via FUTOinfotech http://bit.ly/2VyjktI
via FUTOinfotech http://bit.ly/2Hi281I
FUTOinfotech http://bit.ly/2wkAdHN
FUTOinfotech http://bit.ly/2wkAdHN
via FUTOinfotech http://bit.ly/2FuaUuh
via FUTOinfotech http://bit.ly/2Fq7Dx4
via FUTOinfotech https://ift.tt/2AgdYaw
via FUTOinfotech https://ift.tt/2R0d87j
via FUTOinfotech https://ift.tt/2Noh0AV
FUTOinfotech https://ift.tt/2wkAdHN
FUTOinfotech https://ift.tt/2wkAdHN
FUTOinfotech https://ift.tt/2wkAdHN
FUTOinfotech https://ift.tt/2wkAdHN
via FUTOinfotech https://ift.tt/2zCvZkT
FUTOinfotech https://ift.tt/2wkAdHN
FUTOinfotech https://ift.tt/2wkAdHN
FUTOinfotech https://ift.tt/2wkAdHN
FUTOinfotech https://ift.tt/2wkAdHN
FUTOinfotech https://ift.tt/2wkAdHN
via FUTOinfotech https://ift.tt/2rSK4U9
via FUTOinfotech https://ift.tt/2IRFfoU
via FUTOinfotech https://ift.tt/2wOyUpe
via FUTOinfotech https://ift.tt/2ErrpmP
Cheering crowds welcomed the Olympic flame to a freezing Seoul on Saturday, where the torch will be paraded for four days before making its way to Pyeongchang for the start of the Winter Games.
The outlook for next month’s sporting extravaganza has brightened since North Korea confirmed its participation, lifting security concerns over the South’s nuclear-armed neighbour.
The North has agreed to send an unknown number of athletes to the Games, expected to be accompanied by a high-level delegation, supporters, observers and an art troupe.
South Korean freestyle figure skater Park Hee-Jin raised the flame high before a crowd of hundreds who were gathered in the capital’s Sangam district in a ceremony held just weeks before the event on February 9-25.
Fans unfurled banners wishing the Olympics success accompanied by the rousing sound of traditional Korean drummers, while others took pictures with their phones.
“I am happy to become the first torchbearer in Seoul”, Park, wearing a white and yellow ski suit and a bobble hat, told reporters.
The skater, who took part in the Sochi Winter Olympics’ qualifying rounds, then passed the flame to the next of more than 600 torchbearers who will lead it on a 103 km (64 mile) journey around the capital until Tuesday.
It will arrive late Saturday at the main entrance to Gyeongbokgung Palace, the grandest of Seoul’s historic sites, and will be carried in a sedan chair as hundreds of participants in traditional court costumes reenact a royal outing.
The torch was relayed by 16 runners to Korean football star Cha Bum-Kun near the Sangam World Cup Stadium, a venue for the 2002 FIFA World Cup.
“Go Pyeongchang, Go Korea football”, former Bundesliga player Cha said as he set off, with fans chanting his name.
The flame arrived in South Korea on November 1, 100 days ahead of the opening ceremony for the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Games.
It has travelled throughout the country, relayed by a who’s who of Korean sports and entertainment stars including Kim Yuna, who won the ladies singles figure skating at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics and the silver in the same discipline at the 2014 Sochi Olympics.
Speed skater Lee Sang-Hwa, who will be aiming for a record-equalling third Olympic gold in the women’s 500m in Pyeongchang, former US major league baseball pitcher Park Chan-Ho and Choo Shin-Soo, who plays for baseball team Texas Rangers, also held the torch.
Overall, some 7,500 torchbearers will have taken part in the relay, covering more than 2,000 kilometers (1,243 miles).
AFP
The new head of South Africa’s ruling ANC, Cyril Ramaphosa, pledged Saturday to “restore the credibility” of the party after a spate of graft scandals involving President Jacob Zuma.
Zuma was replaced as party chief by his deputy Cyril Ramaphosa in December with the new leader facing an uphill task to recover public support for Africa’s oldest liberation movement ahead of the 2019 elections.
