NFL players – including those on Kaepernick’s former team San Francisco 49ers – continued to kneel in protest this weekend
The NFL will try to find a compromise over the issue of players protesting during the national anthem when team owners meet this week.
Colin Kaepernick first sat down during the US national anthem in August 2016, before opting to kneel instead, in protests against racial injustice.
Other players followed suit, and the protests spread after criticism from President Donald Trump last month.
An NFL spokesman said he anticipated “a very productive presentation”.
The meeting will take place in New York on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Last week, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell wrote a letter to teams in which he said disputes over the protests threatened “to erode the game’s unifying power”.
He added: “Like many of our fans, we believe that everyone should stand for the national anthem. It is an important moment in our game.
“We want to honour our flag and our country, and our fans expect that of us.
“We also care deeply about our players and respect their opinions and concerns about critical social issues.”
Kaepernick, 29, has been without a team since he opted out of his contract with the San Francisco 49ers in March.
Image copyrightGetty ImagesImage caption Mr Marino has not responded to requests for comment on the report
US President Donald Trump’s nominee for drug czar is accused of helping relax enforcement on pharmaceutical firms blamed for fuelling the opioid crisis.
Pennsylvania congressman Tom Marino pushed a bill that reportedly stripped a government agency of the ability to freeze suspicious painkiller shipments.
His co-sponsor on the act was Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee. Both their states have been ravaged by opioids.
Experts estimate the drugs could kill 500,000 Americans in the next decade.
Deadly addiction to opioids – a class of drug covering everything from legal painkillers to heroin – has been described as America’s biggest public health crisis since the spread of HIV/AIDS in the 1980s.
Image copyrightGetty ImagesImage caption Marsha Blackburn (L) and Tom Marino co-authored “industry-friendly” legislation, according to the investigation
During a press conference at the White House, Mr Trump told reporters he took the journalistic investigation “very seriously”.
“We’re gonna be looking into Tom [Marino],” he told reporters from the Rose Garden.
“He’s a great guy. I did see the report. We’re gonna look into the report.”
Mr Trump also said he would formally declare a national opioid emergency next week, as he pledged to do more than two months ago.
Mr Marino and Ms Blackburn, both Republicans, helped force out an official at the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) who was taking on the drug firms, report the Post and 60 Minutes.
According to the investigation, they also introduced and lobbied for an “industry-friendly” bill called the Ensuring Patient Access and Effective Drug Enforcement Act.
A DEA whistleblower said the legislation made it harder for the agency to prevent distributors from shipping pills to rogue pharmacies and corrupt doctors around the US.
The so-called suspension orders – which the DEA slaps on suspicious shipments – have not been issued for at least two years, according to the report.
A murky mess
Analysis by Anthony Zurcher, BBC North America reporter
Money makes the (Washington) world go around, and in 2016 a lot of money was behind a push by drug companies to weaken the DEA’s ability to limit the illegal distribution of painkillers in the US.
Despite objections of those on the frontlines of the drug-abuse epidemic, big money carried the day. It often does – particularly when it works in the shadows, behind banners like “deregulation” or “business-friendly” law-making.
The drug legislation was passed by Congress without controversy and signed by then-President Barack Obama with hardly a shrug.
Now, however, the implications of the policy shift are coming into view, causing growing embarrassment for the involved politicians and yet another headache for a Trump administration that has been challenged to turn presidential rhetoric on the opioid crises into action.
History is full of seemingly uncontroversial laws that take on greater significance after the fact. The bipartisan financial reforms of 1999 set the stage for the Great Recession of 2008. Thrift industry deregulation in the early 1980s led to the savings and loan crash later that decade.
Washington policymaking is often a murky mess. When the light comes on, however, political blame – and pain – can arrive with devastating speed.
Ms Blackburn reportedly received $120,000 (£90,000) in campaign contributions from pharmaceutical companies.
After initially providing no comment, her spokesperson gave a statement to USA Today on Monday.
It said if there “are any unintended consequences from this bipartisan legislation… they should be addressed immediately”.
