Sunday, 6 October 2013
Obama: Iran 'year or more' from getting bomb
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama says U.S. intelligence
agencies believe Iran is still "a year or more" away from producing a
nuclear weapon, an assessment he acknowledged was at odds with Israel.
"Our estimate is probably more conservative than the estimates of Israeli intelligence services," Obama said in a wide-ranging interview with The Associated Press.
The president spoke to the AP on Friday, four days into the partial shutdown of the federal government. He reiterated his opposition to negotiating with House Republicans to end the shutdown or raise the nation's debt ceiling.
"There are enough votes in the House of Representatives to make sure that the government reopens today," he said. "And I'm pretty willing to bet that there are enough votes in the House of Representatives right now to make sure that the United States doesn't end up being a deadbeat."
The start of the shutdown coincided with the opening of sign-ups for the insurance exchanges at the heart of Obama's health care law. Some House Republicans are seeking changes to the law in exchange for reopening the government.
The rollout of the insurance exchanges has been shaky, with government-run websites plagued by glitches. Despite the problems, Obama told frustrated Americans they "definitely shouldn't give up."
"Folks are working around the clock and have been systematically reducing the wait times," he said.
Obama blamed the error messages and long wait times on public interest that exceeded the government's expectations. However, he said he didn't know how many people had so far managed to sign up for insurance.
Administration officials have said they do not plan to release real-time data on the number of people enrolling, though some states running their own exchange websites are doing so.
The federal gateway website was taken down for repairs over the weekend, again hindering people from signing up for insurance.
On other points, Obama:
—Contrasted his tenure as a senator with the current crop of first-term Republican senators, saying he "didn't go around courting the media" or "trying to shut down the government" while he was in the Senate.
—Said
he's considering keeping some American forces in Afghanistan after the
war formally ends in late 2014, if an agreement can be reached with the
Afghan government. He tried to do the same in Iraq but was unable to
reach an agreement with its government.
—Suggested that the owner of the Washington Redskins football team consider changing its name because, the president said, the current name offends "a sizable group of people."
Obama's comments on Iran came amid signs that long-standing tensions between the U.S. and Tehran might be easing. In late September, Obama spoke by phone with President Hassan Rouhani, Iran's new, more-moderate sounding leader. The 15-minute call marked the first direct exchange between U.S. and Iranian leaders in more than 30 years.
"Rouhani has staked his position on the idea that he can improve relations with the rest of the world," Obama said. "And so far he's been saying a lot of the right things. And the question now is, can he follow through?"
But Obama said Rouhani is not Iran's only "decision-maker. He's not even the ultimate decision-maker," a reference to the control wielded by Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Given the supreme leader's broad influence, some countries, most notably Israel, have questioned whether Rouhani actually represents real change in Iran or just new packaging of old policies.
Khamenei said Saturday that he supported Rouhani's outreach to the West, but at the same time called the U.S. government "untrustworthy, arrogant, illogical and a promise-breaker," according to comment summarized on his website.
Obama also put distance between U.S. and Israeli assessments of when Iran might have the capacity to build a nuclear weapon. Israeli officials have said Iran is just months away from having the capacity and knowledge to build a bomb, while Obama said Tehran was a year or more away.
Israeli Justice Minister Tzipi Livni played down the differences.
'The question isn't the timetable the question is how we get that result," Livni told Israel's Channel 10 TV.
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif disputed Obama's comments, repeating Iran's claims that it is not seeking a nuclear weapon.
The U.S. and Israel contend that Iran's nuclear program is aimed at building a bomb, while Tehran says it is enriching uranium for peaceful purposes.
On domestic issues, Obama said he would be willing to negotiate with Republicans on health care, deficit reduction and spending — but only if House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, holds votes to reopen the government and increase the nation's borrowing limit.
The Treasury Department says the nation will hit its borrowing limit around Oct. 17. Obama didn't specifically rule out taking action on his own if Congress fails to increase the debt ceiling, but said he doesn't expect to get to that point.
Obama, who successfully ran for president as a first-term senator, also spoke critically about first-term Republican senators, such as Ted Cruz of Texas, who have been leading efforts to shut the government if Republicans can't extract concessions from the White House.
