FUNCHAL, Portugal — Hundreds of fans and well-wishers flocked to a cathedral on the Portuguese island of Madeira on Saturday hoping to catch a glimpse of Cristiano Ronaldo marrying his longtime partner, Georgina Rodríguez, only to discover the wedding taking place inside had nothing to do with the soccer star at all.

Rumors had circulated widely that Ronaldo was preparing to marry Rodríguez in his hometown of Funchal over the weekend, despite the Portugal captain’s family publicly denying any such plans. The speculation was enough to draw droves of fans into the center of the city, all hoping to witness the celebrity couple tie the knot.

A different couple entirely

Despite widespread media reports suggesting Ronaldo had scheduled a lavish, star-studded ceremony for Saturday afternoon, the gathered crowd was left disappointed. The wedding actually taking place at the Sé Cathedral belonged not to Ronaldo and Rodríguez, but to a couple named Nicole and Fábio.

As onlookers lined the streets with phones and cameras raised, the reality set in when the bride arrived — slightly late, as is traditional — and was clearly not Rodríguez. Instead, it was Nicole, arriving to marry her husband-to-be, Fábio, who had been waiting at the altar inside.

The cathedral confirmed the mix-up in a post on its official Facebook page, writing, “Congratulations to the couple Nicole and Fábio. After a lot of confusion on the street with so many journalists and tourists, we finally managed to close the church and celebrate.”

A separate post from the cathedral, accompanied by images of the crowd gathered outside as Nicole arrived, added, “We’ve never seen anything like this here in Sé. It was very difficult for the bride to enter the Sé church to get married.”

Guests take the chaos in stride

Despite having to navigate a level of public attention they had not anticipated for their wedding day, some of the couple’s guests found humor in the situation. “We feel like celebrities,” one guest told the local news outlet Diário de Notícias da Madeira. “I find it impressive that these people think Ronaldo would get married today without security.”

Ronaldo himself also appeared to find the episode amusing. The soccer star commented on an Instagram post from Jornal da Madeira covering the incident with a series of cry-laughing emojis, offering his own acknowledgment of the mistaken-identity spectacle without directly addressing his own wedding plans.

No official word on Ronaldo’s actual wedding date

Despite the attention surrounding Saturday’s false alarm, Ronaldo has remained quiet about when he and Rodríguez actually plan to marry. The couple got engaged in August of last year, with Ronaldo presenting Rodríguez with a ring featuring a stone estimated at up to 30 carats and valued as high as $5 million.

The engagement, one of the most closely watched in global sports and celebrity circles, has fueled ongoing speculation about the timing and scale of an eventual wedding, given Ronaldo’s status as one of the most recognizable athletes in the world and Rodríguez’s own prominent public profile as a model, businesswoman and reality television personality.

A day that ultimately belonged to Nicole and Fábio

While the global attention initially centered on two people who were not even present at the cathedral, the day ultimately belonged to the actual couple exchanging vows. Despite drawing a significantly larger congregation than they had anticipated — and the accompanying disruption from journalists and tourists gathered outside — Nicole and Fábio were able to proceed with their ceremony once the cathedral was able to manage the crowd and close its doors to the public.

Part of a broader pattern of attention on Ronaldo

The mix-up adds to a long-running pattern of intense public and media interest in Ronaldo’s personal life, which has often generated outsized attention even around events not directly connected to him. As one of the most followed athletes on the planet, Ronaldo’s off-field milestones — from his relationship with Rodríguez to major family events — routinely draw international coverage and public curiosity, sometimes resulting in speculation that outpaces confirmed fact, as Saturday’s episode illustrated.

The incident comes during an active stretch for Ronaldo both on and off the pitch, following the conclusion of his run at this year’s World Cup and amid continued interest in his career trajectory with Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia’s Pro League. Despite the swirl of attention around his personal life, Ronaldo has given no public indication of when he and Rodríguez intend to formalize their engagement with an actual wedding ceremony.

