Monthly Archives: June 2018

Nine EU nations set to formalize a joint military intervention force

25, June 2018

Nine EU nations set to formalize a joint military intervention force 0

The French defense chief says nine European Union countries are set to formalize a plan for the creation of a joint European military intervention force, which would have the backing of Britain following its exit from the 28-nation bloc.

Representatives of the EU countries—France, Germany, Belgium, Britain, Denmark, the Netherlands, Estonia, Spain and Portugal—will meet in Luxembourg later on Monday to sign a letter of intent on the issue, Florence Parly said in an interview with Le Figaro.

The plan, which was launched last year by French President Emmanuel Macron, involves “joint planning work on crisis scenarios that could potentially threaten European security,” according to a source close to the minister.

The force is intended to be rapidly deployable to deal with those situations, including natural disasters, intervention in a crisis or evacuation of people.

The joint military force would be separate from other EU defense cooperation and will operate independently of the union.

“This is clearly an initiative that allows the association of some non-EU states,” Parly said. “The UK has been very keen because it wants to maintain cooperation with Europe beyond bilateral ties.”

Germany, which was initially reluctant to join the military plan, announced earlier this month that it would support it.

The new government in Italy “is considering the possibility of joining” but has not made a final decision yet, said the French minister. The former government had shown interest in the plan.

In December 2017, 25 EU states inked a major military deal, under which they agreed to cooperate in various projects, but it is not clear whether London would be allowed to take part in any of them once it leaves the bloc.

Britain, Europe’s biggest military power along with France, will no longer be allowed to operate within the union after its separation from the bloc.

The United Kingdom voted to leave the EU by a margin of 51.9 percent to 48.1 percent in a referendum held on June 23, 2016. It is now involved in a complicated debate with the EU for the separation.

Source: Presstv


Senegal, Japan draw 2-2 in World Cup thriller

25, June 2018

Senegal, Japan draw 2-2 in World Cup thriller 0

Japan and Senegal have displayed an excellent thriller in the World Cup as they share points to remain hopeful of a place in the round of 16.

The hard-fought battle between football powerhouses from Asia and Africa ended in a 2-2 draw in Yekaterinburg Arena, Russia, on Sunday.

The Group H match was marked with two brilliant comebacks for Japan as strikes from Takashi Inui and Keisuke Honda deservedly matched goals from Senegal’s Sadio Mane and Moussa Wague.

Inui’s curled finish in the 34th minute leveled a game that could end with Senegal’s lead at the break. Mane scored in the 11th from a ball deflected by Japan goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima which then bounced off the leg of the Senegalese captain into the net.

Senegal’s Wague scored with a powerful shot in the 64th minute before Japan substitute Honda netted from Inui’s pull-back on 78 minutes.

The 32-year-old Honda, who replaced Shinji Kagawa in the second half, became the first Japanese in history to score in three different world cups.

Both teams now top Group H with four points as they clinched unexpected victories in their opening matches of the World Cup. Japan beat South America heavyweight Colombia 2-1 while Senegal recorded the same score-line against Poland.

The World Cup will run until July 16 in Russia.


Turkey: Erdogan and his party win presidential and parliamentary elections

25, June 2018

Turkey: Erdogan and his party win presidential and parliamentary elections 0

Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party have claimed victory in Turkey’s presidential and parliamentary elections.

“Our people have given us the job of carrying out the presidential and executive posts,” said Erdogan in a speech from Istanbul on early on Monday.

“I hope nobody will try to cast a shadow on the results and harm democracy in order to hide their own failure,” he added.

The country’s main opposition party initially said that Erdogan would fall well short of a first-round victory, but after the results were announced that it would carry on its democratic struggle “whatever the result.”

With 99 percent of votes counted in the presidential race, Erdogan had 52.5 percent.

Polls across the country of 81 million people officially closed at 5 pm (1400 GMT). There are no exit polls in Turkey and initial results are expected during the early evening.

Votes were cast in 180,065 polling places across the country.

Votes by Turks living abroad who cast their ballots in 60 countries at 123 embassies and consulates will be counted at the same time in the capital Ankara.

Turkey’s main opposition presidential candidate Muharrem Ince said on Sunday Turkish citizens should protect ballot boxes against possible fraud by President Erdogan’s ruling AK Party.

Erdogan called the snap elections, bringing forward a vote that was expected to be held in November 2019.

Six candidates were vying for the Turkish presidency. If a candidate wins just over 50 percent of the vote, he will win the presidency, but if not, there will be a runoff on July 8.

