Author: Chronicle Editor

Thousands of Iranians who have been sentenced to death for drug crimes could be spared following a softening in the country’s law. Capital punishment has been abolished for some drug offences, and the head of the judiciary has said all cases on death row can be reviewed. The move is set to be applied retrospectively, meaning some 5,000 prisoners could escape execution. Iran executes hundreds of people every year, mostly for drug offences. In August, Iran’s parliament raised the threshold on the amount of drugs that would be considered a capital offence. Under the previous law, possessing 30g of cocaine…

England will play Nigeria at Wembley and Costa Rica at Elland Road in their final friendly matches ahead of this summer’s World Cup. Nigeria will visit on 2 June while England will face Costa Rica at Leeds United’s ground on 7 June. England’s first match at the World Cup is against Tunisia on 18 June. Gareth Southgate’s side also face Costa Rica’s central American neighbours Panama in Russia, with Belgium completing Group G. Read Also Andre Villas-Boas hospitalized after Dakar Rally injury The England manager said: “We’re going into a World Cup where we will play African and Central American…

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Wednesday in Abuja presented certificates of registration to the 21 newly registered political parties. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the registration of the 21 new political parties was approved by the commission on Dec. 14, 2017, bringing the number of registered parties in the country to 68. The political parties are All Blending Party (ABP), All Grassroots Alliance (AGA), Alliance for New Nigeria (ANN), Abundant Nigeria Renewal Party (ANRP), Coalition for Change (C4C) and Freedom and Justice Party (FJP). Also registered are Grassroots Development Party of Nigeria (GDPN), Justice Must…

Former welterweight world champion Amir Khan will end a near two year hiatus from the sport with a bout in Liverpool on April 21 against an unnamed opponent he announced on Wednesday. The 31-year-old — whose most recent activity was spent on a reality TV programme in the jungle — made the announcement alongside British boxing promoter Eddie Hearn with whom he has signed a three fight deal. The 2004 Olympic lightweight silver medalist’s last outing was back in May 2016 when he stepped up to middleweight to face Mexico’s star pugilist Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez and was knocked out in…

Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku is to seek legal advice over claims made by Everton owner Farhad Moshiri that he opted to leave the club after receiving a “voodoo message”. Moshiri told a shareholders’ meeting that Lukaku, 24, received the message from “a pilgrimage to Africa”. Lukaku joined United for £75m in July after rejecting a new deal at Everton. A representative for the player told BBC Sport: “Romelu’s decision had nothing to do with voodoo.” The spokesperson added: “He distances himself from these beliefs and this statement and will now see what judicial steps can be taken in relation…

If Oprah Winfrey decides to run for US presidency, she will be running against incumbent President Donald Trump. Both of them are billionaires in their own right and will throw up an interesting contest. Already, Trump has said he could beat Oprah Winfrey if she decides to run, noting that, Winfrey is one of his closest friends. Speculation about a 2020 White House bid by Winfrey blew up on social media and news outlets after her rousing “new day” speech at the Golden Globes awards show on Sunday night. The Speech touched on female and black empowerment, her roots in…

Former Tottenham and Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas withdrew from his first Dakar Rally after damaging his back during the fourth stage in Peru. The 40-year-old left his role as coach of Chinese side Shanghai SIPG in November to compete in his first rally. He was two hours 18 minutes and 50 seconds behind the leader after the third stage but on the next his Toyota Hilux hit a sand dune. Villas-Boas sustained no broken bones but was taken to hospital for checks. READ: Liverpool Mayor reports Ross Barkley transfer to police The 40th edition of the 14-stage race is based…

The mayor of Liverpool has asked police to investigate whether any “fraud” has taken place surrounding Ross Barkley’s transfer from Everton to Chelsea. Joe Anderson has written to the heads of the Football Association (FA) and Premier League following the 24-year-old England midfielder’s £15m move. The “circumstance” of the deal “warrants serious investigation”, said lifelong Everton fan Mr Anderson. Merseyside Police said Mr Anderson’s letter “is currently being considered”. In the letter, on his official headed notepaper, Mr Anderson expressed concern about the size of the transfer fee paid by Chelsea for Barkley. READ: Arsene Wenger activates Cristian Pavon’s £27m…

Manchester City have offered Arsenal £20m for striker Alexis Sanchez, 29, with the Chile forward understood to have agreed terms on a £250,00-a-week contract. (Guardian) Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is set to pay Boca Juniors winger Cristian Pavon’s £27m release clause to bring the 21-year-old Argentine to the Premier League. (TyC Sports – in Spanish) Meanwhile, Wenger is expected to sit in the East Stand at Stamford Bridge for Wednesday’s League Cup semi-final with Chelsea as his touchline ban continues, after admitting to “a very uncomfortable experience” in the stands last season when he was sat next to his gardener.…

The Atiku Global Support Group (AGSG), a pro-democracy outfit promoting political ideology of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, on Tuesday in Abuja inaugurated its National Executive Committee (NEC). The group, which is an association of volunteers consisting of Nigerians from different background, is committed to advocacy and campaign inspired by the antecedents, experience, reputation and enduring value of Atiku. Addressing journalists at the inauguration, the National Coordinator of AGSG, Alhaji Gambo Jagindi, said the group emerged out of desire to galvanise massive support for Atiku to become President in 2019. Jagindi, who described Atiku as an embodiment of democracy, said…