Chinese consulate in Houston was hiding scientist working for Chinese military -FBI alleges after closing consulate

US Federal investigators have revealed that China's consulate in San Francisco has been hiding a Chinese scientist accused of visa fraud amid tensions between the United States and China following the abrupt closure of Beijing's consulate in Houston by the US Government.



According to the FBI, Tang Juan, a researcher focusing on biology, lied about her connection to the Chinese military in order to obtain entry into the US and has since avoided arrest by taking refuge in the Chinese consulate.

She was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport while trying to depart the US for China.



According to court filings, Tang was charged on June 26 with one count of visa fraud after the FBI alleged she concealed her connection to China's military in her visa application, but FBI investigators "discovered photographs of her in the uniform of the Civilian Cadre of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA)" and that she had been employed as a researcher at the Fourth Military Medical University (FMMU).

During an interview with FBI agents on June 20, "Tang denied serving in the Chinese military, claimed she did not know the meaning of the insignia on her uniform, and that wearing a military uniform was required for attendance at FMMU because it was a military school," her attorneys wrote in a court filing.

But when the FBI searched her residence and electronic media, they allegedly "found further evidence of Tang's PLA affiliation."

After her interview with the FBI, Tang allegedly fled to the San Francisco consulate, "where the FBI assesses she has remained."

Prosecutors also claim there are other Chinese scientists in the US and they are part of a "program conducted by the PLA -- and specifically, FMMU or associated institutions -- to send military scientists to the United States on false pretenses with false covers or false statements about their true employment."

"There exists evidence in at least one of these cases of a military scientist copying or stealing information from American institutions at the direction of military superiors in China," prosecutors said.

"There additionally exists evidence of the PRC (People's Republic of China) government instructing these individuals to destroy evidence and in coordinating efforts regarding the departure of these individuals from the United States, particularly following the charges filed against Xin Wang in this district on June 7, 2020."

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying, reacting to Wang's arrest called it "blatant political persecution."

"As far as I know, Wang Xin does research in the field of cardiovascular diseases. I don't see how that could ever threaten US national interest or security," she said, adding that "recently many Chinese citizens were questioned for a long time by American law enforcement officials while leaving the US, and the digital devices they carried were also examined."

After the US government shut down the US consulate in Houston, Chian promised to respond, with state media suggesting the shutting down of one of the US' numerous diplomatic missions within China.

The decision to shut down the Houston consulate comes a day after US prosecutors charged two alleged Chinese hackers over a "sweeping global computer intrusion campaign" that they say was supported by the country's government and aimed at coronavirus treatment and vaccine research.

The US State Department earlier accused China of having "engaged for years in massive illegal spying and influence operations" and that those "activities have increased markedly in scale and scope over the past few years."

On Twitter, Republican Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida, the acting chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said the Houston consulate was a "central node of the Communist Party's vast network of spies."

Lagos COVID-19 cases likely to peak in August - Commissioner for Health, Akin Abayomi

Prof. Akin Abayomi, Lagos State's Commissioner for Information has revealed that Coronavirus cases in the state is likely to peak in August.



The Commissioner disclosed this while speaking at a press briefing at the Bagaulto Kaltho Press Centre in Alausa.



Abayomi said;




“Based on postulations, COVID-19 cases are like to peak next month; we are hoping it peaks soon and the curve eventually gets flattened.”

keji 2020

#BBNaija - Who is Tolani Baj

Many A-List celebrities have thrown their weight behind American Nigerian Media personality Tolani Baj who is a contestant in this year's season of Big Brother Nigeria.







Born in the early 90s Tolani Shobajo aka Tolani Baj, runs a modeling/event staffing agency called 234nextgen. She moved back to Nigeria in 2018 after finishing her studies in the US. Prior to going into the big brother house she worked as an A&R. Her credits include Universal Music Group, Aristokrat Records, Tooxclusive, Pulsetv, among others.



Shedding more light on how her journey into entertainment started, she said: “I would say showbiz started for me December 2016. That year, I made the many connections I have in the industry today. I took detty December more like a networking time.”







Tolani Baj isn't without her controversies though.. She was arrested in the US and spent some time in jail at the age of 21 for driving on a suspended license. She was recently fired from Universal Music Group Nigeria for misconduct whom she called out for their apparent lack of direction.







