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6, May 2023

World leaders congratulate Charles III, Camilla on their coronation ⁰

Leaders in the United States and Europe sent congratulations to Britain’s King Charles III and Queen Camilla on their coronation on Saturday, while China called for “cooperation” and “peace”.

US hails ‘enduring friendship’

US President Joe Biden, whose country was represented at the lavish ceremony in London by First Lady Jill Biden, paid tribute to the “enduring friendship between the US and the UK”.

He tweeted that the countries’ relationship was “a source of strength for both our peoples” and that he was “proud” his wife could be there for the “historic occasion”.

Congratulations to King Charles III and Queen Camilla on their Coronation. The enduring friendship between the U.S. and the U.K. is a source of strength for both our peoples.

I am proud the First Lady is representing the United States for this historic occasion.

— President Biden (@POTUS) May 6, 2023

In an interview aired Friday, he said he would meet Charles, 74, in July to talk in particular about environmental issues.

China urges ‘cooperation and peace’

Chinese President Xi Jinping urged the UK to work for “a stable and mutually beneficial… relationship” with his country after recent strains in their relations.

“China and Britain, both permanent members of the UN Security Council, should take a long-term and strategic view to jointly promote the historical trend of peace, development and win-win cooperation,” he said.

EU sees ‘symbol of stability’

The head of the European Union’s executive, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, called the coronation “a testament to the enduring strength of the British monarchy”.

“A symbol of stability and continuity,” von der Leyen tweeted, alongside a picture of her at the pageant-filled ceremony in Westminster Abbey.

The Coronation is a testament to the enduring strength of the British monarchy. A symbol of stability and continuity.

My congratulations to King Charles III and Queen Camilla. pic.twitter.com/rhLM9iAFrG

— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) May 6, 2023

EU Council President Charles Michel said the members of the 27-nation bloc, which the UK voted to leave in 2016, “appreciate the king’s vast experience to promote understanding and respect” and “his tireless efforts to promote the sustainability of our planet”.

Germany praises climate ‘ally’

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who is in Kenya for a visit, also welcomed the newly crowned monarch’s interest in tackling climate change.

“(It) is very important that he is someone who is committed to a close cooperation between Great Britain and the European Union, and who also has his own personal agenda to advance climate protection,” Scholz said.

“That will also help us.”

‘Friends of France’

French President Emmanuel Macron, who also attended the London ceremony, sent his “congratulations” to Charles and Camilla, calling them “friends of France”.

“Proud to be with you on this historic day,” he tweeted.

Congratulations to King Charles III and Queen Camilla, friends of France.

Proud to be by your side on this historic day.

— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) May 6, 2023

‘Best wishes’ from Rome

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, whose country was represented at the coronation by President Sergio Mattarella, sent her “best wishes to King Charles III, to Queen Camilla and the entire British people”.

In a message on social media, she noted the symbolism of the Italian craftsmanship involved in the rare mosaic floor of Westminster Abbey.

She said the ancient “Cosmati pavement” on which the Coronation Chair was placed was “masterfully created” and “there to amaze the world and to recall the historic and fruitful cooperation between Italy and the UK, which we are certain… will further strengthen with King Charles III”.

Friend of Greece

The foreign ministry in Greece, where Charles’s father Prince Philip was born in 1921 on the island of Corfu, tweeted in English to “warmly congratulate HM King Charles III, a proven friend of Greece, in his Coronation day”.

It wished him “success in his duties” and said it was “looking forward to continuing excellent cooperation and further deepening bilateral historic relations”.

Source: AFP

6, May 2023

UK: Charles and Camilla crowned in historic Coronation celebrations ⁰

The Coronation was nothing if not international.

About half of all the world’s leaders were there – 90 heads of state in all, as well as 14 prime ministers from countries where the King is still their monarch.

Servicemen and women from 33 Commonwealth countries took part in the procession. Kings and queens from Europe and beyond were in the congregation. Many in the crowds were visiting from overseas.

And it all made headlines abroad, especially in the US.

But interest was not universal. In some of the King’s realms, such as Belize and Jamaica, the coronation has prompted fresh debate about them becoming republics.

Australia’s Prime Minister Antony Albanese may have attended the Coronation but he is a lifelong republican and some people in Sydney today appeared underwhelmed by the day’s events.

On the Pacific island of Tanna, in Vanuatu, however, thousands gathered to dance and feast in celebration of the King’s big day. But then they still believe his late father was a god.

The Palestinian connection to the Coronation comes through the Chrism oil used to anoint King Charles. It was created with Palestinian olive oil and consecrated at Jerusalem’s Holy Sepulchre Church.

At Bethlehem University, a Catholic institution, staff watched events unfold on TV together.

