Headline News

12, July 2026

US senator Lindsey Graham dies after ‘brief and sudden illness’ ⁰

Prominent US Senator Lindsey Graham, a key ally of President Donald Trump, died on Saturday aged 71 following a “brief and sudden illness,” his office said.

“On the evening of Saturday, July 11, US Senator Lindsey Graham passed away from a brief and sudden illness,” the Republican senator from South Carolina’s office said in a statement on his official X account.

“Senator Graham’s family appreciates prayers at this time and asks for privacy during this incredibly difficult period.”

Graham was first elected to the US House of Representatives in 1994, before being elected to the Senate in 2002.

He was later re-elected to the Senate in 2008, 2014 and 2020 and most recently served as chairman of the Senate Budget Committee.

South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster described Graham as “irreplaceable” in a post on X.

“The fiercest of fighters for South Carolina and America – and a loyal and steadfast friend,” McMaster said.

Graham was also a strong supporter of Israel and a hawkish backer of the Iran war.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog said the news of Graham’s death left him “shocked and heartbroken.”

“Senator Graham was a beacon of moral clarity and a true leader of the US-Israel partnership,” he said in a post on X.

“We will never forget how he stood by the people of Israel in our most difficult moments, and we will remain eternally grateful for his sense of justice, truth, and loyalty,” Herzog said.

“The people of Israel mourn his loss, and I will miss my great friend very dearly.”

Source: AFP

11, July 2026

Yaoundé: Francophonie Parliamentary Assembly opens with focus on climate ⁰

Parliamentarians from across the French-speaking world gathered in Cameroon Friday for the 51st plenary session of the Parliamentary Assembly of La Francophonie, or APF.

Nearly 400 lawmakers and officials from about 100 parliaments in Africa, Europe, the Americas, Asia and the Pacific are taking part in the meeting. The session in the capital Yaounde is centered on the theme: “Climate change, development and Francophone solidarity: What commitments in a world beset by crises?”

Key topics on the agenda include climate change, democracy, parliamentary cooperation, peace and security.

In his opening address, APF President Hilarion Etong urged delegates to confront environmental challenges head-on. “We must rise to the challenge of environmental issues. Let us ensure that the Francophone parliamentary voice continues to champion a certain vision of peace, democracy and human dignity across the globe,” Etong said.

He also called for greater respect for sovereignty and said the future of La Francophonie is increasingly tied to Africa. “We must bring to the debate a self-evident truth we can no longer ignore: the demographic, cultural and human future of the Francophonie is largely being shaped in Africa. And this future cannot be built on dependency, sterile confrontations or misunderstandings inherited from the past,” he added.

Etong said the APF must work toward a world where dialogue replaces force.

The session runs through July 12. Organizers say the closing ceremony will review the concrete commitments made during parliamentary diplomacy, which started in Yaounde Tuesday. ■

11, July 2026

Ossing Chieftaincy Saga: Key players get kidnapped ⁰

It was reported on Saturday morning that the Ossing Chieftaincy issue had taken a turn for the worse following the kidnapping of two key players – Mr. Agbor Emmanuel Orock who is the Ossing Traditional Council (OTC) Secretary General and Mr. Ebot Abel who is the OTC Technical Adviser – by men purporting to be Ambazonian separatist fighters.

However, according to our source in Ossing, those behind the heinous crime are known as the crime bears their hallmarks and fingerprints.

At the time of publishing this article, it was reported that both had been released after having been tortured and after having paid CFAF 1 million each.

According to our source “the two OTC key officers might be free but the matter will not go away. We know those who are responsible for this odious and cowardly act and they will be dealt with accordingly,” he said.

“These two officers have always stood for the truth and they want Ossing to be that oasis of peace in Manyu Division. They have stood against maneuvers orchestrated by Mr. Thompson Ndip, a civil servant working in the Ministry of Forestry in Yaoundé who holds that he must be the chief even when he was not among the top three candidates chosen by the council of kingmakers,” he stressed.

