At the request of Abiy Ahmed Ali, the Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Kashim Shettima has made an official state visit to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Gedion Timothewos, the Ethiopian and Nigerian diplomatic corps’ minister of foreign affairs, and other officials welcomed him at the airport.
Vice President Shettima will take part in Ethiopia’s flagship environmental initiative’s official launch during the visit.
Read more about Shettima’s official visit to Ethiopia in Nigeria.
The planting of 20 billion tree seedlings over the course of four years is a goal of the program’s goals to combat deforestation, increase biodiversity, and combat climate change’s negative effects.
Elinor Barker, a four-time Olympian, has announced that her second pregnancy is the end of her 2025 campaign.
After finishing 16th overall in the British National Road Championships in Ceredigion, more than five minutes behind compatriot Zoe Backstedt’s title-winning competitor, the 30-year-old Welsh competitor broke the news to social media.
We are expecting our second child in December, so we had our last race of 2025 today at Nationals TT.
Extremely fortunate to be surrounded by so many experts, support from @unoxteam, and @britishcycling once more, and.
She continued, “Ps. Try to find a job that doesn’t demand that you wear skin-tight Lycra every day if you’re trying to conceal a pregnancy at work.
Barker will miss the time trial and Women’s Road World Championships in September.
After already winning Olympic team pursuit gold in Rio 2016 and silver in Tokyo in 2021, Barker gave birth to son Nico in 2022.
She added another silver medal in the madison in Paris in 2024, where she also won another silver.
Iran’s 12-day war, which was supported by the United States, was heavily aided by operations launched from deep inside Iranian soil by the Israeli military, which included hundreds of fighter jets, armed drones, and refueling planes.
On June 13, the Israeli army and the Mossad spy agency released footage that appeared to have been recorded at night in Iran’s undisclosed locations just hours before dawn.
One gloomy video showed Mossad agents posing as civilians while crouched in what appeared to be desert terrain, wearing tactical gear like night-vision goggles and concealing themselves from incoming attack aircraft.
Others depicted ballistic missile platforms and projectiles slammed into Iranian missile defense batteries with mounted cameras. Spike missiles, which are relatively small, precision-guided anti-armour missiles that can be programmed to fly toward targets outside their line of sight, appeared to be the projectiles.
State media also reported images of the weapons being used by Iranian authorities, who confirmed the weapons’ use, in one of the open areas where they were found. They claimed that the weapons were run by “terrorist Mossad agents” and had been “internet-based automation and remote-controlled systems” installed.
In November of this year, an Israeli operation in which Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, a senior figure in Iran’s nuclear program, was killed while moving in a car with his wife and bodyguards in a city near Tehran, was carried out. A one-tonne gun was reportedly brought into Iran by Mossad in pieces and mounted on the back of a pick-up truck after Fakhrizadeh was killed, according to Israeli authorities at the time, who confirmed that the assassination was carried out using remote-controlled and artificial intelligence-guided equipment.
In the northwest of West Azerbaijan, Iran executed three men who are suspected of being involved in the murder of Fakhrizadeh and other murders on Wednesday morning.
Iranian nuclear scientists were killed in drone strikes on June 25, 2025, in Tehran, Iran. [Majid Saeedi/Getty Images]
Iranian drone manufacturing
In addition, it appears that Israel, as part of its multifaceted assault operations, used numerous explosive-laden small drones and quadcopters during the 12-day conflict to obliterate Iran’s defenses.
Iranian media reported that Iran’s air defenses were in place to stop small drones and larger military-grade counterparts like the Hermes 900, which Iran claimed to have shot down throughout the war. Al Jazeera cannot, however, confirm the precise number of drone launches and how successful they were at hitting their targets.
As Israeli warplanes dropped more bombs across the nation and US President Donald Trump briefly rhetorically backed the possibility of regime change, the smaller drones attracted a lot of attention and forced authorities to mount large-scale search operations to neutralize them.
