Chelsea sign Italian defender Davide Zappacosta from Torino

Chelsea have completed the signing of Italian defender Davide Zappacosta from Torino for reported €30m.

The Blues have been in the market for a right wing-back for Antonio Conte’s 3-4-3 formation, with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain rejecting a move to Stamford Bridge as he didn’t want to play there.

The 25-year-old can play at right-back, right wing-back or on the right of midfield, and has been capped four times by Italy.

On 10 July 2015 he was sold to Torino, in the same transfer that brought the midfielder Daniele Baselli to Piedmont, for a total of €10.3 million (Baselli €6M, Zappacosta €4M, plus €300,000 other fee from Zappacosta's transfer). He scored his first goal for the club on 28 October during a 3–3 draw at home to Genoa.

Source: All Football

PSG sign Kylian Mbappe on loan with option to buy for reported €180m

Paris Saint-Germain sign Monaco wonderkid Kylian Mbappe on loan with an option to buy for reported €180 million.

Official statement of PSG

Paris Saint-Germain is delighted to announce the immediate arrival of Kylian Mbappé. The international French striker is transferred on a loan basis  from AS Monaco until June 30 2018. The loan agreement also includes a  call option for Paris Saint-Germain which, when exercised, will bind the player to Paris Saint-Germain until June 30 2022.

Mbappe made his first team debut on 2 December 2015 in Monaco's 1–1 Ligue 1 home draw against SM Caen, replacing Fabio Coentrão after 88 minutes, becoming Monaco’s youngest-ever first team player aged 16 years 347 days and breaking Thierry Henry’s record set 21 years previously.

Mbappe scored the first hat-trick of his first team career on 14 December 2016 in the 7–0 rout of Stade Rennais F.C. in the Coupe de la Ligue round of 16 at the Stade Louis II- the first hat-trick scored by any Monaco player in the competition since Sonny Anderson in 1997.

The teenager excelled for Monaco last season and proved pressure is no burden to his success, scoring against Manchester City, Borussia Dortmund and Juventus as his side fell out of the UEFA Champions League at the semi-final stage while his goals paved Monaco's path to winning the 2016-17 Ligue 1 title.

Mbappe was called up to the senior France squad for the first time to face Luxembourg and Spain in March 2017. He made his debut on 25 March 2017 against the former, coming on for Dimitri Payet in the 78th minute of a 3–1 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification away win.In doing so, he became the second youngest player (only behind Maryan Wisnieski) to ever feature for the French national team at 18 years, three months and five days old.

Source: All Football

BREAKING: Man City accept defeat in their efforts to sign Alexis Sanchez, according to Telegraph.

Manchester City have accepted defeat in their efforts to sign Alexis Sanchez and Jonny Evans before the close of the transfer window tonight.  

City made a second offer worth £60 million including add ons for Sanchez today but with Arsenal unable to secure a replacement for the wantaway Chile striker a deal has collapsed.  

Arsenal had reached an agreement in principle with Monaco for Lemar worth a British record £92 million but feel they ran out of time to do a deal, although other sources have claimed the France attacking midfielder was lukewarm about a move to the Emirates Stadium.  

It means Sanchez is stuck at Arsenal for now, and unless the North London club can persuade the Chilean to sign a new contract, they risk losing him for a knockdown fee in January or for nothing next summer when his contract expires.  

Meanwhile, City's hopes of signing Evans from West Bromwich Albion hinged on the club offloading Eliaquim Mangala and West Brom finding a replacement. But the France defender rejected moves to West Brom and Crystal Palace leaving City unable to make a third offer for Evans because they first needed Mangala off the wage bill.  

Arsenal were also interested in Evans but with Shkodran Mustafi's proposed move to Inter Milan falling through the West Brom centre half, currently away in San Marino on Northern Ireland duty, is likely to remain at the Hawthorns for now.

