Sore elbow forces Williams out

Defending champion and world No 1 Serena Williams has withdrawn from the Italian Open, citing a right elbow injury.

Williams insists she was trying not to make the same mistake as last year and let an injury affect her chances at Roland Garros, or even Wimbledon.

Nigeria loses 1,800 MW in one month – Perm sec

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Power, Ambassador Godknows Igali, said on Thursday that Nigeria had lost 1,800 MegaWatts of electricity in the last one month.

Igali, who stated this at a meeting between his ministry and the Senate Committee on Power, Steel Development and Metallurgy, in Abuja,  also attributed the deteriorating outage in the country to activities of vandals.

Dnipro to face Sevilla in Europa League final

Dnipro advanced to their first European final after Yevhen Seleznyov's second-half header gave them a 2-1 aggregate win over Napoli in the Europa League.

They will face Sevilla in the final in Warsaw on May 27 after they cruised through 5-0 on aggregate over Fiorentina with a 2-0 win in Italy.

Tractor driver escapes after train rams vehicle at level crossing

A tractor driver had a miraculous escape after a train ploughed into his vehicle at a level crossing.

The driver suffered only minor injuries following the collision at the farm crossing in Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, at around 6.15pm on Thursday.

I haven’t got useful tips from Jonathan – Buhari

President-elect Muhammadu Buhari has accused the outgoing Goodluck Jonathan government of not giving him “tips” on how to kick-start his administration on May 29.

He spoke on Thursday when a committee from the Centre for Human Security of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, presented a five-point policy document to him at the Buhari Support Organisation office in Abuja.

Hours before the event which held behind closed doors, the All Progressives Congress, insisted that the Federal Government was not cooperating with the transition committee set up by the President-elect.

Manchester United 'eye £45million Harry Kane as top summer striker target'

Manchester United are apparently eyeing up Harry Kane in a sensational £45million summer swoop.

The Tottenham star has smashed 30 goals in a superb breakout season at White Hart Lane which has earned him a first England call-up.

Mayweather vs Pacquiao rematch may be in the offing

Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao are already negotiating terms over a rematch, claim the New York Post.

The pair fought the richest fight in boxing history on May 2, which earned $600million. Mayweather won on points after 12 relatively uneventful rounds in Las Vegas, to retain his unbeaten record.

Pacquiao complained of a shoulder injury in the aftermath of the bout, and has since had surgery on the problem.

Despite the fight not living up to expectations, a rematch would still earn each fighter more than any other bout.

Five dead and dozens injured after train overturns near major US city

At least five people have been killed and dozens injured after a train derailed close to a major US city.

The Amtrak train, which was carrying 243 passengers and crew members, left the tracks near Philadelphia causing 10 carriages to overturn.

Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic, with many terrified passengers climbing out of windows to get away from the wreckage.

Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova progress at Italian Open

Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova

Top seed Serena Williams reached the third round of the Italian Open with a 6-1 6-3 win over Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.

The world No 1 did endure a few moments of concern, despite the dominant scoreline, as she was broken once and saved four more break points before sealing victory in just over an hour.

Third seed Maria Sharapova also advanced in Rome when Jarmila Gajdosova retired with a shoulder injury while trailing 6-2 3-1. 

Buhari to get handover note, tour Villa May 28

The President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, will get his handover notes from President Goodluck Jonathan on May 28, 2015.

He will also be conducted round the Presidential Villa, Abuja, alongside the Vice President-elect, Yemi Osibajo, by the outgoing President on the same day.

John Terry celebrates 1m Instagram followers by showcasing trophies

Fresh from leading Chelsea Football Club of England to the Premiership title for the 2014/2015 Season, John Terry has accumulated a whopping sum of 1m followers on photo sharing website, Instagram. 

The former England international football star took to his Instagram account on Monday, May 11, 2015 to celebrate his followers by displaying an image featuring blue numbered balloons floating above his 14 major trophies at his home. 

Don Jazzy renews contract with MTN

A day after rumours emerged he may be ‘porting’ to Glo, producer Don Jazzy has renewed his contract as brand ambassador for MTN. 

He’s already announced to his fans on social media. No official word from MTN, Nigeria’s largest telecoms operator yet.

Barca in final despite defeat

Barcelona reached their first Champions League final since 2011 despite losing 3-2 to Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena.

Luis Enrique’s men, who completed a 5-3 aggregate victory at the Allianz Arena, were handed an early scare when Medhi Benatia headed Bayern into a seventh-minute lead but two away goals from Neymar completed a first-half turnaround that effectively killed off home hopes.

Cech 'in Besiktas talks'

Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech has opened talks with Turkish club Besiktas over a summer move, according to his agent.

