February 26, 2020

City’s Laporte Taken Off Injured Against Real Madrid

February 26, 2020 4:41 pm

Manchester City defender Aymeric Laporte hobbled off injured during their Champions League last-16 first leg against Real Madrid on Wednesday.

Laporte had to be replaced by Fernandinho during the first half, with the score 0-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Read Also: Zidane’s Achievements Will Never Be Repeated – Guardiola

The French centre-back only returned a few weeks ago after almost five months out with a cruciate ligament injury.

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Saudi Arabia Announces Sporting Mega-Event

February 26, 2020 4:41 pm

Saudi Arabia said Wednesday it will hold its biggest sporting event next month, with 6,000 athletes expected to participate, the latest extravaganza in a push to soften its ultra-conservative image.

The “Saudi Games” will be held in Riyadh between March 23 and April 1 and will feature 40 sports — including swimming, athletics, archery, badminton and basketball — that will be open to men and women, officials said.

“I (am) proud to launch the biggest sporting event in the kingdom’s history,” said the Saudi sports minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki.

The top prize reserved for gold medalists is one …

Modi Calls For Calm As Delhi Riots Toll Rises To 27

February 26, 2020 4:41 pm

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for calm Wednesday after Delhi’s worst sectarian violence in decades left at least 27 people dead and prompted demands for a military curfew.

This week’s battles between Hindus and Muslims have seen mobs armed with swords, guns and acid raze parts of a northeastern district of the Indian capital.

The clashes, which also left more than 200 injured, were triggered by protests against a citizenship law seen by many critics as anti-Muslim and part of Modi’s Hindu nationalist agenda.

They exploded into brutal violence on Monday and Tuesday, with residents forced to flee their …

Goodbye, Tennis: Sharapova Announces Retirement

February 26, 2020 4:40 pm

Five-time Grand Slam winner Maria Sharapova, one of the world’s most recognisable and highest-paid sportswomen, on Wednesday announced her retirement at the age of 32, and was immediately hailed as “a legend” and “great champion.”

“Tennis — I’m saying goodbye,” Sharapova said in an article for Vogue and Vanity Fair magazines.

“After 28 years and five Grand Slam titles, though, I’m ready to scale another mountain — to compete on a different type of terrain.”

Men’s number one Novak Djokovic dubbed Sharapova a “legend” of the sport, hailing her “great impact”.

“She’s a very smart girl. She has the mind …

Scramble To Contain Coronavirus As Infections Spread

February 26, 2020 4:39 pm

Coronavirus cases spread in Europe and beyond on Wednesday, with Latin America confirming its first patient as the world scrambled to contain the epidemic that has killed thousands worldwide.

New cases have emerged across Europe, many linked to the continent’s coronavirus hotspot in northern Italy, amid warnings from health experts to rein in hysteria as the virus continues its march beyond China’s borders.

AFP / ATTA KENAREIn Iran, which has reported 15 deaths out of nearly 100 infections, even the country’s deputy health minister Iraj Harirchi said he had contracted the virus

The novel coronavirus has killed over

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Togo Opposition Calls For Protests Against Elections

February 26, 2020 4:39 pm

Togo’s opposition continues to refuse to recognise the results of the 2020 presidential election as announced by the country’s electoral commission and is calling on people to take to the streets to express their dissatisfaction with the re-election of incumbent President Faure Gnassingbé for a fourth term.

The victory of the people cannot be stolen, according to Philippe Kpodzro, a former archbishop of the capital Lomé and one of the main supporters of opposition leader Agbéyomé Kodjo. The clergyman says the provisional results announced on Sunday night by the electoral commission are a “farce” and “comical”. He calls on the …

Kenya: Court Ousts Sonko Bid to Stop Sh357M Fraud Case

February 26, 2020 4:38 pm

The Anti-Corruption Court has dismissed Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko’s application to stop his prosecution in the Sh357 million corruption case.

Chief Magistrate Douglas Ogoti ruled on Wednesday that the governor will answer to the charges levelled against him.

Sonko had argued that the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) illegally obtained evidence against him from banks.

His lawyer Cecil Miller said he will appeal against the ruling.

OTHER ARGUMENTS

Sonko also challenged the EACC’s legal mandate to investigate him, saying its Director of Investigations Abdi Mohamud has been adversely mentioned in alleged corruption deals.

Read Also: Kenya: No Letup In

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Abba Kyari Vs Monguno: Ohanaeze Passes Verdict

February 26, 2020 12:53 pm

Following the face-off between President Muhammadu Buhari’s Chief of Staff, CoS, Abba Kyari and the National Security Adviser, NSA, Babagana Monguno, the apex Igbo socio-political organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has faulted comments that the President was not in charge of his government.

Ohanaeze Secretary-General, Barr. Uche Okwukwu in a chat with reporters on Wednesday maintained that contrary to insinuations, Buhari was in charge of his government and should be allowed to discharge his constitutional duties as an executive president.

Recall that Monguno had accused Buhari’s Chief of Staff of hijacking the coordination of the country’s security architecture.

A circular from Monguno’s

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Dickson, Diri Seen On Their Knees After S’Court Verdict

February 26, 2020 12:52 pm

Former Governor, Seriake Dickson and Sen. Duoye Diri were on Wednesday seen on their knees after the Supreme Court struck out the All Progressives Congress, APC suit seeking a review of the judgement that sacked ex-Bayelsa State Governor-elect, David Lyon.

Justice Amina Augie who read the judgement pointed out that the application lacked merit and the decisions of the court are final.

The judge said the applicants did fail to point out errors in the earlier judgement, insisting that the judgment is final for all ages.

Read Also: ‘I Am A Miracle Gov’ – Diri Reveals Secret Behind Victory

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Killings In Nigeria: Bishop Begs International Community

February 26, 2020 12:52 pm

The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Jalingo, The Most Rev. Dr. Charles Hammawa, on Wednesday, called on the international community to intervene in the killings in Nigeria.

Hammawa made the call in a homily to mark the 2020 ‘Ash Wednesday’ which officially commenced the lenten season of fasting and prayers for Christians.

Read Also: Mbaka May Be Barred From Preaching By Catholic

The Bishop who read the message of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) decried the level of insecurity in the country, especially the targeted and barbaric executions of Christians by the Boko Haram insurgents and the

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Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, HURIWA

HURIWA Cries Out Over Job Racketeering In Nigeria

February 26, 2020 12:52 pm

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, HURIWA, has lamented the widespread commercialization of federal civil service employment slots by key officials in government and officials of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

HURIWA suggested that this could be the reason for the spike in kidnappings for ransom all over the country.

The Rights group suggested the constitution of an independent judicial commission of inquiry on the large scale employment scams involving key government officials.

The Rights body claimed that the National Assembly, the Nigerian Police Force, Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN; Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, the Economic and Financial

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