14:44 01/07/2015
Ismailia/Cairo - At least 30 people were killed when Islamist
militants attacked several checkpoints in Egypt's North Sinai on
Wednesday, security and medical sources said, in one of the biggest
coordinated assaults yet in the insurgency-hit province.
Islamic State's Egyptian affiliate, Sinai Province, claimed responsibility for the attacks in a statement on Twitter.
It
was second high-profile action in Egypt this week. On Monday, the
prosecutor-general was killed in a car bombing in Cairo, raising
questions about the government's ability to contain the insurgency.
The
army said five checkpoints were attacked by about 70 militants and that
soldiers had destroyed three landcruisers fitted with anti-aircraft
guns.
Security sources said militants were surrounding a police
station in the town of Sheikh Zuweid and had planted bombs around it to
prevent forces from leaving.
Army supplies
Doctor
Osama el-Sayed of El-Arish General Hospital in the provincial capiatl
said 30 bodies had been brought in, "some of whom were wearing army
fatigues".
The exact breakdown of identities of those killed was
not immediately clear. Security sources had said at least 20 security
personnel were killed and 40 wounded. The army spokesperson said 22 of
the attackers were killed and 10 soldiers were killed or wounded.
Security
sources said the militants had planted bombs along a road between
Sheikh Zuweid and an army camp to prevent the movement of any army
supplies or reinforcements. Meanwhile, Apache helicopters and F-16
planes strafed the area.
The insurgency based in the Sinai is
seeking to topple the Cairo government and has managed to defy one of
the toughest security crackdowns in Egypt's history.
It has
intensified since 2013, when then-army chief Abdel Fattah al-Sisi
removed president Mohammed Morsi, an Islamist, after mass protests
against his rule. Hundreds of policemen and soldiers have been killed in
attacks since then.
State of emergency
The most active militant group in the region is Sinai Province, which has pledged allegiance to Islamic State.
It said in Wednesday's statement that it had attacked more than 15 security sites and carried out three suicide bombings.
The
group had urged its followers to escalate attacks during the Islamic
holy month of Ramadan which started in mid-June, though it did not
specify Egypt as a target.
In a recent tactic, Sinai Province has fired rockets at the direction of an airport used by multinational peacekeeping forces.
In
late April, the army extended by three months a state of emergency
imposed in parts of Sinai since October after 33 security personnel were
killed in an attack claimed by Sinai Province.
Peaceful activism
The
army has taken several measures to crush the insurgency. Aside from
bombardments in the region, they have destroyed tunnels into the
Palestinian-ruled Gaza Strip and created a security buffer zone in
northern Sinai.
The army was also digging a trench along the border with Gaza in an effort to prevent smuggling.
The
measures have stoked resentment among some residents, who say they rely
on the smuggling trade through the tunnels and complain of neglect by
the state.
Tuesday also marked the second anniversary of protests that preceded the overthrow of Morsi.
President
Sisi said he would bring in tougher legal measures in coming days after
the killing of the prosecutor, Hisham Barakat, the most senior Egyptian
official to die in such an attack in years.
Sisi's government
does not distinguish between the now-outlawed Brotherhood and other
militants. The Brotherhood says it is committed to peaceful activism.
News, Events, Entertainment, Lifestyle, Fashion, Beauty, Inspiration and yes... Gossip! *Wink*
Thursday, 2 July 2015
Buhari agrees to meet with #BringBackOurGirls group
14:44 01/07/2015
Abuja - President Muhammadu buhari has agreed to meet with the #BringBackOurGirls campaigners.
The meeting between Buhari and the group is scheduled to hold at the Presidential Villa on July 8 at 12 noon.
The convener of the group, Obiageli Ezekwesili, via twitter handle @obyezeks, said a presidential confirmation of the meeting had been received by the group.
She said, “WE @BBOG_Nigeria have received confirmation of schedule of OUR MEETING with @MBuhari & FG on our #ChibokGirls for July 8th 2015 @ 12 noon.”
The group had earlier made several attempts to secure audience with former President Goodluck Jonathan but were never granted approval.
The group has been in the forefront of calling for the rescue of the 219 Chibok girls kidnapped from their hostels at a government secondary school Chibok in Borno State.
The girls were kidnapped at night on April 14 by members of Boko Haram terrorists.
Abuja - President Muhammadu buhari has agreed to meet with the #BringBackOurGirls campaigners.
The meeting between Buhari and the group is scheduled to hold at the Presidential Villa on July 8 at 12 noon.
The convener of the group, Obiageli Ezekwesili, via twitter handle @obyezeks, said a presidential confirmation of the meeting had been received by the group.
