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Fani-Kayode, Tinubu’s aide refute Bill Maher’s Christian genocide claims

A former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, and President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Social Media, Dada Olusegun, have dismissed as claims by American television host Bill Maher that Nigeria is experiencing systemic killings of Christians.

The two Nigerian political leaders said the allegations misrepresent the country’s security situation, risk inflaming religious tensions, and undermine the progress of ongoing counterterrorism efforts.

In a viral video clip, Maher alleged that Islamist groups in Nigeria were behind widespread killings and church burnings over the past decade.

“They are systematically killing the Christians in Nigeria. They’ve killed over 100,000 since 2009, they’ve burned 18,000 churches.

“This is so much more of a genocide attempt than what is going on in Gaza.

“They are literally attempting to wipe out the Christian population of an entire country,” Maher said.

Reacting on X on Sunday, Fani-Kayode described the claims as “disinformation” and part of an orchestrated campaign to malign Nigeria internationally.

He alleged that foreign media were exploiting religious narratives to punish Nigeria for its diplomatic positions, particularly on the conflict in Gaza.

“The allegation by top American television host Bill Maher and American Radio Genoa that 500,000 Christians were murdered by Muslims in Nigeria in the last one year is false.

“It is disinformation that has been pushed out by the Jewish controlled media in America as payback for our position against the genocide in Gaza,” Fani-Kayode wrote.

The former minister warned that such claims could justify external interference in Nigeria’s internal affairs.

“We should expect more of this sort of disinformation from the American media because they want to divide us on religious lines, malign us as Christian-haters before the world and give Trump a reason to call us out and not only sanction but also destabilise and terrorise our country,” he said.

Fani-Kayode also stressed that terrorism in Nigeria is indiscriminate and should not be mischaracterised as a religious war.

“These terrorists make no distinction when it comes to religious faith when they kill our people.

“They are attempting to kill us ALL, whether Christian or Muslim, and we are also fighting back and resisting them as one and in one accord,” he wrote.

He added that Nigeria would not bow to external attempts to sow division, saying,”Nigeria is not Palestine and neither are we cowards.

“We cannot be divided, intimidated, bullied, destroyed or subjected to the same treatment as Libya, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq or Gaza.”

Separately, Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Social Media, Dada Olusegun, criticised Maher for misrepresenting Nigeria’s security challenges and spreading falsehoods.

“Dear @billmaher, I’m a big fan of your show. However, I was shocked to come across a video clip where you made false claims of systemic killings of Christians or genocide against Christians in Nigeria,” he wrote.

Olusegun said the conflict in Nigeria cannot be reduced to religion, pointing out that the attacks have targeted both Christians and Muslims.

“The simple truth and the verifiable reality is that there is NO SYSTEMATIC KILLING of Christians in any part of Nigeria and certainly there is no attempt to wipe out Christians in Nigeria either.

“These claims are very dangerous falsehoods, even though they are not entirely new narratives always pushed by western forces,” Olusegun stated.

He added that the Nigerian constitution guarantees religious freedom and highlighted President Tinubu’s interfaith household as a model of tolerance.

“Nigeria practices and preaches religious tolerance,” Olusegun wrote, noting that the President, a Muslim, is married to a Christian pastor.

The aide insisted that framing Nigeria’s security crisis as a religious war is misleading and dangerous.

“The victims of insurgents and extremists in Nigeria include both Christians and Muslims.

“Boko Haram and its splinter groups do not represent Islam and have consistently been opposed by Islamic leaders in the country,” Olusegun said. (Punch)

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Emotional Marquez in tears after winning seventh MotoGP title

An emotional Marc Marquez clinched his seventh MotoGP world championship and his first since 2019 on Sunday after finishing second at the Japan grand prix, with Francesco Bagnaia winning the race.

The Spanish Ducati rider has been in brilliant form all year and he underlined his dominance by wrapping up the title with five events of the season remaining.

He knew that placing first or second would clinch the title regardless of where his brother and closest championship rival Alex finished.

After crossing the line, Marquez raised both arms aloft before sobbing and yelling as his achievement began to sink in.

It marked a triumphant return from an injury nightmare that began when he broke his right arm in 2020, almost convincing him to hang up his helmet.

“It’s impossible even to speak,” said the 32-year-old as he choked back tears. “I just want to enjoy the moment. It’s true that it was difficult, super difficult. Now I’m impressed with myself how it’s part of me.”

Marquez clinched the world championship in Japan for the fourth time in his career, following 2014, 2016 and 2018 and now draws level with Italian motorcycle legend Valentino Rossi on seven titles.

Marquez’s fellow Ducati rider Bagnaia claimed only his second grand prix win of what has been a frustrating season for the two-time world champion.

The Italian also won the Saturday sprint and looked back to his best all weekend.

“I don’t want to take the spotlight from Marc, he deserves the spotlight today,” said Bagnaia.

“It’s just a little shame that it arrived now, but in any case, happy for the weekend, happy for the performance and from now on I hope I will continue in this way because like this I can fight.”

Bagnaia kept his lead from pole going into the first turn, with Marquez maintaining his position in third.

He overtook Pedro Acosta to move into second just before the halfway mark and from there it was a procession to the title.

Bagnaia had a scare when smoke started coming out of his Ducati with around nine laps remaining but he held on to win the Japanese grand prix for the second year running.

Honda’s Joan Mir finished third, followed by Aprilia’s Marco Bezzecchi. Alex Marquez was sixth.

Outgoing world champion Jorge Martin was ruled out of the grand prix after fracturing his collarbone in a crash with team-mate Bezzecchi in Saturday’s sprint.

Trackhouse’s Japanese rider Ai Ogura was denied a first MotoGP appearance at his home grand prix after withdrawing from the race with a hand injury. (JapanToday)

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Selena Gomez marries Benny Blanco in star-studded California ceremony

American actress and singer Selena Gomez has tied the knot with music producer Benny Blanco in a lavish Southern California wedding.

The Only Murders in the Building star, 33, shared a carousel of photos and videos on Instagram from the Santa Barbara County celebration on Saturday.

In the images, Gomez appears radiant in a wedding gown while Blanco — born Benjamin Joseph Levin — wears a sharp tuxedo. The couple is seen embracing, laughing, and kissing.

Her post was simply captioned, “9.27.25” flanked by two white heart emojis.

Blanco replied beneath: “My wife in real life.”

According to Vogue on Saturday, the ceremony took place at Hope Ranch, a coastal enclave about 90 miles northwest of Los Angeles.

The guest list was glittering: Taylor Swift, Gomez’s longtime best friend, was joined by Ed Sheeran, Paris Hilton, and Only Murders co-stars Steve Martin and Martin Short among the 170 attendees.

The couple’s attire, Vogue noted, came courtesy of Ralph Lauren.

Gomez and Blanco went public with their relationship in December 2023 and announced their engagement a year later.

Blanco, 37, has produced several of Gomez’s chart-topping hits, including Same Old Love and Kill Em with Kindness.

Earlier this year, they released their joint album I Said I Love You First. (Punch)

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European soccer body UEFA moves toward vote to suspend Israel

European soccer body UEFA is moving toward a vote to suspend its member federation Israel over the war in Gaza, people familiar with the proposal told The Associated Press on Thursday.

A majority of UEFA’s 20-member executive committee is expected to support any vote in favor of suspending Israeli teams from international play, two sources told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the subject.

Such a step would prevent Israeli national and club teams from playing in international competitions including next year’s World Cup. Israel’s men’s team is set to resume its World Cup qualifying campaign in two weeks with away games against Norway and Italy.

It is unclear whether world soccer body FIFA will support excluding Israel given the close relations between FIFA’s leader, Gianni Infantino, and President Donald Trump.

The Trump administration’s support to secure the World Cup, and process visas for players, officials and potentially hundreds of thousands of visiting fans, is seen as key to FIFA delivering a successful tournament in the U.S., Canada and Mexico next year.

A State Department spokesperson said it will work to stop any efforts that tried to ban Israel’s team from the World Cup.

FIFA’s ruling council is scheduled to meet in Zurich next week. The 37-member council includes eight from UEFA.

FIFA declined to comment on Thursday. Infantino is based this week at FIFA’s satellite office in Trump Tower in Manhattan while attending events on the fringes of the United Nations General Assembly.

Calls to exclude Israel from soccer and other sports have increased in recent weeks amid an outcry over the humanitarian toll of its military campaign in Gaza. Last week Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said Israel should be banned from international sports events just like Russia, which was sidelined after its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Earlier this week seven independent experts working with the U.N. Human Rights Council urged FIFA and UEFA to suspend Israel from international competitions.

