Headline News

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)

6, July 2026

Gov’t upgrades Ndop rice facilities to support import substitution ⁰

Cameroon is counting on Ndop to become one of the country’s leading rice-producing areas after investing more than CFA4 billion to modernize production and processing facilities at the Upper Noun Valley Development Authority (UNVDA).

Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Gabriel Mbairobe inspected the new equipment on July 2 alongside North West Regional Council President Prof. Fru Angwafo III.

The government hopes the investment will increase UNVDA’s annual rice production from 21,000 tons to 100,000 tons, nearly a fivefold increase.

Achieving that goal, however, will require far more than new processing equipment. Expanding cultivated land, improving irrigation, ensuring access to seeds and fertilizer, strengthening farmer support, and increasing UNVDA’s capacity to purchase, process, and market paddy rice will all be critical.

Modern facilities, but production must follow

The newly installed equipment can process up to 20 tons of paddy rice per hour, replacing aging machinery that had long limited the authority’s operations. The upgrade should reduce processing bottlenecks, improve rice quality, and allow larger volumes of paddy to be handled.

But higher milling capacity does not automatically translate into higher agricultural output. UNVDA still faces challenges related to land development, irrigation, and farm productivity. Although the Ndop plains offer significant agricultural potential, only part of the available land has been developed for rice cultivation.

Unless irrigation systems, rural roads, improved seeds, fertilizers, and extension services expand alongside the processing facilities, the new plant could operate well below capacity. The government’s own assessment of the rice sector highlights these constraints. The Ministry of Agriculture cites post-harvest losses, insufficient milling capacity, outdated storage infrastructure, high input costs, shortages of improved seed varieties, limited mechanization, and inadequate irrigation among the industry’s biggest obstacles.

The Ndop investment addresses one of those challenges, but not all of them.

Reducing dependence on imported rice

The project is part of Cameroon’s broader effort to reduce its dependence on imported food. According to the National Institute of Statistics (INS), cereal imports totaled CFA466.9 billion in 2025, down 14.1% from the previous year but still accounting for 8.9% of the country’s total import bill.

Rice remained the largest imported cereal, with purchases valued at CFA268.7 billion, or 5.1% of total imports, despite declining 15.6% from 2024.

By increasing UNVDA’s processing capacity, the government hopes to expand domestic rice production, gradually replace imports, and create more value within local farming communities.

The initiative fits into Cameroon’s import substitution strategy, which aims to increase the productivity, output, and competitiveness of domestic agriculture.

Still, local rice will need to compete with lower-cost imports, particularly from Asia. That means producing enough rice of consistent quality, packaging it effectively, and keeping prices affordable for consumers.

More than equipment will determine success

Farmers have welcomed the arrival of the new facilities, saying they should shorten processing times, improve access to milling services, and increase the value of their harvests. However, producer prices, access to fertilizer and improved seeds, farm machinery, better roads, and UNVDA’s ability to purchase paddy on time will remain critical to the project’s success.

Security also remains a concern. UNVDA operates in Cameroon’s North West Region, which has been affected by the Anglophone crisis since 2017. Although the Ndop plains retain strong agricultural potential, insecurity continues to affect access to farms, the movement of farmers and inputs, and the transport of rice to markets.

Against that backdrop, the presence of the regional council president alongside the agriculture minister underscored the government’s intention to anchor the project within the region’s broader development strategy.

Ultimately, however, the success of the investment will depend less on political support than on whether it can secure the entire production chain.

The CFA4 billion investment marks an important step in modernizing UNVDA and strengthening Cameroon’s ambition to expand domestic rice production. But increasing annual output from 21,000 tons to 100,000 tons will require much more than new machinery. It will depend on whether higher processing capacity is matched by sustained gains in agricultural production and a more competitive local rice industry.

Source: Business in Cameroon

6, July 2026

Sudan: Over 300 children killed or injured in war over six months ⁰

More than 300 children have been killed or injured in Sudan during the past six months, with drone strikes responsible for most casualties, the UN children’s agency (UNICEF) says as fighting continues across several parts of the African country.

