Definition List

Seo Services

Alice Johnson freed after Trump grants clemency plea

A 63-year-old grandmother jailed in 1996 on a non-violent drug charge has been released from prison after she was granted clemency by President Trump.

Alice Johnson ran towards an emotional reunion with her family after leaving the prison in Pickens County, Alabama.

Her case was highlighted when Kim Kardashian West, who has lobbied for her release, met Mr Trump last week.

The White House said Johnson had been a model prisoner and worked hard to rehabilitate herself.

She was jailed alongside 15 others for taking part in a cocaine distribution ring, and convicted on charges of attempted possession of drugs and money-laundering in Tennessee.

Long battle finally over
Analysis by Jessica Lussenhop, BBC News, Washington
After four years and two presidential administrations, Alice Marie Johnson is finally going home.

I first began communicating with Ms Johnson as she waited to hear whether or not she'd been approved under President Barack Obama's Clemency Initiative in 2014. She easily met all of the criteria, she had a spotless disciplinary record and even her own warden felt that she deserved to go home.

But days before he left office, Mr Obama denied her as well as hundreds of others. She swore to me she would never put her family through this process again - the disappointment was too painful for her two daughters.

Renewed hope came in the unlikely form of a reality TV superstar - Kim Kardashian West, whom Johnson began referring to as her "war angel". Today, the long battle is finally over, though it is more a testament to the arbitrariness of the clemency process than anything else.

According to Ms Johnson's lawyer Brittany K Barnett, it was Kardashian West herself who called to deliver the news to Ms Johnson.

"Overwhelmed with emotion, Alice said it feels like she has been 'resurrected from the dead and she has her life back'."

What did the White House say?

"Ms Johnson has accepted responsibility for her past behaviour and has been a model prisoner over the past two decades," the White House said in a statement.

"Despite receiving a life sentence, Alice worked hard to rehabilitate herself in prison, and act as a mentor to her fellow inmates."

The statement added that the administration believed in being tough on crime but believed in giving a second chance to those who tried to better themselves in prison.

How did Kim Kardashian get involved?

Kardashian West joined what has been a long-running campaign for Johnson's freedom, spearheaded by the clemency foundation CAN-DO, friends and family.

She was first alerted to the issue after spotting a video about the case on social media.

Kardashian West visited the White House with her lawyer, Shawn Holley, and had also linked up with Mr Trump's son-in-law and presidential adviser, Jared Kushner, who has been lobbying for prison reform.

In a tweet shortly after the White House announcement, Kardashian West described Alice Johnson's clemency as inspirational.

The presidential pardon power has few restrictions and scant oversight. The checks on it, such as they are, rely on norms and administrative practice without the binding force of law or constitutional strictures.

Donald Trump appears to be realising that the pardon has been a tool underutilised by his predecessors, which has the potential to grab headlines and demonstrate presidential decisiveness.

With a showman's flair for the dramatic, he has turned the pardon process into a media spectacle, entertaining suggestions from celebrities and politicians, and publicly musing about who might receive a presidential benediction next.

Setting aside talk of self-pardons and the implications the more generous use of the power might have for the Russia probe, Mr Trump has - at the very least - once again rewritten how presidents ought to conduct themselves.

This president clearly believes that just because something hasn't been done that way in the past, it doesn't mean he can't do it that way now.

How do you get a presidential pardon?

The US constitution allows the president the "power to grant reprieves and pardons for offences against the United States, except in cases of impeachment".

A president can offer clemency, commutation or a full pardon, even if an individual has not been charged or convicted for federal crimes - but not at the state level.

There are currently about 9,000 clemency petitions left over from the ramp up in applications that occurred under the Obama administration, and according to University of St Thomas law professor Mark Osler, the Trump administration has done little to clear the backlog.

He adds that while he is happy for Ms Johnson and her family, there is an inherent unfairness in the way it was accomplished.

"We seem to have a dual process - one that starts with at the pardon attorney and one where people make a direct appeal to the president," he told the BBC.
"I hope he would look beyond celebrities at the hundreds and thousands of people who are more like Alice Johnson than like Scooter Libby."

At the same time, Mr Osler says that applying for clemency through the US pardon attorney is a "ridiculously bureaucratic" process and that if Mr Trump is interested in making the process faster, that's a good thing.

"I think he should ditch the long process and formalise the short one," Mr Osler told the BBC. "[It would be] far more than President Obama did in the first two years of his administration."

  Other acts of clemency by Trump

The commutation of Alice Johnson's sentence is the seventh act of clemency President Trump has granted since coming into office - and the second following intervention by a celebrity. The others were:

°      Former Arizona sheriff Joe Arpaio, 85, had been convicted of criminal contempt but was
pardoned in August 2017 while awaiting sentencing

°       Sholom Rubashkin, owner of a kosher meat processing plant in Iowa, was convicted of fraud in 2009 and sentenced to 27 years in prison. His sentence was commuted in December 2017

°      Former Navy sailor Kristian Saucier was convicted in 2016 of taking photos of classified areas inside a US submarine and was pardoned in March 2018

°      Scooter Libby , chief of staff to former US Vice-President Dick Cheney, was convicted in 2007 of lying about leaks to the media. He was pardoned in April 2018

°      Boxing's first black heavyweight champ Jack Johnson was convicted in 1913 of taking his white girlfriend across state lines. He was
pardoned in May 2018 after his case was raised by actor Sylvester Stallone

°      Conservative writer Dinesh D'Souza was convicted in 2014 of violating campaign finance laws and sentenced to five years of probation. He was pardoned in May 2018

Alice Johnson freed after Trump grants clemency plea Alice Johnson freed after Trump grants clemency plea Reviewed by Excel Mindfrey Tudor on 00:45 Rating: 5

Trump-Kim summit: Abe heads to US amid surge of diplomacy

Japan's PM Shinzo Abe is set to hold a last-minute meeting with Donald Trump, days before the US president meets North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

Mr Abe's visit is part of a surge of diplomacy ahead of the unprecedented summit on 12 June in Singapore.

Few details of the agenda for the Trump-Kim meeting have been confirmed.

When he meets Mr Trump in Washington on Thursday, Mr Abe is expected to push for Japan's security concerns to be reflected.

Also on Thursday, Singapore's Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan headed to Pyongyang to meet his counterpart Ri Yong-ho.

Pushing Tokyo's concerns

Mr Abe has held regular meetings with Mr Trump since the US president took office.
Once it was announced that Mr Trump intended to meet the North Korean leader - a break with decades of US policy - Mr Abe has been eager to brief him on Japan's concerns.

There are worries in Tokyo that Mr Trump might strike a deal with North Korea that would sideline Japanese interests.

Before departing for the US, Mr Abe said he would "meet President Trump to co-ordinate in order to advance progress on the nuclear issue, missiles and - most importantly - the abductees issue".

Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, North Korea abducted a number of Japanese citizens to help train its spies in Japanese language and customs.

North Korea has admitted to 13 kidnappings but the real figure is thought to be higher than that.

State news agency KCNA said the issue had been "resolved" and accused Japan of "hyping" the issue in order to harm the denuclearisation process.

Japan also saw North Korea test missiles across its territory in the past year.

Mr Abe's visit is part of a flurry of diplomatic activity in the run-up to the summit, as country's try to ensure their interests are not overlooked.

°     Mr Kim has already had two meetings with South Korean President Moon Jae-in. Mr Moon went on to visit Mr Trump in the US.

°      Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov visited Mr Kim in Pyongyang, laying the groundwork for Mr Kim to visit President Vladimir Putin in Moscow later this year.

°      Mr Kim has made two trips to China, meeting President Xi Jinping.

°      Syria's President Bashar al-Assad said he intended to visit Pyongyang.

After an escalation of rhetoric between US and North Korean top diplomats, Mr Trump last month briefly called off the talks.

