Mignolet atones to keep Chelsea tethered…See full details

Liverpool's English midfielder James Milner (R) vie with Chelsea's Brazilian-born Spanish striker Diego Costa during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Chelsea at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on January 31, 2017. PHOTO: PAUL ELLIS / AFP

Simon Mignolet went from zero to hero as Liverpool prevented Chelsea from significantly extending their lead at the Premier League summit in a 1-1 draw at Anfield on Tuesday.

The Belgian goalkeeper was caught daydreaming as David Luiz put Chelsea ahead with a first-half free-kick, but after Georginio Wijnaldum equalised, his penalty save denied Diego Costa a late winner.

With Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur dropping points, victory would have sent Chelsea 11 points clear, but instead Antonio Conte’s side had to content themselves with eking their advantage up to nine points.

Liverpool remain 10 points off the pace in fourth place, but although they have won just one of their nine matches in 2017, they avoided losing four successive home games for the first time since 1923.

While the point did little to enhance their title hopes, it was a much improved display by Jurgen Klopp’s men after successive exits from the League Cup and FA Cup against Southampton and Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Costa’s squandered penalty, generously awarded for a foul on him by Joel Matip, meant Chelsea failed to win for only the second time in 17 league games, but the title remains theirs to lose.

Klopp had trumpeted his team’s ability to beat “anyone else in this league” in the match programme and with England pair Nathaniel Clyne and Adam Lallana back from injury, his men began sharply.

Their aggressive pressing prevented Chelsea from settling into a rhythm and Wijnaldum saw a rasping shot parried by visiting goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.

Conte, clad in a tracksuit and puffer jacket that recalled former manager Jose Mourinho’s attire during Chelsea’s pivotal 2-0 win here in 2014, kicked the ball away in frustration at one point.

But in the 24th minute a combination of exquisite technique and inexcusably lax defensive attentiveness gave Chelsea the breakthrough.

As Luiz advanced to strike his free-kick, 25 yards from goal and to the left of centre, Mignolet was gesticulating to his team-mates on the edge of the area.

– Mane comeback –

The Brazilian struck the ball with ferocious but controlled power and it zipped over the wall before crashing in via the left-hand post, with Mignolet rooted to the spot.

Luiz then came within inches of connecting with a Willian free-kick, which Mignolet had to paw away, and Willian sent a shot whistling over the bar.

Liverpool should have levelled four minutes into the second half when Roberto Firmino hoisted the ball clear of the bar after Eden Hazard had slid in to rob Clyne.

But following a sight of goal at the other end for Victor Moses, who clipped the post after charging down James Milner’s clearance, the home side levelled in the 57th minute.

Jordan Henderson’s deep cross from the right was headed back across goal by Milner, with a touch from Moses enabling Wijnaldum to direct a low header beneath Courtois’s despairing dive.

Sadio Mane made his Liverpool comeback in place of Philippe Coutinho, his Africa Cup of Nations quest with Senegal having been ended by his squandered penalty against Cameroon in the quarter-finals.

But here it was Costa who fluffed his lines from 12 yards as Mignolet dived to his right to shovel away the Chelsea striker’s poorly struck spot-kick in the 77th minute.

Pedro Rodriguez, on for Willian, came close to sparing Costa’s blushes with a snapshot that flashed wide, while Firmino could only direct a header straight at Courtois at the opposite end.

Saraki accepts chief of staff’s resignation (Read full details)

Senate President, Bukola Saraki

The President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, has accepted the resignation of his Chief of Staff, Sen. Isa Galaudu.

The information is in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Yusuph Olaniyonu in Abuja on Tuesday.

Olaniyonu stated that Galaudu first mentioned his decision to step down in November 2016 for personal reasons and that both Saraki and the chief of staff agreed on his final exit at the end of January.

He quoted Saraki as thanking the outgoing chief of staff “for his commitment and dedication to duty”.

Saraki then asked Deputy Chief of Staff, Gbenga Makanjuola, to act in that position pending the appointment of a substantive chief of staff.

I’m lucky to be alive, says Mason after horror injury…See full details

Chelsea's English defender Gary Cahill (L) and Hull City's English midfielder Ryan Mason clash heads during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Hull City at Stamford Bridge in London on January 22, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Adrian DENNIS /

Hull City midfielder Ryan Mason says he is lucky to be alive after fracturing his skull in a horrific clash of heads with Chelsea’s Gary Cahill.

Mason was rushed to hospital following the nasty incident in the first half of Hull’s 2-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge on January 22.

The 25-year-old feared the worst before surgery and eventually spent eight days in hospital before being released on Monday.

“It has been an emotional rollercoaster and I feel lucky to be alive, but I’m happy to say I’m now at home resting and recovering,” former Tottenham star Mason said on Tuesday.

“My fiancee and family have read so many messages of support to me over the past week.

“To have had so many people send messages to me, including from fellow players, clubs (in particular the support shown to me from both Hull City and Tottenham Hotspur), so many fans as well as the support I have received from the general public around the world has been completely overwhelming.

