Friday, 25 August 2017
Updates : Barca confirm £97m Dembele deal
Barca have reached an agreement to sign Borussia Dortmund forward Ousmane Dembele for a club-record fee.
Transfer News !!! Koeman : Good players like Diego Costa welcome at Everton
Everton would give Diego Costa a warm welcome were he to arrive from Chelsea in the final days of the transfer window, according to manager Ronald Koeman.
Koeman has made public his intention to bring another forward to Goodison Park and Costa has gone AWOL after being told by Antonio Conte that he is no longer wanted at Chelsea - Everton's opponents on Sunday.
Atletico Madrid have reportedly being leading the chase for Costa, with the player openly expressing his desire to return the club he left for Stamford Bridge in 2014.
Everton have scored just twice in two Premier League matches this term - both times through Wayne Rooney - after selling topscorer Romelu Lukaku to Manchester United in the close-season.
Italian giants AC Milan have also been linked with a move, but there could be another option that would see the Spain international stay in the Premier League.
When asked about the possibility of bringing Costa to Merseyside, Koeman confirmed only that a "good player" like the Spain international would be welcomed.
"I don't know [about a move for Costa]," the Everton boss told a pre-match news conference. "I've always said that there is a warm welcome here for every good player - and he is a good player.
"But I don't know. I think it's time after Sunday to speak with the board. We have been really busy with games and are busy now preparing for Sunday's match." - Goal
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Transfer updates : Arsenal ready to listen to offers for Wilshere
Arsenal are ready to listen to offers for Jack Wilshere this summer.
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is quoted by the Guardian discussing the English international’s future at the club, and admitted that he is open to the possibility of seeing the midfielder leave.
“We have honest conversations. I’m open to what is the best for him. He is at the stage of his career where he needs to play and I can’t guarantee him that today. I think I’m quite open on that.”
“If he gets back to his best and wants to stay, we have to sit down later in the season. I don’t rule that out.”
Wilshere was once destined for big things but has since been plagued with injuries, seeing his progress stagnate and therefore placing him lower down in the pecking order at the Emirates.
The 25-year-old is currently working his way back up to fitness after suffering a leg fracture last season. He spent the duration of the 2016/17 campaign on loan with Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth side and despite racking up a respectable tally of appearances, struggled to really maintain his fitness.
“You know how much I love Jack and his talent but today, in the football world, you need to be a consistent presence. What is at stake for Jack is not his quality, his talent or his determination – it is whether he is a consistent presence at the top. I hope he can manage to do that. Nobody questions his quality.”The club now have a plethora of midfield options at their disposal and it comes as no surprise to see plans put in place for Wilshere to leave the club should the right offer come in. - Read Sports
Uncle London do something ! 27 Killed, Dozens Missing After Boko Haram Attacks
More than 27 people were killed and dozens are still missing after terrorists belonging to Islamist group, Boko Haram, attacked six villages in the northern part of Borno State on Wednesday night, security and civilian sources said.
A source who is a civilian member of the Joint Task Force (JTF) said the besieged villagers yesterday came to the local vigilante group in Nganzi town. He said the vigilante group then mobilized its members to visit the affected villages on Friday morning, adding that the dead bodies had been brought to Nganzi for burial.
“The attacks happened in the villages on Wednesday night, but it was this morning that we brought fifteen of the corpses and buried them in Nganzi town,” said the source. He added, “As I am speaking with you many women and children are still missing.”
A military source corroborated the account. “The Boko Haram fighters burnt down the villages. They looted livestock and grains. Nothing was left in the villages. Some of the lucky ones are now taking refuge in Nganzi,” said the source.
In a related development, the suspected Boko Haram terrorists also invaded Mallam Moduri and Kijimatari, two villages in Guzamala Local Government Area, about 2 a.m. on Thursday. A security source disclosed that at least 12 persons were killed and dozens wounded in the two communities.
“At least seven people lost their lives in Kijimatari village when the terrorists opened fire on the civilians who were sleeping and six others sustained various kinds of injuries,” said another security source. “Five others were killed and many wounded at Mallam Moduri village around 3 a.m.” - Sahara reporters
See the best nanny job in the world offering $129,000 and full use of the family Maserati
Believe it ....If you love kids, and know how to handle yourself in a scrape, this may be the job for you.
A wealthy family with homes around the world is looking for an experienced nanny in London. Perks include international travel, meals from a Michelin star chef and pay of £100,000 ($128,680) a year.
"We are looking for a highly qualified nanny who has a degree in child psychology, no children of their own and a minimum of 15 years of nannying experience," the mother of the family wrote in an ad on Childcare.co.uk.
The ideal candidate should be trained in self-defense, but the parents will pay for the successful candidate to receive training if they aren't martial arts experts already.
That training is non-negotiable.
The parents, who have homes in London, Barbados, Cape Town and Atlanta, have four children between 2 and 15. They want a live-in nanny who may be required to travel internationally up to three times a week.
