In Syria retreat, Trump rebuffs top advisers and blindsides U.S. commanders

In Syria retreat, Trump rebuffs top advisers and blindsides U.S. commanders

By Steve Holland and Jonathan Landay,
Reuters•In Syria retreat, Trump rebuffs top advisers and blindsides U.S. commanders


By Steve Holland and Jonathan Landay

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump overrode his top national security aides, blindsided U.S. ground commanders, and stunned lawmakers and allies with his order for U.S. troops to leave Syria, a decision that upends American policy in the Middle East.

The result, said current and former officials and people briefed on the decision, will empower Russia and Iran and leave unfinished the goal of erasing the risk that Islamic State, or ISIS, which has lost all but a sliver territory, could rebuild.

Trump was moving toward his dramatic decision in recent weeks even as top aides tried to talk him out of it, determined to fulfill a campaign promise of limiting U.S. involvement militarily abroad, two senior officials said.

The move, which carries echoes of Trump's repudiation of the Iran nuclear deal and the Paris climate change accord, is in keeping with his America First philosophy and the pledge he made to end U.S. military involvement.

A former senior Trump administration official said the president's decision basically was made two years ago, and that Trump finally stared down what he considered unpersuasive advice to stay in.

"The president won. His inclination was always not to be there," said the former official who is close to the White House, saying a variety of senior advisers had all argued against pulling out.

In meetings with top advisers, Trump would ask: "What are we doing there? I know we're there to fight ISIS, but we did it. Now what?" said the former official.

Trump understood, but rejected, arguments by senior advisers that U.S. troops were not on the front lines, numbered only 2,000 and markedly strengthened anti-Islamic State local forces, saying he wanted to get out once Raqqa and other ISIS strongholds fell.

QUALMS IN THE PENTAGON

A U.S. defense official said Trump's decision was widely seen in the Pentagon as benefiting Russia as well as Iran, both of which have used their support for the Syrian government to bolster their regional influence. Iran also has improved its ability to ship arms to Lebanese Hezbollah for use against Israel.

Asked who gained from the withdrawal, the defense official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, replied: "Geopolitically Russia, regionally Iran."

Another U.S. defense official, also speaking on condition of anonymity, said U.S military commanders had expressed concerns with the administration about what a rapid withdrawal would mean for U.S.-backed local forces fighting Islamic State.

The official said the plan to withdraw had caught the commanders by surprise.

Trump "destroyed ISIS safe haven in Syria & will lose the peace by withdrawing," tweeted retired Army Vice Chief of Staff Jack Keane, who has been seen as a possible successor to Defense Secretary Jim Mattis. "ISIS will re-emerge, Iran a greater threat, will own all of Syria, Israel more in danger."

Like other experts, Keane, who is also a Fox News analyst, said that by pulling out, Trump will surrender Washington's ability to play a major role in framing a settlement of the Syrian civil war.

Charles Lister, an expert with the Middle East Institute thinktank, agreed. "It completely takes apart America's broader strategy in Syria," he said, "but perhaps more importantly, the centerpiece of the Trump administration policy, which is containing Iran.

"Syria is the jewel in the crown of Iran's regional strategy," he said.

The Trump administration dismissed that argument.

"These troops that we had in Syria were never there to counter Iran. They were always there to destroy the territorial caliphate of ISIS," said a senior administration official. "And so I think the president was perfectly justified when he judged that mission was at an end."

FRUSTRATION AMONG REPUBLICANS, ALLIES

Lawmakers from both parties complained that they were not briefed in advance of the decision. Republican Senator Jeff Flake, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, told Reuters that GOP senators expressed their frustration "in spades" during a lunch with Vice President Mike Pence.

French officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said they were scrambling to find out exactly what the announcement meant and how it will affect their participation in U.S.-led coalition operations against Islamic State.


"If this turns out to be as bad as it sounds, then it’s a serious problem for us and the British because operationally the coalition doesn’t work without the U.S.," said one French diplomat.

Syria's civil war, which began in 2011, has killed hundreds of thousands of people, displaced around half the country's pre-war 22 million population and defied all efforts at diplomatic resolution.

The pull-out may be an especially bitter pill for Jim Jeffrey, the U.S. special representative for Syria, who was the U.S. ambassador in Baghdad when former President Barack Obama decided to withdraw U.S. forces, undercutting his leverage.

As recently as in September, Jeffrey told reporters, "We are not in a hurry to pull out."

(Reporting by Steve Holland and Jonathan Landay; Additional reporting by Humeyra Pamuk, Idrees Ali, Arshad Mohammed, Phil Stewart, Richard Cowan and Lesley Wroughton in Washington and John Irish in Paris; Writing By Arshad Mohammed and Jonathan Landay; Editing by Mary Milliken and Leslie Adler)

Trump’s ‘Green Light’ to Erdogan on Syria Leaves Dilemma on Iran

Trump’s ‘Green Light’ to Erdogan on Syria Leaves Dilemma on Iran

Selcan Hacaoglu



Trump’s ‘Green Light’ to Erdogan on Syria Leaves Dilemma on Iran


(Bloomberg) -- Turkey and Iran are wasting little time as they seek an advantage in Syria after President Donald Trump’s order to withdraw American troops from the war-torn country.

Less than an hour after Trump’s abrupt decision on Wednesday, President Hassan Rouhani’s plane touched down in Ankara for a previously planned visit. The Iranian leader was given a gun salute at a welcoming ceremony with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan the following day.

“There are many steps that Turkey and Iran could take together in order to end the conflict in our region and establish an atmosphere of peace,” Erdogan said during a joint news conference with Rouhani.

Trump tweeted that it’s “time for others to finally fight,” questioning if the U.S. wants “to be the Policeman of the Middle East.”

Erdogan and his Russian and Iranian counterparts, Vladimir Putin and Rouhani, have emerged as the key arbiters of Syria’s fate. Now the dilemma for Turkey, a U.S. NATO ally, is whether to deepen ties with Iran or try to curtail its influence.

Trump’s order represents another shift in the rapidly changing landscape around Syria, with the U.S. this week making a proposal to sell the Patriot missile-defense system to Turkey. Days earlier, Erdogan threatened to start a military operation targeting America’s Kurdish allies, a group known as the YPG, in northeastern Syria.

“Turkey could interpret the U.S. troop pullout and Patriot proposal as a green light for an attack on Kurdish YPG militants,”, Nihat Ali Ozcan, an analyst at the Economic Policy Research Foundation of Turkey, said by phone. “Turkey’s military foray into northeast Syria could eliminate its nemesis in Syria but at the same time risks skirmishes with Iran-backed Shiite militants.”

A senior official familiar with Turkey’s policy in Syria played down threat of a clash with Iran. Speaking on condition of anonymity, the official confirmed that Turkey will need to fill the power vacuum created by America’s departure and may also have to cultivate allies among Sunni Arab forces in the fight against the Islamic State in Syria.

Turkey, which has long opposed U.S. sanctions on the Islamic Republic, is one of eight countries to receive temporary waivers allowing them to continue buying Iranian crude exempt from new American penalties. Speaking alongside Rouhani in Ankara on Thursday, Erdogan said Turkey is ready to take measures to mitigate the impact of the curbs on Iran and will continue to stand by its people.

While Trump declared “historic victories” over Islamic State, the move to exit Syria drew bipartisan criticism from U.S. lawmakers who warned that it leaves the country’s future in the hands of Russia and Iran, allies of President Bashar al-Assad. Their intervention in the conflict averted Assad’s potential defeat in a conflict that started more than seven years ago.

Meanwhile, the Kurdish group in Erdogan’s cross-hairs has been fighting Islamic State in coordination with U.S. forces, and it has received American support in the form of cash and weapons. The U.S. backed the YPG as the most effective counter to Islamic State after the group rampaged across swaths of Syria and Iraq from 2014.

Ankara says the organization is an affiliate of the PKK, designated a terrorist group by both Turkey and the U.S. Additionally, Turkey is trying to deal with Islamist militants in Syria’s last rebel stronghold of Idlib in the country’s northwest.

On Thursday, Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar was quoted as saying that “we’re working very intensely on Manbij and the east of the Euphrates,” referring to his country’s planned offensives against Kurdish militants in Syria.

