IDN Podcast - Daily News

Tunisia's football federation has officially terminated the contract of head coach Sabri Lamouchi by mutual agreement following a devastating 5-1 loss to Sweden in their opening World Cup 2026 Group F match.
Reports afterwards suggested Lamouchi had been immediately sacked, but sources told BBC Sport that the 54-year-old took training on Monday. However, the Tunisian Football Association has now confirmed that the Frenchman's contract has been terminated by "mutual agreement".Tournament sackings are not unprecedented—most notably during the 1998 World Cup when three managers were dismissed, including Tunisia's Henryk Kasperczak—however, Lamouchi holds the distinction of being the only ma...

Belgium and Egypt ended their World Cup opener in a 1-1 draw on Monday, as a second-half equalizer from Belgium disrupted Mohamed Salah's celebration of his 34th birthday. Emam Ashour scored first in the opening half in Seattle, but Romelu Lukaku, who came off the bench after the hour mark, forced an own goal from Egypt's Mohamed Hany.
With this draw, Egypt, the seven-time Africa Cup of Nations champions, continues their quest for a first World Cup victory.

This marks their fourth appearance in the global tournament, and with upcoming Group G matches against Iran a...

The Minister of Works, David Umahi, announced that the South-East populace will endorse President Bola Tinubu as their exclusive presidential candidate for the 2027 general election today. This information was conveyed in a statement released on Sunday by the Minister's spokesperson, Francis Nwaze, who noted that Umahi made this announcement while inspecting ongoing federal road projects throughout Ebonyi State over the weekend.

During this occasion, the Minister emphasized what he termed the remarkable infrastructure transformation occurring under President Tinubu's administration. 
“South-East are very appreciative of what the President is doing. By Monday, under the leadership of the...

The United States and Iran have reached a formal agreement for peace. Both countries have announced this significant development, which entails an immediate and permanent cessation of military activities on all fronts.
The agreement requires an instant stop to hostilities across all fronts, including military actions affecting Lebanon. President Donald Trump declared the immediate, toll-free reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Concurrently, the U.S. is lifting its naval blockade to facilitate the resumption of global oil transit.The landmark agreement was significantly facilitated by Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, with diplomatic backing from Qatar, Saudi Arabia...

The 2026 FIFA World Cup commenced with a shocking 2-0 loss for South Africa against Mexico. This outcome left South African commentators utterly speechless during live broadcasts. Reactions across the continent were sharply divided.Numerous African football enthusiasts refrained from supporting South Africa’s Bafana Bafana during the World Cup, fueled by resentment over ongoing anti-immigrant demonstrations and xenophobic violence within South Africa. These feelings contributed to geopolitical strains that eclipsed the usual continental unity in international football.

Supporters in nations such as Kenya and Nigeria actively rooted against South Africa. Many pointed to persistent continental discord an...

Former South African President Thabo Mbeki clearly articulated that the enduring conflicts in Africa stem directly from inadequate leadership.
He underscored that although failures in leadership are a significant factor contributing to the instability and prolonged conflicts throughout the continent, this reality should never be used as an excuse for African nations to forsake democratic governance.

Mbeki made these statements during a virtual keynote address focused on democratic governance and peacebuilding in Africa.
This address coincided with the launch of three books celebrating the 84th birthday of Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd.), a former military...

On Friday, June 12, 2026, the United States men's national soccer team (USMNT) achieved a historic milestone by scoring four goals in a World Cup match for the first time ever. 
In front of an enthusiastic home crowd of 70,492 at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, the USMNT secured a commanding 4-1 victory over Paraguay, marking a record-breaking and explosive opening match for their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign.
 
This remarkable scoring display showcased the innovative and aggressive attacking strategy of new manager Mauricio Pochettino:
7th Minute (1-0): The U.S. made an early breakthrough when a...

On Friday, protesters gathered in the streets of Lagos for a renewed #EndBadGovernance demonstration, coinciding with Democracy Day to urge the government to take immediate action regarding the escalating economic difficulties, insecurity, unemployment, and the increasing cost of living.
This protest attracted activists, civil society organizations, and concerned citizens, characterized by peaceful marches and placards with messages such as "Free All Captives Now," "End Anti-People Policies Now," and "For a Living Wage and Mass Creation of Employment."

This demonstration follows recent coordinated mass abductions in Oyo and Borno states that occurred within a short timeframe...

On June 9, 2026, Serena Williams marked a triumphant return to professional tennis by winning her first doubles match at the Queen's Club Championships in London.
At the age of 44 and after nearly four years away from competitive play (1,375 days), the 23-time Grand Slam singles champion partnered with 19-year-old Canadian prodigy Victoria Mboko. Together, they achieved a remarkable 7-6 (7-2), 6-2 victory over the third-seeded team of Erin Routliffe and Nicole Melichar-Martinez.
Williams swiftly dispelled any signs of rust, showcasing powerful serves that reached speeds of up to 120 mph, complemented by her signature aggressive baseline winners.
She...

