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(FRANKS..) Nigeria has protested to South Africa about a "merciless attack" by police on one of its nationals in Cape Town, its foreign ministry has said. An amateur video on social media sites purportedly shows the man being stripped, assaulted and handcuffed by policemen and security guards. Nigeria had sent a "strongly worded" note to Pretoria, demanding justice for the man, the ministry said. Two South African police officers have been arrested. Rights groups have often accused South African police officers of brutality, incompetence and corruption. "The Nigerian High Commission will continue to monitor the case with keen interest until justice is achieved," the ministry said in a statement. South Africa's police watchdog, the Independent Police Directorate, has said the officers would be charged with assault. About 17,000 registered Nigerians live in South Africa, but corres...

(FRANKS..) Devotees of a dead guru in India have told the BBC they put his body in a freezer to preserve him as they believe he will return to life to lead them. Ashutosh Maharaj was declared dead by authorities in Punjab on 29 January after a suspected heart attack. But, confident that he was merely in a state of deep meditation, his followers froze his corpse. He led the Divya Jyoti Jagrati Sansthan (Divine Light Awakening Mission) which claims more than 30 million followers. "He is not dead. Medical science does not understand things like yogic science. We will wait and watch. We are confident that he will come back," his spokesman Swami Vishalanand told the BBC. He said that although doctors had declared Maharaj "clinically dead", he was actually alive and in a state of samadhi, which is the highest plane of meditation. The guru is thought to have been in his seventies. 'Spiritual experience...

(FRANKS..) A German court has sentenced Uli Hoeness, president of European football champions Bayern Munich, to three years and six months in jail for tax evasion. He admitted defrauding German tax authorities of millions of euros. The former World Cup-winning Germany striker, 62, had kept the funds in a secret Swiss bank account. His lawyer had argued he should escape punishment because he gave himself up. But judges ruled his confession fell short of full disclosure. The court in the southern city of Munich found Hoeness guilty of "seven serious counts of tax evasion". He was initially charged with evading 3.5m euros (£2.9m; $4.9m) in taxes but he then admitted in court to dodging another 15m euros. It finally emerged in court that he owed a total of 27.2m euros. Hoeness, who helped Germany win the 1972 European Championship and then the World Cup two years later, came clean about his secret bank account last y...

We seized Enugu Govt House for 4 hours, says Onwuka, BZM leader ENUGU — Leader of the pro-Biafra group, Biafra Zionist Movement, BZM, Barrister Benjamin Onwuka, has claimed responsibility for last Saturday’s invasion of Enugu State Government House. According to him,  members of the group took control of Enugu State seat of power for about four hours after they successfully hoisted the flag of the Republic of Biafra and some banners at the main gate. He briefed some newsmen at the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Press Centre, Enugu,   yesterday, where he claimed responsibility for the invasion, which he said was primarily to reclaim the old headquarters of the former Biafra Republic. Onwuka dismissed speculations that the group was sponsored by politicians in Enugu State, explaining that the major target of the BZM members was to hoist the Biafran flag as a symbol of rebirth of the defunct Biafra Republic. He said members of the group, who w...

(FRANKS..) The world's oldest female bodybuilder wakes up every day at 02:30 to fit in a 10 mile (16km) run before hitting the gym. But 75-year-old Ernestine Shepherd insists that "age is nothing but a number". "Miss Ernie", as she is known in the world of competitive bodybuilding, began training at the tender age of 71. She says her true calling in life, however, is helping others to follow a more healthy lifestyle. The BBC caught up with her at an exercise class at her church in the US city of Baltimore, Maryland, to find out why she started bodybuilding.

(FRANKS..) Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC) is causing increasing concern and a rising number of cases. Some 1,241 patients were affected within the Central Manchester University Hospitals trust area from 2009 to 2013, the figures show. Despite infection control, the numbers have increased year on year. The figures, revealed in a Freedom of Information request by the BBC, found 62 patients so far have suffered blood poisoning - with 14 confirmed deaths within 30 days of infection - at Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Two further deaths have occurred in the current year, the hospital trust confirmed. KPC, which causes urinary tract infections and pneumonia in sick patients, is resistant to carbapenems, the last major group of antibiotics to work against multidrug-resistant bacteria. The trust said the chemical, an enzyme, that KPC uses to render antibiotics ineffective had now ent...

