Strait of Hormuz: Joint statement by the heads of the International Energy Agency, International Monetary Fund, and World Bank Group

14, April 2026

Strait of Hormuz: Joint statement by the heads of the International Energy Agency, International Monetary Fund, and World Bank Group 0

The Heads of the International Energy Agency, International Monetary Fund, and World Bank Group met today as part of the coordination group they established in early April to maximize their institutions’ response to the energy and economic impacts of the war in the Middle East. At the end of their meeting, they issued the following statement:

“As we noted earlier this month, the impact of the war is substantial, global, and highly asymmetric, disproportionately affecting energy importers, in particular low-income countries. The shock has led to higher oil, gas and fertilizer prices, triggering concerns about food security and job losses as well. Some oil and gas producers in the Middle East have also seen a dramatic loss of export revenue.

The situation remains very uncertain, and shipping through the Strait of Hormuz is yet to normalize. Even after a resumption of regular shipping flows through the Strait, it will take time for global supplies of key commodities to move back towards their pre-conflict levels—and fuel and fertilizer prices may remain high for a prolonged period given the damage to infrastructure. Due to supply disruptions, shortages of key inputs are likely to have implications for energy, food, and other industries. The war has also forcibly displaced people, impacted jobs, and reduced travel and tourism, which may take time to reverse.

Today, we shared our latest assessments, ahead of the release this Tuesday, April 14, of the IEA’s monthly Oil Market Report and IMF’s World Economic Outlook. We also discussed the situations of the countries most affected by the shock as well as the responses by our institutions. Our teams are working closely, including at country level, to leverage our respective expertise and help countries through tailored policy advice and, in the case of the IMF and World Bank, financial support where needed.

We will continue to monitor closely and assess the impact of the war on energy markets, the global economy and individual countries, and to coordinate our response and support to our member countries—working with, and drawing on, other international organizations’ expertise as needed to lay the foundations for a resilient recovery that delivers stability, growth and jobs.”

Iran President slams Trump’s insult to Pope Leo

13, April 2026

Iran President slams Trump’s insult to Pope Leo 0

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian censures “insult” to Pope Leo XIV following his condemnation of the unlawful act of aggression by the United States and the Israeli regime against the Islamic Republic.

In a Monday post on X, Pezeshkian addressed his Holiness Pope Leo XIV and said he condemns the insult to his Excellency on behalf of the great Iranian nation.

“I declare that the desecration of Jesus, the prophet of peace and brotherhood, is not acceptable to any free person,” the president wrote.

He wished the Catholic leader glory by Almighty God.

Pezeshkian’s post comes after US President Donald Trump on Sunday attacked Pope Leo XIV for his condemnation of the US-Israeli aggression on Iran, saying he is not a fan of the Catholic leader.

During a Q&A with reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump said, “We do not like a pope that is going to say that it is OK to have a nuclear weapon … He is a man that does not think that we should be toying with a country that wants a nuclear weapon so they can blow up the world,” adding, “I am not a fan of Pope Leo.”

Speaking to reporters aboard the papal flight to Algiers on Monday, the Pope said he will continue to speak out against war and suffering.

The leader of the 1.4-billion-member Catholic Church stated that while he will not stop spreading his message of peace, he has no desire to get into a debate with Trump.

“I will continue to speak out loudly against war, looking to promote peace, promoting dialogue and multilateral relationships among the states to look for just solutions to problems,” he said.

“Too many people are suffering in the world today … Too many innocent people are being killed. And I think someone has to stand up and say there is a better way,” he added.

The United States and Israel launched their unprovoked war of aggression against Iran on February 28. They assassinated Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei and struck nuclear sites, schools, hospitals and civilian infrastructure.

During the war, Iranian Armed Forces unleashed 100 waves of successful retaliatory strikes against sensitive and strategic American and Israeli targets throughout the region.

They also blocked the Strait of Hormuz to oil and gas tankers affiliated with the adversaries and those cooperating with them in an attempt to maintain security at the strategic waterway.

