Author: Chronicle Editor

A South African court has halted oil giant Shell’s seismic testing for oil and gas along the country’s eastern coastline, pending a final ruling. The decision has been hailed by environmentalists who fear that the sound blasting will harm marine life. Shell said it had “paused” operations while it reviewed the judgement. South Africa’s Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe had condemned the project’s critics, saying they wanted to deprive Africa of energy resources. In his ruling, High Court Judge Gerald Bloem said that Shell’s right to explore the waters near the Wild Coast “was awarded on the basis of a substantially…

West Ham ended their recent run of poor form by coming from behind to overwhelm struggling Watford at Vicarage Road. The Hammers had gone into the game with just one win in seven games – a run that had seen them seemingly slip out of top-four contention. It looked like the slump was going to continue when Emmanuel Dennis knocked the ball past Craig Dawson in the fourth minute before firing a superb strike into the top corner. West Ham initially struggled to impose themselves but improved as the half wore on and then shocked the Hornets with two goals…

Adamawa Police Command have denied online reports that Boko Haram insurgents and bandits have attacked the home town of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Boss Mustapha. DSP Sulaiman Nguroje, police spokesman in state said there was no truth in the report that the people of Dabna and Kwabre Villages in Dugwaba District of Hong Local Government Area had abandoned their homes as a result of alleged attacks. Nguroje told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the police command has deployed anti-terrorism and anti-kidnapping squads, as well as undercover agents to the area. He said…

Crystal Palace climbed into the top half of the Premier League after easing to victory against Norwich City at Selhurst Park. Three first-half goals from Odsonne Edouard, Jean-Philippe Mateta and Jeffrey Schlupp condemned the Canaries to the foot of the table at the end of 2021. The visitors started brightly but found themselves a goal down after eight minutes when Kenny McLean fouled Will Hughes in the area and Edouard converted from the spot for his first goal since October. Palace took charge from there with Hughes their driving force. He sprung forward and slipped in Mateta, who could only…

Southampton put on a show of resilience in holding Tottenham to a draw despite playing with 10 men for over 50 minutes at St Mary’s. Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side started admirably when James Ward-Prowse cut across a bouncing ball to volley a swerving shot past Hugo Lloris for a superb opener. But Saints looked to have undone their fine work when Mohammed Salisu fouled Son Heung-min in the box to earn a second booking in 12 first-half minutes and allow Harry Kane to score from the penalty spot. Spurs twice had the ball in the net after the break, with Kane…

Spain forward Ferran Torres has joined Barcelona from Manchester City, signing a contract until June 2027 with a 1bn euro (£842m) buyout clause. The 21-year-old forward returns to Spain in a £46.3m deal just 18 months after leaving Valencia to join City. In October, Ansu Fati and Pedri signed contract extensions with Barca that contained 1bn euro release clauses. Barcelona will pay £8.4m in add-ons and must sell some players to comply with La Liga financial regulations. The club is able to fund the deal despite its current financial troubles thanks to a recent bank loan. City manager Pep Guardiola…

The Police Command in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) said it has arrested four suspects and impounded 21 cars over illegal car racing and other similar offences in Abuja. The Police Public Relations Officer in the FCT, Josephine Adeh, and a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) disclosed this in a statement on Monady in Abuja. She said the suspects were arrested and the cars impounded under the enforcement of Regulation 228 of the Road traffic act on the prohibition of illegal car races and other similar offences. Adeh said the enforcement team, led by the Commissioner of Police (CP) in…

Tottenham are leading the race to sign Ivory Coast midfielder Franck Kessie, whose contract with AC Milan runs out in the summer. Arsenal and Manchester United are also interested in the 25-year-old but Spurs have already held talks with Kessie’s camp. (Express) Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe does not want to make a move for Tottenham’s 25-year-old English midfielder Dele Alli as he wants to strengthen other parts of his team in January. (Football Insider) Chelsea are ready to compete with Liverpool to try to sign Brazil winger Raphinha, 25, from Leeds United in the summer. (Sport Italia, via Express) Real Madrid are interested in Chelsea and England right-back Reece James, 22, and could try to tempt the Blues by…

The Federal Government is set for the deployment of 12 Super Tucano jets against bandits as part of concerted efforts by President Muhammadu Buhari to end terrorism before 2023. As a prelude to the deployment, government has also started perfecting the conditions for the release of a gazette, which will legally classify bandits as terrorists. Already, the government has secured a court order declaring bandits as terrorists. But, the US has not given a blank cheque to Nigeria on the use of the fighter jets. The US has floated a monthly schedule to monitor the deployment of the jets, the…

Edinson Cavani came off the bench to score an equaliser for an out-of-sorts Manchester United as Newcastle United’s hopes of a second win in the Premier League this season continue. The Uruguayan was introduced after an error-strewn and at times shambolically poor first half from the visitors, during which they conspired to partly gift Allan Saint-Maximin the opening goal. The striker immediately added greater threat to a blunt attack, side-footing one effort wide before finding the net at the third time of asking with a poked shot from inside the box. It was cruel on Newcastle, who defended with determination…