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Southern Cameroons: Vice President Yerima says Resistance only way for Ambazonia to confront French Cameroun oppression

3, February 2020

Southern Cameroons: Vice President Yerima says Resistance only way for Ambazonia to confront French Cameroun oppression 0

Exiled Ambazonia leader, Dabney Yerima says the Southern Cameroons Interim Government and the entire nation believes resistance is the only way to overcome French Cameroun’s political and economic oppression.

Vice President Dabney Yerima made the comments on Sunday during an unprecedented televised address to the people of the Federal Republic of Ambazonia that was aired by the Southern Cameroons Broadcasting Cooperation (SCBC), where he and his cabinet colleagues renewed their allegiance with the ideals of the Southern Cameroons revolution.

The Vice president observed that if Southern Cameroonians continue the path followed by their leader, President Sisiku Ayuk Tabe, they will successfully defeat the French Cameroun military and establish the most prosperous nation deep within the African continent.

“In line with what has become our custom since we rose in 2016 to defy our 6 decade long occupation by the French neo colonial regime in next door French Cameroun, I come before you today to address you on another upcoming electoral scam, and their 11 February celebration.

I call on you as you have done since 2016 to in silent resolve and defiance; maintain a total shutdown of our entire territory from sunrise on February 7, 2020, to sundown on February 12, 2020. To rather spend the time at home in solemn remembrance of the lives of our people cut short by this French Cameroun war of extermination against our communities.

While the loss of these lives under such horrifyingly wicked circumstances has been heartbreaking to us  as a nation, it must have been a profound personal loss to the mothers, the fathers, the husbands and wives, brothers and sisters, and above all the children they left being. All Ambazonians join you at this time to mourn your loss ones” Vice President Yerima said.

The French Cameroun regime and their sponsors in Paris, Comrade Yerima added, seemed to have made the devilish decision that they will kill and burn their way into our subjugation. Just in this first month of 2020, in Kupe Muanenguba they have burned to the ground the villages of  Babubock, Muedibmel, Ebase, Ekanjoh, Bermin, Balock, Elah, Deck, Eyandong, Ndibe, Ntale, and Bambe. More villages have been burnt down in Lebialem and many more in the North zone. While killing more than 400 people in the process.

Yerima also said that Southern Cameroonians need unity and hope to succeed, saying, “Our self defense forces have achieved nothing less than a miracle in defending our communities against the largest military in central Africa, trained and equipped by France, as well as on occasion by Britain, Germany, the United States, and Israel.”

The Southern Cameroons Vice President furthered that  Ambazonians are all aware that today there is no other way to resist and withstand against the French Cameroun aggressors than striving on to finish the work we are in, to free Ambazonian from the 6 decade long clutches of occupation, taking care of  those defending our  communities with their bare bodies, our wounded soldiers, widows, orphans, prisoners of conscience, IDPs, and  refugees.

France’s closest allies are walking away from it as it is believed that Paris is supporting the Yaoundé government in its resolve to kill the people of Southern Cameroons. Many EU countries are insisting on Yaoundé calling for an inclusive dialogue that will help normalize things in Cameroon.

But Yaoundé has been indifferent to those calls. Many EU countries have already allied with the United States and Canada on how the Southern Cameroons crisis could be addressed. America’s determination and its ability to mobilize other countries, including some of Cameroons neighbors like Equatorial Guinea, have rattled the regime and its supporters.

The French Cameroun regime supporters, including the Speaker of the House and the Senate President have been shouting from rooftops that there is a global conspiracy to destabilize Cameroon. They blame this on Southern Cameroonians and government forces seem to have been irritated by the enormous pressure coming from Brussels and Washington D.C.

By Oke Akombi Ayukepi Akap in Glasgow with additional reporting from Soter Agbaw-Ebai in London

Southern Cameroons Crisis: University Of Toronto Shedding Light On The Situation In Ambazonia

3, February 2020

Southern Cameroons Crisis: University Of Toronto Shedding Light On The Situation In Ambazonia 0

In December 2019, the University of Toronto launched a new initiative, the Global Database of Atrocities, to collect and store information on atrocities perpetrated in the Anglophone crisis in Cameroon.

The Anglophone crisis in Cameroon emerged in 2016 but is grounded in long-standing and unresolved issues surrounding political, economic, and social marginalization of the Anglophone minority community. The Anglophone community constitutes of approximately 20% of the country’s population, with the remaining 80% being Francophones. In 2016, Anglophone lawyers and teachers took to the streets in protest against the Government’s appointment of French-language judges and teachers and the introduction of French-language procedures in Anglophone-region courts and schools. The response to the protests was one marked by excessive use of violence.

