The World Cup 2026 begins today and, according to a new poll, many Americans don’t really care.
More than 4 in 10 American respondents to a new poll from Emerson College said they weren’t interested in this year’s tournament.
The survey was conducted on June 7 and 8 — just days before the starting matches — and found that 45 percent of the 1,200 respondents said they had no interest in the event. A third of respondents said they had some interest, and 22 percent said they were very interested, The Hill reports.
Some Scottish fans who’ve traveled to Boston to watch World Cup matches told BBC News Scotland that some of the Americans they’ve met don’t even know the tournament is happening.
Interest in the tournament differs between age groups, with younger Americans more engaged (AFP/Getty)
One fan said he went to send a letter while wearing his Scotland jersey, and the American woman working the counter asked him what had brought him to the States.
“She didn’t even know the World Cup is on,” he said.
Another Scottish fan said that the “pubs are brilliant, but I don’t think anybody knows that there’s a World Cup on.”
The poll found that interest in the tournament also differs depending on the respondent’s age. More than 70 percent of respondents between the ages of 18 and 29 said they were either very or somewhat interested in the World Cup, with 19 percent saying they were not interested at all.
Of people ages 60 to 69, 58 percent said they are not interested at all in the event, and only 11 percent said they were very interested.
The poll also found differing interest levels based on the race of the respondent. Sixty-three percent of Black respondents and six in 10 Hispanic respondents said they either planned to watch the World Cup somewhat or very closely. Only 35 percent of white respondents said they’d watch closely.
Emerson’s poll isn’t the first indication of American indifference to the world’s biggest sports tournament.
According to a recent analysis by theFinancial Times, nearly 180,000 tickets for the World Cup were still on sale on Fifa’s official resale portals as recently as this week.
A pair of Americans walk past a display of World Cup jerseys in Santa Monica, California (Getty)
Fifa’s ticket prices are so high for the tournament that in some cases, scalpers have had to discount their holdings by approximately 20 percent just to move the paper, The Daily Beast reports.
Tickets for even low-profile games in the U.S. can run fans around $140 per ticket. The most expensive tickets for regular seats at the U.S. opener were priced at $2,735. That’s more than it cost for a seat at the 2022 World Cup final. The cheapest seats for the opener are around $1,000. The Athletic recently reported that the price for any game at any stage of the World Cup 2026 is higher than an equivalent ticket for any prior Fifa tournament.
Even if most Americans aren’t interested and tickets are prohibitively expensive, the tournament is still expected to be one of the most watched events of all time. FIFA estimates that 5.8 billion people worldwide are expected to tune into the matches at some point during the tournament’s run, according to the Sports Business Journal.
The first match of this year’s tournament is between Mexico and South Africa, and kicks off at 3 p.m. EST.
The U.S. will face off in its first match against Paraguay on Friday at 9 p.m. EST.
Broncos Wire‘s 91-man offseason roster series continues today with a look at fifth-year safety and special teams ace Tycen Anderson, No. 6.
Before the Broncos: Anderson (6-5, 205 pounds) was a rotational safety and an ace on special teams in four years with the Cincinnati Bengals. Anderson played 382 snaps in the kicking game last fall. He totaled 23 tackles in 17 games in 2025, playing 64 snaps on defense as a rotational backup safety.
Broncos tenure: After four seasons with the Bengals, Anderson shockingly did not re-sign with Cincy. Instead, Anderson became the Denver Broncos‘ first outside free agent signing of the 2026 free agency cycle. Anderson signed a one-year contract with Denver.
Chances to make the 53-man roster: Good chance for special teams role. Anderson could be a great complement as the gunner opposite 2025 All-Pro Devon Key, making the duo one of the best in the NFL. Anderson likely wouldn’t see much playing time on defense, as the Broncos have some of the best defenders in the league. He’s not a lock — other safeties are pushing for his spot — but Anderson has pretty good odds to make the team.
Social: Follow Broncos Wire on Facebook and Twitter/X! Did you know: These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans.
This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Denver Broncos: Tycen Anderson is a special teams ace
Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images
Charles Barkley did not hold back after the San Antonio Spurs threw away one of the most comfortable-looking leads in NBA Finals history.
The Spurs were up by 29 points in Game 4, having scored 76 in the first half, and looked set to level the series at 2-2.
But New York came back to win 107-106, taking a 3-1 lead and leaving Barkley fuming over San Antonio’s decision-making.
Speaking on Inside the NBA’s postgame coverage, Barkley called the Spurs the “dumbest basketball team in the history of civilization.”
“That was some of the most mismanaged, stupid basketball. When you blow a 29-point lead, the other team has to help you. The San Antonio Spurs helped the New York Knicks win this game by doing some of the stupid(est) stuff I’ve seen on a basketball court.”
It was harsh, but the game gave him plenty of material. San Antonio went from hitting 14 first-half threes to scoring only 30 points after halftime.
The numbers were brutal. The Spurs led by 29 twice, including with 9:40 left in the third quarter, before the Knicks chipped away possession by possession.
