Coronavirus: La Liga matches to be played behind closed doors for at least two weeks

La Liga clubs in Spain have been ordered to be play without fans for at least two weeks in a bid to stop the spread of coronavirus, the Spanish league said on Tuesday.



The decision was taken in conjunction with the Spanish government's sports council (CSD)'s decision that professional and non-professional sports events and competitions should take place behind closed doors.



"According to information from the High Council of sports, La Liga Santander and La Liga SmartBank (second division) matches will be played behind closed doors, starting today and for at least the next two weeks," La Liga said in a statement.



"La Liga will continue to be in permanent contact with the Ministry of Health and the CSD to follow its recommendations and/or decisions, prioritising the health of fans, players, club employees, journalists etc. due to the COVID-19 health crisis.



"For weeks, La Liga has been working on alternative plans in coordination with UEFA in case health authorities decide to suspend any match, creating a plan to play these matches."



Spanish giants, Barcelona have also confirmed that its Champions League clash with Napoli next week will be played behind closed doors, while Valencia's game with Atalanta will also go ahead without supporters in attendance.

Over N3.7bn have been recovered from NDDC contractors- President Buhari says at inauguration of NDDC advisory committee

President Buhari today disclosed that law enforcement agencies have recovered over N3.7billion as well as various assets worth billions of Naira from contractors and former directors of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).



The President disclosed this at the inauguration of NDDC Advisory Committee, comprising the 9 Governors of the Niger Delta Region and the Ministers of Niger Delta Affairs and Environment.



Specifically, President Buhari said:


‘‘To date, the EFCC and other agencies of Government have recovered over N3.7billion in cash as well as various assets worth billions of Naira from some contractors and former Directors of the Commission.

‘‘Furthermore, I am told that Government agencies have placed liens on over N6 billion of assets which are being investigated.’’

The President told the committee that these abuses of the past clearly show the need for strict and diligent oversight, going forward.



He, therefore, charged them to discharge the new assignment diligently and effectively, working closely with the relevant ministries, adding that he looked forward to seeing positive changes in the affairs of the Commission as well as on the ground in the Niger Delta region.



President Buhari recalled that in 2016, his administration launched the “New Vision for the Niger Delta (NEVIND)”, aimed at bringing sustainable peace, security, infrastructure and human capital development to the region. He said the medium to achieve this noble objective was through the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, NDDC and the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP).



The President, however, expressed regret that in the past these institutions were unable to deliver their mandates due to mismanagement.




‘‘As a result, the people of the Niger Delta were left with abandoned infrastructural projects and substandard social programmes which were designed to improve their living conditions. It is to reverse this trend that I approved, in February 2020, the constitution of a 10-Man Presidential Monitoring Committee (PMC) as provided for in Section 21 of the NDDC Establishment Act.’’



He noted that the PMC, which will be chaired by the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs and its members drawn from various MDAs, will focus on monitoring the operations and activities of the commission, and will be reporting to him.

In the same vein, the President said the inauguration of the NDDC Advisory Committee is in line with the provisions of Section 11 (I) of the NDDC Establishment Act, explaining that the Committee is charged with the responsibility of advising the Board and monitoring its activities.

Justifying the decision to inaugurate the Committee ahead of the reconstitution of the NDDC Board, President Buhari said:


‘‘This is to enable us develop insights into the affairs of the Commission which will properly guide the Board when reconstituted once the Forensic Audit exercise on the Commission is concluded.

‘‘You may recall that the Federal Executive Council, on 5th of February, 2020 approved the appointment of the Lead Forensic Auditors. I am told they are concluding their pre-engagement activities and should be ready to commence work soon’’.

'Nigeria will never get better' - Hushpuppi condemns Sanusi's dethronement as Emir of Kano.

Hushpuppi has condemned the dethronement of Muhammad Sanusi II, who was removed as the Emir of Kano on Monday, March 9.



Reacting via his Instagram page, the Dubai-based Nigerian big boy said the removal of Sanusi as the Emir of Kano signals 'the beginning of the end of Nigeria'




Seriously, yesterday's historic event of the Emir's removal by a governor caught on camera taking hundreds of thousands of dollar bribe just dawned on me that Nigeria will never get better, only worse from things like this happening.



