Nigerian Times

Puja Bharwani reports Nov. 13 - The detained Pakistani opposition leader Benazir Bhutto has called for military leader Pervez Musharraf to step down as the country's president. Bhutto has long called for Musharraf to step down as army chief but this is the first time she has called for him to quit as president altogether. Military ruler Musharraf set off a storm of criticism when he imposed emergency rule on Nov. 3. He suspended the constitution, sacked most judges, locked up lawyers, rounded up thousands of opposition and rights activists and curbed the media. Musharraf has come under mounting pressure from Western allies to set Pakistan back on the path to democracy. Soundbites: · Lahore Police Chief Aftab Cheema · Benazir Bhutto via telephone Nigerian Times Commentary : Pakistani opposition leader Benazir Bhutto is not an angel and no matter her provocative outbursts, she cannot make President Pervez Musharraf the devil. Mrs. Benazir Bhutto, from her chequered political biogra...

Nigerian Contractors Stop Work At Nigeria LNG Bonny Plant Complex A group of Nigerian contractors working for the Nigeria LNG Bonny Plant Complex in Rivers state, suddenly started an industrial strike early Monday, and locked all the gates into the complex to stop the staff from working on the premises. The strike came as a surprise to the management of the Nigeria LNG, because the contractors did not inform the management of the industrial action. They are protesting against the maltreatment of the Nigerian contractors who have been deprived of many benefits.

The Guardian newspaper of Nigeria has been off the streets as the employees began an indefinite strike over their demands for 50% pay rise and the complete computerization of the newsroom. The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), National Union of Printing, Publishing and Paper Products Workers (NUPPPPROW) and Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) have approved the strike. The Leadership news media in Abuja, reported that a contingent of the Nigerian Police Force has been deployed to the premises of The Guardian in Lagos, to safeguard it. The Guardian issued the following statement Thursday. STATEMENT BY THE GUARDIAN The Management of Guardian Newspapers Limited wishes to inform members of the public that our newspapers have been off the streets and online, following an industrial action called by our workers. The two unions in our company - Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), and the National Union of Printing, Publishing and Paper Products Workers (NUPPPPROW) - withdrew their services on Tu...

There are issues in Nigeria I deliberately ignore, because it would be a sheer waste of my precious quality time. I ignored the contract scandal of the former Speaker of the lower house, Ms. Patricia Etteh until I formally reported the news of her resignation. All the legislators in the National Assembly should be arraigned for electoral malpratices and murder of hundreds of people during the horrible and terrible elections last April. Elections which the local and international monitors reported were rigged and most voters rejected the results. The present administration does not have any democratic legitimacy. The present news making headlines on major news channels is the $44 billion suit against the tobacco companies in Nigeria. Nigeria is suing them for damages for public health costs incurred for treating smoking related diseases over the years. What a scam! The Federal High Court in Abuja should dismiss this case for lack of documented evidence and breach of the Memorandum of Un...

Nina Mehra reports. Wed 7 Nov 2007 | 14:25 EST Video Afghans mourn after suicide attack Nov. 7 - Afghans have begun three days of national mourning for the 41 people, including children, killed in the country's worst suicide attack. The attack took place in the relatively peaceful north of Aghanistan. A bomber struck as a parliamentary delegation was welcomed by a group of children to a sugar factory in Baglan, about 150 kilometres (93 miles) from the capital Kabul. N.B: Watch more video news reports at the News Video section below the blog.

The GOP lost the control of the Virginia Senate to the Democrats Tuesday. These legislative elections are good indicators of the likely results of the presidential elections next year. See the Washington Post for the full report. I knew how Guy Cecil, National Political and Field Director of the Hillary Clinton for President, urged thousands of voters in Virginia to help Hillary Clinton turn Virginia blue and they did so yesterday. Meetings were held in Northern Virginia, Richmond, Roanoke, Blacksburg, and Charlottesville last Monday to encourage voters to turn out in support of the Democrats. A victory for the Democrats in Virginia is a victory for Hillary Clinton.

7 Nov 2007 00:04 Africa/Lagos Professor Raymond Tanter Op-Ed: 'Mr. Sarkozy, Convince Bush to Help the Iranian Opposition' WASHINGTON, Nov. 6 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Prof. Raymond Tanter, President of the Iran Policy Committee, had an Op-Ed article published in Le Figaro on 6 November 2007: "Mr. Sarkozy, Convince Bush to Help the Iranian Opposition." Prof. Tanter commented on the upcoming visit to Washington by French President Nicolas Sarkozy and the importance of developing a unified position regarding Iran. Prof. Tanter wrote: "To reinforce western diplomacy and forestall military action, President Sarkozy is in a position to develop a new European-American option -- an Iranian solution to the threat from Tehran." Prof. Tanter goes on to evaluate the options facing the United States and Europe in dealing with a radical regime intent on acquiring nuclear weapons: "The more Europe stresses a diplomatic option that is failing, the more it would...

