Trump withdraws endorsement of G7 joint statement

US President Donald Trump dramatically withdrew his endorsement of a joint statement at the end of a G7 summit in Canada Saturday in a row over trade, accusing the summit’s chairman Justin Trudeau of dishonesty.

“Based on Justin’s false statements at his news conference, and the fact that Canada is charging massive Tariffs to our U.S. farmers, workers and companies, I have instructed our U.S. Reps not to endorse the Communique,” Trump said in Tweet sent from on board Air Force One.

Trump, who is on his way to Singapore for a summit with North Korea’s leader, also reiterated warnings that his administration was mulling tariffs “on automobiles flooding the US market” in a move that would be primarily aimed at another G7 member, Germany.


“Very dishonest & weak,” Trump said, adding that recently imposed US tariffs on imports of Canadian steel and aluminum were in response to similar measures imposed on American dairy products by Canada.The US president then had angry words for Trudeau, saying the Canadian prime minister had “acted so meek and mild” in their joint discussions only to later pledge in a press conference that he would not be pushed around.

Will Meet Trump As Soon As Washington Is Ready, Says Vladimir Putin

MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday said he was ready to meet his US counterpart Donald Trump as soon as Washington was ready, adding Vienna could be a possible venue for such a summit.

"As soon as the American side is ready this meeting would take place depending on my working schedule of course," Putin told reporters in the Chinese city of Qingdao.

"The US president himself repeatedly said that he would consider such a meeting helpful. I can confirm this. It's true," Putin said.

He said he did not discuss a possible meeting venue with Trump but "many" countries including Austria were keen to help in organising such a summit.

"But I believe it's a technical issue," he said.

"It's important for such meetings -- if they take place -- to have concrete contents."

The Wall Street Journal, citing a senior European official, reported that Putin asked Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz on a visit to Vienna earlier this week to help organise such a meeting and that Washington was considering it.

Under the conservative Kurz, Austria has strived to act as a mediator between Russia and the West.

While the EU-state imposed sanctions on Russia over Crimea along with the rest of the bloc, Austria did not expel Russian diplomats like other Western nations following the March poisoning of a Russian former double agent and his daughter in Britain, an attack London has accused Moscow of being behind.

Why I stopped Adesina from replying Obasanjo’s letter — Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari says he stopped his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity Femi Adesina from replying former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s letter against his administration because of Adesina’s age.

The president explained the reasons when members of Buhari Support Organisation visited him at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Friday night.

Buhari explained further that the second reason why he deemed it right not to reply the letter was that he and the former president were from the same (military) constituency.


He, however, noted that Minister of Information and Culture Lai Mohammed, who “disobeyed’’ him not to reply the letter, did a good job.

He observed that the reply by the minister showed Nigerians the realities on ground when the present administration assumed office in 2015 and its ongoing efforts to revive the inherited damaged economy.

“I really appreciate how you choose this time during Ramadan to come from across the country to see and congratulate me for what we were able to do.

“We were constrained to explain our position when the former head of state wrote a letter; Adesina was agitated and wanted to immediately reply; I stopped him for two reasons; first, he was much younger than me and Gen. Obasanjo.

“Secondly, I am from the same constituent with Gen. Obasanjo; so, I wouldn’t know how it will affect him if I allow him to go wild or to go public, but when Lai Mohammed came, I said he shouldn’t and he insisted. He disobeyed me.

“He said I must allow him to talk; then, of course, being a professional information person, I listened to him and asked him what are going to say.

“He said he was going to remind Nigerians where we found ourselves when we came in as a government, where we are now, what we have done in between with the resources available to us.


“And I understand he did a good job because a number of people rang me and said Lai Mohammed has done a good job.

“I said it is on record and I challenged anybody to check from Europe, United States and Asia that between 1999 and 2014, the 16 years of previous administration, there was an average of 2.1 million per day of crude oil at the average cost of 100 dollars per barrel,’’ he said.

The president said that he deliberately refused to replace the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria when his administration took over the mantle of leadership of the country because he wanted to give him the opportunity to salvage the economy from its terrible condition.

Buhari, who thanked his teachers during his primary school days for their efforts to inculcate good morale to him and his mates, stated that his administration would continue to invest heavily in education to correct social ills in the society.

He said further that his administration had resolved to put money in the area of infrastructural development to address infrastructural deficits and subsequently ensure speedy socio-economic transformation of the country.

“It is now that we are struggling to put the structure on the ground — the roads — to revive the rail and do the standard gauge and try to spend objectively on power.

“If we put money in infrastructure, it will create employment opportunities and then Nigerians will mind their own businesses, they wouldn’t even mind what the government is doing once the infrastructure is there,’’ he said.

The president, therefore, reassured Nigerians that his administration would continue to spend more funds to upgrade the nation’s infrastructural facilities.

He said that the government had also expended more than N1.3 trillion on capital projects across the country.

According to him, the government will continue to ensure financial discipline, accountability and effective supervision of government spending to have solid infrastructure to enable the youth to achieve their missions and objectives in life.

He thanked the members of the organisation for their support and sacrifices, noting that none of them had ever made any specific demand from him.

In his remarks, the leader of the organisation, Sen. Abba Ali, who narrated the achievements of the Buhari administration in the last three years, said they were on a solidarity visit to the president to further reassure him of their support.

He said that the organisation had established offices in all the 36 states and 774 local government areas of the country, while efforts were being made to ensure the re-election of the president in 2019.

Mrs Paulina Tallen, a member of the Board of Trustees of the organisation, who spoke at the event, assured the president that women would massively vote for him and other candidates of the All Progressives Congress in the 2019 general elections.

She, nonetheless, called on the president to bring more qualified women politicians and professionals in government to address the perceived marginalisation of women by APC-led administration in the country.

