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25, March 2025

Tiger Woods confirms relationship with Trump’s ex daughter-in-law ⁰

Golfer Tiger Woods has announced he is dating Vanessa Trump, the former daughter-in-law of US President Donald Trump.

Vanessa, 47, was married to Donald Trump Jr for 13 years. The pair, who have five children, divorced in 2018.

On Sunday, Woods, 49, posted pictures of Vanessa and himself on social media saying: “Love is in the air and life is better with you by my side! We look forward to our journey through life together.”

“At this time we would appreciate privacy for all those close to our hearts.”

It is unclear what prompted the public announcement, but rumours of their relationship had been reported in gossip magazines in recent weeks.

Woods, who has won 15 major championships, is known for being guarded about his personal life after exposure of his marital infidelities and sex scandals damaged his public standing in the 2000s and affected his playing career.

He admitted himself into a sex addiction rehab clinic, and went through an acrimonious split from his first wife Elin Nordegren months later after six years of marriage. The couple have two children together.

US media outlets report that Tiger Woods’ children attend the same school as Vanessa Trump’s.

As the former wife of Donald Trump’s eldest son, Vanessa had been a regular attendee at official events involving Trump’s extended family during his first term in office.

Woods, the former world number one, is also known to have played golf with President Trump on several occasions, including last month. Trump loves golf and owns more than a dozen courses.

In February, Woods attended a meeting with Trump and Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) heads at the White House about the future of the sport’s tournaments and current division with the Saudi Arabia-LIV league.

Woods wore his Presidential Medal of Freedom, which was bestowed on him by Trump in 2019 during the president’s first term.

Woods announced an achilles tendon injury earlier this month that has sidelined him from professional competition. He has not suggested a timeline for when he might return to the courses.

He has not competed in a PGA Tour event this season, following the death of his mother, Kultida, in February.

The new couple both have children who are junior golfers.

Kai Trump, 17, has announced her commitment to playing collegiate golf at the University of Miami in 2026.

She and Charlie Woods both played at a junior invite-only tournament in South Carolina last week.

Woods has previously announced relationships with World Cup champion ski racer Lindsey Vonn and Erica Herman, his former restaurant manager.

That relationship ended badly – Herman filed law suits against Woods and his trust in 2023, which she later withdrew.

Source: BBC

25, March 2025

Succession tensions threaten stability in Cameroon’s enduring one-man regime ⁰

Paul Biya has ruled Cameroon since 1982, presenting his long tenure as a guarantor of stability. Yet Marie-Emmanuelle Pommerolle, an expert on Cameroon, argues precisely the opposite: Biya’s prolonged grip on power has generated crises.

The regime’s entrenched elites resist meaningful reform, while economic stagnation and unresolved regional tensions, especially in the Anglophone regions, threaten national unity.

Who are the main contenders within Biya’s ruling circle?

Two key figures dominate the speculation. Ferdinand Ngoh Ngoh, the powerful secretary-general of the presidency, is positioning himself strategically by campaigning on Biya’s behalf, often overshadowing the prime minister. Franck Biya, the president’s son, is also rumoured to be a potential successor, though he remains politically discreet.

Meanwhile, Joseph Dion Ngute, Cameroon’s prime minister, seeks to assert his political relevance independently, notably leveraging economic events to strengthen his position against Ngoh Ngoh’s dominance.

What does the opposition offer?

The opposition remains divided but has notable leaders. Maurice Kamto of the Cameroon Renaissance Movement (CRM), who challenged Biya significantly in 2018, is again leading a broad coalition. Kamto, popular yet controversial, symbolises the hopes of many seeking change.

Joshua Osih of the Social Democratic Front (SDF) seeks a moderate path, targeting younger, urban voters. Yet his strategy risks alienating the grassroots supporters who once formed the party’s backbone.

Cabral Libii, younger and media-savvy, appeals to disillusioned youth, while veteran Garga Haman Adji is viewed with suspicion, sometimes accused of collaborating with Biya’s regime to dilute opposition effectiveness.

Could election integrity affect succession?

Enow Abrams Egbe, head of Elections Cameroon (Elecam), faces accusations of partiality. Elecam’s perceived lack of independence, highlighted by opposition complaints about electoral transparency, risks undermining the legitimacy of any future election.

What role might religious institutions play?

The Catholic Church, influential in Cameroonian politics, presents mixed signals. Archbishop Jean Mbarga of Yaoundé openly supports Biya, potentially aiding a smooth succession aligned with the current regime. However, other prominent bishops, including Samuel Kleda, criticise Biya’s extended tenure, reflecting broader societal divisions that might intensify post-Biya.

