Chuck Norris, veteran, martial arts world champion, action hero and early 2000s Internet meme inspiration, whose rugged demeanor was immortalized on hit show “Walker, Texas Ranger,” has died. He was 86.

“It is with heavy hearts that our family shares the sudden passing of our beloved Chuck Norris yesterday morning,” read a message credited to the Norris family posted to Instagram and Facebook Friday morning. “While we would like to keep the circumstances private, please know that he was surrounded by his family and was at peace.”

Norris had an unidentified medical emergency in Hawaii on Thursday, according to news reports. The family thanked fans for their prayers during his hospitalization.

“He lived his life with faith, purpose, and an unwavering commitment to the people he loved,” the post read. “Through his work, discipline, and kindness, he inspired millions around the world and left a lasting impact on so many lives.”

Beginnings

The ultimate tough guy, Norris’ first memorable acting role was as Bruce Lee’s formidable opponent in the 1972 film “The Way of the Dragon,” before he landed his first leading role five years later as a truck driver searching for his missing brother in “Breaker! Breaker!”

Throughout the 1970s and 80s, Norris made a name for himself as a rugged action hero in movies like “Missing in Action” and “Delta Force,” marking his place in pop culture with an always-stoic countenance and lines like “My kind of trouble doesn’t take vacations” (from 1983’s “Lone Wolf McQuade”).

With his film career cooling off in the 90s, Norris made the switch to television. He won new fans with his long-running series “Walker, Texas Ranger,” which ran from 1993 to 2001.

In the show, Norris played Cordell Walker, a veteran Texas Ranger who fights crime in Dallas and throughout the Lone Star State. Norris was nominated for a TV Guide Award as favorite actor in a drama in 1999.

Mastering the martial arts

Carlos Ray “Chuck” Norris was born in Ryan, Oklahoma, to Irish American and Cherokee Native American parents. Following his parents’ divorce, Norris, his mother and two younger brothers relocated to Prairie Village, Kansas, and then to Torrance, California, according to his Walk of Fame profile.

Norris became acquainted with the world of martial arts while stationed in Korea with the US Airforce in the late 1950s, according to the military. “I started training over there, and then I came back and got out of the service and started teaching. And to get students in my school, I became a karate fighter,” Norris once told Mike Douglas on CNN’s “People Now.”

He even founded his own style of karate, the Chuck Norris System™, originally based on his Tang Soo Do training while serving in Korea.

Among Norris’ many students were Priscilla Presley, the Osmonds, Steve McQueen and Bob Barker, who famously recounted incurring cracked ribs after being kicked in the side by Norris during training.

“I retired as the world karate champion, and I was looking for something to get involved in, a new goal for myself. And I thought about acting,” Norris told CNN in 1982. “I talked to Steve McQueen about it, and he encouraged me to pursue it. He said, if I would apply myself like I did the martial arts, that I would maybe have a chance at it.”

This story is developing and will be updated with additional information.

CNN

A major controversy is unfolding at Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, as hundreds of workers who claim to have served the institution for over six years without receiving any wages staged a protest over alleged irregularities in the staff capturing and payroll process.

The aggrieved workers, some of whom say they have been working since 2019, accused the university management of what they described as “institutional betrayal.”

They alleged that despite their years of unpaid service and hardship, the current administration is exploiting a federal employment waiver to allegedly enroll new “cronies” into the payroll through a process conducted off-campus in Enugu State.

The controversy escalated this week amid reports that the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) capturing exercise was being conducted off-campus and outside the state, in Enugu.

In a viral protest video obtained by SaharaReporters, a visibly distressed staff member decried what he described as “questionable conditions” surrounding the exercise, alleging that long-serving employees were being sidelined in favour of unfamiliar names that never appeared in the university’s original records.

“This situation reflects a total disregard for fairness and the welfare of those who have endured years of hardship. We have worked since 2019 with nothing to show for it, only to be told now that new people are being captured while we are left in the cold,” one protester lamented.

Reacting to the mounting tension, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Bond Anyaehie, dismissed the allegations of foul play, insisting that the university is simply following a phased approach to capturing staff into the federal payroll.

Speaking on the unrest, Anyaehie blamed the workers’ “inability to accept phased capturing” for the chaos.

“They are being captured in batches, but all of them want to be captured the same day. Their inability to accept phased capturing has remained a problem for months,” the VC stated.

Source: SaharaReporters

Guinea Football Federation has called on the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to review the outcome of the 1976 Africa Cup of Nations, citing what it describes as inconsistencies following a recent ruling involving Senegal.

