Retired American football player and actor OJ Simpson has only three months to live as a result of his extreme case of diabetes and unhealthy lifestyle behind bars.
The combination of ‘sky high’ blood pressure, a vastly expanding waistline and a lack of physical activity as he serves a 33-year prison sentence have doctors concerned about his health.
Simpson’s lawyer Ozzie Fumo told MailOnline that he has not heard anything about his clients poor health.
‘As far as I know his health is very good, he was doing just fine. I just spoke to him on Saturday,’ Mr Fumo said.
‘I spent a lot of time with him preparing for the retrial motion and he never once mentioned diabetes.
‘We discussed health issues, we had meals together, and he seemed fine,’ Mr Fumo told MailOnline.
The first warning flags were raised when Simpson appeared at a hearing in May when the former running-back looked much heavier than he ever had before.
Now The National Enquirer claims that he weighs 300 pounds and prison doctors have encouraged him to exercise and eat more healthfully to combat the high blood pressure and diabetes.
Instead, he is listlessly passing the days by laying in bed in his prison cell and only getting up to get sugar-filled snacks.
‘OJ’s doctors have told him he could be dead in as little as three months because of his out-of-control blood sugar and blood pressure,’ an unidentified prison friend told The Enquirer.
‘But OJ doesn’t care. He knows he’s never going to get out of prison, so he refuses to take care of himself.’
The 33-years he faces following a 2008 robbery are not helping motivate Simpson, as he is now making plans for his death.
He allegedly confessed to murdering his ex-wife Nicole Brown and her friend Ron Goldman in 1994 and told a prison friend that he will write a confession letter that will be sent- and then publicly shared- after he dies.
Mr Fumo countered this claim, saying that in his months of interactions with Simpson he has ‘never once disparaged the Goldmans’.
‘In his mind, they’re creditors along with his children Sydney and Justin,’ Mr Fumo said.
The friends cited by The Enquirer said the double slaying came in a moment of rage that he regrets to this day because he still loves Nicole.
He also reportedly tasked his few close friends with finding ways to hide his remaining $2million in off-shore accounts so that his son and daughter can access it after his death.
In doing so, he would be in direct violation with the 1997 court ruling that said he owes Goldman’s relatives $21million after he was found at fault in a wrongful death civil suit.
He has become even more withdrawn and oddly behaved- reportedly singing The Wizard of Oz’s ‘If I Only Had a Brain’ to himself- since the retrial hearing in May.
‘He ignores people when they talk to him and often wanders around in a glassy-eyed trance. His family is being supportive but he’s not paying attention to them either,’ one of OJ’s friends told The Enquirer.
Calls to Simpson’s lawyers were not immediately returned. - See more at: http://gistpage.com.ng/ng/forum/1353/actor-oj-simpson-has-only-3-months-to-live#sthash.YPfUedYO.dpuf
THE GLOBE IN YOUR HANDS
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
OJ Simpson Has Only 3months To Live
Retired American football player and actor OJ Simpson has only three months to live as a result of his extreme case of diabetes and unhealthy lifestyle behind bars.
The combination of ‘sky high’ blood pressure, a vastly expanding waistline and a lack of physical activity as he serves a 33-year prison sentence have doctors concerned about his health.
Simpson’s lawyer Ozzie Fumo told MailOnline that he has not heard anything about his clients poor health.
‘As far as I know his health is very good, he was doing just fine. I just spoke to him on Saturday,’ Mr Fumo said.
‘I spent a lot of time with him preparing for the retrial motion and he never once mentioned diabetes.
‘We discussed health issues, we had meals together, and he seemed fine,’ Mr Fumo told MailOnline.
The first warning flags were raised when Simpson appeared at a hearing in May when the former running-back looked much heavier than he ever had before.
Now The National Enquirer claims that he weighs 300 pounds and prison doctors have encouraged him to exercise and eat more healthfully to combat the high blood pressure and diabetes.
Instead, he is listlessly passing the days by laying in bed in his prison cell and only getting up to get sugar-filled snacks.
‘OJ’s doctors have told him he could be dead in as little as three months because of his out-of-control blood sugar and blood pressure,’ an unidentified prison friend told The Enquirer.
‘But OJ doesn’t care. He knows he’s never going to get out of prison, so he refuses to take care of himself.’
The 33-years he faces following a 2008 robbery are not helping motivate Simpson, as he is now making plans for his death.
He allegedly confessed to murdering his ex-wife Nicole Brown and her friend Ron Goldman in 1994 and told a prison friend that he will write a confession letter that will be sent- and then publicly shared- after he dies.
Mr Fumo countered this claim, saying that in his months of interactions with Simpson he has ‘never once disparaged the Goldmans’.
‘In his mind, they’re creditors along with his children Sydney and Justin,’ Mr Fumo said.
The friends cited by The Enquirer said the double slaying came in a moment of rage that he regrets to this day because he still loves Nicole.
He also reportedly tasked his few close friends with finding ways to hide his remaining $2million in off-shore accounts so that his son and daughter can access it after his death.
In doing so, he would be in direct violation with the 1997 court ruling that said he owes Goldman’s relatives $21million after he was found at fault in a wrongful death civil suit.
He has become even more withdrawn and oddly behaved- reportedly singing The Wizard of Oz’s ‘If I Only Had a Brain’ to himself- since the retrial hearing in May.
‘He ignores people when they talk to him and often wanders around in a glassy-eyed trance. His family is being supportive but he’s not paying attention to them either,’ one of OJ’s friends told The Enquirer.
Calls to Simpson’s lawyers were not immediately returned. - See more at: http://gistpage.com.ng/ng/forum/1353/actor-oj-simpson-has-only-3-months-to-live#sthash.YPfUedYO.dpuf
My Sexual Encounter With Davido The Best Ever;Kenyan Socialite
Omawumi Beats Journalist,Gives Him Swollen Face
Warri-born Singer, Omawumi has been accused of allegedly attacking a photo-journalist at an event held in Lagos recently.
photo
While carrying out his lawful duty, the photo-journalist, Adekola Bamigbala attempted to take pictures of Omawumi, but little did he know that danger was lurking around for him, as the singer allegedly pounced on him, snatched his big camera and with it, dealt him heavy strikes in the face in quick succession, which gave Bamigbala a swollen face.
It was big and strange flashes, not from his camera, but from alleged assaults from Omawumi that the journalist could see.
Omawumi was given a call but a lady, who claimed not to be her, refused to speak when she found out the reason for the call.
The singer still has not responded to the SMS sent to her.
The victim, Bamigbala wondered why Omawumi would descend so low to attack him as he could not remember having any issues with her.
