Arrest Of Dokpesi, Political Persecution By Buhari – PDP

The National leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has condemned the arrest of Chairman of Daar Communication, Raymond Dokpesi, describing it as political persecution.
PDP in a statement signed Tuesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, noted that the All Progressives Congress, APC-led government was after Dokpesi because of his romance and relationship with the PDP.

Metuh said, “The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) condemns in its entirety, the arrest of media mogul, High Chief Raymond Dokpesi and other opposition elements by the APC-led Federal Government.”

“This Is Not Democracy” – Wada Reacts To INEC Acceptance Of New APC Candidate, Bello Governor Idris Wada of Kogi

 State has described the decisions of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the governorship election conducted on November 21 as the height of mischief that has only succeeded in putting the country’s democracy on trial.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by his Chief Communications Manager, Mr. Phrank Shaibu, the governor said INEC should not have swallowed the directive of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) hook, line and sinker, especially “since it is now being rumored that the AGF’s action is part of a grand plot by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to grab Kogi State at all costs.”
Shaibu slammed the decision of INEC to allow APC to substitute its candidate in the middle of an election, saying such directives were null and void for inconsistency with the provisions of the constitution.

How Dasuki Aided Importation Of Illegal Arms Into Nigeria – NATFORCE

The National Task Force on Illegal Importation of Firearms, NATFORCE, on Tuesday threw more light into its claims that the ex-National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd), among others, allegedly aided the importation of several trailers of illegal arms and ammunitions into the country.
The NATFORCE alleged that the arms were delivered to the Islamic terrorists, Boko Haram, a group that has gruesomely murdered tens of thousands of innocent Nigerians.

US Lists Two Boko Haram Leaders For Sanction

The US Department of Treasury on Tuesday named two leaders of the Boko Haram sect for economic sanctions, saying both are closely involved in deadly attacks in Nigeria, AFP reported.
The Treasury Department said Mohammed Nur, a Boko Haram commander who has represented the group in negotiations with the federal government, was placed on its financial blacklist for his involvement in suicide bomb attacks, including one on the United Nations headquarters in Abuja in 2011.

Shell Agrees To Pay N3 Billion Over Its Involvement In The Killing Of Ken Saro-Wiwa, Others

In what is clearly a landmark settlement, multinational oil giant, Royal Dutch Shell, on Tuesday agreed to pay a settlement of $15.5 Million (N3 billion) over the killing of novelist and environmental activist, Ken Saro-Wiwa, and eight other Ogoni leaders.
Mr. Saro-Wiwa was sentenced to death by hanging by a military tribunal set up by late dictator, Sani Abacha, in 2005.

N2.1bn Arms Money Scandal: What I Know About EFCC Probe Of Dokpesi — Lawyer

Mike Ozekhome, the lawyer to Raymond Dokpesi, founder of Daar Communications, Raymond Dokpesi, has said he was not aware his client received money from the office of the former National Security Adviser, NSA, Sambo Dasuki.
Mr. Ozekhome also said reports that Mr. Dokpesi was arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ,EFCC, over the alleged payment, were not correct because Mr. Dokpesi went on his own to the anti-graft agency after receiving a call from its chairman.
“I am not aware the chief collected any money,” he said, referring to Mr. Dokpesi.
A source at the EFCC had told PREMIUM TIMES that Mr. Dokpesi was interrogated by investigators because he received N2.1 billion from the NSA’s office on the eve of the 2015 general election.

Buhari Administration’s Anti-Corruption War Political — Shehu Sani

The Senator representing Kaduna Central in the Nigerian Senate, Shehu Sani, on Tuesday challenged the Code of Conduct Bureau to look into asset declarations of other Governors who served at the same time as the President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, saying politics should not be mixed with anti-graft war.

Mr. Sani spoke at the 8th Forum of the laureates of Nigerian National Order of Merit in Abuja where he criticized Nigeria’s anti-corruption campaign as being driven by political considerations.
According to him, after insurgency, no issue should dominate national discourse more than corruption. He said political considerations could hamper the anti-graft war.
Mr. Sani said corruption had consequences, referring to the ongoing investigation into arms deal supervised by the former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki.

FACT CHECK: Police IG Arase’s Claim 90,000 Officers Killed In Boko Haram Insurgency False

Nigeria’s House of Representatives resolved last Wednesday to investigate claims earlier in the month by Nigeria’s inspector-general of police, Solomon Arase, that 90,000 police officers have been “lost” to the Boko Haram insurgency since 2011.
“Based on the figure I have in my disposal, we have 90,000 widows. So invariably, that can be translated to mean that we have lost about 90,000 officers and men since the commencement of the insurgency four years ago,” the inspector-general reportedly told police officers in Sokoto on 11 November.

