UK’s May vows strong post-Brexit ties with France

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British Prime Minister Theresa May / AFP PHOTO / STRINGER

British Prime Minister Theresa May on Friday promised a close post-Brexit relationship with France on security and defence as she met with Prime Minister Bernard Cazeneuve in London.

Both stressed the need for “an early agreement on the rights of EU citizens in the UK and UK citizens in the EU” as Britain prepares to plot its course out of the union, according to a statement released by May’s Downing Street office.

“The Prime Minister was clear that while the UK is leaving the EU, we are not leaving Europe,” said the statement.

“They agreed on the need to maintain our close cooperation on security and defence, including through NATO.”

The pair also discussed unrest in Syria and Ukraine, migration and terrorism.

May was hosting Cazeneuve ahead of negotiations to set the terms of Brexit, which will begin when the British leader triggers Article 50 of the EU’s Lisbon Treaty, expected before the end of March.

May said she was “delighted” to meet with Cazeneuve, adding that they “worked so well together” when she was home secretary and he was France’s interior minister.

“There are many issues on which the UK and France have been working very well and our bilateral relationship is very strong and I look forward to being able to develop that across a number of areas,” she said.

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Turkey car bomb kills child, wounds 17

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A car bomb on Friday rocked the southeastern Turkish province of Sanliurfa, close to the Syrian border, killing a child and wounding 17 people, the provincial governor’s office said.

“Eighteen of our citizens have been taken to hospital, among them a 10-year-old child who lost their life,” the office said, adding that one of the injured was in a serious condition.

The explosion — which took place near a building where prosecutors are housed — struck the district of Viransehir, the office added.

Earlier the official Anadolu news agency had cited governor Gungor Azim Tuna as saying the dead child was a three-year-old boy.

The governor said the “terror attack” was caused by a parked vehicle that was loaded with explosives and detonated using a remote control, the agency reported.

The lodgings were badly damaged, the governor added, while Dogan news agency said other buildings and several cars in the area were also damaged.

Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag said on Twitter that no terrorist organisation or attack would weaken Turkey’s fight against terror.

“Our determined and effective fight against terror will continue,” he said.

No group immediately claimed the attack, and Bozdag did not say which organisation the government suspected.

Turkey was hit by a series of attacks in 2016 blamed on Kurdish militants and Islamic State (IS) jihadists, killing hundreds of people. The country was also shaken by a failed military coup last July.

This year also had a bloody start, with a New Year’s attack on an elite Istanbul nightclub that left 39 people dead, most of them foreigners. The attack was claimed by IS.

Last month the Kurdistan Freedom Falcons (TAK), a splinter group of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), claimed responsibility for an attack that left two dead in the Aegean city of Izmir.

The PKK has been waging an insurgency against the Turkish state since 1984 during which over 40,000 people have been killed. It is proscribed as a terror organisation by Ankara, the United States and the European Union.

The Turkish government says the TAK is merely a front for the better-known PKK.

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Real Madrid bounce back to beat Napoli

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Napoli's defender from France Kalidou Koulibaly (2R) vies with Real Madrid's Croatian midfielder Luka Modric (L), Real Madrid's Brazilian midfielder Casemiro (2L) and Real Madrid's defender Dani Carvajal during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg football match Real Madrid CF vs SSC Napoli at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on February 15, 2017. PHOTO: JAVIER SORIANO / AFP

Real Madrid shrugged off conceding an early away goal to take a huge step towards a seventh straight Champions League quarter-final as goals from Karim Benzema, Toni Kroos and Casemiro sealed a 3-1 win over Napoli on Wednesday.

Lorenzo Insigne’s stunning 40-yard strike had the travelling hordes in dream land after just eight minutes of the last 16 first leg.

However, Benzema soon headed home an equaliser before Kroos and Casemiro fired home from outside the box early in the second half to give the holders a commanding lead ahead of the second leg on March 7.

With former Napoli great Diego Maradona watching on, the atmosphere reached fever pitch before kick-off as up to 10,000 travelling fans were estimated to have made the trip from Naples for only their side’s second ever appearance in the last 16.

Maradona even gave the Napoli players a pep talk in the dressing room before kick-off.

By contrast, Real are in the knockout stages for the 20th straight season and it was the home fans who nearly had something to cheer inside 30 seconds as Benzema’s shot from close range was parried by Pepe Reina.

However, it was Napoli who got off to the perfect start just eight minutes in when Insigne took aim from 40 yards and caught Madrid ‘keeper Keylor Navas out of position with a superb effort that curled around the Costa Rica international.

Madrid, though, showed the response of champions to level just 10 minutes later when Dani Carvajal’s cross with the outside of his right boot picked out Benzema to power home a header from close range.

Cristiano Ronaldo should have had one of the two goals he needs to reach 100 in European competition on 27 minutes when great work from Benzema and Luka Modric freed the World Player of the Year inside the area, but he blasted well over the bar.

