About soter

Posts by :

11, May 2024

Indomitable Lions: Marc Brys announces 31-man roster for World Cup qualifiers ⁰

Cameroon unveiled a 31-player roster on Friday for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup African qualifiers, where new head coach Marc Brys is to make his debut.

In his first training camp as Cameroonian head coach, the Belgian has notably called up seven newcomers including Carlos Baleba, James Eto’o, Yvan Dibango, Raoul Danzabe, Guy Kilama, Nchindo John Bosco, and Jules Armand Kooh.

Eric Maxim Chopou-Moting, Fai Collins, Bryan Mbeumo, Michael Ngadeu-Ngadjui and Christian Mougang Bassogog are returning to the national men’s football team after a long absence.

While announcing a roster during a press conference, Brys said he was looking for players “with fighting spirit and love for country”.

“Many of the selected players are in top form. We have looked for talented players who are not well known,” Brys said during the conference in the capital, Yaounde.

Cameroon has two crucial World Cup qualifiers scheduled in June against Cape Verde and Angola.

Source: Xinhuanet

9, May 2024

President Putin says Russia’s nuclear forces are ‘always’ on alert ⁰

President Vladimir Putin on Thursday warned his nuclear forces were “always” on alert and added that Moscow would not tolerate any Western threats during an address on the annual Victory Day parade.

In a defiant speech on Red Square before thousands of soldiers dressed in ceremonial attire, Putin heaped praise on his army fighting in Ukraine and accused “Western elites” of fomenting conflicts around the world.

“Russia will do everything to prevent a global clash, but at the same time we will not allow anyone to threaten us. Our strategic forces are always on alert,” Putin told the crowd.

“Dear friends, Russia is now going through a difficult, crucial period. The fate of the Motherland, its future depends on each of us,” he said.

The May 9 parade marks the Soviet Union’s defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II and has become Russia’s most important public holiday as Putin puts the country firmly on a combat footing.

Putin has used nuclear rhetoric throughout the conflict but has grown increasingly belligerent since last year, pulling out of a nuclear test ban treaty and a key arms reduction agreement with the United States.

Earlier this week, he ordered the Russian military to hold nuclear drills involving the navy and troops based near Ukraine, raising fears he could use the powerful weapons on the battlefield.

Source: AFP

8, May 2024

Football: Joselu inspires Madrid comeback with ‘heart’ to beat Bayern ⁰

Real Madrid produced a spectacular comeback with “heart” against Bayern Munich to reach the Champions League final on Wednesday with Joselu striking twice in the dying minutes, earning them a 2-1 win to progress 4-3 on aggregate.

Alphonso Davies smashed the visiting German giants ahead in the second half but record 14-time winners Madrid produced a sensational comeback with Joselu netting in the 88th and 91st minutes.

Spanish champions Real Madrid face another German side, Borussia Dortmund, in the Wembley final on June 1, after they stunned the team they call their “black beast”.

“It’s something magical, there’s no explanation,” said Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti, revelling in another electric night in the Spanish capital.

Journeyman striker and back-up option Joselu, on as a late substitute, wrote his name in Madrid’s history books with his last-gasp brace, giving Europe’s comeback kings another night to remember.

“(The comeback) was with feeling and with heart, as the coach told us — you have to win games with heart,” said Joselu.

Madrid had enjoyed the better of the match but it seemed Davies’ superb strike had set up a repeat of the 2013 all-German final in London.

Instead Joselu consigned Bayern to a first trophyless season since 2012, his first goal coming after a handling error from Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, who had superbly kept Madrid at bay until that point.

“(Before that) there were world class saves after world class saves, but that can happen, it’s football,” said Bayern defender Matthijs de Ligt.

High-intensity

Bayern coach Thomas Tuchel made three changes from the first leg, benching veteran Thomas Mueller and Leon Goretzka but the hosts dominated the opening stages.

Monment to forget: Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer makes a mistake and Joselu brings Real level.

Neuer produced a superb double save to stop Madrid nosing in front, tipping the electric Vinicius Junior’s effort on to the post and then saving Rodrygo’s follow-up.

Bayern’s Serge Gnabry limped off injured with Davies replacing him before England captain Harry Kane’s first flash of danger, but Andriy Lunin pushed his vicious volley around the post.

