Friday, 21 June 2013

Russia is set to ink a massive Chinese oil deal and to take over Armenia's natural gas industry.

1. U.S. human trafficking report singles out two post-Soviet states

Russia and Uzbekistan are among the world’s “worst of the worst” human trafficking offenders, according to the U.S. Department of State.

In its Trafficking in Persons Report 2013, the State Department downgraded the post-Soviet states to its Tier 3 list of countries that neither comply with minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking nor are trying to do so. The U.S. government might withhold foreign aid to these and other basket-case countries as a result.


Russia and China have reacted angrily after the US downgraded them in a report on efforts to fight human trafficking.

 Demonstration against child abduction and trafficking, Taiyuan, Shanxi province, China, May 2013
Russia spoke of its "indignation". A Chinese official called the report an example of an "arbitrary judgement".
The annual US Department of State report relegated Russia and China into its lowest category, which also includes Iran and North Korea.
Uzbekistan also fell to Tier 3 in the report, published on Wednesday.
The 21 countries in Tier 3 may face sanctions in areas including cultural and education programmes, and the US could withdraw its support for loans from the World Bank or International Monetary Fund.

Thursday, 20 June 2013

US President Barack Obama used a speech in Berlin to call on Russia to revive the push for a world without nuclear weapons

US President Barack Obama declares a state of disaster in Oklahoma following a string of deadly tornados. (Source: Breakfast)
US President Barack Obama used a speech in Berlin to call on Russia to revive the push for a world without nuclear weapons, offering to cut deployed nuclear arsenals by a third, but Moscow immediately poured scorn on his proposal.
Speaking in Berlin where US Presidents John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan gave rousing Cold-War speeches, Obama urged Russia to help build on the "New START" treaty that requires Moscow and Washington to cut stockpiles of deployed nuclear weapons to 1,550 each by 2018.

Saturday, 15 June 2013

Results from Iranian presidential election start to trickle in.

Iranian men wait to vote at a polling station at the Massoumeh shrine in the holy city of Qom, south of Tehran, during presidential elections in the Islamic republic on Friday, June 14. More than 50 million Iranian voters are eligible to go to the polls to select a new president from <a href='http://www.cnn.com/2013/06/04/world/meast/iran-election-candidates-profile/index.html'>a field of six candidates</a>.
-- The lines extended into the street at times, voters waiting to pick their choice to succeed Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
Some 70% of some 50 million registered voters -- men and women, young and old -- turned out according to state broadcaster Press TV, to pick a man who'll deal with high-stakes challenges domestically and internationally.
And now the results are starting to trickle in.
Based on two sets of still very early results, centrist candidate Hassan Rouhani had more votes than any other candidate, Interior Ministry officials said early Saturday.
As of about 7:15 a.m. Saturday (10:45 p.m. ET Friday), Rouhani had 834,859 votes; Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf had 320,562; Saeed Jalili had 257,822; Mohsen Rezaei had 214,368; Ali-Akbar Velayati had 106,144; and Mohammad Gharazi had 25,324.

Friday, 14 June 2013

Re-enforce your purpose


I can’t emphasize strongly enough that knowing your purpose is crucial for your life course. Every young person comes to a time when he or she leaves childhood and enters adulthood. This is the time in which young people are trying to discover who they are and why they are. This is also often the time when we lose them or gain them----lose them to a destructive lifestyle and a wasted life or gain them for a positive, fulfilling future. Purpose, therefore is key to a young person’s effectiveness and happiness in life. 

becoming a successful doctor


Being a doctor is a very challenging yet fulfilling career choice. But successfully agreed upon as being essentials to becom ng a successful doctor.
Aside from having technical knowledge, a good doctor must be a “people person’’ since the job entails a lot of interaction with patients, families, and other professional in the field. Doctors must effectively communicate with patients. Especially when patients are baffled by the complexity of their conditions. Doctors must also deliver bad news to patient and their families. This is perhaps one of the hardest tasks that a doctor must learn to do, but learning to do so with compassion is critical to a doctor’s success. 

Dreaming Of A Better Nigeria

It is know that nigeria is turning into something else and we have entrust the leadership into the hands of the government and yet notting has been done. the world is becoming more insecure for the youngstars. and even our fathers and forefathers have not help. and expirience which is also known as the best teacher has not help us either. it is high time our fathers pave the way for the youth at hand to glamoriously lead us into our glaring glory.
           This is my pledge to Nigeria. 


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Wednesday, 12 June 2013

'Turkish leader set to meet with protesters after day of clashes, chaos.

 Watch this video
-- They've faced off with police on the streets of Istanbul, breathed in tear gas, braved water cannons, and hoped and prayed the protest camp they set up in a downtown park won't be overtaken.
On Wednesday, some of their leaders are set to sit down face to face with the man they railed against as being too stubborn, too heavy-handed, too dictatorial: Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
What began in late May as a demonstration focused on the environment -- opposition to a plan to build a mall in Istanbul's Gezi Park -- has evolved into a crusade against Erdogan that's spread around the country.
The official response has fanned the fury of protesters. Many of them are young professionals who considered themselves apolitical but now feel moved to action given what they see as an unnecessarily harsh, obstinate government.

