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17, October 2016

Yaounde hosting forum on learning and teaching of Mathematics ⁰

Pedagogic Inspectors of Mathematics in the Ministry of Secondary Education have begun a training programme in Yaounde to develop strategies towards inculcating the love for Mathematics in students. Placed under the theme, “Learning and Teaching Mathematics Differently”, the programme to run till 28th October 2016 is aimed at strengthening the content and delivery of Mathematics in secondary schools in the country.

The Secretary of State at the Ministry of Secondary Education in charge of Teachers’ Training, Boniface Bayaola chaired the ceremony to open the session which is being organised with assistance from the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences. The representatives of the Institute indicate the need to change the style of teaching Mathematics and encourage the use of technology for example, the recording of lessons.

Over the years, pedagogic officials proposed the use of cartoons and other images to incite the desire and love for maths especially in little children. This has yielded some positive results. However, much is still desired since students still complain of the long, complicated mathematics problems and the many formulae. The training programme which shall spread over a period of five years is expected to incite the love for Mathematics in about 1.700.000 Cameroonian students.

CRTV

17, October 2016

The United States has been rigging elections for nearly 200 years ⁰

The United States has been rigging elections for nearly 200 years in order to keep anti-establishment candidates away from the White House, says Stephen Lendman, an American writer, journalist and political commentator. According to a new poll released on Monday, 41 percent of American voters are now saying the 2016 presidential election could be “stolen” from Republican nominee Donald Trump due to widespread voter fraud.

And 73 percent of Republican voters think the election could be stolen from the billionaire businessman, while 17 percent of Democrats agree with the prospect of rigging. Over the last week, Trump has intensified his criticism of the American electoral system. He called the election process rigged, and said the media is colluding with Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton in order to beat him.

Lendman told Press TV on Monday that voter fraud in America is not a new phenomenon. “It’s a phenomenon that goes back to the early days of the Republic, and I have written a number of times in my articles.” “I remember an article where I cited elections going back to around 1820 in America – my God almost 200 years ago! – when an election was rigged to ensure that one candidate got into office as president, and the other candidate was defeated,” he added.

The analyst said elections at all levels are rigged in the United States. “In my own city of Chicago the election was rigged to install the current mayor, and then rigged again to see that he was re-elected. So it goes on all levels of government in America.”

“No other country I am aware of meddles in the internal affairs of America in its elections or anything else, and all the claims that America is making about Russia meddling in America’s elections and wanted to influence Trump win over Clinton, all that is a bunch of rubbish. There’s no evidence proving it,” the commentator said.

“Trump is right saying elections are rigged,” he emphasized. Lendman stated that if Clinton wins and Trump loses in November, elections are absolutely rigged “because he sounds like an anti-establishment candidate.” However, he said, “Nobody becomes a billionaire by being anti-establishment. He’s very much part of the establishment, but he’s a little independent-minded based on the things he talks about.”

The US media has launched an offensive against Trump in recent days, running reports of several women claiming the billionaire businessman has groped and forcibly kissed them. Trump has called the allegations “slander and libel” and part of a “concerted, coordinated and vicious attack” launched by Clinton and the news media to destroy his campaign.

Presstv

17, October 2016

Iran to expand relations with African countries ⁰

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani says the expansion of relations with African countries is among the Islamic Republic’s central policies. In a Monday meeting with visiting Ivory Coast Foreign Minister Abdallah Albert Toikeusse Mabri in Tehran, Rouhani expressed Iran’s readiness to enhance cooperation with Yamoussoukro in all fields, particularly in economic areas.

The Iranian chief executive said that the two countries should make use of their capacities to promote relations. Rouhani highlighted the Islamic Republic’s progress in the fields of technology and engineering, saying Tehran is prepared to help the West African nation advance its development projects.

Elsewhere in his remarks, the Iranian president called for collective efforts by all countries to counter terrorism. He describe the terrorism as a “major scourge for the world,” adding that the “terrorists have nothing to do with Islam, which is the religion of love, peace and peaceful coexistence.”