The prospect of Erdogan’s deeper entanglement in Syria is rife with risks. The Turkish army opened fire on a group of Shiite militants early last year to halt their advance toward the Kurdish stronghold of Afrin before the town’s capture under an agreement with Rouhani and Putin.

Erdogan, who is struggling to steady a nosediving economy ahead of local elections in March, might be itching for a fight against Kurdish militants in Syria that could help him consolidate the support of nationalists at home.

Trump’s changing stance complicates the calculus for Erdogan. After balking for years at selling Patriot batteries, the U.S. proposed doing just that in a move that could bring Turkey more firmly within NATO’s orbit. At the same time, Turkey has in recent years embarked on an uneasy partnership with Russia and Iran as Assad’s forced started to reclaim control.


“Turkey could well pursue a very delicate balancing policy to work together with both the U.S. and Russia as well as Iran and avoid a confrontation with them,” said Oytun Orhan, a Syria specialist at the Center for Middle Eastern Strategic Studies in Ankara. “Obviously, the Kurdish YPG will be the biggest loser in this game.”

(Updates with Erdogan’s s comments starting in third paragraph, Trump in fourth.)

To contact the reporter on this story: Selcan Hacaoglu in Ankara at shacaoglu@bloomberg.net

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Onur Ant at oant@bloomberg.net, ;Benjamin Harvey at bharvey11@bloomberg.net, Paul Abelsky, Mark Williams

For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com

©2018 Bloomberg L.P.

South Korea Taxi Driver Burns Self In Protest Of New Uber-like Service

South Korea Taxi Driver Burns Self In Protest Of New Uber-like Service

Everything you need to live well

Tens of thousands of taxi drivers in South Korea went on a nationwide strike Thursday, snarling up traffic in Seoul, in the latest protest at a planned Uber-like ride-sharing service.

An estimated 50,000 taxi drivers, wearing red headbands, chanting slogans and waving banners, rallied outside the parliament, calling for the car-pooling app to be banned, AFP photographers at the scene said.

Drivers say the service being introduced by KakaoTalk — the country’s largest mobile chat app — will threaten their livelihoods.




South Korean taxi drivers stand beside taxis taking part in a one-day strike during a rally calling for the car-pooling app to be banned, near the National Assembly in Seoul on December 20, 2018. – Tens of thousands of taxi drivers in South Korea went on a nationwide strike on December 20, snarling up traffic in Seoul, in the latest protest at a planned Uber-like ride-sharing service. (Photo by Jung Yeon-je / AFP)

A 57-year-old taxi driver committed suicide by setting himself on fire in a solo protest outside parliament in Seoul last week, forcing KakaoTalk to delay their launch of the service, initially set for this week.

Only a limited number of the country’s 252,000 taxis were taking passengers on Thursday, Yonhap news agency said.

Traffic jams were reported on some highways leading to the capital as taxi drivers drove their vehicles at a snail’s pace across the river Han, raising concerns of evening traffic chaos on the giant Mapo Bridge.

Police have mobilised 9,000 riot police to maintain order, Yonhap said.

A backlash from taxi drivers in South Korea forced US giant Uber to close its main ride-sharing service in 2015.

The company now has only a minimal presence in the country, offering only taxi- and licensed-hire vehicle services.

KakaoTalk is used by more than 80 percent of South Koreans, and in recent months tens of thousands of taxi drivers have held mass rallies in Seoul to condemn its upcoming car-pooling service.

**AFP Source:

https://guardian.ng/life/south-korea-taxi-driver-burns-self-in-protest-of-new-uber-like-service/

2019 Elections: Northern Traditional Rulers Warn Politicians Against Rigging, Other Malpractices

2019 Elections: Northern Traditional Rulers Warn Politicians Against Rigging, Other Malpractices




Traditional rulers of the 19 northern states have called on politicians to shun acts capable of causing tension in the country.

The royal fathers made the call on Wednesday at the Fifth General Assembly of the Northern Traditional Rulers Council in Kaduna State.

The meeting tagged ‘Pervasive Insecurity In An Election Year; Prospects And Challenges’, was also attended by the Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Yakubu Mahmood.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the Council and Sultan of Sokoto, Saad Abubakar, said the meeting was convened to discuss the preparedness of the electoral umpire for the general elections in 2019.

He identified some areas which he noted if not properly addressed by the Federal Government could hamper the peaceful conduct of the polls.

The Sultan explained that the meeting with the INEC Chairman has become crucial because of the fundamental debate across party lines bordering on whether the commission was fully ready and committed to conducting credible, free and fair elections next year.

On the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, he noted that President Muhammadu Buhari has withheld assent to the bill and the controversy that followed, especially the reaction of the National Assembly to the President’s decision.

The council chairman then asked the next step INEC would take should the lawmakers override the President to pass the bill into law, as being purported in some quarters.



On his part, the Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II, was concerned about the issue of security during the elections.

He called for the prosecution of election offenders by a special tribunal which he said would reduce incidents of rigging by politicians.

“Elections are never rigged by the electoral body, or by the police, or by security (agencies). Elections are rigged by politicians,” the Emir stated.

“If politicians see this as a matter of life and death; if you are in office whether or not the people want you, you must remain; or if you want to take an office whether or not they want you, you must take it; that is where they try to compromise INEC, compromise the police.”

The traditional ruler believes there is a need to continue to call on politicians to respect the rule of democracy, as a way of ensuring credible elections.

He also warned those seeking election into political offices against violence and intimidating the electorate during the polls.

The Emir said, “Electoral fraud and rigging do not happen on election day alone. We have seen political parties have rallies and people come out with dangerous weapons, swinging them around and being a threat to the general population.

“You create an atmosphere of fear and intimidation that may stop people from coming out to vote on voting day; that is part of rigging.”

He decried that nothing has been done to address these issues, adding that it was not the first time he would raise such alarm.

Issues raised by other members of the council include poor voter education, election manipulation, insecurity, and logistics challenges, among others.

Professor Mahmood, in his response, informed the traditional rulers that INEC was fully committed conduction credible and fair elections in 2019.

He added that the electoral body would continue to protect the nation’s democratic governance through a credible election process.

The INEC boss, however, blamed politicians who overheat the polity or blackmail the commission whenever the outcome of an election was not in their favour.
Source:

https://www.channelstv.com/2018/12/20/2019-elections-northern-traditional-rulers-warn-politicians-against-rigging-other-malpractices/

APC Takes Action On Okorocha And Amosun For Anti Party Activities.

APC Takes Action On Okorocha And Amosun For Anti Party Activities.


The All Progressives Congress has resolved to query the Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun; and his Imo State counterpart, Rochas Okorocha, for alleged anti-party activities.


Adams Oshiomhole, Okorocha and Amosun

Punch correspondent learnt that the decision was part of resolutions reached at the National Working Committee meeting held in Abuja on Tuesday where the state, local government and ward executives committees in the two states were dissolved.

A member of the NWC said, “The party has sent letters to the governors to explain what has been attributed to them in the media and their commitment to the party’s ideals. We want to give them a fair hearing.”

Meanwhile, the APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, on Wednesday inaugurated a nine-member caretaker committee for the Imo APC.

The committee chaired by Mr Marcellinus Nlemigbo would superintend over the affairs of the party in the state.

Other members are Ugochukwu Nzekwe (Deputy Chairman), Lady Love Ineh (Secretary), Enyinna Onuegbu, Canice Nwachukwu, Mrs Josephine Nnorom (woman leader), Paul Para, Chief Linus Ineoha (Organising Secretary) and Nicholas Osuagwu (Zonal Chairman).

Inaugurating the committee, Oshiomhole said the party would begin the campaign of its Imo State governorship candidate, Senator Hope Uzodinma, on Friday in Owerri, the state capital.

He urged members of the committee to close ranks with Uzodinma and other candidates of the party by mobilising supporters across the state to ensure victory in the 2019 polls.

Source:

https://www.nationalhelm.co/2018/12/apc-takes-action-on-okorocha-and-amosun-for-anti-party-activities.html

Buhari Must Go! - Atiku Abubakar Tells Igbo Business Community In Aba (Photos)

Buhari Must Go! - Atiku Abubakar Tells Igbo Business Community In Aba (Photos)

Speaking while addressing a crowded town hall meeting in Aba, the Abia state commercial city on Wednesday, Atiku Abubakar, told the South East business community that President Muhammadu Buhari must be voted out of the office to enable the business to grow in the region and the country at large.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, observed that the president does not have the capacity and the will to tackle the numerous challenges facing southeast business including the issue of non-functional ports.

