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Saudi Arabia has been confirmed as the host nation for the 2034 football World Cup.

Also confirmed were the hosts for the 2030 World Cup, which was awarded to six countries and will take place across three continents to celebrate 100 years of the tournament.

Saudi Arabia was the sole bidder for the 2034 competition. Its host status was confirmed on Wednesday after an online meeting of the 211 members of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA).

The members confirmed the unchallenged bids by acclamation – simply clapping during the virtual meeting led by FIFA president Gianni Infantino.

As well as the World Cup, Saudi Arabia is hosting football’s 2027 Asian Cup, the 2029 Asian Winter Games and the 2034 Asian Games. It also has long-term ambitions to host more major events, including the Women’s World Cup, according to Sky Sports News.

The 2030 tournament will be led by co-hosts Spain and Portugal in Europe, and Morocco in North Africa. Uruguay, Paraguay and Argentina will each hold an opening match to mark 100 years since the first World Cup, which took place in Uruguay and was won by the hosts.

Before both of them, the US, Canada and Mexico will co-host the 2026 World Cup.

England’s Football Association (FA) supported the plans for the 2030 and 2034 World Cups, Sky Sports News understands.

FILE - Argentina's Lionel Messi lifts the trophy after winning the World Cup final soccer match between Argentina and France at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, on Dec. 18, 2022. Just over a year on from Messi winning the World Cup, what sporting legacy has it left in Qatar? (AP Photo/Martin Meissner, File)
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Argentina won the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Pic: AP

‘Blatant sportswashing’

Saudi Arabia first published its bid for the World Cup back in August after FIFA controversially fast-tracked the process for hosting the tournaments in 2030 and 2034.

But, the plan for the 2034 tournament has led to criticism from activist groups, who argue that Saudi laws will not protect workers overseas.

The tournament will require the construction of eight new stadiums, for a total of 15 hosting venues, plus the addition of 175,000 hotel rooms, which will rely heavily on migrant labour.

One of the stadiums is planned in a city that doesn’t yet exist.

Critics of FIFA also insist a Saudi-based World Cup risks a repeat of the rights abuses seen during a decade of similar preparations for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Labour MP Andy Slaughter said the decision was “complete sportswashing” and last month, Amnesty International and the Sport & Rights Alliance called on FIFA to halt the process of picking Saudi Arabia as the host of the 2034 tournament unless major human rights reforms are announced before the vote.

Amnesty International accused the country of “blatant sportswashing” – the practice of using sports to improve a country’s or organisation’s reputation and often to distract from negative actions.

A Stonewall spokesperson said LGBTQ+ fans would feel unsafe at the prospect of attending the 2034 tournament.

FILE - Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, left, and FIFA President Gianni Infantino, stand for the anthem prior to the match between Russia and Saudi Arabia which opened the 2018 soccer World Cup at the Luzhniki stadium in Moscow, Russia, on June 14, 2018. (Alexei Nikolsky, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP, File)
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Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and FIFA president Gianni Infantino. File pic: AP

‘We’ve come a long way’

Hitting back at criticism, Hammad Albalawi, head of Saudi Arabia’s bid, said at the beginning of December that the country has made significant progress in human rights while aiming to attract “more fans than ever” to the event.

He said Saudi Arabia is committed to transforming its social and economic landscape under Vision 2030 – a government programme announced back in 2016.

“We have come a long way and there’s still a long way to go. Our principle is to develop something that is right for us. Our journey started in 2016, not because of the World Cup bid,” Mr Albalawi told the Reuters news agency.

“We’ve launched initiatives granting employees the freedom to move between employers. Documents of these employees are now uploaded into government systems, ensuring they have rights within their contracts.”

He added that the tournament would be held in a “safe and family-friendly environment” regardless of the sale of alcohol – which is banned in the country.

Read more:
Questions still hang over bidding process
FIFA World Cup to have 104 matches in 2026
Expansion of Women’s World Cup could boost English-led bid

“I think today what you see in Saudi Arabia is an environment that is family-friendly, safe and secure – something that people can actually enjoy on and off the pitch,” Mr Albalawi said.

“Our aim and aspiration is to bring more teams and more fans into one place than ever before.”

FIFA previously praised the Saudi bid in an in-house evaluation, noting that the 48-team, 104-game tournament offers “significant opportunities for positive human rights impact”.

However, it added that Saudi Arabia must invest “significant effort and time” to comply with international standards.

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From Gere to Gaga: The best celebrity looks created by Giorgio Armani

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From Gere to Gaga: The best celebrity looks created by Giorgio Armani

Italian fashion designer Giorgio Armani, known for ready-to-wear fashion and staple suits, has died.

The 91-year-old started the fashion house in 1975 with his partner Sergio Galeotti, but it is the 1980 classic film American Gigolo that is credited with launching Armani’s career.

