Cristiano Ronaldo wins the Best Fifa Men's Player.

Cristiano Ronaldo has been named The Best FIFA Football Player after a sensational 2016 which saw him secure a second Champions League crown with Real Madrid and lead Portugal to a historic European Championship triumph.

The 31-year-old star once again grabbed blagging rights over rival Lionel Messi, having picked up the prestigious Ballon d'Or award last month ahead of the Barcelona forward. 

Messi, who did not attend FIFA's The Best ceremony in Zurich due to Barcelona commitments, and Atletico Madrid striker Antoine Griezmann were both beaten by the Portuguese forward.

The former Manchester United star was the overwhelming favourite after a stellar 12 months in which he won Euro 2016, the Champions League and the UEFA Super Cup.

Ronaldo ended the year with 55 goals in 57 games for club and country but it was his success in the two big tournaments of the year that ultimately saw him claim the prize ahead of his rivals.

Davido Acquires Brand New “Mercedes Benz ML 350 2017 Model Worth ₦90 Million

Davido is real vexing this Year but congrat to him sha

The Singer acquires a Brand New Range Rover worth N100 Miliion Naira some days ago, and now OBO Unleashed another beast from the German company.

Davido is rumored to be second owner of this New Machine in Nigeria at the Moment, The first person is from the South South.

See another photo of the Benz below

Claudio Ranieri wins FIFA Coach of the Year.

Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri has been named Coach of the Year at the FIFA award ceremony in  Zurich on Monday night.

The 65-year-old Italian beat Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane and Portugal boss Fernando Santos to scoop the prestigious award.

Adeboye's Resignation: President Buhari Fires FRCN Secretary 'Jim Obazee'

Days after Pastor Enoch Adeboye resigned as Head of the Redeemed Christian Church, RCCG in Nigeria President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the immediate removal of Mr. Jim Obazee, Executive secretary of the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRCN).

Obazee was blamed for Pastor Adeboye's resignation after RCCG issued a message saying the G.O was resigning in obedience to FRCN policy. The President also made new appointments to FRCN.

Philippe Coutinho to return for Liverpool’s League Cup clash with Southampton

Jurgen Klopp has confirmed that Philippe Coutinho should return from injury for Liverpool’s League Cup semi-final against Southampton on Wednesday.

The Reds head to St Mary’s for the first-leg of their semi-final showdown on Wednesday, as they look to reach the League Cup final for the second year in a row.

Everyone concerned with the club has been given a huge boost with the news that Coutinho is back fit again, following a lengthy lay-off.

The Brazilian has not featured since suffering an ankle injury against Sunderland on November 26th, with his flair and all-round influence a big loss.

In his pre-Saints press conference on Monday, Klopp confirmed that Coutinho was back in contention, although he may use him sparingly at St Mary’s.

“I think Phil is fit enough to be part of the squad. There could be minutes, how many I don’t know,” Klopp said.

“It was six or seven weeks out, that’s long. He needs minutes in training and as soon as possible minutes in games. There’s no final decision.

“He’s had his third complete session with the team, and tomorrow will be his fourth.”

Klopp also admitted Loris Karius is likely to start in goal again, having played against Plymouth Argyle on Sunday, with the Liverpool manager discussing the importance of the League Cup and defending his team selection against Plymouth.

“We are used to congestion. Now we’ve got one game more, that doesn’t make too much difference”, he added, referring to the upcoming replay against the Pilgrims.

“As long as you’re involved [in the League Cup], it’s the most important cup you can imagine. If you want to talk about intensity, Southampton had a more intense time than we did.

“There’s no final decision, but it’s pretty likely that Loris [Karius] plays again. It makes sense, it’s fair.

“I don’t expect fairness in judgement. It was clear before the game, if you win it’s wonderful because you have the youngest lineup ever.

“That was the lineup we should have chosen. I could explain each single change, I don’t want to but I could.”