“We must restore the integrity and credibility of the ANC,” said the 65-year-old in his first major address to the party at a rally for the African National Congress’s 106th anniversary celebrations.
“The movement has become deeply divided through factionalism, patronage, corruption and competition for resources,” said the former trade unionist who led talks to end white-minority rule in the early 1990s and then became a multi-millionaire businessman before returning to politics.
“We are going to confront corruption,” he said, pledging that “the investigation and prosecution of those responsible (for manipulating the state machinery for their own ends) will be given top priority.”
This week, Zuma — who was also at Saturday’s meeting in East London — announced a probe into top-level corruption after parliament said it would deliberate procedures for impeachment.
Corruption allegations have tarnished Zuma’s image and eroded his support base, with the beleaguered leader facing growing pressure to resign before his presidential term ends in 2019.
Back in 2014, Zuma failed to abide by recommendations made by the anti-corruption watchdog over $15 million (12.5 million euros) of taxpayer-funded refurbishments at his home in the eastern KwaZulu-Natal province.
After the Constitutional Court found against him, he eventually reimbursed the equivalent of around $500,000 for non-security-related work at his homestead, a sum set by the treasury.
In 2016, a damning report questioned Zuma’s dealings with the Guptas, a wealthy family of Indian origin, who were allegedly granted influence over his cabinet appointments.
Last month, Zuma suffer another blow when Ramaphosa, who campaigned on an anti-corruption ticket, was elected ANC president beating the president’s former wife Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma.
AFP
Morocco on Saturday said it has started the third and final operation to repatriate its nationals stranded in Libya, a stepping stone to illegal migration to Europe.
The ministry of expatriates and migration said the operation was launched on Friday and aimed at bringing home 338 Moroccan migrants stuck in Libya.
The migrants were to be flown to Casablanca on the Libyan airline Afriqiyah and then transported by bus to their home towns, the ministry said in a statement.
It did not say when the operation was expected to be concluded.
Since the 2011 fall and killing of its longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi, Libya has become a key launchpad for migrants making desperate bids to reach Europe, often on unseaworthy vessels.
The plight of migrants in Libya has garnered fresh attention after an outcry over reports of slave auctions in the country, an enormous transit hub for sub-Saharan Africans seeking to reach Europe.
Morocco has already repatriated 435 of its citizens from Libya in two separate operations in August and December.
The International Organization for Migration has called on Libya to shut down 30 detention centres holding 15,000 migrants.
AFP.
The Nigerian Stock Exchange on Friday suspended the shares of Seven-Up Bottling Company Plc following a takeover bid from majority shareholder, Affelka S.A., to the minority holders.
In a public notice, the Exchange confirmed that 7-UP shareholders had passed a resolution to back the takeover bid by Affelka S.A. which would see the company delisted from the NSE.
Shareholders of the company had on Thursday approved the scheme of arrangement by which Affelka S.A. would acquire the outstanding 26.8 per cent shares of the firm.
The shareholders gave their approval at a meeting that was convened at the instance of the Federal High Court in Lagos.
Affelka S.A. will now increase its ownership of the company to 100 per cent by acquiring all the outstanding and issued shares previously held by the minority shareholders.
In consideration for the transfer of the shares, a payment of N125 per scheme share will be made to each shareholder. The payment represents a 22.6 per cent premium on the last traded share price of Seven-Up on January 9, 2018 and a 27.6 per cent premium on the share price as of the close of August 9, 2017, being the last business day prior to the date the initial proposal was received from Affelka.
Chapel Hill Denham Advisory Limited acted as financial advisers to the transaction and Aelex Partners as solicitors to the company.
The Chairman, Seven-Up Bottling Company, Mr. Faysal El-Khalil, had said, “We believe that the scheme will create considerable benefits and opportunities for all stakeholders of Seven-Up Bottling Company Plc, and will serve to protect minority shareholders from a continuous erosion of value.
