Headline News

17, June 2022

Trump pressured VP to illegally overturn the US 2020 election ⁰

Donald Trump pressured his vice president to go along with an illegal plot to overturn the 2020 US election and whipped up a mob that put his deputy’s life in danger when he refused, congressional investigators and former administration aides said Thursday.

The House committee probing last year’s attack on the US Capitol detailed how the former president berated Mike Pence for not going along with the scheme both knew to be unlawful — even after being told violence had erupted as Congress was meeting to certify Joe Biden’s victory.

At its third public hearing into the January 6, 2021 insurrection, the panel detailed a “relentless” pressure campaign by Trump on Pence — as cornerstone of a criminal conspiracy to keep the defeated president in power.

“Donald Trump wanted Mike Pence to do something no other vice president has ever done: the former president wanted Pence to reject the votes and either declare Trump the winner or send the votes back to the states to be counted again,” panel chairman Bennie Thompson said.

“Mike Pence said no. He resisted the pressure. He knew it was illegal. He knew it was wrong.”

Trump’s lawyer John Eastman was the architect of the “nonsensical” plot, said committee vice-chair Liz Cheney, pushing the scheme aggressively despite knowing it to be unlawful.

The committee showed testimony from Pence’s general counsel Greg Jacob saying Eastman admitted in front of Trump two days before the riot that his plan would violate federal law.

‘In danger’

A desperate Trump had turned to Pence for help after dozens of legal challenges against the election were dismissed in courts across the land.

The defeated president used rally speeches and Twitter to exert intense pressure on his deputy to abuse his position as president of the Senate and reject the election results.

Members of Trump’s family were in the Oval Office on January 6 when Trump had a “heated” phone call with Pence, according to first daughter Ivanka Trump’s deposition, aired at the hearing.

She said Trump took “a different tone” than she’d heard him use before.

Nicholas Luna, a former assistant to Trump, recalled in his own deposition: “I remember hearing the word ‘wimp.'”

During his “Stop the Steal” rally later that day, Trump referenced Pence numerous times as he told his supporters to march on the Capitol and “fight like hell.”

Trump’s original speech didn’t mention Pence but he ad-libbed to berate his vice president in a move Democratic committee member Pete Aguilar said helped incite the insurrection and the threats against Pence.

But Pence resisted, releasing a letter to Congress saying the vice president had no “unilateral authority” to overturn election counts.

Aguilar said an informant from the neofascist Proud Boys told the FBI the group would have killed Pence given the opportunity.

The California congressman said the mob storming the Capitol came within 40 feet (12 meters) of Pence and to “make no mistake about the fact that the vice president’s life was in danger.”

‘Pretty jarring’

Trump’s chief of staff Mark Meadows told him about the violence erupting at the Capitol but the president tweeted anyway that Pence did not have the “courage” to overturn the election, aides told investigators in videotaped depositions.

Immediately after the tweet, the crowds at the Capitol surged forward, the committee said.

The mob threatened to hang Pence for failing to cooperate as they stormed the Capitol, even erecting a gallows in front of the building.

“What the former president was willing to sacrifice — potentially the vice president — in order to stay in power is pretty jarring,” Aguilar said.

The panel aired a video clip of a rioter saying he would “drag people through the streets” if Pence refused to overturn the election.

The committee also heard from retired federal judge J Michael Luttig, who testified that the United States would have been plunged into “a revolution within a paralyzing constitutional crisis” had Pence folded under Trump’s pressure.

Luttig, a renowned conservative legal scholar, had advised Pence at the time that his role in overseeing the ratification of the election was purely ceremonial — and that he had no power to oppose the result.

“There was no basis in the constitution or the laws of the United States at all for the theory espoused by Mr Eastman. At all. None,” Luttig said.

Trump reacted to the hearing by demanding that he receive “equal time” on the airwaves to lay out his bogus theory that the election was stolen — but opponents pointed out that he has not taken up the committee’s invitation to testify.

Source: AFP

17, June 2022

UK government approves extradition of WikiLeaks founder Assange to US ⁰

British Interior Minister Priti Patel on Friday approved the extradition of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to the United States to face criminal charges, bringing his long-running legal saga closer to a conclusion.

