WTO: In search of a Future

All things tremble in the world as American economy shakes. The latest is the World Trade Organisation, a third tier financial cum economic organisation backing the Brettonwood institutions. The organisation admitted China in 2001 and Russia in 2011. It has controlled the destiny of the economy of most countries especially developing ones mostly in Africa alongside the World Band and IMF. The organisation is now in search of a future. More.

France and Mali: A Different Ball Game

It looks as if the war in Mali is not the kind of war France had hoped for. The Islamists appear fully trained and well-equipped according to French officials. The Libyan war has successfully created a  powerful loophole and vacuum for rebels and Islamists in West Africa with Nigeria currently having her shares through Boko Haram. France recently lost  a rescue mission in Somalia and cannot afford to come out of Mali with another failed mission. More.

Messi and Ronaldo: Lesson from the Ballon D'or

Messi is a player that inspires. His acts both on and off the pitch are awe-inspiring. Ronaldo on his own part plays good football like Messi but does not learn the art and master the act of humility. Messi said: 'I do not think of whether I'm the best in the world or not, I just enjoy what I do.' Christiano Ronaldo carries his shoulder up everytime. He brags a lot. He even demanded that he is treated like Messi in Real Madrid or he quits. Despite being a Madrid fan, I enjoy Messi's act of humility which has earned him the title of the greatest footballer in the world of all times.

Messi was offered a blank check in Manchester City when Roberto Mancini came on board to steer the ship but he refused. Almost at the same time Cristiano Ronaldo flew down to Madrid from Manchester United at a whooping sum of 80 million euros. Messi's action showed he is grateful to Barcelona for making him who he is, from childhood care to adulthood and the greatest in the world. Ronaldo on his own part 'jetted' to Real Madrid with the aim of competing with Messi and making a name in the Ballon D'or once again. A feat that has been elusive since then.

The same act of humility is the winning point of Messi over Mikel Obi of Nigeria. Mikel was congratulated by Josef Seph Blatter in 2005 after Nigeria's under-20 came second. Blatter said Mikel will one day be great but the pontification of Mikel did not let the prediction come to pass. Messi is a man to look up to all the time in every aspect and sector of  life. Humility wins all wars no matter how esoteric and complex

Iran: War Game

Iran continues to test her military prowess in the Strait of Hormuz. The naval force of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has held exercises to test new equipment and battle tactics in the strategic Strait of Hormuz, Iranian media reported on Sunday. The new drills is to test the combat-readiness of the military, speed and accuracy in responding to natural disasters and familiarity with new weapons.

They were the fifth such tactical exercises held by the force and took place near Bandar Abbas, a Gulf port on Iran's southern coast, Fars said. It did not say when they took place.

Iran's regular navy, separate from the IRGC's naval branch, held drills in the Gulf in late December and early January meant to showcase the country's military capabilities in the Strait of Hormuz, through which 40 percent of the world's seaborne oil exports passes.

Turkey, Iran and Russia: Silent Conflict

Turkey pitted herself against Iran and Russia with her heavy criticism of Assad. Turkey last year halted the advance of two  Syria-bound Russian aircrafts causing a major diplomatic row. She continues to give unflagging supports to the rebels in Syria. With all these imbroglio, she has decided to be energy independent.

Worried about dependence on pricier gas from Iran and Russia, Turkey is turning to its own coal. The country signed a deal with a United Arab Emirates company that will boost its coal-fired power capacity 67 percent. Turkey's largest supplier is Gazprom but long term supply is coming from Iran. The international sanctions is now playing a crucial role in Turkey's decision on Iran.

Oldest Woman Dies in Japan

World’s oldest woman dies at 115

A Japanese woman who became the oldest living female in the world last month died on Saturday. Koto Okubo, who was born on December 24, 1897, was living in a nursing home in the city of Kawasaki with her son. Both the world’s oldest living man and woman, whose age has been verified, are Japanese. Jiroemon Kimura, a man who was born seven months before Okubo, remains the world’s oldest living person.

Mali and France: On the Operation

As more French troops arrive in Mali, the rain of bombs continue on the Islamists. The Malian army is now emboldened as the heads of the troops is now fully covered by French troops. The only caveat in this attack is that major foreign powers have combated rebels in differtent countries without a long term solution. Mali could be same if no political calculation and solution is sought from the outset.

French fighter jets bombed Islamist rebels in Mali for a third day on Sunday as Paris poured more troops into the capital Bamako, awaiting the arrival of a West African force to dislodge al Qaeda-linked insurgents from the country's north.

The French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said France's dramatic intervention on Friday to bomb a convoy of heavily armed Islamist fighters sweeping southwards had stopped them from seizing Mali's capital Bamako within days. The hope of West Africa lies in this operation most especially Nigeria, otherwise, Nigeria risk being a Pakistan to Mali's Afghanistan with Boko Haram.

Protest in Russia

Protesters in Russia have gathered in Moscow to protest against the recent adoption ban passed by the State Duma. The ban was a response to and retaliation for the Magnitsky law passed by Congress in the United States. The Magnitsky law freezes assets and places travel bans on Russians found guilty in the death of a right activist. The law was named after him. Russia replied by banning adoption in the country. Americans adopt more in Russia than ctizens of any other country. The Adoption Ban endangers the lives of many children with chronic health conditions in Russia.

US in Afghanistan: An untold Story

The United States army in one of the periods of heavy fighting entered into Nuristan to combat the Talibans. People in the village were surprised to see them and began asking if they were the Soviets. American soldiers took their time and patience to explain history. They made the people realised that the Soviet is no more and other little events of history. These people have never heard of World Trade Centre before in their entire life.

China: Cilmate is Asking

The worst smog in China in years occured during the weekends. The air is filled with fog and hazy. The city of Hebei was completely covered in flames. People in the province say the air smell like extremely burnt coal. Much of Northern China is now covered. People have been asked to stay indoors around Beijing and around the North. China and the US are two key countries with heavy greenhouse gas emissions.

Rape Again in India

Another rape occured in India on Friday and it was a gang rape. The woman was abducted and taken to a village in Punjab province before being raped. Policemen have arrested at least six suspects.

Egypt: Mubarak's Retrial: Where is Israel and the US?

Ousted  Egyptian President, Hosni Mubarak who has been recently heavily sick has appealed the life sentence handed to him. Court in Egypt has accepted his appeal and he is to face trial again. Mubarak is accused of extreme brutality against protesters and in the killings of some protesters in a massive protest that ousted him in 2011.

Mubarak was a one time staunch and unrelenting ally of the United States and Israel. He neglected any Arab solidarity and concentrated on the the billions of dollars coming into the defence ministry. Israel with Mubarak had no headache and heartache over any of her actions in Gaza Strip. During the protest, Barack Obama was diplomatically silent while Hillary Clinton echoed that Egypt was a stable regime all because she supported Israel.

A stable regime without proper democracy and rule of law is good once it supports Israel and brutalizes its own people. Such happened in Yemen and is still ongoing in Bahrain. Saudi Arabia is also among the stable regimes, at least she has stayed off Israel's neck for years.