Source: Press TV

Pope Leo XIV Visit: Archbishop Kleda hopes for the release of political prisoners

13, April 2026

Pope Leo XIV Visit: Archbishop Kleda hopes for the release of political prisoners 0

May the visit of Pope Leo XIV offer an opportunity to release prisoners held without trial. Archbishop Samuel Kleda of Douala expressed this wish during a press conference on April 9. “The Pope is coming to proclaim the Good News to us,” said Archbishop Kleda. “What is the Good News for us in Cameroon?” he asked. “It is peace. At this moment, we all need peace in Cameroon. With his visit, the Pope is inviting us all to be peacemakers,” he continued. “The Pope is coming to proclaim the Good News to us in Cameroon.” “Our country has experienced many crises, some of which are still ongoing,” the Archbishop emphasized, indicating that he was referring to the conflict in the English-speaking regions “The benefit we hope to gain from this visit is to engage (…) as peacemakers.”

 In addition to the crisis in the English-speaking regions in the north and south of the eastern part of the country, Cameroon is experiencing a deep economic crisis, to which Archbishop Kleda alluded when he stated: “Too many people are suffering, too many people are unemployed. After the Pope’s visit, we have the opportunity to show that we are capable of transforming our country.” Also worrying is the political situation following the unrest after the presidential elections last October, in which 92-year-old Paul Biya was re-elected for the eighth time as Head of State – an election marred by serious irregularities, according to the opposition and various external observers. Several people were arrested during the post-election demonstrations, particularly in Douala, which was the epicenter of the protests. Archbishop Kleda also referred to these people.

 “There was a crisis after the elections, resulting in the arrest of many people. Some of them have been released, but many are still in prison. Those imprisoned also include people who have never been brought to trial.” “This is an opportunity,” the Archbishop said, referring to the Pope’s visit, “to work to change this situation and do everything we can to secure the release of our brothers,” declared the Archbishop of Douala. Archbishop Kleda also referred to these people. “This is the fourth time the Pope has come to Cameroon. That is a special blessing,” said Archbishop Kleda, referring to the Pope’s previous visits to the country before Robert Francis Prevost was elected Pope. “The fact is that we are not saints, that we have not succeeded in putting the Gospel into practice. The Pope’s current visit is a new opportunity for renewal and for ensuring that our society can live in peace,” the Archbishop emphasized. “This means that the common good, that is, the country’s resources, must be shared with everyone, according to the needs of each individual, as the Acts of the Apostles teaches us.” But to achieve this, it is necessary to fight corruption, which Archbishop Kleda described as “a huge problem” because “it destroys everything and prevents the country’s development.” “May each of us be ready for conversion and to stand up for justice,” he concluded.

Source: Agenzia Fides

Papal Visit:  Southern Cameroons Restoration Forces declare three-day ceasefire

13, April 2026

Papal Visit:  Southern Cameroons Restoration Forces declare three-day ceasefire 0

A separatist alliance in Cameroon’s English-speaking regions said it would observe a three-day “safe travel passage” later this week to allow civilians and visitors to move freely during a visit by Pope ‌Leo.

The pope left on Monday for a tour of four African countries – Algeria, Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea – aiming to urge global leaders to address the continent’s challenges. Africa is home to more than a fifth of the world’s Catholics.

Source: Reuters

Biya regime mobilizes 355,000 workers for nationwide census

13, April 2026

Biya regime mobilizes 355,000 workers for nationwide census 0

Cameroon is preparing to deploy more than 355,000 field workers for its fourth General Population and Housing Census, combined with an agriculture and livestock survey.

The figure was announced April 7 following the eighth session of the Technical Committee overseeing the joint operation.

As part of the preparations, training workshops have been held nationwide for supervisors, controllers, and team leaders. Regional, departmental, and local census committees have also been gradually set up to coordinate activities on the ground, according to the committee.