“Each and every message of support really has given me strength and I cannot tell you how much it means to me.

“The love and support my Mum, Dad, sisters, fiancee Rachel and all of my friends and family have shown to me during what has been an extremely traumatic time for all involved has been incredible and I want to thank them from the bottom of my heart for being there throughout.

“Finally I would like to say a special thank you to all the medical staff at Hull, as well as the medical team at Chelsea and of course the fantastic treatment and support I have received from all of the staff during my stay at St. Mary’s hospital.”

Ribery doubtful for Arsenal visit…See full details

Bayern Munich's French midfielder Franck Ribery / AFP PHOTO / PATRIK STOLLARZ /

Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery could miss the first leg of next month’s Champions League last 16 clash against Arsenal with a thigh problem, German media reported on Tuesday.

The Frenchman suffered the injury to his right leg after a training ground collision with Germany centre-back Mats Hummels and faces up to a month on the sidelines, according to German daily Bild.

Bayern begin a busy run of fixtures starting with this weekend’s Bundesliga match at home to Schalke, with Wolfsburg then travelling to the Allianz Arena for a German Cup round of 16 tie next Tuesday.

After a trip to Ingolstadt on February 11, the Gunners travel to Munich four days later as the two sides square off in Europe’s premier club competition for the fourth time in five seasons.

But Ribery, who extended his Bayern deal until 2018 last November, is unlikely to feature after succumbing to more injury problems.

The 33-year-old was sidelined for a month earlier in the season but remains a key part of Carlo Ancelotti’s side despite starting just eight of 18 league games this term.

Osinabjo meets National Assembly leadership over 2017 budget (Read full details)

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo

Acting President Yemi Osinbajo on Tuesday met with the leadership of the National Assembly (NASS) in continuation of consultations between the executive and legislative arms of government over the 2017 Budget.

The meeting, held behind closed doors in the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Tuesday, had the President of the Senate, Sen. Bukola Saraki and Speaker of the House of Representatives Yakubu Dogara and some cabinet ministers in attendance.

Addressing State House correspondents after the meeting, the Senate President said they discussed issues relating to the nation’s economy, including the 2017 budget proposal before the NASS.

Saraki, who described the meeting as fruitful, revealed that they were updated on the proposed government’s economic recovery plans, the road show for the sales of bonds and the 2017 budget.

According to him, the National Assembly has so far not encountered any problems with the 2017 budget.

“We are meeting on the economy and the budget; myself, the Vice-President and the Speaker, minister of budget and minister of finance.

“We are aware that the economic team will soon be going on a roadshow and just to brief us and let us know the issues and just carry us along.

“We have just started the defence so there are no issues; these are just consultations,’’ he said.

President Muhammadu Buhari, on Dec. 14, 2016, presented a budget of N7.30 trillion for 2017 before a joint session of the National Assembly.

The president explained that N2.24 trillion, representing 30.7 percent of the budget, would be committed to capital expenditure aimed at pulling the economy out of recession as quickly as possible.

The capital expenditure was increased from N1.8 trillion in 2016 to N2.24 trillion in 2017 while N2.98 trillion was announced as recurrent expenditure for the 2017 fiscal year.

Tonia Shodunke – My Rock ft. Isabella Melodies [Mp3, Lyrics, Wiki, Bio]

Still on the heels of the success of her recently released video for her hit praise single – ‘Ijoya’, Tonia Shodunke makes yet another applaudable appearance with a brand new single titled – ‘My Rock’ featuring her mentor and international Gospel music icon -Isabella.

‘My Rock’ can best be described as a ‘timely offering’ for every individual, an essential praise & worship tool, most especially in times like these with the recent happenings around the world.

The slow rock sing along is centred around the scripture that reveals – ”When men say there is a casting down, we shall always declare that there is a lifting up for us and all that pertains to us”.

Produced by the renowned music maestro Wilson Joel, of Doxology Music. The music magnate himself.

Tonia Shodunke – My Rock ft. Isabella Melodies

Rooney going nowhere says Mourinho…See full details

Manchester United's English striker Wayne Rooney / AFP PHOTO / OLI SCARFF

Jose Mourinho has confirmed Wayne Rooney will remain at Manchester United for the rest of the season despite reports linking him with a move to the Chinese Super League.

The Chinese transfer window does not close until the end of February and the England forward’s name has been linked repeatedly with astonishing offers from a country where professional football is enjoying an explosion in financial investment.

But Mourinho insisted Tuesday that Rooney, 31, will stay in his squad until at least the end of the season, despite having long since lost his status as an automatic first-choice at the club where he has been such a key player for the last 13 years.

“Yes,” said Mourinho when asked if Rooney, who recently became United’s all-time leading goal-scorer, will see out the season at Old Trafford.

“We don’t have players in, we don’t have players out, we lost two players from the squad,” the United manager added.

“You can say Memphis Depay (who joined Lyon in the January transfer window) and Morgan Schneiderlin (signed by Everton) did not play a lot, but the reality is they played some matches, and when they did, others didn’t, and when they played, others were rested.

