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Serena Williams broke down in tears as she was forced to retire in the opening set of her first-round clash at Wimbledon.  The 23-time Grand Slam winner, who is still pursuing Margaret Court’s all-time record, started Tuesday evening’s match against world number 100 Aliaksandra Sasnovich well though but had to retire from the game due to injury to her right thigh.     The 39-year-old American, who wore strapping on her right thigh from the start of the match, broke Sasnovich in the Bulgarian’s second service game but appeared to roll her ankle in the process of returning a shot.     The sight of Williams in pain and in tears was hard to watch as she left the court having worked so hard to get back to action.  ‘I’m so sad for Serena, she’s a great champion,’ said Sasnovich on court after her unexpected progression to the second round. ‘I just wish the best for her and the best recovery.’  

The World Health Organization (WHO) declared China malaria-free after a 70 years effort to eradicate the disease. The WHO announced on Wednesday that China, which used to report 30 million annual cases of malaria in the 1940s, was free of the mosquito-borne infectious disease. The country has not reported a new case since 2017. "We congratulate the people of China on ridding the country of malaria. Their success was hard-earned and came only after decades of targeted and sustained action. With this announcement, China joins the growing number of countries that are showing the world that a malaria-free future is a viable goal," said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Wednesday, June 30.  To be declared free of mosquito-borne disease, countries can apply for WHO certification after three years of no indigenous cases. But they must present rigorous evidence and demonstrate the capacity to prevent transmission re-emerging.     China ...

Super Eagles goalkeeper,  Maduka Okoye has been named Sparta Rotterdam’s Player of the Season. The 21-year-old made 28 league appearances for Sparta Rotterdam and kept 10 clean sheets. He was presented with the award by sporting director Henk van Stee on Wednesday morning, June 30. “Supporters of Sparta Rotterdam were given the opportunity to vote for their Player of the Season, an election that was won by Maduka Okoye. The goalkeeper, who played 28 league games and managed to keep his goal clean ten times, received the prize this morning from Henk van Stee,” reads a statement on the club website. The Nigerian international joined Sparta Rotterdam last summer from Bundesliga club Fortuna Dusseldorf. He is currently being linked with a move to Dutch giants Ajax Amsterdam.

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, has said the institution will not deny, Chidinma Adaora Ojukwu, the prime suspect in the murder of Super TV boss, Usifo Ataga. Speaking at a press conference today June 30, on the plans lined up for the 51st Convocation Ceremony of the institution, Ogundipe said irrespective of the travails Chidinma is going through, there are records to show that she is a recognized student of the institution.   “From our records which are available to us, Chidinma Adaora Ojukwu is a student of the University of Lagos who was born on December 12, 1999. From our records, she is from Abia State. From our records, her contact address is 57, Akinwumi Street, Alagomeji, Yaba, Lagos. From our records, her telephone number is 09024***827.”he said   Chidinma is a 300 level Mass Communication student of University of Lagos..

  Bill Cosby is set to be a free man today after nearly three years in prison following a decision by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court vacating his 2018 conviction on three charges of aggravated indecent assault. The American comedian and actor have long maintained his innocence in the case, which stems from an accusation that he drugged and had sex with a Temple University employee in 2004. He was charged in late 2015 when a prosecutor armed with newly unsealed evidence Cosby’s damaging deposition from her lawsuit arrested him days before the 12-year statute of limitations expired. The trial judge had allowed just one other accuser to testify at Cosby’s first trial, when the jury deadlocked. However, he then allowed five other accusers to testify at the retrial about their experiences with Cosby in the 1980s. On Wednesday June 30, Pennsylvania’s highest court overturned Bill Cosby’s sex assault conviction after finding an agreement with a previous prosecutor pr...

Flamboyant Kenyan preacher, Reverend Lucy Natasha, has debunked allegations that she allegedly arranged a threesome session for a Nigerian Evangelist with her aide and a female member of her church in 2015. This comes after the now former church member who goes by the Facebook, Martha Mwihaki Hinga, on Tuesday, June 29, claimed that Rev. Natasha invited her for dinner together with the Nigerian Evangelist.  According to Mwihaki, Rev. Natasha and her mother and the brother left leaving her with her aide and the Nigerian guest preacher. "Within 20 minutes I realized that Lucy had left together with her brother and mom, and I in the company of the pastor and the aide were left, little did I know that the girl was part of the script for a Threesome. Hahaha, yes I said a threesome," the woman claimed.  She further claimed that the Nigerian preacher asked them to pray together but instead both allegedly sandwiched her.  The allegations soon we...

