Angola foresees increase in oil output of 32,800 BPD

 Luanda - Angolan government said it expects an increase in crude oil production of around 32.800 barrels/day by 2023, rising from 1.14 million recorded in 2022 to 1.18 million barrels/day.

This forecast is contained in 2023 Budget Justification Report,  which attributes the increase in oil production levels to blocks operating in the country.

The report mentioned the block 15/06 (8.59%), Block 14 (8, 26%), Block 15 (8.24%), Block 31 (4.13%) and Block 17 (7.45%), with the last showing the highest performance operated by the multinational TotalEnergies.

For 2023, the total expected production of crude oil is 430.7 million barrels/year, against the 419 expected by the end of this year, 2022.

Until October 2022, Angola exported 351.7 million barrels of crude at an average price of USD102.48, according to consolidated data published on the Ministry of Finance website, provided by the Special Taxation Directorate ( DTE).

The average oil price in the same 2023 Budget proposal is set at USD 75 against USD 59, the latter considered the most conservative.

With this and other economic indicators for 2023, the Angolan Executive foresees a strengthening of the recovery process of the Angolan economy, with real GDP growth of 3.30%, compared to the 2.7% growth forecast for 2022.

The anticipated growth for 2023 is justified by expectations of an increase in oil and gas production of around 2.98% (without gas, 2.8%) and in the non-oil sector at a rate of 3.42%.

These economic projections for 2023 were prepared on the basis of an average price of a barrel of oil of 75 dollars and an average daily oil production of 1.18 million barrels of crude oil (bbls) already mentioned, as well as a projected inflation of 11. 1%.

Over 64 tonnes of different goods delivered to Cuban victims of Hurricane Ian

 Luanda- More than 64 tonnes of a variety of goods have been sent to Cuba, as part of the support and solidarity campaign for the victims of the hurricane "Ian".

The information was presented on Monday, in Luanda, at a press conference that served to balance the first phase of the campaign, by the chairman of the Association of Former Angolan Students in Cuba, Agostinho Narciso.

 

Among the donated goods, it is included basic necessities stuff such as non-perishable food, medicine and clothing.

 

The donation aid is the result of a campaign held from 12 to 28 October under the motto “Help us to help the Cuban people”.

 

The official said that during the campaign 232.2 tonnes of assorted goods had been collected, of which 43.77 tonnes were sent to Cuba in the first phase and 21 tonnes in the second. In Angola there are 167.43 tonnes for a new phase yet to be sent.

 

According to the United Nations data, Hurricane Ian affected 3 million people, including 500,000 children and 700,000 elderly Cubans.

 

Hurricane Ian had a historic category 4 and gained speed with winds of up to 250 km/h, hitting the Cuban provinces of Pinar del Río, Mayabeque, San Juan y Martínez, Guanahacabibes and Isla de la Juventud which is the second largest Cuban island.

Lamp factory produces 60,000 units per day

 Viana - The "Best" lamp factory belonging to the Huaxiang group produces 60,000 light bulbs per day, the factory CEO Weng Lin Xiang said Monday.

Speaking to the press at the end of a visit by the Secretary of State for Industry, Ivan do Prado, the CEO said put at 186 the number of staff (national citizens)operating in the plant.

The factory, located in the municipality of Viana, in Luanda, produces LED lights, among other lamps for false ceilings, floor lights, insect repellent lights and floodlights, amongst others. 

He also said that the industry was also involved in juice production, with capacity for 40,000 boxes per day. 

On the sidelines of the visit, the Secretary of State for Industry, Ivan do Prado, said that the visit to the factory units aimed at  assessing the unit.

Head of State swears in recently appointed Central Bank cadres

 Luanda - The President of the Republic, João Lourenço, on Monday swore in the recently appointed staff members of the National Reserve Bank of Angola (BNA), to whom he wished success in their respective duties.

At the ceremony which took place at the Presidential Palace, the Head of State swore in the vice-governors of the BNA, Manuel António Tiago Dias and Pedro Rodrigo Gonçalves de Castro e Silva,

 

The directors Maria Juliana de Carvalho Van-Dúnem de Fontes Pereira, and Miguel Bartolomeu Miguel also took office, in the same ceremony.

