Ukraine rebel leader Zakharchenko 'wants 100,000 men'

Rebels forces have been gaining ground

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Pro-Russian separatist leader Alexander Zakharchenko says rebels aim to boost their forces to 100,000, as fighting with Ukraine's military intensifies.

The rebels want to push government forces out of the eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk and are trying to capture the key town of Debaltseve.

Dozens of people including civilians were killed in clashes and artillery fire at the weekend.

Attempts to agree a truce failed when rebel negotiators did not turn up.

Denis Pushilin, a rebel representative, said rebels would only return to negotiations if the government declared a unilateral ceasefire.

A fragile ceasefire agreed in early September in the Belarusian capital, Minsk, collapsed last month when rebels stepped up their offensive in several areas and seized Donetsk airport.

Both sides have blamed each other for dozens of recent civilian deaths resulting from the fighting.

Armoured vehicles were seen heading for Debaltseve on Sunday to bolster Ukrainian forces

The conflict in Ukraine has killed more than 5,000 people. Here, a funeral in Kiev on Monday

Mr Zakharchenko, the head of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic, said mobilisation was "urgent" and that the call-up would take place in the next 10 days.

"This is to increase our army to 100,000 people," he said. "It does not mean we will take in 100,000, but the joint army of Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics' army should be 100,000."

However, the rebels' ability to raise large numbers of forces is unclear.

Analysis: David Stern, Kiev

The first question that springs to mind, after Alexander Zakharchenko's mobilisation announcement, is where all these fighters will come from. The territory of the self-declared Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics had a pre-war population of a few million, and it is unclear how many people remain.

So it could be political bluster - an attempt to match rhetorically the Ukrainian government's own mobilisation plans. However, it should be noted that Kiev plans to carry this out over the course of the year and not, like the separatists, in little more than a week.

But Mr Zakharchenko's statement could indicate something much more serious. The rebels have already threatened a full-scale offensive, promising to push to the borders of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, and possibly beyond. This most likely would require a huge number of forces. Many in Kiev are now concerned the Donetsk leader may be preparing the ground for major intervention from Ukraine's neighbour, Russia.

Human cost of conflict mounting

Why is violence surging?

Mr Zakharchenko said new recruits would have a month's training and would form at least five additional brigades: three motorised rifle brigades, one artillery brigade and one tank brigade.

"This is the reserve which will guarantee us an ability to withstand any attack, and in case of success, to develop a counter-attack," he said.

Ukraine's government has also announced a major mobilisation, with plans to bring the numbers in its armed forces to 200,000 in 2015.

The US, which has so far only provided non-lethal aid to Ukraine, is now considering providing arms, the New York Times reported on Monday.

US President Barack Obama had originally been firmly opposed to arming the Ukrainian military, fearing a proxy battle between the US and Russia, a position that now appears to be shifting, the BBC's Jon Sopel reports from Washington.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said her country would not offer such support, adding that it was counting on sanctions and diplomacy. "This crisis cannot be solved militarily," she said.

'Significant losses'

Ukraine has alleged the rebels are being helped by as many as 9,000 Russian servicemen, a claim the government in Moscow denies.

Tanks and other heavy military vehicles were seen heading towards Debaltseve on Sunday in an attempt to bolster government defences.

Government forces evacuated hundreds of civilians amid reports that separatists had reached the outskirts.

A Canadian journalist in the area said rebels had been involved in a tough battle.

"It's been quite surprising to hear how many have said they are experiencing significant losses and many of their fellow fighters have been killed," Kristina Jovanovski told the BBC World Service Newsday programme.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is "extremely concerned" by the situation, his spokesman said.

Military officials in Kiev said on Monday that five soldiers had been killed in the past 24 hours, although separatists said the number was more than 20. Fifteen civilians were killed in the rebel-held city of Donetsk over the weekend, rebel sources said.

Overall, more than 5,000 people have been killed and some 1.2 million have fled their homes since last April, when the rebels seized a big swathe of Luhansk and Donetsk regions, following Russia's annexation of Crimea.

