Wednesday 12 June 2013

NICKLAS HELENIUS LIFTS ASTON VILLA


ABOVE: Nicklas Helenius is set to join Aston Villa
“
Helenius was the second highest scorer in the Danish Superliga last season
”
12th June 2013

By George Scott

NICKLAS HELENIUS is set to join Aston Villa after they opened talks with Aalborg BK to sign the Denmark forward.

Villa expect to tie up the transfer, subject to a medical and personal terms, in the next 10 days.
Helenius, 22, has been capped twice and, at 6ft 5in, will add height and physicality up front alongside Christian Benteke, who Villa remain confident of keeping despite widespread interest in the Belgian.
Helenius was the second highest scorer in the Danish Superliga last season with 16 goals and was player of the season.
Champions League finalists Borussia Dortmund and Feyenoord are also tracking him.

LIVERPOOL STRIKER LUIS SUAREZ: FA BULLIES HAVE DRIVEN ME OUT


ABOVE: Suarez is serving a ten-match ban for biting Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic
“
Without any proof they gave me an eight-match ban, but with Terry, where they had proof and lip-readers, they gave him four
”
Liverpool striker Luis Suarez
12th June 2013

By Paul Brown

LUIS SUAREZ has re-opened the war of words over his race row with Patrice Evra by accusing the FA of discriminating against foreigners.

The Liverpool striker was in fighting form in his latest interview, with a TV station from his native Uruguay.
Suarez was banned for eight matches after being found guilty by an independent FA commission of racially abusing Manchester United defender Evra.
But he was astounded John Terry was then suspended for only four games for a similar race row with QPR star Anton Ferdinand.
Then Suarez went on to cop a 10-match ban from the authorities for his extraordinary bite on Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic’s arm.
But the 26-year-old has not forgotten how he was treated – and turned the tables on his accusers last night by claiming he is being victimised because he is South American.
Suarez said: “I’m South American and I think that’s the root of all of this.
“Without any proof they gave me an eight-match ban, but with Terry, where they had proof and lip-readers, they gave him four.”
Terry was hit with a four-match ban by another independent FA panel despite being earlier acquitted in a criminal court.
Lip-reading evidence was submitted in his case, but it was found to be inconclusive, and as no-one heard what he said at the time he was only found guilty “on the balance of probability.”
But while Terry was only accused of using one racially offensive phrase, Evra claimed he was repeatedly abused by Suarez, and this was taken into account when he was handed a longer ban.
None of that washes with the Reds striker, who appears keen to do all he can to get a move to Real Madrid.
The Uruguayan repeated his claims that he is being hounded out but he also insisted both he and his family have suffered public humiliation as a result of his controversial past.
He told Uruguayan TV show RR-Gol: “About a week ago I was in a shopping centre near Manchester and three or four guys asked for a photo. While we were posing for it my wife said to me, ‘Luis, get out of the photo!’ She noticed they were making biting gestures.
“I was with my wife and my daughter. Things like that get on your nerves. My wife was on the brink of tears and the blokes ran off laughing. You get tired of stuff like that.
“As soon as I arrived in England I didn’t like the press. They have never judged me on how I play football, they judged me on my attitude.
“They said I dived, moaned, postured, they said I was racist, everything. They have never spoken well of me.
“That’s why, when people said I could have been chosen as the best player in the Premier League, I said, ‘I won’t get excited. I know that in England I’m never going to be given an important prize’.”
Gareth Bale was voted the PFA and Footballer Writers’ Player of the Year last season.
Suarez received just two votes in the FWA poll and his name was booed at the PFA awards.
The Uruguayan has burned so many bridges that it is hard to see him returning to Liverpool, who continue to insist he is not for sale. But his exit strategy is a high-risk one.
He is not Real’s top target – they want to land Bale most of all – although they are now thought to be upping their interest in him.
That has not stopped Suarez upping the ante. With Uruguay facing Spain in their Confederations Cup opener on Sunday, he will get plenty of opportunities to continue the courtship.
Suarez said last night: “Obviously Real Madrid is a great team. Every player dreams about them. It’s as high as you can go as a player and they will always tempt you.
“Any player would like to play for a great team and Real Madrid certainly are that.”
Asked again where he sees himself going, Suarez said: “My agent said to remain calm rather than quiet, and when there is concrete interest I’ll be the first to know.”

JESUS NAVAS SIGNS BUT MANCHESTER CITY IN BATTLE TO KEEP CARLOS TEVEZ


ABOVE: New Manchester City star Jesus Navas
“
I like Carlos a lot because he’s a nasty player
”
AC Milan VP Adriano Galliani
12th June 2013

By Jeremy Cross

MANCHESTER CITY have completed the £15m signing of Spain winger Jesus Navas from Seville.