UEFA and its president Aleksander Ceferin signaled a tougher view on Israel last month when banners saying “Stop Killing Children. Stop Killing Civilians” were placed on the field in front of the Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham teams ahead of the Super Cup game in Udine, Italy.

The discussion about whether to ban Israel from international sports comes as Israel faces increasing criticism and isolation over its military campaign, launched in response to the Hamas-led attack on Oct. 7, 2023.

Last week, Israel was accused of committing genocide in Gaza by an inquiry commission commissioned by the United Nations Human Rights Council.

Israel’s sports and culture minister, Miki Zohar, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the head of Israel’s soccer federation, Moshe Zuares, have been working “intensively behind the scenes” to block efforts to oust Israel from UEFA, Zohar’s office said Thursday. “The right step now is to act responsibly with the professionals and not to make statements, and this is how all the parties involved in the efforts are acting. We will address this later.”

The decision to ban Russia in 2022 was partly driven by a swath of UEFA member federations refusing to play scheduled games against Russian opponents. No national or club team in Europe has so far refused to play an Israeli opponent, though soccer leaders in Norway and Italy have publicly expressed their unease in recent weeks.

The Norwegian soccer federation also pledged to give its profits from ticket sales for the Oct. 11 game in Oslo to humanitarian work in Gaza by Doctors Without Borders.

Both Italy’s Gabriele Gravina and Lise Klaveness of Norway are elected members of the UEFA executive committee which could vote on suspending Israel. Zuares, the Israeli soccer federation president, is also on the panel as is Nasser Al-Khelaïfi, a member of the Qatari government who is president of European champion Paris Saint-Germain.

Israel enraged Qatar, an influential U.S. ally that has been a key mediator throughout the war, with a Sept. 9 airstrike targeting Hamas leaders in Doha, the Qatari capital.

At the Champions League final in May, PSG fans displayed a banner saying “Stop Genocide in Gaza” in French. UEFA did not open a disciplinary case despite having rules against political messaging inside stadiums.

On Wednesday evening in Greece, Israeli club Maccabi Tel Aviv played PAOK in the UEFA-organized Europa League. There were pro-Palestinian protests outside the stadium in Thessaloniki and a “Stop Genocide” banner displayed inside. (JapanToday)

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Police arrest security guard for defiling minor in Rivers

The Rivers State Police Command have arrested a security guard simply identified as Godday over the alleged abduction and defilement of a 14-year-old girl in the Mothercat axis of Trans-Amadi in Port Harcourt.

PUNCH Online gathered that the suspect was said to have been arrested last Tuesday by officers of the Amadi Police Division in partnership with security personnel of another bank adjacent to the scene of the crime

Speaking to newsmen in Port Harcourt on the incident, the mother of the teenage girl, who pleaded anonymity for fear of being stigmatised, narrated what happened.

The distraught woman said she suddenly became ill and handed her daughter her Automated Teller Machine card to withdraw some money, and gave her transport to aid her movement.

According to her, “On Saturday, 20th September,2025 about after 1 pm, I was not feeling fine so I sent my daughter to Mothercart, to withdraw money with my ATM.

“I gave her transportation to and fro too. So she will not have to waste time.

“She withdrew at one of the commercial banks at Mothercat and then entered a Keke (tricycle) to the ordinance junction to withdraw more money. When I called her, she told me she was done.

“I waited for some time but I didn’t see her and it was past the time she was supposed to return.

“So I became worried. I then called her phone she was not picking up. While we were on her search, I called again and she said with a low voice that she was on her way home.”

“When she came back, her clothes were soaked with water and blood, and there were bruises on her face, neck and leg. Her left jaw got swollen and her left eye too. She was so weak.

“First of all we went to the police station in Amadi and made an official report. We then took her to the Hospital for treatment . When she became a bit strong, we asked her what happened.

“She explained that when she was withdrawing money at the bank in Ordinance in Trans Amadi, a man was standing behind her. So she felt the man also came to withdraw money.

“After withdrawing money, she discovered that the man did not proceed to the bank ATM to withdraw money.

“She now entered another Keke and went back to another bank at Mothercat (also at Trans-Amadi). When she came down in front of the bank at Mothercat, she saw the man who was standing behind her at the bank in ordinance.

“The man started dragging her in front of the bank at Mothercat, She was shouting that no one came to her rescue.

“The man dragged her to a bank where he is a security guard at the same mothercat, dragged her inside, locked the gate and raped her.