Cameroon’s ‘Anglophone Crisis’

In the subsequent months, the situation only deteriorated. This provided fertile ground for the emergence and/or engagement of several non-state groups. As the International Crisis Group reported in September 2019, since 2017, as a result of the crisis, approximately 3,000 people have been killed, over 500,000 have become internally displaced persons (IDPs) and 40,000 sought refuge in Nigeria. In November 2019, UNICEF reported that close to 2 million people in the Anglophone Regions were in urgent need of humanitarian aid. 855,000 children were forced out of school because of the crisis.

Government forces are accused of involvement in extrajudicial killings, disproportionate and indiscriminate use of force, use of torture, forcible displacement of the population, using rape and sexual violence as a weapon of war, and attacks on hospitals. The non-state actors involved in the crisis have been accused of using torture, kidnappings, violence, rape and sexual violence as a weapon of war.

The new initiative, the Database of Atrocities aims to “aggregate, verify, secure, and publish information about atrocities or crimes against humanity committed by Cameroonian military and non-state armed groups.” The new initiative recognizes that to ensure justice in the future, evidence of the atrocities must be collected now. Indeed, the data collected now could be used to prosecute those most responsible for the crimes, whether in domestic courts or some form of international tribunal. It could also be used at a future national truth, justice, and reconciliation commission.

A New Approach To Engagement Sees Exemplary Results

The authors of the initiative are calling upon anyone with relevant information, including photos, videos, documents, or other proof of atrocities from October 2016 in Cameroon’s Anglophone North-West Region and South-West Region, to submit the information onto its website to be processed. The Database of Atrocities is hosted at the University of Toronto and is supported by Amnesty International’s Digital Verification Corps (University of California-Berkeley, University of Toronto, University of Pretoria and University of Essex) who will engage in the verification.

The new initiative must be commended. International actors may be too slow to act in setting up mechanisms that could help to collect the evidence of such atrocities and in ensuring that justice is served in the future. Civil society actors are stepping up to address the shortfall. Time will only tell whether the database triggers the attention that is needed and is able to secure the evidence. However, as the evidence is collected, it is crucial to explore options for how the evidence could be used to ensure justice for the victims and survivors of the atrocities. Cameroon, despite having signed the Rome Statute, the treaty underlying the International Criminal Court (the ICC), has not ratified the Rome Statute and hence is not subject to territorial jurisdiction of the ICC. However, considering the mass forcible displacement of thousands of Cameroonians to Nigeria (a state party to the Rome Statute), the ICC could (potentially) gain the required jurisdiction following the precedent of dealing with the situation in Myanmar/Bangladesh. However, there are other options as well. Where there is a will, there is a way to put a stop to impunity.

Source: Forbes

Former EU Chief backs Scottish independence

2, February 2020

Former EU Chief backs Scottish independence 0

The former president of the European Council, Donald Tusk, has energized the Scottish independence movement by claiming he feels “empathy” for an “independent” Scotland “joining” the European Union (EU).

Speaking to the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show, Tusks said he feels “very Scottish, especially after Brexit”.

His remarks have been interpreted as provocative by the British government, which is trying hard to suppress the Scottish independence movement.

Speaking to the same programme (Andrew Marr Show), British foreign secretary, Dominic Raab, described Tusk’s comments as “rather un-European and rather irresponsible”.

Raab further claimed that the comments could touch off “separatist tendencies” in the EU.

“I’m not sure European leaders, let alone here in the UK, would actually welcome that [Tusk’s] comment”, Raab added.

Despite his clear enthusiasm for Scottish independence – and by extension Scottish membership of the EU – Tusk was careful to add that Scotland would not be automatically accepted into the European Union.

According to Tusk, “formalities” and “treaty agreements” had to be fully considered before an independent Scotland could gain EU membership.

Tusk’s intervention is a shot in the arm to the Scottish independence movement which in recent weeks has slightly lost momentum due to Prime Minister, Boris Johnson’s steadfast refusal to allow a Scottish independence referendum later this year.

In the June 2016 Brexit referendum, 62 percent of Scots opted to remain within the EU and only 38 percent voted to leave the block. By stark contrast, 53.4 percent of English voters opted to leave the EU.

Source: Presstv  

Cameroonian diagnosed with Coronavirus

2, February 2020

Cameroonian diagnosed with Coronavirus 0

As the Coronavirus in China spreads, it is hurting many people in its path and spreading fear around the world.

Some 8,000 people have already been infected and over 300 have been killed.

While many Africans have been suspected of having the virus, tests conducted on them upon arrival in their home countries have been negative.

However, a Cameroonian International student at the Yangtze University in China has been diagnosed with the Coronavirus. He is the first known African to be infected with the virus ever since news of the virus hit the stands.

He was tested following his return from Wuhan which is considered as the epicenter of the health crisis that has paralyzed the Chinese economy and sown fear across the globe.

