Author: Chronicle Editor

Manchester United are on the verge of reaching the Champions League knockout stages for the first time in four years after beating Benfica. The Red Devils, who earned their place by winning last season’s Europa League, have claimed four victories from their four Group A games and need just a point from their remaining two games to progress. Anthony Martial, who provided a threat from the left with his trickery and pace, earned a penalty when he was tripped by Douglas, but the Frenchman had his spot-kick kept out by Mile Svilar. Belgian goalkeeper Svilar also twice saved well from…

Chelsea became the first English team to lose a Champions League game this season as they were well beaten by a clinical Roma. The Blues would have progressed with a victory, but trailed within 39 seconds when Edin Dzeko flicked Aleksandar Kolarov’s cross down to Stephan El Shaarawy, who smashed home from 25 yards. Alvaro Morata missed a huge chance to equalise from close range, and El Shaarawy made it 2-0 when ex-Roma defender Antonio Rudiger failed to deal with Radja Nainggolan’s long ball forward. Chelsea had more shots – 14 to 13 – but were three behind when Diego…

Netflix has pulled the plug on House of Cards, a day after its lead actor Kevin Spacey was accused of sexually harassing a teenage boy. The media streaming company said it was “deeply troubled” by the allegation, made by the actor Anthony Rapp. In an interview with Buzzfeed, Rapp alleged Spacey tried to seduce him when he was 14, after a party in 1986. Spacey said he was “beyond horrified” to hear the story but did not remember the encounter. Kevin Spacey said he owed Anthony Rapp a “sincere apology” for what he said would have been “deeply inappropriate drunken…

Facebook has said as many as 126 million American users may have seen content uploaded by Russia-based operatives over the past two years. The social networking site said about 80,000 posts were produced before and after the 2016 presidential election. Most of the posts focused on divisive social and political messages. Facebook released the figures ahead of a Senate hearing where it, together with Twitter and Google. will detail Russia’s impact on the popular sites. Russia has repeatedly denied allegations that it attempted to influence the last US presidential election, in which Donald Trump beat Hillary Clinton. In a separate…

APC national leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has dispelled the rumour of an existing cabal in President Muhammadu Buhari’s cabinet, saying it was both myth and fake news. Tinubu spoke with State House Correspondents after a closed door meeting with Buhari ahead of the party’s caucus meeting in Abuja. He said the APC is a party for the people, by the people and for the people, adding that, “it is a democratic environment; each of us has our roles to play and that is how we are playing it. “I don’t believe in the myth; I believe in the confidence building,…

A court on Monday ordered Nigeria to pay 88 billion naira ($288 million) in damages to victims of the 1967 civil war for failure to fully de-mine and clear the land of other weaponry after the end of hostilities. The ruling calls on the government to pay 50 billion naira directly to war victims in 11 states and put 38 billion naira toward de-mining and the construction of schools, courts, churches and mosques in the affected areas. A judge for the Economic Community of West African States Court of Justice ruled that there remain “large quantities” of live bombs deprived…

Leading video entertainment company, MultiChoice Nigeria, has been listed among the top 50 brands in the 2017 edition of the Top 50 Brands Nigeria Awards. According to a report unveiled during the awards in Lagos, the listed firms are among the most resilient in the country and achieved growth during the 2016 economic recession. MultiChoice placed first in Nigeria’s pay-TV industry. “They were those who defied the odds, with many of them declaring good profits. Cutting across various sectors, they are the engine that power and drive our economy; they are the employers of labour; they create wealth and provide…

Nigeria has moved up 24 places to 145th in the World Bank’s ‘Doing Business’ report published today, and for the first time the country is recognized as one of the top 10 most improved economies in the world. The World Bank Doing Business project provides objective measures of business regulations and their enforcement across 190 economies worldwide. Reacting to the development, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, said, “I welcome Nigeria’s improved performance. We are one of the top ten reforming economies in the world in 2017. “After a decade-long decline in Nigeria’s rankings, last year the Government recorded a modest…

Gombe State Government on Monday said it had approved N8 million for the procurement of anti-snake venom for the Snake Bite Treatment Centre, Kaltungo. Dr Kennedy Ishaya, Commissioner for Health, Gombe State, disclosed this to newsmen in Gombe. He said the state government would inform the public as soon as the venom arrive the centre. Kennedy said the centre provided free treatment, antibiotics as and surgical care to patients bitten by snakes. READ: Buhari appoints Boss Mustapha as new SGF He said the Federal Government had in July provided 100 ampoules to the centre, adding that all the drugs had…

President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed Boss Mustapha as new Secretary to the Government of the Federation. His assumes office with immediate effect. Mustapha was former managing director and chief executive of National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) which was established by Decree No. 13 of 1997 with the mandate to manage Nigeria’s vast inland waterways. The appointment of Mustapha was contained in a statement issued on Monday by Femi Adesina, special adviser to the President on Media and Publicity. Adesina said Mustapha will replace Babachir Lawal who was sacked in the same statement. “President Muhammadu Buhari has studied the report of…