Archive May 29, 2025

Can England pip Spain? Will Scotland and Wales avoid relegation?

By in News, Sports News
Images courtesy of Getty

England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, and the Republic of Ireland will all be playing twice over the next week in the Women’s Nations League group stage for the business end.

There are still three spots up for grabs in the Nations League finals, and promotion and relegation between the groups are also in play. France has already secured their place.

England will still need to win both of their matches against world champion Spain and Portugal in order to reach the finals.

As they battle relegation from League A, Scotland and Wales will both look to clinch their first championship promotion, while Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland could achieve the same result.

The Women’s Nations League is what?

The inaugural tournament offered spots for the 2025 Women’s European Championship, which the league hosted in 2023.

According to the match results, countries are divided into groups of three or four teams spread across three different leagues, with each league’s promotion and relegation achieving its goals.

And a lot is at stake.

What has been achieved so far? fixtures upcoming?

The top league, League A, includes Scotland, Wales, and England.

Scotland have lost four games and are rooted to the bottom of Group A.

They suffered two dubious defeats in February, one of which was 1-0 in Austria and the other of which was 2-1 at home to the Netherlands. In April, they were beaten again by table-toppers Germany, who lost 4-0 at home and 6-1 at Frankfurt.

If they lose on Friday at home to Austria, they will be relegated, before traveling to the Netherlands on Tuesday.

France is still unbeaten in Group A2 and has already qualified for the finals.

Next matches in Groups A1 and A2

Group A1: Germany, Netherlands, Scotland, Austria, and Austria, Germany, Netherlands, and Scotland, on May 30.

Women's Nations League Groups A1 and A2
England won their Group A3 game 1-0 at Wembley over reigning world champions Spain after an underwhelming 1-1 draw in Portugal.

The Lionesses defeated Belgium 5-0 at Bristol City’s Ashton Gate in April, but a 3-2 defeat by the same team in Leuven places them in second place, behind Spain, in an effort to defend their European title in Switzerland this summer.

In the event that Spain loses to Portugal at Wembley on Friday, they are aware that they will not be able to advance to the finals.

However, Sarina Wiegman’s side would take the lead if the Lionesses won and then added three points away to Spain on Tuesday.

Wales are four points adrift at the bottom of Group A4, and they are still waiting for their first victory as they prepare to play in their first major women’s tournament this summer.

In their opening competition, they lost 1-0 to Italy, before coming back with two impressive 1-1 draws against Sweden, either side of a 2-1 defeat by Denmark.

If Italy and Wales draw away from home on Friday, they will be relegated to the bottom. Four days later, they host Italy.

Next matches in Groups A3 and A4

Group A3: England vs. Portugal, Belgium v. Spain, Spain v. England, Portugal v. Belgium, and 3 v. June v. Portugal.

Women's Nations League Group A3 and A4 tables

Northern Ireland is currently second in Group B, but it still has a chance to advance over Poland, who are three points clear. Friday night at Seaview, the two teams play.

The final group match will take place on Tuesday when Northern Ireland travels to Zenica to face Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Northern Ireland must win.

Before home victories over Bosnia-Herzogovina and Romania, plus an away draw with the Romanians, Tanya Oxtoby’s side lost 2-0 to the Poles in February.

Slovenia host the Republic of Ireland on Tuesday, three points clear of the top team in Group B2.

Before that game, they will travel to Turkey on Friday, knowing that if Slovenia lose, they will not be able to finish top.

Carla Ward’s side defeated Turkey 1-0 in Slovenia in February, before falling to Slovenia 4-0. Then, in April, they defeated Greece in two games.

Next matches in Groups B1 and B2

Group B1: Northern Ireland face Poland, Romania face Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Bosnia-Herzegovina faces Bosnia-Herzegovina on May 30; and Poland faces Romania face Poland.

Women's Nations League Group B1 and B2 tables

What is the process of the league?

At the conclusion of the 2024 women’s European qualifying league stage, teams were ranked according to their position in each league.

In two-legged semi-finals will take place between the four League A group winners. The winners advance to the final, while the losers advance to a third-place play-off. The third-place tie and the final will also be played on two legs.

The League B group winners will be promoted, and the League A group winners will be relegated to League B.

The teams that finish at the bottom of League B, along with two of the third-placed teams with the lowest ranking, will all be promoted to League C.

How do teams advance to the Women’s World Cup?

Which teams are placed in each league according to the Nations League’s group standings for the 2027 Women’s World Cup’s qualifiers?

