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Japan Thrashes China 7-0, Australia Stunned by Bahrain in World Cup Qualifiers

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Japan made a commanding start to the third round of Asian qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, overwhelming China with a 7-0 victory, while Australia faced an unexpected setback, losing 1-0 to Bahrain at home.

In Saitama, Japan’s performance was powered by Premier League stars Kaoru Mitoma and Wataru Endo. Brighton winger Mitoma, returning from injury for his first appearance with Japan since the Asian Cup in January, scored with a first-half header after Liverpool’s Endo opened the scoring.

“The home support was overwhelming and that allowed us to play well from the first whistle,” Mitoma said, expressing relief at his goal.

Takumi Minamino added two goals after halftime, with Junya Ito, Daizen Maeda, and Takefusa Kubo also finding the net in a dominant display by Hajime Moriyasu’s side. The result highlighted China’s struggles, having barely qualified for this round due to a superior head-to-head record over Thailand.

In a surprising turn of events on the Gold Coast, Australia suffered a 1-0 defeat to Bahrain. The match seemed destined for a scoreless draw until an 89th-minute own goal by Harry Souttar. Australia’s chances diminished after striker Kusini Yengi received a red card in the 77th minute for a high kick.

Bahrain beats Australia

“It’s a learning curve for the players. It wasn’t our night,” Australia coach Graham Arnold commented post-match.

In Seoul, Palestine earned a notable 0-0 draw against South Korea. Despite being ranked 96th to South Korea’s 23rd in FIFA rankings, Palestine held their own in an open contest. The team, making their debut in this qualifying stage and playing their home matches abroad due to the war in Gaza, created several chances, including a disallowed goal in the 22nd minute.

The top two teams from each of the three Asian groups will secure places at the expanded 48-team World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Other matches in the qualifiers saw Saudi Arabia, under Roberto Mancini, hosting Indonesia, while Iraq faced Oman, and Jordan played Kuwait.

These results set the stage for an intriguing qualifying campaign, with established teams facing challenges and underdogs showing their potential on the road to the 2026 World Cup.

Germany’s Migration Commissioner Proposes Rwanda Deportation Plan for Illegal EU Entrants

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Germany’s Special Representative for Migration Agreements, Joachim Stamp, has proposed deporting migrants who enter the European Union illegally through its borders with Belarus to Rwanda. The suggestion comes as Berlin considers measures to restrict refugee arrivals in the bloc amid rising political pressure.

Stamp, a member of the junior coalition FDP party, outlined his proposal in a podcast by Table Media published on Thursday. He suggested utilizing existing asylum facilities in Rwanda that were initially set up for Britain’s 2022 plan to send unauthorized migrants to the East African nation. The British plan was abandoned by Keir Starmer’s new government in July.

Under Stamp’s proposal, asylum procedures in Rwanda would be conducted under United Nations supervision. “We currently have no third country that has come forward, with the exception of Rwanda,” Stamp stated, noting that Rwanda has publicly expressed willingness to continue implementing this model.

The proposal specifically targets refugees crossing the EU’s eastern borders, with Stamp estimating this group to be “about 10,000 people a year.” He dismissed broader suggestions from the conservative opposition to apply such a model to all refugees.

This initiative comes in the wake of increasing pressure on Germany’s ruling coalition government to restrict irregular migration. The pressure intensified following a fatal stabbing linked to Islamic State at a city festival last month, which fueled far-right opposition and criticism of Berlin’s migration policies.

Stamp also suggested removing the “connecting element” in the new Common European Asylum System (CEAS), which currently requires external asylum procedures to be conducted in countries where the asylum seeker has a social connection.

The proposal emerges against the backdrop of the European Union’s December agreement on new rules to handle irregular arrivals of asylum seekers and migrants. This deal, hailed as a breakthrough after nearly a decade of disagreements, is expected to take full effect by the end of 2025.

Stamp’s position within Germany’s Interior Ministry lends weight to his proposal, although it remains to be seen how it will be received by other coalition partners and the broader European community. The suggestion to use Rwanda as a processing center for asylum seekers entering the EU via Belarus represents a significant shift in Germany’s approach to managing irregular migration.

Reuters

World Bank, French Development Agency Provide Over $600 Million Aid to Uganda

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The World Bank and French Development Agency (AFD) have committed more than $600 million in aid to Uganda for infrastructure development and waste management in the capital city of Kampala, according to statements released Thursday by the government and World Bank.

The aid package comes in response to longstanding complaints from Ugandans about poor waste management and deteriorating road conditions in Kampala, issues exacerbated by chronic underfunding from the central government. The urgency of addressing these problems was underscored last month when a garbage landslide at a landfill site on the outskirts of Kampala buried houses as residents slept, resulting in at least 35 deaths.

