Monti resigns as Italian prime minister.

Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti handed in his resignation Friday to President Giorgio Napolitano, the Italian government press office said.

The move comes after Parliament approved a budget by a vote of 309-55, with five abstentions, said ANSA, the state-run news agency.

Monti will outline his plans Sunday but will not say until afterward whether he plans to run in elections expected to be held February 24, ANSA said, citing "sources."

Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti

An economist and former European commissioner, Monti was appointed by Napolitano to fill former premier Silvio Berlusconi's place after he resigned last year under pressure for failing to control Italy's debt and a series of scandals.

Since then, international investors have displayed confidence in the country's finances. Italy's borrowing costs have fallen this year on Monti's efforts to bring down borrowing and the improved sentiment generated by the European Central Bank's conditional scheme to buy bonds of struggling sovereigns.

Berlusconi has criticized Monti's austerity policies as damaging to the country. Berlusconi's party, the People of Freedom, is the largest in Parliament.

While Monti's economic reforms have been popular with investors, earning him the nickname "Super Mario," the measures have not pleased the Italian public, although protests have been more muted than in Spain or Greece.

Italy is in a recession, and further belt-tightening will be unpopular with its citizens.

The unemployment rate in Italy rose to 11.1% in October, marking a 13-year high, and the Italian economy has contracted for five consecutive quarters. As of the third quarter, its economic growth was down 2.4% from a year earlier.

However, investors have welcomed Monti's effort to cut down on the nation's debt, and Italy's borrowing costs have fallen dramatically since the country made economic changes. After drifting above 7% a year ago, the yield on Italy's 10-year government bond has fallen to about 4.5% recently.

Monti's term was originally set to expire in mid-2013, but his earlier departure is expected to bring elections forward. Elections must be held within 70 days of the dissolution of Parliament.

Berlusconi has announced that he intends to run for re-election in the new year.

Pope Benedict pardons former butler Paolo Gabriele

Pope Benedict XVI has pardoned his former butler, Paolo Gabriele, who is serving an 18-month jail sentence for stealing confidential papers.
The Pope visited Gabriele in prison to personally inform him of the decision, the Vatican said in a statement.

The Pope informed Gabriele of his decision in person

In October the former butler was found guilty of stealing and copying the Pope's documents and leaking them to an Italian journalist.
Gabriele said he acted out of love for the Church.
"This morning the Holy Father Benedict XVI visited Paolo Gabriele in prison in order to confirm his forgiveness and to inform him personally of his acceptance of Mr Gabriele's request for pardon," the Vatican statement said.
Following Gabriele's conviction by a Vatican court, officials said he was likely to be pardoned by the pontiff.
In November the court convicted a computer expert, Claudio Sciarpelletti, of helping leak the papal documents.
Sciarpelletti was given a suspended sentence of two months.
Gabriele's trial heard that he had taken advantage of his access to the pontiff to photocopy thousands of confidential documents.
He later passed some to journalist Gianluigi Nuzzi, who this year released a best-selling book detailing scandals and infighting within the Vatican.
Gabriele confessed to taking the papers, but said he believed the Pope was being manipulated and hoped to reveal alleged corruption at the Holy See.

BREAKING NEWS:JTF confirms death of two suicide bombers in Kano Airtel, MTN attack

The Joint Security Task Force, JTF, has confirmed the deaths of two suicide bombers who attacked Airtel and MTN Telecommunications offices in Kano metropolis on Saturday.
The two attacks occurred within 5 minutes indicating a coordinated effort.
The Airtel regional office is located at the popular Mallam Kato Square, near the Main branch of a bank while the MTN office is situated at Maimalari road in Bompai area.
The Force spokesman, Ikedichi Iweha, confirmed the death of the bombers to journalists in Kano on Saturday.
Mr. Iweha said the first bomber who went to Airtel office succeeded in detonating the bomb which led to the destruction of the office.
He said that only the operator of the company’s generator set was injured in the attack which took place at about 8.45 a.m.
“With the exception of the two bombers, nobody else died in the two coordinated incidents,’’ Mr. Iweha said.
The JTF spokesperson said the bomber who went to the MTN office was intercepted by security operatives before he could gain entry into the premises at about 8.50 a.m., adding that he died in the blast instantly.
“The quick response of the troops around the place averted the destruction of the office but the wall fence was touched in the coordinated attack,” he said.
He said that security had been beefed up around the two areas.
Following the incident, traders around the area quickly locked their shops and ran for safety.
Members of the JTF have cordoned off the areas.