Victor Wembanyama missed two free throws with 1:47 left and San Antonio up one. Jalen Brunson answered with a floater to give New York its first lead of the game.
After the Spurs briefly went back in front, De’Aaron Fox attacked early instead of bleeding the clock, and OG Anunoby blocked him at the rim. Moments later, Anunoby tipped in Brunson’s missed three with 1.2 seconds left.
Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images
That sequence turned the largest lead ever blown in an NBA Finals game into the Knicks’ biggest win since the 1970s.
The series is not over, but history is against San Antonio. Only the 2016 Cavaliers have ever overcome a 3-1 deficit to win the NBA Finals.
The Spurs can still believe. Their three losses have all been winnable, with Games 2 and 4 decided by one point, and they host Games 5 and a potential Game 7.
If they beat the Knicks in San Antonio on June 13, Game 6 shifts back to Madison Square Garden with the pressure suddenly louder.
But first, the Spurs have to prove Barkley wrong. After Game 4, that starts with smarter basketball.
Read more:
You think Fernando Mendoza made the big time when he led Indiana to the national college football championship or when he was selected No. 1 overall in the NFL Draft?
Think again.
The Las Vegas Raiders rookie quarterback – and Miami native – now has his own professional football bobblehead.
The National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum unveiled a Fernando Mendoza Welcome to Las Vegas Bobblehead on June 12 of him standing next to a bobbling version of the iconic Welcome to Las Vegas sign. The limited edition bobblehead, which is being produced in conjunction with Mendoza, was released following the Raiders’ offseason minicamp that ended the day before.
The bobbleheads, which will be individually numbered, are $45 each, plus a flat-rate shipping charge of $8 per order. The bobbleheads, expected to ship in November, are available for pre-order at this link.
“We’re excited to unveil this unique bobblehead featuring Fernando Mendoza standing next to the iconic bobbling Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign welcoming the quarterback to Vegas,” National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum co-founder and CEO Phil Sklar said. “Fernando is sure to be a fan favorite in Las Vegas and this will be a must have for his fans including those in Vegas, his hometown of Miami, and of course Indiana fans who cheered him and the Hoosiers on to the National Championship.”
Mendoza led Indiana past Miami, 27-21, last January at Hard Rock Stadium, running 12 yards – and going airborne – for the winning score in the fourth quarter.
The Raiders host the Dolphins in their NFL regular-season opener. However, Mendoza is not expected to start right away as Las Vegas signed veteran QB Kirk Cousins in the off-season.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Las Vegas Raiders QB Fernando Mendoza has pro football bobblehead
Oklahoma baseball is riding a five-game winning streak into the Men’s College World Series.
First up for the Sooners (38-22) in the eight-team bracket is a meeting with No. 7 national seed Alabama (42-19) at Charles Schwab Field Omaha. The winner advances to the winner’s bracket to face either Georgia or Texas, while the loser moves to the loser’s bracket.
OU will need its offense to stay hot at 2 p.m. Saturday on ESPN.
Here’s everything to know about the matchup:
The Sooners lead the Crimson Tide in nearly every offensive category.
OU scores more runs, hits more home runs and steals more bases per game. The Sooners also own a better batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, OPS, and walk and strikeout rate.
Coach Skip Johnson’s team manufactures runs in more ways, generating walks and leading the MCWS field with the most stolen bases.
Alabama’s staff will be one of the better groups in Omaha.
Zane Adams (3.96 ERA), Tyler Fay (4.37 ERA) and Myles Upchurch (3.57 ERA) round out the Crimson Tide’s rotation. Adams helped Alabama punch its ticket after holding St. John’s to only two earned runs over 6 1/3 innings with eight strikeouts in the Super Regional round.
While the Crimson Tide’s arms have been reliable, its defense has been suspect. Alabama’s .964 fielding percentage ranks 234rd nationally, a recipe for disaster against a high-flying OU team.
Since positioning freshman Cord Rager as their ace, slotting freshman Xander Mercurius into the rotation and moving LJ Mercurius to the bullpen, Johnson’s pitching staff has flourished.
Rager and Xander Mercurius have each put together two stellar outings in the NCAA Tournament and are expected to continue leading the way in Omaha.
Left-hander Nate Smithburg earned the CWS-clinching win over Kansas when he lasted 3 2/3 innings. Right-handed reliever Jackson Cleveland closed out the win and OU had the luxury of not using its other impressive freshman, Nick Wesloski, during supers.
Oklahoma vs Alabama airs on ESPN at 2 p.m. Saturday. Streaming options for the game include Fubo.
Oklahoma 8, Alabama 6: The Sooners’ offense has hit 18 home runs in seven NCAA Tournament games. I expect the mashing to continue and for Johnson’s pitching to shut down the Tide offense. OU dropped two of three to Alabama earlier this season so it’ll be out for revenge.
Colton Sulley covers the Oklahoma Sooners for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Colton? He can be reached at csulley@oklahoman.com or on X/Twitter at @colton_sulley. Support Colton’s work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing adigital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Prediction for Oklahoma baseball vs Alabama in College World Series
Near the end of a 2-1 loss to Germany on Saturday, June 6, in the World Cup send-off match for the U.S. men’s soccer national team, a scuffle broke out between the two teams.
