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By Adegboyega Adeleye

FIFA has turned down Iran’s request to move its World Cup matches from the United States to Mexico amid heightened geopolitical tensions, citing logistical impediments as a major concern.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed over the weekend that the matches will be played in the US as originally scheduled, reiterating FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s earlier stance.

Infantino had earlier emphasised there is “no plan B, C, or D,” and that matches will proceed “according to the draw.”

“FIFA ultimately decided that the matches cannot be moved from their original venues,” Sheinbaum said at a news conference in Mexico City.

“It [relocation] would make logistics too complicated, and this decision was taken by FIFA,” she said.

Iran was among the first countries to qualify for the World Cup, racing to book their spot from the Asian confederation. They are scheduled to face New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles, and Egypt in Seattle, between 15 and 27 June.

Last month, the FFIRI expressed concern over its players’ safety and security in the US after President Donald Trump wrote in a social media post that it would not be appropriate for Iran to participate in the World Cup “for their own life and safety”.

“When Trump has ⁠explicitly stated that he cannot ensure the security of the Iranian national team, we will certainly not travel to ⁠America,” Taj said in response to Trump.

Both countries have since exchanged indirect verbal arguments on the issue, with the latest comments coming from Iranian Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali, who indicated that his country’s participation in the World Cup will be uncertain unless FIFA relocates its fixtures.

Mexico, a co-host of the World Cup alongside the US and Canada, has shown a willingness to host Iran’s fixtures. However, Sheinbaum’s recent comments have reaffirmed the stance of FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who met Iranian football players, coaches and officials in Turkiye on March 31.

Iran are in Group G of the tournament with Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand.

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The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) on Monday released its Mini-Grid Regulations 2026 to reshape Nigeria’s off-grid electricity landscape and accelerate power access in underserved communities.

The new regulation, codified as NERC-R-001-2026, sets clear operational, technical, and commercial rules for mini-grid deployment, with far-reaching implications for investors, rural communities, and distribution companies (DisCos).

According to NERC, the regulations are aimed at expanding electricity access, especially in unserved and underserved areas, while ensuring safety, fairness, and investment protection.

“The highlights of the regulation apply to Isolated mini-grids that operate independently of DisCo networks, up to 5 megawatts (MW); and Interconnected mini-grids which are connected to and coordinated with existing distribution networks, up to 10MW.

“The regulations cover developers, operators, distribution companies, and host communities, and align with the Electricity Act 2023 and accommodate state-level regulation where applicable.

“Mini-grids below 100 kilowatts (kW) can be registered, but those above 100kW require a permit from NERC. NERC grants permits through an application process within 30 business days.

“Operators must submit annual reports for mini-grids below 1MW, and quarterly reports for those above 1MW. NERC conducts ongoing monitoring and may publish sector data.

“The regulation aims to accelerate rural electrification, attract private investment, ensure fair tariffs and consumer protection, as well as promote coordination between mini-grid developers and DisCos’’, the regulation read.

NERC Releases Mini-Grid Rules To Fast-Track Rural Electrification is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

A violent communal clash between Odonget and Esabang communities in Obubra Local Government Area of Cross River State has left dozens dead and hundreds displaced, according to findings by the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA.

The development was disclosed in a report shared on April 9, 2026, on the official page of the agency following a joint assessment visit to the affected areas.

According to the report, the crisis was linked to longstanding disputes between the two communities, mainly over land ownership, resource control, and unresolved grievances.

The agency said the tensions eventually escalated into a violent confrontation, creating panic and forcing many residents to flee their homes.

Preliminary figures showed that at least 61 persons lost their lives, while 17 others sustained injuries and are currently receiving medical attention.

The report further indicated that about 435 households have been displaced, with several residents seeking refuge in neighbouring communities.

“The clashes led to significant humanitarian consequences, including loss of lives, injuries, and large-scale displacement of residents,” the agency stated.

It also noted that the number of missing persons could not be confirmed due to limited access to some affected areas and ongoing displacement.

According to NEMA, the assessment involved multiple stakeholders, including the Cross River State Emergency Management Agency, security agencies, humanitarian organisations, and community leaders.

The agency, however, warned that the situation remains tense, stressing the need for urgent intervention to prevent further escalation.

“There is a critical need for humanitarian assistance, including shelter, food, medical care, and psychosocial support for affected persons,” the report added.

NEMA said efforts are ongoing to engage stakeholders in peacebuilding while continuing to monitor the situation closely.

Dozens feared dead as communal clash displaces hundreds in Cross River communities

Malawi has named 29 players in its squad for the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup final qualifying round tie against the Falconets of Nigeria.

