Obama Warns Americans About Boko Haram's Threats

Following the unabated terror attacks perpetrated by the Boko Haram insurgents across Nigeria and neighbouring borders, the United States of America president, Barack Obama, has warned Americans and the whole world on the threat posed by the Islamic militant group.

Speaking in Washington, DC on Sunday, 29 June, 2014, President Obama said that the Boko Haram and other terrorist groups were putting the United States and the entire world under a very serious threat.

The Kenyan-born, US president added that the United States had been seriously threatened by these various terrorist organizations for his entire time in office and even before the September 11, 2001, attacks which involved the late leader of the al-qaeda, Mr Osama bin Laden.

Obama also revealed that his administration would do all it could to ensure that all the terrorist groups across the world were decisively fought till the world is free from terrorism.

The American leader opined further that the terrorists were gaining strength in some places, adding that his administration was trying to boost its response to terrorists trained in Iraq and Syria who, because of European passports, would have little trouble getting to the United States.

“We’re spending a lot of time, and we have been for years, making sure that we are improving intelligence so that we can respond to that. There are going to be times where we take strikes against organizations that could do us harm,” Obama said.



* Scene of bomb blast that happened in Abuja on 25 June, 2014

It could be recalled that the United States, through Pentagon spokesman, Rear Admiral John Kirby said on Friday, 27 June, 2014 that the US has scaled back its surveillance flights in the search for nearly 300 girls kidnapped earlier this year by Islamic extremists in Nigeria.

Kirby stated that flights are now being conducted on an intermittent basis as other nations have increased their support and additional intelligence has been gathered.

* Members of Boko Haram sect

More than two months since members of Boko Haram kidnapped the schoolgirls in Chibok, Borno State on 14 April, 2014, the girls are yet to be returned to their parents as the Nigerian government said it would not negotiate with the terrorists on the release of the abducted schoolgirls.

Spanish Princess to face charges

A Spanish judge has formalised charges against Princess Cristina, King Felipe’s sister, in a tax fraud and money laundering case, the BBC reports.

The princess, 49, was questioned in court in February about the business dealings of her husband, Inaki Urdangarin, and could now face trial.

However, an appeal has been lodged against the decision.

The judge’s ruling will come as an embarrassment to Felipe VI, who came to the throne only six days ago.

The tax fraud case was one of several scandals that weakened the popularity of the Spanish monarchy and prompted the abdication of King Juan Carlos.

Princess Cristina’s appearance in court in Mallorca was unprecedented for the royal family and if she goes to trial, she could face up to 11 years in jail.

Judge Jose Castro has been investigating allegations that the princess’s husband embezzled millions in public funds with a former business partner.

Mr. Urdangarin, who is the Duke of Palma, and Diego Torres were alleged to have received 5.6m euros (£4.6m; $7.5m) by overcharging regional governments for organising sporting events as part of a not-for-profit organisation called Noos.

Woman Arrested For Killing, Cooking 80-Yr-Old Husband's Heart And Genitals

An elderly woman was arrested and dragged to the court on suspicion of killing and cooking his husband, France.

It was gathered that the bloodcurdling incident happened in in the town of Longwy, north-east France, on May 22.

The 71-year-old pensioner brutally beat up her 80-year-old spouse with a kitchen mortar used for grinding spices. Then she cut off his his heart, nose, genitals and cooked the organs in a pot. However, it’s still unclear whether she ate them or not.

The woman was labelled as a ‘female Hannibal Lecter’ will have to undergo psychiatric testing to identify the existence of mental problems and determine if she can be held responsible for her actions.

The suspect’s lawyer claimed that her client suffered from delusions, adding: Hannibal Lecter is a fictional character in a series of suspense novels by Thomas Harris and the main character from the American thriller The Silence of the Lambs, with Anthony Hopkins as a brilliant psychiatrist and cannibalistic serial killer.

REVEALED: Mother Who Spends N553,217 On Fake Babies

                                              * Wendy Archer and one of her fake babies

40-year-old mother, Wendy Archer, has reportedly spent £2,000, about N553,218, on fake children because of her obsession for baby after she was sterilised.

