Ozil agrees new Arsenal deal

Arsenal playmaker, Mesut Ozil, is set to sign a contract extension with the club.

According to German outlet, BILD, Ozil has been convinced by the Gunners’ ambition, after they smashed their transfer record to land Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Ozil, whose current deal runs out in June this year has been in negotiations for months over a new deal and will earn €350,000-per-week.

It will make him the highest-paid player in Arsenal’s history.

The 29-year-old, who is set to marry fiancee Amine Gülse after this summer’s World Cup in Russia, recently purchased a dream house for €11m in North London.

Kim Kardashian hits back at Lohan over hair comment

Kim Kardashian West is not here for Lindsay Lohan's opinions about her hair.

The TV reality star-mogul debuted several images on social media Monday sporting Bo Derek-like cornrows.

Blogger Perez Hilton posted one of the photos, and Lohan responded in the comments, "I'm confused."

Kardashian West then hopped in and said, "You know what's confusing..... Your sudden foreign accent."

There was much speculation in 2016 about Lohan speaking with an odd, unidentifiable accent when she opened a nightclub in Greece.

Lohan told the Daily Mail at the time that the accent was "a mixture of most of the languages I can understand or am trying to learn."

"I've been learning different languages since I was a child," she said. "I'm fluent in English and French can understand Russian and am learning Turkish, Italian and Arabic."

Manchester City target Mahrez hand in transfer request at Leicester

Leicester City winger Riyad Mahrez has handed in a transfer request but the club have no interest in selling him before the transfer deadline.

It is understood Manchester City have made a bid of around £50m for the 26-year-old Algeria international.

However, that figure falls far short of Leicester's valuation.

Asked about his interest in Mahrez, Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola said: "Right now, it's not the place to talk about it. It's so difficult."

The Spaniard added: "It happened with (Aymeric) Laporte because it's a buy-out clause. When you have to negotiate it's always so complicated."

Guardiola confirmed that City will be without Leroy Sane for six or seven weeks due to the ligament injury he sustained at Cardiff on Sunday.

Earlier this month, City backed away from an attempt to sign Alexis Sanchez from Arsenal as the overall financial package had exceeded what they were willing to pay.

With Brazil forward Gabriel Jesus already injured, Guardiola feels his attacking options are too stretched and that Mahrez would fill them.

"I have interest in a lot of players, good players, there are many, the window is open until the 31st," said Guardiola.

"We spoke many times with the club to see what is the best with the players we have. Right now we have just three strikers with Raheem (Sterling), for the next month or month and a half.

"Gabriel is coming maybe in the next five or six weeks, we don't have too much and we play every three days. We have to find solutions."

Mahrez has a long-standing desire to join a bigger club and spent the 31 August deadline in a Paris airport waiting for a deal that never materialised.

He asked to leave Leicester last May and Italian club Roma had three bids rejected but Mahrez has continued to be linked with a move away from King Power Stadium.

The winger signed a new four-year contract with the Foxes in 2016, after helping them to their remarkable title triumph and being voted the PFA Player of the Year.

Leicester manager Claude Puel said earlier this month that talk of him leaving was speculation and suggested Mahrez was happy to stay with the club.

"It is always the same thing about Riyad," he said. "It is just rumours, noise about him and other players.

"We can see Riyad smiling and enjoying his football and enjoying playing with his team-mates - and it is the same in training."

Mahrez joined Leicester from French club Le Havre for a reported £400,000 in 2014. He has scored eight goals in 24 league games this season.

Employers urged to let staff 'rest' during working day

Workers should be given places to rest at work to help boost productivity, according to new official guidance.

Downtime at work can help employees switch off and get better quality sleep at night, Public Health England says.

Better sleep maintains cognitive function in employees, as well as cutting health risks, a blog post from the health body says.

Companies should encourage better "sleep hygiene", it adds.

"Sleep is not just critical to recovery, it essential for maintaining cognitive skills such as communicating well, remembering key information and being creative and flexible in thought," says Justin Varney, national lead for adult health and wellbeing at Public Health England, in the blog post.

GDP hit

Sleep loss costs the UK economy billions of pounds per year, according to research by Rand Corporation.

Lower productivity comes through "absenteeism, when people don't show up to work; and presenteeism, when people show up but are working at suboptimal levels", according to Rand researcher Marco Hafner.

People who fail to sleep between seven and nine hours a day find their performance at work deteriorates, are easily distracted, have a less effective memory and are more likely to be in a bad mood, Mr Varney writes.

There are also links between lack of proper sleep and high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes, he adds.

The guidance, which was developed with corporate responsibility organisation Business in the Community, recommends that employers help their employees be open about any sleep-related issues they have.

Among steps employers can take is devising shift patterns that give workers time to recover between shifts, and letting workers "unplug" by reducing or stopping out-of-work emails.

People can also take their own steps to improve sleep, including:

*Fixed bedtimes

*Regular exercise

*Avoiding caffeine, nicotine and alcohol late at night

*Not watching TV in bed

*Avoiding blue light from screens before and during sleep

Some firms already encourage employees to have downtime at work. London-based money transfer service firm TransferWise has a hammock and sauna on its premises, for example.

And accountancy company PwC, as part of a training programme on resilience, tries to help its staff improve the quality of their sleep.

Press Release: VP Osinbajo States That Herdsmen-Farmers Clashes Will Soon Come To An End

Although the herdsmen-farmers’ clashes predate this administration, indications are that the Buhari presidency will end the clashes and the violence associated with it.

This was stated by the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, today while receiving a delegation led by the traditional rulers of Batta and Bachamma communities in Adamawa State: HRM Hama Batta, Homun Alhamdu Teneke (JP); and HRM Hama Bachamma, Homun Honest Irmiya Stephen (JP).

“President Muhammadu Buhari is determined to resolve the herdsmen-farmers clashes in Adamawa State and return peace and order to the affected communities,” Prof. Osinbajo said.

He further said, “Much damage has been done, not just security-wise, but to the psyche of the people; due to the series of attacks, people are afraid. We are also looking at repairing the damage that has been done to the infrastructure of the communities and rehabilitate the people.”

It would be recalled that following his visit to affected communities in Adamawa State on the 5th of December, 2017, the Vice President had commenced a series of national consultations with all relevant groups designed to find a lasting solution to the farmers-herders conflict in parts of the country.

In the first of the series, Prof. Osinbajo had a meeting on the 11th of December, 2017, with the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II; the Lamido of Adamawa, Muhammadu Barkindo Aliyu Musdafa; elder statesman, Mallam Ahmed Joda; and other leaders of the Fulani communities.

On the issue of proffering permanent solution to the crisis, Prof. Osinbajo further said the report provided by the National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI), Zaria, would be considered.

Speaking further, Prof. Osinbajo admonished the people of the affected communities to embrace peace and not to seek revenge. He emphasized that it was important to disarm anyone caught with arms and weapons as it was, by law, an offence for anyone to carry unlicensed firearms.

In his remarks, the Hama Batta thanked the Vice President for the invitation and his visit to the affected communities late last year.

He said, “We came to thank you for your visit (to Numan communities). You made promises of relief materials when you visited, and the relief materials were brought. Also, the Special Forces that you promised responded on time. There is also now a police command with a Commissioner of Police.”

Also speaking, the Hama Bachamma echoed the words of the Hama Batta, and thanked the Presidency for its efforts so far in tackling the issue.

Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant to the President (Media and Publicity)
Office of the Vice President
30 January, 2018

Saudi Arabia elites released after paying corruption settlements

Some of Saudi Arabia's most powerful men, detained in November in an anti-corruption purge, have been released.

Among those set free are Waleed al-Ibrahim, the head of MBC television network, and Khalid al-Tuwaijiri, a former chief of the royal court.

They have paid substantial financial settlements, reports say - though the amounts have not been made public.

More than 200 princes, politicians, and wealthy businessmen were detained in the crackdown.

Since then, they have been held in the Ritz Carlton hotel in Riyadh, which is due to reopen on 14 February.

The settlements are likely to have been costly.

Prince Miteb bin Abdullah, who was released at the end of November, paid more than $1bn (£750m).

Media reports suggest that Mr al-Ibrahim's deal may have included his controlling share in MBC - the largest media company in the Middle East.

The anti-corruption drive was instigated by Prince Mohammed bin Salman - who has been accused of using the investigation to remove opponents and consolidate his power.

In the aftermath of the purge, Saudi Arabia's attorney general said at least $100bn (£76bn) had been misused through systemic corruption and embezzlement going back decades.

The detentions - and the expensive settlements - are being characterised by the state as an attempt to recover those funds.

Many more of those detained remain in the Ritz Carlton under guard, until it reopens for Valentine's Day in mid-February.

Those who do not reach settlements before then are expected to be sent to prison to await trial.

Meanwhile, one of the highest-profile detainees, Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, told Reuters news agency on Saturday that he expected to be cleared of wrongdoing and "released from custody within days".

The billionaire - who is one of the country's richest people - said he expected to keep full control of his investment firm.

Obasanjo: The Man Who Rules Nigeria by Proxy

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has continued to exert significant influence on Nigeria’s politics and leadership. In this piece, Bayo Akinloye examines how he has been able to control the reins of power of the world’s most populous black nation from 1999 to date against the backdrop of his letter to President …

Biafra: Why Nigeria can’t come out of another Civil war – Ex-Commissioner, Tsav

Abubakar Tsav, former Commissioner of Police, has given reasons why Nigeria must not experience another Civil War.

Tsav said should another war break out now, the effect will be devastating due to the proliferation of arms across the country.

Speaking with Punch, the former Commissioner said with the rate of arms proliferation, people won’t know who they are fighting.

The Benue State-born former Commissioner also warned that no nation ever experienced two civil wars and still remains united.

He said, “Those who witnessed the Nigeria Civil War and are still alive learned so many lessons, so they would not want to go into another civil war. But it is those who were born after the civil war and have never experienced any war that their blood is boiling. They are the ones itching for war and no country fights two civil wars and still exists.

“A war is terrible because when it starts, you never know who would be consumed. So the people who are agitating for this war don’t know the evil in it. But for someone like me who witnessed the Nigerian Civil War, l’m too scared of experiencing another war

“I am praying that we should not go back to that level but the situation is very frightening. I’m praying that it should not happen because arms have found themselves in the hands of many people in this country.

” There is proliferation of arms everywhere in this country. So if there were to be an outbreak of war now, it would be very bad because you wouldn’t know who you are fighting. Your next-door neighbour may have guns; and they may have a score to settle with you, so they may attack you. So I’m praying that God Almighty should help us.

“We are responsible for what is happening in this country. We are after money, we are not thinking of salvation, having peace and loving one another. We are only thinking of prosperity and making money, so every one of us is to blame because when you go and start cursing people and saying: Fulani are murderers; Tiv people are cattle thieves, and so on, it is not good. We should not preempt and curse one another. We should pray together and ask God to forgive us all our shortcomings.

“God should have mercy on us so that this country can develop, but the number of arms which people possess now in this country is alarming.

“If anything happens, it is going to be terrible. Well, some of you are still young, but for old people like us, if anything happens now, we will sit still and they will come and gun us down. Then, we will join our ancestors in heaven or hell, but l pray that God should pity me and take me to heaven.”

Rohr gives Enyeama condition to make squadPublished on January 24, 2018

Coach of the Super Eagles of Nigeria, Gernot Rohr, has spoken on the chances of Lille out-of-favour goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama coming into his World Cup squad.

The Franco-German gaffer said he would recall Enyeama to the team only if he is active at club level before the end of the season.

He told News Agency of Nigeria, “We are waiting for what will happen to Enyeama if he plays for his club and get more playing time he can make it.

“He’s been delayed now because of his injury and now, he has about two goalkeepers ahead of him, so he has to change club during this FIFA transfer window.

“We also have other good goalkeepers. When I arrived, Carl Ikeme did well but now out because of illness; we are praying for him, then, Akpeyi who played against Algeria but unlucky against South Africa.

“We also have Ezenwa, Alampasu who is not playing regularly in Portugal and the new entrant Uzoho, who is doing well with the U-23 team of Deportivo La Coruna in Spain,’’ he said.

“The first consideration is the fitness of the player if the player gets a regular playing time in his club.”

Police chase 3 for leaking sex video of headmaster and 18-year-old girl

The Central Regional Police Command says it is looking for three young men who allegedly leaked a sex tape widely circulated on social media, capturing the headteacher of Breman Adumanu D/A Basic School and a Senior High School girl.

According to the police, the three are Bright Abdulai, Joe and Felix Quarm, all residents of Breman Adumanu in the Asikuma-Odoben-Brakwa District of the Central Region.

The police say the three will be charged with rape and publication or sale of an obscene material.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Regional Director of Public Affairs of the Ghana Police, ASP Irene Serwa Oppong, the girl in the video has in her statement to the police, accused the three of circulating the content.

The police have also in their statement, indicated that they have traced the alleged girl, Priscilla Tettey, to her school, Agona Odoben SHS where she is a final year student.

According to the police, she has revealed in her statement that she was born in 1999, making her an eighteen (18) year old girl, and that she and the head teacher, Robert Seppey, have been lovers for some time.

The sex video allegedly capturing the two, has been circulated widely on social media, but the Central Regional police remained tight-lipped initially, saying it had not officially come to their notice.

However, the police at Breman Asikuma began investigations on Monday, as they met the alleged girl to obtain her statement to help in the investigations.

When Citi News contacted ASP Serwaa Oppong, she explained that the head teacher allegedly captured in the video has not been charged with any crime.

Meanwhile, the Breman Asikuma Police have indicated that their investigations is progressing slowly as they struggle to establish contact with the head teacher who is currently on the run for fear of being lynched by the youth of the community.

They say they have issued an open invitation to the head teacher to help them in the investigations.

Governors, lawmakers meet to form new party

Governors, lawmakers and political leaders from both the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), met on Tuesday to continue discussions on the formation of a new political party.

Press  reports that the move to form another major party was in a bid to wrestle power from the APC in 2019.

The meeting on Tuesday night was a follow up to previous meetings held by the group in Dubai, Saudi Arabia and London.

A source explained the two objectives of the new political force.

“One is the Nigeria Intervention Movement (NIM) that is not a political party but is trying to galvanise professionals, civil society groups and activists to support credible candidates in different parties.

“The second is an amorphous group of political leaders, serving and former governors and National Assembly members of both parties, as well as retired military leaders who have been meeting in places like Dubai, Saudi Arabia and London to fashion out a modus vivendi for the new party that will challenge both the APC and PDP,” he said.

He also admitted that the new party faces a race against time to be registered by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) before the elections.

“Since time is of the essence and most of the politicians who want to dump the APC and PDP for this new party know that there might not be enough time to get it registered, they are also on the hunt for one of the already registered political parties that they can use as a platform to actualise their goals,” he added.

