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BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountNotificationsHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeCBBCCBeebiesFoodClose menuBBC NewsMenuHomeIsrael-Gaza warCost of LivingWar in UkraineClimateUKWorldBusinessPoliticsCultureMoreTechScienceHealthFamily & EducationIn PicturesNewsbeatBBC VerifyDisabilityWorldAfricaAsiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastUS & CanadaParis 2024: Russia seeking to undermine Games, says Emmanuel MacronPublished40 minutes agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingRelated TopicsWar in UkraineImage source, ReutersImage caption, French President Emmanuel Macron giving a speech earlier this year where he shared his wishes to elite athletes ahead of the GamesBy Hugh SchofieldBBC News, ParisRussia is running a disinformation campaign to undermine the Paris Olympics, according to French President Emmanuel Macron.At the inauguration of a new Olympic swimming centre, reporters asked if he thought Russia was targeting the Games.”Without a doubt,” he said, “including in the field of information.”Every day (Russia) is putting out stories saying that we are unable to do this or that, so (the Games) would be at risk.”The French government says Russia has recently stepped up propaganda attacks on France, using fake accounts on social media to spread rumours and disinformation.It follows Mr Macron’s switch to a more hard-line policy on the Ukraine war, to which he no longer refuses to rule out eventually sending French troops on the side of Kyiv. France believes Russian intelligence was behind the daubing of Israeli Stars of David on Paris walls after the October 7 Hamas attacks, in what was interpreted as a bid to stir up divisions in France.A network of Russian-created websites named Portal Kombat is accused of spreading made-up stories, such as claims that French mercenaries are already serving in Ukraine, or that Mr Macron cancelled a trip to Kyiv because of fears of an assassination attempt.Image source, ReutersImage caption, President Macron and other officials watch synchronised swimmers at the inauguration of the Olympic Aquatics CentreAfter the Crocus City Hall terrorist attack near Moscow, the French and Russian defence ministers had a rare telephone exchange on Wednesday.According to Mr Macron, this was because France had intelligence information that could help the Russians know more about the alleged attackers, from the Afghan section of the Islamic State group.In his account of their conversation, French Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu said he told his counterpart Sergei Shoigu that France was concerned about Russian claims that Kyiv was behind the Crocus City Hall attack – claims for which France said there was no evidence.But in his account of the phone call, Mr Shoigu said: “The Kyiv regime does nothing without the approval of its western minders. We hope that in the case (of the Crocus City Hall attack) the French secret services are not involved.”Asked about Mr Shoigu’s remarks on Thursday, Mr Macron said they were “bizarre and menacing … ridiculous.”French urged to watch out for Russian interferenceThe president confirmed for the first time that there are alternative plans for the Olympics opening ceremony in July, if the terrorist threat worsens.Currently the 26 July ceremony is supposed to take place on boats in the river Seine, with more than 300,000 people watching from the quays. However experts have warned that the occasion is highly vulnerable to terrorist attack.”We will be ready,” Mr Macron said. “We are preparing several scenarios. If the threat were to evolve, if we considered that circumstances made it necessary, we have back-up scenarios.”Mr Macron also lent his support to the popular French-Malian singer Aya Nakamura, whose name has been mentioned as a possible performer at the opening ceremony. Critics on the hard-right of French politics say she would not be a good ambassador because the language of her songs is often crude and difficult to understand.”She speaks to a good number of our fellow citizens and I believe she has every right to be at the opening or closing ceremonies of the Games,” the president said.Related TopicsWar in UkraineIsrael-Gaza warFranceRussiaDisinformationEmmanuel MacronUkraineMore on this storyFrench urged to watch out for Russian interferencePublished27 FebruaryWhy Macron went from dove to hawk on RussiaPublished16 MarchStar of David graffiti – the Russian connectionPublished8 November 2023Top StoriesLive. 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[ad_1] A network of Russian-created websites named Portal Kombat is accused of spreading made-up stories, such as claims that French mercenaries are already serving in Ukraine, or that Mr Macron…
![BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountLiveNotificationsHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeCBBCCBeebiesFoodClose menuBBC NewsMenuHomeIsrael-Gaza warCost of LivingWar in UkraineClimateUKWorldBusinessPoliticsCultureMoreTechScienceHealthFamily & EducationIn PicturesNewsbeatBBC VerifyDisabilityWorldAfricaAsiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastUS & CanadaAfcon: Ivory Coast football fans flock to see Abidjan victory paradePublished1 hour agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage source, Ian Williams/ BBCImage caption, Fans dance in the street as they celebrate the Elephants’ third Afcon winBy Ian Williams & Ameer AhmedBBC News, AbidjanThousands of football fans wearing orange and white have flooded the streets of Abidjan to see the Ivory Coast team parade the Africa Cup of Nations trophy they won on Sunday.The hosts defeated Nigeria 2-1 to win Afcon for a third time, prompting huge celebrations across the country.Cecilia, who was born in Ivory Coast but now lives in the US, told the BBC she had travelled home for the final.”That’s the best decision of my life,” she said.Image source, Ameer Ahmed/ BBCImage caption, A football fan awaits the arrival of the national team in AbidjanIvory Coast were unlikely winners. They lost two group games and fired their manager mid-tournament. Emerse Fae, a youth-team manager, took over for his first job leading a senior team. Four games later, he was lifting a trophy. Juliette Youan told the BBC: “Emerse Fae is a hero of Ivory Coast.””We are so proud to celebrate our hero. Vive Emerse! Emerse is the best coach,” she added. Ms Youan and her friends made special T-shirts to commemorate Fae for leading the country to victory.Image source, Ian Williams/ BBCImage caption, Footballs fans made T-shirts to celebrate coach Emerse FaeThe parade began at Hôtel Palmier and the crowd built slowly from around midday, becoming more boisterous as the parade’s scheduled start time approached.As numbers grew, so did the noise, with horns blaring and chants breaking out, accompanied by dancing. At around 15:00 GMT, the first players suddenly appeared on the flatbed truck that would take them on their journey through Abidjan to the over 30,0000 capacity Félix Houphouët Boigny stadium for a trophy presentation.The banners on the truck announced the Elephants as “Champions of Africa 2023″ and featured three stars, a nod to the fact that the team has now won this competition on three occasions.Their underdog story resonated throughout the streets as people danced, rejoicing in their amazing comeback.”It’s amazing. The first part of the tournament was very difficult but afterwards the players played very well and today we are very happy. Today we have to do some parties, it’s obligatory,” said Kwaku, another fan at the parade.Image source, Ian Williams/ BBCImage caption, Ivory Coast players celebrating their victoryLooking relaxed in short-sleeved training tops, sunglasses, baseball caps and with gold medals around their necks, the players smiled out at the adoring crowds, leaning against the barrier, taking selfies and waving the Ivorian flag. At one point, captain Serge Aurier even helped lift a young fan onto the truck for a photo before handing him back to his waiting father.Image source, AFPImage caption, Ivory Coast won Afcon for a third timeIvory Coast’s tale of triumph was made even better as the goal that clinched the trophy for the team was scored by Sébastien Haller, who had been diagnosed with testicular cancer a few months ago.”We hoped to get to this point and once again the match wasn’t an easy one. The joyous scenes we see now, what’s happening in the country, they deserve it too. I really hope it does a lot of people good,” said Haller.”We are very, very proud of our three stars on our jersey. We [the Ivorian people] have passed through many, many things, and today we are happy, we get together,” one fan told the BBC.Given the reaction, it is clear members of this victorious squad will be viewed as national heroes for years to come.Fans around the world are already dubbing Ivory Coast’s win one of the greatest turnaround in football tournament history.More on the Africa Cup of Nations:Haller caps return from cancer with Afcon trophyHow Nigerians console themselves after Afcon heartbreakListen to the World Football at Afcon podcastAround the BBCFocus on Africa podcastTop StoriesPalestinians sheltering in Rafah fear Israeli offensivePublished1 hour agoLabour withdraws support for Rochdale candidatePublished4 minutes agoIsrael to act on soldier misconduct after BBC investigationPublished3 hours agoFeaturesWhat we know about Israel’s Rafah hostage rescue raidInside Ukraine’s struggle to find new men to fightHow Vogue kept its cover shoot of 40 famous stars secretUsher shines at Super Bowl half-time showDeadpool and Wicked trailers air in Super Bowl adsWatch: Kelce and Swift celebrate at Super Bowl. 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