“Mr. Thompson Ndip has proven that he is a corrupt person and a gangster who should never be allowed to get anywhere close to the Ossing throne. Leadership requires an impeccable character and Mr. Thompson Ndip is bereft of such a character that can warrant him to lead the peace-loving people of Ossing,” our source pointed out.

“He has been bribing some hungry kingmakers and some people such as Mr. Tabot Bassey, who were initially against him, turned their coats when they were given money. Mr. Tabot Bassey is a retired police constable who is in the grip of a financial crisis that has robbed him of his dignity. Even his son, Tabot Jerry Ayuk, a low level military staff who wanted to run as the chief of Ossing also received money from Mr Thompson Ndip and it is being alleged that he and Mr. Arrey Joseph Ogork, a retired military welder orchestrated and executed the kidnapping of the two OTC officials,” our source added.

“The matter has already been reported to the police and the military who are already working on the case. Mr. Thompson Ndip, Mr. Tabot Jerry and Mr. Arrey Joseph Ogork will soon be answering for their support to the separatists who kidnapped the two OTC officers,” our source pointed out.

“The two OTC officers are expected to present the conclusions of the Ossing Chieftaincy selection process to the Manyu Senior Divisional Officer and his team on Monday. The kidnapping is supposed to intimidate the two officers but it is clear that things will only work against Mr. Thompson Ndip and his team who have been threatening many people,” our source said.

Over the past few weeks, some members of the Ossing Traditional Council have received threats to their lives because of their public positions on the ongoing chieftaincy selection process.

“Saturday’s incident is evidence that the matter is getting worse and if the three persons cited above are not treated as bandits and separatists, they will continue to disturb the peace that is reigning in Ossing,” our source pointed out

“As for the ransom paid, the Technical Adviser and the Secretary General will be compensated by some benevolent Ossing citizens who think that both men deserve a reward for their principled positions against the forces of evil constituted by Mr. Thompson Ndip,” our source concluded.

More will be yours as we receive more information.

By Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai with files from Enow Agbor James in Mamfe

11, July 2026

Canada positions Cameroon as key CEMAC partner ⁰

Canada wants to expand investment and business partnerships with Cameroon. Officials used this year’s Canada Day celebrations in Yaounde to present the country as a strategic economic partner in Central Africa.

The reception, hosted by the High Commission of Canada on July 8, brought together members of the Cameroonian government, diplomats, parliamentarians and a visiting Canadian parliamentary delegation attending the 51st Session of the Parliamentary Assembly of La Francophonie (APF), which runs in Yaounde until July 12.

Speaking at the official residence of Canada in Yaounde, Canadian High Commissioner Marie-Claude Harvey said Ottawa is stepping up its economic engagement across Africa and sees Cameroon as a key partner because of its strategic location and economic potential.

“Here in Cameroon, we are working with you to strengthen the economy, support entrepreneurship and promote growth that is inclusive, particularly for women. Because investing in people is the best investment there is,” Harvey said.

She added that Canada’s renewed engagement with Africa aims to deepen economic partnerships with countries pursuing sustainable and inclusive growth.

“Thanks to its strategic position in Central Africa, Cameroon is a leading partner. We therefore wish to encourage more investment, innovation and mutually beneficial partnerships between our two countries,” she said.

Harvey also pointed to broader areas of cooperation between the two countries, including education, governance, innovation, entrepreneurship and cultural exchanges, while reaffirming Canada’s commitment to multilateralism at a time of heightened global economic and geopolitical uncertainty.

Parliamentary Delegation Visits Yaounde

The Canada Day celebration coincided with the visit of a high-level Canadian parliamentary delegation led by Marie-France Lalonde, president of the Canadian Branch of the Parliamentary Assembly of La Francophonie.

The delegation is taking part in the 51st Session of the APF, where representatives from 99 member sections are meeting to discuss issues including multilateralism, peacebuilding and sustainable development.

