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8, May 2017

France: President elect Macron vows to serve with humility, strength ⁰

Newly-elected president Emmanuel Macron has vowed to protect France against threats and unify the country. Early on Monday, the French Interior Ministry announced that Macron had been officially elected president after winning 66.06 percent of valid votes in the run-off. It also announced that 11.5 percent of the votes had been either blank or spoiled, while just over 25 percent of the country’s registered voters had abstained.

“We will not give into fear, we will not give into division,” said Macron during his victory speech late on Sunday after projected results showed he had defeated Marine Le Pen. “I will serve you with humility, with strength. I will serve you by remaining true to the Republic’s principles of ‘Liberty, Equality and Fraternity’. I will serve you to be loyal to the trust you showed me. I will serve you with love. Long live the Republic, long live France!,” said the 39-year-old centrist who is set to become the country’s youngest leader ever in six weeks.

“Our task is huge. It will require us to build, from tomorrow onwards, a real majority, a strong majority. This majority to carry out change is what the country is hoping for and what the country deserves,” he noted.

He further reached out to those who had voted for Le Pen, vowing to bring them back from the “extremes.” “They voted out of anger, distress and sometimes conviction. I respect them…will do everything I can over the next five years to ensure that people no longer have any reason to vote for extremes,” he said.

After her defeat was announced, Le Pen gave a speech to her supporters in which she wished Macron success in dealing with the “huge challenges” ahead of him. She also noted that her National Front party must renew itself and vowed that she would begin the “deep transformation of our movement.”

US President Donald Trump wrote an early congratulation to the French President elect. “Congratulations to Emmanuel Macron on his big win today as the next President of France. I look very much forward to working with him!,” he said via twitter.

“We congratulate President-elect Macron and the people of France on their successful presidential election. We look forward to working with the new President and continuing our close cooperation with the French government,” read a statement released by the White House.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau hailed Macron’s victory, stressing that he looked forward “to working closely with President-elect Macron in the years ahead.” “Canada and France share a warm and historic relationship, rooted in our common history, deep cultural ties, people-to-people connections, and strong economic partnership,” he said.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s chief of staff congratulated Macron, tweeting in French “Vive la France, Vive L’Europe!” or “Long live France, long live Europe!” Merkel also spoke to the president elect over the phone, and praised him for his support of a “united and open European Union.”

A Downing Street spokesman announced that UK Prime Minister Theresa May said she looks forward to working with Macron. “The Prime Minister warmly congratulates President-elect Macron on his election success. France is one of our closest allies and we look forward to working with the new President on a wide range of shared priorities,” said a statement.

Source: Presstv

8, May 2017

Nigerian aviation college takes delivery of Diamond DA-42 trainers ⁰

The Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT) has taken delivery of the first of 20 new Diamond trainer aircraft ordered from Austrian aircraft manufacturer Diamond Aircraft in 2013 to replace an obsolete fleet. The deal, estimated at $20 million in 2013, was secured through local company Interjet Nigerian Limited, the official West African business representative for Diamond Aircraft.

The first DA-42NG was handed over to Nigerian Minister of State for Aviation Senator Hadi Serika by Interjet Nigeria Limited manager Seun Peters on 24 April. Serika said the government decided to replace the ageing 29 trainer aircraft operated by the NCAT Zaria campus because the majority were obsolete, while the airworthy few were too expensive to maintain.

NACT Rector Abdulsalam Mohammed said the new trainer aircraft would reduce operating costs. “Today, we are taking delivery of the first DA-42 twin-engine aircraft. NCAT is acquiring a total of 20 of these aircraft, specifically five twin-engine DA-42 and 15 single-engine DA-40 trainers. The new aircraft will significantly improve our cost efficiency.

“Besides, they are also equipped with a glass cockpit and Garmin 1000 system, which will make it easier for our graduate pilots to transition to various types of new-generation commercial aircraft,” Mohammed said. The DA 42 is powered by two Austro Engine AE300 diesel engines, which produce 168 hp each to propel the aircraft to a maximum cruise speed of 328 km/h. Delivery has been delayed by more than a year due to bureaucratic delays in releasing the funds. According to the procurement contract signed between Interjet and the Nigerian government in 2013, five aircraft were supposed to be delivered every five months.

Due to the Nigerian government’s failure to pay, Diamond Aircraft has been forced to sell at least seven aircraft that were initially manufactured for the Nigerian contract to other buyers to offset maintenance and storage costs. NCAT operates 29 trainer aircraft including ageing Socata Trinidad TB-20GT and Beech Baron 58s which were purchased as second hand equipment more than 15 years ago. Meanwhile, Peters said Diamond Aircraft and Interjet Nigeria have agreed to set up the first DA-series Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) centre in Abuja.