But new boss Manuel Pellegrini is facing a losing battle to keep Carlos Tevez.
The striker is entering the final 12 months of his contract at the Etihad – but City have made no moves to offer him a new deal, leaving his future up in the air.
Pellegrini wants Tevez to stay and will have talks with him once he is confirmed as City boss this week.
But Tevez is a target of Juventus and now fellow Italian giants AC Milan have re-entered the race to sign him.
The Rossoneri tried but failed to land Tevez last season after his infamous bust-up with then boss Roberto Mancini.
Juventus are struggling to meet his wage demands but Milan insist matching his current £200,000-aweek deal would not be a problem.
Vice-president Adriano Galliani said: “I like Carlos a lot because he’s a nasty player.
“His wages? There will be no problems with Tevez.”
Tevez, 29, is keeping his options open but has told friends he would like a new challenge in Europe.
He knows he holds all the aces considering he could see out his deal with City and leave for nothing next summer.
Losing Tevez would be a blow to Pellegrini with both Edin Dzeko and Sergio Aguero also facing uncertain futures.
Chelsea are keen on Dzeko while Real Madrid are also weighing up a bid for Aguero.
It will pile the pressure on Pellegrini to break the bank and land Napoli star Edinson Cavani.
But he landed his second target of the summer – following the £30m arrival of Fernandinho – when Navas completed a successful medical in New York.
The 27-year-old, who has spent all his career at Seville, will link up with City after the Confederations Cup in Brazil and a holiday.
He said: “Manchester City is an exciting project and this is the right moment for me to take this step. I’m very happy with the decision.
“The Premier League is a competition where the football is very fast and will suit the way I play. I’m really looking forward to it.”

WATCH: SPAIN U21S SHOW OFF INCREDIBLE TIKA-TAKA FOOTBALL


ABOVE: Spain won the game 1-0 through Alvaro Morata's header
“
Xavi, Andres Iniesta and co: watch your backs
”
12th June 2013

By Jack Wilson

THEY may be under 21 - but these Spanish footballers could teach our English boys a footballing lesson.

In this incredible 16-second clip taken from their European Championship clash against Russia, Spain show just why are they are the most revered force in the world at any level of the game.
Spain win back possession and play some sublime one-touch passing football that Barcelona would be proud of.
The Spanish won the game 1-0 courtesy of Alvaro Morata's header - and on this evidence it's no surprise why.
Xavi, Andres Iniesta and co: watch your backs. Your country have stars of the future ready and waiting to fill your boots.
Spain are favourites to win the trophy. England, meanwhile, lost all three group games

MANCHESTER UNITED TELL ARSENAL AND GALATASARAY TO PAY £8.5M FOR NANI


ABOVE: Manchester United value Nani at £8.5m
“
They want €10m (£8.5m). Because of this he is not on our transfer list anymore
”
Galatasaray chairman Unal Aysal
12th June 2013

By Jack Wilson

MANCHESTER UNITED have told Arsenal and Galatasaray to stump up £8.5m for Nani - or forget about signing him..

The 26-year-old Portugal winger has struggled at Old Trafford and the Gunners and Galatasaray were keen to offer him a way out.
The Turkish giants made a £6m bid for Nani but that was turned down.
Their chairman Unal Aysal said: "We offered €7m (£6m) for him but they didn't accept. We can't give more than this.
"They want €10m (£8.5m). Because of this he is not on our transfer list anymore."
Nani has a year left on his contract at United and although Galatasaray can't afford him, Arsenal can.
Arsene Wenger has a transfer kitty of £70m to spend and he will now weigh up whether it's worth splashing some of that on the Portugese.

'REAL MADRID HAVE SIGNED GARETH BALE'


ABOVE: Gareth Bale enjoyed a stunning season for Tottenham
“
Real Madrid has signed Bale for €90m. The signing is closed from this week
”
Francois Gallardo
12th June 2013

By Jack Wilson

TOTTENHAM star Gareth Bale has SIGNED for Real Madrid for £76.5m, a self-proclaimed FIFA agent has claimed

But the Spanish 'agent' Francois Gallardo has been dismissed as a fantasist and an attention-seeker by internet critics.
"Real Madrid has signed Bale for €90m. The signing is closed from this week but Real Madrid wait to make it official to have a new coach announced," Gallardo said.
"I have information and I assure you that Gareth Bale is already player of Real Madrid."
However, Gallardo has a history in revealing unreliable transfer news.
He last year claimed that John Terry was set for Valencia - and that he was negotiating the deal.
Of course, it never happened.
Gallardo claims on his LinkedIn account he is a FIFA agent - but FIFA haven't licensed agents since 2001.
Has Francois got his calendar stuck on April 1?

MASSIMO AMBROSINI OPENS TALKS WITH WEST HAM


ABOVE: Massimo Ambrosini looks set to join West Ham
“
At this moment we are in talks with West Ham, while we have already ruled out Major League Soccer
”
Massimo Ambrosini's agent
12th June 2013

By Jack Wilson

MASSIMO AMBROSINI is in talks with West Ham after being released by AC Milan.

The 36-year-old Italian midfielder, capped 35 times by his country, has been given a free transfer after 18 years at the club.
And Sam Allardyce has moved quickly to swoop to and try and bring Ambrosini to Upton Park.
Ambrosini's agent Moreno Roggi told Italian website Calciomercato: "Obviously Massimo wants to continue.
"His preference would be overseas clubs but if an offer did come in from an Italian side, we would not ignore it completely.
"At this moment we are in talks with West Ham, while we have already ruled out Major League Soccer."
There were claims that Ambrosini was left in the dark by Milan - but Roggi has maintained the club made it clear they would not be offering him a new contract.
He added: "We already knew. If Milan had wanted to renew his contract, they would've done it a long time ago."

BARCELONA HAVE THE FUNDS FOR CHELSEA ACE DAVID LUIZ


ABOVE: Barcelona are interested in Chelsea's David Luiz
“
Barcelona will bring in some first-class reinforcements this summer
”
Barcelona spokesman
12th June 2013

By Jack Wilson

BARCELONA still have enough cash to buy Chelsea star David Luiz - despite shelling out mega money on Neymar.

