Is China a House of Cards?

by Pepe Escobar for Sputnik

Let’s start by examining what the Dragon himself – President Xi Jinping – has to say about China being largely derided in influential Beltway circles as a House of Cards.

Xi has forcefully dismissed the notion that a House of Cards power struggle has been raging at the rarified heights of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Yet at the same time he’s adamant; “conspirators”, “careerists”, “cabals” and “cliques” are attempting to undermine the CCP from within.

Autopsy cites respiratory seizure as cause of Ronke Shonde's death

As investigations into the death of Mrs. Ronke Shonde, who was allegedly murdered by the husband Lekan, deepens, the much awaited autopsy report, which has been released, might have shed further light into the circumstances that led to her death.

The autopsy report which was taken to the State Criminal Investigation and Investigate Department (SCIID), Panti, Yaba, at exactly 8.45pm on Wednesday cited one of the chief cause of death as Respiratory Seizure.

Nigeria Is Broke – FG

The Federal government has raised the alarm that Nigeria is broke and cannot sustain the subsidy regime, hence the hike in the price of fuel.

Speaking to State House Correspondents on Wednesday after the Federal Executive Council( FEC) meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari, Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed  lamented that the economy of the country is shrinking.

Okupe confirms Jonathan paid Metuh N400m..said amount came from ex-president’s N21bn campaign funds

The former Senor Special Assistant to former President Goodluck Jonathan, Dr Doyin Okupe, told Federal High Court, sitting in Abuja on Wednesday that Jonathan confirmed to him that he gave the sum of N400 million to Chief Olisa Metuh, the National Publicity Secretary of PDP.

He said the amount was to enable Metuh carry out the much desired image and pulbic perception enhancement for the former President before his public declaration ahead of the 2015 general election.

Shehu Sani slams those in support of oil subsidy removal, says they have the constitutional rights to “revere their chains”

Senator Shehu Sani has slammed members of the Nigeria Labor Congress that opted out of the strike action by NLC against the ‎recent increase in petrol. In a statement released today May 18th, Sani cautioned against blackmailing labor members who are against their position on the removal of oil subsidy. Part of his statement reads;

The Man Who Killed His Parents And 2 Sisters In Yobe (Pictured)

•Police: he’s a drug addict

A 28-year-old man, Adamu Mai Bisco, on Monday night allegedly killed his parents and two sisters in Potiskum, Yobe State.

Police confirmed the incident.

Spokesman Toyin Gbadegesin said the suspect used a shovel to kill the victims while they were asleep.
“He was not provoked before carrying out the dastardly act.”

FG tells workers "You must go to work today, no work no pay" despite lNLC's threat to continue with strike,

Despite threats by the Ayuba Wabba faction of NLC to continue with its planned strike action today May 18th, the Federal Government has advised all workers in the Civil service to resume for work today, saying the no work no pay rule will be invoked in all ministries, agencies and department. Speaking after a meeting with labor yesterday May 17th, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal said:

Soldiers Get 72 Hours Ultimatum To Release Chevron Staff

Communities in Delta state hosting the facilities of Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) have given Nigerian soldiers 72 hours to produce Chevron staff in their custody while dismissing claims by the military that the five persons arrested over the weekend were militants bombing oil and gas facilities in the area.

Ajaero’s NLC Faction Backs Out Of Strike

FACTIONAL President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Comrade Joe Ajaero, has said his faction will not take part in the planned strike called by the Congress to protest the fuel price hike.

Ajaero told journalists in Abuja that his faction cannot be part of the action because it was called at a wrong time and with wrong motives.

Financial sector workers urged to obey NLC on strike

THE National Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions Employees, NUBIFIE, yesterday, asked bank workers to comply with the directive by organised labour to stay at home from tomorrow should government fail to reverse the hike in the pump price of petrol. NUBIFIE, in a statement by its President and General Secretary, Danjuma Musa and Mohammed Sheiki, respecti-vely, also called on manage-ment of banks to comply with the sit-at-home directive “in the interest of our organisation and the masses of Nigeria.” According to the statement, after an emergency meeting of the union, where the current hike in the pump price of petrol by the government was discussed, the union, having reviewed the implications of such action on the already impoverished Nigerians, had resolved to join hands with the organised labour and all civil society allies to resist the hike. It said: “We condemn the unilateral increase, as we have seen before that the solution to perennial scarcity of petroleum products can never be addressed by merely increasing pump price of petroleum products.”

5-Month Old killed Foetus In Benson Idahosa University (Graphic Photo)

So I got this shocking alleged story from my reader like some minutes ago. Please read with me:

Hello ,

Strange happenings from Benson Idahosa University

How To Avoid Tire Blow-out By Pumping Right Pressure Into Your Tire

Do you 90% of accident on the road are caused by blow-out?

You can find the right psi for your vehicle on the driver door..

Do you even know there's limit to what pressure you put in your car's tire?

The pressure pumped inside tire are measure in pounds per square inch (psi)?

Femi Fani-Kayode still detained despite meeting bail conditions

The dictatorial, vengeful, vindictive and scurrilous use of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) by the APC-led federal government to achieve sinister purposes against vocal individuals and members of the opposition has once again played itself out in the macabre continued detention of Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, 5 days after fulfilling all his bail conditions.