BBNaija: Tboss slams Uriel, attacks Soma over Miyonse

Tboss, ex-housemate of Big Brother Naija has slammed Uriel for gossiping about her with other housemates outside the show.

The second runner up while speaking on a recently aired Big Brother Naija reunion show, complained about Uriel taking her story to other housemates.

On the other hand, another ex-housemate, Soma accused TBoss and Miyonse of making out when wrapped under the duvet.

However, Tboss denied the accusation, claiming nothing happened between them.

“Shut the f*ck up I never felt anything for Miyonse, only enjoyed his company,” Tboss lashed at Soma.

Sudan releases journalists detained for covering protests

Sudanese authorities on Monday released a Reuters journalist and an Agence France-Presse (AFP) reporter who were detained while covering protests in Khartoum last week.

Paris based website Sudan Tribune that covers issues in the region reported that other local journalists including Idris Shawky Abdelazim, a journalist at the independent daily Al-Youm Al-Tali, Imtinan El Radi, a reporter for the same newspaper, and Magdi Al-Agab of Al-Watan daily were released on Sunday.

It also reported that Amal Habani, a female reporter for Al-Taghyeer news website and Kamal Karar of the Sudanese Communist Party mouthpiece Al-Midan are still in detention.

Reuters regained contact with its Sudanese reporter, Khalid Abdelaziz, on Monday evening for the first time since before his arrest. He said he had not been mistreated, and was released alongside the AFP reporter and another local journalist.

No charges were filed against the reporters, who were detained in Khartoum’s Kobar prison.

“We are extremely relieved that Reuters reporter Khalid Abdelaziz has been released from detention in Khartoum,” a Reuters spokesperson said.

“He has been reunited with his family and will return to the important work of reporting on events in Sudan in due course.”

AFP also published a news story confirming the release of its reporter.

“I am free, as are other journalists,” said AFP’s 51 year old Idris Ali said a few minutes after his release.

While welcoming the release, AFP’s CEO Emmanuel Hoog called on the Khartoum authorities to “create the conditions for journalists to be able to work freely and serenely in Sudan”.

The journalists were detained while covering protests and clashes with security forces which broke out across Sudan early this month after Khartoum imposed tough economic measures in line with recommendations by the International Monetary Fund.

The arrests were condemned by several media watchdogs, human rights groups and the United States government.

Aubameyang’s move to Arsenal slowed down

Arsenal have reportedly slowed down in their bid to secure a deal for Borussia Dortmund striker, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Express Sport reports that Aubameyang’s transfer has been slowed down with Dortmund unwilling to sanction his exit until they have signed a replacement first.

After letting forward, Alexis Sanchez join Manchester United, Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger is keen to fill the void by signing a world-class striker.

According to the report, negotiations are likely to drag on for Aubameyang, with £55million being demanded for the Gabonese international.

Arsenal chief executive, Ivan Gazidis was spotted in Dortmund on Monday along with head of recruitment Sven Mislintat as they try to thrash out a deal for Aubameyang.

Gazidis said: “We had a very contentious discussion today. We’re not used to this behaviour from him.

“What is going on now is not to be tolerated by the club. It is clear, It cannot go on like this.

“I don’t know what is going through his mind. I don’t recognise him anymore.”

The report suggests Arsenal remain confident of landing the 28-year-old.

Meanwhile, when asked last week why Aubameyang could be sold, Dortmund’s sporting director Michael Zorc said: “At some point you can’t tolerate it any more.

“I don’t know what’s going on inside his head.”

NPFL Match Day 3: Lobi Stars go top, Rangers win Oriental Derby

SPORTNPFL Match Day 3: Lobi Stars go top, Rangers win Oriental DerbyPublished on January 22, 2018 By Ifreke Inyang

Lobi Stars have gone top of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), after a narrow 1-0 win over Go Round FC.

The result leaves the Pride of Benue unbeaten in the league and at the top of the table with seven points.

Enyimba lost 2-0 at Katsina United. Martins Usule scored the opener, before Usman Barau sealed the result in the second half, at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium.

Wikki Tourists beat Niger Tornadoes, Abia Warriors claimed a 1-0 victory over Plateau United and FC Ifeanyi Ubah defeated Kwara United 2-0.

Enugu Rangers recorded their first win of this season, with a 1-0 away victory at Heartland in the Oriental Derby.

The Flying Antelopes had lost their first two games to Akwa United and Lobi Stars. But Bright Silas’ first-half goal proved decisive, as they climbed up to 17th place.

In the other games, Akwa United beat Yobe Desert Stars 2-0, Sunshine Stars lost 2-0 at Nasarawa United and former champions Kano Pillars were beaten 2-1 by Rivers United.

El-Kanemi Warriors defeated MFM FC 3-1.

Turkey warns US ahead of Syria airstrikes - Report

Turkey warned the United States before carrying out airstrikes against U.S.-backed Kurdish militia in Syria's Afrin province, Defense Secretary James Mattis said Sunday, according to a report by Reuters.

"Turkey was candid," the defense secretary said on a flight from Asia, the Reuters report said. "They warned us before they launched the aircraft they were going to do it, in consultation with us. And we are working now on the way ahead. We'll work this out."

Turkey's military told Washington of the air operation in a phone call to high level US military officials, Reuters reported. No US forces were at risk from the Turkish military operations, said Mattis, who did not disclose the US reaction to Turkey's warning, Reuters said.

On Sunday, Turkey launched a ground operation across the border into northern Syria, in a move likely to raise tensions with the United States.

Turkish officials said the troops entered the Afrin area a day after Turkish jets pounded targets there in an attempt to drive US-allied Kurdish militia from the area. "Operation Olive Branch is ongoing as planned and the ground operation has started," the Turkish armed forces said in a statement.

The land operation came hours after Turkish jets targeted US-backed, Syrian-Kurdish YPG militia in the area, killing at least eight people and injuring 13, according to the Syrian Democratic Forces General Command.

The military incursion is likely to raise tensions between Turkey and the United States, which supports and openly arms Kurdish militias fighting ISIS.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the operation would be completed "in a very short time," during a public address Sunday in the city of Bursa, according to the Turkish state-run news agency Anadolu.

Rockets from Syria hit Turkish city

The land operation comes as YPG missiles fired from Syria hit the Turkish border town of Reyhanli on Sunday, according to Turkey's Deputy Prime Minister Bekir Bozdag. One Syrian national was killed and 32 wounded in the attack, the town's mayor said on Turkish broadcaster NTV.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad denounced what he called "Turkish brutal aggression on the Syrian city of Afrin," according to the state-run Syrian Arab News Agency.

Earlier in the day, rockets fired from Syria also hit the Turkish border city of Kilis, according to Anadolu. One person was injured and buildings damaged in the attack, said local governor, Mehmet Tekinarslan.

It was not immediately clear who fired the rockets, though they followed Turkish airstrikes on areas under the control of the People's Protection Units, also known as the YPG.

Operation Olive branch

Turkey said it launched what it dubbed Operation Olive Branch on Saturday to target "terrorist organizations" including YPG forces.

The Turkish Air Force has destroyed 45 targets, including barracks, hideouts, weapon depots and gun positions in strikes on northern Syria's Afrin region, the armed forces said in a statement Sunday.

Turkey has long fought Kurdish unrest in the southeastern part of the country. It's determined to prevent the establishment of a Kurdish state across the border in Syria and has used military force in the past against Kurds and ISIS in the northern part of the neighboring country.

