Politics Governance

Lionel Messi puts on masterclass for watching Philippe Coutinho

January 12, 2018 Admin

Lionel Messi put on a masterclass in front of new recruit Philippe Coutinho as Barcelona trounced Celta Vigo 5-0 Thursday to ease into the Copa del Rey quarter-finals 6-1 on aggregate. Coutinho, dressed in a black shirt dotted with white stars, was in the stands at the Camp Nou for the first time since his 160 million-euro ($192 million) move from Liverpool. It didn’t take long for the Brazilian star to appreciate the playing riches on show on the pitch. “The first half was extraordinary,” said Barca coach Ernesto Valverde.…

Turkey reinstates over 1,800 civil servants after post-coup purges

January 12, 2018 Admin

Turkish authorities on Friday reinstated more than 1,800 civil servants in an emergency decree after finding they had no links to a group blamed for the 2016 failed coup. The public sector employees were sacked after being accused of downloading an encrypted messaging app known as ByLock, which the authorities say was used by the movement of US-based Islamic preacher Fethullah Gulen who is blamed for the attempted putsch. But late last year, the authorities said that the app had been unknowingly downloaded by thousands of people. Gulen denies Turkey’s…

Sudanese protest over rising price of bread

January 12, 2018 Admin

Sudanese have expressed their wrath over the increasing hike in the prices of bread, following protests across the country on Sunday, in which one student died. Bread prices doubled following the government’s announcement late last month that it was eliminating subsidies in its 2018 budget. “People who buy bread daily at SDG 10 (1.5 US dollars) have to buy it for SDG 20 or SDG 30. There are some cannot buy bread now. They can increase anything but with bread there should be red line,” said Imad Taha, a Khartoum…

Manchester City and Manchester United not in Alexis Sanchez bidding war – Arsene Wenger

January 12, 2018 Admin

Arsene Wenger was unable to offer an update on the future of Alexis Sanchez on Friday but the Arsenal manager did not deny suggestions Manchester United and Manchester City are both chasing the Chile international. Sanchez is believed to remain a prime target for City after a switch to Etihad Stadium fell through late in the previous transfer window. United have reportedly emerged as rival bidders in recent days and are said to be attempting to hijack the proposed move to Pep Guardiola’s Premier League leaders. Addressing the media ahead…

Everton in talks to sign Arsenal’s Theo Walcott

January 12, 2018 Admin

Everton manager Sam Allardyce says the club is negotiating with Arsenal to sign Theo Walcott on a permanent deal. Allardyce is keen to strengthen his attacking options and said Walcott, 28, would be a “fantastic addition”. “It’s not imminent but negotiations are going on and we’re hoping to negotiate a permanent deal,” said Allardyce, 63. “I don’t get optimistic otherwise I get disappointed. I’ll be very excited and enthused when someone, even if it’s not Theo, has signed on the dotted line.” Allardyce, who has already signed striker Cenk Tosun…

Aliko Dangote named Africa’s richest for 7th year

January 12, 2018 Admin

Aliko Dangote, President and Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Limited, has been adjudged the richest man in Africa by Forbes. Mr. Dangote, ranked Africa’s richest with a net worth that Forbes pegged at $12.2 billion, is being so declared for the seventh year running. The Nigerian billionaire’s net worth recorded an increase of about $100 million from last year. Similarly, Forbes noted that Bill Gates maintained his position as the richest man in the world with a net worth of $86 billion, while Warren Buffet and Jeff Bezos were second…

Sanctions: China’s trade with N/Korea tumbles

January 12, 2018 Admin

As North Korea struggle to cope with economic challenges following sanctions imposed on Pyongyang by UN and U.S. over nuclear and missile development, China says its trade with the Kim Jong Un-led country fell 50 per cent in December from a year earlier. Chinese government had also imposed sanctions on Pyongyang’s nuclear and missile programme. The Chinese customs agency said Friday that imports from the North shrank 81.6 per cent to $54 million while exports to the isolated, impoverished country contracted 23.4 per cent to $260 million. The UN Security…

Africa alarmed by Donald Trump’s `shithole’ comment

January 12, 2018 Admin

Africa is “frankly alarmed” by President Donald Trump’s questioning why the U.S. would accept more immigrants from Haiti and “shithole countries” in Africa. Using vulgar language, Trump on Thursday questioned why the U.S. would accept more immigrants from Haiti and “shithole countries” in Africa rather than places like Norway in rejecting a bipartisan immigration deal. The African Union continental body told The Associated Press it was “frankly alarmed” by Trump’s comments. “Given the historical reality of how many Africans arrived in the United States as slaves, this statement flies in…

Nigerian lady marries man six days after Facebook advert

January 12, 2018 Admin

A Nigerian man, Chidimma Amedu has taken Facebook post to a whole new level when he posted an unusual advert on 30 December 2017 asking any woman interested in being his wife to reply. He also said he was ready to tie the nuptials knots on 6 January, 2018. “Am of age and I am ready to say I do and am wasting no time. “Send in your applications – the most qualified will be married on January 6, 2018. Application closes 12 midnight, 31/12/2017,” t Amedu posted. He then…