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AIT Eighteen Palestinians have been killed and 120 wounded by Israeli strikes across Gaza since the collapse of a temporary truce, medics said Wednesday (Aug 20). Among the dead were the wife and infant son of Hamas military chief Mohammed Deif, who died in a strike late Tuesday which levelled a six-storey house in northern Gaza City, emergency services spokesman Ashraf al-Qudra said. The latest violence raised the overall death toll in Gaza to more than 2,030, with at least 10,300 people wounded, Qudra said. Among the dead were three women, one of them heavily pregnant, and seven children. That number includes the woman's unborn baby, whom medics tried but ultimately failed to save, he said.

Manchester United have confirmed they have reached an agreement with Sporting Lisbon to sign Marcos Rojo, with Nani returning to his former club on a season-long loan.   Marcos Rojo Argentina international Rojo, 24, had hinted last week that he was poised to move to England and become part of Louis van Gaal's squad before Sporting rubber-stamped his departure on Tuesday. A United statement read, "Manchester United is delighted to announce it has reached an agreement with Sporting Lisbon to sign defender Marcos Rojo, subject to a medical and agreeing personal terms.  "A further announcement will be made when the process is complete." Rojo had returned to training with the Portuguese giants only after apologising to them for previously refusing to play, as he looked to force through a transfer. In a recent interview, Rojo had said, "It's a dream to play at Manchester United and I am very proud of hav

The Ja’amatu Nasril Islam (JNI) on Wednesday said it will reject any move to ban the use of hijab by Muslim women in Nigeria. The Secretary-General of JNI, Dr. Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, said this at the official commissioning of the Secretariat of Kaduna State Chapter of Council for Imams and Ulamas in Kaduna. Aliyu said the fact that some women using hijab have been connected to bombings does not mean that everybody with hijab is a potential bomber. He added that it is the duty of security agencies to find out if those female bombers are actually Muslims. “We as Muslims are concerned with the security challenges in the country. Our brothers and sisters are being massacred on daily basis in the North-East and some other parts of the country. Today, Gwoza and Damboa are no more in existence as it has been overrun by insurgents who are still advancing to take other towns. This is what should be government’s priority and they should not think of banning hijab.

The unidentified patient is being isolated in a "specially equipped negative pressure room" at the Kaiser Permanente South Sacramento Medical Center. Trained staffs are using protective equipment, coordinated with infectious disease specialists, to provide care for the patient, said Dr. Stephen M. Parodi, director of hospital operations at Kaiser Permanente Northern California, in a statement. The patient is considered "low-risk" and tests are being conducted out of "an abundance of caution," the California Department of Public Health said. There are currently no confirmed cases of Ebola in the state, the agency said. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will be testing the patient's blood samples to determine whether the Ebola virus is present. All necessary precautions are being taken to safeguard other patients and staff, the hospital said. No further information about the patient has been released.

The world's football governing body turned down the Catalan club's appeal to overturn a two-window transfer ban, which was originally imposed in April due to concerns over the ‘international transfer of minors’. Barca recruited five players this summer, including Luis Suarez from Liverpool,while their suspension was put on hold during the appeals process. A club statement read: "Regarding the resolution handed by FIFA's appeal committee with regards to the transfer and registrations of players under 18, FC Barcelona announces that it will continue to defend its interests to the highest sporting legal court, in this case the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). "FC Barcelona cannot agree in any way with the resolution that goes against the spirit of our Masia (Barcelona's youth academy), an example of academic,human and sporting development, recognised worldwide." The FIFA ruling means there will be no new arrivals at

Senate President David Mark has again held a closed door meeting with the leadership of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) over the ongoing doctors’ strike. The meeting took place at the Apo residence of the Senate President, in Abuja, from Tuesday night till Wednesday morning. Governor of Delta State, Emmanuel Uduaghan, Senator Tunde Ogbeha and Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, reportedly attended the meeting. The parley was in continuation of efforts by Mark to ensure that the current impasse between the striking doctors and the Federal Government is resolved. The Chief Press Secretary to the Senate President, Paul Mumeh, in a statement, said the NMA was set to end the industrial action embarked upon following disagreement with the federal government over unpaid allowances. The statement said that Mark reminded the doctors of the implications of the strike on the health of the citizens during the meeting. It noted

View Full Image REUTERS/Tony Gentile Pope Francis waves as he leads his Sunday Angelus prayer in Saint Peter's square at the Vatican July 13, 2014. Pope Francis on Sunday called for a stop in the flare-up of hostility between Palestinians and Israelis, urging leaders to listen to the call of the people who want peace. The former cardinal of Buenos Aires told media on the plane back to the Vatican from South Korea that he is not discounting the possibility that he could retire out of the belief that maybe he has two to three more years of his life. Pope Francis is 77 years old. Besides giving rise to the possibility that there would be three living popes - Pope Benedict, Pope Francis and his successor - the scenario that the pontiff created could present a problem for the Vatican's next pope because of the rock star status of Pope Francis. It appears to be the same challenge that the former Ger

Keshi Stephen Keshi has admitted he is not clear about his future with Nigeria and as such he may not be in charge of the Super Eagles for next month’s 2015 African Nations Cup qualifiers. Nigeria hosts Congo on September 6 and travels to South Africa four days later to meet Bafana as places at Morocco 2015 gather momentum. A 23-man squad has been announced for the qualifiers and the Nigeria Football Fderation president, Aminu Maigari, said the call-ups were made by Keshi and wants the coach’s contract negotiations to be concluded in good time. But Keshi told africanFootball.com his situation is far from resolved. Keshi and the NFF entered into contract talks last week, but talks have been stalled due to the crisis that has rocked the federation. “I don’t know when I would be returning to Nigeria because things don’t seem to be clear yet,” he maintained. “But right now as I speak to you I am enjoying the comfort of my home and just waiting on m