“When Schneiderlin played, it meant (Paul) Pogba, (Michael) Carrick or (Ander) Herrera didn’t. You lose players sometimes it does not look important because they were not first-choice players, but in the end they’re important if a club is going to have a difficult season.”

United are still active in four competitions — the Premier League, League Cup, FA Cup and Europa League — and Portuguese boss Mourinho has spoken repeatedly about his concerns at the lack of numbers in his squad.

Even though Rooney has seen his name linked with a move that could be worth up to £1 million a week in China, Mourinho has fought to keep him at the club, at least for the remaining four months of the campaign.

However, it seems increasingly likely the veteran England forward could still be heading for the Far East in the summer.

– ‘Know what I want’ –
The only player Mourinho feared he would lose before the English transfer window closed at the end of January was winger Ashley Young, who was also linked with China as well as Premier League clubs Watford, West Brom, Swansea and West Ham.

“He’s staying, he’s selected for tomorrow,” said Mourinho, speaking on the eve of Wednesday’s league fixture with Hull. “He stays with me until the end of the season. It’s finished.”

Mourinho, like most of the other managers near the top of the Premier League, has had a quiet January transfer window with the sales of Schneiderlin and Depay his only major business.

However, the United manager believes that January transfers are becoming increasingly difficult for the Premier League’s leading clubs and the summer is now the more important period for team strengthening.

“I cannot speak for the other teams, their decisions, what they think,” he said. “In our case, we are more focused on the summer period. I like my players, so nothing for me.

“The market closes today, so there is no point in me speaking about the next transfer window when we have so many matches to play, so much to fight for, so many good players to work with.”

‘El Chapo’ wants his day in US court…Read full details

PHOTO:AFP

Mexican drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, one of the world’s most notorious criminals, is demanding to appear in person at his next US court hearing and not by video link.

Judge Brian Cogan last week ordered that 59-year-old Guzman, who spectacularly escaped from prison twice in Mexico, appear by video link for the brief procedural hearing to “minimize disruption from physical transportation.”

But in a five-page letter dated Monday, his American public defenders told Cogan that Guzman “objects” and requests to “be physically present in the courtroom” on Friday and at other future hearings.

Guzman, accused of running one of the world’s biggest drug empires, was extradited to the United States on January 19 and appeared without handcuffs and without incident to plead not guilty to a raft of firearms, drug trafficking and conspiracy charges during a brief hearing on January 20.

Since then, he has been held in solitary confinement at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in Manhattan, unable to make telephone calls or communicate directly with his family or lawyers in Mexico, his lawyers said.

“He is locked in a cell 23 hours a day and only allowed to leave to meet with his attorneys and for one hour of solitary exercise,” they wrote in the letter.

“His absence from the courtroom would necessarily lead to the public impression that Mr Guzman is too dangerous to be brought to the courtroom.”

The letter complained that Guzman’s extradition, which his lawyers had strenuously resisted, came “suddenly and without warning to his attorneys.”

In New York he is charged on a sweeping 17-count indictment that spans decades of alleged criminal enterprise, drug importation, illegal use of firearms and money laundering conspiracy.

The MCC is a two-mile (three-kilometer) drive from Cogan’s federal court room in Brooklyn and has stringent security measures. In the past, a handful of inmates have nonetheless managed to escape.

Guzman escaped from prison in Mexico for the first time in 2001 in a laundry cart and through a tunnel under his shower in 2015.

If found guilty at trial in New York, he stands to spend the rest of his life in a maximum security US prison.

Lawmakers task presidency on CJN’s confirmation (Read full details)

Justice Walter Onnoghen

The Cross River caucus in the National Assembly has urged the Presidency to transmit the name of Justice Walter Onnoghen to the Senate for confirmation as the Chief Justice of Nigeria.

Onnoghen (67), who is the acting Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), is a native of Okurike town in Biase Local Government Area of Cross Rivers.

He obtained Bachelor of Law Degree, with upper division from the University of Ghana, Legon, in 1977 and his Bachelor of Law from the Nigerian Law School, Victoria Island, Lagos in 1978 and appointed as a Supreme Court Judge in 20015,

Speaking on behalf of the caucus, Sen. John Enoh told newsmen in Abuja on Tuesday that the move would be in fulfillment of Section 231(1) of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

Enoh expressed concern over the delay in transmitting the name of Onnoghen as the substantive CJN.

“The continuous delay by the Presidency to forward Justice Onnoghen’s name to Senate for confirmation, without any lawful and constitutional cause, has brought the issue of judiciary and security of tenure of Judges to doubt and public discourse,’’ he said.

The National Judicial Council (NJC) in exercise of its powers, on Oct. 13, 2016 recommended Onnoghen as the CJN to the President.

President Muhammadu Buhari thereafter appointed and swore him in as the Acting CJN on Nov. 10, 2016.

“Exactly two months and 15 days, the presidency has delayed and withheld to forward his name to the Senate for confirmation as CJN as required by the constitution.’’

