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Office block set to be demolished for apartments

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Sanctuary Housing Association wants to bulldoze Astra House

Astra House in Poynton could soon be bulldozed to make way for affordable apartments

Astra House in Poynton could be bulldozed(Image: Google)

Plans to bulldoze a vacant office block in Poynton and build 28 affordable apartments on the site have been recommended for approval.

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Sanctuary Housing Association wants to demolish Astra House on Spinners Lane and replace it with 21 one-bedroom apartments and seven two-bed flats.

A report from Cheshire East’s planning officer to this week’s meeting of the northern planning committee states: “Cheshire East has a substantial shortfall in housing generally and in affordable homes. There is a proven need.

“The site is located within a settlement, it is accessible by public transport and is within a reasonable walking distance of community facilities such as shops, medical services and public open space.”

It adds: “Other benefits include investment in the local economy and the creation of jobs during the construction phase, increased support for local shops and businesses by the future occupants of the development.”

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The report acknowledges the proposal is contrary to planning policy because it involves the loss of an employment site.

But it adds: “Given that the site is disused and has been vacant for some time, it is preferable for the site to have an active use as opposed to a continuing non-active use.”

The proposal includes provision for 30 parking spaces but Cheshire East’s parking standards require 35 spaces for 28 apartments.

The planning officer says: “The shortfall is not significant and the site’s good accessibility means that car ownership may be lower than in other, less sustainable locations.”

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As part of the proposal, the existing green area to the south between the building and Poynton Railway Station will be retained and enhanced with landscaping, native and ornamental planting and retention of mature trees.

A seating area with central feature and picnic tables and benches will provide amenity space for use by residents.

The northern planning committee meeting takes place at 10.30am on Wednesday, June 24, at Macclesfield Town Hall.

To find all the planning applications, traffic diversions, road layout changes, alcohol licence applications and more in your community, visit the Public Notices Portal.

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Sneaky Multiplication Symbols Trip Up Solvers

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Nancy Guthrie

Monday’s edition of The New York Times’ popular word-grouping game served up a deceptively layered grid built around mathematical symbols, pronunciation terminology, and a category requiring solvers to spot hidden explosive sound effects buried within ordinary words.

How the Game Works

The New York Times’ Connections game asks players to sort sixteen words into four hidden groups of four. Categories run from yellow, the easiest, through green and blue, and finally purple, which is almost always built on a twist rather than a straightforward theme. Players get four mistakes before the puzzle ends, and the daily reset happens at midnight in each player’s own time zone.

Monday’s Four Categories

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The themes and answers for the June 22, 2026, NYT Connections puzzle were as follows:

Yellow Group: Dominant — ALPHA, HEAD, LEAD, PRIMARY.

Green Group: Multiplication Indicators — BY, TIMES, the multiplication dot symbol, and X.

Blue Group: Pronunciation Descriptors — SHORT, SILENT, SOFT, STRESSED.

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Purple Group: Starting With Explosive Onomatopoeia — BANGKOK, BOOMER, POPSICLE, POWDER.

A Puzzle Built on Elegant Misdirection

Puzzle #1107 initially appears straightforward, but several cleverly placed red herrings make Monday’s board more difficult than it first seems. Puzzle #1107 earned praise from many players for its elegant misdirection. As players reported, several words appeared capable of fitting into multiple groups, especially “Alpha,” “Boomer,” and “X.” Many community discussions highlighted how the puzzle encouraged solvers to chase false patterns before the actual categories emerged.

The symbol X in particular created confusion for many players working through the grid. The symbol X can double as a variable, a signature cross, or a structural shape, which might distract solvers from its mathematical function alongside the multiplication dot and the word TIMES. Similarly, PRIMARY could look like a school level alongside words like HEAD or SHORT, adding another layer of potential misdirection before the correct grouping became clear.

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Breaking Down the Categories

The yellow category centered on words that all convey a sense of dominance or primacy, bringing together ALPHA, HEAD, LEAD, and PRIMARY in a relatively accessible grouping that experienced players were generally able to identify early.

The green category required solvers to recognize four distinct ways of expressing multiplication, gathering BY, TIMES, the raised dot symbol commonly used in algebra, and X — itself one of the puzzle’s more cleverly disguised entries given its multiple potential meanings throughout the grid.

The blue category gathered terms used to describe how letters or sounds are pronounced in language, bringing together SHORT, SILENT, SOFT, and STRESSED — a grouping that required solvers to think specifically about linguistic terminology rather than more common everyday usages of those same words.

