About soter

Posts by :

9, July 2026

US strikes kill 14 in Iran, hit railroad ⁰

At least 14 people were killed and 78 others injured in US strikes on five Iranian provinces over the past two days despite a ceasefire memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Tehran and Washington, an Iranian Health Ministry official says.

“While a ceasefire was in place, the United States targeted five provinces of Iran on July 8 and 9,” Hossein Kermanpour, head of the ministry’s Public Relations and Information Center, wrote in a post on his X account on Thursday.

He added that 47 of the wounded remain hospitalized, while the other victims have been discharged after receiving medical treatment.

Early Thursday, terrorist US forces carried out a wide range of strikes against several parts of the southern coastal provinces of Iran, targeting civilian infrastructure and claiming the lives of Iranians, besides attacking a bridge in the northern province of Golestan.

The US also carried out military strikes on several coastal bases and civilian sites in Iran’s southern Hormozgan Province and the port city of Mahshahr on Wednesday, in an open violation of the MoU.

8, July 2026

HIV goals: Cameroon achieves two of three UN targets ⁰

Cameroon has achieved two of the United Nations’ “95-95-95” HIV goals, according to new data released by the Ministry of Public Health.

The UN targets for 2030 are 95 percent of people living with HIV know their status, 95 percent of those diagnosed are on antiretroviral treatment, and 95 percent of those on treatment have a suppressed viral load.

Results from the National Survey on the Impact of HIV in Cameroon, conducted between September 2024 and January 2025, show that the country has passed the second and third benchmarks.

According to the results of the survey released on Tuesday, 96.4 percent of people diagnosed with HIV are receiving antiretroviral treatment, and 95 percent of those on treatment have achieved viral suppression.

The first target remains a challenge, with only 77.1 percent of adults living with HIV knowing their status.

The survey estimates national HIV prevalence at 3 percent among people aged 15 and over. This represents roughly 501,000 people living with HIV. The annual incidence rate stands at 0.13 percent, or about 21,000 new infections each year.

Health officials said the survey covered nearly 15,000 households and included interviews with about 27,000 adults nationwide.

Source: Xinhaunet

8, July 2026

World Cup: Egypt files complaint against referee after exit ⁰

“Hany Aburida, president of the Egyptian Football Federation, filed a complaint with FIFA, demanding an investigation into the French referee Francois Letexier… after the serious refereeing mistakes committed by the team of referees and double standards,” said a statement from the federation.

On Tuesday, Letexier ruled out a Mostafa Ziko goal when Egypt were leading 1-0 after VAR intervened to spot a foul on Lisandro Martinez much earlier in the move.

A few minutes later, Ziko put Egypt 2-0 up and on the brink of a place in the last eight for the first time, but there was further controversy in added time, after Cristian Romero and Lionel Messi had brought the champions level.

In the build-up to Argentina’s winner scored by Enzo Fernandez, Egypt believe they should have been awarded a penalty for a pull by Alexis Mac Allister on Hamdy Fathy.

“Aburida demanded the investigation of the entire team of referees, including the video technology referees, because of the blatant errors and insisting on not reviewing some of the footage that we believe are in favour of the Egyptian national team, and we see in it the Pharaohs’ right to a correct goal and a penalty,” said the Egyptian statement.

It added the president had also “demanded the exclusion of the referee and the entire crew from the World Cup after investigating these mistakes and proving the crime of discrimination against the Egyptian national team”.

The statement echoed remarks by Egypt coach Hossam Hassan immediately after the game.

“I do not want to put it nicely and talk about hard luck. We have been cheated unfairly today, we have suffered injustice,” Hassan told reporters.

“We haven’t seen respect or fair play. There has not been respect or fair play.”

Hassan told broadcaster BeIN Sports: “Perhaps they wanted to keep the world champions in the competition. Perhaps they wanted Messi to stay in the running.

“In football, there are sometimes external factors that go beyond the technical aspects. The world champions received support at every level.”

Source: AFP

8, July 2026

CDC banana exports hit its lowest level of 2026 ⁰

Cameroon Development Corporation (CDC), the country’s only domestically owned banana exporter, recorded its weakest monthly export performance of 2026 in June.

According to the Cameroon Banana Association (Assobacam), the state-owned agribusiness exported 3,085 tons of bananas during the month, down 12% from the 3,508 tons shipped in May. June’s exports also trailed those recorded during the first four months of the year: 4,231 tons in January, 3,234 tons in February, 3,822 tons in March, and 3,233 tons in April.

Assobacam did not provide an explanation for the decline. However, it coincides with the end of Cameroon’s dry season, a period that typically brings lower agricultural yields. Beyond seasonal factors, the figures highlight CDC’s continued struggle to recover from the socio-political crisis that has affected the country’s English-speaking regions since late 2016.

