Mkhitaryan could miss Arsenal's Europa League tie over political tensions

Armenia's long-standing dispute with Azerbaijan could force Armenia international Henrikh Mkhitaryan to miss Arsenal's Europa League trip to take on Qarabag in the Azerbaijani capital of Baku.

Tensions between the nations have been ongoing over the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh, which has resulted in both countries refusing to recognize each other diplomatically. Azerbaijan has also banned Armenian citizens from entering the country.

Mkhitaryan may be left out of the matchday squad for security reasons, according to Paul MacInnes and Dominic Fifield of the Guardian. However, it's understood that the 29-year-old would be issued a visa if Arsenal allows him to travel.

The midfielder could also miss the final should Arsenal advance to the title match, which will be hosted in the Azerbaijani capital.

Mkhitaryan faced a similar situation in 2015 when he was a member of Borussia Dortmund. He was granted access into Azerbaijan, but the Bundesliga team opted to leave him behind due to security concerns.

Along with Qarabag, Arsenal was also paired with Sporting CP and FC Vorskla in Group E. The Europa League group stage will kick off Sept. 20.

Great news for Man United fans: Red Devils look set to offer new two-year deal to key stalwart

Man United fans have been handed some great news, as it looks like the club are going to offer a new two-year contract to Spanish international Ander Herrera.

This is according to the Sun, who note that the Red Devils are set to hold talks with the former Athletic Bilbao man next month, news that the club’s fans will be delighted to hear.

The Sun also state that the player is keen to stay at Old Trafford, and that his current deal runs out next summer, so we’re sure United fans will be over the moon to hear news of a potential new deal for the Spaniard.

United look set to offer Herrera a deal to extend his stay with the club

Herrera has been become a fan favourite at United since his arrival from Bilbao in the summer of 2014.

The 29-year-old has managed to make 161 appearances for United since his move to Old Trafford around four years ago, with the player also managing 17 goals and 24 assists in those games as well.

The player’s tenacity and want to win he displays when on the pitch has seen United fans take quite a liking to him, and we’re sure they’d definitely want to see the player extend his stay with the club this season.

With Herrera’s current contract set to run out at the end of season, United may want to get a move on with offering the player an extended stay at Old Trafford before it’s too late.

Breaking! Several dead in Kimende early morning accident

Nine people have been reported dead and several others injured in an accident involving a matatu and a lorry at Kimende on Nairobi-Nakuru highway, witnesses have said.

Mainstream media houses have given contradicting numbers with some indicating nine while others 12 people in what appeared to be the grisly accident that resulted in the two vehicles rolling down the cliff due to impact.

The injured are receiving treatment at the Kijabe Mission hospital with a number expected to be transferred to Nairobi soon.

Philomena Mwilu fights back, seeks to stop Noordin Haji

Embattled Deputy Chief Justice Philomena Mwilu has filed an application seeking to stop her criminal prosecution over alleged corruption.

In an application filed at the High Court on Wednesday, Judge Mwilu argues that her alleged impropriety while handling Imperial Bank cases is purely a commercial.

She argues that Director of Pubic Prosecutions Noordin Haji, who took her to court, is motivated by malice.

Justice Mwilu says the allegations Mr Haji has levelled against her are malicious.

Through senior counsel John Khaminwa and Okongo Omogeni, it is her argument that the case is “purely commercial transactions” and which were concluded.

She says the case has nothing to do with the pursuit of criminal justice.

The charges, she says, have been contrived by the DPP for malicious and ulterior motives.

The case, she adds, is not coincidental and appears to be part of a larger scheme to embarrass her as the country's second top judge.

The judge faces numerous counts of stealing, abuse of office and unlawful failure to pay taxes.

Additionally, investigators claim that the judge has acted in contravention of the Leadership and Integrity Act by accepting a personal loan of Sh12 million from Imperial Bank.

The judge is also accused of engaging in misconduct in furtherance of personal benefit.

The case is being heard by Justice Chacha Mwita.

Manchester United Bosses Have Finally Decided Mourinho’s Fate

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho still has the club’s backing despite Monday’s 3-0 home defeat by Tottenham.

United have lost two of their first three Premier League games for the first time since 1992-93.

However, senior figures at Old Trafford are convinced Mourinho can turn the situation around.

Mourinho, 55, remained on the pitch to applaud fans after the game at Old Trafford and praised them in TV interviews.

Asked about United’s defensive problems in the post-match news conference, he raised three fingers and said: “Do you know what this means? Yes, it means 3-0, but it also means three Premier Leagues – and I won more Premier Leagues alone than the other 19 managers put together. Three for me. Two for them.”

