Once upon a time a daughter complained to her father that her life was miserable and that she didn’t know how she was going to make it. She was tired of fighting and struggling all the time. It seemed just as one problem was solved, another one soon followed.
Her father, a chef, took her to the kitchen. He filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Once the three pots began to boil, he placed potatoes in one pot, eggs in the second pot, and ground coffee beans in the third pot.
He then let them sit and boil, without saying a word to his daughter. The daughter, moaned and impatiently waited, wondering what he was doing.
After twenty minutes he turned off the burners. He took the potatoes out of the pot and placed them in a bowl. He pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl.
He then ladled the coffee out and placed it in a cup. Turning to her he asked. “Daughter, what do you see?”
“Potatoes, eggs, and coffee,” she hastily replied.
“Look closer,” he said, “and touch the potatoes.” She did and noted that they were soft. He then asked her to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard-boiled egg. Finally, he asked her to sip the coffee. Its rich aroma brought a smile to her face.
“Father, what does this mean?” she asked.
He then explained that the potatoes, the eggs and coffee beans had each faced the same adversity– the boiling water.
However, each one reacted differently.
The potato went in strong, hard, and unrelenting, but in boiling water, it became soft and weak.
The egg was fragile, with the thin outer shell protecting its liquid interior until it was put in the boiling water. Then the inside of the egg became hard.
However, the ground coffee beans were unique. After they were exposed to the boiling water, they changed the water and created something new.
“Which are you,” he asked his daughter. “When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a potato, an egg, or a coffee bean? “
Moral:In life, things happen around us, things happen to us, but the only thing that truly matters is what happens within us.
Which one are you?
Source www.livin3.com/5-motivational-and-inspiring-short-stories
Saturday 28 November 2015
What has changed since Buhari became President? (4)
The on-going protests in the South-East requires creative handling by the federal government, governors of states that comprise the zone and Igbo leaders of thought to avoid unnecessary escalation of the situation. But the arrogant, insensitive, and threatening comments by a few military officers and cowardly hasty condemnation by some prominent Ndigbo are disingenuous, because both sides are trivialising the key issues of marginalisation, exclusion and alienation raised by the Biafran agitators, which lie at the heart of the troublesome unresolved “national question”.
It must be pointed out that President Buhari’s apparent indifference to the concerns of Ndigbo, from the time he was military head of state, through when he was Chairman, Petroleum (Special) Trust Fund to now that he is President, constitutes part of the remote and immediate causes of the renewed agitation for Biafra. It would take a Eureka experience or epiphany for Buhari to change his attitude towards Ndigbo generally. It follows that, on the issue of security and containment of centrifugal ethnic irredentism, there is no noticeable positive change since May 29, 2015.
We now come to the issue of ministerial appointments, which has elicited considerable discussion for quite some time. To begin with, although the President and many Nigerians presume that merger of ministries would save money for the government, there is no conclusive proof to that effect – there is even a report which debunks that presumption. Basically, it is the approved budget that determines the expenditure profile of ministries, which implies that although power, works and housing are now under one ministry, for instance, instead of two or three ministries, budgetary allocation to the bloated new ministry must reflect the critical nature of the sectors under it, which are very capital intensive in nature. Thus, under separate ministries power, and works and housing may get smaller budgetary allocation collectively than now that they are lumped into one ministry.
The delay by President Buhari in constituting his cabinet is uncalled for, judging by the fact that the list, when it was finally made public, is overwhelmingly a roster of politicians with corruption allegations hanging on some of them and individuals who helped APC capture power from the PDP. Consequently, the claim by Garba Shehu that the President was taking his time to select the very
Source www.vanguardngr.com/2015/11/what-has-changed-since-buhari-became-president-4/
It must be pointed out that President Buhari’s apparent indifference to the concerns of Ndigbo, from the time he was military head of state, through when he was Chairman, Petroleum (Special) Trust Fund to now that he is President, constitutes part of the remote and immediate causes of the renewed agitation for Biafra. It would take a Eureka experience or epiphany for Buhari to change his attitude towards Ndigbo generally. It follows that, on the issue of security and containment of centrifugal ethnic irredentism, there is no noticeable positive change since May 29, 2015.
We now come to the issue of ministerial appointments, which has elicited considerable discussion for quite some time. To begin with, although the President and many Nigerians presume that merger of ministries would save money for the government, there is no conclusive proof to that effect – there is even a report which debunks that presumption. Basically, it is the approved budget that determines the expenditure profile of ministries, which implies that although power, works and housing are now under one ministry, for instance, instead of two or three ministries, budgetary allocation to the bloated new ministry must reflect the critical nature of the sectors under it, which are very capital intensive in nature. Thus, under separate ministries power, and works and housing may get smaller budgetary allocation collectively than now that they are lumped into one ministry.
The delay by President Buhari in constituting his cabinet is uncalled for, judging by the fact that the list, when it was finally made public, is overwhelmingly a roster of politicians with corruption allegations hanging on some of them and individuals who helped APC capture power from the PDP. Consequently, the claim by Garba Shehu that the President was taking his time to select the very
Source www.vanguardngr.com/2015/11/what-has-changed-since-buhari-became-president-4/
Turkey-kurdish-lawyer-killed
Pro-Kurdish lawyer Tahir Elci, president of the Diyarbakir Bar Association in southeastern Turkey and a leading human rights defender, was killed while making a press statement Saturday.
The statement in the Sur district of the predominantly Kurdish Diyarbakir province was intended to call attention to damage done to the 1,500-year-old Four-Legged Minaret Mosque by recent clashes between Turkish security forces and Kurdistan Workers' Party militants.
Elci was a lead attorney in many cases dealing with Kurdish issues, including the deaths of 35 civilians in a 2011 airstrike in Uludere.
The semi-official Anadolu Agency reported that Elci was killed during clashes that broke out after "terrorists" from the Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK, fired shots near the minaret. The Diyarbakir Governorate said in a statement that security forces were attacked. Two police officers were killed and one wounded, and the governorate declared a curfew from 1 p.m. onward.
The Sur district and many predominantly Kurdish provinces have seen renewed conflict between Turkish security forces and the PKK. The 30-year war between Turkey and the PKK, which is considered a terrorist group by the United States, has claimed an estimated 40,000 lives. A two-year cease-fire ended in July.
In footage from the Dogan News Agency, gunshots are heard, and plainclothes police officers respond with gunfire. Elci and journalists stand behind police. Later, an armored vehicle arrives, and journalists try to follow it away. The gunshots intensify and the journalists begin to run. Another shot zooms in on a body on the ground, and it becomes clear that it is Elci, lying face-down.
Anadolu reported that Interior Minister Efkan Ala appointed four investigators, saying, "this attack is against our nation's unity."
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemned the attack. "This incident shows that Turkey's fight against terror is right," he said, adding, "Our struggle will continue till the end. We will not stop. We will not be tired. We will continue to be decisive in our fight against terrorism."
Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said a police officer was killed when gunmen opened fire from a car about 100 meters from where Elci was shot.
He pointed to two possible timelines: "This might be an assassination against Tahir Elci," or "the second possibility is after the terror incident which took place 100 meters away, police were trying to protect the crowd, and there were two fires coming from two different sides, and Tahir Elci may have been killed in the crossfire. If this was the case, the ballistic report will say this."
Either way, Davutoglu said, the truth will come to light.
Reactions to Elci's death
The Diyarbakir Bar Association tweeted that "our president of the association, lawyer Tahir Elci was murdered by an assassination."