“We are worried by this development for obvious reasons; as a hallowed institution, the judiciary is the bastion of our democracy and should be insulated from undue pressure, influence, politics and manipulation of political predators.

“It operates on an established tradition of a settled succession based on merit and seniority.

“Before now, the convention was for the President to forward the name of a candidate so recommended to him by the NJC in exercise of his powers and responsibility.

“Pursuant to its mandate, what is required from the presidency, in this case, is a decisive action of simply transmitting the name of Justice Onnoghen to the Senate for confirmation.

Unfortunately, this has not happened.’’ Enoh say.

Old foes Atletico, Barca clash for Cup final place…See full details

PHOTO:AFP

Barcelona will be without Andres Iniesta and Sergio Busquets once more as they face old foes Atletico Madrid in a fifth two-legged clash between the sides in four seasons with a place in the Copa del Rey final at stake on Wednesday.

The presence of the Spanish international duo was badly missed as Barca slipped further behind Real Madrid at the top of La Liga in a controversial 1-1 draw at Real Betis at the weekend.

Atletico have won only once in nine games against Barca in the three years since Luis Enrique took charge, but Los Rojiblancos have knocked Barca out of the Champions League in two of the past three seasons.

“They are always difficult to play against,” said Enrique on Tuesday.

“It will be a great atmosphere and it is a tie worthy of a semi-final.”

Barca got the better of Atletico 4-2 on aggregate in a bad-tempered tie when the sides last met in the Cup two seasons ago as the Catalans went on to win the treble.

And Enrique defended his decision to heavily rotate his squad during a demanding January if Barca are to have any chance of repeating that feat as they chase down Madrid in La Liga and face Paris Saint-Germain on their return to Champions League action on February 14.

“If I don’t rotate, we won’t get to February 15. Between injuries, suspensions and tiredness, there is no other way. I rotate or we don’t challenge in all competitions.”

Enrique has at least been able to recall midfielder Rafinha from injury to help cover the gaps left by Iniesta and Busquets.

However, the one area the Barca boss has been reluctant to rotate is up front and all three of the superstar trio of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar look set to start again at the Vicente Calderon.

– ‘Magical night’ –
Atletico are also looking to bounce back as they were outplayed and held 0-0 by Alaves in league action at the weekend to slip 10 points back of Real in fourth.

However, their last season at the Calderon could still be salvaged by Cup success and Fernando Torres called on the Atletico fans to create a “magical” atmosphere on one of the last big nights at the Calderon before moving to a new 67,000 capacity stadium next season.

“I am sure the Atletico fans will fill the Calderon and make us experience a magical night,” said the former Liverpool and Chelsea striker.

“The game on Wednesday ought to be our only concern and headache right know because we know how difficult the game against Barcelona will be, but we hope to get the win in front of our own fans.”

Atletico will be without the injured Jan Oblak and Jose Maria Gimenez, but captain Gabi will return after being suspended on Saturday.

Whoever goes through over the two legs will be huge favourites to win the Cup come May with Real Madrid’s conquerors Celta Vigo facing Alaves in the other semi-final.

Neither side have ever won the Copa del Rey with Alaves’ run to the last four equalling their best ever return, whilst Celta have been runners-up on three occasions.

Celta host the first leg on Thursday and will welcome back a host of first team regulars who were rested for Saturday’s 2-0 win at Leganes.

Fixtures (GMT)

Copa del Rey semi-final, first leg

Wednesday

Atletico Madrid v Barcelona (2000)

Thursday

Celta Vigo v Alaves (2000)

EFCC loses bid to freeze Fayose’s accounts (Read full details)

Efforts by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to freeze the personal accounts of Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose with the Zenith Bank Plc were rebuffed by the Federal High Court sitting in Ado Ekiti that dismissed the anti-graft agency’s application for “lack of merit”.

The EFCC had on December 15, 2016, filed an application for a stay of execution of the court’s judgement of December 13, last year on the matter that the agency was erred in frozen Fayose’s account with the bank.

Dismissing the application on Tuesday, the presiding judge, Justice Taiwo Taiwo said that the EFCC had already filed an application at the Appeal Court challenging the judgement of the court.

He said that” once a judgment is being executed, you cannot stay the execution again”.

He, therefore, referred to Section 308 of the 1999 Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The judge said that there were no substantial points raised in the affidavit for the court to condemn the judgment already delivered by the court.

The Judge, therefore, dismissed the application saying it lacks merit.

Morocco’s king hails ‘return home’ to AU after 33 years…Read full details

King of Morocco Mohammed VI (L) greets Rwanda's President Paul Kagame in the main plenary of the African Union in Addis Ababa on Jan 31, 2017. Morocco's King Mohammed VI took a seat at the African Union headquarters Tuesday for the first time in 33 years after being re-admitted by the bloc. Morocco's return to the fold comes a day after 39 of the AU's 54 member states agreed to allow Morocco back in the fold, despite stiff resistance from countries such as South Africa and Algeria over the status of Western Sahara. / AFP PHOTO / ZACHARIAS ABUBEKER

“I am finally home”, King Mohammed VI said Tuesday as the African Union readmitted Morocco after a 33-year absence, deferring the issue of Western Sahara for another day.