She said, “WE @BBOG_Nigeria have received confirmation of schedule of OUR MEETING with @MBuhari & FG on our #ChibokGirls for July 8th 2015 @ 12 noon.”
The group had earlier made several attempts to secure audience with former President Goodluck Jonathan but were never granted approval.
The group has been in the forefront of calling for the rescue of the 219 Chibok girls kidnapped from their hostels at a government secondary school Chibok in Borno State.
The girls were kidnapped at night on April 14 by members of Boko Haram terrorists.
Court clears Fani-Kayode of money laundering charges
14:44 01/07/2015
Lagos - A Federal High Court in Lagos on Wednesday dismissed the money laundering charges brought against a former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), reports Punch.
The court in its ruling noted that the EFCC failed to prove its case against Fani-Kayode.
The trial judge, Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia described the prosecution case as feeble.
She stated that the prosecutor failed to prove the allegations against the accused person beyond reasonable doubt.
Fani-Kayode was the spokesperson of former President Goodluck Jonathan campaign team in the 2015 presidential election.
Lagos - A Federal High Court in Lagos on Wednesday dismissed the money laundering charges brought against a former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), reports Punch.
The court in its ruling noted that the EFCC failed to prove its case against Fani-Kayode.
The trial judge, Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia described the prosecution case as feeble.
She stated that the prosecutor failed to prove the allegations against the accused person beyond reasonable doubt.
Fani-Kayode was the spokesperson of former President Goodluck Jonathan campaign team in the 2015 presidential election.
PDP thugs beat APC witnesses at Ekiti tribunal
14:44 01/07/2015
Ado Ekiti - Political thugs suspected to be members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State on Tuesday unleased terror on witnesses who testified for the All Progressives Congress (APC) before the National Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal., reports Punch.
The thugs, who had waited outside the courtroom during proceedings, pounced on the APC witnesses and supporters as they came out of the courtroom.
Many supporters of the APC and those that came to witness proceedings fled in different directions immediately they spotted the hoodlums.
Riot policemen attached to the tribunal, however, managed to smuggle to the witnesses out of the premises in a Golf car to an unknown location.
The tribunal is hearing a petition filed by the APC senatorial candidate for Ekiti Central, Gbenga Olofin, against the return of Senator Fatimat Rasaki of the PDP.
Read more at Punch.
Ado Ekiti - Political thugs suspected to be members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State on Tuesday unleased terror on witnesses who testified for the All Progressives Congress (APC) before the National Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal., reports Punch.
The thugs, who had waited outside the courtroom during proceedings, pounced on the APC witnesses and supporters as they came out of the courtroom.
Many supporters of the APC and those that came to witness proceedings fled in different directions immediately they spotted the hoodlums.
Riot policemen attached to the tribunal, however, managed to smuggle to the witnesses out of the premises in a Golf car to an unknown location.
The tribunal is hearing a petition filed by the APC senatorial candidate for Ekiti Central, Gbenga Olofin, against the return of Senator Fatimat Rasaki of the PDP.
Read more at Punch.
Wednesday, 1 July 2015
Struggling for goals but Messi happy to make assist instead
14:44 01/07/2015
Madrid - As Lionel Messi has developed during his career he has become a ever-more prolific provider of assists as well as a lethal goalscorer and he gave another wonderful display of creativity at the Copa America on Tuesday.
The Argentina forward, who has yet to find the net from open play in five games at the tournament in Chile, set up three goals for his team mates in a 6-1 drubbing of Paraguay that secured a clash against the hosts in Saturday's final.
It was the first time Messi made three assists in a single game for his country and only the second time in his career after he achieved the feat playing for Barcelona in a King's Cup match against Levante in January 2014.
The 28-year-old has 31 assists for club and country so far in 2014-15, two short of his record of 33 from 2011-12.
"It really doesn't bother me that I am not scoring," Messi told reporters after the match in Concepcion.
"Hopefully my goal will come in the final," he added.
"The important thing is to lift the national team as high as possible and it doesn't matter who gets the goals."
Messi is attempting to win the Copa America to cap a superb season when he helped Barca win a treble of Champions League and domestic league and Cup titles.
He has bounced back in style from a disappointing 2013-14 campaign, when Barca failed to collect major silverware and Argentina were beaten 1-0 by Germany in the World Cup final.
Argentina are trying to win the Copa America for the first time since 1993, having lost to Brazil in 2004 and 2007 before being knocked out on penalties in the quarter-finals on home soil in 2011.
"Winning the Copa America would round off something spectacular," Messi said.