On Wednesday, Mr Trump's lawyer Rudy Giuliani said North Korea's leader "begged" for their summit to go ahead.

" Kim Jong-un got back on his hands and knees and begged for it , which is exactly the position you want to put him in," Mr Giuliani said at a conference in Israel.

Mr Giuliani, who is acting as lawyer for the US president in the Russia collusion inquiry, said the US was going into the summit in a position much stronger than North Korea.

There was no immediate response from the North Koreans to his comments.

Trump-Kim summit: Abe heads to US amid surge of diplomacy Trump-Kim summit: Abe heads to US amid surge of diplomacy Reviewed by Excel Mindfrey Tudor on 00:29 Rating: 5

Senators order Defence Minister to withdraw statement on anti-grazing law

Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali

By Emman Ovuakporie
ABUJA-THE Senate on Wednesday directed the Minister of Defence, Dan Ali Monsur to retract the statement he made that the anti-grazing law in Benue and Taraba should be withdrawn.


Minister of Defence, Brig Gen Mansur Dan-Ali
Senator Barnabas Gemade, APC, Benue, had raised a motion under matters of public importance stating that just on Tuesday that seven people were killed and several houses burnt in his senatorial district.

But quickly pointed out that “most disturbing is the fact that upon all that was discussed at the security meeting held on Tuesday what came out from the Minister was that the anti-grazing law should be withdrawn.

He also requested that one minute silence should be observed for the departed souls.

He appealed to his colleagues that the defence minister should withdraw the statement credited to him because the killings started before the enactment of the law.

The presiding officer, Bukola Saraki put the motion to a voice vote and the ays unanimously endorsed it. Details soon….

Senators order Defence Minister to withdraw statement on anti-grazing law Senators order Defence Minister to withdraw statement on anti-grazing law
Reviewed by Excel Mindfrey Tudor on 00:09 Rating: 5

Actress, Omotola Ekeinde speaks on being reckless, available to men

Nollywood veteran actress, Omotola Ekeinde, has stated that as beautiful as she was while growing up, she was never available to men.

The actress also said she was not a reckless girl.

Omosexy, as she is fondly called by her fans, made this claim in an Instagram post shared on Wednesday.

According to her, she did not reveal such details before because she thought it was “narcissistic”.

Posting her picture, she wrote, “Never did this cause I thought it was narcissistic but today I will. It’s okay.

“This lady right here… It’s crazy how you sometimes look back and see things differently, isn’t it. You sometimes wish someone showed you then clearly, what you now see today.

“Dear lady in this picture, I don’t know how you did it, but thanks. Thanks for laying a good foundation that I enjoy today. Thanks for being so strong, so resilient, so focused.

“You were young but not reckless, sweet but not available, sometimes confused but never wandered. You had your own battles but fought them with grace and won.

Actress, Omotola Ekeinde speaks on being reckless, available to men Actress, Omotola Ekeinde speaks on being reckless, available to men

Reviewed by Excel Mindfrey Tudor on 00:04 Rating: 5

President Muhammadu Buhari New Declaration on Democracy Day

President Muhammadu Buhari has declared that the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Abiola won the 1993 presidential elections but was denied the office by the then Head of State, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida.Coming eight days (May 29) after the country celebrated Democracy Day, Buhari announced, yesterday, that the anniversary would henceforth be marked on June 12 in honour of the late philanthropist.

Babangida annulled the results of the election widely believed to have been free and fair. Abiola died while struggling to actualise the mandate.Buhari said Abiola would be conferred with the nation’s highest honour, the Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR), reserved exclusively for Nigeria’s presidents.His running mate in the election, Ambassador Babagana Kingibe, would be conferred with the second highest honour, the Grand Commander of the Niger (GCON) alongside Nigeria’s foremost pro-democracy activist, the late Gani Fawehinmi.

In a statement, last night, Buhari said: “For the past 18 years, Nigerians have been celebrating May 29, as Democracy Day. That was the date when for the second time in our history, an elected civilian administration took over from a military government.“The first time this happened was on October 21, 1979. But in the view of Nigerians, as shared by this administration, June 12, 1993, was far more symbolic of democracy in the Nigerian context than May 29 or even October 1

“June 12, 1993 was the day when Nigerians in millions expressed their democratic will in what was undisputedly the freest, fairest and most peaceful election since our Independence. The fact that the then military government did not uphold the outcome of that election does not distract from the democratic credentials of that process.

“Accordingly, after due consultations, the Federal Government has decided that henceforth, June 12 will be celebrated as Democracy Day.“Therefore, government has decided to award, posthumously, the highest honour of the land, GCFR, to the late Chief M.K.O Abiola, the presumed winner of the June 12, 1993 cancelled elections. His running mate as vice president, Ambassador Baba Gana Kingibe, is also to be invested with a GCON. Furthermore, the tireless fighter for human rights and the actualisation of the June 12 elections and indeed for democracy in general, the late Chief Gani Fawehinmi is to be awarded the GCON.

“The investiture will take place on Tuesday June 12, 2018, a date which in future years will replace May 29 as a national public holiday in celebration of Nigeria’s Democracy Day.”

Reacting, Mr. Yinka Odumakin, spokesman for Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere, said: “Even though we understand that election season is near and the government is doing everything possible to woo the people to its side, the fact President Buhari was humble enough to declare June 12 as Democracy Day is a welcome development.”

The Leader of Afenifere, Chief Reuben Fasoranti, said: “I think Abiola deserves more than this.” Asked about the timeliness, he said: “This one is too late. Buhari is only trying to please Nigerians because he knew his popularity has waned, as the next general election is approaching.“On the other hand, what is Buhari looking at in the last three years since he became president, considering the fact that Abiola died almost 20 years ago, and we have also been shouting that he (Abiola) should be honoured.”

President, Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, Alhaji Shettima Yerima, said the government’s proclamation is victory for all who participated in the pro-democracy struggle. He, however, questioned the essence, calling on the administration to sit up.He added: “Mere declaration of June 12 as Democracy Day is not enough. Abiola should be declared president posthumously and all necessary entitlements given to his family.”

The Aare Ona Kankanfo of Yoruba land, Otunba Gani Adams, noted: “This is one of the best decisions President Buhari has taken since he came to power three years ago. But one more thing we demand from him before the 2019 general election is the restructuring of Nigeria to true federalism. If Mr. President can be bold enough to do this, his name would be written in gold in the nation’s history.”

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in a statement by its spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan, said: “It is a sign of political desperation for President Buhari to seek to use Chief Abiola’s name as a tool to sway Nigerians in less than 12 months to an election where he (Buhari) is seeking a second term.”It is shocking that the respectable grave of Abiola can be dishonoured by granting a posthumous award to him along with someone who denounced the June 12 mandate and preferred the company of his (Abiola’s) traducers.

“If President Buhari genuinely wants to honour Chief Abiola, he should do so by ending all anti-democratic proclivities of his administration and allow for the rule of law and respect for our constitution.“The PDP, therefore, urges President Buhari to shed his desperate actions in his quest to win the 2019 presidential election, as Nigerians can no longer be deceived by such antics.”

President Muhammadu Buhari New Declaration on Democracy Day President Muhammadu Buhari
New Declaration on Democracy Day Reviewed by Excel Mindfrey Tudor on 23:30 Rating: 5

United States Explosion Proof Equipment Market Outlook 2018-2023

QY Market Research has added the latest and fresh report on "Global United States Explosion Proof Equipment Market by Key Manufacturers, Regions, Type, Application and Forecast to 2022."

