Catherine Mayer, Editor-at-large, Time magazine: "It's not
about how good or bad someone has been but how much of a difference they've
made"
Pope Francis has been named Person of
the Year by Time magazine.
During his nine months in office, the Pope had pulled "the papacy out of the
palace and into the streets", managing editor Nancy Gibbs said.
"Rarely has a new player on the world stage captured so much attention so
quickly - young and old, faithful and cynical," she added.
NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden was runner-up.
Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the then cardinal archbishop of Buenos Aires, was made
Pope last March. He named himself Francis after a 12th Century Italian saint who
turned his back on an aristocratic lifestyle to work with the poor.
Ever since Pope Francis made his first appearance on the central balcony of
St Peter's Basilica on the evening of 13 March, the Vatican has basked in the
glow of positive media as he touched hearts across the globe by embracing people
with deformities, reaching out to the mentally and physically disabled, kissing
the feet of young prisoners, including a Muslim woman, and launching a global
consultation on the family.
Since then, he has eschewed some of the more regal
trappings of high office, made headlines by washing the feet of prisoners, and
is planning some major reforms to the Church.
"In his nine months in office, he has placed himself at the very centre of
the central conversations of our time: about wealth and poverty, fairness and
justice, transparency, modernity, globalisation, the role of women, the nature
of marriage, the temptations of power," Ms Gibbs wrote.
Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi said it was "a positive sign" that one of
the international media's most prestigious recognitions had been given to "a
person who proclaims.. spiritual, religious and moral values and speaks out
forcefully in favour of peace and greater justice".
"The Holy Father is not looking to become famous or to receive honours,''
said Mr Lombardi. "But if the choice of Person of Year helps spread the message
of the Gospel - a message of God's love for everyone - he will certainly be
happy about that."
This is the third time a Pope has received the recognition from Time
magazine. John Paul II was selected in 1994 and John XXIII was chosen in
1962.
Besides Mr Snowden, this year's other finalists were US gay rights activist
Edith Windsor, US Senator Ted Cruz of Texas and Syrian President Bashar
al-Assad.
Pope Francis has struck a markedly different tone to
his predecessors on several issues since his election in March
They came in wheelchairs and pushchairs - black, white and everything in
between. Some broke down in tears and needed to be supported; others were just
subdued. There was certainly no singing.
I met an Asian and a black family who had made friends while waiting for
hours in the queue for the buses coming to the Union Buildings.
Some said that seeing the body meant they could accept their tata, or father,
had really gone. Thobeka Mohlahlo came with her two young children and so did
not actually see the body, but "just being here helped". A white soldier was
helping her by carrying one of the children towards the bus. Nelson Mandela
would be proud how far his rainbow nation has
come.
His funeral will take place in his home village of Qunu
in Eastern Cape province.
Tens of thousands of South Africans joined scores of world leaders for a
national memorial service on Tuesday, as part of a series of commemorations.
The former president's grandson, Ndaba Mandela, said his grandfather would
have been touched by the way his death had united people all over the world.
"I think he would have been completely humbled by it, to see so many people
just share their love, their appreciation, just the sense of appreciation that
he has given them," he said. Patience of the
crowds
People queued in various parts of the city for the chance to see Mr Mandela's
body.
Thousands managed to gain entry, but the BBC's Peter Biles in Pretoria says
hundreds more were turned away before public viewing ended at 17:30 (15:30
GMT).
Mr Mandela's coffin will be lying in state for two more days, so the
disappointed can try again on Thursday or Friday.
Our correspondent says those queuing have shown enormous patience with the
lengthy process of gaining admission, which involves stringent security
checks.
Earlier, crowds watched as the coffin was taken in procession from a hospital
mortuary to the Union Buildings.
Mr Mandela's widow Graca Machel was among those who
filed past his coffin on Wednesday
South Africans queued for hours to get a glimpse of
their hero
Small crowds had already gathered as the coffin was
driven through Pretoria on the way to the Union Buildings
The mood was celebratory rather than sombre in most
places
The procession left the city's 1 Military Hospital shortly after 07:00 on
Wednesday.
The coffin could be seen inside a black hearse, draped in a South African
flag, in a convoy with military outriders and ambulances.
Andrew Harding: "It's a shock to see that instantly
recognisable face lying very peacefully"
Mr Mandela's remains will make the journey from the military hospital every
morning from Wednesday until Friday, the government
announced.
"The public are encouraged to form a guard of honour by lining the streets,"
it said.
Crowds cheered and sang as the convoy sped past.
"Seeing him passing by was the greatest thing I have ever seen in my life. I
just wanted to see him passing for the last time," said one mourner,
Grace. Zuma booed
Meanwhile the government has been criticised over several mistakes in its
handling of Mr Mandela's memorial service on Tuesday.
