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US MUST STOP ITS MILITARY ADVENTURISM IN OUR REGION - IRANIAN AMBASSADOR


The Council urges ‘maximum restraint’ around Gulf region as Iran and United States trade diplomatic blows in New York
United Nations Security Council urge all countries to ‘exercise maximum restraint’ to de-escalate the tensions in the Persian gulf. After the closed-door talks, Ambassador Mansour Al-Otaibi of Kuwait, who holds the Council’s presidency for the month of June, read out an informal statement on behalf of the 15-member body condemning the attacks on oil tankers in the Gulf, saying they represented a “serious threat to maritime navigation and energy supply” as well as being a threat to international peace and security.

“The Council members urge concerned parties and all countries in the region to exercise maximum restraint and take measures and actions to reduce escalation and end tension,” he said.

He called for differences to be addressed “peacefully and through dialogue”.


There is a need for “genuine regional dialogue” to address rising tensions in the Gulf, Iran’s Ambassador to the United Nations said on Monday, calling on Secretary-General António Guterres “to play a role” in bringing countries to the table.


According to the UN news, Ambassador Majid Takht Ravanchi, was speaking to reporters outside the Security Council chamber in New York, where a closed-door meeting was being held to discuss the deteriorating relations between the United States, and Iran, which has also ratcheted up tension with Iran’s regional rival Saudi Arabia, and its allies.

Iran’s Permanent Representative said he had asked to take part in the meeting, but the request had been refused. He blamed the US, a Permanent Member of the 15-member body. He said that Iran wanted “neither war, nor an escalation of tension” in the region.

“The US decision today, to impose more sanctions against Iran is yet another indication of continued US hostility against the Iranian people and their leaders”, he said. “To ease sanctions in the broader Persian Gulf region, the US must stop its military adventurism in our region, as well as its economic war”.

US officials have said that Iran was responsible for two separate incidents in recent weeks, around the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman, involving six oil tankers which were damaged. Iran has categorically denied any involvement.

Last week, an unmanned US drone was shot down by the Iranian military over what the US said were international waters in the Gulf, but Ambassador Ravanchi repeated Iran’s assertion on Monday, that the drone had been violating Iranian airspace when it was shot down.

IRAN 'WAS RESPONSIBLE' ACTING US AMBASSADOR

Speaking at the same podium immediately after the closed meeting, the acting US Ambassador, Jonathan Cohen, told reporters that “it’s clear to us, and it should be to the world, that Iran was responsible for the May 12 and June 13 attacks against ships in the Persian Gulf. Such attacks pose a serious threat to the freedom of navigation and commerce in one of the world’s most important waterways.”

Mr. Cohen said the drone had not entered Iranian airspace but relied on interpreting its position as having been in the country’s “flight information region”, which is “not the same as their airspace”.

“Iran must understand that these attacks are unacceptable. It’s time for the world to join us in saying so. Our policy remains an economic and diplomatic effort to bring Iran back to the negotiating table.”

Earlier, the Iranian Ambassador had said that his country would not hold talks with the US while punitive sanctions continued, along with intimidation and threats.

‘NERVES OF STEEL’ ARE NEEDED: GUTERRES

Asked earlier at the regular noon briefing for reporters at UN Headquarters, to comment on the continuing tensions around the Gulf region, the UN’s Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq said that the Secretary‑General “has made clear his concerns, both about the recent incidents and also the rhetoric from various quarters.”

He’s made it clear that it would be a catastrophe to have any escalation in the Gulf region”, added Mr. Haq.

“He has urged all sides to show nerves of steel, and he is continuing to maintain that, and he wants to make sure that they take steps to avoid any further sorts of provocation.”
https://www.latestnewsplus.com/2019/06/un-security-council-condemns-attacks-on.html

THE HEAD OF THE REVOLUTIONARY GUARD’S AEROSPACE DIVISION SAYS A MANNED U.S. SPY PLANE WAS NEAR THE DRONE IT SHOT DOWN BUT IRAN CHOSE NOT TO TARGET IT.

https://www.latestnewsplus.com/2019/06/irans-irgc-releases-images-of-downed-us.html

The United States will send 1,000 additional US forces and more military resources to the Middle East amid tensions with Iran, the Pentagon announced Monday.


