Iran closes Strait of Hormuz again with ships mid-transit

Iran reimposes restrictions on Strait of Hormuz over ongoing US port blockade; says waterway will remain restricted until freedom of movement for vessels to Iran is restored.

By Afp 1 day ago

Pope arrives in Angola on Africa tour overshadowed by Trump

In the capital Luanda, he travelled in his popemobile to meet President Joao Lourenco, with hundreds of cheering and waving people lining the route.

By Afp 15 hrs ago

At least 5 killed after gunman opens fire in Ukrainian capital Kyiv

Footage posted by the UNIAN news agency, which AFP was unable to immediately verify, showed a man carrying a gun and shooting at a person from close range near a block of flats.

By Afp 15 hrs ago

Gabon's main opposition leader placed in pre-trial detention

Alain-Claude Bilie-By-Nze, arrested in his home on Wednesday evening, is under investigation for alleged fraud and breach of trust

By Afp 2 days ago

Stocks rise as optimism over Mideast war takes hold

Global stock markets have surged to record highs as optimism over a Middle East ceasefire raises hopes of easing oil disruptions and inflation pressures.

By Afp 2 days ago

Iran declares Strait of Hormuz open as Lebanon ceasefire begins

Tehran has declared the Strait of Hormuz open to commercial shipping on Friday, as a ceasefire came into effect in Lebanon

By Afp 1 day ago

Rice 'doesn't care' about Arsenal critics after reaching Champions League semis

Declan Rice said reaching another Champions League semi-final was "an amazing achievement" for Arsenal despite failing to silence critics in a 0-0 draw at home to Sporting Lisbon

By Afp 3 days ago

France boss Deschamps confirms Ekitike to miss World Cup

Liverpool and France forward Hugo Ekitike will miss the 2026 World Cup after suffering a serious injury in his club's Champions League loss to Paris Saint-Germain

By Afp 3 days ago

Julius Malema sentenced to five years in jail

A South African court sentenced radical left-wing opposition leader Julius Malema to five years in jail on Thursday for firing an assault rifle at a rally eight years ago.

By Afp 3 days ago

Guinea bloggers slam reported social media blackout

A group of bloggers in Guinea denounced what it called a "targeted" blockage of social media sites by the West African country's authoritarian government of President Mamady Doumbouya.

By Afp 2 days ago

Kane lauds Diaz 'moment of magic' after Bayern knock out Real Madrid

Harry Kane praised Luis Diaz's late "moment of magic" which delivered the killer blow as Bayern Munich eliminated Real Madrid to reach the Champions League semi-finals

By Afp 3 days ago

Meghan Markle claims to be 'most trolled person' in world

Prince Harry's wife Meghan Markle claimed Thursday she has been "bullied and attacked" on social media every day for a decade and was "the most trolled person in the entire world".

By Afp 2 days ago

Arteta: Relax, we are in the Champions League semi-finals

Mikel Arteta said Arsenal’s tense run to the Champions League semi-finals shows they have the resilience to handle pressure and chase a long-awaited trophy.

By Afp 2 days ago

Trump says Israel, Lebanon agree to ceasefire

US President Donald Trump announced that Israel and Lebanon had agreed to a ceasefire Thursday, and said he was trying to set up the first-ever meeting between the leaders of the two countries.

By Afp 2 days ago

Benin activist wanted for 'inciting rebellion' arrested in South Africa

Police in South Africa said Thursday they had arrested anti-Western activist Kemi Seba, who is wanted in Benin for "inciting rebellion" after he supported a foiled coup in December.

By Afp 2 days ago

Cuba 'ready' for possible US attack: president

Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel said Thursday his country was "ready" for a possible US attack on the communist island following months of mounting pressure from President Donald Trump.

By Afp 2 days ago

Pope slams 'tyrants' on Cameroon conflict visit after spat with Trump

Pope Leo XIV on Thursday criticised the "tyrants" ransacking the world, on a high-security visit to a "bloodstained" region of Cameroon following a war of words with US President Donald Trump.

By Afp 2 days ago

Curry stars as Warriors see off LA Clippers

Stephen Curry’s late heroics powered the Warriors past the Clippers to keep their playoff hopes alive.

By Afp 2 days ago

Real hit out at 'unbelievable' red card after Bayern defeat

Real Madrid blasted the “unbelievable” red card shown to Eduardo Camavinga as a turning point in their Champions League exit to Bayern Munich.