Soon afterward, authorities discovered pick-up trucks with custom cargo beds that could house small, predetermined drones that they claimed could be launched by coming close to their intended targets. Similar tactics have been successful elsewhere, such as when Ukraine managed to demolish up to a third of Russia’s strategic bomber fleet on the tarmac of four Russian airfields deep inside Russian territory.
Security forces from Iran organized search parties consisting of police officers who searched the streets in motorcycles or other vehicles to spot any suspicious trucks or movements, especially at night. In sprawling Tehran and throughout the nation, including in northern provinces where millions of people flocked after fleeing the capital, which frequently stopped and searched pick-up trucks with covered cargo beds.
Their agents appear to have been able to set up small production lines of the unmanned vehicles inside Iran following what the Israelis claimed were years of preparation.
A three-story building in Shahr-e Rey, in southern Tehran, was said to be dedicated to handing out drones, homemade bombs, and a lot of explosives.
In Shahr-e Rey, south of Tehran, security forces discovered a hacked drone factory. Israeli agents assembled and stored UAVs meant for terrorist operations in the three-story building. Additionally, over 200 kg of explosives and homemade bombs were discovered by authorities. pic. twitter.com/wrZz1vc12x
A second similar operation, involving six Iranian “Mossad agents,” was also shown on state television, where quadcopters with timers, grenades, and other weapons were being assembled. There were also reports of explosive-laden vehicles, but Iranian authorities did not provide any official confirmation.
On state television, some of the arrested suspects were depicted giving their confessions while holding their hands in their eyes. One unnamed suspect was personally interrogated by Tehran’s public prosecutor Ali Salehi on state television, who claimed he attempted to film air defenses for the Mossad from rooftops.
We are all being watched, he said.
Eyal Zamir, the chief of staff of the Israeli military, confirmed in a video statement on Wednesday that commando forces “operated covertly deep in enemy territory and carried out operations that gave us operational freedom of action.” He did not specify whether he was speaking about the commandos that were visible at the start of the first night or other potential operations.
Regarding alleged Israeli commando operations conducted inside Iranian territory, Iranian officials have not made any direct comments.
Authorities have executed at least six people accused of cooperating with Israel and the US, but they haven’t stopped announcing dozens of arrests in Iran since the start of the war.
In an effort to restrain Iran’s retaliation, Israeli intelligence operations inside Iran are thought to have been a major factor in the success of the surprise attacks on June 13 that started the conflict, which resulted in the deaths of numerous top military commanders and nuclear scientists. Additionally, they incapacitated some air defenses and targeted some missile launch sites, all of which were done by Israel.
Two of Israel’s largest banks and the nation’s largest cryptocurrency exchange were temporarily destroyed by massive cyberattacks launched by pro-Israel hacking groups.
Amir Ali Hajizadeh, the assassinated head of the crucial aerospace division of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), stated in a speech that “we are all under surveillance” by Mossad using mobile phones and other communication devices during an unreleased video that was released by state-linked media this week.
Hajizadeh, who was killed in a meeting with a number of other top aerospace commanders in an underground bunker in or around Tehran, urged people to use caution, turn off, and occasionally replace their phones during the address.
Iranian authorities also temporarily halted access to the internet, reportedly choking off 97 percent of the massive nation’s connectivity as a result of their response to the Israeli offensive, according to NetBlocks internet observatory. One of the most extensive internet blackouts ever to be implemented in Iran and probably elsewhere in the world.
Two days after Trump announced a ceasefire, the majority of the restrictions imposed during the conflict were lifted.
As the Queen icon expressed doubt over the claims, rumors that Freddie Mercury may have had a secret lovechild following an alleged affair have been dispelled by Brian May.
Brian May ‘doesn’t believe’ Freddie Mercury had secret lovechild as result of affair(Image: Redferns)
Queen legend Brian May was left shocked by news of Freddie Mercury’s lovechild – but doesn’t believe it. Wife Anita Dobson said when she heard the news: “I went ‘what?’ I thought no’? And I said to Brian: ‘Do you know about this?’ And he said: ‘Do you believe this?’”
Lesley-Ann Jones, the star’s biographer, has confirmed that she has a child and that she has DNA proof that the woman, 48, is the singer’s daughter.