Fayose On Dasuki: Why Should DSS Probe Fraud?.

Ayodele Fayose, governor of Ekiti state, has faulted the arrest of Sambo Dasuki, former national security adviser, by the Department of State Services (DSS).
Accusing the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari of seeking “vengeance”, Fayose wondered why the DSS is the one investigating Dasuki.
“Is it the duty of the DSS to investigate fraud? If Dasuki committed fraud as being alleged, why not let the appropriate government agency handle his matter? Why first torturing him emotionally with the DSS siege on his house?” he asked in a statement issued ion his behalf by Lere Olayinka, his special assistant on public communications and new media.

Paul Biya Resigns Paul Biya

At 11:30 Am this morning delegates of the C.P.D.M met at the Unity palace for a meeting called upon by Paul Biya. He declared his resignation as president of Cameroon few hours ago as a motive of health and a change to bring democracy.

This is very surprising as many don’t understand why the president who has made 30 years in power decided to quit without any plan of a next leader. Now the question is. What will become of Cameroon now and who is going to be our next leader?

Police To ‘Biafrans': Stop Testing Our Patience.

Solomon Arase, inspector-general of police (IGP), says Biafra campaigners are testing the patience of the police, threatening to clampdown on protesters.
Arase warned the Movement for the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) activists to “stop threatening public peace or face the full weight of the law”.


According to Olabisi Kolawole, police spokeswoman, the warning followed “the observation by the Nigeria police force leadership of the increasing resort to acts of brigandage by sets of misguided individuals who apparently are hiding under the cloak of MASSOB and IPOB to threaten national security and public peace in parts of southeast geopolitical zone and some other conterminous states”.

Okonjo-Iweala Must Be Prosecuted – Oshiomhole

Edo State governor, Adams Oshiomhole has urged the federal government to also prosecute former President Goodluck Jonathan and immediate past finance minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala for approving spending of funds from the excess crude account without appropriation by the National Assembly.

Dokpesi Must Not Face Secret Trial, Says PDP.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described the arrest of Raymond Dokpesi, founder of Africa Independent Television (AIT), by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as political persecution.
The party condemned the arrest, saying it “had been made aware that more of its leaders had similarly been listed for arrest over unproven allegations pursuant to the plot by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to cow and silence opposition in the country”.

U.S. Advises Rwandan President To Step Down After Tenure Expiration In 2017

U.S. Ambassador to the UN, Samantha Power, says Washington expects Rwandan President, Paul Kagame, to set an example for the region and step down at the end of his second term in office in 2017.
She told reporters on Wednesday that “President Kagame has an opportunity to set an example for a region in which leaders seem too tempted to view themselves as indispensable to their own countries’ trajectories.
“We really do expect President Kagame to follow through on the commitments that he has made many times in the past to allow the next generation of leaders to come forward.
“We expect Kagame to step down at the end of his term in 2017.’’

Bayelsa Governorship Poll: No Card Reader, No Voting – Yakubu

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Nigeria police have assured that they are ready for the conduct credible governorship election in Bayelsa State on Saturday.
The national chairman of the INEC,Prof Mahmood Yakubu, said the commission has put necessary arrangements needed to conduct free and fair poll despite the allegations by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on the plot by the All Progressive Congress (APC) to rig the elections.
The INEC boss added that no voter would be allowed to vote without accreditation through the card reader.

250 Nigerian Students In Canada Risk Deportation

More than 200 Nigerian students schooling in the Canada are on the brink of deportation as a result of the failure of the River states government to fund their scholarships. Osho Samuel, a graduate student of mechanical engineering in the University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, confirmed the development to TheCable, saying the students have lost all hope.

“This is a national disgrace, considering the fact that these students are here to learn, they’ve lost all hope and I believe strongly that the government can respond and pay their bills,” he said.
“This is a critical situation for the students, they are actually preparing for their exams, they should be writing their exams in the next two weeks.

Corrupt Customs Officials Will Be Jailed - Comptroller

The Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Col. Hameed Ali (rtd), has warned officers and men of the service to desist from corrupt practices, saying anyone found culpable will be dismissed and jailed.

Ali gave the warning in Calabar while addressing officers and men of the Customs Service on the need to be of good conduct and show professionalism while carrying out their duties.
He said his administration has zero tolerance for corruption, hence the need for officers and men of the Service to shun all corrupt practices.