  Binance, the world's biggest crypto-currency exchange, has been banned by the UK. The UK's financial regulator, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has ruled that the firm cannot conduct any "regulated activity" in the UK. It also issued a consumer warning about Binance, advising people to be wary of adverts promising high returns on cryptoasset investments.   The regulator also stressed that no entity in the Binance Group holds any form of authorisation, registration or licence to conduct regulated activity in the UK.   Binance, in response has said the FCA notice would have no "direct impact" on the services it provides from its website. Binance's existing crypto exchange is not UK-based so despite the FCA ruling, there will be no impact on British residents who use the website to purchase and sell crypto-currencies. The UK's FCA does not regulate crypto-currencies, but requires exchanges to register with them. So since Binan...

Megan Thee Stallion and her boyfriend Pardi Fontaine packed on the PDA at the BET Awards on Sunday night.    The 26-year-old rapper rocked a very revealing dress by Jean Paul Gaultier while walking the red carpet at the Microsoft Theatre, with her rapper beau placing his hands on her expose derriere as they posed for photos.      Megan commanded attention with her ivory flowing gown which featured two pieces of fabric covering only her private parts. She completed the look with simple strappy heels and an ivory clutch bag.      In one photo, Pardison was pictured giving Megan a kiss on the cheek in a few snaps and rested his hands on her exposed hips.      Ahead of the award show, where Megan is nominated for seven awards. But won best female hip-hop artist and the viewer’s choice award for “Savage (Remix)” featuring Beyoncé.     

Super Eagle Striker and former Leicester City forward Ahmed Musa has been Unveiled as Pop Cola Ambassador in Kano. Musa who recently took over as Captain of Kano Pillars Football Club is to serve as brand new ambassador of Pop Cola Soft Drink, a product of Mamuda Group of Companies in Kano. The event of the unveiling of Musa as brand ambassador of the company and Pop Cola Soft Drink took place at Tahir Guest Palace in Kano. Pop Cola, an energy drink is the main brand of soft drinks product of the company apart from other drinks. The event had in attendance the Deputy Governor of Kano Dr Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna, Managing Director of KAROTA Dr Baffa Babba Danagundi, Special Adviser to the governor on Solid Minerals Balaraba Ibrahim Ahmed. The must awaited unveiling of new Pop Cola drink is confirmed to take place on the 26th of June, 2021 Mamuda Beverages Limited of Mamuda Group of Companies leads by the seasoned business mogul Hassan Hammoud the CEO of Mamuda Groups of Company...

North Korean leader, Kim Jong Un's apparent weight loss which has left him "looking emaciated" has left the nation heartbroken "so much" amid food shortages in the country,  according to state media reports. After watching video footage of the North Korean leader, an unidentified Pyongyang citizen was quoted as saying by state broadcaster KRT: “Seeing respected general secretary [Kim Jong-un] looking emaciated breaks our people’s heart so much.” “Everyone is saying that their tears welled up,” he said, according to Reuters.   Speculation about the North Korean leader’s health started earlier this month when he reappeared looking significantly thinner after not being seen in public for almost a month, analysts noted his loss in weight.     So far there no details on what had led to the leader's weight loss.  But Analysts noted there was likely “propaganda value” in Mr. Kim looking slimmer at the same time as there are food shortages in the ...

Youths from the oil bearing communities of Ohaji/Egbema in Imo State on Monday, shut down the operational office of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, during a peaceful protest.    The protesting youths stormed the office located along Owerri/Port Harcourt Express Road, locked and blocked the main entrance gate into the commission with a decorated coffin.    The youths chanted songs and carried placards with inscriptions “we need our right in NDDC”, “return our diverted NDDC projects”, “we say no to NDDC Marginalisation”, “enough of these Marginalisation”, “Avu Etekwuru road is a death trap”.   Addressing journalists during the protest, the National President of Ohaji Youths, Comrade Ugorji Emmanuel, condemned the recent employment conducted by the Commission without capturing people from the oil rich communities of Ohaji/Egbema and Oguta LGA.   According to him, out of the 800 jobs, 80 slots were given to Imo State a...

Dino Melaye has reacted to rumors of him dating , getting married or impregnating some ladies. In a post shared on his Instagram page, the single dad of three wrote "Na wa oooo. Dino wan marry A, Dino give B belle, Dino is dating C, all lori iro....haba!!!! Make una no worry i go soon marry...koboko na im she go take follow una. Jobless people. I beg give me toothpick make l comot one kpomo wey hang for my molar. SDM"

At least 18 people were killed and 16 injured when a fire broke out at a martial arts school in central China in the early hours of Friday, according to the local government. Official state news agency Xinhua reported that all victims were boarding pupils, while local media said they were aged between seven and 16. The fire had been extinguished and authorities were investigating the cause of the blaze, a statement from the Zhecheng county government in Henan province, said. Four local officials including the county party secretary were fired over the incident, reported the Henan Daily, a local state-backed newspaper, on Saturday. Two more suspects were arrested in addition to the school’s manager Chen Lin, the Henan Daily said. There were 34 boarding students on the premises when the fire broke out, according to government staff quoted by Beijing Toutiao News. Those hurt — four of whom had severe injuries — were rushed to a local hospital, where an unnamed doctor told ...

