LA LIGA: The real Kylian Mbappe has arrived! Superstar’s brace sends Blancos top
The Frenchman led Carlo Ancelotti’s attack with a first-half brace as they strolled to an easy win at Santiago Bernabeu. Kylian Mbappe scored twice – and could have had four – as the Real Madrid attack hummed around him in Los Blancos 4-1 win over Las Palmas on Sunday that puts them top of La Liga. The Frenchman turned in a dominant performance to quell any fears regarding Vinicius Jr’s absence through suspension, and showed that things might just work out at Santiago Bernabeu for him after all. Madrid started awfully and were behind after just 25 seconds as Las Palmas constructed a slick attack right from the kick-off, one that ended with a tidy finish from Fabio Silva – marking the earliest goal Madrid have conceded since 2011. From there, though, they woke up. Mbappe bagged the equaliser from the penalty spot after Rodrygo was tripped in the box, and Brahim Diaz put the hosts ahead, turning into an empty net from a Lucas Vazquez cut-back. Mbappe then put the game beyond doubt after 36 minutes with an arrowed finish into the top corner, and he thought he had a hat-trick shortly before half-time, only for his effort to be ruled out for a narrow offside in the build up. The second half only brought more action, as Rodrygo scored on 57 minutes, completing a carefully crafted move, and Madrid had two further goals disallowed, while shoddy finishing from first Jude Bellingham and then Brahim let Las Palmas off the hook.
Rashford will remain on sidelines at Man Utd ‘no matter what’ – Amorim
Ruben Amorim has brutally declared that Marcus Rashford will remain on the sidelines at Manchester United “no matter what.” *Rashford excluded again from United squad*United lose 3-1 to Brighton*Rashford seeking exit from Old Trafford *WHAT HAPPENED? Rashford was not in the squad again as United fell to a 3-1 defeat to Brighton at Old Trafford. With the exception of Amad Diallo, the Red Devils’ forwards have struggled to nail down starting roles as inconsistency and poor finishing plague the squad. Meanwhile, Rashford has made it clear he would like to leave the club, and Amorim has doubled down on his promise to keep the Englishman on the sidelines despite his team being stuck in a “bad moment”. *WHAT AMORIM SAID Speaking after the Brighton loss, Amorim said when asked if he could consider recalling Rashford: “It is his choice (not to play). I don’t want to focus on this bad moment because in the games we lost, Rashford is not here. I don’t want to put this moment on Rashford. Rashford is out of this moment because he is not playing. No matter what, I am not going to put out a player I don’t believe is the best for the team.” *THE BIGGER PICTURE Amorim will be desperate for a swift end to the saga surrounding the wantaway forward’s future as, with each disappointing defeat, his absence becomes an increasingly glaring and obvious question. In the Portuguese coach’s opening games, Rashford shone brightly and appeared as if he might be recapturing his best form. However, within weeks, he announced he would like to leave the club and left his new boss in a lurch. *WHAT NEXT FOR UNITED? United will be desperate to find a resolution to Rashford’s future in the remaining days of the transfer window to put an end to one of the many crises sweeping the club. Amorim declared this United side as the worst in the club’s history and will be hoping the Red Devils, currently 13th, do not slide any further down the table. Yet, they face a tricky test away at Fulham next week and the headache may get worse for Amorim still.
