The expectations of your hearts shall not be cut short...keep faith alive. All your good wishes will surely come.
Saturday, June 3, 2017
Prayer Of The Day!
The expectations of your hearts shall not be cut short...keep faith alive. All your good wishes will surely come.
Tech: Mobile-friendly Webpage of Ministry of Finance Launched By Union Finance Minister, Arun Jaitley
Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Friday launched a mobile-friendly common landing webpage of the Ministry of Finance (www.finmin.nic.in) to provide a single-point access to all websites of five departments under the ministry.
“The website is mobile format friendly across all platforms viz. Android, Windows, and iOS. The new website also has features of in-built search options, enabling text to speech, language translation, and visitor analytics, among others,” a Finance Ministry statement said here. Jaitley also launched the new website of the Department of Expenditure under the Ministry — wwww.doe.gov.in.
“With diversification of the information and communication technologies (ICT) landscape, it has become absolutely imperative for the government websites to bring in qualitative and quantitative transformations in the wake of changing user expectations,” the statement said.
“As part of the Digital India Programme, the upgraded common landing webpage of the Ministry and the new website of the Department of Expenditure is a major step towards standardisation and improvement in presentation and content delivery using the Content Management Framework. Both are GIGW (Guidelines for Indian Government Websites) compliant,” it said.
The Railway Ministry recently launched free Wi-Fi at 28 stations on Konkan railway in Maharashtra in line with the Digital India Initiative in May this year.
With Inputs from IANS
Read More »
“The website is mobile format friendly across all platforms viz. Android, Windows, and iOS. The new website also has features of in-built search options, enabling text to speech, language translation, and visitor analytics, among others,” a Finance Ministry statement said here. Jaitley also launched the new website of the Department of Expenditure under the Ministry — wwww.doe.gov.in.
“With diversification of the information and communication technologies (ICT) landscape, it has become absolutely imperative for the government websites to bring in qualitative and quantitative transformations in the wake of changing user expectations,” the statement said.
“As part of the Digital India Programme, the upgraded common landing webpage of the Ministry and the new website of the Department of Expenditure is a major step towards standardisation and improvement in presentation and content delivery using the Content Management Framework. Both are GIGW (Guidelines for Indian Government Websites) compliant,” it said.
The Railway Ministry recently launched free Wi-Fi at 28 stations on Konkan railway in Maharashtra in line with the Digital India Initiative in May this year.
With Inputs from IANS
7 Merit of Drinking Water Early In The Morning; Number 3 Is Superb
Since almost half of the body is made up of water, drinking several cups every day is one of the simplest ways to better your health and lifestyle.
Notwithstanding, what you may not be aware of is that there is an easier way to enjoy the amazing benefits of water and improve your general wellbeing.
All you have to do is to drink water after you wake up in the morning. It may sound so easy but many people do not do it. Perhaps after reading these benefits of drinking water in the morning shared by Jumia Travel you would imbibe the habit.
1). Deal With a Headache
The human brain is made up of 85% water. So, if there is the absence of enough water in the brain, it can lead to serious headaches. You can drink water in the morning to stop these aches.
2). It Rehydrates Your Body
When you wake up after a sleep marathon, your body will be dehydrated. No matter the amount of water you drank the previous day, your body will still lack water in the morning.
3). It Ease Menstrual Pain
Every month, women suffer from cramps which can sometimes be unbearable. Drinking water helps to reduce the water retention in the vagina which causes cramps thus easing the pain.
4). Reduce Arthritis
Your joints are filled out with fluid that can increase or decrease depending on your water intake. This fluid also reduces due to tough activities and ageing. Drinking water in the morning helps your body to restore fluid so that your joints can move freely.
5). Boost Your Kidney Health
A kidney stone is a hard, crystalline mineral material formed within the kidney or urinary tract. Kidney stones are a common cause of blood in the urine and often severe pain in the abdomen. You can tackle kidney stone by downing lots of water, especially in the morning.
6). It's Absolutely Refreshing
Gulping water after you wake up in the morning is absolutely refreshing and makes you feel good.
7). Get Rid of Unusable Toxins
Water can assist in flushing toxins (a toxin is anything that damages the body) out of your body. This is because while you are asleep your body cleans itself, restores lost energy and balances hormones.
After the cleanup, toxins and other waste materials will be released and wait to be flushed out. So, to clear these toxins, you should drink water in the morning.