“Over the coming days, we will have the opportunity to exchange views with Francophone parliamentarians from every continent on issues that affect us all, including multilateralism, peace efforts and sustainable development. The relationship between Canada and the Francophonie is entering a pivotal period,” Lalonde said.

The gathering also provided an opportunity for Canadian officials to reaffirm their ambition to broaden economic cooperation with Cameroon by encouraging greater investment, innovation and private-sector partnerships.

Source: Business in Cameroon

10, July 2026

Nigeria: Benin Catholic archbishop Akubeze dies at 69 ⁰

The Catholic Archdiocese of Benin City has announced the death of its Archbishop, Most Rev. Augustine Akubeze.

Akubeze died on Thursday at the age of 69, according to a statement issued by the Chancellor of the Archdiocese, Rev. Fr. Michael Oyanoafoh, on behalf of the Consultors of the diocese.

The statement described the late archbishop as a humble and committed servant of God who touched many lives through his ministry.

It read, “On behalf of the Consultors of the Catholic Archdiocese of Benin City, we announce, with profound sorrow, yet with a firm hope in the resurrection, the passing of our dearly beloved father and Archbishop, Most Rev. Augustine Obiora Akubeze, Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Benin City, who was called home to the Lord on Thursday, July 9, 2026.

“Archbishop Augustine Obiora Akubeze lived a very simple and humble life in faith and obedience to the will of God. He impacted the lives of so many people. He was a complete gentleman and a father to us all.”

The Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria also confirmed his death in a statement signed by its Secretary-General, Rev. Fr. Michael Banjo.

The secretariat described Akubeze as a “unique shepherd” whose leadership combined spiritual growth with the development of the church and the welfare of its members.

The statement read, “Archbishop Akubeze was a unique shepherd who understood that the true development of the church embraces both spiritual renewal and the holistic growth of God’s people.

“Under his care, the Archdiocese of Benin City has witnessed significant developmental strides. He was deeply committed to the welfare of his priests with the conviction that the future of the church depended on well-formed shepherds.”

The Catholic Secretariat also recalled his contributions as a former President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, describing him as a defender of the church’s teachings.

“As an erstwhile President of the Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, he firmly stood as a pillar of orthodox truth. His voice did not tickle ears but fed souls, bringing to light his episcopal motto: ‘Ut Testimonium perhibeam veritati’ (That I may bear witness to the Truth),” the statement added.

The secretariat praised his leadership style, noting that he demonstrated humility and service throughout his episcopal ministry.

“His patient listening and selfless generosity embodied a compassionate shepherd who knew the smell of his flock.

“He demonstrated always by his gentleness and quiet disposition that genuine authority in the church is not measured by power but by service,” it stated.

Born in 1956, Akubeze was ordained a Catholic priest on October 3, 1987.

He was appointed the pioneer Bishop of Uromi Diocese on December 14, 2005, and consecrated on February 25, 2006.

Source: The Punch

10, July 2026

Douala: Ngute admin begins rollout of long-acting injectable HIV prevention drug ⁰

Cameroon has kicked off a pilot programme for Cabotegravir, a long-acting injectable drug for HIV prevention, officials announced on Thursday.

The launch took place in Douala, the country’s economic capital.

Public Health Minister Manaouda Malachie said the new option, known as CAB-PrEP, is given as an injection every two months and is up to 95 per cent effective at preventing HIV infection.

He stressed that CAB-PrEP is not meant to replace barrier contraceptives, regular testing or medical follow-ups.

Instead, it adds another tool to the country’s prevention strategy and could help people at high risk stay consistent with protection.

“This is a major step forward in our goal to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030,” Manaouda told reporters.

For the pilot, the drug will be made available in areas with the highest transmission rates, starting with Douala, according to health officials.

The minister added that success will depend on clear public information, close medical supervision and stronger involvement from community groups to fight stigma and boost uptake.

The announcement comes days after Cameroon reported progress on two of the UN’s “95-95-95” HIV targets.

