SPORTS

End Of An Era As Murray Withdraws From Wimbledon Singles

Murray, who has never been defeated in the first round at Wimbledon, has not progressed past the quarter-finals since his 2016 triumph.

By Channels Television

Two-time champion Andy Murray called time on his Wimbledon singles career on Tuesday after the “extremely disappointed” former world number one lost his battle to recover from back surgery.

However, the 37-year-old, who plans to retire after the Paris Olympics, will still experience an emotional farewell to the All England Club when he plays doubles with brother Jamie later in the tournament.

Murray underwent surgery to remove a cyst from his back last month, a procedure he described as “not insignificant”.

The operation left him without full feeling in his right leg and placed in peril his final appearance at the tournament.

As a result Murray doubted if he would recover in time to face Tomas Machac of the Czech Republic in his scheduled first-round clash on Centre Court on Tuesday.

“Unfortunately, despite working incredibly hard on his recovery since his operation just over a week ago, Andy has taken the very difficult decision not to play the singles this year,” said a statement from Murray’s representatives.

“As you can imagine, he is extremely disappointed but has confirmed that he will be playing in the doubles with Jamie and looks forward to competing at Wimbledon for the last time.”

Murray famously ended Britain’s 77-year wait for a men’s champion at Wimbledon when he triumphed in 2013.

He added a second title in 2016, taking his career majors total to three after breaking his duck at the 2012 US Open.

That win in New York came just weeks after he had lost his first Wimbledon final to Roger Federer.

‘Great guy’

Murray, who has never been defeated in the first round at Wimbledon, has not progressed past the quarter-finals since his 2016 triumph.

The physical stress of 20 years on the tour has taken its toll.

He missed the 2018 tournament with injury and 12 months later sat out the singles after undergoing hip surgery.

That year, he played men’s doubles with Pierre-Hugues Herbert and mixed doubles with Serena Williams.

Murray has competed with a metal hip since 2019 while this season he damaged ankle ligaments in Miami when he went down to defeat to Machac.

The Scot made his Wimbledon debut in 2005, reaching the third round, where he took a two-set lead before losing in five to 2002 runner-up David Nalbandian.

Fellow three-time Grand Slam title winner Stan Wawrinka hailed Murray as “an amazing champion”.

“He pushed everybody. He won everything in the sport that you can win. He’s been No. 1. He’s been an example for many players,” said the 39-year-old Swiss, who has faced the Briton 23 times since their first clash in 2005.

“He’s a great guy. We’re good friends. We spent so many times together. On the court, in practice court, we practise tons of times together. We always had a good relationship.”

Murray fans had been desperate to see their hero make his Wimbledon farewell.

“He feels like one of our own,” said 40-year-old Lorna Kennedy, who had travelled down to London from Dundee in Scotland.

“He’s done so well and he’s just been so good for the sport.”

Murray was replaced in the draw on Monday by Belgium’s David Goffin, a lucky loser from qualifying.

SPORTS

Brazil Creates King Pele Day In Honour Of Football Icon

Considered by many the greatest footballer of all time, Edson Arantes do Nascimento -- better known as Pele -- won three World Cups with Brazil and scored more than 1,000 goals over his storied career.

By Tom Jones Usen

Brazil football legend Pele will be honoured in his home country with a commemorative day baptised “King Pele Day”, reported Tuesday’s edition of the government gazette.

Considered by many the greatest footballer of all time, Edson Arantes do Nascimento — better known as Pele — won three World Cups with Brazil and scored more than 1,000 goals over his storied career.

“King Pele Day” will be held on November 19 — the date on which the striker scored his 1,000th goal in a match for boyhood club Santos at Rio de Janeiro’s iconic Maracana Stadium in 1969.

Pele’s goal came from the penalty spot in a 2-1 win against Vasco da Gama, and the match was momentarily interrupted as supporters invaded the pitch to celebrate O Rei’s (The King’s) achievement.

The Tres Coracoes native dedicated his landmark goal to the “poor children of Brazil”.

The following year, he won the last of his three World Cups as part of the legendary 1970 Brazil team.

Pele died on December 29, 2022, aged 82. His passing was marked by a period of national mourning and tributes to the sporting icon from across the globe.

The law creating the commemorative date was promulgated by President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

POLITICS

We’ll Unseat You In 2027, Wike Tells Senator Kingibe

Kingibe, a Labour Party (LP) member, had defeated Philip Aduda, an ally to Wike in the 2023 election, to become the senator representing the FCT. 

By Emmanuel Egobiambu

The Minister of the FCT Nyesom Wike has vowed to ensure that the senator representing the area Ireti Kingibe does not return to the upper lawmaking house in the next election.

Wike spoke on Monday at the flag-off ceremony of the construction of the Mabushi bus terminal in Abuja.

“If we have done well, we have done well. If we haven’t done well, we haven’t done well. I am proud to say that in the short time that President Tinubu has appointed us, we have done well,” the FCT minister said.

“You said there are no schools and hospitals. You, as a legislator, what have you done? How many bills have you sponsored for us to improve our education and health sectors?

“I challenge that legislator. If you are very popular, in 2027, come and run under Abuja; we will fail you.

