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11, March 2026

Iranian minister says country will not play in World Cup ⁰

Iran are not in a position to participate in the 2026 World Cup, says the country’s Minister of Sports and Youth Ahmad Donyamali.

The team are scheduled to play three group matches in the tournament, which is being held in the United States, Canada and Mexico and gets under way on 11 June.

Iran are due to face New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles on 15 and 21 June respectively, and Egypt in Seattle on 26 June.

But their participation has been in doubt since the US and Israel launched strikes on the country, killing supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran responded by launching missiles and drones towards Israel and other nations which host US military bases.

Earlier on Wednesday, Fifa president Gianni Infantino said US President Donald Trump had told him Iran are “welcome to compete” at this summer’s finals.

But in an interview with the IRIB Sports Network on Tuesday, Donyamali said: “Given that this corrupt government has assassinated our leader, under no circumstances do we have the appropriate conditions to participate in the World Cup.

“Our boys are not safe, and conditions for participation do not exist.”

He added that “over the past eight or nine months, two wars have been imposed on us and several thousand of our people have been killed and martyred. Therefore, we definitely do not have the possibility for participation.”

Infantino had earlier posted on Instagram that he had met with President Trump to discuss preparations for the tournament and “spoke about the current situation in Iran”.

He said: “We all need an event like the Fifa World Cup to bring people together now more than ever, and I sincerely thank the President of the United States for his support, as it shows once again that football unites the world.”

Mehdi Taj, the head of Iran’s Football Federation, had also questioned their ability to participate in the World Cup, following six members of Iran’s women’s national team receiving “humanitarian” visas from Australia over concerns for their safety.

The remaining Iranian players left Australia on Tuesday after the team’s elimination from the Asian Cup.

Australia’s Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said seven people were granted asylum, but one woman later changed her mind and opted to return home.

Taj said: “Given the problems created for the female footballers, if the World Cup outlook is like this, no sound mind would accept sending the team to the US.”

Fifa rules state “if any participating member association withdraws and/or is excluded” from the 2026 tournament, world football’s governing body “shall decide on the matter at its sole discretion and take whatever action is deemed necessary”. It “may decide to replace the participating member association in question with another association”.

Source: BBC

11, March 2026

100 American soldiers wounded in Iran’s attack on Kuwait’s al-Udairi base ⁰

The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has announced that around 100 American “terrorists” have been injured in a retaliatory attack by Iran’s navy on al-Udairi base in Kuwait.

The IRGC said in a statement that its naval forces carried out “glorious and powerful” operations against the remnants of the American forces in West Asia.

According to the statement, the operations included “two heavy and simultaneous missile strikes” on the al-Udairi helicopter base, which left “more than 100” American soldiers injured.

The wounded were transferred to al-Jaber and Al-Mubarak hospitals, it said.

The statement added that Iranian missiles and drones also struck the key infrastructure of the US base at Mina Salman port in Bahrain, which serves as the headquarters of the US Fifth Fleet, and also hosts critical systems like the Leeds.

“The Patriot camp and the equipment warehouses, as well as the accommodation and gathering centers of American terrorist soldiers at the two naval bases of ‘Muhammad Al-Ahmad’ and ‘Ali Al-Salem’ [in Kuwait], were also intensely struck.”

The IRGC vowed that the war against “the terrorist Americans and the criminal Zionist regime” will continue powerfully until “the complete surrender of the enemy.”

Iran conducts drone attacks on ‘Aman, Unit 8200’

Meanwhile, Iran’s Army announced that it has launched drone attacks on the military intelligence organization of the Israeli army, Unit 8200, the Green Pine radar, and the headquarters of the submarine Haifa Naval Base since the early hours of Wednesday.

According to the statement, the military intelligence organization of the Israeli army, known as “Aman”, which was targeted in the recent drone attack played a role in “identifying targets and military actions in the Ramadan war.”

It added that the other target, “Unit 8200,” was responsible for “collecting intelligence signals, tracking digital communications, and conducting offensive cyber operations.”

The statement also described the targeted Green Pine radar as “one of the main pillars of the regime’s army in countering Iranian missiles,” noting that the damage inflicted to these radars has “significantly reduced” the regime’s ability to intercept missiles.

The US and Israel started a fresh round of aerial aggression on Iran on February 28, some eight months after they carried out unprovoked attacks on the country.

