King Sunny Ade To Be Inducted Into Hard Rock Cafe Lagos Music Memorabilia Collection Today

Veteran Juju music maestro, King Sunny Ade will officially become the first Nigerian to join the Hard Rock Cafe Lagos Music Memorabilia Collection on Wednesday, November 30th at an induction ceremony in Lagos.

Scheduled to hold at Hard Rock Cafe, Oniru, KSA as Sunday Adeniyi Adegeye is fondly called will donate rare items from his collections including a vintage Fender Guitar, shoes and album cover.

The first-of-its-kind donation was brokered by leading talent agency and event management company, Temple Management Company who are also putting together the highly-publicised grand concert for King Sunny Ade tagged Sunny On Sunday scheduled for December 11th at Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos.

To commemorate the induction, Chivas will present King Sunny Ade with a Chivas Regal 25 Year Original Blended Whisky; and create a signature drink for KSA, which will debut, and be served as cocktails at the induction.

Temple Management Company’s Head of Entertainment, Mark Redguard said, “With the induction, King Sunny Ade will now rank among other Hard Rock world greats whose music paraphernalia dots the walls of the franchise business across the world.”

Other greats who are on the Hard Rock showcase include, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, Michael Jackson, Elvis Presley, Brian Wilson and Elton John among others.

After he first encountered music at the age of 12 in 1958 at Osogbo, Osun State, KSA has risen to global recognition with two Grammy-Award nominations and three Hollywood movie features and hundreds of recordings, which includes international collaborations.

Date: 30th November 2016

Time: 11:00am

Venue: Hard Rock Cafe, Water Corporation Road, Landmark Village, Oniru, Lagos

UPDATE: Lagos State fire service arrive at Igbosere High Court - PHOTOS

Within minutes of our broadcast, Lagos State fire service have arrived Igbosere High Court as seen in these pictures. We learnt that the Chief Judge's office was partly burnt too.

BREAKING NEWS: Igbosere High Court catches fire in Lagos Island

Report reaching CKN News has it that some part of Igbosere High Court in Lagos Island is now fire. Calling on the fire service to please race to the place now and rescue the situation before it spreads to other part of the courts. Kindly help rebroadcast.

Buhari's daughter gets ‎N47.1m customized bags in 30 exotic cars from billionaire fiancé

Zahra, the 21-year-old daughter of President Muhammadu Buhari, has received about 30 customized LV (Louis Vuitton) boxes from the family of her husband-to-be, Ahmed Indimi.

The LV boxes have Zahra’s name customized as ZBI (Zara Buhari Indimi)

She is getting married to Ahmed, the son of Nigeria billionaire Mohammed Indimi, an oil tycoon.

In Northern Nigeria tradition, the groom’s family is expected to buy the boxes known as kayan lefe for the bride.

The boxes are usually loaded with diamond and gold jewelry, designer shoes, bags, super wax, laces, perfumes, designer underwear, cosmetics, jeans, tops and more.

The man can do from 1 to 50 boxes as a show of how rich and capable he is.

The LV bags which total about 30 and allegedly cost about £120, 000 (approximately N47,144,502, using the official rate of N392.87 to a pound) are said to have been delivered to Zahra in 30 exotic cars, according to a source.

Zahra, the beauty and brain is a graduate of micro biology from the University of Surrey in England and also the ambassador for the SCAF, a foundation set on the initiative to arrest and minimize the case of sickle cell around the nation.

Her husband-to-be, Ahmed indimi, is a good looking graduate of a prestigious university and currently the marketing director of Oriental energy resources and hails from Maiduguri.

Daily Trust

AWCON 2016: Nigeria beat South Africa to face Cameroon in final

Nigerian Super Falcons are through to the final of the 2016 African Women Cup of Nations after beating South Africa 1 - 0 in the second semi-final match played on Tuesday November 29.

The Falcons will now face hosts Cameroon in the final who defeated Ghana 1 - 0 in the first semi-final match played the same day.

The 2016 AWCON final will be played on Saturday December 3.

