The Niger Delta Avengers: Nigeria's newest militants

With a name that sounds like it has come from the pages of a superhero comic book, the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) is the latest militant group to emerge in Nigeria - attacking oil installations in a campaign which threatens the economy of Africa's most populous state. 

"We are a group of educated and well-travelled individuals that are poised to take the Niger Delta struggle to new heights that has never been seen in this nation before," the NDA proclaimed in one of their first statement's on their website in April.

"We have well-equipped human resources to meet this goal."

It was not an idle threat. The NDA has carried out a barrage of attacks on oil installations in the Niger Delta region, causing a huge decline in oil production, which is the mainstay of the West African state's economy. 

"The renewed activities of the militants in the Niger Delta is seriously affecting our oil production," Minister of Finance Kemi Adeosun admitted on state-owned NTA television.

Who is their leader?

This is the first armed group to emerge in the region - where most people are poor despite the fact that it is rich in oil - since late Nigerian President Umar Musa Yar'Adua granted amnesty to militants there seven years ago. 

At the time, militants in the region said they wanted a better deal for their people who have suffered environmental degradation and economic dislocation because of oil production by some of the world's leading firms. 

Many of the militants were encouraged to drop their arms and agitation in exchange for some cash incentives and training. Former President Goodluck Jonathan, who comes from the Niger Delta, continued the scheme.

The amnesty programme, which provides tens of thousands of former oil militants with a monthly stipend from the government, stemmed the level of violence.

But in the latest budget, President Muhammadu Buhari reduced funding for it by 70%, and has spoken of phasing it out entirely by 2018.

It is difficult to identify or determine who the members of the NDA are - their Twitter handle currently has an AFP photo of a Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (Mend) militant taken in September 2008 as its profile picture.

Local people in the region believe members of the group are largely elements of previous militant groups like Mend - led by Henry Okah, who has been incarcerated in South Africa - or the Niger Delta People's Salvation Front led by the vocal Mujahideen Asari Dokubo. They were left out of the government's amnesty programme. 

Many say the NDA militants are followers of former Niger Delta warlords like Government Ekpemupolo, who has the alias Tompolo.

He signed up to the amnesty programme but has been on the run since February, refusing to be questioned by Nigeria's anti-corruption agency in connection with $231m (£163m) in missing government funds.

Mr Ekpemupolo has dissociated himself from the group - but none of the former militant leaders have commented.

Others believe the new militants are criminal elements that want to draw attention to themselves now that their kinsman, ex-President Jonathan, is out of power.

Currently, it is not known who officially leads the group, although a Col Mudoch Agbinibo has been signing press releases on behalf of the NDA. 

There are suggestions that "Mudoch" is a pseudonym, like the one-time "Jomo Gbomo" of Mend.

Whatever perceptions people might have of the group, its activities in the Niger Delta appear well co-ordinated with a high level of technical expertise.

Oil production down

The NDA has stated unambiguously what it is setting out to achieve: "Our goal is to cripple Nigeria's economy." 

After declaring what it called "Operation Red Economy" in February, it blew up an underwater pipeline forcing Royal Dutch Shell to shut down a terminal which normally produces 250,000 barrels of oil a day (bpd).

Last month, Shell declared a force majeure, which excuses a company from contractual agreements because events beyond its control, on exports of high grade crude oil after an attack on one of its trunk lines.

A few days later, US firm Chevron shut its Valve Platform following another attack, also claimed by the Avengers. 

And ahead of President Buhari's first expected visit to the region on Thursday, the NDA said it had blown up two Chevron export terminals.

These attacks have dealt a huge blow to the revenue of the Nigerian government, which says the renewed activities of the militants are seriously affecting oil production.

In fact the country's production has dropped to 1.65 million bpd, as against the projected 2.2 million bpd.

The military has issued a stern warning that it will deal decisively with any group fermenting trouble in the country, including those it has described as "criminal elements in the Niger Delta".