Source: All Football

Lavrov: Gulf States’ cooperation is the most appropriate solution to Qatar crisis

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov meets with Vatican Secretary of State in Moscow on August 22, 2017. (AFP)

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Wednesday that his country does not play the role of the mediator between Qatar and the four boycotting countries (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, Egypt), and that the solution of the crisis must be sought within the GCC.

He explained that the most appropriate way is to settle the crisis within the framework of the Gulf Cooperation Council, saying that Russia is not part of the mediation, as there is the Kuwaiti one.

Lavrov also stressed the need to find a resolution based on compromises acceptable to all.

He said that Russia affirmed its support for the mediation mission of the Emir of Kuwait, and is ready to contribute to these efforts if the parties demanded it.

Lavrov arrived in Doha from the United Arab Emirates where he met with the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi after having earlier held talks with officials of Kuwait, the Gulf state handling the mediation efforts between Doha and the boycotting countries.

Source: Al arabiya

Today's Devotion (Thursday)

Serve God Truly

2 KINGS 10:18-30

Key Verse:

"And the LORD said unto Jehu, Because thou hast done well in executing that which is right in mine eyes, and hast done unto the house of Ahab according to all that was in mine heart, thy children of the fourth generation shall sit on the throne of Israel"

One of the greatest problems with many countries today is bad leadership. The tragedy of it all is that all the shortcomings of the past governments for which they were either toppled as in a military coup or voted out through the ballot box, are hardly corrected; they get worsened by succeeding administrations. This terrible scenario is also found in Christendom nowadays. Jehu fulfilled the prophecy of Elijah but the fact that he deliberately did not do away with idol worship in the land was an indication that he was pursuing a personal agenda to secure his reign. He did not continue with total obedience to the law of God. He continued in the sins of Jeroboam in that he left the golden calves at Bethel and Dan, This kept Israel divided because the twelve tribes were now thinking in terms of two nations, not one. For this, God allowed the nations around them to subject them to their control. Ordinarily, it would be said that a man who carried out such a cleansing exercise as soon as he came to power would be true to his mission of returning Israel to the worship of the true God; but no, he began to elevate the worship of other graven images. Finally, he died in the sin as a king that continued with the sin of Jeroboam. This passage aptly rendered baseless, the doctrine of eternal security, that once someone is saved, such remains saved eternally. There had been unfortunate cases where those who had stood against stealing, fornication, adultery and all forms of sins in the past suddenly became perpetrators of such sins. Most times, there is no second chance as the devil makes sure that such individuals never return to their righteous status. Saints, let us take heed and "hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end".

Thought for the day: The zeal of yesterday is never sufficient for today’s service. Get recharged!

Bible Reading in one Year: NEHEMIAH 11-13

Today's Devotion (Wednesday)

Acceptable Fellowship

EPHESIANS 5:10-20

Key Verse:

"And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret" (Ephesians 5:11,12).

A Christian youth worker, warned of the danger of fraternizing with his former club members, told his counsellor that there was nothing to worry about as he was spiritually strong enough to resist their attempts to lure him back. One evening, a former friend in the club rushed to his house and gave him a bag to keep for him and that he would return later to take it. Soon after, the police, acting on a tip off, came in hot pursuit of the man and not finding him arrested the Christian worker and when the bag was searched a short gun was found neatly wrapped and concealed in the bag’s interior. Promptly, the Christian worker was arrested and taken away. Paul here, admonishes against slipping back to the world to have fellowship with old acquaintances who were yet to taste of the salvation of the Lord. Their acts were still evil. There was so much immorality and yet the teachers around never bothered to call a spade a spade but painted fornication and adultery in colours of moral goodness. The believers today should be wary of old relationships especially with those who still relish their habits of sin. False teachers might teach error but "Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience". We, as children of God, are standing by grace, but this grace should not be taken for granted. The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and is plenteous in mercy (Psalm 103:8). Yet, He is a consuming fire. Let us, therefore, at all times, abstain from all appearance of evil.

Thought for the day: There is no friendship between light and darkness.