There were also difficulties with transport: dozens of trains that had been
reserved to take people to the stadium were delayed due to power failures.
The South African newspaper City Press alleged that the state broadcaster
SABC instructed its production staff to cut away from live footage of President
Jacob Zuma, because he was being booed by sections of the crowd. SABC has denied
the allegation.
Ndaba Mandela told the BBC that his grandfather would
not have been bothered by the booing.
"He is a man of the people and one who respects and understands that the
people must express their opinions no matter whether they are with you or
against you," he said.
But presidential spokesman Lindiwe Zulu said the booing was "humiliating" and
those responsible would be "dealt with".
One of the dignitaries at the memorial event, former Archbishop of Cape Town
Desmond Tutu, had his home broken
into while he was away, an aide has told reporters.
'Great liberator'
After Mr Mandela's body has lain in state for three days, the military will
fly him to the Eastern Cape from Air Force Base Waterkloof in Pretoria.
A military guard of honour will welcome the arrival, and the coffin will then
be placed on a gun carriage and transported to a hearse.
The BBC's Clive Myrie spoke to a group of mourners who said
they wanted to see the late president "for the last time"
Mr Mandela's body will then be taken to his home village of Qunu, where the
Thembu community will conduct a traditional ceremony.
A national day of reconciliation will take place on 16 December when a statue
of Mr Mandela will be unveiled at the Union Buildings.
Big screens have been set up across South Africa to show the planned national
events.
They came in wheelchairs and pushchairs - black, white and everything in
between. Some broke down in tears and needed to be supported; others were just
subdued. There was certainly no singing.
I met an Asian and a black family who had made friends while waiting for
hours in the queue for the buses coming to the Union Buildings.
Some said that seeing the body meant they could accept their tata, or father,
had really gone. Thobeka Mohlahlo came with her two young children and so did
not actually see the body, but "just being here helped". A white soldier was
helping her by carrying one of the children towards the bus. Nelson Mandela
would be proud how far his rainbow nation has
come.
His funeral will take place in his home village of Qunu
in Eastern Cape province.
Tens of thousands of South Africans joined scores of world leaders for a
national memorial service on Tuesday, as part of a series of commemorations.
The former president's grandson, Ndaba Mandela, said his grandfather would
have been touched by the way his death had united people all over the world.
"I think he would have been completely humbled by it, to see so many people
just share their love, their appreciation, just the sense of appreciation that
he has given them," he said. Patience of the
crowds
People queued in various parts of the city for the chance to see Mr Mandela's
body.
Thousands managed to gain entry, but the BBC's Peter Biles in Pretoria says
hundreds more were turned away before public viewing ended at 17:30 (15:30
GMT).
Mr Mandela's coffin will be lying in state for two more days, so the
disappointed can try again on Thursday or Friday.
Our correspondent says those queuing have shown enormous patience with the
lengthy process of gaining admission, which involves stringent security
checks.
Earlier, crowds watched as the coffin was taken in procession from a hospital
mortuary to the Union Buildings.
Mr Mandela's widow Graca Machel was among those who
filed past his coffin on Wednesday
South Africans queued for hours to get a glimpse of
their hero
Small crowds had already gathered as the coffin was
driven through Pretoria on the way to the Union Buildings
The mood was celebratory rather than sombre in most
places
The procession left the city's 1 Military Hospital shortly after 07:00 on
Wednesday.
The coffin could be seen inside a black hearse, draped in a South African
flag, in a convoy with military outriders and ambulances.
Andrew Harding: "It's a shock to see that instantly
recognisable face lying very peacefully"
Mr Mandela's remains will make the journey from the military hospital every
morning from Wednesday until Friday, the government
announced.
"The public are encouraged to form a guard of honour by lining the streets,"
it said.
Crowds cheered and sang as the convoy sped past.
"Seeing him passing by was the greatest thing I have ever seen in my life. I
just wanted to see him passing for the last time," said one mourner,
Grace. Zuma booed
Meanwhile the government has been criticised over several mistakes in its
handling of Mr Mandela's memorial service on Tuesday.
There were also difficulties with transport: dozens of trains that had been
reserved to take people to the stadium were delayed due to power failures.
The South African newspaper City Press alleged that the state broadcaster
SABC instructed its production staff to cut away from live footage of President
Jacob Zuma, because he was being booed by sections of the crowd. SABC has denied
the allegation.
Ndaba Mandela told the BBC that his grandfather would
not have been bothered by the booing.
"He is a man of the people and one who respects and understands that the
people must express their opinions no matter whether they are with you or
against you," he said.
But presidential spokesman Lindiwe Zulu said the booing was "humiliating" and
those responsible would be "dealt with".