The detailed and latest study report entitled "Global United States Explosion Proof Equipment Market 2018" presents a professional and up-to-date information on global United States Explosion Proof Equipment industry. This report covers United States Explosion Proof Equipment market outlook, forecast and analysis on the worldwide and regional level. Furthermore, The report also analyses United States Explosion Proof Equipment market based on its investment feasibility and attractiveness. It also provides a useful description of every phase and rising industry trends. This study report will permit the readers to focus on United States Explosion Proof Equipment market product description, current competitive players in United States Explosion Proof Equipment market and the market revenue with profitability. Global industry analyzes United States Explosion Proof Equipment Market with the guide of its Type such as (Type 1, Type 2), Leading Players, Regions, and Applications/end users like (Application 1, Application 2, Application 3) of United States Explosion Proof Equipment market, forecast up to 2022.

The Scope Of The Report Is As Follows:

This report analyses the scope of United States Explosion Proof Equipment market. This can be achieved by using United States Explosion Proof Equipment previous historical statistics, studying qualitative insights in detail, probably projections about worldwide United States Explosion Proof Equipment market size. The projections showed in this United States Explosion Proof Equipment report are taken from formerly proved research methodologies and hypothesis.

By performing such projections, the United States Explosion Proof Equipment market studies document serves as a storehouse of evaluation, records, and data for every aspect of the United States Explosion Proof Equipment market. Considering the geographic regions, United States Explosion Proof Equipment market is split into various regions like North and South America, Europe, Middle-East and Africa, Asia-Pacific.

To help key decision makers, the United States Explosion Proof Equipment report includes competitive depicting of the leading players in Global United States Explosion Proof Equipment market, tempting investment plans, market positioning of important manufacturers sections. The top Manufacturers/Prime Players covering Global United States Explosion Proof Equipment Market (2018-2022) are; Eaton, Emerson, Siemens, R.Stahl Inc., Pepperl+Fuchs, Thomas & Betts (ABB), GE, Toshiba, BARTEC, WEG, Warom, Wolong, Dianguang Technology, Jiamusi Electric Machine, Feice, Hengtong, Bada Electric, Shlmex, Helon, Huaxia.

Do Inquiry For Discount On This Report At http://www.marketresearchstore.com/report/2018-2023-united-states-explosion-proof-equipment-market-253818#InquiryForBuying

Regional Analysis of Global United States Explosion Proof Equipment Market (2018-2022):

1. Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia, Italy)
2. North America (The United States, Canada, Mexico)
3. Asia-Pacific (India, China, Japan, Korea and South-east Asia)
4. South America, Middle East, and Africa

Global United States Explosion Proof Equipment Market report particularly covers 11 Chapters. They are as follows;

Chapter 1 offers us United States Explosion Proof Equipment Introduction, market overview, product scope, market possibilities, market driving force and market chance;
Chapter 2 presents United States Explosion Proof Equipment market forecast, by regions, application, and type, with revenue and sales of United States Explosion Proof Equipment market, from 2018 to 2022;
Chapter 3 and 4, to describes the challenging condition of the top manufacturers, with income, deals, and market share of United States Explosion Proof Equipment market in 2016 and 2018;
Chapter 5 suggests the top producers of United States Explosion Proof Equipment, with revenue, United States Explosion Proof Equipment price, and sales, from 2016 to 2018;
Chapter 6 and 7 indicates the market with United States Explosion Proof Equipment market share and growth rate by type, application, from 2012 to 2018;
Chapter 8 covers the global United States Explosion Proof Equipment market by regions, with income, market share, and sales of United States Explosion Proof Equipment, for each region, from 2018 to 2022;
Chapter 9 offers the global United States Explosion Proof Equipment market key areas, with sales, market share, and revenue by key countries in those regions, from 2012 to 2018;
Chapter 10 and 11 provides details about United States Explosion Proof Equipment investors, distributors, sales channel, dealers, research discovery and conclusion, appendix and facts source;

What United States Explosion Proof Equipment Market Research Report Offers:-

1) All-inclusive analysis of the worldwide United States Explosion Proof Equipment market.
2) Assessment of United States Explosion Proof Equipment market development.
3) Comprehensive innovation in United States Explosion Proof Equipment market.
4) Share investigation of United States Explosion Proof Equipment industry.
5) United States Explosion Proof Equipment market essential methodologies of predominant makers.
6) Entire information about Segmentation details of the United States Explosion Proof Equipment market.
7) Advancement of United States Explosion Proof Equipment industry segments and regional markets.
8) Endorsement to firms to set up/settle in their speciality inside the United States Explosion Proof Equipment market.

At the end of United States Explosion Proof Equipment market report gives you perception regarding the global business research findings and conclusion that assist you to create valuable market strategies to accomplish competitive benefits

Read more: http://m.digitaljournal.com/pr/3805424#ixzz5HiYW1YQG

United States Explosion Proof Equipment Market Outlook 2018-2023 United States Explosion Proof Equipment Market Outlook 2018-2023 Reviewed by Excel Mindfrey Tudor on 23:21 Rating: 5

APC Reponses on Saraki, Tambuwal's 'plan to join PDP'

Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Convention Committee and Jigawa State governor, Abubakar Badaru, on Monday, reacted to the rumours making the rounds that Senate President Bukola Saraki and Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State were were to dump the ruling party for the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The governor spoke while fielding questions from State House Correspondents after meeting with the Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari, in Abuja.

He also assured that the forthcoming APC convention would be peaceful as different camps in the party were already united.

On what to expect from the convention, Governor Badaru said, “We expect a peaceful and rancour free and good convention. All members are one. They are all united and I am sure the convention will bring everybody together. And in democracy, if you are open and straight forward, things get done well, I don’t think there should be any problem.

“Political unrest? No, it is not true. It is normal political chanting. Chanting between groups that are contesting the same position and People passing by.

“Some some groups will shunt for their own and others will shunt for another person and that was what happened. That was a great rally. It is normal in every gathering, you have different supporters supporting different people contesting the same position.

Badaru added, “It is not true that Tambuwal and Saraki are negotiating with the PDP, we have not heard of that. Some few weeks back there was rumour about the governor of Benue (Governor Samuel Ortom) and he made it clear at our last NEC that he is not moving anywhere.”

APC Reponses on Saraki, Tambuwal's 'plan to join PDP' APC Reponses on Saraki, Tambuwal's 'plan to join PDP' Reviewed by Excel Mindfrey Tudor on 23:08 Rating: 5

Oyegun: what Saraki and other nPDP member want.

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, has spoken on the activities of the New Peoples Democratic Party, nPDP, a group within the ruling party.

Oyegun said members of the nPDP are only looking for a good bargain themselves, adding that they (nPDP) cannot choose this time to dump the other political parties.

He said that the President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara and others were only acting like people who want the best for themselves. Oyegun ruled out any possibility of the group decamping to other parties.

Oyegun told reporters, “The process is still ongoing, and until we reach an understanding with them, it won’t be right to comment, but I think we have tended to read too much that is negative into their act.

“I just have a feeling that like all people who want the best terms for themselves, they will come out at a period which they feel is advantageous to them.

“Given the state of the polity, I suppose they chose this time not because they want to leave the APC; not because they were fed up with the APC, not because they want to cause trouble with the APC, but because they want a good deal for themselves
given the totality of what is going on in the party.

“So, we have accepted their protest in good faith, and we are sitting down with them to work out something that will be mutually beneficial
to both interests.”

Oyegun: what Saraki and other nPDP member want. Oyegun: what Saraki and other nPDP member want. Reviewed by Excel Mindfrey Tudor on 22:59 Rating: 5

Donald Trump's absolute appalling statement on the Eagles' White House visit

CNN)On Monday night, Donald Trump decided to uninvite the Philadelphia Eagles from the White House because some members of the Super Bowl champs weren't planning to attend Tuesday's ceremony due to disagreements with the President.