Kem Pavel Daryl, 21, has been quarantined and is responding to treatment at the Jingzhou Chest hospital.

His parents have been duly informed and the doctors attending to him say his situation is stable, adding that he will be fine in the days ahead.

No African country has been affected by the killer virus and most African countries have deployed the necessary equipment at their airports to ensure any cases are rapidly diagnosed.

Ambazonia Shall Not be the Backdrop for Biya’s Electoral Fraud—Vice President Yerima

2, February 2020

Ambazonia Shall Not be the Backdrop for Biya’s Electoral Fraud—Vice President Yerima 0

Fellow Ambazonians,

In line with what has become our custom since we rose in 2016 to defy our 6 decade long occupation by the French neo colonial regime in next door Cameroon, I come before you today to address you on another upcoming electoral scam, and their 11 February celebration.

I call on you as you have done since 2016 to in silent resolve and defiance, maintain a total shutdown of out entire territory from sunrise on February 7, 2020, to sundown on February 12, 2020. To rather spend the time at home in solemn remembrance of the lives of our people cut short by this Cameroon war of extermination against our communities.

While the loss of these lives under such horrifyingly wicked circumstances has been heartbreaking to us  as a nation, it must have been a profound personal loss to the mothers, the fathers, the husbands and wives, brothers and sisters, and above all the children they left being. All Ambazonians join you at this time to mourn your loss ones.

The Cameroon regime and their sponsors in Paris seemed to have made the devilish decision that they will kill and burn their way into our subjugation.

Just in this first month of 2020, in Kupe Muanenguba they have burned to the ground the villages of  Babubock, Muedibmel, Ebase, Ekanjoh, Bermin, Balock, Elah, Deck, Eyandong, Ndibe, Ntale, and Bambe. More villages have been burnt down in Lebialem and many more in the North zone. While killing more than 400 people in the process.

The regime has deployed thousands of forces under the guise of election security, for an election in which not a single credible election monitor in the world is participating, supposedly the real plan is for these forces to finish off our movement for independence once and for all, for which we now see them dial up the village burnings and random attacks on our communities from north to south.

The history of our struggle is dotted with such moments to proof that all measures devised and executed to undercut our struggle for our fundamental rights instead of an honest engagement have backfired and only strengthen our march to freedom.

The savage and vicious decision to attack peaceful protesters with live ammunitions from helicopter gunships backfired, the devious plan to cut internet access so the world does not see images of the horrors they were meting out on our people was brought to nought. The same can be said of the millions spent for the bilingualism commission, disarmament commission, national dialogue, and most recently bribing and paying off shady characters to deceive helpless refugees and fly them to Yaounde for propaganda photo opportunities.    

When a situation of such a great undertaking involving the fate of the Ambazonian people who have suffered brutal occupation for six decades, I am superstitious enough to believe that we can turn this what the enemy has planned into another breakthrough moment in our march to freedom.

Which brings me to the unfortunate events that occurred in Bui a couple of days ago, in which some of the groups that supposedly defend our communities decided to turn their weapons on their fellow Ambazonian brothers and sisters, reminiscent of a similar situation in Guzang not too long ago; between the same Comrade Sako’s group and ADF. We have seen people throw their hands in the air in despair and declare this spells the end of the movement. That is absolutely folly!

The overwhelming majority of our self-defense forces totally disagree with the premise of the supposed squabble between the ADF of Dr Ayaba Cho and the social media rants of Comrade Chris Anu. 

ADF via Comrade Tapang Ivo, apparently on the grounds of being a Governing Council declared that they will use their supposed access to more guns and bullets to stop Comrade Sako’s LGA by LGA approach to self-defense. While Comrade  Chris Anu declared on behalf of Comrade Sako’s group that on the bases of being an interim government only their  LGA by LGA approach to self-defense is allowed in Ambazonia everything else in banned. Now, both ideas are wrong in every which way one looks at it. Both smack of bullying the one thing Ambazonians must have zero tolerance for after 6 decades of feeling it in our bones.

