5 Seconds of Summer Band Member Torched During Concert

Michael Clifford, guitarist for the band 5 Seconds of Summer, was set on fire Saturday night when a fireball engulfed him on stage.

The London concert included pyrotechnics where fire would shoot from portions of the stage. Michael was standing too close when a ball of flames lit his hair on fire, badly burning his face.

The show had almost ended -- the band was about to do an encore - but the show abruptly ended and Michael was taken to the hospital.

Michael tweeted that his condition is stable, adding, "What the f***s up. sorry I couldnt finish the encore but at least I look like two face, thanks for worrying."

Here's the craziest part ... he says he's feeling better and he's performing tonight.

BREAKING: Police summon El-Rufai, other APC bigwigs, hours to elections

PREMIUM TIMES reported that The Kaduna state Police Command on Friday summoned the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the state, Nasir El-Rufai, and two other bigwigs of the party to report for questioning in their offices.

Summoned to appear along with Mr. El-Rufai are Suleiman Hunkuyi and Lawal Yakawada.

Mr. Hunkuyi is the APC senatorial candidate for Kaduna North and chairman of the APC Kaduna state campaign council while Mr. Yakawada, who was secretary to the state government in the Patrick Yakowa government, is a senior member of the APC campaign council.

All three were invited by the deputy commissioner of police in charge of the CID.

Samuel Aruwan, the spokesman for the APC campaign council said, the police have followed up the written invitation with telephone calls.

The intent behind requesting the three top leaders of the opposition to report on the eve of the election is to hold them down until the election ends, Mr. Aruwan said.

It is not clear why the Police want to question the three men but party insiders suggested the invitation has to do with a petition about destruction of billboards in Zaria.

The APC claims it has been a victim of widespread vandalisation of its assets, saying the action of the police “is part of a campaign to slap criminal charges on the opposition for actions for which it has already been victimized”.

In response to the invitation, Yusuf Dankofa, an associate professor of law and counsel to the APC, has written to the police, notifying them that there is an ongoing court action at the Federal High Court in Kaduna regarding the events in Zaria.

In a letter to the commissioner of police, Mr. Dankofa said the pendency of the case prevents the police from taking any action in connection with the matter, as “that would not only amount to an act of sub judice, but would also translate to a total disregard for justice and a further desecration of the hallowed majesty of our courts.”

“In view of this fact that the above mentioned people’s application is before the court, the matter has been further adjourned to the 29th of April 2015 for further arguments and with this the court has been seized of this matter,” Mr. Dankofa said.

The police is yet to respond to Mr. Dankofa’s letter.

Meanwhile, the APC says it has been alerted to a plot to arrest some of its chieftains in Southern Kaduna.

They include party chairman and gubernatorial running-mate, Barnabas Yusuf Bala (Bantex), Mikaiah Tokwak, Ishaya Iko, a retired vice-admiral and Ben Kure, Director General of Kaduna APC Campaign Council.

Israel's Netanyahu apologizes to country's Arab minority

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu apologized to Israel's Arab citizens on Monday for remarks he made during last week's parliament election that offended members of the community.

The move appeared to be an attempt to heal rifts and mute criticism at home and in the United States. Netanyahu drew accusations of racism in Israel, especially from its Arab minority, and a White House rebuke when, just a few hours before polling stations were to close across the country, he warned that Arab citizens were voting "in droves."

But President Barack Obama's chief of staff, Denis McDonough, rejected Netanyahu's attempt to distance himself from his comments, telling an Israel advocacy group Monday that the U.S. can't just overlook what Netanyahu said on the eve of his re-election.

Netanyahu, whose Likud Party won re-election in the vote, met with members of the Arab community at the prime minister's residence in Jerusalem on Monday and apologized.

He said he knows his "comments last week offended some Israeli citizens and offended members of the Israeli-Arab community."

"This was never my intent. I apologize for this," Netanyahu said. "I view myself as the prime minister of each and every citizen of Israel, without any prejudice based on religion, ethnicity or gender."

"I view all Israeli citizens as partners in the building of a prosperous and safe state of Israel, for all Israelis," he also said.

