PL : Wenger urges fans to back Arsenal after Wembley win

 Arsene Wenger made a plea for unity to the Arsenal fanbase after another Wembley success against Premier League champions Chelsea in the Community Shield.

The Gunners denied Antonio Conte's men a domestic double with a stirring 2-1 win in the FA Cup final at the national stadium in May and they prevailed 4-1 on penalties after the traditional season curtain raiser finished 1-1 on Sunday, debutant Sead Kolasinac coming off the bench to cancel out Victor Moses' opener early in the second half.

Victory in the cup final preceded the belated announcement of a new two-year contract at Emirates Stadium for Wenger, with the long-serving manager refusing to be cowed by the increasingly vitriolic fan protests that accompanied a mid-season slump last term.
"Overall I think we had a performance that was a continuation of what we had at the end of last season and that's what I want to focus on," the 67-year-old said.

"In the Premier League every game is a battle like today. You have to get on the edge of it, sometimes winning when you do not play too well.
"It is a difficult dream to make the fans happy but we try very hard and I would like that they stand behind the team.
"We might go through some very good periods and some not so good periods. We want to be united and together through the season and hopefully we can be happy at the end of the season."

Chelsea had Pedro dismissed for an untidy lunge on Mohamed Elneny 82 seconds before Kolasinac converted Granit Xhaka's cross, but Wenger felt an Arsenal leveller had long been on the cards, irrespective of any numerical advantage.
"I don't know if it was a sending off or not but at that moment we were dominating," he added. "We had some difficult moments at the start of the second half but after [that] we dominated the game.

"It was just a question on the bench of whether we could come back or not."
Conte refused to be drawn on either the red card incident or Willian's booking for simulation in the penalty area before half-time, claiming not to have seen either flashpoint clearly.
"We had a tough pre-season and, in the six days between now until we start the league, we have to be focused on the next game," said the former Juventus and Italy coach. "It is important to try to start the league in the right way." - Goal

Emir of corruption over to you !! Falana asks Saraki to return pension, house given to him by Kwara

Femi Falana, human rights lawyer, has called on Senate President Bukola Saraki to return the entire pension he received since 2007 from Kwara state government to the state.

He also asked him to relinquish the house the state government bought for him in Abuja.
Last week, Saraki said he had written to the Kwara state government regarding stopping his pension. This followed the allegation by the Socio-Economic and Accountability Project (SERAP) that the senate president and some former governors, who hold political office, were receiving double pay.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Falana, however, commended Saraki for doing the right thing.

He also urged him to prevail on 20 other senators, who are former governors, to stop receiving pension from their states.
“The senate president, Dr Bukola Saraki announced last week that he had stopped collecting pension as a former governor of Kwara state following the protest by the Socio-Economic and Accountability Project (SERAP),” he said.

“According to the senate leader, the moment his attention was drawn to the allegation of the payment of double salaries he wrote to the Kwara state government to stop the payment of his pension. In like manner, three serving ministers in the Buhari administration who are former governors have disclosed that they are not being paid pension from any the state government. Other ministers and legislators who are former governors and deputy governors should speak out so that Nigerians can know the public officers who are involved in the illegal collection of pension from state governments and salaries from the federal government at the same time.

“Apart from writing to the Kwara state government to stop further payment of the pension due to him under the former governors pension law of Kwara state  Dr Saraki decided to contribute to the debate on double payment of salaries by some ex-governors. In condemning such payment, Dr Saraki he stated that ‘morally, if you have got another job, you should give it up until when you are truly a pensioner. Some of these oversights are not addressing the issues. What the states should do is to go and amend their laws to say that if you have another appointment then you are not entitled to that benefit. With this, we will just simplify the matter’. With respect, the proposed amendment of the obnoxious laws will not ‘simplify the matter’.

