europeanaffair – Pagina 9 – European Affairs Magazine

‘Masquerade ball is over’, Erdoğan tells Europe.

20 Marzo 2017 BreakingNews @en di

Europe’s “masquerade ball’ is over, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has told the continent following his most recent spat with domestic and foreign enemies, slamming countries such as Germany and the Netherlands for banning Turkish ministers from conducting constitutional amendment campaigns. “What has been happening in Europe lately shows that the struggle against my country and against our struggle has passed to a new stage. Those who tried to come at us with their men, with the terrorists that they support and gave guns to, with the spies they bought with a dollar, are now in the field. My brothers and sisters, the masquerade ball is over”. Erdoğan accused European countries of supporting the political campaigns of the opposition to constitutional amendments that will usher in an executive presidency with near-unencumbered powers for himself.

Palestinians bury teen shot and killed during attack on IDF forces.

20 Marzo 2017 BreakingNews @en di

Since 2015, Palestinians have killed 41 Israelis and two visiting Americans in numerous assaults, mainly stabbings, shootings and car ramming attacks. At least 239 Palestinians, mostly identified as terrorist attackers, have been killed by IDF forces in the same period. Palestinians in the Al-Arroub refugee camp near Hebron held a funeral on Saturday for Morad Abu Ghazi, a 16-year-old shot and killed after he took part in attacks on Israeli soldiers on patrol in Judea and Samaria on Friday evening. One hundred are the people took to the streets demanding justice. Some Palestinians clashed with Israeli forces, who used stun grenades to disperse the crowd.

North Korea tests newly developed high-thrust rocket engine.

20 Marzo 2017 BreakingNews @en di

North Korea has conducted a ground test of a new type of high-thrust rocket engine that leader Kim Jong Un is calling a revolutionary breakthrough for the country’s space program, the North’s state media said Sunday. Kim attended Saturday’s test at the Sohae launch site, according to the Korean Central News Agency, which said the test was intended to confirm the “new type” of engine’s thrust power and gauge the reliability of its control system and structural safety. Kim called the test “a great event of historic significance” for the country’s indigenous rocket industry, the KCNA report said.

The National Drug Law enforcement Agency recorded 34,499 drug-related arrests in four years

20 Marzo 2017 BreakingNews @en di

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, between 2012 and 2015, arrested 34,499 persons in connection with drug related offences across the 36 states of the federation, in particular in the north-west geo-political zone; On the opposite the north-east geopolitical zone with years of terrorist attacks and insurgency is the least with cases of drug-related offences. The most part of arrested people were men, while women involved were just a little over 2,000. After the interception of two drug traffickers at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, (who 2.150kg of heroin from Tanzania and 386 grammes of cocaine to Cambodia) the Chairman of the NDLEA, Muhammad Abdallah, assured also a strict narcotic screening at the airport, to fight the trafficking of drug cartels.

Despite pledging transparency, Buhari’s govt. conceals details of Paris Club refunds.

20 Marzo 2017 BreakingNews @en di

In November 2016 President Muhammadu Buhari authorised the payment of 522.74 billion to 36 states, to settle arrears of workers’ salaries, retirees’ pension and gratuities. Nigerians, civil society and the media asked for details about how their governors would spent the money, but the federal government gave no details on tha matters. After many months the media found out that only few states had used the funds for the suggested purpose, and last week, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) confirmed that it was investigating suspected misuse of the funds. The states were in particular suspected of concealing the payment from the public and the civil servants. Only a few states like Kaduna and Plateau, voluntarily admitted receiving payments. The financial minister, Mrs. Adeosun, explained that there was an agreement with states that a first ammount of each state’s claim would be paid, but the balances due would be paid when the country’s financial situation improves. The executive director of SERAP (Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project) Adetokunbo Mumuni, said states should be compelled to publish what they collected and details of spending, either on a dedicated website or other media, to enable the people know what the monies were used for.