Trump fires acting AG after she declines to defend travel ban

President Donald Trump fired acting Attorney General Sally Yates Monday night for "refusing to enforce a legal order designed to protect the citizens of the United States," the White House said.

"(Yates) has betrayed the Department of Justice," the White House statement said.

Dana Boente, US attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, was sworn in at 9 p.m. ET, per an administration official. A few hours later, Boente issued a statement rescinding Yates' order, instructing DOJ lawyers to "defend the lawful orders of our President."

Trump didn't call Yates to dismiss her, she was informed by hand-delivered letter, according to a different administration official.

Donald Trump's Inauguration: Photos

Trump's Inauguration Ceremony: Image Preview by Paul Noth and other Extracts

New Yorker cartoonist Paul Noth provides two imagined previews of the ceremony.

UK Refuses to Sign Paris ‘Peace’ Summit Declaration

In a dramatic development following the Paris Peace Summit on Sunday, the United Kingdom refused to sign a joint declaration calling for a two-state solution, saying the document may “harden” the Palestinian stance on negotiations.

The UK was notably absent from the conference, which convened representatives and foreign ministers from around 70 nations, including Secretary of State John Kerry; it sent only a junior delegation to act solely in an “observer status.” According to the Guardian, this was a deliberate decision in order to “stay close to Donald Trump’s administration.”

The confab did not include representatives from either the Palestinian or Israeli leaderships, prompting a British Foreign Office spokesman to say London had “particular reservations” about its outcome. He further added that London was opposed to the conference taking place against Israel’s expressed wishes and “just days before the transition to a new American President when the U.S. will be the ultimate guarantor of any agreement.”

“There are risks therefore that this conference hardens positions at a time when we need to be encouraging the conditions for peace,” he added, noting that the UK did not sign the conference’s final declaration issued Sunday evening.

“We will continue to support efforts to improve conditions on the ground to enable negotiations to resume and look forward to working with the parties, the new U.S. Administration and other countries represented in this conference to make progress in 2017 and beyond,” the spokesperson said.

Earlier on Sunday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu slammed the conference as “pointless” and the “final palpitations” of yesterday’s world.

“It also distances peace as it hardens Palestinians conditions and keeps them away from direct negotiations without preconditions. I have to say that this conference is among the last remnants of the world of yore. Tomorrow will look different, and tomorrow is very close,” he added.

As Oil Crunch Bites, Nigeria Chooses China’s $40B Over Taiwan

After China pledged US$40 billion in investments and projects in Nigeria, Taiwan has been ordered to move its representative office from the capital Abuja to Lagos, the commercial hub.

The Nigerian Foreign Minister said that Taiwan would have no diplomatic representation whatsoever in Nigeria and that "a trade mission with a skeletal staff" would operate in Lagos, state news agency NAN reported, as cited by Business Insider.

In desperate need of investment due to falling oil prices and lagging production, Nigeria is in no position to reject China’s demands to support Beijing’s One China policy and break off all official relations with Taiwan.

“The Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria recognizes that there is only one China in the world,” Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister Geoffrey Onyeama said following a bilateral meeting with his Chinese counterpart.

Nigeria’s economic ties with China are much more important its ties with Taiwan, making the move to kick Taiwan to the curb a strategic one. Taiwan-Nigeria trade was just $800 million through all of 2016—a mere fraction of the $6.46 billion in trade with China for first six months of the same year.

Nigeria said Taiwan would no longer enjoy the privileges that are granted to other sovereign countries.

Ezekwesili lists conditions to follow troops to Sambisa

The Bringbackourgirls campaign group has replied the Federal government’s letter inviting the group to follow troops to the Sambisa forest for a search of the missing Chibok schoolgirls.

In its letter, BBOG said it was willing to undertake the tour but called for a pre-tour meeting with the National Security Adviser to the President and the other officials of government including: 1. The Minister of Defence, 2. The Chief of Army Staff, and 3. The Chief of Air Forces.

It also asked that the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, should retract and apologize to BBOG for receiving and endorsing a group he received at the Army Headquarters, who had accused BBOG of engaging in “social advocacy terrorism.”

BBOG’s reply:

“We write to thank you and acknowledge your letter on the above subject, dated January 11, 2017 which we received by email transmission yesterday, January 12, 2017. We had an emergency meeting of our Movement to discuss your invitation to embark on a “guided tour” of the Nigerian Air Force Command (Yola) and Sambisa Forest with officials of the government.

