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Tag: Reuters

  • Iran to File FIFA Complaint Over World Cup Travel Restrictions in United States

    Iran to File FIFA Complaint Over World Cup Travel Restrictions in United States

    The Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran has announced plans to file a formal complaint with FIFA over travel restrictions affecting the country’s national team during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

    According to Iranian football officials, visa uncertainties and ongoing regional tensions have forced the team to base itself in Mexico rather than the United States, where all three of its Group G matches are scheduled to take place.

    Under current arrangements, Iranian players and staff are reportedly permitted to enter the United States only within 24 hours of a match and must leave on the same day after the game. Iranian officials argue that these restrictions place the team at a competitive disadvantage compared with other tournament participants.

    National team coach Amir Ghalenoei described Iran as the “most oppressed” team at the tournament, claiming the travel requirements have disrupted preparation and recovery schedules.

    In a statement, the Iranian federation said the restrictions are inconsistent with the principle of equal treatment for participating teams and may negatively affect the squad’s technical and physical preparation.

    The federation also argued that its coaching staff had requested permission for the team to arrive in host cities two days before matches and return to its base the day after each game. Officials say that request was denied ahead of Iran’s opening Group G match against New Zealand national football team, which ended in a 2-2 draw.

    Neither FIFA nor the U.S. Department of Homeland Security had publicly commented on the complaint at the time of the report.

    Iran is scheduled to continue its World Cup campaign against Belgium national football team in Los Angeles on June 21 before concluding the group stage against Egypt national football team in Seattle on June 27.

    The dispute highlights the challenges that geopolitical tensions and immigration policies can create during global sporting events, particularly when tournaments are hosted across multiple countries and involve nations facing diplomatic or security-related restrictions.

  • Deadly Explosion in Myanmar Rebel-Controlled Village Kills Dozens, Leaves Community Devastated

    Deadly Explosion in Myanmar Rebel-Controlled Village Kills Dozens, Leaves Community Devastated

    At least 39 people have been killed and 75 others injured after a massive explosion tore through a village in northern Myanmar, according to officials from the rebel group that controls the area. Local reports and witness accounts suggest the death toll could be even higher.

    The blast occurred around midday on Sunday in Kaung Tat, a community near the Chinese border controlled by the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA).

    In a statement, the TNLA said the explosion was caused by explosives that had been stored for mining operations. The group issued a public apology, describing the incident as a tragic accident and pledging to investigate those responsible.

    “We deeply apologize for this accident, which has resulted in a tragic loss of lives and immense devastation,” TNLA spokesperson Lway Yay Oo said.

    The explosion caused widespread destruction, damaging more than 200 homes and devastating large sections of the village. Residents described scenes of chaos as rescue teams searched through rubble for survivors.

    A local resident identified as Moe Z told Reuters that he was traveling with friends approximately 1.5 miles from the village when the explosion occurred. He described seeing a massive mushroom cloud rise into the sky and initially believed the area had come under air attack.

    According to witnesses, the force of the blast was so powerful that entire homes were obliterated. Rescue workers reportedly faced difficult conditions as they searched through collapsed structures and debris using heavy machinery.

    A local journalist said some victims remained trapped beneath rubble, while houses closest to the blast site were completely destroyed.

    The explosion highlights the growing role of mining and mineral extraction in Myanmar’s ongoing civil conflict. The country’s rich deposits of minerals, including rare earth elements, have become significant sources of funding for both armed rebel groups and the military-backed government.

    Myanmar has been engulfed in conflict since the military seized power in a 2021 coup that overthrew the elected government led by Aung San Suu Kyi. Since then, fighting between the military and various resistance groups has intensified across large parts of the country.

    Although the TNLA is currently observing a ceasefire with Myanmar’s military, the region remains heavily militarized, and civilians continue to face significant risks from conflict-related activities.

    The TNLA has vowed to improve safety procedures, prevent similar incidents in the future, and continue rescue and rehabilitation efforts for affected residents.

    As recovery operations continue, the scale of destruction has left many families displaced and raised renewed concerns about the dangers associated with storing large quantities of explosives in populated areas.

  • NextEra to Acquire Dominion Energy in $66.8 Billion Deal Driven by AI Power Demand

    NextEra to Acquire Dominion Energy in $66.8 Billion Deal Driven by AI Power Demand

    NextEra Energy has agreed to acquire Dominion Energy in an all-stock deal valued at approximately $66.8 billion, creating what companies say will become the world’s largest regulated electric utility by market value.

    The massive acquisition comes as U.S. utilities race to meet soaring electricity demand from data centers powering the artificial intelligence boom.

    The deal is one of the largest in the American power industry and reflects a growing wave of consolidation among energy companies seeking to capitalize on the rapid expansion of AI infrastructure and cloud computing.

    Under the agreement, NextEra will exchange 0.8138 shares of its stock for each Dominion share, valuing Dominion at about $75.97 per share, roughly 23% above its previous closing price.

    Following the announcement, Dominion shares surged nearly 15% in premarket trading, while NextEra shares slipped about 2%.

    The acquisition gives Florida-based NextEra expanded access to the PJM Interconnection region, including Virginia, home to one of the world’s largest concentrations of data centers.

    Dominion’s service territory includes Northern Virginia’s “Data Center Alley,” a major global hub for cloud computing and AI operations. The company reportedly has nearly 51 gigawatts of contracted data-center capacity.

    Its customer base includes major technology companies such as Alphabet, Amazon, Microsoft, Meta, Equinix, CoreWeave and CyrusOne.

