Author: damazah@gmail.com

Nigeria U-20 women’s national team head coach Moses Aduku has declared that the Falconets are “condemned to win” against China as they look to revive their FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup campaign in Poland. The Falconets suffered a 2-0 defeat to Spain in their opening Group F fixture, leaving them under pressure ahead of their second group game against China. Aduku admitted that the result was disappointing, but stressed that his players have quickly shifted their focus to the crucial encounter, knowing that anything short of victory would leave their qualification hopes in danger. Speaking to the media ahead of…

By Adegboyega Adeleye Chelsea have handed 16-year-old Reggie Watson his senior debut against Leeds United in Wednesday’s Carabao Cup third-round clash at Stamford Bridge. Manager Xabi Alonso has made nine changes from the side that lost 2-1 to Arsenal on Sunday, with Watson named in the starting XI for the 8pm kick-off. Watson, the son of former Wigan captain Ben Watson, impressed during Chelsea’s pre-season and now makes his first competitive appearance for the Blues. Mike Penders replaces first-choice goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, while Levi Colwill returns to the defence. Valentin Barco makes his first start for Chelsea, with Pep Chavarría…

The prosecution: Mindy double quotation markOpening new products when old ones aren’t empty is wasteful – and he does it to avoid cleaning up My son Jasper, who is 21, has a very annoying habit: he loves to leave the last bit in every bottle, jar and box. There are bottles of ketchup, shampoo and face cream, all with a tiny amount in, left around the house.Jasper thinks that by not finishing off the last of something he is doing me and his father, Dave, a favour. I find it annoying as I’m the one who then washes the bottles and…

Nigerians can now apply for the authentication of Nigerian academic qualifications and evaluation of foreign qualifications online through the Federal Ministry of Education’s ESSVerify portal, without visiting the Ministry physically. The platform also allows users to verify documents already issued through the Ministry’s Education Sector Support and Services, as well as apply for eligibility or proficiency letters and letters of no objection. Education Support Services was fully digitised end-to-end, including certificate verification and foreign applicants’ processes, in April 2026, when the Ministry launched the fully online ESSVerify portal and ended physical verification. Minister Alausa reconfirmed on Wednesday that the digitisation…

Super Eagles duo Bruno Onyemaechi and Philip Otele are set for a new chapter at club level after Olympiacos and FC Basel both parted ways with their respective head coaches on Wednesday. The coaching changes mean the Nigerian internationals will have to adapt to new ideas and systems as they look to establish themselves under new leadership at their respective clubs. Olympiacos announced the termination of their collaboration with José Luis Mendilibar, bringing an end to the Spaniard’s two-year spell in charge of the Greek giants. The 65-year-old enjoyed a successful tenure with Olympiacos, most notably guiding the club to…

The Federal Government has announced the full payment of the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA) to academic staff in federal universities, polytechnics and colleges of education for the period January to August 2026.   Maruf Tunji Alausa, Minister of Education, disclosed this on Wednesday shortly after inaugurating the Ministerial Committee on Accreditation.   CATA is a financial allowance provided to academic staff to support the purchase of essential tools and materials required for teaching, research and other academic activities.   Alausa said the payment was in accordance with the provisions of the 2025 Federal Government–Academic Staff Union of Universities (FGN/ASUU)…

Massachusetts became the latest state to force data centers to bring their own power, but this time there’s a twist. A new state mandate would require developers building data centers larger than 25 megawatts to provide clean power or pay into a ratepayer protection fund. Gov. Maura Healey’s executive order is the latest example of states turning against data centers. Just a few years ago, tech companies and data center developers were showered with incentives to locate facilities in a particular state. Now they’re fighting a groundswell of public opposition as politicians seek to show voters they’re addressing their concerns.…

Ancient builders hauled enormous 25-tonne (55,000-pound) stones across at least 18 kilometers (11 miles) to create Britain’s tallest surviving prehistoric stone row, according to new research into the iconic Devil’s Arrows. The study, led by Curtin University in collaboration with the University of York, UK, is the first to pinpoint the geological source of the towering stones. Researchers traced them to Brimham Rocks, a rugged area in North Yorkshire. Located near Boroughbridge in northern England, the Devil’s Arrows rise as high as seven meters (23 feet). They form an unusual stone alignment in a lowland landscape, and despite their striking…

Edo State Governor, His Excellency Senator Monday Okpebholo, has rewarded Edo Queens with N50 million for their triumph at the recently concluded CAF Women’s Champions League WAFU-B qualifiers in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. The governor received the continental hopefuls at the Festival Hall of the Government House in Benin City, where he showered encomiums on the players, technical crew and officials for making Edo State and Nigeria proud with their impressive campaign. Addressing the team, Mr Okpebholo described the players’ triumph as the reward for their determination and fighting spirit, likening their campaign in Burkina Faso to a war that they…

A high-end, 26 half-hour episode 3D-series featuring three inseparable BFF trainee witches, “Witch Detectives” is Mediawan Kids & Family latest pan-European new IP, produced by Mediawan subsidiary Method Animation for BBC, Rai, TF1 and Super RTL. International sales are managed by Entourage Media and Mediawan Kids & Family Distribution, who brought the show to this week’s Unifrance Rendez-Vous in Le Havre as its flagship IP. Embodying the universal reach of Mediawan’s productions while retaining a strong French touch, “Witch Detectives” follows Maya, Max and Millie, teenage girls/high-school witches turned private investigators overnight to help run the secret W-detective agency. Thanks…