It was a night of records in the Rio 2016 pool on Sunday as Michael Phelps added to his Olympic gold medal haul. Three world records were set: Katie Ledecky in the women’s 400m freestyle, Adam Peaty in the men’s 100m breaststroke and Sarah Sjostrom in the women’s 100m butterfly. But the biggest cheer of … Read more
Claudio Ranieri insists Leicester City are again aiming for the 40-point mark in the Premier League, despite being the defending champions. For the first part of last season, the Italian claimed his side, who lost just three matches all campaign, were still looking to stave off relegation. And, unmoved by Leicester’s incredible success, Ranieri is … Read more
In an unusual move, the president of the west African state of Sao Tome and Principe has boycotted his own run-off election, handing victory to his rival. Manuel Pinto da Costa withdrew from Sunday’s poll, alleging fraud in the first round held on 17 July. His rival Evaristo Carvalho, a former prime minister, is now … Read more
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has told a vast rally in Istanbul that he would approve the return of the death penalty if it was backed by parliament and the public. He was speaking to a crowd of at least a million who had gathered in Turkey’s biggest city. The rally followed last month’s failed … Read more
Jeb Bush is resolutely #NeverTrump but his son, George P. Bush, no longer is. George P. Bush, the Texas land commissioner, is breaking with his father, a former Donald Trump Republican primary rival, to back the GOP nominee. George P. Bush’s move comes after a nasty Republican primary battle in which Trump repeatedly mocked Jeb … Read more
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has named several government officials, including judges, members of Congress and military officers accused of having links to the illegal drug trade, just hours after vowing to maintain his “shoot-to-kill” order against drug dealers. In a televised national address on Sunday, Duterte declared that the officials he accused would have their … Read more
More than a million people have attended a pro-democracy rally held in Istanbul in response to Turkey’s failed coup attempt last month. The massive rally on Sunday united the country’s president, the prime minister and two opposition party leaders around a single issue for the first time in years. “The world is looking at you … Read more
At least 20 people have died in floods that hit the Macedonian capital, Skopje, following torrential rain. The victims’ bodies were found on Sunday morning after the storm passed. Several people are still missing. Some of the victims drowned in their cars. Parts of the city’s ring road were swept away in the floods, dragging … Read more
Hundreds of thousands of people have gathered in Turkey’s biggest city, Istanbul, for a rally to protest against last month’s attempted coup. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will be joined by opposition leaders in addressing the crowds. More than 270 people died in events surrounding the 15 July coup attempt. Turkey has cracked down heavily … Read more
A clear majority of Thai referendum voters have backed a draft constitution written by an army-appointed committee. Unofficial tallies show that 61.45% voted in favour. The military threw out the old constitution when it took power in 2014, after months of political instability and sporadic violence. Supporters of the new document say it will restore … Read more
Russian athletes are banned from competing at the Rio 2016 Paralympics following the country’s doping scandal. The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) had opened suspension proceedings following the McLaren report, and has now confirmed the ban. The report, published last month, claimed Russia had operated a state-sponsored doping programme. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) chose not … Read more
Manchester United are on the brink of re-signing Paul Pogba from Juventus in the world’s first £100m transfer deal. The 23-year-old will have a medical in the next few days before what is set to be a world record transfer. Pogba, who left United for £1.5m in 2012, is set to return for a fee … Read more
Belgian officials say a man who wounded two policewomen with a machete was a 33-year-old Algerian believed to have been inspired by terrorism. An inquiry for “attempted terrorist murder” has been launched into Saturday’s attack in Charleroi. The man reportedly shouted “Allahu Akbar” (“God is greatest”) during the assault outside a police station. He died … Read more
The leader of the ANC women’s league has defended President Zuma, who was humiliated live on television by four women who held a silent protest about a rape case involving him 10 years ago. The president was addressing the nation after the municipal polls which saw the ruling party’s support dwindle in some key municipalities. … Read more
Belgium has opened a terror investigation into a machete assault in which two policewomen were wounded. Prosecutors launched an inquiry for “attempted terrorist murder”, Prime Minister Charles Michel announced. The attacker reportedly shouted “Allahu Akbar” (“God is greatest”) during the assault outside a police station. He died after being shot by officers. On Sunday, the … Read more
An Iranian scientist who provided the US with information about the country’s nuclear programme has been hanged for treason, the government has confirmed. Shahram Amiri was executed for giving “vital information to the enemy”, a judiciary spokesman said. Amiri disappeared in Saudi Arabia in 2009 and resurfaced a year later in the US, where he … Read more
Barcelona have confirmed that defender Thomas Vermaelen has been given permission to travel to Italy and undergo a medical with Roma. Roma coach Luciano Spalletti on Friday stated that the Serie A club are in advanced talks to sign the 30-year-old Belgium international. And Barca on Sunday posted a tweet announcing the former Arsenal player … Read more
Anti-doping chiefs will investigate claims a Kenyan athletics official offered to give athletes prior warning of drugs tests in return for £10,000. The Sunday Times and German broadcaster ARD secretly filmed Major Michael Rotich apparently making the offer. But he told the newspaper he was only going along with it because he wanted to find … Read more
At least 15 people have died overnight as storms caused Skopje, the capital of Macedonia, to flood. Their bodies were found before 8:30 local time (06:30 GMT)on Sunday, an official said. Six people are still missing. Some of the victims drowned in their cars. Parts of the city’s ring road have been swept away in … Read more
Lebanese athletes refused to share a bus with the Israel team to get to Friday’s Rio Olympic Games opening ceremony, members of both teams said. Lebanon and Israel are officially at war and have no diplomatic relations. The incident happened as the Lebanon team sat on the bus waiting to head to the Maracana stadium, … Read more