Soccer-Iran continuing World Cup preparations but will not play in US, says soccer chief

March 19, 2026 1:05 PM

Soccer-Iran continuing World Cup preparations but will not play in US, says soccer chief

The Iranian national team are continuing to prepare for the World Cup finals and have no intention of pulling out of the tournament even if they will not travel to the United States, soccer chief Mehdi Taj said on Wednesday. Iran were one of the first nations to qualify for the finals but their participation has been in doubt since the conflict between the Islamic Republic and the United States began in late February. The tournament runs from June 11 to July 19 and is being staged in the U.S.,...

Israel steps up Beirut strikes, vows to hit bridges in south

March 18, 2026 6:28 PM

Israel steps up Beirut strikes, vows to hit bridges in south

Israel stepped up airstrikes on Beirut on Wednesday, killing at least 12 people and destroying a 10-storey building near the city centre in the third week of its war with Hezbollah, Lebanese authorities said. Indicating further escalation in southern Lebanon, the Israeli military said it would target bridges across the Litani River to prevent Hezbollah transferring fighters and weapons, and reiterated a warning for residents to leave the south. The Hezbollah-Israel conflict has become the dead...