Results from a national survey on the impact of HIV released on Tuesday showed that 96.4 per cent of people diagnosed with HIV are now on antiretroviral treatment, and 95 per cent of those on treatment have achieved viral suppression.

The same survey estimated HIV prevalence at three per cent among people aged 15 and older, equal to about 501,000 people living with HIV nationwide. HIV is the virus that causes AIDS.

Source: nst.com

10, July 2026

Football: Mbappé sends France past Morocco to World Cup semi-finals ⁰

France defeated Morocco 2-0 in a hard-fought quarter-final encounter, with Mbappé opening the scoring after initially missing a penalty in the first half.

Mbappe curled in his eighth goal of the tournament on 60 minutes before Dembele doubled Les Bleus’ lead six minutes later to settle a clinical victory at the Gillette Stadium outside Boston.

The win sends the 2018 champions into a last-four showdown against either Spain or Belgium in Arlington, Texas on Tuesday.

The Atlas Lions had been tipped to pose a serious threat to France’s hopes of reaching a third consecutive World Cup final.

But Didier Deschamps’ men were always in control against a limited Morocco side who failed to register a single shot on goal until an 83rd minute free-kick by Azzedine Ounahi was parried away by France goalkeeper Mike Maignan.

France though struggled to find a breakthrough, and missed the opportunity to take the lead on 28 minutes when Mbappe saw a penalty saved by Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou.

Mbappe had won the penalty after being brought down by Noussair Mazraoui but was forced to wait several minutes before being allowed to take the kick after a protracted VAR check.

Resilient Bounou

Morocco managed to hold out to half-time but it was always only a matter of time before France’s relentless pressure paid off.

The breakthrough came on the hour mark, with Mbappe bending a brilliant right-foot shot past a resilient Bounou from the edge of the area.

Paris Saint-Germain star Dembele made the game safe in the 66th minute, striding forward menacingly from midfield before steering a low finish into the bottom corner.

France now await the winner of Friday’s quarter-final in Los Angeles between European champions Spain and Belgium.

Spain, who have not conceded a single goal so far, eliminated Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal in the last 16 and will fancy their chances of overcoming Belgium, who thrashed United States 4-1 to reach the last eight.

Source: AFP

10, July 2026

Trump invested in companies profiting from war on Iran ⁰

Brokers representing US President Donald Trump reportedly purchased last year between $9.7 million and $24.3 million in stocks from arms manufacturers and other military contractors profiting from the illegal war of aggression against Iran.

Responsible Statecraft (RS), the online magazine of the Quincy Institute, said in an analysis on Thursday that accumulating shares in companies like Palantir, Lockheed Martin, General Dynamics, and RTX took place in 2025 before Trump’s warmongering.

Trump’s brokers purchased between $1.6 and $3.9 million in stock of Palantir, the surveillance technology company that developed Maven Smart System, the AI system used to strike 1,000 targets in Iran on the first day of the military assault, according to the analysis of a financial disclosure released recently by the president.

Trump also acquired up to $1.4 million in stock from Lockheed Martin, which manufactures F-35 and F-22 jets deployed against Iran; up to $1 million in stock from General Dynamics, which builds heavy bombs and missiles used in terrorist attacks on the Islamic Republic; and over $800,000 in stock from RTX, which manufacturers the Tomahawk missiles used in the deadly strike on a school in Iran’s southern city of Minab, and up to $3 million in stock from GE Aerospace, which manufactures parts for aircraft used by the US and Israel to target Iran.

The report also said that many of the aforesaid companies have received large contracts to rebuild stockpiles of weapons that were depleted during the war on Iran.

Some contractors in Trump’s investment portfolio also do business directly with the Israeli regime, it added, citing Boeing which sold $8.6 billion in F-15 jets to Tel Aviv less than three months before the second unlawful American-Zionist aggression against Iran, which started on February 28.

