According to a new report from Intel Market Research, the global Multifocal Contact Lenses market was valued at USD 3.45 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 5.89 billion by 2034, growing at a CAGR of 6.8% during the forecast period (2026-2034). This growth is propelled by increasing prevalence of presbyopia among aging populations, technological advancements in lens materials, and...

The global Faceting Handpieces Market Size is set for steady long-term expansion. Valued at USD 38.3 million in 2025 and projected to reach USD 40 million in 2026, the market is on track to touch USD 62 million by 2036. This trajectory represents a steady CAGR of 4.5% over the 2026–2036 forecast period, generating an absolute growth opportunity...

The dyslipidemia drugs market is experiencing steady growth as the global burden of cardiovascular diseases continues to rise. Dyslipidemia, characterized by abnormal cholesterol and lipid levels, is one of the leading risk factors for heart disease and stroke. Increasing awareness of preventive healthcare, improvements in lipid-lowering therapies, and growing emphasis on early disease...

Global Building and Construction Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) market, valued at approximately USD 1,622.45 Million in 2025, is projected to grow at a steady Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 4.27%, reaching an estimated USD 2,389.76 Million by 2034. The market's expansion is fueled by environmental advantages of EPS for green building design, energy efficiency optimization, improved indoor...

The Energy Storage as a Service (ESaaS) Market is witnessing remarkable growth as businesses, utilities, and industrial facilities increasingly adopt flexible energy management solutions to reduce operational costs, enhance grid reliability, and support renewable energy integration.  The energy storage as a service (ESaaS) market is anticipated to experience robust growth from...

The automotive industry in North America is undergoing a significant transformation driven by rapid electrification, connected mobility, and the adoption of advanced vehicle technologies. The US automotive sector, supported by strong investments from vehicle manufacturers, technology companies, and government initiatives, is witnessing increased integration of electronic systems across...

The automotive industry in North America is undergoing a significant transformation driven by rapid electrification, connected mobility, and the adoption of advanced vehicle technologies. The US automotive sector, supported by strong investments from vehicle manufacturers, technology companies, and government initiatives, is witnessing increased integration of electronic systems across...

Juergen Klopp sits on the podium during a press conference to introduce the new national team head coach. Jennifer Brckner/dpaJrgen Klopp has signed a deal until 2030 to become Germany coach, the German Football Federation (DFB) said on Friday at a press conference where he was unveiled.The former Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool boss was the DFB's immediate first choice to succeed Julian Nagelsmann, who resigned following the World Cup last-32 exit to Paraguay in June.Klopp was previously global head of soccer at the sports arm of drinks maker Red Bull but will now lead Germany into the Nations League, qualifying for Euro 2028 in the British Isles and qualifiers for the 2030 World Cup.His first match in charge will be against the Netherlands in Amsterdam on September 24 in Germany's opening Nations League fixture.Juergen Klopp sits on the podium during a press conference to introduce the new national team head coach. Florian Wiegand/dpaJuergen Klopp sits on the podium during a press conference to introduce the new national team head coach. Florian Wiegand/dpa

The Owensboro Catholic Aces bounced back from a setback earlier in the week to capture a 53-31 win over Dugan Best in the 7th-8th grade division of the 53rd Annual Dust Bowl Basketball Tournament on a picturesque Thursday evening at Kendall-Perkins Park.After suffering a loss Monday night, the Aces quickly regrouped to get back on the right track.Its been interesting, because we lost to a very good team, said Aces coach Drew Cooper, also the Kentucky Wesleyan College mens basketball head coach. I thought it was rising seventh- and eighth-graders, but its actually rising eighth- and ninth-graders. So we were able to add some age and some size with some 2030 guys.Weve had a good night these last three nights. Well play a very good team tomorrow, and well see if we can get to the championship game.Owen Cooper powered the Aces with a game-high 17 points, Kellan Atwell added 12 points, and Cal Murphy chipped in 11 points.Amarien Theas scored 16 points for Dugan Best.With sons Owen and Grant on the team, Drew Cooper has enjoyed the summer so far.Ive coached them for the last two months, he said. We went to Cincinnati for a pretty big event; we went to Louisville for a pretty big event. Im having fun being around my sons and their friends. Its a really good group of kids, and Ive really enjoyed it.And, he added, its far less pressure than coaching at the college level.My definition of fun might be a little bit different than someone elses definition of fun, Cooper said, with a laugh. Seeing them respond to some of the situations weve been in and doing well is really fun to me. I hope that the kids would agree theyre having fun, too.Above all else, he wants them to enjoy the experience of playing in the Dust Bowl.Its a lot like Kentucky Wesleyan basketball everybody in the community knows about its history, Cooper said of the annual summer event. Everybody fully respects what it has done for our city and in terms of bringing people together and getting people out here.This is summer basketball. Im going back 25 years, but as a player, this is the type of event that I miss the most. Coming out and playing, being competitive, being outside its great for everybody. I have full respect for the job that the volunteers do for this event.Owensboro Catholic (53) O. Cooper 17, Atwell 12, Murphy 11, Settles 7, Howard 4, G. Cooper 2.Dugan Best (31) Theas 16, Wells 7, Siddons 6, Carter 2.

After Spain defeated Argentina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, social media users fuelled speculation about alleged FIFA favouritism with a video that appeared to show blue fireworks set off at the end of the tournament, and that it was proof that the body had only prepared for the South Americans' victory. AFP photos and footage from media outlets all show that the fireworks were white, not blue."Spain's victory actually crashed FIFA's show," reads a Douyin video's caption in simplified Chinese shared on July 21.It contains a screenshot of an X post published on July 20, showing blue fireworks at a stadium, while a Spanish flag was visible in the middle."If FIFA World Cup final was not rigged, why were the fireworks the colours of Argentina? Their plans were ruined by Spain," the post says, implying that the fireworks match the main colours of Argentina's flag( archived link).The claim feeds into the conspiracy theory that FIFA has repeatedly displayed favouritism toward the Argentine team and skipper Lionel Messi (archived here and here). FIFA's refereeing chief previously responded that these were "unfounded allegations" ( archived link).Screenshot of the false Douyin post taken on July 24, 2026, with a red X added by AFPSpain beat Argentina 1-0 on July 19, with Ferran Torres scoring the only goal of the game in extra time ( archived link). After the match and the trophy presentation, a fireworks display began, launched from the top of the New York New Jersey Stadium.Similar claims were shared across Weibo, Threads and Xiaohongshu in Chinese.It also spread in multiple languages on X, Facebook and Instagram.However, the fireworks were white, as seen in an AFP photo of the trophy ceremony after the match.A general view of fireworks during the trophy ceremony after Spain won the 2026 World Cup football tournament final match between Spain and Argentina at the New York/New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford on July 19, 2026MAURO PIMENTELAFPA reverse image search with keyframes of the video also led to footage published by German broadcaster Magenta TV that shows the fireworks from a similar angle, displaying white smoke instead of blue ( archived link).Screenshot comparison of the false Douyin post and the video published by Magenta TV, with a red X added by AFPFootage from Sports TV -- a YouTube channel managed by Pakistani digital content distributor Dot Republic Media -- captured from the outside of the stadium also shows that the fireworks were white ( archived link).During the final match, various colours of fireworks were displayed: the colours of the rainbow were shown in the halftime show, and before the game began, the flags of Spain and Argentina appeared with pyrotechnics, but on the field of play and not above the stadium.AFP has reached out to FIFA but no immediate response is forthcoming.AFP has debunked other misinformation related to the 2026 World Cup.