- See more at: http://gistpage.com.ng/ng/forum/1481/singer-omawumi-beats-journalist-gives-him-swollen-face#sthash.xfGQoP6B.dpuf
"Funke's Ex Husband Said To Be Building A House For Her
In an interview with Encomium magazine, Funke Akindele's estranged husband revealed he was building a house for his ex-wife before she ended the marriage.
It's a one-storey building (uncompleted) located off Adeniji Jones in Ikeja.
Mr Oloyede, who said he's not happy about what everyone has been saying about him online, told the magazine.
Read below;
"They wrote that I am a tout, from what you are seeing here now, do I look like a tout or garage boy? They also said I'm a drop out, from the way you and I have been speaking, do I speak like someone who did not go to school? I have decided to follow the advice of those who said I should not join issues with her and her supporters. I am not a celebrity. I am an estate developer. She is the star that has her career to protect and I don't want to be the one to spoil her career. - See more at: http://gistpage.com.ng/ng/forum/1468/quot-i-was-building-a-house-for-funke-quot-funke-akindele-s#sthash.qoKmNMui.dpuf
Men My Age Are Small Boys Around Me:Uche Jombo
In this interview with Sam Olatunji, Uche Jombo speaks on cheating and new movie ‘Unconditional’.
What is it with the celebrity kids on your new movie, ‘Unconditional’?
We didn’t set out to use celebrity kids. I told everyone including you the age range I want and people suggested the kids. Aghahowa’s daughter has wanted to act since age 5, we auditioned Chigozie, and she did well and got a coach to coach them. 2face’s daughter is just a drama queen. And this movie, Unconditional is not all about them, Dakore, Ruth Kadiri and I acted in it. It’s the kind of move that will touch the heart.
If your husband were to be a serial philanderer like Desmond’s character in the movie, Lies Men Tell, what will you do?
I will castrate him, he knows and believes that. To me, there is no excuse to cheat, its either you are with someone or not, and if you are tired of the person, please accord the person decency of respect by saying it’s over. Don’t go making someone look stupid. The problem with me is there is no in- between.
Do you believe what you are saying or are you saying it for the purpose of this interview?
I am saying,Uche Jombo-Rodrigues doesn’t have in-between. That is the reason it takes me long time to make a decision or take a stand on something, but when I do, that is it. There is no excuse not to honour an agreement you have made, this doesn’t have anything to do with this interview. It is the principle that guides me. It is not just about marriage, it’s how I conduct my relationships, its either it is this or that, if that is mymind-set in a relationship, you should know that for marriage it’ll be 150%. There is no room for cheating.
So you believe your husband will or should not cheat on you?
I don’t have control over what someone will do, I’m not God. I’m talking about me, how I conduct things. It’s not an option that it will happen, I will not tolerate cheating.
Are you saying you will not forgive the man who cheats on you and is manly enough to say I’m sorry?
If you are in that situation Sam, oh God! You are going to slave for me for life. And do you know any man that will want to slave for a woman for life, answer?
Is it true you are older than your husband and the man you dated before him?
I have never dated or married someone I was older than in my life. If you have the illusion of someone’s age, that is your business, and I am even too mature for my age. That is the problem, because men of my age are ‘small boys’ around me, I can’t date them. I am someone who has to become a mother to some of my siblings at the age of 14. Because you are an under-achiever does not mean I should play down on my achievement. If age is the yard stick for you to succeed, you should not judge people with it, I don’t have an apology. If I’m learning from people who are older than me that is because I don’t hang out with my age mates; I don’t think there is anything else you want to teach me, and if you want to judge me by the people I hang out with or by when I started my hustle, where the hell were you at that time? What really matters to me is that people who know me during my not-too-proud days are so proud that, this is me now. I have come far, it’s something I’m grateful for, and I couldn’t have even written it better if it were a story. - See more at: http://gistpage.com.ng/ng/forum/1477/men-of-my-age-are-small-boys-around-me-uche-jombo#sthash.beuvGMWF.dpufD'banj To Sign Tonto Dikeh To Record Label
The first two installments of D’Banj’s interview with Toolz on Ndani TV, is still the subject of discourse amongs music heads, because of the many revelations he made.
D banj
However, in the final installation, the Kokomaster goes ahead to make more outspoken comments.
Concerning his rumoured affair with Genevieve Nnaji, he said: “Genevieve was my best relationships of all time… yes, there was a relationship, no one said there wasn’t.”
The G.O.O.D music artiste also revealed that he was making plans to sign another actress, Tonto Dikeh, to his music label.
He said: “I actually just met her and I’m thinking of signing her on my record label…don’t worry, I will sign her to my record label (and) she’ll blow… Aha, Tonto ma blow gan!”
D'banj To Sign Tonto Dikeh To Label
The first two installments of D’Banj’s interview with Toolz on Ndani TV, is still the subject of discourse amongs music heads, because of the many revelations he made.
D banj
However, in the final installation, the Kokomaster goes ahead to make more outspoken comments.
Concerning his rumoured affair with Genevieve Nnaji, he said: “Genevieve was my best relationships of all time… yes, there was a relationship, no one said there wasn’t.”
The G.O.O.D music artiste also revealed that he was making plans to sign another actress, Tonto Dikeh, to his music label.
He said: “I actually just met her and I’m thinking of signing her on my record label…don’t worry, I will sign her to my record label (and) she’ll blow… Aha, Tonto ma blow gan!”
Musician JJ Cale Dead At 74yrs
Monalisa Chinda Unveils Multimillion Beauty Products
While year 2013 has started off in earnest, leading actress and Glo ambassador, Monalisa Chinda is poised to move at the same pace with the year.
Monalisa
Aside wowing fans and colleagues with her dancing prowess at the maiden edition of the Dance For Life, a MonalisaCode Productions, which held recently at the upscale Oriental Hotels, Lekki, Lagos. The fair-complexioned actress has also floated a foundation alongside a multimillion range of beauty products.
Well attended by Nollywood stars and hosted by the talented duo of Segun Arinze and Bimbo Akintola, the big-budget event was painstakingly powered by Project Help, a benefit initiative of the Arise Monalisa Foundation.
The foundation, in the words of the pretty and cerebral actress is aimed at reaching out to the less- privileged and special people in the society.
“A Dance For Life, is an enactment of a contemporary dance event, which was proudly powered by my foundation, Project Help, which is a benefit initiative of the Arise Monalisa Foundation, through which we will embark on several charity projects this 2013.”
The novel Christmas dance production featured an interesting array of movie stars including, Kate Henshaw, Desmond Elliot, Bovi and several other stars who delivered electrifying performances, Christmas recitals and breathtaking surprises that held audience spellbound for hours.