More than17, 000 Iranians have fallen victim to terrorist attacks since the victory of the 1979 Islamic Revolution, said President Rouhani, adding that Iran “will spare no effort” to help those countries seeking assistance and cooperation in their anti-terror fight.

Mabri, in turn, stressed the need for concerted efforts to counter terrorism, saying the growth and prosperity of all countries hinges on the establishment of peace and security. He further voiced his country’s determination to enhance cooperation with the Islamic Republic in all areas, especially in the economic sector.

Presstv

17, October 2016

Female Africa Cup of Nations: How prepared is the city of Yaounde? ⁰

Yaoundé is an environmental scandal. Several neighbourhoods in the political capital of Cameroon are now littered with garbage. From Olembe, Messassi, Emana, Etoudi, Manguier, Etoa-Meki, Nkozoa, Mokolo, Mvan, Odza and Obili, garbage has overshadowed all the trash bins and rocked all the pavements, piled up on sidewalks and spilled onto the roadway.

Banana skins and pineapples, plastics, leftovers, packaging of all kinds constitute the filth on which dogs defecate in Yaounde, the nation’s capital. The situation has become more intractable as the mentally ill visit the garbage heaps in search of their daily bread. Breeders seeking to feed their pigs have made these places their favourite homes.

At Etoudi some few meters from the presidency of the republic is a heap of animal entrails that give off strong odour and a sea of flies that usually settle on foodstuffs such as bread retailed in a nearby market. Inhabitants of the capital city are constantly being fed stories of a political dispute between HYSACAM, the company responsible for keeping the city clean and the Yaounde City Council.

Whereas, efforts are being made by British Southern Cameroons mayors of Tiko, Limbe and Buea to keep the cities clean for the Female Africa Cup of Nations, those of Douala and Yaounde are persisting with their “bras de fer” with HYSACAM.

Whosoever is going by that name Government Delegate to the Yaounde City Council should be told that visitors will start coming into our country soon as the female Africa Cup of Nations starts on the 19^th of November.

By Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai with cables from Sama Ernest

17, October 2016

Another baron of the CPDM crime syndicate arrested in Yaounde ⁰

The National Coordinator of the Revenue Securement Programme (PSRR) has been arrested and detained at the Yaounde central prison located in Kondengui. Cameroon Concord News was reliably informed that the arrest was made on the 13^th of October 2016 after Hamadou Yanoussa had a brief interrogation at the Special Criminal Court.

An audit mission initiated by the Minister of Public Works on the 25^th of May 2016 revealed that huge amounts of money collected from truckers at the weighing station at Nomayos at the outskirt of Yaounde, Nkakanzock to Edea, Bekoko, Bonaberi and Njombe-Penja in Mungo were not being paid into the treasury.

The monitoring mission reported the disappearance of 750 million CFA francs. A journalist with a sister publication, Cameroon Intelligence Report noted that 549 million collected from the Nomayos post; 10 million FCFA from Edea; 4.3 million from Njombe-Penja and 165 million from Bekoko were not paid into the national treasury.

The Public Prosecutor of the Special Criminal Court, Justine Aimée Ngounou Tchokonthieu after receiving the complaint from the Public Works minister decided to order the arrest of Hamadou Yanoussa who is also a chartered member of the ruling CPDM crime syndicate. Information also filtered at the time of filing this report that some of his colleagues have been summoned to appear before prosecutors at the Special Criminal Court soon.

By Sama Ernest with files from CIN and Rita Akana

17, October 2016

Syria: French President Francois Hollande says Paris will not change its stance on Moscow ⁰

French President Francois Hollande says Paris will not change its stance on Moscow’s support for the Syrian government, but is willing to discuss the conflict in the country with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“Vladimir Putin does not want to seriously discuss Syria. I am ready at any time, but I will not ease the pressure,” said Hollande during a Sunday interview.

He noted that the subject of the talks would be the halting of anti-terrorist bombing raids, a ceasefire, and the transfer of humanitarian aid. On October 19, a meeting between Putin and Hollande in Paris was canceled after the French president announced he was only willing to talk about the conflict in Syria.

