Passengers terror as plane 'shakes like washing machine' before 'loud explosion' as crew and pilot PRAY for safe landing

Passengers on an AirAsia flight were left petrified after the pilot was forced to turn round the plane when the aircraft 'shook like a washing machine' an hour and a half into its journey.

Terrified crew reportedly prayed for a safe landing after the Malaysian-bound flight returned to Perth after the engine seized up.
Passenger Brenton Atkinson told ABC News the plane had been shaking 'pretty bad' before they heard a small explosion.

The 24-year-old said: "The whole thing, the plane started vibrating and shaking pretty bad, and we had to turn round and come back.
"It was literally like you were sitting on top of a washing machine.

"It was essentially engine failure, that's what they told us anyway."
Flight D7237, which departed shortly before 7am Sunday morning from Perth Airport, and was heading to Kuala Lumpar, landed back in Perth at 10am.

When passengers disembarked Ben said he realised "one of the blades had actually come off the turbine".
Perth teachers Damos Stevens and Mitch Jamieson filmed themselves sitting on the aeroplane as it shook through the air.

Damos is heard on the video, which shows the harsh vibrations of the plane, saying: 'We'll be having 60million beers when we get back'.
He told Daily Mail Australia the pilot had told passengers to 'say a prayer for us', as the plane returned to Perth.

Passenger Sophie Nicolas described the ordeal as "terrifying".
"I could just tell by the cabin crew's reaction that it was really bad," she said.

"I was crying a lot, a lot of people were crying, trying to call their mums and stuff but we couldn't really do anything just wait and trust the captain."
A statement from AirAsia said passengers were attended to by ground staff and 'all necessary assistance' was being provided.
They said: "The safety of our guests are our utmost priority."

Al Capone song, pocket watch fetch over $100K at auction

Artifacts connected to some of the nation's most notorious gangsters sold for more than $100,000 at auction Saturday.

A diamond pocket watch that belonged to Al Capone and was produced in Chicago in the 1920s, along with a handwritten musical composition he wrote in Alcatraz in the 1930s, were among the items that sold at the "Gangsters, Outlaws and Lawmen" auction. The watch fetched the most — $84,375 — according to Boston-based RR Auction.The winning bidder of the watch was not identified. The buyer is a collector who has an eye for interesting American artifacts, said RR Auction Executive Vice President Bobby Livingston. He was among about 30 internet, telephone and in-person bidders.

Capone's musical piece entitled "Humoresque" sold for $18,750. The piece shows Capone's softer side. It contains the lines: "You thrill and fill this heart of mine, with gladness like a soothing symphony, over the air, you gently float, and in my soul, you strike a note."

Livingston told The Associated Press he wasn't surprised that lyrics written by a man better known for organized crime than his musical talents sold at the auction because of the way Capone "resonates in the American imagination."

"The musical artifact gives insight into who this man was," Livingston said. "It humanizes him, and shows that he had an imagination and creativity. These people had talents and they used those talents, unfortunately for criminal endeavors."

Livingston was referring not just to Capone, but to infamous couple Bonnie and Clyde. An autographed "So Long" letter written by Bonnie Parker and signed by Clyde Barrow just before their deaths sold for $16,250. A pair of Texas arrest warrants fetched $8,125.

Parker's silver-plated, three-headed snake ring fetched $25,000. The ring was not made by Barrow— a skilled amateur craftsman who engaged in jewelry making, woodworking and leathercraft behind bars — as originally believed, according to RR Auction's website.
Clyde Barrow's nephew, Buddy Barrow, and Bonnie Parker's niece, Rhea Leen Linder, were in attendance.

"I asked Buddy Barrow what his uncle would be thinking about the auction, he felt that Clyde would have said 'make as much money as you can'," Livingston said.

A letter written by John Gotti, the reputed head of the Gambino crime family in New York, didn't sell. The 1998 letter to the daughter of a mob associate urges the recipient to tell her father "to keep the martinis cold."

Europeans learn to live with — and adapt to — terror attacks

The jihadis' targets in Europe are depressingly repetitive: the Brussels metro, the Champs-Elysees in Paris (twice), tourist-filled bridges in London (twice) and a U.K. rock concert. And that's just the past few months.

The steady stream of attacks on centers of daily life have drawn pledges from Europeans not to let terrorists change how they live, but in ways large and small they already have.

There is a heightened awareness and quicker reactions, especially in the hardest-hit countries of France, Britain and Belgium, that would have seemed unthinkable just a few years ago.
In Brussels on Tuesday, a 36-year-old Moroccan man shouting "Allahu akbar!" set off a bomb among subway commuters. The bomb didn't detonate in full and a soldier shot him dead.
It was another Muslim, Mohamed Charfih, who demanded that the subway's doors be closed before the attacker could enter.

"I heard people on the platform shouting for help," he told the news site DH. He looked out and knew what he saw. "I screamed to close the doors immediately. I asked to get out of there as fast as possible and that everyone get down on the floor."
That reaction, blocking the door and fleeing, has become part of official instructions on what to do in case of an attack in France. Signs have been posted in public areas and even schools showing people running, ducking beneath a window, or using heavy furniture as a barricade.

