City not on revenge mission against Madrid – Guardiola

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May 9, 2023

Manchester city manager pep Guardiola says his players must on Tuesday avoid falling into the trap of trying to avenge last year’s UEFA champions league semi-final defeat to real Madrid.

Both teams will meet on Tuesday at the same stage of the tournament, with Manchester city away in the first leg in Madrid.

“It will be a huge mistake to think we are here for revenge, we are not! We must face it as another opportunity (to reach the final),” Guardiola told a news conference later on Monday.

“We are here to get a good result because everything will be decided in Manchester, not here.

“What happened last season happened, period. This is another opportunity, nothing more.

“We come with the mentality of trying again, knowing that to achieve it, we have to be better.

“The best lesson we can take from last season is that we are not coming here for revenge, but for a good result. And to have the final open for Manchester.”

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti spoke earlier on Monday about the importance of going into the second leg with a mental edge.

Asked about the comments, Guardiola was once again uneasy, disagreeing with his opposite number.

“Last year we got here with a huge mental edge after winning well (in) the first leg. But look what happened,”

UCL Semi-Final: Real Madrid v Man City; Five Duels To Watch Out For

By

Emenike Agu

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May 9, 2023

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14-time winners UCL Real Madrid winners will seek to make a statement against Guardiola’s Man City team as they look to make a second final

Welcome to the hugely-anticipated first semi-final of the 2022/23 UEFA Champions League that features 14-time winners Real Madrid against wannabes Manchester City, a team chasing a first-ever title.

In the last three years, City have been moving closer to snagging it but for Chelsea in 2021 and Real Madrid in 2022, Pep Guardiola’s men may have reached the Promised Land.

While a treble remains a possibility for City, Real Madrid can only manage a double after winning the Copa del Rey last weekend. For City, they must remain flawless in their next seven games, and if they do, they will be in contention for an eighth match, the Champions League final.

Guardiola is eager to win another UEFA Champions League title, as despite his legendary tactical acumen and moves to mega-rich teams such as Bayern Munich and now Manchester City, he has failed to raise the big-eared trophy since 2011, when he did so with Barcelona and a certain Lionel Messi.

On Tuesday, his opponents will be led by ‘Don’ Carlo Ancelotti, a UCL record breaker and maker with four victories, who is in charge of Real Madrid, the record UCL victors. And, regardless of their form in La Liga, Los Blancos always feel at home in the Champions League.

Head-to-head

04/05/22 UCL Real Madrid 3 – 1 Man City

26/04/22 UCL Man City 4 – 3 Real Madrid

07/08/20 UCL Man City 2 – 1 Real Madrid

26/02/20 UCL Real Madrid 1 – 2 Man City

27/07/17 ICC Man City 4 – 1 Real Madrid

The exciting fact about this encounter is the projected one-on-one battles that will take place all around the Santiago Bernabeu pitch, as both sides have masterpieces in place for a match of this magnitude.

We will look at five match-ups that will/may determine the outcome.

Dani Carvajal vs Jack Grealish

Carvajal is an exceptional one-on-one defender, but at 31, the compact right-sided defender has lost some speed and can be easily frustrated when his opponent gets the better of him in physical duels. The Spain international will face a stern test against Grealish, whose strength is progressing the ball and creating scoring positions for Haaland, De Bruyne, and Gundogan.

In 10 UCL matches, the English winger has created 26 chances but has provided just one assist while completing 16 of 21 attempted dribbles. His direct opponent on Tuesday, Carvajal has won 23 of 41 ground duels and completed 88% of his attempted passes, same as Grealish.

Eder Militao vs Erling Haaland

Haaland enters the game on Tuesday with a record of 51 goals and counting, and Carlo Ancelotti must choose between Eder Militao and Antonio Rudiger for the right-sided central defender position. Militao has been the more frequent player, but Ancelotti has told his Brazilian defender to “wake up” after a series of errors.

Against Haaland, whoever is chosen must be flawless and quick on their feet, as the Norwegian has enhanced his potency by finding space and becoming a goal provider. It will be physical and referee Artur Dias will need to keep his eyes on the back of his head to keep this battle from exploding.

Federico Valverde vs Kevin de Bruyne

When City are at their best, De Bruyne directs the symphony, which means Ancelotti will have developed a strategy to disrupt the Belgian’s rhythm. Toni Kroos and Luka Modric don’t have the legs to track and challenge De Bruyne, but Valverde has the engine, mentality, and persistence to be Madrid’s disruptor-in-chief. Though he must be careful not to give away too many free kicks from which City might profit.