But this appears to have emboldened the Avengers into more attacks that have had a knock-on affect on the supply of electricity that depends on gas from the oil-producing companies. 

For President Buhari, who just marked one year in office, the NDA presents another fresh security challenge to the government which has been grappling with Islamist insurgency in the north-east of the country.

Prince death: Singer died of fentanyl painkiller overdose

US singer Prince died from an accidental overdose of the painkiller fentanyl, medical examiners have found.

The report, from Midwest Medical Examiner's Office in Minnesota, comes more than a month after the singer was found slumped in a lift at his home.

Detectives have already questioned a doctor who saw the 57-year-old twice in the weeks before he died.

Prescription painkillers were in the singer's possession following his death, officials told US media in May.

A police warrant has also revealed that Dr Michael Schulenberg prescribed medication to the singer on 20 April - the day before he died.

The warrant does not say what was prescribed or whether Prince took the drugs.

According to the autopsy report, Prince self-administered fentanyl, an opioid many times more powerful than heroin.

Prince was found unresponsive in a lift at his Paisley Park Studios on the morning of 21 April, local officials said. First responders tried to revive him with CPR but he was pronounced dead shortly afterwards.

Artists from around the world and Prince's numerous fans later paid tributes to the star.

Prince was cremated in a private ceremony on 24 April. The singer's family are understood to be planning to stage a public memorial in August.

He was a prolific writer and performer from a young age, reportedly writing his first song when he was seven.

A singer, songwriter, arranger and multi-instrumentalist, Prince recorded more than 30 albums. His best known hits include Let's Go Crazy and When Doves Cry.

Major Powers Urge UN To Start Syria Air Drops

Britain, the US and France have urged the United Nations to start humanitarian aid air drops ahead of a Security Council meeting to discuss the crisis in besieged areas.

The calls came after a 1 June deadline for aid convoys to reach all areas besieged by the Syrian government passed - although land deliveries made it into Daraya for the first time since 2012 on Wednesday.

Supplies also made it into Moadamiyeh for the first time since March.

Russia's ambassador Vitaly Churkin welcomed the aid deliveries as a positive step and suggested that plans to air drop humanitarian relief could be put on hold for now.

Aid workers give a vaccine to a baby in Daraya

But French ambassador Francois Delattre, who holds the council presidency this month, said access to the towns and villages under siege remained blocked and blamed the Syrian regime.

He said: "France is asking the United Nations and in particular the WFP (World Food Programme) to begin humanitarian air drops for all the areas in need, beginning with Daraya, Moadamiyeh and Madaya, where the civilian population including children risks dying of hunger."

The 20-nation International Syria Support Group (ISSG) asked the WFP to prepare for air drops if aid remained blocked, although it is unclear if the Syrian regime will allow planes carrying relief supplies into its airspace.

In Washington, US State Department spokesman John Kirby said deliveries to the two towns were "far from sufficient" and that the United States supported moving forward on plans for the air drops.

While the diplomatic wrangling rumbled on, thousands of Syrian refugees arriving in Jordan's Azraq refugee camp - and considered a security risk - have been isolated by barbed wire-topped fencing.

The Village 5 camp within a camp was set up in late March as part of a deal between Jordan and international aid agencies to speed up admissions of refugees.

Under the deal, Jordan agreed to let in about 300 Syrians a day, or five times more than before, on condition that newcomers are isolated in Azraq for more security checks. 

Ryanair To Customers: Register For EU Poll

By Mark Kleinman, City Editor

Ryanair is intensifying its barrage of communications supporting a 'Remain' vote in the EU referendum by urging millions customers to register ahead of next week's deadline.

Sky News has obtained an email that will be sent on Friday by the Dublin-based carrier to more than five million UK-based passengers and 300,000 British citizens living elsewhere in the European Union (EU).

Michael O'Leary, the Ryanair chief executive, has been increasingly voluble about the importance of retaining the UK's EU membership as polling day has drawn nearer.

Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary

In the latest email, the airline will tell customers: "As the UK’s largest airline, we are absolutely clear that the UK economy and its future growth prospects are stronger as a member of the European Union than they are outside of the EU.

"A Remain vote will lead to more job creation, stronger economic growth, more foreign direct investment – and more importantly, even more low fares.

"We agree the EU needs reform, but we need the UK to remain in the EU to drive this change.

"We urge all British citizens to vote Remain on 23 June. Just don't miss the registration deadline of 7 June."

A Ryanair source confirmed the contents of the email, which follow warnings from Ryanair executives that it would redirect future investment from Britain to elsewhere in the EU if the referendum results in a decision to exit.

Mr O'Leary's claims have drawn strong criticism from Vote Leave, the pro-Brexit campaign group, which denies his argument that leaving the EU would result in higher air fares.

Ryanair's email to customers is a rarity in the extent to which it communicates an explicit corporate view from a big company during a strictly regulated campaign.

The email also includes a broader promotion of its current European seat-sale, which insiders said reflected advice taken by Ryanair regarding referendum-related promotional activity.

Vote Leave has already complained about a previous Ryanair advertisement which offered discounted flights to customers who wanted to return to the UK to register a vote in favour of staying in the EU.

The CBI, Britain's biggest employers' group, said last month that its members should seek to explain the implications of the referendum to their workforces, although many have been reluctant to do so.

On the pro-Brexit side of the debate, the pub chain JD Wetherspoon this week printed 200,000 beer-mats pouring scorn on the credibility of Christine Lagarde, the IMF managing director, who has warned that leaving the EU would be economically damaging.

Missing Boy Left In Japan Forest Found Alive

A seven-year-old boy who went missing after his parents left him in a Japanese forest "as punishment" has been found alive and unharmed.

A police spokesman said Yamato Tanooka was discovered by a soldier at a military base in northern Hokkaido island.

Manabu Takehara, a spokesman for the Self-Defense Forces, said the boy "looked in good health", adding that he was taken to hospital by helicopter for a medical check.

It is understood he will remain in hospital overnight as a precaution.

Speaking outside the hospital, the boy's father apologised and thanked rescuers who took part in the search.

"My excessive act forced my son to have a painful time," he said.

Japanese Self-Defence Forces soldiers ride motorbikes in the search

"I deeply apologise to people at his school, people in the rescue operation, and everybody for causing them trouble."

According to the police spokesman, the boy "walked through the mountains" until he found the army building, broadcaster NHK reported.

He also reportedly drank water and slept on mattresses spread on the floor.

Army personnel, emergency services and volunteers had been searching for the boy since Saturday.

His parents initially said they had lost him when they were out hiking to gather wild vegetables.

They subsequently admitted they made him get out of their car on a mountain road for misbehaving.

The boy was abandoned on the northern side of the road on a slope of Mount Komagatake, which rises to an altitude of 1,131 metres (3,710 feet).

He was reportedly without food or water.

Police have said they are considering filing charges against the boy's parents, according to Kyodo News.

How Did Cameron Score In The EU Debate?

Prime Minister David Cameron has been arguing the case for staying in the EU in a special debate hosted by Sky News, but how well did he do?

:: Immigration

His promise at the General Election to bring net migration down to tens of thousands is still in tatters, with the latest figures last week putting it at three times that.

Will he ever reach this goal? "I won't put a date on it," the PM said. This promise is his weak spot and where the Leave campaign have gained ground by promising an Australian-style points system.

But he neatly swerved this question back to the economy by saying: "Immigration is a challenge and it's a particular challenge when people come to work here because our economy is strong…It would be to madness to [cut immigration] by leaving the single market and trashing our economy."

Verdict: 4/10

:: Single Market

This is the PM and Remain campaign's strongest card - that the single market is key to Britain's economic success - and the Leave campaign have no credible economic alternative.

He told questioner Jacqueline Smith he would join even the EU today if we weren't in already, because of the economic opportunities on offer. 

