Author: yreape

According to a report, a Niger military spokesman said on national tv on Saturday that France are gathering forces and equipment in several west african countries, and that they are continuing to deploy their forces in member countries of ecowas (the economic community of west african states) as part of preparations for aggression against Niger, which it is planning in collaberation with the community organisation. Reportedly, french military cargo aircraft have unloaded large quantities of war material and equipment in Senegal, Ivory Coast and Benin.

According to the report, thousands of people have been holding near daily demonstrations around a military base housing french soldiers to demand their departure. Reportedly, in the past France has refused to comply with Niger’s request to remove its troops and envoy, now Paris is in talks with Niger over withdrawing elements of its presence. According to the report, the prime minister who wants to maintain cooperation with France following a swift departure said he is also hopeful of coming to an agreement with ecowas. Reportedly, the u.s. who have around 1100 troops in Niger have been relocating troops from the capital to the city of Agadez, central Niger.

According to a report, Raymond Ndong Sima was installed as prime minister of Gabon on Thursday, while General Nguema became the country’s president. Reportedly, Mr Sima served under Ali Bongo Ondimba, he was prime minister from 2012-2014 but resigned and stood against him for the presidency in 2016 and 2023.

According to the report, Mr Ondimba succeded his father who had ruled the central african oil producing country for 42 years. Reportedly, the family’s rule has created widespread discontent, with critics saying they did little to share Gabon’s wealth with its 2.3 million people.

According to a report, russian drones targeted Kyiv on Sunday but were intercepted. Reportedly, Russia said it destroyed 8 ukrainian drones near the Crimea peninsula and Russia’s defence ministry said its naval craft destroyed three military speed boats carrying marines, heading towards Crimea. According to the report, just days after Russia said it destroyed four ukrainian speed boats off Crimea.

Reportedly, progress in Ukraine’s summer offensive has been slow but they are making steady progress and have recovered 50% of the ground Russia seized. According to the report, ukrainian progress is also down to the international community applying economic and diplomatic pressure, and Russia is suffering. Reportedly, there are 30 days or so before the weather hinders the counteroffensive.

According to a report, Ukraine’s head of military intelligence said, in terms of creativity and flexibility we still have an edge over them. They are rather outdated. They miserably fail with their tactics but are adapting and trying to change tactics and their tactics do have some improvements. For instance they have switched to a mass use of drones.

Reportedly, speaking to western allies, Ukraine’s new defence minister said, we are grateful for all the support provided. We need more heavy weapons and we need them today.

According to a report, an earthquake with a magnitude of 6.8 has struck central Morrocco killing atleast 1000 people and causing damage in several areas. Reportedly, the quake occurred at 23.11 local time on Friday, violent tremors were felt from Casablanca to Marrakesh where many buildings have been destroyed or damaged.

According to the report, the epicentre was in the High Atlas mountains and many of the victims are believed to live in remote mountain areas. Reportedly, many people are believed to be still under the rubble, rescue efforts are underway and several bodies have been recovered.

According to the report, many spent the night in the open as the government had warned everyone not to go back in their homes incase of severe aftershocks. Reportedly, hospitals in Marrakesh have seen an influx of injured people and the authorities have called on residents to donate blood.

The leaders of the world’s up and coming countries gathered in New Dehli on Saturday and Sunday. Reportedly, the group was founded in 1999 and discussed third world debt, but not much was done about it. Third world debt emerged with loans instead of payment to help african nations recover from assets exploitation.

During the 2023 inauguration ceremony it was announced that the african union has been granted permanent membership status. The african union has observer status in the united nations. The presence of the u.n. in Africa has caused dissent, yet in Mali where the u.n. were asked to leave they were replaced by wagner and not much has changed. The insurgencies in Africa appear to be about assett exploitation and Russia appear to be carrying on the tradition. Reportedly, the group has operated in several african countries since 2017.

According to a report, psni officers have seized explosives, two hand grenades and two handguns during searches in Derry. Reportedly, three people, two men and a woman have been arrested under terrorism legislation. According to the report, police say the material is linked to the new ira and the intention was to use them to attack their officers.

Reportedly, a handgun was found in a search at Southway, another handgun, two hand grenades, a kilogram of plastic explosives and 50 rounds of ammunition were found at Creevagh Heights and £2000 in cash was found at Dove Gardens. According to the report, sixteen police officers were hurt during the operation. Reportedly, they had masonry thrown at them.

According to a report, people in Russia occupied areas of Ukraine were being asked to vote in what the authorities are describing as local elections. Reportedly, Ukraine’s foreign minister called the polls a sham, candidates are either Russian or pro Russian. According to the report, many taking part in early polling have been asked to cast their votes in the presence of armed russian soldiers.

Reportedly, the elections which conclude on Sunday are taking part in four regions that Russia does not fully control, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, Donetsk and Luhansk, 15% of Ukraine’s territory. According to the report, these areas were formally claimed by Russia in September last year after holding so called referendums on the future of the lands. Reportedly, the referendums were condemned as a sham with reports of over 99% support for switching to russian control, and at times involved armed soldiers going door to door to collect votes.

According to the report, Ukraine’s generals claimed they have breached Russia’s first line of defence in the Zaporizhzhia region suggesting the country’s counter offensive is gaining momentum. Reportedly, the focus of Ukraine’s efforts there is around the village of Robotyne, 35 miles south east of Zaporizhzhia, the region’s capital.

According to a report, an islamist military group have attacked a river boat in north eastern Mali killing atleast 49 civilians. Reportedly, militants atttacked the boat as it was travelling on the River Niger from the town of Gao to Mopti. According to the report, the river is a transport link in an area where there are few roads. Reportedly, the government has announced three days of national mourning.

Mali’s military rulers have asked french troops and the u.n. to leave and have replaced them with the wagner group, though there still is a threat of insurgency.

According to a report, Gabon’s military leaders say they have freed the former president, Ali Bongo Ondimba who has been under house arrest since they took power. Reportedly, the removal of Mr Ondimba was welcomed by many gabonese. According to the report, a communique read out on tv on Wednesday evening by military spokesman Col. Ulrich Manfoumbi said the decision to free the former president was due to his state of health. Reportedly, he suffered a stroke in 2018. According to the report, he may if he wishes travel abroad for medical checkups.

According to a report, the u.s. has announced a €1 billion package to Ukraine, including reinforced shells that Russia say contain a nuclear component. Reportedly, Russia has condemned the move to equip u.s. Abram tanks with shells made of depleted uranium which makes weapons more powerful, but those weapons could be a threat to people in areas where they are used.

According to the report, depleted uranium is uranium stripped of some not all of its nuclear activity. Reportedly, a very dense metal, it can be used on the tips of bullets, mortar rounds and tank shells in order to penetrate conventional tank armour. According to the report, depleted uranium sharpens on impact and ignites after contact. Reportedly, it was developed by the u.s. and uk in the 1970s and was used in the Gulf war in 1991, Kosovo in 1999 and the Iraq war in 2003. According to the report, a study published in the journal, Environmental pollution in 2019 suggests there may be links between the use of depleted uranium weapons and birth defects in Nasiriya, Iraq.