General news

• Brazil lost World Cup during hydration break — Ancelotti

  30-07-2026 22:21 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Adegboyega AdeleyeBrazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti has admitted that a tactical decision he made during the second-half hydration break in his side’s Round of 16 defeat to Norway proved decisive in the Selecao’s shock exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup.Brazil were level at 0-0 when play was paused for the mandatory cooling break, but the five-time champions went on to concede twice to Erling Haaland before crashing out 2-1 — their earliest World Cup elimination since 1990.R
  
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• Asian Football Confederation backs UEFA, CONCACAF against FIFA proposal

  31-07-2026 11:48 via vanguardngr.com
  
  The Asian Football Confederation said on Friday it was backing UEFA and CONCACAF over serious concerns about FIFA’s proposal to sell a stake in the business operations of the World Cup.“The AFC stands in solidarity with UEFA and CONCACAF in expressing serious concerns over FIFA’s proposal to introduce private investment into FIFA’s flagship competitions,” the Kuala Lumpur-based body said in a statement.“The fact that the situation has reached the point where
  
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• Thousands cross from Morocco into Spain in new migrant crisis

  31-07-2026 11:45 via vanguardngr.com
  
  Thousands of migrants crossed overnight from Morocco into Spain’s north Africa’s Ceuta enclave, a police source said on Friday, as Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez was set to arrive to manage the latest migrant crisis on the border.In recent days, a total of around 40,000 migrants have crossed into the territory — population 80,000 — the source added.The sudden massive influx has sparked a crisis for Spain’s government and prompted France to announce tighter checks on
  
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• Nigerian newspapers review: FG, Labour clash over use of fuel subsidy removal savings

  31-07-2026 11:33 via vanguardngr.com
  
  In today’s Nigerian newspapers review programme, Today in the News, Vanguard leads with the federal government clashing with labour officials over the use of savings made from fuel subsidy removal.Another headline features the United States warning that Nigeria and other African countries are facing a more than six-fold rise in security threats in the last two years, citing a dramatic surge in illegal narcotics trafficking and human trafficking on the continent.Vanguard also reports that
  
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• Hamas agrees to disarm under Trump plan, but no word from Israel

  31-07-2026 11:33 via vanguardngr.com
  
  Hamas said Friday it had agreed to a deal announced by US President Donald Trump to end the war with Israel, that includes it handing over its weapons to a Palestinian governing committee and the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.Israel did not immediately comment on the announcement, but shortly beforehand an Israeli political source had told AFP the proposed agreement did not “satisfactorily” address Israeli demands for the full demilitarisation of the Gaza Strip.The
  
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• ‘Not Messi or Ronaldo’ – Burna Boy reveals his football GOAT

  31-07-2026 11:16 via vanguardngr.com
  
  Grammy-winning Nigerian singer Damini Ogulu, better known as Burna Boy, has shared his football favourites, revealing that he does not subscribe to the long-running Lionel Messi versus Cristiano Ronaldo debate.Speaking in a recent interview with ESPN, the Dai Dai singer named former Nigerian captain Jay Jay Okocha as the greatest footballer of all time.Asked who he considers the best player in history, Burna Boy said, “I will say Jay Jay Okocha. It is between him and Pele. I am not doing
  
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• Okocha, Portable set for celebrity boxing rematch – date, venue

  31-07-2026 11:14 via vanguardngr.com
  
  Nigerian singer Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, and Nollywood actor Charles Okocha reignited their rivalry on Friday after engaging in a heated face-off ahead of their highly anticipated celebrity boxing rematch in Lagos.The tense exchange unfolded during a pre-fight event, where the two entertainers confronted each other on stage before security personnel stepped in to prevent the situation from escalating.Videos from the event, which have since gone viral on social media, showed
  
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• Resident doctors issue final deadline, threaten nationwide strike from Aug 10

