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Tag: France

Emotional Messi Lifts First World Cup As Argentina Beat France in Penalty

Lionel Messi has finally won the one trophy that alluded his superb career, The FIFA World Cup.

The super star joined the likes of Zinedine Zidane, Pele and Diego Maradona after helping Argentina to a 4-2 penalty win following a dramatic 3-3 fulltime draw against a Kylian Mbappe inspired France.

Aged 35, and confirming before the match that it will be his last football match for Argentina, Messi emotionally lifted the trophy on Sunday evening, December 18 amid rapturous cheers by the crowd in Qatar.

December 18, 2022
France Beat England 2-1 to Reach World Cup Semi-finals

Olivier Giroud scored the winner as defending World Cup champions France defeated England 2-1 on Saturday after Harry Kane missed a late penalty, setting up a semi-final against Morocco.

Aurelien Tchouameni drilled France ahead in the first half but Kane levelled from the spot after the break.

Giroud’s deflected header on 78 minutes sent France through as Kane then blazed over his second spot-kick of the match.

December 10, 2022
Macron Re-Elected as France President

Emmanuel Macron has been projected as the winner of the presidential election in France, defeating far right-wing candidate, Marine Le Pen.

According to the projection by pollsters, Opinionway and the French Institute of Public Opinion (IFOP), Macron is expected to take around 57 to 58.2 percent of the votes, while Le Pen will get around 42 percent.

Pollsters are individuals or organisations that collect, analyse and present data from a poll — in this case, an election.

French pollsters typically release election result projections when polls close in major cities based on data from voting units that close at 7pm. This is usually done hours before the French interior ministry releases official results.

Following the announcement of the projected win, Macron delivered a speech to his supporters in Paris, thanking them for backing him and expressing his commitment to addressing the country’s problems.

“After five years of happy transformation and difficult challenges, this day, a majority amongst us chose to trust me to pilot the republic for the next five years. I want to thank all of the activists, all of the workers, all of the people along with us for the ride, and all of the elected officials who supported me and made this election possible. I know that you have given so much of your energy, your effort, to this endeavor,” he said.

“I want to thank all of the French people, who at the first and second rounds of the presidential election, placed their trust in me so together we can undertake our project to make France more independent, Europe stronger, and through investments and changes, continue to implement change that is relevant for everyone by freeing creativity and innovation in our country and making France a great, green nation.”

Le Pen also delivered a speech conceding defeat, while also celebrating her “historic score” in the vote.

“A great wind of freedom could have blown over our country; the fate of the ballot box wanted otherwise. The results of tonight represent a shining victory,” she said.

“In this defeat, I can’t help but feel a form of hope. This result constitutes for our French leaders as for the European leaders the testimony of a great mistrust of the French people towards them which they cannot ignore and that of the widely shared aspiration of a great change.”

April 25, 2022
UEFA Strips Russia Of Hosting Right, Move Champions League Final to France

UEFA has moved this year’s Champions League final to France after it withdrew the right from Russia for invading Ukraine.

Originally billed to hold at St. Petersburg stadium, it will not hold at the Stade de France, UEFA announced on Friday.

The decision was reached after an extraordinary meeting held by the Executive Committee resulting from the escalation of the security situation caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Among the decisions taken was the change of venues for national team and clubs football engagements for both countries. World Cup qualifying matches will now be played at neutral venues until further notice.

A statement to this effect on UEFA’s website reads, “The UEFA Executive Committee today held an extraordinary meeting following the grave escalation of the security situation in Europe.

“The UEFA Executive Committee decided to relocate the final of the 2021/22 UEFA Men’s Champions League from Saint Petersburg to Stade de France in Saint-Denis. The game will be played as initially scheduled on Saturday 28 May at 21:00 CET.

“UEFA wishes to express its thanks and appreciation to French Republic President Emmanuel Macron for his personal support and commitment to have European club football’s most prestigious game moved to France at a time of unparalleled crisis. Together with the French government, UEFA will fully support multi-stakeholder efforts to ensure the provision of rescue for football players and their families in Ukraine who face dire human suffering, destruction and displacement.

“At today’s meeting, the UEFA Executive Committee also decided that Russian and Ukrainian clubs and national teams competing in UEFA competitions will be required to play their home matches at neutral venues until further notice.

“The UEFA Executive Committee further determined to remain on standby to convene further extraordinary meetings, on a regular ongoing basis where required, to reassess the legal and factual situation as it evolves and adopt further decisions as necessary.”

February 25, 2022
Minister Of Defence Seeks Greater Ties With France To End Insecurity

The Minister of Defence Maj Gen Bashir Salihi Magashi is seeking renewal of the existing bilateral military agreements between Nigeria and France to reflect the real-time security-related needs of the two countries.

General Magashi stated this when the Ambassador of France to Nigeria Emmanuelle Blatmann paid a courtesy call on him at the Ministry of Defence Headquarters, Ship House, Abuja.

In a statement on Tuesday by his special media aide, Mohammad Abdulkadri, the minister said Nigeria and France are strategic partners and pointed out that the partnerships need to be rejigged to take it to higher levels of operability and deliverability.

