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Senegal’s national team has confirmed a 28‑man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with marquee names Sadio Mane and Kalidou Koulibaly leading a blend of seasoned stars and youthful prospects.Senegal Announces 28‑Man Roster Featuring Mane and KoulibalyCoach Pape Thiaw revealed the list on Thursday, noting that two players will be cut before the final deadline at the end of May. The selection reflects a strategic mix of experience, athleticism, and depth across all positions.Squad Composition and Player StatisticsGoalkeepers: Edouard Mendy, Yehvann Diouf, Mory DiawDefenders: Kalidou Koulibaly, Krepin Diatta, Antoine Mendy, Abdoulaye Seck, Ilay Camara, Moussa Niakhate, Mamadou Sarr, El‑Hadji Malick Diouf, Moustapha Mbow, Ismail JakobsMidfielders: Idrissa Gueye, Habib Diarra, Pape Matar Sarr, Pape Gueye, Lamine Camara, Pathe Ciss, Bara NdiayeForwards: Sadio Mane (34, 53 goals in 126 caps), Bamba Dieng, Iliman Ndiaye, Nicolas Jackson, Assane Diao, Ibrahim Mbaye, Cherif Ndiaye, Ismaila SarrThe squad retains the all‑time leading scorer Mane and the experienced centre‑back Koulibaly, while also integrating promising talents such as 18‑year‑old Bayern midfielder Bara Ndiaye.Implications for African Representation and Tournament ProspectsSenegal entered the tournament as the most potent African qualifier, having topped the recent Africa Cup of Nations. Their Group I draw pits them against France (June 16, New Jersey), Norway (June 22), and Iraq (June 26), offering a challenging path but also a chance to replicate their 2002 quarter‑final run.The inclusion of both veteran leaders and dynamic youngsters signals a clear intent to advance beyond the group stage, potentially reshaping the perception of African teams at the World Cup.What to Expect from Senegal in the 2026 World CupAnalysts anticipate that Mane will spearhead the attack, supported by pacey wingers Ismaila Sarr and Nicolas Jackson. Defensively, Koulibaly provides stability, while the midfield depth—featuring Gueye and emerging talents—offers tactical flexibility.If the squad can stay injury‑free and integrate the new call‑ups quickly, Senegal could challenge for a knockout‑stage berth, aiming to surpass their 2018 group‑stage exit and 2022 round‑of‑16 finish.

The Lead A video posted by Israel's far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, in which he is seen taunting abducted flotilla activists who sought to break the siege on Gaza, has triggered a backlash and dealt a huge blow to Israel's multimillion-dollar public relations campaign, known as 'Hasbara'. The Event Details The footage, posted on the social media platform X, showed Ben-Gvir gloating as activists from the Global Sumud Flotilla knelt on the floor, blindfolded, with their hands bound at the Port of Ashdod. Israeli naval forces had intercepted the flotilla's vessels in international waters off the coast of Cyprus, illegally abducting 430 participants. Among them, at least 87 have launched a hunger strike in solidarity with the more than 9,500 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails. The Diplomatic Fallout The images of activists being dragged across the floor prompted several countries – including Italy, France, the Netherlands, Canada, and Spain – to summon Israeli ambassadors, condemning the 'unacceptable' treatment and violation of human dignity. The Collapse of the 'Hasbara' Illusion Experts argue that the frantic damage control by Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who ordered the rapid deportation of the activists, stems not from moral outrage over the abuses, but from the catastrophic damage done to Israel's global image. For decades, Israel has relied on 'Hasbara' – a Hebrew term translating to 'explanation' – a propaganda campaign to justify its policies and military actions against Palestinians to the international community. US Double Standards and 'Pro-Terror' Sanctions The diplomatic fallout also laid bare the glaring contradictions in United States policy. Following the video's release, US ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee criticised Ben-Gvir, stating the minister had 'betrayed the dignity of his nation'. However, critics were quick to point out that Huckabee's condemnation rang hollow, as it focused entirely on the indignity of the broadcast rather than the human rights violations committed. A Microcosm of Palestinian Suffering For Palestinians, the humiliation endured by the European and international activists is merely a glimpse into a much darker, systemic reality. Mustafa Barghouti, secretary-general of the Palestinian National Initiative, said the bound and blindfolded activists represent a 'microcosm' of what Palestinian prisoners endure daily. The Hammer and the Flotillas Despite the military interceptions and the US sanctions, activists and analysts agree that the flotilla campaigns, which began in 2009 in response to Israeli land, sea and air blockades, have succeeded in exposing the limits of Israeli force.

