News

25, May 2026

Iran has no trust in US; frozen assets release red line for any deal ⁰

Iran harbors no optimism toward the United States and views any negotiations through a lens of deep mistrust, an informed source told Tasnim News Agency on Sunday, stressing that even if a preliminary understanding is reached, Tehran will not rely on Washington’s commitments.

“Iran has no goodwill toward America, and the exchange of messages through the Pakistani mediator is constantly conducted with mistrust of the US government,” the source said.

The source added that no final understanding has been achieved so far, and disagreements persist over certain clauses.

“Even if an initial understanding is reached, it does not mean Iran has changed its view of America or that it trusts the current administration to fulfill its obligations,” the source said.

“The Americans have a very bad record in negotiations, which reinforces and entrenches mistrust. Therefore, even if an understanding is reached, Iran will monitor US actions throughout the post‑agreement process. If America breaches its commitments at that stage, Iran will retain its leverage to respond.”

Israeli media report dismissed as false

Another report by Tasnim also rejected an Israeli media report claiming that US officials have said Iran will receive no relief on frozen assets until it begins transferring its enriched uranium stockpiles.

According to Tasnim’s information, such a claim is completely untrue and Iran refuses to link the release of its frozen assets with nuclear material issues.

“Iran insists that part of its frozen assets must be released immediately upon any possible announcement of an understanding, and must be fully accessible to Iran. The bitter past experience of asset releases, which were effectively sabotaged by American procrastination, must not be repeated,” the report said.

The report also stated that Iran has made no commitment regarding the details of the nuclear issue at this stage.

Asset release in the first step has no connection to nuclear material matters.

Moreover, any preliminary understanding must focus exclusively on “ending the war.”

“If the release of frozen assets does not happen, one of Iran’s red lines will have been crossed, and there will be no understanding,” the report emphasized.

The remarks came as US President Donald Trump claimed on Sunday he had told his negotiators not to “rush.”

Source: Presstv

23, May 2026

Biya regime orders telecom operators to block undeclared phones ⁰

Cameroon’s customs authorities have ordered telecom operators MTN Cameroon, Orange Cameroon, and Camtel to block mobile phones and digital devices that were not cleared through customs.

In a letter dated May 18, Customs Director General Fongod Edwin Nuvaga instructed the operators to begin blocking the devices starting May 25, 2026.

The measure applies only to undeclared phones and digital terminals connected to local mobile networks for the first time since April 1, 2026, when the country’s new customs collection system for digital devices took effect. In the letter, the customs administration warned that operators could be held responsible if undeclared devices continue to access local networks.

The instruction comes one month after Finance Minister Louis Paul Motazé warned importers suspected of bypassing the new customs system. In a statement issued April 27, the minister said about 700,000 phones connected to local networks for the first time between April 1 and April 25 without customs clearance.

According to a source within the customs administration, the real number could be even higher.Authorities initially avoided systematic blocking and instead gave importers and users time to regularize their situation without penalties before April 30. Under the new rules, devices introduced illegally after that deadline are now subject to blocking.

The government says the reform is meant to restore control over a segment heavily affected by smuggling and undeclared imports. Authorities also want to increase customs revenue from mobile phones and digital devices, an area where tax collection has collapsed despite rising device imports.

Official figures show customs revenue from phones and digital equipment fell from about CFA2 billion per month in the 2000s to around CFA100 million today, even as the number of devices entering the Cameroonian market continued to increase.

Through the reform, customs authorities now aim to raise at least CFA25 billion in annual revenue from the sector.

Source: Business in Cameroon

23, May 2026

Online Recruitment Scams: Young Cameroonians must be careful! ⁰

Online recruitment is not new in the world but in modern times, it is no longer sure bet. It has been around for some time now, especially following the development of new and innovative technologies but in recent times it has taken a dimension which has become worrisome for many governments in Africa.

These technologies are designed to facilitate things for people around the world, but the forces of darkness are using these technologies for other purposes which are unfortunately unorthodox.

Many young desperate Africans, caught up in the web of unemployment are yet to understand that online recruit has a very dark side which can put an end to their lives if they are not lucky.

