Author: Amina Mohammed

Two-time Copa America champions Chile opened their bid for a third title with a hard-fought 0-0 draw against Peru in Arlington on Friday. A scrappy encounter at the Texas home of the Dallas Cowboys NFL team saw neither side manage to get on top before a result that boosts Argentina’s hopes of winning Group A. Chile were left ruing a golden missed chance from veteran Inter Milan forward Alexis Sanchez in the 16th minute. Sanchez, one of the heroes of Chile’s back-to-back Copa America victories in 2015 and 2016, was teed up in the six-yard box after a low pass…

The Federal Government has denied the report-making round that the Binance Executive, Tigran Gambaryan is being held in unsavoury prison conditions in Nigeria, and his health is deteriorating. A statement signed by the Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris described the allegation as false and should be ignored. Idris said Gambaryan is being held in lawful detention and has access to quality medical care whenever required. The Minister also added that the Binance Executive has full access to consular services from his home government. “The Federal Government will not do anything to jeopardize his fundamental rights to lawful…

The commencement of the hearing in the case of Nicholas Francis Xavier Giroux, 36, who shot dead a Nigerian boxer, is set for July 17. He is charged with first-and-second-degree murder in the Nigerian, Isaiah Olugbemi’s death. Before his death, Isiah was a neighbour to the accused and was an up-and-coming boxer. Nicolas who is said to have killed Isaiah will be held without bond, an Anne Arundel County judge decided on Thursday. It would be recalled that Olugbemi was found shot multiple times Monday night in the area of Meadowmist Way and Stehlik Drive in Odenton. Despite being rushed…

Austria boosted their hopes of reaching the Euro 2024 knockout rounds on Friday as Marko Arnautovic scored in an impressive 3-1 win over Poland, for whom Robert Lewandowski only managed an ineffective substitute appearance. Ralf Rangnick’s Austria will likely secure qualification for the last 16 if they can avoid defeat in their final Group D game against the Netherlands on Tuesday. Poland can no longer finish in the top two and almost certainly need to defeat France to have any chance of progressing as one of the four best third-placed teams. Gernot Trauner headed Austria into a deserved early lead…

Rivers Governor Siminalayi Fubara has removed Eze Ohna Sergeant Chidi Awuse, who was appointed by his estranged predecessor Nyesom Wike as Chairman of the Rivers Traditional Rulers Council. The Governor announced the Paramount Ruler of Apara Kingdom, Eze Chike Worlu Wodo, as the new Chairman of Rivers Council of Traditional Rulers accusing Awuse of inactivity and absence of effective leadership of the council under him. Fubara spoke at a special meeting with members of the council at the Banquet Hall of Government House in Port Harcourt on Friday. A statement by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary (CPS) said Eze Chike…

The General Officer Commanding, GOC 3 Division/Commander of Operation Safe Haven, Major-General Abdulsalam Abubakar has warned criminal elements preventing farming and food production in Plateau State to desist from their acts as anyone caught would be decisively dealt with. The Commander also cautioned against inciteful and hate speeches saying these raise tensions that negatively impact social cohesion and food production. He spoke on Thursday during the Peace Summit organized by the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists in Plateau State in collaboration with Operation Safe Haven for youths in five local government areas of Mangu, Bokkos, Jos South,…

Roman Yaremchuk emerged from the bench to score the winning goal as Ukraine produced a stirring fightback to beat Slovakia 2-1 and kickstart their Euro 2024 campaign on Friday. Slovakia knew victory in Duesseldorf would take them through to the knockout stage with a game to spare and they went ahead on 17 minutes thanks to Ivan Schranz, who netted the winner in the shock victory over Belgium in their opening game. Ukraine came into this match reeling after losing 3-0 to Romania last time out but they dug deep here and equalised through Mykola Shaparenko nine minutes after half-time.…

Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umar Bago, revealed that the state spent N3.1 billion to sponsor 300 pilgrims for the 2024 Hajj, expressing frustration over the poor treatment of pilgrims despite the substantial costs. In an interview conducted in Hausa from Saudi Arabia, the governor stated that N2.1 billion was spent on Hajj fees, while N1 billion was allocated for Hadayah for the state’s pilgrims. He explained that the significant expenditure aimed to clear the backlog of pilgrims who were unable to attend the Hajj with their peers last year. “When we came into government, we realised that there was a…

Argentina star Lionel Messi became the most-capped player in Copa America history on Thursday as he reached 35 appearances in the opening match of the tournament against Canada. The 36-year-old had shared the record with Chilean goalkeeper Sergio Livingstone (34 caps) since appearing in the final of the 2021 Copa America in Brazil, where Argentina triumphed. Messi’s appearances have been spread across seven editions of the Copa, starting with the 2007 tournament in Venezuela. The eight-times Ballon d’Or winner could set more records in this year’s competition — he needs four goals to tie compatriot Norberto Mendez and Brazil’s Zizinho…

UK state debt rose to levels not witnessed for more than 60 years in May in spite of lower-than-expected government borrowing, according to official figures. The data, which comes only two weeks before the general election, underscores the financial challenge facing the next Government, with both Labour and the Conservatives pledging to cut debt. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) found that public sector net debt as a proportion to UK GDP (gross domestic product) rose to 99.8 per cent for the month. This marks the highest reading since March 1961, the ONS said. Both the Labour and the Conservative…