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20, June 2026

World Cup: Iran to lodge complaint with FIFA over travel restrictions ⁰

Iran’s World Cup team will lodge a complaint with FIFA saying they are being subjected to travel restrictions during the tournament in North America, the Iranian football federation spokesman said on Thursday.

“Despite having submitted its preparation schedule for the tournament well in advance, Iran’s national football team has once again encountered restrictions imposed by the organisers, affecting the implementation of its technical staff’s plans,” the spokesman said.

Iran wanted to fly from their base camp in Tijuana, Mexico, to the United States two days before their next match, against Belgium in Los Angeles on Sunday.

But the Iranian federation said its request was turned down.

“Given that the game will be played at 12pm local time in Los Angeles, the Football Federation of Iran requested that the team be allowed to travel to Los Angeles two days before the match,” the spokesman said.

“The aim was to provide sufficient time for players to adapt to the match conditions, complete their final training session, and finalise preparations.

“Despite the technical reasons presented by the federation, the request was once again denied.”

The Iranians were also angry that they had to leave Los Angeles the night of their first game of the World Cup, a 2-2 draw against New Zealand.

The US administration has pushed back against the Iranian claims.

Andrew Giuliani, the executive director of the White House FIFA Task Force, said on Monday that Iran had been informed in advance that they would be allowed to come into the United States only on the day before the game.

“The team will be allowed to come in, match day minus one, so the day before the match,” Giuliani told CBS News.

“They’ll be asked to leave the day that the match wraps up, so the evening of the match. And they’ll be able to do that again in Los Angeles.”

He added that the procedure would be the same for Iran’s final group game against Egypt in Seattle on June 26.

Source: AFP

20, June 2026

Promote 2026 opens in Yaoundé ⁰

Cameroon’s small and medium-sized enterprises are showcasing their products and services at the 10th edition of Promote, the International Trade Fair for Business, SMEs, and Partnerships, which opened on June 12 at the Yaoundé Conference Center.

According to organizers, 236 local SMEs are taking part in the event, which runs through June 21 and remains one of the most important business gatherings in Central Africa.

Many of the participating companies received support from either the government or large private-sector firms. Afriland First Bank, one of Cameroon’s leading lenders and a longtime supporter of the event, sponsored the participation of 40 SMEs this year. The Ministry of Economy financed the attendance of another 100 local businesses.

Held under the theme, “Private Enterprises and the Business Environment: Navigating National and Global Economic Challenges,” Promote 2026 features a broad program that includes an exhibition, conferences, thematic workshops, business meetings, and networking activities.

Organized every two years by the Inter-Progress Foundation on behalf of the Cameroonian government, Promote has grown into the largest economic forum in Cameroon and the wider Central African region. The event now attracts about 1,000 exhibitors from both Cameroon and abroad.

Participants from the public and private sectors represent a wide range of industries, including agriculture and agribusiness, energy, manufacturing, construction, mining, infrastructure, information and communication technologies, healthcare, banking, finance, insurance, tourism, crafts, and communications.

Source: Business in Cameroon

20, June 2026

Biya regime values state-owned property in Yaoundé and Douala at CFA1.5 trillion ⁰

The Cameroonian government has identified 1,522 state-owned buildings in the departments of Mfoundi and Wouri, with a combined value of more than CFA1.5 trillion ($2.6 billion).

The figures were disclosed by Prime Minister Joseph Dion Ngute during a presentation to the National Assembly on June 12 as part of the first phase of a nationwide inventory and valuation of state-owned physical assets.

According to the prime minister, properties located in Mfoundi, home to the capital Yaoundé, are valued at about CFA1.07 trillion. In Wouri, which includes the economic capital Douala, the state’s real estate portfolio is estimated at nearly CFA442 billion. Together, the two cities account for approximately CFA1.512 trillion in public real estate assets.

Valuable Assets, but No Private Insurance Coverage

The data were released in response to questions from lawmakers about the government’s policy on insuring state-owned property.

Joseph Dion Ngute acknowledged that Cameroon currently does not rely on private insurance to cover government-owned real estate assets. He said the situation reflects the unique legal status and characteristics of public property. Administrative buildings, public facilities, infrastructure, and other state-owned properties are difficult to insure under standard market conditions because of their large number, geographic dispersion, and high value, he explained.