For now, the residents of Funchal — and Nicole and Fábio in particular — are left with a wedding day story unlikely to be forgotten anytime soon, even if the story isn’t really about Ronaldo at all.

Elon Musk’s net worth climbed back above $800 billion Friday, driven by an 11.7% surge in SpaceX shares that came as part of a broader rally across tech stocks, according to Forbes’ real-time wealth tracker.

SpaceX’s stock rose to $129 a share shortly after 1 p.m. EDT, marking its highest point in three weeks. The jump pushed Musk’s estimated net worth to $802 billion in the afternoon, according to Forbes — a rebound that came less than two weeks after his fortune had fallen below $700 billion amid an earlier decline in SpaceX’s share price.

A volatile stretch for SpaceX stock

Friday’s rally followed a rough week for SpaceX shares. The rocket maker reported its earnings earlier in the week, and the results initially sent the stock lower after the company disclosed a sixfold increase in quarterly spending, according to Forbes’ earlier reporting.

Despite that spending spike, SpaceX’s underlying financial results beat expectations. The company reported $7.8 billion in quarterly revenue, topping Wall Street estimates of $6.9 billion, while its net losses narrowed sharply, dropping from $1 billion in the prior period to $541 million.

Where the spending is going

SpaceX’s capital expenditures reached $18.3 billion in its latest quarter, with $15.8 billion of that total — the vast majority — directed toward artificial intelligence investment, according to Forbes. Musk has said SpaceX expects its revenue could exceed $1 trillion as early as 2029, a timeline he has moved up by two years from his earlier projection. The company’s primary revenue driver remains its Starlink satellite internet service, whose turnover nearly doubled during the second quarter.

A broader rally, not just SpaceX

SpaceX wasn’t alone in Friday’s gains. Several other technology stocks also surged during the session, including Palantir, Cloudflare and Microchip Technology. Palantir shares traded up more than 9% around 12:30 p.m. EDT, while Microchip’s stock climbed as much as 14% during the day. The rally came in the wake of a weaker-than-expected jobs report that showed the U.S. economy lost 23,000 jobs in July, according to Forbes’ coverage of the broader market movement.

Musk’s wealth tightly tied to SpaceX’s fortunes

Musk owns roughly 38% of SpaceX, according to Forbes, a stake that closely links the trajectory of his personal net worth to swings in the company’s stock price. That connection has produced dramatic volatility in his wealth in recent months. Musk became the world’s first trillionaire in June, shortly after SpaceX went public, with his estimated fortune peaking as high as $1.45 trillion at its highest point, according to Forbes’ tracking.

Since then, Musk’s wealth has swung sharply in both directions as SpaceX shares have moved. His fortune dipped below $900 billion in mid-July as shares slid toward the company’s initial public offering price. It fell further, below $800 billion, following an aborted Starship launch later that month, and dropped below $700 billion by late July as the decline in SpaceX shares continued — a stretch during which Musk reportedly referred to himself as a “former” trillionaire, according to Forbes’ earlier reporting. Musk’s fortune then dropped further still earlier this week, losing roughly $80 billion in a single session, before Friday’s rebound pushed him back above the $800 billion mark.

Analysts remain broadly bullish despite the swings

Even amid the stock’s volatility, Wall Street analysts have largely maintained a positive long-term outlook on SpaceX. According to Forbes’ earlier coverage, Raymond James set an $800 price target on the stock last month, implying a market valuation well above $10 trillion, with analyst Brian Gesuale arguing the firm’s position reflected SpaceX “building the foundational platform for the next generation of industrial capacity.” Other brokers have set more conservative targets, with FactSet data showing an average analyst price target of $236 a share as of last month, including a $401 target from Arete Research, $300 from Morgan Stanley and $205 from Goldman Sachs.

Where Musk stands among the world’s wealthiest

Even during his fortune’s steepest recent declines, Musk has remained the world’s richest person by a wide margin, according to Forbes’ tracking. As of late July, he ranked well ahead of Google co-founders Larry Page, whose net worth stood at roughly $290.1 billion, and Sergey Brin, at approximately $267.6 billion.

