US says downed multiple Iran drones as both insist deal closer

US Central Command (CENTCOM) posted on X that Iran had "launched multiple one-way attack drones in an attempt to strike commercial ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz".

By Afp 3 hrs ago

US-Iran deal could be sealed within 24 hours, mediator Pakistan says

"We are closer to a peace deal than ever before," Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, whose country has played a crucial role in peace talks, wrote on X on Saturday.

By Afp 2 hrs ago

Kylian and Neymar top South America football naming boom

Across South America, a legion of pint-sized Kylians and Neymars will be following the fortunes of the stars to whom they owe their names after the World Cup kicked off yesterday.

By Afp 1 day ago

Mexico beat South Africa to kick off World Cup

South Africa, meanwhile, never looked like spoiling the opening day fiesta, and finished with only nine men after Sphephelo Sithole and Themba Zwane were sent off.

By Afp 1 day ago

South Korea beat Czech Republic 2-1 in World Cup

South Korea gets World Cup campaign off to a winning start after beating the Czech Republic 2-1. Substitute Oh Hyeon-gyu scored the decisive goal in a Guadalajara stadium.

By Afp 1 day ago

Crime reporter shot dead in Mexico

"Lopez Valdez was killed early Thursday morning in (the city of) Poza Rica, after being intercepted by armed men while driving," an article published on its website stated.

By Afp 1 day ago

Pochettino rallies USA fans ahead of Paraguay encounter

Argentinian coach Pochettino kicks off a public training session by grabbing the microphone and leading 5,500 fans in “USA! USA” chants at the team’s training base in Irvine, California.

By Afp 1 day ago

South Korea's ex-president gets 30 years over North Korea drone incident

Ex-South Korea President Yoon Suk Yeol jailed for 30 more years for sending drones into North Korea; he is already serving life sentence over his failed 2024 martial law bid.

By Afp 1 day ago

Nigeria killed 13,000 'terrorists' in past year: president

Africa's most populous country is fighting the long-running conflict across its northern regions, complicated by inroads made by militants from the Sahel, and non-ideological "bandit" gangs.

By Afp 1 day ago

Shakira and protests as World Cup kicks off in Mexico

A crush to get into an overcrowded fan zone in the centre of Mexico City and protests near the stadium made for a chaotic day that contrasted with the festive atmosphere inside the Azteca.

By Afp 1 day ago

Ebola spreading into new areas in northeast DR Congo: WHO

Since the outbreak was declared on May 15, there have been 676 confirmed Ebola cases, including 136 deaths in the DRC, according to the latest figures from the WHO.

By Afp 1 day ago

Nigerians fleeing xenophobic attacks in South Africa head home

Foreign nationals have reported being intimidated and beaten by mobs going door to door, families forced from their homes, and many have left in the face of the threats.

By Afp 2 days ago

'No Ebola here': misinformation stalls DR Congo response

Misinformation is hampering efforts to contain a deadly Ebola outbreak in the DRC, as distrust spreads alongside the virus.

By Afp 2 days ago

World Cup set for kickoff after high ticket prices, visa issues dog buildup

All systems go for 2026 FIFA World Cup, set to kick off today, and co-hosted by US, Mexico, and Canada; 48 teams to compete in expanded tournament, running through July 19.

By Afp 2 days ago

A woman in charge of the UN? Candidates feel it's about time

It is high time a woman took charge of the United Nations, argued three of the candidates in the running to take over as secretary-general, at a debate on Tuesday.

By Afp 2 days ago

Trump vows fresh Iran strikes and seizure of oil terminals

US President Donald Trump vowed fresh attacks against Iran, saying American forces would also soon seize the country's key oil infrastructure after the two sides exchanged strikes overnight.

By Afp 2 days ago

Over 260 Nigerians fleeing xenophobic attacks in S. Africa return home

The first group of Nigerians repatriated from South Africa following escalating anti-immigrant attacks landed in Lagos on Thursday, AFP journalists saw.

By Afp 2 days ago

Somali referee banned by US to officiate European Super Cup UEFA

Somali referee Omar Artan, who was denied entry to the US for the World Cup, was on Thursday named to officiate UEFA's Super Cup, European football's governing body announced.

By Afp 2 days ago

Gunmen shoot dead 12 near Johannesburg: South African police

Gunmen stormed an informal settlement near Johannesburg and shot dead 12 people overnight, South African police said Wednesday.

By Afp 3 days ago

South Sudan graft whistleblower abducted in Kenya

A South Sudanese whistleblower has been abducted in Kenya, according to a police report seen by AFP, with activists fearing he could be deported back to his country and killed for exposing corruption.

