Argentina set Emotional Farewell to Lionel Messi

Argentina have named Lionel Messi in their squad for a friendly against Benin in October in a match which is set to be the forward's farewell to international football.

Messi announced his retirement from Argentina duty in August in the wake of his country's defeat by Spain in the 2026 World Cup final and after saying he was considering his future in football following the death of his father, Jorge.

The 39-year-old, who captained Argentina when they won the 2022 World Cup, said the decision to stop playing for La Albiceleste hurt him "deeply" but that he had "given it my all" and had "nothing left to give".

Messi, an eight-time Ballon d'Or winner who currently plays for Inter Miami, is Argentina's all-time leading scorer and most-capped player, having scored 125 goals in 207 appearances.

"We made the decision to invite the best player in the world, the symbol of our national team, our captain, Lionel Andres Messi, so that he can have the farewell he truly deserves on 6 October here in Argentina," said Argentine FA president Claudio Tapia.

River Plate's Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires, which has an 85,000 capacity, will host the game against Benin.

Argentina's 2022 World Cup winners have also been invited to the match, which Tapia said would be an "unforgettable" occasion.

Source: BBC, Read more: >>>>

Top 10 Countries with Highest Plastic Surgery

Plastic surgery is a surgical specialty focused on restoring, reconstructing, or altering human tissue and physical appearance. Since the start of the decade, the number of cosmetic plastic surgeries has increased by half. Beauty standards that once seemed unattainable without a set of model-specific genetics are now up for sale through a plastic surgeon. With their scalpels, surgeons are essentially able to recreate someone’s appearance.

In this gallery, you'll find the top 10 nations with the highest plastic surgery rates per capita.

1. South Korea
The nation with the highest plastic surgery rates per capita in the world is South Korea. The country reported 8.90 plastic surgeries per 1,000 people. In fact, South Korea is dubbed “the cosmetic surgery capital of the world.” Reports show that one-third of all South Korean adult women under the age of 30 have had plastic surgery. Although, it is worth noting that about half of all procedures are performed on foreign patients, as the nation is a popular site for medical tourism.

2. Argentina
Argentina ranks second on the list of nations with the highest plastic surgery rates per capita, measuring 8.81 plastic surgeries per 1,000 people. Despite the nation’s economic challenges, the demand for plastic surgery increased by 300% between 2019 and 2024 alone.

According to the data, the Southern American nation performs the most nose jobs and eyelid surgeries in the world. Other common procedures include liposuction and breast implants.

3. Brazil
Ranked third on the list of nations with the highest plastic surgery rates per capita is Brazil. The nation registered 7.26 plastic surgeries per 1,000 people. In 2024, Brazil reported 2.7 million procedures.

4. Colombia
Colombia ranks fourth on the list of nations with the highest plastic surgery rates per capita, measuring 7.26 plastic surgeries per 1,000 people. The most common surgical procedure in the nation is liposuction.

5. Greece
Ranked fifth on the list of nations with the highest plastic surgery rates per capita is Greece. The European nation registered 6.33 plastic surgeries per 1,000 people. The most common surgeries in the country are eyelid surgery, breast implants, and liposuction.

6. United States
The United States ranks sixth on the list of nations with the highest plastic surgery rates per capita, measuring 5.91 plastic surgeries per 1,000 people. The US has the most plastic surgeons in the world, amounting to 17% of all plastic surgeons in the world.

7. Germany
Ranked seventh on the list of nations with the highest plastic surgery rates per capita is Germany. The European nation registered 5.72 plastic surgeries per 1,000 people. In 2024, the nation reported nearly 1.1 million procedures.

8. Turkey
Turkey ranks eighth on the list of nations with the highest plastic surgery rates per capita, measuring 5.4 plastic surgeries per 1,000 people. In 2024 alone, the nation reported over 950,000 procedures.

9. Mexico
Ranked ninth on the list of nations with the highest plastic surgery rates per capita is Mexico. The Central American nation registered 5.31 plastic surgeries per 1,000 people.

In 2024 alone, Mexico reported over 1.27 million procedures. Similar to other nations on this list, the country is a popular site for medical tourism, which accounts for 20% of all procedures. The most popular procedures performed are liposuction and breast and buttock implants.

10. Italy
Italy ranks 10th on the list of nations with the highest plastic surgery rates per capita, measuring 4.79 plastic surgeries per 1,000 people. The Southern European nation registered nearly 670,000 procedures in 2024 alone.