“My interest is just that it’s unusual, it doesn’t happen every day,” explains Brother Jean Manuel from Jerusalem. “I like the ceremony and the pomp,” adds Brother Alejandro Cerna, a Mexican. “I’ve always liked history and anything related to royalty, kings and castles.”

Paola Handal, who has Canadian nationality, confesses to “an utter fascination with anything royal,” even planning her own coronation cocktail using orange blossom – a local flavour used to perfume the Chrism oil.

By contrast, Australian, Brother Mark McKeon, felt detached. “The monarchy in the UK has no impact on my life,” he says. “I think in Australia, we should have our own head of state.”

Source: BBC

6, May 2023

French Cameroun: Two killed in Boko Haram raids ⁰

Two people have been killed in Boko Haram raids in Cameroon’s Far North region, local media and security sources said Friday.

Heavily armed militants of the terrorist group Boko Haram raided Zize village in the Kolofata subdivision of the region Thursday night but were repulsed by the Cameroon army, according to a military official in the region.

A civilian, who was part of a group that was tracking down the terrorists to recover their stolen property, died in the attack.

“Our valiant soldiers killed one of the militants and seized his weapon. Others escaped with bullet wounds,” the official who asked not to be named said.

In another attack early Friday, militants raided Yegoua and Gance localities of the region, killing a middle-aged man and stealing property including foodstuff, livestock, clothes, and household utensils, according to local media.

Close to 1,000 civilians have been displaced from their homes in the last three weeks in the region due to frequent attacks by the terrorist group, according to local authorities.

Source: Xinhaunet

6, May 2023

Biya regime to boost agricultural financing over the next 5 years ⁰

The Cameroonian government, through its National Strategy for Inclusive Finance (SNFI), announced the disbursement of CFA10.5 billion to boost agricultural financing in the country over the next five years.

“Since farmers’ needs are specific and particular, they require tailored financial services instead of conventional banking services,” the SNFI explained. Part of the money will come from the Public Investment Budget (BIP) and the remainder will be raised from development partners, we learned. The government plans to rely on its existing partnerships with the Agency for the SME Promotion Agency (APME) to reach the target. The plan also includes training and support sessions for stakeholders on agriculture financing and the establishment of permanent consultation frameworks between financial institutions and producer organizations.

CFA6 billion worth of credit lines will also be opened with selected banking institutions and intended for actors in the agricultural and agri-food sector. This incentive approach will help build the capacities of financial institutions on financing approaches for agricultural value chains. The implementation timeline and modalities of this strategy have not yet been defined, but the main goal is to increase local production and processing to significantly reduce the country’s dependence on imports.

In March of this year, Prime Minister Joseph Dion Ngute signed a decree to establish and operate a fund financed jointly by the State and the AfDB to facilitate the supply of credit for the development of agricultural value chains, livestock, and fish farming.

As a reminder, Cameroon previously attempted to create the National Agriculture Financial Rural Corporation (CAFRUC), which was supposed to be a financial institution dedicated to financing the agro pastoral sector, but the project was eventually halted.

Source: Business in Cameroon

5, May 2023

Football: Mexico to face Cameroon before Nations League match with U.S. ⁰

Mexico has scheduled a friendly against Cameroon on June 10 at San Diego’s SnapDragon Stadium — El Tri’s first match in the venue that opened in August of 2022.

Ahead of a busy summer that includes the CONCACAF Nations League finals and the 2023 Gold Cup, the friendly vs. Cameroon will serve as a final preparation for Mexico and new manager Diego Cocca.

After the friendly in San Diego, Mexico will then travel to Las Vegas to take on the United States in a CONCACAF Nations League semifinal at Allegiant Stadium on June 15.

Source: ESPN

5, May 2023

King Charles greets royal fans as coronation buzz builds ⁰

King Charles III greeted the crowds outside Buckingham Palace on Friday on the eve of his coronation, with royal revellers cranking up the party atmosphere with fancy dress and inflatable crowns.

Hundreds of tents have been pitched along The Mall, the tree-lined avenue leading to the palace, with hardcore royalists camping out to secure a prime viewing spot for the glittering processions to and from London’s Westminster Abbey on Saturday.

The scene looks like a costume party, with many extravagantly dressed up in all manner of costumes and accoutrements and wearing blow-up crowns on their heads.

The buzz cranked up even further when Charles, his son Prince William and William’s wife Kate went out to shake hands and chat with the multitudes behind the bunting-lined barricades.

People cheered, took selfies next to the royals and some sang “God Save the King” as the sun broke through rain clouds that had drenched the gathered masses.

One woman told the sovereign: “Love you, Charlie!”, while others passed on their congratulations.

Kate, 41, was heard saying that the coronation was “a great moment for celebration”.

One man, wearing a golden crown and the red, white and blue flag around his shoulders, stood next to a life-size poster of the sovereign.