Biden preemptively pardons family members, Trump foes
Now former President Joe Biden announced Monday before leaving office that he would be preemptively pardoning several people who could be targeted with President-elect Donald Trump’s return to the White House, including members of his family, Dr. Anthony Fauci, General Mark A. Milley and members of the House Jan. 6 committee and their staff. Just 20 minutes before handing over power to Trump, Biden also announced he was preemptively pardoning his brothers, sister-in-law, sister and brother-in-law. “My family has been subjected to unrelenting attacks and threats, motivated solely by a desire to hurt me—the worst kind of partisan politics,” Biden said in a statement. “Unfortunately, I have no reason to believe these attacks will end. … Even when individuals have done nothing wrong and will ultimately be exonerated, the mere fact of being investigated or prosecuted can irreparably damage their reputations and finances.” A source familiar with the decision tells CBS News he made the decision to pardon his siblings and their spouses “in the last few days” amid the “continuing talk and concern about possible persecution and prosecution” by the new administration. Biden issued preemptive pardons for Fauci, Milley and others earlier in the morning. “These public servants have served our nation with honor and distinction and do not deserve to be the targets of unjustified and politically motivated prosecutions,” Biden said in a statement. The former president noted that the pardons “should not be mistaken as an acknowledgment that any individual engaged in any wrongdoing, nor should acceptance be misconstrued as an admission of guilt for any offence.” He added that the nation instead “owes these public servants a debt of gratitude for their tireless commitment to our country.” Biden praised the service of Fauci, who worked for decades as the nation’s top infectious disease expert; Milley, a former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; and the members of the House committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol and their staff, who the president said worked with “integrity and a commitment to discovering the truth.” The individuals have all been the subject of GOP ire and threats of retribution for perceived wrongdoings. The president said he believes in the rule of law and is “optimistic that the strength of our legal institutions will ultimately prevail over politics.” But he added that “these are exceptional circumstances, and I cannot in good conscience do nothing.” Fauci issued a statement on Monday after the pardon news saying that he is grateful for the action. “Despite the accomplishments that my colleagues and I achieved over my long career of public service, I have been the subject of politically motivated threats of investigation and prosecution,” Fauci said. “There is absolutely no basis for these threats. Let me be perfectly clear: I have committed no crime and there are no possible grounds for any allegation or threat of criminal investigation or prosecution of me. The fact is, however, that the mere articulation of these baseless threats, and the potential that they will be acted upon, create immeasurable and intolerable distress for me and my family.” Milley said in a statement after Biden’s announcement Monday that he and his family “are deeply grateful for the President’s action today.” “After forty-three years of faithful service in uniform to our nation, protecting and defending the Constitution, I do not wish to spend whatever remaining time the Lord grants me fighting those who unjustly might seek retribution for perceived slights,” Milley said. Rep. Bennie Thompson, who had been the chair of the Jan. 6 select committee, and former Rep. Liz Cheney, the Republican who had served as the vice chair, issued a joint statement on Monday expressing gratitude for the pardons due to the “extraordinary circumstances.” “Such a prosecution would be ordered and conducted by persons who led this unprecedented attack on our constitutional system. We are not deterred, we have never been deterred, and we will never be deterred by threats of criminal violence or criminal prosecution, and we are encouraged greatly by the rule of law by the existence of the Constitution’s Speech and Debate clause as well as this general pardon by President Biden of our Committee and its excellent staff.” Speculation about the possibility of preemptive pardons for members of the Jan. 6 committee has circulated in recent days. Trump has accused members of the committee of destroying evidence and committing “a major crime” during their investigation. He told NBC’s “Meet the Press” last month that “everybody” who served on the committee “should go to jail.” Trump aide Taylor Budowich posted on social media that Biden “unilaterally shielded a group of political cronies from the scales of justice. This is yet another dangerous and unreversible erosion of American norms.” Sen. Markwayne Mullin, a Trump ally, told CBS News about the pardons said that Republicans have not indicated they would “definitely go after the individuals,” so “why would he be preemptive to put out a pardon if they didn’t do anything wrong?” Biden was criticized in December when he issued a sweeping, preemptive pardon of his son Hunter for any crimes Hunter Biden may have committed from Jan. 1, 2014, through Dec. 1, 2024. Hunter Biden was convicted in June of three separate felony charges related to his purchase of a revolver in 2018 when he was battling an addiction to illegal drugs, which he lied about on paperwork to obtain the gun. He also pleaded guilty to nine tax evasion charges in a separate case in September. Thompson told CBS News last week that he would accept a preemptive pardon, saying that “if for Bennie Thompson, that is something that’s offered to me, I will accept it.” “Because there are a lot of people who take this person at his word, and I don’t want him to weaponize (the) government against people for doing their job,” Thompson said. Still, other members of the committee have said they were not in favour of pardons. “We didn’t do anything wrong,” said Rep.
