Former US First Lady, Nancy Reagan dies aged 94

                                                                                                                     AP

                                  Her husband Ronald Reagan died in 2004

Mrs Reagan, who had been living in Bel Air, Los Angeles, died of congestive heart failure, the Reagan library said.

Her 52-year marriage to Ronald Reagan was once described as the US presidency's greatest love affair.

From 1981-89 she was one of the most influential first ladies in US history; initially criticised for an expensive renovation of the White House, but later becoming a much-loved figure.

he will be buried next to her husband, at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California, the library said in a statement.

US President Barack Obama said Mrs Reagan "redefined the role" of First Lady.

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama: "Nancy Reagan once wrote that nothing could prepare you for living in the White House. She was right, of course. But we had a head start, because we were fortunate to benefit from her proud example, and her warm and generous advice. Our former first lady redefined the role in her time here."

Former Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney tweeted that "with the passing of Nancy Reagan, God and Ronnie have finally welcomed a choice soul home".

Stepson Michael Reagan tweeted: "I am saddened by the passing of my stepmother Nancy Reagan... She is once again with the man she loved. God bless..."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: "I remember Nancy as a noble woman who supported President Reagan and stood by his side. She will be remembered as a great friend of the State of Israel,"

Like Ronald, Nancy was a former Hollywood performer who made it all the way to the White House.

As Nancy Davis, she was an actress during the 1940s and 1950s and married Reagan, a prominent film actor, in 1952.

She served as first lady of California during her husband's stint as California governor from 1967 to 1975 before moving into the White House after his decisive victory over Democratic President Jimmy Carter in 1980.

As first lady, she sought to emulate the style of one of her predecessors, Jackie Kennedy.

To this end, she extensively redecorated the White House, and accepted designer dresses worth $1m (£600,000) and a 4,732-piece set of china worth $209,000.

But this spending spree provoked a huge outcry from people outraged by what they saw as profligacy and waste while millions of Americans were losing their jobs.

Public opinion was also swayed by accusations that Mrs Reagan had a frosty personality, often consulted astrologers, and ordered the dismissal of White House chief of staff Donald Regan in 1987.

"I see the first lady as another means to keep a president from becoming isolated," she once said.

"I talk to people. They tell me things. And if something is about to become a problem, I'm not above calling a staff person and asking about it. I'm a woman who loves her husband and I make no apologies for looking out for his personal and political welfare."

Nancy Reagan's best-known project as first lady was the anti-drugs "Just Say No" campaign.

After her husband died of Alzheimer's in 2004, she became a champion for Alzheimer's patients, raising millions of dollars for research and breaking with fellow conservative Republicans to argue for stem cell studies.

West Brom earned their first home league win against Manchester United for 32 years

West Brom earned their first home league win against Manchester United for 32 years as Salomon Rondon's low strike beat the 10-man visitors.

United played for more than an hour without Juan Mata, who received two bookings inside three minutes.

But Albion created little until Rondon found space to fire in Sebastien Pocognoli's dangerous left-wing cross.

United rarely looked like equalising as they lost ground on the top four.

The Red Devils are sixth in the Premier League table, failing to move back above West Ham and remaining three points adrift of fourth-placed Manchester City.

Victory moved Albion up to 11th, their tally of 39 points almost certainly securing top-flight survival for a sixth successive season.

Manchester United looked assured in the opening 25 minutes as they dominated possession against the Baggies, albeit without really troubling home keeper Ben Foster.

But the entire complexion of the match turned on the stupidity of the normally-intelligent Mata.

The Spain international was shown his first yellow card for rashly blocking Darren Fletcher's quick free-kick, then he was given a second when he needlessly clipped the heels of the former United midfielder within three minutes.

Within seconds of Mata's dismissal, Albion almost took the lead when Craig Dawson's ambitious 25-yard punt looped over David De Gea but dropped just past the wrong side of the left-hand post.