The president said that when he was in the Senate, he "didn't go around courting the media. And I certainly didn't go around trying to shut down the government."
"I recognize that in today's media age, being controversial, taking controversial positions, rallying the most extreme parts of your base, whether it's left or right, is a lot of times the fastest way to get attention and raise money," he said. "But it's not good for government."
On the 12-year war in Afghanistan, Obama said he would consider keeping some American forces on the ground after the conflict formally ends next year, but acknowledged that doing so would require an agreement from the Afghan government. He suggested that if no agreement can be reached, he would be comfortable with a full pullout of U.S. troops.
"If in fact we can get an agreement that makes sure that U.S. troops are protected, makes sure that we can operate in a way that is good for our national security, then I'll certainly consider that," he said. "If we can't, we will continue to make sure that all the gains we've made in going after al-Qaida we accomplish, even if we don't have any U.S. military on Afghan soil."
All U.S. forces left Iraq at the end of 2011 after no deal could be reached to keep some there longer.
Obama, an avid sports fan, also weighed in on the controversy surrounding the Redskins as the name of Washington's NFL football team. The name has faced a new barrage of criticism for being offensive to Native Americans.
The president said he doesn't think Redskins' fans mean any offense by using the name. But he added: "If I were the owner of the team and I knew that the name of my team, even if they've had a storied history, that was offending a sizable group of people, I'd think about changing it."
"Our estimate is probably more conservative than the estimates of Israeli intelligence services," Obama said in a wide-ranging interview with The Associated Press.
The president spoke to the AP on Friday, four days into the partial shutdown of the federal government. He reiterated his opposition to negotiating with House Republicans to end the shutdown or raise the nation's debt ceiling.
"There are enough votes in the House of Representatives to make sure that the government reopens today," he said. "And I'm pretty willing to bet that there are enough votes in the House of Representatives right now to make sure that the United States doesn't end up being a deadbeat."
The start of the shutdown coincided with the opening of sign-ups for the insurance exchanges at the heart of Obama's health care law. Some House Republicans are seeking changes to the law in exchange for reopening the government.
The rollout of the insurance exchanges has been shaky, with government-run websites plagued by glitches. Despite the problems, Obama told frustrated Americans they "definitely shouldn't give up."
"Folks are working around the clock and have been systematically reducing the wait times," he said.
Obama blamed the error messages and long wait times on public interest that exceeded the government's expectations. However, he said he didn't know how many people had so far managed to sign up for insurance.
Administration officials have said they do not plan to release real-time data on the number of people enrolling, though some states running their own exchange websites are doing so.
The federal gateway website was taken down for repairs over the weekend, again hindering people from signing up for insurance.
On other points, Obama:
—Contrasted his tenure as a senator with the current crop of first-term Republican senators, saying he "didn't go around courting the media" or "trying to shut down the government" while he was in the Senate.
—Suggested that the owner of the Washington Redskins football team consider changing its name because, the president said, the current name offends "a sizable group of people."
Obama's comments on Iran came amid signs that long-standing tensions between the U.S. and Tehran might be easing. In late September, Obama spoke by phone with President Hassan Rouhani, Iran's new, more-moderate sounding leader. The 15-minute call marked the first direct exchange between U.S. and Iranian leaders in more than 30 years.
"Rouhani has staked his position on the idea that he can improve relations with the rest of the world," Obama said. "And so far he's been saying a lot of the right things. And the question now is, can he follow through?"
But Obama said Rouhani is not Iran's only "decision-maker. He's not even the ultimate decision-maker," a reference to the control wielded by Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Given the supreme leader's broad influence, some countries, most notably Israel, have questioned whether Rouhani actually represents real change in Iran or just new packaging of old policies.
Khamenei said Saturday that he supported Rouhani's outreach to the West, but at the same time called the U.S. government "untrustworthy, arrogant, illogical and a promise-breaker," according to comment summarized on his website.
Obama also put distance between U.S. and Israeli assessments of when Iran might have the capacity to build a nuclear weapon. Israeli officials have said Iran is just months away from having the capacity and knowledge to build a bomb, while Obama said Tehran was a year or more away.