Pilot operations have already been conducted across all ten regions, including in sensitive areas. Tests took place in Bamenda I in the Northwest, Fongo-Tongo in the West, Buea in the Southwest, and Mora in the Far North.

Scheduled from April 24 to May 29, 2026, the census aims to update Cameroon’s socio-demographic and agropastoral data. The information collected is expected to serve as a key statistical reference for development planning and public policy design.

On the housing side, the operation will gather detailed data on living conditions, including housing characteristics, household equipment, productive assets, as well as demand in the housing market and construction sector.

The census will also document basic infrastructure, access to social services, and the living conditions of the population, particularly vulnerable groups.

Ultimately, the exercise is expected to update the national registry of localities and build a comprehensive socio-demographic database to support government decision-making.

Source: Business in Cameroon

Hungary election: Trump, Netanyahu lose close ally in Europe as Orban defeated

13, April 2026

Hungary election: Trump, Netanyahu lose close ally in Europe as Orban defeated 0

Hungary has entered a new political phase after Prime Minister Viktor Orban, a close ally of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump, lost power.

Ending his 16-year rule, Orban’s ruling Fidesz party fell behind the opposition Tisza party led by Peter Magyar in a closely contested election, whose results came out on Sunday.

Israel loses European steward

Orban had cultivated one of the closest relationships with the Israeli regime among the European Union’s members.

He had described Tel Aviv as a strategic and “ideological” partner, with his ties with Netanyahu playing a central role in shaping Hungary’s foreign policy.

During his time in office, Hungary repeatedly used its veto power within the EU to block statements and sanctions targeting the regime’s atrocities, therefore, providing Tel Aviv with diplomatic protection.

Israeli officials are now expressing concern over a potential shift in policy.

Reports from the Israeli paper Yedioth Ahronoth indicated that officials in Tel Aviv closely monitored the election and warned that Orban’s defeat could remove the regime’s last bastion of protection within the 27-nation bloc.

Observers say Magyar, who is more closely aligned with broader European positions, could end Hungary’s use of the veto, allowing for more unified EU action, including criticism of illegal settlement expansion, settler violence, and military aggression.

Trump left without ‘true friend’

The election result also represented a setback for Trump, who openly supported Orban during the campaign.

Just days before the vote, Trump urged Hungarian voters to back his “true friend” and said he would use the full economic power of the United States to assist Hungary in the event of Orban’s victory.

Magyar sharply criticized those comments, denouncing Washington for interfering in Hungary’s internal affairs.

Source: Presstv

US and Iran end ceasefire talks and Vance heads home without an agreement

12, April 2026

US and Iran end ceasefire talks and Vance heads home without an agreement 0

The United States and Iran failed to reach an agreement at the end of historic, face-to-face talks after the U.S. said Tehran refused to commit to not developing a nuclear weapon, leaving uncertainty over a fragile, two-week ceasefire.

Vice President JD Vance, who led the U.S. delegation, said the talks lasted 21 hours in Pakistan’s capital Islamabad but in the end they did not see “an affirmative commitment” from Iran “that they will not seek a nuclear weapon.”

Vance’s comments did not indicate what will happen after the 14-day ceasefire initially agreed to by the U.S., Iran and Israel, but Pakistani mediators called on the U.S. and Iran to maintain the ceasefire.

“It is imperative that the parties continue to uphold their commitment to ceasefire,” Pakistan Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said, adding that his country will try to facilitate a new dialogue between Iran and the U.S. in the coming days.

In one of the first reactions from Iran, foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said the talks fell apart over a “gap between our opinions over two or three important issues.” He told Iran’s state TV that the Strait of Hormuz was among the topics discussed by negotiators and blamed “U.S. overreach.” He did not mention nuclear weapons.

The discussions in Islamabad began Saturday, a few days after the fragile ceasefire was announced as the war that has killed thousands of people and shaken global markets entered its seventh week.

