Kenya Massacre Mall Reopens In Nairobi

Westgate mall in Nairobi is declared back in business almost two years after a deadly siege by Somali Islamists ©John Muchucha (AFP)

Kenya's Westgate shopping mall reopened for business on Saturday, almost two years after Somali Islamists stormed in and massacred 67 shoppers and staff in four days of carnage. The complex, Nairobi's most upmarket shopping centre and a magnet for the east African nation's growing middle class and expatriates, was badly damaged in the assault by the Al-Qaeda-affiliated Shebab rebels and has undergone months of renovation.

Around 50 shoppers queued to be the first to pass through newly-installed metal detectors at the main entrance, after Nairobi governor Evans Kidero and Atul Shah, owner of the main regional supermarket chain Nakumatt, declared the mall back in business in a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Formula One Driver Jules Bianchi, 25, Dies

Image source: Daily Mail UK

The racing world is in mourning after Formula One driver Jules Bianchi died from head injuries sustained in a crash at last year's Japanese Grand Prix. The Frenchman's family posted the sad news on Bianchi's official Twitter feed and it was later confirmed by the Manor F1 team.

Bianchi, 25, had been in a coma since the October 5 accident in which he collided at high speed with a mobile crane which was being used to pick up another crashed car.

More Than 300 People Injured In Train Crash In South Africa

More than 200 people were injured in a train collision in Johannesburg. Source: Associated Press

More than 300 people were injured when a commuter train crashed into another passenger train during rush hour in South Africa's largest city.

Nana Radebe, spokeswoman for Johannesburg Emergency Services, said 326 people were rushed to nearby hospitals with minor to serious injuries. No fatalities were reported.

Tabloid Publishes Images Of Future Queen Giving Nazi Salute

Buckingham Palace expressed its disappointment Saturday with a tabloid newspaper for publishing images of a young Queen Elizabeth II performing a Nazi salute with her family in 1933, the year Adolf Hitler came to power.

The palace took the unusual step of commenting on the report in The Sun newspaper, which shows the queen — then about 7 years old — at the family home in Balmoral, with her uncle Edward, mother and sister. The grainy footage also shows Elizabeth's mother making the salute as the family laughs.

Excited Youths Mob Buhari

•President says: ‘My life in God’s hands’ 

Security operatives struggled for several minutes yesterday to control hundreds of worshipers trying to touch or shake hands with President Muhammadu Buhari at the end of the Eid-el-Fitri prayers in Abuja.

Buhari admitted later that the surging crowd almost overwhelmed the security men and that “the incident   is a clear indication that the ultimate security of leaders can only be guaranteed by God”.

Ethiopia’s Dibaba On Fire At Monaco Diamond League; Sets World Record

Ethiopia's Genzebe Dibaba reacts after winning the women's 1500m event during the IAAF Diamond League Athletics meeting at the Louis II stadium on July 17, 2015 in Monaco. Photo: Jean Christophe Magnenet

Ethiopia's Genzebe Dibaba set a new world record in the women's 1500m at the Monaco Diamond League meet on July 17. In a thrilling night of track and field at the Stade Louis II, with personal bests abound and six world-leading performances, Dibaba took the crown with an astonishing world record in the women's 1500m.

The previous best of 3:50.46 had been set by China's Qu Yunxia in Beijing in 1993. That and other quick times in the discipline were mainly run by Chinese athletes in the 1990s under the guidance of controversial coach Ma Junren.

Ten-Year-Old Girl Gives Birth After Complaining Of Stomach Ache At School In Brazil

Surprise at school: The girl told her mother that she had a sore stomach and later had to be taken to hospital in Belo Horizonte by one of her school teachers

A mother was left stunned when her ten-year-old daughter gave birth – hours after complaining of a stomach ache at school.

Teachers at the child’s school took her to hospital where she was found to be seven months pregnant and already in late stages of labour.

The child gave birth normally and she and the baby, born two months premature, are being cared for in the hospital´s neonatal unit, according to reports.

EBOLA OUTBREAK: Ebola Burial Teams Seek Bribes In Sierra Leone - Health Official

Ebola burial teams seek bribes in Sierra Leone - health official. Picture: AFP

Ebola burial teams in Sierra Leone are extorting money from families of the bereaved to give the dead safe burials, a senior health official said, leading to an increase in illegal funerals.

The introduction of anti-Ebola measures requiring bodies to be buried according to safety protocols was considered a key sign of progress in the fight against the disease last year.

Buhari’s Eid-El-Fitr Message To Nigerians: Forget My Slow Pace, I’m Working Hard, Planning Meticulously, To Fix Nigeria

President Muhammadu

President Muhammadu Buhari has asked for understanding and patience from Nigerians, saying his slow pace so far should not be mistaken for lack of vision to reposition Nigeria.