Israeli Justice Minister Tzipi Livni played down the differences.
'The question isn't the timetable the question is how we get that result," Livni told Israel's Channel 10 TV.
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif disputed Obama's comments, repeating Iran's claims that it is not seeking a nuclear weapon.
The U.S. and Israel contend that Iran's nuclear program is aimed at building a bomb, while Tehran says it is enriching uranium for peaceful purposes.
On domestic issues, Obama said he would be willing to negotiate with Republicans on health care, deficit reduction and spending — but only if House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, holds votes to reopen the government and increase the nation's borrowing limit.
The Treasury Department says the nation will hit its borrowing limit around Oct. 17. Obama didn't specifically rule out taking action on his own if Congress fails to increase the debt ceiling, but said he doesn't expect to get to that point.
Obama, who successfully ran for president as a first-term senator, also spoke critically about first-term Republican senators, such as Ted Cruz of Texas, who have been leading efforts to shut the government if Republicans can't extract concessions from the White House.
The president said that when he was in the Senate, he "didn't go around courting the media. And I certainly didn't go around trying to shut down the government."
"I recognize that in today's media age, being controversial, taking controversial positions, rallying the most extreme parts of your base, whether it's left or right, is a lot of times the fastest way to get attention and raise money," he said. "But it's not good for government."
On the 12-year war in Afghanistan, Obama said he would consider keeping some American forces on the ground after the conflict formally ends next year, but acknowledged that doing so would require an agreement from the Afghan government. He suggested that if no agreement can be reached, he would be comfortable with a full pullout of U.S. troops.
"If in fact we can get an agreement that makes sure that U.S. troops are protected, makes sure that we can operate in a way that is good for our national security, then I'll certainly consider that," he said. "If we can't, we will continue to make sure that all the gains we've made in going after al-Qaida we accomplish, even if we don't have any U.S. military on Afghan soil."
All U.S. forces left Iraq at the end of 2011 after no deal could be reached to keep some there longer.
Obama, an avid sports fan, also weighed in on the controversy surrounding the Redskins as the name of Washington's NFL football team. The name has faced a new barrage of criticism for being offensive to Native Americans.
The president said he doesn't think Redskins' fans mean any offense by using the name. But he added: "If I were the owner of the team and I knew that the name of my team, even if they've had a storied history, that was offending a sizable group of people, I'd think about changing it."
Cocaine worth Sh4m intercepted at JKIA
An aerial view of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport
Police have arrested a
Ghanaian who was trying to smuggle cocaine by swallowing pellets filled
with the drug at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
The suspect is said to have gone to Brazil in May and was on his way back to Benin through Kenya.
Airport CID boss Joseph Ngisa said that the suspect had by this morning emitted 48 pellets and was still under observation.
“He will appear in court as soon as the analysis is over to ascertain the quantity and value of the drugs,” said Ngisa
Saturday, 5 October 2013
Never underestimate the power of a woman – Onuma
Florence Onuma
Florence Onuma, Flo, as she is popularly called, took to ac ting in 1994 and till date is still making waves. In this chat with Lucy Ezeliora, she talks about her life and choices as a woman and mother.
You are among the pioneers of Nollywood. How would you rate Nollywood?
We are still growing and will get there someday. Many things are still not in place but considering the age of the industry and where we are coming from, we are making lots of progress. However, there are still so many things that need to be resturctued in the industry. We are not really united. There is no love in Nollywood. Many of us are still envious of one another and that is why it appears as if the industry is static
In some of your recent movies in the market, I observed you no longer play the motherly role you are noted for. Why the sudden divert to other roles?
That is what makes me a good actress; my ability to interpret roles effectively. The roles I play are determined by the producers. I don't get to choose. When I started acting, I was seeking auditions but these days directors, producers call me for jobs whenever they have a role for me. As for the roles, we have new people in the industry, we the need to pave way for them to try their hands. Let them also play the roles of mothers. Ngozi Ezeonu is there, Patience Ozokwu is there and many others. We are still there and we cannot be every where. We are also doing other things by the side. If I get a political appointment tomorrow won't you celebrate with me? So that is what I am working at, not dragging roles with up coming actresses. I have played my part. Let them also try.
