Bukavu, a city already scarred by years of instability, was rocked this week by the horrific lynching of respected football referee Patrick Ngalamulume, who was beaten and set ablaze by a mob following an unproven accusation of theft.

The 36-year-old official, affectionately known as “Ngalas,” was killed in the early hours of May 6 in Bukavu’s Irambo neighborhood. Eyewitnesses say a false rumor triggered a deadly chain of events, as enraged residents took the law into their own hands and carried out a gruesome public execution.

He was widely known in Bukavu’s football community for his fairness, integrity, and calm approach on the pitch. He officiated under the Bukavu Urban Football Association (EUFBUK) and was a familiar face across local tournaments. Friends and colleagues described him as “a man of discipline and peace.”

The attack unfolded overnight, as a baseless accusation rapidly turned into mob violence. “There was no investigation, no police involvement. Just rage,” said a local resident who witnessed the violence but asked not to be named. “They beat him like he was nothing—and then set him on fire.”

The attack unfolded overnight, as a baseless accusation rapidly turned into mob violence. “There was no investigation, no police involvement. Just rage,” said a local resident who witnessed the violence but asked not to be named. “They beat him like he was nothing—and then set him on fire.”

Emergency services failed to intervene in time. The slow response has sparked outrage among civil society groups and sports officials who blame weak state institutions for enabling lawlessness.

“This is what happens when the justice system fails completely,” said a spokesperson for a local human rights coalition.

The killing has drawn condemnation nationwide. In a statement, EUFBUK called for an urgent and impartial investigation, describing the attack as “a barbaric act that must not go unpunished.” They urged authorities to arrest all those involved and restore order in Bukavu and its surroundings.

Eastern Congo has long been plagued by insecurity, exacerbated by the presence of armed groups and a faltering state presence. In the vacuum of authority, extrajudicial killings and mob justice have become tragically common. Activists say Ngalamulume’s death is a chilling reminder of how low public trust has sunk.
This isn’t just about one man,” said civil society leader Mireille Baguma. “It’s about a country where people no longer believe the police will protect them or that courts will deliver justice.”

Local officials have promised a crackdown and vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice. But skepticism remains high among residents who have heard similar promises in the past. “We want action, not speeches,” said a youth football coach in Bukavu.

As the city mourns the brutal loss of one of its own, Patrick Ngalamulume’s death has become more than a personal tragedy—it is a national wake-up call. His memory now stands as a symbol of both the beauty of the game he served and the urgent need for justice in a broken system.

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The EU is preparing to hit US goods worth nearly 100 billion euros ($113 billion) with tariffs in retaliation for President Donald Trump’s sweeping levies if talks fail, European diplomats revealed on Wednesday.

Trump has slapped a series of higher tariffs on Europe since March, and in his biggest move, he imposed a 20-per-cent tariff on a majority of EU goods last month — before announcing a 90-day pause that is due to expire in July.

There is currently a “baseline” levy of 10 per cent on goods from the 27-country EU and other nations around the world.

The European Union hopes to reach a deal with the United States to avoid an all-out trade war, but wants to be prepared to strike back if Trump’s tariffs kick in again.

The European Commission, which is in charge of EU trade policy, told member states last week that it would target nearly 100 billion euros worth of US goods in response to the 20-per cent tariff if negotiations fail to yield an agreement, two EU diplomats said.

The preliminary list of products is expected to be made public on Thursday.

EU trade chief Maros Sefcovic told the European Parliament this week that 70 per cent of the bloc’s total exports face levies at rates between 10 and 25 per cent.

He warned that with US trade probes underway into a raft of sectors, from pharmaceuticals to lumber, “around 549 billion euros of EU exports to the US, i.e. 97 per cent of the total,” could eventually face tariffs.

The EU diplomats did not say which US products would be targeted, but the Financial Times newspaper on Wednesday reported Boeing aircraft would be in the firing line.

Only a day earlier, France’s Airbus chief executive Guillaume Faury told AFP that Europe should impose tariffs on imports of the US company’s aircraft should talks fail.

