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Bayern Munich’s refusal to meet the £97m option to buy set by Barcelona shouldn’t be viewed as a failure on Coutinho’s part. Philippe Coutinho’s recent career has been well documented as a major flop since leaving Liverpool for Barcelona in a massive £142million deal two years ago. The Brazilian playmaker struggled in his first season at the Camp Nou and was rather quickly sent to Bayern Munich last summer. However, the Bundesliga champions recently revealed that they won’t be exercising the option to buy the 27-year-old which means he faces a crossroads in his career in the next transfer window. Barcelona have expressed their desire to sell Coutinho to raise much-needed funds for more long-term investments for the squad, leaving several clubs on high alert over the player’s availability. As is the case with many big money signings who fail to impress, public opinion on the player’s true quality can quickly be skewed. For Coutinho, the memories of being the main man for Liv

Mikel Arteta has backed Arsenal’s bid to sign Paris Saint-Germain teenager Adil Aouchiche, according to a report in England. ESPN, as quoted by Metro, is reporting that Arsenal are interested in the 17-year-old in light of the uncertainty surrounding his future at Paris Saint-Germain. The same article states that Aouchiche’s family believe that the attacking midfielder’s career would benefit from a move away from the Ligue 1 champions this summer. According to the same story, Arsenal are facing competition from French clubs Saint-Etienne and Lille but Aouchiche’s demands have provided the interested duo with an obstacle to a deal. ESPN go on to add that Arteta is eager to sign promising, young talent to start his rebuild of the Arsenal team after he took over the reins of the Emirates Stadium outfit in December. PSG’s number 38 has made three appearances for the senior team so far, getting on the score sheet in a 6-1 victory over Linas-Montlhery in the Coupe de France.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Saturday said COVID-19 pandemic would not truncate Nigeria’s democracy and the electoral process. INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, said this in Abuja in his remarks at the commission’s first virtual meeting with the Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs). Yakubu said that like it did to every other national institution, the COVID-19 pandemic had disrupted INEC activities. “For instance, further engagements with the National Assembly and stakeholders on electoral reform and the conduct of some off-season elections have to be suspended because of the global health emergency. “Happily, the PTF has issued guidelines on protective measures for the gradual restoration of normalcy nationwide. ”On that basis, the commission recently released its own policy on conducting elections in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. “The commission is convinced that electoral activities can resume, but in full compliance with the

T he Police Command in Plateau has arrested 16 suspects over kidnapping, armed robbery, culpable homicide and unlawful possession of firearms. CP Edward Egbuka, the Commissioner in charge of the command, disclosed this while parading the suspects before newsmen on Saturday in Jos. According to the Commissioner, the command achieved the feat with the support and cooperation of other security agencies in the state. He explained that two of the suspects where among those who killed Dr Nandi Drenkat, a lecturer with the University of Jos, who was murdered three weeks ago. “On May 3, I paraded before you one Ali Mohammed, a suspected member of a dreaded kidnapping gang who murdered the University of Jos lecturer and kidnapped his seven years old daughter. “With what can be described as an ideal synergy with the operatives of the Department of State Security Services (DSS), we were able to track down two other members of the notorious gang. “On interrogation by the DSS, the s

Six Nigerian Air Force personnel who were aides to Late Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, have been sent to jail by a Special Court-Martial sitting in Abuja, following the gruesome murder of the former Chief of Defence Staff in December 2018. Badeh was shot dead by gunmen along Abuja-Keffi Road while on his way back from his farm. The Nigerian Police Force, operatives of the Department of State Services and the military had thereafter arrested about 14 suspects in connection with the murder, who confessed that they were on a robbery and kidnapping operation. A statement released by the Director of Public Relations and Information of the Nigeria Air Force, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola in Saturday morning, said the convicted personnel namely Squadron Leader Tom Gwani, Flight Sergeant Amu David, Flight Sergeant Philemon Degema, Flight Sergeant Sabo Simon, Sergeant Mukhtar Abdullahi, and Sergeant Alfred Alexander, were attached to Badeh while he was alive. While two of them were d

Two UN peacekeepers in Mali have died from the coronavirus, officials said Friday. Out of the some 100,000 UN troops deployed on about 15 different missions around the world, these two are the first whose deaths were directly linked to the pandemic. “Unfortunately, I also want to say that yesterday and today two of our military colleagues have passed away due to COVID-19,” UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said, during a meeting at the UN headquarters in New York to honor the peacekeepers killed in conflict. One was from Cambodia and the other from El Salvador, “both members of MINUSMA,” the UN peacekeeping mission in Mali, Guterres said.

