NATO Chief Misunderstood Putin on Russian Volunteers as Military in Ukraine.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Jens Stoltenberg misunderstood Russian President Vladimir Putin’s statement by assuming that Russian “volunteers” located in eastern Ukraine meant “members of the military.

ATP - NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg misunderstood Russian President Vladimir Putin’s statement by assuming that Russian “volunteers” located in eastern Ukraine meant “members of the military,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Friday.

“There was a war going on and people went there to fight, to shoot, and to participate in combat…that’s the military sphere,” Peskov told journalists in response of what the Russian president had in mind when he was speaking about military issues during his annual press conference on December 17.

When journalists asked Peskov to be more precise of what Putin was speaking about when discussing the military in eastern Ukraine that he meant Russian volunteers had been there and not regular military troops, Peskov said, “Yes.”

PUTIN’S WAR IN UKRAINE SLOWLY RUMBLES ON

ATP - The warning is consistent with previous ones concerning the Ukraine conflict, reflecting continued uncertainty about the fate of the fragile cease-fire, which, despite a marked reduction of fighting since September, hasn’t taken hold fully.

“There have been multiple casualties due to land mines in areas previously controlled by separatists, and separatist leaders have made statements indicating their desire to push the front line to the administrative borders of the Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts,” the State Department warned, referring to the two separatist-controlled territories.

The statement continued: “Individuals, including U.S. citizens, have been threatened, detained, or kidnapped for hours or days after being stopped at separatist checkpoints.”

Packed within the warning, however, is a piece of good news: The cities of Kharkiv and Odessa (Ukraine’s second and fourth largest cities, respectively) were taken off the State Department’s latest advisory. A July travel warning included the two cities.

In an emailed statement to the Daily Signal, the State Department said it had “eliminated language urging citizens to exercise extreme vigilance in Odessa and Kharkiv” after “ongoing assessments of the security situation in those areas.”

BIAFRA| Five Killed as Soldiers Open Fire On Jubilating Crowd

ATP - Five members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in Onitsha, Anambra State, were killed yesterday.

The unfortunate incident happened as members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) were rejoicing over the decision of a Federal High Court in Abuja to unconditionally release the Director of Radio Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, when soldiers attached to the 302 Artillery Regiment in Onitsha opened fire on them, killing five instantly and injuring 25 others.

The soldiers wrongly believed that IPOB supporters had trooped out to protest against the detention of their leader,Nnamdi Kanu, not knowing that they were celebrating his release. The incident happened at the Onitsha end of the River Niger Bridge and immediately caused panic among motorists and commuters who scampered for safety as tension pervaded the city.

Syria Crisis Could Be over Soon If Foreign Extremism Support Ends: Assad

ATP - Syrian President Bashar al-Assad says the conflict in Syria could be finished in “less than a year” if foreign support for terrorism ends.

“If the responsible countries take actions against the flood and the flowing of terrorists (into Syria) and the logistic support, I can guarantee that it will take less than one year,” he said.

The Syrian president made the comments in an interview with Dutch television station NPO2 on Thursday, Syria’s official SANA news agency reported.

Assad said the problem is that the backing for terrorists operating in Syria continues on a daily basis in a bid to make the situation more chaotic and to put obstacles in way of any solution to the crisis.

UN Security Council to meet Today on Turkish troops in Iraq

ATP - The United Nations Security Council is scheduled to meet on Dec. 18 to discuss a complaint by Iraq over Turkish troops deployed to a camp near the northern Iraqi city of Mosul. 

Turkey deployed around 150 troops in the Bashiqa area this month with the stated aim of training an Iraqi militia to fight the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). The Iraqi government says they are not welcome and must withdraw.

Turkey withdrew some troops this week, moving them to another base inside Iraq's Kurdistan region, but Baghdad said they should pull out completely.

In a Dec. 11 letter to the 15-member Security Council, Iraq's Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari complained that Turkey had violated his country's sovereignty and territorial unity and integrity. 

Is Russia gearing up for war with Turkey?