This is the 10th time Nigeria will make the final in 12 editions.

The Super Falcons are targeting an astonishing 8th African title in Cameroon.

Gunmen kill Chinese miner, 3 others in Nasarawa

Gunmen on Monday ambushed and killed four workers of a mining company, including a Chinese at Alongani village in Nasarawa Eggon Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Kennedy Idirisu, confirmed the killing to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Lafia on Tuesday.

Mr. Idirisu said the victims were returning from their mining site in a company truck at about 4p.m. when the assailants shot them from different directions.

Mr. Idirisu said a Chinese, a police escort and two others, were killed during the ambush while another Chinese survived with bullet wound and was being treated in a hospital.

He said the Commissioner of Police, Abubakar Sadiq-Bello, had deployed officers to the area to work in collaboration with other security agencies as well as the vigilantes to fish out the perpetrators of the heinous crime.

According to Mr. Idirisu, the commissioner of police had visited the Chairman of Nasarawa Eggon Local Government Area and the mining company.

The commissioner called on the people of the state to encourage foreigners willing to do business in the state rather than attacking them.

He reiterated the commitment of the police to safeguard the lives and property of all residents and assured that the command would not relent in its effort to rid the state of crime and criminality.

NAN

Nigerians To Show Evidence Of Tax Payment Before Obtaining International Passports

The Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, on Monday said soon, Nigerians might begin to show evidence of tax payment before obtaining their passports.

Tunde Fowler said this at the 136th meeting of the Joint Tax Board which had the theme: “Increased Inter-Agency Co-operation to Enhance Tax Compliance and Optimise Revenue Collection” in Abuja.

“We did take a position and I believe it would be implemented in the very near future that before you get any services from the immigration department: renewal of passports etc, you’d have to show that you are a tax payer.

“These things are normal all over the world, In an effort to serve Nigerians and Nigeria better.

“People believe that payment of tax is a burden and I’ll repeat that you only pay tax on income and profits.

“So if you reside in Nigeria and you are benefiting from being a Nigerian resident, it is only fair that you contribute to the system that makes you enjoy that standard of living.”

He said the FIRS set a target to increase the individual taxpayer data base by 10 million by December 31.

“I’m glad with our co-operation; we’ve been able to attain 30 per cent of that. We’ve been able to get three million individual taxpayers across the nation.

“I’d like to congratulate Kano State for leading the pack by increasing the database by 944,000 followed by Lagos with 306,000 then Kaduna and Plateau,’’ he said.

The Corps Marshall of the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, Boboye Oyeyemi, lamented that the FRSC was being owed N700 million for number plates production.

He also decried the high rate of fake documentation at ports, saying “if we can strengthen inter-agency collaboration, we’ll get more results now that the focus is on IGR.”

The Chairman of the Abia State Board of Internal Revenue, Udochukwu Ogbonna, urged the revenue generating agencies to co-operate digitally to ensure success and curb corruption.

Also, the Chairman of the Edo State Internal Revenue Service, Oseni Elamah, said “the FIRS should have a digital one-stop-shop accessible to all partners’’.

Some revenue generating agencies on Monday met in Abuja to curtail loss, stop corruption and increase proceeds to government coffers in 2017.

The event brought together all states internal revenue service chairmen and the bosses of the Nigeria Customs Service, and the Nigeria Immigration Service.

NAN

Lagos Street Party: LASG Announces Diversion Of VI Traffic

Ahead of the planned “Lagos Street Party” scheduled to hold on the 3rd and 4th December, 2016, the Lagos State Government has announced alternatives routes that can be used by motorists.

Speaking at a media briefing on the said event, the Acting Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Anofiu Elegushi said traffic would be diverted at the Bishop Oluwole end of Ahmadu Bello Way and at Kuramo fall end.

He said those coming participating at the event will have an opportunity to park at the Eko Atlantic while all other motorists will use alternative routes.

He stated also that Tiamiyu Savage, Akin Adesola and Bishop Oluwole will be condoned off and will not empty into Ahmadu Bello Way.

