Arne Slot said he would welcome Mohamed Salah back at Liverpool even if he had 15 attackers as the Egypt forward nears a return from the Africa Cup of Nations.
Burkina Faso said this month it had foiled an assassination attempt on military leader Captain Ibrahim Traore, but analysts -- sceptical after a long series of increasingly unbelievable plots -- wondered if the junta has cried wolf too many times.
France's government has halted budget discussions in parliament and is expected to announce Friday a way forward after failing to gain backing from lawmakers for this year's spending bill.
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Economy
Spain's veteran singer and cultural icon Julio Iglesias on Friday rejected allegations of abuse lodged against him by two women ex-employees, in a case that has dominated headlines.
January 16, 2026
RECENT NEWS
Malnutrition having 'harrowing' impact on Afghan women: WFP
Economy
January 16, 2026
Defending champion Nick Taylor carded eight birdies without a bogey to share the first-round lead with Kevin Roy on Thursday in the US PGA Tour's season-opening Sony Open in Hawaii.
January 16, 2026
RECENT NEWS
There have been 32 Africa Cup of Nations finals and AFP Sport selects five of the most memorable ahead of the 2025 title decider between hosts Morocco and Senegal in Rabat on Sunday:
January 16, 2026
Asian markets were mixed Friday after Taiwanese chipmaking titan TSMC posted a big profit jump, bolstering confidence in the AI sector along with a US trade deal with the island.
January 16, 2026
World number one Aryna Sabalenka insisted Friday that the race to the Australian Open title was wide open and not just between herself and Iga Swiatek.
January 16, 2026
Politics
Facing digital surveillance, bribes, humiliation and street harassment, Kyrgyz taxi driver Alym never has an easy life in Russia.
January 16, 2026
RECENT NEWS
Mouayed Zabtia shoots most scenes for his latest movie in a studio he built at his Tripoli home. For the filmmaker, it is one way to overcome the obstacles he faces in a country where cinema once nearly vanished.
An Afghan man goes on trial in Germany on Friday accused of ramming a car into a crowd in Munich last year, killing a two-year-old girl and her mother and injuring dozens.
US President Donald Trump's demands to take over NATO ally Denmark's territory Greenland have thrust alliance chief Mark Rutte into an uncomfortable position.
Michelle Sims hesitated when asked if she still backed Donald Trump one year into his presidency. "Yeah -- to a certain extent," she sighed as she eyed groceries in a Pennsylvania food bank.
January 16, 2026
Sports
Olympic swim stars Summer McIntosh and Leon Marchand cruised to 200m individual medley victories as US great Katie Ledecky impressed again on the second day of the Pro Swim Series in Austin, Texas, on Thursday.
January 16, 2026
RECENT NEWS
Jannik Sinner said Friday a three-month doping ban last year made him stronger as a person and more relaxed on court as he prepares to defend his Australian Open title.
Vietnam's leaders convene next week for a once-every-five-years congress, where General Secretary To Lam is looking to cement control over the Communist Party ruling one of Asia's fastest-growing economies.
One headspinning year down, three more to go.
Michael Carrick has the chance to make a fine first impression to his short-term stint as Manchester United manager by derailing local rivals Manchester City's Premier League title challenge on Saturday.
January 16, 2026
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