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    Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos lifts the trophy after Real Madrid won the UEFA Champions League final football match between Juventus and Real Madrid at The Principality Stadium in Cardiff, south Wales, on June 3, 2017. Real Madrid beat Juventus 4-1 to win Champions League.  Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice as Real Madrid crushed Juventus 4-1 in Cardiff on Saturday to become the first team to retain the European Cup in the Champions League era. The Portugal superstar’s opener was cancelled out by an astonishing Mario Mandzukic strike, but goals from Casemiro, Ronaldo and Marco Asensio secured Madrid’s third Champions League triumph in four years and 12th in total. Real Madrid's Portuguese striker Cristiano Ronaldo falls to his knees as he celebrates their victory on the final whistle of the UEFA Champions League final football match between Juventus and Real Madrid at The Principality Stadium in Cardiff, south Wales, on June 3, 2...

Emmanuel Macron has just won the rare distinction of being the most re-tweeted French person in history. In less than 24 hours, his Trump-defying message "make our planet great again" was shared more than 140,000 times, easily ousting the previous record-holder, the rather less high-minded TV presenter Cyril Hanouna. One fifth of the re-tweets were in the US. It is proof yet again that what we witnessed from the Elysee on Thursday was a master class in communications. A growing fan club In giving his TV reaction to the US president, not only did Macron break brazenly with longstanding convention, according to which French presidents never speak publicly in English, but he even had the chutzpah to subvert the US leader's personal campaign slogan. "Make our planet great again" was a provocation dressed up as a call to virtue. As a catchphrase for the faithful, it was irresistible. By tweeting it, Macron took one more step down his road...

Explosions at the funeral in Kabul of a man who died during a protest on Friday have killed at least six people and injured dozens, officials say . The blasts hit the funeral of a senator's son, one of five people killed when police fired on a protest against deteriorating security. The chief executive of Afghanistan, Abdullah Abdullah, was at the funeral. His office said he was unhurt. The latest violence came as much of Kabul is in lockdown. Officials had warned people to stay away from demonstrations, saying they might be attacked by militants. Checkpoints have been set up in central of Kabul, and armoured vehicles are patrolling the streets. It was not clear what caused the three explosions at the funeral, and no group has said it was behind them. At least 87 people were wounded, the health ministry said. Some reports suggest the number of dead could be higher than six. Pictures on social media showed a number of dead bodies at the scene. A witness ...

Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom Gov Samuel Ortom of Benue has expressed optimism that the All Progressive Congress (APC) would win the ongoing local government elections in the state. “I am very impressed with the organisation of the exercise and the massive turnout; I am happy that people are excited to vote. I am optimistic that the APC will sweep the polls,” Ortom said in Guma, shortly after casting his vote. The governor, who voted at 10.35 am, at Ako polling unit, Ndzorov ward of Guma, urged Benue residents to vote credible and tested candidates so as to ensure the best for the state. He told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that he insisted on holding the election “to install democracy and instill discipline, accountability and sanity in local government administration”. Ortom said that the APC took its campaign to all parts of the stat to sell its candidates to the voters, and expressed hope that the “change” message had taken roots in the state. ...

Toyin Onigbanjo Oluwatoyin Onigbanjo is a journalist, teacher, food artist, and baby food blogger She is the founder of AugustSecrets, a baby/kid friendly Nigerian food blog, aimed at making children’s meals fun, simple, and healthy. Toyin was also the second runner-up at Samsung Food Art Competition in May 2016. AugustSecrets, which she founded, is a growing baby and toddler food solutions company with the goal of helping Nigerian mothers to feed their children healthier food options, rather than junk foods. It provides recipes online and runs a homemade food range of locally-made cereals from everyday home-grown foodstuffs like vegetables, fruits, and grains. In this exclusive interview with Guardian Woman, Onigbanjo talks about her motivation for founding AugustSecrets and why turning local recipes for baby food could be a life-saver What informed the founding of AugustSecrets? As a new mother, I bought three full bags of jar purees for my son, but he refus...

