Facebook wants to be your mobile newsstand.

The social network is rolling out the Instant Articles feature in its mobile app to more users, allowing them to scan headlines, dive into articles and watch news videos on their phones, the company said Tuesday.
Introduced in a limited fashion five months ago, the feature is designed especially for Facebook's mobile readers and, the Menlo Park, California-based company says, loads stories 10 times faster than a standard website does. It also uses Facebook's advertising software, promising faster loading and better-looking layouts.
"The most important thing we pay attention to is providing daily value," Chris Cox, who manages the Instant Articles team, said at The Wall Street Journal's WSJDLive conference in Southern California. "Daily use is something we care about."
Instant Articles is another example of Facebook's increasing reach in our lives.

  The service has already displaced photo albums, family blogs and instant messenger services. Now it's ready to replace the paperboy by delivering the equivalent of a custom newspaper to you wherever you are.
Facebook said it plans to publish 1,000 articles per day through partnerships with magazines, websites and daily newspapers.
The partners include National Geographic, Time and USA Today. CNET is also participating.
The Instant Articles feature now works with all Apple iPhone models, Facebook said. The company is also running a public test of the feature on phones that use Google's Android operating system.
Instant Articles stories are published in the News Feed on Facebook's app for smartphones. When users tap on them, the stories fill the screen almost instantaneously. The feature doesn't require users to surf to outside news sites, such as The New York Times. Facebook says this makes the service more compelling.
Facebook says Instant Articles is part of a years-long effort to revamp its services to more easily work with mobile devices and do so in more situations. With 1.31 billion people using its app at least once per month, Facebook has to ensure that it works around the world, over poor wireless connections and on lower-end phones. To do this, Facebook said, it's reworked its apps to draw less data and work quicker.
The more people use Facebook's app, the more ads the company can show, which ultimately means more money for the company. Facebook is the second-largest Internet destination for advertising dollars, pulling in more than 18 percent of the ad dollars spent online last year, according to industry research firm eMarketer. By 2017, that number is expected to climb to more than 20 percent.
Google is still the industry's largest player, representing nearly 37 percent of advertising revenue last year.
Cox didn't say how many Instant Articles are being read or shared by users, and a Facebook spokeswoman didn't respond to a request for additional comment.

Facebook said it plans to publish 1,000 articles per day through partnerships with magazines, websites and daily newspapers.
The partners include National Geographic, Time and USA Today. CNET is also participating.
The Instant Articles feature now works with all Apple iPhone models, Facebook said. The company is also running a public test of the feature on phones that use Google's Android operating system.
Instant Articles stories are published in the News Feed on Facebook's app for smartphones. When users tap on them, the stories fill the screen almost instantaneously. The feature doesn't require users to surf to outside news sites, such as The New York Times. Facebook says this makes the service more compelling.
Facebook says Instant Articles is part of a years-long effort to revamp its services to more easily work with mobile devices and do so in more situations. With 1.31 billion people using its app at least once per month, Facebook has to ensure that it works around the world, over poor wireless connections and on lower-end phones. To do this, Facebook said, it's reworked its apps to draw less data and work quicker.
The more people use Facebook's app, the more ads the company can show, which ultimately means more money for the company. Facebook is the second-largest Internet destination for advertising dollars, pulling in more than 18 percent of the ad dollars spent online last year, according to industry research firm eMarketer. By 2017, that number is expected to climb to more than 20 percent.
Google is still the industry's largest player, representing nearly 37 percent of advertising revenue last year.
Cox didn't say how many Instant Articles are being read or shared by users, and a Facebook spokeswoman didn't respond to a request for additional comment.Facebook said it plans to publish 1,000 articles per day through partnerships with magazines, websites and daily newspapers.The partners include National Geographic, Time and USA Today. CNET is also participating.The Instant Articles feature now works with all Apple iPhone models, Facebook said. The company is also running a public test of the feature on phones that use Google's Android operating system.Instant Articles stories are published in the News Feed on Facebook's app for smartphones. When users tap on them, the stories fill the screen almost instantaneously. The feature doesn't require users to surf to outside news sites, such as The New York Times. Facebook says this makes the service more compelling.Facebook says Instant Articles is part of a years-long effort to revamp its services to more easily work with mobile devices and do so in more situations. With 1.31 billion people using its app at least once per month, Facebook has to ensure that it works around the world, over poor wireless connections and on lower-end phones. To do this, Facebook said, it's reworked its apps to draw less data and work quicker.The more people use Facebook's app, the more ads the company can show, which ultimately means more money for the company. Facebook is the second-largest Internet destination for advertising dollars, pulling in more than 18 percent of the ad dollars spent online last year, according to industry research firm eMarketer. By 2017, that number is expected to climb to more than 20 percent.Google is still the industry's largest player, representing nearly 37 percent of advertising revenue last year.Cox didn't say how many Instant Articles are being read or shared by users, and a Facebook spokeswoman didn't respond to a request for additional comment.