Could diaspora activists shape Cameroon’s future?

The diaspora-based Brigade Anti-Sardinards (BAS), critical of Biya’s government, remains a vocal presence abroad, notably staging provocative protests. While officially dismissed by Cameroon’s authorities, their ability to influence public discourse within Cameroon and internationally makes them an unpredictable force.

Is France’s influence waning?

Historically supportive, France’s relationship with Biya’s regime faces growing scrutiny amid rising anti-French sentiment. Younger Cameroonians increasingly question France’s paternalistic approach, demanding greater national autonomy

Whether from Biya’s camp or opposition, future leaders must navigate this dynamic.

Will the Anglophone crisis derail succession?

The ongoing conflict in Cameroon’s Anglophone regions, driven by deep-rooted grievances, has severely tested national unity. A successor who fails to address Anglophone marginalisation risks escalating tensions further, potentially destabilising the country.

Cameroon faces significant uncertainty as it approaches the post-Biya era. The country’s stability hinges on whether a genuine political transition, inclusive governance and credible elections can finally emerge from beneath the shadow of Africa’s longest-serving leader.

Culled from The Africa Report

23, March 2025

Biya and his gang are strangling the nation ⁰

Cameroon’s political system has become a shameful cycle of stagnation, corruption, and power entrenchment, with 91-year-old Niat Njifenji Marcel and 85-year-old Cavaye Yeguie Djibril once again reappointed to lead the Senate and National Assembly.

Adding to this political stranglehold, 92-year-old Paul Biya, who has ruled Cameroon for over four decades, is likely eyeing yet another re-election, further tightening his grip on a nation that desperately needs new leadership.

This is no longer just a failure of governance; it is an outright hijacking of the country’s future.

Cameroon is being held hostage by a ruling elite that refuses to let go of power, while the younger generation is sidelined, left without opportunities or a voice in shaping their own destiny.

It has come to a critical point: Cameroonians, especially the youth, must rise up and take back their country. If action is not taken now, the nation will remain trapped in an endless cycle of aging rulers clinging to power, while the people suffer from economic hardship, unemployment, and political repression.

The time for waiting is over. If the people do not reclaim their future, they will remain prisoners of this outdated and self-serving system for decades to come.

Source: The Sierra Leone Telegraph

23, March 2025

Pope Francis is discharged from Rome hospital ⁰

Pope Francis has appeared at his window of the Gemelli hospital in Rome and offered a blessing for the first time since being admitted on 14 February.

The 88-year-old pontiff was discharged minutes later and doctors say he will need at least two months of rest at the Vatican.

During the past five weeks, he presented “two very critical episodes” where his “life was in danger”, Dr Sergio Alfieri, one of the doctors treating the Pope, said.

Pope Francis was never intubated and always remained alert and oriented, Dr Alfieri said. Even though the Pope is not completely healed, he no longer has pneumonia and will return to work as soon as possible, if the trend continues, doctors say.

A crowd of people gathered outside the hospital on Sunday, waiting for the Pope to appear.

“When I saw him I felt, to be honest, a little relieved,” said Bishop Larry Kulick, from the Diocese of Greensburg in the US state of Pennsylvania. “I felt just overjoyed to see him.”

“I cried all the time because the love we breathe in this little square of this hospital was like heaven,” said Ilaria Della Bidia, a singer from Rome.

Ana Matos from Brazil said she “just arrived from Brazil today” and arrived outside the hospital “30 seconds before he appeared”. She said that “it was an amazing feeling, like when I had my son. I was so happy to see him healthy and I could see him smile”.

The Pope had only previously been seen by the public once since he was admitted to hospital, in a photograph released by the Vatican last week, which showed him praying in a hospital chapel.

Earlier this month, an audio recording of Pope Francis was played in St Peter’s Square in Vatican City.

His voice was breathless as he thanked the Catholic faithful for their prayers.

Pope Francis has spent 12 years as leader of the Roman Catholic Church.

He has suffered a number of health issues throughout his life, including having part of one of his lungs removed at age 21, making him more prone to infections.

Source: BBC

22, March 2025

Heavyweight boxing champion George Foreman dies, aged 76 ⁰

Former heavyweight champion George Foreman, who lost to Muhammad Ali in boxing’s iconic 1974 “Rumble in the Jungle” before reclaiming the title two decades later, died Friday aged 76, his family said.

Fondly known as Big George, Foreman dropped out of school as a teenager and went on to become an Olympic champion and later a legend of boxing.

