Brazil and Senegal battle to 1-1 draw in Singapore friendly

Brazil and PSG star Neymar 

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Famara Diedhiou scored a penalty late in the first half of the friendly international to cancel out Roberto Firmino's ninth-minute opener at the Singapore National Stadium. 

Brazil drew 2-2 with Colombia and lost 1-0 to Peru in last month's friendlies and are on their longest wait for a victory since 2013.

The Copa America champions nearly fell to back-to-back losses as Sadio Mane struck the post for Senegal, leaving coach Tite to accept the criticism aimed his way.

"We were below what we can do. The squad played less than what it can play," Tite said at his post-match news conference.

"It was less competitive than what it can be. The squad can give more than this. This wasn't a good game.

"We need to get results. When we don't, criticism emerges and I have to be mature enough to absorb it."

Tite used a 4-4-2 formation in Singapore, with Neymar starting alongside Firmino in attack.

Neymar earned his 100th cap for Brazil and almost marked the landmark appearance with a goal, only for Alfred Gomis to keep out his effort in first-half stoppage time.

Asked about the Paris Saint-Germain forward's performance, Tite said: "He is getting back to his normal patterns.

"We are also making adjustments for him in the 4-4-2 system, as we're doing within the whole team."

Brazil return to action on Sunday with a friendly against Nigeria at the same ground.

Further evidence of Pinnick's rudderless leadership as Tammy Abraham says Nigeria was never an option

Tammy Abraham (L) and Fikayo Tomori - Getty Images

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Chelsea's Tammy Abraham as stated that England was always his choice and that his commitment to the three lions was never negotiable, despite the claims by Amaju Pinnick that the Chelsea youngster nursed Nigerian ambitions. 

"I'm a player growing up in England, playing in the Premier League. My ambitions were always to play for England. Obviously it's nice to be wanted by two nations, two nations that I love. But my main focus is and has always been England," he said.

"For me, it's a massive achievement [to be in the England squad]. I'm clearly doing something right for my club to get attention from Gareth Southgate. It's about going out there, helping the team as much as possible. And then coming back and doing the same job for my club."

As things stand, the 22-year-old is still eligible to represent Nigeria, however, he will end the uncertainty surrounding his international future if a competitive outing for England is taken in during their upcoming Euro 2020 qualifiers against the Czech Republic and Bulgaria.

Abraham already has two senior caps to his name, but they were collected during friendly outings against Germany and Spain in November 2017.

His form at Chelsea has brought him back into the reckoning and a man who has worked hard to reach this point, taking in a number of loan spells along the way, is determined to become a mainstay in Gareth Southgate's plans.

The time has definitely come for the Amaju Pinnick-led Nigerian FA to focus on developing the local league as well as our home-based talent. The latter are just as good, if not better than the likes of Abraham and Tomori et al, who have no real desire to play for Nigeria, as they were groomed and cultured in England and the other European countries their parents emigrated to. 

Nigerian-born former Department Head at Drexel University in the US, allegedly spends $190k grant money on strip clubs.....

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A former Head of Department at Drexel University in the United States, Dr. Chika Nwankpa, has been accused of misappropriating $190,000 meant for research purposes.

According to the Daily Mail, the Nigerian-born University Professor misappropriated funds issued by the Navy, the Department of Energy, and the National Science Foundation, to pay off hefty expenses at gentlemen's clubs and sports bars in the Philadelphia area. Investigators also found he had also spent money on iTunes.

The university had reportedly discovered the alleged fraud in 2017 during an internal audit and alerted the government.

Speaking on the allegation, US Attorney William McSwain said, “This is an example of flagrant and audacious fraud, and a shameful misuse of public funds. The agencies providing these grant funds expect them to be used towards advancements in energy and naval technology for public benefit, not for personal entertainment.”

In total, Dr. Nwankpa was found to have misappropriated a total of $189,062, which had been intended for energy, science, and naval research.

