British number one Johanna Konta was beaten 3-6 7-6 (7-5) 6-2 by Karolina Muchova in the first round of the Cincinnati open.
Konta, 30, won the first set in an assured start before rain interrupted the second set in Ohio.
After the resumption, Czech Muchova, 24, claimed the second set in a close tie-break.
The world number 23 took the deciding set and will face former U.S. open champion Bianca Andreescu in round two.
Konta has had a troubled season, with no back-to-back wins and long injury breaks before she won the Nottingham open this summer, her first title since winning the Miami open in 2017.
Multiple United States agencies that operated in Afghanistan and worked with Afghan citizens have been hastily purging their websites, removing articles and photos that could endanger the afghan civilians who interacted with them and now fear retribution from the Taliban.
The online scrubbing campaign appeared to begin late last week when it became clear that the afghan security forces had completely collapsed.
The concern is that the Taliban or its supporters would search the websites and identify Afghans who had worked with the Americans or merely benefitted from their services.
The public presentation of a new book titled Remaking Nigeria: Sixty Years, Sixty Voices will hold on Thursday, August 19, at the Yar ‘Adua Centre, Abuja.
Edited by Chido Onumah, the 437-page book is a collection of 60 essays by 60 young Nigerians to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Nigeria’s independence. “These essays by young and articulate professionals drawn from across the country critically examine the realities of Nigeria’s social, economic and political situation and suggest the options open to us as a nation and how to achieve them,” said Onumah, Coordinator of African Centre for Media and Information Literacy (AFRICMIL).
The event, with the theme “Towards A Viable Union: A National Dialogue on Remaking Nigeria, will feature a panel discussion of six of the contributors to the book. They are, Amina Salihu, Tope Fasua, Idayat Hassan, Dike Chukwumerije, Chris Ngwodo and Majeed Dahiru, all progressive voices in the quest for a better Nigeria. Using the book and their essays as anchor, the panelists will examine the crisis of nationhood that considerably impedes national development and proffer useful solutions.
Cristiano Ronaldo has criticised media reports linking him with a move away from Juventus.
In a post on social media he did not outright deny a move was possible or commit his future to the Italian side.
But the 36-year-old forward said he was “focused on his work” despite reports linking him with Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City.
The Portugal captain called rumours “a disrespect for me as a man and as a player”.
He added: “Less talk and more action, this has been my guiding motto since the start of my career.
“However, in view of everything that’s been said and written recently, I have to set out my position.
“The frivolous way that my future is covered in the media is disrespectful to all the clubs involved in these rumours, as well as to their players and staff.”
Earlier on Tuesday, Real’s new boss Carlo Ancelotti had responded to the rumours in a tweet, dismissing speculation of Ronaldo returning to the Spanish club.
“Cristiano is a Real Madrid legend and he has all my love and respect. I have never considered signing him. We look forward. #HalaMadrid,” he wrote.
Ronaldo and Ancelotti won the Champions League together at Real in 2014
Ancelotti’s tweet appears to have been prompted by a report by Spanish TV show El Chiringuito, which claimed on Monday night that a reunion between Real and Ronaldo was a possibility, three years after he left the club to sign for Juventus in a 99.2m Pounds deal
Ronaldo joined Real from Manchester United in July 2009 and went on to score a club record 450 goals in 438 games over the following nine seasons.
In his time with Los Blancos, Ronaldo also won four Champions League trophies and two La Liga titles. One of those Champions League trophies was won under the guidance of Ancelotti, during the Italian’s previous spell in charge.
He currently has just 10 months remaining on his contract in Turin, but after Ancelotti’s intervention Ronaldo was exercised to quash rumours of a return.
“My story at Real Madrid has been written. It’s been recorded. In words and numbers, in trophies and titles, in records and in headlines. It’s in the Museum at the Bernabeu Stadium and it’s also in the minds of every fan of the club,” the long statement ran.
“I know that the true Real Madrid fans will continue to have me in their hearts, and I will have them in mine.
