Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Govt adopts new pre-shipment inspection for used vehicles



The Federal Government on Tuesday said it would begin a new pre-shipment verification of conformity to standards on used vehicles coming into the country.  The Director-General, Standards Organisation, of Nigeria, Dr. Joseph Odumodu, disclosed this while speaking shortly after the signing of an agreement for the implementation of the conformity to standards of used vehicles.  He said the move was part of efforts aimed at ensuring the successful implementation of the new automotive policy of the government.

Fayose led thugs to beat judges, CJ tells NJC





The Chief Judge of Ekiti State, Justice Ayodeji Daramola, has tabled before the National Judicial Council ahead of the council’s meeting scheduled for Thursday, a petition accusing the state’s Governor-elect, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, and the police of complicity in the attack on judges and court workers in the state last week.

A copy of the September 26, 2014 petition addressed to the Ekiti State Commissioner of Police of which was also attached to a covering letter sent to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Aloma Mukhtar, as the Chairman of the NJC, was exclusively obtained by The PUNCH from a police source in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday.
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Daily life in Ukraine - Graphic Photo




In Kharkov, a man was found impaled on a church fence, his body attached with electrician's tape to the fence.  Medical gloves were found on the site.  According to witnesses, he was killed by Right Sector activists on suspicion of being a sympathizer of Novorussia.  According to official police reports, this man impaled himself and, presumably, having done that, found the time and energy to securely attach himself to the fence with tape.

1st case of the deadly Ebola virus diagnosed on US soil has occurred





The first case of the deadly Ebola virus diagnosed on US soil has occurred. A Texas man who just returned from Liberia to the US has tested positive to the deadly Ebola virus. Announcing the development today September 30th, America's Center for Disease Control said the unidentified man was asymptomatic when he arrived back from Liberia recently and only started showing suspicious symptoms yesterday, prompting his immediate check-in into a Dallas hospital where it was confirmed he had the dreaded viral disease after preliminary test was carried out on him. He has now been placed on strict isolation while a trace of all contacts he's made since his return back to America has commenced.

Ekiti and the politics of the absurd



Ekiti kete should be in mourning over the repeated acts of partisan political brutalities in their otherwise apparently monolithic state. The state’s image as “the fountain of knowledge,” is fast giving way to a notorious one, namely, that of “the furnace of partisan political violence.” The notoriety of Ekiti politicians’ engagement in partisan politics dates back to 1983, when Ekiti was still part of the larger Ondo State from which it was separated in 1996.
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Lack of unity cause of Nigeria’s problems – Jonathan





President Goodluck Jonathan on Sunday said most of the problems facing the country had been persisting because Nigerians lacked the needed unity to confront them.

He said if citizens had confronted the challenges in the same manner they confronted the Ebola Virus Disease recently, they would have become things of the past.

Jonathan spoke at the 54th Independence Anniversary Interdenominational Service held at the National Christian Centre, Abuja.
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S-400 Air Defense Regiment Takes up Duty in Russia's South




The S-400 Triumf air defense missile system regiment that was deployed in the Southern Military District, has taken up combat duty near the Russian city of Krasnodar, the press service of the district reported Tuesday.

"An air defense missile system regiment of the 4th Air and Air Defense Forces Command of the Southern Military District has taken up combat duty in the Krasnodar region. It is equipped with the advanced S-400 Triumf and Pantsir-S missile systems," the press service said.
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Edo State passes ₦159.3bn 2015 budget




The Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, on Tuesday signed the 2015 budget estimate of N159.3bn into law.

The governor had on September 23, 2014 presented to the state house of assembly a budget proposal of N156.551bn for consideration.

Consequently, the lawmakers passed the appropriation bill, shoring it up by N3bn.

Speaking after appending his signature, Governor Oshiomhole expressed confidence that the state government would do everything possible to ensure that the “laudable objectives” contained in the budget were realised.
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Syria's Assad Says Countries Feeding Terrorism Unable to Fight It: Reports





Terrorism in Syria cannot be combated by the countries, which feed it, Syrian President Bashar Assad said Tuesday.