Assange is wanted by US authorities on 18 counts, including a spying charge, relating to WikiLeaks’ release of vast troves of confidential US military records and diplomatic cables which they said had put lives in danger.

His supporters say he is an anti-establishment hero who has been victimised because he exposed US wrongdoing in conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq, and that his prosecution is a politically motivated assault on journalism and free speech.

“On 17 June, following consideration by both the Magistrates Court and High Court, the extradition of Mr Julian Assange to the US was ordered. Mr Assange retains the normal 14-day right to appeal,” the UK home office said in a statement.

Patel’s decision does not mean the end of Australian-born Assange’s legal battle which has been going on for more than a decade.

He can launch an appeal at London’s High Court which must give its approval for a challenge to proceed. He can ultimately seek to take his case to the United Kingdom Supreme Court. But if an appeal is refused, Assange must be extradited within 28 days.

Source: REUTERS

17, June 2022

French Cameroun: Gunman kills seven villagers in Adamawa region ⁰

A gunman has attacked three villages in Cameroon’s mountainous region of Adamawa, killing seven people, an official said on Thursday.

Abbo Aboubakar, mayor of Belel municipality said, the man who is yet to be identified opened fire on villagers in Lesse Woka, Didjawa and Ngaoundamdji localities of the municipality.

“Four people died on Tuesday when the incident happened and three others died Wednesday in the hospital, three others are still in hospital,” Aboubakar said by phone.

Some of the villagers have fled the localities, afraid that the gunman, who villagers said was well armed, will return again, according to the official.

Cameroon shares a porous border in the region with Central African Republic (CAR) and rebels from CAR regularly crossed the boundary to attack Cameroonians, according to security reports.

In 2018, Cameroonian president Paul Biya deployed Special Forces to the region after abductions became rampant.

Source: Xinhuanet

16, June 2022

Eto’o rejecting Matip is a sign of pride which could cost Lions at the World Cup ⁰

FECAFOOT president Samuel Eto’o has reportedly refused centre-back Joel Matip an opportunity to come out of retirement and represent Cameroon at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

Matip retired from international duties in 2017 subtly citing the chaos in the Cameroon football federation (FECAFOOT) as his main reason.

Five years on, Fecafoot is now led by Samuel Eto’o, the legendary Cameroonian striker with the chaos mostly subsided and his beloved country Qatar-bound for the World Cup.

Joel Matip has now reportedly tried to unretired in a bid to be available for the showpiece which Eto’o has vehemently blocked but is that decision in the best interest of Cameroon or a show of pride which could cost the Indomitable Lions?

The Liverpool defender was one of the few high-profile players in the Cameroon national team at the time of his retirement and his decision to leave them high and dry was selfish even if justified. It appears that Matip left when the going got rough and is now trying to return now that it’s good again, that’s certainly how Eto’o sees it.

Joel Matip’s desire to rejoin the Indomitable lions is mostly self-serving but so is Samuel Eto’o’s decision to block the 30-year-old defender.

What is best for Cameroon?

The truth is, despite Matip’s dodgy intentions, his presence in the national team will do Cameroon more good than harm and that conclusion should be enough for Samuel Eto’o.

Matip was Cameroon’s best defender when he retired in 2017 and has since developed into one of the best centre-backs in the world, a solid rock at the back for Liverpool.

There’s no other real reason for Cameroon to not want him in the World Cup squad other than pride, albeit justifiable pride but still pride nonetheless which can only lead to a fall.

Cameroon will play against Serbia, Switzerland and Brazil in the group stage in Qatar, all teams with world-class players but will somehow not be competing with their only player of that level.

Matip was a part of the last Cameroon World Cup squad in 2014 where they also played against Brazil who were the host nation, his experience is invaluable.

In summary, Eto’o is right to feel how he does about Matip but in his position of power, the bigger picture should be the highest consideration and Cameroonian football should be his number one priority.

But right now it seems his pride and ego supersedes the need to take the strongest possible Cameroon squad to the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

Source: Pulse Nigeria

16, June 2022

Biya regime begins charging for PCR COVID-19 test ⁰

Cameroon on Wednesday effectively started charging for polymerase chain reaction COVID-19 test, according to the country’s Minister of Public Health Malachie Manaouda.

Manaouda said Tuesday that the test will now cost 30,000 xaf (approximately 48 U.S. dollars).

