Barcelona agree sponsorship deal with DR Congo tourism ministry
KINSHASA - Democratic Republic of Congo has agreed to pay more than 40 million euros ($46.37 million) in a sponsorship deal with Spanish soccer club Barcelona that would see a logo promoting tourism appear on some team apparel, according to a contract seen on Thursday by Reuters.
The contract with Barcelona is dated June 29 and stipulates that a logo branding the war-hit Central African country as the "heart of Africa" will appear on the backs of training and warm-up jerseys for the men's and women's teams.
The logo will also appear in advertising for the club and in the club magazine and annual report, the contract says.
Congo will pay the club between 10 million and 11.5 million euros annually over the next four seasons, it says.
Details of the deal between Congo and Barcelona have not been announced.
AS Monaco and AC Milan last month also announced sponsorship deals with Congo without disclosing the amounts.
Congolese sports minister Didier Budimbu told Reuters the contract with AS Monaco is worth 1.6 million euros per season. He did not disclose the amounts for the contracts with AC Milan and Barcelona.
A Congolese government source said the contract with AC Milan was worth 14 million euros per season.
Congo's tourism ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Thursday, while Barcelona told Reuters they had no comment at this time.
In February Congo's foreign minister Therese Kayikwamba Wagner urged football clubs Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Paris St Germain to end their "blood-stained" sponsorship agreements with "Visit Rwanda".
The appeal came less than a week after M23 rebels seized eastern Congo's biggest city, Goma as part of a lightning advance.
Rwanda denies backing M23, saying it is defending itself.
A report by a group of United Nations experts obtained by Reuters this month said Kigali exercised command and control over the rebels during their advance, gaining political influence and access to mineral-rich territory. REUTERS
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AsiaOne
an hour ago
- AsiaOne
Thai-Cambodian fighting extends into third day despite ceasefire calls, Asia News
SISAKET, Thailand — Fighting on the Thai-Cambodian border extended into a third day and new flashpoints emerged on Saturday (July 26) as both sides sought diplomatic support, saying they had acted in self-defence and calling on the other to cease fighting and start negotiations. At least 30 people have been killed and more than 130,000 people displaced in the worst fighting between the Southeast Asian neighbours in 13 years. The Thai navy said there were clashes in the coastal province of Trat early on Saturday, a new front more than 100km from other conflict points along the long-contested border. The two countries have faced off since the killing of a Cambodian soldier late in May during a brief skirmish. Troops on both sides of the border were reinforced amid a full-blown diplomatic crisis that brought Thailand's fragile coalition government to the brink of collapse. Thailand's death toll remained at 19 on Saturday, while Cambodian Defence Ministry spokesperson Maly Socheata said five soldiers and eight civilians had been killed in the the Kanthralak district of Thailand's Sisaket province, on the border near some of the clashes, hotel worker Chianuwat Thalalai said the town had emptied out. "Nearly everybody's gone, it's almost a deserted city," the 31-year-old told Reuters. "My hotel is still open for some of those nearer to the border area that needs a place to stay." Thailand's ambassador to the United Nations told a Security Council meeting on Friday that soldiers had been injured by newly planted land mines in Thai territory on two occasions since mid-July — claims Cambodia has strongly denied — and said Cambodia had then launched attacks on Thursday morning. "Thailand urges Cambodia to immediately cease all hostilities and acts of aggression, and resume dialogue in good faith," Cherdchai Chaivaivid told the council in remarks released to media. Decades of disputes Cambodia's defence ministry said Thailand had launched "a deliberate, unprovoked, and unlawful military attack" on Thursday, and was now mobilising troops and military equipment on the border. "These deliberate military preparations reveal Thailand's intent to expand its aggression and further violate Cambodia's sovereignty," the ministry said in a statement on Saturday. Cambodia called for the international community to "condemn Thailand's aggression in the strongest terms" and to prevent an expansion of Thailand's military activities. Bangkok reiterated it wanted to resolve the dispute bilaterally, telling the Security Council it was "deeply regrettable that Cambodia has deliberately avoided meaningful dialogue and instead sought to internationalise the issue to serve its own political objectives". Thailand and Cambodia have bickered for decades over jurisdiction of various undemarcated points along their 817km land border, with ownership of the ancient Hindu temples Ta Moan Thom and the 11th century Preah Vihear central to the disputes. Preah Vihear was awarded to Cambodia by the International Court of Justice in 1962, but tension escalated in 2008 after Cambodia attempted to list it as a UNESCO World Heritage site. That led to skirmishes over several years and at least a dozen deaths. Cambodia in June said it had asked the court to resolve its disputes with Thailand, which says it has never recognised the court's jurisdiction and prefers a bilateral approach. ALSO READ: Cambodia calls for ceasefire with Thailand, AFP reports


Nylon
an hour ago
- Nylon
Interview with Christian Pulisic and Fikayo Tomori of AC Milan, who were recently in Singapore to kick off the team's Pre-Season Tour