"Combating terrorism cannot be carried out by states that contributed to establishing terrorist organizations, provided them with logistic and material support, and spread terrorism around the world," Syria's SANA news agency quoted Assad as saying at the meeting with the Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran Ali Shamkhani.
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Nigeria is destined for greatness – Mark



Senate President, David Mark, on Tuesday urged Nigerians to have faith and remain steadfast in promoting peace and unity no matter the challenges.  Mark in a goodwill message to Nigerians to mark this year’s Independence Day anniversary said the indivisibility of our nation is not negotiable because there’s no better place than Nigeria.

He recalled the nation’s chequered political history since 1960, during which Nigeria went through 30 months old fratricidal civil war, various ethno-religious conflicts and assured that our crisis are surmountable.
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The empire Speaks !! Shekau’s death will not end insurgency — Campbell



A former United States of America Ambassador to Nigeria, John Campbell, has said the death of Boko Haram’s leader, Abubakar Shekau, is not as important as ending the ongoing insurgency in the North-East.

The former ambassador argued that though Shekau, through his gruesome videos and fierce rhetoric, had become the public face of Boko Haram, the Islamist insurrection against Nigeria was more than the person of Shekau.

Campbell stated that the death or otherwise of Shekau would not affect the ongoing insurgency in the North-East.
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APC faults INEC’s position on early campaigns




The All Progressives Congress has slammed INEC for acting too little, too late by issuing a warning on illegal public political broadcast and campaign, saying INEC’s belated action is highly suspicious.
In a statement issued in London on Tuesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said INEC’s action, coming after the PDP and President Goodluck Jonathan have been campaigning endlessly for the 2015 elections, can only be to the disadvantage of other candidates and political parties.
”Is it a ploy by INEC to give undue advantage to the PDP and its adopted sole presidential candidate, President Jonathan, in next year’s elections?” it queried
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Tinubu calls for revolution !



A former Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, says there is a need for the country to undergo a “common sense” revolution.  Tinubu, who is a national leader of the All Progressives Congress said the many years of misrule by successive Peoples Democratic Party presidents had continued to sink the country further into crisis.
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Independence: Chime calls for renewed patriotism





Enugu State Governor, Sullivan Chime, has called on Nigerians to embrace a new spirit of patriotism as the nation marks its 54th Independence Anniversary.
He also called for sacrifice and commitment towards strengthening the unity, socio-economic and political well being of the country.

The governor, who made the call in an independence anniversary message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Chukwudi Achife, noted that “contemporary events and circumstances in the country were enough to compel all Nigerians to pursue ideals and visions that can only foster greater national integration and advancement.”

Ekiti monarchs declare for Fayose



The Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers has warned against any attempt to subvert the mandate freely given to the Governor-elect, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, in the June 21 governorship election.  Rising from its meeting held in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday, the monarchs said such attempt could further aggravate the already tensed situation in the state.


The meeting, which reviewed the security situation in the state commiserated with the family of a former Chairman, National Union of Road Transport Workers, Mr. Omolafe Aderiye, who was murdered last Thursday, by unknown gunmen.
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Imoke’s Chief of Staff, 5 others resign




Chief of Staff to the Cross River State Governor, Dr. Alex Egbuna, alongside five other members of Governor Liyel Imoke’s cabinet on Tuesday resigned to pursue their aspirations in various elective positions. Information from a source at the office of the Secretary to the State Government at 6.15pm indicated that the five others that have put in their resignation included the SSG himself, Mike Aniah; the Commissioner for Youths and Sports Development, Patrick Ugbe, and the Commissioner for Works, Legor Idagbor. Others are the Special Adviser on Investment Promotion; Gerald Adah and the Special Adviser on Budget, Peter Oti. They all intend to run for the governorship position of the state except Egbuna who will be seeking the Abi/Yakurr seat in the Federal House of Representatives.