Oldest Man in History Dies

  Jiroemon Kimura smiles after he was presented with the certificate of the world's oldest living man from Guinness last year.
– Japan's Jiroemon Kimura has died after living longer than any man in recorded history. The 116-year-old was born in 1897, the same year as Amelia Earhart and a time when the average male life expectancy in Japan was just 44, the BBC reports. "He has an amazingly strong will to live," an 80-year-old nephew said in an interview last year. "He is strongly confident that he lives right and well." Kimura had seven children, 14 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren, and 13 great-great-grandchildren.

Oprah Donates $12M to Black History Museum

Tuesday, 11 June 2013

-- Former South African leader Nelson Mandela remained in intensive care Monday

-- Former South African leader Nelson Mandela remained in intensive care Monday, two days after he was hospitalized with a recurring lung infection.
The increasingly frail Mandela was rushed to a hospital in Pretoria on Saturday. Later in the day, the South African president's office said the 94-year-old former leader was in a "serious but stable condition."
He was breathing on his own and his wife was by his side, the office said at the time.
After offering no updates for 48 hours, the government said Monday that Mandela's condition was "unchanged."
Meanwhile, his daughter Zenani Dlamini, who is the South African ambassador to Argentina, has flown back to South Africa to be with her father.
Mandela has been in and out of hospitals in recent years.

Thursday, 16 May 2013

Between Inordinate Ambition And Good Governance

Between Inordinate Ambition And Good Governance
“He that seeks to be great by all means seeks the path of self-destruction”
It is no longer news that inordinate ambition, narrow-mindedness and greed have been the causes of insecurity, mindless corruption, poor or bad governance, all culminating in poverty, mediocrity, underdevelopment and conflicts in many African countries.

'Barcelona and Neymar need one another


'Barcelona and Neymar need one another'
Former Brazil midfielder Juninho has urged Barcelona to step up their efforts to sign Neymar after suggesting that the club and the player "need each other".
The Santos forward has continually been linked with the Catalan giants, and their failure to sufficiently challenge for the Champions League has fueled another wave of speculation ahead of the transfer window.
And the one-time Atletico Madrid ace expects the Blaugrana to win the race to land the attacker this summer, believing that both parties would benefit greatly from any potential move.

Europa League Team of the Season: Torres & Cardozo star in prolific attack

Chelsea's dramatic victory over Benfica on Wednesday night rounded off another long season of Europa League football which first started way back in August.

With a play-off round, group stages and a final 32 rounded down to our eventual winners after a gruelling knock-out phase, it has certainly been another eventful ride that has given us plenty of top players to choose from in going for our Team of the Season.

president jonathan state of emergency declaration The rivalry between the North and Niger Delta

president jonathan state of emergency declaration
The rivalry between the North and Niger Delta campaigners for President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election in 2015 became deeper yesterday when Farouk Adamu Aliyu, a former House of Representatives member, boasted that the Northeners will remove the President through their powerful voting strength and not by using guns.

Manny Pacquiao rises for toughest fight


 Manny Pacquiao is known the world over for his boxing abilities, but in the Philippines he's also a national hero beyond the ring. Click through to see moments of Pacquiao's life. Manny Pacquiao is known the world over for his boxing abilities, but in the Philippines he's also a national hero beyond the ring.

-- Manny Pacquiao is not a god, but that doesn't stop millions of Filipinos worshipping him.
Since his first professional fight at 16, Pacquiao has amassed a formidable professional record of 54-5-2.
He is arguably the most famous person in the country's history, a world title holder 10 times over and the first person to earn belts in eight separate weight divisions, and in 2012 was one of the highest paid athletes on earth, earning upwards of $62 million, more than Tiger Woods, Lebron James, Roger Federer and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Wednesday, 15 May 2013

I’ll seek re-election for NGF seat —Amaechi


Rivers State Governor, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi
Rivers State Governor, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, has said he will seek a second term in office as the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum.
Amaechi said he would take part in the forthcoming NGF election, not minding if he would lose or win at the end of the day.

I ’ve forgiven Peter Obi – Umeh



Chief Victor Umeh
National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, Chief Victor Umeh, says he has forgiven all the “dissidents that had a hand in the crises that nearly tore the party apart in recent time”.
Umeh stated this in Ogidi, Anambra State during the party’s South-East stakeholders’ meeting.
The APGA chief, who recalled the party’s history and fortune, said he harboured no malice towards anyone, including Governor Peter Obi and his uncle, Chief Sylvester Nwobu-Alor that spearheaded the move to remove him from office.

Anarchy In Rivers State: Speaker Amachree Alleges Plan To Kill Governor Amaechi

Gov. Rotimi Amachi
By SaharaReporters, New York
There are strong indications that the Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, legislators and prominent government officials in Rivers State may be assassinated, the Speaker of the House of Assembly said today, pleading for the removal of the Commissioner of Police, Mbu Joseph Mbu.
Making the allegation in an open letter sent to President Goodluck Jonathan, Otelemaba Dan Amachree said that the situation in Rivers State has reached a fever-pitch, disclosing that the assassination scheme follows a series of reported nocturnal meetings held in a neighboring State and Abuja.

