Welcome to Geophilworld's blog: 06/29/16

Wednesday 29 June 2016

Trump and Clinton take different stands on the Istanbul airport bombings

Their individual statements underscore their different approaches to foreign policy, especially concerning the growing threat of terrorism worldwide.

Trump said in his statement:

"The terrorist threat has never been greater.

"Our enemies are brutal and ruthless and will do anything to murder those who do not bend to their will. We must take steps now to protect America from terrorists, and do everything in our power to improve our security to keep America safe."

The statement echoed comments Trump tweeted after the attacks.

Clinton's statement emphasized Turkey's status as a U.S ally and the need to cooperate with other countries in the region:

"Terrorists have struck again in the heart of one of our NATO allies—and all Americans stand united with the people of Turkey against this campaign of hatred and violence. Already, stories of heroism on the part of Turkish police are emerging, as their quick actions to confront the suspects may have prevented an even worse tragedy. Today's attack in Istanbul only strengthens our resolve to defeat the forces of terrorism and radical jihadism around the world. And it reminds us that the United States cannot retreat. We must deepen our cooperation with our allies and partners in the Middle East and Europe to take on this threat. Such cooperation is essential to protecting the homeland and keeping our country safe. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families, and the Turkish people."

Justin Bieber Says He's Finally A Free Man

The young chap, Justin Bieber has not been a free man for 2 years, but that has changed in the last few weeks as he's finally off probation.

Bieber copped a plea in the now-famous vandalism case in which he chucked eggs at his neighbor's house, causing $80k in damages. Justin paid for the repairs and performed 40 hours community service. He was then placed on 2 years probation and ordered to keep his nose clean.

Justin impressed the folks at the Probation Department, so his lawyers went to court a month early and got a judge to end the probation. 30 days before his probation officially expired -- he became a free man again.

Tompolo Writes Open Letter To President Buhari

One-time leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), Chief Government Ekpemupolo (AKA Tompolo) has expressed his wish to meet with President Muhammadu Buhari on the Niger Delta crisis.

His letter reads in part: Today is exactly 31 days after the invasion of the traditional headquarters of Gbaramatu Kingdom, Oporoza town, by your military led by Brig. General Faruk Yahaya of the 4thBrigade, Benin City, in search of me, with the allegation that I am the one behind the bombing and destruction of crude oil facilities in the Niger Delta region, and the incident happened in my absence, but I was informed that the army was on the loose, and committed so much abomination in the community.

As I said in my previous publications, the military made away with the symbol of Authority of the Gbaramatu people from the Egbesu Shrine, [of] which I am the chief priest. They also made away with other valuables, worth several millions of naira, from the community. We are presently being treated like conquered people because of crude oil.

Mr President sir, please permit me to quickly recall a similar incident that occurred in May, 2009, when this same military invaded several communities in Gbaramatu kingdom, under the command of late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua. Traditional worship centres were desecrated, property were looted and above all, the multi-billion naira ultra-modern magnificent palace of the pere of Gbaramatu kingdom was burned down, and his golden crown was stolen by the military.

As peace-loving people, the kingdom approached the courts and demanded compensation for the unlawful invasion and destruction of property, in which the court awarded 99 billion naira in favour of Gbaramatu kingdom. After seven years of that sad incident, the Federal Government is yet to pay the compensation.

This incident also led to the declaration of the Presidential amnesty programme for peace to reign, as the government find out that military action is not the best way to address the Niger Delta question, and the rest become a history in the life of those who led that invasion. I believe Mr President should learn a lesson from the 2009 military invasion and do the needful.”

Goodluck Jonathan did not believe in 2014 Confab report - legal expert

Immediate past president, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has been accused of not believing in the report and recommendations of the 2014 national constitutional conference, and putting his personal interest above national interest which inform his refusal to sign the report to law before his exit as president of the country.

This was disclosed by a legal practitioner and public affairs analyst Bily Dawodu in a chat with DailyTimes, noting that the former president had enough time to sign the document into law before leaving office as president if he believed in the report.

He berated the former president for his decision to sign the document after his re-election, adding that the president was not sincere and would not have signed the report if he had won the election.

The legal practitioner stressed that president Buhari should not be blamed for his refusal to sign the document adding that it was the former president that had the moral right to sign the document after spending several billions to set it up.

