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14, August 2024

Two killed in Yaoundé-Douala highway bus crash ⁰

A bus crash on National Road No. 3 killed two people and injured nine on Monday, August 13.

The accident occurred around 9 a.m. near Sombo village, between Yaoundé and Douala, Cameroon’s two largest cities. It involved a Finexs Voyages bus traveling from Douala to Yaoundé that collided with a logging truck, according to a company statement.

The truck driver attempted to overtake another vehicle on a blind curve, triggering a chain reaction that also involved a flatbed truck. The bus overturned into the bush. Rescue teams quickly responded to assist the injured, and an investigation has been launched to determine the exact causes of the accident and establish accountability.

The accident comes as the Ministry of Transport is stepping up a road safety campaign launched on June 5. The effort, aimed at reducing accidents during the busy holiday and back-to-school season, runs until Sept. 30.

In the framework of that operation, Transport Minister Jean Ernest Masséna Ngalle Bibehe inspected roads in Ebebda, Yaoundé, and Douala this week to assess compliance. Of 290 vehicles checked on National Road No. 4, linking Yaounde to Bafoussam, 210 failed inspections. Similar results were found on National Road No. 3.

The campaign also highlighted efforts by certain companies to improve road safety. For instance, Touristique Express was commended for installing onboard cameras in its buses, an initiative aimed at monitoring driver behavior and preventing accidents. Recently involved in several incidents, the company has taken measures to enhance safety.

During his visits, Minister Bibehe reiterated the importance of strict adherence to road safety rules and encouraged greater awareness among transport operators and travelers. According to the Ministry of Transport’s communications department, severe penalties have been imposed on violators to set an example and promote more responsible behavior on the roads.

Source: sbbc

14, August 2024

US approves $20 billion weapons package for Israel ⁰

The United States is sending a new multi-billion dollar military package for Israel amid the regime’s genocidal war against Palestinian civilians in the besieged Gaza Strip.

The US State Department told Congress on Tuesday that it had approved a sale of 50 F-15 fighter jets to Israel for $18.82 billion.

Israel will also buy some 33,000 tank cartridges, up to 50,000 explosive mortar cartridges and new military cargo vehicles.

“The United States is committed to the security of Israel, and it is vital to US national interests to assist Israel to develop and maintain a strong and ready self-defense capability,” the State Department said in its notice on the F-15s, which are made by Boeing.

In total, US President Joe Biden’s administration on Tuesday approved more than $20 billion in weapons sales to Israel.

According to the Pentagon, part of these arms would be immediately available for delivery.

The new US military aid comes despite claims by Washington that it is supporting a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip where Israel has been waging a genocidal war since early October.

Source: Presstv

14, August 2024

US police officer charged with fatally shooting pregnant woman ⁰

A police officer accused of shooting a pregnant woman in Ohio has been charged with her murder.

Ta’Kiya Young, 21, was around 25 weeks pregnant at the time of her death last August. Her unborn daughter also died in the police shooting.

On Tuesday, a grand jury in the city of Columbus found sufficient evidence to file charges against Blendon Township police officer Connor Grubb for murder, involuntary manslaughter and assault.

Bodycam video of the fatal encounter released last year showed police attempting to stop Ms Young from driving away so they could question her about alleged shoplifting.

In the video she appeared to drive toward the officer who fired the fatal shot as he commanded her to exit the car.

Ms Young was suspected of shoplifting alcohol from a Kroger grocery store, investigators say.

Lawyers for Mr Grubb say he fired in self-defence.

“When viewed through the eyes of a reasonable police officer, the evidence will show that our client’s actions were justified, when there is video evidence that Officer Grubb was being hit by a moving vehicle,” said his lawyers Mark Collins and Kaitlyn Stephens.

The local chapter of the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) labour union on Tuesday slammed the indictment as “politically motivated”.

“We stand firm in advocating for an impartial justice system that focuses on truth and facts, not politics,” said chapter president Brian Steel.

“Like all law enforcement officers, Officer Grubb had to make a split-second decision, a reality all too familiar for those who serve to protect our communities,” he also said, adding decisions were often made under “extreme pressure and often in life-threatening situations”.

