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World News / International

Canadian wildfire smoke raises air quality concerns ahead of World Cup final

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Canadian wildfire

NEW YORK: Smoke from massive wildfires in Canada has blanketed parts of New York and New Jersey, prompting health officials to issue air quality alerts ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup final between Argentina and Spain.

According to international media reports, authorities have advised residents to avoid unnecessary outdoor activities and limit strenuous exercise as smoke continues to affect air quality across the region.

The World Cup final is scheduled for July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where more than 80,000 spectators are expected. While organizers have not announced any changes to the match schedule, the deteriorating air quality has raised concerns ahead of the championship game.

Spain has continued training outdoors since arriving in New Jersey, while Argentina is scheduled to hold its training session on Friday despite the smoky conditions.

The poor air quality has already affected other sporting events. A National Women’s Soccer League match introduced additional hydration and recovery breaks because of the conditions, while some players voiced concerns about competing in polluted air. In Chicago, a Major League Soccer match was postponed due to unhealthy air quality.

Forecasters expect rain on Friday and Saturday to help improve air quality before Sunday’s World Cup final.

Shakira lauds Lionel Messi ahead of 2026 FIFA World Cup final

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Shakira lauds

MIAMI: Colombian singer Shakira has voiced her admiration for Lionel Messi ahead of the FIFA World Cup final, praising the Argentine captain’s determination, discipline and continued success on football’s biggest stage.

Following Argentina’s semifinal victory, Shakira shared a message on her Instagram Stories, calling Messi’s performances “beyond extraordinary” and describing him as an example of commitment and perseverance.

“What @lionelmessi is doing is beyond extraordinary. It shows the values of a man who is deeply committed and disciplined, challenging time and all odds,” Shakira wrote.

She also credited Messi’s wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, for her support throughout his career, saying that having her by his side provides him with strength and inspiration.

 Roccuzzo later reposted the tribute on her own Instagram Stories, responding with a teary-eyed emoji and a white heart.

Messi led Argentina to a 2-1 comeback victory over England in the World Cup semifinals, booking a place in Sunday’s final against Spain.

The Inter Miami star has scored eight goals in the tournament, tying France’s Kylian Mbappé as the competition’s leading scorer.

Shakira will also take center stage during the World Cup final, where she is scheduled to co-headline the first FIFA World Cup halftime show alongside Madonna, BTS and Justin Bieber, with Coldplay frontman Chris Martin serving as the show’s curator. The final will be played on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New York/New Jersey.

Powerful 7.3-magnitude earthquake strikes off Mexico’s pacific coast

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Powerful 7.3-

MEXICO CITY: A powerful 7.3-magnitude earthquake struck off Mexico’s southern Pacific coast on Friday, prompting tsunami alerts for parts of Mexico and neighboring Guatemala, authorities said.

The earthquake was initially reported as magnitude 7.4 before being revised to 7.3. Its epicenter was located offshore near the coast of Chiapas state, close to the border with Guatemala.

Following the quake, authorities issued tsunami alerts for parts of the Pacific coastline in Mexico and Guatemala, urging residents to stay away from beaches and low-lying coastal areas as a precaution.

The tremor was also felt across Guatemala, El Salvador and other parts of southern Mexico, prompting evacuations from buildings in several areas.

Officials said there were no immediate reports of major casualties or widespread damage, though damage assessments were ongoing. Authorities also reported a series of aftershocks and continued monitoring the situation.

Severe storms leave 53,000 homes without power across France

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Severe storms

PARIS: Severe thunderstorms swept across France, leaving about 53,000 homes without electricity and prompting hundreds of emergency responses as high winds and heavy rain caused widespread disruption.

According to French media, citing electricity distribution operator Enedis, the storms knocked out power to thousands of households, with the hardest-hit areas including the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and Nouvelle-Aquitaine regions.

On Friday morning, nearly 25,000 customers in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and around 20,000 in Nouvelle-Aquitaine remained without electricity as utility crews worked to restore service.