The World Bank will provide $566 million, primarily in the form of credit, while the AFD will contribute $42.7 million. “Rapid urban expansion has exposed significant gaps in infrastructure,” the World Bank stated, highlighting the pressing need for urban development assistance.

This aid announcement comes after the World Bank had previously stated it would halt lending to Uganda following the country’s passage of a strict anti-gay law last year. The World Bank did not immediately respond to Reuters’ request for an explanation regarding the lifting of this assistance ban.

The substantial funding is expected to address critical infrastructure needs in Kampala, potentially improving living conditions for residents and enhancing the city’s capacity to manage waste effectively. However, the reversal of the World Bank’s lending stance may raise questions about the institution’s policy consistency regarding human rights issues.

As Uganda moves forward with these infrastructure projects, the international community will likely monitor both the implementation of the funded initiatives and any potential shifts in the country’s social policies that may have influenced the resumption of aid.

Guatemala to Accept 135 Nicaraguan Political Prisoners Released in US-Brokered Deal

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The United States has brokered a deal for the release of 135 political prisoners from Nicaragua on humanitarian grounds, the White House announced Thursday. The freed individuals will initially be received by Guatemala before potentially seeking lawful relocation to the United States or other countries.

U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan

White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan released a statement detailing the agreement. Among those released are 13 members of the Texas-based Mountain Gateway organization, as well as Catholic laypeople, students, and others who had been imprisoned.

The release marks a significant diplomatic achievement for the United States in its efforts to address human rights concerns in Nicaragua. The Central American nation has faced international criticism for its treatment of political dissidents and opposition figures.

Sullivan’s statement did not provide specifics on the conditions of the prisoners’ release or the negotiations that led to the agreement. It also remains unclear how long the freed individuals will stay in Guatemala or what processes they will need to follow to potentially relocate to the United States or elsewhere.

President Daniel Ortega of Nicaragua

This development comes amid ongoing tensions between Nicaragua and the international community over issues of political freedom and human rights. The release of these prisoners may signal a potential shift in Nicaragua’s approach to political dissent, though it remains to be seen whether this will lead to broader changes in the country’s political landscape.

The involvement of Guatemala in receiving the released prisoners highlights the regional dynamics at play in Central American politics and the role of neighboring countries in addressing humanitarian issues.

As the situation unfolds, international observers and human rights organizations will likely be monitoring the well-being of the released prisoners and any potential implications this move may have for other political detainees still held in Nicaragua.

New Maori Queen Anointed as Father, King Tuheitia, is Buried-Reuters

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A new Maori Queen was anointed Thursday as thousands gathered to bid farewell to her father, King Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII, who died last week at 69 following surgery.

Representatives announced that Nga Wai Hono i te Po, 27, had been chosen by Maori elders to succeed her father. The anointment ceremony, known as Te Whakawahinga, took place during the tangihanga (funeral and burial) of King Tuheitia at Tuurangawaewae, the meeting place of the King movement.

In a traditional ceremony, Archbishop Don Tamihere placed a bible, used since 1858, upon the new queen’s head and anointed her with sacred oils to bestow prestige, sacredness, power and spiritual essence.

Following the anointment, King Tuheitia’s coffin was transported by hearse to the Waikato River, then paddled in a flotilla of traditional Maori waka (canoes) to Taupiri Mountain for burial alongside other royals and high-profile Maori.

The Maori monarch, while considered the paramount chief of several tribes (iwi), holds no judicial or legal authority in New Zealand and serves a largely ceremonial role. The position is not hereditary but voted on by representatives from iwi across the country.

Nga Wai Hono i te Po, the only daughter and youngest child of King Tuheitia and his wife Te Atawhai Makau Ariki, holds a Master of Arts in Tikanga Maori and has served on various boards, including the Te Kohanga Reo National Trust, which focuses on revitalizing the Maori language.

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon welcomed the new queen’s appointment, stating she would carry forward the mantle of leadership left by her father.

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The anointment comes at a critical time for race relations in New Zealand. The country’s center-right coalition government, which took office last year, has begun reversing policies of previous administrations, particularly those promoting the official use of the Maori language, enhancing Indigenous living standards and rights, and addressing historical wrongs from colonization.

In January, King Tuheitia held a gathering of tribes to discuss responses to government plans. His daughter, now the new queen, stood beside him as he emphasized the importance of their voices.

As New Zealand grapples with these challenges, the new Maori Queen’s role in representing and advocating for Indigenous interests is likely to be closely watched in the coming months and years.