As if that is not enough, the top flight entertainer recently unveiled M-CODE, her long awaited and multimillion Naira range of exclusive beauty products, for both men and women of style. According to the actress, the products which would be launched in phases nationally and internationally, will be available in the market this new season.
“We are starting with the body sprays for men and women, after which other beauty products from my M-CODE stable will be introduced into the market. It is going to be a very busy year for me and my team. We have several activities and programmes for 2013, you just watch and see.
CHIDI LLOYD MAY GO TO JAIL
The Police authorities have filed a six-count charge of conspiracy and murder against the Majority Leader of Rivers State House of Assembly, Mr Chidi Lloyd before a Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt.
A source at Police headquarters, Abuja, told news men that the Police after a careful and thorough examination of both oral and video evidences as well as the contributions of parties involved, came to the conclusion, adding “we have done our part, it is now left to the court to assign the case and fix hearing date.”
Similarly, Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka and Mr. Femi Falana, SAN, will join in the civil society protest, slated for Port Harcourt, today, over the crisis rocking the state People’s Democratic Party, PDP, which snowballed into the state House Assembly recently, leading to a free for all. Despite opposition to the rally by former militants and some civil society groups in the state, organisers of the protest, yesterday, insisted on going ahead with today’s protest.
Also, the Senator representing Rivers South-East Senatorial district, Senator Magnus Abe, has renewed his call for the immediate redeployment of the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Joseph Mbu, over what he described as “his questionable involvement in the Rivers crisis.”
Senator Abe, who is Chairman of the Senate Committee on Petroleum Downstream, expressed sadness that the police hierarchy had not done anything on the matter even though the National Assembly had passed a resolution asking for Mbu’s redeployment.
The filing of charges against Lloyd, came as the Police authorities in Abuja, denied allegations by Rivers State lawmakers that the Majority Leader, was tortured and maltreated while in Abuja for interrogation.
The state lawmakers, who raised alarm over the deteriorating health of Lloyd, had alleged that he was going blind because of the tear gas spread into his eyes, adding that he was badly manhandled while in Police custody, in addition to being handcuffed.
But Force Spokesman, Mr. Frank Mba, who spoke to News men, said “As far as we are concerned, detectives from the Police headquarters were very professional and very civil in handling Llyod’s case. As a matter of fact, throughout his stay in Abuja, he was given very polite but professionally firm treatment.”
It will be recalled that shortly before Lloyd was flown back to Port Harcourt, after his interrogation, his case-file on the fracas that took place at the Rivers Assembly, was forwarded to the office of the Attorney General of the Federation, for legal advice.
Meanwhile, Senator Abe, insisting on Mbu being transferred out of the state, said: “I think that it is actually an embarrassment to the police for them to wait this long. “If you look at the report of the Senate Committee, it is clear that crime has gone up in Port Harcourt while this man has been here. It is clear that normal policing is not going on in the state. It is clear that the citizens of the state are at risk, so moving somebody who is not contributing in any positive manner to what the constitution expects us to be doing here is not something that the police need to wait for National Assembly to pass resolution. It is clear that the man cannot function as Commissioner of Police in Rivers State.”
Insisting on Mbu’s redeployment to ensure peace and stability in the state, Abe said: “he (Mbu) will go. There is no doubt about it. The National Assembly has called for it and I don’t think that it is something we need to debate. Rivers people know that his presence here has not contributed to the peace and stability of the state. If both Houses of the National Assembly make a clear and categorical demand, if the facts on ground make a clear and categorical demand, if the people of the state themselves have made a clear and categorical demand, Mbu should by himself carry his bags and go.”
He noted that the National Assembly had put into consideration the wishes of Rivers people and of other Nigerians in passing its resolution, which called for Mbu’s redeployment.
He appealed to political stakeholders to work for the peace and stability of the state, just as he enjoined them to resolve their political differences in the spirit of give and take.
Meanwhile, Concerned indigenes of Rivers State have rallied round HRM, Queen Akasoba Duke-Abiola, the Akasoba of Kalabari and Chairperson, Akasoba Centre for Peace and Conflict Resolution, ACPCR, to find a lasting peace to the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State.
UNDER AGED MARRIAGE;WE'LL WIN EVEN IF SENATE VOTES A MILLION TIMES;YERIMA
IMO STATE WOMEN VOW TO PROTEST NAKED IF........
Residents of Nekede, Eziobodo and Ihiagwa communities in Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State have threatened to go naked in protest over the terrible condition of roads in the area. The aggrieved villagers, who were mostly women, said they would take to the street to protest what they called government’s indifference to the plight of the people, saying the three communities had been cut off from the entire state.
They said despite the fact that the communities jointly played host to two federal tertiary institutions namely Federal Polytechnic, Nekede and Federal University of Technology, and other Federal Government’s institutions, with the attendant high vehicular movements, the federal and the state governments have remained non-challant to the people’s ordeal.
Speaking with journalists, spokesperson of the women, Lady Mariam Oziri, said: “We decided to do something absurd to attract the attention of the insensitive government and if nothing is done, we will mobilize women and march naked to the Government House.
“We are tired of excuses every year. The state government has been playing hide and seek with one contractor who was said to have been awarded the contract by the previous administration and each year the road continues to deteriorate and this has affected commerce and exposed residents to untold hardship.”
Lady Oziri said the deplorable condition of the roads had forced motorists to hike transport fares thereby multiplying the woes of the people, especially students of the two higher institutions in the area.
The construction of the Nekede-Ihiagwa Road was earlier engulfed in controversy as the contractor, Hadel and Enic, dragged the state government to court when Governor Rochas Okorocha revoked the contract.
However, the contractor had severally denied reports that the pending suit was responsible for the delay in the construction of the road.
An inside source in the Government House, who pleaded anonymity, told news men that the contract for the construction of the road had been awarded, adding that work would commence on the road immediately after the rains.
AKWA IBOM GOV APPOINTS NEW SSG
DANIEL LEVY INCREASE PRICE OF BALE TO 125M POUNDS
DANIEL LEVY will reject Real Madrid’s offer of cash plus players for Gareth Bale as he becomes increasingly angry with the Spanish giants.
The Spurs supremo does not want to do business that involves any Real players as makeweights and is determined to hang out for cash with his latest valuation hovering around a staggering £125million.
As exclusively revealed by SunSport, the Tottenham chairman has already snubbed a world-record bid of £81m for his prized asset.
We also told you on Sunday that Real would come back with an improved cash-plus-players offer that included Angel Di Maria and Fabio Coentrao.
