Nigeria News Blog

Traditions of ritual scarification fade as Nigeria modernizes

Sun, 24 Jun 2007 08:19:53 +0000

IBADAN, Nigeria | The wail of 6-week-old Quari Babaola cut through the air like the blade that had just sliced through his chin.IBADAN, Nigeria | The wail of 6-week-old Quari Babaola cut through the air like the blade that had just sliced through his chin.His mother Kafilat shuddered but kept a determined grip on the tiny limbs as a traditional healer smeared the cuts on her baby's hands, feet, back and chest with a sticky black paste of ground-up charcoal and chanted incantations to stop the oo...

WORLD IN BRIEF: Israel hits Hamas with an arrest

Sun, 24 Jun 2007 08:19:53 +0000

In a widening crackdown on Hamas, Israel on Saturday arrested Saleh Aruri, the founder of the Palestinian Hamas military wing in the West Bank, and moderate Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas pushed forward with a plan to cut off cash to the Islamic militants. Abbas' Fatah movement rejected an offer for dialogue from the top Hamas leader, deposed Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh. In his first remarks since Hamas seized control of the Gaza Strip more than a week ago, Egyptian President Hosni Mubara...

Yemeni guard kills Indian oil worker

Yemeni guard opened fire on a group of foreign oil workers shortly after they landed at an Occidental Petroleum Corp. airstrip in southern Shabwa province, killing one and wounding five —- including an American. The U.S. Embassy in San'a said the American was "critically injured." Yemeni officials said the worker killed in the attack was an Indian national; the wounded included two Britons, a Tunisian and a Yemeni man.

World oil reserves used up faster than they're being found

Sun, 24 Jun 2007 08:19:53 +0000

The world's major oil companies replaced reserves at levels below 100 percent for the third straight year in 2006, even as costs to find and produce the key asset continued to rise, a new analysis shows.

Reserve replacements last year, excluding acquisitions and divestitures, were 91 percent, below the 92 percent replaced in 2005, according to a report released last week by the investment bank Bear Stearns & Co.

At the same time, the companies' finding and development costs rose to $13.63 per barrel of oil equivalent, the report said, a 28 percent rise from 2005.

Barbecue becomes restaurateur's salvation

Sun, 24 Jun 2007 08:19:53 +0000

Best clear the pulpit: London restaurateur Koye Rhodes preaches the power of barbecue.

Sure, many Americans, South Carolinians and Charlestonians consider the food sacred.

Only Rhodes sees it as his salvation.

Nigerian unions end fuel-price strike

Sun, 24 Jun 2007 08:19:53 +0000

ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) -- Labor unions on Saturday called off a strike aimed at overturning a government fuel-price hike, ending a four-day work stoppage that shut down most major economic activity in Africa's biggest oil producer, officials said. Labor officials said they accepted a government proposal to hold off on raising fuel prices for a year, while accepting an earlier offer to halve the price increase that had sparked the strike. Secretary General John Odah of the Nigerian Labor Congres...

A 'Dream' realized: Blackhawks grab Nigerian forward at NHL draft

Sun, 24 Jun 2007 08:19:53 +0000

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Getaway day at the NHL draft ended up being the highlight of Akim "The Dream" Aliu's young life.

Born in Nigeria, raised in Ukraine, moved to Canada when he was 11, and then shuttled to Sudbury, Ontario, to play juniors a year ago, Aliu was picked by the Chicago Blackhawks in the second round on the second day of the NHL draft on Saturday.

Long after history was made in Friday night's first round when Patrick Kane (Chicago) and James vanRiemsdyk (Philadelphia) became the first Americans to be picked 1-2, Aliu finally heard his name mentioned before a thinning crowd at Nationwide Arena.

Business Minute: Stocks plunge...Oil prices top $69...Fed meeting on the schedule

Sun, 24 Jun 2007 08:19:53 +0000

NEW YORK (AP) - Stocks ended a bad week on a sour note yesterday. The Dow industrials finished with a loss of 185 points and were down 279 points on the week. The Nasdaq composite index fell 28 points, extending its loss to 37 and three-quarters for the week. And the S & P 500 dropped 19.5 points -- down 30 points for the week.

NEW YORK (AP) - Supply concerns growing out of a continuing labor dispute in Nigeria that shows no sign of ending pushed oil futures above $69 yesterday. Light, sweet crude for August delivery rose 49 cents on the New York Mercantile Exchange -- to $69.14 a barrel. For the week, the front-month contract was up a $1.14.

WASHINGTON (AP) - A Federal Reserve meeting and reports on home sales for May highlight the economic week ahead. On the business side, Apple launches its eagerly awaited iPhone next Friday.

Expert pans Panthers' top pick

Sun, 24 Jun 2007 08:19:53 +0000

COLUMBUS, O HIO — — Panthers' coach and General Manager Jacques Martin on Saturday described first-round draft pick Keaton Ellerby as a "well-grounded" prospect with "great bloodlines."

But draft guru Kyle Woodlief isn't so sure.

