Author: Amina Mohammed

Spain international Mikel Merino has completed his move from La Liga side Real Sociedad, signing a long-term contract with Arsenal. The 28-year-old midfielder, known for his versatility and tactical intelligence, leaves Sociedad after a six-year stint, during which he made 242 appearances, scored 27 goals, and provided 30 assists. Merino, who began his professional career with Osasuna before winning the German Cup with Borussia Dortmund, brings a wealth of experience and a winning mentality to his new club. A statement from the Arsenal website on Tuesday, titled “Mikel Merino Signs for Arsenal on Long-Term Deal,” confirmed the transfer. Sporting Director…

The prime minister has scrapped a government helicopter contract – thought to be worth £40m. Rishi Sunak was criticised for his use of helicopters during his time in No 10. The contract was set to be renewed, but is now being scrapped by Downing Street and the Ministry of Defence. It is designed to illustrate a break with the previous administration – ahead of a speech in which the prime minister will argue things will not be “business as usual” when parliament returns next week. Rishi Sunak used RAF jets and helicopters for domestic flights more frequently than the UK’s previous three…

Swedish international midfielder Kristoffer Olsson, who was hospitalised in February with a rare brain illness that left him without motor or verbal skills, has returned home from his rehab centre, he announced on social media. The 29-year-old midfielder, who plays for Danish Superliga club FC Midtjylland, fell unconscious in his home on February 20 and was admitted to Aarhus University Hospital, where he was placed on a ventilator. Tests showed he had suffered several small blood clots due to a rare inflammation of the blood vessels in the brain. He was transferred to a rehab centre in mid-March to help…

Manchester United have completed the signing of Uruguayan midfielder Manuel Ugarte in a deal worth up to €60m. His transfer was confirmed by an Italian transfer news expert, Fabrizio Romano in an X post on Tuesday, declaring it a “done deal.” “Manuel Ugarte to Manchester United, here we go! Deal sealed between clubs after personal terms agreed in July. “€50m fixed fee plus €10m add-ons will be the final package. “Ugarte will travel to Manchester as he ONLY wanted United… and United only wanted him. Done.” The announcement came weeks after Super agent Jorge Mendes flew to England for discussions…

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET) has issued a warning alert to six northern states, to prepare for severe thunderstorms accompanied by strong winds and heavy rainfall in the coming days. The warning was contained in a statement by the government agency on Monday. According to the agency responsible for weather forecasts, said northern states to be affected include parts of Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, Kebbi, Northern Kaduna, and Zamfara States. NiMET said the heavy rainfall may result in flooding. Residents in these areas were advised to take necessary precautions and prepare for potentially challenging weather conditions. The residents were also advised…

The Federal High Court will hear the money laundering case against crypto exchange Binance and two of its executives next week. According to a report by Reuters, the case comes more than a month earlier than planned, after defence lawyers asked for the date change, the prosecutor said on Monday. The next court hearing, originally scheduled for Oct. 11 has now been fixed for Sept. 2. Binance and the executives – U.S. citizen and head of financial crime compliance Tigan Gambaryan, and the exchange’s British-Kenyan regional manager for Africa, Nadeem Anjarwalla – have been charged with laundering more than $35m.…

A Texas judge on Monday ordered a temporary pause on a policy that would streamline the process for spouses of US citizens to obtain legal status in the country, a blow to one of US President Joe Biden’s biggest immigration reform policies. Judge J. Campbell Barker granted a 14-day administrative stay in a case brought by the Republican attorneys general of 16 US states challenging the Biden administration’s policy. In June, Biden announced the new policy, which streamlined a pathway to citizenship for an estimated half a million immigrants married to US nationals. The 16 states bringing the lawsuit, however,…

The Nigeria Football Federation has announced that it has agreed with German tactician, Bruno Labbadia, to become the Head Coach of Nigeria’s Senior Men’s National Team, Super Eagles. In the early hours of Tuesday, NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi said: “The NFF Executive Committee has approved the recommendation of its Technical and Development Sub-Committee to appoint Mr. Bruno Labbadia as the Head Coach of the Super Eagles. The appointment is with immediate effect.” Born in Darmstadt, Germany on 8th February 1966, Labbadia, won two caps for the German national team in his playing career that took him through clubs…

The Sokoto State Police have denied any knowledge of the abduction of over 150 people in the Sabon Birni area, which allegedly occurred a few days after the brutal murder of Sarkin Gobir Gatawa, Isa Muhammad Bawa. In an interview, Professor Bello Bada of Usman Dan Fodio University Sokoto stated that the reported kidnappings took place between the murder of the late Emir and the previous Friday. He highlighted that while attacks on prominent leaders are not unprecedented, this marks the first time an Emir has been gruesomely killed. Assistant Superintendent of Police Ahmed Rufai, the Spokesman for the Sokoto…

Borno State Commissioner of Finance, Ahmed Ali Ahmed, died on Monday at his house on Damboa Road in Maiduguri, the state capital. Sources familiar with the matter said the commissioner’s room door was forced open after it was observed that his usual time of waking up had passed without any sign of him. The state’s Commissioner of Information and Internal Security, Usman Tar, confirmed Ahmed’s death in a statement. Tar said the burial of the late commissioner would take place at his residence on Monday evening, according to Islamic rites. Sworn in on August 10, 2024, Ahmed was before then…