Author: Samuel Akpenpuun

FIFA is seeking to tighten its disciplinary rules to prevent a repeat of the controversy surrounding United States striker Folarin Balogun, whose automatic one-match suspension was controversially lifted during the World Cup. The proposed amendment will be presented to the FIFA Council at its meeting in Zurich on Thursday, the first gathering of the governing body’s decision-making arm since the tournament. A document reviewed by The Athletic showed that the proposal seeks to prevent the suspension of automatic one-match bans in future competitions, arguing that the change would protect the integrity of tournaments and provide greater certainty over player eligibility.…

Canadian poet, essayist and translator Anne Carson has won the 2026 Nobel Prize in Literature, becoming the latest writer to receive the world’s most prestigious literary award. The 76-year-old was recognised by the Swedish Academy for her “bold and inventive oeuvre” and her ability to create new forms for contemporary literature through a playful engagement with classical traditions. Carson is known for work that moves between poetry, prose, translation and classical scholarship. Her writing frequently draws on ancient Greek literature while exploring modern themes and forms. Among her notable works is Norma Jeane Baker of Troy, a 2019 performance piece…

Donald Trump has praised Andy Burnham as a “natural businessperson” and said the UK was “more up” than under Keir Starmer. He however berated the UK for its decision to give up the Chagos Islands. In their first face-to-face meeting, Trump gave a warm assessment of the relationship, saying he thought Burnham had a “lot of assets on his side” and would be a “great prime minister”, adding: “We talked about everything from Rolls-Royce to energy to immigration – we covered a lot.” At a joint press conference after their talks at the UN general assembly in New York, Burnham…

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed sadness over the passing of veteran Nollywood actor and film executive Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs, popularly known as Olu Jacobs, who passed away at age 84 on Wednesday. After his training at London’s Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, Olu Jacobs built a career in British television and international film before returning home to Nigeria, where he became a major force in the film industry. He won major industry honours and awards for his pioneering roles and was also conferred with the national award of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR). In a…

Popular comedienne Anita Asuoha, popularly known as Real Warri Pikin, has apologised following backlash over a viral video featuring her and singer Timaya. The controversy began over the weekend after a clip surfaced showing the comedienne dancing on stage with Timaya in a manner many described as inappropriate for a married woman. In a video addressing the issue, Warri Pikin accepted full responsibility for her actions and expressed remorse. She explained that she was backstage enjoying the performance when Timaya invited a woman on stage during his Ukwu song, and, out of excitement, she rushed out. She said she initially…

The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has said his campaign team would deploy an independent system to transmit election results from every polling unit to its situation room during the 2027 presidential election. Obi disclosed this in an exclusive interview on ARISE News, where he explained measures his team intends to adopt to ensure that votes are properly counted, recorded and transmitted during the election. According to him, the proposed system would operate alongside the official transmission process of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), allowing his team to independently receive and verify results generated at…

Presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has condemned the disruption of his visit to Benue State after protesters reportedly blocked a major road in Makurdi and chanted against his presence. The protesters barricaded the Gboko Road near the Air Force base, disrupting traffic as Obi arrived in the state for a series of engagements. Obi said he was on his way to the Yelewata community in Guma local government area of Benue state to sympathise with families affected by recent killings when he was stopped by protesters chanting, We don’t want Peter Obi and ordering him…

England captain Harry Kane has confirmed he is a strong contender for the 2026 Ballon d’Or, but insists the final decision rests with the voters. In an interview with Owen Hargreaves set to air on HBO Max, the Bayern Munich striker addressed his standing among football’s elite, acknowledging the intense debate surrounding the sport’s most prestigious individual award. Kane is currently listed as a frontrunner for the prize alongside an illustrious field that includes Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe, Barcelona duo Lamine Yamal and Rodri, and PSG’s Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. While the 32-year-old recognizes his place in the conversation, he emphasized the…

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has said exit of global ride-hailing brand Uber from Nigeria, alongside the closure or scaling down of some major international companies, in the country was an indication that the economic policies of President Bola Tinubu’s administration is allegedly turning the country into a “graveyard of businesses.” The ADC, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said the growing list of businesses shutting down, scaling down or leaving the country had exposed the widening gap between the government’s claims of economic progress and the reality confronting businesses and ordinary Nigerians. The party said it…

The management of Nigerian dancer and singer, Poco Lee, has addressed the sexual assault allegation involving the entertainer in the United Kingdom, urging the public to allow the legal process to run its course. In a statement issued on Tuesday, August 25, the management confirmed that the matter is currently before a UK court and cautioned against presenting the allegation as an established fact. The team stressed that Poco Lee, whose real name is Iweh Pascal Odinaka, has not been convicted of any offence. “Allegations are not evidence of guilt, and no conclusions should be drawn until the matter has…