A drone view shows an installation representing U.S. President Donald Trump thinking about a depiction of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with the word “liability”, on the beach near the U.S Consulate in Tel Aviv on October 24, 2025.
| Photo Credit: Reuters

South Africa will face Mohamed Salah-captained Egypt while Ademola Lookman-inspired Nigeria must tackle Tunisia after the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations group stage draw was made in Rabat on Monday. Hosts Morocco face giantkillers Comoros in the opening match of the 24-team tournament on December 21 while title-holders Ivory Coast will come up against five-time winners Cameroon. Sudan, a country ravaged by civil war, drew Algeria, and the clash of Senegal and the Democratic Republic of Congo is set to be another group-stage highlight.   

Prolific scorer Salah has won multiple honours with Liverpool, but victory in the AFCON has eluded him. He came closest by finishing a runner-up in 2017 and 2022.

Apart from South Africa, the record seven-time champions will take on two other countries from the south of the continent, Angola and Zimbabwe, in Group B. 

Nigeria, runners-up to the Ivory Coast last year, are blessed with outstanding forwards, including African Footballer of the Year Lookman and his predecessor Victor Osimhen. 

Tunisia, making a record 17th consecutive AFCON appearance, and east African contenders Uganda and Tanzania complete Group C.

Amad Diallo, scorer of a recent hat-trick for Manchester United against Southampton, is a likely starter for Ivory Coast, who will also meet Gabon and Mozambique in Group F.  

With home advantage and Europe-based stars like Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi, Morocco will be hoping to become the fourth AFCON hosts this century to lift the trophy. 

In the previous 13 editions from 2000, only Tunisia in 2004, Egypt two years later and the Ivory Coast in 2024 have triumphed at home.  

And all three triumphs were hard earned with Tunisia edging Morocco 2-1, Egypt pipping the Ivory Coast in a penalty shootout and the Ivorians coming from behind to beat Nigeria 2-1 last year.

Ivory Coast are the only country to have been crowned champions twice in the past eight editions of a competition first staged in 1957 and won by Egypt in Khartoum.

The other champions were Egypt, for a record seventh time in 2010, Zambia, Nigeria, Cameroon, Algeria and Senegal.

CAF president Patrick Motsepe from South Africa told reporters he believes the first AFCON to span two years will also be the most successful.

“I am extremely excited about the AFCON in Morocco — it is going to be the most successful yet. Ivory Coast raised the bar last year and now we must reach even greater heights.

Originally slated for mid-2025, the tournament had to be delayed because to avoid clashing with the maiden edition of the revamped FIFA Club World Cup in the United States.

“The new dates will not affect the tournament. Africa boasts many exceptionally talented footballers and all of them will be in Morocco,” added Motsepe.

Hosting the AFCON is viewed as a crucial part of the Moroccan build-up toward the 2030 World Cup, which the kingdom will co-host with Spain and Portugal.

To mark the 100th anniversary of the first World Cup in 1930 in Uruguay, that country, Argentina and Paraguay will host one match each before the tournament moves to Europe and Africa.      

Draw

Group A

Morocco, Mali, Zambia, Comoros 

Group B

Egypt, South Africa, Angola, Zimbabwe

Group C

Nigeria, Tunisia, Uganda, Tanzania

Group D

Senegal, Democratic Republic of Congo, Benin, Botswana

Group E

Algeria, Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea, Sudan

Group F

Ivory Coast (holders), Cameroon, Gabon, Mozambique

A cargo ship is seen crossing through the New Suez Canal, Ismailia, Egypt. File
| Photo Credit: Reuters

Egypt said on Saturday (December 28, 2024) that it had successfully tested a new 10 km channel near the southern end of the Suez Canal, even as its revenue from the waterway has plunged since Yemen’s Houthi militants began attacking vessels in the Red Sea.

The Suez Canal Authority (SCA) said in a statement that during a trial run two ships passed through a new stretch of the canal’s two-way section without incident.

Following the 2021 grounding of the container ship Ever Given that blocked the vital waterway for six days, Egypt accelerated plans to extend the second channel in the southern reaches of the canal and widen the existing channel.

Its revenue from the waterway, the gateway to the shortest route between Europe and Asia, has nevertheless tumbled since Yemen’s Houthi militants began attacking ships in the Red Sea in November 2023 in what they say is solidarity with Palestinian militants in Gaza.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said on Thursday (December 26, 2024) that due to “regional challenges,” the country lost approximately $7 billion in Suez Canal revenue in 2024, more than a 60% drop from 2023.

