Niger reopens land and air borders with five neighbouring countries, junta announces on TV

The Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff (CCDS) of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) will meet in Abuja from August 2nd to 4th, 2023 on the political situation in the Republic of Niger.

The CCDS is meeting following the decision of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government at their Extraordinary Session held on the 30th of July 2023 in Abuja, Nigeria.

Saaaadiiiioooooooo MANÉ! 🦁🗣️

#ManéIsYellow 🤩💛

Since July 26, 2023, the people of Guinea, headed by the National Committee of the Rally for Development (CNRD), have been following with great interest the evolution of the socio-political situation in the sister Republic of Niger, which has led to the assumption of responsibility by the National Council for the Safeguarding of the Fatherland (CNSP).

The Guinean authorities pay tribute to the brave populations of Niger for their high sense of patriotism and salute the republican spirit and maturity of the Defence and Security Forces who favoured the best interests of their nation by choosing to come together to find solutions to Niger’s problems.

The CNRD remains convinced that the new authorities will make every effort to guarantee stability and harmony in Niger and the Sub-Region.

The sanctions and measures advocated by ECOWAS, including military intervention, are options that cannot be a solution to the current problem but would lead to a human disaster whose consequences could go beyond the borders of Niger.

As a result, the CNRD refrains from applying these illegitimate and inhumane sanctions against the brotherly people and the Nigerien authorities, and urges ECOWAS to return to dialogue.

The Republic of Guinea reaffirms with this communiqué its pan-Africanist vision by bringing its solidarity to the Nigerien population and inviting the new CNSP authorities to preserve unity and national cohesion.

The CNRD emphasises that a military intervention against Niger would de facto lead to the disintegration of ECOWAS. Similarly, the brother peoples of Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger and Guinea aspire to more recognition and respect for their sovereignty.

In addition, the CNRD wishes to clarify that the sanctions taken and the threats made at the summit of July 30, 2023 do not in any way commit the Republic of Guinea.

At a time when the young populations of the ECOWAS area are experiencing a human tragedy in Tunisia and the Mediterranean, the concern of the leaders of the sub-region should be more oriented towards strategic, socio-economic issues for the achievement of their aspirations than to look at the fate of the ousted presidents.

Nigeria's Super Falcons are set to earn a massive payday after securing a place in the second round of the Women's World Cup.

Stars of Nigeria’s Super Falcons will have even more reason to celebrate their qualification for the Round of 16 of the Women’s World Cup apart from doing their country proud as they have now earned a massive payday as well.

Super Falcons qualify for Round of 16
For reaching the second round and being ranked between 9th to 16th, the Super Falcons are guaranteed at least $1,380,00 in prize money to be shared amongst the players, a figure that could rise depending on their progress in the competition.

The money promised to teams that reach the round of 16 by FIFA will amount to $60,000 per player when divided amongst the 23 Super Falcons squad members.

This comes to double the amount that the players were set to receive for playing in the group stages alone and will certainly serve as extra motivation for the Super Falcons to go even further.

Super Falcons eyeing huge payday
As they progress, the Super Falcons will enjoy larger financial rewards, and will see their earnings rise by another $30,000 to become $90,000 if they are able to scale past their round of 16 opponents.

If they go all the way to win the competition, each player on the Super Falcons’ team will receive up to $270,000 in prize money, the largest payout in Women’s World Cup history.

The Super Falcons still have a long way to go to reach the payday, but they will be quietly confident after pulling off major surprises already in the group stage.

The United States is deeply concerned about today’s developments in Niger. We strongly condemn any effort to detain or subvert the functioning of Niger’s democratically elected government, led by President Bazoum. We specifically urge elements of the presidential guard to release President Bazoum from detention and refrain from violence. We welcome the strong statements and steps taken by the Economic Community of West African States and the African Union to defend Niger’s democracy. We are closely monitoring the situation to ensure the safety of our citizens.

Niger is a critical partner for the United States. We have shared values on democracy and human rights, and collaborate to advance regional security and prosperity, and our substantial cooperation with the Government of Niger is predicated on Niger’s continued commitment to democratic standards.

