The President elect was forced to deny paying prostitutes to urinate on him in a dirty protest against Barack Obama
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Donald Trump responds to leaked 'fake news' Russia dossier
Donald
Trump, the President elect of the United States, today denied paying
prostitutes to urinate on his Moscow hotel bed, because he's "a
germaphobe".
Mr Trump was responding to allegations in the
Watersportsgate documents, which claim he staged the event as a 'dirty
protest' against Barack Obama, who had previously stayed in the hotel
suite.
At
his first press conference since winning November's presidential
election, he said the claims were "phony news from sick people" -
specifically attacking CNN, who broke the story and BuzzFeed, who
published the document.
He said he was very careful to look out for hidden cameras when he travels overseas, including on trips to Russia.
(Photo: REUTERS) “I’m a very high profile person would you say?” he said.
“I’m
surrounded by bodyguards, surrounded by people, I always tell them...
In your hotel rooms and wherever you go you’re going to probably have
cameras.
“In those rooms you have cameras in the strangest
places... You’d better be careful or you’ll be watching yourself on
nightly TV. I tell this to people all the time.”
(Photo: Getty) He said he visited Moscow to attend the Miss Universe contest in 2013, which he insisted: “did very well”.
He added: “I’m also very much of a germaphobe by the way!”
While urine is not sterile, as has been commonly believed, current research suggests any bacteria present is at 'low levels.'
No fewer than three persons have been confirmed dead, while several
others were injured in two separate clashes between rival cults in
Lagos.
The two incidents occurred on Olorunfunmi Street, Oworonshoki; and Muri Ojora Street, Amukoko.
It was learnt that one Bayo Morebise, aged 37, was killed in the
Oworonshoki clash, while 28-year-old Lekan Makinde and one other,
identified as Area, were hacked to death in Amukoko.
In the Amukoko clash, which happened around 4pm on Sunday, it was
gathered that one Emmanuel, said to be a member of a rival cult to
Makinde’s gang, went into a coma and was taken to a hospital in the
community.
A resident of Amukoko, who spoke with Punch on condition of anonymity
for fear of attack, said many people were injured while scampering to
safety.
He said, “It all started with a scuffle between two boys on the street,
who belonged to rival cults. About 30 minutes after they were separated,
members of the two factions – Eiye Confraternity and Aiye Confratenity –
mobilised and started chasing one another with cutlasses. People fell
and got injured while trying to run to safety.
“The chaos stopped after policemen from the Amukoko division arrived at
the scene. Three persons were hacked. Two of them, Lekan (Makinde) and
one boy called Area, died from the injuries they sustained. One other
boy (Emmanuel) was rushed to a hospital for treatment. Around 10pm, they
regrouped and clashed again.”
Another resident, who gave his name only as Tomi, told Punch that the
peace of the community had been under threat as a result of clashes,
calling on security agencies to go after the hoodlums.
“This community is volatile and hoodlums foment trouble at will. They
are jobless and not ready to work. When responsible persons are engaged
in the day, you will find them hanging around, smoking. It is when we
are relaxing outside in the evening that they will start their trouble.
The two deaths recorded on Saturday were just one of many atrocities
they had perpetrated.
“Once these miscreants are arrested, they should be made to face the law
to serve as a deterrent to others. Something has to be done to curb the
attacks. Besides, these people live around children, who can easily be
influenced negatively,” Tomi said.
In the Oworonshoki incident, which occurred on Saturday, it was learnt
that operatives attached to the anti-crime patrol team of the
Oworonshoki Police Station were mobilised to the scene after receiving a
distress call.
The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Dolapo Badmos,
confirmed Morebise’s killing, saying the case was under investigation.
U.S. Bombed Iraq, Syria, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Libya, Yemen, Somalia in 2016
byF. Brinley Bruton
The Afghan war and the evolution of Obama
8:27
The U.S. dropped an average of 72 bombs every
day — the equivalent of three an hour — in 2016, according to an
analysis of American strikes around the world.
The report from the Council of Foreign Relations comes as Barack Obama finishes up his presidency — one that began with promises to withdraw from international conflicts.
According to the New York City-based think tank,
26,171 bombs were dropped on Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, Libya, Yemen,
Somalia and Pakistan during the year.
CFR warned that its estimates were "undoubtedly
low, considering reliable data is only available for airstrikes in
Pakistan, Yemen, Somalia, and Libya, and a single 'strike,' according to
the Pentagon's definition, can involve multiple bombs or munitions."