The HDP, or Peoples' Democratic Party, an opposition party with Kurdish roots, also said in a statement that Elci's death was an assassination and blamed the AKP, the ruling Justice and Development Party. "This planned assassination targeted law and justice through Tahir Elci. ... Tahir Elci was targeted by the AKP rule and its media and a lynching campaign was launched against him."
On October 19, an Istanbul court issued a warrant for Elci on charges of "propaganda for a terror organization" after the lawyer said on a CNN Turk program, "PKK is not a terrorist organization. ... Although some of its actions have the nature of terror, the PKK is an armed political movement."
He was released by the court on the condition that he not leave the country.
British Ambassador to Turkey Richard Moore tweeted, "Shocked and depressed by the murder of my friend Tahir Elci. A good and brave man cut down. A human rights defender over many decades."
The U.S. Embassy in Turkey tweeted, "We are shocked by the tragic death of Tahir Elci - a courageous defender of human rights."
The HDP called on "Turkey's democratic and peaceful powers, its citizens with conscience, professional associations and civil society organizations, political parties to raise their voices and show their democratic reactions."
Protesters in Istanbul who gathered in memory of Elci were dispersed by riot police.
Elci's funeral will take place Sunday morning in Diyarbakir.
Clashes at the crime scene
Investigation units, lawyers and security personnel were sent to inspect the crime scene. According to the Turkish Interior Ministry, the security officers were attacked by long-range weapons and by a bomb, which injured four officers in an armored vehicle.
"The crime scene was consciously damaged by this armed assault of terrorist elements who wanted to prevent the shedding of light on the event," said the ministry.
The committee could not conduct its inspection and clashes continued between the security officers and attackers.:
Source : edition.cnn.com/2015/11/28/asia/turkey-kurdish-lawyer-killed/index.html
The statement in the Sur district of the predominantly Kurdish Diyarbakir province was intended to call attention to damage done to the 1,500-year-old Four-Legged Minaret Mosque by recent clashes between Turkish security forces and Kurdistan Workers' Party militants.
Elci was a lead attorney in many cases dealing with Kurdish issues, including the deaths of 35 civilians in a 2011 airstrike in Uludere.
The semi-official Anadolu Agency reported that Elci was killed during clashes that broke out after "terrorists" from the Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK, fired shots near the minaret. The Diyarbakir Governorate said in a statement that security forces were attacked. Two police officers were killed and one wounded, and the governorate declared a curfew from 1 p.m. onward.
The Sur district and many predominantly Kurdish provinces have seen renewed conflict between Turkish security forces and the PKK. The 30-year war between Turkey and the PKK, which is considered a terrorist group by the United States, has claimed an estimated 40,000 lives. A two-year cease-fire ended in July.
In footage from the Dogan News Agency, gunshots are heard, and plainclothes police officers respond with gunfire. Elci and journalists stand behind police. Later, an armored vehicle arrives, and journalists try to follow it away. The gunshots intensify and the journalists begin to run. Another shot zooms in on a body on the ground, and it becomes clear that it is Elci, lying face-down.
Anadolu reported that Interior Minister Efkan Ala appointed four investigators, saying, "this attack is against our nation's unity."
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemned the attack. "This incident shows that Turkey's fight against terror is right," he said, adding, "Our struggle will continue till the end. We will not stop. We will not be tired. We will continue to be decisive in our fight against terrorism."
Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said a police officer was killed when gunmen opened fire from a car about 100 meters from where Elci was shot.
He pointed to two possible timelines: "This might be an assassination against Tahir Elci," or "the second possibility is after the terror incident which took place 100 meters away, police were trying to protect the crowd, and there were two fires coming from two different sides, and Tahir Elci may have been killed in the crossfire. If this was the case, the ballistic report will say this."
Either way, Davutoglu said, the truth will come to light.
Reactions to Elci's death
The Diyarbakir Bar Association tweeted that "our president of the association, lawyer Tahir Elci was murdered by an assassination."
The HDP, or Peoples' Democratic Party, an opposition party with Kurdish roots, also said in a statement that Elci's death was an assassination and blamed the AKP, the ruling Justice and Development Party. "This planned assassination targeted law and justice through Tahir Elci. ... Tahir Elci was targeted by the AKP rule and its media and a lynching campaign was launched against him."
On October 19, an Istanbul court issued a warrant for Elci on charges of "propaganda for a terror organization" after the lawyer said on a CNN Turk program, "PKK is not a terrorist organization. ... Although some of its actions have the nature of terror, the PKK is an armed political movement."
He was released by the court on the condition that he not leave the country.
British Ambassador to Turkey Richard Moore tweeted, "Shocked and depressed by the murder of my friend Tahir Elci. A good and brave man cut down. A human rights defender over many decades."
The U.S. Embassy in Turkey tweeted, "We are shocked by the tragic death of Tahir Elci - a courageous defender of human rights."
The HDP called on "Turkey's democratic and peaceful powers, its citizens with conscience, professional associations and civil society organizations, political parties to raise their voices and show their democratic reactions."
Protesters in Istanbul who gathered in memory of Elci were dispersed by riot police.
Elci's funeral will take place Sunday morning in Diyarbakir.
Clashes at the crime scene
Investigation units, lawyers and security personnel were sent to inspect the crime scene. According to the Turkish Interior Ministry, the security officers were attacked by long-range weapons and by a bomb, which injured four officers in an armored vehicle.
"The crime scene was consciously damaged by this armed assault of terrorist elements who wanted to prevent the shedding of light on the event," said the ministry.
The committee could not conduct its inspection and clashes continued between the security officers and attackers.:
Source : edition.cnn.com/2015/11/28/asia/turkey-kurdish-lawyer-killed/index.html
Thursday 26 November 2015
Global CO2 emissions are finally at a standstill after a decade of rapid growth
World leaders will meet in France in a matter of days to sign a new international agreement on climate change to keep global warming below 2°C . While most of the data they’ll discuss is not exactly encouraging , at least one piece of new environmental research provides hope that human action on climate change is having a powerful effect.
After a decade of rapid growth in global CO2 emissions, we’ve finally hit what looks like a standstill, with emissions stagnating last year despite ongoing growth in the world economy , according to a new report by the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre.
Going off the latest estimates, CO2 emissions in 2014 had almost completely stalled, increasing by only 0.5 percent that year compared to the amount in 2013. The stagnation has become pronounced in recent years, after rises of just 1.5 percent in 2013 and 0.8 percent in 2012.
In contrast, global CO2 emissions rose on average about 4 percent over the course of the past decade, so the slow-down is a remarkable achievement. But the scientists who authored the report claim it’s too early to say that the apparent levelling off is a statistical trend, pointing out that things are in flux – and that not every country is lowering their emissions.
India in particular stands out in this regard, increasing its emissions by 7.8 percent and becoming the fourth largest emitter globally. Also of concern are new numbers from China, which recently revealed inaccuracies in former figures. This means it’s actually been emitting nearly a billion more tonnes of CO2 annually than previously disclosed. (Fortunately, the new report takes the revised data into account.)
It’s important to note that the global numbers contained in the report are sourced primarily from reported human-based contributions to carbon emissions such as fossil-fuel combustion and energy generation, and do not include other sources of CO2 emissions including deforestation and logging, forest and peat fires, plus other contributors.
But in terms of the human-based figures, things are looking promising. In 2014 the world’s fossil fuel energy consumption decreased, with total CO2 emissions standing at 35.7 billion tonnes. Nearly all of the countries in the European Union (EU) decreased their emissions, as did Japan, Russia, and Australia.
Of the four biggest polluters – China, the US, the EU, and India – which together account for almost two-thirds (61 percent) of global CO2 emissions, the EU was the only one to decrease its emissions, although it’s worth noting that the US and China only saw very small increases.
