
Bernadette Chirac, widow of former president Jacques Chirac, will be laid to rest in a funeral in Paris on Friday, June 12. She passed away on June 5 at the age of 93. The ceremony will take place at 2:30 pm 1230 GMT at the Sainte-Clotilde Basilica, a significant location for the Chirac family, as it is near where Bernadette and Jacques Chirac were married, and where their eldest daughter Laurence's funeral was held in 2016. The funeral is expected to be attended by prominent figures including current French first lady Brigitte Macron, former presidents Nicolas Sarkozy and Francois Hollande, and Sarkozy's wife Carla Bruni. Defence Minister Catherine Vautrin will represent the French government. Part of the basilica, which has a capacity of 650, will be accessible to the public, with the mass broadcast to those outside. Bernadette Chirac had her own political career, serving as an elected councillor for Correze and a member of the municipal council of Sarran. Correze will honor her on Sunday, with councillors carrying her coffin into the Basilica. She will be buried in the family plot at Montparnasse Cemetery in Paris.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.

The African Democratic Congress ADC has issued an open letter, signed by its National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi, asserting that democracy under President Bola Tinubu's administration has not improved the lives of ordinary Nigerians. Marking Democracy Day, the opposition party stated that the true measure of democracy lies in its impact on citizens' lives, not merely the duration since military rule ended. The ADC challenged Nigerians to consider if they are safer, more prosperous, or have greater confidence in the government than in the past, concluding that the answer is a "resounding no." The party accused the All Progressives Congress APC-led government of presiding over worsening insecurity, economic hardship, and declining public trust. According to the ADC, insecurity has reached alarming levels, with daily killings and kidnappings, while the economy faces a severe cost-of-living crisis impacting workers, small businesses, and young people. The ADC attributed these challenges to poor leadership and ineffective policies, arguing that the government offers no solutions beyond "condolence messages" and "propaganda." The party proposed an alternative vision, advocating for intelligence-led, technology-driven, and community-based security, with economic policies focused on reducing hardship, supporting small businesses, and lowering food prices. The ADC also called for reforms to strengthen transparency and accountability in democratic institutions, emphasizing th

Betway, an online sports betting and gaming brand, has announced award-winning music executive, entrepreneur, and cultural icon Don Jazzy as its new brand ambassador in Nigeria. Don Jazzy, founder of Mavin Records, is recognized as an influential entertainment figure in Africa. As the face of Betway, he will appear across the brand's consumer touchpoints, aiming to strengthen its connection with fans and players in Nigeria. This partnership is intended to reinforce Betway's commitment to delivering a more engaging and locally resonant experience. Neal Menashe, Chief Executive Officer of Super Group, Betway's parent company, stated that Don Jazzy's commitment to excellence and community empowerment aligns with Betway's core values. Don Jazzy expressed that the partnership feels like a natural fit due to Betway's understanding of ambition, creativity, and confidence.

Qualifying for the FIFA World Cup is a significant achievement, especially for smaller nations with limited populations. Cura莽ao leads the list as the smallest nation to qualify, securing a spot in the 2026 tournament with a population of 185,000. This surpasses Iceland, which previously held the record with 340,000 people when it qualified for the 2018 World Cup. Cape Verde, with 528,000 residents, also secured a historic place in the 2026 World Cup. Other nations that defied odds include Paraguay, which had an estimated 860,000 people at the 1930 tournament, and Trinidad and Tobago, with 1.3 million people, for the 2006 World Cup. Northern Ireland, with 1.4 million, made multiple appearances, including a victory in 1982. Kuwait, with 1.5 million, qualified for the 1982 finals. Slovenia, Uruguay, and the United Arab Emirates each had populations of around 1.9 million when they qualified for their respective World Cups in 2002, 1930, and 1990. These achievements highlight that success in football is not solely dependent on population size.