EU chief hails 'statesman' Starmer after resignation

EU chief Ursula von der Leyen on Monday praised British Prime Minister Keir Starmer for bolstering "European" security after he announced his resignation.

By Afp 50 mins ago

Iran coach hails 'great achievement' after second World Cup draw with Belgium

Coach Amir Ghalenoei hailed Iran's unbeaten start to the World Cup as a "great achievement" that will be remembered by future generations, following a 0-0 draw with Belgium

By Afp 6 hrs ago

Africa faces child surgery crisis as key anaesthesia runs out

African hospitals face huge new costs as they scramble to replace the main anaesthetic for child operations that is set to run out in 2027, a charity has warned.

By Afp 3 hrs ago

Not just a hideout: Sahel forests provide base for jihadists

Armed groups use forest areas both as refuge and a base for launching deadly attacks on roads across Africa's Sahel region.

By Afp 3 hrs ago

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announces his resignation

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced his resignation on Monday after less than two years in office in a term characterised by policy U-turns and deep public unpopularity.

By Afp 43 mins ago

Japan stroll to victory over Tunisia in World Cup's 1,000th game

Japan marked the 1,000th game in the history of the World Cup with a 4-0 thrashing of Tunisia on Saturday to close in on a place in the last 32.

By Afp 1 day ago

Trump wishes UK PM Starmer well amid reports of resignation plans

US President Donald Trump on Sunday said he wished UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer well amid reports he plans to resign.

By Afp 18 hrs ago

Germany into World Cup last 32 after late comeback, Curacao shock Ecuador

Germany booked their place in the knockout rounds of the World Cup with a dramatic injury-time winner in a 2-1 victory over Ivory Coast on Saturday.

By Afp 1 day ago

US and Iran set for new talks after delay and deadly strikes

A new round of negotiations over the Middle East war was set to kick off Sunday as Iranian negotiators and US Vice President JD Vance arrived in the Swiss host city.

By Afp 1 day ago

FIFA draws criticism as Infantino clocks up air miles at World Cup

FIFA president Gianni Infantino's unquenchable thirst to pack in as many matches as possible is causing unrest among environmentalists who are questioning his indifference to climate change.

By Afp 1 day ago

Britain's King Charles to reveal personal tax bill: Palace

King Charles III will reveal his personal tax bill in a bid to improve transparency, Buckingham Palace confirmed to AFP on Sunday, as royal finances come under increasing public scrutiny in Britain.

By Afp 18 hrs ago

Ethiopian PM's party secures win in national election

Voters queue to cast their ballots outside a polling station at Shalla Park in Addis Ababa, on June 1, 2026, during the 2026 Ethiopian parliamentary elections.

By Afp 17 hrs ago

Europe sweats through new heatwave, with worse to come

France banned alcohol in red-alert areas on Sunday, Spain and Germany cancelled sports events, and Britain warned of "tropical nights" as Europe sweltered through a heatwave.

By Afp 16 hrs ago

Yamal scores on injury return as Spain thrash Saudi Arabia

Lamine Yamal's return sparked Spain's World Cup into life as the European champions ran riot to beat Saudi Arabia 4-0 in Atlanta.

By Afp 16 hrs ago

CPJ calls for release of Ethiopian journalist

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) urged Ethiopian authorities to release journalist Salsawit Baynesagn, detained without charge by officials since early June, according to family.

By Afp 2 days ago

Paraguay save World Cup skins with win over eliminated Turkey

Ten-man Paraguay beat Turkey 1-0 at the World Cup on Friday, a result that kept their hopes alive and also guaranteed that co-hosts the USA win Group D.

By Afp 2 days ago

Paraguay's Almiron sent off under new FIFA 'mouth-covering' rule

Paraguay's Miguel Almiron claimed an unwanted piece of football history on Friday after becoming the first player to be sent off for covering his mouth during an on-field confrontation

By Afp 2 days ago

USA beat Australia 2-0 to reach World Cup knockouts

United States advanced to the World Cup knockout rounds with a game to spare following an impressive 2-0 win over Australia Friday, stoking the hopes of an already hyped host nation.

By Afp 2 days ago

Saibari early strike gives Morocco World Cup win over Scotland

Ismael Saibari scored the fastest goal of the World Cup so far after just 71 seconds as Morocco beat Scotland 1-0 on Friday to close in on a place in the knockout rounds.

By Afp 2 days ago

Brazil cruise past Haiti to re-ignite World Cup campaign

Matheus Cunha scored twice as Brazil eased past Haiti 3-0 on Friday to breathe life into their World Cup campaign and close in on a spot in the last 32.

