XWAYCOMEDY

Haaland Scores Again For Dortmund To Hit 40-Goal Mark Erling Braut Haaland scored his 40th goal of the season as the teenager continued his phenomenal scoring streak in Borussia Dortmund’s 2-0 win at Werder Bremen on Saturday. The 19-year-old flicked home a second-half cross to score his 12th goal in eight games for Dortmund as Lucien Favre’s side moved second in the Bundesliga, four points behind leaders Bayern Munich. Haaland, who scored twice in Tuesday’s Champions League last 16, first-leg win over Paris Saint-Germain, also netted 28 goals for Salzburg before joining Dortmund for 20 million euros ($22 million) in December. Dortmund ground out victory after showing some early nerves in Bremen where they crashed to a 3-2 German Cup defeat earlier this month. Centre-back Dan-Axel Zagadou gave the visitors the lead by volleying home a Jadon Sancho corner on 52 minutes. Haaland doubled the advantage by drilling Achraf Hakimi’s square ball into the corner on 66 minutes to...

India Hit With Wave Of New Apps To Aid Premarital Sex A new raft of Indian apps which offer rooms to unmarried couples are helping overturn traditional norms in a country where premarital sex remains taboo. From StayUncle and BreviStay, which offer hourly packages, to Softbank-funded Oyo, which allows users to search for couple-friendly hotels via its ‘Relationship Mode’, young entrepreneurs are tapping into a previously neglected market to lucrative effect. The development is good news for Pooja, a Mumbai-based PR executive who tried to check in to a hotel with her then boyfriend in 2016 and found that the romantic experience quickly turned ugly as staff enquired about her marital status. “I could feel them judging me,” Pooja, whose name has been changed on her request, told AFP. Stung by their questions, she decided to lie. “We were both above 18 — they had no reason to deny us a room, but it was all just so awkward,” she said. Her experience is not unusual in a cou...

Troops Kill 13 Bandits, Arrest Eight In Zamfara, Two Other States Troops have killed 13 bandits and arrested eight others in Zamfara, Katsina, and Kebbi States. The Acting Force Information Officer of Operation Hadari Daji (OPHD), Captain Ayobami Oni-Orisan, disclosed this in a statement on Friday. He explained that the feat was recorded during clearance operations, ambushes and fighting patrols in several locations across the theatre of operation between February 10 and 20. Areas where the operations were carried out in Zamfara include Tungar Mata, Tuduki, Kawaye and Mararaban Kawaye villages in Anka Local Government Area. Others are Moriki town in Shinkafi Local Government Area, as well as Belhi, Ruwar Kura, Kyaram, Gallai and Shirkai villages of Bukkuyum Local Government Area of the state. The operations were also carried out in Tsauwa, Dankar and Yan Gayya villages of Batsari Local Government Area of Katsina State, as well as Gallai, Shirkai and ‘Yarkuka villages in...

Klopp Responds To 10-Year-Old Man Utd Fan Who Wants Liverpool To Lose Jurgen Klopp has sent a letter to a “cheeky” young Manchester United fan explaining that he can not grant his request for Liverpool to lose matches so they do not win the Premier League. With his side 22 points clear of Manchester City it would take more than a few defeats to prevent Klopp’s unbeaten side from being crowned English champions for the first time since 1990. Daragh Curley, 10, from Northern Ireland, wrote to Klopp saying Liverpool were “winning too many games”. “If you win nine more games then you have the best unbeaten run in English football,” he said. “Being a United fan that is very sad. “So the next time Liverpool play, please make them lose. You should just let the other team score. I hope I have convinced you to not win the league or any other match ever again.” The German boss, speaking at a press conference on Friday, said he appreciated Daragh’s “cheek” and chose to write back....

Don’t Let Courts Determine Future Elections Outcome, Yakubu Tells Parties The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, has advised political parties ahead of future elections in the country. He urged them to shun acts that could lead to situations where the courts would be the ones to determine the outcomes of the forthcoming elections. Professor Yakubu gave the advice when he met with Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) at the INEC headquarters in Abuja, the nation’s capital. Ahead of the governorship elections in Edo and Ondo States scheduled for September 19 and October 10 respectively, he decried the recent litigations which resulted in the Supreme Court determining the winners of the polls in some states. “The end of tenure governorship elections in Edo and Ondo are holding later in the year. “Given recent experience with some governorship elections, political parties need to do more to avoid the conduct of acr...

