The Iranian political system, the 2016 elections & consequences

By Aram Mirzaei

Three weeks ago, the first round of the Iranian parliamentary elections & Assembly of Experts elections took place. The elections for the clerical institutional body known as the “Assembly of Experts” is considered to be crucial, as they are believed to be faced with the choice of selecting a new Supreme Leader. Understanding the complexity of Iran’s political system requires a historical insight.

The historical political landscape in Iran

Kurdish Autonomy – partition or master plan

by Ghassan Kadi

No one can claim to understand what goes on within the Kurdish mind except the Kurds themselves, perhaps not all the Kurds do either.

It is rather amazing that non-Kurds expect Kurds to have one voice, one aspiration, one political orientation, and as if all other nations are united in a manner that is manifested in a single voice. How interesting! Is there a single nation on earth that fits such bill?

US Army Meets Skynet: Computer Pulls the Plug on Artillery Test

The US Army probably thought that nothing could derail its long-awaited test of the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) at the Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) in the state of Washington, but the computer system disagreed and pulled the plug on the drills.


The test was aimed at determining noise levels in communities located close to JBLM, a training and mobilization center located to the south of Tacoma. This is where the Army wants to conduct HIMARS training from now on. For the time being, the drills take place at the Yakima Training Center in central Washington.
Approximately one acre of trees was chopped down to prepare the firing site for the three-day exercise, but apparently that was not enough.

Wike doing everything to eliminate me – Dakuku Peterside

Dakuku Peterside who was Governor Nyesom Wike’s opponent in last year’s governorship election in Rivers state has stated that it is now evident that the governor wants to kill him and that he is prepared to do everything possible to eliminate him.


Wike & Dakuku back then
Peterside made the claim after an assassination attempt on his life in Port Harcourt, Rivers state capital on Sunday.
Speaking on the incident he said:
“Today’s experience is not only terrifying but also shows the parlous state of security in
Rivers state.

Rivers govt deny Wike's COS was arrested for attack on Dakuku, release pics & statement

River State Government has denied reports that said Governor Wike's Chief of Staff, Chukwuemeka Woke was arrested over an attempt on the life of NIMASA DG, Dakuku Peterside.


Woke talking to the press at the DSS office
According to them, Chief Woke was shot at by Dakuku's security agents. Read the statement issued by Senior Special Assistant to the Rivers State Governor on Social Media, Oraye St. Franklyn.

Photo: 17 year-old girl sells her baby girl for ₦500k

The Ondo State Command of the Nigeria Police at the weekend paraded a nurse, Mrs Chibuzor Okoye, for selling a baby belonging to a 17- year-old girl, Miss Tessy Obianua, to a couple in Onitsha, Anambra State, for the sum of N500,000.



The State Commissioner for Police, Mrs. Hilda Ibifuro-Harrison said five persons were involved in the case.

According to her, Tessy fell a victim of a specialized child trafficker, Mrs. Chibuzor Okoye, who convinced her to sell the baby to Mr. and Mrs. Sunday Kalu, who were desperately looking for a
baby.

Rivers rerun: Drama as Wike, Amaechi, Peterside clash at police station -

There was mild drama early Sunday morning at the Mile 1 Police Station, Port Harcourt when Governor Nyesom Wike confronted former Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi and the DG of NIMASA, Peterside for allegedly plotting to hijack the result sheet of Ward 10, Port Harcourt Constituency II.


According to NewTelegraph online, a woman, an ad hoc staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), who lectures at the University of Port Harcourt, had absconded since Saturday with the election result sheet, and other voting materials.

Rivers Rerun Election: INEC Cancels Elections In Two More Local Government Areas

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has cancelled elections in two more local government areas in Rivers State following irregularities. The local governments are Etche and Asaritoru. Some of the reasons adduced by INEC for the cancellation include non-compliance of electoral laws, snatching of ballot boxes and violence. INEC had already cancelled elections in four local governments on Saturday, the day the rerun poll was conducted.

