Zuma to face ANC integrity panel

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Zuma
Jo’bourg, Nov. 26, 2016 (Reuters/ NAN) South African President Jacob Zuma will be questioned next week by the African National Congress’ (ANC) integrity commission following persistent allegations of corruption and poor election results, the party has said.

Zuma’s appearance before the panel could deepen divides within the ANC as it gears up for a national conference next year when the 74-year-old leader is expected to stand down as party leader.

Several senior members of the ANC have called for Zuma to resign in recent months after scandals rattled markets in Africa’s most industrialized economy and cost the party votes.

A constitutionally mandated anti-graft watchdog this month called for a judge to investigate allegations Zuma provided special favors for wealthy friends and allowed them to choose ministerial appointments. Zuma denies any wrongdoing.

The president’s office said in a statement that Zuma had received legal advice to challenge the watchdog’s report in court and would do so at a later date.

In the report, the Public Protector watchdog also called for a judicial inquiry to be set up to probe the allegations against him. Zuma told parliament on Wednesday the watchdog had no right to call for a judicial inquiry, describing its report as unfair.

The report, released on Nov. 2, focused on allegations that businessman brothers Ajay, Atul and Rajesh Gupta had influenced the appointment of ministers. The Guptas have denied any wrongdoing.

Zuma’s meeting with the ANC commission is expected to be held on Dec. 3 behind closed doors.

Members of the ANC have been removed from their posts as a result of the commission’s recommendation.

“He will be having a meeting with the IC,” ANC Secretary General Gwede Mantashe told Reuters, referring to the commission.

He did not say what would be discussed at the meeting.

The Mail & Guardian newspaper reported on Friday that the commission, headed by anti-apartheid stalwart Andrew Mlangeni, would question Zuma over a slew of corruption scandals and the party’s worst local election results in August.

In March, the Constitutional Court ordered Zuma to repay some of $16 million of state funds inappropriately spent on enhancing his country home. He has since paid back more than 500,000 dollars as required by the court.

The ANC formed the commission in 2013 to help protect its image and take “urgent action” to deal with members of the party who face allegations of improper conduct. (Reuters/NAN)

(Edited by Julius Enehikhuere)

Castro’s health was always a state secret

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Health
Havana, Nov. 26, 2016 (dpa/NAN) The health of Cuban President Fidel Castro who died on Friday at the age of 90 years, was always a state secret in the small Caribbean island country, until

Reports say hee had for years suffered an unspecified intestinal illness which already forced him to hand over power to his brother in July 2006.

The exact nature of the illness was never confirmed by either Castro or the Cuban government, although media reports mentioned diverticulosis.

“I was dead,” Castro said of the 2006 bout of the illness in an interview four years later. “I no longer aspired to living.”

In the years that followed, he appeared to have recovered and was seen in public several times, visibly frail but in good spirits. However, in the months before his death he had gone more and more silent and he was last seen in public in late March, after more than a year away from public life.

The secrecy surrounding Castro’s health forever prompted speculation.

Castro was only known to have suffered two previous incidents of physical problems, and both happened in public. In June 2001 he had a

fainting spell as he addressed a mass audience in Havana.

On October 2004 he slipped at the end of a rally in the Cuban town of Santa Clara, injuring his arm and leg. He subsequently was seen in

public in a wheelchair for the first time ever.

The news of Castro’s 2006 health trouble was divulged in late July that year through a document that was handwritten and allegedly

signed by Fidel Castro himself.

The Cuban leader claimed that his health problems had arisen from stress from his visit to Argentina barely two weeks earlier, where he

delivered a three-hour speech to a crowd of 50,000, and subsequent commitments in his own country.

“This caused me an acute intestinal crisis with sustained bleeding which forced me to undergo complicated surgery,” the Cuban president

allegedly wrote. He added that after the operation he would need “several weeks of rest.”

However, weeks gave way to months and years. Castro’s temporary exit from the Cuban Presidency became permanent in February 2008,

while he formally stepped down from the leadership of the Cuban Communist Party in April 2011.

Over the years, the fit, ever-active revolutionary gave way to an elderly man in good spirits but frail health, as one might expect for a late octogenarian, but Cuban authorities never kept the public up to date with his physical troubles. (dpa/NAN)

(Edited by Julius Enehikhuere)

Fidel Castro is to be cremated, brother confirms

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Fidel Castro
Havana, Nov. 26, 2016 (dpa/NAN) Former Cuban President Fidel Castro who died on Friday at the age of 90 years is to be cremated in accordance with the deceased’s wishes, President Raul Castro, who is Fidel’s brother, said.

