‘Google, Facebook, Twitter are so biased’ – Donald Trump

President of United States of America, Donald Trump has again accused Facebook,Twitter and Google of being biased towards him.

Trump accused the America’s tech giants of having a liberal bias and claiming Twitter was making it more difficult for people to follow his account.

He laid the allegation in a post on his verified Twitter page on Tuesday.

Trump wrote: “Facebook, Twitter and Google are so biased toward the Dems, it is ridiculous.

“Twitter, in fact, has made it much more difficult for people to join Donald Trump. They have removed many names and greatly slowed the level and speed of increase. They have acknowledged-done NOTHING.”

MEDIA recalls that US congress summoned Google CEO, Sundar Pichai to explain why the photo of its president, Trump comes up when you type the word ‘Idiot’.

However, Pichai denied allegation of being ‘politically biased, saying Google has no manual control of its search results.

Meanwhile, Trump at the moment has over 56m followers on Twitter, his favourite platform and pundits say he may be angry that his predecessor Barack Obama has 104million followers.

Saraki reacts to death of Ex-Chief of Defence Staff, Alex Badeh

Senate President, Bukola Saraki has reacted to death of Former Chief of Defence Staff, Alex Sabundu Badeh.

MEDIA had reported that Badeh who rose to the rank of Air Chief Marshal in the Nigerian military, died from gunshot wounds he sustained after his vehicle was attacked while returning from his farm along Abuja-Keffi Road on Tuesday.

Reacting, Saraki, while commiserating with family of the the deceased, said Nigeria had suffered a great loss.

He, however, prayed that God grants him eternal rest.

He said, “Nigeria has suffered another great loss with the passing of former Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh.

“My heartfelt prayers go to his family and our Armed Forces at this tragic time. May the Almighty grant him eternal rest. Amin.”

Trevor Noah suffers vocal cord damage, postpones shows

Popular comedian, Trevor Noah has announced a break from stand-up comedy for the rest of the year.

The comedian who recently headlined Global Citizen festival in celebration of Nelson Mandela’s life said this on Wednesday.

Writing on his Twitter page, he revealed that he is suffering a damage to his vocal cord.

He, however, promised to come back stronger and work hard on rehabbing his voice.

Noah wrote: “Sad news that I don’t have a voice right now, I thought that my vocal cords were healed but according to the doctor, flying 36 hours and hosting a giant concert in South Africa didn’t help me.

“I hate canceling shows but I also hate the idea of losing my voice forever so I’m postponing all this year’s stand up shows.”

Noah, also a producer, political commentator, actor, and television host, is known for hosting The Daily Show, an American satirical news program on Comedy Central.

Biafra: IPOB slams Asari Dokubo for faulting Nnamdi Kanu

The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has defended its leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, in the row he has with ex-leader of Niger-Delta militants, Asari Dokubo, over the boycott of 2019 elections.

IPOB deputy leader, Uche Mefor, in a statement yesterday said the pro-Biafra group was not interested in Dokubo’s ‘lectures’ on how to achieve its objectives.

Recall that Nnamdi Kanu had urged IPOB supporters and sympathizers in the two geopolitical zones of south east and south south to shun the 2019 general elections unless the Federal Government announced a date for Biafra referendum.

But Asari Dokubo expressed disagreement over the call for the boycott of the 2019 general elections by Nnamdi Kanu, arguing that heeding Kanu’s advice was suicidal since it would be tantamount to empowering those opposed to the Biafra aspirations with resources from the national treasury to frustrate the people’s struggle.

He went further to point out that pro-independent agitators in Spain, Ireland and Palestine contested elections and won seats into political offices in a bid to push their agenda rather than boycott general elections in their respective nations.

Picking holes in Dokubo’s argument, Uche Mefor, said: “Whether Catalonia, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Hamas, used election to control their territories or not, that is their business. Their examples are incongruent and serves no purpose in our circumstance as it stands. On our part, IPOB has taken a decision to use civil disobedience manifesting in so many ways including election boycott and that we must do.

“We do not believe in the recalibration nor extinguishing of our averred principles on the altar of political expediency and certainly, don’t need any lectures on what or how to go about the path we have chosen.

“Hamas started by fighting wars, IRA started by fighting wars and same with Catalonia and even Scotland and these violences gave rise to their attaining political statuses they have today. Why then are those who claim to be Biafra freedom fighters not fighting like Hamas, IRA, etc if citing them is a standard?”

2019: Oshiomhole carpets APC governors

National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole has described some state governors on the party’s platform as poor students of history.

Oshiomhole spoke after receiving the APC women leaders from Edo State and Abuja, who paid him a solidarity visit in his office in Aso Drive, Abuja.

Governors Rochas Okorocha of Imo, Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun and Abdul-Aziz Yari of Zamfara are aggrieved that their preferred candidates lost during primaries.

Oshiomhole said, “Those who think our political future is tied to them, they are poor students of their own political history.

“Some of these people who talk as if they are invincible, they have forgotten that they have run elections in the past and lost until they abandoned their parties and joined us. So if they return back, history will repeat itself.

“Whether you are a big or small man, the rules are not supposed to discriminate. Our popularity in Imo and Ogun today is much higher. It is not that once you are a governor you have high electoral value.

“Yes in APC, our governors have high electoral value but we also have a few who are electoral liabilities.”

The former Nigeria Labour Congress President said Nigeria needed to go back to the era where institutions were respected and protected and not powerful individuals.

He added that the actions of the two governors would not affect the fortunes of the party in the elections.

“In Imo state today, APC will win more votes. My focus is on ordinary Imo voters because on that day, the governor would have only one vote, his son-in-law would have only one vote while his Commissioner for Happiness would have only one vote.

“But artisans, traders, teachers and workers whose salaries are not being paid have the same weight of vote and they are excited about the renewed possibility of a new government coming with fresh ideas free of all the encumbrances of the present system. So in Imo I’m very confident.

“Vice President Yemi Osinbajo is from Ogun State. The state is one of the most enlightened States in Nigeria. They have a huge history; they are not in a political kingdom headed by one person.

“If they were looking for true reconciliation, they wouldn’t have done what they did (defection of aides). That is not how democracy works. Nigeria must grow beyond this syndrome ‘I’m the governor, I will decide.’ You have only one vote. With due respect, I was once a governor. Overall APC is much stronger now”.

Beyoncé buys out Ivy Park venture from Sir Philip Green

Beyoncé has ended a business venture with Topshop boss Sir Philip Green by buying him out of Ivy Park, the gymwear label they founded together.

The pair launched Ivy Park two years ago, playing on the personal brand of the US singer and outspoken feminist.

The buyout comes weeks after Sir Philip was named as having taken legal action to prevent publication of allegations of sexual harassment of staff.

Sir Philip says he "categorically and wholly" denies the allegations.

However, Beyoncé had faced pressure from campaigners to cut ties.

In a statement on Thursday, Ivy Park said: "After discussions of almost a year, Parkwood has acquired 100% of the Ivy Park brand. Topshop - Arcadia will fulfil the existing orders."

Ivy Park sells items such as hoodies and leggings, part of a trend towards so called athleisure.

Beyoncé and Sir Philip had both owned 50% stakes in the label, which is named after the singer's daughter with rapper Jay Z, Blue Ivy.

Sir Philip, one of Britain's best known businessmen, was named in parliament last month by Lord Hain as the man behind a court injunction preventing the publication of allegations of sexual harassment and racial abuse of staff.

In a statement last month, he denied having broken the law and said his businesses fully investigated employee grievances.