According to The Tribune, Atiku who chanted “Buhari must go” to the audience, added that as a businessman himself, he feels their pain.

He said: “Of course we know that we have to make the ports work better and more efficient but nobody in this government understands the functions of the ports. Nobody! Whether it is a dry port, whether it is a wet port, whatever port it is, nobody in this government understands the workings of the ports.


“Tell me, how are they going to solve the problems for you? You have no business voting for APC, I beg you.”

The former Vice President told his audience that no interaction with the business community is complete without meeting the southeasterners who he observed are dominant in business around the country.

He said: “I am delighted to come and interact with the business community because everywhere you go, it is the southeasterners. So, naturally, if we want to know the pulse of the business community, you have to come here (Aba).”

Having listened to catalogue of complaints about the business environment in the region, Atiku promised to do whatever is within the law to remedy the situation if elected as president.

He stated: “I will do whatever I can to promote business as long as it is within the confines of our laws, not because I am a businessman but I want to see the prosperity of the people and the prosperity of our country.”


Atiku noted all that he had been told by the business community about the difficulty they faced is factual. “We must listen to you because all that you said is true and factual. The challenges you have enumerated for me are quite evident.

“I know and I feel your pains because am also one of you. But we have to work together to remove those challenges, those pains.”

Atiku recalled that it was PDP administration that established dry ports in the country, wondering: “So, why would we not want them to function properly. If you want them to work, you’d better return PDP power. This government doesn’t have the capacity, the will to do it.”

He also said that previous PDP government set up the Ease of Doing Business but that “this government has completely destroyed it.”

He therefore, assured that if elected, his administration would simplify things for business, promising to make registration of business possible from one’s own computer.

“We have two great businessmen in myself and Peter Obi (his running mate). Nigeria has not had this since independence. The only government that has tried to solve a business problem is PDP,” he stated. Source:

https://www.tori.ng/news/113398/buhari-must-go-atiku-abubakar-tells-igbo-business.html

2019 Budget: Why PDP, APC lawmakers booed Buhari at National Assembly – Rep Chinda

2019 Budget: Why PDP, APC lawmakers booed Buhari at National Assembly – Rep Chinda



A member of the House of Representatives from Rivers State, Kingsley Chinda has disclosed why lawmakers booed President Muhammadu Buhari at the National Assembly.

Chinda disclosed that Buhari’s “insincerity” during the implementation of previous budgets was one of the reasons lawmakers booed the President.

DAILY POST had reported that lawmakers booed the President as he highlighted some of the successes so far recorded by his administration.

The actions of the lawmaker made the President to remind the aggrieved lawmakers that, “The world is watching us and we are supposed to be above this.”

Speaking after Buhari’s presentation, Chinda said they had the ‘support’ of their colleagues from the ruling APC.

He said, “The presidency has not been fair to Nigerians when it comes to budget and most often they use that to blame the legislature.
“One example is, when it comes to capital releases, you will find out that they have performed very poorly.”

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, lawmaker stated that having performed so poorly, Buhari “still talks about how to turn the economy around when they have not released capital expenditures, what magic are they going to do?

“Today he told Nigerians that they have about N800 billion so far for capital expenditures as against N6.4 trillion, if you calculate that, it will give you about 16 per cent.
“What it means is that they have achieved just 16 per cent release of capital expenditures.”

Chinda pointed out that during lawmakers oversight, they discovered from some government agencies that only eight per cent of their 2018 budget was released.
“The economy cannot move with that kind of practice,” he said.

Stating that the protest was not ‘planned’, Chinda said: “The protest was not planned, it was spontaneous. This morning, people just felt there was a need for it.

“It is not just about PDP lawmakers, some of the APC lawmakers felt that because they belonged to the same political party with the president, it will not be tidy for them to come to the open.

“They are actually not happy with what is going on in the system.” Source:

http://dailypost.ng/2018/12/20/2019-budget-pdp-apc-lawmakers-booed-buhari-national-assembly-rep-chinda/

ASUU strike: INEC issues warning over 2019 elections

ASUU strike: INEC issues warning over 2019 elections


The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has decried the lingering strike embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), describing it as a threat to its preparations for the conduct of the 2019 general elections.

Speaking at a one-day workshop on Gender Sensitive Reporting of Elections on Thursday in Abuja, INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of its Information and Voter Education Committee, Barrister Festus Okoye, said over 70% of the ad hoc staff requirement for the elections, was drawn from students of federal tertiary institutions.

“The lingering strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, will no doubt have serious impact on the preparations for the conduct of the 2019 elections.

“It is therefore important that students of federal tertiary institutions should and must be in school at least a month before the February 16 Presidential and National Assembly elections.

“They are one critical resource and their absence will have adverse effects on the ad hoc staff requirement of the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC,” Okoye stated. Source:

http://dailypost.ng/2018/12/20/asuu-strike-inec-issues-warning-2019-elections/

Buhari To Receive AFCFTA Report In January, Says Presidency

Buhari To Receive AFCFTA Report In January, Says Presidency President Muhammadu Buhari (file)

The Presidential Steering Committee on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Impact and Readiness Assessment will present its recommendations to President Muhammadu Buhari in January 2019.

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Garba Shehu, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.

He noted that Nigeria has yet to sign the AfCFTA agreement, which seeks to remove all forms of restrictions to trade and investment flows within the African continent.

The presidential aide said the present administration had launched a nationwide stakeholder consultation with the purpose of reflecting a wide range of views in the technical instruments.

“It would be recalled that on October 22, 2018, while inaugurating the Committee at the Presidential Villa, President Buhari had charged it to assess the extent to which Nigeria is ready to join the agreement, and what the impact of doing so would be,” he said.

“The Committee, which was given 12 weeks to conclude its assignment, has held wide consultations with industry groups and stakeholders, including the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN).

“While opinion is still divided in Nigeria on the merits and demerits as well as the timing of joining the AfCFTA, the committee has commissioned a study to shed more light on the public debate on the issue in the aftermath of a recent report published by MAN.”

Shehu quoted MAN in its report that if Nigeria ratifies the agreement, import surges would range from 27.6 per cent for textile, apparel and footwear sub-sector to 180.7 per cent for chemical and pharmaceutical products during the three phases of liberalising tariff lines with 5 per cent tariff rates.

“According to MAN, in contrast, the import surge will be as high as over 2000 per cent in motor vehicle assembly sub-sector over 15 years when 10 per cent tariff rates are liberalised. This will instantly spell doom for the automotive aspect of Nigeria’s National Industrial Revolution Plan (NIRP).”

The MAN study, he said, also shows differing output, employment and investment effects across manufacturing sub-sectors.

“For instance, four sub-sectors (Food, beverages and tobacco; wood and wood products; textile, apparel and footwear; and non-metallic) will likely see substantially high rates of increase in imports and import competition coupled with a substantial decrease in output,” he added.

The President’s spokesman highlighted similar major changes in employment which he said could be found in three manufacturing sub-sectors – chemical and pharmaceutical products; textile, apparel and footwear; and non-metallic sub-sectors.

According to him, some sectors such as electrical and electronics and wood and wood products will lay off workers.

He said, “The MAN study goes further to show that huge investments are required in chemical and pharmaceutical products and textile, apparel and footwear sectors, while moderate investments are required in electrical and electronics.”

“The key message from the MAN study is that despite challenges, Nigeria should go ahead and sign the AfCFTA agreement with an informed mindset, committing itself to engaging in negotiations of the AfCFTA, embed itself in the process and ensure that the AfCFTA delivers good results for its manufacturers, especially as it relates to taking benefits of the market access opportunities on the rest of the continent.”

Shehu revealed that the study also offered recommendations on how expected losses can be defrayed for the manufacturers and how policies can be used to deal with expected losses.

He stressed that the study focused mainly on “defensive” dimension of trade in goods (i.e. import penetration).

The presidential aided, however, said the report has not given adequate attention to “market access” opportunities (i.e. export penetration) and does not include the analysis of trade in services.

“Therefore, another study has been commissioned recently to address the gaps in the MAN study and is expected to be completed by the end of December 2018,” he said.

