The epicentre of the powerful tremor was near Pinotepa de Don Luis in Oaxaca state, the US Geological Survey said.

Friday’s quake was 24.6km underground. Some buildings were damaged in Oaxaca, but no deaths were reported.

A helicopter carrying the interior minister and Oaxaca’s governor crashed in the state, killing two people.

Interior Minister Alfonso Navarrete and Governor Alejandro Murat were not seriously injured, officials said. They were surveying the damage caused by the quake.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said that there was no tsunami threat.

After the tremor, thousands of people were seen fleeing buildings in Mexico City as the ground shook.

Some were crying, while others hugged each other on the streets of the capital. Traffic stopped for a few minutes.

The authorities activated earthquake alert systems in four states and Mexico City. They urged residents to stay outdoors.

Clouds of dust rose near buildings already damaged by two quakes last September

Last September, two devastating earthquakes in Mexico killed hundreds of people.

“Since 19 September we haven’t been that scared,” said shoemaker Luis Rodríguez in Mexico City.

But another woman said: “It is very scary to think your house can fall over you any second.”

There were clouds of dust near buildings already damaged by the September quakes.

Mexico is one of the most seismically active regions in the world, sitting on top of three of the Earth’s largest tectonic plates – the North American, Cocos and Pacific plates.

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Source: BBC

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The men, women and children were found crammed into the bottom of the lorry in Tamaulipas state just south of the Texas border, officials said.

They had travelled from Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador and were bound for the US.

Three people have been arrested on suspicion of human trafficking.

Mexican police said the lorry was stopped at a checkpoint and scanners detected the people hidden inside. They had no food, water or proper ventilation. Twenty-four of the migrants were unaccompanied children, officials added.

Last month more than 170 undocumented Central Americans were taken into custody in the states of Coahuila and Tamaulipas.

Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador are a major source of illegal migrants being smuggled into the US.

President Donald Trump has vowed to crackdown on all immigration, legal and illegal, and is pressing ahead with controversial plans for a wall along the Mexican border.

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Source: BBC

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Speaking to Fox News, Mr Kelly also did not deny reports that he had described the president as “uninformed” when he made campaign promises about a wall.

The comments were overheard during an immigration meeting on Wednesday, according to US media.

A row on immigration between lawmakers and the White House is currently risking a federal government shutdown.

Why does the wall matter now?

Congress faces a deadline of midnight on Friday to pass a stopgap measure that would fund federal agencies until next month.

Democrats want the bill to include protections for immigrants who entered the US illegally as children, known as “Dreamers”.

Republican President Trump has been fighting to scrap the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (Daca) programme.

However, he had signalled he was ready to make a deal to help the Dreamers, in return for funding for border-security plans, which include building a wall along the Mexican border.

How have the wall plans changed?

Mr Kelly said the administration was now looking at creating a wall across 800 miles (1,300km) of the 3,100km stretch. He said this would include improving existing fences.

He said the estimated cost was $20bn (£14bn; 16bn euros); Mr Trump had originally put the figure at $10-$12bn.

During his election campaign, Mr Trump had also insisted Mexico would pay for it in its entirety.

Mr Kelly said they were now looking at alternative ways to raise funds, including via possible visa fees or renegotiating the Nafta trade deal.

“Campaigning is very different from governing,” he said in the Wednesday night interview.

Earlier, other US media reported that Mr Kelly had privately told a group of Democrats from the Congressional Hispanic Caucus that President Trump had not been fully informed when he came up with his wall plans.

Mr Kelly was quoted as saying that he had tried to persuade the president to change his position on the issue.

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Source: BBC

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The striker was at the heart of Belgium’s opener when his shot forced a save, allowing Eden Hazard to tap in.

An Andres Guardado penalty saw the scores level at half-time but Lukaku nudged in a cross to restore the lead.

A fine touch and low finish by Hirving Lozano restored parity and he then volleyed Mexico ahead before Lukaku converted his 30th Belgium goal.

The close-range finish ended the scoring on 70 minutes and saw Manchester United forward Lukaku join Bernard Voorhoof and Paul van Himst in sharing the record.