“You think that what happened last time will happen again? It will not happen again. If you are popular, come and run. Luckily for me, I am the FCT minister now. So, here is my territory, and I am not afraid.

“People should be able to accept the truth. We are not begging for anybody to be our friend. We have so many friends that we cannot even carry them along. So, how can we go and beg people to be our friends? We are not interested in that.”

Senator Kingibe is yet to comment on the matter as of now.

Wike, Kingibe Face-Off

Kingibe, a Labour Party (LP) member, had defeated Philip Aduda, an ally to Wike in the 2023 election, to become the senator representing the FCT.

Since then, Wike and Kingibe have been at loggerheads with the senator accusing the FCT minister of sidelining her despite representing the capital territory.

Wike had claimed that Kingibe’s attacks on him were because she was not appointed as the chairperson of the Senate Committee on the FCT.

Amid the insecurity affecting the capital territory, Senator Kingibe accused Wike of not taking her call. She later accused him of not having the interest of FCT residents at heart.

SPORTS

 Spain Come From Behind To Thrash Georgia, Reach Euro 2024 Quarter-Finals

Spain now take on Germany in the last eight in Stuttgart on Friday in a repeat of the Euro 2008 final.

By Emmanuel Egobiambu 

Rodri, Fabian Ruiz, Nico Williams and Dani Olmo all scored as Spain came from behind to beat surprise packages Georgia 4-1 at Euro 2024 on Sunday and set up a blockbuster quarter-final against hosts Germany.

Robin Le Normand’s own goal gave Georgia a shock lead in the 18th minute of this last-16 tie to send their noisy supporters wild in Cologne.

It was the first goal Spain had conceded at the competition but they came back to equalise six minutes before the interval courtesy of Manchester City midfielder Rodri.

Ruiz then headed home in the 51st minute and Williams ran through for the third before substitute Olmo made sure of the win as La Roja stay on track to become European champions for the fourth time.

“I am sure in some days we will realise exactly what we have done and the happiness will come back very quickly.”

They have a lively attacking partnership between Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Georges Mikautadze that is a danger for any opponent, and Giorgi Mamardashvili has been one of the best goalkeepers at the tournamdent.

ENTERTAINMENT

 ‘Olu Jacobs Is Alive,’ Son Dispels Death Rumours 

The 81-year-old iconic thespian has been battling with Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) for a couple of years.

By Kayode Oyero

Nollywood veteran Olu Jacobs is alive, his family said Sunday amid raging social media death rumours and speculations.

The first son of the acting legend, Soji, told Channels Television that his octogenarian father is not dead as trumpeted online.

Soji shared a video with one of our correspondents wherein the iconic thespian was seen calmly seated while he had his greyed beards shaved.

During the activity, the older and frail-looking Jacobs was heard having a terse dialogue with his barber and those around him.

The “death” of Jacobs, 81, has been rumoured a number of times since November 2021 when his actress wife, Joke Silva, opened up on the health struggles of her husband. But the family has debunked such incident at several times, posting videos and photos of their patriarch to discredit rumour-mongers.

Back in 2021, Silva, the 62-year-old respected actress and longtime wife of Jacobs, revealed that her husband has been battling with Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) for a couple of years, hence, his absence from movie screens.

“He is dealing with issues and it has been going on for a couple of years. It is known as dementia with Lewy Body. It is a degenerative disease that affects the brain and it is almost like a Parkinson’s type of disease, it affects the brain so you don’t see the shaking. It affects the person,” she had said in a Channels Television interview.

“It’s been hard on him because he doesn’t understand what is going on and also on family members as well. We have gone through it over the past couple of years and we thank God.

“We have gone through some times and situations recently that I wish I had the old you here so I don’t battle these times on my own but we are grateful for the moment of clarity. I miss the times we worked together,” she added.

The veteran actor, who won a lifetime achievement award at the Africa International Film Festival Awards in Lagos the same year, would later share a pale-looking picture of himself on his Instagram handle, attracting a cocktail of sympathy, best wishes and prayers from friends and fans.

The legendary actor has also been seen at selected social functions, aided by his loving and dogged wife, while fans continue to hope for his recovery.

POLITICS

Appointments: Don’t Repeat Buhari’s Nepotism, Shehu Sani Urges Tinubu

He said despite that most service chiefs in the last decade have been from the north, terrorism and banditry remain ubiquitous in the region.

By Kayode Oyero

A federal lawmaker, who represented Kaduna Central Senatorial District in the Eighth National Assembly, Shehu Sani, has urged President Bola Tinubu to prioritise competence in his appointments.

Sani, who was a guest on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, cautioned the President not to make the mistake of his immediate predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari.

The former lawmaker said during Buhari’s eight-year administration between May 2015 and May 2023, nepotism was at its peak yet results were not produced in all areas of governance, majorly security, economy, education and healthcare.

Sani said, “I will advise President Tinubu to be careful not to make the mistakes of President Buhari, and I believe he is experienced to understand this.

“Under Presdient Buhari, you have ministers that were appointed into office for the whole of eight years; they were with him for the first tenure and the second tenure, and there was no cabinet reshuffle, no removal. Even if there was a removal, it takes three to four months to replace a minister. That was the way the country was governed.

“Under Buhari, we have seen nepotism at its peak where people were appointed into office and left there even if they did nothing.

