Pressure on Trump likely to be intense at second debate with Clinton

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Debate
U.S., Oct. 9, 2016 (Reuters/ NAN)  Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, facing eroding support from his party over lewd remarks about women, goes into a second presidential debate with Democrat Hillary Clinton on Sunday needing to demonstrate he remains a credible candidate.

The pressure on the 70-year-old Trump at the debate will be intense. Not only must he parry attacks from Clinton and explain why he is a better alternative.

He must also show an apologetic side to stop more Republican supporters from giving up on him.

Trump already had an uphill battle to win the White House in the Nov. 8 election before disclosure of a 2005 video in which he could be heard talking crudely about women.

A Reuters-Ipsos poll had Clinton leading by five points on Friday, before the video surfaced. Now, the question is whether Trump’s quest for the presidency is all but over.

The fresh controversy adds an air of unpredictability over the 9 p.m. EDT debate at Washington University in St. Louis, the second of three scheduled presidential debates as the long-running U.S. election contest enters its final weeks.

It will be a town hall-style debate with undecided voters posing half the questions and the debate’s two moderators posing the others.

His vice presidential running mate, Mike Pence, said on Sunday that Trump needs to show contrition.

“We pray for his family and look forward to the opportunity to show what is in his heart when he goes before the nation tomorrow night,” Pence said in a statement.

The crisis has put the Republican National Committee in a tight spot with less than a month to go until Election Day.

Trump would have to resign the nomination to allow Republican leaders to choose a successor, but the New York businessman is showing no signs of stepping down despite increasing calls from elected leaders for him to let Pence become the nominee.

At the first debate, on Sept. 26, Trump was repeatedly put on the defensive by Clinton. He never let her accusations go unanswered, and as a result he missed opportunities to use his speaking time to draw attention to Clinton’s perceived weaknesses.

Republicans said Trump needed to perform more like Pence, who was deemed the winner in his vice presidential debate against Democratic rival Tim Kaine last week.

Republican strategist Ron Bonjean said there is plenty Trump could learn from Pence, who stayed on offence at the vice-presidential debate, did not bother to respond to Kaine’s accusations, and looked calm and unflappable.

“It was a clear lesson in how you avoid falling into your opponent’s traps,” Bonjean said. “Don’t talk about what the other side wants you to talk about, focus on what you want to talk about.”

Clinton has been hunkered down for days getting ready for what could be, for her, a knockout blow against Trump.

Before the video surfaced, Clinton campaign officials said they were expecting the Republican nominee to come to the debate more subdued than the first round.

But they were also prepared in case Trump follows through with a threat to focus on Clinton’s sometimes troubled marriage to former President Bill Clinton.

Clinton, who has already capitalised on Trump’s treatment of women, herself foreshadowed how she might respond to an attack from Trump on her marriage during a speech to a fundraiser in Washington on Wednesday.

“I feel it’s my responsibility not to defend myself against his attacks because, really, been there, done that,” she said. “I think it’s my responsibility to defend everybody else against his attacks,” she said, drawing cheers from the crowd.

Clinton has her own issues to face.

Wikileaks on Friday published an email from Clinton advisers appearing to contain excerpts of paid speeches to corporations, in which Clinton voices support for open trade and borders and says how sometimes it is important to have a public and private position. (Reuters/ NAN)

(Edited by Julius Enehikhuere)

Russia says U.S. actions threaten its national security

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Threat
Russia, Oct. 9, 2016 (Reuters/NAN)  Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Sunday that he had detected increasing U.S. hostility towards Moscow, saying it amount to series of aggressive U.S. steps that threatened Russia’s national security.

In an interview with journalists , he said its likely to worsen already poor relations with Washington, Lavrov made it clear he blamed the Obama administration for what he described as a sharp deterioration in U.S.-Russia ties.

“We have witnessed a fundamental change of circumstances when it comes to the aggressive “Russophobia’’ that now lies at the heart of U.S. policy towards Russia,” Lavrov said.