The defence minister, therefore, welcomed a more proactive intelligence gathering mechanism and technological support to drive a new information-sharing regime in aid of their military campaigns in the country.

The general went further to ask for a technological transfer to galvanise the nation’s military productive capabilities in the sector. The Ambassador of France to Nigeria, Emmanuelle Blatmann, who was accompanied on the visit by the Defence Attache, Embassy of France in Nigeria, Colonel Guillaume Dujon thanked the minister for the audience aimed at strengthening the existing bilateral agreements between the two countries.

While requesting for a technical interface between the two parties to examine critical areas of mutual benefits in the proposed rebirth of Memorandum of Understanding, she gave assurances that her country will reinforce efforts to end terrorism in Nigeria and piracy in the Gulf of Guinea.

The ambassador commiserated with the Nigerian Armed Forces over those who paid the supreme price in the line of duty defending the nation’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.

February 16, 2022
Griezmann scores as Bosnia-Herzegovina hold France

France failed to bounce back from their surprise Euro 2020 elimination as they were held to a 1-1 draw in 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers by Bosnia-Herzegovina on Wednesday.

Les Bleus, who went out in the last 16 of the European Championship after a shock penalty kicks shootout loss to Switzerland, fell behind to Edin Dzeko’s 36th-minute strike in Strasbourg.

But they were quickly back on terms following a fortuitous goal for Antoine Griezmann.

Didier Deschamps’ side would have been expecting to push on for a win in the second half of the Group D clash to go six points clear of second-placed Ukraine.

Ukraine had drawn 2-2 with Kazakhstan earlier on Wednesday.

However, after a deadline-day switch from Sevilla to Chelsea failed to materialise, Jules Kounde was shown a red card for a lunge on Sead Kolasinac.

This was followed by a VAR check and France had to at the end of the day settle for a point.

Kylian Mbappe missed the decisive penalty kick against Switzerland at Euro 2020 but went close to getting back on the scoresheet on Wednesday.

That was when his effort from the tightest of angles crashed behind off the near-post in the 27th minute.

Miralem Pjanic warmed the gloves of Hugo Lloris before Dezko seized upon a wayward Thomas Lemar pass.

He drilled a fine 20-yard effort through Presnel Kimpembe’s legs and into the bottom-right corner.

France were somewhat lucky to restore parity three minutes later.

Dzeko headed a corner-kick against Griezmann’s back and following a VAR check it was clear Ibrahim Sehic had failed to keep the ball out after a slight touch off Dennis Hadzikadunic.

Aurelien Tchouameni was sent on for his debut at half-time but France’s plan was thrown into disarray following Kounde’s late tackle on Kolasinac, who had to be replaced by Eldar Civic.

Bosnia had a couple of chances to steal a famous win, but Smail Prevljak and Pjanic were unable to find the target with their efforts inside the final five minutes.

September 2, 2021
France hand D’Tigress second loss at Tokyo Olympics

Nigeria’s senior women basketball team, D’Tigress, on Friday lost 62-87 to their French counterparts in their second Preliminary Round Group B fixture at the ongoing Tokyo Olympics.our correspondent reports that the result makes it the second straight loss after a narrow 72-81 loss to the U.S.our correspondent reports that the make-or-mar match played at the Saitama Super Arena in Tokyo was keenly contested as France had also lost their first match to the less-experienced Japanese 70-74. The D’Tigress, brimming with confidence after the U.S match, could however not build on the momentum against the French ladies. Nigeria lost the first three quarters; 12-18, 15-26, 15-23 and drew the fourth 20-20, falling to the superior shooting power of the fifth best female basketball team in the world.After a barren first three minutes of the opening quarter, France went up by eight points and dominated to win by 18-12, in spite of Nigeria rallying back to draw 11-11 at some point.The D’Tigress, just like in the first match, were wasteful with their shots, a disadvantage which France capitalised on.Nigeria’s Promise Amukamara led the pack scoring 11 points, while Ezinne Kalu, with 10 points, was the only other D’Tigress to enter double digits.France had Sandrine Gruda with 14 points, while Gabby Williams, Endene Miyem, Marine Johannes and Alix Duchet each added 13 points as five players scored in double figures for them.

our correspondent reports that Nigeria were attempting to become the first African nation to win an Olympic contest in women’s basketball since 2004 when the team went 1-5 in Greece.

No team from the continent has won a game since.

Their last chance will come on Monday against hosts Japan, while France close out pool play against the U.S. on Monday.

The group’s other game on Friday saw the U.S beat Japan 86-69 to book their place in the knockout stage of the women’s basketball event.

July 30, 2021
Buhari to Travel out of Nigeria on Sunday

President Muhammadu Buhari will on Sunday travel out of Nigeria to France on an official visit.

The President would attend the African Finance Summit which will be focused on reviewing the African economy, following shocks from the Coronavirus pandemic and getting relief, especially from the increased debt burden on countries.