Online recruitment is today related to cyber fraud which is a highly organized transnational operation with hubs in countries such as Nigeria, Mali, Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire.

In recent times, young Cameroonians who are desperate for work and better salaries have been looking outwards for greener pastures. In their warp thinking, any pasture out of their country is greener than what they have in Cameroon.

Strangely, things do not always work according to plan. The promise of a better life in some of these West African countries could easily turn into a massive never-ending nightmare.

Some of those unfortunate situations have really occurred to these young Cameroonians. Once, Nigeria and Mali were in the news for online scamming, but today, Côte d’Ivoire is in the spotlight for fake jobs opportunities which are hurting many young Africans.

Many young Africans have had a taste of what awaits those who do not listen to wise counsel. Once they have been convinced that a job has been secured for them, they start doling out huge chunks of money to their future preys who will end up enslaving them.

Once in Abidjan, their passports get seized and they get locked up in parts of the city they don’t know. They get asked to call their family members back home for more money. They also get asked to convince their friends and family members that they are working and that if they come to Abidjan, their lives will change for the better.

In many cases, their greener pastures turn into brown pastures. Some have had to be used as slaves and the experience has been traumatizing for many.

In certain circumstances, Cameroonians who are legally resident in countries such as Côte d’Ivoire have had to step in to help and this could be a costly venture, not just in terms of money. Getting new identification documents for a victim who has escaped from the claws his captors is always a stressful process.

Young Cameroonians have to be careful with some job promises. It is not everything that glitters that is gold. Before jumping into such deals, it is wise to ask the following questions:

If the job is in Abidjan, why are Ivoirians not filling such positions? Do I have the right skills to earn such a huge salary? Can I contact any Cameroonian who is legally living in that country for me to get more information about the opportunity? Why should I be spending money to fill a position I am not so sure about?

These questions can help young Cameroonians to figure out if they are being dragged into something that might cost them their lives. While life could be challenging in Cameroon, it will always be advisable to err on the side of caution.

By our West Africa Correspondent

20, May 2026

Cameroon marks 54th National Day with nationwide celebrations ⁰

Cameroon on Wednesday marked the 54th anniversary of its National Day with military and civilian parades held across the country.

In Yaoundé, the country’s capital, President Paul Biya presided over a ceremony that featured hundreds of soldiers and civilians marching in front of national and international dignitaries.

A contingent of the Chadian Armed Forces also participated in the parade, underscoring growing military cooperation between the two neighboring countries.

“These are special Chadian forces dispatched to partake in the celebrations. We have excellent relations with Chad, and our armies collaborate in several fields, especially in the fight against terrorism,” army spokesperson Cyrille Serge Atonfack Guemo told reporters.

Marches also took place in all 10 regions of the country, including the war-torn English-speaking Northwest and Southwest regions, where separatist fighters had imposed a lockdown to disrupt the celebrations.

May 20 is a key date in Cameroon’s national calendar. It commemorates the 1972 referendum in which Cameroonians voted to replace the federal system with a unitary state.

Source: Xinhuanet

20, May 2026

Putin, Xi jointly denounce recent US-Israeli war of aggression against Iran ⁰

Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping have jointly condemned the recent US-Israeli war of aggression against Iran, calling for dialogue as the only way to end the destabilizing conflict.

In a joint statement released on Wednesday, Putin, who is on a state visit to China, and Xi stressed that both countries agreed that the US and Israeli military attacks on Iran violate international law and the basic principles of international relations, and seriously undermine stability in West Asia region.

The two leaders emphasized the necessity for the conflicting sides to return to dialogue and negotiations as quickly as possible, with the aim of preventing the expansion of the conflict.

Putin and Xi also called on the international community to adopt an objective and neutral stance, to help de-escalate tensions in the West Asia region, and to jointly uphold the fundamental principles of international relations.

The United States, in close collaboration with Israel, waged an unprovoked war of aggression against Iran on February 28, killing more than 3,300 people and devastating civilian infrastructure.

Iranian armed forces responded with daily missile and drone operations targeting locations in Israeli-occupied territories and US military bases and facilities across the Persian Gulf region.