However, the job requirements are tough. The successful nanny will need to work 6 days a week from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. They'll also have to participate in lessons and classwork with the children, who are home-schooled.
The prospective supernanny will also be expected to run errands and drop the children off at appointments, but can use the family's fleet of cars, which include a Porsche, Range Rover and Maserati.
The successful candidate will need to be careful with how they spend time off work.
"We do not mind what the nanny does with their free time, however binge drinking or drug taking will not be tolerated and will result in instant dismissal," the mother states.
The identity of the family and the mother who created the job listing are unknown, but the mother confirmed with CNBC that it is a real role.
"We have received over 300 applications so far although the vast majority of them do not tick all the boxes," she told CNBC via private message.
"A handful of the candidates are worthy of making the short list!"
The successful candidate will have to sign a non-disclosure agreement.
The job listing first appeared around August 9, according to the website. Childcare.co.uk is a U.K. platform connecting parents with childcare service providers such as babysitters, nannies and private tutors, and has more than 1.5 million users.
The website told CNBC that the parent's profile and job posting appear to be the real thing.
"As far as we can see, that profile does appear to be genuine, although a little different compared with most of our other parent advertisers," the company told CNBC via email. - CNBC
Globacom shut down in Ondo over non-payment of salary to workers
Globacom mobile network subscribers in four local government areas of Ondo State have been unable to use the network for the past two weeks as the 33 stations in the areas have been shut down by the security men manning them.
The affected four local government areas were : Akoko North-East, Akoko North-West, Akoko South-East and Akoko South-West Local Governments.
The guards were said to have taken the action in protest against the telecommunication company following non-payment of their salaries for the past 11 months by the security outfit, Concord Security Limited, contracted by Glo to hire the guards.
Some of the 66 guards who spoke with DAILY POST on condition of anonymity on Friday lamented that the security company was owing them 11 months salary, and they could not cope doing the job again.
One of them said, “ We have to shut down the stations we are guarding because of non-payment of our salaries, we have contacted our employer, Concord Security Limited in Akure but our boss, Mr. Friday told us that Glo was owing him that is why he too is owing us.
“ We want to appeal to the management of Glo Telecommunicaton to pay our company so that they could pay us too. We are earning N10,000 as salary per month, you can see that that is too small for us but we are managing it, yet they are denying us the money, this is unfair”
The General Manager of Concord Security Company, who was identified as Mr. Friday admitted that the company was owing the security guards. He said he was owing the workers because Glo was owing him too, but explained that the matter has been resolved.
“ We are owing them, we are not denying that; it is due to the economic problem in the country. Our client, Globacom is owing us 16 months and we are able to pay the security up to 11 months. I have talked to them that it was not an intentional act for us to owe them because we are contractors. When our clients pay us, we pay our workers,” he explained . - Daily Post
Nigeria police ! Most corrupt and dangerous institution !! IG of Police makes N10bn monthly, collects bribe to post CP to states – Senator Misau
Senator representing Bauchi Central Senatorial District, Isa Misau, on Friday made damning allegations against the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris.
The senator at a news conference in Abuja, accused IGP of failing to remit money realised from policemen attached to private citizens and companies, he put at N10 billion monthly, to the Federation Account.
He also alleged that Commissioners of Police usually bribe Idris before they are posted to “juicy states”.
Misau listed the states to include Rivers and Delta.
His words: “The Police Service Commission could not deny the bribery allegation.
“Information reaching me indicate that even transfers of Commissioners of Police, State Mobile Commanders and SPU Commanders are also allegedly riddled in corruption.
“The chain of command in the force does not allow these grievances to be aired, but the allegation is also rife that the IGP posted a Commissioners of Police, who for the past 17 years has not worked/served in a police station, to take charge of a state.
“The former Police aide to late Governor Dipreye Alamieyeseigha, who eventually served under former President Goodluck Jonathan, is now Commissioner of Police, Adamawa State.
“Foisting such officers without operational experience has been a major setback to the current administration’s fight against the Boko Haram insurgency.
“There is an allegation that more than 50,000 policemen are attached to oil companies, banks and private individuals, with regular payments made to Police authorities.
“While monies from these sources are estimated to run into billions of naira, they are however unaccounted for.
“The IGP is alleged to aggressively pursue nepotistic tendencies in favour of his Nupe officers and men.”
Mr Misau, who was accused by the police authorities of having been shown the way out of the Police Force, presented the letter of his exit from service by the Police Service Commission to newsmen. - Daily Post
OMG !!! Pastor, six others arrested with human parts in Calabar
The General Overseer and founder of the Royal God’s Commandment Ministry, No 3 Okon Edak Street, off Atamunu, in Calabar South local government area of Cross River State, Rev. Tony Obo and some of his members have arrested by the Police in Calabar.
The Rev Obo suspected to be ritualist was arrested along side six of his members on Thursday. When DAILY POST visited the Church on Friday, large crowd of people were seen while the Church had been demolished and some of the property set on ablaze.
