Cuban Revolutionary Leader Fidel Castro Dies Aged 90

Fidel Castro, who led the country of Cuba for nearly half a century, died Friday at the age of 90. The controversial former president, who ruled the country as a one-party state from 1959 to 2008, passed away at 7pm, his brother Raul announced on Cuban state TV announced. Castro handed power to his brother Raul after he required emergency surgery for intestinal bleeding. His death comes the same year Cuba and the United States announced they would restore diplomatic and economic ties.

Former Cuban leader Fidel Castro has died aged 90, the Communist revolutionary's brother, President Raul Castro, has announced.

Ondo Picks New Governor

·Marriage of convenience in PDP ·We won’t force anyone on voters – Tinubu group

Voters in Ondo State will today elect a new governor, but the atmosphere in the state, as is rightly expected, is cloudy, full of suspense, nervousness and possible last minute realignments.

Boko Haram Blocking Aid To Scores Of Refugees In Cameroon: UN

Soldiers look at the Nigerian army's latest list of most wanted Boko Haram members in Maiduguri, northeast Nigeria, on November 21, 2016

The United Nations warned Friday that the threat from Boko Haram jihadists was complicating efforts to help tens of thousands of Nigerian refugees living in dire conditions in northern Cameroon.

West Africa Tackles Human And Animal Health Together To Contain Diseases

Geographic distribution of zoonotic diseases

A drive by West African nations to tackle zoonotic diseases, those that jump from animals to humans, could help to protect the region from future health crises such as the world's worst Ebola outbreak, a United Nations official said on Thursday.

NBS To Train 120 Officials On SDGs Baseline Data Collection

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the reappointment of Dr Yemi Kale as the Statistician General of the Federation.

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on Thursday in Abuja began the training of 120 officials on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Baseline data collection for administrative statistics.

South African Police Nab Chinese Man With 18 Rhino Horns

Image source: The Namibian (on Twitter)

South African police Thursday said they had arrested a Hong Kong-bound Chinese man found with 18 rhino horns hidden in his luggage.

Rwanda Church Apology Over Genocide 'Inadequate'

The Rwandan government wants a "honest" apology from the Vatican. AFP

The government in Rwanda has branded as inadequate the apology recently issued by the Catholic Church in the country over the 1994 genocide in which at least 800,000 people were killed, the AFP news agency reports. 

Prosecutors Seek Prison Term For Eto'o

Samuel Eto'o played for Barcelona from 2004-09

Spanish prosecutors are seeking a prison term of more than 10 years for former Barcelona striker Samuel Eto'o for alleged tax crimes committed when he played for the Catalan club.

2-IN-1 STORY: Amnesty Accuses Nigeria Of Killing 150 Biafra Activists; Nigeria Army Condemns Biafra 'Lies'

Nigeria's military says it has been attacked by pro-Biafra groups. Getty Images

Amnesty International on Thursday accused Nigeria's security forces of killing at least 150 pro-Biafra protesters and injuring hundreds since August 2015.

Many ethnic Igbos feel Nigeria's central government does not represent their interests. BBC

Steven Gerrard Announces Retirement From Football

Steven Gerrard (C) has retired from professional football

Steven Gerrard's playing career is over after he announced his retirement on Thursday.

Obasanjo 'Hits Out At Buhari's US$30bn Loan Plan'

Olusegun Obasanjo (L) supported Muhammadu Buhari's election. Reuters

Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, who left office in 2007, has lashed out at the government's handling of the economy, Nigeria's Vanguard newspaper reports (SEE STORY 2).

We Can’t Pay ₦284b Allowances, FG Tells ASUU

Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed (left), Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Folorunso Adewole, Minister of Agricultural and Rural Development, Audu Ogbeh, and Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige during the Federal Executive Council meeting at the Presidential Villa Abuja…yesterday Photo: Philip Ojisua

•Okays ₦464m vehicles for FRSC

The Federal Government yesterday said it could not afford the ₦284 billion earned allowances being demanded by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). Earned allowances are the emoluments the lecturers are entitled to enhance academic productivity and increase research output.

'Four Dead' In Bamenda, Cameroon City Protests

The violence rocked Bamenda on Tuesday. AP

Lawyers and teachers are opposing the influence exerted by Francophone speakers in their lives in a country that is officially bilingual.

BBC 

Gunmen 'Kill Guards' At Nigeria Oil Facility

Continuing attacks have slashed Nigeria's oil output. AFP/Getty

Gunmen in military camouflage have killed four guards at a facility operated by the Nigerian subsidiary of Italian group Eni, local and security officials have told AFP news agency. 

GLO-CAF AWARDS: Mikel, Iheanacho, Musa Out

•Aubameyang, Salah, Mahrez, Mane, Slimani in

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) yesterday in Cairo named the Top 5 nominees for the 2016 African Player of the Year and the 2016 African Player of the Year (Based in Africa) for the Glo-CAF Awards.

Police Sack ASP, 13 Others Over Kidnapping, Robbery

Sacked policemen paraded at the Force Headquarters in Abuja yesterday over alleged unprofessional conduct, aiding and abetting serious crimes that include cattle rustling, robbery and kidnapping.

The Nigeria Police Force Headquarters (NPF) yesterday paraded fourteen policemen alongside fifty five other suspects arrested in recent sting operations by the police.