FBI agent who interrogated Saddam Hussein leads airport case

The FBI agent who interrogated Saddam Hussein alone for months after the former Iraqi leader's capture is now leading the investigation into the Florida airport shooting rampage that killed five and is being blamed on an Iraq war veteran.

George Piro, special agent in charge of the FBI's Miami field office, was Saddam's sole interrogator beginning in January 2004. In previous interviews, Piro has said Saddam did not know his true identity — the Iraqi leader called him "Mr. George" — and that he posed as a high-level envoy who answered directly to then-President George W. Bush.. 

and six wounded. Federal prosecutors have charged Esteban Santiago, 26, with airport violence and firearms offenses that could bring the death penalty if he is convicted.

In announcing the charges filed Saturday, Piro said his thoughts are with the victims and their families.

"I want to ensure these families that law enforcement is working tirelessly in order to ensure justice is served," he said.

Piro, an FBI agent since 1999, moved with his family from Lebanon to California's San Joaquin Valley as a teenager. After high school he enlisted in the Air Force, then became a police officer for a decade in Ceres, California, followed by a job as an investigator in the local prosecutor's office.

Once he joined the FBI in Phoenix, Piro was one of only a handful of Arabic-speaking agents — a group that suddenly was in great demand after the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks and the subsequent U.S. invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq. In 2003, Piro was promoted to the FBI's Counterterrorism Division at headquarters in Washington, leading to his work as Saddam's interrogator.

In later interviews, including a 2008 appearance on CBS's "60 Minutes" program, Piro said he met daily with Saddam in a windowless room and worked to gain his trust by becoming his only provider of necessities and such things as paper for Saddam to write poetry.

Eventually, Piro said Saddam confirmed that Iraq did not have weapons of mass destruction prior to the U.S. invasion but might seek them in future to deter Iran and other threats. Saddam also denied any links to al-Qaida and Osama bin Laden, Piro has said.

Saddam also liked to brag about how he escaped U.S. airstrikes and capture, according to Piro.

"What he wanted to really illustrate is . . . how he was able to outsmart us," Piro told "60 Minutes." ''He got rid of his normal vehicles. He got rid of the protective detail that he traveled with, really just to change his signature."

Saddam was later tried and executed by hanging in December 2006.

Santiago, the airport shooting suspect, also served in Iraq in 2010 with the Puerto Rico National Guard as part of an engineering battalion, guard officials said. Santiago later served in the Army Reserves and Alaska National Guard.

After Iraq, Piro moved on to top FBI counterterrorism jobs in Washington, including a White House position involving high-value detainee interrogation that works with various intelligence agencies.

Since taking the top Miami FBI job, Piro has overseen work in more domestic areas such as health care fraud, identity theft and tax fraud, Ponzi schemes and mortgage fraud — all areas where South Florida is among the nation's leaders. Bank robberies, violent street gangs, public corruption and smuggling of humans and drugs round out much of the work for the Miami office's roughly 1,000 agents and employees.

Since Friday's shooting, Piro has been careful to say no evidence linking Santiago to terrorism has been found but such connections have also not been ruled out.

"It's way too early in the investigation. We're looking over all of his social media, things like that. It's giving us a picture of the individual, but it's way too early for us to rule out anything," Piro said Saturday. "We're pursuing all angles on what prompted him to carry out this horrific attack."

“Boko Haram members now knock before detonating bombs”- Nigerian Army

The Deputy Director Army Public Relations, Colonel Mustapha Anka, in a rstatement disclosed the new pattern Boko Haram terrorists adopt in carrying out their operations. The Press release in full read “This is to draw the attention of the general public to recent trend used by desperate remnants of Boko Haram Terrorists (BHT). Recently, two female suicide bombers knocked at the door of one Bulama and Usman about 200 meters apart in Kalari general area of Maiduguri

“The daughter of the Bulama opened the door, while the Usman himself opened his own door immediately the suicide bombers detonated their suicide vest, in the process killing the unsuspected little girl, Usman including the two female suicide bombers. “The general public is hereby advised to be cautious and weary of strange persons knocking at their doors. Security is a collective responsibility; the public is to engage in neighborhood watch. Suspicious movement of persons should be reported to security agents without any delay. The public is once again reminded that curfew is still enforced by 10pm daily, any defaulter will be prosecuted accordingly. “You are please requested to disseminate this information to the public through your medium. Thank you for your usual cooperation”

How 1 Family Discovered Their New Home Was a Former Meth Lab

A family in Australia who developed health problems found out their sickness had an unusual cause: They had unknowingly moved into a home that was a former meth laboratory, according to a new report of the case.