Iran began to swiftly retaliate against the strikes by launching barrage of missiles and drone attacks on the Israeli-occupied territories as well as on US bases in regional countries.

Source: Presstv

10, March 2026

Football: triumphant return of the 2025 Ballon d’Or to Garoua ⁰

Serge Daura made an emotional return to his hometown of Garoua. The Gazelle FA striker, crowned Cameroon’s best player of the year, came to present his trophy to his family and loved ones in a festive, jubilant atmosphere.

A hero’s welcome awaited Serge Daura. Arriving in the afternoon at Garoua International Airport, the new Cameroonian Ballon d’Or winner was greeted by a jubilant crowd. Teammates, supporters, and partners were all present to celebrate the return of the player who lit up the 2025 season with his remarkable performances.

The striker received a guard of honor before leaving the airport amid an impressive motorcade. The procession, accompanied by songs and applause, wound through several city streets, turning his arrival into a true public celebration.

Presenting the trophy to his family

Beyond the public tribute, this visit held deep symbolic meaning for the player. By holding his trophy aloft in front of his loved ones, Serge Daura wanted to share this moment with those who have supported him since the very beginning.

Pride runs high in his home region. The player’s triumph represents not only a personal achievement but also a source of inspiration for countless young footballers in Northern Cameroon who dream of following in his footsteps. This Ballon d’Or also rewards the outstanding season delivered by the striker with Gazelle FA.

Source: Sports Yahoo

10, March 2026

Francis Ngannou returns to MMA against Philipe Lins on Netflix ⁰

MMA superstar Francis “The Predator” Ngannou is set to make a highly anticipated return to the cage on May 16, 2026, in Los Angeles.

According to a press release from Most Valuable Promotions on March 9, Ngannou will face Brazilian heavyweight Philipe “Monstro” Lins in a headline bout that will be broadcast globally on Netflix. This event, titled “Rousey vs. Carano, Ngannou vs. Lins,” is historic as it marks the first time a live mixed martial arts event will be streamed on the platform.

Ngannou, a former UFC heavyweight champion, remains one of the most feared strikers in combat sports history, renowned for a career defined by devastating knockouts, including seven finishes within the first two minutes of the opening round. His opponent, Philipe Lins, a 2018 Professional Fighters League heavyweight tournament winner, brings his own reputation as a formidable finisher to the cage. Promoters expect a high-stakes clash between the two, noting that they hold a combined total of 22 knockout victories.

In his statement, Ngannou addressed his time away from the sport, describing his silence as the sound of a predator approaching and framing his return not merely as a comeback, but as a reconquest of the heavyweight division. The fight card will also feature a landmark women’s featherweight bout between MMA pioneers Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano, further elevating the profile of the evening.

This announcement follows closely on the heels of the formal conclusion of Ngannou’s partnership with the Professional Fighters League (PFL) on March 6, 2026. After joining the PFL in May 2023 to help drive the organization’s international expansion, Ngannou competed just once under their banner, securing a first-round victory over Renan Ferreira in October 2024. During his tenure with the league, Ngannou also pursued high-profile crossover boxing matches against heavyweight titans Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua.

Culled from APA News by Queen Besumbu Agbaw

10, March 2026

Manyu Solidarity Group: understanding its modus operandi ⁰

Ma Druscillia Achuo, a respected and committed member of the Manyu community in London, once delivered a line that has since taken on near-philosophical status among Manyu people in the UK. She said, “When you get die, and you know say £10,000 di come for support you, the cry di different”. Translated loosely, it means, the tears will fall during grief, but at least the panic lessens. Her words may sound humorous, but they capture a truth many Manyu people in the diaspora understand all too well. When someone dies in the West, grief rarely travels alone. It arrives with invoices from funeral directors and in some cases outstanding bills and unpaid debts. It is not an exaggeration to say, in many circumstances, dead of a loved one has even become thornier and embarrassing.

For many in Europe, the loss of a loved one sets off a chain reaction of difficult questions. Do we hold the funeral in Europe, or do we repatriate the body to Cameroon? If the answer is repatriation, the next question arrives immediately, how do we pay for it? And how do we support the family back home with expenses? Sorrow, in other words, quickly transforms into worry, stress and a long list of problems that seem to arrive precisely when people are least equipped to deal with them.

