In a surprising turn of events, the highly anticipated Finalissima match between EURO 2024 champions Spain and Copa América 2024 winners Argentina has been cancelled due to escalating political tensions in the region.
The match, originally set to take place in Qatar on March 27, was expected to be a thrilling showcase of international football talent.
UEFA initially explored the possibility of hosting the match at Madrid’s iconic Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, proposing a unique arrangement that would allow a 50:50 split of supporters. However, this plan faced rejection from the Argentine Football Association, leading to further discussions about an alternative solution.
The second proposal aimed to divide the Finalissima into two legs, with one match held in Madrid on the scheduled date and the return leg in Buenos Aires during an upcoming international window. Unfortunately, this option was also declined by Argentina, leaving fans disappointed and the football community awaiting further developments.
As both teams prepare for their respective future tournaments, the cancellation serves as a reminder of the complex interplay between sports and global events. While the match may not take place, the spirit of competition remains strong, and both nations look forward to showcasing their talents on the world stage in the coming years. (Leadership)
Netflix has confirmed that a sequel to the ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ animation feature is in the works, with Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans returning to write and direct the second adventure of the Huntrix Girl Group singers.
Speaking after the news, Kang said, “I feel immense pride as a Korean filmmaker that the audience wants more from this Korean story and our Korean characters. There’s so much more to this world we have built, and I’m excited to show you. This is only the beginning.”
“These characters are like family to us; their world has become our second home. We’re excited to write their next chapter, challenge them and watch them evolve – and continue pushing the boundaries of how music, animation and story can come together,” added Appelhans.
Released on Netflix on June 20, 2025, ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ became an instant global hit, and is in the race for the Oscars for the Best Animation, and Best Original Song score ‘Golden’ for the film’s soundtrack written by Ejae and Mark Sonnenblick, and sung by Ejae, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami.
The animation had won the Golden Globes in both categories, and recently swept the Annie Awards and topped the animation contenders at the VES Awards. It has also been recognized by numerous critics’ circles, including the Critics’ Choice Awards.
The sequel is set to release in the year 2029. (Leadership)
President Bola Tinubu has extended his condolences to the family of Henry Onyemanze Nwosu, a legendary Super Eagles midfielder who passed away on Saturday at the age of 62.
In a statement by his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu joined the Nigerian football community in mourning the exceptionally skilled Nwosu, whose football artistry remains the stuff of legends.
The President recalled Nwosu’s brilliance on the field of play as a 17-year-old in the then-Green Eagles squad that won the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations.
President Tinubu acknowledged Nwosu’s over a decade of service to the nation as a member of the national football team, his role in subsequent AFCON tournaments in 1982, 1984, and 1988, and his contributions to sports development in the country.
The President stated that Nigerians will always remember the late playmaker for the pride and joy he brought to the nation and for inspiring many compatriots to greater accomplishments.
President Tinubu prayed for the repose of Nwosu’s soul and comfort for his family. (Leadership)
Disney+ is developing Tink, a live-action drama series based on the Tinker Bell character, according to Deadline.
The project is being written and executive produced by Liz Heldens and Bridget Carpenter and is produced by 20th Television, with Gary Marsh attached as an executive producer, along with Quinn Haberman from Heldens’ production company Selfish Mermaid.
The character of Tinker Bell originated in J.M. Barrie’s “Peter Pan” and appeared in Disney’s 1953 animated film Peter Pan. She has appeared in numerous films and series for decades and remains one of the studio’s most recognizable fantasy figures.
Earlier attempts to develop a live-action project centered on the character date back more than a decade. Variety reported that a version announced in 2010 was planned as a live-action romantic comedy with Elizabeth Banks attached to star, while a separate 2015 feature project was developed with Reese Witherspoon set to play the role. That film project was later reworked after Marsh departed his executive role at Disney Branded Television in 2021 to focus on producing.
More recently, Yara Shahidi portrayed Tinker Bell in the 2023 live-action film Peter Pan & Wendy.
Heldens and Carpenter previously collaborated on the television series Friday Night Lights. Heldens’ credits include creating series such as Mercy, Deception, Camp, The Passage, and The Big Leap, and she currently serves as co-showrunner of ABC’s Will Trent. Carpenter’s television work includes 11.22.63, Only Murders in the Building, Parenthood, Westworld, and The Red Road, in addition to her work as a playwright. (AWN)
No fewer than 20 security operatives and vigilantes were reportedly killed when heavily armed bandits ambushed a joint patrol team in Wanka and surrounding communities of the Garga area in the Kanam Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The Kanam Development Association (KADA) disclosed this in a statement signed by its Secretary, ND Shehu Kanam, and Chairman, Garba G. Aliyu, issued on Saturday in Dengi, Kanam Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The association said the victims included 12 security personnel, among them two senior military officers, and eight vigilante members who were assisting security forces to protect the communities.
According to the statement, the patrol team—made up of military personnel and local vigilantes—was travelling in two vehicles on routine security operations across the communities of Garga, Kyaram and Gyambau when they were suddenly ambushed by hundreds of heavily armed bandits on their way to Wanka at about 2:00 p.m. on Friday.
