Pocket News Nigeria

AFCON Drama: Senegal Rejects CAF Verdict, Moves To Appeal Agency Reports The Senegalese Football Federation has rejected the decision of the Confederation of African Football Appeal Board awarding the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title to Morocco and confirmed it will challenge the ruling at the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Morocco were on Tuesday crowned champions of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after the Confederation of African Football Appeal Board overturned the result of the final against Senegal, ruling that the West African side forfeited the match following a walk-off during the game in Rabat on January 19. CAF stated that “the Senegal national team is declared to have forfeited the final match of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025, with the result recorded as 3–0 in favour of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football.” The decision followed a protest by Morocco after chaotic scenes late in the final, when Senegal players briefly left the...

_By Ayozie Uchechukwu Ronald_ As I write this, the soil of Maiduguri is once again soaked in the blood of innocent Nigerians. Yesterday, March 16, 2026, the silence of the night was shattered by three near-simultaneous suicide bombings. At the gates of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital—a place of healing—and in the bustling heart of Monday Market, at least 23 citizens were blown to pieces. Over 100 others are currently lying in hospital beds, their bodies riddled with shrapnel, their lives forever altered by a terror that this administration promised to "renew hope" against. *But where is our President? Where is the "Commander-in-Chief"* when his people are being slaughtered in war-like numbers? _The Tale of Two Worlds: London Luxury vs. Borno Bloodshed_ While Borno mourns, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has jetted off to London. On the very morning the news of the carnage broke, the President departed for a "historic" state visit to t...

After US and Israeli strikes killed Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on the first day of the war, the Islamic regime was still very much alive due to one formidable politician. That man was Ali Larijani, Iran’s feared national security chief, thought by many to have been the de facto leader of the country and the architect of its terror. Hours after the ayatollah was declared dead, he posted a chilling message on social media, swearing revenge. 'Today we will hit them with a force that they have never experienced before,' the top official said. On Tuesday, Israel claimed its military assassinated Larijani in a secretive operation, effectively eliminating a pivotal figure at the heart of the dictatorship who insiders claim was preparing to consolidate power amid the Middle East crisis. According to Israeli media, the killing of Larijani was initially scheduled for Sunday night, but was postponed at the last minute. It wasn't until Monday afternoon that auth...

 As many as 150 U.S. troops have been wounded in the 10-day-old ​war with Iran, two people familiar with the matter told ‌Reuters on Tuesday. The casualty figure has not been previously reported. Prior to Reuters' publication of the figure, the Pentagon had only disclosed eight U.S. personnel seriously injured. In a statement after ​Reuters published its report, the Pentagon estimated the figure to be approximately ​140 wounded and said the vast majority of them were ⁠minor. "Since the start of Operation Epic Fury, approximately 140 U.S. service members ​have been wounded over 10 days of sustained attacks," said chief Pentagon ​spokesperson Sean Parnell. He said 108 of the wounded service members had already returned to duty. Parnell said the eight seriously wounded service members were receiving the highest level of medical ​care. Reuters could not determine the types of injuries and whether they include traumatic brain ​injuries, which are common after expos...

By Our Correspondent  President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Monday, March 9 2026,put visible smiles on the faces of vulnerable households across Plateau State as the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, in collaboration with the Plateau State Government, flagged off the distribution of food and nutrition assistance aimed at cushioning the effects of economic hardship and rising food insecurity. The intervention, which was officially launched at the New Government House, Little Rayfield, Jos, brought together beneficiaries from the 17 local government areas of the state and is designed to provide relief and support in addressing poverty among the most vulnerable groups in the state.  Plateau State Governor, His Excellency, Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang; the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda Goshwe; and the Honourable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, ...

The Iran women’s team face the uncertain prospect of returning home after a 2-0 defeat by the Philippines ended their Women’s Asian Cup campaign. Sara Eggesvik and Chandler McDaniel scored the goals on the Gold Coast on Sunday night. It was the Philippines’ first win of the tournament, but they will need other results to go their way to qualify as one of the two best third-placed sides. Iran finish fourth in Group A and are eliminated despite some heroic saves from their goalkeeper, Raha Yazdani. Their third loss came after the players and coaches sang the national anthem, displaying a military salute before the match. It was the second time they had sung the anthem in the tournament after they decided not to before their opening game against South Korea last Monday. Iran’s state television called them “traitors” for not singing, saying the team were “the pinnacle of dishonour” because it came less than 48 hours after the US-Israel assassination of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. O...