Trump Names Army Strategist as National Security Adviser

WASHINGTON — 

U.S. President Donald Trump named a new national security adviser Monday, picking Army Lieutenant General H.R. McMaster, a military strategist who has spent his entire career in the U.S. armed forces.

Trump called the 54-year-old McMaster "a man of tremendous talent and tremendous experience."

The president, making the announcement from his Florida retreat Mar-a-Lago along the Atlantic Ocean, said that retired Army Lieutenant General Keith Kellogg, who had been his acting adviser, will now serve as chief of staff of the National Security Council.

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US Homeland Security Chief Promises 'Streamlined' Travel Ban

WASHINGTON — 

President Donald Trump will soon release a "more streamlined version" of a presidential order banning immigrants from seven Muslim-majority nations, but it will be better implemented and avoid the chaos that resulted from an earlier attempt to restrict foreign travelers arriving in the U.S., Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly said Saturday.

Speaking at the annual Munich Security Conference in Germany, during a panel discussion on combating terrorism, Kelly said the new version of the travel order will not prevent foreign nationals with either work visas or "green card" permanent residency permits from re-entering the United States. Nor will it affect foreign travelers already flying to U.S. ports of entry when the order takes effect, he added.

Trump will "make sure that there's no one caught in the system of moving from overseas to our airports" during the travel ban, Kelly said.

The new immigration order could come as early as Tuesday, U.S. news reports suggested, and Trump himself has confirmed it will be issued during the coming week.

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UN condemns attacks in Borno

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA) has condemned the attacks on Maiduguri by suspected female suicide bombers on Thursday night and Friday in which at least eight persons reportedly lost their lives.
The Deputy Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, Mr Farhan Haq, said the UN OCHA “is alarmed by the reported terrorist attacks on vulnerable displaced people in two locations in Maiduguri in north-eastern Nigeria that took place on Thursday.
“While the number of dead and injured among civilians is not yet clear, Boko Haram reportedly launched a major attack using guns and explosives targeting the Custom House site that hosts more than 9,000 internally displaced people and the Muna Garage Park area where displaced people have gathered to return to their homes.
“These are not the first attacks affecting the most vulnerable people in the area.
“The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reminds all parties to the conflict in Nigeria to ensure the safety and security of all civilian populations as required under international humanitarian law and international human rights law”.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said eight suspected female suicide bombers were involved in the attack on Maiduguri-Gamboru road, according to NEMA spokesman Sani Datti.
Datti said that the suspected Boko Haram members, who came through Mafa- Dikwa road along Muna community on Thursday at around 11.00 p.m, attempted to attack Maiduguri.
He said the suicide bombers came in a Volkswagen Golf car, carrying eight suicide bombers most of whom were female teenagers.
According to him, a few bombers detonated their explosives around Muna Dalti community, injuring seven local vigilantes, known as ‘Civilian Joint Task Force’.
Datti further said that some of the suicide bombers found their way to a place where people gathered with their trucks loaded with goods for onward movement to Mafa, Dikwa and Ngala local government areas of the state.
He said that no fewer than 14 trucks were burnt by the bombers, adding that the injured had been taken to University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital for treatment.
He said that only the suicide bombers were killed in the attacks.

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USA TODAY... GENERAL FLYNN'S LETTER

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Trump Defends National Security Adviser He Ousted

WASHINGTON —

U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday staunchly defended the national security adviser he ousted earlier this week, saying Michael Flynn was the victim of illegal leaks from the country's intelligence community detailing his conversations with Russia's ambassador to Washington and had been “treated very, very unfairly by the media.”

Trump, speaking at a White House news conference alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, made no mention of why he forced Flynn's resignation after just 24 days on the job, for what the White House described Tuesday as the president's “eroding trust” in the former Army general.

“I think it's really a sad thing he was treated so badly," Trump said. "I think, in addition to that, from intelligence — papers are being leaked, things are being leaked. It's criminal action, criminal act. And it's been going on for a long time, before me. But now it's really going on.”

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Kim Jong Nam Death Likely a North Korean Sanctioned Assassination

SEOUL More details are surfacing in the apparent assassination of Kim Jong Nam, the half brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un who was killed earlier this week in Malaysia.

South Korea on Wednesday confirmed the victim was indeed the North Korean leader’s older half brother, who was once in line to become head of state, but fell out of favor with their father, Kim Jong Il, after he tried to enter Japan on a forged passport to visit Tokyo Disneyland in 2001.

“It seems assured that the person who was killed was Kim Jong Nam,” said Jeong Joon-hee, the South Korean Unification Ministry spokesman.

Investigation

The Malaysian police report issued on Tuesday night confirmed a 46-year-old North Korean man, who was traveling with a passport under the name of Kim Chol, died en route to a hospital after seeking medical help in the Kuala Lumpur International Airport. His travel destination on Tuesday was Macau, where he had been living, said the Malaysian police.

On Tuesday unnamed U.S. government sources said the U.S. strongly believes that Kim Jong Nam was murdered by North Korean agents.

The South Korean National Intelligence Service (NIS) on Wednesday confirmed that Kim Jong Nam was poisoned by two suspected North Korean female agents, using toxic tipped needles, or sprayed with an unidentified liquid in his face, or with a chemically treated cloth.The unidentified assailants then reportedly fled in a taxi and are currently at large.