Mauritania has turned to an unconventional counter‑terrorism tool: women trained in Islamic scholarship who work in schools, prisons and community centres to undermine extremist narratives. Since the Ministry of Islamic Affairs launched the mourchidates programme in 2021, the country has avoided the large‑scale attacks that have ravaged its Sahel neighbours. The State‑Backed Religious Guidance Model The mourchidates are certified by the state, receiving formal training in Quranic interpretation, Islamic jurisprudence and social counselling. Their role mirrors Morocco’s programme launched after the 2003 Casablanca bombings, but Mauritania has expanded their deployment to every region of the country. Training includes theological study and community‑engagement techniques. Guides operate under the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, ensuring official backing. They address both extremist ideology and the socio‑economic factors that fuel radicalisation. Prison as a Battleground for Ideas In Mauritanian prisons, mourchidates sit with detainees linked to Sahel armed groups, challenging the theological justifications for violence point‑by‑point. By offering alternative readings of Islamic texts, they create space for detainees to reconsider violent paths. Preventive Outreach in Communities Beyond prisons, the guides travel to schools, youth centres, mosques and markets, delivering lessons on tolerance, charity and accountability. Their presence aims to intercept radicalisation before it takes root, especially among unemployed youth vulnerable to extremist recruitment. Impact on Regional Stability While exact metrics are scarce, Mauritania’s relative calm compared with Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger is widely attributed to this holistic approach. Analysts cite the programme as a case study in combining intelligence, community trust and religious reform to blunt extremist growth. Future Outlook and Replicability Critics note limited resources and question whether the model can be exported to other Sahel states where state‑society trust is weaker. Nonetheless, the success of the mourchidates suggests that investing in credible, female religious leadership could become a cornerstone of non‑military counter‑terrorism strategies across the region.

The latest S&P; Global purchasing managers' index shows UK services activity slipping to a 48.5 reading in May, marking the steepest drop in a decade and signalling a broader economic slowdown.Sharp Drop in UK Services PMI Marks Decade‑Worst DeclineIndex fell to 48.5 in May, down from 52.6 in April.Lowest reading since January 2021 and the lowest since July 2016 when Covid data are excluded.Services sector accounts for roughly 80% of UK GDP.PMI Numbers Reveal Contraction Below Growth ThresholdThe composite output index, which blends manufacturing and services data, dropped below the critical 50‑point mark, indicating contraction. Economists had forecast a reading of 51.6, making the actual figure notably worse.Payrolls fell for the 20th consecutive month, echoing ONS data that showed a loss of 100,000 payrolled employees in April.Manufacturing showed a modest rebound, hitting a three‑month high as firms front‑loaded orders.Broader Economic Implications for GDP and Monetary PolicyAndrew Wishart of Berenberg warned that a sustained PMI slump could push quarterly GDP growth from 0.6% in Q1 to -0.2% in Q2. Meanwhile, the Bank of England may keep its policy rate at 3.75% after recent inflation data showed a slowdown to 2.8% in April and wage growth easing to 3.4%.Outlook: Potential Further Slowdown Amid Geopolitical TensionsAnalysts attribute the downturn primarily to the ongoing Iran war and heightened uncertainty around Keir Starmer's leadership. If these pressures persist, the services sector could see continued job cuts and reduced spending, while manufacturers may face tighter order books, as noted by the CBI.Overall, the flash PMI suggests a cautious near‑term outlook for the UK economy, with policymakers likely to adopt a wait‑and‑see stance on interest‑rate adjustments.

