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NAFDAC’s Blanket Approval For Supermarket Imports. By Les Leba

Investigations by some of the local sectoral associations of manufacturers have revealed that NAFDAC appears to have been arm-twisted by ‘powerful’ Nigerians and government agencies including the Nigerian Investment Promotion Council (NIPC) to grant potential so-called foreign investors who wish to establish supermarkets or shopping malls with a blanket approval for the products they needed to import to stock up their shelves!  In other words, while the small and humble Nigerian manufacturer is kept under the rigid gaze of NAFDAC, with regular inspections and the payment of annual fees for product revalidation, and changes in labeling or packaging sizes and strict compliance with good manufacturing practices, the supermarket investor only needs a single general approval without NAFDAC’s physical inspection or validation of product content, and no additional payment of  fees for modifications to size or packaging at any time. Details

 

Politically Motivated Kidnappings And Hostage-Takings: The New Challenge Before Mike Okiro And His Men. By Emeka Oraetoka Having successfully checked Organized Bank Robberies and achieved appreciable level of success in reduction of criminal activities in Nigeria , Mike Okiro led police, is being confronted by a new wave of politically motivated kidnapping and hostage taking, with serious threat of making nonsense of 2011 general elections? This scenario generally demands that Okiro-led police must go to the drawing board, with their thinking cap on, to fashion out an all embracing intellectual approach to tackling the threatening monster between now and next year, to avoid Hobbnisian state in 2011 Details

 

Garba Gadi, Please Resign Now. By Dr. Aliyu Tilde

The Yuguda camp is orchestrating the impeachment based on the logic that a spare-tyre is useful only when it accompanies its parent vehicle and the two belongs to the same brand. This rule is true to politics as it is to physics. Though Yuguda and I are poles apart in our conception of politics and governance, I can hardly fault him here. Instead, much of the fault lies with his Deputy, with whom I share some political space, for choosing docility in place of valour. One can even accuse him of complacency because of his failure to give the House the leadership it needed to impeach the Governor for jeopardizing the political future of all ANPP members in the government. It is difficult to see how he comes out a winner or a hero out of the mess at the end of the day. Details

 

Branding, Re-branding, Teleprompting and Managing Nigeria’s Image or Reputation. By Paul I. Adujie

As for those Nigerians who have and still argue against branding and re-branding in the midst of poverty and competing needs, they must be told that branding and re-branding is a wise investment, especially in the long term. New York City knows this, and it is why she spends billions of dollars annually on advertising New York City as the greatest city in the world! And billions more to market the term, I Love New York in songs and T-shirts etc. Details

 

OPEC and Oil Price: Stabilization Good for African Economies. By Emeka  Chiakwelu

Most of these African nations planned their budgets and tied their budgets to the price of oil. With the sharp increase of oil price, they enjoyed bountiful spending and relied less on the donor nations and the reverse is the case with the nosedived of oil price. The major problem with these African nations are their total dependency on oil for their total revenue and foreign exchange. They mostly operate a mono-commodity economy and without economic diversification they become vulnerable, unsecured and weak in the globalized market economy. Details

 

Yar’Adua Vs. Militants. By Garba Deen Muhammad

... in his handling of the Niger Delta crisis the President is dead right this time. Along with poor infrastructure and corruption, the Niger Delta problem is one of Nigeria’s three biggest National problems. (The problem of endemic poverty, rising illiteracy, child abuse and street begging are regional problems for which the governors of the northern region where these problems are pervasive are solely responsible). Details

 

How to Wrap Roasted Yam. By Salisu Suleiman

Many Nigerian professionals, experts and businesses, both at home and in the Diaspora send hundreds, even thousands of proposals to government ministries and public sector agencies every year. These proposals cover a wide range of products and services which they might have seen elsewhere and thought of introducing back home. Somehow, most of these usually well intentioned and well packaged proposals simply disappear in the labyrinth of government. What happens to them? Details

 

Stone Pen Or Armed Robbers To Death. By Farouk Martins Aresa

Too often we blame our leaders for everything for ignoring available solutions to our misery but at the same time we adore and defend their personal aggrandizement. They have obliged with a sucker of all time - the rule of law.  If your arm is infected with cancer, you cut it off. Why not do the same to those known as chronic looters since the first Republic, as drug peddlers, as 419 masters and as gun runners turned politicians. So we expect them to alter their hot chase for loot. Stones and sand thrown into our gari must come back, like agaracha, to hunt these Barawo. Details

 

Attempt On Formation Of Mega Political Parties In Nigeria – The Rivers State Example. By Eze Chukwuemeka Eze