Early this Wednesday morning, elements of the Presidential Guard (GP) engaged in an anti-Republican mood movement and tried in vain to obtain the support of the National Armed Forces and the National Guard.

The President of the Republic and his family are doing well.
The Army and the National Guard are ready to attack the elements of the GP involved in this mood swing if they do not return to better feelings.

Niger President Mohamed Bazoum detained by guards: source close to Bazoum

UPDATE: Report indicates that the President and Minister of Interior among others are under arrest, terms are being discussed, the main condition is for Bazoum to step down.

Dozens of prison guards in Ecuador are being held against their will by inmates in five jails, according to the country’s prison service Snai.

Prisoners took the guards hostage after a deadly fight between gangs in Guayas jail left six dead on the weekend, according to BBC.

Inmates at more than a dozen jails have also gone on hunger strike, Snai said in a statement and wars between rival gangs have turned many of Ecuador’s prisons into death traps for those inside.

The latest bout of violence broke out at Guayas jail in the port city of Guayaquil on Saturday night. Officials said members of two rival gangs confronted each other, leaving six dead and 11 injured.

The unrest then spread to other jails across the country. The governor of Azuay province, Consuelo Orellana, said 53 prison guards were being held hostage in Turi jail in the city of Cuenca alone.

BBC reported that the prison service said the hostages were “in good shape” and that every effort was being made to free them.

Orellana said the violence had broken out “in reaction” to the deadly riot in Guayas jail.

Many of Ecuador’s prisons are severely overcrowded and the authorities struggle to keep members of rival gangs separate.

Hundreds of inmates have been killed in deadly gang fights in recent years. Attacks on rivals are often coordinated and riots often break out in prisons across different states simultaneously.

In other cases, a deadly fight in one prison triggers revenge attacks in other jails.

The government has struggled to contain the violence which has blighted the prisons and the country as a whole.

On Monday, President Guillermo Lasso declared a state of emergency and night curfews in three coastal provinces after a spate of murders over the weekend, including the killing of the mayor of the city of Manta. The measure will be in force for 60 days.

The body of a missing paddleboarder recovered from a pond in Martha's Vineyard on Monday morning was an employee of former President Barack Obama, the Massachusetts State Police (MSP) said.

Divers for the MSP Underwater Recovery Unit retrieved the body of 45-year-old Tafari Campbell at Edgartown Great Pond.

“Tafari was a beloved part of our family. When we first met him, he was a talented sous chef at the White House --creative and passionate about food, and its ability to bring people together," President Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama said in a statement. "In the years that followed, we got to know him as a warm, fun, extraordinarily kind person who made all of our lives a little brighter."

The Obamas asked Campbell to continue working with them after they left the White House and he "generously agreed," they said in a statement.

"He’s been part of our lives ever since, and our hearts are broken that he’s gone. Today we join everyone who knew and loved Tafari -- especially his wife Sherise and their twin boys, Xavier and Savin -- in grieving the loss of a truly wonderful man."

Campbell was visiting Martha's Vineyard at the time of his death, police said. The Obamas were not at the home when the incident occurred, according to MSP.

The victim's body was located by Massachusetts Environmental Police Officers, according to MSP.

The underwater recovery unit retrieved the victim's body about 100 feet from the shore and 8 feet underwater, according to state police.

The paddleboarder went missing in the pond on Sunday, but authorities suspended the search after several hours to "allow dive teams, flight crews, and other responders to re-equip and assess next steps" after they could not find the man, MSP said.

The Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit is investigating the incident for the Cape and Islands District and Edgartown Police.

Samuel Chukwueze to AC Milan, here we go! Documents are being exchanged and checked between AC Milan and Villarreal 🚨🔴⚫️ #ACMilan

Chukwueze will sign the contract this week — valid until June 2028.

Fee around €20m plus €8m add ons.

Medical booked later this week.

PSG have accepted Al Hilal's £259m offer for Kylian Mbappe

A soldier in northeastern Congo opened fire on family members and others who had buried his son before he could arrive home to attend the ceremony, killing 13 people, including 10 children, officials said Sunday.

The attack late Saturday left the soldier's wife, in-laws and two of his children dead, before he turned his weapon on other civilians, said Lt. Jules Ngongo, a spokesman for the army in Ituri province, where the killings took place.

