International News
Benin Republic Orders Probe After Violence Kills 15 In North
President Patrice Talon has ordered an investigation into military operations after deadly violence by “criminals” in northern Benin killed around 15 people, a government spokesman said.
Benin officials rarely give details about attacks in the north, where Benin like other Gulf of Guinea nations faces the growing threat of spillover from jihadist conflicts across the border in Burkina Faso.
Smuggling gangs and traffickers also operate along the border area.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, government spokesman Wilfried Houngbedji did not describe any attack or blame any group, but offered condolences to “bereaved families” in the “tragedy”.
In a text message to AFP, he later confirmed “around 15 deaths.”
“When these criminals try to establish themselves and do not succeed because there is a response (…) from the defense and security forces, they work to demoralize the local population, by carrying out reprisal operations of this nature,” he told reporters.
They want to “shock people and make them believe that the security response is not up to the task, and that they can only be saved by rallying to their cause”, he said.
He said the presidency had ordered an investigation, saying the “tragedy” was avoidable and that there had been a problem in the chain of military operations.
His comments were the first government reaction to what local residents said was an attack earlier this week in the Kerou area. Seven people had their throats slit while others were still missing, residents told AFP.
A police source said attackers had also killed three more people in the Banikoara area in northern Benin a day later, though officials have made no official comment about that incident.
Benin forces say they have faced around 20 incursions from across the border since 2021. Neighbouring Togo has also suffered attacks on its northern frontier area.
In a rare acknowledgement, Togolese President Faure Gnassingbe last month said 40 soldiers and 100 civilians have been killed in what he described as jihadist “war” in northern Togo.
Ghana last month also sent 1,000 more troops and police to the northern area of Bawku to reinforce security after gunmen killed an immigration officer and wounded two others near the border with Burkina Faso.
Bawku, in Ghana’s Upper East region, faces a simmering ethnic dispute that often flares into violence, as well as spillover risk from the neighbouring jihadist conflict.
With Islamist militants controlling large parts of Burkina Faso, the United States and other Western partners are looking to help Ghana, Togo, Benin and Ivory Coast strengthen their defences.
Ghana is also pushing the so-called Accra Initiative to bolster security cooperation and intelligence sharing among Gulf of Guinea neighbours and Sahel countries.
A French troop withdrawal from Mali in the face of hostility and disputes with the ruling junta has refocused Western partners to aid coastal West African nations battle the Sahel conflict’s southward shift.
AFP
June 5th, Transfermarkt updated. The new market values of Barcelona players. Three players increased and nine decreased, with Raphinha dropping by 10 million to 70 million euros.
Increase (Euros)
Joan-Garcia increased by 5 million to 45 million
Eric-Garcia increased by 5 million to 40 million
Gerard-Martin increased by 10 million to 35 million
Decrease (Euros)
Raphinha decreased by 10 million to 70 million
Kounde decreased by 5 million to 60 million
Balde decreased by 5 million to 50 million
De Jong decreased by 10 million to 35 million
Casado decreased by 2 million to 18 million
Christensen decreased by 1 million to 8 million
Cancelo decreased by 1 million to 8 million
Lewandowski decreased by 1 million to 7 million
Szczesny decreased by 100,000 to 800,000
Unchanged (Euros)
Yamal 200 million
Pedri 150 million
Fermin 100 million
Cubarsi 80 million
Olmo 60 million
Ferran Torres 50 million
Rashford 40 million
Gavi 30 million
Bernal 30 million
Araujo 20 million
Bardghji 15 million
Bitcoin dropped below $60,000 on Friday, its lowest level since October 2024, just before Donald Trump’s election which propelled it to a record high.
The currency fell by about 6 percent around 1615 GMT, to $59.7709, before paring its losses slightly.
The election of Trump, a staunch advocate of cryptocurrencies, to the White House in November 2024 for a second term sparked a wave of enthusiasm in the sector, sending the price of bitcoin soaring to nearly $110,000.
AFP
Man City are considering taking legal action after a Real Madrid presedential candidate said he would sign Erling Haaland, if elected.
What actually happened?
Real presidential candidate Enrique Riquelme, who faces current president Florentino Perez in Sunday’s vote, claimed on Spanish TV show El Hormiguero on Wednesday night that Haaland had a release clause and wants to move to the Bernabeu. He also held up a Real shirt with ‘Haaland 9’ on the back.
Riquelme, who also promised to sign Haaland’s City team-mate Rodri, said: “If I break my promises regarding either of these players, I’ve signed a guarantee where I’d pay 100 per cent of membership costs for next season.
“Haaland has a release clause, and he wants to come to Madrid.”
What was City’s response?
However, Manchester City have moved quickly to refute those claims, saying in a statement that there is “no chance” Haaland will be leaving the Etihad Stadium any time soon. The Premier League club also said they are considering legal action over the shirt stunt.
A City spokesperson said in a statement: “The stories which have emerged from Spain regarding the future of Erling Haaland are untrue.
“There is no chance of this happening and there is no contractual clause to enable it.
“We are considering legal action for the use of our player image in this context.”
Haaland is under contract at the Etihad until the summer of 2034 and Haaland’s agent Rafaela Pimenta and his father Alfie Haaland laughed off suggestions the 25-year-old could soon be heading to the Spanish capital.
A joint-statement released in the early hours of Thursday morning said: “All very entertaining but not true. We wish all the best for both candidates in the Real Madrid elections.”
What was Perez’s response?
Meanwhile, current Real president Florentino Perez made his own election pledge on Wednesday night, seemingly confirming Jose Mourinho’s return to Real Madrid as manager, if he wins next Sunday’s presidential election.
Perez posted a video on X in which Mourinho features in a Real shirt saying: “Yes”, while the only other words to accompany it say: “Meanwhile, on TV, they just keep talking and talking and talking. So much history to be made.”
The video was posted in response to Riquelme’s TV apperaance promoting his rival bid.
Perez has made no secret of his intention to name Mourinho as head coach should he win the vote and remain for an eighth term in the role, but his social media post appears to have made it official.
Mourinho is widely expected to agree a three-year-deal to return to the Bernabeu Stadium and replace Alvaro Arbeloa, who was appointed in January after Xabi Alonso’s departure.
Benfica have yet to confirm Mourinho’s departure, while speculation has been mounting that Marco Silva is being lined up as his successor after the Portuguese announced he will leave Fulham when his contract expires in June.
Real Madrid’s presidential election on Sunday will be decided by the club’s members. It is the first contested election since 2006 as club members will choose between incumbent Perez, 79, and businessman Riquelme, 37.
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