<a href='http://www.sfippa.com/18529750/REAL'><img src='http://www.sfimg.com/SFIBanners/banner404.jpg' border='0'></a>


Here's the key part of the statement:


"The Philadelphia Eagles are unable to come to the White House with their full team to be celebrated tomorrow. They disagree with their President because he insists that they proudly stand for the National Anthem, hand on heart, in honor of the great men and women of our military and the people of our country. The Eagles wanted to send a smaller delegation, but the 1,000 fans planning to attend the event deserve better."

On Tuesday, White House press secretary Sarah Sanders described the Eagles as having pulled a "political stunt."
Make no mistake about what Trump is doing here: He is appointing himself the arbiter of what patriotism is and means to the 300+ million citizens of the United States. Patriotism is standing for the National Anthem before NFL football games. If you don't stand, you are -- by Trump's thinking via the statement above -- dishonoring not only the "great men and women of our military" but also the "people of our country."

And he's saying something else: If you don't meet my standard of patriotism, you don't get to come to my house.
There's a whole hell of a lot of things wrong with the statement, the logic and that Trump decided to voice it. Let's list them.

4 takeaways on Donald Trump's absolutely appalling statement on the Eagles' White House visit:


1. Trump's explanation that not having every member of the Eagles there would somehow disappoint Eagles fans who "deserve better" is total BS. I'm not an Eagles fan. But if they are anything like Washington Redskins fans, they would be totally thrilled to meet the backup left guard on the team -- much less a large group of players who expressed interest in coming. Trump is hiding behind the I-am-doing-the-fans-a-favor excuse to play some politics here -- plain and simple.
2. Trump doesn't own the White House. Trump seems to be treating 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue like one of his Trump properties. If only you had done things the way I wanted them done, then maybe you could be reclining in one of my 5-star hotels right now -- or playing golf at one of my award-winning courses. That is how Trump thinks.
Now, all presidents understand that an invitation to the White House is a big deal. Democratic and Republican presidents have used the White House as a way to woo wavering legislators, reward major donors and impress foreign diplomats.
But the idea that people can be disinvited because they don't act the way you want them to in a certain situation is new ground. This is pick-up-my-ball-and go-home-type of stuff.
3. Trump's definition of patriotism is very, very narrow. By the definition offered in his statement tonight, patriotism for Donald Trump is standing proudly for the National Anthem, with your hand on your heart. Doing anything else is disrespectful -- not only to Trump but to the military and to the country as a whole.
<a href='http://www.sfippa.com/18529750/REAL'><img src='http://www.sfimg.com/SFIBanners/banner404.jpg' border='0'></a>
So, what about when Baltimore Orioles fans scream "O's" when the line "Oh say can you see?" Or the Washington Capitals fans -- as they did tonight -- cheer wildly when the word "red" is mentioned in the line "rockets red glare?" Is that equally disrespectful? If not, why not?
On Tuesday morning, Trump elaborated on his idea of patriotism in a tweet about his plans to host a "Celebration of America" event in lieu of the planned Eagles celebration.
"We will proudly be playing the National Anthem and other wonderful music celebrating our Country today at 3 P.M., The White House, with the United States Marine Band and the United States Army Chorus. Honoring America!" Trump posted on Twitter. "NFL, no escaping to Locker Rooms!" he added, referring to the NFL's new policy that allows players to wait off the field during the anthem.
4. Trump thinks patriotism must equal unwavering loyalty to his view of the National Anthem. If you take Trump at his word in the statement released Monday night, the only way that you can show love and appreciation for those who have fought and died for our country is to stand with your hand over your heart during the playing of the National Anthem. That's it. That's the only route.
Take a step back. What are Americans fighting and dying in foreign countries fighting and dying for, if not the right of free expression, of the freedom to speak your mind without fear?
The essence of being an American is that right to express your views in a way that is true and faithful to your own experiences. The key to the success of American experiment is a belief that our melting pot of over 300 million people and their experiences gets it right only when we listen to other views and value those views, just as we value our own opinions.
Insistence on adherence to one idea of what it means to honor our country -- and its military men and women -- isn't in keeping with that credo. It's the opposite of it.
Donald Trump's absolute appalling statement on the Eagles' White House visit Donald Trump's absolute appalling statement on the Eagles' White House visit Reviewed by Excel Mindfrey Tudor on 01:00 Rating: 5

World News: Guatemala Volcano Eruption

Fanuel Garcia, director of the National Institute of Forensic Sciences says 17 of the dead identified but DNA samples will be used to identify those who lost "features or their fingerprints" from red-hot flows of Fuego volcano eruption.


A firefighter shovels ashes while searching for bodies at an area affected by the eruption of the Fuego volcano in the community of San Miguel Los Lotes in Escuintla, Guatemala June 4, 2018. (Reuters)

Guatemalan authorities increased the confirmed death toll from the eruption of the Fuego volcano (or Volcano of Fire) to 69 as officials suspended the search until dawn on Tuesday.


Officials said just 17 had been identified so far because the intense heat of the volcanic debris flows left most bodies unrecognisable.


"It is very difficult for us to identify them because some of the dead lost their features or their fingerprints" from the red-hot flows, said Fanuel Garcia, director of the National Institute of Forensic Sciences. 


"We are going to have to resort to other methods ... and if possible take DNA samples to identify them."

<a href='http://www.sfippa.com/18529750/REAL'><img src='http://www.sfimg.com/SFIBanners/banner408.jpg' border='0'></a>

In addition, officials said, there are 46 people injured, most of them seriously, more than 1.7 million being hit by the disaster, including 3,271 ordered evacuated and 1,787 in shelters in the departments of Escuintla, Sacatepequez and Chimaltenango since Sunday's eruption.


TRT World spoke with journalist Louisa Reynolds in Antigua, close to the scene of the eruption.


Residents caught off guard


The 3,763-metre volcano eruption caught residents of remote mountain hamlets off guard, with little or no time to flee to safety.


Using shovels and backhoes, emergency workers dug through the debris and mud, perilous labor on smoldering terrain still hot enough to melt shoe soles a day after the volcano exploded in a hail of ash, smoke and molten rock.


Bodies were so thickly coated with ash that they looked like statues. Rescuers used sledgehammers to break through the roofs of houses buried in debris up to their rooflines to check for anyone trapped inside.


Hilda Lopez, a survivor, said her mother and sister were still missing after the slurry of hot gas, ash and rock roared into her village of San Miguel Los Lotes, just below the mountain's flanks.


"We were at a party, celebrating the birth of a baby, when one of the neighbors shouted at us to come out and see the lava that was coming," the distraught woman said. "We didn't believe it, and when we went out the hot mud was already coming down the street."


"My mother was stuck there, she couldn't get out," said Lopez, weeping and holding her face in her hands.


TRT World's Phillip Owira has more.


'It traveled much faster'


David de Leon, spokesman of Conred disaster agency, said the volcano first erupted around midday Sunday, billowing smoke and ash miles into the sky. Then around 2 pm, came a new, more powerful explosion.


Soon, searing flows of lava, ash and rock mixed with water and debris were gushing down the volcano's flanks, blocking roads and burning homes.


"It traveled much faster. It arrived in communities right when the evacuation alerts were being sent out," de Leon said.


"There are missing persons, but we do not know how many," said Sergio Cabanas of the disaster management agency. A roll call of communities on the slopes of the volcano was under way.


The speed and ferocity of the eruption took mountain communities by surprise, with many of the dead found in or around their homes.


Cabanas said those who were killed had been overrun by fast-moving burning material discharged by the volcano on Sunday. Communities located on its southern slope were the worst hit. Several of the dead were children. 


Authorities scrambled to issue an evacuation order. Some communities emptied out safely. But in places like Los Lotes and the village of El Rodeo, about eight miles downslope from the crater, it was too late for many.


The fast-moving flows overtook people in homes and streets with temperatures reaching as high as 1,300 degrees Fahrenheit (700 Celsius), and hot ash and volcanic gases that can cause rapid asphyxiation.


