How the Ukraine crisis ends By Henry A. Kissinger, The Washington Post

Public discussion on Ukraine is all about confrontation. But do we know where we are going? In my life, I have seen four wars begun with great enthusiasm and public support, all of which we did not know how to end and from three of which we withdrew unilaterally. The test of policy is how it ends, not how it begins.

Far too often the Ukrainian issue is posed as a showdown: whether Ukraine joins the East or the West. But if Ukraine is to survive and thrive, it must not be either side’s outpost against the other — it should function as a bridge between them.

Red Carpet Arrival At The Oscar Awards

Lupita Nyong'o arrives at the Oscars on Sunday, March 2, 2014, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. More pics after cut...

History as Lupita Nyong'o scoops Best Supporting Actress Oscar

- Lupita Nyong'o poses in the press room with the award for best actress in a supporting role for "12 Years a Slave" during the Oscars at the Dolby Theatre on Sunday, March 2, 2014, 

 After a whirlwind of awards season attention for Lupita Nyong'o ended with a best supporting actress award at Sunday's Oscars, the "12 Years a Slave" star honored the character that put her on stage.

"Thank you to the academy for this incredible recognition. It doesn't escape me for one moment that so much joy in my life is due to so much pain in someone else's," she said, referring to Patsey, the tortured slave she played in director Steve McQueen's wrenching 19th-century drama.

'12 Years a Slave' rises up at Academy Awards

Matthew McConaughey, from left, holds his award for best actor for his role in "Dallas Buyers Club", Cate Blanchett holds her award for best actress in "Blue Jasmine", Lupita Nyong'o holds her award for best supporting actress for "12 Years a Slave," and Jared Leto holds his award for best supporting actor in "Dallas Buyers Club" in the press room during the Oscars at the Dolby Theatre on Sunday, March 2, 2014, in Los Angeles. 

Perhaps atoning for past sins, Hollywood named the brutal, unshrinking historical drama "12 Years a Slave" best picture at the 86th annual Academy Awards.

Atiku Abubakar- Centenary Celebration, A Dance On The Graves Of Murdered FGC Yola Students. Do You Feel So.

Oscar has new girlfriend - report

Oscar Pistorius (File, AP)

Johannesburg - Pistorius family spokesperson Anneliese Burgess did not answer questions about whether murder-accused paralympian Oscar Pistorius had a new girlfriend, Beeld reported on Saturday.

According to Beeld, British tabloid newspaper The Sun reported that Pistorius was dating Leah Skye, 19, a student paramedic at the University of Johannesburg.

The tabloid called her Pistorius' "blade stunner" and published a photo of the young brunette.

According to the report the two met in December during a holiday in Mozambique.

Zille: ANC benefitting from power crisis

Johannesburg - The African National Congress is benefiting from the country's power emergency, DA leader Helen Zille said on Saturday.

"While Mpumalanga's economy is not growing and more people are unemployed, while South Africa is in a power emergency, and while our electricity prices increase every year, Jacob Zuma’s ANC is profiting," Zille said in a speech prepared for delivery.

Zimbabwe: Bona Mugabe Weds Her 37 Years Old Man

PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe’s only daughter, Bona, 24, wed in a lavish ceremony Saturday at the family’s private home in Harare’s plush Borrowdale neighborhood with three sitting heads of state from the region among the guests.
Thousands of people attended the no-expense-spared family event broadcast live by the ZBC-TV but from which media organisations not owned by the State were banned.

South Africa’s President Jacob Zuma attended the event along with top-Mugabe ally, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea, Zambia’s Michael Sata and other former leaders from the region.

However, little is known about Bona’s 37 year-old husband, Simba Chikore, apart from reports that he is a pilot for Qatar Airways.

Nigeria: 10 Leading Farms in Nigeria, Their Owners

Photo: Kate Holt/IRIN

A woman farms rice on her farm in Kaduna State Nigeria.

Before the advent of crude oil, agriculture was the mainstay of Nigeria's economy. Then, the country's economy thrived; food was available and affordable. People, therefore, did not go hungry, except in extreme cases occasioned by a serious factor.

