The US military lost an armed remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) in the African country of Niger due to a mechanical malfunction, a Pentagon spokesperson told Sputnik

The Russian Investigative Committee said on Tuesday it was opening a criminal probe into pirates' attack on a vessel with Russians on board in Nigeria

As European countries agree to set up another task force to tackle terrorism in Africa's Sahel against the backdrop of the United States planning a troop drawdown, experts warn that a new mission will not necessarily lead to a reduction in violence in the already overcrowded region unless its economic and political issues are addressed, but will help the West to retain its geopolitical clout amid the rise of rival actors on the ground

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday confirmed his participation in a UN Security Council meeting to address the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic which will most likely take place next week