The U.S. bench emptied, like a baseball team’s dugout and bullpen, with players looking to join the fracas after a dustup between two opposing players. It had to have made USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino happy to see his players come together.
“They were dishing out, so it’s only right that we kind of matched that aggressiveness,” defender Tim Weah said.
The Americans need to come together even more now, with their FIFA World Cup opener set for Friday, June 12, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, against Paraguay. The group stage is no walk in the park to advancement to the knockout rounds, as Turkey and Paraguay are also capable of taking the top two spots in the group, and Australia is no pushover.
There’s no doubt the U.S. has talented scorers up front, with Christian Pulisic leading the way. Folarin Balogun, Weston McKennie, Malik Tillman, and coming from the back, Antonee Robinson, are among the many who can provide offense. The U.S. defense, however, has to be better than what it showed in friendly matches leading up to the World Cup.
The U.S. allowed two goals to Germany in defeat, a better defensive performance than previous games, and needed three goals to defeat Senegal in May. In March, the U.S. was outscored a combined 7-2 in losses to Belgium and Portugal.
Group A (Mexico) | Group B | Group C | Group D (USMNT) | Group E | Group F | Group G | Group H | Group I | Group J | Group K | Group L
Robinson has been effective moving up to help the attack and taking care of his responsibility on defense and Tim Ream is a seasoned Premier League defender who leads that unit, but the U.S. might need at least two goals to win matches in the group stage.
The Americans expect a physical game against Paraguay.
“We have to correct our mistakes, and if we can do that, we can beat anyone,” midfielder Cristian Roldan of the Seattle Sounders said in Spanish. “We have to finish chances and mark our opponents really well with physicality.”
Roldan, from the Los Angeles area, will play near his hometown and then in front of Seattle soccer fans when the U.S. plays Australia at Lumen Field on June 19.
It’s taken Pochettino a long time to settle on the starting 11 players for the World Cup opener. Every four years, expectations are raised for the U.S. men in the World Cup, but the team never seems to have enough talent to make a deep run in the tournament.
There’s a feeling that this group has the skill level to be competitive in the World Cup, and there is also good chemistry with a large number of players with international experience.
Depending on whom one talks to, the expectation is at least a spot in the knockout round and perhaps a place in the Round of 16. Anything after that, even with so many players based in Europe where the best soccer in the world is played, would be a bonus.
Defender Chris Richards, who plays for Crystal Palace in the English Premier League and whose availability following an ankle injury could be key to defensive improvement, said the Americans don’t feel much pressure as the World Cup draws near.
“A lot of us play in a lot of big clubs and played in a lot of big competitions,” Richards said. “For us, the pressure is what we have inside the group. We know we have a certain standard that we want, which is to win games.
“If we clean up on some things but also continue to play with the same intensity that we did in the last two friendlies, that Friday we’ll get a good result.”
U.S. soccer legends such as Kasey Keller, who played in four World Cups, feel like the U.S. not making it out of group play to the knockout round would be a disaster.
“Particularly with that draw, it’s a draw where you look at it and say the U.S. should get out of the group,” Keller told Jackpot City Casino.
“I don’t think anyone suspects USMNT can win the World Cup. But it’s a squad Mauricio Pochettino took some time to figure out, he kind of opened it up to a bunch of people, and the results didn’t follow, and then you saw over the last several camps that it has come right back down to where you thought it was going to be from Day 1, and the results have followed.”
José M. Romero can be reached at jose.romero@gannett.com. Follow him on X at @RomeroJoseM or Instagram at @romerojosem.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Defense in doubt, but US national team has World Cup unity
With the NBA draft right around the corner, now is the time to look at some past drafts and see what the Philadelphia 76ers have done in their history. The Sixers have selected some big-time players in the past who have become an important part of the fabric of the franchise’s history.
Entering the 2015 draft, the Sixers were still looking for that star player to help push them forward. They had selected Joel Embiid in the 2014 draft, but he missed the entire season due to a foot injury and there were concerns at the time about his playing status.
With the No. 3 pick in 2015, the Sixers selected Duke big man Jahlil Okafor. In his rookie season, Okafor was solid as he averaged 17.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks. He was one of the few bright spots with Philadelphia finishing 10-72 that season.
Embiid made his debut in the 2016-17 season and Okafor’s role diminished with the emergence of the big fella. Okafor averaged 11.8 points and 4.8 rebounds in his second season before he was traded to the Brooklyn Nets early in the 2017-18 season.
After finishing that season with the Nets, Okafor joined the New Orleans Pelicans and the Detroit Pistons in the 2020-21 season.
This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: Philadelphia 76ers draft history: Selecting Jahlil Okafor in 2015
Bath have been dealt a major injury blow with Finn Russell ruled out of their Gallagher Prem semi-final clash with Exeter Chiefs.
Russell missed the final two rounds of the regular season with a tight calf, but director of rugby Johann van Graan had expressed hope that the fly half would be available for the play-off encounter at the Rec.