Source: BBC

14, August 2024

MOHWA: The damage has been done! ⁰

Greed is a disease which can destroy a country or community if its leaders do not rid themselves of this illness. This is exactly what is happening to MOHWA which was once a hope-inspiring organization.

MOHWA leaders do not seem to understand that leadership is about selflessness, service and humility. Leadership is an opportunity for any leader to immortalize their names. It is an opportunity to serve humanity and to give back to a community which could have been instrumental in our own growth and development.

MOHWA leaders hold that leadership is an opportunity for them to intimidate their people into submission. They see leadership as an opportunity to rob their own people blind and to use their influence for political purposes.

And this mentality has destroyed MOHWA. The leaders have shot themselves in the foot. Their following has reduced considerably. The organization’s finances have been diminished as donors lose appetite for MOHWA operations.

In Mamfe, there is a mad rush to join EYUMEMA due to the scandal which has reduced MOHWA to an empty shell. MOHWA Mamfe is dead. Its members are converting even when EYUMEMA is not yet firmly established in Mamfe. Young women just like their mothers are begging to join EYUMEMA. They have been disappointed by the MOHWA leadership which has fallen short of their glorious expectations.

In Cameroon, if EYUMEMA decides to include a membership test in its registration process, most Manyu women will sit the exam without complaint.

Following calls from Cameroon from women who want to get registered as EYUMEMA members, the Cameroon Concord News decided to send its reporters to interview a few women in order to gauge the level of enthusiasm to join EYUMEMA and the extent of disappointment with MOHWA, and the women had this to say.

For purposes of anonymity, the Cameroon Concord News has decided to use only the first names of those who spoke to our correspondents.

Lydia, a mother of two who is a small business owner in Mamfe said that: “I was a strong supporter of MOHWA. It hurts me to see that this association is being destroyed by greed and arrogance. I have been reading the articles published by the Cameroon Concord News and they are really overwhelming and devastating. The president of MOHWA should think of resigning or commissioning an investigation into those allegations. Most of the allegations border on money, manipulation and arrogance. A leader is supposed to be humble and selfless but from what I have read so far, the MOHWA president is not a people person. If I were to advise her, I would tell her to resign and let time prove her right. I am really disappointed and I am already thinking of joining EYUMEMA which is already demonstrating that it can deliver some great projects to Manyu.”

In Kumba, the same disappointment was exhibited by a member of MOHWA who is completely overwhelmed by the negative press the organization is receiving due to Comfort Beyang’s greed and manipulation.

“The negative press is not a surprise to me. When members of our delegation returned from the Yaoundé AGM in June, the feedback was totally negative. We were told that Comfort Beyang and Agbor Tambe Martina were very domineering and that put off many delegation members. Even the Bamenda delegation members who attended the AGM were very disappointed with the manner in which things were conducted. The organization’s finances were not discussed and Martina and Comfort were just there to ensure that nothing financial was discussed.

In Kumba, we have already advised our executive not to send a dime to the national branch until the current president and her people resign. For now, nobody is even paying in the CFAF 10,000 that members are supposed to pay when a member dies. This is what greed and manipulation can do to a people.”

But it was really in Yaoundé that a lady who elected anonymity was totally unhinged. She lambasted Comfort Beyang, stressing that she uses her Machiavellian charm to destroy people and endeavors which are supposed to be in the common good.

“I think the Manyu woman has learned that she is not supposed to vote her leaders based on emotions. Comfort Beyang was already a disaster waiting to happen but many women fell for her Machiavellian charm and she is destroying an organization which is supposed to work for the Manyu girl child. Comfort Beyang is supported in this bad behavior by Martina Agbor Tambe, Joan Enow and Pamela Assam TanyiTiku who all behave as if they have massive skeletons in their cupboards. This bunch of women must be expelled from MOHWA if this organization has to rebuild its lost image. Many people are decamping and the hemorrhage is too much to bear.”

According to our sources, Manyu chiefs are coming up with a strategy to get the issue addressed. They want to talk to Comfort Beyang and our source said that they would be urging her to resign because her image and the organization have been tainted.

Our source added that Chief Moses Obenefunde is taking the lead on how to address the issue and many Manyu chiefs are solidly behind him. According to our source, a Senator has also called Comfort Beyang but details about their discussion have not yet filtered out.

