BREAKING NEWS!!!! North Korea's Jang Song Thaek, Kim Jong-un's uncle, executed - World - CBC News

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TRIBUTE TO NELSON MANDELA - By Taslim OKUNOLA

When I learnt about the work of Nelson Mandela, I felt calling myself a comrade is just an appellation. The world just lost the TRUE COMRADE. One of the greatest men that could ever be produced. What kind of man shakes hand with those who imprisoned him after staying behind bars for 27 years? What kind of man will put his opponents in his agenda even after they have oppressed him? The only leader that sought so much for the Children's right. The man that fought rigorously for FREEDOM. I wish all the flags in the whole wide world could fly half-mast just for you. You deserve more honour. You have actually lived a life. You gave South Africans right to stay in their fatherland peacefully. Which politician could have been better than you? Which activist could have been better than you? Which president could have been better than you? MADIBA, you lived a life. You have inspired a whole lot of people including me. YOU ARE AFRICA! You will surely be remember for a very long time. We will miss you. MAXIMUM RESPECT for you, sir!

Nelson Mandela, anti-apartheid icon and father of modern South Africa, dies

Nelson Mandela , the revered statesman who emerged from prison after 27 years to lead South Africa out of decades of apartheid, has died, South African President Jacob Zuma announced late Thursday. Mandela was 95. "He is now resting. He is now at peace," Zuma said. "Our nation has lost its greatest son. Our people have lost a father." "What made Nelson Mandela great was precisely what made him human," the president said in his late-night address. "We saw in him what we seek in ourselves." Mandela will have a state funeral. Zuma ordered all flags in the nation to be flown at half staff from Friday through that funeral.

Source: CNN International (Click Here for more details)

CAR violence: Many dead in Bangui as UN votes for French force

Dozens of people - possibly as many as 60 or more - have been killed in fierce fighting in the capital of the Central African Republic (CAR), Bangui. The city was reportedly attacked by supporters of Francois Bozize, who was ousted as president by rebels in March, plunging the country into chaos. The UN Security Council has just voted to allow French troops to join an African peacekeeping force in CAR.

Source: BBC News (Click Here to see details)

Explosive Fireball Engulfs Area Around NNPC Building In Abuja

An explosion rocked several buildings across from the offices of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation building  in Abuja just now. Eyewitnesses told SaharaReporters that a petrol tanker discharging gasoline exploded at the Conoil gas station opposite the NNPC building in Abuja.

Source: Sahara Reporters

President Jonathan, Wife Check Into German Hospital

President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, Patience Jonathan, today checked in at a hospital in Germany. A reliable source at the Presidency told SaharaReporters that, contrary to the impression created that the trip was exclusively for the French-sponsored security summit, Mr. Jonathan and his wife will undergo tests and receive treatment in the same German hospital where his wife spent several months last year.

Source: Sahara Reporters (Click Here to see details)

Kidnappers seize corps member, contact family

The Lagos State Police Command has commenced investigation into the kidnap of a 29-year-old National Youth Service Corps member, Ayobami Jaiyeola. A relative of the victim, who craved anonymity, said Ayobami left her two phones and handbag behind in the house at the time of her kidnap. He said the matter was initially reported as a case of missing person. He said, “On Friday, she suddenly left the house and walked outside the main gate of the estate. We have not heard anything from her since then. Her phones were here so there was little we could do. “We asked the security guards at the gate if they noticed anything, but they said they only saw her walking out and no vehicle was seen nearby. “We reported the matter to the Maroko Police Division, as well as the state command headquarters.”

Source: PUNCH NIGERIA (Click Here for more details)

Vandals arrested with stolen petrol in garri sacks

A fake soldier, identified as Emeka Kennedy, and four others, have been arrested for trading in petroleum products allegedly procured from vandalised Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation pipelines at Ijedodo, around Ijegun, Lagos State. The four suspects were said to be in three vehicles laden with the product. One of the  vehicles, a commercial 14-seater bus, was loaded with 67 kegs of 25 litres, while the remaining two cars were loaded with 16 garri sacks (cassava flakes) filled with petrol.