“As a result, administrative buildings and assets belonging to the state’s private domain, including public facilities, structures, infrastructure, and real estate, have characteristics that make them difficult to insure through private insurance companies under normal market conditions, given their scale, geographic spread, and considerable value,” the prime minister told lawmakers.

He added that responsibility for state-owned real estate, like government vehicle fleets, falls under the Ministry of State Property, Surveys and Land Tenure, which serves as the custodian of public assets.

The distinction highlights the difference between conventional insurance coverage and the administrative management of public property by the state itself.

From Inventory to Asset Management

Joseph Dion Ngute said the government intends to strengthen preventive measures in line with a 1984 decree governing the protection of state-owned real estate. The measures include preventive maintenance of public infrastructure and equipment, greater awareness among government agencies of regulations governing public assets, and stronger practices related to asset preservation and upkeep.

The inventory underscores the scale of public property holdings in Cameroon’s two largest cities. With more than CFA1.5 trillion in identified assets, the challenge extends beyond simply maintaining records of state-owned buildings. It also raises questions about asset management, maintenance, security, and the potential fiscal cost of deterioration.

The government’s next task will be to move from inventorying assets to managing them more actively. The value of the properties identified so far points to the need for better maintenance planning, clearer responsibilities among public institutions, and stronger risk-prevention strategies, even in the absence of a broad private insurance mechanism.

Source: Business in Cameroon

20, June 2026

Trump says Israel would have been ‘crushed’ without US backing ⁰

US President Donald Trump says Israel’s security and military position in the region depends heavily on support from the United States, stressing that Tel Aviv would have been “crushed” without American backing.

Speaking about US-Israeli relations on Friday, Trump noted that American assistance has been critical to Israel’s so-called defense capabilities.

“If it weren’t for my intervention, Israel would have been crushed,” Trump said, adding that Washington provides key military assets, including advanced weapons systems, the Iron Dome air defense network, and B-2 bombers.

Trump also described his relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as positive, while emphasizing Washington’s influence over Israeli decision-making.

“Netanyahu, who worked well with me, will tell you that we are the ones who have the weapons, we are the ones who have the Iron Dome, and we are the ones who have the B-2 bombers,” he said.

The US president claimed that Israel holds him in high regard and would listen to his advice, saying that Washington plays an important role in shaping Israeli actions.

“Israel has a lot of respect for me,” Trump said. “But we have to keep him a little bit sensible,” he added, referring to Netanyahu.

The comments come as Israel continues its military aggression against Lebanon despite Trump’s push to secure a ceasefire between the occupying regime and the Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah.

Source: Presstv

19, June 2026

Gov’t denies report about Biya’s health condition in Geneva ⁰

Minister of Communication and government spokesman Rene Emmanuel Sadi on Thursday denied reports about President Paul Biya’s health, assuring the public that the president is fine.

On Tuesday, the news magazine Jeune Afrique reported that Biya had been admitted to a hospital in Switzerland after falling ill during activities to mark the country’s National Day on May 20.

In a statement, Sadi said the report was “based on malicious and unfounded speculation.”

“The head of state is indeed in Geneva, Switzerland, but is by no means admitted in any medical facility nor is he in a state of health that requires medical care,” Sadi said, adding that Biya continues to monitor the affairs of the country with “due diligence” and will return to Cameroon “as soon as possible.”

Biya, 93, has been president of Cameroon since 1982.

Source: Xinhuanet

19, June 2026

Biometric census prompts review of 11,000 education ministry employees ⁰

Cameroon’s Ministry of Secondary Education (Minesec) has launched a major review of its workforce following a nationwide physical and biometric census conducted in early 2026. After consolidating the data, the ministry asked more than 11,000 employees to clarify their administrative status within 14 days. Through the exercise, the ministry is doing more than updating its records. It is also exposing the scale of the weaknesses that continue to affect its human resources management system.

In a series of notices signed on June 15, 2026, Minister Pauline Nalova Lyonga called on several categories of personnel to report to the relevant services of the ministry to clarify their status. The figures released by Minesec paint a troubling picture. The ministry identified 5,659 employees reported by their supervisors as having abandoned their positions, 392 employees classified as absent or deserters, 1,319 personnel reported to be living outside the country, and 3,172 employees whose administrative status is considered “unknown.”

