Sports
‘Wife thinks I’m an idiot’: ex-All Black Spencer returns to ring

AFP
Former All Blacks star Carlos Spencer will return to the boxing ring on Thursday, but admitted it was a hard fight to convince his wife about his latest charity bout.
The 46-year-old will face ex-New Zealand rugby league star Paul Whatuira, 40, over three rounds in Auckland in a ‘Fight for Life’ charity event.
“This one was always going to be hard getting it across the line with my wife,” Spencer told news site Stuff.co.nz.
“This is the last thing she thinks I should be doing.
“She thinks I’m bloody mad and I’m a bloody idiot, but I managed to convince her that I’ll be fine and it is for a great cause, after all.”
Spencer will be back in the ring after previous charity bouts against ex-league players Awen Guttenbeil, Jarrod McCracken and most recently Monty Betham, his only defeat, in 2014.
Spencer retired from rugby in 2010 having made 44 appearances and scoring 383 points for New Zealand.
He has just returned from the USA after a stint as assistant coach to Major League Rugby side New Orleans Gold.
“I’ve only been back in New Zealand for four weeks,” Spencer told the New Zealand Herald.
“It’s about learning to box again rather than conditioning.
“I’ve put on weight — I’m normally around 84kg, but I’ve put on six kilos in three weeks, to get a bit more power behind my punches.”
Like many fellow New Zealanders, Spencer was dismayed to see the All Blacks lose the home series to Ireland after a 32-22 defeat in last Saturday’s third Test in Wellington.
“They’ve become a bit predictable on attack,” Spencer said of the All Blacks.
“With the players we’ve got, that should never happen.
“Whereas the northern teams used to be a few steps behind us, they are a step ahead now I think.
“Ireland have good variety to their game and play an exciting brand -– I enjoy watching them.”
Central America
El Salvador to host World Cup qualifiers vs. Guatemala and Panama at Estadio Cuscatlán

El Salvador’s national football team will host its final round World Cup qualifying matches against Guatemala and Panama at Estadio Cuscatlán, the honorary president of the National Sports Institute (INDES), Yamil Bukele, announced Thursday via a statement on his X account.
The official explained that this decision comes after the American rock band Guns N’ Roses, originally scheduled to perform at Estadio Cuscatlán on Saturday, October 4, will now hold their concert at Estadio Jorge “El Mágico” González. This change allows both of La Selecta’s qualifying matches to be played at the “Coloso de Monserrat.”
“After a series of efforts and in response to popular demand, we are pleased to announce that our senior national team’s CONCACAF World Cup qualifying matches next October (Oct. 10 vs. Panama and Oct. 14 vs. Guatemala) will take place at Estadio Cuscatlán,” the statement reads.
Bukele also thanked the event promoters and the band for agreeing to the stadium change. “We sincerely thank Guns N’ Roses and StarTicket for agreeing to move the concert originally scheduled for October 4 at Estadio Cuscatlán,” the statement adds.
Additionally, Bukele expressed gratitude to the FESFUT Regularization Commission for their efforts with CONCACAF to make this possible, and he urged fans to stay tuned to official channels to purchase tickets and support La Selecta in their World Cup qualifying campaign.
Central America
El Salvador featured in El País: A rising star in Central American tourism

El Salvador’s tourism industry continues to gain international recognition, this time featured in a comprehensive article by the Spanish newspaper El País. In its travel section, El Viajero, the outlet published an extensive report titled “Everything Hidden in El Salvador: From Hosting the Pompeii of the Americas to Becoming the New Surf Paradise”, highlighting the country’s top attractions and its growing reputation as an emerging destination in Central America.
According to the report, El Salvador offers “three undeniable reasons to attract travelers: its volcanoes, Mayan archaeological sites, and exceptional beaches — not to mention its cuisine and wildlife.” The Spanish publication emphasizes that, despite being the smallest country in the region, El Salvador has stood out in recent years as an alternative to overcrowded destinations, attracting celebrities and international tourists seeking a quieter, more exclusive escape with perfect waves.
El País also notes that, after “a period of instability, the country is now safe, its roads are in excellent condition (even better than in neighboring countries), and visitors can enjoy its natural landscapes, wild beaches, volcanic scenery, hot springs, Mayan ruins, and even one of the best coffees in the Americas.” One of the country’s biggest advantages, the article adds, is its compact size, allowing travelers to explore mountains, beaches, and the capital all in a single day.
The report dedicates significant space to San Salvador, describing the capital as “a showcase of Salvadoran culture, identity, and diversity.” It highlights the National Museum of Anthropology (MUNA), the Museum of Modern Art (MARTE), and the National Library (BINAES), calling the latter “a cultural landmark and symbol of technological innovation” thanks to its virtual reality spaces, robotics labs, and 5G connectivity.
Gastronomy also plays a central role in the feature. El País praises the country’s iconic pupusas, while also mentioning yuca with chicharrón, elote tamales, and horchata. It recommends visiting the famous “Pupusódromo of Olocuilta”and several high-end restaurants in San Salvador, such as Nau and Faisca do Brazil, as well as the diverse dining options along El Hipódromo Avenue.
Finally, the article showcases some of El Salvador’s natural and cultural gems, including San Salvador Volcano, Lake Coatepeque, and the archaeological sites of Joya de Cerén — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — along with Tazumaland San Andrés. It also highlights Ruta de las Flores and Suchitoto, praised for their colonial charm and vibrant cultural offerings.
Central America
Guatemala’s Fuego Volcano ends eruption after forcing hundreds to evacuate

The Fuego volcano, located near Guatemala’s capital, concluded an eruption on Friday (June 6, 2025) that lasted more than 30 hours and forced the evacuation of nearly 800 people, according to the National Institute of Seismology (Insivumeh).
The eruption began Wednesday night, sending plumes of ash and smoke over 7,000 meters into the sky and triggering pyroclastic flows — fast-moving currents of hot gas and volcanic matter — down its slopes.
“The activity of the Fuego volcano has decreased significantly,” Insivumeh reported in a bulletin, adding that “it is possible to declare the eruption over.”
The National Coordinator for Disaster Reduction (Conred) stated that transportation will be made available for the families currently in shelters so they can return to their homes.
-
International2 days ago
20th Festival Salvadoreñísimo brings together thousands of salvadorans in Houston
-
International4 days ago
22-Year-Old Suspect Arrested After 33-Hour Manhunt in Small Western U.S. Town
-
International1 day ago
Ecuador’s Noboa declares State of Emergency in seven provinces amid fuel price protests
-
International1 day ago
Trump: U.S. has hit three venezuelan narco boats in Caribbean
-
International2 days ago
El Salvador unveils 2025-2029 National Reintegration Plan for returned migrants
-
Sin categoría1 day ago
Trump files $15 billion defamation suit against The New York Times
-
International1 day ago
Colombia’s special peace tribunal hands down first sentence against former FARC leaders
-
International7 hours ago
Asteroid 2025 FA22, 300 meters long, to pass safely near Earth tomorrow
-
International7 hours ago
Trump administration launches large-scale immigration operation in Chicago
-
International5 hours ago
Bolsonaro diagnosed with skin cancer amid coup conviction
-
International5 hours ago
Milei praises Paraguay’s growth, calls Argentina’s last 20 years a ‘decline’