  31-07-2026 11:05 via vanguardngr.com
  
  The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has threatened to commence a total and comprehensive nationwide industrial strike on Aug. 10 if the Federal Government fails to address its outstanding demands.The resolution was contained in a communique issued at the end of the association’s July National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, which began on Sunday in Gombe and was made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday night.The communiqué was jointly signed b
  
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• ‘Nobody is selling football’ — FIFA reacts to UEFA World Cup boycott threat

  31-07-2026 10:57 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Adegboyega AdeleyeWorld football governing body FIFA has defended its controversial proposal to bring private investment into the FIFA World Cup, insisting that “nobody is selling football” after UEFA and several continental confederations threatened to boycott its competitions.In a statement released on Friday, FIFA said it would continue its consultation process on the proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), a commercial subsidiary that would oversee the World Cup and other maj
  
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• Falode backs Super Falcons to bounce back after Malawi defeat

  31-07-2026 10:53 via vanguardngr.com
  
  Executive Committee Member of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Aisha Falode, has expressed confidence in the Super Falcons’ ability to recover from their disappointing defeat to Malawi, urging Nigerians to continue supporting the team as it pursues qualification for the FIFA Women’s World Cup and an 11th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title.In a statement on Thursday, Falode said the setback should not overshadow the team’s long-standing record of excellenc
  
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• Nigeria’s First SEC-Licensed Exchange, Quidax, Expands Stablecoin Infrastructure to Over 21 Countries

  31-07-2026 10:48 via vanguardngr.com
  
  The Expansion Unlocks a Compliant Engine for Businesses and Fintechs to Move Value Across Africa and BeyondQuidax, the first digital assets exchange to receive a provisional licence from Nigeria’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), today announced the expansion of its stablecoin infrastructure to more than 21 countries and 14 currencies, enabling startups, fintechs, and global enterprises to move value seamlessly across Africa and key international markets.Africa loses an estimated
  
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• 2027: PDP faction submits Jonathan’s candidacy to INEC despite recognition row

  31-07-2026 10:47 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Luminous Jannamike, AbujaThe Kabiru Turaki-led Interim National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, on Friday said it had manually submitted former President Goodluck Jonathan’s presidential nomination and the names of its other candidates for the 2027 general elections to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, despite the electoral body’s refusal to recognise the committee.The move deepens the party’s leadership crisis, with the Turaki cam
  
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• Tyla removes Lagos from world tour after backlash

  31-07-2026 10:41 via vanguardngr.com
  
  South African singer Tyla has removed Lagos from the schedule of her upcoming APop world tour following online backlash from some Nigerians over renewed reports of xenophobic attacks against Nigerians in South Africa.The Grammy-winning artiste unveiled the dates for her world tour on Monday, with the initial itinerary including a Lagos concert scheduled for December 22, alongside stops across Europe, North America and South Africa.However, the announcement sparked heated reactions on Nigerian s
  
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• Ex-Milan legend Baresi dies at 66

  31-07-2026 10:41 via vanguardngr.com
  
  Italian defender Franco Baresi, the captain of AC Milan in the 1980s and 1990s when they won three European Cups and six Italian league titles, has died at the age of 66, the club announced on Friday.“Milan is in tears following the passing of Franco Baresi. His example and integrity will be forever etched into the Club’s DNA, just as his iconic number 6 shirt is,” AC Milan, of which Baresi became honorary vice-president in 2020, wrote on X.“We must be strong and gather
  
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• Chelsea’s Palmer says World Cup snub has motivated him

  31-07-2026 10:38 via vanguardngr.com
  
  Chelsea playmaker Cole Palmer said on Friday he has a point to prove this season after missing out on England’s World Cup squad, while hailing new manager Xabi Alonso as a “breath of fresh air”.Palmer was a high-profile omission from Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup line-up, despite playing a major role in England’s run to the final of Euro 2024.He ultimately paid the price for a poor season at Chelsea and said being overlooked hurt.“It’s like anything, if som
  
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• Digital Finance growth outpaces confidence — Bridgforte