Read More »
Notwithstanding, what you may not be aware of is that there is an easier way to enjoy the amazing benefits of water and improve your general wellbeing.
All you have to do is to drink water after you wake up in the morning. It may sound so easy but many people do not do it. Perhaps after reading these benefits of drinking water in the morning shared by Jumia Travel you would imbibe the habit.
1). Deal With a Headache
The human brain is made up of 85% water. So, if there is the absence of enough water in the brain, it can lead to serious headaches. You can drink water in the morning to stop these aches.
2). It Rehydrates Your Body
When you wake up after a sleep marathon, your body will be dehydrated. No matter the amount of water you drank the previous day, your body will still lack water in the morning.
3). It Ease Menstrual Pain
Every month, women suffer from cramps which can sometimes be unbearable. Drinking water helps to reduce the water retention in the vagina which causes cramps thus easing the pain.
4). Reduce Arthritis
Your joints are filled out with fluid that can increase or decrease depending on your water intake. This fluid also reduces due to tough activities and ageing. Drinking water in the morning helps your body to restore fluid so that your joints can move freely.
5). Boost Your Kidney Health
A kidney stone is a hard, crystalline mineral material formed within the kidney or urinary tract. Kidney stones are a common cause of blood in the urine and often severe pain in the abdomen. You can tackle kidney stone by downing lots of water, especially in the morning.
6). It's Absolutely Refreshing
Gulping water after you wake up in the morning is absolutely refreshing and makes you feel good.
7). Get Rid of Unusable Toxins
Water can assist in flushing toxins (a toxin is anything that damages the body) out of your body. This is because while you are asleep your body cleans itself, restores lost energy and balances hormones.
After the cleanup, toxins and other waste materials will be released and wait to be flushed out. So, to clear these toxins, you should drink water in the morning.
Friday, June 2, 2017
Photos: Result of Heavy Rainfall In Delta State
As shared by someone who the impact of the rain live. See another photo below..
Ex-President, Barack Obama Slams US President's Decision To Withdraw From Paris Agreement
Former US President, Barack Obama criticized his successor President Donald Trump for announcing on Thursday that the United States will withdraw from the Paris climate agreement, characterizing the decision as America vacating its leadership role on the world stage.
Obama, who has refrained from commenting on his successor’s every action in office, did not name Trump in his statement, but nonetheless made clear that he believes Trump’s plan to exit the 2015 agreement will hurt America, economically and otherwise.
“The nations that remain in the Paris Agreement will be the nations that reap the benefits in jobs and industries created,” Obama said. “I believe the United States of America should be at the front of the pack.
But even in the absence of American leadership; even as this Administration joins a small handful of nations that reject the future; I’m confident that our states, cities, and businesses will step up and do even more to lead the way, and help protect for future generations the one planet we’ve got.”
Describing the accord as “the first-ever global agreement to set the world on a low-carbon course and protect the world we leave to our children,” Obama said it was only possible thanks to “steady, principled American leadership on the world stage.”
Tech: Samsung Galaxy S8 Pirates of The Caribbean Special Edition Launched; Rumored Pink Edition Leaked (Photo)
After the global launch of the Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+ two new editions of the same models have surfaced online. According to a Weibo listing, a Pirates of the Caribbean edition of the Galaxy S8 has been launched in China, while both the S8 and S8+ are expected to arrive in a new Pink (or Rose Gold) finish. Images of the same leaked out on Chinese social media network and the were first reported by PriceRaja.
The rumored pink version of the phone is expected to be available in Samsung Galaxy S8 and samsung Galaxy S8+ models and the specifications are expected to remain the same as before.
The limited edition Galaxy S8 model has the logo of the Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales. The version officially went on sale in China on Thursday with a price tag of CNY 5,988 (approximately Rs 56,500).
The smartphone includes a customized phone case, buckle ring and the theme of Pirates of the Caribbean theme printed on to the case (image above). The limited edition Samsung Galaxy S8 will only be available in 4 GB RAM and 64 GB of internal storage variant.
The Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+ arrived in India back in April 2017. While the initial variants came with 4GB RAM and 64 GB internal storage, Samsung Mobile India on 1 June announced a new 6 GB RAM/128 GB internal storage variant of the Galaxy S8+. The new model is priced at Rs 74,990.
