Author: Steven Sahiounie

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday launched the re-designed local banknotes to control the supply of the Nigerian naira, the local currency of the most populous African country. Speaking during the unveiling of the locally-produced currencies in Abuja, the Nigerian capital, Buhari explained in detail the basis for his approval to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to redesign the 200, 500, and 1,000 naira banknotes, saying they have been fortified with security features that make them difficult to counterfeit. “There was an urgent need to take control of currency in circulation and to address the hoarding of naira banknotes…

The 2022 FIFA World Cup matches continued on Tuesday in Qatar with North American outfit Mexico battling to a a nil-nil draw against their European opponents Poland. The draw earned each of them a point in the Group C opening encounter. While Tuesday’s match was scoreless, there was a spurt of excitement in the early stages of the second half. Mexico’s Guillermo Ochoa stopped Robert Lewandowski on a penalty kick and Polish goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny had a diving save of his own a few minutes later. In the earlier match South American footballing giants were stunned by Saudi Arabia after…

German footballers signaled their opposition to FIFA’s ban on players wearing anti-discrimination armbands in Qatar by covering their mouths in their official team photo prior to their FIFA World Cup Group E fixture with Japan. Germany was among several European teams which intended to wear the ‘OneLove’ armband to highlight instances of human rights abuses and discrimination before a FIFA directive earlier this week revealed that players could face potential sanctions if they were to wear items not officially authorized by world football’s governing body. FIFA has stated that its decision was based upon a belief that politics should be…

Manchester United look set to become the latest Premier League giant to hit the open market amid reports that the club’s US-based owners, the Glazer family, are seeking buyers who would be willing to pay in excess of £6 billion ($7.15 billion) for the club.Hours after the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo was confirmed by the club, the Glazers released a statement to confirm that they were considering “strategic alternatives” to their ownership of the Red Devils, which includes anything from a partial to a full sale of one of the world’s most famous football clubs.They said in a statement that…

UFC star Conor McGregor is being sued by SBG Ireland teammate and longtime training partner Artem Lobov, who claims he was instrumental in the inception of McGregor’s Proper No. Twelve whiskey brand but never received any profits. Lobov, a former competitor in the UFC and who possesses a master’s degree in finance, claims he helped create the business plan for the hugely popular alcoholic drink but was then phased out of the operation when it achieved global success. Proper No. Twelve has recorded large revenues thought to be in excess of $1 billion but Lobov said in a recent interview…

Manchester United have officially parted ways with Cristiano Ronaldo, a little over a week after the first quotes from his sensational interview with UK TV host Piers Morgan were first released online. In a brief statement issued late on Tuesday afternoon, Manchester United said that Ronaldo had left the club after an agreement was reached by both parties. “Cristiano Ronaldo is to leave Manchester United by mutual agreement, with immediate effect,” a statement released on the club’s official website reads. “The club thanks him for his immense contribution across two spells at Old Trafford, scoring 145 goals in 346 appearances,…

A public holiday has been declared for employees and students in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, November 23 following the Green Falcons’ stunning 2-1 FIFA World Cup win against Argentina. According to a directive issued by the Saudi Press Agency, all employees in both the public and private sectors, as well as all students, will not be required to work or attend lessons in a celebration of Herve Renard’s team’s heroic efforts against the World Cup favorites on Tuesday. “It is directed that tomorrow, Wednesday, be a holiday for all employees in all sectors of the state and the private sector,…

Following a trilateral meeting in Astana on Wednesday between Russia, Iran, and Turkey, the three countries emphasized the importance to fulfill all agreements regarding northern Syria.”We noted the need for the full implementation of all existing agreements regarding northern Syria,” the statement read.The statement added that the countries condemned increased terrorist activity by militant groups in Syria, stressing that they are determined to continue and expand counter-terrorism cooperation.Read more: Turkish airstrikes pave way for land operation in northern Syria, Iraq”[The sides] condemned the growing presence and activity of terrorist groups and affiliated structures operating under various guises in various parts…

Britain’s highest court on Wednesday rejected a bid by the Scottish government in Edinburgh to hold a new referendum on independence without London’s consent.The unanimous ruling by the British Supreme Court impeded the Scottish nationalist government’s push to hold a second referendum next year.The Scottish National Party (SNP) had said that in that event, it would turn the next general election into a de-facto vote on splitting from the rest of the United Kingdom.Scottish First Minister and SNP leader, Nicola Sturgeon, said she respected the ruling but was “disappointed”, pledging to continue the fight for independence, saying Scotland’s “democratic right…

Since the conclusion of China’s 20th Communist Party Congress, Xi Jinping has been on a diplomatic blitzkrieg. He’s met with leaders from countries all over the world, including the German chancellor, the French president and even US President Joe Biden himself. He’s keeping up the momentum as New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has received an invitation to visit Beijing. China believes that diplomacy is critical to prevent the US from isolating it. But one important country has thus far been left on the sidelines – the United Kingdom. A meeting between Xi Jinping and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, scheduled at…