U.S. commanders leading annual counter-terrorism exercises in West Africa have urged coastal countries to depend on each other to contain a spreading Islamist insurgency, rather than non-Western powers, a year after Mali hired Russian mercenaries to help.

Ouagadougou

U.S, Russia fight for influence in West Africa

This counterterrorism exercising Ghana is being led by us commanders. Their mission is to contain a spreading islamist Insurgency. But the commanders here are trying to train. What's Africa's Coastal Nations to depend on each other and not fight rather than on Western powers like Russia. Colonel. Robert Seiler comes to synchronizing or bringing everybody together to help solve that Collective problem going. Going forward, it's it's teaching countries. In the region is that they can reach across the borders in and talk to their their next door, neighbors and help solve the common problem together, that continuation of that team is going to be very beneficial to the United States. I believe it comes a year after Molly hired private Russian military, contractor Wagner group amid, surging islamist groups. I move that Western governments and the United Nations day has led to a spike in violence and goes up. Then you have the issue where governments have a have problems potentially in a, because that's when they start to reach out for maybe other Moline actors that are more exploitive of a resources in a particular country. More hostile since Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the West opposes Russian influence in the region. Molly, whose government took power in a 2021 military coup has previously said, Russian forces are not mercenaries butt trainers, helping local troops with equipment from Russia. In the last decade, thousands have been killed and millions displaced as offensive efforts failed to stop an islamist Insurgency. Security Experts say it could get worse after thousands of French troops were forced out of Mali and Burkina Faso by military juntos this year. Meanwhile in Ethiopia a sign. The US is also trying to forge ties off the battlefield, Secretary of State and Tony blinken met with Ethiopian Prime Minister abiy. Ahmed as both sides look to mend diplomatic ties damaged by the warther, the Peregrine to strengthen bilateral relations with a commitment to partnership but it's unclear what more resources, the US would be willing to give to Africa. It has been reluctant to engage. After four soldiers were killed in Niger in 2017. Critics say, timing is crucial as islamist violence continues to spread

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese fought back tears on Thursday as he revealed the question the government wants to ask in a referendum on whether to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in the country's constitution. 

Canberra

Australia set to vote on indigenous referendum

Pakistan's former Prime Minister Imran Khan says it is only a matter of time before he is imprisoned or killed. He made the remarks in an online post, in which he spoke out against the government and the military. The Lahore district administration has granted permission to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to hold a rally at Minar Pakistan between the night of the 25th and 26th of March.

Lahore

Imran Khan wars 'matter of time' before his murder

The United States Federal Reserve has announced its latest interest rate hike, a move aimed at lowering inflation by making borrowing more expensive for consumers. The increase of a quarter of a percentage point on Wednesday sets the US central bank’s benchmark overnight interest rate in the 4.75 to 5 percent range, its highest level in 15 years.

Wall Street

U.S interest rates hiked again

Former U.K. prime minister Boris Johnson clashed with MPs at a hearing over parties held at Downing Street while the rest of the country was in lockdown. The scandal, which drove Johnson out of the prime minister’s office, could now get him booted from Parliament.

London

Boris Johnson grilled over Partygate

Seventeen Ukrainian children who were sent to camps in Crimea by Russian officials were reunited with their families in Kyiv today. They are among thousands who were transferred to Russia or the regions it occupies. It follows charges laid against Vladimir Putin over the alleged kidnappings levelled by the International Criminal Court.

Kyiv

Ukraine Invasion

Children 'taken' by Russia returned

The House of Commons voted 515-29 to back a key portion of The Windsor Framework, designed to resolve a trade dispute between the UK and Northern Ireland.

Westminster

Sunak's Brexit deal clears Commons vote

Two Defence Force personnel have been injured after an Australian Army helicopter crashed into the water during routine counterterrorism training on New South Wales south coast. There were 10 personnel on board the aircraft when the incident occurred and all have been recovered from the water. Chief of Army Lieutenant General Simon Stuart says the incident had the potential to end in "tragedy".

Jervis Bay

Two army personnel injured in helicopter crash

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited his troops near the frontline city of Bakhmut, the ongoing battle for the city being one of the bloodiest of the war. Footage released by the president's office shows him handing out medals and visiting wounded in the Donetsk region, where Bakhmut is located.

Bakhmut

Zelenskyy visits Bakhmut frontlines

Emmanuel Macron has defended his Government's decision to force the controversial pension reforms through Parliament during a rare national 
television address, designed to quell the violent protests that have gripped the country. The French President condemning the violence, saying he had 'no regrets' despite facing multiple no-confidence motions.

Paris

'No regrets': Macron defiance amid protests

Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson insists he did not lie to lawmakers, defending himself at a parliamentary hearing as part of a probe into whether he misled lawmakers over rule-breaking Covid-19 lockdown parties. Johnson faced a grilling before a cross-party committee that has the powers to suspend the MP and force a by-election in his London seat.