Read More »
The rumored pink version of the phone is expected to be available in Samsung Galaxy S8 and samsung Galaxy S8+ models and the specifications are expected to remain the same as before.
The limited edition Galaxy S8 model has the logo of the Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales. The version officially went on sale in China on Thursday with a price tag of CNY 5,988 (approximately Rs 56,500).
The smartphone includes a customized phone case, buckle ring and the theme of Pirates of the Caribbean theme printed on to the case (image above). The limited edition Samsung Galaxy S8 will only be available in 4 GB RAM and 64 GB of internal storage variant.
The Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+ arrived in India back in April 2017. While the initial variants came with 4GB RAM and 64 GB internal storage, Samsung Mobile India on 1 June announced a new 6 GB RAM/128 GB internal storage variant of the Galaxy S8+. The new model is priced at Rs 74,990.
Prayer of The Day!
May our prayers and the sincere thoughts of our hearts reach the Throne of Grace and get desirable answers, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen!
"We Will Go On Hunger Strike Until DSS Releases Ifeanyi Ubah" - Group Vows
The Association of Umudiana-Ndi Nnewi Movement, Anambra state chapter, has threatened to go on a hunger strike if the Department of State Services (DSS) fails to release the chairman of Capital Oil and Gas, Dr Ifeanyi Ubah.
The group made this known in a statement issued and signed by Prince Iwuchukwu Victor and Comrade Ejiofor Igboegwu, the chairman and secretary of the association.
The association urged the Ohaneze Ndigbo leadership, youth associations, human right groups and student union associations to rise to the occasion and ensure that Ubah is released from detention.
The group said they were not against the investigation of the oil magnate, adding that he should be released in line with the rule of law.
”It is unfortunate that Dr Ubah’s contributions to the economic wellbeing of this nation through creation of employment for thousands of Nigerians could so easily be forgotten by the powers that be. Our brother, Ubah never deserved the treatment he is being given by his accusers,” the movement said.
The group insisted that keeping Ifeanyi Ubah in detention could be a plot to destroy his image by those who are worried by his progress in business.
Tech: Manufacturing of New Jeep Compass SUV Commence India, To Arrive In Dealerships From Q3 2017 (See Photo)
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) has announced the rollout of the first 2017 Jeep Compass SUV in India from join-venture facility in Pune. This is one of the four locations (globally) where the new 2017 Jeep Compass SUV will be manufactured. The FCA’s Ranjangaon manufacturing plant will be special because it will be the company’s only RHD plant in the world, one that will also cater to export demands.
The plant as per the report has been set up with a total investment of $280 million with a new paint facility.
The rollout of the plant was attended by Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, FCA COO Paul Alcala, FCA India president and MD Kevin Flynn, Gurpratap Boparai, CEO, FIAPL and Girish Bapat, guardian minister, Pune.
The 2017 Jeep Compass was unveiled in India in April 2017. For now the introductory price is expected to be set to Rs 16 lakh.
The SUV features a brand new design compared to the old model and features a 1.4-litre MultiAir petrol engine that delivers about 160 PS and 250 Nm. The diesel option delivers 170 PS and 350 Nm.
Both engines are literally futureproof when it comes to compliance. Both are BS-IV compliant and can be scaled up to meet BS-VI as well and are mated to a 6-speed manual and a 7-speed automatic for the petrol models. The SUV offers a multitude of drive options with features like Jeep Active Drive, Selec Terrain Traction management system and more.
Read More »
The plant as per the report has been set up with a total investment of $280 million with a new paint facility.
The rollout of the plant was attended by Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, FCA COO Paul Alcala, FCA India president and MD Kevin Flynn, Gurpratap Boparai, CEO, FIAPL and Girish Bapat, guardian minister, Pune.
The 2017 Jeep Compass was unveiled in India in April 2017. For now the introductory price is expected to be set to Rs 16 lakh.
The SUV features a brand new design compared to the old model and features a 1.4-litre MultiAir petrol engine that delivers about 160 PS and 250 Nm. The diesel option delivers 170 PS and 350 Nm.
Both engines are literally futureproof when it comes to compliance. Both are BS-IV compliant and can be scaled up to meet BS-VI as well and are mated to a 6-speed manual and a 7-speed automatic for the petrol models. The SUV offers a multitude of drive options with features like Jeep Active Drive, Selec Terrain Traction management system and more.