Erdogan won the last presidential election in 2014 after completing two terms as prime minister.

People wave flags outside the Justice and Development Party (AKP) headquarters in Istanbul, on June 24, 2018, during the Turkish presidential and parliamentary elections.

In April 2017, 51 percent of Turkish voters endorsed constitutional changes backed by Erdogan, which grant new executive powers to the president and scrap the post of prime minister.

Supporters of the reforms argue that they will modernize the country, but opponents fear a possible authoritarian rule.

The constitutional overhaul would mean that Erdogan could stay in power for another two terms until 2029.
Source: Presstv


Why doesn’t the Interim Government assassinate Biya and end the Southern Cameroons war?

24, June 2018

Why doesn’t the Interim Government assassinate Biya and end the Southern Cameroons war? 0

Frankly speaking it is fair to say and painfully accurate that the Biya Francophone regime, alongside their Francophone dominated army, the French Cameroun media gurus and the French Cameroun Diaspora have waged horrific war on Southern Cameroons, through the deployment of army soldiers, support and supply of French Cameroun’s Rapid Intervention Battalion (BIR) and plenty of other anti Southern Cameroons groups all part and parcel of the same package.

All attempts to destroy Ambazonia have been very much in full flow for many as 57 years now. Regime change was initiated by the French Cameroun government following the ouster of A.N.Jua as premier of West Cameroon. The anti Southern Cameroons policy has recently been curtailed by the Interim Government of the Federal Republic of Ambazonia to save Africa’s new nation. However, the Yaoundé regime is still moving forward with directives from Paris in terms of sewing carnage, mass slaughter and carving Southern Cameroons into various enclaves/segments.

We have seen the Biya regime selling oil and gas to Southern Cameroons fine allies the British. CDC sold to French interest groups.  We have seen the Francophone army killing hundreds on lame and ridiculous reason that they are clearing the supply route in and out of the Southern Zone.  We have seen French Cameroun soldiers’ burn down Southern Cameroons towns and villages.  We have seen Biya led effort against the Ambazonia Liberation Army lead to a multiplicity of armed groups deep within Southern Cameroons.

Not killing Biya will not finish the war; it would more likely lead to ever worsening blood-shed. Despite the propaganda of the Beti Ewondo political elites, it is clear to even the half brained, half blind, half deaf, that Biya has no support from the French Cameroun people. The vast majority of the French Cameroun army are young men who joined the military to gain access to free money and women.

Let your opinion be heard on the war in Southern Cameroons

By Chi Prudence Asong

 


Kroos strikes at death as World Cup holders Germany come back from brink

24, June 2018

Kroos strikes at death as World Cup holders Germany come back from brink 0

Toni Kroos rescued holders Germany from the brink of an unthinkable early World Cup exit here Saturday, curling home a sensational winner in the fifth minute of stoppage time to seal a 2-1 win over Sweden.

The 10-man reigning champions were in deep trouble when Kroos stepped up to steer in his dramatic winner in the final minute of time added on at Sochi’s Fisht Stadium.

Before that, a Kroos error had led to Ola Toivonen giving Sweden a 32nd-minute lead and even a Marco Reus equalizer early in the second half appeared to be only a temporary stay of execution for Joachim Loew’s men.

But the rescue act from Kroos, who had endured another difficult night in the German midfield, is a huge lift to a side who saw Jerome Boateng sent off late in the game.

They now have qualification for the last 16 back in their own hands ahead of their final Group F game against South Korea on Wednesday.

There is still no guarantee that they will avoid the fate of the last two World Cup holders, with Spain four years ago and Italy in 2010 both being knocked out in the group stage.

Not since 1938 have Germany been eliminated from the World Cup in the first round. However, this result, and the manner of it, will provide an almighty boost to the Germans and is a hammer blow to Sweden, who will face off with Mexico in their last match with all still to play for.

Mexico’s 2-1 win over South Korea earlier on Saturday had ensured that Germany would be out in the event of a defeat, with a draw little better.

Germany coach Joachim Loew wielded the axe following the shambolic 1-0 loss at the hands of Mexico with which they began their defense of the trophy, with the much-criticised Mesut Ozil and Sami Khedira dropped while Mats Hummels missed out due to injury.

Marco Reus, Sebastian Rudy and Antonio Ruediger were among those who came into the team. But just like against Mexico, Germany’s usual composure was not there.

Sweden denied penalty

Sweden should have had an early penalty when Marcus Berg was released on goal and, at the point of shooting, was fouled by Boateng.