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Brazil is the only country in Latin America where the culture and language are inherited from Portugal rather than Spain

Singers Claudia Leitte, Jennifer Lopez and Pitbull perform during the Opening Ceremony of the World Cup

Some people don't mind you speaking Portunhol. Close to the borders with countries like Uruguay it is almost a dialect. And I have met some kind souls who have spoken it to help me.

My Brazilian cameraman used to deliberately mix up Spanish and Portuguese until I suggested that although he thought it would make life easier for me, it really didn't - it just meant that I would always speak Portuguese badly - so he soon put a stop to that.

But Brazilians are proud people, so not everybody approves of Portunhol. Some find it a lazy tactic to avoid learning proper Portuguese. They want you to commit to their country and understand them.

Which brings me to another bugbear. The city that I live in is called Sao Paulo and it is spelled P-A-U-L-O - that's a U in the middle, not an O - get it wrong and Brazilians will chastise you. It is not Italian, it is not Spanish, this is Portuguese - so get it right.

Despite the initial language barriers, Brazil has enabled me to understand a much bigger part of a region that I love. But now I am moving on - back to Mexico in fact. A country I am familiar with and where I can speak the language.

Ironic, really, my dad will be pleased to know that I can now enjoy those tacos, but I won't be forgetting the pao de queijo any time soon.

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Brazil is the only country in Latin America where the culture and language are inherited from Portugal rather than Spain - visitors forget this at their peril.

A few weeks after I moved to Brazil, I was on the phone to my father when he asked me how I was enjoying the tacos. I couldn't help getting annoyed and shot back: "Tacos are Mexican, dad, and I live in Brazil."

Pao de queijo - delicious bread balls stuffed with gooey cheese that you have for breakfast with a strong coffee - is the quintessential Brazilian food, but there seemed little point in going over the detail with my father.

It made me realise, though, that this sort of conversation was not alien to Brazilians, people here get it all the time.

The song that was written to open the World Cup last year was a case in point. We Are One was a catchy tune meant to unite the world ahead of the beautiful game - only it didn't, because the principal singers were Pitbull, a Cuban-American rapper, and Jennifer Lopez, whose family is Puerto Rican.

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They start off in English and then sing a verse in Spanish. Only near the end is there a verse in Portuguese, sung by Claudia Leitte, one of Brazil's biggest pop stars.

I have to admit that I too had some mistaken assumptions about Brazil. I studied Latin American politics at university, I lived in Chile and Mexico and spoke fluent Spanish. I thought I knew the region pretty well. And then I moved here.

Yes, Brazil shares a colonial past, but the Portuguese influence sets Brazil apart from its Spanish-speaking neighbours.

It often struck me that Spain had a superiority complex when it came to Latin America. A paternalistic attitude perhaps, and many I spoke to - especially in Mexico - felt angry about the past.

But here in Brazil, it is different. As one Brazilian told me, people here like to go on holiday to Portugal but they see the former master as a quaint little village. Portugal stumbled into a debt crisis and recession at the same time as Brazil started being seen as an economic powerhouse of the future.

It is not that different to Britain's relationship with the US really - the power dynamics between coloniser and colony have changed.

But it was the language that perhaps threw me the most when I arrived. Spanish and Portuguese are of course very similar - without fail, everybody told me my Spanish would make things easier, and it is true most of the time.

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“Start Quote

They want you to commit to their country and understand them”

But early on, one Latin American academic gave me some valuable advice. "Forget your Spanish," he said, "otherwise you will never speak good Portuguese."

Armed with this advice, I threw myself into learning. For months, I would find myself talking to people in what I thought was quite adequate Portuguese, and then mysteriously the conversation would gravitate towards the topic of Spain - people would tell me anecdotes about their experiences there.

Some would say "gracias" instead of "obrigado" when thanking me. Confusing at first, but then it dawned on me when a workman came round to fix something in my flat. He started explaining to his colleague that I was Spanish so he had to speak slowly.

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Al-Jazeera journalist Peter Greste will not rest until his colleagues are released from prison in Egypt

Peter Greste's family spoke of their happiness at the journalist's release from a Cairo prison

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Al-Jazeera journalist Peter Greste will not rest until his colleagues are released from prison in Egypt, his family says.