Neuer palmed away a Vinicius free-kick as the teams ended a high-intensity, relentlessly frantic first half level.

The second period was just as fraught, with Davies’ cross deflecting onto the roof of Lunin’s goal.

Vinicius was unplayable down Madrid’s left and Rodrygo prodded his low cross agonisingly wide of the far post.

The 38-year-old Neuer made superb saves to deny both Brazilian forwards again before the hour mark as Madrid ratcheted up the pressure.

However just as in Munich, when Los Blancos were at their strongest, Bayern pounced.

Canada international Davies cut inside from the left and smashed a shot beyond Lunin into the far top corner after 68 minutes.

Madrid thought they had levelled moments later through Nacho but after a VAR review the strike was ruled out as the defender had grabbed Joshua Kimmich’s face before shooting.

Tuchel took off Kane, still chasing the first trophy of his career, in the final stages to try and hold on to victory but it slipped through his fingers as Madrid produced more indelible European memories.

Referee ‘mistake’

Ancelotti, sacked by Bayern in 2017, has kept Madrid’s squad players engaged and committed to the cause all season and it paid dividends at a crucial time.

Neuer, who had been sublime to this point, fumbled what appeared a simple Vinicius strike and substitute Joselu gratefully bundled home from close range.

“We had one foot in London, we saw ourselves going through to the final,” lamented the goalkeeper.

With Bayern reeling Madrid struck again, decisively. It was Joselu once more, the striker on loan from second-division side Espanyol, turning home after Antonio Rudiger cut the ball back to him.

The goal was ruled offside but officials overturned the decision after review, and after nearly 15 minutes of stoppage time, Madrid earned the chance to go for their 15th Champions League trophy.

“There have been a lot of times we have looked dead and buried, but we have that mentality of never say die,” said Real midfielder Jude Bellingham.

Bayern were left raging at full-time after De Ligt netted but play had been stopped beforehand for an offside flag against Noussair Mazraoui.

“I don’t want to say that it’s always the referee’s mistake with Real Madrid, but that made the difference today,” grumbled De Ligt, saying play should have been allowed to continue.

“It’s bitter, completely bitter,” said Tuchel.

Source: AFP

8, May 2024

il y avait quoi avant: Camair-Co continues to buckle under debt pile ⁰

Camair-Co continues to face a debt burden of XAF124 billion Central African francs (USD203.7 million), making it the second most indebted state-owned enterprise in Cameroon, according to the country’s latest monthly public debt review.

Released on April 25, the report by Cameroon’s public debt management committee (Comité National de la Dette Publique – CNDP) and national debt recovery fund (Caisse Autonome d’Amortissement – CAA), viewed by ch-aviation, reveals that Camair-Co carried XAF62.4 billion (USD102.5 million) in domestic debt and XAF61.6 billion (USD101.2 million) in external debt by March 31, 2024. The highest debt, of XAF652 billion (USD1 billion), is shouldered by national oil refinery Société Nationale de Raffinage (Sonara).

Unprofitable since its incorporation in 2006, the technically bankrupt national carrier was among four state-owned enterprises that were placed under performance contracts in 2023 as part of government efforts to improve the viability of public enterprises under the supervision of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The government of Cameroon is currently implementing a USD689.5 million Economic and Financial Programme for 2021-2024 supported by the IMF’s Extended Credit Facility (ECF) and Extended Fund Facility (EFF).

The financial strain on the fiscus has led to discussions of privatisation. The possibility of listing Camair-Co was mentioned in a report last year by a technical committee tasked with rehabilitating state-owned enterprises (SOEs). In 2020, President Paul Biya instructed the government to develop a restructuring plan to revive the carrier and sell 51% to a strategic private investor. However, the state-run enterprises rehabilitation commission (Commission Technique de Réhabilitation des Entreprises du Secteur Public – CTR) emphasised that before any divestment Camair must clean up its balance sheet and improve its financial standing. Efforts to address this include a restructuring and revitalisation plan, supported by the presidency since September 2020.

Meanwhile, the airline is wet-leasing three Embraer jets to resume regional routes later this month, to Cotonou Cadjehoun in Benin and Pointe Noire and Brazzaville in Congo.

