Swiss president to quit government

"By then, it will have been 11 years since I was elected to this role, and the time has come for me to make way for new energy in these times of great uncertainty."

By Afp 6 hrs ago

I could not let all those people die, Pilot in flydubai attack says

The co-pilot has been returned to the United Arab Emirates, where the incident is under investigation to determine any "terrorist activity or intent".

By Afp 6 hrs ago

Drones suspected in Ethiopia army HQ explosion as regional tensions spike

The government accuses Eritrea of supporting the TPLF, and the two countries broke diplomatic relations on Thursday.

By Afp 6 hrs ago

Djokovic grinds out opening-round win at China Open

Novak Djokovic overcame Nuno Borges 6-3, 7-6 (7/2) at the China Open to extend his unbeaten Beijing record, while Karen Khachanov upset second seed Felix Auger-Aliassime.

By Afp 1 day ago

Hundreds held, dozens wounded as French school protests escalate

French security forces on Wednesday detained over 600 people while dozens of police and gendarmes were wounded as protests that have seen blockades of high schools

By Afp 1 day ago

Malawi ex-army chief arrested following allegations over Sudan arms

Malawi's anti-corruption agency said it arrested the previous army chief on Thursday on allegations including dealing in property linked to "terrorism".

By Afp 1 day ago

Trump vows to hit Iran 'very hard' if linked to flydubai attack

US President Donald Trump said Thursday that Tehran was likely involved in an attack by a pilot on a flydubai flight to Israel and that Iran would be "hit very hard" if it was.

By Afp 21 hrs ago

Countdown begins to biggest ever Rugby World Cup

The 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia is set to be the biggest edition yet, expanding to 24 teams and 52 matches across seven cities, with record ticket demand already building.

By Afp 1 day ago

'No limits': Marathon world record holder Sawe chasing history

Kenyan marathoner Sabastian Sawe, who ran the first sub-two-hour marathon in London, believes the world record can fall further and is targeting more history at future major races.

By Afp 1 day ago

Guinea-Bissau clip Super Eagles' wings as Ghana Black Stars dimmed

Ghana, Nigeria and Cape Verde suffered surprise defeats in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying, while Morocco, Senegal and Egypt secured victories.

By Afp 1 day ago

Woman in hospital after Tennessee's second failed execution in 2026

A Tennessee woman convicted of murder survived two lethal injection doses, marking the state's second failed execution in months and prompting it to halt capital punishment this year.

By Afp 1 day ago

Breturn? Wary EU waits for actions, not words from UK

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham may have shifted the dial by floating a return for his country to the European Union.

By Afp 1 day ago

Algeria adopts law imposing death penalty on forest arsonists

Algerian lawmakers on Thursday adopted a law imposing the death penalty on convicted forest arsonists, after deadly wildfires ripped through swathes of the country in recent weeks.

By Afp 1 day ago

Premium

Chivayo's orphans: What his death means for Zimbabwe's elite

Chivayo's lavish lifestyle and extravagant handouts contrasted sharply with the economic hardship of ordinary Zimbabweans.

By Afp 1 day ago

Smouldering bins, halted trams as French pupils protest

A high school entrance hall caught fire in one French city and teenage protesters blocked trams in another on Thursday, as secondary pupils upped their strike over poor learning conditions.

By Afp 1 day ago

Ethiopia and Eritrea break diplomatic ties over conflict

Ethiopia accused Eritrea of supporting the TPLF.

By Afp 23 hrs ago

Sabalenka 'fresh' for first tournament since losing No.1

Aryna Sabalenka says she feels refreshed and healthier as she returns to competition at the China Open after losing her world No. 1 ranking and the US Open final.

By Afp 2 days ago

Iran says received US response to its proposal to end war

"At today's cabinet meeting, the American side's proposal was presented to President Masoud Pezeshkian by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi," said the government.

By Afp 2 days ago

Nobel committee voices concern over Ethiopia conflict

The Nobel committee that awards the prestigious Peace Prize voiced "deep concern" to AFP on Wednesday over renewed fighting in northern Ethiopia, whose Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed won the award in 2019.

By Afp 1 day ago

Zimbabwe helicopter crashes, no survivors reported

A helicopter crashed east of Zimbabwe's capital, Harare, on Wednesday, with initial reports indicating there were no survivors among the six people on board, authorities said.