“We need to see an affirmative commitment that they will not seek a nuclear weapon, and they will not seek the tools that would enable them to quickly achieve a nuclear weapon,” Vance told reporters. “That is the core goal of the president of the United States. And that’s what we’ve tried to achieve through these negotiations.”

“We leave here with a very simple proposal, a method of understanding that is our final and best offer. We’ll see if the Iranians accept it,” he added.

Since the U.S. and Israel launched the war on Feb. 28, it has killed at least 3,000 people in Iran, 2,020 in Lebanon, 23 in Israel and more than a dozen in Gulf Arab states, and caused lasting damage to infrastructure in half a dozen Middle Eastern countries. Iran’s grip on the Strait of Hormuz has largely cut off the Persian Gulf and its oil and gas exports from the global economy, sending energy prices soaring.

The United States and Iran entered talks with sharply different proposals and contrasting assumptions about their leverage to end the war. Before negotiations began, the ceasefire was already threatened by deep disagreements and Israel’s continued attacks against the Iranian-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Iran’s 10-point proposal ahead of the talks called for a guaranteed end to the war and sought control over the Strait of Hormuz. It included ending fighting against Iran’s “regional allies,” explicitly calling for a halt to Israeli strikes on Hezbollah. The United States’ 15-point proposal includes restricting Iran’s nuclear program and reopening the strait.

Indeed, Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz has proved its biggest strategic advantage in the war. Around a fifth of the world’s traded oil had typically passed through on over 100 ships a day. Only 12 have been recorded transiting since the ceasefire.

During the talks, the U.S. military said two destroyers transited the critical waterway ahead of mine-clearing work, a first since the war began. Iran’s state media, however, reported the country’s joint military command denied that.

“We’re sweeping the strait. Whether we make a deal or not makes no difference to me,” Trump said as talks extended into early Sunday morning.

The U.S. delegation led by Vance and the Iranian one led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf discussed with Pakistan how to advance the ceasefire already threatened by deep disagreements and Israel’s continued attacks against the Iranian-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Israel wants Lebanon’s government to assume responsibility for disarming Hezbollah, much like was envisaged in a November 2024 ceasefire. But the militant group has survived efforts to curb its strength for decades.

Hezbollah joined the war in support of Iran in the opening days. Israel followed with airstrikes and a ground invasion.

The day the Iran ceasefire deal was announced, Israel pounded Beirut with airstrikes, killing more than 300 people in the deadliest day in Lebanon since the war began, according to the country’s Health Ministry.

Source: Crux

Bamenda: 97-year-old man ready for his third papal encounter

12, April 2026

Bamenda: 97-year-old man ready for his third papal encounter 0

At 97 years of age, Pa Chrysantus Nfor sits quietly at his Nkwen residence in Bamenda, his frame slightly frail, but his eyes fixed on a horizon of hope.

He has traveled from his hometown in Tabenken, Donga Mantung Division – a district to the northwest of the city – to Bamenda, not this time on the arduous trek he undertook nearly four decades ago, but to seek medical treatment.

Surrounded by children and grandchildren, the nonagenarian finds himself waiting for something far more miraculous than medicine. He is waiting to see the pope.

Pope Leo XVI is expected in Cameroon from April 15 to 18. That visit is stirring excitement across the nation. Pa Nfor stands out as a veteran of papal expeditions, having witnessed the visits of Pope John Paul II in 1985 and 1995; Pope Benedict in 2009, and could witness his fourth papal visit when Pope Leo comes calling.

“I heard that the Pope is coming to Bamenda again, so I have just been waiting that if he comes, then I may likely see him too as well,” Pa Nfor told Crux Now in a shaky but firm voice.

He recalls the historic visit of Pope John Paul II in 1985 with the vividness of yesterday. But the memory of that visit is not just about the arrival of a pontiff; it is about the journey it took to witness the event.

Pa Nfor was about 56 years old then. He recalls the priest for Tabenken at the time putting out a call for volunteers to travel to Bamenda to greet the pope. While many hesitated due to the daunting distance, Nfor stepped forward.