Wednesday, May 31, 2017
Manchester United Goal Keeper, David De Gea Faces Real Madrid Dilemma But United Confident He Will Stay
It is becoming an annual event: The tug-of-war between Manchester United and Real Madrid for goalkeeper David De Gea is unleashed with each opening of the summer transfer window.
United have won the last two battles and now they're heading for a third. It could be the last. Or maybe not.
Having come so close to signing De Gea in 2015, Real Madrid have made no secret of their search for a replacement for Keylor Navas. So keen were they to sign De Gea two years ago, they were willing to send the Costa Rican to Old Trafford as a makeweight.
Navas has won the Champions League and a Spanish title at the Bernabeu and could add a second Champions League title in Cardiff on Saturday. But, as far as Real president Florentino Perez is concerned, he is not a
Galactico. Not in the same way that Spain's No. 1 is.
Sources have told ESPN FC that United are confident De Gea will stay. He's got two years left on his contract with the option of another and, more than that, the 26-year-old has given no indication that he wants to leave -- privately or in public. That's not his style, anyway.
Jose Mourinho was key in convincing De Gea to stay last summer but the United manager does not make a habit of keeping players who would rather be elsewhere. He didn't want to sell Juan Mata to United when he was in charge at Chelsea; he wanted to keep Morgan Schneiderlin and Memphis Depay in January. But they all wanted to play more regular football and Mourinho let them leave, albeit reluctantly.
Commitment to the cause is central to the atmosphere Mourinho wants to create in the dressing room. It would be harder to jettison one of the world's best goalkeepers, as opposed to squad players like Schneiderlin or Memphis, but Mourinho doesn't beg players to stick around. Whoever they are. Even when asked about the future of Zlatan Ibrahimovic after he scored the winning goal in the EFL Cup final in February, Mourinho said: "We don't beg but if needed, United fans go to his house and sit there all night."
Mourinho has also shown with his actions that no player is bigger than the club. He kept faith in No. 2 Sergio Romero in the Europa League final, his biggest game as United manager, and Wayne Rooney's status as club-record goal scorer has proven to be no obstacle in leaving him out of the squad.
So De Gea faces a dilemma this summer. It should be no surprise that a footballer who grew up in Madrid would, at some stage, like to play for Real Madrid. There are personal issues at play, too, with his girlfriend, singer Edurne Garcia, splitting her time between Spain and England.
Eventually, though, it will be too late. Perez will, eventually, turn his attention to other options like Chelsea's Thibaut Courtois or Milan prodigy Gianluigi Donnarumma.
It is different for an outfield player. Cristiano Ronaldo deferred his move from United to Real Madrid for 12 months in 2008, but a goalkeeper is either first-choice or he's not. And interest in De Gea would disappear if Courtois, Donnarumma or someone else signed up to be Real Madrid's goalkeeper for the next decade.
United certainly hope that is how the saga will end, preferably sooner rather than later. And it becomes a more likely scenario with every approach that United successfully bat away.
Whatever happens this summer, executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward is in a strong position. He was fighting a losing battle in 2015 knowing De Gea only had a year left on his contract. This time, the odds are stacked in his favour and he would demand a world-record fee for a goalkeeper before even considering letting De Gea leave.
Yet despite the posturing between United and Real Madrid, Woodward and Perez, the decision, ultimately, is down to the player. United are convinced De Gea is happy: He is among the highest earners at the club and, privately, has admitted his appreciation of the support he has received from the fans after coming so close to leaving. He was won over by Mourinho's charm last summer and sources have told ESPN FC he is satisfied United are showing the right ambition.
The Champions League is the one thing missing from his CV and United will be back in the competition next season. The question he must ask himself, though, is whether he would be happier in Madrid. And whether, if he says no this time, he would be comfortable never getting the opportunity again.
See Photo of Popular Comedian, Julius Agwu With His Wife as They Celebrates Their 9th Wedding Anniversary
Comedian Julius Agwu and his wife Ibiere are celebrating their 9th wedding anniversary today, May 31st.
The wife wrote; “……. and 9 years later. STILL STANDING. #GodandGodalone #WeddingAnniversary”
The couple are blessed with two kids, Zahra & Zadok. HWA!