Consequently, some brave and energetic males in the area were equally seen excavating the ground and bringing out decomposed human parts. An eyewitness told our correspondent that some of the male members alleged to be agents of the Pastor kidnapped a baby and were recognized by the villagers.
“When they were accosted, they took the vigilante members to the church and by the time they got there, the baby was murdered and the parts used for rituals,” an eyewitness who declined given his name said. He alleged that Rev Obo queried those who took the vigilante members to him and said, “Why do you bring these people here, have I not settled and paid you off?”
Another eyewitness who claimed to have known the Pastor very well said, “Rev Obo was arrested alongside some of his agents and members in the Church premises, with items like mystical sticks, pants and dresses, human skulls amongst others with blood stains on most of the items.”
At the time our correspondent left the scene of the incident, over hundred different kinds of human pictures mostly women, personal property including clothes and decomposed human parts were recovered. Large number of people were also seen thronging the area to watch the excavated human parts.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Ms Irene Ugbo told our correspondent on phone that seven suspected ritualists were arrested and they are with the Police and interrogation was in progress. - Daily Post
Shocking !!! Thieving window cleaner caught on camera rifling through pensioner's bedroom
A window cleaner has been jailed for stealing money from a pensioner - after he was caught on camera rifling through her bedroom.
Detectives set up the hidden camera at the 86-year-old’s home in West Bromwich after relatives raised concerns that money had disappeared in April.
The secret code burglars are using to mark homes before raids
Joshua Woodhouse was one of the few people who had been in the pensioner’s home during that time. He was due to clean the windows at the property once a month.
The 26-year-old went into the address on May 17 on the pretence of asking for some water - but he was then caught on camera searching the victim’s room while she went into the kitchen.
A quantity of cash was later found to be missing and Woodhouse was arrested by officers.
Police step up hunt for machete-wielding thugs who SLASHED man in violent street brawl
He initially denied stealing the money but later pleaded guilty to two burglaries between April 21-24 and May 17. He stole more than £1,000 in total.
Detective Constable Sarah Forster, of West Midlands Police Force CID, said: “Woodhouse targeted this woman knowing she was elderly and vulnerable.
“She trusted him as a regular window cleaner; but he took advantage of this misplaced trust to deceive and steal from her.
Police seize drugs and make arrest after storming two Kingstanding properties
“We have a range of tactics to catch criminals and the use of the camera on this occasion proved crucial in snaring Woodhouse. It spotted him searching the room and after the money was later missing he had to be the prime suspect.
“We always assess and improve our ways of securing evidence so those who commit crimes are caught and punished through the courts.”
Woodhouse, of Cotterills Road in Tipton, was jailed for two years and one month at Wolverhampton Crown Court on Wednesday, August 16.
PL news : Concerned Coutinho 'very low'
According to Sky sources, Philippe Coutinho is hoping Barcelona do not give up on him when they sign Ousmane Dembele from Borussia Dortmund.
The Brazil star's mood has been described to Sky Sports News as "very low at the moment", with his desired move to the Nou Camp having so far failed to materialise.
Coutinho has not turned out for Liverpool at all yet this season and Jurgen Klopp says he will not play at home to Arsenal on Sunday, live on Sky Sports Premier League, because he still has a back problem.
Coutinho has wanted to move to Barcelona for most of the summer but the Reds insist he is not for sale and have rejected three huge offers, the latest some £113m rising potentially to £118m.
Barca also failed with bids of £72m and £90.4m for Coutinho but are understood to be preparing a fourth bid of £138m before the transfer deadline.
Barca have agreed a deal to sign Dembele following talks in Monaco before the Champions League draw on Thursday, according to Sky sources.
But there are reports in Spain that the Catalans are considering a move for Chelsea's Willian instead. - SKy Sports
Jose Mourinho congratulates Rooney on England career
Mourinho has congratulated former Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney on his international career after he retired from England duty this week.
Rooney left Old Trafford in the off-season after 13 years to return to boyhood club Everton and, after a fine start to the season, he looked set for an England recall until he announced his retirement.
United manager Mourinho has revealed Rooney informed him of the decision in advance and his response was to congratulate the 31-year-old on a record-breaking international career.
"[Rooney] told me the night before," Mourinho said at a pre-match news conference as United prepare to face Leicester City. "I am nobody to tell him I agree, not agree, to do it or not do it.
"I just listened to his reasons and I understand his reasons. He does it for Everton, he does it for his family, so I have no complaints.
"I just realise, like many other people, when he retires, how many matches he played, how many goals he scored, what he represents for the football in this country - and many congratulations for his career with the Three Lions."
PL news : Ronald Koeman praises Rooney influence
Koeman says Wayne Rooney's influence is already being felt at Goodison Park, and has praised the former England captain, who earlier this week announced his retirement from international football.
Rooney, who turns 32 in October, has scored in both of Everton's Premier League games this season and helped the team reach the group stages of the Europa League.
Speaking ahead of Everton's match against Chelsea on Sunday, Koeman said: "He's been vital from the beginning, not only on the pitch but also off the pitch.
"He's teaching young players and it's good for the manager to have that type of player - he's experienced.
