Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta says he expected Chelsea to be "contenders" to win the Premier League this season. The teams meet at Emirates Stadium on Sunday (13:30 GMT) with the Gunners currently second in the table and the Blues six points behind them in fourth. However, the prospect of either catching runaway leaders Liverpool, who are 15 points clear at the top having played a game more, appears remote. The realistic aim now for Arsenal and Chelsea appears to be ensuring their place in next season's Champions League, with fifth spot now looking likely to be sufficient. The Gunners will also face Real Madrid in the quarter-finals of Europe's elite club competition this season. But Arteta suggested he had anticipated greater things from Chelsea under Enzo Maresca this term. "They have so much there. The moment that everything lies together and they find that connection, energy and consistency, I think they can compete with any team." Speaking about Chelsea’s q...

  Minister of State for Care, Stephen Kinnock The UK government has announced new visa regulations affecting care workers, employers, and international students as part of efforts to curb immigration and promote local hiring. Starting April 9, care providers must first attempt to recruit foreign workers already residing in the UK who require new visa sponsorship before hiring from abroad, according to measures introduced in Parliament on Wednesday. Additionally, the salary threshold for Skilled Worker visas will rise from £23,200 to £25,000 per year (£12.82 per hour) to match the increasing minimum wage. Prioritizing Existing Care Workers in the UK Minister of State for Care, Stephen Kinnock, emphasized the importance of international care workers while highlighting the need to crack down on exploitative recruitment practices. “We must ensure victims of exploitation can rebuild their careers in adult social care while reducing reliance on international recruitment,” he stated. Tigh...

  Jamaican reggae icon Cocoa Tea, known for his smooth vocals and timeless hits, has passed away at the age of 65. His wife, Malvia Scott, confirmed his death on Tuesday, March 11, in Broward, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to the Jamaican Gleaner. According to Scott, the singer had been battling lymphoma since 2019 and was also dealing with pneumonia in recent months. He was transferred to a hospital after experiencing severe vomiting. Despite his health struggles, she described him as brave and hopeful, recalling his reassuring words just weeks before his passing. Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness paid tribute to the late artist, honoring his contributions to reggae music. He highlighted Cocoa Tea’s classic hits, such as Rocking Dolly and I Lost My Sonia, and praised him as a kind and generous figure who uplifted others. “Cocoa Tea’s influence went beyond Jamaica, touching hearts around the world and cementing our country’s place in global music,” Holness stated. The reggae co...

  The House of Representatives has instructed the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to ensure the immediate blocking of all pornographic websites across the country. The directive mandates internet service providers (ISPs) to restrict access to explicit content, with penalties for non-compliance. The motion, sponsored by Dalhatu Tafoki, an All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmaker from Katsina State, highlighted cyber pornography as a growing global issue that Nigeria has yet to adequately address. Religious and Social Concerns Tafoki emphasized that Nigeria, being a highly religious nation, upholds moral values that oppose nudity and obscenity. He pointed out that many countries across Asia, Africa, and the Middle East have already enforced strict laws against pornography. He also cited concerns raised by psychologists and sociologists, warning about the negative psychological and social effects of pornography, including its links to adultery, prostitution, and addiction. “E...

  Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was arrested in Manila on Tuesday following an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant related to his controversial war on drugs. The 79-year-old faces charges of crimes against humanity, with rights groups estimating that tens of thousands, mostly from poor communities, were killed without due process. Authorities confirmed that Interpol Manila received the official arrest warrant early Tuesday, and Duterte is currently in custody at Villamor Air Base. In a video posted by his daughter, Duterte questioned the legal basis for his arrest, while his former legal counsel, Salvador Panelo, called the detention "unlawful," citing the lack of a hard copy of the warrant. Human rights organizations welcomed the arrest, urging the government to surrender Duterte to the ICC for trial. Critics of his drug war, including groups supporting victims’ families, hailed the move as long overdue. Duterte, who previously dismissed the ICC investig...

The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has eliminated more than 80% of programs under the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) following a six-week review. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the decision on Monday in a post on X, stating: "The 5,200 canceled contracts had spent tens of billions of dollars in ways that did not serve—or, in some cases, even harmed—the core national interests of the United States." Rubio noted that approximately 1,000 remaining programs will now be managed more efficiently under the State Department in collaboration with Congress. After returning to office on January 20, Trump ordered a 90-day pause on foreign aid to evaluate its alignment with his "America First" foreign policy. This decision disrupted USAID operations globally, jeopardizing humanitarian efforts, including the delivery of food and medical aid. Despite claims that waivers were granted for life-saving assistance, many humanitarian work...

  The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening economic ties with France to foster mutual prosperity. Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, made this known during a visit from French Ambassador Marc Fonbaustier in Abuja. Idris praised France’s role in facilitating President Bola Tinubu’s 2024 state visit and emphasized the importance of implementing Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) signed during the trip. He assured that Nigeria’s ongoing reforms would drive sustainable growth and welcomed continued French support. I have also seen you work in this country within a very short time that you have been here, cementing the bond of relationship that exists between France and Nigeria. “And today, we can say that France is a very important partner to our country. “Not many African Heads of State or Governments were extended that kind of friendship by President Emmanuel Macron during our state visit to your country. “They ar...