Madrid’s control of the first 45 minutes grew as the half went on and only a combination of Reina and the post denied the hosts a lead at the break.

This time Ronaldo was inch-perfect with his low cross for Benzema, but his effort was tipped onto the woodwork and behind by Reina.

The tie did swing decisively in Madrid’s favour within 10 minutes of the restart however.

Firstly, Ronaldo played provider once more with a fine run down the right and measured cut-back for Kroos to slot home from the edge of the box.

Then Napoli were struck by a thunderbolt from the most unlikely source as defensive midfielder Casemiro pounced on a looping clearance to volley first-time past a helpless Reina.

Napoli had the chances to set up a thrilling return leg as Dries Mertens, who had scored 14 goals in his previous 11 appearances, fired over with the goal at his mercy from former Madrid winger Jose Maria Callejon’s fine lay-off.

Mertens also saw another effort smothered by Navas from close range and Callejon a goal ruled out for offside as Napoli slumped to their first defeat in 19 games.

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Thiago-inspired Bayern hand Arsenal 5-1 rout

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Bayern Munich's Spanish midfielder Thiago Alcantara (2nd L) scores the 4-1 goal with Bayern Munich's Polish forward Robert Lewandowski during the UEFA Champions League round of sixteen football match between FC Bayern Munich and Arsenal in Munich, southern Germany, on February 15, 2017. PHOTO: Odd ANDERSEN / AFP

Arsene Wenger’s future was plunged into further doubt on Wednesday as Thiago Alcantara inspired Bayern Munich to a 5-1 rout of his hapless Arsenal team which left the Gunners facing a seventh straight Champions League last-16 exit.

Bayern extended their Champions League record to 16 home wins by flooring the Gunners with three goals in ten second-half minutes.

Bayern knocked Arsenal out at the same stage in 2005, 2013 and 2014 and were looking comfortably placed to make it four times after romping through Wednesday’s first leg.

The Allianz Arena defeat raises the pressure on Wenger for the return leg on March 7 with only Alexis Sanchez’s away goal for comfort.

The result matched the 5-1 group-stage thrashing Arsenal received in Munich in November 2015 — the club’s joint record away defeat in Europe.

Arjen Robben’s superb curling shot gave Bayern the lead on 11 minutes, but Sanchez levelled by drilling home Manuel Neuer’s save from a penalty on 30 minutes.

Bayern moved up a gear after the break with a flurry of goals in quick succession.

Robert Lewandowski headed Bayern back into the lead on 53 minutes before Thiago added two in quick succession while Thomas Mueller came off the bench to complete the rout.

Bayern spent the opening minutes camped in the Arsenal half and took the lead on 10 minutes through Robben’s wonderful strike.

The Dutch winger cut in from the right, and curled home a superbly-weighted shot off his left foot from outside the area.

Arsenal then raised the tempo and started pressing the hosts.

Bayern defender Mats Hummels was given a yellow card for fouling Sanchez just outside the box.

Mesut Ozil drilled the resulting free-kick at Neuer, but moments later Arsenal were awarded a penalty.

Lewandowski mistimed his clearance kick in the area and struck Laurent Koscielny’s raised leg.

Despite Bayern’s furious protests, Serbian referee Milorad Mazic pointed to the spot.

Neuer saved Sanchez’s penalty, but the Chile international drilled home the rebound from a tight angle at the second attempt.

It was the valuable away goal Bayern had talked about not conceding in the match’s build-up.

There were equally furious Bayern protests at the other end when David Alaba’s cross struck Hector Bellerin on the hand, but the referee waved play on.

It was 1-1 at the break, but Bayern stepped up the pressure in the second half.

Robben released Philipp Lahm who put in a perfect cross and Lewandowski twisted to tuck his header past David Ospina’s reach.

The Poland hot-shot then flicked Xabi Alonso’s pass into Thiago’s path to tuck his shot past Ospina.

Lewandowski hit the crossbar on 61 minutes, but Thiago added his second when his shot from the edge of the box deflected past the Arsenal goalkeeper on 63 minutes.

Mueller came on for Lewandowski on 86 minutes and added Bayern’s fifth two minutes later after Thiago squared the final pass.

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Arsenal partner MTN Nigeria

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Arsenal Football Club have entered into a partnership with MTN, Nigeria’s largest mobile network operator. MTN will become Arsenal’s Official Mobile Telecommunications Network partner in Nigeria.

The partnership will see MTN offer a number of exclusive Arsenal related benefits to the club’s large following in Nigeria as well as to MTN’s vast subscriber base. MTN will offer its customers access to a range of match and player exclusive content including match highlights, club news, interviews and club imagery.

