ABUJA: Operation Python Dance to be staged every year in South-East – Army

The Nigerian Army on Sunday said Operation Python Dance, which is currently going on in the South-East, would be staged in the region every year.
Deputy Director, Public Relations 82 Division, Nigerian Army, Enugu, Col. Sagir Musa, disclosed this in a statement entitled ‘The objectives of exercise Egwu Eke 11 (Python Dance II).
The army spokesman insisted that the military campaign was not targeted at anybody, or group.

“Exercise Egwu Eke II (Python Dance II) is now a scheduled Nigerian Army Exercise to be conducted annually in the South-East Region and is not targeted  at any individual or group.
“Law abiding citizens need not to fear and are advised to freely go about their normal businesses,” Musa said.

Iraq Plans Kurdish Independence Referendum

 

An oil-rich province in the north of Iraq plans to vote in a referendum on Kurdish independence later this month, prompting fears of regional conflict as tensions escalate over who owns a portion of the country's crude.
Kurdish forces have been in complete control of the province of Kirkuk — as well as other disputed areas — since the summer of 2014, when so-called Islamic State swept across parts of Iraq. In addition to being home to much of Iraq's oil, the northern part of the country forms part of Kurdistan, the unofficial but centuries-old home of the Kurdish people. The Kurds have long sought their own state and began to believe it was near their grasp after American troops overthrew Saddam Hussein's Iraqi government in 2003.

North Korea Receiving Russian Supply Despite Sanctions

Russian smugglers are illicitly supplying North Korea with contraband energy and goods, evading sanctions and ignoring concerns about the isolated Asian country’s nuclear tests, the Washington Post reported Monday.
“As the Chinese cut off oil and gas, we’re seeing [North Korea] turn to Russia,” the newspaper quoted an unnamed senior U.S. official with knowledge of alleged Russian smuggling into North Korea on Monday.

Bitcoin's price falls sharply after report China may shut down exchanges

The price of bitcoin fell sharply after a report China's regulators are planning a further crackdown on the digital currency.

Local outlet Caixin is reporting the Asian country is planning to shut down local bitcoin exchanges, according to a Google translation.
Bitcoin's price fell 7 percent midafternoon Friday after the news, according to Coindesk market data.

Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Accuses FBI of Conspiring Against Russia

Russia’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has accused the FBI of planting incriminating material at the Russian consulate in San Francisco.
Zakharova said the FBI had entered the consulate without seeking permission from Russia.
“What was their goal?” she said Friday at a weekly press briefing. “Is it not an attempt by the American special services to arrange an anti-Russian provocation and perhaps either to plant compromising materials in the building or to somehow find them later?”

Ex-Nigerian leader Obasanjo urges Togo change

Anti-government protests have continued in Togo for a third day, with clashes between opposition supporters and police.
The opposition wants President Faure Gnassingbe to step down after 12 years in power. He succeeded his father who governed for 38 years.

PORT HARCOURT, Multi Regional Groups Warn against Move to Re-arrest Kanu

As concerns grow over the ongoing move by the federal authorities to re-arrest leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, groups across the geopolitical zones have described it as  a“costly mistake” and warned of dire consequences.

In a statement issued at the weekend by the Eastern Consultative Assembly (ECA) and Igbo Leaders of Thought said the federal government which has been floundering with one political mistake after the other should restrain itself from plunging the nation into more crises by angling to re-arrest the IPOB leader.