Payment will be effected through a platform for the dematerialization of public receipts, but also on physical sites allowing the generation of a unique code and a receipt, he said.

The officials did not explain why the test that was previously free of charge will now be paid for.

As of May 11, Cameroon had 119,947 confirmed COVID-19 cases, with 1,930 deaths. And 11 percent of the target population had received at least one vaccine dose, according to the Ministry of Public Health.

Source: Xinhuanet

16, June 2022

Dion Ngute, Atanga Nji have turned Southern Cameroons into a huge French Cameroun military base ⁰

Politically docile pro Yaoundé Southern Cameroons figures have turned the entire Federal Republic of Ambazonia into a huge French Cameroun military base.

Joseph Dion Ngute and Paul Atanga Nji are now responsible for a Francophone policy which allows the Francophone dominated regime of 89-year-old President Paul Biya to turn the whole of British Southern Cameroons into a massive French Cameroun military base.

For over five years now, Francophone army soldiers have been wandering in Mezam, Manyu, Menchum, Bui, Ndian, Fako, Meme, Lebialem, Kupe Munanenguba Divisions and other constituencies in Southern Cameroons. The Southern Cameroons homeland has now turned into a huge French Cameroun army base.

Dion Ngute, Paul Atanga Nji, Philemon Yang, Elvis Ngolle Ngolle and Paul Tasong helped Yaoundé in creating an atmosphere of war with Southern Cameroonians. These so-called prominent Anglophone political elites got Southern Cameroonians intimidated and eventually made acceptable the conversion of the Southern Cameroons homeland into a Francophone military base.

Today, Southern Cameroons is now a tool for France-Afrique power politics and Ambazonians are being use to demonstrate the superiority of French power in Africa regardless of the pain that the people of Southern Cameroons are going through!!

Currently, Francophone military bases have been established all over Southern Cameroons and some of the bases are helping French multi nationals in exploiting Southern Cameroons hydrocarbon resources in Ndian Division, the Bakassi Peninsula including increasing French naval influence in the Gulf of Guinea.

Every divisional and sub divisional capital in Southern Cameroons is home to a Francophone army base! The Biya Francophone regime has extended its military base policy even to Ambazonia villages!

Yet, the same Francophone regime is informing the world that Ambazonian fighters are terrorizing the local Southern Cameroons population!! This begs the question: Who is being threatened with these Francophone military bases? Why are these military bases being established in Southern Cameroons if they cannot protect hospitals or motor parks?

At the moment, our cream of Cameroon Concord News reporters cannot count all the Francophone military bases in Southern Cameroons, there are so many. … The entire Southern Cameroons is La Republique du Cameroun’s military base.

By Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai

16, June 2022

War in Ukraine: Latest developments ⁰

Here are the latest developments in the war in Ukraine:

Macron, Scholz, Draghi in Kyiv

French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi visit Kyiv for the first time since Russia invaded Ukraine.

Macron says their visit to Kyiv and its battle-damaged suburb of Irpin aims to send “a message of European unity” with Ukraine, which is seeking EU membership.

Scholz says they want to ensure the country gets military, financial and humanitarian aid “for as long as necessary”.

Macron has been criticised for stressing the need not to “humiliate” Russia.

He, Scholz and Draghi have worked to maintain contact with President Vladimir Putin.

10,000 civilians trapped in eastern city

The governor of the eastern Lugansk region, Sergiy Gaiday, says around 10,000 civilians, out of a pre-war population of 100,000, remain trapped in the city of Severodonetsk, where intense fighting has raged for weeks.

The city is the biggest in the Lugansk region that has not fallen to Russian forces.

The three bridges into the city have been destroyed, cutting off key escape routes.

Moscow says Ukraine on Wednesday blocked the evacuation of civilians from a chemical plant where Ukrainian forces are holding out.

“Kyiv authorities cynically scuppered the humanitarian operation”, the Russian defence ministry said.

$1 bn more in US weapons

US President Joe Biden announces a new $1 billion worth of arms and ammunition for Ukraine.

The package includes more artillery, coastal anti-ship defence systems and ammunition for artillery and advanced rocket systems that Ukraine is already using.

Kyiv says it is outgunned in the fight for its industrial heartland of Donbas and appealed to Western allies for greater military aid.