The 19-year-old had a trial with the Gunners in March and has seemingly done enough to earn a permanent move. Arsenal have completed the signing of Norwegian winger George Lewis, according the sporting director of the teenager's former club. Jostein Jensen, sporting director of Fram Larvik, has said the 19-year-old has sealed a shock move to Emirates Stadium, though the deal has yet to be officially confirmed by the north London club. Lewis, who turns 20 in June, is currently a free agent having spent the past few seasons playing in the lower leagues of Norwegian football. He also had a short spell with League One side Ipswich earlier this year. “Yes, we can confirm that. I have been told that he has signed for Arsenal,” Jensen told Norwegian outlet VG. Goal reported at the start of May that the Gunners were in talks to sign the youngster, who was invited for a trial in March, initially for a week. He impressed so much that the trial was extended by a further seven

Ogun, Adamawa, Oyo and Lagos states are currently topping the list of states with the highest number of presidential aides in an updated list prepared by the Presidency. The 142 aides on the list are attached to the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.); his wife, Aisha; Vice-President, Yemi Osinbajo; his wife, Dolapo; Chief of Staff to the President; and a few ministers. An analysis of the list showed that Ogun, Osinbajo’s home state, topped the chart with 16, Adamawa, the home state of the President’s wife, Aisha, came second with 12, while Oyo State came third with 11 aides. Lagos came fourth with 10 aides while Kano followed closely with nine presidential aides to occupy the fifth position. Buhari’s home state, Katsina as well as Ondo state are tied in the sixth position with seven presidential aides each. Edo, Ekiti and Osun states are occupying the seventh position with six presidential aides each. Bauchi, Kebbi and Nasarawa states have the lowest numb

Diego Costa could face time in prison for tax fraud, with prosecutors asking for him to face six months behind bars ahead of his trial on June 4th. According to reports in Spain, via Cadena Ser, the Atletico Madrid striker has defrauded the Spanish state of over 1 million euros for not declaring payments regarding his move from Spain to Chelsea in 2014 and for image rights. The report says that the prosecution want the 31-year-old to face six months in prison as well as a fine of 507,208 euros. However, as has been the case with other footballer’s tax misdemeanours in Spain, the Atletico Madrid striker is unlikely to serve any time behind bars. The laws in Spain allow sentences under two years for non violent crimes to be exchanged for a fine and Costa will only have to pay 36,500 euros, on top of his over half a million fine, to avoid time in prison. Lionel Messi, and his dad Jorge, were found guilty of defrauding Spain in 2017, and the Barcelona star was initially given a

The Cross River State Commissioner for Health and chairman of COVID-19 response team, Dr Betta Edu, has alleged that the federal government is glorifying COVID-19 through media hype in such a way that every day, people are only told the number of new cases of infection. Dr Edu, who addressed journalists in Calabar, urged the federal government to reduce the media hype on the pandemic. According to her, the attention being given to COVID-19 is at the expense of the high number of deaths from other health challenges like malaria, high blood pressure, and diabetes among others. “We have so magnified this issue such that even health workers are abandoning patients with other health challenges to die. People are afraid to even go to hospitals to avoid being tagged COVID-19 positive, everyone is scared. “How many people would we allow to die before Nigeria stops magnifying COVID-19? Maternal mortality claims at least 3000 lives daily, malaria kills at least 1000 daily. High blo

Former US President Barack Obama has issued a statement on the death of George Floyd, the black man who died after being pinned down by a white police officer in Minneapolis on Monday. Obama, 58, released a statement via his Twitter page, saying it:- READ ALSO:  President Trump Terminates US Ties With World Health Organization

