United Nations chief Antonio Guterres urged the international community on Monday to reject hunger as a weapon of war.UN agencies have been warning of life-threatening hunger in Gaza as aid supplies dried up, and international pressure has been building for a ceasefire to allow a massive relief operation.Israel's government, under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, furiously denies that it is using hunger as a weapon of war, and instead accuses the aid agencies of failing to pick up and distribute aid delivered to Gaza's border crossing points."Climate change is disrupting harvests, supply chains, and humanitarian aid. Conflict continues to spread hunger from Gaza to Sudan and beyond," Guterres told a UN conference in Ethiopia by video."Hunger fuels instability and undermines peace. We must never accept hunger as a weapon of war," the UN chief added.In the Gaza Strip, the war-shattered Palestinian territory is gripped by dire humanitarian conditions created by 21 months of war and made worse by Israel's total blockade of aid from March to May.Since the easing of the blockade, the levels of aid reaching Gaza have been far below what aid groups say is needed.On Sunday, as Israel began a "tactical pause" in the fighting to allow the UN and aid agencies to tackle a deepening hunger crisis, the World Health Organization warned that malnutrition was reaching "alarming levels."Sudan is "the largest humanitarian catastrophe facing our world and also the least remembered", Othman Belbeisi, the regional director of UN's IOM migration agency, told reporters last week.Since April 2023, Sudan has been torn apart by a power struggle between army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, commander of the rival paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.The fighting has killed tens of thousands and displaced more than seven million people.Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.&nbsp;

"Hunger fuels instability and undermines peace. We must never accept hunger as a weapon of war," the UN chief added said.

United Nations chief Antonio Guterres urged the international community on Monday to reject hunger as a weapon of war. UN agencies have been warning of life-threatening hunger in Gaza as aid supplies dried up, and international pressure has been building for a ceasefire to allow a massive relief operation. Israel's government, under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, furiously denies that it is using hunger as a weapon of war, and instead accuses the aid agencies of failing to pick up and distribute aid delivered to Gaza's border crossing points. "Climate change is disrupting harvests, supply chains, and humanitarian aid. Conflict continues to spread hunger from Gaza to Sudan and beyond," Guterres told a UN conference in Ethiopia by video. "Hunger fuels instability and undermines peace. We must never accept hunger as a weapon of war," the UN chief added. In the Gaza Strip, the war-shattered Palestinian territory is gripped by dire humanitarian conditions created by 21 months of war and made worse by Israel's total blockade of aid from March to May. Since the easing of the blockade, the levels of aid reaching Gaza have been far below what aid groups say is needed. On Sunday, as Israel began a "tactical pause" in the fighting to allow the UN and aid agencies to tackle a deepening hunger crisis, the World Health Organization warned that malnutrition was reaching "alarming levels." Sudan is "the largest humanitarian catastrophe facing our world and also the least remembered", Othman Belbeisi, the regional director of UN's IOM migration agency, told reporters last week. Since April 2023, Sudan has been torn apart by a power struggle between army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, commander of the rival paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. The fighting has killed tens of thousands and displaced more than seven million people. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

"Hunger fuels instability and undermines peace. We must never accept hunger as a weapon of war," the UN chief said.

Hunger must never be 'weapon of war': UN chief Antonio Guterres

Australia's Alex De Minaur saved three match points on his way to a battling 5-7, 6-1, 7-6 (7/3) victory over Spain's Alejandro Davidovich Fokina to clinch the ATP Tour DC Open crown on Sunday.&nbsp;Seventh seed De Minaur looked to be heading for defeat against his 12th-seeded Spanish opponent after trailing 5-2 in the deciding set in Washington.&nbsp;But Davidovich Fokina -- chasing the first ATP title of his career after losing in three previous final appearances -- failed to capitalise on his hefty lead.&nbsp;The Spaniard appeared to tighten when serving for the match at 5-3 up to allow De Minaur to claw it back to 5-4.&nbsp;But Davidovich Fokina responded to that missed opportunity by then earning three match points on De Minaur's serve in the next game.&nbsp;Yet once again, the Spaniard was unable to take advantage and De Minaur survived to hold serve and level the match at 5-5.&nbsp;The next two games went on serve to set up the tie break and De Minaur was quickly in control, sealing victory on the first of three match points with an ace, to settle a 3hr 2mins slugfest.&nbsp;De Minaur said he had never doubted his ability to turn around the final.&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/cricket-watch-stokes-refuses-to-shake-jadeja-s-hand-as-tempers-flare-after-manchester-test-ends-in-stalemate-1753672370669">Watch: Stokes refuses to shake Jadeja's hand as tempers flare after Manchester Test ends in stalemate</a>&nbsp;"I just kind of knew I could do it," De Minaur said in his on-court interview. "I just backed myself to commit no matter what, and if I lost this match, it was going to be on my terms.&nbsp;"I've had a couple of brutal ones not go go my way, so I'm glad this one went my way," the 26-year-old from New South Wales said.&nbsp;The win was another agonizing setback for Davidovich Fokina, who had already reached -- and lost -- two other finals this season.&nbsp;The defeat echoed his loss in the final at Delray Beach in February, when he was unable to convert two match points before losing to Miomir Kecmanovic.&nbsp;"Congratulations to Alex, he deserved the win," Davidovich Fokina said. "He was fighting for every ball. He always pushed me to my limits."&nbsp;Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Seventh seed Alex De Minaur looked to be heading for defeat against his 12th-seeded Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich Fokina after trailing 5-2 in the deciding set in Washington.

Australia's Alex De Minaur saved three match points on his way to a battling 5-7, 6-1, 7-6 (7/3) victory over Spain's Alejandro Davidovich Fokina to clinch the ATP Tour DC Open crown on Sunday. Seventh seed De Minaur looked to be heading for defeat against his 12th-seeded Spanish opponent after trailing 5-2 in the deciding set in Washington. But Davidovich Fokina -- chasing the first ATP title of his career after losing in three previous final appearances -- failed to capitalise on his hefty lead. The Spaniard appeared to tighten when serving for the match at 5-3 up to allow De Minaur to claw it back to 5-4. But Davidovich Fokina responded to that missed opportunity by then earning three match points on De Minaur's serve in the next game. Yet once again, the Spaniard was unable to take advantage and De Minaur survived to hold serve and level the match at 5-5. The next two games went on serve to set up the tie break and De Minaur was quickly in control, sealing victory on the first of three match points with an ace, to settle a 3hr 2mins slugfest. De Minaur said he had never doubted his ability to turn around the final. ALSO READ | Watch: Stokes refuses to shake Jadeja's hand as tempers flare after Manchester Test ends in stalemate "I just kind of knew I could do it," De Minaur said in his on-court interview. "I just backed myself to commit no matter what, and if I lost this match, it was going to be on my terms. "I've had a couple of brutal ones not go go my way, so I'm glad this one went my way," the 26-year-old from New South Wales said. The win was another agonizing setback for Davidovich Fokina, who had already reached -- and lost -- two other finals this season. The defeat echoed his loss in the final at Delray Beach in February, when he was unable to convert two match points before losing to Miomir Kecmanovic. "Congratulations to Alex, he deserved the win," Davidovich Fokina said. "He was fighting for every ball. He always pushed me to my limits." Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Seventh seed Alex De Minaur looked to be heading for defeat against his 12th-seeded Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich Fokina after trailing 5-2 in the deciding set in Washington.

