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Salma Al-Tamimi

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Salma Al-Tamimi graduated with a degree in Journalism and Communication and has reported for ICN.live since 2025. Coverage focusing on Tech, Artificial Intelligence infrastructure, and cybersecurity in the Arab region. Her work bridges technical insight with public education.
Messi equals Maradona
  • Lionel Messi

Messi equals Maradona on one of the World Cup’s harder statistical tests, a comparison that returned after Argentina beat England 2-1 to reach the World Cup 2026 final. A dribble, in match data, counts each time a player takes the ball past a direct opponent while keeping control. Opta logs every successful take-on. By that measure, Messi delivered one of the knockout stage’s clearest individual displays.

How Argentina beat England

England led first. Anthony Gordon scored in the 55th minute of the Argentina vs England World Cup 2026 semifinal. Messi then set up both Argentine goals. Argentina trailed until the 85th minute, when Enzo Fernandez equalized, and Lautaro Martinez won it deep into stoppage time, in the 90th minute plus two. At 39, Messi became the oldest outfield player to appear in a World Cup semifinal, per Opta. His two assists carried Argentina into another final.

Where Messi equals Maradona

The claim rests on Opta match data. Against England, Messi completed 10 dribbles, and Opta noted he became the second player in the last 60 years to reach that figure against England in a World Cup match. The other was Maradona, in 1986. A dribble counts only when a player beats a direct opponent while keeping the ball, which makes double figures in one game rare. That shared line is where Messi equals Maradona in the record books, and it points back to the fixture that shaped Maradona’s 1986 title run. The 10-dribble tally also extended the Messi dribbles record at the World Cup. Messi set up both Argentine goals as well, lifting his creative numbers further. Across World Cup history, he has moved ahead of Maradona on chances created, 99 to 71. He is tied for most goals at the 2026 tournament, with eight, and holds 33 goal contributions in 33 World Cup matches, the highest total on record. Mbappé sits next with 25.

The Spain vs Argentina final

Spain stands between Argentina and a title defense. Opta rates the Spain vs Argentina final at 56.05 percent in Spain’s favor, with Argentina at 43.85 percent. Those figures are projections and can shift on the day. Luis de la Fuente coaches Spain, whose squad Transfermarkt values at 1.22 billion euros. Argentina’s squad carries a value of 807.5 million euros. The three host nations, the United States, Mexico and Canada, share the tournament, and the final closes it. Messi equals Maradona in reaching a World Cup final as the central figure of an Argentine side, a role Maradona held in 1986.

Head-to-head history

Spain and Argentina have met 14 times. Each nation has won six, with two draws. Only one meeting counted as a competitive fixture, at the 1966 World Cup group stage, where Argentina won 2-1. The rest, played between 1952 and 2018, were friendlies. Their last meeting ended 6-1 to Spain. That scoreline came in a friendly, not a tournament match, which limits its weight for the final. The 1986 reference still frames Argentine expectations, since Maradona scored twice against England in that tournament, drove his team past the quarterfinal, and lifted the trophy. Argentina will try to close 2026 the same way.

  • 3 min read
Trump Ends Hormuz Fee Threat
  • Strait of Hormuz

Trump ends Hormuz fee threat after Gulf leaders promised large investments in the United States. The president dropped his plan for a Strait of Hormuz shipping fee within one day. He first wanted every ship in the waterway to pay a twenty percent transit charge. Now new trade and investment deals with Gulf states will replace the lost money instead.

The US-Iran blockade returned hours after the announcement, squeezing Iran’s struggling economy even further. US Central Command said its forces launched another heavy round of strikes against Iranian targets. Iran said it hit US military sites in Bahrain and Jordan during the recent fighting. State media in Tehran reported blasts across several cities, including the port city of Bushehr. Reports of how Trump ends Hormuz fee threat plans spread fast among worried global oil traders.

The US-Iran conflict has slowed tanker traffic through the narrow waterway to a trickle. Brent crude oil prices rose sharply as nervous ship owners avoided the risky passage this week. Shipping data shows traffic has fallen to its lowest point in two full calendar months. Around a quarter of the world’s oil once moved through this single busy trade route.

How the blockade hits Iran and oil markets

Trump told reporters he dislikes the fee idea but wants fair payment for naval protection. He said Gulf leaders called him many times before he changed the earlier fee plan. The president called the coming Gulf investments massive and good for both sides over time. Even as Trump ends Hormuz fee threat charges, the strict naval blockade stays fully active.