However, campaign Equality Now had called for Beyoncé to end her relationship with the tycoon, arguing it was at odds with her stated principles.

Yasmeen Hassan, from the campaign group, said in October: "Beyoncé has put herself forward as a women's rights activist. She and her team need to look closely at these allegations."

Another activist, Nimco Ali, said: "Beyoncé should say 'I don't want to work with Philip Green'."

A representative of Sir Philip would not comment further on the Ivy Park deal, while Beyoncé could not be reached for additional comment.

Gabon amends constitution for ill President

Gabon's constitutional court has intervened to avert a political crisis brought about by the ill health of President Ali Bongo.

There have been no government meetings since he was taken to hospital in Saudi Arabia last month.

The court has amended the constitution to allow the Vice-President or Prime Minister to run cabinet meetings if the President is temporarily unavailable - a move the opposition says is illegal.

Amid speculation that the President had suffered a stroke and some even questioning whether he was still alive, Mr Bongo's office finally admitted on Sunday that he was recovering from surgery.

In 2009 Ali Bongo succeeded his father Omar Bongo who had been President for more than 40 years.

U.S election turnout highest for 104 years

If Donald Trump has one undisputable achievement during the first two years of his presidency, it's that he has succeeded in increasing the political engagement of a large share of the American public.

Preliminary figures for nationwide turnout in the 2018 mid-term elections are in, and they've reached a mark not seen in more than a century. Across the US, 49.2% of the voting age public cast ballots. In 2014 that number was 37%, and the average over the last few decades has hovered around 40%.

The last time turnout for a mid-term topped 50% was 1914 - before women had the vote in the US.

In some states, the numbers were even higher. Washington and Colorado, which heavily utilise voting by mail, topped the list at 69.4% and 65.5%, respectively. Minnesota, always a high-participation state, came in at 64.3% this year.

Even states with lower 2018 turnout saw sharp increases over recent mid-terms. In Texas enthusiasm generated by Democrat Beto O'Rourke (who was narrowly defeated) helped boost turnout to 46.1%, compared to 28.3% in 2014. Georgia, which had a contentious governor race, saw an increase from 38.6% to 55%.

In California, where several prominent Republican congressional incumbents have been unseated, turnout rose from 30.7% to 47.8%

The numbers across the US still fall short of the roughly 60% voter participation seen during recent presidential elections, although 2018 does come close to the 51.7% mark for Bill Clinton's 1996 re-election campaign. And digging back farther into the historical records, it surpasses the levels of the 1920 and 1924 presidential years.



Overall, more than 103 million votes were cast across the US in races for the House of Representatives (in which all 435 seats were up for election). Some states, such as California, are still processing mail-in ballots, but at last count Democrats won 51.8% of the overall vote, while Republicans accounted for 46.5%. With seven races still to be decided, Democrats have posted a net gain of 35 seats, giving them control of the chamber for the first time since 2010.

Thirty-three states also had Senate races, in which a total of at least 84 million votes were cast (a partisan breakdown of the balloting here is misleading because California, the largest state, had two Democrats advancing to the general election).

And if there was any doubt that this election was a referendum on the Trump presidency, a just-released Pew Research Center poll should put them to bed.

Only 35% of Americans said the president was not a factor in their mid-term vote. For those who had Mr Trump on their minds, 39% said they were casting their ballot against the president, while only 25% were voting to support him.

According to Pew, 57% of Americans are "happy" about the results of the mid-term elections - although there are sharp partisan divides over exactly what they like about it.

Ninety-one percent of Democrats are glad their party took control of the House, but only 11% are happy about Republicans holding the Senate. The numbers are reversed for Republicans, who are overwhelmingly pleased that their party kept the Senate, while only 20% are happy Democrats took the House.

When it comes to the chance for real, bipartisan legislative progress in the next two years, the American public's outlook grows darker. Sixty-three percent of poll respondents say Mr Trump won't be successful in getting his programmes enacted, while 61% say the same thing about Democrats.

Nearly half of all Americans think that relations between Republicans and Democrats will get worse, while only 9% see them getting better.

And that may be the key takeaway from the 2018 mid-term elections. More Americans are engaged, more Americans are voting, but the partisan lines are deepening, and no one is all that convinced things are going to get better.

Democrats and Republicans have two years to try to figure it all out before they face the voters again. And in 2020, Mr Trump w

French mother tried for hiding baby in car boot

A French woman has gone on trial accused of hiding the existence of a child she kept in the boot of her car.

The girl was discovered by a garage mechanic who heard noises when the car was brought in for repairs.

The mother is charged with repeated violence against a minor causing permanent disability, and faces up to 20 years in prison.

She is said to have hidden the pregnancy and birth from her partner and three older children.

Rosa-Maria Da Cruz, who is being tried in the central city of Tulle, called the baby Serena and kept her in a room in her house and in the boot of her car.

When she was found in 2013 in Terrasson-Lavilledieu in the Dordogne region, the child, who was thought to be about two years old, was malnourished and displaying severe developmental problems, reports say.

The garage mechanic who discovered the girl said he was greeted by an unpleasant smell when he opened the boot to discover a pale, feverish child, lying naked in her own excrement.

Portuguese-born Ms Da Cruz, who is now 50, is said to have told investigators about her daughter at the time: "Not a baby but a thing (...), a thing that had to be discovered to live", a child "to whom she started talking at the age of 18 months, because she had smiled [to her]".

The girl, who is now nearly seven, is in foster care.

Her two brothers and sister, aged nine to 15, were returned to the couple after being placed in foster care for a time.

The case against Ms Da Cruz's partner, who denied knowing anything about the pregnancy or the baby, has been dismissed.

The trial is expected to last between five and seven days.

Messi returns but Barca beaten at home by rampant Betis

La Liga leaders Barcelona fell to a first home defeat in any competition for more than two years when they were beaten 4-3 by Real Betis at the Nou Camp on Sunday despite Lionel Messi returning from injury, while Ivan Rakitic was sent off for the Catalans.

Betis's livewire winger Junior gave the visitors a deserved lead in the 20th minute, finishing off a hugely impressive counter-attack that had started in their own penalty area, while captain Joaquin doubled their lead in the 35th after another venture down the wing from Junior.

Messi pulled Barca back into the game by converting a penalty midway through the second half but Betis restored their two-goal cushion through Giovani Lo Celso.


Arturo Vidal quickly responded with a goal down the other end but Rakitic was

then dismissed for a second booking and Sergio Canales soon made it 4-2.

Messi scored from close range in stoppage time but Betis hung on to clinch a first league win at the Nou Camp since 1998. (Reporting by Richard Martin; editing by Clare Fallon)

Firms 'struggling to recruit as overseas staff stay away'

Firms planning to take on more staff are being hit by labour shortages, with a "reversal" in the number of migrants in employment, says HR body the CIPD.

As Brexit approaches next March, the CIPD says there has been a slowing down in the growth of both EU and non-EU migrants in the UK workplace.

And it said research among over 1,000 employers suggested that vacancies are becoming harder to fill.

The squeeze is leading employers to increase pay rates, said the CIPD.

While the short-term outlook for employment remains strong, labour and skills shortages are accelerating, says the institute.


According to the latest official data, the number of non-UK-born workers in the UK decreased by 58,000 between April to June last year and the same period this year, with 40,000 of these non-EU-born workers.

This compares with an increase of 263,000 for the same period between 2016 and 2017.

'Post-Brexit system'

"The data implies that the pendulum has swung away from the UK as an attractive place to live and work for non-UK-born citizens, especially non-EU citizens, during a period of strong employment growth and low unemployment," said Gerwyn Davies of the CIPD.