Some 24,287 bombs were used in Iraq and Syria,
where the U.S. is helping drive ISIS militants from swaths of both
countries. In 2015, the U.S. dropped 22,110 bombs in Iraq and Syria, CFR reported.
Last year saw a sharp uptick in strikes in Afghanistan, with 1,337 compared with 947 in 2015, CFR found.
The study, which drew data from a variety of
military and press sources, showed that three bombs were dropped on
Pakistan during 2016, 14 in Somalia and 34 in Yemen.
A similar study looking at 2015 showed that 11
bombs were dropped in Pakistan during the year, 58 in Yemen and 18 in
Somalia. The 2015 analysis did not include Libya.
When he was campaigning for president in 2008, Obama pledged that when he became commander-in-chief he would "set a new goal on day one: I will end [the Iraq] war."
Upon accepting the Democratic nomination that
year, Obama again outlined priorities that would make the country safer,
saying: "I will end this war in Iraq responsibly, and finish the fight
against al-Qaeda and the Taliban in Afghanistan."
However, ISIS later seized parts of Syria and
Iraq — and the Taliban won back territory in Afghanistan as the number
of NATO troops in the country dwindled.
Minister for Finance, Kemi Adeosun PHOTO: SUNDAY AGHAEZE/STATE HOUSE
Presidency official blames negative economic growth
Multiple negative growth recorded in the economy in 2016 has been
identified as one of the reasons the Chinese government withheld a $20
billion concession loan earlier promised Nigeria upon due verification,
The Guardian has learnt.
A top Presidency source privy to the development told The Guardian
that the Federal Government had been hopeful that the Chinese government
would release the loan last year, given the relationship between the
two countries, but expressed disappointment that the money was withheld.
The action of China may well be an indication of the loss of
confidence in Nigeria’s credit worthiness by the global financial
community. Analysts have predicted that the current economic downturn
would dent the country’s credit worthiness. The situation has increased
the concern over Federal Government’s ability to borrow the $30billion
for infrastructure development, which the National Assembly has refused
to approve.
According to the source, government immediately swung into action after
the President’s return from a visit to China as well as the follow-up
visit of the Budget and National Planning Minister, Udo Udoma, to
immediately fulfill the conditions for accessing the loan.
“We were very hopeful that we would secure that loan and other levels
of assistance from the Chinese government. This is not to say we have
given up though. We had set up an inter-ministerial committee working
closely with the Chinese government officials as well as the China Exim
Bank experts. They may have their reasons, but we are determined to
fulfill our end of the bargain, and the Federal Government has already
appropriated large sums for payment of counterpart funds on key projects
to enable us to commence work proper,” the source said.
In 2015, China had, at a summit of the Forum on China-Africa
Cooperation (FOCAC) held in Johannesburg, South Africa, pledged a $60
billion assistance to countries on the continent, including Nigeria, to
develop and grow their infrastructure and human development capacities.
The move was not surprising as China had remained the continent’s top trade partner for six consecutive years.
The Chinese government said $35 billion had been set aside for
concessionary loans, out of which about $10 billion was to go into the
China -Africa Fund for Production Capacity. About $5 billion each was
earmarked as non-interest grants for China-Africa Development Fund, and
special loan schemes for the development of Small and Medium-Scale
Enterprises (SMEs) among qualified African countries. The funds were
said to have been on ground for prompt disbursement.
The Federal Government had last year planned to raise a total of N2.2
trillion through external borrowings from China and other foreign
finance institutions to fund the deficit in the 2016 budget, the
implementation of which it said would continue till May 2017.
Unexpectedly, the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) – which
measures the market value of all final goods and services produced in a
period, suffered a steady decline from quarter to quarter in 2016,
sending negative signals to investors and lowering Nigeria’s credit
worthiness in the international financial market.
In the first quarter (Q1) of 2016, the Nigerian economy contracted by
-0.36%, followed by further contraction by -2.06% in Q2, even as the
slide continued in Q3 to -2.24%.
Hopeful that the concession loan and other categories of financial
assistance from China would be approved early, President Muhammadu
Buhari led a delegation to Beijing in April last year to make a strong
case for the country.
This was, however, not to be, as the Chinese government was advised
by its economic experts who visited Nigeria for physical assessments to
exercise caution, citing the shrinking economy and falling value of the
naira.
