Samuel Eto’o “Very Annoyed” By Jose Mourinho’s Comments

Chelsea striker Samuel Eto’o is “very annoyed” at manager Jose Mourinho for dismissing him as a goal-scorer and making light of his age.

Following news of Mourinho’s private comments that were made public on Monday, Eto’o spoke with Cameroon coach Claude Le Roy about the incident. According to Le Roy, the striker is not happy with his manager’s words.

“I had him on the phone just before I came on screen, and he’s very annoyed,” Le Roy told Canal+ show Talents d’Afrique.

Xabi Alonso Has Considered An MLS Switch

Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso has admitted he’s considered moving to Major League Soccer when his time at the Bernabeu is over, according to multiple reports.

The Spanish international and former Liverpool turns 33 in November, and said a return his former club Real Sociedad is another option for him when his current contract runs out in 2016.

Alonso has appeared in 20 matches across all competitions for Madrid this year and also played in eight matches for Spain.

“Moving to the USA? I don’t reject that in the future,” he told France Football.

“We will see how I feel in two years’ time. I don’t discount anything – Europe, Real Sociedad or staying longer at Real Madrid if I notice that I still have the physical abilities.”

When a player is under contract and issues quotes like the above, it usually makes me wonder whether a club could get him earlier with an audacious bid. Can you imagine the immediate boost for a club like Chicago or DC should Alonso be up for the move?

French Foreign Minister Visit Raul Castro Of Cuba On historic Move

France's foreign minister met with Cuban President Raul Castro on Saturday during the first visit to the island by such a high-ranking French official in 31 years and a sign of the quickening pace of improving ties between the European Union and Havana.

Laurent Fabius said he discussed politics, human rights, market-oriented reforms in Cuba and bilateral relations in what he characterized as "a long conversation" with Castro.

"We want to push forward our relations in the areas of culture, education, economics and politics," Fabius, a former prime minister, told reporters at the end of a one-day visit to the communist-run Caribbean country.

"Of course, we have different points of view on certain issues, which doesn't stop us from exchanging perspectives and moving forward," he said.

N240m Worth Of Drugs Seized At Lagos Airport In Three Months

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has seized illicit drugs valued at N240 million at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, in the first quarter of the year.

In a statement in Lagos yesterday, Head of Public Affairs of NDLEA, Mitchell Ofoyeju, said the drugs, weighing 95.93kg, were seized between January and March.

A report by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) quoted the  NDLEA as saying a total of 19 suspected drug traffickers were arrested during the period.

“The total weight of drugs seized during the period under review is 95.93kg. The suspects include 16 males and three females,” it said.

The statement said the NDLEA Commander at the Lagos Airport, Hamza Umar, gave details of the arrest and seizures.

“Within the first quarter of 2014, the airport command seized 9.06kg of cocaine, 16.7kg of heroin, 27.24kg of cannabis and 3.4kg of methamphetamine.

Blast In Nigerian Capital killed More Than 71

Police say an explosion that ripped through a busy bus station in Nigeria's capital has killed at least 71 people and wounded 124.

Police spokesman Frank Mba says Monday's blast destroyed 16 luxury coaches and 24 minibuses.

There was only believed to be one blast with secondary explosions as vehicle fuel tanks ignited and burned.

Reporters saw rescue workers and police gathering body parts as ambulances rushed the wounded to the hospitals.

There was no immediate claim for the rush-hour blast, though the Boko Haram terrorist network has been threatening to attack the capital.

The Islamic extremists, based in northeast Nigeria, carried out a 2011 suicide car bombing at the United Nations office building in Abuja that killed at least 21 people and wounded 60.

Army Retires 11 Generals, 36 Others

The news coming from Abuja says that about 47 officers of the Nigerian Army including eight (8) Major Generals and some Brigadier Generals have been retired by the Nigerian Army in line with the terms and conditions of service.

The retirements which flowed from the ranks of Major Generals, Brigadier Generals, Colonels and Lieutenant Colonels down to those of Captains and Majors according  to military sources followed the approval of the recommendations submitted to the council by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General KTJ Minimah.

 Army Council is headed by President Goodluck Jonathan and it has as members, the Minister of Defence, Aliyu Gusau, Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Kenneth Minimah and the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Alhaji Aliyu Sumaila took the decision on Wednesday.

The officers according to sources were retired based on the fact that many of them  had been caught by age on rank rule.

Woman Accused Of Tossing Shoe At Clinton 

A Phoenix woman accused of throwing a shoe some 60 feet toward Hillary Rodham Clinton appeared aware during questioning by U.S. Secret Service agents of the allegation against her, authorities said Friday.

"Ms. Ernst appeared to be in an agitated state but aware of what she had just done," the report said.

