As the effects of Storm Goretti ease through Friday, new snow and ice warnings have been issued, with continued disruption expected across much of Scotland and northern England on Sunday. Storm Goretti Update Storm Goretti has caused widespread impacts, including strong winds and heavy snow. The highest gust recorded was 99 mph at St Marys, Isles of Scilly—the strongest there since 1991. Snow accumulations have been reported across several locations: 15 cm at Lake Vyrnwy in Powys, 7 cm at Preston Montford in Shropshire, and 7 cm at Nottingham. Scotland has seen particularly heavy snowfall, with 27 cm at Altnaharra, 26 cm at Loch Glascarnoch, and 22 cm at Durris in Kincardineshire. Temperatures dropped sharply overnight, with the lowest recorded at -13.3°C in Braemar, Aberdeenshire. Further icy conditions and snow are expected to continue causing travel and safety disruptions.
Terry Yorath, the former Welsh international who captained and later managed the Wales national football team, has died at the age of 75. As a player, Yorath was known as a combative midfielder and defender for Leeds United, becoming a regular from 1972 onwards under Don Revie and later Jimmy Armfield. He won a First Division title in 1973-74 and played in the 1975 European Cup final against Bayern Munich.
Yorath made 198 appearances for Leeds before moving to Coventry City as captain, and later to Tottenham Hotspur, concluding his top-flight career in 1981. Internationally, he earned 59 caps for Wales, 42 as captain, during a period of modest national success. As Wales manager from 1988 to 1993, he led the team to its highest-ever world ranking at that time, 27th, and came close to qualifying for the 1994 World Cup.
He later managed Lebanon, raising their ranking from 145th to 87th, and had managerial stints at Swansea City, Bradford City, Cardiff City, and Sheffield Wednesday, though these did not replicate his international success.
Born in Grangetown, Cardiff, Yorath initially played rugby at Cathays High School but excelled in football, representing Wales Schools before being signed by Leeds at 15. Despite early competition from Billy Bremner and Johnny Giles, he broke through in 1972 and featured in multiple European finals, often amidst controversy over refereeing decisions.
Yorath was also noted for his bravery off the field, helping save spectators during the 1985 Bradford fire, sustaining an injury in the process. His coaching career began at Bradford as a player-coach, before he moved into management, achieving promotion with Swansea City and later revitalizing the Wales national team.
He endured personal tragedy when his eldest son, Daniel, died at age 15 in 1992, a loss that eventually contributed to the end of his 1971 marriage to Christine Kay in 2007. Yorath is survived by three children from that marriage: Gabby, Louise, and Jordan.
Terence Charles Yorath, footballer and manager, born 27 March 1950; died 8 January 2026.
Arsenal forward Gabriel Martinelli will not face additional punishment for pushing Liverpool defender Conor Bradley while he was injured on the pitch. During stoppage time in Arsenal’s 0-0 draw with Liverpool, Martinelli also appeared to throw the ball at Bradley, who was later stretchered off.
Referee Anthony Taylor booked Martinelli for the incident, which drew widespread criticism from fans and angered Liverpool’s players. Martinelli has since apologised for his actions.
The Football Association has confirmed that no further retrospective action will be taken, as the incident was addressed appropriately during the match by the referee.
With just over eleven weeks remaining before the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) recapitalization deadline, 14 banks have yet to meet the minimum capital requirements.
As of January 6, 2026, 19 Nigerian banks had already complied with the apex bank’s recapitalization benchmark. Among those that have met the requirements are Access Bank, Fidelity Bank, First Bank, GTBank (GTCO), UBA, Zenith Bank, and twelve others.
The banks still falling short include First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Unity Bank, Keystone Bank, Union Bank (Titan), Taj Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, Parallex Bank, and SunTrust Bank. Others on the list are FBH Merchant Bank, Rand Merchant Bank, Coronation Merchant Bank, Alternative Bank, and some non-interest banks.
Financial experts have warned that the remaining banks may face pressure to merge or be acquired as the March 31, 2026, deadline approaches.
PORT HARCOURT — Political tensions in Rivers State escalated yesterday as the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) clashed with the Rivers State House of Assembly over impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his Deputy, Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu. The proceedings were launched over allegations of gross misconduct and misappropriation of funds.
Lawmakers reconvened earlier than their scheduled recess, which was set to end on January 26, to begin the removal process, before adjourning to January 15. The move has sparked significant controversy across the state’s political landscape.
Several groups, including Rivers APC, the Ijaw National Congress (INC), and the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), condemned the impeachment efforts and urged legislators to resist attempts to destabilize Fubara’s administration.
The APC emphasized that Fubara had not committed any wrongdoing by not presenting a 2026 budget, noting that the National Assembly-approved budget during the six-month emergency rule would remain in effect until August 2026.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) appeared divided: the Wike-backed faction supported the impeachment, while the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) took a cautious, watchful approach. Meanwhile, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) said it was monitoring developments closely before taking a stance.
