Fires kill 3, displace 3,000 in Cape Town informal settlements

At least three people have died and some 3,000 have been left homeless after two separate fires broke out in informal settlements in the capital of South Africa on Sunday, Africa News Agency reported. Some 800 constructions were destroyed after "an extensive area of reeds and informal structures caught alight," Cape Town mayor Patricia de Lille said in a statement, adding that an emergency shelter had been opened in the city. The South African Red Cross and other local humanitarian organizations are coordinating relief efforts in the area, providing food, blankets, and other necessities. The SA Police Service is investigating the cause of the fire, the news agency said.

5 Polish seamen abducted, cargo ship attacked off Nigeria

Five Polish seamen, including the captain and three officers, have been abducted from a ship in Nigerian waters, AP reported. Foreign Minister Witold Waszczykowski said on Friday that the seamen were abducted on Thursday night from the Polish cargo ship Szafir. Eleven other crew members escaped abduction by barricading themselves inside the ship. It was damaged when the attackers opened fire. Warsaw is ready to open negotiations with the abductors and is waiting for contact.

Blast Hits Istanbul Metro, Casualties Reported

An explosion has hit an overpass near a metro station at Bayrampaşa in Istanbul, local media report. At least one person killed and several people injured.

​​According to preliminary reports, the explosion was caused by a bomb. ​



At least one person was killed and six injured in an explosion in Istanbul.

New Video Of Russian Aerospace Forces Airstrikes At terrorists Positions in Syria

Al-Latamna Province

 Turkish Weapon Convoy in Aleppo Province
Watchi after the jump break.

A world war between, on one hand, the so-called ‘West’ (the US Empire) and the the ‘Resistance’

What is taking place today is a battle for global dominance, waged by major Western geopolitical players, and what is at stake here is the future of our planet, an anonymous US analyst who goes by the name ‘The Saker’ told Sputnik; as for Daesh, it is simply a weapon, he adds.

Putin Plays Waiting Game as NATO Presses Self-Destruct Button During the Paris Climate Change Conference (COP21), Russian President Putin revealed that Moscow has evidence confirming that the Russian Su-24 bomber was shot down by Turkey in order to protect oil deliveries from Daesh (ISIL/ISIS), adding that oil from Daesh-occupied fields has been transferred to Turkey on an industrial scale.

But is it possible that Turkey is selling the stolen oil without Washington’s knowledge? Are the Turkish officials who are responsible for oil smuggling acting alone or are they backed by some influential oil market players?

"Count me out of arms deal" - says Bukola Saraki

Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki has dissociated himself from the N60bn arms deal involving the immediate past National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd). Saraki in a statement by his Special Adviser (Media and Publicity), Mr. Yusuph Olaniyonu, stated that contrary to report published in an online medium, Sahara Reporters, he has never had anything to do with purchase of security equipment because in his entire political career he never served in any committee or body which has any link with Defence or national security.
"As a member of the Seventh Senate, Dr. Saraki was not a member of any of the committees which have oversight function on the Ministry of Defence or the intelligence and national security apparatus. If he was tagged the leader of the opposition to the Jonathan administration, how then will he be privy to Arms purchases and have the influence to blackmail any government agency or institution over the release of funds.

Buhari Has Shown Commitment To Palestine For The First Time – Ambassador

The State of Palestine Ambassador to Nigeria, Saleh Fried has stated that Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari was the first sitting President supporting the state of Palestine in their struggle for liberation since 1948.

He gave this revelation while speaking with DAILY POST in Abuja at a ceremony to mark the annual International day of solidarity, which was set aside by the United Nations Organisation.
“My role here in Nigeria is to promote political, cultural and socio-economic relationship between Nigeria and the state of Palestine and for the first time, the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari has shown commitment to Palestine’s struggle”, he said.

Tinubu Singlehandedly Fought PDP To A Standstill – Pastor Bakare

Pastor Tunde Bakare, founder of the Latter Rain Assembly has credited former Lagos state governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, of singlehandedly fighting the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Southwest of Nigeria.
Bakare who is renowned for his stance on Nigerian politicians was asked by TheNEWS why he attacked Tinubu during a Sunday Service at his church.
Read interview below:

Forgotten Russian MiG Resurrected as New Chinese 5th Generation Jet?

The first Russian fifth generation fighter is not the much advertised T-50, which according to plan should begin to arrive into the Russian Military and Space Forces in early 2016, but the almost forgotten project MiG 1.44, which was abandoned in the early 2000s.