Malaysian police investigating the attack said the cause of Kim's death was not yet known and a post-mortem would soon be carried out. His body was taken on Wednesday morning to a second hospital, where an autopsy was being performed. North Korean embassy officials were also on scene at the hospital and were coordinating with local authorities, police sources said.

Motives

There is widespread speculation that Kim Jong Nam’s death was ordered by high ranking officials in Pyongyang, and very likely by Kim Jong Un himself.

“If it is proved that Kim Jong Nam's death was committed by the North Korean government, it will be a case that shows the brutality and inhumanity of the Kim Jong Un regime,” said South Korean acting President and Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn.

Kim Jong Nam was reportedly considered a threat to his brother’s rule because of his outspoken criticism of the continued repressive and authoritarian practices within the country, because he was a proponent of reform polices that would loosen state controls, and because there was speculation that Chinese President Xi Jinping would prefer to see him replace his younger brother as the leader of North Korea.

South Korea’s spy agency said Wednesday that Kim Jong Un had issued a "standing order" for his half-brother's assassination, and that there had been a failed attempt in 2012. Kim Jong Nam had been living under Beijing's protection with his second wife in the Chinese territory of Macau.

North Korean defector and analyst Ahn Chan-il, with the World Institute for North Korean Studies, said it is likely that North Korean spies, embedded within the large number of laborers that work in Malaysia’s mineral and mining industry, had learned of the older Kim’s travel plans and decided to target him while he was outside of China’s protection.

“(I think) North Korea may have put spies within these laborers. And while the two women are suspected to be members of (the North’s) reconnaissance bureau, it is highly possible that more than ten people belonged to other bureaus that may be involved in this case,” said Ahn Chan-il.

The South Korean government on Wednesday also urged all North Korean defectors to take extra precautions for their own safety and security.

Reign of Terror

If proven, the sanctioned assassination of Kim Jong Un’s brother could further isolate a leadership in Pyongyang that is already struggling under harsh sanctions for its continued development of nuclear weapons and for widespread human rights violations.

South Korea's Institute for National Security in December 2016 claimed that Kim Jong Un has ordered the execution of 340 people since he came to power in December 2011. In 2013, he sentenced to death his uncle, Jang Song Thaek, once considered his mentor and the country's second-most-powerful man, for what the North alleged was treason.

For the next several days, North Korea will be marking the birthday of its late leader Kim Jong Il, the brothers' father, though they have different mothers. The major holiday this Thursday is called the “Day of the Shining Star'' and will feature figure skating and synchronized swimming exhibitions, fireworks and mass rallies.

Youmi Kim contributed to this report.

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Nationwide Anti-Abortion Rallies Face Off With Counter-Protesters

WASHINGTON 

Anti-abortion activists and supporters of a woman's right to choose staged demonstrations in dozens of U.S. cities Saturday, with the nonprofit group Planned Parenthood at the center of the discussion.

Anti-abortion activists organized rallies in more than 200 locations Saturday, according to one of the national organizers, Monica Miller of Citizens for a Pro-Life Society. The activists are calling for the federal government to stop providing funds to Planned Parenthood because it provides abortions. It is something U.S. President Donald Trump has said he wants to do.

Meanwhile, pro-choice activists organized in many of the same locations to express support for the nonprofit, which provides a number of reproductive health services such as pregnancy testing, birth control, and breast exams at hundreds of locations across the United States.

Planned Parenthood does not get federal funding for abortions, but Medicaid, a government health care subsidy for low-income families, pays into Planned Parenthood’s other services. Critics say those funds help subsidize the more than 300,000 abortions the organization provides each year.

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Trump's National Security Adviser Flynn Resigns Under Fire

U.S. national security adviser Michael Flynn has resigned following widespread reports he had misled Trump administration officials, including Vice President Mike Pence, about his contacts with Russia.

In his resignation letter, Flynn, a retired Army general, acknowledged late Monday he had "inadvertently briefed" Pence and others with "incomplete information" regarding his phone calls with the Russian ambassador to the United States in the weeks before President Donald Trump assumed power.

Such a high-level resignation less than a month after Trump took over the White House is virtually unheard of on the American political scene.

Trump quickly named another retired Army general, Keith Kellogg, as his acting national security adviser, but also could pick former Central Intelligence Agency chief General David Petraeus or former Navy Vice Admiral Robert Harward to fill the strategic position on a permanent basis.

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UN Chief Calls on North Korea to Return to Full Nuclear Compliance

The U.N. Security Council is set to hold emergency talks Monday about North Korea's latest ballistic missile launch.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called the missile test a "further troubling violation" of U.N. resolutions.

Guterres said in a statement that Pyongyang "must return to full compliance with its international obligations and to the path of denuclearization."

The United States, Japan and South Korea requested the session, which is scheduled for the afternoon.

North Korea launched the missile Sunday morning, and South Korean military officials said it traveled about 500 kilometers before landing in the Sea of Japan.

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Thousands March in Mexico to Demand Respect, Reject Trump

MEXICO CITY 

About 20,000 people staged a march through Mexico's capital Sunday demanding respect for their country and its migrants in the face of perceived hostility from the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump.

