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Barcelona Claims La Liga Title After Winning Espanyol

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Barcelona has won La Liga for the first time since 2019 by winning Espanyol 4-2 on Sunday, wrestling the title back from rivals Real Madrid.

The Catalan giants clinched their 27th Spanish championship at the home of their neighbours, with scenes turning ugly at full time as celebrating Barcelona players were chased from the field by pitch invaders.

Robert Lewandowski struck twice for Barcelona, along with goals for Alejandro Balde and Jules Kounde, while Javi Puado and Joselu pulled two back late on for the hosts.

Barcelona’s players leave the pitch in a hurry as Espanyol fans invade the pitch after the Spanish league football match between RCD Espanyol and FC Barcelona at the RCDE Stadium in Cornella de Llobregat on May 14, 2023.

Barcelona have endured a troubled period on and off the pitch in recent years but their triumph signals significant improvement, with coach Xavi Hernandez winning his first major trophy since taking over in November 2021.

President Joan Laporta’s rebuild was widely criticised last summer in light of the club’s perilous financial situation.

Barcelona’s players celebrate winning their 27th Spanish league championship after the Spanish league football match between RCD Espanyol and FC Barcelona at the RCDE Stadium in Cornella de Llobregat on May 14, 2023.

Early Champions League elimination was a blow, but the club won the Spanish Super Cup in January, before sealing La Liga glory with four games to spare.

“It’s a magnificent feeling, (of) work well done,” Xavi told Movistar.

“Ten months of work and sacrifice. The fans deserve it, the club, it gives us stability and security that things are being done well.

“We sealed La Liga with a fantastic game, we were brilliant.”

Xavi did not spring any surprises with his line-up and Barcelona’s first team took to the pitch with one goal firmly in mind, the end finally in sight.

Barcelona’s players celebrate winning their 27th Spanish league championship after the Spanish league football match between RCD Espanyol and FC Barcelona at the RCDE Stadium in Cornella de Llobregat on May 14, 2023.

They conjured an electric display, one of their finest this season, to seal their triumph and leave their city rivals 19th, four points from safety with four matches remaining.

Barcelona broke the deadlock after 11 minutes with a well-worked goal, finished off by Lewandowski for his 20th of the season in La Liga.

Ronald Araujo played an inch perfect long pass for left-back Balde, who blazed past Espanyol defender Oscar Gil and crossed for Lewandowski to bundle home from close range.

Gil was beaten by Balde again for the second goal, this time scored by the young left-back after Pedri darted to the byline and scooped an inviting cross to the back post.

Barcelona’s players celebrate winning their 27th Spanish league championship after the Spanish league football match between RCD Espanyol and FC Barcelona at the RCDE Stadium in Cornella de Llobregat on May 14, 2023.

It was Balde’s first goal for Barcelona, capping a superb breakthrough season for the youngster, who has phased veteran defender Jordi Alba out of the side.

Espanyol goalkeeper Fernando Pacheco tipped away a Lewandowski effort as Barcelona poured forward, with the hosts battling not to be blown away.

 ‘Can’t lack respect’

It worked for a while, but visitors grabbed the third before half-time when Raphinha put the ball on a plate for Lewandowski to roll home.

The Polish striker’s arrival from Bayern Munich was a key part of last summer’s rebuild and despite a dip in the second half of the season, has paid the Catalans back in goals.

Barcelona’s Polish forward Robert Lewandowski celebrates scoring his team’s third goal during the Spanish league football match between RCD Espanyol and FC Barcelona at the RCDE Stadium in Cornella de Llobregat on May 14, 2023.

Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen made a sublime save to deny former team-mate Martin Braithwaite from close range in stoppage time at the end of the first period.

Kounde headed home the fourth early in the second half from Frenkie de Jong’s perfect chipped pass as Espanyol’s defence crumbled yet again.

Barcelona’s French defender Jules Kounde (L) celebrates scoring his team’s fourth goal during the Spanish league football match between RCD Espanyol and FC Barcelona at the RCDE Stadium in Cornella de Llobregat on May 14, 2023.

Some Espanyol fans headed for the exits early while others demanded the board resign, including aiming one unsavoury chant at the club’s Chinese owners.

Ter Stegen denied Puado when through on goal, determined to earn a La Liga record-equalling 26th clean sheet of the season in the top flight.

However moments later the Espanyol forward found himself through on goal once more and this time scored with a sublime lob — small consolation in the face of Espanyol’s defeat and Barcelona’s glory.

Joselu pulled another goal back in stoppage time, but it was too little, too late.

Xavi’s side celebrated at full-time, to the anger of Espanyol fans, who invaded the pitch, with Barcelona players sprinting down the tunnel to escape.

“The celebration is normal, but I know we’re not at home and we can’t lack respect,” added Xavi.