Bible Reading in one Year: NEHEMIAH 8-10

Arsenal paying City a fee for Sterling with Sanchez also going to City (Sky Sports)

Details of the negotiations which have taken place between Manchester City and Arsenal are becoming a little clearer this afternoon, according to Sky Sports.

Sky Sports understand Manchester City are keen on a simple cash-only deal for Alexis Sanchez. 

Arsenal, however, are considering a deal which involves Sanchez heading for Manchester City, with Raheem Sterling heading for north London.  Interestingly, Sky Sports understand that the deal would also include Arsenal paying a fee to City as a makeweight.

So, to confirm, that's Arsenal paying City a fee for Sterling, with Sanchez also going to City.

Source: All Football

Unilag 2017/2018 Post-UTME Screen Exercise is Finally Here.

The University of Lagos online registration for the Post-UTME Screening Exercise for Admission into ALL 

PROGRAMMES for the 2017/2018 Academic Year will commence from 31st August – 15th September, 2017.

ELIGIBLE CANDIDATES

Candidates who made University of Lagos their first choice in the 2017/2018 UTME and scored 200 and above are eligible for screening.  In addition, candidates must possess five (5) credit passes at one sitting in relevant O/level subjects including English Language and Mathematics.

Candidates, who will not be sixteen (16) years of age by 31st October, 2017 are not eligible and need not apply.

Candidates who do not participate in the Post-UTME Screening will not be considered for admission.

SCREENING FEE – N2,000 plus 250 bank charges

REGISTRATION PROCEDURE:

Eligible candidates should log on to University of Lagos website unilag.edu.ng.  Then, take the following steps:

Click on Admissions

Click on Post-UTME Application

Login with UTME number as username and surname in lowercase as password

Generate and print payment advice

Proceed to any commercial bank to make payment or pay online

Return to the University portal, upload passport photograph and complete the application form

Print Post-UTME Examination Pass

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However, We have set up a registration stand/center in Unilag to help all deparadigm/Unilag Admission followers fill the application form online successfully.

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POST-UTME TEST

Post-UTME aptitude test will hold between 18th and 22nd September, 2017.

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Houthi militias, Saleh loyalists agree to ease tension in Sanaa

The two delegations reportedly agreed to ease tensions, which Sanaa recently witnessed. (AFP)

The Yemeni news agency, which is under the control of rebels in Sanaa, has reported that Houthi militias and Saleh loyalists have agreed to end tensions in the capital.

According to the report, a Houthi delegation met with a delegation of Saleh loyalists in the presence of Saleh al-Sammad, the head of the so-called Supreme Political Council.

The delegations agreed to end tensions, which Sanaa recently witnessed and to restore the security situation. They also agreed to resume their investigation into the clashes that erupted between their members on Saturday.

Source: Al arabiya

Today's Devotion (Tuesday)

Broken Ships

2 CHRONICLES 20:31-37

Key Verse:

"…Because thou hast joined thyself with Ahaziah, the LORD hath broken thy works. And the ships were broken…" (2 Chronicles 20:37).

The saying that when things are sometimes falling apart, they may actually be falling into place had never been truer as in the case of Jehoshaphat. He began well by doing what was right in the sight of God. But he soon got into a relationship that was headed in the wrong direction. He began a ship-building business with an unbelieving king. The business was doomed as God broke the ships, severed the partnership and made sure the venture never worked. While things fell apart, they were actually falling into the path God wanted for him. There are many kinds of ships that are capable of ruining our testimony and taking us far from God. The devil has so many ships he has constructed to carry people to eternal damnation. Satan can send friendship, courtship, partnership, scholarship, internship, or kingship to take you far from the true purpose of God for your life. It is not everything that is not working in your life that is under attack from the enemy. Not every prayer that is not answered is being hindered by Satan. God sometimes hinders some prayers; breaks some ships, just to save His own. Whatever is falling apart in your life may actually be falling into the place of God’s will for you. Our confidence is in God’s assurance that all things are working together for our good. Therefore, whatever comes and whatever goes needs to be seen in the light of God’s word and his specific will for your life. People say, a broken courtship is better than a broken marriage. And it is not sin if it was God’s idea. But God is not in support of divorce. So, think intently to see if there is any relationship God has either been preventing you from entering or He is breaking in your life. Rather than resist, you should submit to Him and ask that the will of God be done in your life.

