US announces diplomatic boycott of 2022 Olympics

Members of the United Nations Security Council failed to reach a consensus on a Palestinian bid for full UN membership.

The heads of FIFA, Gianni Infantino, and Conmebol, Alejandro Domínguez, signed on Thursday, together with the presidents of Paraguay, Santiago Peña, and Uruguay, Luis Lacalle Pou, the first act of the 2030 World Cup, which will mark the celebration of the centenary of this competition.

France has asked its foreign allies to send several thousand members of their security forces to help guard the Paris Olympics, officials said Thursday, underlining the strains caused by the sporting extravaganza which begins in July.

A former US diplomat has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for spying for Cuba for decades. The incident has been called "one of the highest-reaching and longest-lasting infiltrations of the US government."

ing Abdullah II of Jordan defends his country's actions in shooting down Iranian missiles on Saturday, saying that Jordan's security comes above all else. Also, MPs in the UK back a new bill to ban smoking in the country, but Prime Minister Rishi Sunak faces rebellion from within the Conservative Party. Finally, Paris Saint-Germain mount a comeback to beat Barcelona and qualify for the Champions League semi-final, with one Spanish newspaper blaming the result on "suspect refereeing".

Barcelona riot police kept Paris Saint-Germain and FC Barcelona fans apart to prevent potential clashes ahead of the second match in the Champions League quarter-finals on Tuesday.