He fought 81 times as a professional, winning 76, 68 of those by knockout.

As well as boxing he put his name to the “George Foreman Lean Mean Fat-Reducing Grilling Machine,” appearing smiling and friendly in the TV ads, becoming a celebrity outside the sport.

“With profound sorrow we announce the passing of our beloved George Edward Foreman Sr, who peacefully departed on March 21, 2025, surrounded by loved ones,” Foreman’s family said in a statement on Instagram.

“We are grateful for the outpouring of love and prayers, and kindly ask for privacy as we honor the extraordinary life of a man we were blessed to call our own.”

Legendary boxing promoter Bob Arum saluted Foreman as “one of the biggest punchers and personalities the sport has ever seen.”

Born in Texas on January 10, 1949, Foreman grew up in Houston.

The man who raised him was frequently absent and often drunk. Foreman only found out that J. D. Foreman was not his biological father after he won the world heavyweight title when his real father, a decorated World War II veteran, got in touch.

As an adolescent, Foreman flirted with crime and left school at 16.

“At 13-years-old, George was about 6-foot-2, 200 pounds and the terrorist in the neighborhood,” his younger brother Roy told the BBC in 2024. “And when you’re bigger and stronger and think you’re better than everyone else, you take things.”

Foreman took up boxing.

“I tried boxing just to show my friends that I wasn’t afraid,” Foreman said later. “Well, 25 fights and one year later, I was an Olympic gold medalist.”

At the Mexico Games in 1968, the 19-year-old Foreman bludgeoned his way to the super-heavyweight gold.

As he celebrated his final victory, 10 days after fellow African Americans Tommie Smith and John Carlos had made a black power salute following the 200m track final, Foreman waved an American flag in the ring.

Bigger, stronger

At 6-foot-4 (1.93m), “Big George” was larger and stronger than the other leading heavyweights of the time. He was light on his feet, but slugged his way through the professional ranks to earn a heavyweight title shot against champion Joe Frazier, demolishing the champion in two rounds.

By the time he fought his third title defence over 15 rounds against Ali in October 1974 in Kinshasa, Foreman was unbeaten in 40 professional bouts.

He had won all but three inside the distance and had not needed to develop stamina.

Ali’s “rope-a-dope” tactics exhausted the big man, who lost in eight rounds.

The defeat punctured Foreman’s intimidating aura, not least in his own mind.

“I just couldn’t believe I’d lost the world title,” he said later. “It was the most embarrassing moment of my life. It went from pride to pity. That’s devastating.”

His campaign for another title shot ended when he lost on points to another contender, Jimmy Young, in March 1977 on a hot night in Puerto Rico.

Foreman fell ill after the fight and said he sensed God telling him to change his life.

He retired aged 28 and became an ordained minister.

When he announced his comeback 10 years later, bald where he had once sported an Afro and flabby instead of chiseled, it seemed like a boxing gimmick. He wrote later that he needed money for his youth center.

Knockout

Over the next three years he fought 21 times, mostly against mediocre opponents, winning every bout, 20 of them inside the distance.

A big name in a weakened and fragmented division, he earned a title shot against Evander Holyfield in 1991 and then against Tommy Morrison two years later, losing both on points.

In November 1994 he faced Michael Moorer, who had dethroned Holyfield. In the same shorts he had worn 20 years and six days earlier against Ali, Foreman was trailing badly when he caught Moorer on the chin in the 10th for a knockout.

At 45 years and 299 days old he was the oldest heavyweight world champion.

He was stripped of first his WBA title and then his IBF crown for refusing to fight nominated opponents but won three more fights and was still “lineal” world champion when he lost on points to Shannon Briggs in 1997, aged 48, and retired again.

Foreman, who hosted a 1996 TV programme “Bad Dads,” married four times, fathering 10 children and adopting two.

He named all his five sons George Edward, explaining that he wanted them to know, “‘If one of us goes up, then we all go up together, and if one goes down, we all go down together!'”

Source: AFP

21, March 2025

Cameroon’s displaced population exceeded 1 Million amid persistent violence ⁰

More than one million people were displaced in Cameroon in 2024, according to a report published in early March by the Norwegian Refugee Council.

The report identified 453,662 displaced people in the Far North region, 583,113 in the Northwest and Southwest regions, and 281,488 refugees from the Central African Republic in the East.

“Although there was no major change in the political situation in Cameroon in 2024, the Far North, Northwest, and Southwest regions remained plagued by persistent armed violence, with significant incidents primarily affecting civilians as well as humanitarian operations,” the Norwegian Refugee Council said in the report.