“I know it’s difficult to control but I told them the best thing would be to get inside now.”

AFP

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UNIDO Wins 16 Medals at United Nations Inter-Agency Games 2026

Jointly hosted by the Vienna-based organizations, with the strong support and engagement of UNIDO, the Games welcomed participants from across the UN system for several days of competition in a wide range of sporting disciplines.

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Image credit: UNIDO

United Nations Industrial Department Organization (UNIDO) wrapped up this year’s United Nations Inter-Agency Games winning a total of 16 medals — 7 Gold, 6 Silver, and 3 Bronze — through competitions involving both UNIDO and joint inter-agency teams.

The game held in Crete, Greece, brought together colleagues from across the UN system in a long-standing tradition of friendship, exchange and healthy competition, highlighting the role of sport in strengthening cooperation and collegiality.

Jointly hosted by the Vienna-based organizations, with the strong support and engagement of UNIDO, the Games welcomed participants from across the UN system for several days of competition in a wide range of sporting disciplines.

First established more than five decades ago, the Inter-Agency Games have grown into one of the largest and longest-standing staff initiatives within the UN family, bringing together around 1,500 participants and supporters from agencies worldwide.

UNIDO recorded its highest level of participation to date, reflecting the dedication, discipline, and commitment of colleagues who trained throughout the year in preparation for the event.

Beyond the results themselves, the Games provided an opportunity for colleagues from different agencies, professional backgrounds and duty stations to connect in an informal and collaborative environment.

Throughout the event, UNIDO participants demonstrated a strong spirit of fair play, professionalism and mutual respect both on and off the field of play.

UNIDO played an active role in supporting the organization of the 2026 edition alongside fellow Vienna-based organizations, reflecting the strong culture of cooperation that underpins the multilateral community in Vienna.

The Games also highlighted the continued collaboration between the Staff Union and the Administration in promoting sport, health and mental well-being as important elements of a positive and inclusive workplace culture with benefits extending well beyond the sporting arena.

UNIDO remains proud to support the Inter-Agency Games and the values they represent, including teamwork, excellence, inclusion and international cooperation.

(Industrial Times Ngr)

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Serving Senators, governors battle for APC senatorial tickets today

The APC began its primaries on Saturday with aspirants contesting House of Representatives tickets, ahead of today’s senatorial primaries across the country.

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Senate President Godswill Akpabio; his deputy, Jibrin Barau; Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele; and Senate Chief Whip Mohammed Tahir Monguno, alongside five serving governors and former governors, are among prominent figures expected to contest in today’s senatorial primaries of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The APC began its primaries on Saturday with aspirants contesting House of Representatives tickets, ahead of today’s senatorial primaries across the country.

The serving governors seeking APC senatorial tickets include Hope Uzodimma (Imo West), Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa North), Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa North), and Mai Mala Buni (Yobe South). Others are AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq (Kwara Central), Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya (Gombe North), and Dapo Abiodun (Ogun East).

Several former governors are also in the race, including Yahaya Bello (Kogi Central), who will face incumbent senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of the PDP.

Similarly, former Gombe State Governor Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo, who is currently a senator, will defend his seat against Governor Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya.

Also in the race are former governors Jolly Nyame (Taraba), Simon Lalong (Plateau), and Danjuma Goje (Gombe), all vying for senatorial seats in their constituencies.

Former Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege has also formally declared his ambition to contest the Delta Central senatorial seat.

(Extracted from Daily Trust).

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African Athletics Championship: Team Nigeria wins 12 medals

Kenya topped the medal table with six gold, four silver and seven bronze medals for a total of 17, while South Africa won six gold, two silver and six bronze medals. Ethiopia finished third with five gold, four silver and six bronze medals.

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Nigeria’s team won 12 medals in the just concluded 24th African Athletics Championships with the women’s 4x400m relay team delivered a commanding gold-medal performance on the final day of competition.

The quartet of Esther Okon, Toheebat Jimoh, Jecinter Lawrence and Patience Okon-George successfully defended Nigeria’s title in the event, clocking 3:29.25 to finish comfortably ahead of Ethiopia and Kenya on Sunday.

Nigeria’s team dominated the race from start to finish and crossed the line nearly 30 metres ahead of their closest challengers to secure the country’s fourth gold medal of the championships.

The victory ensured Team Nigeria ended the competition with four gold, five silver and three bronze medals, placing fourth overall behind Kenya, South Africa and Ethiopia in the final standings.

Kenya topped the medal table with six gold, four silver and seven bronze medals for a total of 17, while South Africa won six gold, two silver and six bronze medals. Ethiopia finished third with five gold, four silver and six bronze medals.

Nigeria’s only other medal on the final day came through Rosemary Chukwuma, who won silver in the women’s 200m after running 23.60s.

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