2015-01-02 11:46
Abuja - President Goodluck Jonathan has felicitated with Muslims
across the country as they join their counterparts around the world to
commemorate Eid-el-Maulud (the birth of Prophet Muhammad) on Friday.
Dr Reuben Abati, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, said this is in a statement in Abuja on Thursday.
President
Jonathan, according to Abati, urged all adherents of Islam in the
country to use the occasion to offer special prayers at Jumat (Friday
worship) for the success of the forthcoming general elections.
He
said: “the President reassures Muslims and all other Nigerians that the
Federal Government will do all within its power to ensure that the
general elections in February are credible and violence-free.
“Jonathan
believes that this is essential to ensure that Nigeria remains
politically stable and continues on a steady path to the fulfilment of
its peoples’ collective vision of a strong, united and prosperous
nation.
Abati said that President Jonathan called on Muslims to
seize the opportunity of the New Year and Eid-el-Maulud holidays to
deeply reflect on the need for greater application of the prophet's
teachings.
The teachings, according to him, border on piety,
charity, tolerance, justice and peaceful co-existence with others in the
collective effort to overcome current national challenges.
“Jonathan
assures the Muslims and other Nigerians that his administration will
continue to be guided by the ideals of fairness, equity and justice for
all in its leadership of the country.
“He also assures them that
on his watch as President, no Nigerian will ever be discriminated
against on the basis of religion, ethnicity or social standing.
“The
President reaffirms his personal commitment to working diligently and
tirelessly to ensure the successful implementation of Federal
Government’s agenda for national transformation.
“To this end, he
urges Muslims and all other Nigerians to support the continuation of
the present administration’s efforts to build a better nation,’’ the
President’s aide said.
Friday, 2 January 2015
Armed bandits cause havoc in Ughelli
2015-01-02 12:46
Ughelli – More than seven gunmen caused a raucous after they raided a compound shooting one and killing another on Wednesday night in Ughelli North Local Government Area, Delta State, reports Vanguard.
They killed retired principle, Chief E. Ekee and injured Mr Matthias Ogbagah, Publisher of Rainbow Newspaper who was able to escape by playing dead.
The police are in the process of looking for the suspects.
Read more at the Vanguard.
Ughelli – More than seven gunmen caused a raucous after they raided a compound shooting one and killing another on Wednesday night in Ughelli North Local Government Area, Delta State, reports Vanguard.
They killed retired principle, Chief E. Ekee and injured Mr Matthias Ogbagah, Publisher of Rainbow Newspaper who was able to escape by playing dead.
The police are in the process of looking for the suspects.
Read more at the Vanguard.
Italy rescuing more migrants in Mediterranean
2015-01-02 12:46
Rome - An Icelandic Coast Guard ship was towing a cargo vessel to Italy with about 450 migrants who were abandoned by smugglers, leaving the vessel navigating without a crew, authorities said Friday.
Italian Coast Guard Cmdr. Filippo Marini said that after several hours of struggling in rough seas, rescue teams managed to secure the Ezadeen for towing toward the southern Calabrian region. The Icelandic ship, part of a European new European patrol force to aid migrants at sea, was doing the tow.
Children and pregnant women were among the migrants, most of who were believed to be Syrian, said Marini. The Sierra-Leone-flagged cargo ship apparently set sail from Turkey, he said.
The exact port of the Ezadeen's arrival will depend on sea conditions, authorities aid.
Earlier
on Friday, Marini said that a migrant had called for help saying:
"we're without crew, we're heading toward the Italian coast and we have
no one to steer."
The Ezadeen is the second cargo ship full of migrants to be abandoned while still sailing this week. Days earlier, the Italian Coast Guard in a daring attempt, lowered officials onto another, Moldovan-flagged cargo vessel so they could take control of the ship, which was only a few miles from crashing into the Italian coast.
More than 170,000 migrants were intercepted or needed rescue by Italian navy, coast guard and air force patrols last year. This apparently new technique by smugglers of abandoning a ship after setting it on a crash course complicates rescue efforts, Marini told Italian state radio, "but the important thing is there are lives to be saved."
Rome - An Icelandic Coast Guard ship was towing a cargo vessel to Italy with about 450 migrants who were abandoned by smugglers, leaving the vessel navigating without a crew, authorities said Friday.
Italian Coast Guard Cmdr. Filippo Marini said that after several hours of struggling in rough seas, rescue teams managed to secure the Ezadeen for towing toward the southern Calabrian region. The Icelandic ship, part of a European new European patrol force to aid migrants at sea, was doing the tow.
Children and pregnant women were among the migrants, most of who were believed to be Syrian, said Marini. The Sierra-Leone-flagged cargo ship apparently set sail from Turkey, he said.