“In the unfortunate exchange of gunfire that followed the ambush, our nation lost brave defenders who paid the ultimate price in the line of duty,” the statement read.
KADA described the deaths of the security personnel and vigilantes as “deeply painful and unacceptable,” noting that the fallen operatives died while defending rural communities that have long faced repeated attacks.
The association added that after the ambush, the bandits reportedly stormed the Kyaram community, where they looted properties worth millions of naira and rustled a large number of cattle belonging to residents.
KADA warned that the incident was not isolated, stressing that communities around Garga, Kyaram, Gyambau and neighbouring settlements located along the borders of Plateau, Taraba and Bauchi states have endured persistent attacks, kidnappings and cattle rustling for the past three to four years.
The association said it had previously issued several appeals to authorities over the deteriorating security situation but lamented that the crisis had continued to escalate.
It therefore called on the local, state and federal governments to urgently intervene to prevent further bloodshed in the affected communities.
Among its demands, KADA urged the immediate deployment of additional military and security personnel to Garga, Kyaram, Gyambau, Wanka and neighbouring communities, as well as the establishment of a permanent security presence in the border areas.
The group also called for coordinated security operations along the Plateau–Taraba–Bauchi border corridor, which it said bandits exploit due to the difficult terrain.
In addition, it appealed for relief support for affected residents, many of whom have reportedly lost homes, livestock and other sources of livelihood as a result of the attacks.
“The people of these communities are law-abiding citizens whose only desire is to live peacefully, farm their land, raise their families and contribute to the development of our nation. They cannot and must not be abandoned to the mercy of armed criminals,” the statement added.
Efforts to obtain official confirmation of the incident from security authorities were unsuccessful, as both the military and the police did not respond to calls and messages seeking confirmation as of press time.
KADA also extended condolences to the Nigerian Armed Forces, the families of the fallen soldiers and vigilantes, and the affected communities, saying their sacrifice would not be forgotten. (Channels)
An overnight blast against an exterior wall of a Jewish school in Amsterdam did not cause any injuries, Mayor Femke Halsema said Saturday, denouncing “a cowardly act of aggression”.
An investigation has been opened and the incident comes after nighttime attacks this week in front of synagogues in the Belgian city of Liege and the Dutch port city of Rotterdam.
Haslema condemned the attack in a statement, noting that Amsterdam’s Jewish community has been “increasingly often confronted with antisemitism and this is unacceptable.”
“A school must be a place where children can attend classes in complete safety. Amsterdam must be a place where Jews can live in safety,” she said.
The police and fire departments quickly arrived at the scene of the blast in Buitenveldert district in the south of Amsterdam, the statement said.
“The material damage is limited,” the mayor said.
The police have CCTV footage of a person placing the explosive device, Halsema said.
Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten called the incident “terrible” on X and said “Antisemitism has no place in the Netherlands.”
“I understand the anger and fear this provokes, and I will quickly meet with the Jewish community. It must always feel safe in our country,” he added.
Israel’s foreign ministry also weighed in on X, saying: “In the Netherlands, an antisemitism epidemic is raging.”
“Where will the next attack be? The Dutch government needs to do much more to fight antisemitism,” the ministry wrote.
Following a similar attack Friday on a synagogue in Rotterdam, Jetten had condemned any act of violence or intimidation against the Jewish community or any other religious minority.
Four men suspected of being involved in the Rotterdam attack have been arrested, Dutch authorities announced Friday.
The series of attacks on synagogues comes after the launch of the US-Israeli war on Iran, a conflict that has since broadened across the Middle East.
On Monday, an explosion shook a synagogue in the Belgian city of Liege before dawn, causing some damage but no injuries.
It was strongly condemned by Belgian politicians and European Union officials.
On Thursday, a man rammed his car into a synagogue on the outskirts of Detroit, Michigan, sparking a blaze.
The suspect, identified as 41-year-old Ayman Mohamad Ghazali, died Friday from a “self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head,” an FBI official told reporters.
Media reports have indicated his relatives were killed in Israeli strikes on Lebanon in recent days.
Amid increasing violence and threats against the Jewish community in the United States, there has been a boost in demand for security services specifically protecting Jews, with officers stationed at schools, campuses and other buildings. (Channels)
Paramount Global has reached an agreement to acquire Tyler Perry Studios’ equity stake in the streaming service BET+, marking a major shift in the company’s digital streaming strategy.
The development will see BET+ cease operating as a standalone platform, with its catalogue of more than 1,000 hours of programming integrated into the Paramount+ streaming service by June 2026.
Although the financial terms of the agreement were not officially disclosed, industry analysts estimate the deal to be worth tens of millions of dollars.
The acquisition forms part of Paramount’s broader plan to strengthen its global streaming operations and expand its reach in an increasingly competitive digital entertainment market.
In a memo to staff, BET Networks President Louis Carr described the move as an opportunity to take the platform’s storytelling to a wider audience.
