Claudio Ranieri: Leicester City sack Premier League-winning manager

Manager Claudio Ranieri has been sacked by Leicester City, nine months after leading them to the Premier League title.

The Foxes are one point above the relegation zone with 13 matches left.

"The board reluctantly feels that a change of leadership, while admittedly painful, is necessary in the club's greatest interest," read a statement.

Ranieri, 65, guided the Foxes to the title despite them being rated 5,000-1 shots at the start of the campaign.

His departure comes less than 24 hours after a 2-1 defeat at Spanish side Sevilla in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie.

The Foxes took the Premier League title by 10 points but have won just five top-flight games this season, and could become the first defending champions to be relegated since 1938.

They have lost their past five league matches and are the only side in the top four English divisions without a league goal in 2017.

Nigerian student protesters demand South Africans leave the country

ABUJA (Reuters) - Nigerian protesters on Thursday demanded that South African citizens and businesses leave the country and vandalised the head office of mobile phone giant MTN in Abuja in retaliation for anti-Nigerian violence in South Africa.

The National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS) said it had given South Africans 48 hours to get out otherwise the attacks would continue and the vandalisation of MTN's offices would be just the beginning.

Nigeria and South Africa, the continent's two largest economies and pre-eminent diplomatic and military powers, have a volatile relationship.

The students' threats follow the looting this week of at least 20 small businesses believed to belong to immigrants in South Africa's capital, Pretoria.

"We are not going to kill like them and that is why we have asked their citizens to leave, but we will sure destroy their businesses," NANS president Aruna Kadiri told Reuters.

Why is Nigeria's president still in London?

As Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari was beginning his latest visit to London more than a month ago, a new series of Big Brother Nigeria was getting under way.

A former military ruler known for his no-nonsense style would appear to have little in common with a reality TV show where contestants engage in attention-seeking behaviour.

But both subjects were soon generating headlines for the same reason - neither of them were in Nigeria.

Nigeria urges AU to intervene over 'SAfrica killings'

Abuja (AFP) - Nigeria on Monday urged the African Union to step in to stop what it said were "xenophobic attacks" on its citizens and other Africans in South Africa.

The presidency said there was a need for the continental body to "intervene urgently," claiming that in the last two years "about 116" Nigerians had been killed, including 20 last year.

Nigeria signals normality by putting Buhari's deputy in charge

LAGOS, Feb 20 (Reuters) - Nigeria's deputy leader is making wide use of powers granted by President Muhammadu Buhari, who is on extended sick leave abroad, as the country seeks to avoid a debilitating power vacuum while it confronts its first recession in 25 years.

The West African oil-producing nation was gripped by instability in 2010 when then President Umaru Yar'Adua spent three months in a Saudi hospital while his aides shrouded his illness in secrecy. His deputy Goodluck Jonathan only took over after he died in the midst of a constitutional crisis.

The Nigerian stock exchange, already hit by recession, has fallen to a nine-month low on the uncertainty over Buhari. But officials are keen to avoid the mistakes of the past and drive home the message that government work will continue whatever happens.

FA Cup: Chelsea to face Man Utd and Lincoln draw Arsenal or Sutton in quarter-final

The latest step of Lincoln City’s remarkable FA Cup journey could be a dream trip to face Arsenal at the Emirates after the non-league outfit were drawn against the winners of Monday's clash between Arsene Wenger’s side and Sutton United.

The quarter-final draw was greeted with wild celebrations by hundreds of supporters at Lincoln’s Sincil Bank stadium, where manager Danny Cowley described it as a “win-win” and admitted he “feels like we are going to wake up at any moment”.

Lincoln became the first non-league team in 103 years to reach the FA Cup quarter-finals after a late header from Sean Raggett secured victory over Premier League side Burnley on Saturday.

Red card again,Balotelli sent off third time this season

Mario Balotelli was sent off for the third time this season – but Nice still won 1-0 at bottom club Lorient to close in on Ligue 1 leaders Monaco.
The former Liverpool striker was dismissed for dissent in the 68th minute after tangling with Zargo Toure.

Wylan Cyprien’s shot had given the visitors a 15th-minute lead, and earned them a first away win since November.

Careless mother serves kerosene to 18-month old son as water

A nursing mother in Benin City, Edo State, Mrs. Ata Buhari, has allegedly served her 18-month old baby kerosene, instead of water.

The incident which led to the death of the child, occurred at about 10a.m at Iguma Street, off Orewere Street, off Medical Stores Road, Benin City.