The journey was a test of endurance that few would volunteer for today. The group left Tabenken by vehicle to Kumbo, where they spent the night. But the real pilgrimage began at dawn. They walked from Kumbo to Babessi, then to Ndop, then to Bambui, and finally to the Bafut Airport, where the pope was to land.

They trekked for over 62.14 miles, but Pa Nfor insists the physical weight of the journey was lightened by their spiritual purpose.

“We were praying, we were singing. That was the main thing we were doing,” he recalls. But there was a physical burden as well. Pa Nfor was one of the chosen few who carried a heavy wooden cross along the route, symbolizing the faith they held in their hearts.

Reflecting on that trek today, surrounded by his children and grandchildren who have come to support him during his treatment, Pa Nfor believes that journey was a turning point for his life. He notes that many of those who trekked with him have since passed away, but he has remained standing.

“I don’t know whether it is the cross I carried that has made me live up to now,” he humbly admits. But the fruits of that journey are evident to him.

“Since I took the trek to Bamenda and back, my family and I are still here… No trouble in the house. No quarreling as a father and the children. I feel that journey, meeting the pope has been a blessing to me,” he said.

Today, the trek has been replaced by a different kind of waiting. Pa Nfor is suffering from breathing difficulties, back pain, and frequent urination— ailments that have worn him down. His hope for the visit of Pope Leo XVI is simple and profound: That healing may come.

“As a patient, that’s the main thing I pray for,” he says. “I think the main thing he can do for me is to pray for me for a long life and good health.”

“I would be grateful to God if I live up to 100 years,” he adds, putting up a smile that momentarily shades the pain he is going through.

However, his vision extends beyond his own health. As Cameroon grapples with internal turmoil, particularly the separatist crisis that for ten years now has resulted in the deaths of at least 6,500 people and the displacement of nearly a million others, Pa Nfor sees the Papal visit as a potential balm for the nation.

“I have a feeling that if the Pope should reach here, this trouble in Cameroon would end,” he says with quiet conviction.

Pa Nfor, however, wonders if the spirit of sacrifice that fueled his 1985 journey still exists in his children and grandchildren.

” The young children, they cannot do it because they expect money,” he muses.

“If somebody is doing anything that should affect them, they should get money. They cannot just travel like that,” Pa Nfor said.

Despite the changing times, his advice to the youth and his family remains anchored in the faith that carried him from Kumbo to Bafut all those years ago. He urges them to look past their screens and their desire for material gain.

“They should all believe in God,” he advises. “If somebody hears that the Pope is coming, they should also come to see the Pope. And then get the prayer which the Pope gives to people.”

“Let them turn off the screens and make the trip,” he continues.

As Bamenda prepares to roll out the red carpet for Pope Leo XVI, Pa Chrysantus Nfor will be there, not carrying a cross this time, but bearing the weight of nearly a century of faith and the hope that a prayer from the Holy Father will bring healing to his body and peace to his country.

Source: Crux

Yaoundé says preparations complete for Pope Leo XIV visit

12, April 2026

Yaoundé says preparations complete for Pope Leo XIV visit 0

The Government of Cameroon has declared full readiness for the planned Apostolic Visit of Pope Leo XIV, scheduled to take place from April 15 to 18.

Speaking during a press briefing that was held on Wednesday, April 8 in Yaoundé, the Minister of Communication and Government Spokesperson, René Emmanuel Sadi, assured journalists that all necessary arrangements had been finalized to guarantee the success of the four-day papal visit.

“A few days ahead of the coming of His Holiness to our country, I can assure you that all is ready to ensure that this Apostolic Visit of Pope Leo XIV takes place under optimal conditions, guaranteeing every success,” Sadi said.

He added, “The people of Cameroon as a whole are eagerly waiting for the arrival of the Supreme Pontiff in our country, to express their joy and enthusiasm to host him on their soil.”

