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Nigeria Beats Australia in Women’s Group B with 73-62 Victory at Olympic Games

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Nigeria Beats Australia in Women’s Group B with 73-62 Victory at Olympic Games

In a stunning turn of events at the 2024 Olympics, Nigeria’s women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, pulled off a major upset by defeating Australia 73-62 in their Group B opener. This victory marks Nigeria’s first Olympic win in women’s basketball in 20 years, shaking up the tournament’s landscape on its first day of competition.

From the opening tip, Nigeria set the tone with aggressive full-court defense, catching the Australian Opals off guard with their length and intensity. The D’Tigress’ strategy paid off handsomely in the first half, limiting Australia to just 28 points, including a meager 11 in the second quarter. Nigeria’s Ezinne Kalu emerged as the star of the half, pouring in 17 points including four three-pointers, helping her team build a surprising 41-28 lead at the break.

Australia, bronze medalists at the 2022 FIBA World Cup, mounted a comeback in the second half. Alana Smith led the charge with 15 points on efficient 6-of-9 shooting, bringing the Opals within one possession multiple times in the fourth quarter. However, Nigeria’s resilience proved too much for the Australians to overcome.

Despite shooting only 35% from the field, Nigeria’s defensive prowess was the key to their victory. The D’Tigress forced an astounding 26 turnovers, leading to a significant 68-55 shot advantage. In the crucial final six minutes, Nigeria’s defense tightened further, holding Australia to just six points. Amy Okonkwo sealed the win with clutch three-pointers, including a dagger that extended Nigeria’s lead to seven points late in the game.

This victory dramatically improves Nigeria’s chances of reaching the knockout stage for the first time in Olympic history. However, challenges remain in a tough Group B that includes Canada and host nation France. Nigeria’s next game is against France on Thursday, August 1, while Australia will face Canada in a must-win game to avoid an early exit from the tournament.

The implications of this result extend beyond just one game. It signals a potential shift in the global basketball landscape, with Nigeria emerging as a force to be reckoned with. For Australia, a traditionally strong team in women’s basketball, this loss serves as a wake-up call and puts immense pressure on their upcoming matches.

As the women’s basketball tournament progresses, all eyes will be on Nigeria to see if they can build on this historic victory and make a deep run in the Olympics. Meanwhile, Australia must quickly regroup and find answers to avoid an early elimination from a competition where they were considered medal contenders.

This upset sets the stage for what promises to be an exciting and unpredictable Olympic women’s basketball tournament, where traditional powerhouses can no longer take any opponent for granted.

Ghana’s Economy ‘Run Like a Ponzi Scheme,’ Says Former Deputy Finance Minister

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Ghana’s Economy ‘Run Like a Ponzi Scheme,’ Says Former Deputy Finance Minister

Kwaku Kwarteng, former Ghana Deputy Finance Minister and Member of Parliament for Obuasi West, has delivered a scathing critique of Ghana’s economic management, comparing it to a Ponzi scheme. His comments come as the country grapples with significant economic challenges and rising public debt.

In a statement titled “To break the eight, we must first break the norm,” Kwarteng attributed Ghana’s current economic woes to decades of poor governance and political mismanagement across various administrations. The former chairman of the Finance Committee in Parliament emphasized that since independence, Ghana has consistently overspent and relied heavily on borrowing to cover deficits.

“We always offer higher interest to lenders, borrow more, use a part to repay previous debts, and the rest to pay for the current year’s overspending,” Kwarteng stated. “So, we have been running our country’s economy like a Ponzi scheme. The economy is struggling today because lenders are now refusing to lend to us.”

Kwarteng’s comments appear to be a direct criticism of his own party, the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), as well as a broader indictment of Ghana’s political class. He warned that if the current economic trajectory continues, Ghana’s democracy could collapse, taking all political parties with it.

The MP called for a fundamental change in political behavior, criticizing the norm of parties praising past achievements and making grand promises while demonizing opponents. We have reduced election campaigns to bitter struggles between competitors seeking power for the wrong reasons,” he said.

