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World Desk

Future Soch World Desk covers international politics, conflicts, markets, diplomacy and global developments with context for Pakistani readers.

Russian model’s resemblance to Erling Haaland sparks viral fame

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Russian model

MOSCOW: A Russian model has gone viral on social media after users noticed her striking resemblance to Norway football star Erling Haaland, a likeness that she says has transformed her career.

Twenty-four-year-old Anastasia Kostromitina said the comparison was first pointed out by a friend before family members and others began making the same observation.

As Haaland’s popularity grew, videos featuring people who resemble the Manchester City striker also gained traction online.

Capitalizing on the trend, Anastasia began creating videos mimicking Haaland’s facial expressions, mannerisms and signature goal celebrations.

The content quickly attracted millions of views and led to collaboration offers from several brands, she said.

Social media users have dubbed her “Female Erling Haaland,” “Haaland’s twin,” and even his “long-lost sibling” because of the uncanny resemblance.

Anastasia said she is supporting Norway at the FIFA World Cup and hopes to one day meet Haaland for a selfie. She added that she also hopes the football star will eventually notice her viral content and get in touch.

North Korea says nuclear disarmament should begin with US allies

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North Korea

SEOUL: North Korea has condemned the recent NATO summit, saying any effort toward global nuclear disarmament should begin with US allies participating in the alliance’s nuclear-sharing arrangements rather than with Pyongyang.

In a statement carried by the country’s state news agency, North Korea’s Foreign Ministry accused the United States and its allies of accelerating military buildups and expanding their weapons stockpiles. It said the NATO summit demonstrated that the alliance is designed for confrontation and war.

The ministry said Western attempts to pressure North Korea into abandoning its nuclear weapons program had “completely failed,” arguing that any genuine disarmament initiative should first target NATO member states involved in nuclear-sharing agreements.

The remarks came a day after North Korean state media reported that Pyongyang had decided to further strengthen its nuclear capabilities, while leader Kim Jong Un called for continued modernization of the country’s armed forces.

The Foreign Ministry said North Korea would continue to exercise what it described as its sovereign rights responsibly to safeguard its national sovereignty, security and regional peace.

Venezuela earthquake death toll rises to 3,889 as recovery efforts continue

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Venezuela earthquake

CARACAS: The death toll from the powerful twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela two weeks ago has risen to 3,889, while nearly 17,000 people have been injured and about 18,000 displaced, according to the latest official figures.

The magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 earthquakes, which struck on June 24, caused widespread destruction across several regions.

The coastal state of La Guaira was among the hardest hit, with more than 800 buildings damaged and 190 completely destroyed, authorities said.

Search-and-rescue operations have largely transitioned into recovery efforts after two weeks, although many families continue searching for missing loved ones amid the devastation.

The United Nations is seeking $300 million in humanitarian assistance to support Venezuela’s recovery, while the Venezuelan government is also pursuing access to frozen overseas assets and international financial support to help fund reconstruction efforts

Mbappe sets World Cup record with fastest 20 goals

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Mbappe


PARIS: France forward Kylian Mbappe added another milestone to his remarkable career by becoming the fastest player in FIFA World Cup history to score 20 goals after finding the net in his side’s quarterfinal victory over Morocco at the 2026 tournament.

The 27-year-old struck in the 60th minute to reach the 20-goal mark in just 20 World Cup appearances, surpassing Lionel Messi, who reached the milestone in 30 matches.
Mbappe achieved the feat across three World Cup editions 2018, 2022 and 2026 and also became the youngest player to score 20 World Cup goals at 27 years and 201 days. He has scored four goals in 2018, eight in 2022 and eight so far in the 2026 tournament.
The goal also made Mbappe the highest-scoring player in FIFA World Cup knockout matches, with 12 goals in the tournament’s elimination rounds.
In another landmark achievement, Mbappe became the first France international to be directly involved in 100 international goals, having recorded 64 goals and 36 assists for his country.
With eight goals and three assists at the 2026 World Cup, Mbappe is also the first player since 1966 to register more than 10 goal contributions in two separate World Cup editions.
His 14 knockout-stage goal contributions have also drawn level with Lionel Messi for the joint-highest total over the past six decades.

Egypt’s world cup team receives hero’s welcome in Cairo

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Egypt's world

CAIRO: Egypt’s national football team received a rousing welcome on its return home after competing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with thousands of fans gathering to celebrate the players’ arrival.

Government officials and airport authorities welcomed the squad upon its arrival, while large crowds of supporters waited outside the airport to greet the players with cheers, applause and requests for photographs.

The team later traveled through the city on a bus, where fans lined the streets waving Egyptian flags and chanting in support of the national side. Many gathered along the route for a glimpse of the players following their World Cup campaign.