    The transaction also strengthens NextEra’s broader push into energy projects tied to AI growth. Last year, the company signed a deal with Google to reopen a nuclear power plant in Iowa to help meet rising electricity needs.

    Industry analysts expect the merger to face intense regulatory scrutiny over concerns related to market concentration, electricity pricing and grid reliability.

    The deal will require approvals from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and utility regulators in Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina, as well as shareholder approval.

    The companies expect the transaction to close within 12 to 18 months.

    Once finalized, NextEra CEO John Ketchum will lead the combined company.

  • China Agrees to Buy 200 Boeing Jets in Major Deal Announced by Trump

    China Agrees to Buy 200 Boeing Jets in Major Deal Announced by Trump

    U.S. President Donald Trump announced Friday that China has agreed to purchase 200 Boeing aircraft in a major aviation deal that could eventually expand to as many as 750 planes.

    Speaking to reporters during his visit to Beijing, Trump said the agreement includes “approximately 200 planes and a promise of up to 750 if they do a good job,” adding that the aircraft would be equipped with GE Aerospace engines.

    Specific details about the deal, including aircraft models and delivery schedules, were not immediately released.

    If finalized, the agreement would represent Boeing’s first major aircraft sale to China in nearly a decade, marking a significant breakthrough after years of strained trade relations between Washington and Beijing largely shut the American manufacturer out of one of the world’s biggest aviation markets.

    Boeing later confirmed the arrangement involved an “initial commitment” for 200 aircraft and suggested additional commitments could follow in future phases. The company noted that such commitments are preliminary agreements that have not yet been added to Boeing’s official order backlog.

    The announcement comes as Boeing attempts to regain ground in China after European rival Airbus expanded its dominance in the region in recent years.

    Industry analysts estimate the initial 200-plane order could be worth between $17 billion and $19 billion, depending on the mix of aircraft involved. Aviation advisory firm IBA said the value could climb to approximately $25 billion if a larger share of the order includes widebody aircraft.

    The agreement would also provide a major boost to China’s rapidly growing aviation sector, where domestic aircraft production through COMAC’s C919 program has struggled to meet ambitious output goals.

    Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg and GE Aerospace CEO Larry Culp were among several American business leaders accompanying Trump during the Beijing summit in hopes of securing commercial deals and easing trade tensions.

    Despite the significance of the announcement, investors reacted cautiously. Boeing shares fell nearly four percent after Trump first disclosed the deal, as analysts had reportedly expected a much larger initial order. Shares continued to decline Friday, while GE Aerospace also saw losses.

    Industry sources previously indicated Boeing had been negotiating for at least 500 narrowbody aircraft linked to the summit, along with additional widebody jet orders that could be announced later.

    Trump also revealed that Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to visit Washington in September, raising expectations that further aviation agreements could be unveiled during that trip.

    However, some aviation experts say concerns over after-sales support and potential U.S. export restrictions continue to affect Chinese purchasing decisions.

    Analyst Li Hanming said uncertainty surrounding access to aircraft parts and maintenance support has created hesitation among Chinese buyers, especially after previous threats of export controls from the United States.

    The Boeing-China agreement is viewed as a major political and economic victory for Trump as his administration continues efforts to reduce the U.S. trade deficit and strengthen commercial ties with Beijing.

  • Zelenskyy Demands Global Pressure on Russia After Deadly Kyiv Missile Strike Kills 24

    Zelenskyy Demands Global Pressure on Russia After Deadly Kyiv Missile Strike Kills 24

    Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has condemned Russia following a devastating missile strike on a Kyiv apartment building that killed 24 people, including three children, during what officials described as the heaviest air assault on the Ukrainian capital this year.

    Rescue operations concluded Friday after emergency crews spent more than 28 hours searching through the rubble of the destroyed residential building in Kyiv’s Darnytskyi district. Hundreds of responders worked continuously to recover victims and rescue survivors trapped beneath the debris.

    Zelenskyy visited the scene on Friday, laying red roses at the site and thanking rescue workers for their efforts.

    “Our first responders worked non-stop for more than a day,” Zelenskyy said in a statement posted on Telegram. “The Russians practically levelled an entire section of the building with their missile.”

    Ukrainian officials said approximately 30 people were rescued alive, while nearly 50 others suffered injuries. Authorities added that around 400 residents required psychological support following the attack.

    Kyiv observed an official day of mourning Friday, with flags lowered to half-mast across the city and entertainment events canceled in honor of the victims.

    According to preliminary findings cited by Zelenskyy, the apartment building was struck by a recently manufactured Russian Kh-101 cruise missile.

    The Ukrainian president renewed calls for stronger international pressure on Moscow and urged allies to increase support for Ukraine’s air defense systems.

    “A Russia like this can never be normalized,” Zelenskyy said. “A Russia that deliberately destroys lives and hopes to remain unpunished. Pressure is needed.”

    The latest attack came as Russia launched more than 1,500 drones and dozens of missiles across Ukraine over two consecutive days, according to Ukrainian officials. Additional strikes reportedly killed six people in western Ukraine, far from active frontline combat zones.

    Russia has not immediately commented on the Kyiv apartment strike. Moscow continues to deny intentionally targeting civilians, despite repeated attacks on residential areas and civilian infrastructure since the start of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

    Meanwhile, Russian officials reported that a Ukrainian drone attack on the city of Ryazan killed four people, including a child, and damaged apartment buildings along with an industrial facility.

    The escalation highlights the ongoing intensity of the war as both sides continue cross-border strikes while diplomatic efforts to end the conflict remain stalled.