Just months before the family moved in, the home was the site of a clandestine drug laboratory, where the owner made methamphetamine.

Police discovered the laboratory in May 2013, arrested the owner and notified other authorities that the home needed to be decontaminated because it contained harmful chemicals. The local council issued a notice for the cleaning of the property, but this cleaning wasn't performed, the report said.

The property was sold a few months later, but the new owners were never informed that the home had previously been a meth laboratory. In October 2013, the family of five — a mother, father and their three children — moved in. ['Breaking Bad': 6 Strange Meth Facts]

Seven months passed before the local council contacted the family and told them that their home was a former drug laboratory. Testing of the home took place from May to October 2014, and revealed that methamphetamine was present on surfaces in the home. The levels ranged from 11.7 micrograms per 100 cubic centimeters to 26.0 micrograms per 100 cubic centimeters — well above the Australian limit of 0.5 micrograms per 100 cubic cm, the report said. The family vacated the property in March 2015.

While living in the home, all of the family members experienced health problems, which continued for some time after they moved out. The mother reported a persistent cough, along with weight loss and excess energy, and the father reported worsening memory, dizziness and blurry vision.

The youngest child, a 7-year-old boy, developed asthma-like symptoms, as well as behavioral changes, including anxiety and symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), which he did not have before the family lived in the home. All of the family members reported having sore, watery eyes, and several members reported trouble sleeping.

Exposure to methamphetamine residues can cause symptoms similar to those seen in people actually taking meth, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH). These include high energy, anxiety, trouble sleeping, increased distractibility, weight loss and memory troubles, according to the National Institutes of Health. Exposure to the chemicals involved in making meth can cause other symptoms, including nose and throat irritation, dizziness and breathing difficulties, IDPH says.

The report highlights the importance of effectively identifying and decontaminating clandestine drug laboratories, the researchers said.

"If properties formerly used for the clandestine manufacture of methamphetamine are not properly cleaned, the public might be unknowingly exposed to drug residues," the researchers who reported the family's case wrote in the Jan. 6 issue of the journal Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, which is published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Appropriate identification and management of these properties, including measures by authorities to prevent the sale of unremediated homes, are important to prevent exposures and adverse health effects."

All of the family members had samples of their hair tested for methamphetamine one week after they moved out, to better determine their level of exposure to the drug. The tests showed that the family's two youngest children, both boys, had the highest levels of methamphetamine in their hair, with 330 and 460 picograms per milligram. Previously, studies have found that children living in clandestine drug laboratories can have levels of methamphetamine in their hair ranging from 100 to 131,000 pg/mg, the report said.

The family's 11-year-old daughter had a lower level of methamphetamine in her hair samples, around 50 pg/mg. The mother's level was 17 pg/mg, and the father's level was 5 pg/mg.

The family reported that most of their health problems resolved within a year of moving out, according to the researchers.

The world's tallest solar tower is being built in Israel

Deep in Israel’s Negev Desert construction is well under way on what will soon become the tallest solar tower in the world. Scheduled to be finished later this year at a cost of about $570 million, the Ashalim tower will soar a staggering 820 feet into the sky.

The tower is surrounded by more than 50,000 heliostat solar mirrors, covering an area the size of 560 football fields. The mirrors reflect the sun’s rays back onto the giant structure, heating water stored in a boiler at the top of the tower, turning it into steam. The steam then spins a turbine and generates energy.

