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 FIFA Clarifies Golden Boot Tie-Breaker Rules as Kylian Mbappe Leads Lionel Messi The race for the prestigious Golden Boot is heating up, and football's global governing body, FIFA, has officially clarified who holds the advantage heading into the crucial semi-final matches. In a statement released on Sunday, FIFA confirmed that France captain Kylian Mbappe currently leads Argentina's Lionel Messi in the battle to finish as the tournament's top scorer. The Current Standings: Mbappe vs. Messi Both superstars have enjoyed sensational campaigns, finding the back of the net eight times each. However, Mbappe holds the upper hand over the Argentine legend due to his superior playmaking statistics. The French talisman has registered three assists so far, compared to Messi's single assist, giving him the decisive edge in the standings. Understanding FIFA’s Tie-Breaker Criteria To clear up any confusion regarding how the individual accolade is awarded in the event of a tie, FIFA...

 GOVERNOR SOLUDO STRENGTHENS PENSION WELFARE IN ANAMBRA By MaryAnn Chukwuma. Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR, has strengthened pension welfare in Anambra State through consistent reforms prioritizing retirees' dignity, financial security, and improved access to their lawful retirement entitlements. Since assuming office in 2022, the administration has sustained regular pension payments, demonstrating commitment to improving retired civil servants' welfare while restoring confidence in government's responsibilities to pensioners. The Soludo administration has addressed inherited pension challenges by settling outstanding obligations in phases, bringing relief to many retirees burdened by years of uncertainty and delayed retirement benefits. To improve transparency, the government introduced credible verification exercises, eliminating irregularities while ensuring genuine pensioners receive their benefits promptly through a more efficient and accountable pension admini...

 NBA SECURES LANDMARK JUDGMENT ON THE STATUS OF LAWYERS IN THE NIGERIA POLICE FORCE  Dear Coleagues, I am pleased to formally inform all members of our dear association of the landmark judgment delivered by the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Abuja Judicial Division, on 10 July 2026 in Suit No. NICN/ ABJ/264/2025: Incorporated Trustees of the Nigerian Bar Association v. Police Service Commission &5 Ors. This public interest action was instituted by the Nigerian Bar Association through the Section on Public Interest and Development Law (SPIDEL) to seek judicial interpretation and enforcement of the provisions of the Police Act, 2020 and the Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners, 2023, particularly as they relate to the status, functions, and deployment of legal practitioners serving within the Nigeria Police Force. In a well-considered judgment, the Court upheld substantial aspects of the NBA's claims and made important declarations and consequential o...

 CAN THANKS GOD OVER SAFE RESCUE OF ABDUCTED OYO SCHOOLCHILDREN, COMMENDS TINUBU, MAKINDE, SECURITY AGENCIES The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has joined the people of Oyo State and well-meaning Nigerians in thanking Almighty God for the safe rescue of the pupils, teachers and other victims abducted from schools in Oriire Local Government Area after spending 56 difficult days in captivity. In a statement, CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, commended President Bola Tinubu, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, the National Security Adviser, the Armed Forces of Nigeria, the Intelligence Agencies, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS) and other security agencies for their efforts, which led to the successful rescue of the abducted schoolchildren. Archbishop Okoh described the rescue as a moment of great relief and gratitude, noting that the successful operation reflects the commitment of the nation's security institutions to protecting lives and rest...

 OPERATION HADIN KAI TROOPS CRUSH ISWAP INFILTRATION ATTEMPT IN CROSS KAUWA, INFLICT HEAVY LOSSES… Preliminary Forensic Findings Point to Foreign Facilitators Behind Failed Attack Troops of 19 Brigade, Sector 3, Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), have decisively foiled an attempted infiltration by ISWAP terrorists into Cross Kauwa, Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State, inflicting heavy casualties on the attackers and forcing them to retreat in disarray. The successful defence of the location further demonstrates the vigilance, combat readiness and operational effectiveness of troops who continue to deny terrorist elements freedom of action across the North East Theatre. The failed attack occurred at about 2220 hours (10:20 p.m.) on 11 July 2026, when the terrorists attempted to exploit the cover of darkness to breach the troops' location. Alert troops swiftly detected the hostile movement and responded with coordinated and overwhelming firepower, compel...

 Blogger Ejike Ofoegbu Issues Public Apology, Retracts False Stories Against Anambra Governor Soludo and Son A Nigerian blogger, Ejike Ofoegbu, has tendered a public apology and unconditional retraction of a series of fabricated stories he published about Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, and his son, Ozonna. Ofoegbu, owner and publisher of *Igbo Times Magazine and News*, admitted that the reports were entirely fake and were created solely to drive online traffic and generate financial gain. The apology was contained in a statement titled “Public Apology and Full Retraction,” which was shared on Saturday by Ferdinand Ekeoma, Special Adviser to the Governor of Abia State on Media and Publicity. In the statement, Ofoegbu explicitly admitted fabricating multiple stories attributed to Governor Soludo and his son. “I publicly admit that the stories I published concerning Governor Soludo and his son were completely fake, false, fabricated, and untrue. They did not come from ...