What do you like about being a mother?
Motherhood is a blessing to me. If you are a woman with children you will testify to this. I really love being a woman. Women have power, very strong power. All through history, the biggest and strongest of men have been brought down by women. Never underestimate the power of a woman any where. We can get anything done on a platter of gold. We are very strong and multitasking as well. There are a lot of things inside of us. Men are just scratching the surface. How many men can do what a woman can do? The world should ideally celebrate women regularly as mothers, sisters, friends, lovers, and colleagues. I love being a woman.
Do you see acting as fun?
Yes. I see acting as fun. It is something that I love doing. I would describe it as money making while having fun.
You look younger than your age, what is the secret of your compelling looks?
Nothing spectacular! I owe my looks to God
What is your relationship with your colleagues?
I respect them all. You know female actresses in particular pass through more stress than men. We even go out of our ways to get roles in movies. So I really appreciate it whenever I see female actresses.
How can you rate your worth in Nollywood as of today?
I'm worth a lot more than I get offered. I have put a lot in the job but hardly receive what I am worth now. But I believe that one day people will look for me and testify about me.
Let's share in your experiences so far.
Part of it is my loss of privacy. Sometimes when I go to the market to buy things, the traders believe that I have so much money on me; they would never believe that at times, I don't have money. Another thing is my relationship with people, most times, your fans expect you to always give alms or play with them. There are days one isn't in the mood for pleasantries. Some of them will just conclude you are a snob or not the social type forgetting we all have our mood days. I don't think I have ever had any sad experince. I cannot remember any as I speak with you. It has been good all the way. Sometimes on location, we would be told that there are logistic problems and at the end of the day, we would turn it into fun which is part of the job. I have never had any sad experience on this job. God has been so faithful to me and I must testify to that.
What is the most challenging role you have ever acted?
As long as I am not being myself in a movie, then any role can be challenging. But there are some roles that are tedious, energy sapping and intellectually demanding. I see all roles challenging in their own different ways.
What is your take on fashion?
I like being simple but sophisticated. I dress to look good and confident. Any outfit made with Ankara makes me unique.
What would you not be caught wearing and what is that role you won't accept?
I can never wear a mini skirt and cannot act in a nude movie even if the money is out of this world. At this point in life, money is not everything. Besides it does not move me. Image is everything to me. I am very comfortable and happy the way I am.
Can you give us an insight into how you came into the industry?
I started in the 80's not as a professional but as an upcoming actress. When I graduated from the University of Jos in 1991, I went into full time acting. I had a break when I started to have children, because they needed my attention and were very young. I came back fully into the industry in 1994.
Tell us about some of your movies and the ones that brought you the most fame?
Lies of Destiny was the movie that actually brought me to limelight. Bond, Christian mother, Last Kiss, Love and Courage and The addict helped in shaping my career positively
What do you have to say to your fans?
I want to tell them that I love them so much because without them, there would be no Florence Onuma. I appreciate them. I really thank them for making me what I am and promise never to disappoint them
In some of your recent movies in the market, I observed you no longer play the motherly role you are noted for. Why the sudden divert to other roles?
That is what makes me a good actress; my ability to interpret roles effectively. The roles I play are determined by the producers. I don't get to choose. When I started acting, I was seeking auditions but these days directors, producers call me for jobs whenever they have a role for me. As for the roles, we have new people in the industry, we the need to pave way for them to try their hands.
Let them also play the roles of mothers. Ngozi Ezeonu is there, Patience Ozokwu is there and many others. We are still there and we cannot be every where. We are also doing other things by the side. If I get a political appointment tomorrow won't you celebrate with me? So that is what I am working at, not dragging roles with up coming actresses. I have played my part. Let them also try.
What do you like about being a mother?
Motherhood is a blessing to me. If you are a woman with children you will testify to this. I really love being a woman. Women have power, very strong power. All through history, the biggest and strongest of men have been brought down by women. Never underestimate the power of a woman any where.