Neymar arrived at the Nou Camp for £48.5m and there were reports that Barca had offered another bumper fee for Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane.
Catalan television claimed that Barça attempted to prise Varane away by triggering his £27m release clause - but those reports have been categorically denied by Barca chiefs
And although Varane won't be coming, Barca do have the money to move for Luiz.
A Barca spokesman told Spanish newspaper Marca: "I can't tell you how much we've earmarked for signings because that could hinder the club.
"Anyone we approached would know how much we had to spend - but we'll do all the business we want to and Barcelona will bring in some first-class reinforcements this summer."
Luiz's future at Chelsea is uncertain because Jose Mourinho is concerned that he gives the ball away too easily.
He would cost Barca around £23m if they were to make a move to sign him.

MANCHESTER UNITED FAITHFUL CALL FOR WAYNE ROONEY TO LEAVE


ABOVE: Manchester United poses with the Premier League trophy
“
I say we get rid and move on
”
One United fan
12th June 2013

By Jack Wilson

MANCHESTER UNITED fans say they want Wayne Rooney to GO.

The England international fears hostile United supporters could drive him out of Old Trafford, according to a national newspaper.
And United diehards - who are upset at Rooney for putting in his second transfer request - have taken to internet forums to express their desire for Rooney to leave.
A thread entitled Wayne Rooney - Confirmed transfer request has attracted 1.75m views and thousands of post on supporters' site redcafe.net.
And while the striker gets some backing, most want to see the back of him.
One supporters says that "he doesn't want to play here, so let him go and bring in somebody who does" while a fellow fan adds that "it’s not even debatable that selling Rooney would benefit our transfer capabilities".
"I say we get rid and move on" is the view from another Red Devil - and that seems to be the over-riding view of United fans.
Arsenal have been linked with a move for the Old Trafford ace while Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has spoken fondly of his talents.
Many fans taunted Rooney with boos when he received his Premier League winners’ medal last month - and it seems his fears that he might be forced out seem more than vindicated.

LIVERPOOL CLOSING IN ON CROATIA STAR IVAN RAKITIC


ABOVE: Ivan Rakitic has caught the attention of Liverpool
“
I'm really flattered that I'm being linked with such a big club like Liverpool
”
Ivan Rakitic
12th June 2013

By Jack Wilson

LIVERPOOL'S pursuit of £12m Croatia international Ivan Rakitic is gathering pace.

The Sevilla midfielder, 25, has admitted that he has "heard something is happening" with the Merseysiders.
And although a fee hasn't yet been agreed, Rakitic indicated he is keen on a possible switch to Liverpool.
"I'm really flattered that I'm being linked with such a big club like Liverpool," Rakitic told Croatian newspaper 24sata.
"I heard that something is happening but for now there is no concrete offer.
"My brother, who is taking care of my career, is doing all the business about my future.
"But I will repeat what I said before: I will only stay at Sevilla if they will strengthen the team.
"I made it quite clear about that and they know that they have to buy some good players."
But the Spanish club don't seem to be listening to Rakitic's calls.
Instead of buying top names they have been forced to sell them, with Jesus Navas exiting the club to join Manchester City.

BARCELONA INTERESTED IN LIVERPOOL DEFENDER DANIEL AGGER


ABOVE: Daniel Agger is a defensive rock for Liverpool
“
Chelsea centre-half David Luiz has also been linked to the Catalan giants
”
12th June 2013

By Jack Wilson

LIVERPOOL'S defensive rock Daniel Agger is being lined up by Barcelona, according to sources in Spain.

The Danish centre-half, 28, is on Barcelona's radar and could leave Anfield for £12.7m.
Agger would get the chance to play Champions League football for Barca, while Liverpool haven't even qualified for the Europa League.
Money wouldn't be a stumbling block to any deal after Barcelona revealed that they still have cash to spend despite signing Neymar for close to £50m.
Agger is under contract until 2016 but would fit into the ball-playing mould at Barca.
He is confident in possession and has the distribution skills that Barca coach Tito Vilanova will be looking for.

CONNOR WICKHAM: WE'VE LET ENGLAND DOWN


ABOVE: Connor Wickham is at a loss to explain what went wrong for England U21s
“
We have let the country down and we have let ourselves down
”
Connor Wickham
12th June 2013

By Jack Wilson

CONNOR WICKHAM says England Under-21s have "let the country down".

Stuart Pearce's young Lions put in a dismal display at the European Championships, losing all three group games.
The inquest into England's failings is already well under-way and Sunderland striker Wickham, 20, has apologised for their embarrassing performances.
"Devastation," Wickham said of the mood after last night's 1-0 defeat to Israel.
"I don't think there are any players in there that are going to be proud of what we have put in.
"We have let the country down and we have let ourselves down in the tournament.
"I honestly couldn't tell you [what has gone wrong]. I think coming into the tournament we had a lot of confidence.
"We knew we had strength in numbers but obviously when it came down to it we just weren't good enough."
The Under-21s' best players - including the likes of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Phil Jones and Danny Welbeck - were involved with the senior squad and were not available for Pearce.
But honest Wickham is not using that as an excuse, insisting England don't need to change their policy.
He said: "No, [they don't need to change the policy].
"I think the players that are in the dressing room have more than enough quality to go out and do the job.
"When it came down to it we just didn't step up to the mark."

