Saturday 20 April 2013

Presidency: Okupe Didn’t Label Buhari As Sponsor Of Boko Haram



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CPC LEADER, ALHAJI MUHAMMADU BUHARI
SAN FRANCISCO, April 15, (THEWILL) –  The Presidency has refuted an online media report insinuating that Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr, Doyin Okupe, had identified the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) leader, Alhaji Muhammadu Buhari, as the main sponsor of the Boko Haram group.

Describing the report as false, the Presidency said it was the handiwork of evil persons who are out to tarnish the image of Okupe and cause disaffection in the country by setting citizens against each other and against government.

 A statement signed on Monday by the Special Adviser to the President on Public Relations, Dr. Olusanya Awosan, said “The Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs has denied a report circulating online that Dr, Doyin Okupe has identified Alhaji Muhammadu Buhari as the main sponsor of the Boko Haram group.

"The office has described the story as false and the handiwork of evil persons who are out to tarnish the image of Dr. Okupe and cause disaffection in the country by setting citizens against each other and against government.

“The office advises journalists to always crosscheck with us before going to press as we are ready to volunteer information as we have always done.

“We also enjoin the good people of Nigeria to discountenance this fictitious report because at no time did Dr. Okupe identify the former Head of State as a sponsor of Boko Haram.”

This Looting Must Stop, Bishop Onaiyekan Tells Jonathan…As Gov Aliyu Accuses FG Of Lack Of Transparency In Oil Earnings



This Looting Must Stop, Bishop Onaiyekan Tells Jonathan…As Gov Aliyu Accuses FG Of Lack Of Transparency In Oil Earnings
Outspoken catholic priest, Cardinal John Onaiyekan  has urged President Goodluck Jonathan to put an end to the on-going looting of the nation’s resources under his administration by showing some commitment to the fight against corruption.
He gave the charge today in Abuja at the Leadership Newspaper’s annual lecture and awards ceremony where Niger State governor, Babangida Aliyu also accused the Jonathan administration of lack of transparency in the nation’s oil earnings.
In his contribution at the lecture, Onaiyekan said “Two of the obstacles before us which we must resolutely confront are corruption and insecurity. When we talk about corruption, I’m not talking about small bribes, but big, legal and official corruption in high places.
“We are hearing of billions of dollars being stolen. The people of Nigeria are being deprived of their belongings. It is not longer a rumour that out monies are being stolen. This stealing must stop. No more cover up or pretence. Stolen resources must be recovered and put back in the places where they’ve been taken from. We should pardon our thieves, but they must return the loot.”
In his remarks as the guest lecturer at the event, Governor Aliyu accused the federal government of failure to provide accurate data on the country’s daily crude oil production, sales and revenue.
His words: “Despite enormous resources generated from the oil sector, no accurate data is available to present daily production of crude in the country. This has led to corruption and negative twist in the economic fortunes of the country as only few who control the monopoly siphon our commonwealth.”
He added that “the exact figures are only known to the people involved as transparency is limited. Instead of economic gains for the ordinary Nigerians, crude oil discovery in Nigeria appears to be more of a problem as it has killed agriculture which was the main stay of our economy.”
In his brief remarks, former Lagos governor, Bola Tinubu said ”Let’s go back to our first national anthem we had at independence. All we are talking about is to serve the nation. Let’s make the effort to go back to that national anthem. Let’s sing it from the heart and not from the tone.”

Jonathan Build us Refineries Now



oil-refinery
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President Jonathan, please start building Nigeria several new refineries now!
Build us refineries now!
Build refineries now!
We can not take this anymore. We are tired.
What is all this now?
Why will you not build us refinery?
What is the nonsense of Dangote trying to build refinery?
We can not take this. We will never accept this.
Who owns our money? We want refinery!
This is how we want to spend our money.
We are not asking for nuclear reactor, all we are asking for is refineries?
Niger has built its own.
Why are we being treated like we do not know our rights?
How much is refinery, 8 billion dollars?
So why do we not have many?
What is holding your hand? What is this now!
Please, start now. Build several refineries.
If Dangote builds his, we Nigerians will tear it down.
Do you plan to sell all Nigeria to few cabal?
What rubbish! Ingredients!
You think we are stupid? My friend used to import to Nigeria.
The customs hold all his goods till they spoil to make Dangote the sole importer,
now my friends business collapsed! Do you think we Nigerians are idiots?
And Ngozi, let me tell you, Nigerians do not like you anymore!
We have seen through you. Minister of Economy. You are only interested in yourself
and your Oyinbo boss at world bank. Leave us Nigerians alone.
What is all this suffering? Why all this?
What is there to stand up and do what is right? Are you people ashamed of challenging the cabal?
You are the cabal!
Must we Nigerians hold our head in shame everyday, everywhere?
Simple refineries, we have none working standard and nothing being built.
The ones we have were built gboro years ago and they are the worst in the entire world,
only able to produce 16 per cent of PMS!
What is this now? Three refineries, only 400,000 barrels per day at 40% output!
Are we cows? Give us grass to eat now.
But you add insult and injury to us with this cabal empowerment.
We will never agree.
Can you hear? No fancy grammar. Straight and direct!
Build us 10 refineries now!
Jonathan, build us refineries now!
We are not distracted by all this yeye, fake amnesty.
Suffering is killing us more than Boko Haram kills us.
Suffering is making us fight each other.
Boko haram is here today because you are cheating and destroying us.
Boko does not kill the cabal, Boko kills us. MEND kills us.
The cabal do not plan to solve Boko Haram. They hire them after all to keep us distracted.
Distract and rule. Nonsense! Sheer wickedness.
We want refineries.
Jonathan, build us refineries now. You done hear?
You will not sleep till you start building them.
This is your last advice!
Build us refineries!
I will keep worrying you till you build our refineries.
Please send this message to Jonathan. Don’t let him rest.
by Sule Lagbaja.
A mere Nigerian

