Politics: Sessions in the limelight, Trump's legal troubles, and a Russian oligarch in New Jersey — what you may have missed in the Mueller probe this week

President Donald Trump received a handful of rejections from lawyers asked to join his legal team and Robert Mueller probed Trump's contacts with Russians.

President Donald Trump's legal woes continued this week as a handful of prominent attorneys rejected offers to represent him amid special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation.

Ted Olson, who served as President George W. Bush's solicitor general, explained his reasoning for declining Trump's offer during an interview Monday on MSNBC.

"I think everybody would agree: This is turmoil. It's chaos. It's confusion. It's not good for anything," Olson said. "We always believe that there should be an orderly process — and of course government is not clean or orderly ever — but this seems to be beyond normal."

Despite the rejections, Trump boosted his legal defense team with a little-know lawyer named Andrew Ekonomou, who will take on a more prominent role in communicating with Mueller's office following the resignation of former lead defense attorney John Dowd.

Here's what else you may have missed this week in the Russia investigation:

• Dowd considers controversial pardons: The New York Times reported that before Dowd left Trump's legal defense, he floated the idea of pardoning former national security adviser Michael Flynn and former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort, two of the most critical figures in the Russia investigation at the height of the inquiry. Flynn pleaded guilty to lying to federal investigators in December and Manafort has pleaded not guilty to dozens of other charges.
• Mueller makes a connection: In a late-night news dump on Tuesday, Mueller's office revealed in documents related to the sentencing of Alex van der Zwaan, a dutch lawyer, that former Trump campaign deputy chairman Rick Gates had been aware that he was communicating with an individual linked to Russian intelligence before the 2016 US election. Mueller's office said the two communicated in September and October 2016 and that their relationship was "pertinent to the investigation."
• Mueller goes after bigger fish: The day after the Gates revelation, CNN reported that Mueller's team wanted to know what Gates knew about the central question in the Russia investigation: the Trump campaign's contacts with Russia during the 2016 US election. Mueller's interest in questioning Gates about Trump is a sign that he may be going after bigger targets.
• DOJ watchdog will investigate corruption: In response to requests from Attorney General Jeff Sessions and members of Congress, the Justice Department's internal watchdog agreed to investigate the FBI's and DOJ's application for a Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) warrant to monitor Carter Page, a former Trump campaign adviser. Republicans have accused FBI and DOJ officials of abusing the FISA application process in an effort to hurt the Trump campaign.
• Sessions featured in Time Magazine: In a cover story for Time magazine featuring the AG, Sessions said he thought he did the right thing when he recused himself from the Russia investigation, adding, "I don't think the attorney general can ask everybody else in the department to follow the rules if the attorney general doesn't follow them."
• Mueller subpoenas a significant figure: Investigators questioned Ted Malloch, a controversial academic with ties to Republican strategist Roger Stone and Brexit leader Nigel Farage. In an interview with Business Insider, Stone said that he recalled meeting Malloch on two occassions, but that they never discussed Julian Assange, Wikileaks, or Russia.
• A Russian oligarch touched down in New Jersey: A private jet belonging to Oleg Deripaska arrived in the US in August 2016, shortly after a meeting between Paul Manafort and a mysterious Russian operative named Konstantin Kilimnik, who has now at the center of the Russia controversy. Mueller has reportedly been examining the relationship between Manafort, Kilimnik, and Deripaska as he pieces together a timeline of events.
• The Republicans' 2016 National Convention is under scrutiny: Mueller's team is reportedly investigating events surrounding the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio, in July 2016. Sessions is believed to be a subject of the inquiry due to his conversations at the time with then-Russian ambassador to the US Sergei Kislyak.
• More than $500,ooo raised for Andrew McCabe: Friends of former FBI deputy director Andrew McCabe launched a GoFundMe page to raise money for his legal defenses as he gears up to fight charges that he lied to investigators about leaking information to the press. In less than 24 hours, the fund soared past its $150,000 goal to around $400,000. As of Sunday, it had raised more than $520,000.

Sonam Sheth, Bryan Logan, and Michal Kranz contributed to this report.

Politics: Sessions in the limelight, Trump's legal troubles, and a Russian oligarch in New Jersey — what you may have missed in the Mueller probe this week

CLICK HERE TO READ FULL CONTENT

Brought to you by: RIDBAY | WEBSITE DESIGN & DIGITAL MARKETING

'Everyone wanted to avoid Liverpool' – Bayern star Hummels admits to Champions League fear of Klopp's men

The Reds are set to face Premier League leaders Manchester City at the quarter-final stage, with the German champions paired with Spanish side Sevilla

'Everyone wanted to avoid Liverpool' – Bayern star Hummels admits to Champions League fear of Klopp's men

CLICK HERE TO READ FULL CONTENT

Brought to you by: RIDBAY | WEBSITE DESIGN & DIGITAL MARKETING

Finance: The average wedding cost in America is $33,391 — but here's where Americans spend way more than that

The average wedding cost in the US is $33,391, but Americans spend more in some places. Here's where the average wedding cost exceeds the national average.

• The average wedding cost in the US is $33,391.
• But the average cost of a wedding varies widely depending on where you live.
• Couples in New York City spend the most at $76,944, while couples in New Mexico spend the least at $17,584.

---

Americans spend, on average, $33,391 on their weddings, according to The Knot's 2017 Real Weddings Study. And that's not even including the amount they spend on an engagement ring.

The cost of a wedding depends on a wide variety of factors, including the amount of guests, the ceremony site, the time of year, the decor, and of course, the city that you decide to host the wedding in.

While there's a current trend in hosting fewer guests, the average cost per guest is increasing, due to couples wanting to create a unique and memorable experience for all those involved, The Knot found.

The tradition of the bride's family paying for the wedding isn't rapidly changing. "On average, the bride's parents contribute 45% (56% for high spenders) of the overall wedding budget; the bride and groom contribute 41% (28% for high spenders); and the groom's parents contribute 13% (15% for high spenders)," says the study.