 

 

"To those who have been sworn in I would just like to wish them all the success in the performance of the duties they will assume as of today", said President João Lourenço on the occasion, taking the opportunity to wish Merry Christmas and prosperous new year to BNA staff due to the festive season.

 

Talking to the press at the end of the ceremony, the BNA Vice-Governor, Tiago Castro e Silva, stated that one of the main ideas is to continue the policies of the Central Bank ongoing for five years now.

 

He said that there are targeted policies on macroeconomic stability focused on inflation control.

 

As a Central Bank, the BNA’s main objective is to ensure the preservation of the national currency and participate in the definition of the monetary, financial and exchange rate policies.

‘The Greatest of all Time’ trends as social media lauds Messi for winning World Cup trophy

 Argentina and Paris Saint-German forward, Lionel Messi has now completed the fairytale end of his international football career when he led the La Abiceleste to claim the 2022 World Cup trophy.

Argentina clashed with the 2018 reigning champions [France] on Sunday, 18 December 2022, in the showpiece final of the 2022 World Cup in Doha’s Lusail Stadium.

The two sides ended the match in 3-3 draw after extra time, leading them to a penalty shootout of which the Argentines won 4-2, a painful way to settle a game that will now be talked about whenever the World Cup is discussed.

The 35-year-old Argentina rubbed his hands together in glorious anticipation of his crowning glory, donning the traditional Arab robe known as a bisht, before finally lifting the World Cup.

Messi has now achieved the dream that eluded him. The gap in his glittering collection had been filled and the set was complete after arguably the most spectacular World Cup final in history.

The Paris Saint-Germain striker can now add the World Cup to seven Ballons d’Or, four Champions Leagues, one Copa America, 10 La Liga titles with Barcelona and a Ligue 1 crown in France with Paris St-Germain.

Messi who also became the first player to score at every round of the World Cup tournament was adjudged the Best Player of the Tournament and handed the Golden Ball.

On social media, fans of the footballing icon have now settled the debate about who the greatest player is after winning the world’s golden trophy.

Source: Prince Adu-Owusu

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Jury Finds Former Hollywood Producer Harvey Weinstein Guilty Of Rape

 Former movie producer Harvey Weinstein was found guilty of rape and two other sexual assault counts by a Los Angeles jury on Monday, marking the second conviction of the onetime Hollywood kingmaker who became the face of #MeToo sexual abuse allegations five years ago.

The jury found Weinstein guilty of rape, forcible oral copulation and sexual penetration by a foreign object involving one woman, but acquitted him of charges relating to a second alleged victim, the Los Angeles Superior Court announced.

The jury could not reach a verdict on two allegations, including rape, by Jennifer Siebel Newsom, the wife of California’s Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom, who previously disclosed she was Jane Doe 4 in the trial. The jury did not reach a verdict on charges relating to one other woman.

Weinstein, 70, is already serving a 23-year prison sentence after being convicted of sexual misconduct in New York.

The former model and actress that Weinstein was convicted of raping at a Los Angeles hotel in 2013, and known in court as Jane Doe 1, issued a statement shortly after the verdict.

“Harvey Weinstein forever destroyed a part of me that night in 2013 and I will never get that back. The criminal trial was brutal and Weinstein’s lawyers put me through hell on the witness stand, but I knew I had to see this through to the end, and I did. I hope Weinstein never sees the outside of a prison cell during his lifetime.”

Weinstein faces up to 18 years in prison on the counts for which he was convicted, but aggravating factors could increase that to 24 years. Lawyers return to court on Tuesday to deliver arguments about aggravating factors.

Elizabeth Fegan, Siebel Newsom’s attorney, said in a statement: “While we are heartened that the jury found Weinstein guilty on some of the counts, we are disappointed that the jury could not reach a unanimous verdict on Jane Doe 4,” Fegan said.

“She will continue to fight for all women and all survivors of abuse against a system that permits the victim to be shamed and re-traumatized in the name of justice.”

In Los Angeles, Weinstein faced seven counts of rape and sexual assault from four women during encounters between 2004 and 2013.

The jury acquitted Weinstein of a felony charge of

sexual battery by restraint involving an alleged attack on one woman, Jane Doe 3, in 2010. Jurors were unable to reach verdicts on charges of sexual battery by restraint involving an alleged attack in February 2013 against Jane Doe 2 and counts of forcible oral copulation and forcible rape involving an alleged attack against Siebel Newsom in 2005.

Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón said in a statement: “I am of course disappointed that the jury was split on some of the counts, but hope its partial verdicts bring at least some measure of justice to the victims.”

[1/3]Former film producer Harvey Weinstein appears in court at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center in Los Angeles, California, USA, 04 October 2022. Harvey Weinstein was extradited from New York to Los Angeles to face sex-related charges. Etienne Laurent/Pool via REUTERS

During five weeks of testimony in Los Angeles Superior Court, accusers including documentary filmmaker Siebel Newsom said Weinstein lured them to what they believed were business meetings.

Superior Court Judge Lisa Lench declared a mistrial on the counts where the jury could not reach a verdict, including the allegations made by Siebel Newsom.

The women had alleged during often graphic testimony that the powerful producer of “Pulp Fiction” and “Shakespeare in Love” masturbated in front of them and groped or raped them.

Siebel Newsom and three other women offered testimony that provided the basis for the two counts of rape and five counts of sexual assault that Weinstein faced.

Four additional women offered similar stories to buttress the prosecution’s arguments that Weinstein routinely abused his position as a Hollywood power player to prey on women.

They said he promised help with securing an audition or a book deal, then arranged meetings where staff disappeared and left them alone with him.

Weinstein said all of his sexual encounters were consensual and pleaded not guilty.

Defense attorneys argued that the women willingly had sex with Weinstein because they believed he would help their careers, part of what they said was a widespread “casting couch” culture in the film industry. In two of the cases, they said the sexual contact was fabricated.

They also highlighted that some of the accusers, including Siebel Newsom, kept in contact with Weinstein, which they argued did not make sense if he had attacked them.

Siebel Newsom attended a pre-Oscars party hosted by Weinstein with her husband, and sent Weinstein dozens of friendly emails over the years.

Weinstein was convicted of sexual misconduct in New York in February 2020. He was extradited from New York to a Los Angeles prison in July 2021.

In New York, Weinstein is appealing his conviction and prison sentence.

Allegations against Weinstein helped fuel the #MeToo movement of women speaking out against sexual harassment and abuse by powerful men in media, politics and other spheres.

by Lisa Richwine and Tim Reid in Los Angeles

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Jan. 6 Committee refers Trump to DOJ for criminal prosecution

 The criminal referral of a former president of the United States by a committee of the United States Congress is unprecedent

THIS JUST IN – The January 6 Committee investigating activities surrounding and leading to the breach of the United States Capitol by rioters with the purpose of impeding the peaceful transfer of power has ended with a criminal referral of former President Donald Trump to the Department of Justice for prosecution.

After the case was laid out by Congressman Jamie Raskin and a motion by Congresswoman Elain Luria for the committee’s official recommendation of four specific crimes alleged to have been committed by the former president, deputy Chair Liz Cheney of Wyoming requested a formal vote which established nine ‘aye’ votes to zero ‘no’ vote.

The Committee’s referral is largely symbolic and not binding on the DOJ, which is already investigating the former president of other alleged crimes.

The specific charges are “assisting and aiding an insurrection”, obstruction of an official proceeding”, conspiracy to make false statements”, and “conspiracy to defraud the United States.”

Other people also referred to the DOJ for criminal prosecution include attorney John Eastman who allegedly instigated the whole scheme, attorney Rudi Guilliani, and others.

“No one, including the former president, is above the law,” Committee Chair Bennie Thompson later said in an interview with CNN..

The January 6 Committee was established to investigate the insurrection at the US Capitol at the urging of President Donald Trump who had just lost a general election but insisted the election was fraudulent.

Although several accounts by White House staff members alleged that Trump privately acknowledged his loss saying on one occasion “I can’t believe I lost to that (expletive) referring to Joe Biden, he continued to peddle lies to incite his supporters to rush to the Capitol ad “fight like hell” to stop the peaceful transfer of power.

With Republicans set to assume control of Congress and expected to dissolve the January 6 Committee, the attention now shifts to the Department of Justice.

DNT News, Houston, Texas.

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Irmgard Furchner: Nazi typist guilty of complicity in 10,500 murders

 A former secretary who worked for the commander of a Nazi concentration camp has been convicted of complicity in the murders of more than 10,505 people.

