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.