The soldier was not identified.

The soldier arrived home from his post at another village in the province to find family and community members gathered in mourning for his son, who died Thursday of natural causes, said Baraka Muguwa Oscar, the local village chief.

“This soldier did not like the fact that his son … was buried without his approval and in his absence,” Oscar said.

Elements of the Congolese army were dispatched to apprehend the soldier, a member of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo, or FARDC, who fled the scene after the attack.

“No matter what the case, the time or the circumstances, you can’t take a person’s life. This is an act of indiscipline that will be dealt with by the courts,” said Ngongo, the army spokesperson.

Fighting in eastern Congo has been simmering for decades as more than 120 groups fight for power, land and valuable mineral resources, while others try to defend their communities. Earlier this week, the United Nations warned of a surge in violence in the country’s northeast.

Twitter is set for a rebrand, if its owner Elon Musk is to be believed.

And soon we shall bid adieu to the twitter brand and, gradually, all the birds

_{https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1682964919325724673?t=8OGQBfPjcbSjW_4UL5DlVA&s=19}

The change might come as soon as Monday. In a follow-up tweet, Musk said: "If a good enough X logo is posted tonight, we’ll make [it] go live worldwide tomorrow."

"It should have been done a long time ago," Musk said in a Twitter Spaces audio chat, according to a Reuters report.

The X probably refers to Twitter's business name X Corp. Musk also posted a tweet of a flickering X.

The rebrand is the latest change to Twitter by Musk since he acquired the company in October 2022 for $44 billion. Since taking over, Musk has made big changes to how Twitter works and has laid off large parts of the company's staff.

In early July, Musk imposed stricter limits on the number of tweets Twitter users can view in a day. Under the new restrictions, verified accounts are limited to reading 6,000 posts per day, unverified accounts to 600 posts per day and new unverified accounts to 300 posts per day.

A new Twitter CEO, Linda Yaccarino, took over the role from Musk last month. Upon her appointment, Musk said Yaccarino would “focus primarily on business operations,” while he would stay focused on “product design and technology.”

Barcelona legend Samuel Eto'o has been accused of match-fixing in Cameroon.

According to Camfoot, Eto'o, who is the president of the Cameroonian Football Federation (Fecafoot), allegedly promised to promote second division club Victoria United by manipulating matches.

Victoria United ended up getting promoted, with the federation ruling that the previous season's runner-up Stade de Bertoua was ineligible.

Recordings reportedly emerged in which Eto'o told Victoria's president Valentine Gwain, that he would help the team get promoted by manipulating referees.

Eto'o said: 'There are things we can do, but you have to be very discreet, brother.

^{Former Barcelona striker Samuel Eto'o has been accused of match-fixing in Cameroon}
'I haven't even had time to get home yet. I'm out, bro. I haven't had time to get home and work with the president (of the Cameroonian referee's association) because I can't call the refs directly and tell them to be careful. But I can work with the president.'

The conversation is said to have happened after Victoria lost 1-0 in December 2022, with Gwain interrupting the game to complain about the officiating.

Eto'o was reportedly heard saying: 'Opopo (Victoria United's nickname) must go up to the first division. This is our goal (…) This is our Federation. Victoria United will go up.

'Stay calm, we will grant you the three points and we suspend the referee. But let me at least go back to Cameroon. He arrived on the 3rd (January) at night. So we'll see you in the office on the 4th. Anyway, I'm going to rule out and disqualify this referee'.

Eto'o went on to explain the importance of having a good relationship with the president of the league.

He said: 'He has the power. From there, he with his commissions will be able to suspend even the president of the referees.

'Our club, Opopo, must go up to the first division, that is our objective.'

Eto'o, who also played for Inter Milan and Chelsea, scored 56 goals in 114 caps for Cameroon.

He was elected as the president of Fecafoot in December 2021.

Mail Sport have reached out to Eto'o and the Cameroonian FA for comment. The story has also been reported by Mundo Deportivo and L'Equipe.

<sup>Eto'o reportedly told Victoria United that he would help them to get promoted to the top flight

In recordings Eto'o is said to have expressed the importance of having a good relationship with the president of the league

During his spell at Barcelona from 2004 to 2009, Eto'o scored 130 goals in 199 appearances</sup>

The government has agreed to execute the International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant against Russian President Vladimir Putin if he ever sets foot in the country.

The DA went to the Gauteng High Court on Friday to force government to commit to arresting Putin.

The Department of Justice further agreed to pay the costs of the legal application, which was initially launched by the DA to compel government to arrest Putin if he were to attend the BRICS summit in Johannesburg next month.

Government announced this week that Putin would not physically travel to South Africa and would participate in the summit virtually.

The Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union, COEASU has directed its members to work for only two days a week, until the federal government yields to its demand for a 200% salary increase following the difficulty of its members to get to work as a result of the hike in the price of petrol.

In a release after its extra-ordinary executive meeting, COEASU President, Smart Olugbeko said the over 250 percent hike in Petrol prices increased the price of food transportation and other services is a huge challenge for its members.

COEASU expressed concern that salaries were last increased in Colleges of Education in 2010, when a litre of fuel was between 65 and 70.

The Union described as ridiculous, the government’s avoiding the negotiation table, after it proposed a 35% salary increase against 200% put forward by organised labour.

COEASU warns that if something urgent is not done, Nigerian students will end up bearing the brunt as semesters will because longer in the face of the shortened work schedule of lecturers.

Putin will not attend BRICS summit

Women’s hurdles world record-holder, Tobi Amusan, on Wednesday said she has been charged with an alleged anti-doping rule violation, casting doubt on her participation in next month’s world championships.

“Today the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) has charged me with an alleged rule violation for having 3 missed tests in 12 months,” she said in a post on Instagram.

The Nigerian athlete set the current world record for the women’s 100m hurdles of 12.12 seconds at last year’s World Athletics Championships.

Amusan, 26, vowed to resolve the charges against her before this year’s competition, set to be held next month in Budapest.

“I intend to fight this charge and will have my case decided by a tribunal of 3 arbitrators before the start of next month’s World Championships,” she said.

“I am a CLEAN ATHLETE, and I am regularly; (maybe more than the usual) tested by the AIU – I was tested within days of my third ‘missed test.’ I have FAITH that this will be resolved in my favour and that I will be competing at the World Championships in August.”

On Sunday, Amusan took part in the Silesia Diamond League competition in Poland, where she set a new meeting record of 12.34sec.

At the Golden Spike athletics meet in the Czech Republic last month, she finished in third place in the women’s 100m hurdles, losing to reigning Olympic champion Jasmine Camacho-Quinn of Puerto Rico, who claimed victory in 12.42sec.

When asked by reporters about improving her world record pace, she said: “Nothing is impossible and 11 seconds? Most definitely”.

But she was less confident about an ongoing debate on raising hurdles to give priority to technique over speed.

“Don’t do that, don’t raise the hurdles. Please,” said Amusan, who is 5’1 (156 centimetres) tall.

Bayern Munich have made a frankly ridiculous start to pre-season after walloping 27 goals past German ninth tier side Rottach-Egern.

They were 18-0 up at half-time in a contest that resembled more of a slasher film than a football match, with Bayern's barely-tested superstars controlling over 85% of possession.

Despite the gulf in class, Bayern boss Thomas Tuchel fielded a strong side, with the likes of Sadio Mane, Jamal Musiala, Serge Gnabry, Alphonso Davies, Marcel Sabitzer, Kingsley Coman, Leroy Sane and Dayot Upamecano all featuring.

Sabitzer, Musiala and 18-year-old French forward Mathys Tel netted five goals each, and were among a whopping 13 goalscorers on the day. The floodgates opened in the fourth minute and the Bundesliga giants went on to score a goal, on average, once every three-and-half minutes after that.

Fans watching the game could barely believe their eyes, with hundreds of them flooding to social media to come to grips with what was going on.

"This is most insane half of football I've ever seen," one staggered fan tweeted. Another joked: "Bayern woke up today and chose violence," while a third said: "This is the closest thing to a massacre you're ever going to get."

"So Bayern's pre-season is going well," another commented, while a fellow fan added: "12th Bundesliga in a row incoming."

Putin has been invited to a BRICS summit in Johannesburg next month but is the target of an International Criminal Court arrest warrant.

[quote]Arresting Vladimir Putin would amount to a declaration of war on Russia, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa wrote in court papers released on Tuesday as the country wrangles over hosting the Russian leader.

Putin has been invited to a BRICS summit in Johannesburg next month but is the target of an International Criminal Court arrest warrant — a provision that Pretoria as an ICC member would be expected to implement were he to attend.

South Africa’s diplomatic dilemma is playing out in court, where the leading opposition party, the Democratic Alliance (DA), is trying to force the government’s hand and ensure the Kremlin leader is held and handed over to the ICC if he steps foot in the country.

But in a responding affidavit, Ramaphosa described the DA’s application as “irresponsible” and said national security was at stake.

“Russia has made it clear that arresting its sitting President would be a declaration of war,” he said.

“It would be inconsistent with our Constitution to risk engaging in war with Russia,” he said, adding that this would go against his duty to protect the country.


South Africa is seeking an exemption under ICC rules based on the fact that enacting the arrest could threaten the “security, peace and order of the state,” he said.

South Africa is the current chair of the BRICS group, a gathering of heavyweights that also includes Brazil, Russia, India and China, which sees itself as a counter-balance to Western economic domination.

Putin is sought by the ICC over accusations that Russia unlawfully deported Ukrainian children.

Deputy South African President Paul Mashatile has said in recent interviews with local media the Government has been trying to persuade Putin not to come — but so far unsuccessfully.

Signed in June and initially marked as “confidential”, Ramaphosa’s affidavit was published on Tuesday, after the court ruled related papers be made public.

After discussions with the manager today he has informed me he is changing captain. He outlined his reasons to me and whilst I’m personally extremely disappointed, I will continue to give my all every time I wear the shirt.

So I wanted to say a massive thank you to the Manchester United fans for all their brilliant support whilst I’ve been wearing the armband.

Since the day I took on the role, three and half years ago, it’s been a huge privilege to lead Manchester United and one of the proudest moments of my career to date. It’s one of the greatest honours in club football. I’ve done everything I possibly could to help United be successful - on and off the field.

I will always be grateful to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer for first giving me the responsibility and I wish whoever now takes it on every success and they will have my full support.

Harry

obembet:
Op! Never in your life mention Cristiano Rolando name with Adding Greatest footballer if all time

Let me warm you for the last time.


God bless all the CR7 fans across the 🌍

For the first time since 2017 (and third time overall), Cristiano Ronaldo has topped Forbes’ list of the world’s highest-paid athletes, earning himself a Guinness World Records title for the highest annual earnings for an athlete in 2023.

In the 12 months leading up to 1 May 2023 (the date by which most sports seasons are concluded), Ronaldo is estimated to have earned $136 million (£107.5 M).

Ronaldo takes the title from Messi, who was the highest-paid athlete of 2022 with an estimated $130 million (£103 M).

Ronaldo’s record-breaking income is comprised of $46 million (£35 M) in on-field earnings and $90 million (£68.5 M) in off-field earnings.

Following a somewhat underwhelming second spell at Manchester United, Ronaldo departed in January 2023 to Saudi Arabian team Al-Nassr. He received a bumper contract which nearly doubled his salary to an estimated $75 million (£57 M).

However, his on-field earnings are dwarfed by his off-field earnings. In addition to his lifetime contract with Nike, Ronaldo also makes money through his CR7-branded merchandise.

Forbes calculates athletes’ earnings based on data obtained from industry insiders, news reports and salary databases.

The on-field earnings figures include salaries, prize money and bonuses, whilst the off-field earnings are an estimate of sponsorship deals, appearance fees, memorabilia and licensing income, plus cash returns from any businesses in which the athlete has a significant interest.

They do not include interest payments or dividends from investment income, but they do account for payouts from equity stakes which athletes have sold.

Rounding out the top three highest paid athletes of 2022-23 are two other football/soccer players: Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé.

Messi came in second with $130 million, split evenly between $65 million in on-field earnings and $65 million in off-field earnings.

In comparison, Mbappé’s on-field earnings of $100 million contribute heavily to his total of $120 million.

LeBron James, in fourth place with $119 million ($44.5 M on-court earnings; $75 M off-court), set a record for the highest annual earnings for a basketball player in 2023, whilst fifth-placed Canelo Alvarez set a record for the highest annual earnings for a boxer in 2023 with $110 million ($100 M in-ring earnings; $10 M outside).

Elsewhere, despite both retiring in September 2022, Roger Federer and Serena Williams had the highest annual earnings for a male tennis player in 2023 and the highest annual earnings for a female tennis player in 2023 respectively.

Roger, who placed ninth on the overall list, earned a total of $95.1 million, although this was almost entirely comprised of $95 million in off-court earnings, compared to just $100,000 in on-court earnings.

Similarly, Serena, in 49th place, earned a total of $45.3 million, made up of $45 million in off-court earnings and $300,000 on-court.

American actors are poised to go on strike after negotiations between parties broke down.

Actors' trade union SAG-AFTRA - who represent 160,000 performers - say they have voted unanimously to recommend a strike after talks with Hollywood studios failed to reach an agreement. The vote will take place later today.

Writers in America have now been striking for two months, and should the actors' strike go ahead, it would be the first time since 1960 that both guilds have walked out simultaneously.

Two of the actors' big demands are higher pay and safeguards against unauthorised use of their images through artificial intelligence (AI).

A statement from SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher called the studio's response to actors' demands "insulting and disrespectful," claiming they had been "stonewalled completely" on certain issues.

She said: "SAG-AFTRA negotiated in good faith and was eager to reach a deal that sufficiently addressed performer needs, but the AMPTP's responses to the union's most important proposals have been insulting and disrespectful of our massive contributions to this industry.

"The companies have refused to meaningfully engage on some topics and on others completely stonewalled us. Until they do negotiate in good faith, we cannot begin to reach a deal. We have no choice but to move forward in unity, and on behalf of our membership, with a strike recommendation to our National Board. The board will discuss the issue this morning and will make its decision."

President Joe Biden said this week that Ukraine is not yet ready to join NATO, calling the prospect of its membership in the international alliance “premature” amid its war with Russia.

“I don’t think it’s ready for membership in NATO,” Biden said in an interview with CNN’s Fareed Zakaria that aired Sunday. “I don’t think there is unanimity in NATO about whether or not to bring Ukraine into the NATO family now, at this moment, in the middle of a war.”

Biden added that Ukraine still has work to do to meet all of the qualifications for membership, cautioning the process is “going to take a while.” But he reiterated his pledge to provide the country with security guarantees in the interim, stressing that the U.S. would ensure Ukraine has the weaponry it needs to defend itself against Russia.

Biden’s vow came shortly after he agreed to send cluster munitions to Ukraine, overriding humanitarian concerns about the bombs by arguing that it was crucial to provide Kyiv with more artillery. The president on Sunday left for an international trip that will include the NATO summit in Lithuania, where he will seek to rally the organization’s support for Ukraine.

“It was a very difficult decision on my part,” Biden said of approving the cluster munitions. “But the main thing is, they either have the weapons to stop the Russians now from their — keep them from stopping the Ukrainian offensive through these areas, or they don’t. And I think they needed them.”

Biden during the interview also expressed optimism that Sweden would soon gain entry to NATO, and touted the alliance’s ability to remain united in the face of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

“I believe Putin has had an overwhelming objective from the time he launched 185,000 troops into Ukraine, and that was to break NATO,” he said. “So holding NATO together is really critical.”

During the wide-ranging discussion, Biden also was asked about the White House’s posture toward China. The president said he was confident the U.S. could reach a “stable point” with its international rival and would work toward establishing a “working relationship with China that benefits them and us.” But he also indicated he believes that China’s overarching goal is to become the largest economic and military power in the world.

“China has enormous potential capacity, but enormous problems as well,” he said. “I think there’s a way we can work through this.”

Biden warned Chinese President Xi Jinping against providing more support to Russia in its war against Ukraine, he added, emphasizing the economic blow if American corporations pulled out of the nation at the same pace as they have in Russia.

“I said, this is not a threat, this is an observation,” Biden said. “And if you notice, he has not gone full-bore on Russia.”

Biden also waved away questions about his age amid concerns over the ability for an 81-year-old seeking reelection to excite the Democratic base ahead of the 2024 election, arguing that he possesses “wisdom” only gained through his decades in politics.

“We’re uniting democracies,” he said, pointing to the continued support for Ukraine across Europe. “I think we have enormous opportunities. And I just want to finish the job, and I think we can do that in the next six years.”

President Joe Biden announced Friday that the United States has fully destroyed its decades-old stockpiles of chemical weapons, a milestone hailed as completing the elimination around the world of all known stores of the agents of mass death.

"Today, I am proud to announce that the United States has safely destroyed the final munition in that stockpile -- bringing us one step closer to a world free from the horrors of chemical weapons," Biden said.

The United States was the last of the signatories of the Chemical Weapons Convention, which came into effect in 1997, to complete the task of destroying their "declared" stockpiles, though some states are believed to maintain secret reserves of chemical weapons.

The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons called the milestone a "historic success" of disarmament, more than one century after the uncontrolled use of chemical gases during World War I produced mass deaths and maiming of troops.

The US announcement meant that all the world's declared chemical weapons stockpiles were "verified as irreversibly destroyed," the OPCW said.

"I congratulate all States Parties, and the United States of America in this instance, on this major achievement for the international community," said OPCW Director-General Fernando Arias.

Biden said it was the first time "an entire category of declared weapons of mass destruction" has been verified as destroyed.

- Lethal mustard gas, sarin, VX -
The announcement came after the Blue Grass Army Depot, a US Army facility in Kentucky, recently completed its four-year job of eliminating some 500 tonnes of lethal chemical agents, the last batch held by the US military.

The US had held for decades stores of artillery projectiles and rockets that contained mustard gases, VX and sarin nerve agents, and blister agents.

Such weapons were condemned widely after their use with horrendous results in World War I.

They were not used significantly in World War II, but many countries retained and further developed them in the years afterward.

The most prominent use since the 1970s was Iraq's nerve gas attacks on Iran during their war in the 1980s.

More recently, the Syrian regime of Bashar al-Assad used chemical weapons on opponents during the country's civil war, according to the OPCW and other bodies.

- Doubly dangerous work -
The Chemical Weapons Convention, agreed in 1993 and coming into effect in 1997, gave the United States until September 30 this year to destroy all of its chemical agents and munitions.

Other signatories to the pact had already eliminated their holdings -- altogether some 72,000 tonnes since the treaty came into effect, according to the OPCW.

According to the US Arms Control Association, in 1990 the United States held nearly 28,600 tonnes of chemical weapons, the world's second largest store after Russia.

With the ebb of the Cold War the superpowers and other countries joined together to negotiate the Chemical Weapons Convention.

Eliminating the stockpiles, doubly dangerous because it means neutralizing not only the chemical agents but also the munitions they are contained in, was a slow process.

Russia completed destroying its declared stockpiles in 2017.

By April 2022, the US had less than 600 tonnes left to destroy.

Biden called for continued vigilance to ensure all chemical weapons around the world are destroyed and for the four countries that haven't signed or ratified the treaty -- Egypt, Israel, North Korea and South Sudan -- to do so.

Currently four signatory countries are considered not in compliance on suspicion of having undeclared stockpiles: Myanmar, Iran, Russia and Syria.

"Russia and Syria should return to compliance with the Chemical Weapons Convention and admit their undeclared programs, which have been used to commit brazen atrocities and attacks," Biden said.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva criticised the appointment of Carlo Ancelotti as the new Brazil football coach, claiming he would be better off sorting out the Italian national team's problems.

Italian Ancelotti, who has won the Champions League a record four times as a coach, will take charge prior to the Copa America in the United States next June after honouring the final year of his contract with Real Madrid.

"I admire Ancelotti, but he has never been Italy's national coach," Lula told TV station SBT on Thursday.

"Why does he not resolve Italy's problem, who did not qualify for the 2022 World Cup?" added the 77-year-old.

In the interim, Fluminense coach Fernando Diniz will be in charge of Brazil for their opening 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

"I am a fan of Diniz," said Lula. "He has the personality, the creativity and it is he who commands the dressing room."