Let’s hope this momentum can be retained and channelled into something positive and enduring – a persistent global decrease in CO2 emissions would really be something to celebrate. While nobody’s calling what we’re seeing here a trend just yet, it’s certainly more positive than the figures from most of this century.
“What we do know is that it is very likely that the very high global annual emission growth rates of, on average, 3 percent per year observed in the years 2003 to 2011 are definitely over for many years to come (even 4 percent per year when excluding the global recession years 2008 and 2009),” the authors write , “whereas the average global growth rate over the 1980–2002 period was 1.2 percent per year.
Source www.sciencealert.com/global-co2-emissions-are-finally-at-a-standstill-after-a-decade-of-rapid-growth
After a decade of rapid growth in global CO2 emissions, we’ve finally hit what looks like a standstill, with emissions stagnating last year despite ongoing growth in the world economy , according to a new report by the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre.
Going off the latest estimates, CO2 emissions in 2014 had almost completely stalled, increasing by only 0.5 percent that year compared to the amount in 2013. The stagnation has become pronounced in recent years, after rises of just 1.5 percent in 2013 and 0.8 percent in 2012.
In contrast, global CO2 emissions rose on average about 4 percent over the course of the past decade, so the slow-down is a remarkable achievement. But the scientists who authored the report claim it’s too early to say that the apparent levelling off is a statistical trend, pointing out that things are in flux – and that not every country is lowering their emissions.
India in particular stands out in this regard, increasing its emissions by 7.8 percent and becoming the fourth largest emitter globally. Also of concern are new numbers from China, which recently revealed inaccuracies in former figures. This means it’s actually been emitting nearly a billion more tonnes of CO2 annually than previously disclosed. (Fortunately, the new report takes the revised data into account.)
It’s important to note that the global numbers contained in the report are sourced primarily from reported human-based contributions to carbon emissions such as fossil-fuel combustion and energy generation, and do not include other sources of CO2 emissions including deforestation and logging, forest and peat fires, plus other contributors.
But in terms of the human-based figures, things are looking promising. In 2014 the world’s fossil fuel energy consumption decreased, with total CO2 emissions standing at 35.7 billion tonnes. Nearly all of the countries in the European Union (EU) decreased their emissions, as did Japan, Russia, and Australia.
Of the four biggest polluters – China, the US, the EU, and India – which together account for almost two-thirds (61 percent) of global CO2 emissions, the EU was the only one to decrease its emissions, although it’s worth noting that the US and China only saw very small increases.
Let’s hope this momentum can be retained and channelled into something positive and enduring – a persistent global decrease in CO2 emissions would really be something to celebrate. While nobody’s calling what we’re seeing here a trend just yet, it’s certainly more positive than the figures from most of this century.
“What we do know is that it is very likely that the very high global annual emission growth rates of, on average, 3 percent per year observed in the years 2003 to 2011 are definitely over for many years to come (even 4 percent per year when excluding the global recession years 2008 and 2009),” the authors write , “whereas the average global growth rate over the 1980–2002 period was 1.2 percent per year.
Source www.sciencealert.com/global-co2-emissions-are-finally-at-a-standstill-after-a-decade-of-rapid-growth
MY QUOTE
The prelude unripe eld is ripe to pluck to unimpeded a recent chapter for that way fare and to welcome a new addendum to its story@ spicy cares
Tuesday 24 November 2015
Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards. Søren Kierkegaard
Someone wrote....(courtesy of a friend's post)
Last week, I drove into a fuel station for a refill. My car has a fuel tank capacity of about 60 litres. While the pump attendant filled my tank, a motorcyclist also rode in to the second pump.
Before I knew it, the motorcycle was full and the rider rode off while I was still at the pump.I got in before the motorcyclist but he left before me. It suddenly occurred to me that it would be absolutely silly of me to think "I got here before him.
How come he is leaving before me?" Why? Our capacity is not the same.
The truth is there are times in life when we are stuck at the pump of divinity. Those who came in behind us have gone ahead of us; those who learnt from you seem to have outrun you; those who graduated years after you are now the ones calling the shot and it seems as though you are stuck.
Could it just be that your capacity is bigger than theirs? Could it be that your own assignment needs longer preparation? Could it be that your character is being formed for the task ahead?
You do not know what you need. Only the One who designed the journey knows what is important. Why don't you hold on?
People will often say my mates are doing this.....
my mates have done that .....
my mates have this...
My mates are now....
But I'm still here doing, having, nothing. It is important to know that you spent nine months of formation in your mother's womb alone and you were given birth to alone even if you're a twin.
Therefore never classify anyone as your mate.
God's dealings with/in your life is never an estimation of what is happening in the life of your friend or colleagues. God's dealing in your life is VERY PERSONAL and unique and should never be an estimation of physical and tangible things.
Age mates are not always MATES and classmates don't always end up in the same CLASS
Take your gaze off other people's path and concentrate on the race. You WILL earn your own medal God willing!!!
Good morning.
Last week, I drove into a fuel station for a refill. My car has a fuel tank capacity of about 60 litres. While the pump attendant filled my tank, a motorcyclist also rode in to the second pump.
Before I knew it, the motorcycle was full and the rider rode off while I was still at the pump.I got in before the motorcyclist but he left before me. It suddenly occurred to me that it would be absolutely silly of me to think "I got here before him.
How come he is leaving before me?" Why? Our capacity is not the same.
The truth is there are times in life when we are stuck at the pump of divinity. Those who came in behind us have gone ahead of us; those who learnt from you seem to have outrun you; those who graduated years after you are now the ones calling the shot and it seems as though you are stuck.
Could it just be that your capacity is bigger than theirs? Could it be that your own assignment needs longer preparation? Could it be that your character is being formed for the task ahead?
You do not know what you need. Only the One who designed the journey knows what is important. Why don't you hold on?
People will often say my mates are doing this.....
my mates have done that .....
my mates have this...
My mates are now....
But I'm still here doing, having, nothing. It is important to know that you spent nine months of formation in your mother's womb alone and you were given birth to alone even if you're a twin.
Therefore never classify anyone as your mate.
God's dealings with/in your life is never an estimation of what is happening in the life of your friend or colleagues. God's dealing in your life is VERY PERSONAL and unique and should never be an estimation of physical and tangible things.
Age mates are not always MATES and classmates don't always end up in the same CLASS
Take your gaze off other people's path and concentrate on the race. You WILL earn your own medal God willing!!!
Good morning.
Pentagon sceptical of claims Russia hit 1000 ISIS tankers
THE Pentagon is casting a sceptical eye toward Russian government claims that its air strikes hit more than 1000 Islamic State oil tankers in just a few days.
One US defence official told Fox News it would be “nearly impossible” to destroy that many tankers with the kind of unguided bombs used by the Russians.
The claims were first made Monday morning. Russian news outlet RT reported online that Russian strikes “torched” more than 1000 tankers delivering crude oil to IS over a five-day period, citing a spokesman for the Russian Defence Ministry. The Russian air force, according to the report, also hit 472 targets in two days in Syria.
The claims come as the US also says its coalition is hitting a large number of tanker trucks — albeit nowhere near as many strikes as Moscow says it conducted.
The US-led coalition reported hitting 283 vehicles in eastern Syria on November 21.
Fox News has confirmed the vehicles were in fact oil tanker trucks.
Another defence official who spoke with Fox News said that the US and Russia were not bombing the same targets.
“It’s hard to verify the effectiveness of Russia strikes without diverting assets,” the official said.
But asked if the US took the Russian claims at face value, the official said: “It’s Russia. They have proven to manipulate information in the past.”
The US-led coalition reported hitting 283 vehicles in eastern Syria on November 21.