ATP - Captain Alexander Shvarts watched on as the iron covers whirred open on the air defense system aboard the Russian navy's Mosvka missile cruiser off the Syrian coast.

"This system can fire up to twelve missiles at any one time," Shvarts said Thursday during a highly choreographed press tour of the ship arranged by the Russian defense ministry. "The range is around 70 kilometers (43 miles)."

The Moskva - flagship of Russia's Crimea-based Black Sea Fleet - is the largest warship the Kremlin has sent to support its bombing campaign in the war-torn nation.

It is patrolling some 10 nautical miles (13 kilometers) offshore in the eastern Mediterranean.

Until about three weeks ago, the Soviet-era craft, built in 1983, was further out to sea providing protection for ships delivering supplies for the Russian base on land.

But after a Turkish F-16 fighter blasted a Russian jet out of the sky along the Syrian border it was ordered closer to shore to help ward off any future attacks on Russian planes bombing across Syria.

Kerry says Assad can stay in power

US Secretary of State, John Kerry, told journalists that “the United States and our partners are not seeking so-called regime change” in Syria

John Kerry and Sergey Lavrov in moscow

ATP - The US changed her mind regarding the fate of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad as the Secretary of State, John Kerry, told reporters in Moscow, Russia that the US and her partners “are not seeking so-called regime change” in Syria.

After meeting with Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, Kerry told reporters that the focus for the two rival countries, is “not on our differences about what can or cannot be done immediately about Assad.” Rather, it is on facilitating a peace process in which “Syrians will be making decisions for the future of Syria,” the US official said.

Russian support for Syrian government and Ukrainian separatists top agenda

ATP - Russian support for the government in Syria and separatist rebels in Ukraine topped the agenda Tuesday as Secretary of State John F. Kerry sat down with Russia’s foreign minister in advance of talks with President Vladimir Putin.

As Kerry and Sergei Lavrov settled on opposite sides of a table in an opulent conference room in Russia’s foreign ministry, Kerry reiterated the U.S. position that the primary threat comes from the Islamic State fighters both Washington and Moscow consider terrorists, not the anti-government fighters Russia has been bombing heavily.

“These are the worst of terrorists,” Kerry said. “They attack culture, history, and all decency. And they leave no choice but for civilized nations to stand together, and to fight and push back, and destroy them.”

Former NSA Dasuki Implicates Jonathan, Says The Ex- President Ordered Money Sharing

Former National Security Adviser (NSA) Sambo Dasuki has said he handed over the N10 billion given to Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) nomination convention delegates to former President Goodluck Jonathan’s Special Assistant on Domestic Affairs, Waripamowei Dudafa and the aide-de-camp.

ATP - Former National Security Adviser (NSA) Sambo Dasuki has said he handed over the N10 billion given to People’s Democratic Party (PDP) nomination convention delegates to former President Goodluck Jonathan’s Special Assistant on Domestic Affairs, Waripamowei Dudafa and the aide-de-camp.

He said the money was given out by the two aides, on the directive of Jonathan, noting that, apart from collecting the cash, he had nothing to do with it.

As at press time, no slush funds had been traced to Dasuki’s personal accounts, it was learnt.

Dasuki, who protested that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had subjected him to “media trial”, said such a treatment might jeopardise his defence.

Also yesterday, it was gathered that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) confirmed that the N10 billion was sourced from the Signature Bonus Account (oil block Account).

But the ex-NSA expressed regrets that he was being vilified by the EFCC when he acted on the instructions and approval of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.

Iranian Parliamentarians Urge Emergency Aid to Nigerian Shiite Muslims

ATP - The Iranian parliament held an open session in Tehran on Tuesday, during which the legislators underlined the necessity for helping the Shiite population in Nigeria.

They also called for leaving no stone unturned, including trying back chennels at the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), to assist the Muslims in Nigeria's Zaria region.

In response to the lawmakers' demands, Larijani underscored at this morning session that "specific measures are underway".

The Nigerian army attacked two religious centers of the country's Shiite community on Saturday, killing hundreds of defenseless civilians there. A few hours later on Sunday, the military wounded and arrested Leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky after raiding his house and killing his son, assistants and hundreds of followers.

