Don't mess with nuclear Russia, Putin says

Reuters

By By Alexei Anishchuk

Fri, Aug 29, 2014

LAKE SELIGER Russia (Reuters) - President Vladimir Putin said on Friday Russia's armed forces, backed by its nuclear arsenal, were ready to meet any aggression, declaring at a pro-Kremlin youth camp that foreign states should understand: "It's best not to mess with us."

Putin told the assembly, on the banks of a lake near Moscow, the Russian takeover of Crimea in March was essential to save a largely Russian-speaking population from Ukrainian government violence. He said continued fighting in eastern Ukraine, where pro-Russian separatists launched an uprising in April, was the result of a refusal by Kiev to negotiate.

Ukraine, and Western governments, accuse Russia of sending troops and armour to back the separatists in a conflict that has already killed over 2,000 people. Russia denies the charge.
"Russia is far from being involved in any large-scale conflicts," he said at the camp on the banks of Lake Seliger. "We don't want that and don't plan on it. But naturally, we should always be ready to repel any aggression towards Russia.

"Russia's partners...should understand it's best not to mess with us," said Putin, dressed casually in a grey sweater and light blue jeans.

"Thank God, I think no one is thinking of unleashing a large-scale conflict with Russia. I want to remind you that Russia is one of the leading nuclear powers."

Putin spoke easily with the students, many of whom looked to be asking scripted questions about demography and history. Other times he accepted gifts or, smilingly, played down their praise.

When a student said that she had not heard a single negative comment about Putin's presidency from camp speakers, he responded with a grin that "objectivity" was important.

His tone darkened when speaking on Ukraine, blaming the United States and the European Union for the "unconstitutional" removal of Kiev's former Moscow-backed president Viktor Yanukovich and replacement with a pro-European government.

He said eastern Ukraine did not agree with Yanukovich's removal and was now subjected to "crude military force" from government planes, tanks and artillery.

"If those are contemporary European values, then I'm simply disappointed in the highest degree," he said, comparing Ukraine's military operations in the east of the country with the Nazi siege of Leningrad in World War Two.
"Small villages and large cities surrounded by the Ukrainian army which is directly hitting residential areas with the aim of destroying the infrastructure... It sadly reminds me of the events of the Second World War, when German fascist... occupiers surrounded our cities

11 PERTINENT QUESTIONS WHY NIGERIA'S MASTERCARD NATIONAL IDENTITY CARD SHOULD BE REVISED

By Segun Badmus

30/08/2014

Despite the fact that we have been clamoring for a dependable national identity scheme,the recent introduction of a commercialized national identity card scheme through Mastercard international is a direct assault on the sovereignty,security of information and personal safety of Nigerians.

Imagine becoming a scornful nation of the world like Russia,Zimbabwe; how does Nigeria intends to protect its citizens across the world who might become dangerously exposed to international spy organizations?

In a clear disapproval against this policy somersault, I hereby depose the following questions for your evaluation;

1. How secure would our personal information become knowing that in the last few years, major credit card companies have been hacked repeatedly,the last hack stole over 16 million personal and financial information from credit card companies especially(Mastercard,VISA).

2. How secure would Nigerians become when we turn targets of criminal attacks from criminals who knows our national identity document is also a source of fund.

3. How can we trust a commercial company driven by profits with our national information database?

4. How can we avoid surveillance and being tracked by the NSA and other covert intelligence gathering organizations around the world?

5. Is the Nigerian government aware that the United States recently withdrew Mastercard and Visa card services in Russia as a form of sanction and national weapon of war of attrition?

6. Why cant we have this same document without attaching it with a foreign financial processor or with any banking service?

7. Why cant the government mandate Mastercard to establish localized processing centers in Nigeria to limit exposure of Nigerians information to the outside world?

8. Why do we have to allow a privately held company to majorly fund a very sensitive national information database through private,public,partnership arrangement?

9. Are we inherently incapable of fulfilling simple civic duties without concession to foreign gods?

10.Why covertly forcing all citizens to become a Mastercard customer without having the choice to agree or disagree?