Xi assures Russia of Chinese support

Chinese President Xi Jinping assures Putin of Beijing’s support on “sovereignty and security” during a call, according to state media.

China is “willing to continue to offer mutual support (to Russia) on issues concerning core interests and major concerns such as sovereignty and security,” Chinese state broadcaster CCTV reports Xi as saying.

China has refused to condemn Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine and has been accused of providing diplomatic cover for Russia by blasting Western sanctions and arms sales to Kyiv.

Japanese airline ditches Z logo

Japan’s Zipair budget airline ditches its Z logo for fear of it being read as a sign of support for Russia’s war in Ukraine.

The letter Z has become a symbol of support for Russia’s invasion after being spotted on Russian tanks and military uniforms in Ukraine.

It has since appeared on cars, clothing and on billboards across Russia, as well as on social media.

UK rocket launcher delivery soon

UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace says Britain will soon deliver multiple-launch rocket systems to Ukraine in response to its request for more heavy weapons.

The US too has promised to send multiple-launch rocket systems and medium-range ammunition.

Ikea reduces Russian activities

Swedish furniture giant Ikea says it will “scale down” its activities in Russia and Belarus, after putting them on hold following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

“Businesses and supply chains across the world have been heavily impacted and we do not see that it is possible to resume operations any time soon,” Ingka Group, which manages the majority of Ikea’s stores, says in a statement.

Source: AFP

16, June 2022

Premier League: Man City to launch title defence at West Ham ⁰

Manchester City will begin the defence of their Premier League title at West Ham while Liverpool travel to Fulham on the opening weekend of the season.

The 2022/23 fixtures, published on Thursday, give new Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag an opening test at Old Trafford against Brighton, who hammered United 4-0 last month.

Nottingham Forest’s first match in the top flight for 23 years will be at Newcastle.

Pep Guardiola’s City will start their bid for a fifth title in six seasons at the London Stadium on Sunday, August 7, after all their rivals have begun their campaigns.

Frank Lampard, whose Everton side narrowly escaped relegation, comes up against his former employers Chelsea on the previous evening.

For the second season running Arsenal have the honour of kicking-off the new campaign with a short trip to Crystal Palace on Friday, August 5.

Liverpool and City renew their rivalry at Anfield in mid-October, after a midweek Champions League tie, with the return fixture scheduled for the start of April.

Reds boss Jurgen Klopp is unlikely to be impressed with their fixture allocation in conjunction with their European commitments.

Their three away matches following Champions League group games are against Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham.

The traditional “Big Six” have been kept apart on the final weekend before the mid-season break for the World Cup in Qatar, the weekend of November 12/13.

Following the resumption of the campaign on December 26, Leeds host City and United welcome Forest.

City head to Brentford on the final day of the season, with Liverpool away at Southampton.

Fixtures

Friday, August 5

Crystal Palace v Arsenal (1900 GMT)

Saturday, August 6 (1400 GMT unless stated)

Fulham v Liverpool (1130), Bournemouth v Aston Villa, Leeds v Wolves, Leicester v Brentford, Newcastle v Nottingham Forest, Tottenham v Southampton, Everton v Chelsea (1630)

Sunday, August 7

Manchester United v Brighton (1300), West Ham v Manchester City (1530)

Source: AFP

15, June 2022

Mamfe Hospital Disaster: Manyu Community in Canada is fired up! ⁰

The Manyu Community in Canada is fired up. Since the burning down of the Mamfe General Hospital, many have been looking for ways to help. They are overwhelmed. They are aware of the disaster that is facing their people back home. The people of Mamfe do not have water; they don’t have lights and now, no hospital. This is, indeed, a great recipe for a perfect natural disaster. They know that in the event of a cholera or typhoid outbreak, the news will be bad. They want to help in any way they can.

News that the Minister of Special Duties at the Presidency of the Republic, Victor Mengot Arrey-Nkongho, had launched a fundraising effort in Yaoundé brought some hope. Many people of Manyu descent are emptying their pockets to make sure they are counted among those who brought hope to their people. The fundraiser in Yaounde is a great event. The people of Manyu are proving that they can put their money where their mouths are.

But those in Canada are not waiting for others to do things for them. Since the announcement that a Bank account has been set up at the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) for the mobilization of resources to help with the rebuilding of the destroyed hospital, Manyu people have been calling to find out how they can pay in their contribution.