In a biography published in May, she claimed that the child was born by accident in 1976 while having an affair with a close friend’s wife. According to legend, Mercury regularly visits his daughter and keeps 17 volumes of intimate journals for her.
However, actor Anita is persuaded that the news about Freddie had already been leaked.
Freddie Mercury reportedly had a secret lovechild(Image: Getty Images)
There must be many people who have children, she said. Simply put, it’s because of him. because of his reputation. And given how unusually animalistic he was, having a child with someone we don’t know about seems incomprehensible.
Continue reading the article.
Former EastEnders actress Anita added: “If he does have one where is she – step forward. If she exists. Maybe it is just more fake news.”
Following the book’s claim that Freddie had informed his bandmates about the existence of the love child, Anita made comments. According to the author of the book, Love, the singer claimed to have a daughter as a result of a relationship with a friend’s wife. She had relationships with both men and women.
She claims that she always knew the musician, real name Farrokh Bulsara, was her father, and that he had given her 17 volumes of his personal journals before his 1991 death. She lives in Europe and is a mother herself. She reached out to Ms. Jones to share her story.
Brian May’s wife can’t believe the news of Freddie’s lovechild(Image: Getty Images)
A handwritten letter from the woman, known as B, is included in the book, which is due out in September. She states, “My father was and is Freddie Mercury.” From the moment I was born to the last 15 years of his life, we had a very close and loving relationship.
He was devoted to me and adored me. By the standards of most people, the circumstances surrounding my birth may seem unusual and even outrageous. That shouldn’t surprise anyone. He never let his love for and care for me go away.
“Those who knew of my existence kept my greatest secret from Freddie,” he said. The star called every day while he was touring with Queen, and he even had his own room in their family home so he could spend as much time with her as possible.
Freddie died in November 1991(Image: Getty Images)
Since then, Jones has reacted to those who claim the story wasn’t up to par.
She urged those who “demand” a DNA test to provide proof otherwise they wouldn’t believe it, and that legal teams have been involved, but that information is kept private and not made public.
She rebuffed those who questioned whether an abundance of Mercury’s secret notebooks was fabricated using artificial intelligence. Wait and see, she wrote, “To those who insist Freddie Mercury’s diaries were faked with AI, that his daughter doesn’t exist, and that I’ve made the entire thing up.”
His own story, which is told in his own words, is incredible. I can’t help but love him even more. You’ll do it, too.
Continue reading the article.
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READ MORE: Maura Higgins swears by this Sol de Janeiro body oil for her glowy holiday skin
Faith Kipyegon’s attempt to become the first woman to run a distance of less than four minutes failed.
In order to achieve the remarkable feat, the Kenyan, 31, set a time of four minutes 06.42 seconds, which is one second quicker than her world record, at Stade Charlety in Paris.
Because Kipyegon was assisted by a team of male and female pacemakers and participated in the Nike-sponsored “Breaking4,” the time will not be considered an official record.
That sensational performance in Monaco gave Kipyegon the idea that sub-four, once viewed as physiologically impossible for a woman, was within her reach.
However, the three-time Olympic 1500m champion was still forced to run two seconds faster than she had before.
As she ran her sub-60 second laps, which amounted to about 15 miles or 24 kilometers per hour, Kipyegon was outfitted out in an aerodynamic skinsuit and specially designed spikes.
Georgia Hunter Bell, a British Olympic 1500m bronze medalist, and Jemma Reekie, a pacemaker, assisted her in chasing the Wavelights, who were located on the track’s inside curb.
Kipyegon completed the third lap in 3:01.84, but her hopes for the finish line began to wane over the final 400 meters.
Before collapsing to the ground, she continued to run through the finish tape in the fastest time a woman has ever done so.
Eliud Kipchoge, who became the first person to complete a marathon in less than two hours, recorded the recording for the tape.
It’s only a matter of time, I have shown it is possible. Someone else will be the recipient if not me, Kipyegon predicted.
“I will keep going for it, not to lose hope.” I’m hoping to receive it someday.
