There were no problems for the Etihad club on Saturday, as they dumped their struggling Premier League opponents out the historic competition

Raheem Sterling, Leroy Sane and Yaya Toure were the men on target as Manchester City booked their place in the fifth round of the FA Cup with a routine 3-0 win at Crystal Palace.

Liverpool nearing a real crisis

City manager Pep Guardiola welcomed captain Vincent Kompany back into his side for the first time since November, when he suffered knee ligament damage at the same ground, and the Belgium centre-back was rarely extended by Sam Allardyce's men over the course of 90 minutes.

Palace's best spell of pressure immediately preceded the opening goal, when Sterling gratefully accepted and converted a beautifully judged pass from full debutant Gabriel Jesus two minutes before half-time.

Sane was a big-money arrival from Schalke during the close-season and, having taken time to settle in England, the 21-year-old Germany winger made it three goals in as many appearances when David Silva pulled Palace apart in the 71st minute.



Toure made his surprise return to the City starting line-up at Selhurst Park two months ago and, now part of the furniture once more, he garnished victory with an excellent free-kick in stoppage time.

Harrysong Celebrates Release From Police Custody With N300,000 Worth Of Champagne

Nigerian artiste, Harrysong who was arrested yesterday, January, 27, 2016 by former record label, Five Star Music group has been released.

According The Net: ‘The ‘Reggae Blues’ singer celebrated his return in style, popping over N300,000 worth of gold Ace of Spades.

The end is yet to be seen in his fight with former label, Five Star Music though.

Led by Kcee, the label is citing claims of fraud and breach of contract against Harrysong.

We exclusively gathered that Harrysong’s three-year contract with Five Star is supposed to expire this month, January 2017.

But in November 2016, the singer announced his exit and formed his own label, Alterplate.’

Nigerians React To Buhari’s Latest Photo In London

A cross section of Nigerians have continued to comment on the pictures of President Muhammadu Buhari, who is currently on a 10-day working leave in London, UK.

The new picture, which was posted on Friday night, showed the president in a relaxed mood with some of his visitors, including Gov. Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun.

Others in the picture are some members of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Some of the comments on the emergence of the picture include: “Despite all attempts to debunk the rumours, the wicked mischief makers have continued to spread their falsehood about President Buhari.

Legal Battle: 2 Iraqis file lawsuit after being detained in NY due to travel ban

Lawyers for two Iraqis who had been granted visas to enter the United States have filed a lawsuit against President Donald Trump and the US government after they were detained when they arrived in New York Friday.
The lawsuit could represent the first legal challenge to Trump's controversial executive order, which indefinitely suspends admissions for Syrian refugees and limits the flow of other refugees into the United States by instituting what the President has called "extreme vetting" of immigrants.
Trump's order also bars Iraqi citizens, as well as people from six other Muslim-majority nations, from entering the US for 90 days, and suspends the US Refugee Admissions Program for 120 days until it is reinstated "only for nationals of countries for whom" members of Trump's Cabinet deem can be properly vetted.

Liverpool Beaten Again at Anfield by Wolverhampton

Talk of a crisis may be premature but Liverpool's season is certainly in freefall after an FA Cup exit to Wolves heaped more scrutiny on Jurgen Klopp and his players.

The Championship side's deserved 2-1 victory at Anfield, coming just three days after the Reds' EFL Cup semifinal defeat to Southampton, only added to the growing despondency which has descended on the Merseyside club this month.

This year has not been kind to Liverpool with just one win -- over League Two Plymouth in a third-round replay -- in eight matches and the writing was on the wall after just 52 seconds when Richard Stearman headed home a free kick, albeit it from an initial offside position.

For Hundreds of Thousands Fleeing War, Reaching Uganda Camp Means Safety

When fighting became frequent in his country South Sudan, Gwongo Paul Dada decided to leave. The journey involved two days of walking with his wife and 3-year old son before they arrived at a refugee camp in Uganda, he said.

“We would walk during the day and sleep on the way,” Dada told ABC News. “My son got sick on the way and we didn’t have enough food and water. Hunger became the biggest problem.”

Bizzare: [PHOTO] ‘The Bible Does Not Condemn Prostitution, Even Virginity Is A Burden’ – Ghanaian Pastor/Counselor

Ghanaian pastor/marriage counselor, George Lutterodt in a chat with OKAY FM in Ghana said virgins are also burdens and no man wants to take a woman through sex education.


He said, “The Bible does not condemn prostitution, so God does not also.

Trump signs executive order to keep out 'radical Islamic terrorists'

President Donald Trump signed an executive order Friday that indefinitely suspends admissions for Syrian refugees and limits the flow of other refugees into the United States by instituting what the President has called "extreme vetting" of immigrants.
Titled "Protection Of The Nation From Foreign Terrorist Entry Into The United States," the executive order would start to make good on Trump's promise to tighten borders and halt certain refugees from entering the United States.
The text of the order -- in a break from drafts that had been circulating earlier this week -- drops a longtime Trump campaign pledge to establish safe zones in Syria to give Syrian nationals displaced by the ongoing civil war in the country a place to relocate.
The order bars all persons from certain terror-prone countries from entering the United States for 90 days and suspends the US Refugee Admissions Program for 120 days until it is reinstated "only for nationals of countries for whom" members of Trump's Cabinet deem can be properly vetted.
The countries impacted are Iran, Iraq, Syria, Sudan, Libya, Yemen and Somalia, according to a White House official.
"I hereby proclaim that the entry of nationals of Syria as refugees is detrimental to the interests of the United States and thus suspend any such entry," the order signed by Trump reads.
The total number of refugees admitted into the United States would also be capped during the 2017 fiscal year at 50,000, down more than half from the current level of 110,000.
"I am establishing new vetting measures to keep radical Islamic terrorists out of the United States of America," Trump said during the signing at the Pentagon after the swearing-in of Defense Secretary James Mattis. "We don't want them here."
He added, "We want to ensure that we are not admitting into our country the very threats our soldiers are fighting overseas. We only want to admit those into our country who will support our country and love deeply our people."
Trump's order will also cancel the Visa Interview Waiver Program, which once allowed repeat travelers to the United States to be able to forgo an in-person interview to renew their visa. Under the new order, these travelers will now have to have in-person interviews.
At the Pentagon, Trump met privately for about an hour with Mattis, Vice President Mike Pence, Security Adviser Mike Flynn and military officials and they discussed accelerating the defeat of ISIS, confronting global threats like North Korea, military readiness and the National Guard, a Defense official told CNN. The meeting took place in "the tank," secure room where the Joint Chiefs meet.
Trump also signed a second executive action on Friday that would spur military spending and, as Trump said, "begin the great rebuilding of the Armed Services of the United States."
The President added that the executive action instructs Mattis to begin "developing a plan for new planes, new ships, new resources and new tools for our men and women in uniform."
Trump's order on refugees has been something the White House has been considering for days and the President was seen with the document on his Air Force One desk Thursday when he flew to Philadelphia.
House Speaker Paul Ryan praised Trump's orders on Friday.
"Our number one responsibility is to protect the homeland. We are a compassionate nation, and I support the refugee resettlement program, but it's time to re-evaluate and strengthen the visa-vetting process," Ryan said in a statement, adding, "President Trump is right to make sure we are doing everything possible to know exactly who is entering our country."

