Joint Statement of the United States and the Russian Federation, as Co-Chairs of the ISSG, on Cessation of Hostilities in Syria

The United States of America and the Russian Federation, as co-chairs of the International Syria Support Group (ISSG) and seeking to achieve a peaceful settlement of the Syrian crisis with full respect for the fundamental role of the United Nations, are fully determined to provide their strongest support to end the Syrian conflict and establish conditions for a successful Syrian-led political transition process, facilitated by the UN, in order to fully implement the Munich Statement of the ISSG on February 11th, 2016, UN Security Council Resolution 2254, the 2015 Vienna Statements and the 2012 Geneva Communiqué.

Photos: Nigerian student and two other African students die in a fatal crash

 A Nigerian student and two other African students of Manchester University, UK, died and a fourth injured when a van driven by a man who authorities say was intoxicated struck them on Sunday, February 21.

Deangelo R. Evans is facing charges in connection with the crash. The 26-year-old from Chicago, was charged with three counts of operating while intoxicated causing death, one count of OWI resulting in serious bodily injury, and three counts of reckless homicide.

The crash happened shortly before 5:30 a.m. in the northbound lanes near mile marker 253. According to the Grant County Sheriff's Department, it appears that the students' van was stopped in the median with a flat tire. Seven people were standing outside when another van that was headed north on I-69 left the road and went into the median, striking four of the students.

Immigration tragedy: EFCC detains Abba Moro, two others

The EFCC today reportedly detained former Minister of Interior, Abba Moro, a former Permanent Secretary and a director over the N650million immigration recruitment scandal that led to the death of some job applicants in March 2014.‎ The three suspects were invited by the EFCC ahead of their arraignment in court on Tuesday. About 6.5million Nigerian youths applied for 5,000 immigration jobs, but the conduct of the test in March 2014 led to the death of several applicants during a stampede in Abuja, Port Harcourt, Minna. Each applicant paid a non-refundable application fee of N1, 000.

Photo: 19-year-old breast cancer patient at ATBUTH, in critical condition and needs radio therapy

 19-year-old mother of two, Saadatu Muhammed is currently a patient at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, Bauchi. According to Surayyah Sabonkudi who shared the photo and details: "I came across this patient in a ward at ATBUTH Bauchi.Who is in need of radio therapy due to breast cancer. She is nineteen years old, a mother of two a villager and an orphan who cannot afford three square meals. Shes saadatu muhammed from giade female surgical ward four."

The Need for an Inland Container Terminal in Onitsha

Due to the dwindling economy, the Federal Government of Nigeria, the National Assembly, and many well-meaning Nigerians have suddenly come to a moment of self realization. We have reached that point in our lives where we are forced to consider where we got it wrong, how we got it wrong, and what we can do to make the cards that we have been dealt - in these dire economic circumstances - work in our favour.


With the current drop in oil prices, Nigeria has experienced a drop in the value of its currency. With the value of the Naira exchanging at $1 to ₦390, €1 to ₦407, and £1 to₦518. Even with these astronomical exchange rates, the Naira keeps dropping on a daily basis.

Forex Speculators From Benin Republic, Ghana, Others Invade Nigeria For Profits

FOREIGN exchange (forex) speculators from Benin Republic, Niger, Chad, Sudan, Ghana and other African countries are cashing in on the wide margin between the official and parallel market rates to make huge profits ,The Nationhas learnt.

The speculators are moving in huge dollar deposits to meet the rising demand by Nigerian importers and other buyers requiring dollar to pay their children’s school and medical fees.

Although the exchange rates are high, the urgency and necessity left the buyers with no option than to buy from the parallel market.

The official exchange rate has remained at N197 to a dollar in the last six months, creating a huge gap between the official or interbank rates and parallel market rates.

Febrile Rash Illnesses Hits Lagos Community, 20 Killed So Far

34 cases under examination
We’ll fight outbreak, says health Commissioner


An outbreak febrile rash illnesses (FRI) has been recorded in Otodo Gbame community in Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos State,leaving at least 20 kids dead.

Thirty-four other cases are currently under examination, Health Commissioner Jide Idris announced yesterday.

The outbreak was first identified by the Medical Officer of Health of the LGA on the 9th February, he said.

I’m Not A Hungry Governor - Obiano To Critics

The Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, has carpeted his critics who accused him of mismanaging the state’s resources, saying, “I’m not a hungry governor.”

The governor, who stated this in a media chat at the Governor’s Lodge, Amawbia, said he was an accomplished person by dint of a good career he had in the banking industry.

He said, “Look, let me tell you, I’m a wealthy person before I came here as a governor. I didn’t come here to steal, because there is nothing here for me to steal.
“I was enjoying my wealth in the United States of America with my family before I was approached to come and do this job as a governor.

