Okorocha has no power to slash working days –Imo NLC chairman

IMO State Chairman of the Ni­geria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Austin Chilakpu, has declared that Governor Rochas Okorocha does not have the power to determine working days in the state contrary to what the Nigeria constitution  has already prescribed.
Okorocha had last Friday during an interactive session with Journalists disclosed that the state executive council was considering slashing the working days from the normal five days to three to avail civil servants in the state the op­portunity of engaging in other businesses to earn extra in­come to augment their salaries.
NLC Chairman, in his reac­tion, said the slashing of the constitutionally prescribed working days was beyond the powers of any state govern­ment including that of Imo State.
According to him, the In­ternational Labour Organiza­tion has prescribed 40 working
Hours from Monday to Friday which is what the Nigeria con­stitution has adopted, and as such could not be altered on the whims of the Imo State Gover­nor.
The NLC boss further point­ed out that public holidays rec­ognized by the Federal Govern­ment are listed in the calendar, noting that what the Imo State government was trying to do was to subvert the laws of the  country.
“Claims by Governor Okoro­cha that Imo State pays the high­est salaries in the entire Southeast is not correct because the workers in the state receive the same min­imum wage paid by other states and it is not a gift but as a result of negotiation. There are states that pay more than Imo State. I don’t know why the governor always tries to borrow negative examples,” Chilakpu queried.

The Fajuyi spirit

FIFTY years ago, on July 29th 1966, Major General Francis Adekunle Fajuyi gave his life in defence of our country and the then Head of State, General Johnson Thomas Aguiyi-Ironsi.
His killers were a group of northern army of­ficers who participated in the so-called northern “revenge coup” of July 29th 1966.
No less than 300 Igbo army officers were slaughtered that night together with a handful of Yoruba soldiers, including Fajuyi.
Major General Fajuyi was a yoruba man who opted to die in defence of an Igbo Head of State. This was not only honorable and courageous, but it was also unique and unprecedented.He was a selfless hero and a man that we shall honor and immortalise in the new Nigeria that is to come.
Those that murdered him, General Aguiyi-Ironsi and the famous 300 in cold blood that night are still running the affairs of our country today. They determine who is who and who gets what. They decide who our president will be and how long he will remain in power.
As a matter of fact, their hateful hegemony and evil intentions are even more pronounced and frightful today than they were in 1966 and their grip on the levers of power in our country is even stronger. Today they are fully in charge and some of those that actually shot Fajuyi are fully behind them.Yet, despite their intention to dominate, si­lence, break and destroy the rest of us, one thing remains clear: the Fajuyi spirit of courage, unity, selflessness and sacrifice has been imbibed by millions in the southern and Middle Belt regions of our country.
These are men and women that are prepared to stand shoulder to shoulder with the oppressed of our nation, whether they be Niger Deltans, Igbos, Yorubas,Middle Belters or anything else.
These are men and women that are prepared to resist the perfidious religious and ethnic agenda of the “born to rule” in our midst and that recognise the fact that they regard the rest of us as nothing but slaves.
When it comes to southern rights and interests, we the Yoruba particularly, must learn a lesson from our own son, Fajuyi and emulate his exam­ple. Like him, if necessary, we must be ready to sacrifice our lives and liberty in defence of any or all of our southern and Middle Belt brethren that are facing persecution, genocide and injustice at the hands of our collective slave masters.
It is also time for us to appreciate the fact that if we truly want to be free, we must extend our hand of friendship across the River Niger to the Igbo and we must see their bitter travails as ours as well. We must also feel the pain when an Igbo or Niger-Deltan youth is slaughtered by President Buhari’s army in the name of “crushing all oppo­sition and dissent” and “keeping Nigeria one”.
We must acknowledge the fact that Nigeria can­not remain one as long as there is ethnic and reli­gious bigotry, oppression and injustice.
We must appreciate the fact that there can never be southern or indeed Middle Belt emancipation without southern unity.
Fajuyi understood that point 50 years ago. Con­sequently, he opted to resist the evil and died for it. He was indeed a true martyr.
He paid the supreme price for his fellow south­erner and he stood against northern adventurism, oppression, domination and hegemony.
Fifty years later, it is time for the rest of us to do the same. It is time for us to acknowledge and honor his sacrifice and come together as one. It is time for us to stand up, look at our collective op­pressors in the eye and say “no more”.
No longer should we bow our heads in submis­sion, servility and shame. It is time for us to rise up, invoke the power of the Living God and be men.
May the gallant and beautiful soul of Major General Fajuyi continue to rest in eternal peace and may those that murdered him 50 years ago be brought to justice.

Secrets 20-year marriage–Omosexy

Time 100 gal, actress and super mum, Omotola Jalade-Ekehinde aka Omosexy recently celebrated her 20th wedding anniversary in grand style. Entertainer caught up with her during the launch of beauty product, Ghan­dour Cosmetics, in Lagos and she opened up on the secrets to her successful marriage. She also talked about life as Ghandour’s brand ambassador.
You recently celebrated your 20th year wedding anniversary, how does it feel being married for 20 years?
I am thankful that I am married to my friend and my destiny supporter. There is no relationship without challenges. Twenty years have rolled by and some people are saying ‘oh my God, you guys must be living without stress!’ I just want people to know that if you are determined to do anything in life you will make it. Generally, there are challenges in life. It could be with your parents or siblings so it is a normal thing. However, don’t use every opportunity for a quarrel with your spouse to justify the fact that everybody says marriage is hard and challenging. I understand that there are some relationships that have more chal­lenges. However, if there is any form of abuse involved, I think victims should find their way out quickly. But if there is no abuse, you can hang in there. I have had good times with my spouse, and now we are just friends, that is what matters most.
What is your definition of beauty and how does it reflect in a woman?
For women, beauty lies in confidence. If you are a confident woman and under­stands your self-worth; then you are beautiful. And that is why sometimes you see some girls that you think are not aesthetically beautiful, but any time they walk into a room, everybody turns. That is because of confidence. So, beauty for a woman and even a man is knowing your­self well, understanding your body and working with what you have. Most wom­en don’t have everything; even I don’t have everything but there are some things that you have and you must embrace them to be beautiful. Ghandour Cosmetics is all about hair and you know for a woman, your face is the first thing someone sees. Your face is your introduction and your hair is the crown of your face.
You are not growing any younger, are you not scared of growing old?
Well, I am 38 and I am not scared of growing old. But even if I was 51, the fear of growing old would be of no conse­quence because even small children now have grey hairs. I think we should all embrace who we are. I think if people are achieving in life they won’t be afraid of old age. But when you look back in life and you think you have not achieved anything, you will feel like time is run­ning by and you will be afraid of aging. But if you are contented in life and know that all fin­gers are not equal and you are where you are meant to be, you will not fear old age, because you could actually be six feet below. That you are alive and healthy is enough reason to celebrate.
You are a stylish woman, who makes your dresses?
I make it a point of duty not to promote designers that are not Nigeri­ans. This outfit was not designed by a Nigerian, so I don’t need to hype it. However, I am styled by Moashi; I only hype Nigerian designers.
For how long have you been Ghandour’s brand ambassador?
For three years. Though, this is their first time in Nigeria, they have been in Ghana for two years. I am comfortable with the brand.