EFCC to sell off 891 seized cars online, names vendors
Barring any last-minute change of decision, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) will begin an electronic auction of 891 cars. The cars, which range from luxury vehicles to mid-range Toyota Camry, were recovered by the EFCC in the course of its investigations into various financial crimes, including corruption, money laundering, and cybercrime. According to a statement issued by the EFCC on Monday, the auction is in line with the EFCC (Establishment) Act, 2004, Public Procurement Act, 2007 and the Proceeds of Crime (Recovery & Management) Act, 2022. The statement reads: “The General Public is hereby notified that the @officialEFCC through its appointed Auctioneers will conduct e-Auction of the under-listed vehicles that are subject of final Forfeiture orders in accordance with the EFCC (Establishment) Act, 2004, Public Procurement Act, 2007 and the Proceeds of Crime (Recovery & Management) Act, 2022.” It added that the auction will be online and is expected to run from January 20-27. Interested parties have been directed to the following websites: www.rihogo.com, https://biznjeg.ng, www.areogunresourcesniglid.com.ng. Last September, the agency handed over 53 vehicles and a total of $180,300 stolen by fraudsters to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. The Chairman of the Commission, Ola Olukoyede noted that out of the $180,300, the sum of $164,000 was stolen from a Canadian woman, Elena Bogomas, in a romance scam, while $16,300 was stolen from one Sandra Butler. Olukoyede further stated that the recoveries are the result of the inter-agency cooperation between Nigeria and other countries in the fight against corruption.
Zuckerberg busted staring at Jeff Bezos’ fiancee’s chest at Trump’s inauguration
Meta and Facebook CEO, Mark Zuckerberg was caught looking at Lauren Sanchez’s chest during Donald Trump’s inauguration as the 47th President of the United States on Monday. According to Daily Mail UK, the billionaire businessman was staring at Jeff Bezos’ fiancée’s chest, as they sat in the rotunda ahead of the swearing-in ceremony. The news platform added that Zuckerberg was seen glancing down at Sanchez, who wore a bold outfit which consisted of white lace lingerie to the service. Expectedly, the incident has attracted flurry of comments and discussions on social media. Listed below are some of the comments: “I probably would have looked too, as she’s begging for her breasts to be noticed,” one post on X read. ‘Mark Zuckerberg is ready to risk it all for Jeff Bezos’ fiancée at the inauguration,’ another commentator joked. Another commentator stated, “Lauren Sanchez’s clothing is horrible. She’s 55 and could wear beautiful clothing but has chosen to wear a lot of skin.”
Pastor Kumuyi prays at Trump’s inauguration
Pastor William Kumuyi joined a special event ahead of Donald Trump’s inauguration, emphasizing faith, unity, and spiritual renewal for the U.S. The programme, titled the Inauguration Praise and Prayer Convocation, was hosted at the Greater New Hope Baptist Church. It was organized by Jim Garlow’s Well Versed World ministry and Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council. The gathering drew faith leaders and believers from across the country. They united in prayer for the United States and the incoming administration, seeking divine guidance and blessings for the new leadership. Pastor Kumuyi’s participation highlighted the global reach of faith and the role of spiritual leaders in shaping moral discourse. Kumuyi’s prayer challenge During the event, Pastor Kumuyi addressed the attendees, issuing a heartfelt challenge to the American church and its leaders. He urged them to prioritize holiness and righteousness, emphasizing these virtues as the foundation for spiritual renewal and national revival. In his prayer, Kumuyi said, “Almighty God, we thank You and bless Your name. What a great and glorious God You are. I want to thank You, Lord, for the church in America. You said, ‘Upon this rock, I will build My church, and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it.’” He continued, asking for divine wisdom for Donald Trump and unity among the church. “Lord, we come in preparation for the celebration of Donald Trump as President. Grant him wisdom, and give the church unity, revival, and the courage to speak truth to power. Revive Your church and restore holiness and righteousness so that it