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noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 30 Jan 2017 07:44:00 +0000

Trump issues meeting ultimatum to Mexican leader

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 27 Jan 2017 07:15:00 +0000

US President Donald Trump on Thursday told Mexico’s president to cancel an upcoming visit to Washington if he is unwilling to foot the bill for a border wall.

Escalating a cross border war of words, Trump took to Twitter to publicly upbraid Enrique Pena Nieto.

“If Mexico is unwilling to pay for the badly needed wall, then it would be better to cancel the upcoming meeting.”

Talks have been scheduled to take place at the White House next week.

On Wednesday, the mercurial US leader ordered officials to begin to “plan, design and construct a physical wall” along the 2,000-mile (3,200-kilometer) US-Mexico border.

Stemming immigration was a central plank of Trump’s election campaign, although there are still serious doubts about how the project will be funded.

Trump’s decision put Pena Nieto under fierce domestic pressure to hit back, and hit back he did in a video message to the nation late Wednesday.

“I regret and condemn the decision of the United States to continue construction of a wall that, for years, has divided us instead of uniting us,” Pena Nieto said.

“I have said it time and again: Mexico will not pay for any wall,” he added.

By Thursday morning, Trump’ had issued his bareknuckle public response, which may shock diplomats but is in keeping with the mogul’s hardball approach to negotiations.

Trump also took to Twitter to gripe about the trade gap between Mexico and the United States.

“The US has a 60 billion dollar trade deficit with Mexico. It has been a one-sided deal from the beginning of NAFTA with massive numbers of jobs and companies lost,” he said.

Trump has said he will seek to renegotiate the 23-year-old North American Free Trade Agreement.

FG denies governors meeting over Buhari

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 27 Jan 2017 07:11:00 +0000

The Federal Government has debunked reports in the section of the press that governors are meeting in Abuja on Thursday to send an emissary to see President Muhammadu Buhari.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, stated the position on Thursday in Abuja when he received a delegation of the Presidential Committee on the North East Initiative (PCNI).

“I want to say categorically and emphatically that there is no iota of truth in this.

“Governors are not meeting in Abuja because there is no need for it. There is no plan to send an emissary to London to see the President.

“Again, I want to say that the president is hale and hearty in London where he is observing his 10-day vacation.

“Let us all shun the negative reports insinuating the president illness and death.

“We implore those behind this outright falsehood to desist.

“It is because Nigeria exists that they can practice their profession. We implore them to stop overheating the society.’’

The minister told the delegation that his ministry is very passionate about the North-East and has put the region’s concerns and developmental agenda on the front burner of its activities.

He explained that until Nigeria took possession of the insurgency war in the region, full rehabilitation, reconstruction and resettlement would not take place.

According to him, the country is winning the war on terror and there is need to celebrate the military that is prosecuting the war.

“We are also aware there is a bigger war to be won which is healing the wounds that have been created by the insurgency.

“The ministry is particular about ensuring that correct information about the North East is disseminated,’’ he said.

The minister said that the PCNI had a tall mandate but expressed confidence in the leader and members of the committee to deliver.

He pledged the readiness of his ministry to assist the committee in any way, particularly in information dissemination.

The leader of the delegation and Chairman PCNEI Economic sub-Committee, Mr Yusuf Yakubu said the committee was committed to restoring stability to the North East through sustainable socio-economic activities.

In achieving this, he said the committee harmonised all intervention planning for the region into a national strategic road map tagged “The Buhari Plan’’.

Yakubu solicited partnership with the ministry in mobilisation and changing negative narratives in the Northeast region.

PCNI was inaugurated by the president under the leadership of Gen. T.Y. Danjuma (retd.) on Oct. 26, 2016, with a three-year mandate to guide, coordinate, facilitate and support all interventions and relief activities across the North East.

Conte’s love for football contagious, Luiz declares

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 11 Jan 2017 07:02:00 +0000

Chelsea defender David Luiz hailed manager Antonio Conte’s love for the game and said that the Italian is “one of the best” managers he’s ever worked with.

Speaking to ‘ESPN Brazil’, Luiz hailed his current boss at Chelsea, saying that he “infects” the players with his love for football while also claiming that he is up there with the best coaches that he’s ever worked with.

“Conte is a coach who loves what he does and it infects all of us who love football,” he said.

“Every training and every game is a manifestation of how winning and competing is important to him, so for us the motivation to keep focus is always high.

“He’s one of the best coaches I’ve ever worked with. He knows very well the characteristics of each player and we follow exactly what he guides us to do on the pitch.”

The Brazilian also went on to talk about why he returned to Stamford Bridge, saying that he had unfinished business with the Blues and wanted to win a first Premier League title.

“I love this club and I saw that if I came back it was because there was a story to continue,” he said.

“I did not get the Premier League (title) on my first pass and this is a goal I have now. To help in what I can to win this championship. Conte has been great in that regard.”

Reps to wade into FRCN edict on churches, mosques today

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 11 Jan 2017 07:01:00 +0000

The House of Representatives is expected today to wade into the controversies arising from the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRCN) law, which approves 20 years tenure in office for heads of churches and mosques.