(NAN)

June 12: Abiola’s rival Tofa kicks as ACF backs Buhari

The controversy sparked by President Muhammadu Buhari’s declaration of June 12 as Nigeria’s authentic Democracy Day, continued yesterday with the candidate of the National Republican Convention (NRC) in that election Alhaji Bashir Tofa objecting to the decision of the federal government.

He asked government to reconsider its position on the matter and claimed that conferment of national honour on anyone should be beyond some cold political calculations.

A former Foreign Affairs Minister, Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, dismissed as untenable and a red herring, questions over the legality of the national honour of Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR) which Buhari plans to confer posthumously on the late Chief M.K.O.Abiola, the winner of the election.

Akinyemi, a chieftain of the pro-democracy group –the national Democratic Coalition (NADECO) -in its heyday, said there is no basis for such opposition to the conferment of the honour as there is already some precedence.

Tofa , who placed second behind Abiola, the candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the election, said although he had been inundated with calls on why he was not listed for honour, it was not the most important thing to him.

He spoke in a statement, saying: “Following the decision by President Muhammadu Buhari to honour my late friend, Alhaji Mashood K. Abiola (may Allah grant him peace) and officially recognise him as the winner of the inconclusive 12th June 1993 presidential election in which I was a candidate, I have been inundated by calls from friends, well-wishers, former political associates and journalists.

“While some worry about the brazen one-sidedness of this curious presidential action, especially given the list of invitees to Tuesday’s event at the Villa supposedly to mark ‘Democracy Day’, there are also those who canvass that I be so honoured with a similar award of GCFR, if the motive indeed was noble and meant to serve the end of justice.

“As much as I appreciate the goodwill, in this circumstance, however, I have to say that I would not accept it as it is, even if given.

“While I do not begrudge the President his power to bestow favour on whomsoever he pleases, it is also important, especially for history, for all actions from the highest authority in the country to be based on fair play and law.

“Needless to say, being one of the two presidential candidates in that election does not in any way define me or my achievements in life; it was not even the most important one.”

“However, as I have reiterated many times in the past, I am grateful to the numerous Nigerians from across the length and breadth of the country who made enormous sacrifices in the National Republican Convention (NRC) as well as the millions of our citizens who voted for both the late Abiola and myself in that historic election.

“Much more importantly, I am most grateful to Almighty God for the several honours He has bestowed on me; all of which have enriched my life.

“As for my friend, M. K. O. Abiola, what he needs most is our sincere prayers for Allah’s mercy and the gift of Paradise for him. While some of us cherish his memory as a departed friend and compatriot, there are many who will continue to exploit it and to glory in it for their own benefits.

“For those who may have forgotten or never knew, the late Abiola was a close personal friend of mine, a relationship dating back to the Second Republic when I was the National Financial Secretary of the then ruling National Party of Nigeria (NPN) and he was the Ogun State Chairman of the party. So, I do not in any way begrudge him the post-humous honour, even when I insist that the right thing must be done at all times.

“Meanwhile, whatever may be the prevailing sentiment and politics in Abuja, the idea that June 12 should be the new Democracy Day is also a matter that deserves serious reconsideration. Such decisions should be beyond some political cold calculations.

“Finally, like all, I am also travelling on the path prepared for me by God Almighty. He controls my destiny and I pray He will continue to favour and to guide me. All power belongs to Him alone. He gives it to whom He pleases and He has power over all things, including every ambition.”

Why opposition to declaration of June 12 as Democracy Day can’t stand –Akinyemi

Akinyemi, in a statement in Lagos, advocated what he called a Dennington approach “where determination is based on the need to achieve justice.”

He was reacting to federal government’s decision to honour Abiola, his running mate in the much acclaimed June 12, 1993 presidential election, Ambassador Baba Gana Kingibe, and the late human rights activist, Chief Gani Fawehinmi.

He hailed Buhari for recognizing the validity of the election.

He said: “As a member of NADECO in its heydays when it was most dangerous to be a member, June 6 marked the fulfilment of dreams, and the achievement of visions.

“On that day, President Mohammed Buhari recognised the validity of the June 12 1993 Presidential elections, declared Chief MKO Abiola as the winner of that election, conferred national honours on MKO Abiola, his running mate, Babagana Kingibe, the human rights activist Gani Fawehinmi and declared June 12 democracy day.

“I recognise how momentous that decision was and I not only welcome the decision, I thank President Buhari for the decision,

“President Buhari has addressed some of the wounds inflicted on this nation and applied healing balm on these wounds.

“Only those who lost family members, those imprisoned and detained or who had family members imprisoned and detained, those tortured and those driven into exile had felt the need for some measure of closure. That closure was achieved on January 6 by the executive order issued by President Buhari.”

He appealed to President to remember other Nigerians who “also played active roles in the struggle.”

These, according to him, include Dan Suleiman, Ndubisi Kanu, Frank Kokori, John Oyegun, Dr. Akingba, Bagauda Kaltho.

He said they all deserve national honours in future exercises.

Continuing, Akinyemi said: “the declaration of June 12 as Democracy Day is a victory for all Nigerians and not just for those who voted for MKO Abiola.

“The voting pattern on June 12 1993 sealed the cleavages that have bedevilled Nigeria since the unification by Lugard.

“The annulment of the election results reopened and deepened those cleavages. I recognise and accept that the June 6 Presidential Executive Order has applied some balm on these cleavages and therefore should be welcomed as a national rather than a sectional victory.

“The courage of the President in tackling this issue should be acknowledged.

“As the Deputy Chairman of the 2014 National Conference, I recall that when the issue of June 12 was raised, it almost tore the Conference apart.

“I also recall that the issue of June 12 had been raised in different sessions of the National Assembly without resolution. That it took President Buhari to resolve this issue is a manifestation of what social scientists call the Nixon-China syndrome.

“It took a rabid anti-communist like Richard Nixon to extend diplomatic relations to China without the fear of being labelled a communist. It has taken a Buhari, who nobody can accuse of pandering to the South and who is trusted by the North to do justice to June 12.

