Storm Eleanor Northern Europe suffers 😢 power cuts and disruption*

Storm Eleanor  Northern Europe suffers 😢 power cuts and disruption*

Winter storm Eleanor has swept into most of northern Europe, including France and Germany after battering the UK, cutting power to tens of thousands of homes and affecting transport.

In northern France, the storm cut power to more than 200,000 households and Eleanor is set to move to other regions throughout the day, including Corsica, where gusts could reach 200km/h.

Switzerland - where it was reported that about 14,000 homes were without power - and Austria, where the avalanche risk was expected to be raised to four on a scale of five in several areas, have also been affected.

Belgium was put on "orange" alert, the third of four warning levels, with officials urging people to be cautious when going out because of tree branches and other flying objects.

The Met Office recorded gusts reaching 100mph (161km/h) overnight with a weather yellow warning still in place for Wales, England, most of Northern Ireland and parts of southern Scotland.

Teenage suicide bomber kills father, other worshippers in Gamboru mosque attack

*Teenage suicide bomber kills father, other worshippers in Gamboru mosque attack*

No fewer than five persons were killed in early morning suicide bomb attack at Gamboru town in Gamboru-Ngala Local Government Area of Borno. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the incident occurred at about 5:00 am, hen a teenage male suicide bomber detonated an Improvised Explosive Device strapped to his body in a mosque at Yobe area of Gamboru.

The Theatre Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, Maj.-Gen. Rogers Nicholas, confirmed the attack to NAN in Maiduguri. Nicholas said that five persons were killed in the attack, as against the 11 earlier reported. He added that the troops had also neutralised a suicide bomber at Rann, headquarters of Kala-Balge Local Government Area.

“Yes, but only five killed and another suicide bomber neutralised in Rann.” However, Lawan Abba, a resident of Gamboru, told NAN that 10 persons were killed and six others sustained injuries in the attack. Abba disclosed that the suicide bomber sneaked into a crowded mosque while people gathered to observe morning prayer and detonated the explosive.

*India caste protest disrupts Mumbai*

*India caste protest disrupts Mumbai*

Thousands of protesters from India's low-caste Dalit community have disrupted key transport services in the country's financial capital, Mumbai. Several local trains have been delayed or cancelled, buses have been damaged and schools are shut. Similar disruptions have also been reported from other parts of the western state of Maharashtra.

Dalit groups are protesting against violence involving right-wing Hindu groups in Pune city on Monday. One man was killed in the clashes as Dalits marked the 200th anniversary of a battle they won, fighting alongside British colonial forces, against an upper caste ruler.

More than 100 protesters have been arrested since then. The state authorities have appealed for peace. Many domestic airlines have waived cancellation charges on flights to and from Mumbai as well as other neighbouring cities.

Lagos Govt Seals Properties Linked To Suspected Badoo Kingpin, Alaka*

*Lagos Govt Seals Properties Linked To Suspected Badoo Kingpin, Alaka*

The Lagos State Government has sealed off a filling station, a hotel and an event centre belonging to a suspected Badoo cult kingpin, Alaka Abayomi Kamal. Commissioner for Information and Strategy in the state, Mr Steve Ayorinde, confirmed this on Wednesday in a statement signed by him.

This comes less than two weeks after the Police declared Alaka wanted for his alleged connection with series of well-orchestrated killings and nefarious activities of the Badoo cult group in Ikorodu and Epe areas of the state. The structures, situated along Ijebu-Ode-Itoikin Road in Sabo area of Ikorodu were sealed for violating the state’s Urban and Regional Planning Law of 2010.

The state government said the order sealing off the structures was in pursuant to Section 60 of the said law. Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Imohimi Edgal, had on Tuesday paraded a suspected Badoo kingpin arrested in Ikorodu.

Zambia foreign minister resigns over ‘greed’

*Zambia foreign minister resigns over ‘greed’*

Zambia’s foreign minister has announced his resignation in a scathing Facebook post, denouncing the country’s “path of insatiable greed and shame”. Henry Kalaba said his decision was prompted by the “swelling” levels of corruption “perpetrated by those who are expected to be the solution”. Analysts suspect the move is an attempt to pressure President Edgar Lungu, who is considering seeking a third term.

There is currently a two-term limit in the Zambian constitution. Mr Lungu, who has been accused of being increasingly authoritarian by his critics, is arguing in the courts that he could stand for a third term, as he only served part of his first term following the death of his predecessor, Michael Sata.

Mr Kalaba, an MP for the governing Patriotic Front (PF), is said to be a possible candidate for the 2021 presidential election, should Mr Lungu step aside, Reuters news agency reports.

*Bayern confirm interest in Schalke star Goretzka*

*Bayern confirm interest in Schalke star Goretzka*

Bayern Munich sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic has confirmed the club are keen to sign Schalke midfielder Leon Goretzka.

The Germany international is out of contract at the end of the season and has attracted significant interest from some of Europe's biggest clubs in recent weeks.

Barcelona, Juventus and Bayern are said to be the front-runners, with the Bundesliga champions firmly throwing their hat into the ring with Salihamidzic's latest comments.

Speaking to reporters at Bayern's training camp in Doha, Salihamidzic said: "Leon Goretzka is a great player, that's clear.

"But he is a Schalke player and we obviously respect that. But he is a Germany international and we can say that we are interested in him."

Salihamidzic's revelations come a day after Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes praised the 22-year-old, but suggested Barcelona are still interested.