The tower will provide enough energy for 130,000 households, or about 5 percent of the country’s population, according to Israel’s Electricity Authority.

Israel has traditionally relied on fossil fuels for energy — renewable sources currently account for just 2.5 percent of the country’s electricity. The Ashalim tower is part of a push to increase that mark to 10 percent by 2020.

The tower is not without its critics, who have panned the project as too expensive and complex to be replicated. Planners argue just the opposite.

“We multiplied the size of the mirrors by three compared to the previous generation,” Megalim Power  CEO Eran Gartner, who heads the consortium managing the project, told the Times of Israel. “Everything is connected by WiFi instead of by cables. The tower and its boiler are also designed to reduce costs. Everything is done to pursue profitability.”

The current tallest solar structure in the world is the Ivanpah plant, located in California’s Mojave Desert. It consists of three towers standing a paltry-by-comparison 459 feet tall.

Step up your service delivery or quit, Fashola warns DISCOS

Mr Babatunde Fashola, the Minister of Works, Power and Housing, on Monday warned the distribution companies in the country to step up their service delivery or quit. Fashola gave the warning at the opening ceremony of the 11th Monthly Stakeholders meeting in Lagos.

According to him, we all know the issues around metering and billing system; we must build the trust and confidence that customers’ complains will be addressed. “We need to do whatever is possible in our various distribution areas to improve the quality of service and continue to train our personnel to recognise that customer is king. “If we cannot provide or solve their problems, we own it a duty to explain what we are doing. “We own it a duty to fish out a few members of staff, not all, because we have some dedicated staff.

“I am conscious of the challenges the operators are facing. “We are working as hard as we can to make the environment more responsive to you and as I have said and will repeat that as pioneers, you will carry some burdens. “You will have to sacrifice, perhaps more than what you have done,’’ he said. Fashola said that without the customers and the consumers, there would be no business. “I think that all of us in the public and private sector must understand that. If you don’t have the skill and the patient to serve, leave. “But I am optimistic that things will get better, I am optimistic that we can win together and we can win for the Nigeria people,” the minister said. On the liquidity issues, Fashola said that government was working with other development partners. “Local and international partners would have shown commitment and inspiring appetite to play in this market. “We are trying to see what we can do together in order to bring the liquidity issues under some control and from there eventually solve it. “Our partners in government are also inspiring and show understanding of what the challenges are. So, it is quick decision making now. “Collaboration and decisions will be fair, but firm, and we expect that people will respect the decisions and also processes to be re-engaged as they come,” the minister said. In his remarks, the Managing Director, Ikeja Electric, Mr Anthony Youdeiwoe, said that 2016 was a challenging year for stakeholders. According to him, though, the challenges still remain, they are better discussed whenever we meet like this.’’ He said that efforts were also ongoing to address the challenges and proffer solutions.

LADIES get in here: Why you'll NEVER get your dream body doing cardio: Celebrity trainer reveals you won't get toned by jogging and spinning (as she shares the secret to an A-list body)

• Sarah Lindsay claims hours on treadmill may be hindering weight loss efforts
• She  says the secret to success lies in lifting weights
• Sarah works with Pixie Lott, Melanie Sykes and Christine Bleakley  

As millions hit the gym in the hope of burning off the post-Christmas pounds, one expert warns that we could be going about it all wrong.

Sarah Lindsay, director of Roar Fitness, who frequently works with A-listers, claims that hours spent pounding the treadmill may be hindering your weight loss efforts.

'There is no faster way to run face first into a fat loss plateau than purely focusing on cardiovascular exercise,' she said..

So what's the solution? 'Weight training,' she revealed.

Explaining why weight training is more effective at helping you achieve your dream body than jogging, she said: 'The correct weight training programme will not only blast away body fat at a dizzying pace, but, more importantly, it will provide the tone and shape to your body that endless pounding away on treadmills and spin classes simply does not do.'

Whilst she admits that a little cardio training can have its place, weight training will have far more of a positive and profound impact on the hormonal system.