Releasing Nnamdi Kanu will save Nigeria from more troubles –MASSOB

 

THE spiritual leader of the Move­ment for the Actualization of Sover­eign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and International Coordinator of Biafran Christian Movement (ICBCM), Ndubuisi Igwekani, has said that more calamities would befall Nige­ria if the Federal Government con­tinues to detain the leader of the In­digenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mr. Nnamdi Kanu.
He warned that if anything un­toward happens to the IPOB leader, Nigeria would be on flame, adding that the African continent would not contain whatwould happen if he dies in prison.
Igwekani stated this after an emer­gency meeting of Biafran Christian Movement yesterday, calling on the international community to prevail on President Muhammadu Buhari to release Kanu to go for medical treat­ment. “Federal government has no power to continue to detain Nnamdi Kanu after a court of competent ju­risdiction had granted him bail. We want to call on President Buhari to release Nnamdi Kanu with imme­diate effect because we are running out of patience. They should release Kanu to go for medical treatment and if anything happens to Kanu Ni­geria will be on flames and we will not take it lightly with the leaders of this country,” he threatened.
He dismissed Ohaneze Ndigbo as a knocked engine and called for a new platform to represent the voice of the Igbo nation. His words: “Ohaneze Ndigbo which is the mo­tor that carries the entire Igbo na­tions presently has knocked engine by delving into politics. We are call­ing on the Igbo nation to come up with another platform that will chart the cause of Igbo socio-cultural af­fairs because the present Ohaneze is as good as dead and will soon be buried.”
“The leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo is not speaking the minds of Igbo nation. Look at what happened last week during their Exco meeting in Enugu when they were allegedly attacked as they were allegedly shar­ing money probably given to them by politicians.”
“We know that Igbo are suffering in this country and we need leaders who are not politicians who will speak on behalf of Ndigbo in this country which the Ohaneze Ndigbo has failed to do. We need people that can speak on the social cultural in­terest and not politicians.”
He lamented further: “The roads in Southeast zone are nothing to write home about. They are death traps and Ohaneze is not saying anything about it, they are after their pockets. We describe the gathering of Owerri as gathering of politicians who are looking for contracts and we will never associate ourselves with such Ohanaeze leaders.”
He also urged the people of the old eastern region who are now in the South-South not to be deceived by the enemies in the land that they are not part of Biafra, calling on them “to remain steadfast and come together to chart a new course for Biafra state where they belong.”

Road ends for fake pastor who used false prophecy to lure, rob victims

A MAN who claimed to have been in pastoral ministry for 10 years and was on the run for sometime now is cooling his heels in the custody of the Imo State Police Com­mand, Owerri.

Until his arrest, 45-year-old Delight Arinze Okorie.
He said: “I have been in pastoral ministry for over 10 years. When some of my members or the friends they bring, come to tell me about their problems, I always give them fake prophecies. If I discover that they have mon­ey, I use the opportunity to rob them by setting them up with the fake prophecies.”
It was further learnt in an interview with the Commissioner of Police, Imo State, Mr. Taiwo Laka­nu, this was the strategy Okorie deployed in deceiv­ing, robbing and attempting to murder one member of the church, 35-year-old Mrs. Chioma Oleka at Atta in Ihennasa, Njaba Local Gov­ernment Area, Imo State, by falsely claiming that she was possessed with a mermaid (marine) spirit.
Lakanu explained that on May 25, 2016, Okorie lured Oleka to Nwangele river, where she was to ostensibly undergo special deliverance prayer. The lady drove her Lexus SUV with a Rivers State registration number, KPR 243HF to keep the appointment for prayers and deliverance.
Hear Okorie say what followed thereafter: “As we were praying on the bridge, I went to the back of the vehicle and picked up a machete. I gave her several cuts all over her body with the intention to kill her. Then I pushed her from the top of the bridge into the river for her to drown. Some members of my gang, who pretend to be members of my church, who went with me then escaped with the SUV, when we sighted a police patrol team.”
Unfortunately for Okorie and the gang, Oleka mirac­ulously survived the vicious attack and fall into the river as she did not drown. Rather she pretended to have died.
Recalling her fortuitous survival of the horrendous experience she passed through, Oleka“Before this thing hap­pened I had been attending Watered Ground Ministry, the church headed by Pastor Okorie. He always prophe­sied in the church and one day he said that I had a mer­maid (marine or mammywa­ter) spirit. He said I had to go for special deliverance prayer not knowing that he wanted to rob and murder me. During the prayer ses­sion, he suddenly pushed me from the top of the bridge into the river. He gave me machete cuts thinking that I would die. But a police pa­trol team rescued me, took me to the hospital. I think I have learnt my lesson, that there are many false pastors all over the place; we need God’s intervention.”
After their successful es­cape from the crime scene, Okorie and his gang mem­bers continued their oper­ations for several months thinking that the chapter had been closed on what they did to Oleka.
However, providence was patiently waiting to expose them. That day arrived when Oleka began to recover from the attack while still in the hospital. When she was strong enough to talk with police detectives investigat­ing the case, she recounted what happened and gave the police the registration number of the car. For a while, the police kept Okorie un­der surveillance and then moved in to arrest him. During interroga­tion, he sang like a canary and re­vealed his alleged past escapades in crime, robbery, kidnapping and murder.
With informa­tion obtained from Okorie and the other members of his gang, the police recovered the Lexus SUV as well as the arms and ammunition of the gang.

147 suspected militants killed in military operation in Lagos, Ogun creeks

ABOUT 147 suspected militants might have been killed in the ongoing joint military operation in riverine communities affected by recent spate of criminal attacks in Lagos and Ogun States.
The affected communities had come under the siege of hoodlums suspected to be Ijaw militants with about 50 residents reportedly killed in the past weeks while few others were kidnapped.
The development has led to the desertion of some of the affected communities by residents as many of them continued to leave in droves until last Thursday when the military commenced a raid on the camps of suspected militants. A local security said that casualty recorded on the part of the militants as at yesterday afternoon might not be less than 150.
‘’The casualty as at yesterday as we were told was about 114 but this morning we heard that more of them have been killed and that the figure may be up to 150,’’ the source said. Asked if there was any incident involv­ing civilian casualty, the source said: “I cannot say any­thing on that but all I know is that people have continued to leave some of these areas perhaps out of fear.’’ Lagos State police Public Relations Officer, Dolapo Badmos, a Superintendent of Police, on the other hand dismissed the fear of possibility of civilian casualty. “It is a wrong impression to be talking about civilian casualty because the operation is taking place deep in the creeks. It is not in the communities,’’ she said. Meanwhile, the Nigerian military has described as cheap propaganda, insinua­tions that its aerial bombardment at the Arepo area of Ogun State was on targets that were not pipeline vandals and militants. The Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Ferguson Bobai who is the coordinator of the exercise said the targets that were destroyed by the military were carefully assessed using aerial surveillance technology mounted on the Nigerian Air Force aircraft involved in the operations.
He said “initially we were directed not to use air power, but when we carried out assessment of the area a lot of the vandal had moved from areas accessible by water to very dif­ficult terrain. Following this development we returned to the Chief of Defence Staff, demanding that airpower is the only way for the vandals to be dislodged. And in using airpower just like I told you during the briefing we assessed the area and made sure that the targets are very ones that we needed to take out. “We have video re­cording from the surveillance aircraft and we also have still photos which were analysed properly and carefully before we commenced the operation. I must tell you that this is just propaganda to whip up sentiments.”
Admiral Bobai said the vandals are economic sabo­teurs and that the aerial bombardment would continue until the vandals are subdued.
“This evening we will deploy our surveillance aircraft to take shots of areas bombed and we will then analyse the photos and if there are still targets we need to take out, we will continue the bombing until the targets are completely taken out,” he noted.
He said that the bombardment was a directive of the Defence Headquarters and the need to bombard the area came following incidences of pipeline vandalisation, kidnapping and armed robbery.
Just last month, the military and component of the operation code-named Operation Awatse got directive from the Chief of Defence Staff, General Gabriel Olo­nisakin to carry out an operation in the general area of Arepo with a view to dismantling vandals camps and shanties scattered around Arepo, Ibafo, Ishawo and all the areas around that axis.

