Sanctioned entity: MANSUDAE OVERSEAS PROJECT GROUP OF COMPANIES. Aliases: Mansudae Art Studio. Program: DPRK.

Hundreds of villagers have fled their homes in southwestern Niger following a series of jihadist attacks that resulted in civilian casualties. The attacks, which occurred in mid-July during the harvest season, have raised concerns about security in the region bordering Nigeria and Benin.

What's behind the latest fighting in Mali? Submitted by Daniel Tester on Fri, 05/15/2026 - 16:37 An alliance of Tuareg separatists and an al-Qaeda-affiliated coalition is fighting a military junta backed by Russian mercenaries and with some support from Turkey A soldier from the National Front for the Liberation of Azawad (FLA) waves an FLA flag in the streets of Kidal on 9 May 2026 (AFP). On Fighting has continued across Mali since Tuareg separatists and an al-Qaeda-affiliated coalition launched a surprise attack on the country’s military junta last month.  Fighters from the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) and Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) groups have seized towns and army bases , blockaded the capital city, Bamako, and killed the country’s defence minister, Sadio Camara , in the most serious challenge to the the government since it came to power in 2020.  Both groups are based in Mali’s remote regions, which stretch over 1,000km north of Bamako, and which successive governments have struggled to control.  Russian Africa Corps mercenaries are also embroiled in the country as part of the Kremlin's wider push to assert its influence across the region.  Mali is vast, a landlocked former French colony that gained formal independence in 1960 and stretches from the Sahara desert in the north to the semi-arid Sahel and humid savannah in the south.

Benin is classified at IPC Phase 3+ food insecurity (Phase 3 and above) as of 2027-01-31. Region: West Africa. Data source: FEWS NET (FEWS NET).

London criticized in South Sea [6 sources]

Nigeria criticized in Benin [4 sources]

# Translation The South African Prosecutor's Office stated that Russia financed an attempt by influencer and "anti-colonial activist" Kemi Seba to escape the country, Bloomberg reports. Seba (real name: Stelio Jill Robert Capo Chichi) is wanted by the authorities of another African country — Benin. The authorities accused him of plotting a coup d'état and sent an extradition request to South Africa.

<p>The fifth overall pick of the 2024 draft, <b>Hagen Smith</b>, made his first major-league start Thursday night — sort of.</p><p>His two scoreless innings against the Pirates before giving way to <b>Erick Fedde </b>in a 2-0 loss to the Pirates were an extension of the White Sox’ league-leading use of opening pitchers, not a deviation from his conversion to reliever for the rest of the season.</p><p>“I kind of treated it like it was a bullpen,” Smith said.</p><p>Smith’s first two full years in pro ball have been defined by sluggish, physically challenging first halves of the season before strong finishing kicks, which is part of why he’s in the bullpen.</p><p>“The last couple of years, the first half of the season has been marred a little bit by an injury — nothing serious — but in the second half of both last year and what it looks like this year, he’s come back after the injury and been really good,” Sox farm director <b>Paul Janish</b> said.</p><p>With a 0.50 ERA and 26 strikeouts in 18 innings, Smith’s adjustment is going swimmingly, his 10 walks aside. With 16 games left, his role could be the sort of opportunity that Triple-A starters <b>Jonathan Cannon</b>, <b>Noah Schultz</b>, <b>Drew Thorpe</b> or <b>David Sandlin</b> should anticipate.</p><p>“It’s very reasonable, as we’ve seen, that they would pitch in a bulk role,” Janish said. “Potentially start as well.