Lionel Messi breaks World Cup scoring record as Argentina defeats Austria 2-0
via The Namibian3 min read
Lionel Messi became the leading scorer in World Cup history, netting two goals to secure Argentina's 2-0 victory over Austria and advance the champions to the last 32. Messi scored late in the first half with a left-footed finish, bringing his total World Cup goals to a record 17. He sealed the match in second-half injury time. Despite missing an early penalty, Messi's performance was lauded by teammates and coaches, with striker Julian Alvarez calling him "the best in history." Austria's coach Ralf Rangnick also acknowledged Messi's unparalleled skill. The match, played in Texas, saw Argentina fans heavily outnumbering their Austrian counterparts. Messi had previously equaled Miroslav Klose’s record of 16 World Cup goals with a hat-trick in Argentina’s opening 3-0 win against Algeria. This marks Messi's sixth World Cup appearance, and he expressed happiness for the victory, noting its importance for the team's peace of mind.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by The Namibian.
Namibia Wildlife Resorts NWR is currently engaged in the rescue of 96 hikers, including schoolchildren, who became stranded in the Fish River Canyon since Sunday. The hikers, comprising nine different groups, were affected by rapidly rising water levels downstream after NamWater opened the sluice gates of the Naute Dam. Heavy rainfall in the Hardap and ||Kharas regions over the weekend caused the Naute Dam to reach 116.9% of its capacity, while the nearby Neckartal Dam also exceeded 105.7% and began spilling water into the canyon. As a result, the Fish River hiking trail has been temporarily closed. NamWater reported that the Naute Dam's level prompted the opening of one sluice gate, releasing water at 102 cubic metres per second. Commissioner Marius Katamila, the ||Kharas police regional commander, confirmed that members of the Special Reserve Force and a police helicopter are assisting with the rescue efforts from NWR's Hobas resort. Ten hikers managed to exit the canyon on their own on Sunday.
Must ReadJapan has provided Namibia with N$80 billion in development assistance over the past 20 years, encompassing technical aid, grants, and scholarships. I-Ben Nashandi, executive director of the National Planning Commission, highlighted that this support has benefited infrastructure planning, agricultural productivity, and community empowerment. Approximately N$47 billion of this total was in grants and development assistance, nearly equivalent to one year of Namibia's national budget. Japanese ambassador to Namibia Shinichi Asazuma noted that the Japan International Cooperation Agency's core programs include technical assistance, feasibility studies, and master plans. A significant contribution has been in logistics and transport, with Jica supporting the development of Namibia's logistics hub master plan for the port at Walvis Bay, implemented in 2016. This initiative aims to increase cargo throughput and is crucial for Namibia's emerging offshore oil and gas, critical minerals, and green hydrogen sectors. Additionally, the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers program has sent 177 Japanese volunteers to Namibia since 2006, working in education, civil engineering, and local administration, with 11 volunteers currently active in the country.
Must ReadTraditional leaders and community members in Kavango East and West are opposing NamWater’s proposed N$7 billion pipeline to Windhoek, calling for an audit of the Kavango River before the project proceeds. Rundu Rural constituency councillor Paulus Mbangu stated that residents, traditional leaders, and regional authorities were not properly consulted during the planning stages. He questioned how NamWater could propose such a project without knowing the total volume of water in the river, especially given declining water levels and the fact that many local communities still lack safe water access. Mashare constituency councillor Petrus Kashumali accused NamWater and its consultants of “institutional arrogance,” noting that high-level Cabinet decisions were made without consulting regional leadership, traditional leaders, or communities along the river. Both councillors suggested desalination as a viable alternative. Shambyu Traditional Authority leader Sofia Mundjembwe emphasized that while communities are not against development, they fear the project's impact on the river, which holds cultural importance and supports livelihoods. She highlighted the disappearance of floodplains and concerns about reduced river flows affecting fish populations and ecological systems. Mundjembwe also questioned if alternative solutions, such as additional boreholes, had been adequately considered. NamWater spokesperson Lot Ndamanomhata did not provide a comment.