Spain stars lap up adulation of estimated two million on World Cup parade

New World Cup champions Spain enjoyed a vibrant night of celebrations after an open-top bus parade through the streets of Madrid on Monday in front of a jubilant crowd

By Afp 16 hrs ago

New UK PM Burnham stamps authority with cabinet shakeup

New UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham was set to convene his first cabinet meeting on Tuesday after purging the government of his predecessor's loyalists.

By Afp 16 hrs ago

Giant of the game: Liverpool and England legend Keegan dies aged 75

Former Liverpool and England star Kevin Keegan has died aged 75 after battling cancer, his family announced on Monday.

By Afp 16 hrs ago

North Korea reaffirms support for Moscow over Ukraine

North Korea reaffirmed its support for Russia's war on Ukraine as the nations' foreign ministers met in Moscow, Pyongyang's state media reported Tuesday.

By Afp 16 hrs ago

With more matches, World Cup shatters attendance and TV records

The 2026 World Cup created a stadium attendance high while FIFA boss Gianni Infantino said that TV viewership broke the previous record "many, many times over".

By Afp 16 hrs ago

Iran targets US military assets as Houthis threaten to expand Mideast war

Iran targeted US radar and air defence installations in the Gulf on Tuesday, warning Washington of "more decisive and powerful" attacks to come.

By Afp 16 hrs ago

Arrogance or pride? Argentina grapples with World Cup villain label

Critics blasted Argentina for dirty tactics and poor sportsmanship during their 1-0 loss to Spain, cementing the country's status as World Cup villain that grew throughout the tournament.

By Afp 16 hrs ago

UK PM Burnham unveils energy tax cut, tells ministers to cut living costs

From October 1, electricity bills will be VAT-free, saving an average household around £45 ($61) a year.

By Afp 8 hrs ago

AI playing a growing role in child sexual abuse, German report warns

German authorities have warned that AI is increasingly being used to facilitate the sexual abuse and exploitation of children.

By Afp 9 hrs ago

World Cup final goes to extra-time

The World Cup final between Spain and 10-man Argentina went to extra-time on Sunday, with the teams locked at 0-0 at the end of normal time.

By Afp 2 days ago

Mbappe wins World Cup Golden Boot

Kylian Mbappe won the 2026 World Cup Golden Boot on Sunday after Lionel Messi failed to add to his tally in the final in New Jersey.

By Afp 2 days ago

Spain's world champions head home to million-strong Madrid welcome

The royal household had also yet to confirm whether the king would attend the celebrations.

By Afp 1 day ago

Indian police baton charge protesters marching to parliament

India's riot police baton-charged protesters in New Delhi as they tried to march to parliament on Monday, escalating a protest over irregularities in major examinations.

By Afp 1 day ago

Indian police fire tear gas at exam protesters in capital

Police were firing tear gas shells at the protesters near Jantar Mantar in the Indian capital.

By Afp 1 day ago

Spanish World Cup celebrations detected by seismic sensors after final goal

Spain's World Cup celebrations were not just heard across the country -- they were felt underground.

By Afp 1 day ago

Teen dies during Spain World Cup celebrations

A teenager died and several people were injured during celebrations of Spain's victory in the World Cup after a fountain onto collapsed in the west of the country

By Afp 1 day ago

Plane carrying Spain's World Cup winning team lands in Madrid

A plane carrying Spain's newly crowned World Cup champions landed in Madrid, a day after their 1-0 victory over Argentina in the final in the United States.

By Afp 1 day ago

Spain down Argentina to win World Cup, shatter Messi dream

Ferran Torres scored the only goal of the game on Sunday as Spain beat 10-man Argentina 1-0 after extra-time to win their second World Cup.

By Afp 2 days ago

Burnham becomes new UK PM after meeting king

Andy Burnham became British prime minister Monday after meeting King Charles III at Buckingham Palace and was set to set out his vision for the country after taking over from Keir Starmer.

By Afp 1 day ago

Survivors warn of loopholes in Hong Kong sexual offence reforms

Hong Kong NGO worker Jessie recalled freezing in panic when she said she was sexually assaulted by an acquaintance one summer, unable to resist while he proceeded without her consent.

By Afp 1 day ago

Premium

As repression soars, East Africans are finding fragile refuge in Nairobi

Tanzania's security forces unleashed a ruthless crackdown on protests sparked by alleged rigging of the vote, with rights groups and the opposition saying thousands were killed.