The idea that any Ambazonian will try to prohibit another from defending any community for the simple reason that they are not members of their group is offensive on its face. Until the Ambazonian people elect their constitutional conventions to draft the laws of the land after independence and vote to establish those as the laws of the land, anyone conferring on themselves the right to ban other groups as opposed to working to convince more Ambazonians to their cause is a usurper.  I trust this is not considered a threat, but only the making of a point that while self evident some seem to have overlooked. This, has taken a deadly tool on our brave young women and men:

1.Comrade Akuma

2.Comrade Simonic of Lebialem

3.Slizzy of Muyenge

4.Godfather of Muyenge

5.General mad dog of Mbatu

6.Amba queen of Bali Nyonga

7.General koraman of Bali Nyonga

8.General Bier bier

9.The Guzang five

10.General Ivo Mbah

11.General Amigo of Belo

12.General king of likumba

13.General point of Wututu

14.General Wazuzu

15.General Divine

16.Commandant FON of Bui

17.General Big number, and

18.General Chacha of Bui

19. General Cross and Die

That some people from Cameroon next door and even from Ambazonia seek to destroy this revolution, and will use every excuse in the book to do so,  I will neither affirm nor deny, and if those people exist, I sure would not waste my breath with them. To those, however, who really love this revolution and see it as a possible spark for real freedom in the 21st century, not just for our people but for all of Africa, I say this:

Our self defense forces have achieved nothing less than a miracle in defending our communities against the largest military in central Africa, trained and equipped by France, as well as on occasion by Britain, Germany, the United States, and Israel.

Ambazonians, we are Sisters and brothers, our only enemy is the occupation regime that has brutalized our people for 6 decades, and cheapen our lives as to shoot our kids and dump their remains on the road side in Buea, shoot our four months old eight times in the head in their sleep as they did to Baby Martha in Muyuka, or burn our fabled grandparents in their beds in their homes like Mama Apiah in Kwakwa. Though our passion for the revolution might have caused a strain in our relations to a fellow comrade, it must not break the bonds of affection that bind us together as Ambazonians from the shores of the Atlantic in Victoria to the banks of the river Matezen. It is time for reconciliation. May the chorus of Ambazonia land of freedom once again give wings to the better angels of our  nature.

Let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to free Ambazonian from the 6 decade long clutches of occupation, taking care of  those defending our  communities with their bare bodies, our wounded soldiers, widows, orphans, prisoners of conscience, IDPs, and  refugees.

Fellow comrades, as I come to conclusion I would once more appeal that everyone in the diaspora focus on two things:

1.) resourcing our brothers and sisters on the ground defending our communities and give them a better chance against the enemy,

2.) come together with comrades and solidarity partners in your various communities around the world to do advocacy work towards alerting the world that there is a genocide going on and the world is turning a blind eye to it.  Our leadership team and researchers are open to work with any community or comrades around the world to help them understand exactly what kind of advocacy work they can focus on in their community of residence to move the struggle forward, and I believe strongly that as we all focus in contributing our own quarters, we will become less and less frustrated and that’s how we will bring the regime to its final end.

In conclusion I think we don’t say this enough, that we are very grateful for the commitment and sacrifices made by fellow comrades who have taken up the role of activist in this revolution from day one. Your energy too is part of the big fuel that’s pushing our struggle and our leadership team commends your efforts. I wish to however caution that as much as our activist use of social media has been one of our biggest assets in this revolution,  there is also the spirit of excitement and in some instances negligence that is creeping in and some of those activities of our activists gives free intelligence to LRC which in some instances have led to  our heroes targeted and even killed. This complicency must be stopped in its tracks. I believe that the activists coming together as SCAAF are serious comrades and I must put it to them that actions speak louder than words  and they should have this as one of their key areas of focus so their efforts help the struggle better. Activists must be the vanguards of truth, not politics.

On that note it’s worth mentioning that the department of communications in solidarity with the ambazonia national mourning and lock down is launching the hashtag #Ambaexit campaign across social media and we must all be part of it to make the world hear our aspirations.

From the 7th to the 12th of february , as ground zero once more shows the world through ghost towns that we are not part of la republic and won’t take part in their illegal elections in our land, It will be our duty in the diaspora to in solidarity during this time raise adequate resources to support our communities and also increase our voices and advocacy work on calling for an independent international fact finding mission to go on the ground and establish the facts as the first step towards forcing the regime to end the senseless killings.

God bless you

Short live the liberation struggle of Ambazonia

Long live Ambazonia

Eyumojock CPDM Mafia donations as a political mentality

2, February 2020

Eyumojock CPDM Mafia donations as a political mentality 0

Despite the biting hardship, many are still hoping that one day they could be appointed for them to help loot the treasury. They have been contributing financially toward the upkeep of the CPDM, a party that has brought untold hardship and poverty to Cameroonians.

