Author: Binta Agboola

France have secured a spot in the Euro 2024 semi-finals after defeating Portugal 5-4 in a thrilling penalty shootout, following a goalless draw. Theo Hernandez scored the winning penalty, while Joao Felix’s effort hit the post. Cristiano Ronaldo, who had been emotional during Portugal’s last-16 win, consoled his teammate Pepe after the defeat. Despite converting his penalty, the 39-year-old’s final Euros campaign ended in disappointment. The match was a cagey contest, with both sides having chances to win in the second half. France’s Mike Maignan made crucial saves to deny Bruno Fernandes and Vitinha, while Randal Kolo Muani’s shot was…

As France prepares to face Portugal in the Euro 2024 quarter-finals, Kylian Mbappe has acknowledged the significant impact of Paul Pogba’s absence on the team. Pogba, a key midfielder, is currently serving a four-year suspension following a failed doping test in August 2023. Mbappe revealed that Pogba’s absence has forced him to adapt his game, changing his movements on the pitch and affecting his ability to make characteristic runs behind the defense. “Why do I not make runs in behind anymore? It depends on the team,” Mbappe explained. “A striker must always adapt to all situations, to his teammates, to…

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed disappointment over Nigeria’s low electricity generation, describing it as “shameful” that the country still produces only 4.5GW of electricity despite its vast size. Speaking at the inauguration of the Presidential Economic Coordination Council, Tinubu emphasized the need for collaborative efforts to address the nation’s economic challenges, particularly in the energy sector. The President unveiled the Economic Stabilization Programme, which aims to increase electricity generation to 6GW in six months, boost oil production to 2 million barrels per day by next year, and enhance competitiveness in the energy sector. The programme also focuses on agriculture,…

Samsung Electronics, the world’s largest memory chip, smartphone, and TV manufacturer, expects a remarkable 15-fold increase in profits for the second quarter of 2024 compared to the same period last year. The artificial intelligence (AI) boom has driven up demand for advanced chips, pushing the firm’s forecast to 10.4tn won ($7.54bn), surpassing analysts’ expectations. The announcement sent Samsung shares soaring over 2% in early Seoul trading, building on the company’s impressive 10-fold profit jump in the first quarter. According to Marc Einstein, chief analyst at ITR Corporation, “Skyrocketing demand for AI chips in data centers and smartphones” is driving the…

Argentina’s national soccer team has secured a spot in the semifinals of the 2024 Copa America tournament after a nail-biting quarterfinal match against Ecuador. The game ended 1-1 after 120 minutes of play, with Argentina eventually winning 4-2 in a penalty shootout. Lisandro Martinez scored for Argentina in the first half, while Kevin Rodriguez equalized for Ecuador in stoppage time. The match proceeded to a penalty shootout, where Argentine captain Lionel Messi surprisingly missed his kick. However, goalkeeper Emi Martinez made two crucial saves to ensure Argentina’s victory. “A lot of anger, a lot of anger,” Messi said of his…

The President of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission, Omar Touray, has expressed disappointment over the reluctance of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger to rejoin the regional bloc. Speaking at the 92nd Ordinary Session of the Council of Ministers on Thursday, Touray noted that despite ECOWAS’ efforts to engage these countries, they have not responded positively. He suggested a Special Summit to address the broader changes in the international system impacting member states, including governance, external relations, and the influence of new technologies and social media. Touray also raised concerns about ECOWAS’ financial health, stating that increasing…

The Federal High Court in Abuja has declared the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) governorship primary election in Edo State, which took place on February 22, 2024, invalid. The election had produced Asue Ighodalo as the party’s candidate. Justice Inyang Ekwo made the declaration while delivering judgment in a suit brought by aggrieved delegates, led by Kelvin Mohammed. The court found that 378 delegates were unlawfully excluded from the primary election, contrary to the Electoral Act 2022, PDP guidelines, and the party’s constitution. The judge held that the evidence presented by the PDP was insufficient and lacked proof, indicating manipulation of…

As Hurricane Beryl bears down on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, officials are racing against time to prepare for the storm’s arrival. With winds of 130 mph (215 kph) and heavy rainfall expected, the government has deployed hundreds of military personnel, marines, and electricity workers to mitigate damage. “We will have intense rains and wind gusts” from Thursday, warned Laura Velazquez, Civil Protection national coordinator. The government has set up 112 shelters with a capacity for 20,000 people and suspended school in Quintana Roo, where Beryl is expected to make landfall. The storm has already left a trail of destruction in the…

The White House has vehemently denied reports that President Joe Biden is contemplating withdrawing from the presidential race. Andrew Bates, Senior Deputy Press Secretary and Deputy Assistant to the President, dismissed the New York Times report as “absolutely false”. Bates took to social media to refute the claim, stating, “This claim is absolutely false, and if we had been given more than 7 minutes, we could have communicated this before it was publicized. That claim is absolutely false. If the New York Times had provided us with more than 7 minutes to comment, we would have told them so.” The…

Suspected bandits who kidnapped a female judge and her four children in Kaduna State have demanded a ransom of N300 million, following the killing of her eldest son, Victor Gimba, 14. According to human rights lawyer, Gloria Ballason, the kidnappers threatened to kill the remaining sons if the ransom is not paid on time. The judge’s husband, Dr. Musa Gimba Dutse, a medical doctor, was away on duty when the kidnappers stormed their residence in the Mahuta area of Kaduna on June 23. The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) has condemned the incident, urging security agencies to take immediate action to…