It looks like we’re in for a real treat.

Check out her instagram/twitter @tolanibaj





Here's a link to her landing page for some more information

https://tolanibaj.disha.page/

Kim Kardashian speaks on Kanye West's mental health battle following his recent rants on Twitter

Kim Kardashian has finally broken her silence about her husband Kanye West's recent rants on Twitter.



For over two days now, the rapper, 43, has been sharing troubling tweets on Twitter, calling out his wife Kim Kardashian and mother-in-law, Kris Jenner, and many others. Read here and here.


West recently revealed he's been trying to divorce Kim Kardashian for a year now after she met Meek Mill at a hotel for prison reform. He also referred to his mother-in-law as "Kris Jong-Un" as he accused her of teaming up with his wife to put out a statement about his behavior without his approval.


The father of four, who has bipolar disorder, further accused the Kardashians of "white supremacy." Read here.


Kim Kardashian has now released a statement via her Instagram stories to address her husband's mental health and his experience with bipolar disorder.


In the statement, the reality star suggested that Kanye's battle with bipolar disorder is playing a major role in his ongoing Twitter rants. But she made no mention of the divorce amid claims she is meeting with lawyers to talk about a possible divorce.



See the statement below.

You are a small boy from Mushin - Minister of Labour, Chris Ngige drags Hon. Faleke (video)

Chris Ngige, minister of labour and employment who appeared before a house of representatives ad hoc committee investigating the suspension of the management of Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), dragged Hon James Faleke who he threatened with a lawsuit days ago.



Before answering questions, Ngige stated that members of the committee were his younger brothers except for Faleke who he said might be up to 60.



However after the lawmaker representing Ikeja federal constituency interrupted and disclosed that he is over 60, the Minister further insisted that he is a small boy as he (Ngige) is in same age bracket with Faleke's mentor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.



He said;




“So you are near my age, at least I am seven years older than you. I’m the same age with your mentor in Lagos, Asiwaju.

“And I was governor with him at the same time. He was a senator, I was a senator. I am a two time minister, he isn’t a two time minister.”



After Faleke interrupted again by saying that Tinubu “won all his elections very well" ( a remark which appeared as a shade to Ngige whose election as governor of Anambra state was nullified in 2006), the Minister fired back by saying;




"No problem about that, just like you won your own in Kogi state very well. And you are now the deputy governor and governor of Kogi state.”



Faleke was running mate to Abubakar Audu in the 2015 Kogi governorship election, but was denied the governorship ticket when Audu suddenly died before the election was completed.



When the lawmaker asked Ngige to respond to the questions he was asked, he said “I’m responding my friend, if you yab me, I yab you ten times. I am a Lagos boy, you are just a small boy in Lagos. Look at this Mushin boy, he’s talking with a VI boy. I lived in Victoria Island. Look at this Mushin boy from Kogi o.”



Here is the video;

Prince Harry seen as 'liability' for monarchy as his popularity plummets among Brits

Prince Harry is now considered a liability to the monarchy after a poll revealed that his popularity has plummeted among Brits.



The royal who stepped down from his senior duties in March 2020, is regarded as a liability by 38 percent of participants of a poll conducted by The Sun.



While just nine percent of participants of a similar poll regarded Harry as a liability in 2012, only 35 percent of participants regard him as an asset to the British nation in the new poll.



The lowest ranking royal in this poll is Prince Andrew who 80 percent of poll takers see as a liability. Only four percent regard him as an asset.



The Queen remains the most popular royal. Her Majesty has an 81 percent approval rating, and is followed by Prince William, Kate Middleton and Prince Charles. Meghan Markle is seen as a liability by 51% of those polled and as an asset by 24%.



Last November Harry left for Canada with Meghan, only to announce in January that they would be stepping down from their senior royal duties. The couple now reside in Los Angeles in Tyler Perry's owned mansion. It is unknown when and if they will return to the UK.

Service Chiefs: Buhari will do what is right at a given time - Femi Adesina

Femi Adesina, the Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity has defended his principal in spite of calls for sack of the country's service chiefs.



Adesina who appeared on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Wednesday July 23, said the appointment or sack of Service Chiefs is a Presidential prerogative.



He added that President Muhammadu Buhari who is the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, will do what is in the best interest of the country at all times.