The alternative routes available include:

All traffic into the venue or location will be condoned off at Bishop Oluwole with participants parking at the Eko Atlantic premises.

For movement further, motorists are to connect to Karimu Kotun and further to Oloosa Street with that journey terminating at the Ocean view end by Eko Hotels.  

Those coming from Ligali Ayorinde and Ajose Adeogun will also terminate their journey at Eko Hotels. Even those from Civic Centre and Ozumba Mbadiwe will also terminate the journey at Eko Hotels. For those existing Eko Hotels, they will travel through the Roundabout to connect Sanusi Fafunwa through Akin Adesola.

Those returning to Ahmadu Bello will use Akin Adesola from where they can connect to Falomo.

Those going to Falomo will use Akin Adesola to connect Falomo Bridge through Saka Tinubu through Karimu Kotun and Olosa Street.  

Elegushi also reiterated that adequate plans have been made for personel and transport management strategies to ensure a hitch free event adding that there was a need to ensure that people obey traffic rules and regulations.

While appealing to the people who will be affected to support Government’s plans, the Commissioner noted that plans are afoot to ensure that no business activities will be disrupted by the diversion.

Also present at the event were the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, Acting Commissioner for Tourism, Mrs. Adebimpe Akinsola, Special Adviser on Central Business District, Mr. Agboola Dabiri, the Permanent Secretary, Transportation, Mr. Oluseyi Whenu.  

Lagos State Government Launches 16-Days Fight Against Sexual And Gender Based Violence

The Lagos State Government through the State’s Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT) is partnering with Access Bank to commemorate 16 Days of activism to end all forms of violence against women and children.

DSVRT Coordinator, Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, in a statement on Sunday, said the team, in partnership with the Financial Control and Strategy Group of Access Bank, would be embarking on series of events aimed at educating and equipping the public with necessary information to increase people’s awareness on sexual and gender based violence crimes as well as practical steps to rid the society of the menace.

As part of the enlightenment programs,

Vivour-Adeniyi said there would be a workshop with the theme: “Safeguarding The Rights For A Child,” while a Symposium tagged “It’s On You And I To End Violence Against Women  And Children,” would also take place.

She said the workshop would majorly focus on children within the region of primary 3 and 6, saying that this became imperative in view of the recent statistics which revealed that children within this age range were most vulnerable as regards falling prey to sex predators.

To that extent, Vivour-Adeniyi said over 1,500 children drawn from both public and private schools in Mainland, Eti- Osa and Apapa axis of the State would receive age appropriate sex education,  tips on being sensitive about their body parts, and also a critical education on how to detect and avoid the process of grooming which is a process most predators adopt.

“It is our utmost desire that after the program, children would be better informed on their rights, red flags to look out for, and relevant self defence tips. They would also receive relevant materials and contact numbers to call to report any child abuse case,” the DSVRT Coordinator said.

 She also disclosed that the Symposium tagged “It’s On You And I To End Violence Against Women  And Children,” would be held at Access Bank Head Office, Victoria Island, adding that the event expected to witness the gathering of relevant stakeholders such as traditional rulers, religious clerics,  students, counsellors, legal practitioners, Civil Society Organisations, Non-Governmental organisations, Health Practitioners, Academicians, School Administrators, social workers, police officers, and private sector stakeholders.

“The aim of attracting such a richly diverse group of participants is to ensure that there is a benefit of a variety of perspectives and solutions being brought to the table as regards addressing this menace in our society.

“We are confident that after these events, there would be an increased level of awareness on how to prevent the occurrence of these crimes, steps to take to report and renewed commitment from members of the society on their role in ridding this menace out of our society,” Vivour-Adeniyi said.

Governor Ambode Presents 2017 Budget To Lagos House of Assembly

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Tuesday presented the Year 2017 Budget proposal of N813billion to the House of Assembly, assuring that the budget would be judiciously implemented to continue the massive infrastructural renewal and the enhancement of Lagos as one of the foremost tourism and investment destination in Africa.

