A court in Los Angeles has made Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver’s divorce official 10 years after they separated following the actor-turned-politician’s infidelity, US media reported Wednesday.

Celebrity news site TMZ said the pair’s divorce proceedings took a particularly long time because of the number of financial assets to negotiate.

Shriver, a journalist and the niece of former US president John F. Kennedy, first filed for divorce in July 2011.

Weeks later, the “Terminator” star admitted to having an affair with the family nanny, Mildred Baena, with whom he had a son in 1997.

“After leaving the governor’s office I told my wife about this event, which occurred over a decade ago,” Schwarzenegger, who was governor of California from 2003 to 2011, said in a statement to the Los Angeles Times when he and Shriver separated.

Shriver cited “irreconcilable differences” in the divorce filing.

The couple, who met in 1977 and were married in 1986, have four children together.

Source: AFP

It was on a bed in the Laquintinie Hospital in Douala that the 62-year-old Lulendo Matumana breathed his last on December 27.  The renowned artist known as General Defao succumbed to diabetes that he had been suffering from for several years.

Cameroon Concord News understands that General Def Defao had come to Douala last week for a private show. He was reportedly rushed to hospital without family members, but was assisted by some Congolese citizens until the last day of the singer’s time on earth.

It is the epilogue of a rich career that started in the Democratic Republic of Congo. He began singing in 1976, in small groups in a populous neighborhood of Kinshasa, following the footsteps of his models Papa Wemba, N’Yoka Longo, Gina Efonge and Evoloko, four singers of the group Zaïko in the 1970s. But the singer he identified with most was Tabu Ley Rochereau, and his breakthrough came five years later.

Defao joined Le Grand Zaïko Wawa, of the guitarist Félix Manuaku in 1981. The Kinois discovered then a young elegant singer and a good dancer. From 1983 to 1991, he made the beautiful days of the group Choc Stars, alongside another star of the Congolese song, Bozi Boziana. He then opted for frequent appearances on television, which helped to establish his popularity. His growing success and his innate charisma have strongly contributed to his beautiful epic.

By Rita Akana

Last week our senior correspondent in Buea went to her first ever live gig, Maxi Manorh. She reported to our editorial desk that after the late Bebe Manga, if someone gives awesome delivery, it’s Maxi Manorh. Arguably, Maxi Manorh is presently the greatest entertainer English speaking Cameroon has ever known.

“Maxi Manorh is just awesome and funny too. The atmosphere in Buea was great with hundreds singing along and cheering as loud as they can. The nation really loves him and it’s mutual” our chief reporter in Buea, Rita Akana said.

Maxi Manorh was very surprised that non Manyus including French speaking Cameroonians knew the words to ‘peti peti and nchenti’ which are his popular songs. People at the Buea event dressed like Bantus and Semi Bantus and Maxi Manorh was really impressed about that.

Some of his songs were played and he paid tribute to Bebe Manga, Etub Anyang and Francis Ndom. “It’s an amazing feeling hearing people singing along and the sea of lights from mobile phones in the audience” Maxi Manorh was quoted as saying after the concert.

Maxi Manorh has a great way of connecting with the audience. Flirting if you like! Maybe that’s one of the reasons girls want to get close to the stage. It’s was absolutely brilliant.

“Nchemti was a perfect ending. This experience I’ll treasure the rest of my life. If I had the money I would go and see more of his concert” Our chief correspondent furthered. “Even though I had to stand up almost the whole concert, it was all worth it. Who could sit still anyway?”

Born Agbor Osang Divine Enow, Maxy-Manorh is the 5th of 9 children whose career started in 2010 when he performed in almost every event and in big snack bars in Limbe , Buea and Douala and served as backup artist for big names like Salatiel and Mr Leo. He released his first album entitled ‘Hustle‘in 2016 with one of the songs paying tribute to the legendary Bebe Manga.

Maxi Manorh has agreed to speak to Cameroon Concord News Group. Stay with us and be the first to know!

By Oke Akombi Ayukepi Akap in Glasgow  

Richard Bona, a Cameroonian-born musician living in the U.S., is strongly criticized on Facebook over a video posted about three days ago. In the video, he called for the launch of “another war front” and an invitation to “burn” a TV station deemed too close to the government.

Responses immediately poured in. “Bro, is it your country? Go talk about your country and leave us alone…,” “You are not a Cameroonian so shut up…,” “Don’t talk about Cameroon,” are examples of comments posted by users to express their disagreement over the musician’s post.

For Richard Bona, Cameroonian opposition leader Maurice Kamto is an “obedient guy.” “I told him. Things wouldn’t have gone that way if another guy was in his shoes. Another war front would have been launched. Anyway, Ambazonians understood this. There is no other way than war with those looters and thieves,” he said in the video criticizing the delays in the construction of some of the infrastructures that will host the AFCON2021.

The video was posted on Facebook by some members of the Cameroonian diaspora who are harming people and properties in Europe with complete impunity, all in the name of a so-called fight for the wellbeing of Cameroonians. Those individuals usually rally through social media, Facebook most of the time. Yet, on several occasions, Facebook expressed its will to fight hate speech or addresses likely to spark violence or social unrest in all the countries represented by user communities on its platform.