Vinicius Junior vs Kyle Walker

Vinicius has been Madrid’s major offensive protagonist. He has created 17 goal scoring chances, scored six goals and made five assists. He is direct, fast, and also unpredictable, while linking up effectively with Karim Benzema and Rodrygo. Which is why Guardiola will probably deploy the equally swift Walker to man that right flank.

Eduardo Camavinga vs Bernardo Silva

Another interesting duel to look out for will also be on Madrid’s left flank, where Ancelotti has deployed a midfielder Camavinga as the left back. How he defends against Silva, who is famed for his close control and deftness in tight spaces, will be a determinant of who gets a first leg advantage. While the French midfielder has proven his defensive nous, his concentration and penchant to move infield when Madrid have the ball will be tested.

What the Managers said

“The team [Man City] is more complete than last year. Gabriel Jesus was very dangerous, but different to Haaland, The style is the same, but they can now take advantage more of long balls and second options.

“Haaland is very dangerous. We have to watch him, and it is not just him. They play very good football and we have to work to stop a team that seems unstoppable. But we have options. We arrive here well, at the same level as last season.

“What matters is our motivation and winning the cup [Copa del Rey] was a bonus.” – Carlo Ancelotti, Real Madrid Manager

“We are not here for revenge. It is another opportunity. One day we will get it. We will get to the final and win it. It didn’t happen last season as we played Real Madrid and in this competition they know exactly what they have to do.”

“Seven years ago we wanted to win the Champions League. Last season it was [like] the end of the world, but here we are again. Being stable is the most important thing. The important thing is we are trying to get better every year.

“We were prepared last year, too. We are the same manager, mainly the same players, but completely different games. The difference is the second leg is at home and everything will be decided in Manchester.” – Pep Guardiola, Manchester City Manager

Likely starting 11

Real Madrid: Courtois, Carvajal, Militao, Alaba, Camavinga; Kroos, Modric, Valverde; Vinicius, Benzema, Rodrygo

Man City: Ederson, Walker, Stones, Dias, Akanji; Rodri, Gundogan, De Bruyne; Grealish, Haaland, Silva

CBN To Sanction Banks Backing Unlicensed Foreign Firms

By

faith Jegede

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May 9, 2023

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The Central Bank of Nigeria has said it will sanction banks assisting the operations of unlicensed foreign firms.

It stated in its ‘Guidelines for the regulation of representative offices of foreign banks in Nigeria’, signed by the Director, Financial Policy and Regulation Department, Muhammad Musa.

The statement read in part,

“Any CBN regulated entity found to be assisting, supporting, harboring or facilitating the presence and/or operations of an unlicensed international financial institution in Nigeria shall be liable to severe sanctions including suspension or revocation of their banking license.”

According to the guidelines, representative offices of foreign banks served an important purpose of showcasing the brand and services of its parent company.

It could also stimulate foreign direct investment to the host country by connecting capital to various investment opportunities.

It also stated that “It is in view of these that the Central Bank of Nigeria issues this guideline, to specify the requirements for the licensing and operations of approved representative offices of foreign banks in Nigeria”.

The CBN noted that the guidelines applied to banks licensed under any foreign law, whose registered head office is outside Nigeria; Any financial institution licensed under foreign law, whose primary business includes the receipt of deposits, granting of loans and/or provision of current and savings accounts; Any foreign-owned operating bank/financial holding company that is foreign-based, that owns controlling interest in one or more banks or institutions whose primary business includes the receipt of deposits, granting of loans and provision of current and savings accounts.

Over 300 Athletes Arrive Benin for NUGA Trials

By

Emenike Agu

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May 9, 2023

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Students from 41 universities across the country have arrived in Benin, Edo state, to fight for spots on Nigeria’s squad to the world university games scheduled to hold in Chengdu, China, from July 28 to august 8, 2023.

The athletes are competing in seven sports, including athletics, judo, badminton, table tennis, taekwondo, swimming and tennis at the 31st Universiade. With the university of Benin and Samuel Ogbemudia stadium as venues, NUGA hopes that the event will showcase Nigeria’s top university-level talent and also inspire others to take up sports and pursue their athletic dreams.

NUGA, in a statement, Monday, affirmed “world university games trials as an important milestone in Nigeria’s sports calendar” and encouraged sports enthusiasts to come out and support the talented athletes.

Athletics events are expected to commence Tuesday, while badminton’s technical meeting, warm up sessions will also hold Tuesday, with the trials beginning Wednesday.
Registration and accreditation of judo, swimming, judo, table tennis, tennis and taekwondo athletes will hold Tuesday, while the trials will start Wednesday after technical meetings.

KAWS Wins $900,000 In Lawsuit Over Counterfeit Artworks

By

Koko Lawrence

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May 9, 2023

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The artist KAWS will soon be $900,000 dollars richer after winning a lawsuit against two Singapore-based companies and a man named Dylan Joy An Leong Yi Zhi, who were producing counterfeit works, including dolls, figurines, canvases, and neon lights.