“It’s not just a rhetorical Russophobia, but aggressive steps that really hurt our national interests and pose a threat to our security.”

With relations between Moscow and Washington strained over issues from Syria to Ukraine, Lavrov reeled off a long list of Russian grievances against the U.S. which he said helped contribute to an atmosphere of mistrust that was in some ways more dangerous and unpredictable than the Cold War.

He complained that NATO had been steadily moving military infrastructure closer to Russia’s borders and lashed out at Western sanctions imposed over Moscow’s role in the Ukraine crisis.

He also said he had heard that some policy makers in Washington were suggesting that President Barack Obama sanction the carpet bombing of the Syrian government’s military air fields to ground its air force.

“This is a very dangerous game given that Russia, being in Syria at the invitation of the legitimate government of this country and having two bases there, has got air defence systems there to protect its assets,” said Lavrov.

Lavrov said he hoped Obama would not agree to such a scenario.

Russia suspended a treaty with Washington on cleaning up weapons grade plutonium earlier this month in response to what it said were “unfriendly acts” by the U.S.

Lavrov said both countries had the right to pull out of the treaty in the event of “a fundamental change in circumstances”.

“The treaty was concluded when relations were normal, civilised, when no one … was trying to interfere in the internal affairs of others. That’s the fundamental change of circumstances,” said Lavrov. (Reuters/ NAN)

(Edited by  Julius Enehikhuere)

South Africa’s Tutu wants ‘the option of an assisted death’

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Tutu
Jo’burg, Oct. 9, 2016 (Reuters/ NAN) Retired South African cleric and anti-apartheid campaigner Archbishop Desmond Tutu has said in a published commentary that when his time comes, he would “want the option of an assisted death”.

The 85-year-old Nobel Peace Prize winner, who has been living with prostate cancer for nearly 20 years, reiterated his support for assisted dying in an opinion piece published on the Washington Post on his 85th birthday.

Tutu came out in support of assisted dying in 2014, but was more ambiguous about whether he personally wanted that option.

“I believe that terminally ill people should be treated with the same compassion and fairness when it comes to their deaths. Dying people should have the right to choose how and when they leave Mother Earth,” Tutu wrote.

Tutu, who has struggled with ill health in recent years, said now more than ever he feels compelled to lend his voice to the cause as his life is closer to “its end than its beginning.

“I have prepared for my death and have made it clear that I do not wish to be kept alive at all costs. I hope I am treated with compassion and allowed to pass on to the next phase of life’s journey in the manner of my choice,” he wrote.

The former Anglican archbishop of Cape Town had surgery in August to remedy recurring infections that have afflicted him for more than a year.

Tutu, looking frail and wearing a thick sweater in a video posted on the Washington Post, called on politicians, lawmakers and religious leaders to support the choices “terminally ill citizens make in departing Mother Earth”.

Assisted dying, also known as euthanasia, is illegal in South Africa. But in a groundbreaking ruling in 2015, South Africa’s High Court granted a terminally ill Robin Stransham-Ford the right to die with dignity. (Reuters/ NAN)

(Edited by Julius Enehikhuere)

Kogi sets up panel to probe state finances from 2003 to 2016

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Probe

By Kola Adeyemi

Lokoja , Oct. 7, 2016 ( NAN) Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi on Friday in Lokoja inaugurated a seven-man panel to probe the use of state funds from May 29, 2003 to Jan. 27, 2016.

The panel is headed by a retired Kano State High Court judge, Justice Umar Rano.

Bello said that the terms of reference of the committee were clearly stated in the letters of appointment of the members.

He lamented the low development of the state since its creation 25 years ago, alleging that funds received on behalf of the state were not properly accounted for.

“While I am not saying that our state has made or received all the money she needs, I make bold to insist that our problem is not the LACK of money, but the THEFT of money.

“If what we did make or receive were used better this past 13 years, we would not have the current socio- economic disaster on our hands, “he explained.