Its system seems rather focused on influential countries and groups that can subject it to major political pressures. In Cameroon, like in several African countries, Facebook and WhatsApp have become useful tools for millions of users who wish to boost their business. The social platforms have also become political and ideological battlegrounds for unruly individuals with plots against elected persons and authorities.

Last October, U.S.-based media the Wall Street Journal published a journal series based on documents sent to the U.S. Congress and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) by Frances Haugen, a former civic integrity team and product manager for Facebook later turned whistleblower against the online social media firm.

Before the congress, she indicated that “Facebook repeatedly encountered conflicts between its profits and our safety” and “consistently resolved those conflicts in favor of its profits.”

Media that read the documents leaked by Frances Haugen also report that although the internal management is aware of misuse of the social platform, warning signs are not always taken into account.

“The result has been a system that amplifies division, extremism, and polarization – and undermines societies around the world. In some cases, this dangerous online talk has led to actual violence that harms and even kills people,” reads Frances Haugen’s statement before the U.S. Congress.

In Africa, public authorities are regularly abused, threatened and their family members mocked with sometimes degrading words that would not be tolerated in any so-called democratic country. There are not many things African countries can do. Indeed, they can’t summon Facebook’s boss like the U.S. Congress or the European parliament would do. Also, when an African country chose to restrict or ban access to social media to prevent such abuses, it is immediately accused of taking a regressive move or being a repressive dictatorship.

The musician Richard Bona usually criticizes authorities about mismanagement deeds. Those criticisms are often supported by the general public which is upset about the misdeeds. However, the hundreds of negative comments about his recent video prove that there is a boundary most Cameroonians don’t want to cross no matter their political opinions or divergences.

Source: ecofinagency

CNN fired news anchor Chris Cuomo, the network announced on Saturday, after “additional information” came to light during an investigation into his efforts to help his brother, former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, deal with allegations of sexual misconduct.

Cuomo, who hosted CNN’s most-watched prime-time news show, had been suspended on Tuesday. He had admitted in May that he had broken some of the cable news network’s rules in advising his brother how to handle the allegations from a public relations perspective.

Andrew Cuomo, 63, was forced to step down as governor in August after multiple allegations of sexual misconduct. He has denied any wrongdoing.

In a statement on Saturday, CNN said, “Chris Cuomo was suspended earlier this week pending further evaluation of new information that came to light about his involvement with his brother’s defense.”

“We retained a respected law firm to conduct the review, and have terminated him, effective immediately,” it added. The network did not provide details on the new information.

In a statement on Twitter, Cuomo, 51, said he was disappointed.

“This is not how I want my time at CNN to end but I have already told you why and how I helped my brother,” he said.

In journalism it is considered a breach of ethics to use one’s position to advocate for a personal cause or to conduct investigations for personal reasons.

Cuomo was initially suspended after New York Attorney General Letitia James showed texts and other messages in which he sought to use his own sources in news media outlets to find information on the case and the women involved in it.

A criminal complaint charging Andrew Cuomo with a misdemeanor sex offense was filed on Oct. 29 in a New York court.

Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat, gained national fame last year during the Covid-19 outbreak for his briefings about how New York was dealing with the pandemic. He often appeared on his brother’s show during that period.

Chris Cuomo, who had tested positive for the coronavirus and at one point was self-isolating in his basement, had virtually participated in a briefing his brother was holding for other reporters.

The two brothers’ father, the late Mario Cuomo, also served as governor of New York.

Source: REUTERS

Swedish pop sensation ABBA announced Wednesday that they were pausing promotion of an upcoming show for 24 hours, after two died in a dramatic fall at a tribute concert.

The world-famous quartet is preparing to release a new album, “Voyage”, on Friday, 40 years after the group split up.

But on Tuesday night, an 80-year-old man fell seven storeys to his death at a concert hall in Uppsala in a presumed accident, killing another attendee.

The venue north of Swedish capital Stockholm was to host a tribute show for an audience of around 1,000 called “Thank you for the music”, honouring the works of Bjorn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson, the two male members of ABBA.

“In the light of the tragic news at the tribute concert in Sweden last night, we have decided to hold off on releasing our concert trailer until tomorrow,” a post from the ABBA Voyage Twitter account said.

In addition to the release of its new album announced in early September, the Swedish cult band is currently building a venue in London that will host a show which includes digitised “avatars” of the four band members, scheduled for May 2022.

The exact form of these avatars, designed by a special effects company that worked on the Star Wars films, is still shrouded in mystery, but the band insists that they will not be mere holograms.

The “ABBAtars” will represent Agnetha Faltskog, Bjorn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson and Anni-Frid Lyngstad as they looked in 1979.

Source: AFP

This year, SOBA:UK pulled all the stops to host a memorable come-together which not only met all the standard health guidelines, but provided entertainment worthy of St George’s Park. Home of the England’s national football teams.

