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The Blues forward is confident that his side will mount a title challenge after their perfect start under new manager Maurizio Sarri
Hazard: Chelsea lurking in the shadows for Premier League title
Tottenham Hotspur boss, Mauricio Pochettino has blamed himself for his sideâ€
s 2-1 loss to Watford in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon. Goals from Troy Deeney and Craig Cathcart ensured victory for the home side at the Vicarage Road Stadium. Pochettino said he wants more from his players but admitted the first person responsible for […]
EPL: Mauricio Pochettino reveals who caused Tottenham’s 2-1 loss to Watford
EPL: Mauricio Pochettino reveals who caused Tottenham’s 2-1 loss to Watford
A non-governmental organization committed to tracking government spendingâ€s at the grassroots Connected Development (CODE) has taken its ‘Follow The Money’ campaign to Ondo state. The organization which is currently in operation in about eight states of the federation across the Northern and Southern part of the country enlisted Ondo as one of the new states that will benefit from the ‘Follow The Money’ advocacy campaign. In respect of that, on Saturday, September 1, 2018 it held its first training for its Ondo state volunteers.
READ MORE: Code and the politics of ‘us’ vs ‘them
The training which took place at the state capital was an avenue for the organization to familiarize itself with the new community champions in Ondo state and to take them through its flagship advocacy which covers more than thirty projects in Owo local government area of the state which will also spread to other parts of the sunshine state in due course. The tracking will cover the tracking of six hundred and twenty education projects in the state under the UBEC/SUBEB counterpart funding for the year 2013-2016.
According to the organization programs manager (Education) Busayo Morakinyo who is the convener of the training, the tracking is important so that these laudable projects can be executed to details as contained in the Bill of Quantity and project description, he enjoined the new volunteers to see themselves as a development partners that will lead the infrastructural transformation in the state education sector.
Sharing his experience while tracking SUBEB projects in Lagos state early in the year 2018, Adesina Tosin Nathaniel, CODE Lagos state community champion advised the new champions for Ondo state to be resilient in their given task irrespective of the challenges as the Joy of the tracking comes to fore when new schools springs up in their communities and Ondo state children have access to better educational infrastructure as contained in the UBEC mandate.
READ MORE: Hamzat Lawal; Love and the temperament of an activist
In the same vein CODEâ€s Project Assistant, Damilola Odu advised the new champions on the necessary code of conduct in their respective communities starting from their ability to interact well with community members in their local dialect or through an interpreter, information collection in the community and other necessary prerequisites for a successful tracking process.
At the end of the training, ten new champions were commissioned to take on Owo local government projects as its pilot tracking. The team is coordinated by Ondo state CODE community champion coordinator Ajongbolo Olugbenga. Connected Development was established in the year 2012 with a mandate to build the largest social accountability movement while also empowering marginalized communities in Africa. Through its activities, over one hundred and fifty four thousand lives has been impacted.
Read » CODE takes the ‘Follow The Money’ advocacy to Ondo on YNaija
CODE takes the ‘Follow The Money’ advocacy to Ondo
Nowadays he treats me in ways I don't even understand anymore.
Dear Bukky,
Im 23 and I fell in love with a 26-year-old man but nowadays he treats me in a way I don't understand.
He left me at his place, claiming that he had gone to get something from town and I waited there at his place. Only for him to call and say he went for an outing with friends.
He returned sometime close to midnight and found me in a bad mood. He slept off almost immediately because he had a hangover. I checked his phone because I could access his phone with my finger print. What I found was that he was with another lady enjoying everything and when I woke him up, he pretended to not know anything and this hurt me so much.Â
The next morning, I left his place and he never even escorted me and since then he has not been in his real senses.
Now what should I do to bring him back dearest?
____________
Dear reader,
I think you should do nothing. Donâ€t get yourself worked up. You are not the one in the wrong here. It is he who should be thinking of how to appease you.
Doing anything to bring him back might be tantamount to giving him too much power over you. If he goes wrong, he should apologise. If you go wrong, you apologise.
And thatâ€s even when the offense is something not as grave as cheating.
In a case of cheating as this one, even his plea for forgiveness should not automatically grant him reentry into your life. Now that heâ€s even refusing to offer any, it means you should take a step back and think about all of this again. Whatâ€s his refusal to reach out telling you? Whatâ€s his aloofness and remorselessness about all of this telling you?