According to court documents filed in the Southern District of New York, KAWS sent Leong and the companies a cease-and-desist letter in 2020. A lawsuit from KAWS followed in 2021.

The artist claimed that Leong and the companies had created hundreds of works that infringed on his copyright. These works, the artist said, had a collective retail value of more than $63 million.

Court documents revealed that one of the companies went as far as to boast about its ability to create “custom hand-reworked reproductions” of KAWS’s works and their price point, which is significantly lower than authentic figurines and sculptures designed by the artist. That public admission was enough for the court to find that Leong and his associates “knowingly intended to sell counterfeit KAWS goods.”

Kaws’s legal team, which includes the attorney Aaron Richard Golub, submitted 154 counterfeit works as evidence of copyright infringement to the court and noted that such works not only damage his reputation but also “chill the market for his original work because purchasers fear inadvertently acquiring a counterfeit”—a constant problem for the artist, who reportedly spends up to $40,000 a year on counterfeit identification.

Simple Measures can Avert a Million Baby Deaths Yearly – Study

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Cleopatra Okohai

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May 9, 2023

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Providing simple and cheap healthcare measures to pregnant women, such as offering aspirin, could prevent more than a million babies from being stillborn or dying as newborns in developing countries every year, new research said on Tuesday.

An international team of researchers also estimated that one-quarter of the world’s babies are born either premature or underweight, adding that almost no progress is being made in this area.

The researchers called for governments and organisations to ramp up the care women and babies receive during pregnancy and birth in 81 low- and middle-income countries.

Eight proven and easily implementable measures could prevent more than 565,000 stillbirths in these countries, according to a series of papers published in the Lancet journal.

The measures included providing micronutrient, protein and energy supplements, low-dose aspirin, the hormone progesterone, education on the harms of smoking, and treatments for malaria, syphilis and bacteria in urine.

If steroids were made available to pregnant women and doctors did not immediately clamp the umbilical cord, the deaths of more than 475,000 newborn babies could also be prevented, the research found.

Implementing these changes would cost an estimated $1.1 billion, the researchers said.

This is “a fraction of what other health programmes receive”, said Per Ashorn, a lead study author and professor at Finland’s Tampere University.

Meanwhile another study author, Joy Lawn of the London School for Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, told Press that the researchers used a new definition for babies born premature or underweight.

She said the traditional way to determine a baby had a low birthweight — if it was born weighing under 2.5 kilogrammes (5.8 pounds) — was “a bit randomly selected” by a Finnish doctor in 1919.

This “very blunt measure” has remained the benchmark for more than a century, despite plentiful evidence that “those babies are not all the same”, Lawn said.

The researchers analysed a database that included 160 million live births from 2000 to 2020 to work out how often babies are born “too soon and too small”, she said.

“Quite shockingly, we found that this is much more common once you start to think about it in a more nuanced way.”

The researchers estimated that 35.3 million — or one in four — of the babies born worldwide in 2020 were either premature or too small, classifying them under the new term “small vulnerable newborns”.

While most of the babies were born in southern Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, Lawn emphasised that every country was affected.

One reason progress has flatlined is that these problems tend “to be something that happens to families and women with less of a voice”, Lawn said.

For example, pregnant African-American women in the United States received a lower level of care than other groups, she added.

Twitter To Cancel Inactive Accounts

By

faith Jegede

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May 9, 2023

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Twitter Chief Executive Officer, Elon Musk, announced that the platform would be cancelling inactive accounts that haven’t been used for a long period of time.

In a message posted on his social media, Musk said the company would be purging accounts that have had no activity for several years, so users will probably see follower count drop.

Musk-mandated changes at Twitter from slashing staff to doing away with free verification check marks seen as stamps of authenticity have alienated users and advertisers.

Twitter’s blue ticks were reinstated on some media, celebrity, and other high-profile accounts late in April — a move protested by many of the recipients.

Musk tweeted at the time that he was “paying for a few (subscriptions) personally.”

Many official media accounts regained a tick, including, which has not subscribed to Twitter Blue.

Twitter Chief Executive Officer, Elon Musk, announced that the platform will be cancelling inactive accounts that haven’t been used for a long period of time.

The reinstated ticks did not lure back US public radio NPR, which in mid-April suspended activity on its accounts.

The broadcaster was among those to protest the “state-affiliated” and “government-funded” labels Twitter attached to them, which were previously reserved for non-independent media funded by autocratic governments.

Since Musk bought Twitter, the company has relaxed the moderation of content on the network, letting back many users banned because of messages inciting hatred or spreading misinformation.

