General Tchiani declares himself the new leader of Niger

The United States has warned it could end military cooperation with Niger. The West African nation has been an important US ally in fighting Islamist extremism in the Sahel region but John Kirby, the White House National Security spokesman, said Washington still supported the deposed President, Mohamed Bazoum. Mr Bazoum has been confined to the presidential palace since Wednesday.

Also on the programme: Saudi Arabia’s increasing role in the world of sport; and Israel passes part of a package of reforms that will limit the Supreme Court's powers.

Joining Julian Worricker to discuss all this and more are Katia Glod, an analyst specialising in Russia and Central Europe at the European Leadership Network think-tank in London; and Sune Engel Rasmussen, a London-based correspondent for the Wall Street Journal newspaper.

(Picture: General Abdourahmane Tiani, who was declared as the new head of state of Niger by leaders of a coup, arrives to meet with ministers. CREDIT: REUTERS/Balima Boureima)