Author: starconnect
By Rasheed Bolarinwa I Friday, August, 2026 LAGOS, Nigeria – The news of the passing of Dotun Oladipo hit me this morning with a profound sense of loss. Nigeria has lost a distinguished journalist, media entrepreneur, and advocate of ethical journalism. But beyond the public tributes and professional accolades, I have lost a friend, ally, confidant, and brother. I often sought his counsel on media matters, drawing from his vast network and deep understanding of the profession. Not once did he decline a request for guidance or intervention. He was generous with his time, wisdom, and…
By SCM International Desk I Friday, August 28, 2026 KATHMANDU, Nepal — The death toll from catastrophic flash floods along the Himalayan border between Nepal and Tibet rose to 469, Nepalese police confirmed, as search and rescue teams struggled through thick mud, collapsed bridges, and severed infrastructure to locate survivors. More than 1,500 people remain missing, authorities reported, making this one of the region’s deadliest natural disasters in years. The flooding tore through central and northern Nepal, devastating towns along the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli river systems. Officials reported that victims were recovered across eight districts, including Chitwan and…
By SCM Sports Desk I Friday, August 28, 2026 LONDON, ENGLAND — Fulham’s Premier League superstars flexed their top-flight muscles with a commanding performance, cruising to a comfortable 3-0 victory over local rivals AFC Wimbledon in a heated EFL Cup encounter at Craven Cottage. From the first blow of the referee’s whistle, the quality gap between the Premier League hosts and their lower-league visitors was glaringly apparent. Fulham manager Marco Silva named a strong, star-studded lineup designed to put the tie to bed early, and his top talents delivered in sensational fashion. The match began with Fulham taking total…
By The Sun Sports Desk at Stamford Bridge Xabi Alonso’s heavyweight Chelsea armada booked their ticket into the EFL Cup third round with a commanding 2-0 victory over a resolute Luton Town at Stamford Bridge. While Jack Wilshere’s third-tier Hatters staged a heroic first-half defensive stand, the sheer quality of Chelsea’s international star power eventually shone through to set up a mouth-watering third-round clash against Leeds United. The narrative pre-game centered on Alonso’s tactical balancing act, blending seasoned elite talents with breathtaking young marvels. All eyes were glued to debutant Danny Welbeck leading the frontline alongside teenage phenom Estevao…
By SCM Sports Desk I Friday August 28, 2026 VIGO, SPAIN — MARCOS ALONSO suffered a horrific moment of madness to trigger a chaotic second-half collapse for Celta Vigo, allowing a relentless Osasuna to snatch a 2-1 victory at a stunned Estádio Municipal de Balaídos. The former Chelsea and Barcelona defender was handed a straight red card following a VAR review just six minutes into the second half for a dreadful studs-up tackle on Iker Muñoz. The red card utterly flipped the LaLiga clash on its head, destroying Celta’s dominance and gifting Osasuna the invitation they needed to storm…
By SCM Sports Desk I Friday, August 28, 2026 BARCELONA sent out a thunderous message to the rest of Europe as Hansi Flick’s star-studded side comfortably dispatched Athletic Club 2-0 at a roaring Spotify Camp Nou. Goals from clinical skipper Raphinha and in-form starlet Fermín López sealed a sparkling victory that sent the reigning champions straight to the top of the La Liga table. But while the scoreline suggests a routine win, the performance was a breathless showcase of superstar talent, featuring the debut of Spain’s midfield maestro Rodri and another dazzling display from teen sensation Lamine Yamal. From…
By SCM Sports Desk I Friday, August 28, 2026 ABUJA — In an unprecedented administrative reset for Nigerian football, the National Sports Commission (NSC) has endorsed Dr. Emmanuel Ikpeme, formerly the Deputy General Secretary, to immediately take over the running of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Secretariat as Ag. General Secretary. The dramatic intervention by sports authorities follows the sudden, joint resignations on Thursday of NFF President, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, and key members of the NFF Executive Committee. To complete the interim administrative structure at the Glass House, Dr. Ademola Olajire, who previously…
By Emmanuel Thomas l Thursday, August 27, 2026 ABUJA — Former Vice President and 2027 presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has called out the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Federal Government, demanding full transparency and an immediate public disclosure of the beneficiary register for the Conditional Cash Transfer Scheme. Atiku pledged to block any attempt by the administration to shroud the disbursement of the recently announced N25,000 monthly cash transfers to 5 million households in secrecy. In a fierce reaction released Thursday night through his Senior Special Assistant on Communication, Phrank Shaibu, the veteran…
By SCM International Desk I Thursday, August 27, 2027 MOSCOW — Russian President Vladimir V. Putin issued a stern, high-stakes warning on Thursday following a rare aerial attack on Russia’s capital, vowing that Moscow would deliver a “decisive response” while asserting that its military capabilities remain fully intact. Speaking in a televised address broadcast nationwide, Mr. Putin sought to project absolute military confidence while defining a sharp red line over strikes hitting the center of Russian power. “Russia’s security and sovereignty will always be defended,” Mr. Putin said. “Any attack against our capital will receive a decisive response. Our…
By Emmanuel Thomas l Thursday, August 27, 2026 JAPPA, EFFURUN – Democracy is sustained not merely by the physical act of casting a ballot, but by public trust in the institutions tasked with safeguarding the vote. When the institution mandated to act as an impartial referee repeatedly displays technical opacity, administrative clumsiness, and institutional evasiveness, it ceases to be a guarantor of democratic expression and becomes its greatest threat. As Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) finds itself locked in a crisis of credibility that threatens the survival of the country’s…