Author: Chronicle Editor

Venus and Serena Williams will meet in a Grand Slam final for the ninth time after the American sisters came through their semi-finals in Melbourne. Thirteenth seed Venus, 36, beat fellow American Coco Vandeweghe 6-7 (3-7) 6-2 6-3 to reach her first major final since 2009. World number two Serena, 35, saw off unseeded Croat Mirjana Lucic-Baroni 6-2 6-1 in the second semi-final. Serena is attempting to win an Open-era record 23rd Grand Slam singles title. It would also be a seventh Australian Open victory for the younger Williams sister, while Venus hopes to win an eighth major title, first…

The Federal Government has urged Nigerians to disregard the subversive messages being circulated via text messaging and the Social Media on the health of President Muhammadu Buhari. The FG said the fabricated messages are being orchestrated by those who feel threatened by the emerging order championed by Buhari. In a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said there is no iota of truth in the messages being circulated on the health of the President, who is hale and hearty, and the purported emergency meetings of the State Governors in Abuja or…

President Donald Trump has signed an action to strip funds from some United States cities that are sanctuaries for undocumented immigrants. He has also issued an executive order for an “impassable physical barrier” to be built along the US border with Mexico. Mr Trump said in a TV interview with ABC News that Mexico would “absolutely, 100%” reimburse the US for his wall. But Congress would have to approve funding for the structure, which is estimated to cost billions of dollars. Building a 2,000-mile barrier along the Mexican border was one of Mr Trump’s key pledges in the election campaign.…

Patrice Evra has joined Marseille on a free transfer from Juventus. The 35-year-old former Manchester United full-back has signed an 18-month contract with the Ligue 1 club after being released from the last six months of his Juve deal. Evra, who has 81 caps for France, has played only three times for the Italian club this season. He returns to the French league after 11 years away, having played for Monaco from 2002-2006 before joining United. “I know Evra well from the French team,” said Marseille midfielder Remy Cabella. “He’s a captain who binds the group together and talks a…

Southampton reached the EFL Cup final at Wembley with a fully deserved victory over two legs against Liverpool – crowned by Shane Long’s late winner at Anfield. Claude Puel’s side, defending a 1-0 lead from the first leg, should have put the tie out of Liverpool’s reach inside the first 45 minutes but Dusan Tadic’s close-range shot was blocked by keeper Loris Karius and captain Steve Davis blazed another great chance wildly over. Liverpool raised the tempo in front of the Kop in the second half but Daniel Sturridge wasted their two best chances. Fraser Forster acrobatically hooked an Emre…

Mali were knocked out of the Africa Cup of Nations as they drew with Uganda in their final Group D game. Alain Giresse’s side needed to win to have a chance of making the last eight, but would have been eliminated anyway because of Egypt’s victory over Ghana. On a waterlogged pitch, they struggled to find a way past Uganda, who were already out following two defeats. But after Farouk Miya smashed in Uganda’s first Afcon goal since 1978, Yves Bissouma swerved in a free-kick. Egypt’s 1-0 win over Ghana means they qualify as group winners, with Ghana – who…

Nigeria’s senate President, Bukola Saraki has distanced himself from talks making the round that he wants Vice President Prof Yemi Osinbajo to resign. The rumour began on Tuesday following unconfirmed reports that President Muhammadu Buhari was dead. In a statement issued on Wednesday and titled ‘Leave Me Out of Baseless Rumour’, Saraki he initially ignored the rumour but was forced to react following calls from people across the world. “My attention has been drawn to a speculation on some online media about supposed meeting of some Governors who held Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to ransom and sought for Senate President,…

The Presidency has dismissed reports that some governors are holding Vice President Yemi Osinbajo hostage and asking that he resigns following rumours that President Muhammadu Buhari is very sick or has died. The Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Political Affairs, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, in a statement issued on Wednesday and titled “State of the Nation”, described the reports as a ‘fabrication’. Osinbajo is currently acting as president following President Buhari’s medical vacation in the United Kingdom where he is scheduled to undergo routine medical checkups. The Presidency said that Osinbajo was in his office performing his task and…

An excellent Cristiano Ronaldo free-kick couldn’t prevent Real Madrid from being dumped out of the Copa del Rey as a 2-2 draw at Celta Vigo on Wednesday allowed the hosts to progress to the semi-finals 4-3 on aggregate. Hampered by a series of injuries, Real’s hopes of turning the tie around were dealt a huge blow when Danilo’s own goal handed Celta to lead on the night just before half-time. Ronaldo gave Madrid hope with his first goal in the Copa del Rey for two years. However, Daniel Wass restored Celta’s lead five minutes from time before Lucas Vazquez’s stoppage…

Mr. Chuddy Ugorji, the initiator of the Nigerian faction of the mavrodi mondial moneybox ponzi scheme (MMM) has fled the country with his wife, Amaka. Unconfirmed report says the MMM Number one Guider has absconded and relocated to Philippines. He fled the country when many investors were awaiting anxiously to be paid back their money with the agreed interest. Chuddy’s relocation came barely 24 hours after he released condition for the payment of some three million Nigerian investors. He had given the impression that the Ponzi scheme has started paying outstanding mavro (money) to Mavrodians, the participants of the scheme.…