Referee banned six months after asking Messi for autograph
A referee has reportedly been banned for six months after asking Lionel Messi for his autograph at the end of an Inter Miami game. WHAT HAPPENED? Mexican referee Marco Antonio Ortiz Nava approached Messi at the final whistle of Miami’s CONCACAF Champions Cup win over Kansas City last week and asked for his autograph to give to a family member with special needs. North America’s controlling football body (CONCACAF) opened disciplinary action against the 36-year-old. According to ESPN, Ortiz Nava has been ‘banned from officiating in CONCACAF competitions for six months’. THE BIGGER PICTURE This is not a good look for Ortiz Nava, who is said to have acknowledged his mistake and apologised for his actions, as questions of impartiality may now dog his career as an official. The report adds that if he reoffends, he will be ‘punished indefinitely’. DID YOU KNOW? ESPN’s source states that while Ortiz Nava cannot officiate in CONCACAF competitions for half a year, he will continue refereeing in Mexico’s Liga MX – which is part of the CONCACAF confederation. WHAT NEXT? Away from this officiating debacle, Messi’s Miami will play the second leg of their Champions Cup first-round second leg tie against Kansas next Wednesday.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Mane on target as Al Nassr bounce back
Cristiano Ronaldo, Mane on target as Al Nassr bounce back Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mane’s second half strikes secured crucial three points for title aspirants Al-Nassr against Al-Wehda in Saudi Pro League. The match started an hour after the scheduled kick-off time as Al-Nassr’s team bus broke down en route to The King Abdulaziz Sports City. The visitors started the game without two star players Marcelo Brozovic and Jhon Duran who missed due to suspension. To make matters worse, star defender Aymeric Laporte was forced to leave the pitch with an injury in the 12th minute of the match as Salem Al-Najdi replaced him. Al-Nassr failed to make any major impact in the first 45 minutes as the hosts dominated proceedings. HOW IT WENT DOWN Cristiano Ronaldo got a chance on the stroke of half-time to break the deadlock as he unleashed a powerful shot but Al-Owaishir did well to make a diving save and deny the superstar from scoring the opener. Al-Wehda’s resistance did not last long though, as Ronaldo finally scored just three minutes into the second half. Angelo Gabriel sent in an inch-perfect curling cross from the right flank and the Portugal icon comfortably found the back of the net with a header. Just eight minutes after conceding the goal, Al-Wehda had a golden opportunity to restore parity in the game when Morad Mohammad Abdullah Khodari found himself in a scoring position from close range. The forward, initially, did well to control the ball but his final delivery was way off target. In the dying moments of the match, Al-Nassr were awarded a penalty when an Al-Wehda player used his arm to block Ronaldo’s free-kick. Sadio Mane took the resulting spot-kick and found the back of the net to secure the victory. THE MVP Ronaldo was kept silent for the majority of the first half and his first attempt at goal, on the stroke of half-time was saved by the goalkeeper. The lethal goalscorer, however, rose to the occasion just after the break and ensured his side walked away with all three points with a clinical header. THE BIG LOSER Abdullah Khodari had the easiest chance of the match to score the equaliser less than 10 minutes after Al-Wehda conceded. He initially did well to control the ball inside the Al-Nassr box and found himself in a goalscoring position, but his final shot was off target from a close range.
