With the tournament set to take place across the United States, Mexico and Canada, Broos must first submit a provisional squad of between 35 and 55 players by 13 May.

That list will then be trimmed to a final squad of 23 to 26 players by 1 June, with FIFA allowing some flexibility in squad size to help teams manage injuries and form issues.

While most coaches are expected to select the maximum number, Broos has hinted at a more cautious approach — wary of including players who may not feature.

The stakes are high, especially with South Africa set to open the tournament against co-hosts Mexico at the iconic Estadio Azteca on 11 June.

Interestingly, Broos is planning to finalise his squad earlier than the official deadline, as he aims to have his team settled at their base camp in Pachuca before the tournament begins.

FIFA has also confirmed that clubs must release players by 25 May, a move that could impact the scheduling of the Betway Premiership.

This forces teams may be forced to finish the season without their international stars if the games overlap.

Despite the pressure, Broos remains confident about the core of his squad.

“About 70 to 75 percent of the selection is already in my head,” he revealed recently. “Now it depends on form, injuries, and who is playing regularly.”

With limited time and tough decisions ahead, the road to the World Cup is entering its decisive phase.

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The invitation had originally been extended personally by French President Emmanuel Macron to Ramaphosa during last year’s G20 summit in Johannesburg.

However, according to Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya, U.S. officials made it clear they would boycott the summit if South Africa were represented.

“Therefore, they couldn’t risk missing a key member of the G7, hence the withdrawal of their invitation,” Magwenya told News24. He added that France’s ambassador to Pretoria, David Martinon, had conveyed the decision directly to Ramaphosa’s special advisor for foreign affairs several weeks ago.

Ramaphosa has accepted the French decision. “We’ve accepted the French decision and appreciate the pressure they’ve been subjected to,” Magwenya said. “There’s no need for us to seek further clarification. South Africa will always endeavour to resolve disputes through constructive dialogue… Their decision will have no bearing on the close nature of our bilateral relationship.”

The move comes amid strained relations between Pretoria and Washington. The United States has repeatedly criticised South Africa’s foreign policy, including its case against Israel at the International Court of Justice and its ties with Russia, Iran, and China.

Earlier this year, the U.S. announced it would exclude South Africa from its activities during its 2026 G20 presidency an unprecedented step.

Macron had offered Ramaphosa strong backing during South Africa’s G20 term, even as Washington sought to undermine it.

Ramaphosa’s office has signalled no further escalation, insisting bilateral ties with France remain intact.

The G7 summit, traditionally a gathering of the world’s leading industrial democracies, will now proceed without South Africa’s participation.

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The South African president is among several international dignitaries paying tribute to Jackson, who was widely respected for his role in the civil rights movement and for his longstanding support of the anti-apartheid struggle in South Africa. Jesse Jackson passed away on 17 February 2026 at the age of 84.

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Unverified claims circulating on social media suggest that Khamenei’s daughter in law may have been killed during an airstrike targeting a compound linked to the Supreme Leader. However, there has been no official confirmation from Iranian authorities regarding these reports.

Earlier claims that Khamenei himself had been killed have not been substantiated. At the time of publication, there is no confirmed statement from the Iranian government verifying his death.

Officials in Israel have not publicly confirmed the specific details of the alleged operation, while the United States has also not released a formal statement confirming the claims circulating online.

According to various international analysts, if members of Khamenei’s immediate family were indeed killed, it would mark a significant psychological escalation in the ongoing conflict, potentially altering the political and military dynamics in the region.

The situation remains fluid, with information evolving rapidly. Independent verification is still required to confirm the accuracy of the reports surrounding both Khamenei’s status and the alleged deaths within his family.

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The call came after local authorities began investigating Epstein. Trump allegedly expressed relief that the investigation was underway, noting that Epstein had been barred from his Mar-a-Lago club and describing him as “disgusting.” He also mentioned that people in New York were familiar with Epstein’s reputation.