Market trackers say Twitter revenues have fallen as advertisers avoid the platform.

LAUTECH Doctors Strike Over Unpaid Salaries, Conditions of Service

By

Cleopatra Okohai

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May 9, 2023

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Doctors at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, Oyo State began an industrial action over poor conditions of service.

The industrial action was called by the hospital’s chapter of the Medical and Dental Association of Nigeria and announced by its Chairman, Dr. Ayobami Alabi, and Secretary, Dr. Taiwo Alatishe in a statement.

They stated that the decision was based on a congress resolution arrived at, at the expiration of an ultimatum earlier issued.

The chapter’s MDCAN declared that it had critically observed the situation in the hospital and there was no definite assurance that issues in contention would soon be resolved either partly or wholly.

The association stated that it had made efforts in the past to safeguard the hospital from total collapse and to reposition it for better training, research, and services for which it was established.

It declared as unacceptable the continued non-payment of salaries of its members recently employed.

It also decried the “delay and difficulty in payment of 2016 to 2017 salary arrears by the management.

It added that some of the other issues in contention were the shortage of manpower across the different cadres of doctors, including consultants, specialists across different fields, resident doctors, specialists in training, and house officers.

“The prescribed ratio of doctors expected to function in a tertiary hospital is already distorted and highly eroded by this shortfall undermining quality training and service.

“The persistent inability of hospital management to employ doctors and other staff hinged on the excuse of paucity of funds, has led to failure in expanding the scope of training and services,’’ it stated.

It also decried the decadence in infrastructure, equipment and facilities which it stated was making the hospital operate below the optimal standard expected of a teaching hospital.

It listed the poor conditions of service to include a lack of basic facilities like offices for consultants and non-response from management in spite of years of appeal.

The withdrawal of service “is done to safeguard the hospital from total collapse and to reposition it for better training, research, and services for which it was established.

“The board of the hospital failed to respond appropriately and satisfactorily to all these challenges over the years despite our various engagements, tolerance, and show of understanding.

“This treatment is anti-labour. It is also considered inhumane with the attending psychological and emotional trauma,’’ it stressed.

It noted that it was becoming impracticable for the hospital’s management to provide basic amenities for effective service delivery.

The MDCAN appealed to the public, traditional rulers, critical stakeholders, and the state government to come to the rescue of the teaching hospital to reposition it for better output.

Twitter To Reduce Verification Prices For Small Businesses

By

faith Jegede

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May 9, 2023

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Twitter CEO, Elon Musk, has announced that the company will unveil a plan with lower prices for small businesses interested in the verification badge of the platform.

He said this while responding to complaints made by users of the platforms that the $ 1,000-a-month subscription fee for businesses is too high.

Musk responded to say the $1,000 charge will be for ‘larger’ organizations.

He said, “We will have a lower cost tier for small businesses but need to manage the onboarding of organisations carefully to prevent fraud. The $1000/month is meant for larger organisations.”

According to Twitter, “Verified Organisation is a new way for organizations and their affiliates to distinguish themselves on Twitter. Rather than relying on Twitter to be the sole arbiter of truth for which accounts should be verified, vetted organizations that sign up for Verified Organizations are in full control of vetting and verifying accounts they’re affiliated with.

It further added that “Accounts affiliated with the organization will receive an affiliate badge on their profile with the organization’s logo, and will be featured on the organization’s Twitter profile, indicating their affiliation. All organizations are vetted before they can join Verified Organizations.

“We’ve already seen organisations, including sports teams, news organisations, financial firms, Fortune 500 companies, and non-profits join Verified Organizations and list their affiliated accounts publicly on their profiles.

We are now sending email invitations to approved organizations from the waitlist.”

King Charles, Queen Camilla Seen In First Official Coronation Portraits

By

Koko Lawrence

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May 9, 2023

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The first official photos of King Charles, Queen Camilla and the working royal family have been shared since the jampacked coronation weekend.

In the solo picture shared by Buckingham Palace of Charles, the newly appointed king was seated in the Throne Room, wearing full regalia — which included the Robe of Estate and the Imperial State Crown.

Charles was holding the Sovereign’s Orb and the Sovereign’s Sceptre in the photograph.

The newly crowned Queen Camilla also posed for an individual picture in a white gown, with gold detailing in The Green Drawing Room of Buckingham Palace.

Camilla wore Queen Mary’s crown and Robe of Estate in the new portrait.

Working members of the royal family — including Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester, Prince Richard, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, Princess Anne, Kate, the Princess of Wales and William, the Prince of Wales, Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, Princess Alexandra and Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh — were pictured with Their Majesties.

King Charles and Queen Camilla rededicated their lives to service in a statement shared alongside their portraits on Monday.