The 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup began Thursday at Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca with Shakira, Burna Boy and local performers headlining the first of three opening ceremonies. Mexico faced South Africa in the tournament’s first Group A match.
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U.K. Defense Secretary John Healey resigned after rejecting the government’s military funding plan, saying it would leave the armed forces under-resourced and could make the country less safe. The BBC reported he had pushed for defense spending to reach 3% of GDP by 2030 but was offered a smaller increase.
Trump threatened new strikes on Iran and the seizure of Kharg Island as U.S.-Iran fighting widened across Gulf states and the Gulf of Oman. Iran said the latest U.S. attacks made the ceasefire “practically meaningless,” while mediation efforts by Qatar and Pakistan continued.
John Healey resigned as Britain’s defence secretary, saying Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the Treasury had failed to provide the resources needed for national defence. His departure is the sixth ministerial resignation since Labour’s poor election showing last month.
Pope Leo appealed for humane treatment of migrants during a visit to the Canary Islands, warning that dignity “has no passport.” The trip comes as Spain expands legal status for many undocumented migrants while a new EU pact tightens border and deportation rules.
India lodged a “strong protest” with the United States after three Indian sailors were killed in a U.S. strike on the Palau-flagged M/T Settebello in the Gulf of Oman. U.S. forces also disabled two other tankers this week as part of a naval blockade linked to Iran.
A Thai court sentenced Bilal Mohammed and Yusufu Mieraili to death for the 2015 Erawan shrine bombing that killed 20 people and injured more than 120. Both men deny wrongdoing and plan to appeal after a decade-long case criticized by rights groups.
Canada has introduced Bill C-34, a digital safety proposal that would ban social media for children under 16 unless platforms meet safety standards. The legislation would also regulate AI chatbots and create a new digital safety regulator.