World Bank expresses shock as Nigeria shuns $450m PPP facility


World-Bank
AS the Federal Government struggles to manage its wide budgetary deficits owing to dwindling revenue, top functionaries in Ministries, Departments and Agencies ( MDAs)  have rejected offers of alternative financing  for infrastructural projects from the World Bank through any form of Public, Private Partnership (PPP).




Lawmakers allege plot to kill Amaechi, others



AMEACHI-29-5-11
• Want President to intervene, stop removal of security aides
• Council secretariat set ablaze, protesters seek CP’s removal
• EFCC may probe gov, dispute over aircraft ownership persists
• Helicopters’ firm accuses Rivers of forging plane’s documents
FROM being only a thorny political issue, the crisis in Rivers State is moving fast to take a tragic character.
This was the alarm raised Tuesday by Rivers State lawmakers who petitioned President Goodluck Jonathan to intervene in the crisis.
They alleged that Governor Chibuike Amaechi, state legislators and other prominent government officials have been marked for assassination.

Govt orders DISCOs to supply meters to customers



Amadi
WORRIED by the disharmony in the state of meters supply to electricity consumers in the country, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has ordered distribution companies (DISCOs) in the country to commence immediate supply of meters to those who had previously made payments
The Commission has also signed an order mandating the distribution companies to supply meters paid for by customers dating back to January 2011.

Constitutional provisions for state of emergency declaration


1999-constitution
THE 1999 Constitution (with Amendments in 2011) lays out the reason(s) for and the processes of declaring a state of emergency in the entire country or part thereof.
This is contained in Section 305 under the Miscellaneous Provisions.
Section 305(1) states that:
“Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, the President may by instrument, published in the Official Gazette of the Government of the Federation, issue a Proclamation of a state of emergency in the Federation or any part thereof.\

Pupils escape drowning in Lagos flood


The timely arrival of emergency workers on Tuesday afternoon saved hundreds of pupil of Ogba Primary School from being drowned.
Some of the primary school pupils, however, sustained varying degrees of minor injuries and were treated by the Lagos State Ambulance Service.
Many people were injured as many  parts of Agege and Ogba were, on Tuesday afternoon, flooded as a result of the mid-day downpour in the Lagos communities.

How World Bank seeks to raise human capital ind ex in developing countries

Fiscal policy, equity and long-term growth in developing countries were the major focus of this year’s spring meetings of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF). BUKKY OLAJIDE was there.
THE key standing committee of the World Bank Group have identified with the vision of the president, which seeks to reduce poverty massively among the population of people living on $1.25 per day in the developing nations of the world by at least by three per cent between now and year 2030.
Participants at this year’s Spring Meetings of the World Bank and IMF, equally outlined an ambitious agenda in this regard, suggesting a two-pronged approach to tackling the menace.
To them, the first step should be promotion of shared prosperity by fostering income growth of the bottom 40 percent of the population in every country. The second goal, implies sharing prosperity across generations, and that calls for bold action on climate change.

Uganda loses revenue due to exporting raw tea

KAMPALA/LONDON
Efforts by East African countries to grow its tea industry continue to suffer setbacks due to limited capacity for value addition, industry players have said.
Uganda Tea Cooperation general manager Rogers Siima told the Daily Monitor in an interview that although they would have wanted to export finished products to European markets, players are still constrained by huge capital requirements and strict European standards.

NITP Supports Demolition Of Unapproved Structures

The Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP) has thrown its weight behind the Development Control Department’s efforts to rid the city of illegal and unapproved structures.
This was made known by the national president of the institute, Chief Steven Onu, during a working visit to the headquarters of the Abuja Metropolitan Manangement Council (AMMC).
Onu commended the council for its efforts to contain the activities of overzealous developers, most of who flout the town planning laws of the country with impunity, saying, “The city of Abuja cannot be developed on sentiments where developers will flagrantly flout laws and turn around to appeal for sympathy.
“I have gone through the attacks on your department by developers. Some of the attacks are misguided and misinformed while some are just appealing to emotions and not to reason. My observation is that most of the developers will do anything to breach the law and when the long arm of the law gets them, they will turn around and blame town planners.”
The NITP boss assured the council that the institute will defend the actions of the department from unnecessary attacks by overzealous developers whose structures were removed on account of unlawful and unauthorised developments.
In his remarks, the AMMC Coordinator, Arch. Reuben Okoya, applauded the institute for its show of solidarity, saying developers are becoming daring.
Okoya said, “We thank you for your show of solidarity at a time like this when illegal developers are becoming daring and confrontational in their nefarious activities.”
The Head of Public Relations of the council, Mr. Ifeanyi Ughammadu, in a statement, quoted Okoya to have assured the institute that the council will not abandon its mandate of ridding the FCT of illegal structures even as he appealed to developers to obey the laws and follow due process before embarking on any development in the territory.

Househelp Forges Employer’s Signature, Blames Devil

A 21-year old househelp, Elizabeth Linus, who is standing trial for allegedly forging the signature of her employer, has blamed her action on the devil.