Source: PUNCH NIGERIA (Click Here to see full details)

Abuja airport shut as Saudi plane blocks runway

The Nigeria Airspace Management Agency has closed the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, to air traffic.It was learnt that this followed the blocade of of the runway by a Saudi Airline cargo plane, which landed around 9pm on Wednesday but developed a minor problem after landing. NAMA subsequently issued a Notice To Airmen on Thursday morning, meaning that the airport had been closed to both incoming and outbound planes.

Source: PUNCH NIGERIA

Deji: Akure youths clash over enforcement of mourning

Akure, the Ondo State capital, witnessed pockets of violence on Tuesday as rival quarters in the city engaged in fights following a directive close all shops and markets to mourn the late Deji of Akure, Oba Adebiyi Adesida, Afunbiowo II, who passed away on Sunday.

Source: PUNCH NIGERIA (Click Here for more details)

ASUU Update: We’ve deposited N200bn varsity funds in CBN – FG

Federal Government says it has deposited the N200bn promised as funding to universities in an account with the Central Bank of Nigeria. ASUU had requested  evidence that the money had been released as a condition to suspend the strike. The NUC boss also revealed that government had directed vice-chancellors of federal universities to extend the resumption deadline for lecturers to December 9 to allow ASUU members to attend the burial ceremony of Prof. Festus Iyayi.

Source: PUNCH NIGERIA (Click Here to see details)

I don’t need Messi, I have Ronaldo – Ancelotti

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti claims he will turn the down chance to sign Barcelona forward Lionel Messi because he already has Cristiano Ronaldo. Ronaldo  has received widespread acclaim for his performances this season, including a stunning hat-trick for his country in the second leg of their World Cup play-off with Sweden, which sealed their place at Brazil 2014.

Source: Punch Nigeria (Click Here to see details)

PUNCH wins Most Trusted Newspaper Award

At Gaga Gist, we get our stories from trusted sources. Punch Nigeria and Vanguard Nigeria has proven to be much more trusted as they came 1st and 3rd in the recently held Brandhealth Awards.

Story From PUNCH NIGERIA

To underscore its outstanding performance during the year, your darling paper, PUNCH, has again been voted the Most Trusted Newspaper in Nigeria in 2013. At the impressive Most Trusted Brand Awards 2013 ceremony organised by Brandhealth in Lagos on Tuesday, PUNCH beat the Sun and VANGUARD newspapers to the second and third positions respectively. PUNCH had in 2012 won the award in the same category.

Click Here to see more details

People watch how I dress — Powede Lawrence

Powede Lawrence is the current Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria, Tourism. In this interview, she talks about her life and the crown

Read the Interview: PUNCH NIGERIA

B’Haram hits military bases in Maiduguri

Scores of  civilians and  security operatives were killed  on Monday morning by  suspected Boko Haram terrorists, who  unleashed mayhem  on  military facilities and areas inhabited by  civilians in Maiduguri, Borno State. The attacks  by   the insurgents, who rode into the  troubled city in different vehicles, including an armoured personnel carrier, chanting Islamic slogans, were  said to have  lasted  for about six hours before  they were  curtailed.

Source: PUNCH NIGERIA (Click Here for more details)

Wike, ignorant of labour laws – ASUU

The Academic Staff Union of Universities has said that the threat to sack striking university lecturers issued by the Supervising Minister of Education, Nyesom Wike, is a proof that the minister is ignorant of labour laws. ASUU President, Dr. Nasir Fagge, said at a press conference in Abuja that a serious government should be ashamed of the rot in the universities which the union had been struggling to tackle.

Source: PUNCH NIGERIA (Click Here to see details)

NDLEA arrests two with 40 bags of hemp

The Ogun State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has arrested two suspects for allegedly being in possession of 1.8 tonnes of cannabis sativa, popularly known as Indian hemp. The suspects, Peter Osaneku, 36 and 24-year-old Friday Samson were arrested at Ayepe in Odogbolu Local Government Area of the state in a white Mercedes Benz truck with number plate LSR 987 XH in which the bags of drug were concealed.

Source: PUNCH NIGERIA (Click Here to read details)

WhatsApp overtakes Facebook as leading mobile messaging service

WhatsApp has overtaken Facebook as the leading social messaging service on mobile network, according to a report. A survey of nearly 4,000 smartphone users in five countries found that 44 per cent use WhatsApp at least once a week, whereas just 35 per cent use Facebook messenger.