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The Purple Category’s Wordplay Twist

As is typical for Connections puzzles, the purple category delivered the day’s most inventive challenge. Rather than relying on direct definitions, it required players to recognize hidden sound-effect prefixes embedded within otherwise ordinary words. The category brought together BANGKOK, BOOMER, POPSICLE, and POWDER — four words that each begin with a term functioning as an explosive onomatopoeia: BANG, BOOM, POP, and POW, respectively.

A Mixed Reaction From Solvers

Reactions to Monday’s puzzle varied depending on how quickly individual solvers spotted the underlying wordplay. One solver described their experience navigating the grid without making any mistakes, despite some uncertainty along the way. “This was one of those games of Connections where I made zero mistakes despite being uncertain about every group,” the solver wrote, adding disappointment that the group containing two of the puzzle’s more unusual symbolic tiles turned out to be the relatively easier green category rather than something more challenging.

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Another solver described a similarly clean run through the puzzle, working through the categories in an order that started with the trickier sections. “I didn’t make any mistakes this time,” the solver wrote. “Here’s the order I solved them in: green, yellow, purple, blue.”

Comparing Today’s Puzzle to Recent Editions

Compared with recent NYT Connections puzzles from earlier in June, Monday’s challenge leaned more heavily on hidden word structures than obvious synonym groupings. Some experienced players, however, described it as one of the more approachable puzzles of recent weeks, even with the purple category’s wordplay twist factored in.

Strategy Tips for Future Puzzles

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Puzzle strategists recommend separating the linguistic pronunciation terms first to quickly tidy up the board, then recognizing the mathematical operations early to avoid getting confused by the symbolic entries before tackling the clever wordplay hidden in the purple category. More broadly, Connections veterans continue to advise scanning for the most clearly defined categories first, watching closely for words that might plausibly fit into multiple groups, and treating any word that seems to fit too easily into an obvious category as a potential red herring worth reconsidering before locking in a guess.

The Game’s Continued Popularity

Connections has become one of the most consistently popular offerings in the Times’ expanding games portfolio since its debut in June 2023, regularly ranking as the second-most-played game published by the newspaper, trailing only Wordle. A new puzzle is released daily, making Connections one of the most popular word games available today, with regular solvers often comparing notes on recent puzzles and tracking their personal streaks across consecutive days of play.

With Monday’s puzzle now solved by players who successfully navigated the deceptive overlap between ALPHA, BOOMER, and X across multiple potential categories, attention turns to Tuesday’s edition, puzzle number 1108, when a fresh sixteen-word grid and an entirely new set of hidden categories will be waiting for the Connections community’s next daily challenge.

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Minerals 260 Shares Rise 5.1% as ASX Explorer Extends Remarkable Year-Long Rally

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Minerals 260 Shares Rise 5.1% as ASX Explorer Extends Remarkable

Shares of Minerals 260 Ltd rose 5.11% on Monday, climbing 4.75 cents to close at 97.75 cents, as the Perth-based mineral exploration company continued a year-long rally that has made it one of the standout performers on the Australian Securities Exchange’s small-cap resources sector.

A Company Built Around a Diverse Project Portfolio

Minerals 260 Ltd is a mineral exploration company. The company’s projects include the Moora Project, Aston Lithium-Lithium, Uranium & Rare Earth Element Project, Koojan JV Project, Dingo Rocks, and Yalwest. The company is headquartered in West Perth, Western Australia, and was founded on June 4, 2021.

The flagship Moora Project sits close to home for the Perth-based company. The 100%-owned Moora Project is located 140 kilometers northeast of Perth in the Wheatbelt Region of Western Australia. The Moora Project consists of three granted exploration licenses and one exploration license application registered in the name of the company’s subsidiary, ERL (Aust) Pty Ltd.

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The company’s portfolio also extends to a significant northern exploration tenement. The Aston Project is located in the Gascoyne Region of Western Australia, approximately 850 kilometers north of Perth and 100 kilometers northeast of the township of Gascoyne Junction. The Aston Project consists of 15 granted exploration licenses and two exploration license applications.

Spun Out From a Major Lithium Producer

The company’s origins trace back to a corporate restructuring involving one of Australia’s better-known lithium producers. Minerals 260 Ltd operates as a blank check company. It is a special purpose acquisition company which was incorporated for the purpose of spinning out the Moora project and the Koojan JV project from Liontown Resources Limited.