Earlier on Sunday, Putin censured France over its lack of contribution to international efforts aimed at ending the crisis in Syria, saying Paris has not properly responded to Russia’s calls for joint action on Syria.

While noting that “France is not so deeply involved in the settlement of the Syrian conflict,” Putin added that Russia is always prepared to talk about Syria, especially with France.

He also stressed that Putin’s Paris trip was canceled by French authorities who suddenly decided to change the agenda of the trip and raise the issue of Syria.

“We have other issues apart from Syria, we could have discussed other issues,” he said.

Paris-Moscow tensions escalated since Russia vetoed a French resolution at the United Nations Security Council which called for a halt to the bombing of the Syrian city of Aleppo.

Syrian militants fire an anti-aircraft machine gun mounted on a vehicle deploy during clashes in the northern Syrian village of Yahmoul in the Marj Dabiq area north of the embattled city of Aleppo on October 10, 2016.

Putin had accused France of deliberately pushing for the UN proposal to heap pressure on Russia as it knew that Moscow would veto the resolution. He said the move was aimed at “inflaming the situation and fanning hysteria around Russia.” Syria has been gripped by foreign-sponsored militancy over the past five and a half years.

Presstv

16, October 2016

The trial of Captain Bouba Simala: Will Cameroonian military officers please stand up!! ⁰

The former body guard of the Speaker of the National Assembly, Captain Bouba Simala, is reportedly dying in a military detention centre in Yaounde. Detained ever since June 2015, the nephew of Cavaye Yeguie Djibril, President of the National Assembly was accused for attempted kidnapping, terrorism and incitement to robbery.

Captain Bouba has been brought before the military tribunal several times on charges concocted against him by his uncle Cavaye Yeguie Djibril. Recently, the facts were reclassified as mere threats and insults to the speaker of the National Assembly. These new developments hinted our Yaounde city reporter, are simply a game of hide and seek.

The trial of the captain has been politicised and is not advancing. The last hearing, held on the 13^th of October resulted in another referral. The Speaker of the National Assembly has reportedly hired Barrister Fostine Fotso Chebou Kamdem who is only interested in keeping the captain in police drag net as long as Cavaye stays on as Speaker of the National Assembly.

It is hard to believe that the men and women protecting the regime would allow one of their own to be humiliated in this manner. Lieutenant-Colonel Mefand was compelled to suspend the hearing indefinitely after House Speaker; Cavaye Djibril’s lawyer moved a motion to that effect.

According to Article 598 of the Criminal Procedure Code, once the magistrate receives a copy of the application in conformity with the provisions of Article 594 (2), it is tenuous to suspend the proceedings until a decision is made.

This CPDM action has now led to a postponement of the trial to the 10^th of November 2016. The defense lawyer, Barrister Emmanuel Simh has made it clear that the current suspension was a means to extend the duration of his client in the military detention centre in Yaounde. Will Cameroonian military officers please stand up!!

By Rita Akana

16, October 2016

Donald Trump says corrupt US media manipulating 2016 election ⁰

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has accused the “corrupt” US media of manipulating the 2016 election in favor of his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton. “Hillary is running for president in what looks like a rigged election,” Trump told supporters in New Hampshire on Saturday.

“The election is being rigged by corrupt media pushing completely false allegations and outright lies in an effort to elect her president,” the real estate magnate said.

Trump is furious at the US media, which has launched an offensive against him in recent weeks over his sexual abuse scandal. A 2005 video was released last Friday, in which Trump can be heard making lewd comments about women and bragging about groping them.

A number of women have since come forward claiming that the business mogul has sexually assaulted them. Trump has called the allegations “slander and libel” and part of a “concerted, coordinated and vicious attack” by Clinton and the news media to undercut his campaign.

Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, who earlier withdrew his support from Trump, criticized his comments that question the validity of the US electoral process.

Presstv

15, October 2016

Samuel Eto’o heading for a 5th African Golden Ball Crown ⁰

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has released the list of the last 30 players for the African Golden Ball 2016. The document that was made public today includes two Cameroonians, Benjamin Moukandjo of CF Lorient in France and of course the Great Samuel Eto’o, a player with Turkish club Antalyaspor.