ASP Irene Ugbo, Police Public Relations Officer in the State, confirmed this in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Calabar on Saturday. Former Commissioner for Information in Cross River, Mr Patrick Ugbe, who was kidnapped in Calabar on June 1, has regained freedom. Ugbe, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), of Hit Fm 95.9, was kidnapped by gunmen at Ekpo Iso Street in Ikot Ansa, Calabar. ASP Irene Ugbo, Police Public Relations Officer in the State, confirmed this in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Calabar on Saturday. “As we speak, the CEO of Hit Fm has been released and he is right now with his family. “No ransom was paid, the combined efforts of security agencies in the state and the office of the State Security Adviser were on top of the matter to secure his release. “We thank God that he was released alive without any harm. “The police, in collaboration with other sister agencies in the state, ...

South African President Jacob Zuma listening to a speaker during the second sitting of the session of the fifth national house of traditional leaders at Tshwane Council Chambers in Pretoria. South Africa’s scandal-hit President Jacob Zuma faces a no-confidence vote in parliament on November 10, 2016 but looks certain to survive despite mounting anger within his party. Zuma has fought off a series of damaging controversies during his presidency, and last week came under further pressure after a corruption probe raised fresh allegations of misconduct. But the 74-year-old, who came to power in 2009, retains strong loyalty among ruling Africa National Congress (ANC) lawmakers and many party activists, particularly in rural areas. / AFP PHOTO / STRINGER South Africa’s ruling ANC party on Friday asked the government to explain leaked emails detailing alleged bribes and corruption, as President Jacob Zuma faced a fresh wave of scandal. Thousands of emails have emerg...

Jitoboh told newsmen in Yola on Saturday that the 32 year old woman, Ayina Afraimu of Falu village in Guyuk Local Government Area of the state was killed by the suspects who used sticks and rope. The Commissioner of Police in Adamawa, Mr Moses Jitoboh, has confirmed the arrest of five suspects for beating a pregnant woman to death for alleged witchcraft. Jitoboh told newsmen in Yola on Saturday that the 32 year old woman, Ayina Afraimu of Falu village in Guyuk Local Government Area of the state was killed by the suspects who used sticks and rope. “She was attacked with sticks, rope and killed by five suspects on allegation that the deceased was a witch, who was responsible for the deaths and sickness of persons in the town of Falu. “Suspects who committed this nefarious offence are: Abraham Adamu, 18, Malachi Yilafane, 35, Thomas Aji, 54, Zakariya Chorum, 56 and Miss Newana Ilihal, 20”, Jitoboh said. He added that the suspects would be charged to court for cu...

Tokunbo Korodo The Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has criticised the proposed N5 petrol levy by the Senate, describing it as a huge joke. Alhaji Tokunbo Korodo, the South-West Chairman of NUPENG, said in Lagos on Saturday that the proposal was ill-timed and also smacked of insensitivity to the current economic hardships facing Nigerians. He wondered how the nation’s Upper Chamber could think of another fuel price increase when Nigerians were “striving to cope with the current harsh economic realities”. “How can the Senate propose such a bill at this particular period when poor Nigerians can hardly feed themselves? “The prices of foodstuffs have tripled in the market, while workers’ salary has not been increased,” Korodo told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). Sen. Kabiru Gaya (APC-Kano), the Chairman, Senate Committee on Works, had on June 1, presented a bill entitled, “National Roads Bill” to the House. The bill recommends that...

Slovenian Aleksander Ceferin/ AFP PHOTO / Jure MAKOVEC Europe should host the 2030 World Cup, not the country who is the highest bidder, UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has told the BBC. The 49-year-old Slovenian, who replaced disgraced Frenchman Michel Platini at the top of European football last September, added he didn’t want to single out China with regard to the money factor. This week, smartphone maker Vivo became the latest World Cup sponsor from China following conglomerate Wanda and electronics company Hisense. That has lent more ammunition to those who believe they will bid for the 2030 edition. China’s President Xi Jinping is a devoted football fan and is eager to host the tournament with his ultimate desire for the country to win the trophy itself. “I didn’t want to speak just about China, but the most important thing is that the World Cup should go to the country that has the best bid,” Ceferin told the BBC ahead of Saturday’s Champions League f...