If youâ€re not getting the vibe that you are not that valued by this man, I think you should start thinking in that line already. If he had shown remorse and look genuinely sorry, then there could have been a chance of acceptance but with his refusal to reach out to you despite the disrespectful, thoughtless thing he did, I do think you should not be the one begging him or trying to mend bridges.
____________
Do you want to talk about your love life, marriage or family issues?
Do you have burning questions that you would love to get answers to?
Just send a mail to relationships@pulse.ng and I'll provide the most honest answers to them anonymously.
Note; the chances of getting a quick response reduces if the text in your email has a lot of abbreviations. So, please write as properly as possible.
So, why not send that mail today and let's talk about it? A problem shared is a problem half-solved!
Relationship Talk With Bukky: What can I do to bring back my straying boyfriend?
Nigeria, Germany, Norway, and the United Nations have converged on Berlin Monday for a “pledging conference on Boko Haram�.
The Berlin Conference, holding from Sept. 3 to 4, is jointly organised by the three countries and the UN, and is one of the 2018 largest pledging conferences for the Lake Chad region.
The conference will focus on humanitarian assistance, civilian protection, crisis prevention and stabilisation for the region, as well as seek to raise funds for the humanitarian requirements totaling $1.56 billion.
The pledges at the conference, would help provide humanitarian assistance for the Northeast Nigeria and parts of Niger, Chad and Cameroon, ravaged by Boko Haram insurgents.
It would also discuss the perspectives of civil society, their concerns and contributions, as well as how to strengthen collaboration between the affected countries and organisations involved in responding to the crisis.
The Nigerian delegation to the Berlin conference is being led by Nigeriaâ€s Ambassador/Permanent Representative to the UN, Prof. Tijjani Bande.
The Nigerian envoy said recently that Nigeria had developed a 6.7-billion-dollar robust plan of action for the reconstruction, rehabilitation and resettlement of Northeast, devastated by Boko Haram activities.
“The Berlin Conference on the Lake Chad has been slated for the first week of September 2018 and would build substantially on the outcome of the February 2017 Oslo Donors Conference on the Lake Chad.
“I would like to take this opportunity to call on all stakeholders to redouble efforts and commitment towards making the coming Berlin Conference on the Lake Chad of Sept. 3 to 4, 2018, a watershed.
“This is in our collective resolve to further mobilise resources and demonstrate implicit commitment to plans that will ensure moving quickly beyond the immediate humanitarian needs, to concrete sustainable developmental projects capable of substantially elevating the lives of the majority of people in the region,� Bande said.
The Nigerian envoy stressed the need for collaboration and cooperation among countries of the Lake Chad, the donors, as well as humanitarian and development partners.
According to him, collaboration between the humanitarian and development agencies has gained traction at the UN in recent times, such that the involvement of national governments is needed to make it work.
He said the protracted humanitarian and development challenges in the Lake Chad region had place enormous responsibilities on all to remain engaged in discussion, aimed at scaling up national, regional and global responses to the crisis.
The Envoy emphasised that these responses needed to be bolstered by strengthened coordination at the UN level to ensure a more synergised delivery of assistance.
“Let me emphasise that the recharge of the Lake Chad Basin, capacity building, and restoration of livelihood, through facilitation of occupational opportunities, job creation, skill acquisition and others, are central to finding lasting solution to the problem in the region.
“To realise all these would entail our collective commitment to a broad range of actions, facilitated by strong international cooperation and partnership, involving the UN agencies and development partners, like the World Bank and African Development Bank, among others,� Bande said.
The UN had also said that it would have provided assistance to no fewer than 6.1 million people affected by the Boko Haram crisis in Northeast Nigeria by the end of 2018.
UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Nigeria, Mr Edward Kallon, said at a recent event in New York, that Nigeria was still facing a crisis of global magnitude.
“The figures are alarming – 10.2 million people affected in three states in Northeast Nigeria, 7.7 million people in need of humanitarian assistance.“Our 2018 Humanitarian Response Plan was developed to provide assistance for 6.1 million people requiring slightly above a billion dollars in 2018,� Kallon said.
Nigeria, Germany, Norway, UN hold Berlin Conference on ‘Boko Haramâ€
The 29-year-old has had a great start in the Dutch capital and is targeting second place in their Champions League group
'Amsterdam over England every day' – Tadic happy he joined Ajax
A recent video by the religious activist tackles basic facts concerning this controversial issue.
