MAURITANIA APPEALS FOR MALI TO RETURN TO G5 SAHEL BODY.

President of Mauritania, Mohamed El Ghazouani, has called for the return of Mali to the G5 Sahel organisation.

Mali left the regional military alliance fighting jihadist groups in May last year citing loss of autonomy and Instrumentalisation within the organisation.

The appeal took place in the Mauritanian capital, Nouakchott, at the opening of the 4th session of the General Assembly of the Sahel Alliance, a platform of 27 bilateral partners and donors set up to mobilise international aid for the development of the region.

The junta that has ruled Mali since 2020 has broken with France and its allies turning to Russia for help.

Mauritania, a vast, mostly desert country with a population of 4.5 million, has not seen any attacks since 2011.

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CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC PRESIDENT DELIVERS DRAFT CONSTITUTION AHEAD REFERENDUM.

The President of the Central African Republic, Faustin-Archange Touadéra, has delivered the new constitution draft to the campaign organizers ahead of the referendum at the end of the month.

If approved, the new constitution removes the limit of two terms to the president, therefore, allowing the president to run for a third term in office.

Minister for Youth and Sport, Aristide Reboas claims the new constitution is the first that has not been imposed on the country.

The new constitution will submitted to a referendum thirtieth July.

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AFRICA POPULATIONS SURGE AS WORLD MARK POPULATION DAY.

As the United Nations mark World Population Day, the demographic of nations around the globe is dramatically changing.

Growing populations in India and Africa are leading to greater development but they both also face the brunt of climate change.

The United Nations estimates that of the world’s 8 billion population India is now home to 1.425 billion people, matching and at some point, is expected to surpass China’s.

It believes this could be any time now at mid-year, but demographers say it may already of happened, it’s difficult to know precisely because they’re relying on estimates to make their best guess.

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UKRAINE’S FUTURE MEMBERSHIP TO BE DISCUSSED AT NATO SUMMIT.

NATO leaders are gathering in Lithuania for a crucial summit that could shape the direction of the war in Ukraine and the future of the Western alliance.

The 31 allies hope to show Russia they have the resolve to support Ukraine militarily for the long term.

They arrive with a welcome boost after Turkey dropped its objections to Sweden joining the alliance.

But there remains disagreement over what to say about Ukraine’s own ambitions of future membership.

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TURKEY BACKS SWEDEN’S NATO MEMBERSHIP.

Turkey’s President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan has agreed to support Sweden’s bid to join NATO.

This is according to military alliance’s chief Jens Stoltenberg, who says the Turkish leader would forward Sweden’s bid to parliament in Ankara and “ensure ratification”.

Meanwhile, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said: “I am very happy, it is a good day for Sweden.”

Turkey had previously spent months blocking Sweden’s application, accusing it of hosting Kurdish militants.

As one of NATO’s 31 members, Turkey has a veto over any new country joining the group.

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FLOOD WARNING IN DELHI AS RAINS BATTER NORTH INDIA.

Heavy rains are continuing to cause havoc across northern India, claiming at least 20 lives since Saturday.

The bad weather which is expected to continue into Friday has downed trees, flooded homes and closed major roads in several states.

On Tuesday, Delhi was put on high alert for flooding as water levels in the Yamuna river rose to dangerous levels.

Officials have since relocated thousands of people living near the river banks to safer locations.

Residents living in other vulnerable areas have also been told to prepare to be evacuated if needed.

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AUSTRALIA TOP SOLDIER APPEALS WAR CRIMES DEFAMATION RULING.

Australia’s most-decorated living soldier Ben Roberts-Smith is appealing against a landmark defamation judgement which found he committed war crimes.

A judge last month ruled articles alleging the Victoria Cross recipient had murdered four Afghans were true.

It was the first time in history any court has assessed claims of war crimes by Australian forces.

Roberts-Smith is not facing criminal charges and maintains his innocence.

His grounds for appeal are unknown.