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29, June 2017

Russia to respond ‘in proportion’ to US strike on Syria ⁰

Russia has said it will react “in proportion” to any US military actions against Syria on the pretense of preventing a chemical attack. “We will react with dignity, in proportion to the real situation that may take place,” said Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Wednesday during a press conference.

Lavrov added that he hoped the US would not use its intelligence assessments concerning the Syrian government’s alleged intentions to further provoke the country. “I expect that our partners in the region – American, European – will also have an open and comprehensible approach aimed at de-escalation through normalization of the humanitarian situation,” he added.

Earlier in the day, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov cautioned the US against any unilateral action in Syria. He further added that Syrian army troops pose no threat to US forces, and that the US attacks on the Syrian armed forces are provocative in nature.

On Monday, US Press Secretary Sean Spicer claimed that the US had “identified potential preparations” for an attack “that would likely result in the mass murder of civilians, including innocent children.”

He added that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and the Syrian military would “pay a heavy price” if they went ahead with the alleged plan. The Pentagon claims that it has seen activities linked with chemical weapons at Shayrat airfield in Homs province that was hit by American missiles in April.

Different foreign-backed terrorist groups have been wreaking havoc in Syria since 2011. Over the past few months, Syrian forces have made sweeping gains against Takfiri elements, who have lately increased their acts of violence across the country following a series of defeats on the ground.

Source: Presstv

29, June 2017

Biya meets Chinese Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs ⁰

Zhang Ming, Chinese Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs has held very intensive and productive talks with the Cameroonian dictator, President Biya. Both men met at the Unity Palace on Wednesday the 28th of June 2017.

After the meeting with the Head of State, Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Ming said he was delighted with the friendly and excellent cooperation ties that exist between Cameroon and China. Thus, his two-day visit is another step aimed at solidifying these ties, especially in the economic sector.

President Paul BIYA’s next visit to China was also highlighted during the discussions. The 84 year old Cameroonian leader received an invitation from his Chinese counterpart, President Xi Jinping on the 11th of January 2017. The Chinese official was accompanied by the Chinese Ambassador to Cameroon, Wei Wenshua.

Source: PRC

28, June 2017

Cameroon repatriates 887 Nigerian refugees ⁰

About 887 Nigerian refugees from Cameroon on Tuesday arrived in Banki, Borno State following a request from the Cameroonian government to Nigeria to facilitate their return. Hanson Tamfu, the External Relations Officer, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, UNHCR, Nigeria, made this known in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.

Mr. Tamfu said that the request was prompted by fear and suspicions of the Cameroonian authorities that among the refugees might include some elements of Boko Haram. “The returnees arrived in six trucks sent by Nigerian authorities following the meeting with the governor of the far north region of Cameroon on June 19.

“During the meeting, Nigeria was requested to cause the return of refugees, which the Cameroonian authority suspects may also compromise some elements of Boko Haram whose activities have increased tremendously in recent times. “Consequently, the Borno State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) on June 26 dispatched the buses to transport the refugees,’’ Tamfu said.

Mr. Tamfu said that the latest group of returnees comprises 233 females, 187 males, 236 girls, and 231 boys who were living in host communities in Kolofata, a far north region of Cameroon. He said it was reported that most of them do not have much in terms of personal effects but a few items in plastic sacks while some returned completely empty handed.

Mr. Tamfu said that UNHCR responded immediately by providing wet feeding, adding that it also would contact the National Emergency Management Agency and the Borno SEMA to continue with food provision. He said that more returnees had indicated interest to leave Minawowa Camp in Cameroon, adding that they were anxious to return following the media reports about improved security back home.

He said they were also eager to return on hearing the government’s decision to distribute food to all the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Borno. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the official registered returnees from Cameroon through Banki now stood at 19,257.

Source: Premium Times

28, June 2017

Controversial appointments: Biya loses credibility on the Pondi-Daniel Abwa nomination, late Peter Agbor Tabi replaced ⁰

President Paul Biya on Tuesday carried out a major shake up at the head of state universities and higher institutions of learning in Cameroon. Four new rectors were appointed by the 84 year old leader. Adolphe Minkoa She, professor of law who after so many failed attempts has now taken the reins at the University of Yaoundé 2 in Soa, where he is now rector.

Florence Uphie Chinje Melo, former director of Mipromalo (a company specialize in the promotion of local materials), is now the rector of the University of Ngaoundéré. The historian, Idrissou Alioum, former inspector at the Ministry of Higher Education, is the new rector of the University of Maroua in the Far North.