This, she says, is what really counts when it comes to achieving a lean and sculpted figure

Explaining in more detail, she said: 'The release of various hormones during weight training such as growth hormone, IGF-1 and testosterone (yes, that's right, you need it too, ladies) will go a long way to boosting your overall metabolism as well as improving overall health and well being. 

'On the flip side, excessive cardio vascular exercise becomes very stressful to your adrenal glands, which, in turn, can cause a loss of lean muscle, which is essential for maintaining a fast metabolism to keep fat storage at bay.'

She goes on to explain that the body adapts to the routine of cardio and so your fat burning ability plateaus. 

With weight training, however, all you need to do is vary the exercise, change the tempo or body the number of reps you are doing, and your metabolism can stay elevated for as much as 48 hours after your workout.

FIVE TIPS FOR NO CARDIO TRAINING 

1. Focus on big lifts 

Do 13-15 reps on the deadlift exercise, which is a total body exercise that predominately works your posterior muscles such as the back, glutes and hamstrings. If you try to perform the lift with maximum effort, not only will you build great strength and muscle, you will also get a great metabolic response.

2. Nutrition is as important as exercise 

When it comes to attaining a lean body, and whilst everyone is biochemically different, a whole food diet that is based around regular protein meals throughout the day, with plenty of fibrous vegetables and water should be at the top of everyones priority list.

3. Do supersets 

This is a great way to ensure you get more work done during your workouts by minimising your rest time. By doing one exercise like deadlift, resting for 45-60 seconds and then training another body part - like performing a chest press - before moving onto the next pair will ensure you get the biggest bang for your buck. Did you know that 45 minutes of this training will be worth five hours on the treadmill as far as long term fat loss is concerned?

4. Take a shake 

Post workout protein is essential for recovery. Remember that while lifting weights, you are effectively breaking down muscle tissue so taking protein ensures regain and growth of new muscle, which, in turn, helps to boost your BMR - the amount of calories you burn at rest. This keeps you leaner longer term.

5. Ask for help

So many people are scared of weight training and think they will get hurt doing weights. In reality, accidents very rarely happen as weight training should be a controlled smooth movement to ensure you are activating the correct muscles. 

If you are unsure of the correct technique then ask a trainer or instructor. That's what they are there for and should be happy to help. Even ask other gym users (after they finish their set) as they are probably passionate about training and will have lots of good tips.

There is actually a fantastic community now in the fitness world and they are a lot friendlier than you may expect! 

Imagine my name sake for this mess. well guys the news is this guy, Tolu Olasanoye is docked over alleged N13,000 theft

A 21-year-old man, Tolu Olasanoye, was on Monday arraigned in an Ikorodu Magistrates’ Court, Lagos, for allegedly stealing N13,000. The accused, whose address was not stated, was docked on a one-count charge of theft.

Olasanoye pleaded not guilty to the charge brought against him. But the prosecutor, Sgt. Kemi Adeniran, told the court that the accused committed the offence on Dec. 26, 2016. She said the offence was committed at about 3:55p.m., at No. 22, Adetola St., Billy Way, Ojomo, Ajegunle area of Ikorodu . “Olasanoye did commit the stealing. “He did steal N13,000 belonging to one Oluwasina Bello,’’ she said. The prosecutor said the offence contravened Section 285 of the Criminal Law of Lagos States 2011. Magistrate A. Oshodi-Makanju, granted the accused N50, 000 bail with two responsible sureties in like sum. The case was adjourned till Jan. 26 for mention.