Woodlief, who publishes the independent Red Line Report and is considered hockey's answer to Mel Kiper Jr., said Ellerby failed to progress in his third season of junior hockey last season and had enough conflicts with Kamloops coach Dean Clark that he was benched for a time.

Former Austrian president buried

Sun, 24 Jun 2007 08:19:53 +0000

Former President Kurt Waldheim was buried Saturday in the presence of Austrian dignitaries who declared he was unjustly smeared by allegations linking him to the Nazis.

Waldheim, who also served as U.N. chief from 1972 to 1981, died June 14 at his home in Vienna, with his name still on a watch list barring him from entering the United States. He was 88 years old.

Speaking at the ceremony at St. Steven's Cathedral, President Heinz Fischer said Waldheim's that life had to be judged "as a whole, " and that he was unjustly accused of deeds "he did not do."

Hoeppner remembered in memorial service

Sun, 24 Jun 2007 08:19:53 +0000

Jane Hoeppner wanted her husband to have one last game day.

Members of the Indiana football team hoist their helmets as the hearse carrying former coach Terry Hoeppner passes through following a memorial service on Saturday in Bloomington, Ind.

What's this?

Kidnapped Workers Set Free in Nigeria

Sun, 24 Jun 2007 08:19:53 +0000

PORT HARCOURT, Nigeria, June 23 (AP) ? Kidnappers on Saturday released four foreign oil workers seized weeks ago in restive southern Nigeria.

As journalists looked on, mediators handed the four ? from Pakistan, Britain, France and the Netherlands ? over to top security officials in Port Harcourt. All the foreigners, who were seized June 3, appeared healthy. There were no details on any ransom payments for the four.

Kidnapping has become commonplace in the Niger Delta, the source of Nigeria?s great oil reserves. More than 200 foreigners have been seized in the region since militants stepped up their activities 18 months ago.

Mathers Museum in Bloomington all about cultures

Sun, 24 Jun 2007 08:19:53 +0000

BLOOMINGTON -- I admit, it's a pretty scary thought. There I am, looking at a kitchen which appears to be much like the one in our last house and not that far removed from the one in our present house. And it's part of a museum display!

Well, it's not quite that bad. It isn't as if The Mathers Museum is showing a kitchen from ancient times. Rather it is comparing what it was like to live in a ranch-style house in Bloomington in the United States in 1967 with living in Fanchan Tudu, Nigeria, in Africa. In other words, an attempt to explore these two cultures existing at the same time about 40 years ago and, of course, their kitchens are part of that look.

The Mathers Museum of World Cultures is Indiana University's museum of anthropology and thought to be the only such specialized anthropology museum in Indiana. Its goals are to show the diversity of world cultures and, at the same time, illustrate the underlying unity of cultures as well as depicting universal life stages from birth to the after-life.

Nigeria: Unions accept offer of cut in 15% fuel price increase

Sun, 24 Jun 2007 08:19:53 +0000

ABUJA Labor unions on Saturday called off a strike aimed at overturning a government hike of automobile fuel prices, ending a four-day work stoppage that shut down most major economic activity in Africa's biggest oil producer, officials said.

Labor officials said they accepted a government proposal to hold off on raising fuel prices for a year, while accepting an earlier offer to halve the price increase that had sparked the strike.

Secretary General John Odah of the Nigerian Labor Congress, which led the action, told The Associated Press the strike had ended, and the government confirmed the deal.

Nigerian Forward's NHL Dream Comes True

Sun, 24 Jun 2007 08:19:53 +0000

Nigerian labor unions call off general strike against fuel-price hike after 4 days

Sun, 24 Jun 2007 08:19:53 +0000

ABUJA, Nigeria — Labor unions on Saturday called off a strike aimed at overturning a government fuel-price hike, ending a four-day work stoppage that shut down most major economic activity in Africa's biggest oil producer, officials said.

Labor officials said they accepted a government proposal to hold off on raising fuel prices for a year, while accepting an earlier offer to halve the price increase that had sparked the strike.

Secretary General John Odah of the Nigerian Labor Congress, which led the action, told The Associated Press the strike had ended, and the government confirmed the deal.

Drug-resistant breast cancer afflicts blacks

Sat, 23 Jun 2007 15:27:21 +0000

Lorie Williams thought for months that she might have a lump in her breast. But when the doctor said it was cancer, she was still stunned. After all, she was just 29 years old, no one in her family had ever had breast cancer, and she had never heard of anyone getting the disease so young.

"I was just numb," said Williams, who lives in Holly Springs, N.C. "I couldn't believe it was really happening. Then I just became hysterical."

Women such as Williams have become the focus of an intense effort to solve one of the most pressing mysteries about breast cancer: Why are black women, who are less likely to get the disease than white women, more likely to get it when they are young -- and much more likely to die from it?

Local pastor to become bishop

Sat, 23 Jun 2007 15:27:21 +0000

The Rev. John A. M. Guernsey, rector of All Saints' Church in Woodbridge, has been elected as a bishop in the Church of Uganda for its churches in the United States.