However, The Sun understands Levy remains resentful at the way Madrid engineered Luka Modric’s controversial transfer to the Bernabeu last season.
And Levy’s anger has fuelled his determination to squeeze every last penny out of Real Madrid and get the cash up front.
A source said: “Daniel is only interested in what’s best for Tottenham.
“If he can’t keep the player, which we must not forget he still wants to, then he’s going to make Real pay a very heavy price.”
When Dimitar Berbatov moved to Old Trafford for £30m in September 2008, Manchester United made overtures that they wanted to pay the fee by instalments.
But Levy, who reported United to the Premier League alleging they had broken transfer rules, demanded and got the fee paid in one hit.
Four years later it was almost a repeat situation when Modric signed for Real in August 2012 following a bitter transfer saga.
It started in 2011 with Levy insisting the Croatian star was not for sale at any price.
Levy’s stance saw Tottenham reject bids from Chelsea of £22m and £27m for the midfield star and then Spurs snubbed a third and final offer worth £40m
Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/5042548/Gareth-Bale-price-upped-by-chairman-Levy-to-125M.html#ixzz2acI2ZPaX
BALE TOO YOUNG FOR MADRID SWITCH
Gareth Bale is "too young" to move abroad and would be making a mistake by leaving Tottenham for Real Madrid this summer, according to David Pleat.
Bale, 24, has indicated he wants to speak to the Spanish giants.
Continue reading the main story
“Bale has all the qualities a footballer needs”
Iker Casillas Real keeper
But former Tottenham manager Pleat, who feels it would take a fee of £100m to even tempt them to sell the forward, told BBC Sport: "I think he's a little bit young to go abroad.
"I doubt he'd find it easy. Many have failed when they have moved overseas."
Pleat added: "One or two have succeeded, but not many. Most have had a difficult time. I think he is young to go, but he might feel that, with his partner and baby, it will be a new start for him.
"I think it might be better if he stayed, continued to work and maybe next summer leave if that is his wish."
Meanwhile, Real Madrid captain Iker Casillas has described Bale as "one of the top three or four players in Europe".
Speaking on the club's tour of the United States the goalkeeper said: "It's normal that his name is being discussed because he has all the qualities a footballer needs.
"Every transfer is controversial in its own way, for better or worse, but we are speaking about a very good, decisive player.
Michael Owen on life in Madrid
Michael Owen
Former England striker Michael Owen spent a year at Real Madrid after leaving Liverpool in 2004, before returning to England with Newcastle.
The 33-year-old believes moving overseas is difficult for a player, telling BBC Radio 5 live's Sportsweek on Sunday: "Any player going from over here to Spain, it's a lot different to what you imagine.
"It's a slow pace of life. I was in a hotel for six months with a young child. It's very difficult. You need to get a lot of things in order off the pitch. I'd be surprised if he went this year."
"I'm sure we'll make another signing before the transfer window shuts."
Bale joined Tottenham from Southampton in May 2007 and signed a new four-year contract in June 2012.
He went on to enjoy his most successful season for the club in 2012-13, scoring 26 goals.
Spurs boss Andre Villas-Boas has insisted the Wales international is not for sale and says talks about a new deal are ongoing.
Real Madrid are yet to submit a formal offer for Bale but Pleat, who managed Tottenham from 1986 until 1987 and had three spells as caretaker-boss, expects Spurs to resist an approach from Carlo Ancelotti's side.
"Regardless of whether the player wants to leave, the club are in the driving seat," said Pleat.
"If [a club] have strong and brave leadership, which they have at Tottenham, they have to resist any formal offer that comes in, which Tottenham are determined to do."
Pleat was also director of football at Spurs from 1998 until 2003 under current chairman Daniel Levy and is aware of how the 51-year-old businessman operates.
He believes it would take a huge offer to tempt Levy to part with Bale.
"Tottenham have been very firm," he said.
"If something shattering, like £100m, is put on the table, then I think even the resistance of Daniel Levy may have to give in, but I think even supporters would understand it for that money.
BIRMINGHAM PAYS TRIBUTE TO BENITEZ
Birmingham City have revealed plans to pay tribute to their former striker Christian Benitez, who died on Monday at the age of 27.
Benitez's heart stopped hours after his debut for Qatar's El Jaish.
Benitez factfile
Christian Benitez
Born: 1 May, 1986
Position: Striker
Club record: Scored only four goals while on loan at Birmingham in 2009-10. But proved himself to be one of the leading strikers in Mexican football during spells at Santos Laguna and Club America, with his recent form earning him a big-money move to Qatar's El Jaish
International record: Followed in the footsteps of his father by representing Ecuador, winning 58 caps and playing at the 2006 World Cup
Birmingham will hold a minute's silence before Saturday's game against Watford, while Birmingham players will wear black armbands.
According to the Associated Press, Benitez's funeral will be held in his native Ecuador on Thursday.
Benitez, capped 58 times by his country, spent the 2009-10 season on loan at Blues from Santos Laguna but returned to the Mexican side when the St. Andrew's club decided not to sign him permanently.
Also known as 'Chucho', Benitez had been playing in El Jaish's 2-0 win against Qatar Sports Club in the Sheikh Jassem Cup.
Birmingham said in a statement: "Everybody associated with the club was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Chucho.
"The Ecuador international was an immensely popular character at St. Andrew's following a season-long loan from Mexican club Santos Laguna during the successful 2009-10 campaign.
"A minute's silence, alongside a video tribute played on the stadium's big screen, will be held before kick-off [against Watford] while Blues players will wear black armbands during the match.
"A large number of supporters have also contacted the club expressing a desire to celebrate Chucho's time at Blues with a minute's applause in the 11th minute to mark the striker's squad number during the 2009-10 season.
"Supporters are free to embrace this spontaneous gesture on Saturday if they so wish."
Benitez scored four goals in 36 appearances during his time in England and came to prominence during the 2006 World Cup in Germany.
The son of Ermen Benitez, one of Ecuador's all-time leading goalscorers, Benitez left Santos Laguna for Club America, another Mexican side, in 2011.