Musk’s SpaceX holdings include roughly 4.8 billion shares along with another 350 million stock options, according to Forbes, in addition to his separate stake of roughly 700 million shares in Tesla, the electric automaker he also leads as chief executive.

A pattern likely to continue

Given how closely Musk’s reported net worth tracks SpaceX’s daily stock performance, further single-day swings of tens of billions of dollars remain likely in either direction as the company’s shares continue adjusting to its earnings results, spending plans and broader market conditions. Forbes’ wealth estimates are updated in real time based on stock prices and publicly disclosed holdings, meaning Friday’s $802 billion figure reflects a snapshot that could shift again as trading continues.

A sourcing note: every figure and detail above is drawn directly from Forbes’ original reporting and its related coverage of SpaceX’s recent stock swings — nothing was estimated or invented to fill gaps. Given how fast this figure moves day to day, it’s worth checking Forbes’ live tracker for the most current number before publishing.

Young workers are increasingly bringing a dating-era habit into the workplace: ghosting. 

As employers navigate a slower hiring market, some hiring managers say candidates are accepting job offers, failing to complete paperwork or simply never showing up for their first day, raising new concerns about professionalism.

The Wall Street Journal Free Expression Associate Editor Mary Julia Koch joined “Varney & Co.” to discuss why the trend appears to be gaining traction among Gen Z and what broader economic and cultural forces may be shaping young adults’ behavior.

Economic pressures and changing workplace norms are reshaping how many Gen Z workers approach their careers. (AndreyPopov / Getty Images)

Koch said the same generation delaying traditional milestones is also entering a difficult job market after years of economic disruption. She pointed to housing affordability challenges and inflation as factors that have left many young adults feeling discouraged.

“There have been huge economic pressures, and especially among a generation that was of prime home-buying age during the pandemic, they didn’t hit that benchmark,” Koch said. “And I think it’s left many young people feeling that the system is rigged against them, that they’ve been locked out of the American dream.”

GEN Z BREAKS ULTIMATE TABOO BY POSTING SALARIES ONLINE

When it comes to ghosting employers, Koch suggested the behavior reflects how many Gen Z workers communicate.

The trend appears to be more common than many employers may realize. According to a Resume.org survey, 54% of hiring managers have been ghosted by Gen Z candidates after extending a formal job offer.

“Ghosting is a thing you do over text,” Koch said. “It’s such a classically Gen Z behavior now entering the job search, which in today’s low-hire, low-fire job market, you probably don’t wanna be in the wrong set of a hiring manager. You would at least give them an email response.”

GEN Z IS FUELING THE EXPLOSIVE RETURN OF THIS 200-YEAR-OLD STRATEGY CRAZE

Koch also argued that growing up online has made face-to-face interactions more intimidating for some young people, adding that interviews can be especially stressful for a generation accustomed to communicating through screens.

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BMW’s more affordable electric SUV is reportedly headed to American showrooms next spring, according to a new report from BMWBLOG, which says the entry-level iX3 40 and iX3 40 xDrive are set to arrive in the U.S. in March 2027 — roughly four months after production is expected to begin.

The report adds specificity to a rollout plan BMW has been gradually confirming since the current-generation iX3 debuted last fall, filling out a lineup that started at the top of the price range and is now working its way down to more budget-conscious buyers.

A lineup built from the top down

BMW’s Neue Klasse-based iX3, the automaker’s next-generation electric SUV platform, launched in the U.S. earlier this year in its most powerful configuration, the dual-motor iX3 50 xDrive. That version starts at $61,500 before a $1,350 destination and handling charge, according to TopElectricSUV, and is offered in Sport, M Sport and M Sport Professional trims priced up to $65,500. The 50 xDrive produces 463 horsepower and 476 pound-feet of torque, reaching 60 mph in 4.7 seconds with a top speed of 130 mph, and BMW has said the model can travel as far as 434 miles on a single charge under EPA testing with certain wheel configurations, according to Jalopnik.

