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A ZIMBABWEAN court on Friday sentenced an opposition politician to four years in prison for inciting public violence over a 2020 protest call he posted on Twitter. Jacob Ngarivhume, leader of small opposition party Transform Zimbabwe, tweeted a call for nationwide anti-government protests over corruption and the country’s catastrophic economic state. He will stay behind bars for three years after the court set aside one year on condition of good behaviour. “A fine or suspended sentence would not deter further offenders, a sentence must be meaningful,” ruled magistrate Florence Chakanyuka. The sentence is seen as setting a precedence for other…

ONE of Sudan’s duelling generals, who leads the paramilitary force fighting the country’s army, has told the BBC he will not negotiate until fighting ends. But Gen Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, better known as Hemedti, said his fighters were being “relentlessly” bombed since a three-day truce had been extended. “We don’t want to destroy Sudan,” he said, blaming army chief Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan for the violence. Gen Burhan has tentatively agreed to face-to-face talks in South Sudan. Thursday night’s extension of an uneasy ceasefire followed intensive diplomatic efforts by neighbouring countries, as well as the US, UK and UN. Speaking…

THE Federal Government of Nigeria has been called upon to honour Prof Adamu Abubakar Gwarzo, the Founder and Chairman Governing Council of Maryam Abacha American University conglomerate, with one of the country’s top national honours in appreciation of his selfless service to humanity. A staff of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Mahdi Aliyu Wamakko, made the call on Wednesday, while fielding questions from newsmen shortly after he visited the University, located at Hotoro GRA, Kano state. Wamakko, who is the son of the former governor of  Sokoto and  Senator representing Sokoto North, Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, described…

THE National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency has sealed a Kano-based company for violation of environmental laws. The company, Aspira Nigeria Limited located along Hadejia Road in Nasarawa Local Government Area of the state, was sealed by the North West Zonal Director, Mr Mudaishir Raheem, and his team on Friday. “Today, we have come to seal this company for not complying with some relevant environmental laws, such as the disposal of their waste and untreated effluents. “We are expected to manage the environment and not to destroy it. “If we must site a company, we are expected to follow…

PELE, the nickname of the late football legend, has officially become synonymous with “exceptional, incomparable, unique”. The Portuguese-language Michaelis dictionary, one of the most popular in Brazil, added “pelé” as a new adjective to its online edition. The inclusion came after a campaign by the Pelé Foundation to honour the football star gathered more than 125,000 signatures. Pelé died in December aged 82. The only player to have won the World Cup three times, he is widely considered to be the best footballer in history. During his playing career spanning two decades, he scored a record 1,281 goals with Brazilian…

SON Heung-min scored a 79th-minute equaliser to complete a fine Tottenham comeback against Manchester United in Ryan Mason’s first game back as interim boss. United looked to be coasting to a fourth straight Premier League win after goals by Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford put them in a commanding position at half-time. Pedro Porro launched the fightback before Bruno Fernandes hit the bar for United when he should have scored. Son equalised from close range after good work by Harry Kane to leave home fans, who had earlier called for chairman Daniel Levy to go, celebrating. The point lifts Spurs…

RUSSIAN air strikes have hit cities across Ukraine, including the capital Kyiv, killing at least five people. A woman and a child of three were killed in the city of Dnipro, according to the local mayor. Three people died in Uman after missiles hit residential buildings, officials said. A nine-storey apartment building there was badly damaged. There were also explosions in the cities of Kremenchuk and Poltava, according to the Interfax news agency. In Kyiv, 11 missiles and two attack drones were shot down by the air defence system, officials say. The head of the Kyiv city military administration said…

THE US has announced plans to open new migrant processing centres in Colombia and Guatemala as part of efforts to reduce undocumented immigration. The regional facilities will process thousands of claims a month, with pathways for legal migration expanded. The number of deportations for those ineligible to be in the US will also be doubled or tripled. The US is bracing for a spike in undocumented immigration when Covid-era processing rules end in May. The processing centres will allow successful applicants to enter the US legally and improve their access to assistance such as refugee resettlement processing and family reunification.…

RIVAL factions of Sudan’s military have agreed to renew a three-day ceasefire, shortly before it was due to expire. The extension – for another 72 hours – follows intensive diplomatic efforts by neighbouring countries, as well as the US, UK and UN. But there are continuing reports of heavy fighting in the capital Khartoum. The previous truce allowed thousands of people to attempt to flee to safety, while dozens of countries have tried to evacuate their citizens. Almost two weeks of fighting between the army and a rival paramilitary group have left hundreds dead. The ceasefire had been expected to…

AN innocent man who was sentenced to death following the 2011 murder of a British tourist has had his conviction overturned at the Kenyan High Court. Ali Kololo was convicted of robbery with violence in 2013, after David Tebbutt was shot dead by suspected pirates. His sentence, later commuted to life imprisonment, has now been quashed. Mr Tebbutt’s wife, Jude – who has supported Mr Kololo’s fight for justice – said she was “overjoyed”. Mr Tebbutt and his wife Jude were staying at a secluded beachside resort on the Kenyan coast in 2011, when they came under attack by pirates.…

