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Manchester City Hosts Inter Milan in Champions League Opener

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Manchester City begins its Champions League title defense Wednesday night, hosting Serie A champions Inter Milan at the Etihad Stadium in a rematch of last season’s final.

The match marks the teams’ second-ever European encounter, following City’s narrow 1-0 victory in Istanbul last June, which secured their historic treble.

City enters the fixture in formidable form, boasting a perfect record in the Premier League after four matches. Their most recent outing saw them overcome an early deficit to defeat Brentford 2-1, thanks to a brace from Erling Haaland.

Haaland’s double not only turned the tide against Brentford but also increased his season tally to nine goals, setting a new Premier League record. The Norwegian striker now sits on 99 goals for Manchester City in just 103 appearances across all competitions.

Inter Milan, meanwhile, come into the match following a 1-1 draw against Monza in Serie A. The Nerazzurri needed a late equalizer from Denzel Dumfries to salvage a point, leaving manager Simone Inzaghi “disappointed” with his team’s missed opportunities.

Team News:

Manchester City will be without Oscar Bobb due to a leg fracture, while Nathan Ake is sidelined until mid-October with a muscle injury. Pep Guardiola is expected to hand Rodri his first start of the season, with Phil Foden also pushing for inclusion in the starting lineup.

Inter Milan travels without Federico Dimarco and Marko Arnautovic, both of whom missed Tuesday’s training session. Tajon Buchanan remains unavailable due to a fractured tibia. Inzaghi is likely to recall key players including Alessandro Bastoni, Hakan Calhanoglu, and Nicolo Barella.

Key Statistics:

– Manchester City is unbeaten in their last 23 Champions League matches.

– City has not lost at the Etihad in their last 46 games across all competitions (W39 D7).

– Inter Milan has lost only three of their last 20 Champions League matches (W11 D6).

– Erling Haaland has scored 41 goals in 39 Champions League appearances.

Possible Lineups:

Manchester City (4-3-3): Ederson; Lewis, Stones, Dias, Gvardiol; Rodri, Kovacic; Bernardo, De Bruyne, Grealish; Haaland

Inter Milan (3-5-2): Sommer; Pavard, Acerbi, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Augusto; Thuram, Martinez

The match promises to be a closely contested affair between two genuine contenders for the Champions League title. While Inter’s recent form suggests they could pose a threat, Manchester City’s exceptional home record and Haaland’s prolific scoring make them favorites to start their campaign with a victory.

Kick-off is scheduled for 8:00 PM local time (3:00 PM ET) at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester.

National Democratic Congress Protest Turns Violent in Kumasi, Ghana, as Police Shoot at Protesters

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A nationwide demonstration organized by Ghana’s National Democratic Congress (NDC) against the Electoral Commission (EC) turned violent in Kumasi on Tuesday, as protesters clashed with police at the EC’s regional office.

The confrontation occurred when demonstrators attempted to access the Ashanti Regional Electoral Commission office. Video footage showed protesters breaching barricades, leading to a physical altercation with police. Law enforcement intervened to control the situation, resulting in chaos and reports of gunshots.

The NDC, Ghana’s main opposition party, had organized the “Enough Is Enough” protest to demand an audit of the voters register, citing concerns about discrepancies that could undermine the integrity of the upcoming December 7 general elections.

According to local reports, the situation escalated when agitated protesters were prevented from joining NDC executives entering the regional office to present their petition. The confrontation led to the shattering of the office’s glass doors.

A police officer was reportedly injured in the clash, and three protesters were arrested. Tensions remained high as NDC executives met with the commissioner inside the building while supporters outside continued to demand access.

The Ghana Police Service denied reports of any shooting incidents at the Kumasi EC office, stating that no demonstrators were injured by police. However, they confirmed that some protesters who forced their way into the EC office compound were restrained.

The nationwide demonstration, led by NDC National Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketia and party Members of Parliament, took place across all 16 regions of Ghana. Protesters, dressed in party colors, carried placards with slogans such as “Audit the Voters Register Now” and “EC Must Serve the People Not the Corrupt NPP.”

Source: myjoyonline.com

Zimbabwe to Cull 200 Elephants Amid Drought-Induced Food Shortages

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Zimbabwe plans to cull 200 elephants to provide food for communities facing acute hunger following the worst drought in four decades, wildlife authorities announced Tuesday.

Tinashe Farawo, spokesperson for the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Authority (Zimparks), confirmed the plan to Reuters. “We can confirm that we are planning to cull about 200 elephants across the country. We are working on modalities on how we are going to do it,” Farawo stated.

The El Nino-induced drought has devastated crops across southern Africa, affecting 68 million people and causing widespread food shortages.

The cull, Zimbabwe’s first since 1988, will take place in Hwange, Mbire, Tsholotsho, and Chiredzi districts. Elephant meat from the cull will be distributed to drought-affected communities.

This decision follows Namibia’s recent move to cull 83 elephants and distribute the meat to people impacted by the drought.