The appeal comes after CAF stripped Senegal of the 2025 AFCON title over a walkout incident and awarded victory to hosts Morocco, despite Senegal having won on the pitch.

Guinea’s football authorities argue that similar disciplinary standards should be applied retroactively, pointing to a key moment during the 1976 tournament, which was decided through a four-team round-robin format.

In the decisive match between Morocco and Guinea, the latter took the lead in the 33rd minute through Chérif Souleymane. Moroccan players briefly left the pitch in protest over a refereeing decision before returning to continue the game. Ahmed Makrouh later equalised in the 86th minute, securing a 1-1 draw that allowed Morocco to win the title with five points, while Guinea finished second.

Guinea has now urged CAF to reassess that result under the same principles applied in the 2025 ruling. “Give us back our 1976 AFCON trophy,” the federation said, adding that sanctions should apply in cases where teams walk off the pitch during matches.

The recent CAF decision to award Morocco a 3-0 victory over Senegal has reignited debate over historical officiating and disciplinary standards, with Guinea arguing that consistency should extend to past tournaments.

However, sports legal analysts have noted that regulations such as Article 84, cited in the Senegal case, were not in force in 1976 and are rarely applied retroactively.

CAF has yet to respond to the request, with observers suggesting the appeal could test the organisation’s willingness to revisit historical decisions.

A wave of outrage has swept across Nigeria after a viral video allegedly captured the sexual assault of women during a traditional festival in Ozoro, sparking nationwide condemnation and urgent calls for justice.

The disturbing footage, widely circulated on X, appears to show groups of young men attacking women in public—forcefully tearing their clothes and subjecting them to acts of molestation.

The incident reportedly occurred on Thursday, March 19, during an annual community festival in Ozoro, where some accounts claim women are expected to remain indoors. Allegations suggest that women seen outside during the event may have been deliberately targeted.

While reports of rape have also surfaced, authorities say these claims have yet to be independently verified.

‘No Culture Justifies This’: Public Fury Erupts Online

The footage triggered an avalanche of reactions online, with the hashtag #StopRapingWomen trending as users demanded immediate action from authorities.

Many commentators accused society of normalizing violence against women under the guise of tradition, insisting that cultural practices cannot override fundamental human rights.

“This is alarming and unacceptable,” one user wrote, echoing widespread frustration over what many described as systemic failure to protect women.

Others criticized what they called a recurring pattern of deflection whenever sexual violence is reported—particularly debates that shift focus toward false accusations rather than victims’ safety.

Police Condemn ‘Barbaric Act,’ Order Investigation

Responding to the backlash, spokesperson for the Delta State Police Command, Bright Edafe, described the incident as “alarming, disgusting and embarrassing.”

He confirmed that the Commissioner of Police, Aina Adesola, has ordered a full-scale investigation.

“No custom or tradition is superior to the rights of citizens,” the police said in a statement, pledging that those responsible would be arrested and prosecuted.

Authorities also called on witnesses to come forward with information to aid the investigation.

As of press time, no arrests have been announced.

A Deeper Debate: Culture vs. Human Rights

Beyond the immediate outrage, the incident has reignited a broader national conversation about the intersection of culture, gender-based violence, and accountability.

Rights advocates argue that traditions which enable harm, particularly against women, must be urgently re-examined and, where necessary, abolished.

The alleged events in Ozoro have become a flashpoint in that debate, with many Nigerians warning that silence or delayed justice could reinforce a dangerous precedent.

Growing Demand for Accountability

For many, the issue is no longer just about one incident, but about a pattern of impunity.

Activists and citizens alike are demanding:

• Swift arrests and transparent prosecution
• Protection for victims and witnesses
• Clear government stance against harmful cultural practices

Until then, the anger online shows no sign of fading.

Watch the video below:

Ex-England captain, Wayne Rooney has criticised the Confederation of African Football’s decision to award the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations to Morocco.

CAF’s Appeal Board overturned Senegal’s 1–0 victory, ruling that their walk-off in protest of a stoppage-time penalty violated Articles 82 and 84. The match was subsequently recorded as a 3–0 forfeit in favour of Morocco.

Reacting to the ruling, the former Manchester United star expressed disbelief, insisting that Senegal had rightfully won the match on the pitch.

Read Also: Senegal government alleges corruption over Afcon, says “Senegal will defend its rights to the very end.”

“It’s crazy. If I were a Moroccan player, I wouldn’t accept it. Senegal beat them fair and square,” Rooney said.

“The Senegal team beat them fairly.”

Meanwhile, the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF) has condemned the decision, describing it as unfair, unprecedented, and unacceptable.