Prioritizing Christians over Muslims
By signing the measures, Trump is making good on his promise to block Syrian and certain other refugees from entering the United States and his murkier pledge of banning Muslim immigration into the United States, a vow that his aides have walked back as being directed at countries seen as terror hotbeds.
The order also gave the Department of Homeland Security leeway to prioritize refugee claims made by people "on the basis of religious based persecution" as long as the person applying for refugee status is "a minority religion in the individual's country of nationality."
This would make it easier for Christians and other religious minorities in majority Muslim countries from entering the United States than it would for Muslims in general.
Trump did not back away from the idea that he is prioritizing Christians over Muslims in an interview with the Christian Broadcast Network taped before he signed the measures on Friday.
"We are going to help them," Trump said about persecuted Christians. "They've been horribly treated. Do you know if you were a Christian in Syria it was impossible, at least very tough, to get into the United States? If you were a Muslim you could come in, but if you were a Christian, it was almost impossible and the reason that was so unfair, everybody was persecuted in all fairness, but they were chopping off the heads of everybody but more so the Christians. And I thought it was very, very unfair."
Trump did not cite a reason or offer any evidence about why the agencies that vet refugees, including the Department of Homeland Security and the State Department, would have prioritized Muslim refugees over Christians.

'This is a Muslim ban'
Democrats blasted Trump's move -- even before they saw the text of the documents -- arguing that while it may not ban all Muslims from entering the United States, it still is discriminatory.
"Make no mistake -- this is a Muslim ban," Sen. Kamala Harris, a Democrat from California, said in a statement.
"Tears are running down the cheeks of the Statue of Liberty tonight as a grand tradition of America, welcoming immigrants, that has existed since America was founded has been stomped upon," Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a statement. "Taking in immigrants and refugees is not only humanitarian but has also boosted our economy and created jobs decade after decade. This is one of the most backward and nasty executive orders that the president has issued."
The American Civil Liberties Union also called Trump's action "just a euphemism for discrimination against Muslims."
"Identifying specific countries with Muslim majorities and carving out exceptions for minority religions flies in the face of the constitutional principle that bans the government from either favoring or discriminating against particular religions," American Civil Liberties Union Executive Director Anthony Romero said in a statement.
And the Council on American-Islamic Relations vowed it would file a lawsuit over the order.
"There is no evidence that refugees -- the most thoroughly vetted of all people entering our nation -- are a threat to national security," CAIR National Litigation Director Lena F. Masri said in a statement. "This is an order that is based on bigotry, not reality."
CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated the number of days persons from certain terror-prone countries would be barred from entering the US.

Buhari has not cleared SGF, says Garba Shehu

Garba Shehu, senior special assistant to the president on media and publicity, has given a clarification on President Muhammadu Buhari’s letter to the senate concerning the report of its investigation of allegations against Babachir Lawal, the secretary to the government of the federation (SGF).

Speaking on ‘Ra’ayi Riga’, a BBC Hausa audience participation programme, on Friday, Shehu said Buhari only acted in response to the senate’s report.

He said the criticisms the president received over the development were unwarranted “because his letter to the senate did not dwell on whether the SGF was guilty or not guilty”.

“What President Buhari has done is simply to act in a response to a report by the SGF, Babachir David Lawal, who insisted that he and the companies cited were not given a fair hearing by the national assembly,” he said.

“President Buhari’s communication to Nigeria’s lawmakers was simply this: If the SGF was not given a fair hearing, can you now give him one?”

He added that the report in discussion, was an interim one and a final report was, therefore, being expected.

Shehu said it would not have been advisable to act on the matter before a final report was received from the legislature.

He said as fervent as Buhari is about the war on corruption, “he believes in due process and in fair hearing, without which our democracy cannot be taken seriously by Nigerians or the international community”.

Lawal’s compnay was accused of getting a suspicious N200 million grass clearing contract in Yobe state.

Amosun visits Buhari in London

President Muhammadu Buhari played host to Ibikunle Amosun, governor of Ogun state, at his London base on Friday.

Amosun visited Buhari in the company of Daisy Danjuma, a former senator, and one other individual.

The visit came after the rumour mill was rife with reports that the president had died.

TheCable had fact checked the fake news, and discovered it for what it was.

Shocking! Five Star Music Reportedly Arrests Harrysong

Harrysong who left his former record label, Five Star Music Group has been reportedly arrested by the group.

“Let us be the first to tell you that the war between Harrysong and his estranged label, Five Star Music just got messy. Reliable sources have just confirmed to LIB that Harrysong was picked up at his home this morning by Mobile Police men. And he’s currently being held on counts relating to breach of contract, fraud among other issues at an undisclosed location.”
source:stargist.com

$1.2bn Malabu scam: Court grants FG interim ownership of Dan Etete’s oil blocs

ABUJA —A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, yesterday, granted an interim order awarding ownership of controversial Oil Prospecting Licence, OPL 245, owned by former Minister of Petroleum, Chief Dan Etete, to the Federal Government, pending conclusion of investigation and prosecution of oil giants allegedly involved in the $1.2 billion Malabu oil bloc fraud.

Trial judge, Justice John Tsoho made the order following an ex-parte motion the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Magu, filed before the court. The court directed the Federal Government to take possession of the disputed oil bloc pending conclusion of investigation and prosecution of Shell Nigeria Ultra Deep Ltd; Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Ltd; Nigeria Agip Exploration Ltd; Malabu Oil and Gas Ltd and other individuals named in connection with acts of conspiracy, bribery, official corruption and money laundering. The court ordered the Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR to manage OPL 245 on behalf of the Federal Government. EFCC in the suit told the court that its investigations revealed that Malabu Oil and Gas Ltd and SPDC secured OPL 245 through fraudulent scheme involving high scale bribery and corruption by top management of the company. In a 21-paragraph affidavit deposed to by one of its operatives, Mr. Ibrahim Ahmed, EFCC stated: “That Italian Police have also conducted extensive investigation on the fraud allegedly committed by Shell Nigeria, Agip and Malabu Oil and Gas Ltd culminating in a criminal charge at the ordinary Court of Milan. “That the Italian Police in the charge are prosecuting Royal Dutch Shell Plc, Eni Spa and one Scaroni, who was its Managing Director; Descalzi was also the General Manager Exploration of Eni. Copy of the charge is hereby attached and marked as exhibits EFCC 4. “Those also being prosecuted are one Casula and Armana, who were senior executives of Nigeria Agip Oil Company and one Pegano, who was the Managing Director of Nigeria Agip Oil Companies; one Dan Etete (former Minister of Petroleum) and other co-conspirators.” EFCC stressed that though it initially preferred charges against Etete and seven others, the government had concluded plans to also charge Shell Nigeria and Nigeria Agip Exploration with conspiracy, bribery, official corruption and money laundering. How it started Tracing the origin of the case, EFCC told the court that OPL 245 was awarded to Malabu Oil and Gas against all known government regulations in 1998 by late military dictator, General Sani Abacha. It said the company contracted Shell Petroleum and SNEPCO in a joint venture scheme to operate the licence given to it by Abacha in collaboration with Etete and Nigerian Ambassador to the United State of America between 1996 and 1999, Hassan Adamu. “That to the knowledge of Shell, the allocation of the Oil well and the procedure adopted by the owners of Malabu Oil and Gas Ltd was fraught with fraud but went ahead to consummate the transaction.” It said government on July 2, 2001, withdrew the title and allocation of the oil bloc to Malabu Oil and Gas Ltd on the directive of then Presidential Adviser on Petroleum to President Olusegun Obasanjo, after which it was re-allocated to Shell Nigeria Ultra Deep Ltd. Though Malabu sued the Federal Government over the revocation, the matter was subsequently settled out of court and the said oil well returned to the plaintiff. Nevertheless, EFCC told the court that Shell and Agip again went into a fraudulent agreement with Malabu Oil and Gas in which the companies will pay signature bonus of $210m to government, while the sum of $1.2bn would be paid to the owners of Malabu Oil and Gas Ltd. It said the $1.2bn was bribe paid to Etete and his cronies, adding that Shell was at that time aware that the ex-Petroleum Minister and owner of Malabu Oil and Gas Ltd was already a convict. It alleged that immediate past Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Adoke, SAN, conspired with Shell and Agip to route the bribe money through Federal Government Escrow Account with JP Morgan Chase Bank in London. “That sometime in May 2011, Nigeria Agip Exploration and SNEPCO instructed Chase Bank to release the said $1, 092, 040, 000 into Escrow Account of the Federal Government. “That the said money, on the instruction of the then AGF, Adoke, was transfered from the Escrow Account to two banks namely First Bank and Keystone Bank operated by Dan Etete and Malabu Oil and Gas Ltd. The said amount was later laundered with several accounts of individuals and different companies.” EFCC said its investigation further revealed that government was defrauded by SPDC and Malabu Oil and Gas Ltd by under paying the sum of $210m as signature bonus on OPL 245. It will be recalled that EFCC earlier slammed a nine-count criminal charge against the former AGF, Adoke and eight others over the oil bloc scam. The defendants Other defendants in the case are Etete and an oil mogul, Mr. Abubakar Aliyu. Six firms- Malabu Oil & Gas Ltd, Rocky Top Resource Ltd, Imperial Union Ltd, Novel Properties & Development Company Ltd, Group Construction Ltd and MegaTech Engineering Ltd, were also joined as defendants in the matter. The Order Justice Tsoho, following the motion moved by EFCC lawyer, Mr. Johnson Ojogbane, issued an order directing that the controversial property be managed by DPR on behalf of the Federal Government. “Likewise an interim order directing that the property known as OPL 245 be managed by the DPR on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria pending the conclusion of investigation and prosecution of the said Shell Nigeria Ultra Deep Ltd, Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Ltd, Nigeria Agip Exploration Ltd, Malabu Oil and Gas Ltd and other individuals named in connection with acts of conspiracy, bribery, official corruption and money laundering mentioned in the schedule attached to this Summons.” The court ordered government to go and put all the affected parties on notice and adjourned hearing on the substantive suit till March 3.