“Service chiefs were retained in office despite their failures, and by retaining them, you destroyed the careers of those behind them. For many years, many officers were retired to appoint one person.”

He said if Tinubu is interested in results, competence should be his watchword.

“If this country has to move forward, we must treat the issue of competency as the qualification for appointment,” he said.

Some appointments of Tinubu, ex-Lagos governor, have been criticised as lopsided in the last couple of months. Tinubu, who took over from Buhari, a prominent northern figure and former military head of state, on May 29, 2023, appointed 48 ministers last August. One of the ministers resigned and joined the Senate last December while another was suspended in January.

‘Banditry Worsening Despite Northerners As Service Chiefs’

Sani further said the situation in northern Nigeria is a reflection of the failure of political leaders, especially those from the region who failed to use political power to reduce the level of underdevelopment in the 19 states of the region.

“What has all these powers been used for? It has not been used for the benefit of our people for a very long time,” the ex-lawmaker stated.

He condemned the recent suicide bombings in Borno State, in the North-East geopolitical zone of the country, saying it was a continuation of the handiwork of Boko Haram insurgents and “a message that we should be vigilant and not complacent”.

He said despite that most service chiefs in the last decade have been from the north, terrorism, banditry, illegal mining and kidnapping-for-ransom remain ubiquitous in the region.

“The expectation by many people was that when there is an opportunity to have someone take over the reins of leadership that comes from our own part of the country and understands our problem, that the problem would be solved.

“At a certain time in the history of this country, all the security apparatus, from the Army, the Navy, the police, the Air Force, the Civil Defence, even paramilitary institutions like Customs, Immigration, the Prison Service, even the DSS (Department of State Services) were all manned by northerners but what has come out of that? The situation is that it has become worse,” he said.

Sani said northern politicians desperate for power should do some soul-searching and have precise developmental agenda to pursue when they assume office.

“The north, our people needs to do soul-searching. If you want power, you should have an agenda, you should have policies; you should know problems and solutions to problems,” he said.

POLITICS

 I Have No Regrets As Governor, Says Obaseki

Obaseki said there is no area or sector he pledged and talked about that hasn't been impacted.

By Ike Frankmoore

Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has disclosed that he has no regrets as the state’s helmsman in the last seven years, noting that his government has delivered and surpassed all electioneering promises made to the people of the state.

Obaseki, who spoke during an interview with journalists in Benin City, said there is no area or sector he pledged and talked about that hasn’t been impacted.

The governor, who said his government has laid a foundation for the state’s progress and development, noted that he would be remembered as the governor who changed the course of education in the state and led a number of reforms and programmes that have placed the State on the path of prosperity.

He said, “As Edo State Governor in these last few years, I don’t have any regrets. In fact, when I look at my manifesto, I’ve surpassed everything I said I will do.

“I have exceeded everything I said I will do and there was not one area I mentioned, that I talked about that I didn’t have a kind of impact on.”

Obaseki further said, “I’m a realistic person. One administration or one governor cannot do it all. What I have done is to lay a foundation and by the grace of God, we have a successor who will continue to build on that, in the direction that I started with and someone who shares the same values of service to the people.

“Democracy is not a destination in itself; it is a process. It will always be better; things will always be better than when you met them.”

ENTERTAINMENT

US Rapper Kanye West Visits Moscow

Kanye West has stirred controversy with his political statements in the United States and was recently accused of praising Adolf Hitler.

By Ignatius Igwe

US rapper Kanye West was in Moscow, Russian media reported on Sunday quoting a well-known Russian producer.

Western artists have mostly not performed in Russia during its Ukraine offensive, which led to massive US and European sanctions on Moscow, as well as travel restrictions to the country.

Kanye West, who has stirred controversy with his political statements in the United States and was recently accused of praising Adolf Hitler, has expressed admiration for President Vladimir Putin in the past.

“Kanye West is already in Moscow! This is great news, he is staying in the heart of the capital,” the state TASS news agency quoted producer Yana Rudkovskaya as saying on social media.

Her announcement followed rumours last month that West will perform a concert in Moscow.

But Luzhniki Stadium, where he was rumoured to perform, told state media it does not have information on possible concerts by the famous rapper.

AFP

ENTERTAINMENT

France Cinema Boss Given Three Year Prison Sentence In Sexual Assault Case

Boutonnat announced he was stepping down as head of the National Centre of Cinema (CNC), whose role includes overseeing measures to curb sexual violence in the industry.

By Soonest Nathaniel

The head of France’s top cinema institution, Dominique Boutonnat, was on Friday given a three-year prison sentence, including two years suspended, after being convicted of sexually assaulting his godson in 2020.

In a statement released immediately after the ruling, Boutonnat announced he was stepping down as head of the National Centre of Cinema (CNC), whose role includes overseeing measures to curb sexual violence in the industry.

He will be able to serve his one-year jail term at home wearing an electronic bracelet, said the Nanterre criminal court outside Paris. Boutonnat, 54, was also banned from having any contact with the victim for three years.

In its verdict, the court ruled that the “plaintiff’s version was more credible” than that of Boutonnat who, according to the court, always exercised “a real influence” over his godson.