News+Rescue

I didn’t bomb Madalla Catholic church–Kabir Sokoto



An alleged Boko Haram commander suspected of masterminding the December 25, 2011 bombing of St. Theresa’s Catholic Church in Madalla, Niger State, Kabiru Sokoto, on Friday pleaded not guilty to an amended two-count terrorism charge brought against him by the Federal Government.
Sokoto, whose real name is Kabiru Umar, was arraigned amid tight security before an Abuja Federal High Court presided by Justice Ademola Adeniyi.
The arraignment was initially slated for March 20, 2013, but the absence of counsel for the accused person stalled the process.
On that day, the suspected Boko Haram chieftain had asked the court to give him time to get a lawyer.
When the matter resumed on Friday, a team of five lawyers, led by H. A. Ibrahim, appeared in court to defend Sokoto.
The other lawyers are Hassan Lukman, Yahaya Saidu, S. Okoh, and a human rights lawyer from Kaduna, Sadau Garba.
Sokoto’s wife and child were also present in court.
Speaking through a court interpreter, the alleged terrorist denied the two-count charge when it was read to him by the court clerk.
Apart from the charge that he had prior knowledge of the St. Theresa’s Catholic Church bombing, Sokoto was also accused of planning to bomb the headquarters of the Sokoto State Police Command as well as other government organisations in the state.
Count 1 reads, “That you, Kabiru Umar (alias Kabiru Sokoto) member of an illegal terrorist organisation known and called Boko Haram, between 2007 and 2012, at Masiwa, Sokoto State, did facilitate the commission of terrorist acts to wit: by planting and encouraging your boys (now at large) at Masiwa, Sokoto, in Sokoto State, with the intention to bomb the police headquarters Sokoto and some other government organisations in the state, and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 15(2) of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act 2004, and punishable under the same Act.”
In count two, the SSS alleged that on or about December 25, 2011, at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, Madalla, Niger State, Sokoto had information about the bombing of the church and failed to disclose such to law enforcement officers as soon as possible, an offence contrary to section 7(1) of Terrorism and Prevention Act 2011, and punishable under section 33(1)(c) of the same Act.
After the accused person had taken his plea and denied the charge, the prosecuting counsel, Mrs. Chioma Onuegbu, asked for a date for trial.
She had earlier informed the court that about eight witnesses have been pencilled down to testify against Sokoto.
The suspect’s lead counsel rose to move an oral application, asking the court to grant Sokoto bail “in the most liberal terms.”
But the judge instructed Ibrahim that the rules of the FHC stipulated that such an application must be formal.
“If you propose to make any application, you must come formally and also serve the prosecution,” Justice Adeniyi said.
Ibrahim thereafter asked the court to transfer Sokoto from the custody of the State Security Service to prison custody.
He claimed that Sokoto’s lawyers were having challenges in getting access to him in the SSS detention facility.
“We need access to the accused person to enable us to prepare his defence,” Ibrahim added.
In a short ruling, Justice Adeniyi fixed May 2, 6 and 9, 2013, for trial.
He also ordered that Sokoto be remanded in prison custody until the trial date.
Punch Nigeria