The Saturday and Sunday crackdown on the Shiite community by the Nigerian army that ended in the massacre of the Shiites in several raids has caused serious concerns in Tehran.

On Monday, Iran's Foreign Ministry summoned Nigeria's charge d'affaires in Tehran over the massacre of the Shiite Muslims in Zaria.

Saudi Arabia forms Islamic counterterrorism coalition

ATP -Saudi Arabia said Tuesday that 34 nations have agreed to form a new "Islamic military alliance" to fight terrorism with a joint operations center based in the kingdom's capital, Riyadh.

The announcement published by the state-run Saudi Press Agency said the alliance will be Saudi-led and is being established because terrorism "should be fought by all means and collaboration should be made to eliminate it." The statement said Islam forbids "corruption and destruction in the world" and that terrorism constitutes "a serious violation of human dignity and rights, especially the right to life and the right to security."

The new counterterrorism coalition includes nations with large and established armies such as Pakistan, Turkey and Egypt as well as war-torn countries with embattled militaries such as Libya and Yemen. African nations that have suffered militant attacks such as Mali, Chad, Somalia and Nigeria are also members.

KERRY IN MOSCOW FOR TALKS ON SYRIA, UKRAINE

ATP - U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is in Russia to try and narrow gaps with Russian leaders over a political transition to end Syria's civil war and restore stability in eastern Ukraine.

After spending last week at climate talks outside the French capital, Kerry arrived early Tuesday in Moscow, where he will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

Before departing Paris, Kerry attended a French-hosted foreign ministers meeting to compare notes on the results of a conference of Syrian opposition figures held last week in Saudi Arabia that are key to the peace effort. He also met separately with the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Qatar.

The trip is Kerry's second to Russia this year - he met with Putin in the Black Sea resort of Sochi in May - but his first since frosty relations over Ukraine were exacerbated by Moscow's intervention in Syria in late September. President Barack Obama has seen Putin briefly twice since then at international summits in Turkey and France.

A U.S. diplomat in Paris, who demanded anonymity to discuss the talks, said a meeting in Geneva on Friday between Russian and American diplomats on Syria was aimed mainly at clearing up Russian "grievances" ahead of Tuesday's Moscow meeting.

Obama warns Islamic State leaders 'you are next'

US PresidentBarack Obama voiced fresh determination to destroy the Islamic State Monday, vowing to kill the group's leaders and win back territory in the Middle East,APA reports quoting AFP.

Sounding a notably more strident tone, Obama said that the United States and its allies were taking the fight to Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.

"We are hitting ISIL harder than ever," said Obama, in a second address following the seemingly Islamic State-influenced attack in San Bernardino that has raised questions about his strategy.

"As we squeeze its heart, we'll make it harder for ISIL to pump its terror and propaganda to the rest of the world," Obama insisted at the Pentagon, after meeting with top military and national security advisors.

Listing eight Islamic State figures killed in coalition operations, Obama issued a stern warning.

"ISIL leaders cannot hide and our next message to them is simple: You are next."

Obama said that US special forces were now in Syria and were helping local groups squeeze the Islamic State's proclaimed "capital" at Raqqa.

Assad Tour: Russian company wants to start selling trips to Syrian warzone in 2016

A Russian company says it plans to begin sending tourists to Syria, including visits to the frontline of the battle against terrorism, next year. It has already applied for registration of the ‘Assad Tour’ trademark.

The application to register Assad Tour – apparently, named after Syrian President, Bashar Assad – has already been submitted to Russian Agency for Patents and Trademarks (Rospatent), Moscow City News Agency reported on Monday.

The applicant, Megapolis Ltd., expects to launch tours from Moscow to Syria next year, with the possibility of a trip to the front line,” Anatoly Aronov – president of the First Patent Company, which assisted in filing the application – told the news agency.

The tours will be intended for individuals or small groups of tourists, lasting between four or five days, he said.

