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Spot freight rates for liquefied natural gas (LNG) tankers extended a surge as record-breaking exports from North America tied up more vessels.The cost to hire a ship transporting LNG from the US to Europe jumped by about 12% on Friday to $130,750 a day, the highest since December 2023, according to data from Spark Commodities. Rates have rallied since early October as output ramps up from new projects in North America, requiring more vessels to deliver the super-chilled fuel to customers, including in Asia.There appears to be even more upside for rates, with a ship chartered for more than $150,000 a day for a journey in the Atlantic Ocean starting in the second half of December, according to traders with knowledge of the matter. The 30-day moving average for North American LNG exports rose to the highest level on record on Thursday, up about 50% year-over-year, according to ship-tracking data compiled by Bloomberg.Spiking freight rates are a turnaround after the market languished for most of the year due to a glut of ships. However, the surge has resulted in some LNG buyers seeking to delay loadings in the Atlantic basin, according to Spark Commodities. Separately, the cost to hire a tanker in the Pacific Ocean is also at the highest in more than a year.

Lionel Messi, still chasing international glory nearly two decades into his career, says he hopes to play at the 2026 World Cup in North America, acknowledging his age and fitness will dictate his role in defending Argentina’s 2022 title.The Argentine great recently extended his contract with Major League Soccer side Inter Miami through 2028, signalling he is not yet considering retirement despite turning 39 next June. Speaking to NBC News, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner said he will take time next year to assess his physical condition before deciding whether to play in the tournament across the United States, Mexico, and Canada.“It’s something extraordinary to be able to be in a World Cup, and I would love to,” the Argentine captain said in the interview.“I would like to be there, to be well and be an important part of helping my team, if I am there. I’m going to assess that on a day-to-day basis when I start preseason next year with Inter (and see if I can really be 100%, if I can be useful and then make a decision.“I’m really eager because it’s a World Cup. We’re coming off winning the last one, and being able to defend it on the field again is spectacular because it’s always a dream to play with the national team.”Messi has enjoyed a professional career spanning more than 20 years, debuting for Barcelona at just 17 in 2004 before playing for Paris St Germain and joining Inter Miami in 2023. He sparked fresh interest in the American league in a critical moment for the sport in North America ahead of hosting next year’s World Cup.While Messi has amassed countless club and individual accolades, international success had eluded him until claiming the 2021 Copa America before beating France 4-2 on penalties to win the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.“It was the dream of my life,” Messi said of the victory. “It was also true that it was the only thing missing at a professional level because I had been lucky enough to have achieved everything at an individual level, at a team level with Barcelona, and I think that’s every player’s dream. When you ask a player what their dream is, it’s to be world champion.”Messi said he is enjoying his time in MLS. “The truth is that I like everything about living here,” Messi said of Miami. “I spent a lot of time in Barcelona, which for me is an extraordinary city, where I grew up and had many spectacular moments, and which we miss a lot. But Miami is a city that allows us to live very well, that makes us enjoy life, that allows us to be calm, that allows the kids to be themselves and live day to day.”Messi has played in 195 matches and scored a record 114 goals for his country. A return for the 2026 World Cup would mark his sixth appearance in the tournament.

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani left Doha on Sunday, heading to the United States of America to participate in the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, which will be held at the organization's headquarters in New York.His Highness the Amir will deliver a speech at the opening session of the General Assembly on Tuesday, Sept. 23.His Highness is accompanied by His Excellency Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani and an official delegation.