In El Rodeo on Monday, heavily armed soldiers wearing blue masks to avoid breathing in ash stood guard behind yellow tape cordoning off the disaster scene. Helmeted workers carried bodies away on stretchers, and smoke was still rising from some parts of the ashen landscape strewn with boulders and other debris.


Emergency crews in helicopters managed to pull at least 10 people alive from areas cut off by the flows. Conred said 3,271 people had been evacuated.


UN saddened by the loss of life


UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he was deeply saddened by the "tragic loss of life and the significant damage caused by the eruption," and said the UN was ready to assist national rescue and relief efforts.


President Jimmy Morales, who has declared three days of national mourning, visited the disaster zone.


Fuego has been erupting since 2002, and was continuously active in 2017. There were explosions and ash plumes and a volcanic mudflow last month. 

https://youtu.be/3D6ddp5uim4

World News: Guatemala Volcano Eruption World News: Guatemala Volcano Eruption Reviewed by Excel Mindfrey Tudor on 00:46 Rating: 5

I'll Ensure Oyegun Imprisonment- Okorocha

Owerri—Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State yesterday, said he was prepared to ensure that the national chairman of All Progressives Congress, APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, is jailed for allegedly disobeying court orders.


Okorocha was reacting through his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Sam Onwuemeodo, in a release to newsmen in Owerri, on the inauguration of states chairmen of APC by Odigie-Oyegun.

According to Okorocha, the matter of Imo APC congress was in court and Oyegun should not have gone ahead to inaugurate Hilary Eke as Imo APC chairman.

According to the release, “the worst thing that would have happened to APC is to allow Chief Oyegun to continue as the national chairman of the party.

“Chief Akande never tried to destroy the party when he was leaving as the pioneer chairman but Oyegun wants to destroy the party because he is leaving. He is not patriotic.

“In the case of Imo, he disobeyed two court orders with regard to the congresses in Imo and the inauguration of strange elements as state officials of the party just to get at Governor Okorocha because of the issue of elongation.

“And we have no option now than to ask our lawyers to press for his imprisonment and that of Osita Izunaso and all those who were involved in the lawlessness.

“The only thing Chief Oyegun has achieved in his anger against Governor Okorocha is encouraging elements with no electoral value like Osita Okechukwu and those from Imo to be insulting the governor.

“And these are people who cannot win their booths in an election.”

I'll Ensure Oyegun Imprisonment- Okorocha I'll Ensure Oyegun Imprisonment- Okorocha Reviewed by Excel Mindfrey Tudor on 00:32 Rating: 5

THE SENATE HAS DEVELOPED DRAFT BILLS FOR LEGISLATION AGAINST DRUG ABUSE.

In an effort to fight against drug abuse across the country, the Senate has developed two draft bills for legislation to tackle the increasing drug abuse among youths in the country.

Saraki The Senate President, Senator, Dr Bukola Saraki made this known in a statement noting that the Drug Control Bill seeks to clarify the mandate and strengthen the capacity of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to eradicate the illicit production, and trafficking of controlled substances.

“It also seeks to establish a central mechanism to facilitate collaboration among law enforcement, regulatory and public health authorities in line with the National Drug Control Policy.

“The Bill further focuses on proactive law enforcement and regulatory measures towards the eradication of the illicit importation, production and trafficking of controlled substances.”

The statement further said the bill sought to criminalise the diversion, distribution or otherwise dispensing of controlled substances without a prescription or license.

On mental health bill, the statement noted that, in recognition of the fact that psychosocial issues are the key drivers for the abuse of psychoactive substance, the bill was crafted to ensure that standard facilities were available in every state to provide mental health and substance abuse services.

“We must make a commitment that we are ready to do away with these problems. We should not be discouraged in the fight, as political leaders, we must have political will in the fight”.

The proposed law guarantees the protection of the rights of people with mental illness and stipulates that mental health practitioners and facilities no longer engage in practices that are harmful to people with mental health and substance use disorders.

He said, “If we continue to be a society that ignores laws and do as we wish, we are not far from being a failed state”. “But in the Senate, we are firm in ensuring that what is right is done to protect the nation. We want to see here before we finish the two-day roundtable in Kano that some pharmacies are closed down for violating the rules.

Then we will know we are serious about it”,the statement stated. Prior to this development, the Senate President had convened a round table recently on the rising drug abuse in the country.

The event which held in Kano was well attended and there Saraki promised that the National Assembly would take decisive action against drug abuse in Nigeria as part of moves to finally tackle the menace.

THE SENATE HAS DEVELOPED DRAFT BILLS FOR LEGISLATION AGAINST DRUG ABUSE. THE SENATE HAS DEVELOPED DRAFT BILLS FOR LEGISLATION AGAINST DRUG ABUSE. Reviewed by Excel Mindfrey Tudor on 00:27 Rating: 5

Nigeria Government Supports The New Excise Alcohol cl

Tobacco


The Federal Government has continued to receive accolades for the approving excise duty for alcoholic beverages and cigarettes.

The new regime, which took effect from yesterday (Monday, June 4, 2018), has received supports of many stakeholders who believed that the move is to deter many Nigerians against unnecessary abuse of such items.


A clearing agent and Chairman, T$K Commercial Enterprises Worldwide, Samuel Obe, said the hike in duty is a welcome development, because anybody that wants enjoy cigarette and alcohol should be able to pay additional price.

“He is on his own and he knows what he is enjoying from the items, so such a person should be ready to pay. It has happened to rice before, so if you insist you want it, then you should be prepared to pay.

Besides, it is one of the moves by the Federal Government to caution people against abuse of cigarettes and alcohol,”

Chief Executive Officer, Salim International Nigeria Limited, John Ofobike, commended the Federal Government for the new duty regime.

He said cigarette and alcohol are taken for pleasure, hence the smokers and drinkers should prepare to pay extra amount without remorse.

“If they are items of necessity, everybody will raise an eyebrow. For example, if its food or drugs, we will all move against it, but now it is the other way round, so I find no fault in the policy,” he said.

An importer that specializes on alcohol and non-alcohol drinks, Israel Arogundade, said the new tax regime means additional financial burden on his business, although he claimed that the burden would be transferred to the final consumers.

“The government did not put us into consideration before increasing the duty on alcohol and cigarette. It will definitely affect our business, but we will continue to push for relief.

It will discourage importation of the goods but I am sure that the drinkers and smokers will still patronize us, even if the number will reduce. I am confident we will remain in business,” he said.

Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, in defending the increase, had said that the reviews would be from 2018 to 2020 and was aimed at raising government’s revenue.

She also said it would reduce the health hazards associated with tobacco-related diseases and alcohol abuse.

“The Tariff Technical Committee (TCC) recommended the slight adjustment in the excise duty charges after cautious considerations of the government’s fiscal policy measures for 2018 and the reports of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund Technical Assistance Mission on Nigeria’s fiscal policy.

The effect of the excise duty rates adjustment on trade and investment was also assessed by the federal ministry of trade and investment and it adopted the recommendations of the TTC.

Furthermore, peer country comparisons were also carried out showing Nigeria as being behind the curve in the review of excise duty rates on alcoholic beverages and tobacco,” she said.

Adeosun said under the new rates for tobacco, in addition to the 20 percent ad-valorem rate, each stick of cigarette will attract one naira specific rate.

She said by 2019, tobacco will attract two naira specific rate per stick while it will attract N2.90 kobo specific rate per stick by 2020.

Nigeria Government Supports The New Excise Alcohol cl Nigeria Government Supports The New Excise Alcohol cl Reviewed by Excel Mindfrey Tudor on 00:10 Rating: 5

Nigeria mulls strategy to phase out non-bio degradable plastics

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has disclosed a plan to commence the recycling of waste polymer notes.

The announcement came as the bank marked World Environment Day 2018, yesterday.

