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  • Afcon final: Senegal’s ecstasy and Morocco’s devastation

    Afcon final: Senegal’s ecstasy and Morocco’s devastation


    Andalou via Getty Images Senegalese fans wearing clothing and accessories in the colors of the national flag gather around African Renaissance Monument, chanting and singing to support their team.Andalou via Getty Images

    Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has declared Monday a public holiday after the national team won the Africa Cup of Nations after beating tournament hosts Morocco 1-0 in a dramatic final on Sunday.

    A disallowed goal, players walking off the pitch and a saved penalty made it a tense night in the stadium in the Moroccan capital, Rabat.

    In Senegal’s capital, Dakar, supporters were excited as they gathered at an outdoor screen at the foot of the giant African Renaissance Monument.

    As the match unfolded the tension was too much to bear for some.

    Reuters A Senegal fan covers his face with his football top printed with the number 10 on it.Reuters

    The moment Morocco’s Brahim Diaz stepped up to take the penalty that would have won his country the Afcon trophy for the first time in 50 years was unwatchable for this Senegal fan.

    But his miss and Senegal’s subsequent goal in extra time were met with ecstasy in Dakar.

    EPA Senegalese soccer fans cheer as they watch the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final match between Senegal and Morocco in DakarEPA

    “What just happened is divine… a scenario as if it were a Netflix series is crazy,” fan Mohamed Diop told the Reuters news agency.

    AFP via Getty Images A Senegal supporter celebrates at a fan zone at the African Renaissance Monument in DakarAFP via Getty Images

    The other side of the coin, of course, was the devastation for Moroccans at a fan park in the city of Sale.

    ANP via Getty Images A Moroccan fan has her hands clasped in front of her face. Other fans are around her looking sad.ANP via Getty Images

    “Maybe next time,” one man told Reuters. “We have good players. Now we should get back to work so we can win in 2027.”

    Moroccan fans watching in the Dutch city of Eindhoven were also shocked by Diaz’s penalty miss.

    AFP via Getty Images Fans gather at the Dynamo cultural venue to watch on a large screen the Africa Cup of Nations football final between Morocco and Senegal, in Eindhoven AFP via Getty Images

    But back in Dakar, once the final whistle had blown, the party started.

    Reuters Two Senegal fans in country colours cheer as they lean out of a moving car.Reuters
    AFP via Getty Images Senegal football supporters celebrate at the Place du Souvenir Africain in Dakar. A fan in a Mexican wrestling mask is waving a Senegal flag and standing up through the roof of a car, which also has the flag on its bonnet.AFP via Getty Images
    Reuters Fans lean out of the windows of a minibus taxi in celebration.Reuters
    AFP via Getty Images Senegal supporters hold a flare as they celebrate in Ouakam, Dakar. The pciture is bathed in a red light from the flare.AFP via Getty Images

    “We really needed to win. This team showed me courage and seriousness. We gave everything we had. We really thank Sadio Mané, he gave us everything,” supporter Modou Yacine Diop told Reuters.

    Senegal fans in the Italian city of Milan also came out on the streets.

    Anadolu via Getty Images Senegal fans take to the streets and celebrate after the victory of the African Cup of Nations final match between the Moroccan and Senegalese national teams in Milan, ItalyAnadolu via Getty Images

    People also celebrated in the Château Rouge area of the French capital, Paris, which some know as Little Africa.

    NurPhoto via Getty Images Senegal football supporters celebrate on Boulevard Barbes, at Chateau Rouge.NurPhoto via Getty Images

    In the Spanish capital, Madrid, people followed the match in restaurants in the Lavapies neighbourhood.

    NurPhoto via Getty Images A close up shot of a woman holding a Senegal flag.NurPhoto via Getty Images

    And at a watch party in New York, hosted by new city mayor Zohran Mamdani, Senegal fans joined the festivities.

    Bloomberg via Getty Images An attendee holds a "Go Senegal" sign during a watch party for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final match with Zohran Mamdani, mayor of New York,Bloomberg via Getty Images
    Getty Images/BBC A woman looking at her mobile phone and the graphic BBC News AfricaGetty Images/BBC



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  • Spain train crash survivors describe ‘absolutely terrifying’ scene

    Spain train crash survivors describe ‘absolutely terrifying’ scene


    Passengers caught up in a deadly train crash in Adamuz have described the moment a Madrid-bound train derailed and crossed over to neighbouring tracks, colliding with an oncoming train.