According to a statement released by UNICEF on Monday, around 60% of child casualties recorded during the period were caused by drone warfare. The agency said the conflict is currently concentrated in the Kordofan, Darfur, and Blue Nile States.

UNICEF said drone strikes and shelling have targeted civilian infrastructure, including schools, markets, fuel facilities, and water stations, placing more than 500,000 people at risk. It added that civilians have endured conditions resembling a siege for more than a year.

“Children are being caught in a relentless cycle of violence, displacement and deprivation,” said Sheldon Yett, UNICEF representative for Sudan.

The United Nations, meanwhile, called on all parties to the conflict “to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, allow and facilitate safe, rapid, and unimpeded humanitarian access, and take all possible measures to protect children from harm.”

Sudan has been engulfed in war since April 2023 between the Sudanese military and the so-called Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

The UN has expressed alarm over the possibility of atrocities as the Sudanese military and the RSF militants battle for control of the strategic city of el-Obeid in North Kordofan.

UN rights council adopts Sudan measure

Also on Monday, the UN-backed Human Rights Council in Geneva approved, without a vote, a measure condemning escalating violence by the RSF and its allies in and around el-Obeid.

The measure also encourages increased support for countries hosting refugees from Sudan and condemns “all forms of external interference” in the conflict.

The war has killed at least 59,000 people, displaced about 13 million others and pushed many parts of Sudan into famine.

More than 30 million people across the country are in need of humanitarian assistance.

Source: Press TV

6, July 2026

World Cup: Belgium blasts FIFA decision to clear US striker to play despite red card ⁰

Belgium’s football federation has expressed outrage over FIFA’s decision to permit United States striker Folarin Balogun to feature in Monday’s World Cup Round of 16 match against Belgium, despite the forward receiving a red card in the previous round.

The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) said Sunday it was “astonished” by the ruling, while Belgium head coach Rudi Garcia delivered a sharp criticism of football’s governing body.

“I didn’t know July 5 was actually April 1 at the World Cup. This is an April Fools’ joke,” Garcia said following FIFA’s announcement that Balogun’s automatic one-match suspension had been placed on hold for a one-year probationary period.

The decision clears the 25-year-old striker to play in Monday’s knockout-stage clash in Seattle.

The RBFA said FIFA based its decision on Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code but argued that Article 66.4 of the same code states that a red card automatically results in a suspension for the team’s next match.

It also cited Article 10.5 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Competition Regulations, which says a player sent off by a direct or indirect red card is “automatically” suspended for the team’s subsequent match.

The RBFA noted that the automatic nature of the suspension had been reaffirmed in FIFA World Cup 2026 Circular No. 16, distributed to all participating associations on May 12, and reiterated during match coordination meetings and tournament workshops.

“In order to safeguard the legitimate rights of all participating teams and to protect the fundamental principles of fair play in our sport, both at this FIFA World Cup and at future editions of the tournament, the RBFA is investigating all potential options,” the federation said.

The New York Times reported that US President Donald Trump called FIFA President Gianni Infantino on Wednesday to seek a review of Balogun’s suspension, citing three people familiar with the conversation.

Trump welcomed FIFA’s decision on his Truth Social platform, writing, “Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!”

The White House has not confirmed that Trump contacted Infantino or claimed credit for the decision.

Politico later reported that US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick was involved in behind-the-scenes conversations with FIFA to get Balogun’s red card ban suspended, citing two people familiar with the matter who were granted anonymity to discuss private deliberations. It noted that Lutnick has developed close ties with the leadership of soccer’s governing body.

The ruling marks the first time since 1962 that FIFA has allowed a player sent off at a World Cup to play in the next match.

Balogun was shown a red card in the 64th minute of the United States’ 2-0 Round of 32 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina on July 1 for awkwardly stepping on the back of Bosnian defender Tarik Muharemovic’s leg while jockeying for a bouncing ball.