The Scotland playmaker is not sufficiently fit to feature, though, with Argentina international Santiago Carreras instead stationed at No 10.
England international Guy Pepper is also unavailable in a blow to Bath’s impressive back row stocks. Tom Dunn and Quinn Roux return to the tight five from suspension with Van Graan favouring his usual six forwards to two backs bench split.
Exeter, meanwhile, are without Ethan Roots with the back rower progressing through return to play protocols after suffering a head injury last weekend against Saracens.
Greg Fisilau is a welcome returnee in his place, but there is no Immanuel Feyi-Waboso after the wing underwent a recent facial surgery.
The winner of the clash at the Rec will take on either Northampton or Leicester in next week’s final at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium. The East Midlands rivals meet in the first semi-final on Friday night.
Bath XV to face Exeter Chiefs: 1 Beno Obano, 2 Tom Dunn, 3 Thomas du Toit; 4 Quinn Roux, 5 Charlie Ewels; 6 Josh Bayliss, 7 Sam Underhill, 8 Alfie Barbeary; 9 Ben Spencer (c), 10 Santi Carreras; 11 Henry Arundell, 12 Max Ojomoh, 13 Ollie Lawrence, 14 Joe Cokanasiga; 15 Tom de Glanville.
Replacements: 16 Kepueli Tuipulotu, 17 Francois van Wyk, 18 Vilikesa Sela, 19 Ross Molony, 20 Ted Hil; 21 Bernard van der Linde, 22 Cameron Redpath; 23 Miles Reid.
Exeter XV: 1 Scott Sio, 2 Max Norey, 3 Josh Iosefa-Scott; 4 Dafydd Jenkins (capt.), 5 Andrea Zambonin; 6 Tom Hooper, 7 Christ Tshiunza, 8 Greg Fisilau; 9 Stephen Varney, 10 Harvey Skinner; 11 Campbell Ridl, 12 Len Ikitau, 13 Henry Slade, 14 Paul Brown-Bampoe; 15 Olly Woodburn.
Replacements: 16 Joseph Dweba, 17 Ethan Burger, 18 Bachuki Tchumbadze, 19 Rusi Tuima, 20 Ross Vintcent; 21 Tom Cairns, 22 Zack Wimbush, 23 Ben Hammersley.
World Cup: Thierry Henry picks Bayern star as “one to watch”
Former French striker Thierry Henry backs Michael Olise to be the star of the 2026 World Cup. The 48-year-old coached the FC Bayern winger when they won silver at the Paris Olympics.
“Michael Olise, simple,” Henry replied when he was asked to name a player he looks forward to watching in the World Cup during FOX Sports’ opening day coverage. “We can talk about what he did for Bayern Munich – winning the double, player of the season, assists, goals. He is a dream for a coach.
“I had the opportunity to coach him. He doesn’t play the game, he thinks the game. That separates him from the others, for me”
Olise scored a career first hat-trick in France’s last friendly game before they traveled to the United States. Les Bleus will face Senegal in their first match of the group stage on Tuesday. While this will be the last competition for the long-serving head coach Didier Deschamps, it’s the first major tournament for Olise.
As Spencer Pratt’s high-profile race to be the next mayor of Los Angeles comes to an end, the stars are speaking out.
News broke on June 7 that Los Angeles City Council member Nithya Raman had jumped to second place in the polls behind incumbent Karen Bass, whose place in the November election was already solidified.
Raman leapfrogging over Pratt in the political race means The Hills alum will no longer be in the running. Raman and Bass will continue their battle to become mayor, facing off in a runoff election later this year.
Breaking his silence on the result, Pratt wrote via X on June 11, “Are they done counting yet?” The quip was in reference to the lengthy process of counting votes in Los Angeles County.
Did Spencer Pratt Win Los Angeles Mayoral Race? Where He Stands Now
Pratt announced his bid for mayor in January 2026 — exactly one year after his family’s house burned down in wildfires in Pacific Palisades, California.
“The system in Los Angeles isn’t struggling; it’s fundamentally broken,” Pratt said at the “They Let Us Burn” public demonstration on January 7, 2026. “It is a machine designed to protect the people at the top and the friends they exchange favors with, while the rest of us drown in toxic smoke and ash. Business as usual is a death sentence for Los Angeles, and I’m done waiting for someone to take real action.”
He continued, “This just isn’t a campaign; this is a mission, and we’re gonna expose the system.”
Several stars have reacted to the news Pratt won’t be leading the city. Superman star Dean Cain threw his support behind the former reality TV star. Others, including Jimmy Kimmel, appeared to be breathing a sigh of relief as they joked about the result.
Scroll on for all the celebs who have reacted to Spencer Pratt’s mayoral race loss.
Jimmy Kimmel. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Jimmy Kimmel offered to send Pratt a U-Haul to help him pack, reminding the political candidate that he vowed to leave town if he didn’t win the election.
“He clearly promised that if Karen Bass or Nithya Raman were elected mayor, he’s going to move out of L.A.,” Kimmel said on June 9 broadcast of Jimmy Kimmel Live! “He said he was done with L.A., and Spencer, if you’re watching, we are so, so sorry to see you go.”