In the statement released by the CNC, Boutonnat “reaffirmed his innocence” and said he would appeal.

Boutonnat’s godson has accused him of trying to masturbate him during a holiday in Greece in 2020 when he was 19.

In court, the young man has described Boutonnat as “more than a godfather.”

“It’s someone using me to masturbate,” he said.

Boutonnat denies any sexual assault has taken place. He has said in court that it was his godson who had initiated the situation and kissed him on the mouth.

“I feel bad about leaving an ambiguous situation, but to say there was a sexual assault is false,” he has told the court.

He was placed under investigation in February 2021 but still reappointed by the government as head of the CNC in July 2022.

“This case is a perfect demonstration of what sexual assault is,” said Caroline Toby, the victim’s lawyer, adding that “the abuse of authority” had been recognised in court.

On June 14, the public prosecutor had requested a three-year suspended prison sentence for Boutonnat.

The trial came as French cinema reels from a renewed #MeToo reckoning that has seen several big names, including acting legend Gerard Depardieu, accused of sexual abuse.

Activists had denounced Boutonnat’s leadership of the National Centre of Cinema (CNC).

SPORTS

Verstappen Resists Norris Attack To Win Austrian GP Sprint Race

George Russell finished fourth for Mercedes ahead of Ferrari's Carlos Sainz and seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton in the second Mercedes. Charles Leclerc in the second Ferrari was seventh.

By Nebianet Usaini

Max Verstappen resisted a spirited attack from Lando Norris on Saturday to claim victory for Red Bull in a feisty sprint race at the Austrian Grand Prix.

The series leader and three-time world champion delivered a home win at the Red Bull Ring with a fighting response after being passed by McLaren’s Norris in the opening laps.

His win was his third sprint triumph this year, his fifth in succession and his 10th in 15 contests as he came home 4.616 seconds ahead of McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and 5.348 clear of Norris, who was unable to maintain his early speed.

Red Bull Racing’s Dutch driver Max Verstappen drives during the sprint qualifying session on the Red Bull Ring race track in Spielberg, Austria, on June 28, 2024, ahead of the Formula One Austrian Grand Prix. (Photo by Joe Klamar / AFP)

“I had a good first lap,” said Verstappen. “But once the DRS opened it took a few laps for me to get away and then I drove my own race. I had to work for it in that race and we have a few things to think about for tomorrow.”

George Russell finished fourth for Mercedes ahead of Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz and seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton in the second Mercedes. Charles Leclerc in the second Ferrari was seventh.

Sergio Perez came home eighth in the second Red Bull ahead of Haas’s Kevin Magnussen and Lance Stroll of Aston Martin

Winner Red Bull Racing’s Dutch driver Max Verstappen reacts after the sprint session on the Red Bull Ring race track in Spielberg, Austria, on June 29, 2024, ahead of the Formula One Austrian Grand Prix. (Photo by ERWIN SCHERIAU / APA / AFP) / Austria OUT / AUSTRIA OUT

Verstappen was given a rousing reception by the massed ranks of his ‘orange army’ in the grandstands, notably roaring with delight when he responded to snatch back his lead from Norris.

NEWS

CBN Issues Fresh Guidelines For Foreign Currency Deposit

CBN directed that each bank would be allowed a maximum deposit of $10 million threshold for USD 100 notes and USD 50 notes daily.

By Ignatius Igwe

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has issued fresh guidelines to Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) on the deposit of foreign currency notes with the apex bank.

This directive was contained in a circular issued by the Director of Currency Operators, Mohammed Solaja and posted on the bank’s website on Friday.

CBN disclosed that each bank would be allowed a maximum deposit of $10 million threshold for USD 100 notes and USD  50 notes daily, saying such foreign currency deposits can only be made at the CBN branches in Abuja and Lagos.

NEWS

 We Are Not Preparing For Olympics,’ Shettima Dismisses Speculations About Tinubu’s Health

He said, "The hallmark of true leadership is not the ability to lift a bag of cement".

By Emmanuel Egobiambu

Vice President Kashim Shettima has dismissed insinuations about President Bola Tinubu’s health, saying his principal is a man full of ideas. 

President Tinubu had during the Democracy Day celebration last month missed his steps, an incident that elicited conversations about the former Lagos State governor’s health status to lead the country.

But at a town hall meeting by the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) held at the Banquet Hall of the State House in Abuja on Friday, Shettima faulted comments about Tinubu’s health status.

“We are not asking you not to question the eligibility of your president’s condition. But there is this mischievous vexation about the president’s health status,” Shettima said at the event, calling on Nigerians to support Tinubu’s administration.

“We are not preparing for the Olympics, but an institution that builds on the superiority of ideas. But I dare to put it to you. The hallmark of true leadership is not the ability to lift a bag of cement, but the capacity to come up with robust ideas to solve a nation’s problems. So, this is a man that we need to all rally around, we need to support.”

NEWS

 

Minimum Wage: You Can’t Dictate What To Pay, NLC Replies Govs

The Southern Governors' Forum argued that states should negotiate the minimum wage with workers.  

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has faulted the comments credited to governors that states should determine their minimum wage in their domains.

