The United States of America has always been a country that respects protocols and follows rules of engagement in the reality of the politics, security agencies, and even it’s military. This means that the country has rules and protocols for every single thing no matter how trivial they might seem or how insignificant they might appear. For instance, America has a large-scale plan that involves escape routes and escape plans for the President of the country if ever the country faces a threat that breaches its several layers of military security and begins to attack the country, overriding every security force that bears the American logo. 

Interestingly, one wouldn’t have ever thought not in the slightest that the American nation, a nation that prides itself in its security and ability to secure its citizens and especially its top officials, would be the one to put together a plan in an attempt to keep the president safe in case of an attack. This means that the country must have witnessed something at some point that made pointing together a plan to keep the president safe in the face of a hypothetical danger. According to some sources, the need for said elaborate plan started after the attacks on the likes of Abraham Lincoln, the breaching of the United States, and the attack of the White House by the British at some point and of course, the attack during the time of James Madison. These made it necessary for the President’s security to have a plan where it would work together with several security agencies to secure the president in case of danger, especially when it involves an attack on the nation generally. 

According to sources, these security protocols and plans involve the use of security or secret passageways, military bunkers, some said to have been constructed to withstand forces of nuclear weapons. Sources claim that the creation of constructions of these passageways started during the administration of former president, Eisenhower. It is believed that at the time the country especially many of its citizens were facing the threat of war that struck fear in the hearts of millions of them. To counter their fear or perhaps build on it, they decided to begin to build fallout shelters in case an attack that at the time seemed possible ever happened. Of course, as the country and its people were building these fall-out shelters, the president commissioned bunkers to ensure the safety of himself and others who would come after him. 

This initiative proved useful as it turned out to have created some sort of emergency passageways for the United States, making it easy for him to escape from any part of the country at any time, using these Underground bunkers that seem to connect through to each in a fashion that makes his safety and escape a priority. According to the New York Post, these bunkers are fitted for this special reason, ensuring the President’s safety and his ability to keep control as the leader of the free world. This means that the president remains safe in an unknown location(s) but is also able to communicate with those who require his command and countries that might be allies or enemies of the United States. 

For this to be possible, it would mean that the said military bunkers would be fitted with means of communication and access to satellites and means of communication of all sorts, as well internet access, as stated by the New York Post. Of course, since the idea is to keep the president safe and to ensure he remains the leader of the free world, the plan often involves him being transported from these bunkers, in secret aircraft that according to Washington posts are designed as some sort of Mobile Command Center, fitted with communication services that allow the president reach required channels. There is also, well, supposedly a ship with the same feature that is accessible just in case the aircraft is unable to function.

A senator from Indiana said that Chinese President Xi Jinping is afraid of his new bill that would invest in U.S. technologies, citing Xi’s fear as the reason China is lobbying against it.

Sen. Todd Young, R-Ind., torched Xi as being “scared” of his new bill in a Monday press release, saying Xi’s fear is the reason behind reports of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) “pressuring American business leaders to oppose” the United States Innovation and Competition Act.

The report also said that China threatened the market shares of companies if they didn’t sink Young’s bill.

BIDEN PREPARES TO MEET WITH XI JINPING AMID ‘CONCERNS’ OVER CHINA’S ACTIONS

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, addresses a central conference on work related to people’s congresses, held from Oct. 13 to Oct. 14 in Beijing, capital of China. (Wang Ye/Xinhua via Getty Images)

“Xi Jinping does not want this bill to become law,” Young said in his press release. “He is scared — rightfully so — that the U.S. will once again surge ahead when USICA becomes law.”

“The Chinese Communist Party knows that when we invest in American ingenuity, there is no nation in the world that can out-innovate the United States,” he continued.

Reuters reported that China has been putting pressure on American business leaders to oppose bills relating to the country.

President Joe Biden delivers remarks on the debt ceiling during an event in the State Dining Room of the White House, Monday, Oct. 4, 2021, in Washington.  (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Young’s bill passed the Senate in June with a 68-32 margin.

According to the release, Young’s bill — also called the Endless Frontier Act — would “invest $29 billion over the next five years through the National Science Foundation in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and more.”

Additionally, the bill “includes critical funding for the CHIPS Act to address the worsening semiconductor shortage.”