According to the SCA, the latest expansion extends the total length of the canal’s two-way section to 82 km from 72 km, making the canal 193 km long.

“This expansion will boost the canal’s capacity by an additional 6 to 8 ships daily and enhance its ability to handle potential emergencies,” the SCA said in its statement.

Earlier this year, Egypt said that it was considering an additional expansion project separate to the 10 km channel extension.

Queen Nefertiti, whose iconic bust was discovered over a century ago, continues to captivate imaginations worldwide. With her striking features and enigmatic history, she remains not only a symbol of ancient Egyptian royalty but also an enduring cultural figure that transcends time and geography.

In 1912, German archaeologists uncovered the world-famous limestone bust of Nefertiti in Amarna, Egypt. Displayed publicly at Berlin’s Neues Museum in 1924, it became an instant sensation. With her chiselled jawline, swan-like neck and kohl-rimmed eyes, Nefertiti’s image struck a chord across the world.

“Nefertiti’s bust is so perfect, she’s so self-possessed. That’s what really grabs the attention and imagination. It’s her confidence, and her gaze, of course. It’s something that attracts us all,“ Dr. Cheryl Finley, a professor of art history at Spelman College, told CNN.

Over the years, Nefertiti’s image has influenced fashion, art and beauty standards globally. In the 1920s, Nefertiti’s face became synonymous with beauty, appearing in advertisements for cosmetics and beauty columns. Designers such as French couturier Paul Poiret incorporated Egyptian motifs into their collections, and the queen’s image became synonymous with style. In 1961, Vogue explored the enduring “fascination” with Nefertiti, while Elizabeth Taylor’s portrayal of Cleopatra in 1963 further cemented the queen’s influence on the fashion world.

The influence of Nefertiti’s image continued into the 21st century. Designers like Christian Louboutin and John Galliano found inspiration in her likeness, incorporating elements of her style into high-end fashion collections. Jewellery designer Azza Fahmy and other artists have drawn on Nefertiti’s aesthetic for modern pieces and make-up brands.

In recent years, her image has even found its way into the world of beauty treatments, with the ‘Nefertiti Lift’ — a non-invasive Botox procedure to improve the jawline — named in her honour. Nefertiti’s legacy, once rooted in ancient Egyptian culture, now permeates modern society in a multitude of ways, from TikTok tutorials to luxury perfume lines.

Even celebrities like Rihanna, Beyonce and Erykah Badu have embraced her legacy, with Rihanna even getting a tattoo of the queen’s bust. Beyonce famously channelled Nefertiti in her 2016 ‘Sorry’ music video, further embedding the queen’s influence in modern popular culture.

For Dr. Elka Stevens, associate professor of visual culture at Howard University, Nefertiti’s timelessness is rooted in her relatability. “Take the crown off, drop her in any society, and she can fit in,” Stevens said.

The mystery surrounding Nefertiti’s life adds to her allure. While much of her reign remains shrouded in mystery, including her sudden disappearance from historical records after 12 years of co-regency with her husband, Pharaoh Akhenaten, her legacy remains intact. Some theories suggest she may have assumed a new identity or been forced into exile or murdered, but the unanswered questions about her life only add to the intrigue.

Gaza City:

Hamas representatives will go to Cairo on Saturday for talks on a possible ceasefire in Gaza, an official in the Palestinian militant group told AFP on Friday.

“A Hamas delegation will go to Cairo tomorrow for several meetings with Egyptian officials to discuss ideas for a ceasefire and a prisoner accord in the Gaza Strip,” the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the topic.

The announcement came two days after a ceasefire went into effect between Israel and the Lebanese group Hezbollah, a Hamas ally.

The United States has also announced a new diplomatic effort with Qatar, Turkey and Egypt to reach a Gaza ceasefire and the release of hostages taken during Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel that set off the current fighting.

That attack on Israel resulted in the deaths of 1,207 people, most of them civilians, according to an AFP tally of Israeli official figures.

Israel’s retaliatory military offensive has killed 44,363 people in Gaza, according to figures from the territory’s health ministry, which the United Nations considers reliable.

Some 251 hostages were also taken on October 7, and 97 are believed still in Gaza, including 34 people who the Israeli army says are dead.

The only ceasefire so far, in November 2023, saw the release of about 100 hostages by Hamas and its allies in exchange for 240 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.