Australia's Alex De Minaur saves three match points to clinch DC Open crown

Tadej Pogacar completed a supreme performance to win the Tour de France in a rainy Paris on Sunday, crushing his rivals to collect a fourth title.&nbsp;Wout van Aert triumphed in the final-day cliffhanger around Montmartre, but Pogacar was spared any late challenge to his overall lead when the weather forced organisers to neutralise times to avoid accidents on the slippery cobbled roads.&nbsp;However, Pogacar more than played his part in a thrilling finale before Belgian rider Van Aert pulled away on the last climb.&nbsp;"I was really happy they neutralised the times of the GC (general classification)," Pogacar said. "Then it was more relaxed to race and you just had to have good legs to be in front. I tried but hats off to Wout, he was incredibly strong. It was a really nice race."&nbsp;The Slovenian has now won the Tour four times in six years and finished runner-up twice.&nbsp;"It's six years in a row on the podium and this one feels especially amazing," he said.Second-placed Jonas Vingegaard was unable to contend with Pogacar, but the winner paid tribute to the Dane.&nbsp;"I spoke to Jonas today. We've been racing each other for five years now and we have raised each other to a higher level," he said.&nbsp;Despite the rain, tens of thousands of spectators packed Montmartre to follow Pogacar's progress through the narrow streets of the popular tourist spot.&nbsp;He played to the delighted crowds by racing to the head of the peloton near the Moulin Rouge cabaret at the foot of the climb before Van Aert produced a well-timed attack to drop Pogacar and charge to the finish line on the Champs-Elysees avenue.&nbsp;Pogacar was fourth on the day but after wins in 2020, 2021 and 2024, he again proved untouchable in the world's greatest bike race.&nbsp;Vingegaard, the champion in 2022 and 2023, suffered two shocking off-days and ended second overall, 4min 24sec adrift.&nbsp;"I had some of my worst days here and some of the best," he said after the race, adding he would turn his attention to the Tour of Spain.&nbsp;"I'll have a week off now, and then start training for the Vuelta," he said.&nbsp;Breakout German star Florian Lipowitz, 24, took third on his debut, rounding out the podium a distant 11 minutes off the pace in third.<h2>Turning the screw</h2>Defending his title, Pogacar embarked from the start in Lille as clear favourite and won four stages along the way.&nbsp;In the first week, he struck on rolling runs in the north and west at Rouen and the Mur de Bretagne.&nbsp;He then turned the screw on the slopes of the Pyrenees in week two with his rivals as good as vanquished.&nbsp;Vingegaard suffered on the stage-five time trial, and again in the second week at the Hautacam mountain, leaving the Dane in shock as his form abandoned him.&nbsp;In need of a massive turn around in the Alps, Pogacar adopted mature tactics and sat on his rival's wheel.&nbsp;After it was all over, a beaming Pogacar said he could finally relax.&nbsp;"Everybody has different ideas about how to celebrate. I want some peace and beautiful weather, enjoying some quiet days at home," he said.&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/cricket-watch-stokes-refuses-to-shake-jadeja-s-hand-as-tempers-flare-after-manchester-test-ends-in-stalemate-1753672370669">Watch: Stokes refuses to shake Jadeja's hand as tempers flare after Manchester Test ends in stalemate</a><h2>Emerging stars&nbsp;</h2>A barnstorming first week of the Tour revealed a raft of emerging stars.Lipowitz was given a run for his money for third place by 22-year-old Scot Oscar Onley, whose steady ride propelled him to fourth overall.&nbsp;The pair came first and second a minute adrift in the white jersey battle for the best under-26 rider, raising hopes of a new Tour rivalry in the making.&nbsp;Ireland's Ben Healy bagged a stage win and a two-day stint in the yellow jersey.Adding a heroic near-miss on Mont Ventoux was enough to earn Healy the prize for combativity, voted for by the public.&nbsp;The return of one-time guru Dave Brailsford from his role at Manchester United to Ineos Grenadiers was overshadowed by the team's Italian powerhouse Filippo Ganna falling early on stage one. He was withdrawn due to concussion.&nbsp;Having previously masterminded seven overall Tour de France wins, Brailsford dug in and the team's Dutch climber Thymen Arensman pulled off heists in the Pyrenees and the Alps to win two stages.&nbsp;France's sole and unexpected stage win came on the lunar-like summit of Mont Ventoux when Valentin Paret-Peintre won an enthralling war of attrition with Healy.The 2025 Tour though will be remembered for Pogacar's all-round dominance. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Wout van Aert triumphed in the final-day cliffhanger around Montmartre, but Tadej Pogacar was spared any late challenge to his overall lead when the weather forced organisers to neutralise times to avoid accidents on the slippery cobbled roads.

Tadej Pogacar completed a supreme performance to win the Tour de France in a rainy Paris on Sunday, crushing his rivals to collect a fourth title. Wout van Aert triumphed in the final-day cliffhanger around Montmartre, but Pogacar was spared any late challenge to his overall lead when the weather forced organisers to neutralise times to avoid accidents on the slippery cobbled roads. However, Pogacar more than played his part in a thrilling finale before Belgian rider Van Aert pulled away on the last climb. "I was really happy they neutralised the times of the GC (general classification)," Pogacar said. "Then it was more relaxed to race and you just had to have good legs to be in front. I tried but hats off to Wout, he was incredibly strong. It was a really nice race." The Slovenian has now won the Tour four times in six years and finished runner-up twice. "It's six years in a row on the podium and this one feels especially amazing," he said. Second-placed Jonas Vingegaard was unable to contend with Pogacar, but the winner paid tribute to the Dane. "I spoke to Jonas today. We've been racing each other for five years now and we have raised each other to a higher level," he said. Despite the rain, tens of thousands of spectators packed Montmartre to follow Pogacar's progress through the narrow streets of the popular tourist spot. He played to the delighted crowds by racing to the head of the peloton near the Moulin Rouge cabaret at the foot of the climb before Van Aert produced a well-timed attack to drop Pogacar and charge to the finish line on the Champs-Elysees avenue. Pogacar was fourth on the day but after wins in 2020, 2021 and 2024, he again proved untouchable in the world's greatest bike race. Vingegaard, the champion in 2022 and 2023, suffered two shocking off-days and ended second overall, 4min 24sec adrift. "I had some of my worst days here and some of the best," he said after the race, adding he would turn his attention to the Tour of Spain. "I'll have a week off now, and then start training for the Vuelta," he said. Breakout German star Florian Lipowitz, 24, took third on his debut, rounding out the podium a distant 11 minutes off the pace in third. Turning the screw Defending his title, Pogacar embarked from the start in Lille as clear favourite and won four stages along the way. In the first week, he struck on rolling runs in the north and west at Rouen and the Mur de Bretagne. He then turned the screw on the slopes of the Pyrenees in week two with his rivals as good as vanquished. Vingegaard suffered on the stage-five time trial, and again in the second week at the Hautacam mountain, leaving the Dane in shock as his form abandoned him. In need of a massive turn around in the Alps, Pogacar adopted mature tactics and sat on his rival's wheel. After it was all over, a beaming Pogacar said he could finally relax. "Everybody has different ideas about how to celebrate. I want some peace and beautiful weather, enjoying some quiet days at home," he said. ALSO READ | Watch: Stokes refuses to shake Jadeja's hand as tempers flare after Manchester Test ends in stalemate Emerging stars A barnstorming first week of the Tour revealed a raft of emerging stars. Lipowitz was given a run for his money for third place by 22-year-old Scot Oscar Onley, whose steady ride propelled him to fourth overall. The pair came first and second a minute adrift in the white jersey battle for the best under-26 rider, raising hopes of a new Tour rivalry in the making. Ireland's Ben Healy bagged a stage win and a two-day stint in the yellow jersey. Adding a heroic near-miss on Mont Ventoux was enough to earn Healy the prize for combativity, voted for by the public. The return of one-time guru Dave Brailsford from his role at Manchester United to Ineos Grenadiers was overshadowed by the team's Italian powerhouse Filippo Ganna falling early on stage one. He was withdrawn due to concussion. Having previously masterminded seven overall Tour de France wins, Brailsford dug in and the team's Dutch climber Thymen Arensman pulled off heists in the Pyrenees and the Alps to win two stages. France's sole and unexpected stage win came on the lunar-like summit of Mont Ventoux when Valentin Paret-Peintre won an enthralling war of attrition with Healy. The 2025 Tour though will be remembered for Pogacar's all-round dominance. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Wout van Aert triumphed in the final-day cliffhanger around Montmartre, but Tadej Pogacar was spared any late challenge to his overall lead when the weather forced organisers to neutralise times to avoid accidents on the slippery cobbled roads.