Dasukigate: Metuh Wants Jonathan As Witness

•PDP chieftain files no case submission

From Godwin Tsa, Abuja

NATIONAL Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olisa Metuh, has told a Federal High Court that the Eco­nomic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) cannot prosecute him without inter­rogating former President Goodluck Jonathan regarding the source of the N400 million alleged to be part of arms purchase funds.

Metuh, who has filed a no case submission asking the court to discharge him from the seven- count money laundering charge preferred against him and his company, Destra Investment Limited, said the Prosecution Witness (PW5) evidence that presentation for which money was paid was made to Jonathan makes the investigation of his role as well as his evidence vital and indeed crucial without which no prima facie case can conceivably be said to have been made out. Chief Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN) led Metuh’s defence team.

INEC Declares Kogi Senatorial Rerun Election Inconclusive

There was confusion in the political circle of Kogi state on Sunday as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared the two senatorial rerun elections in the state inconclusive.
The commission had in Saturday conducted the elections in Kogi East and Kogi West senatorial districts.

However as the people eagerly waited for the results to be declared, the commission again said no result could be declared as the elections were inconclusive.
Declaring the result of the Central senatorial district, the returning officer, Mr Salihu James, said Ahmed Salau Ogembe of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) scored 45, 468, Senator Nurudeen Abatemi of the Progressive People Aliance (PPA) 31, 163, while Dr. Moses Wakili of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) scored 9, 962.

Creating The Devil In Their Own Image (must read)

This comment was chosen by Mod HS from the post “International Military Review – Syria, Feb. 18, 2016”.  The moderator believes this comment reflects the West’s obsession with President Vladimir Putin and how their media demonizes him.  The commenter, mmiriww,responds to the article written by Sharon Tennison. where she shares her thoughts as the Ukraine situation worsened. Unconscionable misinformation and hype was being poured on Russia and Vladimir Putin. Journalists and pundits scoured the Internet and thesauruses to come up with fiendish new epithets to describe both. Wherever Sharon makes presentations across America, she finds the first question ominously asked during Q&A is always, “What about Putin?”.

Putin explains Russian forces' Objectives in Syria

Russian military forces in Syria are destroying militants who have openly declared Russia to be their enemy and who do not conceal their plans to expand their activities onto territory of CIS countries, said Russia’s President Vladimir Putin. This statement was posted on February 20 on Kremlin’s web site.

“Our armed forces ought to be in constant readiness to quickly and appropriately react to potential threats, counter any provocation and aggression,” Putin said during his speech marking the Fatherland Defender’s Day celebrations at the Kremlin.

Chinese Rockets on disputed Islands in South China Sea

With the construction of a foothold in the South China Sea Beijing confirmed that it becomes the most serious military rival to the United States

Originally appeared at Politika, translated by A. Đurić exclusively for SouthFront

When the US Navy reconnaissance aircraft P-8A flew over coral reef in the South China sea in May last year, ignoring the warnings of Chinese warships, the crew filmed everything that was going on down there. Video showed dozens of cargo ships, full of stone blocks and gravel, around the reefs that the Chinese turned into an island. It was found that aero-naval base is being build, that the Chinese used coral reefs at seven positions to extend its territorial waters and economic zone.

North Korea Fire Artillery Shorts inside South Korea - Seoul

The incident comes at a time when in coming month the US and South Korea will conduct an annual joint military drill. Today, the South Korea’s Defense Ministry has said in a statement that North Korea has fired artillery shots during a military exercise near a disputed maritime border. The statement also said that Saturday’s firing prompted Seoul to call on residents on the Baengnyeong Island to go into shelters. Baengnyeong is situated less than 20 kilometers at its closest point to the North’s shore. The incident comes at a time when in coming month the US and South Korea will conduct an annual joint military drill. It is expected that some 15,000 US troops will take part in the two-phased exercises, known as Key Resolve and Foal Eagle.

Ukrainian Military fires on Donetsk Violating ceasfire deal

It is reported by the defense ministries of the Donetsk and Luhansk republics that after the sixth ceasefire was announced on December 23, the Ukrainian military violated the truce 120 times.

Today, a source at defense authorities of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) told that the Ukrainian military shelled the Staromikhailovka settlement to the west of Donetsk from 152-mm artillery.

Week Nineteen of the Russian Intervention in Syria: would Russia use nukes to defend Khmeimim?