The history of mergers and alliances in Nigeria reveals an idea that is always conceived with prospects, but devoid of strategic drive to achieve its objective. In the Second Republic for instance, despite several moves amongst the defunct Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), Nigeria Peoples Party (NPP), Great Nigeria Peoples Party (GNPP) and Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) to fuse into a political body with the view of wresting power from the then ruling National Party of Nigeria (NPN), the mission proved to be an exercise in futility at the end. Although the parties succeeded in evolving into a platform, the United Progressive Grand Alliance (UPGA), protagonists of the idea, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe of NPP and Chief Obafemi Awolowo of UPN, failed to reach a compromise on who should lead the alliance. Details

 

Sanusi Lamido Sanusi: Who He Is. By Abbas A. Dikko

Barely three weeks ago, newly confirmed CBN governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, stepped-in to replace Chukwuma Soludo for a five year term period, many Nigerians, might have expected as usual, writers/columnists to throw-light on who Sanusi is, a one time Executive Director, UBA Plc and until his appointment, immediate past Managing Director, FBN Plc, not good enough. Negligibly or otherwise, that was never given any serious thought, reason why I took the challenge with my little knowledge of the personality in question to acquaint interested Nigerians about who he is and what would likely be the out-come of his stewardship. Details

 

Between Nigeria And Nigerians. By Yusuf Gamawa

From all that we have learned about Nigeria, sometimes many us are made to believe in the works of many colonial and post colonial Historians on certain aspects of our History, especially when they try to argue that Nigeria is a creation of the British, a position that is still lingering on the minds of many of us and has thus created doubts as to the viability of the Nigerian project, it is indeed a position that has created a negative attitude in our people and is generally derailing our progress as a people. Details

 

Why You are a Nigerian. By Olusegun Claudius-Adeniyi

Just some random musing. What determines where a person is born, the type of parents one has and the country where one is born to? Is there any possible rational explanation for the nationality one comes from? Is there any reasoning to the selection of people in a country or even continent? Why was one man born an American and another a Nigerian? These were the kind of thoughts racing through my mind this afternoon. I refuse to believe that these occurrences could have a random origin nor accept the dismissive, simplistic (and sometimes daft explanation of the “work of God” phenomenon). The world is too organised for it to be a product of randomness. From the microscopic organism to the gigantic species on earth, the interwoven relationship of the cosmogony removes any doubt about a superior order. Details

 

Pervasive Kidnapping in Nigeria: Symptom of A Failing State? By Jideofor Adibe

The common tendency is to blame the pervasive wave of kidnapping outside the Niger Delta exclusively on the unacceptable rate of unemployment in the country, an inefficient and corrupt police force that is ill-equipped to fight crime, and collusion between kidnappers and politicians. These factors however appear to be mere symptoms of a larger malaise, namely that pervasive kidnapping, is one of the major symptoms of both ‘failed’ and ‘failing’ states. Most of the countries where kidnapping have been pervasive have been either failed or failing states – Baghdad after the 2003 invasion of Iraq, Columbia from the 1970s until about 2001, and Mexico between 2003 and 2007. Details

 

Nigeria In Quest Of A Saviour. By Isa Muhammad Inuwa

Reflecting backwards from the time Nigeria gained independence from the British Colonial leaders in year 1960 to date, it is quite enough for any serious country endowed with abundant resources and opportunities to rise to the zenith of recognition. Experiments have shown that some Asian Countries and some form the Latin America had started certain aspects of economic development at the same time with Nigeria, in some cases, Nigeria was even the pioneer in such aspects in those years, however, the story is totally the reverse today, whereby those countries have gone far ahead, leaving Nigeria to linger and heavily rely on importation of sub-standard products from those countries, while its hitherto sound industrial base is decaying by the day. Details

 

The Dilemma Of Being A Vet In Nigeria. By Sylva Nze Ifedigbo

I am done complaining. This is my signing out piece. The FCT minister had on my passing out from service announced an automatic employment for me and ten others who won the Honours award. I thought I had escaped the dilemma. Four months on and its now obvious the word “automatic” doesn’t have the same meaning in the dictionary of the FCT administration as is found in the English dictionary. Not the money, not the job has showed up. I am done waiting for them. At a proper time I will launch my attack against them. For now I am looking for other options. I am looking up. Details

 

Federal Character And Quota System in Nigeria - A Good Public Policy. By Paul I. Adujie

It is quite interesting that time have recruited some Nigerians to become advocates and supporters of federal character in appointments to federal appointments. Disparate groups have joined this worthy discourse! All Nigerians should in good faith advocate that appointments and how we do business reflect our essential composite make-up as Nigerians, from local government to state and federal levels. All hands should be on deck. All engines for Nigeria’s development should be firing at full-throttle, from our diversities! Details

