International :Donald Trump heads for UK - protests, baby balloon, security & Queen

Mercy Lank

9.51am update: The Trump baby balloon has been inflated ahead of the visit today

Activists inflated a giant balloon depicting US President Donald Trump as an orange baby in north London this morning ahead of a demonstration in London to coincide with the visit of the US president.

The giant inflatable "Baby Trump" balloon will be flown near the Houses of Parliament ahead of the protest.

A barrage of nationwide protests will greet US President Donald Trump's four-day trip to Britain from Thursday, with organisers hoping to stage one of the country's biggest demonstrations in decades following a series of diplomatic spats. 

9.20am update: Trump's schedule for Thursday, July 12

- Mr Trump will arrive at Stansted airport on Thursday at around lunchtime, fresh from the Nato summit in Brussels.

- Mr Trump and First Lady Melania will have a meet and greet at the US Embassy in London.

Mr Trump cancelled a planned visit to open the newly-relocated embassy at the beginning of the year, saying it was a "bad deal" to move from Grosvenor Square in the prestigious Mayfair district of central London to what he described as an "off location" at Nine Elms, south of the Thames.

- The couple will attend a black-tie dinner at the Grade I-listed Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire hosted by Theresa May.

Other guests are set to include leaders from business sectors, celebrating the business links between the UK and US.

- Mr Trump and his wife will spend Thursday night at Winfield House in Regent's Park, which is the US Ambassador's residence in London.

9.00am update: Trump visit could boost Britain with trade deal - as President slams the UK

Donald Trump chided Germany and other European nations for failing to spend enough on defence, at the recent NATO summit.

But British Prime Minister Theresa May is hoping his trip will boost the close ties between their two nations and help in forging a future free trade deal.

"There is no stronger alliance than that of our special relationship with the U.S. and there will be no alliance more important in the years ahead," May said in a statement.

Trump's trip coincides with a tumultuous week for May when two senior ministers resigned in protest at her plans for trade with the European Union after Britain leaves next March.

The president has already waded into the debate, saying Britain was "in somewhat turmoil" and that it was up to the people if she stayed in power.

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Yakubu Gowon:"The Buhari I know will not be involved in killing of his people.”as alleged by Nigerians

Mercy Lank

A former Head of State and National Chairman of Nigeria Prays, NP, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, retd., has spoken on the alleged involvement of President Muhammadu Buhari in killings across the country by suspected Fulani herdsmen. He shared his thoughts on the President’s involvement while declaring that, “the people arrested (for the killing of innocent Nigerians in Plateau State) should be investigated and prosecuted in Jos where the crime was committed” and not in Abuja which the military had suggested.

He went on to clear Buhari of having anything to do with the perpetrators, saying, ” the Buhari I know will not be involved.” The former Head of State said this when he visited the Plateau State Governor, Lalong at the Government House in Jos, yesterday. Gowon was also received by the Deputy Governor of Plateau State, Prof Sonni Tyodden, members of the State Executive Council, including the Secretary to the State Government, Chief Rufus Bature and Lalong’s Chief of Staff, Chief John Dafaan. Gowon was in the state to condole with the people over the recent killings, and “decried the past practice where suspects arrested were taken to Abuja and eventually released.” “People arrested should be investigated and prosecuted in Jos where the crime was committed,” the elder statesman emphasised. He termed social media reports blaming President Muhammadu Buhari for the killings as unfortunate, adding that, “The Buhari I know will not be involved, certainly no leader will encourage the killing of his people.”

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INTERNATIONAL:Germany jails neo-Nazi gang member for life over racist killings

Mercy Lank

A Munich court has sentenced the only surviving member of a German neo-Nazi cell behind a string of racist murders to life in prison, ending a five-year trial. Beate Zschaepe, 43, was found guilty on Wednesday on 10 counts of murder in deadly shootings of nine Turkish and Greek-born immigrants as well as a German policewoman. Al Jazeera's Dominic Kane, reporting from Munich, said: "Effectively, she has been found guilty of complicity in the acts. Not necessarily saying that she perpetrated these them herself, but her intent was clearly for these murders to happen." The judge imposed the maximum sentence because of the "exceptional severity of the crime". The murders were carried out by a trio known as the National Socialist Underground (NSU) over seven years from 2000. Two of the other members, Uwe Mundlos and Uwe Boehnhardt, killed themselves in 2011 when police discovered the gang by chance. Zschaepe had denied taking part in the murders but had, through her lawyer, said she felt morally guilty for not stopping them. It was Zschaepe who revealed, after the two Uwes died, the scope of the NSU's bloody crimes to a shocked German public, by releasing a confession video set to a Pink Panther cartoon theme, which mocked the victims and police. It was only then that Germany woke up to the fact that the series of nationwide killings, long blamed by police on immigrant crime gangs, had in fact been committed by organised fascists from the country's formerly communist east. The case deeply shocked a nation that has struggled to atone for its dark Nazi past and which had associated terrorism mainly with far-left and Islamist militants, not right-wing extremists. It was Germany's biggest trial since the 1960s Auschwitz hearings against perpetrators of the Holocaust, and the 1970s proceedings against the left-wing extremist Baader-Meinhof gang. The files from the mega-trial now top 300,000 pages, but the victims' relatives say many questions remain unanswered, including how the killers chose their victims. In 2012, Chancellor Angela Merkel pledged that Germany would "do everything we can to clear up the murders and uncover the accomplices and backers and bring all perpetrators to justice".