“Once completed, the study is expected to shed more light on the public debate and add value to the work of the Presidential Steering Committee on the AfCFTA Impact and Readiness Assessment.”

The presidential aide added, “We can recall that in the absence of the above facts, the administration has faced criticism over the failure to sign.”

AfCFTA is designed to be a pan-African free trade area that will create a single market for goods and services.

It also aims to liberalise and facilitate the movement of investment and business people across the continent.

Forty-four of the 55 African countries signed the AfCFTA agreement on March 21 in Kigali, Rwanda.

In December 2018, the number of countries that signed the AfCFTA agreement increased to 49 and 13 countries have already ratified it.

The agreement will become binding and implementation can begin once 22 states have ratified it.
Source:

https://www.channelstv.com/2018/12/20/buhari-to-receive-afcfta-report-in-january-says-presidency/

Breaking: Senate confirms Owasanoye, 8 others as ICPC, Chairman, members

Breaking: Senate confirms Owasanoye, 8 others as ICPC, Chairman, members

The Senate, on Thursday, confirmed the appointment of Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye as Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).


 Senate

2019: Appeal court sets aside lower court judgment on Kashamu


Also confirmed were eight others as members of the ICPC board.

They are Grace Chinda from Delta, Okolo Titus (Enugu), Obiora Igwedebia (Anambra), Olubukola Balogun (Lagos) and Justice Adamu Bello (Katsina).

The other members are Hannatu Muhammed (Jigawa), Abdullahi Saidu (Niger) and Yahaya Dauda (Nasarawa).

The Senate also confirmed the appointment of Justice Uwani Abba as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria. Source:

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/12/breaking-senate-confirms-owasanoye-8-others-as-icpc-chairman-members/

Grammy considering my album a big deal – Adekunle Gold

Grammy considering my album a big deal – Adekunle Gold


Following the consideration of his sophomore album, ‘About 30’, by the organizing committee of Grammy Awards, afro-urban music singer, Adekunle Gold, has said that he is extremely excited for his album to have made the list of albums to be considered for the prestigious international music awards.

While expressing his excitement, he stated that though he was unable to finally secure a nomination like Seun Kuti, that his album was considered alone was more like winning the prestigious award.

“I’m happy that ‘About30’ was considered by the Grammys. I wasn’t nominated; but it’s a big deal for me to be considered”, he said.

Speaking about his just concluded ‘Adekunle Gold Live in Lagos’ concert which recently held at Terra Kulture on the 13, 14 and 15 of December 2019, he expressed profound gratitude to the love of his life, Simi, for the support she gave him all through the events.

“Three nights of mind-boggling, earth-shattering, soul-snatching magic, and you made it possible. I had a dream and you were in it; and like déjà vu, I saw it happen again, but this time in real life. Thank you. It’s not enough to thank you, but it’s true. My gratitude is full. I can’t wait to do this again, me and you, leaving our mark in the hearts of people, over and over and then, over again. You make it worth it, you’re worth it. I just want to continue to be worth the trouble for you. So again, thank you”, he said.

Source:

http://www.informationng.com/2018/12/grammys-considering-my-album-a-big-deal-adekunle-gold.html

Nigeria owes China $69.3m as Buhari vows to make aviation pride of Africa

Nigeria owes China $69.3m as Buhari vows to make aviation pride of Africa


By Favour Nnabugwu

President Muhammadu Buhari, has vowed to make the country’s aviation industry a pride in Africa.


President Buhari

Breaking: 140 Nigerians arrive from Libya

He said the federal government owed Chinese government $69.3million counterpart fund for the construction of four airports under the project.

The four airports are Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt and Kano.

The President, at the commissioning of the new terminal at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, NAIA, in Abuja, said his target was to make Nigerian Aviation industry a pride in the continent.

He said, “I wish to assure you therefore, that Government remains committed to developing Nigeria into Regional air transportation hub and thereby assuming its leadership in the aviation sub sector in Africa.”

“This Administration recognises aviation as a catalyst for economic growth and as such will continue to encourage and support the actualization of projects that will place Nigerian Airports amongst the best in the world.”

With the commissioning of the new Terminal, Buhari said that the country was moving towards achieving and meeting global aviation standards in facilitation, passenger processing and service delivery in tandem with international best practices.

“It gives me great pleasure to be here for the formal commissioning of the new Terminal at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. This event represents yet another significant milestone for International air travellers in and out of the Federal Capital Territory, he stated, he said.”

He recalled that the Minister of State for Aviation, Sirika had given him his words to have the new terminal commissioned before the end of December 2018 which he has fulfilled.

“You will recall that on the 25th October, 2018, I commissioned Port Harcourt International Airport Terminal. During the event, the Honourable Minister of State (Aviation) stated that the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Terminal, Abuja would be completed and ready for commissioning before the end of the year. Today, that promise has been kept. I wish to commend the Honourable Minister and his team for a job well done.”

“This event today, reflects Government’s deliberate policy to sustain the development of Nigeria’s infrastructure. We are gradually closing the infrastructural deficit bedevilling our country.”

“Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Terminal is the first airport terminal to be connected to rail transport system in the Country and indeed in the region. This has provided passengers and other airport users with a choice in the mode of transport to and from the city centre. I recall taking a ride from the City Metro station to the Airport on the day the rail line was commissioned.”

He thanked the Minister of Transportation, Mr Chibuike Amaechi, the Chines government, China and the China Exim Bank and the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation, CCECC, their financial support and the various roles they played leading to the successful completion of the project.

Hadi Sirika on his part, pleaded with Mr. President to intervene in the outstanding payment of the counterpart fund of $69.3m out of the $100m Nigeria was to pay for the project

According to him, “We are committed to rounding up the project soon, the contractor has gone ahead to implement it as approved, but recently slowed down the pace of work due to non-payment of $69.3m counterpart funding by government. May I respectfully at this point, request Mr President’s kind intervention in this regard, please.”

He explained,” This is the second in the series of Airport terminals to be commissioned from the projects funded by the China-Exim bank loan of $500m with a counterpart funding of $100m from the debt management office.”

The Minister further stated, ” From political and economic perspectives, this airport is very strategic to Nigeria not only because it is the gateway to the nations capital but also because it the second busiest airport in the country and the fastest growing in passenger traffic in West and Central Africa, with an average growth rate of 8%, where the world average growth is 5.8%.”

On the number of passengers that patronized the airport, he stated,” The Airport processed 5,709,012 passengers in 2017. This volume equals to about 13 times the total number of passengers recorded by Ghana as a country.”

“The terminal building has annual passenger capacity of 15m covering a space of approximately 56,000m2. It also has the following facilities as well as capabilities; 72 check-in counters: 5 baggage collection carousels: 28 immigration desks at arrival and 16 at departure: 8 security screening points and 8 passenger boarding bridges ”

Others benefits of the terminal, he added, has a walkway to link the FCT metro rail: additional apron for remote parking of aircraft and a linkway to domestic wing and many other facilities that are properly designed and laid out in accordance with modern requirements for airport operations.

Sirika further thanked Mr President for approving the second phase of the project.

“Mr President will recall FEC approval of the second tranche for the funding of the phase two of this project in the sum of $461,795,551.02.”

He continued, “The phase takes into cognisance, additional facilities that will enhance airport efficiency. These includes but not limited to construction of additional apron: Multi-level car park: Fire station: Additional boarding bridges: Connection between the old and the new terminals, Facility and boarding bridge to accommodate Airbus A380, and the phase two also includes completion of Kano and Lagos terminals.” Source:

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/12/nigeria-owes-china-69-3m-as-buhari-vows-to-make-aviation-pride-of-africa/

Osun Election Tribunal: Adeleke, PDP’s Witnesses Can’t Read Own Statements

Osun Election Tribunal: Adeleke, PDP’s Witnesses Can’t Read Own Statements
]

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate in the last governorship election in Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke, had a bad outing yesterday at the sitting of the tribunal hearing the petition they filed against the outcome of the election.

Most of the nine witnesses they called could not communicate effectively in English language, could not read the statements they claimed they wrote and could not answer questions logically.

Some of the witnesses also claimed to have multiple signatures, samples of which the tribunal later admitted in evidence.

The tribunal chairman, Justice Ibrahim Sirajo, had to intervene intermittently, to explain questions to the witnesses in pidgin English before they could respond.