A Remarkable Year of Share Price Growth

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The scale of Minerals 260’s rally over the past 12 months ranks among the most dramatic of any ASX-listed exploration company. Over the past year, Minerals 260 Limited has showed a 434.48% increase. Separate data tracking a slightly different timeframe put the gain even higher, with shares last closing at AU$0.84 and the price having moved by +542.31% over the past 365 days. In terms of relative price strength, the Minerals 260 share price has outperformed the ASX All Ordinaries Index by +517.63% over the past year.

A Recent All-Time High

That extended rally pushed the stock to a fresh record earlier this year. MI6 reached its all-time high on May 14, 2026, with a price of 0.920 Australian dollars, a level not far removed from where the stock now trades following Monday’s gain. The stock’s all-time low of 0.100 Australian dollars was reached on August 13, 2024, underscoring just how dramatically the company’s valuation has transformed over less than two years.

Strong Momentum Against the Broader Market

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The stock’s outperformance has been particularly pronounced when measured against broader market benchmarks. Over the past six months, Minerals 260’s share price has outperformed the ASX All Ordinaries Index by +166.43%. As of a recent closing price of AU$0.84, shares in Minerals 260 were trading +98.41% higher than their 200-day moving average — a clear indication of sustained upward momentum over an extended period.

A Sizable Market Capitalization for a Small-Cap Explorer

The company’s rapid share price appreciation has translated into a substantial overall market value relative to typical small-cap mineral exploration peers. Minerals 260 Limited has a market capitalization of 1.79 billion Australian dollars, which has increased by 3.93% over the last week alone, reflecting continued investor interest even amid the stock’s already substantial prior gains.

Analyst Price Targets Suggest Further Room to Run

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Despite the stock’s already dramatic appreciation, analyst coverage continues to point toward potential additional upside from current levels. The analyst consensus target price for shares in Minerals 260 is AU$1.26. That is 51.14% above a recent closing price of AU$0.84.

A Company Still Pre-Revenue

Despite the strong share price performance, Minerals 260 remains, like many exploration-stage mining companies, without meaningful current earnings. Analysts covering Minerals 260 currently have a consensus earnings-per-share forecast of negative AU$0.01 for the next financial year. The company’s net income for the last half-year stood at negative 23.99 million Australian dollars, compared to negative 9.27 million Australian dollars in the previous reporting period. Minerals 260 does not currently pay any dividends to its shareholders.

Technical Signals Point Toward Continued Strength

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Short-term technical indicators have continued to favor the stock despite its already substantial gains. Minerals 260 Limited’s technical analysis shows a neutral signal for the current trading day, though its one-week rating points to buy, and its one-month rating also shows a buy signal.

Part of a Broader Small-Cap Resources Story

Minerals 260’s rally has occurred against a backdrop of broader investor enthusiasm for ASX-listed small-cap resources and exploration names, with commentary from trading communities pointing to elevated interest across the sector. Recent commentary has highlighted defense stocks soaring on a drone pivot and an ongoing lithium debate as among the dominant themes occupying investor attention on trading forums tracking ASX small-cap stocks, suggesting Minerals 260’s gains have occurred alongside broader sector-wide enthusiasm for resources exploration names with exposure to critical minerals.

With the stock’s next earnings report scheduled for September 18, 2026, investors will be watching closely to see whether continued exploration progress across the company’s Moora, Aston, Koojan, Dingo Rocks, and Yalwest projects can sustain the remarkable momentum that has driven shares up by more than 400% over the past year. Given the consensus analyst price target sitting meaningfully above the stock’s current trading level, market participants will also be monitoring whether Minerals 260 can convert its exploration-stage portfolio into more concrete development milestones capable of justifying further gains from what is already one of the ASX’s most dramatic small-cap success stories of the past two years.

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Morning Bid: Any progress is good with Hormuz at stake

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Morning Bid: Any progress is good with Hormuz at stake


Morning Bid: Any progress is good with Hormuz at stake

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Adam Blumenthal skips Perth trip as liquidators mull way forward

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Adam Blumenthal skips Perth trip as liquidators mull way forward

Sydney-based promoter Adam Blumenthal has won an 11th-hour reprieve from flying to Perth to be probed about collapsed medicinal cannabis company Medoliol.