"And most of the other players need that experience and can learn a lot from Wayne."
As for calling time on his international career, Koeman added: "He'll be more fresh and will get some days off next week.
"He needs regular game time and I respect his decision regarding the national team. I think it's good for Everton."
Koeman believes Rooney and Gylfi Sigurdsson, two summer signings by the Toffees, should form a strong partnership going forward.
He added: "Good clever footballers understand quickly. I think these two players understand the role, the situation in a game."
Koeman also praised another summer signing, goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, who has hit the ground running since joining in June on a £25m transfer fee.
He went on: "Of course we know the qualities of Jordan. From the beginning, he's showing he's really comfortable.
"He's a promising young goalkeeper, has a lot of ambition and is now selected by the national team.
"Most of the time I've had more experienced goalkeepers but it's not about age, it's about quality."
"He has made some important saves, like the penalty yesterday (at Hajduk Split in the Europa League) at an important moment in the game,'' - Sky
When ??? 2019 election time ??? Kemi Adeosun: Very soon, you will see the effects of our efforts
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Adeosun, minister of finance, says there is an urgent need to reposition the federation account allocation committee for better performance through efficient management of resources.
The minister said this on Thursday while delivering a keynote address at a retreat organised by the ministry of finance in collaboration with the federation account allocation committee (FAAC) on the theme: “Enhancing the Effectiveness of FAAC” in Uyo, Akwa Ibom.
Adeosun, who was represented by Mahmoud Isa-Dutse, permanent secretary, federal ministry of finance, advised all tiers of government to aim for fiscal discipline, improved revenue generation, rational allocation and efficient use of resources if the economy is to move back to sustainable growth and development.
Adeosun, who said federal government reforms have leaned towards wealth creation and employment generation, advised that attention be refocused on quality investment in the real sectors of the economy, including agriculture, manufacturing, mines and steel, as well as the promotion of micro, small and medium enterprises as the critical contributors to the growth of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
“Programmes like the promotion of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMES), the initiation of N-Power and a number of others were designed to empower the citizenry, encourage private enterprises and change the way government does business.
“I am happy to state here that the present government is intensifying efforts in this direction and very soon the multiplier effect will become obvious.
“We must block all observed loopholes and strengthen public financial management. While making frantic efforts to realise this, there is urgent need to reposition FAAC for enhanced performance through efficient management of accrued scarce resources for national development.”
The minister also urged the three tiers of government to apply the best international practice in public financial management. - Cable Nigeria
EFCC and baby criminal !!! Man Convicted for N2.3m Land Scam
The Economic and Financial Crimes EFCC today at the Gombe State High Court Gombe, secured the conviction of one Malam Umaru Kankani for offences bordering on possession of forged document. He was prosecuted before Justice Sa'ad Muhammad on one count charge.
Kankani's arrest and prosecution followed a petition alleging that sometime in June, 2016, he defrauded the complainant of N2.3million over a parcel of land situated at Federal Low-cost, Gombe, which ownership the convict fraudulently claimed.
The convict was first arraigned on 17th August, 2017 on a 2-count charge. On resumption of hearing today, an amended one count charge of possession of forged document was brought against the convict.
The charge read, “That you Mallam Umaru Kankani sometime in June or thereabout, at Gombe, Gombe State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, while being in possession of a forged document to wit; Application for Grant of Occupancy No.BA/17620 dated 6th February, 1984 bearing the name of Haruna Musa and with the intent that same be used and acted upon as genuine and thereby committed an offence contrary to and Punishable under Section 368 Penal Code Law of Northern Nigeria”.
The convict pleaded guilty to the charge.
Upon his plea, counsel to the EFCC, Zarami Muhammad, urged the court to convict him .
Justice Sa'ad found him guilty as charged and sentenced him to two years imprisonment with an option of N20, 000 fine. - EFCC
Biafra struggle :Nnamdi Kanu rejects withdrawal of threat, insists Igbos must vacate North
IPOB, The digenous People of Biafra, under the leadership of Nnamdi Kanu, on Friday rejected Arewa youths’ decision to withdrawal the quit notice issued to Igbos in the northern part of the country.
Recall that Arewa youths had recently ordered Igbos residing in the North to vacate the region before October 1.
However, the coalition, in a press conference yesterday in Abuja withdrew the quit notice, saying Igbos can remain anywhere in the North.
But, in its reaction, the pro-Biafra group described the withdrawal of the quit notice as “inconsequential.”
IPOB insists that Arewa youths should, “stick to the quit notice,” if they have any “honour.”
A statement by IPOB’s spokesperson, Emma Powerful reads, “It is inconsequential to IPOB whether the ‘quit notice’ was rescinded or not because it will in no way impact the pace and direction of our effort to restore Biafra.
“Threats don’t have any effect on us, so our advice to the Arewa North is to please stick to the October 1 deadline or else they have no honour.
“We urge all southerners in the core North to return home before October 1 as history will most definitely repeat itself.