Fox News has confirmed the vehicles were in fact oil tanker trucks.
Another defence official who spoke with Fox News said that the US and Russia were not bombing the same targets.
“It’s hard to verify the effectiveness of Russia strikes without diverting assets,” the official said.
But asked if the US took the Russian claims at face value, the official said: “It’s Russia. They have proven to manipulate information in the past.”
As for the US-backed coalition strikes, the attack by four A-10 attack planes and two AC-130 gunships was carried out Saturday at a site near Deir el-Zour and al-Hasakah but not reported until Monday. It followed a similar assault on November 15 that destroyed 116 tanker trucks. It is part of a broader air campaign, dubbed Operation Tidal Wave II, designed to cripple the militants’ oil producing, refining and distribution system. The US has said oil provides about half the group’s total income.
Until the November 15 strike, the US had refrained from attacking oil trucks, fearing it could cause unintended civilian deaths.
Instead, US aircraft dropped warning leaflets and made strafing runs in the area to persuade the civilian drivers of the tanker trucks to abandon their vehicles before the bombing began, military spokesman Colonel Steve Warren said. He added that the US believed no civilians were injured or killed.
IS controls nearly all of Syria’s oilfields, concentrated in the east of the country, producing about 30,000 barrels a day, along with one field in Iraq. It smuggles the oil mainly to Turkey, selling at cut-rate prices and generating nearly $50 million a month.
Colonel Warren last week described Russia’s past air strikes as “reckless” and not the kind of precision strikes used by the coalition. He said Russia was using “dumb” bombs to carry out the majority of its strikes against IS.
Source www.news.com.au/technology/innovation/military/pentagon-sceptical-of-claims-russia-hit-1000-isis-tankers/news-story/538748769f917b68e6e3fc85fa0ef030
One US defence official told Fox News it would be “nearly impossible” to destroy that many tankers with the kind of unguided bombs used by the Russians.
The claims were first made Monday morning. Russian news outlet RT reported online that Russian strikes “torched” more than 1000 tankers delivering crude oil to IS over a five-day period, citing a spokesman for the Russian Defence Ministry. The Russian air force, according to the report, also hit 472 targets in two days in Syria.
The claims come as the US also says its coalition is hitting a large number of tanker trucks — albeit nowhere near as many strikes as Moscow says it conducted.
The US-led coalition reported hitting 283 vehicles in eastern Syria on November 21.
Fox News has confirmed the vehicles were in fact oil tanker trucks.
Another defence official who spoke with Fox News said that the US and Russia were not bombing the same targets.
“It’s hard to verify the effectiveness of Russia strikes without diverting assets,” the official said.
But asked if the US took the Russian claims at face value, the official said: “It’s Russia. They have proven to manipulate information in the past.”
The US-led coalition reported hitting 283 vehicles in eastern Syria on November 21.
Fox News has confirmed the vehicles were in fact oil tanker trucks.
Another defence official who spoke with Fox News said that the US and Russia were not bombing the same targets.
“It’s hard to verify the effectiveness of Russia strikes without diverting assets,” the official said.
But asked if the US took the Russian claims at face value, the official said: “It’s Russia. They have proven to manipulate information in the past.”
As for the US-backed coalition strikes, the attack by four A-10 attack planes and two AC-130 gunships was carried out Saturday at a site near Deir el-Zour and al-Hasakah but not reported until Monday. It followed a similar assault on November 15 that destroyed 116 tanker trucks. It is part of a broader air campaign, dubbed Operation Tidal Wave II, designed to cripple the militants’ oil producing, refining and distribution system. The US has said oil provides about half the group’s total income.
Until the November 15 strike, the US had refrained from attacking oil trucks, fearing it could cause unintended civilian deaths.
Instead, US aircraft dropped warning leaflets and made strafing runs in the area to persuade the civilian drivers of the tanker trucks to abandon their vehicles before the bombing began, military spokesman Colonel Steve Warren said. He added that the US believed no civilians were injured or killed.
IS controls nearly all of Syria’s oilfields, concentrated in the east of the country, producing about 30,000 barrels a day, along with one field in Iraq. It smuggles the oil mainly to Turkey, selling at cut-rate prices and generating nearly $50 million a month.
Colonel Warren last week described Russia’s past air strikes as “reckless” and not the kind of precision strikes used by the coalition. He said Russia was using “dumb” bombs to carry out the majority of its strikes against IS.
Source www.news.com.au/technology/innovation/military/pentagon-sceptical-of-claims-russia-hit-1000-isis-tankers/news-story/538748769f917b68e6e3fc85fa0ef030
Chemical attack fears for Paris after protective suits stolen from hospital
THERE are new fears that Paris could be hit with a chemical attack after ebola-style protective suits were stolen from a code-locked room in a hospital.
The authority for the Paris public hospitals said 12 protective health outfits, used to ward against chemicals and viruses, were missing from a locked room in the city’s Necker hospital complex.
More than 30 protective boots, along with gloves and masks, were also taken.
Six water facilities went under armed guard after the alarm was raised and Paris Water president Célia Blauel confirmed water samples were being analysed, the Daily Mail reported.
Chlorine had been increased in the water to limit the risk of contamination.
“The chlorine level is controlled throughout the network. This allows us — if necessary — to precisely isolate the affected area without disrupting the entire network,” she said.
A formal complaint was filed on Thursday, the same day French Prime Minister Manuel Valls said in the National Assembly “there may also be a risk of chemical and bacteriological weapons” used by attackers.
“We know and bear in mind that there is a risk of chemical or bacteriological weapons. The macabre imagination of the masterminds is limitless,” he said.
The city has been on alert since 130 people were killed in attacks on November 13.
The Paris public hospital authority said Sunday a “limited number” of suits were missing but wouldn’t confirm media reports saying a dozen hermetic protective overalls, three dozen pairs of special boots resistant to chemical agents, gloves and antibacterial masks have disappeared.
The missing clothing was stored with other materials in code-locked premises but many staff had access to the room to pick up ordinary supplies. Since the incident was discovered on Wednesday, security has been reinforced at the room.
British chemical expert John Large told the Mail that the UK was “very vulnerable” to an attack on its water systems.
He suggested terrorists may inject a toxin into water pipes or place a large quantity of toxic materials in a reservoir.
“IS’s chemical knowledge is improving fast and it would be a nightmare for the British Army or police to protect every reservoir or treatment works in this country,’ he said.
Source www.news.com.au/world/europe/chemical-attack-fears-for-paris-after-protective-suits-stolen-from-hospital/news-story/6a7ffb74b81f9a2c636db2e1c93c8f70
The authority for the Paris public hospitals said 12 protective health outfits, used to ward against chemicals and viruses, were missing from a locked room in the city’s Necker hospital complex.
More than 30 protective boots, along with gloves and masks, were also taken.
Six water facilities went under armed guard after the alarm was raised and Paris Water president Célia Blauel confirmed water samples were being analysed, the Daily Mail reported.
Chlorine had been increased in the water to limit the risk of contamination.
“The chlorine level is controlled throughout the network. This allows us — if necessary — to precisely isolate the affected area without disrupting the entire network,” she said.
A formal complaint was filed on Thursday, the same day French Prime Minister Manuel Valls said in the National Assembly “there may also be a risk of chemical and bacteriological weapons” used by attackers.
“We know and bear in mind that there is a risk of chemical or bacteriological weapons. The macabre imagination of the masterminds is limitless,” he said.
The city has been on alert since 130 people were killed in attacks on November 13.
The Paris public hospital authority said Sunday a “limited number” of suits were missing but wouldn’t confirm media reports saying a dozen hermetic protective overalls, three dozen pairs of special boots resistant to chemical agents, gloves and antibacterial masks have disappeared.