Tensions are high enough in central Paris that on Thursday the quick-response police unit reacted to a witness' phone call about a man wearing a sidearm by tackling him on the street, only to learn that he was a ranking member of the anti-terrorism squad, according to French media.

In Britain, decades of IRA attacks prompted the installation of country-wide TV surveillance cameras — one of the most expansive systems in the world. Paris is quickly ramping up its own camera system, to the point where authorities were able this week to track the minute-by-minute path of the man who tried to attack a Champs-Elysee gendarme patrol until the moment he rammed their vehicle. The man died of burns and smoke inhalation — the only casualty of his act — but left behind a substantial arsenal.

Both Britain and France have installed barriers around airports, train stations and other public buildings in recent years. Since the Westminster bridge attack in March, however, talks are underway to install even more barriers on bridges and around crowded places such as London's Borough Market, where three attackers this month went on a stabbing rampage after crashing their vehicle on a busy street not far from London Bridge.

Echoing France, London's security authorities have issued advice to pubs and restaurants since the attacks with the message of "Run, Tell and Hide." The advice includes establishing whether the threat is inside or outside and not waiting for police to decide whether the venue should be locked down or evacuated.

Few British commuters have changed their habits. After suicide bombers in 2005 struck trains and buses during a busy London morning rush-hour, scores of commuters started riding bicycles to work. That method of transport has its own problems in London — with the number of annual cyclist deaths a rising concern.

Three of the four recent attacks, however, have involved the use of a vehicle as a weapon — much like the deadly 2016 Nice attack in France that killed 87 people.

"I suppose I could try taking a boat to work, but before long I'm sure they would attack those too. So I'm just taking my chances," said Rohan Chansity, a 34-year-old finance worker in London.
Parents and teachers are talking to children more about being observant — a skill often lost on a gadget-obsessed generation.

A suicide bomber blew himself up last month at Manchester Arena, killing 22 people, mostly young concert-goers.
"We talk about being observant, looking for exits, making sure you're around a responsible crowd - but in the end, it's not like I'm going to keep her from going to concerts," said Moira Campbell, 45, who has a 15-year-old daughter.

Tourists, too, say they are aware of potential dangers but have refused to be cowed.
Dave Howland, who traveled from New Hampshire to London with his youngest son a few days before the Borough Market attack, said he was conscious of the threat when he went to Shakespeare's Globe theatre, a round wooden venue in the Borough Market area.

"I looked around and didn't see exit signs," said the 47-year-old English teacher who lives in Durham. "But then I looked around and saw this performance and that people were celebrating life. So I thought, we're going to enjoy the moment. London is an incredible city, and life is too short not to enjoy everything you can."

The latest would-be assailant on the Champs-Elysees had an arsenal of firearms in both his car and at home, and France's anti-terrorism prosecutor said disaster was averted only by sheer luck. It was the second attack in less than two months on the famous avenue.

Still, tourists and Parisians still flock to the Champs-Elysees, watched over by camouflaged soldiers carrying automatic rifles. And in Brussels, the day after the fizzled metro bombing, the headlines focused on how to cope with the recent heat wave.

The weather, it seems, is not going away — just like the jihadi threats. - Associated Press 

Billionaire kidnapper: Evans reveals mistake that led to his arrest

Billionaire kidnapper, Chukwudumeje Onwuamadike, also known as Evans, has blamed failure to follow his instinct for his arrest by the police.

Evans, who had managed to evade arrest for several years, was a few weeks ago apprehended in Magodo by a special unit constituted by the Inspector General of Police in conjunction with operatives of the Lagos State Police Command.

Billionaire kidnapper, Chukwudumeje Onwuamadike, also known as Evans, has blamed failure to follow his instinct for his arrest by the police.
Evans, who had managed to evade arrest for several years, was a few weeks ago apprehended in Magodo by a special unit constituted by the Inspector General of Police in conjunction with operatives of the Lagos State Police Command.

”I was worried and I called my gang members wanting to know what actually transpired. They all blamed Uche, who was in charge of the den

”I told them that I was going to deal with him. At that time, my mind started racing and I was trying to think of what to do because I knew that the Police would come after me with force.
”Five days later, I read a story in Vanguard Newspaper that the IGP had deployed, Abba Kyari and his men to Lagos State, to track my boys and I and they have also visited the den, where Mr. Dunu escaped from.

“That was about the same time they placed a bounty of N30million for information that could lead to my arrest.
“Some of my men, who got news started panicking, but I assured them that I was on top of the situation and that the police would not get me.
“My Second-in-Command, Felix called me and expressed fears, but I assured him that the Police can’t arrest me and I was also making preparations to kidnap one other person.

‘’When Suoyo, who lives in Beyelsa state, called me and expressed fears, I also assured him that nothing was going to happen.
“I told him I was making plans for another operation and needed him to go into the creeks and buy a new set of arms and ammunition for me.” - Daily Post

Messi's gritty hometown braces for a glam wedding

Security is at the top of everyone's minds in Rosario, Argentina these days.
On Friday, soccer superstar Lionel Messi will be married there to Antonella Roccuzzo at a lavish celebration bringing together some of the world's best-paid soccer players, just up the street from one of the city's poorest and most dangerous neighborhoods.