President Obama Launches Gun-Violence Task Force By JAKE TAPPER (@jaketapper) , DEVIN DWYER (@devindwyer) and MARY BRUCE(@marykbruce) WASHINGTON, Dec. 19, 2012

Five days after deadliest elementary school shooting in U.S. history,President Obama said his administration plans immediate action early next year on proposals to curb an "epidemic of gun violence."
At a morning news conference, Obama announced the formation of a task force to be headed by Vice President Joe Biden that will formulate a package of policy recommendations by January.
"The fact that this problem is complex can no longer be an excuse for doing nothing," Obama said. "The fact that we can't prevent every act of violence doesn't mean that we can't steadily reduce the violence and prevent the very worst violence."
The president said he intends to push for implementation of the proposals "without delay."
"This is not some Washington commission. This is not something where folks are going to be studying the issue for six months and publishing a report that gets read and then pushed aside.
"This is a team that has a very specific task to pull together real reforms right now," he said.
While Obama did not offer specifics, he suggested the task force would examine an array of steps to curb gun violence and prevent mass shootings, including legislative measures, mental health resources and a "look more closely at a culture that all-too-often glorifies guns and violence."
He urged Congress to confirm a director for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, which has been without an official leader for six years. Obama also expressed his longstanding desire to see the national background check system strengthened and a ban on the sale of some assault-style weapons reinstated.
"I will use all the powers of this office to help advance efforts aimed at preventing more tragedies like this," Obama said.
Obama made similar pronouncements following at least four other mass shootings that marked his first term. Butfew policy changes were made.
"This is not the first incident of horrific gun violence of your four years. Where have you been?," asked ABC News' Jake Tapper.
"I've been president of the United States, dealing with the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, an auto industry on the verge of collapse, two wars. I don't think I've been on vacation," Obama responded.
In the coming weeks, Biden will lead a working group that includes top officials from the departments of Justice, Homeland Security, Education and Health and Human Services to draft an action plan.
Obama met privately Monday with Biden and three members of his Cabinet — Education Secretary Arne Duncan, Attorney General Eric Holder and Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius — to discuss steps forward in the aftermath of Newtown.
The vice president's new role is rooted in his experience as a U.S. Senator with writing and shepherding into law the 1994 Crime Bill and chairing the Senate Judiciary Committee, which oversees criminal justice issues.
The 1994 Crime Bill included the ban on certain types of semi-automatic rifles (better known as the "assault weapons ban") and new classes of people banned from owning or possessing firearms, in addition to expanding the federal death penalty and the Violence Against Women Act.

The upcoming new year means a new 'do for Kim Kardashian. The reality TV star showed off a fresh set of bangs while arriving at LAX on Dec. 19.

Capital One Cup:Leeds 1 Chelsea 5

CHELSEA flew into the Capital One Cup final four — despite their 12,000-mile jet-lag hell.

The Blues only this week jetted back from Japan, where they lost in the Club World Cup final to Corinthians.

BECCHI-OH YES! ... Luciano Becchio grabs the lead

Yet there were no tired excuses at Elland Road as goals from Juan Mata, Branislav Ivanovic, Victor Moses, Eden Hazard and Fernando Torres swept the visitors to victory.

Leeds had taken a first-half lead through Luciano Becchio’s top-drawer finish.

BADGE OF HONOUR ... Becchio celebrates

The Argy hotshot tucked home Jerome Thomas’ pin-point 37th-minute cross to give the European champions a fright.

But that only lasted only ten minutes as Mata levelled things up just after the break.

BUNDLE OF JOY ... Leeds mob Becchio

On 64 minutes, Branislav Ivanovic converted Frank Lampard’s cross with a bullet header.

Moses was next to join the party and he crashed home from 20 yards just two minutes later.

ONE-JUAN ... Mata levels things up

The game was up now for Leeds and Hazard ghosted through their backline, slotting home David Luiz’s 81st-minute though ball.

And there was even time for Torres to bundle home from three yards as the Blues stormed into the semi-finals.

MATA ROAR ... Azpilicueta hails pal Juan

It was a brutal second-half showing from Chelsea — who had 10 shots on target and scored FIVE.