(FRANKS..)   22 March 2012 Last updated at 13:53 GMT Help Hayley Okines is 14-years-old, but a rare genetic condition called progeria means she ages eight times faster than the average person. In medical terms her body is that of a 100-year-old woman. But BBC Breakfast heard that Hayley faces her condition with immense courage, and that she, along with her mum, has documented her unusual life in a book.

(FRANKS..) Cannot play media. You do not have the correct version of the flash player. Download the correct version Baroness Ashton: "President Yanukovych has now staked himself on this" Continue reading the main story Ukraine crisis Latest updates Live Before and after Crisis explained Front-line reports Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych and opposition leaders have signed a deal leading to an early presidential poll before the end of the year. The election is part of an agreement to end the country's political crisis. The deal provides for a national unity government, electoral reform and constitutional changes reducing the president's power. The compromise came after hours of talks, mediated by three European Union foreign ministers. The German and Polish foreign ministers met protest leaders, who later announced ...

(FRANKS..) Cannot play media. You do not have the correct version of the flash player. Download the correct version Beatrice Muller has lived on the ship for several years With the QE2 heading into retirement, many people are losing their favourite place to spend a holiday and the crew is losing a workplace. But 89-year-old Beatrice Muller is actually losing her home. She is the QE2's only permanent resident. Some years ago she sold her property in the US to live on the liner full time. "I have been on this wonderful ship off and on for 14 years. This is now my only home," she told BBC News. Cruise ship holidays had never appealed to Mrs Muller until, in 1995, she stepped on board with her husband, Bob. Both were taken by it and and returned year after year until Mr Muller died on board in 1999 as the ship sailed out of Bombay. ...

(FRANKS..) Nigeria central bank head Lamido Sanusi ousted Lamido Sanusi has spearheaded reforms in Nigeria's troubled banking sector since his appointment in 2009 Continue reading the main story Nigeria - Troubled Giant Bad luck party? Fuel scam: Decision time Booming illegal oil refineries Guide to Nigeria's trouble spots Nigeria's central bank governor Lamido Sanusi has been suspended by the president pending investigations into "far-reaching irregularities". Mr Sanusi caused shockwaves in Nigeria when he alleged that $20bn (£12bn) in oil revenue had gone missing. Nigeria's state oil firm has denied failing to account for the money, saying the claim was "unsubstantiated". Mr Sanusi is widely respected after undertaking reforms to the banking sector since his appointment in 2009. He was name...

(FRANKS..) A US federal judge in Virginia has ruled that the state's ban on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional. It is the first time that a southern state has had a voter-approved prohibition on gay marriage overturned. The ruling will not apply pending a possible appeal. Same-sex marriages are legal in 17 US states, most of them in the north-east, and Washington DC. Such unions have been approved either through legislation, court rulings or voter referendums. 'Adding momentum' The ruling by Judge Arenda Wright Allen in Norfolk followed a legal challenge on same-sex marriage by a gay couple. The judge agreed with them that the ban infringes on their constitutional rights and their fundamental freedom to marry. Many expect the case - or one like it - to go all the way to the US Supreme Court, the BBC's Beth McLeod in Washington reports. Virginia is the first state in the old confederacy - a group o...

(FRANKS..) At least six people have died after a car bomb exploded close to the gate of the international airport in Somalia's capital, Mogadishu, police say. Eyewitnesses told the BBC it was targeting a UN refugee agency convoy. Most of those who died were passers-by and several UN body guards were wounded in the explosion, the witnesses said. The al-Shabab Islamist group has said it was behind the explosion in one of the most heavily fortified areas in the city - where many embassies are based. Continue reading the main story Analysis Gabriel Gatehouse BBC News East Africa correspondent This apparent increase in militant activity in and around Mogadishu comes amid warnings that weapons destined for the Somali security forces are instead making their way into the hands of clan militia and even al-Shabab fighters. Last year the United Nations partially lifted an arms embargo, in place since 1992. The move was support...