On August 30, 2018, the OAP and convenor of the Free the Nation in Christ Online Church posted a Youtube video titled: 'The Melchizedek Lies On Tithing Saga' in an attempt to educate a confused believer.
In it, he reacts to the popular notion that tithing is compulsory because Abraham paid tithes to Melchizedek in Genesis 14:20.
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For Freeze, this belief holds no water because the tithe was offered by Abram, not Abraham. He further explains that Abram, the person who met Melchizedek, was from Abraham, who carried the promise of Christianity. He says, "Before the promise was added to Abram, his name was changed first to Abraham in Genesis 17."
Moving on, he goes on to say that Christians are now operating under the new covenant started by Jesus Christ (See Matthew 26:26). Freeze further emphasizes that Jesus has cut out tithing adding that the payment of 10% is fraud and that anyone who asks for it is a thief.
According to him, the old covenant involves Melchizedek giving Abram bread with wine and Abram gave him a 10th from his spoils in Genesis 14:18–20.
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However, the New Covenant involves bread and wine from Jesus but no tithe thus proving that it is outdated as seen in Matthew 26:26–28, which reads:
"As they were eating, Jesus took some bread and blessed it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, "Take this and eat it, for this is my body." And he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. He gave it to them and said, "Each of you drink from it, for this is my blood, which confirms the covenant between God and his people. It is poured out as a sacrifice to forgive the sins of many."
Watch the full video above to see his entire explanation for why the popular Melchizedek tithing notion is a lie and why Christians should not pay tithe.
ALSO READ: "Stop paying tithes to pulpit bandits, it attracts a curse" - Freeze warns
The controversial personality has been on an anti-tithing protest since sometime in 2016 when he would take regular shots at popular men of God like Bishop David Oyedepo, Pastor Enoch A. Adeboye, going as far as to criticise their teachings and doctrines.
Since then, he has started the #free the sheeple movement which is focused on helping Nigerians change their mindset on religion.
In 2017, Freeze found a way for people to put their money to good use, rather than giving it to their pastors. He began the revolutionary 'Tithe Against Poverty' challenge, which was supported by celebrities like Davido.
Recently, Freeze launched his online ministry called 'Free Nation in Christ Online Church.' In an exclusive interview with Pulse, he insisted that his church will NOT accept tithes just donations and gifts.
Â
These days, he is doing sermons via his Youtube channel doing his best to let Nigerians know that tithing and some of the popular teachings are false.
Daddy Freeze: Why religious activist does NOT believe in popular Melchizedek tithing notion
[FILE} Former U.S. President Barack Obama speaks as he campaigns for Democratic gubernatorial candidate and Virginia Lieutenant Governor Ralph Northam during a campaign event at the Greater Richmond Convention Center October 19, 2017 in Richmond, Virginia. PHOTO: Alex Wong/Getty Images/AFP
Philippine leader Rodrigo Duterte has apologised to former US president Barack Obama for calling him a “son of a whore” in 2016, which sparked a new low in their nations’ long alliance.
Duterte lobbed the insult in response to steady criticism from the United States over his violent drug crackdown, which has been a target for international condemnation.
However, the Philippine president said his nation’s relationship with America has since improved under President Donald Trump, who he described as a “good friend” who “speaks my language”.
“It would be appropriate also to say at this time to Mr. Obama that you are now a civilian and I am sorry for uttering those words,” Duterte said Sunday in a speech before Filipinos in Israel.
Duterte landed in Israel on Sunday for a four-day stay as the Philippines seeks to develop new sources of military hardware and nail down protections for its overseas workers.
“If it is (in) your heart to forgive, you forgive. I have forgiven you, just like my girlfriends when I was still a bachelor… I have forgiven them also,” the Philippine leader said in the same speech.
After his election in mid-2016, Duterte quickly earned a reputation for using vulgar language against critics which his aides have tried to minimise or explain away.
He branded Pope Francis and the then US ambassador to Manila “sons of whores”. He also fired expletives at the United Nations and during a speech in the Philippines raised his middle finger in defiance to the European parliament.
Duterte often rails at critics of his campaign to rid the Philippines of narcotics, which police say has killed 4,410 alleged drug dealers or users.
Rights groups say the actual number of dead is triple that and could amount to crimes against humanity.
Duterte cursed Obama ahead of a regional summit in Laos two years ago prompting the US to cancel a meeting between the two leaders there.