After 400 days behind bars, Mr Greste was freed and deported on Sunday. He landed safely in Cyprus, on his way to his native Australia.

He was arrested in 2013 and tried on charges that included spreading false news and aiding the Muslim Brotherhood.

Two al-Jazeera colleagues, Mohamed Fahmy and Baher Mohamed, remain jailed.

Mr Fahmy, who holds dual Egyptian and Canadian citizenship, could be freed if he renounces his Egyptian nationality, presidential sources said.

But there are still concerns about Mr Mohamed, an Egyptian who holds no dual nationality.

Mr Greste spoke about his concerns for his colleagues to his family after his release.

'Small cogs'

Speaking at a press conference in the Australian city of Brisbane, brother Andrew Greste said: "We want to acknowledge that Peter's two other colleagues are still there."

His father Juris Greste said that they felt very deeply for those left behind.

Andrew Greste also thanked all those who had supported his brother and worked for his release.

"We are small cogs in this massive campaign," he said.

Australia's Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said Peter Greste had told her in a telephone conversation that he was eager to return to his family in Brisbane.

"He was immensely relieved and he was desperate to come home to Australia and reunite with his family," said Ms Bishop.

"From my discussion with him, he was very keen to be back on a beach and lying in the sun in Australia."

Timeline: Journalists' detention

Mr Fahmy (left) and Mr Mohamed remain in jail

• 29 December 2013: Peter Greste and Mohamed Fahmy arrested in police raid on Cairo's Marriott Hotel. Baher Mohamed later arrested at home
• 29 January 2014: 20 people including the three journalists referred to trial, charged with spreading false news, belonging to a terrorist organisation and operating without a permit
• 22 February: First court appearance of the three journalists
• 23 June: Defendants sentenced to seven years, with Baher Mohamed receiving an additional three years
• 12 November: President Sisi signs decree allowing repatriation of foreign prisoners
• 1 January 2015: Highest court orders retrial, but the three journalists not allowed bail

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EBOLA !!! The first large-scale trials of an experimental vaccine against Ebola are due to begin in Liberia.

Ebola crisis: First large-scale vaccine trials to begin

More than 3,600 people have died from Ebola in Liberia

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The first large-scale trials of an experimental vaccine against Ebola are due to begin in Liberia.

The potentially preventative medicine was taken under strict security to a secret location in the West African country.

Scientists aim to immunise 30,000 volunteers, including front-line health workers.

More than 8,500 people have died in the Ebola outbreak, the vast majority in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.

The total number of reported cases is more than 21,000. In Liberia alone, more than 3,600 people have died from the disease.

The trial beginning on Monday will involve injecting a small amount of the a strain of the Ebola virus into 12 volunteers in order to trick the body into producing an immune response.

But it is not yet clear whether this will really offer protection against the disease.

Scientists aim to give the vaccine to more than 30,000 volunteers

The vaccine is still experimental and it is not clear whether it will definitely provide protection against Ebola

The senior Liberian scientist involved in the trials, Stephen Kennedy, told broadcaster the volunteers were safe.

"There is no danger because the piece of the Zaire strain that has been put into the vaccine. It is a weak strain and it can not and will not cause Ebola, so it is impossible that anyone of the volunteers will contract Ebola from the vaccine," Mr Kennedy said.

The Mark Doyle in Liberia says that the scientists are well aware of how important it will be to work with the local people if this trial is to work.

Community nurses are being trained in how to monitor volunteers in the months after they have had their injections.

Duncan Bell, MSF: "We don't want to jump for joy but... it is a step in the right direction"

In the meantime, our correspondent says that parts of the largest Ebola treatment centre in the world, on the edge of Monrovia, are being knocked down.

The number of Ebola cases in Liberia has been steadily decreasing - in recent months, there have only been five confirmed cases across the country.

The World Health Organization says the epidemic has entered a "second phase" with the focus shifting to ending the epidemic.

The survival rate of the current outbreak is around 40%.