This is where organizations like the Manyu Solidarity Group quietly step in. Manyu Solidarity Group, founded in 2021 by Manyus and friends of Manyu in Europe, offers practical support before the funeral of a fallen member. While many bereavement associations prefer to present their financial package during the wake or funeral itself, often with ceremonial speeches, Manyu Solidarity Group has adopted a refreshingly simple approach. They send the money early.

Manyu Solidarity Group delivers £10,000 to the bereaved member’s nominated next-of-kin at least two weeks before the funeral with no dramatic presentations. Funeral homes cost and the cost of the wake require payment before service. Therefore, offering financial support during the wake is like arriving at Douala Airport with a plane ticket after the Camair-co flight has already departed. It may be well intentioned, but its practical value is somewhat limited.

Manyu Solidarity Group releases the funds early so that families can organize dignified funerals without scrambling to raise money while still processing their loss. So far, this approach has already made a tangible difference. In less than three years, the group has provided £30,000 in bereavement support to three different families. That may not make headlines in the world of billion-pound transactions, but within the Manyu diaspora community, it is significant.

Grief is already overwhelming, so Manyu Solidarity’s philosophy with its Manyu Bereavement Support Fund (MABSOF) is simple; support should actually support. The organization is the classic community safety net, but perhaps the most notable aspect of the system is its refusal to turn grief into a public spectacle. The Board of Manyu Solidarity understands that loss is not just emotional; it can also be financially devastating. Manyu Solidarity Group is a community in its most practical form and perhaps that is why Ma Druscillia Achuo’s remark continues to resonate. Her observation may have been delivered with her typical smile, but its wisdom is difficult to dispute. Knowing that help is coming does not erase grief, it does not bring the deceased back, but it does remove one layer of anxiety at a moment when people are already carrying more than enough.

At its core, the principle guiding Manyu Solidarity Group is beautifully straightforward. Families need help in organizing wakes and funerals, give them the support before, not during the wake or burial because compassion is not measured by how publicly it is displayed, it is measured by timing, dignity and quiet common sense.

To this I put my name

Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai

9, March 2026

Biya regime secures $195 million loan to expand national fiber backbone ⁰

Cameroon’s President Paul Biya signed a decree on Friday, March 6 authorizing the Minister of Economy, Planning and Regional Development to finalize a loan agreement of about 1.35 billion yuan (around $195 million) with the Export-Import Bank of China. The funding will support phase four of the country’s national fiber optic backbone expansion.

A fiber network built gradually since 2011

The financing continues Cameroon’s national fiber deployment program, launched more than a decade ago to build a nationwide data transport network. According to the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications, about 6,000 km of fiber were installed between 2011 and 2016 during the first two phases of the project.

A third phase completed in 2017 added another 4,000 km, bringing the national network to around 10,000 km. An additional 1,000 km were deployed along the Chad-Cameroon oil pipeline.

Since then, further extensions, cross-border interconnections, and additional deployments by public and private operators have continued to expand the network. Cameroon now has more than 15,000 km of fiber infrastructure connecting regions across the country and linking with several neighboring states, including Chad, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, the Central African Republic, and Nigeria.

Infrastructure still underused

Despite the steady expansion of this infrastructure over the past decade, its use remains limited, and the quality of connectivity continues to draw criticism from users.

According to DataReportal’s latest figures for early 2026, internet penetration in Cameroon stands at about 45%. The data highlight a gap between a relatively strong backbone network and limited last-mile access for many of the country’s 12.6 million internet users.

Phase four of the project is expected to address these disparities by expanding distribution networks to better connect government institutions, businesses, and rural areas that remain poorly served.

A strategic pillar for the digital economy

Completing the national backbone is seen as a key step for the growth of Cameroon’s digital economy and the structural transformation outlined in the country’s National Development Strategy 2020–2030.

Expanding fiber infrastructure is considered essential for supporting tech startups, digital services, e-commerce platforms, and the digitalization of public services.

The renewed partnership with the Export-Import Bank of China, which has already financed several earlier phases of the project, underscores the government’s ambition to strengthen nationwide coverage and accelerate digital inclusion.

Source: Business in Cameroon

9, March 2026

Iran has many surprises in store to respond to US plots ⁰

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says the country is fully prepared to react to malicious plots by the United States aimed at altering the economic equations arising from the ongoing US-Israeli aggression against Iran.

In a post on his X account on Monday, Araghchi stated that the US military operation, which he termed “Epic Mistake” instead of “Epic Fury,” has already driven international energy and commodity prices to unbearable levels.