Metro reports that anytime the Middlesbrough mum-of-four wakes up in the morning she gets her real kids ready for school, before waking up her plastic babies and changing their nappies.

It was gathered that Wendy spends hours every day dressing, bathing and shopping for her four fake children and recently splashed out on a brand new crib, car seat and moses baskets.

"I just love babies – to me they aren’t dolls, they are my babies.

"They are beautiful and I truly love them. I couldn’t be without them now and they even smell like real babies," said the single mum.

According to the report, after Wendy gave birth to her four children, Kirsty, Nathan, 22, Keenan, 15 and Kia, 13, she decided to be sterilised.

But it was a decision she regretted and said she felt ‘a great sense of loss’.

So she bought four dolls from Shelley’s Reborn Dolls – Johnson, Elisha, Shyan and Thomas.

Commenting on her decision to get the fake babies, Wendy said: "I know some people might think I’m mad but so many of my friends have been amazed by how happy the dolls can make people.

‘When you cuddle them, they feel like a baby, because their heads lull and they even smell like a real baby, because of the fabric softener their clothes are washed in. It is truly amazing."

We can only hope the babies give Wendy the happiness she craves. Or what do you think about this?

U.K. makes changes to Nigerian visa application centres

 
Applicants would continue to complete their visa application and payment online.

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The British High Commission on Monday urged Nigerians to take note of the changes it made in its visa application centres in Lagos.

The commission announced this in Lagos in a statement signed by its Head of Press and Public Affairs, Robert Fitzpatrick.

It said that Teleperformance Ltd would as from July 1, 2014 take over the running of its visa application centre in Lekki, Lagos.

The British High Commission said that the new office was located on Churchgate Tower 2, Plot PC31, Churchgate, Lekki.

“In July 1, 2014, our new commercial partner for UK visa services, Teleperformance Ltd, will take over the running of our Visa Application Centres in Lekki, Lagos.

“Visa Application centres in Abuja and Ikeja, Lagos, will continue to be operated by VFS Global Services.

“We are making no changes to our customer service standards, as a result of this process.
‎
“We will work closely with our commercial partner to ensure continuity of service during the transition period,’’ it said.

The British High Commission said that applicants would continue to complete their visa application and payment online, before selecting appointment at their nearest application centre.

According to it, all U.K. visa applications would continue to be decided by U.K. Visas & Immigration staff.

“The UK remains open for business and these new arrangements will allow us to maintain a world class, competitive visa system to support Britain in the global race.

‘We are listening to the needs of our customers and these changes will improve our service by increasing the number of visa application centres globally,’’ the statement added.

(NAN)

UPDATE: Egypt sentences 3 Al Jazeera journalists to jail

“There is only one sensible outcome now – for the verdict to be overturned, and justice to be recognised by Egypt.”

An Egyptian Court on Monday morning sentenced three Al Jazeera journalists to jail.

The court found Peter Greste (Correspondent), Mohamed Fahmy (Producer), and Baher Mohamed (Producer) guilty of reporting false news and associating with the now outlawed Muslim Brotherhood.

Baher Mohammed was sentenced to an additional three years for being in possession of spent cartridge.

The three journalists have been held in Egyptian prison since December, 2013.

Six other Al Jazeera staff, charged in absentia, were sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Al Jazeera had provided extensive coverage of the protests in Egypt following the coup that ousted former president Mohammed Morsi, a member of the Muslim Brotherhood.

The coverage showed, among others, how Egyptian security agencies killed hundreds of peaceful protesters in sit-ins in Cairo. The protesters were demanding the release and reinstatement of Mr. Morsi.

Egypt, which was suspended from the African Union, AU, following the coup, was only recently readmitted following the election of Abdulfatah Al-Sisi as president.

Mr. Al-Sisi, an Army General, and then head of the Egyptian Army, carried out the coup against Mr. Morsi and is believed to have ordered the killings of the hundreds of peaceful protesters; whose demonstration were well covered by Al Jazeera.