Dear Orikinla, I have a new favorite way to watch presidential debates. I don't miss a single one with Hillary in it, of course. There's so much at stake that I'm always glued to the screen. But this last one was my favorite yet, thanks to Glenda, Clare, and David, the winners of the campaign's debate watch contest. It was a great setting -- just a few of us sitting down on a couch, watching the debate, cheering for Hillary, and talking about what was unfolding on the TV. I love talking to Hillary's supporters, and it's even better when we're watching her on that stage. We talked about their lives, too -- and about why they're supporting Hillary for president. After the debate, I got a call from Hillary (we often talk right after they're over), and she talked to Glenda, Clare, and David, too. (I had to pull the phone away from David because the two of them were reminiscing about Park Ridge, Illinois, where Hillary grew up!) It was a great evening, an...

NEWSWEEK: Interview: Sen. Barack Obama Barack Obama Calls Democratic Front Runner Hillary Clinton 'Disingenuous' With the Iowa caucuses, a Must Win, Eight Weeks Away, Obama Feels Sense of Urgency and Willingness to Criticize Clinton NEW YORK, Nov. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Sen. Barack Obama tells Newsweek that in last week's debate, Sen. Hillary Clinton's response on the question of her First Lady papers "was certainly inadequate." "When she suggested somehow she didn't have control over whether or not these papers were being released -- what we're talking about here is her husband's presidential library. And when she is making a suggestion that part of the experience that she brings to this office is her experience as First Lady, people have a right to ask some tough questions. She can release these papers," he says. When asked whether or not he thought she was being dishonest, he says, "I think she was being disingenuous." (Photo: ht...

NEWSWEEK: Cover: The Billion Dollar Wild Card BLOOMBERG ON RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT: 'I am not running for president. I have 790-odd days to go in this job, the greatest job in the world-maybe the second greatest job.' 'One of the sad things is that at the moment America is not liked around the world. We are closing our eyes ... And I don't hear from the candidates how they would go about pulling the world together, getting people to respect us.' One year from Election Day, Newsweek takes an in-depth look at the people - and places - that could have a major impact on Campaign 2008 NEW YORK, Nov. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- For New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg -- the billion dollar wild card in the 2008 presidential election -- public service and public attention are inextricably linked, and have been since boyhood. Now he is thinking hard about taking a turn on the biggest stage of all: a campaign for the White House. The odds against an independent bid for the White House are ...

Say No to Africom by Danny Glover & Nicole C. Lee [from the November 19, 2007 issue] With little scrutiny from Democrats in Congress and nary a whimper of protest from the liberal establishment, the United States will soon establish permanent military bases in sub-Saharan Africa. An alarming step forward in the militarization of the African continent, the US Africa Command (Africom) will oversee all US military and security interests throughout the region, excluding Egypt. Africom is set to launch by September 2008 and the Senate recently confirmed Gen. William "Kip" Ward as its first commander. General Ward told the Senate Armed Services Committee that Africom would first seek "African solutions to African problems." His testimony made Africom sound like a magnanimous effort for the good of the African people. In truth Africom is a dangerous continuation of US military expansion around the globe. Such foreign-policy priorities, as well as the use of weapons of ...

I have decided to post the press release issued by Mandriva on the contract to install Mandriva Linux OS in the Intel-powered Classmate PCs donated or supplied to Nigeria, because an anonymous respondent said I was conflating a different contract to supply 17,000 Classmate PCs with the 3,000 Classmate PCs donated by Intel. I insist that the so called raw deal Mandriva is pointing accusing fingers at Microsoft for, is within the context of the ICT project sponsored by Intel in Nigeria. Mandriva is raising dust over nothing, because Microsoft has not done anything wrong in this case. Nigerian education selects Intel-powered Classmate PC with Mandriva Linux Mandriva today announced that the Nigerian government has selected Intel-powered classmate PCs running on Mandriva Linux for educational use in nationwide pilot in Nigeria. Mandriva is working with Intel Corporation and Technology Support Center Ltd. to provide 17,000 Intel-powered classmate PC. The aim of this project is to improve t...

The name of Nigeria is being dragged into the mud by François Bancilhon, the CEO of Mandriva, the French vendor of Linux, who alleged that Microsoft snatched a Nigerian contract from Mandriva in his "open letter to Steve Ballmer , the CEO of Microsoft. François Bancilhon said they closed a deal with the Nigerian Government for affordable hardware+software solution for Nigerian schools, to install Mandriva Linux in 17,000 Classmate PCs from Intel. But were surprised when Nigeria dropped their Mandriva Linux and decided to install Windows OS. I have investigated this matter and to be honest and transparent, Mandriva's CEO François Bancilhon, did not tell the whole truth on this deal. Please, see "Intel Donates 3, 000 Classmate PCs To Nigeria" , to understand the background of this case. Microsoft has no business with Mandriva in this case and François Bancilhon's "open letter to Steve Ballmer , is totally a waste of time.

