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Geopolitics

French Bombers Pound Northern Mali Ahead Of UN Security Council Meeting

FRANCE24, LIBERATION (France)

Worldcrunch

BAMAKO - On the third day of the French-led “Operation Serval” to drive the Al Qaeda-linked terrorist group MUJAO out of northern Mali, air strikes have been carried out Monday on Timbuktu and Gao, two key rebel strongholds.

Four Rafales fighter jets pounded rebel training camps, logistic depots and infrastructure around the city of Gao, reports France 24. French President François Hollande stated that this was just the beginning of a war campaign to be pursued both from the air and on the ground.

As some 550 French soldiers were deployed this weekend in different locations, Hollande's decision was largely supported by other European leaders.

The UN Security Council will meet Monday to assess the situation, as the UK already agreed to help out the French contingent by deploying troops immediately.

Reports say locals welcome the external intervention, though their concern for their own security is real: “The planes are so fast, you can only hear their sound in the sky,” says resident Soumaila Naiga, speaking by telephone with France24 television network. “We are happy, even though it is frightening. Soon we will be delivered.”

This intervention triggered some threats from MUJAO, which declared their will to “strike the heart of France,” reports French newspaper Libération. The French troops will benefit from the support of Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara, who promised a 3,300 soldier contingent to be sent.

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eyes on the U.S.

Murdoch's Resignation Adds To Biden Good Luck With The Media — A Repeat Of FDR?

Robert Murdoch's resignation from Fox News Corp. so soon before the next U.S. presidential elections begs the question of how directly media coverage has impacted Joe Biden as a figure, and what this new shift in power will mean for the current President.

Close up photograph of a opy of The Independent features Rupert Murdoch striking a pensive countenance as his 'News of the World' tabloid newspaper announced its last edition will run

July 7, 2011 - London, England: A copy of The Independent features Rupert Murdoch striking a pensive countenance as his 'News of the World' tabloid newspaper announced its last edition will run July 11, 2011 amid a torrid scandal involving phone hacking.

Mark Makela/ZUMA
Michael J. Socolow

Joe Biden was inaugurated as the 46th president of the United States of America on Jan. 20, 2021.

Imagine if someone could go back in time and inform him and his communications team that a few pivotal changes in the media would occur during his first three years in office.

There’s the latest news that Rubert Murdoch, 92, stepped down as the chairperson of Fox Corp. and News Corp. on Sept. 21, 2023. Since the 1980s, Murdoch, who will be replaced by his son Lachlan, has been the most powerful right-wing media executivein the U.S.

While it’s not clear whether Fox will be any tamer under Lachlan, Murdoch’s departure is likely good news for Biden, who reportedly despises the media baron.

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