"This has heightened recruitment difficulties for some employers.

"It also underlines the risk that more non-UK-born citizens and employers will be discouraged from using the post-Brexit system if more support is not provided and it is not made simpler, fairer and more affordable; especially for lower-skilled roles.

"Against the backdrop of a tight labour market, failure to do this will heighten recruitment difficulties and could lead to negative consequences for existing staff, such as higher workloads, and loss of business or orders for firms."

Looking ahead, the CIPD says that the UK labour supply looks set to be further constrained from 2021 when migration restrictions for EU citizens are introduced, especially for lower-skilled workers.

It says that employers express concern that the main route for recruiting EU citizens to fill lower-skilled roles that was recently proposed by the Migration Advisory Committee won't be enough to satisfy their recruitment needs.

In addition, a third of employers who employ non-EU citizens say that the administrative burden of using the current points-based system for non-EU citizens system, which will most likely be adopted for EU citizens from 2021, is too great.

EPL: Giuffredi reveals why Sarri failed to sign Hysaj from Napoli

Napoli President, Aurelio De Laurentiis was the main reason Chelsea could not sign Elseid Hysaj during the summer transfer window, according to the player’s agent Mario Giuffredi.

Chelsea manager, Maurizio Sarri was expected to come along with Hysaj to London after years of working together at two different clubs but the transfer never materialised.

And Hysaj’s agent claims it is because De Laurentiis would not allow the move to go through.

The defender wanted to join the Blues, but Giuffredi explained it was impossible after Napoli agreed to allow Jorginho move to the Stamford Bridge.

“Those who criticise him probably never make mistakes, but the rest of us are mere mortals,” Giuffredi told Radio Kiss Kiss Napoli.

“Without that clause he probably would have gone to Chelsea this summer.

“People forget that he was one of the best two or three full-backs in Europe last season. Then it just takes two or three matches for him to become a donkey.

“I always say to let everyone talk and then respond on the pitch.”

I 'admire' Trump - Bolsonaro

Jair Bolsonaro, the favourite to win the second round of Brazil's presidential elections, on Thursday declared himself an "admirer" of US President Donald Trump.

Speaking during his first news conference since securing 46 percent of the vote in Sunday's first round -- trailed by leftist Fernando Haddad, who took 29 percent -- populist Bolsonaro also denied being a far-right leader.

"I'm not far-right. Point to me an act of mine that is far-right," he said.

"When I spoke of the migration question, it's because we can't have a country with open borders," he added, a point echoing Trump's anti-immigration rhetoric.

"I'm an admirer of President Trump. He wants a great United States -- I want a great Brazil."

Bolsonaro's detractors highlight his contentious past comments demeaning women and gay people, and speaking in favor of torture and Brazil's 1964-1985 military dictatorship.

EU agrees 35 percent cut to car emissions by 2030 in wake of UN climate report

European Union nations, voicing concern over a U.N. report on global warming, agreed on Tuesday to seek a 35 percent cut in car emissions by 2030, as Germany warned that overly challenging targets risked harming industry and jobs.

Torn between reducing pollution and preserving industry competitiveness, EU environment ministers meeting in Luxembourg talked for more than 13 hours until nearly midnight to reach a compromise over what 2030 carbon dioxide limits to impose on Europe's powerful carmakers.

"We saw a really complicated discussion," Europe's Climate Commissioner Miguel Arias Canete said of the compromise that gained the support of 20 nations, with 4 voting against and 4 abstaining. "I never believed in the beginning that such a strong support would be obtained."

The final rules will now be hashed out in talks beginning on Wednesday with the EU's two other lawmaking bodies: the European Parliament, which is seeking a more ambitious climate target, and the European Commission, which proposed a lower one.

In a joint statement earlier, the EU ministers expressed deep concern over a U.N. report  calling for rapid and unprecedented action to contain global warming and renewed commitment to the 2015 Paris climate accord.

Several countries had sought a higher, 40 percent reduction in car emissions, in line with targets backed by EU lawmakers last week, but softened their position in talks.

However, Ireland and the Netherlands were among those who voiced disappointment with the compromise deal, which also set a 30 percent target for cutting emissions from vans by 2030.

Germany, with its big auto sector, had backed an EU executive proposal for a 30 percent cut for fleets of new cars and vans by 2030, compared with 2021 levels.

Down to the wire

Climate campaigners say Germany has still not learned to be tougher on the auto industry, despite the scandal that engulfed Volkswagen in 2015 when it admitted to using illegal software to mask emissions on up to 11 million diesel vehicles worldwide.

Germany had the backing of several eastern European nations early in the talks against more ambitious targets, EU sources said.

But a last-minute amendment helped ease concerns over the new rules, which also create a crediting system encouraging carmakers to raise sales of electric cars.

It would allow for a different accounting in countries where the current market penetration of zero- and low-emissions vehicles is less than 60 percent below the average in the bloc.

Climate ambition

Curbs on the transport sector, the only industry in which emissions are still rising, aim to help the bloc meet its goal of reducing greenhouse gases by at least 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030.

Extreme temperatures across the northern hemisphere this summer have fuelled concerns climate change is gathering pace, leading some countries to call for emissions to be cut at a faster rate than planned.

But a call by the EU's climate commissioner and 15 EU nations for the bloc to increase its pledge to cut emissions by 45 percent under the Paris accord has met with resistance.

Ahead of U.N. climate talks in Poland in December, the bloc's 28 environment ministers reiterated their commitment to leading the fight to limit global warming.

They said the EU was ready to "communicate or update" its Nationally Determined Contribution, the efforts by each country to reduce emissions, by 2020. Raising it would require the approval of all 28 nations.

EFCC sets up special team to interrogate Fayose

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has set up a special team to grill the outgoing Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose.

The Governor will lose his immunity in a matter of few days.

This will give the EFCC the constitutional right to arrest, detain and prosecute him.

Fayose had already been invited by the anti-graft agency and is expected to report at the head office in Abuja to meet with the commission’s Director of Operations, Umar Mohammed, after which he will be grilled by a team of operatives.

Fayose, who is the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Governors’ Forum, is under investigation for allegedly receiving over N1.2bn from a former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.), through a former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro.

He allegedly got the money during the build-up to the 2014 governorship election in Ekiti State.

His aides, Abiodun Agbele, and others who are excluded from the immunity had been arraigned by the EFCC.

Punch reports that Fayose is expected to show up at the EFCC office next week, adding that the Governor has nowhere to run to since he is under security watch and cannot leave the country through any land border, seaport or airport.

A top officer at EFCC told the newspaper, “We have also set up a special team of investigators that will interrogate him immediately after the expiration of his tenure.”

Fayose’s spokesman, Idowu Adelusi, told the newspaper that his principal was ready for the EFCC.

Adelusi noted that the governor had written a letter to the EFCC indicating his readiness to appear before the commission next week.

He said, “Governor Fayose is an honourable man. He will not run away. He has already stated that he will make himself available next Monday once his tenure expires.

“He made this clear in a letter recently. Even when he was not under immunity, the governor honoured the EFCC invitations.

“The EFCC is not a court of law and cannot declare a person guilty. The governor will be available next week, no doubt.”

EgyptAir's magazine sorry for 'surreal' article

EgyptAir's in-flight magazine has apologised over an interview with actress Drew Barrymore that was slated on social media after being published.

The article went viral after being posted online, with many questioning whether the interview was real.

Barrymore's representatives said she "did not participate" in the interview, which was notable for a number of grammatical and spelling errors.

The publisher now says the confusion was due to translation issues.