IG Orders Anti-Riot Police To ‘Maximally’ Restrain Pro-Biafra Protesters.

 The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Solomon Arase has issued a stern warning to MASSOB and IPOB activists to stop threatening public peace or face the full weight of the law. The warning followed the observation by the Nigeria Police Force leadership of the increasing resort to acts of brigandage by sets of misguided individuals who apparently are hiding under the cloak of Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to threaten national security and public peace in parts of South East geopolitical Zone and some other conterminous States.

Dokpesi: Money I Received Was For Publicity And Media.

High Chief Aleogho Dokpesi, Daar Communication (Ray Power and AIT) founder, has explained what transpired on Tuesday 1 December 2015 when the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) invited him. In a statement signed by the management of DAAR Communications Plc, he said that around 2.00pm that day, the Ag. Chairman of the EFCC, Alhaji Ibrahim Magu, through a phone call, invited him to the Commission. On getting there, he was requested to, “shed more light on some payments that were made to him through the office of the erstwhile National Security Adviser to the former President, Malam Sambo Dasuki.”

Russian Defense Ministry Presents Evidence of Illegal Oil Trade on Turkish-Syria Border (PHOTO, VIDEO)

The Russian Defense Ministry has provided evidence of Turkish participation in Daesh illegal oil trade. During the press briefing for the international media, the Russian Defense ministry has provided hard evidence of Turkish participation in ISIL illegal oil trade. The ministry has shown photo and video proof.

According to the ministry's statement, the briefing is titled "Russian Federation Armed Forces fighting against international terrorism. New data."

11 Things in November; an Overview of the Senate’s Legislative activities.

by Abang Dove

The month of November has been a busy but eventful one in the Nigerian Senate. Lots of Bills were presented and a few other motions passed. Out of all the Bills presented, a number of them also passed for second reading.

Some of these Bills presented to the house include:

Poor Remuneration Should Not Be Basis To Steal Funds – Finance Minister To Civil Servants

The Minister for Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, yesterday, while reiterating Federal Government’s resolve to stop all forms of inefficiency and wastage in the utilization of the nation’s resources, cautioned civil servants against complaining of poor remuneration and using that as a basis to loot public funds.

Adeosun disclosed this during the inauguration of the Efficiency Unit in Abuja.
According to the Finance Minister, the rate at which the country’s resources had been mismanaged by past administrations was a major reason Nigeria had not recorded any significant progress in the area of capital projects.

Okorocha: We Don’t Want PDP To Die

Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo has said that the All Progressives Congress–led government and the people of the state do not want the state chapter of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to die, noting that, the government and the citizenry would benefit more if the PDP remains alive to play the role of an opposition party.

Okonjo-Iweala: SERAP ‘A Tool For Corrupt Vested Interests’.

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, former minister of finance and co-coordinating minister for the economy, has described the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, (SERAP) as “a tool of corrupt politicians”.
Reacting to the organisation’s demand of her probe over the management of the loot of Sani Abacha, former military ruler, Okonjo-Iweala said SERAP was hiding under the umbrella of civil society to perpetrate mischief.

Stealing Is Now A Crime, Says Adeosun.

Kemi Adeosun, minister of finance, says stealing of public funds is now a crime and would not be excused for any reason, now that the guidelines are being made clear.
While speaking in Abuja, at the inauguration of a recently approved efficiency unit by President Muhammadu Buhari, Adeosun said poor remuneration should be no excuse for stealing.
“We are setting a benchmark; at the moment, there are no guidelines; and where there are no guidelines, there is no sin. So, we need to establish those guidelines to guide how people spend money,” she said.

Ishaku: Appeal Court Will Restore My Mandate.

Darius Ishaku, governor of Taraba state, says he is confident the court of appeal will restore his mandate.
Yusufu Akirikwen, the state attorney-general and commissioner for justice, said on Monday that Ishaku’s team of lawyers had appealed the decision of the tribunal which held that he was not a valid candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The tribunal had declared that Aisha Alhassan, the All Progressive Congress (APC) candidate, should be sworn in as governor.
Akirikwen said APC, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Alhassan had also filed cross appeals before the appellate court.
Ishaku described media reports that he failed to appeal the judgment as “misleading” and “untrue”, urging the the people of the state not to take the laws into their own hands but allow the judiciary to decide the case.

Adeosun: FG To Focus On Cutting Cost Of Governance

Nigeria will focus on cutting the cost of running the government rather than on slashing jobs next year, and will present its 2016 budget proposals by the end of the year, the new finance minister told Reuters on Monday.
Widespread corruption and mismanagement have stunted development in Africa’s biggest economy and left it with paltry savings, dangerously pot-holed highways and constant power outages after a period of record high oil prices.