Zimbabwe is part of a five-country conservation area in southern Africa that is home to over 200,000 elephants, one of the largest elephant populations worldwide. Farawo noted that the cull is also part of efforts to manage Zimbabwe’s elephant population, which at 84,000 exceeds the country’s sustainable capacity of 55,000.

The severe drought has increased the potential for human-wildlife conflicts as resources become scarcer. Last year, 50 people in Zimbabwe lost their lives to elephant attacks.

Despite its growing elephant population and conservation efforts, Zimbabwe has been lobbying the U.N.’s Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) to reopen trade of ivory and live elephants. The country currently holds approximately $600,000 worth of ivory stockpiles that it cannot sell under current regulations.

Militia Kills 10 Civilians in Eastern Congo

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Ten civilians were killed in a midnight attack by the CODECO militia on a village in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo’s Ituri province, local officials reported on Tuesday.

Jean Marie Mateso, head of local administration, and Jules Tsuba, a civil society leader, confirmed that CODECO fighters entered a village in Djugu territory around midnight. The village is predominantly inhabited by members of the Hema community.

According to Mateso, the attackers targeted two households, killing 10 people. He reported that some victims were beheaded and their bodies mutilated. The attack occurred near a Congolese military position, Mateso told Reuters.

“There is now strong frustration here as there are many rumors that other villages will be attacked,” Mateso said.

Tsuba added that the bodies remained at the scene on Tuesday morning.

CODECO is one of numerous militias active in eastern Congo, fighting over land and resources. The United Nations has previously accused the group of attacks against other communities, including Hema herders, which could constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The incident highlights the ongoing violence in eastern Congo, where various armed groups continue to operate despite government efforts to establish peace and security in the region.

Dozens Injured as Pagers Detonate in Lebanon-AP

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Dozens of people were wounded across Lebanon on Tuesday when handheld pagers unexpectedly exploded, according to Lebanese state media and security officials. The exact number of casualties remains unclear.

Two anonymous officials, a senior military intelligence officer and a representative from a Lebanese organization, reported that the detonated pagers belonged to Hezbollah members. One official suggested the incident might be an Israeli attack, though this claim remains unverified. The Israeli military declined to comment when contacted by the Associated Press.

Social media and local news outlets shared images and videos from Beirut’s southern suburbs showing injured individuals on the ground with wounds on their hands or near their pockets.

Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah had previously cautioned the group’s members against carrying cellphones, warning that Israel could use them to track movements and conduct targeted strikes.

Lebanon’s Health Ministry urged hospitals to prepare for emergency patients and advised pager owners to distance themselves from the devices. The ministry also recommended health workers avoid using wireless devices.

The state-run National News Agency reported that hospitals in southern Lebanon, the eastern Bekaa Valley, and Beirut’s southern suburbs – areas with a strong Hezbollah presence – called for blood donations of all types.

A Hezbollah official, speaking anonymously, stated that at least 150 people, including group members, were injured when their pagers exploded in various parts of Lebanon. The official attributed the explosions to “a security operation that targeted the devices” and implied Israeli involvement.

The incident occurs amid escalating tensions between Lebanon and Israel, with near-daily clashes between Hezbollah and Israeli forces over the past 11 months, coinciding with the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza.

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Indicted on Sex Trafficking and Racketeering Charges

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Sean “Diddy” Combs, the influential hip-hop mogul, has been indicted on sex trafficking and racketeering charges, according to a federal indictment unsealed Tuesday.

Diddy, 54, was arrested late Monday in Manhattan, approximately six months after federal authorities conducting a sex trafficking investigation raided his homes in Los Angeles and Miami.

The charges come amid a series of lawsuits filed against Combs over the past year, alleging physical and sexual abuse. Diddy has denied many of these allegations. His lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, stated outside the courthouse that Combs would plead not guilty and would “fight like hell” to secure his release from custody.

In November, Combs’ former girlfriend, R&B singer Casandra Ventura, known professionally as Cassie, filed a lawsuit accusing him of beatings and rape over several years. The suit was settled within a day. Months later, hotel security footage aired on CNN showed Combs physically assaulting Ventura.

Following the video’s release, Combs issued an apology, saying, “I was disgusted when I did it.” However, he and his attorneys have denied similar allegations made in other lawsuits.

Additional accusations against Diddy include the rape of a 17-year-old two decades ago and forcing a music producer to have sex with prostitutes. April Lampros alleged that Combs subjected her to “terrifying sexual encounters” beginning when she was a college student in 1994.

Combs, the founder of Bad Boy Records, has faced legal troubles before. In 2001, he was acquitted of charges related to a 1999 Manhattan nightclub shooting that injured three people.

As the case unfolds, it marks a significant turn for Diddy, who was once recognized as one of hip-hop’s most influential figures but has recently become an industry pariah due to the mounting allegations.

apnews.com

US Military Completes Withdrawal from Niger

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The United States has completed its military withdrawal from Niger, a Pentagon spokesperson announced Monday.

