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World News / International

Tens of thousands of migrants enter Spain from Morocco

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Tens of thousands

MADRID: Nearly 60,000 migrants crossed into Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta from Morocco in a mass border crossing that left dozens dead, according to Spanish authorities.

Officials said thousands of migrants entered Ceuta by land and sea in one of the largest attempted crossings in recent years. Spanish authorities said 34 people were killed during the incidents linked to the mass crossing.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez described the incident as a violation of Spain’s territorial sovereignty, accusing human trafficking networks of encouraging illegal migration by misrepresenting a ruling by Spain’s Supreme Court.

Sánchez said authorities were accelerating the repatriation of migrants who entered Ceuta illegally and thanked Moroccan officials for their cooperation in managing the situation.

Ceuta and Melilla are Spain’s two autonomous enclaves in North Africa and the European Union’s only land borders with Africa, making them key entry points for migrants seeking to reach Europe.

Italy suspends Schengen travel arrangements with Spain after migrant surge

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Italy suspends

ROME: Italy has temporarily suspended Schengen free-travel arrangements with Spain following a mass influx of migrants into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta from Morocco, the Italian Interior Ministry said.

Under the temporary measures, travelers arriving in Italy from Spain by air or sea will be required to present passports or other valid travel documents, restoring border identity checks between the two countries.

The move comes after tens of thousands of migrants crossed into Ceuta, Spain’s North African enclave, from Morocco. The large-scale crossing reportedly resulted in dozens of deaths, prompting European authorities to tighten border controls and review migration measures.

The Schengen Agreement allows passport-free travel across most participating European countries by eliminating routine internal border checks.

Member states, however, may temporarily reinstate border controls under exceptional circumstances, including security concerns or major migration events.

Italian authorities did not specify how long the temporary measures would remain in place.

Eight climbers found dead after Broad Peak avalanche

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Eight climbers

SKARDU: Rescue teams have recovered the bodies of eight climbers who went missing after an avalanche struck Broad Peak, the world’s 12th-highest mountain in Pakistan’s Karakoram range, while the search continued Saturday for two others still unaccounted for.

Authorities said four more bodies were located during the latest phase of the rescue operation, bringing the total number of recovered climbers to eight.

Three of the bodies recovered earlier were transported by helicopter to Skardu, while efforts to retrieve the remaining victims continued in the difficult high-altitude terrain.

Gilgit-Baltistan Tourism Minister Neiknam Karim said authorities were making every possible effort to locate the two missing climbers, adding that the provincial tourism department was providing logistical support to search and rescue teams.

The international expedition included climbers from the United States, China, Nepal and Oman, as well as Pakistani mountaineer Sohail Sakhi. Several members of the team were reported missing after the avalanche struck Broad Peak earlier this week.

Broad Peak, which rises 8,047 meters (26,401 feet) above sea level in the Karakoram mountain range, is one of Pakistan’s five peaks exceeding 8,000 meters and is regarded as one of the world’s most challenging high-altitude climbing destinations.

UEFA threatens FIFA boycott over proposed World Cup investment plan

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UEFA threatens

NYON, Switzerland: UEFA has threatened to boycott FIFA competitions, including the FIFA World Cup, if the governing body moves forward with a proposal to sell a stake in its commercial operations to private investors.

According to UEFA, its member associations unanimously agreed during an online meeting that European national teams would not participate in FIFA tournaments unless the proposal is withdrawn and FIFA guarantees it will not introduce private ownership into its competitions or governance structure.

In a statement, UEFA said the World Cup is “a historic football legacy” built by generations of players, national teams and supporters, arguing that it should not be treated as an investment asset or partially transferred to private investors.

The dispute follows a proposal backed by FIFA President Gianni Infantino to separate FIFA’s commercial business under a plan reportedly valued at $20 billion, with 20% of the commercial entity potentially being sold to private investors. The proposal also reportedly includes a $20 million payment to each FIFA member association, with a decision expected by mid-September.

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) also expressed reservations about the proposal. AFC President Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa criticized FIFA for advancing the plan without sufficient consultation, saying it could weaken the existing structure of global football. Infantino has maintained that private investment is only an option rather than a mandatory policy, but the proposal has sparked strong opposition from football organizations worldwide.

Iran claims strike destroyed US F-35 Jets in Jordan

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Iran claims

TEHRAN: Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed that its latest missile strikes destroyed three U.S. F-35 fighter jets at Al Azraq Air Base in Jordan and damaged additional military assets at Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait.

According to Iran’s Fars News Agency, the IRGC said its Aerospace Force targeted maintenance hangars and aircraft facilities at Al Azraq Air Base with ballistic missiles, claiming three F-35 stealth fighters were destroyed and three more sustained significant damage.

The claims have not been independently verified, and there has been no immediate confirmation from US or Jordanian officials.

In a separate statement, the IRGC said it also struck Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait as part of its ongoing Operation Nasr 2, claiming the attack set fire to two drone hangars, an aircraft fuel tank, and destroyed U.S. military helicopters. The reported damage has not been independently confirmed.

Meanwhile, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) condemned the reported Iranian attacks on Jordan and Kuwait, describing them as violations of the two countries’ sovereignty and international law.

GCC Secretary-General Jassim Mohammed Al Budaiwi said the attacks represented a dangerous escalation that threatened regional security and stability. He reaffirmed the bloc’s solidarity with Jordan and Kuwait and pledged support for measures to safeguard their security and sovereignty.

