Chinese Rockets on disputed Islands in South China Sea

With the construction of a foothold in the South China Sea Beijing confirmed that it becomes the most serious military rival to the United States

Originally appeared at Politika, translated by A. Đurić exclusively for SouthFront

When the US Navy reconnaissance aircraft P-8A flew over coral reef in the South China sea in May last year, ignoring the warnings of Chinese warships, the crew filmed everything that was going on down there. Video showed dozens of cargo ships, full of stone blocks and gravel, around the reefs that the Chinese turned into an island. It was found that aero-naval base is being build, that the Chinese used coral reefs at seven positions to extend its territorial waters and economic zone.

North Korea Fire Artillery Shorts inside South Korea - Seoul

The incident comes at a time when in coming month the US and South Korea will conduct an annual joint military drill. Today, the South Korea’s Defense Ministry has said in a statement that North Korea has fired artillery shots during a military exercise near a disputed maritime border. The statement also said that Saturday’s firing prompted Seoul to call on residents on the Baengnyeong Island to go into shelters. Baengnyeong is situated less than 20 kilometers at its closest point to the North’s shore. The incident comes at a time when in coming month the US and South Korea will conduct an annual joint military drill. It is expected that some 15,000 US troops will take part in the two-phased exercises, known as Key Resolve and Foal Eagle.

Ukrainian Military fires on Donetsk Violating ceasfire deal

It is reported by the defense ministries of the Donetsk and Luhansk republics that after the sixth ceasefire was announced on December 23, the Ukrainian military violated the truce 120 times.

Today, a source at defense authorities of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) told that the Ukrainian military shelled the Staromikhailovka settlement to the west of Donetsk from 152-mm artillery.

Week Nineteen of the Russian Intervention in Syria: would Russia use nukes to defend Khmeimim?

The past week saw no decrease in the tense confrontation between Turkey and Russia over Syria. While Russia’s position is simple – ‘we are ready to fight’ – the Turkish position is much more ambiguous: Turkish politicians are saying one thing, then the opposite and then something else again. At times they make it sound like an invasion is imminent, and at times they say that “Turkey plans no unilateral invasion”. Since a UN authorized invasion of Syria will never happen, this means some kind of “coalition of the willing”, possibly NATO. The problem here is that the Europeans have no desire to end up in a war against Russia. At the same time, the US and France refuse to allow a UN Resolution which would reaffirm the sovereignty of Syria. Yup, that’s right. The US and France apparently think that the UN Charter (which affirms the sovereignty of all countries) does not apply to Syria. Go figure…

Bola Tinubu:"Unseating Jonathan,An Incumbent President,My Most Difficult Battle"

The National Leader of the All Progressives Congress(APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has said his most difficult battle ever in life is ousting an incumbent president Goodluck Jonathan in the 2015 general elections.
Tinubu revealed this in an interview with senior editors at The Sun ahead of the Sun Man of the Year Award which the astute politician will be honoured in Lagos later today.
In his words, Tinubu during the interview said,“President Jonathan’s battle was the toughest. When you are fighting the incumbent, it is tough.

Photos: Nigerian troops intensify operations against Boko Haram terrorists, recover 39 cans of PMS

The Nigerian troops have intensified operations to clear the remnants of Boko Haram terrorists, a statement issued on Saturday, February 20 by the Acting Director Army Public Relations, Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman, reads:


Following the disruption of Boko Haram terrorists logistics chain and successful raids and ambushes, the 5 Brigade Quick Response Force (QRF) has further exploited beyond Kekeno-Mile 90-Gudumbali and blocked the terrorists’ logistics corridor.

Vladimir Putin Knows Exactly Where US Special Forces Are in Syria

Obama needs to make sure his token contribution to the fight against ISIS doesn't end up getting pounded by Putin and Assad


The insertion of U.S. Special Forces into Syria became even more bungled on Thursday when the Defense Department revealed that it had asked Russia to avoid bombing certain areas inside the country because that’s where the several dozen soldiers are working.

Did Russia Just Threaten Turkey With Nuclear Weapons?