The exact port of the Ezadeen's arrival will depend on sea conditions, authorities aid.
The Ezadeen is the second cargo ship full of migrants to be abandoned while still sailing this week. Days earlier, the Italian Coast Guard in a daring attempt, lowered officials onto another, Moldovan-flagged cargo vessel so they could take control of the ship, which was only a few miles from crashing into the Italian coast.
More than 170,000 migrants were intercepted or needed rescue by Italian navy, coast guard and air force patrols last year. This apparently new technique by smugglers of abandoning a ship after setting it on a crash course complicates rescue efforts, Marini told Italian state radio, "but the important thing is there are lives to be saved."
Delhi rapes increase by one third in 2014
2015-01-02 12:46
New Delhi -The number of rapes reported in New Delhi increased by nearly a third in the last year, police said Friday, highlighting the alarming levels of sexual violence against women in the Indian capital.
At an annual briefing with reporters, Delhi Police Commissioner Bhim Sain Bassi said that a total of 2,069 rape cases were reported in New Delhi in the 12 months leading up to December 15, against 1,571 reported the previous year, an increase of 31.6 percent.
The city sealed its reputation as India's "rape capital" two years ago when a medical student died after being gang-raped on a moving bus, prompting mass protests and triggering a series of policing and legal reforms.
The figures were released the same day that an Uber taxi driver accused of raping a female passenger in Delhi last month made his second appearance in court.
Shiv Kumar Yadav, 32, was remanded in custody for another three days over the alleged December 5 attack.
But the police commissioner insisted the new figures did not necessarily indicate that the city was becoming more dangerous for women but rather highlighted a growing willingness of victims to come forward.
"More cases are being reported now as women feel more confident about approaching us," he told reporters, while adding that more still needed to be done to change attitudes and increase sensitivity about sex crimes.
"Both society and police's mindset needs to change for crimes (against women) to be reported and registered," he said.
Bassi said that police received another 36,284 complaints on other issues at women's help desks in the city's police stations, which have mostly been established in the recent years.
In the last two years, there has also been an increased emphasis on training officers to handle of rape cases as well as a drive to attract more female police recruits.
Bassi said that the city police solved 62 percent of all crimes reported against women within a week.
"As for crimes against women, we are taking different steps including self-training classes for women," the commissioner added.
New Delhi -The number of rapes reported in New Delhi increased by nearly a third in the last year, police said Friday, highlighting the alarming levels of sexual violence against women in the Indian capital.
At an annual briefing with reporters, Delhi Police Commissioner Bhim Sain Bassi said that a total of 2,069 rape cases were reported in New Delhi in the 12 months leading up to December 15, against 1,571 reported the previous year, an increase of 31.6 percent.
The city sealed its reputation as India's "rape capital" two years ago when a medical student died after being gang-raped on a moving bus, prompting mass protests and triggering a series of policing and legal reforms.
The figures were released the same day that an Uber taxi driver accused of raping a female passenger in Delhi last month made his second appearance in court.
Shiv Kumar Yadav, 32, was remanded in custody for another three days over the alleged December 5 attack.
But the police commissioner insisted the new figures did not necessarily indicate that the city was becoming more dangerous for women but rather highlighted a growing willingness of victims to come forward.
"More cases are being reported now as women feel more confident about approaching us," he told reporters, while adding that more still needed to be done to change attitudes and increase sensitivity about sex crimes.
"Both society and police's mindset needs to change for crimes (against women) to be reported and registered," he said.
Bassi said that police received another 36,284 complaints on other issues at women's help desks in the city's police stations, which have mostly been established in the recent years.
In the last two years, there has also been an increased emphasis on training officers to handle of rape cases as well as a drive to attract more female police recruits.
Bassi said that the city police solved 62 percent of all crimes reported against women within a week.
"As for crimes against women, we are taking different steps including self-training classes for women," the commissioner added.
Barca can win trophies despite transfer ban - Iniesta
2015-01-02 12:46
Barcelona - Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta is confident that despite their transfer ban the team has the depth to win trophies as they start the new year with a trip to face Real Sociedad on Sunday hoping to keep the pressure on La Liga leaders Real Madrid.
The Catalan club will be unable to reinforce their squad in the following two transfer windows as their appeal against a FIFA sanction over the transfer of foreign Under-18 players was rejected by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), this week.
The decision is likely to cause most concern for Barca's defence where they have continued to look weak despite making several signings ahead of the season.
In particular, there is a lack of cover at right back for Dani Alves who himself has received plenty of criticism for below par displays.
Still,
Barca are only a point off an imperious Real who have played a game
less and take on Valencia this Sunday looking for their 23rd straight
win in official matches.
"It is not even crossing our minds the idea of not winning anything this season," Iniesta told reporters.
