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NEW France captain Kylian Mbappe said team-mate Antoine Griezmann’s disappointment at being overlooked for the role is “understandable”. Mbappe, 24, was named skipper this week after the international retirement of World Cup-winning captain Hugo Lloris. Griezmann, 32, was reportedly unhappy to only be vice-captain with one report suggesting he was considering retiring. “I spoke to Antoine because he was disappointed and frankly it is understandable,” Mbappe said. “I told him that I might have reacted in the same way. “What I told him was that as long as I am captain and he is vice captain, I won’t be superior…

HARRY Kane became England’s all-time record goalscorer as they opened their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign with a first victory in Italy since 1961. Kane wrote his name into the history books in the 44th minute when he beat Gianluigi Donnarumma from the penalty spot for his 54th goal, overtaking previous record holder Wayne Rooney. Declan Rice gave England an early lead when he scored from close range after Kane’s shot was blocked before the captain put memories of his penalty miss against France in the World Cup quarter-final in Qatar aside with an emphatic spot-kick. Italy, whistled off at half-time…

THE US and Canada have reached a deal to reject asylum seekers at unofficial border crossings, officials say. US President Joe Biden and Canadian PM Justin Trudeau will announce the pact on Friday during Mr Biden’s visit to Ottawa. The accord is expected to allow officials on both sides of the border to turn back such asylum seekers heading in either direction. The US side has also seen a rise in migrant crossings there from Canada. The move is part of efforts to limit an influx of migrants at Roxham Road, an unofficial crossing between New York state and the…

UKRAINE President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday told European leaders that “delays” sending fighter jets and long-range missiles could extend the war, after he paid a visit to the frontline southern region of Kherson. On the train home from the war-ravaged areas, Zelensky gave an emotional account of what he had seen as he addressed a summit of his EU counterparts gathered in Brussels via video link, an EU official said. But, while he welcomed a recent EU plan aimed at sending Kyiv one million artillery shells, he kept up his demand for modern warplanes and missiles he believes will be…

FOUR Kenyan MPs have been charged with unlawful assembly after taking part in anti-government protests on Monday, the Reuters news agency says quoting their lawyer. During the demonstrations police tear-gassed opposition leader Raila Odinga’s convoy in the capital, Nairobi. Running battles took place on the main Kenyatta Avenue between police and demonstrators, some of whom threw stones at the security officers. The protests also spread to other cities, with a university student reportedly shot dead in Kisumu. Speaking on Thursday, Mr Odinga condemned what he described as “illegal arrests” – two of those held were leading members of the opposition…

SOUTH African opposition minority party, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), has said Russian President Vladimir Putin is welcome to visit Pretoria despite an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) against him. The ICC, which South Africa is a signatory to, has accused Mr Putin of war crimes, which include the kidnapping of Ukrainian children in Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine. Mr Putin is scheduled to travel to South Africa for the Brics (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) summit in August. EFF leader Julius Malema on Thursday said no one was going to arrest Mr Putin…

INEOS owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim will submit improved bids to buy Manchester United after the initial deadline was extended at their request amid confusion on Wednesday night. Bidders were told they had until 21:00 GMT to submit second, revised bids. BBC Sport has been told several other proposed investors met the initial deadline. It is unclear when the new deadline will be. Ratcliffe and Sheikh Jassim are the only publicly declared bidders. Initially on Wednesday evening there had been strong indications that the pair had submitted fresh bids. It is now understood that over the…

FORMER Arsenal, Real Madrid and Germany midfielder Mesut Ozil has retired from football at the age of 34. Ozil won nine trophies during his club career including four FA Cups and the Spanish La Liga title in 2012. He also won 92 caps for Germany and was part of the team that lifted the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. “It has been an amazing journey filled with unforgettable moments and emotions,” Ozil said in a statement on social media. “I’ve had the privilege to be a professional football player for almost 17 years now and I feel incredibly thankful for…

THE Saudi Arabian and Iranian foreign ministers spoke by phone to mark the beginning of Ramadan and have agreed to meet “soon” to start the process of re-opening embassies and consulates, according to Saudi Arabia’s foreign affairs ministry. The Saudi foreign minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, had a call with his counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and the pair “exchanged greetings and congratulations on the occasion of the holy month of Ramadan”, which begins on Thursday in both countries, the ministry said. “The two ministers agreed to hold a bilateral meeting soon, to pave the way for the reopening of…

THE US central bank has raised interest rates again, despite fears that the move could add to financial turmoil after a string of bank failures. The Federal Reserve increased its key rate by 0.25 percentage points, calling the banking system “sound and resilient”. But it also warned that fallout from the bank failures may hurt economic growth in the months ahead. The Fed has been raising borrowing costs in a bid to stabilise prices. But the sharp increase in interest rates since last year has led to strains in the banking system. Two US banks – Silicon Valley Bank and…