“Furthermore Seven-Up Bottling Company is again assured of Affelka’s long-term commitment to the company and Nigeria.”
(Punchng).
The Cross River State Police Command on Thursday paraded a 54-year-old man, Valentine Ebani, for being in possession of the decomposed head of a police inspector, Michael James, who was recently killed in Uyanga, in the Akamkpa Local Government Area of the state.
Ebani, who was identified as the chief priest and village head of Uyanga, was arrested along with seven others who were suspected to have killed the inspector and taken his head to the village shrine.
James was killed and beheaded in Uyanga on December 25, 2017 during a communal clash between Uyanga and neighbouring Ojor, both in the Akamkpa LGA.
The communities had in recent times been involved in violent communal clashes that had claimed the lives of several persons, while property worth millions of naira was destroyed.
James, who was attached to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad in Enugu, had taken his family on a visit to his in-laws at Ojor village when he was beheaded by rioting youths in Uyanga.
The state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hafiz Inuwa, said the late policeman had visited his in-law, ASP Dominic Umoh, in Ojor village when the incident happened.
“While buying fuel, Uyanga youths, without provocation, attacked, killed and beheaded him. His corpse has yet to be found. However, his severed head has been recovered at Uyanga shrine.
“The youths also seized the late inspector’s AK-47 rifle, with double magazines and set ablaze his Toyota Sienna, with number plate, ENU 683 NK,” he said.
Inuwa said police investigation led to the arrest of Isaac Akpan, Benjamin Abakum, Patrick Edet and Famous Archibong.
Other suspects are Effiong Odu, Ndifon Arong and Wisdom Inok.
The police boss said items recovered from the suspects included one locally-made pistol, 17 empty cartridges, underwear of the deceased and one human skull.
The commissioner also said the command arrested no fewer than 529 suspected criminals during the festive period.
General Motors is seeking approval from US regulators for an autonomous vehicle with no steering wheel or pedals, the automaker announced Friday.
GM asked the Department of Transportation to allow it to deploy the Cruise AV that will travel the roads without human intervention.
It describes the vehicle as “the first production-ready vehicle built from the start to operate safely on its own, with no driver, steering wheel, pedals or manual controls.”
A video with jazzy music showed off the new model, which is based on the all-electric Chevrolet Bolt but boasts a strikingly spacious windshield devoid of a steering wheel.
The company announced the Cruise AV ahead of the Detroit Auto Show, which kicks off this weekend. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, who is devising rules on autonomous driving, is scheduled to appear at the annual extravaganza on Sunday.
“We are asking for approval to put these vehicles on the roads in 2019,” GM spokeswoman Stephanie Rice said.
“We have not yet shared detailed on locations, but we currently test our driverless cars in downtown San Francisco, Phoenix, and metro Detroit, and we plan to expand to New York City this year.”
The application to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration seeks to exempt GM from a number of federal standards that cannot be met with a driverless car. For example, the new model will have an alternative location for an airbag that would normally be in the steering wheel, Rice said.
GM executives have said they planned to introduce a large-scale fleet of self-driving taxis by 2019, a timeframe some analysts consider ambitious.
“If we continue on our current rate of change, we will be ready to deploy this technology in large scale in the most complex environments in 2019,” GM President Dan Ammann said during an investor call in November.
AFP
Saudi Arabia allowed women to enter a football stadium for the first time to watch a match Friday, as the ultra-conservative kingdom eases strict decades-old rules separating the sexes.
The new measure comes after Riyadh, long known for imposing harsh restrictions on women, announced it was lifting a ban prohibiting them from driving, as well as reopening cinemas.
Women supporters, all wearing the traditional black abaya robe, arrived well ahead of kick-off in the Jeddah stadium, some in sunglasses and others with loose-fitting veils.
The Islamic kingdom has announced a series of reforms initiated by powerful Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman since last year.
The first football match women are being allowed to attend is a clash between Saudi Premier League clubs Al-Ahli and Al-Batin in the Red Sea city of Jeddah.
Alone or accompanied by their families, many women sat in reserved seats in Jeddah’s Pearl stadium.