The LeadChinese and Iranian companies are increasingly establishing economic footholds in Russian-occupied Ukrainian regions, particularly in Donetsk and Luhansk, despite international sanctions and Ukraine's territorial integrity concerns. This growing economic integration, described by analysts as "shadow integration," involves Chinese firms supplying construction equipment and telecommunications infrastructure while Iran integrates the occupied territories into its logistical chains.Chinese Companies Establish Economic PresenceIn November 2023, representatives of two Chinese companies signed a deal to supply stone-crushing machinery for construction projects in what they called the "People's Republic of Donetsk," a Russia-backed separatist statelet in southeastern Ukraine. The companies, identified as Zhongxin Heavy Industrial Machinery and Amma Construction Machinery, supplied equipment to the Karansky quarry in the southern Donetsk region, with the crushed stone being used for construction projects in Russia-occupied areas.According to the Eastern Human Rights Group (EHRG), a Ukraine-based think tank, at least 17 Chinese companies operate in the occupied areas, with almost 6,000 Chinese-made relay stations for cellphone connections installed there. Chinese firms are involved in mining, construction, telecommunications equipment supply, and financial services."As Russia integrates its power in the occupied areas and transfers politicians to occupation administrations, Chinese companies carry out another replacement, but in the economy," said Maksym Butchenko from the EHRG.The Economic Transformation of Occupied RegionsThe occupied regions' economy has undergone significant changes since 2014. Out of 94 coal mines that operated in Donetsk and Luhansk (collectively known as the Donbas) before the conflict, only five remain open. The remaining mines "completely reoriented towards working with China and Russia," according to Butchenko.Furthermore, the occupied regions' economy is "totally yuanised" as local businesses use Chinese electronic payment systems through Telegram channels that offer currency exchange and transfers. The yuan is now sold in 79 banks in the occupied areas, creating a financial ecosystem increasingly dependent on China."This is a threatening precedent from the viewpoint of international politics and law because this violates international agreements," Butchenko stated, calling China's approach "shadow integration."Iran's Strategic Economic PartnershipsMoscow reportedly encourages the occupied regions to develop ties with Iran, creating another layer of economic integration beyond China. Tehran buys grain and coal from the occupied territories and "integrates the economy of occupied Donbas into its own logistical chains created after decades of isolation," according to the EHRG.Donskiye Ugli, a Russian coal mining company operating "nationalized" mines in Donetsk and Luhansk, ships the fossil fuel to Iran, according to separatist official Andrey Chertkov. Additionally, local food producers in the occupied territories have begun supplying casein, a milk protein, to Iran."The Kremlin not only gives permission to Iranian companies to enter the occupied areas' market but also encourages them," Butchenko explained, highlighting Russia's active role in facilitating these economic partnerships.International Response and Future ImplicationsBeijing maintains its official position of supporting Ukraine's territorial integrity while calling the Russia-Ukraine war a "crisis." However, unofficially, Chinese companies have "almost captured the entire market in the occupied areas," according to Butchenko.Kyiv has sanctioned Chinese companies operating in the occupied regions, including Alibaba and the China National Petroleum Corporation, and urges Western nations to follow suit. Despite these sanctions, Chinese companies continue to operate, often offering lower prices and technical expertise that is difficult to replace."China is here for good," a business owner in Donetsk told Al Jazeera. "All new equipment here is Chinese from machine tools to ventilators." This growing economic presence, combined with Iran's increasing involvement, suggests that the economic integration of these occupied territories with China and Iran will continue to deepen, potentially creating long-term challenges for Ukraine's territorial integrity and for international efforts to isolate Russia economically.