With the oil boom era, the country and its people shifted attention from agriculture to oil and gas. Subsequently, graduates of Agricultural Science, Soil Science, Agricultural Extension, Agricultural Economics etc., looked for white-collar jobs in banks and other seemingly lucrative areas, including oil and gas. Little did people know that those who remained in agriculture would today be raking in millions and billions of naira, as their products now grace both local and international markets.

This gives an impeccable signal that agriculture is, perhaps, more viable than other sectors. Also, it is an indication that well planned investment in agriculture is not a futile effort. It suffices that some Nigerian farmers have successfully built some shining legacies that need to be emulated and replicated. Most of them, as observed, are politicians. In this edition, LEADERSHIP Friday brings to the fore Nigeria's top ten biggest farmers. See them below

Nigeria: Kidnappers Demand N500 Million Ransom to Free President Jonathan's Uncle

The abductors of Inengite Nitabai, the 70-year-old relative of President Goodluck Jonathan, have demanded a N500 million ransom.

A security source said that the abductors threatened to kill their victim if the family failed to produce the money.

The source also said the family had constituted a committee to evaluate the demand, establish negotiations with the abductors, and facilitate his release.

He said the kidnappers warned against the involvement of security operatives in the matter.

Chris Brown Diagnosed With Bipolar Disorder, Ordered To Stay In Rehab

Singer Chris Brown has had a whirlwind past few months, including an arrest for assault last November that led to a three-month rehab stint. But newly obtained court documents are now offering a little clarity on what may have contributed to Brown’s anger issues.

Brown was back in court on Feb. 28 for a status report related to his 2009 assault on his ex-girlfriend Rihanna. As part of the progress hearing, documents were filed by the rehab facility where Brown successfully finished 95 days of anger-management therapy -- though he only had to complete 90 days of therapy.

How Exercise Re-Programs Your Body's Chemistry

The powers of a good sweat are well-documented: Regular physical activity can help lower your blood pressure and cholesterol levels, help you achieve and maintain a healthy weight, and reduce your risk of depression, heart disease, stroke, and cancer. While weight loss and blood sugar control are two reasons for these benefits, there's another one that most people don't know about: When you move, your muscles release hormones. Here are three you're producing every time you work up a sweat.  

Explosion In Soccer Viewing Centre In Maiduguri Kills Many Fans.

Twin explosions rocked a football viewing centre in Ajilari ward, Jere Council area of Maiduguri, in Borno State saturday March 1st killing several football fans, Vanguard reports.

The Improvised Explosive Devices (IED), said to have been planted by suspected Boko Haram terrorists at the viewing centre at Ajilari Railway Cross, exploded at about 6pm,  killing many fans, while several others sustained injuries.

A residents of Ajilari told a Vanguard correspondent that, “Some suspected terrorists in two Toyota Hilux Pick Up vans, pretending to be  firewood suppliers, detonated the bombs near the football viewing centre,  resulting in loss of several lives.

Russian forces seize Crimea; Ukraine’s interim president decries ‘aggression’ : The Washington Post

MOSCOW — Russian troops took control of vital installations across the Crimean Peninsula on Saturday, and Russian President Vladimir Putin secured authorization to send in more as the Kremlin set the stage for a high-stakes international showdown over the future of Ukraine.

The interim president of Ukraine, Oleksandr Turchynov, said, “We consider the behavior of the Russian Federation to be direct aggression against the sovereignty of Ukraine.”

Exclusive Pictures From Omo Ibru And Herbert Peile Traditional Wedding

One of the Ibru daughters Omotubie Ibru married her heartthrob Maxwell Herbert Peile sunday, March 1st in Lagos. Several past and current state governors including former Governor of Ogun Olusegun Osoba,Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta state, former Governor of Lagos State Bola Tinubu, Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State and several other dignitaries attended the traditional wedding which held atTafawa Balewa Square, Onikan in Lagos. See more photos after the cut...