Category: Top Stories

Romuald Wadagni, set to celebrate his 50th birthday next month, has officially commenced his renewable seven-year term as Bénin’s president. Following his formal declaration as elected by the chief clerk of the Constitutional Court, he was sworn in on Sunday morning. The brief ceremony took place at the presidential palace in Cotonou, the economic capital, notably without the presence of any foreign heads of state, mirroring recent past inaugurations. His election on April 12 had largely been a procedural matter, as he faced only one minor challenger, Paul Hounkpè. Hounkpè’s…

The Government of Niger has terminated its decades-long partnership with French uranium giant Orano Mining, replacing it with a state-owned entity to oversee the nation’s uranium reserves. In a decisive move, the Council of Ministers approved the establishment of Teloua Safeguarding Uranium Mining Company (TSUMCO SA), a national company that will now manage the Arlit mining concession—a uranium-rich site operated by Orano since 1978 under a 75-year agreement. This strategic decision follows the nationalization of SOMAIR, another Orano-controlled mining operation, which had already come under state control in mid-2025. The…

In a region where the shadow of Boko Haram continues to loom, His Majesty Brahim Koromi Mahamat, the paramount leader of the Boudouma Gouria I canton in Lac Province, embarked on a critical awareness campaign this week. The initiative brought him face-to-face with communities across his jurisdiction, reinforcing the bond between traditional leadership and local populations. The delegation accompanying the traditional ruler included esteemed local figures, respected elders, and peace advocates. Together, they delivered a unified message: stand united, remain vigilant, and confront violent extremism as one. The tour transcended…

The situation in Mali is rapidly deteriorating as the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM), an Al-Qaeda-affiliated group, intensifies its territorial grip across the country. Despite military operations led by Bamako and its allies, the group continues to execute high-impact attacks, including ambushes on military convoys, assaults on outposts, and strategic blockades along key routes. The escalation is no longer confined to Mali—it now threatens the broader Sahel region, raising alarms among neighboring nations grappling with political instability and economic hardship. From clandestine operations to territorial dominance…

With the UEFA Champions League final against Arsenal just one week away, Paris Saint-Germain conducted an internal training match this Saturday. While the 2025 Ballon d’Or recipient and the Moroccan defender were absent from this friendly encounter, there appears to be no significant concern regarding their availability for the crucial clash with Arsenal. Paris Saint-Germain maintained its rigorous training schedule this Saturday at the Poissy Campus grounds. Following manager Luis Enrique’s announcement after the 2-1 Ligue 1 defeat to Paris FC on the final matchday, an intense internal friendly match…

With just seven days remaining before the highly anticipated Ligue des champions final, Paris Saint-Germain’s players immersed themselves in a high-stakes internal scrimmage to sharpen their competitive edge. The session, held at the club’s training facility in Poissy, served as a critical rehearsal ahead of the May 30 showdown against Arsenal in Budapest. Under the watchful eye of head coach Luis Enrique, the squad split into two teams for a 60-minute duel that mirrored the intensity of a real match. The exercise was designed to maintain rhythm and cohesion, ensuring…

The recent participation of Chad in the World Urban Forum held in Baku, Azerbaijan, has yielded significant outcomes for the country’s urban resilience agenda. Chad has been officially designated as the 11th eligible nation for the Building Climate Resilience of Urban Populations (BCRUP) program under the Green Climate Fund, previously encompassing only ten member states. This international endorsement underscores Chad‘s proactive stance in addressing pressing urban challenges, including devastating floods, mass displacement of communities, and the escalating impacts of climate change on its cities and towns. During the forum, a…

The wait has been long—four years since OL Lyonnes, formerly known as Olympique Lyonnais Féminin, last lifted the UEFA Women’s Champions League trophy. For the most decorated club in the competition’s history with eight titles, this dry spell feels like an eternity. Yet the French side, now led by president Michele Kang, remains built for dominance. The challenge? A relentless obstacle has stood in their path for six straight years: FC Barcelone. The Catalan giants have reached six consecutive Champions League finals in that span (excluding the COVID-affected season), clinching…

In a decisive move late on Friday, the President of Senegal, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, terminated the mandate of his Prime Minister and former ally Ousmane Sonko. The decision comes after months of escalating disagreements between the two leaders, who initially rose to power together in April 2024, riding a wave of widespread public support. While the specific reasons behind the dismissal have not been disclosed, observers note that the rift between President Faye and Prime Minister Sonko had been steadily widening. Their once-solid partnership, forged in shared political struggles, now…