Facebook OKs local firm’s launch of Moments-like app in China: NYT

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Facebook Inc, whose social media platform is blocked in China, authorised a local company to launch a photo-sharing application in the country in May, the New York Times reported, citing a person with knowledge of the company’s plans. The app, called Colorful Balloons, is similar to Facebook’s Moments application in function and feel, but does not carry the Facebook name, the Times said on Aug 11. The app was released in China by a company called Youge Internet Technology and without any hint that Facebook is affiliated with the company, the Times said, citing a post in Apple’s app…

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Oil prices dip on weak Chinese refining activity

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Oil prices dipped on Monday as a slowdown in Chinese refining activity growth cast doubts over its crude demand outlook, while rising U.S. shale output suggested supplies would likely remain high. Brent crude futures, LCOc1 the international benchmark for oil prices, were at $52.00 per barrel at 0504 GMT, down 10 cents, or 0.2 percent, from their last close. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures CLc1 were at $48.78 a barrel, down 4 cents, or 0.1 percent. Chinese refineries processed 0.4 percent more crude oil in July than a…

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Acting President Osinbajo not in charge – PDP

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The main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party, says Acting President Yemi Osinbajo is not in charge of the country. It said actions taken by the Acting President had shown that power was not handed over to him contrary to the claim by the Presidency that ailing President Muhammadu Buhari ceded power to him (Osinbajo) before leaving Nigeria for London on medical trip more than 90 days ago. Spokesperson for the party, Dayo Adeyeye, who spoke on Sunday, wondered why the Acting President had refused to assign portfolios to the…

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Lazio stun Juventus to win Italian Super Cup

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Lazio defeated Juventus for the first time in four years with a 3-2 triumph in the Italian Super Cup on Sunday with victory secured by an injury-time goal from substitute Alessandro Murgia. Ciro Immobile had given Lazio a 2-0 lead with a 31st-minute penalty and 52nd-minute header before Juventus forward Paulo Dybala pulled the Serie A champions and Italian Cup winners level thanks to a free-kick after 85 minutes and a last-minute penalty. But Lazio had the last laugh when Murgia turned in a cross from fellow substitute Jordan Lukaku,…

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Akwa Ibom’s Idara Inokon crowned Miss Nigeria USA

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Idara Inokon, Miss Nigeria USA contestant representing Akwa Ibom, has emerged winner of Miss Nigeria USA 2017 beauty pageant held on Saturday night into early Sunday morning in New York. Idara, who was crowned by the former holder of the title, Miss Lola Adeoye, beat 13 other contestants to emerge winner. The new Miss Nigeria USA, who was the fourth to be crowned in the pageant, carted home $10,000 in prizes, according to Ms Joy Fakhoury, the organisers of the annual beauty pageant. She would also embark on a pet…

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Osinbajo congratulates Uhuru Kenyatta on re-election

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Acting President Yemi Osinbajo has congratulated President Uhuru Kenyatta on his re-election as President of the Republic of Kenya. Mr Laolu Akande, the acting President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, said the congratulatory message was contained in a letter signed by the Acting President and addressed to the Kenyan leader. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Kenyatta’s electoral victory was formally announced by the country’s electoral commission on Friday amid allegations of voting fraud by his rival, Raila Odinga. Osinbajo, however, noted that President Kenyatta’s re-election…

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US, fed govt back 20,000bpd oil refinery in Lagos

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The construction of a 20,000-barrels-per-day crude oil refinery in Lagos by a Nigerian petrochemical and refining company has received a major boost with the signing of a grant by the United States Trade and Development Agency. Similarly, the Federal Government has pledged to provide the necessary support to the company towards the completion of the project aimed at ramping up the nation’s oil refining capacity. The USTDA on Friday signed the grant with Eko Petrochem and Refining Company Limited for a feasibility study supporting technologies and development of an implementation…

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I was naive when I first took over Newcastle – Mike Ashley

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Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley has told Sky Sports he was naive when he first took over, and admits he has felt stupid in the past at some “unacceptable” happenings at the club. In an interview, the 52-year-old revealed all following 10 years at St James’ Park. Ashley said he was too hasty to part company with Sam Allardyce in 2008 after buying the club, and should not have changed the name of the stadium to the Sports Direct Arena, but says his errors are all in hindsight, and he…

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Lassa fever: Govt should improve emergencies preparedness – researcher

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A medical researcher, Dr Bamidele Iwalokun, has called on the three tiers of government to improve the level of emergencies preparedness and response to strengthening public health against burden of Lassa fever. Iwalokun, the Head of Immunology and Vaccinology Research Group, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), Yaba, Lagos State, made the call on Saturday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos. The medical researcher spoke on the outbreak of Lassa fever in Lagos State following which two persons have been confirmed dead. NAN reports that…

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#ReturnOrResign is democracy, not corruption

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It is grievously disappointing to learn that one arm of the presidency is suggesting that Nigerian protesters demanding that President Muhammadu Buhari return to work or quit are trying to derail the war against corruption. Senior presidential special assistant Garba Shehu led the charge last Thursday, describing the #ResumeOrResign protesters as an “illegal assembly” aimed at anti-corruption effort. “It might be taken for granted that the beneficiaries of the old order are fighting back,” he said in the statement. “We [have] been warned that corruption will fight back…They want to…

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