“In partnership with Diamond Aircraft of Austria, we are working towards building a state-of-the-art maintenance facility in Abuja to service Nigeria and aircraft operators in other West African countries.” The MRO will service the growing number of West African operators of Diamond aircraft. These include the air forces of Ghana, Niger and Nigeria, which together operate between 7 and 12 DA-42 MPP (Multi-Purpose Platform)’Guardian’ maritime surveillance aircraft.

Culled from Defenseweb

7, May 2017

Philemon Yang in Bamenda like a thief in the night ⁰

The so-called May 20th National Day has never been so threatened as this year following the Anglophone uprising. Correspondingly, Prime Minister Philemon Yang reportedly fighting for his political identity and survival is in the Bamenda province of Southern Cameroons. The Head of Government of La Republique du Cameroun traveled to Bamenda like a thief in the night and has been working tirelessly to counter the announced boycott of the national day celebration.

Our senior political commentator opined that this is going to be Philemon Yang’s last journey to Southern Cameroons. The boycott action was launched by the Cameroon Anglophone Civil Society Consortium backed by a majority of Southern Cameroonians who have denounced for seven months, the marginalization of West Cameroon by the Francophone political elites headed by the 84 year old dictator, Paul Biya.

Philemon Yang has been dishing out hush money to the leadership of the ruling CPDM crime syndicate to massively participate during 20 May 2017 celebrations. During a meeting with local leaders of the ruling party from the seven divisions in the Bamenda province, Yang accompanied by MPs, mayors, North West cabinet ministers and traditional authorities admitted that the goal of this mobilization was to make every effort to ensure the success of the national day.

The Cameroon Anglophone Civil Society Consortium has stressed that ghost town operations will continue tomorrow Monday the 8^th of May 2017. The Consortium has also called on Southern Cameroonians to completely boycott the 20^th May festivities.

By Sama Ernest

Cameroon Concord News

7, May 2017

Macron elected French president ⁰

France’s centrist candidate, Emmanuel Macron, has won the country’s presidential election by a resoundingly margin over far-right candidate, Marine Le Pen.

Initial estimates showed Macron winning between 65.5 percent and 66.1 percent of ballots ahead of Le Pen, who is expected to win between 33.9 percent and 34.5 percent.

In an interview with AFP, Macron said his election victory represented “hope” and a “new chapter” for France. “A new chapter in our long history begins tonight. I want it to be one of hope and renewed confidence,” he added.

Defeated candidate, Marine Le Pen, claimed a “historic, massive result” for her far-right National Front (FN) in Sunday’s presidential run-off, AFP reported.

Macron’s supporters celebrate in front of the Pyramid at the Louvre Museum in Paris, France, on May 7, 2017. (Photo by AFP)

Le Pen made a short statement, saying she had called Macron to wish him “success” in tackling the “huge challenges” he faced. Le Pen also announced that she would lead the FN into June’s legislative elections.

People in France started to cast their ballots in the presidential run-off earlier on Sunday after polling stations opened at 8 a.m. local time (0600 GMT). Some 47 million people were eligible to vote at 66,546 polling stations across the European countries.

Figures from the Interior Ministry said 65.30 percent of voters had turned out by 5 p.m. (1500 GMT), which was lower than in any of the past four presidential elections at the same stage of the day, Reuters reported.

Supporters of Emmanuel Macron celebrate near the Louvre Museum after results were announced in the second round vote of the 2017 French presidential elections, in Paris, France, May 7, 2017. (Photo by Reuters)

Pollsters’ estimates based on these figures put the final turnout at 73-75 percent, down from around 80 percent or more in those past four elections. Macron and Le Pen won the first round of voting in France’s presidential election on April 23. Macron finished first with 24 percent, ahead of Le Pen with 21.3 percent.

The populist far-right candidate has portrayed herself as anti-EU, anti-NATO, and anti-immigration. Macron is seen as a centrist who aims to continue the policies of outgoing President Francois Hollande by deregulating the economy and deepening integration with the European Union.

Source: Presstv

7, May 2017

Dozens of Chibok girls abducted by Boko Haram released ⁰

Dozens of Nigerian schoolgirls who were abducted by the Boko Haram Takfiri terror group from the northeastern town of Chibok in 2014 have been released. “I can confirm they have been released,” said a government minister on condition of anonymity on Saturday, adding that an official statement would be released shortly.

“The girls were released through negotiations with the government,” said another official. Several sources put the number of released girls at around 80 while others claim some 60 were freed by the terrorists. “The girls are now lodged in the military barracks and will be flown to (the Borno state capital) Maiduguri tomorrow (Sunday),” a military source was quoted as saying.

More than 20 girls were freed last October in a deal negotiated by the International Committee of the Red Cross. Since then, several others have managed to escape or been rescued, but 195 were thought to be still in the hands of the terrorists.

