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Tag: France

Morocco 2025: Flamingos Trash Algeria 4-0 Confident of Victory in Algiers After Naira Rain

U17 Women’s World Cup: Flamingos Battle-Ready for France

Fola Badmus02 mins

After a painful 4–1 defeat to Canada in their opening Group D fixture, Nigeria’s U17 girls find themselves fighting for survival against a confident French side that kicked off their campaign with a strong 4–2 win over Samoa.   This fixture is more than just a group match, as there is history and something at stake for the Flamingos. The last time Nigeria met France at this tournament was 13 years ago, in Azerbaijan, where both sides played out a tense 0–0 draw in regulation time before France edged Nigeria 5–3 on penalties to advance from the quarter-finals.   That memory lingers, and for many, this feels like unfinished business. Nigeria enter tomorrow’s match bottom of the table with zero points and a minus three goal difference, meaning defeat could mathematically end their World Cup journey. At minimum, a draw is essential, but a win would flip the entire narrative heading into the final group match against Samoa.   France play with speed, fluidity and dominant structure. Their 4–2 win over Samoa was ruthless. Nigeria showed flashes of brilliance against Canada, scoring once, but defensive lapses haunted them badly.   Coach Bankole Olowookere’s team must correct their transitions, stay compact, and rediscover their mental steel, as this is no longer about tactics alone, but also about character.   At the Football Academy Mohammed VI (Pitch 1), 8pm in Rabat, the Flamingos won’t just be playing France, they’ll be playing for belief, redemption, and survival.

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Macron Reappoints Lecornu As Prime Minister Days After Resignation

Wale busari04 mins

French President Emmanuel Macron has reinstated Sébastien Lecornu as prime minister, just days after accepting his resignation following the sudden collapse of his short-lived government. In a statement on Friday, the presidency confirmed the decision, saying Macron had reappointed Lecornu and instructed him to form a new government. Taking to X, Lecornu acknowledged France’s deep political divisions and vowed to restore stability. “We must put an end to this political crisis that is exasperating the French people and to this instability that is detrimental to France’s image and its interests,” he wrote. Lecornu’s initial appointment had already stirred controversy. After unveiling his first cabinet on Sunday, backlash erupted both inside and outside his camp. By Monday morning, he resigned, and Macron accepted. Yet in a dramatic turnaround, the president later tasked him with leading consultations with opposition leaders to find his replacement. After two days of intense talks, Macron decided to bring him back — a move that highlights the growing political uncertainty surrounding his administration. Reactions were swift and fierce. Far-right National Rally leader Jordan Bardella called the decision “a bad joke, a democratic disgrace, and a humiliation for the French people.” Marine Le Pen demanded new elections, saying Lecornu’s return proved “Macron’s contempt for voters.” On the far left, Jean-Luc Mélenchon mocked the reappointment, writing, “Macron can do nothing other than Macron.” France is currently battling a budget crisis and rising comparisons to Italy’s pattern of unstable governments. Determined to avoid further turmoil, Lecornu pledged to build a more inclusive administration and promised that issues raised in consultations would now face open parliamentary debate. He also introduced a new condition for ministers — anyone joining his cabinet must abandon any presidential ambitions before the 2027 election. “All ambitions are legitimate and useful,” he wrote, “but those who join the government must commit to disengaging themselves from the presidential ambitions for 2027.” The rule could exclude several key figures from both sides of the political divide. Lecornu’s earlier cabinet had already faced criticism for being dominated by Macron loyalists, despite promises of political renewal.  

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France’s Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu Resigns Just Hours After Cabinet Reveal

Wale busari02 mins

France’s Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has stepped down less than a day after announcing his new cabinet, the Élysée Palace confirmed following a one-hour meeting with President Emmanuel Macron on Monday morning. The resignation comes only 26 days after Lecornu was appointed to replace François Bayrou, whose government fell amid political turmoil. Lecornu’s cabinet, largely unchanged from Bayrou’s, faced heavy criticism from parties across the National Assembly, with many threatening to reject it. The political instability has fueled calls for early elections, and some opposition figures are even demanding Macron resign, though the president has maintained he will complete his term in 2027. “Macron needs to choose: dissolution of parliament or resignation,” said Sébastien Chenu, a prominent member of the far-right National Rally (RN). Lecornu, a former armed forces minister and close Macron ally, became France’s fifth prime minister in under two years, reflecting the country’s ongoing political instability. The turmoil traces back to July 2024, when snap parliamentary elections resulted in a hung parliament, making it difficult for any prime minister to secure support for legislation. Bayrou’s government collapsed in September after parliament rejected his austerity budget, which proposed €44bn ($51bn; £38bn) in spending cuts.  