One of the dignitaries at the memorial event, former Archbishop of Cape Town
Desmond Tutu, had his home broken
into while he was away, an aide has told reporters.
'Great liberator'
After Mr Mandela's body has lain in state for three days, the military will
fly him to the Eastern Cape from Air Force Base Waterkloof in Pretoria.
A military guard of honour will welcome the arrival, and the coffin will then
be placed on a gun carriage and transported to a hearse.
The BBC's Clive Myrie spoke to a group of mourners who said
they wanted to see the late president "for the last time"
Mr Mandela's body will then be taken to his home village of Qunu, where the
Thembu community will conduct a traditional ceremony.
A national day of reconciliation will take place on 16 December when a statue
of Mr Mandela will be unveiled at the Union Buildings.
Big screens have been set up across South Africa to show the planned national
events.
Some 60 heads of state or government
have announced they will take part in the memorial service or state funeral of
Nelson Mandela, South Africa says.
US President Barack Obama, Francois Hollande of France and UK PM David
Cameron will be among those attending Tuesday's memorial at a Soweto
stadium.
South Africa's first black president died on Thursday and the nation has held
a day of prayer and reflection.
Mourners in their millions visited places of worship and community halls.
At Soweto's Regina Mundi Catholic Church, a centre of the anti-apartheid
struggle, the priest Sebastian Roussouw said the late leader had been "a light
in the darkness".
"Madiba did not doubt the light. He paved the way for a better future, but he
cannot do it alone," he said, referring to Mr Mandela by his clan name.
Bishop Mosa Sono summed up the mood in this extremely religious nation when
he told thousands of worshippers at the Grace Bible Church in Soweto: "Thank God
for Madiba."
An image of Nelson Mandela's face was displayed on the screen, while his
famous "I'm prepared to die" speech was played to the congregation, so numerous
that plastic chairs had been set up outside the main hall to accommodate
them.
"We are celebrating his life, not mourning his passing," said Tebeho Mahlope,
34. "He was old, he needed to rest, he has done what he needed to do," said
Pamela Mpanza, 29.
The nearby Regina Mundi Catholic Church in Soweto, known as "the people's
church", was used by anti-apartheid campaigners as a secure venue to plan their
outlawed activities after Mr Mandela was arrested.
Here too, the priest spoke of the light and hope the "Father of the Nation"
had brought to South Africa and the world.
Mr Mandela's ex-wife, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, was
among the congregation at the Bryanston Methodist church in Johannesburg, where
President Jacob Zuma urged South Africans not to forget the values he had stood
for.
In Cape Town, Archbishop Thabo Makgoba said Mr Mandela was a powerful and
continuing reminder that individuals have the power to make change happen in the
world.
Over the next eight days, a series of events will commemorate the man who
steered their country out of white-minority rule. From
Bono to Ban Ki-moon
International leaders, global figures and celebrities will join 95,000
ordinary South Africans at the memorial service at FNB stadium in Soweto, where
Nelson Mandela made his final major public appearance during the 2010 football
World Cup.
The event is likely to be one of the biggest such gatherings of international
dignitaries in recent years. The government said 59 leaders had so far confirmed
they would be attending: an indication of the special place Mr Mandela held in
people's hearts across the world, officials say.
Among those on the list are UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, German
President Joachim Gauck, EU Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, Dutch King
Willem-Alexander and Crown Prince Felipe of Spain.
President Zuma paid tribute to Nelson Mandela: "He believed in
caring and he cared for our nation"
Three former US presidents, George W Bush, Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter,
will join President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama.
Brazil's President Dilma Rousseff, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and
India's Pranab Mukherjee will also be there. Iran's President Hassan Rouhani has
not yet confirmed whether he will travel.
Leading celebrities in the anti-apartheid movement Peter Gabriel and Bono are
also expected to attend as are former international leaders such as Marti
Ahtisaari who, along with Mr Mandela, were part of a group known as The Elders,
promoting peace and human rights.
Mr Mandela's body will lie in state in Pretoria on the following three days
and he will be given a state funeral on Sunday, 15 December.
A smaller number of international dignitaries including the Prince of Wales
will attend the burial in the Eastern Cape village of Qunu, where the late
president grew up.
While Tuesday's memorial service will clearly be a big organisational
challenge, the state funeral will be a greater logistical one because of its
rural remoteness, BBC correspondent Mike Woodridge reports.
Worshippers crowded into churches, mosques,
synagogues and temples to celebrate Nelson Mandela's life
Nelson Mandela's ex-wife Winnie Madikizela Mandela
attended Mass in Johannesburg
Crowds continued to gather outside Nelson Mandela's
home in Houghton
A stage is being built in the village of Qunu for
next Sunday's funeral
'Guard of
honour'
South Africans have been holding vigils since Mr Mandela died at home at the
age of 95, after several months of ill health.
