The Calm Before the Coming Global Storm

by Pepe Escobar for Sputnik News

Major turbulence seems to be the name of the game in 2016. Yet the current turbulence may be interpreted as the calm before the next, devastating geopolitical/financial storm. Let’s review the current state of play via the dilemmas afflicting the House of Saud, the EU and BRICS members Russia, Brazil and China.

How Syrian Kurds dropped Marx and adopted communalism

by Claudio Gallo

Debbie is not only the daughter of Murray Bookchin, the theorist of Communalism. She is a journalist and writer: in 2004, she wrote, together with Jim Schumacher, “The Virus and the Vaccine: Contaminated Vaccine, Deadly Cancers, and Government Neglect” about the polio vaccine scandal. She served as presidential candidate Bernie Sanders’ press secretary from 1991-1994. But, yes, she is also her father’s daughter, spreading the legacy of the American philosopher born from Jewish Russian parents emigrated to the United States.

Nine theses about the war we are engaged in

by: Rostislav Ishchenko

Translated by Seva

Source: http://www.e-news.su/mnenie-i-analitika/111767-devyat-tezisov-o-voyne-kotoruyu-my-vedem-rostislav-ischenko.html

On April 27-28, the Russian Defense Ministry held an international conference on security. I participate in a panel discussing “color revolutions”.

The time allotted to speakers (5 min) and discussion participants (1 min) was too short to present the entire concept of color revolutions in modern politics and their impact on general and military security of the affected state. Therefore, I will present my views in bullet points. I will be succinct, because one can write a multi-volume study of “color revolutions” and hybrid war in general, and even then the topic might not be thoroughly covered.

Herdsmen Kill Bala Madaki And His Nephew In Kaduna

KADUNA — GUNMEN, suspected to be Fulani herdsmen, on Sunday night, assassinated the District Head of Fadan Karshi, a busy commercial town in Sanga Local Government Area, southern part of Kaduna State.

The murdered District Head, Mr. Bala Madaki, 66, was killed alongside his nephew, Emmanuel Tanko.

According to a community leader in the area, Pastor Mike Makarfi, the violence took place around 10:30pm Sunday night.

No Elected Public Officer Should Earn 10 Times More Than Minimum Wage

‘No elected public officer should earn 10 times more than minimum wage’

By Bartholomew Madukwe

Human rights activist, Comrade Femi Aborisade, has said that no elected public officer should earn more than 10 times the minimum wage.

Army Rescues 80-Year-Old Man From Boko Haram (photo)

The Nigerian army rescued an 80 year old man held captive by Boko haram elements in the North. Below is a press release on the matter ;

The atrocities of the Boko Haram terrorists knew no bound. Troops of 29 Task Force Brigade on clearance operations of remnants of Boko Haram terrorists rescued an 80 year old man in Shaltimari village, Borno State yesterday 1st May 2016.
The elderly man, Mallam Ibrahim Matuk stated that he suffered untold hardship in the hands of the Boko Haram terrorists who killed all his children while in captivity.
Please disseminate this information to the public through your medium.
Thank you for your kind cooperation.
Colonel Sani Kukasheka
Acting Director Army Public Relations

Bakassi Boys Regroup For Fulani Mafia

THE unrestrained invasion of communities and massacre of innocent citizens by the Fulani herdsmen across the country is now causing provocation for bloody uprising from the South East since the incident in Enugu State.

Prominent Igbo leaders, at their meeting at the weekend, decided on urgent need for the Igbo nation to organize the people for self-defence against the invasion and killing of Igbo indigenes by the Fulani herdsmen.

Anambra Monitors Fulani Herdsmen With Helicopter

The Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano, has launched a helicopter for aerial surveillance of the activities of herdsmen in the state.

The governor, who stated this during the Workers’ Day celebration in Awka, the state capital, assured the people of the state that his administration had all it would take to prevent any attack by the herders.

Obiano said that before the growing menace of the Fulani herdsmen in the country, he had set up a special committee to foster peace between farmers and the cattle grazers in the state.

Fidelity Bank Appoints Mohammed Balarabe As Acting Managing Director

FIDELITY BANK APPOINTS ALHAJI MOHAMMED LAWAL BALARABE AS ACTING MANAGING DIRECTOR

In the absence of the Managing Director/Chief Executive, Mr. #Nnamdi Okonkwo, the Board of Directors of #Fidelity Bank Plc has appointed the Executive Director, North, Alhaji Mohammed Lawal Balarabe as the Acting Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer of Fidelity Bank Plc. with immediate effect subject to regulatory approval.

Idoma Group Lambasts Northern Governors For Defending Fulani Herdsmen

By Peter Duru

MAKURDI—A pan-Idoma group, the Opiatoha K’Idoma has faulted the position of the Northern governors on the activities of Fulani herdsmen in parts of the country, saying that the governors tended to exonerate the herdsmen from the recent massacre of hundreds of persons in Agatu local government area of Benue State.

Emirates Vacation Club Dupes Nigerians

Dubai-based Emirates Vacation Club (EVC) has allegedly scammed about 2,000 Nigerians through dubious investment. The victims, it was learnt, invested several thousands of US dollars in 99 years time-sharing private residency accommodation at a 45-storey Emirates Grand Hotel (EGH) on Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai.

