Headline News

6, July 2016

Argentina and Barcelona footballer Messi sentenced to 21 months in prison ⁰

Argentina and Barcelona footballer Lionel Messi has been sentenced to 21 months in prison for tax fraud. His father, Jorge Messi, was also given a jail term for defrauding Spain of €4.1m (£3.5m; $4.5m) between 2007 and 2009.

They also face millions of euros in fines for using tax havens in Belize and Uruguay to conceal earnings from image rights. However, neither man is expected to serve time in jail. Under the Spanish system, prison terms of under two years can be served under probation.

BBC

6, July 2016

FBI decision on Clinton: Trump says US political system totally rigged ⁰

Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump says the FBI’s decision to not recommend criminal charges against his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton for her use of a private email server while she was secretary of state underlines once again that the US political system is “totally rigged.”

Trump made the comments at a rally on Tuesday in Raleigh, North Carolina, a potential battleground state. The New York billionaire described the FBI decision announced earlier on Tuesday as the “best evidence ever that we’ve seen that our system is totally rigged.”

“Everybody thought based on what was being said she was guilty. She was guilty. And it turned out that we’re not going to press charges. It’s really amazing,” Trump said as the crowd erupted in a chorus of boos. “We have a rigged system, folks,” he added. Trump also made accusations that Clinton is “a criminal with a guilty conscience” and “one of the most crooked politicians in history.”

On Tuesday, FBI Director James Comey said Clinton was “extremely careless” over her use of a private email server as secretary of state but did not recommend criminal charges against her. Comey’s announcement concluded an investigation that began a year ago when the inspector general for US intelligence agencies told the Justice Department that he had found classified information among a small sample of emails Clinton had sent and received.

The Justice Department, which administers the FBI, had sought to complete the investigation and make recommendations on whether charges should be filed before the Democratic and Republican Party conventions take place later this month. US Attorney General Loretta Lynch said on Friday that she would accept whatever recommendation she received from the FBI. The FBI’s recommendation to the Justice Department will have an enormous impact on the US presidential election.

Drawing on a report in The New York Times that Clinton “may decide” to keep on Lynch should she win the presidency in November, Trump accused Clinton of bribing Lynch. “If she wins, she’s going to consider extending the attorney general and you know what, I’m not saying, I’m not knocking the attorney general, what I’m saying is how can you say that? It’s a bribe,” Trump said. “The attorney general sitting there saying, if I get Hillary off the hook I’m going to have four more years or eight more years, but if she loses I’m out of a job, it’s a bribe. It’s a disgrace. It’s a disgrace.”

Presstv

6, July 2016

Sexually transmitted diseases notably on the rise in the UK ⁰

British Health officials are warning of a dramatic rise in the sexually transmitted infections (STIs) of syphilis and gonorrhea in the United Kingdom since 2012. New figures published in a report by Public Health England (PHE) on Tuesday revealed that between 2012 and 2015, cases of syphilis rose by 76 percent, from 3,001 to 5,288, while gonorrhea infections had a 53-percent jump from 26,880 to 41,193 cases.

The report said that the diseases are believed to be notably on the rise among homosexual men, with gonorrhea particularly undergoing a 21-percent increase among “gay and bisexual men.” “We need to do more to raise awareness about STIs and how they can be prevented,” said Gwenda Hughes, head of STI surveillance at PHE, adding that, “It is also vital to ensure there is easy access to STI testing and treatment services that meet the needs of local populations.”

Hughes recommended regular tests and screening for HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) and STIs, and the use of protective condoms in sex acts. “These statistics should set alarm bells ringing about the availability of sexual health services for young people and men who have sex with men,” she added.

Natika Halil, the chief executive of the Family Planning Association in Britain, also voiced concern over the alarming situation, saying, “We are concerned by the increased diagnoses rates of gonorrhea and syphilis, particularly among men who have sex with men, and also with the considerable variation between different areas.”

She pointed out to a strong link that exists between poor sexual health, one sign of which is the high rates of STI diagnoses, and higher levels of deprivation. “Local authorities need to pay close attention to what is happening in their area and invest in prevention services to help bring down this still very high number of STIs,” Halil added.

Syphilis and gonorrhea are bacterial infections that can cause heart problems, blindness, paralysis or even death, if left untreated.

Presstv

6, July 2016

Muslims celebrate end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan ⁰

Muslims from across the world, including in Iran, are celebrating Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the holy Muslim fasting month of Ramadan. Shortly after sunrise on Wednesday, Iranian people turned out en masse throughout the country to take part in Eid al-Fitr mass prayers. Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei led the Eid al-Fitr prayers at Tehran’s Imam Khomeini Grand Prayer Grounds (Mossalla).