Mr Marino has not responded to requests for comment.
Image copyrightGetty ImagesImage caption President Trump said he would formally declare a national opioid emergency next week
His staff called the US Capitol Police when reporters tried to interview him at his office last month about the investigation, reported the Post and 60 Minutes.
Senator Joe Manchin, a West Virginia Democrat, said on Monday he was “horrified” by the findings and called for last month’s nomination of Mr Marino as drug czar to be rescinded.
He added: “We need someone who believes we must protect our people, not the pharmaceutical industry.”
Senator Claire McCaskill, a Democrat of Missouri, said she would introduce legislation to repeal Mr Marino and Ms Blackburn’s bill.
Jim Geldhof, who retired from the DEA this year after more than four decades, told CBS the original legislation “was about money, and it’s as simple as that”.
Ms Blackburn is now facing the political fallout as she runs for a Senate seat in her home state.
One of her Democratic rivals, James Mackler, said in a statement: “That Congresswoman Blackburn would champion legislation like this while Tennesseans face an opioid epidemic is all one needs to know about her priorities.”
The DEA, which does not dispute the report’s findings, said it would continue to “use all the tools at our disposal to combat this epidemic”.
Image copyrightGetty ImagesImage caption Bergdahl arrives at the courthouse on Monday
Bowe Bergdahl, the US soldier held as a Taliban captive in Afghanistan for five years, has pleaded guilty to desertion and misbehaviour before the enemy.
The 31-year-old Army sergeant entered his plea on Monday before a military judge at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
The Idaho native’s lawyers have argued he cannot get a fair trial following criticism from Donald Trump during last year’s presidential campaign.
Mr Trump had called him “a no-good traitor who should have been executed”.
When asked during a news conference on Monday whether his comments had any impact on Sgt Bergdahl’s case, the president said he could not comment, but “I think people have heard my comments in the past”.
“We may as well go back to kangaroo courts and lynch mobs,” Sgt Bergdahl said in a 2016 interview that was obtained by the BBC and broadcast on Monday.
In the remarks to British filmmaker Sean Langan, who was himself held captive by the same Taliban group in 2008, Sgt Bergdahl denied he had left his post in order to meet Taliban militants.
Image copyrightUnknownImage caption An undated, unverified photo of Sgt Bowe Bergdahl with what appears to be Badruddin Haqqani was released by the Taliban after his return to the US
“You know, it’s just insulting frankly,” he said. “It’s very insulting, the idea that they would think I did that.”
Sgt Bergdahl, who remains on active duty desk work in San Antonio, Texas, was first charged in 2015, a year after his release.
During Monday’s hearing, he told the court: “I was captured by the enemy against my will.”
“At the time I had no intention of causing search and recovery operations… It’s very inexcusable,” he added.
He is scheduled to face a pre-sentencing hearing starting on 23 October.
The maximum penalty for misbehaviour before the enemy is life in prison, and the maximum sentence for desertion is five years.
Army General Kenneth Dahl, who led the investigation into Sgt Bergdahl’s disappearance, has testified that a jail sentence would be “inappropriate”.
In a podcast interview last year, Sgt Bergdahl said he walked off his combat post to prove to senior officers his commanders were “unfit” for service.
Media captionA video shows Sgt Bowe Bergdahl being handed over to US forces
Upon his return to the US, an Army Sanity Board evaluation determined that he had schizotypal personality disorder “at the time of the alleged criminal conduct” and now suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder.
The decision to exchange five Taliban captives from Guantanamo Bay in order to secure Sgt Bergdahl’s release was heavily criticised by Republican lawmakers as contrary to US policy of not negotiating with terrorists.
Several former platoon mates have alleged US soldiers were killed or wounded during the frantic 45-day search for the 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment trooper.
The judge has allowed wounded servicemen to testify that they were hurt because of the search for Sgt Bergdahl.
Much of Sgt Bergdahl’s captivity was spent in a “cage”, he said, and he was extensively tortured by his captors, a military expert has previously testified.
