Culture

The Dutch football sensation Kjell Scherpen is set to embark on a new chapter in the Premier League, with a transfer reportedly valued at over €10 million from Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise to newly promoted Ipswich Town. At 26 years old, Scherpen has established himself as one of the top goalkeepers in Belgium, delivering standout performances throughout the season. His impressive campaign earned him both the Croky Cup and the prestigious Golden Glove award for most clean sheets in the league. These accolades have now caught the attention of top European clubs, including English Premier League contenders. Scherpen’s journey to Union Saint-Gilloise began in 2025 when he joined the club on a permanent deal worth around €2 million. Prior to that, he had been on loan from Brighton & Hov...

Each year, the University of Lomé (UL), Togo’s largest higher education institution, welcomes thousands of new high school graduates and returning students. To streamline the enrollment process for the upcoming academic year, the university has introduced modernized and fully digitalized administrative procedures. What follows is a clear, step-by-step guide to ensure a smooth and successful registration or re-enrollment. What you need to start your registration Before logging into the university’s online portal, gather the following prerequisites: First-time applicants (LMD 1): You must have already obtained your BAC 2 diploma or an officially recognized equivalent. Returning students: You need your UL student matriculation number and proof of having successfully completed the previous...

In a bold move to shape the future of Côte d’Ivoire’s electoral framework, the Pan-African Platform for Women and Youth for Peace, Democracy and Governance (2PFJ) has issued a strong call for an open, inclusive and constructive political dialogue. The appeal comes at a critical juncture as the country seeks to rebuild trust in its electoral system following years of political turbulence. In a formal statement released to the public, the 2PFJ underscored the urgency of conducting a thorough and unbiased assessment of the socio-political climate in Côte d’Ivoire. The organization emphasized that electoral governance reforms—fundamental to the nation’s democratic stability—cannot be treated as mere administrative adjustments. Instead, they must evolve into a comprehensive negotiation process...

Reading time: 5 minutes Alain Aka Correspondent in Ivory Coast Tidjane Thiam Parti Démocratique de Côte d'Ivoire (PDCI) Legal battles shake Ivory Coast's PDCI as Thiam faces court scrutiny The Ivorian political landscape is witnessing unprecedented legal turbulence as the Parti Démocratique de Côte d'Ivoire (PDCI) grapples with internal and external pressures. At the center of this storm is Tidjane Thiam, the party's leader, whose recent court proceedings have sent shockwaves through the organization and its supporters. Understanding the judicial landscape The legal challenges facing Thiam stem from a series of allegations that have emerged in recent months. These accusations, though yet to be fully substantiated in public, have prompted swift judicial ...

Bénin's political landscape has just witnessed a major shift. Former President Thomas Boni Yayi, who had fiercely opposed the creation of the Senate, has now announced he will take up his seat as a senator. His decision comes as he seeks to foster dialogue in a political environment he describes as increasingly restrictive. A strategic move to break political deadlock In a bold reversal of his earlier stance, Thomas Boni Yayi justified his change of heart by pointing to what he calls a 'locked-down political system.' With the National Assembly now dominated by a single political bloc and public debate spaces shrinking, he believes occupying the Senate is essential to amplify citizen voices and ease political tensions. "I’m not seeking this role—it’s the Constitution that assigns it," ...

The Gabonese economy has strengthened its appeal as a prime destination for foreign direct investments (FDI) within the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC). According to the latest findings, the country welcomed a total of $379 million in FDI inflows in 2025, equivalent to 216 billion FCFA, marking a notable recovery compared to the $310 million recorded the previous year. This upward trend follows years of instability in investment flows, reflecting renewed confidence from global investors. The surge in FDI comes as global investment remains heavily concentrated in a handful of countries and strategic sectors, including digital infrastructure, critical minerals, and energy. Gabon’s total FDI stock now stands at $19.24 billion, up from $18.89 billion in 2024, underscor...

After failed Ibrahima Ba transfer, agent levels serious charges at Strasbourg The Senegalese defender’s move to Racing Club de Strasbourg collapsed at the last minute on Saturday. His representative dismisses claims of a failed medical test, pointing instead to contractual disputes.  |  The proposed transfer of Senegalese defender Ibrahima Ba to Racing Club de Strasbourg appeared all but finalized late last week. Y...

Niger journalist freed after over a year in detention20 Minutes with AFPsat. 18 july 2026 at 2:22 PM UTCAdd Yahoo as your preferred source to see our articles on Google.A wave of relief swept through Niger’s media circles on Friday after Hamid Mahmoud, a journalist from Radio Sahara FM in Agadez, was released from custody—14 months after his arrest. The news of his freedom was confirmed by a representative of Niger’s private media association, who shared the update with local press. Radio Sahara FM, a sister outlet of Aïr Info, also verified the release. Hamid Mahmoud, along with two colleagues from the same station, was detained twice in Agadez in May 2025. Their arrest followed reports on the alleged breakdown of security contracts between Niger and Russia—a topic that has drawn signific...

History often carries stories that refuse to fade, not because they belong to the past, but because they continue to challenge our collective conscience. In Ouahigouya, on July 16, 2026, Captain Ibrahim Traoré stood before the people of the Yaadga region to shine a light on one such painful chapter: the Village of Bamboula. This incident, though buried in time, forces us to confront a harsh truth—how far into modernity human dignity can still be violated. Unlike the notorious colonial exhibitions of the 19th century, the Village of Bamboula unfolded in 1994, in France. At Port-Saint-Père, near Nantes, an amusement park opened an attraction labeled as an "African village." What was marketed as a cultural exchange was, in reality, a dehumanizing spectacle. Twenty-five individuals, primaril...

Libreville, Saturday July 18, 2026 (Infos Gabon) - The figures were long-awaited by financial institutions, rating agencies, and African market experts. They are now official. The public debt of Gabon reached 8,780 billion CFA francs at the end of 2025, according to data published by the Directorate General of Debt. A level that marks a major turning point for the Gabonese economy and puts the question of financial sustainability at the center of national debate. By Harouna Ousmane — Reporter

The Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) faces a pivotal moment this summer as Bradley Barcola, the club's 23-year-old winger, holds the key to his future. Despite being labeled as non-transferable by the club, Barcola's stance may shift once discussions resume upon his return from the FIFA World Cup.Sources close to the situation suggest that a potential departure could fetch PSG a staggering €150 million, depending on the offers presented. The club, however, remains firm in its stance—at least officially—regarding Barcola's status. Bradley Barcola's future hangs in the balance as European giants like Liverpool, Arsenal, and Bayern Munich circle, eager to secure his services. The young French international has yet to confirm his intentions, leaving PSG in a precarious position...

Didier Deschamps delivered his last pre-match press conference on Friday, July 17, in Miami, ahead of the France-England third-place playoff. The French national team coach dedicated twenty-five minutes to addressing journalists’ questions about both the upcoming match and his own future with the team.“I know full well that tomorrow marks the final curtain. While I don’t intend to make anyone cry—nor do I think anyone will—it’s true that the French team will be sorely missed. Twenty-five years of dedication leave their mark. But I’m an optimist by nature. What matters is always what lies ahead,” he revealed, reflecting on his upcoming departure after fourteen years as coach and eleven as a player.a revamped squad for the final pushThe coach was quick to dismiss any notion of underestimatin...