Author: Chronicle Editor

Qatar’s state airline is set to become the biggest loser from the diplomatic breakdown in the Persian Gulf — with competitors in Dubai and Abu Dhabi also set to suffer. Some 76 daily flights are likely to be grounded, of which 52 are operated by Qatar Airways, after Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates suspended ties with Qatar, according to data from scheduling firm OAG. Some 30 per cent of the carrier’s revenue could be affected, aviation analysts at Frost & Sullivan estimate. Among Qatar Airways operations set to be shut is a shuttle to Dubai that…

The Abia State Police Command have apprehended a pastor who runs an illegal medical centre and Baby Factory in his church – Briefing newsmen on Monday, June 5th, at the State Police Headquarters, Umuahia, the Commissioner of Police, CP Adeleye Oyebade, who paraded the pastor along with other suspect, disclosed that on the 24th of May, information was received that a storey building located at Faulks Road Aba, which doubles as a Church and Medical centre was converted to Baby Factory. Working on this information gathered, a team of Policemen attached to Ariaria Division led by the DPO stormed the…

House of Representatives Ad hoc Committee investigating allegedly missing $17 billion crude oil and Liquefied Natural Gas revenue, on Monday uncovered $15 billion unremitted revenue into Federation Account. The trace of the alleged missing fund believed to have been stolen and diverted to a foreign destination, was contained in the two documents submitted by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) at the committee’s sitting. While responding to questions from members of the committee, Mr Rabiu Bello, NNPC’s Chief Operating Officer (COO), admitted that there were discrepancies in the documents. In his presentation earlier, Mr Jack Ukitetu, a Director in Central…

Bill Cosby used power and fame to drug and sexually assault a helpless woman, a court has heard on day one of the US comedian’s trial. “Trust, betrayal and the inability to consent – that’s what this case is about,” a prosecutor told the court in Pennsylvania. Mr Cosby is on trial for allegedly molesting a woman who was seeking career advice in 2004. Dozens of other women accuse the 79-year-old entertainer of sexual assault. READ: EU commits €50m to fight Islamist groups in West Africa It is seen as the biggest US celebrity court case since the murder trial…

The European Union committed 50 million euros ($56 million) on Monday to help the countries of West Africa’s Sahel region set up a multinational force to combat Islamist militant groups. The vast, arid zone has in recent years become a breeding ground for jihadist groups – some linked to al Qaeda and Islamic State – that European nations, particularly France, fear could threaten Europe if left unchecked. In a statement released during the visit to Mali by its foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini, the European Union said its support would help the so-called G5 Sahel countries of Chad, Niger, Burkina…

Liverpool are poised to win the race to sign Virgil van Dijk after being informed by the Southampton defender that Anfield is his preferred destination. Jürgen Klopp made the Holland international a transfer priority having guided Liverpool into the Champions League play-offs but faced competition from the Premier League champions, Chelsea, and Manchester City for the 25-year-old. In what represents a major statement of intent from Liverpool and a breakthrough for Klopp, the centre-back has told his suitors and Southampton that he favours a move to Merseyside. Liverpool have yet to agree a fee with Southampton, whose willingness to sell…

Footballers, fans and admirers of former Newcastle United midfielder Cheick Tioté have paid tribute to the 30-year-old who died after reportedly suffering a heart attack while training with his club in China. The Ivory Coast international joined the Chinese Super League side Beijing Enterprises in January having spent seven years at St James’ Park. He was reported to have collapsed at the training ground on Monday and taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. We are devastated to have learnt of the tragic passing of former Newcastle United midfielder Cheick Tioté in China today. #NUFC pic.twitter.com/PCrIEUyugv— Newcastle…

The Lagos State Government has suspended the activities of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) at Oshodi and its environs, over the recent assassination of one of the union members. Prince Lanre Elegushi, the Acting Commissioner for Transportation, announced this on Monday at a news conference at Ikeja. Elegushi said that all union activities in the seven branches of the union affected by the crises have been suspended indefinitely. This order follows the continued violence that attended the death of Alhaji Rasaq Bello, a leader of the Motorcyclists Operators Association of Lagos State (MOALS), an affiliate of the…

Russian President Vladimir Putin says he has no knowledge of a reported pre-inauguration proposal by President Donald Trump’s son in law and top aide Jared Kushner to set up a secret, bug-proof communications channel with the Kremlin. In an interview aired Sunday on NBC, Putin again flatly denied US intelligence agencies’ assessment that Russia meddled via hacking and other means in the US election to help Trump win. He said there may have been non-Russian hackers from anywhere that simply blamed Russia. This charge — and even more damning suggestions that the Trump administration actually colluded in such an effort…

A Gudu Upper Area Court, Abuja, on Monday granted bail in the sum of N500,000 to 50-year-old businessman, Ahmed Echoda, who allegedly gave false information to the Police about Sen. Ike Ekweremadu’s guest house. The judge, Alhaji Umar Kagarko, also ordered the defendant‎ to provide one surety who must reside within the court’s jurisdiction and adjourned the case until July 20 for hearing. The defendant was arraigned on May 30 on a two-count charge, bordering on criminal conspiracy and giving false information to mislead a public servant, offences he denied committing. The judge had adjourned ruling on the defendant’s bail…