Kemi Adeosun, the new minister appointed at the start of November, has launched an Efficiency Unit based on a UK model aimed at pinpointing spending excesses and imposing guidelines in an effort to cut the vast amount of waste.

Lagos Slams 111 Charges Against Synagogue, Others

The much anticipated arraignment of the Trustees of Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN) and other defendants over the September 12, 2014 building collapse in Lagos which claimed 116 lives was stalled yesterday. The planned arraignment before Justice Lateef Lawal-Akapo at Lagos High Court was stalled owing to the non-availability of three defendants in court.

UPDATED) Arms Probe: EFCC Arrests Dokpesi, Bafarawa

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has continued the arrests of suspected corrupt public office holders in the country with the arrest of a former Governor of Sokoto State, Mr. Attahiru Bafarawa, on Tuesday. The commission also arrested the Chairman of DAAR Communications Plc, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, for alleged involvement in the arms deal. It was learnt that while Barafawa was arrested in the early hours of the morning, Dokpesi was taken to the Idiagbon House of the commission by noon. He was said to have been picked up to make clarifications on some monies traced to his account. Details later

Buhari’s Govt Will Not Give Excuses – Lai Mohammed

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has said Nigerians will soon get the change they voted for, pledging that the government will not give them excuses.
Mohammed told representatives of civil society organisations in Abuja on Tuesday that the current administration would start “firing from all cylinders”, starting with the unveiling of the 2016 budget, a statement by his Special Adviser, Segun Adeyemi, said.

Ambode Asks Lagosians To Change Attitude

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Tuesday canvassed the need for Lagosians to embrace attitudinal change and shun all forms of unethical activities in the interest of socio-economic wellbeing of the State.
Governor Ambode, who spoke at the Iyalode of Lagos Forum/Health Screening with the theme: “Improving the Ethical Standard of the Citizenry in Lagos State,” expressed delight at the return of peace among youths and various trade groups, especially in Lagos Island.
Represented by Special Adviser on Civic Engagement, Mr. Olaide Kehinde Joseph, the Governor said he believed that such attitudinal change recorded on the Island would be replicated in all the nooks and cranny of Lagos State.

Judge’s Absence Stalls Trial Of Kanu

The trial of Nnamdi Kanu, Director of Radio Biafra, suffered a setback on Tuesday due to the absence of Magistrate Shuaibu Usman of the Wuse Zone 2 Senior Magistrates’ Court, Abuja.
Kanu is standing trial on a three-count of criminal conspiracy, intimidation and belonging to unlawful society, to which he pleaded not guilty.

Nigeria To Assist S’Sudan In Debt Management – Nwankwo

The Director-General, Debt Management Office, Dr. Abraham Nwankwo, has said, the Nigerian government will assist South Sudan in managing its huge debt profile and develop its bonds market.
Nwankwo, speaking on Tuesday when he received a South Sudan delegation on a study tour, stressed the need for cooperation among African countries.
He also assured the delegation that Nigeria would assist South Sudan to set up its own Debt Management Office.

“Nigerians Will Get The Change They Voted For”

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has assured Nigerians that the change they voted for is guaranteed, promising better times.
The Minister on Tuesday said that “this Government will not give excuses. The painstaking and methodical approach by the Buhari Administration, its deep analysis and understanding of the challenges and the recent inauguration of the cabinet will herald a new dawn.”
Alhaji Mohammed, who stated this at a meeting with representatives of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Abuja on Tuesday, said that in the next few days, the Administration will start firing from all cylinders, starting with the unveiling of the 2016 budget.

Abacha Loot: SERAP’s Call For My Probe Politically Sponsored – Okonjo-Iweala

A former Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has noted that the call by Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, for her probe over the management of the Abacha loot is a politically sponsored campaign to serve an agenda.
According to a statement issued yesterday by the ex-Minister’s Media Adviser, Paul Nwachukwu, “It is curious that SERAP, ignoring more worthy issues, decided to embark on this fishing expedition of a 10 year old process that was handled in an exemplary and transparent fashion. This shows that neither the organization nor its charges should be taken seriously.

Benue South: David Mark Campaign Rice, Salt Flood Otukpo, To Construct Four Roads Before Xmas [PHOTOS]

Following the nullification of the 5th term election of former Senate President, David Mark by the Appellate Court, the campaign team of the ousted legislator have flooded the city of Otukpo with iodized salt, rice and tin tomatoes.
This is just as the Akpegede-born retired soldier has also commenced work on four different roads in the ancient Otukpo town.
A source told DAILY POST that among the roads billed for reconstruction are Otukpa street, Owukpa street and two others dominated by Idoma enone (West).

