Sports
Fiorentina captain Davide Astori, 31, dies in his sleep at team hotel ahead of their fixture with Udinese as all Sunday’s Serie A games are postponed

- Fiorentina captain Davide Astori
- Fiorentina and Italy defender Astori died during his sleep at the team hotel
- The team were set to play Udinese in Serie A fixture on Sunday afternoon
- Astori, 31, had been with Fiorentina since 2016 and had 14 Italy caps
- All of Sunday’s Serie A matches have been postponed as mark of respect
Fiorentina captain Davide Astori has died in his sleep ahead of their Serie A fixture against Udinese on Sunday.
Astori, a 31-year-old Italy international central defender, had been with the club since 2016 having previously played for Milan, Cagliari and Roma.
He had 14 international caps with Italy and was a member of the squad that played in the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup.
All of Sunday’s Serie A fixtures have been postponed as a mark of respect.
One report from Italy said his team-mates broke down his door when Astori failed to come down for breakfast or answer his phone.
‘The lad did not turn up to the team breakfast at 9.30am and he was usually the first to arrive,’ said Fiorentina spokesman Arturo Mastronardi.
‘So they went to check on him. Davide was sleeping in a room on his own. We still don’t know the cause of death. The Magistrate came here and the body has been taken for an autopsy, which I think will be conducted today. We have no further details.
‘The last to see Davide was Marco Sportiello. Some players sleep in single rooms, some in doubles.

Fiorentina captain Davide Astori
‘His family is from Bergamo, so his parents were alerted by telephone, whereas his partner was visited in person in Florence by some of the directors who were in the city.
‘The team will return to Florence today with a charter plane.’
Astori leaves a wife Francesca and two-year-old daughter.
A statement issued by Fiorentina read: ‘Fiorentina are profoundly shaken and forced to announce that their captain Davide Astori has died.
‘For this terrible and delicate situation, and above all out of respect for his family, we appeal to the sensitivity of the media.’
In announcing the postponement of Sunday’s games, Serie A said: ‘Shocked by the tragic news, the whole family of the Lega Serie A unites around the family of Davide Astori and Fiorentina FC.’
AC Milan coach Gennaro Gattuso had asked before the announcement for all games to be called off. ‘I can’t think of the derby after a tragedy like that,’ he said on Twitter.
The early kick-off between Genoa and Cagliari was postponed with the crowd breaking into spontaneous applause when a picture of Astori was shown on the big screen. He spent six seasons as a Cagliari player.
The players were going through their warm-ups when the news broke, leaving some in tears. Fans remained inside the stadium and sat in silence as they digested the shock news.
Clubs and players from around the world tweeted their condolences to Fiorentina after the news broke.
Astori, who hailed from the province of Bergamo, started playing with local team Pontisola before joining Milan’s academy in 2001.
He spent five years in their youth system, including loan spells at Serie C1 clubs Pizzighettone and Cremonsese in the 2006-07 and 2007-08 seasons.
Astori didn’t turn out for the senior Milan side and signed for Cagliari in a co-ownership deal with Milan in 2008, playing regularly for them in Serie A.
In all, Astori made 178 appearances for Cagliari during six seasons before moving out on loan to Roma at the start of the 2014-15 season.
When he returned to Cagliari, Fiorentina also took him on loan before completing a permanent transfer in 2016.
Astori was expected to sign a new contract with the club when he died.
He made 14 appearances in all for Italy having been handed his debut by coach Cesare Prandelli against Ukraine in March 2011, though he was sent off during that friendly match.
Source: Dailymail
International
US ELECTION: Second Attempt To Assassinate Pres. Trump Fails, Other Historical Assassination Attempts
This time it was Ryan Wesley Routh sticking out an AK-47 Riffle through a fence beside the golf course in Florida where Mr Trump was playing, but before he fired a shot, the Secret Service spotted him.

On Sunday the 15th of September, there was a second attempt to assassinate the 45th US President, Donald John Trump, while golfing at his Trump’s International Golf Course in Florida.
On July the 13th, a would-be assassin, Matthew Crook, shot at him during a rally in Butler Pennsylvania, nicking his right ear, killing a bystander and injuring others, raising urgent concerns about Trump’s security as he campaigns for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination,
This time it was Ryan Wesley Routh sticking out an AK-47 Riffle through a fence beside the golf course in Florida where Mr Trump was playing, but before he fired a shot, the Secret Service spotted him.
Ryan had fled the scene but was later apprehended by the Secret Service unlike Matthew Crook who was gunned down on the spot in July.
Though President Trump confirmed safe and unhurt, but the incident puts the Secret Service under new scrutiny.
The two failed assassination attempts on President Trump have raised questions about who is trying to get the 45th US President and Republican Party’s Presidential nominee for the November elections out of the way at all cost.
2027: Can Jonathan Contest Again?
Biafra: Justice Binta Nyako Directs Tinubu-led Fed. Govt. And Nnamdi Kanu To Pursue Reconciliation
Nigeria Is Not Meant To Exist, A Collateral Damage And British Royal Niger Corporation -Burna Boy
There have been allegations and accusations of the Democrats, while others point fingers at the Republicans, globalists, etc. but a matter of life and death, more especially, concerning the US 45th President must not be politicised.
According to reports, these “incidents involving President Donald Trump have prompted a bipartisan call for the condemnation of violence and a reflection on the state of political discourse in the country. It is a moment that requires leaders and citizens alike to reaffirm their commitment to a politics free from violence and intimidation.”
The FBI described the incident as an “attempted assassination,” marking the second time in two months that Trump has been targeted. The attack occurred while Trump was golfing, prompting swift action from the Secret Service, which fired at the assailant before he fled the scene.
The suspect, Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, of Hawaii, was armed with an AK-47-style rifle with a scope and was hiding in the bushes near the edge of the golf course. According to local law enforcement, Routh was spotted about 400 to 500 yards from Trump. He fled the scene but was apprehended shortly after by sheriff’s deputies on Interstate 95.