He designed the wardrobe for the film’s star, Richard Gere, who was launched into the spotlight as America’s new favourite heart throb, and Armani as one of the most popular designers. Over his career, he earned over 200 wardrobe credits.

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As well as dressing actors on screen, red carpets were filled with Armani’s tailored black tie outfits and evening gowns, with everyone from Jodie Foster, Beyonce and Diane Keaton wearing his designs.

Here, we look at some of Armani’s iconic looks created for both the big screen and the red carpet.

Diane Keaton (centre) wearing an Armani men's suit jacket at the 1978 Academy Awards. Pic: AP
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Diane Keaton (centre) wearing an Armani men’s suit jacket at the 1978 Academy Awards. Pic: AP

Diane Keaton wore a custom double-breasted jacket to the 1978 Academy Awards, where she won Best Actress for her performance in Woody Allen’s romantic comedy Annie Hall.

Richard Gere in American Gigolo. Pic THA/Shutterstock
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Richard Gere in American Gigolo. Pic THA/Shutterstock


Richard Gere stars in American Gigolo. The suits made by Armani were originally for John Travolta, who later dropped out of the film and was replaced by Gere.

Grace Jones wears an Armani blazer on the cover of the album Nightclubbing. Pic: AP
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Grace Jones wears an Armani blazer on the cover of the album Nightclubbing. Pic: AP

Grace Jones wore a man’s wide-shouldered Armani blazer on the cover of the 1981 album Nightclubbing.

Julia Roberts wearing an Armani men's suit at the 1990 Golden Globes. Pic: AP
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Julia Roberts wearing an Armani men’s suit at the 1990 Golden Globes. Pic: AP

Julia Roberts wore an oversized men’s Armani suit at the 1990 Golden Globes. The look has become iconic in fashion history as the actress stepped away from wearing the conventional ballgown.

Robert De Niro, Ray Liotta, Joe Pesci in Goodfellas in 1990. Pic: Warner Bros/Kobal/Shutterstock
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Robert De Niro, Ray Liotta, Joe Pesci in Goodfellas in 1990. Pic: Warner Bros/Kobal/Shutterstock

Armani collaborated with Goodfellas director Martin Scorsese to create suits for Robert De Niro, Ray Liotta, Joe Pesci in the 1990 classic film.

Actress Jodie Foster at the 1992 Oscars. Pic: AP
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Actress Jodie Foster at the 1992 Oscars. Pic: AP

Jodie Foster wore an Armani suit at the 1992 Academy Awards, where she won Best Actress for The Silence Of The Lambs.

Armani designed Katie Holmes' wedding dress when she married Tom Cruise in 2006. Pic: Reuters
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Armani designed Katie Holmes’ wedding dress when she married Tom Cruise in 2006. Pic: Reuters

When Tom Cruise tied the knot with actress Katie Holmes in 2006, it was Armani who was tasked with creating her wedding dress.

Beyonce at the American Music Awards in 2008 wearing custom Armani. Pic: AP
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Beyonce at the American Music Awards in 2008 wearing custom Armani. Pic: AP

Performing her hit song All The Single Ladies at the 2008 American Music Awards, Beyonce wore a custom Armani bodysuit.

David and Victoria Beckham wearing Giorgio Armani at the 2008 Met Gala. Pic: AP
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David and Victoria Beckham wearing Giorgio Armani at the 2008 Met Gala. Pic: AP

David and Victoria Beckham wore Armani at the 2008 Met Gala in New York. The theme was superheroes: fashion and fantasy and Armani co-chaired the gala that year.

Lady Gaga at the Grammys in 2010. Pic: AP
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Lady Gaga at the Grammys in 2010. Pic: AP

Lady Gaga wore a galactic-inspired dress at the 2010 Grammy Awards, which was part of Giorgio Armani Prive – the designer’s haute couture collection. The outfit turned heads as it was unlike Armani’s typical styles.

Demi Moore at the 2025 Golden Globes. Pic: Reuters
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Demi Moore at the 2025 Golden Globes. Pic: Reuters

Demi Moore wore a sculpted gold gown at this year’s Golden Globes, where she won Best Performance by a Female Actor for her role in The Substance.

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Taliban reports sharp rise in death toll following earthquake in eastern Afghanistan, as aid agencies issue warning

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Taliban reports sharp rise in death toll following earthquake in eastern Afghanistan, as aid agencies issue warning

The number of people killed following a deadly earthquake in eastern Afghanistan has risen sharply to 2,205, according to the Taliban government.

The increase, from more than 1,400 deaths reported on Tuesday, coincides with rescuers being hampered by harsh weather and rugged terrain, while aid agencies warned of dwindling resources.