can have a meaningful ministry in government and for America.” Focus on revival Kumuyi’s words underscored the importance of aligning spiritual values with national leadership. He highlighted the need for the church to maintain its moral standing while engaging with the government. His prayer resonated with many attendees, reminding them of the enduring power of faith in shaping a nation’s future. Kumuyi’s involvement in the programme extended beyond the prayer convocation. He also participated in interviews and discussions with key figures. In an SRN News interview, he offered a prayer specifically for the incoming president, Donald Trump. “Almighty God, You chose to bring President-Elect Donald Trump to this position to lead at this time. Grant him Your grace, wisdom, and power. Help him remain focused on honoring Christ as he promised during his campaign. In Jesus’ name, Amen.” Meeting with leaders During his visit, Pastor Kumuyi met with influential figures, including former North Carolina Representative Robert Pittenger and Lucas Miles, Senior Director of Turning Point USA Faith. He also interacted with media representatives to share his vision for a spiritually renewed America. Kumuyi’s meetings emphasized the value of collaboration between spiritual and political leaders. By engaging with key stakeholders, he sought to inspire a collective effort toward promoting values of integrity, faith, and service. A Historic day As the United States prepares for Donald Trump’s inauguration as the 47th President, the focus remains on the nation’s future. The oath of office will be administered by Chief Justice John Roberts in Washington, D.C. Millions around the world are watching, hopeful for positive changes in America’s leadership. Pastor Kumuyi’s presence and prayers at the pre-inauguration event served as a reminder of the vital role faith can play in guiding leaders and shaping policies. His call for holiness and righteousness challenges not only the church but the entire nation to pursue a path of spiritual and moral renewal. Through his prayers and discussions, Kumuyi offered a message of hope, urging everyone to rely on divine wisdom during this critical period in history. As the United States enters a new chapter, his words resonate as a call for unity, revival, and a commitment to values that transcend political boundaries. Video below: Read Also: Stop killing church members with ‘sow seed’, Kumuyi tells pastors
Kemi Badenoch’s negative comments won’t affect Nigeria – Presidency
The Presidency has said the constant negative comments by UK Conservative Party leader, Kemi Badenoch against Nigeria won’t have any effect on the country. Badenoch recently renewed her onslaught against Nigeria. –While delivering her first speech of the year at an event organised by Onward, a British think tank producing research on economic and social issues, the Nigerian-born politician said she did not want Britain to be like Nigeria where she claimed the government had failed. However, a Presidential spokesman, Daniel Bwala during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, said the UK Conservative Party leader’s comment was to gain the favour of her party. “Usually, these international relationships or collaborations are dealings between governments. Because she’s not the government in power, it will not have any effect. “Secondly, because she’s a Nigerian, investors will be smart enough to assess what she’s saying, and see whether it is borne out of rhetoric.” Bwala, in the interview, acknowledged Badenoch’s achievements in the UK, but argued that she is capitalising on populism that thrives on public discontent. The Presidential spokesman said, “The only problem we have with Kemi, I think, is the rhetoric because Kemi belongs to the right base in the United Kingdom, which is what you see in this populism around the world; that you can deepen on your support system if you can feed off of the anger of the people. “And so she’s building a rhetoric of denigrating Nigeria, demarketing Nigeria, so she can probably win the acceptance of the rights in her party. And that to me, is counterproductive because if you look at Rishi Sunak, he is also of Indian origin. “There has been this issue of gang rape in India. He has never used that as a weapon to promote what he believed to be a departure from what is likely to be believed as hereditary or history of the Indian people, but she has always denigrated Nigeria.”
