Author: David Great

Chelsea’s winless streak in the Premier League extended to four matches after a 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. Despite their early dominance, the Blues failed to secure all three points, leaving their title hopes hanging by a thread. Crystal Palace entered the match in improved form, with a record of four wins, five draws, and two losses in their previous 11 games. However, their dismal recent record against Chelsea (one draw, 14 losses) suggested a challenging afternoon for Oliver Glasner’s side. Chelsea struck early, breaking the deadlock in the 14th minute. Jadon Sancho’s clever dummy and surging…

The first day of the new US Congress descended into turmoil on Friday as right-wing Republicans defied President-elect Donald Trump by blocking Louisiana congressman Mike Johnson’s bid to return as Speaker of the House of Representatives. Johnson, buoyed by multiple endorsements from Trump, required a simple majority to secure the role as Washington’s top legislator, a position that places him second in line to the presidency. However, internal divisions among Republicans led to a failure to elect a speaker in the initial round of voting, sparking fears of prolonged gridlock reminiscent of recent House disruptions. The impasse serves as another…

In a move to bolster economic integration across Africa, Ghana’s outgoing President, Nana Akufo-Addo, has announced visa-free travel to Ghana for all African passport holders, effective from January 2025. The President made the announcement on Friday during his address to the parliament, just days before the conclusion of his second and final term in office on January 6. With this declaration, Ghana joins a select group of African nations—Rwanda, Seychelles, Gambia, and Benin—that currently offer visa-free entry to African travelers. “I am proud to have approved visa-free travel to Ghana for all African passport holders, with effect from the beginning…

A Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt has dismissed a suit seeking to compel Governor Siminialayi Fubara to re-submit the 2024 budget to the 26 lawmakers led by Martins Amaewhule. The case, filed by the Registered Trustees of the Association of Claimants of Legislative Drafting and Advocacy Practitioners, listed the Rivers State Government, Governor Fubara, and the Attorney-General as defendants. Delivering the judgment on Thursday, Justice S. M. Aprioku described the suit as “hasty and premature” based on the evidence provided. Justice Aprioku emphasized that the legitimacy of the 27 former lawmakers to enact laws is still under judicial…

Arsenal will have key attacker Kai Havertz available for their Premier League match at Brighton & Hove Albion, manager Mikel Arteta said on Friday. Havertz, who scored the winner for Arsenal against Ipswich Town last week, missed their 3-1 away win over Brentford due to an illness which affected several players in Arteta’s squad. Second-placed Arsenal are six points behind Liverpool, who have a game in hand, and the north London club will be looking to turn up the pressure on the leaders and cut that gap with a win over 10th-placed Brighton on Saturday. Liverpool are next in action…

A group of prominent elders in Rivers State, under the banner of the Concerned Elders of Rivers State, has called on the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to tender an unreserved apology for his recent comments against former Governor Peter Odili. Odili, a respected elder statesman and founder of PAMO University of Medical Sciences, was the target of what the elders described as derogatory remarks made by Wike during a church event in Ororgwe. In a statement jointly signed by notable figures, including former Governor Celestine Omehia, Prince Uche Secondus, former Deputy Governor Tele Ikuru, former…

Troops of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), in collaboration with the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), have intercepted a suspected terrorist courier transporting materials for making Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) at the entrance to Gubio Local Government Area, Borno State. The operation, described as a significant counter-terrorism success, was disclosed on Thursday by Lieutenant Colonel Olaniyi Osoba, Chief Military Information Officer, HQ MNJTF N’djamena, Chad. The suspect, identified as 28-year-old Mr. Murktar Alhaji Chari, confessed to delivering the materials to Damasak town in Mobbar Local Government Area for a planned attack on MNJTF troops. According to the statement by…

A Zambian police officer, Detective Inspector Titus Phiri, is under investigation and faces potential arrest and disciplinary action after allegedly releasing 13 detainees from custody on New Year’s Eve. The incident occurred at Leonard Cheelo Police Station in Lusaka, where Phiri, reportedly “in a state of intoxication,” seized the cell keys from Constable Serah Banda. According to police spokesperson Rae Hamoonga, Phiri proceeded to unlock the male and female cells, instructing the detainees to leave and “cross over into the new year.” The detainees, who were being held on serious charges such as assault, robbery, and burglary, are now on…

Bundesliga club Hoffenheim have completed the signing of Nigerian striker Gift Orban from French side Lyon for a fee of €9 million ($9.2 million), as confirmed by Lyon on Thursday. The 22-year-old joined Lyon a year ago from Belgian club Gent but struggled to make an impact. He scored five goals in 21 appearances but had not featured in a league match since September. “We wish Gift well in his new adventure,” Lyon stated in their announcement. Hoffenheim expressed enthusiasm for Orban’s arrival, emphasizing his pace and versatility. “In Gift Orban, we have found exactly the fast striker… that we…

The Police Command in Rivers State has confirmed the arrest of a couple for allegedly raping and beating a 13-year-old girl in their residence in Port Harcourt. The command’s spokesperson, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Port Harcourt on Thursday. NAN reports that the wife was said to have stripped the teenager and inserted pepper into her private part after accusing her of having sexual intercourse with her husband. Iringe-Koko stated that the suspects had been arrested and transferred to the State Criminal Investigations and Intelligence Department for investigation and possible…