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Arsenal secured a 3–2 victory over Chelsea in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday, taking a narrow lead into the second leg at the Emirates Stadium. Arsenal opened the scoring early through Ben White, who headed home in the 7th minute following an error by Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sánchez. The Gunners extended their advantage shortly after half-time when Viktor Gyökeres finished from close range to make it 2–0. Chelsea responded afte

Senegal secured a 1–0 victory over Egypt in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 semifinal on Wednesday at the Ibn Batouta Stadium in Tangier, booking their place in the final of the competition. The only goal of the match came in the second half, when seasoned forward Sadio Mané found the net, breaking the deadlock and ultimately deciding the contest in Senegal’s favour. The semifinal was a tightly contested affair featuring tactical discipline from both sides. Senegal’s d

Tottenham Hotspur have confirmed the signing of England midfielder Conor Gallagher from Atlético Madrid, with the 25-year-old joining the club on a long-term contract until 2031. Gallagher’s move to Spurs was announced by the club and is subject to international clearance, with the transfer fee reported to be around €40 million. Gallagher, who began his senior career with Chelsea and has previously played for Crystal Palace, West Bromwich Albion and in Spain with Atlético Mad

Two additional members of the Rivers State House of Assembly have publicly withdrawn their backing for the ongoing impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu, urging their colleagues to explore peaceful alternatives to the political crisis confronting the state. The lawmakers, Barile Nwakoh (Khana Constituency I) and Emilia Amadi (Obio/Akpor Constituency II), made their appeal on Wednesday in Port Harcourt, saying recent int

The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned further proceedings in the ongoing leadership dispute within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), setting January 23, 2026, for the hearing of a motion filed by the Kabiru Turaki–led faction seeking a stay of further action in the matter. The dispute centres on rival claims to the party’s national leadership following a controversial convention and subsequent court challenges. Justice Joyce Abdulmalik made the adjournment on Wednes

The Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele, has disclosed that he has faced personal threats in the course of implementing Nigeria’s comprehensive tax reforms, describing the experience as part of the challenge of restructuring a long-standing, “broken” system. Oyedele made the revelation on Tuesday in Abuja while speaking at a governance colloquium held to mark the 50th birthday of the Special Adviser to the President on Policy

Xabi Alonso has broken his silence following his departure from Real Madrid, releasing a personal statement on his social media channels days after leaving the club. The Spaniard confirmed the end of his short spell at the Bernabéu, which lasted just seven months of an initial three-year agreement, with Real Madrid sitting second in La Liga at the time of his exit. Alonso’s departure followed defeat to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final, a result that compounded a diffi

Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo has expressed deep sadness over the recent kidnapping and killing of a young man in Ekpoma, pledging intensified security operations to address rising insecurity and bring perpetrators to justice. Okpebholo’s remarks came in a post on his verified X handle on Monday, following the incident that occurred on Friday, January 9, 2026, in Esan West Local Government Area, which has heightened fear and anger among residents, including students of

Manchester United have reached an agreement with former midfielder Michael Carrick to become the club’s interim head coach for the remainder of the 2025–26 season, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer missing out on the role. According to The Athletic, Carrick’s return to Old Trafford will see him take charge of the first team on a temporary basis following the departure of Rúben Amorim earlier this month. United are finalising contract details with the 44-year-old and aim to have him i

Peter Obi has raised fresh concerns over what he described as the absence of presidential leadership amid Nigeria’s worsening socio-economic and security challenges, questioning President Bola Tinubu’s visibility and engagement at a time he said the country is facing a national emergency. In a statement shared on Monday via his X handle, the former Labour Party presidential candidate asked pointedly, “Where is the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria?” stressing that

Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, has issued a stern warning to counsel and litigants involved in the trial of former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, cautioning them against attempting to approach him for favours. The warning was delivered on Wednesday, January 7, 2025, during proceedings in the ongoing trial in which Malami is being prosecuted alongside his wife, Hajia Bashir Asabe, and son, Abuba

Manchester United are set to bring former defender Jonny Evans back into the first-team environment as an assistant to interim head coach Darren Fletcher, following the departure of Ruben Amorim on Monday. Evans, who retired from professional football last summer, had been serving as the club’s head of loans and pathways before leaving that role last month. The 38-year-old is now expected to support Fletcher as United prepare for Wednesday’s Premier League match against Burnl

The Federal Government has unveiled a set of reforms aimed at eliminating examination malpractice in WAEC and NECO examinations from 2026, as part of efforts to strengthen the credibility and transparency of Nigeria’s assessment system. The announcement was made in a press statement issued on Monday by the Federal Ministry of Education and signed by the Director of Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folashade. The measures were disclosed by the Minister of Education, Dr Maru

The National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibola Basiru, has called on the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to resign from his cabinet position, accusing him of interfering in the internal affairs of the ruling party. Basiru’s demand followed comments made earlier by Wike during a thank-you visit to supporters in Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State, where the minister warned the APC national secretary to “leave Riv

FCT Minister, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, with Rivers State APC Chairman, Chief Tony Okocha (left) and PDP State Chairman, Hon. Chukwuemeka Aaron on Monday morning in Port Harcourt The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has cautioned the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ajibola Basiru, to refrain from making comments about Rivers State, warning him to be mindful of his public statements. Wike issued the warning during a thank-you visit t

Manchester United have sacked head coach Ruben Amorim with immediate effect following a period of poor results and public tension between the manager and the club’s hierarchy. Multiple reports from reliable news outlets indicate that United and Amorim have ended their working relationship as the club seeks to address its position in the Premier League and reset its campaign. Amorim’s departure comes after United endured a difficult run of form, including inconsistent league r

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has condemned the deadly attacks on communities in Agwarra and Borgu Local Government Areas of Niger State, describing the incident as a disturbing assault on innocent and defenceless citizens. In a statement released on Sunday via his official X handle, Atiku said he was “deeply saddened by the heinous attacks on communities in Agwarra and Borgu Local Government Areas of Niger State,” noting that the violence resulted in the killing of sc

British heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua has issued an emotional tribute to two of his close friends and longtime members of his training team who died in a road accident in Nigeria late last month, reflecting on the personal loss as funerals are arranged abroad. Joshua, 36, made his first public social media post since the fatal crash on Monday, December 29 on the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway, in which the Lexus SUV he was travelling in struck a stationary truck and kil

Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has administered the oath of office to five newly appointed Special Advisers in a bid to strengthen his executive team as his administration implements its policy agenda. The ceremony, held on Friday at the Government House in Port Harcourt, saw the appointees formally sworn in before beginning their official duties. At the event, Fubara said the appointments were intended to enhance governance and ensure efficient delivery of public se

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has granted N500 million bail to Bauchi State Commissioner for Finance, Yakubu Adamu, who is facing trial over alleged money-laundering offences, but ordered that he remain in custody until he fulfils the conditions attached to his release. Justice Emeka Nwite, in a ruling delivered on Friday, January 2, 2026, admitted Adamu to bail in the sum of N500 million with two sureties of equal value, each able to produce proof of ownership of lan