“Since Dr Saraki has come to the conclusion that the collection of the pension is immoral he is advised to refund the pension he had collected from the Kwara state government since he became a senator in June 2007. He should also relinquish the house bought for him in Abuja by the Kwara state government since he is said to receive housing allowance as president of the senate. However, while Dr Saraki is commended for demonstrating leadership by example with respect to the illegal collection of the ex-governors’ pension he should proceed to use his position as the president of the senate to prevail on the 20 other senators who are former governors and deputy-governors to stop further collecting pension from their state governments since they are currently receiving jumbo salaries and allowances from the national assembly.” - Cable Nigeria

Yeah ! Ota monster !! I am a living witness of Obasanjo’s life, says Fayose

Ayodele Fayose, governor of Ekiti state, says he is a “living witness” of the life of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

In an interview with PUNCH, Fayose described Obasanjo as an “opportunist who would rather put a weakling in position (of power)”.

He said contrary to insinuations that he is attacking the former president, he is only saying things he knows about him.

“I worked with him and know that Obasanjo is a sadist, an opportunist – a man who would rather put a weakling in position (of power). How would he ask Yar’Adua that he knew was sick to be president?” he asked.

“I wonder why some media (organisations) celebrate Obasanjo. Obasanjo has no character. Obasanjo was the first president that trampled on our constitution in all ways using brute force.”

The governor also said the former president does not have a stake “in terms of human beings” in party politics in the south-west.

According to him, “when you say human support, Obasanjo does not enjoy such in the south-west.”

“Obasanjo is only left with the clout of being a former president,” he added.

“At the time I was the governor, I was a young man. I was avoiding Obasanjo because he was from the same zone as me. One thing I have known is that Obasanjo will run away if you can stand up against him. Obasanjo is a weak man; the moment you can stand up against him, he will chicken out.

“Look at Orji Uzor Kalu and late governor of Niger State. At that time, I couldn’t stand up (against Obasanjo). I have now found out that, sometimes, it is good to confront monsters. We are guided by the constitution and respect for the rule of law. Obasanjo messed up by disobeying the rule of law and removing governors at will.

“Elders are only meaningful when they are using their grey hair to lead the people well. You only respect grey hair when the man is upright. Obasanjo is not a man to be respected; he is an opportunist.”

Fayose, who is a fierce critic of the government of President Muhammadu Buhari, said he stands by his earlier allegations against the president’s state of health.

He accused the president’s handlers of causing the “confusion” regarding his state of health.

“The health of the president is a public issue. It is the handlers that are causing the confusion. Like I said, I don’t want the president dead, but we want to know the true state of health of our president,” he said.

“For me, I’ll love to go there (the UK) to see (him). But if they say they are not giving me a passage, it is all well and good, as long as the president is hale and hearty. If he is not fit, let him resign.” - Cable Nigeria

Showbiz : Liam Payne and Cheryl Tweedy are reportedly trying for another baby

Liam Payne and Cheryl Tweedy are reportedly trying for another baby. 

Speaking about the pair and their future plans to Now magazine, a source said: "Liam has been busy travelling and promoting his music as well as writing new material, but when he does get a moment he flies home to be with Cheryl and Bear - and of course try for baby number two."
The 23-year-old One Direction band member and his 34-year-old partner welcomed their son Bear into the world in March this year, and it is rumoured the couple are already planning to expand their brood. 

The 'Strip That Down' hitmaker has hailed him and the brunette beauty as "good parents", and although the duo are still fairly new to parenting it is believed Cheryl has been more hands on with their baby than her boyfriend. 

The insider continued: "It took some persuading but Liam agrees they're being 'good parents' to try now even though it's only four months since Bear was born.

"Cheryl's making the decision because Liam is making a name for himself as a solo artist, while she's literally bringing up the baby."
Although Liam has been busy promoting his solo single and the former Girls Aloud singer has only recently returned to work almost six months after giving birth to her tiny tot, it is rumoured the threesome plan on spending "romantic family time together" soon, which will coincide with the dark-haired hunk's 24th birthday on August 29.

The source said: "They're planning romantic family time together next month for Liam's 24th birthday and hoping Cheryl will fall pregnant soon."

