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Iran Likely To Play 2026 FIFA World Cup Despite Tensions.
Iran’s men’s national football team remains set to participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, scheduled to be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, despite security concerns surrounding the squad. According to Nivo News, Asian football officials confirmed on Monday that there is no official indication that Iran will withdraw from the tournament.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The uncertainty emerged after former US President Donald Trump warned on his social media platform, Truth Social, that the team’s “life and safety” could be at risk if they attended the global event. Trump stated that while the Iranian squad would be welcome to participate, prevailing geopolitical tensions raise serious security concerns.
The caution followed heightened regional instability after reported US-Israeli strikes on February 28, which intensified tensions in the region and cast doubt on Iran’s participation in international competitions.
Speaking at a press conference at the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) headquarters in Kuala Lumpur, General Secretary Windsor Paul John said the governing body is monitoring the situation but confirmed that Iran is scheduled to compete. “As far as we know, Iran is playing. We are monitoring developments, but at the moment they are. There is no official information that they are not playing,” he said. He further described Iran as a “top team” in Asian football and expressed hope that the country would resolve its issues in time to participate.
Meanwhile, Iran’s women’s national football team has faced a separate controversy. The captain of the team, which recently competed in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup in Australia, reportedly withdrew her asylum request on Sunday. Earlier, seven members of the visiting delegation had sought refuge in Australia after being criticized at home for refusing to sing the national anthem. Following the captain’s reversal, only two members now intend to remain in Australia.
Reports suggest that players were pressured to withdraw asylum requests through threats against their families, though Iranian authorities denied this claim and instead accused Australia of coercing the players to remain. The players planning to return were reportedly staying in a Kuala Lumpur hotel while awaiting travel arrangements.
When asked about the immediate future of the women’s team members, Windsor stated that the AFC would respect the players’ decisions regarding travel. “It’s their decision and we will support that,” he said, emphasizing that the confederation will honor whatever choice the players ultimately make.
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Police Arrest NSCDC Officer With Pistol, 17 Bullets At Abuja Kubwa Market.
An officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has been arrested for allegedly firing gunshots into the air during a confrontation with traders at Kubwa Market in Abuja.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The officer, identified as Onoja Samuel, reportedly arrived at the market armed with a pistol following allegations that some traders had assaulted his wife.
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Mohammed Sanusi, disclosed the incident while addressing journalists at the command on Wednesday, Naija News reports.
Sanusi said the police received a distress call from Kubwa Market, located in the Bwari Area Council, reporting that a man was shooting into the air.
Following the report, officers attached to the Kubwa Police Division were deployed to the scene, where they arrested the suspect.
According to the police commissioner, preliminary investigations revealed that Samuel holds the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Corps (DSC) in the NSCDC.
He explained that the officer allegedly fired several shots during an argument with the traders.
“During the ensuing argument with the traders, Onoja Samuel, who is a DSC with the NSCDC, fired several shots into the air,” Sanusi said.
The police recovered a CZ pistol and 17 rounds of live 9mm ammunition from the suspect.
Sanusi added that Samuel remained in police custody and would be charged in court upon the conclusion of investigations.
The commissioner also urged personnel of other security agencies operating in the FCT to exercise restraint and notify the police divisions responsible for their areas before conducting authorised operations.
He stressed that effective coordination among security agencies was essential to preventing confrontations and maintaining peace across the territory.
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‘We Don’t Want Another Mohbad Case’ – Laolu Gbenjo Speaks On Toluwanisings.
Nigerian gospel singer Laolu Gbenjo has cautioned the public against spreading unverified information about the circumstances surrounding the death of his colleague, Bayonile Bolaji, popularly known as Toluwanisings.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Gbenjo’s warning comes amid growing controversy surrounding the late singer’s death and burial arrangements, with reports of disagreements among members of his family.
The gospel singer spoke on Tuesday during a night of tributes held in honour of Toluwanisings in Ibadan, Oyo State. He warned against allowing the situation to degenerate into a controversy similar to the one that followed the death of Nigerian singer Mohbad.
Describing the deceased as a devoted Christian and a genuine servant of God, Gbenjo said Toluwanisings was passionate about his faith and had a good relationship with people.
He urged the public to stop fuelling unnecessary controversy over the late singer’s death, particularly through social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram.
“You can never see Toluwani in the midst of jobless people. He had a good heart. He was a friend to everybody. He served the Lord with all his heart. Don’t turn Toluwani into Mohbad. That madness on TikTok and Instagram must stop. If you are jobless, go and look for a job,” Gbenjo said.
Meanwhile, comedians Ayobami Ajewole, popularly known as Woli Agba, and Olamide Oladimeji, also known as Dele Omo Woli, have threatened legal action against individuals allegedly linking them to Toluwanisings’ death.
Woli Agba disclosed this in a public notice shared on his Instagram page on Sunday.
In the notice issued by their solicitors, Gemgold, the comedians warned members of the public against publishing or circulating allegations they described as false and defamatory against them.
The legal notice maintained that the allegations were baseless and intended to damage the reputations of the two entertainers.
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El-Rufai’s ₦1bn Legal Battle Takes New Turn As Court Fixes Judgment Date.
The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed December 2, 2026, for judgment in the ₦1 billion fundamental rights suit filed by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, against the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and other respondents.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik set the date after lawyers representing the parties adopted their respective court processes.
However, El-Rufai’s lawyer was absent when the case was initially called. The judge subsequently deemed the former governor’s filed processes adopted.
Counsel to the ICPC, Abdul Mohammed (SAN), adopted the commission’s court processes and urged the judge to dismiss the suit in its entirety.
Similarly, the lawyer representing the Inspector-General of Police, ACP Ezekiel Rimamsomte, and Maimuna Lami-Shiru, Director of Civil Litigation and Public Law, who appeared on behalf of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), adopted their respective processes and asked the court to dismiss the case.
During the proceedings, El-Rufai’s lawyer, Ubong Akpan, arrived in court and apologised for his lateness.
When Akpan sought the court’s permission to adopt his client’s processes, Justice Abdulmalik informed him that the documents had already been deemed adopted.
The judge subsequently adjourned the matter until December 2, 2026, when judgment is expected to be delivered.
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