The missing clothing was stored with other materials in code-locked premises but many staff had access to the room to pick up ordinary supplies. Since the incident was discovered on Wednesday, security has been reinforced at the room.
British chemical expert John Large told the Mail that the UK was “very vulnerable” to an attack on its water systems.
He suggested terrorists may inject a toxin into water pipes or place a large quantity of toxic materials in a reservoir.
“IS’s chemical knowledge is improving fast and it would be a nightmare for the British Army or police to protect every reservoir or treatment works in this country,’ he said.
Source www.news.com.au/world/europe/chemical-attack-fears-for-paris-after-protective-suits-stolen-from-hospital/news-story/6a7ffb74b81f9a2c636db2e1c93c8f70
Panel of judges dissolved, Buruji Kashamu’s appeal against tribunal judgment stalled
The appeal filed by Senator Buruji Kashamu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) challenging the judgment of election tribunal that sat in Abeokuta, Ogun State, could not continue on Tuesday due to the dissolution of panel of judges.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the tribunal, chaired by Justice Tobi Ebiowel, had ordered for rerun in 110 polling units within Ogun East senatorial district.
Mr Dapo Abiodun of the All Progressives Congress (APC) had challenged the declaration of Kashamu as winner of the March 28 senatorial election.
The registrar of the Court of Appeal, Ibadan, Oyo State, where Kashamu filed his appealed, informed parties that President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Zanaib Bulkachukwa, had dissolved the panel.
The court registrar said that new panel of judges had been constituted, but the date the case would come up was yet to be fixed.
While reacting to the dissolution of the panel, Mr Adebayo Dayo, Chairman, Ogun PDP, said that the judiciary was trying to be fair to all the parties.
Source :www.tribuneonlineng.com/panel-of-judges-dissolved-buruji-kashamu’s-appeal-against-tribunal-judgment-stalled
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the tribunal, chaired by Justice Tobi Ebiowel, had ordered for rerun in 110 polling units within Ogun East senatorial district.
Mr Dapo Abiodun of the All Progressives Congress (APC) had challenged the declaration of Kashamu as winner of the March 28 senatorial election.
The registrar of the Court of Appeal, Ibadan, Oyo State, where Kashamu filed his appealed, informed parties that President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Zanaib Bulkachukwa, had dissolved the panel.
The court registrar said that new panel of judges had been constituted, but the date the case would come up was yet to be fixed.
While reacting to the dissolution of the panel, Mr Adebayo Dayo, Chairman, Ogun PDP, said that the judiciary was trying to be fair to all the parties.
Source :www.tribuneonlineng.com/panel-of-judges-dissolved-buruji-kashamu’s-appeal-against-tribunal-judgment-stalled
Monday 23 November 2015
Paris attacks: 'Suicide bomb belt' dumped on street
French police are examining what appears to be a suicide bomb belt dumped on a Paris street, 10 days after the attacks that killed 130 people.
It is said to resemble belts used by the attackers and was found in a suburb which a suspect is thought to have passed through after the attacks.
The US has issued a worldwide travel alert in response to the attacks.
The Belgian capital Brussels remains on high alert, and schools and the metro will stay closed on Tuesday.
They are due to reopen on Wednesday but the highest alert level will continue for at least another week.
Authorities fear Paris-style attacks may be carried out in the city, where at least one Paris attacker lived, with Prime Minister Charles Michel warning the threat remained "imminent".
'Detonator missing'
The suspected explosives belt was found in a dustbin on Monday by street cleaners in the Montrouge district, police say.
Police sources told news agencies it resembled those used in the 13 November attacks. According to AFP news agency, the device lacks a detonator.
Investigators say mobile phone data suggest that Salah Abdeslam - whose brother Brahim blew himself up during the attacks - was in the area on 13 November.
One theory is that Salah Abdeslam had planned to detonate the bomb belt but abandoned the plan.
"Maybe he had a technical problem with his explosive belt," a police source told Reuters news agency.
A massive manhunt for Salah Abdeslam is continuing in both France and Belgium.
Brussels on Monday saw a third day of unprecedented restrictions, with troops and armed police patrolling the streets.
Announcing that the state of alert would remain at level four, Mr Michel stressed "we must all progressively get back to a normal life".
The rest of Belgium remains on alert level three, meaning an attack is seen as possible and credible.
How is Brussels affected by terror threat?
Belgian police have charged a fourth suspect with terrorism offences related to the Paris attacks, the federal prosecutor said.
The unnamed man was one of 21 people detained in raids on Sunday and Monday. Seventeen have been released without charge.
Mohammed Amri, 27, and Hamza Attou, 20, have already been charged with aiding Paris attacks suspect Salah Abdeslam, who remains at large. A third, unnamed suspect has also been charged.
Also on Monday, France carried out its first strikes against IS from its Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier, newly deployed in the eastern Mediterranean.
French jets bombed IS targets in Iraq and Syria, including Raqqa, IS's key Syrian stronghold, the defence ministry said.
How the Paris attacks are affecting Muslim children
Interview transcript: 'My brothers were manipulated, not radicalised'
Paris attacks: The unanswered questions
Paris attacks: Who were the victims?
Who were the Paris attackers?
Special report: In-depth coverage of the attacks and their aftermath
President Francois Hollande has vowed to intensify strikes against IS in Syria and Iraq in the wake of the attacks.
Source www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-34906735?ocid=socialflow_facebook&ns_mchannel=social&ns_campaign=bbcnews&ns_source=facebook
It is said to resemble belts used by the attackers and was found in a suburb which a suspect is thought to have passed through after the attacks.
The US has issued a worldwide travel alert in response to the attacks.
The Belgian capital Brussels remains on high alert, and schools and the metro will stay closed on Tuesday.
They are due to reopen on Wednesday but the highest alert level will continue for at least another week.
Authorities fear Paris-style attacks may be carried out in the city, where at least one Paris attacker lived, with Prime Minister Charles Michel warning the threat remained "imminent".
'Detonator missing'
The suspected explosives belt was found in a dustbin on Monday by street cleaners in the Montrouge district, police say.
Police sources told news agencies it resembled those used in the 13 November attacks. According to AFP news agency, the device lacks a detonator.
Investigators say mobile phone data suggest that Salah Abdeslam - whose brother Brahim blew himself up during the attacks - was in the area on 13 November.
One theory is that Salah Abdeslam had planned to detonate the bomb belt but abandoned the plan.
"Maybe he had a technical problem with his explosive belt," a police source told Reuters news agency.
A massive manhunt for Salah Abdeslam is continuing in both France and Belgium.
Brussels on Monday saw a third day of unprecedented restrictions, with troops and armed police patrolling the streets.
Announcing that the state of alert would remain at level four, Mr Michel stressed "we must all progressively get back to a normal life".
The rest of Belgium remains on alert level three, meaning an attack is seen as possible and credible.
How is Brussels affected by terror threat?
Belgian police have charged a fourth suspect with terrorism offences related to the Paris attacks, the federal prosecutor said.
The unnamed man was one of 21 people detained in raids on Sunday and Monday. Seventeen have been released without charge.
Mohammed Amri, 27, and Hamza Attou, 20, have already been charged with aiding Paris attacks suspect Salah Abdeslam, who remains at large. A third, unnamed suspect has also been charged.
Also on Monday, France carried out its first strikes against IS from its Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier, newly deployed in the eastern Mediterranean.
French jets bombed IS targets in Iraq and Syria, including Raqqa, IS's key Syrian stronghold, the defence ministry said.