Through Arsenal’s digital platforms, MTN will also be able to engage directly with supporters in Nigeria. Promotional and marketing activities featuring Arsenal first-team players and club legends will further enhance MTN’s engagement with Arsenal supporters. Arsenal will also send specialist coaches to undertake annual coaching clinics as part of MTN’s marketing activities in Nigeria.

Arsenal has fantastic support in Nigeria, with the club’s largest website traffic outside the UK coming from the country. In addition to this, the club’s second highest number of digital members and third largest Twitter following comes from Nigeria.

Arsenal’s Chief Commercial Officer, Vinai Venkatesham, said: “Arsenal has huge support in Nigeria, in part due to Kanu Nwankwo and the recent emergence of Alex Iwobi into the first team. This partnership with MTN will really help us engage with these passionate fans on a regular and personal basis. We are expecting MTN’s Arsenal exclusive content to be very popular among our supporters, as well as followers of football generally. This is our second regional partnership in Nigeria and fifth in Africa. It really underlines our commitment and the level of support we have on the continent.”

Also speaking on the partnership, MTN’s General Manager, Consumer Marketing, Richard Iweanoge said that the partnership is another way MTN is connecting with the passion of Nigerians.

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Afro-beat singer, Dede Mabiaku, angrily storm out of radio interview

Delta CP blames unemployment rate on infiltration by non indigenes

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By Festus Ahon, ASABA

DELTA State Commissioner of Police, Mr Ibrahim Zanna has blamed the high rate of youths unemployment in the state on purported infiltration by non-indigenes of the states.

Zanna who spoke when he played host to the newly sworn-in executive of the State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, NYCN, led by its chairman, Comrade Kenneth Okorie at the Police Headquarters in Asaba, decried that people from other states claim Delta State during recruitment exercises thereby usurping the few slots allocated to the state.

 

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Diamond Bank, Jumia Food set to delight customers

Ita Giwa makes case for Buhari

citizens bowls in Romania

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In the wake of massive protests, on Friday the Constitutional Court in Romania is considering the legality of a controversial decree put forward by the government in Romania.

The court has been presented with three challenges against the emergency decree, which weakens anti-corruption laws.

New protests saw thousands demonstrate against the government’s actions.

President Klaus Iohannis said on Friday on the sidelines of a European Union summit in Malta that there was no risk for foreign investors despite the crisis.

According to the new decree, a corrupt official will go to jail only if the funds involved exceed 47,500 dollars.

The decree, passed by cabinet, went into effect immediately.

The rule also allows for corrupt officials to escape punishment completely in some instances, for example if the crime occurs between members of the same family.

One of the cases challenging  the decree was filed by the ombudsman for civil rights, Victor Ciorbea.

He had been close to the government and previously spoken out against a legal challenge

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Five techy ways to save time when shopping

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Shopping can take so much time especially if you have so much to buy. Nevertheless, you can save so much time if you explore technology. This has no doubt made shopping interesting even though many people do their shopping online.  Jumia Travel shares ways 5 techy ways to save time whenever you go shopping.

Have a shopping list on your mobile

You can misplace the pad you used to list what you want to buy. But when you have your shopping list on your mobile, you can easily access it anytime. This better because your phone is always with you.

Find items with your phone

No matter what you want to buy, you will always find it when you search online. So, if you want to save time you should first do a search before you do your offline shopping.

Create alert for particular products

Google is quite versatile. You can now create alert for certain products you want which you didn’t find after doing your search. You will be alerted whenever the product is available. You get all the information like where to buy and the cost after receiving the alert.

Know where to go for daily deals

For those who addicted to shopping online, you should know where to go to get amazing daily deals. This is because there are some websites that offer these deals that come with a fantastic discount. If you can get a list of these websites, it will really save time.

Pay with your phone

Today, you don’t need to pay for your shopping with ATM card or cash. You simply tap your phone at a contactless terminal and the amount will be deducted from your account. Apple Pay is leading when it comes to settling bills with your phone as far as the contactless terminal is available.

 

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Olu of Warri urges DTSG to invest more on education as Hussy Coll marks 70th year anniversary

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By Egufe Yafugborhi
WARRI – THE Olu of Warri, His Majesty, Ogiame Ikenwoli Friday urged the government of Delta State to commit more to upliftment of Secondary Schools across the state.

The Olu made stated this when he hosted the Old Students Association of Hussey College Warri who are celebrating 70 years anniversary of the famous Delta school.

Education, the Warri monarch noted, is important in the lives of students particularly at the secondary level where decide career choices.

He commended the old students, Hussians as they fondly known, led by their Presidebt, Emmanuel Ogidi, for contributing to the growth of the school pledging to also contribute his quota to the development of the school.

Ogidi, on behalf of the association, thanked the Olu for all his contributions so far, revealing that the monarch would be honoured by the old students at a Gala Night ceremony today climaxing the 70th anniversary of the school.

A Thanksgiving service follows tomorrow, Sunday to round off the anniversary celebration.

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