Sabrina Singh, speaking to reporters, confirmed that all U.S. troops have departed the West African nation, with the exception of a small contingent assigned to guard the U.S. Embassy.

The withdrawal follows Niger’s ruling junta’s decision earlier this year to terminate an agreement that allowed U.S. troops to operate in the country. In a joint statement released a few months ago, officials from both countries had indicated that U.S. troops would complete their withdrawal by mid-September.

Last month, the U.S. handed over its final military bases in Niger to local authorities. Singh noted that about two dozen American soldiers had remained in Niger until recently, primarily to handle administrative duties related to the withdrawal process.

The U.S. departure from Niger marks a significant shift in regional dynamics. Niger had been viewed as a key partner for Western nations in combating growing jihadi insurgencies in the Sahel region. The U.S. and France had maintained over 2,500 military personnel in the area until recently, with substantial investments in military assistance and training from various European countries.

In recent months, Niger has distanced itself from its Western allies, turning instead to Russia for security support. Russian military trainers arrived in Niger in April to bolster the country’s air defenses.

The Sahel region faces ongoing threats from extremist groups, including Jama’a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM), which is active in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, and reportedly seeking to expand into Benin and Togo.

Extremists Attack Military Training Camp in Mali’s Capital, Airport Closed

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Extremists launched an attack on a military training camp in Mali’s capital, Bamako, on Tuesday, prompting authorities to temporarily close the city’s airport, the army and government officials reported.

The Malian military stated that gunmen attempted to infiltrate the Faladie gendarme school, located on the outskirts of Bamako. A sweep operation was initiated, with the army asserting that the situation was under control. Residents were advised to avoid the area.

Mohamed Ould Mamouni, communications officer at the ministry of transport, confirmed the suspension of flights due to an exchange of fire near the airport. The ministry will determine when operations can safely resume.

An Associated Press reporter in Bamako heard two explosions and observed smoke rising in the distance early Tuesday morning.

Mali, along with neighboring Burkina Faso and Niger, has been grappling with an insurgency led by armed groups, some affiliated with al-Qaida and the Islamic State group, for over a decade. Following recent military coups in all three nations, the ruling juntas have expelled French forces and turned to Russian mercenary units for security assistance.

Since assuming power, Col. Assimi Goita has faced challenges in curbing the growing number of attacks by jihadis, particularly in central and northern Mali. In July, approximately 50 Russian mercenaries were killed in an al-Qaida ambush while fighting alongside Mali’s army against Tuareg rebels.

While attacks in Bamako are uncommon, in 2022, gunmen struck a Malian army checkpoint about 60 kilometers (37 miles) outside the city, resulting in at least six deaths and several injuries.

Source: apnews.com

Russia Approves Construction of Fuel Pipeline in Congo

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The Russian government has given the green light for the construction of a petroleum product pipeline in the Republic of Congo, furthering Moscow’s economic engagement in Africa.

The project will be executed through a joint venture between Russian pipeline constructor ZNGS Prometey, holding a 90% stake, and the National Petroleum Company of Congo.

While no specific construction timeline has been announced, the agreement is set to take effect 30 days after both parties complete necessary regulatory procedures.

Russian and Congolese officials are expected to sign a build-own-operate-transfer concession agreement within the next three months to finalize remaining details. The Republic of Congo is anticipated to provide tax incentives as part of the deal.

The pipeline, initially proposed in 2017 but delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, will stretch from the southern energy center of Pointe-Noire to the northern region near the capital, Brazzaville. It is designed to operate for a minimum of 25 years.

U.S. Arrests Russian Businessman for Alleged Drone Component Smuggling

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U.S. authorities have apprehended a Russian businessman in Florida on charges of smuggling microelectronics potentially usable in drones to Russia, the Justice Department announced Monday. The arrest comes amid heightened tensions between the United States and Russia following Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Denis Postovoy faces a seven-count indictment for smuggling, money laundering, and defrauding the United States. According to the Justice Department, Postovoy allegedly exported microelectronics through foreign companies without obtaining the required licenses, violating sanctions imposed on Russia after its invasion of Ukraine.

“Postovoy repeatedly concealed and misstated the true end users and end destinations of the microelectronics by submitting false information on export-related documents,” the Justice Department stated. U.S. law enforcement officials claim that Postovoy employed a complex scheme, shipping the electronics through intermediary locations such as Hong Kong and Switzerland, and receiving payments in U.S. dollars via foreign bank accounts.

The arrest, which took place in Sarasota, Florida, underscores ongoing U.S. efforts to enforce sanctions and prevent the transfer of sensitive technologies to Russia. This case follows the July sentencing of another Russian businessman to three years in U.S. prison for admitting to smuggling military-grade electronics from Hong Kong to Russia.

Russia’s Embassy in Washington acknowledged awareness of Postovoy’s arrest but stated it had not been officially notified by local law enforcement. The embassy has requested information from the U.S. State Department and pledged to provide Postovoy with consular and legal assistance.

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