Author: Vincent Osuwo

The European champions Spain overcame Belgium 2-1 to secure a heavyweight World Cup semi-final clash against France on Friday. The breathtaking conclusion at SoFi Stadium paves the way for an exciting clash between European champions Spain and the tournament favorites, France, featuring the in-form Kylian Mbappé in Dallas on Tuesday. However, it was devastating for Belgium’s backup goalie Senne Lammens, brought on late, who mishandled a shot into Merino’s way. The thrilling conclusion occurred after Fabian Ruiz had scored first for Spain, only for Charles De Ketelaere to equalize for Belgium unexpectedly before the break. With Kevin De Bruyne and…

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has voiced his relief after the rescue of students and teachers kidnapped in the Orire Local Government Area, calling their release after 57 days in captivity “a significant relief” for their families and the residents of Oyo State. In a brief phone interview for Politics Today on Channels Television on Friday, right after the rescue news emerged, Makinde expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu and security agencies for their role in securing the victims’ release. “It’s such a big relief for all of us and for those waiting, you know, for these past 57 days.…

More details into the rescue of the Oyo state students and teachers who were kidnapped from their schools in the Oriire Local Government Area of the state, has been provided by the presidency. It stated that eight of the kidnappers have been apprehended and are now in the custody of the Department of State Services, while others were neutralised during the operation. Bayo Onanuga, The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, disclosed this in a follow-up post on his verified X handle on Friday after he announced the victims’ release. He stated that no concession was made…

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), along with top party leaders, is currently meeting at the Continental Hotel in Abuja to formally present Vice President Kashim Shettima as President Bola Tinubu’s running mate in the 2027 presidential election. The news comes after months of speculation that Tinubu may replace Shettima with a northern Christian as his vice-presidential candidate ahead of the election. APC leaders currently at the venue confirmed to our correspondent that President Tinubu has re-nominated Shettima as his running mate and that the party is set to make the announcement official today. Details…

Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress, has backed Pastor Enoch Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, who recently stated that President Bola Tinubu has done his best on security and that the President can now “go home and rest.” Obi made the remarks during a recent interview with Chude Jideonwo, which was released to YouTube on Thursday, in response to a query about why Nigerians should support his presidential ambition rather than another opposition candidate. When asked why he should be elected, Obi stated that Nigerians should consider his track record…

Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, has challenged President Bola Tinubu to either obey the rule of law by acting on the Federal Audit Service Bill or resign from office, accusing the president of indifference to constitutional discipline and institutional accountability. In a statement released by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu on Friday in Abuja, Atiku expressed concern that Tinubu had failed to conclude action on the bill months after it was transmitted by the National Assembly. Atiku cited Section 58(4) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999…

FIFA has announced the officiating team for the 2026 FIFA World Cup quarter-final between Argentina and Switzerland. Portuguese referee João Pinheiro has been confirmed to take charge of the highly anticipated encounter, which will determine one of the tournament’s semi-finalists. Pinheiro will be assisted by Portuguese officials Bruno Jesus and Luciano Maia, with Canada’s Drew Fischer serving as the fourth official. Argentina booked their spot in the quarterfinal after edging the Pharaohs of Egypt in a 3-2 thriller. On the other hand, Switzerland defeated South Americans Colombia in a penalty shootout to book the quarter-final clash with the defending champions.…

Three people have been killed while several others sustained injuries after a powerful windstorm accompanied by rainfall wreaked havoc in Gashua, the headquarters of Bade Local Government Area of Yobe State, on Wednesday evening. Chronicle NG gathered that the storm, which lasted for about 30 minutes, destroyed hundreds of houses, shops, business premises, telecommunications infrastructure, and electricity poles, leaving many residents homeless and property worth millions of naira damaged. The Chairman of Bade Local Government Area, Ibrahim Babagana, described the incident as one of the worst disasters the area had witnessed. “It was a devastating windstorm that started around 5:30…

Troops from Sector 3, Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI, detained a suspected foreign drug courier and seized a huge shipment of illicit drugs, alcoholic beverages, and other forbidden substances allegedly intended for terrorists operating in the Lake Chad islands. The suspect was apprehended during an operation on Thursday, July 9, 2026, while travelling to Kwatan Doron Baga in Borno State’s Kukawa Local Government Area. Capt. Mohammed Goni, the acting military information officer for Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI, made the announcement in a statement posted on the Nigerian Army’s X account on Friday.…

France forward Kylian Mbappe added another chapter to his remarkable FIFA World Cup career on Thursday after leading France to a 2-0 quarter-final victory over Morocco, extending his list of tournament records and milestones. Mbappe scored in the 59th minute, and Ousmane Dembélé added a second as France advanced to the semi-finals. The goal also cemented the France captain’s status as the highest scorer in World Cup knockout matches, adding to a long list of accomplishments that have elevated him to the competition’s all-time greats. Here are Mbappé’s major World Cup records and achievements: Three World Cup appearances: Russia 2018,…