Salaries, allowances: NLC tells workers to vote out defaulting govs
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Wednesday, 31 January 2018
Salaries, allowances: NLC tells workers to vote out defaulting govs
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Politics: The most emotional moment of the State of the Union came when Trump told the story of a North Korean defector who raised his crutches in triumph
Trump recounted the tearful story of Ji Seong-ho, a North Korean defector, who endured multiple amputations after losing consciousness from hunger:
- Trump recounted the tearful story of Ji Seong-ho, a North Korean defector, during his first State of the Union address.
- The defector, a multiple amputee, held up his crutches amid resounding cheers.
During his first State of the Union address on Tuesday night, President Donald Trump recounted the tearful story of Ji Seong-ho, a North Korean defector who endured multiple amputations under devastating circumstances as a child:
"In 1996, Seong-ho was a starving boy in North Korea. One day, he tried to steal coal from a railroad car to barter for a few scraps of food. In the process, he passed out on the train tracks, exhausted from hunger. He woke up as a train ran over his limbs. He then endured multiple amputations without anything to dull the pain. His brother and sister gave what little food they had to help him recover and ate dirt themselves — permanently stunting their own growth."
Seong-ho was later tortured after returning from China, but "resolved to be free," Trump said. Seong-ho traveled thousands of miles on his crutches and eventually made it to Seoul, South Korea, where he now assists fellow defectors.
"Today he has a new leg," Trump continued, "But Seong-ho, I understand you still keep those old crutches as a reminder of how far you have come. Your great sacrifice is an inspiration to us all."
Seong-ho stood triumphantly and raised his wooden crutches amid roaring applause from lawmakers in both parties.
"Seong-ho's story is a testament to the yearning of every human soul to live in freedom," Trump said. "It was that same yearning for freedom that nearly 250 years ago gave birth to a special place called America."
Also in attendance were family members of Otto Warmbier, the US student who visited North Korea, was later imprisoned and fell ill while in custody before he was sent back to the US. He died shortly after.
"Otto's Parents, Fred and Cindy Warmbier, are with us tonight — along with Otto's brother and sister, Austin and Greta," Trump said. "You are powerful witnesses to a menace that threatens our world, and your strength inspires us all. Tonight, we pledge to honor Otto's memory with American resolve."
Watch the clip here:
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Sports: Washington Redskins reportedly trade for Alex Smith, making Kirk Cousins the top prize in free agency in shocking deal
The Washington Redskins and Kansas City Chiefs reportedly agreed to a trade that will send Alex Smith to Washington and make Kirk Cousins a top free agent.
- The Washington Redskins and Kansas City Chiefs reportedly agreed to a trade that will send Alex Smith to the Redskins.
- The deal ensures that Kirk Cousins will hit free agency after two years of playing on the franchise tag with the Redskins.
- Cousins is likely to fetch a big offer and be targeted by several teams in the offseason.
The Washington Redskins and Kansas City Chiefs have agreed to a shocking trade that will send Alex Smith to Washington D.C. to replace Kirk Cousins, according to Terez A. Paylor of The Kansas City Star. ESPN also confirmed the trade.
The move is a clear indication that Washington will move on from Kirk Cousins, who is set to hit free agency for the third straight offseason. Cousins has played on the franchise tag the previous two seasons, the first quarterback to ever do so.
Washington will send a third-round pick and cornerback Kendall Fuller to the Chiefs, but will recoup a third-round pick because they will lose a top-tier free agent in Cousins.
According to ESPN, Smith also agreed to a four-year extension with Washington averaging $23.5 million per year, with $71 million guaranteed.
The move comes as a shock after months of speculation about Cousins' future in Washington. After both sides declined long-term deals the previous two offseasons, Cousins was set for an historic pay day, no matter what. If he received the franchise tag from Washington, he would have made $34 million next season or made $28 million if he played on the transition tag, which would have allowed other teams to make contracts offers for him. If the two sides had opted for a long-term deal, Cousins would likely have been paid in the same range as quarterbacks like Andrew Luck, Derek Carr, and Matthew Stafford.
Cousins is still expected to fetch several big offers in free agency, as teams like the Denver Broncos, Buffalo Bills, Cleveland Browns, New York Jets, and more look to solidify their quarterback position.
For the Chiefs, the decision to part with Smith comes after they drafted Patrick Mahomes II with the 10th pick in the 2017 draft. With only one year left on Smith's contract, many felt the Chiefs would move on from the 33-year-old and hand the reins to the young, explosive Mahomes.