Lead: A Climate Champion Turns Policy ReverserWithin weeks of taking office, Mark Carney—once celebrated for his 2015 Bank of England speech on climate‑related financial risk—has abandoned the consumer carbon price, weakened methane rules, and opened the door to new oil‑and‑gas infrastructure. The rapid policy reversal has left climate‑concerned voters feeling betrayed and has sparked a national debate over Canada’s environmental direction. Carney’s Immediate Dismantling of Canada’s Climate FrameworkAmong his first actions, the prime minister:Scrapped the nationwide consumer carbon price.Rebranded the climate agenda as a “Climate Competitiveness Strategy” focused on investment rather than regulation.Delayed clean‑electricity mandates from 2035 to 2050, allowing new gas‑powered plants.Weakened methane regulations and postponed their implementation.Cancelled the planned oil‑and‑gas emissions cap that had been under consultation for years. Quantifying the Policy Reversals: Carbon Pricing and Emission TargetsThe federal‑Alberta agreement reduces the industrial carbon price from the projected $170 per tonne by 2030 to $130 per tonne by 2040, effectively rendering the tool “virtually irrelevant.” The removal of the consumer price and the delay of zero‑emission‑vehicle mandates have already triggered a “dramatic drop‑off” in EV sales, according to recent market data. Domestic and International Repercussions of Canada’s Climate ShiftThese moves have multiple layers of impact:Domestic emissions: Weakening of carbon pricing and the fast‑tracking of LNG and pipeline projects are expected to raise Canada’s total greenhouse‑gas output.Provincial politics: The deal appeases Alberta’s separatist‑leaning faction but alienates climate‑focused voters nationwide.Global credibility: Canada’s commitment to the 2050 net‑zero goal is now described by the Canadian Climate Institute as “firmly out of reach,” undermining its standing in international climate negotiations. What Lies Ahead for Canada’s Climate AgendaAnalysts warn that without a coherent carbon‑pricing mechanism, Canada may struggle to attract private investment in clean‑energy projects, while Indigenous groups have signaled readiness to block new fossil‑fuel infrastructure. The government’s reliance on a sovereign‑wealth‑fund model to subsidize these projects mirrors a “mirror opposite of Norway’s successful fund,” raising questions about fiscal sustainability. If the current trajectory continues, Canada could see both higher domestic emissions and increased downstream carbon leakage as exported oil and gas feed global markets.

Election Stakes: Climate Policy at the Center of Colombia’s Presidential RaceThe May 2026 presidential ballot will decide if Colombia continues its pioneering climate agenda or reverts to extensive oil, gas and mining projects, a shift that could be amplified by Donald Trump's rhetoric about military intervention.Key Players and Their Climate StancesIván Cepeda – candidate for the Pacto Histórico coalition, pledging to uphold the policies of outgoing President Gustavo Petro and protect the Amazon fossil‑fuel‑free zone.Abelardo De La Espriella – far‑right contender advocating the reopening of oil wells and fracking.Paloma Valencia – centre‑right candidate supporting expanded mining and hydrocarbon extraction.Susana Muhamad – former environment minister and leading climate activist, urging a first‑round victory to safeguard Colombia’s green trajectory.Quantifying the Climate Commitment GapColombia has declared its portion of the Amazon rainforest a fossil‑fuel‑free zone.Petro’s administration has pursued a phase‑out of oil, gas and coal, moving climate action to the forefront of global diplomacy.Opposition candidates propose a resurgence of extractive projects, potentially adding millions of barrels of oil to national output.Why the Vote Matters Beyond Colombia’s BordersAnalysts such as Tzeporah Berman of the Fossil Fuel Treaty Initiative warn that the election’s outcome will signal to the international community whether progressive climate leadership can survive rising geopolitical tensions and fossil‑fuel lobbying.Potential Scenarios After the BallotIf Cepeda wins, Colombia is likely to deepen its role in climate justice initiatives, reinforcing commitments made at COP29 and COP16. A victory for the right‑wing candidates could trigger a policy reversal, opening the country to increased foreign investment in mining and oil, and potentially inviting greater U.S. strategic interest under the Trump administration.