Some 21 members of the hugely popular FC Barcelona team, including Luis Suarez and Neymar, as well as stars like Gerard Pique -- accompanied by partner Shakira, perhaps more popular than the Catalan defender himself -- will be flying into this port city 180 miles (300 kilometers) north of Buenos Aires.

The luxurious City Center casino-hotel complex, where guests will stay and the ceremony is expected to take place, borders a poor neighborhood known as the birthplace of the bloody drug gang Los Monos.

"Messi's marriage -- like the casino's presence in the neighborhood -- is a metaphor for inequality," provincial official Carlos Del Frade, author of several books on Rosario's exploding drug trade, told AFP.

A mere 400 yards (meters) from the bright lights and neon of City Center, two people on a motorcycle opened fire June 17 on four women belonging to Los Monos. The attack claimed the life of Petrona Cantero, 56, the sister of Ariel Cantero, the historic leader of Los Monos, who is now serving a prison sentence.

Drug gang-linked violence has claimed more than 1,000 lives in the past five years in this gritty port city, Del Frade said.
Last year, the homicide rate in Rosario was double the national average of seven per 100,000 inhabitants, according to a report from the Ministry of Security of Santa Fe province, which includes Rosario.

In the Las Flores neighborhood, just behind the City Center complex, Los Monos holds virtually total power, according to Del Frade, who said the gang amounts to the "de facto government" there.

'He feels comfortable here'
Historically, Rosario has long had a strong working class, and today's violence stems largely from widespread unemployment, political scientists and economists say.
Messi's father, a metalworker here in the 1990s, emigrated with his family to Barcelona in 2000, amid the grave economic crisis then facing Argentina.

Today, the government in Rosario says it feels confident the safety of the illustrious visitor and his guests can be assured, regardless of the high crime rate.



"Rosario is prepared for the wedding," city administrator Monica Fein told AFP. "Lionel chose to come get married here because it is his hometown and he feels comfortable here and we will do everything in our power to make it so."

For now, the details of the planned security operation remain closely guarded.
Last week, local officials met with representatives of the Messi family, but no information leaked out, including on the location of the meeting itself, which was changed at the last moment to keep journalists away.

Gustavo Leone, a Rosario official, explained that this was "a private event."
He added that if some guests want to visit Messi's city a private tour will be arranged, but only under conditions of strict security and confidentiality.

'I just can't believe it'
Some local residents, people who know every twist and turn in the city's streets, cannot understand the decision by the soccer star -- who made some 70 million euros last season, according to the Eurosport sports network -- to hold his wedding celebration in such an unsafe area.

"The truth is, I'm surprised they're doing it here, considering that Messi is one of the best-paid players in the world. I just can't believe it," Micaela Llane, a 24-year-old secretary here, told AFP.

Locals have been following the preparations as if they were all expecting to be invited, so they know all about last-minute changes to the plans.
"The other hotel (the five-star Puerto Norte, where the celebration was to have been held) is in a much prettier area," said Ariel Vallejo, who works for a private security firm.

And everyone dreams of showing off the best parts of the city where the soccer superstar -- five-time winner of the prestigious Ballon d'Or award -- was born.

Femi Fani-Kayode: Nigeria – free nation or conquered vassal state?

“I freed a thousand slaves. I could have freed a thousand more if only they knew they were slaves”- Harriet Tubman.
How can anyone describe Nigeria as a free nation when Sheik Othman Dan Fodio, the hero of the core Muslim north, the father of the Fulani Caliphate and the first Mahdi of Nigeria once said,

“Allah has bestowed on me and my people the historic duty to spread the holy faith of the Prophet throughout the Caliphate and convert these pagans. If they refuse to accept Allah and his Prophet we will wash the earth, the forests, the mountains, the rivers and the streams with their pagan blood. Ours is a holy and righteous calling. We are doing the work of Allah”.

How can anyone describe Nigeria as a free nation when Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Saurdana of Sokoto, the Premier of the Northern Region and the second Mahdi of Nigeria once said,
“The new nation called Nigeria should be an estate of our great grandfather Othman Dan Fodio. We must ruthlessly prevent a change of power. We use the minorities in the north as willing tools and the south as conquered territory and never allow them to rule over us and never allow them to have control over their future”.

How can anyone describe Nigeria as being free when General Muhammadu Buhari, the indisputable King of the north, the avenging sword of the Caliphate, the almighty President of the Federal Republic, the unquestionable leader of the African Mujahadeen and the third and last Mahdi of Nigeria once said,
“It is my intention to spread sharia to every part of Nigeria” and that “why should Christians bother when Muslims chop off the hands of Muslims in the name of sharia” and that “Muslims should only vote for Muslims” and finally that “an attack on Boko Haram is an attack on the north”.

What portion do those of us that are southerners and Middle Belters have in this so-called “free country” and why have we been consistently denied the right to decide whether we wish to remain in it by having a referendum?