These stark criticisms come against the backdrop of Ghana’s mounting public debt. During a recent mid-year budget review, Finance Minister Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam revealed that Ghana’s debt had reached GH¢742.0 billion (US$50.9 billion) as of June 2024, equivalent to 70.6% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Dr. Adam attributed the 22.0% increase in debt to the depreciation of the cedi and ongoing disbursements from creditors. The debt is split between external debt of GH¢452.0 billion (60.9%) and domestic debt of GH¢290.0 billion (39.1%).

Kwarteng’s comments and the latest debt figures highlight the urgent need for economic reform in Ghana. As the country approaches its next election cycle, there is growing pressure on political parties to address these systemic economic issues and present viable solutions to voters.

The debate sparked by Kwarteng’s statement is likely to intensify discussions about Ghana’s economic management, the sustainability of its debt, and the need for long-term structural changes to break the cycle of borrowing and overspending. As Ghana navigates these economic challenges, the coming months will be crucial in determining whether the political class can heed Kwarteng’s warning and implement meaningful reforms

Source: myjoyonline.com

Nigerian boxer Cynthia Ogunsemilore is out of the Paris 2024 Olympics after being provisionally suspended for a failed drugs test.

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Nigerian boxer Cynthia Ogunsemilore is out of the Paris 2024 Olympics after being provisionally suspended for a failed drugs test.

Cynthia Ogunsemilore representing Nigeria at the Paris Olympics 2024 in the boxing category has been suspended for a failed drugs test. The 22-year-old, who won gold at the African Games in Accra earlier this year and a bronze medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, tested positive for furosemide, a banned substance classified as a diuretic and masking agent. The out-of-competition sample was collected by the International Testing Agency (ITA) on 25 July on behalf of the International Olympic Committee.

Ogunsemilore can appeal the result, but any decision will not come in time for what would have been her Olympic debut fight against Shih Yi Wu of Chinese Taipei on Monday in the 60kg lightweight division. The BBC has reached out to the Nigerian Olympic Committee for a response.

Ogunsemilore’s suspension means Nigeria has now had athletes suspended for doping violations at two successive Olympics following sprinter Blessing Okagbare’s positive test three years ago in Tokyo. Okagbare was subsequently banned for 11 years for the use of human growth hormone.

Ahead of Paris 2024, there were concerns Nigerian athletes might not be allowed to compete under their own flag due to allegations made by the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) that the country’s own anti-doping agency is non-compliant with Wada regulations. Nigeria’s National Anti-Doping Committee denies the charge, and the case is currently being examined by the Court of Arbitration of Sport.

Former South African President Jacob Zuma Expelled from ANC for Campaigning for Rival Party

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Former South African President Jacob Zuma Expelled from ANC for Campaigning for Rival Party

South Africa’s former President Jacob Zuma has been expelled from the African National Congress (ANC), the party he once led, for campaigning for a rival party in the 29 May general election, local media reports.

The ANC’s disciplinary committee found Zuma guilty of “prejudicing the integrity” of the party by joining Mkonto we Sizwe (MK). He has been given three weeks to appeal the ruling, according to a leaked ANC document. The ANC has not officially confirmed the expulsion, and MK stated Zuma had not been notified of the decision, referring to the proceedings as a “kangaroo court.”

Zuma, 82, was an ANC veteran but left the party after being forced to resign as president in 2018 amid corruption scandals, which he has consistently denied. He was suspended by the ANC in January after forming MK, which opposes the ANC-led government in parliament.

In a statement, MK expressed shock at media reports of Zuma’s expulsion, criticizing the disciplinary procedures as a “kangaroo court.”

The ANC emphasized that no person, even those accused of serious crimes, should be punished without being present. The disciplinary committee held a virtual hearing, but Zuma refused to participate.

Zuma was held in contempt of court for failing to cooperate with an inquiry, leading to his imprisonment during his nine-year presidency. This expulsion marks one of the most significant splits within the ANC since the end of white-minority rule in 1994.

CNN Report Exposes Widespread Sexual Violence in Sudan’s Ongoing Conflict

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CNN Report Exposes Widespread Sexual Violence in Sudan’s Ongoing Conflict

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has released a comprehensive report detailing widespread sexual violence against women and girls in Sudan, particularly in the capital Khartoum, since the outbreak of civil war in April 2023. The 88-page report, titled “Khartoum is Not Safe for Women,” paints a harrowing picture of the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the East African nation.

The conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has devastated large parts of Khartoum and spread to other regions, including Darfur. The United Nations has described the situation as “one of the worst humanitarian disasters in recent memory,” with millions displaced and at risk of famine.

According to the HRW report, women and girls in Khartoum, Sudan have been subjected to widespread acts of rape, including gang rape, as well as forced marriages and sexual slavery. The RSF is particularly implicated in these atrocities.

The Rapid Support Forces have raped, gang raped, and forced into marriage countless women and girls in residential areas in Sudan’s capital,” said Laetitia Bader, deputy Africa director at HRW. “The armed group has terrorized women and girls and both warring parties have blocked them from getting aid and support services, compounding the harm they face and leaving them to feel that nowhere is safe.”

The report is based on interviews with 42 healthcare providers, social workers, and other responders who had cared for hundreds of survivors of sexual violence. Survivors ranged in age from 9 to 60 years old.

Healthcare workers described treating survivors with severe physical injuries, including fatal cases. The report also highlighted the immense psychological and social trauma inflicted on survivors, with many facing stigma and rejection from their families and communities.

Both the RSF and SAF are accused of impeding humanitarian responses to the crisis. The SAF has restricted the flow of medical supplies into RSF-controlled areas, while the RSF has reportedly pillaged medical supplies and intimidated healthcare providers attempting to report sexual violence.

HRW has characterized the documented cases of sexual violence, forced marriage, and attacks on healthcare facilities as potential war crimes and crimes against humanity. The organization calls for immediate action from both warring parties to cease attacks on healthcare facilities and allow aid to enter conflict zones.

The report also urges the UN Security Council to demand an end to sexual violence and impose targeted sanctions against commanders and perpetrators responsible for these atrocities.

As the conflict continues, the international community faces growing pressure to respond effectively to this humanitarian crisis and address the widespread sexual violence occurring in Sudan.

At least 19 people died in a boat accident in Ethiopia’s war-torn Amhara region, according to the Ethiopian Press Agency.

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At least 19 people died in a boat accident in Ethiopia’s war-torn Amhara region, according to the Ethiopian Press Agency.

A boat carrying over 26 Ethiopians has capsized killing 19. The tragic incident occurred on Saturday as the group of individuals traveled to a funeral on a home-made wooden vessel on the Tekeze River, near Ethiopia’s border with Eritrea. Efforts are underway to retrieve the victims’ bodies, with only two recovered so far. Ethiopian authorities have yet to comment on the incident.

The Tekeze River serves as a crucial escape route for illegal migrants and civilians fleeing conflicts in Amhara and the neighboring Tigray region. At the peak of the Tigray civil war, thousands of Ethiopians crossed to Sudan using the river. Boats often capsize on this perilous route as smugglers transport illegal migrants to the Gulf of Aden and onwards to the Middle East and Europe. Refugees frequently report sighting dead bodies floating on the river.

An ongoing conflict in Amhara, involving Ethiopian federal forces and an Amhara nationalist group known as FANO, has escalated civilian displacement. Many have been undertaking risky migrations to escape the violence.

This boat accident occurred as Ethiopians mourn the deaths of at least 257 people in recent mudslides in the country’s south. Lawmakers declared a three-day period of national mourning that began on Saturday.

Refugee Athletes Make Their Mark at 2024 Olympics, Call for Expanded Participation

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Refugee Athletes Make Their Mark at 2024 Olympics, Call for Expanded Participation

The 2024 Paris Olympics has seen a significant expansion of the Olympic refugee team, with 37 athletes from 11 countries competing under the Olympic flag. This growth highlights the increasing focus on global migration issues and the push for greater inclusion of displaced individuals in international sports.

Among these athletes is 21-year-old Perina Lokure Nakang, a South Sudanese runner who began her athletic journey with a 9-mile run near her refugee camp in northwestern Kenya. Nakang’s story exemplifies the transformative power of sports for refugees, as she now competes on the global stage of the Olympics.

“I told myself if I continue running this, it is going to change my life,” Nakang said. “In the Olympics, everyone is looking to me to represent them.”

The Olympic refugee team, a collaboration between the International Olympic Committee and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), has grown significantly since its inception at the 2016 Rio Olympics, where it featured just 10 athletes from four countries. The team now includes athletes who have fled nations ranging from Cuba to Afghanistan and South Sudan.