Ahram Advertising Agency, which publishes the EgyptAir's inflight magazine Horus, said the interview was conducted in English by its Hollywood reporter Aida Takla O'Reilly, then translated into Arabic and subsequently translated back into English.

"We apologise for any misunderstanding that might be interpreted as an offence to the great artist," the agency said.

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The "surreal" article was spotted last week.

This interview with Drew Barrymore in the Egypt Air in flight magazine is, umm, surreal. pic.twitter.com/fN3lNHXbL0

— Adam Baron (@adammbaron) October 2, 2018

The piece opens with observations about Barrymore's romantic history, saying she has been "unstable in her relationships" and has had "several unsuccessful marriages".

The introduction goes on to say the "beautiful American Hollywood actress... has recently decided to temporary [sic] take an unlimited vacation to play her most crucial role as a mother".

The Charlie's Angels actress was then quoted as saying she didn't "intentionally follow certain parenting methods" with her daughters, Olive and Frankie.

"I do not consult with psychologists," she went on to say, according to the magazine. "I focus on nurturing their minds as well as their small bodies."

The article went on to praise the 43-year-old for "her previous graceful body" after giving birth.

The actress is quoted as saying: "I feel overwhelmed when someone tells me that I have regained my image and managed to lose that extra weight.

"However, I find this a great opportunity to encourage every woman who is overweight to work on regaining her beauty and body, especially that it is not as hard as one may think."

The quotes led many to question whether the interview was genuine.

Has @EgyptAir created a completely false interview with Hollywood star Drew Barrymore for its inflight magazine? Most of these question and answers are mad! ???????? https://t.co/Ew1U7Rp26i

— Alex Macheras (@AlexInAir) October 2, 2018

Last week, EgyptAir defended the article as a "professional magazine interview", while the article's author Aida Takla O'Reilly also insisted it was "genuine and far from fake".

However, Barrymore's representatives said she did not "technically... sit down with EgyptAir for an interview" but that the quotes were drawn from a press conference.

On Tuesday, Ahram Advertising Agency said Barrymore's representatives had agreed to the interview "not knowing" that Ms O'Reilly worked for the in-flight magazine and other publications.

The controversial introduction of the article was not written by Ms O'Reilly, the agency added.

"As is generally accepted, the lead is not part of the text of the article. It is a product of the editor's creativity produced on the condition that it contains no information that is contrary to the truth," it said.

"We are about to investigate this by checking thoroughly the source material that the translator depended on to write the interview."

Aida Takla O'Reilly is an Egypt-born former president of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), which organises the annual Golden Globes awards.

More than 250 people around the world have died taking selfies

Snapping the perfect selfie can be fun. But if it involves flying a plane or holding a loaded handgun or standing on slippery rocks near the top of a waterfall, you may want to think twice.

Some 259 people worldwide have died while taking selfies, according to a study published in the Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care. Researchers from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, a group of public medical colleges in New Delhi, scoured news reports on selfie deaths that occurred from October 2011 to November 2017.

They found that the most selfie deaths occurred in India, followed by Russia, the US and Pakistan. Most of the victims were men (about 72%) and under the age of 30.

India accounted for more than half the total -- 159 reported selfie deaths since 2011. Researchers attributed the high number to the country's enormous population of people under 30, which is the world's largest.

Although women generally take more selfies than men, researchers found that men were more likely to take risks -- like standing at the edge of a cliff -- to capture a dramatic shot. "It justifies the higher number of deaths and incidents for men," the study said.

Drownings and fallings

Drowning is the leading cause of selfie deaths, usually involving people being washed away by waves on beaches or falling out of a boat.

The second-leading cause is listed as "transport" -- people killed, for example, while trying to snap a quick pic in front of a moving train.

Tied for third are selfie deaths involving fires and falls from high places. Eight people died while taking selfies with dangerous animals.

Unsurprisingly, the US led in the number of selfie deaths involving a firearm -- people accidentally shooting themselves while posing with guns.

The study says the problem is almost certainly underreported. For example, it notes that when a person decides to pose for a selfie while driving and is then killed in a car crash, it's most often reported as just a fatal traffic wreck. And there are several developing countries where reports of selfie deaths may not make it into the local news.

Selfie deaths are on the rise, too. There were just three reported selfie deaths in 2011. By 2016 that number had shot up to 98.

"The youth and tourists are frequently affected because of the desire of 'being cool,' posting photos on social (media) and getting rewards in forms of likes and comments," the study says. "Selfies are themselves not harmful, but the human behavior that accompanies selfies is dangerous. Individuals need to be educated regarding certain risky behaviors and risky places where selfies should not be taken."

'No selfie' zones

The study's authors suggest that "no selfie zones" be established in tourist areas, especially on mountain peaks, near bodies of water and on top of tall buildings. India has more than a dozen of these zones, including several in Mumbai.

Police there say they've pinpointed locations around the city where they want to "restrain" people to prevent further casualties. The high-risk areas are mostly along the city's oceanfront -- a popular destination for young people armed with camera phones.

"This is a new problem for us," police spokesman Dhananjay Kulkarni told CNN in 2016. "We have identified spots in Mumbai. We want to restrain people from going there so that mishaps don't happen."

After a spate of selfie-related fatalities in 2015, police in Russia put out a brochure urging people to take "safe selfies."

"A cool selfie can cost you your life," reads the brochure, which police handed out to both students and the general public.

The two-page guide contains infographics that resemble road signs, most of which are based on actual incidents -- such as the case of a 21-year-old woman who accidentally shot herself in the head and a teen who was struck by a train after trying to take a photograph of herself on railway tracks.

The brochure also warns against taking selfies with animals, on

Protesters storm APC headquarters, call for Oshiomhole’s resignation

Some protesters on Wednesday shut down the national secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abuja.

They disrupted activities, barricaded the street and entrance, and chased away staff and a handful of security operatives on duty.

The protesters, who alleged attempts to impose candidates by the national leadership of the party, during the senatorial and House of Representatives primaries held, yesterday, called for the immediate resignation of the National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole.

Displaying posters with various inscriptions like ‘Oshiomhole stay clear of FCT primaries; We want indirect primaries; Oshiomhole, leadership is not activism; and Oshiomhole destroying APC,’ among others, the protesters went violent and destroyed billboards, barricaded the major road and caused traffic gridlock, Channels TV reports.

The irate crowd, who had stormed the national secretariat in the early hours of yesterday, defied the security agents who stormed the secretariat in several operational patrol vehicles.

They sang and danced along the road.

The protest, which was initially largely peaceful, later went out of control, when the angry crowd tried to take control of the entrance of the secretariat gate, and, in the process, barricaded the Blantyre street leading to the APC national secretariat.

Spokesman of the group Usman Mohammed Karshi told newsmen that the group was on a mission to protest injustice and imposition of mode of primary election in the FCT; an original inhabitants of the territory. They also called for Oshiomhole’s resignation, and doubted if he was not working for opposition parties.

“We are here to protest injustice. We are here to protest imposition. We are here to sound it loud and clear that we are solidly in support of president Muhammadu Buhari in 2019. We are here; tell all who have ears that, in the FCT, results will not be written. We are here to state it loud and clear that FCT APC is going for indirect primary.

“We are here to make it clear to Oshiomhole that we are comrades and that was why we voted for him as chairman. So, we are appealing to his sense of reason. He should be reasonable to give us what we want. FCT APC rejects direct primary in FCT,” he said.

“NEC was very clear about it that all should go back to their states, and chose whatever method they want. That it is either you go for direct, indirect primaries or consensus.