“Southerners were massacred in the pogroms of 1966 and 1967 after similar assurances were issued then that people should remain in the North,” the IPOB spokesman said.
The pro-Biafra group alleged that the ‘quit notice’, which it described as an incitement to genocide, was endorsed by Northern political leaders.
“The presence of a serving governor and senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria during the supposed press briefing confirms what we have always known that the incitement to genocide, which is what the ‘quit notice’ is all about, has the blessing of the Arewa political class.
“If President Muhammadu Buhari is at all serious about clamping down on hate speech, he should arrest those behind the ‘quit notice’ along with their sponsors,” IPOB said.
“Trying to drag the name of our leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, into their unintelligent blood fest will be resisted.
“If the idea is to cow our leader with calls for his arrest, then those behind the genocidal edict of ‘Igbos must leave the North’ are even dumber than we thought. - Daily Post
Shocking !!! Photos : Man chops off school girl’s hand for refusing relationship with him
A 19 year-old-man, Vinod Chaurasia, has chopped off the hand of a 15-year-old schoolgirl with a knife for refusing relationship with him.
The incident took place at the Lakhimpur Kheri market, in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, when the victim was shopping with her younger brother.
She was immediately rushed to a private hospital where doctors are trying to stitch back her dismembered hand.
According to Daily Mail, the suspect, a welding workshop spotted the girl shopping with her younger brother on Wednesday afternoon.
Police claimed he followed her to try and convince her to go out with him but when she turned him down, he took out the sword and cut off her hand.
”He then repeatedly struck her with the sword but fortunately, the crowd overpowered him and handed him over to the police,” a senior police officer said, adding that, ”The girl was referred to Lucknow for treatment as she was in a very critical condition. She had lost a lot of blood. Our priority is the health of the girl, who is still critical.”
”Once her condition improves, we will record her statement following which the motive of the attack can be clearly ascertained, he concluded” - Daily Post
OMG !!! A 26-year-old man arrested for attempting to use father, siblings, Facebook friends for rituals
A man has been arrested by the police over alleged attempt to sacrifice his father, two siblings and five of his friends in Ifite-Awka, Anambra state.
The suspect, Chukwuemeka Okafor, was said to have obtained the sum of N100,000 from the father under the pretence of using it to set up a business, for the alleged rituals.
Confessing to the crime, the suspect said he was roped into the act after he was defrauded of N400,000 by one of his friends who had promised to take him to Dubai.
“Amidst these frustrations, I sought for the assistance of one Zaki who is very influential and he told me that he made his money through money ritual.
“He insisted I must join him after revealing the secret, saying he was warned not to disclose such secrets to anybody otherwise his life would be terminated,” he said.
The suspect, who said he had no option but to join, produced the pictures of his father, two siblings and five of his friends which he dowloaded and printed from his Facebook page.
Parading the suspect at the police headquarters in Amawbia, Commissioner of police, Garba Umar said the father had innocently provided the said sum to the suspect without knowing that the money would be used to settle the ‘native doctor’ to eliminate him.
He listed the items recovered from him to include eight photographs of the victims, including three members of the family and five Facebook friends as well as cash sum of N100,000.
He said the suspect was assisting the police with useful information for further investigation and would be charged to court for prosecution. - Daily Post
Crime : Fulani herdsman sent to prison for raping married woman
A 19-year-old Fulani herdsman, Abubakar Likita has been remanded at Agodi prisons by an Iyaganku Senior Magistrates’ Court sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State for raping a married woman.
Likita, who reared cattle around Idiya Village in Ile-Ido, Ibadan was arraigned on a charge of having unlawful carnal knowledge of a married woman.
The Prosecutor, Sergeant Olalekan Adegbite, informed the court that the 19-year-old committed the offence on August 14 at about 5 pm. at Idiya Village.
Adegbite said: “On the fateful day, the woman was in her farm when Likita attacked her from behind.
“The attack resulted in the woman sustaining injury at the back of her forehead and neck where the accused held her.”
Adegbite told the court that the offence contravened Section 357, punishable under Section 358 of the Criminal Code Cap 38, Vol.38, Vol. II Laws of Oyo State 2000.
After listening to Adegbite, the Senior Magistrate, Mrs Patricia Adetuyibi, ordered that Likita be remanded in Agodi Prison pending advice from the Oyo State Director of Public Prosecutions.
Thereafter, she adjourned the matter till October 5. - Daily Post
Transfer : Mauricio Pochettino responds to Aurier's Spurs link
Pochettino suggested three more players could be on their way to Tottenham, but he played his cards close to his chest over reports Serge Aurier will be among them.
Spurs this week completed the signings of Ajax defender Davinson Sanchez and Southampton goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga, but Pochettino's business is not yet done.
With some having criticised the club's relative lack of activity in this window, Pochettino hinted at further arrivals to follow, but would not be drawn on links with Paris Saint-Germain right-back Aurier.
"That is a rumour. We cannot confirm anything until something happens," said the Argentinian, who is seeking a replacement for Kyle Walker following his move to Manchester City.