[Note by the Saker: I do not believe that Russia has made such a threat and I will post my reasons for this in the next 24 hours.  However, I might be wrong and Mercouris and Perry right, I therefore feel like I should post this analysis]

Reports say a source close to Putin claims Russia warned Erdogan of readiness to use tactical nuclear weapons to defend Russian strike force in Syria from Turkish attack

by Alexander Mercouris for Russia Insider:http://russia-insider.com/en/politics/did-russia-just-threaten-turkey-nuclear-weapons/ri12936

The US investigative journalist Robert Parry has made an astonishing claim – and one that has gone completely unnoticed.

He is reporting that the Russian government has warned Erdogan that Russia is prepared to use tactical nuclear weapons to defend its Syrian strike force from Turkish attack.

Parry’s exact words are as follows:

‘Senator Sheriff Is Substantive, Not Acting National Chairman’ - PDP

Read the press statement below...
The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) wishes to draw the attention of the media and members of the public that His Excellency, Senator Ali Modu-Sheriff is substantive and not acting National Chairman of the PDP as being erroneously rendered by a section of the media.

EFCC seeks court's order to seize all Tompolo's properties until he appears

IN THE FEDERAL HIGH COURT

IN THE LAGOS JUDICIAL DIVISION

HOLDEN AT LAGOS

CHARGE NO: FHC/L/553C/2015

BETWEEN:

THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA               ……COMPLAINANT/APPLICANT

AND

Photo: 13yr old Urhobo Girl allegedly kidnapped, forcely converted and married off by Hausa Muslim Lover in Bayelsa

A Hausa Muslim man identified as Yunusa from Kano state, has been accused of kidnapping and forcefully converting and marrying off 13 year old Urhobo girl, Ese Rita Orur pictured above.

According to The Sun, Yinusa who resides in Opolo, Yenagoa, had abducted Ese on August 12th 2015 and eloped with her to Kano and has refused to allow her return home.

Buhari appoints Tolu Ogunlesi as his SA on Digital/New Media

President Buhari has appointed Journalist and Blogger, Tolu Ogunlesi, as his Special Assistant on Digital and New Media. Senior Special Assistant to President Buhari on Media and Publicity, Shehu Garba, announced this in a statement released this evening. Congrats Tolu. See the statement below...

Mob Wives' Big Ang dies at age 55 after battle with cancer

 After giving it her all, Angela "Big Ang" Raiola has lost her battle with cancer. The Mob Wives star passed away early Thursday morning at about 3am. She was 55 years old.

"It is with sad regret that we inform you that at 3:01 a.m. Angelia Raiola peacefully ended her battle with cancer, and was called home," the statement, which was posted on Twitter, read. "She was surrounded by nothing but love from her immediate family, and the closest friends. YOU, (her fans) were some of the most special people in the world, and she loved you immensely. Thank you for your love, prayers, and unconditional support of Angela right to the very end."

New PDP Chairman, Ali Modu Sheriff, will work for APC- Kano state governor

Kano state governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje says the newly- National Chairman of PDP, Ali Modu Sheriff, will work for the APC going by his “antecedents”. Ganduje said this while addressing newsmen in Abuja today February 18th. He dismissed the threat made by the PDP Chairman in Abia yesterday that the PDP will regain control of Aso Rock in 2019

Russia Is Fed up With NATO-MSM Complex False Flag Attacks (Video)

The Russian MoD spokesman aptly exposed the total rubbish coming from the US military and western mass media

Just imagine, Russia offers the US and NATO cooperation, even supplying mission details and targeting maps, yet in return have one of their pilots shot out of the sky and US A-10s bombing behind Russia's back only to be blamed for it all after the fact.

Syria: Déjà vu

by Kakaouskia

Greetings to the Saker community and readers.

Let us imagine that we are tasked with producing a sequel to the 1990s masterpiece “First Gulf war”, this time to be filmed in Syria.

We will definitely need a villain; lucky for us we have two: Vladimir Putin and Bashar Al Assad. Throw in a criminal organisation – let’s call them ISIS – for good measure and the cast is ready as the good guys are again the same. This is after all part of the franchise.

Now for the plot. Hmm, first we need drama. How it was done the first time? Ah yes, the Nayirah testimony at the UN. This time though Nayirah got a bit old to be a protagonist, so we should useNadia Murad to testify.

