Author: damazah@gmail.com

The FIFA World Cup 2026 has entered a decisive phase with the confirmation of the Round of 32 fixtures following the conclusion of an action-packed group stage. The expanded tournament, featuring 48 teams and 104 matches for the first time in the competition’s history, has already delivered memorable moments, surprise results and emerging contenders. Hosted jointly by the United States, Canada and Mexico, the tournament kicked off on June 11, 2026, becoming the first World Cup to be staged across three nations. Millions of football fans have flocked to venues across North America as teams battle for a place in…

*Israel, Lebanon sign US-brokered peace agreement Sunday Ehigiator Iran yesterday condemned what it described as American attacks on its territory, saying the US military strikes on missile and drone storage sites, as well as coastal radar installations, breached the memorandum of understanding that halted weeks of hostilities.In a separate diplomatic development, Israel and Lebanon on Friday signed a US-brokered framework agreement intended to advance peace along their shared front. The renewed violence followed US accusations that Iran had attacked a commercial cargo vessel transiting the Strait of Hormuz earlier in the week, an allegation Tehran has not acknowledged.The latest escalation…

Boots – XanderCredit: DAZNJaron “Boots” Ennis improved to 36-0 and won the WBA and WBO super welterweight championship when he scored a seventh-round TKO victory over Xander Zayas (23-1). The fight was competitive even though Ennis put on an impressive performance.The win allowed Ennis to win titles in his second weight class. There were some tense moments for Ennis as Zayas came through like a lion in the third.Key Facts At A GlanceMain event: Jaron “Boots” Ennis def. Xander Zayas via seventh-round TKO (corner stoppage)Records: Ennis improves to 36-0 (32 KOs); Zayas falls to 23-1 (13 KOs)Titles: Unified WBO and…

Apple is looking to alleviate some of the pressure on its supply chain by seeking an exception from the Trump administration to buy RAM chips from CXMT, a company blacklisted by the Pentagon over ties to the People’s Liberation Army, according to the Financial Times. The skyrocketing prices of RAM and storage have driven Apple to raise prices on almost all of its products this week, so it makes sense that it would seek alternative sources.Legally, Apple isn’t barred from buying chips from CXMT, but doing business with a company tied to the Chinese military would carry serious reputational risks.…

Separately the group Liberal Voice for Women, which says it campaigns “to ensure that women’s sex-based rights, representation, and voices are fully respected within the party”, has threatened it could raise concerns about discrimination within the Liberal Democrats’ ranks with the Equality and Human Rights Commission.The group’s chair Zoe Hollowood wrote to the party’s chief executive Mike Dixon this week arguing that complaints raised by its members were being dismissed while complaints about them are “routinely” progressed.Under the Equality Act, religion or belief, including holding gender critical views, can be protected from discrimination.The Act applies to Great Britain. Northern Ireland…

Advisers to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will soon hold a meeting about whether to ease restrictions on access to some research peptides, a group of drugs with a zealous following and thin evidence to support them.If restrictions are eased, US compounding pharmacies would be able to produce and fill prescriptions for Americans – a change that would effectively legalize a thriving gray market.“There are a lot of patients who are foaming at the mouth waiting for these peptides to get moved to Category 1” legal status, said Mohammed Chammout, a retail pharmacist in Michigan.Peptides are short-chain amino acids…

Jaron “Boots” Ennis survived the toughest fight of his professional career before stopping Xander Zayas in the seventh round on Saturday night to unify the WBA and WBO super-welterweight titles at Barclays Center.The previously unbeaten Ennis knocked Zayas down three times and weathered a furious third-round rally before referee halted the bout at 1:49 of the seventh round, giving the Philadelphia native the signature victory that had eluded him despite years of being regarded as one of boxing’s brightest talents.Ennis improved to 36-0 with 32 knockouts, while Zayas suffered the first defeat of his career after entering the fight 23-0.“I…

By Ayo Onikoyi Kaduna-born writer, painter, and cultural entrepreneur Suchet Baba has stressed the importance of Northern Nigeria telling its own stories through art, literature, and creative expression, saying authentic narratives are vital to preserving the region’s cultural identity and challenging long-held stereotypes. Baba, who is the founder and festival director of Arts and Vibes, has built her work around amplifying underrepresented voices and creating platforms for young creatives across Northern Nigeria to share their experiences on their own terms. According to her, the region’s stories are often overlooked, misrepresented, or filtered through external perspectives, making it essential for Northern…

Last Chance: NTA to Close NEET UG Answer Key 2026 Challenge Portal Tonight NEW DELHI: The National Testing Agency (NTA) is set to close the online challenge window for the NEET UG provisional answer key tonight, June 28, 2026, at 11:50 PM.Candidates who appeared for the medical entrance re-examination must submit their objections along with a non-refundable processing fee of Rs 200 per question before the deadline expires.Key Timelines & High StakesThe re-examination was fast-tracked by the central agency to address prior evaluation discrepancies, involving over 20 lakh registered candidates across the country.The answer key challenge window opened on June…

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) in Ebonyi State said it has rescued over 64 survivors of human trafficking between 2022 and 2026. The state Commander, Offor Berther, disclosed this on Friday, while briefing reporters on the achievements of the command since its establishment. Mrs Offor said the rescued persons comprised children and adults, who were trafficked to Ghana, Libya, and other parts of the country. According to her, the command arrested over 90 suspects, in connection with various human trafficking and related offences.3 She further said that about 74 cases had been investigated, while…