Author: Chronicle Editor

The flight data recorder of the Russian military airliner which crashed in the Black Sea on Sunday has been recovered and brought to Moscow. The Tu-154 jet came down with the loss of all 92 passengers and crew. At least 12 bodies have been recovered so far. It was carrying artistes due to give a concert for Russian troops in Syria, and journalists and military personnel. The cause of the disaster is still being investigated but there is no suggestion of a terror attack. During the night, salvage teams recovered parts of the fuselage and the defence ministry now says…

The Federal Government says MTN had paid N80 billion of the N330 billion fine imposed on it for failing to deactivate more than five million unregistered SIM cards. Speaking at the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Forum in Abuja, the Minister of Communications, Mr Adebayo Shittu, said that the company paid the sum for the first year. It will be recalled that MTN was initially fined 5.2 billion dollars (N1.04 trillion) for failing to deactivate more than five million unregistered SIM cards but was later reduced to N330 billion. “For the first year, they paid N80 billion, after paying the…

On Monday, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, stated that Sambisa Forest would serve as a training ground for personnel of the Nigerian Army as from 2017, the News Agency of Nigeria reports. Buratai made this disclosure in Damasak, Borno, while celebrating Christmas with troops of 145 Battalion after the road leading to the town was reopened by Governor Kashim Shettima, three years after closure. He said, “We are also opening up roads to Sambisa and Alagarno forest. Sambisa Forest is going to be one of our training grounds. I have already directed that we should conduct…

Outgoing U.S. President, Barack Obama said he could have defeated Republican Donald Trump in the Nov. 8 presidential election if he had run against him. Obama told his former senior adviser David Axelrod in an interview for the “The Axe Files” podcast, produced by the University of Chicago Institute of Politics and CNN, aired on Monday. He argued that Americans still subscribed to his vision of progressive change, asserting that he could have succeeded in this year’s election if he was eligible to run. “I am confident in this vision because I’m confident that if I had run again and…

The US President-elect, Donald Trump has criticised the United Nations, describing the global body as a mere talk club. In a tweet on Monday, Trump, however, said the 193-member body has great potentials. “The United Nations has such great potential but right now it is just a club for people to get together, talk and have a good time. “So sad,” Trump said. Apparently, Trump’s remarks is in connection with Monday’s UN Security Council’s Resolution, which condemned the Israeli settlements in Palestinian territory. Recall that a statement from Trump on Thursday had asked the US to veto the resolution. “The…

The President-elect of the Gambia, Adama Barrow, has initiated a Think Tank and outlined a three-year development strategy for the country. He intends to pursue the strategy if he assumes office on 19th January, 2017. The plans were contained in his Christmas Day message to the nation, APA reports on Tuesday. The strategy would seek to ensure that the Gambia remains a secular, democratic, sovereign country which would protect the rights of the citizenry and guarantee religious tolerance, contrary to the move by the outgoing government declaring the Gambia an Islamic Republic. Barrow directed his speech in returning thanks, prayers…

The Operation Python Dance inaugurated by the Nigerian Army in the South East geo-political zone to curb crime in the area during the yuletide will end on Dec. 27. The Deputy Director, Public Relations, 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Col. Sagir Musa, made the disclosure in a telephone interview on Monday. The operation was launched to span from Nov. 27 to Dec. 27. “The Exercise will end on Dec. 27, as earlier indicated. However, troops will still be massively around in the whole of South-East to continue with patrols, road blocks and check points. “Nigeria’s South-East has not recorded…

Eden Hazard hit his 50th Chelsea as the relentless Blues saw off Bournemouth and racked up their 12th consecutive Premier League win. Only five other players have reached the impressive milestone for the red-hot league leaders. Hazard did so as part of a Man of the Match display as Antonio Conte’s men maintained their blistering pace at the top of the table. The Belgian had a hand in the opening goal which saw Pedro curl a magnificent effort past Artur Boruc in the 24th minute. Hazard then sealed the win with a penalty, four minutes after the break, after he’d…

Olivier Giroud heralded Arsenal’s strength as the Gunners claimed a much-needed victory over West Brom thanks to his late header. Arsenal have made a habit of striking in the closing minutes this term and Giroud has been crucial in many of those turnarounds, scoring away to Manchester United and Sunderland to help claim points for the Gunners. Giroud added to his collection of late goals in the 86th minute on Saturday, outmuscling West Brom’s defender Gareth McAuley before meeting Mesut Ozil’s cross with a superb looping header that Ben Foster could not deny for the game’s only goal. “I was…

David Moyes made an unhappy return to Old Trafford as Manchester United continued their winning run with a 3-1 victory over Sunderland. Moyes’ side frustrated the hosts until Daley Blind broke the deadlock six minutes before half-time and nerves were calmed when Zlatan Ibrahimovic netted a second in the 82nd minute. Henrikh Mkhitaryan marked his return from injury with an impudent third while Fabio Borini’s 90th-minute volley was spectacular but ultimately meaningless. It has taken the world record signing time to find his consistency in the Premier League but he has become the key figure in United’s side. Pogba was…