Iran's distribution of fan tickets for the World Cup group stage has been canceled just days prior to the tournament's commencement, according to the country's football federation. 
The World Cup, which is co-hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States, is set to begin on Thursday, with Iran scheduled to compete against New Zealand on June 15 and Belgium on June 21 - both matches taking place in Los Angeles - before facing Egypt in Seattle on June 26.
 
Iran's governing body asserts that Fifa regulations stipulate that each federation participating in the World Cup is entitled to 8% of...

On Monday, June 8, 2026, the U.S. Justice Department declared its intention to revoke the citizenship of 17 naturalized individuals. 

Federal prosecutors initiated these denaturalization actions in various U.S. District Courts as part of an intensified effort to combat immigration fraud during the Trump administration.

The U.S. Department of Justice asserts that the individuals in question committed serious offenses or concealed prior criminal activities during their naturalization process. The specific allegations include:
  - Sexual abuse of a minor
 - Healthcare fraud and conspiracy
 - Illicit drug trafficking
 - Immigration fraud throu...

Arsenal's Declan Rice, Gabriel, and David Raya have received nominations for the Professional Footballers' Association men's player of the year award, competing against Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes and Manchester City's Erling Haaland and Rayan Cherki.
Earlier this month, Fernandes, aged 31, was awarded the Football Writers' Association's men's footballer of the year award. This accolade frequently serves as a precursor to identifying the leading candidate for the PFA player of the year. The Portuguese midfielder achieved a remarkable total of 21 assists in the Premier League, contributing significantly to United's third-place finish.

Midfielder Rice, defender Gabriel, and...

Fans will not be permitted to bring reusable water bottles into World Cup stadiums due to safety issues, as stated by Fifa in a recent policy update. 
The official code of conduct for the stadium previously indicated: "To clarify, empty, transparent, reusable plastic bottles with a capacity of up to (1 litre) may be taken into the stadium."
However, just seven days prior to the tournament commencing on 11 June, the prohibition has been extended to include bottles, cups, jars, and cans, with Fifa asserting that this measure will reduce the risk of injury from fans throwing objects. "F...

Social Security retirement benefits are projected to undergo an automatic reduction of 24% by late 2032 unless Congress takes action to prevent the depletion of the program's trust fund. 
A recent analysis conducted in June 2026 by the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget indicates that the insolvency of the Old-Age and Survivors Insurance (OASI) Trust Fund may occur slightly earlier than previously anticipated. At that point, ongoing payroll tax revenues are expected to cover only about 76% to 77% of the scheduled payouts.

The average monthly reduction for retirees across the nation could be approximately $500.
The average annual i...

The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) has successfully facilitated the return of another group of Nigerian migrants evacuated from Libya.This latest group of 180 returnees, predominantly consisting of women and children, arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos via a chartered flight from Libya.As reported by the IOM, many of these individuals faced severe hardships, including detention, exploitation, and uncertainty during their attempts to migrate abroad. The agency further indicated that the returnees received health screenings, counselling, and other immediate assistance, with eligible individuals set to receive reintegration support aimed at helping them rebuild their...

Liverpool is currently engaged in advanced discussions with Andoni Iraola as they seek to appoint a new head coach following the dismissal of Arne Slot. Iraola departed from Bournemouth at the conclusion of the season and is the leading candidate for the position at Anfield.
Liverpool is eager to finalize an appointment as soon as possible and desires a manager who aligns with their preferred style of play, which emphasizes proactive and aggressive football. Although no inquiries have been made regarding Iraola's potential coaching staff, the 43-year-old Spaniard is interested in bringing along his assistant from Bournemouth...

Civil society organizations are organizing a protest in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, in response to the recent kidnapping of students and educators in the region. This demonstration follows a protest by teachers in Ogbomoso, where the abduction took place, who demanded immediate action regarding the situation of the victims.The demonstrators are parading through various areas of the city, holding placards with messages such as, "Every Life Matters, Stop the Kidnappers," "47 Abducted, Scared and Alone," and "Stand Up! Speak Out!" The kidnapping incident in Oriire Local Government Area has raised significant concern among educational stakeholders and r...

Arthur Lee Cofield Jr., a 34-year-old inmate who notoriously embezzled $11 million from a billionaire film producer while incarcerated in a maximum-security prison in Georgia, has escaped from federal custody. Authorities have reported that Cofield walked away from a minimum-security satellite camp located next to the Federal Correctional Institution in Jesup, Georgia.
Discovered missing from the FCI Jesup satellite camp. The Federal Bureau of Prisons has labeled him a "walkaway".

He is 5 feet 4 inches tall and weighs around 210 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. The U.S. Marshals Service and the FBI are spearheading the m...

Italian authorities have officially prohibited Kanye West and Travis Scott from performing their consecutive shows in Reggio Emilia scheduled for July 2026 due to concerns regarding public order and safety. 
This decision, made on May 29, 2026, prevents their headline performances at the newly rebranded Pulse of Gaia Festival.

Prefect Salvatore Angieri mandated the cancellation after assessing joint security evaluations. The specific reasons for the government's intervention include:

Severe Protest Risks: There are evident threats of local counter-demonstrations and social unrest triggered by the bookings.

Massive Massing Concerns: It was anticipated that over 100,000 spectators w...