As he got up to leave, Mourinho told a journalist: “Respect! Respect! Respect man!”

The Portuguese last week said had “no problem” with United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward, amid reports that they have fallen out.

Mourinho took over at United in 2016, winning the League Cup and the Europa League in his first season in charge, when they finished sixth in the Premier League.

United were runners-up to Manchester City last season.

He has won the Premier League three times with Chelsea and claimed two titles in Portugal, two in Italy and one in Spain as well as winning the Champions League twice.

DPP Haji breaks a sacred wall: Mwilu’s arrest stirs debate

DPP Noordin Haji speaks to the press after the arrest of DCJ Philomena Mwilu. [George Njunge,Standard]

Whatever direction Justice Philomena Mwilu’s trial takes, it is the sight of a Supreme Court judge seated in the dock to answer criminal charges which will remain in many people’s minds before the judgement.

Yesterday’s events in the Nairobi Chief M agistrate’s court will be a watershed in the history of Kenya’s judiciary – and could be a turning point in the anti-corruption campaign being waged by the DPP Noordin Haji.

Whichever direction the trial takes, it will generate discussions on the corridors of justice and beyond. This will happen because of Judge Philomena Mwilu’s seniority in the bench and the ramifications of her arrest for the Judiciary and the rule of law.

It is understood that before Mwilu’s arrest, the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) had two main concerns.

Some members of the commission saw the intended charges to be a about a private commercial transaction that had no bearing on official duties. Why, they asked, was it being raised now and being projected as forming part of the fight against corruption?

Secondly, given the fact that the transaction in question dated back more than five years, what has triggered the decision to go back to it? Hopefully, the answers to these will emerge in the trial.

One of the charges is a tax issue where Mwilu is suspected to have failed to pay stamp duty to the Kenya Revenue Authority in several transactions.

Accountants will be wondering why a tax matter is being handled by the Office of the Deputy Public Prosecutor (ODPP) and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and not by the Kenya Revenue Authority, an argument likely to be raised by the defence. The usual procedure for managing tax matters is different from the one that is currently being followed.

Even though President Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration’s drive against corruption enjoys support across the country, within the judiciary, the Mwilu trial could poison afresh relations between the courts and the government.

While the prosecution of such a high-profile personality dramatically shows no-one is sacred in the crackdown, it could breed a quiet resistance in the final and crucial stage of law-enforcement, which is in the courts of law. That would turn the whole anti-corruption exercise into a fool’s errand.

The media had been expecting a statement from the Chief Justice’s office in the morning, but none was released at all.

Recently, members of the JSC have been taken through a detailed financial audit which included, in some cases, speaking to members of their families. That is a good thing – no section of Kenyan society should be spared in the ongoing clean-up.

The public will be studying the charges unveiled this morning against judge Mwilu and analyzing the details. The state must prepare for the possibility of a perception growing, especially among Judge Mwilu’s sympathisers, that her arrest is the beginning of the threatened “revisit” of the Judiciary’s judgment that annulled the presidential election in 2017. It’s up to the DPP to ensure the prosecution of this case dispels any such suspicion.

Whatever justification is given for the arrest, the aura of inviolability which envelopes judicial office, and which is so important for the independence of the judiciary, has been broken.

It needs to be made clear that in Kenya’s system, judges do not enjoy immunity from prosecution for criminal offences.  This means that, in principle, a judge is liable for arrest in the same way as an ordinary citizen under the same circumstances.

However, in view of the effect that such an arrest can have on perceptions about judicial independence, the police would need to have the clearest reason for making the arrest and would probably also seek some higher signing off before the arrest.

Vardy and Cahill call time on England careers

Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy says he no longer wants to be considered for England duty and wishes to focus his time on his club career.

The 32-year-old, who featured at the World Cup in Russia, said he had spoken to England manager Gareth Southgate about his decision but remained available to help should the team face injury problems.

“To be honest with you, this has been on my mind for a while,” Vardy told the Guardian.

“I’m not getting any younger and you can see, to be fair to the gaffer, he wants to make it more youthful, which obviously had its benefits during the World Cup – we got to the semi-finals and finished fourth, which is equal to the furthest we have ever been on foreign soil.

“So I just said to Gareth that I think it’s probably best from now on, especially with the way he wants to go, to bring youngsters in who he thinks have got the ability and start nurturing them into international football,” he said.

Vardy was restricted to the bench for most of the World Cup in Russia and said his lack of playing time had influenced his decision.

