Lionel Messi has joked about the physical treatment he received from Cape Verde national football team during 2026 FIFA World Cup action, saying his opponents were quick to challenge him on the pitch before asking for his shirt and photographs after the match. Messi made the remarks after Argentina national football team edged Cape Verde…

  According to the Manchester Evening News, Marcus Rashford said he wanted his club future resolved before the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup to avoid transfer speculation distracting him during England’s campaign. “I wanted it done before the World Cup started, and if not, I wouldn’t deal with it until after,” the Manchester…

Reno Omokri, Nigeria’s ambassador-designate to Mexico, has criticised opponents of President Bola Tinubu, accusing them of ignoring positive developments despite recent reductions in petrol and cooking gas prices. In a statement shared on social media, Omokri said petrol and cooking gas prices fell this week and were expected to decline further next week, challenging Nigerians…

  According to an Al Jazeera report published on Saturday, July 4, 2026, Iranian cleric Alireza Panahian has called for uncompromising retaliation following the death of Iran’s late Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, saying national interests should be sacrificed if necessary to ensure revenge. Speaking during funeral-related ceremonies in Tehran, Panahian said Iran was prepared…

  Senator Ned Nwoko joined political figures, dignitaries, family members and well-wishers at the 79th birthday celebration of Mrs. Eunice Uzor Kalu in Abuja. In a video shared on his official Instagram account on Saturday, July 4, 2026, Nwoko was seen exchanging greetings and engaging in conversations with former Kogi West Senator Dino Melaye and…

  Security analyst Bulama Bukarti has urged the Federal Government not to treat the killing of top terrorist commanders as the end of Nigeria’s insurgency, despite praising recent gains by security agencies. Speaking on Channels Television on Friday, Bukarti commended the Office of the National Security Adviser, led by Nuhu Ribadu, the Nigerian Armed Forces…

  Actress and entrepreneur Sarah Martins has dismissed claims that her success is tied to transactional relationships, saying her achievements are the result of hard work, discipline and entrepreneurship. According to a Punch report published on Saturday, July 4, 2026, Martins told Saturday Beats that she has built her acting career and businesses through careful…

All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain Joe Igbokwe has defended President Bola Tinubu’s infrastructure agenda, saying many Nigerians fail to appreciate the administration’s long-term economic vision. In a statement shared on social media on July 4, 2026, Igbokwe argued that the Tinubu administration has invested heavily in infrastructure projects nationwide, describing them as essential to economic…

According to a Football London report published on Saturday, July 4, 2026, England manager Thomas Tuchel’s decision to leave Cole Palmer out of the 2026 World Cup squad may ultimately benefit Chelsea despite disappointing the midfielder. The omission has given Palmer his first uninterrupted summer in years, allowing him time to rest, recover and prepare…

A Nigerian returnee from South Africa, Chikezie Igwe, has recounted the death of a friend who died shortly before he could join the Nigerian government’s evacuation programme. Speaking in an interview aired on News Central TV on July 4, 2026, Igwe said he encouraged fellow Nigerians stranded in South Africa to take advantage of the…