“I’m breaking my silence now to say that I can’t allow people to keep playing around with my name. I remain focused on my career and in my work, committed and prepared for all the challenges that I have to face.
“Everything else is just talk,” he concluded.
Speculation over Ronaldo’s future has intensified in the days since great rival Lionel Messi left Barcelona and joined PSG on a two year deal.
No matter the season, keeping your lips soft and supple is a constant struggle and as those with a perennially dry pout know, a mere lip balm is not enough to prevent the chap, sometimes, you just need to pamper the lips with something extra.
Enter, the holy grail of lip care: Here, rounded up for you is every single expert tip on how to get soft lips
Exfoliate
Buffing away flakes can help alleviate a chapped pout and smooth out lip lines (you know, those grooves and cracks etched into your lips that cause even the creamiest of lipsticks to crease). Follow along with this 30-second tutorial:
First, make sure your lips are dry and clean, free of any makeup or lip balm.
Grab your lip exfoliant and swipe a dime-size dollop across your lips.
Rub the product on your lips in circular motions for a minute. “Remember to not over-exfoliate or scrub too hard, as the skins on your lips are delicate,” cosmetic chemist Marisa Plescia, research scientist at clean beauty e-tailer NakedPoppy, explained
Rinse with lukewarm water, and make sure to follow with a hydrating lip mask or lip balm. Remember: Rubbing your lips raw can also result in a painful chap.
Hydrate.
Hydration works twofold: You’ll want to coat the lips with hydrating ingredients and make sure you get enough water (the first sign of dehydration is often dry lips, in case you’re unaware). Studies have even shown that adequate amounts of water can increase the dermal thickness of the skin—including the lips.
In terms of hydrating ingredients to swipe on, look for emollients that build up the skin barrier, such as ceramides and fatty acids.
Humectants are great, but you might not want to use them as your sole moisturizer: “Lip balms that contain only humectant ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid and glycerin, can actually make lips more dry because they attract moisture, and if the air is very low in humidity, then they can pull moisture out of the skin, and then the moisture evaporates away,” board-certified dermatologist Hadley King, M.D., said about healing lip cracks.
Support collagen production.
Remember when we said your lip area is one of the first to show dehydration? Well, it’s one of the first to show signs of aging, too: Because the skin there is so thin, it can literally deflate when the skin’s structural integrity declines over time.
To help your body enhance its natural collagen production (aka, what literally holds the skin together and keeps it supple), research points to hydrolyzed collagen supplements. Studies show that these collagen peptides are able to support skin elasticity, hydration, and dermal collagen density.
Use a lip mask.
We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: The skin is more permeable at night, so it’s best to seal in tons of moisture right before bed. The same rule applies to your lips: Just as you might opt for a thicker night cream to lock in moisture, apply a heavier lip mask to condition your pout all night long.
Avoid drying ingredients.
If you’re dealing with painful chaps, take a peek at your ingredient lists: Some products may include drying or irritating players that can make cracked lips worse. “Avoid menthol, camphor, and phenol as ingredients in lip balms because they can dry out the lips. They are initially cooling and soothing, but they evaporate quickly, and you will need to reapply if you aren’t using good emollients and occlusives,” King says.
“Any alcohol ingredient will also be drying to the lips. And salicylic acid can be irritating in a lip balm. It is sometimes added as anexfoliant—to help remove dry flaky skin from your lips, but the lips are sensitive, and repeated use will likely lead to irritation,” she continues. “Lip balms designed to plump the lips often contain cinnamon oil or peppermint oil, and these ingredients can also cause irritation.”
Same goes for makeup: Make sure your lipsticks, stains, and glosses don’t sneak in any drying players.
Don’t lick or pick at your lips.
As a fellow lip picker, I know this is easier said than done. But do your best to refrain from manually peeling—even those dry, dead flakes of skin. “This delicate skin won’t heal if the dry parts are continually picked off: The dead skin needs to stay on until the new skin underneath is ready to be exposed,” says King.
