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Wayne Rooney criticizes Gareth Southgate for Trent Alexander-Arnold's exclusion from England squad
via Punch Nigeria2 min read
Former England captain Wayne Rooney has expressed strong criticism regarding England manager Gareth Southgate's decision to omit Trent Alexander-Arnold from the squad for the upcoming 2026 World Cup, labeling the choice as "mind-boggling." Alexander-Arnold has not been included in Southgate's last four England squads, despite his return to regular play for Madrid after recovering from a thigh injury earlier this year. Speaking on his podcast, Rooney questioned the selection of Ben White over Alexander-Arnold, stating, "No disrespect to Ben White – I think he’s a fantastic player – but for him to be in the squad and playing ahead of Trent is mind-boggling." England's defensive options for the final home friendlies before the World Cup in Canada, Mexico, and the United States include Tino Livramento, Djed Spence, and Ezri Konsa. Rooney acknowledged that he would still prefer Reece James as England’s primary right-back if he were fit, but he also noted concerns about James's consistency. Former England defender Phil Jagielka also supported Alexander-Arnold's inclusion, suggesting that if he performs as he did for Liverpool, he should be in the squad. The discussion also touched upon England's left-back choices, with Nico O’Reilly and Lewis Hall vying for a starting position. Jagielka praised O’Reilly’s attacking prowess but highlighted his defensive vulnerabilities. Rooney, however, emphasized the importance of experience in major tournaments, stating he would trust Luke Shaw, a
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
Must ReadInstagram has officially ceased support for end-to-end encrypted direct messages as of Friday, May 8, 2026. The platform announced this change on its Help page, informing users that encrypted messaging would no longer be available. Users with chats affected by this update will receive instructions on how to download any messages or media they wish to retain, and some may need to update their app to access this download feature. End-to-end encryption is a privacy feature designed to ensure that only the sender and recipient can access messages or calls, preventing third parties, including the platform owner, from viewing conversations. Instagram explained that encrypted chats used special security keys stored on users' devices, ensuring that only devices with these keys could unlock messages. This protection also applied to voice and video calls, meaning even Meta could not access these communications. However, users could still share encrypted content through reporting features or by forwarding messages outside the chat. This announcement has sparked online discussions regarding digital privacy and data security. Meta Platforms, Instagram's parent company, has not yet provided further details on why the feature was discontinued.
The Court of Appeal in Abuja has reserved its ruling on an application filed by former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami. Malami is seeking leave to appeal a Federal High Court ruling concerning the forfeiture of 57 properties allegedly linked to him. A three-member panel, led by Justice Abba Mohammed, did not set a date for the ruling but stated that parties would be notified. Malami's counsel, Joseph Daudu, argued for an extension of time to appeal, citing delays in obtaining the lower court's certified ruling. Daudu contended that the respondents' objection, based on an earlier Supreme Court decision, no longer reflects current legal requirements, which mandate attaching the ruling to an interlocutory appeal. He also disputed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission's reliance on a fast-track practice direction, arguing it was not raised in their counter-affidavit. Conversely, EFCC counsel Jibrin Okutepa opposed the application, describing it as unnecessary and falling under the fast-track practice direction for corruption cases. Okutepa stated that the properties were allegedly acquired fraudulently while Malami served as Attorney-General of the Federation and argued that interlocutory appeals in such matters are discouraged. He also noted that Malami failed to provide substantial reasons for the delay in filing the appeal and referenced the reassignment of the case at the Federal High Court, where Justice Abdulmalik delivered the challenged ruling a
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has shared the reasons behind his admiration for entertainer Charles Oputa, known as Charlie Boy, despite initially being put off by his unconventional dressing style. Obasanjo, in an interview on the Before Tomorrow Comes Podcast, recounted his close relationship with Charlie Boy's father, the late Supreme Court Justice Chukwudifu Oputa, whom he greatly admired. Initially, Obasanjo was critical of Charlie Boy's "jaga-jaga" appearance, finding it incongruous with his father's polished image. However, his perception shifted dramatically when he witnessed Charlie Boy's devoted care for his ailing father. Obasanjo noted that Charlie Boy's dedication to his father, and later his mother, surpassed any expectations based on his eccentric style. He came to understand Charlie Boy's unique presentation as part of his comedic and entertainment persona. Obasanjo, who wrote the foreword for Charlie Boy’s memoir, 999, now views the entertainer's "jaga-jaga" style as an integral part of his identity and a means of making a living. He highlighted the relationship between Charlie Boy and his father as a lesson for parents to guide their children while allowing them to pursue their chosen paths, provided they are not criminal. Obasanjo also used the interview to advocate for tolerance and national unity, cautioning against ethnic generalizations.
China has criticized the United Kingdom's conviction of Chung Biu Yuen, a former Hong Kong policeman, for assisting a foreign intelligence service. An unnamed spokesperson for the Chinese embassy stated on Thursday that the verdict was a "political move" designed to abuse the law and manipulate the judicial process. The statement accused the UK of aiming to embolden "anti-China elements" in the UK who seek to destabilize Hong Kong and to smear the Chinese government. Yuen, also known as Bill, was found guilty by a London jury of conducting "shadow policing" operations on British soil, targeting Hong Kong dissidents and exiled pro-democracy protestors. China expressed its strong disapproval of the conviction and called on London to cease "anti-China political manipulation," warning that it would take necessary measures to safeguard its interests.