Islamabad and Beijing marked 75 years of diplomatic ties on May 21, 2026, reflecting a relationship forged in shared rivalry with India and reinforced by strategic land swaps, nuclear collaboration, and massive infrastructure projects. While official rhetoric celebrates “iron brothers” and “all‑weather friendship,” analysts argue that structural complementarity, not ideological affinity, has kept the partnership resilient. The 1963 Shaksgam Valley Transfer: Cementing Early Trust In March 1963 Pakistan ceded the 5,180 sq km (2,000 sq mi) Shaksgam Valley to China, a move that gave Beijing control over a strategically sensitive segment of the Karakoram range. The deal, negotiated by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto as foreign minister, was driven by Pakistan’s desire to counterbalance India after the 1962 Sino‑Indian war. Numbers that Define the Bond: Land, Infrastructure, and Nuclear Milestones 75 years of formal diplomatic relations (1950‑2025). 5,180 sq km of territory transferred in 1963. 3,000 km (1,900 mi) China‑Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) linking Gwadar to Xinjiang. 1998 nuclear tests in Chagai, with documented Chinese technical assistance in the 1970s‑80s. Four‑day state visit by Shehbaz Sharif scheduled for May 23 2026. Strategic Ripple Effects: Regional Power Balance and the US‑China Channel The alliance gave Pakistan a powerful counterweight to India and positioned it as a back‑channel for the 1972 US‑China rapprochement, when Henry Kissinger used a Pakistani flight to Beijing. While the United States benefited from the diplomatic breakthrough, Pakistan received limited material reward, underscoring the asymmetrical nature of great‑power mediation. Economic Integration: CPEC and the Emerging All‑Weather Partnership Since 2015, the CPEC has become the flagship of the partnership, delivering highways, energy projects, and the Gwadar deep‑sea port. Analysts note that the economic dimension has shifted the relationship from a purely security‑driven pact to a multi‑layered interdependence, yet debt sustainability and regional security concerns remain contentious. Looking Forward: Scenarios for the Next Decade of China‑Pakistan Relations Experts anticipate three possible trajectories: Deepening convergence: Expanded defence co‑production and a broader Belt‑and‑Road footprint. Transactional plateau: Continued CPEC maintenance without major new initiatives, as both sides manage domestic pressures. Strategic strain: Escalating India‑China tensions or US policy shifts could force Pakistan to recalibrate its alignment. Regardless of the path, the “iron brothers” narrative will likely persist as a diplomatic shorthand for a partnership that has survived ideological divides and shifting global orders.

Iran Scrutinizes the Latest US Offer Amid Growing Pakistani Diplomatic PushTehran confirmed it has received US views on its peace framework and is currently reviewing them, according to Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei. The statement arrives as Pakistan’s Field Marshal Asim Munir readies a visit to Tehran, and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi makes a second trip in less than a week to discuss the proposal.Key Numbers Shaping the Negotiation LandscapeThe war entered its nearly three‑month phase, with a ceasefire in place for six weeks.Iran’s original demand list comprises 14 points, including control of the Strait of Hormuz, reparations, sanctions relief, frozen‑asset release, and US troop withdrawal.The US naval blockade, launched in mid‑April, has resulted in the boarding of at least five vessels; a recent incident saw a ship searched and redirected by Central Command.Pakistan facilitated the only direct US‑Iran talks in April and now hosts the military chief for “talks and consultations”.Strategic Implications for the Region and Global PowersAnalysts note that Iran has seized the initiative by shifting focus to the strategic chokepoint of the Strait of Hormuz rather than its nuclear program, forcing Washington to defend its position. The US, wary of appearing weaker than it was on February 26 when it walked away from talks, is attempting to re‑center the nuclear issue. Meanwhile, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warns that any renewed aggression could expand the conflict beyond the region.What Comes Next? Scenarios for a Fragile Peace ProcessProfessor Scott Lucas of University College Dublin predicts a settlement is possible but cautions that President Donald Trump remains unpredictable, keeping the risk of renewed strikes alive. If the US accepts Iran’s 14‑point framework, a durable cease‑fire could emerge, unlocking the Strait for global shipping. Conversely, a failure to bridge gaps may see the blockade intensify and the conflict spill over, drawing in regional actors.