  31-07-2026 08:15 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Babajide KomolafeThe rapid growth in digital finance is outpacing public confidence in the financial ecosystem, prompting the Bridgforte Centre for Global Impact to launch a new governance framework and the Trust Lab to strengthen trust in platform-led finansce.The Centre disclosed this yesterday at the unveiling of its flagship policy report, Trust Architecture in Platform-Led Finance, launched during a global online dialogue attended by over 400 central bankers, regulators, financial
  
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• Stakeholders raise alarm over foreign logistics dominance

  31-07-2026 08:11 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Godwin OritseThe Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria, CRFFN, has said that the growing participation of foreign firms in Nigeria’s freight forwarding, customs brokerage and logistics sector should be viewed as a reflection of deeper structural deficiencies rather than simply a nationality issue.Speaking on the ongoing debate over foreign involvement in the industry, the Registrar of the Council, Mr. Kingsley Igwe, said the issue deserves serious policy atte
  
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• Enoh hails Dangote as Nigeria’s industrial champion

  31-07-2026 08:06 via vanguardngr.com
  
  The Minister of State for Industry, John Enoh, has described Aliko Dangote as Nigeria’s “foremost industrialist” and the driving force behind the successful launch of the Nigeria Industrial Policy (NIP), even as he disclosed that his ministry was targeting a rise in manufacturing’s contribution to gross domestic product (GDP) to about 20 per cent by 2030 and 25 per cent by 2035.Enoh made the commendation while leading a high-level delegation on an extensive tour of
  
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• Dollar to Naira exchange rate today, July 31, 2026

  31-07-2026 08:06 via vanguardngr.com
  
  The naira remained broadly stable against the United States dollar on Friday, July 31, 2026, with only marginal movements recorded in both the official Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM) and the parallel market.Data published by the Central Bank of Nigeria showed that the official NFEM exchange rate hovered around ₦1,379 per dollar, reflecting little change from recent trading sessions. Independent market trackers also placed the official rate in the ₦1,379–₦1,384 r
  
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• Otedola acquires additional N222bn FirstHoldco shares, now controls 26%

  31-07-2026 08:01 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Peter EgwuatuFemi Otedola, Chairman of First HoldCo, parent company of First Bank, has bought additional 1.779 billion shares of the company worth N222.209 billion.According to a statement signed by the company’s secretary, Abiola Baruwa, made available to the Nigerian Exchange Limited, NGX, yesterday, the shares were acquired through Otedola’s investment vehicle, Calvados Global Services Limited.Specifically, Otedola bought 1,779,094,976 units of FirstHoldco at a
  
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• Can the Super Falcons bounce back to claim an 11th WAFCON title?

  31-07-2026 07:16 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By TONY UBANIA shocking WAFCON Cup story unfolded in Rabat, Morocco on Tuesday when against all odds, tournament debutants Malawi stunned record champions Nigeria 3-2 in their Group C opener. This result sent tongues wagging regarding the possibility of Nigeria’s quest to win their 11th WAFCON title and qualify for the FIFA Women World Cup in Brazil.The Scorchers(Malawi), playing their first match at the continental finals, stunned the 10-time champions with three second-half goals at Al
  
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• Menace of open defecation: Nigeria’s silent sanitation emergency

  31-07-2026 07:14 via vanguardngr.com
  
  YET, consider this: Right inside the major car park on inner Marina on Lagos Island, stretching from directly opposite the UBA Headquarters Building to the Old Kingsway Building (just before Oando gas station), is a public toilet. Five years ago, it had eight pit latrines and four urinaries. The stench oozing forth from inside is better left for the imagination. The methane effluvium from the pits is unmistakably hazardous as it stings the nose. The handler sits by its entrance, in the midst of
  
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• INSECURITY: US intervention in Nigeria questionable – Tukur Baba, ACF spokesperson