Morocco’s return came a day after 39 of the AU’s 54 member states agreed to allow it back in the fold, despite stiff resistance from countries such as South Africa and Algeria over the status of the disputed former Spanish colony.

Faced with the AU’s decision, Western Sahara officials appeared to accept the new reality and cast it in a positive light, saying AU membership might help speed up efforts to end a protracted conflict.

“It is a beautiful day when one returns home after too long an absence,” Mohammed VI told the closing ceremony of the AU summit in Ethiopia.

“Africa is my continent and my home. I am finally home and I am happy to see you. I missed you all.”

Morocco quit the then Organisation of African Unity (OAU) in 1984 after the bloc admitted the former Western Sahara as a separate member.

Morocco maintains that the territory under its control is an integral part of the kingdom, while the Polisario Front, which campaigns for independence, demands a referendum on self-determination.

Some had feared Morocco would seek the expulsion of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) as a precondition for its own return to the AU, however the country agreed to return without conditions.

“From the moment that Morocco did not impose conditions … we take their word for it and accept that Morocco be admitted to the African Union,” said Mohamed Salem Ould Salek, foreign minister of the SADR, which claims sovereignty over the entire territory of Western Sahara.

Salek said Monday that having Morocco in the same room would allow the SADR to pressure them into fulfilling their obligations and hold a long sought referendum.

Mohammed did not raise the issue of Western Sahara in his speech, choosing instead to highlight how Morocco as “one of the most developed African nations”, could be a boon to the continent.

– ‘Common economic growth’ –
He noted that in the past 17 years, Morocco had sealed nearly 1,000 agreements with African nations, and put in place projects such as a gas pipeline deal linking Nigeria to Europe and others to improve agricultural productivity.

He recalled that Morocco had taken part in six peacekeeping operations on the continent.

“We do not ignore the fact that we do not have unanimity in this noble assembly. We do not want to create divisions as some have insinuated,” he said.

“My vision of South-South cooperation is clear and constant. Morocco … will be a motor for common economic growth.

“It is time that Africa’s riches benefit Africa. For too long we have looked elsewhere to make decisions, commitments. Is it not time to turn towards our own continent?”

Despite reservations by some members, outgoing chairperson Nkosazana Dlamini-Zama said the return of Morocco would “provide a platform to strengthen African solutions to African problems.”

The busy AU summit also saw Chadian foreign minister Moussa Faki Mahamat take over from Dlamini-Zuma after a fierce election battle that eliminated four other candidates.

Guinea’s Alpha Conde took over the rotating presidency of the bloc, and called for the continent to express solidarity with Somalia, Libya and Sudan, which have been targeted by a United States travel ban.

EPL preview: Klopp gets his Mane back as he prepares to battle Chelsea…See full details

Liverpool's German manager Jurgen Klopp gestures on the touchline during the English Premier League football match between Sunderland and Liverpool at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland, north-east England on January 2, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Lindsey PARNABY /

The month of January is at an end and Liverpool Football club are yet to win an EPL game in 2017, Jurgen Klopp must be itching his scalp (which he usually does) and wondering what has afflicted his team with this winless streak, as they closed out 2016 with four consecutive wins in the league.

The only game Liverpool have won this year was the FA Cup replay against Plymouth Argyle, they have drawn three and lost four of the eight games they have played so far this year in all competitions. The scariest part for the Reds is the fact that they have lost their last three matches against supposedly inferior teams, all at their hallowed home ground of Anfield. Tonight, they will host a rampaging Chelsea side that has won fifteen of its last sixteen league games.

Liverpool’s dip in form coincided with the loss of Saido Mane to the AFCON and with the unexpected timely return of the speedy Senegalese; they might just find back their form of late last year. Klopp will need the likes of Adam Llalana, Philippe Coutinho, Roberto Firminho and Saido Mane to be at their delightful best to tame the Chelsea beast. This current run of three consecutive home losses for the Reds is their worst since 2012 and they would surely not want to extend it to four. Klopp prefers to line up with a midfield three and it will be interesting to observe if his midfield numerical superiority will count against the flat midfield pair of Matic and Kante.

If he uses advanced midfielders to break the midfield line of Chelsea, It would force the their defence to step up or move wide to cover the attacking moves from the midfield, opening up spaces elsewhere, which can be exploited by Liverpool. Nathaniel Clyne is a doubt for this game and that will be a huge problem for Liverpool as young Trent Alexander-Arnold will deputise for him if he doesn’t make it and the youngster will have his hands full tonight as he will be facing Eden Hazard. Antonio Conte is a creature of habit and will stick to his usual starting XI; the Italian has the luxury of a fully fit team. Victor Moses will start against a team he played for in the past and would want a victory tonight, while Liverpool know that another loss today and they can as well bid their title hopes farewell as they would be thirteen points behind Chelsea if that happens.