“When you get selected, you want to be playing. If you’re playing week in, week out for your club, you want to be going to England to play as well. And if it’s not happening, then for me personally now it’s better to be at home, spending that time with my family and training with my club, preparing for the next game after the international break.

“I thought I could have helped a bit more if I had more minutes. You know that you can hurt opponents in certain ways, in the way you play. But it wasn’t to be. And you have to respect the manager’s decisions.”

Vardy said he had expressed his intention to Southgate shortly after the World Cup and confirmed it in a recent phone calls.

“We’ve not shut the door completely. If the worst came to happen and everyone was injured, then obviously I wouldn’t say no,” he said.

Chelsea defender Gary Cahill celebrates after scoring during the English Premier League match against Stoke City March 18, 2017 (AFP Photo/Oli SCARFF)

Chelsea central defender Gary Cahill has also announced his decision to take a “step back” from England duties after a similar conversation with Southgate.

The 32-year-old defender, who has won 61 England caps, has struggled to force his way into the first-team under manager Maurizio Sarri this season.

“I think it’s time that I take a step back now. It’s the right moment to do that,” Cahill said.

“I’ve been hugely proud of what I’ve achieved, over 60 caps, I’ve captained my country on a few occasions, which has been a huge honour.

“At the same time, in your football career you never want to shut a door completely and if I’m ever needed, I’m there.”

Why is my urine yellow?

Dear Doc,

I drink lots of water but my urine is still yellowish.

The body is able to regulate the amount of water it has so that if it is short on water it conserves water by producing more concentrated urine, which will appear dark yellow.

When one takes lots of fluids, one passes more urine, which may then be lighter hence it may be straw or light yellow in colour, though in some cases it may be colourless. So urine being straw-coloured or light yellow means you are taking enough fluids.

Using the colour of urine to know how much water or fluids to take is useful since water loss depends on the surrounding, temperature or humidity apart from the body activity, all which may never be the same always. This therefore means one cannot rely on eight glasses a day with different water loss situations.

My girlfriend is three months pregnant but she gets her period. When I asked her to visit a doctor she said the same happens to her sisters. Is this normal or is she aborting?

Many times, when a woman misses periods even without tests to confirm pregnancy, she may be deemed pregnant. Sometimes a woman can miss periods when she is not pregnant and bleeding may be thought to be due to a miscarriage when in some cases it is not.

Bleeding in early pregnancy might mean the womb is threatening to miscarry or has already miscarried but some pregnancy pieces remain or if bleeding and abdominal pain have eased or stopped the products of pregnancy may have all been expelled.

When there is bleeding in pregnancy, an ultrasound scan should be done to make sure the baby is still alive. If the baby is alive, there are good chances even after repeated bleeding that the baby will survive. Bleeding in pregnancy requires visiting an antenatal clinic for help because it can result in serious problems including bleeding to death or infections among many others.

You need to go with your girlfriend for antenatal visits where tests will be carried out to determine what is wrong.

There are times when there is pus on my penis. What causes this?

Pus indicates an ongoing infection. You may also have pain or irritation when passing urine, urethral itchiness or abdominal pain. It may be due to gonorrhoea, chlamydia, trichomonas, or other bacterial infections.

If not treated, the symptoms may reduce with time, though the infection is still present. The danger with this is that the infection can spread to the testicles and the rest of the reproductive tract and lead to infertility; or spread to the rest of the body, causing serious illness.

You need to see a doctor who will examine you and take urine and discharge samples for analysis and culture.

You also need a chlamydia test and a HIV test. You will be given antibiotics to treat the infection, depending on the results. Abstain from sex until you have completed treatment, been re-tested and found to be cured.

Do You Know The FASTEST And The EASIEST Way To Get Pregnant?

Every couple wishes to have a baby sooner or later. But, it is only when they set out trying for it that the reality sets in. Some of them may be lucky enough to conceive at the very first attempt. However, a lot of them generally end up on the other side of the fence where more than one attempt is required. One of the reasons for this is that an attempt to make a baby can be made during “those important days” only. And the fact that these days happen on a monthly basis does not seem to help the case either.

What’s even more confusing is that a woman’s monthly cycle and ovulation time may differ a lot. This makes it a tad difficult in predicting the right time for copulation. The dime-a-dozen apps, internet references, and the not-so-meaningful advice from friends and peers simply add to the confusion.

Why Do Couples Find It Difficult To Conceive?

The rapidly changing lifestyle is to be largely blamed for it. The busy lifestyle means that couples hardly have time to indulge in some patient lovemaking, which is a prerequisite for getting pregnant. And then, there are other factors like stress, late marriage, differences among couples, etc.