Wenger says preference is to stay with Arsenal

LONDON, Feb 18 (Reuters) - Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger could continue in management for four more years and his preference is to stay at the north London club, the Frenchman was quoted as saying by British media on Saturday.

Wenger, whose side were thrashed 5-1 by Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Wednesday, said this week that he would make a decision in March or April on whether to extend his 20-year spell at the club.

The 67-year-old added on Friday, however, that he would definitely still be a manager next season, whether at Arsenal or "somewhere else".

Protesters in Barcelona urge Spain to take in more refugees

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — At least 160,000 protesters marched Saturday in Barcelona to demand that Spain's conservative-led government increase its efforts to take in refugees from war-torn countries like Syria.

Antonio Conte warns Arsenal they will be letting 'one of the best in the world' go if Arsene Wenger leaves

Antonio Conte has warned Arsenal they will be letting “one of the best in the world” leave if Arsene Wenger does not sign a new contract, even though he is facing fresh calls to end his 20-year reign at the club.

Wenger’s side were humiliated on Wednesday night as they suffered a second 5-1 defeat by Bayern Munich in the space of 15 months, putting the Gunners on the brink of a seventh straight Champions League last-16 exit.

Michigan Man Pleads Guilty to Killing Wife’s 4 Children – 25 Years After Murdering Former Wife

A Michigan man who spent 16 years behind bars for killing his pregnant wife in 1991 pleaded guilty Wednesday to the murders of four children, including his own two daughters, PEOPLE confirms.

According to court records obtained by PEOPLE, Gregory Green admitted before a Wayne County judge that he killed his two daughters and his stepdaughters in late September — eight years after his release from prison for his first wife’s stabbing death.

Accepting a plea deal from prosecutors, Green pleaded guilty to manslaughter, torture and assault for the Sept. 28. 2016, crime.

Smartphone maker Huawei catching up on Samsung, Apple

Chinese smartphone maker Huawei managed to gain ground on Samsung and Apple in terms of market share last year, following the problems encountered by the two sector giants, the Gartner consultancy group said on Wednesday.

Over the year as a whole, the Chinese maker saw its sales leap by 26.7 percent, while the South Korean and US rivals both saw their sales decline by 4.3 percent, Gartner said in a study.

Bayern whitewash Arsenal with ease as Thiago hits brace

Arsenal will have to produce something special to reach a first Champions League quarterfinal since 2010 after suffering a 5-1 defeat to a rampant Bayern Munich side in the first leg of their round-of-16 tie at the Allianz Arena.

Association disassociate selves from porn movies shot in Makurdi

Benue Association of Movie Producers (AMP) and Actors Guide of Nigeria (AGN) have disassociated themselves from two pornographic movies recently shot in Makurdi.

The two movie productions; the “IPhone 7 Babes and Feast of Death”, were shot in locations within Makurdi in December 2016 by film producer, Derrick Walter of Nollyniz Gate Productions.

N8bn currency scam: I screamed on seeing papers instead of money – Witness tells court

Adebayo Akintunde, a witness in the alleged N8 billion Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, currency scam, on Wednesday said that he screamed when he saw cut papers instead of N10 million in a box.

How politicians, NNPC staff allegedly forged Buhari’s signature to sell $19m crude in China – Reps

A member of the House of Representatives, Mr Ehiozuwa Agbonayinma, has alleged that certain politicians in connivance with some staff of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) forged President Muhammadu Buhari’s signature in order to illegally sell crude oil from Nigeria worth $19 million in China.

He made the disclosure on Sunrise Daily, a live television programme on Channels Television, which was monitored by DAILY POST.

Soccer-No excuses for Wenger as pressure mounts

MUNICH, Feb 15 (Reuters) - Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was not looking for excuses after his team were demolished 5-1 by Bayern Munich in their Champions League round of 16 first-leg game on Wednesday.

Arsenal look certain to exit Europe's premier club competition at the first knockout stage for the seventh season in a row and the pressure on Wenger is mounting.

"I do not look for excuses," the Frenchman told reporters.

"It is a shock of course to lose at that level. We made everything wrong, the fifth goal shows that."

Nigerian Libya returnees share dark stories of rape and torture

Nigerian returnees from Libya have appealed to federal and state governments to provide job opportunities for Nigerian youths to prevent them from endangering their lives looking for greener pasture abroad.

Some of the returnees told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Lagos, that they decided to leave the country because they were jobless.