The game was scheduled to kick off at 8:00 pm (1700 GMT), but enthusiasm for the historic encounter began well before the kick-off.
Lamya Khaled Nasser, a 32-year-old football fan from Jeddah, said she was proud and looking forward to the match.
“This event proves that we are heading for a prosperous future. I am very proud to be a witness of this massive change,” she told AFP.
Ruwayda Ali Qassem, another Jeddah resident, called Friday a “historic day in the kingdom which culminates (in) ongoing fundamental changes”.
“I am proud and extremely happy for this development and for the kingdom’s moves to catch up with civilised measures adopted by many countries,” she said.
The Saudi government said last week women would be allowed to attend a second match on Saturday and a third next Thursday.
The kingdom, which has some of the world’s tightest restrictions on women, has long barred them from sports arenas through strict rules that keep the sexes apart in public.
But in September, hundreds of women were allowed to enter a sports stadium in the capital Riyadh, used mostly for football matches, for the first time to attend celebrations marking the country’s national day.
The easing of social controls comes as Prince Mohammed looks to repackage the oil-rich nation as more moderate and welcoming.
The powerful crown prince’s “Vision 2030” programme for a post-oil era stems partly from an economic motive to boost domestic spending on entertainment as the kingdom reels from an energy slump.
Noura Bakharji, another Jeddah resident, said she always felt bitter when her brothers came back from stadiums to tell her about the excitement of watching football matches in person.
“I always watched games on TV while my brothers went to the stadiums… I asked myself repeatedly ‘Why I can’t go?'” she told AFP.
“Today, things have changed. It’s a day of happiness and joy.”
Hours before the game, Saudi clubs were encouraging women to attend through tweets on social media.
Some clubs are offering special abayas — traditional head-to-toe robes for Saudi women — in team colours.
State-owned Saudi Airlines announced prizes of free tickets for five families who want to travel between cities to watch games. (AFP)
Lionel Messi, who recently penned a lucrative new contract with Barcelona, could comfortably earn more than 100 million euros every year, according to a report released by France-based Mediapart.
Journalists from European Investigation Collaborations (EIC) claimed to have seen the details of the updated contract signed by Messi on November 25.
According to the report, Messi is guaranteed around 70 million euros a year in salary and image rights with more coming from a 63.5 million euro signing bonus and 70 million euro “loyalty bonus” for the period of the contract which stretches to 2021.
The mind-boggling deal, revealed as part of “Football Leaks” was to offset an approach for the Argentine from great rivals Real Madrid.
The group claimed that in June 2013, an email exchange between the player’s lawyer Inigo Juarez and his father Jorge, explained that Real were prepared to shell out the 250 million euro release clause that Messi commanded.
AFP
A Nigerian-British male fashion model, Harry Uzoka, has been stabbed to death near his home in what is believed to be a robbery which went wrong.
Uzoka, who was on the books of Premier Model Management, died from a single stab wound.
Neighbours on Old Oak Road, East Acton, reported a shout of ‘hand it over’ in the melee which involved several men.
Twenty-five-year-old Uzoka staggered into the street from a housing estate before collapsing, reports say.
Today (Friday), the area around Ollgar House in Ollgar Close was sealed off by police.
Detective Inspector Beverley Kofi said: “This is another tragic murder with a young male victim who has met a violent death.
“We believe that the incident started at Ollgar House, in Ollgar Close and the victim was assaulted and stabbed before staggering and collapsing in Old Oak Road.
“We believe there were a number of people involved, but we are still working to establish the circumstances and a possible motive.
“We have made two arrests and continue to pursue a number of lines of inquiry. We need the public’s help to piece together what happened — who the victim was seen with, the incident itself and the immediate aftermath.
The promising 6ft model’s face had appeared on billboards in the UK and USA. He had also worked for Zara and Mercedes.
He was also signed to the Los Angeles New Models agency and was followed by more than 14,000 people on Instagram.
He had spent Christmas in the Caribbean and had sent a message to followers in his last post: ‘Happy Holidays’ with double heart emojis.