Obama Launches Military Buildup Along Russia’s Borders Out of ‘Total Panic’

President Obama has launched the US most massive military buildup along Russia’s and China’s borders out of “total panic”: President Putin has “successfully outflanked” him in Syria and exposed Obama as “essentially a supporter of international terrorism,” according to Mike Billington, an author for the Executive Intelligence Review newsmagazine.

Nigerian Senate withdraws anti-social media bill

The Senate has withdrawn the frivolous petition bill otherwise known as the Antisocial media bill sponsored by Senator Bala Ibn Na’Allah. At the plenary today May 17th, the senate received the Report of the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights & Legal Matters that examined the legality of the bill. During the deliberation of the committees report, Dino Melaye said the bill, if passed, will work against Whistleblowers who provide information to the police and other security agents. Senator Shehu Sani while contributing to the debate, said the bill if passed will stifle the press and also silence social media. He commended the senate committee on Judiciary for standing against the passage of the bill. Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu posed a question to the senators who unanimously asked that the bill be stepped down.

We Killed Because Tiv Youths Stole 800 Cows From Us —Fulani Spokesman

BENUE State coordinator of Myetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Garus Gololo, has advanced reason for the Friday night attack on the Tiv people of Agwabi village, in Binev Council Ward of Buruku Local Government Area of the state, which led to the death of many.

Labor Unions divided on proposed strike...some say they will not participate

Members of the Nigerian Labor Congress NLC are divided in the proposed strike they plan to embark on tomorrow May 18th if the Federal government does not revert to the old pump price of petrol and suspend the deregulation of the oil sector. Electricity Workers Union, NUPENG, PENGASSAN and other allies have said they will not be participating if the strike eventually holds.

Nlc's Planned Strike Suffer Major Setback

The proposed plan of Nigerian's labour unions to cripple economic activities starting Wednesday over a recent fuel hike, has suffered a major setback.


According to a report , there is confusion among the ranks of the unions. It's believed that its planned strike may be scuttled by its affiliates as well as civil society organisations in the country.

Niger Delta Avengers Are Criminals! - Ateke Tom says

The former Niger Delta war lord, Ateke Tom has warned the faceless newly formed Niger Delta Avengers to stop causing more harm to the region through their criminal activities, saying that attack on oil installations would only bring pains and suffering to the people of the region.

Ateke, while condemning the activities of the Avengers whom he described as desperate criminals said no Niger Delta youths would support any criminal act in the region.

in 21st century: "Wizard" Caught Flying Over Calabar Highway (photos+video)

According to a report by Calabar Reporters, the so-called wizard was spotted on the morning of May 12, flying through Calabar Highways. The alleged wizard was spotted at about 7:50am around the popular Culvert bus stop adjacent to Ikot Ansa bus stop, Murtala Mohammed Highway, Calabar, with a crowd around him. The man, who is between 40-60 years old was lying Unclad by the roadside. He was muttering incoherently with blood spots on his face and lips.

Lagos Now Officially An Oil Producing State- Ambode

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Monday declared that Lagos has officially joined the League of Oil Producing States in Nigeria following the discovery of crude oil by Tunde Folawiyo Petroleum Company Limited in Badagry, Lagos.
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (right), receiving a sample of the Crude Oil discovered in the State by the Group Managing Director, Tunde Folawiyo Petroleum Company Limited, Mr. Tunde Folawiyo during a courtesy visit to the Governor, at the Lagos House, Ikeja on Monday, May 16, 2016.

Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport To Be Closed, Says Minister

*Decries dilapidated infrastructure, says govt has no money to run airports

Dele Ogbodo in Abuja

The Minister of State, for Aviation, Mr. Hadi Sirika, on Monday threatened to shut down flight operations into and out of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja ,because of dilapidated infrastructure that could compromise safety.

He said the several pot holes on the runway almost made him to close the airport, urging that that the airport will be closed down until the necessary things are put in place. He did not however say when the closure will be carried out.

Lack Of Funds May Stall Corps Members’ Mobilisation To Camp – NYSC

Brig.-Gen. Sulyman Kazaure, Director-General, National Youths Service Corps (NYSC), on Monday told the Senate that lack of funds may stall mobilising 2016 Batch A Stream 2 prospective corps members for orientation.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that orientation for the batch is expected to commence on Friday in 37 camps across the country.

Kazaure told the Senate Committee on Sports in Abuja that the money required for the exercise was yet to be provided.

EFCC To Invite Former President Jonathan For Questioning Due To Evidence Against Him

Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, has disclosed that the agency was indeed probing and collating evidence against former president, Goodluck Jonathan and other accomplices in the arms purchase scandal. He stated this when he visited the office of the BBC Hausa service in London at the weekend.

Asked when Jonathan would be asked to appear at the EFCC, Magu said:
Quote

Girl Kidnapped In Satellite Town, Lagos (photos)

According to a Twitter user Chigoo,her lil niece was kidnapped in satellite town on Saturday.Her name is Chidera .Anyone that has any useful information should forward it to the appropriate authorities. Pls help us rebroadcast