Author: Chronicle Editor

The National Bureau of Statistics said on Tuesday that Nigeria’s annual inflation stood at 12.48 percent in April, its lowest level in more than two years and its 15th straight monthly drop. It fell from 13.34 percent in March. A separate food price index showed inflation at 14.80 percent in April, compared with 16.08 percent in March. “Headline Inflation declined for 15th consecutive time to 12.48% year on year from 13.34% in March (lowest since Feb 2016),” Dr Yemi Kale, Statistician-General/CEO of NBS wrote on Twitter. “Food inflation declined to 14.8% in April from 16.08%; Core inflation declined to 10.9%…

A stunning nude paint that is the largest produced by Italian artist Amedeo Modigliani sold for $157.2 million in New York on Monday night, becoming the fourth most expensive work of art sold at auction. Painted a century ago, Modigliani’s masterpiece “Nu couche (sur le cote gauche)” fetched the highest price in Sotheby’s history and was the star single lot in the May art auction season in New York. Modigliani follows Leonardo da Vinci and Pablo Picasso as the third highest-selling artist at auction. Monday’s sale failed to eclipse the $170.4 million paid for another Modigliani nude at Christie’s in…

A suspected stalker has broken into Rihanna’s home and he allegedly spent 12 hours inside, US prosecutors say. Eduardo Leon, 27, has been charged with stalking, first-degree residential burglary, vandalism and resisting arrest. The Barbadian singer, songwriter and actress was not home at the time of the alleged incident in Los Angeles on 9 May. Leon, from Fullerton, California, is due to appear at the Foltz Criminal Justice Centre on Monday. READ: Royal Wedding: Meghan Markle’s father may not walk her down the aisle The suspect is accused of hopping a fence and entering a house owned by Rihanna in…

It is unclear whether Meghan Markle’s father Thomas will walk her down the aisle on Saturday as planned. Mr Markle told celebrity news website TMZ, at his home in Mexico, that he had decided not to attend his daughter’s wedding to Prince Harry. Kensington Palace issued a statement saying it was “a deeply personal moment for Ms Markle”. It follows reports in the Mail on Sunday that Ms Markle’s father staged pictures for a paparazzi photographer. The widely circulated photographs showed him being measured for a wedding suit and looking at newspaper stories about his daughter. He is reported to…

Nigerian doctors have been accused of frustrating the nationwide industrial action embarked upon by health workers as they continue to render services. The National Chairman of JOHESU, Mr Biobebelemoye Josiah, has therefore alerted of efforts by the doctors to frustrate ongoing talks to end the four-week-old strike. Josiah raised the alarm when he fielded questions from newsmen in Abuja, and also accused the Ministry of Health of collaborating with the doctors in suppressing JOHESU’s legitimate demands from the government. JOHESU had on April 17 embarked on industrial action to press home its demands bordering on improved healthcare facilities and welfare.…

Chelsea have targeted Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino to replace Antonio Conte at Stamford Bridge. (Sun) Spurs will listen to summer offers for Belgium defender Toby Alderweireld, 29, and 27-year-old England left-back Danny Rose. (Mirror) Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart, 31, will be left out of Gareth Southgate’s 23-man England squad for the World Cup. (Sun) Newcastle midfielder Jonjo Shelvey, 26, will also miss out on a place in the England squad for Russia 2018 because of fears over his disciplinary record. (Mirror) Everton boss Sam Allardyce says the future of 32-year-old former England striker Wayne Rooney will be decided by…

Senator Ovie Omo-Agege will resume attending plenary in the Senate after the upper chambers complied with a Federal High Court order. The Senate had initially stated it would not respect the order, since it has filed an appeal, in a higher court but has now backpedalled on its decision. The Nigerian Senate said on Monday gave its new position in a statement by its spokesman, Senator Sabi Aliyu Abdullahi, chairman of the Committee on Media and Publicity. The senate insisted that court battle with Omo-Agege continues. “The Senate leadership has been briefed by our lawyers on last Thursday judgement of…

Another group of ex-Peoples Democratic Party (nPDP) leaders, who joined the coalition that formed the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2014, has slammed the Kawu Baraje group which claimed that the members were marginalised. Last week, Baraje, a former acting chairman of PDP, and a former secretary, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, submitted a letter to the APC leadership, demanding a response and a meeting within seven days. Oyinlola had since joined the African Democratic Congress, along with Olusegun Obasanjo’s Coalition Movement. The ultimatum he and Baraje gave expires today. But in a blow to the claims by Baraje, another group of ex-PDP…

Injured striker Sergio Aguero and midfielder Lucas Biglia were included in the preliminary, 35-player Argentina squad for the World Cup in Russia on Monday. Also, four players with few or no games for the national team were picked. The final 23-man squad will be announced next Monday. Aguero has not played for Manchester City since March because of a left knee injury and had surgery in April. Biglia broke two vertebrae in April, missed three AC Milan games, and was injured again on Sunday after an Atalanta player hit him in the operated area. Coach Jorge Sampaoli considers Aguero and…

NNPC has issued crude export contracts that are expected to last two years instead of the usual one year, trading sources familiar with the matter said on Monday. A partial preliminary list showed 30 companies including the world’s largest energy traders Vitol, Trafigura and Glencore. The final list could contain between 50 to 60 companies, the sources added. The state oil firm did not immediately respond to a request for comment. READ: Life Expectancy: Nine facts about how long you will live The list has emerged later than usual. In 2017, NNPC published results in January awarding contracts to 39…