The militants abducted 276 girls from their secondary school in the northeastern town in April 2014. Fifty-seven of the girls managed to escape, but nearly 220 others are still missing and international efforts to spot and rescue them have so far failed.

In August, Boko Haram released a video purportedly showing some of the girls and demanding the release of comrades in exchange for the freedom of the abductees. A masked member of the group speaking in the footage claimed some of the girls were still alive, and that the others had been killed in airstrikes carried out by the Nigerian air force on the Boko Haram hideout.

7, May 2017

Biya envoy ends “seductive” tour of Southern Cameroons ⁰

The President of the National Episcopal Council, NEC, Archbishop Samuel Kleda has ended a tour of Southern Cameroons reportedly ordered by the 84 year dictator, President Biya. The head of the Douala Archdiocese met with the Roman Catholic Bishops of Southern Cameroons including stakeholders in the education sector of the Catholic Church. Cameroun Info.Net reported that Archbishop Kleda’s ‘seductive’ tour was aimed at watering down the tension within Catholic Bishops and Christians in the region after a recent court summon.

Archbishop Kleda held talks with the Bishops of Mamfe, Kumba, Buea and Bamenda where he proposed a Francophone way forward to end the Anglophone crisis. He was accompanied on his Biya mission by Mgr Abraham Kome, Bishop of Bafang and the Head of the Sub commission for Justice and Peace, Fr Jervis Kebbei, vice Secretary General of the National Episcopal Conference, acting as notary and translator.

Kleda was told by the Anglophone Bishops that public schools were also paralyzed as a result of the Anglophone uprising. The Man of God admitted that he met the leaders of the Cameroon Anglophone Civil Society Consortium during the January National Episcopal Conference, NEC meeting in Mamfe. But still did not condemn their arrest or called for their immediate release. The Francophone Bishop read from the same CPDM script and pleaded with the Anglophone Bishops to put an end to hatred, suspicion civil disobedience, as well as intimidation.

Archbishop Kleda said true peace, which is fullness of life, is built on solidarity and fraternity. He also affirmed that the Cameroonian Bishops have asked the state to respect the rights of all Cameroonians and apply the 1996 constitution on decentralization. Archbishop Samuel Kleda pointed out that the court action against the Anglophone bishops could create new problems.

It is vital to include in this report that by travelling with a translator, the Archbishop of Douala justified calls for an independent state of Southern Cameroons. Archbishop Kleda and his other Francophone Bishops refused to issue a declaration in Mamfe against the rapes, killings and extra judicial killings going on in Southern Cameroons. Cameroon Concord News understands ghost town operations will resume tomorrow Monday the 8^th of May 2017 in all villages, towns and cities in West Cameroon.

By Rita Akana

6, May 2017

Everything is Going Wrong in Bamenda after the University Games ⁰

Just five days after the 20^th edition of the University Games that held in Bamenda from the 22^nd to the 29^th of April, 2017, the infrastructure constructed by Francophone companies worth billions of FCFA have started crumbling. The Tribune which hosted all the official ceremonies presided over by Jacques Fame Ndongo, the anti Anglophone Minister of Higher Education during the recent 2017 University Games at the Bambili Campus has collapsed. A part of the freshly constructed metal framework has been lying on the steps for three days running.

The Francophone political elites who attended the games must have been lucky that the grand stand did not fell during the games. The affected area is precisely under the platform where people took shelter when it rained during the Games. A senior Southern Cameroonian serving the Biya Francophone regime observed that the collapse was the result of the bad work that has been done on the infrastructure of the Games.

Cameroon Concord News gathered that everything was done in a hurry in a bid to counter the ghost town operations currently going on in Southern Cameroons. According to a source within the Commission which was in charge of organizing the 20th University Games, the government released 3 billion CFA for the construction of infrastructure at the Bambili Campus in Bamenda, where the Games were held for the first time. Ghost towns will return on Monday in both the Bamenda and Buea provinces of Southern Cameroons.

By Sama Ernest

6, May 2017

France: Macron claims “Hillary Clinton style” cyber attack ahead of election ⁰

The campaign of leading French presidential candidate Emmanuel Macron says he has been the target of a “massive and coordinated hacking attack” following the release of what it said to be the campaign’s internal documents online just ahead of the election.

Late Friday, Macron’s campaign staff said the “cyber attack” led to the release of thousands of emails and other documents, slamming it as an attempt at “democratic destabilization, like that seen during the last presidential campaign in the United States.”

According to local press reports, nearly nine gigabytes of data were posted on a profile called EMLEAKS to Pastebin, a site that allows anonymous document sharing. However, it was not immediately clear who was responsible for posting the data or whether any of the information was genuine.

