Hegseth asked US Army chief of staff to step down

Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell later posted a statement on X that said George "will be retiring from his position... effective immediately," without specifying a reason.

By Afp 19 hrs ago

Israel under fire as Trump warns of destroying Iranian infrastructure

Israel's military reported a new missile salvo from Iran on Friday, with its air defences activated to down them. There were no immediate reports of casualties.

By Afp 19 hrs ago

EU under pressure as fertiliser costs soar on Middle East war

With the war in the Middle East sending global fertiliser prices soaring, the EU is coming under pressure from farmers and some member states to take action.

By Afp 16 hrs ago

Trump takes a dig at Macron, saying wife treats him 'badly'

US President Donald Trump made fun of the French president and his wife during a private lunch Wednesday, as he lambasted NATO allies for not joining the war against Iran.

By Afp 1 day ago

Malaysia civil servants to work from home amid fuel crisis, says PM

Malaysia will introduce a work-from-home policy for ministries, agencies, statutory bodies and government-linked companies starting April 15 to conserve energy.

By Afp 1 day ago

Chinese airlines to raise fuel surcharges on domestic flights

Several Chinese airlines, including national carrier Air China, said they will raise their fuel surcharges on domestic flights from Sunday as the war in the Middle East drives up oil prices globally.

By Afp 1 day ago

Premium

How Middle East war is driving up shipping costs for global economies

Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz trade route in the Middle East war is driving up the costs of shipping fuel and goods around the world.

By Afp 2 days ago

Artemis II: NASA sends four astronauts on mission around the moon

If the plan proceeds as expected, the astronauts will set a record by venturing farther from Earth than any human before.

By Afp 1 day ago

Trump says Iran war victory near, but vows big strikes

Trump offered a retroactive explanation on why he joined Israel in the attack, insisting the United States was close to victory as his approval rating sinks.

By Afp 1 day ago

Judge allows Woods to travel overseas for treatment

A Florida judge granted golf superstar Tiger Woods's request to leave the US to seek "comprehensive inpatient treatment" after his arrest on suspicion of driving under the influence.

By Afp 1 day ago

Trump sacks AG Pam Bondi, replaces her with ex-personal lawyer Todd Blanche

"Pam Bondi is a Great American Patriot and a loyal friend, who faithfully served as my Attorney General over the past year," Trump said on Truth Social. "

By Afp 1 day ago

Messi on target as Argentina down Zambia in World Cup send-off

Messi scored one and set up another as Argentina thrashed Zambia 5-0 in the South Americans' final game on home soil before launching the defence of their World Cup crown.

By Afp 2 days ago

Tottenham appoint De Zerbi in battle for Premier League survival

Tottenham appointed Roberto De Zerbi as the club's third manager of the season as they battle to avoid relegation from English football's top-flight for the first time in nearly 50 years.

By Afp 2 days ago

Morocco 'focused on World Cup' amid AFCON final controversy

Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi insists his side was fully focused on the World Cup after a 2-1 friendly win over Paraguay, despite the ongoing controversy of the AFCON final.

By Afp 2 days ago

'Dozens' killed in Burundi after arsenal fire: security sources

"It is impossible to establish a toll for the moment, but dozens and dozens of people have been killed, and there are hundreds or even thousands of injured," a high-ranking army officer told AFP.

By Afp 2 days ago

Trump to address nation as Iran war batters approval

Recent polling shows Trump's approval rating slipping below 40 percent.

By Afp 2 days ago

Iraq beat Bolivia 2-1 to claim first World Cup appearance in 40 years

Iraq became the 48th and final team to qualify for the World Cup, defeating Bolivia 2-1 in an intercontinental playoff in Mexico to seal their first appearance at the finals in 40 years.

By Afp 2 days ago

DR Congo fans dance in the rain after sealing World Cup spot

Delirious football fans took to the soaked streets of the capital Kinshasa and danced into the night in the rain after the DR Congo reached the World Cup for the first time in 52 years.

By Afp 2 days ago

Tiger Woods 'stepping away' to focus on health after DUI arrest

Tiger Woods says he is "stepping away" to seek treatment and focus on his health after his arrest last week in Florida for driving under the influence.

By Afp 2 days ago

Ghana sack coach Addo 10 weeks before World Cup

Ghana have dismissed coach Otto Addo, hours after a friendly defeat to Germany and just over 70 days until the World Cup.

