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2024 Olympics Women’s Soccer: Japan Beats Brazil, Colombia Triumphs Over New Zealand

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The women’s soccer tournament at the 2024 Paris Olympics delivered high drama and impressive performances on July 28, with Japan stunning Brazil in a last-minute comeback and Colombia asserting dominance over New Zealand.

At the Parc des Princes, Japan secured a sensational 2-1 victory over Brazil in a match that kept spectators on the edge of their seats until the final whistle. The game-changing moment came deep into stoppage time when Momoko Tanikawa unleashed a spectacular long-range strike to clinch the win for Japan.

The match was a rollercoaster of emotions, with Brazil’s goalkeeper Lorena Leite making a crucial save on a penalty by Mina Tanaka just before halftime, keeping the score level. Jheniffer then broke the deadlock for Brazil with a well-timed goal, outmaneuvering Japanese keeper Ayaka Yamashita. However, Japan was awarded a second penalty after VAR intervention, which Saki Yumagai converted to equalize. Tanikawa’s stunning strike in the dying moments of the game sealed an improbable victory for Japan.

This result puts Japan level with Brazil on three points in their group, setting up an intriguing scenario for the remaining group stage matches.

In the day’s other match, Colombia bounced back from their narrow loss to France with an impressive 2-0 victory over New Zealand. The South American side controlled the game from start to finish, showcasing their offensive prowess even without star striker Mayra Ramirez.

Marcela Restrepo opened the scoring with a spectacular volley from outside the box, leaving New Zealand’s goalkeeper Anna Leat with no chance. Colombia’s dominance was evident as they hit the woodwork three times, demonstrating their constant threat. Leicy Santos sealed the win with a goal in the 71st minute, capping off a commanding performance.

This victory puts Colombia in a “win-and-in” situation for their next match against Canada, scheduled for Wednesday, July 31, at 3 p.m. ET. New Zealand, meanwhile, faces a must-win scenario against France on the same day at 1 p.m. ET to keep their hopes of advancing alive.

As the women’s soccer tournament progresses, these results have set the stage for an exciting conclusion to the group stage. Japan’s comeback victory and Colombia’s strong showing have reshuffled the dynamics in their respective groups, promising more thrilling action in the matches to come.

The 2024 Paris Olympics continue to deliver world-class soccer, with teams showcasing skill, determination, and the ability to perform under pressure on the global stage. As the tournament unfolds, fans can look forward to more intense matches and potential upsets, highlighting the unpredictable and exciting nature of Olympic soccer.

Police Bust Child Trafficking Ring, Rescue Two-Month-Old Baby in Lagos, Nigeria

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Detectives from the Oko-Oba Division of the Lagos State Police Command in Nigeria have successfully dismantled a child trafficking ring, rescuing a two-month-old baby and arresting five individuals involved in the crime. The command’s spokesperson, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, announced this significant development in a statement released on Saturday.

According to SP Hundeyin, the operation was launched after receiving a distress call from the mother of the abducted infant. She reported that on July 11, 2024, her son had been taken by a woman identified as Gloria Sunday.

“Detectives swung into action, leading to the arrest of Gloria Sunday, who, during interrogation, confessed to selling the baby for ₦500,000 to Pastor Peter Udoh ‘m’,” stated SP Hundeyin.

Pastor Udoh, later arrested in Ikene Town, Ogun State, admitted to reselling the child for ₦1,450,000 to Loretta Nelson ‘f’. Loretta Nelson was apprehended in Festac Town, Lagos.

The investigation revealed that Loretta Nelson intended to sell the baby for ₦2,350,000. The final buyers, Mr. and Mrs. James Uwam, were arrested during a naming ceremony for the abducted child.

All suspects are currently in police custody and will be arraigned in court upon the completion of the investigation.

Punchng.com

Nigerian Women’s Basketball Team Denied Entry to Opening Ceremony Boat at Paris Olympics Due to Overcrowding

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The Nigeria women’s basketball team faced an unexpected setback when they were denied entry to the delegation’s boat for the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics. This information was disclosed by an anonymous source familiar with the situation, who spoke to The Associated Press on Friday.

The denial came from a Nigerian official who stated that the boat was at full capacity with more than 200 people already on board. Despite being part of the Nigerian delegation, the basketball team was unable to join the rest of their compatriots, who shared a boat with athletes from Niger and Norway.