Is There A Way Out?

Image: Shutterstock

Sponsored

Of course, why not? To begin with, try to get to the root cause of the problem. Most men and women suffer from common disorders, which can be addressed through proper medical care.

Some of the common issues that women face are:

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Irregular or absence of menses

Thyroid disorders

Blocked fallopian tubes

A family history of miscarriages or infertility

Hormonal Imbalance

Age over 30 years

Men too face common infertility issues such as:

Stress

Low quality and quantity of sperms

Erectile dysfunction

STD

Age over 30 years

Image: Shutterstock

There may be other reasons too apart from those mentioned above. Therefore, it is always important to check with your doctor and find out the core issue. Your doctor is sure to guide you through the next logical step.

Now that we’ve addressed the possible causes that may cause hindrance in your efforts, let us move on to know the simple and easy ways of how you can get pregnant.

1. Keep A Track Of Your Ovulation

Image: Shutterstock

To do this, keep a track of your monthly cycles first. No matter what your period cycle, either a 25-day or a 35-day, every woman who wishes to get pregnant needs to track it. Now that you do, let us take the ideal scenario of a 28-day-period cycle. Here, ovulation generally occurs around the 14th day of the cycle. Apply the same calculation to whichever period cycle you belong to. During this time the egg that is released by the ovaries will travel down to the fallopian tube. This is the right time to get it fertilized!

2. Don’t Miss Out On The Fertile Window

A woman’s fertility window cannot be predicted accurately even if her cycles are regular (1). However, you can always consider it to be few days before and after your 14th day, say 10th and 17th day. Indulging in coitus during the days preceding and following the calculated fertile window can also help you increase your chances of getting pregnant. However, if you have trouble calculating it, seek your doctor’s help to arrive at those dates.

3. Long Live The Sperm

Image: Shutterstock

Once the sperm enters a woman’s body, it can live for nearly 5 days. So, if you and your partner indulge in lovemaking during this phase, it increases your chances of getting pregnant (2). So, plan your time to coincide with the fertility date provided by your doctor and make sure you have intercourse every day.

Planning for a baby might not seem to be so easy. But it is not that difficult either. Just follow these simple steps and you are sure to reach your destination towards motherhood soon. So, here’s wishing luck to you and your partner in your noble endeavor!

See Breathtaking Photos That Show How A 31-year-old Mother Of Three Breastfeeds Her Child While Doing Yoga

31-year-old Carlee Benear from Texas is being hailed online as a multitasking mom after she was pictured breastfeeding her two-year-old daughter Maramaylee and doing yoga at the same time.

According to Carlee, who is a mother of three, breastfeeding and doing yoga at the same time helps her ‘connect’ with her body.

In an interview with Mail Online, she revealed she first took up yoga after the birth of her second child, having struggled with post-partum depression following her first birth.

Carlee said she continued doing yoga throughout her third pregnancy, describing how it helped her morning sickness and find a greater connection to her unborn daughter.

Explaining why she breastfeeds her daughter while doing yoga, she said:
‘Holding poses and breathing while nursing helps me connect with my body and be more present.’

‘Anything can be challenging if you let your mind get in the way. I think that’s one of the things breastfeeding yoga has helped me move past and it’s helped me to believe in myself again.

‘Staying in poses is big in yoga as it helps you be in your body and connect with your body during the ups and downs of breastfeeding.’

She added: ‘I am always aware of my daughter around me and I adjust my flow to her because she loves to sneak snacks at any time, so I need to be ready for her to pounce.

‘There is good in this because it is yet another reminder to be present.

‘Now, yoga helps me be the mother I always dreamed of being because I can enjoy every moment to the best of my abilities.’

See more photos below;

 

Unique and Rare to find Guy, I don’t do Normal i stick with Special, i am a big fan of my COUNTRY and i love Entertainment, Politics and Sports.

4 things you should never do in Mlolongo nightclubs

Revelers at a night club. [Photo/enewskenya.blogspot.com]

Mlolongo is one of the best places to party in with friends. This town in Machakos has endless clubs that will make you fall in love with the county even repeatedly. There are certain things you must avoid if you want to enjoy your raving.

Here are things you should never do in Mlolongo nightclubs:

1. Harassing bar attendant

Harassing bar attendants could land you in problems. You must learn to behave if you want the night to end without any issue with the attendants. Bouncers are likely to lift and throw you out if you become unruly.

2. Dancing on tables and chairs

Some revelers lose control and start dancing everywhere. Never make a mistake of dancing on the tables and chairs. Respect other revelers in the club.