The focal points for public remembrance have so far been Mr Mandela's house
in the Johannesburg suburb of Houghton and his old home in Soweto.
Mourners and well wishers there have lit candles and laid thousands of
wreaths of flowers.
Mr Mandela's body will lie in state on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at the
heart of the South African government in Pretoria.
His body will be taken each morning from the mortuary to the city hall
through the streets of Pretoria. Members of the public have been encouraged to
line the route and form a "guard of honour".
Karen Allen in Cape Town: "Many of the congregants... have come
together, drawn by what the Dean described as comfort in solidarity"
The family will view the body on Wednesday morning before the public are
allowed to file past from 12:00.
Tuesday, 10 December is the day for South Africa's official memorial service
at the FNB Stadium in Soweto, and will be addressed by President Zuma with
tributes from other heads of state
The memorial service will be shown on big screens at three "overflow"
stadiums - Orlando, Dobsonville and Rand
Between 11-13 December, "selected international visitors and guests" will be
able to view Mr Mandela's remains at the Union Buildings in Pretoria.
The public will be able to view the body from 12:00 to 17:30 on Wednesday
and from 08:00 to 17:30 on Thursday and Friday
His body will be transported on Saturday, 14 December, from Waterkloof Air
Force Base in Pretoria to the Eastern Cape, with a procession from the airport
at Mthatha to his home village of Qunu where a traditional ceremony will be
held.
A national day of reconciliation will take place on 16 December when a
statue of Mr Mandela will be unveiled at the Union Buildings in Pretoria
Some 90 screens will be set up across the country to show all planned
national events
Flags at all official buildings are to remain at half mast throughout the
period and books of condolence are being circulated across the country and
online for people to post tributes, record memories and express their
emotions.
Manchester United have already qualified for the knockout stages of the Champions League and David Moyes is looking to complete the job by winning Group A on Tuesday night.
A point at home to Shakhtar Donetsk would confirm top spot, ensuring the second leg of the Reds’ last-16 tie is played at Old Trafford in March. And Moyes is determined to see that happen as United aim to bounce back from back-to-back home league defeats.
“It’s important we give ourselves every chance of progressing even further in the Champions League by finishing top,” Moyes told reporters before the Newcastle game. “It won’t make it easier but it will give us a little bit of an advantage by having the second game at home.
“We will do everything we can to be top and, as well as that, we’re unbeaten in the group and want to stay unbeaten if we can make that happen.”
When asked if he might rotate his squad for the game against the Ukrainian champions, Moyes added: “We have qualified, so it gives me a chance to have a look at that.”
United excelled in the home and away wins over Bayer Leverkusen and earned draws away to Shakhtar and Real Sociedad, but Moyes can’t explain why the team’s best performances have been reserved for Europe
Wayne Rooney is Manchester United's Player of the Month for November following a landslide victory in our official poll.
It's the second time Rooney has won the monthly accolade this season, and the United no.10 polled 80 per cent of fans' votes across our seven language websites, beating Antonio Valencia (15 per cent) and Patrice Evra (5 per cent) in second and third places.
"It's great to be recognised by the fans," Wayne told ManUtd.com in an exclusive interview. "I'm delighted with that and it's important I keep trying to do well for the team."
Rooney's November displays were all-consuming; of United's 11 goals last month, he scored or had a hand in nine. Strikes at Fulham and Cardiff were balanced against other influential facets of his game - notably five direct assists and, of course, his work-rate.
"I've always worked on that," he says, referring to his creative work. "Thankfully the lads are getting on the end of the deliveries now! It's great when you put a good ball into the box and someone gets on the end of it to score. And we also aim to keep clean sheets. That means the forwards have to come back and help out from set-pieces."
Rooney is in fine form - is this comparable to his best spells? "I'll leave that for other people to say," he adds. "But I'm enjoying my football and doing well, so I'll keep working hard and hopefully continue to be successful on the pitch."
Yaya Toure aliteuliwa mara tano kuwania tuzo hili lakini
akafanikiwa kushinda mwaka huu
Yaya Toure ametangazwa mshindi wa tuzo ya BBC ya mwaka 2013 ya
mchezaji bora zaidi wa soka barani Afrika.
Mchezaji huyo wa Ivory Coast, na ambaye pia ni kiungo wa klabu ya Manchester
City ya Uingereza, na ambaye jina lake limekuwepo kwa miaka minne iliyopita
katika orodha ya wachezaji wanaowania tuzo, aliwashinda Pierre-Emerick
Aubameyang, Victor Moses, John Mikel Obi na Jonathan Pitroipa, katika kuibuka
mshindi
Mchezaji huyo ana umri wa miaka 30.