Many marchers carried Mexican flags and dressed in white as a sign of unity and to signal the non-political nature of the march. One of the banners read: "Gracias, Trump, for unifying Mexico!"

The marchers protested Trump's plans for a border wall and increased deportations of migrants. Trump has also pressured U.S. corporations to provide jobs in the United States, not Mexico.

Paulina Arteaga carried a placard in English proclaiming: "We love Americans, we hate racism."

"This is a march for dignity," she said.

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Russia Gathers Stakeholders, Sans US or NATO, for Afghanistan Conference

ISLAMABAD 

Russia is hosting a conference in Moscow this week that will bring together Afghanistan, Pakistan, China, India and Iran to discuss a possible solution of the conflict in Afghanistan.

This meeting is part of Russia's effort at playing a more pro-active role in Afghanistan for the first time since its invasion of the country in 1979. Its efforts, however, have encountered controversies at the very outset.

The last conference Moscow hosted on Afghanistan in December included only China and Pakistan, prompting a strong protest from the Afghan government.

The one this week is more inclusive of the regional stakeholders, but excludes the United States or NATO, leading to speculation that Russia is more interested in undermining the Unites States than in solving the regional problems.

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North Korea fired the missile into the Sea of Japan early Sunday in Asia.

The U.S. Defense Department said late Saturday, "The launch of a medium- or intermediate-range ballistic missile occurred near the northwestern city of Kusong," noting it was tracked into the Sea of Japan and "never posed a threat to North America."

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg condemned the launch, calling it a further violation by Pyongyang of multiple UN Security Council Resolution.

Pyongyang issued no statement about the launch, but experts said the rocket was most likely a model capable of reaching targets in Japan, but not the U.S.

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I never planned to be governor, Nyesom Wike

How I fell out with Amaechi

‘There won’t be election in 2019’

By Eric Osagie, Onuoha Ukeh, Abdulfatah Oladeinde and Chris Anucha

Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike says the lot fell on him to lead the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after the then governor Rotimi Amaechi dumped the ruling party for the newly formed All Progressives Congress (APC) and created a leadership vacuum in the state.

Wike made the revelation in response to a question during an interview with The Sun editors in Port Harcourt that he allegedly, had nursed the ambition to succeed Amaechi whom he served as chief of staff before being nominated for ministerial position.

Wike said he never planned to be governor and could not have dreamt about succeeding Amaechi both of whom hailed from same area of the state.

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Italy Seeks Russia's Help to Stabilize Libya, End Migrant Crisis

LONDON 

From a flimsy rubber dinghy drifting 16 kilometers off Tripoli, the Libyan coast guard rescued more than 100 migrants this week, including a baby just a few weeks old. Close to 9,500 migrants have crossed the Mediterranean already this year — putting 2017 on course to be a record year.

The European Union agreed this month to give the Tripoli government $213 million to bolster its security forces and coast guard; however, Italy wants a renewed push for a permanent political solution to the chaos in Libya — and it's looking to Moscow for help.

The might be a wise move, according to Eurasia Group analyst Riccardo Fabiani.

"It's better to invite Russia to the table and have a strategic dialogue with them and establish some sort of connection and communication channel, rather than keep them out of the room so that you might end up one day waking up and suddenly discovering that Russia is now the main leader or power in the region," Fabiani said.

Libya is ruled by splintered factions, with the internationally recognized government in Tripoli, and a rival power base in the eastern city of Tobruk — which backs strongman General Khalifa Haftar, also supported by Russia.

The U.N.'s special envoy to Libya, Martin Kobler, voiced optimism this week that the two sides can be reconciled.

"With bold decisions and actions, we will witness a political breakthrough that can place Libya on the path of peace, prosperity and stability," Kobler said.

Italy wants Russia to help drive the rival factions together. Britain's foreign secretary, Boris Johnson, this week offered his support for a power-sharing deal.

"We need to build on it and to create a genuine partnership between the east and the west of the country," Johnson said. "That's the crucial question, how to make sure that Haftar is in some way integrated into the government of Libya."

However, some EU states fear Moscow is seeking a military base in Libya. Malta — which holds the rotating EU Council Presidency — has warned that Russia's backing for Haftar could trigger a civil war.

"Nobody really knows what Russia wants from Libya," analyst Fabiani said. "They've so far had a very opportunistic approach to foreign policy, and specifically in the Middle East they've basically been trying to fill every vacuum that the U.S. has left in the region."

Fabiani says Europe and Russia are waiting to see if President Donald Trump will change U.S. policy on Libya.

"Right now, it's most likely that the U.S. will just disengage from Libya and will give a sort of implicit green light to Russia, as long as they can still intervene in Libya on an ad hoc basis to fight jihadism," he said.

Even as Italy seeks Russia's cooperation, the EU this month restated its determination to uphold sanctions on Moscow over its support for separatist rebels in eastern Ukraine.

Italy's foreign minister, Angelino Alfano, is due to meet his Russian counterpart next week in Germany — and Libya is set to top the agenda.

