US Vs Iran: United Kingdom Issues Security Alert To Citizens In Nigeria

The United Kingdom has warned its citizens in Nigeria to be more security conscious and vigilant due to rising threat between United States and Iran over the killing of Iranian General, Qasem Soleimani, by an airstrike by America.

U.S. To Begin Reviewing Social Media Posts As Part of Immigration, Visa Security Screening

WASHINGTON -- The Obama administration is reviewing procedures for vetting would-be immigrants, with an eye toward examining applicants' online presence, to close security gaps in the U.S. visa system, the White House said Monday.

Federal Authorities Charge 6 People In The U.S For Terrorism

(CNN) Federal authorities have charged six people with aiding terrorists overseas. The Department of Justice accuses them of conspiring to provide materials and money to terrorists in Syria, Iraq and elsewhere. Two of them are accused of conspiring to kill and harm people overseas.

United States Military Bases In Europe Step Up Security

(CNN) All U.S. military bases in Europe were ordered Tuesday to institute additional security measures in the wake of the attacks in Paris and arrests in Belgium and continuing intelligence that foreign fighters are returning to Europe.

United States Alarmed By China’s 10 DF-31 Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles

The United States is concerned as China’s strategic missile force, or the Second Artillery Corps, has 10 DF-31 intercontinental ballistic missiles ready in service. Intelligence reports from the Pentagon revealed that while launch of the DF-31 missiles will not be able to hit the central U.S., the modified DF-31A, with a range of 11,200 kilometers, is capable of hitting key locations in the U.S.

Why Is The US Military So Interested in Chad?

Brigadier General James Linder and other military officials at the closing ceremony for a US-led international training mission for African militaries (Reuters/Joe Penney)

Admit it. You don't know where Chad is. You know it's in Africa, of course. But beyond that? Maybe with a map of the continent and by some process of elimination you could come close. But you'd probably pick Sudan or maybe the Central African Republic.

26 Things About the Islamic State (ISIS) That The United States Does Not Want You to Know About

The US led war against  the Islamic State is a big lie. In this article, we address 26 concepts which refute the big lie.  Portrayed by the media as a humanitarian undertaking, this large scale military operation directed against Syria and Iraq has resulted in countless civilian deaths.

United States Faults Nigeria's Claims, Releases Details of Aid To Nigerian Military in War against Boko Haram

The United States has faulted the claim by the Nigerian government that it is standing in the way of the Nigerian military’s quest to procure weapons to strengthen its war against the extremist Boko Haram sect.

Why America Needs War

This incisive article was written on April 30, 2003, by historian and political scientist Jacques Pauwels.  

Wars are a terrible waste of lives and resources, and for that reason most people are in principle opposed to wars. The American President, on the other hand, seems to love war. Why?

White House Computers 'Hacked'

A White House computer network has been breached by hackers, it has been reported.

Falling Crude Oil Prices: Winners and Losers

Falling oil prices mean that some oil exporters are bracing themselves for significant revenue shortfalls, while some importing countries could benefit economically as consumers pay less for energy and have more to spend elsewhere.

United States Offers $45m Bounty For Information On 8 Terrorist Leaders

Washington – The United States has offered a reward of 45 million dollars for information on eight key leaders of
the Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) terrorist organisation.

The U.S. State Department said on Wednesday in Washington that it’s Rewards for Justice Programme
was also offering rewards 10 million dollars for information leading to the location of Nasir al-Wahishi, AQAP’s top leader, and five million dollars each for the information on seven of the group’s leaders.

It said the Al-Wahishi was responsible for approving AQAP targets, recruiting new members, allocating resources, and directing the group’s operatives to conduct attacks.

It said AQAP had launched numerous high-profile terrorist attacks against the Yemeni government, U.S and other foreign interests.
It said the attack includes a May 2012 suicide bombing in Sanaa, that killed more than 100 people.

The State department said in 2013 more than 20 U.S embassies were temporarily closed in response to a threat associated with AQAP.

AQAP was formed in January 2009 by Yemeni and Saudi terrorists under the leadership of al-Wahishi, who had
headed AQAP’s predecessor group Al-Qaeda in Yemen.

On Jan. 19, 2010, the then Secretary of State Hillary Clinton designated the group as a Foreign Terrorist
Organization.

Source:
Vanguard

Can We Really Trust The Public Sector With Our Private Data? - Morten Kjaersgaard

Large companies and public organizations get hacked daily. Your personal information is no longer private, but is widely becoming more and more public knowledge, as your data gets hacked and then leaked onto forums.

United States warns of 'Specific Terrorist Threat' to Uganda's Entebbe Airport

The United States warned its citizens in Uganda on Thursday about a "specific threat" of an attack within hours on Entebbe International Airport, which serves the capital Kampala.

A message posted on the U.S. Embassy website said information from Uganda's police indicated that the attack could take place between 9 p.m and 11 p.m. local time, adding that citizens planning to travel at that time might consider reviewing their arrangements.