Governor resigns after womanising claims

The governor of an Indian state has resigned after dozens of his staff signed a petition calling for his removal, alleging that he is a serial womaniser. V. Shanmuganathan, 67, handed in his notice as governor of Meghalaya late Thursday after the petition went viral on the internet and his resignation was formally accepted by President Pranab Mukherjee on Friday.

The petition, which was addressed to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and signed by 80 employees at Shanmuganathan’s official residence, accused him of running a “young ladies club” at Governor’s House. “Young ladies come and go at will on direct orders of the governor… many of them have direct access to his bedroom,” the petition claimed, according to a copy of the letter posted online by local media. He reshuffled the staff and “made only all the young girls to work for him”, the petition claimed, adding his “immoral activities” in the state capital Shillong were well known. Meghalaya is one of seven northeastern states which are rich in natural resources but have been blighted by lack of development.
source:vanguardnews

Jose Mourinho: Man United 'didn't lose' to Hull City as 'I only saw two goals'

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho said his side "didn't lose" despite being beaten 2-1 by Hull City at the KCOM in the EFL Cup semifinals.

United lost on the night, but went through 3-2 on aggregate thanks to their 2-0 win in the first leg at Old Trafford, and they will meet Southampton at Wembley on Sunday, Feb. 26.

Manchester United's Paul Pogba 'very average' vs. Hull - Phil Neville

Former Manchester United defender Phil Neville has told Sky Sports that Paul Pogba, like his teammates, was "very average" against Hull City on Thursday night.

Pogba, who signed for United from Juventus for €105 million last summer, was on target as United lost 2-1 at Hull but progressed to the EFL Cup final, where they will face Southampton, 3-2 on aggregate.

Apostle suleman: My father is an APC leader

Johnson Suleman, general overseer of Omega Fire Ministries Worldwide, who recently escaped arrest from operatives of the Department of State Service (DSS), has revealed that his father is a leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in his hometown of Auchi in Edo state.

Operatives of the secret police had stormed the hotel where the fiery preacher who was in Ekiti state for a 2-day crusade lodged, with the intention of arresting him.

The incident happened days after Suleman told his security aides to kill any herdsman found around his church premises.

Ayodele Fayose, governor of Ekiti, had prevented the arrest.

PAULA PATTON ROBIN THICKE PHYSICALLY ABUSED ME

Paula Patton has sworn to a judge Robin Thicke beat her during their marriage.

According to Paula's declaration filed in support of her domestic violence restraining order in May 2013 at the Cannes Film Festival ... she and Robin got into a fight and Robin hit her with a closed fist to her upper body and then pushed her onto the ground.

She claims he threatened multiple times to "bash my f***ing head in."

Paula gets personal, saying the straw that broke the camel's back in their marriage happened back in February 2013, when she was filming "Warcraft." Robin and Julian came to stay with her and she says Robin was supposed to take care of the boy, but early in the morning, he began screaming in front of them that he wanted to "f***ing sleep ... Who do you f***ing think you are not letting me sleep!"

She also claims Robin had a serious cocaine problem.

She makes cheating allegations in her docs, saying Robin called her while he was on tour in 2013 and she heard him having sex with another woman.

A source close to Robin scoffs at Paula's allegations, telling TMZ, "If these multi-year-old allegations were true, why is she only raising them now in the midst of a custody dispute where she's the only one violating the judge by denying Robin access to the boy?"

Paula makes various allegations involving Julian, saying among other things she began noticing behavior changes last November. She describes an incident where Julian asked Robin for a hug before bed and instead she says Robin came back to his room and spanked him.

TMZ broke the story ... a judge issued the restraining order, prohibiting Robin from coming near Paula, their son or her mom ... at least for the time being. Robin asked for an order giving him sole physical and legal custody but the judge shut him down.

Robin's lawyer claims the L.A. County Dept. of Children and Family Services is about to close its child abuse investigation against Robin, concluding the charges are "unfounded" ... this according to Robin's lawyer. The lawyer also says DCFS is investigating Paula for emotional abuse.

[PHOTO] Old Woman Accused Of Witchcraft Beaten By Church Members In Lagos

An elderly woman was beaten by youths of the Apostolic Gospel in Lagos after they alleged she was a witch.

According to the story told by a Facebook user, Sam Itauma, the church members claim that while they were having their youth vigil a bird fell into the Apostolic Gospel Church then turned into this old woman.

Should Buhari send a video message to Nigerians?

The rumour mill is rife with reports on the health status of President Muhammadu Buhari, who is currently on vacation in the UK.

While some have reported him dead, there are those saying he is in the hospital.

On Sunday, the presidency, which has consistently denied such news, released pictures of Buhari monitoring a Channels Television programme, where Femi Adesina, his spokesman, featured.

Lai Mohammed, minister of information, has also issued several statements to counter reports about the president’s health, but the rumours keep resurfacing every day.

Some Nigerians have advised the president to speak from his base, but Adesina believes Buhari cannot be forced to talk.

“The president is in London on vacation. He is not in any hospital and he is not ill. The fact that he is a president, he still has his rights. Compelling him to come out and talk will be infringing on his rights,” he had told CNBC Africa in an interview.