Met Police detective inspector Beverley Kofi said: “This is another tragic murder with a young male victim who has met a violent death.
“We believe that the incident started outside Ollgar House, in Ollgar Close and the victim was assaulted and stabbed before staggering and collapsing in Old Oak Road.
“We believe there were a number of people involved, but we are still working to establish the circumstances and a possible motive.”
(Daily Mail)
President Muhammadu Buhari and his family on Friday thanked all those who identified with them after the bike accident that involved their son, Yusuf, in Abuja on December 26.
In a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, the first family said prayers rendered by those within and outside the country let to their son being discharged from hospital.
“We thank Nigerians from all walks of life, both within and outside the country, leaders of many foreign countries, groups, organisations, individuals, and many others, who prayed, visited, sent messages, and generally stood by us at the trying time,” the family said, praying that almighty Allah would reward them all.
Adesina confirmed that Yusuf was discharged from Cedarcrest Hospital, Abuja, on Friday, following what the Chief Medical Director described as his “extremely speedy response to treatment.”
The presidential spokesman had earlier in the day issued a statement indicating that Yusuf’s health had improved remarkably and he was ready to be discharged.
He had said the news of Yusuf’s improved health and imminent discharge was contained in a statement dated January 12, 2018, by the Medical Director of the Hospital, Dr. Felix Ogedegbe.
He reproduced Ogedegbe’s statement which also denied media reports that the President’s wife, Aisha, also suffered shock and was treated at the hospital.
He also quoted the report as saying that there was also no truth in the report that Yusuf was involved in the accident alongside his friend.
The Court of Appeal, Lagos Division, on Friday upheld the decision of the Federal High Court in Lagos, which ordered the interim forfeiture of a sum of $5.9m found in Mrs. Patience Jonathan’s Skye Bank account.
The appellate court, in a lead judgment by Justice Mojeed Owoade, threw out the ex-President’s wife’s appeal challenging the forfeiture of the funds to the Federal Government.
It held that the appeal lacked merit.
Justice Mojisola Olatoregun of the Federal High Court in Lagos had, in April last year, ordered the temporary forfeiture of the funds after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission argued that the money was reasonably suspected to be proceeds of fraud.
Apart from Patience’s personal account with $5.9m, the judge also froze a number of accounts linked with her including an Ecobank account with a balance of N2.4bn opened in the name of one La Wari Furniture and Bath Limited.
But efforts to secure an order for the permanent forfeiture of the money was opposed by Patience, through her lawyer, Mr. Ifedayo Adedipe (SAN).
Also, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), on behalf of La Wari Furniture and Bath Limited, opposed the permanent forfeiture of the funds in its client’s account.
The two lawyers subsequently went on appeal, seeking to overturn the temporary forfeiture order and recover the funds.
But the appellate court on Friday dismissed their appeals.
The EFCC had, in an affidavit it filed before Justice Olatoregun, said its investigation revealed that Patience opened the Skye Bank account on February 7, 2013, and used it to allegedly “warehouse proceeds of crime.”
According to an operative of the EFCC, Musbahu Abubakar, the former first lady made several cash deposits in United States dollar into the account, through a former Special Assistant to ex-President Jonathan, Waripamo-Owei Dudafa; and a State House steward, Festus Iyoha.
He said as of January 30, 2015, the Skye Bank account had a balance of $6.7m, but Patience subsequently withdrew it down to $5.9m.
The EFCC had prayed the court to urgently freeze the account so as to prevent Patience from moving the funds.
Justice Olatoregun had then granted the interim forfeiture order and adjourned till May 22, 2017 for anyone interested in the funds to appear before her to show cause why the funds should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.
(Punchng).
President Donald Trump has maintained his stance about El Salvador and African continent, which he described as “high crime countries which are doing badly.”
He condemned the opposition Democrats for not supporting his travel ban and the construction of the wall to fence out Mexican immigrants, arguing that, as a result, “USA would be forced to take large numbers of people from high crime countries which are doing badly.”