PSG vs Leicester match report: Premier League champions thrashed 4-0 by French counterparts in Los Angeles

Edinson Cavani celebrates with his PSG teammates after scoring a penalty 

Leicester were no match for Paris Saint-Germain in their International Champions Cup match at Los Angeles' StubHubCenter, losing 4-0.
The Premier League winners beat Celtic on penalties last weekend - but it was no surprise that the French champions were a tougher prospect on Saturday night.
PSG took the lead in the 26th minute from the penalty spot, Edinson Cavani sending Kasper Schmeichel the wrong way after Daniel Amartey had brought down Jonathan Ikone.
Leicester came close to an equaliser soon after, Riyad Mahrez's free-kick bringing a good save out of Alphonse Areola, before Amartey headed the resulting corner narrowly wide after the ball was punched towards him by PSG's goalkeeper.

Lucas Moura is joined by his PSG teammates to celebrate scoring the third goal

However, livewire Ikone doubled the lead just before half-time, the 18-year-old holding off Wes Morgan and giving Schmeichel no chance after Thomas Meunier's pass deflected into his path.
Ahmed Musa wasted a chance to get the Foxes back in the game within three minutes of the restart, fluffing his close-range finish after Leonardo Ulloa had created the opening.

18-year-old Odsonne Edouard completed the rout

Any doubts about the outcome were ended when Lucas Moura headed in Maxwell's cross at the far post in the 64th minute, before Odsonne Edouard - like Ikone, just 18 - wrapped up the win in the final minute.
The Foxes, who start their Premier League campaign at Hull on August 13, are next in action against Barcelona in Stockholm on Wednesday.

Arsenal transfer news: Arsene Wenger hits out at Paul Pogba move and admits need for new defender and striker

Arsene Wenger labelled Manchester United's £112m move for Paul Pogba 'completely crazy' 

Arsene Wenger has echoed Jurgen Klopp’s criticism of Manchester United’s £112m move for Paul Pogba after the Arsenal manager labelled the imminent world record transfer “completely crazy”.
Liverpool manager Klopp claimed during the week that the football he loves is a team game, and insisted that spending a nine-figure sum on one single player, no matter how talented, was not a game he wanted to be part of.
Wenger followed suit after being asked about United’s offer for a player they allowed to leave four years ago for just £800,000, and while he accepted that United have the financial backing to spend such fees, he stressed that the outside world will be unable to comprehend how one player can cost so much money.

"It is completely crazy if you cannot afford to pay it. If you can afford to pay it you can justify it,” Wenger said on Arsenal’s tour of the United States.
"It is completely crazy if you compare it to normal life. That is for sure. But we live in a world where every activity that is worldwide makes a lot of money.
"Football has become a worldwide competition and that is why clubs can afford to do it. Does it make sense in the way the player can give you that investment back? Nobody ever could calculate.
"Since I am in this sport I always thought the record cannot go higher and I was always wrong. Maybe in a few years it will be £200m, £300m, who knows."

Wenger’s criticism comes just days after Klopp hit out at United and other clubs who spend such fees instead of building teams, as is his desire.
“If you bring one player in for £100m and he gets injured, then it all goes through the chimney,” Liverpool manager Klopp said, with his side also in the United States for the International Champions Cup pre-season tournament.
“The day that this is football, I'm not in a job anymore, because the game is about playing together.

Arsene Wenger has echoed Jurgen Klopp’s criticism of Manchester United’s £112m move for Paul Pogba after the Arsenal manager labelled the imminent world record transfer “completely crazy”.
Liverpool manager Klopp claimed during the week that the football he loves is a team game, and insisted that spending a nine-figure sum on one single player, no matter how talented, was not a game he wanted to be part of.
Wenger followed suit after being asked about United’s offer for a player they allowed to leave four years ago for just £800,000, and while he accepted that United have the financial backing to spend such fees, he stressed that the outside world will be unable to comprehend how one player can cost so much money.

"It is completely crazy if you cannot afford to pay it. If you can afford to pay it you can justify it,” Wenger said on Arsenal’s tour of the United States.
"It is completely crazy if you compare it to normal life. That is for sure. But we live in a world where every activity that is worldwide makes a lot of money.
"Football has become a worldwide competition and that is why clubs can afford to do it. Does it make sense in the way the player can give you that investment back? Nobody ever could calculate.
"Since I am in this sport I always thought the record cannot go higher and I was always wrong. Maybe in a few years it will be £200m, £300m, who knows."

Wenger’s criticism comes just days after Klopp hit out at United and other clubs who spend such fees instead of building teams, as is his desire.
“If you bring one player in for £100m and he gets injured, then it all goes through the chimney,” Liverpool manager Klopp said, with his side also in the United States for the International Champions Cup pre-season tournament.
“The day that this is football, I'm not in a job anymore, because the game is about playing together.

“That is how everybody in football understands it. You always want to have the best, but building the group is necessary to be successful.
“Other clubs can go out and spend more money and collect top players. I want to do it differently. I would even do it differently if I could spend that money. I don't know exactly how much money we could spend because nobody has told me, 'No, you can't do this.'

“If I spend money, it is because I am trying to build a team, a real team. Barcelona did it. You can win championships, you can win titles, but there is a manner in which you want it.”
Wenger was happy to talk about transfer business in a rare revelation that he still has hopes of signing two more players following the arrivals of Granit Xhaka, Takuma Asano and Rob Holding. The 66-year-old Frenchman was already looking for a new striker to aid Olivier Giroud and cover Danny Welbeck while the England international recovers from his latest injury – set to keep him out until February – but he has been forced into the market for a defender too after Per Mertesacker was ruled out for the rest of the year. The recently appointed club captain suffered a knee injury in the pre-season draw with Lens that required surgery, and Wenger confirmed he does not expected Mertesacker to return until 2017.
"Certainly I don't count that Per will be back before the end of the year,” confirmed Wenger. “I will miss him deeply. He is a leader on the pitch and off. We [have lost] a heavyweight in our dressing room.
"We are still on the market at the front and the back. Unfortunately we are not alone.”

Wenger would not talk directly about transfer target Alexandre Lacazette

Wenger was asked directly about his interest in Riyad Mahrez of Leicester City and Lyon’s Alexandre Lacazette, the second of which Arsenal saw a £29.3m bid rejected for last week. While he refused to discuss individual players – stressing that it would make any negotiations more challenging – he did speak to try and appease frustrated fans who want to see the club press on with their transfer plans.
"I buy players that I feel can strengthen our team,” he said. “Today, you have to be very strong inside the club when you are responsible, not to just buy to buy.
"There is always a wave of opinions, and people are better informed today than all the players. They always tell you to buy but when you ask who to buy, they become much shorter, because if you look at the market in Europe there is a lot of money available, but not many players that really strengthen the teams.”

