BEIJING (AP) — Stability. Consistency. Ever-changing complexity.
With language like that, deployed in separate meetings in three Asian capitals this week, government leaders forged closer ties driven in part by a figure halfway around the world: the president of the United States. And much of the time, they didn't even mention Donald Trump's name.
IN BEIJING: The U.K. and Chinese leaders called Thursday for a “long-term, stable, and comprehensive strategic partnership” between their two countries. The important words are long-term and stable. The two countries committed a decade ago to building a comprehensive strategic partnership but progress has been halting at best.
IN HANOI: About 1,100 kilometers (700 miles) to the south, Vietnam and the European Union used the same phrasing on the same day. They upgraded ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership. The agreement places Vietnam on the same diplomatic footing with the EU as the United States, China and Russia.
IN NEW DELHI: Two days earlier, the EU and India reached a major free trade accord that had been mired in negotiations for years. It covers everything from textiles to medicines and will bring down India's high tariffs on European wine and cars.
Trump was not the only factor behind the agreements, but his shaking up of the global order is worrying friends and foes and driving them closer. From a purely economic perspective, his import tariffs have sent countries seeking new markets to reduce their dependency on the American consumer.
More broadly, all the agreements have been accompanied by words from the leaders referring to the uncertainty that Trump has introduced to global affairs, though mostly without mentioning his name. The systems they have relied on to manage the world since the end of the Cold War and, in some cases since World War II, appear at risk.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called for working with China on global stability “during challenging times for the world." Chinese leader Xi Jinping described the international situation as “complex and ever-changing.” In New Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the partnership with the EU “will strengthen stability in the international system” at a time of ”turmoil in the global order.”
European Council President António Costa summed up the sentiment Thursday in the Vietnamese capital: “At a moment when the international rules-based order is under threat from multiple sides, we need to stand side by side as reliable and predictable partners.”
Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer, left and Chinese Premier Li Qiang attends a signing ceremony held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung, Pool)
CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — More than $1 million in fines and bans for Senegal and Morocco have followed a shambolic Africa Cup final this month that FIFA condemned and Africa’s soccer body called unacceptable.
The bans apply only to Africa games and not the World Cup kicking off in June that Senegal and Morocco have both qualified for.
In the Jan. 18 final in Rabat won by Senegal 1-0 in extra time, Senegal left the field in protest during stoppage time for 15 minutes, fans tried to storm the field and fighting broke out among journalists afterward.
The Senegalese Football Association was fined $615,000 in total, the Moroccan Football Association was fined $315,000 in total, and Senegal coach Pape Thiaw fined $100,000 and suspended for five Africa games for bringing the game into disrepute, the Confederation of African Football said on Wednesday.
Senegal players Iliman Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr were banned for two African games, Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi banned for two games with one suspended, and Morocco’s Ismael Saibari banned for three games and fined $100,000 for unsporting behavior.
Senegal was angered in stoppage time of a 0-0 draw when Morocco was awarded a penalty. Thiaw led a walk-off by his players and delayed the game for 15 minutes. Morocco missed the penalty and Senegal scored the only goal in extra time.
Beside supporters jumping the barricades and players from both side scuffling on the sidelines, there was a bizarre sequence in which Moroccan ball boys attempted to seize a towel belonging to Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy in an apparent bid to distract him. That behavior by the ball boys alone led to a $200,000 fine for Morocco.
Morocco coach Walid Regragui said the Africa Cup final gave African soccer a “shameful” image. The incidents also reflected badly on Morocco, which will co-host the 2030 World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal. FIFA president Gianni Infantino called the Africa Cup incidents ugly and expected sanctions from CAF.
Morocco was hoping to host the 2030 World Cup final at the under-construction Hassan II Stadium, set to be the largest soccer arena in the world with a capacity of 115,000 after its planned completion in 2028. Spain said this week it will host the 2030 final.
CAF dismissed an appeal by Morocco to have the result canceled and Morocco declared the winner because of the Senegalese walk-off.
The game even strained diplomatic ties between Senegal and Morocco and prompted political officials in the nations to pledge to stay friends and call for calm. In Morocco, rights groups denounced what they called hate speech targeting sub-Saharan African residents in the country.
Senegal Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko said on an investment-related trip to Morocco days after the final that the reaction to it should be seen as “emotional outbursts produced by fervour and not as political or cultural rifts.”
This story has been corrected to show that the Africa Cup final was on Jan. 18 and not Jan. 23.
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
Senegal's Sadio Mane holds the trophy aloft as he celebrates with teammates after winning the Africa Cup of Nations final soccer match between Senegal and Morocco in Rabat, Morocco, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Youssef Loulidi)
Players from both sides clash after a controversial penalty was awarded to Morocco late on during the Africa Cup of Nations final soccer match between Senegal and Morocco in Rabat, Morocco, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Youssef Loulidi)
Senegal supporters are taken from the stadium by security officers after a controversial penalty was awarded to Morocco late on during the Africa Cup of Nations final soccer match between Senegal and Morocco in Rabat, Morocco, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Youssef Loulidi)