Berg’s effort was saved by Manuel Neuer. Boateng played the man and not the ball, but there was no penalty given and no recourse to the Video Assistant Referee.

It was a warning for the Germans, who were then dealt a body blow — literally — when Rudy was left with a bloodied nose after receiving a stray boot in the face.

Ilkay Gundogan replaced him, coming in alongside Kroos, but it was the Real Madrid man who was at fault as Sweden went in front just a minute later.

His pass was pounced upon by the Swedes, who sprung forward, Viktor Claesson picking out Toivonen to control on his chest and lift the ball over Neuer with the aid of a slight deflection.

Sweden’s defender Martin Olsson reacts to the team’s loss during the Russia 2018 World Cup Group F football match between German.

 

Loew sent on Mario Gomez in place of Julian Draxler at half-time, and it took just three minutes of the second half for the equalizer to arrive.

Timo Werner’s low centre from the left was behind Gomez, who got a touch but not enough to put off Reus from bundling it in.

They then set off in search of the winner, with Gomez twice coming close and fellow substitute Julian Brandt smacking a post late on.

Boateng had already walked by then, seeing a second yellow in the 82nd minute for a foul on Berg.

Hope looked to be gone, but then Kroos exchanged passes with Reus at a free-kick on the left edge of the box and sent a sweet strike into the far corner.


US Secretary of State says Trump will ‘likely’ meet Russia’s Putin in near future

24, June 2018

US Secretary of State says Trump will ‘likely’ meet Russia’s Putin in near future 0

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says President Donald Trump will “likely” meet with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in the months ahead to discuss persisting tensions between the two countries.

Pompeo made the remarks during an interview on Saturday with the local MSNBC news network, further disclosing that the White House National Security Adviser John Bolton is due to visit Moscow this week to discuss potential plans for a bilateral summit between the two leaders.

“I don’t know what the president’s schedule is going to be,” said the top US diplomat, adding that “I know Ambassador Bolton’s planning to travel to Moscow on Sunday or Monday.”

“He’ll be meeting with his counterpart,” Pompeo said of Bolton’s agenda during his Russia visit. “I think it’s likely that President Trump will be meeting with his counterpart in the not-too-distant future following that meeting.”

File photo of US National Security Advisor John Bolton (Photo by AFP)

 

The remarks came just days after Bloomberg news outlet reported that talks were underway for Trump and Putin to meet next month, although plans were not yet finalized.

According to Pompeo, officials from the two rival nations were also engaged in examining their “overlapping interests” and looking for ways Moscow and Washington could collaborate.

“The president’s been unambiguous since he took office that there are places where Russia is working against the United States but many places where we work together,” he underlined.

Pompeo then went on to assert, “I had a chance to do that in my previous role as CIA director, where we worked with the Russians on counterterrorism issues, where the two nations had shared interests.”

He further added, “And so we are having conversations with our Russian counterparts trying to find places where we have overlapping interests but protecting American interests where we do not.”

The development comes after Trump stunned leaders of allied nations and even many officials in Washington earlier this month when he insisted that Russia should be readmitted to the Group of Seven (G-7) just prior to and during the group’s summit in Canada.

“Whether you like it or not, and it may not be politically correct, but we have a world to run,” Trump declared. “And in the G-7, which used be the G-8, they threw Russia out. They should let Russia come back in because we should have Russia at the negotiating table.”


Ex-Vatican diplomat jailed for possessing child porn

24, June 2018

Ex-Vatican diplomat jailed for possessing child porn 0

A former Vatican diplomat has been handed a five-year prison term for the possession of child pornography.

Carlo Alberto Capella received the sentence from a Vatican court on Saturday.

In addition to serving prison time in the small jail inside the Vatican police force headquarters, Capella is required to pay a fine of $5,800.

Capella’s trial lasted two days, and he admitted at the first hearing on Friday that he had developed a “morbid” desire while working at the Vatican Embassy in Washington DC in 2016.

The priest confessed that when he was in the United States as a diplomat, he had collected dozens of pornographic photos and videos on his mobile phone.

The US State Department notified the Vatican in August 2017 of a possible violation of laws relating to child pornography by a member of the diplomatic corps of the Holy See accredited to Washington and asked that Capella’s diplomatic immunity be lifted so the priest — who is an Italian — could face charges there.

However, the Vatican refused to do so and recalled Capella from the US that year.

Also, Canadian police had issued an arrest warrant for Capella on suspicion of possessing and distributing child pornography on the internet while visiting a church in the country.

This is the latest scandal to hit the Catholic Church, which has a notorious track record of child sexual abuse carried out by priests and subsequent cover-ups by church authorities.

