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The Senegalese Football Federation has instructed its lawyers to lodge an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) after the national team was stripped of its Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title. CAF reversed Senegal's win, awarding the title to Morocco two months after the final.The continent's showpiece football final, in Rabat on January 18, descended into chaos when several Senegalese players walked off the pitch in protest after the hosts were awarded a penalty late in second-half stoppage time. Senegal's players were coaxed back onto the pitch by captain Sadio Mane, but Morocco missed the penalty. Pape Gueye went on to score the goal in extra time that gave Senegal a 1-0 victory.CAF said that, having studied an appeal by Morocco, “the Senegal national team is declared to have forfeited the match” and the result was “officially recorded as 3-0” in favour of Morocco.CAF President Patrice Motsepe defended the decision, stating that “the decisions of our Disciplinary Board and Appeals Board are viewed with respect ⁠and integrity.” However, Senegal's government called for an independent international investigation of the decision, alleging corruption within CAF.Motsepe admitted that African football remains plagued by trust issues and questions over its integrity, but assured that “not a single country in Africa will be treated in a manner that is more preferential, or more advantageous, or more favourable than any other country on the African continent.”

Real Madrid will host Atletico Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday, March 22, in a highly anticipated La Liga match. The home side aims to stay in touch with league leaders Barcelona, who currently hold a four-point lead and face Rayo Vallecano earlier in the day. If Barcelona wins, Real Madrid will be seven points off the summit. Los Blancos are coming off a strong performance in the Champions League, where they defeated Manchester City 5-1 on aggregate in the last 16. Vinicius Junior scored twice in the second leg, helping his team progress to the quarterfinals. Atletico Madrid, on the other hand, are fourth in La Liga and have a game in hand over third-placed Villarreal. They are also into the last eight of the Champions League and will play Real Sociedad in the Copa del Rey final. Diego Simeone's side are seeking to cause an upset against their city rivals and avenge their 5-2 drubbing in the first league meeting in September. The two teams have a long and intense rivalry, with 242 meetings between them. Real Madrid have won 124 matches, while Atletico have won 60, and 58 games have ended in draws. Atletico are unbeaten in their last six league games against Real Madrid, with four of those games finishing in draws. In terms of team news, Kylian Mbappe is set to start for Real Madrid alongside Vinicius Junior, while goalkeeper Thibault Courtois will be out for about six weeks due to a muscle injury. Andriy Lunin will deputise in goal. For Atletico, goalkeeper Jan Oblak is a major doubt due to a hip problem, and Juan Musso is likely to start between the sticks.

The trial in San Francisco centers on a class-action lawsuit filed against Elon Musk, who is accused of engaging in a pattern of deceptive behavior that misled investors as he attempted to back out of his $44bn deal to buy Twitter, now known as X, in 2022.Musk's claims about the number of bots on Twitter were a key part of his argument for backing out of the deal. He testified that Twitter had a much higher number of fake and spam accounts than the 5 percent it disclosed in regulatory filings, claiming it was actually around 20 percent. However, Twitter's former CFO Ned Segal disputed this claim, saying the number was closer to 1 percent.The trial has significant implications for Musk, whose fortune is now estimated at $839bn. If the court rules in favor of the shareholders, Musk could be liable for damages. The case highlights the challenges of navigating complex financial deals and the importance of transparency in corporate transactions.Closing arguments are set to begin on Tuesday, with the jury instructed to consider the evidence presented during the trial. The case has been closely watched by investors and observers, who are eager to see how the court will rule on the matter.

Real Madrid fought back to beat Atletico Madrid 3-2 in a thrilling Spanish capital derby on Sunday, courtesy of a brace from Vinicius Jr. The win keeps Alvaro Arbeloa's side within four points of La Liga leaders Barcelona.Atletico's Ademola Lookman opened the scoring in the 33rd minute with a slick counterattack, but Vinicius Jr equalized from the penalty spot in the 52nd minute after David Hancko tripped Brahim Diaz. Federico Valverde then put Real ahead 2-1 with a goal capitalizing on a Jose Maria Gimenez error.Nahuel Molina silenced the Bernabeu stadium with a thunderous 30-metre strike in the 66th minute, but Vinicius Jr restored Real's lead with a cracking solo effort six minutes later. Despite Valverde's red card for an inexplicable challenge, Real held firm to secure the win.Arbeloa praised his side for showing 'pure Real Madrid mentality' to emerge with a difficult win, while Atletico boss Diego Simeone said his side deserved more from the game.

The Trump administration has formally opposed Anthropic's legal challenge, arguing that the Pentagon's decision to blacklist the AI firm was both lawful and necessary for national security. In a court filing submitted on Tuesday, the Justice Department contended that Anthropic’s refusal to remove guardrails preventing its technology from being used in autonomous weapons and domestic surveillance constituted conduct rather than protected speech.Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth designated Anthropic, the creator of the Claude AI assistant, a "national security supply chain risk" on March 3. This move effectively excludes the company from a limited set of military contracts. The administration’s legal team asserts that the dispute is rooted in contract negotiations and national security imperatives, not retaliation. They argue that no constitutional rights were violated because the government did not restrict the company's expressive activities.However, legal experts suggest Anthropic may have a strong case regarding potential overreach. The company is currently challenging the Pentagon's decision in California federal court. The implications of this conflict extend beyond the courtroom; Anthropic executives have warned that the blacklisting could cause billions of dollars in losses this year and severely damage the company's reputation.In a statement, Anthropic emphasized its commitment to national security while acknowledging the necessity of the lawsuit to protect its business interests and partners. The company is also pursuing a separate legal challenge in a Washington, DC, appeals court regarding a broader supply chain risk designation.

