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Senegal's national football team, the Lions of Teranga, showcased the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) trophy to a crowd of 70,000 at the Stade de France in Paris ahead of a friendly match against Peru. This display comes despite the controversy surrounding their initial 1-0 win in the final against Morocco in January, which was later overturned by CAF due to a mid-game walk-off by Senegalese players.The team's captain, Kalidou Koulibaly, and goalkeeper Edouard Mendy led the parade, taking the trophy to the stadium's presidential box where it was placed in front of Abdoulaye Fall, the president of the Senegalese Football Federation. The event was attended by thousands of Senegalese supporters, who were joined by Peruvian fans and even Bally Bagayoko, the newly elected mayor of Saint-Denis, who praised the team's unity and spirit.The controversy began when Senegal's players left the field in protest over a penalty awarded to Morocco, which was later missed. The match eventually ended 1-0 in Senegal's favor with a goal from Pape Gueye in extra time. Morocco appealed the result, and CAF's appeals panel awarded them a 3-0 win and the title. Senegal has since announced plans to appeal to CAF and the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), a process that could take up to a year.The Senegalese government has also called for an independent international inquiry into CAF's decision, citing allegations of corruption. This development has added to the tension between Senegal and Morocco, with the two nations set to remain locked in a dispute over the AFCON title.Despite the controversy, the Senegalese team's display of the trophy was seen as a celebration of their on-field victory and a show of unity among the players, fans, and the community. The friendly match against Peru was the team's first since the AFCON final, and they are now preparing for the World Cup, where they will face France, Norway, and either Bolivia or Iraq.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has concluded defence agreements with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Qatar, focusing on joint expertise in countering threats from missiles and drones. The agreements were made during Zelenskyy's visit to Doha and the UAE earlier in the day. The defence pact with Qatar includes collaboration in technological fields, development of joint investments, and the exchange of expertise in countering missiles and unmanned aerial systems. This move comes as Iran continues to attack its Gulf neighbours, with Tehran insisting it targets only US assets in retaliation for the US-Israeli war on Iran. Ukraine has deployed 201 anti-drone experts to the Middle East to help Gulf nations counter Iranian drones. Kyiv has proposed swapping its interceptors for the more expensive air-defence missiles used by Gulf countries to down Iranian drones. Ukraine needs these missiles to fend off near-daily Russian missile attacks. The agreements highlight Ukraine's growing role as a leading producer of sophisticated, battlefield-proven drone interceptors. The country's expertise in downing Russian drones, which have been attacking Kyiv since the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022, is seen as a cost-effective solution for Gulf nations. For instance, Ukraine's interceptors cost around $2,000 each, compared to the $4 million cost of a Patriot missile. Zelenskyy's diplomatic tour aims to secure funding and technology in return for Middle East support. The US-Israeli war on Iran has depleted Patriot missile stocks, which concerns Ukraine as it needs these missiles to counter Russian ballistic missiles.

Issa Diop's international debut for Morocco has added a new twist to the ongoing dispute between Senegal and Morocco over the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title. The Fulham defender, born in France, had his application to switch nationality to Morocco approved by FIFA on Thursday and was immediately drafted into the starting lineup for Morocco's 1-1 draw against Ecuador in Madrid on Friday.Diop's switch is seen as a public relations coup for Morocco, who have been actively courting players with links to the country to improve their national team. The 29-year-old, whose father is Senegalese and mother is Moroccan, had previously rejected overtures from both countries to play for them while holding out hope he might represent France.Diop said he was happy to play in a team with good players and thinks he's made a good choice. He had talks with Morocco's new coach, Mohamed Ouahbi, and Moroccan Federation President Fouzi Lekjaa, who explained their vision to him and welcomed him with open arms.The dispute between Senegal and Morocco centers around the AFCON final, where Senegal walked off the pitch in protest at a potentially decisive penalty awarded to Morocco. Senegal was subsequently stripped of the title and Morocco declared winners. Senegal has formally contested the decision and referred the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.Senegal continues to assert its claim to the title, with the team holding a news conference before a friendly match against Peru, featuring a banner that read 'Champions of Africa'. They are also expected to display the Cup of Nations trophy to supporters before the match.

Former US President Donald Trump has stated that Iran wants to make a deal with the United States. This assertion comes amidst ongoing diplomatic tensions between the two nations.The comments were reported by Al Jazeera, though specific details about the proposed deal or Iran's current stance were not provided.The relationship between the US and Iran has been strained in recent years, with various issues contributing to the complex geopolitical dynamic.