Imperious Tadej Pogacar wins Tour de France for fourth time

Arsenal on Saturday announced the signing of Swedish international striker Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting Lisbon, bolstering their attacking options as they attempt to challenge for the Premier League title.&nbsp;The 27-year-old, who fired Sporting to the Portuguese title last season with 39 goals and netted a Champions League hat-trick against Manchester City, is reported to have signed a five-year deal in a transfer worth an initial £57.4 million (65.7 million euros).&nbsp;Gyokeres' transfer, which could end up costing the north London club as much as £66.4 million with performance-related add-ons, takes Arsenal's close-season spending to the region of £200m.&nbsp;"To come here to a club on Arsenal's level, I think it's going to help me perform even better with all the amazing players in this team. I'm really excited to get going," said Gyokeres.&nbsp;He becomes Mikel Arteta's sixth summer signing and follows defender Cristhian Mosquera (£13m), midfielder Martin Zubimendi (£60m), goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga (£5m), midfielder Christian Norgaard (£10m) and forward Noni Madueke (£48.5m) in moving to the Emirates.&nbsp;"I just felt that it was the right club for me," said Gyokeres.&nbsp;"When I was playing against Arsenal last season, I could really feel it was a very strong team and very difficult to play against."&nbsp;Gyokeres will be expected to meet up with his new team-mates in Arsenal's ongoing pre-season tour of Singapore and Hong Kong.&nbsp;The Gunners face Newcastle in the Singapore National Stadium on Sunday ahead of the concluding game of their tour, against Tottenham in Hong Kong on July 31.&nbsp;"I always want to score," added Gyokeres. "To be a part of this club and to score in this kit and with this badge in front of all the supporters, I can't wait. It will be an amazing feeling."&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ind-vs-eng-2025-jasprit-bumrah-unlocks-unwanted-record-in-manchester-as-england-punish-india-on-day-4-1753544472012">IND vs ENG 2025: Bumrah unlocks unwanted record in Manchester as England punish India on day 4</a><h2>Return to England</h2>Gyokeres moved to Brighton from Swedish side Brommapojkarna in January 2018, but spent time on loan at St Pauli and then Swansea and Coventry, before making a permanent move to the Sky Blues in July 2021.&nbsp;After Coventry were beaten on penalties by Luton in the 2023 Championship final at Wembley, Gyokeres completed a £20.5m switch to Sporting. He scored a remarkable 97 goals in 102 matches for the Portuguese side.&nbsp;"I started here (in England), it feels like a long time ago. I think I've improved a lot since then. Now I want to prove myself for real and perform together with the team," said Gyokeres.&nbsp;Arsenal spent the concluding months of last season without a recognised striker following long-term injuries to Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz.&nbsp;Even before then, Arsenal were in desperate need of a reliable scorer, and Arteta will hope his new signing can fire him to his first silverware since he won the FA Cup in 2020, and end the club's two-decade wait for a Premier League title.&nbsp;"Viktor has so many qualities. He is a quick and powerful presence up front, with incredible goalscoring numbers at club and international levels," said Arteta.&nbsp;"We're excited about what Viktor brings to our squad and are looking forward to start working with him."&nbsp;Arsenal's new sporting director Andrea Berta has wasted little time in strengthening a squad which has finished runners-up in the league for the past three seasons.&nbsp;Gabriel and Myles Lewis-Skelly have also put pen to paper on new contracts in the off-season, with a long-term extension for teenager Ethan Nwaneri believed to be all but completed.&nbsp;Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Arsenal on Saturday announced the signing of Swedish international striker Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting Lisbon, bolstering their attacking options as they attempt to challenge for the Premier League title.

Arsenal on Saturday announced the signing of Swedish international striker Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting Lisbon, bolstering their attacking options as they attempt to challenge for the Premier League title. The 27-year-old, who fired Sporting to the Portuguese title last season with 39 goals and netted a Champions League hat-trick against Manchester City, is reported to have signed a five-year deal in a transfer worth an initial £57.4 million (65.7 million euros). Gyokeres' transfer, which could end up costing the north London club as much as £66.4 million with performance-related add-ons, takes Arsenal's close-season spending to the region of £200m. "To come here to a club on Arsenal's level, I think it's going to help me perform even better with all the amazing players in this team. I'm really excited to get going," said Gyokeres. He becomes Mikel Arteta's sixth summer signing and follows defender Cristhian Mosquera (£13m), midfielder Martin Zubimendi (£60m), goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga (£5m), midfielder Christian Norgaard (£10m) and forward Noni Madueke (£48.5m) in moving to the Emirates. "I just felt that it was the right club for me," said Gyokeres. "When I was playing against Arsenal last season, I could really feel it was a very strong team and very difficult to play against." Gyokeres will be expected to meet up with his new team-mates in Arsenal's ongoing pre-season tour of Singapore and Hong Kong. The Gunners face Newcastle in the Singapore National Stadium on Sunday ahead of the concluding game of their tour, against Tottenham in Hong Kong on July 31. "I always want to score," added Gyokeres. "To be a part of this club and to score in this kit and with this badge in front of all the supporters, I can't wait. It will be an amazing feeling." ALSO READ | IND vs ENG 2025: Bumrah unlocks unwanted record in Manchester as England punish India on day 4 Return to England Gyokeres moved to Brighton from Swedish side Brommapojkarna in January 2018, but spent time on loan at St Pauli and then Swansea and Coventry, before making a permanent move to the Sky Blues in July 2021. After Coventry were beaten on penalties by Luton in the 2023 Championship final at Wembley, Gyokeres completed a £20.5m switch to Sporting. He scored a remarkable 97 goals in 102 matches for the Portuguese side. "I started here (in England), it feels like a long time ago. I think I've improved a lot since then. Now I want to prove myself for real and perform together with the team," said Gyokeres. Arsenal spent the concluding months of last season without a recognised striker following long-term injuries to Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz. Even before then, Arsenal were in desperate need of a reliable scorer, and Arteta will hope his new signing can fire him to his first silverware since he won the FA Cup in 2020, and end the club's two-decade wait for a Premier League title. "Viktor has so many qualities. He is a quick and powerful presence up front, with incredible goalscoring numbers at club and international levels," said Arteta. "We're excited about what Viktor brings to our squad and are looking forward to start working with him." Arsenal's new sporting director Andrea Berta has wasted little time in strengthening a squad which has finished runners-up in the league for the past three seasons. Gabriel and Myles Lewis-Skelly have also put pen to paper on new contracts in the off-season, with a long-term extension for teenager Ethan Nwaneri believed to be all but completed. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Arsenal on Saturday announced the signing of Swedish international striker Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting Lisbon, bolstering their attacking options as they attempt to challenge for the Premier League title.