11.How does Nigeria intends to handle breach of access to this database baring the fact that friends do become enemies?

These pertinent questions needs urgent answers before this government willfully enslaves us in a 21st century manner.

If you have different,counter or superior opinion on the way forward in this matter, please don't hesitate to share for proper articulation.

Thank you.

Segun Badmus is a Freelance Writer,Social Critique,Good Governance Advocate and Entreprenuer.

Follow me on Twitter @segunbadmus

9 Lessons From Our Grandparents On Living Stylishly (PHOTOS)

You don't have to live and breathe all things vintage to appreciate the photos from eras past. People, back then, had it easier when it came to matters of style. (Except in the late '70s and the '80s. They just had more "personality.") Clothes were made better. Housing was affordable. People regularly went out to go dancing. But that's the tip of the glamourous iceberg. Here are a few more lessons our grandparents can teach us on living with maximum style.

• Take A Damn Vacation
  Flickr:jinterwas
  It seemed like everyone took vacations regularly back in our grandparents' days. Life is too short to toil away, hunched over a screen, forgetting to take time off to unwind.
• ...Lots Of Vacations
  Flickr photo via southbeachcars
  Hell, even a weekend trip with your friends. Live a little.
• Travel Should Be Fun
  Flickr photo via x-ray delta one
  You're flying. Through the air. In a giant plane. While the comfort factor has since diminished since the golden age of flight, we should treat travel as an opportunity rather than a burden.
• One Great Picture Is Worth More Than Hundreds
  Flickr photo via peagreengirl
  This little girl could pose like a pro. That said, the reason why so many older photos look so great is that people were more selective in what they displayed. We don't need hundreds of slightly-blurry pictures clogging up laptops, never to see the light of day.
• Forget Decor Trends
  Getty
  Your house should feel like a home, first and foremost. Forget pouting over stainless steel and granite because it'll add future "resale value." Instead, create a comfortable space that you'd love returning to every night. Also, McMansions stink. The average home size has more than doubled than the 1950s, but we're no happier for it.
• Dress For Every Occasion, Even Selfies
  Getty
  Somehow a selfie is less obnoxious when taken with a proper camera, too.
• A Commute Isn't A Free Pass For Rudeness
  Getty
  Too many people use the excuse of a commute to act like barbarians. Rudeness doesn't get you to your destination any faster. Just relax. Read. (Also, we need more funding for railroads.)
• Have People Over Once In A While
  Getty
  You don't need to dress up like enchanted wedding cakes, but we've forgotten our sense of occasion when it comes to entertaining guests. Earlier generations would dress up and have regular cocktail parties at home. Now, "dressing up" means "changing out of pajama pants into workout pants." Also, it seemed like everyone in my grandparents' generation knew their neighbors. Today? Not so much.
• Write A Letter. Please.
  Getty
  The most provocative thing you can do these days is to write someone a letter. Saving an email isn't the same as saving a written letter or card.

 

The Dalai Lama Walks Into a Pizza Shop…

“When you have a heartfelt belly laugh, all parts of your being – the physiological, the psychological, the spiritual – they all vibrate in one single tune. They all vibrate in harmony!” – Osho

Have you ever experienced the moment when you tell a joke, and instead of evoking roars of laughter, you’re met with confused faces and a room where you could hear a pin drop? Well, you’re not alone!

In celebration of National Joke Day we had to share this clip with you. See what happens when a news anchor decides to tell a joke to His Holiness… on live television.

Enjoy the video? Let’s share a giggle and leave your rib-tickling, best joke with us below.

CUT NIGERIA'S MILITARY BUDGET AND SPENDING FOR THE NEXT 10 YEARS.

“Cut military budgets in the 2014 fiscal year and for the next 10 years and call off the State of emergency in 3 constituent States.  You can’t be fighting and claiming to be educating at the same time.

Also call off ASUU strike and as a matter national emergency, the educational sector should be rescued. As a matter of national importance, the order of budgeting should project the education sector as the highest beneficiary for the next 10 years. Agriculture should be next in line for the next 10 years.

