Ekiti agog as Fayose returns

The people of Ekiti State went into jubilation yesterday, as the state Governor-elect, Ayo Fayose arrived Ado Ekiti the state capital ahead of his inauguration tomorrow.

Artisans, Okada riders, market men and women and passers-by joined a welcome procession that followed Fayose’s convoy from Ikere-Ekiti to Ado Ekiti.

Hell fire ■Many killed, vehicles, houses destroyed as petrol tanker wreaks havoc

… Ajimobi commiserates with victims’ families
Scores of people were on Saturday evening roasted by fuel fire that engulfed Molete area of Ibadan in Oyo State.
A truck carrying fuel, it was gathered, fell at the popular Molete Under- Bridge at about 9p.m and spilt its content on the road. The fuel connected the nearby drainage and trav­elled a long distance before it caught fire.
Checks by Daily Sun re­vealed that many roadside traders, passersby, com­mercial motorcyclists, mo­torists and others in the vi­cinity at the time, suddenly saw themselves on fire.
Eyewitnesses said a pregnant woman and her child as well as a mother and her two children were among the victims of the inferno.
The fuel tanker, accord­ing to reports, was com­ing from Challenge end of Molete before it had a brake failure. The driver reportedly lost control of the tanker before it rammed into a pole, which led to the tragedy.

Libyan militias engage in deadly clashes

At least 21 killed over the weekend as rival groups battle each other near capital Tripoli and eastern Benghazi.

Fierce clashes were reported from Benghazi as militias fought over the control of the Benina airbase [AFP]

At least 21 people have been killed and more than 60 injured in fresh clashes over the weekend between rival militias in Libya, pushing the North African country deeper into instability.
Witnesses said on Sunday that armed fighters from Tripoli's southwestern hilltown of Zintan, loyal to retired army commander Khalida Haftar, attacked the neighbouring town of Kekla which supports the rival Fajr Libya (Libya Dawn) armed group.

Deadly car bomb explodes near Mogadishu cafe

At least six killed by blast near popular hotel and cafe in the Somali capital, police say.

The car exploded in front of the Aroma cafe in Mogadishu [Mustaf Abdi/Al Jazeera]

At least six people have been killed by a car bomb in the Somali capital Mogadishu, a police officer has said.
Police officer Major Nuur Farah said that several wounded people were taken to hospital after Sunday's blast near a popular hotel and cafe.
"Now I see six dead bodies," he said.
"We believe al- Shabab is behind the blast."
Sources told Al Jazeera that the car laden with explosives was left in front of the Aroma cafe before it exploded. The cafe is popular with youth.

Liberia nurses threaten strike over Ebola pay

Health workers threaten to stay away from work on Monday, unless government agrees to hike their hazard pay.

Around 200 health workers have contracted Ebola in Liberia, 95 of whom died [EPA]

Nurses and medical workers in Liberia are threatening to go on strike over a pay dispute, a move that could deliver a serious blow to the fight against Ebola which has killed hundreds in the west African country.
Members of Liberia's National Health Workers Association said they would not report for work on Monday unless a demand for an increase in hazard pay was met.
The association said on Sunday it was calling for hazard pay to be increased by around $200, from what is currently less than $500. The average Liberian health worker's base salary is between $200 and $300.

Hong Kong leader: Protesters have zero chance

Leung Chun-ying says he will not quit and China is unlikely to cave in to protesters' demands for greater democracy.

Leung Chun-ying said the street protests have "spun out of control" [Reuters]

Hong Kong's embattled leader has said ongoing protests have "almost zero chance" of changing Beijing's stance in securing free elections and insisted he will not resign.
In an interview broadcast on local channel TVB on Sunday, Leung Chun-ying said street protests had "spun out of control" and warned it was highly unlikely the action would alter Beijing's position.
"In achieving universal suffrage in 2017, if the prerequisite is to put down the Basic Law and the decision made by the National People's Congress Standing Committee, I believe we all know that the chance is almost zero," Leung said.

Morales poised to win Bolivia election

President expected to win third consecutive term following strong economic growth and reduced poverty.

Morales is credited with reducing Bolivia's poverty and the country's economic boom [AP]

Bolivians have voted in an election that is almost certain to hand President Evo Morales a third consecutive term in power, along with a legislative majority needed to consolidate his leftist reforms.
Around six million Bolivians cast their ballots on Sunday in presidential and congressional polls, with the incumbent leading with 59 percent in pre-election polls.