    Survivors told of people and their belongings being “scattered” around the carriage, and described an “absolutely terrifying” scene.

    At least 39 people were killed in the high-speed crash at 19:45 local time (18:45 GMT) on Sunday, about an hour after the train left Málaga.



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  • What are tariffs, how do they work and why is Trump using them?

    What are tariffs, how do they work and why is Trump using them?


    Getty Images US President Donald Trump signs an executive order in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, DC on 23 April 2025.  A red baseball hat embroidered with "Make America Great Again" in white thread sits to the left of the document, which shows Trump's distinctive signatureGetty Images

    US President Donald Trump has threatened to impose fresh tariffs on eight allies that oppose his demands for control of Greenland.

    Last year, he placed taxes on goods reaching the US from countries around the world, arguing the move would boost American manufacturing and create jobs.

    Critics warned of higher prices and damage to the global economy.

    What are tariffs and how do they work?

    Tariffs are taxes on imported goods.

    Typically, the charge is a percentage of a good’s value.

    For example, a 10% tariff on a $10 product would mean a $1 tax on top – taking the total cost to $11 (£8.17).

    The tax is paid to the government by companies bringing in the foreign products.

    These firms may pass some or all of the extra cost on to their customers, which in this case means ordinary Americans and other US businesses.

    They may also decide to import fewer goods.

    Why is Trump using tariffs?

    Trump says tariffs increase the amount of tax raised by the government, encourage consumers to buy more American-made goods and boost investment in the US.

    He wants to reduce the US trade deficit – the gap between the value of goods it buys from other countries and those it sells to them.

    The president argues that the US has been exploited by “cheaters” and “pillaged” by foreigners.

    Trump has also used tariffs to make other demands.

    He has threatened fresh tariffs of 10% on the UK, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Finland, because they oppose a US takeover of Greenland. Trump said the tariffs would be in place by 1 February and would rise to 25% by 1 June.

    When announcing tariffs against China, Mexico and Canada, he said the countries must do more to stop migrants and the illegal drug fentanyl reaching the US.

    Many tariffs have been amended or delayed after being announced.

    Why has the Supreme Court been considering the legality of Trump’s tariffs?

    Trump’s tariffs have faced numerous legal challenges.

    Instead of getting Congressional approval, the Trump administration used the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act. Declaring an emergency under the law meant Trump could issue immediate orders and bypass Congress.

    In August 2025, a US appeals court ruled that most of Trump’s tariffs were illegal, but left them in place.

    The White House asked the US Supreme Court to overturn that decision. A ruling is expected in the coming weeks.

    Trump has posted on social media that it would be a “complete mess” if the Supreme Court struck down his tariffs, and warned of difficulties if businesses were told they could claim refunds.

    “It would take many years to figure out what number we are talking about and even, who, when, and where, to pay,” Trump said.

    What are Trump’s tariffs on countries?

    Negotiations are continuing with a number of countries, including America’s top three trading partners.

    China, Canada and Mexico were all warned that they faced particularly high tariffs:

    • Mexico is facing 30% tariffs on its goods, plus the sector-specific levies and a 25% fentanyl tariff. However, like Canada, most of its goods are exempt under the USMCA. The tariffs were put on hold until the end of October to allow time to strike a deal. On 27 October, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said she and Trump had agreed to extend this deadline by “a few more weeks”. Talks are ongoing

    A patchwork of different rates is in place for other countries.

    Many of these stem from Trump’s announcement in April 2025 that a “baseline” of 10% would apply to imports from all countries. Nations considered the “worst offenders” would face higher rates, as payback for unfair trade policies.

    New tariff rates for dozens of countries were subsequently introduced in August, after delays to allow for trade talks.

    These include:

    On 13 January, Trump announced the US would apply a 25% tariff to countries which continue to trade with Iran, after Tehran cracked down on anti-government protests, with thousands of people feared dead.