The heat is on and Comfort Beyang is slowly breaking down. The scandal has hit her like a ton of bricks and all her rantings are just like the last kicks of a dying horse.

By Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai

Group Chairman and Editor-in-chief

Cameroon Concord News Group

13, August 2024

Cameroonian activist Steve Akam missing since arrest ⁰

A Cameroonian social media activist and government critic has not been seen since his arrest three weeks ago and his lawyers believe he has been extrajudicially returned to Cameroon from Gabon, Human Rights Watch said on Tuesday.

The activist, Steve Akam, was last seen in a video circulated online that showed him handcuffed and surrounded by Cameroonian police near the border with Gabon.

Akam had been living in Gabon for the past decade. Human Rights Watch said the video was filmed about three weeks ago in the Cameroonian town of Kye-Ossi, near the border with Gabon.

Akam is better known by his social media profile Ramon Cotta on TikTok, which has over 30,000 followers. In his last video, Akam accuses President Paul Biya of pursuing a war in Cameroon’s anglophone regions in order to remain in power.

“The Cameroonian government has for years cracked down on opposition and free speech, jailing political activists, journalists, and dissidents,” Human Rights Watch said in a statement. “Ahead of elections in 2025, it has increasingly restricted freedoms of expression and association.”

A spokesperson for Cameroon’s police declined to comment by text message.

Lawyers for Akam could not immediately be reached. Human Rights Watch said that his lawyers believe Akam was extrajudicially returned from Gabon to Cameroon.

Cameroonian opposition leader Maurice Kamto has previously called on the government to provide proof that the activist is still alive.

In a case that roiled the Central African nation last year, prominent journalist Martinez Zogo’s mutilated remains were found near the capital Yaounde after he was abducted. Zogo had reported on air about a case of alleged embezzlement involving a media outlet with government connections owned by business mogul Jean Pierre Amougou Belinga.

The two leaders also called for all other ongoing efforts to create an environment conducive to a lasting resolution to the conflict.

Seventeen people, including Belinga and the head of the counterintelligence service Maxime Leopold Eko Eko, are standing trial in connection with Zogo’s torture and murder.

The media watchdog Committee to Protect Journalists has urged Cameroon authorities to be transparent over Zogo, and also account for the death of another journalist in government custody in 2019.

Source: Reuters

12, August 2024

MOHWA: Comfort Beyang has to go! ⁰

After EYUMEMA, NYENE MAWN and BECHOKO NGOREH MANYU, another organization will soon see the light of day as more women are planning to abandon MOHWA to create their own organization in Cameroon. MOHWA is gradually but surely becoming an empty shell.

MOHWA, a once iconic Manyu organization, is hemorrhaging members and money in an unprecedented manner. Its members are now doubtful about their president’s ability to steer their organization to safer shores. A nasty financial scandal has rocked MOHWA and it will take this once popular organization a long time to rebuild.

The MOHWA boat is sinking. Many people are concerned. The president herself is becoming increasingly isolated, especially as there is news that the next MOHWA president will soon be announced. Though quiet, the Manyu political elite in Yaoundé is also concerned. In their view, if any rebranding has to start, then it must be after the departure of the current president whose stewardship has given the organization a bad name. It should be mentioned that after a long and bruising battle with his conscience, Minister Victor Mengot only got his wife registered recently and he is confused right now as the scandal tears MOHWA apart.

According to a source in Yaoundé, the Manyu political elite do not want the people of Manyu to see their silence as their inability and unwillingness to help bring about a solution. The elite understand that the organization has been hit with a cluster bomb and putting the pieces together will be a Herculean task.

The Cameroon Concord News has also been informed that a compromise is in the offing and that most MOHWA members around the world now understand that Comfort Beyang belongs to the past and on a dirty ash heap of history.

Her once bloated ego has been punctured and her political dreams have now turned into a massive nightmare which will not be going away anytime soon as the Cameroon Concord News will continue to expose the irresponsibility, greed and manipulation which have become the hallmarks of MOHWA.

Comfort Beyang with a PhD attached to her name who once thought that being a university professor meant she was untouchable and omniscient, is today regretting the many mistakes she had made. She rejected every pearl of wisdom senior Manyu ladies shared with her, thinking that her academic attainments had transformed her into the new Socrates of Manyu Division.