By Afp 1 day ago

Attack on bus in Syria kills seven: state news agency

A shooting attack on a bus in central Syria on Wednesday killed seven people and left four others wounded, state media reported.

By Afp 1 day ago

LeBron says 76ers must get uncomfortable to become great

LeBron James says the 76ers must embrace hard work, sacrifice and discomfort if they are to turn their talent into a championship-winning team.

By Afp 2 days ago

Flydubai says plane bound for Tel Aviv lands in Saudi after 'incident'

"The incident is under control, and all measures are currently being deployed in order to return the Israeli passengers safely to Israel," a statement said.

By Afp 2 days ago

Russia targets Kyiv power supply as freezing winter approaches

In Moscow, Russia's defence ministry said it had conducted "a massive missile and drone strike" on Kyiv and the surrounding region that targeted the power infrastructure.

By Afp 2 days ago

Man City future in doubt after guilty verdict

An independent commission found the club guilty on all charges related to breaches of financial rules over the nine-year period.

By Afp 2 days ago

In Manchester, City fans 'devastated' while rival fans call for relegation

Manchester City fans told AFP they were "devastated" by the verdict on the football club's financial breaches, while supporters of rival clubs called for City's relegation from the Premier League.

By Afp 2 days ago

Spain brush aside Croatia as England down Czechs

Spain extended their winning start to the UEFA Nations League with a 4-1 victory over Croatia, while England secured their first group win by beating the 10-man Czech Republic 2-0 in Prague.

By Afp 2 days ago

US pushes against overproduction with eye on China at G20 meeting

The US is pushing for action against excess industrial capacity that drives prices down unfairly, Washington's top trade envoy said Wednesday on the sidelines of a G20 meeting.

By Afp 2 days ago

Hong Kong arrests journalist for alleged 'seditious' acts

Hong Kong police arrested two people for allegedly acting "with seditious intent", authorities said, with local media identifying the pair as an independent journalist and an activist.

By Afp 2 days ago

Mali army, Russian paramilitaries committed 'war crimes': Amnesty

Mali's armed forces and the Russian paramilitary Wagner group committed war crimes including murder and torture of civilians during joint operations, Amnesty International reported.

By Afp 3 days ago

Myanmar airstrike death toll hits 50 as families gather bodies

A second local volunteer gave the same death toll, requesting anonymity for security reasons.

By Afp 3 days ago

Manchester City guilty of breaking financial rules - Premier League

City were found to have arranged sham contracts with a number of commercial partners to artificially inflate the club's revenues.

By Afp 3 days ago

8.3 mn refugees at risk due to 'severe' funding cuts: UN

Nearly 8.3 million refugees and other forcibly displaced people face losing vital assistance from UNHCR, as protection services crumble due to "severe" funding cuts.

By Afp 3 days ago

US import ban on Canadian alcohol, other products comes into effect

A new US import ban on several Canadian products, including many alcoholic beverages, went into effect Tuesday as President Trump's economic war deepens.

By Afp 3 days ago

Families demand justice for Cameroon's 'nightmare' wave of murdered women

Courage Anushuni still cannot make sense of his pain after his mother, Cameroonian teacher Geraldine Achia, was beaten to death, with her husband the prime suspect.

By Afp 3 days ago

Manchester City's Premier League charges: What comes next?

Man City have been found guilty of serious breaches of the Premier League’s financial rules following a long-running investigation into the club’s conduct between 2009/10 and 2017/18.

By Afp 3 days ago

Tuchel to 'keep pushing' England to reach Spain's level

Thomas Tuchel remains convinced England can get over the line against the world's best despite seeing his side blow a second-half lead to lose 3-2 to Spain on Saturday.

By Afp 4 days ago

Isak returns to Liverpool after injury scare

Liverpool striker Alexander Isak has returned to Anfield after suffering a "minor injury" on international duty with Sweden.

By Afp 4 days ago

Messi on target again as Inter Miami downed by Columbus Crew

Lionel Messi scored a brilliant equaliser but could not prevent Inter Miami from suffering a costly 2-1 defeat to Columbus Crew in Major League Soccer on Sunday.

By Afp 4 days ago

Two dead, 14 missing after avalanche on Nepal's Himlung peak

"The search continues for 14 expedition workers who are still missing."

By Afp 4 days ago