"In response to a request from the US Central Command for additional forces, and with the advice of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and in consultation with the White House, I have authorized approximately 1,000 additional troops for defensive purposes to address air, naval, and ground-based threats in the Middle East," acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan said in a statement.

"The recent Iranian attacks validate the reliable, credible intelligence we have received on hostile behaviour by Iranian forces and their proxy groups that threaten United States personnel and interests across the region," Shanahan said, adding that the "United States does not seek conflict with Iran."

"The action today is being taken to ensure the safety and welfare of our military personnel working throughout the region and to protect our national interests," Shanahan said.

"We will continue to monitor the situation diligently and make adjustments to force levels as necessary given intelligence reporting and credible threats."

News of the additional troop deployment comes as the State Department announced Monday that Secretary of State Michael Pompeo will travel Tuesday to the command centre that oversees Middle East military operations.

A day earlier, Pompeo said the Trump administration is still mulling military action against Iran.

The State Department announced Pompeo's trip to United States Central Command in Florida after a senior Iranian official told CNN that the US and Iran are headed toward "a confrontation which is very serious for everybody in the region." European and international officials are calling for "maximum restraint."

Shortly after the announcement of Pompeo's travel, the Pentagon released a detailed set of photos that it said showed Iranian boats removing a mine from one of two tankers attacked in the Gulf of Oman on June 13.

The US attributes the attack to Iran. Tehran has vigorously denied the charge. Security experts have also called to questions the veracity of US evidences against Iran in the so called attacks.

President Donald Trump announced May 24 that the Pentagon would be deploying an extra 1,500 troops to the region as a "mostly protective" force.
Read more @ https://www.latestnewsplus.com/2019/06/us-says-deploying-1000-more-troops-to.html

By Aliyu Kolawole

The journey of the current democratic rule, since 29th May, 1999; no doubt has witnessed a lot of uneasy calm. Under different regimes, from Obasanjo to late Yar'dua, down to Jonathan and President Buhari, the country is yet to satisfactorily witness the essence of a civil rule, in line with the global best practices. If it were, the rating is abysmally low. Extremely far from public expectations and international communities.

Between 1999 and now, corruption, party politics, severe executive - legislative gridlocks, delay in budget passage, policy inconsistency, weak economic power, insecurity, militancy and terrorism have, at different times; been our Achilles. As many of us would query, that other democratic climes across the globe equally have their peculiar challenges. Yes, but not in this horrendous manner. They rarely pass the bulk.
Permit me to say that democracy is not static, and sincerely an ongoing practice. The former political "this or that', where democracy seems to be delivering the yields regularly rally support for the incumbents. They patriotically advise on policy direction for the good of the state. They rarely do anything to pull the incumbent down; if for nothing, at least for the interest of the state. Politics, to them is not win-win all the time, and not a do or die affair. They are available to ensure the state's democratic project do not crumble. They do not aspire to consume the public tilt either by running down the working instruments of the state or requesting for kickbacks as elder statesman.

Good governance in places of working democratic polity do not work on one leg. The incumbents regularly consult. They do not see their working partners, Special Assistants, Executive Assistants, Ministers and the likes, as infallible. They should have inputs in policy guides, implementation and evaluation. They talk less of former administrations as the cause of their challenges. Because, governance is a continuum, they joyfully inherit the liabilities and assets transmitted to them. They rarely grumble, especially when the former is much than the latter. They sought for ways to strengthen the economy and make it viable for local and foreign investors, so as to boost the value of the state's currency. By this, countries in the West have excelled.