UPCOMING FEATURES FOR THE MONTH
Sat 3 Aug 2013 - Championship
Burnley v Bolton 12:15
Barnsley v Wigan 15:00
Birmingham v Watford 15:00
Bournemouth v Charlton 15:00
Doncaster v Blackpool 15:00
Leeds v Brighton 15:00
Middlesbrough v Leicester 15:00
Millwall v Yeovil 15:00
Nottm Forest v Huddersfield 15:00
QPR v Sheff Wed 15:00
Reading v Ipswich 15:00
Sun 4 Aug 2013 - Championship
Derby v Blackburn 16:00
Sat 17 Aug 2013 - Premier League
Liverpool v Stoke 12:45
Arsenal v Aston Villa 15:00
Norwich v Everton 15:00
Sunderland v Fulham 15:00
West Brom v Southampton 15:00
West Ham v Cardiff 15:00
Swansea v Man Utd 17:30
Sun 18 Aug 2013 - Premier League
Crystal Palace v Tottenham 13:30
Chelsea v Hull 16:00
Mon 19 Aug 2013 - Premier League
Man City v Newcastle 20:00
Wed 21 Aug 2013 - Premier League
Chelsea v Aston Villa 19:45
Sat 24 Aug 2013 - Premier League
Fulham v Arsenal 12:45
ZIMBABWE'S MUGABE VOWS TO STEP DOWN IF DEFEATED
Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe has said he will quit after 33 years in power if he loses Wednesday's election.
His remarks came as Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party accused Zanu-PF of doctoring the voters' roll.
The BBC's Nomsa Maseko was the journalist who asked Mr Mugabe if he would step down if he lost
ZIMBABWE ELECTION:MUGABE SET TO FACE TSVANGIRAI
Zimbabweans are voting in fiercely contested presidential and parliamentary elections which have already been hit by fraud allegations.
President Robert Mugabe, 89, has said he will step down after 33 years in power if he and his Zanu-PF party lose.
Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) have accused Zanu-PF of doctoring the electoral roll, a charge it has denied.
Campaigning was mostly peaceful, with few reports of intimidation.
Zanu-PF and the MDC have shared an uneasy coalition government since 2009 under a deal brokered to end the deadly violence that erupted after a disputed presidential poll the previous year.
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The BBC's Nomsa Maseko asks Robert Mugabe if he would step down if he lost
Mr Tsvangirai won the most votes in the first round, but pulled out of the run-off with Mr Mugabe because of attacks on his supporters.
'Determined to vote'
The government has barred Western observers from monitoring Wednesday's elections, but the African Union (AU) and the Southern African Development Community (Sadc), as well as local organisations, have been accredited.
Polls opened at 07:00 local time (05:00 GMT) and are due to close at 17:00 GMT.
The turnout is expected to be high among the 6.4 million people registered to vote, with tens of thousands of people attending rallies in recent weeks. Results are expected within five days.
Continue reading the main story
Zimbabwe election: Key facts
Zimbabweans wait to cast their votes in presidential and parliamentary elections in Harare, Wednesday 31 July 2013
About 6.4 million registered voters
Polls open at 05:00 GMT and close at 17:00 GMT
Vote for president and parliament
Zanu-PF's Robert Mugabe and MDC's Morgan Tsvangirai are the main presidential contenders
Mr Mugabe, 89, is seeking to extend his 33-year rule
Mr Tsvangirai, 61, hopes to become president after three failed attempts
The poll ends the fractious coalition between Zanu-PF and MDC, which was brokered by regional mediators after disputed elections in 2008 that were marred by violence
Q&A: Zimbabwe elections
Wednesday has been declared a national holiday to ensure people can vote. Despite this, voters queued for several hours outside polling stations across the country before they opened, reports the BBC's Nomsa Maseko in Harare.
"I got up at four but still couldn't get the first position in the line," Clifford Chasakara, a voter in the western province of Manicaland, told the Reuters news agency.
"My fingers are numb, but I'm sure I can mark the ballot all the same. I'm determined to vote and have my vote counted."
At a news conference at State House on Tuesday, Mr Mugabe was asked if he and Zanu-PF would accept defeat.
"If you go into a process and join a competition where there are only two outcomes, win or lose, you can't be both. You either win or lose. If you lose, you must surrender," he said.
But Mr Tsvangirai dismissed the president's remarks.
"He does not believe in the right of the people to choose. He does not believe he can be voted out of office," he told the BBC.
The 61 year old has vowed to push Mr Mugabe into retirement; it is his third attempt to unseat him.
An MDC spokesman said separately that the party was only prepared to accept the results of the elections if they were "free and fair".
'Anomalies'
On Tuesday, the MDC accused Zanu-PF of doctoring the roll of registered voters, which was released by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) only on the eve of the polls after weeks of delay.
The MDC claimed the roll dated back to 1985 and was full of anomalies.
Supporters of the Movement for Democratic Change presidential candidate Morgan Tsvangirai at a rally on 29 July Thousands have attended rallies in the run up to the vote
A BBC correspondent has seen the document and says it features the names of thousands of dead people. He says many names with the same address appear two or three times.
A Zanu-PF spokesman denied the allegations and pointed out that appointees from both parties were on the ZEC. He also accused Finance Minister Tendai Biti, a member of the MDC, of not funding the commission properly. The ZEC has not commented.
In addition to Mr Mugabe and Mr Tsvangirai, there are three other candidates standing for the presidency - Welshman Ncube, leader of the breakaway MDC-Mutambara; Dumiso Dabengwa of the Zimbabwe African People's Union (Zapu), and Kisinoti Munodei Mukwazhe, who represents the small Zimbabwe Development Party (ZDP).
To be declared a winner, a presidential candidate must win more than 50% of the vote. If no candidate reaches this mark, a run-off will be held on 11 September.
The elections will be the first to be held under the new constitution approved in a referendum in March this year.
Friday, July 26, 2013
BIOGRAPHY OF JAY Z
Shawn Corey Carter (born December 4, 1969), most notably known by his stage name Jay-Z (sometimes stylized JAY Z), is an American rapper, record producer, entrepreneur, and investor. He is one of the most financially successful hip-hop artists and entrepreneurs in America. In 2012, Forbes estimated Carter's net worth at nearly $500 million. He has sold approximately 50 million albums worldwide, while receiving 17 Grammy Awards for his musical work, and numerous additional nominations. Consistently ranked as one of the greatest rappers of all-time, he was ranked number one by MTV in their list of The Greatest MCs of All-Time in 2006. Two of his albums, Reasonable Doubt (1996) and The Blueprint (2001), are considered landmarks in the genre with both of them being ranked in Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.
Jay-Z co-owns the 40/40 Club, has a minority stake in NBA's Brooklyn Nets and is also co-creator of the clothing line Rocawear. He is the former CEO of Def Jam Recordings, co-founder of Roc-A-Fella Records, and the founder of Roc Nation. He also founded the sports agency Roc Nation Sports and is a certified NBA and MLB sports agent. As an artist, he holds the record for most number one albums by a solo artist on the Billboard 200 with 12. Jay-Z also has had four number ones on the Billboard Hot 100, one as lead artist. On December 11, 2009, Jay-Z was ranked as the tenth-most successful artist of the 2000s by Billboard as well as the fifth top solo male artist and fourth top rapper behind Eminem, Nelly, and 50 Cent. He was also ranked the 88th-greatest artist of all time by Rolling Stone
GERADO MARTINO RIGTH FIT FOR BARCA COACH
COMPETITION GOOD FOR TORRES: says MOURINHO
Torres and Demba Ba were the club's only senior strikers last season.