Premier League: Arsenal seal swoop for Swedish international Viktor Gyokeres

An Inter Miami team missing the suspended Lionel Messi missed the chance to gain ground on Eastern Conference leaders FC Cincinnati after being held to a 0-0 draw in Major League Soccer on Saturday. Messi and team-mate Jordi Alba were both barred from playing the home game against Cincinnati after controversially withdrawing from this week's MLS All-Star Game in Texas.&nbsp;That meant Messi and Alba could only watch on from the sidelines in Fort Lauderdale on Saturday as Inter were frustrated by a well-organised Cincinnati team.&nbsp;Miami were given a huge let off in the dying seconds of stoppage time, when Cincinnati defender Miles Robinson had a goal ruled out after harshly being adjudged to have fouled Inter's Noah Allen as he leapt for a header.&nbsp;The result leaves Miami seven points adrift of Cincinnati in the Eastern Conference standings.&nbsp;Miami, meanwhile, used the pre-game festivities to formally unveil new star signing Rodrigo De Paul, Messi's World Cup-winning Argentina team-mate.&nbsp;The 31-year-old midfielder, who joins the club from Spain's Atletico Madrid, is expected to make his debut during Miami's upcoming Leagues Cup campaign.&nbsp;"What brings me to Inter Miami is the desire to compete, win titles, to write the pages in the club's history," De Paul said after his transfer was announced by the club late Friday.&nbsp;"It's a club that is shaping up to be great, to have a long history, so that many people follow this incredible team."&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ind-vs-eng-2025-jasprit-bumrah-unlocks-unwanted-record-in-manchester-as-england-punish-india-on-day-4-1753544472012">IND vs ENG 2025: Bumrah unlocks unwanted record in Manchester as England punish India on day 4</a>&nbsp;Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham said De Paul's signing would bring "experience, passion and quality" to the Herons.&nbsp;"Rodrigo is a player I've admired for many years," Beckham said. "As a leader he has brought so much to the teams he has played for -- especially with his national team Argentina.&nbsp;"I'm excited to welcome another World Cup winning player not just to Inter Miami, but also to MLS."&nbsp;Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Lionel Messi and team-mate Jordi Alba were both barred from playing the home game against Cincinnati after controversially withdrawing from this week's MLS All-Star Game in Texas.

An Inter Miami team missing the suspended Lionel Messi missed the chance to gain ground on Eastern Conference leaders FC Cincinnati after being held to a 0-0 draw in Major League Soccer on Saturday. Messi and team-mate Jordi Alba were both barred from playing the home game against Cincinnati after controversially withdrawing from this week's MLS All-Star Game in Texas. That meant Messi and Alba could only watch on from the sidelines in Fort Lauderdale on Saturday as Inter were frustrated by a well-organised Cincinnati team. Miami were given a huge let off in the dying seconds of stoppage time, when Cincinnati defender Miles Robinson had a goal ruled out after harshly being adjudged to have fouled Inter's Noah Allen as he leapt for a header. The result leaves Miami seven points adrift of Cincinnati in the Eastern Conference standings. Miami, meanwhile, used the pre-game festivities to formally unveil new star signing Rodrigo De Paul, Messi's World Cup-winning Argentina team-mate. The 31-year-old midfielder, who joins the club from Spain's Atletico Madrid, is expected to make his debut during Miami's upcoming Leagues Cup campaign. "What brings me to Inter Miami is the desire to compete, win titles, to write the pages in the club's history," De Paul said after his transfer was announced by the club late Friday. "It's a club that is shaping up to be great, to have a long history, so that many people follow this incredible team." ALSO READ | IND vs ENG 2025: Bumrah unlocks unwanted record in Manchester as England punish India on day 4 Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham said De Paul's signing would bring "experience, passion and quality" to the Herons. "Rodrigo is a player I've admired for many years," Beckham said. "As a leader he has brought so much to the teams he has played for -- especially with his national team Argentina. "I'm excited to welcome another World Cup winning player not just to Inter Miami, but also to MLS." Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Lionel Messi and team-mate Jordi Alba were both barred from playing the home game against Cincinnati after controversially withdrawing from this week's MLS All-Star Game in Texas.

MLS: Lionel Messi-less Inter Miami held by Cincinnati, drop two points in Eastern Conference

Joe Root has insisted helping England win games rather than surpassing Sachin Tendulkar as Test cricket's all-time leading run-scorer remains his primary motivation after moving into second place in the standings. Root leapfrogged three greats of the game during his magnificent 150 in the fourth Test against India at Old Trafford on Friday, overtaking Rahul Dravid and Jacques Kallis before going past former Australia captain Ricky Ponting. Now only Tendulkar, with a mammoth 15,921 Test runs, is ahead of Root, although Ponting is among those who believe the 34-year-old former England captain has time on his side to close the 2,512-run gap to the India great.&nbsp;But Root, who has compiled 21 hundreds since turning 30, is wary of the hype and wants attention turned to the fact England are pressing for a series-clinching win in Manchester at 2-1 up in the five-Test contest.&nbsp;Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/manchester-test-no-one-doubted-his-class-ravi-ashwin-lauds-ben-stokes-141-after-what-has-he-achieved-as-a-batter-remark-1753541774916">Manchester Test: ‘No one doubted his class,’ Ashwin lauds Stokes' 141 after ‘What has he achieved as a batter’ remark</a>&nbsp;"It is easy to get caught up in this stuff but at the end of the day, you’re playing against India in one of the biggest series there is," Root told Sky Sports. "It's not about you, it's about winning the game and getting your team in a position where you can follow through on that."&nbsp;Nevertheless, he added: "When you look at the names there on that list, they are all people that, as a kid, growing up, that's who I would try and be in the garden, on the street, on the driveway, at my local club.&nbsp;"Even just to be mentioned in the (same) sentence as these guys is a bit of a pinch-yourself moment."&nbsp;Root said a period of reflection during Covid, when he was still England captain, prompted changes to his game that have helped the Yorkshireman amass 5,586 runs at a high average of 56.42 since the start of 2021.&nbsp;"I actually went away during that period and asked can I get some footage off Sky and just look at modes of dismissal (to see) if there were any trends," he explained. "One thing that I've done within that period is actually try and look at the game slightly differently.&nbsp;"At the start of my career, a lot of it was based on my technique. Whereas in this second phase of things, it’s been more about managing risk and thinking how can I eliminate as many modes of dismissal as possible with the highest output?&nbsp;"It's very easy to get caught up, get too emotional, either get too hard on yourself or feel too sorry for yourself."&nbsp;Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Root, who has compiled 21 hundreds since turning 30, is wary of the hype and wants attention turned to the fact England are pressing for a series-clinching win in Manchester at 2-1 up in the five-Test contest.

