#ivory-coast

#ivory-coast

2:41 AM ET


CloseEd Dove is a writer and scout who has a deep and enduring passion for African sport, politics and literature.Instagram: @EddyDove22, Facebook: @EddyDoveAfrica



We're passed the halfway stage in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign, with some of the continent's best on the brink of securing their places in the Ivory Coast... and others nervously watching over their shoulder.

King Salman declared a public holiday in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday to mark the national team's stunning 2-1 upset over Lionel Messi's Argentina at the 2022 World Cup.The news is a feather in the cap of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who recommended the royal order, state media said.Prince Mohammed was not seen at the match but had been front and centre at the tournament opening on Sunday.

01:21 (From 2nd L to R) French President Emmanuel Macron, Gabon's President Ali Bongo, Equatorial Guinea President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo and Central African Republic President Faustin-Archange Touadera at the One Forest Summit in Libreville on March 2, 2023.Ludovic Marin, AFP President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday said the era of French interference in Africa was well over as he began a four-nation tour of the continent to renew frayed ties.

French president begins four-nation tour of Africa to renew frayed ties, while anti-French sentiment runs high in some former African colonies.President Emmanuel Macron has said the era of French interference in Africa was well over as he began a four-nation tour of the continent to renew frayed ties.

A hefty chunk of the massive rocket used to deliver the third module of China's Tiangong space station has fallen back to Earth uncontrolled, triggering the closure of some of Spain's airspace and leading to hundreds of flight delays.Four days after blasting off from southern China, a large part of the Long March 5B (CZ-5B) rocket broke up as it re-entered the Earth's atmosphere over the south-central Pacific ocean at 10.01 UTC, according to European and US space authorities.

Littering Rocket Parts
A gigantic piece of a Chinese Long March 2D rocket has seemingly plummeted back down to Earth and lodged itself in a crop in the northwestern province of Gansu, as seen in images shared on Chinese social media.The images show a massive metal structure lodged vertically in some freshly tilled soil, sticking out some 20 to 30 feet.

China launched the third and final module of its space station on Monday, a significant step as the country expands its extensive scientific research outside the Earth's atmosphere.State television broadcast the launch live, showing a rocket roaring into a gray layer of clouds above Hainan Island in southernmost China, with the module aboard.

An infant, a father, a look of exquisite tenderness on the dad's face.This is one of the heart-stirring photos in a story we published this year on kangaroo care: When a baby is born prematurely, a good way to help the baby survive and thrive is simply to hold it close to a parent's naked chest.That photo tells you everything you need to know about the bond between a parent and a vulnerable child.

Chelsea striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is to return to the Gabon side a year after announcing his international retirement.The forward said the return was prompted by a meeting with the African country's president Ali Bongo Ondimba."(I) listened to the wise words he said to me as a father talking to his son," Aubameyang posted on Instagram.

Argentina forward Lionel Messi, 35, could follow Portuguese rival Cristiano Ronaldo, 38, to Saudi Arabia in a £320m-a-year move to the Gulf state after confirming he is leaving Paris St-Germain.Saudi club Al-Hilal could be rivalled for Messi's signature by Major League soccer side Inter Miami, co-owned by former Manchester United and England superstar David Beckham.

Chelsea have completed the signing of Molde striker David Datro Fofana on a six-year deal, the club announced on Saturday.Fofana, 20, joins Chelsea for a reported fee of £10.93 million ($13.15m) and becomes the latest January arrival at Stamford Bridge after Monaco defender Benoit Badiashile and Brazilian teenager Andrey Santos.

Chelsea have signed Ivory Coast striker David Datro Fofana from Norwegian champions Molde for a reported £8m-10m .The 20-year-old forward, who scored 24 goals in 65 appearances for Molde, has signed a contract until 2029, with the option to extend for a further year.He is Chelsea's second signing of the January transfer window, following the arrival of France defender Benoit Badiashile for £35m from Monaco.

If the last two years represented a slow return and then full-on bounce back to prepandemic arts programming, the array of art fairs this May embodies something of a spring frenzy.Here's a guide to our favorites, by neighborhood.Each year the European Fine Art Foundation (TEFAF), known for its expertise in art history, antiques and design, leaves the Netherlands for Manhattan.