The American striker has scored three goals at the tournament as the US seeks its first World Cup quarterfinal appearance since 2002.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio criticized the red card Thursday, telling reporters that the team was “treated unfairly.”

“I wish there were an appeals process for it. But it’s probably too late now,” he said.

Source: Press TV

6, July 2026

Iran: Leader’s coffin in Tehran’s Azadi Square for funeral procession ⁰

Millions of mourners lined the streets of Tehran on Monday morning as the coffin of the martyred Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, was carried in a historic funeral procession to Azadi Square.

Mourners poured onto the streets of the Iranian capital as the funeral procession for the martyred Leader got underway, in what officials have described as the largest public gathering in the country’s modern history.

The procession, which drew millions of mourners from across the country, also carried the flag-draped coffins of several members of late Ayatollah Khamenei’s family, who were all martyred alongside the Leader on the first day of the recent US-Israeli war of aggression on February 28.

Dressed in black and beating their chests in mourning, large crowds packed the streets in Tehran as the funeral convoy made its way through the capital. Mourners chanted slogans calling for revenge for the Leader’s blood and resistance against adversaries, while waving Iranian flags and carrying his portraits.

Organizers expect the procession to last 10 to 12 hours, winding along a 10-kilometer route through Damavand Street, Imam Hossein Square, Enqelab Street, Enqelab Square, Azadi Street, Azadi Square, and Shahid Lashgari Highway, located near the Mehrabad airport.

Source: Presstv

5, July 2026

France: Will Le Pen be barred from the French presidency? ⁰

Far-right leader Marine Le Pen’s political fate will be decided on Tuesday when a Paris appeals court rules on whether she is eligible to run in the 2027 presidential elections, a verdict with major implications for France’s future. Le Pen is appealing her 2025 conviction for embezzling European Parliament funds to pay employees in her party.

The long-awaited verdict holds major implications for France’s political future. After months of waiting, the Paris Court of Appeal is due to rule on Tuesday on whether France’s far-right figurehead, Marine Le Pen, is eligible to run in the country’s 2027 presidential elections.

Le Pen, the long-time face of the National Rally (RN) party, is appealing a 2025 case in which she was convicted of embezzling European Parliament funds to pay her party’s employees. The conviction led to her being barred from running for public office for five years.

An acquittal is considered unlikely. But Le Pen might also see her penalty reduced, which could allow her to run for office. Or she could face a renewed conviction in line with the prosecution’s demands – effectively quashing any hopes of running for the presidency.

Le Pen has already run for president three times, but her popularity has risen significantly since her last attempt in 2022. As the clear front-runner in the polls for both the first and second rounds of the upcoming elections, she is well aware that her political fate lies with the July 7 decision.

“If the prosecution’s demands are upheld, I will be prevented from running,” she told French channel TF1-LCI on February 3.

In a separate interview with RTL in November 2025, when the appeal was scheduled for September, Le Pen also expressed her commitment to the broader far-right vision of the RN, even at the cost of her candidacy.

“I am not going to let things drag on, because I am committed to seeing our ideas come to power. If I am barred from running, but the Court of Cassation (the highest court in the French judicial system) rules in my favour three or four months later, it will be too late to run a proper presidential campaign,” she said.

Many legal experts believe Le Pen’s guilt was proven during the appeals trial. The judges are likely to follow the prosecution’s recommendations: a four-year prison sentence – with one year to be served in custody (eligible for electronic monitoring), a €100,000 fine and a five-year ban on holding public office. The verdict will not be immediately enforced.

Source: France 24

4, July 2026

Football: Argentina survive Cape Verde scare to reach World Cup last 16 ⁰

Messi’s sublime control and finish for his seventh goal at this tournament in four games put the defending champions in command, but the Blue Sharks doggedly refused to go away.

Deroy Duarte’s strike on the hour mark forced Argentina to expand more energy than they would have wanted in the sapping Miami heat.

Lisandro Martinez briefly restored Argentina’s lead early in extra time before Sidny Lopes Cabral’s stunning shot rocketed into the top corner.