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'Monster that kills little kids' Mourinho hails youngster Rashford as future star
The Manchester United boss insisted his young star is still a key player for the side following the signing of Alexis Sanchez
'Monster that kills little kids' Mourinho hails youngster Rashford as future star
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As Obasanjo takes the whip to Buhari
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As Obasanjo takes the whip to Buhari
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'It's very unfair' – Neymar upset by Lucas being pushed out of PSG
The former Barcelona star doesn’t believe his Brazilian friend got enough chances with the French giants
'It's very unfair' – Neymar upset by Lucas being pushed out of PSG
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Six Killed In Landmine Explosion In North West Pakistan
At least six people were killed and another injured when a landmine exploded in Pakistan’s northwest tribal area of Kurram Agency on Tuesday, local reports said.
The incident happened when a car carrying seven members of a family hit the landmine planted in Basu area of the Kurram Agency, a tribal area along Pakistan-Afghanistan border.
Three men and three women who were on their way to attend funeral prayer of a relative, died in the process ARY News said.
The injured man has been admitted to a nearby hospital where his condition is said to be stable.
Hundreds of people become targets of landmines planted by militants against common people and security forces in Pakistan’s tribal areas every year.
The post Six Killed In Landmine Explosion In North West Pakistan appeared first on Independent Newspapers Nigeria.
Six Killed In Landmine Explosion In North West Pakistan
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Sports: PUTIN: 'There were instances of doping' among Russian Olympic athletes, but everybody does it
Russia previously denied all allegations of state-sponsored performance enhancement among athletes.
- Russian President Vladimir Putin admitted on Tuesday that there were "instances of doping use" by Russian athletes.
- The president also claimed that the issue was widespread and that Russia wasn't alone.
- The IOC banned Russia from competing in the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang because of the doping allegations, which Russia previously denied.
Russian President Vladimir Putin admitted on Tuesday that there were "instances of doping use" by Russian athletes, but claimed the issue was a common practice worldwide. He criticized what he views as the undue scrutiny placed solely on Russia.
CNN reported that in a speech delivered to his supporters in Moscow on Tuesday, Putin said "there were instances of doping use, true — I want the audience to know this and the whole country to know this."
According to the report, he did not elaborate on the allegations related to the Russian government's role in the doping practices.
Putin later added: "There are many such examples around the world, but no one is making a big show of it."
Putin's statements follow the International Olympic Committee's confirmation on Monday to allow 169 Russian athletes to compete in next month's Pyeongchang Olympics. The athletes were found to have no history of doping, and will compete under the neutral title of "Olympic Athletes from Russia," rather than as a designated Russian team.
The IOC banned Russia from competing in the 2018 Winter Olympics after allegations of state-sponsored doping during the 2014 Sochi Olympics were reported.
Russia has previously denied the allegations.
In a December speech, Putin reportedly said: "We have never had a doping problem in Russia. This is just impossible, unthinkable. We will never do anything like that."
In November, the federal investigating committee of Russia said in a statement that allegations of widespread sponsored drug-use compiled by the World Anti-Doping Agency "lacked any evidence of Russia's guilt in the mass use of doping by athletes."
The World Doping Agency's allegations stemmed from the McLaren report, an independent assessment released in two parts by professor Richard McLaren, a Canadian attorney who was retained by WADA. The report found evidence of Russia's systematic subversion of drug-testing during the 2014 Sochi Olympics.
The World Anti-Doping Agency confirmed the details of the McLaren report in November, and found that over 1,000 Russian athletes across 30 sports were involved in state-sponsored performance-enhancement programs between 2012 and 2015.
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S. Sudan, S. Africa Sign Mou On Military Cooperation
South Sudan on Tuesday signed an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the South Africa on training of officers from the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA), exchange of information and visits between the two countries.
South Sudanese Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs, Kuol Juuk, said the agreement he signed with his South African counterpart Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, involves training, exchange of information and visits will help strengthen the already existing cooperation in the security sector of the two countries.
“The MoU we are signing involves training, exchange of information and visits,” said Juuk, adding that this is part of the ongoing effort by African countries to strengthen security cooperation.
He disclosed that some of their military officers, civil servants and diplomats have benefited from training in South Africa since 2004 prior to the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) in 2005 that won South Sudan independence from Sudan in 2011.
“In 2004 when we were preparing to sign the CPA, South Africa offered to train our (military) officers, civil servants and diplomats,” he revealed.
South Sudan remains embroiled in civil strife amid huge humanitarian crisis since eruption of conflict in December 2013; over two million are displaced in neighboring countries and four million still displaced from their homes.
Regional leaders under the Intergovernmental Authority on Development have initiated the High-Level Revitalization Forum to shore up the now weakened 2015 peace agreement signed between President Salva Kiir and rebels led by former First Vice President Riek Machar.
