January
US election: Republicans hold back Democrats, narrowing path to Senate control
The battle for power in the Senate tightened into Wednesday as Democrats picked up a seat in Colorado, but suffered a setback in Alabama, and Republicans held their own in high-profile races in South Carolina, Iowa, Texas and Kansas, dramatically narrowing the political map. Republicans fought to retain their Senate majority by turning back a surge of Democrats challenging allies of President Donald Trump, and the Democrats’ various paths to seizing control were growing more limited. With several contests still too early to call, and one Georgia race heading to a January runoff, the final verdict is expected to drag on. Democrats gained a seat when ex-Gov. John Hickenlooper ousted GOP Sen. Cory Gardner in Colorado, a must-win to flip the Senate, but couldn’t hold on in Alabama, where forme...
Bayern Munich confirm David Alaba is set to leave the club
Bayern Munich have upped the ante in the David Alaba saga by withdrawing the contract extension offer that had been on the table. The versatile 28-year-old’s current deal with the Bavarians runs out at the end of the current season. While at times it has looked like an agreement between the two parties was only a matter of time, this latest development will intensify speculation that the Austria native will move elsewhere on a free transfer next summer. The club’s decision to break off negotiations was reported by German station Sport 1. Bayern president Herbert Hainer was quoted by BR24Sport broadcaster as saying: “We made a very good offer to David and his advisor a long time ago. “We negotiated for months […] and last time told David’s advisor that we wanted to have clarity by the end o...
How fans pushed Al Nassr to sack Super Eagles skipper
More facts are emerging as to how Ahmed Musa suddenly became clubless. On Monday, Al Nassr confirmed that the Super Eagles captain was leaving. The 28-year-old is now a free agent after parting ways with the Saudi Pro League outfit on ‘mutual terms’. However, speaking with newsmen, Mohamed Hamdy Ahmed who writes for Merca Today in the Gulf State, gave more details on Ahmed’s departure. “There was great anger that caused this decision. The fans are sad about the player’s performance with the team. “The fans were not satisfied with the level of the player so the management took this decision,” Ahmed said. The Nigerian winger in 58 appearances scored 11 goals and got 14 assists, while helping the team win the 2018/2019 Saudi top-flight diadem and the 2019 Saudi Super Cup. But it was not enoug...
Fenerbahce monitoring Mesut Ozil situation at Arsenal
Fenerbahce are monitoring Mesut Ozil’s situation at Arsenal. Frozen out of both the Premier League and Europa League squads by Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, Ozil won’t play any first team football until January – at the earliest. A move to the USA with DC United has been floated for the former Germany international. However, it’s understood Ozil would prefer to remain in Europe and with his contract inside the final 12 months, he would be willing to negotiate an affordable agreement with long time suitors Fenerbahce. For their part, Arsenal would be willing to grant Ozil a free transfer in January if Fener can settle personal terms. Get more stories like this on Twitter You Deserve to Make Money Even When you are looking for Dates Online. So we reimagined what a dating should be. It begins...
ICPC uncovers N5.17 billion fraud in education, agric ministries
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) says it has uncovered diversion of part of the N2.67 billion payments made to some Federal Colleges for school feeding during lockdown. The Chairman of ICPC, Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, who stated this at the 2nd National Summit on Diminishing Corruption with the theme: “Together Against Corruption and Launch of the National Ethics and Integrity Policy”, said preliminary investigation had indicated that part of the N2.67billion was diverted to private accounts. The event, presided over President Muhammadu Buhari, was held at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Monday. The ICPC boss said: “We observed that transfer to sub-Treasury Single Account was to prevent disbursement from being monitored. ...
Lyon set deadline for Memphis Depay’s departure
Olympique Lyonnais have set Barcelona an ultimatum on signing their forward Memphis Depay this transfer window, as per Diario AS. The report cites how Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas has told French media outlet Telefoot: “I think I will tell the players that all those who did not leave on Friday will remain at Lyon. As of Friday there will be no more departures.” It is reported how he is referencing both Memphis and midfielder Houssem Aouar – who has been linked with a switch to Arsenal. The Blaugrana are keen on a move for Memphis but it remains unlikely that they will be able to finance a deal, despite clearing Arturo Vidal, Ivan Rakitic and Luis Suarez from their wage bill. Memphis, 26, netted 11 goals across his last 18 matches for the Dutch national side and has also developed into ...