One of the most striking findings concerns 392 individuals who continue to receive salaries from the ministry despite reportedly not belonging to any of its official structures. That figure alone highlights one of the operation’s main objectives. Beyond verifying attendance, Minesec is also seeking to regain control of an administrative and payroll database whose reliability now appears seriously compromised.

The personnel concerned have 14 days from the publication of the notices to submit the required documentation. The file must include, among other documents, census forms generated through the biometric platform and validated by supervisors, a certificate confirming effective presence at the workplace and indicating attendance levels and administrative status, a detailed account of the employee’s administrative situation over the past three years, a copy of the recruitment document, and a recent payslip. The ministry warned that any missing document will result in the rejection of the application.

The strict nature of the procedure reflects the scope of the operation. The ministry is no longer focusing on isolated irregularities. Instead, it is reviewing cases that could affect career management, actual staffing levels in schools, and the use of public funds.

The physical and biometric census that triggered the process took place nationwide between March 9 and April 8, 2026. It covered personnel working in schools as well as employees on training assignments or seconded to other government institutions. Officially, the goal was to establish a reliable picture of the workforce within the secondary education system. The initial findings, however, suggest that the exercise has revealed a deeper problem involving administrative traceability.

The operation comes at a time when the education sector already faces significant human resource challenges. For years, the administration has struggled to monitor staffing levels, fill certain positions, and retain personnel. These issues have been compounded by growing migration abroad among teachers and other public servants, although the figures released by the ministry do not indicate where the employees identified as living outside the country are located.

That is what gives the exercise a significance that goes beyond disciplinary concerns. Minesec is not simply dealing with cases of job abandonment or prolonged absence. It is also trying to determine who actually belongs to its services, who is physically present, who continues to receive a salary, and how these situations were allowed to persist administratively.

In that sense, the biometric census has become a tool for restoring control. It allows the ministry to compare its records against the reality of employee attendance, assignments, and administrative positions. At the same time, it reveals the extent of the administrative disorder that routine procedures had evidently failed to address.

The ministry presents the operation as a way to clean up personnel records, secure data, and improve human resource management. But the figures already made public show that it is also a test of the administration’s own credibility. When a ministry is forced to ask more than 11,000 employees to justify their status, questions inevitably arise about its actual control over its workforce.

The review could lead to disciplinary measures, administrative regularizations, and a broader cleanup of personnel records. More importantly, it should help the ministry distinguish between employees who are effectively serving in their positions and those whose administrative, professional, or payroll status now requires closer examination.

At Minesec, the biometric census no longer looks like a routine monitoring exercise. It is already emerging as a sign of deeper structural weaknesses in the management of secondary education personnel. Through the irregularities it has uncovered, it also serves as a reminder that staffing challenges are not only about teacher shortages, but also about the state’s continuing difficulty in determining precisely who still belongs to its own workforce.

Source: Sbbc

19, June 2026

US VP Vance rebukes warmongering Israeli ministers for attacking Iran Deal ⁰

US Vice President JD Vance has sharply criticized warmongering Israeli ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich for their aggressive opposition to the landmark memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between the United States and Iran to end the war, describing their stance as detached from reality and harmful to Israel’s own interests.

In an interview with The New York Times published on Thursday, Vance directly named the ultranationalist so-called National Security Minister Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Smotrich, calling out their public attacks on the agreement signed remotely by President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.

“What is your exact proposal? You’re a country of 9 million people. You can’t just kill your way out of solving every single national security problem that you have,” Vance stated, referring to the Israeli regime.

Vance emphasized that the deal represents a positive path forward for the region.

He noted pointed out that the majority of defensive weapons protecting Israel in recent months were American-made and funded by US taxpayers.

“Donald J. Trump is the only head of state in the entire world who is sympathetic to the nation of Israel at this moment in time,” Vance said, adding that anyone believing their biggest problem is the US president “needs to wake up and smell the reality.”

