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Pope Francis calls on Trump to help poor and outcasts Pope Francis<br />/ AFP PHOTO / ANDREAS SOLARO Pope Francis congratulated US President Donald Trump on his inauguration Friday, urging the new president to keep fighting for the poor at a time of “grave humanitarian crises.” Francis offered his “cordial good wishes” and hoped Trump would be granted “wisdom and strength in the exercise” of his office. But the pontiff struck a cautionary chord in his message to Trump, imploring the former reality TV star to continue to help those who suffer the most. “At a time when our human family is beset by grave humanitarian crises demanding farsighted and united political responses, I pray that your decisions will be guided by the rich spiritual and ethical values that have shaped the history of the American people and your nation’s commitment to the advancement of human dignity and freedom worldwide,” wrote Francis. “Under your leadership, may America’s stature continu

Gerrard returns to Liverpool as academy coach The 36-year-old, who made 710 appearances for Liverpool before joining the Galaxy in 2015, will take up a full-time role at the Reds’ Kirkby youth complex from February. Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard will return to coach at their academy next month, the Premier League outfit said on Friday. Gerrard had been widely tipped to join the Anfield coaching staff following his decision to leave LA Galaxy after 18 months with the MLS team. The 36-year-old, who made 710 appearances for Liverpool before joining the Galaxy in 2015, will take up a full-time role at the Reds’ Kirkby youth complex from February. Merseyside-born Gerrard spent 17 years with Liverpool having graduated from the academy, captaining his hometown team to Champions League glory in 2005 and FA Cup success a year later. “It feels like completing the circle; returning to the place where professionally it all began. However, this isn’t a decision based on emot

Donald Trump sworn in as the 45th American president Donald Trump became the 45th president of United States on Friday, ushering in a new political era that is cheered and feared in equal measure. The 70-year-old Republican billionaire placed his left hand on a bible used by Abraham Lincoln and recited the 35-word oath spoken since George Washington, and then launched into a much-anticipated inaugural address. "We, the citizens of America, are now joined in a great national effort to rebuild our country and restore its promise for all of our people," Trump told a crowd of hundreds of thousands massed on the National Mall. "Together we will determine the course of America, and the world, for many, many years to come," he said. "From this day forward, it's going to be only America first." Trump's inauguration caps the improbable rise to power o

Fortress Washington girds for days of anti-Trump protests   WASHINGTON - Washington will turn into a virtual fortress ahead of Donald Trump's presidential inauguration on Friday, as the U.S. capital braces for more than a quarter-million protesters expected during the Republican's swearing-in. Police have forecast that some 900,000 people, both supporters and opponents, will flood Washington for the inauguration ceremony, which includes the swearing-in on the steps of the U.S. Capitol and a parade to the White House along streets thronged with onlookers. Many of those attending will be protesters irate about the New York real estate developer's demeaning comments about women, immigrants and Muslims, a vow to repeal the sweeping healthcare reform law known as "Obamacare" and plans to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. His supporters admire Trump's experience in business, including as a real estate developer and reality television

How Nigerian Supreme Court judge accused of corruption paid me N313 million cash – Witness The first prosecution witness in the trial of Supreme Court Judge, Sylvester Ngwuta, at the Federal High Court, Abuja, has revealed how he was paid N313 million in cash to build houses for the defendant. The witness, Nwaba Linus, a contractor, while led in evidence by the prosecution counsel, Philips Adeogun, told the court on Wednesday that the defendant is his customer regarding construction. He said from January 2016 to September 2016 he did construction for the defendant amounting to N313 million. According to him, he first met the defendant on December 31, 2015, at his residence at Engineering Close, off Onwe Road, Abakaliki, Ebonyi state. He said the defendant engaged him to build houses and other services that include construction. “I was introduced to him by one Mr

NNPC denies increasing petrol pump price The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation on Wednesday admonished Nigerians not to engage ‎in panic buying of petrol as there was no plan to increase its price. ‎ In a statement released in Abuja by the Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Mr. Ndu Ughamadu, the Corporation further assured motorists that there was enough supply in stock. “The Corporation has 1.3 billion litres stock of PMS, otherwise called petrol, which is sufficient to serve the nation for more than 38 days. “This plea comes on the heels of reports that some motorists have begun panic buying of petrol, following rumours that the government is about to increase the pump price of the white product from N145 per litre. ‎ “NNPC wishes to assure Nigerians that there is no iota of truth in the rumour that government is scheduled to adjust pump price of petrol. “Indeed, with the resumption of pr

Buhari leaves for UK, to undergo medical check-up President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday left Nigeria for United Kingdom for what the Presidency described as “a short leave.” According to a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, the President would during the vacation undergo “routine medical check-ups.” He said Buhari was expected to resume work on February 6. The statement read, “President Muhammadu Buhari leaves for the United Kingdom today on a short leave, which is part of his annual vacation. He is expected to resume work on February 6, 2017. “During the vacation, the President will also undergo routine medical check-ups. “In line with Section 145 (1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the President of the Senate, and Speaker, House of Representatives, have been duly communicated. “While away, the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, will perform the functions of the Of

