Libyan government vows to hold oil city against rebels

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Read Time:3 Minute, 9 Second

Tripoli, Libya (CNN) — Libyan government troops will turn the strategic oil city of al-Brega into “hell” rather than let it fall into the hands of advancing rebel forces, a government spokesman said Monday.

Rebel forces moved to within 9 km (5.6 miles) of al-Brega over the weekend after dismantling thousands of land mines, a rebel spokesman said. But government spokesman Musa Ibrahim told CNN that forces loyal to Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi remained in full control of the eastern city late Monday.

“Defending Brega is so vital to the livelihood of the Libyan nation,” Ibrahim said. “We will turn Brega into hell. We will not give Brega up, even if this causes the death of thousands of rebels and the destruction of the whole city.”

Ibrahim said Gadhafi’s troops successfully fought off waves of rebel attacks over the last five days, with 30 government troops and 500 rebel fighters killed. The claim could not be independently verified.

Col. Ahmed Banni, a spokesman for the rebel Transitional National Council, said fighting broke out over the weekend after the rebels pulled out thousands of land mines and secured a path for movement toward the strategic oil town. Pro-Gadhafi troops dug a trench and filled it with oil only to set it alight as a line of defense near the eastern entrance of the city, he said.

“So this may delay our plan to take over the city, since they have linked the trench to an oil pipeline so they keep the fire going,” Banni added.

A rebel fighter who did not want to be named said a small rebel force entered the city and clashed with pro-Gadhafi forces, killing at least 11 and injuring dozens among rebel ranks. Gadhafi forces withdrew ahead of the rebels, but re-grouped and launched a counter-attack, Banni said.

“I can tell that the communication between the Gadhafi brigades is not too good, since they did not immediately fire at our expeditionary troops with Grad missiles. That’s what they usually do, but there was hesitation this time,” Banni said.

Officials with the Gadhafi government in Tripoli have denounced the assault on al-Brega. At the start of the latest round of fighting on Thursday, Ibrahim accused the NATO alliance of coordinating with rebels to mount a land, sea and air attack. He said the attack exceeded the mandate of United Nations Security Council resolutions that authorize the use of force in order to protect Libyan civilians.

In the meantime, NATO announced it struck more targets in the Libyan capital on Monday. For the first time, NATO forces attacked Tripoli’s main international airport.

Libyan officials brought journalists to see a radar tower that was bombed in a predawn attack. The remarkably precise strike damaged only the top of the radar tower, while also shattering windows in a neighboring office building.

A NATO military statement accused the Tripoli regime of using the radar device to track warplanes and warn pro-Gadhafi forces of impending airstrikes.

Officials at the airport scoffed at these claims.

“It is 100% civilian,” said acting airport director Naji Daw, pointing at the twisted metal at the top of the red-and-white tower. Daw said two people were lightly wounded by the attack. “They want us to go back to 100 years ago,” he said, adding that the airport will now have to rely on an outdated back-up system to track air traffic.

Not far away, Libyan commercial airliners sat motionless on the tarmac. Since NATO and US forces imposed a no-fly zone on Libya last March, this once bustling gateway to Tripoli has been barely operational. Daw said the airport now received occasional United Nations and Red Cross flights, as well as planes carrying foreign diplomatic delegations.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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Middle East: Israel’s Foreign Minister to stand hearing in corruption trial

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Read Time:1 Minute, 45 Second

JERUSALEM – Israel’s Attorney-General Yehuda Weinstein plans to summon Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman for a hearing in December on corruption charges.

Lieberman, who heads the Yisrael Beiteinu party, is facing indictment on charges of fraud, breach of trust, money laundering and witness harassment.

In April, Weinstein announced his intention to file an indictment against Lieberman pending a hearing. Over the weekend, he sent a letter to the foreign minister’s attorneys, notifying them that it has been set for mid-December.

According to the draft indictment, beginning in 1997 Lieberman established ties with private businessmen and maintained them via a host of firms, some of them front companies, in Israel and abroad, while serving terms as both a minister and lawmaker in 2001-2008.

In 2001, following his appointment as Israeli National Infrastructures Minister in Ariel Sharon’s government, Lieberman officially declared that he had sold his stake in the companies.