By Afp 2 days ago

Germany meet Ivory Coast in high-stakes World Cup clash, Sweden face Dutch

High-scoring Germany face a powerful Ivory Coast side at the World Cup on Saturday with the winner guaranteed a place in the last 32, while Sweden can also book their ticket.

By Afp 2 days ago

Iran closes Strait of Hormuz again over ceasefire violations

Iran closes Strait of Hormuz again over Israel's attacks in Lebanon, accuses US and Israel of violating ceasefire deal.

By Afp 1 day ago

Horror injury overshadows Canada's first World Cup win

Canada thrashed nine-man Qatar 6-0 to clinch their first ever World Cup victory on Thursday in a Group B match marred by a horrific injury to midfielder Ismael Kone.

By Afp 3 days ago

Ebola spreading 'fast' in DR Congo, warns WHO

"The outbreak remains serious" and is "evolving so fast", said Marie-Roseline Belizaire, the WHO Africa emergencies chief.

By Afp 2 days ago

Kane shines for England as Ronaldo' Portugal stumble

England launched their World Cup bid with a rollercoaster 4-2 win against Croatia on Wednesday as Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal stumbled to a draw against the Democratic Republic of Congo.

By Afp 3 days ago

South Africa hold Czechs, keep World Cup knockout dream alive

Teboho Mokoena's penalty kept South Africa's dream of reaching the World Cup knockout stages for the first time alive after a 1-1 draw with the Czech Republic in Atlanta

By Afp 3 days ago

Mexico become first team to reach World Cup knockout phase

Co-hosts Mexico became the first team to reach the knockout rounds of the World Cup with a 1-0 win over South Korea at a delirious Guadalajara Stadium on Thursday.

By Afp 3 days ago

Ivory Coast's Diomande living World Cup dream, dealing with tragedy

Two years after leaving the United States following a series of unsuccessful MLS tryouts, Yan Diomande is shining at the World Cup for Ivory Coast -- and still grieving a family tragedy.

By Afp 3 days ago

South Africa's Broos takes aim at World Cup covered stadia, drinks breaks

Broos said "only the grass" resembled a football stadium after a 1-1 draw against the Czech Republic in Atlanta kept Bafana Bafana's chances of World Cup progress alive.

By Afp 3 days ago

Lebanon says 18 killed in strikes, Israel reports deaths of 4 soldiers

Israel had said it was striking Hezbollah targets overnight and into the morning, while the Iran-backed militant group said it was attacking Israeli forces around the southern town of Nabatieh.

By Afp 3 days ago

South Korean leader says he told Trump sanctions on North are 'ineffective'

"I told him sanctions and pressure (against the North) are ineffective," Lee told reporters in Seoul.

By Afp 3 days ago

Gaza ceasefire a 'deadly illusion': UNICEF

"During a period supposedly defined by restraint and protection, a child has been killed, on average, every single day for more than eight months," UNICEF spokesman James Elder said.

By Afp 2 days ago

G7 powers push Russia to end Ukraine war as US backs peace

Ukrainian President Zelensky joins the summit at the French resort of Evian-les-Bains. European leaders appear to be losing patience with Moscow in peace efforts.

By Afp 2 days ago

Arsenal to kick off Premier League title defence against Coventry

Arsenal will kick off their Premier League title defence against promoted Coventry on August 21.

By Afp 2 days ago

USA, Australia eye World Cup knockout rounds, Brazil in action

The United States and Australia will look to book their place in the World Cup knockout rounds tonight while Brazil aim to kickstart their campaign against Haiti.

By Afp 2 days ago

Israel, Hezbollah agree ceasefire as US-Iran deal under strain

Israel's military said Friday that it had struck more than 80 Hezbollah targets in Lebanon and killed dozens of members of the Iran-backed group.

By Afp 2 days ago

Luis Diaz shines as Colombia beat Uzbekistan in World Cup group game

Colombia beat World Cup debutants Uzbekistan 3-1 in their opening Group K game on Wednesday thanks to an inspired performance from Luis Diaz at the Estadio Azteca.

By Afp 4 days ago

Liverpool agree deal to sign Spain forward Munoz from Osasuna

Liverpool have won the race to sign Spain forward Victor Munoz from Osasuna for a reported fee of £34.5 million ($45.5 million).

By Afp 3 days ago

Kane scores twice as England beat Croatia to launch World Cup charge

Harry Kane scored twice in the first half as England eventually saw off Croatia 4-2 to launch their World Cup title assault in Texas on Wednesday.

By Afp 4 days ago

Ronaldo fails to shine as DR Congo earn historic World Cup point

Cristiano Ronaldo's record-equalling sixth World Cup got off to a disappointing start as DR Congo secured their first-ever point at the finals, drawing 1-1 with Portugal

By Afp 4 days ago