Catholic Church sexual abuse victims include some as young as three years old, with the majority being between the ages of 11 and 14.

Pope Francis, who was appointed in 2013 with a mandate to overhaul the Vatican, has promised strong action in response to sexual abuse cases and cover-ups.


Five killed in Boko Haram bomb attack in Nigerian village

23, June 2018

Five killed in Boko Haram bomb attack in Nigerian village 0

At least five people have been killed and six others injured after Boko Haram Takfiri terrorists launched an attack on a village in Nigeria’s northeast.

Residents said Saturday that a bomber, suspected to be a member of the Takfiri terrorist outfit, detonated his explosives among a group of residents sleeping in the open in Tungushe village, which lies six kilometers (nearly four miles) north of the provincial capital of Maiduguri, at about 12:15 a.m. (2315 GMT) on Friday.

Mustapha Muhammad, a civilian militia leader in the area, said the blast was followed by gunfire from Boko Haram militants lurking in the dark.

Tungushe resident Umara Kyari also said the attackers torched eight thatched houses and three vehicles.

The Nigerian government has insisted on several occasions that Boko Haram has technically been rooted out from its bastions in northern Nigeria. However, attacks have continued unabated in crowded places, mostly by female recruits. The attacks have targeted mosques, markets and camps housing displaced people.

On Wednesday, 15 people, including military personnel, were injured when two bombers targeted a market on the edge of a military base in Maiduguri.

On June 16, six young girls killed 43 people in bomb attacks in the town of Damboa.

Since 2009, acts of terror by Boko Haram have left at least 20,000 dead and made over 2.6 million others homeless. The group pledged allegiance to the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group in 2015.

Boko Haram, whose name roughly translates as “Western education is forbidden,” has used kidnapping as a weapon of war, seizing thousands of women and young girls as well as men and young boys.

The United Nations warned late last year that areas affected by Boko Haram face humanitarian crisis. Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states in northeast Nigeria are the three states most affected.


Cross River hosts 21, 000 refugees from Southern Cameroons

23, June 2018

Cross River hosts 21, 000 refugees from Southern Cameroons 0

Following the crisis in Southern Cameroons, the Cross River State is currently playing host to over 21, 000 refugees.

The representative of the Federal Commissioner, National Commission for Migrants, Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons, Mr. Ayasanya Akintunde said this in Ikom as the world celebrated the 2018 World Refugee Day, with the theme “We Stand with the Refugees”.

He said millions of people are displaced from their country due to conflicts and other factors and “Nigeria is playing host to about 21, 000 refugees from neighboring Cameroon Republic.”

Akintunde expressed the hope that “the crisis will be resolved timely to enable the refugees return home”, while urging their host communities to continue to give them support in the spirit of humanity.

The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) Field Officer, Mr. Muhammed Nasry said the agency is doing everything within its powers to provide succour for the refugees, migrants and asylum seekers,

He said the world refugee day is a time to recognize the humanity of refugees and called for positive actions from stakeholders that can alleviate their plight.

Muhammed stated that, “getting laws and policies right is vital, but it is local people that are on the frontline when refugees arrive and whose welcome makes the difference between rejection and inclusion, between despair and hope and between being left behind and building a future”.

On his part, Head of Ikom Local Government Administration, Mr. Julius Adie, the Divisional Immigration Officer (DIO), Amor Austine, the Judge of the High Court, Justice Obojor Ogar told the refugees to be law abiding and to feel free to explore all available channels of communication to register their complaints and assured the Cameroonian refugees of adequate security and protection.

Representative of the refugees, Mr. Tabe Karim urged the United Nations to step in fully to resolve the problem in Cameroon to enable them return home and continue their normal lives.

Culled from The Guardian


Egypt’s Salah awarded Chechen citizenship by Kadyrov

23, June 2018

Egypt’s Salah awarded Chechen citizenship by Kadyrov 0

The head of Chechnya Ramzan Kadyrov awarded Liverpool and Egypt attacker Mohamed Salah honorary Chechen citizenship in Grozny on Friday.

Salah was given a copy of the citizenship decree and a badge at a gala dinner, which was held in honor of the Egyptian national team.

In the morning, the Egyptian team took part in a collective prayer in Grozny’s main mosque, the Akhmad Kadyrov.

Egypt continue training and preparing for their third and final group game at their base in the Chechen capital.

With two losses from their first two games, Egypt’s tournament will end with the game against Saudi Arabia in Volgograd on June 25.

(Source: Ruptly)


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