Romelu Lukaku has returned from loan and Chelsea have signed Andre Schurrle and failed with a bid for Wayne Rooney.
"I think Fernando should be happy because we have competition in the team and that is good for everybody in every position," said Mourinho.
League goals scored by Chelsea strikers last season
Demba Ba
Fernando Torres (eight)
Demba Ba (pictured, 15 - 13 for Newcastle)
Romelu Lukaku (17 for West Brom)
Andre Schurrle (11 - all for Bayer Leverkusen)
Spain international Torres, 29, who has yet to join up with the Chelsea squad after being given an extended break after the Confederations Cup, scored eight Premier League goals last season.
Belgium international Lukaku, 20, scored 17 league goals in a loan spell at West Brom last season and his double in the 8-1 win over the Indonesia All-Stars took his tally to four for pre-season.
Chelsea remain interested in Manchester United forward Rooney, 27, and hope that Torres will be competing with as many as four other strikers at Stamford Bridge next season.
Mourinho added: "I think Fernando will be pleased because during his time at Chelsea he was basically the only striker and then after that there was the arrival of Ba in January.
"Now the team has three [other] strikers and that is good."
Mourinho has said Chelsea are not looking at any alternatives to Rooney. But the Portuguese claims he will be satisfied with his squad if he fails to make any further additions.
He said: "At this moment we have made what you know; that bid which was public and official and after that nothing else. But we are calm because we are happy with what we have." 
REAL MADRID MAKES OFFER FOR BALE
Reports have suggested that Real Madrid are ready to make an offer for the 24-year-old Wales international.
Bale in numbers
Age: 24
Premier League games: 146
Goals: 42
Yellow cards: 15
Red cards: 1
Wales caps: 41
"There was contact between the club and his agent last year and there is ongoing contact between the club and his agent," Villas-Boas said.
"Talks are ongoing but that doesn't mean there is an agreement."
Villas-Boas, who has insisted Bale is not for sale, is hopeful that a new deal will be reached between the player and the club despite admitting no developments have been made.
Former Southampton player Bale signed a new four-year contract in June 2012 but continues to attract interest from top clubs after another impressive season in which he scored 26 goals for the London club.
"We renewed his contract at the beginning of last season, if you remember, and it's something that is being dealt with by the chairman and the agent," the Spurs boss continued.
Valencia striker Roberto Soldado
Roberto Soldado scored 24 La Liga goals last season for Spanish side Valencia
"At the moment we're confident that the player is under contract at Tottenham, as was done last year.
"It's something that we're speaking about, but there aren't any developments."
Tottenham, who are are currently in Hong Kong for the Asia Trophy, have also been linked to Valencia forward Roberto Soldado.
Despite the fact a deal has yet to be reached for the former Real Madrid and Getafe player, Villas-Boas has spoken about his admiration for the 28-year-old Spaniard who scored 24 goals in La Liga last season.
"He is a quality player, he has done well at Valencia for the last few seasons," added Villas-Boas.
"He has had a good education from the Real Madrid school and he is a player which we are interested in adding.
CISSE AGREES TO WEAR THE WONGA LOGO JERSEY
Cisse, a Muslim, pulled out of Newcastle's pre-season tour after telling the club he was not prepared to promote the money-lending company.
However, after a week of talks, both sides are satisfied and Cisse is now available to play for Newcastle again.
Papiss Cisse factfile
Age: 28
Nationality: Senegalese
Clubs: Douanes Dakar, Metz, Freiburg & Newcastle
Newcastle goals: 26
The 28-year-old will return to training with the first-team squad on Friday.
Cisse is one of a number of Muslims at Newcastle but he was the only one to object to the club's choice of shirt sponsor.
The Senegal forward has been training on his own while his team-mates have been on tour in Portugal.
In October, it was announced that high-interest pay-day lender Wonga would take over from Virgin Money as Newcastle's sponsor from the 2013-14 season. It is thought the contract is worth around £8m a year to the club.
Speaking in June, PFA deputy chief executive Bobby Barnes told BBC Sport: "We're all aware that clubs need to generate revenue and sometimes have to use a wide range of companies.
"However, if someone feels very, very strongly that it's not compatible with their beliefs, then some sort of solution should be found."
Cisse joined the Magpies in January 2012 and has scored 26 times in all competitions.
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
CHRIS BROWN DECLARES HES SINGLE
Is Chris Brown done with on/off girlfriend, Karrueche Tran? He hooked up with her again after breaking up with Rihanna in May but it seems her services are no longer needed...
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Chris Brown tells Hollywood Life,
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"[Fans have] seen me on and off again with different girls, you know who they are, but right now, as a 24-year-old man, I just choose to be single!"
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''I'm still good friends with them. [Now] it's just me being focused with my music and doing this stuff.
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Right now, I'm in my prime
LAGBAJA ATTENDS DAUGHTERS WEDDING WITHOUT MASK
Masked Afrobeat musician, Abisade Ologunde popularly known as Lagbaja’s first daughter, Moyosade recently married her longtime beau, Olamide Obilana at Motherland in Opebi.
Moyosade attended Pennsylvania State University School of Management where she bagged a Masters in business administration and now works as a change management specialist at a US firm. It was learnt that at the wedding guests were prevented from taking photos so as not to unmask the father of the bride, Lagbaja, who came without his mask.
The Drama:
Lagbaja gave a caveat to his in-laws that pictures and video coverage avoided by either family members or friends, except the official photographer and the video coverage man that were hired for the purpose.
Consequently, getting access to the venue could be likened to a camel passing through the needle. Stern-looking security mounted the gate of Motherlan’, while guests were subjected to serious screening. So, God help you if you were not invited.
It was, however, obvious that some of the groom’s family members were displeased with the arrangement.
It was so bad that many, who were bounced, had to make frantic calls to their relatives who were already seated in the compound before they were allowed in.
Somewhere within the premises were different caterers who mounted their stands. They were so courteous and generous in their sense of catering.
The guests were seated under a large marquee and behind beautifully designed white tables that all bore artificial flowers.
On the podium was the seat of the bride and the groom coated with gold and royal blue colours.
My Daily Newswatch reports that gifts were beautifully wrapped with orange coloured net clothes.