Tech: CEO Pete Lau Says OnePlus 3 and 3T To Receive Android O
With Android O all set to deploy this year, Google has started pushing developer previews to Pixel and Nexus users. While it is obvious that the final build will arrive only after the next-generation of Pixel smartphones are announced, it seems that the first OEM to confirm the update for its devices is OnePlus.
According to a tweet by OnePlus CEO and founder, Pete Lau, the OnePlus 3 and OnePlus 3T will receive the upcoming Android O update. While he hasn’t confirmed a launch timeline, we can expect it to arrive a month or two after the official builds are out. Of course this is just a presumption considering Android Nougat arrived about three months after the update released on the Pixel and Pixel XL.
It is good to know that the company is already high on the heels of getting the new update, especially when they have a new flagship to launch. Rumors suggest that the new OnePlus 5 could launch this month and will feature a dual-camera setup. It is also expected to feature the latest Snapdragon 835 SoC, 6 GB or up to 8 GB of RAM and the usual 64 GB and 128 GB storage variants. The company has been sending out teasers on Twitter as well, hinting that the launch is not too far.
There is some bad news too, as according to the official OnePlus forums, the OnePlus 2 will not be getting the Android Nougat update. That is going to disappointing as owners of the handset have been waiting patiently for the new update.
Kano State Police Starts Investigation Over The Case of Pregnant Wife Who Sets Herself and Husband Ablaze Few Weeks After Their Marriage (See Photos)
A pregnant woman on Saturday, May 26, allegedly set her husband and herself ablaze over alleged infidelity at their Sabon Gari residence in Kano, five weeks after their wedding.
It was gathered that the woman accused her husband of infidelity after she overhead a phone conversation between him and an unidentified woman. She snatched the phone with him and threatened to do something bad.
Later same night, she poured fuel on an already burning gas cooker which exploded and engulfed her and the husband.
The woman died at the scene of the incident while the husband suffered severe burns. He was rushed to Fortress Hospital at Sarki Yaki and later to another undisclosed hospital where he died yesterday. The remains of the couple had been deposited at an undisclosed mortuary. The couple are from Awka, Anambra State.
Spokesperson for the Kano State Police Command, DSP Musa Majiyawho confirmed the incident, said detectives from the command has commenced an investigation.
Arsene Wenger Stays at Arsenal as He Continues His Work as Team Head Coach
Arsene Wenger has signed a new two-year contract at Arsenal to end speculation surrounding his future. After another season of failure in the Premier League and Champions League, did the club make the right choice?
We asked our Arsenal experts Andrew Mangan, Tom Adams and James McNicholas, for their opinions.
Is keeping Arsene Wenger the right decision for Arsenal?
AM: In the circumstances, yes. Arsenal are simply not set up for change at the moment. The club is as unstable as it has ever been, and Wenger leaving now would leave them with too much to do in a short space of time. Not just from a managerial point of view, but also when it comes to players coming and going, as well as preparation for next season.
TA: Yes and no. Arsenal do need change to sweep through the club and the best thing for the future would be if they parted ways with Wenger. That said, the fact there was no evidence of a succession plan, coupled with the euphoria of beating Chelsea so well in the FA Cup final, means the timing was all wrong to take such a huge decision. They essentially just kicked the can down the road, and in the circumstances it makes sense.
JM: Personally, I believe that Arsenal would benefit from a new manager. However, the club is in no real position to make a change. The uncertainty over Wenger's contract has dragged on for far too long, and it appears as if no real contingency plan has been put in place. The FA Cup triumph has inevitably changed the atmosphere around the club and made the idea of Wenger staying more palatable. However, his poor performance in the Premier League and Champions League mean his time with Arsenal ought to have been up.
Why did Arsenal choose to stick with Wenger?
AM: The lack of suitable candidates, for one. The fact that this might also allow them to properly plan the transition from a legacy manager to a new man by putting in place structures which the modern day coach needs to work under. There's also the fact Arsenal are very risk averse anyway, and probably see the risk of change as outweighing the risks of staying with a manager who, at the very least, produces consistency season after season.
TA: For the simple reason that the alternative course of action would have plunged the club into chaos. Arsenal were completely unprepared to remove their manager of 20 years. There were a lack of candidates to target, no structure in place to mitigate the fallout, and not enough football expertise in the boardroom to make a successful managerial change. They took the safe option, and winning the FA Cup made the whole thing much more palatable.
