Author: Chronicle Editor

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has returned a suspected positive test for Covid-19 and will miss Sunday’s Premier League game against Chelsea. The 54-year-old is experiencing mild symptoms and is isolating, so his assistant Pep Lijnders will take charge for the visit to Stamford Bridge. On Friday the Liverpool manager said three players had tested positive for Covid-19. A Liverpool statement said there had been no further cases among the playing squad. Klopp confident on new Salah contract However, three backroom staff have also returned suspected positive tests. Liverpool are third in the Premier League table, one point behind Chelsea and…

SuperSport channels on DStv and GOtv will again be the number one destination for football fans with the Total Energies Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon 2021. All 52 matches will be broadcast live on DStv and the full offering on GOtv, with dedicated channels to ensure the widest, most entertaining broadcast of the 33rd edition of the event. Top analysts and presenters will be on hand to deliver world-class coverage, while the action on the pitch ought to be no less stellar with top players like Mo Salah (Egypt), Kelechi Iheanacho (Nigeria), Sadio Mane (Senegal), Naby Keita (Guinea), Pierre-Emerick…

A new law banning plastic packaging on most fruit and vegetables comes into effect in France from New Year’s day. Cucumbers, lemons and oranges are among the 30 varieties banned from being wrapped in plastic. Larger packs as well as chopped or processed fruit will be exempt. President Emmanuel Macron called the ban “a real revolution” and said it showed the country’s commitment to phase out single use plastics by 2040. More than a third of fruit and vegetable products in France are thought to be sold in plastic wrapping, and government officials believe that the ban could prevent a…

President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday in Abuja urged the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to use the opportunity of Nigeria’s new position at the International Criminal Police Organization (ICPO) popularly called- INTERPOL, to confront more aggressively the security challenges facing the nation. The President spoke at the State House, when he received in audience the Honourable Minister of Police Affairs, Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, who came to present to him the newly elected Vice President (Africa), and Executive Committee Member of INTERPOL, Assistant Inspector-General of Police, AIG Garba Baba Umar. While congratulating the Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, who…

Tottenham want to sign 29-year-old Barcelona and Brazil playmaker Philippe Coutinho on a free transfer, but the Catalans are holding out for a £17m fee amid possible interest from Everton and Arsenal. (El Nacional – in Catalan) Manchester United are ready to pay the £16.8m release clause to sign River Plate’s Argentina striker Julian Alvarez in January, having edged ahead of Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Real Madrid and Inter Milan in the race for the 21-year-old. (Sport – in Spanish) Newcastle are close to agreeing a deal for Atletico Madrid’s England right-back Kieran Trippier, 31, with the clauses around possible Premier…

The World Health Organization (WHO) chief says he is optimistic that the coronavirus pandemic will be defeated in 2022, provided countries work together to contain its spread. Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesu warned against “narrow nationalism and vaccine hoarding” in a new year statement. His comments come two years since the WHO was first notified of cases of an unknown pneumonia strain in China. Global Covid cases now stand at 287m, while nearly 5.5m people have died. Across the world people are marking the new year but celebrations are muted, with many countries wanting to discourage crowds gathering. Coronavirus remains part…

We’ll make Lagos judiciary proud, discharge our duty without fear, favour or affection, say new judges Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State on Friday swore-in 14 new judges of the State High Court to strengthen the judiciary, by increasing the current number of judges to 70. The Governor told the new judges that all eyes would be on them to dispense justice speedily, fairly and impartially, while also living above board in all circumstances. The new benchers consisting of nine females and five males are; Justices Olubusola Adeyemi Okunuga, Adenrera Olayinka Adeyemi, Olufolake Olufolasade Oshin, Oluwatoyin Atinuke Odusanya, Olumuyiwa Oluseun…

Senate President Ahmad Lawan has urged Nigerians to keep faith with the country, stressing that, although 2021 was a challenging year, the new year will be better. “I congratulate fellow Nigerians everywhere as we cross over from 2021 into a happy and prosperous 2022,” Lawan said in a statement. “I join you in thanking the Almighty God for His mercy that made the crossover possible for us as individuals and as a nation. “The Year 2021 was challenging for people all over the world. It is praiseworthy that beyond the challenges, we can see the rays of a bright future…

•To submit Amendment Bill early 2022 In keeping with the tradition of restoring a predictable January to December fiscal year, as provided for in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari Friday in Abuja signed into law the 2022 Appropriation Bill and the 2021 Finance Bill. The President signed the documents in the Presidential Villa in the presence of Senate President Ahmed Lawan, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, and other members of the Federal Executive Council. Speaking at the event, the President said the 2022 Budget, just signed into law, provides for aggregate…

Thomas Tuchel has criticised Romelu Lukaku for giving an explosive interview in which the striker said he was “not happy” with his situation at Chelsea. Lukaku, who became Chelsea’s record signing after leaving Internazionale for £97.5m last summer, added to Tuchel’s problems when comments about his dissatisfaction with his role were released by Sky Italia on Thursday. The striker, who has scored seven times in 18 matches this season, said that he had held talks with his manager and that he wants to return to Inter one day. Unsurprisingly the interview, understood to have taken place three weeks ago, did…