Critics part of being at Madrid, says Zidane (Read full details)

Real Madrid's French coach Zinedine Zidane / AFP PHOTO / PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU

Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane insisted there is still plenty for the European champions to be positive about on Saturday despite a run of just one win in five games.

Madrid were dumped out of the Copa del Rey by Celta Vigo on Wednesday and have seen their lead at the top of La Liga cut to just a point from Sevilla after being defeated by their closest challengers for the first time in 40 matches two weeks ago.

However, despite facing the first sustained period of criticism of his year-long spell in charge at the Bernabeu, Zidane, who played for Madrid between 2001 and 2006, believes criticism comes with the territory at one of the biggest clubs in the world.

“The overall assessment is still very positive for us. We are in the fight in La Liga and the Champions League,” said Zidane ahead of Real Sociedad’s visit to the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday.

“We are happy with what we have done up until now. The second half of the season is now starting and we have to have the same consistency we have had up till now.”

Zidane’s decision to stick by much-criticised right-back Danilo in the midst of an injury crisis proved misguided as the Brazilian scored a second own goal in three games in midweek.

Meanwhile, his preference of his compatriot Karim Benzema over Spanish international Alvaro Morata up front has been a particular bugbear for the local press.

“I am happy when I see the team playing well and when there is criticism, you have to accept it whether you agree with it or not,” added Zidane.

“We need to keep working hard and believing what we are doing. We can’t change anything else.”

Raphael Varane is the only injury absentee from midweek to return to the Real squad as Gareth Bale, Luka Modric, James Rodriguez, Dani Carvajal, Marcelo and Pepe once again all miss out.

Critics part of being at Madrid, says Zidane

Putin and Trump to speak by phone on Saturday (Read full details)

Russian President Vladimir Putin / AFP PHOTO / POOL / Alexander Zemlianichenko

US President Donald Trump and Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin will on Saturday hold their first phone conversation since the American leader’s inauguration, the Kremlin said.

“I can confirm that a telephone conversation is planned. It will be Saturday evening Moscow time,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists on Friday.

Peskov said Putin would congratulate Trump on officially becoming president and the two would likely discuss the “state of bilateral ties”.

But Putin’s spokesman refused to comment on rumours that Trump might already be gearing up to roll back sanctions against Moscow that have helped drive ties to their lowest point since the end of the Cold War.

“This is the first contact by phone since President Trump assumed office so it is hardly likely there will be substantive contact on all issues. Let’s be patient,” he said.

The two leaders already spoke by phone in November following Trump’s election, and agreed to “normalise” US-Russia relations, which have suffered notably since the crisis in Ukraine.

Throughout the election campaign, Trump praised Putin and was accused by his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton of being Putin’s “puppet.”

Less than one month before leaving the White House, former president Barack Obama took action against Moscow over what he said was Russian meddling in the US presidential election.

The measures by Obama, who accused Moscow of “efforts to harm US interests,” included the expulsion of 35 alleged intelligence agents and financial sanctions on Russia’s top intelligence agencies.

Trump has pledged to mend ties with Putin’s government, and is angered by suggestions that his victory was aided by illegal Russian interference.

Putin and Trump to speak by phone on Saturday

Resident doctors ends 7-day warning strike (Read full details)

The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) on Wednesday ended it seven days nationwide warning strike and gave the Federal Government another 21 days ultimatum to meet its demands.

Dr John Onyebueze, President of the association, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

NAN reports that the resident doctors had on Jan.18 embarked on seven days warning strike for the government to meet their demands.

According to Onyebueze, the demands border on welfare, revamping decay infrastructure and equipment in the government-owned health institutions, provide quality and affordable healthcare to the populace.

Others include immediate implementation of the National Health Act, 2014, release of the template and implementation of white paper on residency training programme.

“At the moment, we are still where we are, none of our demands have been met by the government, but the last time we met with the government officials they made some promises.

“So, we are giving the Federal Government another 21 days ultimatum now to see those promises translating into action.

“They cannot just tell us that they have set up machinery to implement the National Health Act, 2014 without actions.

“Between now and the 21days we have given, if we do not see the committee working or implementing the National Health Act that means it is a mere promise.

“On the other issues regarding welfare, the government also made some promises which of course they have been making since 2013.

“What we are waiting for is for those promises to translate into action,’’ Onyebueze said.

Resident doctors ends 7-day warning strike