Israel frees 90 Palestinians in ceasefire deal
Scores of Palestinian detainees have been freed as Israel’s truce deal with Hamas takes hold. Israel releases 90 Palestinian prisoners after Hamas freed three Israeli hostages The majority of the released Palestinians were from the Israeli-occupied West Bank, while others were from East Jerusalem, Israeli media reported, citing the country’s prison authority. According to the reports, most of those released were women and minors. Israel has agreed to release 2,000 imprisoned Palestinians under the terms of the ceasefire deal. Fireworks were launched in celebration as buses carrying former detainees arrived in the West Bank de facto capital of Ramallah, with thousands waiting to welcome them. The release comes after Hamas handed over three Israeli hostages, kicking off the implementation of the group’s ceasefire agreement with Israel. Here are the latest developments from Israel, Gaza and the wider Middle East on Monday, January 20: Israeli hospital says released hostages in ‘stable condition’ The first three Israeli hostages to have been released since Sunday’s ceasefire are said to be in a “stable condition,” according to the hospital near Tel Aviv where they are being examined. “It will take a few more days to complete all the needed examinations,” the Times of Israel quoted Sefi Mendelovich, deputy director general of health at Sheba Medical Center, as saying. Emily Damari, Romi Gonen and Doron Steinbrecher were freed on Sunday after spending more than 15 months in captivity in the Gaza Strip. Ninety Palestinian prisoners were freed in exchange for their release. People flooded into the streets to welcome the Palestinian returnees arriving in buses in the occupied West Bank overnight. In total, 33 Israeli hostages are expected to be handed over in return for 1,904 Palestinians as part of Israel’s ceasefire agreement with Hamas. UN says more than 630 trucks entered Gaza after truce deal More than 630 trucks carrying humanitarian aid entered the Gaza Strip on Sunday, according to the UN. “As the ceasefire entered into force … humanitarian aid moved into Gaza as part of a prepared surge to increase our support to survivors,” UN under-secretary for relief Tom Fletcher said in a social media post. He said more than 630 trucks had entered the territory, with at least 300 of them going north. “We recognize the logistical challenges facing those delivering this aid, including mountains of rubble and unexploded remnants of war,” Fletcher said. Thousands of Palestinians carrying tents and their personal belongings were seen returning to their homes on Sunday, after the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas began. The vast majority of Gaza’s population of 2.4 million people has been displaced by 15 months of war between the two sides. Freed Israeli hostage says she has ‘returned to life’ One the Israelis held hostage by Hamas and released on Sunday said that she has “returned to life” after being freed. Emily Damari, who is 28-years-old, thanked her family and supporters in an Instagram post shared by Israeli media. “Thank you, thank you, thank you. I’m the happiest in the world,” Damari said. Damari is a dual Israeli-British citizen and returned from captivity with a bandaged hand. Authorities said she had lost two fingers during the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023, in which some 1,200 people were killed and 250 were abducted. Released hostages in ‘relatively good health’ — DW’s Israel correspondent DW correspondent Tania Krämer was at the hospital near Tel Aviv where three Israeli hostages were reunited with their families and said they appeared to be “in relatively good health,” considering the ordeal they had endured. “The medical team at the hospital said last night that they want the hostages now to focus on being with their families, being with their friends, taking back control of their lives because their medical condition allows it,” Krämer said. On Sunday, the Hamas militant group handed over three female hostages — Romi Gonen, Emily Damari and Doron Steinbrecher — as part of a ceasefire agreement with Israel. Krämer said there had been a “sigh of relief” when the first pictures of the hostages emerged. “They were standing on their own feet, they were able walk,” she said, pointing out that the families of the hostages did not know in what condition their loved ones were in. There had been concerns about their phsyical condition because two of the hostages were injured during the Hamas-led terror attack on October 7, 2023. Krämer said the released hostages were expected to stay in the hospital for some time to undergo further medical tests. The Israel-Hamas ceasefire in Gaza appears to be holding for now, Krämer added, but went on to say that “everyone was aware how complex and fragile the whole process will be.” Four more Israeli hostages are expected to be released on Saturday in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. Gaza facing ‘immense’ health challenges — WHO The World Health Organization (WHO) has called for aid organizations to be given full access to the Gaza Strip after a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel came into effect. “Addressing the massive needs and restoring the health system will be an extremely complex and challenging task,” the UN health agency said in a press release, adding that the “health challenges ahead are immense.” The WHO said that it was “ready to scale up the response” along with other UN agencies and aid organizations. It called for the removal of ” security obstacles hindering operations” and the establishment of “conditions on the ground that allow systematic access to the population across Gaza.” The agency said that most of Gaza’s hospitals had been damaged or partly destroyed and only 38% of primary health care centers were functional. It also warned of the spread of diseases and the continued risk of famine.
Iranian pop star, Tataloo sentenced to death for ‘blasphemy’
Tattoo-covered Iranian pop star, Amir Hossein Maghsoudloo, better known as Tataloo, has reportedly been sentenced to death by an Iranian court after being found guilty of insulting Prophet Muhammad. The singer, who has gained notoriety for his outspoken views and popularity among young Iranians, was reportedly convicted on charges of “sabb al-Nabi” (insulting or denying the status of the Prophet Muhammad). Tataloo previously supported President Ibrahim Raisi during the 2017 election campaign. He also publicly expressed his backing for the Islamic Republic’s nuclear programme during the presidency of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, even performing a song called ‘Nuclear Energy’. Despite his political engagements Tataloo’s appearance and behaviour have drawn criticism from some conservative factions, which led to restrictions on his artistic activities. Due to what he described as the lack of a proper concert licence, he left Iran and moved to Turkey. After moving abroad, Tataloo continued to make headlines, including the blocking of his Instagram page due to reports of misogynistic and violent content, being detained by Turkish police for visa violations while travelling to the UK and facing accusations of insulting Shia religious figures and promoting drug use among youth. He was also involved in a controversial relationship with Iranian actress Sahar Quraysh Shashi and publicly endorsed betting websites. Tataloo has consistently rejected the charges against him, asserting his right to free artistic expression. However, four years ago, he was detained by Turkish police and sent back to Iran, where he was imprisoned following accusations of “encouraging citizens, especially young people, to use drugs, especially psychoactive drugs, as well as spreading corruption.” His legal troubles continued when, after the singer had been handed a a five-year sentence, the Tehran prosecutor appealed the initial verdict. The case was reassessed by the Supreme Court, which eventually sent it back to the Tehran Provincial Criminal Court. Despite claiming that he had no intention of disrespecting Shiite religious figures and stating his own religious beliefs, a group of Iranian media outlets reported on Sunday evening that the court had sentenced him to death. Soon after, however, the Fars news agency, closely linked to the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, issued a clarification, quoting an informed source who stated, “Tataloo’s final verdict has not yet been issued. He has just been subject to legal guardianship.” Under Iranian law, Tataloo has the right to appeal this ruling, and his case will likely be reviewed once more by the Supreme Court.
World Bank bans two Nigerian companies, CEO over fraud
The World Bank Group has imposed a 30-month ban on two Nigerian companies, Viva Atlantic Limited and Technology House Limited, alongside their Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Norman Bwuruk Didam. This is according to a press statement made by the Washington-based bank on Monday. The statement said the sanction follows findings of fraudulent, collusive, and corrupt practices connected to Nigeria’s National Social Safety Nets Project (NSSNP). The statement read, “The World Bank Group today announced the 30-month debarment of two Nigeria-based companies—Viva Atlantic Limited and Technology House Limited—and their Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Mr Norman Bwuruk Didam. The debarment is in connection with fraudulent, collusive, and corrupt practices as part of the National Social Safety Nets Project in Nigeria.” The NSSNP was established to enhance Nigeria’s social safety net systems by providing targeted financial transfers to poor and vulnerable households. However, investigations revealed serious breaches of the World Bank’s Anticorruption Framework in the 2018 procurement and subsequent contract processes involving Viva Atlantic Limited, Technology House Limited, and Didam. According to the World Bank, the companies and Didam misrepresented a conflict of interest in their Letter of Bids and improperly accessed confidential tender information from public officials, constituting fraudulent and collusive practices. Also, Viva Atlantic Limited and Didam falsified the company’s experience records and submitted forged manufacturer’s authorization letters. They also provided inducements to public officials involved in the project, which qualified as corrupt practices. These violations directly contravened the principles outlined in the World Bank’s Anticorruption Framework, prompting the sanctions. “According to the facts of the case and the general principles of the World Bank’s Anticorruption Framework, in connection with a 2018 procurement and subsequent contract, Viva Atlantic Limited, Technology House Limited, and Mr. Didam misrepresented a conflict of interest in the companies’ Letter of Bids and received confidential tender information from public officials, which constituted fraudulent and collusive practices, respectively. “Further, Viva Atlantic Limited and Mr. Didam misrepresented Viva Atlantic Limited’s experience and submitted falsified manufacturer’s authorization letters, as well as offered and provided things of value to project public officials. These actions were fraudulent and corrupt practices, respectively,” the statement said. The 30-month debarment bars Viva Atlantic Limited, Technology House Limited, and Didam from participating in World Bank Group-financed projects and operations. As part of settlement agreements with the World Bank, all three parties acknowledged their culpability and agreed to stringent integrity compliance conditions as a prerequisite for being released from debarment.
