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Commonwealth talks unity as relevance under scrutiny
Commonwealth talks unity as relevance under scrutiny
by  AFP

Prince Charles says Commonwealth nations are free to farewell the monarchy and become republics, acknowledging changes well under way in a colonial-era organisation trying to define its modern profile and purpose. At that time, all Commonwealth nations bar India were monarchies but the majority today are republics.

Mali says 50 jihadists 'neutralised'
Mali says 50 jihadists 'neutralised'
by  AFP

Mali's army said it had "neutralised" 50 "jihadists" in an area in the centre of the country where more than 130 civilians were killed a week ago. The army also reported "two terrorist watchmen neutralised" in the central Mondoro area, in addition to "eight terrorist suspects arrested" in the south of the country during a separate operation.

Loeb retires as Rovanpera takes early Safari Rally lead
Loeb retires as Rovanpera takes early Safari Rally lead
by  AFP

Former world motor rally champion Sebastian Loeb retired from the Safari Rally in Kenya with engine trouble on Friday, making a second successive early exit to his selective WRC campaign. Loeb, the nine-time world champion, was making a return to the Safari after 20 years when his M-Sport Ford gave in with fire engine damage at the end of the Friday morning's fourth stage in Naivasha.

Lumumba's coffin visits Kisangani, where Congo's first premier found his way
Lumumba's coffin visits Kisangani, where Congo's first premier found his way
by  AFP

After a rest in his native village, the coffin of the former Belgian Congo's first post-independence prime minister Friday pursued its memorial pilgrimage to the northeastern city of Kisangani. From Kisangani, the coffin will be taken on Sunday to Katanga in the southeast, where a secessionist movement raged after independence and where Lumumba and his aides were tortured to death.

Commonwealth nations free to chart own course: Prince Charles
Commonwealth nations free to chart own course: Prince Charles
by  AFP

Prince Charles told Commonwealth leaders Friday that the choice to become a republic or abandon the queen as head of state was "a matter for each member country to decide". "I want to say clearly, as I have said before, that each member's constitutional arrangement, as republic or monarchy, is purely a matter for each member country to decide.

Ethiopia says Tigray fuel shortage 'a myth'
Ethiopia says Tigray fuel shortage 'a myth'
by  AFP

Ethiopia on Thursday described fuel shortages in the war-wracked Tigray region as a "myth" and accused Tigrayan rebels of seeking to launch a new offensive. "The myth of fuel shortage is a TPLF hidden agenda to enhance mobility of its army in preparation for another round of conflict," it said, referring to the Tigray People's Liberation Front.

Ogier pulls ahead in Safari Rally opener
Ogier pulls ahead in Safari Rally opener
by  AFP

Sebastien Ogier took the lead after Thursday's opening special as he looks to win a second straight Safari Rally, while championship leader Kalle Rovanpera suffered a puncture in Kenya. But fortunately it's a long rally," said the 21-year-old Finn who currently has a 55-point lead in the championship over Neuville after five races.

Swahili smash for Osaka's new venture
Swahili smash for Osaka's new venture
by  AFP

The name of Japanese tennis ace Naomi Osaka's new venture Hana Kuma has raised eyebrows in Africa -- as the term has a lewd meaning in Swahili. Hana Kuma means "flower bear" in Japanese.