Voorhoof set his mark between 1928 and 1940, while Van Himst reached the mark between 1960 and 1974. At just 24, Lukaku looks set to take the record to new heights and he could set his own standard in Tuesday’s friendly with Japan in Brussels.

Belgium, coached by former Everton boss Roberto Martinez, are now unbeaten in 14 matches and will feature at the World Cup in Russia having eased through qualifying.

Mexico will also be at the tournament and continue their preparations against Poland in Gdansk on Monday.

They bettered possession with 58% against Belgium and 22-year-old PSV Eindhoven striker Lozano caught the eye, leaving Thibaut Courtois motionless with his first strike before lashing an instinctive volley in for his seventh goal at international level.

Neymar and Jesus on target for Brazil

Neymar scored and missed a penalty before a thunderous strike from Real Madrid’s Marcelo and a simple finish by Manchester City’s Gabriel Jesus gave Brazil a 3-0 lead against Japan by half-time in their friendly at Stade Pierre-Mauroy, home of French side Lille.

Brazil conceded a late consolation but have now lost just once in 16 matches as they get set to face England at Wembley Tuesday.

European champions Portugal cruised to a 3-0 win over Saudi Arabia to continue their own World Cup preparations in Viseu. A fine low strike from Joao Mario added to goals from Manuel Fernandes and Concalo Guedes, with Cristiano Ronaldo left out of the squad.

Newcastle striker Aleksandar Mitrovic found the net as Serbia secured a 2-0 win over China in Guangzhou in their first fixture since sacking Slavoljub Muslin despite qualifying for the World Cup.

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Source: BBC Sport

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A state of emergency has been declared in the Central American nations, where more than 20 people are missing.

It has caused heavy rains, landslides and floods which are blocking roads, destroying bridges and damaging houses.

In Costa Rica, nearly 400,000 people are without running water and thousands are sleeping in shelters.

At least eight people have died in the storm there, while another 11 were killed when it moved north and reached Nicaragua, where as much as 15ins (38cm) of rain had been predicted to fall by the US’s National Hurricane Center.

Three people have been killed in Honduras, including two youths who drowned in a river, and several are reported missing.

One man was also reportedly killed in a mudslide in El Salvador, according to emergency services.

In Costa Rica, all train journeys were suspended and dozens of flights cancelled on Thursday.

More than a dozen national parks popular with tourists have been closed as a precaution.

The storm also caused extensive damage to infrastructure in Nicaragua.

ate was expected to move off the eastern coast of Honduras at 23:00 ET (03:00 GMT) on Thursday, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Forecasters say the storm will gain strength and become a category 1 hurricane before it makes landfall on the southern coast of the United States on Sunday.

Residents from Florida to Texas have been told to prepare for the storm, which, if it does strike, will be the third major storm to hit the southern coast his year.

Both Texas and Florida are still recovering from the damage inflicted by Hurricane Harvey, which hit the former in August and caused “unprecedented damage”, and Hurricane Irma, which made landfall in Florida in September.

Oil companies operating in the Gulf of Mexico says they are evacuating staff from platforms which lie along the predicted path of the storm.

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Source: BBC

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The last three weeks have seen the highest number of fatalities, at 342.

A total of 22,186 cases have been reported across the country.

The number of deaths this year is four times more than fatalities recorded over the equivalent period in 2016, which itself saw a dip in occurrences of the disease.

The western state of Maharashtra is the worst affected, where the death toll stands at 437, according to data revealed by the Union Health Ministry. Neighbouring Gujarat follows closely with 297 deaths, reported news agency PTI.

India experienced a severe swine flu wave two years ago, when health officials scrambled to contain an outbreak which killed more than 1,900 people. While 2016 saw a dip in recorded deaths (265) and affected cases (1,786), the numbers for this year indicate a resurgence of the disease.

The country saw its most crippling outbreak in the pandemic years of 2009-2010, when the virus affected around 50,000 people and claimed the lives of more than 2,700 across the country.

