🇳🇪 Nigérien authorities have announced on television a number of new political appointments, including a new Inspector of the Armed Forces and a new Commander of the Presidential Guard.

🇫🇷🇲🇱 French Minister of Armies Sébastien Lecornu said on Monday that France's Opération Barkhane in Mali "was not a failure."

Lecornu emphasized that the operation's objectives were to push back jihadist forces in northern Mali and protect French citizens there, objectives which were accomplished.

The 8-year operation ended in 2022 with the withdrawal of French troops from Mali, after relations soured with the new military government of Col. Assimi Goita.

🇲🇱 Two days ago, Katiba Macina (JNIM) fighters attacked and burned the village of Bodio in central Mali. At least 17 are reported dead, and a dozen kidnapped.

The village has been temporarily deserted by its remaining inhabitants.

Ukrainian-Russian war. Day 530:
Situation on northeastern front: During the last 3-4 days Russian Army managed to capture a large strip of territory in Kharkov oblast south of the towns of Pershotravneve/Першотравневе and Vil'shana/Вільшана.
Map: [ https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1V8NzjQkzMOhpuLhkktbiKgodOQ27X6IV&ll=49.75203827273501%2C37.81000195992568&z=12 ]

Ukrainian-Russian war. Day 530:
Situation south of Bakhmut: During the last 36 hours Ukrainian Army made small advances north of Klishchiivka/Кліщіївка.
Map: [ https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1V8NzjQkzMOhpuLhkktbiKgodOQ27X6IV&ll=48.52890291911399%2C37.95569165801099&z=13 ]

Maduro receives former Bolivian president Evo Morales

Evo Morales showed his "solidarity" with the pro-government leader in January, considering that he is a "victim of the permanent conspiracy of the United States."

https://www.laverdad.com/politica/216697

🇻🇪🇨🇦Four Venezuelan oil fields in the "crosshair" of the New Stratus oil company

https://bit.ly/3Yr96c6