PROTEST: You can be pro-Buhari, but be against the political and economic saboteurs

Wishing President Buhari a quick recuperation. And to all those agile youths who think it’s weird for President Buhari (a mortal like you) to undergo a serious medical procedure, wait until you’re 70 years old.

Simultaneously, I’m wishing all those brave protesters well for their willingness to expose the current economic debacle that is ravaging the land. And for those who think that a protest is not necessary (or fruitless), I honestly think those people are one of the problem of problems facing our volatile nation—Nigeria.

Counter Extremism Project Unveils Technology to Combat Online Extremism

New algorithm will quickly and accurately identify extremist content on Internet and social media platforms, including images, videos, and audio clips

(New York, NY) — The Counter Extremism Project (CEP) announced yesterday the development of a technological solution that will allow Internet and social media companies to quickly remove extremist content from their platforms, coming on the heels of President Obama's remarks Tuesday that online extremist propaganda is pervasive and easily accessible. The application of this new technology will greatly reduce the ability of extremists and terrorists to weaponize online platforms to radicalize, recruit, and incite to violence.

“If we seize this opportunity and have partners across the social media spectrum willing to fight the extremist threat by deploying this technology, extremists will find Internet and social media platforms far less available for their recruiting, fundraising, propagandizing, and calls to violence,” said CEP Senior Advisor Dr. Hany Farid. “It is no longer a matter of not having the technological ability to fight online extremism, it is a matter of the industry and private sector partners having the will to take action.”

Strike Assad Now: The Letter Urging a U.S. Rethink on Syria

President Bashar al-Assad of Syria

Fifty-one State Department officials are urging the Obama administration to conduct airstrikes against the Assad regime.

More than 50 U.S. diplomats have written a letter criticizing the Obama administration’s policy in Syria, and urging airstrikes against the regime of President Bashar al-Assad in order to prevent his violations of a cease-fire in the country’s civil war, The New York Times is reporting.

More from the paper:

Running mate for Donald Trump: Here are four names for him to consider

Will Donald Trump ever be “presidential” in the conventional manner we have come to expect?

It’s a path he may never follow. But after his victory in Indiana on Tuesday night, and Ted Cruz’s decision to suspend his campaign, there is now rampant speculation as to what “presidential” will mean should Trump’s executive desk move to the Oval Office.

As with any presidential nominee, the selection of their vice presidential running mate is important because it offers us a window into their thinking.

Trump recently gave some insight into his thoughts on the matter when he told Neil Cavuto on the Fox Business Network: “I would want to choose a politician. I’m a businessman. I don’t think we need two guys like me.”

Boko Haram: What Ambassador Power Tells Buhari in Abuja

The Meeting between Ambassador Samantha Power, U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations, and Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja, Nigeria.

Ambassador Power met today with Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Nigeria. Ambassador Power expressed appreciation to President Buhari for his efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s military‎ and its recent progress in combatting Boko Haram. She underscored that the United States is committed to strengthening its partnership with Nigeria to bolster this campaign.

Ambassador Power emphasized the need to complement a robust military campaign with sustained efforts to develop economic opportunities and strengthen governance, political inclusion, and respect for human rights. She noted that this mirrored the Buhari administration’s priorities of security, economic growth, and democratic accountability.

‎Ambassador Power previewed her trip to northeastern Nigeria on April 22. She noted the acute humanitarian crisis in the area and stressed the importance of the government of Nigeria, backed by the international community, taking urgent action to address widespread malnutrition among displaced populations. She emphasized the importance of ensuring that conditions in northeastern Nigeria improve prior to efforts to facilitate the voluntary return of refugees.

9/11 Terrorist attacks pages have ‘very profound’ info on Saudi Arabia - Trump

Donald Trump on Tuesday said that the 28 redacted pages of the 9/11 report likely depict Saudi Arabia’s role in the terrorist attacks.

“I think I know what it’s going to say,” he said on Fox News’s “Fox & Friends." "It’s going to be very profound, having to do with Saudi Arabia and Saudi Arabia’s role on the World Trade Center and the attack.

“That’s very serious stuff. It’s sort of nice to know who your friends are, and perhaps who your enemies are. You’re going to see some very revealing things released in those papers.”

Lawmakers are pressuring President Obama to declassify the 28 pages.

The redacted documents have long been rumored to show information linking Saudi Arabia with the Sept. 11, 2011 bloodshed and al Qaeda.

Agenda sets: Joint Press Briefing by Presidents Buhari, Obama

Security, economy, employment especially of youth, fighting corruption dominate the agenda!

PRESIDENT OBAMA: Well, it’s a great pleasure to welcome President Buhari and his delegation here to the Oval Office for his first visit since the historic election that took place.