But Weinstein believes that Lieberman continued to enjoy funds received from his business associates, to the tune of some 3.5 million U.S. Dollars that he allegedly used for his private and political needs. His daughter, Michal Lieberman-Gilon, in 2004 launched ML1, an international consulting firm, and was listed as its main shareholder.

That firm alone is suspected of having laundered 2.5 million U. S. dollars over the course of three years.

Lieberman, who has flatly denied the allegations leveled at him, previously said he would resign from the government if an indictment were to be filed, a move that could rattle Netanyahu’s Likud-led coalition and lead to early elections.

Local legal sources estimated over the weekend that a decision to indict the foreign minister will not happen before April 2012.

Lieberman, the dominant partner in Netanyahu’s coalition, has previously said that Weinsten and the Israel police Fraud Investigations Unit are conducting a “witch hunt” against him, and voiced optimism that his innocence would ultimately be proven.

In April, he told his party’s ministers, “I have no reason for concern. After 15 years I will finally have the opportunity to prove that I’ve always acted lawfully.”

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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Nationalism: Key to Nigeria’s rebirth

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Read Time:3 Minute, 52 Second

I disagree with my literary master and mentor, Professor Chinua Achebe, on his well-known view that the trouble with Nigeria is leadership. Some other people have argued strongly that the fundamental problem of Nigeria is corruption. Is any of these two the fundamental problem with Nigeria?

Let us ask a few questions to test these assertions. If leadership were the root cause of the nation’s problems, why do those who have succeeded in other countries or in their private endeavours or in their immediate communities and socio-religious organizations fail when they become leaders? If corruption were the fundamental culprit, why do acclaimed men and women of integrity from different spheres and backgrounds fail or exhibit mediocre performance in high office?
This shows that the problem of Nigeria goes deeper than leadership or corruption. The problem with Nigeria is lack of nationalism or lack of full belief and commitment to Nigeria. Poor leadership and corruption are some of the symptoms of that deep problem. A person who does not have a burning passion for Nigeria cannot exhibit exemplary leadership. In the same vein, such a person is prone to corruption, because he/she does not believe in the survival of the nation in the long run. One cannot steal what belongs to oneself.

Most Nigerians see themselves first as Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba, Ijaw, Tiv, Ibibio, etc, before Nigerians. Most Nigerians can die for their ethnic groups or even their towns and villages, but they cannot die for Nigeria. Someone would ask, “but several people fought and died between 1967 and 1970 to ensure a united Nigeria?” The question that needs to be asked in response is: “If the economic wellbeing of Nigeria was not threatened by the secession plot of former Eastern Nigeria (Biafra), would most of those who fought to keep it united have bothered?” Another question is: “If such a secessionist plan were to erupt today, would most other parts of Nigeria bother to stop the secessionists?”
It is regularly repeated to our shame that it is only Nigerian football team is playing against another nation that Nigerians are united as one. That is when Nigerians bury their ethnic, religious, political and social differences and become one. That is when nobody bothers about the ethnic or religious background of the scorer of the winning goal or that of the best player, as long as Nigeria is victorious.

When the recent revolution that caused leadership change in Tunisia and Egypt occurred, there were arguments whether such a united, persistent, organized mass action can succeed in Nigeria. The fact is that in the nearly 51 years of Nigeria as an independent state, such has never happened, and so there is no precedent to stand upon.

But some questions may suffice in answering this question. If a Northerner were the President at a time Nigerians planned a mass protest to oust him, would most Northerners join in the protest? In the same vein, if a Southerner were on the saddle, would most Southerners join in such a protest? Precedents, again, do not support an answer in the affirmative. The only condition that would make most Nigerians support the removal of their “brother” from power is if he would be replaced by another of their brothers. If such a condition does not exist and is not guaranteed, most people from the same ethnic group with the leader in question would cry that their “brother” is being oppressed or vilified because of his ethnic background. (Please note that I use the words “north” and “south” loosely here. Many of Nigeria’s issues are seen from the ethnic prism rather than the broad north-and-south divide.)