Another Argentina corner finally got the job done when Cristian Romero rose highest to head Messi’s corner, the ball going in off a deflection from Diney Borges for an own goal.

La Albiceleste will face Egypt on Tuesday in Atlanta, but there were concerns for Lionel Scaloni on his 100th match in charge despite what appears a favourable draw.

Scaloni said it “would have been madness” to lose to the underdogs.

“A very tough match; you always have to take the positives—this team (Argentina) never gives up,” he said.

“We have to congratulate the opponent. When people say there are no easy opponents, they proved today that they are a great team,” he added.

“We finished very tired… they gave it their all.”

Cape Verde had served warning of what they were capable of by holding European champions Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia to draws in Group H to reach the knockout stages in their first World Cup appearance.

The Blue Sharks coach Bubista said the meeting with the world champions would be “the game of our lives” and it showed in a spirited display that had Argentina sweating.

On his return to the city where he plays his club football for Inter Miami, Messi’s every move was greeted like a god by the nearly 65,000 crowd, mainly in Argentina shirts.

Moments of magic

The 39-year-old produced a moment of magic with a feather-like touch from Lisandro Martinez’s pass to set up a high finish past Vozinha to open the scoring.

In doing so Messi also extended his own record of scoring in eight consecutive World Cup games and opened up a two-goal cushion once more over France’s Kylian Mbappe in the battle to be the competition’s all-time top goalscorer.

Emi Martinez had been a spectator in the first half, but the Aston Villa goalkeeper was forced into a smart save by Duarte as Cape Verde started the second period with more attacking intent.

Martinez was powerless for the equaliser moments later when Duarte was picked out by Ryan Mendes and rifled a low shot into the far corner.

Cape Verde’s 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha became an internet sensation after his man-of-the-match showing against Spain last month.

His nearly 18 million Instagram followers will have enjoyed him winning a one-on-one battle with Messi when the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner seemed certain to restore Argentina’s lead.

Irish-born Pico Lopes was next to be a Cape Verdean hero with a crucial intervention to deny Enzo Fernandez a tap-in after more inspiration from Messi created an opening.

Lisandro Martinez’s rising drive after a corner fell the Manchester United defender’s way two minutes into extra-time looked to have swung the momentum decisively in Argentina’s favour once more.

But again Cape Verde refused to bow and levelled with one of the goals of the tournament when Lopes Cabral smashed into the top corner.

The full-back ran off into the stands to celebrate with his partner.

Elsewhere around the crowd, the boisterous atmosphere that had accompanied most of the evening gave way to nervous tension as penalties approached.

Scaloni could only wipe his furrowed brow with relief when Messi’s corner was turned in for an own goal by the unfortunate Borges.

Yet an exhausted Argentina still had to ride their luck from a Cape Verde onslaught in the final seconds.

Emi Martinez this time won the battle with Lopes Cabral by tipping over another sweet strike that was headed for the top corner.

“I’m taking away the contribution from everyone; we finished very tired… they gave it their all.”

Source: AFP

4, July 2026

Questions emerge over Biya’s health as family members gather in Switzerland ⁰

Fresh concerns have resurfaced over the health of the Cameroonian dictator Paul Biya following reports that several close relatives, including family members rarely seen during his overseas stays have traveled to Switzerland, where the 93-year-old head of state has been staying.

The unusual presence of members of Biya’s inner family has fueled widespread speculation about his condition, especially as Cameroon continues to receive limited official information regarding his prolonged stay in Geneva.

The controversy intensified after a sister publication Jeune Afrique reported that President Biya had been admitted to a private clinic in Switzerland after reportedly feeling unwell during celebrations marking Cameroon’s National Day on May 20. The report quickly attracted regional and international attention.

However, the Cameroonian government has strongly rejected claims that the president is hospitalized. Government spokesman René Emmanuel Sadi stated that while President Biya is indeed in Geneva, he is “by no means admitted in any medical facility” and insisted that he remains capable of overseeing state affairs. Officials described reports of hospitalization as “malicious and unfounded speculation.”