Source: ch-aviation

8, May 2024

FECAFOOT Crisis: Eto’o refuses to sign contract of government-appointed coach ⁰

Trouble is brewing in Cameroon after FECAFOOT boss Samuel Eto’o refused to sign the contract of Belgian coach Marc Brys who was imposed of the federation by the country’s President.

The standoff between Cameroon FA president Samuel Eto’o and the government over the appointment of Indomitable Lions coach Marc Brys continues to escalate.

Belgian coach Marc Brys was appointed by Cameroon President Paul Biya following recommendation by the country’s Sports Ministry with FECAFOOT, the country’s football association which is led by legendary striker Eto’o, not involved.

Biya made it clear that he will be the one to decide who will coach Cameroon following the departure of Rigobert Song but that did not go down well with Eto’o and his team who feel they should be the ones making that decision.

The Sports Ministry went ahead and headhunted Brys, alongside two assistants Joachim Mununga and Giannis Xilouris, who were allocated a monthly budget of €40,000 for their salaries, on a two-year contract.

However, Eto’o and his team rejected the move and even failed to attend the coach’s unveiling. FECAFOOT have also refused to complete the formalities required to allow the tactician to begin his work, leading to a standoff.

“I have read somewhere that I have not signed a contract,” Brys told the media as per Kick442 regarding reports that FECAFOOT have not signed his deal.

“But I do have one! I am open to discussion, attentive, positive, but the locker room is the place of the coach, his technical staff and the players, and into which neither the Sports Ministry nor FECAFOOT enters.”

Brys still hopes to meet Eto’o and his team and thrash out the contentious issues.

“I am ready to work with the federation and its president, in the interest of the national team and the country. I hope to meet him [Eto’o], like I said before. But I’m not the type to chase people, because I have to focus on the team and players for the next games,” he added.

Even with the standoff, Brys has continued to meet players whom he intends to integrate in the squad with Cameroon set to face Cape Verde and Angola in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in June.

The Indomitable Lions lead Group D with four points same as Cape Verde and Libya while Angola have two, Mauritius one and Eswatini are pointless.

Source: Pursesports.co

7, May 2024

Manyu Traditional Rulers Association and Mgbe: Wisdom and Knowledge of Jurisdiction is Fundamental ⁰

For over 550 years, Manyu has existed in what is now the Southwest region of the State of Cameroon. As centuries have passed, challenges and even deadly wars have visited the Manyu people but their strong cultural institutions have been fundamental to their survival and progress. The principal institution that has held the Manyu nation together is Mgbe. Mgbe has always been responsible for maintaining the well-being of all in Manyu and for centuries, it has been involved in running Manyu villages socially, politically, and judicially.

On the 16th of April 2024, the most disgraceful scenes ever recorded in Mgbe were witnessed in Nchang village, Manyu Division. Videos are viral in which members of Mgbe Echokoh Nchang, headed by Sessekou Ebai Ayuknso and members of Mgbe Echokoh of Membanoka Lodge were engaged in fist-fighting. This is an act of unacceptable cultural sacrilege. Manyu Mgbe Supreme Council acted swiftly and listened to the perpetrators of this scandalous act. On the 24th of April 2024, the Supreme Council passed judgment with fines for the guilty party, Sessekou Ebai Ayuknso and his Mgbe Nchang Echokoh Lodge.

Since that judgment was pronounced and fines communicated, the guilty party has taken the matter to the Manyu Traditional Rulers Association (MATRA) to register their objection and signalled an intention to appeal. MATRA has now called for an extraordinary meeting on the 8th of May 2024 in Okoyong village to offer an opinion on the judgment of the Manyu Mgbe Supreme Council. This is unprecedented, unconventional and worrying. Scores of Mgbe members and Sessekous in the UK, Continental Europe and North America have over the last few days registered their worry at this ill-advised move from MATRA.

Disturbed by what happened in Nchang, and keen to look like hard rulers, MATRA risks damaging themselves and their authority now and in the long term. It seems wishful thinking for MATRA to believe that they could somehow intervene and solve this matter by annulling or challenging the decision of the Supreme Council. Any action from MATRA at this juncture will invite a tsunami of disdain, disgust and disrespect for that organisation. Nfor Mbi Oruh of Nkpot, Nfor Orock John Mbi of Okoyong and Nfor Orock Ferdinand of Egebekaw and many traditional rulers in Manyu were not members of Mgbe when they were selected by their villages to be chiefs. They subsequently joined Mgbe for…(left blank intentionally). It is evident that Mgbe is the Supreme authority and its matters cannot be adjudicated by MATRA.