3. Being rude to bathroom cleaners

Being very rude towards men and women tasked with cleaning bathrooms in the clubs is not a good thing. Make sure you behave yourself if you want to avoid problems. Give them space to do their work.

4. Having sex with commercial sex workers without protection

Clubs in this part of the country have hundreds of commercial sex workers. It is not a good idea to have sex with them without protection. Avoid having sex with prostitutes if you are not ready to use condoms.

Manchester United vs Tottenham: Is this how the Red Devils will line up?

Can Jose Mourinho’s men bounce back against Spurs?

Manchester United are looking to recover from last week’s humiliation at Brighton with a win against Tottenham.

The Premier League clash is set to take place at Old Trafford on Monday night, with kick-off set for 8pm.

Mourinho gave out tactical advice to no avail against Brighton

Spurs have won their two opening fixtures with a 2-1 triumph at Newcastle followed by a 3-1 win against Fulham.

Manchester United started with a 2-1 victory over Leicester, before crashing to a 3-2 loss at Brighton.

Jose Mourinho’s men put in a hapless performance at the Amex Stadium with defensive frailties exposed for all to see.

Here is how we expect ‘The Special One’ to set out his team against Tottenham:

Following his poor display last Sunday, Eric Bailly is likely to be replaced by Chris Smalling who could either start alongside Phil Jones or Victor Lindelof in central defence.

Multiple missing figures are also in contention to return for Man United and so are expected to start if fit.

At right-back, Antonio Valencia should be back in the XI after Ashley Young filled in against Brighton.

Valencia wore the armband last season

Diego Dalot could also be available after training with the side for the first time this week.

In midfield, Nemanja Matic is set to make his first appearance of the season and will likely take Andreas Pereira’s place in the side.

Alexis Sanchez is also back in training and will likely start again after missing the Brighton match through injury.

Bobi Wine worried he might not function or perform well in bed after being tortured

Thursday 23rd August 2018 was a Rollercoaster day for Bobi Wine after he was set free by the court only to be arrested again by the police.

Dictator Yoweri Museveni has slapped Bobi Wine with myriad of accusations including treason and illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.

A visibly frail Kyagulanyi walked out of the court with difficulty, he was re-arrested by police officers who were waiting outside. He is being remanded to Gulu Prison until August 30th when he will be returned to court with his co-accused.

Bobi Wine as he walks out of the court

Manhood damaged?

Bobi Wine confirmed he was brutally tortured (as reported earlier) through a message he delivered via fellow legislator Allan Ssewanyana.

The Kyadondo East MP says he is worried he might never function or will not be as good as he has always been. According to Ssewanyana, Bobi Wine cries while talking about the situation he finds himself in now.

Ronaldo breaks record in Serie A debut

Cristiano Ronaldo has left Real Madrid but he is not waning.
He debuted in Serie A in a 3-2 thrashing of Chievo by Juventus to prove he is still a massive draw.
The game itself broke records. Sky Italia's coverage show a 68 per cent increase on the numbers for last season's opening game between Juventus and Cagliari.
According to Gazzetta dello Sport, via Football Italia, 2,330,234 unique viewers tuned in to see the £105million man in action.
That makes Ronaldo's debut the fourth-highest viewed programme on the channel ever.
Only two Juventus vs Inter Milan match - and Roma's visit to the Old Lady - have ever beaten it.
Los Blancos and Barcelona's attendances hit a worrying low last weekend for the opening round of La Liga fixtures.
Without Ronaldo the Bernabeu pulled in just 48,446 spectators (total capacity: 81,044) in the win over Getafe, while the Nou Camp attracted 52,356 (total capacity 99,354) to watch their side take on Alaves.
Los Blancos' poor turnout was immediately attributed to the loss of Ronaldo this summer - but this has been a trend for some time.
Both clubs have hit the nadir for home attendances in their La Liga opener over the last decade.
Marca claim the previous low for Barcelona was last season when 56,480 turned out, whilst Real's worst was two seasons ago when 61,568 attended.
A worse Madrid attendance full stop can only be found in the penultimate weekend of the 2008/09 season when 44,270 took in the meaningless clash with Mallorca after Barcelona had already clinched the title.
And that was of course, before Ronaldo signed.
Ronaldo's debut may have broken records in Italy, but it was a slightly different story in the UK.
Eleven Sports hold the rights to the game after Ronaldo's blockbuster move to Turin from Real Madrid.

5 Reasons to avoid Nairobi clubs

There are many ways people choose to enjoy their lives. 