Aljazeera has denied the allegations against its journalists and several world leaders including the UN Secretary General have called for the release of the journalists.

The twitter hashtag #FreeAJStaff has been used globally to demand the release of the journalists.
The Australian government has already condemned the sentencing, particularly of Mr. Greste, who is an Australian.

The Australian government “urges the new government of Egypt to reflect on what message being sent to the world on the situation in Egypt,” the foreign minister, Julie Bishop, said.

Ms. Bishop said the Australian government was “deeply dismayed” that the court could come up with a guilty verdict on the journalists, saying “We (Australian government) are appalled by the severity of it.”

Al Jazeera also quotes its English managing director, Al Anstey, as saying the verdicts defied “logic, sense, and any semblance of justice”.

“Today three colleagues and friends were sentenced, and will continue to be kept behind bars for doing a brilliant job of being great journalists.  ‘Guilty’ of covering stories with great skill and integrity. ‘Guilty’ of defending people’s right to know what is going on in their world.

“Peter, Mohamed, and Baher and six of our other colleagues were sentenced despite the fact that not a shred of evidence was found to support the extraordinary and false charges against them.  At no point during the long drawn out ‘trial’ did the absurd allegations stand up to scrutiny.

“There is only one sensible outcome now – for the verdict to be overturned, and justice to be recognised by Egypt.”

Obama encouraging family-friendly work policies

 

President Barack Obama is encouraging more employers to adopt family-friendly policies by hosting a daylong summit Monday, even though the U.S. government doesn't always set the best example.  

The United States is the only industrialized nation that doesn't mandate paid leave for mothers of newborns, although Obama says he'd like to see that change.

"Only three countries in the world report that they don't offer paid maternity leave — three — and the United States is one of them," Obama said in his weekly address. "It's time to change that. A few states have acted on their own to give workers paid family leave, but this should be available to everyone, because all Americans should be able to afford to care for a family member in need."

California, Rhode Island and New Jersey have a system of paid leave, but it's unclear how Obama would fund a national system. Obama has not endorsed legislation that would create one funded by a payroll tax, and he pledged in his 2008 presidential campaign not to raise taxes on families making under $250,000 a year.

Obama adviser Valerie Jarrett said in a conference call with reporters Sunday that the president is trying to start a national conversation to explore the issue.

"Cost is an issue for any federal program and we need to make sure we do this in a way where we are not raising taxes on middle-class families," she said. "But we also know what a good investment in our workforce it would be if they had paid leave, and that investment will pay great returns."

While some companies offer paid family leave to attract workers, the 1993 Family Medical Leave Act only requires that employers provide unpaid leave for medical and family reasons.

When Obama came to the White House, he instituted six weeks of paid leave for his workers when they have a child, get sick or injured or need to care for an ailing family member, using his authority to set his staff's compensation under the personnel code. He does not have the power to award paid leave to other federal workers without congressional action since they are covered under a different section of law. The White House has supported the goal of legislation introduced by lawmakers to change that, but it has yet to get through Congress.

Despite the paid leave for White House staff, the challenges of balancing parenting and working are even evident there. The president's top aides include several dads of minor children but hardly any mothers with school-age kids — National Security Adviser Susan Rice being one prominent exception.

"It is a very challenging and demanding environment" for parents, Obama senior adviser Valerie Jarrett said at a media availability hosted by The Christian Science Monitor. "And I think part of what we have to achieve here is to make it easier — that doesn't mean it's going to be easy — it's just going to be easier. And I think that's what the private sector acknowledges."

The summit being held at Washington's Omni Hotel will highlight businesses with family-friendly benefits to hold up as best practices — Obama says child care and flexible work schedules also are vital benefits. Executives representing Gap Inc., PriceWaterhouseCoopers, Johnson and Johnson, Goldman Sachs, Shake Shack, Cisco Systems and Intel Corp. are participating in panel discussions at the summit.