Orodha fupi ya waliowania tuzo hiyo ilitayarishwa na wataalamu 44 wa soka
kutoka kote barani Afrika, na wakizingatia hasa maarifa ya mchezaji, kiufundi,
ushirikiano na wenzake katika timu, na kwa kucheza mchezo safi na kwa haki.
Kisha, kupitia idadi kubwa kabisa kuandikishwa kwa wapiga kura, mashabiki
waliweza kushiriki katika shughuli hiyo katika mtandao, au kupitia ujumbe wa
simu ya mkononi.
Mashabiki hao wameamua kwamba Toure ndiye bora zaidi, kwani katika kipindi
cha mwaka mmoja uliopita, raia huyo wa Ivory Coast alicheza kwa bidii, kuonyesha
mchezo wa kasi, ubunifu, na vile vile kwa kufunga magoli.
Ingawa mwaka 2013 ulikuwa ni wa ufanisi kwa Toure hasa kwa kupata vikombe,
hakuweza kuisaidia nchi yake, wala klabu, kupata kombe lolote lile, lakini bado
alionyesha kiwango cha hali ya juu katika mchezo.
Baada ya kuvunjika moyo kwa kushindwa kuutetea ubingwa wao wa ligi kuu ya
Premier wa mwaka 2012 akiichezea Manchester City, Toure alirudi uwanjani
akijizatiti, na kuimarisha mikwaju yake ya free-kick.
Alitumbukiza wavuni bao, kwa mpira wa kupinda, katika siku ya kwanza ya msimu
mpya wa ligi kuu ya Premier, wakati timu yake ilipocheza na Newcastle, na
akarudia hayo hayo katika mechi iliyofuata wakati Hull walipowatembelea katika
uwanja wao wa nyumbani.
Toure amefunga magoli manne ya kupanga kwa makini shambulio, na hayo yakiwa
ni kati ya magoli saba kwa jumla aliyoweza kuifungia klabu ya Man City msimu
huu.
Kufikia sasa, mwaka huu wa 2013, Toure ametumbukiza wavuni jumla ya magoli
12; ya klabu na vile vile ya nchi yake, na hiyo ni rekodi nzuri sana kwa
mchezaji wa kiungo cha kati.
Mbali na ustadi huo katika kumalizia, Toure ni kiongozi bora katika timu, na
maarifa yake yameiwezesha City kufikia sasa kuwa katika nafasi ya nne katika
ligi kuu ya England.
Aliisaidia kikamilifu nchi yake ya Ivory Coast kufuzu kwa michuano ya Kombe
la Dunia ya mwaka ujao itakayofanyika nchini Brazil.
Timu yake ya Tembo, The Elephants ilihitaji kuusahau mwanzo mbovu
hapo awali katika kampeni yao ya michuano ya Kombe la Mataifa ya Afrika, na
walipoondolewa katika robo fainali na Nigeria, ambao hatimaye waliibuka
mabingwa, na Toure akiwapa matumaini ya kufanya vyema baadaye.
Nje ya uwanja, Toure ameongoza vita dhidi ya ubaguzi wa rangi katika soka,
hasa baada ya matusi kuelekezwa kwake katika mechi ya ligi ya klabu bingwa dhidi
ya CSKA Moscow, mwezi Oktoba, na akionyesha moyo wa uvumilivu na wa kimichezo
unaostahili uwanjani.
Tukio kama hilo linaweza kumvunja moyo mchezaji asiyejiamini, lakini Toure
ameendelea kuwa mchezaji wa kipekee tangu wakati huo.
Na katika mwaka wa tano baada ya jina lake kupangwa katika orodha ya
wachezaji wanaowania tuzo, hatimaye Toure ametajwa kama mshindi wa tuzo ya
mchezaji bora zaidi wa soka barani Afrika
Gwiji wa rumba Tabu Ley, aaga Dunia
Marehemu Tabu Ley Rochereau wa Congo
Sifa na rambirambi zinaendelea kumiminika kwa familia ya
mwanamuziki,muimbaji na mtungaji mashuhuri wa muziki wa rumba Tabu Ley Rochereau
aliyefariki dunia Jumaamosi akiwa na umri wa miaka 76 katika hospitali moja
nchini Ubelgiji.
Tungo zake zilivigusa vizazi kadhaa katika pembe zote za bara la Afrika na
kwingineko duniani.
Familia yake imesema mwanamuziki huyo atapewa mazishi ya heshima kubwa
kitaifa mjini Kinshasa.
Tabu Ley, ambaye pia alikuwa mwanasiasa hakupata nafuu tangu apate kiharusi
mnamo mwaka 2008 na alizidiwa mwishoni mwa wiki kwa mujibu wa mwanaye
Jean-Claude Muissa.