Jonathan’s Dilemma: Between International Engagements And Security Challenges

Last week, following the colossal killings of security personnel and other innocent Nigerians by insurgents, President Goodluck Jonathan ran back from South Africa where he was rounding up an official visit to proceed to Namibia for another state visit. In this report, GEORGE AGBA examines what may have prompted the president’s decision and the resultant effect.

Nigeria: Read Full Text of Jonathan's Declaration of Emergency Rule



Photo: This Day
Nigerian Police.
Dear compatriots,
1.    It has become necessary for me to address you on the recent spate of terrorist activities and protracted security challenges in some parts of the country, particularly in Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Gombe, Bauchi, Kano, Plateau and most recently Bayelsa, Taraba, Benue and Nasarawa states.  These unfortunate events have led to needless loss of lives and property of many innocent Nigerians including members of our security forces.

Insecurity: FG should overhaul the nation’s internal security mechanism – COCIN

Following the sectarian violence, suicide bombing and other forms of security challenges bedeviling the nation, especially in the Northern part of the country; the Church of Christ in Nations,COCIN, has call on the Federal Government to urgently overhaul the operations of the nation’s internal security in other to address the aforementioned challenges.

Nigeria: Emergency Rule - Whoever, Wherever You Are, We'll Get You - Jonathan

 
Abuja — President Goodluck Jonathan, last night, declared a state of emergency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states with an order to the military high command to use extra-ordinary measures to quell the insurgency that has bedeviled the states.

Nigeria: Police Kill Two, Arrest Three Suspected Female Kidnappers in Delta

Asaba — POLICE in Delta State have killed two supposed hostage takers and arrested eight suspected kidnappers, including three females in separate gun battles with two kidnap gangs at Ozoro in Isoko North Local Government Area and Onicha- Olona in Aniocha North Local Government Area of the state.

APC Convention: IGP Petitioned Over Gidado, Others Attempted Murder

A petition has been brought before the Inspector General of Police (IGP) by one Abdullahi Musa, a member of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), for conspiracy to commit murder and attempted murder on him by one Nuhu Gidado, the ring leader, and his accomplices, Ladan Dila, Ibrahim Agu, Hamisu Kukuliya and Alhaji Biyali.
A letter signed by the Wilson Iorshe on behalf of the solicitors of the petitioner and made available to LEADERSHIP alleged that Musa was violently attacked by Gidado and his associates on May 11, 2013, at the Eagle Square Abuja, venue of the CPC National Convention.
“Our clients further informed us that the said suspects attacked him, armed with dangerous weapons such as guns, machetes, axes, and what appeared to be charms. They brutalised him and gave him a deep cut on the right cheek, almost causing him to lose his right ear,” the petition reads in part.
Speaking to LEADERSHIP, Musa revealed that he was in the company of other members of his group at the convention ground to give their solidarity when at the entrance of the venue, when Gidado’s boys attacked them.
Reacting to the allegation, Gidado said, “I wish to categorically deny any knowledge or involvement in the alleged incident.
“I do not and have never been identified with violence in anything I do. In any case, throughout the convention, I was seated at the VIP stand and do not know of such happenings.
“By the way, when we talk of supporters, mine are not only peaceful but certainly coordinated.
“I don’t have a hand in this incident, and may I use this opportunity to call on my colleagues and all party supporters to do away with bitterness and any form of blackmail”

N100bn Lost Revenue: Reps Move To Probe Copyright Commission


Worried by the ongoing crisis in the music industry, the House of Representatives yesterday mandated its committees on Justice and Judiciary to investigate the activities of the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) to ascertain the alleged manipulation of the musical industry by the commission.

CAN Secretary Killed In Borno

Barely an hour after Jonathan emergency rule in Borno, Yobe Adamawa states, the Secretary of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Maiduguri, Rev Faye Pama Musa was yesterday shot dead inside his Maiduguri residence by unknown gunmen.
LEADERRSHIP gathered that the late Rev Pama was the Head Pastor of a Pentecostal church in Maiduguri, the headquarters of Boko Haram. He was said to have been trailed to his residence by two gunmen who shot him at close range at about 8pm last night.
CAN has confirmed the death of Rev Pama, describing it as sad.
The CAN, which spoke through Kenny Asaka, the media aide of CAN President, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, also said that the CAN boss received the news with heavy heart.

Delta IGR hits N5.7bn

Delta State’s internally generated revenue has hit N5.7 billion mark in January this year, a feat which the state governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, said would be sustained as the administration was committed to realising its dream of “Delta beyond oil.”

Court summons Edo govt over unpaid N300m debt

A business organisation, A.I.C Limited, has summoned the Edo State governor and the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice over an unpaid N300 million from the supply of materials for the Benin City Water Supply Project.

Confusion Trails Ownership Of Amaechi’s Jet


The controversy surrounding the grounding of Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi’s jet by the ministry of aviation  heightened yesterday when the minister of aviation, Mrs Stella Oduah, disclosed that the jet is not owned by the Rivers State government as stated but owned by an American company.