Filippo Grandi, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, emphasized the team’s symbolic importance. “It is a symbol of inclusion, of equality, of achievement for a large community around the world of refugees and displaced people,” Grandi told The Associated Press. His support for the Olympic refugee team was recognized during the opening ceremonies, where he received the Olympic laurel.

The expansion of the refugee team comes at a time when the Olympics are underlining themes of diversity and inclusion, set against a backdrop of historic global migration. However, the Games are also taking place during a period of tension in France, with the rise of anti-immigration policies and controversies surrounding the treatment of migrants in Paris.

Former refugee Olympians like Yiech Pur Biel, who competed in 2016 and now works with UNHCR, see the Olympic platform as crucial in humanizing refugees and displaced individuals. Biel hopes the team can “bring back the dream of refugees” and demonstrate “what refugees can do.”

While the growth of the refugee team is celebrated, there’s also a bittersweet aspect to its expansion. As Biel notes, “We don’t want to see (refugee populations) growing, but no one can control what is happening in the world.” The ultimate goal, he says, is to end the need for a refugee team altogether.

As the Paris Olympics progress, the refugee athletes continue to captivate audiences and spark discussions about global migration, inclusion, and the power of sports to transcend borders and conflicts. Their performances not only showcase individual talent but also represent the resilience and potential of millions of displaced people worldwide.

The presence of the refugee team at the Olympics serves as a powerful reminder of sport’s ability to unite people across diverse backgrounds and experiences, offering hope and dignity to those who have been forced to flee their homes.

AP

Israeli Strikes in Lebanon Kill 2 as Diplomats Rush to Prevent Escalation

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Israeli Strikes in Lebanon Kill 2 as Diplomats Rush to Prevent Escalation

Tensions between Israel and Lebanon have sharply escalated following a series of strikes and counter-strikes, prompting intense diplomatic efforts to prevent a wider regional conflict. The latest developments come amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, raising fears of a potential expansion of hostilities.

Early Monday, Israeli strikes killed two people and injured three others in southern Lebanon, according to Lebanon’s state-run news agency. The strikes reportedly hit a motorcycle near the Lebanon-Israel border, killing two riders and injuring a child. In a separate incident, two more individuals were injured in another strike in southern Lebanon.

These attacks follow a deadly rocket strike from Lebanon over the weekend that killed 12 children and teenagers in Majdal Shams, a town in the Israel-controlled Golan Heights. Israeli military officials have described this as the deadliest attack on civilians since October 7, marking a significant escalation in the conflict.

Israel has accused Hezbollah of firing the rocket that hit Majdal Shams, although the militant group has denied responsibility – a rare move that has added to the complexity of the situation.

As Israel contemplates its response to the weekend attack, diplomatic channels have been working overtime to prevent further escalation. Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati has engaged in “intensive diplomatic contacts,” including a call with British Foreign Secretary David Lammy. Both leaders emphasized the need for restraint to prevent escalation, acknowledging that a widening of the conflict would not serve anyone’s interests.

In parallel efforts, Hezbollah’s head of foreign relations, Ammar Moussawi, met with Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib. Additionally, Amos Hochstein, a senior advisor to U.S. President Joe Biden, has reportedly been involved in delicate negotiations aimed at ensuring that potential Israeli retaliation and Hezbollah’s response do not spiral into an all-out war.

The international community is closely watching these developments, aware that any further escalation could have far-reaching consequences for the region. The situation remains highly volatile, with both sides on high alert and diplomatic efforts continuing to prevent a broader conflict.

As tensions remain high, the coming days will be crucial in determining whether diplomacy can prevail in containing the situation or if the region will see a further escalation of hostilities. The international community continues to call for restraint from all parties involved, emphasizing the devastating potential of a wider regional conflict.

APNEWS.COM

Venezuela Election Standoff: Maduro and Opposition Both Declare Victory

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Venezuela Election Standoff: Maduro and Opposition Both Declare Victory

Venezuela finds itself in a high-stakes political standoff following Sunday’s presidential election, with both incumbent President Nicolas Maduro and opposition candidate Edmundo González claiming victory. The disputed outcome has sparked concerns both domestically and internationally about the integrity of the electoral process.