An electoral card next to ballots for French presidential election candidate for the En Marche ! movement Emmanuel Macron (L), and French presidential election candidate for the far-right Front National Marine Le Pen and on a ballot box at a polling station in Rennes, western France. (Photo by AFP)

In a statement, Macron’s political movement En Marche! (Onwards!) confirmed that it had been hacked. It issued a statement saying, “The En Marche! Movement has been the victim of a massive and coordinated hack this evening which has given rise to the diffusion on social media of various internal information.”

The campaign files spread on social media shortly before midnight on Friday. when the 39-year-old, centrist Macron and his ultra-right rival Marine Le Pen officially concluded political campaigning for Sunday’s presidential poll. Macron’s aides slammed the leak as “unprecedented in a French electoral campaign.”

“Clearly, the documents arising from the hacking are all lawful and show the normal functioning of a presidential campaign,” Macron’s aides declared in a statement.

French presidential candidate for the far-right Front National (FN) party Marine Le Pen (Photo by AFP)

This is while the pro-European Union and pro-business former banker is leading his anti-establishment rival with a comfortable margin of nearly 62 percent to 38 percent, according to latest polls. Le Pen has said she wants to copy Britain’s example and hold a referendum on France’s EU membership, prompting serious concerns in capitals across the bloc.

A former economy minister under Socialist President Francois Hollande, Macron is a pro-trade reformer, who left the government last August to concentrate on his new political movement En Marche, which has drawn 250,000 members in 12 months. Meanwhile, a French Interior Ministry official refused to comment on the hacking, citing French rules that forbid any commentary likely to influence an election.

Moreover, the presidential election commission said in a statement that it would hold a meeting later on Saturday after Macron’s campaign informed the body about the reported hacking attack. The commission further called on the media to be cautious about publishing details of the emails considering that campaigning had ended, and publication could lead to criminal charges.

France is the latest nation to see a major election overshadow by allegations of manipulation through cyber hacking. In January, US intelligence agencies accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of ordering the hacking of parties linked to Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton in a bid to influence the polls on behalf of her Republican rival Donald Trump.

Source: Presstv

6, May 2017

Europol, FBI arrest 900 in crackdown on global pedophile ring ⁰

US and European police have shut down the largest global pedophile ring after hacking its website and arresting nearly 900 of its members following a two-year investigation. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Europol made the announcement Friday after a court sentenced Florida-based Steven Chase, founder of the so-called Playpen pedophilia network, to 30 years in prison.

The police are said to have arrested 870 people during the investigation into the group’s members around the globe that began after Chase’s arrest back in 2014. Officials said 368 of those arrested were from Europe. The investigation also identified at least 259 sexually abused children. As part of its investigation, called “Operation Pacifier,” the FBI used a malware to seize the Playpen website and server, which allowed authorities to track and identify Playpen users.

The result of that investigation was the harvesting of IP addresses and other identifiable information of more than 1,300 people who either logged in or registered on the site during that period, FBI and Europol said. Chase was sentenced this week in a federal courtroom in North Carolina on multiple child-pornography and child-exploitation charges.

Two of the founder’s aides, Michael Fluckiger and David Browning, both US citizens – who served as administrators of the site – were each jailed for 20 years. “Those individuals involved in the sexual abuse of children are becoming increasingly forensically aware and are actively using the most advanced forms of anonymisation and encryption to avoid detection,” said Steven Wilson, head of Europol’s Cybercrime Center.

“The internet has no boundaries and does not recognize borders. We need to balance the rights of victims versus the right to privacy. If we operate 19th century legal principles then we are unable to effectively tackle crime at the highest level,” he added.

5, May 2017

EU warns of ‘impossible’ Brexit negotiations with UK ⁰

European Council President Donald Tusk has warned of “impossible” Brexit negotiation after UK Prime Minister Theresa May accused Brussels of meddling in Britain’s election. “These negotiations are difficult enough as they are. If we start arguing before they even begin they will become impossible,” Tusk told a Thursday news conference alongside Norway’s prime minister.

“The stakes are too high to let our emotions get out of hand, because at stake are the daily lives and interests of millions of people on both sides of the Channel,” the former Polish premier said. “We must keep in mind that in order to succeed we need today discretion, moderation, mutual respect and a maximum of goodwill,” he added. The remarks came hours after European Parliament President Antonio Tajani insisted that “no one is trying to influence the outcome of the election campaign in the United Kingdom.”

On Wednesday, May accused the EU of using Brexit as an excuse to influence the outcome of Britain’s upcoming general election. Speaking after a meeting with Queen Elizabeth II, May told reporters at 10 Downing Street that the “bureaucrats of Brussels” were hoping to sway voters by making “threats” against the country. She also attacked the European media, saying they had “misrepresented” her government’s stance on negotiations concerning the UK’s withdrawal from the EU.