Al Neuharth Dead: USA Today Founder Dies In Florida At 89


Al Neuharth Dead

COCOA BEACH, Fla. — Critics dubbed USA Today "McPaper" when it debuted in 1982, and they accused its founder, Al Neuharth, of dumbing down American journalism with its easy-to-read articles and bright graphics.
Neuharth had the last laugh when USA Today became the nation's most-circulated newspaper in the late 1990s.
The hard-charging founder of USA Today died Friday in Cocoa Beach, Fla. He was 89. The news was announced by USA Today and by the Newseum, which he also founded.
Jack Marsh, president of the Al Neuharth Media Center and a close friend, confirmed that he passed away Friday afternoon at his home. Marsh said Neuharth fell earlier this week and never quite recovered.
Neuharth changed the look of American newspapers by filling USA Today with breezy, easy-to-comprehend articles, attention-grabbing graphics and stories that often didn't require readers to jump to a different page. Sections were denoted by different colors. The entire back page of the news section had a colored-weather map of the entire United States. The news section contained a state-by-state roundup of headlines from across the nation. Its eye-catching logo of white lettering on a blue background made it recognizable from a distance.
"Our target was college-age people who were non-readers. We thought they were getting enough serious stuff in classes," Neuharth said in 1995. "We hooked them primarily because it was a colorful newspaper that played up the things they were interested in – sports, entertainment and TV."
USA Today was unlike any newspaper before it when it debuted in 1982. Its style was widely derided but later widely imitated. Many news veterans gave it few chances for survival. Advertisers were at first reluctant to place their money in a newspaper that might compete with local dailies. But circulation grew. In 1999, USA Today edged past the Wall Street Journal in circulation with 1.75 million daily copies, to take the title of the nation's biggest newspaper.
"Everybody was skeptical and so was I, but I said you never bet against Neuharth," the late Washington Post publisher Katharine Graham said in a 2000 Associated Press interview.
The launch of USA Today was Neuharth's most visible undertaking during more than 15 years as chairman and CEO of the Gannett Co. During his helm, Gannett became the nation's largest newspaper company and the company's annual revenues increased from $200 million to more than $3 billion. Neuharth became CEO of the company in 1973 and chairman in 1979. He retired in 1989.
As Gannett chief, Neuharth loved making the deal. Even more so, the driven media mogul loved toying with and trumping his competitors in deal-making.
In his autobiography, "Confessions of an S.O.B.," Neuharth made no secret of his hard-nosed business tactics, such as taking advantage of a competitor's conversation he overheard.
He also recounted proudly how he beat out Graham in acquiring newspapers in Wilmington, Del. He said the two were attending a conference together in Hawaii, and he had already learned that Gannett had the winning bid, but he kept silent until he slipped her a note right before the deal was to be announced.
During the mid-1980s, Gannett unsuccessfully attempted to merge with CBS in what would have been the biggest media company at the time. The deal fell apart, something that Neuharth considered one of his biggest failures.
Neuharth was proud of his record in bringing more minorities and women into Gannett newsrooms and the board of directors. When he became CEO, the company's board was all white and male. By the time he retired, the board had four women, two blacks and one Asian. He also pushed Graham to become the first female chairman of the American Newspaper Publishers Association.
"He was a great leader," said former AP president and CEO Tom Curley, who worked closely with Neuharth for many years. "He certainly was one of the pioneers on moving women and people of color into management positions. He was a very strong manager who commanded respect, I think, throughout the industry as well as from those who worked with him. His hardscrabble life, poverty in South Dakota and fighting in World War II prepared him for any battles in a competitive arena, and he loved to compete and he loved to win."
Before joining Gannett, Neuharth rose up through the ranks of Knight Newspapers. He went from reporter to assistant managing editor at The Miami Herald in the 1950s and then became assistant executive editor at the Detroit Free Press.
Allen H. Neuharth was born March 22, 1924, in Eureka, S.D. His father died when he was 2. He grew up poor but ambitious in Alpena, S.D., and had journalism in his blood from an early start. At age 11, he took his first job as a newspaper carrier and later as a teenager he worked in the composing room of the weekly Alpena Journal. His ambition already was noticeable.
"I wanted to get rich and famous no matter where it was," Neuharth said in a 1999 Associated Press interview. "I got lucky. Luck is very much a part of it. You have to be at the right place at the right time and pick the right place at the right time."
After earning a bronze star in World War II and graduating with a journalism degree from the University of South Dakota, Neuharth worked for the AP for two years. He then launched a South Dakota sports weekly tabloid, SoDak Sports, in 1952. It was a spectacular failure, losing $50,000, but it was perhaps the best education Neuharth ever received.
"Everyone should fail in a big way at least once before they're forty," he said in his autobiography. "The bigger you fail, the bigger you're likely to succeed later."
Neuharth married three times. His first marriage to high school sweetheart Loretta Neuharth lasted 26 years. They had a son, Dan, and daughter, Jan. He married Lori Wilson, a Florida state senator, in 1973; they divorced in 1982. A decade later, he married Rachel Fornes, a chiropractor. Together, they adopted six children.
After he retired from Gannett, Neuharth continued to write "Plain Talk," a weekly column for USA Today.
He also founded the The Freedom Forum, a foundation dedicated to free press and free speech that holds journalism conferences, offers fellowships and provides training. It was begun in 1991 as a successor to the Gannett Foundation, the company's philanthropic arm.
Jim Duff, president and chief executive officer of the Freedom Forum, said, "Al will be remembered for many trailblazing achievements in the newspaper business, but one of his most enduring legacies will be his devotion to educating and training new journalists," according to the post on the Newseum website. Duff added, "He taught them the importance of not only a free press but a fair one."
With his entrepreneurial flair, Neuharth put the Freedom Forum on the map with Newseum, an interactive museum to show visitors how news is covered. The first museum in Arlington, Va., was open from 1997 to 2002. It was replaced by a $450 million facility in Washington that opened in spring 2008. There was also the Newscapade, a $5 million traveling exhibit.
In a June 2007 interview in Advertising Age, Neuharth was asked about the future of printed newspapers amid the upheavals of the news business.
"The only thing we can assume is that consumers of news and information will continue to want more as the world continues to become one global village," he said. "The question is how much will be distributed in print, online and on the air. I don't know how much will be delivered on newsprint. Some will be delivered by means we can't even think of yet."
HuffingtonPost