“The FCT leaders, all nine senatorial and 15 House of Representatives aspirants met and agreed that FCT is going for indirect primary. Why should Oshiomhole and the National Working Committee change it? It is unacceptable. You cannot write results here in the name of direct primaries. It is not possible,” he said.

Messi scores twice as Barca hold off Spurs comeback

Lionel Messi inspired Barcelona to an enthralling victory over Tottenham at Wembley which condemned the English side to a second Champions League defeat from two games this season.

Messi scored twice in an excellent attacking display from the Spanish champions, who were twice pegged back in a breathless second half.

Former Liverpool midfielder Philippe Coutinho put Barcelona ahead in the second minute at the end of an excellent team move involving Messi, although returning Spurs goalkeeper Hugo Lloris helped the visitors by rushing off his line.

Croatia midfielder Ivan Rakitic then doubled the lead by firing home an acrobatic half-volley off the inside of the post from 20 yards.

But Harry Kane halved Spurs' deficit in the 52nd minute, shortly after Messi had twice hit the post for the visitors.

Messi then put Barca 3-1 in front at the end of another flowing move, only for Erik Lamela to pull another back for Spurs with a deflected shot from the edge of the penalty area.

Messi sealed the result in the 90th minute with a calm finish which gives his side a second successive Champions League win and sees them top Group B.

Mauricio Pochettino's side meanwhile are third but six points behind Barcelona and second-placed Inter Milan, and face a difficult task to progress to the knockout stages.

APC chairman resigns

Patrick Ukwuenya, chairman of the All Progressives Congress in Okpokwu LGA of Benue State has resigned.

MEDIA gathered that Ukwuenya tendered his resignation letter at the party’s secretariat on Tuesday in Okpoga.

In his letter, Ukwuenya simply said the reason behind his decision to dump the party was ‘best known’ to him.

He thanked the party for giving him the opportunity to serve and wished them good luck ahead of the general election.

Although Ukwuenya has refused to explain the reason behind his sudden resignation, sources within the camp of the APC hinted this reporter that his decision might not be unconnected with his cold war with the state chairman, Comrade Abba Yaro.

When contacted, the state Publicity Director of the party, Apeh Peter said, “If he has resigned, then so be it. As a matter of fact, I am just hearing that from you. But if he actually resigned, then good luck to him. There is nothing special about his resignation.”

International Court of Justice orders US to ease Iran sanctions

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has ordered the US to ease sanctions it re-imposed on Iran after abandoning a nuclear deal in May.

Judges ruled that the US had to remove "any impediments" to the export of humanitarian goods, including food, medicine and aviation safety equipment.

The US argued the ruling was a "defeat" for Iran, saying it already allowed humanitarian-related transactions.

The rulings of the ICJ are binding but the court has no power to enforce them.

It is the main judicial organ of the UN and settles legal disputes between member states. But both nations have in the past ignored the court's rulings.

What were the arguments in court?

Iran said the sanctions violated the 1955 Treaty of Amity, Economic Relations, and Consular Rights between Iran and the US, which grants the ICJ jurisdiction over disputes.

It also said the reasons cited by President Donald Trump for re-imposing the sanctions were unfounded because the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) had repeatedly confirmed that Iran was complying with the terms of the 2015 nuclear accord signed by Tehran and six world powers.

US lawyers argued that the ICJ should not have jurisdiction and that Iran's assertions fell outside the bounds of the treaty.

The ICJ has ruled previously that the 1955 treaty is valid even though it was signed before the 1979 Revolution in Iran, which saw the US-backed shah overthrown and heralded four decades of hostility between the two countries.

How did the ICJ rule?

The 15-judge panel rejected Iran's call for them to order the reinstated US sanctions to be terminated without delay, and for the US to compensate Iran for the revenue losses it has incurred.

But the judges did order the US to "remove, by means of its choosing, any impediments arising from the measures on 8 May to the free exportation to the territory of the Islamic Republic of Iran" of:

medicines and medical devices

foodstuffs and agricultural commodities

spare parts, equipment and services necessary for the safety of civil aviation.

A curb on 'economic warfare'?

Analysis by Anna Holligan, BBC News, The Hague

This is essentially the first time international judges have ruled on what's been described as a case of "economic warfare".

It is a provisional measure issued in response to Iran's urgent request ahead of the second round of sanctions scheduled to be reinstated next month.

The decision could encourage European companies, which ceased trading with Iran for fear of falling foul of President Trump, to reconsider their position, specifically those dealing in the humanitarian items outlined by the judges.

How did both sides react?

The Iranian foreign ministry said the decision "vindicates the Islamic Republic of Iran and confirms the illegitimacy and oppressiveness" of US sanctions.

But US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo accused Iran of abusing the ICJ for political ends and said the court had rejected all of its "baseless requests".

"With regard to the aspects of the court's order focusing on potential humanitarian issues, we have been clear," he added.

"Existing exceptions, authorisations and licensing policies for humanitarian-related transactions and safety of flight will remain in effect. The United States has been actively engaged on these issues without regard to any proceeding before the ICJ."

Mr Pompeo announced that the US was terminating the Treaty of Amity, adding: "This is a decision that is, frankly, 39 years overdue."

He also said the US had "solid" evidence that Iran was to blame for recent attacks against the US consulate in the Iraqi city of Basra and the embassy in Baghdad.

"These latest destabilising acts in Iraq are attempts by the Iranian regime to push back on our efforts to constrain its malign behaviour. Clearly, they see our comprehensive pressure campaign as serious and succeeding."

Why did the US abandon the nuclear deal?

The 2015 accord saw the Islamic Repu

Lagos APC primary: Deputy governor, Adebule dumps Ambode for Sanwo-Olu

The Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr Idiat Adebule on Tuesday abandoned Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to support Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu in the two-horse race to pick the ticket to represent the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2019 governorship election.

Adebule told newsmen at Ward A and D, in Iba Local Council Development Area of Lagos where she participated in the governorship primary of the APC, that she would endorse the candidate chosen by the party.

“The party has chosen a man and it is that man that I will support and follow,” she said.

NAN reports that when the deputy governor arrived at the ward, some of her aides came with Sanwo-Olu’s posters and banners.

At the ward, accreditation started at about 10.36 am as party electoral officials arrived.

There was no formal announcement of the results as the accreditation was brief.

Many party members at the venue started singing the praises of Sanwo-Olu.

Suu Kyi's actions 'regrettable' but she will keep peace prize - Nobel chief

Some of the actions Aung San Suu Kyi has taken as Myanmar’s civilian leader are “regrettable” but her Nobel Peace Prize will not be withdrawn, the head of the Nobel Foundation told Reuters in an interview in Stockholm on Friday.

Lars Heikensten, speaking days before the awarding of this year’s peace prize, said it made no sense to withdraw awards in reaction to things that happened after they were given, as judges would constantly have to discuss laureates’ merits.

U.N. investigators issued a report in August accusing Myanmar’s military of carrying out mass killings of Muslim Rohingya with “genocidal intent” in an operation that drove more than 700,000 refugees across the border to Bangladesh.

Suu Kyi, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991 for campaigning for democracy and now leads the Myanmar government, was accused in the same report of failing to use her “moral authority” to protect civilians.

“We see what she’s been doing in Myanmar has been questioned a lot and we stand for human rights, that’s one of our core values,” Lars Heikensten, the head of the Nobel Foundation, said.

“So of course to the extent that she’s responsible for that, that is very regrettable,” he added.

Government spokesman Zaw Htay did not answer phone calls seeking comment on Monday. He said last month he would no longer speak to the media over the phone, only at a biweekly conference.