A senior Chemistry lecturer, Prof. Horace Ngomo Manga, who moonlighted as Secretary General at the Ministry of Higher Education was appointed Vice Chancellor of the University of Buea. Biya also made some changes in some of the faculties. Awono Onana left the directorate of the polytechnic school. He is the new Dean of the Faculty of Science at the University of Yaoundé I.

The University of Yaoundé 1 recorded a funny CPDM readjustment. The former Secretary General, Prof. Jean Emmanuel Pondi, was raised to the rank of Vice-Rector while Prof. Daniel Abwa was demoted from the post of Vice-Rector to that of Secretary General. Lucien Ayissi, Professor of Philosophy, is the new Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities at the University of Yaoundé.

The so-called mathematician and former cabinet minister Maurice Tchuente was made chairman of the board of the University of Yaoundé 2 replacing the late Minister Peter Agbor Tabi. Salomon Eheth, formerly in charge of the civil cabinet at the presidency, is the new director of the Institute of International Relations of Cameroon (Iric).

Retirements:
Four rectors were sent to retirement. They are Nalova Lyonga, former Vice Chancellor of the University of Buea, Edward Ako Oben who reached the age limit but named pro Chancellor of the university of Buea, Henri Amvan Zollo ex-rector of the University of Ngaoundere and Ibrahim Adamou, former rector of the University of Yaoundé 2.

By Chi Prudence Asong
Cameroon Concord News

28, June 2017

Battle for Syria: President Assad visits Russian-run air base in Latakia ⁰

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has paid a visit to a Russian-run air base in the country’s western coastal province of Latakia, from which Russian fighter jets conduct airstrikes against Daesh terrorists and foreign-sponsored Takfiri militants.

The Syrian leader inspected a single-seat, twin-engine and super-maneuverable Sukhoi SU-35 fighter jet as well as armored vehicles at Hmeimim base southeast of the provincial capital city of Latakia on Tuesday, and met with a number of Russian military commanders there, Syria’s official news agency SANA reported.

Chief of Russia’s General Staff Valery Gerasimov accompanied Assad during the visit. “The Syrian people will not forget the support of their Russian brothers,” Assad wrote in the base visitors’ book, AFP reported.
Russian Defense Ministry issues a statement noting that during the visit, Assad and Gerasimov had held talks at the base on “coordination between Syrian government forces and Russia’s air force”.

Source: Presstv

28, June 2017

Scotland postpones 2nd independence referendum until after Brexit ⁰

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon says she will postpone plans for a second independence referendum until after negotiations over Britain’s exit from the European Union have concluded next year. Sturgeon made the announcement in the Scottish parliament on Tuesday, saying that she was putting on hold her plans to introduce legislation that would demand a second referendum until autumn 2018 when Brexit terms are supposedly clear.

“The Scottish government remains committed strongly to the principle of giving Scotland a choice at the end of this [Brexit] process but I want to reassure people that our proposal is not for a referendum now, or before there is sufficient clarity about the options, but rather to give them a choice at the end of the Brexit process when that clarity has emerged,” Sturgeon said.

“We will not seek to introduce the legislation for an independence referendum immediately,” she added. “The Scottish government will reset the plan I set out.” Leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP) noted that the “uncertainty” of the Brexit process is now her priority and her party is focused on getting “the best deal out of Brexit – the best deal for Scotland.”

“Instead, we will – in good faith – redouble our efforts and put our shoulder to the wheel in seeking to influence the Brexit talks in a way that protects Scotland’s interests,” she noted. The pro-independence Scottish Greens called on the SNP leader not to back down on her bid to have a second referendum and to “continue fighting” for another vote on the issue.

Source: Presstv

27, June 2017

Biya appoints anti Anglophone University Don as rector of Yaounde University II ⁰

The President of the Republic has signed decrees appointing new Rectors to some state universities. The decrees made public late today, Tuesday the 27th of June 2017 appointed:
Ngomo Horace Manga, Vice Chancellor of the University of Buea.
Idrissou Alioum, Rector of the University of Maroua.
Uphie Chinje Florence epouse Melo, Rector of the University of Ngaoundere.
Minko She Adolphe, Rector of Yaounde University II
Ako Edward Oben,(seen here on photo inside this report) is Pro Chancellor of the University of Buea.
Tchuente Maurice, Chairman of the Board of Administrators of the University of Yaoundé II.
President Paul Biya signed other decrees appointing vice Rectors of some universities.

It is vital to observe that Prof. Minkoa She Adolphe waged a vicious war against Prof. Ephraim Ngwafor during his time as rector of the University of Yaounde II and is noted for his anti Anglophone pronouncements.