“The legality of the executive order which has been raised is not tenable and is a red herring. First is the issue of precedence. President Shagari awarded a national honour posthumously to Chief Israel Adebajo and his son collected it on his behalf.

“Secondly, the award cannot be subject to strict legal interpretation. I would rather suggest a Dennington approach where determination is based on the need to achieve justice. MKO Abiola was elected in 1993 when he was still alive and remained alive for six more years.

“That is when he earned the GCFR. Acts of illegality prevented him from being decorated with it. Those acts of illegality have just been annulled.

Amal Clooney locks lips with husband George Clooney as he bags Lifetime Achievement Award from American Film Institute (Photos)

On Thursday, George Clooney who is regarded as one of Hollywood's top talents was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the American Film Institute.

The 57-year-old 'Gravity' actor was accompanied to the event by his gorgeous wife Amal Clooney, 40.

The couple who glowed on the red carpet with their fabulous ensembles were pictured sharing a kiss at the venue after George received his award.

Celebrities in attendance included George's father Nick Clooney, Miley Cyrus, Cindy Crawford, Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Diane Keaton, Cate Blanchett, Julianna Margulies, Jane Seymour, and tequila mogul Rande Gerber among many others.

See more photos below.

Senate asks INEC to announce June 12, 1993 election results

Following yesterday's declaration by President Buhari that June 12th has become the official democracy day, the Senate during plenary today asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to declare the results of the June 12, 1993 presidential election.


President Buhari in a statement released yesterday, explained that June 12 was more symbolic than May 29 and also conferred a posthumous GCFR title on the late businessman.

Supreme Court Orders Gtbank To Pay Innoson Boss N12bn In 14 Days - Business

The Supreme Court of Nigeria has ordered the management of Guaranty Trust Bank to pay Innocent Chukwuma, chairman of Innoson Group a sum of N12 billion within 14 days.

In a statement released on Thursday by Cornel Osigwe, Innoson Group’s head of corporate communications, the court struck the motion for stay of execution of the Enugu court of appeal division’s order that GT Bank pays N6 billion into an interest yielding account.

More to follow…

Family of five die mysteriously after moving into new house in Ogun

A family of five including father, mother, three children and an apprentice were found dead in a new building they all just moved into along Shakora, Aiyepe road in Sagamu area of Ogun State today June 7th.


According to residents, the victims met their untimely death the first night they all slept in the building. The stench from the compound forced neighbors to break into it and found their lifeless bodies this morning.

While the father’s body was discovered in front of a chair, the youngest child’s body was seen in front of a plate of food.


While some people suggested the likely cause of death to be fumes from a power generating set, a close neighbour who spoke on condition of anonymity disclosed that there was no need for power generating set as there was power supply till Thursday morning when the deaths were suspected to have occurred.

Reacting to the unfortunate incident, the spokesperson of the Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Oyeyemi,said the Police would get to the root of the matter.

Woman calls out store after she allegedly found hand glove in chicken pie she bought from them in Lagos

A woman has taken to Twitter to reveal that she bought chicken pie from a retail store in Lagos only to find a hand glove in it.

She shared photos of the half-eaten pie with the glove sticking out of it and called out the retail store she bought it from.

Lawal Adenike wrote:

Mariano Rajoy: Spanish PM forced out of office

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has been forced out of office by a no-confidence vote in parliament.

Socialist leader Pedro Sánchez, who filed the motion after Mr Rajoy's party was implicated in a corruption scandal, will become prime minister.

"We're going to sign a new page in the history of democracy in our country," Mr Sánchez said ahead of Friday's vote.

Mr Rajoy is the first prime minister in modern Spanish history to be defeated in a no-confidence motion.
Uncharted territory for Spain

The leader of the conservative Popular Party (PP) has been prime minister since 2011.

During the second day of debate on Friday, Mr Rajoy admitted facing defeat and told MPs that it has been "an honour to leave a better Spain than I found".

Mr Sánchez secured a majority in the vote after gaining support from various smaller parties, including the Basque Nationalist Party - 180 MPs backed the motion, 169 voted against, with one abstention.Image copyrightEPAImage captionMr Rajoy (left) wished his replacement, Socialist Pedro Sánchez, good luck
Why was the vote called?

Mr Sánchez says Mr Rajoy, 63, had failed to take responsibility for his party's involvement in the scandal, which hit the headlines again last week after one of its former treasurers was given a 33-year jail sentence.

The High Court in Madrid convicted Luis Bárcenas of receiving bribes, money laundering and tax crimes.

The case centred on a secret campaign fund which the PP ran from 1999 until 2005.

Many Spanish voters, exasperated by corruption scandals involving the traditional centre-right PP and centre-left Socialist parties, have abandoned them for newcomers like the left-wing Podemos (We Can) and pro-market Ciudadanos (Citizens), as well as regional parties.
Who is the new prime minister?

Analysis by Guy Hedgecoe, BBC News, MadridImage copyrightAFP

Pedro Sánchez emerged as a virtual unknown to win the Spanish Socialist party premiership in 2014. The photogenic economist and former basketball player won members over with a promise to unite a divided party and put the Socialists back in power.

Yet he subsequently suffered two humbling election defeats, in 2015 and 2016. He was eventually forced to resign after his refusal to back Mariano Rajoy in an investiture vote plunged the country into a prolonged political stalemate and his party into bitter infighting.

Months later he confounded his many critics by returning to win the Socialist primary. Spain's constitution states that the party presenting a no-confidence motion must be prepared to govern and replace the deposed prime minister if a parliamentary majority backs it.

Therefore this moderate but ambitious 46-year-old from Madrid is set to be Spain's new prime minister, despite the fact that his party commands less than a quarter of seats in Congress.
What happens now?

Mr Rajoy's departure casts the EU's fourth-largest economy into political uncertainty.