Turkey 'targeting terrorists,' YPG calls attacks 'barbaric'

Turkish Foreign Affairs Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said in a tweet Saturday that the operation isn't targeting civilians and "innocent Syrians" -- just terrorists.

He told a news outlet that the Syrian government was informed of the operation in advance, but the Syrian government, speaking through the state-run news agency SANA, said it wasn't notified.

The YPG issued a statement on a pro-PKK news outlet, ANF, calling the Turkish attack "barbaric."

"We have no choice but to resist," the YPG statement said. "We call upon all of our young people to meet in the ranks of resistance, taking the resistance spirit of our sacrificial martyr

Ten priests arrested in DR Congo

Security forces in the Democratic Republic of Congo have arrested 10 priests and more than 200 protesters over Sunday’s demonstrations demanding President Joseph Kabila leave power.

The Catholic Church had called for demonstrations against the leader, whose constitutional mandate ended in 2016.

Six people were killed in the capital, Kinshasa, when police used tear gas and live bullets to disperse the protesters, which also took place in other parts of the country.

“We have registered the case of 10 priests who have been arrested, including Father Dieudonne Mukinayi of Saint Christophe Parish in Binza Ozone. He is detained in a residence of a government official alongside eight parishioners,” Georges Kapiamba of the NGO Congolese Association for Justice told the UN-sponsored Radio Okapi.

“According to information we have, they were or continue to be mistreated. Their clothes have been torn. Two nuns are missing, 257 demonstrators have been arrested and are being held in various cells in Kinshasa,” Kapiamba added.

The Lay Coordination Committee, an arm of the Catholic Church, had called for nationwide demonstrations to push for the implementation of a political agreement signed between the government and the opposition on 31 December 2016.

Under the deal brokered by the Catholic Church, Kabila was to organise elections in 2017.

'World's richest 1% get 82% of the wealth' - Oxfam

The gap between the super rich and the rest of the world widened last year as wealth continued to be owned by a small minority, Oxfam has claimed.

Some 82% of money generated last year went to the richest 1% of the global population while the poorest half saw no increase at all, the charity said.

Oxfam said its figures - which critics have queried - showed a failing system.

It blamed tax evasion, firms' influence on policy, erosion of workers' rights, and cost cutting for the widening gap.

Oxfam has produced similar reports for the past five years. In 2017 it calculated that the world's eight richest individuals had as much wealth as the poorest half of the world.

This year, it said 42 people now had as much wealth as the poorest half, but it revised last year's figure to 61. Oxfam said the revision was due to improved data and said the trend of "widening inequality" remained.

'Unacceptable'

Oxfam chief executive Mark Goldring said its constant readjustment of the figures reflected the fact that the report was based "on the best data available at the time".

"However you look at it, this is an unacceptable level of inequality," he said.

Oxfam's report coincides with the start of the World Economic Forum in Davos, a Swiss ski resort. The annual conference attracts many of the world's top political and business leaders.

Inequality typically features high on the agenda, but Mr Goldring said that too often "tough talk fades away at the first resistance".

It's really hard working out how much wealth the super-rich and the very poor have.

The super-rich tend not to publicise their worth and many of the world's poorest countries keep poor statistics.

To illustrate that, this time last year, Oxfam told us that eight individuals have as much wealth as the poorest half of the world's population. Now it has revised that figure to 61 people for last year, falling to 42 people this year - that's a pretty big revision.

And there are other caveats around the data on which all this is based, such as that the people on the list with the lowest wealth are not necessarily poor at all - they may be highly qualified professionals with large amounts of student debt, for example, or people with high incomes but enormous mortgages.

But whether it's eight people, 42 people or 61 people who have the same wealth as half of the world, there is still great wealth inequality around the world, which is the message Oxfam is taking to Davos.

The charity is urging a rethink of business models, arguing their focus on maximising shareholder returns over broader social impact is wrong.

It said there was "huge support" for action with two thirds (72%) of 70,000 people it surveyed in ten countries saying they wanted their governments to "urgently address the income gap between rich and poor".

But Mark Littlewood, director general at free market think tank The Institute of Economic Affairs, said Oxfam was becoming "obsessed with the rich rather than the poor".

"Higher taxes and redistribution will do nothing to help the poor; wealth is not a fixed pie. Richer people are also highly taxed people - reducing their wealth won't lead to redistribution, it will destroy it to the benefit of no one," he added.

It was a criticism echoed by Sam Dumitriu, head of research at another free market think tank - the Adam Smith Institute - who said the charity's inequality stats "always paint the wrong picture".

"In reality, global inequality has fallen massively over the past few decades.

"As China, India and Vietnam embraced neoliberal reforms that enforce property rights, reduce regulations and increase competition, the world's poorest have received a massive pay rise leading to a more equal global income distribution."

How does Oxfam work out the figures?

Oxfam's report is based on data from Forbes and the annual Credit Suisse Global Wealth datebook, which gives the distribution of global wealth going back to 2000.

The survey uses the

US musician Tom Petty died of 'accidental drug overdose'

US musician Tom Petty died of an accidental overdose after taking various painkillers, according to a statement issued by his family.

Petty "suffered from many serious ailments...most significantly a fractured hip", the statement said.

Family members say they believe he was overusing prescription pain medication when he died in October aged 66.

Petty found fame as the lead singer of Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers, with hits like American Girl and Breakdown.

Tom Petty: A quiet, unassuming rock legend

He was also a co-founder of the Traveling Wilburys group in the late 1980s, recording a clutch of Grammy-winning albums with Bob Dylan, Roy Orbison, Jeff Lynne and George Harrison.

Petty was found unconscious, not breathing and in full cardiac arrest at his Malibu home on 2 October.

He was taken to hospital, but could not be revived and died later that evening.

Petty's family met with a medical examiner on Friday morning and updated his fans on Facebook.

"On the day he died he was informed his hip had graduated to a full on break and it is our feeling that the pain was simply unbearable and was the cause for his over use of medication", the statement said.

"We knew before the report was shared with us that he was prescribed various pain medications for a multitude of issues including Fentanyl patches and we feel confident that this was, as the coroner found, an unfortunate accident."

They added that his death "may spark a further discussion on the opioid crisis and we feel that is a necessary and healthy discussion".

Why opioids are such an American problem

The Los Angeles coroner's office attributed his death to "multisystem organ failure" due to a "mixed toxicity" of seven medications. They are fentanyl, oxycodone, emazepam, alprazolam, citalopram, acetyl fentanyl, and despropionyl fentanyl.

Years of over-prescription of opioid painkillers in the US has created a nationwide addiction crisis, with patients turning to heroin and other street drugs when their prescriptions stop.

In 2016, opioid-related overdoses increased by 28%, killing 42,249 people.

January 2018 Transfers and news

The January 2018 transfer window opened on 1 January 2018 and will close at 23:00 GMT on 31 January.

We will bring all the latest signings made from the 2017/18 season's 20 clubs below.

This list is correct as of 17:10 GMT, 17 January.

