Lionel Messi’s massive GOAT statue in India facing emergency takedown over safety fears to the public

 

A massive tribute to football icon Lionel Messi is about to be dismantled just months after its grand unveiling. Government engineers in India have declared the giant monument structurally unsound, warning that it poses an immediate danger to the public.

The 21-meter (70-foot) golden statue, located in the Lake Town area of Kolkata, was erected to celebrate the Argentina superstar’s recent tour. However, West Bengal state engineers recently inspected the towering structure and discovered it was visibly swaying in the wind.

Because the monument looms directly over an incredibly busy main road, emergency teams had to scramble up the sculpture on Wednesday, using heavy-duty ropes around its shoulders as a temporary measure to keep it steady.

Local lawmakers have confirmed that the statue is no longer safe for the public. While plans are officially underway to bring it down at the earliest opportunity, officials admit that dismantling a structure of this scale on a congested thoroughfare is proving easier said than done.

The statue shows the 38-year-old Inter Miami forward triumphantly hoisting the World Cup trophy—a nod to Argentina’s historic victory in Qatar. It was remotely unveiled by Messi himself in December during his high-profile tour of the region.

While India is globally recognized as a cricket-dominated nation, football holds a massive, passionate following in West Bengal. Recent data confirms football firmly stands as the country's second favorite sport, with fans regularly going to extreme lengths to honor their international heroes.

Local authorities have not yet decided if the golden monument will be repaired and re-erected at a safer, alternative location.

Meanwhile, the timing adds an unexpected backdrop to the upcoming international schedule. Argentina is preparing to launch its next World Cup campaign on June 16 against Algeria in Kansas City. 

Although no official confirmation has been made, the talismanic forward is widely expected to return to the pitch, aiming for a record-matching sixth appearance at the tournament.

 

 

Police arrest man for allegedly rapped 19-year-old girl in Imo

 The Imo State Police Command has arrested one Chigaemezu Joseph Chukwudi, for allegedly r@ping a 19-year- old girl. 

 

 

Addressing newsmen at the command’s headquarters in Owerri, the Commissioner of Police, Audu Garba Bosso, said after r@ping the victim, the suspect made video of her and threatened to make it viral if she refuses to his further demands. 

 

 

According to the CP, the suspect lured the victim to a hotel in Owerri on the pretence that he needed her to take his measurements and sew shirts for him. 

"Detectives of the Command, on 14th May 2026 at about 1434hrs, arrested one Chigaemezu Joseph Chukwudi, male, aged 22 years, of Nduawa Arondizuogu in Ideato North LGA, at the Roundabout along Orji/Amakohia Road, Spibat Area, Owerri North LGA, for his alleged involvement in r@pe, cyberstalking, and criminal intimidation of a 19-year-old girl," the CP stated. 

 

"Investigation revealed that the suspect allegedly deceived the victim into accompanying him to Lekim Royal Hotel and Suites, New Owerri, under the guise of taking measurements and sewing shirts for him, where he allegedly had non-consensual s3xual intercourse with her, recorded the act on his phone, and thereafter used the video to threaten, intimidate, and coerce her into further s3xual acts, with threats to circulate the video online should she refuse.

 

"The suspect is currently in custody while a comprehensive investigation is ongoing. 

"He will be arraigned in court upon conclusion of investigations."

The military-led government of Burkina Faso is strengthening its oversight of the country’s gold sector, aiming to reduce foreign dominance in one of Africa’s most lucrative industries.

 Burkina Faso is increasing state and local ownership of its gold mines as President Ibrahim Traoré advances an economic sovereignty agenda to reduce foreign control over the country’s mining sector. 

• •  Burkina Faso is tightening control over its gold industry as the government pushes to reduce foreign dominance in mining.
• • Six of the country’s 15 industrial gold mines are now majority-owned by Burkinabe companies, with three under direct state control.
• • The reforms form part of President Ibrahim Traoré’s broader economic sovereignty agenda focused on retaining more mining wealth locally.
• • The strategy reflects a wider trend across Africa, where governments are seeking greater control over strategic natural resources.

a West African nation, one of the continent’s leading gold producers, has spent the past three years restructuring mining ownership in what authorities describe as a drive for “economic sovereignty.”