The move to debate the development was brought to the floor of the House yesterday by its Minority Leader, Leo Ogor, who urged members to look into the law, which he said, was stirring up controversy and embarassment for the country.

He, therefore, advised the Federal Government to make the FRCN law clear to Nigerians, as it was not passed by the National Assembly.

Meanwhile, the Presiding Bishop of the Sword of the Spirit Ministries, Francis Wale Oke, has called on the Federal Government to expunge the edict of the council.

Oke commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his quick action in stopping the impending crisis by sacking the FRCN boss and reconstituting the board.

He urged the government to face its duties of providing the needed social amenities for the people instead of dabbling in religious matters.

At a press conference yesterday in Ibadan, the cleric said that while government could regulate the finances of the church, it should not interfere in the tenure, activities or internal arrangements of the church.

He said: “The edict should be repealed. There is a separation between the church and the government, yet the government can regulate their finances but not to interfere in the tenure of the leaders of the church. The law should not just be suspended but be expunged totally.

“Even in the United Kingdom (UK), the government regulates the finances but does not regulate the tenure and internal arrangement. The internal arrangement should be governed by the constitutions of those religious houses. The constitution separates the religious bodies from the government.

Meanwhile, a group, the Citizens Advocacy for Social and Economic Rights (CASER), has called on Pastor Enoch Adeboye to rescind his resignation as the General Overseer (G.O.) of The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).

A statement issued yesterday by the Executive Director of the Abuja-based human rights group, Mr. Frank Tietie, said CASER would seek a court order to compel Adeboye to reverse his decision should the “holy man of God” refuse to voluntarily do so.

He said the group was acting, not only in the interest of members of the RCCG, but also of the church generally.

Jonathan distances self from Malabu Oil deal

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 11 Jan 2017 06:58:00 +0000

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has denied media reports that he received gratification before approving the controversial Malabu Oil deal.

A statement by his spokesperson, Ikechukwu Eze, in Abuja yesterday said Jonathan did not send a businessman, Abubakar Aliyu, or any other person to receive a bribe on his behalf during or after the negotiation.

The statement reads: “Our attention has been drawn to news reports published mostly by online media which insinuated, rather than presenting factual evidence, that Jonathan received kickbacks in the $1.3bn OPL 245 oil block involving oil giants ENI and Royal Dutch Shell.

“We wish to make it clear that Jonathan was not accused, indicted or charged for corruptly receiving any money as kickbacks or bribes from ENI by the Italian authorities or any other law enforcement body in the world.

“We wish to state that the negotiations and transactions for the oil block predated the Jonathan’s presidency, which began on May 6, 2010 and ended on May 29, 2015. It may interest those promoting this false narrative to also know that the documents relating to the transactions are in the office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.”

The spokesman further stated that Jonathan did not hold any secret meeting with the parties in the transaction, nether did anybody work for him.

“As President of Nigeria, Jonathan met with the executives of all the oil majors operating in the country to solicit support in the oil industry,” the statement added.

He urged the media to use the Freedom of Information Act, which Jonathan signed into law, to investigate stories before publication.

Meanwhile, the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) has urged the Federal Government to stop an investigation into the Malabu oil deal.

The group’s President, Udengs Eradiri said in an interview that it was designed to witch-hunt the Niger Delta region, because an Ijaw man was involved.

According to him, it was worrisome that other oil blocks that were awarded through the same process were exempted from a similar probe.

Barcelona waves aside Rakitic move to Man City

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 10 Jan 2017 07:02:00 +0000

The Croatian was left out of Luis Enrique’s squad at the weekend but the coach insisted the decision was not related to rumours he is bound for the Etihad Stadium.

Barcelona coach Luis Enrique has rubbished reports linking midfielder Ivan Rakitic with a stunning move to Manchester City.The Croatia international was said to be on the verge of joining Pep Guardiola at City in a report published by Jutarnji List in his home country on Sunday.

Further fuel was then added to the fire when Rakitic was left out of Luis Enrique’s squad for Barcelona’s first league game of 2017 against Villarreal.The report claimed Rakitic is keen to work under former Barca boss Guardiola but his current coach dismissed the rumours as baseless.

“Rakitic’s absence has nothing to do with that story,” Luis Enrique said after the 1-1 draw with Villarreal. “Media reports, be they from Spain or Croatia, are not even a quarter trustworthy.”

The coach added to Movistar+: “It is my job to pick the squad and the first XI, that’s what I have to do.”Barca vice-president Jordi Mestre backed up Luis Enrique’s comments, insisting that the Blaugrana hope to extend Rakitic’s contract.

“We are negotiating Rakitic’s renewal,” he claimed. “We love him not only as a player but also as a person. He has a contract and we want him to stay.”The midfielder has been a staple in the Barcelona line-up since moving to Camp Nou from Sevilla in 2014, scoring the first goal in the 2015 Champions League final.

Rakitic, however, has seen his role diminish this season as a result of the arrival of Denis Suarez and Andre Gomes to play alongside Sergio Busquets and Andres Iniesta in the Barca engine room.

Obama’s says goodbye in last presidential speech

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 10 Jan 2017 06:57:00 +0000

Barack Obama closes the book on his presidency Tuesday, with a farewell speech in Chicago that will try to lift supporters felled by Donald Trump’s shock victory.