Thought for the day: God breaks any ship that carries His people away from Him.

Bible Reading in one Year: NEHEMIAH 5-7

Today's Devotion (Sunday)

True Discipleship

LUKE 14:25-35

Key Verse:

"If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple" (Luke 14:26).

Those who enlist in armies globally are for most part, those with a fearless comportment. There is hardly a space for the faint at heart, the lily-livered who would cower in the battlefield. Would-be soldiers must meet the basic requirements of physical fitness, agility, mental alertness and readiness to die for a cause. In the text, the Lord Jesus was carefully expanding the frontiers of His message and Kingdom, explaining the credentials of those who would be His disciples. Mindful of the great multitudes that followed Him, He knew that the discipleship for the gospel cause was not for a mixed crowd; it was for the called, with attributes which transcend the nominal and the casual. For discipleship, the qualifications include a renunciation of all family ties, bearing the Cross, counting the cost and forsaking all things and preferring the gospel and the kingdom of God. Christ gave His life to save the soul of sinful man. He who will be His disciple therefore must count nothing too big to sacrifice for His sake. Real believers must show abiding gratitude to God for the salvation of their souls. Although many are called to Christ’s service, it is only those ready to pay the price that can carry the mantle of midwifing the gospel to the perishing souls. True disciples cannot serve selectively. They are to provide their best at all seasons in the service of the Lord unconditionally. Until a follower gets to a point where he can give all things for the service of the Kingdom, attaining the level of a disciple will be a mirage. The beauty of all these is that those who scale the hurdles to become His disciples are always provided with the grace and wherewithal to serve. For them, the rewards are invaluable now and in eternity.

Thought for the day: No true discipleship until all on the altar we lay.

Bible Reading in one Year: MARK 14-16

Today's Devotion (Saturday)

A Light Unto My Feet

PSALM 119:105-112

Key Verse:

"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path" (Psalm 119:105).

Undoubtedly, the world is full of darkness, for it thrives in darkness. Without the word of God to illuminate man’s pathway, he will stumble and fall. It is like a flaming torch, that reveals the right way to follow. The Bible is a road map in the hands of believers. Just like the compass enables the ship to go in a right direct, so does the word of God in the life of a believer. Outside Christ is a thick darkness that beclouds the way of man. Jesus is the Light of the world and those that walk closer to Him through His Word will not walk in darkness. As the righteous daily walks on the way of holiness, he is able to prevail over the snares of the devil and his cohorts. The shining light of the gospel will always shine and radiate the path of the righteous who has made a solemn declaration to follow His words. Jesus Christ will be a Lamp unto his feet and a Light unto his path. The word of God is the spiritual reservoir of light that guides us from falling into the darkness of this world. It helps us to make proper decision about issues that are capable of bringing ruins to our lives. Spend time on the Word. Read, study, memorise and meditate on the word with unrelenting zeal and hunger. You will soon discover the matchless riches and grace you will continuously enjoy.

Thought for the day: The word of God makes the foolish to become wise and the wise to become wiser.

Bible Reading in one Year: MARK 11-13

Barcelona have agreed a €150m deal with Dortmund for Dembele

Barcelona and Dortmund have agreed terms over the transfer of Dembele, according to multiple reports.

The young French international Ousmane Dembélé will leave Dortmund to join FC Barcelona. The amount of the transfer will make him the second most expensive player in the world, behind Neymar.

After long negotiations and numerous episodes sometimes tense, Ousmane Dembélé (20 years) will join FC Barcelona. In the margin of the draw of the first round of the Champions League, the Catalan club found a definitive agreement with the Borussia Dortmund for a transfer. 