Promoting Internet Fraud through Music! By Bayo Olupohunda I write to express my dismay at the growing damage some Nigerian music, their promoters and recording labels are doing to the current fight against corrupt tendencies and internet scam among the youths in our country. The lyrics and message of most of the songs that are aired on our radio and television stations across Nigeria will further worsen the current campaign against internet scam by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other anti-corruption agencies. This is even more hurting taking into consideration that internet scam and their perpetrators known as Yahoo boys are mostly youths. Pop culture has become a fad among youths so it is expected that the message churned out in the lyrics of hip hop songs will affect their behaviour and belief system either negatively or positively. I have listened with concern the lyrics of a certain hip hop song currently enjoying massive air play on our radio stations. ...

Oil ShockWave Underscores Dangers of U.S. Oil Dependence Secretary Rubin: Risks to Economy and Security "Profound" WASHINGTON, Nov. 1 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Securing America's Future Energy (SAFE) today conducted Oil ShockWave to simulate a global oil supply crisis and explore economic and strategic options for limiting the damage that could be inflicted by a major interruption of the flow of oil. Former U.S. Treasury Secretary Robert E. Rubin, who led the simulation, remarked, "Oil ShockWave demonstrates the critical importance of preventative action in mitigating the risks of oil dependence. Once a major supply crisis occurs, the short-term options are extremely limited. "The profound nature of the risks to our economy and security argue for concerted action to enact a national energy policy designed to reduce oil dependence." In addition to Rubin, participants included: former Deputy Secretary of State Richard L. Armitage; CENTCOM Commander General ...

Michigan Men Sue American Airlines Group detained in August says they were racially profiled DETROIT, Nov. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Six Michigan men who in August were escorted off an American Airlines flight and then detained filed a race discrimination lawsuit Wednesday against the airline, saying the incident was a clear case of racial profiling, false imprisonment and a violation of civil rights. Filed in U.S. District Court by Allen Brothers PLLC of Detroit, the lawsuit seeks hundreds of thousands of dollars in compensatory damages for hours of detainment, interrogation, public humiliation and embarrassment. The incident occurred when the group was returning home from providing consulting work for U.S. troops. "The airline treated these individuals like criminals, simply because of stereotyping and ignorance. The irony is, these men were returning home from training our troops before deployment to Iraq," said Lawrence Garcia, the attorney representing the men. "This kind o...

God knows I do not like covering sins or evils. The Nigerian Housemake Ofuneka in Big Brother Africa 2 was sexually assaulted by the notorious male Housemate Richard and there is now a Big Brother Cover Up to sweep the sex-attack under the soiled red carpet of Big Brother Africa when the family of the victim should have sued the organisers and sponsors of Big Brother Africa. The following news reports will prove the allegations to be true. Monday, October 29, 2007 - Web posted at 9:08:55 GMT Big Brother Africa: Scandal rocks the house NATASHA UYS WHAT started as a lazy, hazy Saturday afternoon in the Big Brother house ended on a sordid and scandalous note. The scene was a mix of crazy, drunken antics, which culminated in a display of what can only be described as sexual abuse. It also showed how destructive alcohol can be when it is abused. On a continent where alcoholism is rampant, abuse of women and children is pervasive and HIV-AIDS cases have reached alarming rates, what happened...

'Remembering Vietnam - The Wall at 25,' Original Smithsonian Channel(TM) Documentary, to be Streamed on Smithsonian Channel Website on Veterans Day (Sunday, Nov. 11) NEW YORK, Oct. 31 /PRNewswire/ -- "Remembering Vietnam - The Wall at 25" - - an original documentary about the history of the famous monument in Washington, D.C. -- will be streamed on www.smithsonianchannel.com, the Smithsonian Channel website, concurrent with its premiere on Veterans Day, Sunday, Nov. 11 at 8 pm and 11 pm ET/PT. Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund founder and president Jan Scruggs calls it "the best documentary film about the wall I've ever seen." "We felt this documentary was so powerful that we wanted to make it possible for this moving and important program to be seen by all Americans as we honor the soldiers who have fought for our country this Veterans Day," said Tom Hayden, General Manager, Smithsonian Networks. The one-hour documentary is produced by filmmaker ...

Less Than Half of Pakistani Public Supports Attacking al Qaeda, Cracking Down on Fundamentalists WASHINGTON, Oct. 31 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Pakistanis show only weak support for using force against Islamic militants and overwhelmingly oppose allowing outside forces to combat al Qaeda on Pakistani territory. A WorldPublicOpinion.org (http://www.worldpublicopinion.org/) poll finds that just 44 percent of urban Pakistanis favor sending the Pakistani army to the Northwestern tribal areas to "pursue and capture al Qaeda fighters." Only 48 percent would allow the Pakistan army to act against "Taliban insurgents who have crossed over from Afghanistan." In both cases, about a third oppose such military action and a fifth decline to answer. Pakistanis reject overwhelmingly the idea of permitting foreign troops to attack al Qaeda on Pakistani territory. Four out of five (80%) say their government should not allow American or other foreign troops to enter Pakistan to pursu...