Confirmed deals

Arsenal

In

Konstantinos Mavropanos (PAS Giannina) Undisclosed Details

Out

Stephy Mavididi (Charlton Athletic) Loan Details

Francis Coquelin (Valencia) Undisclosed Details

Tafari Moore (Wycombe Wanderers) Loan Details

Theo Walcott (Everton) Undisclosed Details

AFC Bournemouth

In

Lewis Grabban (Sunderland) Loan return Details

Out

Aaron Ramsdale (Chesterfield) Loan Details

Ben Whitfield (Port Vale) Loan extension Details

Sam Matthews (Eastleigh) Loan extension Details

Brighton & Hove Albion

In

Warren O'Hora (Bohemians) Undisclosed Details

Out

Jordan Maguire-Drew (Coventry City) Loan Details

Jamie Murphy (Rangers) Loan Details

Burnley

In

Georges Kevin Nkoudou (Spurs) Loan Details

Out

Jimmy Dunne (Accrington Stanley) Loan Details

Luke Hendrie (Shrewsbury Town) Undisclosed Details

Josh Ginnelly (Tranmere Rovers) Loan Details

Chelsea

In

Ross Barkley (Everton) Undisclosed Details

Out

Ike Ugbo (MK Dons) Loan Details

Jordan Houghton (Doncaster Rovers) Loan extension Details

Jake Clarke-Salter (Sunderland) Loan Details

Crystal Palace

Out

Noor Husin (Notts County) Undisclosed Details

Keshi Anderson (Swindon Town) Undisclosed Details

Everton

In

Cenk Tosun (Besiktas) Undisclosed Details

Theo Walcott (Arsenal) Undisclosed Details

Out

Gethin Jones (Fleetwood Town) Undisclosed Details

Ross Barkley (Chelsea) Undisclosed Details

Liam Walsh (Bristol City) Undisclosed Details

Antonee Robinson (Bolton Wanderers) Loan extension Details

Kevin Mirallas (Olympiacos) Loan Details

Harry Charsley (Bolton Wanderers) Loan Details

Huddersfield Town

In

Terence Kongolo (Monaco) Loan Details

Alex Pritchard (Norwich City) Undisclosed Details

Jack Payne (Oxford Utd) Loan recall Details

Out

Fraser Horsfall (Kidderminster Harriers) Undisclosed Details

Ryan Schofield (AFC Telford) Loan Details

Tadhg Ryan (Released) Details

Jack Payne (Blackburn Rovers) Loan Details

Leicester City

In

Fousseni Diabate (Gazalec Ajaccio) Undisclosed Details

Out

Raul Uche (Real Betis) Loan Details

Liverpool

In

Virgil van Dijk (Southampton) Undisclosed Details

Ryan Kent (Freiburg) Loan return Details

Out

Philippe Coutinho (Barcelona) Undisclosed Details

Corey Whelan (Yeovil Town) Loan Details

Matty Virtue (Notts County) Loan Details

Cameron Brannagan (Oxford United) Undisclosed Details

Ryan Kent (Bristol City) Loan Details

Marko Grujic (Cardiff City) Loan Details

Manchester City

Out

Shay Facey (Northampton Town) Undisclosed

Isaac Buckley (Oxford United) Loan Details

Marlos Moreno (Flamengo) Loan

Kean Bryan (Oldham Athletic) Loan

Manchester United

In

Cameron Borthwick-Jackson (Leeds) Loan recall Details

Out

James Wilson (Sheffield United) Loan Details

Newcastle United

Out

Adam Armstrong (Blackburn Rovers) Loan Details

Ivan Toney (Scunthorpe United) Loan Details

Stuart Findlay (Kilmarnock) Loan extension Details

Southampton

Out

Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) Undisclosed Details

Marcus Barnes (Yeovil Town) Loan Details

Stoke City

In

Moussa Niakate (Paris FC) Undisclosed Details

Moritz Bauer (Rubin Kazan) Undisclosed Details

Swansea City

Out

Josh Sheehan (Newport County) Free Details

Tyler Reid (Newport County) Loan Details

Ryan Blair (Falkirk) Loan Details

Tottenham Hotspur

In

Cameron Carter-Vickers (Sheffield United) Loan recall Details

Out

Georges-Kevin Nkoudou (Burnley) Loan Details

Marcus Edwards (Norwich City) Loan Details

Watford

Out

Brandon Mason (Dundee United) Loan Details

Alex Jakubiak (Falkirk) Loan Details

Michael Folivi (Boreham Wood) Loan Details

Charlie Rowan (Accrington Stanley) Loan Details

Brice Dja Dje

NUGS cautions Gov't over interference in the operations of new Legon Hospital

The National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) held its first Central Committee meeting at the University College of Agricultural and Environmental Studies (UCEAS), Bunso, in the Eastern Region.

The meeting which saw the participation of student leaders across the country, brought to the table some topical national issues including, graduate unemployment and the outbreaks that occurred in various Senior High schools late last year.

Among the several resolutions passed was a stern caution to the ministry of Health and central Government of the undue interference in the operation of the University of Ghana Medical Center.

The Union in their resolution believe that the move by government through the national security to take over the facility was in bad taste and caution government to respect the autonomy of the University of Ghana.

About 15 National Security operatives invaded the premises of UGMC Saturday to take over the facility on the orders of the Health Minister

Speaking to GhanaWeb shortly after the National Security officials had retreated, the interim CEO of the Medical Center, Prof. Aaron Lawson described the move as shocking.

Letter from the Ministry of Health giving order for the takeover



“They [National Security] were being brought in as a step to taking over the entire facility by the [Ministry of Health] so I informed the VC about it and sent him a copy of the letter that was written to me. The VC called the Ministers of Health and Education and informed them about it so we thought the matter had been settled only for National Security to contact the project quantity surveyor again that he was at the site. He said that he did not take instructions from any other person apart from the Vice Chancellor so I informed the Vice Chancellor about it and he agreed that we should come here to meet with them. We just met with them and they have withdrawn their men from the site.”

The UGMC

$217m UG Medical Centre wasting away over management tussle

The first phase of the University of Ghana Medical Centre which was completed in November 2016, is yet to be operational following disagreements over the legitimate manager of the facility.

In 2012, the Former President Mahama-led government signed a contract with Messrs. Engineering and Development Consultant (EDC) of Israel to build the first phase of the facility and hand it over to the university. The university designated 400 acres of land for the entire project.

After this contract was agreed, another deal was signed between the Ministry of Health and the University of Ghana in 2015, which gave ownership of the $217 million facility to the university.

Following this agreement, the university established a company, the University of Ghana Medical Center (UGMC) Limited to serve as a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) that will oversee the operations of the facility.

The institution also went ahead to obtain approval from the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service Commission to recruit staff for the running of the facility.

The Ministry of Health in recent times, is however laying claims to the facility, leading to uncertainties over who has the responsibility to manage the center.

Handshake across the Niger: Why Ndigbo chose to discuss with Yorubas – Senator Anyanwu

Senator Chris Anyanwu has explained why the Southeast chose to align and discuss the state of the nation with the Southwest instead of the North.

Last Thursday, there was a summit of Yoruba and Igbo leaders in Enugu, with the them, kHandshake Across the Niger’.

Asked Why the Igbo leaders chose the Yoruba and not the Hausa-Fulani, in an interview with Vanguard, Senator Anyanwu explained,

“Our governors have been talking, but the Igbo and the Yoruba have not had any formal talks.
“And I think it is time for the people themselves to talk and that is what happened, to bring the people from both sides to sit down and talk because this had never happened before because of history and misunderstandings.

“A lot of things that happened in the past and all that. Even the Aguiyi-Ironis – Fajuyi incident, people did not understand it in the correct sense, did not see the heroism and patriotism of Fajuyi; all that was misunderstood, and because of that it did shape the kind of relationship between the two.

“So, we think that it is time to begin to talk and begin to see ways the two can work together for the good of the nation. If these two formidable blocs should come together and work for the good of this nation, Nigeria will be better for it. Other groups and minorities are looking for leadership.