Were we born to be slaves whilst others were born to rule? God forbid it. My Christian faith teaches me that I am the head and not the tail.
It teaches me that it is a sore sight and a great evil under the sun to see the sons of slaves riding on horseback whilst the sons of the King walk around on bare feet.
It teaches me that we are the head and not the tail and that light is meant to overcome darkness and not that darkness overcomes the light.

The truth is that whichever way you look at it Nigeria is not free and Nigeria is not one nation.
We are in bondage and servitude to the sons and daughters of Futa Jalon and we are badly divided. That is the subject of this essay.
Permit me to share some bitter truths here.
I repeat, Nigeria is not a nation. As a matter of fact she was NEVER a nation. She is and has always been a monumental fraud and a manifestation of colonial Britain’s doublespeak and deceit.

In 1947 she was rightly described as a “mere geographical expression” by Chief Obafemi Awolowo but since then she has degenerated even further.
Today she is is no longer a “mere geographical expression” but instead a fully-fledged and dysfunctional vassal state and a colony of timid slaves that is owned lock, stock and barrel by the all-powerful, all-seeing and all-knowing Fulani hegemonists.

Yet in their pitiful delusion and blissful ignorance some still claim that we are a free modern nation-state where all are equal.
My questions for those that actually believe this nonsensical assertion and that espouse this erroneous notion are as follows:
How can anyone describe Nigeria as being free when Christian Religious Knowledge (CRK) is removed from the curriculum and Islamic Arabic Studies (IAS) is made compulsory?

How can anyone describe Nigeria as being free when Christians are banned BY LAW from buying land to build churches in most parts of the core north?
How can anyone describe Nigeria as being free when every single security and intelligence agency in the nation except for the Navy is headed by a northern Muslim?

How can anyone describe Nigeria as being free when there are NO Christian commanders (i.e. those that have operational control over troop deployments) in charge of STRATEGIC commands in the Nigerian Army today?

How can anyone describe Nigeria as being free when ALL the STRATEGIC commands in the Nigerian Army are in the hands of Muslims?
How can anyone describe Nigeria as being free when ALL the units under the Education Ministry are headed by northern Muslims and the Minister of Education himself is a Muslim.

How can anyone describe Nigeria as being free when the words Christ, Church, Christianity or Christian are not mentioned ONCE in the constitution and when the word sharia is mentioned 73 times, Grand Khadi 54 times, Islam 29 times and Muslims 10 times.

How can anyone describe Nigeria as being free when, since Buhari came to power, any mention of Jesus or God is censored out of Nigerian films by the Nigerian Censors Board whilst the word Allah is mentioned freely.
How can anyone describe Nigeria as being free when there is an obvious and relentless attempt to islamise the country.

How can anyone describe Nigeria as being free when there was an attempt by President Buhari to quietly pass a law that will give large tracts of land to Fulani herdsmen in every state of the Federation so that they can infiltrate, settle down in, breed with and eventually overwhelm and take over all the communities in which they were given that land.

How can anyone describe Nigeria as being free when the Federal Government refuses to arrest the elderly Professor Ango Abdullahi and the rebellious, recalcitrant, blood-baying and bloodthirsty Arewa youths and lock them ALL up for their implicit threat to commit genocide against the Igbo if they don’t leave the north by 1st October?

How can anyone describe Nigeria as being free when the Arewa Youths can send an open letter to the Acting President describing the entire Igbo race as ingrates who have “not learnt their lessons from the past” and who “ought to be thrown out of the north” and “out of Nigeria?”

How can anyone describe Nigeria as being free when the the Northern Youth Leaders Forum (NYLF) can tell the Federal Government that “Nigeria will boil”, that there will be “a crisis that will spiral beyond control if the Arewa youths are arrested” and that “the Presidency will not be allowed to go to the south under any circumstances in 2019?”

How can anyone describe Nigeria as being free when well-armed Fulani militants and herdsmen commit genocide against whole communities and yet not one of them has been arrested?
How can anyone describe Nigeria as being free when cows (yes cows!) drive children out of their classrooms in Edo state and drive worshippers out of their churches in Benue state.

How can Nigeria be described as being free when Miyetti Allah appear to be above the law?
How can anyone describe Nigeria as being free when we are about to enter a season of carnage, chaos and anomie and when the Federal Government have shown no desire or inclination to deliver our people from those who believe that they own Nigeria and who wish to drink our blood and eat our flesh?

How can anyone describe Nigeria as being free when those in power today together with the entire Hausa-Fuani ruling class have consistently said no to restructuring?

How can anyone describe Nigeria as being free when the cabal that know that Buhari’s health will not allow him to come back to rule wish to use the slaughter of the Igbo as a reason and a scapegoat to cause CRISIS in the country and truncate our democracy rather than allow a Southern Christian President to continue in power?

How can anyone describe Nigeria as being free when the leaders of the ruling APC are considered as being above the law and continuously commit all manner of crimes and acts of corruption with impunity whilst dissenters, opposition figures and the perceived enemies of the government are subjected to horrendous persecution, media trials and the brazen violation of their human rights and civil liberties?