    On 17 January, the US president said he would impose a 10% tariff on eight countries who are opposed to his proposed takeover of Greenland.

    The extra tariff on goods from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands and Finland would come into force on 1 February, but could later rise to 25% – and would last until a deal was reached.

    What is the UK tariff deal?

    Reuters US President Donald Trump holds up a printed copy of the UK-US tariffs deal at the G7 summit in Canada. He stands next to UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer who is smilingReuters

    In June 2025, the UK negotiated a 10% US tariff rate, the lowest so far of any country that has struck a deal with Trump.

    It exported about £58bn of goods to the US in 2024 – mainly cars, machinery and pharmaceuticals.

    The 10% rate applies to the first 100,000 UK vehicles exported every year – roughly the number of cars sold in 2024. Additional vehicles face the standard 25% tariff.

    The agreement also lets the two countries sell beef to each other. Some US ethanol will face 0% tariffs, instead of 19%.

    Trump announced “the deal was done” in June, but did not confirm the expected removal of all charges on steel imports from the UK.

    The UK is the only country which does not face 50% tariffs on steel and aluminium. It pays 25% instead.

    The BBC understands the plan to eliminate tariffs on UK steel exports entirely has now been put on hold.

    However, speaking to reporters ahead of his second state visit to the UK in September, Trump said he was “into helping” Britain fine-tune the deal.

    Which goods are affected by Trump’s tariffs?

    Some taxes announced by Trump are on particular products, wherever they are made.

    These include:

    Reuters A worker wearing a face mask works on a production line manufacturing bicycle steel rim at a factory in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China. Reuters

    The US is the biggest importer of steel in the world after the EU, with most coming from Canada, Brazil, Mexico and South Korea

    In addition, Trump ended an exemption for imports valued at $800 (£592) or less.

    It means low-cost goods are no longer duty-free – a move affecting millions of packages sent every day, including those from online retailers like Shein and Temu.

    The companies shipping the parcels now have to pay duties based on the tariff rate which applies to the country the goods were sent from. Otherwise, for six months, they can choose to pay a fixed fee of between $80 and $200 per package.

    On 2 January, the White House confirmed it had slashed proposed tariffs of almost 92% on some imported pasta.

    The government had alleged that certain Italian-made goods were being sold at “less than normal value” in the US, undercutting local producers, but reduced the level of the tariffs after what it called constructive engagement with the firms in question.

    In November, Trump signed an executive order exempting a range of other food products from tariffs, including avocados, bananas, beef and coffee. The administration said it acted because the specified goods could not be produced in sufficient quantities domestically.

    Are prices going up for US consumers?

    Shoppers have seen price rises for some products, including toys, appliances and furniture as well as certain foodstuffs.

    US inflation was 3% in the 12 months to September, having gone up since April, when it stood at 2.4%.

    It fell back to 2.7% in November, and remained at that level in December, which was lower than many analysts had expected.

    Many firms have said they will pass on the cost of tariffs to US customers, including Target, Walmart and Adidas.

    The cost of goods manufactured in the US using imported components is also expected to rise.

    For example, car parts typically cross the US, Mexican and Canadian borders multiple times before a vehicle is completely assembled.

    How are tariffs affecting the US and global economies?

    Trump was accused of throwing the global economy into turmoil when he announced the first tariffs of his second presidential term.

    Although financial markets have since largely recovered, in October 2025 the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said the overall picture remained volatile, and that US tariffs were having a negative effect.

    It forecast global growth of 3.2% for 2025, and 3.1% in 2026. That was a slight increase from its July predictions, but still below the 3.3% it had projected for both years before Trump’s measures were announced.

    It thinks the US economy will grow by 2% in 2025, and 2.1% in 2026. That’s down from the 2.8% growth recorded in 2024, but still the fastest among the world’s most advanced economies.

    The most recent US figures show the economy picked up speed over the three months to September 2025, as consumer spending jumped and exports increased.

    The economy grew at an annual rate of 4.3%, up from 3.8% in the previous quarter. That was better than expected, and marked the strongest growth in two years.

    Imports – which count against growth – continued to decline during the period.



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