Irmgard Furchner, 97, was taken on as a teenaged typist at Stutthof and worked there from 1943 to 1945.

Furchner, the first woman to be tried for Nazi crimes in decades, was given a two-year suspended jail term.

Although she was a civilian worker, the judge agreed she was fully aware of what was going on at the camp.

Some 65,000 people are thought to have died in horrendous conditions at Stutthof, including Jewish prisoners, non-Jewish Poles and captured Soviet soldiers. As Furchner was only 18 or 19 at the time, she was tried in a special juvenile court.

At Stutthof, located near the modern-day Polish city of Gdansk, a variety of methods was used to murder detainees and thousands died in gas chambers there from June 1944.

The court at Itzehoe in northern Germany heard from survivors of the camp, some of whom have died during the trial.

When the trial began in September 2021, Irmgard Furchner went on the run from her retirement home and was eventually found by police on a street in Hamburg.

Stutthof commandant Paul-Werner Hoppe was jailed in 1955 for being an accessory to murder and he was released five years later.

A series of prosecutions have taken place in Germany since 2011, after the conviction of former Nazi death camp guard John Demjanjuk set the precedent that being a guard was sufficient evidence to prove complicity.

That ruling also meant that civilian worker Furchner could stand trial, as she worked directly to the camp commander, dealing with correspondence surrounding Stutthof detainees.

It took 40 days for her to break her silence in the trial, when she told the court “I’m sorry about everything that happened”. “I regret that I was in Stutthof at the time – that’s all I can say,” she said.

Her defence lawyers argued she should be acquitted because of doubts surrounding what she knew, as she was one of several typists in Hoppe’s office.

Historian Stefan Hördler played a key role in the trial, accompanying two judges on a visit to the site of the camp. It became clear from the visit that Furchner was able to see some of the worst conditions at the camp from the commandant’s office.

The historian told the trial that 27 transports carrying 48,000 people arrived at Stutthof between June and October 1944, after the Nazis decided to expand the camp and speed up mass murder with the use of Zyklon B gas.

Mr Hördler described Hoppe’s office as the “nerve centre” for everything that went on at Stutthof.

Josef Salomonovic was persuaded by his wife to travel from Vienna to northern Germany to give evidence last December

Camp survivor Josef Salomonovic, who travelled to the court to give evidence at the trial, was only six when his father was shot dead at Stutthof in September 1944.

“She’s indirectly guilty,” he told reporters at the court last December, “even if she just sat in the office and put her stamp on my father’s death certificate.”

Another survivor, Manfred Goldberg, said his only disappointment was that the two-year suspended sentence “appears to be a mistake”.

“No-one in their right mind would send a 97 year old to prison, but the sentence should reflect the severity of the crimes,” he said.

“If a shoplifter is sentenced to two years, how can it be that someone convicted for complicity in 10,000 murders is given the same sentence?”

Nazi crime cases since 2011

• John Demjanjuk – jailed in 2011 for five years for his part in the murder of more than 28,000 Jews at the Sobibor death camp but released pending an appeal and died the following year aged 91
• Oskar Gröning – the “Bookkeeper of Auschwitz”, sentenced in 2015 as an accessory to the murder of 300,000 Jews. He never went to jail, dying in 2018 aged 96 during the appeals process
• Reinhold Hanning – former SS guard at Auschwitz convicted of helping to commit mass murder in June 2016 but died a year later aged 95 with appeals still pending
• Friedrich Karl Berger – former guard at the Neuengamme concentration camp, deported to Germany from the US in February 2021 aged 95. German prosecutors dropped charges against him and his current fate is unknown
• Josef S – jailed for five years in June 2022 for assisting in the murder of more than 3,500 prisoners in Sachsenhausen concentration camp. Aged 101, he is the oldest person to be convicted for Nazi-era war crimes in Germany, but because of age and ill health is unlikely to spend any time in prison

Furchner’s trial could be the last to take place in Germany into Nazi-era crimes, although a few cases are still being investigated.

Two other cases have gone to court in recent years for Nazi crimes committed at Stutthof.

Last year a former camp guard was declared unfit for trial even though the court said there was a “high degree of probability” he was guilty of complicity.

In 2020, another SS camp guard, Bruno Dey, was given a two-year suspended jail term for complicity in the murder of more than 5,000 prisoners.

By Paul Kirby & Robert Greenall

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