Monthly Archives: May 2020

13, May 2020

UK in ‘significant recession’ as economy shrinks by record 5.8 percent ⁰

Britain’s economy shrank by a record 5.8 percent in March as the Covid-19 crisis escalated and the government shut down much of the country, according to official data that point towards an even bigger hit to come.

The monthly drop in gross domestic product was felt in almost all sectors – from the country’s shuttered restaurants and bars to its building sites and factories – and was the largest since comparable records began in 1997.

“The sharp contraction in UK Q1 GDP comes as little surprise, but does clearly highlight the magnitude of the challenge facing policymakers,” JP Morgan market strategist Hugh Gimber said.

In the first three months of the year, GDP contracted by 2.0 percent from the last three months of 2019, the biggest drop since the depths of the financial crisis in late 2008, the Office for National Statistics said.

The Bank of England said last week that the contraction of the economy in the April-June period could approach 25 percent and lead to the largest annual decline in more than three centuries.

British two-year government bond yields sank to a record low of -0.045 percent after the data, reinforcing expectations that the Bank of England will ramp up its record £645 billion (€732 billion) of asset purchases next month.

Finance Minister Rishi Sunak said Britain was now in the midst of a significant recession.

“We have to support people’s jobs, their incomes, livelihoods at this time, and support businesses so we can get through this period of severe disruption and emerge stronger on the other side,” he said after the GDP data.

On Tuesday, Britain’s government extended a costly job support programme for another four months, though businesses will need to pick up more of the tab from August.

The decline in first-quarter GDP was slightly smaller than economists had forecast in a Reuters poll, and less than the 3.8 percent slump suffered by the euro zone in the first quarter.

The worst-hit country in Europe with more than 40,000 deaths from Covid-19 according to official data, Britain has been in extensive lockdown since March 23 – a later date than in many other euro zone countries.

Small steps to ease lockdown

England tentatively began easing its Covid-19 lockdown on Wednesday, with some people who cannot do their jobs at home urged to return to work, while Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, which have semi-autonomous governments, are sticking with a “stay at home” message for now.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s government has faced a barrage of criticism that its new guidance – stay alert, control the virus, save lives – was confusing.

Appearing on Sky News TV, Transport Minister Grant Shapps was asked why estate agents were being allowed to restart house viewings when people could not have their own relatives to visit.

“The truth of the matter is, you have to start somewhere. The lockdown message was very straightforward – it was just stay at home. Now as we start to unlock, of course, there have to be decisions made,” Shapps said.

“There is no perfect way of doing this, and we’d ask people to use their common sense … Right now, there has to be a cut-off somewhere.”

Workers were being advised to avoid public transport if at all possible, and schools remained closed, prompting questions about how parents and people who could not get to work by other means were supposed to apply the new guidance.

Employers faced the daunting task of creating safe environments for their staff, with detailed guidance on one-way systems at entry and exit points and in stairwells, spacing out workstations and other minutiae.

For those still working from home or unable to work, there was only a very slight change in the regime. People were now allowed out to exercise more than once a day, and two people from separate households were allowed to meet outdoors as long as they kept two metres apart.

Martin Hewitt, chairman of the National Police Chiefs’ Council, said officers would still be encouraging people to go home if they were out for reasons other than the authorised exercise, shopping for essentials, health or work.

Fines for transgressions have been increased.

“Everybody will carry on hopefully working in the spirit we’ve had for the last seven weeks,” he told BBC TV.

“It’s not for the police to police people being two metres apart, that’s about everyone’s individual responsibility. If there are those people who refuse to abide by the new regulations then we will move to enforcement if that’s what we have to do,” he said, describing that as a last resort.

(FRANCE 24 with REUTERS)

13, May 2020

Chinese city in partial lockdown over ‘major risk’ of virus spread ⁰

A northeastern Chinese city has partially shut its borders and cut off transport links after the emergence of a local coronavirus cluster that has fuelled growing fears of a second wave of infections in China.

Jilin, with a population of more than four million, suspended bus services Wednesday and said it will only allow residents to leave the city if they have tested negative for COVID-19 in the past 48 hours and complete an unspecified period of “strict self-isolation”.

All cinemas, indoor gyms, internet cafes and other enclosed entertainment venues must shut immediately, and pharmacies must report all sales of fever and antiviral medicines, the local government said in a statement.

The city is located in the eponymous province of Jilin.

A cluster of infections was reported in the suburb of Shulan over the weekend, with Jilin’s vice mayor warning Wednesday that the situation was “extremely severe and complicated” and “there is major risk of further spread”.