Joe Root has insisted helping England win games rather than surpassing Sachin Tendulkar as Test cricket's all-time leading run-scorer remains his primary motivation after moving into second place in the standings. Root leapfrogged three greats of the game during his magnificent 150 in the fourth Test against India at Old Trafford on Friday, overtaking Rahul Dravid and Jacques Kallis before going past former Australia captain Ricky Ponting. Now only Tendulkar, with a mammoth 15,921 Test runs, is ahead of Root, although Ponting is among those who believe the 34-year-old former England captain has time on his side to close the 2,512-run gap to the India great. But Root, who has compiled 21 hundreds since turning 30, is wary of the hype and wants attention turned to the fact England are pressing for a series-clinching win in Manchester at 2-1 up in the five-Test contest. Also read | Manchester Test: ‘No one doubted his class,’ Ashwin lauds Stokes' 141 after ‘What has he achieved as a batter’ remark "It is easy to get caught up in this stuff but at the end of the day, you’re playing against India in one of the biggest series there is," Root told Sky Sports. "It's not about you, it's about winning the game and getting your team in a position where you can follow through on that." Nevertheless, he added: "When you look at the names there on that list, they are all people that, as a kid, growing up, that's who I would try and be in the garden, on the street, on the driveway, at my local club. "Even just to be mentioned in the (same) sentence as these guys is a bit of a pinch-yourself moment." Root said a period of reflection during Covid, when he was still England captain, prompted changes to his game that have helped the Yorkshireman amass 5,586 runs at a high average of 56.42 since the start of 2021. "I actually went away during that period and asked can I get some footage off Sky and just look at modes of dismissal (to see) if there were any trends," he explained. "One thing that I've done within that period is actually try and look at the game slightly differently. "At the start of my career, a lot of it was based on my technique. Whereas in this second phase of things, it’s been more about managing risk and thinking how can I eliminate as many modes of dismissal as possible with the highest output? "It's very easy to get caught up, get too emotional, either get too hard on yourself or feel too sorry for yourself." Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Root, who has compiled 21 hundreds since turning 30, is wary of the hype and wants attention turned to the fact England are pressing for a series-clinching win in Manchester at 2-1 up in the five-Test contest.

IND vs ENG: Helping England win more important than breaking Sachin’s Test runs tally, reckons Root

Russia struck several regions of Ukraine overnight, officials said Saturday, reporting one person killed in Dnipro, while Moscow said two people died after a Ukrainian drone attack in the Rostov region.&nbsp;Dnipro Mayor Borys Filatov said one person was killed in a high-rise apartment complex.Across the border, Russia's acting governor of Rostov said a car caught fire following a drone strike.&nbsp;"Tragically, two people died," Yuri Sliusar posted on Telegram.&nbsp;Ukrainian officials in Dnipro, Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia all reported coming under Russian fire overnight.&nbsp;In Dnipro, Filatov urged people to take precautions during Russian attacks.&nbsp;"I understand that there aren't enough shelters, but I must say: during shelling, it is absolutely not advisable to stay on the upper floors, especially when there is an underground parking area available," he posted on Telegram.&nbsp;Kharkiv Mayor Igor Terekhov said that his city had come under sustained bombardment "for almost three hours".&nbsp;"The enemy used several types of weapons simultaneously: guided bombs, ballistic missiles and kamikaze drones," he added.&nbsp;In Zaporizhzhia, Governor Ivan Fedorov said several fires broke out following Russian drone attacks, one of which hit a residential building while another damaged a farm warehouse.&nbsp;Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has been pushing for a meeting with counterpart Vladimir Putin to end the war, with Kyiv proposing talks by the end of August.&nbsp;But the Kremlin on Thursday downplayed the likelihood any such meeting was imminent.&nbsp;Both sides have radically different positions at the negotiating table, and Ukraine has accused Russia of sending only low-level officials with no decision-making power.&nbsp;Russia has called on Ukraine to effectively cede four regions that Moscow claims to have annexed, a demand Kyiv has called unacceptable.&nbsp;Ukraine meanwhile has been pleading with its Western backers to send more weapons for its troops to withstand daily Russian attacks.&nbsp;Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION&nbsp;audience. &nbsp;

In Zaporizhzhia, Governor Ivan Fedorov said several fires broke out following Russian drone attacks, one of which hit a residential building while another damaged a farm warehouse.

Russia struck several regions of Ukraine overnight, officials said Saturday, reporting one person killed in Dnipro, while Moscow said two people died after a Ukrainian drone attack in the Rostov region. Dnipro Mayor Borys Filatov said one person was killed in a high-rise apartment complex. Across the border, Russia's acting governor of Rostov said a car caught fire following a drone strike. "Tragically, two people died," Yuri Sliusar posted on Telegram. Ukrainian officials in Dnipro, Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia all reported coming under Russian fire overnight. In Dnipro, Filatov urged people to take precautions during Russian attacks. "I understand that there aren't enough shelters, but I must say: during shelling, it is absolutely not advisable to stay on the upper floors, especially when there is an underground parking area available," he posted on Telegram. Kharkiv Mayor Igor Terekhov said that his city had come under sustained bombardment "for almost three hours". "The enemy used several types of weapons simultaneously: guided bombs, ballistic missiles and kamikaze drones," he added. In Zaporizhzhia, Governor Ivan Fedorov said several fires broke out following Russian drone attacks, one of which hit a residential building while another damaged a farm warehouse. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has been pushing for a meeting with counterpart Vladimir Putin to end the war, with Kyiv proposing talks by the end of August. But the Kremlin on Thursday downplayed the likelihood any such meeting was imminent. Both sides have radically different positions at the negotiating table, and Ukraine has accused Russia of sending only low-level officials with no decision-making power. Russia has called on Ukraine to effectively cede four regions that Moscow claims to have annexed, a demand Kyiv has called unacceptable. Ukraine meanwhile has been pleading with its Western backers to send more weapons for its troops to withstand daily Russian attacks. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

In Zaporizhzhia, Governor Ivan Fedorov said several fires broke out following Russian drone attacks, one of which hit a residential building while another damaged a farm warehouse.

At least 3 killed in fresh exchange of fire between Russia, Ukraine

Finland has broken an over 50-year-old weather record as the country is witnessing the longest period of temperatures above 30C, the Finnish Meteorological Institute said on Friday.&nbsp;As Parikkala in eastern Finland hit 30.3 degrees Celsius before midday, this meant that temperatures have now soared to 30C in parts of the country 14 days in a row, breaking the previous record of 13 consecutive days from June and July 1972.&nbsp;"This is the longest period of consecutive days with temperatures exceeding 30C since records began in 1961," the institute wrote on X.&nbsp;The Nordic country is currently in the midst of a period of warm weather that the institute has described as "exceptionally long" in places.&nbsp;Meteorologist Ville Siiskonen at the Meteorological Institute told AFP that global warming in general means that such bouts of warm weather will be more frequent in the future, but the current record period cannot be attributed to climate change without further study.&nbsp;"Periods of warm weather will be longer and there can be more of them," he said.&nbsp;The record comes a year after the Lapland region of northern Finland, Norway and Sweden saw its warmest summer in 2,000 years in 2024, with climate change increasing the likelihood of such exceptionally warm summers by around a hundred times.&nbsp;Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION&nbsp;audience.

The Nordic country is currently in the midst of a period of warm weather that the institute has described as exceptionally long in places.

Finland has broken an over 50-year-old weather record as the country is witnessing the longest period of temperatures above 30C, the Finnish Meteorological Institute said on Friday. As Parikkala in eastern Finland hit 30.3 degrees Celsius before midday, this meant that temperatures have now soared to 30C in parts of the country 14 days in a row, breaking the previous record of 13 consecutive days from June and July 1972. "This is the longest period of consecutive days with temperatures exceeding 30C since records began in 1961," the institute wrote on X. The Nordic country is currently in the midst of a period of warm weather that the institute has described as "exceptionally long" in places. Meteorologist Ville Siiskonen at the Meteorological Institute told AFP that global warming in general means that such bouts of warm weather will be more frequent in the future, but the current record period cannot be attributed to climate change without further study. "Periods of warm weather will be longer and there can be more of them," he said. The record comes a year after the Lapland region of northern Finland, Norway and Sweden saw its warmest summer in 2,000 years in 2024, with climate change increasing the likelihood of such exceptionally warm summers by around a hundred times. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

The Nordic country is currently in the midst of a period of warm weather that the institute has described as "exceptionally long" in places.