  31-07-2026 06:42 via vanguardngr.com
  
  •Asks: What did the bombing achieve?•Optimistic that a viable Nigeria is possibleBy Ibrahim Hassan-WuyoProfessor Tukur Muham++mad Baba, National Publicity Secretary of the Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, speaks on the achievements, challenges and future of the organisation, Nigeria’s insecurity and relations with other socio-cultural groups. Excerpts:About two decades after the establishment of the ACF, can you say the organisation has achieved its objectives, or is there still w
  
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• We won’t bow to intimidation — Adeleke

  31-07-2026 06:41 via vanguardngr.com
  
  •SSG regains freedom, APC kicks•They plan to arrest me too — Osun speakerOSOGBO— FOLLOWING the detention of Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Mr Teslim Igbalaye, by operatives of the police command over alleged vote buying, Governor Ademola Adeleke, yesterday, declared that the people of the state will not succumb to any form of external interfereance or intimidation as the August 15 governorship election draws near.This came as the Police command confirmed the relea
  
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• We’re crushing security threats—Ribadu 

  31-07-2026 06:32 via vanguardngr.com
  
  ABUJA— THE National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, yesterday, reassured Nigerians of the Federal Government’s commitment to mopping up illegal weapons across the country as part of efforts to secure lives and property.He said this during the public destruction of 2,819 illicit, decommissioned and unserviceable small arms and light weapons at the Muhammadu Buhari Cantonment, Giri in Abuja,.The exercise was conducted by the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Ligh
  
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• FG, Labour clash over use of fuel subsidy removal savings

  31-07-2026 06:28 via vanguardngr.com
  
  ***Savings used to service increased workers’ salaries, others***Oyedele lYou‘re economical with truth, Labour tells FG lDares Finance Minister to produce evidenceVictor Ahiuma-YoungABUJA — The Federal Government, and Organised labour yesterday, disgreed over the use of savings from the removal of fuel subsidy, with government explaining how the savings were used used to finance Ways and Means, service foreign debt, increased federal workers’ salaries, students’ lo
  
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• OGFZA says Free Zones key to Nigeria’s energy exports, industrial growth

  31-07-2026 05:05 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Efe OnodjaeThe Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority (OGFZA) has said Special Economic Zones are playing a strategic role in driving Nigeria’s blue economy by boosting industrialisation, maritime logistics, energy exports and sustainable economic growth.The Authority said its oil and gas free zones have evolved beyond investment destinations into strategic energy economic zones that are strengthening Nigeria’s energy security, expanding export capacity and positioning the country as a
  
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• Zelensky, Netanyahu and Trump: A prostrate world at their feet, by Owei Lakemfa

  31-07-2026 04:59 via vanguardngr.com
  
  There are one hundred and thirty active wars lit around the world today and three outstanding men can be linked to many of them.But President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine has emerged the best tactician and strategist of the threesome. Always playing the victim, he just pulled off a major tactical link between the two most active and devastating conflicts: the US-Iranian and the Russo-Ukrainian wars. He did so by attacking commercial Iranian vessels in the Caspian Sea, hitting the Anna, k
  
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• Xenophobic attacks and ANC’s leadership failures

  31-07-2026 04:56 via vanguardngr.com
  
  South Africa is once again disgracing itself. The latest wave of xenophobic attacks against African migrants, including Nigerians, Zimbabweans, Mozambicans and Somalis, has reopened wounds that should have healed after the shameful outbreaks of 2008, 2015 and 2019. Shops have been looted, businesses destroyed, homes abandoned and livelihoods shattered simply because fellow Africans crossed borders in search of opportunities. For a nation whose freedom was sustained by the solidarity of the rest
  
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• Housing crisis: Declare emergency on building costs, not rent — Wamakko

  31-07-2026 04:43 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Luminous JannamikeABUJA — Former President of the Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria, REDAN, Dr Aliyu Wamakko, has urged the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on soaring building costs rather than rising rents, saying spiralling construction costs, not landlords, are driving Nigeria’s housing crisis.With rents climbing beyond the reach of many Nigerians, Wamakko said the answer is not rent controls but cheaper housing production, arguing that lowering
  
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