When confronted by authorities, Dr. Nwankpa admitted to being the culprit behind the unauthorized expenses and resigned from his post.

The former University professor agreed to pay back $53,328 and has been barred from federal contracting for six months, but has not been charged with a crime as of yet. During his time with the University, he was considered among the “university’s top contractors of research grant funds” landing more than $10 million in research money across his career.

Another Ukraine whistleblower has come forward

U.S. President Donald Trump

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On Sunday morning, attorney Mark S. Zaid announced on Twitter that another whistleblower has come forward regarding Trump’s interactions with Ukraine. 

Zaid also said he is representing both, along with attorney and former CIA official Andrew P. Bakaj. According to a separate tweet from Bakaj, the new whistleblower has also been interviewed by Michael Atkinson, intelligence community inspector general, which triggered whistleblower protections.

Unlike the first whistleblower, who heard about the president’s call with Ukranian President Volodymyr Zelensky second-hand, this whistleblower has first-hand knowledge about some of the events in question and “made a protected disclosure under the law and cannot be retaliated against,” according to Zaid.

Mark S. Zaid

✔@MarkSZaidEsq

NEWS UPDATE: I can confirm this report of a second #whistleblower being represented by our legal team. They also made a protected disclosure under the law and cannot be retaliated against. This WBer has first hand knowledge. https://twitter.com/GStephanopoulos/status/1180821647156289536 …

GeorgeStephanopoulos

✔@GStephanopoulos

BREAKING: Attorney representing whistleblower who sounded the alarm on Pres. Trump’s dealings with Ukraine tells @ABC News he is now representing a second whistleblower who has first-hand knowledge of events. https://abcn.ws/30PZ4BF 

26K

6:37 AM - Oct 6, 2019

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Zaid was quick to point out, however, that the law does not require a whistleblower to have first-hand knowledge of events to qualify for protections. They only need to have a “reasonable belief” that wrongdoing occurred. 

The first whistleblower, identified as a US intelligence official, filed a complaint about the president’s phone call with Zelensky on July 25, claiming the president threatened to withhold aid to the country unless Zelensky agreed to do him a “favor”—dig up dirt about former vice president Joe Biden and his son, Hunter Biden. 

According to ABC’s George Stephanopoulos, the second whistleblower is an intelligence official who has not yet had direct communications with congressional intelligence committees. 

Thus far, President Trump has called allegations from the first whistleblower “totally inaccurate” and has claimed his call with Zelensky was “absolutely perfect” and “totally appropriate.” Trump has also publicly asked both China and Ukraine to “start an investigation into the Bidens.” 

The New York Times reported on Friday that a second whistleblower was contemplating coming forward, and they apparently have decided to do just that. Trump tried to get ahead of the news, tweeting on Saturday night: “The first so-called second hand information “Whistleblower” got my phone conversation almost completely wrong, so now word is they are going to the bench and another “Whistleblower” is coming in from the Deep State, also with second hand info. Meet with Shifty. Keep them coming!” 

If the president continues to behave the way he has, worrying White House officials with his inappropriate interactions with world leaders, more whistleblowers may indeed come forward.

Source: RollingStone

Nigerian star Davido will supposedly make an appearance in 'Coming to America 2'

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The Nigerian star will have a part in the much-talked about sequel, according to comedian Michael Blackson.

The Coming to America sequel is well under way.

If you haven't been keeping up, "Eddie Murphy, Arsenio Hall, James Earl Jones, and Paul Bates, are already locked in to reprise their roles from the beloved 1988 buddy comedy," Okayplayer reports.

Additional cast members will include Kiki Layne (If Beale Street Could Talk), Wesley Snipes and now, apparently, Nigerian star Davido will also be joining the roster.

That piece of info was shared by comedian Michael Blackson, who was in Atlanta with the Nigerian singer over the weekend at his show. "Davido has told me he has a performance scene in Coming to America 2, congrats homie," Blackson tweeted.