I think this is the beginning of the end of Nigeria and it’s happening right before our eyes! Until that country is taken out of the hands of this old corrupt and manipulative politicians, there will be no hope for our children and their children. Actions needs to be taken so it doesn’t continue like this.

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala appointed member of South Africa's presidential economic council (photos)

Former Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has been appointed as a member South Africa’s presidential economic advisory council.



The council which is chaired by Cyril Ramaphosa, the South African president, has other members in the council. As part of their functions, members of the council are expected to “ensure greater coherence and consistency in the implementation of economic policy and ensure that government and society in general is better equipped to respond to changing economic circumstances”.





Okonjo-Iweala shared photos from the meeting on Twitter, captioned it


“With President Ramaphosa, members of cabinet, and members of the Presidential Economic Advisory Council in Pretoria discussing sources of growth for the South African economy and win-win economic interactions with the continent.”



The council held its second meeting on Friday in Tshwane.



South Africa’s economy is currently in a recession; its second in two years.



Okonjo-Iweala had served two terms as Finance Minister of Nigeria (2003-2006, 2011-2015) under the leadership of President Olusegun Obasanjo and President Goodluck Jonathan respectively.

I want to crown my success and win the FA Cup with Manchester United - Odion Ighalo

Manchester United striker Odion Ighalo has revealed he dreams of crowning his six months stay at Manchester United with FA Cup victory.



30 year old Ighalo, who was signed from Shanghai Shenhua on a six months loan, has scored three goals since joining United on the last day of the transfer window.


The now retired Super Eagles striker scored two goals in United's last game against Derby county and now says he wants to win the FA Cup'
“I watched Manchester United in the FA Cup a lot, which was great, and I loved playing in it with Watford.

“Now, I want to go far and win it, if possible, to crown my success here with the team.”


The 2019 AFCON top scorer will hope to replicate his scoring form when United host Manchester City on Sunday in the Premier League.


Meanwhile former England head coach Steve McClaren, who was part of the United coaching staff when they won the treble in 1999, was confident that United had found the right number nine in Ighalo .

“Everybody needs a number nine. Everybody needs a target,” McClaren said on Sky Sports.

“There can be runners but there has to be a vocal point, Manchester United didn’t have that.

“Romelu Lukaku went, they’ve tried different things, false nine, it doesn’t work out, but I think with Ighalo it’s perfect because there’s lots of energy around him at the present moment and wouldn’t be surprised to see him play on Sunday.”

Mother under the influence of weed and booze, beheaded her 5 year old daughter because the little girl asked her for cereal

A 27 year old mother, Krystle Villanueva has been jailed for life for beheading her five year-old daughter after the youngster asked for cereal.



Krystle Villanueva on Friday was convicted of capital murder and sentenced to life imprisonment for the January 2017 killing of 5 year old Giovanna Hernandez in Austin, Texas while she was under the influence of alcohol and weed.







After Villanueva stabbed the little girl to death and decapitated her, she dialed 911 and told the police she’d killed her daughter ‘because she asked for cereal.’ and this attack was after she stabbed her father-in-law in an unprovoked attack, though he managed to escape .

A SWAT team rushed to Villanueva’s home to rescue Giovanna, only to find the mother naked and freshly showered in her front room.


Villanueva who was under the influence of weed and booze at the time of the killings claimed to the police upon arrest that ‘she had been under the delusional belief that her daughter and her father-in-law had been replaced by clones and had to be killed to bring back her real family members.’


She had previously been treated for mental health issues, but investigators have not been able to find a possible reason why she committed the horrific crime, with investigators calling the crime the worst they’d ever investigated.


Hays County Prosecutor Wes Mau said about the killing; ‘A case like this leaves an unforgettable mark on everyone involved, especially the child’s family. ‘Every law enforcement member who worked on this case will forever be traumatized by what Ms Villanueva did to her innocent daughter.

‘I commend all the investigators and officers who endured this horror with calm professionalism so that justice could be done.’

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle arrive Mountbatten festival (photos)

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrived at the Mountbatten Festival of Music in London tonight as they continue their final round of royal duties.



The couple, who will officially step down as senior members of the royal family on March 31, have been embarking on a series of engagements over the past days.



Prince Harry arrived at the Royal Albert Hall in his dress uniform since he is attending the event in his role as Captain General of the Royal Marines. Meghan coordinated with him as she wore a red dress, red shoes and a red purse.



See more photos below.