PLEASE WASH YOUR HAND WITH SOAP AND WATER.....Live safe.

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North Sea oil summit to hear pleas for action

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Industry body Oil and Gas UK is to call for "meaningful action" from government in order to tackle major challenges facing North Sea operators.

Chief executive Malcolm Webb will tell an oil and gas summit in Aberdeen on Monday that "an unpredictable and harmful business environment" has put the sector "at great risk".

The body wants urgent tax cuts amid falling oil prices and rising costs.

It also wants a new oil and gas regulator in place as soon as possible.

The UK Treasury said it was working with industry leaders "as a matter of priority" to address the challenges the industry faces.

The summit, which has been organised by Aberdeen City Council, will be attended by local and national politicians as well as industry and union representatives.

Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and the UK government's Scottish Secretary Alistair Carmichael will be among the participants.

Oil price slump

The summit was called amid warnings the industry was in crisis.

A barrel of Brent crude has more than halved in price since its peak of $115 last summer. On Friday it was standing at less than $53 a barrel.

Last month, the chairman of the independent explorers' association Brindex told the BBC the industry was "close to collapse".

Robin Allan claimed almost no new projects in the North Sea were profitable with oil below $60 a barrel.

However, Sir Ian Wood, another leading industry figure, said Mr Allan's warning was "well over-the-top and far too dramatic".

Aberdeen City Council leader Jenny Laing, who is a Labour councillor, said the summit was aimed at coming up with "meaningful" responses to the oil price slump, and other challenges facing the industry.

In recent weeks hundreds of North Sea jobs have been cut by oil firms, including BP and Talisman Sinopec.

Both industry leaders and the Scottish government are calling for taxes to be cut further as a matter of urgency to help the sector deal with falling oil prices and higher costs.

Unions have also raised safety concerns over the number of job cuts being made in the industry.

'Meaningful action'

In a speech at the oil summit, Mr Webb will say: "Britain's great oil and gas industry has over the last four decades overcome challenging geology and volatile commodity prices to provide hundreds of thousands of high skilled jobs, generate hundreds of billions of pounds in tax revenues and foster innovation.

"However the inconsistent and unpredictable government policy it has faced, now combined with sharply rising costs and a sudden drop in oil price, has dealt a blow which is doing real and potentially long-lasting damage.

"If we are to avoid lasting damage to this industry and its £35bn supply chain, now is the time for meaningful action.

"The industry is having to take tough decisions and implement necessary cost reduction and efficiency improvement measures.

"Alongside this, the Department of Energy must proceed as quickly as possible with the full establishment of the new Oil and Gas Authority, and HM Treasury must radically reduce the tax burden on this mature oil and gas province."

'Important opportunity'

Speaking ahead of the summit, Ms Sturgeon said fiscal and regulatory change in the oil and gas sector was "vital" in order for the industry to succeed in the decades ahead.

She said: "In the short term, that means urgent action on taxation to give the industry the certainty and security it needs to protect jobs and investment.

"It is essential that the tax reductions are sufficient to instil investor confidence, as without that maximised recovery will not be achieved.

"This is because the extra investment needed for smaller fields, ageing infrastructure as well as much more exploration and appraisal is only going to be made by operators with substantial tax reductions."

A UK Treasury spokeswoman said the government was following developments in the North Sea closely.

She added: "In December, the chancellor announced an ambitious programme of reform across the oil and gas tax regime, including an immediate cut to the Supplementary Charge, already in effect, and recognition that the tax burden must continue to fall over time.

"In January, the government launched a fast-tracked consultation into a new streamlined investment allowance designed to reward investment in the North Sea."

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New Boko Haram attack the city of Maiduguri here in Nigeria

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Boko Haram Islamist militants have launched a fresh assault on the strategically important Nigerian city of Maiduguri, eyewitnesses say.

Gunfire was reported on the streets of the northern city after an attack that began in the early hours of Sunday.

It comes a week after Boko Haram's last attempt to capture the capital of Borno state was repelled by the Nigerian army with heavy loss of life.