 “This notion is not only dictatorial but also undermines the very essence as well as the model adopted for creating a national minimum wage in Nigeria,” the NLC said in a Friday statement by its Head of Information and Public Affairs Benson Upah.

Labour unions, the government, and the private sector have been locked in negotiations over a new minimum wage for months.

The tripartite committee on the new minimum wage had proposed N62,000 as a new minimum wage while organised labour insists on N265,000.

President Bola Tinubu later received the report of the committee, promising to pay what the country can afford. He is still consulting with stakeholders after which a bill to enact a new minimum wage will be sent to the National Assembly.

NEWS

Nigeria Army elevates first female officer trained in UK Military Academy to Lieutenant

By: Kingsley Omonobi

The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, has ordered the promotion of Second Lieutenant Oluchukwu Owowoh to the substantive rank of Lieutenant in the Nigerian Army.

The Nigerian Defence Academy disclosed this in a statement on X.com on Wednesday.

The statement by the NDA reads, “Speaking during the decoration ceremony that took place today, June 26, 2024, at the Nigerian Defence Academy Officer’s Mess and Golf Club, the NDA Commandant, Major General JO Ochai, extolled the track record of excellence of Lt. Owowoh as a Cadet, which accorded her the rare privilege of becoming the first female Nigerian to be trained at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst as well as her promotion to the new rank.

“The event was attended by senior military officers, academic and non-academic staff, and family members, among others.

24-year-old Lieutenant Owowoh made history when she became the first Nigerian female officer to graduate from the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, in the United Kingdom.

24-year-old Oluchukwu achieved the feat as she was among the 135 officer cadets that graduated during RMAS’ Sovereign’s Parade in London on Friday, April 12, 2024.

The parade signalled the completion of 44 weeks of intensive training for the Officer Cadets of Commissioning Course 232.

A statement by Atinuke Akande-Alegbe, a Senior Communications and Public Diplomacy Officer at the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office in Abuja, made the disclosure on Thursday.

It had said, “Princess’ graduation as the first female and 190th Nigerian graduate marks a significant milestone in UK’s long-standing commitment to supporting Nigeria’s Professional Military Education

This commitment to close UK-Nigerian cooperation was affirmed during the recent UK-Nigeria Security and Defence Partnership talks held in February 2024.”

Nigerians who have graced the UK military academy include but are not limited to former Head of State Yakubu Gowon and the Chief of Defence Intelligence, Major General Emmanuel Undiandeye.

Oluchukwu started her journey in 2018 when she joined the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) in Kaduna State, Nigeria.

She rose through the ranks, bagging the appointment of Cadet Lance Corporal during her second year.

She was appointed Cadet Sergeant in her fourth year, and in her fifth year, she was appointed to the role of Company Senior Under Officer Charlie (CSUO C).

Oluchukwu held the appointment alongside two of her female contemporaries and made history as the first female to assume the position of CSUO in the academy.

In her fourth year, she completed the Academics Wing of the commissioning course and bagged first-class honours in biological sciences.

Commenting on her achievement, Oluchukwu said, “It is a profound honour to be the first Nigerian female officer to commission from the esteemed Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.

“This achievement is not mine alone, but a testament to the unwavering support of my family, mentors, instructors, and countless individuals who believed in me every step of the way.

As I look ahead to the future, I am committed to representing Nigeria with pride and to making a positive difference in the world.”

Sports

Ukraine out of Euro 2024 after 0-0 draw with Belgium

Belgium qualified for the last 16 of Euro 2024 on Wednesday after a 0-0 draw with Ukraine, who exited the tournament despite all four teams in Group E finishing level on four points.

Romania took top spot ahead of Belgium after scoring more goals in the group following their 1-1 draw with Slovakia, who also go through as one of the four best third-placed sides.

Belgium supporters reacted furiously at the final whistle in Stuttgart, with captain Kevin De Bruyne appearing to tell his team-mates not to go over to acknowledge them as the whistles and jeers grew louder.

They will play France in the next round and have landed themselves on the tougher side of the draw which also features hosts Germany, Spain and Portugal.

Ukraine’s brave run came to an agonising end as they became the first team since the tournament increased to 24 teams not to progress with four points.

It had been the first time ever at the European Championship all four teams in the same group had gone into the final round of games locked on the same number of points.

Leandro Trossard replaced the suspended Dodi Lukebakio for Belgium, wearing their kit which pays to the comic book hero Tintin, with pale blue shirts, brown shirts and white socks.

Ukraine were without wingers Mykhailo Mudryk and Viktor Tsygankov because of injury, switching to three at the back with Oleksandr Zinchenko dropping out and Roman Yaremchuk starting after scoring the winner as a substitute against Slovakia.

– Ukraine fans honour fallen comrades –

Ukrainian fans unveiled a banner displaying the portrait of a 21-year-old soldier who died in battle last month, an image generated by artificial intelligence using the photos of 182 football fans also killed in combat.

“Peace has a price. Thousands of football fans have been killed in the war since February 2022,” read an accompanying message, referring to the Russian invasion of Ukraine that started two years ago.

Romelu Lukaku, who had three goals ruled out in his team’s first two games of the tournament, scuffed straight at Anatoliy Trubin when well placed after a slick through ball from De Bruyne.