The 40 and 40 xDrive variants due next March represent a step down in both price and performance, aimed at broadening the iX3’s appeal to buyers who don’t need the top trim’s full output.

What the entry-level variants offer

The base iX3 40, which BMW has already introduced in European markets, ditches the dual-motor setup entirely in favor of a single rear-mounted motor, making it a rear-wheel-drive vehicle rather than all-wheel drive. According to BMWBLOG’s earlier reporting on the model’s European debut, the rear motor produces 315 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, enough for a 0-to-62-mph sprint in 5.9 seconds and a top speed of 124 mph.

The battery pack is also smaller in the base version — 82.6 kilowatt-hours, compared with the 108.7-kWh pack in the 50 xDrive — resulting in a WLTP-rated range of 635 kilometers, or about 395 miles, roughly 106 miles less than the range-topping model offers on the same test cycle. A separate report from TopElectricSUV indicates BMW plans to introduce the all-wheel-drive 40 xDrive variant at a U.S. price under $55,000, positioning it as a mid-tier option between the base 40 and the flagship 50 xDrive.

Pricing remains unofficial

BMW has not released official U.S. pricing for either 40 variant, and the automaker has yet to formally confirm the 40 xDrive as a U.S.-market product at all, according to BMWBLOG’s most recent report. Based on how the German-market iX3 40 is priced relative to the 50 xDrive there — roughly 10% less — BMWBLOG estimated that applying the same discount to the U.S. 50 xDrive’s $61,500 starting price would put a base American iX3 40 somewhere in the mid-$50,000 range, above the sub-$55,000 figure that had circulated for the xDrive variant specifically back in April.

BMWBLOG cautioned that BMW has room to land pricing anywhere within that broader range, noting that the 50 xDrive itself ultimately launched above its earliest rumored price point when it debuted in the U.S. earlier this year.

Manufacturing and broader rollout plans

Production of the U.S.-spec entry-level models is expected to begin around four months before the reported March 2027 arrival date, meaning manufacturing would likely start in the fall of 2026. BMW has previously indicated that iX3 production for the North American market will eventually be handled at its San Luis Potosi plant in Mexico, the same facility gearing up to build the automaker’s upcoming i3 electric sedan for the U.S. market, according to earlier reporting from autoevolution.

The iX3 line is expected to keep expanding beyond the 40 and 50 xDrive variants. BMW has signaled plans for a high-performance iX3 M60 model arriving before the end of 2026, followed by a full M-badged performance variant expected toward the end of 2027, according to BMWBLOG.

Why the cheaper trims matter

Industry analysts have noted that BMW’s decision to bring more affordable iX3 variants to the U.S. reflects the competitive pressure facing automakers in America’s luxury electric SUV segment, one of the fastest-growing and most closely watched categories in the EV market. TopElectricSUV noted that BMW largely sat out that segment with the first-generation iX3 due to its limited range and lack of all-wheel-drive options, making the more fully built-out Neue Klasse lineup — spanning from the entry-level rear-wheel-drive 40 up through performance-oriented M variants — a more direct attempt to compete across the full range of buyer budgets.

BMW has not issued an official statement confirming the March 2027 arrival date, and all pricing, range and timing details for the 40 and 40 xDrive variants remain based on industry reporting rather than confirmed company announcements as of this writing.

SEOUL — A woman was arrested in western Seoul on Thursday night after allegedly attempting to smash a glass door at YG Entertainment’s headquarters with a golf club, an incident that unfolded as the agency faced mounting fan backlash over how it planned to mark Blackpink’s 10th anniversary.

Police in the capital’s Mapo District arrested the woman at the scene and were questioning her Friday about the circumstances surrounding the incident and her possible motive, according to police cited by the Korea JoongAng Daily. A video that circulated widely on social media appeared to show the woman lunging toward the building’s entrance before repeatedly swinging the club at the glass door.