In his sermons after the prayers, the Leader referred to the International Quds Day rallies, which were held last Friday, and noted that Iranians took part in the demonstrations en masse despite scorching heat in some areas to assert that they continue to be devoted to the Palestinian cause. Ayatollah Khamenei said people from all ranks of the society engaged in self-sacrifice during the holy month of Ramadan, offering Iftar to the needy in various neighborhoods across cities.

The Leader said the auspicious occasion of Eid al-Fitr was turned into a time of mourning in some cities in the world, including in the Iraqi city of Baghdad and the Turkish city of Istanbul, as terrorist attacks killed large numbers of people. Ayatollah Khamenei said the conflicts in certain Muslim countries, including Yemen and Syria, were a result of meddling by super powers in the affairs of the countries.

The Leader noted that enemies seek to get Muslim countries busy with internal issues so the Palestinian cause is forgotten and the atrocities of the Israeli regime go unnoticed. Referring to the issue of high payments to certain executives in Iranian institutions, Ayatollah Khamenei said such disbursements constitute a “sin.”

The Leader said while certain shortcomings have occurred in the past resulting in the issue of salaries, the matter must now be seriously followed on. Ayatollah Khamenei said the president is fortunately involved in probing the issue. The Leader said returning the money that has illegally been taken from the state coffers should be put on the agenda of the administration so people’s trust is maintained.

Eid al-Fitr marks the new lunar month of Shawwal and the end of Ramadan — the ninth month on the Islamic calendar — when Muslims refrain from eating, drinking, smoking, and indulging in anything that is in excess or ill-natured from dawn to dusk. Muslims believe Ramadan to be an auspicious month for the revelations of God to humankind, given the belief that it was in Ramadan when the first verses of the Holy Qur’an were revealed to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Eid al-Fitr was designated by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) after his migration from Mecca to Medina. Muslims all over the world celebrate Eid al-Fitr by paying Zakat al-Fitr and saying the Eid prayer in a congregation.

Presstv

5, July 2016

With a Far North dominated CPDM regime, Biya still donating food items and farming equipment to the Far North people ⁰

President Paul Biya after dishing out nearly all senior cabinet positions to the political elite of the Far North region has now resolve in donating consignments of food items and farming equipment to the Far North people. The president’s largess was sent to the people of Mosogo in the Mayo Moskota Division.

The Biya’s gifts were officially handed over by the Senior Divisional Officer of that Division, Julien Marcel Aseh. Beneficiaries all lauded President Biya’s generosity and noted that the donations will ameliorate their standard of living.

Mosogo is the chief town in the Mayo Moskata Division and it is located between Mayo Sava and Mayo Tsanaga Divisions, towards the borders with the Nigerian State of Borno. It is one of the localities that have heavily been affected by the Boko Haram atrocities.

Kingsley Ebong (Cameroon Concord News Group)

5, July 2016

Biya donates 50 million FCFA for the construction of a Cathedral in Sangmelima ⁰

President Biya has reportedly made a donation of 50 million CFA francs for the construction of the Saint Joseph Cathedral in Sangmélima in the South Region. The Cameroonian chief executive also instructed Martin Belinga Eboutou, Director of the Civil Cabinet at the Presidency of the Republic to rally all senior elites of the South region and even beyond to finance the finishing of the Cathedral project.

Cameroon Concord News learned that the budget for the realization of the project was estimated at 1.5 billion CFA francs. His Lordship Bishop Christophe Zoa recently announced that nearly one billion CFA francs have been gotten. The project now requires 500 million FCFA for its completion. The Cathedral has a capacity of 5000 seats. It occupies an area of 20 254 km2 situated in Monavebe and will be the largest in Africa.

Rita Akana with files from Cameroon-info.net

5, July 2016

Bibi arrives Uganda on four-country trip to East Africa ⁰

Benjamin Netanyahu has arrived in Uganda at the start of a four-country trip to East Africa, becoming the first Israeli prime minister to visit the continent in at least 30 years. Arriving at Uganda’s Entebbe’s airport on Monday, Netanyahu said Israel’s raid to end a hostage crisis 40 years ago, in which his brother was killed, “changed the course” of his life.

The Entebbe rescue is widely seen as one of Israel’s greatest military successes. It also was a monumental event for Netanyahu, as the death of his brother, Yonatan, pushed him into the public eye and on a track that would take him to the country’s highest office.

