Mathias Pogba, the older brother of French footballer Paul Pogba, has been sentenced to three years in prison, with two years suspended, after being convicted of attempting to extort the former Manchester United midfielder.

The Paris court ruled on Thursday that Mathias Pogba, 33, will avoid time behind bars and instead serve a year under electronic monitoring. He was also fined €20,000 (£16,500).

The case stemmed from a shocking 2022 incident in which Paul Pogba alleged he had been held at gunpoint by childhood friends, who demanded €13 million (£10.8 million). Pogba stated that he paid €100,000 (£82,600) under duress.

Five other individuals involved in the extortion plot received prison sentences ranging from four to eight years. Among them, Roushdane K was handed the longest sentence of eight years, while the others—Boubacar C, Adama C, Mamadou M, and Machikour K—received varying combinations of prison terms and suspended sentences.

Mathias Pogba’s lawyer, Mbeko Tabula, criticized the verdict as “extremely harsh” and announced plans to appeal.

The sentencing marks the conclusion of a high-profile case that exposed deep personal and legal turmoil for Paul Pogba, who is currently playing for Juventus. The football star has described the ordeal as a betrayal by trusted friends and family.

Luigi Mangione, accused of the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, appeared calm and composed during a series of court hearings on Wednesday. Facing both state and federal charges, Mangione was transported to New York after waiving his right to contest extradition from Pennsylvania.

The day began with hearings in Pennsylvania for gun-related charges and the extradition request. Mangione, described as calm and clean-shaven compared to his recent mugshots, listened intently as the judge spoke, occasionally scratching his head.

By the afternoon, Mangione appeared in a New York courthouse at approximately 3:00 p.m. EST (8:00 p.m. GMT) for a brief hearing. Dressed in a blue sweater and khaki pants with his feet shackled but his hands free, he nodded quietly as his rights and the charges against him were read aloud. His demeanor remained composed throughout the proceeding.

Karen Friedman Agnifilo, Mangione’s lawyer, declined to comment in detail outside the Manhattan courthouse but remarked that her client “appreciates everyone’s support.”

While his legal team did not request bail during the hearing, they retained the right to do so in the future. Mangione is set to remain in New York custody until his next scheduled court appearance on January 18, although this date is subject to change.

A festive event in Ibadan, south-west Nigeria, turned tragic on Wednesday as 35 children lost their lives in a devastating crowd crush at a Christmas funfair. Six others remain hospitalized, according to police reports.

The event, held in the Bashorun district at the Islamic High School, drew an overwhelming crowd after organizers promised cash handouts of 5,000 naira (approximately $3) to 5,000 children, along with free food. Over 5,000 children reportedly gathered at the venue, and chaos ensued when the main organizers arrived to start the program.

The exact sequence of events leading to the crush remains unclear. Authorities have arrested eight individuals associated with the event, including Naomi Silekunola, a prominent figure in the city and the primary organizer.

President Bola Tinubu expressed deep condolences to the bereaved families and has called for a thorough investigation into the tragedy. “My heart goes out to the parents who lost their precious children,” Tinubu said in a statement.

The Oyo State government confirmed that victims were transported to various hospitals across Ibadan for treatment. Authorities have urged worried parents to check with hospitals for updates on their children.

Medical professionals described the harrowing aftermath. A medic reported that six children were admitted to one hospital, but only two survived, while four succumbed to their injuries. Another doctor recounted counting three deceased children at a different facility.

Parents who had accompanied their children to the event as early as 5:00 a.m.—five hours before it was scheduled to begin—shared their grief. Many had hoped to receive the promised financial aid and food amidst challenging economic times.