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  Iran’s national team have arrived in Mexico to continue their preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup amid a growing diplomatic dispute over visas and access to the United States. The Iranian squad landed in Tijuana on Sunday after relocating their training base from Tucson, Arizona, due to concerns about travel arrangements and entry permissions. The move comes as all three of Iran’s Group Stage matches are scheduled to be played in the United States, yet players and support staff have reportedly been informed that they will be required to enter and leave the country on match days. Iranian officials have strongly criticized the situation, claiming that 15 members of the delegation have been denied visas. Those reportedly affected include senior football federation officials and members of the media team. The issue has generated significant controversy ahead of a tournament jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. US authorities confirmed on Friday that visas had ...

  Oyo State Police Command has said a personal assistant attached to a member of former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu’s family, supplied information that aided the abduction of his sister, Mrs Olaide Busayo Adegoke John-Paul, and her 12 year-old twin sons. The allegation was made by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, during an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief programme while providing updates on the investigation into the kidnapping. Mrs John-Paul and her twin sons, Peter and Paul, were abducted on June 3, 2026, along the Elewura area of Ring Road, Ibadan, while she was taking the children to school. The victims were later rescued during a police operation that also led to the death of two suspected kidnappers. According to Ayanlade, the operation was carried out on the directive of the Inspector-General of Police and coordinated by the Oyo State Commissioner of Police in collaboration with operatives of the Force Intelligence Depar...

  British-Nigerian singer and songwriter, Mark Olayinka Orabiyi, popularly known as Talay Riley, has died at the age of 35 after a fatal stabbing in East London, United Kingdom. He was a Grammy-award winning, multi-platinum-selling songwriter known for collaborating with several international music stars. It was gathered that the incident occurred around 9 a.m. on Friday on Pankhurst Avenue in Silvertown, East London. Emergency services responded to the scene and attempted to save him, but he was pronounced dead following the attack. Homicide detectives have since launched a murder investigation into the incident. Confirming his death, Riley’s family expressed “overwhelming sadness” over the loss. “It is with overwhelming sadness that we confirm that Mark ‘Yinka’ Orabiyi, professionally known as Talay Riley, passed away yesterday morning,” the family said in a statement. The family noted that Talay would be remembered for both his remarkable achievements in music and the impact he ...

  United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc has been named the winner of the African category at the 2026 Banker Technology Awards for its innovations in digital payments, e-business, and the use of artificial intelligence to drive seamless cross-border banking across more than 20 African markets. The Banker Technology Awards received close to 200 submissions across 17 regional and product categories this year, with the winners reflecting a broad shift in how financial institutions are deploying technology as an embedded infrastructure across payments, compliance, lending, and customer engagement. In its assessment of UBA’s winning entry, The Banker noted that “the bank has cemented its status as a leading digital operator by placing technology at the centre of its growth strategy across more than 20 countries, with this approach most visible in its work on cross-border transfers, spanning digital payments, AI-driven engagement, and e-business” UBA’s recognition centres on integrating Leo, ...

  Cross River State Task Force on Health Quality and Anti-Quackery Committee has sealed off Safe Hands Maternity Clinic in Calabar Municipality. The closure followed the reported death of a patient after surgery at the private facility. Led by the chairman, Dr Dan Abubakar, the task force paid an unscheduled visit to the clinic at No. 21 Iyata Street. The inspection was triggered by a petition linking the facility to the patient’s death after an operation. Investigators found the clinic, run by a community health extension officer, operating from a converted three-bedroom apartment with six maternity beds and no licensed nurses on staff. Surgeries were allegedly performed by a medical practitioner with the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, in what the team called a “poorly equipped and substandard environment.” The facility was also found to be operating beyond its approved scope. It had admitted an abandoned stroke patient. Other violations included lack of operational lice...

  Tamunosoye Karibi-George, representing Bayelsa State, has emerged as Miss World Nigeria 2026 after winning the national crown at the pageant’s grand finale in Lagos. The 26-year-old beauty queen beat 19 other finalists to clinch the title during the event held on Saturday at Balmoral Hall, Federal Palace Hotel. Although she represented Bayelsa State in the competition, Karibi-George is an indigene of Rivers State. Her victory earns her the right to represent Nigeria at the 73rd Miss World Festival, which will be held in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, from August 9 to September 5, 2026. This year’s competition, themed “Pride, Power, and Purpose,” featured contestants from across the country competing for the coveted crown. Founder of the Silverbird Group and former senator, Ben Murray-Bruce, announced the winner in a post on X on Sunday and congratulated the new queen. “WE HAVE A QUEEN! A new chapter begins. Please join us in celebrating TAMUNOSOYE KARIBI-GEORGE, representing Bayelsa...