According to him, the state past leaders basically engaged in a zero-sum game of shooting, in which corruption was their sharp-shooter, and the helpless populace their target.

“For every kobo they hit, our people lost lives, opportunities, hopes, visions and dreams.

“The result is that in 25 years of existence, Kogi is barely started on her journey to development.

“This is an atrocity and it should infuriate any reasonable person. We cannot bury the years of accumulated theft by politically exposed persons in the faulty foundations they laid over the years.

“ We must not also disregard the accumulated hurt felt by our excluded citizenry, and pretend it did not happen, or that they will forget.

“That can only earn us a society festering with sublimated anger that will explode sooner than later with disastrous consequences,” he explained.

However, Bello, told members of the committee not to see the assignment as a licence to witch-hunt or settle scores with anyone.

“Everyone must be accorded their due respect in line with the laws of the land.

“This is your chance to help this administration put Kogi firmly on the part to recovery,

“Please do not allow or do anything to cast a pall of doubt over its impartiality or integrity,” he warned.( NAN)
KKA/OU
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Edited by Obike Ukoh

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Oslo, Oct. 7, 2016 (Xinhua/ NAN) Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos has won the 2016  Nobel Peace Prize for his resolute efforts to bring his country’s five-decade-long civil war to an end, the Norwegian Nobel Committee announced Friday.

“The award should also be seen as a tribute to the Colombian people, who … have not given up hope of a just peace, and to all the parties who have contributed to the peace process,” Kaci Kullmann Five , Chairperson of the five-member committee, said in her announcement.

Santos initiated the negotiations that culminated in a peace accord between the Colombian government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), the country’s largest rebel group. But the peace agreement was narrowly rejected in a referendum on Sunday.

“The fact that a majority of the voters said no to the peace accord does not necessarily mean that the peace process is dead. The referendum was not a vote for or against peace. What the ‘No’ side rejected was not the desire for peace, but a specific peace agreement,” Five said.

There are 376 candidates for the Nobel Peace Prize for 2016, out of which 228 are individuals and 148 are organisations.

This is by far the highest number of candidates ever. The previous record, 278 candidates, was set in 2014.  (Xinhua/NAN)

Edited by Julius Enehikhuere

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Ships
Lagos, Oct. 7, 2016 (NAN) Fifteen ships are currently discharging petroleum products and other commodities at Apapa and Tin-Can Island ports in Lagos, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) said on Friday.
According to NPA shipping position, other commodities the ships are discharging included general cargoes, wheat, fertiliser, frozen fish, yellow corn, base oil, containers, gypsum, butane, diesel and petrol.
It said that 36 ships laden with petroleum products, food items and other goods were expected to arrive in Lagos ports between Oct. 7 and Oct. 21.
NPA said that the expected ships would also ferry into the country, bulk sugar, frozen fish, bulk gypsum, base oil, tugboat, containers, bulk charcoal, diesel, crude palmolein, bulk wheat and petrol.
NAN also reports that 28 ships were expected on Oct. 4; 25 ships on Oct. 5 and 31 ships on Oct. 6.
The document noted that nine ships had arrived at the ports, waiting to berth with petrol, container and bulk fertilisers. (NAN)
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Washington, Oct. 7, 2016 (Xinhua/NAN)   Local authorities in the U.S. South eastern state of Florida, has issued a mandatory evacuation order for some 1.5 million coastal residents in preparation for Hurricane Matthew, one of the most powerful storms to hit the region in almost a decade.

“This storm will kill you,” said Florida Governor Rick Scott at a press conference. “Time is running out. We don’t have much time left.”

According to the U.S. National Hurricane Centre in Miami, Florida, Hurricane Matthew remained a Category 3 hurricane as of Thursday morning, with maximum sustained winds as strong as 125 mph.

There is still possibility that it would evolve into Category 4 storm in approaching the east coast of Florida, said the centre.