Beijing to Spend $2.7 Billion on Cleaning Capital's Air BEIJING — Beijing will spend $2.7 billion to fight air pollution in the capital this year, state media reported Thursday. Part of the money will be used to close or upgrade more than 2,000 polluting factories, replace the use of coal with clean energy on the outskirts of the city and phase out 300,000 high-polluting older vehicles, the official Xinhua News Agency said, citing Beijing's acting mayor, Cai Qi. Authorities are eager to bring about a visible improvement in China's bad air, especially in the high-profile capital and its surrounding areas. Beijing has suffered some particularly bad bouts of hazardous air in the past few weeks, causing it to order some factories to temporarily close and schoolchildren to stay at home. China has made great efforts to reduce its dependence on coal and generate more power from cleaner sourc

5,000 girls out of school in Kebbi LG Nigeria  Over 5,000 girls who are supposed to be in Primary and Secondary schools in Bagudo Local Government Area of Kebbi State are out school.   The  state government, which discovered the large number of the girls out school, flag-off Education Enrollment campaign across the state.   While speaking at the ceremony at Bagudo Local government, Education Secretary of the Council, Hajiya Rukkaya Hassan Kaoje  who confirmed the number, stated that the campaign targeted about 5,000 girls in the area.   She noted that the enrollment drive would cut across nine districts of the local government so that many of these targeted girls would be adequately capture.     Kebbi State Governor, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu while speaking at the flag-off ceremony said that his administration would provide necessary teaching and learning materials

Nigeria to improve trade, investment ties with Germany Nigeria together with some African countries would seek to improve trade and investment ties with German at Germany-Africa Business Forum slated to hold at Frankfurt on March 23. This is contained in a statement posted on the Germany-Africa Business Forum website and accessed by the NAN, in Abuja, on Thursday. The statement said that the Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Okechuckwu Enelamah, would be attending the forum. “There is already a strong foundation of trade relations between Nigeria and Germany and an even stronger rationale to expand upon them. “Nigeria is Africa’s largest economy, one of its most stable democracies and boast of a business-friendly climate. “It is whether in construction, manufacturing or technology, German companies carry a legacy of innovation and know-how that can deliver tremendous value for both sides,” the statement quoted Enelamah as

15 Most Beautiful Woman In The World #15 Nina Dobrev She is said to be the most beautiful lady in the world. She is a Bulgarian Canadian model and actress. She was born in Bulgaria but raised in Canada. Nina Dobrev has showed and appeared in many feature films, including Runaway Pieces, Never Cry Werewolf, Away From Her and participated in a series of the drama. It is known that Acting is her passion, and she likes to travel which is her hobby. She started acting at Armstrong Acting Studios in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The movie by which she is known to all is Perks of being a Wallflower. t

The Ripple Effect Give, and it will be given to you – Luke 6:38 The Ripple Effect is a success principle. By definition, the Ripple Effects states that people will people give back the kind of treatment they have received from another. When you give of your time, without any motivation except to help, it will have a ripple effect – those you help will desire to reciprocate. In order to succeed in anything you must first give value to others. The Ripple Effect allows you to showcase your skills, your expertise and your value to others. It will endear others to you.

How to Become a Magnet for Others The rich people in my Rich Habits study all seemed to have one thing in common – they donated significant amounts of their time to helping other like-minded individuals. This was more than a habit. It was more like an addiction. The self-made millionaires in my study seemed to be unable to control their impulses when they came into contact with other individuals who shared many of their success traits. This is an important insight because it gives you the upper hand. If you are pursuing something big, some dream, some purpose or some passion, you’ll need influencers who can help you. They can help you by becoming part of your team or by simply opening doors for you. How you do that is by infecting others with your dream, purpose of passion. You infect others by sharing with them your dream, purpose of passion. Then nature does the rest. This draws to you, like a magnet, other like-minded individuals.

Chelsea Manning to Be Released Early as Obama Commutes Sentence Chelsea Manning’s 35-year sentence was by far the longest punishment ever imposed in the United States for a leak conviction. Credit United States Army WASHINGTON — President Obama on Tuesday commuted all but four months of the remaining prison sentence of Chelsea Manning, the Army intelligence analyst convicted of a 2010 leak that revealed American military and diplomatic activities across the world, disrupted Mr. Obama’s administration and brought global prominence to WikiLeaks, the recipient of those disclosures. The decision by Mr. Obama rescued Ms. Manning, who twice tried to kill herself last year , from an uncertain future as a transgender woman incarcerated at the men’s military prison at Fort Leavenworth, Kan. She has been jailed for nearly seven years, and her 35-year sen

DSS: We recovered cash, guns in Justice Ademola’s house –Witness An operative of the Department of States Security Service (DSS), Ike Onuoha, yesterday, gave details of how large sums of money, including N54 million, $121,279, 4,400 euros, 80 pounds and 1,010 rupees, were recovered from the house of Justice Adeniyi Ademola during the controversial sting operations. Onuoha, who is the second prosecution witness, told Justice Jude Okeke of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) that he was leader of the team, comprising eight other officers, that stormed the residence of the suspended judge, located at No. 30B S.O Ogbemudia Crescent, Apo Legislative Quarters, following an instruction by his immediate superior. He, however, said he was not aware whether there was a complaint or not against the judge, and added that his team was briefed based on a petition and information relating to