Myanmar has rejected the U.N. findings as “one-sided”. It says the military action, which followed militant attacks on security forces in August last year, was a legitimate counterinsurgency operation.

Suu Kyi said last month that in hindsight her government could have handled the situation in Rakhine state better, but did not acknowledge any major crimes.

“We don’t believe it would make sense to try to withdraw prizes ... it would involve us in constant discussions about the merits about what people are doing afterwards, after they have received the prize,” Heikensten said.

“There has always been and there always will be Nobel laureates that are doing things after they’ve been awarded the prize which we do not approve of or which we don’t think are the right things. That we cannot avoid I think,” he added.

The Stockholm-based Nobel Foundation oversees the administration of all the Nobel Prizes, which are awarded by different organizations in Sweden and Norway.

The Norwegian Nobel Committee, which awards the Peace Prize, said in August that its rules did not allow awards to be withdrawn.

The laureate of this year’s Nobel Peace Prize will be announced on Friday in Oslo.

Tsunami hits Indonesia's Palu after strong earthquake

A strong tsunami triggered by a magnitude 7.5 earthquake has hit a coastal Indonesian city, officials say.

Waves of up to 2m (6.6ft) high swept through Palu on Sulawesi island, not long after authorities had lifted a tsunami warning.

Video on social media shows people screaming and fleeing in panic and a mosque amongst the buildings damaged.

Officials have reported five deaths - but it is not clear if those were as a result of the tsunami.

Last month, a series of earthquakes struck the Indonesian island of Lombok, killing hundreds of people - the biggest on 5 August killed more than 460.

The 2004 tsunami triggered by an earthquake off the Indonesian island of Sumatra killed 226,000 across the Indian Ocean, including more than 120,000 in Indonesia.

Indonesia is prone to earthquakes because it lies on the Ring of Fire - the line of frequent quakes and volcanic eruptions that circles virtually the entire Pacific Rim.

More than half of the world's active volcanoes above sea level are part of the ring.

Invest in Africa's young people: entrepreneurs tell world leaders

Young people in Africa have been recognised as an asset rather than a problem by world leaders who also committed to investing in projects that would provide them with jobs and opportunities.

Rwanda’s president Paul Kagame, who was one of the African heads of state present at the investment roundtable for young people in Africa, said the recently signed African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement would expand opportunities for the youth.

‘‘Bigger markets, free movement of people and the elimination of internal trade will soon be reality on our continent,’‘ Kagame said.

For a long time, governments across the world have been giving aid to Africa. It's now time to convert that aid to trade by investing in Africa's growth.

Other African leaders who were scheduled to speak at the event held on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly were Kenya’s Uhuru Kenyatta, Ghana’s Nana-Akufo Addo, Nigeria’s Muhammadu Buhari and Sierra Leone’s Julius Maada Bio.

Africa’s youth question

By 2030, there will be about 1.3 billion 15 to 24 year olds on the planet, some 100 million more than in 2015.

Africa’s youth population in particular is rapidly growing and is expected to double to over 830 million by 2050.

While 10-12 million youth enter the workforce in Africa each year, only 3 million jobs are created annually, fuelling unemployment and economic frustration for many young people.

Several initiatives are being implemented by institutions like the United Nations, African Union, African Development Bank and the UK’s Department for International Development, to generate more job opportunities for the youth.

Will Smith bungee jumps out of helicopter for 50th birthday

Bungee jumping probably isn't everyone's cup of tea, but at least he won't forget his big day in a hurry.

And this wasn't a standard bungee jump, the star decided to do it out of a helicopter over the Grand Canyon, watched by his family and friends.

Will shared the moment on his YouTube channel and once he'd made the jump but was still dangling he said: "It goes from pure terror to pure bliss."

Just before the jump he seemed a little nervous, but he soon got into it and blew kisses to the crowd.

His wife Jada Pinkett Smith and his three kids Trey, Jaden and Willow were watching, along with his friend Alfonso Ribeiro, who played Carlton in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.

Doing a bungee while attached to a helicopter added an extra element of danger because the helicopter is constantly moving.

Hanging off the edge of the helicopter, Will took a little sneak peek down the canyon and shook his head, shouting: "Never look down!"

But once he'd taken the plunge he seemed to have forgotten his fear. Once he made it on the crash mat and was detached from the helicopter his family and friends looked relieved.

They then watched a video of the jump, with Will and Alfonso doing some post-jump analysis.


Will said: "You have to commit.

"Life is hard, you might get hurt, your heart might get broken, you might lose your job, but you've still got to commit."

He performed the bungee jump to raise awareness of the charity Global Citizen, which aims to end extreme poverty by 2030.

Luka Modric ended Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi’s decade-long domination of football’s individual awards by being crowned FIFA’s best player of the year on Monday. The Real Madrid and Croatia midfielder starred for both club and country as Madrid won a third straight Champions League, and he inspired Croatia to reach the World Cup final for the first time. He beat Ronaldo and Liverpool’s Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah to the prize. Modric’s success means Ronaldo remains tied with Messi having won FIFA’s award in different guises five times each. At 33, Croatia’s run to the final was the culmination of a brilliant career for Modric that had often been overshadowed by Ronaldo’s goal scoring in their time together in the Spanish capital, before the Portuguese left for Juventus in July. ADVERTISEMENT Modric scored twice and also netted in penalty shootout wins over Denmark and Russia, but it was his playmaking ability that caught the eye in winning the Golden Ball for the best player at the World Cup. “It was an unbelievable season, the best season in my life,” said Modric. “I’m still not realising how good a year I had collectively, individually, and I’m very proud for everything I achieved this year and it will be remembered forever.” For a sixth straight season, Ronaldo was the Champions League’s top scorer with 15 goals and also scored four times at the World Cup, including a hat-trick against Spain in a thrilling 3-3 draw to open Portugal’s campaign. However, Portugal’s last 16 exit to Uruguay in Russia and Ronaldo’s failure to score in the semi-finals or final of the Champions League opened the door for Modric.

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho says he has "no problem" with Paul Pogba despite telling the midfielder he will not captain the club again.

Mourinho told Pogba he is no longer United's "second captain", reportedly because of concerns about his attitude.

"The only truth is that I made the decision for him not to be second captain any more but there is no fallout, no problem," Mourinho said.

"I am the manager I can make these decisions."

Speaking on Sky Sports he added: "No fallout at all, no problem at all, just a decision that I don't have to explain."

World Cup winner Pogba, 25, was told of the decision in the build-up to Tuesday's Carabao Cup exit to Derby.

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Pogba tried to play down his comments in a tweet on Monday.

But in his programme notes for Tuesday's game, which Derby won on penalties, Mourinho said he was unhappy with some members of his squad.

"[The game against Wolves was] an important lesson; a lesson that I repeat week after week after week, a lesson that some boys are not learning," he said.

"Every team that play Manchester United are playing the game of their lives, and we need to match that level of aggression, motivation and desire - 95% isn't enough when others give 101%."

France international Pogba, who was not named in the matchday squad against Derby, watched from the stand as Ashley Young captained the side. Antonio Valencia is United's club captain.

Before the game, Mourinho said: "They are rested. I gave a rest to Luke Shaw, to Paul, to Victor Lindelof, to Antonio Valencia, to David de Gea. I have to play with a good team."

Following Saturday's 1-1 draw, Pogba said he wanted the team to be able to "attack, attack, attack" at Old Trafford.

"We are at home and we should play much better against Wolves. We are here to attack," he said.

"When we play like [that] it's easier for us."

