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West Ham are set to contact referees’ body the Professional Game Match Officials (PGMO) over their late equaliser being disallowed against Arsenal.

The Hammers had appeared to have dealt a significant blow to the Gunners’ title hopes – as well as boosting their own Premier League survival prospects – when Callum Wilson struck in stoppage time on Sunday.

But after a video assistant referee (VAR) review, the goal was ruled out for a foul by Pablo on Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya.

West Ham will raise concerns and request further explanation from PGMO following the controversial decision.

BBC Sport understands they will also request the audio between referee Chris Kavanagh and VAR Darren England.

The Gunners went on to win 1-0, taking them five points clear of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League and making West Ham’s future that bit more uncertain – as they sit in 18th place, with Tottenham Hotspur a point above them before the host Leeds on Monday.

Former England and Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney believes VAR “did a really good job” in disallowing the goal.

“It’s a clear foul,” Rooney said on the Wayne Rooney Show.

“You’re going to obviously get a lot of people saying they think it should have stood because it’s controversial and probably all the [Manchester] City players, staff, fans are going to say it should have stood. And then you’re going to get all the Tottenham fans, players, staff saying it shouldn’t have stood and of course the Arsenal fans and stuff.

“But it’s a clear foul. I think you can clearly see the arm crosses his face and it impacts him getting to the ball. So I think it’s the right decision.

“It’s the one time I actually think VAR has done a really good job in such an important game.”

Despite being satisfied the correct decision was made, Rooney lamented the advantage goalkeepers get inside their own area.

“I think where VAR is consistent and the referees are consistent – and I hate it – is you go anywhere near the goalkeeper and it’s a foul,” he said.

“You go anywhere near the goalkeeper and you give a foul. Throughout my career as a player, I’ve had a dislike for goalkeepers because of that reason. I think because (…) they can jump with their arms and so they have got a big advantage and normally they come out with their knees and the studs down your back and stuff.

“But I think it is consistent with goalkeepers that [if] you go near them, they normally get a free-kick.”

West Ham Set To Contact Referees’ Body Over Disallowed Goal is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has threatened to resume industrial action, accusing the Federal and state governments of failing to faithfully implement the December 2025 FGN-ASUU agreement reached after nearly eight years of negotiations. The threat followed a National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held at Modibbo Adama University, Yola, where the union accused […]

The post ASUU threatens fresh strike over FG’s failure to implement 2025 agreement appeared first on Tribune Online.

Frank Edoho, a famous Nigerian media personality and former host of ‘Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, has vowed never to be committed to just one woman.

Edoho had sparked debate on social media regarding infidelity and the dynamics of forgiveness in marriage.

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In a post on X, he warned men not to forgive cheating wives, noting that “she will not only continue cheating, but she will also resent the Man for forgiving her & disrespect him in extreme ways.”

Reacting to the post, a user @Wagon1011 asked if the media personality is single. “Frank are you single?”

In response, Edoho who stated that he has remained single after the crash of his second marriage, revealed his decision never to be committed to a woman again.

 “Yes. I have had my share. Never getting committed again. Ever.”

DAILY POST recalls that in June 2025, the media personality announced the end of his second marriage to Sandra Onyenucheya.

He previously got married to broadcaster Katherine Obiang in 2003, and ended the seven year marriage in 2010.

I’ll never commit to a woman again’ – Frank Edoho

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has announced that candidates seeking admission into Education programmes and agriculture-related non-engineering courses in colleges of education and polytechnics will no longer be required to sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination. The board disclosed this in a post shared on its official X handle on Monday during its […]

The post Education, agriculture candidates now exempted from UTME — JAMB appeared first on Tribune Online.

Nigeria’s Flamingos have arrived Ikenne, Ogun State to intensify preparations for the clash with Guinea, DAILY POST reports.

The Flamingos spent around one month in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja for the first phase of their preparations.

Akeem Busari’s side engaged in five friendlies, recording four wins, and one draw.

Guinea will host the first leg of the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifier in Conakry on Sunday, 24 May.

The second leg is scheduled for the Remo Stars Stadium one week later.

The winner of the two legs will qualify for the U-17 Women’s World Cup.

Morocco will host the tournament from October 17 to November 7, 2026.

U-17 WWCQ: Flamingos storm Ikenne for Guinea showdown 

Kun Khalifat FC head coach, Obinna Uzoho, has expressed satisfaction with his team’s away win over Abia Warriors.

The Owerri-based club beat Abia Warriors 2-0 in Umuahia to move out of the relegation area.