A recently established alliance of four small, mostly Arab parties called the Joint List made unprecedented gains in the March 17 election, earning enough votes to make it the third-largest party in Israel's parliament. Arab citizens make up 20 percent of Israel's population. Equality is guaranteed in Israel's laws but many Arabs have long complained of discrimination, mainly in the job and housing market.

Ayman Odeh, the head of the Joint List, told channel 2 TV that Netanyahu's apology was not accepted.

"This is not a real apology," Odeh said. "He incited against citizens who were exercising their basic right to vote for Knesset."

Odeh also accused Netanyahu of "zigzagging" by saying one thing one day and a different another.

In the final days of the campaign, Netanyahu angered the U.S. by taking a tough stance toward the Palestinians and by saying a Palestinian state will not be established on his watch in the current climate of regional chaos and violence. Resolving the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians in a two state solution is a key U.S. foreign policy priority.

In his speech to J Street, an Israel advocacy group that is sharply critical of Netanyahu, McDonough warned Israel against annexing the West Bank, where Palestinians hope to establish their future state. He said Netanyahu's prediction that a Palestinian state wouldn't come about on his watch was "very troubling" and questioned Netanyahu's broader commitment to the two-state solution the U.S. and Israel have officially supported for years.

"We cannot simply pretend that these comments were never made," McDonough said.

Obama's decision to dispatch his chief of staff to speak to J Street was seen as another sign that Obama intends to take a tougher tack toward Netanyahu.

Israelis and Palestinians are closely watching to see how U.S. policy will change in practical terms after Netanyahu's success in the elections. Obama has said the U.S. must reevaluate its approach to pursuing Mideast peace because of Netanyahu's comments, and has entertained speculation the U.S. will be less willing to come to Israel's defense in the United Nations. The U.S. has voted against U.N. resolutions supporting the establishment of a Palestinian state, insisting the matter should be negotiated directly with Israel.

Netanyahu's tough talk was part of a last-ditch attempt to spur his more hard-line supporters to the polls after it appeared he was losing voters to a more hawkish party.

Netanyahu defended his election-day remarks in the days after the vote. He told NBC last Thursday that he remains committed to Palestinian statehood - if conditions in the region improve - and to the two-state vision first spelled out in a landmark 2009 speech at Israel's Bar Ilan University. "I haven't changed my policy," he said. "I never retracted my speech."

He told NBC that his government has spent billions in Arab towns to upgrade infrastructure, schools and narrow gaps.

Earlier on Monday, Netanyahu secured a majority of backers in the new parliament and will later be tasked with forming the next government.

Israel's ceremonial president, Reuven Rivlin, has been meeting with the parties in parliament to hear their recommendations before appointing who will form the next coalition government. Kulanu, a new centrist party gave its nod to Netanyahu on Monday, giving him 61 backers out of the 120 in parliament.

Netanyahu appears poised to set up a coalition with hawkish, centrist and religious parties.

Buhari will get 90% of votes in Kano – Kwankwaso boasts

Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso of Kano State, yesterday predicted that the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, General Mohammadu Buhari, would get 90% of votes cast in Kano State during this Saturday’s presidential election.

Kwankwaso stated this when the wife of the APC presidential candidate, Aishatu Buhari paid him a courtesy visit at the government house in Kano.

The governor pointed out that the state has always been pro-Buhari, adding that the people are determined to vote only for APC in the elections.

According to him, more than 80 per cent of people in the state have collected their Permanent Voter Cards, PVCs, adding that statistics released by INEC showed that Kano has the highest number of voters in the country.

Speaking during the visit, Hajiya Buhari said the APC is proud of Kwankwaso in the way he has been according priority to women development.

Obama Urges Nigerians To Vote Peacefully

U.S President, Barack Obama has called on Nigerians to shun violence and express their views peacefully during the upcoming



Obama in a message to the people of Nigeria said, ‘’Nigeria is a great nation” adding that “you can be proud of the progress you’ve made.

“Together, you won your independence, emerged from military rule, and strengthened democratic institutions. You’ve strived to overcome division and to turn Nigeria’s diversity into a source of strength. You’ve worked hard to improve the lives of your families and to build the largest economy in Africa.’’