An Albion onslaught failed to materialise in a dour end to the first half, while United almost opened the scoring through Marcus Rashford's instinctive drilled shot and Jesse Lingard's dipping angled drive before the hour mark.

But the home side gradually grew in stature as United tired, finding the breakthrough through Rondon's smart finish.

"I thought we looked flat when they went to 10 men but the advantage of 11 v 10 seemed to get us through in the end," said Scotland midfielder Fletcher afterwards.

Many Albion supporters have not warmed to Tony Pulis since his arrival in January 2015, complaining about the style of football the ex-Stoke manager has brought to The Hawthorns.

But what they cannot dispute is the fact the Welshman has steered them away from a relegation scrap for the second successive season.

Pulis faced heavy criticism last month after a dire 1-0 defeat at Newcastle left them six points above the drop-zone and without a win in five games.

However, their fortunes have dramatically improved and they have now taken 10 points - three wins and a draw - from their past four matches.

In addition to almost securing survival, Pulis has also achieved something that no Albion manager has since March 1984 - a home win against the Red Devils.

Once the home side went ahead - with their only on-target shot of the second half - they did not look like relinquishing their slender lead.

United switched to a 4-4-1 formation after Mata's dismissal, leaving French youngster Martial as an isolated lone striker.

Despite a brief spell where United threatened through Martial and Lingard, the visitors failed to force Albion keeper Foster into a single save.

The Baggies are back in Premier League action on Saturday, travelling to title-chasing Arsenal knowing that a win could move them into the top half.

Meanwhile, Manchester United's attention switches to the Europa League and the home leg of their last-16 tie against Liverpool.

With BBC

Francis Coquelin has apologised to Arsenal fans

Francis Coquelin was sent off by referee Michael Oliver at White Hart Lane

The Frenchman was dismissed was in the 55th minute after collecting two yellow cards, after which Tottenham scored twice in quick succession to take a 2-1 lead at White Hart Lane.

But Alexis Sanchez salvaged a point for 10-man Arsenal with a 76th-minute equaliser, which Coquelin admitted came as a 'relief' to him.

"I didn't really see the goal [because I was in the dressing room] but someone came and told me that we scored the second one - it was a relief for me," Coquelin said in an interview on the official Arsenal club website.

"I'm really sorry to all the fans for the red card.

"I think with 11 against 11 we could have won the game as we were playing really well. This red card changed the game. I'm really sorry to the club, to the team and all the fans.

"I actually thought I could get the ball when I slide tackled [Harry Kane] - that is why I went for it. I touched him and [the referee] gave me the second yellow.

"But at the end of the day, it's a good point and hopefully it will be an important point for the title."

I am the right man to return Nigeria to glory days - Bonfrere

Dutchman Jo Bonfrere believes he is 'the right man' to return Nigeria to the summit of African football, 15 years after he was sacked as coach.

69-year-old Bonfrere previously guided Nigeria at the Nations Cup in 2000 and is keen to replace Sunday Oliseh who resigned from the post.

Bonfrere, who was sacked by Nigeria in 2001 after losing a World Cup qualifier in Sierra Leone, was also assistant Super Eagles coach from 1990 to 1994 and led Nigeria's under-23 team to gold at the Atlanta Olympics.

"I have worked in Nigeria for a long time in the past and I know what to do to get the Super Eagles flying again," Bonfrere told BBC Sport on the telephone from the Netherlands.

"I love Nigeria because that is where my football mentality is most at home and I have a fantastic relationship with the people there" Bonfrere added.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) president Amaju Pinnick has said they have no plans to appoint a local coach on a permanent basis.

Current under-23 coach Samson Siasia will take charge for Nigeria's Nations Cup qualifiers against Egypt later this month.

Bonfrere believes he is the right man to succeed Oliseh on a long-term basis.

"Apart from Stephen [Keshi], the other local coaches have not succeeded because they cannot give what they don't have to take the team higher.