The post S. Sudan, S. Africa Sign Mou On Military Cooperation appeared first on Independent Newspapers Nigeria.
S. Sudan, S. Africa Sign Mou On Military Cooperation
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Woman bags 4 months imprisonment for escaping from Police custody
A Kubwa Grade 1 Area Court, Abuja, yesterday, sentenced one Monday Joy, to four months imprisonment for escaping from a Police vehicle and assaulting an officer.
Joy, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to a four-count charge, bordering on public nuisance, escape from lawful custody and assault to deter public servant while performing his lawful duty.
The judge, Mohammed Marafa, gave Joy an option of N8,000 fine and warned her to desist from committing the crime and be of good behaviour.
The prosecutor, Babajide Olanipekun, had told the court that Joy was found along Movida Night Club, Kubwa, Abuja on January 19.
He said Joy could not give a satisfactory account of herself and was subsequently arrested.
Olanipekun said while the Police tried to take Joy to the Kubwa Police Station in a police patrol vehicle, she escaped from lawful custody.
The prosecutor said Joy was seen around Kubwa Police Station on January 20 and rearrested.
He said Joy acted violently and assaulted one Corporal Jide Ekundayo of the surveillance team, Kubwa Division, preven-ting him from performing his lawful duty.
Olanipekun said Ekundayo sustained severe body pain, while Joy refused to write a statement at the Police station.
He said the offences contravened Sections 153, 173, 267 and 142 of the Penal Code.
The post Woman bags 4 months imprisonment for escaping from Police custody appeared first on Vanguard News.
Woman bags 4 months imprisonment for escaping from Police custody
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Schmid not ruling out possibility of Ibra signing for Galaxy
While the manager didn’t rule out the possibility of landing the Swede, he claims to be in the dark on any impending deal
Schmid not ruling out possibility of Ibra signing for Galaxy
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At 2018 Oodua Festival: Are Ona Kakanfo reverses Aole’s curse on Yoruba
The 15th Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland and Chief Promoter of Olokun Festival Foundation, last week stormed Ile Ife, the spiritual headquarter of Yorubaland for the annual Oodua Festival with a renewed strength and determination […]
The post At 2018 Oodua Festival: Are Ona Kakanfo reverses Aole’s curse on Yoruba appeared first on Tribune.
At 2018 Oodua Festival: Are Ona Kakanfo reverses Aole’s curse on Yoruba
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FIABC holds talks on Nigeria’s economic resurgence in 2018
When real estate professionals, experts and sundry stakeholders gather in Lagos in the next couple of days for the International Real Estate Federation (FIABCI) Nigeria’s New Year Dinner, economy and infrastructure will be the focus […]
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FIABC holds talks on Nigeria’s economic resurgence in 2018
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Politics: The false-alarm missile alert in Hawaii was much more of a disaster than previously thought
A Hawaii Emergency Management Agency employee was fired after sending an emergency alert warning of a ballistic missile to the entire state.
- The Hawaii employee responsible for transmitting an emergency alert falsely warning of a ballistic missile earlier in January has been fired.
- The employee believed the threat was real, and had made the same mistake twice before, state officials said Tuesday.
- The head of the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency has also resigned over the incident.
A Hawaii employee has been fired after sending an emergency alert earlier in January that falsely warned the entire state of an inbound ballistic missile, triggering 38 minutes of panic and chaos before a correction was sent, state officials said Tuesday.
The leader of the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency (HI-EMA), Vern Miyagi, also resigned over the incident on Tuesday, and another agency worker was suspended without pay.
The employee who sent the alert had believed the threat was real, federal investigators said in a preliminary report released Tuesday. That employee had also made the same mistake at least two times before, confusing a real event with a drill in a fire incident and a tsunami incident, state officials said.
The employee's previous job performance had also concerned his colleagues and supervisors for years, retired Brig. Gen. Bruce Oliveira told reporters at a press conference. But the employee was "counseled" and given on-the-spot corrections by supervisors.
The employee has also refused to cooperate with the federal or state investigations, providing only a written statement.
The Federal Communications Commission said in a preliminary report released Tuesday that a shift supervisor at the emergency management agency played a recording over the phone to officers during what was meant to be a drill, but erroneously included the language "THIS IS NOT A DRILL."
The FCC's report contradicts the explanation given immediately after the incident by Hawaii Gov. David Ige, who said the employee had "pushed the wrong button" by accident during a shift changeover.
Here's the minute-by-minute breakdown of what happened, according to the FCC (all times local):
- 8:05 a.m.: The midnight shift supervisor at the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency began a surprise ballistic missile defense drill at a shift change.