The federation also confirmed plans to challenge the ruling at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

A legal practitioner, Bernard Okpi, has filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja challenging a health cooperation agreement between Nigeria and the United States over concerns about data privacy, constitutional breaches and transparency.

In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/15/549/2026 and dated 16 March, Mr Okpi is asking the court to determine whether the Bilateral Health Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed on 19 December 2025, violates the rights of Nigerians.

The defendants in the case include the President, the Attorney-General of the Federation, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Concerns over data sharing

At the centre of the suit is the provision of the MoU that allegedly allows for the collection and transfer of sensitive health data of Nigerians to the United States government.

According to the court filings, the data could include medical records, blood samples, pathogen testing and genetic sequencing.

Mr Okpi argued that a related but undisclosed “Specimen Sharing Agreement” obliges Nigeria to provide such data within five days of request and could remain in force for up to 25 years.

He contended that the arrangement amounts to a breach of the National Health Act 2014, which protects the confidentiality of patient information, as well as the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023 governing the processing and transfer of personal data.

The plaintiff also argued that the agreement violates Section 37 of the Constitution, which guarantees citizens’ right to privacy.

Religious and legislative concerns

The suit further raises concerns about alleged emphasis on Christian faith-based health facilities in the agreement.

Mr Okpi said any healthcare programme tied to religious considerations in a multi-faith country like Nigeria could trigger social tension and may contravene constitutional provisions on non-discrimination and freedom of religion.

He also questioned the role of the National Assembly, arguing that agreements with significant national implications should be subjected to legislative scrutiny and approval.

Among other reliefs, the plaintiff is seeking a declaration that the MoU is unconstitutional and an order suspending its implementation, which is scheduled to begin on 1 April 2026.

He also asked the court to compel the government to publish the full text of the agreement.

Government yet to release full agreement

The controversy surrounding the MoU has been heightened by the non-disclosure of its full contents.

In February, PREMIUM TIMES submitted Freedom of Information (FOI) requests to the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the US Embassy seeking details of the agreement.

While the ministry has yet to respond, the US Embassy Abuja, in an email signed by its spokesperson, Nicole Holler, said the MoU is not publicly available.

The embassy stated that the agreement would provide about $2.1 billion in funding over five years, subject to annual approval by the US Congress, with Nigeria expected to contribute more than $3 billion in counterpart funding.

On concerns about religious bias, it said: “The jointly negotiated MOU reserves funding for Nigeria’s 900 faith-based clinics and hospitals which currently serve more than 30 percent of the population.

“The majority of faith-based health facilities in Nigeria are Christian and provide services to all Nigerians. Investments in these facilities are positioned to complement efforts in publicly managed facilities and strengthen Nigeria’s overall health infrastructure.”

On eligibility of other public facilities, the embassy added: “US government resources will be directed to organisations that have the capacity to deliver services to a significant portion of clients.

“In Nigeria’s case, faith-based clinics represent approximately 10 per cent of health care service providers but currently serve more than 30 per cent of the population.”

Background and earlier concerns

Nigeria and the United States signed the MoU in December 2025 as part of efforts to strengthen health security, expand primary healthcare and improve disease surveillance.

However, differing public descriptions of the agreement by Nigerian authorities and the US government have raised questions.

While Nigeria described the MoU as a technical and inclusive framework, the US places a strong emphasis on Christian faith-based healthcare providers and includes about $200 million in dedicated support for such institutions.

In January, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) called on the federal government to clarify the terms of the agreement, citing concerns over transparency, sovereignty and possible constitutional breaches.

The party said the differences between both governments’ accounts raised “fundamental questions” about the actual content of the agreement and warned against any arrangement that could appear sectional or undermine national unity.

It also questioned provisions allowing the United States to pause or terminate programmes under the MoU based on its national interests, describing such conditions as potentially inconsistent with Nigeria’s sovereignty.

In a separate analysis, Nigeria Health Watch, also raised concerns about the lack of transparency surrounding the agreement, noting that the full text has not been made public.

Its Managing Director, Vivianne Ihekweazu, said the absence of the full document makes it difficult to fully assess the implications of the MoU, particularly regarding data sharing and national control.

Mrs Ihekweazu also highlighted particular concern about provisions related to health data sharing. A circulated summary of the MoU refers to negotiations on regulated data-sharing arrangements, raising questions about data ownership, privacy and national control.

Similar clauses in other African countries have sparked debate, especially where agreements included references to long-term sharing of pathogen samples or access to national databases.

“Until the final signed MoU between Nigeria and the United States is made public, it is not possible to fully understand the commitments made or their implications for Nigeria’s sovereignty,” Mrs Ihekweazu noted.