In a series of tweets posted a few minutes ago, Trump had argued: “The so-called bipartisan DACA deal presented yesterday to myself and a group of Republican Senators and Congressmen was a big step backwards.
“Wall was not properly funded, Chain & Lottery were made worse and USA would be forced to take large numbers of people from high crime countries which are doing badly.”
Stressing his preference for what he called “merit-based system of immigration,” Trump said immigrants from a country such as Norway “would help take our country to the next level.”
He tweeted, “I want a merit based system of immigration and people who will help take our country to the next level.
“I want safety and security for our people. I want to stop the massive inflow of drugs. I want to fund our military, not do a Dem defund.
Taking a swipe at Democrats, he wrote, “Because of the Democrats not being interested in life and safety, DACA has now taken a big step backwards.
“The Dems will threaten “shutdown,” but what they are really doing is shutting down our military, at a time we need it most.
British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson warned Friday that UK-US relations were at risk after US President Donald Trump cancelled a trip to London amid warnings of mass protests.
Trump said he was abandoning next month’s trip to open the new US embassy because he did not like the location and cost of the building.
But Johnson suggested the decision was prompted by the strong public and political opposition to Trump in Britain, warning that critics “seem determined to put this crucial relationship at risk”.
Prime Minister Theresa May offered Trump a state visit to Britain one year ago, when she became the first foreign leader to visit the White House after his inauguration.
But the date has yet to be set in the face of deep hostility to the president in Britain, prompting speculation it could be turned into a lower profile trip focused around the opening of the new embassy.
Trump tweeted overnight that he would not attend the opening, initially scheduled for next month.
“I am not a big fan of the Obama administration having sold perhaps the best located and finest embassy in London for ‘peanuts’, only to build a new one in an off location for 1.2 billion dollars,” he wrote.
“Bad deal. Wanted me to cut ribbon – NO!”
– ‘Finally got that message’ –
His decision was welcomed by critics who deplored the US travel ban on Muslim-majority countries, and more recently, Trump’s decision to re-tweet anti-Muslim videos posted by a British far-right organisation.
“Many Londoners have made it clear that Donald Trump is not welcome here while he is pursuing such a divisive agenda. It seems he’s finally got that message,” tweeted Mayor of London Sadiq Khan.
The mayor, a member of the main opposition Labour party, said there would have been “mass peaceful protests”, and that it had been a “mistake” to invite him.
However, Johnson accused Khan and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn of damaging US-UK relations with their vocal criticism.
“The US is the biggest single investor in the UK — yet Khan & Corbyn seem determined to put this crucial relationship at risk,” he tweeted.
“We will not allow US-UK relations to be endangered by some puffed up pompous popinjay in City Hall.”
A spokesman for May’s Downing Street office said the invitation for the state visit “has been extended and accepted. No date has been confirmed”.
He said the embassy opening was a US matter, but said: “The US is one of our oldest and most valued allies and our strong and deep partnership will endure.”
The spokesman added that “of course the president would be welcome” to visit London.
AFP
The Department of State Services has on Friday in Abuja said that the leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, Sheik Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, is not dead, contrary to rumours.
An official of the service who preferred to remain anonymous told the News Agency of Nigeria that El-Zakzaky was hale and hearty.
El-Zakzaky was arrested in 2015 after his members had a confrontation with the convoy of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai in Zaria, Kaduna State.
53 of his followers were arrested on Wednesday by the Police in Abuja following a violent protest.
Since the arrest and detention of the group’s leader, his followers had organised series of protests in some cities in the country calling for his release.
( NAN)
A joint military operation involving the armed forces of Nigeria and those of the Republic of Cameroon is currently going on in the North-East, the Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali ,has said.
Dan-Ali made the disclosure in an interview with newsmen after the Juma’at service at the National Mosque, Abuja, to mark the 2018 Armed Forces Day.
He said that the joint operation was aimed at flushing out remnants of the Boko Haram terrorists.
“In the North-East, I can say we have made great success. As I am talking to you, there is an operation going on between Nigeria and Cameroon,’’ the minister said.
