Main Factors That Are Dragging Global Oil Prices Down

Over the last two years, global oil prices have dropped by nearly two-thirds. Here is a list of the main factors which have transformed the global energy market.

In February 2014, price of oil was around $110 a barrel on global commodity exchanges. Today, the Brent benchmark crude extracted from the North Sea is hovering at $30 per barrel. The era of higher priced oil which began in 2011 now seems to be nearing its end.

Furthermore, taken in a historic perspective, the recent years are not typical: $20 a barrel was normal in the 1980-90s. In 1999, there were times when the oil price hardly reached $10. Could current events in the oil market be a signal of a similar tendency?

Oops! German Intel Agents Suspected of Financing al-Qaeda

Two German domestic intelligence officers are suspected of having given money to al-Qaeda members to gain information on the extremist group, Berliner Morgenpost newspaper reported on Sunday.


The investigation has built its case on evidence provided by Irfan Peci, an ethnic Bosnian and an informant for the domestic intelligence agency BfV, who once led the German branch of the so-called "The Global Islamist Media Front," a propaganda organization associated with al-Qaeda, Berliner Morgenpost wrote.

Two Beheaded By Suspected Cultists In Rivers State (Graphic Photos)

Suspected cultists on Friday February 12th invaded Omoku town in Onelga, Rivers state, leaving no fewer than 10 people dead on their trail. The attacks reportedly started after two rival cults Sailor and Iceland clashed in the state. See graphic photos of two people – a young man and a lady beheaded at Omoku in Onelga LGA after the jump

''UCH Ibadan Doctors Killed My Wife'' - Man Says (picture)

Doctors killed my wife, cries grieving husband.
Mr. Aare Femi Adebayo, a business mogul, has demanded that an independent postmortem be done on the remains of his wife, Mrs. Funmilayo Adebayo, even as he accused doctors at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Oyo State, of killing his wife.

Remembering how his wife died, Adebayo said: “My wife was killed by the negligence and incompetence of the doctors.” Two Senior Advocates of Nigeria, Akin Olujinmi and Rotimi Akeredolu, have demanded for the release of Funmilayo’s autopsy result within the next seven days. Funmilayo, 58, was said to have died at the hospital after she started going for medical tests to check if she had cancer.

How Osinbajo Ruled Nigeria In The Absence Of Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari embarked on a six-day vacation On Friday, February 5, and ‘handed over’ to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo as acting president of the nation.

Before going on the vacation, President Buhari had dispatched a formal notice to Senate President Abubakar Bukola Saraki and Speaker of the House of Representatives Yakubu Dogara, in compliance with Section 145 (1) of the Constitution.  It was the first time in the history of Nigeria, that a president voluntarily transmitted power to his deputy.

I Never Said Nigeria Will Burn If I Open Up – Jonathan’s Ex-adc, Col Adegbe

As reactions continue to trail a recent statement attributed to Col. Ojogbane Adegbe, former aide-de-camp to immediate past president, Goodluck Jonathan, the military personnel has debunked ever threatening to open a can-of-worm about his erstwhile principal.

Col. Adegbe, while expressing shocks and disbelief over the recent viral report, which quoted him as saying that if he was forced to reveal what transpired under the last administration, Nigeria will boil, had demanded an unreserved apologia from the management of the Sun Publishing Limited for dragging his hard-earned name to the mud.

He said his recent visit to the office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), was never in connection with the controversial arms scandal.

Subsidy Removal: FG Saves N18.3bn In Six Weeks

The Federal Government’s savings as a result of the removal of subsidy on both petrol and kerosene are growing daily.

Between January 1 and February 12 this year, an interval of about six weeks, the Federal Government made over N18.3bn as savings from the removal of subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit and House Hold Kerosene.

The government officially stopped subsidy on PMS, popularly known as petrol, on January 1, 2016, while on January 23 this year, it also ended the subsidy regime on kerosene, according to the pricing templates for both commodities obtained from the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency.

Olajumoke Orisaguana's Interview With Punch

From dropping out of school so her younger siblings could continue their education, to hawking bread in Lagos in 2011, to starting her own hairdressing salon which later failed, to sleeping in the bakery (she was sleeping in a "breadroom" and not a "bedroom")in Lagos with her daughter and about 40 other women, to waking up at 5am everyday to pray.

Perhaps, instead of sitting in our bedroom and wishing we were Olajumoke or had her kind of luck, some of us need to be encouraged, don't give up, keep working hard and smart, leave your comfort zone and one day your story will change.