How can anyone describe Nigeria as being free when the welfare of cows and the interest of cattle-rearers are more important than that of hard-working and productive patriots and innocent young school children?

How can anyone describe Nigeria as being free when, since Buhari came to power, it is very difficult for a northern Christian to get admission into Ahmadu Bello University, the leading institution of higher learning in northern Nigeria?

How can anyone describe Nigeria as being free when there is a strange Arabic insignia and unintelligible Arabic words apparently depicting Othman Dan Fodio’s battle cry inscribed on the coat of arms of the Nigerian Army.
How can anyone describe Nigeria as being free when english is replaced with hausa in Nigerian army parades?

How can anyone describe Nigeria as being free when President Muhammadu Buhari openly expresses his disdain for the Igbo and encourages the hate-speech and threats that they are being subjected to today?

How can anyone describe Nigeria as being free when Acting President Yemi Osinbajo will allege that there is corruption in the Church but dare not allege that there is corruption in the mosques?
How can anyone describe Nigeria as being free when the Acting President condemns what he describes as “hate speech” yet he refuses to arrest and detain those who not only kill Christians, southerners and Middle Belters but who also incite their murderous foot soldiers against them every day?

I could go on and on.
What those that continuously threaten others with violence and carnage fail to appreciate is as follows: for every mujahideen there is a crusader. For every tyrant there is a deliverer. For every oppressor there is a freedom fighter. For every globalist there is a nationalist.

For every integrationist there is a separatist. For every lily-livered and chicken-hearted coward there is a courageous and valiant hero and for every Goliath there is a David.

Yet despite our collective and pitiful servitude there is a silver lining on this very dark cloud.
The demand for restructuring or, failing that, self-determination and full-blown independence is now very strong amongst the progressive forces and the long-oppressed ethnic nationalities in the land.

This, coupled with the demand by the leaders of the three southern zones that the Arewa youths must withdraw their threat to the Igbo, is commendable and historic.

They have also issued a timely warning that an attack on the Igbo would be deemed as an attack on the entire south. This gives us hope.
This indicates to us that the tree of liberty will soon be watered by the blood of the patriots and tyrants as it once was in the history of each and every one of the great western democracies.
This proves that we are finally ready to pay the terrible price for our collective freedom and to make the necessary sacrifices.

Simply put, the yoke and affliction of slavery and bondage shall soon be broken and Nigeria shall soon be free.
The first Nigerian civil war was about keeping Nigeria one. The second will be about winning our freedom.

Michael Adebolajo: Nigerian now regarded as Britain’s most dangerous prisoner

Michael Adebolajo, one of the suspects who murdered Fusilier Lee Rigby, is now reportedly regarded as the most dangerous British prisoner.

According to Mirror UK, the 31-year-old has been described by a prison officer as “violent, unpredictable and a major danger to other prisoners”, due to his ability to radicalise other inmates.

A number of inmates have been converted into Adebolajo’s extremist version of Islam and have vowed to become Jihadis when they are eventually freed.
“Adebolajo spends most of his waking hours preaching his distorted form of Islam to anyone who will listen. He sees every inmate as a potential Islamic State soldier whether they are Muslims or not.

“He has a big personality and is very charismatic and some of the more vulnerable prisoners will fall under his spell. He is a very dangerous individual,” a prison official said.

It is understood that Adebolajo has been given “special category” status, because of the danger he represents.
The source added: “If he is suspected of trying to radicalise other inmates we step in and move him.
“But even in prison Adebolajo cannot be watched all the time. We don’t have the staff or the resources.”

Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale killed Fusilier Lee Rigby near his barracks in Woolwich Barracks, South East London in 2013.

Lampard: Costa hard to replace

Frank Lampard admits Chelsea will face a tough task attempting to replace Diego Costa if the Spain forward leaves the club.

Costa revealed he would be interested in re-joining former club Atletico Madrid having been told by manager Antonio Conte that he does not feature in his plans for next season.

Atletico are unable to register any new players this summer having had their appeal against their transfer ban rejected by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) earlier this month, meaning Costa would not be able to feature until January if he did complete a move back to the club before the start of next season.

Costa scored 20 goals in 35 Premier League appearances last season as Chelsea cruised to the title, leaving Lampard in no doubt that only a select group of forwards could replace the 28-year-old.

"He's a fantastic striker and we all saw that last season and since he's been at Chelsea. He would be very difficult to replace, there's no doubt about it," Lampard, Chelsea's all-time record scorer, told Sky Sports News HQ.

"I don't know where Diego Costa's mind is, whether he wants to leave or not, that's all speculation. One thing that is for sure, is that you've got a great striker in him.
"So, if he stays, brilliant, if he doesn't, then you'll have to go to the top end of the world's strikers to replace him. He's an all-round physical presence that also has the quality to get goals, that's not easy to find in the modern day."

Chelsea have been linked in the national press with a move for their former forward Romelu Lukaku, who looks set to leave Everton this summer after four seasons at Goodison park.

The Belgium international revealed earlier this month he had reached "an agreement" with another Premier League side, but refused to name the club.