Manchester United vs Galatasaray: Zlatan Ibrahimovic scores on his debut with overhead kick against Galatasaray

Ibrahimovic celebrates after putting United into the lead against Galatasaray 

Zlatan Ibrahimovic opened his Manchester United scoring account four minutes into his debut, notching with a bicycle kick in Saturday’s friendly against Galatasaray.
The Swedish striker, who arrived from Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer earlier this month, hit the ball into the ground with enough bounce to beat goalkeeper Fernando Muslera.
Ibrahimovic’s first in a United shirt came in his home country, with the club’s third pre-season friendly of the summer held at Gothenburg’s Ullevi Stadium.

Lewis Hamilton takes fourth win in a row

Lewis Hamilton dominated the German Grand Prix to move into a 19-point lead in the championship over Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg.Hamilton shot into the lead at the start from second on the grid as Rosberg slipped to fourth, where he finished after a difficult afternoon.Rosberg was penalised for forcing Red Bull's Max Verstappen off the track.The German finished behind Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo and Verstappen after being unable to make up the lost time.

LMC will soon name Yobo’s NPFL club – Bassey

CHAIRMAN of Akwa United Management Committee, Paul Bassey has revealed that the League Management Company (LMC) would soon name Joseph Yobo’s NPFL club, but was quick to add that his outfit, Akwa United would be delighted to welcome Joseph Yobo into their fold.
“We would love to have Yobo play for us.
”It would be a thing of honour for him to play for Akwa United.
“It is his choice to make. There were four clubs he listed earlier, Akwa United, FC Ifeanyiubah, Wikki Tourists and Kano Pillars.
“For now, LMC have not tied up everything. We expected that last week. But I know the will do that soon.
“The only thing is that for us at Akwa United, we would like him play for us “ Bassey said.
Yobo, a former captain of the Super Eagles was expected back in the domestic league in the ca­pacity of Elite Player after signing agreement with the League Man­agement Committee, LMC.
The arrangement to bring the former Everton of England de­fender back into the NPFL fol­lowed a previous similar deal with Sani Kaita which saw him fea­tured for Enyimba and FC Ifeany­iUbah after his illustrious career in Europe.
LMC had revealed then that Yobo who remains Nigeria’s most capped international with 101 ap­pearances for the Super Eagles officially called time on his inter­national career with a Testimonial Match in Port Harcourt last May.

BIG BLUNDER: Dalung erred in naming Mikel Team Nigeria captain – Nwosu

EARLIER in the week, Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Solo­mon Dalung through a press release named Chelsea of England star, John Mikel Obi, Team Nigeria Captain to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games to the shock of many stakeholders.

While many had argued that the captaincy should have gone to the old­est participating athlete like Segun To­riola or Funke Oshonaiki both table ten­nis stars players going to their seventh and sixth Olympic Games respectively, others said Mikel’s popularity and good conduct in Chelsea was enough to make him Team Nigeria captain.
However, former Green Eagles captain, Henry Nwosu, had faulted the action of the Sports Minister declaring that neither Dalung nor the ministry, has the right to name Team Nigeria captain.
“The minister or the sports ministry has no business naming or appointing any athlete Team Nigeria captain. “I was at the Seoul Olympics in 1988 and I still remember vividly that it was the Nigeria Olympic Committee, NOC that appointed the overall captain of the contingent.
“Usually, the position should go to the most experienced athlete in the contingent. Where there are athletes that have attended more Games than the others, the captain is picked from that lot taking into consideration the athlete’s disciplinary record and the clout he wields.”
Nwosu, a member of the glorious 1980 Green Eagles squad that won the African Nations Cup for Nigeria for the first time and also served as an assistant coach to the Coach Ad­egboye Onigbinde at the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Korea/ Japan stated that the moment Team Nigeria is handed over to the NOC, the ministry no longer have control over the team and as such cannot make pronounce­ments on the team.
Though, he admitted that the choice of Mikel by the sports minis­ter might have been informed by the pedigree and popularity of the player in the English Premiership, he main­tained that the minister erred because the announcement is the business of the NOC.
“Mikel Obi is a known player all over the world and the minister may just have been banking on that with him being named captain of Team Nigeria. However, the approach of the minister in making the appoint­ment was wrong because the NOC is in charge of the team now,” Nwosu maintained.
President Muhammadu Buhari, had on Tuesday, July 19 presided over the formal handing over of Team Nigeria ahead of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games scheduled to begin August 5.
The President Buhari also received the honour of Grand Patron of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) by its president, Habu Gumel.
At a ceremony in the Statehouse that also had in attendance the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Solomon Dalung and FCT Minister Mohammed Bello, President Buhari received the Olympic flag from Da­lung and then charged team Nigeria to do the country proud.
Also last week, the Athletics Fed­eration of Nigeria (AFN), released a 36-man team to represent the country at the Games, but its president, Solomon Ogba, disclosed that the country’s participation is in danger, owing to the limited funds that had so far hampered the preparations.
The House of Representatives, however, intervened by issuing a directive to the Federal Government for the immediate disbursement of funds to the team.
It warned of a repeat of the disaster at the London 2012 Games where the country failed to win a single medal.
Chelsea midfielder, Mikel Obi had been named captain of Team Nigeria to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, which begins on August 5.
Forty-year-old table tennis star, Funke Oshonaike, who would be making her sixth appearance at the games after her debut appearance at Atlanta ’96, was named the assistant team captain.
Mikel, one of the three over-age players in the national U-23 football
team for the games, is making his debut appearance at the Olympic Games, after he missed being part of the football squad – which lost to Argentina in the final – at the Beijing 2008 Games.
Oshonaike was chosen because of their consistency, patriotism and dedication to national assignments.”
Nigeria’s Chef- de- Mission at the games, Christian Ohaa, said, “Mikel is a young, patriotic footballer of in­ternational status and we believe he will be a role model to the up-and-coming athletes while Oshonaike is experienced and is one of the oldest athletes in the team. We believe that their combined efforts will bring goodwill to Team Nigeria and proj­ect the country’s image positively to the world.”
Mikel is one of Nigeria’s most decorated footballers, having won the UEFA Champions League, Eu­ropa Cup, English Premier League, FA Cup at club level with Chelsea and the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations with the Super Eagles.
Meanwhile, Nigerians had reacted to the choice of Mikel as Nigeria’s captain at the Games.
“Let’s hope he’s cool-headed enough to control the team. He’s not too small or too young to be named captain.
I think it’s okay for Mikel since he is not the captain of the football team. He can focus on the entire team without much load from the football team,” sports journalist, Smarts Ebhodaghe said.
Former Super Eagles defender Ab­dul Sule stated, “I think Mikel was chosen because of his track record. He is playing for a big club like Chelsea and he’s won so many lau­rels as a sportsman. Even though this is his first appearance at the Olym­pics, I think it’s a good choice.”
Sports journalist, Colin Udoh said he would have preferred either multi-talented athlete, Blessing Okagbare, or veteran table tennis star, Segun Toriola, who would be attending his seventh Olympics in Rio, to lead the country at the global games.
He tweeted, “Happy for Mikel but I think it’s a poor decision by @ SolomonDalung and Sports Ministry. Segun Toriola (7th Olympics) is a much better choice. Toriola’s record of qualifying for seven Olympic Games is peerless and richly epito­mises the Olympic spirit. Plus his leadership/experience
“Outside of Toriola, Blessing Okagbare also stands out as a better choice. This will be her third Olym­pics, and she has global recognition. Both Toriola and Okagbare have the respect of teammates and the international Olympic community. These are much better choices in my humble opinion I’m not sure how the decision was made, especially since this is not a strong Dream Team (football team) and they could be out by the group phase.”