In some places across the US, the average wedding cost is much lower than the national average. In New Mexico, for example, the average wedding cost is almost half the national average at $17,584. But some places spend much more.

The Knot's 2017 Real Weddings Study looked into which cities and regions across Americans are shelling out the most cash for their big day. Below, see the top 25 places where the average wedding cost is higher than the national average.

25. Illinois – Chicago Suburbs: $34,675

24. California – San Diego: $34,722

23. Pennsylvania – Pittsburgh/Southwest: $34,928

22. Michigan – Detroit: $35,843

21. Maryland – Baltimore: $36,305

20. California – Orange County/Inland Empire: $37,050

19. California – Santa Barbara/Ventura: $38,025

18. Hawaii: $38,984

17. California – San Francisco/Greater Bay Area: $39,329

16. DC — Washington DC/Northern Virginia/Suburban Maryland: $39,465

15. New Jersey – South: $40,231

14. Florida – South: $40,634

13. Massachusetts – Boston: $40,667

12. Louisiana – New Orleans: $41,167

11. California – Los Angeles: $44,142

10. Pennsylvania — Philadelphia/Delaware: $46,211

9. New York City – Boroughs outside of Manhattan: $46,808

8. Connecticut: $47,435

7. Illinois – Chicago: $52,332

6. Rhode Island: $52,777

5. Massachusetts – Cape Cod: $55,083

4. New York – Westchester/Hudson Valley: $55,357

3. New York – Long Island: $61,113

2. New Jersey – North/Central: $62,074

1. New York – Manhattan: $76,944

Finance: The average wedding cost in America is ,391 — but here's where Americans spend way more than that

CLICK HERE TO READ FULL CONTENT

Brought to you by: RIDBAY | WEBSITE DESIGN & DIGITAL MARKETING

LIVE: Arsenal vs Stoke City

The Gunners are looking to maintain their hopes of a top-four finish as they host Paul Lambert’s struggling side – follow the action LIVE!

LIVE: Arsenal vs Stoke City

CLICK HERE TO READ FULL CONTENT

Brought to you by: RIDBAY | WEBSITE DESIGN & DIGITAL MARKETING

Tattoos: Why would anyone ink a celebrity's face on their skin?

As tattoos are becoming more common, so are people getting ill-advised sketches of Wizkid and Davido on their chests.

As a mode of expression or a form of art, tattoos can be cool. However, the subject of the tattoo can vary between inspired to just downright disturbing, and there are few of this that is as confounding as getting a full-back tattoo of your favourite celebrity.

Celebrities all around the world enjoy the endless support of teens and hundreds of thousands of fans, sometimes that number can run into the millions. In Nigeria, musicians like Wizkid and Davido are the cream of this crop.

Fans express their adulation for these stars in different ways. We can remember videos of young women weeping profusely or men shouting beyond the capacity of their vocal cords at the site of either of these diminutive stars.

For others, all of this is too mainstream. So they go the extra mile (or a couple of kilometres, depending on where the parlour is), to get tattoos of their favourite celebrities.

ALSO READ: Woman gets tattoo of Davido's face between her breasts

Last year, many of these questionable decisions made the news on the internet of things. One that stood out was the instance of a young lady who got a tattoo of Wizkid, complete with 'Starboy' written in a coloured backdrop, that covered her entire back.

 

It’s all safe and healthy to see your body as a canvas and treat it accordingly, but what must you be thinking to have your body covered in a tattoo of a musician whose loyalty is to a generic class of people he’s comfortable referring to as “my fans”?

The answer is that most people who get tattoos in this generation draw from very few sources.

Nigerian tattoo culture is relatively new

While Nigerians and Africans in general, had been getting tattoos for centuries, they were mostly for more esoteric purposes than mere fashion or expression.

Before the 2000s, you would have been hard-pressed to find any common Nigerian with a visible tattoo.

Although many alternative cultures had seeped into the mainstream at the time, tattoos were on the back foot and the morally conservative outlook of our society did nothing to help.

When tattoos did become a thing eventually, they were inspired by the people who already had tattoos: foreign celebrities.

In the western world, tattoos evolved through different phases.

 

At a time, only gang members and sailors got tattoos. Over time, they became a part of prison culture, where prisoners would get inked to reflect their affiliations and experiences.

Young people then began to get tattoos as a sign of rebellion. At this time, there were no machines of the kind we have now, so the extent of the pain and the permanence of the ink was a way of establishing their independence and the right to make their own choices.

ALSO READ: Do you know getting inked can give you skin cancer?

Nowadays, tattoo culture is dictated by celebrities.

According to one tattoo artist in the UK, “If you see a celebrity on TV with lots of visible tattooing, chances are we’ll get an email the next day saying 'I like this idea"

A celebrity’s tattoos might be enough inspiration to get similar work done but getting an actual tattoo of the person’s face is on another level.

It's all love in the end… or is it?

Most of these people get these tattoos because they want to express their love for their favourite celebrities as elaborately as possible. As simple as this sounds, it is easy to see why such a complicated issue is so basic.

In a country with few paragons of influence or role models, if you will, many young people look up to their favourite musicians as a level to aspire to.

They listen out for their songs with feverish anticipation, defend their lyrics (or the lack of them) fiercely and fight rival fans with facts, figures and insults.

We cannot discount the effect that these celebrities had in giving body art a more acceptable image.

But the leap from getting tattoos inspired by celebrities to getting tattoos of celebrities is a big leap that only they are responsible for.

 

When instances of these tattoos surface on the internet, it is easy to believe the outrage is directed at the tattoos themselves, when in fact the issue is that there is an image of Davido drawn on the breasts of someone’s daughter.

A fair number of these tattoos come across as spontaneous, ill-advised decisions, and what makes it worse is that they are drawn with the skill of a 2-year old kid playing with crayons and white paper.

One wonders of these guys really consider the long-term effects of getting this sort of ink.

The pop stars who they so adore are human beings when it’s all said and done; some of them may be outed in the future for activities and practices so distasteful that it will incite a plunge from grace.

Others will struggle to maintain their prominence and will be relegated to relative obscurity.