How the Paris attacks are affecting Muslim children
Interview transcript: 'My brothers were manipulated, not radicalised'
Paris attacks: The unanswered questions
Paris attacks: Who were the victims?
Who were the Paris attackers?
Special report: In-depth coverage of the attacks and their aftermath
President Francois Hollande has vowed to intensify strikes against IS in Syria and Iraq in the wake of the attacks.
Source www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-34906735?ocid=socialflow_facebook&ns_mchannel=social&ns_campaign=bbcnews&ns_source=facebook
Biafra: Transfer me to prison custody, Kanu begs court
…Protesters besiege court, demands his unconditional release
DSS secures fresh order to detain him for 90 days
More protests sweep Abuja, Onitsha, Aba as IPOB members ground vehicular movements
Hoist Kanu’s portraits, Biafra emblems in Aba
We are not in support of any violence – Anglican Church
By Ikechukwu Nnochiri, Dapo Akinrefon, Caleb Ayansina, Okonkwo Nwabueze, Chimaobi Nwaiwu, Nnewi & Ugochukwu Alaribe
Hundreds of agitators for the creation of Biafra Republic, yesterday, besieged an Abuja Chief Magistrate Court sitting at Wuse Zone 2, demanding the unconditional release of the self-declared leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu.
The placard carrying protesters, who wore T-shirts and caps with inscriptions like “Biafra Now or Never”, “Buhari Release Kanu For Us”, “On Biafra We Stand”, yesterday, sang and danced outside the court premises, while hearing was going on in the criminal case that was entered against Kanu by the federal government.
Meantime, following an order of the court, the Department of State Security, DSS, yesterday, produced the detained Director of Radio Biafra and Television, Kanu.
Chief Magistrate Shauibu Usman had at the last adjourned date, berated the DSS over its failure to produce Kanu in court on two consecutive times the matter came up before the court.
Magistrate Usman said he was disappointed that the security agency refused to produce Kanu despite an express order of the court.
Consequently, he directed that the accused person must be brought before the court yesterday.
Meanwhile, at the resumed hearing on the matter yesterday, Kanu, who the government accused of engaging in criminal conspiracy, managing and belonging to an unlawful society, as well as indulging in criminal intimidation,
Source :www.vanguardngr.com/2015/11/biafra-transfer-me-to-prison-custody-kanu-begs-court/
DSS secures fresh order to detain him for 90 days
More protests sweep Abuja, Onitsha, Aba as IPOB members ground vehicular movements
Hoist Kanu’s portraits, Biafra emblems in Aba
We are not in support of any violence – Anglican Church
By Ikechukwu Nnochiri, Dapo Akinrefon, Caleb Ayansina, Okonkwo Nwabueze, Chimaobi Nwaiwu, Nnewi & Ugochukwu Alaribe
Hundreds of agitators for the creation of Biafra Republic, yesterday, besieged an Abuja Chief Magistrate Court sitting at Wuse Zone 2, demanding the unconditional release of the self-declared leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu.
The placard carrying protesters, who wore T-shirts and caps with inscriptions like “Biafra Now or Never”, “Buhari Release Kanu For Us”, “On Biafra We Stand”, yesterday, sang and danced outside the court premises, while hearing was going on in the criminal case that was entered against Kanu by the federal government.
Meantime, following an order of the court, the Department of State Security, DSS, yesterday, produced the detained Director of Radio Biafra and Television, Kanu.
Chief Magistrate Shauibu Usman had at the last adjourned date, berated the DSS over its failure to produce Kanu in court on two consecutive times the matter came up before the court.
Magistrate Usman said he was disappointed that the security agency refused to produce Kanu despite an express order of the court.
Consequently, he directed that the accused person must be brought before the court yesterday.
Meanwhile, at the resumed hearing on the matter yesterday, Kanu, who the government accused of engaging in criminal conspiracy, managing and belonging to an unlawful society, as well as indulging in criminal intimidation,
Source :www.vanguardngr.com/2015/11/biafra-transfer-me-to-prison-custody-kanu-begs-court/
Bayelsa APC Governor Candidate’s Cousin Kidnapped On Way To Sylva Rally
Mr. Krinpere Douglas, cousin to Timipre Sylva, the All Progressives Congress (APC)
gubernatorial candidate for Bayelsa State, was kidnapped by unknown gunmen today.
Mr. Douglas was kidnapped on Monday afternoon along the Ogbia-Brass waterways
when the convoy of boats he was riding in were attacked by the gunmen.
The victim was heading to a political rally in support of his cousin Mr. Sylva, expected
to be held in the Okpoma and Brass areas of the State.
Mr. Nathan Egba, the Director for Media and Publicity of Mr. Sylva’s campaign,
confirmed that Mr. Douglas was abducted. He stated that ''the victim was coming for
this campaign but, unfortunately, their boat which was in our convoy was attacked by
the gunmen who abducted him to an unknown destination.''
“I pray that nothing will happen to him,'' Mr. Egba added.
A police spokesman for Bayelsa State said that the command has yet to receive an
official report of the incident.
Meanwhile the incident has sent shockwaves through the area and instilled fear in the
other passengers in the convey who were unhurt.
Source http://saharareporters.com/2015/11/23/bayelsa-apc-governor-candidate’s-cousin-kidnapped-way-sylva-rally
gubernatorial candidate for Bayelsa State, was kidnapped by unknown gunmen today.
Mr. Douglas was kidnapped on Monday afternoon along the Ogbia-Brass waterways
when the convoy of boats he was riding in were attacked by the gunmen.
The victim was heading to a political rally in support of his cousin Mr. Sylva, expected
to be held in the Okpoma and Brass areas of the State.
Mr. Nathan Egba, the Director for Media and Publicity of Mr. Sylva’s campaign,
confirmed that Mr. Douglas was abducted. He stated that ''the victim was coming for
this campaign but, unfortunately, their boat which was in our convoy was attacked by
the gunmen who abducted him to an unknown destination.''
“I pray that nothing will happen to him,'' Mr. Egba added.
A police spokesman for Bayelsa State said that the command has yet to receive an
official report of the incident.
Meanwhile the incident has sent shockwaves through the area and instilled fear in the
other passengers in the convey who were unhurt.
Source http://saharareporters.com/2015/11/23/bayelsa-apc-governor-candidate’s-cousin-kidnapped-way-sylva-rally
Nine People Murdered By Suicide Attack In Borno State
At least 9 people were killed today by a suicide bombing in Maiduguri, the Borno
State capital, according to a local resident and Emergency Management Agency
official.
The suicide attack occurred near the Muna garage area of Maiduguri. Baba Kura, a
resident of Muna garage, told a SaharaReporters correspondent that at least nine people
feared dead in the attack.
''We heard loud explosions in our area and we quickly went to the scene and we
found nine people dead and a vehicle seriously damaged,'' he said.
A State Emergency Management Agency official told SaharaReporters on the condition
of anonymity that 6 people were recovered from the scene along Dikwa road.
Source :http://saharareporters.com/2015/11/23/nine-people-murdered-suicide-attack-borno-state
Doctor found practising for 33 years with expired licence in Kwara
The Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) has read Riot Acts to erring private
medical practitioners engaging in unwholesome practices in Kwara State to desist or
face sanction.
Speaking with journalists during inspection/monitoring of private hospitals in Osi, Ekiti
Local Government Area of the state, the head of inspectorate of the council, Dr. Henry
Okwukeye, said the council was determined to sanitise health sector and practitioners to
reduce deaths among the people.
"People have no regard for the rule of law. The era of impunity is gone and far gone.
Any doctor practising anywhere without a licence is violating Nigerian laws and the arm
of the law will soon fall on them. The penalty is dependent on the gravity of offence. It
ranges from suspension to fines, imprisonment and withdrawal of certificates," he said.
