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Europe's top five leagues: leading goal and assist contributors for the 2025–26 season
via Punch Nigeria3 min read
The 2025–26 European football season has showcased exceptional attacking talent across the Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga, Serie A, and Ligue 1. Planet Football has identified the top 10 players with the most combined goals and assists in these leagues. Harry Kane of Bayern Munich leads the list with 37 goal contributions, comprising 32 goals and 5 assists. His teammate Michael Olise follows with 30 contributions 12 goals, 18 assists, and Erling Haaland of Manchester City also has 30 contributions 23 goals, 7 assists. Luis Díaz of Bayern Munich is fourth with 28 contributions 15 goals, 13 assists, while Kylian Mbappé of Real Madrid is fifth with 27 23 goals, 4 assists. Lamine Yamal of Barcelona has 26 contributions 15 goals, 11 assists, and Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes has 26 8 goals, 18 assists. Deniz Undav of Stuttgart is eighth with 23 contributions 18 goals, 5 assists, Igor Thiago of Brentford is ninth with 22 21 goals, 1 assist, and Mason Greenwood of Marseille rounds out the top ten with 21 contributions 15 goals, 6 assists.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by Canada, the United States, and Mexico, will feature 48 teams and a mix of global superstars, established icons, and rising talents. Veteran legends like Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal, set for a record sixth World Cup at age 41, and Lionel Messi of Argentina, likely making his final World Cup appearance as the 2022 champion captain, are expected to participate. Global superstars include Kylian Mbappé of France, Erling Haaland of Norway, Vinícius Júnior of Brazil, and Mohamed Salah of Egypt. Rising stars and breakout candidates feature Lamine Yamal of Spain, Jamal Musiala of Germany, and Bukayo Saka of England. Key midfield anchors and leaders include Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice of England, Harry Kane of England, Federico Valverde of Uruguay, Julián Álvarez of Argentina, Rodri of Spain, and Ousmane Dembélé of France. Other notable stars include Son Heung-min of South Korea. The tournament, which begins on June 11, 2026, is anticipated to be a transition period, with icons like Messi and Ronaldo potentially making their final appearances as the next generation aims to claim the spotlight.
Richard James, Overseeing Director of Information in Gombe State, highlighted the state's environmental achievements on World Environment Day 2026, describing Gombe as a model for climate resilience and sustainable environmental management in Nigeria. James noted that climate change poses significant challenges to Gombe due to its location in Nigeria’s semi-arid region, including desert encroachment, soil erosion, and declining vegetation. He stated that Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya's administration has proactively addressed these issues through various initiatives. The Gombe Goes Green Initiative, launched in 2019, has led to the planting of over five million trees, combating desertification and improving vegetation. This program also promotes environmental education, biodiversity conservation, and community participation, involving traditional institutions, youth organizations, women’s groups, schools, civil society organizations, local governments, and development partners. James referenced findings indicating the initiative's contribution to poverty reduction, improved food security, public health, and environmental infrastructure. The state government has also intensified efforts to combat erosion and land degradation through partnerships with development agencies and programs like the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project NEWMAP and the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes Project ACReSAL. These efforts have reclaimed over 1,000 hectares of deg
The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria PCN has sealed 572 pharmacies and patent medicine stores in Plateau State following a four-day enforcement exercise. The closures were due to violations of pharmaceutical regulations, including cooking inside drug outlets, unauthorized clinical practice, and illegal access to controlled medicines. Dr. Suleiman S. Chiroma, Head of Department, Enforcement, speaking on behalf of Registrar/CEO Pharm. Ibrahim Babashehu Ahmed, stated that the operation aligns with the PCN's mandate to regulate pharmacy education, training, and practice. The crackdown is part of efforts to enforce the National Drug Distribution Guidelines, aiming to ensure drug distribution through approved channels and eradicate substandard medicines. Of 778 premises inspected across Jos South, Jos North, Mangu, Shendam, Barkin Ladi, Qua’an Pan, and Bassa Local Government Areas, 120 pharmacies, 372 patent medicine stores, and 80 illegal outlets were sealed. Five compliance directives were also issued. The PCN noted that 60 percent of the 199 pharmacies visited were sealed, indicating a concerning standard of pharmaceutical practice. Infractions included unauthorized storage and dispensing of medicines, and operation by prospective vendors. The PCN emphasized its commitment to safeguarding public health by ensuring access to safe, quality medicines dispensed by licensed professionals and urged the public to purchase medicines only from PCN-approved premises.
Must ReadNigeria is preparing to repatriate more than 1,000 of its citizens from South Africa due to escalating anti-immigrant tensions in the country. This initiative follows a similar move by Ghana, which recently repatriated hundreds of its nationals. Screening for Nigeria’s voluntary repatriation program began on Thursday, with expectations of over 1,000 individuals participating. Nigeria’s High Commission in Pretoria has secured waivers with South African authorities, allowing individuals with immigration-related offenses to depart on repatriation flights instead of facing detention. South Africa, a major economic hub, has historically attracted workers from across the region. However, with an unemployment rate exceeding 30 percent, the nation has experienced recurring xenophobic protests, including recent outbreaks of violence. These events have reignited discussions across Africa concerning xenophobia, migration, and the disparity between pan-African ideals and the realities faced by migrants on the continent. Concerns about potential violence have increased following an ultimatum from a citizen-led group demanding the expulsion of undocumented migrants by June 30. The South African government has committed to stricter enforcement against undocumented immigrants while urging citizens to avoid vigilantism. According to the statistics agency, over three million foreigners reside in South Africa, constituting 5.1 percent of the population, with more than 63 percent originating fro