 In line with the limitations and innovations of the Covid era, the General Assembly deliberations occurred virtually a week before the convention; thereby setting the stage for a convention weekend free from the usual intensity that accompanies AGMs.

This was an innovative approach that was effective, focused, and rewarding for all members.

Sobans with their families and guests had a wonderful time on Saturday morning as they enjoyed the breathtaking beauty of St George’s Park built on 330-acres in the stunning Staffordshire countryside, a couple of hours away from London.

It was a great opportunity for visitors to explore the Park, including its 14 outdoor pitches and one of them with a replica of the Wembley surface.

The convention gala was equally memorable with the official 4:30 pm kickoff time, and 6:00 pm dinner strictly enforced and respected.

Dinner was personally handled by none other than the Head Chef of the England National Football teams, Tim Barker.

The gala went on until 2:00 am. D.J Take Away was awesome and he definitely took away the two hundred plus guests with his non-stop musical output.

 The gala was graced by the presence of Mr, Albert Fotabong Njoteh, High Commissioner for the Republic of Cameroon in the United Kingdom, who was happy to be amongst Cameroonians in such numbers.

 Our hearty congratulations goes out to Franklin Egbe, President of SOBA:UK, Atem Akoh Arrey, Vice President, Obale Ebai, Chairman of the convention and to the entire exco and the management teams. Of course, we cannot forget the good-spirited members of SOBA:UK who were wonderful hosts.

 We are already looking forward to the 2022 convention.

Thanks

Soban

Edwin Daniel Ndoko

US actor Alec Baldwin fired a prop gun that killed a cinematographer and wounded the director on a film set in New Mexico, US law enforcement officers said on Thursday.

The incident happened on the set of ‘Rust’ in the southwestern US state, where Baldwin is playing the lead in a 19th-century western.

Cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and director Joel Souza “were shot when a prop firearm was discharged by Alec Baldwin,” the sheriff in Santa Fe said in a statement.

Hutchins, 42, was transported to hospital by helicopter but died of her wounds, while Souza, 48, was taken by ambulance and is receiving treatment.

“Mr. Baldwin was interviewed by detectives,” Santa Fe sheriff spokesman Juan Rios told AFP.

“He provided statements and answered their questions. He came in voluntarily and he left the building after he finished his interviews. No charges have been filed and no arrests have been made.”

The Santa Fe New Mexican published pictures of a distraught-looking Baldwin which it said were taken in the parking lot of the set after the tragedy.

The paper said its reporter had seen the actor in tears after he had been quizzed by investigators.

One photograph shows a man, presumed to be Baldwin, doubled over.

A spokesperson from the production told The Hollywood Reporter the “accident” involved the misfire of a prop gun with blanks.

The incident took place at the Bonanza Creek Ranch, a production location near Santa Fe which is popular with Hollywood filmmakers.

Movie sets usually have stringent rules over the use of prop weapons, but accidents have happened.

Most famously, Brandon Lee, the son of martial arts legend Bruce Lee, died during filming of “The Crow” after being shot by a gun that was supposed to fire blanks.

Baldwin co-produces the film and stars as Harland Rust, an outlaw whose grandson is convicted of murder, and who goes on the run with him when the boy is sentenced to hang for the crime.

The 63-year-old posted a photograph earlier Thursday on Instagram showing him apparently on set, dressed in a period costume and with fake blood on his shirt.

“Back to in-person at the office. Blimey… it’s exhausting,” he captioned the picture, which went online several hours before the incident.

A joint statement by John Lindley and Rebecca Rhine of the International Cinematographers Guild said news of Hutchins’ death was “devastating”.

“The details are unclear at this moment, but we are working to learn more, and we support a full investigation into this tragic event. This is a terrible loss, and we mourn the passing of a member of our Guild’s family,” the statement, reported by Variety, said.

Baldwin has been on television and in films since the 1980s.

He starred in a number of high profile movies, including in ‘The Hunt for Red October’ and two iterations of the “Mission: Impossible” franchise, and has also voiced animated characters in hits like “The Boss Baby”.

He garnered new fans with his long-running portrayal of Donald Trump on “Saturday Night Live”, a character that irritated the former president, but won Baldwin a Primetime Emmy.

“Rust” also stars Jensen Ackles (“Supernaturals”) and Travis Fimmel, best known for playing Ragnar Lothbrok in “Vikings”.

The Bonanza Creek Ranch where Thursday’s incident took place has hosted productions including ‘Hostiles,’ ‘Cowboys & Aliens,’ ‘3:10 to Yuma,’ ‘Appaloosa’ and ‘Longmire.’

Source: AFP

Veteran Cameroon Radio and Television news presenter Diana Egbe Enow-Mangha is dead. The state radio said she passed on after a long illness with diabetes. The veteran Mrs News was working with the national broadcaster CRTV. She was a  news anchor.

Diana Egbe Enow-Mangha started her career at a young age and did a number of interviews with prominent figures within the ruling CPDM party. Until her demise, She was on  duty at the National station in Yaounde.

Journalists across the country and abroad as well as political leaders in Cameroon have eulogised her as a dedicated person who valued her job.

By Rita Akana