Monday, February 13, 2017
Where is Nigeria's president?
Muhammadu Buhari has not been seen in public recently and the Nigerian rumour mill is in overdrive.
Canadian PM Justin Trudeau tells Donald Trump: Refugees welcome in Canada
President Donald Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau have expressed their differences on immigration following talks at the White House.
The US leader has taken a hardline stance with his controversial travel ban affecting people from seven mostly Muslim countries and refugees.
On the other hand, the liberal Prime Minister Trudeau, 45, has stated his country would continue to pursue its policy of openness towards refugees without compromising security.
At the time of the travel ban being introduced last month, Mr Trudeau tweeted: "To those fleeing persecution, terror & war, Canadians will welcome you, regardless of your faith. Diversity is our strength. #WelcomeToCanada."
:: Trump 'evaluating' Michael Flynn over his talks with Russian ambassador
Today, Mr Trump, when asked by a reporter at a press conference whether he was confident the US border with Canada was secure, responded: "You can never be totally confident."
The President also told the assembled media that the US has "many, many" security problems.
He added that he and Mr Trudeau had some "wonderful ideas on immigration" and added: "We have some very strong, very tough ideas on the tremendous problem we have with terrorism."
Mr Trump went on to say: "We are taking people, very hardened criminals in some cases ... and we are getting them out and that is what I said I would do."
Shortly after the news conference, Homeland Security John Kelly revealed US immigration officers have arrested more than 680 people in recent operations, 75% of whom are convicted criminals.
Mr Kelly said the crimes committed by the undocumented immigrants ranged from homicide to driving under the influence of alcohol.
The US leader has taken a hardline stance with his controversial travel ban affecting people from seven mostly Muslim countries and refugees.
On the other hand, the liberal Prime Minister Trudeau, 45, has stated his country would continue to pursue its policy of openness towards refugees without compromising security.
At the time of the travel ban being introduced last month, Mr Trudeau tweeted: "To those fleeing persecution, terror & war, Canadians will welcome you, regardless of your faith. Diversity is our strength. #WelcomeToCanada."
:: Trump 'evaluating' Michael Flynn over his talks with Russian ambassador
Today, Mr Trump, when asked by a reporter at a press conference whether he was confident the US border with Canada was secure, responded: "You can never be totally confident."
The President also told the assembled media that the US has "many, many" security problems.
He added that he and Mr Trudeau had some "wonderful ideas on immigration" and added: "We have some very strong, very tough ideas on the tremendous problem we have with terrorism."
Mr Trump went on to say: "We are taking people, very hardened criminals in some cases ... and we are getting them out and that is what I said I would do."
Shortly after the news conference, Homeland Security John Kelly revealed US immigration officers have arrested more than 680 people in recent operations, 75% of whom are convicted criminals.
Mr Kelly said the crimes committed by the undocumented immigrants ranged from homicide to driving under the influence of alcohol.
Michael Flynn quits over claims he misled Trump officials over Russia talks
National security adviser Michael Flynn has resigned after claims he misled the Trump administration over his talks with Russia.
In his resignation letter, he admitted he had "inadvertently briefed the vice president-elect and others with incomplete information regarding my phone calls with the Russian ambassador".
Mr Flynn said he had "sincerely apologized to the President and the Vice President, and they have accepted my apology".
It comes amid claims he had discussed sanctions with Moscow's US envoy before Mr Trump was in power - and before he had officially taken up his own role.
Any attempt to conduct diplomacy on behalf of the United States while a private citizen could be illegal.
Mr Flynn initially told Vice President Mike Pence he had not discussed sanctions during the meeting with the ambassador, prompting Mr Pence to defend him in a TV interview.
In recent days however, he admitted he might have raised the subject of sanctions with the Russians but said he could not be 100% certain.
President Obama imposed sanctions on Russia over its annexation of Crimea and claims it tried to influence the presidential election.
Mr Flynn's resignation comes hours after the White House said it was "evaluating" the situation, and following Mr Trump's close aide, Kellyanne Conway, telling reporters the security adviser's job was safe.
Retired lieutenant general Joseph Kellogg will take up the role until a permanent successor is appointed.
The former CIA director and retired general, David Petraeus, is under consideration for the role, according to a White House official.
A US official has also confirmed a Washington Post report that the nation's acting attorney general had warned the White House last month that Mr Flynn could be vulnerable to Russian blackmail over his early contact with the ambassador.
Trump and Buhari in 'cordial' conversation
The phone call between Donald Trump and Muhammadu Buhari has taken place, the Nigerian government says.
In a statement, the Nigerian presidency said:
In a statement, the Nigerian presidency said:
The conversation was cordial and President Buhari congratulated Trump on his election as President of the United States, and on his cabinet.
The two leaders discussed ways to improve cooperation in the fight against terrorism through provision of necessary equipment.
President Trump encouraged President Buhari to keep up the good work he is doing, and also commended him for the efforts made in rescuing 24 of the Chibok Girls and the strides being taken by the Nigerian military.
President Trump assured the Nigerian President of US readiness to cut a new deal in helping Nigeria in terms of military weapons to combat terrorism.
President Trump also invited President Buhari to Washington at a mutually convenient date."
Moonlighting singer and jazz legend Al Jarreau dies aged 76
Acclaimed jazz and soul singer Al Jarreau has died, aged 76.
The artist, who was best known for his songs Moonlighting, Mornin' and Trouble in Paradise, had announced his retirement from touring just days ago.
