Author: David Great

Manchester United have been drawn against Barcelona in the Europa League knockout round play-offs. The stage of the competition features eight runners-up from their Europa League groups, which includes United, playing the eight teams who were third in their Champions League group. Former United manager Jose Mourinho’s Roma side will play FC Salzburg, while Juventus face Nantes. The first legs are on 16 February, with the second legs on 23 February. The winners go into the last-16, which includes Arsenal after they topped their Europa League group. United, who finished second behind Real Sociedad in their group, will be away…

Liverpool have drawn holders Real Madrid in the last 16 of the Champions League in a repeat of last season’s final. Fourteen-time winners Real Madrid beat Liverpool 1-0 in last year’s final in Paris thanks to a goal from Vinicius Junior in the 59th minute. Premier League champions Manchester City face German side RB Leipzig, while Tottenham play Italian giants AC Milan. Chelsea also have German opposition in Borussia Dortmund. Elsewhere, French champions Paris St-Germain have drawn Bayern Munich. The last-16 first legs will take place on 14-15 and 21-22 February, with the second legs on 7-8 and 14-15 March.…

Medibank Private Ltd, Australia’s biggest health insurer, on Monday said no ransom payment will be made to the criminal responsible for a recent data theft, where about 9.7 million current and former customers’ data was compromised. Highlighting findings of the firm’s investigation to date, Medibank confirmed that name, date of birth, address, phone number, and email addresses for around 9.7 million current and former customers were accessed in the data theft. Cyber security issues in Australia have seen a sharp rise in recent times, with a government report suggesting there is one attack every seven minutes. “Based on the extensive…

The 2022 Conference of Parties on Climate Change, popularly known as COP27, has begun on Sunday in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, with a call on everyone to work toward averting further climate crisis. No fewer than 50,000 delegates have so far registered for the annual global climate summit. The annual event, which is holding on the African continent for a second time, after the 2001 in Marrakech, Morocco, will end on Nov. 18. “Everybody, every single day, everywhere in the world, needs to do everything they possibly can to avert the climate crisis,” said UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon…

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) said it has begun the process of disposing of assets forfeited to the Nigerian government. The spokesperson for ICPC, Mrs. Azuka Ogugua made this known in a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday. She said this was in line with the Proceeds of Crime Recovery and Management Act (POCA), signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari on May 12, with a bid opening to select auctioneers. Ogugua quoted the ICPC chairman, Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye as hailing the impact of the bill on the anti-corruption war, describing it as a tool…

The Alakenne of Ikenne, Oba Adeyinka Onakade has praised the efforts of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo in changing the fortune of Ikenne. The monarch noted that Osinbajo had attracted infrastructure and other numerous benefits to the people of Ikenne and would be remembered for his contributions to the community. In fact, he has written his name in gold and we will always remain grateful to him”. In a statement from the palace of Alakenne, the royal father said, “The Vice-President, our illustrious son has done much for the Ikenne community. He has changed the fortunes of many, he has provided…

Southampton have decided to sack manager Ralph Hasenhuttl after a 4-1 defeat to Newcastle on Sunday left the club in the relegation zone. (Athletic – subscription required) Tottenham are weighing up a move for Everton’s English winger Anthony Gordon, 21, in the January transfer window. (Sun) Arsenal remain interested in signing Shakhtar Donetsk and Ukraine winger Mykhaylo Mudryk, 21. (CaughtOffside) RB Leipzig’s France forward Christopher Nkunku, 24, would be willing to wait for Real Madrid before deciding upon a move to Chelsea. (El Nacional – in Spanish) Arsenal are working on new deals for France defender William Saliba, 21, England winger Bukayo Saka, 21, and Brazil forward Gabriel Martinelli. (Fabrizio Romano) PSV Eindhoven director Marcel Brands has said Leeds…

Festus Keyamo, the director, public affairs and spokesperson for Tinubu/Shettima presidential campaign council has explained why the APC presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu missed Arise TV presidential debate and why he might not attend any debate. In a statement following the backlash from Nigerians especially on social media, Keyamo noted that there are requests for many presidential debates and that Tinubu cannot attend all of them. Keyamo said, “The APC presidential candidate in the forthcoming 2023 Presidential Election, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, did not attend the presidential debate organised by Arise TV on Sunday, November 6, 2022, for the following reasons: Firstly,…

In the wake of Elon Musk’s takeover of Twitter, some users have been seeking alternative platforms. One of the biggest beneficiaries has been Mastodon. But what is it? The social network says it now has over 655,000 users – with over 230,000 having joined in the last week. On the surface Mastodon looks like Twitter – account users write posts (called “toots”), which can be replied to, liked and re-posted, and they can follow each other. Under the bonnet, though, it works in a different way. That’s one of the reasons it is attracting fresh users, but it has caused…

Mohamed Salah struck twice in the first half as Liverpool secured their first away win in the Premier League this season with victory at Tottenham. Liverpool had lost their two previous league games to struggling Nottingham Forest and Leeds United, so manager Jurgen Klopp will be delighted with this win at Spurs, who are shaping up as rivals for a place in the top four. Salah was the inspiration, sweeping home a sharp left-foot finish from Darwin Nunez’s pass after 11 minutes, then cashing in on Eric Dier’s misplaced headed back-pass to double Liverpool’s advantage with great composure five minutes…