UEFA slams FIFA over decision to reinstate banned USA star Folarin Balogun following Donald Trump's intervention for Red Card

 European football's governing body UEFA has condemned FIFA's decision to allow banned USA forward Folarin Balogun to play against Belgium in their last-16 World Cup showdown, describing the call 'unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable'.

FIFA overturned US star striker Folarin Balogun's red-card ban, after a personal phone call from President Donald Trump.

Balogun had been set to miss Monday's last-16 knockout clash with the Belgians after receiving a straight red card following video review for stepping on the foot of a Bosnian defender in a round-of-32 clash that the US won 2-0. However, the player will now be available to play in the World Cup co-hosts' showdown with Belgium after the overturning of the red card decision.

Nigerian-British woman arrested with 13kg cocaine concealed in plantain peels

 A 67-year-old Nigerian-British grandma, Mrs. Mary Yetunde Barek, has been arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) following the discovery of 13 kilograms of cocaine concealed in peels of plantain which appeared as real plantains and packed among other food items in her luggage at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Ikeja Lagos.

Ajayi Kanyinsola defeats world champion Seville to win 100m at Prefontaine Classic

Kanyinsola Ajayi delivered a stunning performance on Saturday to win the men's 100 metres at the 2026 Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon, defeating a field that included reigning world champion Oblique Seville.

The 21-year-old Nigerian clocked 9.84 seconds to equal his own national record in his debut appearance on the Diamond League circuit.

Competing at Hayward Field, Ajayi powered past Seville after the opening stages of the race to secure victory. The Jamaican finished second in 9.89 seconds, while American sprinter Christian Coleman claimed third place in 9.95 seconds. Fellow American Kenneth Bednarek placed fourth with a time of 9.96 seconds.

American businessman Michael Rubin’s annual White Party with A-list celebrities in attendance

 Yearly, American businessman Michael Rubin throws what is arguably the biggest celebrity party in celebration of July 4th and this year was no different. 

Michael Rubin's annual Fourth of July bash held a little early this year. 

On Wednesday, July 1, 2026, the who-is-who in the entertainment industry in America gathered at Rubin's $50million oceanfront estate in Bridgehampton, New York, located in the Hamptons. 

Fire outbreak at traditional herbs market in Ibadan

 Traders at the popular Bode Traditional Herbs and Other Products Market, popularly known as Iso Alagbo, in the Ibadan South-West Local Government Area of Oyo State, are counting their losses following a devastating fire that struck the market in the early hours of Friday, July 2.

According to reports, the fire started in one of the shops before rapidly spreading to adjoining stalls, leaving behind extensive destruction and losses that are yet to be fully quantified.

Some of the traders fought back tears as they watched their source of livelihood get destroyed before their eyes.  

Daredevil Couple Arrested After Climbing Empire State Building Spire And Pulling Off A Marriage Proposal

 A daredevil couple, Angela Nikolau and Ivan Beerkus, have been arrested after they climbed the 1,454‑foot spire of the Empire State Building and unfurled a banner reading, “When the power of love beats the love of power, the world knows peace.”

The pair completed the dangerous climb, displayed the message, and sealed the stunt with a marriage proposal before authorities intervened.

They were taken into custody and now face multiple charges, including burglary, reckless endangerment, criminal mischief, criminal trespass, and disorderly conduct.

Central Bank Of Nigeria (CBN) revokes licenses of 46 Microfinance banks

 The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has revoked the operating licenses of forty-six (46) Microfinance Banks with effect from July 1, 2026.

A statement released by the apex bank today July 1, says the revocation was approved by the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, following the banks’ failure to meet the regulatory requirements for continued operation as licensed financial institutions.

Federal Government to scrap JSS-SSS separation policy

 The Federal Government has announced plans to abolish the policy separating Junior Secondary Schools (JSS) from Senior Secondary Schools (SSS), saying it has failed to improve access to education and has contributed to the growing number of out-of-school children.

The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, disclosed this in Abuja on Tuesday, June 30, during the inauguration of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) Ministerial Implementation and Monitoring Committee.

President Tinubu defends NYSC Reforms

    President Bola Tinubu has defended his administration’s sweeping reforms of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), saying the changes are designed to equip young Nigerians with practical skills, improve employability, and position them as drivers of national development.

In a post on his official X account on Wednesday, Tinubu described the reforms approved by the Federal Executive Council on Monday as the most significant since the NYSC was established in 1973. According to the president, the overhaul fulfills a promise he made at his inauguration to create meaningful opportunities for young people and ensure they play a central role in his administration. Tinubu noted that while the NYSC had served the cause of national unity for more than five decades, the country’s current realities require a broader mandate.

Wema Bank Announces the 7th Edition of Hackaholics …Introduces 3 tracks, 7 Verticals, millions of naira in grant prizes

 

Wema Bank, Nigeria’s oldest indigenous national bank, most innovative and pioneer of Africa’s first fully digital bank, ALAT, has announced the 7th edition of its flagship innovation initiative, Hackaholics. The announcement was made at the official press conference which took place on July 1, 2026, at the Wema Bank Head Office in Lagos, Nigeria. 

Launched in 2019, Hackaholics is Wema Bank’s youth and tech-focused initiative designed to serve as a platform for young Africans with creative, game changing, tech-driven ideas and products, to bring their ideas to life. Since its launch, Hackaholics has discovered thousands of groundbreaking solutions, supported over 10,000 startups, engaged 50,000 participants, developed over 100 solutions from scratch and disbursed $500,000,000 in grant prizes to dozens of winners whose remarkable solutions have earned a top spot in the past 6 editions. With the launch of Hackaholics 7.0, Wema Bank is set to execute the biggest Hackaholics edition yet.

Trump says US troops killed 199 jihadists in single operation in Nigeria

 Sebastian Gorka, deputy assistant to US President Donald Trump and senior director for counterterrorism at the National Security Council, has claimed that US forces killed 199 jihadists in a single operation in Nigeria.

Gorka made the statement during an interview with Marissa Streit, CEO of conservative media organisation PragerU, aired on June 24, where he discussed US counterterrorism operations.

Speaking on ongoing efforts against Islamist extremist groups, Gorka said: “I can talk about this because it has been declassified. The president is not nation-building; he’s not going around the world like some lunatic neocon saying, ‘we will turn the world into America,'”