The city reported six new cases on Wednesday, all linked to the Shulan cluster, bringing the total number of cases linked to a local laundry worker to 21.

Shulan shut down public transportation as well as trains leaving the city on Sunday.

Jilin city, the second-largest in Jilin province, also suspended train services from its main railway station Wednesday morning, state broadcaster CCTV reported.

China has largely brought the virus under control, but it has been on edge about a potential second wave as it has lifted lockdowns and restrictions across the country.

The emergence of new cases in Wuhan in recent days, after weeks without fresh infections, has prompted a campaign to test all 11 million residents in the city where COVID-19 first emerged late last year.

Source: AFP

13, May 2020

FECAFOOT aborts football season amid COVID-19 pandemic ⁰

Cameroon has opted to end its football season amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the head of the country’s football association said on Tuesday.

Seidou Mbombo Njoya, president of Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT) said, the decision was reached following recommendations from the health commission of the association stressing on the need to stay safe.

“Football is not the priority in the current situation (COVID-19). Football is secondary. Health safety comes first,” Njoya told reporters in the capital, Yaounde after the decision was taken.

PWD Bamenda were declared champions after leading Coton Sport by a single point, when the championship was suspended in March. The club will now compete in next season’s African Champions League.

The Cameroonian government halted all sporting activities in March following an outbreak of the pandemic in the country.

Source: Xinhuanet

13, May 2020

Fulani against Ambaboys: Southern Cameroons expanding deadly conflict ⁰

Two people were killed in tribal violence in Ntumbaw, a locality in Southern Cameroons, a tribe leader said Tuesday.

According to traditional ruler of Ntumbaw, Nfor Mohammed, about 30 armed men of Fulani community attacked and killed two of his tribesmen Monday night. The attack came after Fulanis claimed that seven of their people were killed by armed separatists in the locality.

“We look forward to your quick intervention for peace,” Muhammed said in a statement addressed to government on Tuesday.

There has been an upsurge of tribal violence in the region since 2017 when separatists began clashing with government forces, according to security reports.

Source: Xinhuanet

13, May 2020

Heartless Macron pressures Biya to order resumption of Air-France commercial flights ⁰

President Paul Biya has approved the execution of Air-France’s commercial flights from May 4 to June 30, 2020. This notice was sent to the Director-General of the Civil Aviation Authority in a letter sent by the Minister of Transport Jean Ernest Massena Ngalle Bibehe.

According to the letter, the flights will be executed alternatively, weekly, at the international airports of Yaounde-Nsimalen and Douala.

This agreement is however subjected to the observation of some key conditions. “Passengers on these flights will have to present a negative coronavirus screening test when boarding, and commit to self-confine at their expenses upon arrival in Cameroon,” the Minister of Transport wrote.

“Arrangements will have to be made for their monitoring in our country. The mandatory wearing of masks and compliance with barrier measures will also be imperative for these passengers and Air-France staff,” he added.

Last March, the Cameroonian government revealed that the first cases of coronavirus in the country were imported. Most of those infected had landed from Air-France’s commercial flights. Following this importation of the pandemic, Cameroon had decided to close all its borders.

With the confirmation that the President of the Republic has given his approval for the resumption of commercial flights of the French airline to Cameroon, are we moving towards the reopening of the country’s borders?

An Air France flight that landed on Tuesday, March 17, 2020 in Douala, Cameroon’s economic capital, was at the center of heated debates at the Douala International Airport because of its contaminated human contents.

The flight raised fear in the Central African country by many notches, as Cameroonians fear that their fellow Cameroonians and some Frenchmen returning to the country were bearers of the dangerous Coronavirus that has disrupted economic activity across the globe and killed thousands, especially in China where the virus started.

Written by Business in Cameroon and Cameroon Concord News

13, May 2020

President Paul Biya’s daughter, Brenda Biya hit back haters for her big eyes ⁰

President of Cameroon, Paul Biya’s daughter, Anastasia Brenda Biya Eyenga also know as Brenda Biya has hit back to the internet users who were repeatedly making fun of her big eyes.

Given the extent that taking those teasing, the young woman has decided to respond to its critics.

“I don’t want the disease Graves ‘ disease to a person. But I think sometimes, I would like you to understand,” she said in her story Instagram.

“You make fun of someone who has a defect due to a disease! It shows the blackness of your souls, and jealousy in your heart, “she added.