It also comes in a midterm election year focused on women voters, and the White House was devoting all its star power to the event. Obama planned to speak midday and have a meeting with business leaders. Vice President Joe Biden and his wife, Jill, planned to open the event, first lady Michelle Obama will deliver a closing speech and several other administration officials are participating on panels.

Obama planned to issue a presidential memorandum Monday directing federal agencies to expand flexible work arrangements when possible. Obama also planned to urge Congress to pass legislation requiring employers to accommodate pregnant employees so they can continue to perform their jobs. He also is ordering the Labor Department to create an interactive map that shows the rights of pregnant workers in each state.

How Michael Jordan Made His $1 Billion

 

It’s a well-known story in sports lore: After Hakeem Olajuwon was taken first in the 1984 NBA draft, the Portland Trail Blazers selected Sam Bowie next. The player they left waiting on the board? Michael Jordan.

That was 30 years ago this week — June 19, 1984. Jordan, of course, was selected by the Chicago Bulls, beginning an ultra-successful professional career that would include six championships and the building of a brand that still transcends the basketball court. As the NBA Draft gets underway Thursday night, an elite handful of prospective draftees can only hope to emulate Jordan’s success.

Jordan played his last NBA game in 2003. Ten years later, he earned a cool $90 million, according to Forbes, thanks largely to royalties from his deal with Nike. That was more than he earned in any year during his playing days — and more than any other athlete, retired or active, except for boxer Floyd Mayweather. 

(Fortune estimates that Mayweather will earn $105 million this year, and says that’s a “very conservative” approximation.) The Jordan brand now generates about $2 billion in revenue for Nike, with the 51-year-old superstar getting a cut of every sale.

That earnings power helped Jordan’s net worth climb past the billion-dollar threshold earlier this month, but his ownership stake in the Charlotte Hornets is his most valuable asset. Forbes estimated Jordan’s net worth at roughly $600 million and valued his ownership share of the team, which has reportedly climbed from 80 percent to 89.5 percent, at roughly $400 million.

Related: Michael Jordan Has Only Now Become a Billionaire

Jordan’s legend still carries weight from the sports fan’s perspective, too. In a Grey Flannel Sports Memorabilia auction that ended June 18, a Michael Jordan 1984-85 game-used road jersey — from a rookie season in which he started all 82 games and averaged 28.2 points per game — sold for $20,897 ($25,076 including auction fees).

In the same auction, a signed pair of Jordan’s game-used sneakers from Game 3 of the 1996 NBA Finals sold for $14,272 ($17,126 including auction fees). By comparison, the next two NBA memorabilia pieces offered in the auction — a Magic Johnson rookie jersey and a Shawn Kemp jersey — sold for a combined $15,112.

‎BREAKING: Egypt sentences AlJazeera journalists to 7‎years in jail

The three journalists were arrested in December.

An Egyptian Court on Monday morning sentenced three AlJazeera journalists to jail.

 

The court found Peter Greste, Mohamed Fahmy, and Baher Mohamed guilty of reporting false news and associating with the now outlawed Muslim Brotherhood.

 

Aljazeera had denied the allegations and the world has accused Egyptian authorities of simply clamping down on media freedom.

 

The twitter hashtag #Free‎AJStaff has been used globally  to demand the release of the journalists who have been held since December, 2013.

 

Details later…

Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez attend bible study class together

The newly reunited couple appeared ‘smitten’ with one another at the session at City Church in Los Angeles, where they sat quietly with friends and listened to a sermon from Pastor Judah Smith.

A source told Us Weekly: ‘they were very lovey dovey and cute. They sat next to each other and listened to the sermon and were smitten with each other. They came and left together with a few friends.’

And it seems the sessions have been having a positive effect on Justin, following months of controversial antics.

The source added: ‘He looks so happy and at peace.’

The 20-year-old singer won back the ‘Come and Get It star’ – who he has had an on/off romance with since 2010 after vowing to curb his wild ways and even change his friendship group.