Celebrities have highs and lows but the people who have tattoos of them will carry those inked testaments forever, or at least until they can afford laser surgery.

Tattoos: Why would anyone ink a celebrity's face on their skin?

CLICK HERE TO READ FULL CONTENT

Brought to you by: RIDBAY | WEBSITE DESIGN & DIGITAL MARKETING

Arsenal team news: Mkhitaryan drops to bench as Welbeck starts

Arsenal team news: Mkhitaryan drops to bench as Welbeck starts

CLICK HERE TO READ FULL CONTENT

Brought to you by: RIDBAY | WEBSITE DESIGN & DIGITAL MARKETING

Germany gives maritime security equipment to assist ECOWAS

In Enugu: You don’t go to cell and expect to be served chicken – Police

A Twitter handle suspected to be for the Enugu Police Command has said citizens don't expect to be served chicken and chips while in prison or cell.

An alleged tweet by the Enugu State police command has stirred a serious conversation about the living state of prisoners or law offenders in the command's custody.

A Twitter user had inquired what the state command is doing about the cells claiming prisoners or law offenders barely get a breath of fresh air before getting bail or charged to court.

Kelsonwa, the Twitter user had written, "@policeng_enugu what are you doing about you cells, were by a person been detained can't even breathe fresh air before he or she gets bail."

The response by the supposed Twitter handle of the police state command was "Sir, you don't go to cell expecting to be served chicken and chips."

 

The handle further went to address the state's citizens saying "To address our previous, Dear Nigerians, it was not in our plans violate anybody's right, as the Nigerian police strive to secure live and properties while administering transparency in justice.

"At that we don't wish for anybody to enter any of pour cells, as our cells are for those who break the law."

In a follow up, ex-Director-General of the Bureau of Public Service Reforms Dr. Joe Abah replied the state police command saying the response was shameful.

"This is a shameful tweet, which I have reported to your bosses. "Abah had tweeted.

In Enugu: You don’t go to cell and expect to be served chicken – Police

CLICK HERE TO READ FULL CONTENT

Brought to you by: RIDBAY | WEBSITE DESIGN & DIGITAL MARKETING

Looters’ List: Former PDP chieftain, Olisa Metuh condemns Lai Mohammed

The former spokesman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olisa Metuh has condemned the minister of information and culture, Lai Mohammed for including his name in the recently released looters’ list.

The minister presented the list to newsmen during a press conference in Lagos on Friday, March 30, 2018.

The list includes: The current PDP chairman, Uche Secondus, former PDP National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, and PDP chieftain, Raymond Dokpesi.

Other names on the list are: Dudafa Waripamo-Owei, a former aide to former president, Goodluck Jonathan, who is listed as being on trial for allegedly keeping over N830 million in accounts of four different companies; and the former president's cousin, Robert Azibaola, who recently had a Federal High Court ruling decide that he has a case to answer for allegedly collecting $40 million from ONSA and a former PDP Financial Secretary who also allegedly took N600 million from ONSA on October 24, 2018.

Breach of constitution

Speaking further on the list, Metuh said that Mohammed’s action is a breach of the constitution.

He also criticised the minister for publicly discussing an issue that is still in the court.

Metuh said “I have been refrained from discussing this persecution and travails by the government because as a lawyer, trained in the finest traditions of the Bar, I know that it is wrong to discuss a matter that is subjudice.

“I have therefore decided to avail the public of the true state of the contrived case against me.

“The charge against me is that I received the sum of N400 million from the Office of the National Security Adviser to carry out duties assigned to me as the then National Publicity Secretary of the PDP by then President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“The major crux of the prosecution argument is that I ought to have known that the money was a part of an alleged and yet to be proven unlawful activity of Col Sambo Dasuki (rtd), former NSA to President Jonathan.

“The charge was brought before the court regardless of the fact that neither former president Goodluck Jonathan who gave him the assignment and directed the release of the funds nor Col Dasuki(rtd), who effected the release of the funds have ever been interrogated nor even interviewed in this regard.

“Officers of the office of the National Security Adviser have also testified in court that the payment made to him followed all due process usually observed in the establishment.

“It is of interest to note that the prosecution has not alleged any mens rea or collusion on my part other than the suggestion that I ‘ought to have known’ of an alleged unlawful activity. Also the alleged illegality of the funds has neither been established in law nor in fact.

“I have NEVER held a government office and/or position and could not therefore have had any access to government funds.

“In view of the weakness of the case against me, the APC led Federal Government resorted to all kinds of dirty tactics to dehumanise and intimidate me. They have done everything humanly possible to ensure complete persecution starting from bringing me to court in handcuffs (and parading the capture of Nigeria’s most wanted) to media trials and constant interference with my case.

“I have been reliably informed that the Federal Government has ordered a conviction at all cost to ensure that the PDP is tainted before the elections. The government’s determination to achieve this objective is clearly highlighted by the refusal to allow me attend to my deteriorating health notwithstanding several expert medical opinion on the matter.

ALSO READ: Saraki, Amaechi, over 50 others make PDP's looters list

“By going to the media to name me a looter (without cross-checking the definition and dictionary meaning of the word), the federal government has not only given a body language but has issued a direct intimidation and threat to the judiciary to get a compulsory conviction.

“It is now clear that the APC led government that thrives in impunity and intimidation of other arms of government will not allow justice to be done in my matter. It is incontrovertible that our country has descended into the worst form of draconian rule where the executive arm directly interferes and seeks to control and determine matters within the purview of the legislature and the judiciary.

“In view of this unprecedented executive rascality and lawlessness, I have asked my lawyers to review the implications of this latest attack by the government and take appropriate steps for redress. In all, my faith is firm in God that this tyranny will not last forever and that no mortal is omnipotent in my matter.”

PDP chairman threatens Lai Mohammed

Meanwhile, the PDP National Chairman, Uche Secondus has challenged Lai Mohammed to be ready to prove his allegation that the he collected N200m from the purse of the National Security Adviser (NSA).

