Author: Chronicle Editor

SuperSport viewers on DStv can enjoy the return of the UEFA Champions League, as the Round of 16 ties are completed with four matches on Friday 7 and Saturday 8 August 2020. The Champions League was suspended in March, with only four of the eight Round of 16 ties having been completed: Paris Saint-Germain defeated Borussia Dortmund 3-2 on aggregate; Atalanta overwhelmed Valencia 8-4; Atletico Madrid ended Liverpool’s reign as European champions with a 4-2 triumph; and RB Leipzig outclassed Tottenham Hotspur 4-0 overall. The Round of 16 resumes on Friday 7 August with Manchester City at home to Real…

The Federal Government has begun the process of restarting international flights, the national coordinator of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 said. In a media briefing on Thursday Dr Sani Aliyu, said approvals have been given for aviation authorities to commence the process for the resumption of international flights. Mr. Aliyu said the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and other aviation agencies, as well as airlines, are to come up with a safe process through which international airlines can commence operations. The PTF Coordinator said when international flight operations resume, passengers would arrive three hours before flights, to ensure that…

The Federal Government has announced extension of the second phase of the eased COVID-19 lockdown by another four weeks. The extension is the third for the second phase. Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and Chairman of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19, Boss Mustapha announced this during the Task Force briefing in Abuja. Mustapha on Thursday reemphasized that there is a need for everyone to take responsibility while the nation goes into this extended phase of eased lockdown. He also urged Nigerians to stop the stigmatization of persons who have contracted, been treated, and have been…

Controversial music star, Azeez Fashola, more known as Naira Marley have pleaded guilty to violating a COVID-19 lockdown order in Lagos. His manager, Seyi Awouga, also pleaded guilty to the same offence on Thursday. The two men were awarded a fine of one hundred thousand naira each by the presiding Magistrate, a police statement said. Naira Marley had embarked on a non-essential trip from Lagos to Abuja in June when the country was battling to contain the spread of coronavirus pandemic. Police spokesman, Bala Elkana said in the statement that, “He travelled from Lagos to Abuja and back to Lagos…

At least 22 people have been reported killed in fresh attacks on communities in four villages of Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State by yet to be identified gunmen. It was gathered that, the gunmen launched what sources described as coordinated attacks on Apyia’Shyim, A’Piako, Atak’Mawei, and Kibori villages, all in Atyap Chiefdom of Zangon Kataf. Zango-Kataf is one of the recently troubled local government areas in the southern part of Kaduna State. The situation had forced the state government to impose a 24-hour curfew since June 11. A source told our correspondent that, the attackers operated unchallenged,…

The national coordinator of the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19 pandemic, Dr Sani Aliyu, says Nigeria can eradicate the virus in four to six weeks. Dr Aliyu who appeared on Radio Nigeria’s weekly programme, Have Your Say if Nigerians followed the guidelines and regulations of the NCDC to the letter the country would eradicate the pandemic. He stated that the impact of Covid-19 has not only been felt in the humanitarian side with the loss of lives but also affected the economy and the capacity of the government to carry out it’s duties the most important one being protection of…

Former US First Lady Michelle Obama has said she is suffering from “low-grade depression” because of the pandemic, racial injustice and the “hypocrisy” of the Trump administration. She said managing “emotional highs and lows” required “knowing yourself” and “the things that do bring you joy”. Mrs Obama said she has had difficulties with her exercise routine and sleep. “I’m waking up in the middle of the night because I’m worrying about something or there’s a heaviness.” She made the comments during the second episode of her eponymous podcast, for which she was interviewing US journalist Michele Norris. “These are not,…

Facebook and Twitter have penalised Donald Trump and his campaign for posts in which the president claimed children were “almost immune” to coronavirus. Facebook deleted the post – a clip from an interview Mr Trump gave to Fox News – saying it contained “harmful Covid misinformation”. Twitter followed by saying it had frozen a Trump campaign account until a tweet of the same clip was removed. US public health advice makes clear children have no immunity to Covid-19. What did Facebook and Twitter say? A Facebook spokesperson said on Wednesday evening: “This video includes false claims that a group of…

Governors are awaiting President Muhammadu Buhari’s response to their complaints on last week’s attack on Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno state. They are also concerned about the general insecurity in the country. These issues formed the major points of discussion at Wednesday’s meeting of the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF), it was leant. Although the communiqué of the meeting is expected today, The Nation gathered that some of the governors who spoke during the online meeting expressed anger that such an attack against a sitting governor could take place. Zulum was unhurt, but two of his security aides were injured in…

Manchester City want to sign four more players this summer. Napoli’s Senegalese centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly, 29, and Inter Milan’s Argentine striker Lautaro Martinez, 22 are among those on their list of targets.(Sky Sports) City have also made an approach for Atletico Madrid’s Portuguese playmaker Joao Felix, 20. (Athletic – subscription required) Barcelona winger Philippe Coutinho’s possible move to Arsenal is at an “advanced” stage. The 28-year-old Brazil international spent last season on loan at Bayern Munich. (Sport) Arsenal have made a three-year contract offer to Chelsea and Brazil winger Willian, 31. (Sky Sports) Arsenal are leading the race to sign Lille and Brazil defender Gabriel Magalhaes, 22, ahead of Manchester United, Everton and Napoli.(La Voix du Nord via Daily Star) Chelsea have prioritised the signing…