Trump reportedly referred to Ghislaine Maxwell as Epstein’s key associate, calling her “evil” and urging focus on her role. Maxwell was later convicted for recruiting underage girls for Epstein.

The chief recalled Trump saying he had encountered Epstein with teenagers and quickly distanced himself. Trump was among the first to reach out when news of the investigation broke.

The 2006 probe into Epstein involved allegations of sexual exploitation of minors. It eventually led to a federal plea deal in 2008 that shielded Epstein from harsher penalties.

Read also: Drama Unfolded During The Testimony Of Controversial Forensic Investigator Paul O’Sullivan When He Appeared Before Parliament Ad Hoc Committee

Trump has long maintained he ended his association with Epstein around 2004 after a dispute over staff poaching at Mar-a-Lago. He has denied any knowledge of Epstein’s crimes prior to cutting ties.

The two had socialized in the 1990s, appearing in photos together, but Trump insists he was unaware of any illegal activities.

Recent developments include Maxwell’s virtual testimony before a congressional committee, where she invoked her right to remain silent on multiple questions. Her legal team indicated she might speak if granted clemency.

Trump has stated he hasn’t considered pardoning Maxwell.

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Attorneys for the victims say the botched blackouts in the files dropped last Friday have completely upended the lives of almost 100 survivors.

Things like email addresses and nude photos where people could spot the names and faces of possible victims ended up in the public release.

The survivors put out a statement slamming the whole thing as “outrageous” and insisting they shouldn’t be dragged through the mud, judged, or hurt all over again.

The DOJ claims the screw-ups were from tech glitches or human mistakes, and they’ve taken down all the problematic files.

In a note to a federal judge on Monday, the DOJ said they’d pulled everything victims or their lawyers flagged by the night before, and they’re redoing the redactions.

They’re still looking at new complaints and double-checking for any other files that might need more fixes. They’ve also removed a bunch of stuff they spotted on their own.

This release was required by a law passed by Congress, forcing the DOJ to share the docs but with victim-identifying details blacked out.

On Friday, two lawyers for the victims begged a New York federal judge to shut down the site hosting the files, calling it “the biggest single breach of victim privacy in one day in US history.”

They said there was a crisis needing quick court action because the DOJ messed up redactions on victims’ names and personal details thousands of times.

A few victims chimed in on the letter, with one calling it “life-threatening” and another saying she’d gotten death threats after her private bank info went public.

One survivor mentioned it’s tough to pay attention to any fresh info from the docs because of the harm caused by exposing everyone like this.

Another victim said a lot of the group is really upset with how it all went down.

She pointed out the DOJ broke all their key demands: many docs still aren’t out, the release deadline was blown past, and they leaked tons of survivors’ names.

She added that it feels like games are being played, but they’re not backing down.

A lawyer who’s handled cases for many victims said plenty of names got revealed, including some who’d never gone public before.

In some spots, they just drew a line through names but you could still read them. In others, they showed photos of survivors who’d never done interviews or shared their identities.

A DOJ rep said they take protecting victims super seriously and have blacked out thousands of names across millions of pages to shield the innocent.

They mentioned they’re hustling to sort it out, and so far, only 0.1% of the released pages had stuff that could ID victims without redactions.

Since the law kicked in last year, the DOJ has put out millions of Epstein-related files, including three million pages, 180,000 images, and 2,000 videos just last Friday.

That drop came six weeks after they missed the legal deadline, which was pushed by both parties in Congress and signed by the president.

Epstein passed away in a New York jail cell back in August 2019 while waiting for trial on sex trafficking charges.

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Party leader Dr Corné Mulder described the decision as another example of what he called the ANC’s unilateral approach to foreign policy, which he says does not serve South Africa’s broader national interests.

The Freedom Front Plus said it was taken aback by DIRCO’s decision to declare Israeli diplomat Ariel Seidman persona non grata. DIRCO claims the decision followed what it described as repeated violations of diplomatic norms that allegedly challenged South Africa’s sovereignty.