'Hand on heart': Boris denies lying

Stocks on Wall Street have climbed after the rescue of Credit Suisse calmed nerves about a larger banking crisis. The United States treasury secretary, Janet Yellen, says the local financial sector is stabilising after it was put to the test by the collapse of two banks this month. But the world's largest economy is still facing some strong headwinds.

Banking Crisis

U.S bank failures 'very different' from 2008

Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin stress that'“responsible dialogue' is the best way to resolve the Ukraine crisis as Moscow reaffirms its commitment to peace negotiations. The Chinese leader says Beijing has an “impartial position” on the conflict in Ukraine and supports peace as Putin says China’s peace proposals could be used as the basis for talks.

Moscow

Xi's trip to Russia: A boost for Putin

A Virginia grand jury formally indicted 10 people, including police officers and hospital workers, over the death of Irvo Otieno - a Black man who was restrained before he died in a mental health facility. His family demanded justice and mental health reform. 

Richmond

Video shows police 'piling on' man before his death

Lawyers for Fox Corp faced a sceptical judge on Tuesday (March 21) as they sought to block a $1.6 billion defamation lawsuit by Dominion Voting Systems from going to trial, while the voting-technology company accused Fox News of knowingly airing vote-rigging claims that the network knew were false.

Delaware

Fox News fights to avoid trial by jury

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday a Chinese peace plan could provide a basis for a settlement of the fighting in Ukraine when the West is ready for it. Speaking after talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, Putin charged that Ukraine’s Western allies so far have shown no interest in that.

Russian Sanctions

Putin: Ukraine 'doesn't want' peace

Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is battling for his political future as he tries to convince a cross-party committee that he 'unintentionally' misled Parliament over the Partygate scandal. If the committee decides he 'recklessly' misled MPs, he faces a suspension from Parliament that could force a by-election in his West London seat.

Boris Johnson in trouble again

A magnitude 6.5 earthquake was felt across huge swathes of Afghanistan, Pakistan, and parts of India on Tuesday night, forcing people to spend the night outside.

Islamabad

Deadly earthquake rocks Pakistan, Afghanistan

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has offered strong support to Ukraine during a visit to Kyiv, inviting President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to the G-7 Summit in May.

In Kyiv, Japan's Kishida backs Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping discussed Beijing's proposal for a ceasefire in Ukraine in talks in Moscow, while displaying a warm friendship forged on a mutual rivalry with the West. China has refrained from condemning Russia or referring to Moscow's intervention in its neighbor as an "invasion". It has also criticized Western sanctions on Russia.

Xi urges Ukraine ceasefire during Putin talks

The NATO Secretary General said China needs to "understand Ukraine's perspective" and engage with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

China 'must condemn' Russian aggression; NATO

Russian authorities on Tuesday detained human rights activists including members of the Nobel-winning Memorial organisation after raids on homes and offices, sparking an outcry among the international human rights community. 

Tsentralnyy administrativnyy okrug

Russian Police raid homes of Nobel Prize winners

Protesters are trying to pressure lawmakers to bring down the government and doom the unpopular retirement age increase President Macronis trying to impose without a vote in the National Assembly.

Protestors rally as Macron survives no-confidence vote

U.S. President Joe Biden signed a bill that requires declassification of information related to the origins of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. Whether the pandemic was the result of a lab leak from China's Wuhan Institute of Virology, or jumped from animals to humans at a Wuhan market remains a hotly contested debate. China has said there is no credibility behind the lab leak theory.

Wuhan

Biden orders release of COVID intelligence

Russia has opened its own criminal investigation into the International Criminal Court's (ICC) prosecutor and judges. Russia’s Investigative Committee says the ICC has knowingly accused an innocent person of a crime, in another show of defiance against the court.

Russia retaliates after Putin arrest warrant

A damning report by an independent member of Britain's House of Lords has found that London's Metropolitan Police force is institutionally racist, sexist, and homophobic. In her report, Louise Casey says officers are not properly vetted and calls for wide-ranging reform.

London Police 'racist, sexist and homophobic'

Anticipation is building over reports that former U.S. President Donald Trump could be indicted as early as today. Barriers have been erected around a Manhattan courthouse in anticipation of protests after Trump called on his supporters to protest any moves to arrest him. 

New York

U.S braces for 'unprecedented' Trump arrest

China's Xi Jinping received a warm welcome from Russian president Vladimir Putin in Moscow. Western allies will be watching this visit closely for signs China may be considering supplying weapons for Russia’s war in Ukraine, despite China’s claims of impartiality.

Xi Jinping calls for Ukraine ceasefire

Top climate scientists released their final assessment report on climate change, declaring this is the last chance to limit human-caused global warming to 1.5 C above pre-industrial levels before the damage becomes irreversible.

Climate Crisis

Report finds global warming 'likely' to hit 1.5C

The French government has survived two no-confidence votes in the lower chamber of parliament after its push last week to raise the retirement age to 64.

Macron survives no-confidence votes

New York City police officers erected security barricades outside Manhattan Criminal Court and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's office Monday ahead of a possible indictment of former President Donald Trump and potential civil unrest from his supporters.