Transfer news : Dortmund star Aubameyang confirms Chinese offer

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang said on Sunday that he was the subject of a big-money offer from China, but his club Borussia Dortmund insist he will not leave this season.

Aubameyang, who is under contract until 2020, confirms in Sunday's edition of Die Welt that there was an offer from an unnamed Chinese club, but Dortmund have said he will not leave in 2017/18.
The 28-year-old had been linked to China's Tianjin Quanjin, who last month signed French striker Anthony Modeste from Dortmund's rivals Cologne in a deal reportedly worth 35 million euros ($41.2m).

"Yes, I had an offer. But I think the Chinese were hard pressed to submit a bid to Borussia Dortmund," said Aubameyang.
"I think the structures are still not as professional as in Europe."
And the Gabon international admits he was tempted.

"It is normal that you think about it, if so much money is offered," he said.
"I know that many people have said that you can not go to China, because the football (there) is a step back.
"But I think that anybody would think about it when he gets such an offer."
The Gabon hotshot, the Bundesliga's top scorer last season with 31 goals, scored in Saturday's German Super Cup home defeat to Bayern Munich. - AFP

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Technology : Hackers could control internet-connected cars

Hackers could potentially take control of internet-connected cars and cause accidents - as manufacturers are urged to better protect them from cyber attacks. 

Smart vehicles allowing drivers to access maps, travel information and digital radio services are becoming more common in the UK.
And there are fears hackers could target them to get hold of personal data or steal cars with keyless entry.
The Government has urged motor manufacturers to ensure their vehicles are "completely cyber secure".
Some cars are already able to park themselves and fully self-driving cars will be widely available "very quickly", said Transport minister Lord Callanan.

He said the risk of hacking was low but insisted protecting vehicles against cyberattacks was "important".
He said: "We need to make sure that the designs of the vehicles in the first place are completely cyber secure so that people can't break into them, they can't steal them and more importantly they can't hack them to potentially cause accidents."
The peer also offered tips to motorists to help protect their vehicles from hackers.
He said: "Treat them as you would your computer. Be careful who you give access to, don't plug in devices such as USB sticks that you don't know the origin of.

"A consistent set of guidelines is an important step towards ensuring the UK can be among the first - and safest - of the international markets to grasp the benefits of this exciting new technology."

"Be careful what apps you download to it, make sure you have the latest software."
Mike Hawes, chief executive of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, welcomed the guidance.
"These vehicles will transform our roads and society, dramatically reducing accidents and saving thousands of lives," he said. - SKY

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Man Utd would need Ronaldo or Messi to break my record! - Rooney

Wayne Rooney is confident his Manchester United goalscoring record will remain intact, saying it would take his former club signing Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi for it to come under threat.

The forward left United to re-join Everton last month, 13 years after initially leaving Goodison Park for Old Trafford as a teenager.
Rooney departed Jose Mourinho's side as the club's record goalscorer, with 253 strikes to his name, four more than Bobby Charlton's previous record.
The 31-year-old believes the rarity of modern players staying at clubs for the long-term means the record he is so proud of remains safe, unless a game-changing talent was to arrive.

Asked if his record would be surpassed, Rooney told reporters: "You never know, if they get someone like Messi or Ronaldo the record might get broken!
"But I think that in football now, players don't really tend to stay at clubs for that long. The only way I can see it being broken is if someone stays for the same period of time that I did.
"It is fantastic to have left that mark behind. It is a great legacy to have left. I left United with great memories. It was a successful time for the club and it was great for me.

"I loved it there. I loved working with the players but it was the right time for me to move on and I feel I have certainly made the right decision in coming here."
Rooney broke the record with a goal against Stoke City in January, the same team he will face when he makes his Premier League return for Everton on Saturday.
"To score that goal against Stoke for United last season was a highlight for me because of what it meant," he said. "It was a huge moment for me as a player.

"Winning the trophies was great, but it was tough at times because I didn't feel like I was part of winning the League Cup and Europa League.
"But it was a special moment to beat Sir Bobby. It was a proud moment.