Ernst could face up to a year in the county lockup if she is convicted of violating a county ordinance during the Thursday incident at the Mandalay Bay hotel-casino.

She is accused of bypassing security and walking quickly toward a rope line about six rows from the front of a conference audience. Police say she reached into a purse, removed the shoe and threw it overhand toward the stage.

Graduate Attempts Suicide In Akwa Ibom

Men of the Akwa Ibom police command yesterday stopped a suicide attempt by a Mechanical Engineering graduate of Ekiti State University who identified himself as Sunday Omotayo.

According to eyewitness, Sunday jumped off a of a speeding Toyota Hiace bus, expecting to be crushed to death by oncoming vehicles on the road leading to Ibom Plaza, Uyo.

The police said Sunday had earlier gone to the Prison Service asking warders to either kill him or allow him rot in jail.

An official at the prison who spoke anonymously said, “We just saw somebody, well dressed and on tie with no look of mentally deranged running towards us. His action forced us to become immediately alert with our weapons.

Enugu Agog As  PDP Hold Unity Rally

President Goodluck Jonathan will on Friday lead Igbo leaders in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to a grand rally in Enugu tagged “Unity Rally”

A release signed by the National Vice Chairman PDP (South East Zone) Col Austin Akobundu, said the rally will be a platform by PDP faithful to consolidate the grip of the PDP in the South East as it gears towards reclaiming the two states it lost to All Progressive Congress (APC) and All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) in 2015 general elections.

He also noted that the rally would serve as a platform by the party to mark the celebration of its successful and people oriented governance by governments of the three PDP states and the Goodluck Jonathan’s administration at the centre.

Presedend Obama's Aunt Zeituni Onyango Died At Age 61

President Barack Obama‘s aunt Zeituni Onyango, who was denied asylum in the United States but stayed illegally for years, died Tuesday at age 61.

Onyango, whose immigration status was reported by The Associated Press days before Obama’s election in 2008, had been treated in recent months for cancer and respiratory problems, Cleveland attorney Margaret Wong said. She died in a Boston rehabilitation center, said Wong, who represented her in her immigration case.

Onyango, a half-sister of Obama’s late father, moved from Kenya to the U.S. in 2000 and was denied asylum by an immigration judge in 2004. She remained in the country illegally, living in Boston public housing.

She finally was granted asylum in 2010 by a judge who said she could be in danger if she returned to Kenya because of her relationship with Obama.

Bayern Munich Came From Behind To Claim A 3-1 Win Over Manchester

After a goalless and tense first half, United took the lead in the Allianz Arena when Patrice Evra fired home a wonderful half-volley from the edge of the box.

But United were pegged back just over 60 seconds later as they allowed Mario Mandzukic to head home from close range.

Less than 10 minutes later and Bayern were ahead for the first time in the tie when Thomas Muller converted from the edge of the six-yard box after great work from Arjen Robben on the right.

Robben, who was United's main tormentor all evening, then decided the tie on 76 minutes as he cut inside from the right flank before sending a shot past David de Gea.

Queen Elizabeth II visits pope

 

Queen Elizabeth II meets Pope Francis for the first time on Thursday on a visit that coincides with the anniversary of the start of the Falklands War between Britain and Argentina.

The royal, who is "supreme governor" of the Church of England, will also be meeting the Argentine pope against the backdrop of thorny Anglican-Catholic relations.

The foreign trip, a rarity these days for the 87-year-old monarch, had to be postponed last year because she was unwell. She will be accompanied by her 92-year-old husband Prince Philip.

Their audience with the leader of the world's Catholics at 1300 GMT will come after a lunch with Italian President Giorgio Napolitano, a former communist with a similar largely ceremonial role to that of the British royal family.

Ultimate Warrior Died At Age 54

The Ultimate Warrior, a former professional wrestler inducted days ago into the World Wrestling Entertainment Hall of Fame, has died at age 54, the WWE announced late Tuesday.

"WWE is shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the passing of one of the most iconic WWE Superstars ever, The Ultimate Warrior," the Stamford, Connecticut-based company said on its website.

The Ultimate Warrior, whose given name was James Hellwig, began his WWE career in 1987 and rose to become one of the biggest stars in WWE history, the company said, highlighting an "epic encounter" in which he defeated Hulk Hogan at WrestleMania VI to become a WWE Champion.

The cause of his death was not given. He was added to the Hall of Fame on April 5.

EFCC Re-arraigns Oil Marketers Again 

THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Tuesday re-arraigned three oil marketers: Adamu Maula, George Ogbonna and Emmanuel Morah, before a Lagos High Court, on an alleged N789.6 million fuel subsidy fraud.