The witnesses, who claimed to have acted as PDP agents during the election, were led in evidence by petitioners’ lawyer, Nathaniel Oke (SAN).

They were cross-examined by respondents’ lawyers, including Lasco Pwahomdi, for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC); Aboidun Owonikoko (SAN), for Adegboyega Oyetola and Lasun Sanusi (SAN), for the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Ariyo Oladiti, who testified as the petitioners’ fourth witness – the first yesterday – said he was PDP’s agent at Polling Unit 10, Ward 7, Atakunmosa West Local Government Area.

During cross-examination by Pwahomdi, he was asked to explain irregularities in his signatures in his written deposition and the result sheet.

Oladiti said he had multiple signatures, admitting that the signatures in both documents were not similar.

The witness was later asked to sign a specimen of his different signatures on plane sheets, which the tribunal admitted in evidence.

The second witness, Ado Garba (PW5), also claimed to have multiple signatures, samples of which were admitted by the tribunal.

While being led in evidence by Oke, another witness Mumuni Salaudeen said he acted as PDP’s agent in Unit 11, Ward 11 in Osogbo Local Government Area.

He claimed to have signed a written deposition on October 16 at the tribunal’s registry in Osogbo, the Osun State capital.

But when Oke asked him if he wanted the written deposition to be admitted as his evidence before the tribunal, the witness said no.

Oke repeated the question about two more times, but the witness insisted on his earlier response.

Realising that the witness did not understand the question or grasp its import, the tribunal chairman, following a request by Oke, admitted the written deposition.

When asked to read part of his written deposition, the witness took the document and kept staring at it.

When Justice Sirajo asked him what the problem was, Salaudeen said he could not read and write in English.

Wakili Animashahun, who was the last witness for the day (PW12), exhibited similar attributes.

He claimed to have multiple signatures and could not answer questions logically.

When asked if the results in his polling unit were announced by the Presiding Officer before it was recorded in the results sheet, the witness said no.

His response contradicted his claim in his written deposition, which he earlier admitted to have signed, and which the tribunal admitted.

When Oke attempted to correct his witness’ error, tribunal chairman overruled him, saying: “It was a witness’ inalienable right to contradict himself.”

Further hearing resumes today.

Ike Ekweremadu Reacts After Being Placed On FG 'Travel Ban List'

Ike Ekweremadu Reacts After Being Placed On FG 'Travel Ban List'



Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu

The Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, yesterday denied media report that he was on the list of Nigerians barred from traveling out of the country on the request of the Special Presidential Investigative Panel on the Recovery of Public Property, Vanguard has reported.

According to a statement by Ekweremadu’s Special Adviser, Media, Uche Anichukwu, Ekweremadu, was not in court with the panel or any other government agency over any corruption case, adding that it was the panel that sued him, with the excuse that he allegedly “neglected to declare” his assets “in the manner prescribed by the Special Presidential Investigation Panel for the Recovery of Public Property”.

A statement yesterday by Ekweremadu’s Special Adviser, Media, Uche Anichukwu, read, “ the attention of the Office of the Deputy President of the Senate has been drawn to a misleading report by a national newspaper that Senator Ike Ekweremadu has been barred from traveling out of the country on the request of the Special Presidential Investigative Panel on the Recovery of Public Property.

“For purpose of clarification and emphasis, the Office wishes to restate that Ekweremadu is not in court with the panel or any other government agency over any corruption case. He was rather sued by the SPIP on the grounds that he, in the Panel’s words, allegedly “neglected to declare” his assets “in the manner prescribed by the Special Presidential Investigation Panel for the Recovery of Public Property”.

“Ekweremadu’s position is that the Constitution demands every public officer to declare his or her assets to the Code of Conduct Bureau every four years, a provision he had since fulfilled, hence his refusal to fill fresh asset declaration forms forwarded to him by the panel contrary to the constitution.

“It is also his position that the Public Property Special Provisions Act, CAP R4 LFN, 2004, otherwise known as Decree No 3, 1984, which the Panel relied on to charge public officials to court has become obsolete and the power to investigate non-asset declaration is now vested in the Code of Conduct Bureau by the 1999 Constitution (as amended). Therefore, only the Code of Conduct Bureau can receive asset declaration forms from public officers.” Source:

https://www.tori.ng/news/113327/ike-ekweremadu-reacts-after-being-placed-on-fg-tra.html

Conjecture that Russia will meddle or temper with our elections, if the electoral bill is signed, is untenable – Shehu Sani

Conjecture that Russia will meddle or temper with our elections, if the electoral bill is signed, is untenable – Shehu Sani

Senator Shehu Sani representing Kaduna central, has mocked speculations that the reason why the Electoral Amendment Bill wasn’t signed, is because Russia will meddle or temper with our elections.
The senator said the reason is simply an excuse and very untenable. The senator added that the government must submit to free and fair elections, saying “the world is watching. ”
Shehu Sani, said this via Twitter on Thursday. However, some of his followers while responding to his statement said such “allegations against Russia for meddling in US elections or others is a western concocted media campaign to damage Russia’s image.”
He wrote:
The conjecture that Russia will meddle or temper with our elections if the electoral bill is signed & applied is baloney.
Its an untenable mythical tale adopted & advanced as an excuse.The Government must commit & submit itself to free elections as ‘The World is watching us’.

The conjecture that Russia will meddle or temper with our elections if the electoral bill is signed & applied is baloney.Its an untenable mythical tale adopted & advanced as an excuse.The Government must commit & submit itself to free elections as ‘The World is watching us’.

— Senator Shehu Sani (@ShehuSani) December 20, 2018

Source:
http://www.informationng.com/2018/12/conjecture-that-russia-will-meddle-or-temper-with-our-elections-if-the-electoral-bill-is-signed-is-untenable-shehu-sani.html

North Korea rejects denuclearization unless U.S. ‘nuclear threat’ is eliminated

North Korea rejects denuclearization unless U.S. ‘nuclear threat’ is eliminated



North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, second from right, inspects the preparation of the launch of a Hwasong-14 intercontinental ballistic missile, in a photo released by the North Korean government in 2017. (AP)

SEOUL — North Korea will not give up its nuclear arms unless the “U.S. nuclear threat to Korea” is eliminated, North Korean state media said Thursday.

The statement carried by North Korea’s official Korean Central News Agency was a particularly blunt indication that the two countries are still far apart on their ideas of what “denuclearization” means on the Korean Peninsula.

In a historic summit meeting in June, President Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un vowed to work toward “complete denuclearization” on the peninsula but without detailed agreements on how that would be achieved.

Since his June meeting with Kim, Trump has claimed progress in negotiations with North Korea. But talks appear to have stalled as Pyongyang has demanded the removal of international sanctions as a precondition for denuclearization.

The North Korean statement said “the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula” includes elimination of not only the North’s nuclear arms but also “the United States’ nuclear weapons and other invading forces in South Korea.”

“If we lay down our nuclear weapons first, that is not denuclearization, but putting ourselves in a defenseless state,” continued the commentary. “This will apparently shatter the balance of strategy of nuclear forces, as well as bring about a nuclear war.”

A number of analysts warned after the Trump-Kim summit that North Korea had little intention of giving up its weapons without substantial concessions in return from the United States.

“The statement shows that North Korea is not necessarily on the same terms as the U.S. on the idea of denuclearization. Pyongyang has constantly taken issue with the U.S.’s ‘nuclear umbrella’ over South Korea,” said Woo Jung-yeop, a researcher at South Korea’s Sejong Institute.

[Trump wants to grant Kim’s wishes, South Korea says ahead of new summits]

The United States withdrew its tactical nuclear weapons from South Korea in 1991 but continues to operate nuclear-armed bombers and submarines that can reach Korea from elsewhere, constituting a “nuclear umbrella.”

Woo said the provocative statement on state media can be seen as a typical brinkmanship tactic from Pyongyang as it seeks to raise the stakes ahead of a potential second summit between Trump and Kim.

After the July meeting with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, which came in the wake of the successful Singapore summit, North Korean media abruptly slammed the United States for its “gangster-like” demands.

Trump has said he plans to hold the summit in January or February, though he tweeted last week that he is “in no hurry,” as the talks are going “just fine” at the moment.