Forty days into the war, a two-week Pakistan-brokered ceasefire took effect on April 8, but talks in Islamabad failed to produce a lasting agreement due to Washington’s excessive demands. US President Donald Trump later extended the truce unilaterally and indefinitely.

Iran has closed the strategic Strait of Hormuz, which carries a fifth of the world’s oil and gas, to ships belonging to the US and its allies that participated in or supported the aggression, triggering a significant spike in oil prices, as the US imposed a naval blockade on Iranian vessels and ports.

Tehran says the illegal US blockade on Iran’s ports should be lifted before the next stage of talks for ending the war begins, as Trump constantly threatens to resume strikes on Iran if his excessive demands are not met.

Separately on Wednesday, the Chinese president called for a lasting peace in the region and warned about the possible resumption of war.

“A comprehensive ceasefire is imperative, restarting war is even more unacceptable, and adhering to negotiations is particularly important,” Xi stressed.

Source: Press TV

18, May 2026

Ambazonia fighters kill two soldiers in Muyuka ⁰

At least two soldiers have reportedly lost their lives following a late-night attack on a military installation in Muyuka, Fako Division.

‎The incident is said to have occurred on Sunday, when armed assailants targeted the position in what appears to be a coordinated operation. Local sources indicate that the assault resulted in casualties among government forces, although official figures have yet to be confirmed by authorities.

‎Shortly after the attack, a separatist faction identifying itself as the Fako Meme Unity Warriors circulated a video online, claiming responsibility. In the footage, fighters are seen displaying a cache of weapons they allege were taken during the raid, including several firearms and what appeared to be a rocket launcher.

‎The group also issued warnings to residents of Muyuka, urging them not to cooperate with state authorities, further heightening tension in the area.

‎The regime in Yaoundé has not issued a formal response regarding the incident.

Source: Lebledparle.com

18, May 2026

Iran submits new 14-point proposal to US via Pakistan to end war ⁰

Iran has reportedly submitted its latest proposal in 14 points through the Pakistani intermediary for talks with the United States aimed at ending the illegal US-Israeli war of aggression against the Islamic Republic.

A source close to the Iranian negotiating team told Tasnim news agency on Monday that Pakistan will `deliver Iran’s new proposal to Washington.

The source said the proposal is focused on the subject of the negotiations and confidence-building measures by the American side.

The Americans had recently sent a text in response to Iran’s previous proposal, which was also presented in 14 points, the source added.

“In line with the recent practice of exchanging messages, Iran has also once again submitted its text in 14 points through the Pakistani mediator after making amendments,” the source explained.

On April 10, Iran submitted its response to the American side’s proposed text to end the war, which was later dismissed by Donald Trump, the president of the US, who said it was “totally unacceptable.”

Tehran maintains that at the current stage, negotiations will only focus on ending the war in the region and that other issues, including the nuclear program, may be discussed later.

Meanwhile, a Pakistani source told Reuters on Monday that Islamabad has shared with the United States a revised proposal from Iran to end the war in the region.

The source warned that Tehran and Washington “don’t have much time” to narrow their differences.

The source gave no details of Iran’s revised proposal but noted that the sides “keep changing their goalposts.”

“We don’t have much time.”

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei also told reporters on Monday that despite the American side’s dismissal of the Islamic Republic’s previous peace proposal, Tehran received “a set of corrective points and considerations” from the Pakistani mediator.

“As announced yesterday, our points of view were presented to the American side in return. Therefore, the process continues through Pakistan,” he said.

On April 8, forty days into the US-Israel war, a Pakistan-brokered temporary ceasefire between Iran and the US took effect.

Negotiations ensued in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, but stopped short of an agreement amid Washington’s maximalist demands and insistence on unreasonable positions.

Since then, Iran has demanded that the US lift an illegal blockade it has imposed on Iranian vessels and ports for the diplomatic process to resume.

Tehran says as long as the blockade is still in place, it has no intention of reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

Source: Press TV

17, May 2026

MMA: The Predator Francis Ngannow returns with a destructive knockout victory ⁰

Francis Ngannou made a statement return to mixed martial arts with a destructive knockout victory over Philipe Lins, needing less than one round to settle the contest.