The MoU calls for a permanent end to hostilities across all fronts, the removal of the US naval blockade within 30 days, the restoration of commercial traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a reconstruction plan worth at least $300 billion, and the lifting of US sanctions.

Under the MoU, the two sides have entered a 60-day negotiation period, with the goal of reaching a comprehensive final agreement. In-person negotiations are scheduled to begin on June 19 in Switzerland, with Pakistan and Qatar serving as mediators.

The agreement followed an unprovoked US-Israeli war of terrorism against Iran that began in late February.

Source: Presstv

19, June 2026

EU leaders back stronger trade defenses amid Chinese export surge ⁰

EU leaders agreed during talks Thursday that the bloc must develop beefed-up trade defenses to curb a surge of Chinese exports deemed an existential threat to European industry by Brussels — while simultaneously seeking “constructive dialogue” with Beijing.

There is a growing consensus in the European Union that it is too dependent on China, and Brussels fears this makes it vulnerable to potential coercion and supply shocks.

The 27-nation bloc’s trade deficit in goods hit around 360 billion euros ($413 billion) last year, meaning Chinese exports sharply exceeded the EU’s.

During a two-hour summit dinner in Brussels, leaders chewed over how the EU could address the imbalance, and whether the bloc needed to boost its arsenal.

After talks ended early on Friday, an EU official said the leaders tasked the commission with continuing to engage “in a constructive dialogue with our main economic partners” but did not directly say China.

They also asked the executive “to develop and eventually complement the toolbox in the area of trade defense” and to make sure the EU has “all the instruments it needs to defend its interests and derisk”, the official said.

While EU capitals agree on a common diagnosis, the positions differ on the cure and several leaders on Thursday had called for dialogue as a priority.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez struck a more conciliatory tone than his counterparts before the dinner.

“We need friends, we need balanced relationships, we need to be pragmatic, and we need to build bridges both with major economies and potential allies, such as China,” Sanchez told reporters.

Following Trump’s playbook?

One way to beef up the EU’s arsenal could be creating a new tool to impose sector-specific tariffs such as chemicals or green tech — taking a page out of President Donald Trump’s playbook.

French President Emmanuel Macron last month called for a “European equivalent of Section 301” — the trade tool Trump has employed to set sweeping tariffs — arguing Europe’s “sovereignty is at stake”.

Germany has until now adopted a cautious posture because its economy is more exposed to potential retaliation, while Spain has sought to avoid tensions as it chases Chinese investment.

But Berlin appeared to be coming around to France’s way of thinking.

A German official said Berlin was “open” to new tools if they are necessary so long as they were “not targeted at specific recipients”.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, however, would not be drawn on China by reporters in Brussels.

Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin said before the dinner he wanted to see “the shape and nature of any mechanisms” introduced but warned Europe had to make sure it understood the consequences.

The EU official did not comment on what any new tools would look like.

Concern about Chinese dominance is not limited to the EU.

Fears are rising in the West over Beijing’s control in the market for rare earth minerals used in everyday electronic appliances, and China was on the agenda of G7 talks in France this week.

Brussels often evokes the need for fair competition, pointing to the unfair advantage Chinese companies have because of massive state subsidies.

Between 2005 and 2024, Chinese firms received around three to eight times more government support than firms in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, according to the OECD, which called it “a conservative estimate”.

EU appetite for a fight?

Even as its resolve appears to be hardening, the EU has shown no appetite to trigger a broader trade war with China.

Fears over Chinese retaliation are not unfounded.

After the EU hit Chinese electric cars with higher tariffs in 2024, China imposed anti-dumping duties on European cognac.

And Beijing has vowed to hit back if the EU pushes through rules that would exclude certain products manufactured outside the bloc from public contracts.

Sefcovic has invited Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao to Brussels later this month as the bloc still hopes it can prevent escalation through dialogue with China — but an EU official would not confirm the visit.

Source: AFP

18, June 2026

MECA Leicester hosts first-ever 3-Day Manyu cultural event ⁰

The Manyu Elements Cultural and Development Association (MECA) Leicester chapter made history on 12 June 2026 by hosting the first-ever three-day cultural festival dedicated to celebrating the rich heritage and traditions of the Manyu people in the United Kingdom.