"I think we are coming into the match in good shape, but we will be playing a team with very good individual players.
"Both sides always try to play good football and not leave the opponent any time on the ball."
If he wants to score in Saturday's final, Messi knows the man in the Chile goal he will have to beat very well: Barcelona team mate Claudio Bravo.
Reuters
Madrid - As Lionel Messi has developed during his career he has become a ever-more prolific provider of assists as well as a lethal goalscorer and he gave another wonderful display of creativity at the Copa America on Tuesday.
The Argentina forward, who has yet to find the net from open play in five games at the tournament in Chile, set up three goals for his team mates in a 6-1 drubbing of Paraguay that secured a clash against the hosts in Saturday's final.
It was the first time Messi made three assists in a single game for his country and only the second time in his career after he achieved the feat playing for Barcelona in a King's Cup match against Levante in January 2014.
The 28-year-old has 31 assists for club and country so far in 2014-15, two short of his record of 33 from 2011-12.
"It really doesn't bother me that I am not scoring," Messi told reporters after the match in Concepcion.
"Hopefully my goal will come in the final," he added.
"The important thing is to lift the national team as high as possible and it doesn't matter who gets the goals."
Messi is attempting to win the Copa America to cap a superb season when he helped Barca win a treble of Champions League and domestic league and Cup titles.
He has bounced back in style from a disappointing 2013-14 campaign, when Barca failed to collect major silverware and Argentina were beaten 1-0 by Germany in the World Cup final.
Argentina are trying to win the Copa America for the first time since 1993, having lost to Brazil in 2004 and 2007 before being knocked out on penalties in the quarter-finals on home soil in 2011.
"Winning the Copa America would round off something spectacular," Messi said.
"I think we are coming into the match in good shape, but we will be playing a team with very good individual players.
"Both sides always try to play good football and not leave the opponent any time on the ball."
If he wants to score in Saturday's final, Messi knows the man in the Chile goal he will have to beat very well: Barcelona team mate Claudio Bravo.
Reuters
Mugabe 'concerned' over Lesotho crisis
16:18 01/07/2015
Cape Town – Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe, who is also the current Southern African Development Community (SADC) chair, is reportedly "very concerned" about the latest developments in Lesotho, as fears mount that the country might plunge into renewed political violence.
This follows the killing of the mountain kingdom's former army commander, Maaparankoe Mahao, last week.
Mahao was allegedly shot dead by members of the Lesotho Defence Force (LDF) in his village home on the outskirts of Maseru.
According to the SABC, Mugabe met with President Jacob Zuma's special envoy, Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, in Harare late on Tuesday.
Mapisa-Nqakula could not give details of the meeting but said Mugabe was concerned about death of Mahao.
"President Mugabe as chair of the SADC and veteran leader in the region is equally concerned about what is happening in Lesotho. He is very concerned, for instance, about the death of this brigadier general," Mapisa-Nqakula said.
Watch the video as Masipa-Nqakula speak.
The report said Mapisa-Nqakula would also meet Botswana President Ian Khama before the weekend troika to review a report from the fact-finding mission on Lesotho.
President Zuma, in his capacity as the chairperson of the (SADC) organ on politics, defence and security co-operation, on Monday dispatched his deputy Cyril Ramaphosa to Lesotho to consult with Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili.
Ramaphosa is the SADC facilitator on Lesotho.
Meanwhile, the ex-army commander’s family spoke for the first time since his killing, criticising the Lesotho government for not condemning his murder or arresting his known attackers.
The family said they were convinced the government was concealing the "pre-meditated" execution of Mahao.
Watch as Mahao’s brother speaks.
An international governance analyst warned that there was need for South Africa to urgently bring Lesotho’s crisis to an end before it could spill over the borders, according to Times Live.
"South Africa and SADC must act quickly. If they don't the violence will spread, with potentially severe implications for this country including fighting spilling over the borders, refugees streaming into the country and an increase in weapons being smuggled into Lesotho," the analyst was quoted as saying.
Cape Town – Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe, who is also the current Southern African Development Community (SADC) chair, is reportedly "very concerned" about the latest developments in Lesotho, as fears mount that the country might plunge into renewed political violence.
This follows the killing of the mountain kingdom's former army commander, Maaparankoe Mahao, last week.
Mahao was allegedly shot dead by members of the Lesotho Defence Force (LDF) in his village home on the outskirts of Maseru.
According to the SABC, Mugabe met with President Jacob Zuma's special envoy, Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, in Harare late on Tuesday.
Mapisa-Nqakula could not give details of the meeting but said Mugabe was concerned about death of Mahao.