By Afp 3 days ago

Premium

Why 'forever chemical' TFA is toxic for human reproduction

According to the ECHA's recommended classification, TFA "may impair fertility" and "may cause harm to the unborn child."

By Afp 3 days ago

Trump says Iran 'taken too long to negotiate,' will have to 'pay the price'

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday said that Iran has taken too long to negotiate a deal over the conflict in the Middle East and will now "have to pay the price."

By Afp 3 days ago

UN calls for US immigration 're-think' for World Cup

The US-Israel war on Iran has also loomed large over the tournament.

By Afp 2 days ago

Somalia backs referee after he is denied entry to US

Somalia defends award-winning referee Omar Artan after he was denied entry to the United States and prevented from becoming the first Somali official to officiate at a World Cup finals.

By Afp 3 days ago

Somali referee says World Cup 'dream' ruined

Somali referee Omar Artan said the "biggest dream of my life" had been ripped away after he was denied entry to the United States to officiate at the World Cup.

By Afp 3 days ago

FIFA boss Infantino says case of Somali referee 'unfortunate'

FIFA president Gianni Infantino on Wednesday described as "unfortunate" the case of Somali World Cup referee Omar Artan, who was refused entry to the United States.

By Afp 2 days ago

FIFA boss Infantino faces questions on eve of World Cup

FIFA President Gianni Infantino is set to face the media on the eve of the World Cup on Wednesday, as off-field distractions dogged the build-up to the tournament.

By Afp 2 days ago

ICC chief prosecutor Karim Khan suspended over sex abuse claims

A key governing body of the International Criminal Court on Monday suspended chief prosecutor Karim Khan as he faces sexual abuse allegations against a member of his office.

By Afp 4 days ago

Ma Ning: 'Card Master' referee representing success-starved China fans at World Cup

Chinese football fans left without a national team to support at the World Cup have turned to referee Ma Ning -- nicknamed "Card Master" as the country's representative for the tournament.

By Afp 4 days ago

Kenyans arrested protesting US Ebola centre

Several Kenyans were arrested on Tuesday in the latest protests against an Ebola quarantine centre being built for US citizens in a tourist town.

By Afp 4 days ago

Somalia backs referee's 'integrity', pledges 'unwavering support'

Somali reaffirmed "its unwavering support" for Artan, adding it "has full confidence in his integrity,

By Afp 3 days ago

Somali referee axed from World Cup after being denied entry to US

Award-winning Somali referee Omar Artan has been dropped from officiating at the World Cup after being barred from entering the United States, FIFA said on Monday.

By Afp 4 days ago

Trump says in 'final throes' of reaching Middle East peace deal

President Trump says that negotiators were in the "final throes" of talks for a peace deal in the Middle East, after Iran and Israel halted fresh hostilities.

By Afp 4 days ago

Pentagon says Alibaba, Baidu and other tech firms aiding China's military

The US issued an updated list of Chinese companies that it believes are aiding the country's military -- including e-commerce giant Alibaba, Baidu and electric vehicle maker BYD.

By Afp 4 days ago

Business, unions unite against Swiss immigration cap push

Swiss business leaders and unions are mobilising ahead of a vote Sunday on capping immigration, which has triggered fears of dire impacts on employment and trade relations with the EU.

By Afp 4 days ago

Killing the mood: How smartphones are reducing birth rate

As governments around the world struggle with ways to reverse plunging birth rates, new US studies suggest they have ignored a key culprit the smartphone.

By Afp 4 days ago

'War or peace?': Iranians exhausted by prospect of renewed fighting

Residents of Tehran are anxious about the prospect of full-scale war resuming, following tit-for-tat strikes between arch-foes Iran and Israel that marked a threat to the fragile ceasefire thus far.

By Afp 4 days ago

Ederson to replace injured Wesley in Brazil World Cup squad

The Brazilian football federation (CBF) announced injured full-back Wesley will be replaced in the World Cup squad by midfielder Ederson.

By Afp 5 days ago

Yemen's Houthis declare 'total ban' on Israeli ships in Red Sea

Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels announced a missile attack on Israel and declared a ban on Israeli shipping in the Red Sea, raising the spectre of a return to major disruption on the key route.

By Afp 5 days ago

Perez re-elected at Real Madrid paving way for Mourinho return

Florentino Perez has been re-elected president of Real Madrid by an overwhelming majority, paving the way for Jose Mourinho to return as manager.

By Afp 5 days ago