The 2016 flood alert

The Nigerian Hydrological Service Agency (NHSA), through its Director Gen­eral, Moses Beckley, has warned of imminent flood­ing in most parts of the country and ad­vised residents of flood-prone areas to be vigilant and relocate to safer places to avoid disaster.
Details of the report, which formed part of the public presentation of the 2016 Annual Flood Outlook in Abuja recently, show that about 34 states of the federation have reason to worry. Our pain, however, is that this gloomy pre­diction could come to pass with grave consequences for the people and the en­vironment, if urgent measures are not put in place in the identified states.
Eventhough the world is now more at risk of natural disasters as a result of the negative impact of climate change and the depletion of the Ozone layer, the response to this risk from countries like Nigeria has been far from adequate. In fact, there is every reason to believe that we either do not understand the envi­ronment or do not care about it enough.
This is a real challenge going forward and we hope our governments at all levels will change their attitude. They should engage the environment and the issues around it better. The environ­ment has taken on more significance in the scheme of things globally, thanks to improved knowledge and understanding. Nigeria, with its vast and varied topography, as well as coastlines stretching across 910,768 kilometres, (according to the World Re­source Institute), cannot afford to be caught napping every rainy season.
Although the reason for the predicted flooding has been given as the expected rise in sea levels and tidal surges, with the most-prone areas identified as the river basins of Niger, Benue, Sokoto-Rima, Anambra-Imo, Cross River, Komadougu-Yobe, Niger Delta, Ogun-Osun and several other sub-basins of the country, there is the big issue of adequate preparation for the inevitable.
The appointment of Amina Mohammed as Minister of Environment suggests a posi­tive change of attitude on the environment at the highest level of government. But, a look at the budget for the ministry, however, shows that not much has changed. Of the N100 billion the ministry asked for as capital allocation, only a paltry N5 billion was approved in this year’s budget.
Only a few states demonstrate an understanding of environmental issues. These is­sues have largely continued to suffer embarrassing neglect across the country. In reality, what is required is adequate budgetary provisions for the environment; and the Federal Government must take the lead. When this is done, there will be enough capital provi­sions to build good road networks with proper drainages across the country. Govern­ment should prevent people from building shelters in flood-prone areas. For example, there have been warnings about the imminent submersion of areas around the Lekki Peninsular in Lagos State, but new housing estates continue to emerge there unabated.
This should not be the attitude of a government and people who understand the dan­gers such dangerous living patterns pose. Indeed, government and its relevant agencies should do the needful to ensure that drainages are provided in all our communities to allow the quick and easy drainage of excess rain water.
Wastes should be adequately and promptly cleared and collected to stop them clog­ging the drainage channels which are grossly inadequate. The waste-to-wealth pro­gramme can come to the nation’s rescue in this respect and efforts need to be intensified towards its realization.
The citizenry, too, need to change their unhelpful ways on environmental matters. Our cities, not to talk of our villages and rural communities, are a shameful litter. We need to do more as a people desirous of reversing our dismal fortunes in terms of avoidable environmental degradation. The recent media pictures of flooding outcomes in some of our urban centres left a sour taste in the mouth.
This is the 21st Century, and the rules for engaging the environment have to change. Information has to be made available to the generality of the people with specifics on flood-prone areas for the purpose of safe living. The sanitation laws should be constantly updated and strictly enforced. Adequate budgetary provisions should be made for the environment ministries at the Federal and state levels, and their support agencies ad­equately manned and equipped.
Above all, the issues of the environment, especially with regards to flooding, should concern all – government, businesses, relevant non-governmental organisations and the entire populace.

Okorocha wants pay cut for workers, proposes 3 work days per week

IMO State governor, Rochas Okorocha has said that he is considering reducing the number of work days in the state from five to three, to enable the government cut salaries.
Okorocha said this while briefing journalists on the state of affairs in Imo at his residence in Owerri on Friday.
He said the reduction of workdays would enable workers to attend to other activities that would generate money to supplement their monthly salaries to take care of their families.
“I encourage Imo workers to find additional things to do to support their families because of the economic situation we are facing in Nigeria.
“We are considering to reduce the working days from five to three in Imo, so that workers will use the rest of the days to work and support their families’’, he said.
Mr. Okorocha, who was not specific on when it may commence, added that Imo government was equally planning to review workers’ salaries downward.
He said that in spite of the current payment of 70 percent of salaries to workers, the state still paid the highest salary scale among South-Eastern states of Abia, Anabmbra, Ebonyi and Enugu.
“Directors in these other South-Eastern states receive something a little above N90, 000 while in Imo they receive more than N100, 000.
“We intend to clear salary arrears up to July by next week. After that, we will consider downward review of salary to workers to be at par with other states of South-East,’’ he said.
On the just-concluded rerun election, Mr. Okorocha commended Imo people for electing the candidates of APC in Imo North Senatorial District, Isiala Mbano and Oru East State Constituencies.
He said with the victory, APC had shown that it was strong in the South-East and should be given its due right.

Buhari appoints five heads of health agencies

PRESIDEaaaNT Muhammadu Buhari has ap¬proved with immediate effect the appoint¬ments of five heads of strategic health institu¬tions.
The Director (Press), Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Bolaji Adebiyi, said in a statement.
The health agencies are, Centre for Disease Control, National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), Nigerian Institute for Medical Research (NIMR), National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), and National Health Insurance Scheme, (NHIS).
According to the statement, Babatunde Sa¬lami has been appointed to replace Innocent Ujah at the NIMR as Director General, Sani Aliyu replaces, John Idoko as DG NACA, Us¬man Yusuf takes over from Abimbola Alale as DG NHIS, Echezona Ezeanolue takes over from Ado Muhammad as Executive Secretary, while Chikwe Andreas Ihekwazu takes over the helm of CDC.
Salami was the Provost, College of Medi¬cine, University of Ibadan before his new appointment while Aliyu was until his appointment a consultant in Microbiol¬ogy and Infectious Diseases at Cambridge University, UK. Yusuf, was until his ap¬pointment a professor of Paediatrics at St. Jude Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennes¬see, USA, while Ezeanolue was a professor of Paediatrics and Public Health at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, USA.