We’re yet to begin sales of 2017 UTME forms, JAMB warns candidates

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has warned prospective candidates against purchasing application documents from con artists. The examination body says it is yet to begin the sales of the 2017 UTME form, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

Before now, some registration centres had been selling forms to candidates at prices ranging from N3,700 to N5000. Fabian Benjamin, JAMB’s Head of Media and Publicity, on Monday, said the board would adequately sensitise the public before the sale begins. “I want the public to be patient. We are putting finishing touches to the arrangements for a hitch free outing. “We do not want a repeat of what had been happening before and during registration this year. “We need to ensure that prospective candidates do the right thing and get their results without problems. “So we want to appeal to prospective candidates to be patient as we will soon begin sale of the forms.” He warned the general public and prospective candidates not to fall prey to the activities of fraudsters who might lure them into buying fake documents

French Police Arrest 16 People in Connection to Kim Kardashian’s Horrific Robbery

French police arrested 17 suspects in connection with the armed robbery of Kim Kardashian West in a Paris hotel room that resulted in $10 million worth of jewelry being stolen, authorities announced Monday.

According to the Associated Press, the arrests took place starting around 6 a.m. Monday in different locations around Paris and the surrounding cities. The suspects can be held for up to 96 hours before they must be charged or released.

Although Paris prosecutors office have offered no comment concerning ongoing operations, PEOPLE has learned that suspects are already being brought before two magistrates Monday morning for questioning as the process continues.

Early reports say “exploitable DNA” was found on piece of jewelry dropped by the robbers as they made their getaway on bicycles. The platinum and diamond-encrusted Jacob & Co. Cross, valued at $33,000, was discovered by a pedestrian and turned into police.

French newspaper Le Monde is suggesting a second suspect was identified by DNA found in the hotel which was compared against samples in France’s national database. The outlet reports that police have maintained surveillance on the pair for several weeks prior to arrests.

On Oct. 3, 2016, Kardashian West was held at gunpoint by masked men who stole millions of dollars worth of jewelry, including her $4 million ring, from the apartment where she was staying for Paris Fashion Week. At the time, a rep for Kardashian West said she was “badly shaken but physically unharmed.”

The 36-year-old reality star has recently stepped back into the spotlight after taking a hiatus from the public eye and social media following the horrifying event.

In a promo for the upcoming season of Keeping Up with the Kardashians, she opens up to her sisters Khloé and Kourtney Kardashian about the ordeal.

“They’re going to shoot me in the back,” she tearfully recalls in the clip shared by E! News. “There’s no way out.”

“It makes me so upset to think about it,” she adds.

Buhari, ECOWAS presidents in crucial meeting over Gambia’s Jammeh’s fate

The meeting of West African leaders aimed at resolving the brewing political impasse in the Gambia is currently ongoing at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. President Muhammadu Buhari who is chairing the meeting as Chief Mediator of the mediatory panel appointed by the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS is being joined by his co-Mediator and immediate past President of Ghana, John Mahama.

Other key members of the panel who were present included the Liberian and Senegalese presidents. The meeting is expected to reach a compromise on how to effect a successful transition of power from the outgoing President Yahya Jammeh who has vowed not to leave office for the winner of the December 1, 2016 presidential election, Adama Barrow

Maiduguri Night Explosion: Emergency workers evacuate 12 bodies

After the failed attempts by suicide bombers to wreck havoc in Maiduguri due to prompt interceptions by Nigerian troops last night, rescue workers from the National and state emergency management agencies have evacuated corpses of the suspects and victims to the mortuaries. Led by Chairman of Borno State Emergency Management Agency (BOSEMA), Engr. Satomi Ahmed in conjunction with NEMA, twelve bodies were evacuated this morning.
Among the corpses were that of two suicide bombers at Muna Garage and two other suicide bombers killed at Kaleri temporary settlement, behind University of Maiduguri. PRNigeria confirms that apart from the four killed suicide bombers, four bodies of innocent victims who died during the explosion were also removed. The Nigerian troops had ensured that none of the suicide bombers escaped during the incidents as they closely monitored and protected the exit routes

Pastor cuts off wife’s breast in Ibadan

A 61 year old man, Adejare Adebayo who was identified as a pastor has been remanded in Agodi Prison Custody, Ibadan by a Magistrate Court for allegedly using a knife to cut off the breast of his wife. After cutting off the left breast of his wife, Mrs. Risikayat Adegbule aged 43, the excruciating pain allegedly led to the death of the woman after some days.