President Donald Trump has announced that the US is terminating its ties with the World Health Organization, WHO, and will suspend all funding to the organization. The US President made the announcement during a press conference at the White House Rose Garden on Friday May 29. He said his decision comes after WHO ”failed to make the requested and greatly needed reforms”. He accused the WHO officials of helping China lie and conceal the seriousness of the ”Wuhan virus”. He says all funds will now be redirected to other global public health needs. ”Because they have failed to make the requested and greatly needed reforms, we will be today terminating our relationship with the World Health Organization and redirecting those funds to other worldwide and deserving urgent global public health needs. The Woeld needs answers from China on the virus” he said Speaking further, he said:- China has total control over the World Health Organization despite only paying $40 million per

Bukayo Saka, Eddie Nketiah, Reiss Nelson and Joe Willock have all progressed through Arsenal's academy in recent months and Per Mertesacker predicts more will follow suit. Mikel Arteta has promoted Matt Smith and Trae Coyle to train with the Arsenal first team ahead of the Premier League resuming on June 19. Arteta has pledged to utilise the club's academy, with Bukayo Saka, Eddie Nketiah, Reiss Nelson and Joe Willock all featuring for the Gunners this season. And it seems their success is now paramount to Arsenal's progression, amid claims David Luiz, Rob Holding, Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette could all leave in the summer transfer window. Smith, 19, has previously trained with the Arsenal first team and was present during Arteta's inaugural session after he took over from Unai Emery. Matt Smith trains with the Arsenal first team The midfielder, and his team-mate Coyle, will be hoping to break into the first team set-up at Ar

Nigerians have been warned of the dangers involved in buying COVID-19 test kits from black market sellers. Chikwe Ihekweazu, director-general of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has warned Nigerians to becareful as horrible elements have started selling COVID-19 diagnostic test kits in “black markets”. TheCable reported that Ihekweazu gave the warning because black markets are non-regulated platforms or economies where a series of transactions take place with little respect for established rules. Speaking at the presidential task force briefing on Thursday, Ihekweazu warned those who are desperate for test to be careful. He also called for caution as industries gear up to reopen for businesses. The NCDC DG said there is currently a lot of pressure as companies seek to test their employees before they resume work. Ihekweazu warned Nigerians to be cautious while purchasing diagnostic test kits. “It is important that as we open our industries, we really think

Chibuzor Okonkwo believes Nigeria national team coach Gernot Rohr can win the Africa Cup of Nations trophy. The 66-year-old was recently handed a two-and-half-year contract by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) as his current deal is set to run out next month. Confirming the contract extension on Wednesday, NFF president Amaju Pinnick stated the Franco-German tactician must win the next Afcon title in 2021. Rohr has been in charge of the three-time African champions since 2016 and guided them to the 2018 World Cup in Russia, and also led the side to finish third at the 2019 Afcon tournament in Egypt. Okonkwo, who has nine caps for the Super Eagles, believes the Franco-German tactician deserved a renewal of his contract, given his performances. The full-back also stated Rohr can meet the target set for him by the NFF, but wants him to introduce more experienced players into the national team. “He has been doing well and I believed he has a good team which can win trop

Recall that we reported earlier on Wednesday that controversial Nigerian crossdresser, Idris Okuneye simply known and addressed as Bobrisky was arrested in Lagos for alleged fraud in a deal worth N30 million. Well, she has made her first comment following the arrest. Reacting via her social media account, the male barbie bragged that the saga should make people know that she does not deal with small money. Report has it that she was arrested by one Omashola, a Kanyamata seller. She is said to have been released on administrative bail with investigation ongoing. He wrote:- READ ALSO:  “I Wouldn’t Have Turned Out The Way I Did If My Dad Was Alive” – Kunle Afolayan

Popular actor and filmmaker, Kunle Afolayan has revealed that he would not have turned out the way he did of his father was alive. This was contained in a post he shared on his official Instagram page on Thursday, 28th May. Read what he wrote below:- “My children asked me a few days ago if I missed and feel sad that my father passed long ago and he’s not here to witness how I have turned out. “My response to them was that, yes, I miss my father so much but the honest truth is I wouldn’t have turned out the way I did if he was alive. They asked why and I said because he would have influenced my journey and I would have done and handled things differently. “I could have turned out better or worst, I could have become a rebel or even choose a completely different career. I am a product of hard work and self-sufficient but I probably would never have ventured into the world of filmmaking if I wasn’t brought the world by and through him. “My point is, if your parents do thing