 

140 Million Liabilities. By Salisu Suleiman

We take pleasure in complaining about our condition - no light, no water, bad roads, poor hospitals, declining education, corruption etc. But what have we, individually and collectively done about it? Have we not, in our own small ways, contributed to this sad state? From the filling station attendant who tinkers with dispensing machines; the messengers and clerks in public offices who hide files; the stockbroker who manipulates the markets; the banker who round trips; the judge who fiddles with justice; the lawyer who sells out his clients; the teacher who solicits favours from students; the farmer who hides rotten foodstuff under fresh ones; to the hawker in traffic who runs away with your change - do we really deserve any better? Details

 

President Yar’adua “ New Wave Of Radical  Progressive Governance “. By Benjamin Ogbebulu

It could be said that the initial public perception about the electoral process that ushered in Yar’Adua –Jonathan Goodluck administration was flawed   but events so far in terms of policy reversals and policy making have now water down these feelings and the seven-point agenda of the government is being pursued tenaciously as these have formed the road map for the government. Details

 

Democracy and the Failed Nation of Nigeria. By Ibrahim Mohammed

A truly democratic society must separate its political power away from its economic power. Individuals must be seen to clearly control political power and other individuals should control economic power. This way a symbiotic relationship is created. The political power holders know they have to deliver peace and stability and functioning infrastructure if they must be supported by the economic power holders who guarantee the existence of the political class through financing of public administration through internal economic activities that provide taxes to the government. Details

 

Hon. Chinua Achebe and Nobel Prize Committee: The Brewing and Unending Cold War. By Emeka Chiakwelu

Whenever you have time to visit Nobel Prize website, do click to page for Nobel prize winners for literature. You come to notice that of all the important literature of 20th century and emerging 21st century winners of the prize; that the greatest literature of all time that elucidated and clarified the position of Africans on meeting of the West and Africa is missing. The book is Chinua Achebe's Things fall Apart which is based on the crash of civilizations. To say that Things Fall Apart is just a literature is a sophomoric understatement. Details

 

Comments on Sanusi Lamido's Suitability. By Abbas Liman

I have been prompted to make a few comments following the one made by one George who is also a member of our great forum (trustwriters forum). His comment was on Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’adua’s nominee then for the replacement of Prof Charles Soludo as Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). He opined that a former Deputy Governor of the Bank, Dr Obadiah Mailafiya is more suitable. Details

 

The Appointment of a Vice Chancellor for Ahmadu Bello University Subverted. By Usman, Sule Machika

The tenure of Prof Shehu Usman Abdullahi ended on the May 23rd, 2009. It is in the practice of the Ivory Towers to ensure that a substantive Vice Chancellor is appointed for university in good stead to avoid a leadership vacuum. At its 131st special meeting held on Monday 18th May, 2009, the Governing Council’s effort to appoint a substantive VC was subverted. Many of us were taking aback, yet not surprised. Details

 

Nigeria: Ten Years Of “Democracy”. By Leonard Karshima Shilgba, Ph.D.

The Nigerian people are not being empowered. How can they celebrate democracy when they lack the basic infrastructure that will empower them? They have suffered economic exclusion. They pay for electricity they don’t consume. Nigerians are being ripped off by telecommunication companies and destroyed by oil companies (contrary to section 17 (2) (d)). Details

 

Bad News for Nigerians. By Buhari Bello

The Nigerian nation is fast derailing from the part of morality and development. Every day the news coming out as a result of action and inaction of its leaders is not encouraging at all. It’s always like one step forward and twenty steps backward. What is really happening to this country? Has God forsaken us or we have forsaken ourselves as people and a nation. On Wednesday March 12-2009 the whole nation wake us with the bad news that some social miscreants, who called themselves gays, had  demonstrating at the venue of joint public hearing organized by the House Representative committee on Human Right, Women Affair and Justice in National Assembly against a bill that will be presented before the house outlawing same sex marriage. Details

 

 

 

 

EDITORIAL COMMENT

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ASUU strike

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On Gov. Daniel's N60 billion Bond Bid

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Apapa As Agony

TOP STORIES

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Deputy Gov’s impeachment: Bauchi Assembly sacks CJ’s panel

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Kidnappers Kill Six Policemen, Abduct Four In Aba, Onitsha

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Uwazuruike Launches Biafra Passport

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Exam Fraud: Counsel Tells EFCC Keep Off Law Students' Case

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Muslim leaders urge FG on Niger Delta

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N2.2tr illegal deductions: FG, States to settle out of court

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Reps impose N2.1m fine on TOTAL Plc

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Thisday staff’s murder: Witness assassinated

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Freed Nigerian Sailor, Egbegi, Narrates Ordeal