THE Embassy of Japan in Nigeria and Sasakawa Africa Association (formerly SG2000) have reiterated their commitment to strengthen joint efforts to help Nigeria transform the agricultural sector. The two institutions made the assurance during a courtesy visit by the Country Director of SAA, Dr Godwin Atser to the Embassy in Abuja on Wednesday. The renewed commitment is aimed at tapping Japanese technologies including information and communication technologies (ICTs) for the improvement of farming systems in Nigeria. While receiving the Country Director, Ambassador Kazuyoshi Matsunaga appreciated the significant role played by SAA in Africa in general, and Nigeria inclusive. The meeting…

OVER 100 shops with goods worth millions of naira have been destroyed in a fire outbreak that razed the Yan-Katato market in Sabo Gari LGA of Kaduna state. Confirming the development, Mohammed Ashiru, chairman of Yan-Katato market, said the incident occurred on Wednesday. Ashiru said the fire, as reported by the security guards, started by sparks from electricity cables that crossed over the market. “The sparks generated fire particles which dropped on ceiling stalls in the market and subsequently led to the inferno,” NAN quoted Ashiru as saying. The chairman said the fire could not be put out by the…

MANCHESTER City delivered a masterclass to overwhelm Premier League leaders Arsenal and strike a huge psychological blow in the title race at Etihad Stadium. The confrontation billed as a potential title-decider turned into an embarrassingly one-sided affair. Pep Guardiola’s side, now two points behind Arsenal with two games in hand, were inspired by the devastating partnership of Erling Haaland and Kevin de Bruyne. Haaland sent De Bruyne away for a silky opener after seven minutes, and Arsenal then survived a constant bombardment of attacks before John Stones headed home from a corner in first-half stoppage time, the goal given by…

INTER Milan are through to the Coppa Italia final after a narrow win over Juventus at the San Siro. With the semi-final level at 1-1 after the first leg, Federico Dimarco scored the decisive goal for holders Inter after 15 minutes. The left wing-back stabbed home after being picked out by Nicolo Barella’s pinpoint through ball. Simone Inzaghi’s Inter will now play Fiorentina or Cremonese in the final on 24 May. Following a fiery and highly controversial first leg in Turin, Inzaghi chose to leave Romelu Lukaku on the bench. The Chelsea loanee was sent off for celebrating in front…

THE US and South Korea have secured a landmark deal to counter the North Korean nuclear threat. Washington has agreed to periodically deploy US nuclear-armed submarines to South Korea and involve Seoul in its nuclear planning operations. In return, South Korea has agreed to not develop its own nuclear weapons. The Washington Declaration will strengthen the allies’ co-operation in deterring a North Korean attack, US President Joe Biden said. Concern has been rising on both sides about the nuclear threat posed by North Korea. Pyongyang is developing tactical nuclear weapons that can target South Korea, and refining its long-range weapons…

CHINESE President Xi Jinping has spoken to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for the first time since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, with Beijing saying it wanted to send an envoy to Kyiv to serve as a mediator to pursue a “political settlement”. The phone call on Wednesday lasted nearly an hour and was “long and meaningful”, according to the Ukrainian president. “I believe that this call, as well as the appointment of Ukraine’s ambassador to China, will give a powerful impetus to the development of our bilateral relations,” Zelenskyy wrote on Twitter. The first known wartime phone call…

FIGHTING is continuing in parts of Sudan despite a 72-hour ceasefire largely holding. Speaking via phone from Omdurman, the city adjoining the capital Khartoum, the BBC’s Mohamed Osman says fighting broke out near TV and radio buildings. There is no fuel and a lack of doctors, and people are struggling to access food and money, our correspondent adds. Sudan’s army chief has reportedly approved extending the ceasefire – due to expire on Friday – for 72 hours. Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan gave initial approval to the proposal from the regional African bloc Intergovernmental Authority on Development, Reuters news agency reports.…

AT least 55 migrants have been killed when their Europe-bound dinghy sank off the coast of Libya, the UN’s migration agency says. The boat – carrying 60 people – had set sail from a town to the east of the capital, Tripoli, before it capsized. Five migrants survived – including a Syrian child – and were taken back to shore. The Libyan coastguard have been working to retrieve bodies. Libya is a common departure point for migrants attempting the perilous Mediterranean crossing to Europe. Hundreds have died so far this year.

GIRONA striker Valentin Castellanos scored four times as they recorded a resounding victory over reigning La Liga champions Real Madrid. Castellanos, on loan from New York City, headed the opener and then ran onto a long ball before slotting past Real’s Andriy Lunin to make it 2-0. Vincius Jr gave Real hope with a header from Marco Asensio’s cross. But Castellanos, 24, tucked in a cross from Yan Couto and headed a fourth – before Lucas Vazquez’s consolation. Real are 11 points behind leaders Barcelona, having played a game more. They play Manchester City in the Champions League semi-final first…

PROMOTED Burnley finally clinched the Championship title with a win over rivals Blackburn Rovers in the east Lancashire derby at Ewood Park. Manuel Benson’s superb second-half strike broke the deadlock for the Clarets in a feisty match that had a high tempo but saw both sides limited in clear-cut chances in front of goal. Blackburn created more opportunities, with five shots on target to one from Burnley, as Dom Hyam saw a strike from distance saved and Sammie Szmodics almost flicked the ball inside the near post in stoppage time. The hosts also had strong penalty shouts waved away in…