- The supervisor pretended to be US Pacific Command, alerting the day shift warning officers of a threat by playing a recording over the phone.
- The recording began with the words "EXERCISE, EXERCISE, EXERCISE," as was the proper procedure, but the supervisor also erroneously included the words "THIS IS NOT A DRILL," causing the warning officer to believe it was a real emergency.
- 8:07 a.m.: The officer selected the template for a live alert from a drop-down menu, clicking "yes" in response to a prompt that said, "Are you sure that you want to send this Alert?"
- 8:08 a.m.: Another day shift warning officer received the false alert on a mobile device.
- 8:09 a.m.: HI-EMA notified the governor of the false alert, followed by the US Pacific Command and the Honolulu Police Department.
- 8:20 a.m.: HI-EMA posted the message "NO missile threat to Hawaii" on Facebook and Twitter.
- 8:24 a.m.: Hawaii's governor retweeted that notice.
- 8:31 a.m.: The supervisor at HI-EMA logged into the alert system and began creating a correction for the false alert.
- 8:45 a.m.: A correction alert was sent clarifying that there was no missile threat.
Between 8:07 a.m. and 8:45 a.m., however, people in Hawaii feared for their lives. They sought out shelter, sped down roads and highways to reach their families, searched the internet for missile survival advice, and contacted their loved ones to say goodbye.
The FCC said the incident was a result of "a combination of human error and inadequate safeguards," and the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency's lack of preparedness led to the 38-minute lapse before correcting the alert.
HI-EMA has halted ballistic missile defense drills temporarily and has already begun implementing new procedures to avoid a false alert situation, the FCC said. The agency is increasing the amount of supervision required for drills and alert transmissions, and has created a template to use for future corrections.
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Tuesday, 30 January 2018
Politics: One of the most ruthless behind-the-scenes battles in Washington involves Obama aides pitching the Trump administration and almost caused an international crisis
The latest episode in one of the wildest, ruthless battles going on behind the scenes in the nation's capital.
- One of the wildest lobbying battles in Washington, DC involving America's preeminent airlines nearly caused an international crisis.
- It's centered on Delta, American, and United Airlines's effort to get the government to take action against Middle Eastern airlines it says are unfairly subsidized and hurting their business.
- The group representing the three US carriers has seen its funding shrinking, tax filings show, and the effort has gained little traction.
- The opposition includes those foreign airlines, smaller US airlines, and cargo carriers who say changes to what are known as "open skies" agreements will adversely affect them.
It's not often that you see a pair of conservative publications offering dueling reports attacking lobbyists on each side of an issue.
But there isn't much that fits cleanly into a partisan box when it comes to one of Washington, DC's most grueling lobbying battles.
First, The Washington Free Beacon reported on the anti-Trump sentiments of a number of big-name Democratic lobbyists working on behalf of The Partnership for Open and Fair Skies. That's a coalition of major airlines that are pushing the Trump administration to come down on Middle Eastern airlines — Emirates, Etihad and Qatar Airways — which, it says, are unfairly competing.
Days later, Breitbart News published a story taking aim at the partnership's opponents, US Airlines for Open Skies, calling them out for employing "Never Trump" Republicans to pitch the White House. This group includes JetBlue, Hawaiian Airlines, and FedEx, among others.
That's just the latest episode in one of the wildest, most ruthless battles going on behind the scenes in the nation's capital.
And this battle really has it all: The nation's largest airlines fighting against both each other and a growing international threat, former Obama aides pitching the Trump administration, and backroom maneuvers that nearly triggered an international crisis last month.
The nastiest feud in the airline industry
The Partnership for Open and Fair Skies is a non-profit backed by Delta, American, and United, plus some airline unions. Its aim is to get the government to reopen talks on "open skies" agreements that allow airlines to operate across borders from places other than their home country. The US has signed such agreements with many other countries.
They accuse the United Arab Emirates and Qatar of providing more than $50 billion worth of unfair subsidies to their airlines, which in turn allows them to squeeze out their American competitors. The airlines, concerned about their market share on trans-Atlantic flights, say that if the Trump administration doesn't step up and begin taking a more protectionist stance, then they will inevitably have to cut jobs.
But their opponents, which include the Middle Eastern airlines as well as some smaller American airlines and cargo carriers, say the job losses that will occur if the administration were to fulfill the partnership's goals would be much more substantial. Countries could quickly retaliate against the US, which could prove especially detrimental to shippers like FedEx and UPS.