Fidel Castro ruled Cuba for 47 years and saw off 10 U.S. presidents in the process.

He remained a force behind the scenes after bowing out of day-to-day politics for health reasons in 2006.

According to his official biography, Castro was born in Biran in eastern Cuba on 26 July 1926.

He was said to have found the gap between rich and poor in his country to be unacceptable even in his youth.

As a young lawyer he took up the fight against the regime of Dictator, Fulgencio Batista.

Following several years in exile, head landed in Cuba with 80 revolutionaries in late 1956. His troops entered the capital Havana victorious in January 1959.

An agricultural reform and the nationalisation of formerly owned concerns put him on a collision course with Washington which imposed a trade embargo that would last decades.

In those years, Havana became more and dependent on the former Soviet Union.

Cuba faced a severe economic crisis when the Soviet Union collapsed in 1990.

But the communist system and Castro both survived against all odds.

Castro bowed out of frontline politics in July 2006 for health reasons, handing the reins of power over to his brother Raul, initially only provisionally and then on a permanent basis.

He is said to have been very skeptical of the normalisation of ties which saw U.S. President Barack Obama visit Cuba in March this year. (dpa/NAN)

(Edited by Julius Enehikhuere)

Key dates in the life of Fidel Castro

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Castro
Havana, Nov.26, 2016 (dpa/NAN) Fidel Castro was one of the key figures in 20th century Latin America, the object of praise and criticism during his near half-century, iron-handed transformation of and rule over Cuba.

Castro, who passed late Nov.26, 2016 at the age of 90 years, remained a world figure in many controversial issues that borders on relating to the west.

To his people and friends all over the world, Castro was an enigma, who will be hard to forget.

He was born in 1926 in the eastern Cuban town of Biran on August 13. Matriculates at the University of Havana; earns a law degree in 1950.

In 1947, he participated in failed revolutionary mission in the Dominican
Republic. In 1948, he attended the Anti-Imperialist Student Council in Bogota;
and also participated in the popular revolt known as the “Bogotazo.”

Castro in 1953, led a failed assault on the Moncada Barracks in Santiago de
Cuba, the first effort to topple Fulgencio Batista’s dictatorship and later got 15 years in prison.

He led the 1956-59 guerrilla fight to oust Batista.In 959, entered Havana in triumph on January 8; travels to receptions in Venezuela, the United States, Canada, Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay.

Castro proclaimed himself in 1961, a Marxist-Leninist and rebuffed the Bay of Pigs
invasion by the United States.

He accepted in 1962, the withdrawal, after the Cuban Missile Crisis, of
mid-range Soviet missiles stationed on the island.

Surprisingly in 1986, Castro quits smoking his characteristic Cuban cigars.

In 1990, with the Cold War ended, and with it, Soviet economic support,
Castro decrees an emergency economic programme; changes country’s motto from “homeland or death” to “socialism or death.”

For the first time in 1992, he made the first official visit to a West European country, to Spain, while in 1993, he allowed some economic reforms, and limited U.S. dollar holdings;
Cuba turns to tourism to palliate economic crisis.

In 1996, he visited Pope John Paul II in the Vatican and hosted Pope John Paul II in Havana; John Paul in 1998, he asked Castro to open Cuba to the world.

Castro in 2003, ordered detention of more than 70 dissidents, and the execution of three
people who hijacked boat to escape.

In 2006 he temporarily delegated power to his brother, Raul, on July 31,
in order to undergo surgery for intestinal bleeding.

He formally in 2008 gave up presidency in February;
his successor Raul Castro lifts “absurd prohibitions” regarding luxury
hotels, mobile phones and home appliances, and puts an end to wage
caps.

Fidel Castro formally stepped down as leader of the Cuban
Communist Party in 2011, succeeded by Raul Castro, who increases
opportunities for limited forms of private initiative but vows “to
preserve and to keep perfecting socialism.”

In 2015, Castro was last seen in public, on March 30, when he talked to a Venezuelan delegation at a Havana school; Raul Castro meets with U.S. President Barack Obama on April 11.

November 25, 2016: Castro dies aged 90 on Friday (03:29 GMT Saturday). (dpa/NAN)

(Edited by Julius Enehikhuere)

Turkey to reinstate some 6,000 teachers who were suspended by decree

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Teachers
Istanbul, Nov. 25, 2016 (dpa) Turkey will reinstate some 6,000 teachers who were suspended in recent months by decree, under the country’s sweeping state-of-emergency laws.