If negotiations “do not result in a positive outcome, I imagine that there will be — and that’s what we wish — reciprocal tariffs on aeroplanes to force a higher level of negotiation”, Faury said.

The commission and Boeing refused to comment on the FT report.

AFP

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Trailing 1-0 after the first leg in London, the Gunners must deliver something spectacular against PSG in the high-stakes UEFA Champions League semi-final clash.

Arsenal travel to Paris needing a magical touch at the Parc des Princes to reach only their second-ever Champions League final.

Trailing 1-0 after the first leg in London, the Gunners must deliver something spectacular against PSG in the high-stakes UEFA Champions League semi-final clash. Ousmane Dembele struck the early blow that sealed a crucial 1-0 win for PSG at the Emirates.

That goal gave PSG their first-ever victory over the Gunners in six meetings, having previously lost twice and drawn thrice against the North London giants.

Paris Saint-Germain’s French forward #29 Bradley Barcola (rear) reacts after missing to score past Arsenal’s Spanish goalkeeper #22 David Raya during the UEFA Champions League Semi-final First Leg football match between Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) at the Emirates Stadium in north London, on April 29, 2025. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP)
In France, Mikel Arteta’s men would be aiming to return to England happier than they were in 2006. That year, Arsenal lost the Champions League to Barcelona in Paris in the club’s only Champions League final appearance to date.

Reaching the final is a herculean target for the Premier League giants who have never overturned a first-leg European deficit in five attempts.

Though history is not on Arsenal’s side, Coach Arteta believes his team can “do something special” in Paris and book a final date with Inter Milan, 19 years after losing to Barcelona in the same city.

Arsenal enter Wednesday’s match in poor form. They have failed to win their last three games, the most recent two resulting in losses. On Saturday, the North London side suffered a 2-1 defeat against Bournemouth after taking the lead, and are at risk of finishing below second in the league — a position they have maintained in two previous campaigns.

Arsenal’s Spanish midfielder #23 Mikel Merino heads the ball to score a goal that will be disallowed due to an offside position during the UEFA Champions League Semi-final First Leg football match between Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) at the Emirates Stadium in north London, on April 29, 2025. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP)
Their opponents, PSG, have a similar story. The French champions have suffered defeats in their last two league games, but the Parisians have already wrapped up another domestic title before the losses. Over the weekend, Coach Luis Enrique fielded a second-string side in the Ligue 1 defeat away to Strasbourg.

Despite going into the game with an advantage, Enrique knows the quality of opposition that the Gunners bring and wants an even better outing for PSG than they did in the first leg London victory.

“We’re bound to suffer because our opponents don’t have a favourable result. We need to match our performance as closely as possible in the first leg to win the return leg and stay true to our ideas,” he said ahead of the clash.

PSG Form Guide: LWLDWL (most recent first)

Arsenal Form Guide: LLDWWD (most recent first)

Team News: PSG

Dembele could not finish the match in London due to a hamstring concern. But Enrique confirmed he is fit and available, a major boost for PSG, who are expected to retain the same lineup as in the first leg.

Team News: Arsenal

Unlike PSG, Arsenal have suffered major injury setbacks this season, with the likes of Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, and Gabriel Magalhães among others long-term absentees. Last week against the French giants, key midfielder Thomas Partey was missing in action. Suspended for the first game, Partey returns on Wednesday and is expected to play a crucial part in Arsenal’s bid to make history. Defender Jurrien Timber, who did not feature in the defeat to Bournemouth on Saturday, is also back and is expected to play. Italian Riccardo Calafiori also trained with the team and should be available for selection.

Match at a Glance: PSG Vs Arsenal – Kickoff Time, Venue, Date

Venue: Parc des Princes, Paris in France.

Kickoff time: 8:00 pm (WAT/Nigeria time).

Competition: UEFA Champions League, semi-final second leg.

Prediction: Will PSG Seal the Deal or Arsenal Rewrite History?

With a place in the final up for grabs, the Gunners, who have faltered on the domestic front this campaign, need to do “something special” to write history at a crowded Parc des Princes. But PSG’s hunger for a first Champions League title, and their slender advantage, might prove decisive.