The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) has opted for 64-year-old Ancelotti believing one of the most successful coaches in European football history will deliver them their sixth World Cup trophy but first since 2002.

The desire is even greater after bitter rivals Argentina won in Qatar last December.

Brazil were knocked out in the quarterfinals and coach Tite stepped down.

"It is very easy to coach a club in Europe with 11 international players in the team," said Lula.

"What is difficult is to come here and to coach Corinthians (who are in danger of relegation from the top league).

"I would like to see if Ancelotti did a good job with Corinthians."

Lula is pessimistic that no matter who the coach is they will have a tough time in the World Cup qualifiers with the present generation of Brazil players.

"The problem is not Diniz, the problem is we do not possess today the level of players we had in previous eras," said Lula.

Ancelotti will be the fourth non-Brazilian to coach Brazil. The last was Argentine Filpo Nunez who was in charge for one game in 1965.

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Carlo Ancelotti will become the head coach of Brazil from June 2024! Fernando Diniz has been hired as head coach of Brazil's national team on a 12-month contract 🇧🇷

Executives at the Brazilian Football Confederation have indicated the intention is to wait a season and then bring in Ancelotti to lead the team into the 2026 World Cup 🏆

Real Madrid's Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti is set to become the first foreigner in almost 60 years to coach Brazil's national team the president of the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) said on Tuesday.

Ancelotti, 64, has a season remaining on his contract with Real, which he has said he would like to honour, and will take over Brazil in time for the Copa America, in the United States from June 2024.

The Brazilian federation had announced earlier Fluminense's Fernando Diniz would take charge of the team for the coming year.

"This guy (Diniz) is a coach who has a nice style of play," Ednaldo Rodriguez president of the CBF told CNN Brazil.

"His style is similar to the coach whop will assume the role at the Copa America, Ancelotti."

The prize football-mad Brazil will want one of the most successful coaches in European football to deliver is a sixth World Cup trophy in 2026. It would be the first since 2002.

The 2022 edition was especially galling for the Brazilians as they exited in the quarter-finals, beaten by Croatia, and their bitter continental rivals Argentina lifted the trophy.

Tite brought down the curtain on his six years in charge following their elimination.

- 'Decent person' -

Ancelotti's agreement to take over Brazil comes after months of negotiations with Rodrigues, who had the Italian at the top of the list.

Ancelotti had said the Real job would be his last after almost 30 years as a coach, but one of the most glamorous and challenging jobs in football brought a change of mind.

Brazilian hierarchy said they were attracted not only by Ancelotti's record of winning trophies but also by his laid-back character and ability to develop close relations with the players.

"We went after him not only due to his record, but also because he is a decent person," Rodrigues told beIN Sports recently.

"Those who have worked with him say that he is open, cultured, and he appreciates Brazilian football."

One moment his love of Brazilian football was put on hold was when he was assistant coach to Arrigo Sacchi as Italy lost to Brazil on penalties in the 1994 World Cup final.

With Brazil, Ancelotti will have some familiar faces from Real Madrid.

Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo and Eder Militao have been key players in his latest spell with Real which has resulted in six trophies.

"He is the best coach in the world," said Vinicius, who has developed under Ancelotti and formed a close bond with the coach who supported the 22-year-old Brazilian when he was the target of racist abuse last season.

Ancelotti will be the fourth non-Brazilian to coach Brazil. The last was Argentine Filpo Nunez who was in charge for one game in 1965.

Ancelotti has won the Champions League twice with both AC Milan and Real Madrid.

He has won domestic league titles with Real and Milan, in England with Chelsea, in Germany with Bayern Munich and in France with Paris Saint-Germain.

Ramon Menezes has been in charge of the Brazil team since Tite stood down on a caretaker basis but will now hand over to Diniz.

"Fernando Diniz will lead the Brazilian team for a year, and I'm sure he will do it with great competence, as always during his professional career," said Rodrigues in a video statement.

Diniz, 49, will be in charge of the first six South American qualifying games for the 2026 World Cup this year, including the clashes with world champions Argentina and Uruguay.

"It is a dream, an honour and a huge pride to serve the national team," Diniz said.

Brazil will start their qualifying campaign in September at home against Bolivia and then away against Peru.