  Meanwhile, the EFCC has arraigned a traditional ruler, Nze Obi IV, Cornelius Nwoga, before Justice V. Agishi of the Federal High Court, Enugu, Enugu State, for allegedly perpetrating a N12 million fraud.

  In a related development, Justice Atinuke Ipaye of a Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja will on May 9, 2014, hear application filed by alleged fraudster, Mr. Fred Ajudua, asking it for an order permitting his extra-judicial statement to be taken.

Chelsea 2-0 Paris Saint-Germain

Jose Mourinho's men came into Tuesday's home leg of the quarterfinal tie trailing 3-1, and an early injury to Eden Hazard looked set to make its task even tougher.

However, the Belgian's replacement - Andre Schurrle - gave the home fans hope by finding the net 14 minutes after coming off the bench.

PSG looked a shadow of the side that cruised to victory against an off-color Chelsea at the Parc des Princes last week, and was walking a tightrope as Schurrle and Oscar both found the woodwork in quick succession after the break.

However, Ba - a 66th-minute replacement for Frank Lampard - sent Stamford Bridge into raptures and Jose Mourinho sprinting down the touchline with a winner three minutes from time, as the Londoners progressed on away goals.

Real Madrid Survive Dortmund Attack

Real Madrid are through to the Champions League semifinals following a 2-0 defeat on Tuesday night at Borussia Dortmund in their return leg quarterfinal at the Westfalenstadion in Dortmund, Germany.

Los Blancos advance to the tournament semifinals for the fourth consecutive year on a 3-2 aggregate in what turned out to be a far more difficult objective than they could have imagined. Marco Reus scored two first half goals, but in the end it was not enough as solid goalkeeping from Iker Casillas helped prevent a third goal and possible extra time.

With Cristiano Ronaldo out injured, head coach Carlo Ancelotti elected to slot Ángel di María up top with Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema. Asier Illarramendi helped fill out the midfield with Luka Modric and Xabi Alonso while a back four of Dani Carvajal, Pepe, Sergio Ramos and Fabio Coentrão were tasked with shielding Casillas.

Obama Signs Actions Taking Aim At Gender Pay Gap

President Barack Obama signed directives Tuesday that would make it easier for workers of federal contractors to get information about workplace compensation. He seasoned his move with a sharp rebuke of Republicans whom he accused of "gumming up the works" on workplace fairness.

"This is about Republicans seemingly opposing any efforts to even the playing field for working families," Obama said at a White House signing ceremony, surrounded by women advocates and accompanied by Lilly Ledbetter, a woman whose namesake legislation on pay equity was the first bill Obama signed into law in 2009.

Army, Boko Haram Working Together In Parts of Nigeria?

A Nigerian soldier says he has witnessed incidents that suggest some Nigerian military commanders are working with Boko Haram, an Islamist militant group blamed for thousands of deaths since 2009.

In an exclusive interview with VOA's Hausa service, he described how his military unit, based in the northeastern Borno State region, was ambushed by Boko Haram fighters.

The soldier, who did not want to be identified, said the commander of a nearby military unit, based in the town of Bama, recently sought assistance from his unit in carrying out a raid.

The soldier said when the two military units joined up, they were given different uniforms. The Bama unit commander gave his own troops green uniforms. The soldier said his unit received tan "desert camouflage" uniforms.

Zamfara Massacre: Death Toll Hits 200

Death toll in weekend’s massacre in Unguwar Galadima community in Zamfara State, yesterday, hit 200.

This came as governor of the state, Abdulaziz Yari, who visited the village, yesterday, broke down in tears on sighting corpses of women, children and other residents of the village littering every part of the village. Our correspondent said the governor and other officials participated in the burial of 79 people killed in the attack by the cattle rustlers.

A survivor of the weekend’s massacre, yesterday, confirmed counting 61 bodies even as the corpses were buried in mass graves.

This came as no fewer than 25 people, including politicians who were on their way to Maiduguri, the Borno State capital to attend the All Progressives Congress, APC, stakeholders meeting/congress were slaughtered by suspected Boko Haram terrorists in separate attacks in Gwoza council area and along the Maiduguri‑ Biu road.

Italian Envoy Arrested For Child Trafficking

Police in the Philippines have filed a complaint for child trafficking and child abuse against a holidaying Italian diplomat arrested at a resort south of the capital Manila in the company of three boys.

Senior Supterintendent Romulo Sapitula of the Philippine National Police told the Associated Press on Monday that Daniele Bosio was arrested on Saturday at a resort in Laguna province. The arrest came after members of the child rights group Bahay Tuluyan alerted the police.

The 46-year-old Bosio is the Italian ambassador to Turkmenistan.

Flordelis and her deputy, Catherine Scerri, saw Bosio at the resort with the three children, and reported him to the police on Saturday evening.