The US has announced it will provide $60 million in defence aid to the Central African Republic. It already pledged to help transport French troops deployed to the former French colony amid ongoing violence between Muslim and Christian communities.
French soldiers were cheered on Saturday as they began patrolling densely-populated neighbourhoods of Central African Republic's capital Bangui, which has been rocked by waves of killings between Muslim and Christian communities.
France is deploying 1,600 troops to its former colony. At least 400 people have died in three days of violence between the Seleka rebel group and Christian self-defence militias.
Central African Republic has been gripped by chaos since Seleka toppled former President Francois Bozize and embarked on months of looting, rapes and killings.
This is the second major French military operation in Africa this year. It comes just months after France deployed 4,000 troops to oust al Qaeda-linked Islamist groups which had seized control of northern Mali.
The Democratic presidential candidate may also have shown his cards on his choice of running mate.
The US president also shared a post on Twitter accusing Dr Anthony Fauci of misleading the public over hydroxychloroquine.
Fears over an impending second wave of coronavirus dominates Wednesday’s front pages.