Jurgen Klinsmann Sacked As United States Coach

United States coach Jürgen Klinsmann has been sacked

Jürgen Klinsmann has been sacked as United States coach. US Soccer said in a statement that the German had been "relieved of his duties" after five years in charge.

Quack Doctor Arrested After 11 Years’ Practice

Celestine Yolonfun Photo: Olaleye Aluko

The police in Lagos State on Monday paraded an alleged quack doctor, Celestine Yolonfun, who was arrested in the Apapa area of the state.

FOR THE RECORD: Jega: It’s Not Proper For Universities To Raise Funds By Selling Bread And Sachet Water

Professor Attahiru Jega

Professor Attahiru Jega, former chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has criticized the trend where universities engage in bread and sachet water production to generate funds.

Tanzania Anthrax Outbreak 'Under Control'

The anthrax outbreak affected an area including the Ngorongoro crater. Getty Images

A serious outbreak of anthrax in an area of northern Tanzania that includes a world-famous wildlife reserve is now under control, officials say. 

2-IN-1 STORY: South Africa 'Prophet Of Doom' Sprays Congregation With Pesticide; 'Stop Spraying Our Product In People's Faces' — Tiger Brands

Sunday Service With Prophet (Detective) Lethebo Rabalago MZGA/Facebook

Lethebo Rabalago calls himself a prophet and runs a charismatic church from South Africa’s Limpopo province. 

Nigeria's Economic Crisis Deepens

Nigeria's economy contract in the third quarter as businesses struggle to access foreign exchange and rebels continued to bomb oil pipelines in the restive south ©Pius Utomi Ekpei (AFP)

Nigeria's economic slump sharpened in the third quarter as rebels bombed oil pipelines in the restive south and businesses struggled to access foreign exchange, official data showed Monday.

Detectives Uncover Huge Cash Payments To Justices

Chief Registrar:  I’ve no role in running account

Detectives have uncovered huge cash payments to Supreme Court Justices, members of the management and staff of the apex court.

South Korea's Presidents Make Disgraced Exits

In this Nov. 18, 2016 photo, protesters wearing masks of South Korean President Park Geun-hye, left and Choi Soon-sil, Park's longtime friend, in Seoul, South Korea. South Korean prosecutors on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016, said they believe Park conspired in criminal activities of a secretive confidante who allegedly manipulated government affairs and exploited her presidential ties to amass an illicit fortune - a damning revelation that may convince opposition parties to push for her impeachment. The placards held by the protesters read: "Park Geun-hye should step down." (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

If there's one thing that South Korean presidents dread more than the looming threat of rival North Korea, it may be this: becoming an ex-president.

Immigration Proposes Extension Of Nigerian Passport’s Validity To 10 Years

Comptroller-General of Nigeria Immigration Service, Muhammad Babandede

The President Muhammadu Buhari administration is considering extending validity period for international passports from its present five to 10 years.

Drop Non Performing Ministers, Tackle Poverty, APC Chieftain Advises Buhari

Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed

Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kaduna State, has advised President Muhammadu Buhari to drop non-performing ministers.

Oil Exploration: Digging Into Endless Search For Inland Crude Oil

Buhari administration prioritizes exploration of hydrocarbon in Nigeria's north east and other basins outside the Niger Delta

Moves by the Nigerian government to build up the nation’s oil reserve through exploration of new frontiers, has become the subject of controversy among experts and stakeholders.

FOR THE RECORD: Dangote Becomes UI’s 100th Honouree In 68 Years, Donates ₦250m To Its Business School

Aliko Dangote, president of Dangote group has become the 100th person to receive a honorary doctorate degree from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria’s premier university, in its 68-year existence.

(L-R) UI registrar, Olukoya, Dangote, Osundare. Amao…

Train Derails In North India, Killing 104; Many Trapped

In this image made from video, India's security forces personnel work at the site of a train accident near Pukhrayan, about 270 kilometers (168 miles) from Allahabad, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016. Rescue workers used gas cutters to pull out survivors after 14 coaches of a passenger train rolled off the track in northern India early Sunday, police said. (KK Productions via AP)

At least 104 people were killed when 14 coaches of an overnight passenger train rolled off the track in northern India on Sunday, with rescue workers using cutting torches to try to pull out survivors, police said.

People gather after 14 coaches of an overnight passenger train rolled off the track near Pukhrayan village Kanpur Dehat district, Uttar Pradesh state, India, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016. Dozens were killed and dozens more were injured in the accident. (AP Photo/Rajesh Kumar Singh)

Bournemouth Footballer Jordon Ibe Robbed At Knifepoint

The thieves are thought to have rammed Ibe's car

A Premier League footballer was robbed at knifepoint when thieves rammed his car just four days after suspected gunmen allegedly threatened Andy Carroll.

Army Establishes New Division In Port Harcourt

As part of efforts to combat rising security challenges in the Niger Delta region, the Nigerian Army has established a new Division known as ‘6 Div’ in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Scientists Take Significant Step Towards Developing Bionic Kidney

Dialysis, which usually involves regular trips to hospital, is often carried out before a transplant

A significant step has been taken towards developing a bionic kidney that could be placed in the bodies of patients.