The conflict severely disrupted operations, particularly in the Southwest Region, where many of the company’s banana, rubber, and oil palm plantations are located. Large areas of farmland have remained idle for years, contributing to mounting losses that continue to weigh on the company’s financial position.

In 2025 alone, CDC reported 14,349 hectares of mature plantations that remained unharvested, officially citing shortages of agricultural inputs needed for field operations as well as persistent security challenges in parts of its production areas.

Source: Business in Cameroon

8, July 2026

Iran Army expands retaliation with drone strikes on US forces in Bahrain ⁰

The Iranian Army says it has carried out drone strikes against US military assembly points at Sheikh Isa Air Base in Bahrain, widening the Islamic Republic’s military response to American airstrikes on Iranian territory.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Public Relations Office of the Army of the Islamic Republic of Iran said the operation was launched in response to “hostile US attacks” on military and civilian areas in southern Iran and the violation of the 14-point ceasefire agreement.

“Following the hostile aggression of the American enemy against military and civilian areas in the south of the country and the violation of the 14-clause memorandum of understanding, the attack drones of the Islamic Republic of Iran Army, from early this morning (Wednesday), targeted the assembly points of American hostile forces at ‘Sheikh Isa Base’ in Bahrain,” the statement read.

The Army warned that further violations would be met with expanded strikes, stating that “the consequences of the blatant and repeated violation and breaking of the ceasefire by criminal America” would be borne by US forces, and that “all American bases in the region will be legitimate targets for the army’s drones.”

The announcement came hours after the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) said it had struck 85 US military facilities in Bahrain and Kuwait and shot down an American MQ-9 drone over Bushehr province.

Those strikes were described by the IRGC as an “initial response” to US aerial aggression against coastal bases and civilian stations in Hormozgan province and Mahshahr.

Source: Presstv

8, July 2026

Trump says ‘very upset with NATO’ over Iran war, Greenland ⁰

US President Donald Trump has accused NATO allies of abandoning Washington during its confrontation with Iran, claiming European governments failed to support the United States despite decades of American military and financial backing.

The remarks came ahead of the NATO summit in Ankara, where alliance leaders gathered to discuss a major expansion of militarism and increased military spending.

Speaking alongside Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday, Trump said he had been “testing” NATO members by seeking their support during the US military aggression against Iran.

“In a way, I was testing people. I was testing to see whether or not they would be there because I have long said that we help them, but I am not sure that they would be there for us,” Trump said.

Trump accused several European governments of refusing to stand with Washington, naming Italy, Germany and France.

“Italy turned us down and Germany turned us down and France turned us down,” he said. “Why are we spending hundreds of billions of dollars, and they are not there for us, we are always there for them.”

He also questioned NATO’s ability to survive without US financial backing, reviving his longstanding demands that European allies spend more on military and contribute more directly to the alliance.

Washington has reportedly begun weighing punitive measures against allies based on their level of support during the war on Iran. Pentagon officials have floated the possibility of suspending Spain from the alliance after Madrid allegedly refused to allow the use of its military bases, ports and airspace for strikes on Iran.

Source: Presstv

7, July 2026

Man United inform Tchouameni camp he must accept different salary structure ⁰

Manchester United consider Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni the ideal replacement for Casemiro, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The France international has been identified internally at Old Trafford as a dream midfield target due to his quality, mentality and ability to operate at the highest level.

However, Romano reports that a potential move remains complicated due to two major issues.

The first is Tchouameni’s salary. United have informed those close to the player that a move to Old Trafford would only be possible if he accepted a different wage structure.

The second obstacle is Real Madrid’s stance. United are yet to receive permission from the Spanish giants to begin negotiations over a possible transfer.

While Tchouameni is highly admired by Manchester United, the club must first receive a signal from Real Madrid that they are willing to sell the midfielder.

The 26-year-old is seen as the perfect long-term successor to Casemiro, but his future will depend on both Madrid’s decision and whether an agreement over personal terms can be reached.

Source: Tribuna.com

7, July 2026

Cameroon misses out again on U.S. Global University rankings ⁰

Cameroon remains absent from one of the world’s leading university rankings, underscoring the country’s continued struggle to gain international recognition for its research output.

In the 2026-2027 Best Global Universities Rankings published by U.S. News & World Report, no Cameroonian university appears among the more than 2,250 institutions ranked across more than 100 countries.

Compiled in partnership with Clarivate, the rankings place strong emphasis on research performance rather than teaching quality or institutional reputation alone. Universities are assessed using indicators such as global and regional research reputation, publication output, citation impact, international collaboration and the production of highly cited research.