Eto’o has been elected four times African Player of the Year (2003, 2004, 2005 and 2010). He is currently heading for a fifth African crown following his strong performance last season where he scored 20 goals in 31 appearances in the Turkish Superlig. Benjamin Moukandjo netted 13 times in Ligue 1 last season, in 31 games. Since the start of the new season, he has scored 4 goals in 8 matches with Lorient.

Algeria, Ivory Coast and Nigeria are the countries represented on the list with three players each. Yaya Toure, with four distinguished titles (2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014) did not make the last 30. Glo-CAF Awards will be awarded the January 5, 2017 in Abuja, Nigeria.

Here are the nominees:

Riyad Mahrez (Algeria & Leicester City)

Hillel Soudani El Arabi (Algeria & Dinamo Zagreb)

Islam Slimani (Algeria & Leicester City)

Samuel Eto’o (Cameroon & Antalyaspor)

Benjamin Mounkandjo (Cameroon & Lorient)

Serge Aurier (Ivory Coast & PSG)

Eric Bailly (Ivory Coast & Manchester City)

Yao Kouasi Gervais ‘Gervinho’ (Ivory Coast & Hebei Fortune)

Mohamed Salah (Egypt & Roma)

Mohamed El Neny (Egypt & Arsenal)

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon & Dortmund)

Andre Ayew (Ghana & West Ham)

Victor Wanyama (Kenya & Tottenham)

William Jebor (Liberia & Wydad Athletic Club)

Medhi Benatia (Morocco & Juventus)

Hakim Ziyech (Morocco & Ajax)

John Obi Mikel (Nigeria & Chelsea)

Kelechi Iheanacho (Nigeria & Manchester City)

Ahmed Musa (Nigeria & Leicester City)

Cedric Bakambu (DR Congo & Villareal)

Yannick Bolasie (DR Congo & Everton)

Sadio Mane (Senegal & Liverpool)

Kalidou koulibaly (Senegal & Napoli)

Keegan Dolly (South Africa & Mamelodi Sundowns)

Itumeleng Khune (Kaizer Chiefs & South Africa)

Mbwana Samatta (Tanzania & Genk)

Aymen Abdennour Tunisia & Valencia)

Wahbi Khazri (Tunisia & Sunderland)

Dennis Onyango (Uganda & Mamelodi Sundowns)

Khama Billiat (Zimbabwe & Mamelodi Sundowns)

By Chi Prudence Asong with files from CIN

15, October 2016

Bank of England warns that wife will be difficult for Britain’s most vulnerable ⁰

The Bank of England has warned that life will turn difficult for Britain’s most vulnerable, as inflation is expected to rise due to a slump in the pound following the vote to exit the European Union. Mark Carney, the Governor of the Bank of England, said Friday that inflation was likely to surpass the bank’s official two-percent target over the coming years. Carney said that the bank was “willing to tolerate a bit of an overshoot” to avoid unnecessary employment. He added it was not the bank’s responsibility to make decisions based on uneven social impacts of higher prices. “We care a lot about distribution but we are not a political entity,” he said, according to The Independent. Carney said that around 500,000 jobs could have been at risk if the bank had not cut interest rates in August.

The pound sterling has fallen by about 18 percent since Britain’s vote to exit the EU (Brexit) in June, the lowest level in 168 years. The Bank of England has signaled it may cut interest rates again later this year. The British currency has fallen as foreign investors wait for signs of the UK’s new trading agreements with the rest of the world. Food and Drink Federation Director General Ian Wright says the cost of importing goods is rising, and businesses will have to pass these costs on to consumers or risk losses.

“If these price hikes persist, there are pretty undesirable possible outcomes: retailers put up prices, manufacturers and or retailers take the hit, or consumers lose choice,” Wright told The Times. The Bank of England’s forecast in August show inflation hitting two percent in the third quarter of 2017 and rising to 2.4 percent in the second half of 2018. Some economists predict prices will rise even more rapidly. Some expect inflation will hit three percent by the end of next year as imports of food and fuel become more expensive.

Presstv