Some people have taken clubbing as their weekend night activities. 

Clubbing has both advantages and disadvantages. However, clubbing in Nairobi clubs is expensive and sometimes a waste of time. Here are some crucial reasons you must stop partying in Nairobi clubs:

1. Over-pricing drinks 

It is no doubt that drinks in Nairobi clubs have always been overpriced. Some clubs sell their drinks at very high prices to make quick profits not caring how they are exploiting their customers.

2. Overcrowding 

Clubs in Nairobi are always full of people. Both teenagers and old people crowd in clubs around Nairobi mainly on weekends. 

3. Getting drinks takes time

 Due to many people in clubs around Nairobi, you will have to wait for some minutes before being served by a bartender. This is due to the many customers in line to be served.

4. Boring Nigerian music 

Most clubs in Nairobi are always playing Nigerian music. Most people are not fans of such types of music. They end up being bored the whole night having bought drinks in that club.

5. Lack of seats 

Some clubs are overcrowd and getting a seat in such could be a problem. You might end up standing in a club for a whole night.

Nigeria: Lagos Third Worst City to Live - Eiu Report

Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial nerve center, is the third worst city to live in among 140 cities worldwide.

The revelation is according to the Economist Intelligence Unit, EIU’s 2018 ranking of the world’s most liveable cities. The city was ranked 138th of the 140 countries ranked by the EIU.

With a relatively low score of 38.5 per cent, the city was just a little above Syria's war-torn capital, Damascus, and Bangladesh's Dhaka. Both cities are hotbeds of violence, destruction and war.

The new ranking saw the Australian capital, Melbourne, lose the title of world's most liveable city after a seven-year reign after dropping to second by just 0.7 percent. The city was piped to the post by Vienna, which received an overall score of 99.1 percent. According to the EIU, Austria’s capital’s rise to the top was attributed to increased security scores due to a return to relative stability across much of Europe after high-profile terrorist attacks in recent years.

The annual list assesses stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education and infrastructure in 140 different cities of the world.

On a larger scale, the ranking showed, global liveability has improved for the second year in a row, increasing from 74.8 per cent last year to 75.7 per cent in 2018.

In the new ranking, published Monday, Japan’s Osaka and Tokyo have now moved up into the top ten, coming in third and seventh place respectively. Both cities achieved their highest ranking on the survey this year thanks to a decline in crime rates as well as improvements in public transportation.

According to the report summary, "Osaka stands out especially, having climbed six positions, to third place, over the past six months, closing the gap with Melbourne.

"It is now separated from the former top-ranked city by a mere 0.7 of a percentage point. Osaka’s improvements in scores for quality and availability of public transportation, as well as a consistent decline in crime rates, have contributed to higher ratings in the infrastructure and stability categories respectively."

Hamburg and Helsinki, that held tenth and ninth place last year, have dropped out of the top ten, while this year’s ninth place spot went to Copenhagen, which achieved a score of 96.8 per cent.

Canada, Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver also performed relatively well, the report said.

The report noted that global business centres tend to be victims of their own success because the ‘big city’buzz they enjoy could overstretch infrastructure and cause higher crime rates. It noted that New York (57th), London (48th) and Paris (19th), for instance, are all prestigious hubs with numerous recreational activities but they all suffer from higher levels of crime, congestion and public transport problems.

The report showed without much surprise that Syria’s war-torn capital, Damascus, continues to languish at the bottom of the list, with an overall score of 30.7 per cent. It was followed by Bangladesh’s Dhaka and Lagos, Nigeria's commercial centre.

In 2017, Lagos was ranked the second worst city to live in after Damascus.

Good news for Man United – two top players return to full training

Jose Mourinho should be happy with training this week [COURTESY]

If you were completely blank (in terms of football) and heard about Manchester United today, you’d easily mistake them for a side who survived relegation last season and are on the brink of collapse.

A defeat to 3-2 defeat to Brighton last week has compounded the club to yet another seemingly ‘meh’ season, with fans becoming more convinced that the side is not good enough to ‘rough teams up’ in the Premier League.

Jose Mourinho has taken the demeanour of a man who has been taken hostage. He more than happily signed a contract extension with Manchester United last season to keep him there until 2020, not knowing that his ‘terms’ would not be realised the season after.

Jose Mourinho has taken the demeanour of a man who has been taken hostage

As one football fan rightly put it, “The Man United manager is locked in a contest he knows he can’t win. He got the right job at the wrong time. He knows he can’t win and he cannot hide it…”

After Sunday’s defeat, Mourinho was left deflated and even chose not to take a swipe at of his players, as was ‘the Mourinho way’ last season.

