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http://ift.tt/2rmu2Qa Russia’s top opposition figure and presidential candidate Alexei Navalny addresses his campaign volunteers during their meeting in Tver (some 150 km from Moscow), on May 29, 2017.<br />A line of supporters wound round the room to snap a selfie with Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who looked exhausted but summoned up a smile and hug for each one. The 41-year-old, whose anti-corruption videos have needled the country’s most powerful and drawn a new generation into politics, is bidding to stand in elections against President Vladimir Putin next year. / AFP PHOTO / Vasily MAXIMOV / TO GO WITH AFP STORY BY Anna MALPAS Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny was detained in Moscow on Monday as he headed to a protest in Moscow, as thousands of his supporters rallied across the country. The demonstration is the second mass action since March 26 called by Navalny, who has announced his intention to run for president next year and has drawn a new g...

http://ift.tt/2rmu2Qa Russia's top opposition figure and presidential candidate Alexei Navalny addresses his campaign volunteers during their meeting in Tver (some 150 km from Moscow), on May 29, 2017.<br />A line of supporters wound round the room to snap a selfie with Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who looked exhausted but summoned up a smile and hug for each one. The 41-year-old, whose anti-corruption videos have needled the country's most powerful and drawn a new generation into politics, is bidding to stand in elections against President Vladimir Putin next year. / AFP PHOTO / Vasily MAXIMOV / TO GO WITH AFP STORY BY Anna MALPAS Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny was detained in Moscow on Monday as he headed to a protest in Moscow, as thousands of his supporters rallied across the country. The demonstration is the second mass action since March 26 called by Navalny, who has announced his intention to run for president next year and has drawn...

http://ift.tt/eA8V8J UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Al-Hussein has apologised to the Federal Government for describing Nigeria as being an “uncooperative” member and blocking multiple UN expert visits to human rights hot spots. Al-Hussein’s apology is contained in a letter to Amb. Audu Kadiri, Nigeria’s Ambassador/Permanent Representative to the UN Office and Other International Organisations (UNOG), in Geneva. “In my oral update to the 35th Session of the UN Human Rights Council on June 6, I had stated in error that Nigeria had only accepted one visit of special procedures in 2016 and the last previous visit was in 2017. “Nigeria has received several special procedure mandate holders in past years. “I deeply regret this unfortunate mistake and I trust that you will accept and convey to your government my sincere apology,” the letter read in part. Responding, Amb. Kadiri acknowledged receiving the letter with Reference number HC/17/36REV. 1. “Ì acknowledge receipt of...

http://ift.tt/eA8V8J UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Al-Hussein has apologised to the Federal Government for describing Nigeria as being an “uncooperative” member and blocking multiple UN expert visits to human rights hot spots. Al-Hussein’s apology is contained in a letter to Amb. Audu Kadiri, Nigeria’s Ambassador/Permanent Representative to the UN Office and Other International Organisations (UNOG), in Geneva. “In my oral update to the 35th Session of the UN Human Rights Council on June 6, I had stated in error that Nigeria had only accepted one visit of special procedures in 2016 and the last previous visit was in 2017. “Nigeria has received several special procedure mandate holders in past years. “I deeply regret this unfortunate mistake and I trust that you will accept and convey to your government my sincere apology,” the letter read in part. Responding, Amb. Kadiri acknowledged receiving the letter with Reference number HC/17/36REV. 1. “Ì acknowledge receipt of...

http://ift.tt/2rLwykM European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini (L) and European Union Commissioner for Jobs, Growth, Investment and Competitiveness Jyrki Katainen (R) talk to the media about the future of the European Defence at the European Union Commission headquarter in Brussels, on June 07, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / THIERRY CHARLIER The EU unveiled an unprecedented plan for common defence spending on Wednesday to help Europe stand alone as a global military power, while urging the United States under Donald Trump to remain on the world stage. The proposal by Brussels for a 5.5-billion-euro a year fund follows a Franco-German led bid to focus on security and defence to provide a new sense of purpose after the Brexit vote last year shook Europe. But the incentive has grown stronger since the election of Trump, who berated his European partners on military spending at a raucous NATO summit in Brussels last month even as he pursues h...

http://ift.tt/2pjrB0D Ondo State Governor, Mr Oluwarotimi Akeredolu The Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State, on Monday, gave Gov. Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, a pass mark for for performing beyond expectation within 100 days in office. Mrs Morenike Alaka, the Caretaker Chairperson of the council area, made this commendation in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Okitipupa. Alaka said that Akeredolu had brought real governance to the masses in the state, especially those at the grassroots. Akeredolu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who emerged winner in the Nov. 26, 2016 governorship election, was inaugurated as the sixth executive governor of the state on Feb. 24. She said that the governor swung into action by paying the salaries of civil servants, who were being owed several months of salaries by the previous administration. According to her, the state is now wearing a new look, as Akeredolu has completed most of the state road pro...

http://ift.tt/2pjrB0D Ondo State Governor, Mr Oluwarotimi Akeredolu The Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State, on Monday, gave Gov. Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, a pass mark for for performing beyond expectation within 100 days in office. Mrs Morenike Alaka, the Caretaker Chairperson of the council area, made this commendation in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Okitipupa. Alaka said that Akeredolu had brought real governance to the masses in the state, especially those at the grassroots. Akeredolu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who emerged winner in the Nov. 26, 2016 governorship election, was inaugurated as the sixth executive governor of the state on Feb. 24. She said that the governor swung into action by paying the salaries of civil servants, who were being owed several months of salaries by the previous administration. According to her, the state is now wearing a new look, as Akeredolu has completed most of the state road pro...

http://ift.tt/2pc9QQF The President of the European Parliament Antonio Tajani arrives to take part in the EU leaders summit at the Europa building, the main headquarters of European Council and the Council of the EU, in Brussels, on April 29, 2017. The 27  EU leaders hold a summit to adopt Brexit negotiating guidelines. EU President Donald Tusk urged the bloc to keep a united front at a special Brexit summit in Brussels, saying it will also help Britain if they can reach a deal. / AFP PHOTO / THIERRY CHARLIER European Parliament President Antonio Tajani on Thursday dismissed a claim by British Prime Minister Theresa May that the EU was trying to influence the outcome of the June election in Britain. “No one is trying to influence the outcome of the election campaign in the United Kingdom,” Tajani told journalists at the opening of a European history museum in Brussels. “It is neither an attack or a bad word to say being a member of the European Union is not the same as being ...