No Bonmati, no problem – Spain put down major Euros marker

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Spain started their Euro 2025 campaign as heavy favorites despite the recent hospitalization of the Ballon d’Or winner and the first-choice keeper’s health issues.

Their chances for winning their first game against Portugal dropped to 87 seconds. By half-way, who in Switzerland could possibly stop them was the only conversational point.

The world champions defeated Portugal 5-0, with Cristina Martin-Prieto scoring the final goal in the fifth minute.

The Spanish fans were quiet as their side fired in goal after goal in Bern amid a strange atmosphere, with a minute’s silence observed just before kick-off following the passing of Portugal’s international Diogo Jota. They now anticipate being in charge.

However, the first half of the tournament was a true test for the world champions after six teams faced off against them in the opening games with obvious flaws and some poor quality.

And it occurred in the midst of a malfunctioning construction. After recently being released from a hospital after a bout of viral meningitis, Aitana Bonmati, the current Ballon d’Or winner, was standing. She was introduced as a tard substitute four days later.

After suffering tonsillitis, first-choice keeper Cata Coll was replaced with 23-year-old Adriana Nanclares. Because of suspension, Irene Paredes was not present in front of her.

So, was Spain available to take? The first meaningful attack provided the answer.

a constellation of Spanish stars

Although she wears the number nine, Esther Gonzalez is not a household name in Spain. The 32-year-old New York/New Jersey Gotham striker, who converts chances created by magic to opportunities created by magic, is the spearhead of the Spanish attack.

She excellently executed a pinpoint pass with her shoulder before slotting home the opener.

Bonmati, no? No . This Spain-side constellation is a star, while Bonmati is a star.

Another creative midfielder steps up to replace the former champion from Spain. Vicky Lopez was slipped in by WSL player of the year Mariona Caldentey after seven minutes to put the game to 2-0.

Lopez, age 18, has already won three Liga F titles with Barcelona, making her the youngest female debut in history.

The third place finish and controlled control was achieved by Alexia Putellas, Bonmati’s previous winner of the Ballons d’Or competition. She has a serious knee injury that prevented her from competing in 2022.

Left-back Claudia Pina, another Barcelona star who has outsmarted 2023 World Cup heroine Salma Paralluelo out of the XI, created the fourth sensationally by twisting a chipped cross from the byline off the far post. Gonzalez, who had the first word, added the final word of a first half that should frighten the other 15 nations.

Spain is the team to beat at Euro 2025 because of this. Their depth is astounding from front to back.

In her first competitive international, who won? Your ninth clean sheet is kept by her.

Spain celebrateImages courtesy of Getty

A five-star performance, in my opinion.

Former Wales defender Danny Gabbidon described the performance as “a five-star performance” on BBC Radio 5 Live. Five objectives. clean sheet a wide range of objectives as well. You want to start the tournament exactly that way.

We’ve discussed whether or not Spain is the winner, and it is, to be fair. They haven’t yet won this competition, so the pressure is on them to put on a show. And boy, did they do, especially in the first half.

However, Spain have occasionally demonstrated that they can win the World Cup after defeating England in Sydney.

In addition to their shock defeat against England in the Nations League, they also suffered a shock defeat to the Czech Republic in qualifying.

Spain lost medals to Brazil and Germany at the most recent major event, the 2024 Olympics, in which case it lost.

There are still some doubts about Montse Tome, their first female manager, playing her first senior role.

And the tests will be much more difficult. This Portugal side was outclassed by Zamora on Thursday morning, left them devastated by recent heavy defeats to Spain and the dreadful news from the country.

Vicky Losada, a former Spain international, told ITV, “I personally believe Portugal made it easy for Spain.” You must compete in order to compete in the Euros.

There is no mention of a Spanish procession in history. They have never won the Euros; in fact, they last advanced past the quarter-finals in 1997. In each of the previous three continental tournaments, they have lost.

However, if Spain wins Euro 2025, they will only be the second women’s team in history to win five World Cups and European competitions consecutively, following Germany’s five straight victories between 2001 and 2009.

Similar dominance should not be ruled out given this Spanish side’s depth and youth. And that is a possibility with this incredibly impressive first half.

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Tinubu’s Govt Buried The Economy, Says Amaechi

Rotimi Amaechi, a former governor of Rivers State, claimed the current administration’s leadership “buried” the economy.

The economy has been completely buried by the current administration. When featured on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Amaechi remarked in response to his statement, “Any economy that doesn’t put money in the pockets of people in Nigeria is not an economic policy.” &nbsp,

Where is the money, and are you saving money by removing the subsidy and floating the naira? What’s the plan?”

When Tinubu took office in 2023, he removed the petroleum subsidy and the nation’s currency. Due to these twin decisions, the country’s living costs have increased.

Amaechi criticized Tinubu’s administration for putting more Nigerians in poverty while weighing in on the state of the economy. &nbsp,

“This government’s members are only among the wealthy class,” the situation is. He claimed that the poor are growing while the middle class has vanished. A time will come when we won’t even see the poor anymore because they will have all passed away, according to &nbsp.

