Author: Chronicle Editor

A Ukrainian Boeing-737 with 176 people on board has crashed in Iran in the early morning of Wednesday, officials say. Iran’s Red Crescent said there was no chance of finding survivors. The Ukraine International Airlines plane crashed just after take-off from Iran’s Imam Khomeini airport in Tehran, said the Fars state news agency. The plane was flying to the Ukrainian capital Kyiv. Ukraine’s government said a crisis group was being set up to investigate the crash. President Volodymyr Zelensky was cutting short a trip to Oman and returning to Kyiv, a statement said. Iran fires rockets at US airbase in…

An airbase housing US and coalition troops in Iraq has been hit by rockets, according to US security sources with some media reports saying Iran has claimed responsibility for the strike. The Al-Asad base was reportedly hit by multiple rockets. It is unclear if there have been any casualties. It come after top Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani was killed in a drone strike in Baghdad on Friday, on the orders of US President Donald Trump. Army foils Boko Haram attack on Maj.-Gen. Adeniyi Iran has threatened “severe revenge” for Soleimani’s death. The White House is aware of reports of an…

The Nigerian Army has confirmed an ambush by the Boko Haram terrorists on the convoy of the theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole (OPLD), Maj.-Gen. Olusegun Adeniyi, on Monday. The Nigerian Army Operations Media Coordinator, Col. Aminu Iliyasu, in a statement on Tuesday, disclosed that the attack took place about two Kilometers to Auno in Kaga Local Government Area of Borno. Iliyasu said that the Commander was returning from Jakana where he visited troops’ location following his earlier meeting at Auno with the Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno. He said that the ambush was a clear display of misguided desperation…

The Ministry of Health in Abia has confirmed the outbreak of lassa fever in Olokoro community, Umuahia South Local Government Area. The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Chief Egbulefu Eze, told newsmen in Umuahia on Tuesday that 28-year-old man, who died in the community, was diagnosed of lassa fever. Eze allayed the fears of possible epidemic in the state, saying that the ministry was taking measures to contain the spread of the disease. He said that the victim died on January 1 at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Umuahia, where he was admitted. He said, “I want to report about…

Holders Manchester City took a commanding 3-1 lead into the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final after outclassing neighbours Manchester United at Old Trafford. Marcus Rashford’s late reply will give United hope they can still turn this tie around in the return on Wednesday, 29 January, but it should not deflect from City’s superiority for the vast majority of the game. Pep Guardiola’s side stunned the home fans with three first-half goals, and in truth they could have had many more before the break, such was the gulf between the two sides. Half way there ???? ???? 1-3 ????…

The Federal Government has reversed the suspension of Managing Director of Rural Electricity Agency (REA) Mrs Damilola Ogunbiyi. Ogunbiyi was suspended over alleged malpractices on December 31. The FG, however, accepted her resignation to enable her take up her new role in the United Nations (UN). 30 killed in Borno bomb blast on crowded bridge President Muhammadu Buhari had on 31 December approved the appointment of Mr Ahmad Salihijo Ahmad as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Rural Electrification Agency. Ahmad replaces Damilola Ogunbiyi who has overseen some of the milestone achievements in the agency. Mr Aaron…

Liverpool’s Sadio Mane has been named the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) Player of the Year following a stellar 2019 for club and country. The Senegal forward beat Liverpool team-mate and Egypt forward Mohamed Salah and Manchester City’s Algerian winger Riyad Mahrez to the award. Mane, 27, helped the Reds to the 2018-19 Champions League title, scoring 30 goals in all competitions last season. ???? #SadioMane #CAFAwards2019 pic.twitter.com/FL9qCVvS3B — #CAFAwards2019 (@CAF_Online) January 7, 2020 He has scored 15 goals so far in 2019-20, with Liverpool 13 points clear at the top of the Premier League table. “I’m really happy and…

Tottenham are considering a loan approach for Atletico Madrid’s France midfielder Thomas Lemar, 24, with a 60m euros (£51m) option-to-buy. (Independent) Manchester City are targeting Inter Milan’s Slovakia defender Milan Skriniar, 24, who has also been monitored by Barcelona and Real Madrid. (Mirror) Inter Milan have made a £20m bid for Tottenham and Denmark midfielder Christian Eriksen, 27, but manager Antonio Conte would prefer to sign Barcelona midfielder Arturo Vidal, 32. (Mirror) But Inter chief executive Giuseppe Marotta says the Serie A giants have had no contact with Eriksen about a January transfer. (Football.London) Inter are also leading Aston Villa and Newcastle in the race to sign France striker Olivier Giroud, 33, from Chelsea. (Telegraph) Manchester United are interested in Leicester’s England midfielder James Maddison, 23, but are aware that…

At least 30 people were killed in the northeastern Nigerian state of Borno after an improvised explosive device detonated on a bridge, sources told Reuters on Monday. The bomb detonated at roughly 5 p.m. local time (1600 GMT) on a crowded bridge in the market town of Gamboru that leads into neighboring Cameroon. Witnesses in the market town said more than 35 injured people were taken to the local hospital following the attack. “It is an unfortunate day for us to witness this frustrating and devastating incident in our community,” eyewitness Modu Ali Said told Reuters. US denies Iraq pullout…

US Defence Secretary Mark Esper has denied US troops are pulling out of Iraq, after a letter from a US general there suggested a withdrawal. The letter said the US would be “repositioning forces in the coming days and weeks” after Iraqi MPs had called for them to leave. Mr Esper said there had been “no decision whatsoever to leave”. The confusion came amid threats to American forces after the US killed top Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani. He died in a US drone strike in Baghdad on Friday on the orders of Mr Trump. The killing has sharply increased regional…