"Obviously the first game back against Stoke will be an emotional and special day for me, but you have to put that aside once you are on the pitch and get out there and play.

"Before every game there are nerves but once you are out there they go out of your head. "- Goal

PL news : Conte can't stop Hazard leaving Chelsea

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte admits he's powerless to prevent the sale of Eden Hazard should Barcelona come calling for the Belgian star.

Hazard has reportedly been identified as a possible replacement for Neymar at Camp Nou, while Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain have also been linked during the close-season.
Conte has already hinted at his displeasure over Nemanja Matic's departure to Manchester United and is adamant the champions still require strengthening.

While insisting Hazard is happy at Stamford Bridge, the Italian conceded any offer for the 26-year-old will rest with the club's hierarchy.
"I am the coach and I can give my opinion. But the final decision is always the club's," Conte said.

"We are trying to buy players, not to sell them. Otherwise the number is always less and we are in trouble."

"I think these are rumours and Eden is very happy to stay with us, to play with Chelsea and to start the new season. - Goal

Transfer news :Madrid reiterate desire to keep United target Gareth Bale

Spanish giants Real Madrid have told Gareth Bale that he is the future of the club amid reports about his future.

The Guardian reports that Zinedine Zidane’s side are hoping to keep the Welshman in Spain and will target Kylian Mbappe next summer.
Bale is believed to be happy in Spain and is under contract with the club until 2022.

Reports had suggested that Bale could fall victim in Spain if the club pursues a move for Mbappe.
Manchester United have held a long-standing interest in Bale and reports have suggested that Jose Mourinho could make a move for the player next summer.

United were linked with a move for Bale this summer, but have decided to pursue Inter Milan’s Ivan Perisic, who they remain in discussions with. - Read Sport

Repackaging !!! Niger Delta militants split Nigeria into five republics [See names ]

A Coalition of militant groups in the Niger Delta, under the auspices of the Reformed Egbesu Assembly, have called for the immediate division of the country into five republics.

The groups named the republics as Arewa Islamic Republic, Biafra Republic, Republic of Niger Delta, Middle Belt Republic and Oduduwa Republic.

They recommended that all the republics put together shall be addressed as United Republics of Nigeria.
This is coming few hours after the Convener of Pan Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF, Chief Edwin Clark pleaded with the militants not to go ahead with the proposed declaration of Republic of Niger Delta on October 1, 2017.

The militants said the call for the division of the country has become necessary in order to avert the possibility of violent agitations.
Speaking in a statement by the General Officer Commanding, REF, Tony Alagbakereowei, who spoke on behalf of the group called on international organizations to call for referendum without further delay.

He said, “We reaffirm our collective resolve to actualise the Republic of the Niger Delta, RONDEL, which had been proclaimed in 1966 taking into cognisance the reality that there is nothing yet binding us as a people rather than the crude oil and gas in the Niger Delta.
“We call on the British Prime Minister, President Donald Trump of the United States and the United Nations, UN, to conduct a referendum for the peaceful dissolution of the Nigerian states into Arewa Islamic Republic, Biafra Republic, Oduduwa Republic, Republic of the Niger Delta,RONDEL, and the Republic of the Middle Belt to be collectively known and addressed as the United Republics of Nigeria based on the principles of non-exodus and non-violence.

“We consider this as the best option to avoid the impending humanitarian crisis of a full-blown Nigeria civil war and armed revolution which will be foisted upon the African Continent and the world at large.” 
“We strongly restate our commitment and dedication to this model as it is the irreducible minimum acceptable political requirement for the ethnic nationalities of the Niger Delta to remain in the Nigerian state.
- Daily Post

Shocking !!! Middle-aged woman shot dead in Osogbo

An unidentified woman was shot dead by gunmen on motorcycles in Osogbo, Osun State capital in the early hours of yesterday.

The reasons for the killing of the victim, who was a daily-paid menial worker, could not yet be ascertained.
The woman was reportedly shot dead in front of the popular Orisunbare market.
Traders and passers-by reportedly ran in different directions to avoid being hit by stray bullets.

