Foreign
Professor jailed in Mali for criticising the junta

A prominent Malian economist and professor has been sentenced to two years in jail, one of which was suspended, for his criticism of the military junta.
Étienne Fakaba Sissoko was also ordered to pay a fine of 3m CFA francs ($4,900; £3,900).
The 41-year-old academic, who has been in custody since March, was charged with defamation and damaging the state’s reputation by distributing fake news.
The charges relate to a book he published last year, which he defended in court, saying the work was based on fact.
Human rights groups say his is the latest case in a widespread crackdown on critics and political opponents of the military rulers.
They came to power in August 2020 when then-President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta was overthrown in a coup after huge anti-government protests over his handling of jihadist unrest.
Sissoko’s lawyer, Ibrahim Marhouf Sacko, said he was “not surprised” by the verdict and would be filing an appeal, the AFP news agency reported.
The University of Bamako professor once served as an adviser to the late Mr Keïta and spent several months in jail in 2022, according to AFP.
The work that prompted his latest arrest is called Propaganda, Agitation and Harassment – government communication during the transition in Mali.
It accuses the junta of using manipulation and “even lies” to sway public opinion in its favour.
Before his arrest, Sissoko also published a post on Facebook calling for elections to be held.
The junta has faced criticism for reneging on agreed timelines for transitioning to democratic civilian rule. Elections due to be held in February were again postponed.
Critics also say the military-led government has failed to adequately tackle the worsening jihadist insurgency, despite the reported deployment of Wagner group mercenaries and expulsion of UN peacekeepers.
It has also faced criticism over its handling of the economy.
Earlier this month, participants in a what has been termed a “national dialogue” suggested the extension of the transition period by another three years.
Several junta critics have been jailed over the last year, including popular social media influencer Rokia Doumbia and prominent activist Adama Ben Diarra.
In April, the junta also suspended political activities and imposed a media blackout on political coverage.
Foreign
US Secretary of State Rubio to meet Ukrainian counterparts in Saudi Arabia this week

The US Department of State announced on Sunday that Secretary of State Marco Rubio will travel to Saudi Arabia from March 10-12 to hold discussions with his Ukrainian counterparts.
A statement from spokesperson Tammy Bruce mentioned that Rubio will also meet with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
After his time in Saudi Arabia, Rubio will head to Canada for the G7 foreign ministers’ meeting scheduled for March 12-14.
It’s worth noting that Rubio had a conversation with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha on Friday, during which he expressed that President Donald Trump aims to bring the Russia-Ukraine conflict to an end as soon as possible.
Trump had halted military assistance and intelligence sharing with Ukraine following a dispute with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on February 28.
Zelenskyy has also confirmed plans to visit Saudi Arabia for a Monday meeting with Mohammed bin Salman, with Ukrainian diplomatic and military representatives set to meet the U.S. team on Tuesday.
Foreign
Russia releases 870 drones, 80 missiles on Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that Russia conducted over 2,100 aerial bomb attacks on Ukraine in the past week.
In a post on his X account on Sunday, Zelenskyy also stated that Russian forces launched nearly 870 attack drones and more than 80 missiles of various types at Ukraine.
The Ukrainian leader emphasized that many of Russia’s weapons depend on foreign-made components.
“Throughout this week, Russia has carried out hundreds of attacks against our people using various types of weapons: around 1,200 guided aerial bombs, nearly 870 attack drones, and over 80 missiles of different types,” Zelenskyy wrote.
“Every Shahed drone and aerial bomb Russia uses contains components supplied in circumvention of sanctions. These weapons include more than 82,000 foreign components.
“Every day, we work with our partners to ensure that decisions are made to provide life-saving support: air defense systems, investments in our defense production, and the strengthening of sanctions against Russia.
“We continue our efforts to bring a just peace closer and ensure reliable security guarantees.”
Ukraine and Russia have been engaged in conflict for more than three years since Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale military operation in Ukraine in February 2022.
Foreign
Forget it, we can never be part of US, new Canada PM Carney hammers Trump

The newly elected leader of the Liberal Party of Canada, Mark Carney sharply criticised United States President Donald Trump in his victory speech on Sunday, Forbes reported.
Carney rejected Trump’s suggestion that Canada should become the 51st US state, declaring that “Canada will never, ever… be a part of America in any way, shape or form.”
The economist, who previously served as governor of both the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England, also condemned Trump’s trade policies, accusing the US president of attempting to weaken Canada’s economy through unjustified tariffs.
Carney warned that if Trump succeeded in his objectives, it would lead to the destruction of Canada’s way of life.
The prime minister-designate said the Americans “want our resources, our water, our land, our country…if they succeeded, they would destroy our way of life.”
Carney, speaking on the U.S. healthcare system, saying, “In America, healthcare is a big business…in Canada it is a right.”
The newly elected leader, who won the leadership race with nearly 86 percent of the vote, vowed to maintain retaliatory tariffs against the US “until the Americans show us respect.”
He framed Canada’s response as part of a broader effort to protect the country’s resources, economy, and sovereignty.
Carney is poised to take over from Justin Trudeau as Canada’s prime minister after being sworn in by the country’s Governor General.
Trudeau announced his decision to step down earlier this year, facing pressure from his own party. Following his swearing-in, Carney is expected to call for an early federal election.
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