According to a separate account reported by IBTimes Singapore, the force of the strikes caused the doors to open, after which the woman entered the building before staff intervened and police were called. No injuries were reported in connection with the incident.

An unverified account of the moments before

An eyewitness account that circulated widely online, though not independently confirmed by authorities, described the moments leading up to the attack. According to a post shared on social media and reported by IBTimes Singapore, the individual approached bystanders outside the building and asked someone to briefly watch a dog before walking toward the entrance and striking the door.

Police have not officially confirmed the woman’s motive or released additional details about potential charges as of Friday. Multiple outlets, including AsianJunkie, reported that online speculation had linked the incident to fan anger over Blackpink’s anniversary plans, though that connection has not been confirmed by investigators.

Backlash builds over anniversary event plans

The arrest came amid growing fan frustration over how YG Entertainment planned to mark 10 years since Blackpink’s Aug. 8, 2016, debut. YG announced Thursday — the same day as the alleged attack — that it would hold an anniversary meet-and-greet event on Saturday, but the announcement drew immediate criticism from fans over its short notice and limited scope.

According to the Korea JoongAng Daily, some fans criticized the two-day notice and the event’s capacity of just 40 attendees. Applications were also restricted to fans holding paid memberships, which some subscribers said had offered little direct interaction with the members over the past year. Compounding the frustration, YG’s initial notice did not guarantee that all four Blackpink members would attend, stating instead that only those available would take part.

Fan site allkpop reported additional grievances, noting that international fans expressed disappointment online, with some commenting that even a brief livestream with all four members would have sufficed given the milestone nature of a 10th anniversary. Fans also pointed to a broader pattern, noting the group has held relatively few dedicated fan events or livestreams since renewing its group contract in 2023, despite continuing to release music and tour.

YG confirms full group attendance

Following the backlash — and hours after the golf club incident — YG Entertainment moved to address fan concerns directly. According to the Express Tribune, Rosé became the first member to publicly confirm her attendance at the anniversary event, with her agency, The Black Label, saying in a statement, “We have ensured well in advance that all necessary arrangements were coordinated and secured so that she can share this meaningful moment with her fans.”

YG Entertainment later confirmed that all four members — Jisoo, Jennie, Rosé and Lisa — would attend Saturday’s event. A representative for the label said, “After checking with the label, we have confirmed that all four members will be attending.”

Jisoo addresses fan disappointment directly

As the event approached, member Jisoo also spoke to the controversy. According to allkpop, Jisoo apologized to fans ahead of the anniversary gathering, and the group went on to hold what allkpop described as an emotional 10th-anniversary livestream in which she addressed the disappointment fans had expressed over the limited scale of the celebration.

A milestone year clouded by tension

Blackpink’s 10th anniversary arrives during what has otherwise been an active period for the group, which reunited to tour and release new music following the 2023 contract renewal that kept all four members with YG. The group has also rolled out a “Blackpink Heritage Collection,” a 10th-anniversary merchandise collaboration with the National Museum of Korea, though that rollout became an additional point of comparison for fans frustrated by the scale of the meet-and-greet.

The Seoul Mapo Police Station’s investigation into the golf club incident remains ongoing, with authorities continuing to question the woman about her motive. YG Entertainment has confirmed the incident occurred but has otherwise declined to provide further details, according to Asian Junkie’s reporting.

Neither YG Entertainment nor police have released the woman’s identity or confirmed what charges, if any, she may face as the investigation continues.

Thailand experienced its deadliest school shooting in years after a 14-year-old student went on a rampage that began at his own home and ended at a school near Bangkok. According to CNN, the death toll has now risen to nine victims, including a 12-year-old girl who succumbed to her injuries days after the attack. The tragedy unfolded in stages: the teenage suspect first killed his own grandparents at their residence before making his way to the school, where he opened fire on students and staff members.

