New York very Strong - Fearless residents take to the streets for Halloween parade after terror
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"New York very Strong - Fearless residents take to the streets for Halloween parade after terror" Mercy Lank NEW Yorkers refused to be silenced by terror as residents took to the streets to celebrate the City’s annual Halloween parade. The...
Mercy Lank
NEW Yorkers refused to be silenced by terror as residents took to the streets to celebrate the City’s annual Halloween parade.
The fearless city dwellers donned spooky costumes, banged drums and blasted trumpets in a show of defiance to the horror that stalked their streets just hours before when an alleged terrorist killed eight and injured 11 in Lower Manhattan. The attack took place just two miles away, but that did not stop revellers walking down 6th avenue to embrace the parade – which has taken place annually for more than four decades. The alleged perpetrator of the terror attack has been identified as Sayfullo Saipov, an Uzbekistan national who moved to the US in 2010. Following the attack, Mayor Bill de Blasio praised the resilience of his city’s population.
He said: “We know that this action was intended to break our spirit but we also know New Yorkers are strong, New Yorkers are resilient. “And our spirit will never be moved by an act of violence, an act meant to intimidate us. “We have been tested before as a city very near the site of today's tragedy. “And New Yorkers did not give up in the face of these kinds of actions.
“We will respond as we always do. “We will be undeterred.” The parade was accompanied by an increased police presence, with the NYPD watching on to defend the safety of the people they swore to protect and serve. Following the attack, President Trump vowed to “step up the extreme vetting programme” currently enforced by his administration.
IPOB “Ikpeazu’s imposing of curfew was to kill nnamdi kalu living his compound defenceless, as they blast all S/E Govs
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"IPOB “Ikpeazu’s imposing of curfew was to kill nnamdi kalu living his compound defenceless, as they blast all S/E Govs" Mercy Lank The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has blamed South East governors and President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo for t...
Mercy Lank
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has blamed South East governors and President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo for the invasion of Nnamdi Kanu’s compound in Afaraukwu Ibeku Umuahia, Abia State, from September 10 to 14, 2017. The group said denials by Governor OkezieIkpeazu and others will not eradicate the fact that, he, along with others, designed and perfected Operational Python Dance II. A statement by IPOB Media and Publicity Secretary of, Emma Powerful, said Ikpeazu should stop lying about his real motives for imposing the curfew which followed the attack on Kanu’s family home.
“Governor Okezie Ikpeazu and his co-conspirators must give true account before the people of Biafra, how they allowed envy and jealousy over Kanu’s popularity to overwhelm them. “Ikpeazu’s claim that he imposed a curfew during the invasion of our leader’s house in Umuahia, to save 11.6 million Igbo in the North is laughable. “The only reason why Ikpeazu deliberately imposed a curfew in Abia state was to stop IPOB members from mobilising to defend our leader, Kanu, during the
invasion of his home by soldiers.
“Ikpeazu’s sole reason for imposing the said curfew was to leave the compound of Kanu defenceless. “Igbo governors and Ohanaeze Ndigbo also felt that the perfect way to demoralise the people of Biafra and stop our agitation is by killing everything in site in and around Isiama Afaraukwu village, to put fear in the heart of IPOB. “The same way followers of Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky were slaughtered in their thousands in Zaria, with no consequence till date. “What South East governors didn’t factor into their treacherous calculation is that IPOB is a global movement with a unique structure that no man can destroy.
“Ikpeazu and his cohorts are dreamers for thinking their well-crafted lies, which they have been selling to media houses can save them from the impending doom. “Biafra restoration effort is a divine project, the sooner they realise this, the better,” Powerful said. Regardless, Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC) has said it is trivial for anyone or group to associate Ikpeazu and Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe with Kanu’s disappearance. The group warned the World Igbo Youth Congress (WIYC) to desist from toying with the names of two prominent Abia sons, whose integrity, the group said, could not be questioned. OYC National Secretary, Obinna Adibe, who stated this in a statement, yesterday, warned WIYC not to toy with the names of Abia sons who had taken pains to address all the issues thrown up by Biafra agitation to the satisfaction of everybody.