Even if the amount has not yet filtered, it could approach the €150m included bonus and make the French striker the second most expensive player in the world after Neymar.

Source: All Football

Neymar makes counter-claim against Barcelona via FIFA for his unpaid renewal premium

Neymar has presented a counter-claim to FIFA for the payment of a bonus by FC Barcelona, football's world governing body has confirmed.

The bonus refers to 26 million euros that was agreed last year when he renewed his contract with Barcelona until 2021 and which was then blocked by the Catalan club after his transfer to Paris Saint-Germain earlier this month.

On Tuesday, Barcelona decided to take legal action over Neymar claiming that he had failed to fulfil his contract and they wanted the return of part of the same bonus.

"In relation to the bonus owed through the contract signed in 2016, that is contractually binding and declared unpaid by FC Barcelona, the sportsman has formally started the procedure to seek what is owed via the competent body," stated the company N&N Consultoria, that represents Neymar.

Source: All Football

United State to ban visas for four African and Asian countries

Citizens of Cambodia, Eritrea, Guinea and Sierra Leone could soon be subject to visa restrictions. (Shutterstock)

The United State government is poised to impose visa restrictions on four Asian and African nations refusing to take back their citizens who have been deported from the United States.

US officials say Cambodia, Eritrea, Guinea and Sierra Leone would soon be subject to sanctions.

The penalties are meant to coax “recalcitrant” countries into accepting the return of individuals the US tries to remove. Under federal law, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has the authority to ban the issuance of all or certain types of US visas for citizens of such nations.

The officials say Tillerson won’t likely ban all visas. Rather, he would target government officials and their families. The officials were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.

Source: Al arabiya

BREAKING: 2016/17 UEFA Men's Player of the Year: Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo is named UEFA Men's Player of the Year as he beats Gianluigi Buffon and Lionel Messi.

The prize, formerly called the Best Player in Europe Award, was won by Real Madrid star Ronaldo last year and has twice been given to Barcelona forward Messi.

Andres Iniesta and Franck Ribery are the only other players to have lifted the trophy.

UEFA's Men's Player of the Year Award recognises the best players, irrespective of nationality, playing for a club within the territory of a UEFA member association during the past season. Players are judged on their performances in all competitions – domestic, continental and international.

The final result was based on the total number of votes cast by the coaches and the journalists. The coaches were not allowed to vote for players from their own team.

Cristiano's highlights

The players who make up the rest of the top ten are:

4: Luka Modrić (Croatia, Real Madrid) 

5: Toni Kroos (Germany, Real Madrid)

6: Paulo Dybala (Argentina, Juventus)

7: Sergio Ramos (Spain, Real Madrid)

8: Kylian Mbappé (France, Monaco)

9: Robert Lewandowski (Poland, Bayern München)

10: Zlatan Ibrahimović (Sweden, Manchester United)

Source: All Football

Breaking News: 2017/18 UCL GROUP STAGE DRAW: Real Madrid, Dortmund & Tottenham in GROUP OF DEATH

The UEFA Champions League group stage draw took place at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco, here are the full results of the draw. 

No team can play a club from their own association, with the exact draw procedure to be confirmed before the ceremony.

The draw also establishes the groups for the UEFA Champions League path of the UEFA Youth League.

DRAW RESULTS:

Group A: Benfica, Manchester United, Basel, CSKA Moscow

Group B: Bayern Munich, PSG, Anderlecht, Celtic

Group C: Chelsea, Atletico Madrid, Roma, Qarabag

Group D: Juventus, Barcelona, Olympiakos, Sporting Lisbon

Group E: Spartak Moscow, Sevilla, Liverpool, Maribor

Group F: Shakhtar Donetsk, Manchester City, Napoli, Feyenoord

Group G: Monaco, Porto, Besiktas, RB Leipzig

Group H: Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, Tottenham Hotspur, APOEL Nicosia