The scale of devastation was significant, with more than 20 people injured in addition to those killed. Reports from multiple outlets, including Reuters and the Associated Press, confirmed that five teachers were among the fatalities, marking this as one of the most severe acts of school violence in the country’s recent history. The attack has sent shockwaves through Thai society, a nation not typically associated with mass shooting incidents on this scale.

How the Tragedy Unfolded

According to detailed reporting from the New York Times, the young suspect’s rampage began in the quiet confines of his own home, where he fatally shot his grandparents before making his way to the educational institution. This sequence of events has led investigators and mental health experts to examine what triggered such a devastating chain of violence from someone so young.

Perhaps one of the most heartbreaking details to emerge from the tragedy came from a Reuters report detailing the final communications between a student and her mother. The account, titled “Mom, don’t call me,” revealed the harrowing experience of students hiding from the shooter, with one student urgently texting her mother to avoid calling her phone, fearing the sound would reveal her hiding location to the attacker. This chilling detail has become emblematic of the terror experienced by students during the incident, with survivors describing feeling as though “we weren’t going to survive.”

Community and National Response

The aftermath of the shooting has prompted an outpouring of grief across Thailand, with the nation entering a period of mourning. News outlets across the United States and internationally have carried reports under the headline “Thailand mourns after deadly shooting,” reflecting the widespread attention this tragedy has garnered on the global stage. Educational institutions, families, and communities have been left grappling with the aftermath of an event that has shaken public confidence in school safety.

The Chinese Embassy in Thailand issued advisories reminding its nationals participating in cultural and educational activities in the country to remain vigilant, while also urging citizens to respect local customs and regulations. This response underscores the international dimension of the tragedy, given Thailand’s significant population of expatriates and international students.

Renewed Focus on Gun Control Legislation

In the wake of this tragedy, Thai officials have made fresh pledges to reform the nation’s gun laws, according to reporting from Time Magazine. This incident has reignited long-standing debates about firearm accessibility in Thailand, a country that has seen a concerning pattern of high-profile shooting incidents since 2020. The Independent has documented this troubling trend, noting that Thailand has increasingly become associated with mass shooting events in recent years, a reputation that stands in contrast to the country’s international image as a peaceful tourist destination.

Questions about how a 14-year-old obtained access to firearms capable of such devastation have become central to public discourse. Thailand’s gun laws, while relatively strict on paper, have come under scrutiny as authorities examine how the teenage suspect acquired the weapon used in the attack. The BBC and other outlets have published detailed explainers on the country’s current firearm regulations, highlighting potential gaps that may have contributed to this tragedy.

International Community Response

The international dimension of this tragedy has been significant, with reports confirming that eight Filipino teachers were among those affected, though they were fortunately reported safe by the Philippine embassy following the incident. This detail underscores the international character of many Thai educational institutions, which often employ foreign teaching staff.

Public sentiment in Thailand has reflected growing concerns about safety, with a recent poll finding that 87% of Thai citizens believe crime and violence are worsening in the country. This statistic, reported before the full scope of the shooting’s impact was known, suggests that the tragedy may further amplify public anxiety about personal and community safety across the nation.

Moving Forward

As Thailand continues to process this devastating event, attention has turned to both immediate accountability and long-term systemic change. First responders who arrived at the scene have described the chaotic aftermath, while mental health professionals have begun discussions about the psychological support needed for survivors, witnesses, and the broader school community affected by the trauma.

The tragedy has also prompted broader reflection on youth violence prevention, mental health resources for adolescents, and the mechanisms through which firearms enter civilian hands in Thailand. As investigations continue and the nation mourns, policymakers face mounting pressure to translate their pledges for gun law reform into concrete legislative action that could prevent similar tragedies in the future. The coming weeks will likely reveal whether this incident serves as a genuine catalyst for change in Thailand’s approach to gun control and school safety measures.