Tributes have been paid to a very special British military volunteer killed during fighting in Ukraine.Jay Morais, 52, from Bristol, fought in some of the fiercest battles in the country's eastern region - including the Donbas cities of Severodonetsk and Bakhmut.The death of Mr Morais, a veteran of the French foreign legion who signed up to fight last year, was confirmed by Ukraine on Tuesday.

Around 140 people have celebrated Scotland's national bard at the biggest-ever Burns Supper held in Antarctica.Haggis was specially transported to the continent aboard the UK's exploration ship RRS Sir David Attenborough so workers at the British Antarctic Survey's Rothera Research Station could mark the event.

The French government sought to play down a fresh row with Italy over migration on Friday, saying Rome was an "essential partner" after a spat with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.Published: 6 May 2023 08:41 CEST Italy's foreign minister cancelled a trip to Paris on Thursday over what he termed unacceptable comments from French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin, who said Meloni was incapable of tackling her country's migration crisis.

Italy's foreign minister cancelled a trip to Paris on Thursday over what he termed unacceptable comments from French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin, who said Meloni was incapable of tackling her country's migration crisis.Italy is an essential partner to France our relationship is founded on mutual respect, French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne said late Friday.

The French government sought to play down a fresh row with Italy over migration on Friday, saying Rome was an "essential partner" after a spat with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.Published: 6 May 2023 08:41 CEST Italy's foreign minister cancelled a trip to Paris on Thursday over what he termed unacceptable comments from French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin, who said Meloni was incapable of tackling her country's migration crisis.

05:32 French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin speaks in Paris on March 27, 2023.Italy's Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni attends a press conference in Rome on April 5, 2023.Ludovic Marin, Andreas Solaro, AFP The French government sought to play down a fresh row with Italy over migration on Friday, saying Rome was an "essential partner" after a spat with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

Dozens of countries from Albania to Zambia will host open houses Saturday during the annual Around the World Embassy Tour, one of those "only in Washington" events you'll tell friends and relatives about.How often do you get invited into an embassy to explore its art collection, sample traditional cuisine, and watch music and dance performances for free?

Herve Renard has been named France women's coach until 2024 and will lead the team at this year's World Cup, the French federation (FFF) said on Thursday.The 54-year-old Frenchman resigned as coach of the Saudi Arabia men's team this week after leading them to last year's World Cup in Qatar where they pulled off a shock group-stage win over eventual champions Argentina.

secured a place at the next Africa Cup of Nations finals with a 1-0 away win over on Monday that ensured a top-two finish in their qualifying group with two games to go.They will join neighbours Morocco, who qualified last Friday without kicking a ball, in the field of 24-team for the finals in the Ivory Coast next January.

The body of Ghana winger Christian Atsu was flown home to Accra on Sunday evening, the day after he was found dead under a collapsed building in southern Turkey.Atsu had been missing since the Feb. 6 earthquake following the collapse of an apartment building in Hatay.He was 31.Draped in Ghana's national flag, Atsu's coffin was received at the capital's Kotoka International Airport by Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia and a large military honour guard.

Malawi head coach Mario Marinica has lashed out at the country's fans for showing more support for visiting Egypt and their "superstars" than the home team during their Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier in Lilongwe.Malawi lost 4-0 to Egypt on Tuesday - a result which leaves the Flames on the verge of missing out on qualification for next year's finals in Ivory Coast.

Herve Renard has resigned as head coach of Saudi Arabia's men's team and is set to lead France at the Women's World Cup this summer.The Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) said on Tuesday that Renard, 54, requested his contract be terminated.He will replace Corinne Diacre, who was after several key players said they would no longer represent their country under her leadership.

4:00 AM ET



Julien LaurensCorrespondent



Saudi Arabia coach Herve Renard is in line to take over the France women's team, replacing Corinne Diacre who was dismissed in controversial circumstances, sources have told ESPN.Renard, who led Saudi Arabia to a shock World Cup victory against eventual champions Argentina in Qatar last year, needs to negotiate his exit with the Saudi FA but sources said he is optimistic about it.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe's INEOS have put in a bid to buy Manchester United from the Glazer family, following the offer from Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani.Sources close to the bid say Ratcliffe wants to put "Manchester back into Manchester United".Ratcliffe, a boyhood United fan from Failsworth, who was the Nou Camp in 1999, founded chemical company INEOS which generates sales of around £50bn and employs more than 26,000 people.

