Author: Chronicle Editor

At least 257 people have died after a military plane crashed in northern Algeria, the defence ministry says. The plane, an Ilyushin Il-76, was travelling to Bechar in the south-west of the country. The incident happened shortly after the aircraft took off from Boufarik military airport near the capital Algiers in the morning. Most of the dead are army personnel and their families, according to the defence ministry. Ten crew members were also killed. It is not yet clear what caused the crash. The army’s chief of staff has ordered an investigation into the crash and will visit the scene.…

The Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC and Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN has signed a Memorandum of Understanding on payment systems in Nigeria. Professor Umar Danbatta lead a delegation of NCC’s senior management staff to the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele where the latter recommended the signing of the MoU. “The MoU takes serious cognizance of very crucial areas of collaboration between the two important regulators with respect to financial inclusion strategy, already being driven by the CBN,” a statement by NCC said. “The strategy also provides responsibilities of the two organizations towards the achievement of government’s…

Teleology Holdings has paid a $50 million deposit to buy 9mobile, Nigeria’s fourth largest telecoms provider, and has 90 days to pay $450 million to complete the acquisition, telecoms regulator said. The telecom company was picked as preferred bidder for debt-laden 9mobile, the Nigerian Communications Commission said, following a bid process arranged by Barclays Africa. 9mobile, formerly called Etisalat Nigeria, was taken over by its lenders last year for failing to keep up with its debt repayments. Teleology made a $50 million deposit to meet conditions for the acquisition and had partnered with East Africa’s largest telecoms operator Safaricom to…

Manchester United forward Anthony Martial, 22, has turned down a new five-year contract and wants to leave this summer. (RMC Sport – in French) Martial would like to stay but manager Jose Mourinho could deem him surplus to requirements, with Juventus, Paris St-Germain and Atletico Madrid all interested in the France striker. (Independent) Tottenham and Inter Milan are also keen on Martial if he is told he can leave Old Trafford. (Telegraph) Manchester United, Chelsea and Everton are all monitoring Watford’s 20-year-old Brazilian forward Richarlison. (Sky Sports) Everton and West Ham could move for former Manchester United midfielder Shinji Kagawa,…

Today, I have decided to write on the issue of parents who expect their children to be the best in everything they do. The truth is we want our children to be what we never were and we keep pressing them, pushing them to the limits and sometimes depriving them of growing up just the way they should. Over the years as a teacher, I have learnt that every child has a talent or gift. And that every child is intelligent in his or her way and can exhibit superiority over their peers in areas where they are gifted or…

The National Population Commission (NPC) has put Nigeria population at 198 million people with urban population growing at an average annual growth rate of about 6.5 per cent
. Chairman of NPC, Mr Eze Duruiheoma, stated this in New York while delivering Nigeria’s statement on Sustainable Cities, Human Mobility and International Migration at the 51st Session of Commission on Population and Development. 
Duruiheoma said: “Nigeria remains the most populous in Africa, the seventh globally with an estimated population of over 198 million.
 “The recent World Population Prospects predicts that by 2050, Nigeria will become the third most populated country in the…

Russia has urged the US to avoid taking military action in response to an alleged chemical attack in Syria. “I would once again beseech you to refrain from the plans that you’re currently developing,” Moscow’s UN envoy Vasily Nebenzia said on Tuesday. He warned Washington that it will “bear responsibility” for any “illegal military adventure” it carries out. But Western leaders say they have agreed to work together to target those responsible for the attack in Douma. French President Emmanuel Macron said any strikes would target Syrian government chemical facilities. READ: 14 injured in fire outbreak at IDP camp US…

Eight African athletes, all Cameroonian have gone missing from their accommodation at the Commonwealth Games in Australia, team officials have confirmed. Press attache Simon Molombe told the BBC officials viewed it as “desertion” and that the missing athletes had been reported to Australian police. The three weightlifters and five boxers were last seen at different times on Monday and Tuesday, he said. Cameroon said the group had valid Australian visas until 15 May. Officials named the missing athletes as weightlifters Olivier Matam Matam, Arcangeline Fouodji Sonkbou and Petit Minkoumba, and boxers Christian Ndzie Tsoye, Simplice Fotsala, Arsene Fokou, Ulrich Yombo…

Roma pulled off a sensational second-leg comeback to beat Barcelona 3-0 and reach the Champions League semi-finals on away goals. Barca were heavy favourites to progress after a 4-1 first-leg win, but fell apart to Roma’s brilliant showing. Defender Kostas Manolas scored the crucial third goal, heading in at the near post with seven minutes remaining. Edin Dzeko struck early to give Roma hope and Daniele de Rossi added a second-half penalty. READ: Firmino, Salah fire Liverpool to victory against Man City The crowd at the Stadio Olimpico erupted at the final whistle as the Roma substitutes and coaching staff…

Liverpool reached their first Champions League semi-final for 10 years after coming from behind to win at Manchester City and secure a 5-1 aggregate win. Trailing 3-0 from the first leg, City’s Gabriel Jesus scored after 116 seconds following Raheem Sterling’s pass. Bernardo Silva hit the post before Leroy Sane had a goal disallowed for offside despite James Milner getting the last touch. Mohamed Salah equalised on the night before Roberto Firmino hit the winner. Liverpool will discover their semi-final opponents when the draw is made on Friday [12:00 BST] in Nyon, Switzerland. City manager Pep Guardiola was forced to…