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Iran's World Cup squad arrives in Mexico amid US visa dispute for support staff
via Punch Nigeria3 min read
Iran's World Cup squad arrived in Tijuana, Mexico, on Sunday, just days before the 2026 World Cup kickoff. The team's arrival follows a diplomatic dispute with the United States, which denied visas for some Iranian support staff. The US, Mexico, and Canada are co-hosting the tournament. The Iranian team spent nearly three weeks training in Antalya, Turkey, where they applied for visas to all three host countries. While players received their US visas, Iran's embassy in Turkey stated that 15 administrative and management staff were denied. The embassy called on FIFA to hold the US accountable for what it described as "deliberate and discriminatory treatment." Iran's ambassador to Mexico, Abolfazl Pasandideh, also noted that the team's visa conditions require them to enter and leave US soil on the same day as their matches, a point that contradicted an earlier statement from the team's spokesman, Amir Mahdi Alavi, who said they had multiple-entry visas. A US administration official confirmed that necessary visas for the team, including support staff, had been issued, but added that the US would not allow the Iranian team to "abuse this system to sneak terrorists into the United States." US Secretary of State Marco Rubio had previously suggested concerns about individuals with ties to the Revolutionary Guards. The visa issue also affected the Iraqi team, with one photographer denied entry to the US. Iran is in Group G and will play New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles on June
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
The Kano State Hisbah Board has finalized preparations for the medical screening of 3,000 prospective couples participating in the state's mass wedding program. Deputy Commander General Sheikh Mujahedeen Aminudeen announced that the screening will start on Monday, June 8, 2026, across 24 local government areas. The 1,500 female and 1,500 male participants will undergo mandatory health checks for HIV/AIDS, drug use, genotype, hepatitis B, and other sexually transmitted infections like gonorrhoea. This initiative is a collaboration between the Hisbah Board, the Ministry of Health, and the State Agency for the Control of AIDS. Couples have been instructed to report to Hisbah offices in their respective local government areas for the screening, with failure to attend resulting in delisting from the program. Only those who pass the health screening will qualify for the mass wedding. The Kano State Government, led by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, reinstated the mass wedding program to address prostitution and other social vices, particularly among young women whose families cannot afford their marriages.
Must ReadFormer Senate Leader, Senator Ali Ndume, praised the Nigerian military for the successful rescue of 360 women and children abducted from Ngoshe community in Borno State. The victims, who had been held captive since March, were freed on Saturday. This rescue operation occurred three months after suspected Boko Haram insurgents attacked a military base in Ngoshe on March 4. The President of the Borno South Youth Alliance, Samaila Kaigama, confirmed the development. Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, also confirmed the release through a statement from his Special Adviser on Media, Dauda Iliya. Ndume commended the troops for their professionalism and patriotism despite operational challenges. He also expressed gratitude to the Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, the General Officer Commanding 7 Division, Maiduguri, and the Commander of the 26 Task Force Brigade in Gwoza, as well as Governor Zulum, for their contributions. The lawmaker further praised the Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency, Zubaida Umar, for providing relief materials and urged the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs to support the rebuilding of Ngoshe. Ndume also called for intensified efforts to secure the release of schoolchildren abducted in Mussa, Askira-Uba Local Government Area, and travelers kidnapped along the Biu-Buratai road, and condemned the killing of soldiers and repentant Boko Haram volunteers in Mandaragra village, Biu Local Government Area.
The Nigeria Customs Service NCS hosted ambassadors, high commissioners, and heads of diplomatic missions in Abuja on June 3, 2026, to strengthen international cooperation and trade relations. This strategic engagement, held at the NCS headquarters, aimed to boost trade facilitation, border security, and economic growth. Dignitaries present included the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, and the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu. The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, thanked the diplomatic community for their support in bilateral relations and international trade. He affirmed the NCS's commitment to supporting diplomatic missions in Nigeria and advancing collaborative initiatives for trade and economic development. Adeniyi highlighted the NCS's global reach, with collaborative frameworks with over 20 customs administrations worldwide, focusing on knowledge sharing, capacity building, and operational cooperation. He emphasized that collaboration among customs administrations, diplomatic missions, and security agencies is crucial for addressing modern trade and security challenges, achieving efficient border security, enhanced revenue generation, and improved economic competitiveness. The Comptroller-General noted that such diplomatic engagements foster dialogue, mutual understanding, and new areas of cooperation to strengthen Nigeria's trade and diplomatic architecture. The event concluded with networking sessions and positive feedback fro