Amad is lighting up the Championship with some brilliant performances while at Sunderland on loan, boosting his chances at Man United upon his return.Manchester United's first-team squad is certainly playing better under Erik ten Hag, with different players coming to the fore.Look at how well Marcus Rashford is now playing, for instance...
Some players inevitably had to leave on loan in order to get their minutes, though.

French Armies Minister Sebastien Lecornu looks on as he leaves after the weekly cabinet meeting at the presidential Elysee Presidential Palace in Paris on November 29, 2022.Emmanuel Dunand, AFP Paris' defence minister on Sunday condemned the latest instalment of Marvel's Black Panther franchise, which depicts French troops caught trying to steal resources belonging to the fictional African kingdom of Wakanda.

France's President Emmanuel Macron began a tour of Central Africa on Wednesday in a diplomatic drive to test a new responsible relationship with the continent as anti-French sentiment runs high in some former colonies.He landed in Gabon's capital Libreville on Wednesday and will later head to Angola, Congo-Brazzaville and the neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo.

M&M's candy characters stand on display at the M&M's World store in London, U.K., on Thursday, July 14, 2011.Mars Inc., the producer of M&Ms candies, are among confectioners rejecting a call not to export cocoa from Ivory Coast.(Photographer: Bloomberg/Bloomberg)Welcome to a new level of crazy in the culture wars.

The military junta that controls Mali pardoned 49 Ivorian soldiers and suspended their prison sentences, ending a diplomatic dispute that highlighted the growing isolation of the West African country and its strained relations with its neighbors.The decision, announced late on Friday, came a week after the soldiers, who had been detained nearly six months ago, had received sentences of 20 years.

Zambia have appointed former Chelsea, West Ham and Ghana manager Avram Grant to take charge of their national team.The Israeli has agreed a two-year contract, the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) announced on Thursday."I was looking for the right challenge and that's why I chose Zambia," Grant said at a press conference in Lusaka.

Sure, packaged cocoa is fine in a pinch.But when you're out and about, there are few better ways to get cozy than a mug of real-deal hot chocolate.Multiple DC-area locations
When not cooling us off with dreamy gelato, Dolcezza keeps us warm with its house-made cocoa-a creamy blend of milk and Valrhona chocolate.

Football's capacity to unite is routinely lauded, but Sunday's World Cup match between England and Senegal has already divided many west African families in London.The split is generational.Parents say they tend to support Senegal, the country of their birth, while their children opt to support the state they were raised in: England.

Crystal Palace midfielder Ebere Eze believes scouts not looking at south London's famous football cages could be missing out on the next generation of top talent.Palace youth system graduate Gareth Southgate opened the club's state-of-the-art, 20m academy just over one year ago, a step toward part-owner and chairman Steve Parish's ambitions to attract and retain players from the area with ultimate aspirations of seeing another homegrown Eagle play for England.

The football training programme is being supported by UNESCO and has piloted in three countries including Ivory Coast.Children at primary schools in the Ivorian commercial capital Abidjan traded classrooms for football fields last week to take part in a FIFA initiative to make the sport more accessible and contribute to education.

A French-speaking criminal group codenamed OPERA1ER has pulled off more than 30 cyber-heists against telecom organizations and banks across Africa, Asia, and Latin America, stealing upwards of $30 million over four years, according to security researchers.The robberies start with targeted emails that trick staff at these businesses into running backdoor malware, keyloggers, and password stealers, according to Group-IB's threat intel team, working with French telecom company Orange's CERT Coordination Center.

The two fixtures against Italy and Germany presented Southgate with his final opportunity to trial players and tactics before his side's World Cup opener versus Iran on 21 November, Despite not starting a game for his club in six weeks, the England boss selected Manchester United captain Harry Maguire in a back three, alongside Kyle Walker and Eric Dier.However, the numbers do not make encouraging reading for England with just one game to play until then.England's winless run continued as Gareth Southgate's side suffered a first relegation to the Nations League's second tier after defeat by Italy in Milan.