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Belgium’s King Philippe ‘regrets’ colonial-era abuses in DRC

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Belgium's King Philippe

Belgium’s King Philippe expressed his “deepest regrets” for the pain inflicted during his country’s colonisation of the Democratic Republic of Congo, but stopped short of formally apologising for exploitation, racism and acts of violence.

“On the occasion of my first trip to the Congo… in front of the Congolese people and those who still suffer today, I wish to reaffirm my deepest regrets for the wounds of the past,” King Philippe said Wednesday, addressing a joint session of parliament in the capital, Kinshasa.

“Even though many Belgians were sincerely committed to loving the Congo and its people deeply, the colonial regime was based on exploitation and domination,” he said, during his first visit to Congo since taking the throne in 2013.

“This regime was one of unequal relations, in itself unjustifiable, marked by paternalism, discrimination and racism.” Philippe’s speech comes two years after he wrote similar regrets in a letter to mark the 60th anniversary of Congo’s independence, going further than any of his predecessors in condemning “acts of violence and cruelty” during Belgium’s colonial rule.

Credit: rfi

Queen Elizabeth becomes 2nd-longest serving monarch

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Queen Elizabeth

The Queen has become the second-longest serving sovereign monarch in history.

As of Monday, she has been on the throne for 70 years and 127 days, second only to Louis XIV of France who became king at the age of four. She overtakes Thailand’s King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who died in 2016, having equalled his reign on Sunday.

She had officially reached 70 years of rule on 6 February, with the extended bank holiday weekend chosen for the Jubilee events. Many of the events – including a pageant, Trooping the Colour and a star-studded concert at Buckingham Palace – involved an outdoor element more suited to summer months. If the Queen is still reigning in May 2024 she would take the title of the longest reigning monarch of a sovereign state.

Louis XIV’s reign of 72 years and 110 days was from 1643 to 1715. But he only started to rule personally in his 20s, in 1661.

The Queen became monarch at the age of 25, following the death of her father in the early hours of 6 February 1952.

Credit: bbc.com

Amnesty accuses Russia of war crimes in Kharkiv

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Amnesty accuses Russia

Amnesty International has accused Russia of war crimes during its efforts to capture the north-eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv.

In a new 40-page report, Amnesty has documented the alleged use of cluster munitions and other indiscriminate means of attack.

“The repeated bombardments of residential neighbourhoods in Kharkiv are indiscriminate attacks which killed and injured hundreds of civilians, and as such constitute war crimes,” the report said.
“This is true both for the strikes carried out using cluster as well as those conducted using other types of unguided rockets and unguided artillery shells, which are indiscriminate when used in the vicinity of concentrations of civilians.”

Amnesty’s researchers say they “documented seven strikes in different areas of Kharkiv, where they found fins and pellets of 9N210 or 9N235 cluster munitions.”

Amnesty also said that Russia has used the PTM-1S, “a small, scatterable anti-personnel mine.”

Donatella Rovera, Amnesty International’s senior crisis response adviser, said that the investigation was “further indication of utter disregard for civilian lives.”

Credit: cnn.com

Controversial ‘Tik Tok King’ vying for Colombia’s presidency

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Colombia's Rodolfo Hernandez

Millions of Colombian voters are poised to take a step into the unknown next week, as they invest their hopes in a controversial figure who they believe will help the country reinvent itself politically. Rodolfo Hernandez shocked much of Colombia by producing a surprise, second-place result in the first round of the country’s presidential elections in late May, garnering 28 percent of the vote. That secured his place in the upcoming June 19 runoff against left-wing, former armed group member Gustavo Petro.

The 77-year-old construction tycoon is not a typical presidential candidate in Colombia, where for the last few decades politics have been largely centred on Uribismo, a brand of conservatism ushered in by former President Alvaro Uribe, who still holds significant political sway.

Hernandez is aware of his differences and brandishes them with pride. He is brash, controversial, and foul-mouthed, and has built his presidential campaign around his position as a political outsider and straight-shooting “regular Joe”.

Credit: Aljazeera.com

UK’s plan to deport refugees to Rwanda faces last-gasp challenge

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UK PM Boris Johnson

London’s courts have begun to hear two last-minute legal challenges to block the British government’s controversial policy to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda.

The government is promising to push ahead with the planeload of 31 claimants on a chartered flight on Tuesday from an undisclosed airport.

The authorities have not provided details of those selected for deportation, but charities say they include people fleeing Afghanistan and Syria.

It defeated an attempt to halt the plan on Friday in the High Court, brought by two refugee charities and a trade union which called it immoral, dangerous and counterproductive.

But the same groups have filed an emergency appeal for Monday, alongside a separate legal challenge, and have been heartened by Prince Charles reportedly dubbing the plan “appalling”.

Alongside the Court of Appeal hearings, the High Court is separately hearing arguments from Asylum Aid, a refugee charity, which launched a second legal challenge to stop the government from flying refugees to Rwanda.