Alex Iwobi and his Arsenal teammates will welcome Watford to the Emirates tonight with the intention of battering the Hornets. The Gunners have won their last four matches in all competitions and hammered Southampton 5-0 in the FA Cup on Saturday. They are currently in second position and will want to retain that position, while hoping that Liverpool does everyone else in the chasing pack a favour by beating Chelsea at Anfield on the same night. Watford have been on a poor run of form since December, going winless in their last 8 games and are in sixteenth position on the log. Odion Ighalo should be finalising his transfer to China or West Brom according to reports and will not be part of tonight’s game, while Isaac Success is a fitness doubt for this fixture. Watford have lost their last five EPL games against Arsenal and I expect the trend to continue.

Leicester City will be guests of Burnley and the Champions will be looking to rectify their disastrous away record so far with a win in tonight’s game. They should be boosted by the early return of Islam Slimani and Riyadh Mahrez from AFCON duty with Algeria, while the Nigerian duo of Ahmed Musa and Wilfred Ndidi would love to help the foxes record their first away win of the campaign. The Foxes have won just once in their last seven league matches and if they continue towards that path, a huge relegation scrap awaits them. Burnley have won their last six home matches in all competitions and will look to maintain their impressive home form with a win over the Champions tonight. Only Chelsea, Tottenham and Arsenal have a better home record in the league this season than Burnley and with the struggles of Leicester City away from home this season, this one looks like a Burnley win. However, if there’s any away game that Leicester should win this season going by statistics, it would be against Burnley as the Foxes have won on their last four visits to the Clarets.

Victor Anichebe should play some part when his Sunderland team host Tottenham at the Stadium of Light tonight. Sunderland are winless in their last seven games in all competitions and are currently on a three game losing streak, failing to score in three of their last four games. It will take a huge miracle for the Black Cats to escape relegation this season. Tottenham will go into tonight’s game with the sole aim of knocking the lights out of Sunderland at the Stadium of Light. They are currently on a ten match unbeaten run in all competitions and will be aiming to extend that run to eleven games. The other matches that will be played tonight will see a rejuvenated Swansea take on Southampton at the Liberty Stadium in Wales, Middlesbrough will host West Brom at the Riverside and Bournemouth will welcome Crystal palace to the Vitality Stadium.

The third meeting between West Ham and Manchester City this season will take place tomorrow night at the London Stadium. It will be one of three games that will be played tomorrow. Manchester City have won the two previous fixtures, beating the Hammers 3-1 at the Etihad in the reverse fixture and 5-0 at the London Stadium in the FA Cup. The Hammers defeated Middlesbrough 3-1 in their last league game to make it four wins from their last six league games and move up to tenth on the log. They have won three of their last four home games with clean sheets, losing only to Manchester United 2-0 in that period. The Citizens have won just once in their last four league games and are quickly losing ground to their rivals in the title race. However, the result they got the last time they visited the London Stadium will boost them going into tomorrow’s game and we should be expecting a cracker. Fernandinho completed his four-match ban over the weekend and should be back for this game, while Cheikhou Kouyate has returned from AFCON duty with Senegal but is unlikely to feature in this game.

Manchester United will surpass their neighbour’s task of playing the same opponent thrice this season, with a fourth meeting against Hull the same night at Old Trafford. Hull City ended Manchester United’s seventeen match unbeaten run in all competitions with a 2-1 defeat the last time these teams met, just a week ago, in the second leg of the EFL Cup Semi-final. The Tigers have improved markedly since the arrival of Marco Silva as coach, winning three out of their last six matches.

However, they are still three points adrift of the relegation zone and possess a terrible away record in the league with nine consecutive away defeats. Despite losing their unbeaten run to Hull City last Thursday, the Red Devils still have their thirteen match unbeaten record to protect in the EPL and wouldn’t want to lose that one to the Tigers. They thrashed Wigan Athletic 4-0 in the FA Cup on Sunday and will be in high spirits going into this game. Hull will be very plucky, but I expect United’s quality to shine through at the end of the day and grab all three points. One more game will be played tomorrow night to wrap up match-week twenty three and that will be between Stoke City and Everton. Neither side featured in the FA Cup at the weekend and will be well rested ahead of tomorrow’s clash.

Stoke are unbeaten in their last five home league matches, while Everton are unbeaten in their last five Premier League matches and I expect both teams to cancel out each other. It took Wayne Rooney’s 250th goal for Manchester United, which came with almost the last kick of that game to stop the Potters from beating the Red Devils their last league game, while Everton on the other hand picked up their third consecutive shutout win with a 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace in the previous round. There are two positions and eight points separating these sides and Stoke will be looking to take the advantage of playing at home to cut into Everton’s lead.

There will be more EPL action this weekend when match-week twenty four begins and as usual I will bring you the preview of those games on Saturday, but before the weekend comes, let’s enjoy theses midweek games and have our fill of EPL action.

Rivers police boss dies in Dubai (Read full details)

Rivers State Police commissioner, Bolaji Odesanya is dead. Police sources told The Guardian that Odesanya died in Dubai where he went for treatment.

