Headline News

Saudi crown prince approved ‘intervention’ against dissidents

18, March 2019

Saudi crown prince approved ‘intervention’ against dissidents 0

More than a year before the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, Saudi Arabia’s powerful Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman approved a secret campaign to silence dissenters, The New York Times reported on Sunday.

The campaign included surveillance, kidnapping, detention and torture of Saudis, said the report which cited US officials who have read classified intelligence reports about the effort.

American officials referred to it as the Saudi Rapid Intervention Group, the Times said.

At least some of the clandestine missions were carried out by members of the team that killed and dismembered Khashoggi in October at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, suggesting his murder was part of a wider campaign against dissidents, the report said, citing the US officials and associates of some Saudi victims.

The murder of Khashoggi, a Washington Post contributing columnist, generated global outrage including an order from US senators for President Donald Trump to designate and punish those responsible.

He did not comply.

The senators, briefed by the heads of US intelligence agencies, said they were convinced that Prince Mohammed was responsible for the Khashoggi killing.

Saudi Arabia has stressed the prince was not involved.

The kingdom initially said it had no knowledge of Khashoggi’s fate but later blamed rogue agents for his death.

Saudi Arabia’s public prosecutor has charged 11 people over his murder.

Among its activities, the Rapid Intervention Group appears to have been involved in the detention and abuse of prominent women’s rights activists arrested last year, the Times said.

The intervention team was so busy that in June its leader asked a top advisor to Prince Mohammed whether he would give them bonuses for Eid al-Fitr, a major holiday at the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Saudi officials declined to confirm or deny that such a team existed, or answer questions from the Times about its work.

The Saudi embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to an AFP query for comment.

The Rapid Intervention Group was authorized by Prince Mohammed and overseen by Saud al-Qahtani, a royal court insider, American officials told the Times.

US intelligence reports did not specify how involved Prince Mohammed was with the group’s work, but said that the operatives saw Qahtani as a “conduit” to the prince, the report said.

Qahtani has been sacked over Khashoggi’s murder but Saudi authorities have not said if was among those charged.

Five of the accused face the death penalty.

AFP

France: Prime Minister to present new plans to crack down on ‘rioters’

18, March 2019

France: Prime Minister to present new plans to crack down on ‘rioters’ 0

The French prime minister’s office says it will present plans to further crack down on “rioters”, after a new flare-up of violence the government says is linked to the so-called Yellow Vest protest movement.

The decision was made after a crisis meeting of the cabinet ministers and President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday.

PM Edouard Philippe’s office said the latest violence showed current security arrangements were insufficient. The office added that security forces should prepare for firmer measures to stop the violence.

“Drawing conclusions from these shortcomings, the prime minister will present the president tomorrow with measures necessary to adapt the security forces stance so they can act with firmness at any time,” it said in a statement.

Cutting short a weekend ski trip, President Emmanuel Macron returned to Paris late on Saturday for a crisis meeting with ministers at which he ordered decisions to be taken rapidly “so this doesn’t happen again.”

Vandals left hardly a storefront or cafe unscathed on Saturday, breaking windows and looting luxury stores while lighting fires along Paris’ Champs Elysees Avenue as they clashed with riot police in Paris.

PressTV-Yellow vests, police clash in Paris on day of 'ultimatum'

“I’m not a tourist but if I were, I would be quite surprised if I arrived in Paris to find the Champs Elysees in such condition,” a pensioner who only gave his name as Serge told Reuters TV.

“People often talk about the ‘City of Lights’, the ‘Fashion Capital’ and all that, but all you can see is destruction, rubbish, protests, burnt kiosks,” he added.

Police estimated that 10,000 people joined the latest yellow vest protest in Paris and Interior Minister Christophe Castaner said a hard-core of about 1,500 was intent on causing trouble.

The yellow vest movement emerged in November originally to oppose now abandoned fuel tax hikes and the high cost of living.

The protests quickly spiraled into a broader movement against Macron, his pro-business reforms and elitism in general.

After the spike in violence, Macron offered a package of concessions worth more than 10 billion euros ($11 billion) aimed at boosting the incomes of the poorest workers and pensioners.

Presstv

US comments on Cameroon underline deterioration in political and security situation

17, March 2019

US comments on Cameroon underline deterioration in political and security situation 0

US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Tibor Nagy, arrives in Cameroon for a two-day official visit to discuss counter-terror cooperation and ongoing domestic instability.

