The Eye of the Sahara, also known as the Richat Structure, is a massive, concentric rock formation in Mauritania visible from space. Initially thought to be a meteor impact site, it was later found to be shaped by tectonic uplift and erosion. The structure, which spans 25 to 31 miles in diameter, holds geological and archaeological significance, revealing ancient human tools and various rock types. Despite myths linking it to Atlantis, scientific evidence debunks such claims.
Johan Van Overtveldt, chair of the European parliament’s budgets committee, argues that the newly agreed 50bn euro EU aid for Ukraine is insufficient, as it falls short of the country's non-military needs. Ukrainian officials express concern over the repeated failure of the Biden administration to secure funding for Ukraine, citing serious battlefield consequences. Meanwhile, the head of the European Commission and the Spanish prime minister visit Mauritania to sign deals on migration and energy, amid a surge in people-smuggling operations to the Canary Islands. Poland’s prime minister criticizes US Senate Republicans for blocking a bipartisan bill that would have provided military assistance for Ukraine.
Former President of Mauritania, Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, has been sentenced to five years in prison for money laundering and self-enrichment. The landmark corruption trial concluded with Aziz and other top officials being accused of diverting funds from the country for personal gain. Aziz's lawyers claim the trial was politically motivated, aimed at undermining his civic rights. The court cleared four former government ministers of the same charges but ordered the confiscation of Aziz's illegally acquired property.
Former President of Mauritania, Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, has been sentenced to five years in prison for money laundering and self-enrichment. The landmark trial concluded with Aziz and other top officials being accused of diverting funds from the country for personal gain. Aziz's lawyers claim the trial was politically motivated, aimed at depriving him of civic rights. The court cleared four former government ministers of the same charges and ordered the confiscation of Aziz's illegally acquired property.
Former President of Mauritania, Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, has been sentenced to five years in prison after being found guilty of money laundering and self-enrichment. The landmark corruption trial accused Aziz and other top officials of siphoning money from the country for personal gain. Aziz's lawyers claim the trial was politically motivated, aimed at depriving him of civic rights. The court cleared four former government ministers of the same charges and ordered the confiscation of Aziz's illegally acquired property.
Former president of Mauritania, Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, has been sentenced to five years in prison for money laundering and "illicit enrichment" after being found guilty of two out of ten charges. Abdel Aziz, who led the country for a decade, had denied the corruption allegations. The court's ruling has been criticized by one of his lawyers as a "political verdict targeting a man and his family." Abdel Aziz's government had previously faced scrutiny over actions including deals on offshore oil projects.
North Korea, Eritrea, and Mauritania have the highest prevalence of modern slavery in the world, according to the 2023 Global Slavery Index by Walk Free. The report notes a "worsening" situation globally since its last survey five years earlier, with an estimated 50 million people living in situations of modern slavery in 2021. The figure includes some 28 million people in forced labor and 22 million living in forced marriage. The report defines modern slavery as encompassing "forced labor, forced or servile marriage, debt bondage, forced commercial sexual exploitation, human trafficking, slavery-like practices, and the sale and exploitation of children."