When he appeared before the Chief Magistrate F. Richard of court 2. Monday, the accused man pleaded not guilty to the one-count charge. The crime was allegedly committed at Onikankan Village, Ibadan on the eve of Christmas. Though yet to be ascertained, the man was quoted as saying that he cut the other affected breast because his dead wife had earlier suffered cancer in her left breast.

Jose Mourinho to face the 'new Mourinho' in League Cup

Jose Mourinho is preparing to face the man who has been dubbed the "new Jose Mourinho."

The Manchester United manager will lead his team against Hull on Tuesday in the first leg of the League Cup semifinals. Hull is coached by Marco Silva, a Portuguese manager who has drawn comparisons with Mourinho.

"I'm Marco Silva only," said Silva, who has been called a "kid friend" by Mourinho.

"He's a friend also," Silva said. "All Portuguese coaches are proud of him for what he did before and for me, what he continues to do in his career."

Hull has been struggling in the Premier League, sitting in last place with only 13 points, while United has won eight consecutive matches and next faces Liverpool in the league on Sunday.

"We play against Liverpool, a big match for us, but we want to be in the (League Cup) final," Mourinho said. "So we are going to face this Hull match with everything we have, all the power we have, as we know it's two legs but the second leg is away. If we can do something in the first leg that gives us the advantage, so we will try to do that."

Liverpool plays at Southampton on Wednesday in the other League Cup semifinal, only days after the team was held to a 0-0 draw by Plymouth in the FA Cup.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has since defended his decision of making 10 changes and fielding the club's youngest ever starting lineup against Plymouth.

"If you want to see it (the result) in a bad way then I am 100 percent responsible, I have no problem with that," Klopp said.

Besides the two legs of the League Cup and the match against United, Liverpool also has a replay at Plymouth and matches against Swansea and league leader Chelsea in January.

Barcelona pulls Messi from attending FIFA awards ceremony

Lionel Messi will not attend the FIFA awards ceremony later Monday, when Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to be named the world's best player for 2016.

Barcelona says it decided Messi would skip the event in Zurich and be "prioritizing preparations" for a match on Wednesday

Messi's teammates, including Neymar, who could be named in a World XI voted for by players, will also not travel.

Ronaldo is favored to win his fourth FIFA player award after helping Portugal and Real Madrid become European champions last year.

Messi has five FIFA best player awards and has been runner-up in all other years since 2007.

Barcelona hosts Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday in the Copa del Rey. The defending champions lost the first leg 2-1 in Bilbao.

Truck bomb kills 8 police in Egypt’s Sinai

A truck bomb attack on an Egyptian security checkpoint in the Sinai Peninsula killed at least eight policemen on Monday, officials and state media said. Police officials said a suicide bomber rammed a truck packed with explosives into the checkpoint in the north Sinai city of El-Arish and gunmen then opened fire on the security post.

The Islamic State group’s Egyptian branch in the Sinai Peninsula has carried out several such attacks over the past two years. Eight people were also wounded in the attack, state newspaper Al-Ahram reported on its website. Jihadists have killed hundreds of soldiers and policemen since the 2013 military overthrow of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi, which unleashed a bloody crackdown on his supporters. Most of the attacks have taken place in the Sinai Peninsula, which borders Israel and the Palestinian Gaza Strip. In November, a car bomb attack on a checkpoint in Sinai killed eight soldiers.

Judicial shakeup: Justices Abang, Liman, others moved to Asaba, Enugu…

Justice Mohammed Liman of the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt and Justice Okon Abang in Abuja division have been redeployed, in a major shake up ordered by the Chief Judge of the court. A circular addressed to all judges of the court, announced that Justice Liman had been moved to Enugu division, while Justice Abang is transferred to Asaba division.