For more details on the forthcoming sequel, Okayplayer has you covered:

"An early synopsis of the film (per The Hollywood Reporter) finds Akeem returning to the states in search of a newly-discovered son (Jermaine Fowler) living in Queens with his mother (Leslie Jones).

With his father on the outs and the throne to inherit, Akeem heads back to America to deliver the King a new prince to groom."

"Production begins this month with Craig Brewer in the director's chair and a script from black-ish creator, Kenya Barris, eyeing a December 18, 2020 release date."

Stolen Coffin from 1st Century BC to be Returned to Egypt.....

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The pilfered artifact was on display at a prominent New York museum since 2017.

Just two years after purchasing it, the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art is returning an artifact. But this time, it is being returned to its rightful owners. It was announced on Wednesday that a 2,100-year-old coffin of a priest called Nedjemankh will be returned to Egypt, according to the BBC. It is some good news for the country in a time of political unrest.

The gilded coffin was apparently stolen in 2011 where it entered what authorities believe is a multinational trafficking circuit containing potentially hundreds of similarly stolen relics. As NBC reports, this particular coffin was first smuggled out of the Minya region of Egypt to Germany via the United Arab Emirates, it was restored in Germany and then sent to Paris where it was purchased by the museum for a cool $4 million. 

The museum director, Daniel Weiss, has apologized to Egypt and stated it was unaware of its participation in the illegal trading. The investigators state that the museum was given fraudulent documents about the artifact, including a forged 1971 Egyptian export license. Export licenses are granted once entities are verified and vetted to engage in transactions outside and across country lines.

Cyrus Vance, Jr.

✔@ManhattanDA

 · Sep 25, 2019

Replying to @ManhattanDA

D.A. Vance: Thus far, our investigation has determined that this coffin is just one of hundreds of antiquities stolen by the same multi-national trafficking ring, so we may see more significant seizures of prominent antiquities in the months to come.

Cyrus Vance, Jr.

✔@ManhattanDA

D.A. Vance: New Yorkers place a strong value on cultural heritage, and our Office vigorously protects it. Returning cultural treasures to their home countries is at the core of our mission to stop the trafficking of stolen antiquities.https://www.manhattanda.org/manhatta-das-office-returns-ancient-gold-coffin/

The return was announced during a repatriation ceremony in New York City that was attended by the Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sameh Hassan Shoukry. In response to the apology and the return of the coffin, the Egyptian minister said, "This is not only for Egyptians but this is for our common human heritage.

Though these artifacts were stolen in a different manner, repatriating cultural relics to their rightful owners has been a hot topic as of late–including as a plotline for a record-breaking movie. Many African countries are speaking to their former colonizers and demanding artifacts be returned.

Davido, Fabolous & Jeremih Connect For 'Choosy'......

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Watch the music video shot in Cape Verde below.....

Fabolous drops his latest single and music video for "Choosy," a new song that sees him linking up with Nigerian star Davido and Jeremih.

The new track, which was produced by Hitmaka and Swiff D, is built on light guitars and afrobeats-inspired beatwork. which brings to mind past hits like "Unforgettable" and "2AM."

Jeremih kicks off "Choosy" and handles chorus duties, while Fabolous pops in-and-out with his verses. Davido comes in around the 3-minute mark of the video to deliver a romance-filled verse that interpolates his much-played opening line from "If."

The music video for "Choosy" follows Fabo, Davido and Jeremih in and around Cape Verde. It features several beautiful, sun-filled shots of Praia and its people. The clip was directed by Gerard Victor.

Talented Genevieve Nnaji's 'Lion Heart' becomes Nigeria's First Ever Entry to the Oscars

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The Netflix original film has been submitted for the 'Best International Feature Film' category.