Held under the motto “Unity, Togetherness and Peace,” the landmark event brought together members of the Manyu community and guests from across the UK for a weekend of culture, education, entertainment and development-focused discussions.

The festivities commenced on Friday, 12 June, with a vibrant cultural evening led by EKPE UK. The occasion was further enriched by captivating performances from Wanawawampke, Macuda UK, and the Dancing Duo Monikim Group of Leicester. The diversity of the participating groups reflected MECA Leicester’s commitment to promoting unity through cultural diversity and fostering stronger ties among Cameroonian communities in the diaspora.

One of the highlights of the evening was the “Manyu Kids Have Got Talent” showcase, which featured children performing live in various Manyu mother tongues. The performances left guests thoroughly impressed, not only by the children’s confidence and talent but also by their remarkable ability to communicate and perform in their ancestral languages. The showcase served as a powerful reminder of the importance of preserving cultural identity among younger generations.

The evening also featured an insightful and educational presentation by renowned Professor of Law, Sesekou Nelson Enonchong, who traced the origins of EKPE and explored its historical significance and enduring role within Bayang culture.

More than 250 guests were treated to an authentic culinary experience featuring some of Manyu’s most cherished traditional dishes, including NkụBétor, Squeezing, Fufu and Eru, and Tatchot Soup. The evening culminated in the unveiling of MECA Leicester’s new uniform, followed by a special cultural performance from the Leicester Monikim Group and a guest appearance by Ayuk the Artist.

The celebrations continued on Saturday, 13 June, with the signature Gala Night held at the magnificent Empire Hall in Leicester. The gala attracted approximately 350 guests and was organised under the theme: “A Bright Future for Manyu Division.”

In his welcome address, the President of MECA Leicester, Nfor John Bawak, expressed gratitude to all participating groups and organisations that answered the association’s invitation. He emphasised the importance of a united MECA UK in preserving, promoting and advancing the development of Manyu both in the diaspora and back home. He also highlighted the value of establishing the cultural weekend as an annual event rotating among MECA chapters across the United Kingdom.

As part of this vision, Nfor John Bawak formally passed the torch to Nfor Takang of MECA Coventry, inviting Coventry to host the next cultural festival in 2027. In accepting the challenge, Nfor Takang commended MECA Leicester, describing it as one of the strongest and most dynamic MECA chapters in the UK, while encouraging Leicester to consider hosting a future MECA UK national event within the next three years.

The gala also generated significant donations, which will support community development projects across the four subdivisions of Manyu over the next twelve months through initiatives coordinated by MECA Leicester.

The historic three-day celebration concluded on Sunday with a community barbecue and a final cultural showcase by MECA Leicester members. Guests were treated to a variety of expertly prepared barbecue delicacies, good music, and fellowship as the organisers thanked participants and visitors for their support and contribution to the success of the weekend.

The event not only celebrated the richness of Manyu culture but also demonstrated the power of unity, cultural preservation, and community collaboration in strengthening the bonds between Manyu people across the United Kingdom and beyond.

17, June 2026

Manyu Division: dancing chiefs compromised because of alcohol and sex ⁰

A few days ago, a video shot in Mamfe, Manyu Division in the South West Region of Cameroon in which a so-called Mamfe businessman, Richard Tabe Bisong, was bowing to the South West Governor, Okalia Bilai, like Angels do to God, went viral not because online communities thought it was pleasant to see but because a man who prides himself on his business intelligence was being reduced to a desperate conman in search of validation and protection from administrative officers.

Mr. Tabe Bisong who is being touted in Manyu Division as a successful cocoa exporter has been spraying money all over the place as if he never worked for that money.

While some people are hailing him for his financial success, calling him “financial waterfall” many others are very suspicious of his money.

Many people hold that Mr. Tabe Bisong, who is desperate for recognition, is supposed to be exporting cocoa beans to neighboring Nigeria, but over the last two years, the business of cocoa has run into a massive storm with cocoa prices hitting new lows.

A kilo of cocoa once sold for CFAF 6,000 but the last two years have been a disaster to many cocoa farmers who have seen their profit margins take a nosedive due to declining global demand for cocoa.

Manyu Division has been hit hard by the declining global demand for cocoa but one man continues to give the impression that cocoa is now the new “gold”.