In his Eie-el-Fitr message to Nigerians, the President said he had been planning meticulously to ensure that it is not business as usual again in the country.

Read Full Statement Below.

Cuba Says Not Convinced U.S. Has Given Up 'Regime Change' Policy

Children play soccer in front of graffiti depicting Cuba's national flag, in Havana July 15, 2015. Reuters/Enrique de la Osa

Cuba remains unconvinced the United States has stopped trying to remove the Communist Party from power despite a public pledge from President Barack Obama disowning “regime change,” a Cuban foreign ministry official said on Thursday.

With the two longtime adversaries set to restore diplomatic relations on Monday after a 54-year break, Cuba said the United States would need to abandon its policy of regime change in order to improve overall ties.

Seized US$15m, Others: DSS Set To Grill Ex-NSA Dasuki

Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd)

Department of State Security (DSS) operatives yesterday invaded the Abuja home of the immediate past National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd), to arrest him.

There were speculations last night that Dasuki had been arrested, but The Nation could not confirm it.

Manhunt For 'Road Rage' Car Crash Knifeman After Fatal Stabbing

Paramedics attended the collision on the A24 at Findon following the incident just before 8.40pm last night

A manhunt was under way for a "road rage" knifeman who stabbed to death a pensioner on a village road after their cars crashed. Police said they were "urgently making inquiries" to find the suspect after the victim, a 79-year-old man, was fatally knifed on the A24 at Findon, near Worthing, West Sussex, last night.

After the crash, the suspect got out of the car and knifed the driver of the other car before getting back in to his vehicle and driving off, Sussex Police said.

PHOTONEWS: Saraki Joins Buhari To Offer Sallah Prayers At National Mosque

Photo: Dele Momodu (Image source: lindaikeji blog)

Senate President Bukola Saraki this morning joined President Buhari to offer Sallah prayers at the National Mosque Abuja.

Two Suicide Bombings In The Town Of Damaturu Kill At Least 12 People; Almost 60 Killed In Bombings In Damaturu, Gombe

Several suicide bombers struck over 48 hours

Two suicide bombers killed at least 12 people in the northeastern Nigerian town of Damaturu the Yobe State capital at Phase I, near Eid Praying ground, Friday morning.

The explosions are coming on a day when the new Chief of Army Staff, Major General Tukur Buratai declared that he will spend his Sallah celebrations in Damaturu.

The attackers, who were also killed in the blasts, struck near a Muslim prayer ground, he said, adding that the number of people wounded isn't clear yet.

Father Whos Wife Delivered Triple Twins Set Returns

BACK AT LAST: Uche carrying the last of his three sets of twins after he returned to their new home in Ogun State...yesterday. Photo: Precious Igbonwelundu

The father of the multiple twins who fled from his home and expectant wife has shown up – three months after.

Mr. Emeka Uche, after days of persuasion by his wife Ruth yesterday returned to a new home – a yet-to-be-painted mini-flat in Ogun State.

Uganda President Leaves Burundi Crisis Talks Without Deal

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni left crisis talks between Burundi's rival political factions without a deal, but last-ditch efforts following months of violence continued ahead of polls next week.

Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza's bid to stand for a third consecutive five-year term in an election next Tuesday, despite a constitutional two-term limit, has sparked months of turmoil and an attempted coup in mid-May.

ASUU To Police: Stop Killing Of Intellectuals

Ahead of the funeral rites of late former Vice-Chancellor of Federal University of Technology (FUTA), Akure in Ondo State Prof. Albert Ilemobade, members of the institution Academic Staff Union of  Universities (ASUU) Wednesday charged Nigerian Police to put in place an intelligent measure that will stop killing and kidnapping of academicians.

The academic union, who spoke through its Chairman, Dr. Bola Oniya at a press conference held at FUTA lamented over the high rates of killing and kidnapping of University lecturers across the country.

EBOLA OUTBREAK: Liberia Confirms 2nd Ebola Death In Resurgent Outbreak

Health workers wash their hands after taking a blood specimen from a child to test for the Ebola virus in an area were a 17-year old boy died from the virus on the outskirts of Monrovia, Liberia. (AP Photo/ Abbas Dulleh)

A second person in Liberia has died from Ebola in the latest resurgence of the deadly disease in the West African nation, an official said Wednesday.

The woman in her early 20s who died on July 12 was linked to the 17-year-old boy who died last month, Deputy Health Minister Tolbert Nyenswah told The Associated Press. Three other confirmed cases are being treated in Monrovia, he said.

IBB ‘Confident’ Buhari Will Crush Boko Haram

Ibrahim Banagida and President Buhari

Ibrahim Banagida, former military president, says he has “implicit confidence” that President Muhammadu Buhari will crush Boko Haram.

