Author: starconnect
By SCM Sport Reporter in Guadalajara THE STAGE was set for a titanic World Cup clash of former kings in Mexico, but it ended in the ultimate, tragic farce for one of football’s most storied nations. Under the baking Guadalajara sun, Marcelo Bielsa’s fragmented, warring Uruguay squad were dumped straight out of the tournament in the most agonizing fashion imaginable. A dreadful, nightmarish handling error from their legendary 40-year-old goalkeeper, Fernando Muslera, gifted Spain a narrow one-nil victory, sealing top spot in Group H for the clinical Europeans while condemning the South Americans to an incredibly bitter, early flight home.…
Admin I Saturday, June 27, 2026 CARACAS – Up to 6.76 million people could be affected by the devastating earthquakes that struck Venezuela on 24th June, according to initial estimates by the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The projections, based on the available population and damage analysis, include up to 2 million people in Caracas alone and highlight the potentially vast humanitarian impact of the disaster as assessments continue. Early damage assessments are beginning to reveal the scale of the destruction. Working with Microsoft AI for Good Lab, IOM has received initial satellite mapping analysis showing that 31.5…
Admin I Saturday, June 27, 2026 MOROCCO – Top African musicians, filmmakers, music executives, investors, policymakers and creative entrepreneurs have called for stronger collaboration among African countries, more investment in the creative sector and greater cultural exchange to help Africa build a stronger and globally competitive creative industry. The call was made at the Africa Music Business Conference on Tuesday, June 24, 2026, organised by the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) in partnership with the African Union and key Moroccan partners including the Moroccan Agency for International Cooperation, (AMCI), Royal Air Maroc, BigTime Morocco, Afrobian & Marriott Casablanca.…
By Adedamola Ayeni I Saturday, June 27, 2026 GBONGAN, Osun – The 2026 Osun governorship election is just weeks away. Specifically, it is scheduled for August 15; and while the campaign rallies are loud and the music is sweet, the question we must answer is incredibly simple: can our state survive another four years of showmanship without substance? When the future of our children is on the line, pedigree isn’t just a talking point, it’s everything. Right now, the current administration runs on emotion and quick, populist wins. Supporters are quick to point to township road…
By abiodun KOMOLAFE I Saturday, June 27, 2026 EKITI, Nigeria – Congratulations to Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, aka BAO, on his expected comfortable margin at last Saturday’s Ekiti State governorship election. Congratulations are also in order to all Ekiti sons and daughters for making a wise decision, thereby building on the foundation already erected by Oyebanji. Ekitis did not just vote; they chose. They weighed the fretful currents of volatile political experimentation against the sincere rhythm of institutional progress, and consciously preferred Continuity over Uncertainty. In the end, Continuity won because BAO made it predictably beautiful I was…
VANCOUVER — They arrived in Canada as sluggish underachievers, but Belgium’s golden and silver generations finally fused last night to unleash a terrifying, five-goal statement of intent. The Red Devils did not just defeat New Zealand; they utterly dismantled them in a clinical 5-1 routing at BC Place that sent the brave All Whites packing and catapulted the Europeans straight to the summit of Group G. After stinking out the tournament with two turgid draws against Egypt and Iran, Domenico Tedesco’s men knew anything less than a victory could cause total World Cup humiliation. Step forward Leandro Trossard. The Arsenal…
Admin I Saturday, June 27, 2026 LAGOS, Nigeria – Zenith Bank Plc reaffirmed its commitment to advancing trade, investment and economic cooperation between Canada and Africa as the Headline Conference Sponsor of the 6th Canada-Africa Business Conference, held on Wednesday, 24 June 2026 at Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos. Organised by the Canada-Africa Chamber of Business, the conference brought together a high-level Canadian business delegation representing 31 companies, alongside senior government officials, business leaders, investors, policymakers, diplomats and development partners. The gathering set out to strengthen commercial relations between Canada and Africa and to position Nigeria as…
Iran hits US bases in retaliation By SCM Correspondent WASHINGTON — United States warplanes launched precision airstrikes against military targets inside Iran on Friday, local time, significantly escalating regional tensions and threatening to collapse a fragile, days-old ceasefire agreement. The military action, confirmed by U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), came in direct retaliation for a Thursday drone strike on a commercial cargo ship transiting the strategic Strait of Hormuz. American officials said six U.S. aircraft targeted four separate locations along Iran’s southern coastline and on Qeshm Island, a strategic outpost in the mouth of the strait. The strikes focused…
The Admin I Friday, June 26, 2026 BOSTON, USA — In what was billed as a heavyweight clash of the World Cup’s ultimate goal-machines, France didn’t just win; they delivered an absolute clinic. On a sweltering Friday afternoon at Boston Stadium, Les Bleus booked their spot at the top of Group I with a ruthless 4-1 destruction of Norway. But the biggest shockwave didn’t come from the boot of Kylian Mbappé or the tactical genius of Didier Deschamps. No, it came from the Norwegian team sheet. In a move that left fans and pundits gaping in disbelief, Norway manager…
By Our Man at Toronto Stadium THE LIONS of Teranga did not just find their roar in Toronto; they unleashed an absolute hurricane to tear a helpless, ten-man Iraq to absolute shreds. Needing nothing less than a monumental victory to stand a puncher’s chance of escaping Group I, Senegal responded to the ultimate pressure cooker by dishing out a brutal 5-0 footballing masterclass. With pre-tournament failures hanging over them like a dark cloud following heartbreaking defeats to France and Norway, all eyes were on Senegal’s established royalty to steady a sinking ship. They did that and more, turning…