He was admitted to hospital earlier in the week a few days after saying his retirement was due to exhaustion.
His official Twitter feed and website said he was surrounded by his wife, son and other family members in a Los Angeles hospital as he died.
During his career, which spanned more than 50 years, he was one of only a few artists to have won a Grammy in three separate categories.
He took home a total of seven of the awards for jazz, pop and R&B and was described by Time Magazine as the "greatest jazz singer alive".
His biggest hit in the UK was the theme from the TV show Moonlighting, which won a cult audience and shot Bruce Willis to fame and reprised the career of Cybill Shepherd in the mid to late 1980s.
Jarreau was also a vocalist on the all-star 1985 track We Are the World, which aimed to raise money to buy aid for Africa.
He released 16 studio and five live albums between 1975 and 2014.
He continued to perform with other jazz and soul legends like George Benson and Miles Davis, well into his 60s and 70s.
He is survived by his second wife Susan Player and their son Ryan.
The artist, who was best known for his songs Moonlighting, Mornin' and Trouble in Paradise, had announced his retirement from touring just days ago.
He was admitted to hospital earlier in the week a few days after saying his retirement was due to exhaustion.
His official Twitter feed and website said he was surrounded by his wife, son and other family members in a Los Angeles hospital as he died.
During his career, which spanned more than 50 years, he was one of only a few artists to have won a Grammy in three separate categories.
He took home a total of seven of the awards for jazz, pop and R&B and was described by Time Magazine as the "greatest jazz singer alive".
His biggest hit in the UK was the theme from the TV show Moonlighting, which won a cult audience and shot Bruce Willis to fame and reprised the career of Cybill Shepherd in the mid to late 1980s.
Jarreau was also a vocalist on the all-star 1985 track We Are the World, which aimed to raise money to buy aid for Africa.
He released 16 studio and five live albums between 1975 and 2014.
He continued to perform with other jazz and soul legends like George Benson and Miles Davis, well into his 60s and 70s.
He is survived by his second wife Susan Player and their son Ryan.
Fund for children of couple who died of cancer in same week raises more than £120k
A campaign set up for three children orphaned when their parents both died from cancer in the same week has raised more than £120,000 in just five days.
Earlier in the week, the children shared a photo of their parents, Mike and Julie Bennet, holding hands during their final days together in a hospice in the Wirral, Merseyside.
The JustGiving page was set up by friends of the couple to allow their three children - Luke, 21, Hannah, 18, and Oliver, 13 - to "continue to live a life at home and be able to sustain their activities and studies".
Mr and Mrs Bennet, who were both suffering from terminal cancer, were being cared for at the same hospice.
Mr Bennet, a 57-year-old self-employed cabinet maker, was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2013 and had been cared for by his wife and family at home.
But in May 2016, Mrs Bennet, 50, a primary school teacher, was diagnosed with breast cancer, which then spread to her liver and kidneys.
Mr and Mrs Bennet both died last week, within just five days of each other.
Their three children have described the support from friends, family and members of the public as "overwhelming"
The fundraising campaign, which had an original target of £50,000, has now raised more than £120,000, with donations continuing to pour in.
Earlier in the week, the children shared a photo of their parents, Mike and Julie Bennet, holding hands during their final days together in a hospice in the Wirral, Merseyside.
The JustGiving page was set up by friends of the couple to allow their three children - Luke, 21, Hannah, 18, and Oliver, 13 - to "continue to live a life at home and be able to sustain their activities and studies".
Mr and Mrs Bennet, who were both suffering from terminal cancer, were being cared for at the same hospice.
Mr Bennet, a 57-year-old self-employed cabinet maker, was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2013 and had been cared for by his wife and family at home.
But in May 2016, Mrs Bennet, 50, a primary school teacher, was diagnosed with breast cancer, which then spread to her liver and kidneys.
Mr and Mrs Bennet both died last week, within just five days of each other.
Their three children have described the support from friends, family and members of the public as "overwhelming"
The fundraising campaign, which had an original target of £50,000, has now raised more than £120,000, with donations continuing to pour in.
Pakistan: Powerful bomb blast rocks Lahore
A powerful bomb blast in the centre of the Pakistani city of Lahore has wounded several people, according to local media.
The explosion on Monday went off in Lahore's Mall Road during a protest attended by hundreds pharmacists in the eastern city.
Local police official Ali Raza told the Associated Press news agency that the blast occurred when a man on a motorcycle rammed into the crowd of protesters.
"Rescue workers rushed to the scene," Al Jazeera's Kamal Hyder, reporting from Lahore, said.
Police said it is not yet clear how many people may have been killed or wounded in the bombing.
Live TV registered a loud bang and showed smoke billowing up as people ran away, some of them carrying the wounded.
Lahore was the site of an Easter Day bombing that killed more than 70 people in a public park last year.
The explosion on Monday went off in Lahore's Mall Road during a protest attended by hundreds pharmacists in the eastern city.
Local police official Ali Raza told the Associated Press news agency that the blast occurred when a man on a motorcycle rammed into the crowd of protesters.
"Rescue workers rushed to the scene," Al Jazeera's Kamal Hyder, reporting from Lahore, said.
Police said it is not yet clear how many people may have been killed or wounded in the bombing.
Live TV registered a loud bang and showed smoke billowing up as people ran away, some of them carrying the wounded.
Lahore was the site of an Easter Day bombing that killed more than 70 people in a public park last year.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)