馃嚦馃嚞NigeriaWest Africa
Cristiano Ronaldo enters top 10 all-time World Cup scorers, Lionel Messi leads with 18 goals
via Punch Nigeria1 min read
Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo scored two goals in his team's 5-0 victory over Uzbekistan, increasing his FIFA World Cup tally to 10 goals. This achievement places him in the top 10 all-time World Cup goalscorers and makes him the first player to score in six different World Cup tournaments. Ronaldo's brace also surpassed Portuguese legend Eus茅bio's record of nine World Cup goals. Lionel Messi remains the tournament's all-time leading scorer with 18 goals, while France's Kylian Mbapp茅 is second among active players with 16 goals, matching Miroslav Klose's previous record. Ronaldo has now scored in six consecutive FIFA World Cups 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022, and 2026 and extended his men's international record to 145 goals.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
The Oyo State Government has implemented a dusk-to-dawn curfew across 10 local government areas bordering the Old Oyo National Park. This measure, effective from 4 PM to 8 AM daily starting Wednesday, June 24, 2026, for an initial 48 hours, aims to combat insecurity, kidnapping, and criminal activities. The affected areas include Oriire, Orelope, Irepo, Saki West, Saki East, Atisbo, Itesiwaju, Iseyin, Olorunsogo, and Atiba. According to Dotun Oyelade, the state Commissioner for Information, this directive is part of efforts to remove criminal elements reportedly using forest reserves around the park as hideouts. Security agencies have been instructed to enhance surveillance and enforcement. The curfew is a direct response to the mass abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in May 2026 from communities in the Oriire Local Government Area, including Yawota and Ahoro-Esinle. Abducted victims are believed to be held within the Old Oyo National Park corridor, a large forest reserve. Authorities believe the kidnappers remain within this forest, leading to intensified search-and-rescue operations and sustained military and police deployment.
President Bola Tinubu met with Mastercard Global Chief Executive Officer Michael Miebach, highlighting Nigeria's youth population as the country's most significant asset. Tinubu described Nigerian youth as tech-savvy and capable of integrating into the global economy, welcoming Mastercard's proposal to train five million Nigerian small businesses in digital skills. He stated that his reforms focus on empowering young people and small businesses with digital tools and urged Mastercard to strengthen its partnership with Nigerian institutions like the Bank of Industry. The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, noted that economic reforms have created opportunities for Mastercard, with over 10,000 informal businesses applying for registration daily. Oyedele also mentioned the government's goal to empower three million Nigerian youths through the digital economy. Miebach, who established Mastercard's Nigeria operation in 2011, noted the company prevents $200 million in fraud annually in Nigeria and brings in $2 billion in foreign exchange. He identified Nigeria's 40 million small businesses as the primary target for Mastercard's next investment phase, outlining a three-year program to build capacity for small businesses and a Cyber Centre of Excellence to address digital threats.
US President Donald Trump is scheduled to attend the World Cup final in New Jersey on July 19 and will present the trophy to the winning team, according to FIFA President Gianni Infantino. Infantino confirmed this during an appearance on Fox and Friends, stating they would jointly enjoy the final and present the trophy. This follows a previous incident where Trump presented the Club World Cup to Chelsea, remaining on stage during the team's celebrations.