"President Mugabe as chair of the SADC and veteran leader in the region is equally concerned about what is happening in Lesotho. He is very concerned, for instance, about the death of this brigadier general," Mapisa-Nqakula said.
Watch the video as Masipa-Nqakula speak.
The report said Mapisa-Nqakula would also meet Botswana President Ian Khama before the weekend troika to review a report from the fact-finding mission on Lesotho.
President Zuma, in his capacity as the chairperson of the (SADC) organ on politics, defence and security co-operation, on Monday dispatched his deputy Cyril Ramaphosa to Lesotho to consult with Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili.
Ramaphosa is the SADC facilitator on Lesotho.
Meanwhile, the ex-army commander’s family spoke for the first time since his killing, criticising the Lesotho government for not condemning his murder or arresting his known attackers.
The family said they were convinced the government was concealing the "pre-meditated" execution of Mahao.
Watch as Mahao’s brother speaks.
An international governance analyst warned that there was need for South Africa to urgently bring Lesotho’s crisis to an end before it could spill over the borders, according to Times Live.
"South Africa and SADC must act quickly. If they don't the violence will spread, with potentially severe implications for this country including fighting spilling over the borders, refugees streaming into the country and an increase in weapons being smuggled into Lesotho," the analyst was quoted as saying.
Saturday, 27 June 2015
APC will move beyond NASS leadership tussle – Garba
15:07 27/06/2015
Abuja - A member of the House of Representatives, Amuda Garba (APC-Ilorin East, Ilorin South, Kwara) , has expressed optimism that the party would move beyond its present challenge.
Garba, who expressed the opinion during interview with media in Abuja, added that APC had sailed beyond more precarious situations.
Garba added that the problems in the Senate and House of Representatives would be surmounted and the party would remain stronger and united.
He said in view of recent fisticuffs in the House, "all will go back and get our acts right within the party."
"Right from the beginning, the leadership of the party was challenging, the presidential primaries came with its own challenges, even the choice of the vice presidential candidate came with its own challenges."
"So, it is not a new thing. The legislature is always a very vibrant stage. That is why we are saying what we are saying."
"But as loyal members of the party, as people who believe in the party and what the party stands for, we will go back to mend our fences and will come with a harmonized position."
"I can assure you that when the House reconvenes, we will be coming with a unified position", he said.
On complaints that fighting was not part of the promised change, he said that change does not come in any particular prototype.
"Sometimes, the change you promised is for events like this to happen and for the right positions to be upheld."
He said the recent fisticuffs resulted from the party’s recommendation that some candidates should occupy principal positions and the caucuses in the House having a different view.
According to him, the caucuses made up of members of the House of should have decided who occupied the positions.
"It is clearly stated in the Order Book that it is the party’s caucus within the House that determines their leadership. But we know the party can intervene and create a platform for election so that we would have done our internal democracy."
He advised his colleagues to remember the interest of their constituencies.
"To be truly successful as a legislator, one must not forget the reason for which he was elected which is to be the voice of his/her constituents. "
Abuja - A member of the House of Representatives, Amuda Garba (APC-Ilorin East, Ilorin South, Kwara) , has expressed optimism that the party would move beyond its present challenge.
Garba, who expressed the opinion during interview with media in Abuja, added that APC had sailed beyond more precarious situations.
Garba added that the problems in the Senate and House of Representatives would be surmounted and the party would remain stronger and united.
He said in view of recent fisticuffs in the House, "all will go back and get our acts right within the party."
"Right from the beginning, the leadership of the party was challenging, the presidential primaries came with its own challenges, even the choice of the vice presidential candidate came with its own challenges."
"So, it is not a new thing. The legislature is always a very vibrant stage. That is why we are saying what we are saying."
"But as loyal members of the party, as people who believe in the party and what the party stands for, we will go back to mend our fences and will come with a harmonized position."
"I can assure you that when the House reconvenes, we will be coming with a unified position", he said.
On complaints that fighting was not part of the promised change, he said that change does not come in any particular prototype.
"Sometimes, the change you promised is for events like this to happen and for the right positions to be upheld."
He said the recent fisticuffs resulted from the party’s recommendation that some candidates should occupy principal positions and the caucuses in the House having a different view.
According to him, the caucuses made up of members of the House of should have decided who occupied the positions.
"It is clearly stated in the Order Book that it is the party’s caucus within the House that determines their leadership. But we know the party can intervene and create a platform for election so that we would have done our internal democracy."
He advised his colleagues to remember the interest of their constituencies.
"To be truly successful as a legislator, one must not forget the reason for which he was elected which is to be the voice of his/her constituents. "
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