Secondus said that the agenda of the minister was to damage his reputation and distract him from serving PDP, adding that such agenda would fail woefully.

Also, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in a statement issued by it spokesperson, Kola Ologbondiyan, has described the list of alleged “looters” published by the Federal Government as “hollow and laughable”.

Looters’ List: Former PDP chieftain, Olisa Metuh condemns Lai Mohammed

CLICK HERE TO READ FULL CONTENT

Brought to you by: RIDBAY | WEBSITE DESIGN & DIGITAL MARKETING

Why Arsenal can't afford to lose midfield maestro Aaron Ramsey

The Welshman is a mainstay of Arsenal’s midfield when fully fit and warrants a big-money contract extension

Why Arsenal can't afford to lose midfield maestro Aaron Ramsey

CLICK HERE TO READ FULL CONTENT

Brought to you by: RIDBAY | WEBSITE DESIGN & DIGITAL MARKETING

Big Brother Naija: Viewers react to Saturday night party, Bambam's sudden eviction [Day 62 recap]

Bambam evicted from #BBNaija, Teddy A can't believe Nigerians prefer Cee-C and Nina to Bambam, Cee-C tears the dress given to her by Payporte: Here's a recap of day 62.

Have you been following the new season of Big Brother Naija? Here are some important things you probably missed on day 62.

Check out a recap of day 62, including social media reactions:

Between Cee-C and Payporte

Payporte responded to Cee-C's comments regarding the outfit she was given for the Saturday Night house party.

All the housemates were given outfits that represented the different Nigerian cultures, and Cee-C’s outfit was inspired by the Calabar bridal attire.

The housemate was displeased by the outfit and decided to alter the style. Before cutting the dress and turning it into a top, Cee-C made several comments and asked: "na person sit down do this?"

Following her reaction to the outfit, Payporte took to Instagram to call her out. They described her comments as disrespectful and offensive.

After the party, she told a shocked Khloe that she cut the dress because she is proudly Igbo and not Calabar.

 

 

The Saturday Night Partyy

The theme for the Saturday party was #RepYourCulture, and instead of a DJ, a Live Band – Afro-jazz band, Saxokay – performed at the party.

Also, as promised, Ebuka attended the party with a special guest.

The unexpected eviction

After dancing and partying with the housemates, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu announced the arrival of an unexpected guest.

The special guest turned out to be Steve from Deloitte, the audit company responsible for counting votes.

He then announced Bambam as the next housemate to leave the Big Brother Naija house.

Teddy A can't believe viewers prefer Nina and Cee-C to Bambam

Teddy A didn't see Bambam's eviction coming. During a conversation with Rico, he said he was shocked that viewers prefer Ccee-C and Nina, who were also up for possible eviction, to Bambam.

Twitter reactions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There are currently 10 contestants battling for the 45 million naira grand prize. With 62 days gone, the housemates have 23 more days to spend in the Big Brother Naija house.

Big Brother Naija: Viewers react to Saturday night party, Bambam's sudden eviction [Day 62 recap]

CLICK HERE TO READ FULL CONTENT

Brought to you by: RIDBAY | WEBSITE DESIGN & DIGITAL MARKETING

'Football needs Messi to lift the World Cup' – Barca star already great even if he fails in Russia, says Crespo

The mercurial forward continues to face suggestions that global success with Argentina is needed to be the greatest, but a fellow countryman disagrees

'Football needs Messi to lift the World Cup' – Barca star already great even if he fails in Russia, says Crespo

CLICK HERE TO READ FULL CONTENT

Brought to you by: RIDBAY | WEBSITE DESIGN & DIGITAL MARKETING

DANJUMA/KILLER HERDSMEN/MILITARY: Presidency cautions leaders against inciting comments

Anthony Joshua: Boxer beats Parker in 12th round to retain heavyweight titles

Anthony Joshua also adds the WBO belt to his title as he chases unification.

Anthony Joshua went the distance for the first time to beat Joseph Parker by unanimous decision and add WBO heavyweight title to WBA, IBO and IBF belts.

In front of 78, 000 capacity crow, the fight at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff went to 12 rounds before Joshua was ruled the winner 118-110, 118-110, 119-109 by the three judges.

This is the Nigerian-Brit’s 21 win as he extends his winning streak although he failed to beat Joshua by a knockout.

The 27-year-old now adds the World Boxing Organisation (WBO) belt to his International Boxing Federation (IBF), World Boxing Association (WBA) and International Boxing Federation (IBF) titles.

For Parker, this was his first loss in his 25-fight pro career.

It was a fight of few clean punches as boxers remained cautious throughout although Joshua was clearly dominant. 

Joshua left a cut above Parker’s left eye in the third round before the New Zealand boxer managed to throw a few more punches.

In the middle rounds, however, Parker attacked more but Joshua defended well and in the 10th round the cut above his left eye got worse.

Anthony Joshua: Boxer beats Parker in 12th round to retain heavyweight titles

CLICK HERE TO READ FULL CONTENT

Brought to you by: RIDBAY | WEBSITE DESIGN & DIGITAL MARKETING

COUPLE BORN THREE DAYS APART: Pa Ogundare at 80: I nearly called off our wedding plans because I lost my job

'God' Zlatan produces debut miracle after prophetic LA Galaxy team-talk

The Swede asked a question of his new teammates on Friday that may have them believing in a higher power after Saturday’s stunning debut

'God' Zlatan produces debut miracle after prophetic LA Galaxy team-talk

CLICK HERE TO READ FULL CONTENT

Brought to you by: RIDBAY | WEBSITE DESIGN & DIGITAL MARKETING

Knocking Ewi and Fayose’s heads a second time?

THE video making the rounds of the so-called “fight” or “rudeness” of Ekiti State’s Gov. Ayo Fayose to the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti is storm in a tea cup; it is politics of upcoming Ekiti governorship election at play. Anyone familiar with Fayose’s passionate way of making his points will better understand his comportment at Ewi’s palace, but those concerned should be wiser this time around; this was how a wedge was maliciously driven between Fayose on the one hand and the Ewi and others on the other to truncate the governor’s first tenure in 2006. As they say, once bitten, twice shy. George Santayana admonishes us to learn from history if we are not to repeat its mistakes.