TB Joshua's ‘Negative’ Predictions And Adeboye's ‘Non-Existent’ Predictions



The online storms that brew this week over the prophecy of Nigerian Pastor T.B. Joshua about the crash that ended the lives of Governor Yakowa and General Azazi seem to be slowly abating.
As the news of the tragic deaths reverberated nationwide, Joshua released a controversial video on youtube which claimed he had predicted the incident and details relating to it on four different occasions. However, I still feel the need to air my views, furnished by contextual consideration, as the dust settles on the heated debates within social media that were triggered by the prophecy.

Understandably, the video drew its fair share of criticism, the major bone of contention in the minds of viewers and observers being Joshua’s continued proficiency in predicting negative events and his seeming inability to change them after such revelations come forth. I can well understand this mindset, having been one of Joshua’s most skeptical distant observers for long. However, it was last year when my brother fell mysteriously sick that I was basically ‘forced’ to look in Joshua’s direction for help. Doctors told me he had a treatable kidney infection but what I saw was my brother transform from a healthy, vibrant young man to an almost unrecognisable emaciated figure in literally two months, on the verge of death. 

After exhausting medical treatment, a good friend of mine advised me to take him to The SCOAN for prayer. Circumstantially driven, I acceded and financed his wife to take him there. Three weeks later, my brother was back on his feet, eating well and regaining his lost vigour. Thus, my interest in Emmanuel TV was born, and I must confess, it has slowly become my daily spiritual food and a constant source of discussion and wonder within our home. 

I don’t claim to completely understand T.B. Joshua’s ministry at The SCOAN. On the contrary, many of the things I see there on Emmanuel TV (especially the deliverance)baffle me. However, I have seen enough to know that Joshua is a humble servant of God with quite extraordinary powers he is unequivocally using to uplift society. In my view, he is the best pastor to have come from these shores - with an uncompromising message of salvation, an admirable array of charitable projects and real solutions provided to people who come with myriads of diverse problems. 

So, on the argument dealing with his tendency to deliver ‘negative’ predictions, I think this is a case of blaming the messenger for delivering his message. It is sadly indicative of the state of our society and nation and the type of seed we have collectively been planting. As one commenter on the issues arising from Joshua’s prophecy opined, “It's the prophecies of prosperity and ‘it shall be well with the abominable’ that has destroyed any remaining chance for Nigeria's restructuring. The ‘prophecy of doom’ is to the sharpening of man… Let those who prophesy prosperity tell us what has come of it save the acute and nauseating love for money which, as the Holy Book says, is the root of all evil.”

Everyone wants to hear good tidings but how many are genuinely pursuing a righteous and just course that will amalgamate in a tide-turning shift within Nigeria’s political and socio-economic landscape. God cannot break His own Divine statutes, set in stone from the earth’s formation, the principle of seed-time and harvest. 

If we continue to harbour corruption, celebrate decadence and have a compromising conflict of deeds and words, what then do we expect God to reveal to His servants about our future? Indeed, a flick through our national dailies reveals enough about the actions and attitude of our nation, its leaders and inhabitants, especially that of our youth, to know that a bleak future awaits us unless there is a radical change.

On Joshua’s revelation without apparent corresponding action and subsequent redemption, I believe the majority of people who heard about the prophecy and quickly drew such abrasive conclusions never actually took the time out to watch the video released on YouTube to the very end. Joshua is very explicit in explaining this issue. He said, “I have been wrestling with certain things. 

When I say, wrestle, it’s an issue that I keep praying and asking God, ‘What I’m seeing should be changed.’ But God said, ‘No, the whole nation should come together and pray’. So, when I’m hearing my country should come also and pray together, that is when I will come out and tell you what I am seeing in the vision. 

When I see a vision and I know I can handle it myself, I don’t need to tell you. I will call the wise men and we’ll pray. But when I know that this thing is not possible for me alone and my people to do, I will come out to tell you that this is what I have seen.” 

If our eyes were opened spiritually, perhaps we would be privy to see devastating events on the verge of occurring within Nigeria that were forestalled through the prayers of God’s people at SCOAN, the news of which will never reach our earthly ears. Aside from this, the prophet prayed and enjoined the nation to join him. Did we? 