The United States, Qatar and Egypt have led multiple failed efforts since the start of the year to reach a new ceasefire and hostage release.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

As a year of travel that was marked largely by overtourism protests in Barcelona, Oaxaca and Venice draws to a close, the appeal of offbeat vacations continues to grow.

To wit, consider these spots you’ve likely never heard of: secluded Graciosa Island on the Azores, the remote fishing village Roches Noires in northeastern Mauritius, or mountainous Wukirsari, Indonesia, 270 miles east of Jakarta. They’re among the 55 small, rural escapes around the world that earned a spot in the 2024 edition of UN Tourism’s “Best Tourism Villages.” The list of winning destinations, previewed exclusively by Bloomberg News, was released on Nov. 14 at the organization’s Executive Council meeting in Cartagena, Colombia.

The initiative, started in 2021, aims to raise awareness of lesser-known places worth visiting—and also reward responsible tourism management. Put simply, these destinations are using visitation funds in a way that boosts their cultural practices, preserves biodiversity and improves quality of life for locals. Each village also counts fewer than 15,000 inhabitants and maintains traditional activities such as agriculture and fishing.

“The Best Tourism Villages initiative not only recognizes the remarkable achievements of these villages but also highlights the transformative power of tourism,” says UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili.

Among this year’s worthy escapes are rural villages in Panama and Guatemala, two countries appearing on the list for the first time. Panama’s historic northern port of Portobelo, for example, draws smaller crowds despite its tranquil Caribbean beaches and significant colonial past. But it also stood out because tourism there helps fund cultural heritage preservation activities for youth through the Bahía de Portobelo Foundation, as well as coral reef restoration projects.

Appearing on this coveted list can lead to increased visitation from higher-spending travelers, too. For instance, in Aragon, Spain, the village of Alquezar’s mountain trekking, canyoning and hiking used to draw mostly visitors from France and Spain, but since its win in 2022, international visitors from Japan and China have vacationed there, according to Alquezar Mayor Ana Blasco Castillo. Sandra Carvao, who helps develop rural tourism as a director at UN Tourism, sees this as one of the major pluses of the Best Tourism Villages initiative, in addition to diverting travelers from major hot spots. “It’s really to make sure that the sector can benefit places which wouldn’t necessarily be top of your mind,” she says.

This year’s winners were selected from 260 nominations that UN Tourism received from more than 60 member countries. We highlighted five that are easily accessible.

Splugen, Switzerland

Splugen, in the Swiss Alps near the Italian border, is smaller in size as a ski getaway than, say, the busier and glitzy St. Moritz just an hour-and-a-half scenic drive east. But that’s exactly the draw: It’s a quieter winter sports vacation destination that doubles as an under-the-radar spot in the spring and summer, with access to crystal clear lakes and Beverin Regional Nature Park. Splügen became part of this protected area in 2020, joining more than 10 communities living here who’ve committed to play a part in preserving it. Next year boutique property Speluca Brewery Hotel is set to open; its design makes use of formerly abandoned spaces on the village’s outskirts, including an old barn and a former hotel from the 1960s, plus new structures that will reflect the village’s traditional timber aesthetic. Splügen’s communities want to attract more year-round visitors as well, whom they expect once the future Rheinwald Resort AG project is completed, featuring a mix of rooms and a campsite for long-term stays.

San Rafael de la Laguna, Ecuador

San Rafael de la Laguna serves as a reminder of Ecuador’s outsize natural riches—sitting in the foothills of the Andes, just under a two-hour drive north of Quito. It’s close to Imbakucha, or the lake of the gods, also commonly known as Lago San Pablo. You can hop on guided tours to spot herons and ducks from traditional boats made from totora reeds, a local aquatic plant growing abundantly in the area. Cycling enthusiasts will find routes that traverse the Otavalo Valley, and the village also celebrates vibrant Indigenous rooted festivals. The Pawkar Raymi marks the start of the agricultural season in early March, in alignment with the spring equinox, and the Inti Raymi celebrates the winter solstice in the Southern Hemisphere. Expect plenty of community events for both, including traditional Andean music and dance. If you’re more into hands-on experiences, craft workshops teach you to make baskets, trays and hats out of totora reeds.