She now knows that passing an exam does not bestow on her the status of an iconic intellectual. Teaching in a university is just a job which can be done by anybody whose dream is to be within an academic environment. Picking up a fight with the media will remain her greatest undoing.

She thought her ‘lame dogs of war’, especially those living in the USA, could impress anybody with their empty noise and threats of law suits. For intellectual excellence and philosophical thinking, many of those dogs of war still have a long way to go. They do not even have the time to come up with a logical and convincing rejoinder as time is a scarce resource to people who are still struggling to make ends meet.

MOHWA is not a private organization. It is a Manyu organization which receives goodwill donations. It is the prerogative of whistleblowers and journalists to bring to light any issues of malfeasance destroying the organization.

Those who claim to love MOHWA must understand that the best line of action is to conduct an investigation into the allegations which are diminishing MOHWA’s standing. MOHWA will never be cleaned up if the current president is maintained. Without a thorough investigation, the extent of the damage will never be known.

MOHWA does not have the financial resources to undertake any major projects in Manyu. With donors questioning the credibility of the organization, MOHWA will end up like a “food and dance organization”, that is, if the women who are following Comfort Beyang over the clift like lemmings will still have the right dance steps after this scandal.

Comfort Beyang has to go. She has overstayed her welcome. This scandal has not only foiled her political plan, it has also upset her plan to build a beautiful home for herself in Buea. With donors gone, that house will continue to stand there uncompleted for a long time. If she does not go, then there will be more defections which will only further weaken MOHWA.

By Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai

Group Chairman and Editor-in-chief

Cameroon Concord News Group

12, August 2024

UK’s Starmer urges Iran to refrain from Israel attack ⁰

UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has urged Iran to “refrain” from attacking Israel during a phone call with Iran’s new president.

Sir Keir told Masoud Pezeshkian there was a “serious risk of miscalculation and now was the time for calm and careful consideration”, Downing Street said.

It is the first call between a UK prime minister and an Iranian president since March 2021 when former British leader Boris Johnson spoke to Hassan Rouhani.

News of the 30-minute discussion came as the UK issued a joint statement with the US, France, Italy and Germany – urging Iran to end its threats of an attack on Israel.

They called on Iran to “stand down its ongoing threats of a military attack against Israel and discussed the serious consequences for regional security should such an attack take place”.

The leaders, who spoke together by phone, also expressed their support for the “defence of Israel against Iranian aggression and against attacks by Iran-backed terrorist groups”.

Fears of a wider conflict in the Middle East have been growing following the recent assassination of senior Hezbollah and Hamas leaders.

On Sunday, the US confirmed it had sent a guided missile submarine to the region in response to these concerns. The submarine can carry up to 154 Tomahawk cruise missiles, which are used to strike land targets.

It had also ordered the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group, which is carrying F-35C fighter jets, to accelerate its journey there. The ship was already on its way to replace another US ship in the region.

White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby later said that the US shared Israel’s concerns that it was “increasingly likely that there will be an attack by Iran and or its proxies and perhaps in the coming days”.

“That is why we have been continually speaking to our Israeli counterparts and other counterparts in the region,” Mr Kirby added.

Rear Adm Daniel Hagari, a spokesman for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), said that the country took the threats of its enemies seriously and that Israel was at “peak preparedness for attack and defence”.

Downing Street also said on Monday that Keir Starmer had told Mr Pezeshkian he was “deeply concerned by the situation in the region and called on all parties to de-escalate and avoid further regional confrontation”.

Iran blames Israel for the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh on their soil late last month and has vowed to punish it.

Israel, which is currently engaged in a war attempting to destroy the group in Gaza, has not commented but is widely believed to have been behind the killing.

Iran’s acting foreign minister said last week that the country would respond to the killing of Haniyeh at the “right time” in the “appropriate” manner.

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), a group of states with Muslim-majority populations, said it held Israel fully responsible for the attack, which it called “a serious infringement” of Iran’s sovereignty.

Ismail Haniyeh is not the only senior member of Hamas to be killed recently. Israel also recently announced that the group’s military chief Mohammed Deif was killed in an air strike in the Gaza Strip last month.