Finland swelters in extreme heat, breaks 50-year-old record

US top seed Taylor Fritz dropped an early Saturday morning marathon to Spain's Alejandro Davidovich-Fokina while Britain's Emma Raducanu and Canada's Leylah Fernandez reached the semi-finals of the ATP and WTA DC Open. World number four Fritz, two points from victory in the ninth game, dropped the last five games in falling to the 26th-ranked Spaniard 7-6 (7/3), 3-6, 7-5 after three hours and five minutes in a match ending just before 2:00 am. Davidovich-Fokina advanced to a Saturday semi-final against US fourth seed Ben Shelton, who beat sixth-seeded hometown hero Frances Tiafoe 7-6 (7/2), 6-4.&nbsp;Fritz, who had 20 aces and six double faults, served for the match in the ninth and was up 30-0 but lost, then failed to take advantage of three double faults by Davidovich-Fokina in the 10th game.&nbsp;The other men's semi-final will send French lucky loser Corentin Moutet against Australian seventh seed Alex De Minaur, who eliminated American Brandon Nakashima 6-4, 6-4.&nbsp;Moutet withstood leg cramps to eliminate eighth seed Daniil Medvedev 1-6, 6-4, 6-4.&nbsp;"I tried to survive every point because it was hard physically," Moutet said after fighting off leg cramps. "I'm just proud of myself."&nbsp;Raducanu reached the brink of her first WTA final since winning the 2021 US Open, ousting Greece's Maria Sakkari 6-4, 7-5.&nbsp;And Fernandez, whom Raducanu beat in that Flushing Meadows championship match, reached the other semi-final by dispatching American Taylor Townsend 6-4, 7-6 (7/4).&nbsp;Raducanu, who missed most of 2023 after hand and ankle surgery and part of last year with a left foot injury, reached her first WTA semi-final since last year at Nottingham by dispatching Sakkari in sweltering conditions of 95F (35C).&nbsp;"It was one of the toughest matches conditions-wise I've ever played in," Raducanu said. "Those points in the second set, I was getting a bit wobbly I'm just happy I could close it out and it was two sets.&nbsp;"I think the humidity here, as well, it just makes it feel completely like you have just opened an oven and it just stayed open and your head is in there. That's how it feels."&nbsp;Left-hander Fernandez overcame leg cramps in the second set in advancing to face third seed Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan, who beat Polish fifth seed Magdalena Frech 6-3, 6-3.&nbsp;Raducanu will next face Anna Kalinskaya, who defeated Danish fourth seed Clara Tauson 6-3, 7-5.&nbsp;Raducanu, Britain's first women's Grand Slam singles champion since Virginia Wade in 1977 at Wimbledon, beat four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka in the second round before downing Sakkari after a medical timeout in the second set.&nbsp;"Brutal conditions. Right in the peak heat of the day. It was incredibly difficult," Raducanu said. "I had to call a doctor on. Wasn't feeling too good in the second set.&nbsp;"When it's at that stage you know you're going to suffer and you have to just go until you physically can't anymore. It could be a little dangerous but you just leave it all out there on the court as an athlete."&nbsp;Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Fritz, who had 20 aces and six double faults, served for the match in the ninth and was up 30-0 but lost, then failed to take advantage of three double faults by Davidovich-Fokina in the 10th game.

US top seed Taylor Fritz dropped an early Saturday morning marathon to Spain's Alejandro Davidovich-Fokina while Britain's Emma Raducanu and Canada's Leylah Fernandez reached the semi-finals of the ATP and WTA DC Open. World number four Fritz, two points from victory in the ninth game, dropped the last five games in falling to the 26th-ranked Spaniard 7-6 (7/3), 3-6, 7-5 after three hours and five minutes in a match ending just before 2:00 am. Davidovich-Fokina advanced to a Saturday semi-final against US fourth seed Ben Shelton, who beat sixth-seeded hometown hero Frances Tiafoe 7-6 (7/2), 6-4. Fritz, who had 20 aces and six double faults, served for the match in the ninth and was up 30-0 but lost, then failed to take advantage of three double faults by Davidovich-Fokina in the 10th game. The other men's semi-final will send French lucky loser Corentin Moutet against Australian seventh seed Alex De Minaur, who eliminated American Brandon Nakashima 6-4, 6-4. Moutet withstood leg cramps to eliminate eighth seed Daniil Medvedev 1-6, 6-4, 6-4. "I tried to survive every point because it was hard physically," Moutet said after fighting off leg cramps. "I'm just proud of myself." Raducanu reached the brink of her first WTA final since winning the 2021 US Open, ousting Greece's Maria Sakkari 6-4, 7-5. And Fernandez, whom Raducanu beat in that Flushing Meadows championship match, reached the other semi-final by dispatching American Taylor Townsend 6-4, 7-6 (7/4). Raducanu, who missed most of 2023 after hand and ankle surgery and part of last year with a left foot injury, reached her first WTA semi-final since last year at Nottingham by dispatching Sakkari in sweltering conditions of 95F (35C). "It was one of the toughest matches conditions-wise I've ever played in," Raducanu said. "Those points in the second set, I was getting a bit wobbly I'm just happy I could close it out and it was two sets. "I think the humidity here, as well, it just makes it feel completely like you have just opened an oven and it just stayed open and your head is in there. That's how it feels." Left-hander Fernandez overcame leg cramps in the second set in advancing to face third seed Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan, who beat Polish fifth seed Magdalena Frech 6-3, 6-3. Raducanu will next face Anna Kalinskaya, who defeated Danish fourth seed Clara Tauson 6-3, 7-5. Raducanu, Britain's first women's Grand Slam singles champion since Virginia Wade in 1977 at Wimbledon, beat four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka in the second round before downing Sakkari after a medical timeout in the second set. "Brutal conditions. Right in the peak heat of the day. It was incredibly difficult," Raducanu said. "I had to call a doctor on. Wasn't feeling too good in the second set. "When it's at that stage you know you're going to suffer and you have to just go until you physically can't anymore. It could be a little dangerous but you just leave it all out there on the court as an athlete." Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Fritz, who had 20 aces and six double faults, served for the match in the ninth and was up 30-0 but lost, then failed to take advantage of three double faults by Davidovich-Fokina in the 10th game.