Credit: Aljazeera.com

EU chief meets Zelensky to discuss Ukraine EU membership bid

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European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen

European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen visited Ukraine on Saturday for discussions with President Volodymyr Zelensky about his country’s bid to join the continental bloc. Kyiv has been pushing for rapid admission to the European Union.

Officials have, however, cautioned that the road to membership is a long one, which can take decades.

Ukraine sees the prospect of joining the EU as a way of reducing its geopolitical vulnerability, which has been exposed by Russia’s invasion.

“With President Zelensky I will take stock of the joint work needed for reconstruction and of the progress made by Ukraine on its European path,” von der Leyen tweeted on arrival in Kyiv.

She told journalists that the discussions “will feed into our assessment” of Ukraine’s readiness to be considered a candidate country to begin lengthy negotiations, including needed reforms.

That assessment by her commission will be presented soon, she said, without given any timeframe. EU commissioners and officials are expected to examine Ukraine’s bid next week, ahead of a summit later this month.

Von der Leyen’s trip to Kyiv is her second since the Russian invasion in February.

Credit: rfi

French president Macron, PSG push for Zidane

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Zinedine Zidane

Zinedine Zidane‘s name has emerged again as potential suitor to succeed Mauricio Pochettino in the Paris Saint-Germain dugout despite the club not having communicated their decision to part ways with the Argentine in the summer.

Even French president Emmanuel Macron has publicly expressed his desire to see Zidane work with a French club, as he had previously done with Kylian Mbappe, whom he advised to renew his contract with PSG.

The Ligue 1 club have decided to push for Zidane‘s appointment, with the French coach having revealed in the past that he wants to coach Les Blues.

Zidane‘s potential arrival at PSG has nothing to do with Mbappe‘s renewal.

The financial offer and the possibility of taking over a project that offers him control are the factors that could lure the three-time Champions League winner to PSG.

Other potential suitors have emerged, but the Qatari owners are believed to favour Zidane.

Credit: marca.com

Arsenal sign Brazilian teenager from Sao Paulo

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Marquinhos

Arsenal have confirmed the signing of 19-year-old Brazilian forward Marquinhos from Sao Paulo.

The Gunners say the Brazil Under-17 international has joined the Premier League club on a long-term contract.

The Sao Paulo youth product made his first-team debut as an 18-year-old last July before helping them win the regional Campeonato Paulista in 2021.

“He is still very young, so he is a player for the future,” said Arsenal’s technical director Edu.

He scored four goals in 41 appearances for Sao Paulo and has also represented Brazil at Under-16 level.

“Marquinhos was a player we had been watching for a while,” Edu added.

“We look forward to him now joining us for pre-season, making his new home, and continuing to grow and develop with us.”

Credit: bbc.com

Leipzig slap £100m price tag on Christopher Nkunku to ward off transfer interests

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Christopher Nkunku

RB Leipzig have put a £100million price tag on star forward ‘s head as they look to price interested clubs out of a deal. Nkunku is one of the hottest properties in Europe after scoring a superb 35 goals in 52 appearances in all competitions last season.

The 24-year-old has been linked with moves to Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool, and his former club Paris Saint-Germain.

But as reported by the Independent, the Bundesliga side are aiming to ward off interest by demanding nine figures from any suitors.

The five cap France international is thought to prefer a stay at the Red Bull Arena this season, with Leipzig believed to have convinced him to sign a new contract with a release clause to keep him for one more year.

However, that could mean a long transfer saga next season as plenty of European heavyweights vie for his signature.

The Reds’ interest is expected to end after they agreed an £85m deal for Benfica striker Darwin Nunez.

However, United missing out on the Uruguayan means they reportedly considered a firm approach for Nkunku.

Credit: dailymail.co.uk

Manchester City finally announce £51m signing of Haaland

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Erling Haaland

Manchester City have confirmed the signing of Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund in a £51million deal. Haaland, one of the world’s most sought-after players, will officially join City from Borussia Dortmund on a five-year contract on July 1.

City said on May 10 that they had reached an agreement in principle with Dortmund to sign the 21-year-old and the club announced on Monday that the deal is complete.

‘This is a proud day for me and my family,’ said Haaland. ‘I have always watched City and have loved doing so in recent seasons. You can’t help but admire their style of play, it’s exciting and they create a lot of chances, which is perfect for a player like me.

‘There are so many world-class players in this squad and Pep is one of the greatest managers of all-time, so I believe I am in the right place to fulfil my ambitions.

‘I want to score goals, win trophies, and improve as a footballer and I am confident I can do that here. This is a great move for me, and I can’t wait to get started in pre-season.’

Haaland is one of the most prolific goalscorers in world football and has netted 86 times in 89 appearances for Dortmund during two-and-a-half years there.

City had been waiting for Haaland to finish international duty with Norway and the official opening of the transfer window before unveiling their marquee signing.

The Athletic reports the club have planned a special event to reveal Haaland to the world, similar to those given to the likes of Jack Grealish and Riyad Mahrez.

Credit: dailymail.co.uk

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