Dr Sanjay Gururaj, medical director at Shanthi Hospital, a private clinic, told the BBC that it was not mandatory for a private hospital to report its numbers to the government’s database. “The numbers in the official report are possibly just the tip of the iceberg,” he said.

What is swine flu?

• A respiratory disease caused by a strain of the influenza type A virus known as H1N1
• Originated in pigs, but is now a human disease spread by coughing and sneezing
• Symptoms similar to those produced by standard, seasonal flu – fever, cough, sore throat, body aches and chills
• Vulnerable groups include pregnant women, children under five, the over-65s and those with serious medical conditions
• The virus first appeared in Mexico in 2009 and rapidly spread around the world.

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Source: BBC

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Twenty others were in critical or serious condition, with some believed to be suffering heatstroke or dehydration, and taken to hospital.

Police did not say where the vehicle came from, but confirmed that the driver was in custody.

They are investigating a possible people-smuggling offence.

The US immigration department is trying to establish the victims’ status.

San Antonio is a few hours’ drive from the border with Mexico.

Police Chief William McManus said in a press briefing that the bodies were discovered after a call from a Walmart employee, who had been approached by someone from the truck asking for water.

Video footage from the store showed a number of vehicles arriving to pick up some of the survivors.

“We’re looking at a human trafficking crime this evening,” he added.

Several others may have managed to escape on foot into the woods nearby.

Local fire chief Charles Hood said they had arrived at the scene just after midnight to find eight people dead in the back of the trailer truck, which had no functioning air conditioning and no signs of water inside.

The survivors had heart rates of over 130 beats per minute and were very hot to touch. In addition to the 20 people in a critical condition, eight others were taken to hospital in a less severe state.

The fire chief confirmed at least two of the victims were school-age children. Their condition is not clear.

“We’re very fortunate that there weren’t 38 of these people who were all locked inside this vehicle dead,” he added.

Weather in the area has been hot and dry.

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Source: BBC

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The team was led by GFA Vice-President, George Afriyie, and head coach, Kwesi Appiah. 16 players, led by captain, Asamoah Gyan, travelled on Sunday and 6 more players are expected to join later on Monday.

The match against Mexico will be played in Houston on Wednesday night and it will be followed by another friendly against the United States on July 1.

Black Stars coach Kwesi Appiah named 22 players for the two matches and travelled with most of the players from Accra.

Five players from the local league were included in the squad with three players playing in outfield position as Hearts of Oak playmaker Winful Cobbinah leading the home-based players.

The six players in the team who play in the Major League Soccer (MLS) in the United Stars will join the team from Sunday night because of club duties.

Most of the MLS player in the Black Stars were in action for their clubs this weekend but will join latest by Monday to give coach Kwesi Appiah his full squad.

Striker David Accam, Mohammed Abu, Kwadwo Poku and Gershon Koffie who were not part of the team that defeated Ethiopia have been handed calls by coach Appiah.

Jonathan Mensah and Harrison Afful who were in the team that defeated Ethiopia will also join the side by Monday to ensure the Black Stars have a full house. Captain Asamoah Gyan led the squad of 16 players from Accra and they will start their training on Sunday afternoon in Houston.

The Black Stars will play Mexico on Wednesday, June 28 at Houston’s NRG Stadium.

The four-time African champions will face the United States second friendly three days later at Pratt & Whitney Stadium in Connecticut.

Full squad:

Goalkeepers: Addo Joseph (Aduana Stars) and Richard Ofori (Wa All Stars)

Defenders: Lumor Agbenyenu (Munich 1860, Germany),Harrison Afful (Columbus Crew), Nicholas Opoku (Berekum Chelsea), Jerry Akaminko ( Eskiserhispor, Turkey), John Boye (Sivasspor, Turkey), Rashid Sumalia (Al Gharafa, Qatar), Jonathan Mensah (Columbus Crew, USA), Samuel Sarfo (Liberty, Ghana)

Midfielders: Mohammed Abu (Columbus Crew, USA), Isaac Sackey (Alanyaspor, Turkey), Ofori Ebenezer (Stuttgart, Germany), Kwadwo Poku (FC Miami), Winful Kwaku Cobbinah (Hearts of Oak), Frank Acheampong (Anderlecht, Belgium), Thomas Agyepong (NAC Breda, Holland), Gershon Koffie (New England Revolution) Strikers: Asamoah Gyan (Al Alhi, UAE), Raphael Dwamena (FC Zurich, Switzerland), Majeed Abdul Waris (Lorient FC, France) and David Accam (Chicago Fire).