Five women from the English Midlands, all in their sixties and wearing Union Jack suits, were preparing for a third and final night sleeping in a tent.

Carry on camping

But they know the drill, having done it before for the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II in June 2022, celebrating her 70 years on the throne, and then again for her funeral in September.

“We’ll really have good views,” one of them said.

“Being here, together, for the coronation, it’s what makes us British.”

Karen Chamberlain, 57, from Birmingham, arrived at The Mall with a big backpack and a tent. She was preparing to camp out for the night with her sister, husband and their eight-year-old son.

“It’s so exciting,” she told AFP. “Being here is a way to say we are proud of the monarchy.”

“Our mother came to London in 1953,” said the charity worker, referring to Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation.

News crews from around the world, some broadcasting live, zig-zagged between the tents. Smiling police officers guided the growing crowd, while groups of passing tourists gazed at the bustling spectacle.

Bill Powell, 52, from Toronto, came to The Mall as soon as his plane landed on Wednesday. He is camping out with a fellow Canadian who now lives in England.

They have installed a Canadian flag on the barricades.

“Making eye contact with royal family is something amazing, something you don’t understand when you just watch on TV,” he insisted.

Unifying force

Charles is Canada’s head of state and Powell does not believe that his country will ditch its constitutional monarchy.

He said some people wanted to replace the king of Canada with a president “because they don’t know Charles” yet.

“The priority for the king is his country, the tradition. It’s country first. Whereas politicians, it’s ‘my interests first’.”

His friend Mary Foster added: “I can’t imagine how it is to start the biggest job of your life at 74.”

Ilana Trevisan, a 41-year-old Frenchwoman, came from the southern city of Marseille with her mother and daughter especially for the coronation.

“Being here is brilliant,” she said. “We are fans of the monarchy,” she proclaimed, without regretting France’s republic status.

“My mother wanted me to marry William when I was little!” she said.

“The atmosphere here is absolutely fantastic. There are so many people from different countries,” she said.

“I hope it stays like this. I mean the monarchy. It brings people together.”

Source: AFP

5, May 2023

WHO says Covid global health emergency is over ⁰

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared that Covid-19 no longer represents a “global health emergency”.

The statement represents a major step towards ending the pandemic and comes three years after it first declared its highest level of alert over the virus.

Officials said the virus’ death rate had dropped from a peak of more than 100,000 people per week in January 2021 to just over 3,500 on 24 April.

The head of the WHO said at least seven million people died in the pandemic.

But Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that the true figure was “likely” closer to 20 million deaths – nearly three times the official estimate – and he warned that the virus remained a significant threat.

“Yesterday, the Emergency Committee met for the 15th time and recommended to me that I declare an end to the public health emergency of international concern. I’ve accepted that advice. It’s therefore with great hope that I declare COVID-19 over as a global health emergency,” Dr Tedros said.

Source: BBC

5, May 2023

Football: Naples explodes in joy as Napoli finally regain Serie A crown ⁰

The southern Italian city of Naples exploded into what was shaping up to be a long night of celebrations on Thursday as local team Napoli secured their first Serie A soccer title in more than three decades, sweeping away years of disappointment.

Argentine hero Diego Maradona inspired Napoli to its second and last triumph in 1990, but since then, the coveted Scudetto has been won almost exclusively by teams from wealthy northern Italy, such as Juventus, Inter and AC Milan.

Napoli claimed a third crown following a 1-1 draw at mid-table Udinese, giving them an unassailable 16-point lead over second-placed Lazio with only five matches left in the season.

“Yes! We are the champions” supporter Roberto Santoniello told Reuters TV, proudly wearing his club’s shirt while others were screaming, waving flags, lighting flares and firecrackers in the central Trieste and Trento Square.

Udinese are based in Italy’s north-east, more than 800 kilometres away from Naples, so many Napoli fans stayed home and watched the game at their local Maradona stadium, which was specially equipped with eight giant screens.

“Today must be the right day,” one of them, Raffaele Manfredonia, said. Kevin, another fan who declined to give his surname, said of the expected Scudetto party: “It will be chaos, mayhem. We won’t sleep, we won’t work.”

But then he added, with a chuckle: “I am joking”.

The U.S. consulate issued a security alert last week, saying “spontaneous celebrations could last multiple days” and warned of “heavy traffic or road closures, significant use fireworks, and alcohol consumption throughout the city”.

Police had banned fireworks but that did not stop the Neapolitan sky being lit up as soon as the game against Udinese was over. Authorities also banned car and scooter traffic from the city centre in the hope of minimising risk to public order.

“I’ve been waiting for the Napoli Scudetto since I was small,” said a teenage girl out with two friends, her cheeks painted Napoli blue. “It’s a victory for the entire city, it’s wonderful,” she added, declining to give her name.