From Nigeria’s pre-Independence days till today, Nigerians have never united on any national issue. From the fight for Independence to the last presidential election this 2011, every national issue has been tainted with ethno-religious hue.  If the South wants a sovereign national conference, the North does not want it. If the North wants the quota system in national employment and the military, etc, the South says no to it. If the South wants resource control, the North cries foul on it. If the North wants Islamic Banking, the South raises hell against it. In every aspect of our national life, ethno-religious consideration rules and pulls us away from growth and development.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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Nigeria: Fresh anxiety in govt over Boko Haram violence

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Read Time:5 Minute, 15 Second

Troops will not be withdrawn from troubled Maiduguri.

This is sequel to Intelligence report which revealed that Boko Haram men plan to take over government in Borno State as a preclude to announcing their secession from Nigeria, it was gathered last night.

Besides, security chiefs believe the Islamic fundamentalist sect may have infiltrated the Borno State Police Command, given its understanding of its mode of operation.

The Federal Government is not persuaded by the request of Borno elders who last week called for the withdrawal of troops and their replacement with “well-trained policemen”.

Governor Kashim Shettima is opposed to the position of the elders.

He declared at the weekend that it was not yet time to withdraw the troops.

A security source said: “The main intention of Boko Haram members is to take over the government of the state and they are unrelenting in this plan.

“Once they take over the Government House in Maiduguri, they will announce a separate government. So, there is complicity of backing from some rebels in certain war-ravaged countries.”

On the request for the withdrawal of troops, the source said the government’s stand is that it will not allow insurgents to overrun a part of Nigeria.

The source said: “Most members of this deadly group are between ages 19 and 24. We are suspecting that they have infiltrated the police because they know much of the modus operandi of the police.

“This discovery justifies why the JTF will have to be in force for a while, until the activities of the sect are curtailed.”

A government official said: “The government has no plan to withdraw the troops in Borno State. If the Presidency withdraws the troops, what will be the replacement?

“If the governor of the state is appealing that the troops should stay, you can imagine the magnitude of the situation at hand.

“The government has a responsibility to protect lives and property in all parts of the country and it will not abdicate its duty anywhere in Nigeria, including Borno State.

“The JTF, which is in charge in Borno, comprises many security agencies and the police. And it is because of the presence of the Task Force that we have a semblance of peace that has made evacuation of some people possible.

“It is the business of Borno elders and stakeholders to also come together and call their sons and daughters to work for the peace and security of the state.”

“So far, the Joint Task Force has gained some mileage in checkmating the Boko Haram members and any withdrawal of troops will return the state to status quo.

“Even most of the elders and stakeholders that are demanding withdrawal of troops have relocated to neighbouring states or Abuja. They have left the poor and the vulnerable to bear the brunt of the insurgency.

The Army has said the Boko Haram threat is capable of robbing civil society the support of the army in the maintenance of law and order.

Maj.-Gen. Seriki Yaki Bello, the General Officer Commanding, 82 Div., Nigerian Army Enugu, spoke at the weekend at the closing ceremony of the 2011 Inter-Brigade Warrant Officers and Senior Non-Commissioned Officers Competition in Calabar.

Gen. Bello, represented by Brig.-Gen. Sylvester Audu, Commander, 14 Brigade, Ohafia, praised the performance of the military during the general elections, despite the post-election violence and other security challenges.

The GOC, however, said some of the troops’ conduct during internal security operations might be subjected to enquiries.

“Some of our attitude, conduct and behaviour during most internal security operations may be subjected to enquiries. It is, therefore, very vital that we exhibit very high standard of professionalism, always.

“Let me warn that while the threat is more pronounced in the North, the effects may spiral to other parts of the country. Some mischievous persons may want to embarrass the military.

“Let me re-emphasise that terrorism has entered Nigeria and we must move with the tide to develop strategies to counter it.

“We must sensitise our troops and family members on terrorist methods and safeguards. We should be extra vigilant and alert, if we are to secure our AORs.

“Commanders are, therefore, enjoined to train and prepare adequately to counter any threat in their AOR,” he said.