Nigerians Expect You To Do More Than You Did As Head Of State – Maitama Sule Tells Buhari

A former Federal Commissioner of Public Complaints, Maitama Sule, has observed that Nigerians currently expect more from the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari than they got from his government while he was a military Head of State from 1983 to 1985.
The former federal commissioner, who served in 1976, advised that the fight against corruption by the present government must be seen to be yielding positive impacts, since Nigerians have high hopes in the President.

Buhari Proffers Solution To Migrant Crisis In Europe

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday in Paris asked developed countries to make strong financial commitments to the 14 billion dollars urgently needed to revive the Lake Chad and save communities dependent on the river from extinction, noting that, this will curb migration to Europe.
Addressing a high level meeting on “Climate Change Challenges and Solutions in Africa”, on the sidelines of the on-going UN Climate Change Conference, COP 21, President Buhari said no fewer than five million people living in the Lake Chad Basin countries have been displaced by the depletion of the lake due to climate change.

Lai: We Will Soon Start ‘Firing From All Cylinders’.

Lai Mohammed, minister of information and culture, has assured Nigerians that they will soon get the change they voted for.
In a chat with civil society organisations, the minister said better days were ahead, maintaining that the All Progressives Congress (APC) will not renege on its campaign promises.
“In the next few days, this administration will start firing from all cylinders, starting with the unveiling of the 2016 budget,” Segun Adeyemi, the minister’s special adviser, quoted him as saying.
“This government will not give excuses. The painstaking and methodical approach by the Buhari administration, its deep analysis and understanding of the challenges and the recent inauguration of the cabinet will herald a new dawn.

Oil Prices May Fall Again As OPEC Raises Supply.

Ahead of its meeting on Friday, the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) is currently fuelling an oversupply of crude oil, despite falling prices.
The oversupply in crude oil is currently being fuelled by Saudi Arabia, the group’s largest exporter, and Iraq, the world’s fastest growing source of ‘oversupply’ in 2015, among others.

OPEC supply rose in November to 31.77 million barrels per day (bpd) from 31.64 million in October, less than a million barrels from the organisation’s record high, a Reuters’ survey has shown.
The oil body has its 168th ordinary meeting set for December 5, where experts expect it to cut supply in order to push up the oil prices for the benefit of producing states.

Fuel Scarcity: Senate Jacks Up Subsidy Budget

The senate has approved the supplementary budget of President Muhammadu Buhari, increasing it from N465 billion to N574 billion to cover fuel subsidy claims.
While presenting the supplementary appropriation bill on Tuesday, Danjuma Goje, chairman of the senate committee on appropriations, explained that the initial amount budgeted for the settlement of subsidy claims only covered the period from January to September.
Goje said it was important to include October to December in the budget in order to avert scarcity of fuel.

Group Accuses Police Of Cover Up In Attack On Jonathan

The Ijaw National Frontiers (INF) has called on the Inspector General of Police, IGP Solomon Arase to investigate an attempt by the Bayelsa State Police Command to cover up the facts about the alleged attack on the former President Goodluck Jonathan on Monday.

Iraq's Popular Forces Answer US Defense Sec.: We'll chase and Fight Any American Force Deployed In Iraq

Iraqi popular forces have pledged to combat any US troops deployed to the country.

Members of Iraq’s Badr Movement march during a demonstration in the capital Baghdad, July 10, 2015. ©AFP

Kata’ib Hezbollah, Badr Movement and Asaib Ahl al-Haq groups stated this on Tuesday.

“We will chase and fight any American force deployed in Iraq. Any such American force will become a primary target for our group. We fought them before and we are ready to resume fighting,” Jafaar Hussaini, Kata’ib Hezbollah spokesman said.

This statement followed the US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter claims that Washington will deploy special operations forces to fight ISIS in Iraq. The US special forces will also conduct raids over the border in Syria.

Dasuki: Buhari On A Revenge Mission With Corruption Fight – Fayose

Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State, has described Tuesday’s arrest of the immediate-past National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd) by men of the Department of State Services (DSS), as continuation of President Muhammadu Buhari’s regime of vengeance, saying “disobeying court order and later arresting and detaining the same person the court ordered to be allowed to travel abroad for medicare is the peak of dictatorship.”

Governor Fayose, who reiterated his support for the fight against corruption, maintained that it must be done within the ambit of the law and must not be used to seek vengeance.

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.