Air Strikes Kill Key ISWAP Leaders In Borno, Says NAF Some key Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) leaders have been killed by airstrikes at Jubillaram and Alinwa in the Northern part of Borno State. A statement by the Nigerian Air Force Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola on Saturday, said the strikes were conducted by the Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation Lafiya Dole, under the auspices of Operation Rattle Snake 3. READ ALSO:  One Killed, Four Injured As Angry Mobs Burn Police Vehicle In Jigawa He explained that based on credible intelligence reports indicating that some key ISWAP leaders had assembled for simultaneous meetings on Thursday; attack aircraft were dispatched to engage the locations, damaging the meeting venues and killing the terrorists. “The latest of these was achieved on 20 February 2020 in attacks conducted at Jubillaram and Alinwa in the Northern part of Borno State, where some key Islamic State ...

PDP better positioned to reclaim Edo- Orbih The outgoing Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo, Chief Dan Orbih, said on Saturday the cooperation of chieftains and members of the party has strengthened the party in the state. Orbih, who addressed a press briefing in Benin, said the support has also led to the resolution of various disputes within the party during his tenure. The PDP chieftain said his priority now was to ensure that the party produces a formidable executive across Edo that would wrestle power from the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the state. He said: “Every serious politician must be prepared to effect a change in the political landscape and governance of the state. Edo people have suffered from the government of APC, and the way forward is to vote them out.  READ ALSO: Fayose denies plans to dump PDP “APC is yet to solve the problem facing Edo because they lack solutions to the problems. Because of the avoidable internal crisis in the A...

Klopp explains why Man United should not be blamed over Haaland Jurgen Klopp has explained why not even Liverpool would have stood a chance of signing Erling Haaland. Haaland joined Dortmund from Salzburg for around £18million in January and has made an immediate impact in Germany. The teenager has been an awkward, clumsy force of nature, scoring 11 goals in his first seven Dortmund games. ALSO READ: Lassa fever: What makes Lagos a bad case That has led to criticism of Manchester United, who were one of the main contenders to sign Haaland this winter but reportedly pulled out of a potential deal due to a reluctance to negotiate with agent Mino Raiola.  Liverpool opted to sign Takumi Minamino from Salzburg instead, with the Japanese international taking time to acclimatise at Anfield. Asked whether Liverpool had made the wrong call to sign Minamino over Haaland, Klopp replied: “The difference coulḍ̣̣̣n’t be bigger. “Erling Haaland made a perfect choice with Dortmund, and ...

Togo goes to polls as president seeks likely fourth term Togo went to the polls Saturday in an election widely expected to see President Faure Gnassingbe claim a fourth term in power and extend his family’s half-century domination of the West African nation. The incumbent, 53, has led the country of eight million people since 2005 following the death of his father Gnassingbe Eyadema, who ruled with an iron fist for 38 years. The head of state has travelled to the north of the country to vote in Kara, whence the Gnassingbe family originate. He faces opposition from six other candidates who face a mammoth task to persuade the 3.6 million registered voters to oust him.  Main opposition leader Jean-Pierre Fabre of the National Alliance for Change came second at the last two elections but has failed to keep the opposition united. He called on the people to vote in numbers “to prevent fraud and allow for a second round”. Agbeyome Kodjo, who served as prime minister under Gnassingbe’...

Israeli forces kill suspect armed with knife in Jerusalem ―Police Israeli forces shot and killed a suspect in Jerusalem’s annexed Old City Saturday after he approached officers posted near one of the gates armed with a knife, police said. “At approximately, 11 am a terrorist approached border police officers at Lion’s Gate armed with a knife. He ran towards them,” a police statement said. “Police responded by calling upon the terrorist to stop. He continued to approach them and they responded again by shooting the terrorist to prevent any further danger. The terrorist was shot and killed.” A woman in the area was “injured lightly by shrapnel” and taken to hospital, the statement added. Police did not immediately release further details on the identity of the suspect.  ALSO READ: Israeli attack on Damascus kills 7 fighters ―Monitor But the Palestinian health ministry named the alleged assailant as 33-year-old Maher Za’atara from annexed east Jerusalem. There has been an up...