A according to a key teachers’ union citing letters dispatched to the local governor’s offices, plans for the reinstatement has been concluded.

The teachers were suspended after involvement in protests and union activities, according to the Egitim-Sen union, which also calls for its remaining members to be returned to their posts. (dpa/NAN)

(Edited by Julius Enehikhuere)

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Farmers

By Kudirat Ogunyemi

Abuja, Nov. 25, 2016 (NAN) The National Coordinator, Zero Hunger Nigeria Commodity Association, Dr Tunde Arosanyin, on Friday advised the Federal Government to provide special funds to buy farmers’ products across the country.

Arosanyin, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, urged the Federal Government to buy up these products in order to have a reserve in case of shortage and to avoid high prices.

He said that essential commodities like rice, maize, sorghum, millet, cowpea among others should be mopped up and put in silo to be sold to the public in times of scarcity.

”If Government fails to do this, it means the farmers are exposed to sell directly to people that are coming from Niger, Chad, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Benin Republic and other neighbouring countries.

”Though we have been supporting them (neighbouring countries) over the years; but it should be regulated so that we do not sell all our produce and then starve as a nation.

”We should work with data that is precise and accurate on our population and we must know our consumption capability, and if we are able to meet up our capability we can now sell our surplus,” he said.

The national coordinator said the measure would cushion the effect of the current inflation rate which the National Bureau of Statistic put at about 18.3 per cent.

He said that stakeholders should use the opportunity of the ongoing harvest period of crops by the farmers to plan for the future.

”The produce can be stored for the second quarter next year. From March to April, government can begin to release again to the market at subsidised prices to citizens.” (NAN)

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Edited by Mustapha Lamidi/Ismail Abdulaziz

Erdogan hints controversial underage sex abuse law will be reworked

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Law
Istanbul, Nov. 25, 2016 (dpa/ NAN) Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, suggested on Friday that a controversial bill allowing sex offenders to see their convictions overturned by marrying their underage abuse victims would be reworked.

The original bill was discarded this week by parliament amid protests from civil society groups, secular opposition parties and the United Nations.

“I believe that it will come to our parliament again with a broad consensus,” Erdogan told a women’s conference in Istanbul, saying the original draft bill was “well-meaning” but poorly-prepared, leaving it open to misuse.

The one-off measure, proposed last week by members of Erdogan’s ruling Islamic-conservative Justice and Development Party (AKP), was meant to affect some 3,000 men either in jail or awaiting prosecution, according to figures from the cabinet.

The government said the law is needed in order to resolve existing instances of underage marriage and insisted it was not an amnesty for abusers who used force. Critics argued it would retroactively legalise cases of statutory rape.

Under pressure from various corners of society, including conservative women’s rights campaigners, Erdogan had called on parliament to seek a wider consensus on the issue, clearing the way for the government to slam the brakes on the draft proposal.

Report says the legal age for marriage in Turkey is 17, but a court can allow a 16-year-old to marry. The legal age of consent is 18.

There are thousands of underage marriages in Turkey each year, according to estimates by activists, though exact numbers are hard to determine. (dpa/NAN)

(Edited by Julius Enehikhuere)

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Basketball
By BabatundeOgunrinde
Lagos Nov. 25, 2016 (NAN) Olumide Oyedeji, Coordinator, Hoops and Read Basketball Club of Lagos on Friday expressed satisfaction with his team’s dominance of the ongoing National Division One Basketball competition in Abuja.

The team defeated Police Batons of Lagos 81-70 to extend their unbeaten run to four matches in the championship that dunked off on Nov. 21, with 16 teams vying for honours.

Hoops and Read had earlier defeated Raptors Academy 60-55 in opening game, decked Police Bombers 78-58, and whitewashed Comets of Lagos 73-56 before defeating Batons.

Hoops and Read took charge of the game from the jump ball running with a 22-9 lead in the first quarter.

Inspired by team Captain, David Edward’s 17 points, Hoops and Read had five players finish with double digits as they ran into the half-time break 43-27.

The team ended the third quarter with a comfortable score line of 67-45 before running away with the victory in the fourth quarter.

An elated Oyedeji told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on telephone from Abuja that the result was a testament of good preparation of hardworking players.

“We deserve all the results we have so far and we shall continue to push harder to get the ticket for promotion into the DStv Men’s League,’’ Oyedeji said.