AM: I'm not sure they did. Ultimately it was Wenger's call -- he has continually retained the support of Stan Kroenke and it's been the manager's desire to stay on that has resulted in this outcome. Arsenal don't seem capable of properly holding their manager to account.
What needs to change now?
AM: Over the next two years Arsenal have to make substantive changes. The academy needs a new boss; some kind of director of football appointment needs to be made -- even if it's one that, for now, doesn't have the authority it has at other clubs. Recruitment and scouting are areas that require significant improvement too, and part of Wenger's remit over the next two years must be to help implement those things.
TA: Arsenal need to ensure they don't just go through this whole process again in two years. It appears unlikely there will be a director of football -- Wenger has basically ruled that out -- but they need to start the long transition to a new manager in two years. Arsenal need to develop a structure that could survive Wenger's exit, revamping departments like coaching and scouting and bringing in a senior figure who can provide some continuity, allowing Wenger to be gradually phased out over the course of his new deal.
JM: Wenger needs to embrace the 3-4-2-1 system that has rescued Arsenal's system from disaster. The Gunners look significantly more solid, and it's a real concern with the security of a new contract behind him Wenger will return to his cavalier ways and his dysfunctional formation.
Prediction for next season?
AM: So much depends on what they do for the rest of the summer. If they can keep Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez, add one or two more players of similar quality, and clear out some of the deadwood, then they could have a chance of competing for the Premier League title. They have a lot of work to do to ensure all of those things happen though, and whether they're capable of that will become clear soon enough.
TA: A decent start which will cause a groundswell of optimism followed by a crash in the spring. Nothing new really. Seriously, the pattern is very well established under Wenger now. It would take a huge outlay on world-class players to really make them title contenders. And that won't happen.
JM: If Arsenal lose Sanchez, it's going to be very difficult for them to force their way back into an increasingly competitive top four. Arsenal's best chance of returning to the Champions League may come via the same route Jose Mourinho's Manchester United took this season: the Europa League.
Read More »
We asked our Arsenal experts Andrew Mangan, Tom Adams and James McNicholas, for their opinions.
Is keeping Arsene Wenger the right decision for Arsenal?
AM: In the circumstances, yes. Arsenal are simply not set up for change at the moment. The club is as unstable as it has ever been, and Wenger leaving now would leave them with too much to do in a short space of time. Not just from a managerial point of view, but also when it comes to players coming and going, as well as preparation for next season.
TA: Yes and no. Arsenal do need change to sweep through the club and the best thing for the future would be if they parted ways with Wenger. That said, the fact there was no evidence of a succession plan, coupled with the euphoria of beating Chelsea so well in the FA Cup final, means the timing was all wrong to take such a huge decision. They essentially just kicked the can down the road, and in the circumstances it makes sense.
JM: Personally, I believe that Arsenal would benefit from a new manager. However, the club is in no real position to make a change. The uncertainty over Wenger's contract has dragged on for far too long, and it appears as if no real contingency plan has been put in place. The FA Cup triumph has inevitably changed the atmosphere around the club and made the idea of Wenger staying more palatable. However, his poor performance in the Premier League and Champions League mean his time with Arsenal ought to have been up.
Why did Arsenal choose to stick with Wenger?
AM: The lack of suitable candidates, for one. The fact that this might also allow them to properly plan the transition from a legacy manager to a new man by putting in place structures which the modern day coach needs to work under. There's also the fact Arsenal are very risk averse anyway, and probably see the risk of change as outweighing the risks of staying with a manager who, at the very least, produces consistency season after season.
TA: For the simple reason that the alternative course of action would have plunged the club into chaos. Arsenal were completely unprepared to remove their manager of 20 years. There were a lack of candidates to target, no structure in place to mitigate the fallout, and not enough football expertise in the boardroom to make a successful managerial change. They took the safe option, and winning the FA Cup made the whole thing much more palatable.
AM: I'm not sure they did. Ultimately it was Wenger's call -- he has continually retained the support of Stan Kroenke and it's been the manager's desire to stay on that has resulted in this outcome. Arsenal don't seem capable of properly holding their manager to account.
What needs to change now?
AM: Over the next two years Arsenal have to make substantive changes. The academy needs a new boss; some kind of director of football appointment needs to be made -- even if it's one that, for now, doesn't have the authority it has at other clubs. Recruitment and scouting are areas that require significant improvement too, and part of Wenger's remit over the next two years must be to help implement those things.