Obama’s last trip on Air Force One will be a pilgrimage to his adoptive hometown, where he will address a sell-out crowd not far from where he accepted the presidency eight years ago.

Diehard fans — many African Americans — have braved Chicago’s frigid winter to collect free tickets, which now sell for upwards of $1,000 a piece on Craigslist.

The First Lady Michelle Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and his wife Jill Biden will come along on for the ride.

Obama’s cross-country trek would be a sentimental trip down memory lane, were it not slap-bang in the middle of a tumultuous presidential handover.

Trump has smashed conventions, vowed to efface Obama’s legacy and hurled personal insults left and right.

The 2016 election campaign has raised serious questions about the resilience of US democracy.

In a virtually unprecedented move, US intelligence has accused the Kremlin of tipping the electoral scales in Trump’s favor.

Democrats, cast into the political wilderness with the loss of the White House, the Senate and the House of Representatives plus a majority of statehouses, are struggling to regroup.

With an approval rating hovering around 55 percent, Obama will hope to steel them for new battles ahead.

Lead speechwriter Cody Keenan said the address will be about Obama’s vision for where the country should still go.

“It’s not going to be like an anti-Trump speech, it’s not going to be a red meat, rabble rousing thing, it will be statesman-like but it will also be true to him,” Keenan told AFP. “It will tell a story.”

Life after White House
Trump’s unorthodox politics has thrown 55-year-old Obama’s transition and post-presidency plans into flux.

Obama, having vowed a smooth handover of power, finds himself being increasingly critical of Trump as he prepares to leave office on January 20.

After that there will still be a holiday and an autobiography, but Obama could find himself being dragged backed into the political fray if Trump were to enact a Muslim registry or deport adults brought to the United States years ago by their parents.

Having vowed to take a backseat in politics, Obama’s second act could yet be as politically engaged as Jimmy Carter — whose post-presidency has remade his image as an elder statesman.

Many Obama aides who had planned to take exotic holidays or launch coffer-replenishing forays into the private sector are also reassessing their future and mulling a return to the political trenches.

Obama’s foundation is already gearing up for a quasi-political role — funneling idealistic youngsters into public life.

Presidential precedent
Presidents since George Washington have delivered a farewell address of sorts.

Washington’s final 7,641-word message — which is still read once a year in the Senate by tradition — contained warnings about factionalism and interference by foreign powers that seem oddly prescient.

But speechwriter Keenan sees few obvious templates: “Bush and Clinton did theirs from here (the White House), George H.W. Bush went to West Point, gave a foreign policy speech,” he told AFP. “They are all totally different.”

The trip to Chicago is not just for nostalgia, Keenan indicated.

“The thread that has run though his career from his days as community organizer to the Oval Office is the idea that if you get ordinary people together and get them educated, get them empowered, get them to act on something, that’s when good things happen,” he said.

“For him, as someone who started as a community organizer, whose campaign was powered by young people, ordinary people, we decided we wanted to go back to Chicago.”

“Chicago is not just his hometown, it’s where his career started.”

And now it is also where Obama’s presidential career will effectively end.

PSG set to offer Arsenal €70m for Sanchez

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 10 Jan 2017 06:46:00 +0000

Speculation surrounding Chilean forward, Alexis Sanchez’s future continues to rise as the north London club continue their quest to tie him to a long-term deal Paris Saint-Germain are preparing a €70 million offer for Arsenal star, according to reports from Maxifoot.

Sanchez has 18 months remaining on his contract at the Emirates and has been linked with a move to the Far East, a move, which would see him follow Chelsea’s Oscar and John Obi Mikel to the riches of the Chinese Super League.

Alexis has struck 13 times in the Premier League this season and registered six assists, giving his representatives a platform in which to negotiate the best possible terms for the forward.

Contracts talks are reportedly still ongoing, though, with the Gunners playing hardball regarding the former Barcelona forward’s pay packet.A substantial offer from French champions PSG is unlikely to tempt Arsenal into selling, though the Chile international would expect an increase in pay should he switch to Ligue 1.

Promasidor wins NIPR Best Company in Education Award

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 10 Jan 2017 06:44:00 +0000

Promasidor’s Cowbellpedia Mathematics Television Quiz Show initiative has earned it the Best Company in Education in the 2016 at the Lagos PR Industry Gala and Awards (LaPRIGA). It was organised by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Lagos Chapter.

While speaking at the event, Chairman, Lagos NIPR, Mr. Olusegun McMedal, said the consistency of Promasidor’s Cowbellpedia Mathematics Quiz initiative is commendable, and that it has motivated students to have interest in the subject, which is a basic requirement in any profession in life. He affirmed that Promasidor has done well in ensuring that students imbibe the culture of having Mathematics as one of their favourite subjects in school.

To receive the award was the Assistant Brand Manager, Promasidor, Miss. Oluwatooni Odewole, who said the award was deserved as it shows the company‘s strong commitment in improving the standard of education and encouraging them to erase the notion that Mathematics is a difficult subject that should be neglected.

“It is part of the corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative of the company, which has greatly imparted on students’ perception of the subject,” she stated.