Then revert to regular policing of the pipe lines and stop the oil theft. The misguided handing over of the security of pipelines to contractors who are known beneficiaries of amnesty granted by the Federal government should be reversed in the national interest.
The improvement of the Nigerian Police Force’s capacity to police and prosecute offenders by raising their standard to world class.

We see police officers in Dubai, South Africa, Japan, US, UK, Russia, Australia, we see how well equipped these men and women are.

We see well paid, trustworthy, dedicated, disciplined officers defending the integrity of the system, we see efficiency in action.

These should be a deliberate policy program as a means of rescuing the nation. The ongoing frivolity, wastefulness, indiscretion and corruption should be scorned at and punished accordingly.

The time for complacency is over.”

This Woman Was About To Go In For Surgery. What She Did Moments Before Was Awesome. PLEASE WATCH!!!

Post  |  By Lori Leibovich

Posted: 11/06/2013 4:38 pm EST  |  Updated: 11/06/2013 4:38 pm EST

10 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Nelson Mandela

By Segun Badmus


1. Mandela’s tribal nickname is “Rolihlahla,” meaning “Troublemaker.”

Other accounts translate Rolihlalhla to mean “to pull a branch from a tree,” which, of course, is something only a troublemaker would do. It was his teacher, Miss Mdingane, who gave him the English name “Nelson,” much to the relief of journalists everywhere when he became famous.

2. Mandela was expelled from university after less than a year.

After finishing boarding school, Mandela headed to Fort Hare Missionary College. Less than 12 months later, he was expelled from college for helping to organize a strike against the white colonial rule of the institution. One might call this foreshadowing.

3. The United Nations decreed his birthday as Mandela Day.

In 2009, the U.N. declared Mandela’s birthday, July 18, as Mandela Day to mark his contribution to world freedom. The holiday calls on individuals to donate 67 minutes to doing something for others, reflecting the 67 years that Mandela had been a part of the anti-apartheid movement.

4.  Mandela is often referred to as Madiba, his Xhosa clan name

Mandela is a member of the Thembu, a Xhosa clan, and is often referred to by his clan name, Madiba. It is a sign of the incredible diversity of people and languages in South Africa. The country has 11 different official languages.

5. Mandela’s father had four wives, and Nelson is one of 13 children.

Mandela’s father, a local chief and councellor to the Thembu king, died from tuberculosis when his son was 9. Before that, he fathered 13 children by four wives, four boys and nine  girls. After his father’s death, Mandela was put under the guardianship of Jongintaba, the Thembu regent.

 6. Mandela has received more than 250 awards for his accomplishments.

Among these awards is the shared 1993 Nobel Peace Prize with F.W. de Klerk, the last president of the apartheid government of South Africa (he too is widely credited as an instrumental force in ending apartheid). Additionally, Mandela has received more than 50 honorary degrees from international universities worldwide, became the first honorary Canadian citizen in 2001, and received the last Lenin Peace Prize from the Soviet Union.

7. Stevie Wonder dedicated his 1985 Oscar for “I Just Called to Say I Love You” to Mandela.

After Stevie accepted his award in honor of Nelson Mandela, the government-owned South African Broadcasting Corporation banned Stevie’s music from the airways. It wasn’t until Mandela was elected in 1994 that Stevie was finally allowed back in South Africa.

8. Mandela outlived his two oldest sons.

Mandela had six children, but tragically lost his two oldest sons. Thembi died in a car crash at age 25. Mandela was in prison at the time of the death and was unable to attend the funeral. Another son died of AIDS in 2005 at age 54. While Mandela’s administration was criticized for not doing enough to fight the AIDS epidemic in South Africa, he established the Nelson Mandela Foundation in 1999 following his retirement to help fight the spread of AIDS.

9. Mandela ran away from home at age of 19.

When his guardian tried to arrange a marriage, Mandela ran away from home in 1941 and headed to Johannesburg. He began to work as a night watchman at Crown Mines, but was fired after it was discovered that he was the Thembu regent’s runaway.

10. Mandela spent his first night after being freed from prison in Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu’s home.

Tutu had his helpers prepare his own favorite meal of chicken curry, rice and green salad, followed by rum raisin ice cream and custard.