A source told The Sun newspaper: ‘He told her he can’t live without her and that he’s reformed his bad boy ways for good. He’s ditched a few of the troublesome characters he’s been hanging out with after advice from his management. And Selena thinks he’s being genuine and given Justin another chance.’

And as a symbol of his new direction, Justin presented Selena with a £6,000 Segway at his Beverly Hills home so they can have ‘good, clean fun’ together.

The source added: ‘it was when she agreed to go to his house that he gave her the new, shiny Segway.’

‘He thought a Segway would be a chance to prove they can have good, clean fun together, and she thought that was a really sweet touch.’

Australia lists Boko Haram as terror group

Australia has formally listed Boko Haram as a terrorist organization.

The move makes it illegal to fund, train with, recruit for or become a member of the group which is keeping over 200 abducted schoolgirls for the third month running.

Australia has joined with the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Nigeria in their decision to list the group as a terror organization.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott announced plans to list Boko Haram last month, saying the world was transfixed and horrified by the group’s hostage taking.

They are also responsible for the deaths of another 300 people in recent bombings.

People found to be associated with the group could face up to 25 years in jail.

India replaces U.S. as top importer of Nigeria’s oil

India has replaced the United States as the largest importer of Nigeria’s crude, with China and Malaysia following closely.

The U.S. has drastically reduced its demand, which now stands at about 250,000 barrels per day. India buys some 30 per cent of Nigeria’s daily crude production of about 2.5million barrels.

Speaking in Moscow, Russia at the on-going 21st World Petroleum Congress, Coordinator, Corporate Planning and Strategy, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Tim Okon, told reporters that the Asian countries had since replaced the US.

NNPC Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Dr. Ohi Alegbe stated this in a statement yesterday.

According to the statement,   Dr. Okon, who also doubles as the Director of Transformation of the NNPC, explained that Nigeria would not ignore any market in her quest to remain competitive in the global oil and gas industry.

  “Asia is important and in that respect we have regards for all markets; the important thing is to make sure that you are selling the products that you have and you do not ignore any market,” he said.

Nigeria is participating in the congress to access global business opportunities in the petroleum industry, especially in the gas sub-sector, to enable it to position itself as a major competitor in the hydrocarbon market.

He said as a natural resource rich country, Nigeria is working hard to do a better job in developing such resources and translating them to the wider economy.

While stressing that the country does not have preference markets for its products, he however admitted that the Petroleum Industry Bill, which is before the National Assembly, needs to be passed into law to enable the country maximize its potentials in the oil and gas industry.

“I cannot talk about future incentives if the principal law that would give birth to it has not been passed but I want to say that the general intention is that Nigeria must compete in the market place and our fiscal systems are designed to be competitive that would lead to good outcomes for the country,” observed Okon.

“It is always helpful to do things in a timely manner and that is an important point to stress. Many of the countries that were trying to get new legislations passed like Ghana, Brazil, Mozambique and even Uganda have passed their legislation. So, I think timeliness is of the essence,” the Coordinator noted.

Roundly regarded as the global oil and gas industry equivalent of the Olympics, the World Petroleum Congress is the biggest congregation of oil and gas experts on the global stage. The Congress essentiality consists of an exhibition and conference.

Nigeria’s participation at the 2014 WPC is anchored on the theme, “Harnessing Nigeria’s gas resources for sustainable national and regional development’.

Italy to repatriate 700 Nigerian prisoners – Envoy

 


Over 15,000 Nigerians are currently in prisons abroad.

Nigeria and Italy would soon conclude negotiations on a Prisoners Transfer Agreement, PTA, to facilitate the return of over 700 Nigerian prisoners serving sentences in various prisons across Italy.

The Italian Ambassador to Nigeria, Fulvius Rusticu, said this on Thursday in Abuja.

Mr. Rusticu said Nigerian and Italian officials would meet in the first week of July in Rome to finalise the agreement and possibly work out modalities for the immediate return of the prisoners.

The ambassador explained that under the agreement, Nigerian prisoners who qualify for the transfer must return home to complete their prison terms.