The US State Department released a human rights report on the country, which expressed concern at ongoing excessive and arbitrary violence committed by the government and its security forces. The visit comes months after the re-election of President Paul Biya, whom has faced condemnation for voting irregularities and the jailing of over 100 political opponents.

Anglophonic Cameroonians have long been marginalised in the country and have caused considerable unrest in the past year over poor living conditions and violence from security forces. This has threatened to develop into a separatist crisis for the francophonic central government. The situation in Cameroon’s southern anglophone regions risks spiralling into a greater ethnic and cultural conflict due to the differences that exist between the countries two predominant regions.

The US report has heightened international scrutiny of the country, which has pledged to investigate allegations of state-sponsored violence. With Biya’s re-election having caused greater political instability, failure to find a mediated political solution and address anglophone underrepresentation risks escalating tensions into widespread civil conflict.

Foreign Brief

CPDM Crime Syndicate: ELECAM attempts to register 10 million voters before elections

17, March 2019

CPDM Crime Syndicate: ELECAM attempts to register 10 million voters before elections 0

Cameroon’s electoral body Elections Cameroon (ELECAM) attempted to register at least 10 million voters before the legislative and municipal elections in September, said ELECAM Chairman Enow Abrams Egbe.

During the first annual meeting of the body, Egbe called on all eligible voters in the country to “exercise the right to vote and to participate in the choice of the country’s leaders.”

Voter registration throughout Cameroon and in the country’s diplomatic representations abroad began in early January.

Cameroon will hold at least two elections, including legislative and municipal elections scheduled for September, according to the electoral calendar. Regional elections could also be held in the year.

According to ELECAM statistics, about 6.67 million people were registered in the presidential election in October last year, including 19,420 abroad, with a turnout of 53.85 percent.

“We hope that calm and peace will return to facilitate the registration process,” said ELECAM’s Director General Erik Essousse.

Cameroon is facing growing insecurity in its two anglophone regions of Northwest and Southwest, where separatists want to create a new nation called “Ambazonia.”

Xinhuanet

Hamilton snatches pole position for Australian Grand Prix

16, March 2019

Hamilton snatches pole position for Australian Grand Prix 0

Mercedes’ world champion Lewis Hamilton picked up where he left off last year to reassert his authority and snatch a record-extending eighth pole position at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix on Saturday.

The Briton clocked a fastest lap of one minute 20.486 to narrowly pip team-mate Valtteri Bottas, with Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel third, but well off the pace on 1:21.190. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen was fourth and Ferrari newcomer Charles Leclerc fifth.

The 34-year-old is the pole master in Melbourne, claiming it eight times and every year since 2014, although he has only twice, in 2008 and 2015, won a race at Albert Park.

He knocked out his rivals with a blistering lap at the death to claim an 84th career grid-leading time in his 230th race.

“I’m shaking, it was so close out there,” said Hamilton.

“Coming from testing we had no idea where we would be, but the guys in the factory have been working so hard towards this weekend.

“Valtteri did an exceptional job, it was so close.”

Hamilton, bidding for a sixth world title to move within one of Michael Schumacher’s record seven, topped all three free practice sessions before making it four-out-of-four during qualifying.

His dominance in qualifying in Melbourne is unsurpassed with Ayrton Senna, on six poles, the next in line.

Hamilton complained after pre-season testing in Barcelona that Ferrari was much quicker, but it appears to have been mind games with business as usual resumed this week.

Mercedes and Hamilton have been dominant in Formula One in recent years, winning the drivers’ and constructors’ titles five years in a row and Ferrari — and Vettel — are desperate to catch up.

While the German won in Melbourne last year and backed it up with victory at the next race in Bahrain, Hamilton roared back to sweep 11 of the remaining 19 Grand Prix to comfortably be crowned champion.

All Vettel’s world titles came at Red Bull, from 2010-2013, while Ferrari haven’t won a constructors crown since 2008 and no driver at the Italian outfit has tasted championship success since Kimi Raikkonen in 2007.

Hamilton topped Q2 in 1:21:014 from Bottas and Verstappen, with Vettel running into the gravel at Turn 12, kicking up dirt and dust and telling his team on the radio that the “floor, front wing” would need to be checked.