“As for the North, yes we have talked with the South-South, we have talked with the Southwest, and later, maybe we will go and talk with the North.

“If we encourage all parts of the country, all blocs to talk with their neighbours, if there were better conversations happening between let’s say the Middle Belt and their neighbours, maybe we would not be having the bloodbath that is going on now.

“It is a positive example that others should take up and run with.
The Northwest should talk with Northeast, and if they feel like talking with people in the South, they should do so and on and on it goes.
No nation can survive with unending trouble.

“Look at how they are doing. Human life has been devalued in Nigeria; life doesn’t mean a thing. I think this will help if people begin to talk and try to understand each other instead of sitting down in one corner and building suspicion and building all kinds of imaginations and reasons why people did this or did that.”

UEFA: Manchester United overtake Real Madrid, Barcelona as Europe’s biggest earners

The European Football Association (UEFA) on Tuesday named Manchester United ahead of Real Madrid and Barcelona as the biggest revenue earner for last year, 2017.

According to the annual report, United enjoyed the top position by beating all European clubs in the last financial year after a 32 percent increase propelled them above the Los Blancos and the Catalan club.

The report said: “revenues among Europe’s 700-odd top-flight clubs totalled 18.5 billion euros (£16.5 billion) for 2016.

“This is in comparison to 16.9 billion the year before and 2.8 billion in 1996. However, the report acknowledged that nearly half that amount — 9.1 million euros — was generated by 30 clubs.”

“The financial gap between the elite ones and the rest was increasing. English Premier League television revenues were now such that mid-table Bournemouth earned the same as three-times European champions Inter Milan. Manchester United’s revenue for 2016 was 689 million euros, compared to 521 million euros in 2015,” the report said.

The Red Devils were followed by FC Barcelona and Real Madrid (both 620 million), Bayern Munich (592 million), Paris St Germain (542 million) and Manchester City (533 million).

United operating profit of 232 million euros was also the highest followed by Real Madrid, PSG, Bayern Munich, Arsenal and Manchester City.

The English giants were also burdened with the highest net debt of 561 million euros, ahead of Benfica, Inter Milan, Juventus and Liverpool.

The report also confirmed that the English Premier League enjoys by far the highest revenues in Europe, averaging 244.4 million euros per club.

Next was Germany’s Bundesliga with 149.6 million per club followed by Spain (126.3 million) and Italy (100.2 million) Revenues fell dramatically elsewhere, even in traditional football nations such as the Netherlands (26.7 million) and Portugal (20.3 million).

UEFA President, Aleksander Ceferin said, “As the guardians of the game, UEFA must ensure that football remains competitive even as financial gaps are augmented by globalisation and technological change.”

Pastors Are To Be Obeyed Not Criticized, Emmanuel Onyele Chuks

Why Speak Against God's Servants, Why The Criticism, Why Your Unbelieve Towards Men Of God! Oh, Maybe He Didn't Outline Your Problems And Call the Names Of People Tormenting You... You Call Them Names, 'They're Fake, Humanizers and So On, You Forgot They Have Powers In Their Words Which Makes Them Spiritual.
 .
Punishment Upon Punishment You've Designed And Destined For Yourself,  Why Not Join The Chariot Of Heavenly Soldiers... Making Having At Last Your Priority. Read John 2:3-8

Please I urge Us To Ask For His Mercy So We Won't End Up In Hell. Hebrew 1:3, pray with It.

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West announce the birth of their new daughter

The latest addition to the West-Kardashian household is finally here. On Monday (January 15), Kanye West and Kim Kardashian welcomed their third child into the world.

Kim took to her website on Tuesday to announce their new bundle of joy and thank the family's surrogate.

"Kanye and I are happy to announce the arrival of our healthy, beautiful baby girl," wrote Kim. "We are incredibly grateful to our surrogate who made our dreams come true with the greatest gift one could give and to our wonderful doctors and nurses for their special care. North and Saint are especially thrilled to welcome their baby sister."

According to Kim's post, the girl was born at 12:47 a.m. and weighed seven pounds, six ounces. Khloe quickly quote-tweeted her sister with the perfect emoji response.

She's here. https://t.co/oVg6se6VeQ

— Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) January 16, 2018




???????????????????????? https://t.co/ah1b4wwvRm

— Khloé (@khloekardashian) Ja

Indian inmates to undergo 'cow therapy'

Indian inmates are to be exposed to the "magical power" of cows under a radical rehabilitation programme involving rearing the beasts -- revered by Hindus -- on prison grounds, authorities said Tuesday.

A government commission in Haryana tasked with protecting the sacred animals says it has earmarked $1.5 million for buying 600 cows and constructing barns in six prisons across the northern Indian state from next month.

Zealous efforts to safeguard the holy animal have surged under the right-wing Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) that rules federally under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and controls 19 states, including Haryana.

The chairman of Haryana's government-backed Gau Sewa Aayog, or Cow Welfare Commission, said prisoners would be steered away from a life of crime through the "cow therapy" programme.

"Cows are part of the Hindu religion, and they have magical powers on those who care for her," commission chairman Bhani Ram Mangla told AFP, extolling the "innumerous benefits".

Mangla said fresh milk from the beasts would "cleanse" inmates through a programme that would also sell cow dung and urine from the prison farms to local markets.

Believers attest that drinking cow urine is a panacea for all manner of ailments, from arthritis and asthma to cancer and diabetes.

Biogas facilities would also provide energy for the prisons and grass for feeding would be cultivated on site, he added.

It is not the first time Indian prisons have welcomed cows in their grounds, with some operating small-scale dairy farms to supply milk to wardens and other staff, but it is believed to be the first programme of its kind promoting the remedial benefits of the hallowed animal.

Welfare schemes for cows have flourished since Modi swept to power in 2014, but many shelters for abandoned animals are at bursting point and many can be seen roaming Indian streets, chewing on rubbish.

Hindu nationalists have pushed for tough penalties for those accused of abusing the animals, with some states imposing life sentences for those charged with slaughtering cows or possessing or consuming beef.

The BJP has been accused of turning a blind eye to attacks carried out in the name of protecting the animals, with vigilantes behind a number of murders of dairy transporters and tanners.

Indian jails are notoriously overcrowded, some bulging with two and a half times the inmates they were designed for.

Jonathan’s ex-aide, Omokri reveals why Buhari has been allegedly lying to Nigerians

Reno Omokri, former Presidential aide, on Tuesday maintained that President Muhammadu Buhari has been lying to Nigerians about his government’s achievements.

Omokri made the remark while reacting to report by Spectatorindex saying Buhari lied about Nigeria generating 7,000mws of power.

Reacting to the report, the former Personal Assistant to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan claimed that, Buhari lies to Nigerian because he called his predecessor “clueless.”

In a tweet via his social media handle, Omokri said Buhari is ashamed to admit that his government is worst than that of Jonathan which he called clueless.

He wrote: “Now that @spectatorindex has revealed that President Buhari lied about Nigeria generating 7,000 MWs of power, we must ask why does Buhari lie about his achievements?

“Because he called Jonathan clueless and is now too ashamed to admit that he has performed worse than GEJ’s govt.

“Two weeks after President Buhari lied that power supply had increased to 7,000 MWs, Spectator Index @spectatorindex, the world’s top electricity supply monitor, revealed that Nigeria generates 3,851 MWs, which is the 2nd worst in the world. Even Haiti performed better than Nigeria.”