“I will be very happy to analyse my players’ performances when they were very good. When I cannot do that, don’t push me to the other side because I will not go to the other side,” said Mourinho.

But this is not the time to sulk, not the time to ponder…Tottenham Hotspurs is next. The Red Devils welcome Mauricio Pochettino’s men to Old Trafford on Monday night and Mourinho is bent on getting his ‘soldiers’, his trusted players ready.

English news outlets on Wednesday evening reported Nemanja Matic and Antonio Valencia had returned to full training with the first time, news that should lure good vibes to the Man United faithful.

Matic and Valencia have returned [COURTESY]

Matic and Valencia suffered slight injuries in pre-season and left the tour early last month but could be fit to help Man United get back to winning ways against Spurs.

Matic’s presence in midfield has been deeply missed – Brazilian Andreas Perreira holding down the fort for the first two games.

Valencia, on the other hand, had a calf problem and only played two games in pre-season.

Chilean forward Alexis Sanchez is also battling hard to be fit in time after he missed the trip to the Amex Stadium last week with a ‘mystery’ problem. 

Government pledges to support athletes as Kenya bids farewell to ex-world champion Nicholas Bett

Challenges that Kenyan athletes normally undergo might soon come to an end after the Government pledged to address their problems and offer them more support.

Deputy President William Ruto, made the pledge to athletes on behalf of the Government while attending the final send off of 400 metres ex-World Champion Nicholas Bett on Thursday, August 16.

Officers from the National Police Service say farewell to their fallen comrade.

Speaking during the burial of Bett in his rural home in Simat Kapseret constituency, Uasin-Gishu county, the DP assured athletes in attendance of the Government's unwavering support.

Police officers pay their last respects to their late comrade Nicholas Bett.

Speaking during the burial of Bett in his rural home in Simat Kapseret constituency, Uasin-Gishu county, the DP assured athletes in attendance of the Government's unwavering support.

“Our government will focus on challenges affecting athletes like fields where they normally conduct their exercise. We will take care of this so that they can also enjoy and feel appreciated" the Deputy President said.

Ruto eulogised Bett saying the country had lost an icon who had represented Kenya on various field events across the globe and was always eager to proudly wave the Kenyan flag high.

Police perform 21-gun salute for their departed comrade.

The event was attended by several dignitaries including Sports Cabinet Secretary Rashid Mohamed and Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet.

Family and friends pay eulogise the late Bett.

Athletes from the Kenyan fraternity including retired and active athletes, were also present to bid farewell to their late comrade.

Rashid said the country had lost a hero and that Kenya would continue celebrate his sterling achievements even after his demise.

Rashid said that despite the country loosing a hero, his name would be celebrated and sterling achievements remembered long after his demise.

The event was attended by several dignitaries included Sports Cabinet Secretary Rashid Mohamed and Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet.

The event which was attended by several dignitaries included Sports Cabinet Secretary Rashid Mohamed and Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet.

The CS further lauded efforts of Kenyan athletes to market the country world over and promised that under his tenure he would ensure they were provided with conducive environments to train with ease.

Athletes from across Kenya pay their final respect to their fallen comrade.

“I understand the challenges that you are undergoing and I promise you that under my leadership we will ensure to provide conducive environments,” Echesa said.

Family and friends pay tribute to the late Nicholas Bett.

He also revealed that the sports ministry would come up with plans to ensure that all athletes including retired, active and departed are recognised.

As TUKO.co.ke formerly reported, Bett met his tragic demise after his vehicle hit a bump and veered off Sochoi-Lessos road, rolling several times.

The 400m legend lost his life on Wednesday, August 8, in Nandi county while travelling from Nairobi to his home.

Story by Kipkosgei Tuwei, Uasin Gishu County.

Dano Milk- Officially a Guinness World Records Certificate Holder

After successfully setting a new benchmark in the longest drinks-pouring category of Guinness World Records, Arla Dano has been conferred with the global record holder title in the category by the awarding institution.

The recognition is premised on the engagement of over 650 participants to achieve the longest drinks-pouring relay using Dano UHT Milk held on June 1 this year in commemoration of World Milk Day. Government and non-government representatives threw their weight behind the programme which intensified conversations on nutrition, healthy living and the dairy industry in Nigeria.

Despite a barrage of initial challenges to the project, the team behind the brand was able to achieve the feat. Marketing Manager, Ifunanya Obiakor linked the feat to determination, focus & resilience to surmount obstacles.