Hundreds of demonstrators calling for President Ashraf Ghani to step down clashed with police on Friday, prompting officials to beat them back with live rounds in the air, tear gas and water cannon. Kabul city was on lockdown Saturday with armed checkpoints and armoured vehicles patrolling the streets to prevent a repeat of protests that spiralled into street clashes, leaving at least four people dead. Hundreds of demonstrators calling for President Ashraf Ghani to step down clashed with police on Friday, prompting officials to beat them back with live rounds in the air, tear gas and water cannon. The protesters were voicing anger over a truck bombing on Wednesday in Kabul’s diplomatic quarter that killed 90 people and wounded hundreds, the deadliest attack in the city since 2001. Authorities have sealed off roads in the centre of the city, citing the threat of new attacks on large gatherings of people. “We have intelligence reports that our enemies are try...

Sergio Ramos Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos says an “appointment with history” awaits his side and Juventus in Saturday’s glamour Champions League final at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium. Ramos is hoping to lift the trophy for the third time in four years, which would make Zinedine Zidane’s team the first to have successfully defended it in the Champions League era. Juventus, who have lost four finals since winning the tournament for a second time in 1996, are seeking to complete the first treble of Serie A, Coppa Italia and European Cup crowns in their history. “We have an appointment with history,” Ramos told reporters on the eve of the game in the Welsh capital. “We never dreamed of this opportunity, but the stats are there. “For us it’s a wonderful opportunity to take the cup home. Then history speaks for itself.” The final carries with it a bewildering array of potential milestones and intriguing personal subplots. As well as becoming the first team to...

In 2010, the two companies agreed on a comprehensive cooperation with the Japanese auto giant paying $50 million to buy 3.15 percent of shares in the US electric automaker. Toyota has terminated its tie-up with Tesla and stepped up efforts to develop electric vehicles by itself, a newspaper said Saturday. In 2010, the two companies agreed on a comprehensive cooperation with the Japanese auto giant paying $50 million to buy 3.15 percent of shares in the US electric automaker. Two years later they jointly developed sport utility vehicles with electric-power engines and sold some 2,500 units in California and other markets. But their joint development has since decreased and Toyota sold all the Tesla shares it held by December last year as part of its effort to “review destinations for investment,” the Asahi Shimbun reported. The Corolla and Prius hybrid maker, meanwhile, has set up a joint team with its group companies to develop electric cars, it said. Immediate co...

Bakassi Strike Force Despite pressures being mounted on the Federal Government over the offering of amnesty to militants of the Bakassi Strike Force (BSF), they still hold sway in the Gulf of Guinea, as they now possess a large cache of arms, posing a huge threat to about 28 countries in the Gulf of Guinea. The people of Cross River State led by the official Rapporteur on Bakassi, Bassey Ndem had listed challenges facing the Bakassi people since the issue of militancy and the arrival of the military that has left schools in the area shut for some time now. Acting President Yemi Osinbajo at the weekend held a town hall meeting with the people of Cross River at the Calabar International Conference Centre, where Senator Liyel Imoke Summit Hills was confronted with the issue of granting amnesty to the Bakassi militant Ndem said the Gulf of Guinea was presently in danger considering that the BSF holds large and sophisticated cache of weapons in the creeks and the gulf. ...

Hundreds of demonstrators calling for President Ashraf Ghani to step down clashed with police on Friday, prompting officials to beat them back with live rounds in the air, tear gas and water cannon. Kabul city was on lockdown Saturday with armed checkpoints and armoured vehicles patrolling the streets to prevent a repeat of protests that spiralled into street clashes, leaving at least four people dead. Hundreds of demonstrators calling for President Ashraf Ghani to step down clashed with police on Friday, prompting officials to beat them back with live rounds in the air, tear gas and water cannon. The protesters were voicing anger over a truck bombing on Wednesday in Kabul’s diplomatic quarter that killed 90 people and wounded hundreds, the deadliest attack in the city since 2001. Authorities have sealed off roads in the centre of the city, citing the threat of new attacks on large gatherings of people. “We have intelligence reports that our enemies are trying ...