DC Open 2025: Top seed Fritz falls as Raducanu and Fernandez win

Thailand and Cambodia clashed for a third day on Saturday, as the death toll from their bloodiest fighting in years rose to 33 and Phnom Penh called for an "immediate ceasefire". A long-running border dispute erupted into intense conflict involving jets, artillery, tanks and ground troops on Thursday, prompting the UN Security Council to hold an emergency meeting on the crisis Friday.&nbsp;AFP journalists in the Cambodian town of Samraong, near the border that has seen the bulk of the fighting, heard the thump of artillery early Saturday afternoon.&nbsp;A Thai villager reached by phone as he sheltered in a bunker in Sisaket province, just 10 kilometres from the frontier, also reported hearing artillery.&nbsp;"I just want this to end as soon as possible," Sutian Phiewchan told AFP.&nbsp;Tensions initially flared over long-contested ancient temple sites, but fighting has spread along the neighbours' rural frontier region, marked by a ridge of forest-clad hills surrounded by wild jungle and agricultural land where locals farm rubber and rice.&nbsp;Both sides reported a clash on the coastline about 250 kilometres (160 miles) southwest of the main front lines at around 5:00 am Saturday (2200 GMT Friday), with Cambodia accusing Thai forces of firing "five heavy artillery shells" into locations in Pursat province, which borders Thailand's Trat province.&nbsp;Cambodia's defence ministry said 13 people have been confirmed killed in the fighting since Thursday, including eight civilians and five soldiers, with 71 people wounded.&nbsp;Thai authorities say 13 civilians and seven soldiers have been killed on their side, taking the toll across both nations higher than it was in the last major round of fighting between 2008 and 2011.&nbsp;The conflict has also forced more than 138,000 people to be evacuated from Thailand's border regions, with more than 35,000 driven from their homes in Cambodia.&nbsp;After the closed meeting of the Security Council in New York, Cambodia's UN ambassador Chhea Keo said his country wanted a ceasefire.&nbsp;"Cambodia asked for an immediate ceasefire -- unconditionally -- and we also call for the peaceful solution of the dispute," he told reporters.<h2>Border row</h2>&nbsp;Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa said Saturday that for any ceasefire or talks to proceed, Cambodia needed to show "genuine sincerity in ending the conflict".&nbsp;"I urge Cambodia to stop violating Thai sovereignty and to return to resolving the issue through bilateral dialogue," Maris told reporters.&nbsp;Thai Foreign Ministry spokesman Nikorndej Balankura said Friday, before the UN meeting was held, that Bangkok was open to talks, possibly aided by Malaysia.&nbsp;Malaysia currently holds the chair of the ASEAN regional bloc, of which Thailand and Cambodia are both members.&nbsp;Both sides have blamed the other for firing first.&nbsp;And Cambodia has accused Thai forces of using cluster munitions, while Thailand accused Cambodia of targeting civilian infrastructure, including a hospital hit by shells and a petrol station struck by at least one rocket.&nbsp;Former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra -- still an influential figure in the kingdom -- visited shelters on Saturday to meet evacuees.&nbsp;"The military needs to complete its operations before any dialogue can take place," Thaksin told reporters.&nbsp;The 76-year-old said he had no plans to contact Hun Sen, Cambodia's powerful ex-prime minister who was long a close ally.&nbsp;"His actions reflect a disturbed mindset. He should reflect on his conduct," Thaksin said of Hun Sen.&nbsp;The fighting marks a dramatic escalation in a long-running dispute between the neighbours -- both popular destinations for millions of foreign tourists -- over their shared 800-kilometre (500-mile) border.&nbsp;Dozens of kilometres in several areas are contested and fighting broke out between 2008 and 2011, leaving at least 28 people dead and tens of thousands displaced.&nbsp;A UN court ruling in 2013 settled the matter for more than a decade, but the current crisis erupted in May when a Cambodian soldier was killed in a clash on the border.&nbsp;Relations between the two countries soured dramatically when Hun Sen last month released a recording of a call with Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra focused on the border row.&nbsp;The leak triggered a political crisis in Thailand as Paetongtarn -- Thaksin's daughter -- was accused of not standing up for Thailand enough, and of criticising her own army.&nbsp;She was suspended from office by a court order.

Thai authorities say 13 civilians and seven soldiers have been killed on their side, taking the toll across both nations higher than it was in the last major round of fighting between 2008 and 2011.

Thailand and Cambodia clashed for a third day on Saturday, as the death toll from their bloodiest fighting in years rose to 33 and Phnom Penh called for an "immediate ceasefire". A long-running border dispute erupted into intense conflict involving jets, artillery, tanks and ground troops on Thursday, prompting the UN Security Council to hold an emergency meeting on the crisis Friday. AFP journalists in the Cambodian town of Samraong, near the border that has seen the bulk of the fighting, heard the thump of artillery early Saturday afternoon. A Thai villager reached by phone as he sheltered in a bunker in Sisaket province, just 10 kilometres from the frontier, also reported hearing artillery. "I just want this to end as soon as possible," Sutian Phiewchan told AFP. Tensions initially flared over long-contested ancient temple sites, but fighting has spread along the neighbours' rural frontier region, marked by a ridge of forest-clad hills surrounded by wild jungle and agricultural land where locals farm rubber and rice. Both sides reported a clash on the coastline about 250 kilometres (160 miles) southwest of the main front lines at around 5:00 am Saturday (2200 GMT Friday), with Cambodia accusing Thai forces of firing "five heavy artillery shells" into locations in Pursat province, which borders Thailand's Trat province. Cambodia's defence ministry said 13 people have been confirmed killed in the fighting since Thursday, including eight civilians and five soldiers, with 71 people wounded. Thai authorities say 13 civilians and seven soldiers have been killed on their side, taking the toll across both nations higher than it was in the last major round of fighting between 2008 and 2011. The conflict has also forced more than 138,000 people to be evacuated from Thailand's border regions, with more than 35,000 driven from their homes in Cambodia. After the closed meeting of the Security Council in New York, Cambodia's UN ambassador Chhea Keo said his country wanted a ceasefire. "Cambodia asked for an immediate ceasefire -- unconditionally -- and we also call for the peaceful solution of the dispute," he told reporters. Border row Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa said Saturday that for any ceasefire or talks to proceed, Cambodia needed to show "genuine sincerity in ending the conflict". "I urge Cambodia to stop violating Thai sovereignty and to return to resolving the issue through bilateral dialogue," Maris told reporters. Thai Foreign Ministry spokesman Nikorndej Balankura said Friday, before the UN meeting was held, that Bangkok was open to talks, possibly aided by Malaysia. Malaysia currently holds the chair of the ASEAN regional bloc, of which Thailand and Cambodia are both members. Both sides have blamed the other for firing first. And Cambodia has accused Thai forces of using cluster munitions, while Thailand accused Cambodia of targeting civilian infrastructure, including a hospital hit by shells and a petrol station struck by at least one rocket. Former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra -- still an influential figure in the kingdom -- visited shelters on Saturday to meet evacuees. "The military needs to complete its operations before any dialogue can take place," Thaksin told reporters. The 76-year-old said he had no plans to contact Hun Sen, Cambodia's powerful ex-prime minister who was long a close ally. "His actions reflect a disturbed mindset. He should reflect on his conduct," Thaksin said of Hun Sen. The fighting marks a dramatic escalation in a long-running dispute between the neighbours -- both popular destinations for millions of foreign tourists -- over their shared 800-kilometre (500-mile) border. Dozens of kilometres in several areas are contested and fighting broke out between 2008 and 2011, leaving at least 28 people dead and tens of thousands displaced. A UN court ruling in 2013 settled the matter for more than a decade, but the current crisis erupted in May when a Cambodian soldier was killed in a clash on the border. Relations between the two countries soured dramatically when Hun Sen last month released a recording of a call with Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra focused on the border row. The leak triggered a political crisis in Thailand as Paetongtarn -- Thaksin's daughter -- was accused of not standing up for Thailand enough, and of criticising her own army. She was suspended from office by a court order.

Thai authorities say 13 civilians and seven soldiers have been killed on their side, taking the toll across both nations higher than it was in the last major round of fighting between 2008 and 2011.