Pascal Tabu Ley, ambaye pia akijulikana kwa jina la "Rochereau"alizaliwa
Novemba 13, 1937 katika kijiji kidogo cha jimbo la Bandundu nchini Kongo.
Alijipatia umaarufu wa kuwa nyota wa muziki wa mtindo wa rumba katika miaka ya
1960.
Kutokana na nyimbo zake kama "Adios Thethe" na "Mokolo nakokufa" (siku yangu
ya kifo ), Tabu Ley alichangia kuusambaza umaarufu wa mtindo huo na mnamo mwaka
1970 alikuwa mwaafrika wa kwanza kutumbuiza katika ukumbi mashuhuri wa Olympia
mjini Paris Ufaransa.
"alikuwa msaniii nguli atika bara zima la Afrika ," alisema Francois
Bensignor wa kituo cha muziki cha IRMA mjini Paris..
Pia aliwahi kutajwa na jarida la Jeune Afrique " kama mwanakongo mashuhuri
pamoja na aliyekua Rais Mobutu Sese Seko watakaokumbukwa katika historia ya
Congo..
Nyumbani , Tabu Ley hakuwa tu mwanamuziki lakini pia alijitosa katika
siasa.
Aliteuliwa kuwa waziri wa utamaduni wakati wa utawala wa hayati Rais
Laurent-Desire Kabila -- baba wa Rais wa sasa Joseph Kabila, na hatimaye akawa
makamu gavana wa Kinshasa.
Alilazimika kuishi uhamishoni wakati wa enzi ya Mobutu Sese Seko(1965 hadi
1997), na mnamo mwaka 1990, utawala huo wa mabavu ulipiga marufuku albam yake
"Trop, c'est trop" ( Too much is too much
Eric Abidal has revealed that good friend and ex-Barcelona team-mate Dani Alves offered to give him his liver prior to his transplant.
It
is widely known that the pair built up a special friendship during
their time at Camp Nou and the Brazilian has ditched his usual shirt
number to don Abidal’s old number 22 this season, as a mark of loyalty
to his close companion.
But the Frenchman brought to light just
how deep their friendship is when he disclosed the touching gesture made
by Alves during his treatment.
“My relationship with Dani goes much further than him taking my old No.22 shirt,” Abidal told Catalunya Radio.
“When I had to undergo surgery, he offered to donate his liver.
“Of
course, it’s completely out of the question because he is a
professional footballer. Our relationship goes much deeper than
friendship.”
The Monaco captain also brought to light attempts by
Pep Guardiola to take him to Germany and join him at Bayern Munich,
only for the European champions obstructed any move based on medical
grounds.
“Guardiola wanted me to join him at Bayern, I won’t deny that,” confessed the 34-year-old.
“What happened is that it’s not really up to him. It’s a complicated matter and more so because of my health issues.
“Bayern’s
directors and medical staff didn’t want to take that risk which I fully
understand. But I understood the gesture perfectly.”
ACAPULCO, Mexico (AP) — The remnants of Tropical Storm Manuel
continued to deluge Mexico's southwestern Pacific shoulder with
dangerous rains while Hurricane Ingrid headed for a Monday landfall on
the country's opposite coast in an unusual double onslaught that federal
authorities said had caused at least 21 deaths.
The heaviest blow
Sunday fell on the southern coastal state of Guerrero, where Mexico's
government reported 14 confirmed deaths. State officials said people had
been killed in landslides, drownings in a swollen river and a truck
crash on a rain-slickened mountain highway.
Mexico's federal Civil
Protection coordinator, Luis Felipe Puente, told reporters late Sunday
that stormy weather from one or both of the two systems also caused
three deaths in Hidalgo, three in Puebla and one in Oaxaca.
Getting
hit by a tropical storm and a hurricane at the same time "is completely
atypical" for Mexico, Juan Manuel Caballero, coordinator of the
country's National Weather Service, said at a news conference with
Puente.
The U.S. National Hurricane Center said Ingrid, the second
hurricane of the Atlantic storm season, could reach the mainland by
Monday morning, most likely along the lightly populated coast north of
the port of Tampico.
Authorities
in the Gulf states of Tamaulipas and Veracruz evacuated more than 7,000
people from low-lying areas as the hurricane closed in, and the
prospect of severe weather prompted some communities to cancel
Independence Day celebrations planned for Sunday and Monday.
Manuel
came ashore as a tropical storm Sunday afternoon near the Pacific port
of Manzanillo, but quickly began losing strength and was downgraded to a
tropical depression late Sunday, although officials warned its rains
could still cause flash floods and mudslides. The U.S. National
Hurricane Center predicted the system would dissipate Monday.