TA: Arsenal need to ensure they don't just go through this whole process again in two years. It appears unlikely there will be a director of football -- Wenger has basically ruled that out -- but they need to start the long transition to a new manager in two years. Arsenal need to develop a structure that could survive Wenger's exit, revamping departments like coaching and scouting and bringing in a senior figure who can provide some continuity, allowing Wenger to be gradually phased out over the course of his new deal.
JM: Wenger needs to embrace the 3-4-2-1 system that has rescued Arsenal's system from disaster. The Gunners look significantly more solid, and it's a real concern with the security of a new contract behind him Wenger will return to his cavalier ways and his dysfunctional formation.
Prediction for next season?
AM: So much depends on what they do for the rest of the summer. If they can keep Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez, add one or two more players of similar quality, and clear out some of the deadwood, then they could have a chance of competing for the Premier League title. They have a lot of work to do to ensure all of those things happen though, and whether they're capable of that will become clear soon enough.
TA: A decent start which will cause a groundswell of optimism followed by a crash in the spring. Nothing new really. Seriously, the pattern is very well established under Wenger now. It would take a huge outlay on world-class players to really make them title contenders. And that won't happen.
JM: If Arsenal lose Sanchez, it's going to be very difficult for them to force their way back into an increasingly competitive top four. Arsenal's best chance of returning to the Champions League may come via the same route Jose Mourinho's Manchester United took this season: the Europa League.
Tech: Android Pay Launched In Canada
Android Pay launched in Canada on Wednesday, with support for a number of major banks at launch, and additional banks to be added soon. The Android Pay debut in Canada was teased at Google’s I/O developer conference keynote earlier this month, and reported as imminent last week by MobileSyrup.
The launch today includes support for Visa and MasterCard credit and debit, as well as Interac debit cards (starting June 5) from leading national banks BMO, CIBC and Scotiabank, as well as from smaller regional and specialist institutions like ATB Financial, PC Financial, Desjardins, Banque Nationale and ATB Financial. Android devices running version 4.4 of the OS or higher will be able to add cards from these banks and make mobile payments at compatible, tap-enabled terminals – which are actually very prevalent in Canada.
American Express and Tangerine support are “coming later this summer,” Google says. The noteworthy absentees from this list of supporting financial institutions are RBC and TD, which are the largest of Canada’s “Big Five” banks. Both RBC and TD do support Apple Pay, though, indicating a willingness to support mobile payment options. Spencer Spinnell, Google’s Director of Emerging Platforms, would only say at a launch event that it “expects banks will come on board over the next several quarters.”
Spinnell also noted at a launch event that the progress of Android Pay represents the result of a tremendous amount of work, since it means bringing together and satisfying a large number of stakeholders, from merchants, to financial institutions, to payment networks and to customers.
Unlike Apple, Google doesn’t charge transaction fees to any parties involved for use of Android Pay (Apple charges banks).
Android Pay uses NFC tech to transfer tokenized payment information from the device to a merchant terminal. Like Apple Pay, which launched in Canada last year, Android Pay doesn’t pass on your actual original payment card details to a merchant, but instead generates a unique token to use for transactions. To use it, once you register your card you simply wake your device, authenticate using one of your phone login methods, and tap it to a payment terminal. Also, once your cards are registered, if they’re lost or stolen, you can use Android Pay to remotely lock or wipe or disable your card.
Android Pay first launched in the U.S. in 2015, and has been rolling out to additional markets gradually since then, covering 12 in total. Other new markets coming online this year include Brazil, Russia, Spain and Taiwan, and Google will also be offering improved loyalty card integration on the merchant side. Android Pay also works in-app with a range of partners, including Uber, 1-800 Flowers and more.
Android Pay has had 1.5 million new registrations per moth on average in the U.S. alone, Spinnell said, which he argued is all the more impressive given the current state of the contactless payment system in America, which lags its equivalents in Canada, the UK and other countries. He said that one in three Canadians who own smartphones have used their device to pay for something, and noted that in Q4 2016, Canadian contactless payments rose 120 percent. Spinnell also noted that eight out of 10 Canadian retailers support NFC capability, making the market an ideal target for an expansion of Android Pay.
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