🇸🇳SenegalWest Africa
PSG eliminates Bayern from Champions League, Ibrahim Mbaye reaches final
via SeneNews4 min read
Paris Saint-Germain has qualified for the UEFA Champions League final after a 1-1 draw against Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena on May 6. This result, combined with their 5-4 victory in the first leg, secured PSG's spot in the final. Ousmane Dembélé scored for PSG before halftime. This qualification ensures that Senegalese player Ibrahim Mbaye, who plays for PSG, will participate in the final. He will aim to win his second consecutive title in the competition. PSG is set to face Arsenal in the final on May 30 in Budapest.
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Must ReadThe issue of political funds, also known as special funds or "black boxes," has re-emerged in public discourse in Senegal. These financial resources are made available to the head of state and, in some countries, to certain high-ranking officials. Similar mechanisms exist in various African, European, and Asian nations, including Côte d'Ivoire, Cameroon, Burkina Faso, Mali, and France. A common criticism of these funds is their lack of transparency and the limited oversight of their use. In Senegal, these funds are primarily allocated to the President of the Republic. While the question of special funds linked to the Prime Minister's office has been raised publicly, no official clarification has been provided. For several years, public opinion has denounced the opaque nature of these resources, with some observers suggesting they could be used to maintain political patronage or consolidate alliances, particularly in African countries where governance is a sensitive issue. In this context, Pastef had promised to abolish these special funds before coming to power, aiming to enhance transparency in public management. The debate is now resurfacing with increased urgency, as some stakeholders recall this promise at a time when the President, who had announced a desire to distance himself from partisan responsibilities, continues to consolidate his political coalition. In a recent interview, the head of state justified the funds' existence by stating they address urgent social need
Must ReadA notable diplomatic contrast emerged between Dakar and Washington within 24 hours. On April 9, Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko publicly criticized Donald Trump, calling him a "dangerous man and destabilizer of the world order." The following day, former President Macky Sall was received in a private but strategically important meeting by Michael Waltz, the United States Ambassador to the United Nations. This sequence of events has drawn attention in diplomatic circles and fueled speculation regarding the international positioning of the former Senegalese head of state, who has declared his candidacy for the position of Secretary-General of the United Nations.
A severe altercation between Aurélien Tchouaméni and Fede Valverde has reportedly plunged the Real Madrid locker room into turmoil. Following an initial tense exchange, the situation escalated dramatically hours later at the club's facilities. According to MARCA, a "very serious" incident occurred where words quickly turned into physical blows. The confrontation was so violent that several teammates had to intervene to separate the two players. Fede Valverde was subsequently rushed to the hospital. Club sources indicate this second conflict was "much worse" than a previous one, leading to an unprecedented crisis for Real Madrid. The club's management immediately called a crisis meeting, and no players were permitted to leave the sports city after the incident, as the team grapples with internal strife that threatens its season.
Must ReadThe world is awaiting Iran's response to a US proposal for a peace agreement, which US President Donald Trump described as "very possible" after "very good discussions in the last 24 hours." This optimism led to a drop in oil prices and a surge in stock markets, despite Trump's renewed threat of bombings. On Tuesday, the US President announced the suspension of a US operation launched the previous day to allow hundreds of ships stuck in the Gulf to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran has controlled this strategic passage for global hydrocarbon trade since the war began on February 28, which has caused thousands of deaths, mainly in Iran and Lebanon, and shaken the global economy. Washington, for its part, has maintained its blockade of Iranian ports launched on April 13. According to the US online news site Axios, "two US officials and two other sources informed of the matter" reported "a one-page memorandum of understanding aimed at ending the war and establishing a framework for more detailed nuclear negotiations." The agreement would see Iran commit to a moratorium on nuclear enrichment, the United States agree to lift its sanctions and unfreeze billions of dollars in Iranian funds, and both parties lift restrictions surrounding transit through the Strait of Hormuz. While Iran stated that the United States was trying to force its "surrender," its diplomatic spokesperson, Esmaïl Baghaï, affirmed that his country was "still examining the American plan and proposal." Ac