27, December 2017

Russia to supply Turkey with four S-400 missile divisions worth $2.5 billion ⁰

Russia will sell Turkey four divisions of the S-400 surface-to-air missile system worth $2.5 billion under a deal agreed between the two sides earlier this month, says the head of Russian conglomerate Rostec.

Sergei Chemezov told the Kommersant daily on Wednesday that Turkey would pay 45 percent of the cost in advance while Russia would provide loans to cover the remaining 55 percent, adding that the Russian and Turkish finance ministries had already completed talks on the loans.

He added that Moscow would begin the first deliveries in March 2020.

Turkey is the first NATO member state to acquire the advanced S-400 missile system, the Russian official said.

The deal was discussed between Russia’s President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan during the former’s visit to Ankara on December 11.

The deal comes as Turkey has been establishing closer relations with Russia after its ties with Western and European governments soured following a crackdown in the country over the July 2016 coup attempt.

NATO originally reacted skeptically to the decision, saying the system was not compatible with its equipment.

However, the Pentagon said recently that Turkey’s purchase of the S-400 system, the most significant deal Ankara has signed with a non-NATO military supplier, was generally “a good idea” as it was inter-operable with the military alliance’s other systems.

The S-400 is Russia’s latest surface-to-air missile defense system.

It has a range of 400 kilometers and can track up to 300 targets, including aircraft, drones and ballistic and cruise missiles, simultaneously.

Russia has also agreed a deal with Saudi Arabia to supply the S-400 to Riyadh.

The agreement was signed during Saudi Arabia’s King Salman’s visit to Moscow in October.

A number of other was also signed during the King Salman’s trip, the first by a Saudi monarch.

Source: Presstv

27, December 2017

China to become world’s biggest economy by 2032 ⁰

Experts say the United States is set to lose its global economic dominance and will be replaced by China that will establish itself as the world’s biggest economy before 2032.

A report released by the London-based Center for Economics and Business Research emphasized that China was already successfully moving ahead based on an economic growth that emerged in 2007.

The report added that four other Asian nations – India, Japan, South Korea, and Indonesia – would also join China it in the top 10 global economies.

The 10 largest economies in the world in the year 2032 would be China at the top, followed by the US, India, Japan, Germany, Brazil, the UK, South Korea, France and Indonesia, the report added as cited by was quoted as saying by Russia’s Sputnik news agency.

“China has maintained its growth resilience and gained reform momentum,” said John Litwack, World Bank lead economist for China, in reference to China’s 6.8 percent gross domestic product growth in 2017.

“The authorities have undertaken a host of policy and regulatory measures aimed at reducing macroeconomic imbalances and limiting financial risks without notable impact on growth,” Litwack was quoted as saying by Sputnik news agency.

Meanwhile, the Institute of Population and Labor Economics at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) also found that the “new” Chinese economy, companies and services based on the internet, grew at an astonishing average 16.1 percent between 2007 and 2017 — twice as fast as the overall Chinese economy.

Chinese economic growth has slowed to counter the excesses that come part and parcel with rapid economic growth: pollution, debt and income inequality, Sputnik added. However, China more than doubled the US’ 2017 GDP growth of 3.2 percent.

Already, China has a higher real GDP than the US, but the US retains a comfortable lead of $7.4 billion in nominal GDP. But the Chinese economy is growing at high speed, so it’s only a matter of time before it outpaces the US, the report added.

Source: Presstv

27, December 2017

Southern Cameroons Crisis: Understanding the Manyu Resistance and the return of Odeshi ⁰

The Manyu constituency indeed had enjoyed relative peace during the start of the Anglophone uprising in October 2016 following a simple boycott of the courts by Cameroon Common Law Lawyers. Throughout the months that follow, while students and teachers respected the civil disobedience campaign launched by the Cameroon Anglophone Civil Society and the boycott of schools throughout the entire Northwest and some parts of the Southwest including Lebialem Division, educational establishments in Manyu operated till the end of the first semester of the academic year 2016/2017.

From January 2017, the Anglophone crisis took a dramatic u-turn in Manyu following intensive calls by the teacher’s trade union for a total boycott of schools and support for ghost towns operations which drained the courts and the business community. Manyu businessmen, civil society leaders and lawyers joined the struggle to enforce the disobedience strategies used by the leadership of the Cameroon Anglophone Civil Society to ensure that the objectives were met- a measure which yielded 90 % success in all Southern Cameroons operations in Manyu and exposed the evil nature and greed of the Manyu political elites.

During this period, Manyu witnessed many killings, police brutality, the burning of schools and attacked on business premises. Things became even more intractable in the month of March 2017 following serious French Cameroun government threats via the administration headed by the then SDO for Manyu, Peter tieh Ndeh. Consequently, the teachers of both Basic and Secondary Educational institutions started heading back to school while parents raised the issue of insecurity on pupils and students.