Obama later described Duterte as “a colourful guy” as he urged him to conduct his anti-narcotics campaign “the right way”.
Duterte sparked new criticism ahead of his departure for Israel, blaming the high number of rapes in his hometown of Davao on the large number of beautiful women there.
“They say there are many rape cases in Davao,” Duterte said in a speech on Thursday. “For as long as there are many beautiful women, there will be many rape cases, too.”
Duterte has on several occasions made rape jokes in public since his presidential campaign. The latest comment was denounced by women’s rights defenders.
“Beauty doesn’t cause rape, rapists do,” said Philippine lawmaker Risa Hontiveros, a Duterte critic.
Phillipine president apologises for cursing Obama
More trophies and children are hopefully in Serena Williams future, said tennisâ€s most famous working mother on Sunday, adding that she appreciated how difficult it is to raise both.
Continue reading Williams hopes to raise more trophies and children at Vanguard News.
Williams hopes to raise more trophies and children
Phil Neville selects reduced 19-man squad for Tuesday’s Women’s World Cup qualifying game between Kazakhstan Women and England Women.
Bruton called up to England Women squad for World Cup qualifier
Chelsea winger, Eden Hazard, admits that he prefers current Blues manager, Maurizio Sarri’s playing style to that of Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte. The Belgium international has been at the centre of Chelsea’s success in recent years, winning two Premier League titles, under both Mourinho and Conte, while he has also lifted the FA Cup […]
The post Hazard: I Prefer Sarri’s Style To Mourinho, Conte’s appeared first on Complete Sports Nigeria.
Hazard: I Prefer Sarri’s Style To Mourinho, Conte’s
By Adeboye Amosu: Stoke City midfielder, Oghenekaro Etebo, has backed the team to recover from the disappointing 2-1 away defeat to West Bromwich Albion in their English Championship clash at the The Hawthorns on Saturday, reports Completesportsnigeria.com. The Potters have struggled to make an impact in the English Championship following their relegation from the Premier […]
The post Etebo Upbeat Stoke City Will Bounce Back From Disappointing Loss To West Brom appeared first on Complete Sports Nigeria.
Etebo Upbeat Stoke City Will Bounce Back From Disappointing Loss To West Brom
Nigeria’s decision to order South African telecoms giant MTN to repay billions of dollars that it had allegedly illegally repatriated over a period of eight years could sour investor sentiment towards the country as it still struggles to recover from a deep recession two years ago, analysts say.
In a shock announcement last Wednesday, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) ordered MTN to repay $8.13 billion because it had not obtained the necessary permission to repatriate the funds between 2007 and 2015.
The four banks involved in transferring the funds from MTN’s bank accounts in Nigeria to those in South Africa were fined a combined 5.87 billion nairas ($16.2 million, 14 million euros).
With the economy still fragile after a deep recession in 2016 and elections looming early next year, many private sector players in Nigeria believe the move could dent investor sentiment at an already difficult time for foreign investment in the country, analysts said.
“Anything of that magnitude, particularly given the timing ahead of an election… is certainly going to raise suspicions from international investors,” said Alastair Jones, analyst at London-based New Street Research.
For Peter Takaendesa, Cape Town-based portfolio manager at Mergence Investment Managers, the situation was untenable.
“Investors want certainty in terms of laws. There’s no way MTN will find $8 billion to put in Nigeria. There has to be a resolution,” Takaendesa said.
For the time being, MTN does not appear to have any intention of reviewing its presence in Nigeria, which is by far its biggest individual market and makes up a huge chunk — 27 percent — of its revenues.
It boasts double-digit growth rates there and has more than 52 million subscribers in 2017 — 42 percent of the Nigerian market.
– ‘Can’t leave Nigeria’ –
MTN Nigeria has already earmarked investment of 180 billion nairas ($497 million) this year for the expansion of its network.
“Of course, Nigeria is their biggest market, they can’t leave today,” said Nonso Obikili, a Nigerian economist based in South Africa.
Nevertheless, the CBN order to repay the cash could give MTN pause for thought and could even at some point persuade them to reconsider, the economist suggested.
“The message they’re (the CBN) sending to possible investors is a bigger loss and at some point MTN will say ‘this is the end’,” he said.
South Africa-based independent telecoms expert Spiwe Chireka pointed out that another South African telecoms giant, Telkom, had also experienced difficulties in trying to move into the Nigerian market.