"There are many, many players like always in the media. But you know I can confirm nothing. I never speak about rumour.
"Always my full respect always to other clubs or players that are in maybe in negotiations with us or other clubs."
He added: "I wanted four players before ... one keeper plus four. Maybe three more now.
"We are so motivated and the club is excited to try to strengthen the squad and be more competitive."
Pochettino confirmed Sanchez is awaiting a work permit before he can be cleared to feature against Burnley at Wembley on Sunday.
A 2-1 loss to Chelsea at the national stadium heightened talk of a supposed hoodoo at the venue, but Pochettino does believe his players will need picking up from that loss.
"No, I think sometimes you can lose the games like this," he said. "It's true that you are never happy when you lose, but in the way we lost there were a lot of positive things to take.
"I think everyone who has watched the game, will agree with me that we were better. We created more chances and we were the protagonists. We conceded two goals and in the end we paid for that.
"We weren't clinical in front of the goal and when you can't score it's too difficult to win.
"But the performance was good. I was happy with all the players. In the way that we played." - Goal
Transfer updates : 'Messi staying at Barca my dream' - Guardiola
Pep Guardiola has distanced Manchester City from a move for Lionel Messi, reiterating it is his "dream" for the superstar forward to complete his career at Barcelona.
City have been regularly touted as a future destination for Messi since Guardiola's former Barca colleague Txiki Begiristain was appointed as director of football at the Etihad Stadium in 2012.
Amid reports over the past week linking City with both an immediate move for Messi by activating his release clause at Camp Nou and signing him on a free transfer at the end of the season, with the five-time Ballon d'Or winner's new contract still unsigned, Begiristain told reporters at Thursday's Champions League draw in Monaco that such a move was "impossible".
City's transfer mastermind also ruled the club out of the running for teenage Monaco sensation Kylian Mbappe, with Paris Saint-Germain heavily touted as the frontrunners for his signature.
Speaking ahead of his side's Premier League trip to Bournemouth, Guardiola insisted Begiristain's stance was not a case of smoke and mirrors late on in the transfer window.
"They are players from Monaco and Barcelona," he said.
"My dream is for one of them to stay for his career in Barcelona. The other is a young talent. He will decide.
"Txiki was clear. I don't have anything more to say."
Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez and West Brom defender Jonny Evans perhaps represent more attainable targets before next week's deadline.
Sanchez is reportedly keen on a reunion with Guardiola, who brought him to Barcelona in 2011, while City had a bid in the region of £18million for former Manchester United centre-back Evans rejected by Albion last week.
"[Alexis] is an Arsenal player, like Mbappe is a Monaco player, like Jonny Evans is a West Bromwich Albion player.
"You have to ask Alexis. Normally I don't talk about players from other clubs.
"I'm happy with the squad I have. We have five or six days left, and I think the market is going to move because all the managers at the other clubs are [trying] to make the transfers cheaper in the last seconds."
Guardiola confirmed Danilo is in line to start at right-back or right wing-back at Bournemouth after fellow new recruit Kyle Walker was sent off during the first half of Monday's 1-1 draw against Everton. - Goal
Napoli among Europe's best - Pep
Manchester City boss, Pep Guardiola says his team will be up against one of Europe's top three footballing sides in the Champions League.
City were grouped with Shakhtar Donetsk, Feyenoord and Napoli in Thursday's draw, and Guardiola expects the attack-minded Italians in particular to provide a "complicated" challenge.
Napoli scored 94 Serie A goals under Maurizio Sarri last season on their way to a third-placed finish - just five points off champions Juventus.
And Guardiola, whose City side face Bournemouth on Saturday, live on Sky Sports Premier League, said: "When the third pot is Napoli - the best team in the pot - it is complicated. In the Champions League we can expect Pots 1 and 2 will be strong, but today all the teams are strong.
"We're going to face the team who played the best football in Italy. I'm not talking about winning - I like to watch the teams who want to play.
"In Italy, where the culture is defensive in the box, they play 40m in front a bit like Arrigo Sacchi did once. With the ball they are fantastic. For me, and it's just my opinion, they are one of the three best teams right now in Europe playing football.
"And of course the other ones we are going to see. The Champions League is always complicated. Everyone can beat you home and away. Hopefully, we'll get it right." - SKY
"In Italy, where the culture is defensive in the box, they play 40m in front a bit like Arrigo Sacchi did once. With the ball they are fantastic. For me, and it's just my opinion, they are one of the three best teams right now in Europe playing football.
"And of course the other ones we are going to see. The Champions League is always complicated. Everyone can beat you home and away. Hopefully, we'll get it right." - SKY
Transfer news : Galatasaray interested in signing Alex Iwobi
According to AMK, as cited by Turkish Football, Galatasaray are interested in signing Arsenal’s Alex Iwobi to add to an already growing squad.
With the new signing of Alexandre Lacazette and the recent change in system to 3-4-3, Iwobi may not get as much game-time as he was expecting after these last two seasons, where he has really showed his class at just 21-years-old.