Several meetings were held grouping the administration, the clergy and the business community to convince parents to send their children to school. These actions all met with a stone wall erected by calls to release all Southern Cameroonians arrested by the Francophone dominated army and police agencies.

The change of administration in Manyu meant a change in approach in handling the already hydra-headed ongoing crises. Peter tieh Ndeh, the Senior Divisional Officer for Manyu at the start of the Southern Cameroons revolution was transferred and replaced by OUM I I Joseph and things started falling apart. Many now believe Oum II’s approach has taken Manyu Division to the current state of the crisis. There are reasons why many in Manyu hold this anti Oum II opinion:

1- His messages were not good for public consumption. During an installation ceremony in Eyumojock, he made a mockery of Southern Cameroonians and warned of severe consequences if Manyus don’t stop the strike and ghost towns.

2-He ordered the shutting down of businesses and collected huge amounts of money from traders who respected the ghost towns to reopen their shops.

3-He reportedly provoked the burning of schools by stopping the circulation of bike riders including goods and services on non ghost town days.

The22nd of September killings and the start of the resistance:

Prior to Friday the 22^nd of September 2017, some traders whose stores had been closed by the SDO, Oum II Joseph had booked an audience to meet with the French Cameroun prefect .During deliberations, the SDO told the Manyu natives out rightly that their shops have been sealed forever and that they should go and do something else not business.

The business men and women joined the September 22^nd protest that was going on peacefully until Mr. SDO decided to shoot one of the protesters on the leg in front of his office. Two persons were injured by gun shots, one was killed and one drowned in the Badi River. More than 35 were arrested. And the aftermath of this excessive show of force was the burning down of the GTHS administrative block. Schools in Manyu Division that had started gaining steam were all forced to close down.

The business men who had met the Francophone thug passing for a senior divisional officer however decided to embark on another peaceful protest against the action of OUM II Joseph. The business community protest by some strange happenstance attracted hundreds of Manyu citizens predominantly victims of the Biya Francophone regime’s onslaught on Mamfe town. The crackdown that followed saw the return of Odeshi.

The return of Odeshi:

Manyus had to demonstrate to President Biya and his gang of inexperience administrators that gun power is a thing of the past by invoking the Odeshi. Odeshi is not new in Manyu. To be sure, it’s as old as the founders of the Boki land but Manyu had abandoned it for Christianity.

The people of Manyu walked away from their traditional rulers many of whom are not the rightful owners of the chieftaincy stools , rallied some young men in the constituency and initiated them into the Odeshi and all of a sudden, the Francophone dominated army has become powerless and is currently directing its bullets and frustration on innocent civilians.

The Biya regime that thrives on native juju and ritual killings recruited some pigmies in the East region and ferried them to Manyu to destroy the power of Odeshi. What they failed to know is that God in his infinite image gave the Manyus the Obasinjom. No traditional medicine or charm from anywhere in the world can function in Manyu in the presence of the Obasinjom.

The action of the SDO and the Cameroon military against unarmed protesters has changed Southern Cameroons history forever. Manyu will never go back to its pro Yaoundé policies. It is now a battle ground for restoration forces and the government. Ambazonia will win

By Judith Fon in Mamfe

27, December 2017

Southern Cameroons War: BIR soldier gun down in Egbekaw ⁰

A soldier from the Rapid Intervention Battalion (Bir) – an elite unit of the Cameroonian army – was killed on Monday in Egbekaw following an attack attributed to Southern Cameroons Defense Force. The death of the soldier has been confirmed by the military authorities in Manyu Division. The attack has also been claimed by an Ambazonia militia group with ties to the SCNC.

Southern Cameroons armed attacks against Cameroon government forces are now spreading all over the Federal Republic of Ambazonia. Not far from the border with Nigeria, specifically in Toko, 3 other soldiers were wounded. After October 1, 2017, the date of the symbolic proclamation of independence, at least 89 Cameroonian soldiers have been killed in attacks claimed by Anglophone militants.

By Sama Ernest

27, December 2017

Blocked from Europe, refugees settle in Morocco ⁰

Unable to reach Europe in search of a better life, Aliou Ndiaye settled in Morocco instead, giving up on his original goal like thousands of other sub-Saharan African refugees.

“Everyone has the right to go to another country to try their luck,” the 31-year-old former fish exporter from Senegal told AFP.

“Lots of people are trying to reach Europe, but some end up staying to make a living.”

Seven out of 10 West Africa-born refugees stay on the continent, according to a December study by the Moroccan think tank OCP Policy Center.