"Other foreign coaches have also failed because they come with the arrogant attitude of being a world class coach and a big name to perform magic there, and that wrong notion meant they had no passion, desire and the required knowledge to succeed on the job.

"I was very successful because I did not separate myself from the reality. I worked with youth and domestic players; I had faith in my Nigerian assistants and gave my best despite all the challenges.

"No one has done what I achieved and I believe I am the right man to return Nigeria to glory days in Africa and the world" said the Dutchman.

Bonfrere began his stormy romance with Nigeria in 1990, when he was the de facto assistant to Clemens Westerhof.

The Dutch coaching duo worked together at the 1990, 1992 and 1994 African Nations Cups, winning silver, bronze and gold medals.

Bonfrere was also Westerhof's assistant at the 1994 World Cup and subsequently managed the Under-23 team to a gold medal at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta.

But arguments over his salary and team selection made him quit the job in the United States, from where he returned to his native Holland.

He returned in 1999 and took charge of the Super Eagles at the 2000 Africa Cup of Nations where Nigeria won the silver medal.

During his first successful stint the country was under a military government, a suitable platform for foreign managers to enjoy great financial backing and sacred immunity from the football authority.

But Bonfrere is ready to let his work speak for him should the NFF entrust him with the three-time African champions.

"If I am asked to come back, I would have to prove to everyone that my results and performances can win me the support of everyone.

"You can't complain about criticism or ask for respect if you don't deserve it. I want another chance to set a standard that will help improve Nigeria football.

"Someone else will come and struggle because he has no idea where he is going but I'm the man to do it because I have proven that in the past.""I have worked in Nigeria for a long time in the past and I know what to do to get the Super Eagles flying again," Bonfrere told BBC Sport on the telephone from the Netherlands.

"I love Nigeria because that is where my football mentality is most at home and I have a fantastic relationship with the people there" Bonfrere added.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) president Amaju Pinnick has said they have no plans to appoint a local coach on a permanent basis.

Current under-23 coach Samson Siasia will take charge for Nigeria's Nations Cup qualifiers against Egypt later this month.

Bonfrere believes he is the right man to succeed Oliseh on a long-term basis.

"Apart from Stephen [Keshi], the other local coaches have not succeeded because they cannot give what they don't have to take the team higher.

"Other foreign coaches have also failed because they come with the arrogant attitude of being a world class coach and a big name to perform magic there, and that wrong notion meant they had no passion, desire and the required knowledge to succeed on the job.

"I was very successful because I did not separate myself from the reality. I worked with youth and domestic players; I had faith in my Nigerian assistants and gave my best despite all the challenges.

"No one has done what I achieved and I believe I am the right man to return Nigeria to glory days in Africa and the world" said the Dutchman.

Bonfrere began his stormy romance with Nigeria in 1990, when he was the de facto assistant to Clemens Westerhof.

The Dutch coaching duo worked together at the 1990, 1992 and 1994 African Nations Cups, winning silver, bronze and gold medals.

Bonfrere was also Westerhof's assistant at the 1994 World Cup and subsequently managed the Under-23 team to a gold medal at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta.

But arguments over his salary and team selection made him quit the job in the United States, from where he returned to his native Holland.

He returned in 1999 and took charge of the Super Eagles at the 2000 Africa Cup of Nations where Nigeria won the silver medal.

During his first successful stint the country was under a military government, a suitable platform for foreign managers to enjoy great financial backing and sacred immunity from the football authority.

But Bonfrere is ready to let his work speak for him should the NFF entrust him with the three-time African champions.

"If I am asked to come back, I would have to prove to everyone that my results and performances can win me the support of everyone.

"You can't complain about criticism or ask for respect if you don't deserve it. I want another chance to set a standard that will help improve Nigeria football.

"Someone else will come and struggle because he has no idea where he is going but I'm the man to do it because I have proven that in the past."