In the Loire department, firefighters responded to 422 emergency incidents after roofs were damaged, trees fell onto roads and vehicles were struck during the storms.

At the height of the severe weather, power outages affected as many as 8,000 additional homes, while regional rail services between Lyon and Rouen also experienced disruptions on Friday as authorities continued to assess the storm’s impact.

UK calls for FIFA investigation over Argentina’s Falkland’s banner

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UK calls

LONDON: Britain has called on FIFA to investigate Argentina after its players displayed a banner referring to the disputed Falkland Islands following their victory over England in the 2026 FIFA World Cup semifinal.

After Argentina’s 2-1 win, players celebrated with a banner reading “Las Malvinas Son Argentinas” (“The Falkland Islands are Argentine”), reviving the decades-old sovereignty dispute between the two countries.

British Business Secretary Peter Kyle said displaying political messages on the field could violate FIFA regulations, which prohibit political statements and symbols during official competitions.

He urged world football’s governing body to conduct a full investigation and take appropriate action if rules were breached.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s office also backed calls for an inquiry, saying that while England may have lost its place in the World Cup final, “the Falkland Islands are British.”

The Falkland Islands, known as Islas Malvinas in Argentina, have been disputed by the two countries for decades. Argentina invaded the islands in 1982 before Britain regained control following a 74-day war that killed 649 Argentine and 255 British military personnel.

FIFA had not issued an official response to the incident as of Thursday. Meanwhile, Argentina’s Foreign Minister Pablo Kirno said the government had lodged a diplomatic protest with Britain over the reported movement of the Royal Navy vessel HMS Medway near the Falkland Islands.

The latest dispute follows comments by Argentine Vice President Victoria Villarruel, who referred to Britain as an occupying power ahead of the semifinal, further escalating tensions.

Argentina’s Messi fires back at World Cup fixing claims

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Argentina's Messi

MIAMI:  Argentina captain Lionel Messi has rejected allegations that FIFA has favored his team during the 2026 World Cup, insisting Argentina’s success is the result of years of hard work rather than preferential treatment.

Speaking to reporters after Argentina’s 2-1 semifinal victory over England, Messi was asked about claims on social media and elsewhere suggesting the team had benefited from biased officiating. He firmly dismissed the allegations, saying Argentina has consistently been among the world’s top teams over the past four years.

“What we’ve achieved is not a coincidence,” Messi said. “It’s the result of constant hard work and strong performances. Nobody has given us anything. We don’t get anything for free.”

Messi also dedicated Argentina’s semifinal victory to late football legend Diego Maradona, saying he believed Maradona would have been proud of the team’s achievement. He recalled Maradona’s iconic performance against England at the 1986 World Cup, describing the latest victory as a tribute to the former captain’s legacy.

Argentina will face Spain in the FIFA World Cup final after securing a 2-1 win over England in the semifinals.

Argentina commits most fouls but receives fewer yellow cards in World Cup

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Argentina commits

MIAMI: Argentina has committed more fouls than any other team at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, yet disciplinary statistics show the defending champions have received fewer yellow cards than several other nations ahead of Sunday’s final against Spain.

Tournament data shows Argentina has committed 88 fouls, the highest total in the competition, but has been shown only nine yellow cards. By comparison, Egypt has received 12 yellow cards after committing 59 fouls, while Canada has collected 11 yellow cards despite recording 72 fouls.

Elsewhere, Switzerland committed 87 fouls and received eight yellow cards, Spain has been booked six times after 80 fouls, and England picked up eight yellow cards from 73 fouls.

Despite leading the tournament in fouls, Argentina has not received a single red card. Switzerland, Belgium, England and Paraguay have each had one player sent off during the competition.

The statistics suggest Argentina has relied on an aggressive and physical style of play throughout the tournament. However, disciplinary decisions vary depending on the nature, severity and context of each challenge, meaning the figures alone do not provide a definitive assessment of refereeing standards or consistency.