 Lukaku struggled to establish himself as a first-team regular after joining Chelsea from Anderlecht in 2011, but has since transformed himself into one of the Premier League's most prolific scorers away from Stamford Bridge.
"I know Romelu from playing alongside him, it was early on in his career and he probably didn't get the chances in his first spell at the club," Lampard said.

"He's certainly developed to a huge degree since he left the club, Romelu would certainly be a good option. The only thing Chelsea have to look at is the inflated market that is around now, it makes it very tough.

"In terms of an all-round striker, he's proven to have scored goals at Everton, but there are others. I'm sure they'll try and get a player in the same mode as Diego Costa that can give them a physical presence and 20 goals a season."

Police Arrest Army Corporal Collaborator Of Billionaire Kidnapper Evans

Nigerian police operatives have arrested a Lance Corporal with the Army for being an alleged accomplice to suspected kidnap kingpin, Chukwudumeje George Onwuamadike, alias Evans.

The soldier identified as Victor Chukwunonso with force number 09/NA/64/6317 was apprehended at the weekend in Lagos after Evans named him and some prominent southeast businessmen as his accomplices.

The suspect, serving at the Army Band Corps, Abati Barracks in Surulere, was arrested around 9 pm at Ojo by operatives of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Intelligence Response Team (IRT).
Chukwunonso, a native of Onitsha in Anambra State, it was gathered, confessed to having followed Evans on three kidnap missions.

According to sources, Chukwunonso confessed to having received N2million, N1.5million, and N3million as shares from the three operations he participated in.

Our correspondent gathered the soldier was one of many other security agencies being investigated after their names were mentioned by Evans as his accomplices. - The Nation 

New deal for Conte would be Chelsea's best signing - Lampard

Frank Lampard says a contract renewal for manager Antonio Conte would represent Chelsea's best signing of the close-season.

Conte has reportedly been offered a new contract to extend his deal at Stamford Bridge beyond 2019, following claims he was concerned at the club's transfer inactivity.

Everton striker Romelu Lukaku, Monaco midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko and Juventus wing-back Alex Sandro are among the targets being linked with the Blues.
But former Chelsea star Lampard feels renewing Conte would be the best coup of all after leading the club to Premier League glory in his first season.

"Antonio would be their most important signing – for me he was their man of the season," Lampard said in quotes reported by The Sun.
"He took the club from 11th to comfortable champions and that can't be underestimated. 
"I think he's a huge signing for them. You talk about player of the year, I'm all for giving the players credit but because it was such a dramatic uplift from the year before I think you have to give him huge credit.

"You saw the system change and how he made them play in that formation, it worked well.

"I think he's a huge signing for them. I have no doubts, I don't know, but I'm pretty confident he'll be there and they'll bring in players to play in the system he wants to play." - Goal.com

Juventus have room for Ronaldo - Del Piero

Juventus have room to sign Cristiano Ronaldo if he wants to leave Real Madrid, according to Alessandro Del Piero.


Ronaldo reportedly wants to leave the European champions amid accusations – which the player has denied – that he defrauded Spanish tax authorities out of €14.7million.

His former club, Manchester United, and Paris Saint-Germain have been linked with moves for the star forward.
Del Piero, a Juve great who won six Serie A titles and a Champions League at the club, said the Serie A giants would be happy to have Ronaldo if he was to make a Madrid exit.

Ronaldo netted twice as Madrid beat Juve 4-1 in the Champions League decider, leaving the Italian outfit still waiting to win the trophy for the first time since 1996.

"We hope to win it again," Del Piero said, via Marca.
"And if Cristiano Ronaldo is not happy at Real Madrid and wants to go, Juventus have a lot of space for him."
Four-time Ballon d'Or winner Ronaldo is contracted at Madrid until 2021. Goal.com

Arsenal rival Liverpool for Bordeaux striker Gaetan Laborde

Liverpool want to add to their forward ranks this summer despite already bringing in Mohamed Salah from Roma and have been linked with Bordeaux forward Gaetan Laborde.

The Reds were reported to be considering making a €10m bid to sign the 23-year-old striker but now face competition from Arsenal who have also joined the race to sign Laborde, claim Foot Mercato.

Laborde has come through the ranks at Bordeaux and enjoyed his best season for the club in 2016/17, scoring 13 goals and providing five assists in 42 appearances across all competitions.
The former France U20 international is contracted to the Ligue 1 club until 2020 but would be interested in a move to the Premier League should Liverpool or Arsenal be ready to firm up their interest.

Jurgen Klopp’s side remain very interested in Monaco teenager Kylian Mbappe and Borussia Dortmund star Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang this summer, and they’d need to have no chance of signing either of them before they revisit a deal for Laborde. - Read Sport

Ronaldo is wanted at Real Madrid – Salgado

Cristiano Ronaldo is wanted by his team-mates at Real Madrid and will not find a club who help him more, according to Michel Salgado.

Ronaldo reportedly wants to leave the European champions amid accusations – which the player has denied – that he defrauded Spanish tax authorities out of €14.7million.

Former club Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain have been linked with a swoop for the 32-year-old.
Salgado, a Madrid great who spent 10 seasons at the club, said Ronaldo was wanted at the Santiago Bernabeu.