He suggested that the US may be considering surprising Iran by launching attacks on its energy production facilities.

Without elaborating, the minister noted that such a move could be an attempt by the US to contain the growing economic shocks caused by the war and its impact on energy prices.

“9 days into Operation Epic Mistake, oil prices have doubled while all commodities are skyrocketing. We know the U.S. is plotting against our oil and nuclear sites in hopes of containing a huge inflationary shock. Iran is fully prepared,” Araghchi said in his post.

“And we, too, have many surprises in store,” he added.

Iran’s extensive response to US and Israeli attacks has included operations targeting US military assets in oil-rich countries of the Persian Gulf.

This has triggered a major surge in the prices of oil and natural gas, sending shockwaves through international markets.

Iran has indicated that the surge may continue and could reach historic levels if the US and Israel decide to target Iran’s energy production facilities, prompting Iran to retaliate by striking corresponding sites in the region.

Market analysts believe such a scenario could drive oil prices to record levels exceeding $200 per barrel.

Source: Presstv

9, March 2026

Concerns about public administration in Cameroon ⁰

Cameroon is a challenging country and the challenges are hurting everyone. Some of these problems are generated by administrators who are supposed to address any administrative bottlenecks.

The attitude of some public administrators in Cameroon has become alarming. Those who are appointed to serve the public often end up exploiting the very citizens they are meant to assist. Many Cameroonians continue to express dissatisfaction and frustration about the difficulty of legalizing administrative documents such as birth certificates and national identity cards.

For many citizens, obtaining or legalizing documents in Cameroon feels like a nightmare. The process is often unnecessarily long and exhausting. Offices are sometimes understaffed; some workers arrive late to work, while others are present but inattentive—engaging in personal activities instead of serving the public.

In many cases, citizens are only attended to at the convenience of the officials. When individuals attempt to complain, they are sometimes met with hostility, rudeness, or even insults. Some officials reportedly tell citizens that nothing can be done against them and that those who cannot wait are free to leave. Such behavior undermines public trust and the fundamental purpose of public administration.

As a result of these challenges, many young people have resorted to using intermediaries or “middlemen” who operate within or around public offices. These individuals often demand large sums of money to facilitate document processing. This practice encourages corruption and creates an exploitative system where ordinary citizens are forced to pay extra fees for services that should be accessible and affordable.

It is unfortunate that many citizens feel they have no voice to challenge these injustices. There is a growing perception that accountability is weak and that administrators sometimes act without consequence. Instead of prioritizing efficient service delivery, some offices focus on minor formalities while neglecting the urgent needs of the public.

Public institutions exist to serve the people—not to intimidate, delay, or exploit them. Ethical conduct, professionalism, and respect for citizens must be restored in all government offices and this implies an end to the middleman system, an end to extortion and extra unofficial payments, an end to unnecessary delays and an end to insults and abusive behavior

Public service should reflect integrity, transparency, and accountability. Cameroonians deserve dignity, fairness, and efficiency in their own country.

By Alain Agbor Ebot

9, March 2026

Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei is Iran’s new Supreme Leader ⁰

Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei has been elected the new Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution and the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Iran’s Assembly of Experts, a body of 88 clerics, on Sunday night officially appointed Mojtaba Khamenei, 56 years old, as the new Leader of the Islamic Revolution and the third Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Mojtaba Khamenei is the son of martyred Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei.

“By a decisive vote, the Assembly of Experts appointed Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei as the third Leader of the sacred system of the Islamic Republic of Iran,” the assembly said in a statement.

The announcement, issued by the Secretariat of the Assembly of Experts, begins with invocations in the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful, and extends heartfelt condolences to the noble and free nation of Islamic Iran.

It honors the martyrdom of Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, whose heavenly ascension marks the end of an era of wise and steadfast leadership. Ayatollah Khamenei was martyred on February 28 in a terrorist US and Israeli strike.

The statement also pays tribute to other exalted martyrs, including high-ranking commanders of the armed forces and the innocent students of the Shajra Tayyiba School in Minab City, all victims of the barbaric assaults by criminal America and the Zionist regime.

The statement reveres the exalted institution of Wilayat al-Faqih (Guardianship of the Islamic Jurist) during the occultation of the Imam of the Age (may Allah hasten his reappearance), emphasizing its pivotal role in the Islamic Republic’s system.