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NIGER DELTA CRISIS: Amnesty Int’l Blames FG, Multinationals

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FG Cannot Pay ASUU Jumbo Salary – Egwu

FROM THE STATES

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US to improve health, education in Yobe

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Gunmen Kill Five Policemen in Aba

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Soldiers Lock Out N’Delta Villagers

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Gunmen Kill Five Policemen in Aba

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I Will Not Resign, Aliero Replies CNPP

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Kidnapper Fingers MASSOB Leader

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Ondo Discovers Secret Accounts

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Enugu to Receive Militants’ Weapons

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

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Banks not distressed, NDIC says

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Militancy: Shell's Daily Output Drops to 140,000bpd

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House Moves to Outlaw Tokunbo Tyres

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US Gives $91,464 to Association

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MAN asks govt to seek fresh gas sources for firms

POLITICS

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Senate may dump constitution amendment

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Reps Intensify Plot Against Chief Whip, Collect 213 Signatures

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A Fresh, Doubful Start For Kano PDP

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Appeal Court Sacks Ekiti PDP Senator, Kila

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ANPP Leaders Support Adamawa Chairman’s Sack

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Drama In The Senate As Gogwim Defects To PDP

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Buhari Accuses PDP Of Tyranny, Calls For Release Of Detained Bauchi Citizens

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Rowdy Session in Senate as AC Senator Joins PDP

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Era of unfair elections over-Yar’adua

ARTICLES

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Amnesty And Peace In The Niger Delt

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How Obasanjo, Ribadu dealt with me, by DSP Alamieyeseigha (1)

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Long trials and suspected injustice

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Climate change: Make or break for the planet

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A ministry for disarmament and amnesty, please

SPORTS

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Eagles Warm-up: Lulu, Ojo-Oba, Sing Discordant Tunes

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FIFA officially names Warri, Kaduna venues for U-17 World Cup

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Kanu assures Portsmouth

PEOPLE AND POLITICS BY MOHAMMED HARUNA

 

MEND’s Threat To Terrorize The North (II)

[GAMJI WRITER]

 

Thanks largely to the domination of Nigeria’s politics since independence in 1960 by the Northern elite, it has since become an article of faith among Southerners that the North, or its elite at least, is the problem with Nigeria. Typical of such belief was an article by Midebo Bayagbon, once a columnist with Vanguard.

           

Writing in the April 18, 2001 edition of the newspaper, Bayagbon said “The problem with Nigeria is the problem of Northern elites, indolent, greedy and parasitic.” The article was in response to my column of the week before in which I made the hardly profound observation that greed on the part of the power-elite, regardless of region, religion or tribe, was the driving force behind the heated Resource Control controversy that raged at the time.

           

Bayagbon was, of course, not alone in propagating the idea that the Northern elite were Nigeria’s problem. Long before him the editors at Newswatch, The Guardian and the rested Daily Times, among others in the South, had peddled the same idea in the wake of a conflict in 1989 between the then (and now) minister of Petroleum, Alhaji Rilwanu Lukman, and the late Mr. Aret Adams, then Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), over a couple of top appointments at the Liquefied Natural Gas Company.

           

Newswatch, for example, had argued in effect that the attempt by Northerners to participate in the management and control of public sector of the oil (and gas) industry when their region produced no oil was a misnomer and simply untenable. Details

BBC

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Survivor speaks of Yemenia crash

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Two shot at Ethiopia church site

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Guantanamo man left in Chad limbo

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Poor rains 'shut down Kenya dam'

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Rwanda denies sterilisation plans

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Niger divided over general strike

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SAB reaches black ownership deal

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Iran leader cancels Africa visit

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Three charged for migrant deaths

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Sudan delays presidential ballot

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China 'agrees Zimbabwe loan'

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Shell should end Nigeria 'abuse'

AL-JAZEERA

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Honduras' Zelaya vows to return

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China postpones web filter plan

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Yemen jet's 'black box' located

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Kirkuk bombed amid US pullout

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Russia introduces gambling ban

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Croatian prime minister resigns

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UN launches Bhutto murder inquiry

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Hong Kong march pushes for rights

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GM and Ford suspend Russian plants

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Zimbabwe gets $950m loan from China

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Papers fined for Gaddafi libel

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Fiji unveils democracy 'road map'

CNN

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France: Yemen plane 'black box' not found

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Experts: Opposition movement in Iran not over

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Iraq: BP, Chinese win lucrative oil contract

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Oil company rejects damning Amnesty report

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Powerful quake hits near Greek island

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New map shows 99 percent of Earth's terrain

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Karadzic trial faces further delay

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Iraq: 35 dead after Kirkuk car bombing

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