“This powerful next step ensures the stories we champion, the creators we support and the culture we represent go further than ever before,” Carr said.
“Paramount+ will bring global fans more than 1,000 hours of iconic series and films that reflect the full spectrum of the Black experience.”
Under the new arrangement, popular titles such as The Ms. Pat Show, All The Queen’s Men, and Zatima will be available through a dedicated BET hub within the Paramount+ interface.
Despite the sale of his stake in BET+, Tyler Perry is said to still maintain his long standing creative partnership with BET.
The network is to continue to operate its traditional television channels as well as its FAST (Free Ad Supported Streaming Television) channels featuring Perry’s productions. (Leadership)
The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has described the passing of former Green Eagles midfielder and youngest member of the 1980 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) squad, Henry Nwosu, as a great loss to the country.
Nwosu passed away early Saturday morning at the age of 62. The news of his passing was announced by Nigerian football legend Segun Odegbami on his social media platforms.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, in a statement issued on Saturday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Gboyega Akosile, mourned the loss of Nwosu and extended his heartfelt condolences to the Nwosu family, the Imo State Government, and the Nigerian Football Federation.
He said: “The death of Henry Nwosu is a painful loss to the country, particularly football lovers, because we lost a patriot, legend, and national icon. He made Nigeria proud by winning the African Nations Cup in 1980 for the country.
“Henry Nwosu served the nation passionately and made the country proud by working tirelessly with other members of the Green Eagles to secure Nigeria’s first continental title on home soil.
“He was the youngest member of the 1980 AFCON squad, widely celebrated for his role in Nigeria’s triumph at the tournament. He was a talented midfielder known for his creativity and technical ability.
“Henry Nwosu was passionate about sports, particularly football. He made positive impacts while playing for the national team and later became a prominent figure in Nigerian domestic football.
“Henry Nwosu will be sorely missed. I pray for eternal peace for the deceased, and that God will grant the family, friends, Imo State Government, and football fans the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.” (Channels)
US President Donald Trump on Saturday urged other nations to send ships to help secure the Strait of Hormuz, the critical chokepoint for global oil supplies disrupted by the Mideast war.
Trump, who has said the United States will soon start escorting tankers through the strait, posted on Truth Social that “Many countries, especially those who are affected by Iran’s attempted closure of the Hormuz Strait, will be sending War Ships, in conjunction with the United States of America, to keep the Strait open and safe.”
The US president added: “Hopefully China, France, Japan, South Korea, the UK, and others, that are affected by this artificial constraint, will send Ships to the area.”
Iranian strikes have all but halted maritime traffic in the strait, through which a fifth of global crude oil and liquefied natural gas normally pass. It is just 54 kilometers (34 miles) wide at its narrowest point.
With oil prices spiking, Trump was asked Friday when the US Navy would begin escorting tankers through the Strait of Hormuz. “It’ll happen soon, very soon,” he said.
In his post on Saturday, Trump asserted that Iran’s military capability had been eliminated but he conceded that it was still able to attack the strait.
“We have already destroyed 100% of Iran’s Military capability, but it’s easy for them to send a drone or two, drop a mine, or deliver a close range missile somewhere along, or in, this Waterway, no matter how badly defeated they are,” he wrote.
As he urged nations to send ships to the strait, he added that “the United States will be bombing the hell out of the shoreline, and continually shooting Iranian Boats and Ships out of the water. One way or the other, we will soon get the Hormuz Strait OPEN, SAFE, and FREE!” (Channels)
Nigeria’s football community has been hit with yet another bout of grief following the death of former Super Eagles midfielder, Henry Nwosu, who passed away early Saturday morning at the age of 62.
The news of Nwosu’s passing was announced by Nigerian football legend Segun Odegbami through his social media platforms on Saturday.
According to Odegbami, Nwosu died at about 4:00 a.m. at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital in Idi-Araba, where he had been receiving intensive medical care since Wednesday, March 11.
“Henry Nwosu passes on! After five days in hospital battling for his life, the one I call ‘Youngest Millionaire’ passed on at 4:00 a.m. this morning at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos, where he had been in intensive care since Wednesday,” Odegbami wrote.
“It is with deep pain in my heart that I have to be the conveyor of the news of the death of Henry Nwosu MON. May he rest peacefully with our Creator in Heaven.”
Born in Imo State, Nwosu rose to prominence as a gifted midfielder known for his vision, creativity, and technical skill. He was the youngest member of Nigeria’s victorious squad at the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations, where the then Green Eagles secured the country’s first continental title on home soil.
His performances during the tournament and in subsequent international appearances established him as one of the most exciting midfielders of his generation.
Beyond his international career, Nwosu was also a prominent figure in Nigerian domestic football, where he earned admiration for his intelligence on the ball and leadership on the field.
After retiring from active football, the former international remained deeply involved in the game, working as a coach and mentor to younger players while contributing to grassroots development.
Nwosu’s death comes just days after the passing of former NFF technical director and Super Eagles coach Adegboye Onigbinde, who led Nigeria to the 2002 FIFA World Cup and died at the age of 88. (Channels)
English