As one of the countries that contributes forces to an African Union peacekeeping mission battling the radical group Al-Shabab in Somalia, Uganda has suffered attacks in recent years, with the feared armed group threatening more.

Ignie Ugundura, a spokesman for Uganda's Civil Aviation Authority, confirmed the authority had issued an alert on Wednesday that "informed the airport community,” but did not offer more details.

A Ugandan police spokeswoman said security had been stepped up at Entebbe, but that the police were not aware of a specific threat to Uganda.

The U.S. Embassy message said it had "received information from the Uganda Police Force (UPF) that according to intelligence sources there is a specific threat to attack Entebbe International Airport by an unknown terrorist group today, July 3, between the hours of 2100-2300.”

The warning came a day after American authorities said they would require increased security at overseas airports with nonstop flights to the United States. U.S. officials cited concerns that Al-Qaeda operatives in Syria and Yemen were developing bombs that could be smuggled onto planes.

There are no nonstop flights from Uganda's Entebbe airport to the United States.

Courtesy:
Aljazeera

Nigeria, US, UK, 5 Others Set Up Intelligence Response Unit

Nigeria, United States, Britain and five other countries have set up an External Intelligence Response Unit, EIRU, to fast track the fight against Boko Haram terrorists in the country.

This was even as 18 Sudanese and 30 Nigeriens, some Chadians and Libyans were said to be among about 1,000 Boko Haram insurgents currently being detained at the various detention facilities across the country.

Other members of the EIRU are France, Benin Republic, Cameroon, Chad and Niger Republic.
A statement by the Coordinator of the National Information Centre, NIC, in Abuja yesterday, Mr. Mike Omeri, said the EIRU was set up following a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, signed by all the member countries in Yaounde, the capital of Cameroon.

Omeri’s statement, entitled Terrorism: Nigeria, US, others set up External Intelligence Response Unit, read: “As a fall out of the Paris summit, an EIRU has been established by Nigeria, Benin Republic, Cameroon, Chad, Niger, United Kingdom, France and the United States.
“This followed the signing of an MoU in which member countries committed themselves to sharing all forms of information on security, particularly terrorism challenges, a move initiated by Nigeria.

“The development is a major achievement in the fight against insurgency in the West African sub-region and Nigeria in particular.
“The member countries met in Abuja last month to establish the framework that led to the signing of the MoU in Yaounde.

Source:

Vanguard Newspaper

United States Set To Launch "Counterterrorism TV Channel" in Northern Nigeria

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States is financing a new 24-hour satellite TV channel in northern Nigeria meant to counter insurgencies by the militant Islamist Boko Haram and other groups in the region, the New York Times reported on Friday.

A U.S. official confirmed the project was under way but did not give full details. The official said the United States would "support Nigerian efforts to provide an attractive alternative to the messaging of violent extremists."

The project is a result of discussions with Nigeria dating back to late 2012 on ways to cooperate against Boko Haram and the content of the channel will be produced by Nigerians in Nigeria, the official said.

The United States has in recent months increased its collaboration with Abuja in response to violence from Boko Haram, including surveillance and communications help after the abduction of more than 200 schoolgirls in April.

The Times said the TV channel, which is not yet broadcasting but is near to completion, is financed by the State Department’s Bureau of Counterterrorism and is expected to cost about $6 million.

The project is run in Nigeria by Equal Access International, a San Francisco-based government contractor that has managed media programs sponsored by the State Department in Yemen and Pakistan meant to encourage youth participation in politics and counter Islamist extremism, it said.

The paper quoted foreign policy experts saying the project faced several challenges in a region with low levels of infrastructure, public services, literacy and security. Access to electricity is limited and few people own televisions.

In addition to the broadcasts, the Times said the project would provide training to journalists in the region.

Source:
Reuters

President Barack Obama Makes Surprise Afghan Visit

President Barack Obama has told US troops in Afghanistan that America's longest war will come to "a responsible end" at the end of 2014.

Mr Obama was cheered by soldiers during the unannounced visit to Bagram Airfield outside Kabul.

It comes on the eve of Memorial Day, when Americans commemorate troops who have died in service.

Foreign combat troops are due to withdraw from the country by the end of the year.

The US is seeking to keep a small number of troops there to train Afghan security forces. But that plan depends on the next Afghan president - due to be elected next month - signing a bilateral security agreement that incumbent Afghan President Hamid Karzai has refused to authorise.

President Obama had invited his Afghan counterpart to the base but Mr Karzai refused, saying he would only meet Mr Obama at his palace in Kabul, officials said.

Instead, Mr Obama called the Afghan leader from Air Force One on his way back to the US, officials said, saying he would be in touch before announcing any decision on the planned US troop presence after 2014.

Mr Obama praised US troops for reversing the momentum of the Taliban
"By the end of this year... Afghans will take full responsibility for their security and our combat mission will be over. America's war in Afghanistan will come to a responsible end."

Mr Obama said the US would remain committed to Afghanistan provided the incoming president signed the security agreement.