Camcordnews Desk

27, June 2017

US Congressmen calls for probe into the Anglophone Crisis ⁰

Some members of the US Congress have written a strongly worded letter to the US States Department demanding a probe into the Anglophone crisis which they say is deteriorating at catastrophic rapidity in Cameroon, reports Cameroon Info.Net.

The letter signed by Congress men in Maryland Anthony G. Brown and Jarsie Raskin to the US Secretary of State, Rex W. Tillerson indicates that since late 2016 the Cameroon government has been persecuting Anglophones who form a minority of the population with about 100 arrests. In the opening statements, they called on the US State Department to take appropriate actions to solve the issue.

It partially reads, “As you know unrest has increased in Cameroon since late 2016, when thousands of members of the country’s Anglophones community began demonstrating in opposition to policy changes that have further marginalized the community.” They insisted on a prompt action saying that they are worried with the over 13,000 Marylanders born in Cameroon.

Source: Cameroon Info.Net

27, June 2017

Russia successfully test-fires sub-launched ICBM across Eurasia ⁰

The Russian military says it has successfully test-fired an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) from a nuclear-powered submarine in the Barents Sea near Norway. “The strategic Borey-class nuclear submarine, Yuri Dolgoruky, has successfully fired the Bulava intercontinental ballistic missile from a designated area in the Barents Sea to the Kura Missile Test Range in Kamchatka (Peninsula)” in the Far East, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement on Monday.

“The launch was made from an underwater position in accordance with the combat training plan,” said the statement, adding that “the ICBM units completed the full flight program and successfully hit the targets in the range.”
With an estimated range of 9,300 kilometers (about 5,770 miles), the Bulava missile must have traveled at least 4,600 kilometers across nearly the whole Asian part of Russia to hit its target. The Yuri Dolgoruky is a fourth-generation Borey-class nuclear submarine serving with the Russian Northern Fleet.

This type of submarines can carry up to 16 intercontinental sea-based Bulava missiles. They are planned to be the basis for Russia’s strategic naval nuclear forces in the future. Russia has two more such subs, while another five are in development and estimated to be in active service by 2020.

Source: Presstv

27, June 2017

Multiple bomb attacks kill 16 in northeastern Nigeria ⁰

The Nigerian police say multiple bomb attacks have claimed the lives of at least 16 people and wounded more than a dozen others in the country’s troubled northeast. Police said on Monday that seven bomb attacks were carried out by suspected members of the Boko Haram Takfiri terrorist group in the northeastern city of Maiduguri, the capital of Borno state.

The explosions occurred at the University of Maiduguri and in the Jere area of the city on Sunday evening and Monday morning. Borno police sources noted that a male bomber killed a security guard after entering the university late on Sunday.

Around an hour later, four female bombers killed eight people on the outskirts of the city in Zannari community, in the Gwange district of Jere local government authority after detonating devices in residential buildings. Two female bombers were the only people to die in two blasts at the university on Monday morning.

Damian Chukwu, Borno police commissioner, confirmed that at least 16 people had been killed in the latest wave of violence hitting the region. “In all, 16 persons, including the bombers, died in the multiple explosions while 13 persons were injured,” he said. No group has so far claimed responsibility for the latest attacks but they bear the hallmark of the Boko Haram Takfiri terrorist group, as it in the past employed radicalized females on multiple occasions to conduct bombing attacks against people or army troops.

In recent weeks, a number of bomb attacks by suspected members of the Boko Haram militant group have taken place in the capital of Borno state and its environs. The attacks include blasts that killed 12 people on June 19 and a June 7 raid, which left 14 dead in the Jiddari Polo area of Maiduguri.

Nigeria’s state security agency said on Friday it had foiled plans to detonate explosives in four northern cities – Maiduguri, Kano, Sokoto and Kaduna – during celebrations of Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the holy Muslim fasting month of Ramadan. In December 2016, Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, who came to power in 2015 with a pledge to eradicate Boko Haram, announced that the army had “crushed” the terror group a day earlier by retaking its last key bastion, deep inside the thick Sambisa Forest in Borno.

The group has, however, resorted to sporadic shooting and bombing attacks in the northeast of the African country, spreading panic among the local residents. Boko Haram, whose name means “Western education is forbidden,” has claimed responsibility for a number of deadly terror attacks in Nigeria since the beginning of their militancy in 2009, which has so far claimed the lives of at least 20,000 people and made more than 2.7 million displaced.

The United Nations has warned that areas affected by Boko Haram face a humanitarian crisis. Back in February 2016, four nations of the Lake Chad Basin – Chad, Cameroon, Niger and Nigeria -launched a campaign, together with a contingent from Benin, to confront the threat from Boko Haram in the region.

Source: Presstv