“He has been battling with sickness in recent times. He was in Dubai for treatment but I cannot confirm if he died in Dubai or Nigeria,” a source said.

New police spokesman, Jimoh Moshood failed to pick his telephone when The Guardian called for an inquiry.

The Biography Of Syed Balkhi [Age, Life Profile & Net Worth]

Syed Balkhi (born 1984) is a Pakistani-born entrepreneur. He was born in Karachi, Pakistan.

Syed Balkhi started his first business when he was 7 years old selling holiday greeting cards for Muslim holiday (Eid). His mom gave him the initial funds to start, according to him the business was a successful venture. He said; “I tripled her investment within a month.

I loved it so much that I replicated it by selling flags for Pakistan’s
Independence Day celebration. This too was profitable.

The entrepreneur spirit in me could not stop there. I wanted to expand from doing seasonal sales to doing something more regular.

With the help of my mom and grandmother, I started a small snack shop for my neighborhood when I was 9 years old. This was extremely profitable.

At age 12, my family immigrated to the United States.

I found myself facing some of the biggest challenges of my life. I had to learn a new language while dealing with racial tensions from the 9/11 incident.

It was hard for me to make friends when I didn’t know the language. I turned to the internet to find a hobby, and I found myself spending majority of my time playing online games.

On the side, I was searching for something I can do to earn extra money because like most immigrant families, we were financially struggling.

My cousin pointed me to the domaining industry, and I jumped right in. With little guidance, I was able to buy and sell domains.

This gave me a little bit of extra cash, but I still had one problem.
No social life! High school lunch breaks were the worst as I sat in the library trying to play games, but most gaming sites were blocked by the school firewall.

Out of frustration, I learned how to bypass the firewall and created my first web proxy.

When other kids saw me playing games in school, they asked me how I was doing that. I saw the demand and seized the opportunity.

I decided to control the entire chain, so I created numerous web proxies along with arcade sites. This way, I could maximize my advertising revenue.

To promote my web proxies and arcade sites, I started creating web directories.

Next thing you know, I found myself deep in the SEO industry working with some very large brands.

At the same time, I started my freelance web development business.

Fast forward few years, I graduated high school and attended University of Florida — Yes, I did graduate with Honors in Anthropology and Religion.

Through out college, I further expanded my online businesses, but I couldn’t keep up.

In 2008, I decided to migrate all of my clients from static websites over to WordPress, so I can get rid of the maintenance part of our business.

Next thing you know, all of my clients were asking questions on how to use WordPress.”

In 2009, Syed created WPBeginner, the largest free WordPress resource site!

In 2011, he created an entertainment site, List25, with his college roommate and best friend David Pegg.

Currently they have over 2 Million subscribers and over 500 Million video views on our YouTube channel!

In 2013, he also launched a product called OptinMonster that helps businesses grow their email list.

In 2013, he acquired ThemeLab where they sell high quality premium WordPress themes.

In 2014, Syed became a partner in SoliloquyWP, the fastest responsive slider plugin for WordPress.

Syed also became a partner in Envira Gallery – a responsive WordPress gallery plugin to help you showcase your photos.

In 2016, he launched WPForms, a drag & drop WordPress form builder with a single goal: make the most beginner friendly WordPress forms plugin.

Syed Balkhi quoted and said; “Through my entrepreneurial journey, I had several failures (not-listed above). I simply learned from those and kept moving forward.”

Syed Balkhi is happily married to his beautiful wife, Amanda Balkhi.
They currently live in Gainesville, Florida as Amanda finishes her p.h.D in Clinical and Health Psychology.

Syed Balkhi net worth is estimated US $5.2 million (net worth estimated in 2017).

• An Uzomedia Biography

Anambra plans N1b social investment programme (Read full details)

Willie Obiano

The Secretary to the Anambra State Government, Prof. Solo Chukwulobelu, says the state has set aside N1 billion in this year’s budget for its social investment programme.

Chukwulobelu made the disclosure at the Community Based Targeting Team training in Awka on Tuesday.

He said that this was done to scale up some of the programmes in the fiscal year.

Chukwulobelu, who commended the Federal Government for initiating the cash transfer programme, said that the programme was timely given the desire of Nigerians for a new lease of life.

He said that the purposeful direction in the management of the national economy and quest for inclusiveness in national development had also made the programme imperative.

Chukwulobelu urged the participants to listen to the presentation by the federal team and understand the way the people could key into the cash transfer programme to ensure a reduction in poverty and inequity.

“The cash transfer component will enhance financial inclusion amongst the marginalised and vulnerable, boost economic activities in the rural communities and stem rural-urban drift,’’ Chukwulobelu said.

He said that the state government had worked assiduously to meet the start-up requirements for the programmes.

According to him, the state government has signed an MoU with the National Social Safety Net Coordinating Office (NASSCO) and set up the state operation coordination unit with requisite operational facilities

Earlier, Mrs Chinwe Iwuchukwu, a Senior Special Assistant to Donor Agencies/Deputy Focal Person, Social Investments, said six local government areas had been targeted in the pilot scheme.