French lawmakers approve assisted dying bill for terminally Ill adults

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French lawmakers

PARIS: France’s parliament has approved a landmark bill allowing certain terminally ill adults to request medically assisted dying, marking a significant step toward legalizing the practice under strict eligibility criteria.

The legislation would allow eligible patients suffering from incurable, life-threatening illnesses in an advanced or terminal stage to obtain a lethal medication.

Patients capable of administering the medication themselves would do so, while a doctor or nurse could administer it if the patient is physically unable.

Under the bill, the measure would apply only to adults who are French citizens or legal residents and who meet stringent medical conditions outlined in the legislation.

Lawmakers approved the bill by 291 votes to 241, following months of debate over end-of-life care and patient autonomy. However, the legislation must still be reviewed and approved by France’s Constitutional Council before it can become law.

If enacted, France would join countries including the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, and Canada that have legalized some form of medically assisted dying for eligible patients.

UN fears over 500 dead after two boats sink off Myanmar

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UN fears

GENEVA: More than 500 people are feared dead after two boats carrying mostly Rohingya refugees reportedly sank off Myanmar’s coast, the United Nations said, warning that the tragedy could rank among the deadliest maritime disasters involving the persecuted minority.

In a joint statement, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the U.N. Refugee Agency (UNHCR) said the two vessels, carrying more than 500 people, are believed to have capsized in recent days after departing from Myanmar’s conflict-ravaged Rakhine State in late June. Most of those on board were members of the Rohingya Muslim minority.

The agencies said some passengers had also departed from refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, where more than one million Rohingya refugees continue to live in overcrowded and difficult conditions after fleeing violence in Myanmar.

According to preliminary information, one boat carrying about 250 people disappeared shortly after setting sail, while another vessel with around 280 passengers is believed to have sunk near Myanmar’s Ayeyarwady coast on July 8.

The U.N. agencies cautioned that the incidents and the reported death toll have not yet been officially confirmed.

They added that the journeys took place during a particularly dangerous period for sea travel, with seasonal storms, heavy rainfall and flooding significantly increasing the risks faced by migrants attempting the crossing.

Hackers leak alleged data linked to India’s nuclear power plant

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Hackers leak

NEW DELHI: A ransomware group has published what it claims is sensitive data related to India’s Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant, the country’s largest nuclear facility, raising cybersecurity concerns over critical infrastructure.

According to Reuters, the ransomware group World Leaks posted a large cache of files on the dark web, including what appear to be facility layouts, supplier information, inspection records and engineering documents. The group claimed the data was obtained through a breach involving Reliance Infrastructure, which is involved in construction work at the plant.

Reliance said in a statement that data stored on servers operated by data center provider Yotta had been partially compromised and that the incident had been reported to the Indian government.

 The company did not specify what information, if any, had been affected or confirm that the leaked files were authentic.

Reuters reported that more than 858,000 files were allegedly obtained, with around 19,000 considered potentially sensitive.

The documents reportedly include ventilation and cooling system plans for Units 3 and 4, supplier proposals, approved vendor lists, inspection records and insurance documents. The published files do not appear to include information on the reactors’ core operating systems.

Cybersecurity experts warned that even if the leaked material does not expose reactor controls, it could still provide valuable intelligence about the plant’s supporting infrastructure and supply chain. Nicholas Roth, senior director at the Nuclear Threat Initiative, said such information could help attackers identify vulnerabilities within critical systems.

Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant, located in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, is the largest of India’s seven nuclear power stations and a key part of the country’s plan to expand nuclear energy generation. Units 3 and 4, currently under construction, are expected to begin operations in 2027 with a combined capacity of 2,000 megawatts.

World Leaks has previously claimed responsibility for cyberattacks targeting major companies, including Nike and Tata Group, and typically publishes stolen data after ransom demands are rejected. The authenticity and full scope of the leaked documents related to Kudankulam have not been independently verified.