Also, on the CSR initiative, the Managing Director of Promasidor Nigeria Limited, Mr. Olivier Thiry, said a strong foundation of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education has become very important at this stage when Nigeria is determined to broaden its economic base like that of the developed world.

“STEM courses are pivotal to a nation’s technological advancement and Mathematics, which has historically been seen by students as an unattractive subject, is a key component of STEM education,” he said.

Former Nestle Food boss decries corporate governance of FRCN

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 10 Jan 2017 06:40:00 +0000

Immediate past Chairman of Nestle Foods Nigeria, Olusegun Osunkeye has criticised the Code of Corporate Governance released by the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRCN).

Osunkeye, who is also a former chairman of Nigeria Accounting Standard Board (NASB), the forerunner to FRC, stated this at the 2016 Annual Summit and Dinner of the FRCN.

Specifically, Osunkeye stated that the code is unfriendly to businesses and cited several sections of the Code that conflicted with or sought to amend provisions of the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA).

Speaking in Lagos as chairman of the opening session of the event, he said: “Section 246 of CAMA provided for a minimum of two Directors as against section 5.4 of the Code which provided for a minimum of eight directors.

“Besides contradicting the provisions of CAMA, it is a needless requirement which did not consider the avoidable financial burden. Section 7.3 of the Code provides that 75 percent vote of the full board is required to override the dissenting view of majority of Independent Non-Executive Directors, INEDs.This is contrary to section 263(2) of CAMA that says questions at board meetings shall be decided by a majority of votes and in case of equality, the Chairman has a second or casting vote.

This is similar to the conflicting provisions in sections 8.12.2; 8.13.2; 8.14.5 and 8.15.2 of the Code against section 263 (6) of CAMA which empowers each board committee to elect a Chairman of its meeting.

“Since there is an ongoing attempt to amend CAMA, Financial Reporting Council, FRCN, cannot and should not usurp the powers of the National Assembly.”Osunkeye submitted that the Code should be amended in conformity with the provisions of CAMA in order for it to be friendly to businesses.

Pep Guardiola backs down on retirement talk, says he’s happy at Man City

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 06 Jan 2017 07:51:00 +0000

New Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has come under fire recently for saying he is starting to “say goodbye to my career.”

Guardiola backed down from those comments – made to NBC in a sitdown interview aired last week – suggesting the media took his words out of context and also taking responsibility for poor word choice.

“I said in the interview I am not going to be training when I am 60 years old,” Guardiola said in the prematch press conference prior to Friday’s FA Cup match against West Ham. “But guys, I am 45! I am not going to retire in two or three years. I love my job and am in the perfect place to do my job, especially here in England.”

“I won’t be training at 60 years because I want to do something else in my life. I started playing football as a young guy and my whole career was on the pitch, so I want to do something else in my life. But not in the next three, four, five or seven years. Maybe it was inappropriate to say I am starting to say goodbye to my career, but I know what I am thinking about when I am going to retire.”

Guardiola also praised his team’s ability to be fluid amid a season of bumps in the road. His tone was a significant U-turn from the previous months that have seen him throw players under the bus and show concern for his team’s ability to adapt to his tactics.

“I think all managers have to be so demanding,” Guardiola said. “But what I feel now – what I saw in the last few games – every time the situation is not going well, it’s my fault, not the fault of the players. That is my feeling now.”

The Spaniard pointed towards the most recent 2-1 win over Burnley where the team gritted out a victory despite playing the final 60 minutes with 10 men after Fernandinho was sent off. “The players have been amazing,” Guardiola said. “We have changed many things about the way we’re going to play this season so it was a special moment against Burnley. To see how they fought in such difficult circumstances, it was so emotional for me as a coach. So when I say to them I love them, it’s because really I love them.”

Finally, Guardiola backed his goalkeeper Claudio Bravo, who was brought in from Barcelona to replace incumbent starter Joe Hart, who was shipped out on loan to Serie A club Torino. “He has to adapt but all the goalkeepers, central defenders, full-backs and strikers do,” Guardiola said in support of his goalkeeper. “I know people are focused on Claudio but why does Claudio need to adapt and others don’t? I see many goalkeepers who had the same problems as Claudio with these balls and when they fight for them. It’s not only Claudio Bravo in this way.”

This company wants to take down Apple, Samsung: 'We never hide our ambition'

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 06 Jan 2017 07:37:00 +0000

Apple is about to face its biggest challenge yet: Its most formidable Chinese rival, Huawei, just launched a high-end phone in the U.S. on Thursday.

The Huawei Mate 9 will be available in the U.S. through Best Buy and Amazon on Friday for $599.99, according to Richard Yu, the director and CEO of Huawei's consumer business group.

The world's No. 3 smartphone maker by volume hopes to become No. 2 within one or two years, Yu said — that means knocking down Apple or Samsung.

"We never hide our ambition," Yu said at a speech at technology trade show CES in Las Vegas, adding: "We have a vision to make the world's best smartphone."

Huawei shipped 33.6 million smartphones worldwide in the third calendar quarter, according to IDC estimates, behind Apple's 45.5 million and Samsung's 72.5 million. Now, the company will be infiltrating Apple's biggest market, American smartphones.