He said that his government was not obligated to help improve the condition of prisons in Nigeria as a pre-condition for signing the agreement.

“Each country is responsible for its prisons. The logic in signing a PTA is that we think that it is better for Nigerians and even Italians to serve their terms at home. Already to be in prisons is not a nice

experience, being abroad is even worse, so giving the prisoner the chance to return home is in their own interest. It is very rare for a prisoner to want to stay in a foreign country. We have cases of
Italians serving in prisons abroad and they look forward to, and are
happy to return home,” he said.

According to official figures from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, no fewer than 15,316 Nigerians are in various prisons abroad with the largest number, 752, in the UK.
In January, Nigeria and the U.K. signed a PTA to repatriate 521 Nigerians currently serving their terms in that country.

Prior to the signing, a major challenge on deportation was the condition of prisons in Nigeria but the U.K. had pledged £1 million (N277 million) to Nigeria to help improve its prisons.
(NAN)

Nigeria to benefit from €700 million Dutch Growth Fund facility

The fund facility will help Nigerian entrepreneurs, SMEs,‎ form Joint ventures with Dutch companies.

Nigeria is to benefit from a €700 million Growth Fund facility from‎ the Netherlands, the Dutch Minister of Foreign Trade and Development Co-operation, Lilianne Ploumen, has said.

Mr. Ploumen said the fund, which would be launched in July 2014, will benefit Nigeria among other countries. He said the decision comes on the heels of the discussion between Nigeria’s Minister of Industry,‎ Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga, and his Dutch counterpart, last‎ year.

Mr. Aganga confirmed this during the Nigeria-Netherlands Business‎ Forum in Lagos, on Wednesday.
The Netherlands minister is currently in Nigeria with a delegation of‎ over 20 Dutch businessmen to tie a win-win trade and investment‎ relationships.

The Dutch Growth Fund, Mr. Aganga said, would enable Nigerian‎ entrepreneurs and small and medium-scale enterprises, SMEs, to form joint ventures with their Dutch counterparts.

The fund would also help the entrepreneurs, expand their businesses‎ and invest in critical and thriving sectors.

“Netherlands is one of Nigeria’s largest trading partners,” Mr. Aganga‎ said, “Within the last five years, the value of trade between Nigeria and Netherlands has grown from about $2.5 billion to about $10 billion.

“In addition to the fact that there are so many Dutch companies‎ operating and doing well in Nigeria, there is also the €700 million Dutch Growth Fund, which the Government of Netherlands is planning to‎ establish.

“It will be accessed by Nigerians in partnership with Dutch‎ entrepreneurs who can bring in their know-how and innovation. This‎ will make Joint Ventures easier between the two countries,” said Mr.‎ Aganga.

The Minister commended the Dutch Government for the fund, recalling that Nigeria was included among the possible beneficiaries following‎ an appeal he made to his Netherlands counterpart when he visited the‎ country about two years ago when the fund was about to be created.

” I appealed that Nigeria should be included as one of the countries‎ that will benefit from the fund. She promised that she would visit Nigeria and give us an update on the fund. I am delighted that she has‎ fulfilled her promise of visiting Nigeria.

Ms. Ploumen said during the event that the decision to include Nigeria‎ as one of the benefitting countries was based on Nigeria’s huge‎ economic potentials as the biggest economy in Africa.

The fund, she said, would also help to fast-track inclusive economic growth, especially in critical sectors of the Nigerian economy.

The Dutch Fund, she added, would promote the Joint Venture and‎ investment of Dutch companies with their Nigerian counterparts.

“Nigeria has been included as one of the countries that would benefit from the Fund because we see great investment and growth opportunities in Nigeria,” Ms. Ploumen said.

“Within the next three to four years, we will be investing €700‎ million into the fund, which is open for all sectors of the Nigerian economy.” She said.

The objective, she explained, was to enhance inclusive economic growth in Nigeria,Africa’s largest economy.

She said the Netherlands government is looking forward to seeing more Nigerian businesses partnering with their Dutch counterparts and‎ leveraging on the friendship and good economic relations existing between Nigeria and Netherlands.