They said that they travelled to Libya with the hope of crossing to Europe through the Mediterranean Sea in search of jobs. NAN recalls that on Feb.14, 161 Nigerians returned voluntarily from Libya.

How Bayern's bullying of Arsenal 5-1

Sanchez must be the contract priority

It was just about his least-convincing goal of the season but, having now reached the tally of 20 with his first-half equaliser, Alexis Sanchez again showed glimpses of his worth to Arsenal.

It is not simply those goals but his work-rate, his attitude and the way he plays with no hint of inferiority against even the best teams in the world.

It is an example and mentality that Arsenal can ill-afford to lose from their squad next season.

Sanchez is understood to want £250,000-a-week to sign a new contract and, if that means offering Mesut Ozil less and risks losing the German, so be it. Ozil is sometimes influential but Sanchez is utterly vital.

PSG gives Barcelona some major payback with 4-0 thumping

PARIS (AP) — Two years after being humiliated by Barcelona in the Champions League, Paris Saint-Germain turned the tables on the five-time champions with a relentless display of skill, energy and determination.

Angel Di Maria scored two superb goals and top scorer Edinson Cavani grabbed his 34th of a prolific season, with both players scoring on their birthdays as PSG battered Barcelona 4-0 in the first leg of their Round of 16 contest on Tuesday.

Newly-signed winger Julian Draxler got the other one as PSG's irrepressible front trio — a mixture of constant movement, power and pace — tormented Barca.

Kim Jong-un's half-brother Kim Jong-nam assassinated in Malaysia by 'female North Korean spies with poison needle'

Kim Jong -nam, the estranged half-brother of North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un, has been killed at an airport in Malaysia by North Korean agents who were reportedly wielding "poison needles."

Yonhap news said Kim Jong-nam, who is believed to be in his 40s, was killed on Monday morning in Kuala Lumpur.

Quoting government sources, other media reports claim Mr Kim died after being jabbed by a poisoned needle by two women in the city's airport. 

The women are believed to be North Korean agents but have so far been able to evade a police hunt. 

Police in Malaysia told Reuters that an unidentified North Korean man had died en route to hospital from Kuala Lumpur airport on Monday.

Trump calls presidents of Nigeria, South Africa

President Donald Trump has been increasingly chatting with other world leaders during his first weeks in office. On Monday he turned his attention to Africa.

Trump spent Monday morning calling two of the continent's most prominent leaders, Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari and South African President Jacob Zuma, to discuss combating terrorism, trade relations and other issues.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger to keep his word over David Ospina and leave Petr Cech out against Bayern Munic

Petr Cech is set to be left out of arguably Arsenal’s biggest game of the season against Bayern Munich on Wednesday night, with Arsene Wenger still preparing to keep faith with David Ospina in the Champions League.

Ospina has started every European fixture this season following talks last summer where it was agreed that he would stay at Arsenal but there would be rotation between the Premier League and the Champions League.

Emiliano Martinez: Arsene Wenger says I am the future of Arsenal

Emiliano Martinez has revealed that Arsene Wenger sees him as the future of Arsenal and is prepared to bide his time and wait for a sustained run of games at the Emirates Stadium. The 24-year-old has only made 11 appearances for the Gunners but signed a new six-year-deal with the club in November.

Boko Haram ambush kills seven Nigerian soldiers

A Boko Haram ambush in northeastern Nigeria killed seven army recruits and injured 20 more, with three soldiers missing, an army officer said.

A convoy of army trucks and buses, carrying about 250 troops, was traveling through Nigeria's northeastern Borno state on Thursday when it was attacked by soldiers of the militant Islamist group. A prolonged firefight ended before the army could send reinforcements.

Pakistan court bans Valentine's Day celebrations

ISLAMABAD: A Pakistani high court today banned Valentine's Day celebrations across the country and its promotion on social media after accepting a petition which argued that it was un-Islamic.

The order was issued by theIslamabad High Court on the petition submitted by a citizen Abdul Waheed, whose political affiliation was not immediately known.

The petitioner had urged the court that Valentine Day was not part of the Muslim tradition and its promotions on the mainstream and social media should be banned.

The court accepted the petition and ordered the administration to take action to stop the celebration of Valentine's Day in the country.

Netanyahu non-committal on Palestinian statehood as he heads to U.S.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sidestepped a question on whether he still supports the creation of a Palestinian state as he left for the United States on Monday on his first visit since President Donald Trump took office.

Netanyahu has never publicly abandoned his conditional backing for Palestinian statehood, which he first stated in 2009, but Palestinians say that commitment has been rendered worthless by Israeli settlement building on occupied land.