The Sunday Supplement panel discuss Arsene Wenger's future at Arsenal

Arsene Wenger is in danger of losing the support of Arsenal fans but is unlikely to leave before his contract expires in 2017, according to the Daily Telegraph's Jeremy Wilson.

Arsenal dropped eight points behind Premier League leaders Leicester after their north London derby draw against Tottenham on Saturday, leaving them third in the table.

Alexis Sanchez's late strike at White Hart Lane stopped the Gunners from slipping to their fourth consecutive defeat, but after a damaging loss to Swansea at the Emirates on Wednesday, Wilson believes the club's fans are on the cusp of turning against their manager.

"As much as everybody wants him to stay on at the club and he wants to stay on, we all know what it's like when a football club turns and he's on that knife-edge at the moment," Wilson said on the Sunday Supplement.

"One threat to him is the general mood at the Emirates. The atmosphere against Swansea was difficult for the players, and I don't think that's sustainable long-term for any club. A few results and it turns around again quite quickly, but that's the danger to him in the short-term."

A national newspaper report on Sunday claimed Wenger could be asked to leave should Arsenal crash out of the FA Cup at Hull City on Tuesday night, but Wilson said he expects the Frenchman to see out the three-year extension he signed in 2014.

"I don't think the board would ever do that [ask him to resign]," Wilson said. "If it happens, it would be a mutual agreement.

"In the short-term, it will be driven by the mood of the fans, and longer-term, it will be Wenger's decision if he feels he's not challenged as he thinks he should in the next two years.

"We won't get to the end of this contract with another couple of third or fourth place finishes, and they give him another three years. It's a different environment he's working in now.

"It's not everybody who is happy if they finish in the top four anymore. In this cycle of this contract, his expectation and the club's expectation is they challenge to win the title.

"If he doesn't win it or go very close this year or next, in an honourable fashion, not losing to Leicester, but if he went toe-to-toe with Pep Guardiola next year and just missed out, I don't think he'd want to carry on.

"The idea that it's an outright failure at the moment is wrong, but it's frustratingly the same problems that seem to keep coming up.

"The fact that Guardiola has gone to Man City without Arsenal even blinking their eyes tells you something about their mindset. They expect Wenger to go on."

Wenger, currently the longest-serving manager in European football, is approaching 20 years in charge and The Times' Matt Dickinson believes Manchester United's struggle to replace Sir Alex Ferguson may influence Arsenal's own succession plan.

"What happened at United looms large," he said. "The worry at Arsenal is the post-Ferguson transition at Old Trafford has been traumatic to say the least. While there are frustrations, they may be thinking, 'How soon do we want to move on?'

"The tone from Arsenal is they are not the type that's going to lurch mid-campaign and Wenger himself will have a massive say in when and how he steps down. That's part of the culture, and part of the problem at Arsenal.

"The lack of challenging Wenger is a problem. He has been a great manager but there is the sense he should have been held to account more."

Driving in Baghdad, He Got a Phone Call that Changed his Life

How on Earth Did an Iraqi Manage to Win an American lottery online? 

Jackpot Winner Fears for his Life, Pleads for his Name Not to Be Revealed 

One man’s amazing road to wealth… In the spring of 2015 M. opened an online lottery account from his home in Iraq – three months on he’d won a lottery jackpot of $6.4 million in the US! 


"Are you sure? Are you sure?!" -- M., a 37-year-old father from Baghdad in Iraq, kept repeating the question when he got the phone call with the news he had won the $6.4 million jackpot in the Oregon Megabucks on 24 August.

M. had only started playing lotteries in the US and Europe through theLotter three months before he won. "It was a shock. At first, I thought it was a joke. I was driving in my car, I was going to the bank… so I get a call from theLotter, from a great person called Christine, and she told me the great news, so I was in shock! I suspected I’d won something, but had no idea it was the jackpot."