Why the Assembly Wants Fubara and Odu Removed
Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, stated that the impeachment initiative stems from the governor and deputy’s alleged failure to present the state’s budget. Lawmakers claim Fubara blocked the Assembly from contributing to appropriation bills, citing this as grounds for impeachment.
The motion was presented by Deputy Speaker Dumle Maol and seconded by Silvernus Nwankwo. Relying on Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), Majority Leader Major Jack listed seven allegations against Fubara, including:
Demolition of the Assembly Complex
Extra-budgetary spending
Withholding funds for the Assembly Service Commission
Defiance of the Supreme Court ruling on financial autonomy of the House
Following this, Deputy Leader Linda Stewart presented a notice of gross misconduct against Deputy Governor Prof. Odu. Accusations against her include:
Reckless and unconstitutional use of public funds
Obstructing the Assembly from performing its constitutional duties
Allowing unauthorized individuals to occupy offices without proper Assembly approval
Seeking budgetary approvals from alternative groups instead of the legitimate House
Seizing salaries and allowances due to the Assembly and its Service Commission
The impeachment saga has intensified political tensions in Rivers State, with both sides digging in for what could be a protracted and contentious battle.
Nigerian author Chimamanda Adichie and her family have announced the death of her son Nkanu Nnamdi, one of the twin boys she and her husband, Dr. Ivara Esege, welcomed through surrogacy in 2025.
According to a statement from Omawumi Ogbe, Adichie’s spokesperson, little Nnamdi passed away on Wednesday, January 7, “after a brief illness.”
“The family is devastated by this profound loss, and we ask that their privacy be respected during this incredibly difficult time,” the statement said.
Adichie had surprised the world in February 2025 when she revealed in an interview in the UK that she and her husband had welcomed twins via surrogacy. Surrogacy involves a woman carrying a baby on behalf of another person or couple, typically using the intended parents’ sperm and eggs.
In May 2025, speaking to Nigerian journalist Chude, Adichie expressed no regrets about using surrogacy, emphasizing the importance of normalizing non-traditional paths to parenthood.
“I want more women to feel no shame in talking about reaching motherhood through non-traditional means,” she said. “The story of my twins is real because it cannot be hidden—the existence of two perfect human beings speaks for itself.”
Adichie, an outspoken feminist, has long advocated globally for women’s rights and equality. This personal tragedy comes amid a series of losses in her life: she lost both her parents within a span of months. Her father, James Nwoye Adichie, a statistics professor, died suddenly from kidney failure complications in 2020, while her mother, the first female registrar of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, passed away in March 2021.
Real Madrid survived a tense clash with Atlético Madrid, holding on for a 2-1 victory that keeps Xabi Alonso’s position intact—for now—and sets up a Super Cup final against Barcelona on Sunday. Goals from Fede Valverde and Rodrygo gave Real the edge in a match where judgment and anxiety loomed over Alonso after a month of intense scrutiny.
Madrid wasted no time asserting themselves, scoring after just 77 seconds. Valverde converted a free kick, awarded after Gonzalo García, a 21-year-old substitute for Kylian Mbappé, was fouled by Conor Gallagher. The Uruguayan midfielder’s shot from 25 yards soared past the three-man wall and beat Jan Oblak, giving Real an early lead.
Despite falling behind, Atlético controlled much of the game, taking 22 shots and pressuring Real’s defense repeatedly. Julián Alvarez, Antoine Griezmann, and Sørloth all came close to equalizing, but Madrid’s defense and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois held firm. Courtois made crucial stops, including a near-impossible save from Sørloth and another from Baena.
Rodrygo extended Real’s lead with a composed finish after a slick move past Atlético’s Robin Le Normand, but the lead was short-lived. Sørloth headed in a goal to bring Atlético back into the contest with an hour remaining, forcing Alonso to adjust his defense. He shifted Jude Bellingham to cover the left, replaced injured players Rüdiger and Raúl Asencio, and moved Fran García and Ferland Mendy to reinforce the left side. Vinícius Jr., who had gone 16 matches without a goal, was withdrawn.
In the final minutes, Atlético threw everything forward. Courtois denied an overhead kick from Griezmann, Llorente narrowly missed a curling effort, and Tchouaméni made a crucial interception to prevent a last-minute equalizer. In stoppage time, Atlético had one final chance at 95:33, but the moment slipped away.
Real Madrid held on to claim the win, keeping their Super Cup hopes alive and giving Alonso a reprieve amid the mounting pressure. The result sets up a blockbuster showdown with Barcelona, a match that promises both opportunity and expectation in equal measure.
PORTLAND — Portland police arrested six individuals Thursday night during a protest outside an ICE facility in the southern part of the city. Authorities said they asked protesters around 9 p.m. local time to move to the sidewalk and stop blocking traffic.
The arrests follow heightened tensions after two people were shot by a Border Patrol agent in Portland, coming shortly after the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good in Minnesota on Wednesday.