Twenty-one players were retained from the squad that defeated Guinea-Bissau in the third round.

Head coach Maggie Chombo is expected to reduce the number before the clash with Nigeria next month.

Malawi will travel to Nigeria for the first leg on May 2.

They will host the second leg at the Bingu National Stadium on May 9, 2026.

The winner on aggregate will qualify for the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, scheduled to take place in Poland from August 27 to September 26.

U-20 WWCQ: Malawi names squad for Falconets showdown

By Adegboyega Adeleye

Popular pastor and founder of Power City International, Pastor Abel Damina has challenged the doctrine of giving to the church as an avenue to financial prosperity, noting that there is no scriptural proof that guarantees riches and prosperity in exchange for giving to God.

In a video that has gone viral, the clergyman dismissed the doctrine, saying that giving with such a mindset leads to poverty and wretchedness rather than financial prosperity, as claimed in many Nigerian churches.

He said that the conditions make Christians deluded and to believe that financial prosperity is determined by how much they give to their pastors and religious institutions.

“There’s no scripture in the Bible that says when you give to God, you’ll be a rich person. There’s no such scripture. Nobody prospers by giving. When you give, you lack. Because when you give, it leaves you, and there’s a vacuum. Then you have to work again and give it time to recover what you gave. And sometimes you never recover it,” he said.

Damina referenced the story of a man he encountered who had donated all three of his cars to his church on the promise of divine financial reward, only to be left with nothing, grumbling, and contemplating collecting one of the cars from the church.

“Somebody told me he gave his church all three of his cars, and he has been trekking since then till when I met him. He said, I was thinking of going back to collect one. I said, I think so too. Because if you gave three and the only one you want to collect is one out of the three, you try. You’re never asking for the three,” the prominent pastor said.

The clergyman, who has in recent years become controversial for his unorthodox theological standpoints, said the belief that giving to the church produces billionaires lacks evidence in the scriptures.

He insisted that wealth is a product of education, labour, and enterprise, not religious offerings.

“I never saw anybody who, because he tithed, became a billionaire. Even those who said they became billionaires because they tithed — it’s because they don’t know. It’s because they had jobs and businesses. That’s why they became billionaires. Not because they tithed,”

“The reason why people can excavate the ground and meet oil wells is that God put the deposit. The reason why we can get to the rocks in Nigeria, go to the gold belt that travels right through Minna, Niger and right to Plateau, all those rocks, explore, break the ground and meet diamonds, golds, sapphires and

tourmaline is that God put them there.”

“So because God has blessed the planet, all we need to do is go to school, learn what to do to get into what has been blessed and turn it into commercial property. We go to school, we go to market, we engage to make money,” he added.

Watch the video here:

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Crude oil prices surged by 7 percent on Monday amid United States President Donald Trump’s planned blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

Checks by DAILY POST on Monday showed that West Texas Intermediate and Brent rose to $103 per barrel and $101 per barrel, respectively.

The latest crude price rally comes as US-Iran peace talks, reportedly orchestrated by Pakistan, collapsed.

Recall that President Trump, at the weekend, said via his Truth Social account that the US Navy will begin “BLOCKADING any and all ships trying to enter or leave the Strait of Hormuz.”

In response, Iran warned the US of the dangers of a Strait of Hormuz blockade.

The tension in the Strait of Hormuz has pushed crude oil prices higher.

The development has reignited concerns over a fresh domestic fuel price hike in Nigeria.

DAILY POST reports that petrol is currently being dispensed in Nigeria between N1,290 and N1,350 per litre across filling stations

Crude oil prices jump as fear mounts on fresh domestic petrol hike in Nigeria

 Few days after the death of Brig Gen Braimah, another senior officer of the Army and some of his men have lost their lives in another Boko Haram

The CO 242 Monguno Borno State, Col I A Mohammed , CKN News learnt died on Sunday

It was gathered that there was an attack last night and the soldiers went on reinforcement and on their way bumped into an IED which exploded and killed some of the soldiers 

 Ten of the soldiers died alongside the Commanding Officer and his escort.

There have not been a statement from the military high command as at the time of this report 

A former Benue State Governor, Gabriel Suswam, has declared his intention to contest for the Benue North-East Senatorial District seat in the 2027 general elections on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Suswam made the disclosure on Monday during an interview on Arise Television, confirming his return to the senatorial race after previously serving in the National Assembly.

The former governor, who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC in February, described his move as part of a broader “political realignment” rather than a decision driven by personal ambition.

