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http://ift.tt/eA8V8J Boko Haram gunmen killed eight members of a civilian militia force on Sunday, hiding in trees and opening fire as they waited for troops to go on a joint dawn offensive, their colleagues told AFP. The members of the civilian joint task force (CJTF) were waiting for soldiers at Kayamla village, in the Konduga area of Borno state, northeast Nigeria, when the attack happened. “We lost eight comrades in an ambush by Boko Haram gunmen at about 5:30 am (0430 GMT),” said CJTF member Ibrahim Liman in the state capital Maiduguri, which is 10 kilometres (six miles) away. “The vigilantes had gone to Kaymala as an advance party that was to be joined later by troops to launch an attack on Boko Haram enclave. “Unknown to them, Boko Haram terrorists, who by all indications had prior knowledge of the offensive, ambushed them by climbing into the trees. “They opened fire on the team as soon as they pulled over.” Liman’s account was supported by another militia member, Musa A...

http://ift.tt/2r5kkVD Music streaming leader Spotify has agreed to set up a $43.45 million fund to settle a potentially costly pair of US copyright lawsuits from artists, lawyers said Monday. The move marks the latest effort by the Swedish company to turn the page on messy disputes as it considers a public listing amid the soaring growth of streaming. The settlement would end lawsuits spearheaded by two indie songwriters who double as academics — folk rock singer Melissa Ferrick and David Lowery, frontman of alternative rock bands Cracker and Camper Van Beethoven. The two had pursued class-action cases — meaning a mass of musicians could claim payouts — with Ferrick seeking $200 million and Lowery asking for $150 million. The artists had accused Spotify, which boasts of offering instant access to 30 million songs, of recklessly putting music online without securing mechanical rights — the permission to reproduce copyrighted material — from the tracks’ composers. Spotify and other...

http://ift.tt/eA8V8J The Managing Director of Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA), Mr Emmanuel Jime, has promised to make a significant difference in ensuring that Free Trade Zones (FTZs) work optimally. Jime made the promise in a statement by the Head, Corporate Communication, Mr Simon Imobo-Tswam, on Sunday in Abuja. Jime congratulated Nigerians on the 2017 Democracy Day as the country celebrated 17 unbroken years of civilian rule. “Nigeria is gradually coming of age as a vibrant democracy. “For us at NEPZA, we are determined to make a difference not just symbolically but significantly. “We want to make our Free Trade Zones (FTZs) work optimally. We want them to compare or rival those of China, Singapore, United Arab Emirates. “If the FTZ concept has birthed the Asian Tigers, we envision Nigeria becoming an African Lion in no distant future and this via the instrumentality of a rebranded and repositioned NEPZA,” Jime said. Jime urged Nigerians in public service ...