"The squad that we have has sufficient quality to win trophies and the important thing is to believe in ourselves and that we can keep improving so as to reach our maximum.
"I don't know the full legal details (of the CAS verdict) but having come through the La Masia (Barcelona youth system) myself, I think that the opportunity that it gives to youngsters not only on a footballing level but also personal, is very high.
"We cannot sign now and that is obviously a handicap but we need to concentrate on this season with the players we have and look to win."
Iniesta believes that the team is on the right course while he also has not ruled out the title chances of third-placed Atletico Madrid, who face Levante on Saturday.
"They (Real) won a lot of trophies last year and they will be in the fight. All teams go through ups and downs and while Real are doing well now we are making good progress," he said.
"Atletico though are the reigning league champions and it is our job to take the trophy from them. They have done well for several seasons and we know that they will be challenging."
Barcelona - Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta is confident that despite their transfer ban the team has the depth to win trophies as they start the new year with a trip to face Real Sociedad on Sunday hoping to keep the pressure on La Liga leaders Real Madrid.
The Catalan club will be unable to reinforce their squad in the following two transfer windows as their appeal against a FIFA sanction over the transfer of foreign Under-18 players was rejected by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), this week.
The decision is likely to cause most concern for Barca's defence where they have continued to look weak despite making several signings ahead of the season.
In particular, there is a lack of cover at right back for Dani Alves who himself has received plenty of criticism for below par displays.
"It is not even crossing our minds the idea of not winning anything this season," Iniesta told reporters.
"The squad that we have has sufficient quality to win trophies and the important thing is to believe in ourselves and that we can keep improving so as to reach our maximum.
"I don't know the full legal details (of the CAS verdict) but having come through the La Masia (Barcelona youth system) myself, I think that the opportunity that it gives to youngsters not only on a footballing level but also personal, is very high.
"We cannot sign now and that is obviously a handicap but we need to concentrate on this season with the players we have and look to win."
Iniesta believes that the team is on the right course while he also has not ruled out the title chances of third-placed Atletico Madrid, who face Levante on Saturday.
"They (Real) won a lot of trophies last year and they will be in the fight. All teams go through ups and downs and while Real are doing well now we are making good progress," he said.
"Atletico though are the reigning league champions and it is our job to take the trophy from them. They have done well for several seasons and we know that they will be challenging."
203 soldiers dismissed from the Nigerian Army
2015-01-02 12:46
Maiduguri – More than 203 soldiers were let off by the Nigerian Army after being detained for 90 days due to allegedly not complying with a commanding officer on Friday, reports Vanguard Nigeria.
The soldiers state they are also owed five months worth of salaries.
It is reported that they requested more weapons from their commanding officer after they had suffered a massive blow in a fight in Damboa loosing another commanding officer and several soldiers.
Instead they were told to stand down and the next day was requested to submit their weapons and uniforms.
Maiduguri – More than 203 soldiers were let off by the Nigerian Army after being detained for 90 days due to allegedly not complying with a commanding officer on Friday, reports Vanguard Nigeria.
The soldiers state they are also owed five months worth of salaries.
It is reported that they requested more weapons from their commanding officer after they had suffered a massive blow in a fight in Damboa loosing another commanding officer and several soldiers.
Instead they were told to stand down and the next day was requested to submit their weapons and uniforms.
19 killed in rebel fire on Syria's Aleppo
2015-01-02 15:11
Beirut - At least 19 people were killed overnight by Syrian rebel fire on government-controlled parts of the northern city of Aleppo, a monitor said on Friday.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the dead included at least five children, three of whom were killed with their mother when a rocket hit the car they were in.
The Britain-based group said at 32 people were wounded in Thursday night's violence in the western part of the city.
Once Syria's economic hub, Aleppo has been ravaged by fighting that began there in mid-2012.
The city is divided with government forces controlling the western part and rebels controlling the east.
However, government forces have advanced steadily around the eastern outskirts of the city, threatening to besiege opposition-held districts.
More than 200,000 people have been killed in Syria since the beginning of the conflict in March 2011, according to the Observatory.
Beirut - At least 19 people were killed overnight by Syrian rebel fire on government-controlled parts of the northern city of Aleppo, a monitor said on Friday.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the dead included at least five children, three of whom were killed with their mother when a rocket hit the car they were in.
The Britain-based group said at 32 people were wounded in Thursday night's violence in the western part of the city.
Once Syria's economic hub, Aleppo has been ravaged by fighting that began there in mid-2012.
However, government forces have advanced steadily around the eastern outskirts of the city, threatening to besiege opposition-held districts.
More than 200,000 people have been killed in Syria since the beginning of the conflict in March 2011, according to the Observatory.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)