UK Conducts First Airstrikes Against IS Targets in Iraq: Reports





British Tornado fighter jets have conducted first airstrikes against Islamic State (IS) targets in Iraq, Reuters reported Tuesday citing the UK Defense Secretary Michael Fallon.
According to the report, the British jets have attacked a heavy weapons position and an IS armed pick-up truck and returned to their base.
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Buhari declares presidential bid, advocates change





Former Head of State, Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), has said the most important task before members of the All Progressives Congress is to take away power from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party.

Buhari said this in an address to volunteers and representatives of Buhari Support Groups, in Abuja, on Tuesday, where he told them he would be vying for the presidential ticket of the APC.

He stated, “Today, we are in the 15th year of “the purposeless leadership” by the Peoples Democratic Party and that all we have seen is the unprecedented deterioration in the security situation.”
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FG to adopt new pre-shipment inspection for used vehicles





The Federal Government on Tuesday said it would begin a new pre-shipment verification of conformity to standards on used vehicles coming into the country.

The Director General, Standards Organization of Nigeria, Dr. Joseph Odumodu, disclosed this while speaking shortly after the signing of an agreement for the implementation of the conformity to standards of used vehicles.

He said the move was part of efforts aimed at ensuring the successful implementation of the new automobile policy in the country.
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Group protests Kaduna killings, accuses Jonathan of insensitivity




A Coalition of Civil society groups from the Southern Kaduna in Kaduna State took to the street on Tuesday to protest what they described as the ‘continued killings’ of their people, accusing President Goodluck Jonathan of being insensitive to the plight of the people of the area.


They carried placards with such inscriptions as “enough is enough”, “the Nigerian state has failed the people of Southern Kaduna”, “4,000 people killed, we are not in a civil war”, and “it is genocide”.  They marched through from their office, located along Gwari avenue, Barnawa in the Southern part of the state.  Specifically, the group under the aegis of the Coalition of Southern Kaduna Civil Society Organisations noted that the president had turned deaf ears to the more than 4,000 people who had been killed over the years by terrorists in the area.
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Obama pledges strengthened relationship with Nigeria





President Barack Obama, has felicitated with Nigeria on the celebration of its 54th Independence anniversary and pledged that the United States would continue to strengthen relationship with the country.

Obama in his message issued through the US Embassy in Abuja on Tuesday, said his country would continue to work with Nigeria in promoting good governance and combating terrorism.

The US President wished Nigerians a more peaceful and prosperous year.

He said, “As Nigeria marks its 54th anniversary of independence on October 1, the American people join me in wishing the people of Nigeria a memorable celebration filled with joy and increased national unity.
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El-Zakzaky alleges plot to use ‘supporters’ to kill soldiers



The leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, also known as the Shi’ites, Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky, on Tuesday raised the alarm over a plot by the military to allegedly cause violence in Zaria, Kaduna State, using the movement as A launch-pad. He explained that he had to  arrive IN Zaria earlier  than scheduled for his weekly  sermons to expose  and forestall what he described as a sinister plan to cause violence in the city.
El-Zakzaky, in a statement by his Media Adviser, Mallam Ibrahim Usman, in Kaduna, said he was acting on a tip-off over the plan by the Nigerian military to infiltrate the movement and kill unsuspecting soldiers, which will justify official clampdown on its members.
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Meet the new President of Nigeria Football Federation



Just after a keenly contested election which held today September 30th in Warri, Delta state, the Chairman of the Delta state Sports Commission, Mr Amaju Pinnick, won the presidential election of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF. He takes over  from Alhaji Aminu Maigari.
 Congrats!

3 Boko Haram members sentenced to 25 years each





The Federal High Court in Lagos today Tuesday September 30th sentenced 3 Boko Haram members to 25 years imprisonment each, The Nation reports.

However, journalists were not allowed to cover the judgment. Only lawyers in the prosecution and defence teams were allowed in court.A source, who witnessed the verdict, but craved anonymity because he was not authorised to speak on the matter, told reporters that the fourth defendant was acquitted.
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Bus conductors Bag 21 years for robbery





Three men said to be bus conductors were on Tuesday pronounced guilty of armed robbery and sentenced to 21 years imprisonment  each by a Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja.
The convicts, Paul Sunday, 30; Adewale Taofeek, 27; and Shina Shoyeye, 24; were charged for having robbed one Stephen Ameh of his mobile telephone and money, using a stick that was shaped like a gun.
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Should we pray to win or play to win?