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has established four resettlement centres in Borno and Yobe states to reduce the suffering of Maiduguri residents displaced by the Boko Haram crisis.

The centres are located behind the Maiduguri Police Hospital, Njimtilo, Gwoza; and Kukareta Boarding Primary School in Yobe State, 105 kilometres west of Maiduguri.

The Northeast coordinator of NEMA, Aliyu Sambo, said: “In each of the resettlement centres, there are no fewer than 200 fleeing residents, with the Kukareta centre accommodating 450 Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) to bring the total of Maiduguri fleeing residents to about 1,050 as at 3pm yesterday (Saturday).”

He noted that before the establishment of resettlement camps in Maiduguri and Damaturu, some of the fleeing residents on the 587-kilometre Maiduguri-Kano Road took refuge in their relation’s home in Damaturu. Others sought shelter and food from the ward heads of Njimtilo, Ngamdu, Gwoza and Muna, 135 and 15 kilometres east of Maiduguri, the state capital”.

Sambo said that the agency yesterday gave food and household items, including baby foods and sanitary products for children and women, for distribution at the Muna resettlement centre.

He identified most of the displaced persons as children between the ages of two and 12; and housewives, with each having a minimum of three children to nurse. Among the items distributed by the agency are baby milk and pampers.

Insecticidal mosquito nets and detergents are being distributed to prevent malaria and other water-borne disease, such as cholera and diarrhea in the resettlement centres.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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Live Show: Berny, Zeus and Mumba Evicted!

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Read Time:2 Minute, 6 Second

Of the Housemates that made it to Week 11, Bernadina, Zeus and Mumba became the three that would not continue the Amplified road any further.

Bernadina’s name was the first to be called out and she left the House after embracing and kissing fellow Housemates. Once on stage, she was shown the identity of those that put her on the chopping block. Luclay was one Housemate she trusted, but was nominated by, hence she did not hesitate to mention his name as Housemate she would blow a fuse at.

All but one Housemate will receive messages from home. Luclay will miss out on an opportunity of hearing from home, courtesy of having stabbed Bernadina in the back.

Zeus became the second Housemate to be Evicted, and was quickly labeled as “the most faithful man in Botswana” by IK on stage. Zeus’ vehement refusal to pursue romance with Karen in the House – saying he has a woman he loves and cares for back home – earned him that honour.

Once shown who had nominated him, Zeus blew a fuse at Wendall. The Zimbabwean is to wear a floral swimming cap for the entire week in execution of his fuse.

Mumba was the third and final Housemate to be Evicted on Sunday, 17 July. Kim was in tears and Karen visibly distraught, though she did not say a word. Her face painted a picture of resignation and even Vina was lost for words in trying to console her.

Of the Housemates that remained in the House, Karen should feel the most robbed. Her love interest and friend were both evicted in one week and there was nothing she could do about it.

Mumba’s fuse was blown at Luclay; he is to walk backwards for the whole of Week 12. A double-blow for him as he would also not be hearing from home, courtesy of Bernadina’s fuse.

As soon as Vimbai was named Head of House, many Housemates – including Karen – were convinced she would put Karen on the chopping block and at risk of being evicted. The two have been at loggerheads since the Housemates were reunited in the Tails House. Though she did not have Karen Evicted, Vimbai’s Save and Replace delivered arguably the most devastating blow to Karen, to date. Both Zeus and Mumba were the closest Housemates to Karen in the House and their departure must have hurt more than all the insults she has had to endure about her fake boobs and the fights she had with Luclay put together.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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Is Tiger Woods Running Out of Money?

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Read Time:6 Minute, 18 Second

With only a few endorsement deals left, a recent divorce settlement, a hefty house mortgage, and even a pay cut from Nike, Tiger Woods’ lifestyle is looking a lot less glamorous.

When news broke a few weeks ago that Tiger Woods had signed an endorsement deal to hawk a heat rub in Japan, it was hard not to think of “Lost in Translation,” or of the “Entourage” episode when Vincent Chase goes to China to do an energy drink commercial because he’s out of money.

