this weekend, a few days after being hit with a FA misconduct charge for comments he made in the wake of his side's draw at Southampton.
The Chelsea manager condemned referee Anthony Taylor's display after midfielder Cesc Fabregas was booked for diving when television replays showed the player was fouled inside the Southampton penalty area.
That was the latest in a succession of controversial decisions to affect Mourinho's side.
And while Holland insists the manager remains unaffected by the charge, he insisted Mourinho's frustration was shared throughout the club.
Holland said: "Jose's been fine today (on Friday). He's very focused on the game against Newcastle. We lost away to Newcastle only very recently. We're very determined to put that right.
Tensions were rising
"There is a frustration with all of us, the coaching staff and the players, not just Jose with an accumulation of events which surfaced at the Southampton game with Cesc.
"We are all together in this. But we have to move on."
The draw at Southampton was followed by a 5-3 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur, allowing Manchester City to draw level at the head of the Premier League table.
And Holland admitted that the intensity of the title race meant tensions were rising.
He added: "At the halfway mark the difference between success and failure is so small. In a game like Southampton where clearly a penalty should have been given and you assume you would go on to win the game and get two extra points that could prove to be vital.
"So when managers speak straight after the game there is a frustration. Small margins define success or failure."
Cleric cautions politicians against do-or-die politics
2015-01-10 06:59
Abuja - Ahead of the 2015 general elections, the Chief Imam of Apo
Legislators’ Quarters Juma’at Mosque, Abuja, Sheikh Nuru Khalid, has
appealed to politicians to shun do-or-die politics.
Khalid made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) shortly after Juma’at prayer service on Friday in Abuja.
Khalid reminded politicians that power comes from God and that Him alone gives it to whom He pleases.
He added that there was no need for killing innocent souls or destroying properties in the name of seeking political office.
According to him, elections are supposed to be without any rancour whatsoever.
"If elections are free and fair, it will go a long way in promoting cordial relationship among different ethnic groups in the country.
"It will also bring about the desired development everybody is dreaming of in the country,” he said.
Khalid further urged politicians to always play issued based and idea driven politics rather than view it as a do-or-die affair, adding that it was the only kind of politics that would move the nation forward.
The cleric advised supporters of politicians and Nigerians at large to realise that their lives were more important than their aspirations or ambitions.
Besides, he enjoined politicians to understand that leadership in Islam entails rendering of selfless service to humanity and not the other way round.
"We have cited an example from the holy Qur’an, Chapter three, Verse 27, where the Almighty Allah said He chooses to give power to or take it away from whomever He wishes,’’ said Khalid.
Khalid made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) shortly after Juma’at prayer service on Friday in Abuja.
Khalid reminded politicians that power comes from God and that Him alone gives it to whom He pleases.
He added that there was no need for killing innocent souls or destroying properties in the name of seeking political office.
According to him, elections are supposed to be without any rancour whatsoever.
"If elections are free and fair, it will go a long way in promoting cordial relationship among different ethnic groups in the country.
"It will also bring about the desired development everybody is dreaming of in the country,” he said.
Khalid further urged politicians to always play issued based and idea driven politics rather than view it as a do-or-die affair, adding that it was the only kind of politics that would move the nation forward.
The cleric advised supporters of politicians and Nigerians at large to realise that their lives were more important than their aspirations or ambitions.
Besides, he enjoined politicians to understand that leadership in Islam entails rendering of selfless service to humanity and not the other way round.
"We have cited an example from the holy Qur’an, Chapter three, Verse 27, where the Almighty Allah said He chooses to give power to or take it away from whomever He wishes,’’ said Khalid.
PDP the only party with women interest – Patience
2015-01-10 06:59
Enugu - The First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, on Friday, said the
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is the only party that has the interest
of Nigerian women.
The first lady, who made the remark at the PDP Presidential Campaign Rally in Enugu, thanked the Igbo people for casting their votes for President Goodluck Jonathan in 2011.
She enjoined women to vote for Jonathan for the second term because he would further uplift their status and presence in government.
She added that "PDP is the only party that has the interests of women at heart.
"Women should vote for a president who gave us 35 per cent affirmative action and the opportunity to be heard.
"Women who are yet to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) should endeavour to do so to be able to vote for the president in February.’’
The first lady recalled that in 2011, she and her husband were in Enugu to solicit for the support of the Igbo.
She said "we promised them that they would not enter the villa through the backdoor and we fulfilled our promises.
"Today, we have come again to solicit for your votes for better benefits to Igbo and the womenfolk.’’
She expressed confidence in the ability of President Jonathan to make the country better and more developed.
The first lady, who made the remark at the PDP Presidential Campaign Rally in Enugu, thanked the Igbo people for casting their votes for President Goodluck Jonathan in 2011.
She enjoined women to vote for Jonathan for the second term because he would further uplift their status and presence in government.
She added that "PDP is the only party that has the interests of women at heart.
"Women should vote for a president who gave us 35 per cent affirmative action and the opportunity to be heard.
"Women who are yet to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) should endeavour to do so to be able to vote for the president in February.’’
The first lady recalled that in 2011, she and her husband were in Enugu to solicit for the support of the Igbo.