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Trump Administration Keeping 'Every Single Option' Open Regarding Travel Ban

WHITE HOUSE U.S. President Donald Trump says he is considering a "brand new order" on immigration after an appellate court unanimously ruled against his order barring refugees and citizens from seven Muslim-majority countries from entering the United States.

Trump told reporters on board Air Force One Friday that a new executive order could be issued as soon as Monday or Tuesday, if the administration decides to pursue that course of action.

He said such a move might be faster than defending the current rule in court. "We need speed for reasons of security," he explained.

Chief of Staff Reince Priebus sought to clarify to reporters, however, that "every single court option is on the table, including an appeal of the 9th Circuit decision on the TRO (temporary restraining order) to the Supreme Court, including fighting out this case on the merits."

Meanwhile, an unidentified judge on the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals requested the court's 25 full-time judges vote on whether the temporary block of the president's travel ban should be reheard before an 11-judge panel, known as en banc review, according to a court order. Both sides in the lawsuit have been asked to file briefs by next week.

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Mystery Shrouds Nigerian President’s Health Condition

The decision by Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari to extend his stay in London, where he went for medical treatment nearly three weeks ago, is fueling rumors and concern back in his home country.

The 74-year-old president left Nigeria on January 19 to get treatment for an undisclosed issue. Officials insist that it is much ado about nothing, but have not offered specifics.

Lai Mohammed, Nigeria’s information minister, said Wednesday that the president is not in the hospital.

"I can assure that Mr. President is well and he is absolutely in no danger,” he told reporters in Abuja.

The remarks echoed those on Monday from vice president and acting president Yemi Osinbajo, who told reporters he had just spoken to the president and described him as "hale and hearty."

But the statement have not quashed worry among Nigerians. This is the second time during Buhari’s tenure as president that he has sought medical treatment abroad.

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Trump Holds 2-day Summit with Japanese PM Abe

U.S. President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe begin two days of talks Friday that provide both leaders with opportunities to reinforce a long-established security treaty and bolster their economic relationship.

Trump and Abe will hold talks in the Oval Office Friday morning followed by a midday news conference. The two leaders will then fly to Palm Beach, Florida for a weekend stay at Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate.

It will be the most time Trump will have spent with a foreign leader since he became president on January 20. It will be Trump's second face-to-face meeting with a key ally after hosting British Prime Minister Theresa May two weeks ago.

"I think the president just really enjoys [Abe's] company and wants to not only get to know him better but to have a greater bilateral relationship," said White House spokesman Sean Spicer. "He understands the importance of the region," Spicer added.

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US Allies Worry About Joint Intel Operations Under President Trump

WASHINGTON 

Some U.S. allies are increasingly uneasy about the future of joint intelligence endeavors with Washington as they try to figure out just how much President Donald Trump plans to shake up the existing order.

The concerns are still in the early stages, with most of those willing to share their thoughts expressing a willingness to give the Trump administration more time to get people in place at the various agencies and departments. 

But many also admit that the ongoing lack of communication combined with what, at times, appears to be contradictory messages from the White House, key departments and even from President Trump himself, is starting to strain ongoing efforts.

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IS Pamphlets in Pakistan Border Areas Try to Create Panic

during the Shi'ite Youm Ali procession in Karachi, Pakistan

DERA ISMAIL KHAN, PAKISTAN 

Militant group Islamic State has threatened to target Shi’ites living in certain northern areas of Pakistan.

Hundreds of pamphlets containing threats have allegedly been distributed by IS in the Kurram agency on the Pakistani side of the Durand Line with Afghanistan, threatening attacks in specific tribal areas.

"We have achieved our goals in Afghanistan and are now ready to confront Shia renouncers in Pakistani's tribal areas," the IS pamphlet said in the local language, Pashto.

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Apostle Suleman gets invite to White House to pray for Donald Trump

Apostle Johnson Suleman has been invited to the White House in the United States by the Mayor of Washington where he will also engage in a prayer session with President Donald Trump.

According to report, the fiery religious cleric will be heading to the US in March due his service to humanity through religion.

This report is coming just as Apostle Suleman, who is the President and Founder of Omega Fire Ministry Worldwide, thanked Nigerians for standing by him during his engagement with operatives of the Department of State Services after his controversial statement that Fulani herdsmen seen around his church should be killed.

He spoke during the kick-off of this year’s edition of the annual ‘The Ebenezer’ programme to mark the ministry’s 13th anniversary.

He said: “I’m grateful to all. I never knew I was so loved. For the first time ever, fellow Nigerians behaved like Americans. Nigerians naturally have business-like mentality but I was shocked that on this particular issue, 90 percent of Nigerians spoke with one voice, saying enough is enough.

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Dual US-Somali Citizen is Somalia's New President-elect

Somali lawmakers elected a new president Wednesday, choosing a former prime minister who is a dual U.S.-Somali citizen.

Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, better known as "Farmajo," was declared the winner after two rounds of voting by the Somali parliament in Mogadishu.

Farmajo won the largest share of votes in the second round, far outdistancing incumbent leader Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and former president Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed.

Mohamud conceded defeat after the vote count, and the crowd inside a venue at Mogadishu's international airport erupted into cheers. Witnesses tell VOA's Somali service that celebrations -- and celebratory gunfire -- have broken out in the streets of the Somali capital.