Fintiri urges traditional rulers to mobilise subjects for self-help projects Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa has tasked traditional rulers in the state to do more in mobilising their subjects to engage in economic ventures and self-help projects. Fintiri made the call Saturday in Guyuk, headquarters of Guyuk LGA at the installation and presentation of 1st class staff of office to Mr. Kuruhaye Dishon II as the new Kwandi Nungurya of Lunguda Chiefdom. Fintiri said by engaging the people in such meaningful measures the traditional institution would complement the government’s effort, particularly at the grassroots level.  “As custodian of our culture, traditional rulers must learn to play a more dynamic and prominent role in mobilising the people at the grassroots towards engaging in meaningful economic venture and self-help project, which will uplift the standard of living of the people,” Fintiri said. READ ALSO: Fintiri lauds military for fighting insurgency While assuring ...

Ihedioha vs uzodinma: I’m totally committed to getting justice – Agabi, Ihedioha’s lead counsel …Says merit in the matter too many to be ignored The lead Counsel to Emeka Ihedioha, Kanu Agabi, SAN, has reassured that He is committed to getting justice in the matter for review between Uzodinma and Ihedioha, at the Supreme Court Of Nigeria, Abuja. Also read: 13 Fulanis remanded in Ekiti prison over unlawful possession of firearms Agabi said beyond any other thing, He is “emotionally committed to the matter before the Supreme Court of Nigeria”. Agabi said he is one of those who see the Ihedioha vs Uzodinma issue as a clear case of injustice and an affront to the sanctity of our constitution.  Kanu Agabi who has been a SAN for over two decades is also a 2-time former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister for Justice. Agabi made this known when He spoke to our correspondent on the phone over rumours making round that he has withdrawn from the matter. Agabi, full of surpri...

What happened to Odili? By Emmanuel Aziken The attacks on Justice Mary Odili following the judgment on the Bayelsa State governorship election may have reawakened public awareness of one of the most veritable political players at the onset of the fourth republic, H.E. Dr Peter Odili. How time flies. If political permutations and money were the principal factors in political ascendancy, Dr Odili perhaps would have stepped down six years ago as president of the country. Well, that is if the insidious telltale of his traducers to the effect that he would have successfully altered the constitution to be life president was not to be reckoned with.  But Dr Odili was indeed, a political phenomenon! As governor of Rivers State between 1999 and 2007, associating with him was indeed, one of the most profitable political pathways to ascendancy. Who would forget that phrase that redefined his party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP—Peter Dey Pay! So potent was the Odili political phenomeno...

Centre backs Kaduna govt’s decision to appeal release of 91 Shiite members The Save Humanity Advocacy Centre (SHAC) has backed the Kaduna State Government’s resolve to appeal the release of 91 members of the proscribed Islamic Movement in Nigeria(IMN) by a Federal High Court. The SHAC said the recent judgement, which freed the Shiite members after attempting to allegedly assassinate the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai in 2015, killing a soldier in the process is the “ most shocking and a travesty of Justice”.  Also read: Boko Haram: Group calls for prosecution of terrorists sponsors Dissatisfied with the ruling in favour of Zakzaky’s disciples, the state government vowed to appeal the acquittal of the defendants in the State versus Mahdi Munkaila and 91 others, one of the cases arising from the Zaria clashes of December 2015. According to the Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Aisha Dikko lamented that ‘’a total of 36 witnesses were call...

Nigerian breweries declares N16.07 billion dividend payout for 2019 By Moses Nosike The Board of Directors of Nigerian Breweries Plc has announced the company’s results for the 2019 financial year with a dividend recommendation of N16.07 billion for approval by its shareholders at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting scheduled for April 22nd 2020. The recommendation is coming on the heels of the N16.1 billion Profit after Tax recorded by the company in 2019, signifying a 100% earnings-payout ratio.  The N16.07 billion amounts to a total dividend of N 2.01 (Two Naira and One Kobo) per share for the 2019 operating year and was part of the company’s filing to the Nigerian Stock Exchange on Thursday, 13th of February 2020. The recommended dividend is inclusive of interim dividend of N 3.9 billion, that is 50 Kobo earlier paid by the company. Subject to approval and the deduction of withholding tax at the appropriate rate, the final dividend of N12.07 billion that is, N1.51 per s...