Speaking on the election, the U.S President said, ‘’ for elections to be credible, they must be free, fair and peaceful”, adding that ‘’all Nigerians must be able to cast their votes without intimidation or fear.’’

‘’I call on all leaders and candidates to make it clear to their supporters that violence has no place in democratic elections—and that they will not incite, support or engage in any kind of violence—before, during, or after the votes are counted. I call on all Nigerians to peacefully express your views and to reject the voices of those who call for violence.’’

‘’When elections are free and fair, it is the responsibility of all citizens to help keep the peace, no matter who wins. Successful elections and democratic progress will help Nigeria meet the urgent challenges you face today.’’

Speaking on terrorism and insurgency in the nation, Barack Obama said, ‘’Boko Haram, a brutal terrorist group that kills innocent men, women and children must be stopped. Hundreds of kidnapped children deserve to be returned to their families. Nigerians who have been forced to flee deserve to return to their homes.’’

‘’Boko Haram wants to destroy Nigeria and all that you have worked to build. By casting your ballot, you can help secure your nation’s progress. I’m told that there is a saying in your country: to keep Nigeria one is a task that must be done. Today, I urge all Nigerians, from all religions, all ethnic groups, and all regions, to come together and keep Nigeria one. And in this task of advancing the security, prosperity, and human rights of all Nigerians, you will continue to have a friend and partner in the United States of America.’’

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will be conducting Nigeria’s presidential election on Saturday March 28 after it was re-scheduled due to security reasons.

WATCH THE VIDEO BELOW:

5 Days To Election, Tension Allegedly Breaks Out In APC Camp

The All Progressives Congress (APC) is reportedly worried by an order by Justice Abdu Kafarati of the Federal High Court in Abuja for an accelerated hearing in a suit alleging forgery and perjury against the party’s presidential candidate, Gen Muhammadu Buhari.

A non-governmental organisation, Global Center for Conscious Living Against Corruption, filed a suit asking for an order of mandamus to compel the inspector general of police to investigate allegations of forgery and perjury against Buhari, Vanguard reports.

The suit, with number FHC/ABJ/CS/172/2015 was filed by Professor Andrew Chukwuemerie, SAN.



They are seeking an order of the court to compel police to investigate the “alleged acquisition and possession of the West African School Certificate by Gen. Muhammad Buhari at Provincial Secondary School, Katsina in view of non-production of the said School Certificate of certified true copy thereof”.

The court originating summons, supported by a 31-paragraph affidavit, sworn to by Joy Odoh, averred that the inspector general of police has an obligation under the Nigerian constitution to investigate allegations of forgery and lying on oath made against the APC presidential candidate and that the police had refused to do so despite repeated demands.

According to the group, the allegations of forgery and perjury were too weighty to be ignored by the police, which is obligated to investigate all allegations of crime.

A copy of a letter written by the Test Department of the National Office of the West African Examinations Council in Ghana states that Buhari’s name and records were not in its examinations archive thus suggesting that he was never a candidate for the examination set by the body. This was submitted as one of the exhibits.

The group accused Buhari of lying on oath, saying he ought to be tried for perjury when he declared in an affidavit submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission that his secondary school certificate was with the Military Board, a claim denied by the Board.

The plaintiffs are also asking the court to determine whether by virtue of the provisions of the 1999 Constitution and the Police Act, the inspector general of police is not duty bound to investigate the allegations especially when the APC candidate has not submitted either an original copy or a certified true copy of his secondary school certificate to the INEC as required by law.

Subsequent upon the plaintiffs’ application, the court gave an order for an accelerated hearing and directed the inspector general of police to enter his defence within seven days.

The issue of Buhari’s certificate has generated a lot of controversy. With five days to the presidential election, the attempts to stop Buhari from contesting the election are gaining momentum. Several court cases have challenged his eligibility to participate in the forthcoming election.

The APC has maintained that the court cases are sponsored by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) because the party is shaken by the emergence of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari as its presidential flag bearer.

On March 3 the Court of Appeal in Abuja declared the PDP presidential candidate, President Goodluck Jonathan eligible to seek re-election in the polls.

UNIPORT Hides Details Of President Jonathan’s Doctorate Degree

“Details of the Ph.D Degree of President Goodluck Jonathan in the University of Port Harcourt cannot therefore be made available to you.”