Twenty years is actually not insignificant in one's life time. I hope our new leaders consolidate on prospects across levels of government in Nigeria to fully occupy the position of "Giant of Africa" we use to be. Let us all learn from our past for our tomorrow to be better.

It is well with Nigeria and Nigerians in general. Congratulations to all incoming occupiers of the various political offices. God will see you through.
https://www.latestnewsplus.com/2019/05/20-years-of-democratic-rule-in-nigeria.html#

Nigerian President, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (Rtd) has said his career in the military was hellish, especially experiences he had living through the 1966 coup, 1967 counter-coup, and later a civil war.
The President spoke during a pre-recorded interview aired by the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) last night.

Responding to a question: ‘Who is Buhari?’ from the show anchor, the president said: “I think I went through hell throughout my career in the military. I was a lieutenant in Lagos during the first coup, January 15, 1966.

“If you bother about Nigerian history, you read about coup and counter coup, civil war, coup, counter coup. I was all in it, including in detention for three and a quarter years.

“So, I am fully qualified, you know, [to be called] as a suffering Nigerian.”

Buhari in his assessment of institutions of government rated the National Assembly and the Police low in performance.

However, the President said he expected a higher level of efficiency from military service chiefs, but refrained from blaming them for the escalating insecurity situation in the country.

Tomorrow, May 29th 2019 is the officer inauguration of of Buhari's second Term in Office after he was declared winner of the last general elections which was condemned by many local and international observers.
https://www.latestnewsplus.com/2019/05/nigeria-my-military-career-was-hellish.html

The Nigerian Navy, NNS Delta, today, May 22, 2019 handed over two motor vessels, MV NIPAL, SD WATERMAN, Large Wooden (Cotonou) Boat and 22 crew members allegedly involved in illegal oil bunkering to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Benin Zonal Office, Edo State for further investigation and possible prosecution.

The suspects are: George Nwafor, John F. Obukene, Elijah Ibitoye, LawalOlayemi, Sherif Zikeyi Prex, Obaten Egbe, Efe Brown, Balogun Ogunlowa, Alex Udi, Eremiye Esau and Agbaje Olorunjuwon Anofi.

Others are: Abdulganiyu Kabiru, Japhet Onyenibe, Sola Olurinmi, Endurance Mene, Mohammed Emeymola Ajodun, Monday Atie, Demehin Omolere, Olu Soji Juwon, Oroyo Ade, Omoteyinshe John Onbowoibun and Isogun Bode.

Commodore Ibrahim A. Dewu, Commander, NNS Delta at the handing over in Warri, Delta State, stated that the vessels were intercepted on May 19, 2019 off Escravos by a combined team of NNS Delta and Forward Operating Base (FOB) for engaging in illegal oil bunkering. The vessels and Cotonou Boat were allegedly loaded with thousands of litres of Automotive Gas Oil, AGO.

Receiving the vessels and the suspects on behalf of the Commission, Richard Ogberagha, a Principal Detective Superintendent, said the Commission would carry out further investigations and ensure that the culprits were brought to book.
https://www.latestnewsplus.com/2019/05/illegal-oil-bunkering-navy-hands-over.html

The Scottish government confirms a case of Ebola in a patient at Gartnavel Hospital in Glasgow A healthcare worker who returned from West Africa last night has been diagnosed with Ebola, the Scottish government has confirmed.

The patient returned from Sierra Leone yesterday and is now receiving treatment at Glasgow’s Gartnavel Hospital.

The worker returned to Scotland via Casablanca and London Heathrow, and arrived into Glasgow Airport on a British Airways flight at around 11.30pm, according to Sky News.

Sources told BBC News the aid worker was a female.

The symptoms of the deadly virus include a fever, headaches, joint and muscle pain, a sore throat and intense muscle weakness, according to the NHS. Patients typically develop these symptoms after five to seven days, but can appear between two and 21 days of a person becoming infected.

After these symptoms develop people experience diarrhoea, vomiting, a rash, and stomach pain before liver and kidney functions deteriorate.