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) hurriedly shut down its operations on Thursday. The NDDC, through an internal memo announcing the shutdown, directed all its workers to go into self-isolation for two weeks, creating an impression of a COVID-19 scare within the commission’s headquarters in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. “All activities in the Commission including ongoing matters are hereby shut down for the time being “The Head Security is by this memo directed to work out modalities to ensure the safety and security of the Commission while Director, Administration is requested to fumigate and decontaminate the entire offices and premises in the headquarters during the period,” the memo said. The sudden closure of the NDDC headquarters has been attributed to the reported death of the acting director of finance in the commission, Ibanga Etang. The NDDC is yet to issue a statement on Mr Etang. The commission has been on the spot lately over allegations of massiv

United States President, Donald Trump, has reiterated his insistence that coronavirus was from China. On Thursday, the president expressed dismay that the disease had affected every part of the world. “All over the World the coronavirus, a very bad “gift” from China, marches on. Not good!” he tweeted. Trump and his administration’s officials have repeatedly stated that Beijing was culpable. The president had suggested that China was wishing he would lose in the November election. China strongly rejected the allegation that it “created” COVID-19. On May 1, Trump reopened the U.S. economy despite criticisms. The president has also directed the reopening of religious centres. In a rare open remark, former President Barack Obama said coronavirus has exposed U.S. Government officials. Obama made the comment in an address to 2020 college graduates. He noted that the crisis has “torn back the curtain on the idea that so many of the folks in charge know what they’re doi

Nepal says 875 people have committed suicide during the COVID-19 lockdown period. The country has been under lockdown since March 24, Xinhua reported on Tuesday. Data compiled by the Nepal Police shows that suicide cases in the country increased by 16 percent in the first month. “The suicide cases have been recorded as of May 16,’’ said Police spokesperson, Niraj Bahadur Shahi. 482 suicide cases were filed during mid-March to mid-April in police stations across the country, against 414 cases for the period between mid-February and mid-March. 38 people took their own lives in the Kathmandu valley alone. 742, the highest number, died by hanging themselves, followed by 114 people who committed suicide by consuming poison. They were found to have used burning, stabbing, drowning, jumping from heights ways of attempting suicide. Psychiatrists have linked the deaths with mental health of the people who were forced to stay indoor during lock-down. READ ALSO:  Declare Kal

Abia North Youths Vanguard (ANYV) yesterday called on the Senate President, Senator Ahmed Lawan, to declare vacant, the seat of Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, following the expiration of the constitutional one third legislative days of absence from sitting. The group argued that since the embattled senator who has been in prison custody since December 5, 2019 following his conviction by a Lagos Federal High Court on a N7.2bn fraud charge, has been absent from the senate, his seat ought to have been declared vacant. According to a statement signed by Comrade Sunday Kalu and Uchechukwu Orji, President and Secretary of the group respectively, said Kalu has breached section 68 (f) of the 1999 Constitution which recommends that the seat of a lawmaker be declared vacant if he or she is absent from sitting for more than one third of legislative days in a year. The Senate had through it former spokesperson, Senator Godiya Akwashiki said: “There is no provision in the constitution that say

Some Nigerians on social media have reacted to the contract deal released by music Director, Jude Okoye, which revealed that Cynthia Morgan and the Northside Music had a 50/50 sharing formula rather than the claims she made of being used and dumped. We recalls that Morgan had over the weekend claimed that she lost all she had, including her name, VEVO account, Instagram account and royalties after they had some issues centering on her contract. However, Jude Okoye had since dismissed Morgan’s claims. The Music Director, who also explained that the contract had an option to renew for two further years, released the details of the contract on Tuesday. The recent development has since triggered different reactions from Nigerians who have taken to Twitter to drag her for lying and allegedly playing the victim card after accusing Okoye of wrecking her career. Here are some comments gathered by us: @Irunna ”So Cynthia Morgan lied. Please how do we get back the money we dona

The Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has boasted that it will win the governorship election and other polls in 2023. Spokesman Taofik Gani said the party has started strategising to wrest power from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), He told The Nation that all the indices the party needed to win were clear, and that all it had to do was for the members to work together as a united family and flush out saboteurs within the party before the election year. Gani said: “This time, members have resolved to put the party’s goal over and above personal interest. In 2023, we are not going to take it lightly because Lagosians have been disappointed that our votes do not count. “We are mindful of the fact that if we lose in 2023, Lagosians will stop voting for PDP. This is why we are leaving no stone unturned to win the governorship seat and other elective offices in the next general election.” PDP is yet to produce a governor in Lagos State and

Former Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere has lamented the star departures at the Emirates in the early 2010s, saying the Gunners would have won the Premier League had the team not been broken up. Arsenal last won the Premier League in 2003-04 and the team put together a streak of 10 seasons finishing either third or fourth between 2005 and 2015. Wilshere believes a number of departures undermined his team’s chase for Premier League glory, specifically citing the loss of Robin van Persie, Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas. Van Persie’s transfer to Manchester United in 2012 was particularly difficult to swallow for Wilshere, who said he was “devastated” to see the Dutchman join one of his side’s biggest rivals. “I was devastated,” Wilshere told the BBC’s 606 Savage Social podcast. “He had just scored 30 goals the season before. He was our captain. “It felt like we were just about to challenge [for the title] again and all of a sudden he left to go to our biggest rivals. It was d

The Nigerian Navy Victory Ship (NNVS) has handed over 42 suspected cultists to the Cross River Government for onward investigation and prosecution. Briefing newsmen on Tuesday in Calabar, the Commander of NNVS, Rear Admiral Vincent Okeke, said the suspects were arrested on Sunday through a tip off by concerned individuals. Okeke, who was represented by Capt. Ibrahim Gwaska, said the Navy standby team was informed that the suspects were gathered in Akpabuyo local government area of the state for initiation and other activities. According to him, intelligence gathering revealed that it was evidently clear that there was going to be a clash between the Klans and Black Axe confraternities. “We are here to do a routine handover of 42 suspects to the Cross River Government representative. “Accordingly, the base responded through a tip-off and cordoned the area in Akpabuyo. In that raid, we arrested 61 suspected cultists. “On arrival, preliminary investigations were been condu

The National Youth Service Corps,(NYSC) Lagos, has extended the service year of about 24 Batch B Stream 1 corps members as punishment for undisclosed disciplinary issues. 18 other corps members have also been listed as having “pending disciplinary issues.” Batch B Stream 1 corps members are scheduled to pass out from Thursday, May 28. However, the service year of the affected corps members will be extended by between two weeks to four months. This was disclosed in a statement titled “Corps Disciplinary Committee Decision” signed by the state coordinator, Eddy Megwa. “Affected corps members (those with the extension of service year) are to report to NYSC, State Secretariat, Surulere on Wednesday, 27th May 2020 between 10:00 am to 11:30 to collect their respective letters of the disciplinary decision. Strict adherence to time schedule is advised,” it stated. It also added that 18 other members would be remobilized. NYSC had said that the collection of certificates will la

The lockdown imposed in Rivers state to curb the spread of coronavirus has been canceled by Governor Nyesom Wike. This was made known in a state broadcast by WIke earlier today, as he stated that no part of Rivers state will be under lockdown from May 26. The governor also revealed that all land borders will remain closed, and that anyone seen without a face mask will be arrested. “In the last two months we have implemented several calculated measures in response to the outbreak of the coronavirus in our State. Some of these measures were severe, but necessary, including the total lockdown of Obio/Akpor and Port Harcourt Local Government Areas, which are, without doubt, the social and economic never-centers of our State. Arguably, these measures and your sacrifices have enabled us so far, to contain and limit the spread of this virus to 4 out of the 23 local government areas of the State. Also, the pattern of infection remains predictable, as there is yet, any evidence

The Saudi Arabian government has announced that it will reopen mosques outside the city of Mecca from May 31. Mosques across the kingdom had been shut for two months to limit the spread of coronavirus. The interior ministry, on Tuesday, said prayers will now be allowed to resume in all mosques outside Mecca from May 31. It said the country will end its nationwide coronavirus curfew on June 21, except in Mecca. The ministry said it will begin the gradual easing of the lockdown by lifting the curfew from 6am and 3pm between Thursday and Saturday. READ ALSO:  ASUU To FG: Raise Funds For Education Like You Did For COVID-19