Mile moonshot comes close for Kipyegon.
Sir Roger Bannister, the first person to break the mile-per-minute barrier, has been around for more than 70 years.
That occurred in May 1954, and it was perceived as “as elusive and seemingly unattainable as] reaching the summit of] Everest.”
Since then, many more people have reached the highest point on Earth, surpassing Bannister’s feat.
Diane Leather became the first woman to run a sub-five minute mile on the same month as Bannister’s historic milestone.
Sifan Hassan’s 2019 world record of 4: 12.33, which was previously inconceivable, was obliterated by Kipyegon after decades of incremental increases by women.
Kipyegon would run barefoot from school in her Kenyan village long before she chased history in Nike’s most recent high-tech shoes.
Without a doubt, the first woman to win three consecutive Olympic 1500m titles, she also won her first global title at the 2011 World Junior Cross Country Championships.
On Thursday night, Kipyegon donned a black aerodynamic skinsuit with arm and leg sleeves, a headband, and a 3D-printed “aeronodes” that were strategically placed. These items were all designed to lessen wind resistance and drag.
She had carbon fiber plates on the sole and air pockets in the forefoot, which increased propulsion, and her shoes were based on the Nike Victory 2 spikes, which she won Olympic gold last summer.
“This Club World Cup is a dream come true for Brazil fans,” says South American football expert Tim Vickery, speaking from Rio de Janeiro.
“Every bus stop, every water cooler… everyone is talking about it. It’s full-on.”
While Britain sleeps, with some games at the newly-expanded tournament in the United States kicking-off at 02:00 BST, Brazil is going wild for it.
And no wonder.
Millions of football fans are glued to television sets following the fortunes of Rio-based teams Botafogo, Flamengo and Fluminense – as well as Palmeiras, who are based in Sao Paulo.
And it is a case of so far, so good.
All four have progressed from their respective groups to the last-16 after some eye-catching results which have left fans asking if a team from Brazil can win the Club World Cup for the first time since 2012?
Botafogo have beaten newly-crowned champions of Europe Paris St-Germain, Flamengo turned a 1-0 deficit into a 3-1 victory over Chelsea, while Fluminense and Palmeiras have held Borussia Dortmund and Porto respectively.
The United States is hosting most of the games at the 2026 World Cup next summer. Canada and Mexico are also co-hosts.
If a team from Brazil wins the Club World Cup, what will that say about the chances of the Brazil national team winning the World Cup for a sixth time?
“I didn’t expect that, most people in Brazil didn’t expect that,” Brazilian sports journalist Renata Mendonca, speaking to BBC World Service Sport, says about all four Brazilian teams advancing.
“The way they want to show the world… the Brazilian teams are good enough and could be at the top of the world.
Getty Images
Why are the Brazilian teams doing well?
Atletico Madrid and Porto have already been sent packing, while both teams from Argentina – Boca Juniors and River Plate – have also been eliminated.
Brazil’s quartet, however, march on.
At least one is guaranteed a place in the quarter-finals.
That’s because Palmeiras and Botafogo have been drawn against one another in an all-Brazil showdown in Philadelphia on Saturday (17:00 BST kick-off).
Meanwhile, Flamengo face Bayern Munich on Sunday (21:00), while Fluminense meet Inter Milan on Monday (20:00).
“This tournament is a priority in the way an Olympic athlete will do all of his training and programming to peak at a specific time,” Vickery tells BBC Sport.
“Certainly for Flamengo and Palmeiras, who really want to win it. This is an absolute priority for them and they have programmed to be at their peak now.”
Is the climate, which the Brazilian teams are used to, helping give them an edge?
Both Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca and Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola have mentioned the extreme heat since the tournament started.
Chelsea trained in 37C before their 3-0 group win over ES Tunis in Philadelphia.
“It is almost impossible to train or to make a session because of the weather,” said Maresca earlier this week, while Guardiola said before Thursday’s match with Juventus that his players must be prepared to “suffer” in the challenging heat of Orlando.