The summit, to be hosted by President Emmanuel Macron, will draw major stakeholders from global financial institutions and some Heads of Government, who will, collectively, discuss external funding and debt treatment for Africa and private sector reforms.

A statement by the President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media & Publicity, Garba Shehu said during the visit, Buhari will meet with the French President to discuss growing security threats in the Sahel and Lake Chad region, political relations, economic ties, climate change and partnership in buoying the health sector, particularly in checking the spread of COVID-19, with more research and vaccines.

“Before returning to Nigeria, President Buhari will receive some key players in the oil and gas sector, engineering and telecommunications, European Council and European Union Representative for Foreign and Security Policy and Commission, as well as members of the Nigerian community in France.

He will be accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed, Minister of Trade and Investment, Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo, and Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire.

Also on the trip are the National Security Adviser, Maj. Gen. Babagana Mohammed Monguno (rtd) and Director General of National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Amb. Ahmed Rufai Abubakar.

May 15, 2021
AstraZeneca: Vaccination suffers setback as more countries halt exercise

A dozen countries, including France, Italy and Germany, have suspended AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 shots because of fears over blood clots and other possible side effects.

Ahead of Tuesday’s World Health Organization experts meeting, the company has insisted there is no risk and the WHO has said countries should continue to use the vaccine.

Here is a recap:

– Nordic countries sound alarm –
Denmark is the first country on March 11 to say it will suspend use of the AstraZeneca vaccine as a precautionary measure over fears of blood clots in vaccinated people.

Iceland and Norway follow the same day, temporarily suspending use.

On Monday, a health worker in Norway dies of a brain haemorrhage after receiving the vaccine, though no direct link to the jab has been established, health authorities say.

It is the second such fatality within a few days in the country.

– List grows –
On Friday, Bulgaria suspends the use of the vaccine as it investigates the death of a woman with several underlying conditions who recently received the jab.

An initial probe had suggested the woman died from heart failure and an autopsy found no link with the vaccination.

Thailand abruptly delays the start of its rollout of the vaccine, stopping Premier Prayut Chan-O-Cha from getting the first jab.

And the Democratic Republic of Congo, also due to start administering the vaccine, postpones its campaign citing “precautionary measures”.

Ireland and the Netherlands join the list Sunday, followed by Indonesia and then Germany, Italy, France, Slovenia, Spain and Latvia on Monday.

Announcing its decision, the German health ministry says a closer look is necessary after the reported blood clotting incidents in Europe.

Late Monday, Venezuela’s vice-president also said the country would not approve the vaccine for use, citing “complications” those inoculated had experienced.

– Suspending batches –
The first suspension of a batch of the AstraZeneca vaccine is announced by Austria on March 8, following the death of a 49-year-old nurse from “severe bleeding disorders” days after receiving it.

Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia and Luxembourg also suspend the use of doses from the same batch, which has been delivered to 17 countries and included one million vaccines.

Italy’s medicines regulator on March 11 also bans the use of a batch as a precaution, triggering a similar decision from Romania.

And on March 14, Italy’s northern Piedmont region suspends use of the vaccine after the death of a teacher who had received it the day before, with a national postponement coming a day later.

March 16, 2021
France suspends AstraZeneca Covid jabs

President Emmanuel Macron said on Monday that France was suspending the use of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine, pending a review of its safety by the European Medicines Agency.

“The decision has been made… to suspend the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine as a precaution, hoping that we can resume it quickly if the judgement of the EMA allows it,” Macron told a press conference, adding that an announcement by the EMA was expected on Tuesday afternoon.

“We have a simple guide, to be informed by science and the competent health authorities and to do it as part of a European strategy,” he said.

He said the suspension was, for now, effective “until tomorrow (Tuesday) afternoon” when the EMA should deliver its opinion.

Several European countries, including Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, have suspended usage of the shot, which was jointly developed with the University of Oxford, after reported blood clotting incidents in Europe.

The decision reverses previous guidance from French health authorities to continue using the jab and came just a day after French Prime Minister Jean Castex had defended the vaccine.

“At this stage, we must have confidence in this vaccine,” Castex said on Sunday.

“If not, we’ll have delays with our vaccinations and French people will be less protected and the health crisis will last longer.”

Speaking alongside Macron at the press conference in southwest France, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced no change for Spain, but said it was important “to give a message of guarantee and safety to the whole of the European population regarding the vaccination process.”

Macron also said that the French government would have “decisions to take” in the next few days in order to control the spread of Covid-19 cases after an uptick in cases and a rise in hospitalisations.

“We will probably have new decisions to take in the coming days,” Macron said.

He said the government needed to look at “the reality of the epidemic, town by town, region by region: it’s what we are doing.”

Hospitals in the Paris region are close to capacity, with patients being transferred out of the capital region to other parts of France, while other hotspots of infection are in the north around Calais and the Cote d’Azur.

Macron decided against a third national lockdown at the end of January, deciding instead to continue with a policy of a 6:00 pm nation-wide curfew and a partial shutdown of bars, restaurants and other social and entertainment meeting places.

AFP

March 15, 2021