Latest News
Chelsea and Palmeiras advance as FIFA Club World Cup heats up
Both sides advanced in the FIFA Club WC under very different circumstances, setting the stage for an exhilarating showdown between the CONMEBOL and UEFA powerhouses.
The FIFA Club World Cup continued its thrilling run in the United States this weekend with two dramatic Round of 16 clashes that saw South American champions Palmeiras and English giants Chelsea secure their places in the quarter-finals.
Both sides advanced under very different circumstances, setting the stage for an exhilarating showdown between the CONMEBOL and UEFA powerhouses.
The two-day football spectacle drew crowds to Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia and Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, as top clubs battled it out in the expanded 2025 edition of the tournament.
The intensity of the competition is rising as top teams begin to emerge from the packed field of 32, with knockout matches now underway.
Palmeiras Edges Past Botafogo in All-Brazilian Clash
On Saturday, June 28, Palmeiras narrowly overcame domestic rivals Botafogo 1–0 after extra time in a tense and tactical affair in Philadelphia.
In a match that showcased the strength and depth of Brazilian football, both sides fought hard for 90 minutes, but it took until extra time for the deadlock to be broken.
Palmeiras’ persistence paid off as they booked their place in the quarter-finals, where they will now face Chelsea.
Chelsea Outlasts Benfica in Wild, Weather-Delayed Thriller
Later that same day in Charlotte, Chelsea defeated Benfica 4–1 in one of the most dramatic matches of the tournament so far.
The match saw a spectacular free-kick goal by Reece James in the 64th minute, followed by a near two-hour weather delay due to thunderstorms.
When play resumed, Benfica equalized through an Ángel Di María penalty, only to have their momentum cut short after a red card left them with ten men.
Chelsea dominated extra time, with Christopher Nkunku, Andrey Santos, and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall all finding the back of the net. The epic clash lasted nearly five hours from start to finish and demonstrated Chelsea’s resilience and depth.
What’s Next
Chelsea and Palmeiras will now face each other in the quarter-finals—a rematch of the 2021 Club World Cup final, which Chelsea won 2–1.
Meanwhile, anticipation is high for the matches today, Sunday June 29, with Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami facing Paris Saint-Germain, and Flamengo taking on Bayern Munich in Miami Gardens.
With high-caliber talent, intense drama, and global audiences watching, the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup is shaping up to be one of the most exciting editions yet.
For fans in Afghanistan, ATN has secured the exclusive rights to broadcast Sunday’s matches. Fans can tune in to watch Inter Miami take on Paris Saint-Germain at 8pm Kabul time and at midnight Flamengo meet Bayern Munich.
Latest News
Kabul’s Omid Sabz Township declared state-owned, occupants told to seek compensation from seller
Afghanistan’s Ministry of Justice says that more than 1,500 jeribs of land known as Omid Sabz Township (Haji Nabi Township) in Kabul has been legally determined to be state-owned, and that current occupants should seek compensation from the party that sold them the land.
Barakatullah Rasouli, spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice, said the Special Court for State Land Grabbing Cases ruled that the land is officially registered and surveyed in the state’s name across five cadastral plots and has never been transferred to any individual or legal entity.
The court also ordered that the property be handed over to the Commission for the Prevention of Land Grabbing and the Restitution of Grabbed Land for implementation of the ruling.
The Ministry of Justice stressed that the commission is legally responsible for enforcing the Special Court’s rulings in cases involving state-owned land.
Latest News
Turkmenistan reviews TAPI pipeline progress at government energy meeting
TAPI’s gas supply will come from the Galkynysh field, one of the world’s largest natural gas deposits, with estimated reserves exceeding 27 trillion cubic metres.
Turkmenistan has reviewed progress on the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline and reaffirmed its commitment to expanding hydrocarbon production during a government meeting of the country’s oil and gas sector.
According to a statement issued by state-owned Turkmennebit on Monday, the meeting assessed the performance of Turkmenistan’s oil and gas industry during the first seven months of 2026. Senior officials from Turkmennebit, Turkmengaz, Turkmengeology, TAPI Pipeline Company Ltd. and other energy enterprises presented reports on ongoing projects and sector developments.
The statement said particular attention was given to construction of the Serhetabat-Herat section of the TAPI pipeline, with officials emphasizing that work is being carried out in line with international standards.
Participants also discussed priorities for the sector’s future growth, including expanding geological exploration, increasing production drilling to identify new hydrocarbon reserves, boosting oil and natural gas output, and improving the quality of extracted resources.
The 1,800-kilometre TAPI pipeline is designed to transport up to 33 billion cubic metres of natural gas annually from Turkmenistan’s Galkynysh gas field to Afghanistan, Pakistan and India. The project is regarded by Ashgabat as a key route for diversifying its gas exports while strengthening regional energy cooperation and economic integration.
TAPI’s gas supply will come from the Galkynysh field, one of the world’s largest natural gas deposits, with estimated reserves exceeding 27 trillion cubic metres. In April 2026, Turkmengaz and China’s CNPC launched the fourth phase of the field’s development, a project expected to add up to 10 billion cubic metres of commercial gas production annually through new production facilities and additional wells.
The pipeline has also attracted renewed international attention. In June, the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs at Harvard Kennedy School said TAPI is re-emerging as an important regional energy project, highlighting its potential to connect Turkmenistan’s vast gas resources with growing demand in South Asia.
Latest News
Mullah Baradar visits flood-hit Nuristan, pledges continued support for victims
A delegation of private sector representatives also accompanied Baradar during the visit and provided cash assistance to families affected by the floods.
Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar on Monday visited the eastern province of Nuristan to express solidarity with families affected by the recent deadly floods and reaffirm the Islamic Emirate’s commitment to supporting those impacted.
According to a statement from the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office, Baradar offered condolences to the families of those killed in the floods, praying for the victims to be granted paradise and wishing a swift recovery to those injured.
He said that immediately after the disaster, officials from the relevant government institutions were dispatched to the affected areas and used all available resources to carry out rescue operations and assist flood victims.
Baradar assured affected families that the Islamic Emirate would continue to provide assistance using all available means, emphasizing that government officials consider it their responsibility to respond to the needs of the people in a timely manner.
A delegation of private sector representatives also accompanied Baradar during the visit and provided cash assistance to families affected by the floods.
According to the statement, local religious scholars, tribal elders and flood-affected residents welcomed the delegation’s visit and expressed appreciation for the government’s support during a difficult time. They also shared their concerns and requests with the deputy prime minister.
Baradar pledged that the relevant authorities would take the necessary steps to address the issues raised by local residents.
The visit comes as Afghan authorities continue relief and recovery efforts in Nuristan following recent floods that caused fatalities, injuries and widespread damage to homes and infrastructure.
-
Latest News4 days agoPakistan’s governance system has ‘collapsed’: Mohsin Naqvi
-
Sport4 days agoQosh Tepa crowned champions of inaugural Afghanistan Wrestling Premier League
-
Latest News4 days agoWorld Bank: Afghanistan’s economic growth too weak to improve living standards
-
Sport5 days agoAfghanistan Wrestling Premier League crowns inaugural champion in tonight’s grand final
-
Latest News3 days agoUzbek president calls for Central Asia-Afghanistan development space
-
World3 days agoUS to make visa bond program permanent for people from dozens of countries
-
Regional5 days agoSeven police officers killed in fresh militant assault on Pakistan checkpoint
-
Business5 days agoAfghanistan invites Iranian investors to expand economic cooperation
