Congolese politician and military officer who ruled Zaire from 1967/1971 to 1997
The DR Congo government and M23 rebels have agreed on a roadmap for peace talks, backed by international mediators, to implement the Doha Framework. A ceasefire verification mission is set to monitor violations as fighting persists in North and South Kivu, with concerns over sanctions, detainees and political reforms.
France star Kylian Mbappé says an AI-generated meme depicting him in militaristic poses and alongside controversial historical figures has a funny side but also serious drawbacks. He argues the comparisons can reveal a lack of political and human awareness, while noting a separate nickname incident and a past Manchester United scouting anecdote.
Burkina Faso has inaugurated Raffinor-BF, a state-backed gold refinery in Ouagadougou with 164 tonnes annual capacity, aiming to process gold domestically and cut reliance on foreign firms. The project is part of President Traoré’s push for greater state control of minerals amid security challenges and concerns over the informal mining sector.
Kylian Mbappé has apologised after a clip circulated in which he joked about a meme that appeared to reference Mao Zedong. Chinese state broadcaster China Media Group has suspended La Liga broadcasts and several Chinese firms — including Dongpeng, Mengniu and Milkground — have ended partnerships. Real Madrid and La Liga have also issued apologies.
Mbappé has apologized for a meme linking his image to Mao Zedong after Chinese audiences perceived the joke as insulting. Chinese brands have severed ties, state media has suspended broadcast of La Liga, and social media discussions are intense. The controversy centers on national sentiment and China’s censorship environment.