“The president will talk if he wishes to. If he doesn’t wish to, nobody will compel him to talk.”

Should Buhari speak in a video message and put an end to the death reports? Should he wait and shame “naysayers” on his February 6 resumption date? Won’t that give the rumour mongers the opportunity to continue with their mischief, misleading gullible Nigerians? What are your thoughts?

kindly drop your comments.

How Donald Trump changed the presidency in 7 days

Forget the first 100 days. It's only been a week and Donald Trump is reinventing the presidency.

Amid a torrent of action, disruption and protest, the new President's moves on trade, immigration and foreign policy have honored his campaign promises -- and dramatically reshaped Washington's role in national and global affairs.

Some things are clear at the end of this jarring week. Trump won't have an epiphany and suddenly embrace Beltway conventions. As president, he will keep conjuring his own reality and is happy to use the backdrop of the White House to advance his many rhetorical wars.

His staff is learning how to work together as they jockey for power. And amid it all, Trump still manages to surprise: Lawmakers and business leaders say the larger than life president and former reality show star listens more than he talks.

Will President Trump's executive actions stick?

But his unorthodox style is also raising questions about whether a presidency built on creative destruction will simply exhaust the political system. Trump's conveyer belt of executive orders is an effective symbolic device, but they are noticeably lacking in details and actionable plans. Sooner or later, he will have to show proficiency in the harder task of shepherding his agenda through Congress.

Trump's first week in office leaves one fundamental question in its wake: Can he successfully govern a complicated and divided country without bringing his erratic behavior under control? For now, there is no answer.

Man of action

Trump is making no secret of his top priority: Pay back the disgruntled voters who sent him to Washington to blow things up.

"Think of everything we can achieve and remember who we must achieve it for," Trump told Republican lawmakers Thursday in Philadelphia. "Now we have to deliver. Enough all talk, no action. We have to deliver."

In the delivery column, mark down an executive order calling for the building of a wall on the southern US border -- honoring Trump's earliest campaign vow. He's also made it easier to deport undocumented immigrants. Trump pulled America out of the Trans Pacific Partnership trade pact, rupturing decades of US foreign policy orthodoxy that power was projected through multilateral deals.

Trump signs an executive order to withdraw the US from the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership trade pact.

He also hauled business and auto executives into the West Wing and warned they will pay a heavy price for manufacturing abroad. With another sweep of his pen, Trump moved forward trans continental oil pipelines and smashed Obama-era environmental regulations.

Every new administration makes splashy executive actions aimed at appealing to the base. Former President Barack Obama quickly signed an order in 2009 ordering the closure of the Guantanamo Bay detention facility -- something that never fully became reality.

But the determination to keep campaign promises is verging on an obsession inside the Trump White House. Those close to the President believe that despite the uproar in Washington, the actions are being well received.

"If you are somebody sitting at home, you say, 'Wow, there's a lot going on here.' The media bubbles on the coast are not the people Trump is talking to," said a senior aide . "The people that Donald Trump is talking to are the thousands of counties that he won."

But Trump isn't dispensing with the Washington game entirely. He spent considerable time with congressional leaders this week, a big departure from Obama, who once joked to journalists who criticized his reluctance to socialize with top Republicans: "Why don't you get a drink with Mitch McConnell?"

Shattering the norms

It took one day for Trump to shatter the norms of presidential behavior.

On Saturday, his first full day in office, Trump caused offense by boasting about his election win against the somber backdrop of the CIA's wall honoring fallen heroes. (He later told ABC News the speech was a "home run.

The day ended with the new administration escalating a feud with the media over the size of Trump's inauguration crowd.

Trump sent his press secretary, Sean Spicer, out to deliver an extraordinarily explosive statement about the episode packed with untruths.

Over the course of the week, Trump tweeted castigations of "celebs," apparently piqued that a massive women's march last weekend drew more people than his own inauguration. He accused an academic researcher of "groveling" after he said Trump misrepresented his study by claiming that up to five million people voted illegally in the election.

Trump's ego is the common denominator in all these eruptions. The first week of his presidency has proven the ultra sensitivity to criticism he displayed on the campaign trail has carried over to the White House. In each case, the facts in question also clash with the version of reality that Trump prefers.

"He feels vulnerable when other people have access to facts and when he can be measured against something objective," said Michael D'Antonio, author of the recent book "The Truth About Trump." "His favorite thing is to game a system or defy a norm and if he can't do that, he doesn't feel as powerful."

After his highly criticized statement at the CIA, Trump's more measured performance early in the week sparked hopes that the initial storm had passed.

"He looked like a president today," one Republican close to the White House said on Monday as Trump pulled out of trade deals, met with executives and watched as Spicer delivered a far more measured press briefing. "Let's hope it lasts."

It didn't.

By mid-week, Trump revived debunked claims that millions of illegal voters cost him the popular vote during a meeting with congressional leaders. He's now pushing to spend taxpayer cash on an investigation into nonexistent allegations of wrongdoing, suggesting an open and public contempt for facts rarely seen from a White House.

Still, those who hope against hope that Trump's more extreme instincts will be mollified by the responsibilities of his office might take succor from his clear pleasure at the trappings of the White House and Air Force One.

"He continues to react the same way he has throughout his time in his presidency, in awe of the splendor of this plane and what the White House represents," Spicer told reporters during Trump's first ride on the presidential jet.

The unpredictable president

Count this as another campaign promise Trump has lived up to: Being unpredictable. Washington now braces early each morning for the first blast from Trump's Twitter account.

A series of tweets by Trump about street violence in Chicago showed how he is changing the way the presidency interacts with the American people.

"If Chicago doesn't fix the horrible 'carnage' going on, 228 shootings in 2017 with 42 killings (up 24% from 2016), I will send in the Feds!" Trump tweeted on Tuesday.

The tweet caused uproar in Chicago, sending law enforcement and local political officials scrambling to work out what Trump meant. Was he planning federal funds for Chicago, to deploy the FBI or even taking the highly unusual step of sending the National Guard on a law enforcement mission? Should his warning be taken seriously or was it simply a throw away tweet that represented a whim not a new policy?

source:cnn

Countdown to Feb 5: Musician 2Face Set to Lead Protest Against Bad Governance in Nigeria

Innocent Idibia popularly known by his stage name 2baba has revealed that he will be embarking on a nationwide protest against the policies of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration among

2baba made this known on his instagram page and from all indications, the February 5th protest could be a massive one as other stars like Davido and Burna Boy have backed up the “African Queen” singer. The call to action message by 2baba reads: “A call for good governance. “A call for urgent explanation into the reckless economic downturn nationwide. “A call for nationwide protests as we say No to the Executive, No to legislatures, No to judiciary… You have all failed us. “We the people are tired. We can no longer continue with all of you. All your excuses and mistakes are not funny. We do not wish to continue with a system and government that is not working but afflicting the people.
“We the people of this country not living under the privileges of government allowances and remuneration have now accepted to take the bull by the horn to come out and protest this obnoxious and baseless policies and excuses of the government of the day. “Where are the recovered looted funds? “Why do we still have the executive arms and legislatures still enjoying their salaries and allowances while we hear there’s no money to pay workers? “Why do we still see ceaseless power failures with no explanation and hope of getting out of it unlike before? “Why do we keep seeing peace talks in Niger Delta, fulani heardsmen and ipob without any solutions being reached, while the strategies keeps aggravating the people involved as political leaders stage forums to extort funds in the name of addressing their subjects? “Why did we have petrol price rise to 145 for the sake of global oil price crash and removal of subsidy but such price is still being maintained despite significant re-awakening of the oil price from $30/barrel to $56/barrel? “Who is to be held accountable for the sudden and continuous hike in price of commodities in the market, where for the first time in history, Nigeria is suddenly selling kerosene at 400 naira per litre as against 50 naira per litre, diesel at 300 naira per litre as against 100 naira per litre and petrol from 87 naira to 145 naira? Yet maintaining the same systems, environment and maybe a lesser money spending government. “There’s need for Nigerians to rise against what is happening in this country having waited patiently for the legislatures that were elected to represent the people all to no avail.

