LAGOS: Nigeria emerges from first recession in 25 years

Source: PUNCH NIGERIA, September 5, 2017

The nation’s economy has snapped out of its first recession in 25 years as Gross Domestic Product has returned to positive growth.
The National Bureau of Statistics on Tuesday said the GDP grew by 0.55 per cent (year-on-year) in real terms in the second quarter of 2017.
The GDP shrank by 0.52 per cent (year-on-year) in real terms in the first quarter of 2017, representing the fifth consecutive quarter of contraction since the first quarter of 2016.

U.S. crude rises on returning refineries; gasoline slumps to pre-Harvey levels

 Source: REUTERS, September 5, 2017

NEWYORK: U.S. oil prices rose on Tuesday as the gradual restart of refineries in the Gulf of Mexico that were shut by Hurricane Harvey raised demand for crude, their main feedstock.

The return of many U.S. refineries also ended a spike in gasoline prices, as initial fears of a serious supply crunch faded.

U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures Clc1 were at $47.55 barrel at 0656 GMT, up 26 cents, or 0.55 percent, from their last settlement.

SEOUL: South Korea, U.S. plan more drills after North Korea nuclear test rattles globe

Source: REUTERS September 4, 2017

South Korea said on Monday it was preparing fresh military drills with its ally the United States and ramping up its ballistic missile defenses in response to North Korea’s sixth and most powerful nuclear test a day earlier.

The United Nations Security Council was set to meet later on Monday to discuss fresh sanctions against the isolated regime. U.S. President Donald Trump had also asked to be briefed on all available military options, according to his defense chief.

BREAKING: Somalia seeks US help over 'al-Shabab uranium mining'

Source: BBC September 4, 2017.

Somalia's government has made a startling request for "immediate military assistance" to prevent Islamist militants al-Shabab from supplying uranium to Iran.
In a letter, Foreign Minister Yusuf Garaad says the militants have captured a region with uranium deposits and have been strip mining the components.

London, UK: Man charged over Buckingham Palace incident

Source: BBC, August 31, 2017

Mohiussunnath Choudhury, 26, of Luton, was charged under the Terrorism Act 2006 for "engaging in conduct in preparation for giving effect to his intention to commit an act or acts of terrorism."
He will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court later on Thursday.
It is alleged he drove at police and reached for a 4ft sword last Friday.

Russia's Sakhalin Island Disappears From Online Maps As North Korea Fires Missile

 Source: THE MOSCOW TIMES. August 29, 2017

The Pacific island of Sakhalin has partially disappeared from Russia’s Yandex map service.
The Russian equivalent of Google Maps, Yandex Maps, does not show the Far Eastern island on either its website or app on maps zoomed between 180 and 3000 kilometers from the earth's surface.

South African minister Motsoaledi blasts African leaders' 'health tourism'

Source: BBC August 29, 2017

Aaron Motsoaledi condemned "health tourism" while speaking in Zimbabwe.
President Robert Mugabe, who frequently receives treatment in Singapore, had left the meeting of health ministers when Dr Motsoaledi made the comments.
Mr Mugabe's spokesman has said that the president's doctor "is not only Zimbabwean, he is actually black… He is very, very, very black".