Mr Sánchez is expected to be sworn in at the weekend and to name a cabinet next week.

Although he leads the Socialist PSOE party, he is not a member of parliament. Correspondents say that with only 84 lower house seats, the party will struggle to find allies to get legislation enacted.

Mr Sánchez is expected to get support from Podemos. Smaller groups - including Basque and Catalan nationalists - supported the no-confidence motion, but it is unclear whether they will back the new government.

The Ciudadanos party, which had been doing well in opinion polls, supported Mr Rajoy.

Ambode releases N859 million for retirees pension

The Lagos State Government has released the sum of N859.059m for the payment of accrued pension rights to 158 Public Service retirees under the Contributory Pension Scheme for May 2018.


Addressing the retirees at the 51stRetirement Benefit Bond Certificate Presentation Ceremony today, the Commissioner, for Establishments, Training and Pensions, Dr. Benson Oke Akintola said the State government has paid accrued pension rights in excess of N37.5billion into the Retirement Savings Accounts of 9,045 retirees since the inception of the present administration.



He said, “Despite the fact that the funding obligations of the current pension scheme are high, Governor Ambode is committed to the wellbeing of the Pensioners and the active staff. Hence funds are released regularly to pay staff salaries and Pensioners’ dues”.


Speaking earlier, the Director-General, Lagos State Pension Commission (LASPEC), Mrs. Folashade Onanuga informed the retirees that the present administration was fine-tuning the process of rolling out benefits to make life easier for the retirees.


She implored the retirees to study the leaflets distributed by the State Government in respect of the two options for receipt of monthly Pension entitlements and opt for anyone of their choice.


The Lagos State Government has released the sum of N859.059m for the payment of accrued pension rights to 158 Public Service retirees under the Contributory Pension Scheme for May 2018.


Addressing the retirees at the 51stRetirement Benefit Bond Certificate Presentation Ceremony today, the Commissioner, for Establishments, Training and Pensions, Dr. Benson Oke Akintola said the State government has paid accrued pension rights in excess of N37.5billion into the Retirement Savings Accounts of 9,045 retirees since the inception of the present administration.



He said, “Despite the fact that the funding obligations of the current pension scheme are high, Governor Ambode is committed to the wellbeing of the Pensioners and the active staff. Hence funds are released regularly to pay staff salaries and Pensioners’ dues”.


Speaking earlier, the Director-General, Lagos State Pension Commission (LASPEC), Mrs. Folashade Onanuga informed the retirees that the present administration was fine-tuning the process of rolling out benefits to make life easier for the retirees.


She implored the retirees to study the leaflets distributed by the State Government in respect of the two options for receipt of monthly Pension entitlements and opt for anyone of their choice.

FAAN reacts to reports that Rotimi Amaechi’s wife assaulted an airport staff

The Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, has reacted to reports of an incident at the Port Harcourt airport on Saturday saying it had nothing to do with the wife of the minister of transport, Judith Amaechi.


The agency, supervised by Rotimi Amaechi, said those involved in the clash were security agents and aides but declined to give further details

An initial report PREMIUM TIMES on Thursday claimed that Mrs Amaechi was at the centre of the melee on Saturday at the Port Harcourt International Airport. The incident reportedly occurred when she and her entourage arrived late for boarding an Abuja bound Air Peace Airline flight and thereafter attempted to force it from taking off without them.

Reports said Mrs Amaechi’s entourage formed a human barricade to prevent the fully boarded aircraft from taking off while her armed security aides beat up two of the airline’s ground staff for not allowing their principal board the flight. The affected ground staff were Confidence Elechi, an aviation security station Coordinator/Supervisor, and Innocent Ekot, a flight dispatcher.

According a report by the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), two officials of its Customer Care Service/SERVICOM unit on duty, Otobo Edward, and the FAAN Marshaller, Promise Nsirim, were also assaulted by the angry aides when they tried to intervene. The report by the Crime Investigation/Intelligence Unit of FAAN at the Port Harcourt International Airport said Mrs Amaechi supervised the brutalisation of the officials and directed her aides to seize their staff identity cards, telephones and FAAN on-duty-cards.

17-year-old beaten to death by uncle and family following argument over his inheritance

A teenager has died after being beaten by his uncle, the wife, and six children over an argument regarding his inheritance.

Dominic Adiele, 17, of Uzi-Ezike kindred Umuzu in Eziama-Ubulu, Oru West LGA, Imo state, was brutally beaten by his uncle and family on Sunday, 27th May 2018. Following the attack, he was taken to a hospital in Ihiala Anambra State where he died on May 28, 2018.

The uncle’s name was given as Patrick Adiele, his wife is Theresa Adiele, and their eldest male child is Somkelee Adiele. According to reports, they attacked him following arguments over possessions in the shared compound.





For years, The Adieles have fought over ancestral inheritances, according to reports. Dominic's father, Odinma Adiele, was allegedly killed in similar circumstance 15 years ago by the same Patrick.

With the recent death of Dominic, his maternal relatives, from Awo-idemili, arrived Uziezike on the 29th May 2018 and teamed up with the aggrieved locals to burn down the house of Patrick Adiele. His economic trees were also destroyed.







Patrick Adiele, his wife, and children have been arrested by the police.

Armed police officer kills hotel customer in Lagos

A customer who came to have a drink at a Lagos hotel was shot and killed after hot exchange of words and attempt to disarm a mobile police officer attached to the hotel.

According to reports the incident happened at the popular Ileviaoje Hotel and Suites located at Obalade Street, Ajagun Estate, Ijegun, Lagos. The victim identified as Jude a.k.a Cornell was said to have been hit by the bullet released by the unidentified officer, who is said to be on the run now.

Following the incident, youths in the area mobilised, attacked the hotel, damaged about seven vehicles parked inside and almost razed the main hotel building. It took the intervention of the DPO Isheri Oshun Division and his team, who went there and prevented the irate youths from causing more damages in the hotel.