Suspicious Substance Disrupts U.S. Consulate in China

BEIJING — Staff members at the United States Consulate in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou discovered a suspicious substance in an envelope on Monday, prompting the closing of some operations. The substance, which was found in a part of the consulate not open to the public, has yet to be identified. No consulate workers have suffered any ill effects and no visitors are believed to have been exposed, said Nolan Barkhouse, a spokesman for the United States Embassy in Beijing. “The consulate has notified Chinese authorities and is maintaining close contact with them in case any assistance becomes necessary,” Mr. Barkhouse said. The consulate was closed for visa interviews on Tuesday and will remain closed Wednesday pending an investigation. The consulate handles 121,000 visa applications annually and processes all immigrant visas for Chinese children adopted by American citizens.

Moscow holds talks with US ambassador over spy scandal

he US ambassador to Russia met foreign ministry officials in Moscow to discuss the case of a US diplomat accused of trying to recruit a Russian agent.
Michael McFaul was summoned after Russia said on Tuesday it had detained Ryan Fogle for "provocative actions".
Mr Fogle was declared "persona non grata" and told to leave the country.
The incident did not contribute to "strengthening mutual trust between Russia and the US", a spokesman for President Vladimir Putin said.

Tuesday, 14 May 2013

Eating Insects Could Help Fight Obesity Says UN

The thought of eating beetles, caterpillars and ants may give you the creeps, but the authors of a U.N. report published on Monday said the health benefits of consuming nutritious insects could help fight obesity.
More than 1,900 species of insects are eaten around the world, mainly in Africa and Asia, but people in the West generally turn their noses up at the likes of grasshoppers, termites and other crunchy fare.

Angelina Jolie Cuts Off Breasts Due To Cancer Fears


Oscar-winning actress Angelina Jolie said on Tuesday that she had undergone a preventive double mastectomy after finding out she had a gene mutation that leads to a sharply higher risk of both breast and ovarian cancer.

Fashola Charges Lawyers To Rise Against Culture Of Impunity

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), Monday charged lawyers in the country to stand up against the rising culture of impunity in the country saying the Nigerian Bar Association would have the biggest blame if members with their requisite training and presence in diverse sectors do not fix the national problem.
Addressing a gathering of eminent jurists including the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Mariam Aloma Mukhtar, at the flag-off of a two-day Workshop with the theme, “The Rule of Law: The Bedrock for Sustainable Democracy and Development”, organized by the NBA Rule of Law Action Group, Governor Fashola said there was need for members of the legal profession to rise against the malaise because the rest of the citizenry were looking up to them

Friday, 12 April 2013

Pope Francis and Argentina's 'disappeared'


Pope Francis, photographed on 7 April, 2013

The election of Pope Francis has thrown a spotlight on his conduct as a priest under Argentina's military dictatorship in the late 70s and early 80s, and in particular at what point he found out about one of the country's most shameful episodes.
Nearly a month has passed since the Roman Catholic Church elected its first leader from Latin America and the international media has been treated to a whirlwind blitz of eye-catching tales and images.
Pope Francis appears to be what Argentinians would say is "campechano" - approachable, "matey", even.
He has washed and kissed the feet of women and Muslims, inscribed his autograph on plaster casts of injured pilgrims and has even telephoned his old Buenos Aires news vendor to cancel his newspaper order. And perhaps most eye-catchingly of all, he has said he wants to see as a priority "a poor Church for the poor".