(FRANKS..) Nigeria have recalled Norwich City's Joseph Yobo to their squad for a friendly with Mexico in USA on 5 March. The 33-year-old has not played for Nigeria since they won the Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa last year. Yobo is Nigeria's most-capped player with 93 appearances and now has a chance to go to the World Cup. "I've always said Yobo is my captain and he'd be recalled when needed so people shouldn't be surprised," coach Stephen Keshi told BBC Sport. As expected uncapped trio Imoh Ezekiel, Ramon Azeez and Michael Uchebo are in the squad too. “ [The NFF] has given, and will continue to give, its unflinching support to Mr Keshi and the team to do Nigeria proud at the 20th FIFA World Cup finals ” NFF statement But there is no place in the squad for regular quintet Sunday Mba, Brown Ideye, John Ogu, Nnamdi Oduamadi ...

(FRANKS..) Cannot play media. You do not have the correct version of the flash player. Download the correct version Two people have been killed after their home collapsed from the weight of volcanic ash as Alice Budisatrijo reports. Continue reading the main story Related Stories In pictures: Mount Kelud erupts Indonesia: Volcano nation Animated guide: Volcanoes Thousands of people are evacuating their homes in Indonesia after a volcano erupted in east Java. Mount Kelud spewed ash and debris over a large area, including the city of Surabaya, about 130km (80 miles) away. Two people died after their houses collapsed under the weight of ash, officials said. Some towns were said to be covered by 4cm (1.6 in) of ash. Three major airports in Surabaya, Solo and Yogyakarta were forced to shut down because of low visibility. There are also fears that debris could damage aircraft engines. Andi Wirson, general mana...

LOVE..... US Senate passes far-reaching immigration reform bill Before reading the final tally, Vice-President Biden warned the chamber not to cheer - or boo - the result Continue reading the main story Related Stories America's immigration conundrum US immigration reforms prove divisive Watch Lives of Latinos in US beyond stereotypes Watch The US Senate has passed a broad immigration reform bill that includes a path to citizenship for an estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants. The 68-32 vote comes after months of debate and a recent deal to boost border security spending significantly. But the legislation faces a tough road in the more conservative House. House Speaker John Boehner has said he will not advance legislation that lacks support of most of his fellow Republicans, who remain resistant. After the bill's passage on Thursday, President Barack ...

Pierre Borghi: How I gave the Taliban the slip   Continue reading the main story French aid worker and amateur photographer Pierre Borghi spent four months in shackles, imprisoned by the Taliban in a hole in the ground. But an opportunity to escape eventually came his way, thanks in part to the weight he had lost on the "Taliban diet". I was abducted by the Taliban on the evening of Tuesday 27 November. It had been an ordinary, relaxed day in Kabul - no bombs or gunfire or stress. I had been to the supermarket, bought Chinese noodles for dinner and planned a quiet night in watching a zombie movie. This was my second week in Afghanistan on my second visit to the country. I was looking for work in the humanitarian or urban planning sectors while I tried to make it as a photographer. I was walkin...

Kevin Rudd sworn in as Australian PM STORY HIGHLIGHTS Kevin Rudd is sworn in as prime minister Julia Gillard resigns as prime minister, says the privilege of serving was "truly humbling" Opposition leader Tony Abbott calls for voters to back his party in upcoming elections Labor Party was not confident it could win a September general election led by Gillard  Kevin Rudd returned as prime minister of Australia on Thursday, three years after being replaced in the office by his then-deputy Julia Gillard. Rudd challenged Gillard for leadership of the Labor Party on Wednesday and won a 57-45 vote among fellow Labor members of parliament. In the Australian parliamentary system, the leader of the governing party assumes the position of prime minister and on Thursday morning, in Canberra, Rudd was sworn in for a second time. Gillard resigned after the party vote on Wednesday night and announced she will leave politics. A major factor in ...