I believe many of those blindly criticising the prophet are not well versed with his ministry or accustomed to watching Emmanuel TV. This prophecy is not an isolated proclamation. Indeed, every week, Prophet Joshua prophesies to individuals in the church with uncanny speed, accuracy and consistency. Whether its prayer for the terminally ill, reconciliation of a broken family, deliverance of people under demonic oppression or charity to the widow, orphan and reformed militant, Prophet Joshua is settling real problems with real solutions. It seems to me both insolent and incoherent to suggest he is just a ‘prophet of doom’ who capitalises on misfortunes to project his name. Please, don’t base your view on a single news report.

On a related note, Pastor Enoch Adeboye whose global influence on his flock and command on the common Nigerian is almost inestimable prayed for President Jonathan in his Redeemed Camp just a few hours before the ill-fated crash. The question beckons, did he not have any such revelation about the tragic events on the verge of unfolding merely hours after his public prayer with the President knelt before him? If so, were his prayers effective? Respected Nigerian journalist Femi Adesina of The Sun Newspaper, wrote in his column this week, “Didn’t Pastor Adeboye see the crash as he prayed with President Jonathan? Didn’t the Lord reveal it to him? Couldn’t he have interceded, so that the monumental tragedy would be averted… ‘The secret of the Lord is with those that fear Him,’ says the Good Book. So, why didn’t the Lord confide in Adeboye about the Bayelsa crash, which was to happen some hours after Jonathan had come for prayers… I’m sure the pastor himself must have been somewhat embarrassed when he heard the news.”

The reason I write this is not to gloat or in any way suggest Adeboye’s spiritual incompetence. I just believe it’s time Nigeria recognises who is who in God’s vineyard. Baba Adeboye is a fine preacher but, in my own humble opinion, not a prophet. This is evidenced by his yearly prophetic declarations which are almost nonsensical in nature if perceived to be divinely inspired. 

He declares simple biblical principles and realities of life and packages them with the title ‘prophecy’ on a yearly basis. It’s high time someone like Adeboye can publicly acknowledges God’s gift in his brother in the vineyard, instead of the baseless bickering, crude condemnation and pulpit-judgement that have caused division within the Nigerian church fold for far too long.

I believe our nation should recognise God’s voice in this trying time and acknowledge the potential pastors, who are genuinely doing God’s work, have to bring Divine direction to those in the helm of affairs in this nation, if they are willing to listen. Who knows - if President Jonathan had visited Joshua for prayer on that fateful day, perhaps Kaduna would still be with its Governor and the deaths of six men would have been averted..
TalkOfNaija

FG, Ogun State Govt. Protocol Officials Clash At Oluwole Awolowo’s Funeral



BurialCeremonyofLateChiefOluwoleAwolowoinIkenneOgunState18
Funeral services are usually solemn and time for a sober reflection, but for the protocol officials of the Federal Government and the Ogun State Government who almost disrupted the funeral service held for late Chairman of Tribune titles, Chief Oluwole Awolowo on Friday, it was a time for power tussle.
Confusion started few minutes before the commencement of the programme which was held at Our Saviour’s Anglican Church Ikenne, when one of the Protocol officials of the State government asked some members of the delegation of the Federal Government to vacate the front seats for the State governor Ibikunle Amosun and other governors.
The Federal Government delegation which comprises, the Presidential Spokesman, Dr. Reuben Abati, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru, Minister of State ,Federal Capital Territory, Mrs. Olajumoke Akinjide and Special Assistant to President Jonathan on Policy and Strategies, Mr. Oronto Douglas, had already occupied the front seats in the Church before the arrival of the state government protocol officials.
The clash of interest between the two governments’ officials was hinged on who should sit on the first seats in the Church that had already been reserved for dignitaries.
The Protocol officials of the FG became infuriated over the action of their counterparts in the State government who insisted that only one person from the delegation of the Presidency would be allowed to sit at the front seat.
Reports say it was only the intervention of a grand child in the Awolowo family, Segun, who begged them not to disrupt his uncle’s funeral service that stopped the issue from getting out of hand.
When the Minister of Information Mr Labaran Maku, who was representing the president arrived the Church after the first crisis had been resolved, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru had to vacate his seat for him.
Little did anyone know that the crisis was far from over as it reared its ugly head when another set of seats were arranged at the front for the five Governors that were at the service.
This development appalled the delegation of the President who resisted it but were ignored.
The crisis climaxed when the moderator called the representative of the President to speak before the governor of the State contrary to the order of protocol.
The Labaran Maku-led delegation ignored the call and did not stand up to deliver the President’s speech. The gesture put the programme on hold for a while before one of the Awolowo daughters, Tokunbo Awolowo-Dosunmu quickly went to the moderator to correct him.
Governor Ibikunle Amosun in his remarks publicly acknowledged the flop in the protocol, saying the Presidency would make the final speech as the protocol demands. The President’s representative, Labaran Maku later spoke last.
InformationNigeria