By Afp 2 days ago

Ekitike injury 'looks really bad', says concerned Slot

Slot had paired Ekitike up front alongside Alexander Isak, who was making his first start since breaking his leg in December.

By Afp 4 days ago

Senegalese man jailed under country's first same-sex conviction

A Senegalese man has been jailed under Senegal's first conviction from a new law banning same-sex relations,

By Afp 4 days ago

Hundreds rally ahead of sentencing of South African firebrand Malema

Hundreds of red-clad supporters of radical left-wing opposition leader Julius Malema gathered in a South African city Wednesday ahead of his sentencing for firing an assault rifle at a rally.

By Afp 4 days ago

Kenya sentences Chinese ant smuggler to year in jail

Zhang Kequn, who evaded capture until his arrest on March 10, had been linked to another case.

By Afp 3 days ago

BBC to cut up to 2,000 jobs in next two years

The job cuts come as the BBC faces a turbulent media landscape.

By Afp 3 days ago

Trump says Iran talks may resume as Israel, Lebanon open direct track

President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that US-Iran peace talks could resume this week, while Israel and Lebanon agreed to launch direct negotiations

By Afp 4 days ago

Dembele sends PSG past wounded Liverpool into Champions League semis

Ousmane Dembele's double guided Paris Saint-Germain into the Champions League semi-finals as a 2-0 win over Liverpool at Anfield

By Afp 4 days ago

Atletico 'ready' for Champions League success at last

Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone said that his team was ready to finally win the Champions League after knocking out Barcelona on Tuesday to reach the semi-finals.

By Afp 4 days ago

Slot in the firing line as Liverpool collapse to PSG

Liverpool suffered a heavy Champions League exit to PSG, piling pressure on manager Arne Slot after a trophyless and turbulent season.

By Afp 3 days ago

Trump says China agrees not to arm Iran

US President Donald Trump says China has agreed not to send weapons to its close partner Iran and that he has received personal assurances from leader Xi Jinping.

By Afp 3 days ago

Pope heads to Cameroon on peace mission for conflict zone

Pope Leo XIV has travelled to Cameroon on a peace mission, aiming to address a long-running separatist conflict during his four-day visit.

By Afp 3 days ago

Philippines seeks US nod to buy more Russian oil

Manila said Tuesday it was seeking US permission to buy more Russian crude

By Afp 5 days ago

Lebanon, Israel to meet for tough talks in Washington

Lebanese and Israeli representatives are scheduled to meet in Washington Tuesday for US-mediated talks on ending the war in Lebanon, but the prospects of an agreement appear slim.

By Afp 5 days ago

'Bad news'? Vance comes up empty-handed on Iran and Hungary, for now

JD Vance had two jobs last week: get an Iran deal and keep Hungary's Viktor Orban in power. Neither happened for the US vice president.

By Afp 5 days ago

Maradona's birthplace repurposed as soup kitchen for Argentina's hungry

The childhood home of the late Argentine football legend has been transformed into a soup kitchen for people squeezed by President Javier Milei's austerity policies.

By Afp 5 days ago

Carrick labels Martinez red card as 'worst decision' ever

Manchester United interim boss Michael Carrick blasted referee Paul Tierney for sending off Lisandro Martinez in Monday's 2-1 defeat against Leeds.

By Afp 5 days ago

US says ball in Iran's court as push grows to end war

The United States said "the ball is in the Iranian court" on ending the Mideast war

By Afp 5 days ago

New trial over Maradona's death begins in Argentina

A new trial over the death of football legend Diego Maradona began Tuesday in Argentina, 10 months after a scandal involving a judge caused the first trial to collapse.

By Afp 4 days ago

IMF cuts 2026 global growth forecast on Mideast war

The IMF cut its 2026 global growth projection Tuesday, warning that the world economy could be "thrown off course" by war in the Middle East.

By Afp 4 days ago

Bayern clash to define Real's season, says Bellingham

Jude Bellingham says Real Madrid’s Champions League clash against Bayern Munich will define their season as they risk finishing without silverware.

By Afp 4 days ago

French lawmakers to debate bill to return colonial-era art

France's lawmakers will on Monday debate a bill to simplify the return of artworks looted during the colonial era to their countries of origin.

By Afp 6 days ago