Nigerian Envoy Summoned over Mass Killing of Shiite Muslims

The Nigerian army attacked two religious centers of the country's Shiite community on Saturday, killing hundreds of defenseless civilians there. A few hours later on Sunday, the military arrested Leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky after raiding his house and killing his son, assistants and followers.

The Iranian foreign ministry on Monday afternoon summoned the Nigerian envoy to voice Tehran's serious concern over the incident.

At the meeting, Head of the foreign ministry's first office for African affairs condemned the the Nigerian army attack on the Shiite community as unacceptable, and reiterated the Nigerian government's responsibility for protecting the lives of the Shiites and religious centers, specially the Islamic Movement of Nigeria.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran seriously demands clarification of the dimensions of the incident, treatment of the wounded people and compensation of the damages incurred at the earliest," the Iranian diplomat said.

DSS says Nnamdi Kanu funding terrorism as court adjourns until Thursday

The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed Thursday to decide whether or not to admit the Radio Biafra leader, Nnamdi Kanu, on bail.

Justice Adeniyi Ademola on Monday fixed the date after taking arguments from both parties involved in the bail application.

Kanu has been in detention of the Department of State Services (DSS) since October.

Tribune reports that Counsel to the DSS, Mr Moses Idakwo, while objecting to Kanu’s bail application, asked the court not to admit the suspect on bail because he was allegedly involved in terrorism acts.

The DSS counsel told Justice Ademola that the Federal Government was in possession of bank accounts of the accused person for dollars and pound sterling from where he had allegedly been financing terrorism acts against the country.

Shell and Akon unveil Africa’s first player & solar powered football pitch in Lagos

ATP - Music star Akon joined Shell to shine a light on the power of innovative options for access to smarter energy by unveiling Africa’s first human and solar powered football pitch at the Federal College of Education, Akoka, Lagos. The new pitch is the latest initiative from Shell’s #makethefuture programme, which puts bright energy ideas into action to bring benefits to local communities around the world.

The football pitch was refurbished by Shell using more than 90 underground tiles that capture kinetic energy created by the movement of the players. The tiles are the invention of a young British entrepreneur and founder of Pavegen, Laurence Kemball-Cook, who has been supported through Shell LiveWIRE. The kinetic energy is then stored and combined with power generated by solar panels to operate the new floodlights. This bright energy idea allows the students to play at night and provides a safer and more secure space at the heart of the community. 

Four Nigerian female scientists, others win L’Oréal, UNESCO award

L’Oréal, UNESCO has hounoured 12 female scientists from across Sub-Saharan Africa among which are four Nigerians .

The L’Oréal Foundation and UNESCO in a statement announced the recipients of the 2015 L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Fellowships

They were honoured for their work and impact in the scientific field.

This year 19 applications were received from 19 countries which according to the statement released is testament to the increasing awareness of the program and their commitment to advancing women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics)

“Science knows no boundaries, and that includes gender as well as age. African women have once again displayed inventiveness and excellence when it comes to the sciences.

COP21: 195 nations in landmark deal to cut carbon emissions

A landmark deal to tackle climate change was agreed at the COP21 summit in Paris over the weekend is a “monumental triumph”, United Nations secretary general Ban Ki-moon has said.

The agreement, which was reached on Saturday following two weeks of talks, commits all 195 signatories to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change to cutting emission for the first time.

All countries have agreed to work to reduce their emissions in order to hold global temperature rise this century to well below 2 degrees celsius, with an aim for a maximum increase of 1.5 degrees.

The agreement also sets out a roadmap to increase funding for climate change adaptation and mitigation and clean energy generation to $100bn by 2020.

Paris climate change deal ‘signals end of fossil fuel era’, say experts

The international climate deal agreed in Paris is a turning point in history which signals the end of the fossil fuel era, it has been claimed.

The final draft of the agreement has received a largely positive response from environmental and aid campaigners, experts and analysts, although there are concerns it does not go far enough to tackle climate change.

Emma Ruby-Sachs, acting executive director of campaign group Avaaz, said: “If agreed, this deal will represent a turning point in history, paving the way for the shift to 100% clean energy that the world wants and the planet needs.”