The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, has called on the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency in the education sector and raise funds to tackle the rot therein, just as it did to contain Coronavirus outbreak in the country. The National President of ASUU, Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi, who stated this in a chat with Vanguard on Tuesday, said the effect of poor funding of education became glaring when COVID-19 broke out in the country and most of the nation’s teaching hospitals did not have ventilators to help keep patients alive. Ogunyemi noted that China, where the disease broke out, was able to quickly tackle the scourge by resorting to public tertiary teaching hospitals because they were well funded by the state. “Look at how much money has been raised to fight COVID-19 pandemic. This is because it is seen as a health emergency. We can do same for the education sector. The poor funding of the sector has deep damaging effects on our national life. A poorly tr

Three young prospects who failed to make the grade for Arsenal, from left, Arturo Lupoli, David Bentley and Jeremie Aliadiere. This season has seen several academy graduates cement places in the Arsenal first-team squad. Bukayo Saka has made the left-back spot his own, while Joe Willock has featured regularly. Ainsley Maitland-Niles has made more than 20 appearances (although not many under Mikel Arteta), and Reiss Nelson has played 18 times in all competitions. This commitment to the club’s young players, first by Unai Emery and more recently Arteta, is laudable, but it is nothing new. Over the course of Arsene Wenger’s tenure, several starlets were given the opportunity to impress in the first team. Some took their chance - think Nicolas Anelka, Ashley Cole, Cesc Fabregas, Kolo Toure and Robin van Persie. Others, though, failed to live up to their potential. Here are five “wonderkids” who failed to make the grade at Arsenal... Arturo Lupoli The Italian striker w

Chinese Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, has said China will work with other G20 members to implement the debt service suspension initiative to ease the debt burden of Nigeria and other African countries. In a statement by China’s Consul General in Lagos, Chu Maoming, the minister said this while responding to a question asked by an African journalist at a press conference on the sidelines of the annual Chinese national legislative session on Sunday. Yi, who is concurrently a state councillor (equivalent of deputy prime minister) of China’s cabinet, stated that China and Africa were good brothers. “China is also considering further bilateral support for African countries under the greatest strain to help African brothers and sisters through this difficult time,” he stated. He also said, “Our people, having fought shoulder to shoulder for national liberation, are partners for common development. A few years back, we were together fighting Ebola.” The minister said he agreed wi

DMW boss, Davido has reacted after Nigerian comedian, Funnybone threw a shade at him for reaching out and wanting to help Cynthia Morgan. Davido reaching out to Cynthia after she revealed all she has been going through and why she has been away from the music scene, has revealed different reactions. Read what Funnybone wrote below:- See Davido’s reply below:- READ ALSO:  JUST IN: Human Trial Of Vaccine In China Found To Be Safe & Able To Response Against COVID-19

An experimental vaccine developed in China has been found to be safe and able to generate an immune response against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. According to a new research published in The Lancet, the early-stage trial was conducted by researchers at several laboratories and included 108 participants aged 18 to 60. A report on The New York Times, indicates that those who received a single dose of the vaccine produced certain immune cells, called T cells, within two weeks. Antibodies needed for immunity peaked at 28 days after the inoculation. The trial is the first step in testing the vaccine and was intended mainly to verify its safety. Proof of its effectiveness will, however, require trials in thousands, perhaps hundreds of thousands, more people. A vaccine for COVID-19 is considered to be the best long-term solution for allowing countries to reopen their economies and return to normalcy. American business magnate, Bill Gates, had said it could take

Chinese foreign minister, Wang Yi has told the U.S to “give up on its wishful thinking of changing China” and avoid bringing the two countries to a “new Cold War.” “China has no intention to change, still replace, the United States,” he said, according to the Washington Post. “It is time for the United States to give up it’s wishful thinking of changing China and stopping 1.4 billion people in their historic march toward modernization.” The relationship between the U.S. and China has been strained for some time. President Trump has criticized Beijing over a trade imbalance and the outbreak of the coronavirus lead both to accuse the other of an improper response. Trump recently said that he may completely end U.S. funding for the World Health Organization over its cozy ties with Beijing. The White House has insisted that Beijing downplayed the virus’ threat in December, which led to the subsequent outbreak. China has denied the charge and accused Trump of shirking responsibili