Pogba, who rejoined United from Juventus for a then world record fee in 2016, fell out of favour last season and suggested he was dissatisfied at Old Trafford.

France boss Didier Deschamps recently said the perception of Pogba as "individualistic" was inaccurate, and that he was misunderstood by fans and the media.

Luka Modric wins FIFA Men’s Player Award

Luka Modric ended Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi’s decade-long domination of football’s individual awards by being crowned FIFA’s best player of the year on Monday. 

The Real Madrid and Croatia midfielder starred for both club and country as Madrid won a third straight Champions League, and he inspired Croatia to reach the World Cup final for the first time. 

He beat Ronaldo and Liverpool’s Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah to the prize. 

Modric’s success means Ronaldo remains tied with Messi having won FIFA’s award in different guises five times each. 

At 33, Croatia’s run to the final was the culmination of a brilliant career for Modric that had often been overshadowed by Ronaldo’s goal scoring in their time together in the Spanish capital, before the Portuguese left for Juventus in July.

Modric scored twice and also netted in penalty shootout wins over Denmark and Russia, but it was his playmaking ability that caught the eye in winning the Golden Ball for the best player at the World Cup. 

“It was an unbelievable season, the best season in my life,” said Modric. 

“I’m still not realising how good a year I had collectively, individually, and I’m very proud for everything I achieved this year and it will be remembered forever.” 

For a sixth straight season, Ronaldo was the Champions League’s top scorer with 15 goals and also scored four times at the World Cup, including a hat-trick against Spain in a thrilling 3-3 draw to open Portugal’s campaign. 

However, Portugal’s last 16 exit to Uruguay in Russia and Ronaldo’s failure to score in the semi-finals or final of the Champions League opened the door for Modric.

Oil prices surge as Saudis, Russia won't open spigots

Global Benchmark Brent crude jumped more than 3 percent on Monday to a four-year high above $80 a barrel after Saudi Arabia and Russia ruled out any immediate increase in production despite calls by U.S. President Donald Trump for action to raise global supply.

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and non-OPEC states, including top producer Russia, gathered in Algiers on Sunday for a meeting that ended with no formal recommendation for any additional supply boost to counter falling supply from Iran.

“The market’s still being driven by concerns about Iranian and Venezuelan supply,” said Gene McGillian, director of market research at Tradition Energy in Stamford. “The failure of the producers to address that adequately this weekend is creating a buying opportunity.”

Brent crude LCOc1 settled up $2.40 or 3.1 percent at $81.20 a barrel, after touching an intraday high of $81.39, the highest since November, 2014. U.S. light crude CLc1 settled up $1.30, or 1.8 percent, higher at $72.08.

(U.S. oil drilling, production & storage levels: tmsnrt.rs/2OKP4nJ)

OPEC leader Saudi Arabia and its biggest oil-producer ally outside the group, Russia, on Sunday effectively rebuffed Trump’s demand for moves to cool the market.

“I do not influence prices,” Saudi Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih told reporters on Sunday.

Trump said last week that OPEC “must get prices down now!”, but Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh said on Monday OPEC had not responded positively to Trump’s demands.

“It is now increasingly evident, that in the face of producers reluctant to raise output, the market will be confronted with supply gaps in the next three-six months that it will need to resolve through higher oil prices,” BNP Paribas oil strategist Harry Tchilinguirian told Reuters Global Oil Forum.

Commodity traders Trafigura and Mercuria said Brent could rise to $90 per barrel by Christmas and pass $100 in early 2019, as markets tighten once U.S. sanctions against Iran are fully implemented from November.

JPMorgan said U.S. sanctions on Iran could lead to a loss of 1.5 million barrels per day, while Mercuria warned that as much as 2 million bpd could be knocked out of the market.

Concerns about production shortfalls are encouraging traders to place more long bets, boosting Brent prices, said Brian LaRose, a technical analyst at United-ICAP.

“This is the seventh time over the last couple of months that we have challenged the highs,” he said, referring to individual monthly contracts, rather than a continuation contract. If Brent prices climb past $82 a barrel, he said prices up to $90 would be a near-term possibility.

Some have said softening demand from trade tensions between the U.S. and China to offset loss of Iranian supply, but Tradition’s McGillian said that unless trade tensions show signs of eroding Chinese demand, oil prices will surge further.

Serena keen to 'move on' from US Open row

Serena Williams says she is trying to "move on" from the meltdown that overshadowed her US Open final loss but remains perplexed at her coach's admission he illegally signalled to her.

The 23-time Grand Slam champion lost the decider in straight sets to Japan's Naomi Osaka after a fiery confrontation with chair umpire Carlos Ramos that she later blamed on sexism.

Williams called Ramos a "thief" and a "liar" in a running row with the Portuguese official that eventually saw her docked a game.

In an interview with Australia's Channel Ten, the American superstar said a male player would not have been treated the same way.

She said women could not get away with "even half of what a guy can do".

"Right now we are not, as it's proven, in that same position," she said in an interview that aired late Sunday.

"But that's neither here nor there. I'm just trying most of all to recover from that and move on."

Williams said she felt "on the cusp of this amazing moment" before the 6-2, 6-4 loss to Osaka.

A win would have taken her to 24 Grand Slams, equalling Australian Margaret Court's all-time record.

The dispute with Ramos began when Williams was issued a warning for coaching, something her coach sitting in the player's box, Patrick Mouratoglou, admitted to doing.

Williams said she had not seen the Frenchman make a gesture and labelled his subsequent admission "a really confusing moment".



"I asked him 'what are you talking about you were coaching?'," she said.

"We don't have signals, we've never had signals. He said he made a motion, and I said 'OK so you made a motion and now you're telling people you were coaching me?'.

"That doesn't make sense. Why would you say that?"

Tiger Woods wins Tour Championship

An emotional Tiger Woods completed an astonishing comeback to win the season-ending Tour Championship by two shots and record his first win in five years.

The 42-year-old's victory in Atlanta was his 80th PGA Tour title - only fellow American Sam Snead has more - but his first since August 2013.

Less than a year ago he was 1,199 in the world after spinal fusion surgery - the latest of multiple operations.

"I was having a hard time not crying on that last hole," Woods said.

"I just can't believe I've pulled this off."

Thousands of fans spilled on to the 18th fairway to follow Woods to the green chanting "U-S-A" and "Tiger, Tiger" after his approach found a bunker on the edge of the green.

Woods holed out for par to complete a final round of 71 for an 11-under total before holding his arms aloft in celebration of a brilliant win just days before the Ryder Cup gets under way in Paris.

England's Justin Rose lost his world number one ranking as a result of finishing tied fourth but secured the overall FedEx Cup which determines the season-long PGA Tour champion - the first Englishman to do so.

Rose birdied the 18th at East Lake for a 73 to finish on six under and seal the top-five finish he needed to win the $10m (£7.6m) bonus on offer as FedEx Cup champion.

'I loved every bit of it'

Woods, who was two clear of compatriot Billy Horschel, said: "I had to suck it up and hit some shots. Once I got the ball on the green, it was done. I could handle it from there."

The 14-time major champion's last tournament victory was in August 2013 at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational, since when he has had surgery on his back four times

"It was just a grind out there," Woods added. "I loved every bit of it, the fight, the grind and the tough conditions.

"At the beginning of the year, it was a tall order but as the year progressed and I proved I could play, I knew I could do it again."

He came into the final day of the tournament - the last of four FedEx Cup play-off events - with a three-shot lead over Rose and Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy, who faded from contention with a 74 to finish on five under in a tie for seventh.