We can get anything done on a platter of gold. We are very strong and multitasking as well. There are a lot of things inside of us. Men are just scratching the surface. How many men can do what a woman can do? The world should ideally celebrate women regularly as mothers, sisters, friends, lovers, and colleagues. I love being a woman.
Do you see acting as fun?
Yes. I see acting as fun. It is something that I love doing. I would describe it as money making while having fun.
You look younger than your age, what is the secret of your compelling looks?
Nothing spectacular! I owe my looks to God
What is your relationship with your colleagues?
I respect them all. You know female actresses in particular pass through more stress than men. We even go out of our ways to get roles in movies. So I really appreciate it whenever I see female actresses.
How can you rate your worth in Nollywood as of today?
I'm worth a lot more than I get offered. I have put a lot in the job but hardly receive what I am worth now. But I believe that one day people will look for me and testify about me.
Let's share in your experiences so far.
Part of it is my loss of privacy. Sometimes when I go to the market to buy things, the traders believe that I have so much money on me; they would never believe that at times, I don't have money. Another thing is my relationship with people, most times, your fans expect you to always give alms or play with them.
There are days one isn't in the mood for pleasantries. Some of them will just conclude you are a snob or not the social type forgetting we all have our mood days. I don't think I have ever had any sad experince. I cannot remember any as I speak with you. It has been good all the way. Sometimes on location, we would be told that there are logistic problems and at the end of the day, we would turn it into fun which is part of the job. I have never had any sad experience on this job. God has been so faithful to me and I must testify to that.
What is the most challenging role you have ever acted?
As long as I am not being myself in a movie, then any role can be challenging. But there are some roles that are tedious, energy sapping and intellectually demanding. I see all roles challenging in their own different ways.
What is your take on fashion?
I like being simple but sophisticated. I dress to look good and confident. Any outfit made with Ankara makes me unique.
What would you not be caught wearing and what is that role you won't accept?
I can never wear a mini skirt and cannot act in a nude movie even if the money is out of this world. At this point in life, money is not everything. Besides it does not move me. Image is everything to me. I am very comfortable and happy the way I am.
Can you give us an insight into how you came into the industry?
I started in the 80's not as a professional but as an upcoming actress. When I graduated from the University of Jos in 1991, I went into full time acting. I had a break when I started to have children, because they needed my attention and were very young. I came back fully into the industry in 1994.
Tell us about some of your movies and the ones that brought you the most fame?
Lies of Destiny was the movie that actually brought me to limelight. Bond, Christian mother, Last Kiss, Love and Courage and The addict helped in shaping my career positively
What do you have to say to your fans?
I want to tell them that I love them so much because without them, there would be no Florence Onuma. I appreciate them. I really thank them for making me what I am and promise never to disappoint them
Culled from Daily Independent
15 Boko Haram terrorists killed in Damboa
A release issued by Captain Aliyu Ibrahim Danja of the 7 Division Army
Public Relations , Nigerian Army Maiduguri on 5 th October 2013
states"Not less than 15 Boko Haram terrorists were killed in the early
hours of today when troops of 21 Brigade under 7 Division encountered
Boko Hsram terrorists in Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State".
"The
terrorists whose strength is unknown sneaked into the town at about
4:30 am, attacked worshippers in a mosque and killed 5 of them who came
to say their morning prayers. They also set ablaze the Hakimi of Damboas
Palacr, his house and some shops. While they were unleashing their
mayhem, troops under 7 Dividion engsged the terrorists killing 15 in the
process while others fled in disarrsy. Efforts are on to trade and
destroy the fleeing terrorists. "
"Items recovered from the
fleeing terrorists include:1 Rocjet propellef grenade tube, 2 Rocket
prooelled grensde bombs,, 5 Ak 47 rifles .A pickup vehicle and Assortef
Ammunition. "
The General Officer Commanding 7 Division Nigerian
Army wish tobthank the general public for tgeir resillience and effort
by providing timely and useful information to security agencies and
urged them to be security conscious by reporting any movement of unknown
person/persons within their localities to the nearest army or security
agencies locations. He also reassured the good people of Borno State of 7
Divisions commitment towsrds bringing Boko Haram menace to an end".
The release wss signed by A I Danja for General Officer Commanding.
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