Zambia starts week of prayer and fasting against cholera

Monday marked the first day of fasting and praying for God’s intervention in the ongoing cholera epidemic in Zambia, and many on social media are not amused.

The one-week prayer and fasting period was declared by Zambia’s minister of Religion and National Guidance, with a stern warning that ‘the occasion must be taken seriously and be observed by everyone’.

Hon. Reverend Godfridah Sumaili told the country to not only pray for an end to cholera but to also pray for the rains which have been erratic in Zambia.

‘‘We are standing on 2nd Chronicles 7: 14. Daniel 9:3-23 and Isaiah 1:19,’‘ said the minister of Religion.

The fasting period to Kick out Cholera from the Land begins Monday, January 15th and will go on until Monday, January 22nd.

Cholera causes acute watery diarrhea. It can be treated with oral hydration solutions and antibiotics but spreads rapidly and can kill within hours if not treated.

The first case of Cholera was recorded in October last year in Lusaka and since then, several Interventions have been put in place to fight the pandemic, including postponement of the schools calendar, establishment of joint taskforces from the health ministry, defence forces and the office of the president, banning of street food and roadside vending among others.

The outbreak has killed 74 people since Oct. 4, with more than 3,200 cases reported in total.

The restrictions in the wake of the outbreak have since been relaxed following violent protests against a curfew and the ban on street vending, and a reported slow down in reported cases by the health ministry.

Health minister Chitalu Chilufya told journalists that the number of new cases has halved, and added that schools and some markets will be allowed to re-open.

The praying interventions have however been mocked and ridiculed on social media, with many alarmed at the government initiative.

Just received a msg from a friend in Zambia re: Cholera outbreak.

Ministry of religious affairs declare 15th-22nd January a week of prayer & fasting to 'kick out Cholera from the land.'

With a drop in cases schools are expected to re-open 23rd January.

— Samira Sawlani (@samirasawlani) January 13, 2018

Just received a message from a friend in Zambia re: Cholera outbreak.

Ministry of religious affairs declare 15th-22nd January a week of prayer & fasting to 'kick out Cholera from the land.'

With a drop in cases schools are expected to re-open 23rd January.

— Samira Sawlani (@samirasawlani) January 13, 2018

In 2015, Zambia declared October 18 as a Day of National Prayer and Fasting and the day was gazetted as a public holiday. Critics of the government accused the ruling party of using the name of God in vain by deceiving the citizenry while Christians called out the government for acting contrary to the biblical teachings against corruption and abuse of human rights.

Pele optimistic Brazil will win sixth trophy in Russia

Football legend, Edson Arantes do Nascimento, also known as Pelé said on Monday that Brazil are favourites to win the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

Brazil, five time winner of the World Cup, were thrashed 7-1 in the 2014 semi-finals by eventual champions, Germany at the Maracana Stadium.

Pele believes that the newly appointed Brazil coach, Tite has formed a team ready to put his country’s painful memories to rest.

“Those who are Brazilian and believe in Brazil always point to Brazil as the favourites,” the 77-year-old said while attending the opening ceremony of the Rio de Janeiro league.

“One of the good things that happened was the arrival of Tite, he’s making a team,” Pele added.

“In the last World Cup we had the best players in the world but the team was disorganised.”

“It seems that now we’ll have a team and a Selecao that gives us confidence.”

Pele, who won three World Cups with Brazil in 1958, 1962 and 1970, has been struggling with ill health.

“I’m fine, thank goodness, and I want to thank all those who sent me messages wishing me a good recovery from all over the world,” he said yesterday in his first public appearance.

31 African countries ask for Trump apology

The organisation representing African countries has demanded that US President Donald Trump apologise after he reportedly called nations on the continent “shitholes”.

The group’s mission in Washington DC expressed its “shock, dismay and outrage” and said the Trump administration misunderstood Africans.

The US leader made the alleged remark in a Thursday meeting on immigration.

But Mr Trump has denied using the language reported.

He has been backed by two Republicans who were at the White House meeting, but Democratic Senator Dick Durbin said Mr Trump called African countries “shitholes” several times and used “racist” language.

On Friday, Mr Trump on Friday tweeted that his language he used at the private meeting with lawmakers to discuss immigration legislation had been “tough”.

But he added that the words attributed to him were “not the language used”.

What did the African Union say? It said the “remarks dishonour the celebrated American creed and respect for diversity and human dignity”.

It added: “While expressing our shock, dismay and outrage, the African Union strongly believes that there is a huge misunderstanding of the African continent and its people by the current Administration.

“There is a serious need for dialogue between the US Administration and the African countries.”

The pan-African grouping represents 55 member states throughout the continent. It succeeded the Organisation of African Unity – which originated in the decolonisation struggles of the early 1960s – in 2002.

What exactly did Trump say? The remarks were allegedly made when lawmakers visited him on Thursday to discuss a bipartisan proposal that would impose new restrictions on immigration but protect the so-called “Dreamers” – hundreds of thousands of immigrants brought to the US illegally as children – from deportation.

Mr Trump was said to have told them that instead of granting temporary residency to citizens of countries hit by natural disasters, war or epidemics, the US should instead be taking in migrants from countries like Norway.

“Why are we having all these people from shithole countries come here?” the Washington Post quoted him as saying.

Mr Durbin said that when Mr Trump was told that the largest groups of immigrants with Temporary Protected Status (TPS) were from El Salvador, Honduras and Haiti, the president responded: “Haitians? Do we need more Haitians?”

But in another tweet on Friday the president denied that he insulted Haitians.

Never said anything derogatory about Haitians other than Haiti is, obviously, a very poor and troubled country. Never said “take them out.” Made up by Dems. I have a wonderful relationship with Haitians. Probably should record future meetings - unfortunately, no trust!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) 12 January 2018


Many US media outlets reported the comments on Thursday, quoting witnesses or people briefed on the meeting. The White House did not deny them.

What has been the political fallout?

“I cannot believe that in the history of the White House, in that Oval Office, any president has ever spoken the words that I personally heard our president speak yesterday,” Mr Durbin told reporters on Friday House Speaker Paul Ryan, a top Republican, said the reported comments were “unfortunate” and “unhelpful”

Hillary Clinton, who lost to Mr Trump in the 2016 presidential election, said the country had been subjected to his “ignorant, racist views of anyone who doesn’t look like him” and noted that it was eight years since Haiti was hit by a devastating earthquake
Republican Senators Tom Cotton and David Perdue, of Arkansas and Georgia, said that they could not remember Mr Trump describing countries as “shitholes” in the meeting

Mia Love, a Utah Republican and the only Haitian-American in Congress, demanded an apology from Mr Trump for the “unkind, divisive, elitist” comments

Steve King, a right-wing Republican Congressman from Iowa, backed the president in a tweet:

Hang in there Mr.

Manchester City prepared to miss out on Sanchez

Manchester City are prepared to risk missing out on Alexis Sanchez - possibly to Manchester United - rather than pay Arsenal's £35m asking price.

It is also understood Sanchez's agent wants £5m for his part in the deal, taking the overall tally to £40m - double what City are willing to pay.

Sanchez, 29, will leave the Gunners in January if a suitable offer arrives and a replacement is secured.

United boss Jose Mourinho said Sanchez is a "phenomenal player" on Friday.

"Sanchez is an Arsenal player," Mourinho added. "I don't know but probably this weekend he is going to defend Arsenal colours, so I don't think it's correct to say things about Alexis Sanchez.