Efforts to obtain a comment from a Nigeria press officer were unsuccessful. Messages left seeking clarification on the incident have yet to receive a response.

The team had traveled from Lille, where the preliminary basketball rounds are taking place, to Paris. They were part of a bus convoy that included several teams, escorted by police. The journey covered a distance of approximately 138 miles (222 kilometers) and took around two hours and 28 minutes.

Upon reaching the designated boarding area for the ceremony, the basketball team was informed that there was no space for them. Consequently, they had to return to the athletes’ village, missing out on the chance to participate in the prestigious event.

Due to this logistical mishap, the team spent the night in Paris instead of returning to Lille. This disruption caused them to miss their scheduled morning practice session in Lille.

Nigeria, participating in its third Olympics, is set to open its campaign on Monday against Australia. The Nigerian women’s basketball team holds a unique place in Olympic history as the only African nation to win a game at the Olympics. This victory came during the 2004 Athens Games when they defeated Korea in the 11th-place contest.

Seven Killed, Many Injured in Concert Stampede in Congo’s Capital

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Seven people were killed and numerous others injured during a stampede at a music concert in Congo’s capital, Kinshasa, on Saturday, authorities reported.

The tragic incident occurred at the 80,000-capacity Stade des Martyrs stadium, located in the heart of Kinshasa, where Mike Kalambay, a popular Congolese gospel singer, was performing. The concert, which was part of a larger event organized by the management company Maajabu Gospel, drew an estimated 30,000 attendees. According to Kinshasa Governor Daniel Bumba, the stampede happened during the peak of the concert.

State television RTNC reported that among the seven fatalities, some victims were children, and several others injured were admitted to intensive care units for treatment. The exact number of injured individuals was not immediately clear, as the investigation into the incident is ongoing.

Authorities did not comment on the precise cause of the stampede. However, the local music management company organizing the event suggested that the chaos erupted when “security services tried to neutralize some troublemakers.” This intervention is believed to have triggered panic among the concertgoers, leading to the deadly stampede.

Eyewitnesses and videos from the scene depicted large crowds gathered outside the stadium, pushing against barricades as they waited to enter. Once inside, attendees were seen rushing toward the center stage, contributing to the disorder.

Footage broadcasted from the event showed a chaotic scene with people attempting to flee the densely packed venue. The situation rapidly deteriorated, resulting in the tragic loss of life and numerous injuries.

The Stade des Martyrs has a history of such incidents, often attributed to poor crowd control measures and inadequate safety protocols. Just last October, a similar stampede during a music concert at the same stadium resulted in the deaths of eleven people. The recurrence of such tragedies underscores the urgent need for improved safety and crowd management strategies at large public events in Congo.

Authorities are now conducting a thorough investigation to determine the factors that led to the stampede and to hold accountable those responsible for ensuring the safety of the attendees. As the investigation progresses, more details are expected to emerge about the events that led to this latest tragedy.

The Associated Press

UK Police Arrest Far-Right Activist Tommy Robinson Under Anti-Terror Laws Following Film Complaint

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Far-right activist, Tommy Robinson, has been arrested under anti-terror laws, as reported by his supporters, after a protest at which a film was allegedly screened in contempt of court.

Robinson’s detention was made public through a post on his verified X account, following a march led by him and a counter-protest in central London on Saturday, which attracted thousands of people. The protest was marked by a significant police presence, ensuring that the event remained peaceful despite the large turnout.

A complaint was later filed over a film that was allegedly shown to the crowd in breach of a High Court order, prompting the police to initiate further inquiries. The details of the film and the specific court order it violated were not immediately disclosed, but the incident has raised significant legal questions.

Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley Lennon, also posted a one hour and 45-minute film on X on Saturday afternoon, in which he claimed that he had previously avoided publishing the video because he was “scared”. The content of this film is believed to be central to the complaint and subsequent police action.

In a post on his X account on Sunday, Robinson’s team stated: “We can confirm that Tommy Robinson has been detained by police using powers afforded to them under the Terrorism Act 2000. That’s right, you read that correctly, Tommy is being held by police using counter terrorism legislation. We will update you as and when we can.”

The Metropolitan Police later issued a statement clarifying that there was “no Met involvement” in the context of Tommy Robinson’s arrest, suggesting that another branch of law enforcement was responsible for his detention.

