Get all your news in one place.

100's of premium titles.
One app.

Get all your news in one place.

100's of premium titles. One news app.

RARE PHOTOS: 6 | Rare Historical Photos

DRC and Iraq book 2026 World Cup spots after inter-confederation play-off wins

Democratic Republic of Congo and Iraq secured berths at the 2026 World Cup on Wednesday following victories over Jamaica and Bolivia respectively in the two inter-confederation play-off finals.

Radio France Internationale

Australian PMs have addressed the nation only a handful of times. Anthony Albanese joins their ranks

From the ‘worst financial crisis in our lifetime’ to the Covid pandemic, Australian PMs speaking to the nation has been reserved for historic moments

The Guardian - AU

'United a country': Arnold the hero as Iraq qualify

Graham Arnold was feted by Australia's large Iraqi community after guiding the Middle Eastern nation to its first World Cup in 40 years.

AAP

From analysis to the latest developments in health,
read the most diverse news in one place.

Iraq secure final 2026 World Cup spot

Iraq became the final nation to book their spot at the 2026 World Cup by beating Bolivia 2-1 in Mexico on Tuesday night. It was Iraq who took the lead in the 10th minute through Ali Al-Hamadi, but Bolivia equalised seven minutes before half time thanks to Moises Paniagua. Iraq…

The Independent UK

American journalist Shelly Kittleson kidnapped in Iraq sparking urgent hunt

One suspect was arrested and one of the vehicles used in the kidnapping was seized, but others remain on the loose

The Independent UK

US journalist kidnapped in Baghdad and security forces pursuing captors, Iraqi officials say

It was not immediately clear if the kidnapping was related to the ongoing war, but Iran-backed militias in Iraq have launched regular attacks on US facilities in the country.

Euronews

American journalist Shelly Kittleson kidnapped in central Baghdad, one suspect arrested

American journalist Shelly Kittleson was kidnapped in central Baghdad on Tuesday evening by unidentified assailants, Iraqi authorities confirmed, as security forces launched an urgent operation to locate her and apprehend those responsible.

The Times of India

Read news from The Economist, FT, and more,
with one subscription

What time are the World Cup play-offs tonight?

The World Cup play-offs are set to take place on Tuesday night, and they will decide the final six teams who will make it to this summer’s tournament. There will be four European play-off matches - Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Italy, Sweden vs Poland, Czech Republic vs Denmark, Kosovo vs…

The Independent UK

The US may send thousands of troops to Iran. Have we learned nothing from the past?

In 2003, the US claimed its Iraq incursion would be brief. Now there’s competition for the title of worst-planned war in American history

The Guardian - US

After a harrowing travel ordeal, Iraq faces Bolivia for a 2026 World Cup spot

Iraq’s national team plays Bolivia in Mexico on Tuesday for a spot in the World Cup after a chaotic trip nearly derailed its chances

The Independent UK

Supercomputer Predicts Every 2026 World Cup Playoff Final Winner

There are six playoff finals all scheduled on the same dramatic day in the final round of 2026 World Cup qualifying.

Sports Illustrated

'People told me to ignore what I’d seen on the television or social media and encouraged me to take on the job – the people have been extremely welcoming' Rene Meulensteen on bold choice that could lead to World Cup

Rene Meulensteen is hoping to help Iraq to the 2026 World Cup after his eyebrow-raising move

FourFourTwo

War disrupts life on the Iraq‑Iran border, isolating families and halting trade

War and heavy Iranian security along the Iran-Iraq Kurdish border are cutting families off and crushing daily life, according to people reached by The Associated Press

The Independent UK

'It’s a chance to put Iraq on a global stage not associated with war and conflict - the people are fanatical about football' Former Manchester United assistant aiming for World Cup glory

Rene Meulensteen has been assistant manager with the Iraq national team since last year with the side now just one game away from reaching the World Cup

FourFourTwo

Get all your
news in one place.

100's of premium titles.
One news app.

The Times of India

Mojtaba Khamenei lauds Iraq's support in new message, remains out of public eye

Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed in an airstrike at the start of the war on February 28, has yet to make a public appearance since assuming the role. So far, he has communicated only through a limited number of written statements. His…

FourFourTwo

Iraq World Cup 2026 squad: Graham Arnold's final 26-man selection

Iraq have named their World Cup 2026 squad after beating Bolivia for a place at the finals

The Independent UK

Photos show daily life in Iraq's Basra near Iranian border as war slows trade

In Basra, southern Iraq, daily routines go on under the weight of the Iran war, as workers unload cargo at Umm Qasr Port and operations slow at the nearby Zubair oil field. At the Shalamcheh border crossing, mostly Iranian travelers pass into Iraq under tighter security, offering a glimpse of…

The Guardian - UK

Trump is contemplating the sheer folly of boots on the ground in Iran. How did it come to this?

After the anguish of Iraq and Afghanistan, it’s almost unthinkable the US would again send troops to the Middle East – but its president is desperate and narcissistic, says foreign affairs commentator Simon Tisdall

Get all your
news in one place.

100's of premium titles.
One news app.

AAP

Arnold out to conquer toughest job, end World Cup pain

Iraq's Australian coach Graham Arnold speaks to AAP about his quest to qualify for June's World Cup. Iraq face a play-off on Wednesday (AEDT).

The Times of India

One month of Iran war: Tehran's defiance turns Trump's regime-change dream into nightmare

On February 28, what began as Donald Trump’s “dream” project to topple Iran’s regime under Ali Khamenei now appears to have shifted into a pressing push for a “deal”, a term the US president frequently invokes, aimed at reopening the vital oil chokepoint, the Strait of Hormuz.

The Guardian - UK

Gulf countries warn of rising threat from Iran-backed militias and proxies

Fears grow that Tehran may start activating sleeper cells across Middle East as part of war with US and Israel

The Independent UK

The U.S. would need a million troops to control Iran – not the few thousand currently on their way

ANALYSIS: Past wars have taught us that America’s threat to send a few thousand ground troops to Iran is an empty and dangerous fantasy, says world affairs editor Sam Kiley

The Conversation

War in the Middle East made the case for renewables – what’s happening in each country tells a harder story

The oil-dependent world is in crisis. Ship traffic in the Strait of Hormuz – through which more than a quarter of global seaborne oil trade and a fifth of the world’s liquefied natural gas flow – is at a virtual standstill. Oil prices have climbed, briefly topping US$119 a barrel.

The Guardian - US

The delusion of easy victory from the air may have seduced the US into another war

Air superiority is supposed to deliver a quick triumph. But history has shown that promise to be written on the wind

FourFourTwo

World Cup 2026 Playoffs: The complete guide as Wales, Northern Ireland, and the Republic of Ireland seek to book their places

The last six places at this summer’s tournament are up for grabs – watch out for the unofficial world champs, a Pacific Ocean archipelago, plus a former Manchester United coach in Iraq…

1 … 5 6 7 8

People

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

From analysis to the latest developments in health,
read the most diverse news in one place.

Organisations

The US State Department

Read news from The Economist, FT, and more,
with one subscription

Topics

Places

Fourteen days free

Download the app

One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.