According to DIRCO, Mr Seidman used official Israeli social media platforms to post insulting remarks about President Cyril Ramaphosa and failed to formally notify the department about visits by senior Israeli officials to the country.

However, the Freedom Front Plus questioned these claims, arguing that the officials in question were in South Africa in their personal capacities and that the allegations lack substance.

The party also raised concern about the timing of the decision, noting that South Africa’s relationship with the United States remains fragile. Israel is a key US ally, and the Freedom Front Plus believes DIRCO’s action could be seen as provocative and damaging to broader international relations.

The move, the party said, continues a pattern of ANC-driven decisions taken without consulting other partners in the Government of National Unity, despite foreign policy not being the sole domain of one party.

The Freedom Front Plus further suggested that the expulsion may be linked to the earlier removal of South Africa’s ambassador to the US, Ebrahim Rasool, describing it as possible retaliation.

With critical decisions on AGOA still pending, the party warned that such drastic diplomatic actions could put trade relations, investment and jobs at risk during an already difficult economic period.

The Freedom Front Plus has renewed its call for urgent consultation within government and a more balanced, pragmatic and fact-based foreign policy that prioritises the interests of all South Africans. The party says it will continue engaging President Cyril Ramaphosa on the matter.

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Speaking to oil workers in the coastal city of Puerto La Cruz, Rodríguez said Venezuela must be allowed to resolve its own political differences without outside interference. Her remarks come as she works to steady the country following the capture of former leader Nicolás Maduro by US forces earlier this month.

Rodríguez has been walking a difficult line since stepping into the interim role. While backed by the United States, she has also tried to keep Maduro loyalists and divided political factions from turning against her at home. Nearly a month into her leadership, that balancing act is becoming increasingly strained.

“Enough already of Washington’s orders over Venezuelan politicians,” Rodríguez told the crowd. She stressed that the country has paid a heavy price for years of political extremism and conflict, and said Venezuela’s future must be decided by Venezuelans themselves.

Since Maduro and his wife were taken into US custody in January, Washington has maintained strong pressure on Caracas, including demands linked to oil production and foreign alliances. Rodríguez, who once served as Maduro’s deputy, has repeatedly stated that Venezuela is not governed from abroad, though she has avoided outright confrontation with the US.

At another public event, she said Venezuela does not fear the United States but called for mutual respect. She emphasized that any relationship between the two countries must be grounded in international law, dignity, and respect for Venezuela’s history and sovereignty.

US President Donald Trump initially claimed the United States would effectively “run” Venezuela after Maduro’s capture, before later endorsing Rodríguez as interim leader. He has since spoken positively about her, saying the two sides were getting along well.

Inside Venezuela, tensions remain high. The country is deeply divided between Maduro loyalists, left-wing groups critical of his leadership, and supporters of late president Hugo Chávez who believe Maduro betrayed the original socialist vision. Opposition leaders are watching developments closely, with uncertainty over what role they may play in shaping the country’s future.

Washington has reportedly laid out several conditions for cooperation, including demands that Venezuela cut ties with countries such as China, Iran, Russia and Cuba, and agree to work exclusively with the US on oil production. Oil remains Venezuela’s economic lifeline, with the country holding the world’s largest reserves of extra-heavy crude.

Alongside political pressure, the US has also called for the release of political prisoners. In recent days, more than 100 detainees were freed in what rights groups described as one of the largest single-day releases in years. Hundreds have now been released in total since early January.

Venezuelan officials say the releases are part of a broader effort to promote peace and coexistence, and have indicated they are open to international verification of the process. However, activists continue to demand transparency and a full public list of those released.

As Rodríguez attempts to stabilize the country, her latest comments signal a clear message: cooperation with the United States will continue, but not at the cost of Venezuela’s independence.