Broad network

The same year then head of Germany's BfV domestic intelligence agency, Heinz Fromm, was forced to resign when it emerged his service had shredded files related to the NSU suspects. Several federal and state parliamentary committees later spent years trying to understand how the killers went undetected for so long, and the murky role of paid undercover informants inside the far-right subculture. While the Munich trial has focused on the NSU "trio", the chairman of the last parliamentary inquest, Uli Groetsch, said it was clear that the three were "supported by a broad network of neo-Nazis". On the eve of the verdict, victims' relatives voiced their belief that many Nazis remain in hiding. "I'm 100 percent sure that there are still accomplices out there," said Abdulkerim Simsek, the son of the first NSU murder victim, Enver Simsek. Simsek claimed that the BfV was still keeping some files under lock and key, charging that "there are obviously quite a few things that are being covered up". After the verdict was announced on Wednesday, the Turkish foreign ministry said it was "unsatisfying".

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Fake Certificate:PDP has Caution NYSC not to be part of Adeosun certificate forgery

Mercy Lank

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has asked the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) not to allow the Presidency to coerce it into covering the NYSC certificate forgery case against the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, with a purported investigation. The party said it is instructive for NYSC to note that all issues in the news report that Mrs. Adeosun forged her NYSC Exemption Certificate as well as reports that the Presidency is mounting pressure on NYSC to cover up for the minister are already in the public domain. In a statement issued by PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, the party said Nigerians are closely monitoring the issue and the public is already aware of the pressure on the NYSC leadership to announce a misplacement of relevant files and other excuses to achieve a dead end in the investigation. “The NYSC must therefore know that its reputation is highly at stake as Nigerians are already agitated over the questionable delay by the Corps in coming out with an answer on a direct issue that requires a simple computer or even manual file check at its headquarters. “Indeed, a simple process of matching the serial numbering, date and authorizing signature on Mrs. Adeosun’s certificate does not require a lengthy investigation or the current shenanigan going on at the NYSC headquarters. “NYSC is advised to have in mind that in this age of global Information Communication Technology (ICT), there is nothing anybody can do to suppress or distort facts, even in the public service. Any attempt to cover up will invoke the wrath of Nigerians and irredeemably rubbish the integrity and respect the Corps has earned over the years,” it said. PDP further said that NYSC must not allow its reputation to be dragged in the mud by the discredited All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration that has become notorious for concealment of fraud and sharp practices by its officials.

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Anambra State :Governor of Anambra State Obiano launched a new tricycle that will take over from KEKE AND OKADA in the state, starting from Onitsha

Mercy Lank  In a speech made the the incumbent Governor of Anambra,Obiano he saysthat this tricycle will soon take over from keke and okada in Anambra state.

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I FORBID YOU TO BE MY IN-LAW TILL ETERNITY- Raphael Udoye from Ideato North imo State reacts for a fake marriage of one pastor to his younger sister

Mercy Lank

I Raphael Udoye From Umualabuike Isieke Isiokpo in Ideato North L.G.A Imo State Hereby Announce to the World That This Idiot In the Picture is never, and can never be my In-law. I Raphael can never hide taboo no matter who did it, I dont care if you are my Blood or not. many people will say why did I went to work why my Blood sister is getting married. it just started on 29th of June 2018, when a class mate of my so called sister "UDOYE BLESSING" chatted me that my sister is getting married and have printed a wedding card and I could not Invite her to the wedding. In surprise I asked Her "which of my sister is getting married and I did not know, Is it a Joke or what?" she said she is with the wedding card that if I doubt her, I should Invite her to see the wedding Card. with my utmost surprise, I thought its a dream while its reality. on reaching home I called her to come that I want to ask her if what am hearing and seeing is true or a nightmare? Surprisingly She replied "So U have not heard, If you want to know U have to come to our church to know more details" Imagine someone that I thought is my sister have been deceived by Their so called Pastor From Fishers of men Charismatic church Isiokpo, that she should not tell any member of her family that she is getting married.