The 6.0 magnitude quake struck several provinces in a mountainous and remote area of the country near the Pakistan border, at around 11.47pm (8.17pm UK time) on Sunday.

Afghanistan’s deadliest earthquake in years levelled villages, destroying thousands of homes, and trapping people under rubble. At least 3,640 people have been injured.

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Afghans search for survivors after earthquake

The majority of casualties have been in Kunar, where many live in steep river valleys separated by high mountains.

Taliban spokesman Hamdullah Fitrat said rescue and search efforts were continuing: “Tents have been set up for people, and the delivery of first aid and emergency supplies is ongoing.”

More than 6,700 homes have been destroyed, authorities have said.

More on Afghanistan

But while officials have deployed helicopters and airdropped army commandos to help survivors, the rough terrain is hindering relief efforts.

Tough terrain is hindering relief efforts. Pic: Reuters
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Tough terrain is hindering relief efforts. Pic: Reuters

Aid workers have reported walking for hours to reach villages cut off by landslides and rockfall.

Afghanistan was already struggling with the impact of climate change, particularly drought, a weak economy and the return of some two million Afghans from neighbouring countries.

Sunday’s earthquake is the third to devastate the country since the Taliban seized power in 2021.

Livestock are left to shelter inside a damaged house. Pic: Reuters
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Livestock are left to shelter inside a damaged house. Pic: Reuters

On Wednesday, the defence ministry said the Afghan air force moved more than 1,900 people in 155 flights over two days, and delivered 10,000kg of supplies across the region.

The UK has pledged £1m in emergency funding to be split between humanitarian agencies instead of the Taliban government, which the UK does not recognise.

Injured Afghans have been evacuated to a hospital in Jalalabad. Pic: AP
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Injured Afghans have been evacuated to a hospital in Jalalabad. Pic: AP

Read more from Sky News:
Women more at risk after quake
6.1-magnitude quake hits Turkey
Relocating Afghans to cost over £2bn

Humanitarian needs are “vast and growing rapidly”, said the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent
Societies.

“Up to 84,000 people are directly and indirectly affected, with thousands displaced,” it added.

In some of the worst-affected villages in Kunar province, two in three people had been killed or injured, while 98% of buildings were either destroyed or damaged by the tremors, according to an assessment by British-based charity Islamic Relief Worldwide.

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The Norwegian Refugee Council said it had fewer than 450 staff in Afghanistan, no emergency stock and an urgent need for funds.

“We have only $100,000 (£74,500) available to support emergency response efforts. This leaves an immediate funding gap of $1.9 million (£1.42m),” said Maisam Shafiey, from the humanitarian organisation.

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China’s Xi believes in destiny – and it’s bad news for the West

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China's Xi believes in destiny - and it's bad news for the West

China put on a show of military strength and diplomatic pulling power in Beijing this week that should worry us all.

At the heart of it was one all-powerful man.

Xi Jinping is emerging as the emperor of a rising China bent on reshaping the world in its image.

He wears the garb of his communist forebears, but he is much more than just another heir to Chairman Mao.

Xi increasingly has more in common with China’s imperial past.

He has disposed of rivals and term-limit rules, making him potentially ruler for life.

Xi believes it is China’s destiny to return to its rightful place as the centre of the world. A new world order dominated by China is approaching he believes, hastened by the Trump administration’s willingness to dismantle the current Pax Americana and western disarray over Ukraine.

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The Chinese weapons that will worry America

China has a right to assert itself more robustly on the world stage, of course, but it’s the manner of that assertion and the risks of collision with the West that should give cause for concern.

Xi has ruthlessly crushed dissent at home with quasi genocidal repression in Xinjiang, a cultural holocaust in Tibet and brutal suppression of human rights in Hong Kong.

Next in his sights is Taiwan. It is claimed by the Chinese communists as part of their One China project.

That opens up one fault line between Xi’s rising China and Western nations.

China’s more and more open support of Putin’s war in Ukraine is of course another.

Western impotence and failure to bring enough pressure on Russia to end the conflict has allowed it to metastasize into a much bigger one.

Read more from Sky News:
Xi presents his vision of the future
Who is Kim Jong Un’s sister Kim Yo Jong

The three autocrat amigos in Beijing on Wednesday. Pic: Reuters
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The three autocrat amigos in Beijing on Wednesday. Pic: Reuters

On one side in the East, authoritarian governments lining up to support Russia. And on the other, democratic countries supporting Ukraine.

This week’s jamboree of autocrats in Beijing seems to have tipped things more in their favour. Good news for regimes using Orwellian surveillance, censorship, and repression to control their people and keep a grip on power.

Bad news for the rest of us who prefer a future organised around democracy, freedom, and the rule of law.

Dictators rejoice. Democrats beware.

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