And it gives stand-in boss Rafa Benitez a real chance of landing Wembley silverware in the New Year.

KISS IS IT ... Ivanovic plants a smacker on Luis

FLYING ... Victor Moses toasts his goal

Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/capitalonecup/4706362/Leeds-1-5-Chelsea-Match-report-and-pictures.html#ixzz2FXROR7zR

Army promotes 51 generals, 19 colonels By KINGSLEY OMONOBI

The Nigerian Army Council headed by President Goodluck Jonathan Wednesday approved the promotion of 59 Generals with 22 Brigadier Generals elevated to the rank of Major Generals and 37 Colonels elevated to the ranks of Brigadier Generals.

Among the new Major Generals are the Brigade Commander, 4 Brigade Benin , Brigadier General Obi. Abel Umahi, Brigadier Director Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Bola Koleoso, Brigade Commander, 2 Brigade, Port Harcourt, Brigadier General Tukur Buratai, Brigadier General SD Aliyu, Defence Adviser to China, Brigade Commander, 23 Brigade Yola, Brigadier General Jogn Nwaoga, Brigadier General Saliu Uba, Director Veteran Affairs at Defence headquarters and Brigadier General Mashudy Adekanye of the Nigerian Army Ordinance School.

Former Aide De Camp, ADC, to late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, Colonel Mustapha Onoiveta of the Directorate of Peacekeeping at DHQ was elevated to the rank of Brigadier General while other Major Generals are Brigadier General NO Ojiji of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Brigadier General HA Salihu of Nigerian Army Depot, Zaria, Brigadier General ET Nienge of the Army School of Supply and Transport, as well as Brigadier General David Eniete of Headquarters, Infantry Corp and School.

Also promoted Major Generals are Brigadier General Patrick Ogah of Army headquarters directorate of Training and Operations, Brigadier General Daniel Oji of the Army Signals School, Brigadier General Tanko Gaiya of AFCSC, Brigadier General Tamunomiebi Dibi, Commander 1 Brigade, Sokoto, Brigadier General Bamidele Ologundudu of the NDC, Brigadier General Abbas Adekanye of the Army’s Central Workshop and Brigadier General Chukwudi Odunukwe of directorate of data processing, Defence Attaché China.

Further elevations to Major General are Brigadier General Suleiman Aliyu, Brigadier General Junaid Bindawa, Brigadier General Obidah Ethnan, Brigadier General Obasina Ogunbiyi of the Army Medical Corps and Brigadier General Friday Airende of the Special Vehicle Plant, Bauchi.

For those promoted to Brigadier Generals, they include Colonel Adekunle Shodunke, Colonel Ahmed Sabo, former Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Joseph Orokpo, Colonel NE Angbazo Colonel LM Bello, Colonel CC Agundu of Army headquarters Garrison, Colonel Henry Ayamasaowei of NDA, Colonel Peter Dauke, Colonel JS Malu and Colonel CO Ude.

Also promoted Brigadier Generals are Colonel JB Olawunmi, Colonel KA Essien, Colonel CC Okonkwo and Colonel AH Sa’ad.

Commander Daba: Pilot Of The Crashed Helicopter - A Tribute by Pain

Navy Commander Daba, the ex-boy who was the pilot of the ill-fated Augusta 105 helicopter that crashed on 15th December, 2012 was newly promoted with his coursemates (46 Regular Course). He was one year ahead of me at the Nigerian Military School Zaria. He was the smallest in stature among his coursemates, but he had a very big heart. This a tribute to him:


1. The death of Commander Muritala Mohammed Daba leaves a huge vacuum in our lives. According to news reports he died on active duty while flying the governor of Kaduna state and the immediate past National Security Adviser in a Nigerian Navy helicopter. We mourn not because we are naive about human mortality, fretful for our turn or impudent of God’s prerogative. It is Gods privilege alone to give life and every officer in the Nigerian Navy, Army or Air Force knew the risks before we bravely signed up. Naturally, the statistics for death are startling. One in every one will die, as none of us will leave this life alive. However, even the heavens applaud the brilliance of a shooting star and Commander Daba did shine. If the situation was reversed Oga would not bother with the circumstances of death like some do. He would smile and say “Allah Yayisah”. Well I am not that charitable. This is the second day since Al-Jazeera broke the news and we are in more shock than the first day. Despite the hurt in our hearts our thoughts and prayers go out to his family especially his beautiful wife and lovely daughter.

