10 signs of normal relationships people think are toxic

The Twilight series, Batman's Joker and Harley Quinn, Fifty Shades of Grey... portrayals of relationships that people criticise as 'toxic' or unhealthy have exploded in public consciousness recently.

Here are 10 traits that are often viewed as toxic or negative, but can actually be signs of a healthy relationship.

Economic Recession: Speaker Dogara Asks Nigerians To Be Patient

The Speaker of the House of Representatives in Nigeria, Mr Yakubu Dogara, has asked citizens to be patient and have unwavering confidence in the future of the nation’s economy which is currently in recession. He reassured citizens that the Federal Government of Nigeria would find solutions to the current economic recession.

Nigeria’s economy had officially slipped into recession few weeks, after a report by the National Bureau of Statistics showed that the nation’s Gross Domestic Product contracted.

How swap of Chibok Girls with Boko Haram failed

Federal Government has released details of its efforts to secure the release of Chibok girls, who were abducted by the Boko Haram sect on April 14, 2014.

Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, at a press conference in Abuja said President Muhammadu Buhari, on assumption of office, directed security agencies to locate and ensure safe rescue of the girls.

He said that the Department of State Services on July 17, 2015 opened negotiations with the sect, which demanded the release of its bomb makers and fighters involved in major terrorist activities in the country.

Rodrigo Duterte: Philippines president calls US president Barack Obama a 'son of a bitch'

Philippines' President Rodrigo Duterte speaks to reporters before departing to Laos REUTERS/Lean Daval Jr

Controversial Filipino President Rodrigo Duterte has labelled US counterpart Barack Obama a “son of a bitch” and warned him not to question his policy of extrajudicial killings. 

Since gaining power in June, Mr Duterte has engaged in a vicious war on drugs, which has seen around 2,400 people killed with impunity by hit squads, drawing international criticism.  

Ethiopian deaths in fire at prison 'holding Oromo protesters'

A TV station based outside Ethiopia broadcast footage of the fire, Photo Credit ESAT

An unknown number of inmates have died after a fire at an Ethiopian prison where prominent anti-government protesters are reportedly being held.

Sustained gunfire could be heard coming from Qilinto prison, on the outskirts of the capital Addis Ababa, after the fire broke out, local media reported.

The government confirms "some" deaths, while local media report that at least 20 people had died in the incident.

There has been an unprecedented wave of protests in Ethiopia in recent months.

Photos posted on social media on Saturday showed plumes of smoke rising from the prison compound.

Hajj stampede: Iranian leader attacks Saudi management

Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Khomeini

Iran's supreme leader has attacked Saudi Arabia's handling of the Hajj almost a year on since hundreds of pilgrims were killed in a stampede.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said because of Riyadh's "oppressive behaviour" the "world of Islam" should reconsider its management of the Hajj.

This year it begins on 11 September but Iranians will not participate.

The Hajj is an annual Muslim pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca, located in Saudi Arabia.

In a statement Ayatollah Khamenei said: "Saudi rulers, who have obstructed the path of Allah and have blocked the proud and faithful Iranian pilgrims' path to the Beloved's House, are disgraced and misguided people.

Dozens die in suicide bombings across Syrian

Soldiers and civilians inspect the site of a bombing in Tartus. Photograph: Sana/EPA

Dozens of people have been killed in an apparently coordinated string of bombings across government-held cities in Syria, as battles that have drawn in regional and international powers rage throughout an embattled country carved into competing spheres of influence.

Syrian state media said at least 40 people had died in six suicide bombings in the city of Homs in central Syria, the suburbs of Damascus, the suburbs of the coastal city of Tartus, and the Kurdish-controlled Hasakah city. Dozens more have been wounded.

Breaking: PENGASSAN suspends nationwide strike

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has suspended its nationwide strike with immediate effect, the News Agency of Nigeria is reporting.

The oil workers union suspended the strike at the end of its National Executive Council Meeting, which was called to review offers made by government during days of negotiations.

The union had earlier met with the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chris Ngige.

Details of the agreements reached by the parties are sketchy at this time.

The unions had on July 7 declared a strike over “unresolved issues” affecting the smooth operation of the oil and gas industry.

The acting general secretary of PENGASSAN, Lumumba Okugbawa, had told newsmen on Tuesday that some of the association’s demands bordered on issues that could strengthen the oil and gas industry and the country’s economy.

Nigeria releases interim report on assets recovered from looters

Pic Credit Aljazeera

The Federal Government of Nigeria has released the statement below detailing assets recovered from corrupt officials of the past administration.

Read full statement below. 

The Federal Government made cash recoveries totaling N78,325,354,631.82 (Seventy eight billion, three hundred and twenty-five million, three hundred and fifty-four thousand, six hundred and thirty one Naira and eighty two kobo); $185,119,584.61 (One hundred and eight five million, one hundred and nineteen thousand, five hundred and eighty four US dollars, sixty one cents); 3,508,355.46 Pounds Sterling (Three million, five hundred and eight thousand, three hundred and fifty-five Pounds and 46 Pence) and 11, 250 Euros (Eleven thousand, two hundred and fifty Euros) from 29 May 2015 to 25 May 2016.

In a statement in Lagos on Saturday, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, also disclosed that Recoveries Under Interim Forfeiture (cash and assets) during the period totaled N126,563,481,095.43 (One hundred and twenty six billion, five hundred and sixty three million, four hundred and eighty one thousand, and ninety five Naira, forty three Kobo; $9,090,243,920.15 (Nine billion, ninety million, two hundred and forty three thousand, nine hundred and twenty Dollars, fifteen cents; 2,484,447.55 Pounds Sterling (Two million, four hundred and eighty four thousand, four hundred and forty seven Pounds, fifty five Pence) and 303,399.17 Euros (Three hundred and three thousand, three hundred and ninety-nine Euros, 17 cents ).

According to the statement, which is based on the interim report on the financial and assets recoveries made by the various government agencies from 29 May 2015 to 25 May 2016, the Funds Awaiting Return From Foreign Jurisdictions total $321,316,726.1 (Three hundred and twenty one million, three hundred and sixteen thousand, seven hundred and twenty six Dollars, one cent); 6,900,000 Pounds (Six million, nine hundred thousand Pounds) and 11,826.11 Euros (Eleven thousand, eight hundred and twenty six Euros, 11 cents).
It showed that Non-Cash Recoveries (Farmlands, Plots of Land, Uncompleted Buildings, Completed Buildings, Vehicles and Maritime Vessels) during the period total 239.

The following is the breakdown of the recovered cash and assets

Boxing legend Muhammad Ali dies aged 74

Muhammad Ali.  Picture Credit John Rooney/AP Photo

The former world heavyweight boxing champion, one of the world's best-known sportsmen, died at a hospital in the US city of Phoenix in Arizona state after being admitted on Thursday.

He was suffering from a respiratory illness, a condition that was complicated by Parkinson's disease.

The funeral will take place in Ali's hometown of Louisville, Kentucky, his family said in a statement.

Born Cassius Marcellus Clay, Ali shot to fame by winning light-heavyweight gold at the 1960 Rome Olympics.

Nicknamed "The Greatest", the American beat Sonny Liston in 1964 to win his first world title and became the first boxer to capture a world heavyweight title on three separate occasions.

He eventually retired in 1981, having won 56 of his 61 fights.