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 VAR official caught flashing ‘white supremacy’ gesture at World Cup game Fare Network, an organisation established to counter inequality and discrimination in football, has called on FIFA to remove a video assistant referee (VAR) official from the World Cup after he flashed an allegedly white supremacist gesture during a match. The incident happened when Germany faced Curaçao on Sunday. When the pre-game footage of the official broadcast cut to the VAR team, Shaun Evans, one of the officials, was seen making a reversed “okay” sign with his right hand in front of his right leg. Anti-Defamation League, a global anti-bigotry organisation, designated the gesture as a hate symbol since 2019. In a statement, Fare Network, a long-time partner of FIFA to monitor racist and discriminatory behaviour, said “the gesture used clearly resembles an upside-down ‘OK’ hand symbol used as a ‘white power’ symbol in global far-right circles”. “Clearly, this official should have no further role to play...

 Nigeria’s inflation rate rises for third consecutive month Nigeria’s inflation rose for the third consecutive month to 15.93 percent in May 2026 from 15.69 percent recorded in April. The National Bureau of Statistics disclosed this in its Consumer Price Index and inflation data released on Monday. This means that in May, the country’s inflation rose on a month-on-month basis by 1.75 percent. Also, the report showed that food inflation also skyrocketed to 16.96 percent in May, up from 16.06 percent recorded the previous month. “In May 2026, the headline inflation rate on a month-on-month basis was 1.75 percent, which was 0.39 percent lower than the rate recorded in April 2026 (2.13 percent). On a year-on-year basis, the headline inflation rate rose to 15.93 percent, up from 15.69 percent in April 2026 and down from 26.06 percent in the same month of the preceding year (May 2025). “The Food inflation rate in May 2026 on a month-on-month basis was 2.98 percent, down by 0.65 percentag...

 Senator Victor Umeh, representing Anambra Central Senatorial District, has firmly stated that the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, exerts no influence on party decisions or candidate selections. Umeh made the clarification on Monday during an interview, while addressing speculations and allegations that he was involved in influencing positions within the party. The NDC has come under heavy criticism following its recently concluded primary elections across the country. In response to claims linking Obi to the process, Umeh distanced the former Anambra governor from any involvement. “Peter Obi has not been involved in influencing who becomes what in the NDC. He’s somebody whom you can hardly see drag into a process like this,” Senator Umeh said. He added that in Obi’s local government area, residents are fully aware of developments and do not require directives from him on whom to support. Umeh attributed his own decision to join the NDC to the p...

 FG ARRAIGNS 400 TERRORISM SUSPECTS The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi (SAN), has arraigned for prosecution over 400 terrorism suspects.  Judiciary Correspondent Austin Anyebe reports that the trials are taking place in different courts at the Federal High Court complex in Abuja.  A team led by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Lateef Fagbemi SAN supported by the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), is prosecuting the suspects. Similar mass trial took place in April 2026. In that trial out of 508 defendants, the AGF's office secured 386 convictions, with 8 discharges and 2 acquittals.  Many of the convicts received prison sentences of up to 20 years.  The defendants are facing charges linked to terrorism, aiding and abetting insurgent activities, and financing. The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho has assem...

 ABIA RECORDS NIGERIA’S FIRST PAROLE RELEASE UNDER CORRECTIONAL SERVICE ACT Abia State has recorded Nigeria’s first parole release under the Nigerian Correctional Service Act, 2019, with ten inmates released under the programme. In a statement, the Service Public Relations Officer of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Jane Osuji, says the development marks the first practical implementation of the parole provisions of the Act. Representing the Controller-General of Corrections, Sylvester Nwakuche, at the event in Umuahia, Assistant Controller-General of Corrections, Ngozi Okeke, describes the initiative as a major step in correctional reforms aimed at rehabilitation, reintegration, and custodial decongestion. The statement notes that the parolees were drawn from custodial centres in Aba, Umuahia, and Arochukwu, and received vocational tools and other reintegration support to aid their return to society. The Nigerian Correctional Service says the parole system is expected to reduce ...

 WATER RESOURCES MINISTER DEPARTS ABUJA TO ATTEND SINGAPORE  INTERNATIONAL WATER WEEK The Minister of water Resources and Sanitation Prof. Joseph Utsev has led Nigerian delegation to Singapore to participate in the International Water Week, a global platform to share and co-create innovative water, coastal and flood solutions.  A statement by the Media personnel to the Minister on Media Terhemen Oranduen said, the  premier global event will bring together over 2,500 leaders and experts in the water sector to brainstorm and  come out with practical solutions that will bridge water gaps in  Urban areas, coastal flood and industrial water technologies.  Against rising climate volatility, competing demands, and systemic uncertainties, the session will also explore how countries can work together to  reduce the devastating impact of climate change on water resources.  Prof. Utsev who is leading Nigerian delegation to the conference, will highlight...