Findings revealed that the wrappings of the gifts were contracted to some specialists.Both alaga iduro and the alaga ijoko, who were elegantly dressed, really spiced up the memorable event. But for the fact that he’s the father of the bride, you would have looked out for him without success.
Lagbaja sat quietly among the Ologundes that were seated in the front row. Tall, dark-complexioned Lagbaja was clad in an army green buba and sokoto with a matching red cap to match.
Sitting beside him was his beautiful wife in a yellow iro and buba outfit, with a chocolate brown headgear that had a touch of yellow. Moyosade and Olamide met in the United States of America and decided to come to Nigeria to seal their love affair.
The wedding ceremony, which was attended by the crème de la crème, screeched to a halt with a closing prayer by Wale Ologunde. Although the event had come and gone, it will remain the talk of the town for a long time, as the guests were soaked.
EKITI DEPUTY GOV. CONDEMNS CHILD MARRIAGE.
More condemnations have continued to trail the Senate endorsement of the child marriage in the country.
Among prominent Nigerians and groups that kicked against the resolution on Tuesday were the Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Prof. Modupe Adelabu; wife of the Oyo State Governor, Florence Ajimobi; Gender and Development Action and Child Rights Advocates and a United States-based group, CANAN.
Adelabu, in a statement by her media aide, Bunmi Ogunmodede, said the resolution of the Senate was unfortunate.
According to her, it is unfortunate that those saddled with the responsibility to make laws that would guarantee the future of the country, passed a motion to mortgage the future the Nigerian child.
She wondered what guided the lawmakers in to legalise child marriage when the constitution recognised those below 18 years as children.
The deputy governor said, “It is unfortunate that senators who were voted for to make laws that will move this nation forward are endorsing child marriage, a law that would terminate the future of children.
“It is agonising for a girl, who is below 18, to be forced into marriage or to be impregnated. A child is a child and not a bride or a groom.”
She added, “Do not let anybody deceive you. Early marriage terminates your future. It is like living your future in the present. It stalls your opportunities. Say no to child marriage and child labour.”
Ajimobi said the proposal would pose a great danger to the Nigerian girl and urged women to protest against the initiative.
She spoke during her investiture as the Patron of the Girls Guide of Nigeria in Ibadan.
She said, “Those who voted for the child marriage law under the review of the constitution acted in a despicable act. It is a backward step.
“Since time immemorial, the girl-child has continued to face a lot of challenges and the challenges persist.
“We must focus diligently in rescuing her in the danger that looms as it could finally affect her if we fold our arms and watch events unfold”.
CANAN through its Executive Director, Laolu Akande, said it found it strange that Nigerian lawmakers took such a decision.
The group said, “It is shocking that we can find a significant number of the Nigerian upper chamber lawmakers that are so uneducated and uninformed, and at least one that is currently keeping an underage wife.”
GADA at a meeting with state legislators on ‘Gender Issues in the Constitution Review Process,’ in Benin, said the senators’ action negated the tenets of the international treaties that Nigeria entered
DUKE AND DUCHESS REVEALS BABYS NAME REVEALED
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have ended days of speculation by deciding on a name for their infant son: George Alexander Louis.
HRH Prince George of Cambridge, the third-in-line to the throne, is set to be known as King George VII when he one day becomes king.
The couple's decision on the name - the bookies' favourite - was announced by Kensington Palace on Wednesday evening, two days and two hours after the new heir was born.
It happened quickly by historical standards - it took a week for the name of new prince's father to be revealed to the world, and a month before the public found out his grandfather was called Prince Charles.
Six King Georges have worn the crown throughout history since the German-born George I, the first Hanoverian king of Great Britain, acceded to the throne in 1714.
Royal baby born The couple left St Mary's Hospital in London with their newborn on Tuesday
The last was the Queen's father George VI who died in 1952 but was known to his family as Bertie.
Sky's Royal commentator, Alastair Bruce, said: "The Queen must be delighted because this is the name of her father.
"It's a stabilising name but also echoes the name of King George V, the founder of the House of Windsor which of course the new prince is the latest member of."
The name Louis - one of William's middle names - is likely to be a tribute to Lord Louis Mountbatten, the Duke of Edinburgh's uncle and the last British Viceroy of India before independence in 1947.
William and Kate leave Kensington Palace for Bucklebury. Prince George was driven to Kate's home village in Berkshire on Wednesday
Lord Mountbatten and William's father the Prince of Wales were very close, with Charles confiding in his relative.
He was known by the Royal Family as Uncle Dickie and was assassinated by the IRA in August 1979.
The other middle name, Alexander, is one that three medieval Scottish kings have had. It was also the name of the famous ruler Alexander the Great.
Royal fans visiting the grounds of Kensington Palace gave the thumbs-up to the name George.
One told Sky's Paul Harrison: "It has a long tradition. It's a good choice. Fantastic."
Others were not so sure. Twitter user Aimee Plowman wrote: "That's boring. I expected something more unique."
Queen Elizabeth II sits in the back of a Chauffeur driven Bentley, after going visit her new great-grandson for the first time at Kensington Palace in central London The Queen leaves Kensington Palace after meeting her great-grandson
And one historian, Judith Rowbotham, a social historian at Nottingham Trent University, said she was surprised by the choice because the personal life of the first Prince George of Cambridge had caused a great deal of scandal. Born in 1819, he did not seek the sovereign's approval when he wed an actress and he also had a mistress.
Before the royal couple left the Lindo Wing of St Mary's Hospital in London where their baby was born, William revealed that naming the infant was a priority, saying: "We're still working on a name, so we will have that as soon as we can."
It had been thought the Duke and Duchess would spend a few days deliberating on what to call their son but it appears they may have had a name in mind and were discussing it with family members.
The trio were visited by the Queen at Kensington Palace on Wednesday morning and she would have been told of their choice. They later traveled in a 4x4 vehicle to Kate's home village of Bucklebury, in Berkshire.
William Hill said George had been by far and away the best-backed boys name and ended as the 2/1 favourite ahead of James and LouiS
RECORD APPLE IPHONE SALES AS PROFIT SLUMPS
Apple has seen a spike in iPhone sales but a 16% decline in iPad sales during the last reporting quarter.
The US technology firm sold 14.6 million iPads during the quarter, compared with 17 million in the same period last year.
It sold 3.8 million Macs, down from four million between April and June last year.
However it sold 31.2 million iPhones in the last financial quarter, up 20% and a record for the three-month period to June.
That figure beats the 26 million handsets sold in the same period last year but is down on the 37.4 million devices sold between January and March this year.
Apple Sales of the iPad and Mac range have fallen
The third quarter results beat analysts' expectations and shares surged in after-market trading.