Licking your lips is also not as harmless as you may think: Unless there’s an occlusive on top to trap in the water, it can dry out on the surface and lead to even worse conditions.
Layer your lip products.
This tip is for the parched pouts, if your lips wither up seconds after swiping on a balm. To truly deliver moisture, you’ll want to layer your lip care.
See, if you’re partial to a wax or oil product, you’re not delivering any moisture—you’re just coating the skin with the occlusive. To really hydrate the lips, layer a water-based hydrator first, then top with your wax or oil-laden pick. It’s a similar logic to your skin care routine: Say, if you use a humectant serum (like hyaluronic acid), you’ll want to apply a moisturizer or oil to keep all that hydration locked inside.
Protect from the elements.
“Cover your mouth when outside in the elements,” says King. “Cold air and wind will be particularly drying for the lips, so it is helpful to cover them with a scarf to protect them.”
As for those humid, warmer months, An SPF lip balm is your best bet: “Protecting your lips from the sun is just as important as protecting your face,” says aesthetic nurse practitioner Shawna Jones, PA-C, about how to keep your lips plump and supple, and many options are laced with moisturizing actives to hydrate and smooth the lips.
Create a barrier during your skin care routine.
Again, the skin on your lips is super thin and sensitive, especially if you overuse exfoliating ingredients. So if you use potent actives during your skin care routine retinoids, AHAs or BHAs, and the like, the fragile skin around your lips may suffer.
“It’s actually pretty easy for most products to transfer onto your lips, especially cleansers,” says board-certified dermatologist Angelo Landriscina, M.D., That’s why he suggests avoiding the area as best you can while using those products or applying a lip balm or thick ointment to your lips prior to starting your entire routine. The oily substance acts as a barrier between your skin and those potentially irritating actives, so even if those ingredients unintentionally make their way to your lips, they won’t act as potent.
The take-home
To really get soft lips, you need to focus on every angle of lip care. The skin on your lips is your skin, after all—and like the rest of the real estate, it’s a dynamic organ that requires multiple avenues. A soft, supple pout is no quick fix, but once you’ve nailed your go-to regimen? You’ll never look back.
Nigerian fintech firms Risevest, Bamboo, Chaka, and Trove have assured users of the safety of their funds amid the Central Bank of Nigeria freezing their accounts on Tuesday.
CBN secured an injunction at Federal High Court in Abuja to freeze the bank accounts of four financial technology firms for operating as asset management companies without a license.
Michael Aondoakaa (SAN), a lawyer to the CBN, alleged that the companies were operating without licences as asset management companies “and utilising foreign exchange sourced from the Nigerian FX market for purchasing foreign bonds/shares in contravention of the CBN circular referenced TED/FEM/FPC/GEN/01/012, dated July 1, 2015.”
However, the fintech firms said they are negotiating with government authorities and urged users not to panic about the safety of their funds.
Bamboo said it is aware of the recent reports and their “legal and government relations teams are looking into it, but we thought it was important to let you know that your money remains safe with Bamboo and will always be readily accessible.”
President Muhammadu Buhari has commenced implementation of the newly signed Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) by approving a steering committee to oversee the process.
The steering committee is headed by the Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva.
Other members are Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Group Managing Director, NNPC, Executive Chairman, FIRS, Representative of the Ministry of Justice, Representative of the Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Natural Resources, Barrister Olufemi Lijadu as External Legal Adviser, while the Executive Secretary, Petroleum Technology Development Fund, will serve as Head of the Coordinating Secretariat and the Implementation Working Group.
The primary responsibility of the steering committee will be to guide the effective and timely implementation of the PIA in the course of transition to the petroleum industry envisaged in the reform program, and ensure that the new institutions created have the full capability to deliver on their mandate under the new legislation.
Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr has reacted to Tuesday’s Africa Cup of Nations draw which pitched Nigeria against Egypt, Sudan, and Guinea Bissau in Group D of the tournament.
Rohr was one of the dignitaries in Yaounde, Cameroon, to witness Tuesday’s draw ceremony, and he admitted it was not an easy pairing. But he was quick to reiterate his belief in the Super Eagles’ potential to pull through.