The arrest has sparked a significant response on social media, with Robinson’s supporters and critics alike expressing their views. The situation continues to evolve, with further details expected to emerge as the investigation progresses.

Robinson’s lawyer confirmed the arrest on X on Saturday evening, stating, “Tommy Robinson has been arrested and detained under the Terrorism Act. We are seeking to understand the full circumstances of his detention and will provide further updates as soon as possible.”

Rebel Coalition in Mali Claims to Have Killed Dozens of Soldiers and Russian Wagner Mercenaries in Major Battle

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A coalition of armed groups in Mali’s predominantly Tuareg north claimed on Saturday that it had killed dozens of government soldiers and Russian mercenaries from the Wagner group during a fierce battle near the border with Algeria. This significant engagement reportedly involved heavy casualties on both sides and the destruction of multiple vehicles.

Videos circulating on social media depicted the aftermath, showing the lifeless bodies of several white men and Malian soldiers scattered on the ground, surrounded by destroyed vehicles. The footage, although unverified, provides a grim visual of the reported clashes.

The Malian army, in a statement issued on Friday night, confirmed that two soldiers had been killed and ten wounded in a rebel attack. The army also claimed that it had managed to kill around 20 rebels and destroy several of their vehicles. Despite these claims, independent verification of the exact details and casualties remains elusive.

Mohamed Elmaouloud Ramadane, spokesman for the pro-independence CSP-DPA coalition, provided a detailed account of the battle. He stated that a two-day conflict erupted on the outskirts of Tinzaouaten village, with the rebels managing to “routed the entire column of Malian army and Russian mercenaries.” He further claimed that the enemy had suffered substantial losses in terms of both lives and equipment, including dozens of dead and wounded soldiers. Additionally, Ramadane mentioned that some Malian soldiers and Wagner mercenaries had surrendered to the Tuareg fighters.

If the claims are accurate, this would represent the most significant setback inflicted on Wagner mercenaries by Tuareg rebels in Mali to date. The Wagner group, a Russian private military company, has been involved in various conflicts across Africa, often supporting government forces against insurgents and rebels.

Rida Lyammouri, a senior fellow at the Policy Center for the New South, a think tank based in Morocco, commented on the implications of the battle. He suggested that the conflict sends a strong message to the Malian government, indicating that recapturing and controlling northern regions would be more challenging than anticipated. Lyammouri also warned that this setback could potentially lead to increased attacks against civilians by both government forces and Wagner mercenaries.

The ongoing conflict in Mali continues to be a source of instability in the region, with frequent clashes between government forces, supported by international mercenaries, and various rebel groups vying for control and autonomy.

Democratic Republic of Congo Releases First Inmates from Kinshasa Jail to Ease Overcrowding

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At least 7,000 inmates are set to be granted conditional release from the Makala Central Prison in the Democratic Republic of Congo in a bid to ease overcrowding at the facility.

Located in Kinshasa, Makala Central Prison is the country’s largest jail. Built for 1,500 inmates in 1957, it now holds more than 15,000 people, including children and women.

Conditions at the prison are notoriously bad, with inmates crammed into cells, eating poorly, and some suffering from water and respiratory diseases.

Justice Minister Constant Mutamba approved the release of the first 421 inmates on Saturday, stating that prisoners will be released at a rate of 400 per week.

Mutamba indicated that efforts are underway to reduce overcrowding in all Congolese prisons. He announced that a commission has been established to examine the cases of prisoners eligible for conditional release.

Additionally, Mutamba ordered the release of those who are sick and minors from Makala Central Prison and has forbidden the admission of new inmates.

The aim is to halve the number of prisoners at the facility.

Nigeria Court Convicts 125 Boko Haram Militants in Mass Trial

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A court in Nigeria has convicted 125 Boko Haram Islamist militants and financiers on various terrorism-related offences.

The Attorney General’s office stated that the charges included “bordering on terrorism, terrorism financing, rendering material support, and International Criminal Court-related crimes.”

The mass two-day trial was overseen by five Federal High Court judges at a military detention facility in Kainji, Niger State.

Since the Boko Haram insurgency began in 2009, thousands have been killed, and millions displaced. This has led to a humanitarian crisis in northeastern Nigeria, pressuring the government to resolve the conflict.

