Author: Chronicle Editor

China has widened a lockdown in Hubei province – the centre of the coronavirus outbreak – as the death toll climbed to 26. At least 10 cities in the central Chinese province, which has a population of 60 million, have travel restrictions in force. On Thursday, a coronavirus patient died in nearby Hebei province – making it the first death outside Hubei. Another death was later confirmed in the remote province of Heilongjiang. The north-eastern area borders Russia and is more than 2,000 kilometres (1,200 miles) from Wuhan. Nationally, there are currently 830 confirmed cases of patients infected with the…

On Thursday, the Department of State announced amendments to some visa regulations aimed at curtailing what is known as “birth tourism’’ in the United States.   Birth tourism is a practice whereby pregnant foreign nationals travel to the U.S. to give birth for the purpose of obtaining American citizenship for the child. The updated rules, which will start on Friday, apply to pregnant applicants for B-1 visa, meant for business visits, and B-2 visa for pleasure, tourism and medical visits. A senior state department official gave further insight into the new changes during a background media briefing on the via…

Nigeria has dropped two places on the 2019 corruption perception index published by Transparency International despite government’s effort to stem it. According to the report which was released on Thursday, Nigeria is now ranked 146 out of the 180 countries considered. The country scored 26 out of 100 points, a drop from the 27 points that it has maintained since 2017. In the 2018 index, Nigeria rose by four places on the index from 148 to 144. The index, which ranks 180 countries and territories by their perceived levels of public sector corruption in the opinion of experts and business…

Police in Abia on Thursday arrested two pensioners in Umuahia for allegedly organising a protest in Umuahia against alleged state government’s failure to pay their pension arrears. The arrested persons included Daniel Amugo and Chukwuemeka Augustus, the Chairman and Secretary of a group, called Abia State Concerned Pensioners. Speaking with newsmen, the Vice Chairman of the group, John Kalu, said that police arrested the two people after their meeting with the Commissioner for Finance, Dr. Aham Uko, in his office. He said that they wanted to embark on a peaceful protest in the city, adding that the commissioner, however, invited…

Seven-time champion Serena Williams has been knocked out of the Australian Open, losing 6-4 6-7 (2-7) 7-5 to China’s Wang Qiang in the third round. The defeat means the 38-year-old American’s quest for a 24th Grand Slam singles title goes on. Wang served for the match at 5-4 in the second set but Williams broke her for the first time and then won a tie-break to level at one set all. The 27th seed recovered and sealed victory on her third match point. Liverpool stun Wolves to go 16 points clear “After the second set I was a little bit…

Liverpool’s march to the Premier League title continued as Roberto Firmino’s late winner at Wolverhampton Wanderers gave them 2-1 victory that extends their lead at the top to 16 points with a game in hand. Wolves can consider themselves unfortunate to be the victims of Liverpool’s 22nd win in 23 league games after making life as uncomfortable as anyone has for Jurgen Klopp’s side this season before Firmino ensured Liverpool took another significant step towards their first title in 30 years. Reds captain Jordan Henderson headed them in front from Trent Alexander-Arnold’s corner after eight minutes but Wolves drew level…

Widow of the founder of Moni Pulo Limited, High Chief Olu Benson Lulu-Briggs, Seinye has discredited statements made against her person by stepson, Dumo Lulu-Briggs over the late Lulu-Briggs. The widow in a statement she personally signed and made available to newsmen in reaction to Dumo’s interview on Rhythm FM in Port-Harcourt (Dated Saturday, 18th January 2020) chronicled several lies peddled by her stepson and targeted at maligning her person. Her words, “I was greatly dismayed as I listened to the lies and disinformation of my son Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs concerning the crisis he has created in our family including…

Inter Milan have signed Chelsea winger Victor Moses on loan for the remainder of the season with an option for a permanent deal. The ex-Nigeria international began his career at Crystal Palace and moved to Wigan before joining Chelsea in 2012. He won the Europa League, Premier League and FA Cup and had loan spells at Liverpool, Stoke and West Ham. Moses, 29, joined Fenerbahce on loan in January 2019, having not played for Chelsea since October 2018. Its #OleOut as Man Utd lose to Burnley at Old Trafford Inter, who already had former Premier League players Romelu Lukaku and…

The newly sworn-in governor of Imo, Hope Uzodinma, says he feels excited and encouraged being part of the National Economic Council (NEC). Uzodinma spoke with State House Correspondents on the sidelines of the NEC meeting presided over the Vice-President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Thursday. He was attending the meeting for the first time. Uzodinma was on Jan. 15 sworn in as Governor following a Supreme Court judgment that nullified the election of Chief Emeka Ihedioha and declared him the winner of the governorship election in Imo in 2019. The governor said he would offer his…

The Federal Government and Southwest governors have finally agreed on the newly established Western Nigeria Security Network, code named Operation Amotekun. Vice President Yemi Osinbajo met with the governors of the region on Thursday and held a meeting to find common grounds for the workability of the security outfit. In a tweet after the meeting, spokesman to the Vice President, Laolu Akande tweeted, “News Flash: FG, Southwest Governors agree on Amotekun.” News Flash: FG, Southwest Governors agree on Amotekun — Laolu Akande (@akandeoj) January 23, 2020 The meeting was at the instance of the governors who had asked to see…