But not many people are buying into his gimmick. Many hold that there is more to his business than meets the eye.

Manyu Division is in the grip of a massive devastating drug addiction crisis and anybody whose wealth cannot be accounted for, is considered a suspect.

It is alleged that Mr. Tabe Bisong is currently the highest ‘administrative authority’ in Manyu as he has already brought the government’s Senior Divisional Officer under his control. He is now seen in grandstands in the Division whenever there is an important event.

According to our sources in Mamfe, Mr. Tabe Bisong’s relationship with the Senior Divisional Officer for Manyu is a real cause for concern.

It is being rumored that Mr. Tabe Bisong took the Manyu Senior Divisional Officer (SDO) to China where the SDO went on a wild spending spree at Mr. Tabe Bisong’s expense.

Mr. Tabe Bisong’s behavior at the funeral of the SDO’s father’s funeral in the West Region where he lined up CFAF 10,000 bills for the SDO to walk on has not escaped the attention of the country’s secret service which is on the businessman’s trail.

It is also being rumored that Tabe Bisong may be exporting cocoa beans to Nigeria but may also be engaging in other unorthodox operations.

“Cocoa alone cannot deliver the type of money Tabe Bisong says he is making. He has been boasting that last year alone, he made CFAF 6 billion from his trade with Nigeria, but so far, there is no bank in the South West in general and Mamfe in particular that is holding Mr. Tabe Bisong’s money,” a resident of Mamfe said.

“We hear that the secret service is investigating his financial claims and that his relationship with senior administrative officers, including the South West Governor, is really under scrutiny,” the resident whose son has been overwhelmed by tramadol said angrily.

“The country’s administrative officials should not be seen with a man whose money carries multiple question marks. The people of Mamfe are concerned and they want answers to some of the issues confronting them, including the drug crisis that has killed some young men and destroyed many,” the father of three said, pointing to the demonstrations in Egbekaw-Mamfe against drug suppliers.

The bitter Manyu resident condemned what he saw in the video which is now known as the “Tabe Bisong comedy of desperation”, questioning why a man who claims to be making his money legitimately will be sucking up to administrative officers who are supposed to rise above behavior that is questionable.

The Manyu resident who spoke on condition of anonymity to our Manyu correspondent also took aim at the Chief of Okoyong who presided over the comedy of desperation staged by Mr. Tabe Bisong.

He questioned the role of some young Manyu traditional rulers, describing the Okoyong chief as corrupt and irresponsible leader due to his reckless behavior.

He added that with the exception of the Manyu paramount chief, Dr. Godson Oben, and some old self-respecting chiefs, most young Manyu chiefs constitute a syndicate of criminals whose real job is to have sex, abuse alcohol and dance in almost every occasion in Cameroon.

He called on the people of Manyu to know who to choose as their chiefs, stressing that most Manyu chiefs have transformed the Division into a location where every event is part of the moving feast of sex carefully crafted by these young traditional rulers.

He regretted that the behavior of these chiefs makes Cameroonians to hold that Manyu Division is a new mental asylum. The misbehavior of a few people who are supposed to be role models is hurting the Division.

These chiefs have had more than their fair share of free sex. The paramount chief needs to call them to order, the Mamfe resident said angrily, adding that these ‘dancing chiefs and alcoholics’ are devaluing the people of Manyu and their culture.

“A chief is supposed to be an embodiment of respect. He is supposed to be out of the public eye. He is supposed to be reflecting on how to make his village a better place. How can someone who spends time drinking, dancing and sleeping in women’s thighs ever have enough time to come up with ideas which can transform the destiny of his people?,” he quipped.

Manyu is in trouble, he said, adding that if a chief is compromised because of alcohol and sex, how can he really work for his people?, he asked.

Many people are really angry with the behavior of some of the Manyu chiefs but they do not have the courage to call out these people who are spreading moral decadence and pain in our Division, he said.

We need somebody to help us. A Manyu Chiefs’ conference needs to be held to discuss some of these issues. Our chiefs have to embrace hard work. They must walk away from alcohol and casual sex. Their people are losing confidence in them. They must display behavior which reflects their statuses, he concluded.

By Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai