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Germany fall 2-0 to Slovakia in World Cup qualifying opener

Germany fell to a shocking 2-0 defeat against Slovakia in their World Cup qualifying opener in Bratislava on Thursday, their first-ever away loss in a qualifier for the tournament.

Ranked 52 in the world, Slovakia frequently carved up their heavily fancied opponents and took the lead after 42 minutes through David Hancko.

Slovakia doubled their lead at 55 minutes when David Strelec dribbled in from the right to blast past a flat-footed Antonio Rudiger.

Germany defender Jonathan Tah said his side were the worst team “in all phases” of the match and “we deserved to lose today.”

“There was something missing today, something beyond fatigue. It wasn’t something they did which surprised us — we need to take a look at ourselves and do better in the next game.”

The Germans were toothless up front and disorganised at the back, losing to Slovakia in a competitive fixture for the first time in their history.

The loss, Germany’s third in a row, is their first away defeat in a World Cup qualifier and just their fourth in total after defeats to Portugal in 1985, England in 2001, and North Macedonia in 2021.

The result will turn up the heat on coach Julian Nagelsmann and Germany just under a year out from next year’s tournament.

The four-time winners have crashed out at the group stage of the past two World Cups.

Credited with improving Germany after a decade of poor performances at major tournaments, Nagelsmann was bullish pre-match, speaking of his “healthy desire to win the World Cup.”

Already thin up front without Kai Havertz, Jamal Musiala, and Tim Kleindienst, Germany were hit with another injury withdrawal just before kickoff, with starting striker Niclas Fuellkrug ruled out with a calf injury.

Nick Woltemade was named in Fuellkrug’s place up front, just days after his big-money move to Newcastle United.

The visitors were overrun in the first half, with Leo Sauer repeatedly running into acres of space behind the sluggish German center-backs.

Slovakia failed to convert their chances and looked set to enter halftime unrewarded until Hancko blasted the hosts in front.

The hosts picked Florian Wirtz’s pocket in midfield and went on the attack, Hancko finding Strelec down the left.

Strelec cut back for Hancko, who shed the lethargic Rudiger and cut a left-footed finish past a helpless Oliver Baumann.

Moments after halftime, Germany’s Leon Goretzka shot directly at Slovakia goalie Martin Dubravka when one-on-one with the Burnley shot-stopper.

Things returned to normal service afterwards , however and Slovakia got a second 10 minutes into the second period when Strelec danced his way down the right and smashed the ball home past Rudiger.

The Germans dominated possession but created few chances in attack and will need to improve quickly ahead of Sunday’s next qualifier at home in Cologne against Northern Ireland. (Punch)

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Mr. Beast offers to acquire Nigerian artist’s piece

American YouTuber and media personality James Stephen Donaldson popularly known as Mr. Beast has offered to acquire a Nigerian artwork’s sketch of him.

Mr. Beast announced this on X.

He had earlier posted an AI generated picture on X sent to him by his partner hinting that she wanted something in exchange.

“My fiancé sent me this AI generated image of us with two kids. I can’t quite pit my finger on it, but something tells me she wants something,” he wrote.

The Nigerian artist Ifure Usen, then took the picture and sketched a drawing on it, posted it on X, and tagged Mr. Beast, “I did it guys!!! @MrBeast.”

In response, Mr. Beast wrote: “Love it, I’ll shoot you a dm. Would love to put this on my wall!” (Nation)

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Levy exits role as Tottenham executive chairman

Daniel Levy’s near 25-year reign as executive chairman of Tottenham is over.

Spurs’ official announcement said he had “stepped down”, but BBC Sport understands the decision was taken out of Levy’s hands.

Well-placed sources said the ownership agreed for him to leave his position amid a belief that change would lead to greater sporting success.

Levy was appointed in March 2001 and leaves after the club won the Europa League in May to end a 17-year wait for a trophy.

The 63-year-old was the Premier League’s longest-serving chairman and earned an estimated £50m-plus during his time in charge, but he was also the target of regular protests from Spurs fans, especially last season.

Levy will go with immediate effect and there will be no notice period, with the timing of his departure after the summer transfer window a deliberate move.

However, one source familiar with Levy told BBC Sport the former chairman had to operate with “one hand tied behind his back” during his tenure, and had to diversify revenue streams as a result.

They said they felt there’d been insufficient investment in Spurs for the past 25 years, and the question was whether that would really change.

“I am incredibly proud of the work I have done together with the executive team and all our employees,” said Levy, who had a reputation in football for being a shrewd operator and tough negotiator.

“I am incredibly proud of the work I have done together with the executive team and all our employees,” said Levy, who had a reputation in football for being a shrewd operator and tough negotiator.

“We have built this club into a global heavyweight competing at the highest level. More than that, we have built a community.

“I was lucky enough to work with some of the greatest people in this sport, from the team at Lilywhite House and Hotspur Way to all the players and managers over the years.

“I wish to thank all the fans that have supported me over the years. It hasn’t always been an easy journey but significant progress has been made. I will continue to support this club passionately.”

Tottenham’s European trophy success last season came against the backdrop of a difficult Premier League campaign in which the team finished 17th under head coach Ange Postecoglou, who was sacked in the summer and replaced by Thomas Frank.

There were a number of protests aimed at Levy last season, with prominent banners at the home defeat by Leicester in January carrying the messages “Our game is about glory, Levy’s game is about greed” and “24 years, 16 managers, 1 trophy – time for change”.

There were also regular chants of “Levy out” during the campaign.

During his tenure, Levy oversaw the switch from White Hart Lane to the £1bn state-of-the-art Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, which the club made their new home in 2019.

Spurs also reached the Champions League final under former manager Mauricio Pochettino in 2019 but missed out on the trophy following a 2-0 defeat by Liverpool. (BBC)

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Broadcasting NPFL matches unsustainable, says StarTimes

The Chief Executive Officer of StarTimes, Joshua Wang, has opened up on the cancellation of the broadcast deal with the Nigeria Premier Football League, confirming The PUNCH’s initial report on why both parties ended the partnership.

StarTimes and the NPFL signed a five-year deal worth N6bn in 2023, but the agreement has been terminated after two years.

The PUNCH understands that StarTimes ended their deal as the official broadcast partners of the NPFL following a poor return on investment, especially in the patronage of their decoder and offerings by Nigerians.

Wang also affirmed this in Abuja, during an event orgaised by the NPFL.

“Since StarTimes has been the broadcast partners of the NPFL, during the past two seasons, we have tried to meet our promises to promote and broadcast the NPFL,” he said.

“But unfortunately, we are here because of these economic issues; we are not making it as a business partner for the pay TV business to be sustainable.

“Everything is business; we don’t have the capability to continue. I also heard last week that our partners NTA have taken over the broadcast.”

Chairman of the NPFL, Gbenga Elegbeleye, also revealed that the five-year deal didn’t pass the two-year probation that both parties set.

“Signing with StarTimes that time, we said that the first two seasons are probatory, after that we would discuss again on how to go further,” Elegbeleye said.

“Our last match in Lagos between Ikorodu City and El-Kanemi Warriors was live on NTA. We will still be going ahead with that until we finish the current discussion regarding the broadcast.”

Last week, Elegbeleye led the NPFL board to meet with the management of the NTA to seal a new broadcast partnership for the league, but the future of the arrangement is currently uncertain, no thanks to the premature reshuffling of the station’s management by President Bola Tinubu.

Tinubu appointed Rotimi Pedro (whom the NPFL board met) as the new DG of the NTA on August 20, but the appointment was reversed after the President ordered the reinstatement of Salihu Abdullahi Dembos to complete his three-year tenure as the NTA DG on Tuesday. (Punch)

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UK deputy PM Angela Rayner resigns over tax error

Britain’s deputy prime minister, Angela Rayner, resigned on Friday after an investigation found she breached the ministerial code by underpaying on a property tax, in a major blow to Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s embattled Labour government.

Rayner, a figurehead among the party’s left-wing base, had earlier this week admitted not paying enough on the flat purchase and referred herself to the government’s independent ethics adviser.

In a letter to Starmer, ethics chief, Laurie Magnus, wrote that Rayner had failed to “heed the caution” of legal advice she had received and had therefore breached the ministerial code.

“Given the findings, and the impact on my family, I have therefore decided to resign,” Rayner wrote in a letter to Starmer, adding she would also be stepping down as housing minister and deputy leader of the Labour Party.

“I deeply regret my decision to not seek additional specialist tax advice,” Rayner said, adding she took “full responsiblity for this error”.

In his reply, Starmer told her he was “very sad” to lose her from government, but added: “You will remain a major figure in our party”.

Rayner disclosed on Wednesday that she had underpayed on the so-called stamp duty on a flat in southern England following days of reports suggesting that she had saved £40,000 ($53,000) by removing her name from the deeds of another property.

The 45-year-old has three sons, one of whom was born prematurely and is registered blind with lifelong special needs.

She said on Wednesday that after her 2023 divorce she sold her part of the family home to the trust fund to protect it for her child’s future and used the money in the flat purchase.

She paid less of the property surcharge because she claimed it was her main home rather than a second home, but later conceded this was wrong because her son is under 18 years old.

Magnus said Rayner had “acted with integrity and with a dedicated and exemplary commitment to public service” but concluded he considered the “code to have been breached”.

Rayner had often been tipped to become Labour leader one day and has been a top target for political attacks by the Conservatives and right-wing media.

She left school with no qualifications after becoming pregnant aged 16, and has a straight-talking style that has proved popular with working-class voters.

She grew up in Stockport on the outskirts of Manchester in northwest England, living in one of the area’s most deprived social housing complexes. (Punch)

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Britain’s Duchess of Kent, known for her ‘human touch,’ dead at 92

The Duchess of Kent, one of Britain’s most beloved royals, died on Thursday night at age 92, surrounded by close family, Buckingham Palace announced Friday.

“It is with deep sorrow that Buckingham Palace announces the death of Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Kent,” a statement from Buckingham Palace said.

“Her Royal Highness passed away peacefully last night at Kensington Palace, surrounded by her family,” the statement continued.

King Charles, Queen Camilla and other members of the British royal family will remember the duchess for her “life-long devotion to all the organisations with which she was associated, her passion for music and her empathy for young people,” the palace said.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer sent his “sincere condolences” to the royal family following the death, calling the duchess “one of our hardest working royals.”

“She brought compassion, dignity and a human touch to everything she did,” he added.

The Prince and Princess of Wales said the duchess “will be a much missed member of the family” in a statement posted on X. “The Duchess worked tirelessly to help others and supported many causes, including through her love of music,” the post said.

The King has approved a period of royal mourning to take place until the day of her funeral. Details of the funeral and who will attend have not yet been released. The Union Jack over Buckingham Palace was lowered to half mast in a sign of respect following the announcement of the duchess’ death, and the traditional framed announcement was placed on the royal residence’s railings.

During this period of royal mourning, members of the royal family and staff will wear specific clothing until the funeral. Troops on public duties and those working in the Royal Mews and Livery will wear black armbands.

The duchess may not be as well known as other members of the family to the current generation of royal-watchers as she stepped back from royal duties more than two decades ago, in 2002. However, in Britain and to tennis fans worldwide she will be remembered for the part she played at the Wimbledon tennis tournament., where she presented the trophy at the ladies’ singles final for years.

Born Katharine Worsley to an aristocratic family from Yorkshire, the duchess met her future husband, Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, in 1956, while he was stationed at a military barracks in northern England. She married into the royal family five years later, in 1961. Prince Edward was a cousin of the late Queen Elizabeth II.

Following their wedding, the duchess became a working royal, volunteering for the Passage night shelter for the homeless, and traveling the world as an ambassador for UNICEF. The couple had three children, and another son who was stillborn. In 1994, she became the first royal to convert to Catholicism for more than 300 years.

At Wimbledon, she famously cast aside royal formalities and became a consoling figure for the competition’s finalists – most notably comforting a devastated Jana Novotna following the Czech star’s defeat in the 1993 final.

Five years later, it was a different story when Novotna beat Nathalie Tauziat in the final to win the title, with the duchess on hand to present the trophy.

After stepping back from public duties in 2002, the duchess, who had a deep passion for music and played the piano, organ and violin, taught the subject at a primary school in Hull, northeastern England, for several years. She also founded Future Talent, a charity that seeks to give children equal opportunities to excel in music. (CNN)

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Three Britons among 16 people killed in Lisbon funicular crash, police confirm

Portuguese police have confirmed that three Britons were among the 16 people killed in Lisbon on Wednesday evening when one of the city’s funicular streetcars derailed and hurtled down a hill and into a building.

The accident, described by Portugal’s prime minister, Luís Montenegro, as “one of the biggest tragedies in our recent history”, also left 21 people injured, five of whom are in a serious condition.

A preliminary report on the crash on the Elevador da Glória is due to be released on Friday by the government’s office for air and rail accident investigations.

In a statement on Friday morning, police said the accident had killed five Portuguese citizens, three Britons, two South Koreans, two Canadians, one American, one Ukrainian, one Swiss citizen and one French person.

Police said that a German citizen thought to have died in the crash had been located alive in a hospital. Local media had reported that a German father had died and a mother was seriously hurt while their 3-year-old child suffered minor injuries.

The German foreign ministry said at least three German nationals were in hospital.

The injured also include Spanish, Israeli, Portuguese, Brazilian, Italian and French citizens, according to the executive director of Portugal’s national health service, Álvaro Santos Almeida.

Downing Street said Keir Starmer was deeply saddened to hear of the death of the three Britons.

A No 10 spokesperson said: “The prime minister is deeply saddened to hear that three British nationals have died in the funicular crash in Lisbon. His thoughts are with their families and those affected by this terrible incident. We stand united with Portugal during this difficult time.”

The wreckage of the Elevador da Glória vehicle was removed from the scene on Thursday night and taken by police for examination as a day of national mourning ended. The chief police investigator, Nelson Oliveira, said a preliminary police report, which would have a broader scope, was expected within 45 days.

Investigators have not found any evidence of sabotage, leaving mechanical failures or maintenance issues among the possible causes.

The Glória line carries about 3 million people, tourists and residents annually. Its two cars, each capable of carrying about 40 people, are attached to opposite ends of a haulage cable, with traction provided by electric motors on the cars.

On Thursday, the leader of the Fectrans union, Manuel Leal, told a local television station that workers had complained that problems with the tension of the cable that hauls the carriages had made braking difficult, but added it was too early to say if that had caused the crash.

Carris, the municipal public transport company that operates the service, said “all maintenance protocols” had been carried out, including monthly and weekly service programmes and daily inspections.

The president of Carris, Pedro de Brito Bogas, said the streetcar, which had been in service since 1914, underwent a scheduled full-maintenance programme last year and the company conducted a 30-minute visual inspection of it every day.

At a news conference, he said the streetcar had last been inspected nine hours before the derailment, but did not detail the visual inspection, nor specify when questioned whether all the cables had been tested.

Hundreds of people, including the prime minister, Portugal’s president, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, and Lisbon’s mayor, Carlos Moedas, attended a solemn mass at Lisbon’s church of Saint Dominic on Thursday evening.

On Thursday afternoon, the prime minister called the crash a “tragic accident that transcends borders and a pain that knows no nationality”, and promised a quick investigation to establish what had gone wrong.

“The competent authorities will swiftly carry out the necessary investigations to determine the cause of this tragic accident,” he said. “We will determine all responsibilities with a sense of respect for all those who suffered and are suffering the effects of this accident.”

Moedas said there were no words to describe the pain the city was feeling. “We’re gathering all the information to determine who is responsible. The city needs answers,” said Lisbon’s mayor. (Guardian)

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Fire guts residential building in Oyo

A residential building was, on Thursday morning, gutted by fire at Olugbile House, Iyalamu area of Oyo town in Oyo State.

Investigations by PUNCH Online revealed that the incident occurred around 5:00 am as a result of a lighted cigarette stub left unattended by one of the occupants and ignited combustible materials, which set the house ablaze.

Though no life was lost, it was further gathered that two out of eight rooms were affected, while household items and properties were destroyed.

Confirming the incident in Ibadan, the state capital, on Thursday, the State Chairman of Oyo State Fire Service, Maroof Akinwande, said the agency’s personnel immediately mobilised to the scene.

He said, “Upon arrival at the scene of the incident, our officers met two rooms out of eight rooms of an ancient residential building on fire. They quickly swung into action, and the fire was subdued and prevented from spreading beyond the two rooms.

“The fire was completely extinguished, the occupants, sympathisers and onlookers were sensitised on fire prevention, particularly the importance of having fire extinguishers at every household in the state.

“The fire incident was a result of a lighted cigarette stub left unattended by one of the occupants and ignited combustible materials, which set the house ablaze.

“No casualty was recorded; the agency was able to save properties worth millions of naira. Report fire incident and give correct address, contact our emergency lines: 08067439223 and 08054353501 or 615.”

PUNCH Online reports that the incident highlights recurring fire outbreaks in Oyo State, often traced to negligence such as improper handling of electrical appliances, cooking gas, and cigarettes.

According to the Oyo State Fire Service, dozens of residential and market fire incidents have been recorded since the beginning of 2025, resulting in millions of naira in losses.

Authorities have repeatedly urged residents to adopt strict fire safety measures, including installing basic extinguishers, avoiding unsafe smoking habits indoors, and promptly reporting fire outbreaks to emergency lines.

Fire outbreaks tend to increase during dry seasons when harmattan winds make combustible materials more flammable, making early response critical to preventing large-scale damage. (Punch)

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Tinubu makes U-turn, reverses new NTA appointments

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has withdrawn the recently announced management changes at the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), recalling the Director-General, Salihu Abdullahi Dembos, and the Executive Director of News, Ayo Adewuyi, to complete their tenures.

Tribune Online recently reports that Tinubu recently overhauled the NTA leadership, appointing veteran media executive, Rotimi Richard Pedro, as the new Director-General of the state broadcaster.

Other key appointments include Katsina State’s Karimah Bello as Executive Director of Marketing, Stella Din from Plateau State as Executive Director of News, and Sophia Issa Mohammed from Adamawa State as Managing Director of NTA Enterprises Limited.

However, in a surprise U-turn, Tinubu in a statement on Tuesday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, announced the reversal of the fresh appointments while recalling the previous leadership.  

Dembos, who was appointed in October 2023, is to continue in office until the end of his three-year term, while Adewuyi, appointed in 2024, is to remain in his role until 2027.

The new directive sets aside earlier appointments made to fill the positions of director-general, executive director of news, executive director of marketing, and managing director of NTA Enterprises.

The statement reads partly, “Dembos was appointed DG of the TV network by President Tinubu in October 2023. He will now return to complete his three-year tenure.

“The President similarly directed the recall of Mr Ayo Adewuyi, the Executive Director of News, to complete his three-year tenure, which ends in 2027.

“Adewuyi was appointed by President Tinubu in 2024.

“The new directive effectively reversed the previously announced appointments of a director-general, executive director of news, executive director of marketing, and managing director of NTA Enterprises.” (Tribune)

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Police flag flies at half-mast as Force HQ mourns Arase

The Nigeria Police Force has opened a condolence register at its Force Headquarters in Abuja to honour the memory of the late Solomon Arase.

Arase, the 18th Indigenous Inspector-General of Police, passed away on August 31, at 69.

According to a statement on its X account on Monday, the current IG, Kayode Egbetokun, paid heartfelt tribute to the late police chief as senior officers and staff converged at the headquarters to sign the register and pay their respects.

“The Nigeria Police Force has opened a Condolence Register at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, for the revered former Police Chief, as senior officers and staff pay their respects.

“In honour of his memory, the Police flag will fly at half-mast in all Commands and Formations nationwide,” the statement read.

The gesture is part of a series of formal remembrances by the service following Arase’s death. (Punch)