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UK’s Starmer could set out exit timetable on Monday as Burnham waits in the wings

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UK’s Starmer could set out exit timetable on Monday as Burnham waits in the wings


UK’s Starmer could set out exit timetable on Monday as Burnham waits in the wings

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SK Hynix overtakes Samsung to become Korea’s most valuable company

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SK Hynix overtakes Samsung to become Korea’s most valuable company


SK Hynix overtakes Samsung to become Korea’s most valuable company

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Yarning, not boardrooms, best way to build indigenous business relations

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Yarning, not boardrooms, best way to build indigenous business relations

Nyungar-Nyiyaparli-Yamatji woman Emma Garlett is at the start of her business ownership journey, having launched Garlett Group in 2023.

Before that, Ms Garlett’s career spanned industrial, legal, academic, and creative sectors. 

Among her interests is capacity building, primarily in relationships between and within businesses. 

Respect and reciprocity are core to engagement with Indigenous businesses, according to Ms Garlett

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The best way to achieve that, she said, was to do away with traditional meetings and hierarchies. 

“The main difference in best-practice First Nations engagement is engaging often, engaging early, listening and making sure that you use yarning as a methodology,” Ms Garlett said. 

“When you are working with First Nations people, you need to have adequate time to listen and to understand. 

“Yarning [is] conducted in a circle where everyone is sitting down … at the same level. 

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“[It] is a culturally safe space, because you can allow for respect, for discussion and exchange between people.” 

That conversational style of storytelling builds trust over time and helps stakeholders understand needs and aspirations. 

Ms Garlett points out a desire to build trust and non-transactional relationships is not a trait unique to Indigenous people. 

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Garlett Group started in Carnarvon offering cultural awareness training and business services such as strategic planning. 

Today, it is based in Perth and focuses on providing cultural capability advice to government clients and helping Aboriginal people build capacity. 

“We do that through five different service areas: education and training; sustainability services; Indigenous engagement and inclusion; strategic communications; and digital solutions,” Ms Garlett said.

“The reason we have various service offerings is because a lot of them are complementary to each other … you need to approach projects holistically. 

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“The vision of Garlett Group is to have long-term impact.” 

Training and strategic planning remain central to that objective. 

Ms Garlett said it was important for all businesses to walk in two worlds, which meant understanding Indigenous culture and business processes. 

Acknowledging the past was an important part of that business impact picture, Ms Garlett said. 

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“If I can help one person understand the history of what happened to Aboriginal people in Australia and help to change their perspective and worldview when they see a First Nations person in Perth, and if that has a behavioural change for them, to help them be more inclusive, then I’ve done my job,” she said. 

“If you can impact one person, that change will have flow-on effects to their sphere of influence and the work they’re doing.”

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(VIDEO) Yamal and Oyarzabal Lead Spain to Dominant 4-0 Win Over Saudi Arabia at World Cup

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LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers talks with a teammate during a game against the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on March 12, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois.

ATLANTA — Inspired by Lamine Yamal, Spain strolled to a 4-0 win over Saudi Arabia in Group H, as Mikel Oyarzabal restored his reputation with two goals and Luis de la Fuente’s side found their groove after an underwhelming World Cup opener.

A Dream Debut Start for Yamal

Yamal opened the scoring in the 10th minute on Sunday, and Oyarzabal, who failed to register a touch in the opening half hour in Monday’s scoreless draw with Cape Verde, scored twice in quick succession as Spain had the game wrapped up by halftime. The teenager was brought into the Spain XI by coach Luis de la Fuente and needed just 10 minutes to score the opener at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

After a great play started by Alex Baena on the left side, he passed the ball to Mikel Oyarzabal, who passed by Saudi Arabia’s defense. Then he found Lamine Yamal, who slipped to score a key goal. The goal made Yamal the eighth-youngest scorer in men’s World Cup history.

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Oyarzabal Answers His Critics

Marc Cucurella’s hooked pass found Olmo, who headed into the six-yard box for Oyarzabal to tap it in on the volley, as the striker proved that given the right service, he is Spain’s man to deliver. The brace came just two-and-a-half minutes apart, silencing the criticism the Real Sociedad forward had faced following his quiet showing against Cape Verde.

A Fourth Goal Off a Deflection

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Spain replaced Yamal and Oyarzabal for the second half, but picked up where they left off when the Saudi goalkeeper blocked Cucurella’s volley from a corner and the ball ricocheted off defender Hassan Al-Tambakti and into the net. Alex Baena had delivered a precise corner kick that bounced off several players before falling to Cucurella, whose powerful volley deflected in off Al-Tambakti for the own goal.