Meanwhile, Police Batons, who got relegated from the DStv Premier League in 2014, also tasted their first defeat out of four games in the campaign in the hands of Hoops and Read.

Their promotion to the elite division is now doubtful as any other loss could compound their chances.

The victory over Police Baton makes the youthful Hoops and Read remain poised to take the solitary automatic ticket.

In other results of the day, Comets couldn’t fly as high as they should and lost to the NAF Rockets 54-56.

Nigerian Army was 70-66 victorious over Yobe Desert Warriors, while Anambra Flames proved too hot for the Police Bombers as they won 40-34.

Ondo Raiders, however, decked Osun Lions 43-36.

The knockout stage of the competition will begin on Saturday. (NAN)
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(Edited by Edwin Nwachukwu/Peter Ejiofor)

1.1st Nsukka Trade Fair continues.
2. Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) in in collaboration with Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria inaugurates the Public Procurement Research Centre in Zaria.

3. The National Logistics Committee to donate relief materials to IDPs in Benin.

4. Minister to inaugurates meeting of oil host communities at Nicon Luxury, Abuja.

5. Plateau Commissioner for Environment speaks with newsmen in Jos, on new measures to transform waste to wealth in Plateau.

6. World Bank Mission inspects projects in Kogi State.

7. Agency for Mass Literacy in Borno graduates some IDPs who attended the  agency’s Mass Education Programme in Maiduguri.

8.Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigns the Vice-Chancellor, University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, and three others in an Ogun State High Court over alleged fraud.

9. Sokoto delegates visit Kwara Ministry of Education to understudy the state Schools Basic Management Committee’s innovation.

10. Two suspects: Diekola Opatoyinbo, 40,and Kunle Idowu, 38, accused of being in possession of unlawful substances appear in an Osogbo Magistrates’ Court.

11. Women International Networking Conference continues in Abuja.

EU Parliament votes to freeze Turkey membership talks

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Talks
Brussels, Nov. 24, 2016 (dpa/NAN) The European Parliament has voted overwhelmingly in favour of freezing the EU’s membership negotiations with Turkey.

Of the 623 lawmakers present for Thursday’s vote in Strasbourg, France, 479 were in favour, 37 against and 107 abstained.

The non-binding vote has no legal impact on the talks, but it sends a strong political signal to Ankara and puts pressure on the European Commission, which is leading the negotiations.

“Turkey is an important partner of the EU,” lawmakers said in an emailed statement. “But in partnerships, the will to cooperate has to be two-sided.”

“The [Turkish] government’s actions are further diverting Turkey from its European path,” the lawmakers added.

Membership negotiations between the EU and Turkey began in 2005, but aversion to Turkey joining the 28-member bloc has grown steadily over the past four months against the backdrop of Ankara’s heavy-handed response to a failed military coup on July 15.

On Wednesday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan dismissed the significance of the European vote, saying it had “no value” regardless of the outcome.

Turkey’s EU Affairs Minister Omer Celik echoed Erdogan’s comments on Thursday, adding that the resolution was “a short-sighted political decision lacking in vision.”

EU lawmakers should look to Turkey for tips on democracy, Celik said, adding that the EU was experiencing a “crisis of values, specifically right-wing extremism, xenophobia, Islamophobia and anti-Semitism.”

“Relations with the EU are not very close anyhow,” Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said Thursday in Ankara. “It’s a relationship that grudgingly goes on with effort and out of necessity.”

Erdogan declared a state of emergency days after the putsch, allowing him to rule by decree and carry out thousands of arrests and suspensions within the military and civil service.

The imprisonment of 10 journalists and employees at opposition newspaper Cumhuriyet and the arrest of 10 opposition lawmakers from the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party added to worries about the rule of law and freedom of expression in Turkey.

The crackdown in Turkey is said to target supporters of a movement led by US-based Turkish cleric Fethullah Gulen, who was once an ally of Erdogan and is now blamed for the coup.

Erdogan has repeatedly threatened that his government could to reintroduce the death penalty – something that the European Union has said would exclude Turkey from membership.

Under the EU parliament’s proposal, the return of capital punishment to Turkey would trigger an automatic, formal suspension of membership talks that would require unanimous approval from member states to reverse.

According to a draft of Thursday’s resolution, lawmakers pledged to review their position when “disproportionate measures under the state of emergency in Turkey are lifted” and then evaluate “whether the rule of law and human rights are restored throughout the country.” (dpa/NAN)

(Edited by Julius Enehikhuere)