The new president was quickly sworn in and pledged to improve security, fight corruption and assist the poor.

Planted roots in Buffalo, NY

Farmajo, 54, has spent much of his adult life in the city of Buffalo, New York, where he raised a family and held various jobs in the the New York state government.

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Supreme Court Nominee Calls Trump Criticism of Judiciary 'Demoralizing'

President Donald Trump's nominee to the U.S. Supreme Court, Neil Gorsuch, has called the president's sharp criticism of the judiciary "demoralizing" and "disheartening," a spokesman for Gorsuch said.

Gorsuch made his comments while meeting Wednesday with Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal, according to spokesman Ron Bonjean, a Republican strategist hired by the White House to help guide Gorsuch's nomination through the U.S. Senate.

Gorsuch was asked to react to Trump's Twitter message calling District Judge James Robart, who on Friday put a hold on Trump's executive order temporarily banning travel from seven Muslim-majority countries, a "so-called judge."

Trump told the American people to blame Robart and the court system if "something happens"  clearly meaning a terrorist attack on the United States.

The president also criticized the three-judge panel on the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that is considering whether Robart had the legal grounds to suspend the January 27 executive order.

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Senate to Amaechi: you lied to Nigerians

The Senate on Wednesday called on the Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi to immediately withdraw his comment that the senate was delaying infrastructure development. In a statement signed by the Senate’s spokesperson, Sen, Aliyu Sabi, the senate said it was not delaying any construction and that the minister told a lie.

Recall that Mr Amaechi during a townhall meeting in Ilorin, Kwara state said that the construction of the Lagos-Ibadan and Ibadan-Ilorin-Minna -Kano rail lines were being delayed by the refusal of the National Assembly to sign the loan request by the Federal Government. The Senate spokesman Aliyu Sabi stressed that the statement was false and a misrepresentation of facts.

He said that the statement portrayed the Minister as not in tune with the position of the government in which he is serving. “As at today, the only request for approval from the Executive for loan was the one dated January 27, 2017 and signed by Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo seeking a “resolution of the National Assembly For the Issuance of USD 1 Billion EuroBond In the

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Tee Billz missing as Tiwa savage marks birthday in London

BY TONY OGAGA

Hope that Tiwa Savage and her estranged hubby are on the mend have been dashed as tee Billz was conspicuously absent when his wife, Tiwa Savage marked her birthday on Tuesday in the UK.

The event which attracted celebs from Nollywood and the Nigerian music industry was held at a popular venue. Guests were treated to special wines and assorted dishes but when it was time to cut the birthday cake, Tee Billz was no where to be found.

Said an insider: “Though we all know that they have parted ways but then recent developments made us believe that the couple will use the birthday to make a statement that they are back together but that did not happen.”

Recall that a while ago, the pair were spotted out together for the first time since the break up. Hello my name is African china and I have a police officer pointing a gun at me where I was held ransom. Shoot me

Stop criticizing Tuface-Ruggedman

Following Tuface’s withdrawal from the planned national protest which held on Monday, February 6 in Lagos, Tuface has come under criticism for backing down and he has been lampooned on social media.

However, Ruggedman has come to his rescue. The Baraje singer posted the following message on social media earlier today.

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No fewer than 115,000 child soldiers released since 2000, according to UN envoy

No fewer than 115,000 children recruited by armies and militia groups as child soldiers have been released in the past 17 years to regain their childhood, the UN Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, Ms Leila Zerrougui, has said.

Zerrougui, who said that more children are now laying down their guns, pointed out that the greatest achievement of working on her mandate for the past 20 years is that “everyone is aware of the plight of children in armed conflict”.

“Since 2000, the work of the Office and partners has led to the release of more than 115,000 child soldiers.

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Boko Haram TERROR UNMASKED

Please, This Story Contains some graphics that might not be too good. It was Opted from VOA News
Follow the link bellow...
http://projects.voanews.com/boko-haram-terror-unmasked/

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How Trump's Travel Ban Could End Up in Supreme Court

Legal experts almost all agree that the constitutionality of President Donald Trump’s executive order temporarily halting travel to the U.S. by refugees and others from seven Muslim majority countries will end up being decided in the Supreme Court.

Numerous cases involving the travel ban are now working their way up through the courts, and one already seems destined for the nation's highest court. Here's how the U.S. courts may end up deciding whether President Trump's travel ban will stand.

Case path

The U.S. court system is like a pyramid. At the bottom level are 94 trial courts called district courts. If one person or entity wants to hold another to account, this is the place to start.

In the middle are the 13 U.S. courts of appeals. If one side or the other does not like the outcome at the district court level, they have recourse here.

At the top, all by itself, is the Supreme Court, the last court of appeal. All Supreme Court decisions are final.

District courts

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Tuface denies arrest

“Tubaba” Idibia, Nigeria’s award-winning musician, has denied being arrested and detained by the Directorate of State Services (DSS) over his earlier planned anti-government’s protests in Lagos and Abuja.

In his tweet on Monday, February 6, he expressed gratitude to those who have shown concern over the purported arrest.

“Thanks for the concern, guys. I am fine and free,” he said.

