FRANCE: Left-wing parties, allied in a coalition known as the New Popular Front, outlined their plan today to prevent the surging far right from taking power at upcoming snap parliamentary elections.

While differences remain, party leaders compromised during four days of negotiations and aligned their views on issues such as the war in Ukraine and the Israel-Hamas conflict to prevent an election victory for Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally.

NIGERIA: The World Bank approved a $2.25 billion (£1.7 billion) loan for Nigeria on Thursday to shore up revenue and support economic reforms that have contributed to the worst cost-of-living crisis in many years for Africa’s most populous country.

The bank claims that the bulk of the loan would help protect millions who have faced growing poverty since President Bola Tinubu came to power just over a year ago.

NIGER: The country’s highest court has lifted the immunity of former president Mohamed Bazoum, nearly a year after he was removed from power by a popular uprising led by the military, his lawyer said today.

The decision opens the door for the country’s military rulers to prosecute the former president for alleged high treason.

SWEDEN: Swedish officials summoned the Iraqi chargé d’affaires on Friday to protest against death sentences that have been handed down to Swedes in Iraq.

Swedish media reported in recent days that two Swedes have been sentenced to death in Iraq after being convicted of killing a member of a criminal gang there.