As Ado-Ekiti wears a new look befitting a capital, many cannot hide their joy. Law-abiding citizens are not only happy that the hide-outs of criminal elements are being demolished; they are also urging Fayose to go the whole hog. Those afraid that old, decrepit buildings could collapse on their head nudge government to pull them down and still pay compensation. Family members quarrelling over how the inheritance is administered have suddenly found a messiah in Fayose’s demolition exercise. Government officials usually ensure compensation is paid equitably while intractable cases are settled at the Palace. At some demolished structures, fetish substances were exhumed and destroyed. Destinies and glories long buried were thus set free. Until you get behind the story, you hardly get to see the true picture.

• South West States to understudy Ekiti’s success in education           

LAST WORD: Why should Buhari be chairman of the all-important National Food Security Council and another Northerner, Gov. Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State, is deputy chairman? Is it because there are no worthy persons from the South? Even Benue, famous as the nation’s “food basket,” is not on the council. Food is a critical element in ongoing re-colonisation agenda and only those sold to the project can be allowed anywhere near the Food council’s driver’s seat. A people that cannot feed themselves are condemned to being the slaves of others. Is the South listening?

The post Knocking Ewi and Fayose’s heads a second time? appeared first on Tribune.

Knocking Ewi and Fayose’s heads a second time?

CLICK HERE TO READ FULL CONTENT

Brought to you by: RIDBAY | WEBSITE DESIGN & DIGITAL MARKETING

Transfer news & rumours LIVE: Man Utd to sacrifice Martial for Bale

Goal takes a look at the biggest transfer news and rumours from the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A and beyond

Transfer news & rumours LIVE: Man Utd to sacrifice Martial for Bale

CLICK HERE TO READ FULL CONTENT

Brought to you by: RIDBAY | WEBSITE DESIGN & DIGITAL MARKETING

Joshua Hands Parker First Defeat, Wins Fourth World Title

By James Agberebi:

British-Nigerian world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua defeated New Zealand’s Joseph Parker via a unanimous decision in their unification bout on Saturday night in Cardiff, Completesportsnigeria.com reports.

The win means Joshua stretches his unbeaten streak to 21 while it was a first defeat for Parker after 25 professional fights.

The final score card had Joshua winning 118-110, 118-110 and 119-109 after a gruelling contest.

It was the first time Joshua will emerge victorious via unanimous decision as his previous 20 fights were won via knockouts.

He has now added Parker’s World Boxing Organization (WBO) to his International Boxing Federation (IBF), World Boxing Association (WBA) and International Boxing Organisation titles.

The first two rounds were close as both boxers were evenly matched and went about sizing up each other.

Joshua started imposing himself from the third round with some good jabs which kept Parker under pressure.

In the sixth round, Parker landed a superb uppercut which rocked Joshua but the champion recovered well and returned to using his jabs, ending round eight with good body shots.

The 10th round saw Parker struggle to keep Joshua at bay due to bleeding from his left eye following a cut in the earlier rounds.

And in round 12, the final round, Joshua kept Parker at range as the New Zealander went in search of a knockout which never materialised.

The post Joshua Hands Parker First Defeat, Wins Fourth World Title appeared first on Complete Sports Nigeria.

Joshua Hands Parker First Defeat, Wins Fourth World Title

CLICK HERE TO READ FULL CONTENT

Brought to you by: RIDBAY | WEBSITE DESIGN & DIGITAL MARKETING

Ibrahimovic nets stunning double on LA Galaxy debut to win Derby

Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored a stunning long-range effort on his LA Galaxy debut, as they came from 3-0 down to win 4-3 against LA FC. Galaxy brought Ibrahimovic on with just 19 minutes left in the Derby, with the score at 3-1. After his side fought back to 3-2, Ibrahimovic fired in a stunning 40-yard half […]

Ibrahimovic nets stunning double on LA Galaxy debut to win Derby

Ibrahimovic nets stunning double on LA Galaxy debut to win Derby

CLICK HERE TO READ FULL CONTENT

Brought to you by: RIDBAY | WEBSITE DESIGN & DIGITAL MARKETING

Kashmir: Suspected Militants Shoot Dead Special Police officer in Pulwama

Suspected militants shot dead a special police officer near Murran Chowk area of Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Saturday, Rising Kashmir reported.

Mohammad Ashraf was a former militant who was now posted in Srinagar as a police officer.

An unidentified official told Rising Kashmir that Ashraf suffered serious bullet injuries and was shifted to a nearby hospital. However, he died of his wounds.

After the incident, teams of the Indian Army, the Central Reserve Police Force and a special operations group of the Jammu and Kashmir Police cordoned off the area and launched a search operation for the militants.

The post Kashmir: Suspected Militants Shoot Dead Special Police officer in Pulwama appeared first on Independent Newspapers Nigeria.

Kashmir: Suspected Militants Shoot Dead Special Police officer in Pulwama

CLICK HERE TO READ FULL CONTENT

Brought to you by: RIDBAY | WEBSITE DESIGN & DIGITAL MARKETING

BREAKING: Anthony Joshua defeats Joseph Parker in world heavyweight clash

FG desperate to convict me at all costs —Metuh

Former national publicity secretary of the PDP, Chief Olisah Metuh, on Saturday, accused the Federal Government of subjecting him to two separate trials with the inclusion of his name in the list of looters by the Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed.

The minister listed Metuh among those who corrupted themselves with public funds in a reaction to the gauntlet by the opposition PDP to the ruling party to name those it alleged looted the treasury while PDP was in the saddle.

Reacting to the minister’s action, Metuh said: “By this publication, the Federal Government has breached our constitution by seeking to burden me with two criminal trials on the same charge, one before Justice Okon Abang and the other before the media.

• FG to upscale waste-to-wealth programme in six geopolitical zones

“The charge against me is that I received the sum of N400 million from the Office of the National Security Adviser to carry out duties assigned to me as the then National Publicity Secretary of the PDP by then President.