“At that process, while she was struggling the man held her mouth and started beating her till she passed out,” the victim’s mother stated.

She further said that hours later, the man woke her up and ordered her to pack her things and leave.

“So we reported the case again to the bank where she went to withdraw money at Mothercat.

“So people there went in search of the guy and arrested him. Then when I counted the money asked her to withdraw, N340,000 was missing.

While fighting back tears, the woman lamented that her daughter had to lose her virginity in such a manner and demanded an investigation and justice.

When contacted, the spokesperson of the State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the incident and the arrest of the suspect.

She stated, “Yes I can confirm. The man has been arrested and the matter transferred to the SCIID (State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department), Port Harcourt for further investigation.”

The police also secured a building formerly used by a new generation bank where the incident took place.

Iringe-Koko, a Superintendent of Police further said the girl is receiving treatment

Meanwhile, a member of the Association Against Child Sexual Abuse and Gender Based Violence in Rivers State, Dennis Otobo who has been following the incident has called for a thorough investigation with a view to arraigning the suspect in court without further delay. (Punch)

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EPL: Arsenal snatch late 2-1 win against Newcastle

Arsenal staged a late comeback to beat Newcastle 2-1 thanks to a stoppage-time header from Gabriel Magalhães at St James’ Park, on Sunday.

The game looked to be slipping away from the visitors after Nick Woltemade scored one for Newcastle in the 34th minute.

Arsenal had dominated the opening half but failed to find the net despite good chances from Eberechi Eze and Leandro Trossard.

The London club were left frustrated when a penalty awarded for a foul on Viktor Gyökeres was overturned following a VAR review.

Newcastle had weathered the storm with the help of goalkeeper Nick Pope.

Mikel Merino rose to nod home from close range in the 84th minute to level, setting up a frantic finish.

Arsenal pushed with everything they had and were ultimately rewarded deep in stoppage time when Martin Ødegaard’s corner found Gabriel, who rose highest to head the winner in the sixth minute of added time.

Arsenal’s late victory will feel like a statement of character for Mikel Arteta’s side, who move on with a precious away win after dominating long spells of the match but having to fight until the final whistle to secure the three points.

Newcastle will take encouragement from a dogged defensive display.

Arsenal now have four wins, one draw, and one loss in six Premier League games. They sit in the second position on the table, while Newcastle is in 15th. (Punch)

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Several feared trapped as mining pits collapse in Zamfara

The Executive Secretary of Zamfara State Emergency Management Agency, Bala Ahmad on Friday, confirmed the collapse of mining pits trapping several artisanal miners.

The tragic event occurred in the Kadauri community, Maru Local Government Area of the state.

Ahmad, who gave the confirmation to the News Agency of Nigeria in Gusau on Friday, however, did not give further information on the incident which occurred on Thursday night.

The ES said that he was in a meeting with stakeholders, assuring to give further details on the incident in due course.

Local community leaders, however, told NAN via telephone that many artisanal miners were trapped following the collapse of mining pits.

They said that the mining pits collapsed after several hours of rain in the area.

The locals said that the number of casualties and those still trapped in the mining pits was not yet known.

They, however, said those who sustained injuries were being treated at the Maru General Hospital.

The locals said they were battling alongside officers of the state to rescue survivors still trapped in the collapse pits.

PUNCH Online had reported that a tragic mining accident occurred in the Dura community, Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State, where four miners lost their lives after a mining site collapsed.

According to eyewitnesses, the incident happened on Thursday night when the ground collapsed on four individuals working in the pit. (Punch)

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Alcaraz dispels injury fears to reach Japan Open quarterfinals

Carlos Alcaraz admitted his ankle injury had worried him and was on his mind as he beat Belgium’s Zizou Bergs 6-4, 6-3 at the Japan Open on Saturday.

The world number one hurt himself two days earlier in his opening match in Tokyo, crumpling to the ground before playing on with his ankle heavily strapped.

The Spaniard was left sweating on his fitness but he showed no evidence of discomfort as he returned to the court to beat world number 45 Bergs in front of an adoring Japanese crowd.

Alcaraz got the job done in an hour and 20 minutes and will face American Brandon Nakashima in the quarterfinals on Sunday.

“I was a bit worried before the match so I just wanted to warm up and let’s see how it’s going to feel,” Alcaraz said.

“I didn’t feel anything in the ankle, so after the warm-up I decided I can go and I can play.”

Alcaraz took to the court with white strapping visible underneath the sock on his left ankle.