By the end of 2025, six of Burkina Faso’s 15 active industrial gold mines were majority-owned by Burkinabe companies, according to specialised mining outlet Mines Actu Burkina. Three of those mines are now directly controlled by the state through the Burkina Faso Mining Participation Company (SOPAMIB).

According to APANews, the shift marks a major break from decades of foreign-led control over Burkina Faso’s industrial mining sector, where multinational companies historically dominated production and profits.

President Ibrahim Traoré has increasingly framed control of natural resources as central to the country’s political and economic agenda. During the launch of a national gold refinery project in 2023, he declared that Burkina Faso intended “to extract gold ourselves.”

Before the current administration came to power, only one industrial mine in the country was operated by a national company, Mines Actu Burkina reported. The outlet says local investors are now emerging more aggressively, including businessman Inoussa Kanazoe, whose Soleil Resources International group reportedly acquired the BMC and Roxgold mines.

Authorities argue that the reforms are designed to ensure that more mining revenues remain in Burkina Faso, helping finance infrastructure, industrialisation, and national development projects.

The strategy also comes as several African governments seek greater control over strategic resources amid rising geopolitical competition, security challenges, and growing calls for resource nationalism across the continent.

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Viral Claims of "Man Ascend to Heaven" Spark Debate Across Social Media

Viral Claims of  “Man” in Africa Ascend to Heaven" Spark Debate Across Social Media.

Reports and viral social media posts claiming that a man "ascended into heaven" somewhere in Africa have generated widespread discussion online, drawing reactions ranging from amazement and religious interpretation to skepticism and calls for evidence.

The story began circulating through short video clips and social media shares, with some users claiming the footage showed a supernatural event involving a man reportedly rising into the sky before disappearing from view. The clips rapidly spread across multiple platforms, attracting thousands of comments and shares.

Witness accounts shared online varied significantly.

Some individuals described the alleged event as a miracle, while others argued that video editing technology, camera angles, drones, or digital effects could explain what viewers believed they were seeing.

Experts in digital media have repeatedly warned that viral content can be manipulated using editing software and artificial intelligence tools, making extraordinary claims increasingly difficult to verify without reliable evidence.

Religious communities ha & so reacted differently to such stories. Some believers view unusual events viral content can be manipulated using editing sortware and artificial intelligence tools, making extraordinary claims increasingly difficult to verify without reliable evidence.

Religious communities have also reacted differently to such stories. Some believers view unusual events through spiritual interpretations, while others encourage careful investigation before accepting dramatic claims as fact.

No recognized news organizations or independent verification sources have confirmed reports of a person physically ascending into heaven in Africa.

Media analysts note that sensational stories often gain traction online because emotional and extraordinary content spreads quickly across social platforms but this is shown on YouTube and across other social media.

Uganda’s Ghetto Kids to Perform with Shakira at 2026 FIFA World Cup Final Halftime Show

Shakira shared the news in a video message to fans, explaining her vision to make the performance unique by bringing together different dance talents from around the world. She confirmed that the Ugandan dance group is among those officially invited to join her on stage.

Uganda’s Ghetto Kids dance group pose together in matching green, yellow, and patterned Ankara-inspired outfits. Photo Credit. 

  Africa’s footprint on the 2026 FIFA World Cup just got even bigger! Colombian pop star Shakira has invited Uganda’s Triplet Ghetto Kids to perform with her at the tournament’s final halftime show.

Shakira shared the news in a video message to fans, explaining her vision to make the performance unique by bringing together different dance talents from around the world. She confirmed that the Ugandan dance group is among those officially invited to join her on stage.

During the show, Shakira is expected to perform “Dai Dai,” the official tournament anthem she recently released featuring our very own Burna Boy.

The Ghetto Kids, founded by Dauda Kavuma in Kampala, have gained international recognition over the past decade for their choreography. The dance group previously featured in French Montana’s “Unforgettable” music video, performed during festivities at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, and reached the finals of Britain’s Got Talent.

The announcement adds to a strong lineup of African talent confirmed for the tournament. Alongside Burna Boy’s feature on the official anthem, Nigerian singer Rema and South African artist Tyla are scheduled to perform at the opening ceremony at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on 12 June.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup Final will take place on 19 July at the New York New Jersey Stadium, where Shakira will co-headline the halftime show alongside Madonna and BTS.