The MDCN team, comprising director medical services, state Ministry of Health and
policemen discovered a medical practitioner who had refused to renew his license since
1982.
The medical practitioner had allegedly been practising medicine illegally and without
renewing his license for 33 years at Osi town in Ekiti Local Government Area of the
state.
Dr. Okwukeye, who said the inspection visit was informed by a petition written to alert
the council that many people had died from surgery in the hospital, added that despite
quality equipment in the hospital, the doctor had inadequate qualified medical personnel
and did not employ qualified nurses.
Source :http://www.tribuneonlineng.com/doctor-found-practising-for-33-years-with-expired-licence-in-kwara
medical practitioners engaging in unwholesome practices in Kwara State to desist or
face sanction.
Speaking with journalists during inspection/monitoring of private hospitals in Osi, Ekiti
Local Government Area of the state, the head of inspectorate of the council, Dr. Henry
Okwukeye, said the council was determined to sanitise health sector and practitioners to
reduce deaths among the people.
"People have no regard for the rule of law. The era of impunity is gone and far gone.
Any doctor practising anywhere without a licence is violating Nigerian laws and the arm
of the law will soon fall on them. The penalty is dependent on the gravity of offence. It
ranges from suspension to fines, imprisonment and withdrawal of certificates," he said.
The MDCN team, comprising director medical services, state Ministry of Health and
policemen discovered a medical practitioner who had refused to renew his license since
1982.
The medical practitioner had allegedly been practising medicine illegally and without
renewing his license for 33 years at Osi town in Ekiti Local Government Area of the
state.
Dr. Okwukeye, who said the inspection visit was informed by a petition written to alert
the council that many people had died from surgery in the hospital, added that despite
quality equipment in the hospital, the doctor had inadequate qualified medical personnel
and did not employ qualified nurses.
Source :http://www.tribuneonlineng.com/doctor-found-practising-for-33-years-with-expired-licence-in-kwara
Ooni-Elect To Receive His Crown Traditionally Today
Ogunwusi, who recently emerged as the 51st Ooni of Ife, the report added, will leave
Ilofi, where he has been going through various traditional installation rites for the
place where he will be crowned traditionallyBiyi Odunlade, an aide of the monarch in a chat with newsmen, said: “The Ooni left
Ilofi on Sunday and he will be crowned today (Monday). The Ooni does not receive
the crown in the public. Unlike other Obas, who are crowned in public, Ooni of Ife
doesn’t receive the crown in public“The traditional crowning will be done at the palace on Monday (today) but the
inauguration would hold on December 7. The Ooni will come out to see some people
after the traditional coronation.”
Oba Ogunwusi is not allowed to enter the ancient town due to the non-completion of
necessary rituals.
Source :https://www.naij.com/645822-read-ooni-elect-oba-ogunwusi-will-receive-traditional-crown-today.html/?damilare&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_group=free
Ilofi, where he has been going through various traditional installation rites for the
place where he will be crowned traditionallyBiyi Odunlade, an aide of the monarch in a chat with newsmen, said: “The Ooni left
Ilofi on Sunday and he will be crowned today (Monday). The Ooni does not receive
the crown in the public. Unlike other Obas, who are crowned in public, Ooni of Ife
doesn’t receive the crown in public“The traditional crowning will be done at the palace on Monday (today) but the
inauguration would hold on December 7. The Ooni will come out to see some people
after the traditional coronation.”
Oba Ogunwusi is not allowed to enter the ancient town due to the non-completion of
necessary rituals.
Source :https://www.naij.com/645822-read-ooni-elect-oba-ogunwusi-will-receive-traditional-crown-today.html/?damilare&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_group=free
DSS asks court to discontinue Kanu’s trial
The Department of State Services (DSS) on Monday requested a Wuse Zone 2
Senior Magistrates’ Court in Abuja to discontinue trial of Nnamdi Kanu, Director of
Radio Biafra, charged with criminal conspiracy. Kanu is standing trial on a three-
count charge of criminal conspiracy, intimidation and belonging to unlawful society,
to which he pleaded not guilty.
At the resumed sitting of
the case, prosecution
counsel, Moses Idakwo,
informed the court that
after the arraignment of the
accused, the complainant
stumbled on some facts
which took the matter out
of the jurisdiction of the
court. According to him,
the complainant found out
that the accused was
involved in terrorism and
has been financing it.
“The complainant is,
therefore, applying to
discontinue the matter
under section 108(1) of
administration of criminal justice act 2015.’’ Idakwo said that the DSS had also
obtained an order from the Federal High Court, Abuja, dated Nov.10, to detain the
accused in its custody for 90 days.
Objecting, Kanu’s counsel, Vincent Obetta, prayed the court not to discontinue the
case because the prosecution did not present any information from the Attorney-
General of Federation who had the authority to approve such. Obetta told the court
that the DSS violated the order of the court which granted bail that was perfected
but not granted, adding that the accused had been in DSS custody since he was
arrested.
Subsequently, the magistrate, Mr Usman Shuaibu, after listening to both counsels,
adjourned the matter until Dec.1 for ruling.
Source :http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/11/dss-asks-court-to-discontinue-kanus-trial/
Senior Magistrates’ Court in Abuja to discontinue trial of Nnamdi Kanu, Director of
Radio Biafra, charged with criminal conspiracy. Kanu is standing trial on a three-
count charge of criminal conspiracy, intimidation and belonging to unlawful society,
to which he pleaded not guilty.
At the resumed sitting of
the case, prosecution
counsel, Moses Idakwo,
informed the court that
after the arraignment of the
accused, the complainant
stumbled on some facts
which took the matter out
of the jurisdiction of the
court. According to him,
the complainant found out
that the accused was
involved in terrorism and
has been financing it.
“The complainant is,
therefore, applying to
discontinue the matter
under section 108(1) of
administration of criminal justice act 2015.’’ Idakwo said that the DSS had also
obtained an order from the Federal High Court, Abuja, dated Nov.10, to detain the
accused in its custody for 90 days.
Objecting, Kanu’s counsel, Vincent Obetta, prayed the court not to discontinue the
case because the prosecution did not present any information from the Attorney-
General of Federation who had the authority to approve such. Obetta told the court
that the DSS violated the order of the court which granted bail that was perfected
but not granted, adding that the accused had been in DSS custody since he was
arrested.
Subsequently, the magistrate, Mr Usman Shuaibu, after listening to both counsels,
adjourned the matter until Dec.1 for ruling.
Source :http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/11/dss-asks-court-to-discontinue-kanus-trial/
Jubilation in Lokoja over rumour of Audu’s resurrection
There was jubilation in Lokoja this afternoon by supporters of late Abubakar Audu
over rumours that the former governor had suddenly”resurrected” from death.
Vanguard can reliably inform that the resurrection story was a complete contrast
from the reality here in Ogbonicha where his corpse is lying.
A group of prophets came into the expansive country home of Prince Audu, with a
promise to revive him back to life.
One of them even stake his life while assuring the mammoth crowd that has
gathered for the burial here of the possibility of Audu coming back to life.
His running mate, Hon. Abiodun Faleke and Sen. Dino Melaye are among the early
arrivals here for the burial.
Audu’s family refused to give the prophets access to where Audu’s body was
deposited. But the youths forcibly opened the door to give the prophets access,
with the hope that the ex-governor will come back to life.
We are here watching as the drama unfolds.
Source :http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/11/jubilation-in-lokoja-as-rumour-of-audus-resurrection-filtered-in/
over rumours that the former governor had suddenly”resurrected” from death.