Week Twenty-two of the Russian Military Intervention in Syria: Putin announces new strategy

This article was written for the Unz Review: http://www.unz.com/tsaker/week-twenty-two-of-the-russian-military-intervention-in-syria-putin-announces-a-new-strategy/

These are amazing times indeed. Only two weeks ago I outlined the likelyhood of a dramatic escalation of the war in Syria, and this week Vladimir Putin announced the withdrawal of what I would call the “tactical air strike” component of the Russian task force in Syria. How is that possible? How could the Russian warn about Turkish troops poised to invade Syria and then suddenly pull out a major chunk of their Syrian-based firepower.

Teenage Serial Killer Shoots Retired Headmistress Dead In Edo

A teenager, who has been on the wanted list of the Nigeria Police as a serial killer, Happy Agbangbanyan, has killed a retired headmistress, identified as Clara Uwaifo.

Clara, aged 65, was shot dead in front of her residence at 27, Oviawe Street, off Upper Siluko road, Ogida, Benin-City, at about 3pm.  She was said to be returning from the hospital where she went to see her daughter when she was killed.

Late Clara retired last year from Uwelu Primary School in Ikpoba Okha Local Government.

Police Sergeant Allegedly Robs Ladies Of Their Panties, Phones, Shoes & Bags In Lagos

There was an outrage among policemen at the Lagos State Police Command recently, after a police sergeant ran into the command, moments after robbing a lady of her handbag.

The sergeant, Oluseyi (surname withheld), was attached to ‘A Department’ at the state Police Command.

According to sources, Oluseyi was a serial thief, who allegedly used to target females standing along the road.

Whenever he robs ladies of their handbags and other valuables, he would drive off in his white Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV), leaving them screaming and crying. He would go for another victim or would drive straight to command, where his office was located.

80 Lawyers Appear For Saraki At The Code Of Conduct Tribunal b

After some delays owing to the late arrival of the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, Danladi Umar, the corruption trial of Nigeria's Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has started in Abuja, Nigeria capitalal. The lead counsel to the Senate President, Kanu Agabi is leading 79 lawyers, while the lead prosecution counsel; Rotimi Jacobs leads a 9-member government team of lawyers.. Mr. Saraki and several Nigerian Senators arrived the court room as early 9:55 AM. He was then put in the dock as soon as the tribunal chair arrived.

Rerun: INEC Materials Arrive Rivers State - Photos

Amid fear and unease in Rivers state due to political tension, all non-sensitive INEC materials have been deployed to each of the 23 Local Government Areas in the State ahead of the Saturday’s federal and state legislative Rivers rerun elections. Meanwhile, the atmosphere in the state is fierce following the death of an army major and another soldier who were killed yesterday by unknown gunmen in Abonemma, Akukutoru LGA in the state... The APC and the PDP are blaming each other for the unfortunate killings.

NUC Dismisses The 11 Years Policy For The Training Of Medical Students

The National Universities Commission (NUC) has refuted reports making the rounds that medical students in Nigerian universities would henceforth study for 11 years before obtaining an MBBS degree.

The NUC Executive Secretary, Prof. Julius Okojie, who cleared the air told The Guardian in Abuja, the new Benchmark Minimum Academic Standard (BMAS) for Medicine and Dentistry, which had since been made public by commission, only provides for a seven-year training, leading to the award of MBBS/MDS.

Rivers Rerun: Thug With Military-Police Uniform Arrested

This just happened Few hours ago, Ahead of the Rivers Rerun election the Nigerian Police just arrested an alleged Political thug (Either APC Or PDP not yet verified) with fake police and military uniforms at Rumuji, EMOHUA LGA , See photos below.

From 30, Senators With Saraki At CCT Shrink To 18.

Senate President Bukola Saraki has arrived at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) where his trial for alleged false declaration of assets continues.

He arrived at 9:55am in company of at least 18 senators.

The number of senators who accompanied him on Friday was less than the 30 who accompanied him to the tribunal last week.

Saraki wore a flowing milk-coloured “Agbada”, and sat gently in the second row of benches reserved for senators.

Saraki Repaid Personal Bank Loans With Kwara’s Funds – CCB

Ade Adesomoju, Abuja

The Code of Conduct Bureau has said there is evidence that the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, while governor of Kwara State between 1999 and 2007, obtained huge bank loans and paid back the loans with funds belonging to the state.