I Don’t Know Why Wike Don’t Respect Me – Amaechi also has a book available.

Amaechi is a member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition that intends to defeat the All-Party Party (APC) in the 2027 election.

When he was questioned if he would run for president of the newly launched ADC in 2027, he responded, “Of course. I reaffirmed to you. You are aware of my mind-blowing.

“I would say that if I won’t work for more than four years. He said, “I would say I would do more than four if I were to go on for more than four.” &nbsp,

Nigeria rotates the presidency among the two major blocs in accordance with an unspoken power-sharing agreement between the North and South. &nbsp,

The former minister recalled his campaign for the North’s return in 2015, claiming that he supports the idea of power being divided between the two key provinces.

“I took the lead in the struggle against the PDP government.” Why? Due to the fact that it was agreed that the government would spend four years there. However, the government resisted it four years later, and I told them otherwise.

‘Exporting Doctors While Undermining Welfare Is Inexcusable,’ NMA Faults Nigeria-Saint Lucia Deal

In light of the “deteriorating” working conditions and neglect of medical professionals at home, the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has criticised the Federal Government’s decision to send Nigerian doctors to Saint Lucia and other Caribbean countries as part of a new Technical Manpower Assistance (TMA) agreement.

In a statement released on Thursday, July 3, 2025, and signed by its Secretary General, Dr. Benjamin Sichey Egbo, the NMA declared that “exporting doctors while undermining their welfare at home is inexcusable.”

The association claimed that the government’s action “contrayed the reality that many Nigerian doctors are struggling with poor remuneration, unpaid allowances, hazardous working conditions, and widespread burnout” and that it was “deeply concerning and dismayed” by the decision.

The statement read, “This action is a deeply troubling contradiction and an attempt to improve Nigeria’s international reputation while neglecting basic obligations owed to doctors who work hard in the nation,” the statement read.

The NMA claimed that Nigerian doctors had been subject to “chronic delays” in receiving payments from the Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), non-application of previously agreed welfare benefits, and inconsistent use of the CONMESS salary structure.

These issues, according to the association, have resulted in a large emigration of doctors, exaggerated workloads for those who remain, rising stress levels, and even preventable deaths, all of which contribute to the country’s worsening public health outcomes.

The NMA also issued a separate 21-day ultimatum to the government on Wednesday, which included the removal of a contentious circular from the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, the resolution of outstanding allowances, and respect for Nigerian doctors’ professional autonomy.

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) praised the government’s commitment to international cooperation and regional development while claiming that it is “morally unjustifiable” to export healthcare workers while paying them significantly more than their domestic counterparts.

The association attracted attention to the alarming wage disparity between Nigerian doctors working in the country and those who are deployed abroad.

The Saint Lucian government pays its highest-paying doctors $111.7 million annually, according to the NMA. In contrast, the Nigerian government pays the country 40.8% of its annual salary to doctors who are deployed to Saint Lucia as a result of the Technical Manpower Assistance Agreement.

Meanwhile, doctors in Nigeria only make an average of 11 million annually. While patients endure, we are promoting brain drain. The organization remarked, “It is indefensible.”

 

Bilateral Agreement

Under a recently signed Technical Manpower Assistance (TMA) agreement, the Federal Government made plans to send Nigerian professionals, including doctors, teachers, and agriculturists, to Saint Lucia and other Caribbean nations.

The deal, which was signed in Castries, Saint Lucia, is a part of President Bola Tinubu’s wider international strategy to promote South-South cooperation and foster a sense of belonging among the African diaspora in the Caribbean.

Janelle Modeste-Stephen, acting Permanent Secretary at Saint Lucia’s Ministry of External Affairs, and Yusuf Buba Yakub, director-general of the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps (TAC), signed on behalf of the host country.

Yakub praised the agreement as “a great achievement” and said it reflected President Tinubu’s request for the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) to receive technical assistance.

Nigeria will pay for the two-year deployment under the terms of the agreement, while the host countries will provide lodging and local assistance.

Additionally, according to Yakub, over 300 Nigerian professionals have been stationed in various African and Caribbean nations since August 2023, and more are on schedule to travel to Grenada and Jamaica in the coming days.

The first stop on a two-nation tour of the Caribbean and South America is where President Tinubu is currently making a state visit to Saint Lucia. He made an announcement at a joint session of the Saint Lucian Senate and House of Assembly on Monday that both the United States’ members could use to fund their education in Nigeria. He also proposed a proposed visa waiver for those with diplomatic and official passports.

UK’s youngest senior player Atherton joins Chelsea

Inpho

Chris Atherton, 16, has left Mourneview Park to join Chelsea.

At 13 years and 329 days old, the Northern Ireland Under-17 international, who was 13 years and 329 days old, became the youngest senior football player in the United Kingdom in September 2022, made headlines.

When the teenager started for the Lurgan Blues in a 6-0 victory over Dollingstown in the BetMcLean Cup, he broke the senior record by starting as a substitute for the Lurgan Blues.

Atherton overcame Jordan Allan’s previous record, which was 14 years, 191 days, in Airdrie.