“This is a deeply moving day for me,” he said. “Forty years ago they landed in the dead of night in a country led by a brutal dictator who gave refuge to terrorists. Today we landed in broad daylight in a friendly country led by a president who fights terrorists.”

Netanyahu travelled to Uganda with soldiers and pilots who were members of the rescue team. An Israeli band played sombre tunes at the airport on the shore of Lake Victoria, to mark the anniversary of the Israeli rescue mission, during which three hostages were killed.

Aside from Uganda, Netanyahu is also scheduled to visit Kenya, Rwanda and Ethiopia. In Uganda, Netanyahu will meet African leaders to discuss further cooperation and business opportunities, in a special summit to be attended by President Yoweri Museveni, as well as leaders from Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Zambia and Tanzania.

Aljazeera

5, July 2016

University of Bamenda raised 150 million FCFA for infrastructural development ⁰

Efforts by the University of Bamenda to step up its infrastructural development were boosted on July 2, 2016, with the launch of the University of Bamenda Development Fund, UBaDEF. The ceremony in the university campus at Bambili saw the collection of 150 million FCFA from North West elite and friends of the university. The University of Bamenda thus becomes the second State-owned higher educational institution in Cameroon to run a development fund after the University of Buea some years ago.

It was indeed a great moment during which guests demonstrated generosity towards the university that is in dire need of classrooms, an ICT Centre, Main Library, student hostels, multi-purpose sports complex, health centre, etc. The Pro-Chancellor, Prof. Dominique Mvogo, brought a message from the Minister of Higher Education, Jacques Fame Ndongo, commending what he described as “a brilliant initiative to supplement State subventions.”

It was all cheers for the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Therese Nkuo Akenji, who conceived the idea to create UBaDEF. The Vice Chancellor revisited the birth of the University in 2010, stressing its mission of teaching, research and service to the community. Prof. Therese Nkuo Akenji urged guests to stand by the institution whose 16,000 student and staff population requires huge investments to function properly.

She saluted the government, North West elite, friends of the institution and traditional rulers for offering land to the nation’s youngest State university. The chief launcher, Alhadji Baba Ahmadou Danpullo and co-launchers set the tone, giving cheerfully. Meanwhile, an independent Management Committee for UBaDEF was commissioned with Tumban Manfred at the helm. It has as mission to source private and public funds to meet the infrastructural and academic needs of the university.

Cameroon Tribune

5, July 2016

Biya expected in Kribi ¹

The presidential security and some elements from the civil cabinet department of the presidency of the republic have been moved to Kribi pending a visit by the head of state to the newly constructed deep sea port project. Cameroon Concord News understands a long line of all-terrain vehicles of the Cameroon army have been stationed at Mboro at the sea port site whose first phase was completed since 2014.

We gathered that the visit of the Head of State will be to inaugurate the industrial port complex. A highly placed government official who sued for anonymity quoted the Director of the Civil Cabinet at the Presidency of the Republic that “everything is ready for the arrival of the head of state”.

Sama Ernest (Cameroon Concord News Group)

4, July 2016

Adieu Professor Tazoacha Asonganyi ⁰

The late Professor Tazoacha Asonganyi had a PhD in Biochemistry in 1980 from the University of London (UK). He did his PhD research in a Laboratory at Gower’s Street some few meters from Dillon’s Bookshop London, which he visited on a regular basis. During the same period he also worked with a Negritude Community Group (“Headstart Books & Crafts” London N15) which dealt in books on the history of peoples of African origin.

These two contacts outside his area of specialization caused a profound change in his education and did influence him principally. He was a fan of Cheikh Anta Diop whose books and many others with the same thrust he read during that time. He taught in the Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences of the University of Yaoundé 1 since 1985, training medical students for over 30 years. He was a visiting lecturer at many universities and published in many international academic journals including some 90 peer-reviewed articles.

His scientific research interests were in Sleeping sickness/Trypanosomiasis, River blindness/Onchocerciasis, HIV/AIDS. Following the inception of multiparty politics in Cameroon in the early 1990s, he emerged and became Secretary General of the SDF from 1994-2005. He then became the Permanent Secretary of the opposition CNRR in 2004.

He parted ways with the SDF in 2006 and published over 100 articles in newspapers and other media analyzing the political situation in Cameroon and many other African countries. He observed elections for the Carter Center USA in Ghana, and for the National Democratic Institute (NDI) of Washington DC in Nigeria. He was one of the highly solicited guests on CRTV programs like Press Hour and MORNING SAFARI.

CRTV