Portugal and Ireland to be given more bailout repayment time


Protesters in Nicosia
Portugal and Ireland are to be granted an extra seven years to pay back their emergency bailout loans.
The European Union and the IMF bailed out the Republic of Ireland in 2010 and Portugal in 2011.
The 17-member group that uses the euro currency agreed to the terms at a meeting of finance ministers in Dublin.
Meanwhile, the ministers also said a 10bn euro ($13bn; £8.5bn) EU bailout loan for Cyprus was ready for approval by member states.
That could happen by the end of the month and, if the IMF also gives the go-ahead, the first bailout money could be released by mid-May.
Key extension The plan for Ireland and Portugal is intended to give the countries' financial systems more time to recover from the debt crisis after their bailout loans run out.
Ireland's bailout money will run out later this year, and Portugal's will run out in 2014.
The Irish and Portuguese repayment extensions are expected to be backed by all 27 European Union members, which includes those outside the eurozone, later on Friday.
Eurogroup President and Dutch Finance Minister, Jeroen Dijsselbloem, said the ministers in Dublin had commended Portugal on its success in implementing the bailout programme but "asked them to maintain the reform momentum despite the difficult economic and domestic conditions".
He added: "Ireland is a living example that adjustment programmes do work, provided there is a strong ownership and genuine commitment to reforms."
The extension is especially important for Portugal. When it received a 78bn euro bailout two years ago, it pledged to take various measures in its budget to reduce public spending.
However, last week the country's Constitutional Court ruled that several of these measures in the 2013 budget were unlawful.
If Portugal was to drop the measures because of this, it may not remain eligible for more funds under its bailout.
Cyprus crisis On Thursday, it emerged that Cyprus would need to raise an extra 6bn euros to secure the 10bn euro bailout from Brussels and the IMF.
While confirming that up to 10bn euros in loans will be provided to Cyprus, the eurozone finance ministers also rejected reports that the country might be granted more financial assistance.
Presidential spokesman Christos Stylianides said the country was not looking for more money under the bailout programme, but was hoping for support through other European support mechanisms: "What the president of the republic [of Cyprus] is discussing with European officials is the possibility of increasing European funds for growth and social cohesion."
Cyprus will ask for the money under the EU's multi-annual financial framework designed for member states suffering serious consequences from the euro crisis.
A draft document prepared by the country's creditors said the cost of the rescue had risen to 23bn euros from 17.5bn euros, with Cyprus now having to find 13bn euros of this.
Mr Anastasiades said he had spoken to EU Economy and Euro Commissioner Olli Rehn and said he would also be writing to European Commission chief Jose Manuel Barroso and to EU President Herman Van Rompuy.
"The letter to Mr Barroso and Mr Rompuy will refer to the need for EU policy to change towards Cyprus by giving it extra assistance, given the critical times we are going through as a result of the economic crisis and the measures imposed on us," Mr Anastasiades said.
Meanwhile, the German government said that the size of the eurozone bailout for Cyprus would not rise.
"The contribution from international creditors will not change," said German government spokesman Steffen Seibert, noting that 10bn euro package was "already very large".
It is expected that Cyprus will sell much of its gold reserves to help fund its side of the bailout. Also, bank depositors with more than 100,000 euros in savings will bear part of the cost of the rescue.
The bank sector on which much of the Cypriot economy was dependent is shrinking, and thousands of jobs are being lost.
Laiki Bank is being wound up and its healthy assets transferred to the Bank of Cyprus.
Slovenia plan Eurozone officials meeting in Dublin also reviewed Slovenia's growing problems.
There will be no discussion at the meeting of finance ministers, and the country will not make an application for bailout funds.
But the country's prime minister, Alenka Bratusek said on Friday that her government will have a plan that should stave off the need for a bailout ready to put to the country's parliament within two weeks.
The plan is expected to include the selling off of state assets, probably including a bank.
Slovenia, which adopted the euro single currency in 2007, has been forced to recapitalise its main banks and the economy is struggling.
 

Boko Haram Bent On Islamising Nigeria – CAN

The Christian Association of Nigeria on Thursday flayed Boko Haram’s rejection of amnesty by the Federal Government, saying it was a further indication that the militant Islamic sect was bent on Islamising the country.
 
CAN, through its President, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, therefore challenged northern leaders seeking amnesty for Boko Haram members to bring Sheik Ibrahim Shekau to a dialogue table with the government.
Shekau,who is the sect’s leader, had in a recorded audio message in Hausa, said it was ironical that the Federal Government was contemplating amnesty for Boko Haram members, who according to him, had not done anything wrong by waging a war against the nation.


Kidnap Kingpin, A Ph.D Holder On The Run

Kelvin (surname withheld), the most wanted kidnap/robbery kingpin in Delta State, who hails from Kokori community in Ethiope East Local Government Area has gone into hiding following the manhunt for him by the army and police over the wave of killing of security agents in the state.
 
Police declared the suspect, said to possess a Ph.D in Mechanical Engineering and a former aide to a top politician in the state, wanted last year, after series of kidnap and armed robbery operations, within and outside the state, were traced to him, but he remained hard to pin down.




Kidnap Kingpin, A Ph.D Holder On The Run

Kelvin (surname withheld), the most wanted kidnap/robbery kingpin in Delta State, who hails from Kokori community in Ethiope East Local Government Area has gone into hiding following the manhunt for him by the army and police over the wave of killing of security agents in the state.
 
Police declared the suspect, said to possess a Ph.D in Mechanical Engineering and a former aide to a top politician in the state, wanted last year, after series of kidnap and armed robbery operations, within and outside the state, were traced to him, but he remained hard to pin down.




Patience Makes First Public Appearance After Medical Trip

Wife of President Goodluck Jonathan, Patience, on Thursday made her first public appearance since she returned to the country on Friday allegedly from a medical trip to Germany.
She joined her husband and top government officials to receive the Prime Minister of the Republic of Poland, Mr. Donald Tusk, and his wife, Malgorzata, at the forecourt of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Tusk is on a two-day visit to the country.
Mrs. Jonathan, who looked radiant throughout the brief ceremony, dressed in a yellow, purple and brown gown (boubou) with a purple head tie to match.
While Tusk was inspecting the guard of honour mounted by men of the Presidential Guards Brigade, Mrs. Jonathan engaged the wife of the Polish leader in discussions.
The two women retired into the President’s office with their spouses after the ceremony.

Nigerian MMA Fighter Dies After Fight in Canada

All Felix Pablo Elochukwu wanted was a shot to represent Canada in the UFC.So, the 35-year-old mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter from Hamilton packed a bag and headed to Port Huron, Mich., for his amateur debut on Saturday.Tragically, his first match would be his last.
 