“The crux of the prosecution argument is that I ought to have known that the money was a part of an alleged and yet to be proven unlawful activity of Colonel Sambo Dasuki (retd), former NSA to President Jonathan.

“I have never held a government office and/or position and could not therefore have had any access to government funds. In view of the weakness of the case against me, the APC-led Federal Government resorted to all kinds of dirty tactics to dehumanise and intimidate me,” he stated.

“I have been reliably informed that the Federal Government has ordered a conviction at all cost to ensure that the PDP is tainted before the elections. The government’s determination to achieve this objective is clearly highlighted by the refusal to allow me attend to my deteriorating health notwithstanding several expert medical opinion on the matter,” he said.

The post FG desperate to convict me at all costs —Metuh appeared first on Tribune.

FG desperate to convict me at all costs —Metuh

CLICK HERE TO READ FULL CONTENT

Brought to you by: RIDBAY | WEBSITE DESIGN & DIGITAL MARKETING

Arsenal legend Nwankwo Kanu to run for president of Nigeria in 2019

Inspired by George Weah’s feat, the two-time African Player of the Year will contest with the vow to improve his country’s standard of living

Arsenal legend Nwankwo Kanu to run for president of Nigeria in 2019

CLICK HERE TO READ FULL CONTENT

Brought to you by: RIDBAY | WEBSITE DESIGN & DIGITAL MARKETING

Sports: The 25 schools that make the most money in college basketball

The Cardinals beat out the Duke Blue Devils for the top spot.

The Louisville Cardinals men's basketball team has been wrecked with scandal recently, and even had to vacate its most recent title.

The good news for the Cardinals, however, is they are still the richest men's college basketball program in the country. Based on the most recent data, the Cardinals have the highest revenue of any program in the country, and it is not even that close.

But Louisville isn't the only scandal-ridden program raking in the money.

The Arizona Wildcats are also near the top. Their head coach, Sean Miller, was reportedly caught on an FBI wire tap discussing the $100,000 payment to secure the commitment from a top recruit.

Below is a closer look at the 25 richest programs in college basketball. Data comes courtesy of the Department of Education and USA Today.