Telkom “went in and spent who knows how many billions and ended up having to sell it for $10 million and having to get out of there,” he said.
Telkom acquired a majority stake in the private Nigerian operator Multi-Links in 2007 and then bought full control in 2009. But the Nigerian firm has never made a profit, compelling Telkom to make massive writedowns on its investment.
Chireka said that while Nigeria “has a lot of business potential, it is one of the most difficult markets to operate in.”
Riddled with corruption, offering little legal protection, and burdened by protectionist economic policies inherited from various military dictatorships, Nigeria ranks 145 out of a total 190 on the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business index.
The CBN decision is not the first time that MTN has been sanctioned by the Nigerian authorities.
In 2015, MTN was fined $5.2 billion by Nigeria’s telecoms regulator NCC for failing to disconnect unregistered SIM cards on its network.
The fine was later reduced to $1.7 billion after a series of negotiations with the Nigerian government.
Aurelien Mali, risk analysis expert for Africa at Moody’s, said that “by attacking MTN, the Nigerian regulator wants to show that investors can’t simply do as they want.”
In theory at last, the order to repay the funds does not automatically translate into a financial loss for MTN.
But in reality, the exact loss depends on how far the naira has fallen during the period in question. In this case, the naira has lost around half of its value between 2007 and 2015, meaning MTN stands to lose around $4 billion.
MTN affair casts shadow over Nigeria economy
Manchester United manager, Jose Mourinho, has explained his decision to drop new signing Fred for their 2-0 win over Burnley on Sunday. The Red Devils parted with £52million to land the Brazilian from Shakhtar Donetsk in this summer’s transfer window and he started the first three fixtures of the season. But Mourinho opted to leave […]
EPL: Mourinho reveals why he dropped Fred for Fellaini against Burnley
EPL: Mourinho reveals why he dropped Fred for Fellaini against Burnley
Shirin Mansoor wanda jarumin ya shirya tayi zarra wajen zama shiri mafi kayatarwa a rukunin wasan gargajiya na harshen hausa.
Gasar African Magic Viewers Choice Awards wanda aka shirya a birnin Legas ranar asabar 1 ga watan Satumba, shirin MANSOOR ya lashe kyautar shiri mafi kayatarwa.
Shirin ta lashe kyautar sabanin sauran fina-finai da aka hada su takarar na daga cikin fitattun shirye-shirye na rukunin hausa.
A jawabin sa yayin da ya amshi kyautar Ali Nuhu ya mika godiyan sa jaruman mda ma'aikatan da suka taka rawar ganin wajen shirya shirin MANSOOR.
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Hirar shi da wakilin BBC hausa jarumin yace "Ina ganin Mansoor ya samu wannan nasara ce saboda bamu taba shirya fim wanda aka yi amfani da fasahar kirkire-kirkire kamar sa ba; mun kashe kudi sosai sannan mun yi amfani da na'urori na zamani wurin daukar fim din."
Shirin wanda ke isar da darasi akan yadda mutum zai gudanar da rayuwar sa ba tare da tsangwama ba domin bai san irin jarabtar da Allah ya shirya masa.
Sabbin fuskoki Maryma Yahaya da Umar M.Shereef suka fito a matsayin jaruman shirin.
AMVCA 2018: Fim wanda Ali Nuhu bai taba irin ta ba ta lashe kyauta a bikin bana
The teenager allegedly shot the victim, Abraham Umaru in the head on August 7, 2018 in Lagos.
A Police prosecutor made this revelation during the trial of the accused teenager before an Ebute Meta Chief Magistrates’ Court, Lagos.
The prosecutor, Chinalu Uwadione, further told the court that the teenager allegedly shot the victim, Abraham Umaru in the head on August 7, 2018 at Cele Bus Stop, Ijanikin, on the Lagos-Badagry Expressway.
Umaru died as a result of the wounds he sustained after being shot, Uwadione narrated to the court.
ALSO READ: Girl gives man poisoned chocolate bar tries to steal his bike
The young teenager has bee accused of contravening sections 223 and 233 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.
Presiding over the two counts charge of conspiracy and murder, Chief Magistrate, Mrs. A. O. Adedayo, remanded the teenager at the Special Correctional Centre for Girls in Idi-Araba, Mushin, Lagos.
The case was adjourned till September 5, 2018 for the DPP’s advice while the magistrate directed that the teenager's case file be sent to the state Director of Public Prosecutions for advice.