Boko Haram began guerrilla operations in 2009 to create an Islamic state.

It has taken control of many towns and villages in north-eastern Nigeria in the last year.

The conflict has displaced at least 1.5 million people, while more than 2,000 were killed last year.

'In fear'

Residents in Maiduguri told the AFP news agency that the attack began at 03:00 (02:00 GMT) and that heavy fighting is taking place on the southern edge of the city between insurgents and troops supported by vigilantes who recently have taken a central role in fighting the militants.

The security forces have not so far commented on the latest fighting. Their handling of the six-year insurgency has often been criticised and the loss of Maiduguri would be another major setback.

The sound of heavy gunfire could be heard throughout Maiduguri from early on Sunday morning

Thousands of civilians have been displaced by the violence

"The whole city is in fear," resident Adam Krenuwa was quoted as saying. "People are afraid of what will happen if Boko Haram defeats the security forces."

The Nigerian Premium Times newspaper reported that heavy artillery could be heard in Maiduguri as the militants attacked the city from four directions.

Boko Haram at a glance

• Founded in 2002, initially focused on opposing Western-style education - Boko Haram means "Western education is forbidden" in the Hausa language
• Launched military operations in 2009 to create Islamic state
• Thousands killed, mostly in north-eastern Nigeria - has also attacked police and UN headquarters in capital, Abuja
• Has abducted hundreds, including at least 200 schoolgirls
• Controls several north-eastern towns
• Has launched attacks on Cameroon

Soldiers without weapons

Who are Boko Haram?

Why Nigeria has not defeated Boko Haram

Boko Haram's last attempt to take over Maiduguri a week ago was stopped by the military.

But the militants did succeed in capturing the town of Monguno - 125km (80 miles) outside the city and took over a military base.

With the insurgents gaining more and more territory Maiduguri - home to tens of thousands of people who have fled their homes because of the conflict - has been increasingly vulnerable.

Aid agencies have warned that the fall of the city would trigger a humanitarian disaster.

Analysts say that the rebels are stepping up their attacks ahead of elections in Nigeria on 14 February.

President Goodluck Jonathan declared a state of emergency in Borno and two neighbouring states in 2013, vowing to defeat the militants.

However, Boko Haram has stepped up attacks since then and there are fears that many people in the north-east will not be able to vote in the election because of the conflict.

The African Union (AU) has this week backed plans for a West African task force of 7,500 troops to fight Boko Haram.

Four of Nigeria's neighbours - Benin, Cameroon, Chad and Niger - have agreed to contribute troops.

ARE YOU IN THAT AREA ? Email:emmzzymikel007@gamil.com with your expriences and drop comments.

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Novak Djokovic beats Andy Murray to win fifth Australian Open title

Novak Djokovic proved too strong for Andy Murray as he won a fifth Australian Open title in a punishing final.

The Serb, ranked number one, came through 7-6 (7-5) 6-7 (4-7) 6-3 6-0 in three hours and 39 minutes.

It was a third win over British number one Murray in a Melbourne final and brought him an eighth Grand Slam title.

Murray, 27, has now won two of the eight Grand Slam finals he has played in, having lost all four in Australia.

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Murray will 'try to go one better' in 2016

"I would like to congratulate Novak - it is a fantastic record and thoroughly deserved," said Murray.

"It is probably my most consistent Grand Slam throughout my career but I just haven't been able to win."

Murray, who underwent back surgery towards the end of 2013 and was playing in his first Grand Slam final since winning Wimbledon earlier that year, added: "I'm closer than I was a few months ago.

"I'll try to come back next year and have a slightly different outcome in the final."

The Scot, who will return to fourth in the world rankings on Monday, had chances in each of the first three sets of the final but ultimately could not cope with the Serb's pinpoint returning and brilliant defence.

Djokovic, a week younger than his opponent, did look vulnerable at times, hurting his hand in a fall and appearing to struggle with an ankle problem early in the second set.

There were some concerned looks to coach Boris Becker in the stands. He stumbled on more than one occasion and required some energy-boosting fluids at a break down in the third set.