Nabil Fekir, the Real Betis playmaker, has been linked with a summer move to Arsenal. Once upon a time, Nabil Fekir came within a whisker of joining Liverpool. The silky Frenchman, fresh from a thoroughly impressive 23-goal season with Lyon, attracted an almost unparalleled level of hype as whispers of a move to Anfield intensified. In the end, the deal fell through. The popular narrative is that Liverpool pulled out over last-minute fears over Fekir’s dodgy knee. The player, however, disputes this. But a now-dominant Liverpool have not looked back, and while Jurgen Klopp’s Reds do not miss the playmaker’s smooth style, Fekir’s career has taken a more interesting path. After another year in France, he joined Real Betis last summer. And after a productive spell in Spain, Fekir is being tipped with another move to England, with reports linking Arsenal to the 26-year-old. That Fekir is attracting interest once more comes as no surprise. After a difficult final year at Lyon

A 19-year-old girl who faked her own death on Facebook to avoid financial pressure from her mother has been arrested by the Lagos State Police. This was disclosed by the Lagos police spokesman, Bala Elkana, in a statement on Sunday, May 24. According to the statement, 19-year-old Margaret Adiya, was arrested following a petition signed by a man, Tony Iji, on behalf of the family of Ms Adiya from Oni community in Oju Local Government Area of Benue State. The statement said: “The petitioners stated that their attention was drawn to a post on Facebook stating that the said Margaret Adiya died few days ago and was secretly buried by her two friends Marvelous Mary and Nneka Buddy at Ajah area. “The family further stated that they were able to establish contact with the said friends who confirmed to them that their daughter is dead. That they were instructed by Margaret not to allow members of her family know anything about her death and that they were authorised by the deceased

Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen. Yusuf Buratai, on Sunday, said the Nigerian troops have killed 1,015 Boko Haram? ISWAP terrorists in the ongoing operation in Nigeria’s Northeast region which started on 12 April – about six weeks ago. Buratai made this disclosure during a luncheon organised for the troops of “Operations Lafiya Dole” in Maiduguri on Sunday. He also said a total of 84 high ranking members of Boko Haram logistics and informants were arrested within the same time frame. “We have put concerted efforts against BHTs and ISWAP,” he said, adding that:”We have severely dealth with the BH terrorists and ISWAP. “We have successful displaced major camps of the BHTs. “We have killed 1015 terrorists and ISWAP in the ongoing operation in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa state respectively. “We have also arrested 84 BHTs logistics and information suppliers in the ongoing operation which started 12 April, 2020,” COAS said. He appreciated the efforts of the Nigeria Air For

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has urged the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, to immediately step aside amid serious corruption allegations levelled against him. The party urged him to submit himself to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for investigation over allegations of financial impropriety. PDP made the call in reaction to reported discovery of 64 accounts allegedly linked to Obasa’s Bank Verification Number (BVN). The opposition party lampooned the All Progressives Congress (APC) for not speaking out on the allegations in the public space, that the said bank accounts allegedly operated with multiple names in various banks are being used to siphon funds belonging to the people of Lagos state. A statement by PDP’s spokesperson, Kola Ologbondiyan said the allegation has further called to question the sincerity of the APC, particularly in a state like Lagos, where the struggling residents had come under asphyxiating tax

Discharged COVID19 patients in Niger state have spoken about their time at the state’s Isolation center. In an interview with The Nation, the patients who were discharged today, May 24, claimed that all through their stay at the isolation center, no drug was administered to them in the form of treatment. The patients stated that despite the fact that they tested positive for COVID-19, they were neither treated nor re-tested before being discharged. One of the discharged patients, who was picked up from Zumba in Shiroro local government area, said he was expecting to be treated and given drugs throughout his stay at the isolation center but was only given food. “I expected that I will undergo some treatment, but apart from food, nothing was given to me in the form of treatment. They did not give me a single drug. They only give us food every day that is all. No single drug, not even paracetamol was given to me throughout the 14 days,” the patient who spoke on condition of