The Dutch Growth Fund, which is open to all Nigerian entrepreneurs,‎ she said, would help to expand the business, trade and economic relationships between the two countries.

Russia restarts amassing troops on Ukraine border, NATO says

“We now see a new Russian military build-up at least a few thousand more Russian troops deployed to the Ukrainian border.”


Russia has increased the number of troops it had stationed on the border with Ukraine, in spite of calls from the international community for a draw down, the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation NATO, has said.

The Secretary-General of NATO, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, stated this on Thursday during an event at Chatham House in London.

“We now see a new Russian military build-up at least a few thousand more Russian troops deployed to the Ukrainian border.

“We see troop manoeuvres in the neighbourhood of Ukraine,’’ he said.

He said it would be “positive” if the troops were being deployed to prevent a flow of weapons and fighters into Ukraine.

“But that’s not what we’re seeing,” he added. “I consider this a very regrettable step backwards and it seems that Russia keeps the option to intervene further.”

Nigeria, Iran sign agreements on tourism, geology

The ministers also signed agreement on industrial cooperation between both countries and visa waiver for holders of diplomatic passports.


Nigeria and Iran on Thursday in Abuja signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, to cooperate in tourism, geology, mining, mineral processing and metallurgy sectors.

The Minister of State (1) for Foreign Affairs, Viola Onwuliri, and the Iranian Minister of Industry, Mine and Trade, Mohammed Nematzadeh, signed the agreement at the end of the 5th session of Nigeria-Iran Joint Commission.

The ministers also signed agreement on industrial cooperation between both countries and visa waiver for holders of diplomatic passports.

According to Mr. Onwuliri, the signing of the agreements demonstrates the seriousness both countries attach to the need to collaborate more and boost their economic ties.

She said Nigeria and Iran had very low volume of annual bilateral trade, which official figures was put at less than $50 million annually.

She stressed the need for the countries to encourage people-to-people contact to raise the level of trade and economic relations between them.

“It is important to note that Nigeria and Iran have shared great historic and diplomatic ties for a very long time.

“This is evident in the mutual understanding and support between the two friendly nations at various multilateral engagements,” she said.

Ms. Onwuliri, a professor, also requested Iran’s support in the fight against terrorism in the country.
“The problem of terrorism has become universal and it is imperative for the countries not to stand by and watch terrorists kill and maim innocent citizens.

“As a developing country, Nigeria needs understanding, encouragement and assistance of its friends, of which Iran is one,” she said.

Earlier, Mr. Nematzadeh had said that Iran and Nigeria’s membership in international organisations, such as D8 and OPEC, was a great advantage to deepen economic ties.

“In recent years, Iran has achieved great successes in the fields of science and economy and I express our readiness to share these potentials with the Nigerian people.’’

He called on the governments of both countries to identify and remove obstacles inhibiting economic development to encourage private sector participation.

He also recommended the establishment of trade centres to further develop trade relations.
“Removal of obstacles regarding banking relations, finance, insurance, investment and customs are highly necessary to facilitate trade flow between the two countries.’’

The Iranian minister said Nigeria and Iran had great potentials for cooperation in the fields of maritime and air transportation, power, water resources and agriculture.

He condemned the spate of killings, abductions and assignations perpetrated by insurgents in the country.

He said that Iran was strongly opposed to terrorism, citing the country’s experience in counter-terrorism.

“We hope Nigeria will come out of this situation, which is not acceptable to any human being in the world,” he said.

The Iranian delegation comprises government officials and a 25-man delegation from the private sector.

The Iranian private sector had indicated interest to invest in Nigeria’s oil and gas sectors, pharmaceuticals, housing, agriculture and manufacturing sectors.

Taliban kidnap 35 professors

Mr. Manapal said tribal elders had started negotiating their release with the Taliban.

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Dawa-Khan Minapal, the spokesperson for Afghanistan Southern Provincial Governor, said on Tuesday that Taliban insurgents had kidnapped 35 professors from Kandahar University after stopping their van on the highway to Kabul.