He added, “Moving is expensive, so, to help you out, we rented you a U-Haul. It has plenty of room. It’s got two beds, tables, chairs, all your crystals, whatever you want. Our staff spent the whole day decorating for you.”
Despite his initial comments about leaving L.A., Pratt later clarified to Us Weekly that he was making a “point” that Los Angeles was “not going to be livable” if his campaign wasn’t successful.
Meghan McCain didn’t see the funny side when it came to Kimmel’s comments about Pratt’s loss, blasting the comedian for being “heartless.”
“Jimmy Kimmel is a mean, heartless b*****d and no amount of on air crying will convince me or anyone else otherwise,” McCain wrote via X on June 10. “The day he is off air will be a better day for the country.”
Superman star Dean Cain threw his support behind Pratt, despite the failed mayoral bid.
“They had to cheat to beat you, Spencer. But now they’re exposed. If nothing else — you changed the game. Well done,” he wrote via X on June 11.
Spencer Pratt Breaks Silence on Los Angeles Mayoral Election Results
Vanderpump Rules alum Katie Maloney took aim at a social media user who claimed the election was “stolen” from Pratt.
“Please stop with this. It’s so tired,” Maloney wrote via Threads on June 11.
Actor Wilson Cruz also joked about Pratt’s comments that he’d leave Los Angeles if he didn’t win the election.
After Pratt’s post about whether the votes were still being counted, Cruz replied via Threads on June 11, “Are you still here? Let me help” He attached an image of flights out of Los Angeles to his post.
Love Island USA‘s Kenzie Annis and Corbin Mims appeared to find a way to secretly hook up on screen — with the night cameras catching a glimpse of their encounter.
During the Thursday, June 11, episode of the hit Peacock series, the cameras in the villa showed each couple in bed after lights out. It was the view of Kenzie and Corbin, however, that made audience members question if they were secretly having sex.
The couple didn’t directly address the seemingly steamy moment — but Kenzie did hint at their chemistry, adding, “We have a really good physical connection in the bed.”
Love Island USA viewers had a front row seat to the sexcapades that took place this year in Fiji. While past seasons featured some couples finding ways to share an intimate moment or two, it felt like season 7 set some kind of record with the amount of sexual “journeys” taking place in the communal bedroom.
Did ‘Love Island USA’ Just Reveal Stars Use a 2nd Secret Code Word for Sex?
“We did have a code word [for sex which was] ‘journey’ and it kind of traumatizes me now. When somebody outside is like, ‘Oh, a journey?’ I’m like, ‘How dare you!’ I am clutching my pearls,” Amaya “Papaya” Espinal joked on the “Call Her Daddy” podcast in July 2025. “People were having journeys.”
Since there wasn’t room for much privacy, Amaya confirmed that it did get awkward at night, adding, ”I’m like, ‘Can I sleep?’ We already don’t get enough sleep around here and then you hear [sexual noises]. The earplugs [we got] were not plugging? Those were low quality earplugs because we were still able to hear things. Especially if there’s a couple right next to you.”
Peacock
Amaya was also asked about her time in The Hideaway with fellow winner Bryan Arenales. (The pair have since split.)
“It was steamy, all right. We were hot and we were sweating. It really was a great feeling to just have that private and intimate moment,” she gushed. “We actually do want to talk to each other and we love being next to each other. The next morning, we were just sitting and we were just quiet. It was beautiful and silent. I really did feel like I found my best friend where I could yap away or have a quieter moment.”
When asked whether Bryan really did “eat that kitty in The Hideaway,” Amaya coyly replied, “Well he definitely took that advice. We had a great night.”
‘Love Island USA’ Status Check: Which Couples Are Still Together?
While Love Island USA viewers know that “journey” is a code word the Islanders use for sex, the term “folded” is another one that has been brought up multiple times last season. Chris Seeley quietly revealed to Bryan that he “folded” the night prior with Huda Mustafa, adding, “I wasn’t going to tell anybody. [But] I couldn’t do it any more. I really tried [to hold out]. I just didn’t want to tell the other boys.”
In a confessional, Chris elaborated on how having sex has helped his connection with Huda evolve.
“I feel like that was just a great step into our physical connection that we probably don’t show in front of everyone else,” he noted. “It definitely made us feel stronger in our physical connection. That is really all I can say about that.”
New episodes of Love Island USA are released six days a week — except for Wednesdays — on Peacock.
Join Us Weekly and Bracketology.tv in our first-ever Love Island USA fantasy league! This is your chance to predict who you think will win Season 8 and rank the Islanders weekly based on how confident you are that they will survive the next elimination. You will be playing against our editors, get access to exclusive content and have the chance to win fun prizes. Sign up for free today!
Former presidential aide, Reno Omokri, has criticised Afrobeats musician David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, for campaigning globally for the release of 46 kidnapped Oyo State schoolchildren and teachers. Omokri, who spoke in a video broadcast, argued that the singer’s international awareness drive at a FIFA concert in Los Angeles, United States, makes rescue operations harder by giving the kidnappers free global publicity.