Adibe explained that Kanu has not been seen ever since the army launched its Operation Python Dance II in the South East. “It is petty for anyone to link Ikpeazu and Abaribe with the sudden disappearance of Kanu. “We insist that security operatives are in a better position to tell the current location of Kanu and that neither the governor nor Abaribe is a soothsayer or a detective to actually say whether Kanu is alive or dead as well as his present location. “The governor and his colleagues in the South-East rose to the occasion and averted what could have been another major mayhem in this zone. We believe, just like other men of goodwill, that the governor should be commended not vilified.
“We, therefore, warn that any further attempt to drag these our leaders into this matter will be stoutly resisted. The era where fifth columnists infiltrate some desperate political jobbers to cast aspersion on our people is over. “By this notice, the WIYC and all the people behind the group are warned to desist from further attempt to disparage the governor of Abia state. If they continue with this untoward business, we shall ensure that they are fished out and disgraced.” Ikpeazu had told State House Correspondents in Abuja, after a meeting with Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, at the Presidential Villa, that it was not his duty to locate Kanu.
Ikpeazu does not deserve second tenure – Igbo Youth Council
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"Ikpeazu does not deserve second tenure – Igbo Youth Council" Mercy Lank The World Igbo Youth Council, WIYC, on Tuesday called on the people of Abia State not to make the mistake of re-electing Governor Okezie Ik...
Mercy Lank
The World Igbo Youth Council, WIYC, on Tuesday called on the people of Abia State not to make the mistake of re-electing Governor Okezie Ikpeazu for a second term in office. It could be re-called that same group had few days ago accused Ikpeazu and Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe of plotting the escape of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB. The group went ahead to call for the immediate arrest of Abaribe. This time, in a statement by its national publicity secretary, Mazi Alex Okemiri the WIYC said Gov. Ikpeazu had done nothing to guarantee him a second term in office.
They noted that rather than make concrete efforts towards the development of the State, the Governor has been busy aiding and abetting Biafra agitators. According to them, “civil servants in Abia State have never had it so hard since the return to democracy in 1999, and the man at the saddle at this point in history, appears unready to bring to table any attempt to strategy to make their lives better. “Apart from civil servants, pensioners are also groaning with several months of pension arrears. All these are happening despite the several bail out funds and Paris Club refund, as well as the monthly
statutory allocation and internally generated revenue.
“It only shows that the Governor is either insensitive to the plight of workers or lacks the wherewithal to govern Abia State.” “May we also point out that the state of infrastructure in Abia State has remained everything but pitiable. We get embarrassed each time picture of terrible state of roads in different parts of the state surface on the social media.
“Most of the Governor’s aides are even richer than the Governor and Abia; we know that Ikpeazu as a person is a good man with intention to promote made in Aba products, but his aides are working at variance with his policies and procedures for governance. “One of his aides has bought almost all the landed properties in Umuahia and Aba, so it appears Ikpeazu lacks the capacity to discipline these aides who are richer than him. “We have no option than to drag Ikpeazu’s aides to the EFCC, with all the evidence against them, for them to refund all the looted funds from Abia treasury. “We observe the pains in the sad faces of Abia people; we have asked what the government has done with the borrowed funds which the Abia house of assembly approved for him, running into billions of Naira. “Obingwa people are regretting having their son as Governor as there is no single road done in the area; no youth empowerment, there’s high rate of crime in Aba, kidnapping has also returned to Aba.
“In addition to this, it has taken Ikpeazu 28 months to build drainage from Osisioma junction to Aba main park, a 2-kilometre road, yet there’s no hope to complete it. “This has continued because the current administration is not prepared for governance. As such, it will be a disservice to the people to think of re-electing the governor in 2019. “We believe and indeed urge the people of Abia State to begin the process of searching for a competent hand that would pull the state out of the doldrums of poverty and bag governance. “A time has come for the good people of Abia state to do away with god-fatherism. We have seen the adverse effects and cannot continue in such a manner. “We hereby declare that Abia Government house is vacant for 2019, and warn PDP to replace Ikpeazu or be ready to lose Abia State Government house for the first time since 1999 to APC or APGA. APC /APGA should field candidates from Abia South, to beat PDP if they field Ikpeazu”, the group concluded.
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"Kenya: Odinga to Form 'People's Assembly'" Mercy Lank Kenya's opposition National Super Alliance (Nasa) has dismissed the October 26 repeat presidential election. The coalition's le...