The body of woman lay on the road side.
Eyewitnesses said the hoodlums were riding on commercial motorcycles popularly known as Okada around 9.45 am when they shot the aged woman.
An eyewitness, who preferred anonymity, said:  “The old woman is one of those people doing menial job for bricklayers and masons, working in construction sites.
“She was heading to Old Garage area where they normally wait for bricklayers, who may come to pick them for daily paid job at construction sites.
“The boys were on Okada and they swiftly opened fire on the woman and she died on the spot.
“The policemen later came to the scene and cordoned off the area. The corpse of the woman was taken away in their vehicle.”

Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of Osun State Police command, Mrs. Folasade Odoro, confirmed the incident.
She disclosed four suspects have been arrested for the killing. - The Nation

Tragic !!! 3 die, 50 injured in luxurious bus accident

Three persons, a male and two females, died in an auto accident on the Auchi-Okene axis of the Benin-Lokoja road yesterday morning.

The spokesman of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Bisi Kazeem, confirmed the incident in an SMS to our correspondent.
Kazeem said 50 others, including a child, were injured and had been taken to the hospital for treatment.
He said a white Mercedez Benz Chisco Paradiso luxurious bus conveying 82 passengers was involved in the lone accident.

The cause, according to the spokesperson, is brake failure.
“The crash occurred at about 4 am at the Sharp Corner Checkpoint on the Okene end of the road.
“It was caused by brake failure. A FRSC rescue team arrived at the scene 20 minutes later and took the injured and corpses to the General Hospital in Okene (Kogi),” he said. 
Kazeem reiterated FRSC’s advice to motorists to regularly check their vehicles and ensure they were road worthy before putting them on the highway. - The Nation

Politics : Return or resign — Charly Boy to lead anti-Buhari protest in Abuja

Charly Boy, entertainer and activist, will on Monday lead a protest to demand that President Muhammadu Buhari resume office or resign.

According to a statement which a coalition of civil society groups issued on Saturday, the protest would take place in Abuja.
The groups promised to continue their protest – a sit-in – at the Unity Fountain in Abuja until the president either returns or resigns.

“Today is the 90th day since President Muhammadu Buhari left the country on a medical tourism in London,” the statement read.
“We are writing to inform the general public, local and international media, civil society groups that Mr Charles Oputa, AKA Charlie Boy and other prominent Nigerians will be leading the Monday daily sit-out at the Unity Fountain by 10am.
“The flag-off of the daily sit-out will commence with a procession from the Unity Fountain to Aso Rock by 9am prompt.

“The London leg of the protest which is scheduled to hold at the Abuja House, London by 11am (UK time) will be led by Comrade Chidi Cali, Barrister Bob and several others. - Cable Nigeria 

Shocking !!! ‘Many killed’ as gunmen invade Catholic church in Anambra

An unspecified number of people have reportedly been killed at St Phillip’s Catholic Church in Ozubulu, a town in Ekwusigo local government area of Anambra state.

A witness said some gunmen, who concealed their identities with masks, broke into the church around 6am when the first mass service was holding.
NAN quoted a witness as saying after they gained entry, the gunmen identified a particular man whom they shot.
He said the gunmen then went on rampage and “shot at the remaining worshippers numbering over 100”.

The source reportedly said some worshippers who were critically injured died on their way to the Nnamdi Azikiwe Teaching Hospital in Nnewi, the state capital.
Security personnel have cordoned off the church, which has since been deserted by worshippers.
Willie Obiano, governor of the state, Garba Umar, commissioner of police in Anambra, have visited the scene of the attack. -Cable Nigeria

Transfer news : Chelsea 'no chance' on Sandro

Chelsea have been told they have "no chance" of signing Alex Sandro by Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri.