“All necessary arrangements have been made, under the esteemed auspices of the President Paul Biya, to provide an exceptional welcome to His Holiness Pope Leo XIV and to ensure every success to his Apostolic Visit to Cameroon,” the Government Spokesperson said.

The Minister highlighted the longstanding ties between Cameroon and the Holy See, noting that the Apostolic Visit represents a historic milestone for the central African country.

“Our bilateral and spiritual relations, formally established in 1966, continue to bear fruit today in education, healthcare, and social development,” Sadi said.

He emphasized the Church’s contribution to the nation, saying, “The Catholic Church operates an extensive network of high-quality educational institutions nationwide and numerous hospitals, often serving remote or underprivileged populations. Its work demonstrates the social significance of Catholicism in Cameroon.”

The government official also highlighted the religious harmony in the country, saying, “Catholicism coexists peacefully and in perfect harmony with other religious denominations present across the national territory.”

Pope Leo XIV is expected to arrive in Cameroon on April 15 on the second stage of his four-nation African trip. After a welcome ceremony at the Yaoundé Nsimalen International Airport, he is to meet the country’s President and address authorities, civil society leaders, and diplomats.

The Holy Father will visit the Ngul Zamba Orphanage and meet privately with members of the National Episcopal Conference of Cameroon (NECC).

During his time in Cameroon, the Holy Father is expected to place particular emphasis on reconciliation and social healing. On Thursday, April 16, he will travel to Bamenda, where he is scheduled to hold a “Meeting for Peace” with the local community at Saint Joseph’s Cathedral and celebrate Mass at Bamenda International Airport.

The Papal visit to Bamenda carries symbolic significance given the region’s experience of political and social tensions in recent years.

On Friday, April 17, the Pontiff will visit Douala, where he is scheduled to preside over a large Eucharistic celebration at Japoma Stadium. The program also includes a private visit to Saint Paul Catholic Hospital and a dialogue with university students and professors at the Catholic University of Central Africa (UCAC).

He is expected to leave Cameroon on April 18 for the third leg of his trip, which is to take him to Angola.

Source: aciAfrica

New low for US Vice President as his popularity plummets to historic depths

12, April 2026

New low for US Vice President as his popularity plummets to historic depths 0

US vice president JD Vance is now sitting at the bottom of the political ladder in the country, with approval numbers sinking to levels never seen before for a vice president at this stage in office, according to CNN.

Drawing on aggregated national polling averages tracking Vance since he took office in January 2025, the data reveals that the vice president’s standing has nosedived sharply, landing him in the “historically the worst” position when compared with his predecessors at the same point in their terms.

The numbers tell a stark story. Vance’s net approval rating has plunged from a positive 3 points down to negative 18 – a dramatic 21-point swing in the wrong direction.

“Down he goes,” CNN data analyst Harry Enten, who worked on it, remarked on air while presenting the details, adding that Vance is “not doing too hot to trot at this point.”

For context, Enten walked viewers through the records of other vice presidents at comparable moments in their tenures. Kamala Harris stood at minus 13, Mike Pence at minus 7 and Joe Biden at a net positive of 4.

While Enten acknowledged that vice presidents have generally become less popular over time, he noted that this trend alone does not fully account for the severity of the former Ohio senator’s dramatic collapse.

The sharp decline, Enten suggested, is not happening in a vacuum. Vance appears to be “dragged down along with the president of the United States,” caught in broader political headwinds weighing on the entire administration.

Trump’s ratings have also dramatically sunk amid his deeply controversial foreign policy decisions, including the unprovoked and illegal war against the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Interestingly, it coincides with Vance’s role as the lead US negotiator in talks with the Islamic Republic of Iran in Islamabad, which ended early on Sunday on a negative note.

The talks, which followed the 40-day war of aggression against the Islamic Republic, failed to produce any breakthrough due to the US delegation’s maximalist demands.

Source: Press TV

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