Ebola then causes internal bleeding and patients can bleed from their ears, eyes, nose or mouth.

However, while Ebola is contagious, it is only spread through contact with the blood and body fluids of an infected person, such as urine, vomit, diarrhoea and faeces, and saliva.

The World Health Organisation makes it clear that patients do not become contagious until they are displaying symptoms of Ebola, and they are not contagious during the incubation period.

The infection can be transmitted when these infected fluids come into direct contact with another person’s broken skin, or with mucus membranes, which are found in the lining of the nose and mouth.

read more: http://hotnewsnaija.org/2014/12/breaking-there-is-one-confirmed-case-of-ebola-in-gartnavel-hospital-in-glasgow-scottish-government-confirms/

Crude Oil rises to $60 per barrel, over concerns about disruption to output from Libya

Brent crude oil rose to $60 per barrel on Monday, supported by concerns about disruption to output from Libya, but a global supply glut kept prices nearly 50 percent off their peak for the year.

Libya is producing a scant 128,000 barrels of oil a day from fields connected to the far eastern port of Hariga, an oil official said, as fighting kept its largest ports, Es Sider and Ras Lanuf, shut.

Output from the OPEC member nation has struggled with port blockades and protests, slashing output from the 1.6 million barrels a day it produced prior to the 2011 ousting of leader Muammar Gaddafi.

A fire sparked by a rocket attack last week on oil storage tanks at the port of Es Sider marked an escalation in damage to the country’s oil infrastructure.

“There’s tension in Libya, but liquidity is very thin so not much is needed to move oil prices,” said Hans van Cleef, senior energy economist at ABN Amro in Amsterdam.

Trade was sparse, with many investors away for the holidays.

Van Cleef added that the overall picture remained bearish, with traders looking for reasons to sell.

“It’s very supply driven. On the demand side, the only impact is when you see a negative change in data.”

Brent crude was up 84 cents at $60.29 by 1247 GMT after hitting $60.40. The benchmark shed 79 cents in the previous session.

Brent is down around 46 percent since a year high above $115 per barrel hit in June. It has been weighed down by a decision taken by OPEC in November not to cut supply to address the slump in prices and comments since from Saudi Arabia expressing comfort with lower prices.

Oil is on track for its biggest fall since 2008 and the second-biggest annual fall since futures started trading in the 1980s.

U.S. crude rose 81 cents to $55.54 after closing $1.11 down in thin trade on Friday. It rose to a peak of $55.74 early on Monday.

Oil prices also drew support from plans by China and Japan aimed at supporting their economies, which would help lift demand.

Read d rest here http://hotnewsnaija.org/2014/12/breaking-crude-oil-rises-to-60-per-barrel-over-concerns-about-disruption-to-output-from-libya/

BOXING DAY ENTERTAINMENT – IJA AGBA MEJI.
Between…
APC 1 & APC 2
APC 1 – Professor Wole Soyinka.
APC II – Olusegun Obasanjo
YOUR COMMENTATOR is Ayeniromo Orunogbeke
Ayeniromo: Good evening Ladies and gentlemen. This is welcoming you all to Nigeria, a Boxing Arena with a capacity for 170 Million spectators.