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Source: Ghana FA

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The messages themselves ranged from a simple “message not sent” text to more aggressive attempts, which masqueraded as the US Embassy’s visa division or a bereaved friend sending details of a funeral. Some texts even posed as Amber Alerts, claiming to offer details on a missing child. Once clicked, the software exploited a trio of previously disclosed iOS vulnerabilities to silently install itself on the target device.

Citizen Lab believes the campaign was orchestrated by the Israeli spyware vendor NSO Group, based on similarities in the code of the spyware and the host domains where it was stored. The group, rumored to be on sale for as much as $1 billion, rose to prominence last year after similar spyware was detectedon the iPhone of human rights activist Ahmed Mansoor in the United Arab Emirates.

The research prompted an emergency patch from Apple to close the rare iOS vulnerabilities exploited by the attack. Notably, the Mexican campaign took place before that patch took effect, so all of the iOS vulnerabilities would have been exploitable at the time.

Notably, the NSO Group only sells to governments, and is subject to various export restrictions on sanctioned countries like North Korea and Iran. Those restrictions would not prevent sales to the Mexican government, however, and there is a record of the roughly $80 million in NSO sales to various Mexican federal agencies, according to a report from The New York Times. It’s unclear whether there was any legal authorization for the campaign, and one expert told the Times it’s unlikely such a request would be approved by a judge.

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Source: The Verge

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Unidentified attackers opened fire on him on Monday in Culiacan city in the north-western state of Sinaloa, where he lived and worked.

Valdez, 50, received the International Press Freedom Award from the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) in 2011 for his work.

He is one of several journalists who have been killed in Mexico this year.

Valdez was shot dead on the street near the premises of the Mexican news weekly he had founded, Ríodoce.

During his career spanning nearly three decades, Valdez wrote extensively on drug-trafficking and organised crime in Mexico, including the powerful Sinaloa drug cartel.

The cartel is believed to be responsible for an estimated 25% of all illegal drugs that enter the US via Mexico.

Its founder Joaquin Guzman, also known as “El Chapo” (Shorty), was captured in 2014 and is currently in jail awaiting trial in the US.

Mexico’s President Enrique Peña Nieto condemned the killing, calling it an “outrageous crime”, and added that his government remained committed to press freedom.

Sinaloa state attorney general Juan Jose Rios said they were investigating the death, and would protect Valdez’s family and colleagues.

“Above all else we are interested in Javier’s family,” he told reporters.

The CPJ’s Mexico representative Jan-Albert Hootsen said Valdez’s killing was “an attack on journalism, all journalists throughout Mexico”.

Valdez and his publication had been threatened before.

He told the freedom of expression organisation Index on Censorship last month that a hand grenade had been thrown into Ríodoce’s offices in 2009, “although it only caused material damages”.

“I’ve had phone calls telling me to stop investigating certain murders or drug bosses. I’ve had to suppress important information because they could have my family killed if I mention it.

“Sources of mine have been killed or disappeared… The government couldn’t care less. They do nothing to protect you. There have been many cases and this keeps happening.”

Speaking at a launch of his book last year, he said being a journalist “is like being on a blacklist” and that gangs “will decide what day they are going to kill you”.

In March, after journalist Miroslava Breach was shot dead, Valdez was quoted as saying “No to silence” and “Let them kill us all”.

Like Valdez, Breach had reported on organised crime, drug-trafficking and corruption.

Other Mexican journalists killed this year include freelancers Maximino Rodríguez and Cecilio Pineda Birto, according to the CPJ.

The CPJ says at least 40 journalists have been killed in Mexico since 1992.

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Source: BBC

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