A Disallowed Goal Capped the Scoring Chances

The European champions continued to create chances, but understandably took their foot off the gas on a day when even Vozinha, Cape Verde’s 40-year-old hero keeper, would have struggled against this version of Spain, who look back to their best. In a brilliant collective move, Pedro Porro found Ferran Torres, who launched a well-struck shot that found the net — only for the goal to be ruled out for offside.

The Standings After Two Rounds

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Spain advance to four points in the standings, while Saudi Arabia stay on one after two games each. With the result, Spain have secured their spot in the Round of 32 of the 2026 World Cup. The other teams in the group, Cape Verde and Uruguay, met later on Sunday in Miami.

Yamal’s Emotional Reaction

Speaking with DAZN following the match, Yamal reflected on the significance of scoring in his first World Cup start. “I’ve always dreamt of being at a World Cup, and being able to score in my first match as a starter is a dream,” Yamal said. “I watched the last World Cup from a classroom, so being able to score here with my mum and my family in the stands is a dream come true.”

Yamal also addressed being substituted at halftime, explaining the plan behind his limited minutes following his recovery from a hamstring injury. “That was the plan, to play for a half and get some rest, but above all to help the team,” he said. “The first game wasn’t really us, it was different, but now we’ve arrived and we’re going for more. It turned out the way we wanted — being 3-0 up allowed me to rest, so it was perfect. Drawing a match against Cape Verde that you know you should win stings. It made us think a lot, and it helped us approach this match exactly how we wanted to.”

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Coach De la Fuente later addressed concerns about Yamal’s fitness, insisting the teenager could have played longer had it been necessary. “He would have played for longer, but considering the result and the match was under control we considered his contribution was enough,” De la Fuente told reporters. “The next game we could have him for a full match. He’s back and he’s fit.”

Oyarzabal Reflects on Silencing Critics

The Spanish forward caught up with TV España following the match, addressing the criticism he had faced after his quiet performance against Cape Verde. “We’re happy to have turned around the situation. We’re happy with the result, and the feelings, and must keep going now,” Oyarzabal said. “I’m happy to have been able to help the team in this way. The other day I hardly touched the ball, was less active, less present. Although I was trying to help as I could in a different way, today I’m happy it went this way. I’m always looking for the team to do well.”

He pushed back on the notion that Sunday’s performance was about personal vindication. “It’s not about proving myself. I’ve always said I feel loved by my teammates, the coach, the staff day to day. That’s what counts for me,” Oyarzabal said. “People will talk outside. We know how the football world works, but we have to stay relaxed.”

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On being substituted himself, Oyarzabal added: “As is logical, the coach gave minutes to other players, we all must be important. When we’re picked, we have to give 100%, when it’s others, they will do the same.”

De la Fuente Defends His Squad

De la Fuente, who led Spain to the Euro 2024 title, used the post-match platform to push back on the criticism his team had received after the Cape Verde draw. “When I said they were fired up I was talking about a natural reaction,” De la Fuente said. “Their pride was hurt. The remarks they hear makes them react and that’s good. When your work is being questioned, if you have the courage, you always react and try to respond to the criticism. It’s human. It doesn’t mean that the criticism bothers us. It just motivates people to give their best version of themselves. I think it’s crazy to question this team. We’ve been unbeaten for 33 games in a row. You can have better days, but doubting this squad of very young players I think it’s unfair.”

Saudi Arabia’s Struggles Continue

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Saudi Arabia, who drew 1-1 with Uruguay in their first game, were unable to replicate the defensive resilience that had earned them that result. Despite mounting occasional counterattacks, they were never effective. Faced with pressure from their opponents, they ended up conceding four goals, which forced them onto the defensive. They made many defensive errors, leaving open spaces that Spain exploited to great effect, finishing with just one shot on goal — a disappointing performance that left them far from competing for a result.

With Spain having now secured their place in the Round of 32, attention turns to their final group match against Uruguay on June 26, where a positive result would likely confirm their position atop Group H heading into the knockout stages. For Saudi Arabia, the comprehensive defeat leaves their own path to advancement significantly narrowed, with the team now needing a strong result in their remaining fixture to keep any realistic hope of progression alive after consecutive results that have exposed clear defensive vulnerabilities against higher-quality opposition.