Players acknowledged the enthusiastic reception by waving to supporters from the team bus as crowds continued to celebrate the team’s return.

Netanyahu’s son reportedly changes surname in official records

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Netanyahu's son

JERUSALEM: Yair Netanyahu, the son of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has reportedly changed his legal name in official records, adopting the name Yonatan Han, according to Israeli media reports.

The reported change was identified through Israeli tax authority records, which show the same identification number under the new name.

Reports indicate the surname “Han” is derived from the original family name of Yair Netanyahu’s maternal grandfather, while “Yonatan” honors his late uncle, Yonatan Netanyahu, who was killed during the 1976 Entebbe rescue operation.

Israeli media noted that Yair’s brother, Avner, has also previously used a different surname in official documents.

The reports have prompted speculation over the reasons behind the name change, but neither Yair Netanyahu nor the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office has publicly commented on the matter. No official explanation has been provided.

12 killed, 23 missing as wildfire sweeps southern Spain

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12 killed

MADRID: At least 12 people have been killed and 23 remain missing after a fast-moving wildfire tore through forested areas in southern Spain, authorities said.

The blaze erupted near the town of Los Gallardos, prompting a major emergency response involving hundreds of firefighters, military personnel and law enforcement officers working to contain the fire and assist affected communities.

Spanish officials said one of the victims was a Spanish national, while the others appeared to be foreign nationals who reportedly did not follow evacuation orders directing residents and visitors to move to designated safe areas.

Authorities continued search and rescue operations as crews battled the wildfire, with concerns that the death toll could rise.

According to officials, the disaster is being described as one of the deadliest wildfires in Spain’s history.

Germany records more than 5,100 heat-related deaths this year

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Germany records

BERLIN: Germany has recorded an estimated 5,120 heat-related deaths so far this year, with the vast majority occurring during a late June heatwave, according to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI).

In its weekly report released, the public health agency said about 4,270 of the deaths were among people aged 75 and older. Women accounted for more fatalities than men, largely because they make up a greater proportion of the country’s oldest age groups.

The figures come as Europe experiences one of its hottest years on record. The European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service said Western Europe recorded its warmest June ever, with an average temperature of 20.74 degrees Celsius.

National authorities have also reported more than 4,700 excess deaths linked to the June 20-28 heatwave in France, Belgium, Spain and the Netherlands.

According to the RKI, Germany’s deadliest years for heat-related mortality over the past decade were 2018 and 2019, when an estimated 8,400 and 6,900 people died, respectively.

The rising death toll has intensified political debate over climate policy. During a parliamentary session, Green Party leader Katharina Droege said 120 people died in the western city of Cologne over the June 27-28 heatwave weekend about four times the normal number of deaths.

Droege criticized Chancellor Friedrich Merz for not publicly addressing the heatwave and accused his government of weakening climate protection measures.

The Greens have also opposed the government’s proposed 2027 budget, arguing that it diverts billions of euros away from climate initiatives to help close budget deficits.

Germany aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 65% from 1990 levels by 2030 and achieve climate neutrality by 2045. However, emissions have fallen by only about 48% so far, and experts say current policies are insufficient to meet the country’s climate targets.

Justin Bieber, Madonna, Shakira to headline World Cup final halftime show

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Justin Bieber

NEW JERSEY: The 2026 FIFA World Cup final will feature the tournament’s first-ever halftime show, with a star-studded lineup of international music artists set to perform.

The halftime show will take place during the World Cup final on July 19 at New Jersey Stadium, featuring performances by Justin Bieber, Madonna, Shakira and South Korean pop group BTS.

Also scheduled to perform are Nigerian singer Burna Boy, Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel, British rock band Coldplay and the PS22 Chorus.

Justin Bieber said it was an honor to be part of the event, adding that the FIFA World Cup brings people together from around the globe.

Organizers also announced that beloved characters from Sesame Street and The Muppets will make appearances during the historic halftime show.

Messi leads 2026 World Cup scoring chart with nine goals

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Messi leads

Lionel Messi has emerged as the leading scorer at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with nine goals in the tournament so far.

According to tournament statistics, 280 goals have been scored across the first 96 matches of the competition, with Argentina leading all teams with 14 goals.

Messi tops the tournament’s scoring chart with nine goals, while France’s Kylian Mbappe is second with eight. Norway’s Erling Haaland ranks third with seven goals, followed by England captain Harry Kane with six.

Including his goals at this year’s tournament, Messi has now scored a total of 21 goals across all FIFA World Cup appearances during his career.

Tournament statistics also show that referees have issued 259 yellow cards and 14 red cards in the 2026 World Cup so far.