During Mr Trump’s presidential campaign, he called Sgt Bergdahl “garbage” and suggested he should be summarily executed.
“You know in the old days – bing, bong,” Mr Trump said at a campaign rally as he imitated firing a gun. “When we were strong.”
Note: This story is auto-generated from BBC syndicated feed and has not been edited by AFRICA PRIME NEWS
Police said the boy was now in a stable condition and they were still investigating the incident.
The boy was visiting Niagara Falls on the Canadian side with his family when they stopped to take a picture at the Horseshoe Falls, the largest of three waterfalls that make up Niagara Falls.
About a dozen people have gone over the falls since 1901, usually intentionally, inside a barrel or some other kind of protective device.
In 2017, Kirk Jones died after going over the falls in an inflatable ball after surviving a similar stunt in 2003.
In 2011, a Japanese exchange student died when she slipped and fell into the falls after climbing a pillar to get a better view.
Note: This story is auto-generated from BBC syndicated feed and has not been edited by AFRICA PRIME NEWS
Gombe (Nigeria) — A Non-Governmental Organisation, Save the Children International field Manager Gombe State, Altine Lewi has said that the NGO is an entity to reckon with, especially on MNH even after withdrawal of donors and development partners.
Altine Lewi stated this while speaking at a meeting of the MNCH coalition in Gombe, north east of the country to review successes and challenges of nutrition advocacy as well as to strategize for sustainability
She confidently told the meeting that with the coalition now solidly on ground, sustainability of nutrition advocacy is guaranteed
According to the Field Manager, the successes achieved in nutrition advocacy and other MNCH in the state, followed the effective collaboration between Save the Children and the Maternal and Newborn Child Health coalition.
Altine Lewi noted that the creation of the MNCH Coalition is one of the greatest initiatives of save the children that brought about a successful nutrition advocacy in the state.
Also Speaking, the Advocacy Officer of the Organisation, Malam zaradeen Sabi’u stated that the collaboration was worthwhile, pointing out that advocacies on nutrition, immunisation and reproductive health have been successful , considering the level of awareness among the people and commitment by the government.
In a remark, the Chairman of the MNCH Alassan Yahya appreciated the support of save the children, which he said, made it possible for the coalition to be rooted as a reputable umbrella of civil society organisations concerned about the health of others and their children.
Francis Uzoho is following in the footsteps of Peter Rufai and Jacques Songo’o at Deportive
Former Nigeria U-17 goalkeeper Francis Uzoho hailed a “dream” Deportivo La Coruna debut after keeping a clean sheet in Sunday’s 0-0 draw at Eibar.
The 18-year-old produced four important saves to help Deportivo claim a point.
“A day that will never disappear from my memory – my debut – thanks all for the support,” he said on Twitter.
Regular first choice Ruben had suffered a finger injury and manager Pepe Mel opted for the Nigerian ahead of the experienced Costel Pantilimon.
Uzoho, who arrived at the club from Qatar’s Aspire Academy in January, follows in the footsteps of Wilfred Agbonavbare and Peter Rufai as Nigerian goalkeepers to have played in the Spanish top flight.
At 18 years 11 months and 17 days, he becomes the second youngest player in La Liga this season, behind Real Madrid’s Moroccan defender Achraf Hakimi – who made his debut at 18 years 10 months 27 days earlier this month.
Deportivo manager Mel was impressed with the young Nigerian after his debut and clean sheet.
“A coach has to act according to the things he sees in training,” Mel said.
“He is only 18 and he can barely speak Spanish but I know what he can offer this club.”
Uzoho will be hoping he has done enough to make a second appearance when Deportivo host Girona on 23 October.
The goalkeeper was part of the victorious Nigeria squad at the 2013 Fifa U-17 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates, albeit without playing a single minute at the tournament.
Deportivo have a long history of giving African goalkeepers opportunities.
Rufai, who won the Nations Cup with Nigeria in 1994 and appeared at two World Cups, played for the club between 1997 and 1999.