These opponents on the side of the foreign airliners say that Delta is at the forefront of the partnership, which they said declared "war on us from minute one" and "the gloves came off instantly" with "punches below the belt from the bell."
"So we were like, 'f— this, we're getting in the ring," a lobbyist working for opposing interests told Business Insider. "It's been three years, they didn't get what they wanted out of Obama, and they haven't gotten what they've wanted out of Trump."
The lobbyist added that the push to punish the Middle Eastern carriers is Delta's "obsession" and that American and United "came along for the ride."
Delta spokesperson Elizabeth Wolff said the airline "continues to work with" United and American through the partnership.
During a recent interview with Business Insider, Delta CEO Ed Bastian pointed to the more than 300 members of Congress who have expressed support for the partnership's goal, noting that both Democratic and Republican lawmakers have given their backing.
"I can tell you everyone we've talked to in Washington is concerned," he said, adding, "To get 300 members of Congress to agree to anything tells you the importance of this matter to our people. I think a resolution will come at some point."
Dwindling funds
But the partnership's most recent filing with the Internal Revenue Service showed its financial backing is dwindling.
In its 2015 filing, the partnership listed more than $6.18 million in contributions. But in its 2016 report, which was provided to Business Insider, those contributions dipped by more than half, totaling just more than $2.9 million. It's a sign that some of the coalition's members may be becoming wary.
American Airlines spokeswoman Shannon Gilson told Business Insider in a statement that the airline agrees "wholeheartedly with our competitors at Delta and United" on the issue, adding that the "partnership couldn't be stronger." United did not provide comment for this story.
A source close to the partnership said the 2016 filing is the most recent, but it is out of date and covered a time when President Barack Obama was in office. They added that Delta, American, and United split the costs of the partnership equally.
The partnership's opponents have zeroed in on is its use of top Democratic aides — many of whom are publicly critical of President Donald Trump — to pitch the administration.
'These folks are on CNN during the daytime as pundits, as Democrats, and then are basically saying that the president is their hero'
That most recent filing showed that the coalition spent more than $2.83 million — roughly 98% of its expenditures that year — on a trio of Democratic-connected lobbying firms: SKD Knickerbocker, The Messina Group, and Beacon Global Strategies. Those firms feature some of the most-connected Obama and Hillary Clinton flacks, such as Obama's former campaign manager Jim Messina, top Clinton aide Phillippe Reines, and Obama White House aides Anita Dunn and Bill Burton.
"Delta's obsession with open skies … manifests itself in hiring resistance Democrats to lobby Trump," Jonathan Grella, executive vice president of public affairs for the US Travel Association, told Business Insider. "You kind of can't have it both ways. These folks are on CNN during the daytime as pundits, as Democrats, and then are basically saying that the president is their hero."
Dunn and Rosen did not respond to requests for comment from Business Insider.
The partnership has contracted with a few Republicans, and even seemed to supersede spokeswoman Jill Zuckman, a former Obama Department of Transportation aide, with Scott Reed, a Republican lobbyist, as the group's top spokesperson. The partnership spent roughly $280,000 hiring Reed's firm, Chesapeake Enterprises, in 2017, and also works with Republican communications firm CRC Public Relations.
"The notion that this is being driven by anti-Trump and Democrat consultants is simply not true and the effort to focus on that shows how the supporters of these foreign carriers play fast and loose with the facts," a source close to the partnership told Business Insider.
Both Reed and CRC have become more public-facing in recent weeks. The group also says it is no longer working with The Messina Group.
Zuckman declined to comment for the story. In a statement to Business Insider, Reed repeated the partnerships argument about how the Middle Eastern airlines are violating the open skies agreement and putting American jobs at risk.
But the idea that a team of "resistance" lobbyists was working on this issue already worked to kill one of Delta's biggest efforts to combat the foreign airlines.
A last-minute tax bill provision that set off international concerns
As the Republican tax overhaul was nearing passage late last year, Delta sought to include a provision that would demonstrably affect the Middle Eastern airlines. As The New York Times reported, the two-page amendment, submitted by Republican Sen. Johnny Isakson of Georgia, was narrowly written so it would assess corporate taxes on airlines like Etihad, Emirates, and Qatar Airways, generating an estimated $200 million over the next 10 years.
As sources told Business Insider, that provision nearly launched an international crisis, with the other countries taking issue with the amendment and possibly retaliating. The State Department had to jump in, the sources said. (When asked about this by Business Insider, the State Department did not answer.)
Additionally, as a congressional source told Business Insider, the provision lead to a domestic kerfuffle as well. Atlanta-based Delta pitched Isakson, a home-state senator on the amendment. But what they did not prepare him for was that UPS, also headquartered in Georgia, would be up in arms over the provision.