In a response to the Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, a Rivers State-based civil society organization, the university said a request for President Jonathan’s academic records did not fall within the provisions of the FOI law. “The Management of the University has carefully considered your request vis-a-vis the FOI Act,” the university stated in their letter dated 26th February, 2015, and signed by Eric Loveday Osuo Abonemi, the institution’s Legal Officer.

“It is my instructions to inform you that your request does not come within the relevant provisions of the FOI Act for its practicability or for the University to provide such details as requested.

“Details of the Ph.D Degree of President Goodluck Jonathan in the University of Port Harcourt cannot therefore be made available to you.”

The Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law had filed an FOI request, three weeks ago, to the university seeking relevant details of Mr. Jonathan’s doctorate qualifications.

The letter requested the following information relating to the president’s doctorate qualification, citing the provisions of Sections 2 and 4 of the FOI Act, 2011:
1. The title of the president’s doctorate dissertation
2. Year of registration as a doctorate candidate
3. Name of his doctorate supervisor(s)
4. Name of his external examiner(s)
5. Comments/reports of the external examiner of the dissertation/thesis
6. Photocopy of the dissertation/thesis
7. Date of graduation from the university

The organization said it was willing to bear any cost the university might incur in making photocopies of the requested documents and for posting them.
President Jonathan was admitted into the Department of Zoology (now renamed Animal and Environmental Biology), University of Port Harcourt, in 1977, where he graduated with Second Class Honours (Upper Division).

In 1985, Mr. Jonathan obtained a Master of Science degree in Hydrobiology and Fisheries, and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Zoology 10 years later.
Both degrees were also from the University of Port Harcourt.

Lately, Mr. Jonathan’s academic qualifications have come under increased scrutiny ahead of the forthcoming general elections. Critics have accused the president of failing to complete his doctorate programme. In a response to an enquiry by Punch Newspaper in January, the university dismissed such claims as having “neither legs nor grounds to stand on”.

The university had also told any person or organization seeking additional information on Mr. Jonathan’s qualifications to contact the school authorities.
“We have absolutely nothing to hide as an institution that has a statutory mandate to advance the frontiers of knowledge,” William Wodi, the university’s Deputy Registrar (Information), had told the newspaper.

It is unclear why the university declined to release Mr. Jonathan’s academic qualifications to the civil society organization after giving that commitment.

Jiti Ogunye, a Lagos-based lawyer, said the president’s academic records ought to be freely available in the university and not be “opaque or hidden”.

“The FOI is applicable to the academic records of a public officer whose academic records are being requested by a Nigerian citizen or a nongovernmental organization duly registered in Nigeria with a view to promoting accountability and transparency in government,” Mr. Ogunye said.

“The academic records of the president are not the medical records of the president in which case a medical officer can say the FOI is exempted, or the records between a lawyer and his client which are covered by the confidentiality rule.”

WHAT THE FOI ACT SAYS
According to Section 14(1) of the FOI ACT, subject to subsection (2), a public institution must deny an application for information that contains personal information and information exempted under this subsection includes:
(a) files and personal information maintained with respect to clients, patients, residents, students, or other individuals receiving social, medical, educational, vocation, financial, supervisory or custodial care or services directly or indirectly from public institutions;…
(2) A public institution shall disclose any information that contains personal information if –
(a) the individual to whom it relates consents to the disclosure; or
(b) the information is publicly available
(3) Where disclosure of any information referred to in this section would be in the public interest, and if the public interest in the disclosure of such information clearly outweighs the protection of the privacy of the individual to whom such information relates, the public institution to whom request for disclosure is made shall disclose such information subject to Section 14(2) of this Act.
Mr. Ogunye said that an institution might attempt to hide under Section 14(1)(a) to decline disclosure of information.
“My argument is, this information is publicly available and ought to be disclosed. The president has said he obtained his Ph.D in that institution, so it’s publicly available,” Mr. Ogunye said.
“So why will an institution refuse to disclose an information that is publicly available? The university has acted wrongly and can be compelled by the suit of the non-governmental organization concerned to disclose the information.”

SOURCE: SaharaReporters