France’s military involvement in the Sahel is encountering growing opposition in the region, with protests in Sahel that were once isolated to urban centres spreading.

French-American rights activist Josephine Baker became the first Black woman to enter France’s Panthéon mausoleum of outstanding historical figures.

Lionel Messi won the Ballon d’Or for the seventh time on Monday, extending his record. “I’m very happy to be here, happy to keep fighting for new trophies,” Messi said through a translator.

Aljazeera says France is sending additional security forces to the French Caribbean island of Guadeloupe as leaders to try to defuse days of unrest over restrictions.