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Striking teachers bring Mexico City to a standstill ahead of World Cup

Thousands of demonstrators blocked a major avenue leading to Mexico City's Azteca Stadium on Tuesday, days before the 2026 World Cup opens at the venue, as teacher-led protests disrupted the capital. The demonstration, organised by a dissident faction of the CNTE teachers' union, followed a week of unrest that President Claudia Sheinbaum described as a "provocation".

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US to complete Trump's long-promised Mexico border wall by late 2027

The United States expects to complete construction of President Donald Trump's long-promised southern border wall by late 2027, Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Rodney Scott said on Tuesday. Speaking at an event in Washington, Scott said the reinforced barrier would extend along most of the US-Mexico border, with limited exceptions where officials deemed it unnecessary.

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Trump immigration stance 'clashes against reality of what is needed to stage a truly global event'

Award-winning Somali referee Omar Artan has been dropped from officiating at the World Cup after being barred from entering the United States. Speaking with FRANCE 24's Mark Owen, Alexander Cooley, Claire Tow Professor of Political Science at Barnard College, explains that "we're seeing the Trump's administration adherence to hard-line immigration laws clash against the reality of what you need to stage a truly global event".

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2026 World Cup participation conditional to US travel restrictions

Traditionally, international sports competitions are seen as a way of overlooking division and differences, and disregarding geopolitics tension - which is the reason why North Korea competes in the Olympics for example. But this year's World Cup is proving an exception. Residents of countries placed on a US travel restriction list are finding their attendance at the World Cup is not garanteed. FRANCE 24's Kethevane Gorjestani explains.

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World Cup overshadowed by US travel restrictions and the war in Iran

A Somali referee has been prevented from officiating at the World Cup after he was refused entry into the US. This comes as many fans having bought tickets for the competitions have also seen their visa demands refused, and Iran's football federation claims its ticket allocation was withdrawn days before kickoff. FRANCE 24's Angela Diffley looks at the impact of the US's travel restrictions and war in Iran on the competition.

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Bolivia moves closer to state of emergency among large-scale protests

Turning to Bolivia now, where conservative President Rodrigo Paz has moved closer to enacting a state of emergency that would allow the military to intervene in demonstrations. For weeks, protesters have constructed roadblocks and taken to the streets demanding the government to tackle Bolivia's worst economic crisis in decades. Some are urging Paz to step down. The unrest has driven up food and fuel prices, and resulted in a lack of basic goods.

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Trump booed at NBA Finals game in New York City

Donald Trump was the first sitting US president to attend the NBA Finals on June 8 in New York City. But the leader was booed by crowds in the heavily democratic city every time he was shown on screen. Attendees also had to wait in hour-long lines due to the heavy security system put in place for Trump's attendance.

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World Cup referee refused entry as US travel restrictions affect over 25% of participants

The World Cup hasn't started yet, but there are already many disappointed fans. More than a quarter of the countries taking part in the tournament are facing travel restrictions of varying degrees to the US, meaning many people who already have tickets are having their visas refused. The restrictions are also affecting those taking part in the tournament, like a Somali referee whose visa was just refused by US customs officials.

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Trump storms out of NBC interview after denying his own 'No War' promises

US President Donald Trump stormed off from his interview for NBC's "Meet the Press" at the weekend, after he was fact-checked on his false claims about election fraud by reporter Kristen Welker. She also asked him about the Iran war, his controversial "anti-weaponisation" fund and the cost of living, though Trump made a serious of false and exaggerated responses. He also denied having made campaign "promises" about starting any wars, before walking out entirely. 

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Peru's polarising election: 'Neither candidate has strong majority' in Congress to enact reform

Alison Sargent is pleased to welcome Tiziano Breda, Senior Analyst for Latin America and the Caribbean at ACLED. He argues that Peru's chronic instability is rooted as much in institutional weaknesses as in electoral competition. The reintroduction of a bicameral legislature, he notes, may help curb the cycle in which Congress has repeatedly "deposed presidents and reinstated new ones," but neither candidate is likely to enjoy the parliamentary support necessary to govern decisively. Peru's presidential election is unfolding against a backdrop of deep political fragmentation, rising insecurity, and growing public distrust in democratic institutions. 

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Iran's World Cup team arrives in Mexico amid US visa row

Tension between the United States and Iran is continuing in sport. Iran's World Cup squad landed in Mexico on June 7 under the shadow of a bitter diplomatic dispute. With some members of the entourage still lacking U.S. visas. The dispute comes just days before the kickoff of the 2026 World Cup on June 11, which is being jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.

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Peruvians await results of elections for ninth president in a decade

The presidential election in Peru to determine the 9th head of state in a decade is too close to call. Right-wing candidate, Keiko Fujimori ran on promises to be tough on crime and is the daughter of the late, former president and authoritarian figure Alberto Fujimori who was convicted of human rights abuses. Left-wing candidate Roberto Sanchez, an ally of jailed former president Pedro Castillo, has vowed to address the socioeconomic divide between those living in cities and rural areas. The winner will likely be declared in some days after a full count is completed.

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