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Trump emphasized that major American oil companies will invest heavily to repair the country’s neglected oil facilities and get production flowing again, turning it into a profitable venture that benefits Venezuela. “The oil sector there has been a complete disaster for years,” he said during a press conference. “We’re bringing in our top companies the best in the world to pour billions in, fix everything that’s broken, and finally make real money for the people.”

Venezuela sits on some of the largest oil reserves globally, around 300 billion barrels, making up roughly 20% of the world’s known supply.

The operation kicked off early Saturday with explosions echoing through Caracas as US forces targeted military sites. Over the next couple of hours, aircraft filled the skies while special operations teams moved in to secure Maduro from his protected residence. Maduro and his wife were quickly airlifted out on a US helicopter, first to a naval ship in the Caribbean, then to Guantanamo Bay, and eventually to a detention center in New York City, where they’re facing serious charges related to drug trafficking, terrorism links, and illegal weapons.

Maduro has always strongly denied any involvement in drug cartels, calling the accusations a cover for US interests in Venezuela’s oil wealth.

Details on exactly how the US plans to “run” the country remain vague, but Trump mentioned a team effort to ensure proper governance. He noted conversations between Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Venezuela’s vice president, Delcy Rodríguez who has been positioned as interim leader by the country’s top court and said she seemed open to cooperation. However, Rodríguez later insisted on state television that Maduro remains the rightful president and that the nation is prepared to resist any outside interference.

Trump dismissed opposition figure María Corina Machado as lacking the necessary backing to lead, saying he hadn’t spoken with her.

The move has sparked sharp reactions worldwide. Close allies like Russia and China condemned it as outright aggression against a sovereign nation. Neighbors such as Colombia and Brazil voiced strong disapproval, while Cuba called it a criminal act. On the flip side, Argentina’s president showed support, and some European leaders, though cautious about the method, welcomed the end of Maduro’s rule and urged a peaceful shift to legitimate leadership.

This operation caps off months of intensifying pressure from the Trump administration, including sanctions and strikes on suspected drug vessels in the region.

What comes next for Venezuela is uncertain, with risks of instability looming large as the US navigates this unprecedented intervention.

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President Donald Trump declared that the United States will step in to manage Venezuela for the time being, until a stable transition can happen. He made it clear that major American oil companies will play a big role in fixing the country’s rundown oil facilities and boosting production from its massive reserves.

The overnight raid involved airstrikes on military sites around the capital, creating chaos with explosions and helicopter activity in the early hours. Maduro and his wife surrendered without resistance and were quickly flown out, first to a US naval ship, then on to New York, where they’re set to face serious charges tied to drug trafficking and weapons.

Video shared by the White House shows Maduro, handcuffed and casual in sandals, being escorted by agents. He even managed a calm “Good night, happy new year” in English as he was processed.

Trump was upbeat about the mission’s success, praising the precision and saying no American lives were lost. He hinted at possibly sending ground troops if needed, though he prefers working with figures inside Venezuela.

On the oil front, Trump said US firms—the best in the world will invest billions to repair infrastructure and “start selling large amounts of oil,” turning things around for the economy.

He downplayed the main opposition leader, María Corina Machado, saying she lacks the support to lead, and instead suggested cooperation with Vice President Delcy Rodríguez, who he claimed is open to US guidance. Rodríguez pushed back hard, insisting Maduro is the only legitimate president and vowing to defend the country.

Venezuela’s top court has named Rodríguez as acting president in the meantime, adding to the confusion.

The move has sparked intense global reaction. Allies like China strongly condemned it as aggression, while France and the UN expressed deep concern over international law. Some leaders urged calm and a peaceful path forward.

In Caracas, the streets grew quiet after the strikes, with smoke lingering and security tightened. Casualty details from the Venezuelan side remain unclear, though Trump mentioned losses among Maduro’s guards.

This bold action follows months of building pressure, including sanctions and strikes on suspected drug operations in the region. What unfolds next in Venezuela remains uncertain, with big questions about stability and the long-term US role.

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