Brenda Biya is suffering from a disease that is due to a disorder that causes hyperthyroidism in which thyroid hormones are produced in excess. This explains the size of the eye of Brenda Biya for years already.

It has to result in changes in vision, eye irritation, or exophthalmos-protrusion-important eyes due to the swelling of the tissues in the orbital around the eyes. The swelling of the eyes, a symptom found in it is a part.

There is no cure for the disease. But, there are treatments available to reduce the severity and frequency of symptoms. The first solution is the taking of medications antithyroid drugs to block the production of thyroid hormones.

Recently, Brenda had launched her own brand ‘Bree Culture’. She made the announcement on her official Facebook account.

She had announced the creation of her company called ‘Bree Culture Inc Shopping’. This company will specialize in the sale of wigs and craft shows.

Culled from DEVDISCOURSE

12, May 2020

Indomitable Lions: Former coach Philippe Redon dies at 69 ⁰

The former coach of Cameroon’s Indomitable Lions Philippe Redon has died at the age of 69.

The information was made public by his boyhood club Stade Rennais were he was also a member of staff for the French outfit.

Philippe Redon took charge of Cameroon between 1991 and 1992. He drew goalless at home during his first game in charge against Mali on October 1990 and reignited the Lions winning spark during the return leg game securing his first win (2-0) in emphatic fashion.

The former French footballer guided the five time African champions to the semi final of the 1992 African Cup of Nations in Senegal.

Philippe Redon also coached Liberia in 2000. He has also had spells in club football with RC Lens and US Creteil.

Philippe Redon holds a pharmacy diploma and a DEPF (Professional Football Coaching Diploma), and has also worked as a FIFA instructor

Source: 2020 kick442.com

12, May 2020

Top French Cameroun figure says Yaounde bears blame for the killing of the Mayor of Mamfe ⁰

Dieudonné Essomba, a senior French Cameroun economist and consultant for Vision4 TV, has reacted to the recent murder of the Mayor of Mamfe, Ashu Prinsley Ojong, last Saturday by armed Ambazonia Restoration Forces. The former cadre at the Ministry of Economy, Planning and Land Management accused the Biya regime of helping the Ambazonian Interim Government to achieve its goal of an independent state for West Cameroonians.

“They denied the existence of an English-speaking problem in Cameroon and they still think they can force these people into accepting their so-called unitary state alternative for a way out of the crisis” he observed.

“The Ambaboys are convinced that they’re fighting a war of liberation which will be bloody, they’ve internationalized it and we’ve known it since the days as recorded in the Bible’s Maccabees, people convinced to liberate their country from colonization never give in,” Essomba warned.

He also revealed that the Southern Cameroons war, which has already lasted four years, is not about to fade as long as the power in Yaoundé does not agree to make concessions.

“The Anglophone Secession issue has been around for 40-years, a new generation has taken over the struggle and things will only move from bad to worse” he concluded.

By Oke Akombi Ayukepi Akap in Glasgow with files from CIN

12, May 2020

Recent discussion with French ambassador indicates Biya is losing his mind ⁰

President Paul Biya 88 reportedly displayed senile dementia during his recent meeting with the French ambassador to Cameroon Christophe Guilhou. Ambassador Guilhou said that his meeting on Thursday 14 April was intensive and productive.

“We had a very long discussion,” he added in a brief statement after leaving the presidential palace, during which he also brought up issues relating to French-Cameroonian cooperation, the focus of his conversation with Biya.

Biya hailed his government’s efforts at combating the COVID-19 pandemic in a nation where the virus is still circulating and which according to French Cameroun Minister of Public Health Manaouda Malachie has now recorded 2579 positive cases of the virus since the outbreak of the pandemic on March 6 with approximately 114 deaths.

Prof Maurice Kamto, the leading French Cameroun opposition leader denounced his stumbling, hesitant performance in front of the French ambassador saying that Mr Paul Biya had finally lost any grasp of Cameroonian reality.

The burning of more than 300 towns and villages in Southern Cameroons by Cameroon government army soldiers has now led to 5,000 Southern Cameroonians being arrested and 500,000 left homeless.

Over the last month since the Coronavirus showed up on the country’s shores, the government has been slaughtering Southern Cameroons citizens where Ambazonian fighters are protecting their positions.

Biya does not seem to comply with the terms and conditions of a ceasefire negotiated by the United Nations.

Over the last four years, the Yaoundé government has diminished the population of Southern Cameroons by spraying bullets all over the place, in total disregard for calls by the international community for a negotiated settlement.

