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Commonwealth Selects Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey as New Secretary-general

(FILES) A file photo taken on January 31, 2024 shows Ghana's minister for foreign affairs Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey (L) and President of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Jean-Claude Kassi Brou (R)in Ouagadougou. (Photo by John WESSELS / AFP)
(FILES) A file photo taken on January 31, 2024 shows Ghana's minister for foreign affairs Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey (L) and President of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Jean-Claude Kassi Brou (R)in Ouagadougou. (Photo by John WESSELS / AFP)
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Commonwealth Selects Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey as New Secretary-general

(FILES) A file photo taken on January 31, 2024 shows Ghana's minister for foreign affairs Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey (L) and President of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Jean-Claude Kassi Brou (R)in Ouagadougou. (Photo by John WESSELS / AFP)
(FILES) A file photo taken on January 31, 2024 shows Ghana's minister for foreign affairs Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey (L) and President of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Jean-Claude Kassi Brou (R)in Ouagadougou. (Photo by John WESSELS / AFP)

Commonwealth members selected Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey as secretary-general of the 56-nation club headed by Britain's King Charles, the Commonwealth said on Saturday, the final day of a summit in Samoa attended by Charles and Queen Camilla.
Representatives of the countries, most with roots in Britain's empire, are attending the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting that began in the Pacific Island nation on Monday, with slavery and the threat of climate change emerging as major themes.
"Today at #CHOGM2024, Commonwealth Heads of Government have selected the Hon Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, currently the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration of Ghana, as the incoming Secretary-General of the Commonwealth," the Commonwealth said on X.
Botchwey, a supporter of reparations for transatlantic slavery and colonialism, takes over from Britain's Patricia Scotland, who has been in the job since 2016, Reuters reported.
Earlier on Saturday, Britain's king and queen flew out of Samoa, after a visit in which the monarch acknowledged the Commonwealth's "painful" history, amid a push for former colonial powers to pay reparations for their role in transatlantic slavery.
Charles and Camilla left Samoa about 12 p.m. local time on a Royal Australia Air Force jet, waving farewell as they boarded the plane at Apia's Faleolo International Airport.
Before leaving, the royal pair attended a farewell ceremony at the village of Siumu, which took place in heavy rain.
Charles on Friday said in a speech to the summit that he understood "from listening to people across the Commonwealth how the most painful aspects of our past continue to resonate.”
"It is vital, therefore, that we understand our history, to guide us towards making the right choices in future," he said.
The push for ex-colonial powers such as Britain to pay reparations or make other amends for slavery and its legacies today has gained momentum worldwide, particularly among the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the African Union.
Those opposed to reparations say countries should not be held responsible for historical wrongs, while those in support say the legacy of slavery has led to vast and persistent racial inequality.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who is at the summit, has rejected calls for reparations and ruled out apologizing for the country's historic role.
The King and Queen's time in Samoa followed a six-day tour of Australia, where a large crowd turned out to see the royal couple at the Sydney Opera House. Charles also met with Indigenous elders in Sydney, after being heckled by an Indigenous senator in Canberra.

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World

Kremlin: Putin Discussed Iran, Ukraine War in Call with Trump

In this pool photograph distributed by Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia's President Vladimir Putin attends a video meeting in Moscow on June 13, 2026, amid the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian conflict. (Photo by VYACHESLAV PROKOFYEV / POOL / AFP)
In this pool photograph distributed by Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia's President Vladimir Putin attends a video meeting in Moscow on June 13, 2026, amid the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian conflict. (Photo by VYACHESLAV PROKOFYEV / POOL / AFP)
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Kremlin: Putin Discussed Iran, Ukraine War in Call with Trump

In this pool photograph distributed by Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia's President Vladimir Putin attends a video meeting in Moscow on June 13, 2026, amid the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian conflict. (Photo by VYACHESLAV PROKOFYEV / POOL / AFP)
In this pool photograph distributed by Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia's President Vladimir Putin attends a video meeting in Moscow on June 13, 2026, amid the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian conflict. (Photo by VYACHESLAV PROKOFYEV / POOL / AFP)

Russian President Vladimir Putin called US counterpart Donald Trump on Sunday, Trump's 80th birthday, and discussed the wars in Ukraine and Iran and an upcoming visit of Washington's envoys to Russia, the Kremlin said.

"The conversation focused on the situation surrounding the memorandum of understanding being drafted between the United States and Iran. Donald Trump said an agreement is close," Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov told reporters.

Ushakov also said that "it has been agreed that US presidential special representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who are currently closely involved in Iranian affairs, will return to Russia soon".

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sunday he will discuss the Russian invasion and peace efforts to end it during a meeting with Trump at the G7 summit in France.

Zelensky, who earlier spoke by phone with the US leader, said they "discussed things that could help bring about peace now, and I informed the president about the latest developments on the battlefield and how our position has strengthened. We agreed that we will discuss more during our meeting at the G7 summit."