The intention of MATRA to create an appeals procedure to question the authority of Mgbe is reckless as only Mgbe has the authority to amend its decisions. Sessekou Ebai Ayuknso and his Lodge know what to do. Mgbe is not subject to political and village authorities’ impulses, wishes and opinions. That is why the police and gendarmes called to the scene in Nchang asked Mgbe to deal with the matter.

Manyu is telling MATRA loudly and clearly that their impending attempt to undermine the authority of Mgbe is equivalent to walking on broken bottles. Nowhere has that message been more deafening than in the Manyu Community in the US, UK and across Europe where the matter is being discussed at every MECA meeting, village association, wake, birthday party and Mgbe session. These discussions are tremblings saying an earthquake is coming to MATRA if it attempts to intervene with 550 years of cultural precedence.

Manyus, at home and in the diaspora are extremely livid with the cultural disgrace and thuggish behaviour displayed in Nchang village on the 16th of April 2024. MATRA must remain wise and not overstep their authority. This is a message of caution, not a threat. The Great Chiefs Mbeng Bessong, SA Arrey, Tataw James and many others would never have considered a so-called appeal against a judgement passed by Mgbe.

Law and order are the foundation of a functioning and civilised society. Without law and order, chaos would reign and the scenes in Nchang would be the norm. In any civilised society, there is a separation of powers and in our Manyu nation, there is a role for our Chiefs, but this is not one of them. Mgbe reigns absolutely in Manyu and will continue to reign supreme all the days of our lives and during the lives of our descendants.

By Sessekou Isong Asu and Nfor Mgbe Barrister John Ntuiabane, Mgbe UK

7, May 2024

Hummels stuns Mbappe and PSG to take Dortmund to Champions League final ⁰

Mats Hummels headed in the only goal as Borussia Dortmund stunned Kylian Mbappe and Paris Saint-Germain in their Champions League semi-final second leg on Tuesday, winning 1-0 on the night and advancing 2-0 on aggregate to next month’s final at Wembley.

Hummels struck five minutes into the second half at the Parc des Princes and PSG were unable to muster a response, the home side all out of luck as they hit the woodwork four times in total.

Dortmund, who sit fifth in the German Bundesliga, were never expected to go so far and will be underdogs in the June 1 showpiece regardless of whether they face their old rivals Bayern Munich or Real Madrid, who meet on Wednesday.

It will be their first final since 2013 when, remarkably, the match was also played at Wembley and Jurgen Klopp’s Dortmund team lost to Bayern.

Hummels played in that final and here, 11 years later, he was the hero as Dortmund built on the advantage given to them by Niclas Fuellkrug’s goal in the first leg.

The story of this semi-final, however, is just as much about PSG’s failure in another crunch knockout tie in the competition.

They have still never won the trophy despite all the money invested by their Qatari owners since the 2011 takeover, and there will be no dream send-off for Mbappe.

He will leave when his contract expires after this season and had been hoping to play his last game for the club in the June 1 final.

Instead PSG will be left to reflect on how they failed to get their hands on the biggest trophy of all during Mbappe’s seven years at his hometown team.

PSG’s last two semi-final appearances both came during the pandemic, meaning this was the first time they had hosted a match at this stage of a European competition with fans in 29 years, since losing to AC Milan in 1995.

They were favourites to reach their first Champions League final since 2020, despite their defeat in Dortmund six days earlier.

Woodwork to rescue

Luis Enrique’s team had won 2-0 at home against the same opponents in the group stage and were safe in the knowledge that a repeat of that performance would be enough.

The PSG coach made one major selection decision, dropping Bradley Barcola and bringing in Portuguese striker Goncalo Ramos. That meant moving Mbappe out of a central position and onto the left wing.

Dortmund would have been bracing themselves for an onslaught from kick-off, but that did not transpire.

Mbappe took only seven minutes to produce his first attempt, yet his volley was easily saved by Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel.

The hosts had most of the possession but struggled to get Mbappe into the game, with the France captain often looking isolated on the wing.

In fact it was Dortmund who had the best chance of the first half, when Karim Adeyemi led a counterattack before seeing his shot saved by Gianluigi Donnarumma.