Unbelievable: 16-year-old girl allegedly shoots 27-year-old man dead
London Mayor Sadiq Khan brushes off protest promoted by far right activists.
LONDON — London Mayor Sadiq Khan has laughed off plans by far-right campaigners to launch a balloon blimp of him in central London on Saturday.
The campaign, which was set up and promoted by known Donald Trump-supporters and anti-Islam activists, was created in response to Khan's decision to allow a blimp depicting the US President in a nappy to be flown in Parliament Square during his visit to the UK this summer.
Some of those backing the Khan campaign predicted there would be an "outcry" if the protest was allowed to go ahead. However, Khan laughed off the protest on Thursday.
In a statement released to Business Insider, he said: "If people want to spend their Saturday looking at me in a yellow bikini they’re welcome to do so – I don’t really think yellow’s my colour though."
Khan's comments come as former UKIP leader and leading Trump supporter, Nigel Farage, raised the prospect of standing against Khan in the next London mayoral election.
Farage told the Financial Times that he was being urged by supporters to stand against the London mayor, who defeated Conservative candidate for the job Zac Goldsmith, in 2016.
Politics: Sadiq Khan laughs off bikini balloon blimp protest: 'Yellow isn't really my colour'
The Englishman may be able to use the new Chelsea boss’s advice against him when they meet in the Premier League for the first time
Sarri backs 'clever and intelligent' Bournemouth boss Howe to go far
LoveFilm founder and former Labour donor, Simon Franks, has asked a host of prominent Westminster figures to help him a create a new political party, United For Change. Here's what we know about the mysterious project, according to insiders.
LONDON – Talk of a new political party is dominating discussions in the bars and coffee shops of Westminster as both the Conservatives and Labour spend their summers in varying degrees of internal warfare.
With the main two parties increasingly polarised and dysfunctional, discussions have turned to the possibility of a new party prepared to scoop up voters who identify neither with Theresa May's Tories or Jeremy Corbyn's Labour.
The name that most often crops up in these conversations is Simon Franks. Franks was the multimillionaire owner of LoveFilm and a former Labour donor who is close to launching a mysterious party he has been quietly working on since late 2016.
This new party, 'United for Change,' has been targeting figures from the three main parties ahead of an official launch. However, what shape that party would take, who would stand for it, and what would it stand for, are all questions that have been unanswered until now.
So what is 'United for Change' and what does it want to achieve? Business Insider has been talking to people with inside knowledge of Franks' plans to get the fullest picture yet of the new party that hopes to transform British politics.
In late 2016, Franks discussed his plan to create a new party over dinner with Richard Reed, co-founder of Innocent Drinks and former Vice Chair of the pro-Remain Britain Stronger In Europe campaign, and Alex Chesterman, the founder of Zoopla. Former and current staff members from existing political parties, mainly Labour, were also present.
Franks, frustrated with what he regarded as tribalism and poor leadership in Westminster politics, decided he would set up a new party. He planned to throw together a small team of advisors and press officers plucked from across Westminster and launch in late 2019, around six months after Britain's scheduled exit from the EU.
Franks believed he should launch United For Change first and worry about politicians and policies later. "First would be the launch," one staffer told BI. "Then in Simon's mind, the money and supporters would come. After that, you would be able to hire 'top tier' advisors. Finally, the politicians and defections would come too."
Those around Franks were baffled by this plan, however. One senior campaign manager who held meetings with him described the strategy as "incredibly naive." Political figures who Franks approached weren't impressed, either.
Former Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, Vote Leave Campaign Director Dominic Cummings, and Patrick Heneghan, ex-Labour campaign director, all left meetings with United For Change uninterested in getting involved, sources told BI. Labour and Lib Dem press officers were allegedly offered starting salaries of £40,000 a year to join United For Change.
"I was working under the impression it would just be me and Simon", one source present at early meetings said. "Then I turned up, and there were seven or eight people in the room with us."
While most talk about a new British political party focuses on an opposition to Brexit, United For Change will be no such outfit — at least according to Franks' current plans.
Franks considered creating an anti-Brexit party but changed his mind after polling indicated greater demand for a party closer in outlook to UKIP than Anna Soubry and Chuka Umunna. Insiders cited figures like Cummings' willingness to interact with United for Change as evidence they were not looking to be the party of Remain.