The Governor, who christened the 2017 budget as “The Golden Jubilee Budget” as it coincides with the State’s 50th Anniversary, said it would focus on physical infrastructure, while social sectors especially health, education, youth and social development would get adequate attention.

Giving the key components of budget, Governor Ambode said recurrent expenditure would gulp N300.535billion while N512.464billion would be dedicated to capital expenditure, representing a Capital/Recurrent ratio of 63 percent to 37 percent.

According to the Governor, road construction, rehabilitation and maintenance would be one of the key focuses of the budget, adding that efforts would be geared towards roads that will open up the hinterlands, improve connectivity in the State and reduce travel time.

He listed some of the road projects to include Murtala Mohammed International Airport Road from Oshodi, Agric-Isawo-Owotu-Arepo Road in Ikorodu, Igbe-Igbogbo Phase II- Bola Tinubu Way in Ikorodu, Ijegun Imore Phase II Amuwo in Ojo axis, Oke-Oso-Araga-Poka in Epe, Epe-Poka-Mojoda in the Epe axis and the completion of the Abule-Egba, Ajah and Pen Cinema flyovers.

The Governor also said that within the course of the budget implementation, his administration would enter into a Public Private Partnership (PPP) to execute some road projects including Oke Oso-Itoikin dualisation Project in the Epe axis, Okokomaiko-Seme Road Project in Badagry axis and Ikorodu-Agbowa-Itoikin-Ijebu Ode Road Project in Ikorodu axis, just as he disclosed that the Phase II of the 114 Local Government Roads project as well as the construction of the Fourth Mainland Bridge would also kick off in 2017.

“In the course of the 2017 Financial Year, we shall carry out fundamental reforms on all our modes of transportation – Roads, Water and the Walkways. In this wise, a Public Transport Infrastructure Bond will be issued in the course of the year.

“The State Government will embark on the Urbanisation of the Marina axis, Waterways Channelization, establishment of more Parks and Gardens as well as the Community Sports Centres and Stadiums in different locations across the State.

“We will fully implement the Medical Health Insurance Scheme and deploy e-Health/ e-insurance Health Service solutions; and complete the on-going upgrading and extension work in the State General Hospitals and Ayinke House in Ikeja. Work will commence on our Medical Park in the 2017 fiscal year,” Governor Ambode said.

On the revenue expected from federal Allocation, the Governor said a conservative approach was taken owing to the falling oil prices, which according to him, was about $41.98per barrel at the time of finalising the budget.

He however expressed optimism that the State would get an increase in Federal allocation through the 13 percent derivation from Oil & Gas in 2017.

“In view of our financing gap, we shall continue to sustain deficit financing in the short-to-medium term; enhance revenue growth throughout the year on several initiatives including automation and efficient revenue administration.

Giving a sectoral breakdown of the 2017 Budget Estimates, Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Akinyemi Ashade said the Governor earmarked N205.85billion for General Public Services representing 25.32 percent of the budget, N36.43billion to Public Order and Safety, representing 4.48 percent, while Economic Affairs received a lion share of N295.84billion representing 36.39 percent.

In other sectors, Ashade told journalists at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre in Alausa Secretariat that Environment got 56.31billion, representing 6.93 percent, Health got 57.29billion representing 7.05 percent, while Education got N92.4billion representing 11.37 percent of the budget.


The Commissioner said the Budget would be funded from a total revenue estimate of N642.849billion while the balance of N170.150billion would be funded through a N100bn Bond Issuance program and a combination of internal and external loans.

Receiving the Budget, Speaker of the House, Rt Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, commended the Governor for keeping faith with the 2016 budget in the area of implementation, adding that Lagos has witnessed a quantum leap in the last one year.

Obasa, while assuring the Governor that members of the House would give the 2017 fiscal document due diligence for the benefit of Lagosians, called on the Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to furnish the House with all the necessary documents to enable it fast-track the budget approval process.

The Lagos Speaker also seized the occasion to call on the Senate to reconsider the Special Status Bill for Lagos State, saying there was no better time to accord the State such recognition.

Dignitaries present at the event include former speakers of the House of Assembly including party chieftains, members of the State Executive Council, traditional rulers, religious leaders, among others.