Yu took aim at Apple several times during his speech, noting the cheaper Mate 9 is thinner than the iPhone 7, has a longer battery life and faster charging. Huawei was also the first phone to sport dual cameras, like the iPhone 7's, Yu said.

The Mate 9 also has help from Apple's rivals, with integration of Google's virtual reality platform, DayDream, and Amazon's artificially intelligent assistant, Alexa.

"'Genius' is no longer in the domain of a chosen few," the Mate 9's promotional video said, showing a picture of a lightbulb. Apple, of course, is known for its Genius Bar and recently introduced an ad featuring bursting lightbulbs.

Of course, there are big shoes to fill. Both Apple and Samsung are expected to put enormous effort into their next generation handsets. For Apple, the 10th anniversary of the iPhone could be a a chance to revive sluggish sales growth; for Samsung, its a chance to recover from its recall of the Galaxy Note 7.

Still, executives from Google and Amazon both told the audience there is even more to come in partnership with Huawei, including a Google augmented reality feature and more Alexa features.

Huawei is also aiming to be the world's biggest spender in research and development, Yu said, and has poured resources into its own chips, machine learning and artificial intelligence, to conserve power and keep the Android platform from slowing down over time.

After being a relatively obscure employee-owned telecom provider a few years ago, Huawei's worldwide sales grew 23 percent in the third calendar quarter, a period where Apple and Samsung saw sales fall, IDC estimates. Yu is part of the reason why.

"Our company is a different management style than other companies," Yu said. "We call it collective wisdom. We are not only diligent…we are also flexible."

Telegram Now Allows You Retract Sent Telegram Now Allows You Retract Sent Messages Within 48 Hours.

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 06 Jan 2017 07:31:00 +0000

WhatsApp has a major competitor and no, it isn’t BBM. Instead, WhatsApp’s major competitor is Telegram.Telegram is hugely popular in some country but certainly not Nigeria. WhatsApp takes the crown here. But that isn’t the case, let’s talk about what’s new.

WhatsApp was recently rumored to bringing retract sent messages feature on board and thus far, that hasn’t come to limelight. But guess what, telegram has launched that feature on board. And no, it isn’t a rumor.

Telegram users can now unsend messages sent within 48 hours. Don’t let the unsend word deceive you. It’s same as retract.

Other than that, telegram has introduced a Network Usage section. Basically, this allows you keep an eye as to how much data was consumed based on various network modes.

While the iOS update adds the picture-in-picture out mode for the videos on instant view pages, the Android update carries along a host of changes to the app.

Mahrez named African Footballer of the Year

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 06 Jan 2017 07:07:00 +0000

Algeria forward Riyad Mahrez was Thursday voted African Footballer of the Year after he inspired Leicester City to the English Premier League title last season.

Mahrez, 25, beat Gabon skipper Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who scooped the prestigious accolade last year, into second place, with Senegal star Sadio Mane, who features for Liverpool, taking third place.

The France-born forward said it was an honour to be named the best African player for the past year.

“It’s a huge honour, I am happy and pleased. I thank all my teammates at Leicester and Algeria,” Mahrez said as he received the award.

“I dedicate this to my family and all those who support me every day.”

Leicester caused a major shock when as 5,000-1 outsiders they went on to win the Premier League last season.

Mahrez, a slightly-built, right-sided forward who started out with hometown club AAS Sarcelles in 2004, played a key role in the Foxes’ stunning run with 17 goals, 10 assists in 37 appearances.

He played in all but of Leicester’s games.

He was the first Algerian to win a Premier League champions medal and sparked a massive following back home in Algeria for the club, who he had first thought was a rugby team when he was contacted to join them four years ago.

Mahrez’s win ended a 19-year absence on the podium for a player from north Africa since Morocco’s Mustapha Hadji in 1998.

Other Algerians to have won the award were Rabah Madjer in 1987 and Lakhdar Belloumi in 1981.

All three players who made the shortlist for the African Footballer of the Year were also picked in CAF XI that also features Ivory Coast defender Eric Bailly from Manchester United.

Goalkeeper Denis Onyango was picked for the African Player of the Year Based in Africa award ahead of Mamelodi Sundowns teammate Khama Billiat and Zambia’s Rainford Kalaba.

Onyango was outstanding when seven-time South African champions Sundowns won an historic CAF Champions League and also when Uganda qualified for this year’s Africa Cup of Nations after a long absence.

Nigeria’s Asisat Oshoala grabbed her second African Women’s Player of the Year award on the back of her goals as Nigeria retained their continental crown in Cameroon.

The Arsenal Ladies star won her first when she also helped the Super Falcons emerge African champions in 2014.

Nigeria youngsters Kelechi Iheanacho and Alex Iwobi won the Most Promising Talent and Youth Player of the Year awards, respectively.

Gambian referee Bakary Papa Gassama won the Best Referee Award for the third straight year.