Instead, United For Change is set to be an "anti-politics" party, multiple insiders have told BI, with the "old Labour vote" — historic Labour supporters targeted by UKIP and Leave.EU — its intended audience.
In notes leaked to BI, United for Change has drafted an eclectic mix of policy ideas, like more English language classes for migrants, cracking down on missed NHS appointments, and closing tax loopholes. Insiders say that Franks is more interested in sentiment than policy. "He's more [Donald] Trump than [Emmanuel] Macron," one told BI.
MPs often touted as potential defectors want little to do with United For Change. Indeed, the project is totally separate from conversations between Labour, Conservative and Lib Dem MPs about a new centrist movement.
One leading Labour backbencher said Franks was "pissing in the wind," and an example of "business people getting involved in politics thinking they can do it better than politicians, but soon find out it’s not like running a business."
They added: "The last person to launch a new party in this country right now is a multimillionaire… The alt-left which runs the Labour party and the alt-right in the Tories would have an absolute field day."
The last person to launch a new party in this country right now is a multimillionaire… The alt-left which runs the Labour party and the alt-right in the Tories would have an absolute field day.
But if not anti-Brexit, and already unpopular with potential breakaway MPs, then what does Franks have in mind?
As things stand, United For Change doesn't have much to offer on policy. This is at least partly due to Franks' indecisiveness, insiders claimed, evidenced in his decision to ditch early plans of being unambiguously pro-EU.
More recently, the LoveFilm founder has taken a page out of the Lib Dems' book, and approached political strategists in Canada for advice, well-placed sources told BI. United For Change seemingly does not have a great deal in the politics of Justin Trudeau and Emmanuel Macron — but insiders say Franks admires their styles.
"Macron has a lot to answer for," a well-placed source said. "Every f****r wants to be Macron."
United For Change will for the time being be reliant on Franks' persuading donors, MPs and policy wonks to get involved. This could be tricky, given he is apparently pretty unpopular in the Westminster bubble.
"He's conceited and rude," one Labour MP said. A United for Change source added: "If you’re going to start a new party, you’ve got to see eye to eye with the people you’re starting it with." Another staffer described him as "highly abrasive." A source familiar with Franks' conversations with MPs claimed he scrapped plans to hold a summer barbeque for potential defectors due to a lack of interest. Franks has not responded to BI's request for comment.
With United For Change unlikely to win over MPs anytime soon, and with a manifesto half-baked at best, it is not surprising that the general consensus in Westminster is that Franks' political adventure is doomed to fail.
His project has already suffered an exodus of sorts. In July, United for Change was said to have had around 12 full-time staff members, which is now down to 4. Adam Knight, who served as Chief Executive Officer, has reportedly left to start his own project separately, called Twelve Together.
Meanwhile, those in Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn's office are much more concerned about anti-Brexit Labour MPs like Umunna and Chris Leslie breaking away to join forces with like-minded MPs in the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats.
However, with many voters still disillusioned with the two main political parties, the opportunity for a new party to transform British politics still remains to be grasped.
Politics: Inside 'United for Change,' the new centrist party trying to transform British politics
British Airways owns the largest flight simulator facility in the UK, which houses 16 of the $13-million machines. Pilots train around 50 hours inside before ever getting into a real plane. We spent only an hour inside to learn how to take off, fly and land a plane, so how did we get on?
We visited British Airways Technical Block A, which is home to 16 flight simulators making it the biggest flight simulator facility in the UK.
British Airways Captain Claire Bunton taught us how to fly the Airbus A380, which is the biggest commercial airplane in the world. We learned how to take off, fly, and land the giant aircraft.
BA pilots spend around 50 hours inside the simulator as part of their training, but we only spent one hour inside.
See how we did with just one hour of training.
Produced and filmed by David Ibekwe. Additional Camera by Charlie Floyd. Special Thanks to Britsih Airways.
Cigarette butts have been found to be the most common piece of human trash found in the earth's oceans. Roughly 5.5 trillion cigarettes are produced each year globally and nearly 4.95 trillion of those are cast into the environment, according to the Cigarette Butt Pollution Project.
Cigarette butts are among the most abundant types of human-produced garbage in the world's oceans.
Most of the roughly 5.5 trillion cigarettes manufactured globally every year contain a plastic-based filter, made of cellulose acetate, according to the Cigarette Butt Pollution Project.