Discouraged by the danger of passing through countries such as Libya and by harsh policies aimed at preventing migrants going to Europe, many settle in “transit” countries including Morocco.

Ndiaye said he gave up after he realized reaching Spain was “too hard”.

He took on several informal jobs and finally set himself up as a street vendor in Rabat, where he expects to remain.

Refugee vendors sell cell phones on a sidewalk in the Moroccan capital Rabat on December 19, 2017. (Photo by AFP)

His story illustrates a trend that has gained increasing attention from Moroccan politicians, civil society and researchers.

Morocco has turned from a transit country into a host country for refugees, according to the government’s High Commission for Planning.

“The Moroccan authorities have switched from a security approach, which criminalized illegal immigration, to a discourse of integration,” said Mehdi Alioua, former head of a group that helped migrants.

He said the new approach involves moving refugees from border regions to the country’s big cities, taking them further from their ultimate goal — reaching Europe.

That has meant that many stay on in Morocco.

Rabat has become home to many sub-Saharan Africans who work at informal markets in the capital, while others, still hoping to make it to Europe, live in informal camps near bus stations and eke out a living by begging.

(Source: AFP)

27, December 2017

US First Lady orders White House tree from 1800s to be removed ⁰

US First Lady Melania Trump has ordered the removal of an iconic tree that former President Andrew Jackson planted in 1828 in honor of his late wife.

Melania, the wife of incumbent US President Donald Trump, ordered on Tuesday that the 200-year-old Jackson Magnolia tree be cut down later this week, citing a safety hazard after reviewing historical documents and a relevant report made by specialists.

Some experts said the tree located on the west side of the White House had decayed to a point where it could no longer be safely preserved.

The Southern Magnolia tree planted by President Andrew Jackson after his inauguration in 1829 extends from the ground floor of the White House and pasts the second-level executive residence. (Photo by AP)

“The overall architecture and structure of the tree is greatly compromised and the tree is completely dependent on the artificial support,” read documents obtained by the CNN.

“Without the extensive cabling system, the tree would have fallen years ago. Presently, and very concerning, the cabling system is failing on the east trunk, as a cable has pulled through the very thin layer of wood that remains. It is difficult to predict when and how many more will fail,” they noted. “We understand this is a historic tree, and all measures have been used to save it to this point in time. While we cannot comment on the need to preserve the tree as long as it stands, we believe eventually, the tree will fail.”

The Southern Magnolia tree bears an identification plaque to President Andrew Jackson, who planted the tree at the White House. (Photo by AP)

Stephanie Grisham, Trump’s spokeswoman, said in an interview with the Associated Press that Melania had discussed options with White House staff and reviewed an analysis by the US National Arboretum before deeming that the tree was a safety risk.

“After reviewing the reports, [Melania Trump] trusted that every effort had been made to preserve the historic tree, and was concerned about the safety of visitors and members of the press who are often standing right in front of the tree during Marine One lifts,” Grisham said.

The spokeswoman said a “large portion” of the tree will be removed, and that the wood and seedlings from the tree will be preserved for the future.

Another Jackson Magnolia is expected to be planted in its place.

The Jackson Magnolia is the oldest tree on the White House grounds and has appeared in the background for numerous historical events, also featuring on the $20 bill from 1928 to 1998.

The tree was the former president’s tribute to his wife, Rachel Jackson, who died days after the election.

Source: Presstv

26, December 2017

Suspect in Douala shooting that killed three arrested in Soa ⁰

Gendarmerie elements supported by soldiers from the Rapid Intervention Battalion unit have arrested Constable Takem Wamba suspected of having shot his colleague and two other people, including a young lady presented as his girlfriend. The carnage took place in Douala on December 24, 2017.

Constable Takem was arrested in Soa, a small town located less than 20 km from Yaoundé precisely in the Mefou and Afamba Division in the Central Region, where he had taken refuge. The alleged murderer had time to commit his crime and moved from Douala to Soa in Yaoundé- a distance of more than 250 km.

Mr. Takem Wamba travelled between Douala and Yaoundé with a pistol, including a Kalashnikov and other ammunition on a motorway riddled with mixed road checks of police and gendarmes. The suspect will be presented to a judge on Thursday.

By Sama Ernest

26, December 2017

Nigerian striker Gero linked with move to Iran’s Esteghlal FC ⁰

Nigerian footballer Salisu Abdullahi “Alhaji” Gero has reportedly been linked with a move to the Iranian professional football club Esteghlal Tehran, which currently plays in the Persian Gulf Pro League.

The 24-year-old striker, who plays for Östersunds Fotbollsklubb, commonly known simply as Östersunds FK, could join Esteghlal after the end of the current season of the Swedish first tier, Allsvenskan.