The MiG 1.44 was developed in conjunction with the F-22 and could have gone into service in the late nineties but the collapse of the state, along with the difficult economic situation in the country, did not allow this to happen and the project had to be abandoned, with preference given to the ‘Sukhoi’ series.

Is Russia Building Up Air Defense Shield All Over Syria?

Russia is actually building an all-over air defense zone in Syria, according to Russian Zvezda TV channel. The Hmeymim air base, Russian jets and also pilots will be protected by the most advanced Russian weapons.


After a Turkish jet shot down a Russian Su-24 bomber over Syria, the Russian Defense Minister reported to President Vladimir Putin that the air defense system around the base needed to be enhanced.

Syrian Army Gains Upper Hand in Fight Against ISIL in Aleppo

The Syrian government forces have gained the upper hand in their fight against Islamic State (ISIL) terrorists in the eastern part of Aleppo province and have advanced near Deir Hafer region, FARS news agency reported.

If Deir Hafer is captured by the Syrian Army’s elite special operation unit known as the Tiger Forces the Syrian troops will be in position to re-enter Raqqa province after being expelled by ISIL in August 2014.

Syrian Army Repels Massive ISIL Offensive on Strategic Air Base

The Syrian forces repelled a massive assault by Islamic State (ISIL) militants on the strategic Deir ez-Zor air base, having destroyed scores of attackers in a counter-offensive.

A massive offensive by ISIL militants to break through defense lines of the Syrian Army near the Deir ez-Zor base was stopped, a source told FARS News.

The militants stepped back, having left behind many dead or wounded. After the Syrian forces launched a counterattack the terrorists fled the battlefield.

Russian President V. Putin held meeting in the Kremlin'Putin is Right When Accusing Turkey of Supporting Terrorists'

Vladimir Putin was right when he stated that Turkey de-facto supports ISIL militants and provides them with arms and equipment that they need to fight in Syria, US magazine Defense One reported.

After a Turkish Air Force F-16 shot down a Russian Su-24 plane, which was on an anti-ISIL bombing mission, the Russian government harshly criticized Turkey's aggressive actions, describing the incident as a "stab in the back, carried out against us by accomplices of terrorists."

Turkey is complicit in funding the Islamic State militant group through purchase on the territory of Turkey of crude oil stolen from fields captured by ISIL

Poles Rally in Warsaw Against Turkey’s 'Support of Terrorism'

Warsaw residents held a protest in front of the Turkish Embassy on Saturday against Ankara’s alleged support of terrorism.

WARSAW  — According to the protest's organizers, Turkey, as a member of NATO, which has been destabilizing the Middle East region in recent years, is responsible for the emergence of organized terrorist groups.

"Turkey downed a Russian plane and thus confirmed that it supported the interests of the Islamic State terrorist organization,” leader of Polish political party Self-Defence of the Republic of Poland Mateusz Piskorski, who attended the demontration, told RIA Novosti.

Under the Sea: Russian, Chinese Submarines Challenge for US

The industry for building and acquiring modern submarines is growing exponentially. The United States, Russia, China and even India are designing and building multiple new classes of subs, equipped with a growing variety of weapons and sensors.

Christopher P. Cavas in his article for the Defense News wrote that although the US builds extremely capable submarines, at about $2 billion each, there are only so many subs the US Navy can acquire as ‘the supply will never meet the demand.’
Continue..

Neocons Hidden Agenda: Why Washington Wants Turkey to Send Troops to Syrian Border ?

The Obama regime is evidently encouraging Ankara to secure its border with Syria to counteract ISIL and other terrorist bunches from smuggling individuals, weapons and supplies all through the war-torn nation, yet Bangkok-based geopolitical specialist and essayist Tony Cartalucci is convinced that the US and Turkey have evil objectives nefarious top priority.

Washington gauges that a 30,000 strong forces will have the capacity to close the border. Interestingly, the same number of troops is needed to create a safe zone in Syria, as indicated by the Pentagon’s fall assessment. This is not an incident, Cartalucci accepts, and assuming this is the case, it could indicate a conceivable and disturbing situation.


This could well be the arrangement, as per Cartalucci, since Damascus-led troops helped by Russian forces are making picks up and pushing radicals from their fortresses crosswise over Syria day by day. Provided that this is true, Moscow ought to prevent  this from happening through political means.

#Syria

Erdogan's 'Silent Backers': Who Egged Turkish Leader to Attack Su-24?