One day before the evacuation order in Florida was issued, U.S. President Barack Obama warned that the hurricane could have a devastating effect and urged residents in affected areas to follow local governments’ orders.  (Xinhua/NAN)

(Edited by Julius Enehikhuere)

1. The Commission of Inquiry set up to look into the activities of former Governor Jonah Jang’s administration in Plateau sits.
2. Salem University, Lokoja, holds convocation ceremony.
3. Nasarawa State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry meets with leaders of market associations.
4. NDLEA Coordinator in Taraba holds news conference in Jalingo.
5. Closing ceremony of training programme organised for unemployed youths by the Federal College of Fisheries, Maiduguri, holds.
6. Chief Imam of the Holy Mosque, Makka, visits Zamfara.
7. Kaduna State Government signs MoU with Nigeria Prisons Service on skills acquisition for inmates.
8. National Housing workshop holds in Port Harcourt.
9. NAFEST 2016 ends in Uyo,
10. Commissioner of Police, Edo Command, holds news conference in Benin.

11.The Chief Medical Director, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Prof. Temitope Alonge, speaks with newsmen on “ Living and Dying in Pain,’’ to mark World Hospice and Palliative Care Day.

12. Hearing in the case of N8 billion CBN currency scam starts afresh at the Federal High Court, Ibadan.
13. The Police Command, Ogun Command, addresses newsmen on the arrest of some suspected ritualists.
14. Swearing in of Enugu State acting Chief Judge comes up in Enugu.
15. Commissioner for Education in visits Abia South Education Empowerment Centre.
16. Chief of Army Staff continues tour of Army formations in Kaduna State.
17. The 40th Biennial Conference of the Methodist Church of Nigeria continues in Abuja.
18. Nigeria Labour Congress organises rally in Abuja to commemorate World Day for Decent Work.
19. The Award Night of the 13^th Abuja International Film Festival holds.
20. An NGO, Universal Learning Solutions, holds a news conference/concert in Abuja to introduce a free “Literacy App” and to promote literacy in Nigeria.
21. Super Eagles interact with the media in Abuja.
22. Veterans Football Competition kicks off with Bwari All Stars FC Vs Ex-Pros FC in Abuja.
23. Fadama III Additional Financing (AF) project facilitation workshop on second AF for North-East ends in Adamawa.

23.The FCT High Court to hear a motion filed on its jurisdiction to try President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki,  and his  Deputy, Chief Ike Ekweremadu, on allegation forgery.

24. Nigerian Communications Commission holds special day at the on-going trade fair in Abuja. (NAN)

Discipline: 51 corps members to repeat service in Nasarawa, Sokoto, Niger, Enugu states

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Service

Abuja, Oct. 7, 2016 (NAN) The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has ordered 51 corps members under Batch ‘B’ Stream 1 to repeat their service year in four states in the country for violating various rules.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the cases of indiscipline were recorded in Nasarawa, Sokoto, Niger and Enugu states.

Eleven erring corps members were affected by the disciplinary action in Nasarawa and Sokoto states, while Niger and Enugu states recorded 24 and 5 cases, respectively.

The management of the NYSC explained that the offences included failure to report for service after documentation, absenteeism and truancy at places of primary assignment.

Mrs Habiba Bappah, the State Coordinator of NYSC in Nasarawa state, made this known to newsmen in Lafia during the passing out event of the corps members.

According to Bappah, 1,936 Batch B stream 1 corps members in the state successfully passed.

She said the 11 corps members were among the 13 ordered to extend their service in various degrees for various offences they committed during their service year.

Bappah said that two others got four months extension for absconding for some months without permission.

“Eleven will repeat the service year because they did not serve for a single day.

“Some of them came to camp, did their documentation and took off. Two are for four months extension of service because they absconded for about three months,” said the coordinator.

Bappah also explained that out of the 1,936 passing out corps members, 12 were selected for honours awards in various categories, while 18 others would get commendation letters.