"We're in a single market of 500 million people, it's vital to the success of our businesses. If we leave there will be fewer jobs and more expensive prices. That affects everyone."

Exports hit, the prospect of tariffs from other countries, and a blow to small firms would all be part of this "act of economic self-harm" - backed by major economic bodies.

Verdict 10/10

:: Third World War

The PM was under fire for claiming leaving the EU would cause World War Three.

Ok, he didn't say those words, but he did use a speech last month to invoke rows of white crosses in war cemeteries and whether we wanted "peace and stability on our continent" to be put at risk.

In the Sky News debate, he didn't let up, saying: "Never forget that 70 years ago these countries were fighting each other. We must never take that for granted.

"Twice in a century Europe went to war and on both occasions Britain paid a very heavy price."

Strong stuff, but many will find it overblown.

Verdict: 6/10

:: Turkey and scaremongering

David Cameron took a battering about his "scaremongering" campaign to stay in the EU from Soraya Bouazzaoui - who said Turkey joining the EU was the real threat to Britain's safety.

The Prime Minister tried to talk about the single market again - do we see a pattern here?  But she retorted: "I'm an English literature student; I know waffling when I see it."

A sheepish Mr Cameron insisted there was no prospect of Turkey joining the EU in the near future, and that working with the country on the migration crisis was not the same as membership.

But many retain concerns about the country's border with the turmoil in Syria, and the specifics of the EU deal with the country, allowing visa-free travel for it citizens. Some of the most uncomfortable moments of the night.

Verdict 6/10

:: Terrorism and security

A police officer of 30 years' service probed Mr Cameron's claim that it is in our country's interests to cooperate with other EU countries on the issues of crime and terrorism.

He asked: "Are you really trying to say other countries wouldn't warn us of a bomb threat or terrorist plot if we leave the EU?"

Mr Cameron insisted the European Arrest Warrant helps to keep us safe and allows us to track down murderers and rapists to stand trial. Security is a powerful argument, but the Leave side say there would be greater security with tougher control of our borders.

Verdict 8/10

:: Sky News will be hosting another debate on the EU referendum at 8pm on Friday featuring Justice Minister Michael Gove, a leading figure in the Leave campaign.

Ex-PM Aide Avoids Jail Over Indecent Images

Patrick Rock, a former aide to David Cameron, has been given a two-year conditional discharge for making indecent images of children.

The 65-year-old walked free from Southwark Crown Court after being convicted of downloading pictures of scantily-clad girls as young as 10 in sexual poses.

He faced 20 charges of making an indecent photograph of a child.

Rock, of Fulham, southwest London, had claimed the 20 images he downloaded on to his iPad over three days in August 2013 were not indecent.

The jury in London were shown images of girls aged 10 to 16 posing in clothing including bikinis, hot pants and a bra, and a ballet tutu.

Rock's defence lawyer compared the images to Britney Spears' video for her 1998 song Hit Me Baby One More Time, which she made when she was 16.

Sasha Wass, QC, said they contained no nudity and the most the prosecution could say was they showed "young girls in sexually suggestive poses".

The jury took more than eight hours to convict him by majority verdict of five counts.

He was acquitted of three similar charges, while jurors were unable to agree on the 12 remaining counts and were discharged, meaning the charges will lie on file.

The court heard that the youngest of the girls in the pictures was aged just 10 years and four months when he downloaded the image - meaning she would have been younger when it was taken.

Judge Alistair McCreath said: "I have not lost sight of the obvious reality that right-thinking people will quite properly consider that those who did what you did should be punished for it.

"You should be. And you have been.

"The punishment for you is the loss of your reputation and your very public humiliation.

"It is a punishment which you brought on yourself, but is nonetheless a very real one. And it is one that is utterly merited."

Rock must register as a sex offender for the duration of the two years and was also banned from using a device with the internet unless it can retain his browsing history and he surrenders it for inspection by police on request over the same period.

He was warned by the judge that prison would be "inevitable" if he were to reoffend within two years, was also ordered to pay £12,500 in court costs.