Nigerians are looking on to PDP for salvation, emancipation from APC – says FFM

Forum of Former Ministers, FFM, in the country has said that Nigerians are looking on to Peoples Democratic Party PDP for salvation, emancipation from All Progressive Congress led Federal Government. Speaking at Government House, Port Harcourt on Thursday night while on a solidarity visit to Governor Nyesom Wike. Chairman of the forum, Dr Sule Lamido hailed the governor for his fight against anti-democratic forces in the country.

Dr Lamido who led representatives of the body on the visit assured that they were with governor Wike, stressing that the visit was to reiterate their support for him in his fight against anti-democracy.

Those who came were Former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Former Jigawa State Governor, Dr Sule Lamido, Former Minister of Education and Former Kano State Governor, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, Former Minister of Youth Development and Former Adamawa State Governor, Mr Boni Haruna, Former Minister of Interior, Comrade Abba Moro, Former Minister of Women Affairs, Iyom Josephine Anenih, Former Minister of State for Defence, Erelu Olusola Obada and Former Minister, Ambassador Musa Kazaure. Lamido, who was also a former governor of Jigawa state, said they were impressed with the success record of governor Wike, adding that he should remain a strong pillar for democracy in the country. While also urging governors of PDP in the country to ensure the party does not die, Lamido said they should build it into a virile structure.

Ronaldo beats Messi, Griezmann to win FIFA best player award

Cristiano Ronaldo was named the world’s best player at the inaugural Best FIFA Football Awards in Zurich.

Real Madrid and Portugal forward Ronaldo, 31, beat Barcelona’s Lionel Messi and Atletico Madrid’s Antoine Griezmann to the prize.

Ronaldo also won the Ballon d’Or in December, with both honours recognition for success in the Champions League with Real Madrid and Euro 2016 with Portugal.

Carli Lloyd of the United States was named the world’s best female player.

Leicester’s Claudio Ranieri was named best men’s coach, ex-Germany boss Silvia Neid won the female coach award, while Penang’s Mohd Faiz Subri received the Puskas award for the best goal of 2016.

Despite being on the shortlist for best individual player, Griezmann did not make the best XI.

The line-up features five players from Real Madrid, four from Barcelona, one from Juventus (Dani Alves, who was at Barca for the first half of 2016) and one, Manuel Neuer, from Bayern Munich.

Is 2017 JAMB Form Out? Don't fall into the hands of fraudsters

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has warned prospective candidates against purchasing application documents from con artists.

The examination body says it is yet to begin the sales of the UTME form, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

Before now, some registration centres had been selling forms to candidates at prices ranging from N3,700 to N5,000.

Fabian Benjamin, JAMB’s Head of Media and Publicity, on Monday, said the board would adequately sensitize the public before the sale begins.

“I want the public to be patient. We are putting finishing touches to the arrangements for a hitch free outing.”

“We do not want a repeat of what had been happening before and during registration this year.”

“We need to ensure that prospective candidates do the right thing and get their results without problems.”

“So we want to appeal to prospective candidates to be patient as we will soon begin sale of the forms.”

He warned the general public and prospective candidates not to fall prey to the activities of fraudsters who might lure them into buying fake documents.

Buhari Hosts ECOWAS Leaders to Discuss Gambia

Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday hosted this years’ West African Leaders Meeting in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

The ECOWAS meeting had in attendance, the President of Liberia, Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf; Ghana’s John Mahama and the President of Senegal, Macky Sall.

The leaders discussed the Gambian presidential election outcome, where President Yahya Jammeh is refusing to step aside after losing an election.

President Buhari is the chairman of the mediation team to Gambia and Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, briefed newsmen after the meeting.

“They agreed on the determination to resolve the Gambian political crisis in a manner that at every step of the way, conforms with the constitution of The Gambia and respects the will of the people of Gambia.”

“They expressed particular concern at the deteriorating situation that has been reported in respect of security in The Gambia, in particular the closure of some of the radio stations and media houses, arrests that have been taking place and also the refugee situation that is being created with the mass exodus of a large number of people to the interior and to neighbouring countries.”

“In view of this, the meeting agreed that a certain number of presidents will visit again, in two days time, President Jammeh in The Gambia,” he said.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

It is another year before our eyes. It is such a great privilege to have our feet stamped on the sands of year Two Thousand and Seventeen – God being the sole reason.

Now, regarding what the year holds for us, we got to weigh a lot of factors before taking decisions.

God has destined us to occupy 2017; to rule and take dominion over it. We are stewards of God on earth and so, should endeavour in all our dealings in this year. I see God presenting a blank cheque on this 1^st day of January, 2017. If I were you, I will start putting in slots for my great abundance this year and beyond.

HAPPY NEW YEAR from realtimeclick!