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Mali : Des milliers de déplacés vivent dans la précarité après leur fuite de Kouakourou Two weeks have passed since thousands of residents made their urgent departure from Kouakourou, a town in central Mali, yet they continue to endure precarious living conditions. These individuals were driven from their homes following an ultimatum issued by fighters from the Groupe de soutien à l’islam et aux musulmans (JNIM), an organization affiliated with Al-Qaïda. Now, far from their familiar surroundings, they strive to rebuild their daily lives amidst immense hardship. The jihadists seized control of the Kouakourou military camp, subsequently demanding the complete evacuation of the local populace. An estimated 5,000 people abandoned the town, seeking refuge in neighboring villages such as...

The Megapari scandal has emerged as one of the most talked-about economic and judicial cases in Dakar this autumn. Nearly 10.7 million euros—equivalent to 7 billion West African francs—are alleged to have been embezzled from this leading online sports betting and gaming platform operating in Senegal. The staggering sum, especially in a country where national budgets are measured in trillions, raises serious questions about financial traceability, digital taxation, and consumer protection in the gaming sector. Presumed embezzlement in a rapidly expanding market Senegal’s online betting industry has grown rapidly in recent years, driven by mobile penetration and the enthusiasm of urban youth for international sporting events. Megapari, a well-known operator in this ecosystem, now finds its...

After 56 days of silence: the government finally speaks For 56 days, Cameroon held its breath. Rumors swirled as the nation waited for any sign of Paul Biya, the country's 93-year-old president. Then, on August 2, 2026, the government broke its silence—Biya was alive, and his return was imminent. René Emmanuel Sadi, Cameroon's Minister of Communication and government spokesperson, delivered the long-awaited statement during a national broadcast. "The president is alive," he declared. "There is no power vacuum." The weight of history behind Biya's absence Paul Biya has ruled Cameroon since 1982—a record 43 years in power. His latest trip, which began on June 7, 2026, was initially described as a short private stay in Europe. Yet, as days turned into weeks, the silence deepened. Official c...

Securing an American visa from Bamako has become a logistically complex endeavor. United States consular authorities have shifted the visa application process for Malians to Dakar, making Senegal’s capital the mandatory gateway for those seeking entry into the U.S. This strategic move follows months of escalating diplomatic friction between Washington and Mali’s ruling junta, reshaping regional consular dynamics in West Africa. Regional consequences of a consular relocation The adjustment forces Malian applicants to travel to Dakar for interviews and biometric data collection. The U.S. consular section in Dakar now shoulders an increased workload, absorbing applications from across the Sahel. This decision reflects a broader recalibration of American diplomatic presence in West Africa, wh...

At just 18 years old, Lucas Herrington is poised to carve his name into Australian football history with a potential transfer that could shatter existing records. The young Socceroos defender, who emerged as a standout performer during the 2026 World Cup, is close to finalizing a deal with Hull City—a newly promoted Premier League side—that would make him the most expensive Australian footballer ever transferred. The Colorado Rapids, Herrington’s current club in Major League Soccer, are in advanced talks with Hull City over a transfer fee estimated between AUD 35 and 38 million. If completed, this deal would dwarf the current Australian transfer benchmark set by Harry Souttar in 2023, when he moved from Stoke City to Leicester City for approximately AUD 23 million. Insiders reveal Hull Ci...

In Cameroon, the government has addressed ongoing speculation regarding President Paul Biya’s prolonged absence from the country, now spanning 56 days. René Emmanuel Sadi, Minister of Communication and government spokesperson, provided a clear statement during an exclusive interview, dismissing rumors that suggest the president is either ill or facing a power vacuum. He reassured the public that Paul Biya remains alive and in good health, with his imminent return to Cameroon expected. Government responds to health and power speculations Contrary to circulating reports claiming Paul Biya is hospitalized in a Geneva clinic, the government has firmly denied these claims. The minister emphasized that the president is in full control of the state and that there is no vacancy in power. These as...

Escalating violence forces hundreds to flee in southwest Niger Several hundred people have abandoned their homes in southwestern Niger following a series of mid-July attacks on villages, local officials confirmed. The violence, which struck the Loga area in the Dosso region near the borders with Nigeria and Benin, has left deep scars on communities already struggling with security challenges. Unprecedented displacement in a fragile region This wave of internal displacement is unprecedented in the Dosso region, where farmers were in the midst of their harvest season when the attacks occurred. Local authorities report that the violence began on July 17, targeting at least three villages and resulting in dozens of civilian casualties, including fatalities and injuries. The attacks have trig...

Cameroon government denies power vacuum amid Biya's absence Yaoundé — The prolonged absence of Cameroon’s President Paul Biya, now approaching two months, has sparked renewed speculation, prompting the government to issue an official clarification over the weekend. In a rare statement, the Minister of Communication and government spokesperson René Emmanuel Sadi confirmed that the President remains alive and active in his duties. He also announced Biya’s impending return to Cameroon, though no specific date was provided. Government responds to opposition claims This official statement marks the first direct response from Cameroonian authorities since the President’s extended absence began. It comes as opposition figures demand institutional clarity, questioning Biya’s capacity to fu...

02 August 2026 20:23 +02:00Bayer Leverkusen secures record transfer with Kerim Alajbegovic sale to JuventusTransfersKerim AlajbegovicBayer LeverkusenJuventusKerim Alajbegovic never made a single Bundesliga appearance for Bayer Leverkusen. Yet the club has now completed its second lucrative sale of the Bosnian wunderkind, this time to Juventus for a record fee.At just 18 years old, Kerim Alajbegovic has already become one of Europe’s most talked-about young talents. Despite never featuring in a competitive match for Bayer Leverkusen, his stock has skyrocketed after an impressive FIFA World Cup campaign with Bosnia and Herzegovina, where he scored once in four appearances.The German club has now finalized a deal with Juventus, securing a transfer fee of at least €30 million, plus an addition...

Kolo Muani seals Juventus move as Ligue 1 transfer frenzy intensifies The summer transfer window in France’s top flight is in full swing, with high-profile deals reshaping the Ligue 1 landscape. Among the standout moves, French international forward Randal Kolo Muani has completed his long-anticipated switch to Juventus, while other clubs continue to make waves with record-breaking transactions. Randal Kolo Muani departs Ligue 1 for Juventus After years of steady growth in France’s Ligue 1, Randal Kolo Muani has taken the next step in his career by joining Juventus in a high-profile transfer. The French striker, known for his clinical finishing and versatility, leaves behind a Ligue 1 legacy and heads to Turin to compete in Serie A. The move marks a significant shift in European foot...

Paris Saint-Germain finalizes Randal Kolo Muani's transfer to JuventusThe French striker completes his move to Serie A giants for a reported €38 million, with potential performance-based bonuses.Article written by Staff WriterAugust 2, 20261 min readFrom Frankfurt to Paris to Turin: the striker's journeyThe 27-year-old international forward Randal Kolo Muani will officially join Juventus after his transfer from Paris Saint-Germain was finalized on Sunday. The deal values the player at €38 million, with an additional €12 million in potential bonuses. The French champions expressed their gratitude to the player, wishing him "the very best for the remainder of his career" in an official statement.Short but impactful spell in the French capitalSigned by PSG in August 2023 from Eintracht Frankf...