Turkey Refuses to Withdraw Its Troops From Northern Iraq Despite Ultimatum

In the face of fierce protests from the Iraqi government and the international community, Turkey is refusing to withdraw troops from northern Iraq.

Over the weekend, Ankara deployed approximately 600 additional troops to a camp in Iraq’s Ninevah province, close to the city of Mosul.

"It is our duty to provide security for our soldiers providing training there," Turkish foreign minister, Mevlut Cavusoglu, told Kanal 24. "Everybody is present in Iraq…The goal of all of them is clear. Train-and-equip advisory support is being provided. Our presence there is not a secret."

US Blames Russia After Syria Slams Airstrike on Government Forces

On Monday, Syria said its army camp was targeted by an airstrike from the US-led coalition. In response to the allegations, Washington deployed an all-too-familiar tactic: blame Russia.

On Sunday night, an airstrike in the eastern Syrian city of Deir el-Zour left three soldiers dead and another 13 wounded. In response, the Syrian government wrote a letter to the United Nations in which it squarely accused four coalition aircraft for the attack, and blamed the US for a blatant "act of aggression."

Graphic video/Photos: Watch as doctors remove arrow from bowman's hand

A youthful bowman endured a mishap when he slipped and shot himself in the wrist with an arrow. In the video, the arrow is first cut with a ring cutter then hauled out. Everything went well however yet there’s lots of blood. The video was transferred to YouTube by Dr. Carlo Otter, an emergency room doctor in Cartersville. Watch the video after the page break…

Watch video below…

#NaijaGist

Why I Won’t Seek Elective Office – Gen. Oladipo Diya

Nigeria’s former number two citizen, Oladipo Diya, has said he would never seek elective office.Mr. Diya, who was deputy to late military dictator, Sani Abacha, stated this on Saturday at the General Oladipo Diya Public Speaking Competition for Schools in Ogun State.
The retired general explained that he considered himself too old to play active politics, and so he would play the role of an elder statesman.
“Everybody is a politician,” he said. “It is either you are quiet and you are not a participant in politics. But there is no human being that is completely out of politics. All you do is that you remain at the background, you sit and watch and that’s all.”

$2bn Arms Deal: EFCC Confronts Dasuki, Dokpesi, Bafarawa, Others With Evidence Of Transactions

ABUJA — The special team raised by the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to probe the disbursement of $2.2 billion arms contract deal in the office of the former National Security Adviser, yesterday, confronted the major suspects with evidence of their illicit transactions.
The 27-member task force, which has Ibrahim Magu as a member, spent most part of the day to grill the suspects and asked them to speak up on any aspect of the transactions where their names or those who allegedly fronted for them, appeared.

N1trn Rail Scam: Tukur, Baraje, 2 Others In Trouble

•House summons Amaechi, 4 ex-PDP chieftains
The House of Representatives ad-hoc Committee on Rail Transport Contracts has summoned four former chairmen of Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) to appear before it on Thursday over an alleged N1 trillion rail contracts scam.
Those summoned include three former chairmen of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and another who had served as chairman and board member of the NRC
They are Bamanga Tukur, Abubakar Kawu Baraje, Haliru Bello and Amb. Ladan Shuni. The former chairmen of NRC are expected to render accounts of their stewardship.

Biafra Protests:Nigeria’ll Not Split –Lai Mohammed

Federal Government has described agitations by some Nigerians, largely in the South-East and some parts of South-South, as “completely legitimate.”
There have been mass protests in the South-East for an independent country of Biafra. The protests have, sometimes, gone violent with reported deaths, allegedly at the hands of security officials
The protests got worse following the arrest and prosecution of Nnamdi Kanu, director of Radio Biafra, a pirate radio the Nigerian government accuses of spreading hate and violence.
The Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, who spoke on the agitations, however said the basic cause of it was “economic” which would have gotten worse but for the efforts of the current administration.

Without God’s Intervention, Buhari, Others Cannot Solve Nigeria’s Problems – Speaker Dogara

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, on Sunday said current Nigerian leaders need divine wisdom to overcome the several challenges confronting the country.
This is contained in a statement issued by the Speaker’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Turaki Hassan, in Abuja.
Mr. Hassan stated that Mr. Dogara made the remark when he visited Keffi, Nasarawa State, to condole with the people, family and state government over the death of the Emir, Chindo Yamusa II.
According to him, the plethora of problems bedevilling the country cannot be solved with mere human wisdom.