Daniel Ricciardo was a big casualty in Q2, finishing 12th in his first outing for new team Renault after moving from Red Bull. His team-mate Nico Hulkenberg also missed the cut, as did Toro Rosso pair Daniel Kvyat and Alexander Albon.

Leclerc topped Q1 with 1:22:017 ahead of Hamilton and Bottas.

Red Bull newcomer Pierre Gasly was among those who failed to get out of Q1 along with McLaren’s Carlos Sainz and Racing Point’s Lance Stroll.

Robert Kubica, who clipped the wall and sustained a puncture in his Williams, was last.

AFP

Algeria: More ruling party officials ditching President Bouteflika

16, March 2019

Algeria: More ruling party officials ditching President Bouteflika 0

A senior leader of Algeria’s ruling FLN Party says President Abdelaziz Bouteflika is “history now,” in another sign that the party is potentially embracing the cause of the recent widespread protests against the long-time president.

Bouteflika on Monday abandoned a decision to seek a fifth term amid weeks of mass rallies, but he canceled the upcoming election without setting a new date, prompting accusations that he was plotting new “tricks” and sparking a new round of protests.

On the eve of the first Friday protests since Bouteflika’s announcement, Hocine Kheldoun, a former spokesman for the FLN, said in an interview with Ennahar television that the party had to look ahead and take sides with the anti-Bouteflika protesters.

Kheldoun’s remarks late on Thursday were another major setback for Bouteflika as several other senior FLN officials had already broken ranks with him publicly.

PressTV-Algeria’s Bouteflika drops re-election bid amid protests

On Friday, thousands of protesters gathered in the center of the capital, Algiers, demanding Bouteflika to step down. Some of the demonstrators shouted “FLN, go!” during the protest, signifying that they are not just dissatisfied with the president but with the party long associated with him as well.

“Those who think we are tired are wrong. Our protests will not stop,” said the 37-year-old protester Madjid Benzida, who was attending the protest.

Anti-government protests first erupted in Algeria on February 22 over Bouteflika’s bid to extend his 20-year rule. The demonstrators demanded a new era with younger leaders who would offer greater social freedoms and prosperity.

‘Game over!’

Algerians have barely seen their ailing 82-year-old president since he suffered a stroke in 2013, and demonstrators are also angry about corruption and secrecy in Algeria’s power structure.

A former minister, who is familiar with Bouteflika’s inner circle, said the president could not survive the pressure building against him.

“Game over! Bouteflika has no choice but to quit now,” the former minister anonymously told Reuters.

Presstv

Will Trump’s African Liaison Help Solve Cameroon’s Unending Conflicts?

16, March 2019

Will Trump’s African Liaison Help Solve Cameroon’s Unending Conflicts? 0

There is great expectation among Cameroonians for a solution to its numerous conflicts, especially that orchestrating in the Anglophone regions as the United States Assistant Secretary of State in charge of African Affairs, Nagy Tibor, arrives the country on March 17th for a two-day official visit.

According to the State Department, Ambassador Tibor will be meeting with Cameroonian authorities to discuss security issues and the ongoing war in the two restive regions. This has pushed many Cameroonians to see the high level visit as part of the solution to the country’s unending conflict in two of its richest regions economically. While the government has been mum about the visit, it has been making the rounds in both the conventional and social media.

In the last two weeks, the U.S government and lawmakers have been very vocal about the prevailing situation in the two Anglophone regions in Cameroon, askeing their government to take firm measures. Just as he started his African tour on March 4th, Tibor, in an interview on the French international radio channel RFI , said the government of Cameroon should grant more autonomy to the Anglophone minority so that they can be able to manage their affairs by themselves. The diplomat also urged the government to release opposition leader, Professor Maurice Kamto and members and sympathizers of his party who were arrested on January 28 after organizing a peaceful march two days earlier.

He later on in another interview expressed his regrets over the happenings and stated that, “my heart breaks for Cameroon,” while promising to take the matter to the highest international instance. Moreover, on March 12th, the U.S government released a damaging human rights report on Cameroon detailing the excesses of the security forces as well as armed separatists in the two Anglophone regions and as Boko Haram militants in the North of the country among others. Prior to the publication of the report, the Chairman of the U.S House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Eliot Engel, prayed the Secretary to use his visit and challenge the decision of the Cameroonian authorities to incarcerate political opponents as well as its alleged human rights violations in the Anglophone North West and South West regions.