Last year in September, Netflix picked up Genevieve Nnaji's directorial debut Lion Heart and it became the first Netflix original film to come out of Nigeria's colossal film industry. More recently, the film has now been submitted to the Oscars in the "Best International Feature Film"

In an effort to be more representative, the Oscars did away with the "Best Foreign Language Film", citing that it was outdated, and changed it to "Best International Feature Film" in April of this year. category—Nigeria's first ever entry to the Oscars according to Screen.

Nigeria's Nollwood is the second biggest film industry in the world, producing at least 50 films per week. Although the country set up the Nigerian Oscars Selection Committee back in 2014, the committee has reportedly not been able but to find a film meeting the selection criteria until now.

Lion Heart stars Nnaji in the lead role as she performs alongside Nkem Owoh, Pete Edochie and Onyeka Onwenu. 

The film tells the story of Adaeze, a young woman who steps up to the challenge of running the family business with her uncle after her father experiences some health issues. Adaeze then tries to juggle both her family and thriving career amidst rampant sexism in the workplace and attempts to save the business from financial ruin.

A tale of jungle fever as British singer Adele romantically linked to Nigerian rapper Skepta aka Joseph Adenuga jr.

Adele (L) and Skepta (R)

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British singer, Adele; and rapper, Skepta, whose real name is Joseph Adenuga Jr, are reportedly dating. 

According to Sun UK, the couple has been going on dates since Adele split from her husband, Simon Konecki, in April.

A source told the medium, "Adele and Skepta have been there for each other a lot after both their relationships split up. They have a close bond and there's definitely a special connection.

"They're spending more and more time together. Some of their friends are hoping and predicting they could end up being a great couple one day."

Adele has a son Angelo and Skepta became a dad in November." They are both private about their love lives and they are both committed to their children first and foremost as well,” the source added.

Skepta and Adele are both from Tottenham in the UK. Skepta was made the Amuludun of Odo Aje, his parents’ hometown in Ogun State in 2018.

Nigerian court orders remand of Sowore and his co-defendant in custody of the State Secret Police

Omoyele Sowore (left in white shirt) and his defense team

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Abuja - Nigeria. The Federal Court High Court in Abuja today ordered the remand of the organizer of #RevolutionNow protest, Mr. Omoyele Sowore, and his co-defendant, Olawale Bakare, in the custody of the State Security Service, pending the hearing of their bail application this Friday.

This followed the arraignment of the defendants on seven counts of treasonable felony and other capital offences instituted against them by the Nigerian government. The defendants pleaded not guilty to the seven counts when read to them.

After the defendants took their pleas, the defense lawyer, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika (SAN), urged the court to allow Sowore to be allowed to continue with the bail earlier granted him by Justice Taiwo Taiwo, on September 24, 2019.

The defense lawyer also pleaded that the second defendant be granted fresh bail. The judge however said since the bail earlier granted Sowore was not predicated on the charges on which he was arraigned on Monday, a fresh bail had to be granted to him.

She added that if she would have to grant them fresh bail, it had to be based on formal written formal bail application and not oral.

Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu then directed the defense counsel to file formal bail application and then adjourned hearing till Friday.

The application is to be served on the lead prosecuting counsel, Hassan Liman (SAN), who indicated that he was going to oppose the application.

The judge earlier dismissed the objection of the defendants’ lawyer to the scheduled arraignment.

Olumide-Fusika had maintained that the arraignment should not be allowed to go on, on the grounds that the Department of State Services, which has been keeping him in custody since August 3, 2019, had not allowed the defendants to consult with their lawyer after the charges were filed.

He added that the court should protect its integrity by refusing to allow the arraignment to proceed when the prosecution continued to disobey the court order made on September 24, 2019 for the release.

But the prosecution led by Hassan Liman (SAN) urged the court to dismiss the objection insisting that what was more important was that the defendants had been served with the charges.

Liman also said the order for the release of the defendants had lapsed since the defendants had been produced in court for arraignment.