AC MILAN SENSATION STEPHAN EL SHAARAWY WOULD BE SOLD TO MANCHESTER CITY OR ARSENAL


ABOVE: Stephan El Shaarawy has been linked with a move away from AC Milan
“
El Shaarawy? We never said he is not for sale
”
AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani
12th June 2013

By Jack Wilson

AC MILAN would sell Italian wonderkid Stephen El Shaarawy to Manchester City or Arsenal.

The 20-year-old sensation, who has already played eight times for his country despite his tender age, netted 18 goals for Milan last season.
His form have seen the Premier League giants show an interest in signing him, while Napoli boss Rafa Benitez is also mulling over making an offer
And Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani has admitted the club will sell if the deal was right.
Galliani said: "El Shaarawy? We never said he is not for sale."
El Shaarawy insists he is happy at Milan but admitted to being flattered by being linked with City.
StarSport yesterday reported that City hadn't made a firm offer for the 5ft 10ins frontman, who has been likened to Lionel Messi by team-mate Kevin-

AC MILAN SENSATION STEPHAN EL SHAARAWY WOULD BE SOLD TO MANCHESTER CITY OR ARSENAL

ABOVE: Stephan El Shaarawy has been linked with a move away from AC Milan
“
El Shaarawy? We never said he is not for sale
”
AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani
12th June 2013

By Jack Wilson

AC MILAN would sell Italian wonderkid Stephen El Shaarawy to Manchester City or Arsenal.

The 20-year-old sensation, who has already played eight times for his country despite his tender age, netted 18 goals for Milan last season.
His form have seen the Premier League giants show an interest in signing him, while Napoli boss Rafa Benitez is also mulling over making an offer
And Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani has admitted the club will sell if the deal was right.
Galliani said: "El Shaarawy? We never said he is not for sale."
El Shaarawy insists he is happy at Milan but admitted to being flattered by being linked with City.
StarSport yesterday reported that City hadn't made a firm offer for the 5ft 10ins frontman, who has been likened to Lionel Messi by team-mate Kevin-

BEWARE DADS! YOUR KIDS MIGHT DRAG YOU ROUND IKEA TOO, AS STORE PLANS DOLL'S HOUSE RANGE


ABOVE: A poll for Ikea that found youngsters are now looking for 'a more modern style'
“
Barbie needs a rug for her yoga
”
Ikea's children's business leader Carol McSeveney
12th June 2013

By Greg Heffer

MOST blokes in Britain dread the thought of being dragged round Ikea by their missus.

But now, dads might get asked to trudge through the Swedish furniture store by their kids too!
The flatpack giants are planning to sell exact miniatures of its best-selling products, in order to muscle in on the dolls' house market.
It follows a poll for Ikea that found youngsters are now looking for "a more modern style".
Although, one relief for dads is that no headache-inducing assembly is necessary for the 1:15 scale replicas.
Obviously, the new range has been given a fancy Scandinavian name.
And the 'Huset' collection will include a sofa, storage unit, table, rug, chair and cushion.
Ikea's children's business leader Carol McSeveney said: "Our research has shown that lots of kids want to create doll's houses for their toys that reflect their own homes - furnished in a more modern style, with plenty of space to store all the accessories, of course.
"Until now, parents whose kids want to create a modern home for their toys have had to pay hundreds for miniature versions of home design classics.
"The Huset range takes some of the most popular products in our range and makes them available to everyone at pocket money prices.
"Whether Barbie needs a rug for her yoga or a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle needs somewhere to lounge after a hard day's crime-busting, this is furniture that would grace the home of any princess."
The set will be available from August for £12.
Thankfully, no assembly is needed for the replica range Thankfully, no assembly is needed for the replica range

DAVID WARNER ALLEGEDLY PUNCHED JOE ROOT...FOR WEARING A JOKE WIG


ABOVE: David Warner is in hot water with Cricket Australia
“
Warner swung the blow at Birmingham's Walkabout in the early hours of Sunday morning
”
12th June 2013

By Jack Wilson

AUSTRALIA batsman David Warner allegedly threw a punch at England's Joe Root in a nightclub - because he was wearing a joke wig.

And the incident has sent England-legends-turned-Twitter-jokers flying into action as Warner casts himself as the pre-Ashes villain.
Former captain MichaelVaughan tweeted "Just to clarify... It wasn't my Wig that @joeroot05 was wearing on Saturday night” while all-rounder Andrew 'Freddie' Flintoff retorted: "I know Joes got taste ! #deadrat."
Warner swung the blow at Birmingham's Walkabout in the early hours of Sunday morning after being upset at Root for wearing the wig as a beard.
He thought Root was mocking South African's bearded star Hashim Amla, according to one national newspaper, and he had to be dragged away by team-mate Clint McKay.
England fans mocked Mitchell Johnson for his dodgy bowling in the last Ashes - and they carried on the banter when the two sides met in the ICC Champions Trophy on Saturday.
Now Warner will have to take over Johnson's mantle, if he isn't sent home by Cricket Australia.
Warner was left out the side for today's clash with New Zealand.

MONACO MAY CHASE FRANCE INTERNATIONAL YOHAN CABAYE


ABOVE: Yohan Cabaye has been linked with Monaco
“
Yohan Cabaye? He is an exciting player
”
Monaco CEO Vadim Vasilyev
12th June 2013

By Jack Wilson

NEWCASTLE midfielder Yohan Cabaye is being courted by free-spending Monaco.