Yet the most successful African spell in goal came via former Cameroon international Jacques Songo’o.
In the first of two spells with the club, he won the Ricardo Zamora trophy – awarded to the Spanish top flight’s best goalkeeper – in 1997 before helping to claim the club’s only La Liga title in 2000.
In May 2004, during Songo’o’s second spell with Deportivo, a late substitute appearance established the Cameroonian as the then second oldest player – at 40 – to feature in a Spanish first division game.
Note: This story is auto-generated from ‘BBC News’ syndicated feed and has not been edited by Africa Prime News staff.
US Open squash champions Ali Farag and Nour El Tayeb are the first husband and wife in sporting history to win the same major singles title on the same day.
El Tayeb, 24, beat Raneem El Welily 3-2 in the women’s final on Saturday.
A few hours later, Farag, 25, beat Mohamed El Shorbagy 3-0 in the men’s final.
They were the first major World Series titles for the Egyptian couple, who got married last year.
The Professional Squash Association World Tour tweeted to confirm the couple’s achievement
“When I finished my match, I just wanted to watch him and I was so nervous,” said El Tayeb.
“It’s a dream – I see him every day working hard so it feels really special that both of our first World Series titles happen to be together.”
Farag added: “We couldn’t have asked for a better week and I hope it’s the first of many to come together.”
Successful sporting couples
British badminton players Gabby and Chris Adock have won several medals together
While this is the first time a married couple have won the same singles titles on the same day, there have been instances of other sporting couples winning titles together.
British badminton players Gabby and Chris Adcock won mixed doubles gold together at the 2014 Commonwealth Games and at the 2017 European Badminton Championships.
At Rio last year, hockey players Helen and Kate Richardson-Walsh became the first married couple to win Olympic gold together for Britain since sailors Cyril and Dorothy Wright in 1920.
Meanwhile, Jason and Laura Kenny, two of Britain’s most successful Olympians, won gold on the same day (16 August 2016) in Rio when Laura won the omnium and Jason won the keirin final. They married the following month.
Note: This story is auto-generated from ‘BBC News’ syndicated feed and has not been edited by Africa Prime News staff.
But President Mohamed Abdullahi “Farmajo” Mohamed blamed al-Shabab, calling it a “heinous act”.
Al-Shabab, which is allied to al-Qaeda, and which often attacks Mogadishu, normally claims them fairly quickly afterwards.
On Sunday, some Somalis took to the streets of Mogadishu to condemn the group.
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Media captionSomalis reacted to a devastating bomb attack on Saturday by marching and donating blood.
The explosion was at a busy junction, destroying hotels, government offices and restaurants.
Some 111 of the dead have been identified and buried by their families.
However, 165 bodies who cannot be identified will be buried in a national mass funeral, according to Somalia government News Agency, Sonna.
Maryam Abdullahi had been due to graduate as a doctor the following day.
Image copyrightAnfa’a Abdullahi
Ms Abdullah’s sister Anfa’a told the BBC Somali Service that she was devastated.
“The family is so shocked, especially our father who travelled all the way from London to attend her graduation, but instead he attended her burial.”
Anfa’a said she had spoken to her sister 20 minutes before the blast.
“At that time she was in Banadir Hospital where she was working. She told me she was waiting for some files from the hospital and she promised to call back”.
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Media captionThe aftermath of the explosion in Mogadishu
A BBC Somali reporter at the scene of the main blast said the Safari hotel collapsed with people trapped under the rubble.
An eyewitness, local resident Muhidin Ali, told AFP it was “the biggest blast I have ever witnessed, it destroyed the whole area”.
Meanwhile, the director of the Madina Hospital, Mohamed Yusuf Hassan, said he was shocked by the scale of the attack.
“What happened yesterday was incredible, I have never seen such a thing before, and countless people lost their lives. Corpses were burned beyond recognition.”
Note: This story is auto-generated from ‘BBC News’ syndicated feed and has not been edited by Africa Prime News staff.