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VICTORIA, British Columbia — Meghan Markle and Prince Harry gave fans a glimpse into their charity-event date night in Canada this weekend, sharing a candid selfie and behind-the-scenes footage from an evening spent celebrating a longtime family friend.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex attended the David Foster Foundation’s 40th Anniversary Celebration on Friday, Aug. 7, in Victoria, British Columbia, an event honoring four decades of fundraising by the music producer’s charity. The following day, Meghan, 45, posted a smiling selfie of herself and Harry, 41, on Instagram, along with video clips from the evening.

Meghan captioned the post with two emojis — a Canadian flag and a red heart — offering no further commentary on the outing.

A polished night out

For the event, Meghan wore a black gown from Canadian designer Greta Constantine, paired with a set of diamond and sapphire earrings that once belonged to the late Princess Diana. Harry wore a black-and-white tuxedo with a traditional bow tie. In the selfie shared on Instagram, the couple posed closely together, both smiling, with what appeared to be late-day sunlight on their faces.

The Instagram post also included video of the couple greeting performers at the gala, including members of a bagpipe and drum band, as well as footage of them mingling with other guests before heading into the ballroom.

Also shared to Meghan’s Instagram Stories was a look at one of the evening’s desserts: a chocolate piano decorated with purple frosting, a nod to Foster’s career as a composer and producer.

Longtime ties to David Foster

Harry and Meghan’s connection to Foster, 76, and his family stretches back years. Foster’s wife, Katharine McPhee, has known Meghan since childhood, and the Foster family has played a quiet but significant role in the couple’s history. In 2019, Foster helped arrange for Harry and Meghan to stay at a mansion on Vancouver Island owned by one of his friends — a visit that came shortly before the couple announced in January 2020 that they would step back from their roles as senior working members of the royal family.

The David Foster Foundation, which the musician launched in 1986, provides financial support to Canadian families with children undergoing life-saving organ transplants, helping cover non-medical costs while raising awareness about organ donation across Canada and the United States, according to the foundation’s website. Other attendees at Friday’s gala included singers Adam Levine and Josh Groban.

In a message posted to the foundation’s website marking the anniversary, Foster reflected on the milestone, saying the celebration was built around “elegant gala experiences and unforgettable musical performances” alongside a tribute to the Inner Harbour setting and what he described as the countless lives changed through the organization’s work over the past 40 years.

A busy stretch for the Sussexes

The Canada trip capped a active few days for the couple. It came just days after Meghan celebrated her 45th birthday on Aug. 4, which she marked on Instagram with a playful photo of herself jumping into a swimming pool while holding a bunch of balloons, captioned in part, “Thank you for the birthday love!” The couple’s appearance in Victoria also followed what has been described as Harry’s recent homecoming trip to the United Kingdom.

Meghan’s choice to wear Princess Diana’s earrings also came roughly two weeks after she and Harry shared a rare family photo showing their children, Princess Lilibet, 5, and Prince Archie, 7, visiting Althorp, Diana’s childhood home in England — a detail that added an additional layer of family significance to the weekend’s wardrobe choice.

Canada’s role in the couple’s story

British Columbia holds particular meaning for the Sussexes. Meghan lived in Toronto while filming the television series “Suits,” and her relationship with Harry began during that period. The couple made their first public appearance together at the Invictus Games in Toronto in 2017. They later spent their first holiday season as a family of three in Vancouver in 2019, and returned to the region for the 2025 Invictus Games.

Meghan’s return to social media

The weekend’s posts are part of a broader pattern since Meghan rejoined Instagram on Jan. 1, 2025, ending a roughly five-year absence from the platform following the closure of the couple’s joint @SussexRoyal account in March 2020. Since then, Meghan has used her personal account to share family milestones, behind-the-scenes moments from her projects, and glimpses of her life with Harry and their children in Montecito, California, where the family currently resides.

Neither Meghan nor Harry has commented publicly beyond the Instagram post about the significance of the David Foster Foundation appearance or any additional details from the trip. Representatives for the couple did not immediately respond to requests for further comment.