The Blues had a bid, reported to be in the region of £60m, for the left-back turned down earlier this summer.
Sandro, capped seven times by Brazil, joined Juventus from Porto in August 2015 and has since won successive Serie A and Coppa Italia titles.
He was in London on Saturday as part of the side which fell to a 2-0 defeat against Tottenham at Wembley.
After that game, Allegri said: "Alex Sandro is a Juventus player and he will stay one."
When further pressed about the 26-year-old eventually moving to Stamford Bridge, he added: "No chance."

President Trump fights back over his 17-day New Jersey break

Barack Obama was repeatedly lambasted by Republicans over the amount of time he spent swinging a golf club, having played 333 times during his two terms. But the current president's enthusiasm for the sport seems to match that of his predecessor.

Mr Trump's decision to abandon the White House  for more than a fortnight has led critics to question his work ethic and devotion to the job.

The president's aides have insisted that the trip is what they billed as a "working vacation".

Mr Trump entered the fray himself on Saturday evening, inevitably turning to Twitter to do so.

He told his 35 million followers that he had left the White House to allow long planned building work to be carried out.

Mr Trump added that his time at the club at Bedminster in rural New Jersey would be filled with meetings and calls.

It is understood that one of the key tasks at the White House will be to replace the 27-year old heating and cooling system, finishing work which began under the previous administration.

Those that remain in Washington will be redeployed to the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, rather than being expected to remain in the West Wing without air-conditioning during the city's sweltering summer.

The South Portico steps are being renovated for the first time since 1953. The West Wing is being redecorated and recarpeted and even the Oval Office is being refurbished.

Mr Trump's absence will be comparatively brief, unlike Harry Truman who spent nearly four years living in nearby Blair House while the crumbling official presidential residence underwent comprehensive renovation.

It was while Mr Truman was in Blair House that two Puerto Rican nationalists mounted an unsuccessful assassination attempt in November 1950 - killing a White House police officer.

With an extensive personal property portfolio - including an opulent apartment in Manhattan, an estate at Mar-a-Lago in Florida and the Bedminster golf club, the current president is not short of alternative accommodation.

He also has the option of Camp David, the rustic official country retreat in Thurmont, Maryland, just over 60 miles outside Washington. - The Telegraph

Shocking !!!! Baby girl found dead in hot car after grandmother believed she had dropped her at daycare

A four-month-old infant was found dead after she was left inside a vehicle for most of the day in Oklahoma. Her grandmother had thought she had left the girl at a daycare centre before going to work.

"She apparently had thought that she dropped off the child this morning, which she had not," Mark Opgrande, a spokesman with the Oklahoma County sheriff's office told KFOR news channel.
"After she got off work, she drove back to Luther to stop by the child care centre.
"They informed her that she did not drop off the child and they went, proceeded to look for the child inside the daycare. They couldn’t find her. That’s when they went out to the vehicle, and then discovered her outside in the back of the car. She was deceased."

The fire department was called to Apple Creek Learning Centre in Luther at around 5.30pm on Friday. The four-month-old was found still inside the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene.
The grandmother, whose name has not yet been released, is being interviewed by police investigators at the Oklahoma County Sheriff's Office who will prepare a report and send it on to the attorney’s office.
"She’s being questioned, she’s obviously distraught, this is a tragic situation and that’s why we remind parents all the time. It’s hot out and things like this aren’t supposed to happen, but they do.”

The grandmother has custody of the baby. No charges have so far been filed.
A Facebook post by the daycare announced news of the baby’s death: “We have some very very sad news from Apple Creek. A tragic accident with one of our beloved babies. I ask everyone to pray for this precious family. Please. Nothing happened AT Apple Creek but it did occur in our parking lot.”
Every year, around 37 children die in the US after being left in a car, according to Kids and Cars. The safety organisation said that the month of July was a record high for hot car deaths. This year, 29 children died of heatstroke in the US after being left in a car.

This represented "the highest we’ve ever had,” said Jan Null a meteorologist with the Department of Meteorology & Climate Science at San Jose State University. He has logged the statistics on the No Heatstroke website.The previous record as of 31 July was 28 deaths in 2010. Null explained it was “a year where we ended up with 49 deaths for the year.” - Independent