Election officials announced Maduro as the winner with 51% of the vote, compared to 44% for González. However, the opposition, led by Maria Corina Machado, insists that González secured an “overwhelming” victory based on their own tallies from about 40% of ballot boxes.

The delay in releasing detailed vote counts has fueled suspicions and prevented independent verification of the results. This uncertainty has led several foreign governments, including the United States, to withhold recognition of the outcome.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed “serious concerns that the result announced does not reflect the will or the votes of the Venezuelan people.” Similarly, Chile’s leftist leader Gabriel Boric stated that “the Maduro regime should understand that the results it published are difficult to believe.”

The election was seen by many Venezuelans as a crucial opportunity to end 25 years of single-party rule. González, a 74-year-old retired diplomat, emerged as an unlikely opposition standard-bearer after Machado was barred from running by the Maduro-controlled supreme court.

Maduro, addressing supporters at the presidential palace, accused unidentified foreign enemies of attempting to hack the voting system, though he provided no evidence to support this claim.

The election’s outcome will have significant implications for Venezuela’s future and the broader region. The country, despite possessing the world’s largest proven oil reserves, has suffered a severe economic crisis under Maduro’s leadership. Plummeting oil prices, widespread shortages, and hyperinflation have led to mass emigration, with 7.7 million Venezuelans leaving the country.

Maduro’s campaign focused on promises of economic security, citing recent improvements in currency stability and inflation rates. The International Monetary Fund forecasts 4% economic growth for Venezuela in 2024. However, most Venezuelans continue to struggle with poverty, with many earning under $200 a month in a country where basic necessities for a family of four cost an estimated $385 monthly.

The opposition, led by González and Machado, campaigned on addressing these persistent inequalities and creating jobs to entice Venezuelan emigrants to return home.

As the standoff continues, the international community watches closely. The dispute’s resolution could have far-reaching consequences for Venezuela’s political landscape, its economic recovery efforts, and its relationships with other nations, particularly regarding U.S. economic sanctions imposed after Maduro’s contested 2018 reelection.

The coming days are likely to be crucial in determining Venezuela’s path forward, as both sides wrestle for control and legitimacy in the eyes of the Venezuelan people and the world.

Lady Gaga Refers to Michael Polansky as ‘Fiancé’ at Paris Olympics Event

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Lady Gaga Refers to Michael Polansky as ‘Fiancé’ at Paris Olympics Event

Pop icon Lady Gaga appears to have casually confirmed her engagement to long-time boyfriend Michael Polansky. The revelation came during a chance encounter with French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal at an Olympic swimming competition on Sunday.

Lady Gaga, who was in Paris to perform at the Olympics Opening Ceremony, introduced Polansky as “my fiancé” to the Prime Minister, as captured in a video posted to Attal’s official TikTok page. This unexpected announcement has set social media abuzz with speculation about the couple’s relationship status.

The Oscar-winning artist and Polansky, a tech entrepreneur, have been dating for four years, having first gone public with their romance on Instagram during Super Bowl weekend in 2020. Throughout their relationship, the couple has maintained a notably low profile, with Lady Gaga only occasionally sharing glimpses of their life together on social media.

In a rare public acknowledgment of their relationship, Lady Gaga once wrote on Instagram about a lavish birthday gift from Polansky, stating, “When your bf sends you all the flowers in Rome for your birthday. I love you honey. I can’t wait to be home with you and our dogs, that’s all I need.” She has also previously alluded to Polansky in a Hollywood Reporter interview, saying, “My dogs and the man that I love are my whole life.”

This potential engagement news comes at a high point in Lady Gaga’s career, as she continues to balance her music with acting and high-profile performances like the Olympics Opening Ceremony. The timing of this revelation, whether intentional or not, has added a personal touch to her professional appearance at the global sporting event.

As of now, representatives for Lady Gaga have not responded to requests for comment on the engagement rumors. Fans and media alike are eagerly awaiting official confirmation or further details about the couple’s relationship status.

This development marks a significant moment for Lady Gaga, known for keeping her personal life relatively private despite her public persona. If confirmed, it would be the star’s first engagement since her previous relationship with talent agent Christian Carino ended in 2019.

As the 2024 Paris Olympics continue, attention will undoubtedly be split between the sporting events and this unexpected celebrity news. Lady Gaga’s potential engagement adds a touch of romance to the global celebration of athleticism and international unity.

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