Thailand-Cambodia clash: Death toll rises to 33 as Phnom Penh calls for 'immediate ceasefire'

Flamengo player Bruno Henrique will stand trial in Brazil for sports fraud aimed at allegedly benefiting his relatives through online betting, according to a court ruling seen by AFP on Friday (Jul 25). Henrique, 34, was charged in June for allegedly deliberately earning a yellow card during a domestic league match in 2023, in coordination with gamblers within his family circle.&nbsp;"The information indicates the existence of criminal conduct by the accused Bruno Henrique," said a judge from a Brasilia court in the decision authorizing the player's trial.&nbsp;The forward is accused of match-fixing, a crime punishable by two to six years in prison.&nbsp;Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/football-lionel-messi-suspended-over-mls-all-star-no-show-league-1753499250420">Lionel Messi suspended over MLS All-Star no-show: league</a>&nbsp;The case centers on a game Flamengo lost 2–1 to Santos in Brasilia in November 2023.&nbsp;Henrique received a yellow card for a foul and then a second for insulting the referee, for which he was sent off.&nbsp;Police found several compromising messages on the phone of his brother, Wander Nunes, who will also stand trial.&nbsp;According to the judge, the police investigation concluded that Henrique "intentionally acted to be penalized with the card," while his brother encouraged him "with the aim of obtaining financial gain."&nbsp;In November 2024, police carried out several search warrants, including at Henrique's home in Rio de Janeiro and his room at Flamengo's training facility.&nbsp;His brother, sister-in-law, and cousin allegedly created accounts with online betting platforms the day before the match and wagered on him receiving a yellow card.&nbsp;Despite the legal troubles, Henrique continued to play for Flamengo, appearing in the Club World Cup in the United States in June.&nbsp;More recently, he captained the team in Wednesday's win over Red Bull Bragantino in the Brazilian league.&nbsp;Henrique and his brother must appear before the judge within 10 days, according to the ruling.&nbsp;Match-fixing allegations have rocked Brazilian football, with investigations implicating major clubs in South America's most powerful league.&nbsp;The country's congress has created a special commission to investigate the issue.&nbsp;Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Henrique, 34, was charged in June for allegedly deliberately earning a yellow card during a domestic league match in 2023, in coordination with gamblers within his family circle.

Flamengo player Bruno Henrique will stand trial in Brazil for sports fraud aimed at allegedly benefiting his relatives through online betting, according to a court ruling seen by AFP on Friday (Jul 25). Henrique, 34, was charged in June for allegedly deliberately earning a yellow card during a domestic league match in 2023, in coordination with gamblers within his family circle. "The information indicates the existence of criminal conduct by the accused Bruno Henrique," said a judge from a Brasilia court in the decision authorizing the player's trial. The forward is accused of match-fixing, a crime punishable by two to six years in prison. Also read | Lionel Messi suspended over MLS All-Star no-show: league The case centers on a game Flamengo lost 2–1 to Santos in Brasilia in November 2023. Henrique received a yellow card for a foul and then a second for insulting the referee, for which he was sent off. Police found several compromising messages on the phone of his brother, Wander Nunes, who will also stand trial. According to the judge, the police investigation concluded that Henrique "intentionally acted to be penalized with the card," while his brother encouraged him "with the aim of obtaining financial gain." In November 2024, police carried out several search warrants, including at Henrique's home in Rio de Janeiro and his room at Flamengo's training facility. His brother, sister-in-law, and cousin allegedly created accounts with online betting platforms the day before the match and wagered on him receiving a yellow card. Despite the legal troubles, Henrique continued to play for Flamengo, appearing in the Club World Cup in the United States in June. More recently, he captained the team in Wednesday's win over Red Bull Bragantino in the Brazilian league. Henrique and his brother must appear before the judge within 10 days, according to the ruling. Match-fixing allegations have rocked Brazilian football, with investigations implicating major clubs in South America's most powerful league. The country's congress has created a special commission to investigate the issue. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Henrique, 34, was charged in June for allegedly deliberately earning a yellow card during a domestic league match in 2023, in coordination with gamblers within his family circle.

Flamengo's Henrique to face trial for alleged match-fixing, says Brazil court

Lionel Messi and Inter Miami team-mate Jordi Alba have been suspended after the duo skipped Major League Soccer's All-Star Game earlier this week, the league said Friday. MLS said in a statement Messi and Alba would be unavailable for Saturday's clash against FC Cincinnati "due to their absence" at this week's All-Star showpiece.&nbsp;"Per league rules, any player who does not participate in the All-Star Game without prior approval from the league is ineligible to compete in their club's next match," the league said in a brief statement.&nbsp;Messi and Alba had both been selected to play for a combined MLS side in Wednesday's game against a team drawn from Mexico's Liga-MX as part of the league's All-Star break.However, both players withdrew from the showpiece early Wednesday for reasons that were not revealed.&nbsp;The 11th-hour snub left Messi and Alba both facing sanction. Under MLS rules, players selected for the All-Star game must participate unless they have a valid reason -- such as an injury -- not to do so.&nbsp;MLS commissioner Don Garber said Friday the league had been left with no choice but to suspend players from duty this weekend, describing the ruling as a "very difficult decision".&nbsp;"I know Lionel Messi loves this league," Garber said. "I don't think there's a player -- or anyone -- who has done more for Major League Soccer than Messi. I fully understand, respect, and admire his commitment to Inter Miami, and I respect his decision.&nbsp;"Unfortunately, we have a long-standing policy regarding participation in the All-Star Game, and we had to enforce it. It was a very difficult decision."&nbsp;Garber, however, said MLS would review its existing policy in future.

"We're going to take a hard look at the policy moving forward," he said. "I'm committed to working with our players to determine how the rule should evolve."<h2>Messi 'very upset</h2>Inter Miami's billionaire co-owner Jorge Mas blasted the decision to suspend Messi and Alba in a conference call with reporters later Friday, describing Messi as "very upset" by the league's ruling. "Leo Messi is very upset. I hope it doesn't have a long-term impact," said Mas, who is currently in talks with Messi about a possible extension to his current contract, which runs out at the end of this year. "Will it have an impact on (Messi's) perception of the league and it's rules? Without a doubt," Mas added. "Lionel is different from everyone else. He wants to participate in competitive matches." Speaking on Wednesday, Garber said the league should have known earlier about the no-show, but expressed some sympathy for the gruelling schedule faced by Messi in recent weeks. The 38-year-old Argentinian superstar has played nine games in 35 days and played 90 minutes in each game, including four games in the FIFA Club World Cup. "Miami has had a schedule that is unlike any other team," Garber said. "Most of our teams had a 10-day break. Miami hasn't. So we have to manage through that as a league." Messi and Alba's participation in the game had been under a cloud after Miami coach Javier Mascherano indicated last weekend he would have preferred the duo to be excused from All-Star duties. "The players are called up. I'd prefer they rest, but it's not my decision," Mascherano said. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

MLS said in a statement Messi and Alba would be unavailable for Saturday clash against FC Cincinnati "due to their absence" at this week All-Star showpiece.

Lionel Messi and Inter Miami team-mate Jordi Alba have been suspended after the duo skipped Major League Soccer's All-Star Game earlier this week, the league said Friday. MLS said in a statement Messi and Alba would be unavailable for Saturday's clash against FC Cincinnati "due to their absence" at this week's All-Star showpiece. "Per league rules, any player who does not participate in the All-Star Game without prior approval from the league is ineligible to compete in their club's next match," the league said in a brief statement. Messi and Alba had both been selected to play for a combined MLS side in Wednesday's game against a team drawn from Mexico's Liga-MX as part of the league's All-Star break. However, both players withdrew from the showpiece early Wednesday for reasons that were not revealed. The 11th-hour snub left Messi and Alba both facing sanction. Under MLS rules, players selected for the All-Star game must participate unless they have a valid reason -- such as an injury -- not to do so. MLS commissioner Don Garber said Friday the league had been left with no choice but to suspend players from duty this weekend, describing the ruling as a "very difficult decision". "I know Lionel Messi loves this league," Garber said. "I don't think there's a player -- or anyone -- who has done more for Major League Soccer than Messi. I fully understand, respect, and admire his commitment to Inter Miami, and I respect his decision. "Unfortunately, we have a long-standing policy regarding participation in the All-Star Game, and we had to enforce it. It was a very difficult decision." Garber, however, said MLS would review its existing policy in future.

MLS said in a statement Messi and Alba would be unavailable for Saturday's clash against FC Cincinnati "due to their absence" at this week's All-Star showpiece.

Lionel Messi suspended over MLS All-Star no-show: league

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