The lifeless body of the deceased was retrieved by the police and deposited at the Yaba mortuary for autopsy report. It was learnt that the victim and his friends went to the hotel to drink and while they were inside there, they quarreled among themselves. The police officer who was with his AK47 rifle, went to them, confronted and asked the victim to leave the hotel premises if they wanted to fight.

At that point, the victim and the police officer had an exchange of hot words, to the extent that the victim held his gun and attempted to disarmed him. It was during the scuffle that the police officer was said to have shot him, he fell down and died immediately. By the time he was taken to a hospital, he was already dead and the doctors certified him dead.

Meanwhile, the hotel has been temporary shut down for business and seven of the angry youths were said to have been arrested and detained at Area M Command, Idimu over the looting and destruction of properties at the hotel.

Pompeo says he doesn't know if Kim-Trump summit will happen

U S Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Thursday he still doesn't know whether a summit between President Donald Trump and North Korea's leader will take place on June 12.
Pompeo, speaking to reporters in New York after two meetings with a senior North Korean official, said the two sides have made progress toward a successful meeting between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, but that challenges remain.
"We've made real progress in the last 72 hours in terms of setting the conditions" for a successful summit, Pompeo said. But, he added, "make no mistake about it, there remains a great deal of work to do."
"Through these meetings I'm confident we're moving in the right direction," Pompeo said. He noted that US teams in Singapore and at the Demilitarized Zone between North and South Korea have also been meeting with North Korean counterparts.
Pompeo added that the two countries are at a "pivotal moment" and that it would be "nothing short of tragic to let this opportunity go to waste."
And he said he believes that North Korea's leaders are "contemplating a strategic shift ... one their country has not made before," but added that "it should not be to anyone's surprise" that roadblocks emerge.
The uncertainty and frustration that often characterize negotiations with North Korea have been compounded, in part, by Trump himself. The President abruptly called off the potentially historic meeting in a letter to the North Korean leader that some analysts saw as a classic "Art of the Deal" attempt to gain leverage. The difficulty in closing gaps between the North Korean and US positions is adding another kind of uncertainty.

Trump's soft-boiled diplomacy: 45-minute North Korea decision created a mess
Meanwhile, North Korean state media reported that North Korea and Russia have agreed to a meeting between their top leaders to mark the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. The agreement, according to KCNA, came during a meeting between Kim and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Pyongyang on Thursday.
"After listening to Secretary Pompeo today, I would argue North Korea is still unwilling -- and maybe never will be willing -- to satisfy the Trump Administration's goal of a denuclearization agreement before any summit in Singapore," said Harry Kazianis, director of Defense Studies at the Center for the National Interest. "And make no mistake: This is the key to getting a summit finalized."

'Positive signs'
Trump said earlier that meetings with a North Korean delegation in New York had gone "very well" and that he expects the delegation to travel to Washington on Friday to deliver him "a letter from Kim Jong Un."
Pompeo confirmed that the official he met with, former North Korean spy chief Kim Yong Chol, would be traveling to Washington to deliver a letter to the President.
"These are all positive signs," said Joel Wit, co-founder of 38 North, a website that tracks North Korea. "Everything that's happened since Trump threatened to cancel the summit, these are all positive signs. The issue is, what is the deal? And I don't know the answer to that right now. I don't think anyone knows."
Pompeo refused to talk about the "elements, the shape of an agreement" at his news conference, but the administration says it wants the complete, verifiable, irreversible denuclearization of the Korean peninsula -- an unwieldy phrase that has given rise to the acronym CVID.
There seems to be disagreement about how exactly to make that happen, though.
Pompeo and national security adviser John Bolton have said they want a quick process, with Bolton in particular reportedly concerned that the North Koreans will use any longer term process to wring concessions from the United States.
Trump, on the other hand, has indicated some openness to a slower approach, saying, "It would certainly be better if it were all in one. Does it have to be? I don't think I want to totally commit myself."
Kazianis said that hammering out an agreement, or at least a framework, is vital before any meeting takes place.
"If Trump were to go to Singapore and give Kim Jong Un the photo op of a lifetime, photos that would legitimize Kim and be on par with (President Richard) Nixon being photographed with (Chinese leader) Mao (Zedong), he needs to make sure he is not getting played," Kazianis said. "And so far, there is no evidence that Pyongyang is truly serious about nuclear disarmament beyond aspirational pledges."

Nigerian Army intercepts three truckloads of live ammunition in Ogun State

Three truckloads of ammunition were on Wednesday intercepted at Balogun village, along the Igbogila-Ilara Road, Ogun State.

The General Officer Commanding, 81 Division of the Nigerian Army, Maj. Gen. Enobong Udoh, during a press briefing on Thursday said the trucks, with the number plates –ANAMBRA AAH 409 ZV, LAGOS BDG 782 XU, and LAGOS GGF 88 XU – were intercepted around 10.05am.

According to him, the recovery followed an intelligence report from some well-meaning Nigerians. He said troops of the 81 Division of the Nigerian Army, in conjunction with the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, intercepted the consignment, adding that the destination was still unknown.

He said, “The live cartridges, packed in boxes and cartons, were carefully sealed inside a concealed compartment constructed underneath the trucks. On sighting the troops, the drivers and other occupants abandoned their trucks and fled. Efforts are on to track down and possibly arrest the fleeing drivers, their crew, corroborators and sponsors.”

The Army boss enjoined members of the public to continue to give timely information that could help to nip crime in the bud.

Rresume your campaign after 2019: Buhari to youths

The youth got a pleasant gift yesterday from President Muhammadu Buhari. He signed the “Not-too-young- to-run” bill into law at the State House, Abuja.

He jokingly asked the youth to shift their campaign until next year’s election.