Uzoho hailed his players for their focus and determination to edge out Abia Warriors in Umuahia.

“I am so happy with the performance of my players,” Uzoho stated in a chat with the media.

“We won’t give up on our relegation push and we will continue to fight until the end.

“I have the players to fight for the cause of the team and we are doing collective.”

Kun Khalifat FC moved to 14th position on the league table with 46 points following the win.

NPFL: Uzoho delighted with Kun Khalifat FC’ s win over Abia Warriors

The Sokoto State Government on Monday airlifted the first batch of 484 pilgrims for the 2026 Hajj exercise to Saudi Arabia.

The pilgrims departed aboard the inaugural flight at about 6:14 a.m. from the Sultan Abubakar III International Airport, Sokoto, following a brief departure ceremony.

The contingent was drawn from Wamakko, Tambuwal, Tureta, Shagari, Sabon Birni, Isa, and Dange/Shuni Local Government Areas of the state.

Leading the delegation was the state Amirul Hajj and Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi.

Speaking during the ceremony, the Deputy Governor of Sokoto State, Idris Mohammad Gobir, urged the pilgrims to conduct themselves responsibly and obey the rules guiding the Hajj exercise.

He advised them to be good ambassadors of Sokoto State and Nigeria throughout their stay in Saudi Arabia.

Gobir also assured the pilgrims of the state government’s commitment to their welfare, safety, and comfort during the pilgrimage.

In his remarks, Dingyadi said arrangements had been completed for accommodation, feeding, transportation, and healthcare services for the pilgrims in Saudi Arabia.

According to him, officials and support personnel had already been deployed to ensure a smooth Hajj operation.

Islamic clerics at the event offered prayers for the safety and successful pilgrimage of the travellers.

The departure marks the commencement of the 2026 Hajj exercise for pilgrims from Sokoto State.

2026 Hajj: Sokoto airlifts first batch of 484 pilgrims

Iran executed a 29-year-old aerospace engineering graduate on Monday on charges of passing classified satellite information to U.S. and Israeli intelligence, state media reported.

Erfan Shakourzadeh was hanged after conviction for cooperating with the CIA and Israel’s Mossad, the judiciary-linked Mizan news agency said. He was recruited into a scientific organization involved in the satellite sector due to his expertise, it added.

Authorities alleged that Shakourzadeh contacted individuals linked to Mossad and the CIA via email, LinkedIn and WhatsApp, sharing details of his workplace and projects in exchange for cryptocurrency payments. Tasnim news agency reported the contacts occurred in three stages.

Shakourzadeh graduated top of his class from a master’s programme in Aerospace Engineering and Satellite Technology at the Iran University of Science and Technology and was regarded as one of the country’s promising talents in the field.

In a written statement before his execution, he denied the charges and said his confession was extracted under duress.

The Iran Human Rights Society said he was arrested in 2025, held in solitary confinement, and urged authorities not to carry out the execution, the judiciary released no details on his trial or legal representation.

Iran is among the countries with the highest number of executions globally, right groups recorded at least 1,500 executions in the country last year, while the United Nations says more than 20 people have been executed so far this year.

Iran Executes Man Accused Of Spying For CIA, Mossad is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

A disturbing silence now hangs over Ukpata, Ezema Imezi Owa, a quiet agrarian community in Ezema Local Government Area of Enugu State, after a violent confrontation between personnel of the Nigerian Army and suspected members of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN).

What was once a sleepy village dotted with modest homes and narrow pathways has become a community gripped by fear, uncertainty and displacement.

The clash, which occurred on May 6, reportedly left several buildings destroyed, triggered panic among residents and forced many families to abandon their homes.

When THE WHISTLER visited the community two days after the incident, the atmosphere was tense and unusually quiet.

The journey from the Enugu-Onitsha expressway into the heart of Ukpata, Ezema Imezi Owa, revealed a settlement seemingly frozen by fear.

An 11-minute motorcycle ride along a lonely, narrow road led to rows of deserted compounds. Homes were locked, streets empty and movement almost nonexistent.

The few residents seen along the route were from neighbouring villages, while several commercial motorcyclists declined trips into the community, describing the area as unsafe. Because many locals had already branded Ukpata, Ezema Imezi Owa a danger zone when this medium visited.

At the centre of the destruction stood three visibly damaged buildings inside an unfenced compound. One bungalow had its windows completely shattered, another was partially burnt with visible fire damage, while a third building had its roof badly destroyed after being engulfed by flames.