Iran rejected the move and said it still controls the Strait of Hormuz on its own. Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said the blockade broke an earlier agreed truce deal. Washington first blocked all Iranian ports back in April to pressure Tehran into serious talks. The military later redirected one hundred commercial vessels and disabled four during the first blockade.

What the strait fight now means for you

Both countries lifted the blockade in June under a memorandum meant to end the fighting. A dispute over the strait then broke the fragile peace between the two rival governments. Rory Johnston, an oil market analyst, said traffic through Hormuz is grinding to a halt. Markets welcomed the way Trump ended the Hormuz fee threat costs for global shipping firms today.

From my standpoint, this dual approach weakens trust across an already fragile regional peace process. For you, these events matter because oil prices shape fuel costs across the whole world. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned his response would grow stronger after any first attack. He told Iranian leaders not to expect quiet if they strike his country first again. The standoff over the strait keeps global markets and shipping firms on edge right now.

  • 3 min read
Dh100,000 cashback from Emirates NBD
  • Emirates NBD

Dh100,000 cashback from Emirates NBD gives new account holders a strong reason to start banking here. The Emirates NBD Mega Cashback campaign rewards people who open and fund their first account. Eligible new Priority and Private Banking clients earn one per cent on their qualifying balance. This 1 per cent cashback account balance reward applies once you meet the funding rules. You can receive rewards worth up to Dh100,000 based on your ninety-day average balance. Emirates NBD wants long-term relationships here, not a single one-time reward for new savers. This offer runs for a limited time, so quick action protects your place in it. The plan pairs real money back with access to premium banking and wealth help. As I see it, the offer blends real cash rewards with genuine wealth support today. You start the relationship with money back and a clear path toward wider goals.

A rewarding start with Dh100,000 cashback from Emirates NBD

Your reward depends on the average balance you keep across the full ninety-day window. Balances from Dh500,000 to Dh999,999 can earn you up to Dh10,000 in total cashback. Holdings from Dh1 million to Dh4,999,999 can return up to Dh50,000 for eligible clients. Clients who keep Dh5 million or more receive the top prize of Dh100,000 in cashback. Every tier gives you a clear, guaranteed figure, so planning your deposit stays simple. The bank guarantees this cashback, so you know your reward before you even apply. Fixed deposits, Plus Saver, and Millionaire accounts stay outside the terms of this promotion. This Priority Banking cashback UAE offer suits new-to-bank customers Emirates NBD hopes to keep.

Exclusive banking and private banking wealth services UAE clients value

You also gain access to a dedicated Relationship Manager for your daily banking support needs. This person helps you handle everyday banking tasks with more speed and greater confidence overall. A dedicated investment advisor then builds clear strategies around your goals and personal risk appetite. Your advisor reviews options across cash, bonds, and equities before shaping any final plan. You can plan for growth, diversify holdings, or find opportunities across many asset classes. Experienced professionals guide each choice, so your money works toward the future you want. This mix of cashback, advice, and relationship support builds stronger financial foundations for you. Emirates NBD places the customer relationship, not a single product, at the real centre.

How you qualify for Dh100,000 cashback from Emirates NBD

To join, you apply for a new current or savings account during the campaign period. You then fund the account with a minimum of Dh500,000 to meet the entry rule. Keep the required ninety-day average balance from the month right after your account first opens. Your final reward depends on the balance tier you reach under the campaign terms. Watch the balance each month, since the ninety-day average decides your final reward amount. Read the terms and conditions closely, since small details shape your eligible cashback amount. For ambitious savers, Dh100,000 cashback from Emirates NBD builds a strong banking start today. You gain guaranteed cashback, private banking access, and personal wealth support in one package. Act within the promotion window to turn a large deposit into a lasting reward. Speak with the bank early to confirm your account type qualifies for this campaign.

About Emirates NBD

Emirates NBD is one of the largest banking groups in the Middle East, headquartered in Dubai and majority-owned by the government of Dubai. It provides retail, corporate, Islamic, and investment banking services across the UAE and international markets.

Official Website: https://www.emiratesnbd.com/en

Strategic Role:

  • Revenue Engine: Diversified income streams (retail lending, corporate finance, fees)
  • Market Dominance: Strong UAE footprint with regional expansion (MENAT, Türkiye)
  • Digital Edge: Heavy investment in fintech and digital banking platforms

Emirates NBD is a systemically important financial institution with stable cash flows, government backing, and strong positioning to capitalize on regional economic growth.

  • 4 min read
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