However, Pyongyang still has not responded to Washington’s call to resume working-level talks after abruptly canceling a planned meeting between Pompeo and his North Korean counterpart last month.

The commentary on state media came as Steve Biegun, Washington’s top envoy to North Korea, came on a four-day visit to South Korea to coordinate policies with Seoul officials.

Biegun said Wednesday that the U.S. plans to review American travel ban that blocks humanitarian aid shipment into the country, possibly a friendly gesture to resolve the stalled nuclear talks.

The latest salvo from North Korea also puts South Korea in an awkward position. South Korean President Moon Jae-in has been pushing hard to keep the momentum in talks going and has repeatedly said that Pyongyang is committed to denuclearization.

US senators introduce bill to criminalize doping conspiracies

US senators introduce bill to criminalize doping conspiracies
source: AFP

 GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP/File / MARK WILSON The bill, introduced by senators Orrin Hatch (pictured December 17, 2018) of Utah and Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island, is named after Grigory Rodchenkov -- the Moscow laboratory director who blew the whistle on Russian doping in 2014

Two US senators introduced legislation on Friday that would criminalize international sports doping conspiracies that affect major international competitions.

The bill introduced by senators Orrin Hatch of Utah and Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island is named after Grigory Rodchenkov -- the Moscow laboratory director who blew the whistle on a Russian doping campaign at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics.

In announcing the measure, Whitehouse said the United States "must hold the crooked and corrupt accountable whenever we can. That means forcefully confronting Russia's use of corruption as a tool of foreign policy."

The legislation, which would establish criminal penalties on idividuals involved in doping fraud conspiracies, is similar to a measure introduced earlier this year in the US House of Representatives.

It would establish criminal penalties for participating in a scheme in commerce to influence a major international sport competition through prohibited substances or methods.

Penalties will include fines of up to $1 million or imprisonment of up to 10 years, depending on the violation.

It also provides for restitution to victims of such conspiracies, for protection of whistleblowers from retaliation and for US agencies involved in the fight against doping to coordinate and share information with the US Anti-Doping Agency.

US lawmakers have bipartisan support for sports betting

US lawmakers have bipartisan support for sports betting
source: AFP

GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP/File / Ethan Miller Hundreds of wagers were on the Westgate sportsbook display in Las Vegas ahead of Super Bowl 51 earlier this year

Sports wagering in the United States would be regulated by the federal government under a bill with bipartisan support introduced Wednesday by US Senators Orrin Hatch and Chuck Schumer.

The 2018 Sports Wagering Market Integrity Act would set standards for states seeking to offer sports betting but would not give leagues a share of sports gambling revenues.

"As a lifelong sports fan I treasure the purity of the game," said Schumer, a Democrat from New York. "I knew that Congress had an obligation to ensure that the integrity of the games we love was never compromised.

"I believe the time is now to establish a strong national integrity standard for sports betting that will protect consumers and the games themselves from corruption."

The move comes in the wake of last May's US Supreme Court decision that opened the way for all 50 states to offer sports betting and a Tuesday decision by Washington DC to legalize sports betting, the first American jurisdiction without casinos to approve sportsbooks.

"Sports betting is inevitable so let's make sure it's done right," said Hatch, a Utah Republican.

"This bill is the first step toward ensuring that sports betting is done right in the states that choose to legalize it. Just as importantly, it provides protections for states that choose not to go down that path."

Since the Supreme Court decision in May opened the door for more sports betting, Nevada has been joined by New Jersey, West Virginia, Rhode Island, Delaware, Pennsylvania and Mississippi lawmakers in legalizing sports gambling.

Professional sports leagues have been concerned about maintaining confidence in the integrity of match results in an expanded gambling situation as well as differing rules in 50 states for gambling laws, a worry the federal law would solve.

"Without continued federal guidance and oversight, we are very concerned that sports leagues and state governments alone will not be able to fully protect the integrity of sporting contests and guard against the harms Congress has long recognized as being associated with sports betting," said NFL executive vice president Jocelyn Moore.

"Rather than preventing states from making policy choices about whether or not to allow sports betting, the Sports Wagering Market Integrity Act would ensure that all state-sanctioned sports betting is conducted pursuant to core standards that protect consumers, guard against problem gambling and gambling by our nation's youth, and uphold the integrity of sporting contests."

- Leagues would sell data -

The bill would authorize regulated online sports wagering to counter betting from outside the nation, ban sports wagers on amateur sports events except the Olympics and college events, restrict certain wagers as needed to combat match integrity issues, set a minimum age of 21 to place a bet and ban athletes, coaches and officials associated with sports organizations and people convicted of certain crimes from wagering.

The bill would also require sports wagering operators use data provided or licensed by sports organizations to determine the outcome of sports wagers through 2024.

That could allow leagues to make money by serving as providers of statistical information as needed, settling wagers on particular plays or decisions within matches for such leagues as the NBA and NFL.

Chinese football imposes salary cap in new spending crackdown

Chinese football imposes salary cap in new spending crackdown



AFP / STR Shanghai SIPG's expensive Brazilian midfielder Oscar (centre)

Chinese football on Thursday imposed a salary cap of 10 million yuan ($1.45 million) a year for domestic players and vowed to kick teams out for so-called "yin-yang contracts".

The swingeing measures are part of a ramped-up effort by the Chinese Football Association (CFA) to clamp down on big spending and get teams to toe a tougher financial line.

There will also be a limit on bonuses and other financial inducements for domestic players, according to state sports channel CCTV5 and other reports on an end-of-season CFA conference in Shanghai.

Foreign players are not affected by the salary cap, which will be in place for the new Chinese Super League (CSL) season when it starts in the spring.

However, each club's annual expenditure cannot exceed 1.2 billion yuan in 2019, which will decline to 900 million in 2021.

Two years ago, Brazilian attacking midfielder Oscar joined CSL side Shanghai SIPG from Chelsea for an Asian-record 60 million euros and Argentine forward Carlos Tevez signed for rivals Shanghai Shenhua, both earning some of the highest wages in world football.

Their high-profile arrivals, along with dozens of other foreign stars such as Brazilians Hulk and Paulinho, triggered fears that Chinese clubs were distorting the international transfer market with overinflated wages and fees.

But the CFA has since moved to stop the splurge and force teams to focus on youth development instead, and there is unlikely to be serious money spent when the winter transfer window opens on January 1.

The CFA last year slapped a 100 percent transfer tax on the purchase of overseas players, which significantly reined in Chinese clubs, and the organisation limited the number of foreigners each team can field to three a match.

- 'Not sustainable' -

Among a raft of other new measures, teams must submit contracts for their players and coaches by the end of the year as part of a crackdown on "yin-yang contracts".

Such contracts -- one for the tax man and another with the real value of the agreement -- are thought to be widespread in football and showbusiness in China.

If the CFA uncovers any tax-avoidance schemes, the offending player or coach face a ban of between one and three years. Their clubs can be deducted points or even kicked out the league.

"The association will draw on the experience of advanced overseas leagues to design comprehensive measures to control high wages, high bonuses, high transfer fees and other issues," Li Yuyi, CFA vice chairman, said earlier this week, according to Xinhua news agency.

Li added: "If there's only investment but no clear idea of what the long-term returns are, Chinese football is not sustainable.

"Companies (that own teams) need to understand why invest, what are the rewards and what it contributes to society."
source: https://www.afp.com/en/news/3955/chinese-football-imposes-salary-cap-new-spending-crackdown-doc-1bq3jn8

Monaco appoint experienced Passi to assist Henry

Monaco appoint experienced Passi to assist Henry



AFP/File / CHARLY TRIBALLEAU Franck Passi adds coaching experience to the Monaco bench

Veteran coach Franck Passi has joined Monaco as an assistant to Thierry Henry, the struggling Ligue 1 club announced on Thursday.

The 52-year-old Frenchman reinforces a staff of first-time coaches with little Ligue 1 experience.

Henry, who is in his first management job, is rediscovering the French topflight, which he left in 1999.

Neither of his assistants has any experience in France.

Irishman Patrick Kwame Ampadu joined from Arsenal where he had spent six years coaching youth teams. Portuguese Joao Tralhao was a youth coach at Benfica.

On their web site, Monaco noted that Passi was familiar with both the French league and the role of assistant after working in that capacity under Marcelo Bielsa at Marseille and Lille.