GEN KEANE URGES BIDEN TO SEND MESSAGE TO CHINA THAT THEIR AGGRESSION WILL BE CONFRONTED, COUNTERED

Ahead of Biden’s virtual summit with Xi Jinping Monday night, Young released a statement to Fox News slamming the Biden administration for “too much collaboration, and not enough competition” with China.

“From President Biden’s inattentiveness to defense spending while China tests hypersonic missiles to using valuable diplomatic energy pursuing their climate agenda at the expense of American workers and consumers, the Biden Administration has let Democratic rhetoric prevail in the face of Chinese aggression,” Young said.

“Tonight is an opportunity for President Biden to turn the ship around,” Young continued. “In their conversation, I hope the President delivers an unequivocal defense of Taiwan and confronts Beijing for pursuing authoritarian aims in the region and around the globe.”

Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman Todd Young (R-IN) speaks to reporters following the Senate Republican policy luncheon which both President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence attended on March 10, 2020 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Samuel Corum/Getty Images)

Young said in his release that the CCP’s interjection with the bill would only fuel its passage.

“Absent from these letters are any reasons why USICA will be bad for America — only bad for the Chinese Community Party,” Young wrote. “Passage of this bipartisan legislation will create high-paying jobs for Americans, supercharge our nation’s military and technological capabilities, and ensure the Chinese Communist Party’s illiberal sphere of influence does not continue to grow unchecked.

President Biden is set to meet with Xi on Monday night during a summit in which Biden said he would not “hold back.”

China’s intrusion into American politics underscores the scuffling the communist country is attempting to influence U.S. policy and position itself ahead in the global market

The Chinese Communist Party-affiliated armed forces are expected to assume an increased role in foreign policy too. The policy document expects a much more integrated civilian and defence industrial complex, including R&D, to seamlessly make substantial capabilities available to either sector. Also envisaged is the interchangeable use of civilian and military infrastructure.

ENCRoACHING upon Indian territory in Arunachal Pradesh, the Chinese military has built a large village along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), as per a Pentagon report. The military dialogues with India have so far only resulted in limited disengagement. A just-released annual Pentagon assessment report to the US Congress highlights China’s military preparedness and expected defence force accretions. The document sets forth “strategic, military and ideological views” on the global balance of power. The ongoing LAC standoff with India could also be seen as an exercise to rehearse some of these new doctrines, such as plans for Tibet, Xinjiang and its Western Theatre Command. Chinese President Xi Jinping targets overtaking US military and political power by 2049, the centenary of the 1949 Chinese Revolution. The Chinese revisionist policies revolve around ‘dual circulation’ of generating increased domestic demand for goods to drive its national economy. The backbone of this is to be the One Belt One Road (OBOR) venture to link up globally to all its allies.

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP)-affiliated armed forces are expected to assume an increased role in foreign policy too. The policy document expects a much more integrated civilian and defence industrial complex, including R&D, to seamlessly make substantial capabilities available to either sector. Also envisaged is the interchangeable use of civilian and military infrastructure (such as the use of national highways for air operations) as also for defence logistics and production, besides fast military mobilisation and joint operations revolving around ‘intelligentisation’, involving technological, electronic, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and cyber warfare capabilities. Chemical and biological research and employment are other dangerous portents of the PLA’s new-found defence doctrine. Despite having signed the Chemical Warfare Convention (CWC) and ratified it in 1997, China now claims that its adherence to CWC norms would not be verifiable. This needs to be seen in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic and China’s alleged role in having let the virus escape a defence laboratory. Another focus area for China is intelligence as many of its state-of-the-art military technologies are said to be stolen from the West, specifically the US, via espionage. This, however, can be expected to be drastically curtailed as the CIA is specifically targeting Chinese agents to prevent loss of information from its industrial complex.

The Pentagon report further mentions the planned accelerated development of the PLA which, willy-nilly, had lagged behind its Air Force and Navy in recent times. The PLA Navy is already the largest global entity in terms of seaborne combat assets. Now whilst the new Chinese military aspirations would seem menacing to its neighbours and rivals, this is akin to a ‘white paper’ seeking to guide her to long-term aspirations, and there would be many a slip between the cup and the lip. India’s defence spending is just a third of China’s, and we need to see what are the hurdles in the way of Chinese ‘big power’ dreams. The biggest worry would be its leadership model. Xi Jinping is now a ‘triple barrel’ Chief, leading the Party as its General Secretary , the country as its President and the Central Military Commission as its Chairman. With a leadership tussle being talked of, the CCP-orchestrated system is highly vulnerable to being upstaged by another autocratic ruler. Social media is rife with comparisons of the Chinese strongman with Adolf Hitler in his leadership style and ambitions.