They also alluded to high risks in diverting the loan to projects not
specified in the agreement and requested a direct monitoring of the
projects, in addition to the need for full compilation of all current
trade agreements between the two countries till date, The Guardian
learnt.
A team of experts from China Exim Bank had also expressed fear of
possible mismanagement of the funds and requested an overhaul of some of
the priority areas presented by the Federal Government for closer study
on their viability and sustainability.
The Chinese financial experts, it was further learnt, expressed
reservations about some areas the Federal Government was keen on
investing the loan, saying they did not fall in line with the FOCAC
vision.
However, a ministry official, who pleaded anonymity, in a text
massage response to The Guardian, said: “All appropriate loan
prospecting options by the Federal Ministry of Finance are on course,
and are undergoing normal process of negotiation,” without giving
further details.
The National Assembly has refused to approve the $30 billion worth of
loans until the executive provides details of what they are meant for,
even as there are speculations that the refusal was more political than
economic as the executive had opposed the provision for constituency
projects in the budget.
The
Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission
(ICPC), yesterday said its intervention stopped the exploitation of
students by the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta.
A statement by the commission’s
spokesperson, Mrs Rasheedat Okoduwa, said fresh undergraduates of the
university who were allegedly exploited by the school authority to the
tune of N4.76 million were refunded their money.
According to the statement, the refund
is as a result of the intervention of the ICPC, following a petition by
one of the students.
It noted that the student alleged that fresh undergraduates were made to pay an additional N5, 000 as fee for ICT training.
It said the student in his petition,
told the commission that they had earlier paid N2,500 before they were
asked to pay the additional N5,000.
It noted that upon receipt of the
petition, the operatives of the commission swung into action, while
investigations revealed that the students were levied twice for the same
training.
“The commission, after bringing the
issue to the attention of the management of the university, directed it
to resolve it within a stipulated period.
“ Following that directive, the affected
students were requested by the school to provide evidence of payment of
the said N5, 000 to the college accountants to facilitate a refund.
It said random telephone calls from the affected students to the commission confirmed the refund.
Accidental discharge from the weapon of one of the security operatives at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, has left a female staff injured.
The incident happened shortly after the end of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the Administrative Reception.
The security agent, who one of the staff said was off duty, was
attempting to empty the weapon when it went off and injured him and the
woman.
The female worker, who was conveyed to the State House Medical Centre
in Asokoro by one of her colleagues, was injured on her thigh, stomach
and a part of her back. She is said to be responding to treatment at
the medical centre.
Meanwhile, the first FEC meeting presided over by President Muhammadu
Buhari has approved the sum of N4.6 billion for the purchase of fire
fighting equipment as well as the upgrading of fire stations.
Interior minister, Abdulrahman Dambazzau, who briefed newsmen,
alongside the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, said the last time
equipment was procured for the service was sometimes in 1996.
“The equipment in the inventory today were procured between 1985 and
1996, and since then, there was no procurement. So, on assumption of
duty, I went round their stations and I discovered, surprisingly, that
there was a dearth of fire fighting equipment. And with our experiences
on fire incidences all over the country, we discovered such a situation
should no longer hold; and, therefore, we reflected that in the 2016
budget, with the aim of equipping the fire service and also improve its
capacity. These include equipment, training and, off course, the welfare
of personnel,” he said.
“So, this approved procurement is going to go a long way to provide
the service with the necessary equipment. This is just a start; like I
said, the last time it was procured was in 1996. We are also hoping that
the 2017 budget will avail us the opportunity to procure more equipment
for the Federal Fire Service and, of course, the fire training school. I
have visited there and I’m making some efforts to also improve on the
existing facilities,” he added.
Dambazzau said the ministry would partner other stakeholders,
especially those in oil and gas sector to improve the capacity of
personnel.
“In addition, we intend to partner an entity in reference to training
in fire services, particularly, in oil and gas sector. And that way, we
will be able to improve the capacity of the personnel to be able to
carry out its services, knowing that the various ethnic states, too,
have their individual fire services; and most of these fire incidents
happen in most of those states, like Kano Kebbi and Lagos,” Dambazzau
said.
The Interior Minister promised that government will, henceforth, enforce the fire code for public buildings.
“These are some of the measure we intend to take in the very near
future to ensure that we reduces the lapses and prevent fire from
happening,” he said.