2. Every time I am privileged to witness the glory of a military wedding ceremony, my first amazement is the sparkle in the bride’s eye not the glitz of participating in the sword crossing ceremony. It fills me with awe that these amazing women dare to become what late Hajia Maryam Babangida calls the “Officers Wife”. It is incredible that any woman (or man) would accept to marry a man (or woman) who’s very job demands obedience without complaint and loyalty without restraint. Why would anyone want to settle with a military partner who is trained to love Country first, God second and then spouse/family in that order? At all times an officer’s wife waves her husband good bye without any guarantee he will return. Others live a life of sacrifice and loneliness. These superwomen wives often have to deal with long months without their partners because he is on assignment in another state, country or continent. It seems these courageous spouses essentially sign up to serve their nation along with their military spouses. Consequently officers and men are forever grateful to God for friends and family knowing that any moment could be the last. They hold their wives and family with high esteem and Oga Daba was no exception loving his wife and daughter till death.

3. Oga Daba was not just a compassionate father and faithful husband, he was a consummate professional. Since graduating from the Nigerian Defence Academy with a bachelor’s degree he has served his country both ashore and afloat. Commander Daba completed several courses within and outside Nigeria and earned his wings as a member of the elite squad of Nigerian Navy helicopter pilots. During one of his numerous trips to Italy we met up in Amsterdam for an unforgettable 36 hours in 2008. He told me of how he escaped racists in Hungary with “Regular” moves and military alacrity. Rather than save his course allowance as most officers on course would traditionally do, he chose like me to travel and see the world as means to understanding other people’s and cultures. He believed in a border-less world where race, tribe, wealth, nationality and religion could be defining but certainly not definitive. Lots of things happened that fateful day in Amsterdam but two of the actors will never speak and one is now gone.


4. Yet to live in the hearts and minds of those whose life you have impacted is never to die. As officers and men all over the world keep a stiff upper lip and grieve in silence, I will end with three lessons I learned from Commander Daba and for which he would be forever missed.


Lesson one. You do not need to be wealthy to be generous.

I am not certain how rich he was on Saturday 13 December 2012 when he piloted the Navy Augusta helicopter from Bayelsa to Port Harcourt but I do know that in 2002, I was so broke that I could not afford to fuel my Honda Accord. This was a time when a one week delay in salary payment or “NG” could wreck a new officer’s budget and a two week delay meant disaster. In between pay checks I asked Mac Olowu to “raise” me. He was in the same broke-boat but took me to Oga Daba who himself did not have. Within minutes Oga Daba took me in his car to another officer’s house in Arakan Barracks, borrowed from the officer without disclosing my identity, lent to me and never accepted the money back. I still do not know the officer he met but anyone that knew Oga will not be surprised that he could go to such lengths for a junior officer.

Lesson Two. Respect is best earned not demanded.

The first thing that struck you on meeting him is his cheerful, humble and honest personality. This became most evident during the Junior Staff College course 59/2005 at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College. In true “onward together” fashion, he gracefully took “yabs” (petty jokes/ amusing insults) from my course mates who were the most junior on the course and sometimes returned “yabs” of his own. His initial pilot training meant that he had to attend this course with his juniors. Yet you could not tell how senior he was, because he would laugh, motivate and teach fellow syndicate members in an affable manner that endeared him to everyone but never diminished him. At no time did any of us his juniors “try” him. We just trusted him to help, advice and understand because he always did.
Lesson Three. True friendship has no boundaries. Think outside the box.

Oga Daba was my superior but more importantly he was a friend. In too many instances and in so many ways he was there. After several stints abroad I have painfully discovered how easy it is to lose track of friends, colleagues and most surprising of all course mates for many reasons. Yet the last time I spoke to Oga Daba was the same day he departed this world. I was on my way from Lebanon where I presented a research paper at the IEEE ACTEA 2012 conference. We discussed how pleasant my trip to Lebanon was, marriage conundrums (for me) and the significance of my research. In typical Daba style, he started the conversation at 8:38 PM Friday Lebanon time (GMT+2) and sent his last message 12:32 AM Saturday (see the blackberry screen shot).