Buhari charges graduates on application of knowledge in dev’t President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday charged the 786 graduating students of the Federal University Dutse (FUD), on the application of their knowledge in National development. Buhari, who was represented by Prof. Abubakar Rasheed, the Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission, gave the charge at the institution’s 2019/2020 Convocation Ceremony in Dutse. The president urged the graduates to play an active role in making the nation a thing of pride thereby developing good model through their lifestyles in the society.  He, however, expressed happiness over the level of security sustained at the institutions, saying the university stand among the best in terms of security, academic standard and infrastructural development. Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Fatima Mukhtar, said 52 students graduated with First Class degrees in the 2019/2020 academic session. ALSO READ: Buhari will ...

Nissan Files $90m Suit Against Former Chairman Ghosn Japanese car giant Nissan on Wednesday filed a civil lawsuit to reclaim some 10 billion yen ($90 million) from former chairman Carlos Ghosn for what it called “years of his misconduct and fraudulent activity”. The 65-year-old faces multiple charges of financial misconduct in Japan but fled to Lebanon before he could face trial. He denies any wrongdoing. Nissan said the damages had been calculated on the basis of the cost to the firm of Ghosn’s “corrupt practices”. It accused Ghosn of “the use of overseas residential property without paying rent, private use of corporate jets, payments to his sister, payments to his personal lawyer in Lebanon”. It said the amount was likely to rise and added that the company would also seek to sue Ghosn for “groundless and defamatory remarks” he made when he briefed the media in Lebanon. Once hailed as a corporate saviour for rescuing Nissan from t...

Reps Condemn Diversion Of Flights To Other African Countries The House of Representatives has condemned the recent increase in diversion of international flights by foreign airlines to neighbouring African countries. Debating a motion during Tuesday’s plenary, the lawmakers described the incident as an embarrassment to the country. They were worried that despite the acquisition of the Instrument Landing System, the equipment have yet to be installed. READ ALSO :  Minister Speaks About Flight Diversions, Cancellations At Lagos Airport According to the lawmakers, the airlines cited poor landing equipment at the nation’s airports as the reason for the diversions. The House, therefore, mandated its Committee on Aviation to liaise with the relevant agencies to ensure that all the acquired landing equipment were installed at the designated airports without further delay. The committee was also asked to ensure that compensation was paid to the passengers who were co...

Argentina’s Debt ‘Not Sustainable,’ Says IMF Argentina’s debt is not sustainable, the IMF concluded Wednesday at the end of a week-long visit, urging the government to generate funds from private investors to address the issue. President Alberto Fernandez’s administration hopes to renegotiate $195 billion of its $311 billion foreign debt, including a deeply unpopular $57 billion bailout loan from the Washington-based International Monetary Fund in 2018. Assuming power two months ago, Fernandez refused the final $13 billion disbursements of the loan, leaving Argentina’s exposure at $44 billion. “The Argentine authorities are moving to address the difficult economic and social situation facing the country,” an IMF statement released after the meetings said Wednesday. “They have implemented a set of policies to address the rise in poverty, while also taking steps to stabilize the economy.” READ ALSO:   IMF Cuts Nigeria’s 2020 Growth Forecast To Two Percen t It added ...

Klopp reveals talks with ‘surprised’ Mane after Liverpool defeat Jurgen Klopp admits Sadio Mane was “surprised” at being substituted at half time in Liverpool’s Champions League defeat to Atletico Madrid. The Liverpool boss said on Tuesday night that he took Mane off because he feared he would be sent off with the Spanish side putting pressure on the referee to issue him a second yellow card. The holders were already a goal behind when their star man was forced off, but Klopp was adamant he didn’t believe Liverpool could finish the game with 11 if Mane had remained on the pitch. ALSO READ: Klopp explains why he subbed Mane at HT in Liverpool loss He said on Friday: “I spoke to him this morning, I asked was he surprised and he said ‘yes’.  “I don’t think he had a chance, my honest opinion. We needed him physically, having contact with opponents. “It’s part of the game, I don’t like it too much, the situation they created with eight players around the referee “I didn’t ...