NIS deploys ‘special force’ to fight bandits in North-west
YouTube The Nigerian Immigration Service on Monday said it will deploy a 2,000-strong Special Force in the North-west to restore peace and security in the region. The Comptroller General, Muhammad Babandede, stated this during the passing out parade of 320 First Batch of pioneer Special Force of the Service, at the NIS Training School in Kano. Babandede said the deployment was imperative to address security challenges and enhance peacebuilding process in the region. He noted that special operation in the North-west “was a definitive military initiative”, to respond to criminal activities like arson; kidnapping, armed banditry and cattle rustling prevalent in the area. He said: “The level of insecurity in the North-west zone has constituted a threat to national security. “This training i...
Ogun pensioners protest, demand immediate payment of gratuities
Pensioners in Ogun State on Tuesday demanded immediate payment of gratuities of State and Local Government retirees from 2014 and 2011 to date. Newsmen learnt that the state government pensioners are owed from 2014 while local government pensioners are owed from 2011. The pensioners who protested around Abiola Way in Abeokuta, carried placards with inscriptions such as “Repeal the obnoxious pension bill now”, ”Mr Governor, please don’t deprive us our legitimate pension and gratuities”. Others are “Severance to politicians are paid at exit”, ”Pay our gratuities now” among others. Addressing journalists after the protest, Mr Waheed Oloyede, Chairman, Nigeria Union of Pensioners, in the state, said that the proposal by government to release every quarter, the sum of N500 million from January ...
Saudi Arabia set to begin Umrah for local pilgrims
The Ministry of Interior announced on Sunday that the “resumption of Umrah will be done gradually depending on COVID-19 conditions.” According to Haramain Sharifain, Umrah will first be resumed for locals (residents of Saudi Arabia) and that too will be allowed in ‘limited numbers’. The source confirmed previous speculations that an application is being developed which will allow for registration of the pilgrim’s intended time and date for the performance of Umrah and also a negative COVID-19 PCR report will be a mandatory requirement. If the intending pilgrim fulfils all conditions then an “Umrah permit” will be issued. Regarding the opening date of Umrah, the source said that the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah will announce the full mechanism in the coming days. It will be recalled that Saud...
Kelechi Nwakali craves for perfect stay at Huesca
Kelechi Nwakali hopes his time with LaLiga club SD Huesca will give him the opportunity to get his career back on track. Nwakali joined Huesca from Premier League club Arsenal last summer. The 22-year-old was forced to sit -out the first six month of his contract after battling with visa issues. The talented midfielder finally linked up with Huesca in January after his paperwork issues were resolved. Nwakali featured in the club’s final five games of the campaign and played his part in their promotion to the Spanish top-flight. “It is a new beginning, I have had my ups and downs, but this is the time to make it right again, this is the time to get it back on track,” he BBC Sport Africa. “As the season progresses, I believe I am going to play more, right now I also play as a Number 4, the c...
Philippe Coutinho to remain at Barcelona after Ronald Koeman call
Philippe Coutinho will remain at Barcelona for the upcoming 2020/21 season, according to his agent Kia Joorabchian. Coutinho spent last term on loan at Bayern Munich, making 38 appearances as they won the Champions League, Bundesliga and DFB Pokal. The 28-year-old was offered to several Premier League clubs – including Arsenal and Newcastle – but Joorabchian claims that new head coach Ronald Koeman has since persuaded him to stay. “Coutinho to stay at Barça? Yes,” he told Talksport. “Koeman called him right after the Champions League victory with Bayern and told him he’s very much in his plans and would like him to return. “Coutinho was due to return on September 7th, but he began training earlier because he didn’t want to lose his momentum and fitness.” Coutinho has made 76 appearances fo...
US sanctions 11 entities for aiding Iran’s oil sector
The US imposed sanctions on 11 entities and three executives Thursday for allegedly aiding an Iranian energy firm that was blacklisted in January, and helping Iran export petroleum products . The new designations of companies and executives include six under the Treasury Department’s authorities and five under the State Department. All are based in Iran, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) or China. The State Department’s sanctions target Iran-based Abadan Refining Company; China-based Zhihang Ship Management, New Far International Logistics LLC and Sino Energy Shipping; and UAE-based Chemtrans Petrochemicals Trading. The department also imposed sanctions on New Far executive Min Shi, Sino Energy executive Zuoyou Lin and Abadan managing director Alireza Amin. “All entities targeted today contin...
