National And International News Roundup – 30th December 2020

A prelate has died in a road accident on the Douala – Yaounde highway. This was after his vehicle collided with a truck at Pouma in the Littoral region. Three others travelling with him were injured and are receiving medical attention.

Some Cameroonians say they are anxiously waiting to hear President Paul Biya evaluate Cameroon’s socio-political, economic and cultural life of Cameroon throughout 2020 when he addresses the nation tomorrow. To some, laxity by members of government to execute projects initiated by the government as stated by PM Dion Ngute in a cabinet meeting today, will constitute Biya’s speech tomorrow.

Gate fees to watch a match of the African Football Championship (CHAN) at Japoma 50,000 capacity stadium in Douala ranges from 1500f to 50,000fcfa. While at the Douala Omnisport and Amadou Ahidjou stadia, the fee is from 1000f to 50,000fcfa. During the group stage matches, 25% of the capacity of each stadium will be permitted and 50% during the knock-out stage. This has been stated by the Minister of Sports.

There have been a general satisfaction by civil servants in Cameroon following the harmonisation of retirement age of civil servants . 60 years for category A and B and 55 years for category C and D. Experts say the output in the civil service will increase. The action of today by President Paul Biya is a fulfilment of what he promised in 2018.

MPs have overwhelmingly approved the UK’s post-Brexit trade deal with the EU in a parliamentary vote. A bill bringing the deal into UK law was backed by the Commons by 521 to 73 votes after Parliament was recalled. The majority of Labour MPs voted for the agreement after leader Sir Keir Starmer said a thin deal was better than no deal.

A landslide in a Norwegian village has buried homes under dark mud, injuring 10 people – one seriously – and leaving 11 missing. Rescue workers are continuing to search for those missing, who include children, in the village of Gjerdrum, 25km (15 miles) north-east of the capital, Oslo.

An Ethiopian refugee who was hailed as a symbol of integration in Italy, Agitu Gudeta, has been killed on her farm in the northern region of Trentino, Italian police say. A Ghanaian employee has been arrested in connection with her rape and and murder “for money”, the Italian news agency Ansa reported.

Opposition parties in the Central African Republic have called for a re-run of Sunday’s election saying it was marred by insecurity and fraud. Ten parties, known as the Democratic Opposition Coalition, say only about a third of all voters were able to take part.