After careful preparation in the autumn, M. flew to Oregon to claim his millions in December. He requested that theLotter and the Oregon lottery keep his name confidential because of safety concerns. "The situation in Iraq is not good. It's very dangerous. If my name were revealed, it would be a big problem."

Oregon Lottery director Jack Roberts agreed to the unusual request. "The personal safety risk that he and his family might face seems stronger than the public interest of knowing who the person is," Roberts told local media. "I don't want to read that somebody has been kidnapped or killed because we announce them as a Megabucks winner."

So how did he do it? How did M. participate in a US lottery from Iraq?

M. played US lotteries online through theLotter, a worldwide messenger service that was established in 2002. Through theLotter people can request somebody to physically purchase lottery tickets on their behalf, even when they are outside of the country or state where the lottery takes place. theLotter doesn’t operate lotteries, but its local reps in more than 20 countries across the world purchase official paper tickets and make a scanned copy available to online players' secure personal accounts. theLotter enables people to play the US Powerball and EuroMillions lottery online and a host of other draws from anywhere in the world.

I. Nelson Rose, the eminent professor of law at the Whittier Law School in California, said in the New York Times article about the Iraqi lottery winner that theLotter’s method of providing official lottery tickets to online participants is “100 percent legal”. The Oregon Lottery officials confirmed it: their exact words were that “the system is ingenious”. The method is allowed, because theLotter’s clients do not actually play online… They merely request that the service’s reps physically go out to buy official paper tickets on their behalf.

M.’s future, and the future of his children, looks bright. Whilst he had a hard time believing it was real when he first signed up in the spring, after his win he said that “theLotter was trustworthy and the real deal as everyone on staff was so helpful in getting the prize claimed”.

Asked if he was going to continue to buy lottery tickets: "I'm going to continue to play every day!"

Court sentences billionaire tycoon Babak Zanjani to death for corruption

                                                                                                                                                HEMAT KHAHI/EPA

Babak Zanjani, center, is seen holding documents as he arrives in a Tehran, Iran court in November.

An Iranian court has sentenced a well-known tycoon to death for corruption linked to oil sales during the rule of former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the judiciary spokesman said Sunday.

Babak Zanjani and two of his associates were sentenced to death for “money laundering,” among other charges, Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejehi said in brief remarks broadcast on state TV. He did not identify the two associates. Previous state media reports have said the three were charged with forgery and fraud.

“The court has recognized the three defendants as ‘corruptors on earth’ and sentenced them to death,” said Ejehi. “Corruptors on earth” is an Islamic term referring to crimes that are punishable by death because they have a major impact on society. The verdict, which came after a nearly five-month trial, can be appealed.

A news website run by the judiciary identified the two associates as British-Iranian businessman Mahdi Shams, who was detained in 2015, and the other as Hamid Fallah Heravi, a retired businessman.

Zanjani was arrested in 2013 during a crackdown on alleged corruption during Ahmadinejad’s rule. Iran’s Oil Ministry says Zanjani owes more than 2 billion euros ($2.25 billion) for oil sales he made on behalf of Ahmadinejad’s government.

Zanjani is one of Iran’s wealthiest businessmen, with a fortune worth an estimated $14 billion. He was arrested shortly after the election of President Hassan Rouhani, who ordered a crackdown on alleged corruption during the eight-year rule of his hard-line predecessor.

Iran has in the past executed other wealthy individuals found guilty of similar charges. In 2014, Iran executed billionaire businessman Mahafarid Amir Khosravi over corruption charges.

Nigeria’s Minister of State for Labour and Productivity, ames Ocholi Dies In Auto Crash

See Photos from the Car Crash that Killed Minister of State for Labour, James Ocholi

Nigeria’s Minister of State for Labour and Productivity, Mr James Ocholi, is dead.

He died in a road accident along the Kaduna-Abuja highway on Sunday afternoon.

