Author: David Great

Mexico scored twice in five second-half minutes in a thrilling last-ditch effort to stay in the World Cup on Wednesday, beating Saudi Arabia 2-1 but agonisingly missing out on the last 16 on goal difference. Goals from Henry Martin and Luis Chavez soon after the interval catapulted Mexico back into contention, but a string of superb saves by Saudi keeper Mohamed Al-Owais and two disallowed efforts denied the South Americans the elusive goal they needed to advance. The match went right down to the wire and at one point looked like Mexico would miss out to Group C rivals Poland…

Lionel Messi’s Argentina beat Poland 2-0 in their final World Cup Group C match at Stadium 974 in Doha on Wednesday to advance to the knockout stage where they will face Australia. Argentina topped the standings on six points while Poland were awaiting the outcome of the other group game between Saudi Arabia and Mexico to see if they would come second and also qualify despite the loss. Midfielder Alexis MacAllister put Argentina ahead straight after the break with a low first-time shot after a flowing passing move, while Julian Alvarez shot past Poland goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny in the 67th…

The Zone 5 Headquarters of the Nigerian Police Force, says it has arrested a 34-year-old male suspect allegedly involved in a case of attempted rape and murder. This was contained in a statement on Wednesday, signed by DSP Tijani Momoh, Zonal Police Public Relations Officer (ZPPRO) in Abuja. According to Momoh, the suspect was arrested on Nov. 26, at about 1400 hours by the operatives of the Zonal Intelligence Bureau, who acted on credible information. He explained that preliminary investigation into the case revealed that the rape victim, one Elimian Success, 18 years, met the suspect on Nov. 24, while…

The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar has promised $10 billion for youth empowerment and massive funding for education if elected in the 2023 general election. Atiku stated this on Wednesday in Akure at the kickoff of his presidential campaign in the South-West region of Nigeria. The former vice president explained that enough funds would be provided for the education sector to grow, especially university education. He said that a careful study of his policy document would revealed that “it is part of my plans to ensure the security and empowerment of the youths through education…

The US Senate passed a bill on Tuesday that would protect federal recognition of same-sex marriage, a measure taken up in response to worries the Supreme Court could overturn a 2015 decision that legalized it nationwide. The narrowly tailored bill, which would require the federal government to recognize a marriage if it was legal in the state in which it was performed, is meant to be a backstop if the Supreme Court acted against same-sex marriage. It would not bar states from blocking same-sex or interracial marriages if the Supreme Court allowed them to do so. “Today the long but…

Hakeem Jeffries was unanimously elected on Wednesday to become the Democratic Party’s top leader in the US House of Representatives beginning in January, making him the first Black American to hold such a high-ranking position in Congress. The vote by Jeffries’ fellow Democrats also marked the rise of a younger generation of leaders in the 435-member House and the end of the Nancy Pelosi era. In 2007 she became the first woman to be elected House speaker. Jeffries, a 52-year-old New Yorker, will hold the position of House Democratic leader for the 118th Congress that convenes on Jan. 3. Democratic…

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo says pending a full committee report review and a complete policy document appraisal, a new health reform bill that will reposition the country’s health sector for improved delivery of set objectives to Nigerians will be in the works soon. Prof. Osinbajo made this disclosure, yesterday in Abuja at the closing of the two-day Presidential Health Reform Committee Retreat, noting that “in two days you have reached some concrete conclusions.” “The next steps now are to finalize subcommittee reports for the review of the full committee and produce a full committee report to guide the drafting of…

France had a goal ruled out by VAR for offside in the final minute of stoppage-time as Tunisia held on to register a shock victory, but failed to qualify for the last 16 of the World Cup. Substitute Antoine Griezmann volleyed in a dramatic equaliser at the Education City Stadium but the VAR decision meant Tunisia captain Wahbi Khazi’s brilliant first-half goal proved to be the winner. However, with Australia recording a 1-0 victory over Denmark in the other match in Group D, Tunisia’s hopes of progressing had been dashed before Griezmann’s goal was ruled out. France are through to…

Australia reached the knockout stage of the World Cup for the first time in 16 years after shocking Denmark. The Danes, needing a victory to progress, dominated possession but were caught out on the break when Australia scored the winner on the hour mark. Denmark lost the ball in the Australian box and Mathew Leckie finished a brilliant counter attack with a low shot past Kasper Schmeichel. Australia finish in second place in Group D on six points, only behind world champions France on goal difference. Denmark meanwhile exit Qatar 2022 with just one point from three games, sitting bottom…

Justice Peter Lifu of a Lagos Federal High Court has remanded five alleged drug barons, arrested in Ikorodu, Lagos, by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), till January 17, 2023, when their bail application will be decided. The five alleged barons ordered to be remanded at the Ikoyi, Lagos center of the Nigerian Correctional Services (NCoS) are Soji Jubril Oke, Wasiu Akinade, Emmanuel Arinze Chukwu, Oguntolure Sunday and a Jamaican, Kelvin Christopher Smith. Justice Lifu ordered their remand, after they all pleaded not guilty to six counts charge of conspiracy, unlawful importation of 2,139.55 kilograms (more than 2 tonnes)…