Superstar singer, Beyonce's mother, Tina Lawson has called for an overhaul of the American judicial system, criticizing the sentencing of former Minneapolis police officer, Derek Chauvin. Derek was found guilty in April for second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. In May 2020, footage shows him kneeling on Floyd's neck for nine minutes as he gasped for air and said "I can't breathe" appalled the world - and sparked violent protests across the US. Tina, 67, shared her thoughts on Derek's 22-and-a-half year sentence and revealed a loved one is serving a similar jail term for a much lesser offence. Alongside a photo of the sentence being discussed on US news, she wrote: "Very Disappointing!   "My Godson was sentenced to 20 years for 2 ounces of marijuana he has been In Jail for 11 years. "This man convicted of three charges He Murdered This man on TV before the world. And will only...

Derek Chauvin, the Minneapolis police officer who killed African American George Floyd has been sentenced to 22 and a half years. Judge Peter Cahill pronounced the sentence on friday, 13 months after people across the globe watched the grim video of Floyd, dying under Chauvin’s knee, and saying languidly: “I can’t breathe”. In giving the sentence, Cahill said he considered the prosecutors’ request for 30 years, several aggravating factors, and the defense request for a lesser sentence as low as probation, before making his decision. He also read and listened to victim impact statements from family and loved ones, and reviewed the pre-sentence investigation. Cahill said there is a 22-page legal analysis attached to his sentencing order, so his verbal comments will be brief. “What the sentence is not based on is emotion or sympathy,” Cahill said. Cahill said Floyd’s death has been painful for the community, but “most importantly” for the family. Floyd’s May 2020 death wa...

Vice Chairman of Jaba Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Mr James Bijimi and an unspecified number of travellers have been abducted by bandits along Kaduna-Kachia road. Kaduna police spokesperson, Mohammed Jalinge who confirmed the incident said security operatives recovered three vehicles apparently belonging to the abductees, while one person was injured. A community leader in the area who did not want his name mentioned, told Channels Television that the bandits mounted a roadblock around Gonan Roger and Makyali axis in Kajuru Local Government at about 10:00 am on Friday morning, where they intercepted some vehicles and took away some people including the Vice-Chairman of Jaba Local Government Area. He said security operatives responded swiftly to the area and engaged the bandits in a gun battle, rescuing six abducted women. A top official of the local government also told Channels Television that the bandits have established contact with the fa...

An Oklahoma woman was killed by an apparent dog attack as she was taking care of a dog residence. Rebecca McCurdy, 28, was found dead by officials inside a garage near Skiatook, Oklahoma on Saturday, June 26, the Pawhuska Journal-Capital reported. McCurdy had reportedly been caring for the dogs that lived at the residence while house sitting for a friend.  Acccording to the Osage County Sheriff’s Office, evidence “indicates Rebecca was the victim of a dog attack.” Authorities have now removed dogs that were potentially aggressive from the residence. “The homeowner claimed he raised pit bull dogs for hobby/sale,” reads an announcement from the Sheriff’s Office. “There were several pit bull dogs caged in the garage. One of the dog cages was toppled over and there were many signs of a dog attack visible.” McCurdy is survived by husband and two children .

Nigerian-born American rapper, Wale has explained why he thinks the concept of drinking alcohol is crazy.  According to him, he is supposed to drink something that will make him feel good even though it doesn't taste good. Wale added that the drink makes him feel good for a little while, but makes him feel worse later.  He added that he sent out the tweet after taking few shots. See his tweet;   

Former Super Eagles coach Samson Siasia says his ex-teammates abandoned him when he was handed a life ban by FIFA in 2019. Siasia was banned for life by FIFA and fined $50,000 after he was accused of agreeing to receive bribes in order to manipulate matches. But the life ban was reduced to five years by the Court of Arbitration for Sport on Monday. CAS also cancelled the $50,000 fine imposed by FIFA for match-fixing, and backdated the ban to start August 2019. While addressing the media on Friday in Abuja, Siasia said the ban reduction was a big relief, adding that it had given him hope of returning to football. “I want to thank CAS for their judgment, which has given me hope to return back to what I know how best to do. “I’m happy I’m gradually out of the hook, because in a couple of years I will go back to what I know how best to do,” Siasia said. The former Eagles, U-23 and U-20 coach lamented his neglect during the trying period, despite serving the nation meritoriously....

