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skynewsafrica Account in Nigeria linked to European COVID-19 mask fraud - INTERPOL

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Account in Nigeria linked to European COVID-19 mask fraud – INTERPOL

Segun - April 16, 2020

NIGERIA INTERPOL on Tuesday unmasked an international COVID-19 fraud racket straddling three European countries – Germany, Ireland and the Netherlands. Nigeria...

sky news africa EU donates $55m in coronavirus combat, Nigeria pops up in INTERPOL fraud report

World News

EU donates $55m in COVID-19 combat, Nigeria pops up in INTERPOL...

Mumbere Peter - April 14, 2020

EUROPEAN UNION April 14: Buhari signs federal lockdown extension Nigeria is to benefit from a...

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2019 Women's World Cup: African reps, SA, Nigeria; suffer opening loses

2019 Women’s World Cup: African reps, SA, Nigeria; suffer opening loses

June 9, 2019

Leah's Abduction: Nigeria now on a watch list of religious right violators

Leah’s Abduction: Nigeria now on a watch list of religious right...

May 14, 2020

Sudan protest hub: Govt clamps social media, death toll put at 19

Sudan protest hub: Govt clamps social media, death toll put at...

December 28, 2018

Millions of Hindu pilgrims took the plunge into sacred rivers at the world's largest religious gathering Monday, led by ash-smeared holy men and accompanied by religious chanting. On the most auspicious day of the months-long Kumbh Mela festival, devotees rose at dawn in the northern city of Allahabad to immerse themselves at the confluence of three rivers -- the Ganges, the Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati. Thousands of Naga Sadhus, a devout, fierce and famously nude sect of followers of the Hindu god Shiv, and other holy men clad in saffron robes, led the mass bathing in the chilly waters, some brandishing swords and tridents. Hindus believe that bathing in the sacred rivers cleanses them of sin and Monday's Mauni Amavasya Snan -- the "no moon day" -- is considered the holiest of the gigantic 48-day festival that runs until March 4. More than 30,000 police were on duty to manage the huge crowds and prevent the deadly stampedes that have marred previous gatherings. Authorities have spent about $40 million on an operation to block drains and make sure others undergo special cleansing so that waste water pouring into the rivers does not threaten the pilgrims. AFP / SANJAY KANOJIA Pilgrims have been streaming into a temporary tent city three times the size of Manhattan island to participate in the festival's high point Special skimmer boats collected waste from the surface of the rivers and more than 40,000 temporary toilets have been installed. Pilgrims have been streaming into a temporary tent city -- three times the size of Manhattan island -- in buses, trains and cars to participate in the festival's high point. The confluence of the three rivers is considered especially holy and Hindus believe bathing there during the Kumbh helps cleanse sins and bring salvation. Nearly 12 million people attended the inaugural bathing ritual on January 15 and about 120 million are expected during the whole festival. Devotees meditate on the banks of the rivers after the dip and collect Ganges water in cans to take home. Many observe complete silence for the rest of the day after their ritual bath. According to Hindu mythology, gods and demons fought a war over a sacred pitcher, or kumbh, containing the nectar of immortality. During the clashes, a few drops fell to earth at four different locations -- one being Allahabad. The historic city was recently renamed Prayagraj by the state's Hindu government but is still widely known as Allahabad, the name it was given by Muslim rulers hundreds of years ago.

Millions take the plunge at India’s religious mega festival

February 4, 2019

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skynewsafrica Burundian journalists face 15-year jail term for 'breaching state security'

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Burundian journalists face 15-year jail term for ‘breaching state security’

AU, EU signal 'partial' support for DRC president-elect

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EU sanctions Russia military intel chief over Skripal

Kenyan police on trial over killing of British aristocrat's son

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Kenyan police on trial over killing of British aristocrat’s son

sky news africa ECOWAS to meet over Burkina Faso Coup

Crime

ECOWAS to meet over Burkina Faso Coup