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Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said on Saturday that his side have not made an offer for rumoured transfer target Sami Khedira, the Real Madrid midfielder. Khedira, a member of Germany’s World Cup-winning side, faces renewed competition for a first-team place at Madrid following the arrival of Colombia star James Rodriguez and Arsenal have been linked with a move for him. But Wenger kept his cards close to his chest when he was asked about his club’s reported interest in the 27-year-old after Arsenal’s emphatic 5-1 win over Benfica in the Emirates Cup friendly tournament. Asked if Arsenal had submitted a bid for Khedira, he replied: “No.” When pressed as to whether Wenger had enquired about the midfielder’s availability, he said: “What is enquired? I don’t know. If I read the (British) newspapers, (they say) he’s available!”

In line with its corporate culture of rewarding and celebrating exceptional business performers, leading telecommunications services provider, Airtel Nigeria, has rewarded its top performing trade partners with an array of exotic prizes including the latest editions of select luxury cars, highly-sought-after Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) and top-rated business machines. At an exclusive event held at the prestigious Eko Hotel & Suites, Airtel honoured its channel partners in grand style, celebrating their contributions and achievements in the past year while also encouraging them to continue in the path of high business returns and increased market performance. Segun Ogunsanya, Managing Director&Chief Executive Officer of Airtel Nigeria, commended the company’s trade partners for their commitment, loyalty, focus and hardwork, saying Airtel has emerged the country’s second largest operator because of the strong support it received from all its channel partners. “We...

Former national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Bisi Akande believes that the President Goodluck Jonathan’s presidency and the ruling Peoples Democratic Party are no differentfrom political armed robber. Akande said this at a reception for him by APC in his federal constituency at Ila Orangun, Osun state on Saturday 2 August. He said the party has deprived Nigerians of the dividend of democracy, noting that, it is increasingly becoming embarrassing that the PDP, in its own fashion of democracy, tolerates no opposition. “It is noble to work, to live. When a man wakes up daily to work, his aim is to gather resources to buy his needs like air-conditioners, drinks, foods, housing, clothes and some luxuries. If suddenly he realises that armed robbers are at his gate, in any decent society, his immediate reaction will be to ask for help from his government or its agents. “And promptly, he should be defended and protected from attack. Is that possible ...

On Friday, August 1, 2014 a Ugandan court annulled the bill signed into law earlier this year prohibiting homosexual activities in the country. According to reports, the court said the process through which the lw was passed was illegal and therefore unconstitutional. The judgement, which was done by a panel of 5 judges said the speaker of the country’s parliament acted illegally by allowing a vote to measure despite at least 3 objections raised. AP  reports: “The speaker was obliged to ensure that there was quorum,” the court said in its ruling. “We come to the conclusion that she acted illegally.” The ruling was made before a courtroom packed with Ugandans opposing or supporting the measure. Activists erupted in loud cheers after the court ruled the law is now “null and void.” Ugandan lawyer Ladislaus Rwakafuuzi, an attorney for the activists, said the ruling “upholds the rule of law and constitutionalism in Uganda.”

The Police in Lagos have begun investigation into the murder of a business woman, Njideka Nzewe, the Chief Executive Officer/Managing Director of Edmark International. Police spokesperson, DSP Ngozi Braide, said the deceased was a single mother “who had since separated from her husband.” According to Braide, the woman is believed to have been strangled at about 2:30am on the fateful day. “The woman is suspected to have been strangled by a 33-year old lover and employee of hers with a rope inside her apartment. “He locked up the place, packed her money, phones, and international passports and about N8million she was meant to leave for him for the running of the business while she was in United States. “We believe he ran to Ghana. The morning Njideka was murdered, her brother, who was to assist in moving her things to her new home, came over after repeatedly calling her lines without any response. “The brother became worried when he noticed that everywhere was locked. He fe...

The discovery of a baby placenta in the residence of a man, identified simply as Alfa Gani, is causing confusion in the Laduba community, Ogidi area of Ilorin, Kwara State. Our correspondent gathered on Thursday that the discovery was made when some volunteers went round the Laduba community to appeal for financial contributions from residents for the repair of a faulty transformer in the area. It was said that the volunteers perceived offensive odour at Gani’s residence, which they later reported to other members of the community. It was said that curious to know what smelled, some members of the community rushed to Gani’s residence and demanded an explanation for the offensive odour oozing from his house. An eyewitness, who pleaded anonymity, told PUNCH Metro that Gani initially accused the community members of intruding into his privacy. He was said to have rushed to the Oloje Police Station to report the community members. The source added that before Gani could...