Here below is a list of people from Eyumojock Sub-Division who have made contributions towards the CPDM Campaign

1) Prof. Ako Edward Oben=125,000

2) Chief Oruh Julius Agbor =75,000

3) Mr. Teku Tanyi Teku= 125,000

4) Mr. Ojong Martin Ojongfung = 50,000

5) Ms. Takor Monica  15000

6) Ms.Ndip Carolyn Ewube= 15,000

7) Mr. Thompson  Tabe Ndip= 20,000

8) Mr. Tabot Martin Ayuk= 50,000

9) Prof. Ebot Ebot Enaw=125000

10) Dr. Nkengasu Williams Oben= 15,000

11) Mr. Oben James Agbor=15,000

12) Dr. Eta Collins Ayuk= 50000

13) Mr. Abey Napoleon  Ntui=10,000

14) Chief Mbi Oruh Micheal= 15,000

15) Ms.  Eya Ayuk Scholarstica=15000

16) Mayor Julius Nkom Mkpot= 100,000

17) Mr Akat Peter Takang= 10,000

18) Mme Ayuk Efimbi Sarah=10,000

19) Dr. Eta  Enow Moses=10,000

20) Ntuifam Ita  Ayamba =20,000

21) Mr. Etengeneng Johanes Ojong=10000

22)  Mr. Agbormbi James=15,000

23) Chief Agbor Ndip David= 15,000

24) Dr. Arrey  Bisong Ettah=15,000

25) Mr. Ndip Nelson Mboh=10,000

26) Chief Ewo Martin= 15,000

27) Mr. Ebone Paul Tiku=50,000

28) Mr. Enokenwa Thomas Nsoawu =10,000

29) Ms. Ayuk Elizabeth Nkongho=10,000

30) Prof. Athenasius Ayuk Ako=100,000

31)  Chief Obenefonde  Moses = 15,000

32) Mr. Samuel Agbortabi=30,000

33) Ms. Winifred Bessem Ayuk Arrey= 10,000

34) Prof. Ndip Roland= 25,000

CPDM: Cameroon’s Coronavirus

2, February 2020

CPDM: Cameroon’s Coronavirus 0

As China fights a vast threat that has already killed some 300 people, Cameroonians are also engaged in a struggle that has consumed millions.

China’s virus is natural and the authorities are making a conscious effort to limit its spread, though the stubborn virus has gone global and it is likely to reach many parts of the world with relative ease due to globalization.

In Cameroon, the CPDM, the country’s state party which is more dangerous than the Chinese version of the Coronavirus, has ruined the state.

In 38 years, the party has morphed into a consortium of crime syndicates made of the same mould as the Sicilian Mafia.

The crime syndicate has wasted huge financial resources on programs that have never delivered any results.

Corruption is its hallmark, while intimidation is its motto.

Over the last three years, the ruining and ruling CPDM has killed more than 5,000 people in Southern Cameroons, making it a more dangerous strain of the Coronavirus.

In East Cameroon, more than half a million people have died due to hardship and corruption. Thousands of women have died while in labor and an unknown number of children have disappeared because of neglect.

State resources are owned by the party and it conducts itself like a belligerent monarch who only gives you something when you praise it.

The party is designed to humiliate and dehumanize even its own members.

You must be corrupt and prepared to take humiliation for you to rise in the party. There must be huge skeletons in your cupboard for you to be a recognized as a good member of the party.

The party has impoverished its own people to the point where millions have to bow to the party leadership as Angels do to God to have something to eat.

It is a party without a genuine development plan. As far as this party is concerned, it is normal for a mechanic to be appointed as a health minister.

Recent appointments have seen teachers being appointed as delegates of agriculture, drivers have been appointed as translation service heads and stark illiterates have become regional planning experts. It is not a surprise that the country is making giant strides backwards.

Well, many Cameroonians are now running away from this Coronavirus that mostly attacks the state treasury.

With fake elections announced for February 9, 2020, it is clear that the few coins in the country’s coffers will vanish.

The CPDM is the only party on earth whose members don’t pay their dues. The entire country pays into state coffers, and the virus consumes everything.

As China seeks solutions to its own virus, so too are Cameroonians of goodwill struggling to eradicate the CPDM, this virus that has dehumanized Cameroonians and underdeveloped the country.

By Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai

Football: Liverpool opens up the biggest lead by any team in English top-flight history

2, February 2020

Football: Liverpool opens up the biggest lead by any team in English top-flight history 0

Liverpool opened up the biggest lead by any team at the end of a day in English top-flight history with an emphatic victory over Southampton – but manager Jurgen Klopp says his side are “not even close to being perfect”.

The Reds extended their advantage in the Premier League to 22 points over second-placed Manchester City, who face Tottenham on Sunday, with a 4-0 win against Southampton at Anfield.

They have also equalled City’s record of 20 consecutive Premier League wins at home and only Bill Shankly’s Liverpool team in 1972 had a longer winning streak on home soil in English top-flight history.

“We’re not even close to being perfect. We just look to use our skills in the best possible way. The boys have done that for a while pretty good and that’s why we have these numbers,” said Klopp.

“We didn’t want a 22-point lead. We wanted 73 points at the end of today.”

