Pope Leo has expressed deep concern over the recent US raid in Venezuela, urging that the well-being of the Venezuelan people must take precedence over all other considerations.

At least 30 people have been killed and several others abducted after gunmen attacked a market in Nigeria’s Niger State, according to police. The attackers stormed Kasuwan Daji market in Demo village on Saturday afternoon, setting stalls on fire and looting food.

Renewed tensions are flaring in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, with fresh fighting reported around the city of Uvira in South Kivu province.

South Florida erupted in celebration as news broke of the U.S. military operation that captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Venezuelans in the region draped flags over their shoulders and chanted “liberty,” marking a moment many had long hoped for.

South Africa and Cameroon meet on Sunday in the Round of 16 of the Africa Cup of Nations, with both teams aiming to extend their tournament runs after finishing second in their respective groups.

Sadio Mané led Senegal to the quarterfinals of the Africa Cup of Nations after a 3-1 win over Sudan in Tangier on Saturday, while 10-man Mali defeated Tunisia on penalties to advance

Fear and uncertainty are spreading across Venezuela following what US officials describe as a dramatic American military operation targeting President Nicolás Maduro.

Santería followers gathered in Havana on Friday to discover the Letter of the Year, the predictions of the priests for the New Year.

At least 102 survivors were rescued and seven bodies recovered from the boat that capsized off the Gambian coast on New Year’s Eve, President Adama Barrow said in a state broadcast.

The United Nations Security Council welcomed Bahrain, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Latvia and Liberia, as its five new non-permanent members for the 2026-2027 period.

Somalia’s ambassador the United Nations said Israel’s move aimed to distract from its war in Gaza and its occupation of the West Bank.

A fire broke out in the tent sheltering Amal Abu al-Khair and her family while her son was cooking dinner.

Tunisian sports and medical associations have made it a habit to organise the “Ghatssa,” a swim in the cold sea waters on the first day of the new year.

The Kenya Red Cross said a multi-agency response team was at the scene “managing the situation.”Among those trapped are two watchmen and two pedestrians.

The day before they go up against Senegal in the Africa Cup of Nations, Sudan geared up by training in Tangiers. The team, which last won the tournament in 1970, has never won against 2021 champions Senegal.

Thousands of revellers gathered in southern Nigeria for the latest edition of the Calabar Carnival. The festival sees vibrant outfits, music and dancing fill the streets of Cross River State.

Israel’s announcement that it is suspending more than two dozen aid groups will have a devastating impact on their services in Gaza, one of the organisations has said.

Five years after her last appearance at the tournament, Venus Williams is set to compete in the Australian Open which gets underway later this month. At the age of 45, Williams is to become the oldest woman to compete in the tournament.

Zohran Mamdani became mayor of New York City on Thursday, taking over one of the most unrelenting jobs in American politics with a promise to use the power of government to improve the lives of working people.

After leaving the coast of Libya on a makeshift boat, a group of Sudanese migrants were able to share a hot meal as they were rescued by the humanitarian ship known as Ocean Viking. Aboard Ocean Viking, they shared their hopes for 2026.

A multi-story building in Kenya’s capital Nairobi collapsed on Friday, leaving a unknown number of people trapped beneath the rubble.

Kenya woke up to another construction disaster after a multi storey building collapsed in Nairobi’s South C area, trapping an unknown number of people.

Gabon’s President Brice Oligui Nguema started the New Year with a major government reshuffle.

Traoré reaffirmed Burkina Faso’s sovereign foreign policy, welcoming partners who respect national independence while rejecting external pressures.

Morocco fans are starting to get excited about their team’s chances of winning the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. But they’re wary of facing Egypt in the final.

Ukraine’s sixth-largest city Zaporizhzhia was targeted overnight by two Russian aerial strikes, causing fires and damage but no casualties.

Libyan authorities say Britain has formally agreed to provide technical and legal support for the investigation, with findings to be made public once analysis is complete.

Thousands gathered at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo as Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako greeted them for the new year. Emperor’s nephew Hisahito joined the event for the first time.

Switzerland is grappling with the aftermath of a deadly fire at Crans-Montana’s Le Constellation bar that killed 40 and injured 115 during a New Year’s celebration.

A week after leaving Libya on a makeshift boat, shipwreck survivors found brief calm with a hot meal on a SOS Méditerranée vessel. Ocean Viking resumes operations amid rising threats.

The Indomitable Lions, Bafana Bafana and the Super Eagles have all been competing at the 35th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations.

The visit is seen as a sign of the league’s growing global appeal and Algeria’s rising profile in digital football entertainment, blending sport, culture and new media.

On the pitch, optimism is building around the Atlas Lions. Haddaoui says Morocco have shown they are ready to compete for the title, while acknowledging the pressure that comes with playing at home

In his address to the nation on New Year’s Eve, Bassirou Diomaye Faye promised major public investments in areas including education, health and water infrastructure.

In the popular seaside resort of Taghazout, on Morocco’s Atlantic coast, surfers did not hesitate to put on their wetsuits and grab their surfboards in the early hours of New Year’s Day.

The Congolese government has labelled the latest offensive of the Kigali-backed M23 rebels in eastern Congo “a clear act of aggression.”

Junta leader Mamadi Doumbouya won 86.72% of the votes counted so far, according to Guinea’s General Directorate of Elections.

Istanbul welcomed the New Year from under a blanket of snow. On the first day of the new year, the Turkish city also received its first snowfall of the year.

Driven in part by a tourism boom and the rapid expansion of short-term rentals such as Airbnb, property prices in the central business district have soared, pricing out workers who rely on living close to jobs and services.

For many young people, Nigeria has yet to fulfil its potential. They hope that the new year will allow the country to achieve stability and prosperity.