The government of Cameroon sleepless has on several occasions explained its policies, insisting the military has maintained a technique of “professionalism” in its mission to the Anglophone regions and the North. Communication Minister Rene Sadi also accused the U.S government of interfering in Cameroon’s internal affairs while stating that the opposition party members were arrested and charged for purely common law crimes and not politically motivated questions.

Since the advent of the conflict in the two English speaking regions, the U.S government has never taken such a firm stance. Moreover, it has also expressed so much interest in the arrests and incarceration of politicians recently. It is to be noted that Ambassador Tibor is no stranger to the politics and political players of Cameroon, having served as a diplomat in charge of Cameroonian affairs in the early 1990s.

The conflict in Anglophone regions of Cameroon began as a peaceful protest by lawyers and teachers in September 2016 and has since transformed into a war between government soldiers and armed separatists who are clamouring for the creation of a state for Anglophones called Ambazonia. The conflict has led to some of the worst human rights violations in the history of Africa with thousands being killed – some burnt alive in their houses – and reports of torture and disappearance. The United Nations has reported that the conflict has created more than 400,000 refugees and Internally Displaced Persons and about 2 million persons have been affected.

The situation in the country has been worsened by the arrest of opposition leader and Chairman of the Cameroon Renaissance Movement, Maurice Kamto, who was the official runner-up in the October 7th, 2018 presidential election which saw incumbent Paul Biya being re-elected. However, Kamto and his peers argued that there were gross irregularities which is why they were protesting on January 26th. They also challenged the government to stop the war in the English speaking regions and call for dialogue.

Source: The Organization For World Peace

Consortium of CPDM Crime Syndicate and the hangover of AFCON 2019 Debacle

15, March 2019

Consortium of CPDM Crime Syndicate and the hangover of AFCON 2019 Debacle 0

Will Cameroon be ready to host AFCON 2021? The answer is a resounding “NO” even if peace returns to Southern Cameroons. Today, Friday, March 15, 2019, employees of Prime Potomac working on AFCON projects in Garoua were tear-gassed and dispersed by police after a sit-in strike at the Governor’s office. Prime Potomac says work has stopped on all its projects because the government has not paid its invoices to the tune of FCFA 3 billion; hence the company, like others involved in AFCON projects, cannot pay its staff. Instead of settling its outstanding bills, Tourism and Leisure Minister, Bello Bouba has inform the SG at the Presidency; Ngoh Ngoh who awarded the contracts to Prime Potomac, that going forward, supervisory authority over the contracts will be done by the Governor, who now has the sole power to authorize and pay for expenses. This will obviously precipitate a protracted legal fracas that might stall the projects.

Without any public tenders, Prime Potomac was awarded four contracts worth FCFA 26 billion. They include constructing four (4) new training stadiums- (Coton Sport, Poumpoumre, CENAJES, Rey-re); rehabilitate the Benoue Hotel; construct a new 4-star hotel with 103 rooms and 8 suites. These projects were due to be completed by March 31, 2019.

It has been said that if you fail to plan; then you are planning to fail. Two years is not far; just imagine the international embarrassment and national disgrace if Cameroon loses the right to host AFCON 2021…Remember, no one has been held accountable for the AFCON 2019 debacle.

France Football: Balotelli sparking Marseille revival

15, March 2019

France Football: Balotelli sparking Marseille revival 0

Marseille’s sudden recent revival has coincided with the arrival of Mario Balotelli, and they take on Paris Saint-Germain this weekend hoping for a long overdue victory against their old foes.

PSG have not lost any of their last 18 meetings with Marseille in all competitions since a 3-0 defeat at the Velodrome back in November 2011, the first game between the teams following the Qatari takeover in Paris.

The fixture has lost some of its lustre as a result, with Marseille only managing three draws in the ‘Classique’ in all that time.

Most recently, PSG won 2-0 in Marseille in October, a result which came at the start of a dreadful run of form for Rudi Garcia’s team as they won just three times in 18 games in all competitions, a slump that saw them dumped out of both domestic cups and the Europa League.

But then Balotelli arrived, and OM quickly started winning again — five wins and a draw in their last six games have seen Marseille move back to within three points of the top three in Ligue 1.

Finishing on the podium, and returning to the Champions League, is seen as essential for the southern giants — still the only French side ever to have won the European Cup — and their American owner Frank McCourt.

