New INEC Boss In Lagos Meets With Party Leaders

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Lagos has called for the support of political parties to ensure successful general elections in the state Daily Independent reports.
The new Resident Electoral Commission (REC), Mr. Akin Orebiyi,  made this appeal during his inaugural meeting with party leaders and other stakeholders in the state.

ISIL launches fierce attacks across Iraq

At least 23, including 16 Peshmerga soldiers, killed in ISIL assault in restive provinces of Nineveh and Diyala.

ISIL controls large parts of the country including three major cities [Reuters]

Fighters from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) have launched a series of attacks in Iraq's restive region, killing dozens of people, including several Kurdish Peshmerga soldiers.
Sources told Al Jazeera that at least 16 Peshmerga soldiers were killed on Thursday trying to repel an ISIL attack on the Mosul Dam in Nineveh province.

Sri Lanka calls for Rajapaksa probe

New government asks police to investigate "diabolical conspiracy" by ex-president to hold on to power after poll defeat.

Rajapaksa and his associates have come under an unprecedented level of scrutiny [EPA]

Sri Lanka's new government has asked police to investigate what it called a "diabolical conspiracy" by former president Mahinda Rajapaksa to hold on to power after being defeated in an election last week.

Millions cheer as pope arrives in Philippines

Pope Francis makes first visit in 20 years setting off a wave religious fervour across Catholic majority nation.

Manila, Philippines - Pope Francis, the leader of the world’s 1.2 billion Catholics, has arrived in the Philippines for a five-day trip, seen as an effort to reinforce church membership, and highlight the issue of climate change as he meets victims of Typhoon Haiyan that killed thousands in the country in 2013.
Francis, 78, arrived in the capital Manila on Thursday afternoon amid unprecedented security preparations. An estimated 37,000 police and military personnel have been deployed in areas he is expected to visit.  

Five Yemeni inmates released from Guantanamo

US transfers detainees to Oman and Estonia, at least six years after the Pentagon cleared them for release.

An estimated 122 prisoners are still incarcerated at Guantanamo Bay [AP]

The United States has released five Yemeni inmates from Guantanamo Bay prison, at least six years after they were cleared for release from the controversial jail in Cuba.

Suspected rebels killed in Kashmir gun battle

Five suspected fighters killed by Indian security forces in Indian-administered Kashmir.

At least five suspected rebels have been killed by Indian security forces in a eight-hour-long gun fight in the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir.
Zee TV news channel reported on Thursday that five rebels were killed near the town of Shopian after Indian soldiers and police received a tip-off that rebels opposed to Indian rule in Kashmir were hiding

Cholera kills 20 in Rivers

At least 20 persons have been report­ed dead following the outbreak of cholera in Andoni Local Government Area of Riv­ers State, where 171 cases have been recorded. The state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Sampson Parker, disclosed this in a statement he issued in Port Harcourt.
Parker, in the statement, said the local government area rapid response team and the state emergency response team responded swiftly.