Four second-half goals gave Liverpool a victory that extends their unbeaten run in the league to 42 games and means they have picked up 100 points from the last 102 available.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain scored the opener against Southampton just after half time – his second goal in as many league matches – when he drilled the ball low into the bottom corner.

Reds’ skipper Jordan Henderson made it 2-0 on the hour mark with a calm finish after being set up by Roberto Firmino.

Henderson then played in Mohamed Salah for Liverpool’s third and the Egypt forward added a fourth from close range in the last minute.

The scoreline was harsh on the visitors, who matched Liverpool for much of the first hour with Danny Ings going close in the first half and Shane Long also denied by home keeper Alisson.

It was Southampton’s first away defeat in five games and they fall to 11th place.

Title gets closer, unbeaten run rolls on

Liverpool’s wait for a first league title in 30 years will surely end this season. They have one hand on the trophy and seven wins from their remaining 13 games will guarantee success.

Liverpool are unbeaten in 42 games across two seasons, have conceded just one league goal in their last 10 matches and have 73 points from 25 games – a top-flight record.

Before Saturday, only City had won more consecutive games at home in the Premier League, between March 2011 and March 2012.

With only 13 matches left, it is increasingly surely only a question of whether Liverpool can remain unbeaten for the whole season rather than if they end their drought.

Nevertheless, their performance in the first half against Southampton was nervous and suggested the visitors could have a chance to inflict a first defeat on Klopp’s side.

Sloppy passes, mistakes at the back and a lack of intensity going forward meant the Saints had opportunities to score and were barely stretched at the back.

Southampton, spearheaded by top-scorer Ings in attack, finished the half as the better team, going close through the former Reds striker as well as Long and Moussa Djenepo.

But Liverpool, no doubt invigorated by a half-time talk from Klopp, were quick out of the blocks in the second half and as soon as they scored the victory that most will have expected before the match felt inevitable.

The scorer of that opener, Oxlade-Chamberlain, is starting to regain the form he demonstrated prior to picking up a serious knee injury while Henderson was magnificent again in controlling the midfield. They were solid at the back, with Joe Gomez and Virgil van Dijk’s centre-back partnership continuing to flourish.

The Reds were without the injured Sadio Mane, but Firmino and Salah delivered the goods; the Brazil striker produced a hat-trick of assists to take his total to 51 in all competitions for the club, while Salah scored twice.

Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl said before the game he wanted his side to “show how far we have come, how competitive we are”.

They certainly did that, especially in the first half.

Ings, who left Liverpool to join the Saints for £20m in July, had scored 14 goals in 19 starts heading into the match and he was a threat throughout.

His close-range effort in the first half looked like it was heading in before it clipped the heel of team-mate Long and bounced away from goal.

The striker, who was praised for his tireless work ethic by Klopp, threatened early in the second half when he bundled into the box before being stopped by a challenge from Fabinho.

There were appeals for a penalty but it was reviewed by VAR, who must have decided it was the eager Ings’ effort to evade Fabinho that sent him to the ground rather contact from Liverpool’s midfielder – although Hasenhuttl believed it was a foul.

To rub salt into Saints’ wound, immediately after the incident Liverpool went up the other end and scored the opener.

Ings continued to cause problems though, earning a corner off a deflected shot after taking on Andy Robertson and Van Dijk as well as linking up with James Ward-Prowse, who fired just wide of the right post.

He was substituted in the 70th minute, alongside strike partner Long, and was given a standing ovation by the fans of his former club.

Ings’ form has been one of the reasons for Southampton’s surge away from the relegation zone and if he continues to be such a threat, Saints look good for a top-half finish in the table.

They had 10 shots in the first half against Liverpool, the most the Reds have faced in the opening 45 minutes of a Premier League match at Anfield since Chelsea in November 2014.

Klopp mirrors Shankly – best of the stats

  • Only once in English top-flight history has a team had a longer winning streak on home soil – Liverpool themselves between January and December 1972 under Bill Shankly.
  • Liverpool have earned 100 points from the last 102 available to them in the Premier League, winning 33 of their last 34 matches in the competition while only failing to win away at Manchester United in October 2019.
  • Southampton have lost each of their last six Premier League meetings with Liverpool, losing their last three visits to Anfield in the competition by a 10-0 aggregate score.
  • This result was Southampton’s heaviest margin of defeat in an away league game since November 2018 when they lost 1-6 at Manchester City.
  • Salah has scored more home goals in this season’s Premier League (12) than any other player; indeed, since he joined Liverpool in 2017, only Lionel Messi (51) has more home goals in Europe’s big-five leagues than the Egyptian (44).

‘When we are rolling, it’s difficult to stop’ – what they said

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp: “The readiness to improve in the game and learn from the game [is what we had to do to win]. The set-up of Southampton I could not give more credit to. What a strange result in the end. It’s deserved because we score the goals, but what a team.

