Germany extradites Tunisian linked to Berlin attacker

                        

Germany has extradited to Tunisia a man linked to the slain suspect of the deadly Christmas market attack in Berlin, the prosecution in the North African country said Friday.

"A Tunisian connected to Anis Amri was expelled from Germany on Wednesday," said prosecution spokesman Sofiene Sliti.

Amri allegedly rammed a truck into a crowded Christmas market in Berlin on  December 19th, killing 12 people, before being shot dead four days later by police in Italy.

The extradited Tunisian, whose identity was not revealed, "was not involved in the attack in Berlin" but would face charges for "belonging to a terrorist group", said Sliti.

Tunisian authorities say they have evidence that he aimed to join a jihadist group in Syria.

Shortly after the Berlin attack, authorities in Tunisia arrested four suspects before concluding that they had "no connection" to the attack.

But a nephew of Amri remains in detention in Tunisia, also on suspicion of having intended to join jihadist organisations.

Kenyan Railways Scheme clears Sh200m arrears

                             

Kenya Railways Staff Retirement Benefit Scheme (KRSRBS) has paid out Sh200 million in pension arrears, bringing to a close a long wait by more than 8,500 pensioners. The pension fund, which boasts over Sh30 billion in assets, has been dogged with controversies, delaying payments to its ageing former workers by over a decade. Simon Nyakundi, the scheme’s CEO, said the payout was made possible by an increase in its rental income from Sh26 million to Sh50 million, with the firm unable to dispose of many of its assets tied to pending court cases. “The arrears settled this week have been outstanding since January 2005 and I would like to thank the pensioners for their patience,” he said. “We are not there yet as our pension payroll is Sh73 million while the rental collection is 50 million.” The initial total pension arrears and lump sum stood at Sh774 million, of which Sh574 million had been paid earlier, leaving the balance of Sh200 million unpaid.

Kenya Railways Staff Retirement Benefit Scheme says it has been unable to sell off billions of its properties to pay its pensioners owing to several of its assets being locked up in court cases. “We formulated a strategic plan two years ago, which included an aggressive campaign to collect all amounts owed to the scheme and to generate sufficient cash flow from the sale of a limited number of non-strategic properties in order to guarantee uninterrupted payment of monthly pension,” explained Nyakundi.

BREAKING NEWS:US warns of 'overwhelming' nuclear weapons used by North Korea

                       

Any use of nuclear weapons by North Korea will be met with an "effective and overwhelming" response, US defence minister Jim Mattis has said.

He made the warning in Seoul during an appearance with his South Korean counterpart, Han Min Koo.

"North Korea continues to launch missiles, develop its nuclear weapons programme, and engage in threatening rhetoric and behaviour," Mr Mattis said.

"We stand with our peace-loving Republic of Korea ally to maintain stability on the peninsula and in the region.

"America's commitments to defending our allies and to upholding our extended deterrence guarantees remain ironclad.

To read more on this story,visit http://www.breakingnews.ie/world/us-warns-of-overwhelming-response-to-nuclear-weapons-use-by-north-korea-775343.html

LAGOS:Ambode orders perimeter fencing of Lagos schools

                                   

As part of measures to checkmate the spate of kidnapping in Lagos schools, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has approved the construction of perimeter fence around public schools. Ambode, who disclosed the approval at the foundation laying ceremony of new model school building at Awori College, Ojo Local Government, yesterday, added that contracts for the construction of eight blocks of classrooms and renovation of 174 others have been awarded. The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Dr. Idiat Adebule, explained that the construction of the perimeter fence aimed at strengthening security in the face of the recent security breaches in schools in the state.

According to the governor; “I want to assure residents of Lagos that we will continue to do our best to ensure that our schools are safe from intruders. And that is why we have put in place measures to secure our pupils, students, teaching and non-teaching staff because we know that our standard are high and we will continue to make them better.” He further disclosed that the design adopted for the new buildings was borne out of the need for improved security in schools, saying, aside from aesthetic value to teaching and learning in the state, it would enhance security of students, staff and school materials. Ambode stated that in order to improve standard of education, 30 laboratories were constructed and 40,000 furniture are being supplied quarterly to clear the identified shortfall of 160, 000 furniture in schools. He stressed that the reason for embarking on the projects was to build a future of great opportunities, possibilities and prosperity through the provision of qualitative education that will be consistent with demands of 21st century. Earlier, the permanent secretary of ministry of education, Mr. Adeshina Odeyemi, said that the intervention of the present administration has yielded improvement in education sector of Lagos State. Odeyemi said “we measure the success of policies and programme by the improved students’ performance outcome in the result of examination national and international competitions, improved morals, etiquette and confidence in public speaking of students.”

Source: Vanguard Ngr

Presidency set to confirm Onnoghen as Chief Justice of Nigeria

                                

President Muhammadu Buhari may have finally resolved to appoint Justice Walter Onnoghen as the substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).

Onnoghen was sworn in by Buhari as the acting Chief Justice of Nigeria on November 12, 2016 and there have been concern among Nigerians over the delay in making him the substantive CJN.

This followed the hesitation from the president to forward his name to the Senate, with one week left before the three-month duration he can hold the post on acting capacity.

The period expires on February 7, 2017.

However, according to Leadership, the presidency held a meeting that had the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice in attendance at 2am last night, to discuss Onnoghen.

“They presented to Onnoghen the dossier the security agencies have on him, showing why they delayed to confirm him.

“He would have to guard against some of these things when he takes full charge of the judiciary,” the source told the newspaper.

Acting President Yemi Osinbajo is now expected to forward a letter on behalf of Buhari to the Senate for Justice Onnoghen’s confirmation.

Source: Dailypost.ng/

NNPC Warns Bidders to Beware of Fraudsters

                             

The Group Executive Director, Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mr Mele Kyari, has warned bidders of oil products to beware of fraudsters.

Kyari gave the warning to the 128 bidders of the 2017 Direct Sale Direct Purchase (DSDP) programme; a programme introduced in 2016 to replace crude-for-oil-products.

"The issues about fraudsters in this industry, particularly in crude oil and gas transactions are so enormous.

"Every day we receive some form of communication, people wanting to know if there is a group that wants to sell something to them.

"All kinds of things that we come across. For the avoidance of doubt, NNPC does not allocate off-spec crude. It does not exist.

"There is nothing like off-spec crude, which is what you see in many documents that are flying around," Kyari warned.

He further warned that the corporation does not have joint crude oil and gas allocation with any company.

Hattie Caraway,first woman elected to the U.S. Senate.

                                         

Hattie Ophelia Wyatt Caraway (February 1, 1878 – December 21, 1950) was the first woman elected to serve a full term as a United States Senator. Caraway represented Arkansas. She was the first woman to preside over the Senate. She won reelection to a full term in 1932 with the active support of fellow Senator Huey Pierce Long, Jr., of neighboring Louisiana.