Month: July 2026

Human Rights Watch Reports Civilian Deaths in Mali Airstrikes An investigation by an international human rights organization has uncovered evidence of what appears to be unlawful aerial attacks in central Mali that resulted in the deaths of eight civilians, including three children. The alleged strikes, carried out on June 15 by a Russian-operated aircraft, targeted the village of Kyrnia in the Mopti region. According to detailed findings, a Russian-made Sukhoi Su-24 jet bombed civilian structures, specifically the village leader’s residence and a livestock market. No armed Islamist fighters were reported among the casualties. The attack left three additional civilians injured. Violations of International Law Alleged A senior Sahel researcher at the organizatio...

In a move reflecting diplomatic reciprocity, Taiwan has temporarily suspended visa processing for Moroccan passport holders. The decision follows reports that Morocco has ceased accepting visa applications from Taiwanese travelers globally, a development confirmed by the Taiwanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Taiwanese travel agencies have been notified by the Moroccan embassy in Japan that the issuance of visa confirmation letters for Taiwanese citizens has been halted. Further, it has been indicated that the Moroccan government directed its diplomatic missions worldwide to halt visa processing for Taiwanese nationals, disrupting bilateral travel and exchange programs. In retaliation, Taiwan has implemented a visa suspension for Moroccan applicants, effective immediately, with exception...

migrant surge at Ceuta sparks political pressure concerns from SpainIn just 24 hours, nearly 60,000 individuals crossed illegally into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, a 20 km² territory bordering Morocco with a population of 85,000. Spanish authorities suspect Rabat may be using migration as a tool to pressure Madrid over its growing ties with Algeria.Thousands of Moroccan nationals reached Ceuta by swimming across the border just one week after Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez visited Algeria. This follows a similar incident in 2021 when nearly 9,000 people entered the territory after Spain hosted the leader of the Polisario Front, an independence movement opposing Morocco’s claims over Western Sahara.Unprecedented migration crisis unfolds at Ceuta borderChaos erupted at the Ceuta-Casti...

Brussels’ Union Saint-Gilloise steps onto the European stage with a high-stakes duel against Norway’s Bodø/Glimt, a team that stunned audiences in last season’s UCL campaign. The Belgian side’s mission is clear: advance past the third qualifying round to secure a place in the Champions League playoff stages. The double-header kicks off on August 4 and 11, broadcast live on RTL club and RTL play.Dreaming big in Europe’s elite leagueFresh off their maiden Champions League appearance last season, Union Saint-Gilloise is hungry to go even further. Their path to the playoffs runs straight through Bodø/Glimt, the Norwegian underdogs who pushed all the way to the Round of 16 in this year’s tournament. The stakes couldn’t be higher—for Union, the dream of reaching the group stage hangs in the bala...

Ivory Coast leads high-level discussion on mobilizing development resources The Ivory Coast Government recently took center stage in Abidjan to present its strategy for securing large-scale financing to drive the country’s economic transformation. Dr. Souleymane DIARRASSOUBA, representing the Minister of Planning and Development, was represented by his Chief of Staff, Professor Loesse Jacques ESSO, who led the launch ceremony for the 2026 Côte d'Ivoire Country Report and the West Africa Economic Outlook by the African Development Bank (AfDB). The event, held on July 28, gathered key stakeholders including AfDB representatives, national and international financial institutions, the private sector, and Ivorian government officials. Under the theme "Scaling up resource mobilization for Afri...