Italy performs a number of common plastic surgery procedures, but its most popular procedures are breast implants and eyelid surgeries. Eyelid surgeries remove excess skin from the eyelid area to reshape the eye and give a ‘younger’ appearance.

Sources: (Medical Tourism Corporation) (Statista) (Medical Tourism Review) (Aesthetic Medical Practitioner)

Nairobi to host 2029 World Athletics Championships

Kenya will become the first African country to host the World Athletics Championships after Nairobi was awarded the 2029 edition.

The decision was made by the World Athletics Council on Tuesday, September 15, during its meeting in Budapest, Hungary.

Nairobi won the bid after overcoming competition from Munich, London and Rome. Munich was selected to host the 2031 edition.

Despite producing some of the world’s greatest track and field athletes, Kenya has never hosted the senior World Athletics Championships.

Nairobi will stage the event at the 48,000-capacity Kasarani Stadium, which is undergoing major renovations ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations and will serve as the main venue for the 2029 championships.

World Athletics President Sebastian Coe described Kenya’s proposal as a compelling case for bringing the championships to Africa for the first time.

“Nairobi presented a compelling and emotional bid, and taking the World Athletics Championships to Africa for the first time will be historic,” Coe said. “Kenya is one of the great athletics nations. The sport is woven into the fabric of the country.”

Kenya’s selection reflects both its long-standing athletics heritage and its success on the international stage.

The country has won 72 World Championships gold medals and 38 Olympic gold medals, with much of its success coming in middle- and long-distance events.

Kenya is currently the second-most successful nation in the history of the World Athletics Championships. It also finished second on the medal table at the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo, winning seven gold medals and 11 medals overall.

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Health Benefits of Garlic

The Garlic is a nutritious food that contains sulfur compounds, including allicin, which are associated with several potential health benefits.

         Benefits of Garlic

1. May support heart health – Regular garlic consumption may help maintain healthy cholesterol and blood pressure levels.
2. May help lower blood pressure – Garlic, particularly aged garlic preparations, has been studied for its potential blood-pressure-lowering effects.
3. Supports the immune system – Garlic contains compounds with antimicrobial properties and may support normal immune function.
4. May help fight certain infections – Laboratory studies show that garlic compounds can have antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal activity.
5. Provides antioxidant protection – Garlic contains antioxidants that help protect cells from oxidative stress.
6. May support digestion – Garlic can contribute to a healthy gut when consumed as part of a balanced diet.
7. May support healthy blood sugar – Some research suggests garlic may have modest effects on blood-glucose regulation.
8. May support bone health – Some studies suggest garlic compounds may have beneficial effects on bone metabolism.
9. May have anti-inflammatory properties – Garlic's bioactive compounds may help regulate inflammatory processes.
10. May support overall health – Adding garlic to meals is an easy way to increase flavor while providing useful plant compounds and nutrients.

Important: Garlic is best viewed as part of a healthy diet, not as a replacement for medication. Claims such as “prevents cancer” or “detoxifies the body” are stronger than the available evidence supports.

Top 10 Countries that use most physical money

As digital wallets and contactless payments grow worldwide, some nations still cling to cash for everyday life. From small markets to bustling cities, residents continue to rely on bills and coins for groceries, transportation, and dining.

The Forex reports reveal striking differences in cash usage across the globe, highlighting unique economic, cultural, and infrastructural factors behind these trends. Sources: (Forex) (Visual Capitalist)

Click through to discover the top 10 countries where physical money still dominated daily consumer transactions.

1) Myanmar - 98%
Myanmar relies almost entirely on cash, with limited ATMs outside major cities. Street markets, food stalls, and even public transport operate in cash, while political instability has slowed digital payment adoption.

2) Ethiopia - 95%
Most rural Ethiopian farmers sell produce in local markets for cash. Mobile banking apps exist but remain limited, making coins and bills essential for daily transactions in both villages and cities.

3) Gambia - 95%
Cash dominates Gambia’s tourism-driven economy. Markets in Banjul and beachside stalls prefer bills, while mobile payment adoption is slow due to limited smartphone penetration.

4) Albania - 90%
Albania’s reliance on cash reflects a legacy of informal trade. Street vendors, cafés, and local artisans rarely accept cards, even in Tirana, emphasizing the central role of physical money.