South African and Egyptian universities lead Africa

African universities remain largely led by institutions from South Africa and Egypt. The University of Cape Town retained its position as Africa’s highest-ranked university, placing 122nd globally. It was followed by Cairo University (221st) and the University of the Witwatersrand (240th).

Egypt continued to strengthen its presence with institutions such as Mansoura University, ranked 267th worldwide, and Al-Azhar University, ranked 279th. Nigeria also maintained a visible presence, with the University of Ibadan ranked 264th globally.

Against that backdrop, Cameroon remains absent from the rankings, highlighting the gap between its universities and the research standards used in major international league tables.

The rankings primarily measure scientific research rather than student enrollment or teaching capacity. While Cameroon’s universities educate tens of thousands of students each year and play a central role in the country’s higher education system, they remain relatively underrepresented in major international research databases.

The indicators used by U.S. News favor institutions that publish extensively in indexed journals, produce highly cited research, collaborate internationally and contribute influential scientific work.

As a result, the rankings reflect a university’s role in global research rather than the scale of its academic programs.

Long-standing structural constraints

Cameroon’s limited research visibility reflects broader structural challenges. Research funding remains constrained, many laboratories lack adequate equipment and resources, and the volume of internationally indexed scientific publications remains relatively low.

Universities also face challenges in attracting international researchers and building sustained partnerships with leading global research institutions. Other factors, including university governance, doctoral supervision and the overall research environment, continue to affect the country’s ability to compete internationally.

More than a question of prestige

Appearing in major international university rankings has become increasingly important beyond institutional reputation. Strong rankings can help universities attract international students, secure research partnerships, improve access to funding and strengthen their position within global research networks.

For Cameroon, gaining a place in these rankings will require more than expanding access to higher education.

It will depend on sustained investment in research, stronger international collaboration, improved university governance and policies that support high-quality scientific output.

The latest U.S. News rankings reinforce a broader trend in global higher education: universities are increasingly judged not by the number of students they educate, but by their ability to generate new knowledge and contribute to international research.

Source: Sbbc

7, July 2026

Cameroon’s economy grew 3.5% in 2025 despite a sharp drop in exports ⁰

Cameroon’s economy expanded by 3.5% in real terms in 2025, but the growth came largely from domestic demand rather than stronger export performance, according to the National Institute of Statistics (INS).

In its report on fourth-quarter 2025 national accounts, the INS said annual economic growth reached 3.5% compared with 2024. Excluding oil and natural gas, growth stood at 3.8%.

The figures point to an economy that continued to expand, but with growth driven primarily by spending at home rather than by stronger external demand. Over the year, export volumes fell 7.6%, while imports rose 10.1%, leaving the trade deficit at 3.9% of nominal GDP.

Domestic demand remained the main growth engine

According to the INS, domestic demand was the main source of economic growth in 2025. Final consumption increased 4.6%, while investment rose 6.8%. Household consumption expanded 4.4%, reflecting resilient consumer spending, while government consumption increased 6%, providing additional support to economic activity.

Investment also strengthened during the year. Gross fixed capital formation rose 6.8%, driven by a 16.3% increase in public investment and 4.2% growth in private investment. That spending supported sectors such as construction, engineering services and equipment-related activities.

At the same time, it raises a broader question about the quality of growth. A significant share of investment still relies on imported machinery, equipment and intermediate goods, suggesting that stronger domestic demand has also fueled higher imports.

Exports weakened as imports accelerated

External trade remained the economy’s main weak spot in 2025. Goods exports fell 10% in volume over the year, while services exports grew 2.7%.

Meanwhile, goods imports increased 10.6%, and services imports rose 7%. The result was an economy that relied increasingly on imported products to sustain domestic activity while generating fewer export earnings to offset those purchases.

The INS data show some improvement during the final quarter of the year. On a seasonally adjusted basis, total exports rose 3.5% between the third and fourth quarters of 2025, with goods exports increasing 6% and services exports 8.2%. Total imports edged down 0.1% over the same period.

That quarterly improvement, however, did not reverse the broader trend. Compared with the fourth quarter of 2024, total exports were still down 8.5%, while imports were up 13.2%.

Although the trade deficit narrowed during the fourth quarter to 4.5% of GDP for the period, the country still ended 2025 with a full-year trade deficit equivalent to 3.9% of nominal GDP.

Services continued to lead the economy

On the production side, the services sector remained Cameroon’s strongest growth driver. Output expanded 4.6% over the year, supported by financial services (9.7%), information and communications (9.3%), transport (4.2%) and public services (4.7%).