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(VIDEO) Messi Eyes All-Time World Cup Scoring Record as Argentina Faces Austria in Group J Showdown

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Lionel Messi is leaving Barcelona

ARLINGTON, Texas — Lionel Messi and Argentina will take the field again at the World Cup 2026 on Monday after the all-time great authored a hat trick in the opener. Argentina, No. 1 in FIFA rankings, will face 21st-ranked Austria in a 2026 World Cup Group J matchup, with both teams having three points.

A Record Within Reach

The Argentines defeated Algeria in their first contest, 3-0, with all goals via Messi, while the Austrians knocked off Jordan by a 3-1 score. With 16 World Cup goals, Messi is one away from having the outright all-time record, breaking a tie with Germany’s Miroslav Klose. Messi is one goal away from becoming the sole all-time World Cup scoring record holder, surpassing Klose’s 16. This is the most-watched individual prop of the entire 2026 World Cup.

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A First-Ever Meeting at a Major Tournament

These nations have a 1-1-1 record across three prior meetings, with the last being a draw in 1990. Crucially, this is the first time Argentina and Austria have ever met at a World Cup finals, adding genuine novelty to the matchup. The most recent friendly meeting was a 1-1 draw in May 1990, while the earlier encounter in May 1980 finished 5-1 to Argentina, though the head-to-head record carries limited predictive weight given the vintage of both matches.

Match Details

Kickoff is 1 p.m. ET from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, with the match broadcast on Fox and Telemundo in the United States.

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The Betting Odds

The latest Argentina vs. Austria odds from FanDuel Sportsbook list the Argentines as -185 favorites on the 90-minute money line, with Austria at +550, and a draw at +310. The over/under for total goals is 2.5. Other operators show similar pricing, with bet365 listing Argentina at -167 to win, the draw at +300, and Austria at +475.

Prediction markets reflect a similar lean. Kalshi traders price Argentina at 65%, the draw at 24%, and Austria at 14%.

The Case for Argentina

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Argentina arrive in Dallas as reigning world champions and strong favorites, with Lionel Scaloni’s side having opened their World Cup defense with a 3-0 win over Algeria on Matchday 1. The narrative around Argentina is inseparable from Messi, who delivered a hat trick in the Algeria match and remains the driving force of a side capable of winning this tournament outright.

Lautaro Martínez, with 37 international goals in 76 caps, leads Argentina’s attack as the primary center-forward and is the focal point for Scaloni’s forward line whenever Messi operates from a deeper creative position.

Austria’s Own Strong Start

Austria, meanwhile, are back at the World Cup for the first time since 1998, ending a 28-year absence after winning their UEFA qualifying group. The team made a winning start in this tournament as well, beating Jordan 3-1, with Romano Schmid scoring a long-range opener and Marko Arnautović settling it from the penalty spot deep in stoppage time.

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Austria’s all-time top scorer, Arnautović, remains a dangerous option in attack despite recently turning 37, and his inclusion in the Jordan match was credited with changing the game for his side.

The Messi Prop Bet Frenzy

Given the magnitude of what’s at stake for Messi individually, betting markets have built an extensive menu of props specifically tied to his record chase. Sportsgambler noted that “Lionel Messi is the market leader to be First Goalscorer at +250.” Betfair built a featured prop around “Messi to score first and have an assist” at 6/1, confirming the first goalscorer market is a key focus for the match. Messi is also priced as an OddsBoost at 28/1 to score another hat trick.

His underlying statistical profile supports the heavy betting interest. Messi has 117 international goals and 61 international assists, both all-time world records, and serves as Argentina’s primary penalty-kick taker and free-kick specialist, meaning every set piece represents a potential shot on target.

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Predicted Lineups

Argentina’s predicted lineup in a 4-3-3: E. Martínez; Montiel, Romero, L. Martínez, Tagliafico; De Paul, Mac Allister, E. Fernández; Messi (captain), L. Martínez, J. Álvarez.

Austria’s predicted lineup in a 4-2-3-1: Pentz; Posch, Danso, Alaba (captain), Mwene; Laimer, Seiwald; Wimmer, Sabitzer, Schmid; Arnautović.

Argentina does have one notable absence to monitor, with right-back Gonzalo Montiel ruled out, while left-back Nicolás Tagliafico is considered probable. Austria’s Stefan Posch is listed as questionable at center-back.