“They had too many shots on target and we had to change in the second half. That helped massively and when we are rolling it’s difficult to stop.

“Even when it was 4-0 Southampton did not stop and I have so much respect for that.”

Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl: “Maybe the result is a little high but I would like to watch this game if we had gone a goal up. The best team in the world, for 50 minutes had no real chances and we had a massive one.

“It must be brave at that moment to say goal, so it’s no penalty here at Anfield. The way we played was unbelievably good and I am proud and stand by our plan. It is a clear penalty but in such moments the game can turn in our direction. But in the end it was a deserved win for Liverpool. We played the best we can so I am very proud.”

What’s next?

Liverpool’s first-team players will be given the night off on Tuesday for the FA Cup fourth-round replay against Shrewsbury, while their next Premier League match is against Norwich City on Saturday, 15 February (17:30 GMT).

Southampton travel to Tottenham on Wednesday for their FA Cup replay, before hosting Burnley in the Premier League on 15 February (12:30 GMT).

Culled from the BBC

Lions: Young Boys forward Nsame hints at Cameroon return

2, February 2020

Lions: Young Boys forward Nsame hints at Cameroon return 0

Young Boys forward Jean-Pierre Nsame has said that he would be happy to play again for Cameroon.

The 26-year-old, who has two caps, hasn’t appeared for the five-time African champions since being dropped from their 2019 Africa Cup of Nations squad.

He’s subsequently declined call-ups to the national team, citing personal reasons.

This season, Nsame has been in mesmerizing form hitting a league-leading 16 goals in 18 outings as his Young Boys side top the Swiss top-tier.

“I took a decision based on what was happening, to sit out a few games but I’ll be glad to play again for Cameroon” Nsame told BBC Sport

“The national team is always on my mind but I needed this time off to focus on my club duties and my family which is a very important component of my life”

“The national team is very important and it means a lot to me to be able to play for the Indomitable Lions. There have been rumours about me and the national team but I felt the timing wasn’t right back then”

Nsame with his award for Swiss player of the season

The former Angers striker has scored 22 goals this season and recently scooped the best player distinction in the Swiss championship as well as being named in the team of the year.

His ultimate goal this term is to fire Young Boys to a 14th league title and reward the clubs fans whom he thinks are the fuel to the side’s fire.

“We have very amazing fans who are firmly behind the club and who have the same objectives as the players do. It’ll be good if we can give them something to celebrate at the end of the season”

“My motivation is to help the team and my mates play at their best level. It’s not about me but the club and because we have the same ambitions it’s easy for us to produce good results”

“We have to maintain the same intensity and mentality during the second phase of the season to end the season on a high”

Nsame is aware that maintaining his form will heighten his chances at a return to the national team, just in time for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations which will be the second time Cameroon has hosted the biggest tournament in African football since the 1972.

“Just like every Cameroonian footballer, there’s great excitement when I think that we’ll host the Afcon next year” Nsame added

“But I’m not letting this cloud my reflections because I have to stay focused to perform. Only my displays with Young Boys can get me a spot in the Afcon”

“When the time is right, I’ll think about the Afcon and if I’m granted the opportunity, my ambitions will be the same as that of the team”

Nsame’s performances for Young Boys have attracted interest from several European clubs.

“I hear of the transfer rumours but I’m not bothered by them. When the time will be right for a new adventure, I’ll talk about it with my family and we’ll decide”

“I’m a player of Young Boys and this is what is most important. We have some major goals and I’m keen on achieving those before thinking about anything else”

Source: BBC

Coronavirus: First death outside China reported in Philippines

2, February 2020

Coronavirus: First death outside China reported in Philippines 0

A man has died of the coronavirus in the Philippines, the first confirmed fatality outside China.

The patient was a 44-year-old Chinese man from Wuhan, in Hubei province, where the virus was first detected.

He appeared to have been infected before arriving in the Philippines, the World Health Organization (WHO) said.

More than 300 people have died in the outbreak so far, the vast majority from Hubei. More than 14,000 people have been infected.

The US, Australia and an increasing number of other countries have barred the arrival of foreigners from China and are requiring their own citizens to be quarantined.

The number of coronavirus cases worldwide has overtaken that of the similar Sars epidemic, which spread to more than two dozen countries in 2003. But the mortality rate of the new virus is much lower, suggesting it is not as deadly.

What do we know about this death?

The man travelled to the Philippines from Wuhan, via Hong Kong, with a 38-year-old Chinese woman who also tested positive last week, the Philippines Department of Health said.

Officials said he was admitted to a hospital in the capital, Manila, where he developed severe pneumonia.

The man is thought to have had other pre-existing health conditions.