A helicopter carrying Colombia’s President Ivan Duque and others was struck by multiple bullets in an attack on Friday, he said in a video message. The incident took place while the president’s helicopter was flying through Colombia’s Catatumbo region toward the city of Cucuta, capital of the country’s Norte de Santander province, Duque said. “What’s clear is that this is a cowardly attack where bullet holes can be seen in the presidential aircraft,” Duque said As well as Duque, the helicopter was carrying other officials including Defense Minister Diego Molano, Interior Minister Daniel Palacios, and governor of Norte de Santander Silvano Serrano. No one was injured in the incident, a spokesman for the presidency said. Security personnel have been given clear instructions to find those behind the attack on the helicopter, the president added. The troubled Catatumbo region, on Colombia’s border with Venezuela, is home to extensive coca crops, the chief ingredient of cocaine...

Ne-Yo is a proud father again.  On Friday June 25, his wife, Crystal Smith, announced on Instagram that she has given birth to their third child together, a baby girl. She was born four weeks early and weighed in at just 5 pounds, 7 ounces, according to Smith’s caption. "God said don't make plans honey!" she captioned an Instagram photo taken at the hospital.  "She came 4 weeks early but right on time for mommy!"     The 5-pound, 7-ounce addition joins the couple's children Shaffer Chimere Smith Jr., 5, and Roman Alexander-Raj Smith, 3, and Ne-Yo's kids with his ex, Monyetta Shaw: Madilyn Grace Smith, 10, and Mason Evan Smith, 9.  The couple announced their pregnancy back in February, while celebrating their sixth anniversary. According to Crystal, "My world is now complete."

An audit report by the Senate Public Accounts Committee (SPAC) has indicted officials of the Ministry of Niger Delta for allegedly illegally selling six vehicles that cost N90 million for a peanut of N2 million, less than one year after acquisition. Leadership newspaper reports that the Senate committee indicted the officials of the ministry after investigating the 2015 report of the Auditor General of the Federation.The Senate panel is demanding that the accounting officer in the ministry (permanent secretary) should be sanctioned for illegally selling the vehicles. According to the report, the vehicles were purchased from JBS motors on June 23rd and 18th August 2014.   The Senate committee's report in part reads   “The ministry disposed a total of 22 vehicles to various beneficiaries in May, 2015 and realised a total sum of N5.2 million. Out of the 22 vehicles, six were purchased on 23rd June and 18th August 2014 from JBS Motors and Co, Abuja at a total cost ...

Scientists have rewritten the story of human evolution after discovering a huge fossilised skull that was wrapped up and hidden in a Chinese well nearly 90 years ago.   The exciting discovery named 'dragon man' is the latest addition to a rapidly shifting human family tree thanks to new fossil finds and analysis of ancient DNA preserved in teeth, bones and cave dirt.     The well-preserved skullcap, found in the Chinese city of Harbin, is between 138,000 and 309,000 years old, according to geochemical analysis, and it combines primitive features, such as a broad nose, low brow and braincase, with those that are more similar to Homo sapiens, including flat and delicate cheekbones.   Researchers say the ancient hominin was "probably" a 50-year-old man -and he would have had an "extremely wide" face, deep eyes with large eye sockets, big teeth and a brain similar in size to modern humans. Researchers named the new hominin - Homo longi, w...

A transgender athlete, CeCe Telfer, has been ruled ineligible to compete in US Olympics trials due to her high testosterone levels, it's been revealed. Telfer, an NCAA Division II track and field champion in 2019, has been disqualified from the women's 400-meter hurdles US Olympic Trials, the USA Track and Field said in a statement. To be eligible for the trials in track and field, athletes must meet the requirements to be a member of the US Olympic Team, USATF said. The requirements for US Olympic teams are in the World Athletics "Eligibility Regulations for Transgender Athletes" guidelines, which Telfer has not met, the organization said. The World Athletics guidelines state that one of the requirements to be eligible to participate in the female category at an international competition in events ranging in distances from 400 meters to a mile is that her testosterone levels must be less than 5 nanomoles per liter for a period of at least 12 months....

Heavyweight Boxing champion, Anthony Joshua has made his prediction for Tyson Fury's third clash with Deontay Wilder coming up next month. Anthony Joshua was closing in on an undisputed showdown with Fury last month, only for Wilder to win an arbitration case and force Fury to fight him for the third time.    Joshua who is the WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight champion, will also face Oleksandr Usyk in UK. Joshua though wants to fight Fury after his next fight and has now predicted a win for Fury against Wilder. Joshua told White and Jordan on talkSPORT: “I’ve gotta defend my titles. “I’m gonna be training alongside Ben [Whittaker] and the GB Team, preparing for my championship fight while these guys prepare for the Olympics. “I’m gonna win because I have to, I’ve got no other option. “And then I’m gonna get on to the next fight which is the undisputed. “So we’re back on the road to undisputed and I’m supporting the Olympic boys. “When they finish with a ba...