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FIFA WORLD CUP IN AFRICA: Morocco, Spain and Portugal to host 2030 World Cup

FIFA WORLD CUP IN AFRICA: Morocco, Spain and Portugal to host 2030 World Cup

 IN a surprise announcement a year earlier than planned FIFA allocated the 2030 World Cup to Morocco, Spain and Portugal but also said Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay will host three matches to mark the tournament's centenary. FIFA said the joint bid from Morocco, Portugal and Spain was the sole candidate to host the tournament. The inaugural World Cup in 1930 was held in Uruguay and won by the hosts after they defeated Argentina in the final in Montevideo. Spain was awarded the World Cup weeks after their disgraced former chief Luis Rubiales was forced to step down following his allegedly unsolicited…
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Messi statue to stand next to Maradona, Pele at CONMEBOL museum

Messi statue to stand next to Maradona, Pele at CONMEBOL museum

LIONEL Messi stepped out of Diego Maradona's shadow by leading Argentina to World Cup victory last year and a statue of the diminutive forward will stand alongside those of his predecessor and Brazil great Pele at the South American federation's museum. Messi, holding a replica of the World Cup trophy, stood beside the life-size statue at an unveiling ceremony at the South American Football Federation (CONMEBOL) headquarters in Luque, Paraguay before the Copa Libertadores draw on Monday. The 35-year-old emulated the late Maradona by leading Argentina to their first World Cup triumph in 36 years in Qatar in December. "I…
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Argentina’s World Cup winners arrive home to hero’s welcome

Argentina’s World Cup winners arrive home to hero’s welcome

NICOLÁS MISCULIN and MIGUEL LO BIANCO THOUSANDS of ecstatic fans gave Argentina's football squad a hero's welcome in Buenos Aires in the early hours before dawn on Tuesday after the plane carrying Lionel Messi and his World Cup-winning teammates touched down at Ezeiza airport. The Argentine capital has been in party mode since their dramatic victory over France in Sunday's final in Qatar, which gave the country its first World Cup win since Diego Maradona hoisted the trophy 36 years ago. The players, wearing their gold winners' medals around their necks and taking turns to hold the World Cup trophy aloft, waved…
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Argentina win incredible final on penalties

Argentina win incredible final on penalties

MITCH PHILLIPS ARGENTINA won their third World Cup in extraordinary style, beating France 4-2 in a penalty shootout after Lionel Messi scored twice in a 3-3 draw that featured a hat-trick for Kylian Mbappe as the holders recovered from 2-0 down after 80 minutes. It was an incredible night of drama and fluctuating fortunes, delivering one of the all-time great finals to cap a wonderful tournament. Argentina had looked to be cruising to a one-sided victory after Messi's penalty and a brilliant goal by Angel Di Maria in the first half put them in total control but Mbappe converted an…
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Messi, Argentina win 1st major trophy in 15 years

Messi, Argentina win 1st major trophy in 15 years

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER LIONEL Messi has described it as the greatest day in 2021, one that he dreamt of many times. He said: "What a beautiful madness ! This is amazing. Thank God ! We are the champions ! Let's go… Vamos !" Football players and fans around the world applauded as Messi led Argentina to a 1-0 victory over hosts and defending champions Brazil in a titanic clash of global football giants in the Copa America Cup. The win at the Maracana Stadium was Messi’s first victory in a major tournament and he could not hide his excitement at…
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Argentine town bears scars of poverty as pandemic sharpens economic crisis

Argentine town bears scars of poverty as pandemic sharpens economic crisis

MIGUEL LOBIANCO and JUAN BUSTAMANTE IN a run-down part of Manzanares, on the outskirts of Buenos Aires, the scars of poverty are clear. People cook with firewood. Some have no electricity, gas or running water. Children play barefoot with old toys next to rudimentary homes. It is a stark reflection of a wider issue gripping Argentina, which a century ago was once of the richest countries in the world. By the end of last year, the poverty level was at 42%, up from 35.5% a year earlier, rising amid the impact of the coronavirus pandemic and three years of recession.…
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Eight abortion rights hotspots in 2021 after Argentina grants approval

Eight abortion rights hotspots in 2021 after Argentina grants approval

ARGENTINA became the first major country in Latin America to legalize abortion on Wednesday, allowing the procedure through the 14th week of pregnancy and bucking the traditionally strong influence of the Catholic Church in the region. The coronavirus pandemic has impacted abortions around the world, with lockdowns complicating access in some places, while other countries made it easier to get at-home medical abortions. But despite stay-at-home orders, the world's legislatures, courts and politicians have continued to make key decisions to expand or roll back rights. In October, 33 countries including the United States, Egypt and Brazil, signed a declaration that…
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Rights group blasts Argentina for using face recognition tech on kids

Rights group blasts Argentina for using face recognition tech on kids

HUGH BRONSTEIN HUMAN Rights Watch wants the city of Buenos Aires to stop using live facial recognition to identify children accused of committing crimes, the rights group has said. New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) said Buenos Aires started using the technology in April 2019, making Argentina the only country in the world to deploy it against people under the age of 18. Although no minors are known to have been arrested yet, the group says the methodology is riddled with misidentifications that could unjustly limit job and educational opportunities for kids wrongly accused of theft and other crimes. HRW…
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