The groups within the three leagues will be decided by a draw in November 2025.

For the World Cup qualifiers, teams that place in the top two of each League A group continue to be in the top league.

Promotion will be made for League B’s top four teams.

Which four teams will have to face off against League A’s third-placed teams in order to determine which third-placed teams will take the second-placed teams from League B.

The fixtures are when?

Before the 2025 Women’s Euros, which begin on July 2nd, all of the Nations League group games will take place.

League variations

Matchdays 5 and 6: May 30 through June 3

Finals

Semi-finals (two legs): 22-28 October

related subjects

  • Women’s Football Team of Scotland
  • Women’s Football Team England
  • Women’s Football Team from the Republic of Ireland
  • Women’s Football Team from Wales
  • Women’s Football Team from Northern Ireland
  • Football
  • Women’s Football

Women’s Nations League – how it stands

By in News, Sports News
Getty Images

The business end of the Women’s Nations League group stage is here, with England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland all in action twice over the next week.

France have already booked their place in the Nations League finals but there are still three spots up for grabs, while promotion and relegation between the groups is also at stake.

England will still hope they can reach the finals although they will need to win both their games against Portugal and world champions Spain.

Scotland and Wales will both look to earn their first victories of the competition as they battle against relegation from League A, while Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland could win promotion to the top league.

What is the Women’s Nations League?

The league was launched in 2023, with the inaugural tournament offering qualification spots for the 2025 Women’s European Championship.

Countries are placed into groups of three or four teams, across three different leagues, with promotion and relegation between the leagues depending on the match results.

And there’s a lot at stake.

What has happened so far? Next fixtures?

England, Scotland and Wales are all in the top league – League A.

Scotland are rooted to the bottom of Group A1, with four defeats in four matches.

They suffered two narrow losses in February – 1-0 in Austria and then 2-1 at home to the Netherlands before two heavy defeats by table-toppers Germany in April – losing 4-0 at home and then a 6-1 hammering in Frankfurt four days later.

They will be relegated if they lose at home to Austria on Friday, before they face a trip to the Netherlands on Tuesday.

France remain unbeaten at the top of Group A2 and have already qualified for the finals.

Next matches in Group A1 and A2

Group A1: 30 May – Germany v Netherlands, Scotland v Austria; 3 June – Austria v Germany, Netherlands v Scotland.

Women's Nations League Groups A1 and A2

England began their Group A3 campaign with an underwhelming 1-1 draw in Portugal, but claimed an impressive 1-0 win at Wembley over reigning world champions Spain.

The Lionesses, who will attempt to defend their European title in Switzerland this summer, beat Belgium 5-0 at Bristol City’s Ashton Gate in April but a 3-2 defeat by the same side four days later in Leuven means they now find themselves in second place behind Spain.

They host Portugal at Wembley on Friday knowing they will be unable to qualify for the finals if they fail to win and Spain beat Portugal.

However, victory for the Lionesses and then another three points away to Spain on Tuesday would seal top spot for Sarina Wiegman’s side.

Wales, who are preparing to compete in their first major women’s tournament this summer, are four points adrift at the bottom of Group A4 and still waiting for their first win.

They lost 1-0 to Italy in their competition opener before responding with two impressive 1-1 draws with Sweden, either side of a 2-1 defeat by Denmark.

Wales will be relegated on Friday if they lose away to Denmark or if they draw and Italy do not lose to Sweden. They host Italy four days later.

Next matches in Group A3 and A4

Group A3: 30 May – England v Portugal, Belgium v Spain; 3 June – Spain v England, Portugal v Belgium.

Women's Nations League Group A3 and A4 tables

In Group B1, Northern Ireland sit second but could still win promotion ahead of Poland, who they trail by three points. The two sides play on Friday at Seaview.

Northern Ireland need to win otherwise Poland will top the group, with the final round of matches to come on Tuesday when Northern Ireland will travel to Zenica to play Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Tanya Oxtoby’s side lost 2-0 away to the Poles in February before home wins over Bosnia-Herzogovina and Romania, plus an away draw with the Romanians.

The Republic of Ireland are in second place in Group B2, three points behind leaders Slovenia, who they host on Tuesday.

Before that match they face a trip to Turkey on Friday knowing if they fail to win and Slovenia beat Greece, they will be unable to finish top.

In February, Carla Ward’s side beat Turkey 1-0 before being thrashed 4-0 in Slovenia. They then picked up two wins over Greece in April.