The Minister of Labour and Productivity, Dr Chris Ngige, has described the death of Mr Ocholi, as a great loss to Nigeria, his family and the Nigerian Bar Association.

According to the Minister, the accident occurred on their way from a thanksgiving service.

Mrs Ocholi is reported to be receiving treatment in an undisclosed hospital.

Mr James Ocholi was a Senior Advocate of Nigeria from Kogi State.

He was appointed Minister by President Muhammadu Buhari in November 2015.

Tottenham and Arsenal fans clash outside White Hart Lane

Police on horseback were forced to unsheathe their batons in an effort to keep control outside the ground

Baton wielding police were forced to act as Arsenal fans were being led towards White Hart Lane this afternoon in advance of today's crunch Premier Leage match.

At least one supporter, left, was injured on his way into White Hart Lane this afternoon before today's game

At least one fan suffered a cut head outside Tottenham's ground despite a heavy police presence.

Mounted police intervened as fans tried to make their way into the ground for today's lunchtime kickoff.

Speaker of the House of Commons, John Bercow was one of the only Arsenal fans to wear red and white colours due to the hostile environment outside White Hart Lane on the day of the North London Derby

Speaker of the House of Commons John Bercow was one of the few Arsenal fans today wearing any colours on their way into the ground. 

Traditionally, Arsenal fans are escorted into White Hart Lane by the Metropolitan Police to reduce the chance of any incidents.

Several supporters fell to the ground during clashes outside the stadium before today's crunch match 

The Metropolitan Police said: 'Two men were arrested in connection with public order offences ahead of the Arsenal/Tottenham Hotspur football match taking place at White Hart Lane today. 

'The two individuals were detained separately, in unconnected incidents, around 12:30hrs at the junction of High Road and Park Lane. 

'They have been taken to north London police station where they currently remain. An appropriate policing plan is in place for the event.'

Last time Arsenal met Tottenham at White Hart Lane, the away fans were accused of ripping off hoardings at the ground, which is due to be demolished in the near future. 

Tottenham fans in response destroyed some toilets at The Emirates.

Oshiomhole warns Dino, describing him as a “childish” lawmaker who “cannot maintain a matrimonial home.”

Adams Oshiomhole, berated the senator Dino Melaye, over his comment on the governor’s choice of wife.

Melaye had on Wednesday, while contributing on the floor of the Senate, called on Nigerians to patronise made-in-Nigeria products.

He reportedly made a reference to Oshiomhole’s marriage to his Cape Verdean wife, Iara, while urging Nigerians to focus on “made-in-Nigeria women”.

He had said, “We will also move in order to encourage made-in-Nigeria products and begin to talk about made-in-Nigeria women, The PUNCH reported.

“Apologies to my uncle, the Governor of Edo State, we must, as a people, stop paying dowries in dollars and pounds. It is time for my colleagues here to become born-again.”

But Oshiomhole accused Melaye of lunching an unprovoked assault and delving into a matter as confidential as his marriage to his heartthrob, even as a member of the All Progressives Congress.

He also berated the senator for regarding women as “pieces of items for sale,” a statement which he said was not only disparaging but disappointing, in the report.

The governor, in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Peter Okhiria, said, “As a ‘nephew’ of the governor and members of the same party, we expected Senator Melaye to tender an unreserved public apology to the Comrade Governor, to no avail.

“It is an open secret that Senator Melaye cannot maintain a decent matrimonial home, hence he could descend to this pedestrian level of using the hallowed chambers to ‘categorise’ women as if they were pieces of items for purchase. Any responsible individual that is truly worth to be called a senator, a position that convokes respect, decorum and decent public conduct, should know the limits of his verbal diarrhoea.”

He said that the liberty to speak freely should not be abused, saying, “The liberty of free speech guaranteed in the hallowed chambers does not impose lunacy on anyone to disparage other Nigerians, let alone pry into their matrimony in a very derisive manner.”