Speaking to the Cameroon Concord News Group’s correspondent in Toronto, Canada, a Manyu businessman said that “We cannot leave this to other people. This is our responsibility. We have learned from others. When things go wrong, we must step in to help. Our people in Mamfe are suffering. We cannot forget where we come from. We are going to let the world know that we too can act. Our people are desperate, and we must do something to reduce or mitigate that desperation.”

He added that “we trust those who are leading the effort. I hear that Dr. Joachim Arrey is leading the effort. He is a man of his words. He is much respected here in Canada. He has been in Canada for about 25 years if I am not mistaken. He does not joke, and he loves humanitarian work. He is one of those big brothers who can mobilize the community. I read the other day that he had already pledged a huge sum. We must support this effort so that our people can be proud of us. Dr. Arrey says this not the time for long speeches and titles. We are prepared to follow his lead and I know we will all be happy with the outcome.”

Speaking over the phone with the Cameroon Concord News Group’s editor-in-chief, Dr. Joachim Arrey said that this is the time for all Manyu sons and daughters around the world to step up to the plate and be counted among those who have left home but still think of home.

“I am away from Mamfe, but Mamfe is stuck in my mind. I grew up in New Layout Mamfe town and it was thanks to that hospital that my siblings and I are alive. The doctors and nurses were very caring and those who took care of us in those days in that hospital are all gone. However, we must express our gratitude to them by helping to rebuild a hospital they took care of during their days. About three of my siblings were born in that hospital and it is just normal for me to lead an effort that will go a long way in making things better for other people,” he said.

“As a young student, I was hospitalized in that hospital. One Mrs. Besong Cecilia of blessed memory was a nurse, and she was very selfless. She used to receive everybody from Ossing as if the entire village was one family. She was from Ossing and she loved her people. She died last year, and I think for those of us who knew her, we must do something to keep this hospital alive so that other people can also have access to quality healthcare. We all can make our world a better place than we met it by just being kind to everybody,” he stressed.

“We are not into politics here. We are not going to trade accusations about who burned down the hospital. We are going to raise money to restore the hospital to its pristine state. Manyu has the numbers and we are many in Canada. There are many friends of Manyu who are also joining the endeavor. Something positive will come out of this tragedy. It is up to us to make the most of this unfortunate situation. Instead of fighting, we should be closing ranks to achieve something big for our people. A disease does not know if you are a federalist, separatist, CPDM militant or a visitor. When it strikes, we all head to a hospital, so we should keep politics out of this and do the right thing,” he stressed.

Based on preliminary information obtained from the committee that is responsible for the collection of funds, things are looking up, as many people have already begun sending in their contributions. The people of Manyu are already demonstrating that they can do things the big way. With the example set in Cameroon, things will certainly be moving in the right direction and other Manyu communities in other countries will soon jump onto the fundraising wagon to make the dream of the people of Manyu a reality.

By Enowtaku Ebanghatabi Christelle

15, June 2022

CPDM Crime Syndicate: UN provides 1.7 mln USD for cholera emergency ⁰

The United Nations has approved the allocation of 1.7 million U.S. dollars from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to support the urgent response to the cholera outbreak in Cameroon, UN officials in Cameroon said in a statement on Tuesday.

“This CERF grant will enable the humanitarian partners to contribute to reducing cholera-related mortality and curb the spread of the disease, saving numerous lives,” said Olivier Beer, the Humanitarian Coordinator ad interim for Cameroon.

“The humanitarian actors are mobilized to support the cholera response. However, access to remote areas remains challenging as violence, movements impediments and poor condition of roads continue to hamper the humanitarian assistance in the region,” added Karen Perrin, the Head of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Cameroon.

The project will provide emergency assistance in case management, water, hygiene, and sanitation to communities affected by the cholera epidemic in the Southwest and Littoral regions of the country, according to the UN.

As of May 29, Cameroon’s Ministry of Public Health had recorded 8,241 cases and 154 deaths in seven regions.

The Southwest region, which is already facing acute humanitarian needs due to violence, remains the most affected by the cholera outbreak with 5,628 cases and 90 deaths, followed by the Littoral with 2,208 cases and 58 deaths, the UN said.

Source: Xinhuanet