Since signing from Nice on a short-term deal at the end of January, Balotelli has scored five times in seven games, his last two goals being followed by memorable celebrations — a group selfie immediately posted to Instagram, and then a game of rock-paper-scissors.

The former Manchester City striker’s impact on his teammates has been considerable.

“The mentality, the mindset on the pitch are different now,” midfielder Kevin Strootman, who ironically has lost his place in the side in recent weeks, told sports daily L’Equipe.

“If we want to keep fighting for a top-three place, and get into the Champions League, we have to show that we are capable of winning the big matches.”

– What welcome for PSG? –

There could be a tense atmosphere at the Parc des Princes, with PSG facing their home support for the first time since the crushing disappointment of their Champions League exit at the hands of Manchester United.

Thomas Tuchel’s side faced verbal abuse and taunts from angry fans when they returned to training last weekend, before winning 4-0 at struggling Dijon in a rearranged game on Tuesday.

The fall-out from their European debacle continues, and outcast midfielder Adrien Rabiot — who has been sidelined after refusing to sign a new contract — has now been suspended.

According to L’Equipe, Rabiot was punished for a nightclub visit in the wake of the United game, and for ‘liking’ a video posted on social media by former United player Patrice Evra celebrating the result in the stands at the Parc des Princes.

PSG remain untouchable in France — they are 17 points clear of second-placed Lille at the top of the table with a game in hand and have won all 14 of their home fixtures.

Elsewhere, Lyon will look to bounce back from their Champions League exit at the hands of Barcelona as they host Montpellier on Sunday.

After being eliminated from the Europa League in the last 16 by Arsenal, Rennes go to Bordeaux, who will be playing their first match under new coach Paulo Sousa.

“We have to congratulate the players for their remarkable run,” said Rennes coach Julien Stephan after a 3-0 defeat in London saw them go out 4-3 on aggregate.

“We don’t have the experience or the power of Arsenal, but we have learnt a lot, even if the experience ended in a painful manner.”

Fixtures (all times GMT)

Friday

Nice v Toulouse (1800), Lille v Monaco (1945)

Saturday

Angers v Amiens, Caen v Saint-Etienne, Guingamp v Dijon, Nimes v Strasbourg (all 1900)

Sunday

Lyon v Montpellier (1330), Reims v Nantes (1400), Bordeaux v Rennes (1600), Paris Saint-Germain v Marseille (2000)

AFP

More countries ground Boeing jets over safety fears after Ethiopian crash

15, March 2019

More countries ground Boeing jets over safety fears after Ethiopian crash 0

Russia, Japan, and Tunisia follow a host of countries in either grounding or banning takeoffs, overflights, and landings of Boeing 737 MAX planes following a recent fatal crash.

Russia’s Interfax news agency said on Thursday the country’s aviation authority had grounded the only two such aircraft that it owns among its 96-strong fleet.

An Ethiopian Airlines 737 MAX en route from Addis Ababa to the Kenyan capital of Nairobi crashed a few minutes after takeoff on Sunday, killing all the 157 people, mostly foreign nationals, on board.

PressTV-Ethiopia's Boeing 737 jet crashes, killing 157 people

The cause of the crash is still unknown; however, the pilot had reported difficulties and asked to return to the Ethiopian capital before the incident, the airline has said.

Also on Thursday, Japan’s Land and Transport Ministry banned the medium-haul planes from landing in the country.

No Japanese airline company possesses Boeing 737 MAX planes, while All Nippon Airways (ANA) plans to buy 30 units of the aircraft. The ministry, however, has not issued any instruction on the pending purchase, an official told the agency, adding, “Primarily, each private company should make its own decision.”

Tunisia likewise does not fly any of the aircraft, but barred them from using its airspace and airports.

Romania’s Blue Air, meanwhile, said it would take a decision on its order for 12 Boeing 737 MAX 8 jets pending the results of an investigation into the tragedy.

A growing number of countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, India and China, have now grounded or banned Boeing 737 MAX 8 planes inside their airspace.

PressTV-More states, airlines join wave of Boeing suspensions

The recent crash is the second of a Boring 737 plane in five months. In October 2018, a Lion Air jet crashed into the sea off Indonesia’s island of Java, only minutes after taking off from the capital Jakarta. The crash claimed the lives of 189 people.

Source: Presstv

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