The bureau alleged that Saraki used the bank loans running into billions of naira to acquire landed assets in Lagos, Abuja and London.

CCT’ll Rule On Saraki’s Motion To Dismiss Charges March 24

The Code of Conduct Tribunal has fixed March 24 for ruling on a motion by the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, seeking to quash the charges of false assets declaration preferred against him.

The Danladi Umar-led tribunal fixed the date for ruling after entertaining arguments for and against the motion.

Live Photos From James Ocholi's Burial - Dignitaries Arrival

My uncle. Will be 6fit under the ground tomorrow. But one thing I know for sure is we will all die because we owe death. Even the wicked will die. The righteous will die. Memories back when uncle ocholi spoke about loyalty and integrity in one of our early morning devotion in ibadan on these precious morning in 2005. Then I was SSS 2. Loyalty and integrity can take you to the to be among great men. Today his integrity has made name for him in Nigeria and kogi state. In tears uncle I missed your legacy. Joshua I missed you. Heaven is a place called home. We will meet. - Relation

Saraki’s Trial: How Protesters Shared N1000 Each In Jabi To Disrupt Trial

DAILY POST has uncovered an ongoing mobilization of ‘Northerners’ who are largely illiterate and involved in hawking water and other menial jobs in Jabi Park for a protest along the street leading to the venue of Code of Conduct Tribunal on Friday.

Our reporter got to the scene of the mobilization at exactly 9.00am at a shanty located directly behind the venue.

A middle-aged man was seen addressing the mobilized youths in Hausa language and simply identified himself as Comrade, but was later identified to be of the Igala speaking tribe. He was seen with a long list of protesters and refused our correspondent to have a look at the list in his hand.

Video Of Wike Watching Apc's Campaign From His Sitting Room

Policemen Going To Rivers For Rerun In Accident (Photos)

Police Contingent Traveling To Rivers For Election Rerun In Auto Accident.

No Fewer than 100 policemen drafted from Akure, Ondo state for Rivers rerun election escaped death in an auto accident. The policemen traveling in police truck with registration number "NPF 5205 C" collided with another truck carrying cows along the East-West road near Akala - Olu community in Rivers state. Several policemen sustained various degree of injuries while at least five cows died in the accident.

Cameroon Sentences 89 Boko Haram Members To Death

A Cameroon court has sentenced 89 Boko Haram terrorists to death. The sect members were convicted on terror charges by a military court for their roles in several attacks in Cameroon’s northern region, which borders Nigeria. Cameroon passed an anti-terror law in 2014, which introduced the death sentence. This is the first time the death sentenced has been used since that law was passed. The 89 are among 850 people arrested in Cameroon on charges of links to Boko Haram. Following the death sentences, a local human rights group has called for reforms to Cameroon’s justice system. Hundreds of people have been killed in a spate of attacks in Cameroon since it joined a regional force set up to tackle the militants last year.

Tenant sets landlord ablaze over alleged unpaid rent in Benin -

Uwa Street in Benin City, capital of Edo State, on Wednesday night witnessed a tragedy when a tenant, Jeff Obasohan, reportedly set his 83-year-old landlord, Pa Joseph Iyen, ablaze, following disagreement over unpaid accumulated house rent.


The incident occurred at the deceased’s residence located between 2nd East Circular road and 3rd East Circular road in Benin.

15-Year-Old JAMB Candidate Kidnapped In Lagos While Going For Exam (Photo)

A 15-year-old girl, Rita Clement was abducted by unidentified persons last Thursday while on her way to sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination in Agidingbi, Ikeja, Lagos State. Her family members have expressed how they have not known peace of mind since the incident.

PUNCH Metro learnt that Clement, who lived with her relatives on Gboyega Kilo Street in the Ojodu Berger area, and had UTME registration number 65061660GJ, was to sit for the exam at 6.30am on that day.

Their correspondent, who obtained Clement’s examination printout, gathered that the examination
centre was the West African Examination Council, International office on Plot B, Lateef Jakande Road, Agidingbi, Lagos.