The Far North region has faced incursions by Boko Haram fighters from Nigeria since 2014, affecting the Mayo-Tsanaga, Mayo-Sava, and Logone-et-Chari departments. The region is also home to the Minawao refugee camp, the country’s largest, hosting nearly 70,000 refugees. Armed separatist groups have conducted attacks in the Northwest and Southwest regions since 2017.

The Norwegian Refugee Council report cited additional factors contributing to the high displacement numbers, including “the increase in fuel prices, accompanied by a rise in the cost of basic goods and services, which has had a significant impact on already vulnerable communities, limiting access to essential goods and services for displaced people, particularly women and children.”

The Norwegian Refugee Council’s 2024 budget in Cameroon totaled nearly 7 billion CFA francs, with approximately 22% provided by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Source: Sbbc

21, March 2025

Cameroon’s public debt up 7.8% in 2024, driven by government borrowing ⁰

Cameroon’s public debt climbed 7.8% in 2024, reaching CFA14.237 trillion by the end of December—about 45.6% of the country’s GDP. The latest report from the National Sinking Fund (CAA), released in March 2025, attributes this rise mainly to borrowing by the central government.

Despite the increase, the CAA maintains that the debt remains under control and aligns with the country’s 2024-2026 Medium-Term Debt Strategy, which aims to keep it below 50% of GDP by 2026. This target is still well under the regional limit of 70% of GDP.

The bulk of the debt—92.6%—comes from the central government, while public enterprises account for 7.2%, and local governments hold a minimal 0.08%. The report also notes that central government borrowing surged 8.7% over the year, reflecting growing budgetary commitments.

Source: Business in Cameroon

20, March 2025

Archbishop Andrew Nkea urges direct talks with Anglophone separatists ⁰

According to the Archbishop of the Bamenda archdiocese, the Yaoundé government needs to engage direct talks with separatists in the country’s two English-speaking regions if a sustainable peace is to come.

Archbishop Andrew Nkea Fuanya was speaking in Yaoundé on March 18 during a meeting to assess the ground covered in implementing the resolutions of the September 29-October 4 Major National Dialogue to resolve the crisis.

Nkea told participants at the meeting that was chaired by Prime Minister Joseph Dion Ngute that separatist fighters “believe the government is not truly committed to solving this problem.”

“Some feel that while many declarations are made on radio, television, and in newspapers, little is actually implemented,” the archbishop said.

The separatist crisis in Cameroon began in 2016 when lawyers and teachers in the English-speaking regions protested against the marginalization by the predominantly French-speaking government. The situation escalated into a full-blown separatist conflict, with armed groups in the northwest and southwest regions seeking independence for a new state called Ambazonia.

The conflict has led to the deaths of more than 6,000 people, the displacement of over a million, and the destruction of property.

Cameroon has two main language groups—French and English—due to its colonial history. Over time, the Anglophone regions have expressed concerns about being treated unfairly, with their identity and rights often ignored or suppressed.

President Paul Biya admitted the assimilation plan to Moh Ibrahim on November 12, 2019 during the Second Paris Peace Summit in France.

“We tried assimilating their system into the majority francophone system but because of identity differences, it failed,” Biya said.

This deep-rooted tension eventually led to the open conflict.

The Major National Dialogue proposed a broad tapestry of measures to resolve the crisis. These included the adoption of a special status for the two Anglophone regions; the restoration of the House of Traditional Chiefs; the rapid integration of ex-combatants into society; accelerating the decentralization process to empower local authorities and improve governance; implementing measures to boost local development and national growth, including improving infrastructure like roads to support small farmers; as well as providing skills training and deradicalization programs for those affected by the conflict.

While admitting that significant progress has been recorded in several of these commitments, the Bamenda archbishop, one of the religious leaders appointed as member of the committee to follow up the implantation of the dialogue resolutions, urged the government to recognize the need to engage directly with core separatists.

“The boys [separatist fighters] feel you are merely talking among yourselves or to your friends,” the archbishop warned.

He said the Church can only facilitate such a dialogue, but can’t make any pledges on behalf of the state.

“We can only go out with camwood, wash and rub their feet, pray with them, and urge them to stop killing their own,” Nkea said.

He further revealed that both Ambazonian fighters and the leadership they have met believe that some members of the government want the crisis to continue and are actively obstructing genuine dialogue. This perception, he warned, fuels distrust and complicates efforts towards a peaceful resolution.