In the game of life, there are 3 types of countries in the world: 1. the praying nations; 2. the playing nations; and 3. the praying-playing nations.  To which group do you think Nigeria belongs? Just wait a while; let us list the features of these groups. Members of the praying nations are countries where religious zealotry and intolerance run high. The citizens hide their laziness and cowardice under religion. They do little or nothing and leave everything to God to do. Consequently, corruption, killings, maladministration and poverty run high in these countries.
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Speech delivered by Hizbullah Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah on September 23rd, 2014




I take refuge in Allah from the stoned devil. In the Name of Allah, The Compassionate, The Most Merciful. Peace be upon the Seal of Prophets, our Master and Prophet, Abi Al Qassem Mohammad, on his chaste and pure Household, on his chosen companions and on all messengers and prophets. 


Peace be upon you and Allah’s mercy and blessings. 
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Dmitri Rogozin interviewed by Vladimir Soloviev




Today, thanks to the fantastic work of the Saker Community [English Transcription & Translation: Marina (Russian Saker), Katya (Oceania Saker) & CG (Russian Saker) Editing & Production: Augmented Ether (Oceania Saker)] I can share with you a most interesting interview of Dmitri Rogozin, Deputy Prime Minister of Russia, Head of the Military-Industrial Commission, Special Envoy of the President and one of the most interesting and influential representatives of the "Eurasian Sovereignists" and the man who, one day, could succeed Vladimir Putin.  Rogozin is absolutely hated by the Atlantic Sovereignists and by the AngloZionist Empire.

Watch the Video after the break.

Transcarpathia &Transnistria SitRep 21 Sep - 27 Sep





ATO 
The ad hoc local collections of funds and material for Transcarpathian police and military units continues. The local football league raised 7647 UAH, and a group of students raised sufficient for 200 pairs insulated rubber boots. Modern personal protection equipment funded through donations was supplied to a group of Transcarpathian police officers due to head to the east. Hubal, the recently appointed Head of the Transcarpathian Regional State Authority has stated that he wants to see strict accounting for the dissemination of the donations to ensure that the funds went to right people. 
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60 Nigerian soldiers to face trial for mutiny today



60 Nigerian soldiers including 2 corporals, 9 Lance corporals and 49 privates who refused to partake in an operation in Maiduguri on August 4th will be arraigned before a military court today Sept. 30th at the Sani Abacha barracks in Abuja for committing two offenses, conspiring to mutiny and mutiny.

According to the charge sheet, on August 4th the soldiers had refused to join the "111 SF Bn troops" led by Col E. A. Aladeniyi to Maimalari Barracks for an operation, thereby committing an offence tagged "conspiring to mutiny" against the authority of the division, an offence punishable under Section 91(1) of the Penal Code Cap P89 LFN 2004 as well as outright mutiny which is punishable under Section 52(1)(a) of the AFA CAP A20 LFN 2004.

The charges  are said to be triable in the GCM under Section 114 of the AFA Cap A20 LFN 2004 and punishable under Section 91(1) of the Penal Code Cap P89 LFN 2004.
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Monday, September 29, 2014

Photos: GEJ honors Pa Taiwo Akinkunmi, Nigerian flag designer, puts him on lifetime salary




The person who designed the Nigeria flag, Pa Taiwo Akinkunmi was decorated as an Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic, OFR, by President Jonathan today September 29th, 55 years after designing the flag. He wasn't only given an award today, president Jonathan also said he is going to be added to a very long time salary that must definitely be in line with what  any Senior Special Advisers earns. No other government before this government found Pa Akinkunmi worth a national award or even a lifetime salary. 
Congrats !