Davido used his performance at the FIFA World Cup Countdown Concert at the Crypto.com Arena to bring international attention to the security issues in Nigeria. The award-winning artist performed on stage wearing a customised black jacket with the names of the 39 schoolchildren and seven teachers recently kidnapped from Ahoro-Esinle and Yawota communities in Oyo State. The back of the jacket read, “Bring Them Home.” While many fans praised the move as a good show of support, Omokri warned that high-profile publicity often causes problems when dealing with criminals.
According to Omokri,
“Publicity helps terrorists. It does not pressure them. They treasure it! It is a very big mistake to think that publicity, or global outrage, pressures terrorists. Quite the contrary. They relish it! They thrive on it. The late British Prime Minister, Baroness Thatcher, put it best when she said, ‘Publicity is the oxygen of terrorism.’”
He further said that the singer’s move could inadvertently complicate the situation on the ground, adding: “Davido means well, but doing what he did actually helps the terrorists who took those children more than it aids the rescue of the kids and their teachers. Terrorists want publicity. That is how they spread terror.”
Omokri also talked about his experience with hostage situations. He said top security officials previously told him that his own campaign made Leah Sharibu’s release less likely because the high profile made her too valuable to her captors. He said the same thing happened with the Chibok girls, noting that if the #BringBackOurGirls campaign had not become a global event, the kidnappers would not have guarded the girls so heavily.
The matter has caused mixed reactions from the public. While some citizens argued that international pressure is necessary to keep the government working hard to accelerate rescue efforts, others agreed with Omokri, saying that media attention gives bandits too much power.
Experts have said that global gas turbine market is witnessing a boom as the Iran war has become an additional driver of demand, Siemens Energy executives said.
Due to the Middle East tensions manufacturers are already flooded with orders due to the massive data centre expansion in the United States.
Along with rivals GE Vernova and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Siemens Energy has seen demand for gas turbines soar as so-called hyperscalers invest more than $700 billion in energy-hungry artificial intelligence, in turn driving demand for new energy capacity.
This trend, which has boosted the firms’ share prices in recent years, is now being supported by Middle East governments seeking to ensure energy supplies in light of attacks on their infrastructure, board members told reporters at a company event.
“If you look at some of these countries, especially in the Gulf, you see that they are launching new tenders. So that if a big power plant is down, they are not out,” Karim Amin, who leads Siemens Energy’s gas services division, said.
Amin said that a reserve capacity of 15 per cent, which was common in a “world where power plants were not targeted”, was no longer sufficient in light of the Iran conflict, something he said had caused turbine prices to rise.
On the logistics side, Amin said the company has been able to switch to truck-based transport in the region as an alternative to shipping, adding that while this added time and costs “it did not stop the business”.
Siemens Energy CEO Christian Bruch said data centres accounted for around a quarter of the group’s gas turbine order backlog, with the U.S. market accounting for 40% of the global market that stands at around 100 to 120 gigawatts.
“We’re firing on all cylinders,” he said, adding the group planned to steadily increase capacity up to 2030 but has reached the limit of its ability to raise output in the short term. “We’ve already done everything we can,” he said.
Presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) for the 2027 election, Peter Obi, has said June 12 remains a defining moment in Nigeria’s democratic journey and a symbol of the collective democratic will of Nigerians.
Obi stated this in a statement posted on Friday through his verified social media accounts to mark this year’s Democracy Day celebration.
According to him, June 12 is more than a public holiday and should continue to serve as a reminder of the values of democracy, accountability and people-centred governance.
He said the annual commemoration provides an opportunity for Nigerians to reflect on the country’s democratic journey and assess the performance of its institutions.
“Every year on June 12, the conversation inevitably turns to a critical assessment of the state of our nation. It serves as an annual benchmark for asking important questions: Are our elections today as transparent as they were in 1993? Is the social contract being honoured? Are the institutions of governance truly serving the people?” he stated.
Obi noted that June 12 represents both reflection and aspiration, adding that it honours Nigeria’s difficult democratic history while reinforcing the need to uphold democratic principles.
He said June 12 remains a constant reminder of the immense power inherent in the collective democratic will of the Nigerian people and the need to preserve democratic values.
“For us in Nigeria, June 12 is not merely a date on the calendar; it is the emotional and structural bedrock of our modern democratic identity. Officially recognised as Democracy Day, June 12 carries deep historical, political and social significance,” he said.
The former Anambra State governor stressed the need to strengthen democratic institutions, improve electoral credibility and ensure governance reflects the aspirations of the people.
According to him, understanding June 12 requires continuous reflection on its history, evolution and enduring symbolism in Nigeria’s democratic development.
He maintained that Nigeria can achieve a more inclusive and effective democratic system if leaders remain accountable and citizens continue to participate actively in the democratic process.
Obi expressed optimism about the country’s future, saying a new era of true democracy remains possible.