Galatasary want to sign Iwobi on loan until the end of the season with an option to buy as a clause in the deal.
Iwobi has come through the ranks at Arsenal, making his senior debut for the club in their 5-1 defeat away to Bayern Munich in the Champions League in 2015.
The Turkish side have already signed eight players this transfer window, including ex-Valencia and West Ham winger, Sofiane Feghouli , Fernando from Manchester City and Bafetimbi Gomis from Swansea. - Read Sport
Transfer updates : Manchester City to up their bid for Jonny Evans
Manchester City are set to come in with a third offer for Jonny Evans, worth £25m according to The Times.
One of the shock rumours of this summer transfer window is Jonny Evans being linked with a move to Manchester City but as Pep Guardiola looks to strengthen his defence for the Premier League and Champions League, City are determined to get Evans.
City’s last offer for the Northern Irishman was worth £18m but that was rejected by The Baggies, who are looking to bring in a replacement for Evans before they even consider accepting a bid from Manchester City, Kevin Wimmer from Tottenham has been a name linked with a move to The Hawthorns.
However, Guardiola wants to move Eliaquim Mangala on before he signs Evans. Mangala is edging closer to a move to Inter Milan on loan.
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Before joining West Brom in 2015 for £7m, Evans made a total of 198 appearances in all competitions for City’s fierce local rivals, Manchester United. He scored seven and assisted seven for the club. - Read Sport
Transfer news : Chelsea confident in bringing in Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
According to The Telegraph, Chelsea are very confident in signing Arsenal’s, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, despite The Gunners offering the midfielder £180,000 per week.
The Blues also have Champions League football, which Arsenal do not have for the first time under Wenger.
Oxlade-Chamberlain has only a year left on his current deal at The Emirates and after great performances last season, especially at wing-back in the 3-4-3 system which Arsene Wenger switched to towards to back end of last campaign, many clubs have become interested in his services.
Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea have been interested in the player, with Chelsea being the front-runners as they want competition for Victor Moses and to also have more squad depth as they return to the Champions League and look to defend their Premier League title.
Amid this interest, Arsenal have offered the 24-year-old a new contract, worth a lucrative £180,000 per week, which would make him one of the highest-paid players ever at the club.
However, The Gunners are not hopeful that Oxlade-Chamberlain would sign this deal, with Chelsea reportedly launching a £35m bid for him, he may be lured to Stamford Bridge as they are more likely to win trophies compared to Arsenal. - Read Sport
La Liga : Raiola tells Messi to leave Barcelona
Agent Mino Raiola has some advice for Lionel Messi: Leave Barcelona to prove your greatness.
He has agreed a new deal with Barcelona but that contract remains unsigned amid uncertainty over the five-time Ballon d'Or winner's future at Camp Nou.
With the 30-year-old yet to put pen to paper, Manchester City – managed by former Barca boss Pep Guardiola – have emerged as a possible destination.
Raiola does not represent Messi but the Italy-born Dutchman – whose list of clients includes Paul Pogba, Romelu Lukaku, Marco Verratti, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Zlatan Ibrahimovic – believes the time is right for a change.
"A player like Messi must try another experience with a different club and prove how great he is," Raiola said via Marca.
"Barcelona must be reinvented again."
Messi is Barcelona's all-time leading goalscorer, helping the Catalan giants to 29 trophies, including eight LaLiga titles and four Champions League crowns.
Raiola also shared his views on Neymar's world-record transfer to Paris Saint-Germain.
PSG activated Neymar's €222million release clause to lure the Brazil international from Barca earlier in August.
"The market, as such, no longer exists. Now it is countries who are signing players and that isn't football," Raiola added. - Goal
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Nigeria is a joke !!! Electric cars to be introduced into Nigerian market by 2018
Malik Ado-Ibrahim, chairman of the company, made this known to journalists in an interactive session which held in Abuja on Thursday.
Ado-Ibrahim said several countries across the world have set targets for the ban of petrol-fuelled vehicles with India targeting 2030, and the United Kingdom, 2040.
He said Nigeria and Africa need to look inward to be at the fore of the automotive revolution or risk becoming waste bin for banned vehicles from other countries.
Ado-Ibrahim, who was the first African to lead the Formula 1 Team global race car competition in 1999, said his firm is already building a 100 megawatts (mw) solar power plant in Katsina and another in Adamawa state.
According to him, the company has also partnered with Build Your Dreams, a Chinese firm, to import electric vehicles at affordable costs from 2018.
In June, Elon Musk had unveiled the world’s cheapest electric car, which was priced at N11 million.
“We are also working with BYD to get a local brand and start an electric vehicle assembly plant for Nigeria from 2020. Gradually we will move to an EV with the African DNA starting in Nigeria,” he said. - Cable Nigeria
No amount of hatred will erase Buhari’s ‘tremendous’ achievements -'' Liar Muhammed''
The minister made the observation at the opening of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC)’ annual lecture and 25th anniversary of creation of the commission.