7 Chinese convicted for trapping 91 Malawians in S’Africa
The Johannesburg high court has convicted seven Chinese nationals and their company on numerous charges related to crimes, including human trafficking that were committed at Village Deep in Johannesburg several years ago. “The accused faced 158 charges, including offences such as human trafficking, labour law violations and breaches of occupational health and safety regulations,” said National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane. The accused are Shu-Uei Tsao, 42, Biao Ma, Hui Chen, 50, Quin Li, 56, Zhou Jiaquing, 46, Junying Dai, 58, Zhilian Zhang, 51, and their company Beautiful City (Pty) Ltd. “The police received a tip-off about an illegal factory employing foreign nationals, prompting them to conduct a raid.” The factory produced cotton-fibre sheets. After the raid, police led an investigation which revealed that between 2017 and 2019, the accused operated Beautiful City and employed 91 undocumented Malawians, including 16 minors aged between 14 and 16. “Upon their arrival, the victims were confined to the premises under inhumane conditions, with armed guards controlling their movements. The victims were forced to work 11-hour shifts, seven days a week, without proper training or safety equipment,” Mjonondwane said. She said senior state advocate Valencia Dube presented further evidence, calling several Beautiful City employees, mostly Malawian nationals and one South African truck driver, who testified about being deceived into working at the factory with promises of a better life. Many had previously worked at Chinese-owned factories and were recruited under false pretences. The victims described harsh conditions, including being transported in windowless trucks to the factory, which they were not allowed to leave. They worked long hours with no breaks, were forced to work on holidays and were prohibited from bringing in food. Personal communication was banned and they were made to operate defective machines without protective gear, leading to accidents. One worker lost a finger and was denied medical care. The factory had a high wall, razor fence and armed security, reflecting the exploitive environment, with workers often threatened with firearms and subjected to extreme control. Judge David Mhango ruled the accused were liable for the offences. “The NPA welcomes the conviction, as it demonstrates the dedication of law enforcement in addressing organised crime and human trafficking cases,” Mjonondwane said.
Four female students of Tarka University kidnapped in Makurdi
Four female undergraduates at the Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, formally known as Uni Agric, Makurdi have been kidnapped by unknown assailants. The reports indicated that the young women were abducted by unknown gunmen on the university premises on Wednesday. The victims’ names were given as: Emmanuella Msenuter, Orakaa Susan, Iember Apebo, and M. Folashade. According to sources, the Chairman of Makurdi Local Government, Hon. Keffi has visited the school with a strong security presence to emphatise with the school management and ensure the safety of other students while search and rescue operations are underway. Efforts to speak with the Dean of Students Affairs at the university was not successful as his phone was permanently engaged. Meanwhile, the police spokesman of the Benue State Command said he is on his way to access situations personally at the university campus before he can comment.
Trump backs Elon Musk, DOGE’s work in first Cabinet meeting
President Donald Trump publicly backed efforts by Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to slash government spending and cut the federal workforce on Wednesday, with the president downplaying potential conflicts between Musk and members of his Cabinet. Trump opened his first Cabinet meeting shortly before noon at the White House, with Secretary of State, Marco Rubio and Defence Secretary, Pete Hegseth seated beside him. For more than an hour, Trump weighed in a wide range of topics, fielding questions from reporters on Ukraine, Russia, Taiwan, the House Republicans’ budget plan and more. But first, the president allowed Musk, who is not a member of the Cabinet, to address the group and discuss his work to cancel contracts and fire workers across the executive branch. Musk is not formally leading the DOGE task force, but has been tasked with overseeing its work by the president. “They have a lot of respect for Elon and that he’s doing this, and some disagree a little bit, but I will tell you for the most part I think everyone’s not only happy, they’re thrilled,” Trump said. President Trump speaks during a Cabinet meeting at the White House in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 26, 2025. JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images Over the weekend, Musk sent an email to the entire federal workforce asking them to document five things they accomplished over the past week. On X, he said those who failed to respond would risk losing their jobs. The message sparked confusion from workers and multiple Senate-confirmed Cabinet members told their employees that they could ignore the demand, the first public sign of a split between Musk and other top officials. Musk said Wednesday that the email was meant to identify employees who may be getting paid without showing up to work, and that Trump signed off on sending the message. As of Tuesday, the White House said more than one million federal