Yaremchuk tested Koen Casteels and he might have given his team the lead if Artem Dovbyk had found him in the area after getting the better of Arthur Theate.

Twice De Bruyne was unhappy with a laser being pointed at his face as he took free-kicks, nearly catching Trubin out at the near post on one occasion.

He had another curling attempt held shortly after Yaremchuk fizzed a pass across the Belgium area while trying to pick out Dovbyk.

Lukaku saw a weak shot smothered by Trubin, who then beat away a much firmer strike from Yannick Carrasco as Belgium chased the goal that would have clinched first place in the group.

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June 26, 2024

Ukraine out of Euro 2024 after 0-0 draw with Belgium

Ukraine out of Euro 2024 after 0-0 draw with Belgium

Belgium’s midfielder #24 Amadou Onana heads the ball past Ukraine’s forward #11 Artem Dovbyk as Belgium’s defender #04 Wout Faes watches during the UEFA Euro 2024 Group E football match between Ukraine and Belgium at the Stuttgart Arena in Stuttgart on June 26, 2024. (Photo by THOMAS KIENZLE / AFP)

Belgium qualified for the last 16 of Euro 2024 on Wednesday after a 0-0 draw with Ukraine, who exited the tournament despite all four teams in Group E finishing level on four points.

Romania took top spot ahead of Belgium after scoring more goals in the group following their 1-1 draw with Slovakia, who also go through as one of the four best third-placed sides.

Belgium supporters reacted furiously at the final whistle in Stuttgart, with captain Kevin De Bruyne appearing to tell his team-mates not to go over to acknowledge them as the whistles and jeers grew louder.

I want people to remember the Emirate as a symbol of dignity and peace —Film maker, Zainab Bayero0:00 / 0:00

They will play France in the next round and have landed themselves on the tougher side of the draw which also features hosts Germany, Spain and Portugal.

Ukraine’s brave run came to an agonising end as they became the first team since the tournament increased to 24 teams not to progress with four points.

It had been the first time ever at the European Championship all four teams in the same group had gone into the final round of games locked on the same number of points.

Leandro Trossard replaced the suspended Dodi Lukebakio for Belgium, wearing their kit which pays to the comic book hero Tintin, with pale blue shirts, brown shirts and white socks.

Ukraine were without wingers Mykhailo Mudryk and Viktor Tsygankov because of injury, switching to three at the back with Oleksandr Zinchenko dropping out and Roman Yaremchuk starting after scoring the winner as a substitute against Slovakia.

– Ukraine fans honour fallen comrades –

Ukrainian fans unveiled a banner displaying the portrait of a 21-year-old soldier who died in battle last month, an image generated by artificial intelligence using the photos of 182 football fans also killed in combat.

“Peace has a price. Thousands of football fans have been killed in the war since February 2022,” read an accompanying message, referring to the Russian invasion of Ukraine that started two years ago.

Romelu Lukaku, who had three goals ruled out in his team’s first two games of the tournament, scuffed straight at Anatoliy Trubin when well placed after a slick through ball from De Bruyne.

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What to Do When Your Teen Chooses Bad Friends

 What to Do When Your Teen Chooses Bad Friends

with his friends Saturday night doing what you would rather not know about. It is 11:30 and you get a call on the phone. Your child is having a great time and everyone is still here, can he stay out until 2 am? You remind your child that he has a 12:00 curfew and he has to be home. Your child says a few choice things to you to and slams down the phone.

Now to whom does a teen complain when he is angry with his parents? His friends. So after he hangs up he goes to his friend and starts calling you every name in his somewhat extensive vocabulary. Let's say that this friend is someone you took out to dinner three weeks ago.

That person might just say to your child, "What's wrong with you? Your mother is okay. Look, you know she's right. Why are you giving her such an attitude?" This teen that you just took out to dinner may send your child home before any of the real trouble starts, all because you bought him dinner and treated him like a person.

Now what would happen if you had trashed this person? Do you think he'd be so quick to take your side? That's the advantage of making your child's friends allies instead of enemies.

Conclusion

Your teen is going to pick his friends. At this age, there is very little you can do to influence his choices. However, if you approach the problem with wisdom, there are a number of ways you can indirectly influence your child and help him to stay out of trouble.

About the author: Anthony Kane, MD is a physician, an international lecturer, and director of special education. He is the author of a book, numerous articles, and a number of online courses dealing with ADHD, ODD, parenting issues, and education.

How Do I as a parent protect my child from bad influence

 

As your child ages, they start making their own decisions, selecting their friends, and building networks. But as parents, you might ask yourself, “How do I protect my child from bad influence?” A friend’s bad influence may adversely affect your child—they may become more rebellious, disrespectful, or even experiment with drugs. If you’re worried about your troubled teen, reach out to Venture Academy for drug and alcohol treatment and various personalized programs to tackle behavioural issues.

It is normal for parents to wish for their children to have positive friendships where they can give and receive support and evolve into kinder humans. But today’s world is dangerous for children, and not everyone has your teenager’s best interests at heart. To know more about protecting your child from friends who have a bad influence, reach out to us at 866.762.2211.