Next matches in Group B1 and B2

Group B1: 30 May – Northern Ireland v Poland, Romania v Bosnia-Herzegovina; 3 June – Bosnia-Herzegovina v Northern Ireland, Poland v Romania.

Women's Nations League Group B1 and B2 tables

How does the league work?

Teams were placed in each league based on their rankings at the end of the 2024 women’s European qualifying league stage.

The four League A group winners will meet in two-legged semi-finals. The winners go into the final to decide who takes the Nations League title, while the losers go into a third-place play-off. Both the final and the third-place tie will also be played over two legs.

The teams who finish fourth in each League A group will be relegated to League B, and the League B group winners will be promoted.

Each group winner of League C will be promoted to League B, with the teams finishing at the bottom of League B, as well as two of the lowest ranked third-placed teams, dropping to League C.

How can teams qualify for Women’s World Cup?

The group standings at the end of the Nations League determine which teams are placed in each league for the European qualifiers for the 2027 Women’s World Cup.

There will be another draw in November 2025 to decide the groups within the three leagues.

Teams who finish in the top two in each League A group stay in the top league for the World Cup qualifiers.

The top four teams in League B will be promoted.

Third-placed teams from League A will have to play the second-placed teams from League B to decide which four teams claim the final League A spots.

When are the fixtures?

The Nations League group fixtures all take place before the 2025 Women’s Euros, which starts on 2 July.

League phases

Matchday five and six: 30 May-3 June

Finals

Semi-finals (two legs): 22-28 October

Related topics

  • Scotland Women’s Football Team
  • England Women’s Football Team
  • Republic of Ireland Women’s Football Team
  • Wales Women’s Football Team
  • Northern Ireland Women’s Football Team
  • Football
  • Women’s Football

I Have Not Collected A Single Loan In Two Years — Kaduna Gov

By in News, Nigeria News

Uba Sani, the governor of Kaduna State, has revealed that since taking office two years ago, he has not received a single loan from any local or international financial institution.

As part of his celebration of his two years in office, the Governor made this known by answering questions on a Hausa interview with some Kaduna radio stations.

Sani claimed that he had been approached by several banks to collect loans under various guises, but he had declined because he didn’t want to add more money to the state.

In order to run a successful administration, the governor disclosed that he had cut some benefits and allowances for his secretary to the state government and commissioners.

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has a former consultant and former federal Permanent Secretary, who is also a retired official. Some of my Commissioners’ former employers were paying high salaries.

I persuaded them to use the vintage cars that their predecessors used during the previous administration instead of their performance bonuses. Without ever getting a single loan, he continued, “This is how we have been running the administration.”

[READ ALSO] May 29: “Let Us Turn The Page,” Fubara Calls For Healing

Governor Sani added that he used his contacts and connections to obtain grants from foundations throughout his career as a senator and human rights activist.

Visual guide to how the Gaza aid distribution turmoil unfolded

By in News, World News

Al Jazeera correspondent Hind al-Khourdary claimed that the GHF’s distribution of 8, 000 food boxes on Tuesday, which totaled 462, 000 meals, would not be enough to last long for families.

Khoudary described a typical box that contained four kilograms (8.8 lbs. ), two cans of fava beans, two tea bags, and some biscuits. Lentils and soup were present in small quantities in other food packages.

“We have been starving for a long time. We must provide food for our children. What other options do we have? A Palestinian father told Al Jazeera, “I could do anything to feed them.” Even if it meant taking a risk, we ran into people, and it was frightening. Fear, however, is not as bad as starvation.

By the time Abu Sa’da, the mother of three, reached Rafah, she had already accomplished her best efforts.

The experience was viewed as being incredibly humiliating by Abu Sa’da. She displayed inferiority and shame.

“I wore a scarf to the top of my head the entire time.” She continued, “I didn’t want anyone to recognize me getting a food parcel.”

Abu Sa’da claims she will do it again if necessary.

Water and electricity are not abundant.

In Gaza, access to scarce water and electricity is almost nonexistent, making it nearly impossible for people to use the few resources they can get.

Al Jazeera correspondent Tareq Abu Azzoum, who was reporting live from Deir el-Balah, stated that it is “impossible to cook any dry food in Gaza, including lentils, rice, or even pasta,” without having water.

Additionally, he said, “You would also need electricity or a fuel source, which have both been completely disconnected from Gaza.

The GHF is what?