She said "we promised them that they would not enter the villa through the backdoor and we fulfilled our promises.
"Today, we have come again to solicit for your votes for better benefits to Igbo and the womenfolk.’’
She expressed confidence in the ability of President Jonathan to make the country better and more developed.
PDP the only party with women interest – Patience
2015-01-10 06:59
Enugu - The First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, on Friday, said the
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is the only party that has the interest
of Nigerian women.
The first lady, who made the remark at the PDP Presidential Campaign Rally in Enugu, thanked the Igbo people for casting their votes for President Goodluck Jonathan in 2011.
She enjoined women to vote for Jonathan for the second term because he would further uplift their status and presence in government.
She added that "PDP is the only party that has the interests of women at heart.
"Women should vote for a president who gave us 35 per cent affirmative action and the opportunity to be heard.
"Women who are yet to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) should endeavour to do so to be able to vote for the president in February.’’
The first lady recalled that in 2011, she and her husband were in Enugu to solicit for the support of the Igbo.
She said "we promised them that they would not enter the villa through the backdoor and we fulfilled our promises.
"Today, we have come again to solicit for your votes for better benefits to Igbo and the womenfolk.’’
She expressed confidence in the ability of President Jonathan to make the country better and more developed.
The first lady, who made the remark at the PDP Presidential Campaign Rally in Enugu, thanked the Igbo people for casting their votes for President Goodluck Jonathan in 2011.
She enjoined women to vote for Jonathan for the second term because he would further uplift their status and presence in government.
She added that "PDP is the only party that has the interests of women at heart.
"Women should vote for a president who gave us 35 per cent affirmative action and the opportunity to be heard.
"Women who are yet to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) should endeavour to do so to be able to vote for the president in February.’’
The first lady recalled that in 2011, she and her husband were in Enugu to solicit for the support of the Igbo.
She said "we promised them that they would not enter the villa through the backdoor and we fulfilled our promises.
"Today, we have come again to solicit for your votes for better benefits to Igbo and the womenfolk.’’
She expressed confidence in the ability of President Jonathan to make the country better and more developed.
Human tests of Ebola vaccines 'about to begin' in affected countries
2015-01-10 06:59
Geneva - Human tests of two possible Ebola vaccines have proven safe and efficacy tests will begin within weeks in the three west African countries ravaged by the deadly virus, the World Health Organization said Friday.
"These trials are about to begin for the two lead vaccines," WHO assistant director general Marie-Paule Kieny told reporters, adding that the vaccines would be tested on thousands of people across Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.
The Phase III testing to ensure the vaccines actually protect against the virus that has killed 8,259 people in the three countries is set to begin in Liberia by the end of the month, she said.
Separate tests are scheduled to start in Sierra Leone and Guinea in February, she added.
The vaccine manufacturers must determine before then what the appropriate dosage is, she said.
There is no licensed treatment or vaccine for Ebola, and the WHO has endorsed rushing potential ones through trials in a bid to stem the epidemic.
The two potential vaccines that have been undergoing Phase 1 safety tests on humans are ChAd3, made by Britain's GlaxoSmithKline, and VSV-ZEBOV, manufactured by the Public Health Agency of Canada and licenced by US firm NewLink Genetics.
Tests of the two potential vaccines have been conducted on volunteers in a range of countries, including Switzerland, Mali, Gabon, Britain, Germany, Canada and the United States.
Johnson & Johnson meanwhile announced this week that human trials of its proposed vaccine had begun in Britain, and Kieny said the company also expected to soon be able to start efficacy trials.
Describing 2014 as the year when "the Ebola virus challenged humanity," Kieny voiced confidence that this year would be remembered as the one when "humanity used our best scientific minds to fight back."
Geneva - Human tests of two possible Ebola vaccines have proven safe and efficacy tests will begin within weeks in the three west African countries ravaged by the deadly virus, the World Health Organization said Friday.
"These trials are about to begin for the two lead vaccines," WHO assistant director general Marie-Paule Kieny told reporters, adding that the vaccines would be tested on thousands of people across Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.
The Phase III testing to ensure the vaccines actually protect against the virus that has killed 8,259 people in the three countries is set to begin in Liberia by the end of the month, she said.
Separate tests are scheduled to start in Sierra Leone and Guinea in February, she added.
The vaccine manufacturers must determine before then what the appropriate dosage is, she said.
There is no licensed treatment or vaccine for Ebola, and the WHO has endorsed rushing potential ones through trials in a bid to stem the epidemic.
The two potential vaccines that have been undergoing Phase 1 safety tests on humans are ChAd3, made by Britain's GlaxoSmithKline, and VSV-ZEBOV, manufactured by the Public Health Agency of Canada and licenced by US firm NewLink Genetics.
Tests of the two potential vaccines have been conducted on volunteers in a range of countries, including Switzerland, Mali, Gabon, Britain, Germany, Canada and the United States.
Johnson & Johnson meanwhile announced this week that human trials of its proposed vaccine had begun in Britain, and Kieny said the company also expected to soon be able to start efficacy trials.
Describing 2014 as the year when "the Ebola virus challenged humanity," Kieny voiced confidence that this year would be remembered as the one when "humanity used our best scientific minds to fight back."
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