The Iranian-backed Lebanese group Hezbollah, with which Israel is also engaged in a conflict, has also said that it would retaliate for the death of its senior commander Fuad Shukr.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday became the latest leader to urge his country’s citizens to leave Lebanon as soon as possible, warning of the risk of growing tensions.

Airlines including Lufthansa, Swiss Air and EasyJet have either cancelled or suspended flights to the Middle East.

Source: BBC

12, August 2024

Eneo Hits 800,000 Prepaid Meters Milestone ⁰

Cameroon’s public electricity provider, Eneo, announced earlier this month that it has installed nearly 800,000 prepaid meters. This represents about 34% of its total meter installations.

Indeed, the push towards modernization began in 2018, with Eneo replacing outdated electromechanical meters with new prepaid models. Since then, the company has added 798,700 new meters to its network, building on the 1,300 units installed in the program’s first year.

The company, backed by the British investment fund Actis, is taking steps to further increase this number. Eneo is offering a free upgrade for old electromechanical meters to new prepaid ones. “Our recent assessment revealed around a thousand installations needing an upgrade to meet global standards. We’re focused on converting these old meters to the newer prepaid technology,” Eneo explained.

To make this transition smoother for customers, Eneo has set up a robust support system. This includes field teams, assistance at local agencies, online resources, and a network of partners to ensure a seamless experience. The new prepaid meters give customers more control over their electricity usage, eliminate issues like missed bills and billing errors, and remove the need for upfront payments or handling disputes over unpaid bills.

The switch to prepaid meters has already made a noticeable impact. According to Eneo, billing-related complaints dropped by 54% between 2020 and 2022. This improvement has helped ease tensions between the company and its customers, addressing one of the most common points of contention. In 2019, bill disputes made up 43% of conciliation cases, and the new meters are expected to continue reducing these conflicts.

However, the introduction of prepaid meters has not been without its challenges. Eneo has reported a rise in fraud linked to these devices. In the first half of 2023, 62% of fraud cases in Douala involved prepaid meters, up from 38% for traditional meters. “We’ve seen various methods used to bypass these meters, including ‘shunting,’ ‘direct connections,’ and tampering with the meter’s internal components,” the company noted.

Source: Business in Cameroon

12, August 2024

Access Bank Cameroon wins Best Services Provider Award ⁰

In a remarkable achievement that underscores its commitment to excellence and innovation, Access Bank Cameroon has been honored with the prestigious Fastest-Growing Bank and Best Services Provider award for the year 2023. The accolade was presented by the Cameroon English Language Newspaper Publishers Association during a grand ceremony held at the Hilton Hotel in Yaoundé.

The awards, which celebrate the exceptional contributions of individuals and financial institutions to the economic landscape of Cameroon, recognize Access Bank Cameroon’s outstanding growth trajectory and unparalleled service quality.

Commenting on the award, the Managing Director of Access Bank Cameroon, Mr. Ellis ASU, expressed his gratitude and pride in receiving such an esteemed recognition. “This award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire team. At Access Bank, we strive to offer innovative and tailored solutions that meet the evolving needs of our customers. Being named the Fastest-Growing Bank and Best Services Provider is not just an honor but also a motivation to continue pushing the boundaries of excellence in the banking sector.”

Echoing the sentiments of the Managing Director, the Head of Retail Banking, Mr. Frankline FOBAH, highlighted the importance of customer-centric services in achieving this milestone. “Our customers are at the heart of everything we do. This award reinforces our commitment to providing exceptional service and innovative products that enhance the banking experience for our clients. We are grateful for their trust and loyalty, which have been instrumental in our growth journey.”

The recognition by the Cameroon English Language Newspaper Publishers Association is indeed a milestone for Access Bank Cameroon, reflecting its robust growth and unwavering dedication to customer satisfaction. As the bank continues to expand its footprint in the region, it remains steadfast in its mission to deliver world-class banking services that drive economic prosperity for all.

With this award, Access Bank Cameroon not only highlights its position as Africa’s Gateway to the World in the financial sector but also sets a benchmark for excellence.