France’s Macron Names Former Brexit Negotiator Michel Barnier as New Prime Minister

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French President Emmanuel Macron appointed Michel Barnier, the European Union’s former Brexit negotiator, as his new prime minister on Thursday. The move aims to end political paralysis following an inconclusive snap election and comes as France faces pressing challenges, including the preparation of its 2025 budget.

Barnier, 73, becomes the oldest prime minister in France’s modern political history, succeeding Gabriel Attal, who was the youngest. The appointment of this discreet, conservative politician is expected to face immediate challenges in a bitterly divided parliament.

The leftwing alliance that won June’s election accused Macron of ignoring the election result by selecting a conservative. Jean-Luc Melenchon, the hard-left leader, declared, “The election has been stolen,” while another hard-left lawmaker, Mathilde Panot, called it an “unacceptable democratic coup.” The alliance has called for demonstrations against Barnier’s selection but lacks the seats to block the choice on its own.

The far-right National Rally (RN), parliament’s largest single party, indicated it would not immediately block Barnier’s appointment. Jordan Bardella, the RN leader, stated they would judge Barnier based on his “general policy speech, his budgetary decisions and his actions on their own merit.” However, the party reserved the right to use “all political means of action” if their concerns about cost of living, security, and immigration are not addressed in the coming weeks.

Barnier, a staunch pro-European and moderate career politician, toughened his stance on immigration during his unsuccessful 2021 bid for his conservative party’s presidential nomination. His political career spans decades, including roles as foreign minister and agriculture minister. Internationally, he is best known for leading the EU’s Brexit negotiations from 2016 to 2021.

Financial markets reacted positively to Barnier’s appointment, with French bank shares edging up, government borrowing costs falling slightly, and the euro nudging higher.

The appointment comes as Macron faces the challenge of implementing his political agenda without an absolute majority in parliament. Barnier will need to negotiate with other parties to pass legislation, a task complicated by the divided political landscape.

The RN has set conditions for not voting against Barnier, including the dissolution of parliament as early as July next year and support for changing France’s voting system to proportional representation.

As Barnier takes office, he faces immediate challenges, particularly in preparing France’s 2025 budget. Outgoing Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire has warned that tens of billions of euros in budget cuts are needed to address deteriorating public finances.

Barnier’s appointment marks a new chapter in French politics as the country grapples with economic challenges, political divisions, and the need for stable governance in a fragmented parliament.

China Pledges $51 Billion in Funding to Africa, Promises One Million Jobs

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Chinese President Xi Jinping pledged on Thursday to significantly increase China’s support for Africa, promising nearly $51 billion in funding over three years, backing for more infrastructure projects, and the creation of at least one million jobs. The announcement came during the three-yearly Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Summit in Beijing, where delegates from more than 50 African nations gathered.

Xi emphasized the importance of China-Africa relations, stating, “China and Africa account for one-third of the world population. Without our modernization, there will be no global modernization.” Despite his previous emphasis on “small and beautiful” schemes, Xi committed to tripling the number of infrastructure projects across resource-rich Africa, focusing on advanced and green technologies in which Chinese firms have heavily invested.

The financial assistance package totals 360 billion yuan ($50.70 billion), with 210 billion to be disbursed through credit lines and at least 70 billion in fresh investment by Chinese companies. Smaller amounts will be provided through military aid and other projects. Notably, this assistance will be in yuan, potentially indicating a push to further internationalize the Chinese currency.

Following the opening ceremony, delegates adopted the Beijing Declaration on building “a shared future in the new era” and the Beijing Action Plan for 2025-2027. Xi called for a China-Africa network of land and sea links and coordinated development, urging Chinese contractors to return to the continent now that COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted.

While Xi did not explicitly mention debt in his speech, the Action Plan included terms for repayment postponements and called for the establishment of an African rating agency. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that African countries’ inadequate access to debt relief and scarce resources could lead to social unrest.

Xi announced plans to launch 30 clean energy projects in Africa, offering cooperation on nuclear technology to address the continent’s power deficit. However, he did not reiterate his 2021 pledge to buy $300 billion worth of African goods, instead promising only to unilaterally expand market access. Analysts attribute this to China’s strict plant sanitary check rules, which have made it difficult to meet previous import promises.

The forum outlines a three-year program for China and every African state except Eswatini, which maintains ties with Taiwan. Last year, China approved loans worth $4.61 billion to Africa, marking the first annual increase since 2016.

African representatives at the summit expressed optimism about strengthening ties with China. Princess Dugba, Sierra Leone’s fisheries and marine resources minister, highlighted a Chinese-funded fish harbor project in her country, saying, “I’m here to see how best we can foster our relationship with China.”