"Delta lobbyists didn't tell the Isakson folks that UPS, which is on the other side of town, would be against it," the source said, adding that they saw an "opportunity to get Isakson, who has had some health challenges, to introduce this provision."
A partnership source distanced the group from the tax provision, saying that it "doesn't have anything to do with enforcing our open skies agreements and is separate from the work of the partnership."
Additionally, American Airlines gave a muted response in late November about whether it supported the Isakson amendment.
"We agree wholeheartedly with our competitors at Delta and United that the Gulf carriers are being illegally subsidized," Gilson said. "That said, tax reform is a separate, complex issue that also needs to be solved, and we view it as such."
The amendment was removed by the Senate parliamentarian for "technical reasons," The Times wrote.
Isakson's office did not respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.
'One of the ugliest battles I've been a part of'
One of the biggest developments in this battle happened within the last few days: Qatar Airways committed to being more financially transparent in addition to agreeing not to run indirect flights into the US through other countries, Bloomberg reported.
Delta quickly hailed the move as a victory for its cause.
"This would be a landmark milestone for the American airline industry that will protect our workers and ensure that our foreign competitors play by the rules and do not undermine our international agreements," Peter Carter, chief legal officer of Delta, told Bloomberg. "We all support the administration as it holds their feet to the fire to ensure they live up to their commitments."
But their opposition says they are overblowing the significance of the development as it relates to their cause. A connected source told Buisness Insider that Delta "struck out" with the Trump administration on Qatar, adding they they did not get what they were ultimately seeking. The announcement by Qatar "respects both [sides] wishes," they said.
Both sides additionally claimed victory last month when the Trump administration announced it would continue informal talks about the Middle Eastern airline subsidies while maintaining the open skies deals.
A State Department spokesperson told Business Insider that "consistent with the administration's approach on international agreements, we are reviewing relationships on aviation issues to confirm they are being implemented fairly and in the best interests of our companies."
They added that the State Department is "leading an interagency effort to engage in serious negotiations with both Qatar and the United Arab Emirates to address concerns that US stakeholders have expressed in our industry consultations."
Department officials met with a delegation from Qatar to discuss the issue last month, and it is "engaging both Qatar and the United Arab Emirates to address concerns about subsidized competition and a lack of transparency while preserving the open skies framework," the spokesperson said.
Politico reported last month that the administration was holding off on any retaliatory measure for what the US airlines call unfair government subsidies, but it warned such action could come if it does not see "sufficient progress" on the issue.
Though the airlines view Trump as more favorable to the cause than Obama, Grella said the government is "no closer to convinced than they were three years ago."
"It's one of the ugliest battles I've been a part of," Grella said. "What is it going to take is for American and United to come to the realization that this isn't going anywhere, and it's better to cut your losses."
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Strategy: What the living descendants of notorious dictators are doing today
Dictators like Benito Mussolini, Joseph Stalin, and Pol Pot all have living family members.
While the names of the 20th century's most brutal dictators will forever go down in history, much less is known about their descendants.
As it turns out, Benito Mussolini, Joseph Stalin, Pol Pot, and other infamous figures all have living descendants. Some are politicians, others are artists, and others are living relatively anonymously.
Read on to find out what the descendants of ruthless dictators are doing today:
Alessandra Mussolini, the granddaughter of Italian dictator Benito Mussolini, is a right-wing politician who was elected to the Italian Senate in 2013. She was previously an actress and a model.
Source: Telegraph
Jacob Jugashvili, the great-grandson of Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin, is an artist living in the former Soviet republic of Georgia. He was once ashamed of his lineage, according to The Globe and Mail, but now celebrates his family tree.
Source: The Globe and Mail
Sar Patchata (right) is the only daughter of Cambodian dictator Pol Pot. She got married in 2014 and works as a rice farmer, according to The Daily Mail. "I want to meet my father and spend time with him in the next life, if the next life exists," she said, according to journalist Nate Thayer.
Source: The Daily Mail and Nate Thayer
Zury Ríos is the daughter of Efraín Ríos Montt, who took power in Guatemala through a coup d'état in 1982. She is a politician in her home country and in 2004, married Jerry Weller, then a Republican member of the US House of Representatives from Illinois.
Source: The New York Times
Valentin Ceaușescu is the only surviving child of Romanian leader Nicolae Ceaușescu and his wife Elena. He does research in nuclear physics in Romania.
Source: The New York Times
Jaffar Amin, son of Ugandan dictator Idi Amin, worked as a manager for DHL for 11 years, according to Foreign Policy. Now he does voiceover work in commercials for companies like Qatar Airways and Hwansung, a South Korean furniture company.