RYAN WESLEY ROUTH
This assassination attempt intensifies ongoing concerns about political violence in the US, especially amid the ongoing presidential campaign. Given Trump’s polarizing role in American politics, these incidents underscore the heightened risks faced by presidential candidates in an increasingly charged political environment.
This assassination attempt intensifies ongoing concerns about political violence in the US, especially amid the ongoing presidential campaign. Given Trump’s polarizing role in American politics, these incidents underscore the heightened risks faced by presidential candidates in an increasingly charged political environment.
The recurrence of such attempts is alarming, particularly as Trump continues to hold public events and rallies. The fact that Routh, armed with a semi-automatic rifle, was able to get within shooting distance of Trump again raises serious questions about the level of protection being provided. Trump’s status as a former president, rather than a sitting one, has led to a lighter security detail, but his public visibility and controversial nature make him an ongoing target.
These incidents are also likely to increase scrutiny on the US Secret Service and its ability to secure candidates, especially as the 2024 presidential election draws near. Political violence has been a growing concern in recent years, with fears that it could escalate as the election nears.
Trump’s campaign, already shaped by his legal battles and public appearances, now faces the additional challenge of ensuring his personal safety amid the threats against him.


Here are some historical examples of political violence:
Assassination of Abraham Lincoln (1865): The 16th President of the United States was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth, an actor and Confederate sympathizer, at Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C. This event marked the first assassination of a U.S. president.
Wilmington Insurrection (1898): In Wilmington, North Carolina, white supremacists overthrew the local government, which was elected with a significant African American voter base, in a violent coup that left many African Americans dead or expelled from the city
The Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand (1914): The heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne was assassinated by Gavrilo Princip, a Bosnian Serb nationalist, leading to the outbreak of World War I.
The October Revolution (1917): The Bolsheviks, led by Vladimir Lenin, overthrew the Russian Provisional Government in a coup, leading to the establishment of the Soviet Union.
The Assassination of Mahatma Gandhi (1948): Mahatma Gandhi, the leader of the Indian independence movement against British rule, was assassinated by Nathuram Godse, a Hindu nationalist.
The Troubles in Northern Ireland (Late 1960s-1998): A complex conflict characterized by sectarian violence, paramilitary operations, and political strife between mainly Protestant unionists and mainly Catholic nationalists.
The Rwandan Genocide (1994): Political violence escalated into a genocide against the Tutsi population, with estimates of up to a million people killed.
The Assassination of Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin (1995): Rabin was assassinated by Yigal Amir, an Israeli ultranationalist, due to his role in the signing of the Oslo Accords.
Sports
2024 Women’s U20 World Cup: Nigeria drawn with Germany, Korea Republic, Venezuela
Cup holders Spain are in Group C alongside three-time winners USA, Paraguay and another African representative team, Morocco.

2022 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup quarter-finalists Nigeria have been drawn to play three-time winners Germany, Venezuela and Korea Republic in Group D of this year’s FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup finals.
The final competition, which will welcome 24 teams for the first time, will be staged in four venues in three cities in Colombia, 31st August – 22nd September.
Cup holders Spain are in Group C alongside three-time winners USA, Paraguay and another African representative team, Morocco.
Two-time winners Korea Democratic People’s Republic will contend with Argentina, Costa Rica and the Netherlands in Group F, while hosts Colombia are up against Australia, Cameroon and Mexico in Group A.
Full draw
GROUP A: Colombia, Australia, Cameroon, Mexico
GROUP B: France, Canada, Brazil, Fiji
GROUP C: Spain, USA, Paraguay, Morocco
GROUP D: Germany, Venezuela, Nigeria, Korea Republic
GROUP E: Japan, New Zealand, Ghana, Austria
GROUP F: Korea DPR, Argentina, Costa Rica, The Netherlands
Health
BREAKING: ‘Nigerian Nightmare’ Kamaru Usman suspended for six months

Kamaru Usman has been handed a massive 180-day medical suspension after breaking his nose against Jorge Masvidal.
The Nigerian Nightmare, 33, suffered a broken nose as he retained his UFC welterweight title last weekend.
He will also be forced to avoid any contact for at least three weeks while the nose heals.
Meanwhile, Masvidal, 35, will miss a month himself due to a forehead laceration sustained in his defeat.
The American veteran took the fight on just six days’ notice but failed to pull off a miraculous win.
Masvidal has now been handed a 30-day medical suspension to allow a nasty gash on his face to heal.
As with Usman, he will be forced to avoid any contact work for three weeks. Vanguard
-
News5 years ago
$800m oil fraud: resign as Petroleum Minister – Frank tells Buhari, asks for probe
-
Biafra5 years ago
PROPHECY: Powerful Prophecies for Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and Chief John Nnia Nwodo by Pst. Maxwell Nnawuihe (Text & Video)
-
Biafra5 years ago
BREAKING: Dragon Flag Can’t Come Down, You Must Allow Our Brave Men To Do Their Job – Nnamdi Kanu
-
Business8 years ago
NEWS PAPER HEADLINES FOR TODAY THURSDAY 28 SEPT 2017
-
Business4 years ago
FUEL: PPPRA removes new petrol price post as NNPC insists no hike
-
Business7 years ago
Suspected Fulani militia kill two in fresh Taraba attacks
-
Biafra5 years ago
VIDEO: Powerful Prophecies for Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and Chief John Nnia Nwodo by Pastor Maxwell Nnawuihe
-
News6 years ago
A fatal accident along Benin/Auchi express way has claimed the lives of an entire family while traveling for Christmas.