Source: PUNCH NIGERIA (Click Here for more details)

Jonathan, Sambo meet PDP govs over defection

Two crucial meetings aimed at resolving the crisis in the ruling Peoples Democratic Party which led to the recent defection of five governors were held inside the Presidential Villa,  Abuja on Sunday. The first was between 11  governors and two deputy governors and  Vice-President Namadi Sambo  while the   second was between President Goodluck Jonathan and the two remaining  rebel  governors -   Sule Lamido (Jigawa ( and   Babangida Aliyu (Niger).

Source: PUNCH NIGERIA (Click Here to see more details)

ASUU to parents: Keep your children at home

The Academic Staff Union of Universities on Sunday  advised   parents  not to endanger the lives of their children and wards by sending  them to their  university campuses. ASUU which also  told  its members not to sign attendance registers in their institutions, lashed out at the Federal Government for lack of consistency in its statements on  the ongoing strike.

Source: PUNCH NIGERIA (Click Here for more details)

Gunmen attack Mountain of Fire headquarters in Enugu

Unknown gunmen have attacked the regional headquarters of Mountain of Fire and Miracles ministries in Enugu. The attack was carried out on Saturday night, and the two security men on duty at the church escaped death with serious injuries. Members of the MFM disclosed to The PUNCH that the gunmen wielded machetes and other dangerous weapons.

Source: PUNCH NIGERIA (Click Here for more details)

Five artisans die in Kaduna building collapse

At least five persons were crushed to death  following the collapse of a building  at  Angwan Dosa, Kaduna North Local Government Area of  the state  on Saturday. It was learnt that while 10 of the workers escaped unhurt , four died on the spot and another died at a private hospital in the state.

Source: PUNCH NIGERIA (Click Here to see the details)

Airtel Nigeria versus their customers

I don't think Airtel Nigeria is ready to reconsider the decision they made yesterday about cutting off non-BB users from their BB plans. Aggrieved customers that took to Twitter to express their disappointment in Airtel got a negative but friendly response as Airtel Nigeria tries to shift their concentration to other internet plans available to non-BB users.

see Airtel Nigeria's tweets screenshots below:

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE NEWS THAT WAS POSTED EARLIER IF YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND THIS.

Train derails in New York, killing 4

A passenger train derailment Sunday morning killed at least four people and injured dozens more, officials said. Firefighters and emergency rescuers swarmed the scene near Spuyten Duyvil station in the Bronx, where at least two train cars had flipped on their sides. One car was just feet away from the Harlem River. At least 67 people were injured, New York Police Chief Ray Kelly told reporters. It came off the tracks just as it was coming around a sharp curve shortly after 7 a.m., fire officials told CNN affiliate WCBS. Of eight train cars, seven were off the tracks.

Source: CNN International (Click Here to see more details)

How teenagers, desperate couples fuel baby factories – Police

Baby factories where teens are kept and made to bear children for a  token and the babies  sold  have become the order of the day. As shocking, immoral and  unreligious as it may seem, some Nigerians still  indulge in the act. In this interview, Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Frank Mba, speaks on what the police are doing to check  the trend. There have, of late,  been an increase  in  cases of baby factories as discovered by the police, especially in the South-east. What do you think is responsible for the development?

Source: VANGUARD NIGERIA (Click Here to see more details)

Liverpool ready to splash £7m on Moses

Liverpool are keen on securing a permanent deal for Chelsea winger Victor Moses, reports The Metro. The Reds took the 22-year-old on loan from the Blues in the past transfer window and, despite the Nigerian star in-and-out of the team at Anfield, Reds boss Brendan Rodgers is ready to keep him for the long term. It’s thought the Merseyside outfit will have to pay their Premier League rivals £7m for his long term services.

Source: PUNCH NIGERIA (Click Here to see details)

6.3-magnitude earthquake strikes off Indonesia

A 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck early Sunday off Indonesia, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Neither the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center nor the Japan Meteorological Agency issued tsunami warnings or advisories immediately after the tremor.