Boko Haram looting our armoury – DHQ



The Defence Headquarters has said that it was aware that members of the outlawed Islamist sect, Boko Haram, were in the habit of looting its armoury. The military authorities stated that they were making efforts to secure all armouries in its various formations across the country.
Director of Defence Information, Maj. Gen. Chris Olukolade, made the disclosure during his first real-time Twitter chat which held on Sunday night.
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Nigeria at 54: Promoting tourism for economic growth (2)




There are quite a number of attractive, exciting, exotic and amazing tourist spots and destinations waiting to be explored in various parts of the country, many of which are wonders of nature, spectacles of beauty and entertainment and symbols of monument which depict the rich history and culture of our proud national heritage.

Intense Rioting Ongoing In Dei Dei, Abuja, 5 People Killed, more than 30 Cars Destroyed





An ongoing riot in Dei Dei area of Abuja has claimed the life of five persons and caused the destruction of over 35 vehicles sparked by a motorcycle accident in the suburb.

An eyewitness, who narrated the cause of the riot to our correspondent, said the fracas was ignited after a motorcyclist knocked down a woman by the roadside, who sustained serious injury.

This triggered a heated argument among onlookers and sympathizers. In defense of himself, the motorcyclist brought out a dagger and stabbed five people.
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I'll Crush Boko Haram — Jonathan




PRESIDENT Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, yesterday, at the South-south Unity Party of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), held in Benin-City, vowed that his administration will crush Boko Haram exactly the way it fought Ebola virus disease.


The President also boasted that the PDP will recapture Rivers and Edo states in 2015 and 2016, insisting that the entire South-south must return to the PDP as it were in 1999.
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Photos: Fuel Tanker Explodes In Onitsha, Anambra State



  This happened today at Afia Nkpor Onitsha. Many are reportedly killed. - More pics bellow.

Photos from the 54th Independence Anniversary interdenominational service



 President Jonathan, First Lady Patience Jonathan and other top government functionaries celebrated Nigeria's 54th independence at an interdenominational service at the National Christian Center Abuja yesterday Sunday Sept. 28th. See more photos after the jump...

Graphic Pic: Man eliminates himself trying to jump over barbed cable in Jos



 A person wanting to cross to another side to steal diesel met his untimely death after he got caught in electric barbed fence on Dagin Farouk road in Jos. Carry on to see the pic after the jump. !!!warning - graphic pic!!!

10 Nigerian pilgrims lost their precious lives in Saudi Arabia, Mecca



10 Nigerians who went along to Saudi Arabia to do the Islamic Hajj rites have died. Chairman of the National Hajj, Mr Aliyu Tanko, confirmed their deaths but didn't reveal the reasons for their deaths. A source with the group stated that a few of the those who died had lingering health conditions before embarking on Hajj whilst the harsh weather conditions affected others...

Lavrov: US Base Their Statements on Ukraine on Unverified Facts or Framing-Up





The US statements on the situation in Ukraine are based on unverified facts or framing-up, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in an interview to Rossiya-1 and RT TV channels.


“The United States, at least over the situation In Ukraine, base their public statements – I will not speak about real politics now – but their public statements they base on unverified facts, or on framing-up, when they show a crashed helicopter and it turns out that it happened not in Ukraine, but in Syria. And there is a lot of such facts, when the false data was used in order to make some public statements, to call for some steps,” Lavrov said.

Speech of Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov at the UNGA on September 27th



September 26th Press Conference of Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov at the UN in NY



Nyanya Blast: Row over Prosecution of Mastermind, Aminu Ogwuche





The inability of the Ministry of Justice, the Police and Department of State Service (DSS) to agree on which agency should prosecute the suspected mastermind of the April 14 bomb blast in Nyanya, Abuja, Aminu Ogwuche, stalled his arraignment on Friday.

Ogwuche has been in the DSS custody since his extradition from Sudan over a month ago. However, confusion arose in court on Friday between the police and State Security Service (SSS) over which of the two agencies should prosecute the suspected bomb blast mastermind who had subsequently fled to Sudan.