Okonjo-Iweala: Finance ministers fail to see vaccines as investments with high returns

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, chair of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, says finance ministers often fail to see vaccines as investments with high returns.

In her intervention for the World Economic Forum, Okonjo-Iweala argued that “the first step to Africa’s prosperity – saving children’s lives”.

She said for every $1 spent on vaccinating children, the world stands to gain as much as $44.

‘Don’t Marry Anyone Who Puts Passwords On Their Phones’ – Ghanaian Counsellor Warns

If you are single and thinking of marriage, then please don’t marry anyone who puts passwords or locks on their phone as a form of security to prevent you from accessing their conversations.


They can surely do this for other security measures, but you must not be the reason for this action.


I am very much aware that passwords or lock are for security purposes but one thing I don’t approve of is when a spouse becomes the reason for that security measure.


There is nothing like secrecy or privacy in marriage, let no one deceive you there is, and let no one tell you he or she is doing that to save you from getting hurt. Marriage is a holy institution, there is nothing like hiding. Marriage is made for life and one of the very things that can destroy it is acts of hiding things.


The bible says in Genesis 2:25 (TLB) “Now although the man and his wife were both naked, neither of them was embarrassed or ashamed”. What are you embarrassed or ashamed of your spouse seeing? If you can’t be truthful, honest and transparent with them, then there is no need getting married to them. It doesn’t matter how you feel about them.


Mark 10:8 (NLV) says “The two will become one. So they are no longer two, but one”. I therefore suggest to you, if he or she is hiding things from you, it simply means they don’t want to become one with you. Such a marriage won’t last.


Please share with your friends, someone out there needs this.


– Counselor Adofoli

Trump welcomes May as US-UK relationship enters new era

Donald Trump will get his first shot at face-to-face diplomacy on Friday when he welcomes his first foreign visitor to the Oval Office, British Prime Minister Theresa May.

The new US president and the premier, who took office in July, both have strong political incentives to make the visit -- likely to be heavier on symbolism and aspiration than deliverables -- a roaring success.

These Photos Of A 29-Year-Old Zambian Lady Who Got Married To A 92-Year-Old South African Has Gone Viral

A 29-year-old Zambian woman has been blasted online after a picture emerged of her marrying a ‘wealthy’ South African businessman more than 60 years her senior.

Charity Mumba tied the knot with 92-year-old South African Peter Grooves.

Mr Grooves, has been described as a ‘very rich man’ after making his fortune in stocks and shares but his total wealth is not clear.

Their wedding follows a spate of marriages in South Africa, where there has been a reported trend of young Zambia women travelling to the country in search of wealthy, elderly husbands.

And after a picture of the nuptials was shared online, it went viral in South Africa with people saying they were shocked by the age-gap.

source:http://www.nigerianmonitor.com/photos-29-year-old-zambian-lady-weds-wealthy-92-year-old-south-african/

Lai: Only in Nigeria citizens wish their president dead everyday

Amidst unending rumours that President Muhammadu Buhari is dead, the minister of information and culture, Lai Mohammed, has described the reports as “silly” and “uncharitable”.

“I don’t want to lend my voice to a very silly thing. I will not join this debate. I think there are more serious issues of state to discuss than this issue,” he said on Wednesday after the federal executive council meeting.

“It’s only in this part of the world that you wake up in the morning and you say the president of the country is dead. I will not join that kind of debate at all.”

He said it is only in Nigeria that citizens wake up in the morning “to wish their ‎president dead”.

Mohammed later issued a statement, urging Nigerians to disregard the “subversive messages orchestrated by those who feel threatened by the emerging order”.

He said the “naysayers” have also resorted to the use of ethnicity and religion as tools to divide Nigerians, overheat the polity and cause panic among the citizenry, in addition to using fake news and disinformation to distort government activities.

”The source/sources of the fabricated messages are already being investigated and the authors should prepare to face the consequences of their actions,” read the statement issued by Segun Adeyemi, Mohammed’s spokesman.

”The emerging trend of resorting to destabilization and scare-mongering is not unexpected, considering this government’s clamp-down on the corrupt elements in the society, the plugging of all financial leaks which has derailed the gravy train of the looters of public treasury and the enthronement of probity and transparency in
the polity.

”While we will neither stifle press freedom nor abridge the citizens’ right to express themselves freely, whether through criticism or protests, the security agencies will neither allow any resort to violence nor a willful subversion of the state for whatever reason.”

Tony Anenih, former chairman of the PDP board of trustees, has also condemned the rumours.

“This attitude of doing false reports about the death of our leaders has become characteristic in the media and it is not good. I was a victim of this in May last year when I was reported to have died in a London hospital,” he said.

“Former President Ibrahim Babangida was also a victim of such sinister rumoured death last year. I wonder what those behind the false and mischievous reports intended to gain from them.

“Fabricating such negative and false reports of death about fellow human beings is wicked and ungodly. It is clearly against Biblical admonition that we should pray for leaders and people in authority.

“At this time of economic recession, rather than wish President Buhari dead, Nigerians should fervently pray for him to enjoy good health to be able to take the country out of the woods.

“The masterminds of these false reports should desist from such despicable act that only portrays them as inhuman. They should fear God, ask for His mercy and forgiveness so that they do not invite the wrath of God upon their heads.”

Buhari was first reported dead on Sunday, and the rumours keep resurfacing every day.
source: thecable.ng

SGF saga: Senate document proves Buhari wrong

- A document released by the Senate has shown that Buhari was wrong about the quorum on Babachir Lawal

- The president had said only three of the nine members of the committee signed the report

- The senate report however shows six signatures and not three

Babachir Lawal

In clearing Babachir Lawal, President Muhammadu Buhari had claimed that only three members of the Senate Ad-Hoc Committee on the Humanitarian Crisis in the North-East signed the report of the committee that indicted Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).

This claim led to clearing the SGF and he subsequently refused to act on the Senate indictment of Mr. Lawal.

The president revealed this in a letter to Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki which was read on the Senate floor alleged that he could not act on the committee’s report, saying it was not endorsed by a quorum and also claimed that Lawal was not given the opportunity of fair hearing.

However, investigation into the matter has revealed that six of the nine members of actually signed the report.

Senator Shehu Sani, chairman of the committee, immediately after the letter was read called the claim false, saying that the allegation that Lawal was not given fair hearing was full of lies.

According to Vanguard, a copy of the committee report showed that four other senators including the committee chairman, Senator Sani signed the report.

Those who endorsed the report were Senators Ben Murray-Bruce, Tayo Alasoadura, and Mallam Ali Wakili, Solomon Adeola, Yahaya Abdullahi, and Isaac M. Alfa

source:naij.com

Scarlett Johansson and husband split after two years of marriage

Scarlett Johansson and her husband, Romain Dauriac, have split, a source with knowledge of the matter tells CNN.
Johansson and Dauriac were first spotted together in 2012 but didn't publicly confirm their romance until getting engaged in 2013.