Gharb Suhayl, Egypt

If you’re set on visiting the Grand Egyptian Museum in 2025, it would be worth including a stop in Aswan, south of Giza. From there, hop on a 30-minute boat ride south to reach the peaceful, ancient Nubian village of Gharb Suhayl, set on the banks of the Nile. Beyond its brightly painted homes in blue, yellow and ocher, you’ll find striking art murals, said to give the area the feel of a living outdoor museum. You’re likely to be invited into a Nubian family’s home to learn about the way of life, and you could also spend time shopping in souks for crafts, jewelry and spices. A handful of luxury tour operators, such as Black Tomato, offer stops in Aswan, continuing down the Nile to Abu Simbel.

Pissouri, Cyprus

On Cyprus’ rugged southwestern coast, Pissouri offers a quieter alternative to resort town Limassol, which lies just a 30-minute drive east. You’ll have your pick of outdoor activities in Pissouri, including the Cape Astrot hiking trail, tucked along gigantic rock formations, for jaw-dropping vistas over a turquoise bay and its pebble sand beach. The agricultural village’s cobblestoned square is lined with local tavernas where you can dine on Cypriot meze—small plates of local cheeses, olives, seafood and grilled meats, as well as dips. For a deeper dive into Pissouri’s heritage, get a guided tour at G Theophamous Winery on the history of Pissouri’s Sultanina grape and winemaking traditions. To draw more visitors in the future, this small agricultural village is working on an accessible hiking trail for disabled travelers, as well as a House of Halloumi Museum— named after Cyprus’ signature cheese—that will showcase this region’s dairy products.

Uaxactún, Guatemala

Most people head to Tikal National Park and unknowingly bypass Uaxactún, an ancient Mayan historical site located just a 30-minute drive north. But it counts uncrowded forest trails where you can observe the area’s temples, including a ceremonial complex, stelae and an astronomy observatory that the Maya once used to mark celestial events. Uaxactún was at its peak from 600 A.D. to 900 A.D., when it was an important center for art and astronomy. In March the eponymous village celebrates the spring equinox festival through sacred ceremonies at the site that include chants, fires and drumming. Inquire about a craftmaking workshop with local women’s group Brisas de la Selva Maya, where you’ll learn to make necklaces and bracelets from forest-sourced elements such as seeds, mushrooms and flowers.

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

A joint Egyptian-American mission of archaeologists has been shocked after unearthing 11 sealed burials in a tomb, near South Asasif necropolis, next to the Temple of Hatshepsut on the Nile’s West Bank in Luxor. According to Egypt’s Tourism and Antiquities Ministry, the 11 graves contained skeletons of men, women and children which indicated that it was a family grave that may have been used for several generations through the 12th Dynasty and the beginning of the 13th Dynasty.

“The joint Egyptian-American archaeological mission working on the restoration project of the South Al-Assif cowardice has discovered the first medieval cemetery with many unopened closed graves for men, women and children as well as a collection of unique artefacts,” read the statement.

Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities in Egypt said most of the burials had been heavily damaged due to floods which destroyed the timber of coffins and wrapped linen fabrics.

Also read | Over 1,400 Mummies Found In Hidden “City Of The Dead” In Egypt

The jewellery and mirrors

However, the discovery included a trove of exquisitely crafted jewellery as well as a figurine that has been described as an “important find”. The necklace was a unique find as it consisted of “30 cylinder-shaped beads of amethyst stone with two cylinder beads of agate surrounding a hippopotamus head”.

Inside two of the burials, the archaeologists found brass mirrors, one with a lotus-shaped handle, another with a rare design of the face of the goddess Hathor with four faces showing her as a woman of rigorous features.

“The fertile blue and green Venetian stone with severed legs, well designed and decorated with an assortment of jewellery, and her hair is painted black, around 4,000 clay beads were found next to the small statue, forming her natural hair,” said Dr. Elena Batchkova, the director of the South Sensitive Cowardice Preservation Project.

In June earlier this year, 36 tombs with 20 to 40 mummies in each one were discovered in the city of Aswan — situated on the Nile River’s east bank and established 4,500 years ago. The tombs were dated between 600 BC and 300 AD — a time period that covers many important parts of history, including the Persian rule, the Greek Ptolemaic dynasty and the Roman rule.

Jerusalem:

Israel said Thursday its spy chief will attend Gaza ceasefire talks and Hamas vowed to stop fighting if a truce is reached, as long-stalled efforts to end the war appeared to gain momentum.

Previous bids to stop the year-long war have failed, though the United States has voiced hope the killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar last week could serve as an opening for a deal.

A senior Hamas official told AFP that a delegation from the group’s Doha-based leadership discussed “ideas and proposals” related to a Gaza truce with Egyptian officials in Cairo on Thursday.