Boston Marathon Bombing Suspect Killed, Another On The Loose



A man suspected in the Boston Marathon bombings on Monday died after a frantic crime spree late Thursday night and early Friday morning. His accomplice is currently at large, and considered armed and dangerous.
At a press conference early Friday, Boston police officers confirmed that the pair are believed to be the same men wanted in connection with the Boston Marathon bombings.
Authorities have identified the surviving suspect as Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, age 19. The suspect who died has been identified as Tsarnaev's older brother, 26-year-oldTamerlan Tsarnaev, according to the New York Times. Authorities say the pair came from the Russian region near Chechnya and have been living in the United States legally for at least a year.
CLICK HERE for live updates
On Thursday evening, around 10:20 p.m., an MIT police officer was responding to a disturbance on campus when he was shot multiple times by two suspects, Middlesex Acting District Attorney Michael Pelgro, Cambridge Police Commissioner Robert Haas and MIT Police Chief John DiFava announced.
The officer later died at Massachusetts General Hospital. His name has not yet been made public.
Soon after the shooting at MIT, police received reports of an armed carjacking in Cambridge by two males.
The victim was reportedly jumped by the suspects, and kept in the car for about 30 minutes. After being released at a Cambridge gas station, unharmed, the suspects drove away.
The suspects were later identified as the Tsarnaev brothers.
The search for that vehicle led police to Watertown, Mass. When the car was sighted near the intersection of Dexter and Laurel, the suspects allegedly threw explosives into the street and engaged officers in a firefight.
During this pursuit, an MBTA police officer was seriously injured, The Boston Globe reported. According to WCVB, he is currently in critical condition.
Tamerlan Tsarnaev was also critically injured. He was taken to an area hospital, and was later pronounced dead.
Police are still searching Watertown for the Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, who is considered armed and dangerous:
HuffingtonPost

Dzhokhar Tsarnaev Captured: Alleged Boston Marathon Bomber Arrested Following Manhunt



Dzhokhar Tsarnaev
Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, who was wanted in connection to the Boston Marathon bombing.
The hunt for Dzhokhar Tsarnaev ended Friday night when authorities captured the suspect wanted in connection to the bombing Monday at the Boston Marathon, according to the Boston Police Department. Authorities say the suspect, along with his brother, killed an MIT police officer, severely wounded another lawman and hurled explosives at police in a car chase and gun battle, according to the Associated Press.
Law enforcement officials in Watertown, Mass., responded to the site of reported gunfire around 7:00 p.m. -- approximately one hour after lifting a lockdown on the area -- where they found Tsarnaev, 19, hiding inside a small boat. Police cornered the suspect, not far from the site of a shootout the previous night that killed his brother and suspected accomplice, Tamerlan Tsarnaev.
The AP reports that the suspects were identified as ethnic Chechen brothers who had lived in Dagestan, which neighbors Chechnya in southern Russia. They had been in the U.S. for about a decade and were believed to be living in Cambridge, Mass.
While the searching was ongoing, authorities in Boston suspended mass transit and warned residents to stay indoors. SWAT teams were called in, as well as FBI special agents. Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis said, "We believe this man to be a terrorist. We believe this to be a man who's come here to kill people."
Soon after the FBI released photos and videos of the young men at the Boston Marathon, Suspect 1 was killed. A day later, Suspect 2 was finally apprehended.
CLICK HERE for live updates
The streets of Watertown erupted in cheers as news came that the suspect had been captured alive, according to HuffPost reporters Christina Wilkie and Michael McLaughlin.
"I'm happy they caught him. I'm happy he's alive. I want to know why," said Jeannette Harvey, a Watertown resident who works at Massachusetts General Hospital in the trauma ward.
According to AP, Kathleen Paolillo, a 27-year-old teacher who lives in Watertown, also said, "Everyone wants him alive."
Residents were relieved as a heavily guarded ambulance headed east on Mount Auburn Street. It was unclear who was riding inside, but there was a sense that the danger was over.
The violent manhunt unfolded one night after FBI Special Agent Richard DesLauriers vowed that the alleged bombers would be "brought to justice."
HuffingtonPost

Miranda Rights Won't Be Read For Boston Bombing Suspect: Justice Official



WASHINGTON -- A Justice Department official says the Boston Marathon bombing suspect will not be read his Miranda rights because the government is invoking a public safety exception.
That official and a second person briefed on the investigation says 19-year-old Dzhokhar Tsarnaev will be questioned by a special interrogation team for high-value suspects. The officials spoke on the condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to disclose the information publicly.
The public safety exception permits law enforcement officials to engage in a limited and focused unwarned interrogation of a suspect and allows the government to introduce the statement as evidence in court. The public safety exception is triggered when police officers have an objectively reasonable need to protect the police or the public from immediate danger.
HuffingtonPost

Thursday 18 April 2013

10 foods that detoxify your body, without fasting


by Brianne DiSylvester
detox
Fiber is especially important for cleansing your digestive system because it expands to sweep the intestines clean.
Sucking down juice and only juice for 5 days straight is so 2010. Think that’s the only way to detox? Tsk, tsk! You can still flush out your system without starving yourself. Try incorporating these natural detoxifiers into your diet on a daily basis to feel refreshed in no time.
Broccoli Sprouts
Take the sprouts, leave the broccoli head. Broccoli sprouts are super high in antioxidants that help detox enzymes in the digestive tract.