She notes: "It is said that every great achievement seems impossible at first, until it is done. This saying reflects our journey to obtaining the Guinness World Records certificate for organizing the longest drinks-pouring relay. Achieving this feat in the face of obvious obstacles is a testament to the possibilities that abound when the will to win drives exceptional performance and when inner strength is deployed towards tackling and overcoming challenges".

According to Managing Director, Mads Burmester, "We believe this award speaks to the fact that the human mind can achieve whatever it conceives. All that is required is the inner strength to follow through with the vision despite hard times. This is what the Arla Dano brand aims to represent in Nigeria and this is why we will continue to provide Nigerian consumers with high quality dairy products to nourish them well enough to take on their day and life in general"

"We hope to positively influence our consumers and make them believe in themselves. Beyond the nutritional products that we offer in the dairy sector, we consider the importance to appeal to the mind and consciousness of our consumers."

With the new feat, Dano further intensifies its presence and impact in the dairy sector of Nigeria's economy with quality products for the young and old.

WHO expects more Ebola cases in Congo, can't reach no-go areas

Congolese officials and the World Health Organization officials wear protective suits as they participate in a training against the Ebola virus near the town of Beni in North Kivu province of the Democratic Republic of Congo, August 11, 2018. /REUTERS

The World Health Organization (WHO) said on Friday that at least 1,500 people had been potentially exposed to the deadly Ebola virus in the Democratic Republic of Congo's North Kivu region.

Insecurity prevents aid workers from reaching some areas.

WHO expected more people to become infected and could not be sure that it had identified all chains by which the virus is spreading in the eastern part of the country beset by militia violence.

More than 500 people including health workers have been vaccinated against the disease in Congo's latest outbreak, marked by a total of 78 confirmed and probable cases, including 44 deaths, the WHO said.

Some 1,500 people have been identified as contacts of people infected with the disease that causes fever, vomiting and diarrhoea.

"We don't know if we are having all transmission chains identified. We expect to see more cases as a result of earlier infections and these infections developing into illness," WHO spokesman Tarik Jasarevic told a Geneva news briefing.

"We still don't have a full epidemiological picture... The worst case scenario is that we have these security blindspots where the epidemic could take hold that we don't know about," he said.

The outbreak has spread from its epicentre in North Kivu province to neighbouring Ituri province after an infected person returned home, Congo's health ministry said this week, complicating containment in a region beset by widespread militia violence.

The WHO said it had deployed more than 100 experts including epidemiologists to the towns of Beni and Mangina, to oversee tracing, vaccination and safe burials.

But in line with UN security, there are so-called 'red zones' near the epicentre of Mangina which aid workers cannot enter, Jasarevic said.

"When decisions are being made, the priority is the security of all responding teams," he added. 

NEMA allowed Weston to extend Dolphin Hotel into Indian Ocean

An aerial view of Dolphin Hotel which is under construction at the Indian Ocean beachfront, Mombasa, August 17, 2018. /JOHN CHESOLI

NEMA allowed Weston Hotel to extend Dolphin Hotel's construction into the Indian Ocean, a search on the agency's web portal has revealed.

The extension was approved under reference NEMA/EIA/PSR/6347, a search found on Friday.

Weston Hotel, which made the said application, is owned by Deputy President William Ruto, who has been on the spot for building it on land belonging to the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority.

KCAA executive director Gilbert Kibe said the plot on Langata Road in Nairobi is among hundreds of parcels that it wants to reclaim.

Dolphin shot to the limelight on Wednesday when two Nation Media journalists were roughed up for recording operations around its construction.

Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho's administration has since started a probe on beach encroachment by the project in Shanzu.

The owners of Dolphin Hotel have been accused of flouting building regulations and Muslims for Human Rights group (MUHURI) has warned that it will seek court orders to stop the construction.

The rights lobby announced the move on Friday following the arrest of NMG journalists Karim Rajan and Laban Walloga. 

"If this elevated sand is not removed, we shall sue," Muhuri chairman Khelef Khalifa told journalists.

Lands executive Edward Nyale and officials from NEMA toured the site today to ascertain the extent of encroachment.

Nyale said the area will be mapped to confirm invasion. He noted that they stopped construction last year after the contractor violated waste disposal laws.

"The sea line has shifted," he said, adding violation of the law on the 30m watermark could not be established immediately.

Khalifa said the beach has been elevated by 10 feet and that it is unusual for an ordinary investor to order guards to arrest journalists.

NEMA's Mombasa director Steven Wambua said they will release a report regarding encroachment and ownership of the hotel.