employees had responded. The president claimed that the assembled Cabinet members were “very much behind” the effort. “And if they aren’t, I want them to speak up,” Trump said during the Cabinet meeting, adding that, “in many cases, we haven’t gotten responses.” When a reporter asked Musk if he’s heard of any Cabinet members who are unhappy with him, the president asked if those in the room had anything to say. None spoke up. Elon Musk wears a “Tech Support” shirt as he speaks during a Cabinet meeting at the White House in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 26, 2025. Wearing a shirt that said “tech support,” Musk said DOGE’s main goal is to help federal agencies address wasteful spending. “DOGE is a support function for the president and for the agencies and departments, to help achieve those savings and to effectively find 15% in reduction in fraud and waste,” Musk said. While he said that DOGE has tried to be transparent by posting all of its savings online, a CBS News analysis found many discrepancies in its so-called “wall of receipts.” Musk also admitted DOGE will make mistakes, revealing that it briefly canceled funding for Ebola prevention efforts distributed by the U.S. Agency for International Development before reinstating them. On Feb. 11, Musk made a similar claim that the administration had “turned on funding for Ebola prevention and for HIV prevention,” an apparent reference to waivers that the government approved, but the New York Times reported the next day that the aid remained frozen. On Feb. 13, a federal judge ordered the administration to reinstate foreign aid contracts and other assistance that had been paused. During the Cabinet meeting, a journalist asked Trump if it’s his view of his executive authority that he has the power to call up any Cabinet official at the table and issues orders that the official is required to follow. “Oh, yeah, they’ll follow the orders, yes,” the president said, adding, “of course, no exceptions.” Later in the meeting, Trump revealed that the head of the Environmental Protection Agency, Lee Zeldin, told him that he believes he can cut 65% of the EPA’s workforce. Trump also reiterated his plans to begin selling citizenship “gold cards,” which would allow foreigners to immigrate to the U.S. in exchange for $5 million, in about two weeks. Mr. Trump said prospective immigrants will be vetted, but he doesn’t expect to restrict immigration from specific countries. The president suggested the $5 million payments would go toward paying down the national debt. On the foreign policy front, Trump said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is coming to the White House on Friday to sign a critical minerals deal framework reached between the U.S. and Ukraine. The two countries reached an agreement on a framework for a broad economic deal that entails access to Ukraine’s mineral resources. Most, but not all, of Trump’s top nominees have now been confirmed by the Senate. A full Senate vote has yet to be scheduled for Rep. Elise Stefanik, his pick to be U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, as House Republicans cannot afford to lose a vote given their razor-thin majority. Linda McMahon, Trump’s pick to run the Department of Education, also has yet to be confirmed by the Senate. Trump has pledged to overhaul that department. The president’s nomination of Lori Chavez-DeRemer for secretary of labor is still in limbo, with no vote scheduled yet. And the Senate has yet to confirm Jamieson Greer as U.S. trade representative, although the Senate advanced his nomination this week, as the president imposes hefty new tariffs on allies and adversaries alike.
Mystery illness kills over 50 people in Congo
…Including children who ate a bat An unknown illness has killed over 50 people in the northwest of the Democratic Republic of Congo, according to doctors in the central African nation and the World Health Organization. The interval between the onset of symptoms and death has been just 48 hours in the majority of cases, and “that’s what’s really worrying,” Serge Ngalebato, medical director of Bikoro Hospital, a regional monitoring center, told The Associated Press on Wednesday. The latest disease outbreak in Congo began on January 21, and 419 cases had been recorded as of Monday, including 53 deaths. According to the WHO’s Africa office, the first outbreak in the town of Boloko began after three children ate a bat and died within 48 hours following hemorrhagic fever symptoms. There have long been concerns about diseases jumping from animals to humans in places where wild animals are popularly eaten. The number of such outbreaks in Africa has surged by more than 60% in the last decade, the WHO said in 2022. After the second outbreak of the current mystery disease began in the town of Bomate on Feb. 9, samples from 13 cases have been sent to the National Institute for Biomedical Research in Congo’s capital, Kinshasa, for testing, the WHO said. All samples have been negative for Ebola or other common hemorrhagic fever diseases like Marburg. Some tested positive for malaria. Last year, another mystery flu-like illness that killed more than 143 people in another part of Congo was determined to be likely malaria. Congo has suffered from many disease outbreaks in recent years, including typhoid, malaria and anemia. The country has also recently grappled with an mpox outbreak, according to the WHO, with more than 47,000 suspected cases and over 1,000 suspected deaths from the disease.