Citrus
Vitamin C is one of the best detox vitamins around, so it’s no surprise lemons, oranges and limes made our list. The enzymes help to clear the digestive tract and cleanse the liver. Try drinking a warm glass of lemon water daily.
Fruit
Since fruit already has such wonderfully-high liquid content, it works wonders for your system. Plus, fruits are easy to digest, high in antioxidants, nutrients, fiber and vitamin C. Fiber is especially important for cleansing your digestive system because it expands to sweep the intestines clean. You can gently cleanse your system by eating plenty ofbananaspearsapplesstrawberriesblackberriesgrapefruitoranges, dates, figs andplums. Pst… pick the juicier fruits.

Garlic
It may be stinky, but by just adding raw or cooked garlic to your food you’re helping to filter out residual toxins.
Green Food
Remember when your mom told you to eat something green every day? Do it. And make sure some are leafy greens like kale, spinach, arugula and even wheatgrass or blue green algae. The chlorophyll will boost your digestive tract to eliminate toxins.

Green Tea
This well-known healthy drink washes out toxins with its special antioxidants called catechins, which also increase liver function. Win-win.
Mung Beans
These tiny beans pack a big punch as they absorb residual toxins along the intestinal walls.
Omega-3 Oils
Avocado, olive oil and flax seed oil… sounds good to us! These items are high in Omega-3s which help lube up the intestinal walls and absorb the toxins.

Raw Veggies
Since onions, carrots, artichokes, asparagus, broccoli, cabbage, kale, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, garlic, beets, turmeric and oregano are all high in sulphur and glutathione, they help to rid your liver of harmful toxins.
Water
And lots and lots of it.
While you’re at it, boost your metabolism with these foods. Happy detoxing!
Naija.com

2015: Opposition Parties Won’t Disappoint Nigerians - Buhari


NEWS-
2015: Opposition Parties Won’t Disappoint Nigerians - Buhari

Thu, 18/04/2013 

Former head of state and 2011 presidential candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) General Muhammadu Buhari has said that the opposition parties would not disappoint Nigerians if given the mandate to rule in 2015.

He added that the emerging All Progressives Congress  (APC) comprising the Action Congress of Nigeria (CAN), All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), CPC, and the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) would uphold the trust in transforming the country positively.

Buhari, who is the chairman, Board of Trustees (BoT) of the CPC, stated this yesterday at the CPC contact and mobilization committee for the north-west zone in Kaduna.

He added  that the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)  has almost collapsed the entire system in the country and stressed the need for urgent action that will put the country on the right track in order for the country to return to its lost glory.

Buhari noted: “The reason why we are here is to educate the people on the new party formation whose talks are ongoing; this movement for unity is a must for any CPC member.

“Any right-thinking person will know that, from 1999 to date, Nigeria has been blessed with human and natural resources. You will also agree that the leadership of this country has betrayed the nation and the people.

“From 2007, we started observing that if we are not united, we cannot overthrow the present set of leadership who is doing the wrong thing. What happened in 2003, 2007 and 2011 general elections does not show any sign of fairness and justice. Even the by-elections conducted has further indicated that there is no justice in the elections of this country.

“Those of you at the grass roots know better than I know that instead of the government educating our youths, putting the education system in the right perspectives to better the lives of the future leaders, they steal money in the name of doing so. But for the youths who lack what to do, they are given hard drugs, making them engage in all manner of atrocities.

“I was a governor, a minister of petroleum, a head of state, headed PTF -- and all these were through the help of God.
“In 2015, if Nigerians agree to give us another opportunity, we will uphold the trust.

“Those of you elected under the CPC are those that truly won the elections. I spoke about ‘Kare Jini, Biri Jini’ before; I don’t want to repeat it again. All those of you elected have lots of work to do now. Ensure that those who elected you agree with you for you to be re-elected, hold the party with your right hands and ensure that this unity is sustained.

“ In 2015, we shall be victorious in capturing states including Abuja, Insha Allah, and, from now onward, any CPC member should be ready to spend his or her money. If you have goats, sell it or mortgage your properties for the sake of this country.”

He reiterated that the elections of 2003, 2007 and 2011 lacked fairness and people’s votes were not allowed to count, saying that the development is responsible for the lack of meaningful development in the country.

He urged the party faithful and Nigerians at large to support the merger movement which is a coalition of  political parties determined to wrestle power from the ruling  PDP and give every Nigerian a sense of belonging where their well being will be given top priority.

