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The Sahel Province of the Islamic State continues to assert its presence in northeastern Mali, even as attention shifts to the JNIM. The Gao region—particularly the Ansongo district—and the Ménaka region remain under the shadow of the Islamic State’s Sahel Province (ISSP), formerly known as the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (EIGS). Within this volatile stretch, communities in Talataye, Tin-Hama, Tessit, and Labbezanga endure persistent pressure as the group solidifies its territorial foothold and tightens control over local populations. Leadership and tactics Under the command of Abou Al-Bara, who took over after the death of Adnan Abu Al-Walid Sahraoui in 2021, the ISSP has evolved its strategy. Gone are the days of mass executions and high-profile terror attacks designe...

Tottenham Hotspur face a critical Premier League clash against Everton this weekend, but the club's captain Cristian Romero will miss the high-stakes encounter. The Argentine defender, sidelined by a knee injury for over a month, won’t even be in London—he’s thousands of miles away in Córdoba, Argentina, attending Belgrano’s historic Apertura final against River Plate. Romero’s absence isn’t just a tactical blow for Tottenham; it symbolizes the growing divide between the club and its most influential player. His potential departure looms large over the North London side, with his contract expiring in the summer and speculation rife about a move to FC Barcelona. From Atalanta to Tottenham: A brief but impactful tenure Arriving in 2022 from Atalanta, Romero quickly established himself as a...

The Africa Corps, a Russian military formation active in Mali, stands accused of conducting a controversial operation involving the airdropping of explosive submunitions over civilian-populated areas. Residents and local officials report that unmarked cargo planes released these hazardous payloads, raising serious concerns about the targeting accuracy and potential civilian harm. Allegations of indiscriminate bombing in Mali Witnesses in several villages near conflict hotspots describe seeing large aircraft releasing clusters of small, parachute-equipped munitions. These devices, designed to scatter over wide areas, are notorious for their inability to distinguish between combatants and civilians. The Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM), a militant group operating in the region, ...

As Liverpool prepare to face Brentford at Anfield in a high-stakes Premier League encounter, the stakes couldn't be higher. With a draw enough to secure a top-five finish and Champions League qualification for 2026-27, the Reds will be looking to make history. Here’s a deep dive into the key statistics and narratives shaping this must-watch match. head-to-head dominance and recent trends Liverpool and Brentford have crossed paths 24 times in competitive fixtures, with the Reds emerging victorious in 15 of those clashes. Brentford has claimed just five wins, while Liverpool has found the net in all but one match. Recent meetings have been particularly high-scoring, with at least one team netting three goals in nine of the last 12 encounters across all competitions. The last Premier League ...

With the usual dominance of Paris Saint-Germain ended early this season following their elimination in the round of 16, a new name will be etched onto the trophy. RC Lens and OGC Nice are set to collide at the Stade de France this Friday to decide the winner of the Coupe de France. This confrontation carries heavy implications for both sides, ranging from a desperate search for historical validation to the struggle for top-flight survival. Lens: the quest for a legendary first crown For a club as deeply rooted in the fabric of French football as RC Lens, their empty trophy cabinet in this specific competition is often described as a historical oddity. Former long-term president Gervais Martel has been vocal about this void, noting that while almost every other major top-tier club has ta...

A comprehensive human rights awareness campaign has been launched at the central commissariat in Koumra, targeting defence and security personnel across the region. The initiative, which began on May 21, places a strong emphasis on embedding human dignity and accountability in operational procedures. Balancing law enforcement with the strict observance of fundamental rights remains a persistent challenge. To address this, the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have joined forces to reinforce judicial integrity and promote ethical standards within Chad’s security apparatus. The training initiative falls under the broader Human Rights Promotion and Protection Support Project, engaging military personne...

The first leg of the Bundesliga relegation playoff ended in a goalless draw between VfL Wolfsburg and SC Paderborn on Thursday evening. The decisive second leg is set for May 25 at 8:30 PM, where one team will battle to retain its top-flight status in German football. Despite dominating possession and creating several scoring chances, Wolfsburg failed to capitalize on its home advantage against the determined second-division side. The Wolves, currently 16th in the Bundesliga with 29 points from 34 matches, will need to improve their finishing when the two teams meet again. a clash of football traditions VfL Wolfsburg, promoted to the Bundesliga in 1997, has established itself as a fixture in Germany’s top flight. The club’s history includes a Bundesliga title in 2009 and a Champions Lea...

Wolfsburg and Paderborn settle for a goalless draw in Bundesliga promotion playoff opener footballbundesliga playoffs Wolfsburg's Mohamed Amoura battles Paderborn's Jonah Sticker during the first leg of the Bundesliga playoffs. (Teresa Kroeger/Reuters) The opening leg of the Bundesliga promotion playoff ended without a winner on Thursday evening. Wolfsburg, currently 16th in the Bundesliga, were held to a 0-0 draw by Paderborn, third in the 2.Bundesliga, at home. Despite dominating proceedings, the Wolves must now secure their survival in the second leg on Monday. Just days after securing their playoff spot with a crucial 3-1 victory at Sankt Pauli, Wolfsburg faced a pivotal match at home against Paderborn. The visitors arrived with contrasting momentum, having clinched third place in ...

The highly anticipated Bundesliga relegation playoff between Wolfsburg and Paderborn is set to kick off at the Volkswagen Arena this Thursday, May 21, 2026, at 8:00 PM local time. Fans across Germany and beyond are gearing up for a thrilling showdown that will determine which team secures their spot in next season’s top-flight competition. Match details and historical context Wolfsburg and Paderborn have crossed paths five times since 2005, with the Wolfsburg side holding the upper hand in their recent encounters. The last meeting, a Bundesliga clash on February 2, 2020, ended with a convincing 4-2 victory for Wolfsburg. This time around, both teams will bring their A-game as the stakes couldn’t be higher. The match is scheduled to be broadcast live on beIN Sports 1, ensuring fans won’t...

Massive investment freeze in Senegal's construction sector A recent technical audit has uncovered a significant bottleneck in Senegal's development, revealing that 245 infrastructure projects across the nation are currently at a standstill. These stalled initiatives represent a staggering 279 billion CFA francs in public investment, effectively locking up vital state resources. This comprehensive review follows a directive issued during the Council of Ministers on April 15, where government departments were tasked with cataloging every halted project under their jurisdiction. Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, speaking during an interministerial council in Dakar, characterized these figures as "dormant assets" that provide no current value to the population. Financial and technical hurdles The ...

Flags of Côte d'Ivoire and Morocco © DR Abidjan reaffirms unwavering support for Morocco's territorial integrity During a high-level diplomatic meeting in Rabat, Côte d'Ivoire's top diplomat delivered a clear message: Abidjan stands firmly behind Morocco's sovereignty over its entire territory, including the Sahara region. This stance was formalized in a joint communiqué following talks between Nasser Bourita, Morocco's Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Nialé Kaba, Côte d'Ivoire's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, who was on an official working visit to the Kingdom. The Ivorian minister's declaration marks another chapter in a long-standing partnership between the two nations. Nialé Kaba emphasized that Côte d'Ivoire's support for Morocco's position is both consistent and unwavering...