WORLD

Global influence is often measured by military, political or economic might, but for some countries, it’s the strength of the culture – its food, fashion or entertainment – that most strongly impacts the wider world. These culturally influential countries were recently ranked by U.S. News and World Report, based on factors like being perceived as prestigious, fashionable, trendy, happy, modern or ...

CHELSEA are reportedly making plans in case Paris Saint-Germain prise N’Golo Kante away from Stamford Bridge. Kante has emerged as the Ligue 1 giants’ primary transfer target as they look to bolster their 2017/18 title-winning side. And Goal claim PSG chief Antero Henrique is prepared to give the midfielder a pay bump of £100,000 a week to head to the ...

LIVERPOOL boss Jurgen Klopp is ready to make an announcement to fans about Loris Karius, reports say. Liverpool boss Klopp is ready to stick with Karius despite the German’s horrendous Champions League final display. Karius made two mistakes as Real Madrid won 3-1 in May, though it later emerged that he was concussed following a collision with Sergio Ramos. Liverpool ...

CRISTIANO RONALDO had his Juventus medical in Munich and has already completed his move from Real Madrid, says the Serie A giants’ former CEO Luciano Moggi. Ronaldo is the subject of an £88m (€100m) bid from Juventus, who are leading the race to secure his signature. Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain have also been touted as potential destinations for the ...

DIEGO MARADONA has sensationally claimed Colombia were robbed of a place in the World Cup quarter-final after England won via a penalty shoot-out last night. England fans went through the wringer last night after Harry Kane’s second half penalty put them 1-0 up only for Yerry Mina to score a stoppage-time equaliser to force extra time. Neither country were able ...

Six soldiers were killed over the weekend in an attack blamed on the jihadist group Boko Haram on a military position in southeast Niger, the defence ministry said on Tuesday revising down an earlier death toll. The Niger army previously said on Sunday that 10 soldiers were killed in the assault near the border with Nigeria. “In the night from ...

French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Lagos on Tuesday evening to the Shrine, Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti’s music venue, to celebrate Nigerian and African culture. “I’m very happy to be here with you tonight,” said Macron, addressing the cheering and whistling crowd in English. Macron went directly to the Shrine from Nigeria’s capital of Abuja, where he met with President ...

Eritrea’s president Isaias Afwerki held talks with the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed on Tuesday, which the Horn of Africa nation’s information ministry says focused on enhancing existing ties of cooperation between the two countries. Eritrea’s information minister Yemane Meskel said the two leaders agreed to increase investment in different sectors including education, health, physical infrastructure, agriculture ...

Senami, a 13-year-old girl, was purchased in Benin. “My father didn’t want to sell me, but someone put a spell on my uncle and he persuaded my father,” she said. Taken to oil-rich Gabon, Senami slaved as a domestic servant and later as a roadside peanut seller. With a mixture of rage and sorrow, she recounts her tragic life – ...

Jerome Boateng has no plans to quit international football despite coming in for criticism following Germany’s shock group-stage exit at the World Cup. Boateng, 29, was one of nine players from the squad that lifted the World Cup four years ago who made it to Russia but were dumped out after losing to both Mexico and South Korea. No player ...