“Reports about DSS arrest are not true. We are still compiling responses for the leadership.

“State your opinion on the social media with the #IStandWithNigeria. Peace! One luv always!!!”

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Trump Tells Americans to Blame Judge Who Blocked His Travel Ban if 'Something Happens'

President Donald Trump is telling the American people that if "something happens," blame the judge who blocked his ban on immigration from seven Muslim majority countries.

In one of his trademark tweets Sunday, the president said he "just cannot believe a judge would put our country in such peril."

Late last week, U.S. District Court Judge James Robart of Washington state temporarily blocked Trump's executive order halting travel to the U.S. by refugees and others from seven Muslim majority countries: Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen. Then on Sunday, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco rejected the Trump administration's demand to reinstate the travel ban.

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How Some US Poor Are Reacting to Trump Presidency

WASHIINGTON/YORK, PENNSYLVANIA Uncertainty, Anxiety, Indifference, Hope: It's a state Dr. Monica Vohra says many of her low-income, mainly immigrant and minority patients are in when they arrive at Bread for the City's free medical clinic in Washington, D.C. But lately, the internal medicine physician says that state has been heightened. "I think the language out there has been disturbing. Some of it has retraumatized folks who have been traumatized by previous policies. There is a sense of feeling unsafe and insecure," Vohra said. That's because Vohra says many of her patients who have received health care coverage under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) are not sure whether they will still have those benefits under the new administration. "It's definitely something that is on our minds. We encourage people to get insurance every day, and in the back of my mind I am thinking, 'What if this is not an option soon?' " Growing anxiety While President Donald Trump and the Republican-majority Congress look to repeal the ACA and replace the federal program with one that the president has said will be "great health care for much less money," many low-income Americans are waiting to determine what any such change will mean for them. "We are just going to have to wait and see, because we really don't know what we are going to get," said Brian Nabinett. On this day, the lifelong resident of the nation's capital is waiting in line at Bread for the City's food pantry for bread, chicken and other staples. The nonprofit organization runs a free legal, medical and dental clinic and offers food, clothing and other services to 10,000 Washington residents each month. "It's one of the beautiful places in D.C. It helps a lot of people here," Nabinett said. "If I need

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Trump Executive Order on Vote Fraud Goes to Back Burner

President Donald Trump's heated rush to launch what he said would be a "major investigation" into voter fraud has cooled, leaving White House staff uncertain when it will come to pass or what shape it will take. An executive action commissioning the probe is still planned but could be several weeks away, two senior administration officials said Friday. Although Trump instructed staff to jump on the project last week, he has not discussed the issue in recent days, according to two other people in close touch with the president. All demanded anonymity to discuss private conservations. Asked about the status of the effort, White House spokeswoman Lindsay Walters said: "I do not have an update at this time." The indefinite delay came as some of Trump's advisers counseled him to abandon the idea, arguing it was a distraction from more pressing issues. There is no evidence of widespread voter fraud in last November's election. Trump won the Electoral College vote but lost the popular vote by nearly 2.9 million votes to Democrat Hillary Clinton. Pushed aside A senior official said the investigation, which Trump never publicly discussed in detail, has become less of a priority because it has been drowned out by other White House efforts, including attempts to manage the chaotic aftermath of Trump's executive order restricting immigration from seven Muslim-majority nations. The investigation most likely would not be considered until well after the confirmation of Trump's pick for attorney general, Republican U.S. Senator Jeff Sessions of Alabama, the official said.

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China's Two-Child Policy Shift May Be Too Little, Too Late

BEIJING China saw a smaller than expected uptick in the number of births following its landmark decision to end the country's controversial one-child policy In 2016, the number of births in China increased following its landmark decision to end the country's controversial one-child policy and allow all parents to have two children. Officials were quick to claim success, arguing that the increase of around 1.4 million new births (compared with an average from 2010-2015) was a sign the new policy was working. Nearly half of the 17.86 million births last year were second children, but the increase was much smaller than officials and experts expected. For many families, it is not the statistics that are worrisome, but the financial demands parents face in raising a second child. Not cheap Liu, a government employee spending the day with his family at Houhai Lake in the central part of Beijing, said after the policy was rolled out a year ago, he and his wife considered having another. In the end however, they felt the burden was too much to bear. "[I] wish we could have a second child. One child on his own, is too lonely," Liu said. "It would be better to have two children." Many parents noted the extreme costs of living in China, in particular larger cities such as Beijing. More than just food and clothing expenses, parents said they spend as much as $1,000 to $2,000 (some even more) each month on extracurricular classes for everything from art to dancing and skating lessons. In many cases, parents said they are taking a wide range of courses to see where their children's interests are and to give them an edge in a highly competitive country. Education and extracurricular activities are not the only expenses, added James King. "Of course, there's also travel overseas, which is very expensive," King said. "We try to travel abroad at least once a year." Shared burden James and his wife Lucy, who have a second child, said that they feel the benefits outweigh the costs, but added each family's situation is different. "In the future, [a] child must deal with four elderly parents, but having a brother or sister can make it easier to divide up those responsibilities." What is clear is the two-child policy is really more a question that those with residence in China's major coastal cities, such as Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, are struggling with. For those from other provinces, bigger families are more common, despite the restrictions. But that doesn't mean their children see things differently. Life's pressures Bai, a young hotel management worker from neighboring Hebei province, said his family, like many others where he is from, ignored fines in the past, to have more children. Especially until a boy was born. Although Bai has two older sisters and comes from a big family by China standards, he was cautious when asked about his eventual plans for having children. "Life is very stressful, but if I was to have a child, one would be enough," Bai said. "Either a boy or girl would be fine." Demographic juggernaut Traditional Chinese culture puts more emphasis on giving birth to boys as they carry on the family name. And according to tradition, girls are expected to take care of the family they join through marriage. The over-emphasis on boys has led to a massive gender gap in China, and for critics it is one of the tragedies of the one-child policy. And that's not the only demographic challenge China faces despite its massive population. China's working population is shrinking as the number of pensioners increases rapidly Starting next year, there is likely to be a persistent decrease in the number of children being born, experts say, as the number of women eligible to have a second child will begin to shrink as more fill their quota. Like many of its Asian neighbors, China has a low fertility rate and so far the government has offered little in the form of incentives to encourage more births aside from ending its one child policy. And because of that, some critics say, the policy shift may be too little too late.

