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Newsdesk

FIFA faces criticism over all-Argentine officials for World Cup quarterfinal

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FIFA faces

BOSTON:  FIFA’s decision to appoint an all-Argentine officiating team for the 2026 World Cup quarterfinal between Morocco and France has prompted criticism and speculation among some football fans on social media.

FIFA announced the match officials for Thursday’s quarterfinal in Boston, naming an Argentine referee, two assistant referees, a reserve assistant referee and a fourth official.

The appointments drew reactions online from users who questioned why officials from a country still competing in the tournament had been assigned to the match. Some posts alleged favoritism, while others criticized FIFA’s referee selection process without providing evidence.

Among those commenting was former West Indies cricket captain Carlos Brathwaite, who questioned the appointments in posts on X.

FIFA has not publicly responded to the criticism.

Under FIFA regulations, referees are generally prohibited from officiating matches involving their own national team, but officials from other participating nations may be assigned to games provided no conflict of interest exists.

Isha Ambani showcases $2m diamond Birkin at Paris Fashion event

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Isha Ambani

PARIS: Isha Ambani drew attention at Paris Haute Couture Week with a rare diamond-studded Hermès Birkin bag reportedly valued at about $2 million, overshadowing even her couture ensemble.

Ambani attended Indian designer Rahul Mishra’s runway show carrying the Hermès Birkin Sac Bijou, a highly exclusive piece regarded as one of the world’s most valuable handbags.

According to luxury resale platform Privé Porter and auction house Sotheby’s, the jeweled handbag is valued at approximately $2 million. Unlike a traditional Birkin, the miniature piece is designed as high jewelry rather than for everyday use.

Designed by Pierre Hardy for Hermès’ haute joaillerie collection, the bag is crafted from 18-karat white gold and set with 3,025 diamonds totaling more than 111 carats. It also features a crocodile-inspired texture in white gold.

Reports said the rare handbag belongs to Ambani’s mother, Nita Ambani.

Ambani paired the accessory with a gray couture gown featuring a sweetheart neckline, a corset-style bodice and intricate beadwork, along with diamond jewelry by designer Lorraine Schwartz, including a statement necklace, earrings and a diamond ring.

Boney Kapoor’s daughter Anshula Kapoor marries to Rohan Thakkar

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Boney Kapoor'

MUMBAI: Anshula Kapoor, the daughter of film producer Boney Kapoor, has married her longtime partner, Rohan Thakkar, in a private ceremony attended by family and close friends.

Indian media reported that Anshula, the sister of actor Arjun Kapoor, shared photographs from the wedding on Instagram, confirming the marriage.

The images showed the couple taking part in traditional wedding ceremonies. One photograph also featured Anshula’s half-sisters, actresses Janhvi Kapoor and Khushi Kapoor.

In a heartfelt caption accompanying the photos, Anshula expressed her love for her husband and revealed that the couple was married on July 6.

According to Indian media, the wedding was an intimate event attended by close relatives and friends.

Anshula Kapoor and Rohan Thakkar got engaged in July 2025 after dating for several years.

Nine policemen martyred, 15 militants killed after attack on checkpost

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Nine policemen

QUETTA:  Gunmen attacked a police checkpoint in Balochistan province, nine police officers martyred  before security forces launched a clearance operation that authorities said left 15 suspected militants dead.

The attack targeted a police post in the Mangi area of Ziarat district, according to local police.

Ziarat police chief Abdul Qudoos said the bodies of the slain officers had been transferred to the district headquarters hospital.

He said the attackers also abducted five police officers during the assault. Authorities have launched efforts to recover the abducted personnel.

Later, Balochistan government spokesman Shahid Rind said security forces, including the Frontier Corps, police, the Counter Terrorism Department, the Special Operations Wing and the Anti-Terrorism Force, completed a joint clearance operation in the area.

Rind said 15 suspected militants were killed during the operation. The official account of the operation has not been independently verified.

Among the officers killed were the station house officers of the Mangi and Kowas police stations, an Anti-Terrorism Force commander and other police personnel, Rind said.

He added that Deputy Superintendent of Police Ghulam Sarwar and eight other officers safely reached Kach police station, while Constable Rizwan was also rescued.

In a separate statement, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi condemned the attack, expressed condolences to the families of the slain officers and said the assault would not undermine Pakistan’s efforts to restore peace.

Rind said intelligence-based operations against militants would continue and vowed that there would be no safe haven for armed groups in Balochistan.

Pakistan leaders condemn deadly Balochistan attack

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Pakistan leaders

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and other senior Pakistani officials condemned a deadly militant attack on a police checkpoint in Balochistan’s Ziarat district that killed nine police officers.

In separate statements, the leaders paid tribute to the slain officers and praised security forces for killing 15 suspected militants during a subsequent clearance operation.

President Zardari said Pakistan would thwart all attempts to undermine peace and stability in Balochistan.

“We will foil every conspiracy aimed at sabotaging peace and stability in Balochistan,” he said, adding that the state would continue operations against militants with full force.

Prime Minister Sharif said the government would continue its campaign against militants until they were eliminated.

“We will continue the fight against terrorists until they are defeated,” he said.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi expressed condolences to the families of the slain officers and said the attack would not succeed in disrupting peace.

Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti vowed decisive action against those challenging the authority of the state.

“There is no place in Balochistan for those who take up arms against the state,” Bugti said, adding that those challenging the state’s writ would face defeat.

According to officials, gunmen attacked a police checkpoint in Ziarat, killing nine officers. Security forces later launched a clearance operation in which authorities said 15 suspected militants were killed. The official account of the operation has not been independently verified.