“The first game is very important; Nigeria-Egypt, it’s a very good game and we would see, we have to finish top two in the group to go into last 16, it’s not an easy group but we are very confident,” Rohr told journalists in Yaounde.
While Rohr is confident about the Super Eagles’ chances, he is already mapping out a sound programme to adequately prepare the three-time African champions.
He said: “We will have at least one or two friendlies before the competition, we will start our campaign on the 11th (January). It’s the third day of the tournament so we have a bit more time but we have to be in Cameroon on the 6th – five days before the competition.
“We will be here not for friendly but to prepare and adapt to the different climate in case it gets very hot and humid in Garoua. So I think we will be okay, we will see the stadium tomorrow (Wednesday) I am sure we would have a good atmosphere, the city loves football.”
After confronting the Pharaohs on January 11, the Super Eagles will face Sudan four days later before rounding off their campaign in the group stage with their third game against Guinea Bissau on Wednesday, January 19.
Egypt is the most successful country in the history of the Africa Cup of Nations, with seven AFCON titles in their kitty.
However, despite the outstanding success, Nigeria has the upper hand in terms of the head-to-head record in past games against the North Africans at previous AFCON tournaments
In the 10 AFCON meetings between Nigeria and Egypt, the North Africans have just three wins, the Eagles have four while the remaining games ended in draws.
The Super Eagles will be on the hunt for a fourth AFCON title in Cameroon, having won their three titles in 1980, 1994, and 2013.
Winning the AFCON was one of the clauses inserted into the current contract of Gernot Rohr.
Group A: Cameroon, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Cape Verde
Group B: Senegal, Zimbabwe Guinea, Malawi,
Group C: Morocco, Ghana, Comoros Gabon,
Group D: Nigeria, Egypt, Sudan, Guinea Bissau
Group E: Algeria Seirra Leonne, Equatorial Guinea, Cote d Ivoire
The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Tuesday, ordered the freezing of the bank accounts of six online investment platforms for 180 days.
Affected by the court order are Rise Vest Technologies Limited, Bamboo Systems Technology Limited, Bamboo Systems Tech. Ltd OPNS, Chaka Technologies Limited, CTL/Business Expenses and Trove Technologies Limited.
Some of the fintech firms are principally owned by individuals and organisations based in the United States of America, the court was told.
The court issued the freezing order following a request by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), which accused the firms of using the foreign exchange sourced from the Nigerian market for purchasing foreign bonds/shares in contravention of its directive issued in July 2015.
Accusing the firms of operating without licences as asset management companies, the central bank alleged that the firms violated its directive contained in its circular referenced TED/FEM/FPC/GEN/01/012 and dated July 1, 2015.
CBN’s lawyer, a former Attorney-General of the Federation, Michael Aondoakaa, filed an ex parte motion at the Federal High Court in Abuja on August 4, 2021, seeking temporary freezing of the bank accounts of the firms pending further investigations.
Mr Aondoakaa, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), informed the judge, Ahmed Mohammed, on Tuesday, that the forex deals by the defendants were undercutting the strength of the naira against the United States dollars.
He said there was the need to block 15 accounts of the firms for 180 days to stop the firms from moving their funds out of Nigeria.
“We need to write the embassy, we need to go to the Foreign Affairs, the minister will serve the U.S. to seek assistance so that we can block these linkages,” the lawyer added.
He, therefore, sought an interim order empowering the CBN to direct the head offices of Zenith Bank, Guaranty Trust Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, Access Bank and VFD Microfinance Bank, to immediately freeze “all the bank accounts of the defendants/ respondents for a period of 180 days pending the outcome of investigation and inquiry conducted by the CBN.”
Ruling
In his ruling on the motion, Mr Mohammed granted the prayers of the applicant as prayed.
He however added that the defendants were at liberty to challenge the freezing order by approaching the court within the stipulated period.
The judge subsequently adjourned the matter till February 20, 2022, which is about the time the six months freezing order will lapse.
Case against forex firms
The CBN provided some details of its case against the six forex trading firms in an affidavit filed in support of its ex parte application.
A senior supervisor of the CBN, Christiana Gyang, who deposed to the affidavit, said the apex bank had reviewed the activities of the defendants to determine their alleged involvement in illegal foreign exchange (FX) dealings.
She stated that investigation showed that the platforms were violating Nigeria’s trading laws including dealing in cryptocurrency in contravention of the CBN policy.
Concerning Rise Vest Technologies Limited, the affidavit stated that it was incorporated in October 2019 with objects of technological and business consultancy.
“The shareholders of the company at incorporation were Eke Eleanya Urum and Rise Vest Technologies Limited (USA). The company partners with companies involved in payments and settlements as well as internal and international remittances.
“However, information on the company’s website indicated that it is an asset management company, which provides a platform for customers to invest in foreign instruments using an app called ‘Risevest’.
“Our review revealed that the company consummated its asset management activities through its account 1017556580 with Zenith Bank Plc, which recorded a turnover of 1.97 billion between January 1, 2019 and April 27, 2021.”
It added that the inflows to the account were mainly from retail investors through two Payment Service Solution Providers – Flutterwave (588.61 million) and Monnify (N967.58 milllon).
The firm’s outflows from the account were to a PSSP – Paystack (N500 milllon) and cryptocurrency traders like BuyCoins (N110 millon) and Beitium Venture (N350 million).
“Inquiries on the transactions confirmed that the transfers to BuyCoins were for the purchase of cryptocurrency,” the affidavit stated, adding that findings showed that “Rise Vest Technologies Limited traded in cryptocurrencies in contravention of the CBN circular referenced BSD/DIR/PUB/LAB/014/001, dated February 5, 2021.”
The CBN also said Bamboo Systems Technology Limited is owned by US-based Bamboo Global LLC (99.99 per cent share) and Oluwole Ralph Olugbenga (0.01 per cent).
“The company was incorporated in December 2018 to carry on the business of software design, implementation, development, maintenance and consultancy amongst others. It is related to One Global Med. Technology, BSTL Lambeth and Grag Concepts Limited.
“Further reviews showed that Bamboo Systems Technology Limited operates an online App, ‘Bamboo’, that provides a medium for investors to buy and sell stocks, exchange traded funds (ETFs), Index funds and derivatives listed in major exchanges in the U.S.”
Bamboo, Risevest react
The six fintech firms have become increasingly popular, particularly among young urban Nigerians, allowing them to invest in foreign stocks and bonds, with experts saying they have increased financial inclusion in the country.
At least two of the firms have reacted to the ruling, saying they will work with regulators to resolve the concerns.
Bamboo and Risevest responded to the court’s decision Tuesday, assuring their customers that their investments were safe.
“We’re aware of the recent reports about us. Our legal and government relations teams are looking into it but we thought it was important to let you know that your money remains safe with Bamboo and will always be readily accessible,” Bamboo told its clients.
Also, Risevest said: “About the latest news about us and our FX dealings, you can be sure that your investments and funds are safely managed, that funding and withdrawals will continue to be processed as normal, and that our U.S operations remain intact.
“We will work with regulators, as we always have to ensure that all issues raised are properly addressed. However, this does not affect our users or their investments, which are managed by regulated third-parties in all jurisdictions in which we operate.”
Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski scored twice to help his side retain the German Super Cup with a 3-1 win over Borussia Dortmund.
Lewandowski put Bayern in front shortly before half-time, before Thomas Muller added a second just after the restart.
Marco Reus pulled a goal back for the hosts at Signal Iduna Park on 64 minutes.
But Lewandowski restored his side’s two-goal lead 10 minutes later with his 24th strike against his former club.
The Poland international spent four years at Dortmund between 2010 and 2014.
The German Super Cup is contested between the champions of the Bundesliga, which Bayern won for a record-extending ninth time in a row last year, and the DFB-Pokal winners.
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