The archbishop noted that some of the fighters have indicated a willingness to attend follow-up committee meetings, suggesting this demonstrates “a willingness, albeit cautious, from some actors to engage in the dialogue process.”

Nkea condemned the continued use of force as a way of resolving the conflict.

“All wars, including the First and Second World Wars, ended at the negotiating table. The Ambazonians are ready for meaningful dialogue, and we, as religious leaders, can facilitate it,” he stated.

Dion commended the efforts of the religious leaders, even as he extolled the achievements of his government in the implementation of the Major National Dialogue resolutions.

The prime minister said the decentralization process has been sped up, with the institution of Regional Councils in the eight francophone regions of the country and Regional Assemblies in the two English-speaking regions.

In the area of Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR), Dion announced that at least 3,500 ex-fighters have dropped their weapons and are now being deradicalized and given life skills at various DDR centers in the two regions.

The prime minister noted further that legal action has already been taken against some separatist leaders in the diaspora whom the government blames for manipulating the youths to take up arms in the first place.

Noting that peace was gradually returning to the two regions, he pointed to the population’s increasing discomfort with the war, saying it was evidence that the people have rejected violence.

But religious leaders and conflict resolution experts have warned that if the root causes of the conflict are not addressed, the country could end up with what’s known as “negative peace” – a term the refers to a situation where there is an absence of direct violence or open conflict, but the underlying causes of the conflict – like injustice, inequality, or oppression – remain unresolved.

This, experts say, would be a recipe for future confrontations.

Source: Crux

20, March 2025

Hon. Rose Abunaw’s vision of women era as she quits Mohwa ⁰

The former Vice President of the National Assembly today challenged Cameroonians to consider rallying behind female politicians so as to create gender parity.

During a recent sackcloth removal in loving memory of her late elder sister General Nana Abunaw, Rose Abunaw said Yaoundé had built women’s leadership but must expand their fields of participation in governance.

“Cameroonian women were part of the struggle to build this great nation since 1961, advancing women course is a duty that Unity Palace owes every Cameroonian woman and I will continue to be part of this push for women leadership in Cameroon,” Hon. Rose Abuanw added.

Hon. Rose Abunaw explained that she was leaving Mohwa- the once renowned Manyu women association for personal reasons.

Cameroon Concord News gathered that Hon. Rose Abunaw has relegated Mohwa for Eyumema. “In my commitment to Mohwa, I have had the pleasure of working with very sound Manyu women at different times and in different capacities in Mohwa. All of them treated my late sister General Nana with love and respect but I think it’s now the time for me to move on,” Hon. Rose Abuanw said.

This item is still developing

By Soter Agbaw-Ebai with files from Kingsley Betek

19, March 2025

Indomitable Lions stumble in 0-0 draw with Eswatini in World Cup qualifier ⁰

Cameroon endured a frustrating evening as they were held to a goalless draw by Eswatini in their World Cup qualifier on Wednesday, despite fielding Premier League stars Andre Onana and Bryan Mbeumo.

The result extended the Indomitable Lions’ lead at the top of Group D to two points, but Cape Verde or Libya could leapfrog them with victories on Thursday.

Manchester United goalkeeper Onana had little to do in Mbombela, South Africa, where Eswatini play their home matches due to a lack of a FIFA-approved stadium.

Meanwhile, Brentford’s Mbeumo was lively, setting up Cameroon’s best chance when his cross led to Vincent Aboubakar’s header being brilliantly saved by Mlamuli Makhanya.

Cameroon Stumble in 0-0 Draw with Eswatini in World Cup Qualifier

Ranked 110 places above their opponents, Cameroon failed to break down Eswatini’s resilient defence as they aim for their ninth World Cup appearance in 2026.

Meanwhile, Eswatini, who sit at the bottom of the six-team group, secured their first point of the campaign after four straight defeats.

Elsewhere, Tunisia strengthened their grip on Group H with a 1-0 victory over Liberia, thanks to Hazem Mastouri’s early goal. The Carthage Eagles now have 13 points, five clear of second-placed Namibia.

In Group I, Madagascar stormed to a 4-1 win over the Central African Republic in Casablanca after coming from behind. Rayan Raveloson struck twice before halftime, with Arnaud Randrianantenaina and Lalaina Rafanomezantsoa adding to the tally. Madagascar now top the group with 10 points, ahead of Ghana and the Comoros on nine.

With nine qualifiers scheduled for Thursday, attention turns to Kenya’s match against The Gambia, where former Manchester United coach Benni McCarthy will make his debut in charge.

Source: News Central