Bangladeshi🇧🇩 Journalists✍🏻 Self-Censor as🗳 Election Approaches*

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With less than a month to go to a general election, many journalists in Bangladesh say they are living in fear of ever-tightening media laws and engaging in self-censorship as a result.

While Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s administration has won plaudits globally for welcoming hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees fleeing persecution in Myanmar, critics have lashed out at it for cracking down on free speech and an increasingly authoritarian rule.

In interviews conducted with 32 journalists and editors across print, digital and broadcast media in Bangladesh, the vast majority said the recent strengthening of defamation laws with a new Digital Security Act (DSA) has spread a climate of fear in the industry. Dozens of journalists were arrested for defamation under the earlier law, the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Act.

*Wenger Tips Zidane👔 for Premier League Post😯*

Zinedine Zidane continues to spark speculation regarding a possible role at Manchester United and fellow Frenchman Arsene Wenger believes he should take a Premier League post.

The World Cup winner is currently without a job having walked away from Real Madrid on the back of a third successive Champions League triumph.

Various positions have been mooted for Zidane during his absence from the dugout, with an iconic figure still in high demand.

It has been suggested that he could be taken to Old Trafford if United lose patience with Jose Mourinho and wield the axe.

Former Arsenal manager Wenger would like to see Zidane in England, telling beIN Sports: “Yes, why not? If you want to work at the top, it has to be England nowadays.

“But there are many uncertainties with Brexit and the uncertainty: will the Premier League continue to dominate financially? We'll know soon.

“England is the only country with six clubs that can fight for the championship.

“In all the other countries basically you can say in December who will win the championship and there are some countries, like France, where you can say it in September.”

Scholarships🎓 Secretariat Confirms✔ Akufo-Addo’s Grants for 24 Best 🌾Farmers*

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Government is in negotiations with Mendel University in the Czech Republic to provide training and skill development to the 24 winners of this year’s National Farmers Day winners. Mendel University is one of the best university in the world in the field of Agriculture.

The government in an attempt to make agriculture more attractive to increase the food production in Ghana has announced a 1 million cedis scholarship package for the wards of the awardees at the 34th National Farmers Day celebration held in Tamale.

Announcing the package, the President said the scholarship package will cover tuition and all expense in any agriculture-related study field from undergraduate level to the PhD level.

*CAN Denies👎 Endorsing Buhari for😕 Second Term*

The President, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Samson Ayokunle, has dismissed as fake news the report in some online media that the umbrella christian body has endorsed President Muhammadu Buhari for second term in office.

Ayokunle made the dismissal on Thursday in a statement signed by Pastor Adebayo Oladeji, his Special Assistant, Media & Communications to the CAN President, in Abuja.

Recall that CAN had met behind closed doors with 14 presidential candidates to ask them their credentials for aspiring to the highest office in the land as well as to interrogate their plans for the nation including the church. However, the outcome of the parley was yet to be made public.

*Ghana🇬🇭 De-Industrialising💰 Economy – AGI President*

The President of the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), Dr Yaw Adu Gyamfi, has bemoaned the dwindling fortunes of the manufacturing sub-sector in recent years, warning that the country risks losing its industrial base should the situation remain the same.

Addressing captains of industry and government officials at AGI’s Ghana Industry Awards on December 8, the president pointed to the phasing out of businesses in the textiles, alumina, vehicle assembly, glass manufacturing and those in the processing of agricultural products such as meat, sugar, tomatoes and citrus as evidence of a country which had its manufacturing base deteriorating rather than progressing.

“Industry continues to shrink and we risk losing our industrial base,” he said at the event which was graced by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. “On the occasion of our 60th anniversary, therefore, we are taking stock of developments in the industry over the past 60 years and I am sorry to say the picture of manufacturing has not been encouraging. “We are actually de-industrialising,” Dr Gyamfi, who is also the Chief Executive Officer of Danadams Pharmaceutical Industry Limited, said at the event.

*⭐Ronaldo Wants to Lure Vinicius Away from Madrid👑*

Real Valladolid's majority owner Ronaldo has revealed that he spoke to Real Madrid president Florentino Perez about the possibility of signing Vinicius Junior.

The former Brazil international brought a 51 per cent stake in the Liga club back in September and has already tried to use his contacts at Santiago Bernabeu to his advantage.

Ronaldo played for Los Blancos between 2002 and 2007, winning two La Liga titles and contributing 97 goals in 164 appearances.

The World Cup winner spoke to Perez to inquire about the availability of Vinicius, who is currently in the middle of his first season with Madrid's senior team.

Ronaldo told Sports Breakfast Europa Press about discussing a loan deal for the youngster: "I've asked Florentino Perez if we can have him, but I think it might be difficult!

"We do not have the money for a permanent deal, but of course I would like to see Vinicius in Valladolid."

Vinicius has eight appearances under his belt across all competitions so far this term and started the team's latest Champions League fixture against CSKA Moscow on Wednesday.