4 POTS

Pot 1: Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Juventus, Benfica, Monaco, Spartak Moscow, Shakhtar Donetsk

Pot 2: Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, PSG, Borussia Dortmund, Sevilla, Manchester City, Porto, Manchester United

Pot 3: Napoli, Tottenham Hotspur, Basel, Olympiakos, Anderlecht, Roma, Besiktas, Liverpool

Pot 4: RB Leipzig, Feyenoord, Maribor, Celtic, CSKA Moscow, Sporting Lisbon, APOEL Nicosia, Qarabag

The group stage games are split into six matchdays:

Matchday 1: Sep 12-13

Matchday 2: Sep 26-27

Matchday 3: Oct 17-18

Matchday 4: October 31- Nov 1

Matchday 5: Nov 21-22

Matchday 6: Dec 5-6

The top two sides in the eight groups will progress to the UEFA Champions League round of 16 draw, which begins at 12:00 CET on Monday 11 December in Nyon.

The eight third-placed teams will be involved in the UEFA Europa League round of 32 draw, which takes place at 13:00CET on the same day.

Source: All Football

All 32 teams in 2017-18 UCL group stages confirmed as draw takes place on 24 August

All 32 teams in Champions League group stages already confirmed. The UCL draw takes place at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco at 18:00CET on Thursday 24 August.

Reigning champions Real Madrid will go into the competition as favourites once again. They are joined by La Liga rivals Barcelona and Atletico Madrid but will also face competition from German side Bayern Munich.

There will be six British teams in the group stages with Celtic and Liverpool joining Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City.

The 32 teams that qualify for the Champions League group stage are split into four pots of eight teams each for the group-stage draw, with each group containing one team from each pot. No team can play a club from their own association.

Pot 1 is reserved for the Champions League holders and teams who won Europe's top leagues last season.

After that, the remaining three pots are ranked using the teams' UEFA coefficient, which is determined by their recent record in Europe.

4 pots

Pot 1: Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Juventus, Benfica, Monaco, Spartak Moscow, Shakhtar Donetsk

Pot 2: Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, PSG, Borussia Dortmund, Sevilla, Manchester City, Porto, Manchester United

Pot 3: Napoli, Tottenham Hotspur, Basel, Olympiakos, Anderlecht, Roma, Besiktas, Liverpool

Pot 4: RB Leipzig, Feyenoord, Maribor, Celtic, CSKA Moscow, Sporting Lisbon, APOEL Nicosia, Qarabag

When are the ties?

The group stage games are split into six matchdays:

12-13 September: Matchday one

26-27 September: Matchday two

17-18 October: Matchday three

31 October-1 November: Matchday four

21-22 November: Matchday five

5-6 December: Matchday six

What comes next?

The top two sides in the eight groups will progress to the UEFA Champions League round of 16 draw, which begins at 12:00CET on Monday 11 December in Nyon. The eight third-placed teams will be involved in the UEFA Europa League round of 32 draw, which takes place at 13:00CET on the same day.

Source: All Football

Today's Devotion (Thursday)

The Search For True Wisdom

JOB 28:12-28

Key Verse:

"But where shall wisdom be found? and where is the place of understanding? Man knoweth not the price thereof; neither is it found in the land of the living" (Job 28:12,13).

Wisdom is of infinite value. With it, the simplest man among the living becomes great. Wisdom cannot be quantified and its price cannot be counted. It is by knowing God that we can get true wisdom. Job was defending himself before his friends who levelled some accusations of sin against him. He tried to defend his integrity as well as that of the Almighty God. Every creation of God shows His wisdom. How then do we get this wisdom? Man sought wisdom in a wrong way in the Garden of Eden. There was no fear of God in him. Anyone who seeks wisdom without the fear of God will end up becoming foolish, wicked and miserable as it happened to Adam and Eve. No one can seek wisdom outside God. The type of true wisdom Job talked about in the text does not exist among men. It cuts across human faculties and could only be found with the most High God. According to king Solomon, wisdom is the principal thing and it is better to get wisdom than gold. Job’s three friends thought that wisdom dwelt with them. Job on the other hand, did not claim to possess this wisdom; he only desired it. He believed that wisdom could only be gotten through the word of God. From where then does wisdom come? It cannot be seen by man because it is immaterial. Only God understands what true wisdom is. It is part of His Being. It is an essential element in His nature. The highest knowledge is with God and unless He impacts it into man, man can only search for it in futility. The true wisdom man should seek for is the fear of God.