The Nigerian-born athlete died after the third round when the fight was stopped because he was unable to defend himself from his opponent. He initially showed no signs of serious injury, but later became unresponsive.
Paramedics couldn’t revive him and he was taken to hospital. It’s not clear whether he died in the ambulance or at the health centre. “I remember seeing him a few weeks ago when we were celebrating his birthday, and he was actually talking about this fight,” said Elochukwu’s friend, Jerry Igenu, in a phone interview from New Brunswick Tuesday.“He was very optimistic. He thought this was going to be his breakthrough match and he would move up to the next level. He wanted to fight for Canada.”
Another friend, Nnamdi Orakwue, from Toronto, said Elochukwu came to Canada from Nigeria as a student at Memorial University of Newfoundland. In 2012, he moved to Hamilton because it was known as a tight-knit community where he could train at the highly regarded Joslin’s Martial Arts and be a part of the Ontario MMA scene.“He’s a straight-up guy,” Orakwue, 34, said. “He had a huge heart. I don’t think he felt he would have had enough support in Canada to grow his fighting career, so Michigan was there for him to make a name for himself.”

North Korea Delivers New Shout Of War

North Korea delivered a fresh round of rhetoric Thursday with claims it had “powerful striking means” on standby for a missile launch, while Seoul and Washington speculated that the country is preparing to test a medium-range missile during upcoming national celebrations.
On the streets of Pyongyang, meanwhile, North Koreans celebrated the anniversary of leader Kim Jong Un’s appointment to the country’s top party post – one in a slew of titles collected a year ago in the months after father Kim Jong Il’s death.

Bianca, Ojukwu’s Family In The Mix

As the crisis in the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) takes a turn for the worse, it has become apparent to many that the widow of the late leader of the party, Mrs. Bianca Ojukwu, is not aloof. So also is the son of Ojukwu, Emeka jnr.
Bianca is in support of the governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi to the consternation of the party’s embattled national chairman, Victor Umeh.
It did not come as a surprise that Bianca, who has never hidden her respect and admiration for Obi, even when the late Ikemba Odumegwu Ojukwu was alive, showed unalloyed support to the faction loyal to him and has warned Umeh to desist from making inflammatory comments in the media.

Barcelona Confirm Messi Did Not Aggravate Injury Against PSG

Barcelona have said that Lionel Messi did not aggravate his thigh injury during the 33 minutes in which he helped drag them through to the Champions League semi-finals at the Camp Nou on Wednesday.
 
Messi came on as a substitute against Paris Saint-Germain with Barca trailing 1-0 on the night and 3-2 on aggregate.
Although he was hampered by the injury, his presence appeared to calm his team-mates and unnerve PSG, and he quickly helped create the goal, scored by Pedro Rodriguez, which saw Barca through with a 1-1 draw.
Messi was back at the Camp Nou for more tests on Thursday, with the club later releasing a statement confirming that he was not yet 100% fit but that no further damage had been done against the Ligue 1 team.
“Leo Messi has undergone various medical tests this morning to determine if he had aggravated the injury in his right thigh,” it said.

Ashley Young Facing Two Weeks Out

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed winger Ashley Young is likely to be out of action for a fortnight with an ankle injury.
photo Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed winger Ashley Young is likely to be out of action for a fortnight with an ankle injury.
Young suffered the problem during the closing stages of Monday's 2-1 derby defeat to Manchester City at Old Trafford and is set to miss the Premier League games against Stoke, West Ham and Aston Villa.

Rodgers Wary of Reading Threat

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is expecting a tough battle when he takes his team to his former club Reading on Saturday.
photo Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is expecting a tough battle when he takes his team to his former club Reading on Saturday.
The Royals are eight points adrift of safety in the Premier League although Rodgers does not believe relegation is a foregone conclusion under new boss Nigel Adkins.
Adkins has presided over two defeats since taking over from Brian McDermott but Rodgers reckons he is the right man for the job.

Martinez Refusing To Look Back

Wigan manager Roberto Martinez insists Saturday's Wembley appearance is only another stepping stone on the club's journey to the upper echelons of English football.
photo Wigan manager Roberto Martinez insists Saturday's Wembley appearance is only another stepping stone on the club's journey to the upper echelons of English football.
Martinez first joined Wigan as a player in 1995 when they were in the fourth tier of English football and they will continue their rise through the ranks with their first FA Cup semi-final appearance against Millwall.
However, the Spaniard believes there is a danger in looking back.

Corinthians Deny Tevez Talk

Corinthians have played down reports that they are looking to sign Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez in the summer.
photo Corinthians have played down reports that they are looking to sign Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez in the summer.
The Argentina international is under contract with the Premier League champions until the summer of 2014 but has been regularly linked with a return to South America.

LASG Warns Churches, Mosques Against Noise Pollution

Lagos State Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Tunji Bello, has warned churches and mosques in the state against noise pollution.
He asked religious bodies in the habit of mounting speakers outside worship centres in residential areas to desist from doing so.
Bello gave the warning in Lagos on Thursday during a press conference to render account of stewardship of his ministry in the last one year.
He said the government would no longer tolerate the proliferation of churches in the metropolis.
 He said it was unlawful for religious bodies to convert residential buildings to worship centres without the necessary approval from the government.

