Jihadist fighters in Mali have called for a broad uprising against the country’s military rulers, escalating tensions as they move to tighten pressure on the capital, Bamako. The appeal comes days after coordinated attacks on junta positions and coincides with the start of a blockade on key roads into the city, raising fears of further instability in a nation already grappling with years of conflict and political upheaval.

A psychologist testified at the trial over Diego Maradona’s death, saying the football legend had bipolar disorder, narcissistic personality traits and addiction issues on Thursday in Buenos Aires. The comments came during proceedings into alleged medical negligence following his 2020 death at age 60, as defendants continue to argue he died of natural causes.

FIFA said Thursday it will review its ticketing strategy for the 2030 World Cup after a backlash over soaring prices for the 2026 tournament in North America, as officials defended costs as a reflection of demand while acknowledging fan anger.

Iran's supreme leader declared Thursday that the United States had suffered a shameful defeat, defiantly rejecting a warning from President Donald Trump that an economically punishing US naval blockade could be enforced for months to come. Speaking with FRANCE 24's Sharon Gaffney, Oliver McTernan, director and co-founder of Forward Thinking, says that Iran "will not capitulate" adding that "it was a miscalculation rushing in an illicit aggression against Iran".

In tonight's programme, Mali pays tribute to Defence Minister Sadio Camara killed last weekend. Also, Sabastian Sawe gets a hero's welcome in Kenya after making history in the London Marathon. And the world gets a fresh look at Winnie Mandela in a new Netflix documentary.

Iran's new Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei on Thursday said the US had been defeated in its war against the Islamic Republic and that its only place in the Persian Gulf was “at the bottom of its waters". Khamenei's written message, which was read on state TV, was released to mark the annual national celebration of "Persian Gulf" day in Iran.

What started out as a joke on social media, has now got the US President’s backing. Donald Trump said he supports the idea of changing the name of Immigration and Customs Enforcement - or ICE - to a new acronym, “NICE.” This comes as the immigration agency continues to face mounting scrutiny over its operations, funding and a record-high death of detainees in custody. 

Germany said Thursday it was "prepared" for a possible reduction in US troops threatened by President Donald Trump, who kept up his barrage of attacks on Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Trump said that Washington was considering redeploying some of the tens of thousands of its troops stationed in Germany amid a row with Merz over the war in Iran. FRANCE 24's Camille Corcoran reports.

The international jury of the Venice Biennale resigned Thursday, just days before the world’s oldest and most important contemporary art fair opens. No reason was given, but the move came as Italy's government opposed Russia's participation. FRANCE 24's Seema Gupta reports from Rome.

Israel on Thursday said that dozens of activists intercepted by the Israeli military from a Gaza-bound aid flotilla in international waters off Crete would be taken to Greek shores where they would disembark. FRANCE 24's Carys Garland reports.

U.S. President Donald Trump has again threatened to pull American troops out of Germany, a key NATO ally. Speaking with FRANCE 24's Mark Owen, Dafydd Townley, Teaching Fellow in US politics and international security at the University of Portsmouth, says that such a move would be "foolish" explaining that "Germany is exceptionally important as a logistical and refuelling hub for American air force operations".

It’s the world’s largest sailing ship and it’s about to set sail from Saint-Nazaire, the town in Western France where it was built. The giant three-masted luxury vessel can accommodate 130 passengers, who will pay up to €200,000 for an exclusive week-long cruise. FRANCE 24's Emerald Maxwell reports.