Author: David Great

Argentina’s World Cup-winning goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has been banned for two matches by FIFA for “offensive behaviour”, the Argentine Football Association announced on Saturday. The 32-year-old Aston Villa star was also found guilty of “violating principles of fair play” in two separate episodes. Martinez was found to have violated FIFA’s code of conduct when holding a replica of the Copa America trophy to his groin after the World Cup qualifier win over Chile on September 5. It is not the first time Martinez has performed such an action, having also done it with the Golden Glove trophy for best goalkeeper…

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca believes honesty is the best approach to keeping his large squad happy as he navigates the challenges of his first season in charge. After a significant summer spending spree, Maresca has found himself with a roster larger than many of his Premier League rivals. In a recent League Cup victory over Barrow, Maresca made 11 changes, and Christopher Nkunku seized his opportunity, scoring his first hat-trick for the club. However, with the upcoming clash against Brighton at Stamford Bridge, Nkunku faces competition for the central striker role from Nicolas Jackson, who has been the preferred choice…

New York mayor, Eric Adams has been charged following an extensive investigation, with prosecutors accusing him of wire fraud, accepting illegal foreign campaign contributions, and participating in a bribery conspiracy. Despite growing calls for his resignation, Adams remains firm, stating he is “looking forward to defending myself.” The 64-year-old mayor, accompanied by aides, arrived at the federal courthouse in Manhattan on Friday, where he gave a thumbs-up to reporters but did not issue any statements. On Thursday, US District Attorney Damian Williams outlined the charges, claiming the mayor had been “secretly receiving” gifts over several years. Williams emphasized that the…

Oscar-winning British actress Maggie Smith, a star of stage and screen for more than seven decades, died in hospital in London on Friday, her sons announced. “It is with great sadness we have to announce the death of Dame Maggie Smith. She passed away peacefully in hospital early this morning, Friday 27th September,” Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens said in a statement. Smith — a legend of British film and theatre who won a Tony, two Oscars, three Golden Globes and five Baftas — achieved late-career international fame for her depiction of the Dowager Countess of Grantham Violet Crawley in…

In a world buzzing with constant noise it can feel impossible to find a moment of peace. Yet within the pages of e-books readers find a path to mindfulness that feels almost like a sanctuary. Z-library turns reading into an accessible pleasure for those seeking inner calm offering collections that cover everything from meditation practices to guided mindfulness exercises. These virtual shelves hold a wealth of wisdom for those beginning their spiritual journey or deepening their understanding of the mind. The Rise of Mindfulness E-Books Mindfulness as a practice has exploded in popularity with people turning to meditation apps, podcasts…

The Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire, and Immigration Services Board has suspended four senior officers of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) over alleged misconduct, including two officers implicated in a viral video involving Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky. In a statement released on Thursday, the Board announced the immediate suspension of Michael Anugwa, Deputy Controller of Corrections (DCC), in charge of the Medium Security Custodial Centre (MSCC), Kirikiri, Lagos State, and Sikiru Adekunle, DCC, in charge of the Maximum Security Custodial Centre (MSCC), Kirikiri. The suspension comes in response to allegations of infractions tied to their official duties. “The suspension…

Israel’s defence ministry said on Thursday it had secured an $8.7 billion aid package from the United States to support the country’s ongoing military efforts, including upgrading air defence systems. The announcement came as Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas hit out at Washington in his address to the UN General Assembly in New York, accusing it of providing Israel with the “deadly weapons that it used to kill thousands of innocent civilians, children and women”. The aid package comes at a time when Israel is fighting on two fronts, with Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip and Hezbollah fighters over the…

Nigeria’s military has killed dozens of leaders of armed militia groups and hundreds of fighters across the country following a renewed offensive in the third quarter of the year, a spokesperson said on Thursday. Nigeria faces widespread insecurity including a 15-year Islamist insurgency in its northeast, separatist violence in the southeast, rampant oil theft in the Niger River delta and kidnapping for ransom by criminal gangs, known locally as bandits, in the northwest. Military spokesperson Major-General Edward Buba said “troops offensive actions culminated in the neutralization of 65 notable terrorist leaders, commanders and combatants across all theaters of operations.” Troops…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has commenced the trial of the former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, over an alleged N33.8 billion fraud. The trial, which began on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, was marked by the testimony of the first prosecution witness, Abubakar Kweido, an EFCC operative. Mamman, who served as Minister of Power between 2019 and 2021, was arraigned on July 11, 2024, on a 12-count charge of conspiracy to commit money laundering involving N33,804,830,503.73. The funds were reportedly diverted from the Mambilla and Zungeru hydroelectric power plant projects, financed by a loan from China’s Exim Bank.…

President Bola Tinubu has approved the increase of NYSC members’ monthly allowance to N77,000 with effect from July 2024. According to a statement signed by the NYSC’s Acting Director of Information and Public Relations, Caroline Embu, on Wednesday, the approval was contained in a letter from the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, dated September 25 2024 and signed by the Chairman, Mr. Ekpo Nta, in line with the enactment of the National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act 2024. Before the increase, corps members were paid a monthly allowance of N33,000 following an upward review of minimum wage to N30,000…