According to Dawodu, "It was Jonathan that set up the 2014 confab why did he not sign it?. If he believed in it he should have signed it an leave the implementation to his successor. If he had signed it and Buhari failed to implement it then we can talk and we could have blamed Buhari. It is wrong for anybody to blame Buhari, it was Jonathan who set up that conference".

Jonathan chose the delegates and spent billions on it; they sent the report to him and he had enough time to sign the report, rather than signed, he was going round the country deceiving the people that if he win re-election he was going to sign".

"The people talking now should call him and ask him why he did not sign the Confab report into law. Jonathan should be blame the press are not been fair to Buhari at all. Dawodu. Added.

Speaking further on the legality of freezing the Ekiti state governor Ayodele Fayoshe account by the Economy and financial commission (EFCC) the public affairs analyses said the commission had the legal backing to investigate and any serving Governor,adding that what the EFCC did was in accordance with the law.

"The constitution only grants Governors immunity from prosecution and not from investigation If he has committed any offense he can be investigated they are not taking his immunity they are investigating him, if he as committed the crime".

"If they trace illegal funds they have the right to freez the account. The EFCC as the power to investigate
any crime even the president, the only immunity he as is that he cannot be prosecuted while in office".

Source-- Iniobong Iwok (DailyTimes)

Istanbul International Airport reopens after terror attack

The attacked Istanbul’s international airport partially reopened Wednesday, hours after three suspected ISIS suicide bombers killed at least 36 people and injured 147 others.

Turkish officials began assessing the damage caused by the attack at Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport. Workers were brought in to remove debris left by the blast, while in the daylight the damage to the terminal became clearer with even ceiling panels hit.

Although the airport reopened, about one-third of scheduled flights have been canceled, with a host of others delayed. A Turkish official told Reuters that the "vast majority" of victims were Turkish, but some foreigners were also affected.

All Signs Point to ISIS in Istanbul Attack - Turkish PM

No fewer than 36 people were feared dead and 147 others injured following a terrorist attack at an international airport in Istanbul, of which all signs show that ISIS orchestrated it, according to Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim.

The attack drew swift condemnation from officials in Turkey as well as the White House in the U.S.

"The United States condemns in the strongest possible terms today’s heinous terrorist attack at Istanbul’s Ataturk International Airport in Turkey, which appears to have killed and injured dozens," said a statement from White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest. "We remain steadfast in our support for Turkey, our NATO Ally and partner, along with all of our friends and allies around the world, as we continue to confront the threat of terrorism."

According to Turkish PM, Yildirim, three attackers carrying weapons arrived in a taxi to Ataturk airport, one of the world's busiest aviation hubs.

According to Yildirim, foreign nationals and police officers were among those wounded; at least seven Saudis were injured in the attack.

Yildirim also insisted there was no security lapse at the airport.

The airport has since been reopened, and flights between the U.S. and Istanbul have resumed. Airports in the United States have beefed up security in the wake of the attack, around 10 p.m. local time, a busy time for the airport, with flights arriving from Europe and leaving for the Persian Gulf and other parts of the region.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan issued a statement condemning the attack that "has no objective." The president also said the attack shows "terrorism strikes with no regard for faith and values," since it occurred during the holy month of Ramadan.

"We expect the international community, especially the Western countries including their administrations, parliaments, media organs and civil societies, to take a firm stand against terrorism," Erdogan said.

The attack comes one day after the U.S. State Department updated its travel warning for Turkey, advising that "foreign and U.S. tourists have been explicitly targeted by international and indigenous terrorist organizations" and mentioning "aviation services" along with other targets for extremists.

In March the U.S. ordered the departure of family members of U.S. government personnel posted to the U.S. Consulate in Adana and family members of U.S. government civilians in Izmir province through July 26, 2016.

Turkey is one of the main European tourist destinations for Americans. A total of 181,298 U.S. tourists have arrived in Turkey so far this year, with 60,000 arriving last month alone.

All U.S. Chief of Mission personnel have been accounted for, according to the U.S. State Department, and the government is "making every effort to account for the welfare of U.S. citizens in the city."

Turkey has been dealing with multiple security threats from ISIS.

Earlier this month, a car bomb attack on a police bus killed seven officers and four civilians in central Istanbul. Today's attack was the fifth major one so far this year in the city, Turkey's largest.