He said the professors were on their way to Kabul when they were abducted.

Mr. Manapal said tribal elders had started negotiating their release with the Taliban.

He said this was coming ahead of Saturday’s run-off vote to replace President Hamid Karzai.
Mr. Manapal said security was being ramped up in Afghanistan.

Swapped U.S. soldier returns home

 Mr. Bergdahl was handed over on May 31 in return for five senior Taliban detainees at the Guantanamo Bay prison for terror suspects.

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The Pentagon has confirmed that the U.S. soldier, Bowe Bergdahl, freed in a controversial swap with the Afghan Taliban has returned to the U.S., after five years in captivity.

It said Mr. Bergdahl arrived on Friday on a flight from Germany to San Antonio, Texas, where he would continue treatment at the Brooke Army Medical Centre.

“Since his release on May 31, Bergdahl has been treated in a U.S. military hospital in Landstuhl, Germany and he will be admitted at another military hospital,’’ it said.

Mr. Bergdahl was handed over on May 31 in return for five senior Taliban detainees at the Guantanamo Bay prison for terror suspects.

The Pentagon said the soldier would continue the next phase of his reintegration process.

“There is no timeline for this process. Our focus remains on his health and well-being.” It said.
Mr. Bergdahl spent five years in the captivity of Afghan insurgents.

The exchange for the Taliban detainees held at the Guantanamo Bay prison resulted in an outcry led by opposition Republicans.

Critics of the exchange say U.S. President Barack Obama gave up too many high-ranking detainees in the swap and carried out the exchange without prior notification of Congress.

Members of Mr. Bergdahl’s unit added fuel to the fire when they accused him of desertion.

Chuck Hagel, U.S. Defence Secretary defended the handling of the prisoner exchange, telling Congress that the time frame for obtaining Mr. Bergdahl’s release was narrow and uncertain, forcing the decision to proceed before congressional notification could be given.

“We grew increasingly concerned that any delay or any leak could derail the deal and further endanger Sergeant Bergdahl,” he said.

Mr. Bergdahl’s disappearance from a base in eastern Afghanistan in 2009 fuelled speculation that the soldier deserted his post before being captured and may face prosecution by military authorities.

35 persons still missing in Malaysian boat mishap

Malaysian Officials on Wednesday, said over 35 persons were still missing after a boat carrying 97 foreigners sank near Sungai Air Hitam off the western coast of Malaysia.
However, reports say two persons have been confirmed dead and 60 rescued.
The Head of the Port Klang Office of the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, Mohamad Yaakup, said those that were rescued included 47 men, 12 women and one child.
“The two dead include one man and one woman,’’ the official said.
According to preliminary investigation and interviews by officials of some of the rescued victims, all the passengers are Indonesian nationals.
The official said that the accident happened at about 12:30 a.m. local time on Wednesday, when it was windy and the waters were tough, adding that the boat sank near the shore.
Mr. Yaakup said that 10 boats, one helicopter and 91 personnel had been dispatched for the search and rescue operation.

World Cup: Three Chinese fans die

Three Chinese football fans have died after staying up all night to watch World Cup matches broadcast from Brazil, reports said on Tuesday.

The report said a 39-year-old Shanghai man died on Sunday after watching World Cup games for three consecutive nights.

It added that the man, identified only by the surname Zhou, died of a stroke while watching the match between Uruguay and Costa Rica.

It said that he had been in reasonable health but had a history of high blood pressure, the newspaper said.

Another 25-year-old man was found dead at his computer room at 7 a.m. on Saturday in the eastern city of Suzhou, Jiangsu province.

The official provincial news website reported that he died of suspected exhaustion after watching a World Cup group match between Chile and Australia.

Former professional footballer, Li Mingqiang, 51, died from a heart attack in the north-eastern city of Shenyang on Saturday after watching the game between Spain and the Netherlands.

The report said that Li’s friends called emergency services but they were unable to revive him.