The soaring temperatures across the United States have led to matches across the competition implementing water breaks during games.
But not all players have struggled in the heat.
“We’re used to it,” Botafogo right-back Vitinho, who spent two years at Burnley, said of the high temperatures. “I hope that it works in our favour.”
Another factor to consider is that all four teams from Brazil have broken away from their domestic season, which runs from March until December, to take part.
While they appear fresh and sharp, teams from Europe went into the Club World Cup on the back of long seasons.
PSG’s first game against Atletico Madrid in Pasadena on 15 June came 15 days after their 5-0 mauling of Inter Milan in the Champions League final in Munich.
Vickery adds: “A few weeks ago the Flamengo president was saying to a mate of mine ‘we’re flying in mid-season’.
“For the European clubs… is it the end of their season? Is it pre-season? The European clubs, their planning hasn’t been to peak now.”
Vickery believes there is something else to factor into the conversation about Brazilian clubs doing well.
“There is more money in Brazilian football,” he says.
“The standard has risen over the last few seasons. One reason is because of the influx of foreign coaches.
“Of the four Brazilian clubs here – two have Portuguese coaches [Abel Ferreira – Palmeiras and Renato Paiva – Botafogo].
“There’s plenty of Portuguese and Argentine coaches in Brazilian football and it’s brought more ideas. Even Filipe Luis, the Brazilian coaching Flamengo, his backup staff are all Spanish.
“There’s an openness to new ideas that there wasn’t a few years ago.”
Mendonca adds: “The timing of this competition is very good for South American teams. They are in the middle of their season, they are very well prepared physically.
“They have better conditions now to keep their talented players and even bring back some players. Flamengo, for example, signed Jorginho after leaving Arsenal, while Danilo and Alex Sandro have come from Juventus.
“Also Botafogo, they have kept Igor Jesus for this competition. After this he will go to Nottingham Forest.
EPA
Is this a sign for the World Cup?
Tens of thousands of fans have travelled from Brazil to cheer their respective clubs at the Club World Cup.
And they have proved one of the highlights of the tournament so far, with vibrant atmospheres at all of their games.
Brazil have already qualified for next summer’s World Cup, but Vickery does not believe the performance of the club teams will have any bearing on how Carlo Ancelotti’s side perform next year.
“What the performances of the Brazilian clubs highlight is the strength of national teams like Colombia and Uruguay,” he adds.
“Palmeiras, Botafogo, Flamengo and Fluminense…a lot of their best players are not Brazilians.
“The way that European football treats Brazil, Brazilian football now treats the rest of South America. You have got two of the midfielders for Colombia – Richard Rios of Palmeiras and Jhon Arias of Fluminense.
“Gustavo Gomez, a centre-back for Paraguay, plays for Palmeiras and Jefferson Savarino, who plays for Venezuela, made the goal for Botafogo against PSG.
Getty Images
Who are the Brazilian teams?
Flamengo: Brazil’s form team going in the tournament, topping this season’s domestic league.
They earned their place in the tournament by winning the Copa Liberatodores in 2022, their third triumph.
They stunned Chelsea with a 3-1 win to finish top of their group unbeaten.
Fluminense: It has been a rollercoaster few years for Fluminense, having won the Copa Libertadores in 2023 for the first time.
They followed that up by almost being relegated from Brazil’s top flight last season – just avoiding the embarrassment of being in the Club World Cup and the country’s second tier.
Reuters
Palmeiras: One of South America’s most popular club, they are no stranger to success during their 115-year history.
They have won 57 trophies, including three Copa Libertadores – the South American equivalent of the Champions League. They were the champions of Brazil most recently in 2023.
Their star player is 18-year-old forward Estevao, who will be joining Chelsea after the tournament, having previously sold Endrick to Real Madrid.
Botafogo: The big surprise team in the tournament so far after beating European champions PSG to win their group.
They dominated South America in 2024, winning both the Copa Libertadores and the Brazilian championship. This season has been a struggle though after the departure of key players.
Their rise, under the ownership of John Textor, has been remarkable going from debt ridden to top of the South American game.