"Real Madrid players do not want him to leave," the former full-back told a news conference in Guatemala, via Marca.
"He will not find a club that gives him more than Madrid."

Ronaldo has starred since joining Madrid in 2009, winning the Champions League three times and LaLiga twice.
The Portugal international has also claimed the Ballon d'Or four times and is favourite to equal Lionel Messi's record of five in 2017.

Billionaire kidnapper: We are under pressure to free Evans – Police

The Police have revealed they are under pressure to release kidnap kingpin, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, alias Evans.
Evans was arrested two weeks ago at his mansion at Magodo Estate, Lagos.

The notorious kidnapper has been on the police wanted list for over seven years.
Acting Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Galadanshi Dasuki, while addressing newsmen on Saturday at the Command Headquarters in Ikeja, said they will not release Evans, despite calls from different quarters to do so.

“Evans has been a kidnapper for a long time and has been on the wanted list of the Police in Anambra, Abuja, Enugu, Edo and Lagos states.

“He also has a criminal gang, some of whom have been arrested in Enugu and Lagos. But there are still more out there. Therefore, this needs a painstaking investigation
“Besides, we need to understudy him as well as debrief him. By so doing, we intend to use his tactics to get others. He will eventually be charged to court after investigation is concluded,” Dasuki said.

Billionaire kidnapper: Evans charmed my sister – Wife’s brother

Chukwuemeka Okoye, brother-in-law to the suspected kidnap kingpin Chukwudubem Onwuamadike, a.k.a Evans has cried out that his sister must have been charmed by the kidnapper.

Okoye, who had in a recent interview said Uchenna Precious Onwuamadike, his sister, has not visited home since she got married to Evans http://dailypost.ng/2017/06/20/billionaire-kidnapper-evans-wifes-brother-speaks/, is now claiming she may have been charmed by her criminal husband.

Okoye told Vanguard, “Sometimes I say to myself that it is possible that Evans charmed my sister because this was a girl that was very caring and homely.
“For her to abandon the family did not look normal to me.”

He insisted that Uchenna that he knew would have ran away from Evans’ home knowing he was a kidnapper.

“My sister that I knew would have escaped from his house if she found out that the man she married is a kidnapper and that is why I say that everything is not normal with her
He lamented that he may not be able to recognise Precious any longer given the long period of years they had spent apart.
“It is even possible that I might not recognize her if I see her, not to talk of knowing her children.

“My wife here (pointing at her where she was seated and listening) does not know about her because we have never discussed anything about Uchenna.”

Jungle republic: Any attempt to arrest Arewa youth will lead to problems - Junaid

Junaid Mohammed, a second republic lawmaker, says any attempt to arrest the Arewa youth over the Igbo quit notice given to the Igbo will lead to problems.

The elder statesman warned against such move in an interview with PUNCH.
He described the threat to arrest the youth as not only “counter-productive but also inappropriate.”
Mohammed accused the federal government of “demonstrating irresponsibility in its selective handling” of the threats from the southern and northern parts of the country.
“With the position of things, every Nigerian has the right to live and conduct their businesses in any part of the country,” he said.


“But the federal government left their toes behind when they allowed the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) which is being financed by the Igbo political and business elite, both in the country and in the diaspora to be issuing statements freely.
“Therefore, any attempt to arrest Arewa youths will lead to problems.

“I am resident in Kano state and the last time the Kaduna state government brought up the issue of arrest, there would have been violence if an attempt to arrest anybody by the police had been made.”
Tanko Yakasai, chairman of Northern Elders Council, was also quoted to have said the federal government’s “failure” to tackle the threats by the IPOB on time led to the current crisis in the country.

“I believe that the federal government was somewhat late in addressing the threats issued by the Igbo,” he had reportedly said.
“These threats by both the north and south are unconstitutional and illegal because every Nigerian has the right to live and work in any part of the country he or she chooses.

“I think the Igbo should not allow a man, who was not even born during the civil war to incite violence in the country.
“Both the Hausa and the Igbo are well-travelled traders and if this country splits today, that opportunity is gone, a market of 180 million people. All the regions will suffer for it.”
Nasir el-Rufai, governor of Kaduna state, had asked the police arrest of members of the groups who gave the quit notice but the police have not made any arrest.

Earlier in the week, el-Rufai vowed that members of the group would be arrested, no matter how long.

Reps: Executive budgeted N12bn for 2nd Niger bridge in 2016 but a kobo wasn’t spent on it

The house of representatives says the executive budgeted N12 billion for the 2nd Niger bridge project in 2016, but that a kobo was not spent on it.

The house described as blackmail the statement of Babatunde Fashola, minister of works, power and housing, that the national assembly “imported” projects into the 2017 budget.
The senate had earlier flayed the minister for his statement, describing it as half-truth.

Fashola had accused the national assembly of altering the budget and of making reductions to the budgetary allocations of some projects.
In a statement issued by Abdulrazak Namdas, spokesman of the lower legislative chamber, on Saturday, the house explained that it reduced the budgetary allocations of some projects for the sake of prudence.

