Phokeng, South Africa | AFP | Zimbabwe confirmed their superiority over Zambia in COSAFA Cup southern Africa championship finals by winning 3-1 in Phokeng Sunday to lift the trophy a record fifth time. This was the fourth time the neighbouring nations have met in the final of the annual regional competition …

Johannesburg, South Africa | AFP | USM Alger of Algeria and Al Ahly Tripoli of Libya reached the CAF Champions League quarter-finals Sunday as 2016 runners-up Zamalek of Egypt bowed out with 10 men. A 4-1 home victory over CAPS United of Zimbabwe in Algiers ensured USM of top place …

Washington, United States | AFP | The Iraqi military’s hard-fought victory over the Islamic State group in Mosul marks a defining moment not just for them. It is also a key win for the US doctrine behind it. Instead of putting large numbers of American boots on the ground, the …

Istanbul, Turkey | AFP | Turkey marks one year on July 15 since a coup attempt aiming to topple President Recep Tayyip Erdogan that failed within hours but etched far-reaching consequences into its society and politics. The country is in the throes of the biggest purge in its history against …

Tripoli, Libya | AFP | Forces loyal to Libya’s UN-backed Government of National Accord on Sunday battled rival forces in the Garabulli region east of the capital, witnesses said, drawing condemnation from the UN. Witnesses said the fighting pitted pro-GNA forces against fighters loyal to former prime minister Khalifa Ghweil …

Kuwait City, Kuwait | AFP | Kuwait Airways said Sunday that a ban on laptops and tablets in the cabins of its US-bound flights had been lifted by Washington. “Now our passengers flying from Kuwait International Airport to in #NY will be able to use all of their personal electronic devices,” …

Hamburg, Germany | AFP | World leaders made concessions on trade and climate language to Donald Trump Saturday at the end of the most fractious and riot-hit G20 summit ever, in exchange for preserving a fragile unity of the club of major industrialised and emerging economies. In a departure from final …

Cotonou, Benin | AFP | Top-flight football resumed in tiny west African nation Benin Saturday after a two-year absence due to power struggles between officials. Among those who attended a league fixture involving Atlantic Sharks and US Seme-Krake were state president Patrice Talon and CAF boss Ahmad Ahmad from Madagascar. Disagreements …

Hamburg, Germany | AFP | G20 nations launched an unprecedented initiative Saturday at the group’s summit in Germany to fight poverty in Africa, but critics called the plan half-hearted. Under German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s “Investment Compacts”, an initial seven African countries would pledge reforms and receive technical support in order to …

Los Angeles, United States | AFP | Manchester United-bound striker Romelu Lukaku is likely to have to spend a fraction of his extravagant salary on settling a fine in Beverly Hills after being arrested during a noisy party at his rented mansion. A Beverly Hills Police Department statement on Saturday said …