5 Ukrainian servicemen killed in fighting with eastern separatists

Five Ukrainian servicemen were killed in fighting in eastern Ukraine on Wednesday, mostly near the government-held town of Maryinka where pro-Russian rebels were trying to make a significant advance, a presidential aide said on Thursday.

Thirty-nine other Ukrainians were wounded, the aide, Yuri Biryukov, said on his Facebook page.

Ukraine's defence ministry said on Wednesday that the separatists, using tanks and artillery, had tried to take government positions near Maryinka, to the east of the rebel-held city of Donetsk, in violation of a ceasefire declared in February.

Dutch lawmaker wants to show Mohammed cartoons on TV

Dutch anti-Islam politician Geert Wilders has vowed to show cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammed on television during time reserved for political parties, after parliament turned down such an exhibition. Wilders said he would make the broadcast to defend freedom of speech after two militants were shot dead attacking a Mohammed cartoon contest in Garland, Texas last month.

"The only way to show jihadis that we will never bow for terror and violence is to do exactly that which they try to prevent us to do," Wilders said in a statement.

Disaster in Ghana as flood overtakes Accra + 78 killed at fuel station (graphic photos)

No fewer than 78 persons were killed after a gas station they ran to for shelter during heavy downpour went up in flames in Acrra, Ghana yesterday June 3rd. According to Ghana's Fire Service spokesperson, Billy Anagate, the fire started at the Neoplan Bus station at about 5.00pm and then quickly spread to the Goil gas station, causing an explosion which killed all the people taking refuge there. Bodies of the victims are still being evacuated from the scene of the incident.

Flood that resulted from the heavy downpour submerged some buildings and vehicles causing people to take refuge in the gas station. Most buildings that had caught fire from the explosion burned away into the night as 'floodwater around the site hindered recovery attempts. Some of the photos are very graphic. Please be warned. *Extremely graphic and heartbreaking* If you have the heart, continue...

Senate approves life imprisonment for rape, 10 years for incest and Child Pornography

The Senate yesterday passed the Sexual Offences Bill which approves life imprisonment for gang rape, 10 years for incest, another 10 years imprisonment for child pornography and a fine of N2 million as well as 14 years jail term for any other form of sexual offences committed in Nigeria.

The sponsor of the bill and Chairman, Senate Committee on Defence, Senator Chris Anyanwu, said the bill, which had been in the senate since 2013, amongst other things 'seeks to make a comprehensive legislation on sexual offences by criminalizing certain acts such as sexual tourism, child pornography and cultural and religious sexual offences in our criminal jurisprudence".

Madagascar impeaches its president

President Hery Rajaonarimampianina of Madagascar has been impeached in a vote late on Tuesday by the island-nation president.

The impeachment threatens to derail rebuilding efforts after years of crisis, analysts said.

The vote by 121 of 151 members of parliament has to be ratified by the country’s constitutional court. Rajaonarimampianina was elected at the end of 2013, after the country had suffered five years of political turmoil following the coup of 2009 that ousted Marc Ravalomanana from power.

Indian nurse who's been in a coma for 42 years after being raped in 1973,dies

Aruna Shanbaug, who became the face of a debate on euthanasia after being in a vegetative state for more than four decades following her brutal rape in 1973, died in Mumbai’s KEM Hospital on Monday after a bout of pneumonia.

Xenophobia: S/Africa Sends Back 5,645 Immigrants Home

Following the spate of xenophobic attacks in April on foreigners in South Africa, the South African government has decided to return 5,645 foreigners, the government said on Sunday.

Spokesperson for the South African Government, Jeff Radebe, revealed this in a statement that foreigners chose to leave South Africa voluntarily.

The Malawians, dominated the list with 3,506, followed by Zimbabweans (1,440) Mozambicans (682), while Tanzanians had (17).