Buhari Decorated As Grand Patron Of Nigerian Academy Of Engineers - Photos

President of the Nigerian Academy of Engineers (NAE),  Joanna Maduka on Tuesday November 29 decorated President Buhari as Grand Patron of the NAE at the presidential villa, Abuja.

''I have a lot of respect for Nigerian Engineers, having worked with them over the years, from my time as Petroleum Commissioner, to the PTF Every time and anywhere I've served in Nigeria, we found it efficient and cost-effective to use Nigerian engineers. They're very competent,'' Buhari's official twitter handle read.

Trump criticizes CNN on Twitter after retweeting supporters' claims about voter fraud

President-elect Donald Trump has lashed out on Twitter criticizing CNN as he faces questions about his unsubstantiated claims of voter fraud.

Trump retweeted a string of messages on Monday night from supporters over voter fraud allegations.

The tweets were critical of a CNN reporter who dismissed the accusations calling them 'blatant and baseless'.

'CNN is so embarrassed by their total (100%) support of Hillary Clinton, and yet her loss in a landslide, that they don't know what to do,' he wrote. 

"@HighonHillcrest: @jeffzeleny what PROOF do u have DonaldTrump did not suffer from millions of FRAUD votes? Journalist? Do your job! @CNN" 

"@JoeBowman12: @jeffzeleny just another generic CNN part time wannabe journalist !"  @CNN still doesn't get it. They will never learn!

"@FiIibuster: @jeffzeleny Pathetic - you have no sufficient evidence that Donald Trump did not suffer from voter fraud, shame! Bad reporter.

"@sdcritic:  @HighonHillcrest @jeffzeleny @CNN There is NO QUESTION THAT #voterfraud did take place, and in favor of #CorruptHillary !"

Trump has responded to a recount effort by arguing that illegal voting happened in the November election, but he has offered no proof.

He has singled out Virginia, California and New Hampshire, but there has been no indication of widespread election tampering or voter fraud in those states or any others.

The President-elect claimed on Twitter on Sunday that he would have won the popular vote if it were not for 'the millions of people who voted illegally.'

'In addition to winning the Electoral College by a landslide, I won the popular vote if you deduct the millions of people who voted illegally,' he said.

'Serious voter fraud in Virginia, New Hampshire and California - so why isn't the media reporting on this? Serious bias - big problem!' he followed up later.

It was the latest in a string of outbursts since Clinton's camp joined Green Party candidate Jill Stein in her efforts for a recount in three major electoral college states: Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Michigan.

The Injustice Of Revenue Allocation In Nigeria (South/North Disparity) - By Annkio Briggs

The disparity between the North and South in revenue sharing based on revenue genearion has been condemned by Niger Delta activist Mrs Annkio Briggs.

This is her analysis

"North Central receives 20%

CONTRIBUTES.              0.00%

North East receives.     16%

CONTRIBUTES.              0.00%

North West  receives.   21%

CONTRIBUTES.              0.00%

Every month the 19 Northern states receive a minimum of 57% of 100% revenue to which they CONTRIBUTE 0.00%.

South West Receives.       16%

CONTRIBUTES.                     3.97%

South East.  Receives.        11.00%

CONTRIBUTES.                       2.07%

South South Receives.        15.00%

CONTRIBUTES.                     91.64%
NIGERIA has 774 LGAS

Northern Nigeria have 19 States, the 19 States have 419 LGAS

Southern Nigeria has been 17 states the 17 states have 355 LGAS

Working with the data from the office of the Accountant General  as published by the Ministry of Finance  (2013 April) the 355 LGAS of the 17 southern states receive 45.1% of what they contribute a 100% of.

The 419 LGAS of the 19 Northern states receive 54.9% of what they contribute 0.00% of.

No grammar will take away the fact that l am talking of equity and justice. The South of Nigeria particularly the Niger Delta has over loved the North, and they don't appreciate it. We must now love our selves, our children and their future and region 200%.