On this ” Boxing Day” a big bout has fixed for tonight. The fight is between two Heavyweight Champions who both incidental hails from Ogun State.
On the left hand side of your screen,appearing in tattered black trunks ,weighing a disappointing 3kg (due to his political view and ideological inconsistencies) is Olusegun Aremu Okikiola Obasanjo.
His challenger in dirty red trunks too, also weighing a disappointing 2.9kg is Professor, Nobel Laurette and several other Award Winner ——-Wole Soyinka.
Ladies and gentlemen ,there goes the bell for the commencement of the first round. GBAGAUN !!!
Bouncing and dancing round in the ring Obasanjo sends the first punch,a powerful punch at that. A lot of power is behind the punch and it was well delivered. A killer punch you ll call this. Gbam,punch landed.
He said in his book “My Watch” that Soyinka is a self-serving critic, who always seeks to shine out among men, describing the Nobel laureate as a “misfit and as a political analyst, commentator or critic”, adding that he likes to take the lead on all matters.
Oh! Bi jo,Wole Soyinka kiss the canvass,fell yakata. The officiating referee is down on his knees beside Wole and hitting the turf with his hand to count ….1-2-3-4-5 ….o he makes it back on his feet though dazed and panting. Let’s see whether he can go ahead in this championship.
Soyinka, he shakes his head,do some boxing dance round in the ring . Throw some jabs into the air. Obasanjo dodges well. Not daunted,Soyinka went for double,oh,triple…..Soyinka said :
(1) Obasanjo brand was compounded by the inclination of even foisting the lies on members of the younger generation.
(2) Gbam…!!!Soyinka, in his characteristically long treatise titled, “Watch and Pray, Watch and Prey”, said: “I had fully attuned myself to the fact that our Owu retiree soldier and prolific author is an infliction that those of us who share the same era and nation space must learn to endure. Gba! gba! Gba !!!
(3) Soyinka seems unstoppable here he said….“However, it does appear that there is no end to this individual’s capacity for infantile mischief, and for needless, mind-boggling provocations, such as his recent ‘literary’ intrusion on my peace.”
Wao !
(4) “However, even within such deplorable species, a special pit of universal opprobrium is surely reserved for those who even lack the courage of their own lies, but must foist them on others.
He goes on and on,and except the referee do something urgent,this Wole will kill the old man who obviously is weak,worn and gasping for breath. Obasanjo o. Gosh ! Soyinka sends an upper cut with his right,completed it with another heavy left punch.Obj going down, Wao ! WS won’t allow him,racked him into a corner of the ring rains several blows on him…..huuu,referee please stop this man or somebody will die here o.WS…..again..He signed off his response to Obasanjo’s assessment of him with the words “Chei! There is Death o !
Down and out OBJ goes. Referee signals for medical attention as blood gulps out from every part of Obj’ s body.
Ladies and gentlemen, Fight titled “Ija agba meji “has come to an abrupt end at round one. The referee has lifted high the hand of Wole Soyinka and he becomes the champion.
Akoni Oodua Ayeniromo….signing off till next year when i bring to you further commentary on a possible rematch…
God bless Nigeria.

Akoni Oodua Ayeniromo is on Facebook

- See more at: http://hotnewsnaija.org/2014/12/political-championship-in-nigeria-boxing-day-entertainment-ija-agba-meji/#sthash.b3BnJaa4.dpuf

RCCG OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR MONDAY 29 DECEMBER 2014, THEME: BE STEADFAST IN FAITH BY PASTOR E. A ADEBOYE

MEMORY VERSE: 1 Corinthians 15:58
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
READ: REVELATION 3:7-11
3:7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;
3:8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.
3:9 Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.
3:10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
3:11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
MESSAGE
Many Christians believe in their pastor and the doctrines of their Church. There is nothing wrong in this in as much as the pastor is living right and the doctrines are biblical. However, your faith and steadfastness must be built on Jesus Christ, the Author and Finisher of your faith who cannot disappoint you. A man will backslide with his pastor, if his faith anchors on the pastor and the pastor backslides. This is the reason why you must know Jesus Christ through and through. What you know concerning Jesus Christ will make you steadfast if you know Him adequately enough. The Holy Spirit through Apostle Paul wrote this:
“But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,” Philippians 3:7-8
You may want to ask, what do I know concerning the Lord Jesus? I know that Jesus is alive. I am very sure of this. I have very many testimonies to prove this. I was always feeling ill and it was a monthly occurrence despite medications. I had taken more than two thousand injections without any respite. However, when I started calling on the Name of Jesus, I never fell ill again. For my wife and children, He is just the same. Illness has been completely removed from my home. He that you believe is alive should surely help you to overcome just about any problem and quickly too, if truly He is alive. If He is dead, surely He cannot even help Himself. An ordinary man cannot perform these miracles no matter how deep he has gone into occultism. Satan will cast you aside to face another person once he knows he cannot take you away from Jesus Christ. Just go on praising God if Satan brings illness to your child. This attitude will shock the devil and make him flee from you. He will see you as a mad man rejoicing in the midst of trouble. The world and its lusts would run from you if you can stand firm in your faith. The Bible in Galatians 5:1 says:
“Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.”
May the Lord uphold you to the end in Jesus’ Name.