Cech has spent the season as second choice to Thibaut Courtois at Stamford Bridge and has only made five Premier League starts in Chelsea's title triumph.

The 32-year-old wants first-team football after 10 seasons as a Chelsea regular but while Arsenal, Paris St Germain and Real Madrid have been tipped as possible destinations for the Czech Republic international, Besiktas also appear to be in the running.

Chelsea star Eden Hazard named FWA Footballer of the Year

Chelsea star Eden Hazard has been named the 2015 Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year.

The 24-year-old has been in magnificent form for the Blues, scoring 19 goals in all competitions for Jose Mourinho's men as they've swept to a league and cup double.

The Belgian international topped the poll of 300-plus journalists, claiming 53 per cent of the vote, ahead of Tottenham striker Harry Kane and Chelsea teammate John Terry.

Dozens die in fresh Nepal quake

A major earthquake has struck eastern Nepal, near Mount Everest, two weeks after more than 8,000 people died in a devastating quake.

At least 37 people have been killed and more than 1,000 injured, officials say. At least 17 have also died in India.

DJ Khaled parts ways with Cash Money Records

Artists are dropping like flies over at Cash Money Records. After announcing his split from the label this weekend, Bow Wow became the latest rapper to ditch Birdman’s imprint. 

But the label also suffered another loss: DJ Khaled. During his interview with The Breakfast Club, the producer revealed that he quietly ended his deal with the label. 

Don Jazzy-led Mavins to ditch MTN for Glo

In what is a fresh and exciting piece of information, news making the rounds in the corporate world indicates the mother of all ‘porting’ expected to shake the industry is in the offing. 

Sources have revealed that Mavin boss, Don Jazzy is set to lead his 6 other acts to ‘port’ from telecoms giants, MTN, to rival, Globacom. 

Lewis Hamilton set to sign record £100m contract to stay at Mercedes

Lewis Hamilton is set to sign a £100million deal to stay at Mercedes - the biggest in British sporting history.

The 30-year-old will end almost 12 months of speculation with a new three-year deal that will tie him to the German car giant until the end of 2018.

Two-time F1 world champion Hamilton will be earning just over £30m a year plus bonuses, although he will still trail behind track rival Sebastian Vettel who signed a £50 million deal with F1’s biggest-payers Ferrari.

Arsenal boss Wenger frustrated after defeat to Swansea

Arsene Wenger was left frustrated as Arsenal’s bid for their highest Premier League finish for 10 years was dented by Swansea’s late victory at the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal dominated proceedings in the second half but found former goalkeeper Lukas Fabianski too good as Bafitembi Gomis’ late header handed Garry Monk’s side all three points.

And despite his frustrations, Wenger believes his side can take plenty of positives into Sunday’s clash against Manchester United despite their first defeat in 10 league matches.

Manchester City hold talks with Juventus star Paul Pogba

 

Manchester City have held talks with highly-rated Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba, understands Sky Sports Italia.

City’s representatives travelled to Turin to speak to the France international over a potential transfer to the Etihad Stadium.

However, dethroned Premier League champions City face stiff competition as the 22-year-old has also been linked with Paris St Germain, Barcelona, Real Madrid and former club Manchester United.

Kanye West receives honorary doctorate degree

Everybody knows about Kanye West’s Graduation. It was the album that put him on the music map, but now the star has attended an actual graduation ceremony – his own.

The ‘College Dropout’ star can now be called Dr. Kanye West after receiving an honorary doctorate from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago at its annual commencement on Monday.

Kim Kardashian strips naked for another raunchy photoshoot

 

Kim Kardashian has stripped off for yet another nude photo shoot. 

 

In an upcoming episode of Keeping Up With The Kardashians, the mother-of-one can be seen posing in the middle of the desert completely naked except for white paint covering her modesty.

 

One shot sees the star, who gushed about how much she loved Kanye West on Mother's Day after he sent her thousands of white roses, recently seductively lying back as she pouts into camera. 

To check out the shots, click on

EU asks for UN help over migrants smuggling

EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini has pleaded for UN help to dismantle criminal groups smuggling migrants into the European Union.

"We need to count on your support to save lives," she told a Security Council briefing on EU plans to use force against smugglers.

Libya, where many smugglers operate, has objected to the EU proposals.

Pep Guardiola rubbishes link with Manchester City job

Pep Guardiola has rubbished weekend reports that he might be leaving Bayern Munich and heading to Manchester City this summer to replace Manuel Pellegrini.

City boss Pellegrini has come under mounting pressure in recent months over his side's stuttering European form and their limp defence of the Premier League title.

With two of Guardiola's former cohorts at Barcelona - Ferran Soriano and Txiki Begiristain -  now installed in the boardroom at the Etihad, the rumours have gathered momentum.