Nigeria is obviously one of the important countries in the world and one of the most important countries in the African continent. Recently, we saw an election in which a peaceful transition to a new government took place. And it was an affirmation of Nigeria’s commitment to democracy, a recognition that although Nigeria is a big country and a diverse country with many different parts, nevertheless the people of Nigeria understand that only through a peaceful political process can change take place.

President Buhari comes into office with a reputation for integrity and a very clear agenda, and that is to make sure that he is bringing safety and security and peace to his country.

WASHINGTON POST: Nigeria committed to good governance and fighting terror - Buhari

I SEEK OBAMA’S ASSISTANCE IN LOCATING AND RETURNING $150 BILLION

This month, the world moved a step closer to the defeat of Boko Haram, the jihadist group that has terrorized hundreds of thousands in the northern states of Nigeria. In one of my first acts since taking office as president six weeks ago, I have replaced the heads of Nigeria’s army, navy and air force. Our new military leadership has not been chosen because of their familiarity with those in government, as was too often the case in the past, but on their track records and qualifications alone.

These new military leaders will be based in Borno State in northern Nigeria, where the headquarters of the armed services has been relocated. This shift of resources and command directly to the front line, in addition to the replacement of the head of the State Security Service, Nigeria’s intelligence organization, and a new emphasis on working in partnership with our neighbors, has equipped us to take the fight directly to Boko Haram.

Already we are beginning to see a degrading of Boko Haram’s capabilities as a fighting force. In recent weeks, it appears to have shifted away from confronting the military directly to an increase in attacks on civilian areas, as we saw only last week when an elderly woman and 10-year-old girl blew themselves up at a Muslim prayer gathering in northeastern Nigeria. We should not be confused by this change, hateful as it is: It does not mean that Boko Haram is succeeding in its aims — it shows that it is losing.

US and Cuba formally agree to open embassies and restore diplomatic relations

After 50 years of diplomatic standoff, the U.S. and Cuba plan to announce Wednesday that they will establish formal diplomatic relations and open embassies in each other’s capitals, a senior U.S. administration official said. This will be the most significant move toward normalizing relations between the U.S. and Cuba, as Obama administration said Tuesday that the two had agreed to open embassies in each other's countries.

The diplomatic development is the most authoritative move the Obama administration can make unilaterally without an act of Congress, which still holds the power to lift or retain the Cuban economic embargo that has been in place for decades. It comes six months after President Obama ordered the opening of relations, ending more than half a century of Cold War standoff as he promised to “cut loose the shackles of the past.”

Britain Will Never Give In To Terrorism - Cameron

David Cameron tells Sky News that Britain will not pay ransoms for kidnapped British hostages

British PM David Cameron has condemned the "sickening and brutal" murder of US journalist Steven Sotloff by a man he said appears to be British. The PM told the Commons the ordeal of a British hostage understood to be held by the same group of Islamic State (IS) militants was "unimaginable".

In a video showing the purported murder of Mr Sotloff, the killer showed the hostage, described as British. Mr Cameron said: "This country will never give in to terrorism. Our opposition to ISIL (Islamic State) will continue at home and abroad.

"It makes no distinction between cultures, countries and religions. There is no way to appease it; the only way to defeat it is to stand firm and to send a very straightforward message. A country like ours will not be cowed by these barbaric killers. If they think we will weaken in the face of their threats, they are wrong; it will have the opposite effect."

Chibok: We will not stop until the missing schoolgirls are returned home - President Jonathan

Nigerian President, Goodluck Jonathan maintained that his silence over the disappearance of schoolgirls in his country was to protect the rescue mission and promised that Nigeria “will not stop until the girls are returned home and the thugs who took them are brought to justice.”

Jonathan said he was “deeply concerned” that by not giving updates on the ongoing search for the missing girls -- who were abducted by the terrorist organization Boko Haram in mid-April -- his administration was seen as weak or inactive.

“My silence has been necessary to avoid compromising the details of our investigation,” Jonathan said. “But let me state this unequivocally: My government and our security and intelligence services have spared no resources, have not stopped and will not stop until the girls are returned home and the thugs who took them are brought to justice.”

US is ready to take "targeted" military action in Iraq, but American forces will not be returning to combat - Obama

President Obama said the United States is prepared to help Iraqi forces take back their country.

The President said it is in the best interest of the United States there not be an all out civil war in Iraq for numerous reasons, “Above all, Iraqi leaders must rise above their differences and come together around a political plan for Iraq’s future.”

“American forces will not be returning to combat in Iraq,” said Obama during a news conference from the White House.

The U.S. is prepared to send 300 military ‘advisers’ into Iraq.

President Obama said we are prepared to take, “targeted and precise military action” in Iraq, if needed.