US military leaders divided over strategy for potential conflict with Iran

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US military

WASHINGTON: Senior US military leaders are reportedly divided over the strategy the United States should adopt in a potential military conflict with Iran, according to a US media report.

The report said Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Central Command, supports launching a large-scale air campaign against Iran that could last for up to two weeks.

However, Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth are reportedly urging a more restrained approach, arguing that U.S. air defense stockpiles should be preserved rather than committed to an expanded military campaign.

The differing views leave President Donald Trump facing a key decision over whether to escalate military action against Iran or adopt a more limited response.

The reported debate follows Trump’s warning that the United States would respond forcefully to what he described as an Iranian missile attack on a US military base in Jordan.

In media interviews, Trump said U.S. forces intercepted the incoming missiles within minutes and vowed that Iran would face a “very strong” response.

Messi yet to decide international future after World Cup defeat

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Messi yet

BUENOS AIRES: Speculation over Lionel Messi’s international future has intensified following Argentina’s defeat to Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, with reports suggesting the Argentine Football Association is considering organizing a farewell match for the football icon.

The 39-year-old captain enjoyed another standout World Cup campaign, finishing with eight goals and four assists to rank among the tournament’s top scorers.

However, the final defeat has fueled questions about whether he will retire from international football.

Argentine media reports say Messi is expected to remain with the national team for the next few months to help ease the transition to a new generation of players, but he is not planning to compete at the next FIFA World Cup.

The reports also say the Argentine Football Association (AFA) is considering staging a special farewell match to honor Messi’s contributions to the national team.

Former Argentina winger Ángel Di María has urged Messi to delay any retirement decision, saying age should not determine the veteran’s future because he remains one of the world’s best players.

Midfielder Leandro Paredes also expressed hope that Messi will continue representing Argentina but said the final decision rests with the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner.

Cristiano Ronaldo earned about $570 minute last year

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Cristiano Ronaldo

LISBON: Cristiano Ronaldo may have fallen short of winning a FIFA World Cup with Portugal, but the football superstar continues to rank among the world’s highest-paid athletes, earning an estimated $570 per minute over the past year, according to Forbes.

The business magazine estimates Ronaldo’s net worth has reached $1.2 billion, placing him among the wealthiest athletes in history. Forbes said the Portugal captain earned about $300 million over the past year, equivalent to roughly $570 every minute.

A significant portion of Ronaldo’s income comes from his contract with Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr, which he joined in 2023 and renewed in 2025. According to the report, the deal is worth more than $200 million annually.

Beyond his football salary, Ronaldo generates substantial revenue through endorsement deals, business investments and his extensive social media presence, making him one of the world’s most commercially successful athletes.

Although Portugal did not win the most recent FIFA World Cup  a tournament widely viewed as potentially Ronaldo’s last  the 41-year-old has not announced his retirement from international football.

Pentagon says 18 US troops killed, 624 wounded in Iran conflict

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Pentagon

WASHINGTON: The Pentagon has updated its casualty figures for the conflict with Iran, reporting that 18 US service members have been killed and 624 wounded since the fighting began, according to newly released Defense Department data.

The Pentagon said it updated its Defense Casualty Analysis System (DCAS), adding more than 140 newly reported wounded personnel and restoring four service members recently killed in Iranian attacks to its casualty database.

According to US media reports, the Pentagon has also introduced a new “Overseas Operations” category in the DCAS to track service members killed or wounded in overseas missions since July 7.

When combined with the latest figures from Operation Epic Fury, the updated data show that 18 U.S. troops have been killed and 624 injured since the conflict with Iran began on Feb. 28, a significant increase from the previously reported total of 482 wounded, according to the reports.

The Pentagon said 11 of the 18 fatalities were members of the U.S. Army, six served in the U.S. Air Force, and one was a member of the U.S. Navy. Among the wounded, 461 were Army personnel, 86 served in the Navy, 58 in the Air Force and 19 in the Marine Corps.

The casualty reporting system came under criticism last week from lawmakers and media organizations after the DCAS database appeared to undercount U.S. casualties despite continued Iranian attacks. The Pentagon said the newly created “Overseas Operations” category includes casualties recorded after July 7, although it does not specify which conflict each casualty is associated with.

The updated database includes the names of troops killed in overseas operations, including three U.S. service members killed in an Iranian attack in Jordan and one soldier killed last week while helping neutralize an Iranian drone in northern Iraq, according to U.S. media reports.

Oil prices fall more than 5% after Trump pauses strikes on Iran

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Oil prices

LONDON: Global oil prices fell by more than 5% after US President Donald Trump announced a pause in military strikes against Iran, easing concerns over potential disruptions to global crude supplies.

According to Reuters, the announcement followed nearly two weeks of US military operations targeting Iran and prompted investors to scale back fears of a broader regional conflict affecting energy markets.

Brent crude dropped $5.58, or 5.77%, to $91.20 per barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude fell $4.91, or 5.50%, to $84.40 per barrel.

Market analysts said expectations of reduced tensions between the United States and Iran, along with hopes for a diplomatic resolution, helped ease concerns over oil supply disruptions, leading to the sharp decline in prices.

US media reported that Trump ordered a halt to military operations after 13 days of strikes. It remains unclear whether the pause is temporary or marks the beginning of a broader ceasefire.