Ecuador (AFP) – Ecuador and US forces destroy a training camp for drug traffickers that belongs to the Comandos de la Frontera, a guerilla group implicated in the killing of 11 Ecuadorian soldiers in 2025, according to Ecuadorian authorities. The operation follows reconnaissance missions by the Ecuadorian Armed Forces using aircraft, helicopters, vessels, drones and specialized personnel.
Unknown (AFP) – In a week dominated by the US and Israel starting a war in the Middle East by attacking Iran, AFP looks back on the top stories from around the world in the last seven days.
London (AFP) – Across the UK, British schoolchildren take part in the annual tradition of dressing up as their favourite fictional character to mark World Book Day. At this primary school in South West London, pupils arrive at the school gates dressed as Hermione Granger, Sherlock Holmes and Pippi Longstocking, all clasping a copy of their chosen book.
Tehran (AFP) – Hundreds gather in Iran’s capital, Tehran, for the first Friday prayers since the start of the war, and to demonstrate against attacks on the country by the United States and Israel, as well as the killing of Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. With the war going into its seventh day, the city continues to be rocked by fresh Israeli strikes, as Iran’s army says it attacked US bases in Kuwait.
Huelva (Spain) (AFP) – Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez calls the US war against Iran an “extraordinary mistake that we are going to pay for”. Now in its seventh day, the war embroils nations beyond the region, upends the world’s energy and transport sectors, and brings chaos to even usually peaceful areas around the Gulf.
Geneva (AFP) – The United Nations human rights chief calls for “cool heads to prevail” in the Middle East and urges the warring sides to pull back and “give peace a chance”. Fresh strikes rock Iran and Lebanon as Israel and the United States step up their attacks in the sprawling Middle East war, with powerful explosions shattering the skies of Tehran.
Birmingham (United Kingdom) (AFP) – With plenty of barks, treats and tail-wagging, the world’s biggest and most famous dog show gets underway in Britain, with a record number of overseas entries among those bidding for Crufts glory. More than 20,000 pooches of varying size, shape and personality are competing in the four-day showcase. “It’s joy. It’s like Disney World, but for dog lovers,” says visitor Hayley Ashdown.
Belo Horizonte (Brazil) (AFP) – The collapse of a nursing home in Belo Horizonte left at least six people dead, while firefighters continue to search for six others who are missing, according to the latest reports. At the time of the collapse, 29 people were in the four-story building, which also housed some residences and a beauty clinic, according to the Minas Gerais fire department.
Beirut (Lebanon) (AFP) – Images show fire and plumes of smoke rising above buildings at night following new Israeli strikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs, as the war in the Middle East enters its seventh day. IMAGES
Beirut (Lebanon) (AFP) – An Israeli strike targets the southern suburbs of Beirut, according to Lebanese state media, following an Israeli evacuation warning. AFPTV footage shows a plume of smoke rising from the site in Lebanon, which was drawn into the Middle East war on March 2 when the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah attacked Israel in response to the killing of Iran’s supreme leader. IMAGES
Beirut (Lebanon) (AFP) – A new wave of strikes hit the southern suburbs of Beirut, in Lebanon. The death toll from Israeli strikes on the country this week increased to 123, the Lebanese health ministry said. IMAGES
Tehran (AFP) – Israel has launched a fresh wave of strikes on Iran, which has stepped up its attacks on Gulf nations Qatar and Bahrain, as the Middle East war spreads throughout the region and beyond. In Lebanon, black smoke billows over Beirut after Israeli strikes aimed at Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah. The war has also dragged in NATO member Turkey after alliance air defences destroyed a missile launched from Iran heading towards Turkish airspace.