Broken beer bottles littered the surroundings, while scorch marks and debris painted a grim picture of the violence that unfolded days earlier.

Residents who spoke with THE WHISTLER did so cautiously, fearful of possible repercussions.

One motorcyclist, who asked not to be named for security reasons, said he stayed away from the community after hearing gunshots during the incident.

“I was outside the village working with my motorcycle when I heard what happened,” he said.

“The incident happened in the afternoon. I refused to return home until Friday because people were afraid. As you can see, everywhere is empty and nobody wants to speak openly about it.”

Several indigenes living outside the community also confirmed that suspected IPOB operatives occasionally move in and out of the area.

According to one source, whose brother’s house was reportedly affected during the operation, armed men linked to the separatist group do not permanently stay in the community.

“They come and go,” the source said, adding that his brother, who lives in Port Harcourt, lost his building during the violence.

Community leaders have, however, remained cautious in their response.
The President General of Ukpata, Ezema Imezi Owa, Remigius Ozoanya, described the incident as serious but said investigations were still ongoing.

“We are already handling the matter and have informed the Local Government Chairman,” he told THE WHISTLER in a telephone conversation.

“At this stage, we cannot speak based on assumptions or hearsay. We are planning to visit the affected area next week to gather proper information.”

He also noted that no official report of casualties among residents had been received.

While uncertainty continues to surround the full extent of the damage, the Nigerian Army insists the operation was targeted at dismantling criminal networks linked to IPOB and ESN activities in the area.

In a statement signed by the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 82 Division, Lt.-Col. Olabisi Ayeni, the Army described the mission as an intelligence-led operation aimed at neutralising armed elements and their collaborators.

According to the statement, troops came under attack while advancing into the community, leading to injuries to three military personnel.

“Despite the attack, troops maintained operational dominance, foiled the attack and secured the general area,” the statement read.

The Army said an explosion caused by Improvised Explosive Devices allegedly stored inside a building used by the attackers triggered the fire that destroyed parts of the community.

Security operatives also claimed to have recovered additional explosives, improvised hand grenades and a shrine allegedly used for criminal and ritual activities.

One suspected collaborator was reportedly arrested and handed over to the police for further investigation.

The military further urged residents not to harbour criminal elements, assuring that operations in the South-East would continue in a bid to restore peace and stability.

But beyond official statements and security briefings lies a traumatised community struggling to recover from the aftermath of violence.

For many residents of Imezi Owa, the fear is no longer just about what happened on May 6, but about what may happen next.

Deserted Homes, Burnt Buildings: Inside Enugu Community After Army-IPOB Gun Battle is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

A northern-based group, the Northern Progressive Youth Vanguard (NPYV), has dismissed calls by the Arewa Youth Assembly seeking the impeachment of Dapo Abiodun and his Enugu State counterpart, Peter Mbah, over developments within the Progressive Governors Forum.

In a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja and signed by its Chairman, Alhaji Shehu Usman Jubrin, the group described the impeachment call as strange, unnecessary and politically motivated, alleging that political enemies of the two governors were hiding under the guise of northern youths to pursue personal political interests.

The group urged Nigerians to disregard what it described as “the shenanigans of a faceless and subversive group conjured by desperate and drowning politicians” to push an agenda against Governor Abiodun and Governor Mbah.

According to the NPYV, youths across the 19 northern states belong to different political and ideological leanings and were never consulted on matters relating to the alleged crisis within the Progressive Governors Forum.

The statement read in part: “If and when Arewa youths meet, it will be to discuss insurgency, widespread poverty, insecurity and other socio-economic challenges plaguing the region, not alleged disagreements within the Progressive Governors Forum.

“Where and when did it become our duty as northern youths to champion impeachment moves against governors from another region over internal political developments within their party?

“The PGF, to the best of our knowledge, is an organisation within the ruling All Progressives Congress, and it has its own internal mechanisms for handling its affairs. It has never claimed to speak for the North, so why should Arewa youths suddenly make its affairs a basis for impeachment agitation?”

The group maintained that northern youths should not be dragged into partisan political battles orchestrated by disgruntled politicians, insisting that the impeachment call does not represent the views or aspirations of the region’s youth population.

“Nigerians should count Arewa youths out of any impeachment call,” the statement added.

“They should disregard statements by fake and amorphous groups being used by politicians to feather their political nests.

“It is not the duty of Arewa youths to choose leaders for the PGF or meddle in its affairs. Northern youths are not jobless people.”

Arewa youths dissociate themselves from purported impeachment call against Gov Abiodun, Gov Mbah