In Udine, there were post-match scuffles as Napoli fans ran onto the stadium pitch to celebrate with players, but were met by hostile home supporters armed with belts and batons, the ANSA news agency said.

Anti-riot police intervened to break up the fights, and six fans were reported to have sustained non-serious injuries, RAI public television said.

Having enjoyed a stellar season, Neapolitans have been gearing up for weeks for the title celebration, casting aside their usual superstition about claiming victory before it happens.

Streamers, banners, flags, scarves and life-sized cardboard replicas of Napoli’s present-day footballers, including Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen and Georgian winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, have festooned the city centre.

The late Maradona is also still revered, celebrated on fans’ t-shirts, banners or tattoos, and on a giant mural in Naples’ Miracles Square that has become a major attraction in the countdown to the Scudetto.

Source: Reuters

4, May 2023

Ukraine War: White House says Kremlin ‘lying’ about US role in drone attack ⁰

The White House on Wednesday denied any involvement in an alleged drone attack on the Kremlin, after Russian spokesman Dmitry Peskov accused Washington of guiding Ukraine to launch the assault.

“We had nothing to do with this,” said John Kirby, spokesperson for the White House National Security Council, on MSNBC. “Peskov is just lying there, pure and simple,” he added.

Russia alleges that Ukraine carried out a “terrorist attack” overnight Tuesday into Wednesday with two drones, aiming to kill President Vladimir Putin, a charge which Kyiv has denied.

Kirby reiterated in his interview to MSNBC on Wednesday that Washington does not support or condone attacks by Ukraine outside its borders.

“We’ve been clear with them publicly and we’ve been clear with them privately that we do not encourage nor do we enable them to strike outside Ukraine,” he said.

Source: France 24

4, May 2023

Football: PSG fans protest over Messi saga, disappointing form ⁰

Hundreds of fans gathered at PSG on Wednesday to protest over the club’s current form and the Messi saga, as the Argentinian superstar’s future at PSG was plunged into doubt following his suspension, after he travelled to Saudi Arabia without the club’s permission.

When Lionel Messi arrived from his beloved Barcelona in 2021, PSG fans hoped he would transform the club into a Champions League powerhouse. But Messi has struggled to reproduce his best form at Qatar-backed Paris – even though he has scored 31 goals in 71 appearances in all competitions.

“We’re fed up with mercenaries! We must sack Messi! We must sack Nasser Al-Khelaifi (the club’s Qatari president),” supporters chanted.

“We are sincerely worried about the future and the sustainability of our club,” the team’s ‘ultras’ supporters said in a statement, adding “is there still a pilot on the plane?”

Meanwhile, several videos posted on Twitter appeared to show a group of supporters, dressed in black gathered in front of the home of Neymar, shouting abuse at their injured Brazilian superstar.

Declining form

This came after Messi was jeered by a section of the PSG support, who see him as a symbol of all the club have done wrong in focusing on superstar signings while failing to build a genuinely competitive team.

Messi’s form since leading Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar has declined along with that of most of the PSG team.

Their insipid performance against Lorient was a sixth defeat in 17 Ligue 1 matches in 2023.

They remain five points clear of Marseille at the top of the table with five games left, and are therefore still on course for a record 11th French title.

However, they were knocked out of the Champions League in the last 16 by Bayern Munich and also went out of the French Cup at the same stage to Marseille.

A source with knowledge of the disciplinary procedure told AFP that Argentina’s 35-year-old World-Cup winning captain, who is out of contract at the end of the season, would be sidelined for “several days”, while various media in France reported that he would be suspended for two weeks

“He cannot train, cannot play, and will not be paid while disciplinary measures are in place,” the source added.

Another source, also speaking on condition they were not identified, indicated that the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner would “probably” be sidelined for a fortnight, noting that “nobody is more important than the club”.

Messi played the whole game in PSG’s 3-1 home defeat by Lorient in Ligue 1 on Sunday.

He then travelled to Saudi Arabia to fulfil commercial commitments in his role as a tourism ambassador for the Gulf state.

The Saudi Tourism Authority said in a press release on Wednesday that Messi had “returned to Saudi for a second time, this time with his family” and had been treated to a demonstration of palm weaving and had fed Arabian gazelles.

As a result of the trip, Messi missed a training session scheduled for Monday following the weekend defeat.

The PSG squad were given a day off on Tuesday and Messi did not take part in training on Wednesday either.

‘Fed up with mercenaries’

PSG are due to return to league action away at struggling Troyes on Sunday, a game that Messi may now miss.

If he were to be sidelined for two weeks he would also sit out a home match against Ajaccio on May 13.

The disciplinary measures make the prospect of Messi staying in the French capital after his two-year deal expires at the end of this season even more remote.

Having at one point looked set to extend his stay for another year, a source close to the club told AFP last month that he was now “much more likely” to depart.

Source: AFP