The United Nations sets aside June 5 every year to encourage worldwide awareness and action for the protection of the environment. This year’s theme is ‘Beat Plastic Pollution.’

“It’s gratifying to inform you that in line with the bank’s commitment to a green and low carbon economy, management has approved the recycling of our paper waste into tissue paper, which will be donated to the society, as part of our Corporate Social Responsibility.

“Management is also in the process of concluding the recycling of our polymer note wastes into everyday plastics such as flower pots, dustbins etc., and the disposal of our electronic waste in an environmentally sound manner,” said CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele in Abuja.

The bank’s resolve followed a global call for action to reduce plastic consumption and ensure a healthy environment.

A MacArthur Foundation report to the World Economic Forum in 2016 had raised the alarm that only 14 per cent of plastics used in packaging is collected for recycling globally.

This results in a yearly loss of $80 billion to $120 billion to the world economy.

But there are even more worrying statistics on the world’s use of plastics.

Aligning with UN data, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, in a statement, noted: “We throw away enough plastic to circle the earth four times every year.

Much of that waste doesn’t make it into a landfill, but instead ends up in our oceans, where it’s responsible for killing one million seabirds and 100,000 marine mammals every year.

And it can persist for up to 1,000 years before it fully disintegrates. For the good of the planet, it’s time to rethink how we use plastic.

“Every year, 500 billion plastic bags are used around the world; 13 million tonnes of plastics leak into the ocean; 17 million barrels of oil are used on plastic production; 83 per cent of tap water is found to contain plastic particles.

This is alarming and dangerous to the environment. In particular, it’s impacting the ocean, which constitutes the lungs of our planet, providing most of the oxygen we breathe.”

She described this year’s theme as a call to action to combat one of the world’s greatest environmental challenges and reduce the heavy burden of plastic pollution on the environment.

In a bid to reverse the awful situation, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo disclosed that the Ministry of Environment has partnered with critical stakeholders to develop a national strategy that would phase out non-bio degradable plastics in Nigeria.

At the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Osinbajo said the ministry was also in partnership with state governments to develop a plastic waste recycling programme that would involve the establishment of recycling plants across the country.

Two plants have been completed in Ilorin, Kwara State and Lokoja, Kogi State. Work is ongoing on another in Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, he said.

Osinbajo furthermore challenged multi-national corporations that produce fast-moving goods in plastics to take steps towards managing wastes.

“It is my view that to control the proliferation of plastic sachets, we must go back to the major producers of fast-moving goods, to put in place recycling programmes that could effectively ensure that while we seek environmentally-friendly options for packaging, we are keeping the environment as free of plastics as possible,” he said.

He added: “Nigeria is in a good place to lead Africa and indeed the world in beating plastic pollution. There are a good number of effective initiatives that we are considering as we develop policies.”

Senate President Bukola Saraki, represented by Senator Victor Umeh, said the legislature would continue to support the Ministry of Environment “by providing robust laws that would ensure a healthy and sustainable environment.”

Earlier, the Minister of State for Environment, Ibrahim Jibrin, said his office has been up and running on matters of pollution and waste management, and has packaged policy targets and regulatory benchmarks aimed at reducing plastic pollution in the country.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) also weighed into efforts to save the environment, announcing a new policy it said would check waste and pollution in its operations.

The Group Managing Director, Maikanti Baru (represented by the Chief Operating Officer, Gas and Power, Saidu Mohammed) said the policy would make effective management of waste streams generated during operations a priority through the use of the best available technology.

The corporation will, henceforth, employ the “principle of the 3Rs – Reduce, Reuse and Recycle – to achieve goal zero of no harm to people and no harm to environment throughout its operations,” he said.

On its part, Visionscape Sanitation Solutions, the company contracted to clean up Nigeria’s most populated city, Lagos, urged residents to reduce their use of plastic and rubber materials to win the fight against plastic pollution.

“Curbing plastic pollution is a collective effort for all to do. This would be to the benefit of every one of us,” said Operations Manager, Shola Taiwo.

In a statement by its Lead Director, Eze Onyekpere, the Centre for Social Justice, stressed that beyond the theme of plastics, the Nigerian constitution places an obligation on the government to protect and improve the environment and safeguard the water, air and land, forest and wild life of the country. It, therefore, made the following recommendations to the authorities:

“Taking of policy and legal steps to reduce plastic pollution; prioritisation of climate smart agriculture and reforestation; establishment of the Environmental Protection and Rehabilitation Fund, to be financed by holders of mineral titles; support and mobilisation of resources for renewable energy use; implementation of the two per cent per year energy efficiency target in the Paris Climate Change Agreement; and mainstreaming of the low carbon framework into Nigeria’s budgeting system and increase of allocation to the environment, in federal and state budgets, to not less than two per cent of the overall budget.”

Others are: “Urgent and targeted steps to address deforestation and desertification through increased resource mobilisation, greater accountability, transparency and value for money in resource expenditure and involvement of communities in the interventions; cleanup of oil spills in Ogoniland and the entire Niger Delta region, and addressing of the incidence of ‘black soot’ in Rivers State.”

Nigeria mulls strategy to phase out non-bio degradable plastics Nigeria mulls strategy to phase out non-bio degradable plastics Reviewed by Excel Mindfrey Tudor on 23:59 Rating: 5

WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY: OUR WORLD IS PLASTIC SWAMP

Discarded plastic is one of the biggest environmental threats facing the planet, and is one of the environmental pollution that affected live and property.
The UN said in a report on Tuesday to mark World Environment Day.


The UN report, Single-Use Plastics: A Roadmap for Sustainability , said rules limiting the use of plastic bags have helped in places such as Morocco, Rwanda, and parts of China - sometimes significantly.


Elsewhere, however, things have not gone well and urgent action is needed. The report noted, by some estimates, as many as five trillion plastic bags are used worldwide every year.


"Our world is swamped by harmful plastic waste," UN Secretary-General
Antonio Guterres said in a speech. "Microplastics in the seas now outnumber stars in our galaxy.


India example:


A ban on disposable plastics in India's capital New Delhi has had only limited impact "because of poor enforcement", the report said.


"Plastic pollution is a huge issue everywhere," the UN's environment chief Erik Solheim told The Associated Press. "The problem is big but the ability to change is also big."


He praised India for its growing focus on environmental protection, but also noted while travelling the country he'd seen some of the most scenic places "destroyed by plastic pollution".


India produces more than 62 million tonnes of plastic waste every year, according to local reports, of which only 43 million tonnes is collected.


The UN made a series of recommendations to make plastics bans more effective, from encouraging more cooperation from businesses to offering incentives.


"If present trends continue, by 2050 our oceans will have more plastic than fish."
Globally, eight million tonnes of plastic is dumped into the ocean every year, killing marine life and entering the human food chain, according to the UN Environment Programme.




WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY: OUR WORLD IS PLASTIC SWAMP WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY: OUR WORLD IS PLASTIC SWAMP Reviewed by Excel Mindfrey Tudor on 14:41 Rating: 5

Iran To Boost Uranium Enrichment If Nuclear Deal Fails.

Iran says it has begun work on increasing its uranium enrichment capacity, in case its 2015 nuclear agreement with world powers collapses.

The head of Iran's atomic agency told reporters that it was developing infrastructure to build advanced centrifuges at the Natanz facility.

The agency has informed the United Nations of the move, but said it would remain within the rules of the deal.
President Donald Trump withdrew the US from the deal with Iran last month.

European powers are now scrambling to salvage the nuclear agreement, which imposes restrictions on Iran's nuclear activities in exchange for lifting sanctions.

A spokesman for the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said on Tuesday that the agency had received a letter from Iran on 4 June informing it that there was a "tentative schedule to start production of UF6", referring to uranium hexafluoride, the feedstock for centrifuges.

Could the Iran deal collapse?