Some Niger Delta people may think it is politically correct to continue to give to a system and people that will never give to us, and even consider us fools for giving.

I refuse to be politically correct, if it means sacrificing Niger Delta.

How dare someone who brings nothing and takes more than me who brings 100% ask me what l am doing with the little that he did not steal."

CKN

BREAKING: Lionel Messi and his Argentina teammates were on doomed plane just 18 days ago

 The plane that crashed in Colombia this morning was used by Lionel Messi and his Argentina teammates less than three weeks ago.

The team were flying home after their 3-0 defeat by Brazil in the World Cup qualifier on November 10.

Seventy six people - including members of Brazilian football side Chapecoense - have died with only five surviving.

After losing to their great rivals in Belo Horizonte, Messi and his teammates flew from the Brazilian city to Ezeiza in their homeland where their training centre is based.

The photo below shows the plane as it landed in Argentina.

The plane reportedly crashed due to lack of fuel at around 10.15pm local time on Monday.

It is thought to have come down in Cerro Gordo in the municipality of La Union, according to Mi Oriente.

Colombia has been hit by heavy storms which are hampering rescue efforts.

Mirror 

GSM subscribers to pay more for data from December 1

Subscribers of the Global System of Mobile telecommunications across the country would pay more for data with effect from December 1, 2016, it was learnt on Monday.

Although the telecoms companies declined to speak on the matter, top management workers across the networks confirmed the story to our correspondent, saying that the directive was from the Nigerian Communications Commission.

Speaking on the condition of anonymity, a senior management employee of Etisalat Nigeria said, “The NCC issued the directive late last week on the orders of the Federal Government. We have not announced it yet because most of the major telcos have been meeting the NCC on how to reverse this policy, because it will be too harsh for Nigerians.

“However, we further gathered that the Federal Government took the decision having discovered that data rates are very low-priced in Nigeria, compared to other countries, including nearby African countries.

“The government might have also taken the decision given that Nigerian subscribers have been kicking against the proposed nine per cent Communication Tax, whose bill is currently in the National Assembly.”

Pleading not to be mentioned, an employee of MTN said, “What this means is that MTN, Airtel, Etisalat And Globacom will increase their data rates as from December 1, 2016. A data plan of N1,000 for 1.5 Gigabytes will now be increased to N3,000 at N1,000 per 500 Megabytes.”

In text messages sent out to its subscribers, MTN, Africa’s mobile telecommunications giant, confirmed that it had agreed to implement the directive of the NCC.

The MTN text read, “Dear customer, please be informed that from 1st of December, some MTN data tariffs will be increased to reflect the new rates set by the NCC for operators. Thank you.”

An official response from the NCC could not be obtained as at of the time of filing this report.

However, a representative of the commission said that the telecoms regulator was unaware of such plans by the operators, even as she said her bosses had claimed ignorance of the circulated message.

“We are unaware of it. I just asked my bosses; they are unaware. We will forward your query to MTN for appropriate attention,” she said over the telephone.

However, in a letter by the NCC to the operators sighted by our correspondent, the commission stated, “This rate will subsist pending the finalisation of the study on the determination of cost-based pricing for retail broadband and data services in Nigeria.
“In order to provide a level playing field for all operators in the industry, small operators and new entrants to acquire market share and operate profitably, small operators and new entrants are hereby exempted from the price floor for data services.”

It added, “For the avoidance of doubt a small operator is one that has less than 7.5 per cent market share and a new entrant is an operator that has operated less than three years in the market.

“All operators are to ensure that subscribers are not automatically migrated to pay-as-you-go platform.

“Also, note that effective date for the interim price floor is December 1, 2016.”

Reacting to the development, the President, National Association of Telecommunications Subscribers, Mr. Adeolu Ogunbanjo, said that the NCC representative was being economical with the truth.

He said that for MTN to have sent out millions of text messages to its subscribers “clearly shows that the NCC indeed issued the directive.”

Ogunbanjo, however, said that the association would resist the tariff hike, adding, “We will challenge it in court. We are going right away to set the machinery in motion. We are also going to do an urgent letter to the NCC Executive Vice Chairman, Prof. Umar Danbatta, which we will drop in his e-mail box.

