Author: Chronicle Editor

Finishing the season in a 40-day window was one of the scenarios discussed at a Premier League meeting on Friday. Top-flight clubs remain committed to playing all 92 remaining fixtures this season but did not discuss a deadline by which action must resume. Clubs were expected to debate a 30 June deadline to end the season but instead discussed “possible scheduling models”. The Premier League said it “remains our objective” to complete matches but currently “all dates are tentative”. The league has been suspended since 13 March because of coronavirus. It is understood some clubs expected to discuss the proposed 30 June…

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) says 7,153 samples have been tested for coronavirus across Nigeria, adding that, more tests will be carried out. Giving an update on tests, the centre for disease control said, “As at 6:00 pm 17th April 2020, 7153 samples have been tested for COVID-19 in Nigeria. “We are working very hard to increase the number of samples tested, including community surveillance in the FCT and Lagos.” In a 32-page plan titled, ‘National Strategy to Scale Up Access to Coronavirus Disease Testing in Nigeria’, NCDC said it has the capacity to test 1,500 persons in…

Senate President Ahmad Lawan has commiserated with the Emir of Daura, Dr. Umar Faruq, over the death, on Friday, of his wife, Hajiya Binta. Lawan mourned with the family members and people of Daura Emirate, stressing that Hajiya Binta will be greatly missed. The Senate President also commiserated with the Government and people of Katsina State over this great loss. Donate NASS N37bn renovation fund to COVID-19, SERAP asks Lawan, Gbajabiamila The Senate President prayed that Allah will forgive the sins of the departed and grant her soul Aljannah firdaus.

Nigerian Air Force (NAF) A29 Super Tucano light attack aircraft has successfully completed its inaugural flight, Embraer Defense & Security and Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) has announced. Embraer said it was the first of 12 A-29 Super Tucano light attack, combat and reconnaissance aircraft for NAF that has successfully completed its inaugural flight at its production facility in Jacksonville, Florida. The full fleet of A-29 Super Tucano aircraft for the NAF are currently in production by SNC and Embraer at the Jacksonville facility with delivery to the NAF expected on schedule in 2021. The NAF A-29 aircraft will now begin…

Africa could become the next epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak, the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned. UN officials also say it is likely the pandemic will kill at least 300,000 people in Africa and push nearly 30 million into poverty. The past week in Africa has seen a sharp rise in coronavirus cases. There have been almost 1,000 deaths and almost 19,000 infections across Africa, so far much lower rates than in parts of Europe and the US. The UN Economic Commission for Africa – which warned 300,000 could die – called for a $100bn (£80bn) safety net for…

Britain’s death toll from the coronavirus rose by 847 to 14,576 on Friday, daily health ministry figures showed, a slightly slower increase than the 861 new deaths recorded the previous day.

The Chinese city of Wuhan, where the coronavirus originated last year, has raised its official Covid-19 death toll by 50%, adding 1,290 fatalities. Wuhan officials attributed the new figure to updated reporting and deaths outside hospitals. China has insisted there was no cover-up. It has been accused of downplaying the severity of its virus outbreak. Wuhan’s 11 million residents spent months in strict lockdown conditions, which have only recently been eased. The latest official figures bring the death toll in the city in China’s central Hubei province to 3,869, increasing the national total to more than 4,600. China has confirmed…

The United Nations’ Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) says anywhere between 300,000 and 3.3 million Africans are in danger of dying as a direct result of coronavirus (COVID-19) infection

Smokers are 14 times more likely to contract coronavirus compared with those who do not

The Russian government has authorised the use of an anti-malarial drug to treat coronavirus patients despite international concerns over its safety and effectiveness