Details on PUNCH NIGERIA

Appeal date set for Egypt female protesters

A group of 14 women protesters will formally appeal against their 11-year jail sentences on December 7, their lawyer has said. An appeal by seven girls, all under the age of 18 and part of the same case, will be heard by a separate court for juveniles on the same day, Ayman Dali told the AFP news agency. "Their appeals have been submitted and the appeals session has been set for December 7," Dali said. On Wednesday, an Egyptian court in the Mediterranean city of Alexandria sentenced the women who it said were members of the Muslim Brotherhood movement to 11 years in jail.

Source: Al Jazeera (Click Here for more details)

Deadly bombing strikes funeral in Iraq

A suicide bombing has killed at least 12 people and injured 45 others during the funeral of the son of a prominent Sunni tribal leader in central Iraq. The funeral on Sunday had been for Mudher al-Shallal al-Araki, a fighter in the Sahwa, a Sunni group. Al-Araki was killed in a roadside bombing on Saturday near his family's home in the city of Baquba, north of Baghdad.

Source: Al Jazeera (Click Here to see the details)

China set to launch historic moon rover

China is set to launch its first lunar rover mission, marking a key milestone in the country's ambitious space programme. The Chang'e-3 rocket, carrying the Jade Rabbit rover, was set to blast off at 1:30am on Monday (17:30 GMT on Sunday) from the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre in southwestern Sichuan province. "We have been rehearsing the entire flight process. But for some crucial stages, we will do repeated exercises, more times than for other processes," said Wu Fenglei, deputy director of the system design department at the Beijing Aerospace Command and Control Centre. Chinese state broadcaster CCTV was promising live coverage of the launch, starting an hour and a half in advance.

Source: Al Jazeera (Click Here for more details)

Glasgow helicopter crash: Victims name

The body of Gary Arthur was recovered from the scene, police said

Three of the eight people who died when a police helicopter crashed into a busy Glasgow pub on Friday have been named. Gary Arthur, 48, from the Paisley area, was named by Police Scotland as one of the people who died in The Clutha bar. It is being reported locally that two of the people killed in the crash were the helicopter's pilot David Traill and police officer Kirsty Nelis.

Source: BBC News (Click Here to see the details)

The Deji of Akure Kingdom, Oba Adebiyi Adesida, Is Dead

Oba Adebiyi Adegboyega Adesida

The paramount ruler of Akure Kingdom in Ondo State, Nigeria has joined his ancestors. He reportedly died of an undisclosed illness in Akure, Ondo State Capital. A source from the palace disclosed that the monarch died in his palace as palace guards tried to rescue him. The monarch who was born into the Ojijigogun ruling house ascended the throne on August 12, 2010 after he was recalled from London shortly after the former Deji was dethroned for abusing his wife.

Source: SaharaReporters (Click Here to see the details)

TECNO penetrates smartphone market with new Phantom AIII

The highly anticipated smartphone was formally launched to the public at an elaborate ceremonyin Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island Lagos. The Phantom AIII smartphone is an upgraded version of the TECNO Phantom A+, it has a sleeker body and bigger screen than that of its predecessor, it comes with 6.0” captivating HD touch screen, 4.2android operating system, it has3.75g network capability, with1.5 GHz quad core processor. The Phantom AIII is equipped withmemory capacity of 16 GB rom plus 1 gb ram, 13megal pixels rear camera and 8megal pixel front camera. It also has social media application like Facebook, Whatsapp and Palmchat, applications. The Vice president added that he was very glad to announce a new collaboration with BlackBerry, whichallows customers to find,preloaded on TECNO devices, the famous and popular BBM™ application.

Source: VANGUARD NIGERIA (Click Here to see details)

Happy Birthday to Africa Magic

Gaga Gist is wishing Africa Magic happy 10th anniversary. The great entertainment channel for Africa by Africa and also one of DStv's best channels has been in existence for 10 years now and awesome programmes are lined up for this amazing celebration. Tune to Channel 198 on your DStv.

'Fast & Furious' star Paul Walker killed in car crash

Confirming from his Twitter account and official Facebook page, Gaga Gist got to know that the 'Fast and Furious' legend lost his life alongside a friend's in a car crash on their way to a charity event.

Gaga Gist™

Click Here to see the details of the story from CNN International

How Jonathan handed aggrieved govs the excuse they needed

A special report from Vanguard Nigeria has explained how the aggrieved governors of nPDP were given a letter from the Presidency which caused the pull-out.