NDDC MD urges police authorities to evaluate officers’ mental health
Advocating for professionalism, the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Samuel Ogbuku, has urged Nigeria Police Force (NPF) authorities to perform mental health evaluations on its officers. This was made known on Tuesday through a document issued in Port Harcourt by NDDC Director of Corporate Affairs, Seledi Thompson-Wakama. Thompson-Wakama, however, disclosed that Ogbuku said this during the fifth edition of the Strategic Security Conference and Retreat for Senior Police Officers in Abeokuta, Ogun State. The conference was titled “Improving Nigeria’s Internal Security and Economic Prosperity through Inclusive Policing.” He hailed the police officers for their efforts, sacrifices, and contributions in protecting the country. He urged Nigerians to support the officers by reporting and providing relevant information to solve crimes and track criminals, stating, “If the police are reported to be failing in their duties.” Read Also: NDDC restates support for Police, others Ogbuku praised the police retreat, organised by Inspector General Kayode Egbetokun, as a step toward improving law enforcement. He stressed that the retreat will tackle unprofessional conduct and help implement sustainable policies. “The police authority should also evaluate the mental health of its officers through psychological testing. This is to ensure that emotional intelligence is at play during the execution of their duties.” He highlighted the NDDC’s support for security agencies, noting the installation of 60kva solar inverters at police headquarters in nine Niger Delta states, with Imo State’s completed and others in progress. “To enhance operatives’ performance, the NDDC has also supplied communication gadgets to the Rivers Police State Command and repaired the failed mast and armoured personnel carriers in Rivers and Bayelsa States. “The Commission has also provided six 250-horsepower Yamaha outboard engines and also rehabilitated six of the outboard engines to combat crime in Bayelsa State and the Niger Delta region at large,” he added. Ogbuku emphasised that these efforts reinforce the partnership between the NDDC and the police force in enhancing regional security.
I have been broken, not destroyed – Naira Marley breaks silence on Mohbad
After months of accusations, Naira Marley finally speaks out as court clears him of any involvement in the death of his former signee, Mohbad. In a heartfelt statement shared on his X (formerly Twitter) handle, Naira Marley expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy. He also lamented the pain of being wrongfully accused of causing the young artist’s death. Naira Marley’s emotional response “I never thought silence could be so loud,” he wrote. “I never thought someone I called my brother, someone I protected, would leave this world with my name in his shadow. I have carried this weight, this pain, this shame that was never mine to bear.” The singer admitted that mistakes were made in his past dealings with Mohbad but insisted they were strictly business-related and never personal. He maintained that before Mohbad’s passing, they had reconciled and put their differences behind them. He further accused those who were present at the time of Mohbad’s death of allowing the public to wrongfully blame him instead of revealing the truth. “You let them tear me apart. You let them call me a killer while you sat there, knowing the truth. Now, you tell the story?” he asked. Naira Marley also criticized those close to Mohbad for delaying his burial, stating that if the truth had been told from the start, the late singer would have received the peace he deserved. Months of accusations and public scrutiny Mohbad, a rising star in Nigeria’s music industry, died on September 12, 2023, under controversial circumstances. His sudden death triggered widespread speculation, with many fans and industry insiders demanding answers. As a former signee of Naira Marley’s record label, Marlian Music, suspicions quickly turned to his former boss. Many accused Naira Marley of being involved, despite his consistent claims of innocence. The controversy led to his arrest and legal battles, forcing him to defend himself in court. After a detailed investigation, the court ruled that neither Naira Marley nor any other accused individuals were responsible for Mohbad’s death. Relief after clearing his name Reacting to the verdict, Naira Marley expressed a mix of relief and pain. He emphasized that he faced the justice system head-on rather than running from the allegations. “You never thought I would survive,” he stated. “You never thought I would walk through the fire and face my people. Maybe you hoped I would stay a fugitive. Instead, I stood before the justice system, spent time in jail, and faced everything head-on while you changed the story again and again.” He also reaffirmed his belief that, in time, the truth will prevail. “But God sees all. The truth does not shake. The lies will fade, and time will reveal everything,” he wrote. What’s next? With the legal chapter now closed, focus shifts to uncovering the real cause of Mohbad’s untimely death. His body has yet to be laid to rest, further fueling demands for justice and closure from his grieving fans and loved ones. As the entertainment industry reflects on the tragic loss, many hope that the full truth will soon emerge, providing finality to one of Nigeria’s most talked-about music industry controversies. Read Also: Naira Marley reacts after court clears him, others