Okupe Urges Governors To Sack Workers Over Cash Crunch

Doyin Okupe, a former Senior Special Assistant to former president Goodluck Jonathan, has urged state governors to downsize their workforce in view of the current cash crunch. Okupe wrote on his Facebook page yesterday: “An immediate 20-30% cut down in staff strength is imperative, with provision of say, upfront payment of 3 years salaries for affected members of staff.” According to him, all state governments in the country have over-bloated civil service. He suggested that downsizing be continued in states at an annual rate of about 10 percent for about five years, saying this would create space for a controlled employment of “new youthful and better trained civil servants.”

Robber At NHIS Building Lagos Striped Unclad & Beaten To Pulp

It is as they say 'everyday for the thief and one day for the owner of the house'. This robber was caught in the act during an operation last night at the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) building at 112 Obafemi Awolowo way, Ikeja, Lagos.. The young man was beaten mercilessly and stripped unclad till this morning before being handed over to the authorities.

83 Cows And 20 Fulanis Killed In Reprisal Attacks

Gunmen at the weekend killed 83 cows at Adayi in Nasarawa Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

The Fulani community leader, Mallam Bideri Ahmadu, who addressed reporters in Loko, alleged that Agatu youths crossed over from Benue State about 10:30am last Saturday.

He said the suspects had wanted to “rustle the cows in their boats across River Benue, but the cattle went berserk because of sporadic shootings.”

Fulani Herdsmen: Nsukka Students Protest Invasion In Enugu [photos]

Students of Nsukka origin under the auspices of the Federated Association Of Nsukka Students (FANS) are currently protesting the invasion of fulani herdsmen in various communities in Enugu state.

Suspected Killers Of General Mohammed Shuwa Pictured

Yesterday, the Nigeria Army announced it has arrested the suspected killers of Major General Mohammed Shuwa (rtd) who was shot dead by unknown gunmen at his home in Maiduguri in November 2012. Picture above shows the suspected killers while they were being paraded by the army.

Boko Haram Children Isolated In IDP Camp In Borno - Photos b

If this is really true then there is no justification for this. According to twitter user Dan-Borno who posted the pictures on his timeline, these children whose parents were among the Boko Haram terror group -have been isolated and stigmatized in Damboa, Borno state.

Nigerians Would Be Happy In Few Hours - Ita-Enang

Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Senator Ita Enang, yesterday told New Telegraph that his office had taken delivery of a preview copy of the revised 2016 Appropriation Bill. Enang, who spoke to our correspondent on the phone, could not, however, confirm when exactly the document would reach the desk of the president for his final approval and signing into law.

Nusra Front Terrorists Launch 60 Missiles on Aleppo

Nusra front militants have launched 60 missiles on Syria's Aleppo, killing 9 people and 45 injuring civilians.  The Nusra Front terrorist group has launched 60 missiles in an attack on the Syrian city of Aleppo over the past hour, killing nine people, an Aleppo militia source said on Tuesday.

Sheriff Moves To Amend PDP Constitution

Following stiff opposition by the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party to his desire to contest the chairmanship of the party at its national convention scheduled for May 21, the National Chairman of the party, Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff has begun moves to checkmate it.

Sheriff had proposed an amendment to the party’s constitution, whereby he added a clause that the body would need to consult him before it could call for any meeting.

Unlike before, the BoT, of which the national chairman is a member, does not need his permission to hold its meeting.

Anxiety Grips PDP Chieftains Over Buhari’s Extradition Plan

Prominent leaders and members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have been hit by anxiety following reports that some chieftains of the opposition party may be extradited home to come and face trial for alleged corruption.
President Muhammadu Buhari is expected to join about 59 other world leaders in London later this month to sign an agreement to check stealing of public funds by government officials.

Blaming Fulani Herdsmen For Benue, Enugu Killings Absurd!!! Sultan Of Sokoto

An organisation led by the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar, has described as “absurd” and “unfortunate” the widespread insinuation that Fulani herdsmen are responsible for the attacks on villagers in Benue, Enugu, Nasarawa and other parts of the country.
The Jama’atu Nasril Islam, JNI, a coalition of several Islamic groups in Nigeria, stated this on Sunday. The Sultan is the head of the JNI.
In the statement, signed by Khalid Aliyu, the organisation’s secretary-general, the JNI said it was shocked by the attacks.

Moody’s Downgrades Nigeria's Issuer Ratings From Ba3 To B1

Moody’s Investors Service, better known as Moody’s, has finally downgraded Nigeria’s long-term issuer ratings from Ba3 to B1.

B1, B2 and B3 are judged to “have speculative elements and a significant credit risk”, while Ba1, Ba2 and Ba3 are seen as “speculative and a high credit risk”.

Moody’s has also assigned a stable outlook after concluding the review for downgrade initiated in March 2016.

FG To Stop Religious Prayers At Events For 2nd Stanza Nat' Anthem

Strong indications have emerged of the Federal
Government’s move to stop the saying of opening prayers at events across the nation and replace it with reciting the second stanza of the National Anthem.

The National Orientation Agency (NOA) led by
the newly appointed acting director general,
Ngozi Ekeoba announced the move on microblogging website, Twitter on Thursday,
March 24, 2016.

High-profile Fraud: EFCC Probes Four Judges Frustrating Probe

•Considers tribunal to try suspects

Four high court judges in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are currently under the radar of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for allegedly frustrating the probe of high-profile corruption cases.

The judges are said to have developed a penchant for going soft with suspects who approach their courts to stop their trial for corruption by EFCC.