Both of the candidates who will face each other in the second round of the Afghan election next month are committed to signing the security deal with the US that would allow a small force of some 10-15,000 US troops to remain next year.

Afghanistan was at a pivotal moment, he said, with US forces having decimated al-Qaeda, reversing the momentum of the Taliban, and leaving a legacy of better health and education and strong Afghan forces.

"After all the sacrifices we've made we want to preserve the gains that you have helped to win and we're going to make sure that Afghanistan can never again, ever, be used again to launch an attack against our country," he said.

Source:
BBC

Corruption Stalls Nigeria’s war Against Boko Haram –United States

The United States Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy and Human Rights, Sarah Sewall, has said that corruption is hindering Nigeria’s efforts at ending   insurgency in the North-East.

Sewall, who appeared before a hearing of the House Foreign Affairs Committee on Wednesday, alongside a Pentagon top Africa official, Amanda Dory, added that the military must overcome entrenched corruption and incompetence for it to rescue the over 200 schoolgirls abducted by Boko Haram on April 14.

She said that despite Nigeria’s $5.8bn security budget for 2014, “corruption prevents supplies as basic as bullets and transport vehicles from reaching the front lines of the struggle against Boko Haram.”

Sewall, according to the New York Times, also told the committee that morale was low and that desertions were common among soldiers in the 7th Army Division fighting the insurgents.

She sidestepped a question from one lawmaker asking for an update on the abducted girls’ location and welfare, saying, “Given time, I am hopeful that we will make progress.”

Sewall had on May 13 clarified the level of involvement of US personnel in the rescue of the abducted girls, saying it   would not be combative.

She told select journalists   in Abuja that it was up to Nigeria to accept or reject the prisoners exchange offer made by Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau.

In her testimony, Dory said that Pentagon believed that the girls might have been dispersed into multiple smaller groups.

“They may or may not all be in Nigeria,” she added, stressing that Nigerian military’s heavy-handed tactics with Boko Haram risked “further harming and alienating local populations.”

The Chairman of the Committee, Ed Royce, said being trained by the global terrorist sect meant greater terror for Nigerians, and greater challenges for the security forces.

The committee’s hearing on the menace of insurgents was tagged: “Boko Haram – The Growing Threat To Schoolgirls, Nigeria And Beyond.”

Washington had on Wednesday said that 80 US troops were currently in Chad to support the growing international effort to   rescue the abducted schoolgirls.

The military personnel are not ground troops. They are mostly Air Force crew members, maintenance specialists and security officers for unarmed Predator surveillance drones .

“These personnel will support the operation of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft for missions over northern Nigeria and the surrounding area,” the White House said in a statement formally notifying the US Congress about the deployment.

Culled From:
Punch Newspaper

US Embassy Warns of Plausible Terrorist Attack In Lagos.

The Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the risks of travel to Nigeria and recommends that U.S. citizens avoid all travel to Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe states because of the May 14, 2013 state of emergency proclamation for those three states by the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. As of late April, groups associated with terrorism allegedly planned to mount an unspecified attack against the Sheraton Hotel in Nigeria, near the city of Lagos. There was no further information regarding which of the two Sheraton Hotels in Lagos was the possible target, or if both of the Sheraton Hotels are possible targets. There is no further information regarding the timing or method of attack. U.S. citizens are cautioned to avoid these hotels at this time.

The security situation in the country remains fluid and unpredictable. The U.S. Department of State strongly urges U.S. citizens in Nigeria to keep personal safety and health in the forefront of your planning. We remind U.S. citizens to review your personal security plans; remain aware of your surroundings, including local events; and monitor local news stations for updates. Maintain a high level of vigilance and take appropriate steps to enhance your personal security.

The Department strongly advises U.S. citizens who travel to or reside in Nigeria to enroll in the State Department's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). U.S. citizens without internet access may enroll directly with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. STEP enrollment gives you the latest security updates, and makes it easier for the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate to contact you in an emergency.

Current information on safety and security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada, or a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444 if calling from other countries. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). You can also stay up to date by bookmarking our Bureau of Consular Affairs website, which contains the current Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts, including the Travel Warning for Nigeria as well as the Worldwide Caution. Follow us on Twitter and the Bureau of Consular Affairs page on Facebook to have travel information at your fingertips.

The U.S. Embassy in Abuja is located at: Plot 1075 Diplomatic Drive, Central District Area. The Embassy is open Monday - Thursday 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Friday 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The U.S. Consulate General in Lagos is located at: 2 Walter Carrington Crescent, Victoria Island. The Consulate is open Monday - Thursday from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Friday 7:00 a.m. to 1:014. U.S. citizens should contact the U.S. Embassy in Abuja or the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos for up-to-date information on any restrictions. The U.S. Embassy in Abuja can be reached by telephone, including afterhours emergencies, at 234(9) 461-4000. The U.S. Consulate General in Lagos can be reached by telephone, including after-hours emergencies, at 234(1) 460-3600 or 234 (1) 460-3400.

Source:
United States Diplomatic Mission Nigeria