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE SPECIAL REPORT

FIVE bishops banned from officiating in Niger Delta

FIVE Pentecostal bishops have been banned from officiating in any bishopric gathering in the Niger Delta by Pentecostal Bishops in the Niger Delta for committing a sacrilegious act when, in company of seven other clerics from the region.

Source: VANGUARD NIGERIA (Click Here to see the details)

Clashes between Vice Chancellors and Lecturers on ASUU Strike

The Vice Chancellors of Nigerian universities has given the lecturers an ultimatum to end the strike this week or get sacked. The decision which was controversially said to have been influenced by the Presidency also leaves undercover policemen loitering campuses to ensure safe resumption.

Gaga Gist™

Obiano emerges as Anambra State's Governor-elect

Chief Willie Obiano has been officially announced as the winner of the just concluded Anambra State Gubernatorial Election. After much controversy,  the formal declaration was made by the Chief Returning Officer, Prof. James Epoke, who is also the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calabar around 1 am today.

Source: PUNCH NIGERIA (Click Here to see the details)

Jonathan denies giving ASUU ultimatum

The President of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan has made it known that the Presidency has no hand in the ultimatum that was given to ASUU. He said the ultimatum was decided by the Council of VCs and the acting Mnister of Education was only acting on the decision.

LASG to demolish structures under electric transmission cables

The Lagos State Government on Saturday said it would demolish structures built under electric transmission cables across the state. The State Commissioner for Environment, Mr Tunji Bello, stated this while monitoring the monthly sanitation in Ayobo/Ipaja area of the state. He said building under high tension installations was fraught with grave danger, adding that it also constituted environmental nuisance. 

Source: PUNCH NIGERIA (Click Here to see the details)

Airtel Nigeria stuns non-BlackBerry users

Airtel Nigeria sent SMSes out tonight to alert users that are using their BB plans on other devices that the service will soon be blocked. According to the message, Airtel BB plans will cease to function on non BB devices or used as a modem effective from 3rd December, 2013. When Gaga Gist interviewed one of the customers of Airtel Nigeria, he made it known that this is the only reason he is using an Airtel sim.

US carriers urged to comply with China air zone rules

The US says it expects its civilian aircraft to observe China's rules in an air defence zone in the East China Sea. A US statement said this did not mean the US accepted China's requirements in the zone covering territory claimed by China, Japan, Taiwan and South Korea. China wants all aircraft there to file flight plans and identify themselves. The US, Japan and South Korea say they have flown military aircraft in the area unannounced. But China said it scrambled fighter jets on Friday. The move was to monitor US and Japanese aircraft in the zone.

Source: BBC News (Click Here to see the details of the story)

Jean Kent: Suffolk Gainsborough melodramas actress dies

Film and television actress Jean Kent, one of Britain's biggest stars in the 1940s and 1950s, has died. She was injured in a fall at her home in Westhorpe, Suffolk, and died at the West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds at 03:40 GMT. Her death was announced by a close family friend, author and former film critic Michael Thornton. Her last public appearance was in 2011 when she was honoured by the British Film Institute on her 90th birthday.

Source: BBC News (Click Here to see the details of the story)

Glasgow helicopter crash: Eight dead at Clutha pub

Eight people are now confirmed to have died after a police helicopter crashed into a busy pub in Glasgow city centre. Three people inside the helicopter and five people inside The Clutha were killed after the Police Scotland aircraft came down at 22:30 on Friday. A further 14 people are being treated for "very serious injuries". It is thought that about 120 people were in the pub at the time of the crash.

Source: BBC News (Click Here for the details of the story)

Nollywood Update: Saheed Balogun drags Fathia to court over name

The veteran actor, Saheed Balogun who says he will stop Fathia from bearing his name few years ago has started taken legal steps to effect that. Although Fathia still says nobody can stop her from bearing the name.

Source: PUNCH NIGERIA (Click Here to see the details of the story)

ASUU Strike Update: FG deploys policemen to Federal Universities

The Federal Government has directed the Inspector General of Police, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar, to deploy policemen to all federal universities in the country  in its bid to ensure  resumption of academic activities in universities on or before December 4.

Source: PUNCH NIGERIA (Click Here for the details of the story)