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Iran Recalls Ambassadors to UK, France, and Germany as UN Sanctions Snap Back

Iran Recalls Ambassadors to UK, France, and Germany as UN Sanctions Snap Back

Fola Badmus06 mins

By Kamal Yalwa: Published September 27, 2025 Tehran – Iran has recalled its ambassadors from the United Kingdom, France, and Germany in response to the reimposition of United Nations sanctions, which come into effect on Sunday. State media reported Saturday that the Iranian envoys were summoned back to Tehran “for consultations,” following what the Iranian government described as “irresponsible” action by the three European nations—collectively known as the E3—to trigger the UN’s snapback mechanism. The E3 set the process in motion a month ago, accusing Tehran of non-compliance with nuclear obligations. The move follows a deadly 12-day conflict in June between Iran, Israel, and the United States, which left over 1,000 people dead, according to Iranian authorities. On Friday, efforts by Russia and China to delay the sanctions through a UN Security Council resolution failed, with only four countries backing their proposal. The snapback sanctions officially begin at 00:00 GMT on Sunday, reinstating global bans on cooperation with Iran’s nuclear, military, banking, and shipping sectors. The news triggered an immediate reaction in Iranian markets, with the rial plummeting to an all-time low—trading at over 1.1 million per US dollar on the open market in Tehran. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed this week that inspections had resumed at some Iranian sites, but did not specify whether this included facilities damaged in the June airstrikes. In Moscow, Iran’s nuclear chief Mohammad Eslami criticized the IAEA for not condemning the bombings of Iranian nuclear infrastructure by the U.S. and Israel. Despite diplomatic efforts at the recent UN General Assembly in New York, Western powers rejected Iranian proposals to delay the snapback, citing a lack of meaningful progress. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said there was no reason to negotiate further, accusing the U.S. and Israel of attempting to destabilize Iran’s government. “If the goal had been to resolve concerns on the nuclear programme, we could easily do that,” Pezeshkian said, reiterating that Iran has no intention of pursuing nuclear weapons. U.S. envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff defended the sanctions, calling them “the right medicine,” but insisted Washington remains open to dialogue. However, global consensus remains fractured. Russia’s deputy UN ambassador Dmitry Polyansky dismissed the sanctions as “null and void,” and China has continued to import Iranian oil despite pressure from Washington. The U.S. has since imposed new penalties on Chinese firms linked to Iranian energy imports. The renewed sanctions mark a full reinstatement of measures previously lifted under the 2015 nuclear deal, which former U.S. President Donald Trump abandoned in 2018 in favor of a “maximum pressure” campaign. At the UN on Friday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged no delay in implementing the snapback and suggested Israel could again target Iranian nuclear facilities if necessary. Still, Iran’s leadership signaled restraint. Pezeshkian said Tehran would not quit the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, warning that adversaries were looking for “superficial pretexts to set the region ablaze.” Meanwhile, regional tensions remain high. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) marked the first anniversary of the assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and senior Iranian commander Abbas Nilforoushan in Israeli airstrikes on Beirut. The IRGC vowed continued “smart resistance” against Israeli and American actions. In a related development, Iran’s judiciary announced that four individuals had been convicted for allegedly working with Israel’s Mossad and the outlawed MEK group. Two received death sentences; the other two were given life imprisonment. Iran’s top national security official, Ali Larijani, attended a memorial event in Lebanon on Saturday, declaring that “it is now clear Israel shows mercy to no country.” As sanctions take hold, Iran’s response—and how strictly the world enforces the measures—will shape the next chapter in the escalating standoff.

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France Returns Human Skulls to Madagascar, 128 Years After Colonial Massacre

Fola Badmus03 mins

France has returned three human skulls to Madagascar, more than 128 years after they were looted during the colonial era. The skulls, which had been held in a Paris museum, were formally handed over at a ceremony at the French Ministry of Culture on Tuesday. One of the skulls is believed to belong to King Toera of Madagascar, who was decapitated by French colonial forces during a massacre in 1897. The other two skulls are from the Sakalava ethnic group, a prominent group on the island. The remains were originally taken as trophies following the violent suppression of local resistance to French colonial rule. King Toera’s skull, along with those of others, was later placed in the French national collections, a stark reminder of the brutality of the colonial period. “These skulls entered the national collections in circumstances that clearly violated human dignity and were a product of colonial violence,” said French Minister of Culture Rachida Dati at the ceremony. The return of these remains marks a significant moment in the ongoing movement for the restitution of cultural artifacts looted during colonial times. French authorities have increasingly engaged in the process of returning such items to their countries of origin. At the ceremony, Volamiranty Donna Mara, Madagascar’s Minister of Culture, expressed gratitude for the return, describing the taking of the skulls as “an open wound” that has remained for 128 years. “They are not collectors’ items,” Mara said. “They are the invisible and indelible link that unites our present to our past.” The skulls were delivered in boxes draped in traditional cloth, and the somber ceremony was marked by a solemn procession through the ornate French ministry. A joint scientific committee has confirmed that the skulls originate from the Sakalava people. While it could not definitively identify one as belonging to King Toera, the historical context and evidence strongly suggest it is his. The ceremony serves as a powerful symbol of reconciliation and an acknowledgment of the painful legacy of colonialism, with continued calls for the return of more cultural treasures to their rightful homes.