There's no better time for a football fan to revel in the heart-pumping excitement and electric intensity of a world-class football match than at the Singapore Festival of Football, happening from 23 to 27 July 2025 at the National Stadium. Returning after a two-year hiatus, the event brings three of Europe's biggest teams namely Premier League clubs Arsenal FC and Newcastle United FC, as well as Italian giants AC Milan, together for two exhilarating matches — one of which had just concluded on 23 July, between Arsenal and AC Milan. Despite a 1-0 result with Arsenal taking home the Tridentity Cup, the friendlies gave AC Milan the opportunity to test their young players, and 20-year-old goalkeeper Lorenzo Torriani seized the opportunity to help the Italian club win a pre-arranged shootout after the match ended. The team ended up winning the penalty shootout with a 6-5 scoreline. Fikayo Tomori dressed in PUMA. Photographed by Adele Chan on the Leica M11, and taken on site at LeVeL 33. For 19-time domestic champions and seven-time European champions AC Milan, this is the first time the team made their visit to Singapore, and aside from working the field, the club also connected with fans in a lifestyle and fashion aspect during their meet-and-greet at PUMA's flagship outlet at 313 Somerset. Since the club's establishment in 1899, AC Milan has evolved to become more than just a football team; taking its collective creativity and culture beyond the field and turning it into a living, breathing symbol of the club's identity; a Clubhouse, if you will, where football meets fashion, design, music and art to create cultural conversation. Prior to catching them on the field, we got the opportunity to have a quick chat with AC Milan players Christian Pulisic and Fikayo Tomori. Here's how it went. Christian Pulisic dressed in the AC Milan and PUMA Away Kit for the 2025/26 season. Photographed by Adele Chan on the Leica M11, and taken on site at LeVeL 33. Christian Pulisic: I've only been here for a day but it's a beautiful city. The fans have been great — very passionate — as they were waiting for us at the hotel. So, it's been a good experience. Fikayo Tomori: This is actually my second time in Singapore. The last time I was here was in 2017, and I found it really clean, and the people were nice. It seems like a very chill city. I think we arrived at the hotel close to 12am, and everyone was waiting. The fans were nice and loud too. Even though everyone was tired from the flight, it kind of woke us up. Obviously we knew we had fans here but to be here and see them; it's really nice. Christian: It's similar (to the training during in season matches), but, of course, during the pre-season we're working a lot more on fitness with a lot of running involved, and making sure we're fit and that we are ready going into the season. Fikayo: A lot of running, and this is because a lot of the guys (on the team) have been out 4-5 weeks. We are so finally tuned during the season that even though a few weeks off does not mean that you have lost all your fitness, but you have to build it back up again. And, obviously now that we are getting ready for a season where you're playing at least a game a week — you have to be prepared. Now that we have a new coach, there's also a lot of new ideas, new tactical approaches, and there's building chemistry with the newer players too. Building that togetherness as a team is what this period focuses on. Christian: For me, it's more about just a routine. I always eat similar things, I always go for a nap at the same time, and just have the same routine over and over again. I'm not overly superstitious. Fikayo: It's probably so normal to me that I don't know I'm doing it (laughs), but I always put my right shin pad on first. That is something I notice I do but I don't know why. Christian: I'm hoping for a good first match for the team. We expect, obviously, a very good opponent — Arsenal, you know, is one of the best teams in the world — so, a good match and hopefully good results for us. I hope the fans enjoy a very entertaining match too, seeing some of the world's top players in Europe. Fikayo: I'm expecting the stadium to be loud and a good game with two good teams. You never go into a pitch wanting to lose, because you always want to win; and even though it's pre-season, there's still going to be that competitive edge to it. Christian: Oof, that's a good question. I think for me it's all about the discipline. Just going and making sure you put in the work and making sure that you are disciplined every single day if you want to improve — because that's what it takes. I just take that into life and follow the right steps, and work hard every single day at the little things. Fikayo: I came here with Chelsea when I was playing for them and the older players were telling me about how the career's going to go so fast, so make sure you make the most out of it. So, I'm now at that age where I'm telling the young guys; don't waste a day. Everything goes by really quickly. Although it is just the beginning of the season, and the end of the season seems so far away, it goes really quickly and suddenly you've ticked off another season. So, I think just don't let it pass you by and get everything you can out of yourself. Christian: Any football team? Oh man… I don't know… that's tough to say since we are already playing against some top teams. Maybe we could play against an American team. Like Miami or Nashville since it's where I'm from and I know some people, so it would be nice. Fikayo: Normally I would have said Arsenal because my hero growing up was Thierry Henry, but now we're playing Arsenal. So, I would say let's play a Singapore team. I know we're training at the Lion City Sailors training centre so why not them? It's nice for the fans to see us so I think any game that we play would be a nice one, but I think if we played a local team from Singapore, it would be a lot different. Fikayo Tomori dressed in PUMA. Photographed by Adele Chan on the Leica M11, and taken on site at LeVeL 33. Providing the perfect backdrop for our time with Christian and Fikayo is the renowned LeVeL 33 — the world's highest microbrewery in a building, offering a dining experience unlike any other. Here, you can enjoy a ContemBrewery cuisine served exclusively with sustainable seafood, ethically pasture-raised beef, and locally sourced organic produce such as vibrant greens, edible flowers, and baby herbs, alongside beers made with 100% organic hops and malt like their Brut Beer — inspired by their relationship with Barons de Rothschild and crafted using the same yeast as Champagne to produce super fine bubbles and a dry finish.

Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Straits Times
Thai-Cambodian fighting extends into third day despite ceasefire calls
People rest inside a temporary shelter in Srisaket province, after Thailand and Cambodia exchanged heavy artillery fire for a second day on Friday as border fighting intensified and spread, while Cambodia's leader said Thailand had agreed to a Malaysian ceasefire proposal but then backed down, Thailand, July 26, 2025. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha SISAKET, Thailand - Fighting on the Thai-Cambodian border extended into a third day and new flashpoints emerged on Saturday as both sides sought diplomatic support, saying they had acted in self-defence and calling on the other to cease fighting and start negotiations. At least 30 people have been killed and more than 130,000 people displaced in the worst fighting between the Southeast Asian neighbours in 13 years. The Thai navy said there were clashes in the coastal province of Trat early on Saturday, a new front more than 100 km (60 miles) from other conflict points along the long-contested border. The two countries have faced off since the killing of a Cambodian soldier late in May during a brief skirmish. Troops on both sides of the border were reinforced amid a full-blown diplomatic crisis that brought Thailand's fragile coalition government to the brink of collapse. Thailand's death toll remained at 19 on Saturday, while Cambodian Defence Ministry spokesperson Maly Socheata said five soldiers and eight civilians had been killed in the the Kanthralak district of Thailand's Sisaket province, on the border near some of the clashes, hotel worker Chianuwat Thalalai said the town had emptied out. "Nearly everybody's gone, it's almost a deserted city," the 31-year-old told Reuters. "My hotel is still open for some of those nearer to the border area that needs a place to stay." Thailand's ambassador to the United Nations told a Security Council meeting on Friday that soldiers had been injured by newly planted land mines in Thai territory on two occasions since mid-July - claims Cambodia has strongly denied - and said Cambodia had then launched attacks on Thursday morning. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Almost half of planned 30,000 flats in Tengah to be completed by end-2025: Chee Hong Tat Asia Death toll climbs as Thai-Cambodia clashes continue despite calls for ceasefire Asia Behind deadly Thai-Cambodian clashes, a bitter spat between two dynastic leaders Multimedia Lights dimmed at South-east Asia's scam hub but 'pig butchering' continues Singapore Black belt in taekwondo, grade 8 in piano: S'pore teen excels despite condition that limits movements Asia Where's Jho Low? Looking for 1MDB fugitive in Shanghai's luxury estate Life SG60 F&B icons: Honouring 14 heritage brands that have never lost their charm Business How parents can prevent disputes over their properties "Thailand urges Cambodia to immediately cease all hostilities and acts of aggression, and resume dialogue in good faith," Cherdchai Chaivaivid told the council in remarks released to media. DECADES OF DISPUTES Cambodia's defence ministry said Thailand had launched "a deliberate, unprovoked, and unlawful military attack" on Thursday, and was now mobilising troops and military equipment on the border. "These deliberate military preparations reveal Thailand's intent to expand its aggression and further violate Cambodia's sovereignty," the ministry said in a statement on Saturday. Cambodia called for the international community to "condemn Thailand's aggression in the strongest terms" and to prevent an expansion of Thailand's military activities. Bangkok reiterated it wanted to resolve the dispute bilaterally, telling the Security Council it was "deeply regrettable that Cambodia has deliberately avoided meaningful dialogue and instead sought to internationalise the issue to serve its own political objectives". Thailand and Cambodia have bickered for decades over jurisdiction of various undemarcated points along their 817-km(508-mile) land border, with ownership of the ancient Hindu temples Ta Moan Thom and the 11th century Preah Vihear central to the disputes. Preah Vihear was awarded to Cambodia by the International Court of Justice in 1962, but tension escalated in 2008 after Cambodia attempted to list it as a UNESCO World Heritage site. That led to skirmishes over several years and at least a dozen deaths. Cambodia in June said it had asked the court to resolve its disputes with Thailand, which says it has never recognised the court's jurisdiction and prefers a bilateral approach. REUTERS