The
rains caused some rivers to overflow in Guerrero, damaging hundreds of
homes and disrupting communications for several hours.
Late
Sunday, Manuel had maximum sustained winds of about 35 mph (55 kph) and
was moving to the northwest at 8 mph (13 kph) late Sunday. It was about
70 miles (110 kilometers) northwest of Manzanillo.
Manuel was
expected to dump up to 10 to 15 inches of rain over parts of Guerrero
and Michoacan states, with maximums of 25 inches possible in some
isolated areas. Rains of 5 to 10 inches were possible in the states of
Colima, Jalisco and Nayarit. Authorities said the rains presented a
dangerous threat in mountains, where flash floods and mudslides were
possible.
Ingrid
also was expected to bring very heavy rains. It had maximum sustained
winds of 75 mph (120 kph) late Sunday and was centered about 110 miles
(175 kilometers) northeast of the port city of Tampico as it moved
west-northwest at 6 mph (9 kph). A hurricane warning was in effect from
Cabo Rojo to La Pesca.
More than 1,000 homes in Veracruz state had
been affected by the storm to varying degrees, and 20 highways and 12
bridges had damage, the state's civil protection authority said. A
bridge collapsed near the northern Veracruz city of Misantla on Friday,
cutting off the area from the state capital, Xalapa.
A week ago,
13 people died in the state when a landslide buried their homes in heavy
rains spawned by Tropical Depression Fernand.
Kikosi cha Young Africans kilichoanza dhidi ya Mbeya City
Klabu
ya Yanga tayari imewasilisha rufaa yake kwa shirikisho la soka nchini
TFF juu ya kucheza mchezo wake katika hali isiyokuwa na usalama na
kuomba mchezo huo urudiwe katika uwanja wa ugenini kwa timu zote.
Mchezo hu ambao
ulitawaliwa na vurugu kutoka kwa washabiki wa Mbeya City ulichezeshwa na
mwamuzi Andrew Shamba kutoka mkoani Pwani ambaye pia hakutoka maamuzi
sahihi kwa kukataa bao halali la mshambuliaji Didier Kavumbagu dakika ya
70 ya mchezo.
Mashabiki wa Mbeya City
walirusha chupa za bia na mawe kwenye bus la timu ya Yanga na kuvunja
kioo cha bus kubwa upande wa dereva na kumjeruhi mkononi hali
iliyoplekea wachezaji wa Yanga kucheza kwa hofu katika mchezo huo
wakihofia usalama wao.
Afisa habari wa Yanga
Baraka Kizuguto aliwasilisha taarifa hizo kwa kamisaa wa mchezo juu ya
matukio hayo na ushahidi wa kipande cha chupa kilichorushwa na kumjeruhi
dereva baada ya kupasua kioo.
Tukio hilo la
kabla ya mchezo lilipelekea timu ya Yanga kucheza kwa woga na wasiwasi
juu ya usalama wao(under protest) kitu ambacho kikanuni kinairuhusu timu
iliyokutwa na matatizo hayo kuka rufaa kuhusiana na hali ya usalama
iliyojitokeza.
Aidha
klabu ya Yanga pia inaomba kuhakikishwa usalama na shirikisho la soka
nchini (TFF) katka mchezo wa siku ya jumatano dhidi ya timu ya Prisons
vinginevyo inaomba mchezo huo pia uhamishiwe katika uwanja wa ugenini
kutokana na kutokua na uhakika wa usalama.
Katika
mchezo huo wa Ligi Kuu ya Vodacom Tanzania bara ulimalizika kwa sare ya
bao 1-1, mchezo uliofanyika katika dimba la uwanja wa kumbukumbu ya
Sokoine jijini Mbeya.
Ligi
Kuu ya Vodacom Tanzania bara jana iliendelea katika viwanja saba
tofauti huku timu ya Young Africans wakitoka sare ya bao 1-1 dhidi ya
wenyeji Mbeya City katika uwanja wa Sokoine jijini Mbeya
At least 34 people have been killed
in a shooting incident in Cairo, say officials and the Muslim Brotherhood, amid
continuing unrest over the removal of President Mohammed Morsi.
The Brotherhood says its members
were fired on while they were holding a sit-in at a Presidential Guard
barracks.
The army said a "terrorist
group" had tried to storm the barracks.
Mr Morsi, Egypt's first Islamist
president, was ousted by the army on Wednesday after mass protests.
Dozens of people have been killed
since the unrest began last weekend.
Mr Morsi is believed to be held at
the Presidential Guard Club, in the eastern Nasr City district of the capital.