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Trump Vows to ‘Totally Destroy’ Ban on Political Activity by Churches

President Donald Trump speaks during the National Prayer Breakfast WHITE HOUSE U.S. President Donald Trump has vowed to eliminate a law preventing tax-exempt houses of worship from engaging in political activity, saying religious liberty is under attack and the move will allow the faithful to speak freely and without fear of retribution. In remarks at the annual National Prayer Breaking in Washington Thursday, Trump said the “sacred right” of religious freedom is threatened around the world. “That is why I will get rid of and totally destroy the Johnson Amendment and allow our representatives of faith to speak freely and without fear of retribution,” said the U.S. leader. “I will do that. Remember.” The law is named after President Lyndon Johnson, who put forward the proposal when he was a senator in 1954. Trump hinted he may take the action during his acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention. “At this moment, I would like to thank the evangelical and religious community in general who have been so good to me and so supportive,” he said during the July convention. “You have much to contribute to our politics, yet our laws prevent you from speaking your minds from your own pulpits." During the prayer breakfast, Trump also said terrorism is a “fundamental threat to religious freedom” and vowed to pursue a tough fight to end it. “It may not be pretty for a little while,” he said, adding “It will be stopped.” WATCH: Trump on religious freedom https://av.voanews.com/Videoroot/Pangeavideo/2017/02/4/48/48ea1e9a-5745-4df8-b345-a400d01ca62b.mp4 Speaking before a crowd of more than 2,000 people, the president defended his immigration plan, after his temporary travel ban on refugees from seven Muslim-majority nations sparked a global firestorm. Trump said his immigration plan will ensure those allowed in the United States “fully embrace our values of religious freedom and personal liberty and that they reject any form of oppression and discrimination.” The president added, “We want people to come into our nation but we want people to love us. And to love our values. Not to hate us and to hate our values.” Trump also addressed reports that he has had tense phone calls with the leaders of Australia and Mexico since taking office. "When you hear about the tough phone calls I’m having - don’t worry about it." Trump suggested. "It’s time we have to be a little tough, folks. We’re being taken advantage of by every nation in the world virtually. It’s not going to happen anymore." Media reports said Trump had a contentious call with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on Saturday over a deal made under the Obama administration to resettle 1,250 refugees who were intercepted while trying to reach Australia. In a tweet on Wednesday, Trump questioned why the Obama administration agreed to take the refugees. “I will study this dumb deal!” Trump said in the tweet.

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Charly Boy to support cancer survivor, Atinuke Lawal on ‘Let’s Kill It’ walk

As part of activities to mark 2017 World Cancer Day, an NGO, ‘Let’s Kill It’, is planning a fitness walk campaign against the disease. The event which takes place on Saturday, February 4, is expected to kick-off by 9am at Broad Street, Marina, Lagos. Conveners say shortly before the walk, there will be a health check session between 7:30am and 8:30am, to be followed by slow tempo aerobics dance between 8:30am and 9:00am. Also joining the walk is musician, producer and activist, Charly Boy, whose friend, Tina Onwudiwe, was one of the first Nigerians to publicly seek support for cancer. “We need to fight that fight to a standstill,” Charly Boy said. Founder of ‘Let’s Kill It’, Atinuke Lawal Sanusi, said she is passionate about the campaign, having had a path with cancer. Atinuke, a film editor and mother of two who was diagnosed with cancer in 2014 but started treatment in 2016 said she was fortunate the cancer didn’t spread. “It started with chemotherapy and after that, it went to radiotherapy,” said Atinuke who documented her treatment and discovered that most patients’ inability to raise cost of treatment was responsible for the high mortality rate from cancer. “We only have one radiotherapy machine in the whole of Nigeria which is supposed to be serving over 170 million people if anything happens. We used to have eight but seven are not functioning as we speak. “I believe that with the right support from the right organisations, government and philanthropists, we can put these things in place and make life easier for everybody. Cancer is a scourge all over the world and lots of other countries are prepared to fight it. Nigeria is the least prepared to fight cancer. Our doctors are really trying but unfortunately, there is nothing for them to work with. After going through all that and with the grace that God gave to me to survive, I couldn’t keep quiet.”