How Do I Protect My Child from Bad Influence

A friend’s bad influence might impact your child in multiple negative ways, such as the following:

• Skipping classes or bunking school
• Engaging in unlawful behaviour such as stealing or shoplifting
• Lying to parents or teachers, frequently accompanied by poor academic performance
• Loss of interest in daily activities and hobbies
• Drinking alcohol, smoking, or doing drugs
• Being rude or violent toward adults

As a result, you might wonder, “How do I protect my child from bad influence?”

Well, the answer is quite simple. You must make your teenager realize that their friend is a bad influence and that they’ll be happier in a more wholesome company. Here are some tips to get you started on protecting your child from their friends who have a bad influence:

Proactively Talk to Them About the Issue

If you try to supervise your teen or keep tabs on who they’re meeting, they might resent you for being overbearing. So, instead, carefully broach the topic and talk to them rationally about the situation, treating them as adults. Teenagers often get so caught up with everything that they fail to recognize the signs of a toxic friendship. Instead of criticising, lecturing, or punishing them, point out the harmful effects of such a friendship and listen to what they have to say.

Guide Them to Make the Right Choice Without Forcing Them

As an adult, you can set limits and boundaries for your child, but if you outright forbid them from hanging out with certain people, it might rub them the wrong way. Instead, if you focus on making them realize why someone is a bad influence, your child can independently decide to cut them off.

Introduce Them to Hobbies and Activities Where They Can Make Better Friends

Another tactic to protect your child from bad influences is introducing them to positive influences. You could encourage them to join a book club or a board gaming group where they can meet like-minded peers and build healthy friendships.

Biblical Family Values

 The God Who Speaks

Our Top Ten Family Values

The Bible doesn’t shy away from the rich and complex reality of family life, both the brokenness and the high calling of family (being part of God’s dream, joining him in building a world “where no one will feel alone.” (Amoris Laetitia 320)).

So we’ve uncovered the following ten values which seem to come up again and again among our Bible families. In each example, love is central to the story.

Adoption – The Holy Family (Matthew 1:18-25)

We start with our ultimate model of family. The family God provided for his own Son. A young woman of great faith and a just man who took on the role of adoptive father. Joseph’s adoption of Jesus plays a key role in the Holy Family.What we know of Joseph’s life reveals the love and service towards others that comes with adoption. Joseph is protector of Mary and Jesus, and listens to God’s direction through his dreams to guide his family to safety (Matthew 2:13-15). From Joseph, Jesus would have learnt the importance of work and skills, and the stability that comes from a love between parents. It is also significant that through adoption into Joseph’s family, Jesus is born into the family line of King David and God’s promise that it will produce a Messiah who will bring into being God’s kingdom of Justice and peace.Adoption is a wonderful life-giving gift, both for the adopted son or daughter and for the adopting parents. It is a beautiful parallel that just as Jesus, through adoption, shares Joseph’s family life so we through baptism, share the life of Jesus in the family of God.

Forgiveness – Joseph’s Family

 (Genesis 37, 39-45)

Looking back to the Old Testament, we encounter an earlier Joseph and the dramatic story of him and his family. We hear of how Jacob had twelve sons but loved the young Joseph more than all the others and how the brothers jealous of this love sold their brother into slavery. Joseph goes on to endure years of suffering, he is sold, wrongfully imprisoned, and apparently forgotten. However, his story turns around when he is the only person that can reveal the meaning behind Pharaoh’s dream (with his special gift from God) and he is suddenly elevated to power and responsibility working for Pharaoh. Meanwhile, Joseph’s brothers also seem to be suffering as a result of their actions, they endure terrible guilt as they witness the grief of their father day-after-day. The story has a happy ending though. Joseph is reunited with his brothers when they travel to Egypt during the famine to request grain. They do not recognise Joseph at first and so he is able to test them and discover that they are truly repentant for their past actions. Once he knows this, Joseph reveals himself and offers them his forgiveness and the family is reunited. This great story becomes the foundation story of the forming of the 12 tribes of Israel and the understanding that all families and states depend on mutual forgiveness and reconciliation.

Peace – Jacob and Esau 

(Genesis 25:19-34, 27 and 32-33)

Joseph’s father Jacob had his own experience of family drama. The intense rivalry between him and his twin brother Esau which almost ended in war. The Bible tells us that Jacob and Esau had been fighting since the womb. Rivalry among siblings can take many forms, it can be rivalry over academic excellence, sporting success or rivalry over a parent’s attention and praise. In this case, it was rivalry over their father’s blessing and inheritance. Jacob, though the younger brother, managed to deceive his blind father into giving him the blessing. Esau was furious and threatened to kill Jacob and so Jacob flees. Years later, Jacob is fearful when he hears that Esau is marching towards him with hundreds of men, he thinks that Esau is coming to fight him and so readies himself for a battle whilst also trying to appease his brother with gifts. Amazingly, Esau greets Jacob with a hug and not a fight. It is not clear why Esau greets Jacob peacefully. Perhaps because he has forgiven Jacob, or because he values reconciliation with his brother over winning the rivalry, or because he was pleased to receive the gifts from Jacob, or because God had moved his heart towards peace. God is the source of true peace (Leviticus 26:6; Psalm 29:11; John 14:27), he brings order and completeness out of chaos and offers us peace with him through Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1).