His supporters - many of them
members of the Muslim Brotherhood - have been staging a sit-in there since late
last week demanding his reinstatemen
After Monday morning's violence, the
hardline Salafist Nour party - which had supported Mr Morsi's removal - said it
was withdrawing from talks to choose an interim prime minister, describing
Monday morning's incident as a "massacre".
'Weapons seized'
The Muslim Brotherhood, the movement
Mr Morsi comes from, said the army raided the sit-in at about 04:00 (02:00 GMT)
as many of the protesters were performing dawn prayers.
"The protesters were taken
unawares and the troops used live ammunition, bird shot and tear gas,"
protester Alaa el-Hadidi told the BBC.
Mahmud al-Shilli told the AFP news
agency that troops had used tear gas but that a group of men in civilian
clothing had then opened fire.
"The thugs came from the side.
We were the target," he told AFP.
But in a statement read on state
media, the army blamed the shooting on "an armed terrorist group"
which had tried to storm the barracks.
It said an army officer was among
those killed and that a number of others were wounded, some critically.
The statement said some 200 people
had been arrested and were found to have large amounts of weapons, ammunition
and petrol bombs.
Cable television channels in Egypt
broadcast images of dead and injured people being taken to the Rabaa al-Adawiya
mosque, where Brotherhood supporters have been based.
The BBC's Jim Muir in Cairo says
that despite the conflicting reports, it is clear that blood has been shed,
which will aggravate an already critical situation.
The withdrawal of the Nour party
will also set back efforts to appoint a new prime minister, our correspondent
adds.
Party spokesman Nadder Bakkar said
Nour had "decided to withdraw immediately from all negotiations in
response to the massacre".
Though the Islamist party had backed
the army-led "roadmap" to new elections, it had been wary of the
Muslim Brotherhood becoming isolated.
It had blocked the appointment of
two potential prime ministers it thought would not include the movement in the
political process.
Mr Morsi was replaced on Thursday by
Adly Mansour - the head of the Supreme Constitutional Court. He has pledged to
hold elections soon, but has as yet given no date for them.
The army has insisted it does not
want to remain in power.
On Sunday, tens of thousands of both
supporters and opponents of Mr Morsi rallied in many Egyptian cities.
David Moyes has appointed Philip Neville as a coach with immediate effect.
Philip,
36, retired from playing football after leaving Everton at the end of
last season. He played for Manchester United from 1995 to 2005 and is
currently taking his coaching badges.
Announcing the appointment, manager David Moyes said:
"I
have known and worked with Philip for eight years and, in that time, I
have come to know his dedication, ability to lead and appetite for hard
work. In addition, of course, he understands the club very well and I
think his addition to the coaching staff will be a valuable one."
Philip Neville said:
"When
I retired from football, I knew that I wanted to continue in the game;
it’s something that I have been preparing for over the last few years.
So when David called to give me this opportunity, I couldn’t resist. I
gave my all when I played for Everton but it is no secret that this club
is in my heart. I’ve really enjoyed working with David and his staff
as a player and I think that, together with Ryan, we can make a real
contribution to Manchester United."
New Manchester United manager David Moyes' first test in the Barclays
Premier League will be to take the Reds to Wales to face Swansea City on the
opening day of the 2013/14 season.
It's the first time the sides have met on the maiden day of a league campaign
and the match is currently scheduled to kick-off on Saturday 17 August (all
fixtures are subject to change; the first round of TV selections will be made in
mid-July).
The Premier League's 2013/14 fixtures were announced at 09:00 BST on
Wednesday and, as always, make for interesting reading. Following what's been,
in recent seasons, a tricky trip to the Liberty Stadium, the defending
champions' schedule doesn't get any easier.
Moyes' men then host Chelsea at Old Trafford (Saturday 24
August) before travelling away to Liverpool (Saturday 31
August), welcoming Crystal Palace to Manchester (Saturday 14
September) and then visiting Manchester City (Saturday 21
September).
The new Reds manager welcomes his former club, Everton, to
Old Trafford on Tuesday 3 December, while his return to Goodison Park
is
Key opponentsChelsea – H 24 Aug / A 18 Jan Liverpool
– A 31 Aug / H 15 Mar City – A 21 Sep / H 1 Mar Arsenal – H 9 Nov / A 11
Feb First five fixtures17 Aug Swansea City A 24 Aug
Chelsea H 31 Aug Liverpool A 14 Sep Crystal Palace H 21 Sep Manchester
City A Final five fixtures12 April Hull City H 19 April
Everton A 26 April Norwich City H 3 May Sunderland H 11 May Southampton
A All fixtures subject to change Fixtures:2013/14
fixtures in full Poll:Which is our toughest
month? Reaction:Post
your thoughts
Kikosi cha Young Africans kilichoanza dhidi ya Mbeya City