The past week saw no decrease in the tense confrontation between Turkey and Russia over Syria. While Russia’s position is simple – ‘we are ready to fight’ – the Turkish position is much more ambiguous: Turkish politicians are saying one thing, then the opposite and then something else again. At times they make it sound like an invasion is imminent, and at times they say that “Turkey plans no unilateral invasion”. Since a UN authorized invasion of Syria will never happen, this means some kind of “coalition of the willing”, possibly NATO. The problem here is that the Europeans have no desire to end up in a war against Russia. At the same time, the US and France refuse to allow a UN Resolution which would reaffirm the sovereignty of Syria. Yup, that’s right. The US and France apparently think that the UN Charter (which affirms the sovereignty of all countries) does not apply to Syria. Go figure…

Bola Tinubu:"Unseating Jonathan,An Incumbent President,My Most Difficult Battle"

The National Leader of the All Progressives Congress(APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has said his most difficult battle ever in life is ousting an incumbent president Goodluck Jonathan in the 2015 general elections.
Tinubu revealed this in an interview with senior editors at The Sun ahead of the Sun Man of the Year Award which the astute politician will be honoured in Lagos later today.
In his words, Tinubu during the interview said,“President Jonathan’s battle was the toughest. When you are fighting the incumbent, it is tough.

Photos: Nigerian troops intensify operations against Boko Haram terrorists, recover 39 cans of PMS

The Nigerian troops have intensified operations to clear the remnants of Boko Haram terrorists, a statement issued on Saturday, February 20 by the Acting Director Army Public Relations, Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman, reads:


Following the disruption of Boko Haram terrorists logistics chain and successful raids and ambushes, the 5 Brigade Quick Response Force (QRF) has further exploited beyond Kekeno-Mile 90-Gudumbali and blocked the terrorists’ logistics corridor.

Vladimir Putin Knows Exactly Where US Special Forces Are in Syria

Obama needs to make sure his token contribution to the fight against ISIS doesn't end up getting pounded by Putin and Assad


The insertion of U.S. Special Forces into Syria became even more bungled on Thursday when the Defense Department revealed that it had asked Russia to avoid bombing certain areas inside the country because that’s where the several dozen soldiers are working.

Did Russia Just Threaten Turkey With Nuclear Weapons?

[Note by the Saker: I do not believe that Russia has made such a threat and I will post my reasons for this in the next 24 hours.  However, I might be wrong and Mercouris and Perry right, I therefore feel like I should post this analysis]

Reports say a source close to Putin claims Russia warned Erdogan of readiness to use tactical nuclear weapons to defend Russian strike force in Syria from Turkish attack

by Alexander Mercouris for Russia Insider:http://russia-insider.com/en/politics/did-russia-just-threaten-turkey-nuclear-weapons/ri12936

The US investigative journalist Robert Parry has made an astonishing claim – and one that has gone completely unnoticed.

He is reporting that the Russian government has warned Erdogan that Russia is prepared to use tactical nuclear weapons to defend its Syrian strike force from Turkish attack.

Parry’s exact words are as follows:

‘Senator Sheriff Is Substantive, Not Acting National Chairman’ - PDP

Read the press statement below...
The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) wishes to draw the attention of the media and members of the public that His Excellency, Senator Ali Modu-Sheriff is substantive and not acting National Chairman of the PDP as being erroneously rendered by a section of the media.

EFCC seeks court's order to seize all Tompolo's properties until he appears

IN THE FEDERAL HIGH COURT

IN THE LAGOS JUDICIAL DIVISION

HOLDEN AT LAGOS

CHARGE NO: FHC/L/553C/2015

BETWEEN:

THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA               ……COMPLAINANT/APPLICANT

AND

Photo: 13yr old Urhobo Girl allegedly kidnapped, forcely converted and married off by Hausa Muslim Lover in Bayelsa

A Hausa Muslim man identified as Yunusa from Kano state, has been accused of kidnapping and forcefully converting and marrying off 13 year old Urhobo girl, Ese Rita Orur pictured above.

According to The Sun, Yinusa who resides in Opolo, Yenagoa, had abducted Ese on August 12th 2015 and eloped with her to Kano and has refused to allow her return home.

Buhari appoints Tolu Ogunlesi as his SA on Digital/New Media

President Buhari has appointed Journalist and Blogger, Tolu Ogunlesi, as his Special Assistant on Digital and New Media. Senior Special Assistant to President Buhari on Media and Publicity, Shehu Garba, announced this in a statement released this evening. Congrats Tolu. See the statement below...

Mob Wives' Big Ang dies at age 55 after battle with cancer

 After giving it her all, Angela "Big Ang" Raiola has lost her battle with cancer. The Mob Wives star passed away early Thursday morning at about 3am. She was 55 years old.

"It is with sad regret that we inform you that at 3:01 a.m. Angelia Raiola peacefully ended her battle with cancer, and was called home," the statement, which was posted on Twitter, read. "She was surrounded by nothing but love from her immediate family, and the closest friends. YOU, (her fans) were some of the most special people in the world, and she loved you immensely. Thank you for your love, prayers, and unconditional support of Angela right to the very end."