In the final moments of January 29, 2024, five-year-old Hind Rajab’s desperate pleas for help were cut short as she remained trapped in a car surrounded by the bodies of six relatives. Despite obtaining clearance from the Israeli military, a Red Crescent ambulance dispatched to rescue the child was struck by tank fire, killing two paramedics and leaving the vehicle abandoned for over a week.Two years after the tragedy, the global campaign group Avaaz has released a report alleging that this incident was a deliberate 'double-tap' strike. This tactic, often used in warfare, involves a first attack followed by a second strike targeting civilians or emergency responders attempting to assist victims of the initial assault.The Avaaz analysis, shared exclusively with Al Jazeera, documents over 40 alleged human rights violations and argues that the attack contravenes international combat law, specifically the Geneva Conventions and the Rome Statute. The report suggests that the Israeli military possessed full situational awareness of the rescue mission but deliberately targeted the ambulance.Forensic evidence contradicts the Israeli military's initial claims that the family car was destroyed during an exchange of fire. Analysis by Forensic Architecture at Goldsmiths, University of London, found no evidence of combatants in the vicinity, only the presence of Israeli Merkava tanks. The report highlights that the ambulance was fired upon with 120mm tank rounds without warning, a finding supported by the Hind Rajab Foundation, which has identified 24 potential perpetrators.'I am absolutely convinced that this is another case of double tap,' said Sarah Andrew, legal director of Avaaz. 'The kind of weaponry used on the ambulance, the timing, and the fact that no warning was given – it immediately triggered a question in my mind.'The Avaaz brief urges the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate the matter. The group notes that more than 1,500 healthcare workers have been killed during the ongoing conflict in Gaza, raising serious concerns about the safety of medical personnel in the region.

Israeli settlers carried out coordinated attacks on multiple towns and villages in the occupied West Bank for the second consecutive night, resulting in at least nine Palestinian injuries. The violence took place during the Eid al-Fitr holiday, marking the end of Ramadan.In one incident, a 45-year-old man was shot in the foot during a confrontation with Israeli settlers in Deir al-Hatab, east of Nablus. The Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) reported that a 47-year-old Palestinian man was attacked by settlers in Jabal al-Arma in Beita, while others were beaten.The attacks were widespread, with homes and cars set ablaze and property vandalized across the occupied West Bank. Simultaneous assaults occurred in at least six communities, including villages near Jenin and Nablus.The violence followed a funeral for 18-year-old Yehuda Sherman, an Israeli settler killed in a collision with a Palestinian vehicle. Israeli police are investigating claims that the collision was deliberate.The Israeli government's expansion of illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank has been met with international criticism. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported that 25 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli settlers and soldiers so far this year.Amnesty International condemned the expansion of illegal settlements and state-backed settler violence, calling it a "direct indictment of the international community's catastrophic failure" to take action. The International Court of Justice ruled in 2024 that Israel's continued presence in the occupied Palestinian territory is unlawful and should end "as rapidly as possible".

The women's tennis landscape has undergone a significant transformation in recent years, with a new generation of players emerging as top contenders. Victoria Mboko and Mirra Andreeva, currently ranked No 9 and No 10 in the world, respectively, are leading the charge. These two teenagers, who are not only fierce rivals but also close friends, recently faced off in a highly anticipated Miami Open fourth-round match.Before their big match, Mboko and Andreeva demonstrated their camaraderie by competing together in doubles on the same side of the net. This lighthearted approach helped them relax and enjoy each other's company, showcasing a refreshing dynamic in professional tennis. Despite their friendly rapport, both players are fiercely competitive and determined to win every match.The emergence of Mboko and Andreeva, along with other young players, marks a departure from previous eras of women's tennis, which often featured tension and rivalry between top players. The current crop of teenagers, including Iva Jovic, Maya Joint, and Alexandra Eala, is steadily rising through the rankings and supporting each other both on and off the court.This new generation of players is characterized by their friendliness and camaraderie, which is a significant shift from the past. Players like Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek, and Elena Rybakina regularly train together, demonstrating that it's possible to maintain friendships while still competing fiercely on the court.In their recent match, Mboko and Andreeva engaged in a tense and bruising tussle, with Mboko ultimately emerging victorious with a 7-6(4), 4-6, 6-0 win. Despite the intensity of the match, the two players showed respect and sportsmanship, with Andreeva apologizing to Mboko after the match and the pair hugging warmly.The evolving dynamics of women's tennis are exciting to watch, with a new generation of players bringing a fresh perspective to the sport. As Mboko and Andreeva continue to compete and grow as players, their friendship and rivalry will undoubtedly be a key part of the sport's future.

Thomas Tuchel, England's manager, is optimistic about the team's chances in the World Cup, thanks in part to their base in Kansas City. The intimate boutique hotel, the Inn at Meadowbrook, with just 54 rooms, is seen as an ideal setting for the squad to bond and prepare for matches. The hotel, located on the Kansas side of the state line, offers a quiet and secluded environment, which Tuchel believes will help the team to focus.The team's training facilities will be located 20 minutes away at the Swope Soccer Village, home of Sporting Kansas City's academy teams, on the Missouri side. Tuchel noted that the hotel's small size and private setting will allow the players to get to know each other better, which he considers crucial for their success in the tournament.England will fly in and out of Kansas City for their matches, taking advantage of the city's central location in the US to minimize travel distances. The team will also have access to a local swimming pool and a basketball court for training and relaxation.Tuchel emphasized the importance of team chemistry in the World Cup, where the schedule is expected to become increasingly congested after the second group tie against Ghana. He expressed satisfaction with the team's pre-tournament schedule, which includes warm-up matches against New Zealand and Costa Rica in Florida.