Messi scores in Argentina’s 3-2 comeback win over Egypt

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Messi scores

ATLANTA: Defending champion Argentina came from two goals down to defeat Egypt 3-2 on Tuesday, securing a place in the quarterfinals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Egypt stunned Argentina with two first-half goals after Yasser Ibrahim opened the scoring before Mostafa Ziko doubled the lead.

Argentina had an opportunity to equalize earlier in the match, but captain Lionel Messi failed to convert a penalty after Egypt goalkeeper Mostafa Shabir made a crucial save.

Ziko also had another goal ruled out for a foul before scoring Egypt’s second to give his side a commanding 2-0 advantage.

Argentina mounted a dramatic comeback in the closing stages of the second half. The South American side scored its first goal in the 80th minute before Messi leveled the match three minutes later.

Argentina completed the turnaround with a late winner to seal a 3-2 victory and advance to the quarterfinals.

The win keeps Argentina’s title defense alive, while Egypt’s World Cup campaign came to an end despite its strong first-half performance.

Storms, floods and landslides kill 15 in China, hundreds missing

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Storms

BEIJING: At least 15 people have been killed and hundreds remain missing after torrential rain triggered floods, landslides and severe storms across central and southern China, state media reported Tuesday.

Authorities said widespread flooding has forced the evacuation of tens of thousands of residents as emergency crews continue rescue operations in the affected areas.

According to state media, at least 275 people remain missing following weather-related incidents across the region.

In Hubei province, a powerful tornado with winds reaching 260 kilometers per hour (162 mph) struck residential areas, killing at least 11 people and injuring more than 331 others. The storm was so intense that it reportedly pulled one person from a 12th-floor apartment.

In the southern city of Nanning, heavy rainfall caused a large dam to breach, sending floodwaters into nearby communities. Officials said at least four people were killed and more than 62,000 residents were evacuated to safer areas.

Chinese President Xi Jinping ordered government agencies to accelerate search-and-rescue operations, provide immediate medical treatment to the injured and ensure assistance and rehabilitation for affected residents.

Emergency responders continued rescue efforts as authorities monitored weather conditions and warned of additional heavy rainfall in the coming days.

President Trump announces end to US sanctions on Turkey

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President Trump

ANKARA: US President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that the United States will lift sanctions imposed on Turkey over its purchase of a Russian-made air defense system, signaling a major shift in Washington’s policy toward its NATO ally.

Speaking alongside Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during the NATO summit, Trump said the United States was ending the sanctions and reaffirmed the importance of its relationship with Turkey.

“We are lifting the sanctions on Turkey,” Trump said.

The United States imposed sanctions on Turkey in 2020 under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) after Ankara acquired the Russian S-400 air defense system.

The sanctions targeted Turkey’s Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB), restricting U.S. export licenses and defense-related transfers.

They also included asset freezes and visa restrictions on then-SSB President Ismail Demir and other Turkish defense officials, as well as limits on certain loans and financial assistance from U.S. institutions.

Trump also indicated he was prepared to move forward with the sale of F-35 fighter jets to Turkey, suggesting the two countries could soon make key decisions on defense cooperation.

He praised Turkey’s role in regional diplomacy, saying Ankara has a deep understanding of Iran and has played an important role in efforts to reduce tensions in the Middle East.

Meanwhile, Israel has urged Washington to reconsider any decision to readmit Turkey into the F-35 fighter jet program, citing regional security concerns.

Iran’s parliament speaker says Tehran will not recognize Israel

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Iran's parliament

TEHRAN: Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said Iran will never recognize Israel and pledged continued support for what he described as Muslim nations and resistance groups through military deterrence and political pressure.

Speaking during meetings in Tehran with Hamas leadership council chief Mohammad Darwish and other regional figures, Ghalibaf said implementation of the Islamabad memorandum of understanding would be difficult but achievable.

He said Iran continues to have significant disagreements with the United States despite the agreement, adding that Tehran’s position toward Washington has not changed.

Ghalibaf said Iran would continue to support resistance groups in line with the directives of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei through its missile capabilities and political influence.

The Iranian parliament speaker also urged Muslim countries to play a greater role in regional affairs, arguing that recent developments have shown cooperation with the United States and Israel does not guarantee their security.

In a separate meeting with the vice chairman of Yemen’s Houthi Supreme Political Council, Ghalibaf described the memorandum of understanding with the United States as a political and military success for Iran and the so-called “Axis of Resistance.”

He also met with senior Hezbollah official Mohammad Fneish, where he said lasting peace in Lebanon could not be achieved without Iran’s involvement and claimed Tehran had made a ceasefire in Lebanon a central element of negotiations with Washington.

The remarks reflect Iran’s official position and have not been independently verified. Neither the United States nor Israel immediately responded to Ghalibaf’s statements.

Hamas announces plan to step down from Gaza civil administration

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Hamas announces

GAZA CITY:  Hamas has announced plans to dissolve its governing structure in Gaza and transfer civilian administrative responsibilities to a new technocratic body, marking a significant political shift after nearly two decades of rule.

According to media reports, Hamas said it would dissolve its current administrative committee to pave the way for a national civil management committee led by technocrats.

A Hamas official said the movement intends to appoint a broadly acceptable interim figure to oversee civilian affairs until the new administrative committee formally begins operating.

The group stressed, however, that relinquishing control of the civilian government does not mean it has agreed to disarm.

“Handover of civil authority is separate from the issue of weapons and the movement’s military wing,” the official said.

Hamas has governed Gaza’s civilian administration since seizing control of the territory in 2007 following armed clashes with rival Palestinian factions.

The announcement comes amid ongoing political discussions following efforts to secure a ceasefire in Gaza and negotiations over the territory’s future governance.

Analysts say that if implemented, the move would represent the most significant political change in Gaza in nearly 20 years, although its success will depend on the formation of a new Palestinian administrative authority, Israel’s response and the outcome of continuing negotiations.