Of the 125 convicted, 85 were found guilty of terrorism financing, 22 for ICC-related crimes, and the remaining defendants for other terrorism offences. They were sentenced to various jail terms.

The last mass trials of Boko Haram suspects took place between 2017 and 2018, where 163 people were convicted and 887 set free.

In 2014, Boko Haram kidnapped over 270 girls from a school in Chibok, northeastern Nigeria. The abductions triggered a global campaign, #BringBackOurGirls, endorsed by former United States First Lady Michelle Obama. More than 180 of the abducted girls have since been freed or escaped, while many remain missing. Those who returned often face numerous challenges, including reintegration into their communities and dealing with the trauma of their captivity

Ghana Police File Injunction to Stop Gen-Z Demonstration

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The Ghana Police Service has filed an injunction to prevent the Gen-Z demonstration from taking place.

The seven-day protest, scheduled from July 31 to August 6, 2024, aims to bring over 2 million young people onto the streets of Accra.

The demonstration intends to address severe economic hardships primarily affecting the youth, driving many into drug addiction, dangerous migrations, and some even joining terrorist groups.

Protesters also aim to challenge the heavy taxes imposed by the government in Ghana, including the controversial betting tax, COVID-19 tax, sanitation tax, and increased internet data taxes.

Additionally, the protest seeks to express Gen-Z’s strong disapproval of the widespread corruption and nepotism allegedly characterizing the incumbent administration.

The court is scheduled to hear the injunction application on Tuesday, July 30, 2024.

Reacting to this, the conveners of the demonstration have pledged to defend their right to protest, citing constitutional provisions that protect citizens’ rights to demonstrate.

It appears the organizers are taking a cue from the massive protests by the young people of Kenya, which has forced the President to make drastic changes.

Celine Dion Shares Heartfelt Message After Breathtaking Comeback Performance at Paris 2024 Olympics Opening Ceremony

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Celine Dion has admitted she’s “so full of joy” after her breathtaking comeback performance at the 2024 Paris Olympic Opening Ceremony on Friday night. The Canadian singer, 56, who is battling the incurable stiff-person syndrome, closed the ceremony with a jaw-dropping performance on the Eiffel Tower.

Twenty-eight years after making her Olympic debut in 1996 at Atlanta’s stadium, Celine proved she’s still got it by following her emotional act in the French city. And after bringing fans to tears, Celine reflected on the iconic moment with a heartfelt message on X.

She wrote: “I’m honored to have performed tonight, for the Paris 2024 Opening Ceremony, and so full of joy to be back in one of my very favorite cities! Most of all, I’m so happy to be celebrating these amazing athletes, with all their stories of sacrifice and determination, pain, and perseverance.

All of you have been so focused on your dream, and whether or not you take home a medal, I hope that being here means that it has come true for you! You should all be so proud, we know how hard you have worked to be the best of the best. Stay focused, keep going, my heart is with you! – Celine xx…”

Celine looked incredible in a shimmering silver gown as she performed in front of the Eiffel Tower. She gave a rendition of “Hymne à L’amour,” which was originally sung by French music icon Edith Piaf. The song was originally released in 1950, and its title translates into English as “Hymn to Love.”

Her “My Heart Will Go On” songstress looked to be on the verge of tears as she finished the performance to cheers from the crowd, whilst viewers at home were also left emotional. One wrote on X: “Celine got my a** crying #OpeningCeremony. Wow Celine Dion! If you’ve seen her documentary, you’ll know… #OpeningCeremony.”

Celine’s performance was particularly significant given her battle with stiff-person syndrome, an incredibly rare neurological disorder that causes severe muscle stiffness and spasms. Her return to the stage marked her first major performance since being diagnosed with the disorder in 2022.

Dion’s Olympics performance marks her return to performing after years of struggling with the condition. At the premiere of the documentary “I Am: Celine Dion,” she told The Associated Press that returning required therapy “physically, mentally, emotionally, vocally.” She added, “So that’s why it takes a while. But absolutely why we’re doing this because I’m already a little bit back,” she said.

Celine’s stirring performance and touching message have resonated with fans worldwide, inspiring many with her resilience and dedication to her craft. Her return to the stage at such a prestigious event highlights her enduring talent and the impact she continues to have on the music world and beyond.

Daily MailOnline.com

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