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France Shuts Down Niger Embassy

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Amid escalating tensions between France and Niger, the French embassy in Niger has announced its indefinite closure.

Citing restrictions imposed by Niger’s military government, the embassy expressed its inability to operate normally or carry out its duties.

Former French ambassador Sylvain Itté mentioned in a letter that local embassy staff had also been dismissed.

Concurrently, the departure of the final French troops from Niger follows the orders of the country’s military leaders.

Niger’s association with France has deteriorated following the ousting of President Mohamed Bazoum by the military in July.

In September, former ambassador Mr. Itté and various French personnel departed the country.

This move came a month after the military regime demanded the ambassador’s departure and established a blockade around the embassy compound in Niamey, the capital.

Following the coup, the embassy faced an attack by thousands of pro-junta protestors, but they were thwarted by Nigerien forces before breaching the building.

During Mr. Bazoum’s tenure, France maintained over 1,500 troops in Niger, aiding in the combat against jihadist factions associated with both al-Qaeda and the Islamic State.

The majority of the troops had departed before the Friday deadline, and the final 157 have now completed their withdrawal.

There are worries that France’s exit could exacerbate the security landscape in the region, which is experiencing heightened assaults by Islamist militants.

To counter the insurgency, Niger’s junta has forged a fresh defense alliance with neighboring Burkina Faso and Mali.

Similar to Niger, these nations are former French colonies where the military has taken control in recent times.

Anti-French sentiment has surged, with the former colonial power being held responsible for its perceived failure in stemming Islamist assaults.

Additionally, France has been accused of maintaining disproportionate political and economic control long after independence.

In contrast, the United States maintains two military bases in Niger, housing over 600 American troops.

The US views its military presence in Niger as essential to counter the expanding influence of Russia’s Wagner mercenary group in the Sahel region of West Africa.

In Mali, the military junta collaborates with Wagner mercenaries in combating jihadists, despite accusations against the group for extensive human rights violations.

 

International News

‘Only Two Genders’ – Trump Vows To Tackle Transgender Lunacy

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President-elect Donald Trump has announced plans to take sweeping actions against what he described as “transgender lunacy,” signaling a push to reverse policies protecting transgender individuals in schools, sports, and the military.

Speaking at the AmericaFest conference in Phoenix, Trump outlined his administration’s priorities, stating, “I will sign executive orders to end child sexual mutilation, get transgender out of the military, and out of our elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools.”

READ MORE: Ex-IMF Chief, Rodrigo Rato Jailed For Money Laundering, Fraud

He also vowed to “keep men out of women’s sports” and asserted, “It will be the official policy of the United States government that there are only two genders, male and female.”

The president-elect’s remarks come amid growing national debate over transgender rights, with states divided over issues such as gender-affirming medical care and the inclusion of books addressing transgender topics in schools.

The controversy escalated last week when Congress passed a defense budget provision blocking funding for certain gender-affirming care for the children of service members.

Trump’s speech drew strong reactions, with critics warning that his policies could strip essential protections from transgender individuals.

Civil rights advocates have raised concerns about the implications of these proposals on marginalized communities.

In addition to his focus on cultural issues, Trump used the event to outline his vision for the nation under his leadership.

He described his presidency as a turning point, promising to address international conflicts and restore American dominance.

“On January 20, the United States will turn the page forever on four long, horrible years of failure, incompetence, national decline, and we will inaugurate a new era of peace, prosperity, and national greatness,” Trump declared, referring to his upcoming swearing-in.

He pledged to end the war in Ukraine, stabilize the Middle East, and avert global conflict. “I will stop the chaos in the Middle East, and I will prevent, I promise, World War III,” he said.

The president-elect also reiterated his commitment to reclaiming control of the Panama Canal and combating crime linked to illegal immigration.

“I can proudly proclaim that the golden age of America is upon us,” Trump concluded.

 

 

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Ex-IMF Chief, Rodrigo Rato Jailed For Money Laundering, Fraud

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A Madrid court on Friday handed down a sentence of more than four years in prison to Rodrigo Rato, the former chief of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and Spain’s ex-economy minister.

Rato was convicted of multiple charges, including tax crimes, money laundering, and corruption.

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The court found Rato guilty of “three offences against the treasury, one offence of money laundering, and one offence of corruption between individuals,” according to an official statement.

Details shortly………..

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South Korean President Banned From Travel Amid Martial Law Backlash

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South Korean President, Yoon Suk Yeol has been banned from leaving the country, the Justice Ministry confirmed Monday, following a week of political chaos triggered by his brief declaration of martial law.

The ban marks the first time a sitting president has faced such a restriction in the nation’s history.

Recall that on December 3, Yoon ordered special forces and helicopters to the National Assembly in an attempt to impose martial law.

RELATED NEWS: Martial Law: South Korea Opposition Files Impeachment Motion Against President Yoon

Lawmakers swiftly overturned the decree, forcing Yoon to rescind the order. Although he survived an impeachment motion on Saturday, public anger has continued to mount, with large protests demanding his resignation.

Authorities are now investigating Yoon and his close allies for their roles in last week’s events, including allegations of insurrection.

Among those facing travel bans are former Defense Minister Kim Yong-Hyun, who is in custody, and former Interior Minister Lee Sang-min.

General Park An-su, who led the martial law operation, and Defence Counterintelligence Commander Yeo In-hyung have also been barred from leaving the country.

General Park was questioned by investigators on Monday as the probe intensified.

Yoon’s impeachment failed after members of his ruling People Power Party (PPP) walked out of the National Assembly, denying the opposition the required two-thirds majority.

In exchange for their support, Yoon reportedly agreed to delegate his powers to the prime minister and the PPP chairman.

“This is an unlawful, unconstitutional act of a second insurrection and a second coup,” said Park Chan-dae, floor leader of the opposition Democratic Party.

Critics argue that Yoon’s decision to hand power to unelected officials violates the constitution.

“It seems to resemble an unconstitutional soft coup,” said Kim Hae-won, a constitutional law professor at Pusan National University.

“Their attitude of placing themselves above the constitution mirrors that of insurrectionist Yoon Suk Yeol,” added Park Chan-dae.

Despite Yoon’s apology for the “anxiety and inconvenience” caused by his martial law order, his approval rating has plummeted to 11%, according to a recent Gallup poll.

Opposition leaders have announced plans for a second impeachment vote on Saturday, with massive protests expected outside the National Assembly.

The PPP’s claim that Yoon can remain in office while delegating his powers to party officials has also been widely criticized.

“If there are issues with the president, the constitution lays out clear procedures, such as suspension or impeachment,” said Professor Kim Hae-won.

The ongoing crisis has raised concerns about South Korea’s leadership amid tensions with nuclear-armed North Korea.

The Defense Ministry confirmed Monday that Yoon remains the official commander in chief, despite questions about his authority.

“Legally, (control of military forces) currently lies with the commander in chief,” said Defense Ministry spokesperson Jeon Ha-Kyou.

 

 

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