Those filters can take decades to decompose after the cigarette butt has been discarded. As the plastics break down the chemicals can be consumed by wildlife. According to environmental researchers cited by NBC News, scientists have found traces of these chemicals in roughly 70% of seabirds and approximately 30% of sea turtles.
“More research is needed to determine exactly what happens to all of that,” Nick Mallos, director of the Trash Free Seas campaign for the Ocean Conservancy, told NBC News.“The final question is what impact these micro-plastics and other waste have on human health.”
The conversation around the waste that accumulates in the ocean has gained new momentum as major companies and metropolitan areas seek new ways to address other types of nonbiodegradable garbage, like plastic straws.
Tech: There are more cigarette butts in the world's oceans than any other type of garbage
Serena Williams continues her pursuit for a 24th Grand Slam with a comfortable victory over her elder sister at the U.S Open.
Celebrities turned out to watch the Siblings who have been rivals through out their career in one of the biggest matches of the competition.
Serena who suffered her heaviest career defeat to Johanna Konta in the Silicon Valley classic easily disposed her elder sister as she showed signs of getting back to her best.
Venus who is a seven time Grand Slam winner was not able to match up to her sister's intensity as she closed out the first set 6-1 and proved not to be much resistance when she won the second set 6-2 to stay on course for a possible 24th Grand Slam title.
Speaking on her on-court interview after the game, Serena stated that this was her best match since she returned and her hard work is finally paying off
She said, "I roll my ankles a lot so I just wanted to get it taped as tight as I could for the rest of the match and see how I feel tomorrow.
'This was my best match since my return. I've worked really hard for it… and hopefully everything will keep paying off."
Serena who was knocked out by Venus at Indian Wells spared some kind words for her her elder sister who she stated is very supportive of her success.
She said, "It's not easy, she's my best friend, she means the world to me and she's so supportive of my career.
"Every time she loses, I feel like I do. It's not easy but it's a tournament and we all know that there's more to life than playing each other and playing tennis.
"I love her with all my heart and she's the reason I'm still out here."
Serena will face Estonian Kaia Kanepi in the round of 16 of the U.S open fixture which will be played on Sunday, September 2.
U.S Open: Serena records easy win over sister Venus to progress to 4th round
Mikel Agu has returned to Vitória Setúbal for another season long loan spell from FC Porto.
The 25-year-old returns to Setubal after deemed surplus to requirements by Porto for the upcoming season.
The Nigeria international was on loan at Turkey Lig 1 side Bursaspor last season with compatriot Shehu Abdullahi, but has chosen to remain in Portugal despite several clubs interested in his signature.
Speaking to the club's official website upon his acquisition on loan from Porto, Agu explained why he chose to return for another spell at Vitoria.
He said, "I had other options in Portugal and abroad but when my manager told me about Victoria's interest I did not think twice.
"I already know this city and the club well and it was here that Stefano was born, about a year and eight months ago. My passage through Vitoria marked me a lot and for that reason the decision was easy."
Agu also revealed that he looks forward to having a fruitful spell on loan and recreating the goos memories he shared in his previous stint and thanked the fans for their support.
He said, "When I first saw the fans, they supported me a lot and I was very cherished. What I want to do is to leave my mark in this club, where in the recent past I also left a good image.
"I am happy with my return, the leaders of Victory too and I believe that the fans will also stay. The fans know that when I get on the field it's to give the maximum and I hope to help Vitória to make a great season."
Agu has been given the N0 46 jersey and is in line to make his first appearance for the club in their next fixture after the international break against his parent club Porto on Saturday, September 23.
Mikel Agu: Super Eagles midfielder joins Vitória Setúbal on loan from FC Porto
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Thanks to its massive spending, Netflix has created a seller’s market for producers and studios.
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As Netflix continues to ramp up its annual content investment, the streamer has effectively changed the paradigm for content producers in a way that both expands and limits opportunities for producers and studios as well as for rival networks competing for the best content and talent, per Digiday.
Netflix CFO David Wells said recently that in 2018, Netflix will spend $8 billion and produce 700 pieces of original content, including 80 full-length original movies and 80 foreign-language original productions from local international territories where Netflix operates.
Thanks to its massive spending, Netflix has created a seller’s market for producers and studios. Here are some of the fundamental ways that the new paradigm initiated under Netflix has benefited content producers:
Yet the new environment also potentially hurts producers:
Tech: Netflix changes the paradigm for producers (NFLX)