Although Woods was likely paid in the single-digit millions for the spot — in which he takes a swing, rubs his back, and says, “Go Vantelin!” — it’s a far cry from campaigns for PepsiCo (NYSE: PEPNews), Gillette, and Accenture (NYSE: ACNNews). The last time Woods showed up in Japanese TV ads was in 1997, when he promoted Asahi Wonda coffee, back before he became a phenomenon. So the deal with Kowa (maker of the rub) seems more like a moment of desperation than a return to form.

It’s no secret that Woods, once king of the sports world, has suffered financially since his fall from grace. His endorsement list shrank and his marriage ended in a divorce settlement reportedly worth $100 million. But now he may actually be hurting for funds. At the very least, there are signs that he isn’t generating enough to comfortably cover his costs.

Earlier this week, the golfer’s agent, Mark Steinberg, announced he would be joining the agency Excel Sports. Although that means Excel gets Woods too, the icon was conspicuously absent from the announcement. Steinberg left IMG at the end of May. It took two weeks, but on June 7, Woods announced via Twitter that he would be leaving with Steinberg.

IMG declined to comment on the details of Steinberg’s departure, or on Tiger Woods, but a trusted Fortune source with reliable information tells us that IMG was none too broken up about losing Woods, because his endorsement earnings have fallen so dramatically. The source says IMG’s commissions for 2011 — they’ll continue to get a chunk of Tiger’s endorsement deals through 2013 — will be as low as $1.5 million.

©Hunter Martin/Getty Images

That’s a huge drop from two years ago. With giants like Gillette, Accenture, Tag Heuer, and Gatorade having jumped ship, Tiger’s major deals are down to three: Nike (NYSE: NKENews), Electronic Arts (Nasdaq: ERTSNews), and Kowa. His EA Sports video game, “Tiger Woods PGA Tour ’12,” set a first-week franchise record of 225,000 games sold. But our source also tells us that Tiger’s Nike money fell by as much as 50% in 2010 (to about $10 million, down from $20 million in 2009) and that he will get the same reduced amount for 2011. The reason? Nike penalized him for his indiscretions, reducing his payment for two years as a response to his public behavior. Nike had no comment.

That Nike would have renegotiated Tiger’s contract to give him a temporary pay cut may be hard to believe, but Bob Dorfman of Baker Street Advertising says, “That’s not surprising. They’re not going to release him entirely, because that’s not the way they are, but [a pay reduction] would not surprise me at all.”

As for the Kowa deal, Dorfman estimates its value at $4 million. Doug Shabelman of Burns Entertainment & Sports Marketing believes it’s worth around $3 million.

Recent valuations of Tiger’s overall endorsement earnings for 2011 have been between $60 million and $75 million. But based on our information about Nike, and on the Kowa estimates, the real number is likely closer to $20 million.

Woods’ agent adamantly denies the assertion that the golfer is facing financial strain. “Tiger Woods is financially sound and strong, contrary to wide-ranging rumors and inaccurate figures in the media,” Steinberg wrote in an email. “Stating anything else is incorrect and factually baseless.”

The Woods P&L

Another factor that has undeniably fizzled is Tiger’s tournament winnings. Woods won no majors in 2009, the first year that’s happened since 2004. He went completely winless in 2010, and this year he’s so far missed the U.S. Open, AT&T National, and British Open due to a knee injury. According to the PGA Tour website, Tiger’s 2011 winnings so far total $571,363. Those are like pennies compared to the $10.9 million, $5.8 million, and $10.5 million he earned in 2007, 2008, and 2009, respectively. In 2010, that dropped to $1.3 million.

Woods is still young, and undoubtedly one of the greatest golfers alive, but as he continues to stay off the links, that money stream dries up. Meanwhile, Tiger Woods Dubai, a billion-dollar project that was first set to open in 2009 with a golf course, pricey real estate, and restaurant, was scrapped in February.

As Tiger’s revenues have declined, his expenses have only climbed. To begin with, there’s the reported $100 million divorce settlement. And last August, Woods took out a $54.5 million mortgage on his home in Jupiter Island, Florida. According to the public document, Woods is required to pay off the mortgage in full by January of 2016, giving him a mere five and a half years to shed the debt. He’s therefore paying more than $10 million each year, including his $431,042 in annual property taxes.