Award winners:

African Player of the Year:

Riyad Mahrez (Algeria & Leicester City)

African Player of the Year – based in Africa:

Denis Onyango (Uganda & Mamelodi Sundowns)

Women’s Player of the Year:

Asisat Oshoala (Nigeria & Arsenal Ladies)

Most promising talent:

Kelechi Iheanacho (Nigeria & Manchester City)

Young Player of the Year:

Alex Iwobi (Nigeria & Arsenal)

Coach of the Year:

Pitso Mosimane (Mamelodi Sundowns)

Club of the Year:

Mamelodi Sundowns

National team of the Year:

Uganda

Women’s national team of the Year:

Nigeria

Referee of the Year:

Bakary Papa Gassama

CAF African XI for 2016

Goalkeeper: Denis Onyango (Uganda & Mamelodi Sundowns)

Defenders: Serge Aurier (Cote d’Ivoire & PSG), Aymen Abdenour (Tunisia & Valencia), Eric Bailly (Cote d’Ivoire & Manchester United), Joyce Lomalisa (DRC &AS Vita)

Midfielders: Khama Billiat (Zimbabwe & Mamelodi Sundowns), Rainford Kalaba (Zambia & TP Mazembe),Keegan Dolly (South Africa & Mamelodi Sundowns)

Forwards:Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon & Borussia Dortmund), Sadio Mane (Senegal & Liverpool), Riyad Mahrez (Algeria & Leicester City)

Subs: Aymen Mathlouthi (Tunisia & Etoile du Sahel), Kalidou Koulibaly (Senegal & Napoli), Salif Coulibaly (Mali & TP Mazembe), Islam Slimani (Algeria & Leicester City), Mohamed Salah (Egypt & Roma), Kelechi Iheanacho (Nigeria & Manchester City), Alex Iwobi (Nigeria & Arsenal)

Mikel to pocket £140,000 per week in China

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 06 Jan 2017 07:02:00 +0000

Super Eagles team captain and Chelsea midfielder, John Mikel Obi, was expected to undergo a medical yesterday as he nears a move to Chinese Super League side, Tianjin TEDA.

Mikel, 29, has been offered a package worth around £140,000 per week to become the latest player to swap Europe for the riches of Asia’s emerging football market.

The Nigeria international has held talks with Valencia, while Marseille and Inter Milan have also shown interest, but Tianjin are now at the front of the queue.

Antonio Conte has not included the midfielder in his plans this season, with Mikel out of the first-team picture and behind N’Golo Kante, Nemanja Matic, Cesc Fabregas and Nathaniel Chalobah in the pecking order.

He has continued to train with the rest of the squad but a return to action at Stamford Bridge, where he has spent 11 years, has long-looked unlikely.

Tianjin, who count former Sporting Lisbon midfielder, Fredy Montero and ex-CSKA Moscow forward Wagner among their stars, are now offering a way out.
A three-year deal is understood to have been offered to Mikel.

Terms are yet to be finalised but the move is far enough along for a medical check to be undertaken ahead of the potential transfer.

Mikel is primed to leave Chelsea having won two Premier League titles, four FA Cups and the Champions League in his time in west London.

Mikel won a bronze medal with Nigeria in the Olympic football tournament last summer

He played in pre-season with Chelsea last summer but then left the squad to win an Olympic bronze medal with Nigeria in Rio and has not found a way back into Conte’s plans since.

Last week Valencia sporting director Jesus Garcia Pitarch revealed he had met with Mikel to discuss a move to La Liga.

‘In the case of Obi Mikel, with Chelsea’s permission, I met with him in London on Christmas Day,’ he said.

‘I informed him of the option of joining Valencia. He said he would think about it.’

Acclaimed Indian actor Om Puri dies aged 66

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 06 Jan 2017 06:58:00 +0000

Acclaimed Indian actor Om Puri, well-known abroad for his role in hit movie Gandhi, died aged 66 after suffering a heart attack Friday, reports said.

The Press Trust of India said Puri had died of a heart attack at his residence in Mumbai, the home of Bollywood.

Puri made his film debut in a Marathi-language movie in the mid 1970s before going on to star in a number of major Hindi hits as well as, controversially, in some Pakistani movies.

He also appeared in a number of British films, most notably Richard Attenborough’s 1982 epic on the life of India’s independence movement leader Mahatma Gandhi. He also appeared in Hollywood film “Charlie Wilson’s War”.

Puri starred opposite legendary British actress Helen Mirren in the 2014 film “The Hundred Foot Journey”.

He was awarded the Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award of India, for his services to the film industry.

Tributes poured in from the world of Bollywood as actors and directors woke to the news of his death.

“Sad & shocked to know that versatile actor Om Puri jee has expired due to heart attack early morning today. #RIP,” wrote his close friend and director Ashoke Pandit on Twitter.

“Seeing him lying on his bed looking so calm can’t believe that one of our greatest actors #OmPuri is no more. Deeply saddened & shocked,” tweeted actor Anupam Kher.

“The Prime Minister condoles the passing away of actor Om Puri & recalls his long career in theatre & films,” read a tweet on Indian leader Narendra Modi’s official Twitter account.

Puri was born in Haryana state to a Punjabi family in 1950.

Arts promotion will fast track Nigeria’s economy, says Byron

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 06 Jan 2017 06:49:00 +0000

An afro-jazz musician, Sina Fagbenro, better known as “Byron” on Thursday, said that the youths should be given a chance to advance the country’s economic growth through arts.

He said there were boundless opportunities in “music, theatre, film, dance, art, performing arts, architecture, artistic designs, graffiti, graphic, photography, sculpture, video recording and others because it makes skillful people.”