“But please, can I ask you to postpone your campaigns till after the 2019 elections!” he told his guests, who clapped and laughed.Buhari has declared his intention to run next year.Urging the youth to wait for 2023 to run for President, he said that the new law permits them to run for the various political offices.The new law, he said, has reduced the age limit for contesting for House of Representatives and State Houses of Assembly from 30 to 25 years

For President, the age limit has been reduced from 40 to 35 years.Through its Founder Samson Itodo and National Coordinator Faruk Ibrahim, the Youth Initiative for Advocacy, Growth and Advancement (YIAGA), praised the leadership of the National Assembly for its role in the making of the law. The group said the passage of the bill into law was the first phase of the struggle, urging both chambers of the National Assembly to insist on free and fair elections next year.

Itodo said: “Let me congratulate you on the campaign that helped in the passage of the bill in the National and State Houses of Assembly. What you have done has become a reference point across the continent.

“When you have the voice, you have the numbers. So the first thing for the advocacy that will support ‘Not Too Young to Run’ must be free and fair elections.

“We want to convey our appreciation to you and the other 108 members of the Senate that we are pleased with this development. You and your counterparts in the House of Representatives have written your names in gold,” Itodo said.

However, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has chided Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC) for claiming to be the architects of the ‘Not-Too-Young-to-Run Act’. A statement by the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan said the bill that culminated in the passage of the Act, was sponsored and pursued by the PDP members in the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly.

The statement said, “It is instructive to note that President Buhari had no input whatsoever in the bill; never showed any support or enthusiasm towards the initiative and had no option than to perform a mandatory constitutional duty of assenting to the bill, as a clear reflection of the mood of the nation, given that the bill had already found an easy passage to the crucibles of the required approval of two-third of states in the federation.

“The PDP therefore urges the Nigerian youths to immediately take advantage of the Generation Next platform and incentives already established by the repositioned PDP and actively participate in the collective quest to rescue our nation from the misrule of the APC”.

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PDP to Buhari: Not too young to run is our initiative

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has lampooned President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC) for attempting to parade themselves as the architects of the ‘Not Too Young to Run Act’.

A statement on Thursday by the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan said the bill that culminated in the passage of the Act, was sponsored and pursued by the PDP members in the National Assembly and State houses of assembly.

The statement said, “It is instructive to note that President Buhari had no input whatsoever in the bill; never showed any support or enthusiasm towards the initiative and had no option than to perform a mandatory constitutional duty of assenting to the bill, as a clear reflection of the mood of the nation, given that the bill had already found an easy passage to the crucibles of the required approval of two-third of states in the federation.

“This development is indeed a democratic victory for the Nigerian youths over forces, particularly, the APC, that had hitherto disdained and disregarded them as lazy and inconsequential, but had to succumb to the dictates of the law and pressure by the youths and the PDP.

“The party commends the sponsor of the bill, Hon. Tony Nwulu (PDP, Lagos), other legislators who supported the process and the resilience of the Nigerian youths in getting the initiative through, in line with the vision of the PDP to allow younger Nigerians to actively participate in elective positions in governance at all levels.

“In preparation for the passage of the bill, the PDP had since launched our ‘Generation Next Movement’, which has already put younger Nigerians at vantage positions to participate in elective positions ahead of the 2019 general elections.

“In line with the ‘Generation Next Movement’, the rebranded PDP among other pro-youth incentives, has since approved certain critical clauses and waivers so that the young people will actively vie for positions in the 2019 general elections.

“In line with our dream of providing enabling environment for youths participation in elections and governance, the PDP, after winning in 2019, will further lower the age qualification to entrench our vision that ‘whoever can vote can be voted for’, which is a global standard.

“The PDP therefore urged the Nigerian youths to immediately take advantage of the Generation Next platform and incentives already established by the repositioned PDP and actively participate in the collective quest to rescue our nation from the misrule of the APC”.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle forced to return wedding gifts worth £7million

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are reportedly returning hundreds of wedding gifts.The Suits star and sixth-in-line to the throne are sending back presents thought to be worth more than £7 million.After strict palace guidelines, royal aides are trying to stop companies from using the new Duke and Duchess of Sussex for publicity.When receiving freebies from businesses, Kensington Palace said: “When gifts are accepted, the consent of the Member of the Royal Family should be contingent upon the enterprise undertaking not to exploit the gift for commercial purposes.”One company who sent the couple a gift is Bags of Love, according to the Express.


The company makes personalised swimwear and are understood to have sent Prince Harry and Meghan a matching bikini and swimming trunk combo, The Mirror reported.According to Kensington Palace guidelines: “Gifts offered by private individuals living in the UK not personally known to the Member of the Royal Family should be refused where there are concerns about the propriety or motives of the donor or the gift itself.”The newlyweds specifically requested well-wishers did not send gifts and instead donate to a list of chosen charities that champion issues that are close to their hearts.Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau issued a statement on the couple’s wedding day to say the country would donate £29,000 to a youth charity called Jumpstart.New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Arden told reporters that on behalf of the country, New Zealand was making a £2,500 donation to a charity that supports children and families of prisoners called Pillars.The Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said the country will make a donation to the Invictus Games charity, which is hosted in Sydney this year.Kensington Palace has not revealed the total amount of money raised in donations.


Ratings for the royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex were a third lower than those for the marriage of Harry’s brother William, new figures show.A combined audience of 11.5 million people watched Harry and Meghan tie the knot on May 19 this year – 8.9 million on BBC One and 2.6 million on ITV.But 17.6 million tuned in for the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in April 2011: 13.6 million on BBC One plus 4.0 million on ITV.It means the combined audience for Harry’s wedding was 35% down on the equivalent figure for his brother.


Courtesy: BIRMINGHAM MAIL

Uproar over Buhari’s vow to deal with killer-herdsmen

President Muhammadu Buhari Democracy Day speech has sparked outrage in the polity as Catholic Bishop Council of Nigeria, CBCN; former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar; Ohanaeze Ndigbo and Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, yesterday faulted his vow to deal with herdsmen.