Meanwhile, the analysis said that almost all of the stocks Trump purchased rose significantly in the first year of his administration.

All of the stock purchases were part of a larger financial disclosure which revealed that Trump generated $2 billion through private ventures last year, including approximately $1.4 billion through cryptocurrency sales, it said.

The US and the Israeli regime waged their first criminal military assault against Iran, which lasted 12 days, in June 2025. Their second invasion began in late February and came to a halt in early April after 40 days.

In both wars, Iran’s brave resistance and successful retaliatory operations forced the enemies to accept a ceasefire.

Source: Press TV

9, July 2026

Ngute admin launches family benefit audit to curb payroll fraud ⁰

Cameroon has set July 15, 2026, as the first deadline in a nationwide audit of family allowances paid to public employees, as the government steps up efforts to tighten control over payroll spending.

Through the operation, the Ministry of Finance aims to clean up the list of beneficiaries after what it describes as an unusually sharp increase in the number of children declared in the state’s payroll system. The ministry is urging eligible public employees to complete their registration well before the deadline to avoid last-minute congestion and processing delays. The first phase of the audit, known as AALFA, marks the beginning of a broader review designed to verify the legitimacy of family benefit claims.

A Budget Review Triggered by a Surge in Beneficiaries

Behind the administrative exercise lies a broader fiscal challenge. According to the Ministry of Finance, the number of children declared by public employees rose from 594,728 in June 2024 to more than 923,000 in March 2026, an increase of about 55% in less than two years.

For the government, such a rapid rise warrants a comprehensive review. The audit is intended to distinguish legitimate claims from irregular or fraudulent declarations that may be inflating public spending.

Documents Required for Registration

Public employees receiving family allowances must submit several documents, including a collective life certificate covering children under 21 years old or children with disabilities, a copy of a promotion notice or payroll statement, legible copies of the birth certificates of all declared children, and a copy of the beneficiary’s national identity card. The Ministry of Finance has also issued guidelines explaining how to complete the data collection form in order to simplify the registration process and reduce filing errors.

Higher Benefits Have Increased Fiscal Pressure

The audit comes only months after family allowances were raised to CFA4,500 per child per month in February 2024. The increase was intended to strengthen the purchasing power of public employees’ families, but it also automatically increased the government’s financial burden, making the accuracy of beneficiary records even more critical.

In that context, the audit is not meant to challenge the benefit itself but to ensure it reaches eligible recipients. Authorities intend to preserve the rights of legitimate beneficiaries while removing fraudulent claims from the payroll and recovering any funds that were improperly paid.

Birth Certificate Verification and Fraud Detection

The review will focus primarily on verifying the authenticity of birth certificates, the validity of supporting documents, and the consistency of information across government databases. Officials also plan to identify duplicate records, false declarations, and children registered without valid documentation.

The operation builds on broader government efforts to improve control over personnel-related spending. Following physical headcounts of public employees and audits of pension beneficiaries and dependents, authorities are now targeting a less visible but potentially costly source of expenditure: family allowances.

A Long-Term Interministerial Initiative

Created by decree in July 2024, the committee overseeing the AALFA audit brings together representatives from the ministries of Finance, Public Service, Defense, Security, Territorial Administration, and civil registration services. The interministerial structure is intended to facilitate data sharing and strengthen verification procedures.

According to the Ministry of Finance, the audit will run for 24 months, beginning with a systematic review of the birth certificates of children declared by active public employees. The goal extends beyond a one-time audit to establishing a lasting mechanism for securing the family allowance database.

July 15 Marks the First Test

In the short term, the Ministry of Finance is emphasizing compliance with the July 15 deadline, describing it as a key milestone for the success of the audit. Completing this first phase on schedule should help reduce processing delays and lay the groundwork for the broader review.

Ultimately, the audit reflects a dual objective: protecting public finances at a time of mounting budgetary pressure while ensuring that government social benefits are paid only to those who are legally entitled to receive them.

Source: Business in Cameroon

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.