Controversy trails cancer patient’s appeal fund

CONTROVERSY has trailed fund said to have been raised through pub­lic support in respect of a cancer pa­tient, Mayowa Ahmed Shukurat.
The organisers of the fund are ac­cusing the family of the patient of being economical with the truth on the real amount raised for Mayowa Ahmed.
But the family has denied it, saying that the money raised is to fly their sis­ter abroad for proper medical care.
According to online report, Founder of Lifestake Foundation, Aramide Ka­sumu, who was deeply involved in the #SaveMayowa fundraising campaign, pointed out that the family of Mayowa Ahmed realised N85 million from the campaign, but lied to the public that only N30 million was raised.
Ahmed Mayowa a Stage 4 ovar­ian cancer patient, needed funds for medical treatment outside the coun­try, prompting her family, friends and well-wishers to kick off a #SaveMay­owa campaign to save her life.
Kasumu, who said she personal­ly drove Mayowa from her house to the Lagos University Teaching Hos­pital (LUTH), said the family’s story on how the money would be spent on Mayowa’s recovery is not adding up.
“The brothers came publicly and  said they raised N30million when they raised N85mil­lion.
“And they said they had a visa when they didn’t have one. They solicited funds to go to America, now they’re saying they’re going to Dubai. So a lot of things were not adding up; they were not straightfor­ward”, Kasumu said.
Among those who popu­larised the campaign on social media is popular Nollywood actress, Toyin Aimakhu who visited the Mayowa to cheer her up. Miss Aimakhu on her Ins­tagram page called on well meaning Nigerians to come to Mayowa’s aid.
However, Toyin has said the fund-raiser has turned out to be a scam.
The report noted that the Nigeria police waded into the matter, and is expect­ed to see to the judicious spending of the funds raised for Mayowa’s recovery.
However, event took a twist as an unverified mes­sage went viral stating that donations were complete and people who tried to do­nate to the Nigerian bank account were unable to as a block had been placed on credits into the account. “#SaveMayowa is a scam” because doctors had classi­fied her case as terminal and did not release her medical records to any institution abroad”, says the message. A snapshot of the Gofund me account that was raised for Mayowa said, she was diagnosed with bilateral Ovarian Mass Carcinoma and needed $100, 000 for treatment at Emory Inter­national Hospital, Atlanta, USA.

DNC 2016: We asked 12 people at the convention to explain how they felt when Barack Obama spoke

 

It was not a simple question. Was it even possible, to sum up in a single word, how somebody felt when they heard President Barack Obama speak?
On Wednesday night, Mr Obama received praise and plaudits for a soaring piece of oratory in which he endorsed Hillary Clinton and sought to expose what he called 'the absence of facts' of Donald Trump.
Mr Obama’s address - sometimes moving, frequently funny - brought roars and cheers from the delegates and supporters packed inside the hall. There was barely room to stand, but people who listened to what was his final set piece address, said they would remember it for a long time.

Mr Obama speech was 'awesome', 'super' and 'inspirationa

“Brilliant,” said Anne Ganon, from Delray Beach, Florida, when asked to sum up her feelings when she heard the president speak. “It’s very thoughtful. He looks out for everyone. And he always seems to want what is best for America.”
Brian Lee, a Native American delegate from New Mexico, said the president had achieved a lot during his eight years in office and had “stood up for everyone”. Asked to sum up the emotions he felt when the president spoke, he replied: “Excitement”.
Mandy Norell’s one word was “inspirational”. She said Mr Obama “speaks to the soul and helps us get excited about our potential”. Ms Norell, from South Carolina and a delegate to the convention, said he was always looking out for other people.

Kalah Johnson said she felt 'proud' when the president spoke

“Legendary,” said Jennifer Delgado, when asked for a word that encapsulated what she thought on hearing Mr Obama speak. “He always speaks with grace and dignity, and he has lead our country with grace and dignity.”
Gurjatinder Randhawa moved to the US from Ludhiana in India and now lives in Elk Grove, California. He struggled to limit his thoughts about Mr Obama to a single word. Eventually, he settled for “great”.

He said that when Mr Obama came to office the country was heading on a downwards trajectory. “He was the only guy to make this country great again,” he said.
Dan Jackson, a psychiatrist from Boston, said the word “eloquent” came to mind. “He crafts his speeches well,” he said.

Gurjatinder Randhawa moved to the US from India

Kalah Johnson, 24, from Atlantic City, said even know she found it hard to fully explain the effect Mr Obama’s election had on her as a young African American woman. She said that when she was told he was going to run for the White House, she had believed it was a joke, given the nation’s long history of discrimination against black people.
“Even when he was running, we could not believe it,” she said. When he won, she was speechless, because his victory had shown her that “anything was possible and that things are moving for the better”.

And the word that came to mind when she heard him speak? “Proud.”
Stephanie Zinnerman, a 51-year-old woman from Brooklyn, New York, also spoke of Mr Obama’s achievement as the first black president. She said he was moral, insightful and measured. During his time in office there had never been a scandal, over either his administration or about his personal life, she said.

'More', said Melissa Byrne, from Philadelphia

That he could do that while confronting the barrage of racial abuse he had received, made his accomplishment all the more stunning. “Awesome,” she said.
Qadirah Jamal, also from New York, chose the word “spectacular”. Victoria Cassano, a doctor from Connecticut, opted for “amazing”. Melissa Byrne, from Philadelphia, selected “more” - “we can be more progressive”.

Richard Thompson, a military veteran who served in the Korean War, said he thought Mr Obama’s speech was 'super'

Richard Johnson, a military veteran from Aiken, South Carolina, had sat and enjoyed listening to Mr Obama speech. As he was preparing to make his way from the convention hall on Wednesday night, he declined to give his age, but he said that he had fought in the Korean War.

“That was between 1950 to 1953,” he said, underscoring that while he may have been young at heart, he was getting on in years.
He said he thought Mr Obama had been a brilliant president. And while he was supporting Ms Clinton, he would have preferred, were it possible, another four years of the current incumbent. Asked to sum up how he felt when hearing the president speak, he said: “Super.

Transfer news and rumours: Paul Pogba set for Manchester United medical, Arsenal prepare final bid for Lacazette

Paul Pogba in action for France at Euro 2016 

Paul Pogba has arrived in Los Angeles to undergo a medical ahead of his world record move to Manchester United, according to numerous reports.
The deal is picking up pace again after appearing to stall in recent days and is now expected to be completed by the weekend.
United look set to pay Juventus £92m for the Frenchman while a further £20m will go to agent Mino Raiola. All issues involving the agent’s fee also appear to have now been resolved - the Italians will contribute £4m while United will cover the remaining £16m.

Pogba flies to LA for Man Utd medical after £112m deal agreed

Back at Old Trafford, Bastian Schweinsteiger looks set to be axed as the first big-name casualty under Jose Mourinho.
The German did not train with United’s first-team squad on Thursday and was absent from training footage released by the club.
It’s thought the midfielder has been told he can leave the club 12 months after signing from Bayern Munich in a £6.5m deal.
It’s expected Schweinsteiger will be joined by a handful of younger players who have also been told they can pursue the option of first-team football elsewhere.

Arsenal are planning an improved offer for Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette, according to Squawka, but are not prepared to spend more than £33.7m to bring him to the Emirates Stadium.
Lyon announced on Tuesday that they had rejected a £29.5m bid from the Gunners for Lacazette, though it has since been suggested that the offer was made back in June.
The Gunners are also in talks to sign Valencia defender Shkodran Mustafi, Sky Sports reports. It is understood that no offer for the 24-year-old German centre-back has yet been made to the Spanish club.
Mustafi has a release clause of £42.1m but it’s believed that Arsenal may be able to sign the German for £25.3m plus a further £8.4m in add-ons.
This follows Arsene Wenger’s recent remarks that the club needs to sign another centre-back after Per Mertersacker was ruled out on a long-term basis with a knee injury.
Manchester City target Gabriel Jesus is on the verge of completing a transfer out of Palmeiras – but has not confirmed his destination, the Daily Mail reports.
The Brazilian has been linked with a number of European sides, including City, Manchester United, Real Madrid and Barcelona, but the youngster refused to specify which one of these sides he was in talks with.
“My future is almost decided,” he said. And while his focus now is on his country’s home Games, he promised his destination will be known “before long”.
Lastly, veteran James Milner could be utilised as an emergency left-back at Liverpool after Jurgen Klopp finally gave up on his pursuit of Leicester City’s Ben Chilwell.
Alberto Moreno endured a nightmare end to last season, with a dismal performance in the Europe League Final, but Klopp has been unsuccessful in his attempts to find a new left-back.
While Moreno is therefore expected to remain the first-choice candidate, the Daily Telegraph has suggested that Milner could subsequently fill the position in times of emergency with Klopp insisting he will not be forced into a panic-buy.