“Hamas has expressed readiness to stop the fighting, but Israel must commit to a ceasefire, withdraw from the Gaza Strip, allow the return of displaced people, agree to a serious prisoner exchange deal and allow the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza,” the official said.

The talks in Cairo were part of Egypt’s ongoing efforts to resume ceasefire negotiations, he added.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he welcomed Egypt’s readiness to reach a deal “for the release of the hostages” still held by militants in Gaza.

After the Cairo meeting, Netanyahu directed the head of Israel’s Mossad spy agency to leave for key mediator Qatar on Sunday to “advance a series of initiatives that are on the agenda,” the prime minister’s office said.

Earlier on Thursday, the United States and Qatar said Gaza ceasefire talks would resume in the Qatari capital.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Qatar’s leaders in Doha on Thursday on his 11th trip to the region since Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack on Israel sparked the Gaza war.

– ‘Time is running out’ –

During the trip, which comes less than two weeks before US elections, Blinken said that mediators would explore new options.

He said they were seeking a plan “so that Israel can withdraw, so that Hamas cannot reconstitute, and so that the Palestinian people can rebuild their lives and rebuild their futures”.

Qatar said that US and Israeli teams would fly to Doha, with Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani adding that Qatari mediators had “re-engaged” with Hamas since Sinwar’s death.

Israeli and US officials as well as some analysts said Sinwar had been a key obstacle to a deal allowing for the release of 97 hostages still held in Gaza, 34 of whom the Israeli military says are dead.

An Israeli group representing families of hostages called on Netanyahu and Hamas to secure an agreement to free the remaining captives.

“Time is running out,” the Hostages and Missing Families Forum said.

Blinken landed late Thursday in London, where a US official said he would meet on Friday with the foreign ministers of Jordan and the United Arab Emirates, two key partners in a post-war plan for Gaza.

The official said Blinken would also meet with Lebanon’s Prime Minister Najib Mikati to discuss the parallel conflict in that country.

– Hundreds dead in days –

On the battlefield, the Israeli military has kept up pressure on Hamas, launching an operation earlier this month in the north of Gaza where tens of thousands of civilians are trapped.

“More than 770 people have been killed” in the territory’s north in the 19 days since the operation started, Gaza civil defence agency spokesman Mahmud Bassal said, adding that the toll could rise as people were buried under the rubble.

He also said a strike on a school-turned-shelter killed 17 people on Thursday in central Gaza, where the Israeli military said it was targeting Hamas militants.

One Palestinian woman, Umm Muhammad, told AFP she was sitting in a classroom when the strike hit.

“I hugged my little girl and I couldn’t see anything through the thick plume of smoke,” she said.

“I ran and screamed for my sister and found her alive downstairs, but there were (some) children torn to pieces.”

The civil defence agency said it can no longer provide first responder services in northern Gaza, accusing Israeli forces of threatening to “bomb and kill” its crews.

The Israeli military says the goal of its assault is to destroy the operational capabilities it says Hamas is trying to rebuild in the north.

The Gaza war began with Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, which resulted in the deaths of 1,206 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of official Israeli figures.

Israel’s retaliatory offensive has killed 42,847 people in Gaza, the majority civilians, according to figures from the Hamas-run territory’s health ministry, data which the United Nations considers reliable.

– Lebanon strikes, clashes –

After nearly a year of war in Gaza, Israel expanded its focus to Lebanon a month ago, vowing to secure its northern border against near-daily attacks by Hamas ally Hezbollah.

It launched a massive bombing campaign targeting mainly Hezbollah strongholds around Lebanon, and sent in ground troops on September 30.

Since September 23, the war in Lebanon has killed at least 1,580 people, according to an AFP tally of Lebanese health ministry figures, though the real toll is likely higher.

The ministry said three children were among 12 people killed in Israeli strikes on two villages in eastern Lebanon on Thursday.

Later Lebanese state media said Israel struck Beirut’s southern suburbs, a Hezbollah bastion, about half an hour after Israel issued evacuation warnings.

Israel said five of its soldiers were killed fighting in southern Lebanon, scene of daily fighting with Hezbollah militants since the ground offensive began.

Hezbollah said it attacked Israeli troops and positions in Israel’s north and also soldiers inside Lebanese territory.

The war has sparked a huge displacement crisis in Lebanon, already suffering from a years-long political and economic crisis.

A conference in Paris on Thursday raised $800 million in aid for cash-strapped Lebanon, according to the French government.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

File photo of Mohamed Salah.© AFP