“They did very well in various categories like the State’s awards, Chairman’s award and State Coordinator’s award.

“We appeal to the government to always identify with those that have done well and give them automatic employment.”

On the Passing Out Parade (POP) in the state, the NYSC state coordinator explained that it was a national decision to celebrate the POP in low key.

She urged the passing out corps members to take advantage of the various skill acquisitions training they received during their service year and not wait for white collar jobs.

“I want them to keep up with the ideals of the scheme. They should make sure they keep up with the training we gave them.

“They should also be employers of labour and not wait for jobs to come to them,” Bappah said.

In Sokoto state, five corps members out of 2,112 lost their lives during their service year, according to the state coordinator of the scheme, Mr Thomas Yamma.

Yamma said in Sokoto that the death of the affected corps members was “divine’’, adding that seven corps members would repeat their service year.

He also said that 11 corps members were to repeat their complete service year, while seven had their service extended by between two and four months, for various offences.

“Happily, four corps members received state merit awards, four got chairman’s awards, while six others bagged commendation letters.

“On the whole, the corps members had exhibited high sense of commitment and diligence.

“I must also hasten to commend the management of the Service, Sokoto State Government and the Sultanate Council of Sokoto, for their sustained support to the scheme,” Yamma said.

The NYSC also extended the service year of 24 corps members in Niger for continuous absence from their places of primary assignment without permission.

The state Coordinator of the scheme, Mrs Bolade Loto, made this known at the passing out parade of the 2015 Batch ‘B’ stream one corps members posted to the state.

She stated that 10 corps members received State Merit Award, while 10 others received recommendation for initiating various projects that impacted on the lives of the people in the state.

However, she revealed that two corps members died in the course of their service year.

The coordinator said that 2,193 corps members passed out in the state.

In Enugu state, three corps members also lost their lives in the course of the programme; one died in camp and two others died in their home states.

The NYSC State Coordinator, Mrs Nwano Ukagha, told NAN that this year’s event was low key.

NAN reports that there was no gathering and passing out parade which usually holds at Okpara Square in Enugu.

The corps members were requested to collect their discharge certificates from the headquarters of the local government area where they served.

She said that five corps members would be repeating their service year for various reasons bothering on truancy and dereliction of duty.

One of the out-gone corps members, Miss Felicia Green, who served in Enugu North Local Government Area, said that she was happy to have completed the four cardinal exercises of the NYSC programme.

“I have learnt a lot this past one year and cannot wait to face the outside world,’’ she said. (NAN)

Reporters/DUA/MST
Edited by Dada Ahmed and controlled by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

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Lagos, Oct. 6, 2016 (NAN) The Police high command has warned troublemakers planning rigging or violence to stay away from Saturday’s Local Governments Election in Ogun or face the wrath of security agents.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Abdul-Majid Ali, Zone 2 Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), comprising Lagos and Ogun, gave the warning in Abeokuta on Thursday.
“The command is aware, through intelligence reports, of plans by some political parties to disorganise the elections.
“I advise political parties to put their houses in order, and their supporters in check; police won’t fold their arms and allow things to go wrong.
“Police and other security agencies will deal decisively with anyone caught,” the AIG told party chieftains, security agents and election officials in Abeokuta ahead of the Oct. 8 council polls.
He noted that Ogun was known as a peaceful state in the South-West Zone and warned against any form of violence.
He admonished police officers to ensure they put on their best attitude during the elections.
“Security will be tight, there will be restriction of movements, more mobile police officers will be deployed before the date and military officers will be on ground for continuous patrol.
“We are taking this election seriously,’’ the AIG said.
He urged the parties to be united to ensure a free and fair election.
Also speaking, Commissioner of Police in Ogun, Mr Ahmed Iliyasu, said the police would support the state electoral body in ensuring safe distribution of voting materials.
“Police and other security agencies will be neutral and very decisive,” the police commissioner said. (NAN)
NOD/WOJ
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(Edited and controlled by Wale Ojetimi)