Thought for the day: Wisdom is the principal thing that must be preferred above all else.

Bible Reading in one Year: MARK 4-6

Rooney retires from international football as England record goalscorer

OFFICIAL: Rooney retires from international football.

Rooney's statement on his official website:

It was great Gareth Southgate called me this week to tell me he wanted me back in the England squad for the upcoming matches. I really appreciated that.

However, having already thought long and hard, I told Gareth that I had now decided to retire for good from international football.

It is a really tough decision and one I have discussed with my family, my manager at Everton and those closest to me.

Playing for England has always been special to me. Every time I was selected as a player or captain was a real privilege and I thank everyone who helped me. But I believe now is the time to bow out.

Leaving Manchester United was a tough call but I know I made the right decision in coming home to Everton. Now I want to focus all my energies on helping them be successful.

I will always remain a passionate England fan. One of my very few regrets is not to have been part of a successful England tournament side. Hopefully the exciting players Gareth is bringing through can take that ambition further and I hope everyone will get behind the team.

One day the dream will come true and I look forward to being there as a fan – or in any capacity.

Source: All Football

Today's Devotion (Wednesday)

Confidence in God’s Word

PSALM 119:41-48

Key Verse:

"I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed" (Psalm 119:46).

Kate, 55, still recalls with nostalgia her childhood days when her mother used to carry her in her laps and read the story of "a man who came from heaven", showing her many beautiful, pictures of what He did. Now as a mother, grandmother and Christian leader, she spends a lot of time with her children reading Scriptures to them. The desire of the Psalmist to keep in touch with the word of God always as his hope and to enable him keep obeying it forever, forms a major theme of today’s text. He prayed for mercies and salvation from God so he could properly answer those that reproached him. Keeping the word of God helped him "to walk at liberty" and enabled him speak of God’s testimonies before kings without being ashamed. His love for the word of God and resolve to meditate on it concludes the text. Knowing God is about knowing His Word. Nobody can claim to have a good and working relationship with God who does not have a good understanding of His Word. Our Lord Jesus counsels, "Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me" (John 5:39). The word search, means to carefully and diligently look for or look at something. It takes time and concentration. "Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart…" (Jeremiah 15:16). Just as Joshua needed the word of God to succeed in the great task before him (Joshua 1:8), so every believer needs to be acquainted with the word to be strengthened and fortified for the battles of life and for a safe passage to eternal glory. "Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein…" (Revelation 1:3).

Thought for the day: To know God is to know His Word.

Bible Reading in one Year: MARK 1-3

Trust You Are Ready For 2017/2018 Unilag Post Utme Screening Exercise?

It is no doubt that university of Lagos (UNILAG) will conduct post UTME Screening Exercise for 2017/2018. I guess you all are waiting for the screening details? The details will be publicize here on deparadigm/Unilag Admission.  
But then, here is my question, how prepared are you for the Exercise?


Don't allow it to come to you as a surprise. It is expedient you start your preparations now.

Unilag will test all Unilag post Utme applicants in Maths, English and General Papers.

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The usual methods of the exam is 15 Maths, 15 English and 10 general paper questions(all courses) making 40 questions in all for 30 minutes.(If their will be any change in this format I will let you guys know before the exam just make sure you are subscribed to my updates here.)

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2017/2018 Unilag Postgraduate Application Form has been extended till August Ending...Apply Now

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Today's Devotion (Tuesday)

Israel’s Doom Foretold

AMOS 8:1-10

Key Verse:

"And he said, Amos, what seest thou? And I said, A basket of summer fruit. Then said the LORD unto me, The end is come upon my people of Israel; I will not again pass by them any more" (Amos 8:2).