The six people taken into custody were between 24 and 48 years old. All were from the Portland area except one from nearby Clackamas County. They were booked on suspicion of second-degree disorderly conduct.
Portland police said these arrests bring the total number linked to ICE-related protests in the city to 79. Officers added that charges could still be filed later against others who were not arrested at the scene.
Protests in Minneapolis Continue After Fatal ICE Shooting
MINNEAPOLIS — Hundreds of protesters marched Thursday night in Minneapolis to the site where Renee Nicole Good was fatally shot by ICE, braving freezing rain to make their voices heard.
The demonstrators chanted slogans such as “Say Her Name! Renee Nicole Good!” and “Money for jobs and education, not for cops and deportation.”
Caroline, 46, who asked that her last name be withheld to protect her family, said, “It’s obviously not safe here. They are attacking our neighbors.” She described the protest as a reflection of Minnesota’s community spirit.
“This is our community. This is America. This is Minnesota,” she said.
Muna Hassan, 28, shared a similar view, emphasizing solidarity. “We’re just one people. We are here to protect each other as a community,” she said.
GLENDALE, Ariz. — Teams are always warned not to think too far ahead, but it would be hard to fault Miami for imagining this moment long before the season began.
The Hurricanes quietly envisioned a path that started with a home opener against Notre Dame and ended with a national championship game played in their own stadium. On Thursday night, that vision became reality.
Miami secured a dramatic 31–27 victory over Ole Miss in the College Football Playoff semifinals at the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl, powered by a poised performance from quarterback Carson Beck and the steady leadership of head coach Mario Cristobal, who has made restoring Miami’s proud tradition his personal mission.
Though Cristobal maintained his trademark intensity after the game, the achievement is remarkable. Miami opened the first CFP rankings on Nov. 3 at No. 18 following an overtime loss to SMU, barely sneaked into the 12-team playoff field, and has now won three straight postseason games. The Hurricanes will become the first team in the BCS/CFP era (since 1998) to play for a national championship in their home stadium.
“When everyone rushed the field, it felt unreal,” said linebacker Wesley Bissainthe, a Miami native who joined the program when Cristobal arrived in 2022. “Playing for Miami, in front of people from where I’m from — it means everything.”
Miami is no stranger to homegrown championship success. Three of the program’s five national titles were won at the Orange Bowl, including the 1991 championship when Cristobal himself started at offensive tackle. After more than 20 years of inconsistency, it took a coach with deep Miami roots to guide the Hurricanes back to the brink of a sixth title.
Thursday’s win, however, was anything but easy.
Miami controlled much of the game, leading most of the night and dominating key metrics such as time of possession, total plays, and rushing yards. But penalties and miscues stalled drives in the third quarter, allowing Ole Miss to stay within reach.
The fourth quarter turned into chaos, featuring four lead changes in the final seven minutes. With Miami legends like Michael Irvin, Ray Lewis, Gino Torretta, and Edgerrin James watching from the sideline, Beck connected with freshman standout Malachi Toney for a 36-yard touchdown with 5:04 remaining to give Miami a 24–19 lead.
Ole Miss responded quickly. Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss marched the Rebels down the field, aided by a controversial pass interference call on third down — a painful reminder for Miami fans of the 2003 Fiesta Bowl. Chambliss then hit Dae’Quan Wright for a 24-yard touchdown with 3:13 left, putting Ole Miss back on top.
Miami hadn’t trailed that late in the fourth quarter since an October loss to Louisville, a game in which Beck threw four interceptions. That defeat marked a turning point in Beck’s season, and against Ole Miss, he showed why. Calm and composed, Beck led a 15-play, 75-yard drive that ended with his own 3-yard touchdown run to reclaim the lead for good.
“The tougher it gets, the better we seem to play,” Cristobal said. “That says everything about this team’s resilience and will.”
Offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson called Beck’s journey “an epic story.” Beck transferred to Miami a year ago while rehabbing an elbow injury that kept him sidelined until fall camp.
“He earned that moment,” Dawson said. “When it mattered most, he rose to it. I think he quieted a lot of doubters.”
As Miami sealed the win, Ray Lewis turned to the crowd and urged the fans to get louder. When the final seconds expired, former players and current Hurricanes celebrated together — united by a shared belief and a hard-earned return to prominence.
“It’s been a long time coming,” Edgerrin James said. “When Coach Cristobal arrived, the old Miami mentality came back. Making the playoffs and then playing for the championship in Miami — it doesn’t get better than that.”
Since the loss to SMU, Miami has won seven straight games, five of them away from home. After their final regular-season home game against NC State on Nov. 15, safety Keionte Scott made it clear the Hurricanes weren’t done at Hard Rock Stadium.
“We knew we were special,” Bissainthe said. “If we got into the playoff, a lot of teams were going to have problems.”
Offensive lineman Anez Cooper, another Cristobal-era player, summed it up simply as the clock ran out.
“I cried,” he said. “I’m just happy we’re going back home.”