Yet there has been no stirring of protest or resistance inside French Cameroun signaling glaring failure by the French Cameroun opposition to stand up to the regime.

This has allowed President Biya and his ruling CPDM crime syndicate to escape any pressure from the international community over his reckless handling of the crisis in Southern Cameroons.

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Biya rode unmolested from Mvomeka’a to Yaoundé in a gleaming Mercedes Benz once used by the late President Ahmadou Ahidjo.

Biya told the French diplomat that Cameroon was making great strides towards improving relations with Paris after President Macron’s shocking pronouncement during a surprise meeting with a French Cameroun activist in Paris.

In reality, Cameroon is suffering the worst inflation in the CEMAC region and more than half of its economy has been wiped out in the last four years by the crisis in Southern Cameroons.

Biya’s statements to the French ambassador reflect his senile dementia. Any decent doctor will tell you that once you are in your eighties, you lose your memory, you lose your grasp of reality and you have no grip of time or space. That’s what is happening with the old man in Yaoundé.

By Asu Isong in London

12, May 2020

Coronavirus pandemic politics costing lives in Brazil ⁰

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro keeps saying coronavirus fears are overblown. Other officials at the federal, state and local levels insist the danger is all too real.

Brazil is torn by a deep political divide over how to respond to the pandemic, and it is taking a heavy human toll.

On Saturday, even as the death toll in Brazil crossed the threshold of 10,000, Bolsonaro continued pressing to get the country back to work.

“The army of unemployed keeps growing,” he tweeted.

“Is chaos coming?” added the far-right leader, who has compared the virus to a “little flu” and condemned the “hysteria” surrounding it.

Some argue the “chaos” is already here — at least as far as the Brazilian government’s response goes.

Bolsonaro’s criticism of stay-at-home measures to fight the virus has put him at odds with state and local authorities across Brazil, not to mention his own former health minister.

The president sacked the latter, Luiz Henrique Mandetta, last month after a long series of public spats.

Meanwhile, Brazil has emerged as the epicenter of the pandemic in Latin America, with 11,519 deaths so far.

Experts say under-testing means the real figure is likely far higher, and that things stand to get a lot worse.

“We know from history that anytime there’s such a cacophony in a situation like this, such huge disagreement on public policy among leaders, tragedy ensues,” said Brazilian historian Sidney Chalhoub, a professor at Harvard University.

As an example, he cited the last major cholera outbreak in Europe, in the late 19th century, that killed more than 10,000 people in Hamburg, Germany.

“It was largely caused by divisions between the local political elite and dominant economic interests, which trumped public health concerns. And the result was an even bigger economic catastrophe,” he said.

– Polarizing disease –

Bolsonaro supporters have held a series of anti-confinement protests in recent weeks.

Sometimes the president himself has joined in, hitting the street, shaking hands and giving fiery speeches, all while refusing to wear a face mask.

The protests have included virulent attacks on Congress and the Supreme Court, which have moved to counter Bolsonaro’s anti-confinement measures.

At times, they have erupted into violence, including against journalists and even nurses.

But a recent poll by the Datafolha institute found that 67 percent of Brazilians believe stay-at-home measures are needed to contain the virus, even if they hurt the economy.

Even in his own camp, Bolsonaro’s support is far from universal.

Another poll found that while 56 percent of those who call themselves right-wing or center-right supported the president’s handling of the pandemic, 40 percent did not.

“The more closely related people are to someone who has been infected or died, the more they distance themselves from Bolsonaro,” said political scientist Carlos Pereira of the Getulio Vargas Foundation, who conducted the latter poll.

– ‘Anti-knowledge’ –

Like his US counterpart Donald Trump, whom he admires, Bolsonaro has touted the medication chloroquine as a wonder drug against COVID-19.

Scientists at Brazil’s leading public health research institute, Fiocruz, have stated that preliminary studies do not indicate chloroquine is an effective treatment for the disease.

Perceived to be attacking the president, they have received threats on social media in response.

“We’re talking about a far-right, anti-democratic government,” some of whose supporters have “fascist” tendencies, said sociologist Debora Messenberg, of the University of Brasilia.

“We can’t even talk about society being ‘polarized’ in the usual sense. It’s not a democratic polarization. Right now, the debate is between democracy and authoritarianism,” she said.

Brazil, like the United States, is facing the pandemic “with a government that is anti-knowledge,” said Chalhoub.

The Bolsonaro administration “is depicting this as a public health catastrophe versus an economic catastrophe. But that’s a harmful view that will drive us toward both,” he said.

Source: AFP