Saudi Arabia Vs Iran: The War of Nerves

audi Arabia’s mass execution of “terrorists” whose victims include the senior Shia cleric Nimr al-Nimr has triggered a crisis between Saudi Arabia and Iran, whose radicals ransacked Saudi embassy in Tehran and which resulted in Saudi Arabia breaking off relations with Iran, that threatens to spill into outright warfare and has additionally polarized the Middle East. What is behind Riyadh’s and Tehran’s moves and what are the likely consequences?

Written by J.Hawk exclusively for SouthFront: Analysis & Intelligence

Obatala Festival Hosted By Ita Oosa Grows For 2016

Once again Ojise Obatala Edena – Oloye Oriyomi Ifagbenjo Orisagbemi and Ita Osa convene their annual Obatala Festival. Obatala Festival celebrates many qualities and attributes of Yoruba sacredscience practice and positive attributes. Among the many attributes and aspects that will be celebrated are those of creativity, transformation of planet Earth, molding of human beings,laughter,etc.

US Navy's Pacific Fleet Shrinks in Face of Rising China

The US Navy's Pacific Fleet has fewer ships now than in the mid-1990s, leading to a debate about whether the United States has enough ships to meet challenges posed by China’s growing and assertive navy.


China announced last week that it would build its second aircraft carrier. China's first aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, is a second-hand Soviet ship built more than 25 years ago. It was commissioned in 2012 after extensive refits.

US Navy officials maintain that vastly improved technology on its ships outweighs any disadvantage from a drop in numbers.

China Voices Strong Protest Against North Korean Test of Hydrogen Bomb

Beijing voiced strong protest in light of North Korea's test of hydrogen bomb, China's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said Wednesday.

BEIJING (Nigeria Property) — Earlier in the day, South Korean media reported an earthquake near the North Korean nuclear facility. Seoul suspects that Pyongyang has performed a nuclear bomb test. Later, North Korea confirmed that it had indeed tested a hydrogen bomb, which it said was a success.

"Today North Korea has announced a nuclear test. The Chinese government firmly opposes it. The prevention of nuclear proliferation and the provision of peace and stability in Northeastern Asia — this is China's position," Hua said.

She added that Beijing called on Pyongyang to act in accordance with its obligations in the area of nuclear non-proliferation.

North Korea Confirms Successful Testing of Hydrogen Bomb

North Korea announced a successful test of a hydrogen bomb in a special statement broadcasted by the country's central TV and South Korean TV channels.

According to the statement, Pyongyang claimed the reason for the test was the country's right for "self-defense," and promised not to use nuclear weapons if the international community respects its sovereignty.

Subsidy Removal, Naira Devaluation… 5 Things IMF Boss, Lagarde, Discussed With Buhari.

Christine Lagarde, managing director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), advised President Muhammadu Buhari and his team to be flexible with its monetary policy and let go of petroleum subsidies.

At a meeting in Abuja on Tuesday, Lagarde said Nigeria would not need any programme and/or loan from the IMF to enhance its economy.

MOSOP Issue 30-Day Ultimatum To Buhari To Implement UNEP Report

Based on a perceived delay in the clean up of crude oil spill impacted on sites in Ogoniland, the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People, MOSOP, has issued a 30-day ultimatum to the Federal Government led by President Muhammadu Buhari to commence the implementation of the United Nations Environmental Programme Report on Ogoni, Rivers State.
This was disclosed during the 23rd anniversary of Ogoni people, at Birabi Memorial Grammar School, Bori, the ancestral headquarters of Ogoni people.

INEC Ad-hoc Staff Protest Over Unpaid Allowances In Lokoja

Ad hoc staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, from the 21 Local Government Areas of Kogi State yesterday staged a peaceful protest in Lokoja, the state capital over non-payment of their allowances since the conclusion of the November, 21 2015, governorship election. The protesters who marched through some major streets in Lokoja were demanding for the payment of their N17, 500 being the fee for their participation in the governorship election exercise. Chairman of the ad hoc staff, Yusuf Bello, and Secretary, John Okpanachi, who spoke with Thisday said they had to take to the streets so as to push for their entitlements.

Jonathan: We Shamed Prophets Of Doom In 2015.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan says Nigerians proved wrong those who had negative prophecies about the country in 2015.  Reacting to the honour bestowed on him by The African Sun Times Newspaper, which named him its International Person of the Year, Jonathan reaffirmed his belief in the country he led for five years. The publication is number one and largest newspaper in America. “I thank The African Sun Times for naming me as its International Person of the year, 2015. I am indeed humbled by this honour,” he wrote on Facebook.

Don't Throw The Arab World Into Crisis, UN Warns Saudi Arabia, Iran

United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, on Monday, urged Saudi Arabia and Iran to avoid any actions that could further exacerbate the situation between the two countries and in the region as a whole. Ban made the call in a telephone call he made to Mr Abel bin Al-Jubeir, the Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia and Mr Mohammad Zarif, the Iranian Foreign Minister.

Buhari meets IMF MD

0A-C President Muhammadu Buhari discussing with The Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Mrs Christine Lagarde during an audience with IMF Team at the State in Abuja.JAN 5 2016. 1A. R-L; President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Prof Yemi Osinbajo, The Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Mrs Christine Lagarde, Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, and CBN Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele 2. President Muhammadu Buhari in a hand shake with The Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Mrs Christine Lagarde (m) flanked by the Vice President Prof Yemi Osinbajo left and CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele and others PRESIDENT BUHARI RECEIVES IMF MD LAGARDE 3. L-R; President Muhammadu Buhari, The Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Mrs Christine Lagarde and CBN Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele PRESIDENT BUHARI

Buhari Bows To Outrage, Orders Reduction Of Presidency’s N19bn Budget.

Following the outrage which had trailed the billions of Naira allocated to the Presidency in the 2016 Budget, President Muhammadu Buhari has reportedly ordered for a downward review of the budget. DAILY POST gathered on Tuesday that the president was angered at the bashing he was receiving over the billions allocated to his office, that of his vice, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, as well as Aso Rock as a whole. Details provided by Nigeria’s budget office shows that the presidency got N19billion. DAILY POST had published the breakdown of 2016 budget about a week ago.