It felt as though the hosts needed to change something or risk going out with a whimper.

They should have been ahead two minutes after the restart, when Ramos touched on a ball driven into the box by Mbappe, but Warren Zaire-Emery somehow contrived to hit the post from close range.

That was to prove crucial as Dortmund struck moments later.

PSG cheaply conceded a corner, and Julian Brandt’s resulting delivery from the Dortmund right was headed in by Hummels.

Ramos swept a shot over from a Vitinha pass on the hour mark before Nuno Mendes became the second PSG player to strike the right-hand post, this time with a powerful shot from outside the box.

It was starting to look as if it would really not be PSG’s night, and Luis Enrique realised he had to act as he sent on Barcola and Marco Asensio for Ramos and Fabian Ruiz, moving Mbappe through the middle.

It was a disappointing night for Paris Saint-Germain’s Kylian Mbappe

Dortmund responded by withdrawing Jadon Sancho and sending on an extra defender in the hulking Niklas Suele.

They withstood everything PSG threw at them but were also helped by the frame of the goal, with Kobel turning Mbappe’s shot onto the bar on 86 minutes and Vitinha then rattling the bar too.

Source: AFP

7, May 2024

US brands Israel border closures ‘unacceptable’ ⁰

The White House said Tuesday that key ally Israel must reopen Gaza’s Rafah border crossing with Egypt, while expressing hope that a ceasefire deal with Hamas was within reach.

Israel sent tanks into the southern Gaza city of Rafah and seized control of the crossing, a key aid passage, while warning it will deepen its operation if truce talks fail to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas.

President Joe Biden declined to answer questions on the ceasefire talks and the operation in Rafah as he met his Romanian counterpart in the Oval Office, merely smiling at reporters.

“The crossings that have been closed need to be reopened, it is unacceptable for them to be closed,” White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told a briefing.

“We believe Rafah border crossing should be quickly reopened for the movement of humanitarian assistance,” Jean-Pierre added.

Israel had already committed to reopening another crossing at Kerem Shalom, which was closed after a rocket attack on Sunday killed four Israeli troops, on Wednesday, she added.

The United States, Israel’s main military and diplomatic backer, has repeatedly said it opposes a major offensive in Rafah, where more than 1.2 million displaced Palestinians are living.

But the White House said Israel had told it that the current operation was of “limited scope, scale and duration.”

“What we’ve been told by our Israeli counterparts is that this operation last night was limited and designed to cut off Hamas’s ability to smuggle weapons” into Gaza,” National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said.

Washington would closely monitor the situation, he added.

‘Remaining gaps’

The Israeli military’s thrust into the eastern sector of the city came shortly after the Palestinian militant group Hamas said it had accepted a ceasefire proposal, but Israel demurred.

The talks got back underway on Tuesday amid high hopes and tensions after more than seven months of conflict.

“A close assessment of the two sides’ positions suggests that they should be able to close the remaining gaps, and we’re going to do everything we can to support that process,” Kirby said.

The fact that all parties, including CIA chief Bill Burns, were present at the talks in Cairo indicated they were at an advanced stage, he added.

“Everybody’s coming to the table,” Kirby said. “That’s not insignificant.”

The White House hoped for news “very, very soon” but it would be “foolhardy” to predict when the negotiations might bear fruit, he added.

The war was sparked by Hamas’s October 7 attack on Israel, which resulted in the deaths of more than 1,170 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of Israeli official figures.

Israel launched a retaliatory offensive that has killed at least 34,789 people in Gaza, mostly women and children, according to the Hamas-run territory’s health ministry.

Source: AFP

7, May 2024

Asylum seekers in UK ‘hide or flee to Ireland’ for fear of deportation to Rwanda ⁰

Asylum seekers are going into hiding or fleeing to Ireland as the UK government is proceeding with a plan to detain them for deportation to Rwanda, reports say.

The detentions began a week ago under the controversial Rwanda scheme, with the first deportation flights expected to take off in July.

“Frontline asylum charities report people leaving their asylum accommodation in order to avoid arrest. They are raising the alarm about the increasing risks of destitution and exploitation,” Lou Calvey, the director of the charity Asylum Matters, said.