5) Cambodia - 90%
In Cambodia, cash is king in markets and temples. Small vendors and tuk-tuk drivers rarely use cards, and informal savings practices reinforce the country’s deep reliance on bills and coins.

6) Laos - 90%
Rural isolation and limited banking networks make cash essential in Laos. Residents of Luang Prabang and Vientiane use physical currency for night markets, boat rides, and local street food.

7) Lebanon - 90%
Lebanon’s ongoing economic crisis has made cash indispensable. Limited access to bank deposits and soaring inflation mean that daily life relies heavily on bills.

8) Nepal - 90%
Nepalese cash usage thrives in mountainous regions, where ATMs and card networks are scarce. Street vendors, temple donations, and trekking services operate almost entirely with physical currency.

9) Pakistan - 90%
Cash dominates Pakistan’s informal economy. Rickshaw rides, roadside tea shops, and local markets almost exclusively accept cash, while mobile banking slowly gains traction in urban centers like Karachi.

10) Iraq - 85%
Iraq’s dependence on cash is reinforced by economic instability. Petrol stations, street vendors, and small stores operate mainly in cash, as credit card adoption remains limited outside major cities.

Essential Health Indicators Everyone Should Know

Knowing your essential health indicators can help you understand your overall health and recognize potential problems early.

Benefits of Knowing Your Essential Health Indicators

1. Early Detection of Health Problems – Changes in blood pressure, pulse, temperature, or blood tests may signal a health issue that needs attention.
2. Better Understanding of Your Health – Knowing your usual readings helps you understand what is normal for your body.
3. Monitoring Heart Health – Blood pressure and pulse rate provide useful information about cardiovascular health.
4. Managing Cholesterol – Understanding total, HDL, and LDL cholesterol can help you make healthier diet and lifestyle choices.
5. Checking Blood Health – Indicators such as iron, ferritin, platelets, and white blood cells provide information about important functions of the blood.
6. Monitoring Breathing – Respiratory rate can provide clues about how well your body is getting the oxygen it needs.
7. Maintaining Proper Electrolyte Balance – Potassium is important for normal muscle, nerve, and heart function.
8. Tracking Changes Over Time – Keeping a record of your health measurements can help you and your doctor identify trends.
9. Making Informed Lifestyle Choices – Health indicators can motivate you to improve your diet, physical activity, sleep, and other habits.
10. Knowing When to Seek Medical Advice – Significant or persistent changes from your usual levels can be a reason to consult a healthcare professional.

Important: The ranges shown in the infographic are general reference ranges, not personal diagnoses. Normal values can vary by age, sex, medical condition, laboratory, and individual circumstances.

India defeats Sri Lanka to win Women's Asia Cup 2026

India clinched its eighth Women’s Asia Cup title after beating Sri Lanka by 72 runs in the 2026 final at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday. India has won 8th Women's Asia Cup title

India openers Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma stitched a record 129-run partnership, as they posted 183/5 in 20 overs. Shafali took just 24 balls to get to her fifty, ultimately making 68 off 39. On the other hand, Mandhana completed her half-century in 35 balls, and made 59 before getting run out. With the ball, Shree Charani led the way with four wickets, while Deepti Sharma took three.

India’s victory was built on a combination of explosive batting at the top and disciplined bowling through the middle and final overs. The record partnership between Shafali and Mandhana gave India the platform, while Charani and Deepti dismantled Sri Lanka’s chase to seal a memorable eighth title.

India avenges their defeat to Sri Lanka in the 2024 final, and win a record-extending eighth title. However, the Indian team refused to accept the winners' trophy from PCB chief and ACC chairman Mohsin Naqvi.

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Women’s Asia Cup 2026 Final today - India vs Sri Lanka

The T20 Women’s Asia Cup final, India will face defending champions Sri Lanka in Dubai today. The summit clash will begin at 8 PM Indian time.

Seven time champions India reached the final unbeaten, topping Group A with three wins before defeating Bangladesh by 40 runs in the semi-final.

Sri Lanka also secured their spot in the final, winning all three of their group matches before defeating Pakistan by four wickets in the semi-final.

Although India remains the most successful team in Women’s Asia Cup history with seven titles, Sri Lanka had previously defeated them in a 2024 title clash, securing their maiden Asia Cup crown.