Assembly Summons Police, Ogun Commissioners Over Students’ Killings

Ogun State House of Assembly on Thursday summoned the Commissioner of Policein the state, Mr. Ikemefuna Okoye, to appear before the Assembly over the alleged killing of four students of the Tai Solarin College of Education.
photo Ogun State House of Assembly on Thursday summoned the Commissioner of Policein the state, Mr. Ikemefuna Okoye, to appear before the Assembly over the alleged killing of four students of the Tai Solarin College of Education.
The students were allegedly killed  by the police during a protest  at the college’s  Omu-Ijebu campus on Tuesday.
The lawmakers also ordered the Commissioner for  Education, Science and Technology, Mr. Segun Odubela, to appear before  them to explain the circumstances  surrounding the students’ protest.
The summon on  the police chief and the education commissioner  was sequel to a motion moved by the Chairman,  House Committee on Education, Mafe Adeyinka.

"Why Nigerian Graduates Are Not Employable"

National Universities Commission has blamed Nigerian Universities for producing graduates that are not suitable for available jobs.
NUC Executive Secretary, Prof. Julius Okojie, said the quality and focus of the training offered by the universities were not in tune with the needs of the society and hadled to high unemployment.
Presenting the report of the Labour Market Observatory Project on Thursday in Abuja, Okojie said, ‘many of the graduates are perceived to lack the skills needed by employers of labour.’

Lagos To Unveil First Traffic Video On Motorists In Africa

Lagos State Government has concluded arrangements to unveil the first multi-lingual traffic video in Africa to ensure the safety of citizens on the highway.
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The unveiling of the video by Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola, is to take place in Lagos, on Wednesday next week.

Bayelsa Killing: Police Pay N1m For Kidnapped Corporal

There were reports on Thursday that one of the 12 policemen said to have been killed in the creeks in Bayelsa State, Corporal Lucky Ebebi, is alive and has been freed by his captors after police authorities paid a N1m ransom.
Ebebi and 11 other policemen were on Saturday ambushed and reportedly killed by gunmen in Azuzuama Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa.

Tribunal Seals PDP’s Fate Over Lagos LG Poll

Peoples Democratic Party on Thursday lost its last hope for being declared winner of any of the chairmanship elections conducted in all the local government areas and Local Council Development Areas of Lagos State on October 22, 2011.
photo Peoples Democratic Party on Thursday lost its last hope for being declared winner of any of the chairmanship elections conducted in all the local government areas and Local Council Development Areas of Lagos State on October 22, 2011.
The Lagos State Local Government Election Petitions Appeal Tribunal, in a unanimous judgment on Thursday, affirmed the Action Congress of Nigeria’s victory in Agbado-Okeodo LCDA chairmanship election.

FG Spends N480bn On Malaria Annually

Vice President Namadi Sambo on Thursday said the Federal Government was desirous of completing the relocation of Bakassi indigenes before August.
photo Vice President Namadi Sambo on Thursday said the Federal Government was desirous of completing the relocation of Bakassi indigenes before August.
Sambo said this during a meeting of the Presidential Committee on Bakassi and Right of the Displaced People which he presided over at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
“The time to round off with the issue of Bakassi has become pertinent and everything must be concluded before August 2013,” he said.

Student Dies While Texting And Driving (See Final Text Before The Car Crashed)

Parents of a college student who died in a car accident while sending a text are now sharing that final message in hopes to stopping others from dying similar crashes.
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Alexander Heit, 22, died shortly after the April 3 crash, but his parents and police are hoping the photo of the mundane text on his iPhone will serve as a stark reminder to drivers.

Former Deputy Governor Of Anambra State Killed By Kidnappers

SaharaReporters has learned that Dr. Chudi Nwike, the former Deputy Governor of Anambra State who was kidnapped on March 19, has been killed by his kidnappers who had demanded a N30 million ransom and actually collected a negotiated amount.

BREAKING NEWS: Gunmen Kill Four Borno Government Officials (UPDATED)

Four members of the Borno Boarding Secondary Schools Feeding Committee were, yesterday, shot dead by some gunmen suspected to be members of the Jamatul Ahlis Sunnah lid Daawa wal Jihad popularly known as Boko Haram in Dikwa Local Government Area of the state.
The committee was set up by Governor Kashim Shettima to monitor feeding system of secondary schools in the state.
Those shot dead are the Chairman of the sub committee in charge of Borno central,; Alhaji Tijjani Mafi; former Maiduguri Government House accountant, Alhaji Modu Kura Gubio; Alhaji Buba Gubo Zannah and the driver.

21-Year Old Mother Inserts Vibrator Into 2-Year Old Son's Private Part

A Phoenix woman is accused of shoving a vibrator into her 2-year-old son's anus, and doctors told police that surgery will be required to remove it.
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According to court documents obtained by New Times, 21-year-old Rickesha Burns called police Sunday, reporting that her son was bleeding from his anus.
Burns said she didn't know what happened

Thursday, 11 April 2013

South Africa’s Mandela Leaves Hospital

Former South African president Nelson Mandela left hospital on Saturday after more than a week of treatment of pneumonia that raised global concern about the health of the 94-year-old anti-apartheid leader.
“(He) has been discharged from hospital today … following a sustained and gradual improvement in his general condition,” the South African presidency said in a statement.
 A military ambulance pulled into Mandela’s spacious Johannesburg home before the statement was released. The presidency said Mandela, who spent about 10 days in hospital, would receive further medical care at his residence.