That 2010 property tax information comes from the district offices of Martin County, FL, where the home Woods now occupies alone is located. The property, which Woods purchased in 2006 for $44.5 million, is valued at around $47 million (the county values the house at $26.48 million, the land at $20.5 million). His 2010 improvements to the dwelling and the property cost him $6 million, including three separate residential pools, a tennis court, a golf green with a few holes, an elevator, and a 14,736-square foot improvement to the interior of the house — evidence that Woods is not used to living cheaply. But the pace of his home improvements has slowed, according to online records of the county appraiser’s office. So far there have been none in 2011.

Mark Steinberg says simply that there is no debt on Woods’ Jupiter Island home, and declined to elaborate. But the Martin County clerk’s office confirmed that their records show that the mortgage has not been paid off.

The Jupiter Island mega-mansion isn’t the only Woods property. Among others, in 2007 he bought his mother property near his own, in Jupiter Island, for $2.4 million. In 2010, construction on that cost him another $2.6 million. Presumably, it’s Woods himself that pays and will continue to pay all taxes on the home.

Between the divorce settlement and his recent mortgage, Tiger has faced recent debts to the tune of at least $160 million, though it’s unknown how much of this he has now paid down. His endorsement earnings will not come close to this in 2011, and he’s no longer adding much to his pot with golf winnings. Nike’s decisive slash to his contract has not helped matters.

“Tiger remains one of the most popular and visible athletes in the world, demonstrated by television ratings, tournament attendance and various empirical polls,” Steinberg says. “His endorsement future is strong and any additional partnerships will be announced at the appropriate time.”

 

To fix up his financial short game, Tiger Woods is going to have to start making money again the old-fashioned way: by playing the sport he’s known for

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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Leyton Orient beat FC Ilves in first game of tour of Finland

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Read Time:2 Minute, 19 Second

Orient’s pre-season tour of Finland got off to a winning start with an entertaining 3-2 victory against third-tier side FC Ilves.

Dean Cox, Alex Revell and Charlie Daniels scored the goals as Russell Slade’s side took the lead on three occasions.

Cox and Daniels combined just before half time to see the winger put the O’s in front before the home side levelled on the hour mark.

Revell restored the lead on 75 minutes but Orient were caught napping as Ilves equalised just a minute later.

With ten minutes remaining, Daniels handed Orient the win, putting the visitors back in front from the penalty spot.

The O’s were without Elliot Omozusi, Jake Argent, Jamie Cureton and Terrell Forbes who have missed the tour through injury.

Revell and Jonathan Téhoué led the line up front for the tourists, while young keeper Lee Butcher was handed another start between the sticks.

Slade also took the chance to cast his eye over three trialists, with Reading centre back Jack Mills handed a start, while Kieran Djilali, scorer of two goals at Braintree, and former Newcastle defender Matthew Grieve were on the bench.

Orient made a much brighter start than they did on Tuesday and went close through Téhoué as early as the third minute, while Cox headed Leon McSweeney’s cross just wide of the post 25 minutes in.

Cox went close again shortly after but it was third time lucky for the wide man as he latched on to Daniels’ pass to put the visitors in front.

The Finns put up a fight in the second half as Jaako Ruuskanen went close on 53 minutes before levelling shortly after, capitalising as the O’s failed to deal with a cross from the left.

Slade’s men hit back straight away with both McSweeney and Cox seeing chances saved by last-ditch defending.

They retook the lead on 75 minutes though – Djalili making the most of the opportunity to impress again as the former Crystal Palace midfielder crossed for Revell to finish.

In a frantic five-minute period though, Ilves hit back through Matti Jokinen, before substitute George Porter was brought down in the box, leaving Daniels to complete the scoring and seal the win.

The O’s will now meet SJK on Tuesday as they look to continue their promising start to the season’s preparations.

Orient: Lee Butcher, Leon McSweeney, Scott Cuthbert, Jack Mills, Charlie Daniels, Marc Laird, Matthew Spring, Stephen Dawson, Dean Cox, Alex Revell, Jonathan Téhoué.