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The Tactical Battle

The contest between Argentina’s attacking trio and Austria’s defensive structure is the defining theme. Messi, who has scored three goals at this World Cup and 116 in total for Argentina across 198 caps, creates constant positional problems for opposing back fours through his movement off the ball and his link-up with Lautaro Martínez. Austria’s best protection will come from the midfield pressing of Konrad Laimer and Nicolás Seiwald, who must limit the supply into Messi’s feet and force Argentina to play longer, less incisive balls.

The Prediction

Will Austria be able to stifle a confident Argentine side, or can the world champions continue their winning start? Multiple analysts have landed on similar conclusions. Argentina and Austria both impressed in their Group J openers, but the world champions’ quality and tournament pedigree tip the balance firmly in their favor. Expect a controlled contest in which a moment of Messi or Lautaro Martínez quality settles matters.

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What’s at Stake

The Argentina vs. Austria fixture is not merely a heavyweight-versus-underdog billing; it is, effectively, the Group J final, with first place and a favorable knockout draw likely settled by full time. A win in Arlington puts the World Cup 2026 defending champions through with a matchday to spare, while the loser faces a final group game against Jordan or Algeria just to advance.

With both nations entering Monday’s match unbeaten and tied on three points apiece, the result will go a long way toward determining not just who tops Group J, but who Argentina and Austria might face in a potentially more favorable knockout draw. For Messi personally, the match offers a chance to etch his name alone atop the all-time World Cup scoring chart — a milestone that, combined with the magnitude of the matchup itself, has made Monday’s contest one of the most heavily anticipated fixtures of the tournament’s group stage so far.

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Voltas shares soar 5% as firm’s AC sales cross 1 million mark in record time in Q1 FY27

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Voltas shares soar 5% as firm’s AC sales cross 1 million mark in record time in Q1 FY27
The shares of Voltas jumped as much as 5% to Rs 1,411 on the BSE on Monday after the Tata Group company announced that it crossed the milestone of 1 million air conditioner sales in less than three months of the ongoing FY27, achieving the landmark in record time.

Voltas said that the milestone further strengthens its dominant leadership position in the Indian room air conditioner market. “The achievement reflects strong consumer demand, the trust of millions of customers, and the Company’s continued focus on innovation, execution excellence and market expansion. It also follows a series of strategic initiatives undertaken by Voltas over the past year to strengthen its market proposition and accelerate growth,” the company said in an exchange filing on Sunday.

Voltas has refreshed its product portfolio with a clearly defined segmentation strategy, offering differentiated products across premium, mid and value segments, it said, adding that this helped the company address a wider spectrum of consumer needs while strengthening its presence across key price points and customer segments.

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The Tata Group company launched a nationwide campaign titled “India’s First. Keeping India First.” to commemorate the achievement.

What Voltas management said

Crossing the one million sales milestone within the first 3 months of a financial year is a significant achievement for Voltas, said Mukundan Menon, Managing Director at Voltas. “Achieving this landmark in record time reflects the trust consumers have placed in our brand and the strength of the execution delivered by our teams and channel partners across the country,” he added.

Menon further said that the milestone further reinforces Voltas’ position as India’s No. 1 AC brand and reflects the strength of its product portfolio, distribution network and consumer centric approach. “We thank our customers, channel partners and employees for their continued support. As the category continues to expand, we remain focused on delivering innovative products, superior consumer experiences and sustainable growth while strengthening our market leadership,” he said.
Jayant Balan, Head of room air conditioner business at Voltas, meanwhile called the milestone a “proud moment” for Voltas. “Our refreshed product portfolio, sharper market segmentation and impactful consumer communication initiatives have enabled us to connect more effectively with consumers across segments and geographies. Combined with the dedication of our dealers, distributors, retailers, service partners and employees, these efforts have helped us accelerate growth and further strengthen our dominant leadership position in the market,” he said.
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“Summer is still on, and so is India’s trust in Voltas,” Balan said, adding that demand continued to remain encouraging across markets, and the company looks forward to building on this momentum, reaching more households across the country and achieving many more milestones in the months ahead.

Voltas share price

Voltas shares have gained 2% in one week and 6% in one month to close at Rs 1,343.40 apiece on NSE on Friday. The stock is overall down more than 2.5% in 2026 so far.

In the longer term, the shares of the company gained over 4% in one year, 72% in three years and 32% in five years. The company has a market capitalisation of nearly Rs 44,643 crore.

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