US excludes Nigeria, UK, others from visa-free entry for 2025
The United States government has officially released its 2025 Visa Waiver Programme (VWP) list, with Nigeria and other African nations completely excluded amid President Donald Trump’s mass deportation. While 40 countries, including European, Asian, and select Middle Eastern nations secured visa-free entry into the US, no African nation made the cut as the country introduced policy updates on permit privilege eligibility and others. Major US allies like the United Kingdom were also left out, although British citizens remain eligible under specific conditions. According to the US Bureau of Consular Affairs website, the Visa Waiver Programme allows most citizens or nationals of participating countries to travel to the United States for tourism or business for up to 90 days without obtaining a visa. The agency stated: “Travellers must have a valid Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) approval prior to travel and meet all requirements explained below. If you prefer to have a visa in your passport, you may still apply for a visitor visa.” The visa waiver programme allows travellers from eligible countries to visit the United States without a visa for up to 90 days for tourism or business purposes. Instead of going through a lengthy visa process, eligible individuals can apply for an electronic system for travel authorisation (ESTA) before departure. The 2025 visa waiver programme includes 40 countries whose citizens can now travel to the United States without a visa. This year, Romania has joined the list as a new entrant. However, Taiwan and the United Kingdom remain eligible under specific conditions. According to the US Bureau of Consular Affairs website, the Visa Waiver Programme allows most citizens or nationals of participating countries to travel to the United States for tourism or business for up to 90 days without obtaining a visa. The agency stated: “Travellers must have a valid Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) approval prior to travel and meet all requirements explained below. If you prefer to have a visa in your passport, you may still apply for a visitor visa.” What the US visa waiver programme means The visa waiver programme allows travellers from eligible countries to visit the United States without a visa for up to 90 days for tourism or business purposes. Instead of going through a lengthy visa process, eligible individuals can apply for an electronic system for travel authorisation (ESTA) before departure. What changed in the 2025 VWP While most of the VWP list remains unchanged, adding Romania marks a significant update. The U.S. has also focused on enhancing security checks and prioritising countries with strong diplomatic ties and border security standards. Nevertheless, Romania, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom are excluded from the U.S. visa and interview waiver programme for 2025. Here is the full list of eligible countries:
46 killed in Sudan military plane crash
Forty-six people were killed when a Sudanese military transport plane crashed into a residential neighbourhood on the outskirts of Khartoum, the regional government said in a statement on Wednesday. The statement said the Antonov aircraft went down on Tuesday night near Wadi Seidna air base, one of the army’s largest military hubs in Omdurman, northwest of the capital. The army, which has been at war with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) since April 2023, said the plane crashed during takeoff, killing and injuring both military personnel and civilians. “After a final tally, the number of martyrs reached 46, with 10 injured,” the Khartoum regional government’s media office said in a statement. The army-aligned health ministry had previously reported at least 19 dead. On Wednesday, witnesses described hearing a loud explosion and seeing several homes damaged in the area. The crash also caused power outages in nearby neighbourhoods. The ministry said emergency teams rushed injured civilians, including children, to a nearby hospital. A military source cited a technical malfunction as the cause of the crash, speaking to AFP on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to comment to the media. The recent escalation follows significant advances by the army in central Sudan and the capital Khartoum in its multi-front offensive against the RSF. Late on Saturday, RSF signed a charter with allied political and armed groups in Nairobi, Kenya, paving the way for the formation of a parallel government in rebel-held areas. Since April 2023, army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his former deputy and RSF commander Mohamed Hamadan Daglo, once allies, have been locked in a deadly power struggle. The war, which has claimed tens of thousands of lives, erupted after a rift emerged between Burhan and Daglo over the future structure of the government. The conflict has triggered one of the world’s worst humanitarian disasters in recent memory, according to the United Nations, displacing over 12 million, plunging the country into hunger and crippling critical infrastructure.