• Does US 'Plan B' on Iran risk war?

• The impact of Iran sanctions - in charts

  What is the work designed to achieve?

The head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organisation, Ali Akbar Salehi, told reporters on Tuesday that preparations were under way to build new centrifuges.
"If we were progressing normally, it would have taken six or seven years, but this will now be ready in the coming weeks and months," he said.

Mr Salehi said this was in line with instructions from Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei, who has ordered officials to be prepared to step up enrichment if the nuclear deal - known as JCPOA - falls apart completely.

"If the JCPOA collapses - please pay attention, if the JCPOA collapses - and if we decide to assemble new centrifuges, we will assemble new-generation of centrifuges. However, for the time being, we move within the framework of the JCPOA," Mr Salehi said.

Is such work allowed under the accord?

Mr Salehi insists Iran is acting "within the framework of the rules and commitments of the nuclear deal".

The accord signed with the US, France, Germany, the UK, Russia, and China, limits uranium enrichment by Iran to 3.67%, far below the roughly 90% threshold of weapons-grade material.

In exchange, the country received relief from crippling sanctions.
Under the agreement, Iran can build parts for the centrifuges as long as it does not put them into operation within the first decade.

President Trump argued that these conditions did not go far enough to curb Iran's nuclear ambitions and pulled out of the agreement, leaving the remaining European signatories scrambling to save it.

Iran insists its nuclear programme is entirely peaceful. Its compliance with the deal has been verified by the IAEA.

What is the Iran nuclear accord?

Three reasons behind Trump ditching Iran deal.

What is the purpose of the Natanz facility?

It is Iran's largest uranium enrichment facility, and began operating in 2007 in contravention of UN Security Council resolutions.

It consists of underground buildings capable of holding up to 50,000 centrifuges. Uranium hexafluoride gas is fed into centrifuges, which separate out the most fissile uranium isotope U-235.
The facility produces low-enriched uranium, which has a 3%-4% concentration of U-235.

That can be used to produce fuel for nuclear power plants, but also be enriched to the much higher level of 90% needed to produce nuclear weapons.

A clear signal from Tehran

Analysis by Jonathan Marcus, BBC diplomatic correspondent

This is a clear signal from Tehran that it is not simply a bystander and that if the nuclear deal collapses it has options too.
It comes as key European countries struggle to keep the nuclear agreement on life support.

Major international companies are already beginning to distance themselves from Iran in fear of US sanctions.
The move inevitably increases the sense of tension and it probably does those countries eager to maintain the deal few favours.

It highlights the whole issue of Iran's formerly ambitious enrichment programme and again raises the question as to exactly what this enrichment programme was ultimately f

Iran To Boost Uranium Enrichment If Nuclear Deal Fails. Iran To Boost Uranium Enrichment If Nuclear Deal Fails. Reviewed by Excel Mindfrey Tudor on 14:40 Rating: 5

IRAQ BANS ELECTION COMMISSION MEMBERS FROM TRAVELLING ABROAD

Citing 'Dangerous Violations,' Authorities Cancel Ballots Of Overseas And Displaced Voters In Last Month's Election.


Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi's announcement raises the prospect of further uncertainty in Iraq [Anadolu]


Iraq 's prime minister has banned all high ranking members of the country's election commission (IHEC) from travelling abroad after citing "dangerous violations" in the recent parliamentary election.


Shia leader Muqtada al-Sadr's Sairoon coalition beat all expectations on May 12 to win 54 out of 328 seats in parliament, after successfully launching an anti-corruption campaign in the impoverished, but oil-rich country.


Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi told a news conference on Tuesday that criminal charges might be brought against some people, after he blamed electronic vote counting devices used by the IHEC, which he said hadn't been used without prior inspection for errors.


Abadi's al-Nasr Alliance came third in the poll with only 42 seats.
Advertisement
"In the beginning I said 'Let's keep going and let the commission deal with the violations'. There are violations each election, here and there."


Abadi added that a report presented to the government recommended a partial manual recount of the vote and the cancellation of results from overseas and displaced voters.


The commission annulled votes cast at 1,021 of the country's 53,000 ballot boxes last Wednesday, and launched a probe "with a view to holding violators accountable."


"The committee has revealed dangerous things, honestly. Yes there may have been some violations by candidates but the election commission bears the largest share of the responsibility," Abadi said.


Low turnout
Only 285,000 of Iraq's three million internally displaced had registered to vote in the first election since the defeat of the armed group -The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS).


Abadi's stance raises the prospect of further uncertainty in Iraq at a time when political blocs were starting the complicated process of forming a new government, watched closely by Baghdad's Western allies.


Sadr has fiercely opposed foreign interference in Iraq.


His victory was seen as a rebuke to a political elite that some voters blame for widespread corruption and dysfunctional governance in the country.


His bloc has promised to help the poor and build schools and hospitals in Iraq, which was battered in the war to defeat ISIL and has suffered economically as a result of low oil prices.




IRAQ BANS ELECTION COMMISSION MEMBERS FROM TRAVELLING ABROAD IRAQ BANS ELECTION COMMISSION MEMBERS FROM TRAVELLING ABROAD Reviewed by Excel Mindfrey Tudor on 14:37 Rating: 5

4-years old little girl abducted inside Lagos church

- Social media users have been left stunned over news of an alleged kidnap which happened on June 3


- According to a post shared by Jane E Maduegbuna on Instagram, a 4-year-old girl named Goodness Igwe was abducted from her church in Lagos


- All efforts to find Goodness has proved futile and the family are now begging for any useful information that can help in locating her
Few days into the month of June and the family of Goodness Igwe are weeping over the loss of their young daughter. According to a post shared on Instagram by Jane E Maduegbuna, the 4-year-old girl was in church on June 3, where she was last seen.


The family have since been searching for her following the end of the church program. The alleged abduction happened in Ikeja where Goodness apparently worships with her family. However, after church on Sunday June 3, she was no where to be found.


The family are now pleading with the general public to send any useful information that can help them in locating the child.
READ ALSO: Floyd Mayweather celebrates son as he gaduates from high school


The case of abduction in Nigeria is still a major problem. Many children have been separated from their parents and have had to face a tougher life or used as bait to demand outrageous ransom.


A clear case is that of three students who were kidnapped from the female hostel at a school in Akwa Ibom.


Another is the infamous case of abducted Dapchi girls who suffered in the captivity of terrorists until the intervention of the presidency which then resulted in their eventual release.


Our prayers are with the family of Goodness Igwe and anyone with any information is encouraged to reach out to the above stated number.




4-years old little girl abducted inside Lagos church 4-years old little girl abducted inside Lagos church Reviewed by Excel Mindfrey Tudor on 14:35 Rating: 5

Muslim group gives Falz 7 days to withdraw controversial video or face prosecution

The Muslim group urges security agencies and censor board to clamp down on the video as they describe it as a hate video.




MURIC gives Falz 7 days to withdraw 'This is Nigeria' video  (Nigeria Herald)


The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has threatened to sue Falz to court if he refuses to withdraw the viral video, 'This is Nigeria' and apologises to Nigerian Muslims.


In the video, some girls wearing hijab are seen dancing “shaku shaku”


While explaining the reason he featured girls wearing hijab in his song, Folarin 'Falz' Falana says the girls are a representation of the abducted Chibok girls still in Boko Haram captivity.


However, MURIC disagrees with this position saying the girls in the video do not depict the situation of Chibok girls.


The Muslim group in a statement by its Director, Ishaq Akintola also condemns the portrayal of the Fulani tribe in the viral video, describing it as a hate video.




MURIC President, Professor Ishaq Akintola  (dailypost)


Criticising the representation of “a character that dressed like a Fulani man, who suddenly abandoned his traditional guitar and beheaded a man” in the video, MURIC says the video could brew religious and ethnic crisis.