DNC 2016: Barack Obama, in swan-song to his party, extols Hillary Clinton for experience and steel

 
To deep-throated applause and chants of ‘Yes we can!’, Barack Obama stepped into the giant sports arena hosting Democrats in Philadelphia to declare that, “there has never been a man or a woman more qualified than Hillary Clinton to serve as President of the United States”.
If there was voltage in the air when he started, it became a full electric storm as, at the moment he seemed to be departing, Ms Clinton herself walked onto the stage in a surprise appearance to give him a hug of appreciation. They left the stage together to roars from thrilled delegates, her arm around his waist.
In his address, Mr Obama depicted Ms Clinton as a candidate seasoned to serve in the Oval Office and a person who “never, ever quits”. And most importantly, he said, she has, after serving as Secretary of State, seen the job of being president first hand and what it involves.

“Until you’ve sat at that desk, you don’t know what it’s like to manage a global crisis or send young people to war,” he said. “Hillary’s been in the room; she’s been part of those decisions.”
It was a speech that was part paean to the newly minted nominee, part nostalgia for his nearly eight years on Pennsylvania Avenue, and part vigorous rejection of the dark portrait of America he said was being offered by her Republican foe, Donald Trump.
“This year, in this election, I’m asking you to join me - to reject cynicism, reject fear, to summon what’s best in us; to elect Hillary Clinton as the next President of the United States, and show the world we still believe in the promise of this great nation,” Mr Obama declared.
“No matter how daunting the odds; no matter how much people try to knock her down, she never, ever quits. That’s the Hillary I know. That’s the Hillary I’ve come to admire.  And that’s why I can say with confidence there has never been a man or a woman more qualified than Hillary Clinton - not me, not Bill, not anybody - to serve as President of the United States.”

Clinton joins Obama at the end of his speech

It was also a speech laced with reminders of the Mr Obama of 2008 when he deployed his oratorical skills to dispatch Ms Clinton on the way to the White House. “Democracy isn’t a spectator sport,” he intoned. “America isn’t about 'yes he will’. It’s about ‘yes we can’.  And we’re going to carry Hillary to victory this fall, because that’s what the moment demands.”
Her Republican rival is “offering slogans, and he’s offering fear,” Mr Obama said. “He’s betting that if he scares enough people, he might score just enough votes to win this election.”
“That is another bet that Donald Trump will lose. Because he’s selling the American people short. We are not a fragile or frightful people. Our power doesn’t come from some self-declared savior promising that he alone can restore order. We don’t look to be ruled.”
“Anyone who threatens our values,” as a land, he said, “whether fascists or communists or jihadists or homegrown demagogues, will always fail in the end.”
“America is already great. America is already strong. And I promise you, our strength, our greatness, does not depend on Donald Trump…it doesn’t depend on any one person.  And that, in the end, may be the biggest difference in this election - the meaning of our democracy.”
If the tone of speakers before him had verged on mockery, Mr Obama’s attacks on Mr Trump were sober in tone. He admonished delegates not to boo the first time he uttered his name.
“Donald’s not really a plans guy,” he sad. “Not really a facts guy, either. He calls himself a business guy, which is true, but I have to say, I know plenty of businessmen and women who’ve achieved success without leaving a trail of lawsuits, and unpaid workers, and people feeling like they got cheated.” His message seemed most urgent on Mr Trump and foreign policy.
“He cozies up to Putin, praises Saddam Hussein, and tells the NATO allies that stood by our side after 9/11 that they have to pay up if they want our protection.  Well, America’s promises do not come with a price tag.  We meet our commitments, we bear or burden.”
And he clearly took personally the contention of Mr Trump that America is a country in perilous, chronic decline.
“What we heard in Cleveland last week wasn’t particularly Republican - and it sure wasn’t conservative.  What we heard was a deeply pessimistic vision of a country where we turn against each other, and turn away from the rest of the world. There were no serious solutions to pressing problems - just the fanning of resentment, and blame, and anger, and hate."
“That is not the America I know,” he said “The America I know is full of courage, and optimism, and ingenuity,” he said. “The America I know is decent and generous.”
If Mr Obama had told aides he did not want the speech to be about him, someone couldn’t resist. Before he came to the stage a gauzy paean panned through those moments of greatest challenge for him in the Oval Office, from financial meltdown to the killing of Osama bin Laden, and greatest achievements including the passage of healthcare reform and of gay marriage.

Kaine welcomed by delegates in the hall

Mr Obama came surely aware that he will soon be leaving office having woven a presidency that may largely be well remembered by history but is replete with holes. There are specific goals that will go unmet - from closing Guantanamo Bay to bringing about new strictures on gun ownership - to more holistic ones like his promise to deliver an American less divided politically.
Even in endorsing Ms Clinton, he was turning a blind eye to her newly contorted position on opposing ratification of the Trans-Pacific Partnership, TPP, a free-trade treaty of 12 nations, that Mr Obama has seen as one of the most significant planks of his legacy as president.
Most critical to Mr Obama's legacy, however, is convincing Americans to elect the candidate who will not destroy it, but give it a new four-year or eight-year fresh lease. Just as she has not hesitated to tie herself to him on the trail as his approval ratings have risen above 50 per cent again, so he now has everything invested in her taking the keys to the Oval Office from him. "She will finish the job," he said at point in his speech. He was talking about destroying Isis, he might as well as been talking about all of his agenda.
Mr Obama was the star turn in a night of Democrat A-listers, however, all assembled with a common, urgent task: the painting of Mr Trump as a dangerous demagogue who would bring disaster to the country. Or, as Vice President Joe Biden put it in a speech brimming with grave passion, a “man who seeks to sow division in America for his own gain and disorder around the world, a man who confuses bluster or strength”. He ended: “We simply cannot let that happen as Americans.”

Bathing in the love - Joe Biden with his Democrat friends

“He shows up saying he cares about the middle class,” Mr Biden, who once toyed with competing with Ms Clinton for the nomination but demurred. “Give me a break! That's a bunch of malarkey. He has no clue about what makes America great.  Actually he has no clue, period.” That remark sent the hall into a spontaneous chorus of “Not a clue! Not a clue!”
Also in the arena was Michael Bloomberg, the former Mayor of New York who assumed that office as a Republican but who said that he could not stay silent faced with the threat of a Trump White House. “Trump says he wants to run the nation like he is running his business?” Mr Bloomberg, a self-made billionaire, asked. “God help us. I am a New Yorker and I know a con when I see one…Truth be told the richest thing about Donald Trump is his hypocrisy.”
The task was also taken up by Senator Tim Kaine, who began by accepting the nomination of running mate before riffing on Mr Trump's penchant for saying "believe me" with every campaign promise he makes.  "He never tells you how he is going to do any of the things he says he is going to do, he just says, 'Believe me'," he intoned, peppering his remarks with Spanish.  "The question is, do you believe him?" The entire auditorium faithfully boomed, "no!".  "Folks you can't blelieve one word that comes out of Donald Trump's mouth, not one word."