Rabindra Abeyasinghe, the WHO representative to the Philippines, urged people to remain calm: “This is the first reported death outside China. However, we need to take into mind that this is not a locally acquired case. This patient came from the epicentre of this outbreak.”

People buying face masks in a pharmacy in Manila
Image captionPeople in Manila rushed to buy face masks after the first case of coronavirus was confirmed in the Philippines last week

According to local news outlet Rappler, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said the patient was “stable and showed signs of improvement”, but his condition deteriorated rapidly over 24 hours.

“We are currently working with the Chinese embassy to ensure the dignified management of the remains according to national and international standards to contain the disease,” Mr Duque said, adding that the man would be cremated.

The Department of Health was now trying to track down people who were on the same flight as the man so that they could be quarantined, he said, as well as any other people the man and woman may have come into contact with, such as hotel staff.

The man’s death was confirmed shortly after the Philippines announced it would immediately halt the arrivals of any foreign travellers from China.

It had previously restricted only those from Hubei, which is at the epicentre of the outbreak.

What is the latest from China?

Authorities said 45 more deaths were recorded in Hubei province by the end of Saturday, bringing the death toll in the country to 304.

Nationally, there were 2,590 new confirmed infections. The total number of infections in China is now 14,380, state TV quoted the National Health Commission as saying.

Media captionThe BBC’s online health editor on what we know about the virus

Estimates by the University of Hong Kong suggest the total number of cases could be far higher than the official figures. More than 75,000 people may have been infected in the city of Wuhan, which is at the epicentre of the outbreak, experts say.

Which countries are restricting arrivals?

The US and Australia have said they will deny entry to all foreign visitors who had recently been to China, where the 2019-nCov strain of the coronavirus first emerged in December.

Other countries including New Zealand, Russia, Japan, Pakistan, Italy and Singapore have also announced travel restrictions.

On Sunday, South Korea said it would bar entry to foreigners who had recently visited Hubei.

In the US, citizens and residents returning from Hubei will be quarantined for 14 days. Those returning from other parts of China will be allowed to monitor their own condition for a similar period.

The Pentagon said it would provide housing for 1,000 people who may need to be quarantined after arriving in the US from abroad. Four military bases in California, Colorado and Texas would provide up to 250 rooms each.

Another confirmed case in the US on Saturday – in Massachusetts – brought the total number there to eight.

Australia said any of its own citizens arriving from China would also be quarantined for two weeks.

There have also been a number of evacuations from China as foreign governments work to bring their citizens back.

What restrictions are there in China?

Wuhan is in lockdown and other major cities across the country have suspended non-essential business.

The mayor of Huanggang – a city of six million people to the east of Wuhan – has warned that the number of cases there is set to spike in the coming days, state media said. Up to 700,000 people had returned to the city from Wuhan before travel out of Wuhan was banned.

Huanggang and the eastern city of Wenzhou have imposed draconian restrictions on residents, only allowing one designated person per family to leave home once every two days to buy food and other supplies, Chinese media reported.

Hubei officials have extended the Lunar New Year holiday to 13 February and said that marriage registrations would be suspended in an effort to discourage public gatherings.

Meanwhile, hospital workers in Hong Kong have voted to go on strike from Monday unless the territory’s border with mainland China is completely closed. The Hong Kong government has refused to do so, citing WHO recommendations to introduce screening measures at borders instead.

Do the travel bans work?

Global health officials have advised against the bans.

“Travel restrictions can cause more harm than good by hindering info-sharing, medical supply chains and harming economies,” the head of the WHO said on Friday.

Media captionInside the US laboratory developing a coronavirus vaccine

The WHO recommends introducing screening at official border crossings. It has warned that closing borders could accelerate the spread of the virus, with travellers entering countries unofficially.

China has criticised the wave of travel restrictions, accusing foreign governments of ignoring official advice.

What other international action has been taken?

  • India has evacuated 300 citizens from Wuhan. About 100 Germans have been flown home. Thailand and Russia are due to evacuate citizens from Wuhan and Hubei province in the coming days
  • China asked the European Union to facilitate the sending of medical supplies from member countries
  • Vietnam Airlines suspended all flights to China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. Other airlines, including Qantas, Air New Zealand, Air Canada and British Airways, cancelled or scaled back flights
  • North Korean leader Kim Jong-un offered his condolences in a letter to China’s president
  • Hotel chains, including Hyatt, Radisson and Hilton, extended their cancellation policies for guests travelling to China
  • Apple said it would temporarily close its stores in China
  • The UK announced it would pull dozens of Foreign Office staff out of the mainland
  • Russia said two Chinese citizens had been placed in isolation after they tested positive for the virus
  • Germany, Italy, and Sweden confirmed further cases in Europe

Culled from the BBC

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