Mercy Lank
Kenya's opposition National Super Alliance (Nasa) has dismissed the October 26 repeat presidential election. The coalition's leader Raila Odinga, speaking for the first time since President Uhuru Kenyatta was declared winner, termed the election as fraud and vowed not to recognise him and his government. He said that Nasa would instead push for the formation of the People's Assembly to run Kenya until a legitimate government is formed.
"Today we establish People's Assembly to restore democracy in the country," Mr Odinga said in Nairobi. "The People's Assembly will have the youth, religious leaders, economic interest groups and the civil society." Nasa, he said, would present petitions for the establishment of the new outfit to govern Kenya to county assemblies for discussion and adoption. "The assembly's timetable to be released soon," he said.
In the meantime, Mr Odinga said, Nasa's resistance wing (NRM) would embark on vigorous pro-democracy campaign through economic boycotts and picketing. Mr Odinga cast aspersions on the preparation and conduct of the repeat presidential election, saying it fell short of the standards set by poll laws, the Constitution and the Supreme Court. Mr Kenyatta was declared the winner by the electoral commission IEBC with over 98 per cent of the votes cast in an election boycotted by Nasa. But Mr Odinga said IEBC failed to conduct the repeat vote as directed by the apex court and instead the ruling Jubilee government, through county police commanders and its politicians, ran the show. He claimed numbers were inflated in several Jubilee strongholds to give Mr Kenyatta the win and create an impression that Kenyans took part in the exercise.
BREAKING: Spain's High Court summons Catalan leader amid rebellion charges
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"BREAKING: Spain's High Court summons Catalan leader amid rebellion charges" Mercy Lank SPAIN'S High Court has called Catalan President Carles Puigdemont to testify later this week. The disposed leader is currently in Br...
Mercy Lank
SPAIN'S High Court has called Catalan President Carles Puigdemont to testify later this week. The disposed leader is currently in Brussels and has consulted with a lawyer there. Earlier today Mr Puigdemont warned EU leaders they are facing the “end of the idea of Europe” if they fail to take action over Spain’s “violent and oppressive” response to its independence referendum. The court called for Mr Puigdemont along with 13 other members of his deposed administration to testify on Thursday at 9am (local time). Spain’s Attorney General Jose Manuel Maza filed a lawsuit against Mr Puigdemont on Monday, citing the crimes of rebellion, sedition and embezzlement and the Catalan President faces up to 30 years in prison.
According to Spanish law, rebellion charges may apply to those who “violently and publicly” try to “abrogate, suspend or modify the Constitution, either totally or partially,” or “declare the independence of part of the national territory”. The crime of rebellion carries jail sentences of up to 30 years. Mr Maza said: “The Finance Ministry, in order to promote justice, is liable for crimes of rebellion, sedition and embezzlement crimes against those responsible for the parliament. The Prosecutor’s Office will continue to exercise its functions with impartiality.”
Mr Puigdemont recently travelled to Brussels in a bid to make the European Union (EU) leaders aware of the full extent of the crisis in the north east region of Spain and what he described as the “aggressive” behaviour of the Madrid administration after the fledgling country attempted to breakaway from Spain despite moves to prevent it from doing so. Mr Puigdemont recently travelled to Brussels in a bid to make the European Union (EU) leaders aware of the full extent of the crisis in the north east region of Spain and what he described as the “aggressive” behaviour of the Madrid administration after the fledgling country attempted to breakaway from Spain despite moves to prevent it from doing so. The leader said during a press conference in Brussels that Catalonia would not accept the imposition of Article 155, which allows Madrid to take full control of the semi-autonomous region, saying that it would “destroy” the region.
He added that ministers are working to make it impossible for Madrid to "dismantle Catalan institutions." He railed against the "aggression and violence against millions of people who exercised their right to vote" in a scathing attack on Spain in front of journalists today. He said "we've seen a very aggressive offensive against the Catalans". He added the priority is no violence, saying: "You can't build a republic upon violence. "Peace and dialogue are our priority." He said the charges against him, of rebellion, sedition and misuse of public funds, are an example of the "extreme opression" from Madrid.
Carles Puigdemont:‘You’re facing the END of Europe' Catalan leader
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"Carles Puigdemont:‘You’re facing the END of Europe' Catalan leader " Mercy Lank CATALAN leader Carles Puigdemont today warned EU leaders they are facing the “end of the idea of Europe” if they fail to take action over...