Speaking earlier, the national coordinator of the contact and mobilization committee, Senator Solomon Ewuga, said the north-west meeting was aimed at sensitizing party members on the planned merger and setting up committees for the zone."

Former head of state and 2011 presidential candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) General Muhammadu Buhari has said that the opposition parties would not disappoint Nigerians if given the mandate to rule in 2015.

He added that the emerging All Progressives Congress (APC) comprising the Action Congress of Nigeria (CAN), All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), CPC, and the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) would uphold the trust in transforming the country positively.

Buhari, who is the chairman, Board of Trustees (BoT) of the CPC, stated this yesterday at the CPC contact and mobilization committee for the north-west zone in Kaduna.

He added that the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has almost collapsed the entire system in the country and stressed the need for urgent action that will put the country on the right track in order for the country to return to its lost glory.

Buhari noted: “The reason why we are here is to educate the people on the new party formation whose talks are ongoing; this movement for unity is a must for any CPC member.

“Any right-thinking person will know that, from 1999 to date, Nigeria has been blessed with human and natural resources. You will also agree that the leadership of this country has betrayed the nation and the people.

“From 2007, we started observing that if we are not united, we cannot overthrow the present set of leadership who is doing the wrong thing. What happened in 2003, 2007 and 2011 general elections does not show any sign of fairness and justice. Even the by-elections conducted has further indicated that there is no justice in the elections of this country.

“Those of you at the grass roots know better than I know that instead of the government educating our youths, putting the education system in the right perspectives to better the lives of the future leaders, they steal money in the name of doing so. But for the youths who lack what to do, they are given hard drugs, making them engage in all manner of atrocities.

“I was a governor, a minister of petroleum, a head of state, headed PTF -- and all these were through the help of God.
“In 2015, if Nigerians agree to give us another opportunity, we will uphold the trust.

“Those of you elected under the CPC are those that truly won the elections. I spoke about ‘Kare Jini, Biri Jini’ before; I don’t want to repeat it again. All those of you elected have lots of work to do now. Ensure that those who elected you agree with you for you to be re-elected, hold the party with your right hands and ensure that this unity is sustained.

“ In 2015, we shall be victorious in capturing states including Abuja, Insha Allah, and, from now onward, any CPC member should be ready to spend his or her money. If you have goats, sell it or mortgage your properties for the sake of this country.”

He reiterated that the elections of 2003, 2007 and 2011 lacked fairness and people’s votes were not allowed to count, saying that the development is responsible for the lack of meaningful development in the country.

He urged the party faithful and Nigerians at large to support the merger movement which is a coalition of political parties determined to wrestle power from the ruling PDP and give every Nigerian a sense of belonging where their well being will be given top priority.

Speaking earlier, the national coordinator of the contact and mobilization committee, Senator Solomon Ewuga, said the north-west meeting was aimed at sensitizing party members on the planned merger and setting up committees for the zone."

Saturday 13 April 2013

Respect State Marijuana Laws Act Introduced In Congress



NEW YORK -- Republicans and Democrats in Congress are coming together in defense of states' rights -- and marijuana.
Rep. Dana Rohrbacher (R-Calif.) introduced a bipartisan bill on Friday to protect marijuana users and businesses from federal prosecution when they are following state laws. The Respect State Marijuana Laws Act would shield both medical and recreational pot users.
"This bipartisan bill represents a common-sense approach that establishes federal government respect for all states’ marijuana laws. It does so by keeping the federal government out of the business of criminalizing marijuana activities in states that don’t want it to be criminal," said Rohrbacher, in a statement.
Despite promising not to go after medical marijuana dispensaries, the Obama administration has raided hundreds of them. Federal officials are still trying to make up their minds, moreover, about how to respond to recently passed referendums in Colorado and Washington state that legalized marijuana outright.
Rohrbacher's bill should take away any doubt: It would say that residents of states that take steps to reform drug laws on their own shouldn't be subject to federal harassment.
A Pew Poll released last week showed that a broad majority of Americans, even when they don't agree with legalizing marijuana, believe the federal government should not step in to punish users in states that do. Sixty percent of Americans said the federal government should not meddle in states that legalize pot.
"Marijuana prohibition is on its last legs because most Americans no longer support it," said Steve Fox, national political director for the Marijuana Policy Project. "This legislation presents a perfect opportunity for members to embrace the notion that states should be able to devise systems for regulating marijuana without their citizens having to worry about breaking federal law."
The bill is cosponsored by Reps. Justin Amash (R-Mich.), Don Young (R-Alaska), Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.), Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.) and Jared Polis (D-Colo.). Rohrbacher, whose state has a large medical marijuana program, has previously introducedlegislation seeking to reclassify marijuana at the federal level as a drug that does have medical uses.
The bipartisan makeup of the bill's cosponsors reflects increasing support among Republicans for ending or shifting the country's war on drugs. In the past two months, for example, Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) has called for lessening marijuana penalties and evangelical media titan Pat Robertson has announced his support for outright legalization.
HuffingtonPost