Despite these assurances, Biya’s prolonged absence from public engagements, combined with reports of close relatives gathering in Switzerland, has intensified speculation over his health and the possibility of succession discussions behind closed doors. No official evidence has been presented confirming that the relatives’ presence is linked to a medical emergency.

President Biya, who has ruled Cameroon since 1982, has frequently spent extended periods in Switzerland during his presidency. His overseas stays have repeatedly sparked rumors about his health, particularly given his advanced age and the government’s traditionally limited disclosure regarding his medical condition.

Some political commentators say the latest developments are likely to increase public debate about leadership succession in Cameroon ahead of future political milestones. Nevertheless, until independent confirmation emerges, claims regarding any severe deterioration in the president’s health remain unverified.

As of now, the only confirmed facts are that President Biya is in Geneva, Switzerland, and that the Cameroonian government denies reports that he has been hospitalized. Assertions that the presence of family members signals a critical health crisis remain speculative and have not been independently confirmed.

By Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai

3, July 2026

Diocese of Nkongsamba announces release of Priest, 2 Franciscan Brothers ⁰

The Catholic Diocese of Nkongsamba has announced the safe release of a Priest and two members of the Fraternity of Franciscans of Emmanuel (FFE) who were reportedly abducted in the country’s North-West Region.

In the letter that the Diocesan Chancellor, Abbé Luc Roger Dodo issued on Wednesday, July 1, the Diocese gives thanks to God for the release of Fr. John Bosco Bihkong and Brothers Sylvester Sewong and Marie Rodrigue, who were kidnapped during the night of Saturday, June 27.

“Thank you to everyone for your prayers and expressions of support, which have borne fruit,” Fr. Dodo says in the letter quoting the psalmist, “Out of my distress I called on the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me free.”

In a Tuesday, June 30 statement, the Vicar General of the Cameroonian Episcopal See announced the kidnapping of the three.

According to Mons. Joseph Tchinda Dountio, Fr. Bihkong had traveled to his native village of Melim, near Ndop in the North-West Region of Cameroon, to celebrate his first Mass on Friday, June 26.

He was accompanied by Br. Sylvester Sewong, Guardian of the FFE convent in Kékem, and Br. Marie Rodrigue Sop, who is preparing for a perpetual profession. The three were abducted the following night.

No details were provided regarding the identity of the kidnappers, their motives, or whether contact had been established with the abductors.

Cameroon’s North-West Region is one of the two English-speaking regions that have experienced years of insecurity linked to the country’s Anglophone crisis.

Clergy, women and men Religious, and other civilians have periodically been targeted in abductions as violence has persisted in the region.

Source: aciAfrica

3, July 2026

Issa Tchiroma dismisses reports of planned U.S. travel from The Gambia as Fake News ⁰

The man widely believed to have won the 2025 presidential elections in Cameroon Issa Tchiroma Bakary has dismissed as “fake news” reports circulating on social media claiming that he was preparing to travel to the United States from The Gambia.

The reports alleged that Tchiroma had departed or was set to depart Banjul for the U.S. However, Gambian authorities have publicly rejected the claim, describing it as false and confirming that no such departure had taken place.

The denial comes amid continued speculation surrounding Tchiroma’s movements since he sought refuge in The Gambia following the disputed 2025 presidential election in Cameroon. He has remained active politically from exile, issuing statements and pursuing legal action against the Cameroonian government while residing in Banjul.

The false reports quickly spread across media houses in Cameroon and social media platforms, prompting officials to issue a clarification aimed at countering misinformation. Authorities reiterated that Tchiroma remains in The Gambia and that claims of his travel to the United States are entirely unfounded.

The episode highlights the growing challenge posed by online misinformation surrounding high-profile political figures, particularly those living in exile, where unverified claims can rapidly gain traction before being officially debunked.

By Rita Akana in Yaounde