The report comes as Esteghlal’s German manager Winfried Schäfer is looking for a forward to add to his team’s line-up, and has Gero on his radar.

Gero signed his first professional contract with Nigerian football team El-Kanemi Warriors at the age of sixteen in 2009.

The next year, he moved on to Lobi Stars. Gero then played for Kaduna United and Enugu Rangers football clubs at the Nigerian Professional Football League.

In August 2013, Gero signed a contract with Swedish football club Östers Idrottsförening, commonly known as Östers IF or simply Öster.

Danish club Viborg FF announced in December 20140 that it had signed Gero on a free transfer. Both sides agreed on January 16, 2016, to terminate the contract.

The Nigerian footballer signed with Östersunds FK two days later.

Esteghlal Tehran Football Club stands in the sixth spot in the Persian Gulf Pro League table, with 23 points.

Persepolis Football Club is the top-ranked soccer team in the rankings, with 37 points.

Football Club Pars Jonoubi Jam has bagged 29 points to claim the second position, while third-place Foolad Khuzestan Football Club has earned 28 points.

Paykan Football Club has landed in the fourth spot with 26 points. Saipa Football Club has claimed the fifth place with 24 points.

26, December 2017

President Trump’s ally accuses cabinet members of plotting a coup ⁰

Some people within the US President Donald Trump’s cabinet have discussed removing their boss from power, a close ally of the Republican president claims.

Roger Stone, a long-time associate of Trump, said during an interview over the weekend that the rebels were plotting to out Trump by invoking the 25th Amendment of the US constitution.

“I have sources,” Stone told C-SPAN. “And yes, I believe there are some who have had this discussion. This is both outside the cabinet and in.”

“There is a plan afoot that is broader than just the cabinet. The 25th Amendment requires a majority of the cabinet and the vice president [to remove the president],” he added, noting that he would “probably report that fully at some point.”

The 25th Amendment defines outlines for the transition of power in case the president is unable or unfit to serve.

Since ratification, the amendment has been invoked six times, with the most far-reaching use being in 1973, when then President Richard Nixon nominated Representative Gerald Ford to replace then Vice President Spiro T. Agnew, who had resigned.

Continuing his wild statements, Stone said removing Trump was a fallback plan for “the establishment.”

“And I have always thought this is plan B for the two party duopoly that has run this country into the ground,” he argued.

“This is not a conspiracy theory… There are members of the cabinet who have had this discussion. Let me just leave it at that,” the conservative lobbyist continued.

Trump and his team are currently under investigation by Special Counsel Robert Mueller, who has been appointed to see into reports that the president has “colluded” with Russia before and after winning last year’s election.

While millions of people have signed various online petitions calling for Trump’s removal, the prospect of an impeaching seems far-flung given that Republicans maintain majority in both chambers of Congress.

Source: Presstv

26, December 2017

Congo-Kinshasa: 9 soldiers killed in 2 militia attacks ⁰

A suspected rebel militia group in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has killed at least nine military forces during two separate attacks in the country’s volatile east.

The Congolese army said the fatalities took place in the eastern province of South Kivu over the past four days, accusing Mai Mai Mazembe militiamen from the Nande ethnic group of being responsible for both attacks.

“The army recorded a loss of nine soldiers in two ambushes in the Baraka operational zone” in South Kivu, an unnamed military official told AFP.

A lieutenant was killed on Sunday in the village of Lweba, seven kilometers from the Baraka district, the official said, adding that the other deaths came in an attack two days earlier.

“Our hospital received the bodies of eight soldiers killed by bullets on Friday,” said a hospital source in Lulimba, a village 60 kilometers south of Baraka.

Dozens of armed groups have been active in the eastern DR Congo ever since a war there in 1998, and the Congolese army, joined by United Nations troops, is on the offensive against rebel groups.

Seeking safety, tens of thousands of people have escaped to neighboring Zambia, where they are facing “hugely underfunded” aid operations, according to UN figures.

Congo has also been facing numerous problems over the past few decades such as grinding poverty and crumbling infrastructure.

Democratic Republic of Congo President Joseph Kabila Kabange addresses the 72nd Session of the United Nations General assembly at the UN headquarters in New York on September 23, 2017. (Photo by AFP)

Political crisis has exacerbated in the African country as President Joseph Kabila is still in power despite his second and final term as president officially ending in December 2016.

Under the DR Congo’s constitution, Kabila is banned from seeking a third term. However, Kabila is authorized to stay in office until his successor is elected.

The long-awaited election to replace Kabila has been postponed until December 23, 2018. The delay in holding an election has flared up violence in the country.

Source: Presstv