He explained that political alignment in Benue State has historically followed dominant party structures, noting that the state was once firmly controlled by the PDP before shifting allegiance to the APC.

“Benue State, since I started politics in 1998, is a place where the people believe in one party,” Suswam said.

“Benue State for its first 16 years was completely a PDP state. And then subsequently after that, they moved to the APC.”

He added that his decision to join the ruling party reflects the prevailing political sentiment among the people of the state.

“As a Benue son, I won’t be an exception to what my people want and what my people believe. They now believe in the principles and philosophy of the APC,” he stated.

Speaking on his 2027 ambition, the two-term former governor said his options are limited by constitutional provisions, making the Senate his only viable political office.

“I’m a politician. And as a politician, if you are still strong enough to contest an election, you always want to contest elections,” he said.

“The only election that I can contest now is the Senate. Of course, I can’t go back to run for governor; even if I want to run for that, the Constitution forbids me from running for governor again. So of course, I’ll be running for Senate.”

Suswam’s declaration signals an early move in the build-up to the 2027 elections, as political realignments continue across party lines.

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 The National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, has urged prospective corps members deployed to the state to be security conscious and strictly adhere to safety guidelines during the three-week orientation exercise.

The NYSC Osun State Coordinator, Mr Ita Kubiangha, made this known in a statement made available to newsmen on Monday in Osogbo.

Kubiangha advised corps members to remain vigilant throughout the orientation period and also conduct themselves responsibly.

He appealed to parents, guardians, and the general public to support corps members as they undergo the crucial phase of the national service scheme.

According to him, the orientation course is designed to equip corps members with essential skills, including paramilitary drills, leadership training, and other structured activities aimed at promoting unity, discipline, and self-reliance.

”The 2026 Batch ‘A’ Stream II Orientation Course will commence on April 24 and all prospective corps members are advised  to comply fully with all directives issued by the scheme.

”We advice stakeholders to support the scheme towards actualisation of the orientation exercise within the stipulated period,” Kubiangha said.

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As history shows, even the best teams can see a title slip through their fingers. From dramatic collapses to relentless chases by rivals, the Premier League has produced some unforgettable title race heartbreaks.

Here are 10 times teams led the table… and still didn’t lift the trophy.

10. Tottenham Hotspur (2015–16)
Tottenham never quite topped the table, but their title hopes were very real in a chaotic season. Under Mauricio Pochettino, Spurs surged into contention, only to fall away as Leicester City completed one of football’s greatest fairytales. A fiery draw at Stamford Bridge ended their dream before they slipped to third.

9. Norwich City (1992–93)
In the inaugural Premier League season, Norwich led for 129 days despite being outsiders. But Eric Cantona inspired Manchester United to surge past them, leaving the Canaries to finish third.

8. Liverpool (2018–19)
A near-perfect season saw Liverpool amass 97 points. They led for 141 days, but Manchester City were relentless. A crucial defeat at the Etihad — with John Stones making a famous goal-line clearance — proved decisive as City edged them out.

7. Arsenal (2002–03)
Fresh from a title-winning season, Arsenal led for months. But a late surge from Manchester United, powered by stars like Ryan Giggs and Ruud van Nistelrooy, saw the Gunners falter at the finish line.

6. Arsenal (2007–08)
Another painful collapse followed years later. Arsenal spent 156 days top, losing just once by March. But Eduardo’s injury derailed their momentum, and a late-season slump saw them finish third behind United and Chelsea.

5. Arsenal (2022–23)
This one hurt the most. Arsenal led for a record 248 days — the most ever without winning the league. But Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City stormed past them, capitalising on costly draws against Liverpool, West Ham and Southampton.

4. Manchester United (1997–98)
United looked certain to win the title, even prompting bookmakers to pay out early. But Arsène Wenger’s Arsenal mounted a stunning comeback, overturning a 13-point gap to snatch the title by a single point.

3. Liverpool (2013–14)
“This does not slip,” declared Steven Gerrard — moments before it famously did. Gerrard’s costly slip against Chelsea allowed City back into the race. A chaotic 3-3 draw with Crystal Palace sealed Liverpool’s fate.

2. Manchester United (2011–12)
United held an eight-point lead with six games to go — then collapsed. The title was snatched away in dramatic fashion by Sergio Aguero’s last-gasp goal for Manchester City, one of the most iconic moments in football history.

1. Newcastle United (1995–96)
The ultimate collapse. Newcastle led by 12 points in January under Kevin Keegan, playing thrilling football. But Manchester United hunted them down, and Keegan’s famous “I will love it!” rant became symbolic of a title that slipped away.

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