Was the downing of the Russian Su-24 Erdogan's "oil revenge" for Turkey's losses from the destruction of oil smugglers' truck fleet bombed by the Russian Air Force in Syria? Or maybe it is just the tip of a very big iceberg, F. William Engdahl asks.

American-German researcher, historian and strategic risk consultant F. William Engdahl notes that back in August 2015, he wrote about the Harvard-educated 35-year-old son of Turkish President Erdogan, Bilal Erdogan, who was involved "up to his eyeballs" in illicit oil smuggling from Syria and Iraq.
Continue..

State House Pres Release: President Buhari Calls for Greater Commonwealth Support for Nigeria and other countries

President Muhammadu Buhari late Friday in Malta called for the establishment of a Commonwealth Committee to oversee the rendering of greater assistance and support to Nigeria and other member-countries which have been adversely affected by the scourge of terrorism. Speaking at a banquet hosted by Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II for Heads of State and Government participating in the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, President Buhari expressed the hope that the committee would have been estab.lished before the next meeting of the organisation. The President said that he also expects the committee to visit member-countries of the Commonwealth where terrorist organisations have established a foothold with a view to evolving practical strategies for more meaningful assistance to the affected countries.

Lesson Of Life - Mrs. Bisi Fayemi

“My phones stopped ringing after my husband lost election in Ekiti; started buzzing again after he was appointed minister.” – reportedly said by Mrs. Bisi Fayemi, wife of former Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi (Kayode is now the new Minister of Solid Minerals in Nigeria.)

 

#GovFayemi

Why is the US Hanging Turkey Out to Dry? …. article by Andrew Korybko

Why is the US Hanging Turkey Out to Dry?
By Andrew KORYBKO (USA)

Turkey’s shooting down of the Russian anti-ISIL aircraft was an unprecedentedly direct aggression against Moscow that trumps even the tense and hostile militarism of the Old Cold War era. The world stands on edge in the immediate aftermath of this attack, with tabloid-esque commentators warning that the beginning of World War III awaits. President Putin, for his part, has been much more measured in responding to the incident, but still couldn’t contain his shock at having received this “stab in the back delivered by accomplices of the terrorists.”

21 Dead in Suicide bomb attack on Shia Muslims in Nigeria

More than 20 individuals have been murdered in a bomb assault targeting on Shia Muslims amid a yearly religious parade in the northern Nigerian state of Kano.

On Friday, a bomber exploded his explosives among a crowd of Shia Muslims participating in a walk organized by supporters of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria in Dakasoye town south of Kano, the capital of the territory with the same name.

Coordinators of the parade said a few individuals were additionally injured in the assault which happened days before Shias in Nigeria are going to honor Arbaeen, the 40th day since the commemoration of the suffering of Imam Hussein, the third Shia Imam, and his supporters in the Battle of Karbala, which is to fall on December 2 this year.

#Kano

Only Three Percent Adolescent Girls In Northern Nigeria Complete Secondary School – UN

UN Women/ United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women has said from the statistics available that only 3 per cent of adolescent girls complete their secondary education in the Northern Nigeria. Speaking at the Planning/Review Meeting with Media Partners in Jos, Plateau State, the Deputy Programme Manager, UN Women, Peter Mancha, said in the North West and North East regions that only about 20per cent of women are literate.

Vandals Stole N50bn Worth Of Petrol From Single Pipeline, Says NNPC

Vandals stole nearly $250 million worth of petrol from a single pipeline in Nigeria in the first nine months of 2015, the country’s state-run oil company said Thursday, as motorists complained of shortages.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) said 531 million litres of petrol worth more than 50 billion naira were lost between January and September.
The petrol was taken from the System 2B pipeline which stretches from the financial hub of Lagos to Ilorin, some 260 kilometres (160 miles) away to the northeast, the company added in a statement.
Nigerian governments past and present have repeatedly blamed pipeline vandalism and theft in the oil sector for hitting revenues as well as supplies to consumers.

Photo: Child rescued after being washed into a canal in Lagos

A child was rescued by some residents of Iri-Akari in Lagos state after he was washed into a canal following the heavy downpour in the area this afternoon. Photo credit: Mijiafe

Buhari PR Article On Financial Times Paid For By Delta And Cross River State Gov

PDP is going into extinction and with this rate I fear before 2019 it would have been wiped off. Just imagine Governors of Delta and Cross Rivers state sponsoring Femi Adesina's PR article for Buhari on Financial Times FT an international newspaper.
Continue after the jump