He started for Glenavon regularly throughout the 2024-2019 campaign, scoring his first Irish Premiership goal against Loughgall in March as Paddy McLaughlin’s side finished 10th overall.

Glenavon made the announcement on X by posting that Chris Atherton’s blue is still the color.

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2027: I Will Do One Term If Elected President — Amaechi

Rotimi Amaechi, a former governor of Rivers State, says he will serve as president if given the opportunity to do so in 2027. He thinks the power-sharing agreement between northern and southern Nigeria should be respected.

Amaechi made an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday, putting emphasis on the importance of the country.

When he was questioned if he would run for president in 2027 as the newly formed African Democratic Congress (ADC), he responded, “Of course. I reaffirmed to you. You are aware of my mind-reading abilities. ”

Amaechi remarked, “If I won’t do that for more than four years, I would say that. I would say I would do more than four if I had to spend more time.

The North and South of Nigeria have a power-sharing agreement that allows them to rotate their presidents among the two major blocs.  

After serving for eight years, Muhammadu Buhari from the North-West took over as president of the nation in the south-west region in 2023.

Discussions about power rotation have been a hot topic as the nation prepares for the polls in 2027.

The newly formed coalition, which includes powerful politicians, has yet to specify its preferred region for the presidency.  

However, Amaechi responded, “Of course, of course, when asked about the ADC’s position on zoning and whether it would consider a southerner for a single four-year term in 2027. Let me explain why.

You must adhere to the unwritten agreement that states “South eight years” and “North eight years,” for the time being, Nigeria. ” 

I don’t know why Wike doesn’t respect me, Amaechi, you can read more here.

South must pass its eighth year.

The former minister recalled his campaign for the North’s return in 2015, claiming that he supports the idea of power being divided between the two key provinces.

I took the lead in the PDP government’s struggle. Why? Due to the fact that it was agreed that the government would spend four years there. However, the government resisted it four years later, and I told them otherwise.

Because of the North’s reaction, that will be the height of instability.
What is the best course of action, then? To maintain the balance of power, it is supporting a candidate from the north.

Victoria Beckham’s sweet message to Spice Girls pal Mel B as she’s forced to miss wedding

Former bandmate Victoria Beckham has shared a touching message to her pal while Melanie B and Rory McPhee won’t be able to perform together in full.

Victoria won’t be able to attend Melanie and Rory’s engagement.

Victoria Beckham shared a sweet message with former bandmate Mel B as the Spice Girls icon gets ready to tie the knot. Over 30 years on from the two meeting and becoming part of the iconic group, they still share a special bond.

And despite Posh not being at her pal’s special day, she has shared a touching message in the build-up. She took to her Instagram Stories to share a sweet tribute ahead of the ceremony.

At a recent event, Victoria posted a photo of her and Melanie in the well-wishes. She exclaimed in the caption, “Love to you @officialmelb! @RoryMcPhee is a very fortunate man! xx”

It comes as St Paul’s Cathedral in London, one of the most revered landmarks in the UK, prepares for Melanie and Rory to say “I do.” They will follow in the footsteps of King Charles, who also tied the knot at the prestigious location, and the late Diana, Princess of Wales.

Victoria Beckham shared a sweet message to Melanie
Victoria Beckham shared a sweet message to Melanie (Image: victoriabeckham/Instagram)

But Victoria won’t be there to watch the pair exchange vows. Neither will former bandmate Geri Halliwell, although Emma Bunton is thought to be on the guest list.

Continue reading the article.

No-show by Victoria and Geri is in no way a snub at the singer. Instead, they claimed it is simply a result of busy schedules, which we exclusively revealed earlier this week.

A source close to the band told the Mirror: “There’s no snub, the girls are all on friendly terms with one another, but it’s no secret that Geri is busy with Christian at Formula One and Victoria is extremely busy with her fashion brand.”

Spice Girls
Not all Spice Girls will attend the ceremony(Image: officialmelb/Instagram)

According to speculation, Victoria’s plans will lead to her working on a project abroad. Meanwhile, Melanieie C, better known as Sporty Spice, is currently touring and playing in eastern Denmark’s Rdovre.

Melanie’s lavish hen do in Tunisia recently led to the wedding. She was joined by her eldest daughter Pheonix, her dearly beloved mother Andrea, her sister Danielle, and her dearly beloved mother, Andrea.

Spice Girls
Not all Spice Girls will attend the ceremony(Image: Spice Girls LLP via Getty Images)

She described the occasion as her “Zen party” and donned her renowned leopard print bikini for the occasion. And she recently stated to Women’s Wear Daily that she wants to feel regal and properly at her big day: “This will be a very formal, English wedding.”

“All women will wear fascinators or hats.” I’m having a second ceremony abroad, which will be more formal, seductive, and beautiful.

Rory, a friend of Mel’s family and a friend who is 13 years her junior, and Mel have known each other for years. He has been her hairstylist, and it’s thought the couple first fell in love romantically in 2018. In 2022, he later made a proposal to her.

Continue reading the article.