25. University of Dayton — $14,031,059

3-year average men's basketball revenue: $13,171,557

1-year change: +4.1%

5-year change: +30.2%

Total athlete department donations: Not available

Athletics licensing/rights fees: Not available

2016 expenses: $1,861,323

2016 profit: $12,169,736

24. University of Minnesota — $14,172,048

3-year avg. men's basketball revenue: $13,216,981

1-year change: +12.6%

5-year change: -12.3%

Total athlete department donations: $15,250,676

Athletics licensing/rights fees: $51,849,920

2016 expenses: $2,048,303

2016 profit: $12,123,745

23. University of Florida — $14,200,425

3-year avg. men's basketball revenue: $12,632,784

1-year change: +6.8%

5-year change: +39.4%

Total athlete department donations: $43,146,263

Athletics licensing/rights fees: $62,151,216

2016 expenses: $1,917,690

2016 profit: $12,282,735

22. Northwestern University — $14,581,162

3-year avg. men's basketball revenue: $14,591,646

1-year change: +3.1%

5-year change: +24.3%

Total athlete department donations: Not available

Athletics licensing/rights fees: Not available

2016 expenses: $1,816,709

2016 profit: $12,764,453

21. North Carolina State University — $14,611,434

3-year avg. men's basketball revenue: $13,916,407

1-year change: +7.2%

5-year change: +14.5%

Total athlete department donations: $15,119,174

Athletics licensing/rights fees: $37,032,338

2016 expenses: $1,487,112

2016 profit: $13,124,322

20. University of Alabama — $15,003,656

3-year avg. men's basketball revenue: $14,076,857

1-year change: +3.9%

5-year change: +27.5%

Total athlete department donations: $29,651,491

Athletics licensing/rights fees: $66,253,910

2016 expenses: $1,831,200

2016 profit: $13,172,456

19. University of Illinois — $15,827,099

3-year avg. men's basketball revenue: $16,774,156

1-year change: -5.1%

5-year change: -0.1%

Total athlete department donations: $28,531,388

Athletics licensing/rights fees: $44,433,775

2016 expenses: $1,308,101

2016 profit: $14,518,998

18. University of Arkansas — $16,332,876

3-year avg. men's basketball revenue: $16,230,356

1-year change: 1.8%

5-year change: -1.8%

Total athlete department donations: $25,860,510

Athletics licensing/rights fees: $58,473,384

2016 expenses: $2,286,322

2016 profit: $14,046,554

17. University of Michigan — $16,913,194

3-year avg. men's basketball revenue: $15,960,646

1-year change: +0.8%

5-year change: 71.2%

Total athlete department donations: $37,581,954

Athletics licensing/rights fees: $62,697,349

2016 expenses: $1,658,202

2016 profit: $15,254,992

16. Michigan State University — $17,548,611

3-year avg. men's basketball revenue: $17,674,958

1-year change: -0.5%

5-year change: -8.7%

Total athlete department donations: $30,441,924

Athletics licensing/rights fees: $53,914,039

2016 expenses: $2,577,865

2016 profit: $14,970,746

15. University of Texas —$17,567,914

3-year avg. men's basketball revenue: $17,409,933

1-year change: -2.3%

5-year change: -4.9%

Total athlete department donations: $42,159,118

Athletics licensing/rights fees: $75,014,854

2016 expenses: $2,993,873

2016 profit: $14,574,041

14. Georgetown University — $17,702,377

3-year avg. men's basketball revenue: $13,134,412

1-year change: 56.1%

5-year change: 76.8%

Total athlete department donations: tk tk tk

Athletics licensing/rights fees: tk tk tk

2016 expenses: $2,559,739

2016 profit: $15,142,638

13. University of Maryland — $17,741,322

3-year avg. men's basketball revenue: $17,202,172

1-year change: 3.5%

5-year change: 41.6%

Total athlete department donations: $13,676,004

Athletics licensing/rights fees: $46,175,076

2016 expenses: $1,371,837

2016 profit: $16,369,485

12. Ohio State University — $18,250,063

3-year avg. men's basketball revenue: $20,727,836

1-year change: -8.2%

5-year change: -3.3%

Total athlete department donations: $33,138,103

Athletics licensing/rights fees: $60,429,212

2016 expenses: $1,835,458

2016 profit: $16,414,605

11. University of Kansas —$18,266,319

3-year avg. men's basketball revenue: $18,476,162

1-year change: 1.4%

5-year change: 11.1%

Total athlete department donations: $24,020,732

Athletics licensing/rights fees: $44,238,082

2016 expenses: $2,149,420

2016 profit: $16,116,899

10. University of Tennessee — $18,322,729

3-year avg. men's basketball revenue: $17,948,638

1-year change: -1.5%

5-year change: 26.2%

Total athlete department donations: $34,082,765

Athletics licensing/rights fees: $61,453,383

2016 expenses: $1,404,533

2016 profit: $16,918,196

9. Marquette University — $19,327,629

3-year avg. men's basketball revenue: $17,656,689

1-year change: 5.6%

5-year change: 34.3%

Total athlete department donations: tk tk tk

Athletics licensing/rights fees: tk tk tk

2016 expenses: $4,368,873

2016 profit: $14,958,756

8. University of North Carolina — $21,408,475

3-year avg. men's basketball revenue: $21,174,115

1-year change: 0.3%

5-year change: -10.8%

Total athlete department donations: $22,926,465

Athletics licensing/rights fees: $33,669,653

2016 expenses: $1,895,969

2016 profit: $19,512,506

7. University of Wisconsin — $23,168,473

3-year avg. men's basketball revenue: $2,383,494

1-year change: 1.6%

5-year change: 35.1%

Total athlete department donations: $21,499,693

Athletics licensing/rights fees: $59,086,137

2016 expenses: $2,383,494

2016 profit: $20,784,979

6. University of Arizona — $23,434,825

3-year avg. men's basketball revenue: $21,460,877

1-year change: 7.9%

5-year change: 15.2%

Total athlete department donations: $18,904,155

Athletics licensing/rights fees: $38,271,043

2016 expenses: $3,091,204

2016 profit: $20,343,621

5. Indiana University — $24,560,829

3-year avg. men's basketball revenue: $23,890,290

1-year change: 6.3%

5-year change: 36.9%

Total athlete department donations: $20,467,570

Athletics licensing/rights fees: $49,690,229

2016 expenses: $2,485,006

2016 profit: $22,075,823

4. University of Kentucky — $27,965,227

3-year avg. men's basketball revenue: $26,629,669

1-year change: 2.7%

5-year change: 29.5%

Total athlete department donations: $25,039,404

Athletics licensing/rights fees: $65,400,012

2016 expenses: $2,798,158

2016 profit: $25,167,069

3. Syracuse University — $29,322,084

3-year avg. men's basketball revenue: $28,521,803

1-year change: 9.0%

5-year change: 13.3%

Total athlete department donations: $ million

Athletics licensing/rights fees: $ million

2016 expenses: $2,110,527

2016 profit: $27,211,557

2. Duke University — $34,398,285

3-year avg. men's basketball revenue: $33,067,995

1-year change: 10.8%

5-year change: 34.0%

Total athlete department donations: $ million

Athletics licensing/rights fees: $ million

2016 expenses: $3,142,715

2016 profit: $31,255,570

1. University of Louisville —$43,960,492

3-year avg. men's basketball revenue: $45,143,036

1-year change: -3.7%

5-year change: 3.6%

Total athlete department donations: $30,391,706

Athletics licensing/rights fees: $38,148,302

2016 expenses: $2,289,807

2016 profit: $41,670,685

Sports: The 25 schools that make the most money in college basketball

CLICK HERE TO READ FULL CONTENT

Brought to you by: RIDBAY | WEBSITE DESIGN & DIGITAL MARKETING

Verdant Zeal lauds media for re-branding Africa’s image

World: Feared Russian bike gang comes to Bosnia. Bosnia shrugs

The Night Wolves, a Russian motorcycle gang known as “Putin’s Angels” and widely feared as agents of meddling and mayhem beyond Russia’s borders, provoked more bemusement and giggles than awe on their latest outing.

Instead of roaring into town amid throbbing engines and clouds of smoke, the tattooed, potbellied bikers arrived by car and minivan in Banja Luka, the capital of Republika Srpska, a would-be state born in bloodshed during the Balkan wars of the 1990s.

Anxious about the cold weather, they left their bikes behind in Moscow but did bring along leather vests, an icon of the Virgin Mary and a “press secretary,” a snarling Russian woman whose main job was to keep away the press.

At a time of growing alarm over Russia’s readiness for reckless action abroad following the nerve agent attack on a former spy in England, the bikers’ so-called Russian Balkans Tour set nerves on edge, highlighting how easily Russia can keep everyone off balance by dialing tensions up and down with low-cost foreign forays.

The Night Wolves billed their tour, funded with a $41,000 grant from the Kremlin, as a “pilgrimage” meant to showcase the shared Orthodox faith of Russia and the region, at least the bits of it inhabited by ethnic Serbs like Republika Srpska, which is legally part of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

But they enveloped their activities — mainly visits to churches and drinking sessions with local nationalist hot heads — in such secrecy that they stoked concern over what Russia is up to in Bosnia, a rickety state backed by the West but undermined from within by the Republika Srpska, which covers about half its territory and wants to secede.

“Russia is very good at creating tension and getting attention — it is like a dog running after a car,” said Aleksandar Trifunovic, the editor of Buka, a popular online news site in Banja Luka. The tubby bikers, he added, were “a joke” but had nonetheless sent a message that “Russia stands behind” the Republika Srpska and its leader, Milorad Dodik, whom the United States last year labeled a “significant threat” to Bosnia and placed on a Treasury Department sanctions list.

Sending bikers without bikes, Trifunovic noted, was much cheaper than sending hard cash, with which Moscow has been extremely sparing.

