French 'Emperor'-President Swears at Ungrateful Subjects

Cyclone Chido bringing wind speeds of more than 225km/h (140mph), swept through Mayotte, the overseas department of France – which is between Madagascar and Mozambique in the Indian Ocean – on December 14, destroying infrastructure and flattening many of the tin-roofed shacks that make up its large slums. 

 

Almost a week after its worst storm in ninety years, France’s poorest territory still has water shortages. Not to mention that a large part of the archipelago is also without power. And at least 35 people are reported by French officials to have died, but the death toll is expected to be much higher with thousands still missing. Officials say supplies of food and water are the top priority.

 

Confronted by angry and desperate islanders on his public relations trip to this outpost on Thursday, five days after Cyclone Chido tore through the archipelago, French 'Emperor'-President Emmanuel Macron (right) responded by telling locals: "I had nothing to do with the cyclone. You can blame me, but it wasn't me". 

 

And amid calls to resign and demands for more aid in devastated areas, he even swore at them: "If this wasn't France, you'd be in a bath of shit 10,000 times worse". Sacré merde!

 

After Mayotte, the storm hit the African mainland, killing at least ninety-four people in Mozambique and thirteen in Malawi, as per latest news reports.

 

Yesterday, leaders Liverpool won a 9-goal thriller when they bested Tottenham Hotspur 6-3 in a Sunday English Premier League match to go four points clear of second-placed Chelsea.

 

Luis Diaz headed in Trent Alexander-Arnold's perfect cross after 23 minutes, followed by Alexis Mac Allister doubling their lead with another header 13 minutes later before Spurs pulled one back in the 41st minute.

 

But the Reds scored again when Mohamed Salah set up Dominik Szoboszlai for a simple finish in first-half stoppage time.

 

Salah drew level with Billy Liddell's record of 228 Liverpool goals when he extended Liverpool's advantage from close range after 54 minutes, then went into fourth place in the club's all-time list of scorers on his own when Szoboszlai repaid the first-half compliment to play the Egyptian in for his second. 

 

Home team Spurs responded with two goals (72, 83) to threaten the monster of all comebacks, but Diaz raced onto Salah's pass to complete a memorable victory for Arne Slot's side in the 85th minute.

 

Liverpool have dropped points in each of their past two Premier League games, with draws at Newcastle United and at home to Fulham – but this was as convincing a return to winning ways as possible as they confirmed once again that they are the team to beat in the title race.