Kylian Mbappé has delivered a forceful rebuke to Paraguayan senator Celeste Amarilla following her racist social media outburst after France’s 1-0 victory over Paraguay in the 2026 FIFA World Cup round of 16. Amarilla, a member of Paraguay’s Liberal Radical Party, targeted the Real Madrid star with racist abuse, calling him a “colonised Cameroonian” and insulting his character.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

In his response, Mbappé condemned Amarilla as “despicable” and “unworthy” of her political office, stating that her actions did not represent the spirit of the Paraguayan people. He further declared that he would not permit her to use her platform to disseminate hatred and racism.

Legal and official repercussions have followed:

• The French Football Federation (FFF) has labeled the comments “utterly abhorrent and unacceptable” and announced plans to file criminal charges.

• The FFF emphasized that such remarks are “criminal and reprehensible,” noting that insulting the players is an insult to France itself.

• The Paraguayan foreign ministry has officially distanced the government and the nation from Amarilla’s statements, affirming that her words contradict the country’s principles of human dignity and peaceful coexistence.

• French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his support for Mbappé, stating that the nation’s values of dignity, respect, and fraternity respond to such hate.

This controversy follows prior offensive remarks from former Paraguay goalkeeper José Luis Chilavert, who had referred to the French team as “a squad from Africa” before the match. FFF president Philippe Diallo condemned Chilavert’s comments, asserting that they undermined the values of diversity and respect. Mbappé, who is currently tied as the tournament’s leading scorer with seven goals, is set to lead France in the quarter-finals against Morocco on Thursday, July 9.

Works Minister David Umahi has rejected claims that the Lagos Coastal Highway is responsible for flooding in the state, asserting that such criticism stems from a lack of technical expertise. During an interview on Arise News, the Minister explained that the project is specifically engineered to improve flood management rather than exacerbate it.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

According to Umahi, the highway’s design includes significant infrastructure—such as multiple evacuation channels and culverts placed approximately every 50 meters—to manage ocean surges and protect northern residential areas from water overflow. He further emphasized that the road has been elevated to a mitigated level through an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) to ensure long-term protection against rising water levels.

The Minister also criticized those he labeled “content creators” for posing as engineers, noting that Victoria Island experienced severe flooding long before the coastal highway was conceived, including during the period when Bola Ahmed Tinubu served as governor. He concluded that while Lagos faces various complex flooding factors, the highway is intended to fix the issue and will remain effective against ocean surges for at least the next 30 years.

Social commentator and advocate for institutional reform, Segun Awosanya—widely known as Segalink—has expressed his belief that activists running for political office in the 2027 general elections will fail to generate significant change. In an interview with Vanguard News’ Politics Hub, he argued that once activists enter the political arena, they frequently abandon the moral authority that once defined their role as agents of transformation.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Segalink emphasized that one does not need to hold a political position to improve society, asserting that those truly committed to progress should be delivering results from their current positions rather than waiting for an appointment or an elective seat. Pointing to his own work, he highlighted that he has contributed to national development over the years without seeking political power or office.

Furthermore, Segalink criticized the growth of online echo chambers and political “cults,” claiming that some supporters are now more focused on defending specific figures than debating ideas. He warned against groups that target individuals who refuse to be led, and he called on Nigerians to embrace their individual responsibility in nation-building, rather than relying on influencers or politicians to dictate their political choices or behaviors.