Passi also worked under Elie Baup and Michel at Marseille. He had stints as head coach at Marseille and caretaker at Lille.

As a player, he spent the 1993-1994 season at Monaco and his brother Gerald is a scout for the club.

Monaco have won just three of 13 games in all competitions since Henry was appointed in October. They are 19th in the 20-team Ligue 1, three points away from safety.

Passi will be on the bench on Saturday when Monaco entertain the one team below them in the league, Guingamp.

source: https://www.afp.com/en/news/3955/monaco-appoint-experienced-passi-assist-henry-doc-1bq4q07

Premiership rugby hails 'landmark' deal with equity firm

Premiership rugby hails 'landmark' deal with equity firm


  AFP/File / THIERRY ZOCCOLAN Premiership Rugby has hailed a "landmark" deal with CVC Capital Partners

Premiership Rugby hailed a "landmark" deal with CVC Capital Partners on Thursday after the private equity firm acquired a reported 27 percent stake worth more than £200 million ($254 million).

CVC, which had previous involvement in MotoGP and Formula One, initially sought a majority shareholding but that was rejected by the umbrella organisation for the English Premiership.

The clubs voted unanimously to accept the new deal, with the funds raised earmarked for developing facilities and stadiums and expanding the competition into new markets rather than paying increasing players' wages.

Member clubs will benefit from a multi-million cash injection, according to reports. Premiership clubs recorded losses of a combined £28.5 million in 2016/17.

"Premiership Rugby confirms a landmark new partnership with leading private equity and investment advisory firm CVC Capital Partners," said a statement.

"The investment... into Premiership Rugby marks the start of a new era for English professional club rugby."

"We're happy that CVC's track record speaks for itself," said Premiership Rugby chief executive Mark McCafferty.

"They were in MotoGP for eight years and only came out of that because of the requirements for moving into Formula One. They were in Formula One for the best part of 10 years.

"They are expecting to be in this for the long term and they understand what's required to invest and build."

McCafferty said the investment will help to broaden the appeal of the competition both at home and abroad.

"I expect Premiership Rugby in seven or eight years' time to be an even more globally followed business. That expansion needs support," he said.

"The clubs see this as a way to accelerate growth and bring new fans into the game and opening up audiences."

"We have a salary cap in place and that's not moving for the next couple of years," he added. "We are investing in operations and infrastructure, that's the key."

source: https://www.afp.com/en/news/3955/premiership-rugby-hails-landmark-deal-equity-firm-doc-1bq4b63

'Coal, beer, football': German clubs honour last mine

News

'Coal, beer, football': German clubs honour last mine



dpa/AFP/File / Ina Fassbender With the lamps going out at German mines, Schalke celebrated their heritage

When Germany's last black coal mine shutters Friday, it is not just miners who may shed a tear -- football fans too will mourn the end of a pillar of the nation's industrial wealth.

"Coal, steel, football and beer are inseparable here, they permeate our culture and our community," said Borussia Dortmund chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke ahead of the final shift in the mine at Bottrop at the heart of the Ruhr region.

This industrial region -- rich in coal, the basis German industry since the 19th century -- is also the gritty home of some of Germany's best-loved football clubs.

"Without this mining history, we would not have the clubs we have today, which come directly from the world of mining," Manuel Neukirchner, director of the football museum in Dortmund, told AFP.

Bundesliga clubs Dortmund and Schalke, the name of a suburb of the city of Gelsenkirchen, are the standard bearers of the densely populated Ruhr basin, colloquially known as the "Ruhrpott", that is home to five million people. Also here are Bochum and Duisburg, who currently play in the second division.

Since World War II, the area has boasted seven professional clubs. In Europe, only London has a greater concentration of teams in such a small area.

- 'You'll Never Walk Alone' -

The Bottrop mine lies 10.5 kilometres (6.5 miles) from Schalke's Veltins Arena.


dpa/AFP/File / Ina Fassbender A mine rescue worker and a tram containing burning coal helped Schalke bid auf Wiedersehen to a local industry


As a nod to their shared heritage, Schalke on Wednesday invited 2,000 miners for their Bundesliga match against Leverkusen and the name of one of the mine shafts was printed on the players' shirts.

On Saturday, Dortmund players will take their turn to wear the thank-you message "Danke, Kumpel" -- a word that in German means both "miner" and "buddy" -- on their chests.

"These tributes to a vanished world go straight to the heart of the fans," said Hartmut Hering, a local football expert.

"For the clubs, it's 80 percent marketing and 20 percent conviction, but in the end everybody is a winner. The clubs know that respect for the tradition is a condition of the support of their fans."

Football in the Ruhr has always been more than just weekend entertainment -- it is the anchor of communal life that celebrates the virtue of solidarity, indispensable in the dangerous work below ground.

It is no accident that Dortmund fans have adopted Liverpool's anthem "You'll Never Walk Alone" to welcome their players before every game.

"The inhabitants of the Ruhr are not individualists. They don't just play football together, they live football together," said Neukirchner.

- 'Ruhrpott! Ruhrpott!' -

Schalke was the first stronghold of regional football and won six German league titles between 1934 and 1942.

The Second World War left Germany's industry in ruins and its population hungry, but the Ruhr's coal became a vital resource for the country's reconstruction and the industrial "miracle years" to come.

Hundreds of thousands of migrants flocked there from regions lost by the Reich that are now part of Poland, and mingled with the local population to extract the black gold, followed in the 1960s and 70s by labourers from Turkey.

For the "Kumpel", football was one of the only distractions and the cement of their new community.

"This was the time when mines supported 'their' teams, using coal as a barter product for footballs, jerseys, shoes, or to host visiting teams," Hering told AFP.

"The best players had a privileged status to allow them to train. And in those lean years, teams were getting extra food rations."

"On Sunday everyone was at the stadium, and on Monday back in the mine, we only talked about the match!" recalled Jule Ledorf, a legendary striker of the post-war era, before his death in 2015.


 dpa/AFP/File / Ina Fassbender Schalke's players posed with child mascots in mining gear before the match against Bayer Leverkusen

"At the time we couldn't afford to play badly. The whole family was in the stands, and the comrades in the mine would speak to us about it all week, saying 'Hey, Jule, why didn't you put that ball into the back of the net?!"

The heart of industrial Europe, the Ruhr also became the epicentre of football on the continent in 1997 when Schalke and Dortmund won the UEFA Cup and the Champions League a week apart.

"I still get goose bumps when I talk about it," smiles Neukirchner. "At the time the supporters of the two rival clubs fraternised, and shared the same war cry: 'Ruhrpott! Ruhrpott!'"

source: https://www.afp.com/en/news/3955/coal-beer-football-german-clubs-honour-last-mine-doc-1bp8g26

'Uneasy calm' in Yemen's Hodeida as combatants await UN truce team

'Uneasy calm' in Yemen's Hodeida as combatants await UN truce team


 AFP / Mohammed HUWAIS Yemeni fighters ride in the back of an armed pick-up in the rebel-held capital Sanaa on December 19, 2018

An uneasy calm returned to the battleground Yemeni city of Hodeida on Thursday after further overnight skirmishes as the warring parties await the promised deployment of UN staff to oversee a hard-won but fragile truce.

The ceasefire in the Red Sea port city which is a vital aid lifeline for millions at risk of starvation is the centrepiece of a peace push that is seen as the best chance yet of ending four years of devastating conflict.

Military officials and residents have reported intermittent fighting between Saudi-backed government forces and Huthi Shiite rebels since the UN-brokered ceasefire came into effect in the Red Sea port city on Tuesday.

A pro-government official told AFP that four loyalists were wounded in a firefight on Wednesday night.

"The exchange of fire lasted for about half an hour, and there is an uneasy calm this morning," he said.

Residents reached by telephone confirmed to AFP that there was no fighting on Thursday morning.


 AFP / Gillian HANDYSIDE Conflict in Yemen


The official added there has been intermittent fighting on a number of battlefronts in Hodeida province, including the districts of Hays and Al-Tuhayta.

Pro-government forces and Huthi rebels accused each other on Thursday of breaching the ceasefire agreed at talks in Sweden earlier this month.

The rebel-run Saba news agency said loyalists targeted a "number of neighbourhoods in the city" overnight.