Overall, the company's quarterly sales totalled $35.3bn (£23bn). The figure was $300m (£195m) up on the same period last year and $200m (£130m) above analysts' expectations.
Net profit was reported at $6.9bn (£4.49bn), down almost 22% from $8.8bn (£5.73bn) last year.
Apple chief executive Tim Cook said: "We are especially proud of our record June quarter iPhone sales of over 31 million and the strong growth in revenue from iTunes, Software and Services.
"We are really excited about the upcoming releases of iOS 7 and OS X Mavericks operating systems, and we are laser-focused and working hard on some amazing new products that we will introduce in the fall and across 2014."
In 2012 Apple was the most valuable listed firm globally, with a share price that peaked above $700 (£455) last September.
However, its stock has since dropped and sat below $419 (£272) on Tuesday's close, as concerns continue of Apple regaining its creative mojo.
The California-based company faces strong competition from Samsung, which is growing on the back of the popularity of its Galaxy S4 handset.
Samsung also makes many of its own components.
In April the South Korean manufacturer posted a 41% leap in earnings in the first quarter of this year - in the same week Apple reported its first annual slide in a decade.
Samsung made a net profit of 7.15tn Korean won (£4.2bn) for the period, up from 5.05tn won (£2.9bn) a year ago, attributed largely to a surge in sales of smartphones.
BEYONCE'S HAIR CAUGHT IN FAN
The singer got into a bit of a tangle, but, proving the show must always go on, carried on singing while security struggled to set her free.
Posting on Instagram, she changed the lyrics to Halo to read: "Gravity can't begin to pull me out of the fan again.
"I felt my hair was yankin from the fan that's always hatin."
Beyonce also posted a video of the incident, which has so far got the thumbs up from more than 100,000 people.
The tangle occurred when the star went into the audience pit to perform Halo and it was all predictably caught on fans' mobile phones.
The 31-year-old is currently on the North American leg of her Mrs Carter world tour.
The tour visited Europe earlier this year, but Beyonce will be returning to the UK next month to perform at the V Festival in Hylands Park in Chelmsford and Weston Park in South Staffordshire.
HEADTEACHER HELD OVER DEATHS
Meena Devi and her husband went on the run after an arrest warrant was issued for them in connection with the tragedy
RONALDO'S FREEKICK BREAKS BOYS HAND
A wayward free kick breaks the wrist of Charlie Silverwood - but he still stays for the remaining 84 minutes of the match.
ARGENTINA'S HIGUAIN PASSES MEDICAL AT NAPOLI
http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/68930000/jpg/_68930973_gonzalo_higuain_gety.jpgReal Madrid's Argentina international striker Gonzalo Higuain passes a medical ahead of a £34.5m move to Napoli.
LUIS SUAREZ TO HOLD TALKS WITH ARSENAL.
Luis Suarez will be allowed to hold talks with Arsenal but Liverpool have no intention of selling their striker until his £50m-plus valuation is met.
Arsenal's club-record bid of £40m plus £1 was firmly rejected by Liverpool but Suarez now wants to hold talks with the north London club.
Suarez in numbers
Luis Suarez
30 goals in 44 appearances for Liverpool last season
Since joining from Ajax in January 2011 for £22.7m, has scored 51 in 96 appearances
49 goals in 48 games for Ajax the season before joining Liverpool
31 goals in 62 appearances for Uruguay
The approach triggered a clause in his contract that means he has been told of the bid and can now talk to Arsenal.
But Liverpool will not sell him until Arsenal up their offer significantly.
On Wednesday Suarez made his first appearance for Liverpool since his infamous bite on Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic's arm last season, coming off the bench in an 18-minute cameo during the Premier League club's 2-0 win over Melbourne Victory at the MCG.
With Liverpool 1-0 up, the Uruguayan laid on the Reds second for new signing Iago Aspas late in the match.
After the game Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers said: "There's nothing new to report, he [Suarez] is very much a Liverpool player and over the course of the next couple of weeks we've got to get him up to speed."
Rodgers did, however, remind Suarez of the debt he feels the player owes the Liverpool fans who have stood by him after two seasons of controversy.
"The support he has received from the supporters and the people of the city of Liverpool has been unrivalled," Rodgers added.
"In this period of time he's missed a lot of games for the club through various reasons. The people have stood by him like a son and really looked after him. Whatever happens in the coming weeks that will be in his mind because it's something you can never forget."
Arsenal's record buys
Jose Antonio Reyes (Sevilla) £17.5m
Santi Cazorla (Malaga) £16m
Andrey Arshavin (Zenit St Petersburg) £15m
Sylvain Wiltord (Bordeaux) £13m
Thierry Henry (Juventus) £11m
Liverpool have now turned down two offers from the Gunners, who are keen to boost their attacking options, while Real Madrid, now managed by Carlo Ancelotti, also remain interested in the player but have yet to make a formal offer.
Following Arsenal's most recent approach, a post on Liverpool owner John Henry's Twitter page read: "What do you think they're smoking over there at Emirates?"
It is unclear whether Henry is talking about Arsenal's attempts to sign Suarez or their valuation of the player.
While Liverpool remain determined to keep Suarez, who scored 30 goals for the club in 44 appearances last season, their resolve is likely to be tested if the bids continue to rise. Should Arsenal persist and have an improved bid accepted, it would more than double their previous highest initial outlay on a transfer.
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Suarez comes with baggage - Souness
The Gunners, whose first offer for Suarez was £30m, paid £17.5m to Sevilla for Jose Antonio Reyes in 2004.
Suarez wants to leave Anfield to play for a Champions League club despite only signing a new long-term deal last summer.
Speculation has grown about Suarez's future since he was punished with a 10-game ban at the end of April for biting Ivanovic.
The striker still has to serve six games of that suspension and was also banned in 2011 after being found guilty of racially abusing Manchester United's Patrice Evra.
Suarez joined Liverpool from Ajax in January 2011 in a £22.7m deal.
ROYAL BABY NAMED
Royal baby prince named George
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge name their son George Alexander Louis, Kensington Palace says
MADONNA POST UME IN PROGRESS
Madonna University of Nigeria has began admission of new students for the 2013/2014 session.Students with cut off mark of 180 in JAMB examination and willing to enroll in the prestigious Madonna University,a University with a difference.Courses such as Medicine and Surgery,Public Health,Engineering,Microbiology,Biochemistry,Medical Lab Science,etc and many other art related courses are accepted.Forms are to be picked up at any of our campuses at Okija,Elele,Caritas,Osisatech etc for the amount of 6000
naira.
naira.
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