Vanguard can reliably inform that the resurrection story was a complete contrast
from the reality here in Ogbonicha where his corpse is lying.
A group of prophets came into the expansive country home of Prince Audu, with a
promise to revive him back to life.
One of them even stake his life while assuring the mammoth crowd that has
gathered for the burial here of the possibility of Audu coming back to life.
His running mate, Hon. Abiodun Faleke and Sen. Dino Melaye are among the early
arrivals here for the burial.
Audu’s family refused to give the prophets access to where Audu’s body was
deposited. But the youths forcibly opened the door to give the prophets access,
with the hope that the ex-governor will come back to life.
We are here watching as the drama unfolds.
Source :http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/11/jubilation-in-lokoja-as-rumour-of-audus-resurrection-filtered-in/
Ebola crisis: WHO slammed by Harvard-convened panel over slow response
A panel of global health experts has strongly criticized the World Health
Organization, saying it mishandled the response to the Ebola outbreak in West Africa.
The panel, convened by Harvard Global Health Institute and the London School of
Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, called for extensive reform in the way infectious diseases
are managed around the world, but singled out the WHO in particular for criticism.
"The most egregious failure was by WHO in the delay in sounding the alarm," said
Ashish K. Jha, Director of the Harvard Global Health Institute. "People at WHO were
aware that there was an Ebola outbreak that was getting out of control by spring...and
yet, it took until August to declare a public health emergency. The cost of the delay
was enormous," Jha said.
CNN has reached out to the WHO for comment and is awaiting response.
But the organization told the Wall Street Journal , "A number of its (the panel's)
recommendations cover work that is already being done -- including steps set in place
by WHO in early 2015. It is gratifying to see that there is consensus of thought on
many of these key issues, but some will need further review and discussion."
'immense human suffering'
The Ebola outbreak created "immense human suffering, fear and chaos, largely
unchecked by high-level political leadership or reliable and rapid institutional responses,"
the panel said in a poignantly worded report published in the renowned medical journal
"The Lancet."
It was collated from the findings of 19 experts across academia, think tanks,
humanitarian agencies, and the legal profession.
Its findings were released one day after Liberia's health ministry confirmed three new
cases of the deadly disease, despite the WHO declaring the nation clear two months
earlier.
Liberian health minister Dr. Bernice Dahn said it is possible that more cases will be
found.
More than 11,300 people have died from Ebola since the West African outbreak began.
Liberia had the highest number of fatalities with 4,808 deaths followed by Sierra Leon
and Guinea.
The report outlined ten recommendations for prevention and handling of infectious
disease outbreaks.
They include the creation of a U.N. Security Council health committee to expedite
political attention to health issues, the publishing of a list of countries quick to share
information and those that delay reporting, and the establishment of a global fund to
finance and accelerate the development of outbreak-relevant drugs and treatment.
Jha said that the world was at risk of failing to learn lessons from the deadly crisis.
"We've had big outbreaks before and even careful reviews after, but often the world gets
distracted," he said. "We owe it to the more than 11,000 people who died in West
Africa to see that that doesn't happen this time."
Source :
http://edition.cnn.com/2015/11/23/africa/ebola-lancet-report/index.html
Organization, saying it mishandled the response to the Ebola outbreak in West Africa.
The panel, convened by Harvard Global Health Institute and the London School of
Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, called for extensive reform in the way infectious diseases
are managed around the world, but singled out the WHO in particular for criticism.
"The most egregious failure was by WHO in the delay in sounding the alarm," said
Ashish K. Jha, Director of the Harvard Global Health Institute. "People at WHO were
aware that there was an Ebola outbreak that was getting out of control by spring...and
yet, it took until August to declare a public health emergency. The cost of the delay
was enormous," Jha said.
CNN has reached out to the WHO for comment and is awaiting response.
But the organization told the Wall Street Journal , "A number of its (the panel's)
recommendations cover work that is already being done -- including steps set in place
by WHO in early 2015. It is gratifying to see that there is consensus of thought on
many of these key issues, but some will need further review and discussion."
'immense human suffering'
The Ebola outbreak created "immense human suffering, fear and chaos, largely
unchecked by high-level political leadership or reliable and rapid institutional responses,"
the panel said in a poignantly worded report published in the renowned medical journal
"The Lancet."
It was collated from the findings of 19 experts across academia, think tanks,
humanitarian agencies, and the legal profession.
Its findings were released one day after Liberia's health ministry confirmed three new
cases of the deadly disease, despite the WHO declaring the nation clear two months
earlier.
Liberian health minister Dr. Bernice Dahn said it is possible that more cases will be
found.
More than 11,300 people have died from Ebola since the West African outbreak began.
Liberia had the highest number of fatalities with 4,808 deaths followed by Sierra Leon
and Guinea.
The report outlined ten recommendations for prevention and handling of infectious
disease outbreaks.
They include the creation of a U.N. Security Council health committee to expedite
political attention to health issues, the publishing of a list of countries quick to share
information and those that delay reporting, and the establishment of a global fund to
finance and accelerate the development of outbreak-relevant drugs and treatment.
Jha said that the world was at risk of failing to learn lessons from the deadly crisis.
"We've had big outbreaks before and even careful reviews after, but often the world gets
distracted," he said. "We owe it to the more than 11,000 people who died in West
Africa to see that that doesn't happen this time."
Source :
http://edition.cnn.com/2015/11/23/africa/ebola-lancet-report/index.html
Breaking: Nnamdi Kanu finally appears in Court
Reports from eye-witnesses say embattled Director of Radio Biafra and Leader of
the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, was finally arraigned on
Monday, in an Abuja Magistrate Court.
Nnamdi Kanu during his arraignment at the Wuse Zone 2 Magistrate Court,
Abuja. Source: Edith Otubo
Reports from eye-witnesses say embattled Director of Radio Biafra and Leader of
the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, was finally arraigned on
Monday, in an Abuja Magistrate Court.
This
followed an order last Wednesday by the Court that the Department of State
Services (DSS) must produce, the detained Kanu in court today.
Recall that the DSS was expected to produce him in court last week, but failed to
do so.
Citizen Edith Otubo who took to Facebook said: “Though he now looks thin and
somehow unkempt because he hasn’t had a hair cut.
“But I can assure you that everything including everyone is on high tempo but calm,
considering the fact that after much rumours and speculations that our director is
dead.
“The mantle carrier finally appears on a sky blue packet shirt full of smiles. Innocent
Uchenna reporting live from the city of Wuse Zone 2 magistrate court Abuja. Now
the court is in session.”
Source :http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/11/breaking-nnamdi-kanu-finally-appears-in-court/
the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, was finally arraigned on
Monday, in an Abuja Magistrate Court.
Nnamdi Kanu during his arraignment at the Wuse Zone 2 Magistrate Court,
Abuja. Source: Edith Otubo
Reports from eye-witnesses say embattled Director of Radio Biafra and Leader of
the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, was finally arraigned on
Monday, in an Abuja Magistrate Court.
This
followed an order last Wednesday by the Court that the Department of State
Services (DSS) must produce, the detained Kanu in court today.
Recall that the DSS was expected to produce him in court last week, but failed to
do so.
Citizen Edith Otubo who took to Facebook said: “Though he now looks thin and
somehow unkempt because he hasn’t had a hair cut.
“But I can assure you that everything including everyone is on high tempo but calm,
considering the fact that after much rumours and speculations that our director is
dead.
“The mantle carrier finally appears on a sky blue packet shirt full of smiles. Innocent
Uchenna reporting live from the city of Wuse Zone 2 magistrate court Abuja. Now
the court is in session.”
Source :http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/11/breaking-nnamdi-kanu-finally-appears-in-court/
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)