A newly established, US- and Israeli-approved organization that is distributing food to Palestinians in Gaza, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). Following Israel’s three-month supply blockade in Gaza, the organization has already experienced delays and difficulties, with the UN claiming the organization is unable to deal with the dire humanitarian situation there.

Israel has attempted to present a solution by distributing aid via the US-backed GHF in response to growing pressure to lift the blockade on Gaza and allow essential supplies in. Jake Wood, a US military veteran who is in charge of the organization, has already resigned, claiming that it would not be able to uphold the values of “humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence.”

Last week, UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher stated at the Security Council that the GHF “restricts aid to only one portion of Gaza while leaving other dire needs unmet.” It places political and military goals before aid. It provides a bargaining chip for starvation. It’s a cynical sideshow. a deliberate disorientation. A recipe for displacement and further violence.

Working with the GHF would compromise values and put the teams and people who received aid in danger, according to the UN and other humanitarian organizations. According to them, Israel could rely on the GHF to forcefully relocate the population by requiring them to move nearby a few distribution centers or face starvation. Additionally, the UN has opposed facial recognition for assessing the status of those receiving aid.

How has Israel famined Gaza’s residents?

Israel’s nearly three-month-long blockade of the Gaza Strip has left one in five Palestinians in need of food. The euphemism of hunger that grips Gaza is illustrated by the chaos at the distribution point.

1.95 million people in the enclave, or 93 percent of the population, are experiencing acute food shortages, according to the most recent Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report.

North Gaza and other governorates are experiencing higher levels of hunger.

Gunmen Abduct Traditional Ruler In Nasarawa Community

By in News, Nigeria News

Abducted is Emmanuel Omanji, the traditional ruler of the Dari community in Nasarawa State’s Kokona Local Government Area.

On Wednesday night at his residence, Omanji was whisked away. Before he was taken, the gunmen occasionally shot in the neighborhood.

Ramhan Nansel, the public relations officer for the Nasarawa State Police Command, confirmed the kidnapping to Channel Television.

Nansel noted that Shetima Jauro Mohammed, the commissioner of police in Nasarawa, has mobilized the command’s kidnapping unit, the military, and vigilantes to launch a search and rescue operation to save the victim and make the perpetrators accountable.

According to him, the commissioner is looking for reliable data to help the operation cooperate with the Nigeria Police Force.

Also read: Bandits Kill Vigilantes, Civilians in Bauchi, and More.

In the meantime, state police have opened an investigation into the death of five children who were found lifeless in a “abandoned” and “unserviceable” vehicle in the state’s Obi Local Government Area.

Nansel explained that a resident of the Agyaragu neighborhood where the incident took place reported finding the children’s lifeless bodies to them.

The children, who range in age from six to ten, were discovered “unresponsive” in a resident’s compound.

Additionally, the police stated that the children had to be immediately taken to Aro Hospital in Agyaragu, where a doctor found all five children dead due to a rumored suffocation.

Due to severe heat burns on the bodies of the deceased, the statement claimed that their parents were requested to bury their remains after the remains were discovered.

However, the police claimed that the Police Commissioner had ordered a thorough investigation to find out what had happened.

Who is Larry Hoover? Does Trump’s commutation of his sentence set him free?

By in News, World News

Larry Hoover, a former gang leader in Chicago, was sentenced to a new federal drug and extortion sentence on Wednesday, according to President Donald Trump. Over the past five decades, Hoover has served multiple life sentences as a result of both state and federal convictions.

Hoover is currently being held in Florence, Colorado’s ADX Florence prison, a federal prison that is formally known as the United States Penitentiary Administrative Maximum Facility.

Commuting a sentence means reducing its length, severity, or completely ending it. Federal sentences, but not state sentences, are subject to the president’s authority to commute.

What we know is as follows.

What is the purpose of the commuted sentence for Larry Hoover?

Hoover, 74, co-founded one of Chicago’s most powerful gangs, Gangster Disciples.

According to a copy of the document from Hoover’s legal team that was made available to The Chicago Tribune, the Trump administration commuted his federal sentence in a two-page order issued on Wednesday, stating that it ordered his immediate release and that it was done so with no further restitution, restitution, probation, or other conditions.

The order, according to Hoover’s attorneys, vindicated their efforts to reduce the sentence for their client.