ZIMBABWE has awarded civil servants a 100% salary increment as part of efforts to improve their welfare, the government-owned daily The Herald reports. However, the increase just about keeps pace with Zimbabwe’s high inflation, which stands at 92.3% according to latest figures. This means the prices in shops are rising at almost the same rate as the salary hike. The pay review includes an improved $250 Covid-19 allowance for all civil servants and a $80 monthly allowance for teachers, a statement from the finance ministry is quoted as saying. The review takes effect from 1 March in the security sector…

KENYA and Uganda have increased surveillance on their border with Tanzania after the Marburg virus killed five people in the neighbouring country. High fever is a common symptom of the deadly Ebola-like virus, often followed by bleeding and organ failure. Uganda has ordered immediate screening and testing at its southern border. Health teams have also been put on high alert at border crossings in the districts of Kyotera and Isingiro. Kenya’s Health Director General Patrick Amoth has advised members of the public to report any unusual increase in people who have a high fever and recently travelled to Tanzania. “Such…

THE lawmaker representing Kano North in the Senate, Senator Jubrin Barau, has officially announced his intention to run for the position of President of the Senate in the 10th National Assembly. His declaration is coming a day after the Senate Chief Whip, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, said it is his turn to be the Senate President of the country. Speaking to journalists at the National Assembly Wednesday morning, Senator Barau said competence, capacity and experience should be the factors to determine who should be the President of the Senate in the 10th Assembly. On the matter of religious considerations bearing…

ARGENTINIAN Jorge Sampaoli was sacked as coach of struggling Sevilla on Tuesday, with the club just off the relegation zone. “Sevilla FC have today relieved Jorge Sampaoli of his duties,” the club said in a statement. “Following the defeat at Getafe, which leaves the side just above the relegation zone, the club have decided to part ways with the Argentine coach ahead of the international break.” “Sevilla FC would like to thank Jorge Sampaoli for his dedication and commitment at the club and wish him the best of luck in his future.” The former Chile and Argentina coach joined Sevilla…

FORMER England manager Roy Hodgson has been reappointed as Crystal Palace boss until the end of the season. Patrick Vieira, who replaced Hodgson at Selhurst Park in July 2021, was sacked by Palace on Friday after a 12-match winless run in all competitions. Hodgson, 75, managed Watford from January to May 2022, leaving after they were relegated to the Championship. “It is a privilege to be asked to return to the club, which has always meant so much to me,” said Hodgson. “Our sole objective now is to start winning matches, and to get the points necessary to ensure our…

THE holy month of Ramadan will start on Thursday, authorities in Qatar and Saudi Arabia have announced, based on the expected sighting of the crescent moon. Saudi Arabia’s supreme court declared on Tuesday evening that Wednesday would be the last day of the Islamic calendar month of Shaban, which precedes Ramadan, meaning the Muslim holy month will begin the following day, the official Saudi Press Agency reported. Ramadan is determined by the Islamic lunar calendar, which begins at the first sight of the moon. Officials in the Palestinian territories and in Egypt also announced that Ramadan would begin on Thursday.…

AT least 13 people have been killed and more than 200 injured after a powerful earthquake shook large parts of Pakistan and Afghanistan. The 6.5-magnitude quake damaged buildings, triggered landslides and sent people running into the streets. It struck on Tuesday evening, centred in a mountainous region in Afghanistan’s north-east near the border with Pakistan. Tremors from the remote Jurm valley were felt as far as India. “It was a terrifying tremor. I had never felt such a tremor before in my life,” Kabul resident Khatera told AFP news agency after rushing out of her fifth-storey apartment. Nine of the…

A KENYAN governor has ordered newly appointed county executives to regularly give 10% of their income to the church, a local newspaper reports. Nandi Governor Stephen Sang said the directive was after he established that local churches require support from leaders and the county government. “Chief officers serving in my final term must act differently and work smart by paying back to society,” he is quoted as saying by the Daily Nation website The governor made the remarks during the swearing-in of the officials in an event attended by church leaders. It’s unclear how the governor plans to enforce the…

THOUSANDS of Namibians on Tuesday flocked to the VIP tent at the independence celebrations after President Hage Geingob ordered all invited guests to forgo their prepared lunch. Local media reported chaos in Outapi, the capital of the northern region of Omusati, where the celebrations were held. Some attendees reportedly stormed VIP tents when rumours about shortage of food prepared for the day started spreading among the crowd. Audrin Mathe, a senior official in the ministry of communication, said organisers of celebrations initially catered for 15,000 attendees but that number grew to more than 20,000 people. “That is why President Geingob…

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari rejoices with distinguished banker, economist, and philanthropist, Tony Elumelu, CFR, on his 60th birthday, March 22, 2023, sharing joy and warmth of the occasion with the entrepreneur, who was ranked amongst World’s 100 most influential personalities in 2020 by Time. President Buhari felicitates with Chairman of the United Bank of Africa (UBA) Group on the milestone, affirming the honor and pride that the benefactor has brought to Nigeria, and Africa, with his achievements, lighting the way for many to grow through inspiration, mentorship and training, with focus on raising generation of entrepreneurs. The President believes Elumelu’s benevolence…