Murray later admitted he had been "distracted" by the Serb's apparent physical issues and, just as at the US Open last September, he could not keep pace with Djokovic in the closing stages.

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Australian Open: Novak Djokovic 'honoured' to win in Melbourne

Djokovic had made a blistering start, racing into a 4-1 lead and going 20 minutes before he offered up a first unforced error.

It was to Murray's credit that he twice hauled back breaks to force a tie-break, but a double-fault at 4-2 and a loose volley at 5-5 simply gave Djokovic too many chances.

The four-time champion clinched it when Murray netted a return, before suffering an awkward fall chasing a net cord early in the second that required treatment to his hand.

Murray moved into a 2-0 lead but saw the advantage wiped out when a rejuvenated Djokovic strung together 13 straight points.

Again, Murray fought back, a forehand into the corner making it 4-4, and three break points were saved at 5-5 on the way to a second tie-break.

This time the Scot would not relinquish an advantage, winning a gripping rally to lead 5-2 and converting his third set point.

When Djokovic netted a forehand to drop serve at the start of the third set, Murray appeared to have finally gained the initiative after two-and-a-half hours.

It proved to be his last moment to savour, however. Increasingly frustrated by a resurgent opponent, his second serve slipped from being vulnerable to a liability.

Djokovic was now winning 75% of those points, with Murray screaming "how many times" as his advantage fell away.

The Serb saw off one final moment of danger at break point in game seven, gesturing to coach Becker to become more animated, but he required no assistance.

Murray was a rapidly fading force, double faulting to drop serve at 5-3, and winning just 11 points in a fourth set that disappeared in under half an hour.

Djokovic celebrated by throwing his racquet into the crowd, while a furious Murray smashed his in despair.

"I'm honoured to be standing here as a champion for a fifth time," said the Serb after collecting the trophy from Australia's Roy Emerson, the only man to win six titles.

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Philippe Mexes: Milan defender sent off amid Serie A brawl

Has there been an angrier footballer anywhere in Europe this season?

AC Milan defender Philippe Mexes was sent off on Saturday during his team's 3-1 defeat at Lazio after grabbing Lazio captain Stefano Mauri by the throat.

The pair were separated but Frenchman Mexes went back for more, first trying to head-butt Mauri before grabbing him from behind.

"I have to apologise to the club, the coach and my family," Mexes said afterwards. "It was the wrong reaction and I am sorry because I left the team with 10 men and I will be suspended.

"Unfortunately I made a mistake. In my career I have had these reactions. These things should not happen out on a football pitch.

"I have children and this is not the sort of example that a father should set."

Mexes' dismissal came on the same day as Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo's red card for kicking and slapping Cordoba player Edimar.

French defender Mexes was sent off for grabbing Lazio captain Mauri by the throat

Mexes confronted Mauri immediately after the referee had sent him off

AC Milan's Riccardo Montolivo (right) struggles to pull Mexes away from Mauri

Mexes initially grabbed Mauri by the throat before grabbing him from behind

AC Milan's players tried to restrain Mexes but struggled to contain the angry defender

Mexes was sent off in stoppage time of the 3-1 defeat

Mexes saw red during a game which resulted in a third loss for AC Milan in five league games

After being pulled away from Mauri, he then grabbed the throat of Lazio's Lorik Can
a

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The kick-off party hosted by Amber Rose held at Oceanview with a good turn out of pop stars.

Dbanjat10: Olamide, Wizkid, Davido, Phyno, others turn up

Last night, January 31, 2015, kicked off what he has said will be a year-long celebration of his 10th year anniversary as an entertainer in the industry.

The kick-off party hosted by  held at Oceanview Restaurant in Victoria Island, Lagos. And it was with a good turn out of popular pop stars at the event.

Though they all came late including the host and special guest, they turned up for the DB Records boss regardless. New school acts like Wizkid, Olamide, Phyno, Davido, Oritshemi, Praiz, Seyi Law, Banky W, Seyi shay, Shaydee and a few others turned up for D’banj and it was a swell time for guests.

wahoooo........more gist here.

drop your point.........toward this event

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