As the summit concludes, attention turns to the implementation of these ambitious commitments and their potential impact on African development and China-Africa relations in the coming years. The outcomes of this forum underscore China’s continued economic engagement with Africa and its role as the world’s biggest bilateral lender to the continent.

Imane Khelif’s Olympic Gold Inspires Surge in Women’s Boxing in Algeria

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Imane Khelif’s gold medal victory in women’s boxing at the Paris Olympics has ignited a wave of enthusiasm for the sport across Algeria, with coaches and athletes reporting a surge in interest, particularly among women.

Khelif, a 25-year-old welterweight, has become a national hero, her image adorning airports, highway billboards, and boxing gyms throughout the country. Her success has not only elevated her to celebrity status but has also inspired a new generation of female boxers.

In Ain Taya, a seaside town east of Algiers, the impact of what local media have dubbed “Khelifmania” is evident. Zougar Amina, a medical student and amateur boxer, describes Khelif as an idol and role model. “Since I’ve been boxing, my personality has changed: I’m more confident, less stressed,” Amina said, adding that the sport serves as “therapy to fight shyness, to learn to defend myself, to gain self-confidence.”

The local gym, a converted church, has seen a significant increase in interest. Coach Malika Abassi reports that all 23 young women and girls training there aspire to emulate Khelif’s success. “We’re getting calls from parents wanting to sign up their daughters,” Abassi said, expressing concern about the gym’s capacity to handle the growing demand.

Noureddine Bouteldja, a former amateur boxer and sports journalist, describes Khelif’s impact as transcending boxing to become a “social phenomenon” throughout Algeria. Her personal story and the international scrutiny she faced during the Olympics have resonated deeply with Algerians.

The nation rallied behind Khelif in the face of criticism from international figures who falsely claimed she was transgender. Algerians largely interpreted these attacks as affronts to their nation, with most unable to conceive of a transgender athlete from Algeria.

“It’s the victory of a woman who has shown extraordinary resilience and phenomenal strength of character in the face of the campaign to denigrate her gender,” Bouteldja said.

Mourad Meziane, head of the Algerian Boxing League, anticipates a significant increase in registrations among young women at the start of the school year in mid-September. Currently, Algeria has 30 regional boxing leagues and 10,000 athletes participating nationwide.

“The impact is inevitable and will only be very positive for women’s boxing in Algeria,” Meziane said.

The influence of Khelif’s victory extends beyond sports. Attorney Aouicha Bakhti, a prominent feminist and political activist, believes Khelif’s story will have a lasting impact on Algerian culture, serving as a counterweight to societal elements that discourage women’s participation in sports.

“This kind of epic helps society, ours in this case, which is in the process of retreating in the face of fundamentalist ideals,” Bakhti said.

Despite widespread support, Khelif’s success has faced some criticism. A few prominent imams and Islamist politicians have objected to the example she sets by wearing her boxing uniform rather than a headscarf. However, amateur boxer Amina Abassi believes the overwhelming support for Khelif will outweigh such criticism.

“I’m convinced that even conservative families will allow their daughters to take up boxing,” Abassi said. “Imane has broken through the wall of false modesty and hypocrisy.”

As Algeria celebrates Khelif’s victory, the nation watches with anticipation to see how her success will continue to shape attitudes towards women in sports and society at large.

AP

Israeli Strikes Kill 6 in West Bank, 4 in Gaza, Palestinian Officials Say

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Israeli strikes in the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip have resulted in multiple casualties, according to Palestinian health officials, as the conflict between Israel and Hamas continues to intensify.

In the West Bank, Palestinian health officials reported that Israeli strikes killed six people, including the son of a prominent jailed militant. The Israeli military stated that all those killed were militants involved in attacks.

A strike overnight in the northern West Bank town of Tubas killed five people, including Mohammed Zubeidi, the Palestinian Health Ministry said Thursday. Zubeidi is the son of Zakaria Zubeidi, a well-known militant commander from the second Palestinian uprising in the early 2000s who took part in a rare jail break in 2021 before being recaptured.

The Israeli military claimed that the younger Zubeidi had participated in attacks against Israeli forces in the West Bank and was with a militant cell when targeted. In another incident, the military reported killing a fighter in an airstrike in the Al-Faraa refugee camp after he allegedly hurled a firebomb at Israeli forces.

Israel has been conducting large-scale raids in the West Bank over the past week, stating that these operations aim to dismantle militant groups and prevent attacks. However, Palestinians fear these actions may lead to a widening of the war in Gaza.