A taboo in Igbo land

 I cant Withheld the insult from my sister and their so called Pastor. I asked my sister again "Blessing who is the man that is seeking your hand in marriage that your family members will not know? is he a ghost or human being? Are you Crazy? How Could you marry someone that your sibling dont Know? How old are You? Is Marriage your future to think for now? how can your pastor print and share wedding card without the consent of your family? Whose names is written in the Card?. after all this Investigation I found out that the so called Abominable church "Fishers of Men Charistmatic Church Isiokpo, had plan the wedding since six months ago and hide it from the girls family. on Sunday 1st July 2018 when I Started reporting that this wedding will never hold in my eye, that is when our so called stupid inlaw receive information that the family did not agree that the wedding will hold. on monday 2nd of July 2018, I am preparing to go work when someone knocked, after receiving the guest he introduced himself to be the father of this man in the picture with my sister, that he heard we reject the wedding and traditional marriage which will hold on 7th and 8th of July 2018. that he came only to appeal for us to accept his apology to hold the wedding, that it will be an insult to him if the wedding did not hold, that he had informed their churches all over Nigeria that his Son Is getting marriage, that He had shared the wedding card Since ending of May 2018. I asked him a question "Is this not the first time am seeing you? How can an elder like you do such evil, by printing a wedding

card without knowing your inlaws?

No Dowry Paid

No Marriage Introduction

I Raphael hereby announce to the public that you did not marry my sister You kidnapped her anything that happens to her in future I will Fight You With all Aspects.

I have Spoken

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BREAKING NEWS: Buhari, APC governors, Asiwaju Tinubu, others storm Ekiti for Kayode Fayemi

Mercy Lank

POLITICS – Current update have it that Governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC) are in Ekiti State to drum up support for Dr. Kayode Fayemi, the party’s flag bearer in Saturday’s governorship election in the state. Newsmen confirmed the arrival of Governors Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun, Yahaya Bello of Kogi, Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo, Rochas Okorocha of Imo, and Abdul’aziz Yari, who is the Chairman of Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF). Also already present in Ekiti was Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, head of the party’s reconciliation team. A source said Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State would not be attending the rally. Among those still expected are Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, the party’s national chairman, as well as other members of the National Working Committee (NWC). The presidency confirmed on Monday that President Muhammadu Buhari would be in Ekiti State today for the grand finale rally of the APC. Femi Adesina, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, confirmed this in a text message to our correspondent. “Yes, the President will be in Ekiti for the grand finale rally tomorrow (today),” he said. President Buhari would meet with leaders of the party before the rally and admonish them on the need to forge a common front so as to secure victory for the party in Saturday’s governorship election. Security was tight in Ado-Ekiti ahead of the president’s visit as armed policemen have manned strategic areas. The 30,000 policemen deployed by the Nigerian police for the election had also started arriving as truckloads of uniformed men were seen in several locations on Monday. Also, all the hotels had been fully booked as at Monday morning. Some of the hotel attendants said the rooms had been booked until after the election. The Kayode Fayemi Campaign Organisation has warned Governor Ayodele Fayose against alleged plans to cause trouble during and after the mega rally. The warning came on the heels of the disruption of the stakeholders’ meeting by members of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) at the Eagle Hall, Ado-Ekiti, on Monday. The Director of Media and Publicity of the Kayode Fayemi Campaign Organisation, Wole Olujobi, in a statement on Monday said Fayose would be held accountable for any breach of peace if anything untoward happened today as reportedly threatened. Also, speaking with reporters, Fayemi said he was confident of victory at the polls, adding that what he witnessed during his tour of local governments in the state during the rally showed that the people of the state wanted him back. Meanwhile, Adams Oshiomhole, National Chairman of APC, has called for military presence to beef up security in Ekiti State ahead of Saturday, July 14 governorship election in the state. The immediate past Edo State governor stated this on Monday shortly after a closed-door meeting with Paul Arkwright, the British High Commissioner, at his campaign office in Abuja. Fielding questions from journalists on why 30,000 policemen were being deployed to Ekiti State, Oshiomhole declared that effective presence and performance of both the police and army is required to ensure safety of the electorate. He added that the move would also safeguard the electoral process. Citing his experience as a former governor, Oshiomhole pointed out that it is not the number of personnel deployed that matters, but the effectiveness of the force in ensuring safety of voters and ballot boxes. “Whether they should use the military or not, I don’t think you want to argue that. Over the years since 2003, 1999, the armed forces have always been deployed,” he said. “Don’t forget when I was in Edo State, I told people that I want the armed forces to be involved in the election because the rigging machine is serviced by criminals who are hardened and who are often hired.” He assured the British High Commissioner that as chairman of the ruling party, he would do all in his power to ensure a free and fair process in the Ekiti governorship election. On his part, Arkwright said his country is interested in Nigeria’s democracy and that the UK government intends to send observers to Ekiti to ensure the election is free and fair.

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