Mercy – The Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32)

Jesus’ parable of the prodigal son reveals to us the love that God the Father has for us all. A selfish younger son asks for the inheritance he will receive when his father dies while his father is still alive. And the father who loves him gives it to him, but he soon squanders it all in reckless living. For a while, pride keeps him from seeking help from his family and he ends up working and living in a pig-sty. However, when he does return, he is welcomed back as a new son. His father, who has been waiting for him to come home, immediately shows his long lost son mercy and forgiveness. The brother is called to share in this welcome but appears bitter. The parable ends on a cliff hanger so we don’t know if the elder brother will be as joyful as their father is in their family’s reunion. The question hangs over us as to whether we who live in the mercy of God every day, show mercy to those who have strayed and returned needing welcome and forgiveness?

Hospitality – The widow and her son meet Elijah (1 Kings 17:7-16)

The story of this single mother and child’s life-transforming interaction with the great prophet Elijah started with a simple act of hospitality. The widow could have been too consumed with fear and grief for herself and her son to respond to Elijah when he asked for water. However, she extends hospitality sharing the last of her food, and Elijah responds through miraculously multiplying her flour and oil so that she never runs out during the famine. What’s even more wonderful about this story is that God knows this woman’s hospitable heart, because he tells Elijah that she will provide for him. God sees and knows our acts of hospitality when we welcome others into our family home, no matter how much or how little we have to share, it is always honoured and blessed by God.

Prayer – Simeon and Anna (Luke 2:25-38)

Often, it is those who are older in age who become the prayer warriors of our families and churches. When younger people tend to want everything in the here and now, older people can provide a long-term perspective, they are our living memory. They can set the example of faithful service, patience and trust in God’s promises. Simeon and Anna are two such people who are honoured in the Bible. Simeon is described as righteous and devout and Anna as someone who did not depart from the temple, worshipping with fasting and prayer night and day. Both are present when Mary and Joseph bring Jesus to the Temple as a new-born, and both recognise that in Jesus all of their prayers have been answered. How amazing it must have been for them, who had believed they would see this day, that their countless prayers and hopes had been answered and they could now die in peace. They remind us just how significant the prayers of our grandparents and all who are older in years are, and that we should always cherish them. This year Pope Francis has instituted a World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly and it will be held on the fourth Sunday of July in churches across the globe.

Belonging – The Church family 

(Ephesians 2:19-22)

There’s a deep desire in every one of us to belong. Unfortunately, that desire for belonging can sometimes be misplaced, either in persons or ways of looking at the world, but in Christ we are given the opportunity to belong not only to him but to one another through our adoption into God’s family. To belong to God’s family, at its core, is to follow Jesus’s two commandments to love God and one another (Mark 12:30-31), just as Jesus said ‘For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.” (Matthew 12:50)For some of us who don’t have families or have difficult relationships with family members, being part of God’s family means gaining a loving father (God), mother (Mary) and older brother (Jesus) and quite a few less than perfect church siblings!

Celebration – The Wedding at Cana

 (John 2:1-11)

The wedding at Cana like a modern wedding drew together family and friends from far and wide. Celebrations and holidays are an opportunity to reconnect with family members and to thank God for his grace and generosity. It wouldn’t have been expected by the Jewish leaders at the time that the promised messiah’s first public miracle would involve turning water into wine at a wedding feast, but thankfully, Jesus’ concern for the wedding couple (and an arm twist from mum) reveals that God loves a joyful celebration. We are all invited to the heavenly banquet with all saints and sinners, called by God. Something of that joy should be in every Mass when we celebrate with Jesus the free meal of the family of God.

Hope – Mary, Martha, Lazarus and Jesus (John 11:1-44)

Grief and despair is something we all have to face at some point. Some of Jesus’ closest friends were the siblings Mary, Martha and Lazarus, and they experience a family tragedy when Lazarus dies. When Lazarus dies Jesus too experiences grief for a lost friend. It’s here that we read the shortest and possibly one of the most powerful verses in Scripture – ‘Jesus wept’. Mary and Martha both show their deep faith and hope in Jesus when they meet with him. Jesus seems to use the situation to show that not only can he prevent death, but he is ‘the resurrection and the life’ for all who believe when he raises Lazarus from the dead. In this incidence, we get a snapshot of the future hope that awaits us, when death will no longer separate us from our loved ones.

Loyalty – Ruth & Naomi (Book of Ruth)

This story seems very far removed from our modern day context, however, at its heart is a great example of loyalty between family members.Ruth could have left her mother-in-law after the death of her husband, Naomi’s son; indeed Naomi suggests this and her other daughter-in-law chooses this option. However, Ruth chooses to stay by the side of her mother-in-law. If Ruth had chosen to leave, she could have remarried and started again. Yet, Naomi would have been left completely alone, as both her sons had died, and she had no other immediate family around her. At the time, the custom allowed for Ruth to marry a distant relative of Naomi’s and through him, she could provide an heir for her deceased first husband. This is the part that seems very strange to us nowadays, but is ultimately what happens for Ruth, and through this Naomi receives a grandchild and heir for her line. It also ends happily for Ruth as she finds a great husband in Boaz. God honours the generous loyalty of Ruth because she is now protected, and included in the genealogy line of King David, and later Jesus.