He did not appear to be restricted in his movement but he limped briefly after chasing a shot that won Bergs a break early in the first set.

“In some movements I’m scared about going crazy so most of the time I take it a little easy,” he said.

“Sometimes I feel a little bit the ankle, which I would say is normal.”

Alcaraz is playing in Japan for the first time and delighted the crowd with a series of leaping forehand winners, claiming the first set despite having his service broken twice.

His service was broken three times overall and he blamed his injury for his lack of accuracy.

“I think because my thoughts were on the ankle, I forgot about doing a smooth movement, smooth serve,” he said.

Alcaraz raced into an early lead in the second set but Bergs made him work hard for the victory with a gritty performance.

Alcaraz sealed the deal with a thumping forehand at the net that Bergs could not return into play.

Alcaraz will look to book his place in the semi-final when he faces world number 33 Nakashima, who beat Hungarian qualifier Marton Fucsovics 7-5, 6-3.

“I’m still taking care of the ankle and I will try to feel as good as today or even better,” said Alcaraz.

“Tomorrow is going be a great challenge that I’m really excited about, and I’m ready for that.”

Denmark’s number three seed Holger Rune also advanced, beating American qualifier Ethan Quinn 6-4, 6-2. (JapanToday)

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Two migrants die trying to cross channel from France

Two migrants died overnight while trying to cross the Channel to Britain, French authorities said Saturday, adding that some 60 others had been rescued.

The incident occurred south of the beaches of Neuchâtel-Hardelot, when about 100 people were trying to get to the UK on a makeshift boat.

About 60 people “are currently being taken care of”, Isabelle Fradin-Thirode, an official in nearby Montreuil-sur-Mer, said.

The incident brings the number of Channel crossing deaths to at least 25 this year, according to an AFP tally based on official data.

Since January, a record 31,000 migrants have arrived in Britain by crossing the Channel in small boats.

Under a recent Franco-British scheme, the UK can return them after arrival if they are deemed ineligible for asylum, including those who have passed through a “safe country” to reach UK shores.

In return, London will accept an equal number of migrants from France who are likely to have their asylum claims granted. (Punch)

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Liverpool concedes late goal as its 100% start to Premier League ends with loss at Palace


There was a flurry of stoppage-time goals in the Premier League on Saturday — and one of them ended Liverpool’s 100% start to its title defense.

Eddie Nketiah’s strike in the seventh minute of added-on time secured Crystal Palace a 2-1 victory over the champions and extended the London team’s unbeaten run to 18 games stretching back to April.

Liverpool, which won its first five games of the campaign, saw its lead trimmed to three points — with second-place Palace now its unlikely closest challenger.

The Reds have made a habit of scoring late goals themselves this season and Federico Chiesa’s 87th-minute effort looked like securing a draw at Selhurst Park — or even giving them a chance of grabbing a sixth straight win.

Chelsea played almost the whole second half with 10 men against Brighton and paid the price, conceding two goals in stoppage time to lose 3-1 for a second straight defeat.

Erling Haaland scored in the 90th minute and again in injury time to wrap up Manchester City’s 5-1 win over Burnley.

Tottenham scored in the fourth minute of stoppage time through Joao Palhinha to draw 1-1 with Wolverhampton, which collected its first point of the campaign.

And Manchester United’s latest loss was sealed by a stoppage-time goal for Brentford, which won 3-1. It could have been so different had Bruno Fernandes’ penalty not been saved by Brentford goalkeeper Caoimhín Kelleher in the 76th minute, denying United an equalizer for 2-2.

Bournemouth also scored in stoppage time to earn a 2-2 draw at Leeds and Sunderland won 1-0 at Nottingham Forest, whose recently hired manager Ange Postecoglou has yet to win a game in five matches at his new club.

Liverpool had not been entirely convincing in gaining a maximum 15 points and Arne Slot’s team was undone again by Palace, which beat the Reds in a penalty shootout to win the Community Shield before the English season began.

Palace took the lead in the ninth minute through Ismaila Sarr and wasted a string of chances to move further ahead — with striker Jean-Philippe Mateta the biggest culprit.

Nketiah’s goal was scrappy but maintained Palace’s long undefeated run under Oliver Glasner, who has kept the team playing well despite losing star midfielder Eberechi Eze to Arsenal late in the transfer window.

“If one team deserved to win today it was Palace,” Slot said. (JapanToday)