Cobhams: It’s time for me to share my story — as an artiste

The producer recently announced that his debut album entitled For You will be released at an exclusive album launch concert on March 12.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the gifted musician said the album marks the beginning of a new phase in his music career.

Nigeria faces ‘credible risk of famine’ in 2017

The agency, which is supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), estimates that 70 million people across 45 countries will require emergency food assistance in 2017.

Stating persistent conflict, severe drought and economic instability as reasons for the famine, the agency urged donors and implementing partners to allocate available financial and human resources to those areas where the most severe food insecurity is likely.

“Food insecurity during 2017 will be driven primarily by three factors. Most importantly, persistent conflict is disrupting livelihoods, limiting trade, and restricting humanitarian access across many regions, including the Lake Chad Basin, the Central African Republic, Sudan, South Sudan, the Great Lakes Region, Somalia, Yemen, Ukraine, Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan,” read the report.

“A second important driver is drought, especially those driven by the 2015/16 El Niño and the 2016/17 La Niña. In Southern Africa and the Horn of Africa, significantly below-average rainfall has sharply reduced crop harvests and severely limited the availability of water and pasture for livestock. In Central Asia, snowfall to date has also been below average, potentially limiting the water available for irrigated agriculture during 2017.

“Finally, economic instability, related to conflict, a decline in foreign reserves due to low global commodity prices, and associated currency depreciation have contributed to very high staple food prices in Nigeria, Malawi, Mozambique, South Sudan, and Yemen.”

FEWS NET said it had evidence that famine occurred in 2016 and could be ongoing.

“In Nigeria, evidence suggests that famine occurred in 2016 and could be ongoing. In both Yemen and South Sudan the combination of persistent conflict, economic instability, and restricted humanitarian access makes Famine possible over the coming year,” he said.

“Finally in Somalia, a failure of the October to December 2016 Deyr rains and a forecast of poor spring rains threaten a repeat of 2011 when Famine led to the deaths of 260,000 Somalis.”

In November, the presidency hinted Nigerians of the likelihood of famine.
source: thecable.ng

ASUP to embark on one-week nationwide strike

The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), on Wednesday, announced that it would embark on a nationwide one-week warning strike.

The union says it had already directed its members in all public polytechnics across the federation to fully comply.

Usman Dutse, ASUP president, made this known during a press conference in Abuja.

Dutse noted that all academic and administrative activities in Nigeria’s public polytechnics are to be suspended from 12 noon on January 30, to February 6, 2017.

TOP STORY: Chelsea's £27m Kessie bid turned down

Chelsea have submitted a £27 million bid for Franck Kessie and the Star claims Atalanta have rejected it as they battle to keep hold of their star talent.

The Blues are keen on the midfielder -- who has been likened in style to Yaya Toure -- with Antonio...

Mexican President: We will not pay for the wall

Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto said Wednesday his country "will not pay for any wall," defying the claims US President Donald Trump has made. But he did not cancel his trip planned for the United States next week.
"Mexico does not believe in walls. I've said time again; Mexico will not pay for any wall," he said in a video statement posted to Twitter and translated by CNN from Spanish.
Peña Nieto said he would wait for a final report from his top officials who arrived in Washington Wednesday to meet with the Trump administration, and previous meetings with Mexican legislators, before deciding which steps he would take next.
"I've asked for the minister of Foreign Relations to re-enforce protection measures to our citizens," he said. He added that the 50 Mexican Consulates in the US will be used to defend the rights of immigrants in the country. He also issued a call to action to legislators and civil organizations to help immigrants.

Mexican President: We will not pay for the wall

Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto said Wednesday his country "will not pay for any wall," defying the claims US President Donald Trump has made. But he did not cancel his trip planned for the United States next week.
"Mexico does not believe in walls. I've said time again; Mexico will not pay for any wall," he said in a video statement posted to Twitter and translated by CNN from Spanish.
Peña Nieto said he would wait for a final report from his top officials who arrived in Washington Wednesday to meet with the Trump administration, and previous meetings with Mexican legislators, before deciding which steps he would take next.
"I've asked for the minister of Foreign Relations to re-enforce protection measures to our citizens," he said. He added that the 50 Mexican Consulates in the US will be used to defend the rights of immigrants in the country. He also issued a call to action to legislators and civil organizations to help immigrants.
Mexican delegation brings 'Mexico First' message
Peña Nieto closed his message by saying that Mexico offers and expects respect.
"Mexico offers its friendship to the people of the United States and expresses its wish to arrive at agreements with its government, deals that will be in favor of Mexico and the Mexicans," he said.
Earlier in the day, Trump signed two executive orders directing the construction of a wall on the US-Mexico border, boosting border patrol forces and increasing the number of immigration enforcement officers who carry out deportations.
Meanwhile, the Mexican officials that arrived Wednesday are expected to lay the groundwork for Peña Nieto's visit next week, which Mexican diplomats see as an important opportunity to get past the anti-Mexico rhetoric Trump used during the campaign and a chance to put the US-Mexico relationship back on track.
"There is ... frustration with our government and ourselves that we have not been able to tell the story of this important relationship," a Mexican diplomat told CNN ahead of the visit. "There are a lot of stereotypes of Mexicans in the US, but there are also stereotypes of Americans in Mexico. It is in the interest of both governments to explain what this relationship is and what we can do together."
Related: Reality Check: Illegal immigration has plummeted
In a Monday speech, Peña Nieto said his government is prepared to negotiate with the US if Mexico's national sovereignty is respected. He laid out economic integration and respect for the rights of migrants and the money they send home as his nation's key negotiating points.
Trump has suggested some of the $25 billion in annual remittances that migrants return home would be retained to pay for the border wall -- a project Mexico opposes and which Peña Nieto has said Mexico would never pay for.
"Neither confrontation nor submission. Dialogue is the solution," Peña Nieto said Monday.

Trump on waterboarding: 'We have to fight fire with fire'

President Donald Trump said he wants to "fight fire with fire" when it comes to stopping terrorism, suggesting that he could be open to bringing back torture because he "absolutely" believes it works.
Trump said "people at the highest level of intelligence" have told him that torture does work, something military experts have refuted. He went on to say, however, that he will listen to what his Cabinet secretaries have to say about the issue.
"When ISIS is doing things that no one has ever heard of, since medieval times, would I feel strongly about waterboarding?" Trump said in an interview with ABC News. "As far as I'm concerned, we have to fight fire with fire."
But he also said that he would defer to the recommendations of Defense Secretary James Mattis, who opposes enhanced interrogation, and CIA Director Mike Pompeo, who told senators earlier this month that he wouldn't sanction the use of torture. Pompeo later said he would consider bringing back waterboarding and other enhanced interrogation measures under certain circumstances.
"I will rely on Pompeo and Mattis and my group. And if they don't want to do (it), that's fine." Trump said. "And if the do want to do (torture), I will work toward that end."

Transfer Rater: Fernando Muslera to Chelsea, William Carvalho to Liverpool

Things change in the blink of an eye in football. The Football Whispers Index takes the latest transfer rumours and gives them a score out of five; the higher the score, the more realistic and reliable the whisper.
Here are today's top five emerging whispers. And keep an eye on Transfer Talk for the latest gossip.
Mitchell Dijks - Norwich
Ajax left-back Dijks is in talks with Norwich about a move to Carrow Road, according to BBC Radio Norfolk. The 23-year-old has made 15 appearances for Ajax this season. And after selling Martin Olsson to Swansea, the Canaries are in the market for a replacement. Dijks would reportedly cost around £3.4 million.

