Author: damazah@gmail.com

By Adegboyega Adeleye Italy’s football federation has elected Giovanni Malago as its new president following the country’s failure to qualify for a third consecutive FIFA World Cup, with the former Olympic chief tasked with leading the four-time world champions out of one of the deepest crises in their history. Malago was elected president of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) on Monday, defeating Giancarlo Abete with 68.58 per cent of the vote at the federation’s assembly in Rome. The 67-year-old businessman and former futsal player succeeds Gabriele Gravina, who resigned after Italy’s shock World Cup qualifying exit in April, a result…

If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Variety may receive an affiliate commission. Bluey is officially making its way onto the Toniebox. In a new partnership between Tonies and BBC Studios, the hit preschool series is expanding into the screen-free audio platform for the first time, bringing Bluey, Bingo and the rest of the Heeler family into a new format built around listening and imaginative play. The move extends Bluey beyond television into Tonies’ collectible audio system, where characters come to life through physical figurines placed on the Toniebox player. Each figure…

As politicking for the 2027 general elections is unfolding, push for legislative governance at the federal level, which is anchored by the National Assembly (NASS), is now in top gear across Nigeria with the conclusion of political parties’ primary elections. However, for Awka North & Awka South Federal Constituency, the collective yearning of the people has always been for a transformative shift from the hitherto transactional politics to accountable, transparent and people-centric representation at the “green chambers”. Among the candidates of the All Progressives Grand Alliance Congress (APGA), NDC, APC, Mr Dominic Okechukwu Nwuzor of the African Democratic Congress (ADC)…

A Montreal police officer was killed in a shootout on Monday, and for almost three tense hours, city residents were urged to shelter in place as the authorities searched for a suspect.One gunman was killed at the scene, according to the police, but they urged residents to stay indoors as they searched for a second suspect. In the end, they announced that there had been only one.“The immediate threat to the public is no longer present,” said the Montreal police chief, Fady Dagher. “Shelter-in-place is no longer required.”The shooting took place in the Côte-des-Neiges neighborhood. It appears to have occurred…

For months, he tried desperately to avoid this moment.But on Monday, Keir Starmer finally announced his resignation as prime minister, bowing to a long-simmering mutiny inside his Labour Party. The decision very likely paves the way for Andy Burnham, a popular former mayor, to become the country’s next leader.Mr. Starmer, who vowed as recently as Friday not to “walk away” from his job, said that he would only remain in office until a new party leader was selected. His decision to depart will usher in Britain’s seventh prime minister in a decade, extending a period of political turmoil in the…

Amazon ‘s four-day Prime Day event this week could reveal something more important for the e-commerce giant than just a big sales number. Wall Street will be watching to see if Amazon can further cement itself as consumers’ to-go destination for everyday essentials at a time when inflation-weary shoppers are focused on value. Prime Day kicks off at 12:01 a.m. PT on Tuesday (or 3:01 a.m. ET) and runs through June 26 at 11:59 p.m. PT on Friday (or 2:59 a.m. ET on Saturday). In addition to tons of deals across more than 35 categories, Amazon is putting an extra…

Polymarket is seeking the CFTC’s permission to bring its main exchange back to the US, but also offers a more limited, US-regulated version of its trading service through a mobile app. Polymarket launched the app last year after acquiring QCX, a firm that is licensed by the CFTC and now operates under the name Polymarket US. The Journal said it reviewed 1,105 videos made by 10 creators and identified fake bets totaling $1.9 million. While most of the videos were of fake bets being placed, there were 118 videos of “creators reacting to outdated footage or fake headlines suggesting they’d…

After much braggadocio that he would not accept a vice presidential ticket, former Rivers State governor and ex-Minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, last week accepted to be running mate to the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, in the 2027 general election. Announcing the decision, ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said Amaechi’s emergence followed broad consultations within the party and reflected his strong performance as runner-up in the party’s presidential primaries.  This development brings to mind a particular incident that occurred before the ADC presidential primary.  In a live interview, Amaechi was asked whether…

For more than four months, football fields across Lagos have been filled with excitement from parents, coaches, scouts and supporters as hundreds of young footballers have chased their dreams. On Sunday, 28 June, that journey will climax as the seventh edition of the JOF U-13 Cup Football Tournament reaches its grand finale at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) Sports Arena. The final match will see VI Foot of Ijora face Fortune Football Academy of Oshodi at 3 p.m., while Soccer City FA of Iwaya and Ultimate Football Academy of Coker Aguda will battle for third place at 1 p.m. More…

Monday is a loaded day of World Cup action, and some of the best goalscorers in the world are looking to put on another show. Defending champions Argentina faced Austria in the first match of the day, and we cashed in when Lionel Messi broke the World Cup record with his 17th goal then added another to give him five at World Cup 2026. Argentina won 2-0, and up next on Monday’s World Cup schedule is 2022 Golden Boot winner Kylian Mbappe, as his France side takes on Iraq at 5 p.m. Erling Haaland and Norway clash with Senegal at 8 p.m., and the action wraps…