The French club have been throwing money around like confetti, splashing millions on Radamel Falcao, Joao Moutinho and James Rodriguez.
And Monaco may move for Cabaye, 27, after their CEO Vadim Vasilyev admitted he was a big fan of the Frenchman.
"Yohan Cabaye? He is an exciting player," Vasilyev told French newspaper L'Equipe.
Ricardo Carvalho has signed for the mega-rich club on a free and they could also move for ex-Barcelona left-back Eric Abidal, who is without a club.
Vasilyev added: "Abidal is a strong player. If he could come back to Le Championnat everyone would be delighted."

ULISA'S BB SEX SHOCK


ABOVE: A mate of Tulisa's says he is ready to reveal the explosive truth about the star’s background
“
He is very well-placed to know a lot about some of the darker side of Tulisa’s character. This could be massive for her
”
Contact
12th June 2013

By Emily Hall

TROUBLED pop star Tulisa Contostavlos was running scared last night that an old pal will reveal her wild sex and drugs past in the Big Brother house.

Tulisa, Big Brother, blast from the past, pal, housemate, childhood friend A mate of Tulisa's says he is ready to reveal the explosive truth about the star’s background
The friend, who will enter the house for the new series this week, became close to The X Factor star and her N-Dubz bandmates Dappy, 25, and Fazer, 26, as they grew up on the streets of north London.
And he says he is ready to reveal the explosive truth about the star’s background and her tearaway years as a young musician.
The news will be a blow to Tulisa who is on bail over unrelated allegations that she fixed an £800 cocaine deal for an undercover reporter.
She has been holed up in her £6million Hertfordshire mansion after being quizzed by police following alleged boasts that half her phonebook sold Class A drugs.
A source said the housemate, who has been involved in music production, is now a professional sportsman.
The contact added: “Tulisa should be very worried. This guy has known her, Dappy and Fazer for years and used to write music with them when they were all in their teens.
“He is very well-placed to know a lot about some of the darker side of Tulisa’s character. This could be massive for her.
“I guarantee you Dappy will be watching Big Brother to see this guy as they were so close they even had nicknames for each other.”
Tulisa, 24, has always traded on her gritty street image, telling how she dropped out of school at 15 without a single GCSE.
She joined a girl gang, running wild on the streets of London and helped other members snatch handbags. The singer blamed her tough upbringing on the stress of having a mentally ill mother and a dad who could not cope with her illness.
She said that, despite living in posh Belsize Park, “most of my early childhood memories are not happy ones”.
Tulisa’s arrest hell comes after a nightmare 12 months for her.
In March 2012 a video surfaced showing the singer engaged in a sex act with an ex-boyfriend, rapper Justin Edwards.
It was loaded on to the net, forcing Tulisa to obtain an injunction from the High Court banning the film from being circulated.
She later spoke out saying she was “heartbroken” to be betrayed by someone she once loved.
Tulisa has also been dropped from The X Factor by boss Simon Cowell, 53, and an £8m deal to star in a Bollywood film was recently exposed as a sham.
The source added: “Things probably couldn’t get worse for Tulisa, unless this guy spills the beans.
“He is a real way in to understanding what the N-Dubz guys were like when they were younger, and some of it ain’t pretty.”

SUAREZ: I REALLY MUST GO


ABOVE: Luis Suarez is desperate to leave Anfield
“
But I cannot forget it, because I have suffered, my family have suffered. These things hurt them
”
Luis Suarez
12th June 2013

By Paul Brown

LUIS SUAREZ insisted last night he has made his mind up to quit Liverpool – and Real Madrid are ready to swoop with a cut-price £30m bid.

The Reds claimed Suarez was not for sale when he first dropped his bombshell about wanting to leave. But he has now signalled he will ignore their pleas for him to stay.
In his latest explosive interview on international duty with Uruguay, Suarez gave the clearest hint yet that he is prepared to turn his back on Anfield.
And Real believe that could force Liverpool to sell at a reduced price – with talks now understood to have begun between the Spanish club and his agent.
Suarez said: “Every player would like to play for a huge team and Real Madrid is a huge team. Every player wants to reach the top and Real are one of the top clubs.”
He even claimed the huge support he has received from Kop fans since his bans for racially abusing Patrice Evra and biting Branislav Ivanovic won’t be enough to change his mind. He said: “When I was a kid I dreamed of playing for Liverpool. I’d love to spend many more years at Liverpool.
“After the suspension the fans all supported me. That’s something I remember. It has made me think, ‘Luis, forget it all and stay’.
“But I cannot forget it, because I have suffered, my family have suffered. These things hurt them.”
The 26-year-old’s latest comments are a real slap in the face for Liverpool, who expected him to honour his contract.
Suarez said he still has no firm offer from Real, who are unwilling to meet his full £40m buy-out clause as they need a world record bid to buy Gareth Bale
Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone last night said he would be interested in him.

CARA AND HARRY'S HOT TEXTS


ABOVE: Prince Harry is said to have made a beeline for model of the moment Cara Delevingne
“
Harry made a beeline for Cara as soon as he spotted her
”
Source
12th June 2013

By Emily Hall

PRINCE Harry might have met his partying match after eyeing up model of the moment Cara Delevingne.