The Courts have shown a total unwillingness to take into account Mr. Hoover’s considerable growth and complete rehabilitation, according to lawyers Jennifer Bonjean and Justin Moore in a statement. Mr. Hoover has been able to maintain his voice through the incredible efforts of many supporters and advocates despite the Court’s unwillingness to do the right thing. Thankfully, President Trump heard Mr. Hoover’s pleas and delivered justice to him.

Since Trump appointed Alice Johnson as his “pardon tsar” in February of this year, more people have been lobbying for Hoover’s pardon. Johnson was a non-violent drug user and served a life sentence for a conspiracy drug conviction, but Trump granted him a pardon in 2020.

What crimes did Hoover commit?

Hoover has been found guilty of both federal and state charges. A state crime is one that violates a state law, while a federal crime is one that violates the US Constitution, which could involve several states.

He was sentenced to 200 years in prison in 1973 on suspicion of the murder of 19-year-old drug dealer in Illinois.

Hoover was a prisoner from 1974 to 1974 at Dixon Correctional Center in western Illinois, according to state prison records online. He was charged with keeping the Gangster Disciples afloat while they were still in jail.

Hoover was found guilty in 1997 of extortion, federal drug trafficking, and continued to support a criminal order. According to his attorneys, Hoover has been imprisoned for nearly three decades at Colorado’s ADX Florence, a maximum security prison.

What crimes has the Gangster Disciples committed?

Between 1970 and 1995, Hoover was one of the gang’s leaders, according to court records. According to the records, the Gangster Disciples “sold a lot of cocaine, heroin, and other drugs in Chicago” under Hoover.

According to an article published by the US Department of Justice that year, the gang was thought to have had 30 000 members in Chicago and had spread to at least 35 other states.

However, little is known about the Gangster Disciples’ recent activities in the general public.

What’s the like at the ADX Florence prison?

The highest level of security is attained at ADX Florence in Colorado, which is also known as an administrative maximum (ADX) prison.

1994 saw the opening of the prison. Prisoners are confined to 12-by-7 feet (3. 6 by 2-meter) cells with thick concrete walls so they can’t see one another. A thin mattress perched on a slab of concrete provides sleep for inmates. A bathroom, shower, and automated shower are also present in the cells.

Televisions, books, or other media may be available to prisoners. In ADX prisons, there is very little human interaction.

On February 21, 2007, a patrol vehicle can be seen patrolling the fencing at the Federal Correctional Complex in Florence, Colorado, including the Administrative Maximum Penitentiary (also known as “Supermax” prison.

Is Larry Hoover currently free to leave?

No, Hoover is still serving his 200-year prison sentence following the murder conviction in 1973 in Illinois.

Now that his federal conviction has been commuted, it is unknown if or when Hoover will move to another prison to serve out his state convictions, such as the Dixon Correctional Center, an Illinois medium-security facility that opened in 1983. In response to security concerns, Illinois Department of Corrections officials have previously suggested that Hoover finish his state sentence in federal prison.

Can Hoover be released on bail?

Hoover will not be eligible for parole until October 2062, when he will turn 111 years old, according to Dixon Correctional Center’s online records. Is it uncertain if he will be eligible for parole later.

Trump cannot intervene because federal crimes are only covered by presidential clemency and not state crimes, according to the US Congress website. The governor of the state has the authority to commute state offenses. Republican JB Pritzker, the governor of Illinois, has so far not mentioned Hoover or any plans to grant him clemency.

What function did the media play in this case?

Former rapper Kanye West, Ye, has long pushed for Hoover’s pardon. Ye requested Hoover’s pardon in the first year of Trump’s presidency. A vocal anthem from Hoover’s son, Larry Hoover Jr., who thanked Ye for bringing up his father’s case in the Oval Office, is featured on the song “Jesus Lord” from Ye’s 2021 album. The junior Hoover is reportedly heard saying, “Free my father, Mr. Larry Hoover Sr.”

Hoover’s freedom was also a top priority for Rapper Drake. Ye and Drake collaborated on a “Free Hoover” concert in Los Angeles in 2021, letting aside personal angst.

Ye posted on X after the commutation order, “WORDS CAN’T EXPRESS MY GRATITUDE FOR OUR DEVOTED ENDURING PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP FOR FROSSING LARRY HOOVER.”

Trump pardons people now, but why?

Hoover’s commutation’s precise justification is ambiguous. However, it comes as part of Trump’s string of pardons and commutations.

Former Republican congressman Michael Grimm, who was found guilty of tax fraud in 2015 and served a number of months in prison, received a pardon on Wednesday.