John Stones to Manchester City: 'Everyone knows we're going to try,' says boss Pep Guardiola on Everton defender

 
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has admitted for the first time that he is interested in signing Everton defender John Stones with the Catalan also providing an update on Leroy Sane.
The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss watched his side secure a penalty shoot-out victory against Borussia Dortmund in China on Thursday but was aggrieved when Sergio Agüero’s opener was cancelled out in added time by Christian Pulisic.
After already confirming deals for İlkay Gündoğan, Nolito, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Aaron Mooy earlier this summer, Guardiola was quizzed on the prospects of adding Stones and Sane to his ranks as City’s spending approaches £100m
“Sane is a player from Schalke. If he comes, we'll be happy. If he stays, I'll be happy for the Schalke fans,” Guardiola told reporters. “[In Stones' case,] it's the same answer for Sane - he's a player for Everton. Everyone knows we're going to try but we will see.”
Reports suggest City are growing increasingly confident of luring Stones away from Goodison Park for a fee in the region of £42m despite the Merseyside club hoping to push the deal beyond £50m in the coming weeks.
Schalke, meanwhile, appear resigned to losing attacking midfielder Sane, 20, but the two clubs are yet to agree a financial package. The Bundesliga club are believed to want up to £40m but the Etihad hierarchy have yet to reach that figure in negotiations.

Elsewhere, Palmeiras striker Gabriel Jesus, part of the Brazil squad for the Rio Olympics, is another player who could also cost in excess of £20m as Guardiola continues his overhaul of the squad he inherited from Manuel Pellegrini last month.
City face Arsenal in their final pre-season friendly next weekend before the Premier League opener at home against David Moyes’ Sunderland on 13 August.

Paul Pogba to Manchester United: £100m transfer 'could be completed in 48 hours' after breakthrough in Juventus talks

Manchester United are reportedly confident they have made a breakthrough in their long-standing pursuit of Paul Pogba with a £100m transfer expected to be completed in the next 48 hours.
A €110m (£100m) fee, which includes €10m in add-ons, is said to have been agreed with Juventus meaning the player’s agent, Mino Raiola, can now continue to negotiate the terms on the Frenchman’s contract at Old Trafford with the Italian club also demanding a further €5m if new terms are agreed in the future.
The 23-year-old left United on a free transfer in 2012 on Sir Alex Ferguson’s watch but he is ready to return to the North West and link-up with Jose Mourinho’s squad ahead of the Community Shield clash with Premier League champions Leicester City on 3 August.
The report adds that Juventus would like United to pay the figure in full so the Italian title winners can recoup the €90m (£75.8m) figure they spent on taking Gonzalo Higuain from Serie A rivals Napoli earlier this week.
These developments come after Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane implied he is still in the race to sign Pogba, but United are far ahead of their Spanish rivals in terms of agreeing both a fee and personal terms.

Manchester United are reportedly confident they have made a breakthrough in their long-standing pursuit of Paul Pogba with a £100m transfer expected to be completed in the next 48 hours.
A €110m (£100m) fee, which includes €10m in add-ons, is said to have been agreed with Juventus meaning the player’s agent, Mino Raiola, can now continue to negotiate the terms on the Frenchman’s contract at Old Trafford with the Italian club also demanding a further €5m if new terms are agreed in the future.
The 23-year-old left United on a free transfer in 2012 on Sir Alex Ferguson’s watch but, according to The Guardian on Thursday, he is ready to return to the North West and link-up with Jose Mourinho’s squad ahead of the Community Shield clash with Premier League champions Leicester City on 3 August.
The report adds that Juventus would like United to pay the figure in full so the Italian title winners can recoup the €90m (£75.8m) figure they spent on taking Gonzalo Higuain from Serie A rivals Napoli earlier this week.
These developments come after Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane implied he is still in the race to sign Pogba, but United are far ahead of their Spanish rivals in terms of agreeing both a fee and personal terms.

Zidane said: “I don’t know if he will come. Until 31 August anything can happen. Everyone is interested in Pogba. He is a great footballer and when you are Madrid you always want the best.
“But now he is not a Real Madrid player, he is a Juventus player. I can’t say anything more.”
United have already secured lucrative deals to sign defender Eric Bailly (£30m), Zlatan Ibrahimovic (free) and Henrikh Mkhitaryan (£26m) as the club’s Portuguese new manager sets about trying to restore the club among the European elite.
Ibrahimovic is set to join his new team-mates in training at Carrington this afternoon (Thurs), prompting captain Wayne Rooney to reveal his excitement at the Swede’s arrival this week.
“I am looking forward to it,” the 30-year-old said. “I think he has been one of the best strikers in world football over the last 10 years and he has always won trophies everywhere he has been.
“He is a huge character so I am looking forward to getting back, training with him and hopefully forming a good partnership and being successful together.”

Stoke City snap up Ramadan Sobhi

Stoke City have signed Egypt international Ramadan Sobhi from Al Ahly for a fee that could rise to €6million.

The 19-year-old, who Stoke claim to be "widely regarded as the most exciting prospect in African football", becomes the club's first signing ahead of the 2016-17 Premier League season.

Chief executive Tony Scholes said: "We are absolutely delighted to have signed a player of Ramadan’s undoubted quality and potential.

"He’s a special young talent who is excited about the prospect of making an impact in the Premier League and we’re looking forward to giving him that platform."

Sobhi, capped six times by Egypt, is set to meet his new team-mates in Orlando later this week once his UK visa comes through.

Germany Blast Syrian asylum seeker killed by own bomb outside music festival

 

A 27-year-old Syrian man denied asylum in Germany a year ago died on Sunday, July 24, when he set off a bomb outside a crowded music festival in Bavaria, an official said, in the fourth violent attack in the country in less than a week.

Police said a dozen people were wounded, including three seriously, in the attack in Ansbach, a town of 40,000 people southwest of Nuremberg that is also home to a U.S. Army base.

The incident will fuel growing public unease about Chancellor Angela Merkel's open-door refugee policy, under which more than a million migrants have entered Germany over the past year, many fleeing war in Afghanistan, Syria and Iraq.

The dead man had been in treatment after twice before trying to kill himself, though Sunday's explosion was more than just "a pure suicide attempt", Bavarian Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann told Reuters.

An Islamist link could not be ruled out, he earlier told reporters.

"It's terrible ... that someone who came into our country to seek shelter has now committed such a heinous act and injured a large number of people who are at home here, some seriously," Herrmann told a hastily convened news conference early on Monday.

"It's a further, horrific attack that will increase the already growing security concerns of our citizens. We must do everything possible to prevent the spread of such violence in our country by people who came here to ask for asylum."

Herrmann told Reuters the man arrived in Germany two years ago and had been in trouble with local police repeatedly for drug-taking and other offences.

He said investigators had yet to determine the motive of the attacks. "Because the rucksack and this bomb were packed with so many metal parts that could have killed and injured many more people, it cannot simply be considered a pure suicide attempt."

It was the second violent incident in Germany on Sunday and the fourth in the last week, including the killing of nine people by a deranged 18-year-old Iranian-German gunman in Munich on Friday.