Biafra Protest Politically Motivated - Uwazuruike

Leader of the Movement for the Actualization of Biafra (MASSOB) Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, yesterday apologised to people of the South-east and northerners living in the region over the recent killings and burning of mosque.
Protest by the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) last week, led to killing of about five people and destruction of property in Onitsha, Anambra State.
Addressing newsmen in Owerri, Imo State, Uwazuruike disassociated members of MASSOB from the protest.

Senate Warns Governors Against Unnecessary Loans

Chairman of the senate committee on local and foreign debts, Shehu Sani has cautioned states government against collecting “unnecessary loans.”
Hosting the country director of the World Bank, Dr. Rachid Benmassoud, Sani stressed the need for the judicious use of loans borrowed by government at all levels.
“I want to call on the federal government to discourage state government from borrowing under Development Policy Operation. We want to see future borrowings tied to specific projects for accountability and transparency.

Atiku Salutes Kogi People, Says Nigeria’s Democracy Enriched

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), congratulates the entire people and government of Kogi State, as well as the political and opinion leaders of the state, on the successful conclusion of the supplementary governorship election in the state.
The former Vice President also commends the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for its efforts. He said that the fact that the election resulted in a clear winner after all the doubts, tension, uncertainty, stresses and strains, is a testimony to the fact that the people of the state are resilient and peace- loving and that when adhered to, the tenets of democracy tends to yield an outcome satisfying to the people.

Ben Bruce Labels ‪#‎BayelsaDecides‬ An ‘Execution’

Senator Ben Murray-Bruce representing Bayelsa East Senatorial District has described the ongoing governorship election as an ‘execution’.
Murray-Bruce who was reacting on Twitter this evening said it was safe for him to conclude that it was not an election but an execution.
In a tweet he wrote: “I am in Bayelsa and with what I’m seeing I can conclusively say this is not an election. This is an execution!” the Peoples Democratic Party lawmaker said.

MTN:Communication Minister, You Are Dead Wrong

Nigeria’s Communications Minister Adebayo Shittu has been widely quoted as declaring that President Muhammadu Buhari will have the final say on issues arising from the $5.2billion fine imposed on South African telecommunications giant, MTN Nigeria, by the National Communication Commission (NCC). The company’s management has admitted to the infractions for which it was being sanctioned, all it’s asking for is a reprieve in the form of reduction of the huge fine and the time lag for it to pay up the sum that might be allowed.

Faleke Remains Kogi Deputy Governor-Elect – INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, on Sunday upheld the running mate to the late Abubakar Audu, James Faleke as the Deputy Governor-elect of Kogi State. This is notwithstanding his earlier public announcement of his withdrawal from the supplementary election.
Following INEC’s declaration of Audu’s replacement, Yahaya Bello, the winner of the election, an agent of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, at the state collation centre challenged the nomination of Bello as governorship candidate by the APC.

APC Can’t Penetrate Into My Constituency – David Mark

Former Senate President, David Mark has assured that Benue South Senatorial zone will remain impenetrable for the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC, in the forthcoming re-run election.

He based his optimism on the overwhelming solidarity and support “by my people who are solidly behind me . I can tell you without any fear of contradiction that there is no opposition to my party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in my zone.”

Speaking when the Senate caucus of the PDP paid him a solidarity visit following the annulment of his March 28, 2015 Senatorial election, Mark assured that the Appeal tribunal verdict has strengthened him and his constituents the more.

Why Does China Need Military Base in Djibouti?

A Chinese military base in Djibouti will be conducive to the international war on sea piracy, and the West will hardly have any objections to that, several leading British experts agreed on Monday.


A Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman said in November that Beijing was in talks to build a naval logistical center in Djibouti to service its patrol ships in the Gulf of Aden and elsewhere in the region.
Djibouti is a good choice for a Chinese military base as there are French, US and Japanese naval forces also stationed there, said Alex Vines, a co-director at Coventry University’s African Studies Center.

