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  A 23-year-old Nigerian medical graduate, Nnani Adaobi Marian, has died after suffering severe injuries in a Russian airstrike on Kharkiv, Ukraine.     The Kharkiv National Medical University graduate was wounded on June 29, 2026 when Russian forces dropped aerial bombs on the Kholodnohirskyi district of Kharkiv.  She later died in hospital after doctors battled to save her life, first in Kharkiv and later in Germany.    Kharkiv National Medical University confirmed her death in a statement, describing her as a bright, sincere and kind-hearted person.   “Nnani Adaobi Marian was a bright, sincere and kind-hearted person. She easily found common ground with people and was distinguished by her thirst for knowledge, hard work and sincere desire to help others,” the university said.   The statement noted that due to the shelling she sustained severe injuries; treatment began in Kharkiv and later continued in Germany.    The university said t...

  It has been revealed that FIFA overturned US star striker Folarin Balogun's red-card ban, after a personal phone call from President Donald Trump.    Balogun had been set to miss Monday's last-16 knockout clash with the Belgians after receiving a straight red card following video review for stepping on the foot of a Bosnian defender in a round-of-32 clash that the US won 2-0. However, the player will now be available to play in the World Cup co-hosts' showdown with Belgium the overturning of the red card decision.     Under FIFA rules, a straight red card automatically triggers a one-game ban, which cannot be appealed by the player's team. But world football's governing body said Sunday the ban will now be suspended for a year, in a stunning move for which no specific explanation was offered.   It was gathered that Trump personally called FIFA President Gianni Infantino asking him to review Balogun's punishment. "Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right...

  Brazilian footballer Neymar has announced his immediate retirement from international football after Brazil suffered a stunning 2-1 defeat to Norway in the Round of 16 of the FIFA World Cup.   The 34-year-old came off the bench and converted a penalty in the final minutes for Brazil's only goal in the 2-1 defeat.   He broke down in tears after the final whistle and confirmed that he had played his last match for the Brazilian national team. "It is now over," Neymar said, adding that while it was painful to bow out in such a manner, he believed it was the right time to step away from international football. The emotional announcement marked the end of an illustrious international career spanning more than 16 years, during which Neymar became Brazil’s all-time leading goalscorer.   Neymar ends his international career with 80 goals in 130 appearances, making him Brazil’s highest-ever goalscorer, surpassing the legendary Pele. He represented Brazil in four FIFA World ...

  Twenty seven out of the 36 states in Nigeria risk experiencing flooding in the coming days. This was disclosed by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) in a flash flood risk alert for the first dekad of July (July 1–10).  Nigerian Culture Magazine   NiMet warns that widespread rainfall expected during the period could trigger flooding across 27 states as the country enters the peak of the rainy season.   In the advisory, NiMet attributed the heightened risk to the persistent rainfall experienced in June, which it said has left soils across much of the country unable to absorb additional precipitation.   The agency said in a statement released on Sunday, July 5: “Following widespread rainfall recorded across many parts of Nigeria in June, soils have become heavily saturated, reducing their ability to absorb additional rainfall.   “As July marks the beginning of the peak rainy season, the risk of flash flooding is expected to increase, particularly in ...

  Tennis star, Serena Williams pulled out of her scheduled women's doubles match alongside her sister Venus at Wimbledon following a right knee injury. The tennis icon sustained the injury during her highly anticipated singles return earlier in the week, which ended in a grueling three-set defeat.   “I’m heartbroken to have to withdraw from doubles. Coming back to compete again has been a gift, and the opportunity to play alongside (at)venuswilliams once more meant the world to me. I did everything I could but unfortunately my knee just isn’t ready to compete,” Serena said in an Instagram post.   The social media update featured images of four syringes, which Serena explained contained fluid drained from her knee immediately after her singles match. An accompanying video clip captured her walking with extensive medical strapping along her right leg, assisted by one of her daughters holding a cane. With the upcoming hardcourt season in the United States on the horizon, the...

  Lionel Messi has joked about the physical treatment he received from Cape Verde national football team during 2026 FIFA World Cup action, saying his opponents were quick to challenge him on the pitch before asking for his shirt and photographs after the match. Messi made the remarks after Argentina national football team edged Cape Verde 3-2 in their World Cup Round of 16 clash in Miami on Friday, July 3. Following the final whistle, several Cape Verde players stayed behind to request the Argentina captain's shirt and take selfies with the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner, who obliged. Reflecting on the encounter, Messi laughed off the contrast between the intensity of the match and the post-match interactions. “They asked for my jersey, everything… On the field, they kick the crap out of me,” Messi said, according to TyC Sports. The 38-year-old also credited Argentina's work on set-pieces for helping secure the victory, saying the team had focused on improving in that area ...

  Protesters gathered in Durban and Johannesburg for a march against illegal immigration, with police monitoring the crowd as demonstrators waved South African flags and sang songs demanding that all illegal foreigners in their country leave today June 30.   The demonstration comes amid heightened tensions across South Africa, where businesses closed, and many foreign nationals stayed away from work over fears that the anti-immigrant protests could turn violent. The protesters wielded sticks as they marched to the streets, singing solidarity songs in their native dialect. Meanwhile, several countries are evacuating their citizens from the country. Over 500 Nigerians have been evacuated from the country, with 500 more still behind.