The other serious challenge is the downturn expected in the Chinese economy, what with the recent collapse of real estate giants such as Evergrande. Several more small and medium corporates are expected to come crumbling down, thanks to their unmanageable debt structures, should the Evergrande fiasco be repeated. Besides, the government’s attempts to slow down real estate growth post this collapse could lead to markedly low GDP in the coming years. Speculative real estate deals have been the main reason for China’s dramatic growth story over the past decade, thanks to increased employment and revenue collection, contributing to nearly a quarter of the country’s GDP, considerably larger than of the US. The challenges posed by the project delays in OBOR in countries such as Maldives, Indonesia and Pakistan would ultimately take their toll on the Chinese economy. Progressive entrepreneurs such as Jack Ma of Ali Baba are said to be running foul with the CCP and the establishment due to conflict of interest. High-handed methods of a strong communist system may alone be insufficient to keep corporate discipline intact. The so-called successful Chinese communistic ‘democracy’ could well do a humpty dumpty sooner than expected.

Other issues currently weighing down Chinese ambitions are the tensions with the US over Taiwan and tensions in the Indo-Pacific with the Quad countries. The possibility of hostilities over the Taiwan standoff has led to panic buying in China as the government has asked its citizens to stock up on essential supplies.

Regardless of its A2AD (Anti-Access Area Denial) defensive doctrine, an amphibious assault against Taipei is not a possibility as of now, considering China’s limited military amphibious landing capabilities and an expected riposte from the US. Sino-US ties would be critical over the next two decades. A modus vivendi setting boundaries for competition and cooperation may be the way ahead. The nation that best manages domestic challenges whilst showing global leadership would enjoy success. This policy paper on China may remain wishful thinking of a belligerent autarchy. Frustrations on this score could mean continued border incidents along the LAC with India and constant game-playing on other Indo-Pak issues.

Chinese President Xi Jinping told his United States counterpart Joe Biden during a virtual meeting on Monday that encouraging independence of Taiwan would be like “playing with fire”, the BBC reported.

China sees Taiwan – a self-governed territory – as a province that is to be unified with the mainland.

“We have the patience and will strive for the prospect of peaceful reunification [of Taiwan] with utmost sincerity and efforts,” Xi said, according to The Global Times. “But if the separatist forces for ‘Taiwan independence’ provoke us, force our hands or even cross the red line, we will be compelled to take resolute measures.”

During the three-hour-long call between the presidents, Biden urged Xi to resolve human rights violations in Taiwan. In a statement released by the White House, Biden said that the United States opposed “unilateral efforts” of China to disturb peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.

Meanwhile, Biden also discussed the importance of a free and open Indo-Pacific – he recalled the necessity of freedom of navigation and safe overflight to the region’s prosperity.

The United States also opposed the human rights violations in Xinjiang, Tibet, and Hong Kong, according to the statement released from the White House. Biden also said that the American workers and industries need to be protected from China’s unfair trade and economic practices.

Xi replied to Biden’s statement saying that the United States needed to stop “abusing the concept of national security to oppress Chinese companies”, Reuters reported.

During the virtual meeting, Biden also emphasised the need to manage strategic risks. He called for “common-sense guardrails” so that competition between India and China did not turn into conflict.

Xi said that the United States and China as the world’s two largest economies and permanent members of the United Nations Security Council need to increase communication and cooperation, AFP reported.

The United States and China have had differences on many matters since Biden assumed office in January.

The Biden administration has maintained the trade tariffs on China imposed by former US President Donald Trump in 2018. The tariffs – a tax imposed on imported goods – allow the president to restrict foreign commerce that “unfairly burdens” the US.

The US and China had also criticised each other’s policies at high-level talks in Alaska in March – the first since Biden took office.

The US, India, Japan and Australia have sought to boost their cooperation because of China’s increasing power. The countries had held their first meeting as Quad grouping in September. Biden hosted the meeting at the White House.

Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN)

The Federal Government has given an insight into how preventive measures adopted to check corruption and manage recovered stolen assets had brought about the repatriation of some stolen funds stashed away overseas.

Such funds included the $322.515 million in Switzerland, $311.7 million in the United States, €5.4 million Euros in Northern Ireland, €4,214,017.66 in the United Kingdom and another $200 million.

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, according to a statement issued on Tuesday by his Special Assistant (Media and Public Relations), Dr. Umar Gwandu, stated these during the 2021 annual public lecture in New York organised by the Centre for Media and Peace Initiative, New York, United States of America, Monday.

According to him, being an Africa Union Champion in the fight against corruption, the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), has endeavoured under his regime to fight corruption in all its ramifications through legislative framework.

He said that outstanding successes recorded by the regime in international asset recovery could be a template for other African countries in the fight against graft.

Malami said, “Various steps have been taken in terms of legislative frameworks, establishment of institutions and policy measures targeted at combatting corruption, regional cooperation and ensuring good governance for the benefit of citizens.

“In 2017, the signing of a trilateral agreement with Switzerland and the World Bank enabled the recovery of $322.515 million. 

“In 2020, a total sum of $311.7 million was returned to Nigeria after signing another trilateral agreement with the U.S.A and Bailiwick of Jersey. 

“Also in the year 2020, 5.4 million Euros was recovered in March emanating from an agreement signed with Northern Island. 

“The Federal Government was able to recover from the UK the sum of €4,214,017.66 connected to the family of James Ibori. 

“Additional recoveries to the tune of $200 million are being anticipated subject to the settlement of litigation of which the Ministry of Justice is attending to presently.”

Malami said the present regime was able to achieve the successes due to political will, funding, legislation, institutional support, and Executive Orders by President Buhari. 

“The Buhari’s approach to fight against corruption has been one of three cardinal pillars of our campaign promises, the others are economic and security development”, the minister said.

He stressed that Nigeria had taken anti-corruption measures in tackling cybercrime, money laundering, oil bunkering and false assets declaration among others.

The AGF said that the Federal Government had developed the National Anti-Corruption Strategy and guidelines for smooth implementation of the strategy which has five pillars of prevention of corruption, public engagement, ethical re-orientation, enforcement and sanction, and recovery and management of proceeds of crime.

“I am pleased to inform this gathering that the Federal Government of Nigeria has recovered funds from corporate bodies and individuals through the combined efforts of the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice and our law enforcement agencies through local and international collaboration with international community and adoption of strategies put in place”, he said.

The minister said that former state governors, senators and ministers including some members of the ruling All Progressives Congress were not spared in the fight against corruption. 

“Currently, high profile personalities including judicial officers and former governors indicted for corruption have been or are being prosecuted. We have some former top government officials convicted and serving various jailterms for corruption-related crimes while in office”, he said. 

While arguing that the stance of Nigeria in the anti-corruption struggle has been adjudged to be recording tremendous success, Malami said that the position was upheld by credible International organisations including the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crimes.

The minister said the consequential effects of the approach of the Buhari regime in the fight against corruption was reflective in the UNODC 2019  corruption survey report titled:  “Corruption in Nigeria: Patterns and trends.”

He said the report alluded to a decrease in bribery which was the bedrock of corruption and also established Nigeria’s leadership in the fight against corruption.

prevent and counter corruption in its various manifestations have earned Mr. President the role of the African Union’s anti-corruption champion. This survey is yet another example of Nigeria’s leadership in the fight against corruption and is testimony to the seriousness of purpose of the government’s anti-corruption agenda.”

Malami therefore called on Africans in both public and private sectors to aspire from the inspiration and understand that integrity pays above acquiring illegal monies from corrupt practices. 

“I hereby reiterate Nigeria’s call for a strong institutionalised body that could join forces together with African countries to fight corruption. Collaboration in support for institutions, development of international and regional strategies and guidelines will go a long way in addressing the menace of corruption”, he said.

Governor David Umahi campaign posters for 2023 presidency.

The Governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi, has dissociated himself from campaign posters with inscription stating that he wants to run for president in 2023.

The posters have been widely circulated on various social media platforms and online Television stations, as well as strategic locations across the country.

A statement issued by the Special Assistant to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Francis Nwaze, said the gesture may be in good faith.