- 'Breathing down the neck' -

UN observers are due in Yemen to head up monitoring teams made up of government and rebel representatives tasked with overseeing the implementation of the UN-brokered ceasefire, under the auspices of a Redeployment Coordination Committee.

The committee's UN chair, Patrick Cammaert, convened its first meeting by videoconference from New York on Wednesday "to discuss the general outlines of its work, including agreement of a code of conduct", UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said.

UN chief Antonio Guterres was "breathing down the neck" of officials to make sure the UN observers are deployed as soon as possible, Dujarric said.


AFP / Mohammed HUWAIS A Yemeni fighter holds a rocket launcher as crowds people gather in the rebel-held capital Sanaa on December 19, 2018 in a show of support for the Shiite Huthi movement against the Saudi-led intervention

He added that Cammaert will head on Thursday to Jordan from where he will travel to the rebel-held capital Sanaa and Hodeida.

A UN official told AFP that he was expected in Amman on Friday.

"His departure to Yemen depends on logistics arrangements and flight availability," the official, who requested anonymity, said.

Brigadier General Ahmed al-Kokbani, a Yemeni government representative on the committee, told AFP that the videoconference with Cammaert covered the bases of the committee's mission.

"Cammaert asked members of the team to work diligently in calming the situation and to reject any violations," he said.

The Saudi-led coalition said Wednesday that the hard-won ceasefire agreement will collapse if rebel violations persist and the United Nations does not intervene.


 AFP/File / Jonathan NACKSTRAND Yemeni Foreign Minister Khaled al-Yamani (L) shakes hands with rebel negotiator Mohammed Abdelsalam in front of UN chief Antonio Guterres at peace talks in Sweden, on December 13, 2018


The committee's observers are due to oversee the withdrawal of the warring parties from Hodeida, including a rebel pullout from the city's docks that are the entry point for 80 percent of Yemeni imports and nearly all UN-supervised humanitarian aid.

Cammaert is due to report back to the Security Council on the situation on the ground on a weekly basis.

According to the International Crisis Group, the "odds are stacked against" UN envoy Martin Griffiths and his team.

"The Hodeida agreement came about in a rush, and critics have assailed it as too vague and open to interpretation," it said in a statement on Wednesday.

"Griffiths will now have to build on this imperfect but highly welcome and overdue agreement, which, as Crisis Group has argued, the UN Security Council should endorse via a new resolution.

"Without strong international support, the Hodeida ceasefire will falter."

The war between the Shiite Huthi rebels and troops loyal to President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi escalated in 2015, when he fled into Saudi exile and the Saudi-led military coalition intervened.


 AFP / Mohammed HUWAIS Armed men patrol the rebel-held Yemeni capital Sanaa on December 19, 2018

Since then, the war has killed some 10,000 people, according to the World Health Organization, although human rights groups say the real death toll could be five times as high.

The conflict has pushed 14 million people to the brink of famine in what the United Nations describes as the world's worst humanitarian crisis.

source: https://www.afp.com/en/news/3954/uneasy-calm-yemens-hodeida-combatants-await-un-truce-team-doc-1bq4d12

Airbus shares plunge on reported US corruption probe

Airbus shares plunge on reported US corruption probe


AFP/File / PASCAL PAVANI Shares in European aircraft maker Airbus tumbled nearly nine percent after French daily Le Monde reported that it could face fines of several billion dollars under a US corruption inquiry

Shares in European aircraft maker Airbus tumbled nearly nine percent Thursday after French daily Le Monde reported that it could face fines of several billion dollars under a US corruption inquiry.

The newspaper said the US Department of Justice opened a probe for "improper practices" at the end of 2017 and informed Airbus it was under investigation at the end of the summer.

In a statement, the company said it was cooperating with US authorities.

The inquiry stems from Airbus's disclosure in early 2016 that it had neglected to inform authorities about payments to middlemen in securing several contracts, in particular in Asia.

A few months later Britain's Serious Fraud Office opened a fraud, bribery and corruption inquiry over alleged "irregularities concerning third-party consultants."

It was cooperating with France's Financial Prosecutor's Office (PNF), which also launched an inquiry into the deals.

Airbus had already warned in October 2017 that the investigations could have a "material impact" on its earnings.

If the Justice Department's inquiry leads to a court ruling against Airbus, it could be excluded from bidding on international contracts for five years, Le Monde said.

At around 12:30 pm (1130 GMT) Airbus shares were down 8.9 percent at 79.42 euros on the Paris stock exchange, which was 1.4 percent lower overall.

source: https://www.afp.com/en/news/3954/airbus-shares-plunge-reported-us-corruption-probe-doc-1bq6201

Putin says West trying to 'hold back' powerful Russia

Putin says West trying to 'hold back' powerful Russia
source: AFP

AFP / Alexander NEMENOV Russian President Vladimir Putin tells his annual press conference in Moscow he wants the country to rise to fifth in the global economic rankings

President Vladimir Putin on Thursday said the West was trying to hold back an increasingly powerful Russia, during an end-of-year press conference that took aim at sanctions and "made-up" spy scandals.

Domestic concerns also loomed large at the annual event, after Putin's approval ratings took a beating in recent months over unpopular pension reforms.

Asked about Western sanctions against Moscow, Putin said these were "connected with the growth of Russia's power."

"A powerful player appears who needs to be reckoned with. Until recently it was thought there was no longer such a country," he said from behind a large wooden desk to an audience of hundreds of journalists.

The president dismissed spy scandals -- such as the poisoning of former double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter in England -- as invented to damage Russia's standing.

"If there hadn't been the Skripals, they would have made up something else. There is only one aim: to hold back Russia's development," he said, later lamenting that relations with Britain were at a "dead end".

Putin began the press conference, as usual, by reeling off economic growth figures.

"The main thing is that we need to get into a new economic league. We could very well take the fifth place in terms of size of economy. And I think we'll do that," he said.

Russia's economy is currently ranked 12th in the world by the International Monetary Fund, which lists the United States first, followed by China, Japan, Germany and Britain.

- West's 'disrespect' of voters -

Putin said the economy grew 1.7 percent over the first 10 months of the year, roughly in line with predictions, while unemployment was down. Full-year growth is estimated at 1.8 percent.

But he appeared to damn his prime minister, former president Dmitry Medvedev, with faint praise, saying that he was "generally" happy with the work of his government.

Putin was re-elected to a fourth term in March with nearly 77 percent of the vote, but recent polls have seen his support drop below 50 percent.

His previous term in the Kremlin was defined by a decline in living standards for many Russians, despite what were perceived as foreign policy wins.

An increase to the retirement age this year provoked anger and rare street protests but Putin said the hike was "unavoidable" when questioned on the subject.

Against a backdrop of strained ties with the US, Putin praised President Donald Trump's decision to pull troops out of Syria though condemned his withdrawal from a Cold War arms agreement.

There was a growing tendency to underestimate the threat of nuclear war, the Russian leader said.

But Putin insisted Trump was legitimately elected president and that any attempt to cast doubt on this -- or the result of the Brexit referendum -- showed "disrespect" to voters.

In the wide-ranging session, Putin dismissed a recent crackdown on Russian rappers as pointless and condemned the creation of an independent Ukrainian church.

- Costumes, tambourines -

And he repeated Kremlin claims that Ukrainian actions in the Kerch Strait off Crimea were a "provocation", following a naval confrontation and Russia's arrest of several Ukrainian sailors.

The Kremlin demands questions be sent in advance, but reporters every year go to great lengths to encourage the president to call on them.

On Thursday one journalist was dressed as a Russian fairytale character, the snow maiden, while another came holding a tambourine.


 SPUTNIK/AFP / Mikhail KLIMENTYEV Russian President Vladimir Putin looks on during his annual press conference in Moscow as journalists hold up placards trying to get his attention


Organisers, however, put a size limit on the placards media representatives traditionally hold up to attract Putin's attention.

The president began the tradition of such end-of-year press events in 2001, but with time they have evolved into marathon events. Since 2004, all December press conferences have surpassed three hours.

His record was in 2008, when questions and answers went on for four hours and 40 minutes.

The appearance was shown live on several TV stations, with some channels trailing the event with a day-long countdown clock.


AFP / Alexander NEMENOV Russian President Vladimir Putin in front of hundreds of journalists at his annual press conference in Moscow