Nasarawa United technical adviser Mbwas Mangut has commended his players following the President Federation Cup quarter-final victory over Plateau United. The Solid Miners defeated Gbenga Ogunbote’s side 2-1 at the Bwari Sports Complex, Abuja to seal a place in the last four. Tough Contest In Bwari After controlling much of the first half, Nasarawa United […]
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Egypt’s decision to pay farmers well above global wheat prices is beginning to deliver results, with government purchases of locally produced wheat reaching a record high as authorities seek to reduce the country’s dependence on imports.
Egypt has bought a record 4.6 million tonnes of wheat from local farmers this season.The government is on track to reach its 5 million-ton procurement target before mid-August.Higher state purchase prices encouraged farmers to expand planting and increase deliveries.The strategy could help Egypt reduce its reliance on imported wheat and ease pressure on foreign currency demand.
The government has already bought 4.6 million metric tonnes of wheat this season, according to official figures, putting it on track to achieve its target of 5 million tonnes before the procurement season ends in mid-August.
The figure has already surpassed last season’s total purchases of about 3.9 million tonnes.
Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly described the procurement level as an all-time high, highlighting what appears to be a successful effort to boost domestic grain production in one of the world’s largest wheat-importing nations.
Paying more to buy local
The record purchases follow a series of government measures aimed at encouraging farmers to plant more wheat and sell directly to state buyers.
Egypt raised the price it would pay farmers for wheat deliveries for the 2026 season and increased it again shortly before the harvest began.
The final procurement price reached roughly $320 per tonne, significantly above prevailing international wheat prices.
Black Sea wheat was trading at about $234 to $240 per tonne on Thursday.
The premium helped make wheat one of the most attractive crops for Egyptian farmers this season.
“It was a very attractive price and encouraged a record planted area,” farmer Hussein Abu Saddam told Reuters.
Grain trader Hesham Soliman said the higher price also reduced incentives for farmers to sell wheat to private traders or divert it to animal feed markets.
Record planting boosts supply
The higher prices encouraged farmers to expand cultivation, helping Egypt achieve its largest wheat planting area on record.
Ahmad Idam, head of the services sector at Egypt’s agriculture ministry, told Reuters that wheat cultivation expanded to about 3.7 million feddans this season, up from approximately 3.1 million feddans a year earlier.
Improved seed varieties and favourable weather conditions also contributed to stronger yields.
The increase in production comes as Egypt seeks to strengthen food security while reducing pressure on foreign currency reserves.
The country typically imports around 10 million tonnes of wheat annually, with roughly half purchased by the government to support its bread subsidy programme that serves around 70 million people.
By increasing local procurement, authorities can reduce exposure to volatile international grain markets and potentially lower future import needs.
Military-linked agency plays growing role
One of the largest contributors to this season’s procurement drive has been the Future of Egypt for Sustainable Development agency, a military-linked state body involved in desert land reclamation and agricultural expansion projects.
According to figures seen by Reuters, the agency had supplied roughly 530,000 tonnes of wheat by Thursday, compared with about 200,000 tonnes by the end of the previous season.
The increase highlights the growing role of large-scale state-backed farming projects in Egypt’s efforts to boost domestic food production.
An economist at Egypt’s Agricultural Research Center told Reuters that wheat productivity has been improving steadily over the past decade, aided by better farming practices and seed development.
Will Egypt import less wheat?
The strong procurement season has raised expectations that Egypt could scale back government wheat imports later this year.
Soliman told Reuters that larger domestic supplies and replenished reserves could significantly reduce import requirements during the second half of the year.
However, future demand may also depend on planned reforms to Egypt’s subsidy system.
The government has indicated it could begin transitioning from in-kind food subsidies to cash-based support as early as next month, although officials have yet to release detailed plans.
For now, the record procurement season suggests that Egypt’s strategy of paying more for locally grown wheat is yielding results, offering the country greater flexibility as it seeks to manage food costs, foreign currency pressures and supply risks in an uncertain global market.
The Trump administration is preparing to send migrants from Iran, Afghanistan and Syria to the Central African Republic under a new third-country deportation arrangement, according to Reuters, a move that could place one of Africa’s most fragile states at the centre of Washington’s immigration crackdown.
The Trump administration plans to deport migrants to the Central African Republic under a new third-country arrangement.The group reportedly includes Iranians, Afghans, Syrians and a Turkish national.Some of those facing removal had previously secured legal protection from deportation to their home countries.Hundreds could eventually be sent to the Central African nation, according to Reuters.
The first flight could carry about 20 people and may leave as early as Thursday, Reuters reported, citing two lawyers and an official briefed on the matter.
The group is expected to include Iranians, Syrians, Afghans and a Turkish national, according to the sources.
The planned removals mark the latest expansion of President Donald Trump’s efforts to deport migrants who cannot easily be returned to their countries of origin due to diplomatic, legal or security constraints.
Protected migrants among those facing removal
Among those expected to be deported are two Iranian women who had previously received protection from removal after U.S. immigration judges found they faced a significant risk of persecution or torture if returned to Iran.
According to their lawyer, Emily Trostle, one of the women is a Christian convert while the other is a pro-democracy activist.