Simultaneously, in the Gaza Strip, Palestinian health officials reported that an Israeli strike on a tent camp near the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in the central city of Deir al-Balah killed four men and wounded two children early Thursday. An Associated Press reporter confirmed seeing the bodies at the hospital.

The Israeli military stated it had carried out a precise strike on a command and control center operated by Hamas and the smaller Islamic Jihad militant group, which was allegedly embedded in a humanitarian zone.

A woman identified as Umm Mohammed Wadi, who was staying in a tent close to where the strike occurred, questioned the attack, saying, “What did they do to be struck while sleeping? No hospital is safe, nor any school or home.”

The ongoing conflict has displaced approximately 90% of Gaza’s 2.3 million people, often multiple times. While Israel has ordered mass evacuations into designated humanitarian zones, it occasionally carries out strikes in these areas as well.

Israel maintains that it only targets militants and tries to avoid harming civilians. However, the Gaza Health Ministry reports that at least 40,861 Palestinians have been killed and more than 94,000 wounded since the start of the war. The ministry does not differentiate between civilians and fighters in its toll.

The war began after Hamas launched a wide-scale attack into Israel on October 7, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting around 250 people. Approximately 100 hostages are still inside Gaza, about a third of whom are believed to be dead, after most of the rest were released during a ceasefire in November.

Mexico’s Congress Advances Controversial Bill to Elect All Judges, Causing Protests

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Mexico’s lower house of Congress has passed a controversial bill that would require all of the country’s judges to stand for election, marking the most sweeping judicial overhaul in a century. The measure, which has sparked widespread protests and criticism, now heads to the Senate for consideration.

In a marathon session that stretched into the early hours of Wednesday morning, legislators were forced to meet in a gymnasium after protesters blocked access to the Congress building. The lower chamber approved the constitutional measure with a 359-135 vote in the first round, followed by a second-round vote later that morning. Both votes followed party lines, with President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s Morena party and its allies pushing the bill through.

The proposed reform would affect some 7,000 judges across Mexico’s judicial system. López Obrador and his ruling party argue that the current court system is corrupt and that elections would make judges more accountable to the people.

Critics, however, warn that the changes could severely undermine the independence of the judiciary. Human rights groups and legal experts have raised concerns about how such large-scale elections could be carried out without risking infiltration by drug cartels and criminal organizations.

The bill now faces a crucial test in the Senate, where Morena is one vote short of the required two-thirds majority. Observers expect a tight vote, with the possibility of the ruling party persuading an opposition senator to support the measure. If passed by the Senate, the constitutional proposal would then need approval from a majority of Mexico’s 32 state legislatures. Morena controls most state congresses, increasing the likelihood of the bill’s ultimate passage.

The proposed changes have fueled widespread protests across Mexico in recent weeks. On Tuesday, demonstrators blocked entrances to the lower house of Congress in an attempt to halt the debate. The country’s Supreme Court also voted 8-3 to join strikes, adding weight to the opposition movement.

Javier Reyes, a 37-year-old federal court worker participating in the protests, expressed concern about the potential consequences of the reform. “The party with the majority could take control of the judicial branch, and that would practically be the end of democracy,” he said. “They want to own Mexico.”

The bill would dramatically alter the current system, in which judges and court secretaries qualify for higher positions based on their records. Under the proposed changes, any lawyer meeting minimal qualifications could run for a judgeship, with some candidacies potentially decided by drawing names from a hat.

Other controversial aspects of the reform include the introduction of time limits for judges to rule on many cases, the creation of “hooded judges” with secret identities to preside over organized crime cases, and stripping courts of much of their power to block government projects or laws based on citizen appeals.

U.S. Ambassador Ken Salazar has voiced concerns about the proposed changes, particularly the election of judges, warning that it could negatively impact investment and the Mexican economy. In response, López Obrador announced last week that he had put relations with the U.S. and Canadian embassies “on pause” after they expressed their concerns.

President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum, a close ally of López Obrador, defended the reform on social media, stating that it “does not affect our commercial relations, nor national or foreign private investments. On the contrary, there will be more and better rule of law and more democracy for all.”

As the bill moves to the Senate, opposition parties have vowed to vote against it. Alejandro Moreno, head of the Institutional Revolutionary Party, confirmed that his party members would oppose the proposal in the upper chamber, as they did in the lower house.

The contentious nature of the reform and its potential far-reaching consequences ensure that it will remain a focal point of political debate and public discourse in Mexico in the coming weeks. As the legislative process continues, all eyes will be on the Senate and state legislatures to see if this sweeping judicial overhaul becomes a reality.

Credit: apnews.com

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