Liverpool playing with 10 when Daniel Sturridge struggles - Jamie Carragher

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has told Sky Sports that when Daniel Sturridge fails to score the team is "basically down to 10 men."

Sturridge, 27, missed a number of goal-scoring chances as Liverpool lost 1-0 at Anfield to Southampton, leading to their exit from the EFL Cup at the semifinal stage 2-0 on aggregate.

And Carragher is concerned that Sturridge's pace has been hampered by a string of injuries since his move from Chelsea to the Reds in 2013.

"Sturridge is a completely different player now to when he first came to Liverpool," Carragher said. "You could link him with Sadio Mane when he first came because the whole point of Liverpool buying Sturridge under Brendan Rodgers when I was at the club was that he gave us penetration in behind, he had pace.

Jose Mourinho fears Manchester derby will be moved to end of season

Jose Mourinho fears Manchester United will be forced to play their Premier League derby trip to Manchester City in a dramatic end-of-season clash at the Etihad Stadium if they progress to next month's EFL Cup final.

United, who take a 2-0 first-leg EFL Cup semifinal lead to Hull City on Thursday, are currently due to visit their neighbours on Feb. 26 -- the date of the EFL Cup final at Wembley.

With United the only club currently competing in four competitions, progression to the latter stages of the FA Cup and Europa League would dramatically reduce options for a new date for the encounter with Pep Guardiola's team.

And with his team already facing trips to Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur in the final weeks of the campaign, Mourinho admits he is bracing himself for an "amazingly difficult" late-season date at the Etihad Stadium.

When asked if United could challenge for all four trophies, Mourinho said, "I don't know, but I know it is going to be hard, if we go step-by-step, it is going to be hard.

"If we go to the fields of the 'ifs,' if we go to the EFL final and don't play Man City, I am sure they will choose an amazingly difficult moment for us to make us play that game.



"Then we have the Europa League, which is non-stop. The Champions League have a last 16, but we have a last 32 and a last 16, so if we progress, it will be really difficult."

United played a total of 63 games in all competitions on the way to winning the Treble in 1999, but Mourinho's team would face a minimum of 66 games if they progressed to the finals of the EFL Cup, FA Cup and Europa League.

And the United manager reveals he has already started to plan for the nightmare scenario of a fixture backlog.

"We go competition by competition, if we lose we go out, if we draw in the FA Cup, we have another match," he said. "It will be difficult.

"I have a board on my wall with all the possible matches and the image is quite difficult.

"Some teams have a wonderful life, they play at the weekend, have two days off and everyone rests.

"Then they have three to five days to play next match, with ideas clear, clear tactical work, every detail and that is a big difference.


"So let's see what happens."

Economy: Buhari’s govt confused, adamant, says BBOG co-founder, Ezekwesili

Former Vice President of the World Bank for Africa, Dr Obiageli Ezekwesili has described the economic policies of President Muhammadu Buhari’s government as “confusing”, expressing regret that in spite of the confusion, the government remains “adamant.”

Ezekwesili, convener of the Bring Back Our Girls and former minister spoke in the current edition of The Interviewmagazine.

“I am not a fan of the economic policies of this government so far; I feel it’s too tentative in making even the right policy decisions, and even when it tries to make the right policy decisions, it has been in the breach. It has been very confusing,” she said.

“It’s not that the government is timid; it’s about doing the wrong things and being adamant about them,” she added.

Ezekwesili cited the government’s monetary and fiscal policies as key areas of denial of “empirical evidence” and called for structural reforms and better citizen engagement.

In the interview, conducted before the BBOG’s visit to Sambisa, Ezekwesili wept over the fate of the remaining Chibok girls, saying the episode had exposed Nigerian governments in their “worst form.”

She spoke on what she would do if President Muhammadu Buhari invited her to serve; her perception of former President Goodluck Jonathan and her relationship with former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Why Davido Sacked His Former Manager, Kamal Ajiboye Will Leave You Dazed

Nigerian artiste, Davido who recently sacked his former manager, Kamal Ajiboye unceremoniously might have revealed the reason behind his action on Snapchat.

Last year, the star took to social media to tell everyone about the threat and black magic plot against his person.

Davido had written on Snap, “No Juju U do will work for me!!! BABA GOD BY MY SIDE … u know urself. I’m covered with the blood of Jesus… my friends family my work my life .. AMEN”

His hypeman, Spesh then confirmed the fellow behind the blackmagic threat when he mentioned Kamal in a very implicating snap

“KAMAL NO GO LEAVE US NO MATTER HARD WE TRY!!! D JUJU TOO STRONG!!!”, Spesh shared on snap.

Davido has gone on to employ one Ayo George as his new manager.

Philippe Coutinho signs new long-term Liverpool contract

Philippe Coutinho has signed a new long-term contract at Liverpool, the club have confirmed.
The Reds have tied down one of their best players for the foreseeable future and have rewarded the Brazilian for his excellent form in recent seasons.
Coutinho has been linked with a move to Barcelona in the past few months but Liverpool are determined to do everything they can to ensure his future remains at Anfield.
Coutinho's new contract is a five-year deal -- that lasts until 2022 -- and does not include a release clause, a source told ESPN FC.
The source added that Coutinho will now become the Reds' highest-paid player, with his weekly wage in the region of £150,000.

The 24-year-old has scored six goals for Jurgen Klopp's side this season and is now fit after recovering from ankle ligament damage.

Liverpool FC (@LFC) January 25, 2017

Coutinho told the club's official website: "I would like to thank everybody at the club, first of all.
"I am very happy to sign a new contract here. It is a club that I am very grateful to and this shows my happiness here. I will work much harder to repay the belief shown in me.
"I signed this new contract to stay here for a few more years because it's a great honour for me. It gives me great happiness because I was welcomed here with open arms by everyone at the club and the supporters right from my first day. I am very thankful to this football club for everything."
In November, Klopp spoke about how he is confident he can keep Coutinho and his other best players at the club.
Speaking after the Brazilian committed himself to the Merseyside club, Klopp said: "This is wonderful news and I know everyone associated with LFC will be delighted when hearing this today.

"I think everyone knows what a great footballer Phil is, that is not in question -- but not everyone sees what an incredibly positive character he is and what a big influence he is on the dressing room.
"I knew of Phil before I came to Liverpool and I was well aware of what a talent he was, but since arriving here I have not only witnessed his ability up close, but also his ever-continuing development. He is truly world-class -- in that very top bracket.
"The fact he wants to stay here and be part of what we are looking to build and develop shows his personal commitment is to make himself better and be an integral part of something that is very special.
"We have total belief in our project, but when a player of Phil's calibre and status commits for this length of time it shows that our faith is shared throughout the game. He knows he can fulfil his dreams and ambitions here at Liverpool. This is a big statement.
"I look forward to seeing Phil create many more great memories and moments for this club."

Coutinho signed for Liverpool from Inter Milan in 2013 and has since scored 26 goals in 122 Premier League appearances.

We stand by SGF’s indictment, Senate insists

The Senate, yesterday, said it was not ready to make a U-turn on the indictment of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. David Babachir Lawal. He was on December 14, 2016 indicted by the Senate, following the recommendations of an interim report of its Ad-hoc Committee on Mounting Humanitarian Crisis in the North East, headed by Senator Shehu Sani.

The President sent two letters to the Senate which were read by Senate President Bukola Saraki, yesterday.

One of the letters was the resubmission of Acting Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu’s name, for confirmation.