Also how about a hospital bombing? Perhaps two? How about five on a single day? I have a better idea – how about showing a video of babies in incubators suffering?

If all the above sound familiar, then you are not mistaken. The events of the last 48 hours in Syria leave a bitter case of Deja vu to anyone old enough to remember how support was rallied for the First Gulf war.

Blast Occurs Next to Military Convoy in Southeastern Turkey

An explosion occurred next to military convoy on the road to Diyarbakir, at least seven people are reported dead, Haberturk reports.

A homemade explosive device detonated near a military convoy in the country’s southeastern province of Diyarbakir with reports of injuries, Haberturk news portal reported Thursday citing military sources.

Husband of Nigerian s3x worker found dead had no idea she was a call girl, 'I thought she was making money from hair extensions'

Estranged husband of Nigerian-born Jessica McGraa revealed that she hid her double life as a £220-an-hour call girl from him.  Gareth McGraa, 56, believed that Jessica, 37, was making money to fund the high life she loved by selling hair extensions. Gareth told of his grief at her death – and his hurt that she had deceived him.
Continue..

EFCC re-arraigns Dokpesi over alleged N2.1bn fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC today re-arraigned former chairman of DAAR communications Plc, Raymond Dokpesi before Justice John Tsoho of the federal high court, Abuja, over a six-count charge of criminal breach of public procurement law to the tune of N2.1bn, the same charges filed against him in December. During the hearing, Dokpesi pleaded not guilty to all charges. His counsel, Wole Olanipekun, Dokpesi’s lawyer, asked the presiding judge to allow him maintain the bail he was granted by Justice Kolawole on December 14. He said his client had been of good behaviour since the bail was granted. After listening to the counsel, the judge ruled that the bail granted Dokpesi be maintained. He adjourned the case to March 2 and 3 for commencement of trial.

Photos from an auto accident on 3rd Mainland Bridge this afternoon

The accident which occurred today was reportedly caused by tyre bursts. No life was lost but the passengers sustained various degrees of injuries. According to Uche Nnaji, LASG Emergency Ambulance Service arrived at the scene shortly after the incident and the victims were conveyed to the hospital where they are currently receiving treatment. More photos after the jump...

Photos: Man left unattended to after he gets hit by motorcycle in Lagos

This unidentified man is lying unattended to after he was hit by a motorcycle at Ebutte Metta West Lagos this afternoon. According to @10taclesNG who shared the photos on twitter, the man is still alive.

Dieziani Alison-Madueke's husband arrested by EFCC

Husband of former Minister of Petroleum Resources Diezani Alison-Madueke has been arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, over allegations of laundering more than $600,000 through his personal accounts. According to Channels TV, he was quizzed for many hours and was released on administrative bail. He is expected to return to the anti-graft agency headquarters tomorrow.

New PDP Chairman, Ali Modu Sheriff, vows to unseat Buhari, APC by 2019

Newly appointed chairman of PDP, Ali Modu Sheriff, has vowed to unseat President Buhari and the APC from Aso Rock come 2019. He said this while addressing PDP members at the Abia state governor. Okezie Ikpeazu's thanksgiving service in Umuahia, Abia state today February 17th.

Who needs war with peace like this?

Comment by Larchmonter445

To all who predict the inevitable war, wherever your mind thinks it will transpire:
It is a requirement of that prediction to tell us what the Order of Battle shall be.
For instance, China attacked by the US.
Or, Turkey and US/NATO/Arabs with oil attacking Russia.
Or, Turkey and the nazis of Ukraine attacking Russia.
Or, some Israeli (Zio-whatever you want) false flag attack that results in attacking Russia.
Please tell us how the war gets going with planes? with missiles? with sub? with carriers and destroyers?

Diezani Approved $24bn Crude Swap Without Contract –ex-nnpc GMD

A former Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Mr. Austin Oniwon, confirmed on Tuesday that there was no formal contract between the NNPC and trading companies that lifted $24bn worth of crude oil from the country between 2011 and 2014.

Oniwon told the House of Representatives Ad Hoc Committee on Crude Oil Swap that a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, merely granted the “extension” of an earlier contract.