Subs: Tom Lovelock (GK), Matthew Grieve, George Porter, Moses Odubajo, Kieran Djilali, Mike Cestor.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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Nigeria: Trade and energy dominates Merkel’s Africa visit

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Read Time:3 Minute, 7 Second

In her visit to three giants of sub-Saharan Africa, German Chancellor Angela Merkel made it clear this was a trip prompted by trade, not aid.

The message repeated through her stops in Kenya, Angola and Nigeria was that it’s in Germany’s interests to see these countries stand on their own two feet, and be less reliant on foreign intervention.

Merkel wound up her trip on Thursday with a meeting with Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, who paid tribute to Germany’s “key role” in Nigerian development.

The two discussed ways that Germany and Africa’s largest oil producer could boost cooperation, stressing energy as a particular area of focus. Merkel said Germany would help set up hydro power plants in Nigeria and said they would cooperate in speeding up the development of liquefied natural gas.

Partnership with Nigeria

Echoing sentiments she made in Angola earlier in the trip, Merkel praised Nigeria’s willingness to use its own troops to solve conflicts in Africa. She said the continent should rely on its own forces as much as possible.

“African conflict prevention and resolution will relieve United Nations peacekeeping in future,” the chancellor said.

The two countries agreed on forming a bi-national commission which will meet and discuss issues that are important to both nations.

Jonathan said a commission was important as some things “don’t move as fast as we want to.”

In her address, Merkel said themes such as education, combating disease, fighting terrorism and human rights were some of the issues for the two countries to work on.

“Nigeria still has to overcome a few impediments and problems so as to ensure prosperity for everyone in this country,” Merkel said. “And Germany will want to be at Nigeria’s side and to help Nigeria in this endeavor.”

Focus on trade

The chancellor opened her African visit in Kenya, a country experiencing a current economic boom. She was accompanied by a delegation of German business interests and told Kenyan officials that the door to the German economy was always open.

“The German economy has a great interest in further cooperation,” Merkel told delegates in Kenya.

Her next stop was Angola, where the focus was again on trade and investment. Trade between Angola and Germany currently stands at around 400 million euros ($566 million) and Merkel was keen to boost economic ties further.

Angola is still suffering from the effects of 27 years of civil war, and Merkel pledged Germany’s support for reconstruction projects and education and professional training.

“Germany is a fair and decent partner, not only interested in making profits but concerned with the development of Angola,” she added.

Warship controversy

Her stop in Angola proved to be more controversial, as the chancellor announced Wednesday that Germany was prepared to sell six to eight patrol boats to the country as part of an international cooperation deal.

Merkel came under fire for a deal to sell patrol boats to Angola

Angola is rich in oil and natural resources, and Merkel suggested an “energy and raw materials” partnership in exchange for patrol boats to protect Angola’s borders.

“Every country needs to secure its own borders,” Merkel said when defending the exchange. “I think what we have here is not about a build up of armaments, but border security boats.”

Although the move had already been sanctioned by the previous governmen in Berlin, the move was criticized by the opposition Greens and Social Democrats.

Claudia Roth, leader of the Green party, labeled Merkel the “patron saint of the arms lobby,” while the SPD raised questions over Angola’s human rights record.

The controversy follows reports of the secret sale of hundreds of German tanks to Saudi Arabia that put Merkel under fire last week.

Author: Catherine Bolsover (AFP, dpa)
Editor: Martin Kuebler

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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Islamic Banking Divides Nigerian Religious Leaders

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Read Time:3 Minute, 29 Second

Nigeria is introducing Islamic banking to bring more of the nation’s estimated 70 million Muslims into the economy. But many prominent Christian leaders say it will further inflame religious violence.

How it works

Islamic law prohibits paying or receiving interest or investing in businesses that provide goods or services that are contrary to Islamic principles.

That has led to the creation of interest-free, Islamic banking in more than 50 nations where customers share in profits and losses. In an Islamic mortgage, for example, the bank buys the house then resells it at a higher price, allowing the new homeowner to pay in installments.

Ziyad Muhammad of the Islamic Finance Institute of South Africa says Islamic banking is about creating wealth for the community.