Source: Foreign Policy
Fernando Martin Manotoc is the grandson of former Filipino ruler Ferdinand Marcos. He works as a model and owns businesses in the Philippines, including a Doc Martens footwear store, according to Inquire.
Source: Inquire
Adolf Hitler didn't have any children, but there are still five living members of his bloodline, descendants from Hitler's father's first marriage. They have vowed never to have children so that Hitler's legacy ends with them.
Source: Telegraph
Strategy: What the living descendants of notorious dictators are doing today
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More than Mkhitaryan needed after Arsenal defeat to Swansea
The Gunners are making moves for world-class attacking players but need to seriously bolster their vulnerable defence
More than Mkhitaryan needed after Arsenal defeat to Swansea
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Rennes 2 Paris Saint-Germain 3: Mbappe sent off as holders survive to reach Coupe de la Ligue final
Paris Saint-Germain’s quadruple hopes are still alive but the loss of Kylian Mbappe to suspension will come as a concern to Unai Emery.
Rennes 2 Paris Saint-Germain 3: Mbappe sent off as holders survive to reach Coupe de la Ligue final
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Arsenal vs Swansea: Wenger explains why he dropped Mkhitaryan, Wilshere
Arsenal vs Swansea: Wenger explains why he dropped Mkhitaryan, Wilshere
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Adeosun speaks on suspending Gwarzo over Oando forensic audit
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Adeosun speaks on suspending Gwarzo over Oando forensic audit
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Buhari returns to Abuja after his inauguration as AU anti-corruption champion
President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday returned to Abuja after a successful outing at the 30th African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where he was conferred as the anti-corruption Champion. The theme of the 30th […]
The post Buhari returns to Abuja after his inauguration as AU anti-corruption champion appeared first on Tribune.
Buhari returns to Abuja after his inauguration as AU anti-corruption champion
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Munir Gwarzo: Finance minister suspended me for probing Oando – ex- DG SEC
The accusation was made by the suspended director-general at the public hearing organised by the house committee on capital market and institutions.
The minister for finance, Kemi Adeosun has been accused of witch-hunting and suspending the Securities and Exchange Commission DG, Munir Gwarzo over his probe of Oando plc.
The accusation was made by the suspended director-general on Tuesday, January 30, 2018 at the public hearing organised by the house committee on capital market and institutions.
"She said to me, ‘I want this Oando issue to be concluded’ and I replied, ‘no problem’. She then said I should stop the forensic audit of Oando and that I should constitute a committee comprising the head of legal of SEC, that of the ministry and that of Oando," Gwarzo said.
Gwarzo had alleged that prior to his suspension, he protested the directive that the forensic audit of Oando be stopped and the minister asked him to resign or be shown the way out.
“She then told me I will not be on that committee, and that they were given me the directive as my board (members). I said okay, if that’s the case, I want it to be committed in writing.
“She went on to tell me I had two options, either I resign or I am suspended. And went on to remind me of the allegations against me. I told her I am ready to defend myself against those allegations," he said.
Gwarzo's statements against Adeosun
“On one occasion, the minister invited me and asked me the powers I had to carry on with the audit. So, I explained to her it was within the powers of my office. She said we should have mentioned it to her but no problem,” Gwarzo said.
“But the scary aspect was that she told me she was told I should have been sacked. After that encounter, we went on with our investigations.
“On another occasion, the honourable minister invited me again in the company of the permanent secretary and said I should lift the technical suspension placed on Oando.
“Later around 4pm, another meeting was conveyed, with the minister, permanent secretary, director of legal services and some staff of SEC. The minister went through all the allegations against SEC and also the recommendations. We discussed extensively with her and sought some clarifications.
“The minister said ‘even though you did not carry us along, we have no choice than to support you’. The case was in court, so we couldn’t do anything then.”
“Next, we issued a letter to Oando informing them we will continue with the audit and the next day, I was invited by the minister.
ALSO READ: Munir Gwarzo suspended over alleged corruption in SEC
“She said to me, ‘I want this Oando issue to be concluded’ and I replied, ‘no problem’. She then said I should stop the forensic audit of Oando and that I should constitute a committee comprising the head of legal of SEC, that of the ministry and that of Oando.
“She then told me I will not be on that committee, and that they were given me the directive as my board (members). I said okay, if that’s the case, I want it to be committed in writing.
“She went on to tell me I had two options, either I resign or I am suspended. And went on to remind me of the allegations against me. I told her I am ready to defend myself against those allegations.
