fbi questions argentina
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FBI questions Argentina FA president over $300m probe

ByJustpaste.in

The US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has begun investigating Argentine Football Association (AFA) President Claudio Tapia as part of a wider inquiry into the alleged laundering of more than $300 million in sponsorship funds linked to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

According to international media reports, the investigation gained attention after Argentina’s national football team completed its World Cup campaign and was preparing to return to Buenos Aires from the United States on a charter flight.

Reports said US authorities stopped Claudio Tapia before departure and questioned him for approximately 30 minutes. During the questioning, investigators reportedly took possession of his mobile phone as part of the ongoing inquiry into financial transactions connected to the case.

Following the incident, some media outlets reported that Tapia had been arrested. However, the Argentine Football Association strongly rejected those claims. The association said neither Tapia nor AFA Treasurer Pablo Toviggino had been arrested or summoned by any US court.

The football body did confirm that a third individual had received a subpoena to appear before a US grand jury. According to the association, investigators may seek information from that individual regarding certain officials and financial matters linked to the organisation.

US investigators are reportedly reviewing commercial and sponsorship agreements valued at more than $300 million. The inquiry is focused on determining whether any funds connected to those agreements were transferred through the US banking system in a way that could indicate money laundering or other financial crimes.

Investigators are also examining banking records showing that millions of dollars moved through several US financial institutions. Reports suggest that some of the funds remained in certain accounts for only a short period before being transferred to other destinations, prompting further scrutiny of the transactions.

Authorities are analysing financial documents, payment records, and banking activities to determine whether the movement of funds complied with US financial regulations or involved attempts to conceal the origin or destination of the money.

The investigation forms part of a broader examination of financial activities connected to Argentine football. It follows law enforcement operations conducted in Argentina last year as part of separate investigations into suspected money laundering involving football-related finances.

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    Actor Yami Gautam has revealed that she was once on the verge of leaving Bollywood after years of struggling to find meaningful roles despite the success of her debut film. In a recent interview, the Vicky Donor star reflected on one of the most difficult phases of her career, admitting that she had almost returned to her hometown in Himachal Pradesh before her breakthrough with Uri: The Surgical Strike changed everything. Gautam made her Bollywood debut opposite Ayushmann Khurrana in the 2012 hit Vicky Donor. Although the film was well received, she said the success did not translate into the kind of opportunities she had hoped for. Instead, she spent years waiting for substantial roles while being labelled an “unconventional” actress because she had not been introduced as a typical Bollywood heroine. Recalling that difficult period, Gautam told Filmfare: “Just before Uri and Bala, I had made peace with leaving the industry altogether. I thought I’d return to Himachal. We have farmland there. I imagined beginning a completely different life. My parents were incredibly supportive. They simply said, ‘Come home.’” The actress explained that she had become disheartened by the lack of opportunities and had accepted the possibility of stepping away from acting altogether. However, everything changed when she was cast opposite Vicky Kaushal in the 2019 blockbuster Uri: The Surgical Strike. The film proved to be a turning point in her career and restored her confidence in the industry. She recalled: “And strangely, the moment I stopped clinging to the industry out of fear, everything changed. Uri happened. Bala happened. Life changed almost overnight.” During the interview, Gautam also spoke candidly about the challenges of being an outsider in Bollywood. While she said she never viewed being an outsider as the biggest obstacle, she admitted that constantly having to prove herself was emotionally exhausting. She said: “The difficult part wasn’t being an outsider. It was constantly having to prove yourself. Sometimes you’d feel you were ready for a particular opportunity, yet someone else would receive repeated chances simply because they already belonged to the ecosystem.” The Article 370 actor noted that star children often receive multiple opportunities even after unsuccessful projects, while outsiders frequently have to wait years for a single meaningful role. She added: “You’d think, If I were given that many opportunities, wouldn’t I also continue growing as an actor? That was the real frustration.” Despite those experiences, Gautam believes the industry has evolved in recent years and that audiences are placing greater importance on talent rather than background. She concluded: “But I genuinely believe things have changed. Today, audiences don’t care where you come from. They care whether you’re a good actor. Whether your films are worth watching. Whether they trust your choices. That gives me tremendous hope for the next generation.” On the personal front, Yami Gautam married Uri: The Surgical Strike director Aditya Dhar on June 4, 2021. The couple welcomed their first child, a son named Vedavid, on May 10, 2024. Today, Gautam is regarded as one of Bollywood’s most respected performers, with her journey serving as an example of perseverance despite years of setbacks. 

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    Pakistan’s IT exports hit record $4.6 billio…

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    Cambridge paper leak case: students hand over 17 papers evidence to NCCIA, but investigation still not complete

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    Islamabad: The investigation into the alleged Cambridge A Level and O Level paper leaks has drawn fresh criticism after affected students claimed that they provided complete evidence, forensic details and technical assistance to the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), but the inquiry remains incomplete. Students associated with the Accountability4Cambridge movement said they made every possible effort to help NCCIA investigate the case and submitted evidence related to 17 leaked examination components. They claimed they even conducted their own forensic checks and prepared detailed records before handing them over to authorities. The students said their main demand was a quick investigation because their future depends on the final results. They wanted the matter resolved before results were announced so that affected students could receive relief if unfair practices had affected their grades. However, according to the students, NCCIA has still not completed its investigation. They claimed that the investigation officer assigned to the case has gone on training, causing further delay. The Accountability4Cambridge representatives said they submitted a complete evidence package to NCCIA, including 44 exhibits with verification details. They said the material was prepared carefully to help investigators identify where the papers were leaked and who was involved. The students said they tracked the movement of leaked papers and provided information about possible sources, online groups and communication channels where the leaked material was shared. Their evidence included details about WhatsApp numbers, Telegram groups and payment methods allegedly used to purchase the leaked papers. The students submitted the evidence directly to NCCIA’s forensic department and expected progress within days, but they were later informed that the assigned official was unavailable because he had gone for training. The controversy started after students alleged that Cambridge examination papers reached some candidates before the official exams, creating an unfair advantage for those who accessed them early. According to Accountability4Cambridge, around 17 examination components were leaked during the June 2026 examination series. They said Cambridge International acknowledged four of these components, while the remaining cases were still disputed. Students argued that a leaked paper could damage the grades of honest candidates because grade boundaries may change when some students score unusually high marks after seeing questions in advance. They said a student who worked honestly could lose university opportunities if their grades dropped because of unfair competition. The students also raised concerns about delays in the official response. The Senate Standing Committee on Federal Education had directed NCCIA to provide findings by July 21, 2026, but the deadline passed without a final report being submitted. The group said only an informal indication was given that findings would come later, while students continued waiting for answers. During their efforts, students met with various institutions, including the IBCC, Senate committees and NCCIA officials, and prepared documentation to support their claims. They said the evidence was not based only on screenshots but included detailed verification methods such as timestamps, recordings and technical information to support the authenticity of the leaked material. The students said they wanted authorities to identify the people responsible and ensure accountability instead of allowing the matter to continue without a clear conclusion. They also demanded stronger action from Cambridge, including transparency regarding how the leaks happened, where they originated and what action was taken against those involved. The students further demanded reforms in the examination system, including better protection of papers, separate arrangements for Pakistan and measures to prevent future leaks. They warned that the issue concerned not only marks but also the future of thousands of students who depend on Cambridge results for university admissions in Pakistan and abroad.

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