EFF hearing 'an unconstitutional exercise'

Malema led the Economic Freedom Fighter's MPs out of their disciplinary hearing on Tuesday, leaving it to proceed in their absence.He told the powers and privileges committee: "Whatever the outcome of this process, the EFF will not be participating".He said it was an unconstitutional exercise, bound to be biased against the EFF because the committee was dominated by ANC MPs.Malema said it would be "career-limiting" for them to contradict Speaker Baleka Mbete's wish to suspend the EFF members from Parliament.The EFF contends that Mbete had mishandled events on August 21 when the EFF shouted "pay back the money" at Zuma during presidential question time in the National Assembly.Mbete ordered "members who are not serious" to leave the chamber after EFF MPs repeatedly pointed out that Zuma had failed to answer a question on when he would heed Public Protector Thuli Madonsela's directive to repay some of the R246 million in state funds spent on his home.She then threatened to have them removed before adjourning proceedings.At the start of the hearing, EFF MPs refused to plead to charges of disrupting and showing contempt for Parliament.The EFF MPs risk suspension from the legislature for up to 14 working days if found guilty.

Ukraine: Putin aide brands Poroshenko 'Nazi' ahead of EU deal

A senior adviser to Russian President Vladimir Putin has lashed out at Ukraine's president ahead of the signing of a controversial EU deal. Sergei Glazyev said Petro Poroshenko was a "Nazi" and his endorsement of the deal was "illegitimate".
Mr Poroshenko is expected to sign the full association agreement at the EU summit in Brussels later. A shaky ceasefire in eastern Ukraine, where pro-Russian rebels are fighting government forces, is also due to end. In another development early on Friday, rebels released four international observers captured more than a month ago. Alexander Borodai, head of the self-styled Donetsk People's Republic, said the members of the Vienna-based Organisation for the Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) had been freed as a goodwill gesture. "We don't expect anything in return - we freed them without any pre-conditions," he said. The OSCE said it remains concerned about four other observers captured at about the same time. A pro-Russian activist guards the front of the Donetsk Regional Administration building on 18 April 2014 in Donetsk, Ukraine. Pro-Russian militants have occupied government buildings in eastern Ukraine Mr Glazyev, Mr Putin's presidential adviser on regional economic integration, told the BBC: "Europe is trying to push Ukraine to sign this agreement by force. "They organised [a] military coup in Ukraine, they helped Nazis to come to power. This Nazi government is bombing the largest region in Ukraine." Asked if he believed Mr Poroshenko was a Nazi he replied: "Of course." Mr Poroshenko's predecessor, Viktor Yanukovych, was overthrown in February after refusing to sign the EU deal under pressure from Russia. Russia went on annex Ukraine's Crimea region and pro-Russia separatists in eastern regions declared independence, claiming that extremists had taken power in Kiev. Political parts of the association agreement, aiming at forging closer ties with the EU, were signed by Ukraine's interim government in March. Mr Poroshenko previously announced he would sign the crucial trade and economic relations portion of the pact on Friday. Mr Glazyev added: "I think after the signing of the agreement with EU, [the] European public will be... surprised when this Nazi Frankenstein, which was born by the Euro bureaucrats and some politicians, will knock on the European countries' doors." He said Mr Poroshenko was an "illegitimate" president because parts of Ukraine did not vote in May's elections. His claims come despite President Putin engaging with the Ukrainian leader on peace negotiations. Fighting is said to have continued in some areas of eastern Ukraine despite a temporary ceasefire this week. Ukraine President Petro Poroshenko Mr Poroshenko was elected president in May on a pro-EU platform after six months of political turmoil Talks on extending the truce in in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions are also set to take place on Friday. More than 420 people have been killed in fighting between pro-Russia rebels and government forces in eastern Ukraine since mid-April, the UN estimates. Russia denies it has allowed militants and heavy weaponry to cross its border into eastern Ukraine. The US and EU are threatening to impose further sanctions if Russia does not act to defuse the situation. Are you in Ukraine? How has the unrest affected you? You can email your experiences to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk, using the subject line 'Ukraine'. Or send us your experiences using the form below. (Required) Name (Required) Your E-mail address (Required) Town & Country (Required) Your telephone number (Required) Comments If you are happy to be contacted by a BBC journalist please leave a telephone number that we can contact you on. In some cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name as you provide it and location, unless you state otherwise. Your contact details will never be published. When sending us pictures, video or eyewitness accounts at no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. Please ensure you have read the terms and conditions.

Nigeria leader defends army's role against Boko Haram

The president replaced his top military brass in January after acknowledging serious lapses within the army

The Nigerian president has defended the army's efforts against Islamist militants in the north, after over 200 civilians died in attacks last week.

Addressing recent criticism, President Goodluck Jonathan said the fight against Boko Haram "will improve".
It comes after the governor of the worst affected state, Borno, called for more troops to be deployed to the area.
Boko Haram has been conducting a four-year campaign of violence to push for Islamic rule in northern Nigeria.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday, President Jonathan criticised the governor of Borno state, Kashim Shettima, who recently stated that the Boko Haram militants were better armed and more motivated than the Nigeria military.
He also defended his decision to suspend the outspoken central bank governor, Lamido Sanusi, suggesting it had nothing to do with the governor's decision to expose corruption in the oil sector.
War of words Mr Jonathan told reporters if the Borno state governor felt the military were not useful, he would pull them out of the state for a month. He then suggested it would become so unsafe that even the governor would not be able to stay there.
The BBC's Will Ross in Lagos says this comment is likely to anger people who have had their lives turned upside down by the violence.
Witnesses complain that Boko Haram attacks have at times lasted for several hours without any response from the armed forces.
Governor Kashim Shettim called for reinforcements in the wake of a five-hour attack on the Nigerian border town of Bama last week. A week earlier, 106 people were killed by gunmen in a raid on the town of Izghe.

Many civilians have been displaced by the violence and unrest caused by the insurgency, such as these women at a refugee camp in Adamawa State

Speaking to the BBC on Monday, Borno state Senator Ali Ndume expressed outrage after the military forces failed to prevent a second attack on the town.
Mr Ndume said the state of emergency imposed last year by the government in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa to end the insurgency was not working.
More than 245 people have been killed this year alone by suspected Islamists.
On the suspension of the central bank governor, Mr Jonathan said Lamido Sanusi had to step aside to allow an investigation into financial malpractice at the central bank.
But many Nigerians believe the real reason Mr Sanusi was suspended was because he had ruffled feathers by alleging that the state oil company had failed to account properly for $20bn worth of oil, says the BBC's Will Ross.
The ex-bank governor was in the midst of presenting evidence to parliament, fuelling speculation that his suspension was an attempt to silence a whistleblower.
But the president denied this in his press conference, saying Mr Sanusi's dismissal had "nothing to do with whistleblowing."