In a special Eid-el-fitri message on Wednesday, Babangida said recent activities of the insurgents have “continued to raise our adrenaline, in a season of apprehension and utter suspicion, about our security engagements and the sum total of our collective sufferance as a nation”.

PHOTONEWS: NFF Confirm Oliseh As Eagles’ Coach

Amaju Pinnick, R, NFF Chairman and new Super Eagles caoch, Oliseh, C. (Image source: TheCable)

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has confirmed the appointment of Sunday Oliseh as Super Eagles coach.

The 40-year old, who has been given a three-year contract, will replace his former playing mate, Stephen Keshi, whose appointment was terminated by the NFF two weeks ago.

Abike Dabiri-Erewa Blasts NBC Over Radio Biafra (See Her Tweets + How Nigerians Responded)

See More Tweets After Break

Eid-el Fitr: IGP Orders Water-Tight Security Nationwide

 IGP Solomon Arase

In a bid to ensure hitch-free Sallah celebrations, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Solomon Arase has asked Command Commissioners of Police nationwide to ensure water-tight security during and after the celebrations.

The Nation reports the police boss noted that during the celebration, special attention be paid to places of worship, critical public places and other vulnerable points prone to criminal attack.

Appointment Of New Service Chiefs: 25 Generals Face Retirement

Members of the court martial sit during the inauguration to try soldiers accused of mutiny tasked with fighting Boko Haram militants in Abuja on October 2, 2014. . AFP Photo

Following the appointment of new service chiefs on Monday by President Muhammadu Buhari, military sources have confided in Vanguard that about 25 Major Generals may proceed on retirement when the Senate confirms the new appointments.

Indications also emerged, yesterday, in Abuja that President Buhari’s forthcoming trip to the United States of America this month for extensive bilateral, economic and financial discussions with US President Barrack Obama, the need to engage his hosts about the terrorism challenges as well as Nigeria’s military capability to tackle the menace conclusively, necessitated the sack of the service chiefs last Monday.

Nigeria Confirm Oliseh As New Coach

Former Nigerian International and captain of the Super Eagles, Sunday Oliseh

The Nigeria Football Federation has confirmed the appointment of former midfielder and captain Sunday Oliseh as the coach of the national team.

Oliseh takes over from another former captain, Stephen Keshi, who was fired this month for breaching his contract by applying to be Ivory Coast coach.

NBC, Ministry Of Information Make False Jammimg Claim, Radio Biafra Still Broadcasting

Mrs Shade Yemi-Esan, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information

The Nigerian government’s claim that it successfully jammed signals from Radio Biafra, a controversial, underground channel spewing propaganda, is false as the station has continued with its programmes several hours after the government announcement.

Even as this report is being posted, the radio is still transmitting, long after the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Information, Shade Yemi-Esan, told journalists on Tuesday the broadcast had been blocked.

'Money Is Not Justice,' Says US Family In NYC Police Death

Esaw Garner, Eric Garner's wife, attends a press conference held with her family members and the Reverend Al Sharpton calling for further justice and legal action against the police officers responsible in the death of Eric Garner on July 14, 2015 in New York City. Garner died in July, 2014 when police subdued him with a choke-hold under suspicion of selling loose cigarettes. (AFP Photo/Andrew Burton)

The family of a black father of six who died after being held in an illegal police chokehold urged the federal government to take up the case Tuesday, after reaching a US$5.9 million settlement.

Eric Garner's death in July 2014 was the first in a year of high-profile, racially-charged incidents in which white officers have been accused of using unreasonable force or being too quick to fire at black suspects.

Catholic Priest Kidnapped In Imo

Dare devil kidnappers have abducted Rev. Fr. Francis Ugoo Egbebu, the Parish Priest of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Umuola, Amaigbo, Nwangele local council area of Imo State.

Strong feelers from the Catholic Diocese of Orlu, where Rev. Fr. Egbebu is serving, indicated that the ever cheerful priest was last seen driving out of the Parish Monday morning.

EBOLA OUTBREAK: Ebola Cases Rise In Sierra Leone Capital

A healthcare worker in protective gear is seen at an Ebola treatment center in the west of Freetown, Sierra Leone, Thursday, Oct. 16, 2014. (AP Photo/Michael Duff)

Health officials in Sierra Leone have warned that new cases of Ebola are continuing to emerge, more than year after the major outbreak was first declared.

Despite a decline in cases in recent months, there has been a sudden rise in new infections in the capital Freetown.

Almost 4,000 people have died from Ebola in Sierra Leone since the epidemic broke out in December 2013, making it one of the worst hit countries worst along with Guinea and Liberia.

Experts warn that fear, fatigue and denial are allowing the virus to spread.