He will be consecrated in ceremonies Sept. 2 in Mbarara, Uganda.

Bishop-elect Guernsey will continue as All Saints' rector while providing oversight on behalf of the 10 Ugandan bishops working with the 26 orthodox American congregations that are part of the Church of Uganda, according to a news release from the Church of Uganda.

Nigeria: Strike Talks Fail

Sat, 23 Jun 2007 15:27:21 +0000

Nigerian unions dug in for a long battle with the government after the collapse of talks on the third day of a general strike over fuel prices. The unions threatened to extend the strike, which has already crippled most sectors of the economy, to essential services like water and power.

Oil prices rise as markets focus on general strike in Nigeria

Sat, 23 Jun 2007 15:27:21 +0000

Oil prices edged higher Friday as markets monitored talks between the Nigerian government and labor union officials to end a general labor strike in Africa's largest crude producer.

Light, sweet crude for August delivery on the New York Mercantile Exchange was up 20 cents to $68.85 a barrel by mid-afternoon in Europe.

August Brent crude rose 28 cents Friday to $70.50 a barrel on the ICE Futures exchange in London.

Scientists look at genes, breast-feeding patterns

Sat, 23 Jun 2007 15:27:21 +0000

Siblings Give Back To Valley

Sat, 23 Jun 2007 15:27:21 +0000

HARRISONBURG A pavilion for the downtown Farmers Market took a leap forward this week when a brother and sister pledged $100,000 for the project.

Woodrow Turner and Suzanne Turner Hanifl presented a $35,000 check Friday, their first installment to help fund the project. The remainder will be paid in two installments in 2008 and 2009.

"We wanted to do something to honor our parents," Hanifl said. "And the Farmers Market fits best with their personalities."

Magic reappearing acts

Sat, 23 Jun 2007 08:15:25 +0000

One spent his NBA playing career as a journeyman, before taking the same long winding road in his coaching career.

The other was a pretty boy, a gunner who passed the ball only as a last resort. He's experienced what could be called surprising success on his way to becoming a head coach.

Scott Skiles, Sam Vincent and Reggie Theus are three former NBA players, three current NBA head coaches and three personalities that couldn't be more different.

Nigerian Scams Are Rampant

Sat, 23 Jun 2007 08:15:25 +0000

"They are going to find your weakness and exploit it." says Chris Gay with the WFPD. He's talking about the latest scams emminatihng out of Nigeria. And the scams are targeting people right here in Wichita Falls. Need a job? We'll hundreds of scammers can easily provide you one! "There will be some way they're going to want you to send money back to them and they will come up with all sorts of excuses. " said Detective Gay.

Like sending you this $3,000 check, telling you to keep your part and wire the rest to a payroll account. Problem is.... there is no payroll account just an offshore account. Oh yeah and the check is a fraud. "You're not going to get paid 15 hundred for typing one form letter.>

You're also liable for the money you just wired. But the scam doesn't stop there... Even those looking for love online are being targeted.

Oil prices rise as markets fixate on news abroad

Sat, 23 Jun 2007 08:15:25 +0000

NEW YORK Oil settled back above $69 a barrel and gasoline futures also rose Friday on concerns about Iran's nuclear capabilities and on news that talks to end a general strike in Nigeria had failed.

The market has been fixated on U.S. domestic supply concerns, but a lack of news from the U.S. shifted traders' focus to international developments. The news about Iran and Nigeria sent light, sweet crude for August delivery up 49 cents to settle at $69.14 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange, and gasoline for July up 3.99 cents to settle at $2.2866 a gallon. August Brent crude rose 96 cents to settle at $71.18 a barrel on the ICE Futures exchange in London.

In other Nymex trading, heating oil futures for July rose 1.3 cents to settle at $2.038 a gallon while natural gas prices fell 21 cents to $7.13 per million British thermal units. A government report Thursday showed natural gas supplies rose by 89 billion cubic feet in the week ended June 15, in line with expectations.

Oil, gas futures rise on Iran uranium claim, Nigeria

Sat, 23 Jun 2007 08:15:25 +0000

NEW YORK Oil settled back above $69 a barrel and gasoline futures also rose today on concerns about Iran's nuclear capabilities and on news that talks to end a general strike in Nigeria had failed.

The market has been fixated on U.S. domestic supply concerns, but a lack of news from the U.S. shifted traders' focus to international developments. The news about Iran and Nigeria sent light, sweet crude for August delivery up 49 cents to settle at $69.14 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange, and gasoline for July up 4.01 cents to settle at $2.2868 a gallon. August Brent crude rose 96 cents to settle at $71.18 a barrel on the ICE Futures exchange in London.

In other Nymex trading, heating oil futures for July rose 1.33 cents to settle at $2.038 a gallon while natural gas prices fell 21.8 cents to $7.13 per 1,000 cubic feet. A government report Thursday showed natural gas supplies rose by 89 billion cubic feet in the week ended June 15, in line with expectations.