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PSG Defender Achraf Hakimi Faces Preliminary Rape Charges in France

Fola Badmus03 mins

By Kamal Yalwa: August 1, 2025 Paris Saint-Germain and Morocco international defender Achraf Hakimi has been handed preliminary charges of rape by French authorities, following allegations made by a 23-year-old woman. The Nanterre prosecutor’s office confirmed on Friday that an investigation was opened after the woman approached police with her accusation. Although she declined to formally press charges, the seriousness of her account prompted prosecutors to launch an inquiry. Hakimi, 24, was questioned by investigators on Thursday before being indicted by an examining magistrate and placed under judicial supervision, a status that allows for continued investigation under French law. He is currently barred from contact with the alleged victim but is not restricted from leaving France, according to prosecutors. Under France’s legal system, preliminary charges indicate sufficient grounds to suspect a crime may have occurred, but further evidence is required before any trial can proceed. Hakimi has denied all allegations, and his lawyer, Fanny Colin, released a statement suggesting that the player is the victim of an attempted “racketeering” scheme. “The alleged victim refused to press charges, refused medical or psychological examination, and refused to confront Mr. Hakimi directly. The accusations are solely based on her account,” Colin said. “Being charged gives Mr. Hakimi the opportunity to access the full case file and defend himself fully,” she added. Paris Saint-Germain and the player have yet to issue official public statements, though sources told ESPN that Hakimi will be available for PSG’s Ligue 1 clash against Nantes on Saturday, despite recovering from a recent leg injury. The development comes just days before PSG’s crucial Champions League round-of-16 second leg against Bayern Munich and shortly after Hakimi was named in the 2022 FIFPRO World XI during the FIFA Best awards held in Paris. Hakimi joined PSG in 2021, playing a key role in the club’s Ligue 1 title win and Morocco’s historic run to the World Cup semifinals in Qatar.

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Tinubu Returns From France Today – Presidency

Fola Badmus04 mins

President Bola Tinubu will return to Nigeria today from his work visit to France, the Presidency has said. The President’s spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed this in a post on his X handle on Monday. Tinubu left Nigeria on April 2, 2025, for Paris, France, on a short work visit. According to the Presidency, Tinubu used the retreat to review the progress of ongoing reforms and engage in strategic planning ahead of his administration’s second anniversary. The President’s latest trip had been faulted by major opposition leaders who criticised him for being away despite the rising insecurity in the country, especially in Benue and Plateau states, where scores of residents have been killed in attacks on several communities. A former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, had asked President Bola Tinubu to end his trip to France and address the spate of insecurity in Nigeria. Atiku questioned Tinubu’s continued stay in the European country despite the spate of killings across Nigeria. “While Tinubu dines under chandeliers in the land of good governance, the country he governs is spiraling into chaos. Plateau has turned into a killing field — over 100 lives lost in relentless attacks,” his spokesman, Paul Ibe, said in a statement on April 17. Similarly, a former presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general elections, Mr Peter Obi, urged Tinubu to suspend his France trip and urgently return to Nigeria to address the deteriorating security situation, particularly in Plateau and Benue states. He also said the primary duty of any government is securing the lives and property of its citizens, and one wondered why the type of retreat was going on in another country where peace had been secured by their leaders, “while blood continues to flow in our country”. “I am compelled at this time in our lives as a nation to call on our retreating President’s attention to the security challenges at home, which entail that he immediately suspend his ongoing retreat in a foreign land and come home to address the overwhelming security situation across the country.” “In the two weeks you have been away, over 150 Nigerians have lost their lives to insecurity across Nigeria, especially in Plateau and Zamfara states. “I therefore urge Mr President to quickly suspend whatever he is doing in France and rush home to take responsibility by addressing these disturbing issues. That is the new Nigeria the nation seeks,” he said. But the Presidency noted that the Tinubu had maintained constant communication with key government officials, overseeing critical national matters, including directives to security chiefs to address emerging threats in some parts of the country.

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Tinubu Embarks on Working Visit to Paris

Fola Badmus01 mins

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will depart for Paris, France, today on a short working visit. During the visit, the President will appraise his administration’s midterm performance and assess key milestones. He will also use the retreat to review the progress of ongoing reforms and engage in strategic planning ahead of his administration’s second anniversary. This period of reflection will inform plans to deepen ongoing reforms and accelerate national development priorities in the coming year. Recent economic strides reinforce the President’s commitment to these efforts, as evidenced by the Central Bank of Nigeria reporting a significant increase in net foreign exchange reserves to $23.11 billion—a testament to the administration’s fiscal reforms since 2023 when net reserves were $3.99 billion. While away, President Tinubu will remain fully engaged with his team and continue to oversee governance activities. He will return to Nigeria in about a fortnight.

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