The NFF office being razed by inferno on Wednesday. Photo: Sahara Reporters The headquarters of the Nigeria Football Federation  in Abuja was on Wednesday engulfed by an early morning inferno. The office of the federation’s general secretary and that of other principal officers have been razed down. Reports said the fire caused by an electrical fault in the Chief Accountants office later spread to the general secretary’s office. Fire fighters and other emergency handling agencies have been deployed to the building to quell the fire. This incident comes on the heels of acrimonious events leading to the August 26 elections into the federation’s board. NFF president, Aminu Maigari, returned to office on Monday after FIFA quashed his impeachment by some members of the federation’s executive committee.

Senate President David Mark has again held a closed door meeting with the leadership of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) over the ongoing doctors’ strike. The meeting took place at the Apo residence of the Senate President, in Abuja, from Tuesday night till Wednesday morning. Governor of Delta State, Emmanuel Uduaghan, Senator Tunde Ogbeha and Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, reportedly attended the meeting. The parley was in continuation of efforts by Mark to ensure that the current impasse between the striking doctors and the Federal Government is resolved. The Chief Press Secretary to the Senate President, Paul Mumeh, in a statement, said the NMA was set to end the industrial action embarked upon following disagreement with the federal government over unpaid allowances. The statement said that Mark reminded the doctors of the implications of the strike on the health of the citizens during the meetin

Senate President David Mark has again held a closed door meeting with the leadership of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) over the ongoing doctors’ strike. The meeting took place at the Apo residence of the Senate President, in Abuja, from Tuesday night till Wednesday morning. Governor of Delta State, Emmanuel Uduaghan, Senator Tunde Ogbeha and Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, reportedly attended the meeting. The parley was in continuation of efforts by Mark to ensure that the current impasse between the striking doctors and the Federal Government is resolved. The Chief Press Secretary to the Senate President, Paul Mumeh, in a statement, said the NMA was set to end the industrial action embarked upon following disagreement with the federal government over unpaid allowances. The statement said that Mark reminded the doctors of the implications of the strike on the health of the citizens during the meetin

Senate President David Mark has again held a closed door meeting with the leadership of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) over the ongoing doctors’ strike. The meeting took place at the Apo residence of the Senate President, in Abuja, from Tuesday night till Wednesday morning. Governor of Delta State, Emmanuel Uduaghan, Senator Tunde Ogbeha and Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, reportedly attended the meeting. The parley was in continuation of efforts by Mark to ensure that the current impasse between the striking doctors and the Federal Government is resolved. The Chief Press Secretary to the Senate President, Paul Mumeh, in a statement, said the NMA was set to end the industrial action embarked upon following disagreement with the federal government over unpaid allowances. The statement said that Mark reminded the doctors of the implications of the strike on the health of the citizens during the meetin

Senate President David Mark has again held a closed door meeting with the leadership of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) over the ongoing doctors’ strike. The meeting took place at the Apo residence of the Senate President, in Abuja, from Tuesday night till Wednesday morning. Governor of Delta State, Emmanuel Uduaghan, Senator Tunde Ogbeha and Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, reportedly attended the meeting. The parley was in continuation of efforts by Mark to ensure that the current impasse between the striking doctors and the Federal Government is resolved. The Chief Press Secretary to the Senate President, Paul Mumeh, in a statement, said the NMA was set to end the industrial action embarked upon following disagreement with the federal government over unpaid allowances. The statement said that Mark reminded the doctors of the implications of the strike on the health of the citizens during the meetin

Minister of Land and Housing Akon Eyakenyi exchanging greetings in an EBOLA style with Minister of State for Power, Wakil Muhammed with them are Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Edem Duke and Minister of Transport Umar Idris during the Federal Executive Council meeting in Abuja Wednesday, August 20 PHOTO AKIN OLADOKUN.

The Nigerian Embassy in Abu Dhabi said it resisted pressure from local authorities for the immediate burial of a Nigerian woman who died of suspected Ebola virus in the United Arab Emirate. A top official of the embassy told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that the Emirati health authorities also pressured the woman’s husband to authorise immediate burial. According to the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, the mission did not grant the approval sought by the local authorities because the result of Ebola test on the patient is pending. NAN recalls that the 35-year old Nigerian woman, said to be a cancer patient, died in Abu Dhabi on August 15 while travelling to India from Lagos via Abu Dhabi. Her health deteriorated while in transit at Abu Dhabi International Airport and as medical personnel were trying to resuscitate her, they found signs that suggested a possible Ebola virus infection. The woman’s husband, who was travelli

In a couple of weeks, Africa’s biggest reality show, Big Brother Africa, BBA, will return for its ninth season from Sunday, September 7, with housemates who have hidden talents and adore the spotlight competing for a massive prize pot of USD 300, 000. The new season, which will be infused with more swag and glamour according to the organisers, will be known as Hotshots . M-Net Africa Regional Director (West Africa), Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu, said viewers would be in for almost as many surprises as the housemates. “We work hard to make each season of   Big Brother Africa  bigger than the last, and we’ve really upped the ante this year. Big Brother Hotshots  is going to bring viewers exciting innovations, heart-stopping twists and uniquely African glamour, 24/7 for 91 days.” According to her, the housemates will start the game, which will be hosted by Nigerian-born IK Osakioduwa for the sixth time, in two ultra-glamorous houses built with magic, fun and mischief in mind. Whil