‎Fighting at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, near Los Angeles, the Cameroonian wasted no time reminding the world of his power. After nearly two years away from MMA competition, Ngannou came out aggressively, immediately putting pressure on his Brazilian opponent.

‎The decisive moment came late in the opening round. With just about a minute remaining, Ngannou unleashed a crushing left hand that sent Lins crashing to the canvas. The referee stepped in without hesitation, bringing the bout to an emphatic end.

‎It was a dominant display from the former heavyweight champion, who showed no signs of ring rust. From the opening seconds, Ngannou dictated the pace, refusing to allow Lins any opportunity to settle into the fight.

‎The victory not only marks a successful comeback but also reinforces Ngannou’s reputation as one of the most dangerous knockout artists in heavyweight MMA. His return had been highly anticipated, and he delivered in emphatic fashion.

‎The bout was part of a major fight card broadcast globally on Netflix, adding further spotlight to an already high-profile return for “The Predator.”

Culled from Lebledparle.com

16, May 2026

The Holy Father to visit France in September ⁰

Pope Leo XIV will travel to France for an official state visit from September 25 to 28, the Vatican announced on Saturday, the first such trip by a pontiff in 18 years.

The first pope from the United States, elected in May 2025, will notably travel to Paris for a visit to the headquarters of UNESCO, the United Nations culture agency, the Vatican said in a statement.

The visit will come after a trip to Spain in June, demonstrating the pope’s interest in engaging with historically Catholic but increasingly secular European countries that had been largely overlooked by his predecessor, Francis.

It will be the first papal state visit to France since Benedict XVI went in September 2008.

While Francis visited France three times as pope – to Strasbourg, Marseille and the island of Corsica – those trips were not official visits by the Holy See.

The president of the French Bishops’ Conference (CEF), Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline, had extended an invitation to Leo to visit France, one repeated by President Emmanuel Macron during his visit to the pontiff at the Vatican in April.

“We are delighted that His Holiness Pope Leo XIV has confirmed his visit to France. This visit next September will be an honour for our country, a source of joy for Catholics and a great moment of hope for everyone,” Macron posted on X.

‘Missionary zeal’

A French speaker, Leo had expressed on various occasions “the great esteem in which he holds our country and her spiritual history,” Aveline said earlier in May.

“It’s a great joy, but also a great responsibility,” the cardinal said on Saturday after the visit was confirmed.

“In the discussions I have had with the pope since his election, I quickly realised how keen he was on such a visit … He is particularly interested in the life of the Church in France, its missionary zeal and also the challenges it faces,” Aveline added.

It comes at a time when the Church has had to grapple with various splits on social, political, ethical and theological issues, with Leo seeking to mediate with both the progressive and traditionalist factions within Catholicism.

Besides the capital, the pontiff will also travel to Lourdes, a site of pilgrimage for Christians worldwide.

The southwestern French town’s important Catholic shrine welcomed Jean-Paul II in 1983 and in 2004, as well as Benedict in 2008. Each time, hundreds of thousands of pilgrims gathered to see the pope, according to the sanctuary.

Source: AFP

15, May 2026

Bundes: Chancellor Merz says he wouldn’t advise young Germans to move to US ⁰

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has warned young people in his country against moving to the United States, citing a worsening “social climate” there.

Addressing young people at the German Catholic Congress in Würzburg on Friday, the leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) said that he would not advise German youth to move to the United States for either study or work.

“Today, I would not recommend that my children go to the US to receive their education and work there,” Merz said, adding, ”A different social climate has developed there.”

Merz said German youth need to think twice before pursuing education or work in the US, saying that Germany offers better long-term opportunities to its people.

He emphasized, “[T]oday, even the best-educated people in the US have great difficulty finding a job.”

Germany’s social market economy continues to offer strong prospects, including employee participation rights and the opportunity to have a say at all levels, he insisted, adding that despite the economic fallout from international conflicts and wars, the long-term opportunities in the country were still better than elsewhere.

“I want to encourage all of us to stay optimistic that, despite many challenges, we can make it happen. I keep trying to do that, including by explaining things,” Merz said.

“It is my firm conviction that there are few countries in the world that offer such tremendous opportunities, especially for young people, as Germany does.”

Source: Presstv