 “Unfortunately, the notice is short; today is November 28, yet the order will take effect from December 1. It is not just good for broadband penetration, whatever the reason may be. It is against telecoms subscribers.”

According to him, data availability means more youth engagement because they use data to develop apps and build software.

“But with what the NCC has done, these boys who develop apps will be slowed down and limited. The cost of doing business will also increase,” he added.

The Punch

S. Korean leader offers conditional resignation amid scandal

South Korean President Park Geun-hye said Tuesday that she'll resign — if parliament arranges the technical details — in her latest attempt to fend off impeachment efforts and massive street protests amid prosecution claims that a corrupt confidante wielded government power from the shadows.

Opponents immediately called Park's conditional resignation offer a stalling tactic, and analysts said her steadfast denial that she has done anything wrong could embolden her enemies. The country's largest opposition party, the Minjoo Party, said it would not let Park's "ploy to avoid impeachment" interfere with a planned vote on impeachment on Friday.

Park, who did not take questions from reporters after her live address to the nation, said she will "leave the matters about my fate, including the shortening of my presidential term, to be decided by the National Assembly," referring to parliament.

"If the ruling and opposition parties discuss and come up with a plan to reduce the confusion in state affairs and ensure a safe transfer of governments, I will step down from the presidential position under that schedule and by processes stated in law," she said.

How exactly this might play out is still unclear. But some saw Park's speech as a clear effort to avoid leaving office, despite the resignation language.

One clue that she was trying to buy time, said Yul Shin, a politics professor at Seoul's Myongji University, was her comment on "shortening" the presidential term, which he said would require a time-consuming constitutional amendment. Park is to end her single five-year term in early 2018.

"There is no possibility that the opposition parties will accept her offer; not when the public is this angry," Shin said. "She apparently wanted to buy more time, but in the end she might have hastened the end of her presidency."

Park's speech came as opposition parties were closing in on an impeachment motion. Even some of her allies have called on her to "honorably" step down rather than face impeachment. Meanwhile, hundreds of thousands of people have rallied in Seoul each Saturday to demand her ouster.

The country's two largest opposition parties said they will propose to the presidential office two former senior prosecutors as candidates for a special prosecutor to independently investigate the scandal. Under a law passed by parliament earlier this month, Park has three days to pick a special prosecutor among the two candidates.

Park, in her speech, continued to deny accusations by prosecutors that she colluded in the criminal activities of her longtime friend Choi Soon-sil, who, despite having no official role in government, allegedly had a say in policy decisions and exploited her presidential ties to bully companies into giving large sums of money to businesses and foundations that Choi controlled.

"Not for one moment did I pursue my private gains, and I have so far lived without ever harboring the smallest selfish motive," Park said. "The problems that have emerged are from projects that I thought were serving the public interest and benefiting the country. But since I failed to properly manage those around me, (everything that happened) is my large wrongdoing."

Instead of buying her more time, Park's conditional resignation offer may embolden street protesters and further fan the anger of her critics because she continues to deny wrongdoing over the scandal, said Choi Chang Ryul, a politics professor at South Korea's Yongin University.

Chung Jinsuk, floor leader of Park's Saenuri Party, defended her speech as showing a "determination to avoid confusion in state affairs," and said that parliament should "overcome factions" to agree on the process and timeline for Park's exit.

South Korea's first president, Syngman Rhee, quit and fled to Hawaii amid a popular uprising in 1960. The succeeding government was overthrown by a coup by Park's late father, the military dictator Park Chung-hee, whose rule also abruptly ended after he was assassinated by his spy chief in 1979. Choi Kyu-hah then became acting president, but was forced out of office eight months later after a military coup led by Chun Doo-hwan, who would eventually become president.

At the heart of the scandal is Choi Soon-sil, the daughter of a late cult leader and mentor who became close to Park after her mother's assassination in 1974.