Industry posted more modest growth of 2%. Construction expanded 4.8%, while water supply and sanitation grew 6.4%. Those gains were partly offset by a 6.9% decline in extractive industries, particularly oil and gas.

Growth in the primary sector slowed to 1.7%. Industrial and export agriculture contracted 3.2%, reducing the sector’s contribution to export earnings at a time when stronger external sales are becoming increasingly important.

Growth remains uneven

The INS figures show that Cameroon’s economy continued to grow in 2025, supported by household spending, investment, construction and services. But they also point to an economy with an increasingly unbalanced growth model.

Domestic demand is providing solid support for activity, yet rising imports and weaker exports leave the country more exposed to external pressures and a widening trade gap.

Over the longer term, sustaining growth will require more than stronger domestic spending. It will depend on expanding productive capacity, increasing local manufacturing, reducing reliance on imports where feasible and strengthening the country’s export base. For now, Cameroon’s economy is growing. The next challenge will be making that growth more balanced and more competitive.

Source: Business in Cameroon

7, July 2026

World Cup: Belgium ends President Donald Trump’s extraordinary intervention ⁰

Belgium dumped the United States out of their own World Cup Monday, as Charles De Ketelaere’s brace secured a 4-1 win that was eclipsed by the bitter row over Folarin Balogun’s ban.

Victory means the Belgians face Spain in the quarter-finals, while the US follow co-hosts Canada and Mexico out of the tournament with elimination in the round of 16 after a thoroughly flat performance.

All attention pre-game had been on Balogun’s place in the US starting lineup, after US President Donald Trump asked FIFA to review the striker’s one-game suspension for a red card, and the governing body controversially obliged.

But Belgium’s XI had a few surprises of its own, with Kevin De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku among the heavyweights benched. And coach Rudi Garcia’s gambit proved inspired, with De Ketelaere grabbing an early goal to puncture the feelgood vibes in Seattle.

Malik Tillman grabbed one back from a free kick, but De Ketelaere swiftly restored Belgium’s lead. A catastrophic piece of goalkeeping by Matt Freese and a late Romelu Lukaku goal left the Americans dead and buried.

FIFA’s move to suspend Balogun’s ban after he was sent off in the previous round against Bosnia and Herzegovina has been slammed by football fans, pundits and players around the world, but there were no such misgivings among the Seattle crowd.

Folarin Balogun of the US in action against Belgium.

A colossal roar greeted the stadium announcement of Balogun’s name in the starting XI, vastly dwarfing the cheers even for US talisman Christian Pulisic.

The “USA” thunderclap then echoed around the stadium, utterly drowning out a small corner of chanting Belgium fans in the opening minutes.

But the American party was swiftly silenced. The majority of 67,000 fans fell silent in the ninth minute as De Ketelaere scored, easily tapping home from close range after Nicolas Raskin’s cross evaded some lax defending.

It was the first time the Americans had conceded the opener all World Cup. With the atmosphere deflated, no immediate fightback was visible on the pitch either. The midfield was outgunned and the defense looked nervous.

On the half-hour mark, Balogun drew a foul on the edge of the area and whipped the crowd back to life. He waved his arms frantically as Malik Tillman — fresh from scoring a free kick against Bosnia — lined up the ball.

Tillman’s shot deflected off the Belgian wall and span into the net, and the stadium shook.

Dream over

But the joy was again short-lived. In the 33rd minute, De Ketelaere leapt up to meet Leandro Trossard’s cross and comfortably out-jumped an off-balance Tim Ream to score his second.

The US inched back into the game as the first half closed out, with Balogun blasting over from a long Tillman throw, then narrowly failing to catch a long ball, again from the Bayer Leverkusen midfielder.

Charles De Ketelaere, auteur d'un double face aux États-Unis — Charles De Ketelaere stunned the Seattle crowd with a first-half double.

US coach Mauricio Pochettino switched formation at half-time, sending Gio Reyna into the number 10 role and pushing Weston McKennie out to the right. The Americans resumed play with more intensity, pushing higher up the pitch.

But self-inflicted disaster struck in the 57th minute. Freese came out to collect a Belgium long ball, turned to evade the charging De Ketelaere, but then hesitated with his pass.

De Ketelaere jabbed the ball to Hans Vanaken, who made no mistake with an open goal from long range.

Pulisic limped off with an injury minutes later, and with him went the US dreams of reaching a first World Cup quarter-final since 2002.

His replacement, Sebastian Berhalter, flashed an ambitious shot narrowly wide in the 79th minute, and Balogun had a close-range effort saved soon after.

But Chris Richards handed the ball to Lukaku in stoppage time, and the veteran striker did not hestitate to seal the rout.

(FRANCE 24 with AFP)