Qatar's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, held crucial talks with senior US officials in Washington, DC, as tensions escalate in the Gulf region due to the ongoing US-Israeli war on Iran.The meetings, which included US Vice President JD Vance and US Secretary Scott Bessent, focused on strengthening the "close strategic cooperation" between Doha and Washington, particularly in defense partnerships given the current regional challenges.Both sides emphasized the importance of ensuring the sustainability of energy supplies and maintaining the flow of liquefied natural gas from Qatar to global markets, supporting global energy security.Vance praised Qatar's active role in promoting regional stability and enhancing global energy security, highlighting the robust strategic partnership between the two nations.The Gulf region has been under heightened tension since February 28, when the US-Israeli war on Iran began, resulting in over 3,000 deaths across the region, mostly in Iran and Lebanon.Iran has since launched drone and missile attacks on Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf states, prompting regional leaders to urge Iran to cease these attacks to protect civilians.Earlier this month, Qatar reported that Iranian missile attacks on the Ras Laffan Industrial City, the country's main gas facility, caused "significant damage."The conflict has led to an unprecedented global energy crisis as Iran has effectively closed off the Strait of Hormuz, through which one-fifth of the world's oil passes.On Thursday, Sheikh Mohammed also met with US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth in Washington, focusing on developing defense and security collaboration amid regional challenges.The Qatari Cabinet has condemned Iranian attacks on Qatar and its neighbors, calling for an immediate halt to these actions.

A grieving Iranian mother has shared her heartbreaking story at the United Nations about her children who were impacted by a devastating school attack. The emotional account highlights the human cost of violence and the profound grief experienced by families affected.The mother’s testimony brought attention to the plight of innocent victims and the need for greater support and protection for children in conflict zones. Her words resonated deeply with the international community, underscoring the urgency of addressing such tragedies.

A powerful Israeli airstrike has struck the suburbs of Beirut, causing significant smoke to rise over the area. The incident has heightened tensions in the region, reflecting the ongoing Middle East conflict between Israel and Lebanon.The airstrike is a notable escalation in the ongoing conflict between the two nations. Beirut, being the capital of Lebanon, is a critical location in these tensions.The situation remains fluid, with international attention focused on the developments in the region. The Israeli airstrike on Beirut suburbs underscores the complex and volatile nature of Middle East relations.

The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has issued a grave warning that Lebanon faces the threat of a humanitarian catastrophe as Israel continues its weeks-long bombardment and expands ground operations across the country.UNHCR's Lebanon representative Karolina Lindholm Billing reported that Israeli strikes and forced displacement orders have affected people throughout Lebanon, from the southern regions to the Bekaa Valley, Beirut, and northern areas. More than 1.2 million people have been forced from their homes since Israel's intensified attacks began in early March, according to UN figures."The situation remains extremely worrying and the risk of a humanitarian catastrophe ... is real," Lindholm Billing stated during a briefing in Geneva. She emphasized that Lebanon's overstretched shelter system is struggling to meet the growing needs of displaced families.The UN representative highlighted particularly concerning developments, including strikes on central Beirut's densely populated neighborhoods where many had sought refuge in collective shelters. "The families are ... living in constant fear, and the psychological toll, particularly on children, will last far beyond this current escalation," she added.Israel launched its intensified attacks against Lebanon after Hezbollah fired rockets toward Israeli territory following the February 28 assassination of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in the US-Israel war on Iran. The Israeli military has since conducted aerial and ground operations across Lebanon while issuing mass forced displacement orders for residents of southern areas and several Beirut suburbs.On Friday, the Israeli military announced air strikes on Beirut and issued new displacement orders for neighborhoods including Haret Hreik and Burj al-Barajneh. Meanwhile, Hezbollah has continued rocket attacks into northern Israel and confrontations with Israeli troops in southern Lebanon.Rights groups have strongly condemned Israel's expanded operations, with Human Rights Watch warning that preventing Lebanese civilians from returning to their homes in the south may constitute the war crime of forced displacement. "Israel's tactics of mass expulsion in Lebanon raise serious risks of forced displacement," the organization stated. "Forced displacement and collective punishment are war crimes."International concerns have been further heightened by the Israeli military's destruction of civilian homes and several bridges connecting southern Lebanon to the rest of the country. "The destruction of key bridges in the south has cut off entire districts ... isolating over 150,000 people and severely limiting humanitarian access," Lindholm Billing explained.As the crisis deepens, Lebanon's government faces mounting challenges in responding to the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation, with evacuation orders now extending to areas previously considered safe, exacerbating panic among the civilian population.

The Gulf economies play a significant role in the global economy, with major oil and gas reserves contributing to their substantial influence. As key players in the energy sector, these nations have a considerable impact on global energy markets and economic trends.Their strategic locations also make them crucial hubs for international trade and investment, connecting Europe, Asia, and Africa. The Gulf economies' diverse sectors, including finance, tourism, and technology, further enhance their global importance.Understanding the Gulf economies' role in the world economy is essential for grasping global economic dynamics and anticipating future trends.