Olympique Lyonnais kicks off their 2026-2027 UEFA Champions League campaign on Tuesday evening with an away fixture against Sparta Prague in the third qualifying round first leg. Here’s how to catch all the action live in France. Both clubs face high stakes: a loss or a draw that favors the Czech side could send the losing team into the UEFA Europa League group stage. Sparta Prague, runners-up in the Czech First League last season, reached the Champions League group stage in 2024 and advanced to the UEFA Europa Conference League…
Read MoreMalians now required to apply for US visas from Dakar
Securing an American visa from Bamako is no longer straightforward. Consular authorities in the United States have shifted the processing of Malian visa applications to Dakar, making Senegal’s capital the mandatory destination for all Malian travelers seeking entry into the US. This adjustment follows months of escalating diplomatic tensions between Washington and Mali’s ruling junta, reshaping consular flows across West Africa. The regional impact of consular relocation Malians must now travel to Dakar for both interviews and biometric data collection. The US consulate in Senegal is absorbing an increased workload,…
Read MoreCameroon’s presidential enigma: Paul Biya’s absence fuels national and regional concerns
The protracted discretion of Paul Biya, Cameroon’s head of state since 1982, continues to dominate the political discourse in Yaoundé. The persistent silence from the Étoudi Palace regarding the president’s activities, coupled with a noticeable reduction in his public appearances, fosters a climate of uncertainty that now extends beyond political circles. Across social media, in newsrooms, and within diplomatic missions, a persistent question echoes: where is the president, and in what capacity is he currently governing? A nonagenarian leader amidst persistent opacity At 91 years old, Paul Biya has accumulated…
Read MoreCameroon’s international bond ambitions face scrutiny amid presidential absence
Cameroon is currently preparing one of its most significant external financing operations since its Eurobond issuance in January 2026. According to the monthly public debt report for June 2026, published by the Caisse Autonome d’Amortissement (CAA), the state intends to raise $690 million, equivalent to nearly 400 billion FCFA, through an ESG-component loan targeting international investors. This crucial operation, however, unfolds within a political landscape that could influence market perceptions, notably marked by the prolonged absence of President Paul Biya – a factor global investors traditionally integrate into their…
Read MoreSenegal unveils AI factory in tokyo to boost digital sovereignty
The Senegalese delegation seized the spotlight at the HAIP Friends Group gathering in Tokyo to unveil the Senegal AI Factory, a flagship project under the country’s New Technological Deal. This initiative underscores Dakar’s commitment to digital sovereignty and positioning Africa as a key player in the global governance of artificial intelligence. The choice of Japan as the launchpad was deliberate: Tokyo hosts one of the most influential diplomatic circles advocating for responsible AI principles, rooted in the G7’s Hiroshima process. Designed as a national hub for high-performance computing and applied…
Read MoreLucas Herrington poised to shatter australian transfer record with premier league move
Socceroos sensation Lucas Herrington, a standout performer at the 2026 World Cup, stands on the cusp of a monumental career milestone. The 18-year-old central defender, currently honing his skills with the Colorado Rapids in MLS, is reportedly nearing a transfer to newly promoted Premier League side Hull City. This move is anticipated to establish him as the most expensive Australian footballer in history. Negotiations are actively underway between the Colorado Rapids and Hull City, with figures circulating between A$35 million and A$38 million. Should this deal materialize, it would significantly…
Read MoreCameroon: government clarifies president biya’s status amidst prolonged absence
The Cameroonian government has finally addressed the prolonged absence of President Paul Biya, who has been outside the country for 56 days. René Emmanuel Sadi, the Minister of Communication and government spokesperson, confirmed the President’s imminent return to Cameroon. He categorically dismissed reports circulating about President Biya being ill and hospitalized in a Geneva clinic, firmly rejecting any opposition-fueled speculation regarding a power vacuum. By Aïcha Abdou — Senior correspondent
Read MoreCameroun first funding for Douala-Bangui road corridor project
The Douala-Bangui economic corridor is set to receive its first wave of financing, with the World Bank approving a $425 million package to revitalize the 800 km stretch connecting Douala, Cameroon, to Bangui, Central African Republic. Construction is scheduled to begin next year, marking a significant step toward modernizing trade infrastructure in the region. Modernizing trade routes with smarter logistics The project aims to streamline operations and cut transit times for goods moving between Cameroon and its neighbors. Donnat Takueté, Director General of Studies at Cameroon’s Ministry of Public Works,…
Read MoreNiger faces surge in displaced persons after southern terror attacks
The southwestern region of Niger’s Dosso has witnessed an unprecedented wave of displacement following coordinated terror attacks that struck multiple villages in mid-July. Local officials confirm that these violent incidents, which unfolded during the critical farming season, have forced hundreds of civilians from their homes, creating a humanitarian emergency in an area already grappling with insecurity. Villages ravaged by mid-July attacks According to local authorities, the first assaults occurred on July 17, targeting at least three villages in the Loga district of Dosso. While official figures remain undisclosed, sources indicate…
Read MoreNiger sees surge in displacement after violent attacks in southwest
Hundreds of residents have fled their homes in Niger’s southwestern region following a series of mid-July attacks on villages near the border with Nigeria and Benin. The unprecedented displacement has disrupted ongoing farming activities in the Dosso region, where militants targeted multiple communities on July 17, leaving dozens of civilians dead and injured. Escalating violence disrupts rural communities Local authorities report that the attacks struck at least three villages in the Loga district, a key agricultural area. The assaults, described by officials as terrorist strikes, occurred during a critical phase…
Read MoreCameroun authorities confirm paul biya’s health amid absence concerns
Cameroun authorities confirm paul biya’s health amid absence concerns Uncertainty has gripped Cameroun as President Paul Biya remains abroad for nearly two months, sparking questions about his well-being and the continuity of governance. The government has moved swiftly to address these concerns, affirming that the Head of State is alive and that power remains firmly in place. The Minister of Communication and Government Spokesperson, René Emmanuel Sadi, delivered this reassurance in a detailed statement, emphasizing that there is “no power vacuum” in the country. His remarks mark the first official…
Read MoreBayer Leverkusen secures lucrative deal with Juventus for young Bosnian star
Bayer Leverkusen has pulled off a remarkable transfer coup by selling 18-year-old Bosnian international Kerim Alajbegovic to Juventus for a reported fee of €30 million, making it one of the most lucrative deals in football history. The young winger, who never made a Bundesliga appearance for Leverkusen, had already been sold last summer to Red Bull Salzburg for €2 million, with an €8 million buy-back clause activated after his impressive performances in Austria. He scored 13 goals and provided four assists in 44 competitive matches during his time there. Despite…
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