National And International News Roundup – 24th December 2020

Christmas eve celebrations taking place in churches across the country this night. In massive attendance are children participating in diverse Christian activities like singing, riddles, jokes and drama recitations of Bible verses.

Night patrol of defense and security forces in Douala has intensified. Elements of the Police and Gendarmerie are moving around the city to deter criminals from harassing citizens that are out to enjoy festive season.

A suspected bandit has been lynched to near-death at Youpwe Fish Market in Douala. Witnesses say the suspect was caught trying to take away a bag of dry fish from a warehouse. He has been handed over to elements of the Gendarmerie.

A fire outbreak in Garoua has killed a family of four. The fire happened in the Marouaré neighbourhood, 500 metres away from Carréfour 7. Fire fighters were alerted of the incident but they arrived late to save the family. Apart from the loss of 4 lives, there was equally huge material damage.

Presidents of Regional Councils have been elected in the first ordinary session. In the North West Region, it is Professor Fru Angwafor III. He will be assisted by Fon Yakum Kelvin II of Bambalang as President of the House of Chiefs. Their mandate has been placed on unity and solidarity.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has given their permission for fans to attend football matches during the upcoming African Nations Football Championship (CHAN) 2021. Sports Minister has declared that 25% of each stadium will be filled up by fans but insists there is still a need to adhere to social distancing rules. Tickets will range from 1000frs to 50,000frs across the four selected stadia; Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium in Yaoundé, Japoma Stadium, Bepanda Stadium and the Limbe Omnisport Stadium.

The Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) has increased the number of African teams to participate in Women World cup from three to four as from 2023. The decision was taken today. FIFA has equally increased the number of participating teams to 32.

Cameroon Business tycoon, Alhaji Baba Danpullo has crossed the billion dollar threshold in net worth. Considered as the richest Francophone African, Danpullo had dangled for a long time at 900 million dollars worth. Today, his investments have now propelled him to the Cameroon billionaire club.

Travel by visitors to the UK from South Africa has been banned amid concern over a variant of Covid-19 linked to the country. People who have been in or transited through South Africa in the last 10 days are no longer allowed into the UK. The new rule does not apply to British and Irish nationals – but they will have to self-isolate.

Ethiopia’s military has killed more than 40 men suspected to be linked to the massacre of at least 100 people, including children, in the Benishangul-Gumuz region, state media report. Five current and former government officials have also been arrested over the killings, the reports added. The assailants torched the homes of sleeping villagers, and shot and stabbed people in Wednesday’s attack.

More than 100 people have been killed by unknown attackers in a village in western Ethiopia, the country’s human rights commission has said. A nurse at a local clinic told the BBC that more than 30 people had been admitted to the facility, including some in a critical condition. Some of the victims were shot, while others were stabbed, the nurse added.

Mimi Mefo Info