About Access Bank Cameroon Plc

Access Bank Cameroon Plc. is a comprehensive commercial bank specializing in wholesale, retail, digital, and proximity banking services. The bank was granted its banking license by the government of Cameroon on February 1, 2022, and officially began operating on May 23, 2022, from its main office in Akwa, Douala.

Excited to contribute to Cameroon’s economic landscape, which serves as a vital business hub in the Central African region, Access Bank aims to be recognized as the world’s most respected African Bank and Africa’s gateway to the world. Through tailored solutions that help businesses achieve their financial objectives, the bank offers a wide range of products to enhance trade and industry. With a global presence and connections to major trade routes, Access Bank facilitates access to international markets, supports international payments, and provides trade financing and loans to corporate clients. Furthermore, Access Bank Cameroon is dedicated to empowering SMEs, women in business, and young entrepreneurs in Cameroon by offering innovative solutions, financial education, and customized facilities to address their specific needs. Access Bank has garnered over 10,000 corporate, retail, and business clients and currently operates three branches in Cameroon: Akwa, Bonamoussadi, and Intendance.

Source: Business in Cameroon

12, August 2024

MOHWA: Evidence, not ranting! ⁰

The MOHWA roof is on fire and even their best fire fighters are incapable of putting out the blaze. Nothing hurts like the truth and until MOHWA leaders clean up their mess, nobody will trust them. This scandal has hurt MOHWA and many donors have walked away.

While good leaders lead their communities and organizations into the land of promise, using credibility and accountability, MOHWA leaders have led this erstwhile iconic Manyu organization into a massive category nine storm which has torn the organization into pieces, using intimidation and manipulation.

Now that the cat is out of the bag, MOHWA leaders should know that the onus is on them to prove their innocence. Ranting will never replace evidence and threats of legal action will not deter whistleblowers from telling the truth.

The Cameroon Concord News Group is a devil in alliance with the truth. It will never be an angel in alliance with falsehood. The journalism profession is not where love should be sought. It is a profession driven by the desire to report the truth and fight malfeasance in all of its forms. And that is what the Cameroon Concord News is doing.

Those who are insisting that the Cameroon Concord News journalists are amateurs are simply blissfully oblivious of their own ignorance. Which evidence of infighting and mismanagement are more obvious and more eloquent than the formation of EYUMEMA, NYENE MAWN and BECHOKO NGOREH MANYU?

Which evidence is more devastating for an organization than the lack of transparency in the management of the organization’s finances? When was the last time MOHWA financial reports were audited? When was the last time they were presented to the general assembly? These are some of the questions MOHWA leadership should be answering for the public to continue trusting the organization, after all, the organization’s money also comes from goodwill donations.

If those who are stuck with a corrupt leadership do not see a need for an internal investigation and an audit of MOHWA finances, the public needs those investigations for it to continue trusting the organization and giving its money.

A humble leader should urge his or her collaborators to come up with incontrovertible and exculpatory evidence which should restore confidence but over the last few days, though she has lost sleep, she has continued to be defiant claiming that the allegations are rubber bullets which are not hurting.

No responsible leader speaks that way. Sources close to Comfort Beyang have reported that the allegations have hit her like a ton of bricks and, over the last week, she has become overly talkative, spending more time on the phone to gauge her supporter’s reactions and loyalty.

She does not know that her supporters will not want to rub her the wrong way, but behind the scenes, they know that she is not worthy of their trust. She has destroyed a once buoyant organization because of her greed and arrogance and the spirit of the late General Nana Abunaw is chasing her all over the place.

She is now a glaring example of why poor people should not be leaders. She wants to live the big life but her meager university salary cannot provide her the luxury and recognition she wants.

If she was really wise, she would have known that desire creates slaves out of kings. Her insatiable quest for power and recognition, and her love of a big life have diminished her in the eyes of the public.

This scandal has reduced her to normal human proportions and her scheme to use MOHWA to hoist herself to the top of the political world in Cameroon has been foiled. This is really what is hurting her at this time.

She still has a choice – present clear evidence of innocence and the public will trust her. Without such evidence, then she will been seen as being untrustworthy to handle any public office.

I dedicate this flat write up to late General Nana Abunaw-the Peace Maker

By Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai

Group Chairman and editor-in-chief

Cameroon Concord News Group