It celebrates the 47 years of exemplary governance by the Imams of the Revolution, rooted in dignity, independence, and divine authority.

Following meticulous studies and a decisive vote by the respected representatives, guided by religious duty and accountability before God Almighty, Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei (may Allah protect him) was introduced as the new Leader.

The statement expresses gratitude to the members of the provisional council under Article 111 for their interim service and calls upon the entire noble nation of Iran –especially the elites, intellectuals, scholars of the seminaries, and university communities — to pledge unwavering allegiance to the new leadership.

It urges unity around the axis of Wilayat al-Faqih, a bulwark against the plots of arrogant powers.

In closing, the Assembly of Experts statement invokes Almighty God’s continued grace and mercy upon Iran and its resilient people, affirming that the Islamic Revolution remains an indomitable force for justice and independence.

Source: Press TV

8, March 2026

Southern Cameroons-Nigeria Maritime Borders in the Gulf of Guinea-Our Stand ⁰

We, the Leaders of Southern Cameroons and Prisoners of Conscience and war, are following with profound interest, the ongoing dispute between the State Governments of Cross River and Akwa Ibom in the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This dispute, primarily focused on the ownership of oil wells and other Marineassets between the two states within Nigeria’s recognised maritime boundaries,puts us, the people of Southern Cameroonsin the eye of the storm. We are an interested party in the disputebythe mere fact that we are Southern Cameroonians, English Speaking Cameroonians, the only people who share both terrestrial and maritime boundaries with Cross River State, and by implication, the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

It is because we are involved.

As leaders of the Southern Cameroonian people, we consider it expedient, indeed a duty, to inform the world of our affinityto Cross River State in Nigeria. What happens in Cross River State affects Southern Cameroons, and what is currently happening in Southern Cameroons, (since the government of La Republique du Cameroon under President Biya declared war on Southern Cameroonians 10 years ago) is significantly affecting Cross River State. We thank the Governor, H.E. Prince Bassey Otu and all the good people of Cross River State,who have shown love, compassion and true kinship, by providing shelter and stretching their limited resources to accommodate over one hundred thousand Southern Cameroonian Refugees currently in Cross River State, as a result of the war declared on us by Paul Biya’s government of French Cameroon. The Government of French Cameroons does not hide its abhorrence for the People of Southern Cameroons, and even more so, our closeness to Cross River State.

We are therefore appealing to the Governor, H.E. Prince Bassey Otu, the government and most importantly our sisters and brothers, the citizens of Cross River State to seize this moment and join hands with the Leadership of Southern Cameroons so that Cross River State gets what is rightly hers, and Southern Cameroonians get their freedom and independence. This is the surest path to peace, justice and a future of shared prosperity for our two peoples.

We, the Leaders of Southern Cameroons are ready and willing to enter discussions with the Cross River State government in support of their claims to ownership of the resources (including oil Wells) on the Nigerian side of our maritime boundaries. Whatever material and historical facts we have at our disposal to bolster Cross River’s claims, will be availed to H.E. the governor under the right circumstances.

We make this solemn appeal based on the following historical facts:

– The common ancestral land, culture, traditions, sociopolitical and economic potentials defined by historical and geographical boundary beacons at the Gulf of Guinea.

– The economic viability of an independent and peaceful Southern Cameroons and its multiplier effectsin enhancing Cross River State’s ambitious development plans in both maritime and territorial boundaries which we share, including the Bakassi Deep Seaport and the Mfum-Export Processing Zone Projects.

The government in French Cameroun has not only shown hostility towards the people of Southern Cameroons with a natural and historic affinity to Cross River State but have gone ahead and continue perpetuating war on our people. The mere fact that we are seen and perceived as allies of Cross River, and by implication allies of Nigeria in the larger context, we are marked for persecution and oppression. In effect, our proximity, culture, language, and most importantly our commonly shared natural resources whether on land or water, is what is at stake here, and the reason for our continuous marginalization and subjugation as Southern Cameroonians.

– We are together in this because the people of Southern Cameroons are fighting for a just cause, just as the people of Cross River State are fighting for what is rightly theirs in a federated Nigeria. As we share the pain today, so shall we share peace and prosperity in a better tomorrow when Southern Cameroons will be free.

Being a statement issued by:

Leaders of the Southern Cameroons and Prisoners of Conscience and War.