The pair are said to have flirted at an A-list barbecue thrown by Princess Beatrice.
And insiders are questioning whether the Prince has dumped Cressida Bonas, 24.
Insiders said sparks flew as Harry, 28, bumped into Cara, 20, at Bea’s model-packed bash.
They have since sent dozens of texts, with Cara’s messages becoming increasingly flirty as she joked about them “hotting things up” at the barbecue.
A source said: “Harry made a beeline for Cara as soon as he spotted her.
“Bea, who has known Cara since they were kids as their mums were friends in the 80s, always hosts the best parties and it was full of the coolest of the cool. Everywhere you looked there were models, actors, socialites and aristocrats.
“But Harry and Cara didn’t seem to notice.
“They spent the whole afternoon talking only to each other.”
The theme for the do was Hollywood Westerns and Cara relentlessly teased Harry about his cowboy boots.
Since then the pals have hung out twice in London.
The source said: “Last time Harry even gave her a present when he saw her.
“It was a silly thing, an in-flight magazine, which is a running joke between them as to who has the most jet set lifestyle.
“Cara thinks Harry’s not like most of the Chelsea lads she meets.”

Facebook Finally Gets Hashtag Support



Facebook Finally Gets Hashtag Support









Support for the all-but-ubiquitous topic organization system was rumored in March and will roll out to a small percentage of users Wednesday. Facebook will roll out hashtags to more users in the coming weeks.
The social network wants to make it easier for users to find content already on Facebook, and functional hashtags are the first step. According to Facebook, many users already post hashtags anyway, so why not make them work. Hashtags will be both clickable and searchable, so, for example, topics like #NSALeaks or #NBAFinals will now exist.
 Facebook Finally Gets Hashtag Support




Hashtags from other services, such as Instagram, are clickable as well. Users will also be able to compose posts directly from a hashtag feed and search results. That could make adding real-time content to specific streams easier than before.
Twitter user Chris Messina created in 2007 the hashtag as we know it today. Twitter eventually adopted the system of organizing tweets around a certain subject into its API and its broader ecosystem. Since then, the hashtag has been adopted by other services, including Flickr, Tumblr, Google+ and even Facebook-owned Instagram.
What do you think about Facebook's decision to finally embrace hashtags? Let us know in the comments.

Lagos to Deploy Advanced Traffic Software



Lagos to Deploy Advanced Traffic Software











The Lagos State Government, in its efforts at improving the efficiency level and service delivery of its staff, is set to procure hi-tech traffic software vehicles to move traffic and transport management from the present manual analogue to a more sophisticated and scientific-based mode.
Commissioner for Transportation, Comrade Kayode Opeifa disclosed this on Tuesday in Lagos, southwest Nigeria, at the opening ceremony of a one week training workshop on rescue and incidence management, traffic signalisation and synchronisation, road safety audit and hi-tech traffic management systems for professionals in the Lagos State Public Service.
Opeifa stated that the plan to procure these hi-tech traffic software vehicles necessitated the training of officers so as to equip them with necessary knowledge and skills to utilise the equipment.
He expressed the hope that participants would at the end of the training master the fundamentals of the various areas of hi-tech traffic and incidence management and other strategic related areas.
Lagos State Head of Service, Mr. Adesegun Ogunlewe said that the workshop provided a veritable platform for professionals to learn about best practices which were in conformity with acceptable global standard in some areas of core competence in traffic and traffic engineering.
Ogunlewe described the training as a step in the right direction as the government could now boast of informed professionals and institutions that would consistently seek to improve the process of service delivery, while not compromising standard and compliance.
Declaring the workshop open, the Commissioner for Establishment, Training and Pensions, Mrs. Florence Oguntuase, said public servants should understand the key policy thrust of the State Government in order to situate the relevance and importance of their services.
She charged the participants to absorb all the knowledge they could and subsequently put them to good use at their various duty posts to justify the investment of the government in improving their competences and capabilities.
The all inclusive workshop had participants drawn from Ministries, Departments and Agencies whose services directly or indirectly impact on public transportation, including students from the School of Transportation of the Lagos State University, Ojo.
The facilitators are from two worlds’ acclaimed Transport Engineering Consortium from the United States of America, Info Trans-Engineering Incorporated, New Jersey and Sam Schwartz Engineers, New York.
It is expected that the participants at the end of the workshop would be able to identify techniques and conduct Road Safety Audit, design effective traffic control plan and demonstrate detailed understanding of advanced incident management and rescue operations, among others.

Many Top Officials Of Nigeria’s Military, Paramilitary Agencies Are Incompetent- Jonathan