Mohammed said contrary to the impression being created by purveyors of hate speech and fake news, the Buhari administration had, in a short time, recorded solid achievements under a most difficult situation.
He said despite operating with just 45 percent of the funds available to the immediate past administration due largely to the fall in prices of oil, the Buhari government had achieved tremendously.
The minister said it was as a result of the efficient leadership of Buhari that Nigeria had not witnessed economic and social crises like other oil dependent nations.
“A country that has consistently produced more oil than Nigeria, despite having about one sixth of the Nigerian population, is today embroiled in the worst economic crisis in its history,” he said.
“There is shortage of food, medicine and everything, and there is hyper-inflation.
“With Nigeria being affected by the same downturn in oil prices, coupled with years of monumental mismanagement of the country’s economy and the mindless and maddening looting of its treasury by rapacious public officials, why is Nigeria not in similar crisis as the country in question?
“My answer is simple: Because Nigeria has a President like Muhammadu Buhari!”
Specifically, the minister said the Buhari government had brought transparency to governance, laying a solid foundation for the country’s economic recovery and growth through the treasury single account (TSA) and other economic policies.
“Does anyone remember the scandalous fuel subsidies that failed to deliver fuel to filling stations? What about the fertiliser subsidies that never guaranteed the availability of fertiliser to farmers? Today, fuel queues are gone with the phantom fuel subsidies,” he said.
“Also, thanks to the resuscitation of 11 of the country’s moribund fertiliser blending plants, fertiliser is now available to farmers nationwide.
“In fact, 6 million bags of fertilisers have been delivered at 30 per cent below the market price, 50,000 jobs created and N50 billion saved with the stopping of fertiliser subsidy.”
Mohammed said that despite paucity of funds, the federal government’s social investment programmes were being implemented, creating jobs for youths and providing nutritious food for school children.
He said the micro-credit scheme of the programmes was providing over a million Nigerians with small loans at very low rates through the Bank of Industry.
The minister said despite the “cowardly” bombing of soft targets, Boko Haram insurgency was not in resurgence. - Cable Nigeria
In Nigeria he will become a senator !!! Samsung Heir Sentenced to Five Years for Graft Conviction
Jay Y. Lee, vice chairman of Samsung Electronics Co., was convicted of bribery and sentenced to five years in prison, a blow to the heir apparent of the world’s biggest maker of smartphones and memory chips.
A three-judge panel of Seoul Central District Court found Lee guilty of bribery, perjury and embezzlement on Friday. The 49-year-old has been in detention since February and proclaimed his innocence throughout the trial and his lawyer said he would appeal the verdict. Prosecutors had sought 12 years in prison.
The ruling casts doubt over Lee’s return to the conglomerate his grandfather founded almost 80 years ago and is now in a battle for smartphone supremacy with Apple Inc. Since his arrest in February, Samsung Electronics has bounced back from last year’s exploding Note 7 fiasco to release a new flagship and post record earnings with its shares also reaching an all-time high.
Lee also joins the list of Korean business leaders to be convicted of corrupt behavior, one that already includes his father Lee Kun-hee. The elder Lee received a suspended three-year prison sentence for evading taxes and embezzling corporate money.
Along with Lee’s sentencing, former Samsung executives were also convicted Friday. Former Samsung Corporate Strategy Office chief Choi Gee-sung and former President Chang Choong-ki were each sentenced to four years in prison, while two other executives get suspended prison terms.
This year’s case, dubbed the “Trial of the Century,” transfixed the nation as it shone a spotlight on the interaction between South Korea’s chaebol and the political elite. Through hundreds of hours of testimony from dozens of witnesses, prosecutors sought to draw a link between backing from a state-run pension for a 2015 merger of Samsung affiliates and money paid to a confidante of then President Park Geun-hye, including an $800,000 horse for the friend’s daughter.
Lee, choking back tears at times, testified that he knew little about Samsung affiliates other than the electronics business, and that he wasn’t part of the approval or decision-making process. Song Wu-cheol, Lee’s lawyer, said they would appeal the ruling.
Samsung Electronics is comprised of about 60 units selling life insurance to ships. Since Lee’s arrest, it has posted record net income and released the Galaxy S8 smartphone to critical and commercial success. Semiconductor sales are booming, shares reached an all-time high and it has just unveiled the new Note 8 device.
Controlled by the Lee family through a web of cross-holdings, Samsung is South Korea’s biggest conglomerate, comprised of about 60 units selling life insurance, cargo ships and clothes. The empire has a market capitalization of about $395 billion.
Samsung Electronics makes up most of that, with a value of $272 billion. It is the world’s biggest maker of smartphones and memory chips, with customers including Apple, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and Microsoft Corp., according to supply chain data compiled by Bloomberg.
Samsung shares have risen 30 percent this year, outperforming the benchmark Kospi. The index was little changed on Friday.
Brushes with the law aren’t new to the Lee family. Lee Kun-hee received a suspended three-year prison sentence for evading taxes. He was later pardoned by then-President Lee Myung-bak. - Bloomberg
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