The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Ibrahim Auta, who endorsed the redeployment of Justices Liman, Abang and nine others, was silent on the reason for the movement. He mainly attributed it to “the recent developments in the court.” The circular said the postings would not affect the criminal cases the redeployed judges are currently handling. According to the circular:  “In view of the fact some divisions are currently short of judge following the recent developments in the court, it has become necessary to take urgent steps to fill in existing vacancies. “Affected judges are expected to resume in their new divisions by January 30, 2017. The judges shall continue with the hearing of criminal cases currently before them, as well as at least two witnesses have testified.” Others affected include Justice S. Saidu (moved from Lagos to Port Harcourt); Justice A.O Faji (from Asaba to Lagos); Justice R. M Aikawa (Sokoto to Lagos); Justice B.O Quadri (from Port Harcourt to Abuja); Justice Mallong Hoommuk (from Port Harcourt to Lafia). Also moved are, Justice K.K Dagat (from Lagos to Kano); Justice Saleh Idrissa (Kano to Sokoto); Justice H.I.O Oshomah (from Lafia to Port Harcourt) and Justice J.K Omotosho) from Kano to Port Harcourt. Two of the judges being moved are Justices Liman and Abang, have been very controversial. Liman gave the judgment that accentuated the leadership crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), when he recognised the Ahmed Makarfi-led National Caretaker Committee as the authentic body to run the affairs of the party. Justice Abang gave the judgment which sacked Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu last year. The appellate court reversed the decision. Justice Abang also gave the judgment on which the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) based his decision to substitute Eyitayo Jegede with Jimoh Ibrahim as the candidate of the PDP during last February’s governorship election in Ondo State. Justice Abang is the trial judge in major criminal cases including those involving ex-spokesman of the PDP, Olisa Metuh; ex-Chief of Defence Staff Alex Badeh and former governor of Adamawa State Murtala Nyako.

Metropolitan Police officers are asked if they want to be armed both on and off duty in the wake of terror attacks in France and Germany

• More than 30,000 officers in the Met are being asked for their opinions 
• They highlight how Berlin terrorist Anis Amri was shot dead by Italian police 
• The provocative move has already raised concerns among chief officers 
• Commissioner Bernard Hogan-Howe does not support the initiative 

Every frontline officer in Britain’s largest police force is being asked whether they would be prepared to carry a gun at all times.

More than 30,000 officers at the Metropolitan Police are being polled on their views over being routinely armed both on and off duty.

Rank-and-file representatives say they want to gauge support for making firearms more readily available in the wake of terrorist atrocities in France, Belgium and Germany.

They highlight how the armed Islamic State terrorist responsible for the Berlin Christmas market attack was shot dead by an Italian officer on a routine patrol.

But the provocative move has already raised concerns among chief officers who insist there are no plans to ditch 188 years of unarmed policing.

Commissioner Bernard Hogan-Howe moved quickly to distance himself from the survey, saying he does not support the routine arming of officers.

‘We are proud to maintain the tradition that police in this country are not routinely armed,’ a spokesman for the force said.

The short email survey, organised by the Metropolitan Police Federation, the de fact ‘union’ for lower ranking officers, was sent to every officer today.

It asks whether they would be willing to carry a gun both on and off duty, and their views on whether officers should be armed ‘at all times’.

Highlighting the higher fitness standards required for firearms officers, it also asks whether more weapons should be made available, possibly by converting vehicles into mobile armouries.

Officers also face questions over whether they want more access to controversial Taser stun gun weapons, which are already carried by thousands of response officers.

The final question asks whether officers would resign rather than carry a firearm if their use was made compulsory.

Ken Marsh, who leads the London Federation branch, said: ‘We’re not an armed force, we never have been.

‘But the terrorism threat in London is constant and our officers must be vigilant and be able to deal swiftly with any scenarios we face.

‘We are already moving closer towards that by arming 600 more officers and I think it’s only fair that we ask our colleagues – who go out there on a daily basis – what they want.’

Mr Marsh added that there would be no changes to the rigorous training and fitness requirements for officers who carry a gun.