The president said this while inaugurating the police service commission.
President Goodluck Jonathan has expressed his dismay that the most senior officials of many of Nigeria’s military and para-militaary security agencies are incompetent and do not merit their positions; thus leading to a dismal performance by the agencies.
The president, who stated this while inaugurating the Police Service Commission on Wednesday at the State House, Abuja, called for a total overhaul of the security agencies, and charged the commission to flush out the bad eggs in the police.
He charged the new police commission chairman, Mike Okiro, and the other five members, to instil discipline in the force and ensure that promotions are done purely on merit.
Mr. Jonathan said indiscipline and irregularities in staff promotion exercises were a major problem in military and para-military agencies.
“I believe there are two things, one is the issue of discipline, and so one of the responsibilities of the Police Service Commission is to instil discipline. Another thing I believe is that people who have no merit to certain ranks are being promoted to those ranks.
“One of your responsibilities is to handle promotion. I believe with you only those who merit or deserve promotion should be promoted. Those who deserve to be disciplined or even dismissal must be disciplined,” the president said.
Unqualified immigration
To justify his claim of incompetent individuals heading Nigeria’s security agencies, the president made reference to the recent screening and review process of six candidates for the post of the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service. He said most of the six were not only undeserving of the position they were nominated for, but should have been sacked from the service.
“Few days back I did approve the new comptroller general of immigration, …, of about six that were to be reviewed, some were sent from the ministry, some were picked from amongst the most senior.
“When we reviewed the six, from my intelligent investigation most of them were supposed to have been dismissed. But those were the people that were being forwarded for appointment as Comptroller General of Immigration. Among them only one is qualified to even stay and serve, others ordinarily are supposed to be dismissed from the records,” the president said.
The President had on Tuesday approved the immediate retirement of five deputy comptroller general of immigration service. Those affected were R.B. Musa, Denen Akaa, F.T. Mologe, Umar Suleiman, and Kuso Abubakar Khalil. It is not clear if or why the president did not demand that the officials be prosecuted for whatever crimes they committed to warrant their dismissal.
Mr. Jonathan said he believed that the immigration case was similar to what obtained in other security agencies.
“I believe that the story of Immigration is the same with most of our services. I believe that is why the performance of some of our military and para-military officers is abysmal, because the yardstick being used for promotion is not based on competence, merit and performance.
“And that is one area I believe you (the police commission) will go into. People who are promoted to assistant police commissioner and above must merit the rank. If you don’t merit the rank you should be retired from the service because is better for you not have enough manpower than for you to have viruses and all kinds of characters in the police force,” he said.
The president said that Nigerians were beginning to lose confidence in the Nigerian Police.
“You will agree with me that Nigerians don’t have so much confidence in the Nigerian police but Nigerian police are good. The Nigerian Police that work outside under United Nations are highly honoured, highly commended and Okiro will agree with me. But once we come back home that is not reflected in what we do,” he said.
Advised to sack senior officers
The president also revealed that he was advised to sack all senior police officers working at the police headquarters.
“Even now that we have challenges, you will see that, especially when the Police Headquarters was bombed, some people came to me and say Mr. President sack all police officers working in that place from Assistant Commissioner of Police and above.
“I did not sack any because of that incident. But that was the advice I got; that if you do that subsequent people that would be posted there will sit up. How could the police allow their headquarters to be bombed by a very local group called Boko Haram?” he said.
Mr. Jonathan also advised Mr. Okiro and his team to review the command structure in the police.
“The Federal Executive Council, maybe in the next one or two weeks we, are going to look at the report because we want to come up with a white paper on the police reform report.
“But since we have just appointed you we give you privilege to look that document before we come out with a white paper. So that if there is a suggestion that you will bring, you bring it so that it will be part of the white paper since you are the one to manage the police.
“It is only proper that you and I will think alike and be on the same page, because we need to reform the Nigerian police for a better service for us all. I believe with you working with the Inspector General of Police and other senior police officers, Nigeria police will be a better force,” Mr. Jonathan stated.

Newlywed Woman Murdered in Kano



Newlywed Woman Murdered in Kano










A newly married woman, Hajiya Hadiza Usman, 21, has been brutally murdered in her matrimonial home in Sabuwar Gandu Quarters, behind the City Science Academy in Kano City.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the woman, recently married to Inuwa Idris, the Director of Information in the Kano State Ministry of Information, Internal Affairs, Youths, Sports and Culture.
Speaking on the incident, the spokesman of the Kano State Police Command, Magaji Majiya, confirmed that some suspects were arrested during a raid of the quarters after the incident.
“We have made some arrests and the suspects have given us clue that may lead to the arrest of the perpetrators,” he said.
“The husband reported the case to us on June 11 and we went to the scene and took her to the hospital where she was confirmed dead on arrival.
“The police command is doing all it can to put a stop to this criminal cases and we shall continue to rely on members of the public to give us information to rid the state of crimes and the criminal elements in our midst,” he added.
Already, members of the state’s executive council, ministry staff, as well as friends and relatives have continued to pay condolence visits to the bereaved on the loss of his wife of only 10 days.
This is the third case of a newlywed bride being killed in the area which is suspected to be a hideout for hoodlums.
(NAN)

Newlywed Woman Murdered in Kano

12 June, 2013
Accidents
Newlywed Woman Murdered in Kano










A newly married woman, Hajiya Hadiza Usman, 21, has been brutally murdered in her matrimonial home in Sabuwar Gandu Quarters, behind the City Science Academy in Kano City.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the woman, recently married to Inuwa Idris, the Director of Information in the Kano State Ministry of Information, Internal Affairs, Youths, Sports and Culture.
Speaking on the incident, the spokesman of the Kano State Police Command, Magaji Majiya, confirmed that some suspects were arrested during a raid of the quarters after the incident.
“We have made some arrests and the suspects have given us clue that may lead to the arrest of the perpetrators,” he said.
“The husband reported the case to us on June 11 and we went to the scene and took her to the hospital where she was confirmed dead on arrival.
“The police command is doing all it can to put a stop to this criminal cases and we shall continue to rely on members of the public to give us information to rid the state of crimes and the criminal elements in our midst,” he added.
Already, members of the state’s executive council, ministry staff, as well as friends and relatives have continued to pay condolence visits to the bereaved on the loss of his wife of only 10 days.
This is the third case of a newlywed bride being killed in the area which is suspected to be a hideout for hoodlums.
(NAN)

Cashless Policy to Be Introduced In FCT, Kano, Anambra, Abia, Rivers, Ogun -- CBN