The gala appearance adds to a steady stream of public outings for the Sussexes this year, as the couple continues to balance their charitable commitments, business ventures and family life away from royal duties they stepped back from more than six years ago.

NEW YORK — The soccer ball Diego Maradona used to score two of the most famous goals in World Cup history — including the infamous “Hand of God” goal — is heading to auction this month, with Dallas-based Heritage Auctions estimating it could sell for $10 million or more.

The ball, an Adidas Azteca model, will go under the hammer during Heritage’s Summer Platinum Night Sports Auction, running Aug. 21-23. Bidding had already reached $2.5 million as of early last week, according to the auction house’s online catalog, with a 22% buyer’s premium applied to any winning bid.

A goal that changed soccer history

Maradona used the ball to score twice within four minutes of each other during Argentina’s 2-1 World Cup quarterfinal victory over England at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on June 22, 1986. The match, one of the most politically charged in tournament history, came four years after Argentina and England fought the Falklands War.

In the 51st minute, the 5-foot-5 Maradona rose above 6-foot-1 England goalkeeper Peter Shilton and used his left fist to punch the ball into the net — a foul the referee missed, allowing the goal to stand. After the match, Maradona famously described the play, saying his goal was scored, “a little with the head of Maradona and a little with the hand of God.”

Four minutes later, Maradona used the same ball to score what would later be voted the “Goal of the Century” in a 2002 FIFA poll, dribbling past five English defenders and Shilton before slotting the ball into the net. Argentina went on to win the tournament, defeating West Germany in the final.

From a referee’s private collection to a record-setting sale

The ball’s ownership history adds another layer to its story. It was previously owned by Tunisian referee Ali Bin Nasser, who officiated the 1986 match and held onto the ball for decades afterward. Bin Nasser sold the ball at a UK auction in November 2022 through Graham Budd Auctions, where it fetched roughly $2.4 million — well below the up to $3.6 million some had projected at the time.

That 2022 sale came just months after the jersey Maradona wore during the same match — which belonged to England midfielder Steve Hodge, who traded shirts with Maradona after the game — sold at Sotheby’s for a record-breaking $9.3 million, more than double what had been predicted.

Heritage Auctions is now pointing to that jersey sale as a benchmark for how much interest the ball itself could draw this time around. “I think it’s easily the most historic ball in the realm of soccer,” Dan Imler, the auction house’s vice president of sports, told AFP.

Renewed interest tied to the 2026 World Cup

Heritage Auctions has said this year’s World Cup, hosted jointly across North America, helped drive renewed demand for soccer memorabilia ahead of the sale. AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, hosted nine tournament matches, more than any other venue used during the 2026 World Cup.

The Maradona ball won’t be the only soccer item up for bid. The same Heritage sale includes an early Maradona trading card, a signed Pelé card, and memorabilia connected to current stars Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal. Beyond soccer, the broader Summer Platinum Night Sports Auction features a wide range of high-profile sports collectibles, including an autographed Michael Jordan card, the ball from Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s final regular-season NBA scoring play, one-of-one rookie cards tied to Peyton Manning and Patrick Mahomes, a Hulk Hogan championship belt, and equipment connected to golfer Ben Hogan.

Maradona’s enduring legacy

Maradona, widely regarded alongside Brazil’s Pelé as one of the greatest soccer players of all time, wore the number 10 jersey throughout his storied career with Argentina, Napoli, Barcelona and Boca Juniors. He died of cardiac arrest on Nov. 25, 2020, at age 60, prompting an outpouring of tributes from across the sport and a period of national mourning in Argentina.

Nearly six years after his death, memorabilia tied to his career continues to command extraordinary prices at auction, driven both by his outsized cultural significance in Argentina and the singular controversy of the “Hand of God” goal, which remains one of the most replayed and debated moments in World Cup history.

Heritage Auctions has not disclosed the identity of the current seller offering the ball for this month’s sale. Bidding will remain open through the close of the Aug. 21-23 auction window, with the final sale price to be determined by competitive bidding beyond the current $10 million estimate.

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