Author: Chronicle Editor

Former Manchester United player David Beckham has backed England and Argentina to reach the World Cup final in Russia. The last time the Three Lions progressed to the quarter-finals was in 2006, when Beckham was captain. Two-time winners Argentina were runners-up in 2014. “I think obviously my choice would be England to win the competition, but that’s me being biased and passionate about my country,” said Beckham, who was speaking at an event in China. England beat Tunisia 2-1 in their opening game, boosting their chances of reaching the knockout round. They next face Panama on Sunday, while Argentina’s second…

Iceland players will be allowed to have sex ahead of their World Cup match against Nigeria, as long as it’s with their wives, coach Heimir Hallgrimsson said on Thursday. When an Icelandic reporter asked if sex was banned for members of the squad, Iceland captain Aron Gunnarsson said, laughing: “For the time being, yes.” READ: Emre Can completes Juventus medical in Turin Hallgrimsson interjected: “At least as long as the wives have not arrived. No, sex is not banned, it’s bullshit.” Iceland’s players were due to be reunited with their families on Thursday in Volgograd where they face Nigeria on…

The absence of Justice Gideon Kurada of Kaduna High Court on Thursday stalled the arraignment of the leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), Ibrahim Zakzaky and his wife, Zeenat over alleged culpable homicide. The Kaduna State Government had brought an eight-count charge against the IMN leader and his wife. They are prosecuted over alleged conspiracy, abating culpable homicide and other related offences. Journalists were however stopped by the police from entering the court for the proceedings. However, Zakzaky’s counsel, Femi Falana (SAN), informed the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the judge was unavoidably absent to take the…

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has accused the leadership and members of the National Assembly of “apparently engaging in crimes against humanity against millions of Nigerians by unilaterally cutting funding for critical projects such as health, water, education, housing and security, and replacing such projects with their own personal projects totalling 6,403 projects and amounting to N578 billion.” The organization said, “the National Assembly cut funding for over 4,000 critical projects amounting to N347 billion.” The organization advised President Muhammadu Buhari to “instruct the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Mr Abubakar Malami to open discussion…

Emre Can is set to finalise his move to Juventus from Liverpool after completing his medical in Turin on Thursday. The 24-year-old Germany international is expected to have a medical with the Italian champions. Visite concluse al #JMedical per #EmreCan! pic.twitter.com/KdLdInhbrO— JuventusFC (@juventusfc) June 21, 2018 Liverpool announced on 8 June that Can, who joined from Bayer Leverkusen in July 2014, would leave the club when his contract expires this summer. He made his 167th and final Liverpool appearance in last month’s Champions League final defeat by Real Madrid. Can, who scored 14 goals for Liverpool, has 20 caps for…

Devil’s Pawn written by Kukogho Iruesiri Samson has been named winner of GTBank’s Dusty Manuscript Contest beating The Orchid Protocol to the N1 million cash prize. The manuscript written almost ten years ago was selected as the winner of the Dusty Manuscript Contest; a Prize organized for budding Nigerian writers. Written by Kukogho Iruesiri Samson, the winning manuscript, titled Devil’s Pawn clinched the top prize ahead of The Orchid Protocol by Onoche Emeka Onyekwena and The Other Side of Truth by Nneoma Anieto, which came first and second runner-up respectively. Organized in partnership with Kachifo Ltd. and Okadabooks, the Dusty…

The Federal Government of Nigeria has ordered the immediate repair of the Maraban Gassol bridge in Taraba following its collapse. In a statement by Theodore Ogaziechi, Director Information the Honourable Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN, “wishes to notify commuters and the general public of a bridge collapse at Maraban Gassol in Taraba State which occurred towards the evening hours of today Wednesday 20th June, 2018 after a heavy downpour. The bridge links Jalingo and Wukari and further into Benue State. READ: New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern gives birth to girl Fashola has directed the Federal…

New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has given birth to a girl weighing 3.31kg (7.3lb) at Auckland City Hospital. This makes her only the second elected leader in modern history to give birth while in office. Ms Ardern was admitted to a hospital in the city of Auckland early on Thursday morning, four days after her due date. The 37-year-old will take six weeks of maternity leave, and has now passed on her duties to Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters. However, she said she would remain in charge by continuing to read cabinet papers during her time away. READ: 404?…

A South Korean court has outlawed the killing of dogs for meat, in a landmark ruling that animal rights activists said Thursday could pave the way to making eating canines illegal. The meat has long been a part of South Korean cuisine, with about one million dogs believed to be eaten annually. But consumption has declined as South Koreans increasingly embrace the idea of dogs as man’s best friend rather than livestock, with the practice now something of a taboo among younger generations and pressure from activists mounting. Even so it remains a legal grey area. Despite no specific ban,…

Real Madrid must give forward Gareth Bale assurances over playing time if he is to remain with the European champions next season, says the 28-year-old Wales international’s agent. (Sky Sports) Liverpool are hoping to sign 22-year-old Aston Villa midfielder Jack Grealish, with Tottenham refusing to pay more than £20m for the England Under-21 player. (Sun) Manchester United have been told they can sign Bayern Munich and Germany defender Jerome Boateng, 29, for £50m. (Manchester Evening News) West Ham are increasingly confident of securing a £35m club record deal for Lazio’s 25-year-old Brazilian winger Felipe Anderson. (Telegraph) England midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek,…