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At least 920 dead after 6.1-magnitude quake hits Afghanistan

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An earthquake of magnitude 6.1 killed 950 people in Afghanistan early on Wednesday, disaster management officials said, with more than 600 injured and the count expected to grow as information trickles in from remote mountain villages. Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada said hundreds of houses were destroyed and the death toll was likely to rise.It is the deadliest earthquake to strike Afghanistan in two decades.

Photo Credit: AP

The head of information for Paktika province, Mohammad Amin Hazifi, told the BBC that 1,000 people had died and 1,500 more are injured. Rescue teams are still searching for others buried under the ground, he added.The earthquake struck about 44km (27 miles) from the south-eastern city of Khost shortly after 01:30 local time (21:00 Tuesday GMT), when many people were asleep at home. Neighboring Pakistan’s Meteorological Department said the quake’s epicenter was in Afghanistan’s Paktika province, just near the border and some 50 kilometers (31 miles) southwest of the city of Khost. Such temblors can cause severe damage, particularly in an area like this one where homes and other buildings are poorly constructed and landslides are common.

Footage from Paktika province showed people being carried into helicopters to be airlifted from the area. Others were treated on the ground. One resident could be seen receiving IV fluids while sitting in a plastic chair outside the rubble of his home and still more were sprawled on gurneys. Other images showed residents picking through clay bricks and other rubble from destroyed stone houses.
Bilal Karimi, a deputy spokesman for the Taliban government, gave no specific death toll but wrote on Twitter that hundreds of people were killed and injured in the earthquake, which shook four districts in Paktika.

“We urge all aid agencies to send teams to the area immediately to prevent further catastrophe,” he wrote.

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Announcements

Saudi Arabia to Host 2034 FIFA Men’s World Cup; 2030 edition to span three continents

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World soccer’s governing body, FIFA, has confirmed that Saudi Arabia will host the men’s FIFA World Cup in 2034, while the 2030 tournament will be held in Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, with special celebratory matches in three South American countries. The announcement was made on Wednesday by FIFA President Gianni Infantino following an extraordinary virtual Congress.

Both tournaments were awarded through uncontested bids and confirmed by acclamation. “We are bringing football to more countries, and the number of teams has not diluted the quality. It has actually enhanced opportunities,” said Infantino, highlighting the expanded global reach of the tournament.

The 2030 World Cup will be a landmark event, taking place across six nations and three continents. Morocco, Spain, and Portugal will serve as the primary hosts, while Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay will hold celebratory matches to mark the centenary of the inaugural World Cup, hosted by Uruguay in 1930.

While Argentina and Spain have previously hosted the tournament, Uruguay will host again for the first time in a century. Portugal, Paraguay, and Morocco will join the World Cup’s history as first-time host nations.

In 2034, Saudi Arabia will become the second Middle Eastern nation to host the FIFA World Cup, following Qatar’s 2022 edition. This milestone further cements the region’s growing influence in the world of football.

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Inaugural Sport Impact Summit champions global change through the power of sport

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The inaugural Sport Impact Summit (SIS) 2024 united over 200 global leaders, dignitaries, and changemakers at Atlantis, The Palm, Dubai, to champion the transformative power of sport in addressing critical global challenges, including climate action, sustainability, and human health.

The summit, held under the esteemed patronage of His Excellency Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, UAE Minister of Sports, and in the presence of His Excellency Sheikh Suhail Bin Butti Suhail Al Maktoum, Executive Director of the Sports Development Sector at the General Authority of Sports, provided an engaging platform for impactful discussions, innovative partnerships, and actionable solutions.

Key highlights included the UAE Ministry of Sport Masterclass, presented by Oxford SDG and Sport Impact, showcasing best practices in sustainability leadership. The summit also featured powerful stories of innovation and advocacy from organizations like McLaren, Deloitte, ATP Tour, Nitto, Sail GP, and Reflo, emphasizing the sport industry’s role in fostering environmental stewardship.

The event’s agenda also included:

-Moneyball Talk: Hosted by Dureka Carrasquillo, this session explored the evolving financial landscape of sustainability sponsorship in sports with insights from 1.5 Capital, SURJ, Udinese Calcio, and VTV Consulting.

-Player Power Panel: Featuring Justin Coghlan, Dominic Thiem, and Lucy Shuker, the panel highlighted athletes’ increasing influence in driving meaningful change.

-Biodiversity Tour: In partnership with Goumbook and Atlantis Dubai, this initiative highlighted the critical connection between sport and environmental preservation.-Mike Ford, Co-Founder of SIS, noted, “The overwhelming enthusiasm we’ve witnessed confirms the sporting world’s readiness to take bold action to address sustainability and human health challenges. This summit marks the beginning of a global movement. We are thrilled to announce a series of future masterclasses across the region and the launch of the Sport Impact Summit 2025, aligning with the Dubai Fitness Challenge next year.”

Sean Morris, Co-Founder of SIS, added, “The success of this summit underscores the collective power of sport and the necessity of collaborative action. This event has catalyzed partnerships and ideas that will shape the future of sustainability in sport, driving tangible progress toward a better world.”

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Etihad Airways adds 10 new destinations for 2025

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Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, announced the launch of ten new destinations starting in 2025.

The new destinations are Algiers, Atlanta, Chiang Mai, Hanoi, Hong Kong, Krabi, Medan, Phnom Penh, Taipei and Tunis. They will complement Etihad’s previously revealed new destinations for 2025: Prague, Warsaw, and Al Alamein.

Antonoaldo Neves, Etihad’s Chief Executive Officer, said, “Launching ten new destinations in a single day underscores our unwavering commitment to growing our airline with a fantastic route network and world-class, customer-focused service. This incredible milestone would not have been possible without the extraordinary efforts of our team and the ongoing support of our guests.”

Etihad’s expansion is set to bring tens of thousands of new visitors directly to Abu Dhabi, boosting its position as a premier destination for leisure, business, and cultural tourism. The move aligns with the UAE capital’s efforts to attract international travellers and reinforces its reputation as a hub of connectivity, innovation, and hospitality.

“The launch of these ten destinations is supported by our impressive hub, Zayed International Airport, which boasts the ‘wow’ factor and ample space to accommodate our rapid growth, further enhancing the exceptional guest experience,” said Neves. “2025 marks a pivotal year for Etihad, with more than 90 destinations in over 50 countries, a fleet of more than 110 aircraft – including our amazing new A321LRs – welcoming over 20 million guests onboard. Most importantly, it will support us in bringing over a million visitors to Abu Dhabi to enjoy our home.”

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