Carlos Alcaraz won’t play for a third successive French Open title due to a right wrist injury.
Alcaraz posted on X on Friday that neither would he appear in the preceding Italian Open in Rome, where he also won last year.
No. 2-ranked Alcaraz was injured at the Barcelona Open this month during his first-round win and withdrew the day after.
He pulled out of this week’s Madrid Open and attended the Laureus World Sports Awards in the Spanish capital on Monday with his wrist immobilized. Alcaraz was named world sportsman of the year at the gala.
Alcaraz confirmed he was a no-go for Paris after undergoing more medical tests on Friday.
“After the results of the tests carried out today, we have decided that the most prudent thing is to be cautious and not participate in Rome and Roland Garros,” he wrote on X. “It’s a complicated moment for me, but I’m sure we’ll come out stronger from here.”
Alcaraz started the year in sensational form, beating Novak Djokovic in the Australian Open final. That made him the youngest man ever to win all four major titles in tennis.
He has won only one title since — at Doha in February — and will be without a title in the major clay-court events. He lost the Monte Carlo final to Jannik Sinner at the start of this month and surrendered the No. 1 ranking to his Italian rival.
Last year, Alcaraz beat Sinner in the finals of the Italian Open and French Open, where he saved three match points in an epic match. Alcaraz then lost the Wimbledon final to Sinner before beating him again in the U.S. Open final.
The Italian Open starts on May 5. The French Open does so on May 18. (JapanToday)
FIFA is putting more World Cup tickets on sale after angering some fans by adding new, more expensive categories.
Soccer’s governing body announced Tuesday it will make more tickets available at 11 a.m. EDT Wednesday for all 104 games in Categories 1, 2 and 3 plus the new “front category” pricing it added this month.
The new category sparked online complaints from fans who said they thought the better seats in the categories they had bought tickets for were withheld and they were assigned less favorable locations.
FIFA in December put tickets on sale at prices ranging from $140 for Category 3 in the first round to $8,680 for the final, then raised prices to as much as $10,990 when sales reopened on April 1.
FIFA did not respond to an April 9 request for comment about the new ticket categories it added.
Also Tuesday, The Athletic reported that tickets sales are lagging for the U.S. opener against Paraguay on June 12 at Inglewood, California. It said a document distributed to local organizers dated April 10 said 40,934 tickets had been purchased for the U.S.-Paraguay game and 50,661 for the Iran-New Zealand contest on April 15. FIFA projects SoFi’s World Cup capacity at about 69,650, noting it may change.
FIFA’s December sale priced U.S.-Paraguay tickets at $1,120, $1,940 and $2,735, and Iran-New Zealand seats at $140, $380 and $450. (JapanToday)
Nottingham Forest took a huge step toward ensuring its Premier League survival in a stunning 5-0 win at Sunderland on Friday.
Less than a week after beating Burnley 4-1, Forest rose eight points clear of the relegation zone and sent shivers down the spine of Tottenham Hotspur fans. Spurs occupy the third relegation spot, two points behind West Ham.
With Burnley and Wolves already relegated, Spurs or West Ham are now the most likely candidates to join them.
“It gives us some breathing room and puts pressure on the two chasing behind,” Forest’s New Zealand striker Chris Wood said. “Back-to-back wins do that for you.
“We built on the second half from last week, that is what we wanted to do. We want to build and get better and show what we are capable of. We started fast and what we did today was fantastic.”
Sunderland had the best defensive record in the league at home after Manchester City and Arsenal, but that defensive solidity disappeared during a woeful first half.
Forest looked quicker and hungrier from the off and took the lead after 16 minutes when Igor Jesus’ header went in off Trai Hume following a neatly worked short corner.
Disaster then struck for Sunderland as goalkeeper Robin Roefs gifted Forest a second. His sloppy pass went straight to Morgan Gibbs-White, who fed Chris Wood to give the big New Zealander, recently back from a long injury layoff, his first league goal since the opening day of the season.
Gibbs-White made it 3-0 three minutes later when he drilled home a low shot after Jesus’ superbly cushioned header gave him time and space.
Jesus got Forest’s fourth three minutes later as Sunderland crumbled.
Sunderland’s Dan Ballard had a goal chalked off after a video review in the second half and if there was any doubt the home side was all out of luck it came in stoppage time when Elliot Anderson made it five and confirmed Sunderland’s heaviest ever defeat at the Stadium of Light.
“It is hard to explain straight after the game,” Sunderland captain Granit Xhaka said. “What I can say is that we apologise to our fans. They were easy goals we conceded today. Three set-pieces and the coach has just said in there that if you drop 1% of your maximum then you are dead. You get punished and we got punished at home.” (JapanToday)
The UK and French governments signed a new multimillion-euro deal on Thursday aimed at reducing the number of migrants crossing the English Channel in small boats, with increased police patrols and enhanced surveillance in northern France.
UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood and French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez formally endorsed the three-year agreement during a joint visit to the Dunkirk region.
Mahmood praised the new deal as providing “the right mix of skills and capabilities that we know will work on the beaches in order to reduce the crossings.”
Nuñez said that it will help in “combating illegal immigration networks, human trafficking networks, which are obviously extremely harmful.”
Under the agreement, the UK will provide 500 million pounds ($675 million) to strengthen measures in northern France, with an additional 160 million pounds ($216 million) depending on the success of new tactics to curb Channel crossings. If those efforts fail, the additional funding will be halted after one year, the UK Home Office said.
The plan aims at increasing the number of officers deployed on the ground from 907 now to 1,392 for the 2026—2029 period, along with the creation of an additional police unit dedicated to combating irregular migration, funded by France, the French Interior Ministry said.
It will also include the deployment of new technologies aimed at reducing departures of “taxi boats,” the term authorities use for small motorized vessels that are typically inflatable and used by smugglers to pick up migrants along long stretches of the northern French coast.
Unlike boats that migrants carry into the water themselves, “taxi boats” typically set off largely empty from secluded coastal areas and pick up migrants at prearranged meeting points on beaches.
The deal also expands surveillance capabilities through drones, helicopters and electronic monitoring, to better prevent crossing attempts.
“Our work with the French has already stopped tens of thousands of crossings and this government has deported or returned nearly 60,000 people with no right to be here,” UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said.
Since taking office nearly two years ago, Starmer’s center-left Labour government has pushed through a series of policies that it hopes will sharply reduce immigration.
Small boat crossings have become a potent political issue in the UK over recent years. Anger at the seeming inability of successive governments to get a handle on the issue has been behind a series of demonstrations and riots over the past few years and fueled the rise of the hard-right Reform UK party, which has been leading in opinion polls for more than a year and is predicted to make sweeping gains in a raft of elections on May 7. (JapanToday)
Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has been arraigned before the Federal High Court in Abuja over allegations of involvement in the bugging of the telephone line of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
He was brought before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik on Thursday morning on a five-count amended charge marked FHC/ABJ/99/2026.
At the start of proceedings, the prosecution informed the court of the amendment, prompting the presiding judge, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, to strike out the earlier three-count charges and proceed with the new filing.
When the charges were read, El-Rufai pleaded not guilty to all counts.
Counsel to the DSS then applied for three consecutive trial dates, but the defence objected, citing the need to confer with their client who has been in the custody of multiple security agencies.
The defence also moved to argue a pending bail application filed on February 17, alongside a further affidavit. Initially, Justice Abdulmalik declined to admit the additional affidavit, noting it was not in the court’s records and cautioning against what she described as “Nollywood theatrics” over the presence of cameramen in court.
Following a brief stand down, proceedings resumed with the further affidavit located, while the DSS informed the court it was not opposing the bail application.Attention then shifted to a fresh application by the prosecution seeking an order to conceal the identities of two witnesses expected to testify.
The DSS urged the court to bar the names of the witnesses from public records and allow the use of pseudonyms during trial, arguing their families could be vulnerable to attacks from individuals sympathetic to the defendant.
However, the defence opposed the request through a counter-application, written address, and further affidavit, insisting it is the constitutional right of an accused person to know his accusers.
The defence also argued there was no evidence suggesting the defendant posed any threat or had a following capable of endangering witnesses, warning that granting such anonymity could prejudice the case against him.
The defence further applied for an order compelling the prosecution to provide proof of evidence to enable adequate preparation for trial, a move the prosecution opposed, maintaining that the requested documents were outside the scope of materials already filed before the court.
In addition, the defence informed the court of a separate application seeking to quash the charges, a move challenged by the prosecution on the grounds that such an application cannot be entertained after a plea has been taken. The prosecution urged the court to dismiss the application as lacking merit, while the defence responded on points of law.
The matter continues as the court considers the various applications before it.
The charges stem from allegations that El-Rufai accessed or benefited from intercepted communications involving Ribadu, a claim the former governor had publicly referenced months earlier.
TVC News had earlier reported that during a February interview on Arise Television, El-Rufai claimed: “He made the call because we listened to their calls. The government thinks they are the only ones that listen to calls but we also have our ways. He made the call and gave the order.
“Someone tapped his phone. The government listens to our calls all the time without a court order. Someone tapped his phone and told us that he gave the order.”
The case has been adjourned to allow the defence regularise its filings before the court proceeds with the bail hearing. (TVCNews)
Rivers State Governor , Siminlayi Fubara, has reaffirmed his commitment to peace and regional cooperation.
Governor Fubara disclosed this while playing host to traditional rulers from across the South at a high-level roundtable in Port Harcourt.
Addressing the gathering,he described the meeting as an honour and a significant step towards deepening unity among southern leaders.
He emphasised that Rivers State remains peaceful and open to initiatives that promote cohesion and development across the region.
The roundtable, convened under the Southern Traditional Rulers Council, focused on strengthening collaboration among traditional institutions and reinforcing their role in fostering stability and progress.
Participants were urged to sustain efforts at building southern unity through dialogue, mutual respect, and coordinated action.
The host also reiterated the importance of aligning regional aspirations with national development goals, pledging continued support for initiatives under the leadership of Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The engagement concluded with a shared commitment among the traditional rulers to promote peace and drive collective progress across southern Nigeria. (TVCNews)
President Bola Tinubu has welcomed Nigeria’s latest 91.45 per cent aviation safety rating from the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), describing it as a major boost to the country’s global aviation credibility and investment outlook.
The ICAO, a United Nations specialised agency responsible for setting standards for international air navigation, evaluates member states through its Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP) to determine compliance with global aviation safety requirements.
This was contained in a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Thursday, April 23.
According to the audit team’s recent debriefing at the headquarters of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) in Abuja, Nigeria recorded an Effective Implementation (EI) score of 91.45 per cent, its highest ever since the programme began in 1999.
The score places Nigeria significantly above the West African regional average of 61.1 per cent and the global average of 70.4 per cent, a development authorities say strengthens confidence in the country’s airspace and aviation systems.
Reacting to the development, President Tinubu said the achievement reflects ongoing reforms in the aviation sector under his administration’s renewed focus on infrastructure and transportation as key drivers of economic growth.
Since assuming office, Tinubu had prioritised the development of a safe, secure, and efficient aviation industry aimed at positioning Nigeria as a regional aviation hub aligned with international best practices.
The statement partly reads: “Upon the assumption of office, President Tinubu redefined the priority areas of his administration to include enhancing infrastructure and transportation as enablers of growth, and to establish the air transport sector as a major driver for economic prosperity by building a safe, secured and efficient aviation industry focused on making Nigeria a hub that meets international standards and best practices beyond even the African continent.
“To align with this priority area, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo SAN, outlined a five-point agenda to grow the Nigerian aviation value chain.”
The President commended the ministry and aviation agencies for the milestone, noting that the improved rating would enhance investor confidence in aviation infrastructure, maintenance facilities, and airline operations in Nigeria.
“President Tinubu urges the Ministry not to relent but to review and implement every recommendation that the ICAO auditors made during this mission to ensure that Nigeria not only maintains, but goes even further on the rating,” the statement concluded. (TVCNews)
Governor Ahmadu Fintiri has visited Mayo-Ladde community in Gaya District of Hong Local Government Area, Adamawa State, where nine people were killed in a suspected Boko Haram attack.
The governor described the incident as unfortunate and commiserated with families of the victims, assuring residents of his administration’s resolve to restore peace and prevent further attacks.
The assault, which occurred on Tuesday, left a trail of destruction and forced residents to flee to neighbouring communities, including Uba Gaya, where many are currently taking refuge.
Security operatives, supported by local vigilante groups, were able to repel the attackers after a confrontation, forcing them to retreat.
Fintiri commended the military, police, and community-based security groups for their swift response, noting that their intervention helped contain the situation.
Community leaders, however, called for a stronger and sustained security presence to forestall recurring attacks in the area.
Relative calm has since been restored following the deployment of additional military personnel to the affected communities.
The governor was accompanied on the visit by top government officials, including the Secretary to the State Government, Auwal Tukur, and Chief of Staff, Edgar Amos, as part of efforts to reassure residents and reinforce confidence in the government’s response to insecurity. (TVCNews)
The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has directed a comprehensive investigation into reports of a fresh COVID-19 case in Cross River State.
Akpabio issued the directive at the close of Thursday’s plenary, mandating the Senate Committee on Health to urgently examine the situation.
The committee, chaired by Senator Ipalibo Banigo, is expected to investigate the reported case and present its findings at the next legislative sitting.
The move follows reports of an isolated COVID-19 case in Cross River State, raising concerns over surveillance, testing and response capacity.
Health authorities are said to be monitoring the situation closely, amid calls for heightened vigilance and adherence to public health guidelines.
Lawmakers said the probe would assess the public health response, the preparedness of health institutions and measures needed to contain any potential spread. (TVCNews)
President Bola Tinubu has approved a minor cabinet reshuffle in the Federal Executive Council, which led to the exit of the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Wale Edun and the Minister of Housing and Urban Development Ministry, Ahmed Dangiwa.
According to a statement from the Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Yomi Odunuga, on Tuesday, the memo signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, indicated that two cabinet members, Mr. Wale Edun and Architect Ahmed Dangiwa are to leave the cabinet while their replacements have been named.
Edun, until the latest development, was the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy. He has been directed to hand over to Mr Taiwo Oyedele, who is now to take over as Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy. Oyedele was formerly a Minister of State in the ministry.
Also, Mr Muttaqha Rabe Darma (PhD) has been named as the ministerial nominee and minister designate for the Housing and Urban Development Ministry.
The memo stated that “all handing over and taking over processes should be completed on or before the close of business on Thursday, 23rd April, 2026.”
Explaining the President’s decision, Akume said: “These changes are aimed at strengthening cohesion, synergy in governance as well as achieving more impactful delivery on the economy to Nigerians, through the Renewed Hope Agenda.”
He said the President, in approving the cabinet reshuffle, has fully exercised his powers as conferred on him by Sections 147 and 148 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999, as amended).
The President thanked the outgoing ministers for their services to the nation while wishing them the best in all their future endeavours.
The President, Akume, noted, equally assured all cabinet members that “the process of reinvigoration shall be continuous.” (TVCNews)
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