He called on other neighbouring countries to collaborate with Nigeria in routing the insurgents.
The minister pledged the readiness of the military to continue to defend the territorial boundary of the country and in addressing internal security challenges.
Also, the Minister of Interior, retired Lt.-Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau, said that government had put in place structures to address internal security challenges and was “re-enforcing those structures.’’
Earlier in a sermon, the Deputy Chief Imam of the National Mosque, Dr Mohammed Kabir, called for continued prayers and support for the military.
Kabir noted that the military had made sacrifices to defend the nation.
He also said that while Jan. 15 was observed annually to remember the fallen heroes, serving members of the armed forces should be supported to ensure the security, peace and unity of the nation.
“They sacrifice their lives for this nation, it is our duty to show kindness to their families, it is our duty to support them; it is our duty to make sure that they live normal lives,’’ he said.
(NAN)
Haiti’s government on Friday condemned US President Donald Trump’s reported remarks about its people as “racist.”
“The government of the Republic of Haiti is profoundly outraged and shocked by the tenor of the remarks, not officially denied,” it said in a statement, adding the comments reported by US media “at a minimum are disrespectful and insulting.”
“The Haitian government condemns with the greatest firmness these odious and abject remarks which, if they were said, would in every respect be unacceptable because they reflect a simplistic and totally wrong racist vision of the Haitian community and its contributions to the United States of America,” the statement said.
Trump was reported to have referred to Haiti, El Salvador and African nations as “shithole countries” during a White House meeting with lawmakers on immigration reform.
“Why do we need more Haitians?” the Washington Post quoted him as saying, citing people briefed on the meeting. “Take them out.”
In a tweet Friday, Trump denied making the “take them out” remark. But a US senator present at the meeting said the president repeatedly called the countries “shitholes.”
AFP
Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus could be back in training within two to three weeks and is set to be fit for next month’s Champions League tie against Basel, manager Pep Guardiola said Friday.
Jesus was carried off with medial knee ligament damage during the 0-0 draw at Crystal Palace on December 31 and the initial diagnosis was that he faced up to six weeks out, leaving him in a race to be fit by mid-February.
But the Brazil international, 20, has responded well to a visit to Barcelona this week, to be treated by Ramon Cugat, the surgeon Guardiola regularly turns to when his players are battling serious injuries.
“Yesterday, he was in Barcelona with Dr Cugat, and at the end, the news was quite good,” said the City boss, who has been short of striking options since the injury to Jesus.
“When we play Basel in the Champions League, he could be ready. I think, in two or three weeks he’ll be ready and with us.”
City, who lead the Premier League by a gaping 15 points, play the Swiss side in the first leg of their round-of-16 tie on February 13.
Guardiola was reluctant to comment on his chances of signing Alexis Sanchez from Arsenal during the January transfer window, instead saying that his focus was on maintaining City’s fine form when they travel to Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday.
City remain favourites to sign the Chile forward, who is out of contract at the end of the season and has made clear that he wishes to leave the Emirates Stadium but Manchester United are reported to have joined the race for his signature.
“I understand completely why you ask this question, it’s your job,” said Guardiola. “But you know my answer. I am focused on Liverpool.”
“What’s important is what happens over 90 minutes on the field,” he added. “That is what I want to speak about.
“The players have two choices: Follow what you (the media) say, or follow me. I hope to convince them to follow what I am talking about. It’s about football, football, football on the pitch.”
The City boss said the match against in-form Liverpool at Anfield would give him a good idea of how far his team could go in the Champions League this season.
“It is a real test at Anfield, one of the most prestigious stadiums,” he said. “It’s a big game for us and we’re going to prepare as best as possible.
“If you want to achieve something good, win titles, you have to not just win but win at these kind of stages. At Stamford Bridge we were able. Old Trafford we were able.
“We’ve still got tough teams to come. It is such an important game to see if we are able to do big things — especially in the Champions League stages.
“It means a lot in terms of how complicated it is to play there.”
AFP
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