Mercy Lank
CATALAN leader Carles Puigdemont today warned EU leaders they are facing the “end of the idea of Europe” if they fail to take action over Spain’s “violent and oppressive” response to its independence referendum. The ousted regional president told a packed press conference in Brussels that Madrid had violated “the very basis of the values on which Europe is founded” and that EU inaction would come “at a very high cost”. Mr Puigdemont, who has fled Spain to avoid charges of rebellion which carry a 30 year jail term, said he would not seek asylum in Belgium but also refused to rule out a long stay in Northern Europe.
However, he was immediately mocked for taking flight by Spanish MPs and senior European politicians including Brexit negotiator Guy Verhofstadt, who said he had “left Catalonia in chaos and devastation”. At a press conference in central Brussels attended by several hundred journalists, Mr Puigdemont and seven of his senior ministers railed against the actions of the Madrid Government and called on the EU to act. He said: “To the international community and especially to Europe, I ask them to react. The Catalan issue is at the very basis of the values on which Europe is founded - democracy, freedom, freedom of expression, hospitality, non-violence. “Allowing the Spanish Government to refuse dialogue, tolerating the violence exercised by far-right groups, the imposition by ,military means and our imprisonment for 30 years, is to end with the idea of Europe.”
Mr Puigdemont, who repeated his call for a reaction to emphasise the point, bluntly warned European leaders that if they stand by saying: “It is is a mistake that we can all pay at a very high cost as European citizens. "We are in front of a state that only understands the reason of force and that has decided to use the violence and repression so that we abandon our political project. They will not succeed." Asked how long he planned to stay in the Belgian capital, he refused to give a definite response only saying it would “depend on circumstances” and the “reaction of the Spanish state.”
Two of his most senior ministers, sitting next to him, insisted they could not receive a fair trial in Spain and said they had done nothing wrong to warrant the “severe injustice” against them. Mr Puigdemont, members of his Government and senior civil servants are facing charges of rebellion after the Catalan parliament voted to officially declare independence from Spain on Friday. European leaders have repeatedly stuck to the mantra that the Catalan issue is an internal one for Spain whilst offering open support to the Madrid Government - a position Mr Puigdemont's appearance is unlikely to shift.
Biafra:#18thNov Threatened BNYL announces monday referendum will start
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"Biafra:#18thNov Threatened BNYL announces monday referendum will start" Mercy Lank Biafra Nations Youth League, BNYL, says grassroots referendum activities will commence Monday next week. BNYL Leader, Princewill Obuk...
Mercy Lank
Biafra Nations Youth League, BNYL, says grassroots referendum activities will commence Monday next week. BNYL Leader, Princewill Obuka, said the group will converge in Akwa Ibom State, to honour late Biafra Chief of General Staff and Vice President General Philip Effiong. According to Obuka, Igbos and entire ethnic groups of former Eastern region would have been consumed by the civil war “if not that Effiong decided to swallow his ego and agreed with Ojukwu and the rest Easterners”.
Speaking further, the group stated that the Akwa Ibom State Chapter would go for thanksgiving service on Sunday in memory of Effiong legacy, even as he noted that “the declaration that ended the war paved way for today’s non violent movement.” Obuka explained that the BNYL faithful will commence its referendum programs, a gathering he noted would witness the presence of war veterans especially from Akwa Ibom and Cross River State.
“It will be an all grassroots engagements, and we will make sure we continue within the ambit of national and international laws. “We are equally appealing to UN to do what is expected of them and do not wait until the situation escalates”, he added.
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"Breaking news :NJC sacked Justice salami, appoints Galadima as Chairman, COTRIMCO (must read) " Mercy Lank National Judicial Council (NJC) has, Tuesday, appointed a retired Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Suleiman Galadima to replace a for...
Mercy LankNational Judicial Council (NJC) has, Tuesday, appointed a retired Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Suleiman Galadima to replace a former President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Ayo Salami, as the head of the Corruption and Financial Crime Cases Trial Monitoring Committee (COTRIMCO). Justice Justice Ayo Salami NJC’s director of Information, Mr. Soji Oye, who made the information available to newsme n said Galadima and other members of the committee would be inaugurated at the Supreme Court by 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 1. Justice Ayo Salami, retired president of the court of appeal, had earlier rejected the appointment for personal reasons. Details later,,,