By Afp 3 days ago

At least 16 killed in Haiti gang attack

A gang attack on a town in Haiti killed at least 16 people over the weekend, police said, as the UN chief warned Monday that the estimated death toll could be as high as 80 people.

By Afp 3 days ago

RSF using sexual violence in Darfur as 'war weapon': MSF

Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces and allied militias are using sexual violence as a "weapon of war" in Darfur to control civilians, medical charity Doctors Without Borders said Tuesday.

By Afp 3 days ago

Two more UN peacekeepers killed in south Lebanon

The UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon said two of its personnel were killed Monday in the second deadly incident in 24 hours in the country's south, where Israel and Hezbollah are fighting.

By Afp 3 days ago

India to begin world's biggest population count

India will launch the world's largest census on Wednesday, with more than three million officials to take part in a vast counting exercise over the next year.

By Afp 3 days ago

Massive US-Israeli strikes hit Iran after Trump threat

US and Israeli strikes hit military facilities in central Iran, damaged a major religious site in the northwest and provoked power cuts Tuesday.

By Afp 3 days ago

Trump threatens to destroy Iran's oil island despite price surge

Donald Trump has threatened to destroy Iran’s key oil infrastructure, including Kharg Island, escalating tensions and pushing global prices higher.

By Afp 3 days ago

Israel strikes Tehran as Trump says Iran deal may be reached 'soon'

Asked whether there could be a deal with Iran this coming week, Trump said: "I do see a deal in Iran. Could be soon."

By Afp 4 days ago

Iran confirms killing by Israel of Guards navy commander

Iran confirmed on Monday that an Israeli strike had killed the commander of the naval force of the Revolutionary Guards

By Afp 4 days ago

Somali troops enter key city ruled by renegade leader

Somali federal troops Monday entered the key city of Baidoa after clashes with forces loyal to the head of the region, whose mandate Mogadishu says expired four years ago.

By Afp 4 days ago

Celine Dion announces comeback following health struggle

Megastar singer Celine Dion on Monday announced her return to performing after a lengthy break prompted by a rare health condition.

By Afp 4 days ago

US condemns attack on home of the leader of autonomous Iraqi Kurdistan

The United States on Saturday condemned a drone attack on the residence of the leader of autonomous Iraqi Kurdistan, Nechirvan Barzani, blaming Iranian militia proxies in Iraq.

By Afp 5 days ago

Israel prevents Jerusalem's Latin Patriarch from celebrating Palm Sunday mass

Israeli police prevented the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to celebrate Palm Sunday mass, according to the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem.

By Afp 5 days ago

Motsepe to 'respect' CAS decision on AFCON final row

CAF President  Patrice Motsepe said on Sunday he will "respect" the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) decision on Senegal's appeal against being stripped of its AFCON title.

By Afp 5 days ago

Israeli strike kills three journalists in south Lebanon

An Israeli strike killed three journalists Saturday in south Lebanon, including a well-known reporter for Hezbollah's Al Manar network

By Afp 5 days ago

Nepal's former energy minister arrested in graft probe

Nepal's former energy minister was arrested Sunday in a money laundering investigation

By Afp 5 days ago

Pakistan hosts Saudi, Turkey, Egypt for talks on Mideast war

Foreign ministers from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Turkey were expected to meet on Sunday for talks on the war in the Middle East

By Afp 5 days ago

IOC reinstating gender tests 'a disrespect for women', Semenya says

South African Caster Semenya said on Sunday that the IOC's reinstatement of gender verification tests for the 2028 Los Angeles Games was "a disrespect for women".

By Afp 5 days ago

Iran accuses US of plotting ground attack despite diplomatic talk

The speaker of Iran's parliament accused the US on Sunday of plotting a ground attack despite publicly pushing for a negotiated deal.

By Afp 5 days ago

Tudor leaves after just seven games as Spurs battle for survival

Tottenham fires head coach Igor Tudor after six weeks marked by winless stint; club says exit mutually agreed.

By Afp 5 days ago

Indonesia begins enforcing social media ban for under-16s

Indonesia began enforcing a social media ban for children under the age of 16 on Saturday, after a minister warned digital platforms there was "no room for compromise."

By Afp 6 days ago