Shakira, Burna Boy release ‘Dai Dai’ video

 

The clip features an all-star cast of soccer players

Shakira and Burna Boy have released the video for their new track “Dai Dai,” the official song of the FIFA World Cup 2026, in support of the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund. The video was shot in Miami and directed by Hannah Lux Davis. It features a compilation of soccer stars Lionel Messi, Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappé, Rodrigo Hernández (Rodri), Vinícius Júnior, Takefusa Kubo, Santiago Giménez, Erling Haaland, Luis Díaz, Alphonso Davies, Jamal Musiala, and Christian Pulisic.

The video also features Ghetto Kids Uganda, a life-changing NGO dedicated to supporting orphaned, street, and vulnerable children through music, dance, and drama. By turning talent into opportunity, the organization provides education, shelter, healthcare, food, and hope for a brighter future while helping children stay away from the hardships of street life.

The video shows Shakira atop Mexico City’s Angel de la Independencia, one of Mexico’s most iconic landmarks on the emblematic Reforma Avenue. It serves as a visual tribute to a country that has played an important role throughout her career, with special thanks to the capital’s tourism campaign Ciudad de México Corazón Grande for its support in bringing this moment to life.

Shakira will co-headline the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final Halftime Show on Sunday, July 19th, alongside Madonna and BTS. She will perform Dai Dai with Burna Boy. For the first time in FIFA World Cup history, the final will feature a halftime show, bringing together global artists for a singular moment at the intersection of sport, culture, and purpose, to support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund.

President Muhamamdu Buhari condemned the killing of a Christian student by a mob!

 President Muhamamdu Buhari has condemned the killing of a Christian student by a mob in Sokoto state over alleged blasphemy. 

 

In a statement released by his spokesperson Garba Shehu on Friday May 13, the President stated that no one has the right to take laws into their hands. 

 Buhari further demanded an impartial, extensive probe into all that happened before and during the incident. He also directed the Ministries of Information and Culture, Police Affairs and that of Communications and Digital Economy to work with GSM providers and Tech companies to help contain the spread of false and inflammatory information through social media. 

The statement read; 

 STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE PRESIDENT BUHARI REACTS TO SOKOTO KILLING LINKED TO ALLEGED BLASPHEMY, SAYS VIOLENCE DOES NOT SOLVE PROBLEMS

President @MBuhari  strongly condemns the resort to self-help by the mob in sokoto, resulting in violence, destruction and killing of a second year student of Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto, Deborah Samuel, following an allegation that she had blasphemed Muhammad (SAW), the Prophet of Islam on Thursday.

President Buhari said the news of the killing of the young lady by fellow students was a matter of concern and demanded an impartial, extensive probe into all that happened before and during the incident.

The President noted that Muslims all over the world demand respect for the Holy Prophets, incl Isah (Alaihissalaam,Jesus Christ) & Muhammad (SAW) but where transgressions occur,as alleged to be the case in this instance,the law does not allow anyone take matters into their hands.

Moreover, religious leaders preach that it is not for the believer to judge the actions of another person. The constituted authority must be allowed to deal with such matters when they arise.

“No person has the right to take the law in his or her own hands in this country. Violence has and never will solve any problem," said the President.

President Buhari also directed the Ministries of Information and Culture, Police Affairs and that of Communications and Digital Economy to work with GSM providers and Tech companies to help contain the spread of false and inflammatory information through social media.

The President extended the nation’s condolences to the family of the deceased student and wished all those injured a quick recovery. He commended the immediate response to the incident by the Sokoto State Government and urged religious and community leaders to call citizens’ attention to the need to exercise the right to freedom of speech responsibly.

President Buhari called for tempered comments by the media and calm among the general population while investigation is ongoing to find out the remote and immediate causes of the incident.

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Pretty Edo Lady Weds Her Oyinbo Man In Edo State(photos)

According to a social media user who shared the photos,the town of Ekpoma Edo State witnessed endless flow of guests who came from home and abroad to be a part of the much talked about wedding ceremony between Debby,a beautiful daughter of Edo and her white hubby Manuel. The Esan Culture which will never fade away was again brought to the lime light during the event.


The wife was asked to show the public how good she was in preparing pounded yam. As the woman proceeded to carry out her traditional function of preparing delicious meals for her family, her hubby insisted on joining the yam pounding session.The rest is history. It was fun, fun and more fun throughout the entire event.