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“FIFA Have ‘Crossed A Red Line’ In Suspending Balogun’s Red Card Ban” – UEFA

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  UEFA has strongly criticised FIFA’s shock decision not to uphold Folarin Balogun’s automatic ban at this World Cup, calling it “unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable”. The United States striker, Folarin Balogun, who was sent off against Bosnia-Herzegovina, should have served a suspension for the last-16 tie against Belgium (Tuesday 01:00). But World Cup organisers FIFA opted not to enforce an immediate sanction on the 25-year-old, meaning the co-hosts’ leading goalscorer will be available to play.  UEFA said intervening to effectively cancel a suspension at a tournament “crossed a red line”. Of the 188 other red cards at the World Cup, only one other player has escaped a suspension—Brazil’s Garrincha in 1962, before automatic bans were in place and shrouded in allegations of political interference. It was gathered that Balogun’s reinstatement came after the United States President, Donald Trump called FIFA President, Gianni Infantino on Thursday and spoke about t...

Tony Elumelu To Retire As UBA Group Chairman After 12 Years, Emmanuel Nnorom Named Successor

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  Tony Elumelu (left) and Emmanuel Nnorom United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc has announced the retirement of its Group Chairman, Tony Elumelu, from the Board of Directors, bringing to a close a 12-year tenure that reshaped the pan-African financial institution and strengthened its position as one of the continent’s leading banking groups. The bank disclosed on Monday that Elumelu will formally retire from the Board on August 21, 2026, in line with the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) corporate governance guidelines, which prescribe a maximum tenure of 12 years for non-executive directors of commercial banks. UBA also announced the appointment of Emmanuel Nnorom, a Non-Executive Director on its Board, as the incoming Group Chairman. His appointment will take effect on the same date, ensuring a seamless leadership transition. The decisions were approved by the Board of Directors at its meeting held on July 6, 2026, the bank said in a statement. Elumelu’s exit marks the end of a signific...

China Frees Underground Pastor Detained Since October 2025 After Trump’s Intervention

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China has released the founder of an underground church who has been detained since October 2025, his church and family confirmed to the newsmen on Sunday, after the United States President, Donald Trump raised his case with counterpart Xi Jinping. Ezra Jin is the founder of Zion Church, one of China’s unregistered churches that some Christians choose to worship at instead of state-sanctioned ones regulated by the government. Jin, also known by his Chinese name Mingri, was detained along with other church members on October 10, 2025 on “suspicion of the illegal use of information networks”. Trump raised the clergy’s case when he visited Xi in May, and had said the Chinese President would “strongly consider” releasing him. On Saturday, rights group ChinaAid said in a statement that Jin had arrived in Los Angeles after being released from detention in China. The pastor was told by Chinese officials that his release “resulted from discussions between the U.S. President, Donald J. Trump an...

“No Students Were Trapped And Burnt To Death By Fulani Herdsmen In Federal Polytechnic Nekede” – Police

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  The  Imo State Police Command has dismissed as false reports circulating on social media alleging that suspected Fulani herdsmen attacked a student hostel at the Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Owerri, killing scores of students. In a statement issued on Sunday, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Henry Okoye, described the report as “entirely false, misleading and capable of causing unnecessary panic among residents.” The clarification followed the circulation of a Facebook post claiming that more than 80 students were trapped and burnt to death after suspected Fulani herdsmen allegedly set a hostel near the institution ablaze. Refuting the claim, the police said no such incident occurred and urged members of the public to disregard the publication. “The Imo State Police Command has noted a misleading publication circulated on Facebook today, 5th July, 2026, alleging that Fulani herdsmen set a student hostel in Nekede, Owerri, on fire, trapping over 80 students inside the ...

MrBeast Tops Forbes 2026 Digital Creators List As Top Influencers Earn $1 Billion

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  American YouTube personality, Jimmy Donaldson, popularly known as MrBeast, has retained his position as the world’s highest-earning digital creator on the 2026 Forbes Top Creators list. The annual ranking, released by Forbes, reveals that the world’s top 50 digital influencers generated a combined gross revenue of $1.02 billion over the past year. This represents a 20 percent increase from the $853 million recorded in 2025 and an 80 percent rise since the list’s inception in 2022. According to the publication, the creator economy has matured into a mainstream entertainment industry that increasingly competes with traditional Hollywood studios. MrBeast led the global ranking with estimated annual earnings of $300 million, supported by a combined social media following of 873 million across multiple platforms. His media and consumer business operations include Feastables, Lunchly, Viewstats, and a reality competition partnership with Amazon Prime. Dhar Mann ranked second on the ind...

Sam Larry Hospitalized, Bouncer Dies As Car Rammed Into Trailer In Lagos

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  Nigerian music promoter and socialite, Samson Erinfolami Balogun, popularly known as Sam Larry, has reportedly been hospitalised after being involved in a ghastly car crash. Sam Larry’s car reportedly rammed into a trailer in the earlier hours of Saturday morning along the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road in Lagos. The accident reportedly claimed the life of his bouncer who died on the spot. It was gathered that the viral videos and pictures  from the scene of the incident showed Sam Larry’s car damaged  While soliciting prayer for Sam Larry in an Instagram post on Saturday evening, Nigerian comedian and MC, Mario Wazobia wrote “PRAY FOR SAMMYLARRY.” Sharing pictures, he said; “More photos from the early morning accident involving socialite Sam Larry and his bouncer. Reports indicate the bouncer tragically lost his life at the scene while Sam Larry has been rushed to the hospital in critical condition.”

Medical Expert Who Countered DSS Report On Nnamdi Kanu’s Health Arrested In Enugu

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  Emeritus Professor Martin Aghaji, a medical expert who issued an independent report on the health condition of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), leader, Nnamdi Kanu, has reportedly been arrested in Enugu. A H uman Rights lawyer, Barrister Maxwell Okpara, raised the alarm over Aghaji’s arrest in a statement on Saturday. Okpara said the medical expert was picked up at his Independence Layout residence in Enugu on Friday. The  lawyer urged the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), and civil society organizations to intervene in the matter. Although no reason has been given for Aghaji’s arrest, Okpara noted that the medical report he tendered on Kanu’s health countered the official version presented by the Department of State Services (DSS). O kpara said in the statement, “Information has reached me that Emeritus Professor Martin Aghaji, the medical expert who reportedly issued independent medical reports on the health condition of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu...