Sanchez to swap with Henrikh

*Alexis Sanchez's Man Utd move hinges on Henrikh Mkhitaryan agreeing Arsenal deal*

Alexis Sanchez's move to Manchester United is hinged on Henrikh Mkhitaryan agreeing terms with Arsenal.

That is according to the Armenia international's agent Mino Raiola, who has told Sky Sports News that "Sanchez is part of Mkhi's deal. Not the other way around. Without him, Sanchez simply cannot go to United".

The agent, who counts Paul Pogba, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Romelu Lukaku among his clients, says he proposed the 'Sanchez to Old Trafford, Mkhitaryan to Arsenal' deal more than six weeks ago.

Sky Sports News understands United are leading the chase to sign the Chile international after Manchester City withdrew from negotiations over cost, but Chelsea also hold an interest in the player.

But it is understood that, if an agreement can be reached with Arsenal, the deal will be a straight player swap and will not include United paying a transfer fee for Sanchez.

Raiola told Sky Sports News: "Mkhi's problems at Man Utd are purely related to playing football. He has no problem with the manager. It is not personal.

"And he has two and a half years left on his contract. He doesn't have to leave."

Singer Dolores dead

*Cranberries Lead Singer Dolores O'Riordan Dead*

Irish rock group The Cranberries just posted the following statement on Facebook:

```Irish and international singer Dolores O’Riordan has died suddenly in London today. She was 46 years old. The lead singer with the Irish band The Cranberries, was in London for a short recording session. No further details are available at this time.```

```Family members are devastated to hear the breaking news and have requested privacy at this very difficult time.```

The Cranberries were an influential rock group in the 90s. Widely associated with alternative rock, the band's sound incorporated indie pop, post-punk, Irish folk, and pop rock elements.

China rights lawyer loses licence

*China rights lawyer Yu Wensheng loses licence*

A Chinese human rights lawyer says his licence has been revoked three months after he wrote an open letter criticising the ruling Communist Party. Yu Wensheng, 50, received the news in a letter from Beijing's Bureau of Justice on 15 January, a photo of which he has since tweeted (in Chinese). Mr Yu has long been a frequent and vocal critic of the government.

He is among hundreds of human rights lawyers who have recently been detained and interrogated by authorities. According to the letter, Mr Yu's licence was cancelled because he had not been employed by a licensed law firm in the past six months. Mr Yu's wife, Xu Yan, said in a statement that her husband had tried setting up an independent legal practice after he left his old firm last year.

But he had received another letter on 12 January in which the Beijing municipal authority refused his application to set up a practice. It said: "Through investigations, this organisation found you have openly expressed opposition to the [Communist] Party's leadership". As a result, it said, his behaviour did not meet the standards required of practising lawyers.

Fulani men attack at Taraba killing traditional ruler

*Armed Fulani men attack Taraba community, kill traditional ruler*

Armed Fulani men on Monday evening attacked Karmen community in Ibi local government area of Taraba State and killed a local traditional ruler. The caretaker chairman of Ibi local government council, Hon. Bala Bako, confirmed the attack and killing in a telephone interview with our correspondent in Jalingo. Bako told our correspondent that the Fulani gunmen struck when the people of the community gathered for a security meeting.

The Caretaker Chairman who said he mobilised security men who went and evacuated the corpse said, one person was arrested in connection with the killing and investigation into the attack was ongoing.

Speaking on the killing of eight other persons in Gishiri and Dooshima villages and one other at Danwaza village a week ago, Bako said the killers were the Fulani gunmen who attacked the neighbouring Benue State in Logo and Guma local government areas.

Arsenal talks over Malcom

*Arsenal have not held talks with Bordeaux over Malcom, insists French club's president*

Arsenal have held no talks with Bordeaux over the potential transfer of Brazilian forward Malcom, according to the French club's president Stephane Martin.

Reports in Brazil claim the Gunners have already agreed a £44.4m deal to sign the forward, who has scored seven goals in 22 games in all competitions this season.

However, Martin insists no talks have taken place between the two clubs and he expects the 20-year-old, who only recently signed a contract extension until 2021, to remain with Bordeaux beyond the end of the January transfer window.

"Things are clear with his agents. He has not been extended and secured this summer to give him away this winter," Martin told L'Equipe.

"We never had a discussion with Arsenal. From our point of view, it's wind. They can always try, but they will have a hard time taking him from us."

Great barrier reef rescue ideas in Australia

*Australia offers cash for Great Barrier Reef rescue ideas*

The 2,300-kilometre (1,400-mile) site is under pressure from farming runoff, development and predatory crown-of-thorns starfish, with experts warning it could be suffering irreparable damage. On Tuesday, the Australian government announced a Aus$2.0 million (US$1.6 million) funding pot available to people with bright ideas on how to save the reef.

"The scale of the problem is big and big thinking is needed, but it's important to remember that solutions can come from anywhere," said Environment Minister Josh Frydenberg. He said the money would be available to the world's "greatest scientific minds, industry and business leaders, innovators and entrepreneurs".

Up to Aus$250,000 is available for an initial feasibility stage, where researchers can test the technical and commercial viability of their proposals for up to six months. More than one proposal is expected to be accepted at this stage, the government said. A further Aus$1 million will then be made available to the best solutions at the proof of concept stage, where applicants develop and test their prototypes for up to 12 months.