Some of the biggest names in showbiz waited to start a family, from Janet to Geri Horner and more
Janet Jackson welcomes her first child at 50
Janet Jackson has given birth to his first baby aged 50 with husband Wissam Al Mana . The couple welcomed their son into the world this week to celebrate the New Year in style - and the singer isn't alone when it comes to starting a family a little later in life.
Her representative told People magazine in a statement: "Janet Jackson and husband Wissam Al Mana
are thrilled to welcome their new son Eissa Al Mana into the world.
Janet had a stress-free healthy delivery and is resting comfortably."
And here's a look at more mums who have welcomed a family later in life...
Geri Horner, 44
Geri is over the moon (Photo: Rex) It was something Spice Girl Geri really, really wanted but could hardly have imagined would ever really, really happen.
The chances that Ginger Spice would get pregnant at 44 was remote – some believe the odds are less than 5%.
But the girlband were full of surprises and, clearly, Geri, married to Formula One boss Christian Horner, 42, still is.
Mum to 10-year-old Bluebell, Geri hinted she had conceived naturally when she posted online a drawing and the words “God bless Mother Nature #mamaspice”.
(Photo: GC Images) The No Doubt singer told her sons her baby-making days were
over but Kingston, her eldest, wanted another sibling. Four weeks later
Gwen was pregnant and gave birth to her third child, Apollo, with her
now ex Gavin Rossdale in 2014 at the age of 44. The singer, now 47,
joked: “He has a direct link to God.”
(Photo: Getty) Life has mirrored art for Bridget Jones’ author Helen. Just
like her heroine, played by Renee Zellweger, inset, Helen became a mum
in her 40s.
Helen, had her son Dashiell at 43 but was 48 when she
gave birth to daughter Romy with her former partner, the American
comedy writer Kevin Curran.
She said of becoming a mum: “I wish
I’d known that the parent equipment would be more trouble than the baby.
You’ve got the stroller, the car seat, the bottle warmer, the bottle
steriliser, the nappy changing table, the electronic mobile that goes on
top of the nappy changing table…
“Then when you actually get the
baby you think I didn’t really need all these things! They come home
from hospital and all you want is a couple of nappies and a cushion.”
(Photo: London features) The supermodel, now 61, had Alexandria, her first child
with David Bowie, at 45. Fellow model Christie Brinkley let Iman hold
her baby at a fashion shoot.
Iman said: “So, I say it took two blondes to get me pregnant: Christie and David. It is a miracle.”
Kelly Preston, 48
(Photo: Getty) Actor John Travolta’s wife had her third child, Benjamin,
six years ago at the age of 48. She admitted: “When I found out I was
pregnant, I was floored. I’d snuck out of bed and then came back and
woke Johnny up in bed. We both started crying. It was wonderful.”
Kelly, now 53, added: “It’s pretty amazing having a child at this age.”
(Photo: FilmMagic) It seems no one was more surprised than the Hollywood star
when she became a mum for the second time, aged 47, with son Maceo in
2013. She said: “They call it a geriatric pregnancy. I was, on my way,
kinda premenopausal so to have this happen was a shock.” Halle was 41
when she had daughter Nahla.
(Photo: Getty) The Thelma and Louise star was 48 when she welcomed twin
boys Kian and Kaiis into the word in 2004, two years after giving birth
to daughter Alizeh at the age of 46.
Speaking about having three close together, the 60 year old said: “It’s been really wonderful, but it was overwhelming.”
(Photo: PA) The former PM’s wife was 45 when she had Leo, her fourth
child. She revealed in her autobiography her surprise baby was conceived
during a trip to Balmoral. Cherie, now 62, said: “It is so long since
we had our other three children that I had forgotten quite what an
ordeal those last few hours of labour can be.”
(Photo: FilmMagic) The former Olympic swimmer went through four years of
painful IVF and two miscarriages before giving birth to her third child
Finley at the age of 44 in 2007. Sharron, now 53, said: “Being an older
mum has its advantages. Whether you are having your first, second or
third, you know what you want.”
(Photo: WireImage) The Channel 5 newsreader was 26 when she gave birth to her first child and was 44 when she had her fourth in 2009.
The
51-year-old is mum to sons Joss, 24, Al, 22, with first husband Neale
Hunt and has a son Seth, 10, and daughter Evie, six, with current
husband Paul Woolwich.
