QtrendsVenezuela struggles with earthquake recovery as rescue shifts to body recovery. US President Trump confirms he personally intervened with FIFA over Folarin Balogun's suspension, sparking controversy over political influence in sports. FIFA lifts Balogun's ban amid debate over its eligibility rules. Russian missile and drone strikes kill at least 22 in Ukraine, while Ukraine strikes a Russian oil terminal. Massive funeral processions in Tehran mark the death of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Venezuela is transitioning from rescue to recovery operations following a devastating earthquake, with survivors and officials now focused on retrieving bodies from collapsed structures. Emotional accounts describe survivors trapped for over 60 hours under rubble. A Venezuelan guard was rescued after eight days, offering a rare moment of hope amid the grim task ahead.
US President Trump has confirmed he personally asked FIFA to review American soccer player Folarin Balogun's international suspension, providing the most detailed account yet of his intervention. The move has triggered debate over political influence in sports governance. US soccer fans are divided, with some expressing excitement and others shock over Trump's involvement with football's world governing body.
FIFA has lifted the international ban on US striker Folarin Balogun, clearing him to play against Belgium. The decision comes amid scrutiny of the eligibility rules FIFA used to allow Balogun to switch national teams. Critics point to a history of controversial FIFA rulings involving players and political figures, drawing comparisons to past World Cup eligibility disputes.
Russia launched a major wave of missile and drone attacks across Ukraine, killing at least 22 people. Ukraine warned it is running critically low on interceptor missiles as the strikes continue. In a retaliatory strike, Ukrainian drones hit an oil terminal in Russia's St. Petersburg, marking one of the deepest long-range attacks into Russian territory.
Iran has begun dayslong funeral ceremonies for Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in the ongoing war. Massive crowds of mourners thronged the funeral procession in Tehran. Khamenei's other sons appeared publicly at the funeral, while the new supreme leader remains in hiding. Iran also reappointed a familiar figure to a powerful post during the funeral proceedings.