The statement, however, said the Governor would only heed the call to run for president if he is divinely inspired.

It read, “The Governor of Ebonyi State has observed with keenness, campaign posters on smartphones bearing his name and picture with the inscription “Engr. David Nweze Umahi for president 2023” and widely circulated on various Social Media platforms and online Television Stations, as well as strategic locations across the country, and I, elect to make the following clarifications:

“That His Excellency the Governor did not authorise such campaigns on his behalf, however, the Governor understands that the move may be in good faith, a show of solidarity and true belief in the experience and ingenuity of His Excellency to highly contribute in the development of our dear nation – Nigeria.

That His Excellency, being a respecter of constituted authorities could not have launched such full-scale campaign into the office of the President even when the electoral umpire is yet to open the window for such exercise.

That His Excellency as a strong believer in the Divine Mandate of God would wait on the Lord for divine directives and unless and until he is divinely inspired to vie for the Presidency, he wouldn’t heed the clarion call.

“That the Governor is presently occupied with delivering dividends of democracy to the good people of Ebonyi State, transforming the state in agreement with his five covenants with God as well as repositioning Southeast and contributing his quota as at when needed in the nation-building.”

Chief of Defense Staff, Lucky Irabor (middle), visits Forcados. Photo: Dele Ogunyemi

The Chief of Defence Staff, Major General Lucky Irabor, on Tuesday visited the oil pipeline installations in the Forcados area of Delta State.

See photos of his visit below:

Commissioner of Police for Delta State Command, CP Ari Muhammed Ali

Operatives of the Delta State Police Command have rescued alive eleven kidnapped victims from their abductors in a bush at Idu roundabout along Ozoro/Ughelli expressway Delta State.

Oneworldnews gathered the incident occurred at about 19:36 hours on Sunday as a Toyota Sienna with Reg. No. SMK 185 FU was conveying the passengers from Ozoro to Ughelli.

It was gathered that the kidnappers numbering about five in army camouflage uniform, armed with AK 47 rifles, suddenly came out of the bush at the Idu roundabout along Ozoro/Ughelli and opened fire on the Toyota Sienna.

The hoodlums consequently abducted the entire passengers.

However, following a distress call, the Divisional Police Officer, Oleh Division, SP Paul Oboware mobilized and led a combined team of police patrol teams, vigilante and hunters to the scene.

The security operatives consequently condoned off and combed the surrounding bushes relentlessly which made the area uncomfortable for the suspected Kidnappers who abandoned the eleven victims and fled.

Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer for Delta State Command, DSP Bright Edafe stated that 11 kidnapped victims were rescued unhurt from the scene, and the vehicle recovered.

and his younger brother were going to work.

The DPO Ekpan quickly detailed operatives to the area, and the team on getting to the scene engaged the robbers in a gun duel along the NPA expressway by Niger Cat Ekpan.

One of the robbers reportedly escaped while the other suspect, Ovie Maxwell, was arrested by the operatives.

The PPRO affirmed that the manhunt for the fleeing suspect is ongoing.

Also, on 14/11/2021, a complainant who went to wash his vehicle at a car wash around Conoil Filling station, Effurun has told the police that after washing his car, he and his brother while waiting for someone saw a group of four armed men who pounced on them, forced them into the vehicle and sped of adding that the hoodlums later put them in the boot of the vehicle.

The complainant further stated that on getting to a hold-up, they managed to open the boot and escaped.

The information got to the DPO Ebrumede Division, SP Bolarinwa Alabi, who immediately detailed and led operatives who went after the hoodlums.

Our correspondent gathered that in a combined effort with men of Ekpan Police Station, they trailed the hoodlums to Jakpa road and the hoodlums on noticing that the police were trailing them, abandoned the vehicle in the busy area of Jakpa and fled into the crowd.

The PPRO explained that in order not to hurt innocent citizens, the team could not engage the hoodlums, but the Lexus car ES 350 gold colour with Reg. No. Abuja-YAB 262 KC was recovered while effort is on top gear intending to arrest the fleeing suspects.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police for Delta State Command, CP Ari Muhammed Ali, has directed all officers and men of the command to be on red alert and to ensure that their areas of responsibility are well policed and ensure that criminally minded persons are chased out of the state.

The CP also assured that patrol teams have been deployed to the highways to see that motorists travel without fear, and to ensure safety on the highways.