Sunday, September 28, 2014

The Russian response to a double declaration of war - Saker



art: Josetxo Ezcurra


The context: a double declaration of war 

Listening to Poroshenko a few days ago and then to Obama at the UNGA can leave no doubt whatsoever about the fact that the AngloZionist Empire is at war with Russia.  Yet many believe that the Russian response to this reality is inadequate.  Likewise, there is a steady stream of accusations made against Putin about Russia's policy towards the crisis in the Ukraine.  What I propose to do here is to offer a few basic reminders about Putin, his obligations and his options.
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Lagos may Prosecute TB Joshua




The Lagos State Government has set up a coroner of inquest for the purpose of investigating the cause of the September 12 Synagogue Church of All Nation’s building collapse.


And according to PUNCH, this was made known in a statement credited to the Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Ade Ipaye, on Sunday. In the statement, Ipaye had instigated the coroner’s inquest pursuant to Section 15 of the Lagos State Coroner’s System Law No. 7 of 2007. The coroner of inquest, headed by Magistrate O. A. Komolafe, has been charged with the duty of establishing the cause of the collapse of Synagogue’s six-storey building that killed no fewer than 115 persons.

Poroshenko: No Federalization in Ukraine Considered, Only Local Councils' Extended Powers





Ukrainian authorities consider only delegating powers to the local councils and setting up a special zone in Donbass for three years, as a part of decentralization process, not federalization, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko told "1+1" TV channel Sunday.



"I can reassure that neither sovereignty issue, nor the issues of Ukraine's territorial integrity and independence are on the agenda. Ukraine is and will be an integral state. No federalization is considered – Ukraine will remain an inclusive and unitary state. Today we speak about delegating certain powers to the local councils. This is my plan of power decentralization," Poroshenko told "1+1" TV channel.

Iran Reports Prevention of BBC’s Stealing Documents





 Iran has prevented an attempt by BBC to steal documents from government archives, PressTV channel reported Iranian authorities as saying Sunday.
"The hostile network of the BBC – against the mores and regulations of media and international law – attempted to steal historical documents from formal archive centers through its local dependents," the report of PressTV Iranian channel read, citing a statement by Iran's intelligence department. However, there were no further details in the report.

Taliban Kills Australian Citizen: Reports





An Australian citizen has been captured and killed by the Taliban in Afghanistan, his family told Guardian Australia in an interview.



"I want the government to find out how the Taliban knew how my dad was going back to Kabul. It is obvious they got a report about him, because they went onto the minibus and said "Sayed Habib, get up,'" Kubra Mosawi, daughter of Sayed Habib who was killed, said Sunday. "He wasn't anything to do with the government there. They just wanted to stop him coming back to Australia. I don't want anyone else to experience this. Every minute we think of my brother's family who are still there, I can't study or work because of the stress of it."

Activists Storm Al Jazeera’s Office in Beirut: Reports



Lebanese army soldiers on armoured carriers and military vehilces advance towards the Sunni Muslim border town of Arsal, in eastern Bekaa Valley as part of reinforcements August 5, 2014.
Mohamed Alaeddin - Activists, calling themselves "Omega Team", stormed the Beirut office of the TV channel Al Jazeera Sunday in protest against the insults, addressed to the Lebanese army.
According to the TV channel, Al Jazeera journalist Faisal al-Qassem wrote on one of his social network accounts that "the achievements of the Lebanese army since its foundation are the video clip with Najwa Karam [a famous Lebanese singer] and the arson attack on the camp for Syrian refugees in Ersal [a city on the border with Syria].
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Netanyahu Leaves for US to Refute Abbas's Accusations, Warn of Threats From Iran



Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has left for the US to address the UN General Assembly Monday, pledging to refute Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's accusations of genocide and warn international community of threats from Iran's nuclear program.
"In my address to the UN General Assembly, I will refute all of the lies, being directed at us, and I will tell the truth about our state and about the heroic soldiers of the IDF, the most moral army in the world," The Times of Israel reported Netanyahu as saying Sunday, before boarding a plane to New York.
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