Month: July 2026

French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu embarks on state visit to Rabat France’s new Prime Minister, Sébastien Lecornu, will lead a high-level delegation to Morocco on July 15, marking his first official foreign trip since assuming office. The two-day state visit aims to revitalize political and economic cooperation between Paris and Rabat. Accompanied by twelve ministers and senior officials, Lecornu will engage in intensive discussions with Morocco’s leadership to address shared priorities, including trade, security, and regional stability. This visit follows a period of strained relations, with both nations seeking to restore confidence and deepen strategic partnerships. Key objectives of the visi...

After a decade away, Lucas Digne is set to make a surprise return to Paris Saint-Germain. The French international, who left the club in 2014, will reunite with his former teammates as his transfer from Aston Villa to PSG nears completion. The 30-year-old defender, whose release clause is valued at €10 million, will officially join the capital club following the conclusion of the FIFA World Cup. His arrival strengthens PSG’s defensive depth, with Digne slated to serve as a reliable backup to Nuno Mendes. The timing of this move is notable, as it reflects the club’s strategic shift after initially eyeing a younger prospect. A reunion for the French stars Digne’s decision to join PSG was not kept under wraps for long. While attending the World Cup in the United States...

eastern DRC conflict: military failures undermine diplomatic progress, says analyst Les rebelles du M23 à Kibumba SécuritéTuesday, July 14, 2026 - 07:28 During a recent live Space event, political analyst Christian Moleka offered a candid assessment of the Democratic Republic of Congo's (DRC) military and diplomatic strategies in confronting the protracted conflict in the nation's East. Despite a substantial allocation of 4.5 billion dollars earmarked for military programming between 2022 and 2025, Moleka asserted that the operational outcomes on the ground have fallen short of expectations. He noted that the FARDC (Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo) have consistently struggled to gain a decisive advantage over the AFC/M23 rebels since the capture of Bunagana in 2022, hig...

Key highlightsDates: The African Economic Conference (AEC) 2026 took place from July 10 to 12 in AbidjanOrganizers: Jointly hosted by the African Development Bank (AfDB), UNDP, and OECDLaunch: Establishment of the African Chief Economists Network (ACE-Network) on July 12Attendance: Over 4,000 virtual participants across three days Abidjan’s African Development Bank headquarters became the epicenter of African economic dialogue from July 10 to 12, 2026, during the African Economic Conference (AEC). The event, co-organized with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), centered on the theme ‘Strengthening Africa’s geopolitical influence and trade resilience in a multipolar world.’ Ivorian Minister of Planning and ...

Key figures59 fatalities: Death toll from Côte d’Ivoire’s floods since mid-May 2026, including over 20 in AttécoubéFive targeted zones: Nématoulaye, Djéné écaré, Santé 3, Cité Fairmont and Attécoubé 3Timeline: Demolition campaign launched July 13, 2026, with heavy machinery deployed through July 24Evacuation notice: Written orders issued to residents on July 10, 2026 Municipal cleanup follows tragedyThe Attécoubé city council initiated systematic demolition of flood-prone homes on July 13, 2026, as part of a broader sanitation effort. The operation aims to curb unregulated urban expansion and reduce risks during the rainy season, which has repeatedly devastated vulnerable neighborhoods. Residents received formal written evacuation notices on July 10. Within days, demolition teams began w...

Why the France-Spain World Cup 2026 semi-final is the ultimate showdownFor the third time in as many major tournaments over the past three years, France and Spain meet in a World Cup semi-final on Tuesday."It’s no exaggeration to call this the final before the final." That’s how Spain’s head coach, Luis de la Fuente, described Wednesday’s World Cup semi-final between his team and France, following Spain’s victory over Belgium in the quarter-finals. Didier Deschamps, France’s coach, had already tipped Spain as the tournament’s top contender before a single match had been played.Two teams, one mission: secure a place in the finalBoth sides have arrived at this stage in peak form, determined to claim a spot in Sunday’s final against the winner of the England-Argentina tie. Their latest meetin...