The President had in his nationwide broadcast, yesterday, to commemorate Democracy Day and his administration’s third anniversary, said those behind the killings in the country and their sponsors would not be spared in Federal Government’s determination to punish criminals.


President Muhammadu Buhari addresses the guests during the Democracy Day Lecture held at the International Conference Centre in Abuja


However, while the Catholic Bishop Conference of Nigeria, CBCN, described the President’s statement as vague and evasive, former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, said it was only the Federal Government that could put an end to the killings in the country, even as the Pan-Yoruba socio-cultural and political group, Afenifere, described the President’s declaration as height of political deception.


This is just as apex Igbo socio-political group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, said the President trivialised the issue by linking the killings across the country to just herdsmen/farmers’ clashes.


President Buhari further said his administration was pained by the grievous destruction of lives by insurgents and other criminal groups in different parts of the country, insisting that his administration would not relent until they were brought to justice.


According to him, the government is strengthening the capacity of the security forces to deal with the high level of insecurity in the country through training and purchase of equipment.


Besides, he said it was his administration’s commitment at ensuring the protection of the citizenry that led to the rescue of some of the Chibok and Dapchi girls as well as 16,000 other captives of Boko Haram.


He said: “The unfortunate incidences of kidnappings, herdsmen and farmers clashes in several communities which have led to high number of fatalities and loss of properties across the country is being addressed and the identified culprits and their sponsors shall be made to face the full wrath of the law. All the three tiers of Government are presently engaged with communities and religious organizations to restore peaceful co-existence among Nigerians.


“I want to commend members of the Multinational Joint Task Force drawn from Niger, Benin, Chad, Cameroon and our own country in collaboration with the International Community who are assisting in the fight against insurgency in the North East. I also commend the gallantry of members of our Armed Forces and other security agencies that have continued to provide security for lives and properties across the country. State and Local traditional authorities are helping with much needed intelligence in this fight against insurgency.


“This administration is pained over the grievous loss of lives and properties occasioned by the carnage of insurgency and other forms of criminality in the country. I wish to assure Nigerians that we will not rest until all criminal elements and their sponsors are brought to justice.”


Buhari’s remarks on killer herdsmen vague, evasive- Catholic Bishops


In its reaction, the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, CBCN, said the church was dissatisfied with President Muhammadu Buhari’s remarks on the killer herdsmen during his Democracy Day address to the nation.


In a message issued by Director, Social Communications at the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Fr. Chris Anyanwu, the Catholic Bishops described the president’s passing reference to the killer herdsmen as vague and evasive.


They said the Catholic community in Nigeria expected to hear that the killer herdsmen and their sponsors had been arrested and were being prepared for prosecution.


The Bishops charged the President to demonstrate to the church through concrete actions that he had the capacity to secure every citizen, irrespective of religious inclination, by the prompt arrest of the killer herdsmen.


The Bishops said: “It is unacceptable to the church that President Muhammadu Buhari simply made a vague reference to the killer herdsmen in his Democracy Day speech.


“We find his promise to bring the killer herdsmen to full wrath of the law as evasive and the Catholic Church is not comfortable with that. We had hoped to hear him tell the nation that the murderous herdsmen have been arrested and being made ready for prosecution.”


Only you can stop killings, Atiku tells FG


In his reaction through a statement to commemorate Democracy Day, former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar, said the story of Somalia, Burundi, and Rwanda should be strident warning to Nigerians, stressing that it was only the Federal Government that could stop the killings in the country.


He said those in government whose jobs were to keep the citizens safe should desist from making ridiculous excuses and engaging in diversionary finger-pointing.


Abubakar said: “Let us spare some time to reflect and to mourn all those murdered in the ongoing needless killings across our dear country.


“These Nigerians have been killed in the continuing murderous rampage of criminal elements across the country but especially in Borno and Yobe, and the Benue River Valley, stretching from Adamawa through Taraba to the confluence of Kogi and Benue, and including Nasarawa, Plateau, Southern Kaduna, and Zamfara.


“Others have been killed by armed robbers, kidnappers, cattle rustlers and other marauding bandits. The killings have even extended to sacred places of worship where innocent Imams and Christian clergy and worshipers are slaughtered. This carnage has gone on for too long and must stop.


It’s height of political deception—Afenifere


Spokesperson of Pan Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, Mr.Yinka Odumakin, said in the group’s reaction: “If he has been President for three years without bringing anyone to book for the killings, we should be suspicious of the statement.


‘’No one has been brought to book for the killings across the country. He talked as if he is a presidential aspirant. He does not know that 2019 is not about what he will do but what he has done.


President trivialised issues— Ohanaeze


Similarly, the apex Igbo socio-political group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, dismissed President Muhammadu Buhari’s nationwide broadcast, especially as it concerned the killings of innocent Nigerians by herdsmen.


Ohanaeze said the President trivialised the killing of Nigerians in the churches and their homes by armed herdsmen by referring to such incidents as farmers/ herdsmen clashes.


Media Assistant to the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief John Nnia Nwodo, Emeka Attamah, said the President had earlier blamed Libyan trained terrorists for killing innocent Nigerians, pointing out that his latest position smacked off insensitivity.


The group said: “The President concluded his speech without sympathising with the relations of those who were killed while sleeping in their homes or praying in their churches. This is condemnable. His (President’s) attempt to reduce the willful killings of Nigerians in their homes to clashes between herdsmen and farmers is a mockery of the situation. He has trivialised the issue and this is like pouring petrol into a raging fire.


“ This is unfortunate. The speech was not presidential. He should have used this rare opportunity to sooth frayed nerves. It is bad.”


Buhari not responsible for Benue killings —Ortom


Speaking in a similar vein ,yesterday, Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State exonerated President Muhammadu Buhari from the herdsmen killings in the state, stressing that those linking the President to attacks were being mischievous.