The group statement reads in part:


“MURIC rejects Falz’ explanation that the girls in hijab in his ‘Shaku Shaku’ dance symbolize the Chibok girls because nothing in the video indicates that the girls represent the Chibok girls.


“At least none of the Chibok girls have been seen dancing like a drunkard. They are always in pensive mood. Do they have any cause to be dancing? Are they happy?


“The video manifests ethnic bias against Fulanis while it ignored the criminal activities of ethnic militia of the Middle Belt who have also massacred Fulanis and rustled their cattle in their thousands.


“It is a hate video. This video has the potential of causing religious crisis of unprecedented dimension.


“It is an assault on the self-dignity of every Muslim. It is freedom of expression gone haywire.


“We therefore demand its withdrawal and an apology to Nigerian Muslims within seven days or the authors and their agents will face legal action if they fail to comply.


“Only the scenes portraying police brutality and the money-swallowing snake in the video are near the truth.”


MURIC, therefore, calls on the National Film And Video Censors Board (NFVCB) and security agencies to clamp down on the video.



Muslim group gives Falz 7 days to withdraw controversial video or face prosecution Muslim group gives Falz 7 days to withdraw controversial video or face prosecution Reviewed by Excel Mindfrey Tudor on 14:33 Rating: 5

President Buhari Condolences Visit To The Family Of Late Chief ( Mrs ) Olutoyin Olusola Olakunri :

President Buhari has commiserated with the family of late Chief (Mrs) Olutoyin Olusola Olakunri

- The deceased who was Nigeria's first female chartered accountant, passed away on Sunday, June 3, at the age of 80

- The president commiserated with ICAN and all the professional colleagues of the brilliant accountant and entrepreneur
President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday, June 4, expressed condolences over the passing of former president of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and Nigeria's first female chartered accountant, Chief (Mrs) Olutoyin Olusola Olakunri.
The president in a statement by Garba Shehu, senior special assistant to the president on media and publicity, prayed that God Almighty will will receive the soul of the departed, and grant her eternal rest while comforting the family she left behind.

Read the Statement:

"President Muhammadu Buhari sends condolences to the family of the former President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Chief (Mrs) Olutoyin Olusola Olakunri, who died on Sunday.
President Buhari commiserates with ICAN and all the professional colleagues of the brilliant accountant and entrepreneur who served the country in many capacities, providing visionary leadership and invaluable counsel to governments.

The President believes Chief Olakunri lived her life in service of God and humanity, commending her leading role in encouraging women to study and acquire skills, pursue professional careers and start generational businesses that can support their families, employ people and further strengthen the society.

President Buhari prays that the almighty God will receive the soul of the departed, and grant her eternal rest while comforting the family she left behind."

In a previous report by NAIJ.com , Nigeria's first female chartered accountant, Chief Olutoyin Olusola Olakunrin, on Sunday, June 3, slumped during church service at Saint Paul's Church Breadfruit, Lagos, and was pronounced dead at the hospital.

President Buhari Condolences Visit To The Family Of Late Chief ( Mrs ) Olutoyin Olusola Olakunri : President Buhari Condolences Visit To The Family Of Late Chief ( Mrs ) Olutoyin Olusola Olakunri : Reviewed by Excel Mindfrey Tudor on 14:31 Rating: 5

Truckers' strike highlights 'a dangerous moment' for Brazil's democracy

Brazilians were spooked by the 10-day protests – and the mistrust of the country’s political class has led to increasing polarisation


A nationwide trucking strike over fuel prices in Brazil finally came to an end last week after
10 days of chaos in which roads were blockaded, South America’s biggest economy suffocated, and the CEO of Brazil’s state-controlled oil company was forced to resign.


Supplies are back in the shops, and trucks back on the roads. And yet, things are far from normal.


Brazilians were spooked by the ease with which the truckers brought the country to its knees, and by their calls for “military intervention” – a euphemism for a military coup. A secret government poll at the height of the strike found that one third of Brazilians wanted a military takeover, according the Folha de S Paulo newspaper.


“This strike showed that the country has extreme fragilities,” wrote economic commentator Miriam Leitão in her blog for O Globo newspaper.


But instead of looking for ways to prevent it happening again, Brazilians are digging into entrenched positions.


There has been little debate over why the country is so dependent on road transport. Instead, Brazilians argue over when and how state-controlled oil company Petrobras should set fuel prices – the cause of the strike – and whether it should make money for its shareholders or swallow losses for the benefit of the nation.


Brazilians can’t even agree on what the dictatorship was. Many “interventionists” mistakenly believe there was no corruption under the military.


And others point out that hundreds of regime opponents were executed and thousands more viciously tortured under the repressive regime that ran the country for two decades until 1985.


Amid a growing sense that Brazil is adrift, a poll by the Datafolha polling institute found that 87% of Brazilians supported the strike – but rejected tax rises or spending cuts to pay for the fuel subsidies that eventually resolved it.


The cash-strapped conservative government of Michel Temer found the money by cutting investment elsewhere, including for health and education – a move likely to increase social tension in a country where poverty is on the rise.
“We have watched a flirtation with collective suicide,” wrote rightwing commentator Reinaldo Azevedo, who compared Brazilians heading to the polls in October’s congressional and presidential elections to lemmings heading for a clifftop.


Leftist commentators are equally alarmed. “It is a dangerous moment,” said Laura Carvalho, a professor of economy at the University of São Paulo. “This is related to the economic crisis, the political crisis, the corruption scandals."


The 2016 impeachment of Workers’ party president Dilma Rousseff – who was removed for breaking budget rules amid widespread anger over an enormous corruption scheme – was seen by some as a justified action against a corrupt government.


But a recent poll 48% said they thought the controversial process was a coup.
And since then, Temer and his ministers have been embroiled in even more spectacular scandals.


“This foments this idea that a military regime could in a way alter, transform this system,” Carvalho said. “It is a response of total disbelief.”


The only politician likely to benefit from all of this is Jair Bolsonaro, an extreme rightwing lawmaker who has praised the military regime but has not faced serious graft allegations – and who flip-flopped on his support for the strike.


That Petrobras is central to Brazil’s latest nightmare is no surprise.


The corruption scandal that eventually felled Rousseff began with allegations that her political allies had received kickbacks from inflated contracts the company signed with contractors.


The allegations quickly spread to engulf the country’s political class, but also hit Petrobras, which was unable to complete two new refineries that would have allowed Brazil to produce more gasoline and diesel.


Rousseff’s administration forced Petrobras to sell gasoline and diesel below international prices to keep inflation down, costing it billions of dollars in revenue. 
Under Temer, the company swung in the opposite direction and started raising prices daily as the international cost of oil soared.


On Friday, the company’s CEO, Pedro Parente, resigned, in a move that was celebrated by labour unions but lamented by financial markets. Petrobras shares tanked.


Industry experts said the company should have showed more “sensitivity” in its price rises.


But sensitivity has been drowned out in an atmosphere of increasing polarisation.


Left and right hurl insults at each other over social media like rival supporters at a soccer game. Meanwhile, economists are slashing their growth forecasts for an economy only just limping out of recession.


“The strike and calls for military intervention are a wake-up call,” said Ilona Szabó, co-founder of Agora! (Now!), a new centrist group propagating “evidence-based public policies”. Szabo argued that too many people are looking for simplistic solutions to complex problems.


“Brazilians are crying for change but it’s not yet clear that they are prepared to put the public interest in front of private gain. Instead of rolling up their sleeves and building a common project they are clamouring for a saviour, a strongman, who can deliver the country from ruin,” she said.





Truckers' strike highlights 'a dangerous moment' for Brazil's democracy Truckers' strike highlights 'a dangerous moment' for Brazil's democracy Reviewed by Excel Mindfrey Tudor on 14:29 Rating: 5
ads 728x90 B
Powered by Blogger.