Their cases have become a focal point for critics of the policy, who argue that migrants granted protection from persecution should not be transferred to unfamiliar countries with their own security and humanitarian challenges.
“At the very moment the United States is promising the Iranian people freedom and support for standing against the Islamic Republic, it is sending Iranian asylum seekers who fled that same regime back toward their demise,” Ali Rahnama, interim legal director at the Iranian American Legal Defense Fund, told Reuters.
A Turkish national who fled political persecution may also be among those on the flight, according to another lawyer cited by Reuters.
Why the Central African Republic matters
The Central African Republic is one of the world’s poorest countries and has endured decades of political instability, armed conflict and humanitarian crises since gaining independence from France in 1960.
Despite progress made through peace agreements with some rebel groups, large parts of the country remain vulnerable to insecurity.
The government of President Faustin-Archange Touadéra continues to rely on support from United Nations peacekeepers, Rwandan troops and Russian-linked security forces to maintain stability in parts of the country.
According to the World Bank, about 70% of the country’s population lives in poverty, making it one of the most aid-dependent nations in the world.
The prospect of receiving migrants with no direct connection to the country has raised fresh questions about the growing role African nations are playing in global migration management.
Hundreds could eventually be sent
Migrants sent to the Central African Republic are expected to be housed in apartments in the capital, Bangui, and are not expected to be immediately repatriated, according to the official cited by Reuters.
The same official said hundreds of migrants could eventually be deported to the country under the arrangement.
The International Organization for Migration said it would provide post-arrival humanitarian assistance to migrants arriving in Bangui at the request of the Central African government, while stressing that it was not involved in carrying out the removals.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has said all deportees receive full due process and has defended third-country deportations as lawful.
However, immigration advocates argue that the arrangements are often opaque and could expose vulnerable migrants to new risks after they leave the United States.
The reported deal would make the Central African Republic one of the latest countries drawn into Washington’s increasingly aggressive deportation strategy, highlighting how migration policy is becoming intertwined with geopolitics far beyond America’s borders.
Somali referee Omar Artan has been handed one of the most prestigious appointments in world football just days after being denied entry into the United States for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
UEFA has appointed Somali referee Omar Artan to officiate the UEFA Super Cup final in August.
• The decision comes days after Artan was denied entry into the United States for World Cup duties.
• The appointment will make him the first African referee to officiate a major UEFA final.
• UEFA and CAF described the move as a symbol of football’s commitment to unity and inclusion.
European football governing body UEFA announced on Friday that the 34-year-old will officiate the UEFA Super Cup clash between Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain and Europa League champions Aston Villa in Salzburg, Austria, on August 12.
The appointment comes amid international controversy over Artan’s exclusion from the World Cup officiating programme after U.S. authorities blocked his entry despite him holding a valid visa.
The decision effectively ruled him out of preparations for the tournament and triggered criticism from football officials across Africa, with many arguing that politics had unfairly overshadowed one of the continent’s most accomplished referees.
UEFA elevates African official
UEFA said Artan’s appointment followed consultations with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and was made under a cooperation agreement signed between the two organisations.
The governing body described Artan as one of the world’s leading referees and highlighted his rapid rise through international football.
Artan has been on FIFA’s international referees list since 2018 and was named CAF Men’s Referee of the Year in 2025 after a series of high-profile performances, including officiating the second leg of the CAF Champions League final.
His appointment to the UEFA Super Cup will make him the first African referee to take charge of a major UEFA final.
UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin said the decision reflected both Artan’s quality and football’s role in connecting people across borders.
“Football is made to connect people, and UEFA wants to show its respect to Omar and his outstanding officiating skills, which had earned him such a prestigious nomination,” Ceferin said.
From Miami rejection to European showpiece
Artan travelled to Miami earlier this week to join other FIFA-selected referees for training and briefings ahead of the World Cup.
However, he was refused entry by U.S. authorities and returned to Somalia.
The incident quickly became one of the first major controversies surrounding the 2026 World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
According to U.S. authorities, Artan was denied entry due to unspecified vetting concerns.
The explanation failed to quell criticism, especially as Somalia remains among countries affected by immigration restrictions introduced by the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump.
The episode also raised broader concerns about how immigration policies could affect athletes, officials and support personnel participating in global sporting events hosted by the United States.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino came under pressure after suggesting there was little football authorities could do to overturn the decision, a response that fuelled further debate across the football world.
CAF celebrates historic milestone
CAF President Patrice Motsepe described Artan’s UEFA appointment as recognition of his world-class ability and a proud moment for Africa.
“Omar Artan has made Somalia and the entire people of the African continent extremely proud,” Motsepe said.
He added that the appointment demonstrated football’s power to unite people across different regions and cultures.
For Artan, the UEFA Super Cup represents a dramatic turnaround from a week that threatened to define his career for all the wrong reasons.
Instead of being remembered as the referee denied a place at football’s biggest tournament, the Somali official will now take centre stage in one of Europe’s most prestigious matches, watched by millions around the world.
The appointment also sends a powerful message from UEFA and CAF that sporting merit, not nationality, should define opportunities at the highest level of football.
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