PRAYER POINT:
Father, I cannot hold myself; I put my trust in your everlasting arm, please uphold me to the very end.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: ACTS 22:22-24:21 and SONG OF SOLOMON 7:1-10

- See more at: http://hotnewsnaija.org/2014/12/open-heavens-daily-devotional-for-monday-29-december-2014-theme-be-steadfast-in-faith-by-pastor-e-a-adeboye/#sthash.3t2a8T3W.dpuf

The Nigerian President, Dr, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has on Sunday said if Nigeria continued to progress in the manner it is doing under him, the country would become a better place in the next four or five years. Adding that his administration was putting in a lot of efforts to reposition the country but the results might not be immediate.

President Jonathan spoke at the Christ Apostolic Church, Area 1, Durumi, Abuja where he joined worshipers for the last Sunday service for the year.

He however urged Nigerians to continue to uphold his administration in prayers.

The President said, “For me and members of my team, in spite of the challenges, we will continue to do our best.“As a nation, we have not reached where we want to be, definitely not.

- See more at: http://hotnewsnaija.org/2014/12/last-sunday-of-the-year-jonathan-says-nigeria-will-be-a-better-place-in-four-years-begs-nigerians/#sthash.Z5z1qaq4.dpuf

RCCG OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR SUNDAY 28 DECEMBER 2014, THEME: PERFECT CHRISTIAN? BY PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE
MEMORY VERSE: Matthew 5:48
Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
READ: JOB 1:5-8
1:5 And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually.
1:6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them.
1:7 And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.
1:8 And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?
MESSAGE
When we compare two things and we say one is better than the other, it may not necessarily mean that either of the two is desirable. But when we say something is perfect, it means that it is good in itself and there is no evil complaint about it. It also means that it is so good that there is no need to improve on it. This is the definition of the perfect Christian. A perfect Christian is a Christian that is without blemish – a Christ-like individual indeed. There are different categories of Christians. There are those who have been saved but not sanctified. These ones easily get annoyed. They cannot be described as perfect Christians. Some Christians are saved and sanctified. These ones do not get annoyed. There was a time we were rehearsing a drama that was to be staged in our church. A part required that the actor should become very annoyed. Our main actor could not bring himself to be angry. We could not even get someone among us to teach him how to be angry. May you be sanctified to perfection in Jesus’ Name.
“Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.”
1 Peter 1:2
To become a perfect Christian, you must first and foremost be Holy Spirit filled. The Holy Spirit is indispensable in the life of any Christian. Without the Holy Spirit, it is not possible to have any of the dimensions of the fruit that the Holy Spirit causes a Christian to bear which makes a Christian perfect (Galatians 5:22-23). For one to be a perfect Christian, some things must manifest in the fellow’s life. First, all things have to be done according to how God Himself would do them. You must aspire to please God in all that you do. Before doing anything, no matter how trivial, first ask how you think God would do it. Knowing that God can only do things perfectly, you will see to it that it is perfectly done. Secondly, a perfect Christian will aspire to get to where God wants him to reach. He will never stop or rest until God’s purpose for his life is accomplished. Many Christians backslid because they had thought that their position was the highest spiritual height they could attain and as a result, they became contented and stopped striving higher. May the Lord bring you to perfection this season in Jesus’ Name.