Woods birdied his first hole - one of two birdies and three bogeys - with his place at the top of the leaderboard in little danger during the final round.

"It's been tough. I've had a not-so-easy last couple of years," he said. "I've worked my way back. I couldn't have done it without the help of all the people around me.

"Some of the other players knew what I was struggling with. It was really special to see them at the green on 18. It's just hard to believe I won the Tour Championship."

Porsche stops making diesel cars after VW emissions scandal

The German carmaker Porsche says it will stop making diesel cars, and concentrate on petrol, electric and hybrid engines instead.

It follows a 2015 scandal in which its parent company, Volkswagen, admitted it had cheated emissions tests for diesel engines.

Diesel cars over a certain age have been banned in parts of some German cities in a bid to cut pollution.

The Porsche chief executive said the company was "not demonising diesel".

"It is and will remain an important propulsion technology," Oliver Blume said.

"We as a sports car manufacturer, however, for whom diesel has always played a secondary role, have come to the conclusion that we would like our future to be diesel-free.


"Petrol engines are well suited for sporty driving."

Existing diesel car customers would continue to be served, he said.

Porsche did not build its own diesel engines, preferring to use Audi ones.

"Nevertheless, Porsche's image has suffered, Mr Blume said.

"The diesel crisis caused us a lot of trouble."

A German public prosecutor fined Volkswagen €1bn (£900m) earlier this year, after finding the company had sold more than 10 million cars with emissions-test cheating software installed, between 2007 and 2015.

The company had already set aside $30bn (£23bn) to settle fines, compensation and buying back cars in the US.

Porsche is understood to be developing a fully-electric luxury car, with a multi-billion euro investment.

The first car ever designed by its founder, in 1898, was electric. It was rediscovered in a garage a few years ago.

The company's first diesel car was sold just 10 years ago.

DR Congo: Rebels carry out deadly attack in Beni city

At least 16 people, including 12 civilians, killed in a raid in the eastern city of Beni - home to humanitarian workers.

At least 16 people have been killed and eight others injured in a rebel attack in the Democratic Republic of Congo's restive eastern city of Beni, according to witnesses.

Twelve of the dead were civilians and the rest government soldiers, witnesses told the AFP news agency on Sunday. The attack on late Saturday also left five civilians injured, according to a doctor at a local hospital.

The Beni region is under siege from the Allied Defence Forces (ADF), a Ugandan rebel group that has operated in the region since 1995, which has been blamed for hundreds of civilian deaths over the past four years.

Foreign humanitarian workers have been stationed in Beni, in the North Kivu province near the border with Uganda, since early August to deal with a new Ebola outbreak in the region.

"The surprise attack happened in the streets of Beni city," the doctor told AFP. Four of the dead were killed while travelling in a taxi.

According to several witness accounts, the attack started around 16:30-17:00 GMT.

Heavy and light-calibre gunfire was heard for several hours until after midnight local time. It was not known whether the army counterattacked.

The rebels attacked areas near the centre of the trading settlement of several hundred thousand inhabitants.

The ADF group is responsible for the deaths of more than 1,500 people and 800 kidnappings since 2014, according to local civil society organisations.

North Kivu, one of the most populated areas of the DRC, is home to a number of armed groups that kill or abduct civilians.

Gabon's Aubameyang strikes twice as Arsenal win Europa League tie (4-2)

Gabonese and Arsenal forward, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored twice on Thursday night as the English club side won their opening Europa League game against Ukrainian side, Vorskla Poltava.

Arsenal’s record $74m signing, opened the scoring in the 32nd minute by connecting with fellow African star Alex Iwobi’s pass.

Iwobi plays for Nigeria’s Super Eagles.

Aubameyang would strike again after half-time, while Arsenal’s other goals were scored by Danny Welbeck and Mesut Ozil in the 4-2 win.

The other English club side playing in this year’s Europa competition, Chelsea also got off to a winning start, thanks to a goal from Brazilian Willian in a 1-0 win over Greek side PAOK Salonika.

The victory was the London club’s first Europa league game since winning the competition in 2013.

Tinubu Vs Ambode: Oshiomhole finally speaks on ‘fight’ between Lagos governor, APC leader

Tesla VP of global supply management resigns

The departure of O’Connor, who joined Tesla in March 2015 from Apple Inc (AAPL.O), follows the exit of a string of senior executives, including Chief Accounting Officer Dave Morton and Chief People Officer Gabrielle Toledano.

The company said last week its vice president of worldwide finance and operation Justin McAnear would leave the company in early October.

Tesla did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

News of his departure was first reported by Bloomberg. Select company insiders also knew he had resigned, according to a person familiar with the matter. Neither Tesla nor O'Connor responded to requests for further information.

O'Connor, who joined Tesla from Apple in 2015, is the latest high-ranking Tesla employee to exit the company amid a tumultuous year. Chief Accounting Officer Dave Morton resigned after about a month on the job there, while the company's prior HR boss Gaby Toledano said she would not return after her earlier reported leave of absence.

At least 42 executives have left Tesla in 2018, according to a tracker maintained by Tesla short-seller Jim Chanos, including 59 in the last 12 months. The company laid off at least 9 percent of its workforce in June — the same month 13 executives left the company, according to Chanos' list.

In recent quarters, Tesla has battled through production delays, swinging stock prices, and a DOJ probe following controversial conduct of its CEO and chairman Elon Musk.

At the same time, Tesla's Model 3 electric sedan became the most popular electric car in the U.S., and a top-selling vehicle overall. The rear wheel drive version of the Model 3 today attained a perfect 5-star safety rating from the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Shares in Tesla have declined around 7 percent from around $321 at the start of 2018 to a closing price of $298.33 today.

Ronaldo's sister: 'They want to destroy him'

Cristiano Ronaldo's sister, Katia Aveiro, has come out in defence of the Juventus forward after his red card in the 2-0 win against Valencia on Wednesday.

Ronaldo was dismissed on his Champions League debut for Juve after a clash with Jeison Murillo was spotted by the assistant referee and communicated to German referee Felix Brych, who drew a red card from his top pocket.

The Portuguese forward was reluctant to leave the field at the Mestalla and appeared to be on the verge of tears as he finally walked to the tunnel in disbelief.

She wrote on Instagram: "A football disgrace...justice will be done...they want to destroy my brother, but God never sleeps...disgraceful."

Aveiro posted further images of the incident on her Instagram story with similar captions.
It was Ronaldo's first red card in 154 Champions League games, and the decision means he could miss a return to Old Trafford when Juventus play Manchester United next month if he gets at least a two-match ban.

UEFA rules state that a player who is sent off is suspended for the next match in the competition but if the episode is deemed a "serious offence," he could miss more games.

Blaise Matuidi defended Juve teammate Ronaldo and demanded the red card be rescinded.

"It's very harsh. I think if you have seen the pictures, you'll have seen that it's incomprehensible," Matuidi said. "I hope that they [UEFA's disciplinary commission] will look at it and that they will have something positive for him, because he doesn't deserve that."

Ronaldo, who was predictably given a hostile reception by the home crowd, could be seen mouthing the words, "I didn't do anything," as he trudged back to the dressing room following the incident.

"He was sad after the match, very sad," Matuidi added. "And we are all sad for him."

Meanwhile, Valencia coach Marcelino said Ronaldo was "very affected" by his red card and even cried on his Champions League debut with Juventus.

"Cristiano was very affected for his sending off, I saw him crying," Marcelino, who spoke to Ronaldo after the episode, told Cope. "He said he had done nothing wrong. The truth is that I was not able to see anything."