They are Ihiala, Anyamelum, Awka North, Anambra West, Dunukofia and Orumba South.

She said that two participants from each of the council were being trained as the Continued Community-Based Targeting Team to implement the programme for beneficiaries.

The programme, she said, would finance safety nets transfers of N5,000 monthly to carefully targeted poor and vulnerable households included in the single social register.

Commenting, Mr Andrew Adejo, National Coordinator, Youth Employment and Social Support Operation (YESSO), commended the efforts of Anambra government on the take-off the programme in the state.

He said that Federal Government was impressed after seeing the seriousness of the state government in benefitting from the pilot scheme as the first state in the South East Zone.

Other benefiting states, he said, were Bauchi, Cross Rivers, Ekiti, Osun, Kwara, Kogi, Niger and Oyo.

Ex-owner of Hitler house sues Austria…Read full details

(FILES) This file photo taken on April 17, 2015 shows a memorial stone outside the house where Adolf Hitler was born in Braunau Am Inn, Austria on April 18, 2015. Austria's government announced on May 27, 2016 to submit a law for the expropriation of the house where Hitler was born, in a bid to stop the building becoming a neo-Nazi shrine, the interior ministry said. / AFP PHOTO / JOE KLAMAR

The former owner of the house where Adolf Hitler was born has launched a legal battle against the Austrian government for expropriating the building, a court official said Tuesday.

The state seized the dilapidated building in the northern town of Braunau in December after MPs approved an expropriation law specifically aimed at the controversial property.

The move came after years of bitter wrangling with owner Gerlinde Pommer who had been renting the premises to the interior ministry since the 1970s and refused to sell them or carry out essential renovation works.

The government said it had been necessary to force a decision on the issue to stop the building from becoming a neo-Nazi shrine.

But Pommer has now launched proceedings against the expropriation legislation, Austria’s constitutional court confirmed Tuesday.

“The court will verify whether the law is valid,” spokesman Wolfgang Sablatnig told AFP, adding the procedure was likely to last several months.

Pommer’s lawyer threatened to take the case to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg if Austrian judges found in favour of the government.

“To put it bluntly, the standard legal requirements for an expropriation are missing,” Gerhard Lebitsch told Austrian newspaper Kurier.

Pommer’s family had owned for nearly a century the yellow corner house where the future Nazi dictator was born on April 20, 1889. Although Hitler only spent a short time at the property, it continues to draw Nazi sympathisers from around the world.

The 800-square-metre (8,600-feet) building has been empty since the rental agreement between Austria and Pommer fell apart in 2011. Until then, the government had been renting the premises for around 4,800 euros ($5,000) a month and used it as a centre for people with disabilities.

The deal, however, came to an abrupt end six years ago when Pommer refused a much-needed upgrade. Even before her new legal challenge, it was not clear what the government planned to do with the property.

The interior minister’s push to have it torn down was met with angry resistance from other politicians and historians. Instead, it looked most likely that the property would be used by a charity.

Every year on Hitler’s birthday, anti-fascist protesters organise a rally outside the building, next to a memorial stone reading: “For Peace, Freedom and Democracy. Never Again Fascism, Millions of Dead Warn.”

Dasuki: Court to rule on FG’s application for witnesses’ protection (Read full details)

Former national security adviser (NSA), retired Col. Sambo Dasuki PHOTO: NAN

The Federal High Court, Abuja, has fixed March 1 to rule on a fresh application by the Federal Government seeking to protect witnesses in the ongoing trial of former National Security Adviser, retired Col. Sambo Dasuki.

The application dated Jan.23, and filed on Jan. 24 was argued by counsel to the Federal Government, Mr Dipo Okpeseyi, who prayed the court to allow the witnesses use acronyms instead of their real names.

He said that the prosecution wanted the witnesses to be known to the public by acronyms such as “xyz” and that only the court would know the true identity and name of each witness.

Okpeseyi further told the court that it was the understanding of the prosecution that the defence would not object to the application.

He said the prosecution was, however, surprised in court on Tuesday when the defence, led by Mr Ahmed Raji (SAN), served him with a counter-motion objecting to the application for protection of witnesses.

Okpeseyi prayed the court for a short adjournment to study the counter-motion, saying it was voluminous and had to be studied carefully before replying.

Raji said that he was not opposing the application for an adjournment.

“The motion was brought to us late on Thursday and we prepared our counter-affidavit and served on them only this morning, so we will not object to the adjournment sought by Okpeseyi to enable him to respond.”

Justice Ahmed Mohammed adjourned the matter till March 1 for hearing.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Dasuki in this case, is facing charges of unlawful possession of fire arms preferred against him by the Department of State Security (DSS)

NAN further reports that the case was previously before Justice Adeniyi Ademola, but following his arrest by the DSS, he said he would no longer handle any matter involving the service, hence its transfer to Justice Mohammed.

The application for witness protection was brought before Ademola, but he refused the application, saying that there was nothing to hide since the names of the witnesses were already on the internet.