“The ultimate objective is to ensure that anything that is introduced by the entrepreneur is done for the benefit of the community at large,” he said.

Muhammad took part in a Central Bank of Nigeria conference meant to counter Christian opposition to the introduction of Islamic banking.

Christian criticism

The Christian Association of Nigeria says the move violates the country’s secular constitution and comes at a dangerous time when security forces are battling Islamic fundamentalists who are fighting for an independent nation ruled by Islamic law.

At the St. Peter Claver Catholic church, Father Paul Anyansi recognizes the potential economic benefits of Islamic banking but believes its dangers are far greater.

“We have too many religious tensions in terms of Islam against Christians. So it could stir up more. This is not the time for it,” he said. “The policies for Islamic banking are good in the sense where there is no loan and interest. It doesn’t go against the beliefs of the Islams. But what we are trying to say is that this country is not mature for it now.”

Father Anyansi says Christian leaders understand that Islamic banking works in other countries and might eventually work in Nigeria, but not right now.

“It could be as effective as it is England, as it is in America, as it is in Malaysia or countries where it is operated. But for now, we are still growing. A lot of people are not accepting their brother as their brother. They are not accepting the differences between religions. It will create more problems than more gains,” he said.

Secular vs Islamic

Human rights activist Oke Adheke says Nigeria can not run on both a secular system and an Islamic system.

“The moment they gave it a religious coloration it is not good for this country. Islamic banking by the name is not good for this country. Let them give us banking products that they believe are good for the ordinary man. The problem with this country is that we introduce too many funny things and tell stories about them, yet they don’t work,” said Adheke.

Banker Solomon Osiobe says people are afraid of Islamic banking because it is new, but he believes it can help the economy if everyone understands its rules.

“Let’s give it a chance because it has its advantages and disadvantages. If the rules are set out to be followed by the people who are to be served and there is public alertment, this banking system can go on,” he said.

Alternative

In this time of religious tension, Jaiz International Bank’s Mohammed Mustapha Bintube says, Nigeria needs an alternate method of financing based on fairness, equity, and transparency.

“Islamic banks also, deliberately, we don’t finance anything that is harmful to society. So we only look for projects that make positive impact in people’s lives,” he said.

Nigeria’s Conference of Islamic Organizations says opposition to Islamic banking is ignorant and insincere as it says some political leaders are trying to link Islamic financing to terrorism at a time when London and Paris are competing to be the center of Islamic banking.

The Christian Association of Nigeria says it will challenge the introduction of Islamic banking in court.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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Iran president urges Arab leaders to accept reform

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Read Time:1 Minute, 35 Second

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad urged Arab governments to heed popular demands for reform at a meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, the presidential website said on Tuesday.

“Today, the people of the region must enjoy equal rights, the right to vote, security and dignity, and no government can deprive them of freedom and justice or refuse their peoples’ demands,” Ahmadinejad was quoted as saying.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran believes that all regional governments can run their countries by introducing reforms and realising their peoples’ demands,” he added in the Monday evening talks.

Ahmadinejad did not explicitly mention Iran’s closest Arab ally, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who has faced unprecedented protests against his iron-fisted rule since mid-March.

But Iranian media had reported that the persistent clashes between security forces and demonstrators in Syria would top the agenda of the meeting.

At a joint press conference with Davutoglu on Sunday, Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi said that Syria’s problems can be solved within “the family.”

“Iran, Syria and Turkey are members of a family and, if one faces a problem, the family as whole should solve it,” Salehi said.

“The path of talks among the family members should lead to dealing with the legitimate demands of the people” and preventing “inappropriate interference,” he added.

Ahmadinejad accused Washington of stirring up confessional rivalries in the region, including between Syria’s Sunni Muslim majority and the minority Alawite community to which Assad belongs.

“The countries in the region should not play into Americans’ hands,” the president’s website quoted him as saying.

“They are seeking through deception to create a fight between Shiites and Sunnis, Alawites and non-Alawites, Turks and Kurds in order to reach their main goal which is saving the Zionist regime.”

Iran itself faced down huge protests in 2009 against alleged fraud in a presidential election that saw Ahmadinejad given a second term of office.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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