PRAYER POINT:
Father, make me as perfect as you want me to be in Jesus’ Name.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: ACTS 20:17-22:21 and SONG OF SOLOMON 5:10-6:9

- See more at: http://hotnewsnaija.org/2014/12/open-heavens-daily-devotional-for-sunday-28-december-2014-theme-perfect-christian-by-pastor-e-a-adeboye/#sthash.LlBkSx5U.dpuf

Dutch justice ministry has announced it will close eight prisons and cut 1,200 jobs in the prison system.

A decline in crime has left many cells empty. During the 1990s the Netherlands faced a shortage of prison cells, but a decline in crime has since led to overcapacity in the prison system. The country now has capacity for 14,000 prisoners but only 12,000 detainees.
Deputy justice minister Nebahat Albayrak announced on Tuesday that eight prisons will be closed, resulting in the loss of 1,200 jobs.
Natural redundancy and other measures should prevent any forced lay-offs, the minister said. The overcapacity is a result of the declining crime rate, which the ministry’s research department expects to continue for some time.
Belgian prisoners
Some reprieve might come from a deal with Belgium, which is facing overpopulation in its prisons.
The two countries are working out an agreement to house Belgian prisoners in Dutch prisons.
Some five-hundred Belgian prisoners could be transferred to the Tilburg prison by 2010.
The Netherlands would get 30 million euros in the deal, and it will allow the closing of the prisons in Rotterdam and Veenhuizen to be postponed until 2012. http://hotnewsnaija.com/archives/7474

BRITAIN is planning to become the first country in the world to offer “three-parent” fertility treatments to parents who want to avoid passing potentially fatal genetic diseases on to their children.
The country is poised to become the first country to allow babies to be born with three biological parents under plans announced today.
The historic proposal would lift a ban on IVF treatments that can eliminate incurable genetic diseases by swapping less than 1 per cent of a mother’s DNA with that from a healthy female donor.
The proposal to lift a ban on the controversial IVF treatment still has to be approved by parliament, but it could be available on the NHS as early as next year. If approved by Parliament, “three-parent” therapy for mitochondrial diseases is likely to be available on the NHS next year.
Here are five key questions about the ground-breaking therapy.
Who would use it?
Families with a history of mitochondrial diseases – incurable conditions passed down the maternal line that affect around one in 6,500 children worldwide – would use the therapy. The diseases can lead to fatal heart problems, liver failure, brain disorders, blindness and muscular dystrophy, says Reuters.
How does it work?
Several three-parent therapies are being developed, but the basic process involves transferring the nuclear material of an affected mother’s egg cell into the donor egg of an unaffected woman. The healthy mitochondria – the tiny power packs of the cells – will then be passed on to the IVF baby. The amount of DNA exchanged is less than 1 per cent and would not influence a child’s “appearance, intelligence or personality”, The Times says. The treatment is known as three-parent in vitro fertilisation because the baby would have genes from a mother, a father and from a female donor.
Why is the therapy controversial?
Critics say the process is unethical and could be the first step to creating a market for “designer babies”. David King, director of the Human Genetics Alert campaign group, described the techniques as “unnecessary” and “ethically unsound”. He said: “They cross the ethical line that has been agreed by governments around the world that we should not genetically alter human beings.”
What do advocates of the therapy say?
Professor Dame Sally Davies, the Chief Medical Officer, calls the therapy “groundbreaking” and says clearly-defined regulations are being drafted to make sure it is used appropriately. Dame Sally told The Times the decision to make the therapy available was “not one to be taken lightly”, but she felt “very comfortable” about altering mitochondrial DNA. “We will save some five to ten babies from being born with ghastly disease and early death without changing what they look like, or how they behave, and it will help mothers to have their own babies,” she told the paper.
Are there any risks to the process?
There is no evidence from animal studies that the therapy can cause medical problems. Babies born using three-parent IVF would be closely monitored by doctors during their lives for signs of any ill-effects.
http://hotnewsnaija.com/archives/7471

Continuous Immotalization of the man's name by the O state is good but the fact is that the truth and justice that MKO and many others die for, the suffering that the entire people of the country are passing through since 1993 for a just democratic society is yet to materialised. This Democracy is really crazy!