He recalled that the herdsmen crisis predated the present administration, assuring that the people of the state would still support the President in the coming 2019 general elections, despite the losses and pains they suffered as a result of the herdsmen incursions in the state.


The governor, who was answering questions, yesterday, in Makurdi, on how he would convince Benue people to vote for President Buhari again in 2019, said: “Buhari will definitely come here for campaigns, I cannot preempt what he will say or what Benue people will say. But as you know in politics, there are no permanent enemies or permanent friends but permanent interest.


“If President Buhari’s interest is in tandem with the interest of the people of Benue and he asks them for their vote, they will vote for him, likewise my own, if my interest is also in tandem with the wishes of the people they will vote for me.


“But one thing I want you to know is that the herdsmen/farmers clashes predate this government. So, it will be a fallacy to conclude that herdsmen killings in the state is linked to President Buhari. That the herdsmen are killing Benue people does not mean it is Buhari who is responsible.


“There are still reasonable herdsmen who still live here in peace with their neighbours. There are some who support the anti-open grazing law but the real enemy is Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore. They are the ones we hold responsible because they addressed the media and stood up against our anti open grazing law.


“They vowed to resist the law and went ahead to do it. They are a violent group. We know them and we are holding them responsible and have also gone a step further to institute a criminal case against them in the court.”


Courtesy: VANGUARD

zinedine-zidane-master of dramatic departures

Just days ago Zinedine Zidane was basking in the glory of becoming the first coach in history to win three consecutive Champions League titles with Real Madrid and staking a claim as one of the great coaches in history.






On Thursday, he said he was quitting the Spanish giants in an announcement that seemed to have even taken the club’s president Florentino Perez by surprise.


It appears the 45-year-old Frenchman has decided that it won’t ever get better than this for him at the famously demanding 13-time European champions.

“I don’t see myself continuing to win this year and I am a winner, I don’t like to lose,” said Zidane, who was under contract with Real until 2020.

The Frenchman specialises in dramatic departures — in the 2006 World Cup final in Berlin, his final appearance as a player, was cut short when he was sent off for headbutting the Italian defender Marco Materazzi. Zidane said he had insulted his family.

The 3-1 victory over Liverpool in Kiev on Saturday was the pinnacle of a coaching career after his reign as a player with Real Madrid which peaked when he scored the winning goal in the 2002 Champions League final against Bayer Leverkusen in Glasgow.

Zidane was considered one of the all-time greats as a player, his mixture of sublime skill wrapped up in a muscular package driving France to victory in the 1998 World Cup on home soil. Affectionately known as “Zizou” in France, he was World Player of the Year three times, in 1998, 2000 and 2003 in a career that started at Cannes, moved onto Bordeaux before he moved into the big league with Juventus, staying five years, before joining Real in 2001.

Incredibly, his record-breaking achievement in Kiev came less than three full seasons in charge after he was promoted from his position as coach of Real’s youth team.

It was only in January 2016 that he took charge of the full Real team. “You can’t help but admire what he has done,” France manager Didier Deschamps, who won the World Cup as a player alongside Zidane in 1998, told France’s TF1 after the Kiev triumph.

“Already as a player he was an extraordinary player. He’s had a second life as a coach and he is already an extraordinary coach. Achieving three Champions League wins is fabulous.”

Madrid sports daily AS said after the final that Zidane was “the architect of this glorious and possibly unrepeatable era”.

It is widely expected that Zidane will one day manage France himself. He has never made a secret of his ambition to do so and speculation will now grow that he will succeed Deschamps after this year’s World Cup finals.

Zidane has now won nine trophies since replacing Rafael Benitez in the Santiago Bernabeu dugout in January 2016. It is a remarkable record, all the more so for a man who before the Kiev final admitted to not being the best tactician.

“I am not the best coach tactically, but I have other things,” he said ahead of the final. “I know very well how the dressing room and a player’s head works, and that for me is very important.”

Meet the tough female judge that sent ex-governor, Jolly Nyame, to prison

Justice Adebukola Banjoko of the Federal Capital Territory High Court is the judge that found former governor of Taraba State, Reverend Jolly Nyame guilty for criminal breach of trust and misappropriation of N1.64 billion while he was in office. She sentenced him to 14 years in prison without fine.






Justice Banjoko was so appalled at Nyame’s brazen theft of public money that she said angrily.


“There’s no moral justification for the level of outright theft, and the Court must therefore, impose a statement, hopefully as a deterrent to other public officers, who may be similarly inclined. From the totality of facts before the court, Nyame approved N250 million for purchase of stationery, but is found to have no intention to fulfil the purpose,” Justice Banjoko held.


Justice Banjoko also noted that Nyame, a clergyman, as governor of Taraba, breached the trust reposed in him by the indigenes of the state, when he misappropriated N250 million which he approved purportedly for the purchase of stationery for the state.






In a ruling which lasted more than 4 hours, Justice Banjoko found Nyame guilty of 16 counts, bordering on criminal breach of public trust.

Breaking! Zidane steps down as Real Madrid coach after two years in charge

Zinedine Zidane has shocked the football world after announcing he will be stepping down as Real Madridmanager after two and a half years in charge of the Spanish club.

The 45-year-old Frenchman made the shocking announcement after calling for a press conference on Thursday afternoon to confirm that he's walking away despite helping the club to a hat-trick of Champions League titles on Saturday

The three-time Champions League winning coach who played as a midfielder for five years for the Spanish club, is understood to be under contract with Real Madrid until 2020.

Zidane's honours at Real Madrid includes La Liga: 2016-17, Supercopa de Espana: 2017, UEFA Champions League (3): 2015-16, 2016-17, 2017-18, UEFA Super Cup (2): 2016, 2017 and FIFA Club World Cup (2): 2016, 2017.