By Afp 1 day ago

'The last of Messi': Argentines mourn loss and end of an era

Nervous excitement turned into anguished groans and tears as Argentines' hope of yet another epic comeback led by Lionel Messi in the World Cup fizzled out against Spain.

By Afp 1 day ago

Cat rescued from ruins of Venezuela quake offers 'ray of hope'

More than 5,100 people were killed when back-to-back quakes struck the South American nation

By Afp 2 days ago

Drone strike wounds 8 Iranian Kurdish rebels in Iraq: exiled group

The renewed escalation in Kurdistan follows the resumption of hostilities between the United States and Iran.

By Afp 2 days ago

World Cup final: Spain 0 Argentina 0 at half-time

Defending champions Argentina and Spain were locked at 0-0 at half-time in the World Cup final on Sunday.

By Afp 2 days ago

England edge France 6-4 in chaotic World Cup bronze match

England beat France 6-4 in a chaotic World Cup third-place playoff on Saturday as Kylian Mbappe became the leading scorer in World Cup history.

By Afp 2 days ago

Spain and Argentina brace for World Cup final

The South Americans are striving to become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to win back-to-back World Cups,

By Afp 2 days ago

Cuban dissident artist Otero Alcantara lands in US exile

Cuban dissident artist Luis Manuel Otero Alcantara flew Saturday to exile in the US after serving a five-year sentence on the island, as Washington urged Havana to release political prisoners.

By Afp 2 days ago

Kyiv hit with deadly strikes after attack on Russian e-commerce giant

Russian strikes killed one person and wounded 13 others in Ukraine's capital on Sunday after Kyiv launched a deadly wave of drones that struck e-commerce warehouses in Russia.

By Afp 2 days ago

US launches strikes to 'punish' Iran after troops killed

The United States said airstrikes on Sunday aimed to "punish" Iran over the first US military deaths since renewed hostilities with the Islamic republic.

By Afp 2 days ago

Trump to bask in World Cup final spotlight

US President Donald Trump will bask in the spotlight at the World Cup final on Sunday -- after already providing one of the tournament's most controversial moments.

By Afp 2 days ago

Iran attacks Bahrain and Kuwait, where power, water plant is alight

Kuwait said Iran hit a power and water plant Sunday causing a fire, the latest attack on energy infrastructure in the small Gulf state, as Bahrain also accused Tehran of targeting civilian sites.

By Afp 2 days ago

Faith vs therapy: Inside the Philippine school for exorcists

Asia's only dedicated exorcism centre -- designed to train not only Philippine priests but clergy from across the region -- sits just off a busy thoroughfare in Metro Manila.

By Afp 2 days ago

Ukraine blames Russia for deadly strike on Turkish cargo ship

Ukraine said Sunday that Russian missile strikes on a Turkish-owned cargo ship carrying grain had killed six people, hours after Moscow fired a fresh barrage of missiles at Kyiv.

By Afp 2 days ago

US launches 7th night of strikes as Iran attacks military sites

Bombing intensified in Middle East for the seventh consecutive night, with Iran threatening a "full-scale offensive" in response to American strikes.

By Afp 3 days ago

Uganda school bus crash toll rises to 24: police

The death toll from a school bus crash in Uganda has risen to 23 children and one adult, and all school field trips have been cancelled, police said on Friday night.

By Afp 3 days ago

Vietnam floods and landslides kill at least 4

Severe flooding and landslides caused by heavy rains kills at least four people in Vietnam, state media reports.

By Afp 3 days ago

UN to list more sites as 'in danger' from conflict or climate change

The United Nations looks set to list a Biblical site, Lebanese castles, an antelope migration path and world's deepest lake as world treasures under threat, including from war or climate change.

By Afp 3 days ago

Deschamps set for bittersweet ending to France reign as Zidane waits

Didier Deschamps brings the curtain down on a remarkable 14-year reign as France coach on Saturday when Les Bleus face England in the World Cup third-place play-off.

By Afp 3 days ago

England carry 'scars' of World Cup exit, says Tuchel

Thomas Tuchel said Friday that England's players carry the "scars" of a painful World Cup exit, admitting there was still a gap to close to the top nations.

By Afp 3 days ago