The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), following the success in the pilot of "Project Cashless Lagos", has concluded arrangement to introduce similar policy in Abuja along with five other states. It is to be recalled that "Project Cashless Lagos" was launched last year by  CBN in Lagos state as a pilot scheme to help discourage the use of cash in day-to-day transactions.
Cashless Policy to Be Introduced In Kano, Anambra, Abia, Rivers, Ogun -- CBN
Mr. Benjamin Fakunle, Acting Director, Banking Supervision of CBN, disclosed that apart from the FCT, the five other states that would go cashless are Kano, Anambra, Abia, Rivers and Ogun.
Speaking after the Bankers Committee meeting Tuesday in Abuja, he said: "In addition to the one that is being operated in Lagos, five states and the Federal Capital Territory would also go cashless. This is an attempt to make sure that the use of cash in transactions is discouraged."
Mr. Fakunle urged Nigerians to use more of electronic channels and less cash in performing their financial transactions.
Director, External Communications Division, Mr. Okoroafor Ugochukwu, on his behalf, cautioned Nigerians on the dangers of patronising ‘wonderbanks’ saying that they are not regulated by the Apex Bank.
"Any institution that collects money should be one that is registered by CBN," he said, speaking at the post bankers committee briefing.
Mr. Okoroafor urged Nigerians to report to law enforcement agencies any activities of wonderbanks, assuring that CBN is working to ensure that those that operate illegal transaction are brought to justice.
"You must watch out for any bank that offers you fantastic interest far above the commercial banks," he warned.
Mr. Godwin Emiefele, Group Managing Director, Zenith Bank, said that the purpose of the biometric data\Know Your Customer project embarked upon by the banks is to build a central database where both existing customers and prospective customers of banks data can be collected "such that information in bank A would be the same in bank B about a particular customer of a bank."
The Bankers' Committee of the Central Bank of Nigeria on Tuesday, on a similar note, agreed to remove all major impediments in the bond market, saying such move was needed to facilitate the growth and development of that segment of the economy.

Rivers: What Odili Did Not Tell Amaechi



Rivers: What Odili Did Not Tell Amaechi









When this piece was first published in November 2008, no serious interpretation was given to the issues raised. But today, five years later, this piece has been fully confirmed as will be shown in Part two of the article.
From the manner the two last governors including the interim one emerged in Rivers state, it could now rightly be said that it is a state that gets its governors strictly by divine intervention.
Peter Odili became governor of Rivers state by divine intervention after the forces of light in the churches defeated the forces of the “anti-Christ” that originally won a landslide victory in the first run of the 1999 governorship election.
Subsequently, both Omehia and Amaechi also came by divine transportation though through very different vehicles.
Truly, when Odili became governor in 1999, he came with the spirit and genuine zeal to really serve and deliver the dividends of democracy to the ordinary people of Rivers state and he was bent on achieving that.
It is on record that he was the only governor in the entire country who developed a comprehensive work programme as policy document. And the implementation of projects and programmes as set out in the master plan was carried out with utmost sincerity and frugality.
Odili’s independent power project was innovative and the first in the entire country. At the onset, the project was pursued on strict budget discipline and “utmost frugality,” though much later, it became the worst drain pipe and arena of fraud. But that’s not the issue here.
His metro rail transport service was the grassroots’ delight because it was strictly targeted to help them.
In the housing sector, estates were built in all the local government headquarters in the state. Though most of the houses were cited in evil forests which made it easier for people closer to the spirit world (psycha) to occupy than normal human beings, the fact remains that at least he built and they exist till today.
Odili, early in the life of his administration preached and pursued the gospel of “utmost frugality” in the use of state funds. And because he had nothing to hide, every month, he gathered representatives from all the national, local and even foreign media. He was asked direct uncensored questions and the media interactions were transmitted live even beyond the state.
However all these changed when Odili started dancing the “na who be the mani-yiooo” regae tune towards the end of his first tenure.
He suddenly stopped dedicating Rivers state to God and metamorphosed into an “Ogbuagu (killer of lion) in the Knight of saint something”. And from the “utmost frugality” gospel, he switched over to “in tandem with the thinking of the administration.”
He co-opted the “anti- Christ” from the pit of hell into his work programme to execute his Total Root Out campaign (RTO).
The reckless devouring of state funds assumed a criminal dimension when the former governor became blindfolded by his inundated ambition to grab power at all cost at the centre. Rivers state stopped being his constituency and primary area of service.
Though the state’s annual budgets moved from few billions of naira to hundreds of billions, the Rivers people became more deprived in terms of service delivery. Infrastructures depreciated to laughable standard to the point school pupils sat on bare floor to receive lessons in roofless classrooms.
Matching both Odili and Amaechi’s early years in office, it seems there is a replay. And thus it has become imperative to berate Odili for not telling
Amaechi certain crucial facts that could stop the son from committing the same sins of the father.
As a governor, Odili virtually lived in churches and surrounded himself with men of god and men who want to be like god as the church was instrumental to his defeating the “anti-Christ”. Throughout his stay at the Brick House, these men of god with their anointing for signs and wonders did not see a single thing wrong with the way he ran the state until the day Amaechi came into office.
Odili should have told Amaechi that the same men of god who benefited heavily from his largess singing praises and powerful prayers throughout the eight years only turned around to call for his crucifixion right from Amaechi’s first day in office.
Publicly, even in the media especially the (web-based), some people have severally referred to Amaechi as an Igbo man merely because the Ikweres can be accepted to be pure Niger Delta when it suits some people while at other times, they become more Igbo than Niger Delta.
Odili did not tell Amaechi that part of his problem in the state was because of the part of the state he was born. Some sections did not see him as a pure blood riversman. Rather they saw him as a pure Igbo man who became “riversman merely by state creation.” This was part of the fight he faced.
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