ICELAND TO BOYCOTT 2018 WORLD CUP

Iceland announced Monday it will stage a diplomatic boycott of the football World Cup in Russia over the poisoning of a former double agent in Britain.

“Among the measures taken by Iceland is the temporary postponement of all high-level bilateral dialogue with the Russian authorities,” the foreign ministry said in a statement said.

“Consequently, Icelandic leaders will not attend the FIFA World Cup in Russia this summer,” it said.

The Reykjavik government also exhorted Moscow to provide “clear answers” over the poisoning of Sergei Skripal and his daughter in southwestern England on March 4.

“The Salisbury attack constitutes a grave violation of international law and threatens security and peace in Europe,” the statement said.

Britain announced in mid-March that British royals and ministers would stay away from the FIFA tournament set for June 14-July 15.

Iceland’s decision came as 16 European Union countries on Monday gave a large number of Russian envoys notice to leave their territory.

Iceland, a member of NATO but not of the EU, imposed sanctions against Russia along with the EU over the annexation of Crimea.

This year’s World Cup will see Iceland compete for the first time at the highest level.

CHELSEA FC SACK STEWARD OVER RUDE STATEMENT

A steward was sacked by Chelsea for calling former Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas a "snake".

Video of the Stamford Bridge incident, which took place earlier this season, emerged online on Friday and Chelsea confirmed action had been taken against the steward.

"You're a snake, you're Arsenal," the steward says to the Spain midfielder in the video, which has been widely shared on social network sites.

Fabregas returns to his former club with Chelsea in the Barclays Premier League on Sunday.

ARSENE WENGER:IT IS A WAR MATCH AGAINST CHELSEA

Arsene Wenger insists Arsenal's meeting with Chelsea on Sunday remains a big game despite the travails of the Blues this season.

Reigning Barclays Premier League champions Chelsea travel across London to the Emirates Stadium a massive 19 points behind the Gunners, who sit top of the table on goal difference.

A 2-0 victory over Arsenal in September is one of just six league wins all season for last years' title winners, with Guus Hiddink now at the helm following Jose Mourinho's sacking.

Wenger's side have already proven they now have the steel to beat their main rivals - with victories over Manchester United, Manchester City and Leicester already secured.

And the Frenchman believes the visit of Chelsea is another chance for his players to show Arsenal can win their first title in 12 years.
"It's another game where people look at us and see how we behave," he said.
"Even if Chelsea are not in the best position, look at their squad. It's a big game because of the quality of the players on the pitch.
"It has a big importance to us as well. We play at the Emirates and know how important it will be to win this game.
Culled from talksport.

FOUR THINGS TO PRAY FOR YOUR KIDS

Sometimes we are looking for what to pray for our kids (or for some of you grandkids). Whether I have a long time to pray for my daughter or can just launch a short prayer to heaven this structure has helped me so much. I picked this up from one of my mentors, Dick Eastman the head of Every Home for Christ. I have used it often over the years whether I am praying for Samantha as she is going to bed or in my own time with God. This idea comes from the verse: “Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people.” (Luke 2:52 NLT) From this we can easily see the four areas to pray for them.

1.  Pray for their minds.

In this area you pray that they would grow in wisdom. It may lead you to pray for their school or the specific thing that they are learning at the moment. You can also pray for the wisdom that you need to teach them as you get opportunity.

2. Pray for them physically.

Jesus grew in stature. If they are younger, you can pray for their development. Even if they are older you can pray for their protection and for health to be maintained. If they are sick this is a time to pray for their healing. You can pray for the provision they may need.

3. Pray for their relationship with God.

I pray that my daughter would learn God’s voice at an early age. I pray for her friendship with Jesus. I pray that she would be a blessing spiritually. Pray that your children and grandchildren have a deep love for God’s word.

4. Pray for their relationship with others.

This is where I pray for my daughters friends. I am praying for the kids in her class at school and church. I pray for her teachers she has and will have. Pray that they will have good relationship with the people they meet and will grow in this area.

This is just a system; there is nothing magical about it, but it gives me a framework that is helpful to my prayer life. Along with praying for the current situation in each of these area you can also pray each of them into the future

PRESIDENT BUHARI BLAST DONALD TRUMP

President Muhammadu Buhari has finally given in to pressure from different quarters by replying the statements made recently by American Presidential Hopeful, Donald Trump concerning Nigerians.

 Speaking to journalists in the United Arab Emirates, President Buhari had a simple reply to Donald Trump.
 “He says he will pursue all my people out of America. No problem. I wish him well at the forthcoming elections. But if he thinks he can threaten my people, then I don’t think he understands who I am and what I am capable of”. President Buhari told newsmen.
“He should go and ask the family of Umaru Dikko. he should ask the Mossad about me. If he threatens my people, how does he think the Americans in Nigeria will be safe?”
The President went on to issue a warning to all Americans resident in Nigeria, both on temporary and permanent basis.
“I hope all of you are praying this man loses. because if he wins, all of you, from embassy to the streets, will be sent home. And don’t discount the probability that your plane might not land exactly in America. That is all I can say for now”.
Donald Trump could not be reached for comments as at press time. However, Hilary Clinton and Bernie Sanders, both Democratic Hopefuls, and Dr. Ben Carson and Ted Cruz of the GOP, have reached out to President Buhari, reassuring him that if they win, none of Mr. Trump’s threats will come to fruition.

CELINE DION LOSES HUSBAND

René Angélil, the husband of singer Céline Dion, died Thursday.
"René Angélil, 73, passed away this morning at his home in Las Vegas after a long and courageous battle against cancer," according to a post on Céline Dion's website.

"The family requests that their privacy be respected at the moment; more details will be provided at a later time," the post read.
Angélil, Dion's longtime collaborator, stepped aside as his wife's manager in June 2014 because of his battle with throat cancer. That August, Dion put her career on a temporary hold to help him fight the disease.
Angélil is survived by his wife and the couple's three children, René-Charles, 14, and 5-year-old twins Nelson and Eddy -- and his adult children from a previous relationship, Anne-Marie, Jean-Pierre and Patrick.

FIFA BANS REAL MADRID AND ATHLETICO MADRID

World Football Federation FIFA took to their official Twitter account to announce the banning of Spanish giants Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid from signing new players till the summer of 2017.

Both teams have been banned for breaches “relating to the international transfer and registration of players under the age of 18. Fellow Spanish side Barcelona was given similar ban for the same offence in 2014. They managed to sign two players (Arda Turan and Aleix Vidal)l during that period, but couldn’t feature them till January this year.
Real Madrid new manager Zinedine Zidane will have a tough task in his hands as he won’t be able to strengthen his squad in the summer transfer window. Real, who has been linked with Spurs Harry Kane and Chelsea’s Eden Hazard will find it harder to convince the player to join the team, as they won’t be featured till summer of 2017.
Real were hit with a £622,000 fine while Atletico must pay £248,000 but both clubs are still eligible to bring in players in the current window.