Let June 12 election be validated then many people will still dare to lay down their life for what is just knowing that one day the troth will prevail.

North Korea has told foreign embassies to consider evacuating their diplomats from the capital, Pyongyang, as tensions are mounting with its southern neighbor, the Russian embassy said.
A North Korean Foreign Ministry official met Russian Ambassador Alexander Timonin today to deliver the message, said Denis Samsonov, a spokesman for the embassy in Pyongyang.
The proposal is now under consideration, Samsonov said by phone, adding that the decision won’t be made today. More than 100 people work in the Russian embassy, he said.
The North Korean initiative was prompted by “the escalating situation” on the Korean peninsula, the diplomat said, adding there were no current tensions in the city.
A crisis is escalating after the communist nation threatened to wage nuclear war on the U.S. and South Korea.
Kim Jong Un’s regime warned this week that “the moment of explosion is approaching soon” and said it’s poised to conduct a “smaller, lighter and diversified nuclear strike.” North Korea also has moved a missile to its eastern coast rocket launch site, possibly for test-firing, according to South Korea’s defense minister.
Russia, which shares a 17-kilometer (11 miles) border with North Korea, agreed last September to write off 90 percent of the Asian nation’s $11 billion debt that dated back to the Soviet period and settle the remaining 10 percent via joint projects in health care, education and energy.
Late North Korean leader Kim Jong Il visited Russia in August 2011 for talks with then President Dmitry Medvedev.

http://hotnewsnaija.com/?p=4717

A bomb was detected near a first generation bank around 1pm at Murtala Mohammed Way in Kano. Police anti-bomb squad cordoned off the area and detonated the device.

Police public relations officer Musa Magaji Majia confirmed that it was a controlled explosion. He said the detonation was carried out successfully, adding that normal activities had resumed in the area.

Murtala Muhammad Way is home to many banks in the state.

Detail soon.....

http://hotnewsnaija.com/archives/966

*Nigeria is key to the liberation of Mali

Presence of Nigerian troops in Mali following the intervention of the French forces has elicited a sense of confidence that the war against terrorism in the West African country will soon be a thing of the past.

Reporters in Mali went to town and find out how the Malians feel about the arrival of Economic Community Of West African States (ECOWAS) forces in Mali especially the Nigerian contingent.

Despite a circulate news that the Nigerian Troops were ill-equiped for the war in Mali, the general consensus is that Nigeria is key to the liberation of Mali from the various extremist groups in the country.

Judging by the sense of calm on the faces of the Malians, it is almost impossible to tell that the French-speaking country is under the threats of terrorism however beneath this calm lies a feeling of anger and disappointment at what is happening in the northern part of Mali.

The presence of the Nigerian troops in the territory has once again restored lost hope as many residents say this is an indication that the war on terror in Mali is nearing its end.

Citizens have offered prayers for the safety of the troops and that the operations will be concluded as quickly as possible.

Speaking, Sidibe Dramanae, a young Mailian, expressed his gratitude to the Nigerian government for always playing the big brother role for fellow West African states.
http://hotnewsnaija.com/archives/955

The mother of Rt. Hon Kombowei Benson, Speaker of Bayelsa State House of Aasembly, has been kidnapped in the early hours of Monday (today).

She was reportedly whisked away from her country home at Korokorosei community in Southern Ijaw council area of the state by unknown gunmen.

More Details Soon!
http://hotnewsnaija.com/?p=313

Mother Of Speaker Of Bayelsa State Assembly Kidnapped..

....details soon

http://hotnewsnaija.com/?p=304

OBJ: As for those of us who believe that we have the God-given right to do things, as we like, let us remember that we would give account here. But the account-giving is not only here; we would give account yonder.

Details here:http://www.osundefender.org/?p=82528

://www.osundefender.org/?p=82159