Prosecutors have so far indicted Choi, two ex-presidential officials and a music video director known as a Choi associate for extortion, leakage of confidential documents and other charges.

Park, who has immunity from prosecution while in office, has refused to meet with prosecutors. Her lawyer, Yoo Yeong-ha, has described prosecutors' accusations as groundless.

AP

Colombia plane crash: Brazilian football team Chapecoense among 81 people in mountain plane crash

Players and staff of the Brazilian first division football team Chapecoense were among 81 people on board a plane that crashed in remote Colombian mountains on Monday night.

The team were on their way from Bolivia to Medellin International Airport ahead of the first leg of the Copa Sudamericana final with Colombian side Atletico Nacional.

It is understood that just six passengers - including three players - have survived, with defender Alan Ruschel and goalkeepers Jackson Follmann and Danilo reported to be among those pulled alive from the wreckage.

The footballers had to change their flight and board the plane that crashed after Brazilian aviation authorities prevented them from taking a charter flight, it has been claimed.

The same aircraft carried the Argentina national team to a fixture in Brazil earlier this month and had also previously transported the Venezuela national side.

The first leg of the final, scheduled for Wednesday, has been postponed, while the South American Football Confederation (Conmebol) said it was suspending 'all activities.'

Chapecoense issued a short statement that read: 'May God be with our athletes, officials, journalists and other guests travelling with our delegation.'

The British Aerospace 146 short-haul plane, operated by a charter airline called LaMia and carrying 72 passengers and nine crew, declared an emergency at 10pm local time (3am) on Monday night after suffering power failures while flying through the mountainous Antioquia Department.

Premier League club Arsenal were among the many football clubs and footballers who posted tributes on social media after the crash.

Elkin Ospina, the mayor of La Ceja, close to the crash site, said scores of rescuers were at the scene searching for survivors, though poor visibility forced an air force rescue helicopter to turn back.Heavy rainfall also disrupted the overnight rescue efforts.

A video published on the Chapecoense Facebook page showed the team members preparing to board the flight earlier on Monday at Sao Paulo's Guarulhos International Airport.

The modest team, from the small city of Chapeco, were enjoying a fairytale season. They had returned to the Brazilian top-flight in 2014 for the first time since the 1970s and made it to the final of the Copa Sudamericana - the South American equivalent of the UEFA Europa League - by beating Argentina's San Lorenzo last week.

The team's vice-president Ivan Tozzo said the city was in tears following the news. He told cable channel SporTV: 'We are very sad, gathered here in the locker room of our stadium. We are still waiting for news. All our board is there, our players. We have nothing concrete on their state.

'There are a lot of people crying in our city, we could never imagine this. Chapecoense is the biggest reason for joy here. We hope there are many survivors, at least that most of them are OK.'

Daily Mail

MILITANTS INVADES EPE AXIS OF LAGOS

POLICE PRESS RELEASE .

RE: MILITANTS INVADES EPE AXIS OF LAGOS.

The attention of Lagos State Police Command has been drawn to a publication circulating on social media that EPE axis of Lagos State is under siege of militants. The publication is quoted as follows :

"News coming from epe axis now, at epe-itoikin road exactly at molajoye bridge. Militants are there striking seriously, kidnapping people please if u are in Epe, pls stay in Epe and if u are in Itoikin pls stay in Itoikin oooooo. Pass this info until it gets to security agencies to save us all from this land invaders".

The Command wishes to state that this publication is not only false and misleading but a figment of imagination of the writer. EPE axis and the whole of Lagos State is totally safe. There is no invasion by militants or any other criminal elements on any part of Lagos.

The Command hereby advise anyone peddling this falsehood to desist or be made answerable to the law.

Residents of EPE and Lagos at large should disregard this falsehood and carry on their lawful activities, as the Command has devised operational strategies to ensure safety of lives and property during this festive season.

Members of the public are enjoined to report any suspicious movement to the command through it's emergency numbers 767 or 112.

The command hereby reiterates it's commitment to keeping Lagos State safe.

SP DOLAPO BADMOS
POLICE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER
LAGOS STATE

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