“The minister then said no, that my case is similar to that of Babachir Lawal, the former SGF, which means she has already pronounced me guilty.”
Gwarzo's suspension
On November 29, the Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, suspended Munir Gwarzo over allegations of financial impropriety.
On Sunday, December 3, 2017, Adeosun announced the appointment of Dr Abdul Zubair as acting Director-General, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Munir Gwarzo: Finance minister suspended me for probing Oando – ex- DG SEC
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US to impose sanctions on Russia 'in the near future': Treasury Secretary
US to impose sanctions on Russia 'in the near future': Treasury Secretary
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JAMB: 600,000 candidates left frustrated over admission status
Following JAMB's directives to all institutions to complete their admission processes by January 25, 600,000 candidates are unsure of their admission status.
The 2018 admission process is becoming controversial as over 600,000 candidates are yet to know their admission status.
It is reported that only 50 percent of the prospective undergraduates have gained admission while the rest are left frustrated as no information has been released about their admission status.
According to Thisday, institutions and candidates are blaming JAMB for the stalemate in the admission processes.
University officials who spoke to the newspaper accused JAMB of appropriating admission processes.
They said, “The JAMB action to appropriate admission processes is frustrating to both the students and the schools.
“Do you know that most of the students are yet to access their admission in the JAMB portal?”
The officials also alleged that alleged that ''the newly introduced Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS) by JAMB has stalled admission of many students “who can’t access the portal, leaving them stranded with the deadline for admission having elapsed last week.”
ALSO READ: 5 things you should not take to 2018 UTME hall
JAMB reacts to admission delay allegation
However, JAMB's Head of Media, Dr. Fabian Benjamin has reacted to the allegations, saying they are misleading and borne out of ignorance of the admission processes.
Benjamin said while JAMB facilitates the examination (UTME) for the candidates, it is the duty of the institutions to propose admissions to those candidates who pass both UTME and Post UTME.
He said: “A candidate writes JAMB and if he meets the cut-off mark and sent to their university of choice, the institutions conduct the post-UTME and the admission officer computes the results and forwards the successful candidates to the Vice Chancellor who in turn proposes these candidates for admission.
“The JAMB will now screen these candidates to ensure they have the standard criteria and are qualified for admission. So we will approve depending on whether the candidates are eligible, and all they need to do is accept their admission at the portal which is accessible contrary to what you heard.
ALSO READ: JAMB: Many are called but few are chosen
“Some institutions have unloaded but the heads of such institutions have not approved. It’s not from our end. The CAPS is managed by us but institutions and JAMB interface on it.”
You will recall that JAMB ordered all institutions to complete their admission processes before Thursday, January 25, but despite this directive, over 600,000 candidates are yet to know their admission status.
JAMB: 600,000 candidates left frustrated over admission status
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LIVE: Swansea City vs Arsenal
The Gunners are looking to continue their push for a place in the Premier League’s top four as they visit the Liberty Stadium – follow it LIVE!
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We’re Not Mourning But Celebrating Ekwueme’s Legacies – Enugu Assembly
The Enugu State House of Assembly has declared that the lawmakers would not mourn but rather celebrate the life and times of Dr. Alex Ekwueme, Nigeria’s former Vice President.
Speaker of the Assembly, Chief Edward Ubosi, made the declaration at a special plenary for the elder statesman in Enugu on Tuesday.
The lawmakers observed a minute silence for the repose of political icon.
Leading discussion at the session, Mr. Chinedu Nwamba (PDP, Nsukka East), said that Ekwueme would be remembered for being the proponent of the six geo-political zones in the country.
Nwamba also said that Ekwueme was one of the founding fathers of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), adding that he died as a hero.
Also, Mr. Nelson Uduji (PDP, Awgu South), described Ekwueme as a good party man who epitomised party loyalty.
Uduji said that Ekwueme remained in the party and also gave support to the party till his last day on earth.
In the same vein, Mr. Obinna Okenwa (PDP, Enugu South) said that Ekwueme was his classmate in Law School.
“Ekwueme is a man of humility and that his humility and sense of citizenship is worth emulation,” he stated.
Chairman, House Committee on Information, Chief Paul Nnajiofor, said that Ekwueme was the first elected vice president of Nigeria.
Nnajiofor said that the deceased stood for the truth and attracted the dualisation of Enugu-Onitsha and Enugu-Port Harcourt expressway.
He called for immortalisation of the former vice president.
The post We’re Not Mourning But Celebrating Ekwueme’s Legacies – Enugu Assembly appeared first on Independent Newspapers Nigeria.
We’re Not Mourning But Celebrating Ekwueme’s Legacies – Enugu Assembly
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