According to him, both government and private sector should help in sponsoring youths in various creative arts to help reposition the country’s economy.

“It will lead to creation of jobs because they have learned first-rate arts which will be relished and help the country’s Gross Domestic Products (GDP).

“Many youths are into music and many schools do not teach music because the country is not looking in that angle.

“Teaching music in schools and other arts have to be government priority.

“Government and private sectors can join hands to put structures in place to see what can be done in the area of arts, “he said.

Fagbenro, however, said that government and private sector should organise exchange programmes, to bring different resource persons that would impart knowledge to the youths.

“We are now in the computer age, so, most computers should have these things for easy handling and learning.

“We must appreciate what these youths are doing and help them in a positive way, so as to build the talent in them.”

“By schools having musical sections and creative arts, it will be easier, so that they don’t go astray or kill that talent, but build up those talents to better themselves.

“Parents and guardians ought to also try and encourage their children, who have talents,” he said.

He stressed that “life is dynamic and things are changing, so the youths have to key into it so as to improve arts in Nigeria and for it to be relevant.

“That is why youths had to be trained properly because arts knows no race, creed or country.

“It soothes our soul and body; it makes people happy and one forgets anger, pride and other vices,” he said.

Tesla starts battery cell production at gigafactory

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 05 Jan 2017 08:56:00 +0000

Electric car maker Tesla Motors Inc has started mass production of lithium-ion battery cells at its gigafactory in Nevada along with Japan's Panasonic Corp, the company said on Wednesday.

The cylindrical "2170 cells", which will be used to power Tesla's energy storage products and the new Model 3 sedan, have been jointly designed by Tesla and Panasonic, its longstanding battery partner.

The gigafactory will initially produce battery cells for the company's Powerwall 2 and Powerpack 2 energy products, Tesla said.

The production of cells for Tesla's first mass-market car, the Model 3, is expected to begin in the second quarter.

The name gigafactory comes from the plant's planned annual battery production capacity of 35 gigawatt-hours, which Tesla said on Wednesday it would achieve by 2018.

"Giga" is a unit of measurement that represents "billions".

The factory is expected to drive down the cost of battery packs by more than 30 percent, the company has said.

At peak production, the gigafactory is expected to employ 6,500 workers and create between 20,000 and 30,000 additional jobs in the surrounding regions, Tesla said.

Gambia army chief stands by embattled President Jammeh

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 05 Jan 2017 08:53:00 +0000

Gambia's army chief pledged his loyalty on Wednesday to President Yahya Jammeh, who has refused to accept defeat in last month's election and faces the possibility of regional military intervention to enforce the result of the vote.

Jammeh initially accepted his loss in the Dec. 1 election but a week later reversed his position, vowing to hang onto power despite a wave of regional and international condemnation.

West African regional bloc ECOWAS has placed standby forces on alert in case Jammeh attempts to stay in power after his mandate ends on Jan. 19. Jammeh has called the bloc's stance "a declaration of war".

"May I please seize this opportunity to renew to your Excellency the assurance of the unflinching loyalty and support of the Gambia Armed Forces," General Ousman Badjie wrote in a letter to Jammeh published in a pro-government newspaper.

Many Gambians, who have lived through 22 years of Jammeh's increasingly authoritarian rule, were stunned when the elections commission declared opposition figure Adama Barrow the winner of last month's election. Jammeh's initial acceptance of the result sparked nationwide celebrations.

Badjie declared his allegiance to Barrow soon after the poll results were announced, according to a spokesman for the president-elect. However his position remained unclear following Jammeh's dramatic about-face.

Also on Wednesday, Jammeh's ruling party, the APRC, filed a second petition at the Supreme Court asking it to nullify the election results because of alleged voting irregularities.

The court, which has not heard cases for years, is scheduled to consider an earlier challenge by Jammeh's camp on Jan. 10, nine days before Barrow is due to be inaugurated in a ceremony West African leaders say they will attend.

In another illustration of the growing pressure on Gambian officials as the Jan. 19 deadline looms, Alieu Momarr Njai, the head of the elections commission, fled Gambia on Friday due to fears for his security, family members said.

Last month Gambian security forces seized control of the commission's headquarters, which holds the original poll records and told staff, including Njai, to leave.

Over the weekend Gambian security agents closed three private radio stations, making it harder for the incoming government to communicate with its supporters.

"It is a sign of weakness for any side of the political spectrum to resort to media closures rather than engagement to put one's position across," Barrow's office said on Wednesday in a statement.

North Korea cannot 'tip' missile with nuclear warhead: U.S. State Department

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 05 Jan 2017 08:46:00 +0000

North Korea continues to pursue nuclear and ballistic missile technologies but the United States does not believe it is in a position to "tip" one of them with a nuclear warhead, State Department spokesman John Kirby said on Tuesday.

North Korea's leader, Kim Jong Un, said on Sunday his nuclear-capable country was close to test-launching an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), raising the prospect of putting parts of the United States within range.

"We do not believe that at this point in time he has the capability to tip one of these with a nuclear warhead ... but we do know that he continues to want to have those capabilities and the programs continue to march in that direction," Kirby told reporters.