Janet is a Christian lady who teaches "Sunday School" in her local assembly. She also heads a sales outfit that sells "rebagged" cement. They carefully open a bagged cement, remove some quantity from it and sew it again. What they get from four bags then becomes a new "bag’. But they still sell the rebagged cement at the same price. God had such persons in mind when he gave the message in the text to Prophet Amos. The vision of the basket of summer fruits showed that God’s judgement over Israel would no longer tarry. The impending judgement would be so terrible that the songs of the temple shall be howling in that day and there might be dead bodies. Also God "will cause the sun to go down at noon. God’s controversy with Israel stemmed from their lives of fraud, duplicity, cruelty and oppression of the less privileged. They delighted in making the ephah small and the shekel great, and falsifying the balances by deceit. They bought "the poor for silver and the needy for a pair of shoes and sold the refuse of the wheat. God’s patience will not last forever. He would visit iniquity with judgement. Today, there are so-called Christians whose business conduct do not agree with the righteous requirements of the Word. To them, business and religion cannot go together. But the truth is that our Christian profession and conduct must reflect in our daily life whether in the family, church or work place. We are commanded to let our light so shine before men, that they may see our good works and glorify our Father who is in heaven. Like Israel, God’s judgement awaits anyone who flagrantly ignores His warnings to abide by the rules. God’s grace is available for anyone who sincerely desires to live a life that is pleasing to Him.

Thought for the day: Let your deeds show the light in you.

Bible Reading in one Year: JEREMIAH 51-52

Emirates denies one of its planes has been targeted with a bomb

Emirates has strongly denied reports that one of its planes had been targeted for bombing. (AP)

A spokesman for Emirates Airlines said that the national carrier has strongly denied reports that one of its planes had been targeted for bombing on Monday, confirming that the news was baseless to local newspaper Emarat Alyoum.

Lebanese Interior Minister Nuhad al-Mashnouk revealed the involvement of four Lebanese in an attempt to blow up an American passenger plane on its way from Australia to Abu Dhabi.

Mashnouk said in a press conference on Monday that the thwarted attack was coordinated by the Information Division of the Department of Homeland Security and Australian authorities.

Source: Al arabiya

Today's Devotion (Monday)

Strive to Enter

LUKE 13:23-25

Key Verse:

"Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able" (Luke 13:24).

A story was told of a particular Christian family caught by communists after the Korean war and told to deny Christ or be buried alive. The father almost submitted to deny Christ, but the wife said, "No, today, we will eat dinner with our Christ". She then raised a song – "In the sweet by and by, we shall meet on that beautiful shore". The soldiers then started burying them alive one by one starting with the four children, their mother and finally their father. They died joyfully singing. They are now with Jesus up there. The good news is that almost all who watched the execution surrendered their lives to Christ. In our text, someone had asked Jesus a very crucial question: "are there few that be saved?" Jesus explained that once the door was shut by the Master, anybody trying to enter would not be allowed, stressing that "there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth". He also hinted that many shall come from east, west, north, and south to join Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and the prophets in the Kingdom of God. He was however saddened and lamented over Jerusalem for killing and stoning the prophets sent to them by God and the desolation that awaited them for such sins. Getting to Heaven is the most important issue every believer must not gamble with. The Lord, as a faithful Saviour and Teacher, does not leave anybody in doubt of the Christian’s responsibility to ensure he enters Heaven eventually. Yes, He has gone to prepare a place for us (John 14:1-3). Yes, it is His good pleasure to give us the Kingdom (Luke 12:32). Yet the Christian pilgrim must walk carefully, hopefully and prayerfully while he awaits the Bridegroom. Let us ensure at all times that we have enough oil of grace in our lamps.

Thought for the day: Preparing for Heaven must be our priority.

Bible Reading in one Year: JEREMIAH 49-50