#ABlessedNewWeekToUsAll

Fulani Herdsmen Invade Enugu Community Kill Two, 19 Missing

Nsukka- Anxiety and confusion has enveloped Abbi Community in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area, Enugu State, following the invasion of the area by Fulani herdsmen who unleashed mayhem on the people, killing a brother and sister apart from razing down about seven houses and several motorcycles. Herdsmen… as death merchants Altogether, 19 persons were declared missing in the community even as several others were also wounded with machetes by the invaders.

It was gathered that the Fulani herdsmen numbering over 30 emerged from the bush, and began to attack the people in the community last Thursday, killing their victims and maiming others with machetes before fleeing into the bush unharmed.

EFCC Arrests Ken Saro-Wiwa’s Brother

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested former Director of Military Intelligence, Major General Wiwa.

His arrest was in continuation of investigations into the disbursement of the $2.1 billion arms fund by the former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki.

General Wiwa, younger brother to late Ken Saro-Wiwa, the late Ogoni rights activist, who was executed by the Abacha’s government in connection with the Ogoni crises of the 1990’s, was the Deputy Commandant at the Armed Forces Resettlement Centre, Oshodi, before his arrest.


Security sources informed Vanguard that the senior officer, who is at the moment being detained at one of the major military barracks in Abuja, might have been arrested because of the sensitive positions he held.

Growing Maggot For Animal Feed in Pictures

With the high price of animal feed, growing maggots is beginning to make sense. Maggots come from flies. When flies lay eggs, the eggs pass through several stages before they turn into flies. One of the stages is the maggot stage.
You can use the maggot to feed fish, chickens and other animals. I’m targeting fish and chickens but I’ll be starting with chickens.

Who Doctored 2016 Budget, Mafia Or Rats?

By Omoh Gabriel

Zero budgeting cannot be responsible for budget padding. It cannot be the reason for rats smuggling foreign provisions into the budget. It can not be the reason for double entry in allocation to ministries, departments and agencies of government. Those who prepare the budget have been around for many years. The Director-General, Budget Office of the Federation Dr.Bright Okogu holds a PhD in Economics from from the famous University of Oxford London in 1987. He is not a stranger to budgetting process and figures.

Violence In Crawford University As Male Students Protest Against Assault

The Last time a riot occurred in Crawford University, it was a first and that was in 2013; Wanton destruction of school properties was recorded. This time around, it is in 2016 and another riot has occurred in the male hostel of accommodation in Crawford University. It happened on the night of Friday 12th February 2016. In a situation where the school is still smarting from the unabashed manner in which one of its male students (name withheld), ran mad, this was a sad, flabbergasting and bizarre incident. Sadly, it is (amongst the students) one which is somewhat considered a vendetta by some students against the school.

Buratai's Convoy Was Blocked In Abuja Yesterday - Elbinawi

NIGERIAN ARMY CHIEF BURATAI’S CONVOY WAS BLOCKED IN ABUJA YESTERDAY ( 14TH / 02 / 2016)

A lot of those who don't sympathise with brothers of the Islamic Movement who were gunned downed by the army in Zaria do quickly point accusing fingers to the Movement, saying 'why should you barricade the road of a whole General?' We always say to them it is not because the road was blocked that the army opened fire on armless civilians, rather it was a premeditated plan to exterminate the Movement.

And I think what happened yesterday Sunday 14/02/16 is a pointer to our claim that the Nigerian army put on the garb of a JIHADI OUTFIT OF THE LIKES OF ISIS in attacking tne islamic Movement.

War of Words: US Wages Information Campaign Against Russia

The success of the ongoing Russian airborne campaign in Syria has prompted Washington to launch an information war against Moscow.

While Moscow proposed that all warring sides in Syria declare a ceasefire starting on March 1, the US continues to insist on an immediate cessation of hostilities, claiming that Moscow is stalling in order to allow the Syrian army to complete its ongoing offensive.
Also, on February 10 US warplanes carried out an airstrike against the Syrian city of Aleppo, with Washington immediately blaming Russia for the deed.

Endgame: Russia Hits More Than 1,800 Targets in Syria in 7 Days

Russia steps up airstrikes as US proxies pledge to take down Assad


Russia is the uncontested master of Syria's airspace. In a report posted this week on its website, Russia's Defense Ministry announced that over the last seven days, Russian jets flew 510 combat sorties and hit 1,888 targets in Syria. The previous week’s report claimed 464 sorties that hit a total of 1,354 targets.

As McClatchy notes, "Daily reports from the U.S. military for the same period indicate a much lower level of activity: 16 targets struck in Syria. The reports also said those forces hit 91 targets in Iraq."

Assad Explains Why He is Not Ruling Out Turkish, Saudi Invasion of Syria

Syrian president Bashar al-Assad spoke to AFP news agency in an exclusive interview on the developments in Syria and the region.