World

Six Killed as Helicopters Collide in Rio de Janeiro

A fire truck is seen next to burned vehicles at the site of a helicopter crash in the Recreio dos Bandeirantes neighbourhood in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on June 14, 2026. (Photo by NELSON ALMEIDA / AFP)
A fire truck is seen next to burned vehicles at the site of a helicopter crash in the Recreio dos Bandeirantes neighbourhood in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on June 14, 2026. (Photo by NELSON ALMEIDA / AFP)
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Six Killed as Helicopters Collide in Rio de Janeiro

A fire truck is seen next to burned vehicles at the site of a helicopter crash in the Recreio dos Bandeirantes neighbourhood in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on June 14, 2026. (Photo by NELSON ALMEIDA / AFP)
A fire truck is seen next to burned vehicles at the site of a helicopter crash in the Recreio dos Bandeirantes neighbourhood in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on June 14, 2026. (Photo by NELSON ALMEIDA / AFP)

At least six people died in Brazil on Sunday after two helicopters collided in western Rio de Janeiro, firefighters said.

The helicopters crashed into the parking lot of an electric car dealership, igniting a fire that engulfed at least 20 vehicles.

A statement from firefighters said that initial reports pointed to a mid-air collision, adding "six fatalities have been confirmed, all were crew members of the aircraft involved in the accident."

Rio de Janeiro Mayor Eduardo Cavaliere said that there were "foreign nationals on board one of the aircraft," without giving further details.

Fire services spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Fabio Contreiras told CNN Brasil at the scene that it was unclear exactly how the accident unfolded.

"Parts of the aircraft are scattered hundreds of meters away, so the information we have is still very preliminary. We really need to get the recordings and videos to understand exactly what happened," AFP quoted him saying said.

Contreiras said rescue workers had discovered one helicopter in flames among the electric cars, with five victims inside.

A second helicopter found some 100 meters away was carrying only the pilot, who also died.

The accident took place in the suburb of Recreio dos Bandeirantes.

Images in local media showed a thick plume of black smoke rising from the car dealership, where several vehicles were on fire.

Contreiras said the fact that the aircraft had crashed in the parking area had prevented a higher death toll.

"Given the surrounding residences, the accident could have been far more tragic," he said.

He highlighted the challenges in fighting a fire impacting electric vehicles, which contain lithium-ion batteries.

"When this type of battery catches fire, it releases highly toxic gases and intensifies both the temperature and the severity of the blaze. Extinguishing a fire in one of these vehicles requires three to four times the amount of water needed for a fire in a standard car."

World

Somaliland President Makes 'Historic' Visit to Israel

Somaliland's President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi (L) is welcomed by Israeli President Isaac Herzog (R) at the presidential residence in Jerusalem, 14 June 2026, during his first visit to Israel. EPA/ABIR SULTAN
Somaliland's President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi (L) is welcomed by Israeli President Isaac Herzog (R) at the presidential residence in Jerusalem, 14 June 2026, during his first visit to Israel. EPA/ABIR SULTAN
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Somaliland President Makes 'Historic' Visit to Israel

Somaliland's President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi (L) is welcomed by Israeli President Isaac Herzog (R) at the presidential residence in Jerusalem, 14 June 2026, during his first visit to Israel. EPA/ABIR SULTAN
Somaliland's President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi (L) is welcomed by Israeli President Isaac Herzog (R) at the presidential residence in Jerusalem, 14 June 2026, during his first visit to Israel. EPA/ABIR SULTAN

Somaliland's President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi met his Israeli counterpart on Sunday in Jerusalem in his first-ever state visit, which comes months after Israel officially recognized the breakaway African state.

In December, Israel became the first country to recognize the independence of Somaliland since it declared its autonomy from Somalia in 1991 following a civil war.

"The visit carries special significance," said Abdullahi, according to a statement issued by the office of Israeli President Isaac Herzog.

"It is the first state visit by a president of the Republic of Somaliland to another country, and we are deeply appreciative that the State of Israel has chosen to receive us with such an honor on this historic occasion," AFP quoted Abdullahi as saying.

"Somaliland has been talking, has been reaching out to the world leaders for the last 35 years. They were asking only one question: to see us. Only one country desired to see us and recognize Somaliland, and that's the government of Israel and its people."

Somaliland enjoys a strategic position on the Gulf of Aden and has its own currency, passport and army, but has struggled to win international recognition amid concerns in many capitals that this would provoke Somalia and encourage other separatist movements in Africa.

Herzog said that Abdullahi's visit "symbolizes the great potential of this wonderful new partnership", according to the statement, adding that he hoped for increased bilateral "cooperation in a range of fields".

"We both face the threat of radical extremism. We both seek security and stability in the region and in the Horn of Africa. We both see the importance of protecting maritime freedom," Herzog said.

The visit comes just weeks after Israel appointed its first ambassador to Somaliland, a reciprocal move after Somaliland named its own envoy to Israel.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar had travelled to Somaliland in January -- a trip that drew sharp condemnation from Somalia, which described it as an "unauthorized incursion".