Asked whether he would agree with President-elect Donald Trump's assessment that China was not helping to contain North Korea's nuclear ambitions, Kirby said: "We would not agree with that assessment."

Trump, who will take office on Jan. 20, tweeted on Monday that North Korea would not be allowed to complete a nuclear weapon capable of reaching the United States, although he did not say how he would stop it. "It won't happen!" he said on Twitter.

Trump's transition spokesman, Sean Spicer, said the tweet spoke for itself but added that it meant, "Under his watch he's going to make sure that that doesn’t happen."

Pyongyang's action will be discussed at a meeting in Washington on Thursday between the United States, Japan and South Korea, led by Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Kirby said.

"No question that tensions on the Korean peninsula will be a topic of discussion (but) where that is going to take us, especially in light of Kim Jong Un's speech, I don't know," Kirby said.

Asked about the possibility of more sanctions against Pyongyang, he added: "We haven't ruled out the possibility of additional sanctions."

Trend continues: Another big star gets a gigantic offer from Chinese soccer league

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 05 Jan 2017 08:40:00 +0000

The Chinese soccer league is looking to strike again. After securing the services of Chelsea's Oscar and Boca Juniors' Carlos Tevez, the league could be on the verge of breaking the world-record transfer fee.

Shanghai SIPG has offered $156 million to Borussia Dortmund for striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, according to Gazzetta dello Sport.

The transfer fee record was just set again this summer when Manchester United paid $109 million to Juventus for Paul Pogba.

Of course, this is now getting crazy. China is a country with very little soccer history, but big-time money has seen talent flock there, most recently Axel Witsel after leaving Zenit.

Don't get me wrong -- Aubameyang is a tremendous player. He has 100 goals in 165 games for Dortmund and has become a world star with speed and brilliant finishing. At the age of 27, he has been linked with many top clubs including Real Madrid, but this potential move is just showing China's strength. That amount of money is almost impossible for any club to turn down for any player, aside from Barcelona's Lionel Messi and Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo.

We'll see what Dortmund does in the end. But it's an offer that is so hard to refuse and one that could change the landscape of world soccer forever.

James confirms he will remain at Madrid

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 05 Jan 2017 08:36:00 +0000

James Rodriguez has ended speculation linking him with a move away from Real Madrid by confirming he will stay and fight for his place.

Rumours had been circulating that the Colombia international was attracting the interest of both Chelsea and Manchester United after starting just four LaLiga games in the first half of the season.

But the 25-year-old, who played a starring role with two goals against Sevilla in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday, is committed to fighting for his place after talks with Zidane.

Speaking to beIN Sports after the match, James said: "All of us who are in the team always want to play.

"But I am fine. We all go through difficult times and now it's a new year and I have new desires in life. I am staying, I am staying."

Both James' agent and father had previously insisted the attacker would not be leaving the Santiago Bernabeu.

James joined Madrid from Monaco in 2014 but his stock has fallen somewhat since arriving as one of the hottest properties in world football after that year's World Cup in Brazil.

Lucky Fan Sinks Half-Court Shot at Lakers Game and Says He’ll Use $95,000 Winnings to Buy His Mom a Car

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 05 Jan 2017 08:31:00 +0000

Jerald Acoba, a 30-year-old from Tulare, California, made an incredible half-court shot before the fourth quarter of the Los Angeles Lakers game against the Memphis Grizzlies at the Staples Center Tuesday night.

Oh, and he won $95,000 as a result.

Acoba is the fifth winner of the Lakers-sponsored MGM Big Shot Jackpot since its inception in 2006.

After sinking the shot, Acoba pointed to his arm and shouted: “Ice in my veins!” as a tribute to D’Angelo Russell of the Lakers.

“It’s good to see a lot of kids and fans keeping that going,” Russell told ESPN of Acoba’s recreation of his signature celebration. “I appreciate everybody for that.’

The NBA star also gave Acoba some priceless monetary advice on his cash winnings.

“That’s a lot of money, man! Take care of it.”

And it seems like that’s exactly what Acoba will do.

CBS Los Angeles reports that he’ll use the winnings to buy his mom a new car to replace her aging van.

“She’s always been there for me when I need her,” Acoba reportedly said. “She’s always there to help me out. It’s my turn to repay the favor to her.”

Apple confirms $1 billion investment in SoftBank tech fund

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 05 Jan 2017 08:22:00 +0000

Apple Inc (AAPL.O) confirmed on Wednesday its plans to invest $1 billion in a tech fund being set up by Japan's SoftBank Group Corp (9984.T).

SoftBank has said it is investing at least $25 billion in the fund and has been in talks with Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund for an investment that could be as much as $45 billion.

"We believe their new fund will speed the development of technologies which may be strategically important to Apple," company spokesman Josh Rosenstock told Reuters.

SoftBank has also said that it plans to make future large-scale investments via the tech fund, rather than on its own.

Reuters reported in December, citing sources familiar with the matter, that Apple had held talks with SoftBank about the investment.

SoftBank confirmed that Apple invested, said Benjamin Spicehandler, an outside public relations representative for SoftBank. He added that Foxconn, Oracle founder Larry Ellison's family office and chipmaker Qualcomm also have said they intend to invest in the fund.