It said the executive budgeted N12 billion for the 2nd Niger bridge in 2016, but that the money was not spent on the project. It added that it had to reduce the proposed fund for the project in the 2017 budget from N12 billion to N 7 billion because it knew the money would not be spent on it.

“Fashola claimed that the national assembly included many projects that were not agreed on during the budget defence before the committees; that the budget Lagos-Ibadan expressway was reduced from N31 billion to N10 billion; that 2nd Niger Bridge budget was reduced from N15 billion to N10 billion (actually N12 billion to N7 billion); that about N3 billion or so was removed from Okene-Lokoja-Abuja road; that the budget for Mambila power project was also cut,” the statement read.

“He further claimed that some of the roads introduced into the budget had no designs and that items like primary healthcare and boreholes were introduced into the budget of the ministry which are state matters. Mr Fashola further said that the national assembly has no powers to increase or tinker with the budget.

“We make the following clarifications in answer to the obvious attempt to blackmail the national assembly, paint it as an irresponsible institution not concerned with the welfare of the people, and set the executive and legislature on an unnecessary collision course on matters of power rather than issues that benefit the Nigerian people.

“To the specific issues raised, it is very misleading and calculated mischief to simply say that N5 billion was taken from the budget for 2nd Niger bridge. The truth is that in the 2016 budget, N12 billion was appropriated for the 2nd Niger bridge and not a kobo was spent by the ministry. Not a kobo. The money was returned. The ministry could not provide the committees of the national assembly with evidence of an agreement on the public private partnership (PPP) or a contract for the 2nd Niger bridge.

“The national assembly, in its wisdom decided to fund other projects from the south-east leaving N7 billion for the 2nd Niger bridge that may yet be unspent. The projects include – N2.5 billion extra for Enugu/Onitsha eoad, N1 billion more for 9th Mile/Nsukka/Makurdi road; additional N500m for Oturkpa- Makurdi to take care of evacuation of agricultural produce up to Maiduguri ; N1 billion more for Ikot Ekpene-Aba-Owerri road etc. These are strategic roads in the south-east and north central parts of Nigeria that had inadequate allocations.

“The national assembly had to intervene to fund some other critical roads that were totally neglected in the executive budget proposal. Example is the Abuja- Kaduna – Zaria – Kano road that had zero allocation from the president’s proposal and no contract even in spite of due process certification. N5 billion was provided in the 2016 budget. It was not utilised. In 2017 budget, the national assembly again provided N3 billion for this very critical  road that connects many states and where incidents of kidnapping are rife because of bad roads, as we believe that all parts of Nigeria deserve attention or would the minister also claim that this road has no design?

“On the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, leadership meetings of both the executive and legislature were held where it was clarified that alternative funding exists for the road through PPP arrangement and the concessionaires had enough money to fund the project. That informed the decision to move some funds to other areas of need and the minister of power, works and housing is fully aware of this but chose to ignore it. Why spend government money if there is a clear existing funding framework in place and so many ongoing road projects are unfunded?”

The house also said that Fashola proposed a “whopping N17 billion for only environmental impact assessment (EIA)” for the Mambila power project, but that it felt that “N17 billion for EIA was misplaced and patently unjustifiable”.

“On a general note, we need to remind the honourable minister that the budget of the ministry of power, works and housing is not his personal budget; it is part of the budget of the federation,” it added. - Cable Nigeria

More than 120 killed in Pakistan tanker blast

More than 120 people - including children - have been killed after an oil tanker flipped over and burst into flames on a highway in Pakistan. 

Residents had flocked to the tanker with jerry cans to collect leaking fuel from it after it overturned.
It was travelling from the southern port city of Karachi to Lahore when the driver lost control and it crashed near the city of Bahawalpur.

Police had tried to seal off the area but became overwhelmed by the scores of people trying to reach the vehicle.

Dr Rizwan Naseer, rescue services chief for the Punjab, the country's second largest province, said many of the victims were beyond recognition and that the death toll was likely to rise.

"At least 123 people have been killed and more than 100 wounded in a fire which erupted after an oil tanker turned over and victims rushed to collect spilt fuel," senior local government official Rana Mohammad Saleem Afzal told state television.

He said residents were told about the leaking oil tanker over a loudspeaker at a local mosque.
"According to the initial reports, somebody tried to light a cigarette, and when the spilt fuel caught fire, leading to the tanker's explosion," Jam Sajjad Hussain, spokesman for the rescue service added.

Those seriously injured in the explosion were airlifted to nearby hospitals by army helicopters.
Flames and plumes of large smoke could be seen from a distance as firefighters battled the blaze for two hours.
Witnesses described seeing the charred ruins of up to 30 motorbikes that had carried residents to the crash site.

Almost a dozen other nearby vehicles were also destroyed by the blaze.
The tragedy happened on the eve of Eid ul-Fitr celebrations marking the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan in Pakistan.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif expressed his grief and ordered provincial leaders to ensure victims received "full medical assistance".
Pakistan has a poor record of fatal traffic accidents due to bad road conditions, poorly maintained vehicles and reckless driving.

In 2015, more than 60 people, including children, died when the bus they were travelling in collided with an oil tanker.