The Guardian questioned whether the officials had anticipated the asylum seekers’ reaction, citing the growing fallout from the high-profile round-ups that the government is dealing with following the dissemination of its message about detaining people for Rwanda.

It is not clear whether officials had anticipated that some asylum seekers would go into hiding and others would go to Ireland, it said.

According to the report, asylum seekers who have attended regular reporting sessions at centers around the UK have said that they had never seen things so quiet.

“I walked right in and didn’t have to queue at all. In all the years I’ve been reporting I’ve never seen it so deserted,” said one man from Belarus who has been in the UK for more than a decade, but is still fearful the Home Office could detain him even though he isn’t among those identified in the initial cohort of returns.

The initial cohort includes those who illegally arrived between January 2022 and June 2023.

Another asylum seeker, who has received a notice of intent for Rwanda, said he got several calls from friends in his community urging him to go into hiding.

A Syrian refugee also said he was calling on asylum seeker friends at risk of being deported to Rwanda to hide.

“I was an asylum seeker in 2020 when the Home Office was trying to deport as many asylum seekers as possible to European countries they had passed through before Brexit started. Some asylum seekers went into hiding then and I can see that it is happening again because of Rwanda.”

The first week of round-ups saw at least one asylum seeker going on hunger strike and another threatening suicide.

The detentions, however, have not acted as a deterrent for small boat crossings, with 1,420 people crossing in the last seven days up to Sunday.

Meanwhile, Ireland, that removed a tent city of asylum seekers in the heart of Dublin outside the International Protection Accommodation Services center last week, saw the return of tents close to where they were before.

The Irish authorities are expected to provide more accommodation later this week to deal with the unprecedented numbers of asylum seekers, some arriving from the UK.

Critics of the Rwanda scheme say the deportations breach international law.

Source: Presstv

7, May 2024

Russia to hold nuclear drills following ‘threats’ from West ⁰

Russia has started preparations for missile drills near Ukraine simulating the use of tactical nuclear weapons in response to “threats” by Western officials.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said recent statements by French President Emmanuel Macron and the British Foreign Secretary David Cameron constituted a “completely new round of escalation of tension”.

Last week, Mr Macron refused to rule out potentially deploying French troops, should Kyiv request them, while Lord Cameron said that Ukraine had the right to use British weapons for strikes within Russia.

On Monday, Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Lord Cameron’s “hostile outburst” contradicted previous British assurances that the long-range missiles sent to Ukraine would not be used on Russian territory and meant that the UK was a “party to the conflict”.

The ministry added that the response to Ukrainian strikes using British weapons on Russia could involve targeting any British military facilities and equipment on the territory of Ukraine and beyond.

It also said that Mr Macron’s statement on possible deployment of French troops to Ukraine could be considered as “readiness for direct confrontation with Russia”.

Both the British and the French ambassadors in Moscow were summoned on Monday.

The tactical nuclear weapons drills announced on Monday were ordered by Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to TASS news agency.

They were expected to take place “in the near future” and would involve missile formations as well as air and naval forces.

Tactical nuclear weapons are small nuclear warheads and delivery systems intended for use on the battlefield, or for a limited strike.

They are designed to destroy enemy targets in a specific area without causing widespread radioactive fallout.

Strategic nuclear weapons, on the other hand, are large and designed to be fired at a long range – for example, between continents. Russia holds regular drills with strategic nuclear weapons.

In April, Belarus’s long-time leader Alexander Lukashenko said “several dozen” tactical nuclear weapons were stationed in his country.

A Ukrainian military intelligence spokesman dismissed the announcement that drills would take place, calling it “nuclear blackmail”.

But Nato spokesperson Farah Dakhlallah said it was “dangerous and irresponsible” and stated that Nato remained “vigilant”.

Following a meeting in Paris with Mr Macron and Chinese President Xi Jinping, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that she hoped President Xi would help de-escalate Russia’s “irresponsible” nuclear threats.

Russia’s sabre-rattling come on the eve of President Vladimir Putin’s inauguration for a fifth presidential term.

Ukraine’s foreign ministry has said it will no longer regard Vladimir Putin as a legitimate president after his inauguration and has urged other countries and international organisations to follow suit.

However, a French diplomatic source quoted by Reuters said the French ambassador would attend the ceremony.

Germany and several other European countries have ruled out sending their envoys.

Source: BBC