Dodik, the Republika Srpska’s president, complained in an interview that, despite his frequent meetings with Russia’s president, Vladimir Putin, he was still waiting for Moscow to follow through on what he said was a 2014 promise to provide his government with loans of at least $625 million.

“We have received nothing from Russia,” said Dodki, a former American protégé who has morphed into a hard-line Serb nationalist. “We had a promise but got nothing. We are a bit disappointed.”

Instead, Dodik got the Night Wolves, such a motley crew that one local newspaper asked whether it would not have been better for Moscow to send some ballet dancers.

“They looked pathetic; even I am taller than they are,” said Srdjan Puhalo, a bookish, ethnic Serb psychologist who posed with the bikers for photos outside Christ the Savior Cathedral in Banja Luka, perhaps the most enthusiastically pro-Russian city outside Russia.

Dodik, whose security forces have been stocking up on weapons and recently purchased 2,500 automatic rifles for the police forces, insisted that he did not want violence and wanted the Republika Srpska to secede peacefully from Bosnia and join the European Union. The chances of that happening, however, are near zero, not least because his would-be country claims territory, like the border town of Brcko, that does not belong to it and has a habit of belittling Bosnian Muslims as fanatics.

He described the Night Wolves, a mix of Russians and Serbs, as harmless “tourists” who were far more welcome than “men in short trousers with beards but no mustaches,” a reference to the dress code and shaving habits of Muslims who follow a rigid form of the faith promoted by Saudi Arabia and who many Serb nationalists believe, against all evidence, are numerous in Bosnia.

While claiming not to know much about the Night Wolves, Dodik in January gave a medal to their leader, Alexander Zaldostanov, a burly bruiser and friend of Putin’s, to honor what he described as the biker’s contribution to human rights, the rule of law and relations between Republika Srpska and Russia.

That the Night Wolves are not just another group of motorcycle enthusiasts, never mind human rights activists, however, has been evident since March 2014, when its members traveled, this time with their bikes, to Crimea to set up road blocks and provide other support for a Moscow-orchestrated takeover of the Ukrainian peninsula on the Black Sea.

Some of them went on to fight alongside pro-Russian rebels who seized power in eastern Ukraine.

They then reappeared in 2016 in Montenegro, joining events celebrating pan-Slavic solidarity and hostility to the West ahead of what authorities there have since claimed was an unsuccessful, Russian-sponsored coup attempt aimed at blocking the country’s entry to NATO.

Washington takes such a dim view of the Night Wolves that the Treasury Department placed the gang on a sanctions list in December 2014, accusing the bikers of kidnapping, assault and close ties to Russia’s security services. It has since added various affiliates, like a bike shop in Moscow, to the list.

“These guys are not goodwill ambassadors — we can all be sure about that,” said Emir Suljagic, a former deputy defense minister in Sarajevo, the Bosnian capital.

The Night Wolves gang, which has local branches around the region, he added, are part of an “extremist ecosystem” nurtured by Russia through its ties to the Serbian Orthodox Church and radical Serb nationalists who still dream of a “Greater Serbia.” It was that idea that led to murderous ethnic cleansing in the early 1990s and also the creation of the Republika Srpska, whose founding president, Radovan Karadzic, was convicted in The Hague of war crimes in 2016.

The Security Ministry in Sarajevo declared the bikers, a security threat and barred Zaldostanov and the leader of the Night Wolves’ Serbian chapter from its territory. The Bosnian news media covered the progress of the Night Wolves as if they were an invading army, something that Dodik dismissed as anti-Russian hysteria.

As the bikers started out on their meandering journey from Belgrade, the Serbian capital, to Banja Luka and then back, the United States put down markers of its own by sending the assistant secretary of state for European and Eurasian affairs, Wess Mitchell, on a diplomatic tour of the region.

The parallel tours, one by a button-down American diplomat, the other by a group of unkempt Russian and Serbian bikers, are all part of a long struggle for influence in an unstable region with an unhappy history of inciting wars and an insatiable appetite for great power conspiracy theories.

“Spying is a very popular game in the Balkans,” said Milos Solaja, a professor of international relations at the University of Banja Luka. “People here greatly enjoy intrigue and conspiracies.”

Russia “is not going to start World War III over the Republika Srpska,” he said, and only “wants to be represented here — there is no big conspiracy.” Bosnia, he added, has been “permanently failing” for more than a decade and did not need any prodding by Russia to become a failed state.

After a night of heavy drinking, the Night Wolves started their Russian Balkan Tour with a visit to Velika Remeta, an Orthodox monastery founded in the 14th century near the Serbian town of Novi Sad.

Their host was the monastery’s abbot, Father Stefan, whose office displays a big map of Serbia showing the country’s borders at the time of the monastery’s founding: They reach down into what are now Greece and Albania. “We had access to three seas then,” the abbot lamented. “Now we have none.”

He denied having any interest in politics and said he was not sure what the bikers were up to. But, with a clock decorated with a portrait of Putin on his office wall and a Russian flag on his desk, Father Stefan said he was happy to receive anyone who cherished the long spiritual bonds between Russia and Serbia.

He served the bikers — who he acknowledged “did not seem very religious” — homemade red wine and cherry liquor.

Apparently eager to avoid parallels with the Night Wolves’ antics in Crimea, the group’s leader, Zaldostanov, did not join his comrades on their Balkan tour.

“The purpose of our pilgrimage is to expand the spiritual bond between people and friends in Serbia and the Republic of Srpska,” Yevgeny Strogov, the stand-in leader, told journalists at the border crossing between Serbia and Bosnia.

The trip, he said, was all about “connecting cultures,” adding that Russia and Serbs “have the same culture and the same religion. That means a lot to us.”

This article originally appeared in The New York Times.

ANDREW HIGGINS © 2018 The New York Times

World: Feared Russian bike gang comes to Bosnia. Bosnia shrugs

CLICK HERE TO READ FULL CONTENT

Brought to you by: RIDBAY | WEBSITE DESIGN & DIGITAL MARKETING