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Mariah Carey poses in lingerie as she streams Facebook Live video and took questions from fans

Mariah Carey streamed a live video in lingerie to her official Facebook page from, according to her, a hotel room in Los Angeles on Thursday while she waited to move into her new home. The Facebook Live went viral almost immediately with over 1.3 million views within an hour. She laid on her bed and took questions from fans which she answered. Watch the video after the cut.. on face book https://web.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fweb.facebook.com%2Fmariahcarey%2Fvideos%2F10154978823872766%2F&display=popup&ref=plugin&src=video

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Nationwide protest: 2face reschedules rally, warns politicians‎ to keep off

Nigeria music icon, Innocent Idibia, popularly known as 2face has rescheduled the proposed February 5 protest against Nigeria’s Federal Government.

He further warned politicians against thwarting the aim of the rally.

The music star has now fixed the date for February 6 2017.

2face had earlier last week announced that he will be staging a mass protest against the economic policies of the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

The announcement has so far attracted mixed reactions from Nigerians high and low with the latest coming from Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Fayose and former minister of Aviation, Femi Fani Kayode, both politicians declaring their supports for the rally.

However, the musician, while announcing the change of date on Wednesday, noted that the match was not for politicians to manipulate.

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Beyonce announces she is pregnant with twins

American pop star, Beyonce, has confirmed that she is pregnant with twins.

The 35-year-old singer posted an image of her with a protruding stomach on Instagram and wrote: “We would like to share our love and happiness. We have been blessed 2 times over. We are incredibly grateful that our family will be growing by 2, and we thank you for your well wishes. — The Carters.”

As rumours increased recently, an insider told Hollywood Life: “Everyone in Beyonce‘s inner circle is keeping quiet.”

“When it comes to [Beyonce] pregnancy rumors, which is unusual because normally they would just deny them outright,” the insider says.

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Topless Blac Chyna brands herself the 'queen' as she copies Kim Kardashian's naked white paint photo shoot

Blac Chyna has released a very racy topless photo shoot - but it looks rather familiar. 

The 28-year-old reality star, who is engaged to Rob Kardashian, posted an Instagram photo on Wednesday that used only white paint to cover buxom chest.

The mother-of-two left little to the imagination in the eye-popping image which exposed part of her nipples.

She captioned a naked snapshot of herself: 'Queen'. 

But the concept appeared reminiscent of Kim Kardashian's naked photo shoot from back in 2015.

Kim stripped nude and splattered in paint for the risqué desert shoot for her website kimkardashianwest.com and app, and it was also captured by cameras for her reality show Keeping Up With The Kardashians.

In Kim's famous shoot, she bared her curves for photographer Kesler Tran with strategically placed stripes of white body paint across her breasts and along her body. 

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One of UK's worst EVER paedophiles admits 45 child sex offences

Ex-teacher and scoutmaster, 70, abused boys around the world for decades, repeatedly dodged police and was even allowed to ADOPT a son 

Paedophile Mark Frost, 70, has admitted 45 sex crimes against children

Crimes in Britain and abroad are one of the worst cases to come to the Old Bailey

Notorious paedophile abused boys in Europe and Thailand after fleeing Britain

In 1978 he joined a paedophile group campaigning to legalise child sex 

One of Britain's worst ever paedophiles faces dying in jail after admitting 45 child sex offences - but only after he spent decades abusing children across the globe and was even able to adopt a son.

Disgraced scoutmaster and former teacher Mark Frost, 70, was a member of the Paedophile Information Exchange who campaigned in the 1970s and 1980s to lower the age of consent to 10 and even legalise incest.

Despite links to the notorious group of sex offenders a council allowed him to adopt a son in 1986 - after a previous attempt through the Catholic Church failed. 

After years of abusing children he taught in UK schools he was finally banned from teaching after 20 years in the mid-1990s.

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Topless Blac Chyna brands herself the 'queen' as she copies Kim Kardashian's naked white paint photo shoot

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BREAKING NEWS: About 83 Nigerian deportee's from Britain arrive Lagos

Eighty-three persons deported from Britain arrive the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Lagos as early as 4am.

The National Emergency Management Agency and other security personnel were on hand to receive the deported persons

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DSS cautions Apostle Suleman over ‘inciting’ statements

The Department of State Services (DSS) has cautioned the General Overseer of Omega Fire Ministries, Apostle Johnson Suleman, to watch his tongue because of the importance attached to his messages by his followers.

The caution the DSS gave Suleman was sequel to his alleged sermon asking his followers to kill any herdsmen found within his church premises.

The sermon caught the attention of DSS operatives who tried to apprehend the cleric in Ekiti state before they were stopped by Governor Ayo Fayose on January 25.

The service then invited Suleman to its office in Abuja for interrogation on Monday January 31, over the issue, where it told the cleric to stop granting interviews.

The secret service has asked the cleric to stop granting interviews.

A security source at the DSS who does not want to be named, claimed that Suleman was equally told by security operatives to know that his followership cut across Christianity and Islam and should therefore mind the way he speaks.

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