Talking about a possible foreign ground invasion in Syria, Assad did not rule out the possibility of a Saudi, Turkish intervention saying, "Logically, intervention is not possible, but sometimes reality is at odds with logic, particularly when there are irrational people leading a certain state. That’s why I don’t rule that out for a simple reason: Erdogan is a fanatical person with Muslim Brotherhood inclinations. He is living the Ottoman dream. For him, the collapse which took place in Tunisia, Libya, Egypt and Syria is something personal."

Syrian Army Gains Control Over Strategic Heights in Raqqa Province

The Syrian government forces have established control of strategic heights in the Raqqa province, a stronghold of Daesh terrorist group, a military source told Sputik on Sunday.

"The Syrian army is advancing from the west of the Raqqa province. After heavy fighting against Daesh terrorists, strategic heights have been taken under control," the source told Sputnik.

Two Ebonyi State University Undergraduates Kill US Returnee Email FB share Tweet

Two undergraduates of the Ebo­nyi State University, James Okoh and Victor Uchenna Okefie, have been accused of killing a US based lady, Mrs. Stella Uhuo.

The late Mrs. Uhuo, who is said to have been a benefactor to one of the alleged killers, James Okoh, informed him of her visit to Nigeria and asked him to come pick her from the airport. He is said to have turned up with a friend. Her family members are also said to have turned up, but she opted to go with Okoh and his friend so she would deliver some things.

Is Boko Haram a CIA Covert Op to Divide and Conquer Africa?

The objectives of the US military presence in Africa are well documented: counter Chinese influence and control strategic locations and natural resources including oil reserves. This was confirmed more than 8 years ago by the US State Department:

In 2007, US State Department advisor Dr. J. Peter Pham commented on AFRICOM’s strategic objectives of “protecting access to hydrocarbons and other strategic resources which Africa has in abundance, a task which includes ensuring against the vulnerability of those natural riches and ensuring that no other interested third parties, such as China, India, Japan, or Russia, obtain monopolies or preferential treatment.” (Nile Bowie, CIA Covert Ops in Nigeria: Fertile Ground for US Sponsored Balkanization Global Research, 11 April 2012)

At the beginning of February,  AFRICOM’s “head General David Rodriguez called for a large-scale US-led ‘counterinsurgency’ campaign against groups in West Africa during remarks at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, DC:

Photos: Seriake Dickson inaugurated for 2nd term as Bayelsa state governor

Bayelsa state governor, Seriake Dickson, has been sworn in for a second term as Governor of the state. The ceremony which is currently holding at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex, has many PDP chieftains in attendance. See more photos after the jump..

Russia Accuses Bill Gates Of Engineering The Zika Virus As A ‘Bioweapon’

The Zika virus is a bioweapon that is using GMO (genetically modified) mosquitoes to spread ‘future diseases’ according to a Kremlin report. And the finger of blame is being pointed squarely at Bill Gates accordiing to Disclose.tv. It is understood the bioweapon was developed by Bill Gates to achieve his self-confessed Illuminati goal of depopulating the world. According to a leaked highly confidential Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) report that has been read by sources in the Kremlin, it has been revealed that the Zika virus was ‘cooked up as a bioweapon’ by ‘world governments and non-government organizations.’ It is understood the chief non-government organization behind the Zika virus is Bill Gates’ own Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Turkey and Saudi Arabia: to fight or to flight?

by Ghassan Kadi

No one knows how the “War On Syria” is going to end, let alone what turns it will take in a year from now, a month, and even a week. There are many variables, new developments, twists and turns, and they happen quickly, and sometimes unexpectedly. And because we do not really what is going on behind the scenes in the corridors of Washington, Ankara and Riyadh, we cannot say from a position of knowledge that the trio are indeed conjuring for a land invasion of Syria. To make any plausible interpretations and predictions therefore, we can only base them on the revealed information, albeit it is perhaps mainly designed to feed the news-hungry media and their news-thirsty consumers. The analyses that we can produce cannot be based on more than this information.

Syrian Militants Receive New Missiles From 'Assad’s Foreign Enemies'

Enemies of Syrian President Bashar Assad have said they received ground-to-ground missiles from their foreign backers. They plan to use the missiles to curb the government forces’ offensive on Aleppo.

After the Syrian Army cut off supplies line between Aleppo and the Turkish border, Syrian militants received new supplies of ground-to-ground missiles from "Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's foreign enemies," two militant commanders told Reuters.
According to a source, the missiles have a range of 20 kilometers.

Week Eighteen of the Russian Intervention in Syria: a dramatic escalation appears imminent

This column was written for the Unz Review.

The situation in Syria has reached a watershed moment and a dramatic escalation of the war appears imminent. Let’s look again at how we reached this point.

During the first phase of the operation, the Syrian armed forces were unable to achieve an immediate strategic success.