Michael Fuller

“I studied for a year at the University of Dakar in Senegal,” says Michael Fuller, who was at the time a philosophy major at Kalamazoo College in Michigan.

Friendly rivals Le Roy, Renard hunt key points

French coaches Herve Renard and Claude le Roy loom large over the key Africa Cup of Nations Group C clash between Morocco and Togo in Oyem Friday. Renard, a Cup of Nations winner with Zambia in 2012 and the Ivory Coast in 2015, was hired by Morocco last year and given a mandate to reach the semi-finals.

Cameroon 188×128

Cameroon now know a draw against Gabon in their final Group A game on Sunday will secure them a place in the last eight. Cameroon’s forward Benjamin Moukandjo acknowledges supporters at the end of their 2-1 victory over Guinea-Bissau on Wednesday.

Mideast expects big changes under Trump

Donald Trump’s all-but-dismissal of human rights as a foreign policy principle could land like an earthquake across a Middle East landscape beset by warring factions and beleaguered governments, with some players eyeing the prospect of once unimaginable new alliances. Syria is the foremost test of Trump’s promise of a return to a hard-headed realpolitik and could quickly show whether America is truly abandoning promotion of democracy and the rule of law in a way that could reshape much of the region’s post-Cold War, post-9/11 order.

Alex Newsome gets a Super new contract

Glen Innes product Alex Newsome’s star continues to rise in the rugby game after the outside back signed a deal with the western Force for season 2017. Go West: Glen Innes rugby product and 2016 Country Eagles star Alex Newsome’s surge to the peak of the game continues after the flying outside back signed a deal with Super Rugby franchise the Western Force.

UPDATE 1-Allianz, Standard Chartered form bancassurance pact in Asia

FRANKFURT, Jan 19 German insurer Allianz and Standard Chartered Bank on Thursday announced a 15-year agreement to distribute Allianz’s general insurance products in Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and China. The deal to distribute travel, personal accident, fire and motor insurance products to Standard Chartered’s retail banking clients will start in 2017, the companies said in a joint statement.

Travel Update

M27 – Two lanes are closed on between junctions 11 and 12 on the eastbound carriageway due to a vehicle fire. Delays are expected to last until 8am, Highways England has said.

Thursday morning’s traffic and travel

Roads are looking generally clear this Thursday morning with just a few minor incidents to look out for across the Black Country and North Worcestershire, including: Water main work and temporary traffic lights on A442 Franche Road in Kidderminster at the Woodland Avenue junction, so expect delays. Some delays again on A451 Stourbridge Road in Kidderminster at the Springfield Lane junction due to gas main work and temporary traffic lights.

Germany reviewing nearly 550 migrants deemed a security risk

Germany said on Wednesday it would review the cases of nearly 550 asylum seekers who have been deemed a security risk, spurred by new questions about the handling of a Tunisian migrant who killed 12 people last month at a Berlin Christmas market. Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere told lawmakers the country’s Joint Terrorism Task Force would look carefully at each of the 547 people identified as a security risk to determine if they needed to be deported or taken into custody.

Jallikattu protests spread: All you need to know

Today, Tamil Nadu chief minister Pannerselvam met with PM Narendra Modi to discuss the escalating pro-Jallikattu protests in Tamil Nadu. The latter told the CM that while the Centre appreciated the cultural significance of Jallikattu, the matter is presently in court.

Ireland march to semi-finals, Hong Kong shock Netherlands

Kevin O’Brien and Boyd Rankin came up with a spirited performance to seal a semi-final spot for Ireland after defeating United Arab Emirates by 24 runs while Hong Kong shocked Netherlands with a 91-run victory in the Desert T20 Challenge encounters in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday. Ireland 160-6 beat United Arab Emirates 136-7 by 24 runs 9th match, Desert T20 Challenge, Group A, Abu Dhabi Amjad Javed struck early to remove both Stuart Poynter and William Porterfield after Ireland opted to bat first on winning the toss.