"Myself and the Manchester United board and owners, we don't believe a lot in the January market. We don't believe in signing a player just to sign a player.

"What we believe is there are some players in the football world, if you have the chance to sign them in January, March or July, you have to try. And that's it."

French side Paris St-Germain have also been linked with the Chile forward but Sanchez's preference is to join Manchester City.

However, given Gabriel Jesus' knee injury is now not as bad as initially feared - City boss Pep Guardiola said on Thursday the Brazil forward could be back in action "in two or three weeks" - the club do not view such a huge outlay on a player who would be available for nothing in the summer as being worthwhile.

City also feel the player is determined to leave Arsenal come what may this month, so their stance could lead to him joining a rival club.

Guardiola would not be drawn on his interest in Sanchez at Friday's news conference before their trip to Liverpool on Sunday.

He said: "I don't answer. I understand the question, you do your job, you know my answer. I'm focused on Liverpool."

It is understood the Gunners hierarchy have accepted that Sanchez is likely to depart after three and a half years at Emirates Stadium.

However, Arsenal are reluctant to sell without replacing him and their first choice is Bordeaux's 20-year-old Brazilian forward Malcom.

"Normally he would stay until the end of the season - but we'll see," said Gunners boss Arsene Wenger.

Speaking at a news conference on Friday, the Frenchman added: "Nothing is really concrete at the moment and nothing is decided one way or another. Of course I want a quick resolution."

If a deal cannot be agreed with any club, Sanchez will be able to leave when his contract expires in the summer - a situation Arsenal are keen to avoid as they would receive nothing.

Sanchez almost joined City for about £60m on the final day of the summer window, only for the transfer to collapse when Arsenal failed to sign Monaco and France midfielder Thomas Lemar.

Sanchez's time at Arsenal

July 2014 - joins Arsenal for £35m from Barcelona on a four-year deal, despite interest from Liverpool and Juventus.

May 2015 - finishes the season as Arsenal's top scorer with 25 goals, including a goal in the FA Cup final win over Aston Villa.

May 2016 - finishes season with 17 goals, despite missing over a month with a hamstring injury, but the Gunners fail to win a trophy.

May 2017 - top scores for Arsenal again, with 30, as they win the FA Cup but fail to qualify for the Champions League.

August 2017 - agrees a £55m move to Manchester City, but Arsenal cancel the deal when they fail to sign Thomas Lemar to replace him.

January 2018 - after the forward scores eight goals in the first half of the season, City again consider signing him with six months left on his deal

'It would be a coup for United over City'

Former Manchester United defender Phil Neville said Sanchez would be an "absolutely unbelievable signing" for the Old Trafford club.

"If you look back at Manchester United's big signings over the decades, Eric Cantona came out of the hat, [Robin] van Persie was a surprise - and they both helped United win titles," Neville told Sky Sports.

"This could have a similar impact. He's got

Arsenal target Malcom as they prepare for Sanchez exit

Alexis Sanchez has scored eight goals in 21 appearances for Arsenal this season

Forward Alexis Sanchez will leave Arsenal in January if a suitable offer arrives and a replacement is secured.

It is understood the Gunners hierarchy have privately accepted for some weeks that Sanchez is likely to depart after three and a half years at the club.

However, Arsenal are reluctant to sell without replacing the Chilean and their first choice is Bordeaux's 20-year-old Brazilian forward Malcom.

Manchester City is 29-year-old Sanchez's most probable destination.

Conversations have been held between the clubs but there is as yet no agreement on a fee.

Arsenal are thought to have asked for up to £35m, with Premier League leaders City initially suggesting they would pay around £20m. Sources anticipate a compromise of between £25m and £30m.

It is also widely reported that Manchester United will rival City's interest and have already made a bid.

If a deal cannot be agreed, Sanchez will be able to leave when his contract expires in the summer - a situation Arsenal are keen to avoid as they would receive nothing.

The Chile international almost joined City for around £60m on the final day of the summer transfer window, only for the switch to collapse when Arsenal failed to sign Monaco and France midfielder Thomas Lemar.

Sanchez arrived from Barcelona for £35m in 2014 and has scored 80 goals in 166 appearances for the Gunners.

Trump 'in Oval Office foul-mouthed outburst about migrants'

US President Donald Trump has reportedly lashed out at immigrants in a foul-mouthed Oval Office outburst.

"Why are we having all these people from shithole countries come here?" Mr Trump told lawmakers on Thursday, according to the Washington Post.

The remark, made during talks on an immigration deal, was reportedly in reference to people from Haiti, El Salvador and African countries.

The White House made no attempt to deny the comment.

In recent weeks, the Trump administration has been trying to limit the number of family members of immigrants who can enter the US, and has moved to end the protected status of thousands of immigrants already in the US.

What did the president say?

Mr Trump's reported remark came as lawmakers from both parties visited him on Thursday to propose a bipartisan immigration deal.

Democratic Senator Richard Durbin had just been discussing US temporary residency permits granted to citizens of countries hit by natural disasters, war or epidemics, according to US media.

According to the Post, Mr Trump told lawmakers the US should instead be taking in migrants from countries like Norway, whose prime minister visited him a day earlier.

The paper quoted him as saying: "Why do we need more Haitians? Take them out."

Senator Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Republican, was in Thursday's meeting at the White House, but would not comment on the president's reported slur.

How did the White House react?

The White House did not deny the comment, which was widely reported by other US media.

"Certain Washington politicians choose to fight for foreign countries, but President Trump will always fight for the American people," a statement from White House spokesman Raj Shah said.

It continued: "Like other countries that have merit-based immigration, President Trump is fighting for permanent solutions that make our country stronger by welcoming those who can contribute to our society, grow our economy and assimilate into our great nation.

"He will always reject temporary, weak and dangerous stopgap measures that threaten the lives of hardworking Americans, and undercut immigrants who seek a better life in the United States through a legal pathway."

What was reaction like elsewhere?

Mia Love, a Utah Republican and the only Haitian-American in Congress, demanded Mr Trump apologise for the "unkind, divisive, elitist" comments.

Elijah Cummings, a Maryland Democratic lawmaker, tweeted: "I condemn this unforgivable statement and this demeaning of the office of the Presidency."

Another black Democratic lawmaker, Cedric Richmond, said Mr Trump's comments "are further proof that his Make America Great Again agenda is really a Make America White Again agenda".

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) accused the president of falling "deeper and deeper into the rabbit hole of racism and xenophobia".

But the White House rejected the criticism.

One Trump official was quoted by CNN as saying: "Though this might enrage Washington, staffers predict the comment will resonate with his base, much like his attacks on NFL players who kneel during the National Anthem did not alienate it."

A spokesman for the Salvadorean embassy in Washington DC declined to comment.

What was the meeting about?

Lawmakers reportedly proposed restoring so-called Temporary Protected Status (TPS) permits for certain countries, allowing their residents leave to remain in the US because their home countries are temporarily unsafe for them.

In return, they were said to have offered $1.5bn (£1.1bn) for a wall that Mr Trump wants built on the US border with Mexico.

This week the Trump administration announced it was withdrawing TPS for more than 200,000 people from El Salvador.

The decision gives Salvadoreans who have been living in the US for nearly three decades until next year to leave, seek lawful residency or face possible deportation.

They were granted provisional US residency after an earthquake devastated the Central American country in 1991.

But the State Department said on Monday that much infrastructure damaged by the quake has since been repaired.

TPS permits have already been withdrawn from Haitians and Nicaraguans.

Hundreds of thousands of migrants face possible deportation from the US.