This is even as the Senator Sani said the two letters were a death knell for Buhari’s anti-graft war.

The Senate’s position followed Buhari’s claims that the SGF was not given the chance to defend himself and clear his name during the public hearing on North-East crisis.

Senate spokesman, Senator Abdullahi Sabi, who addressed newsmen after their closed-door session which lasted for over an hour, said the December 14, 2016 resolutions of the Senate stand.

Sabi said contrary to claims made in President Buhari’s letter, which cleared the SGF of any wrongdoing, the Senate gave everyone accused in the North-East humanitarian crisis a fair chance to defend himself or herself.

Buhari, in his letter addressed to Saraki, faulted the interim report and accused the lawmakers of bias. He insisted that the SGF and his alleged company, Roller Vision Limited, were not given any chance to defend themselves during the public hearing on Mounting Humanitarian Crisis in the North-East.

He also claimed in the letter that only three of the nine ad-hoc committee members signed the interim report.

Buhari maintained that based on the loopholes in the report, he could not in good conscience, act on the resolution or sack Mr. Lawal. He said he could not also hand him over to any anti-graft agency for prosecution.

Buhari’s claims did not come without any rebuttal by Senators. Soon after Saraki, who presided during the legislative business of the day read the letter, the Red Chamber was temporarily thrown into chaos.

Lawmakers protested and insisted on speaking on the issue. They were, however, ignored by Saraki. As agreed by Senators during their session, Senator Sani spoke.

Relying on Order 43 of the Senate Standing Rules, Senator Sani declared that “this letter is a funeral for the anti-corruption war of the current administration of President Buhari.”

Senator Sani claimed that the President was being deceived by people within the corridors of power to sign the letter. He said some ‘miniatures’ in the Presidency wrote the letter to the Senate and only compelled Buhari to append his signature.

Sani said President Buhari’s approach to the fight against corruption is biased, arguing that he adopts a different approach whenever his cabinet members are accused of corruption, while he maintains a strong stance whenever public servants in the National Assembly, judiciary and other areas are accused.

Meanwhile, there was uneasy calm in the Senate, yesterday, following Buhari’s re-submission of Magu’s name.

Emerging from an executive session which lasted for over an hour, Saraki, read the official communication from President Buhari.

Buhari, in the letter, noted that the anti-corruption war is at the heart of his administration and insisted that Mr. Magu was fit enough to lead the way, despite the report of Department of State Services (DSS).

He said Magu, in his response to the allegations raised in the DSS report, adequately addressed them. He said based on Magu’s response, he had to re-forward his name to the Senate for confirmation as the substantive chairman of the EFCC.

But speaking on the issue, Senator Sabi said Buhari did not address any of the allegations contained in the October 3, 2016 report submitted to it by the Senate.

Though Senator Sabi did not state in clear terms the next line of action of the Red Chamber, he, however, maintained that lawmakers did not err by declining to consider Buhari’s letter of Magu’s confirmation.

Traditionally, the Senate does not consider any matter usually before any competent court of law. Already, a Lagos-based lawyer, Ebun-Olu. Adegboruwa, has asked a Federal High Court in Lagos to restrain Magu from parading himself as the Acting Chairman of EFCC.

In the lawsuit filed on January 16, Adegboruwa is also asking the Senate not to entertain any further request from President Buhari for the confirmation of Magu.

The Lagos Federal High Court has fixed February 13 to hear the suit. As it stands now, it is unclear whether or not the Senate will bypass the pending court case to entertain the request from President Buhari.

Questions have, however, been raised over the alleged desperation by the Presidency to ensure that Magu is confirmed.

For instance, it was learnt that Magu’s confirmation letter was personally delivered at the Maitama home of the Senate President by Buhari’s Senior Special Assistant on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Senator Ita Enang by 10pm on Sunday, January 22.

The letter was written by President Buhari on Tuesday, January 17, the same day he wrote to the National Assembly, to inform it of his plans to embark on medical leave in the United Kingdom.

Ruggedman Queries President Buhari In Must-Read Poem

Ace Nigerian artiste, Ruggedman who is a graduate of political science from Lagos State University, Ọ̀jọ́ and started exploring music in 1999. He produced his own songs and released two tracks in 1999, both which were well-played on radio.

Ruggedman wrote a poem on Instagram interrogating the Nigerian president for going on a vacation.

Read below;“ruggedybabaOur president is on vacation.
* Nigerian illegal immigrants are allegedly being killed in Libya…
OUR PRESIDENT IS ON VACATION!
* A bottle of kerosene that used to sell for N100 now sells for N550…
OUR PRESIDENT IS ON VACATION!
* We still do not have light but.. OUR PRESIDENT IS ON VACATION! *Herdsmen are killing innocent people..
OUR PRESIDENT IS ON VACATION! * Schools are on strike …
OUR PRESIDENT IS ON VACATION! * Dollar is N490 now and …
#OURPRESIDENTISONVACATION”

Trump calls for 'major investigation' into voter fraud

President Donald Trump called on Wednesday for "a major investigation" into voter fraud, following through with baseless claims he has made since November's election alleging millions of illegal votes during the general election without citing any evidence.
"I will be asking for a major investigation into VOTER FRAUD, including those registered to vote in two states, those who are illegal and ... even, those registered to vote who are dead (and many for a long time). Depending on results, we will strengthen up voting procedures!" Trump wrote in two consecutive tweets.
Trump's comments on voter fraud came Monday during a meeting with congressional leaders, where he reiterated an unsubstantiated claim that 3-5 million illegal votes cost him the popular vote, according to two sources familiar with the meeting.
On Tuesday, Trump's press secretary Sean Spicer vigorously defended Trump's statement about illegal voters, though neither Trump nor his surrogates could provide evidence that any substantial illegal voting had occurred or influence the popular vote.
Trump faced widespread criticism for his remarks, including from some congressional leaders in his own party, and Democrats have alleged that Republican efforts in the name of fighting voter fraud as a way to halt legal voters who traditionally back Democratic candidates from voting.
"The President does believe that, I think he's stated that before, and stated his concern of voter fraud and people voting illegally during the campaign and continues to maintain that belief based on studies and evidence people have brought to him," Spicer said at Wednesday's press briefing.
Trump lost the popular vote to Hillary Clinton by nearly 3 million votes in November, but won the Electoral College and thus the presidency. Trump, however, has seemingly been fixated on the popular vote, mentioning voter fraud in regards to his popular vote loss a number of times since November.
When pushed about whether Trump will call for an investigation into the matter, Spicer said, "maybe we will," adding later that Trump believes in voter fraud based on "studies and information he has."
Spicer did not say specifically which studies the President was using to support his claim of 3 to 5 million illegally cast votes, but a 2014 study by Jesse Richman and David Earnest found more than 14% of non-citizens in 2008 and 2010 "indicated that they were registered to vote." Only US citizens can vote in federal elections.
However, Brian Schaffner, a political scientist at the University of Massachusetts, told CNN on Tuesday that his study that is apparently being cited by the White House was misinterpreted and did not support the administration's claims.
A number of studies have also found no evidence of widespread voter fraud.
The Truth About Voter Fraud, a report written by experts at The Brennan Center for Justice, found voter fraud rates were between 0.00004% and 0.0009%.
Trump himself -- through his lawyers -- have also argued that there was no evidence of voter fraud in the 2016 election. In a court filing objecting to Green Party candidate Jill Stein's Michigan recount petition, lawyers for the president wrote, "All available evidence suggests that the 2016 general election was not tainted by fraud or mistake."