APC Can’t Penetrate Into My Constituency – David Mark

Former Senate President, David Mark has assured that Benue South Senatorial zone will remain impenetrable for the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC, in the forthcoming re-run election.
He based his optimism on the overwhelming solidarity and support “by my people who are solidly behind me . I can tell you without any fear of contradiction that there is no opposition to my party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in my zone.”
Speaking when the Senate caucus of the PDP paid him a solidarity visit following the annulment of his March 28, 2015 Senatorial election, Mark assured that the Appeal tribunal verdict has strengthened him and his constituents the more.

Senate WILL NOT Suspend Anti-Social Media Bill.

The senate has expressed willingness to go ahead with the treatment of the anti-social media bill, also known as the anti-frivolous petition bill, but says that citizens will have “the opportunity to shape its final outcome as there is an elaborate process which the bill must undergo before it becomes a law”.
On December 2, the bill seeking to curb frivolous petitions, false allegations and statements in the social media passed second reading.

Jonathan Was Inexperienced, Says IBB.

Former military president, Ibrahim Babangida, says “inexperience” rather than “incompetent” was the right word to describe former President Goodluck Jonathan who lost his re-election bid in March.

Speaking with The Interview magazine in the December 2015 edition which is currently on sale, Babangida said Jonathan “is a very pleasant person” and said he believed the former president meant well for the country.

Asked about the perception that Jonathan is a good person but was “incompetent”, Babangida replied: “If you use inexperience, I will buy that.”

He refused to disclose whom he really supported between Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari, who eventually won the election.

Pentagon Denies US-Led Coalition Strikes on Syrian Army Facilities

According to the Syrian Foreign Ministry, four US-led coalition aircraft launched nine missiles at Syrian Army facilities on Sunday evening killing three and injuring another 13, as well as destroying numerous military vehicles, weapons and equipment.

WASHINGTON  — US Army spokesperson Col. Steve Warren denied on Monday that US-led coalition airstrikes hit Syrian government military facilities on Sunday as claimed by Damascus.

Iraqi Army Repels Massive Daesh Attack in Anbar Province

The Iraqi Army and police repelled a massive attack by Daesh (ISIL) militants in the Anbar province in Western Iraq.


"The ISIL terrorists intended to carry out massive attacks on different locations in Anbar province with seven bomb-laden vehicles," Commander of Anbar Operations Jamal al-Dailami told FARS News.
He added that the militants were also planning attacks on two headquarters of the Iraqi Army and federal police, 35 kilometers to the west of Ramadi.

Falana: Why Buhari Didn’t Make Me Minister.

Femi Falana, human rights lawyer and activist, says President Muhammadu Buhari did not appoint him a minister for “ideological reasons”.
He said some people believed that he was “too radical” and should not be made attorney-general of the federation and minister of justice.
Speculations that he would be appointed minister were widespread, but Buhari picked Kayode Fayemi from Ekiti state.

Govt Reject Naira Rain For Victorious Eaglets

A reward package proposed by the sports ministry for Nigeria’s team to the recent FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile has been rejected by the country’s government as “too outrageous”, sources at the Presidency have revealed.
The government of President Muhammadu Buhari has sounded it loud and clear the country’s coffers are hugely depleted and as such it cannot afford unnecessary expenditure.

Finland To Pay Every Citizen $1,100 Per Month And Scrap All Other Benefits

 In Effort To Reduce Unemployment Rate Finland’s government is drawing up plans to pay every citizen a basic income of euros 800 ($1,165) each month, scrapping benefits altogether. Under proposals drafted by the Finnish Social Insurance Institution (Kela), the tax-free payments would replace all other benefit payments, and would be paid to all adults regardless of whether or not they receive any other income. While it may sound counterintuitive, the basic income is intended to encourage more people back to work in Finland, where unemployment is at record levels.

Social Media Censorship Bill: Oppositions Have Opportunity To Contribute – Senate

ABUJA- THE senate said yesterday that those opposed to the social media censorship bill were free to make contributions to the red chambers.
A bill seeking a two-year jail term for any person who makes allegation or publishes any statement or petition in the newspaper,radio or medium of whatever description against another person,institutions of government or any public office holder, on Wednesday passed second reading in the Senate and controversies have continued to trail it.SO