Hours before Netanyahu's departure for Washington, Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan told Army Radio that "all members of the security cabinet, and foremost the prime minister, oppose a Palestinian state". The forum convened on Sunday ahead of Wednesday's White House meeting between Netanyahu and Trump.

Breaking: Buhari to speak with Trump on phone 3:45 pm today

President Muhammadu Buhari will speak with the U.S President, Donald Trump today on phone by 3:45 pm local Nigerian time. President Buhari will be phoning the U.S President from his London base at 9:45 am Washington time, which is 3:45 pm in Nigeria and 2:45 pm in London.

In a series of tweets, the Personal Assistant to Buhari on New Media, Bashir Ahmad confirmed the news.He said, President Buhari will also speak on phone with the president of South Africa, Jacob Zuma.

Edo Poll: Tribunal directs Secretary to produce results of re-counted ballot papers

BENIN—Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, sitting in Benin,  weekend, directed the Secretary to the tribunal to make available to it today, results of the re-counted ballot papers in some of the four local governments earlier ordered by it. The order was sequel to the application made by lead counsel to the tribunal, Mallam Yusuf Alli, SAN, that the tribunal should direct the Secretary to make available, results of the re-counted ballot papers in the local government areas that have been  counted. 
This was opposed by counsel to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd respondents, Mr Onyiyen Alomunye, Independent National Electoral Commission,  INEC; Ken Mozia, SAN, Godwin Obaseki and Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, for  All Progressives Congress, APC, who had insisted that the petitioners had exhausted the 14 days allotted to them to prove their case.

North Korea ballistic missile test a success

North Korea says it has successfully completed the launch of a new ballistic missile, according to state media.

The Pukguksong-2, previously unpublicized part of its arsenal which North Korean state media described as a medium long-range ballistic missile, was test fired on Sunday under the supervision of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, according to North Korea's Korean Central News Agency, KCNA.

Rio Ferdinand pinpoints why Arsene Wenger's Arsenal have failed to win Premier League since 2004

Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has claimed that Arsenal's lack of focus and failure to adapt in big games to get results are the reasons why the Gunners have failed to win the title for over a decade.

The north London club last won the Premier League in 2004 and since then they have added two FA Cups and two Community Shields to their list of honours. Since 2000, Arsenal have made it past the Champions League quarter-finals only on two occasions and are yet to win Europe's elite club competition.

Mexico City protesters: 'We are not against the American people. This is about Trump'

Thousands of demonstrators waving Mexican flags and hoisting signs denouncingPresident Trump marched through central Mexico City on Sunday, the largest mobilization so far here against what many label an anti-Mexican administration in the White House.

“We are not against the American people. This is about Trump, who is spreading hate and division,” said Maria Garcia, a former resident of Chicago who carried an unflattering, papier-mache likeness of the U.S. president as she marched through the Mexican capital.

Leader of Lebanon's Hezbollah calls Trump an 'idiot'

The leader of the Lebanese Shiite group Hezbollah said Sunday that having an "idiot" in the White House is a cause for optimism and will bring "relief" to people around the world.

Hassan Nasrallah, whose group is considered a terrorist organization by the United States, made his remarks in a televised speech in which he said that President Trump has revealed “the true face of the U.S. administration.” He described it as “ugly, unjust, criminal, and racist.”

Pro-Buhari mega rally hits major cities

ABUJA – In apparent response to last week’s anti-Buhari protests across the country, a coalition of pro-Buhari organizations under the aegis of Citizens Support for Good Governance in Nigeria (SGGN) said it is mobilizing Nigerians of all shades for a mega rally tagged #iSupportPresidentBuhari to be held across Abuja, Lagos, Kaduna and Kano this week.
Organizers of the event said such show of support has become necessary for a leader like President Muhammadu Buhari who they say is doing the “right things”. Co-convener of the rally Comrade Moses Abdullahi, explained that before the emergence of President Buhari, “Nigeria, our beloved country, the greatest black nation on mother earth has been a shadow of itself for the past 16 years. As a people, we witnessed the systemic looting and raping of our collective resources and consciousness by a few, with far reaching psychological damages which has rendered us bitter, bruised, battered and hopeless”. He said the support rally for President Buhari will take place in Abuja on Tuesday and Thursday, Kaduna and Kano on Wednesday while it will end on Thursday in Lagos. Speaking further, he said; “Nigeria today is a nation undergoing rebirth.