Arsenal revived their Champions League hopes in thrilling fashion with a crucial victory over Bayern Munich at Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal revived their Champions League hopes in thrilling fashion with a crucial victory over Bayern Munich at Emirates Stadium. 

 

 

The Gunners' hopes of reaching the knockout phase were in serious jeopardy after they lost their opening two games away to Dinamo Zagreb and at home to Olympiakos.
Arsene Wenger's side responded by beating Pep Guardiola's Bayern - clear favourites to win Group F - and make a nonsense of those dismal earlier performances.
Bayern dominated possession but Arsenal dug out the win that keeps their hopes alive when substitute Olivier Giroud bundled home from close range in the 77th minute after goalkeeper Manuel Neuer made a rare error as he missed Santi Cazorla's free-kick.
The win was secured in the dying seconds when Mesut Ozil turned in Hector Bellerin's cross, Neuer clawing the ball out only for the officials to adjudge it had crossed the line.
Arsenal were indebted to keeper Petr Cech, restored after replacement David Ospina's mistake in the defeat by Olympiakos, saving superbly from Thiago Alcantara and Arturo Vidal.
Neuer also excelled before his mistake, particularly with a sensationalsave from Theo Walcott's first-half header.

Ballon d'Or: Ronaldo & Messi joined by Aguero & Toure on list

 

Manchester City trio Sergio Aguero, Kevin De Bruyne and Yaya Toure are among five Premier League players on the 23-man Ballon d'Or shortlist.

Chelsea's Eden Hazard and Arsenal's Alexis Sanchez are also in the frame to be named world football's best player.

Ballon d'Or holder Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid and Barcelona's Lionel Messi, who have won the past seven awards between them, lead the nominees.

Wales and Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale is the only British player named.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho and Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger are on the 10-man Coach of the Year shortlist.

They will contend with Barcelona manager Luis Enrique, who guided his side to the treble of Champions League, Spanish league and Spanish cup titles, and Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola.

There are few surprise names on the players' list, with QPR midfielder Massimo Luongo and Bournemouth winger Christian Atsu, who both reportedly made the 59-man longlist, overlooked.

Midfielders and forwards vastly outnumber goalkeepers and defenders, with Bayern Munich keeper Manuel Neuer and Barcelona centre-back Javier Mascherano the only players shortlisted from their respective positions.

Spain's La Liga leads the way, with 11 players nominated, while Germany's Bundesliga has six nominees. There are two from Italy's Serie A and one - Paris St-Germain's Zlatan Ibrahimovic - from France's Ligue 1. Players who have transferred during the past year are recognised for their contribution to both clubs.

Fifa Ballon d'Or shortlist: Sergio Aguero (Argentina/Manchester City), Gareth Bale (Wales/Real Madrid), Karim Benzema (France/Real Madrid), Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal/Real Madrid), Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium/VfL Wolfsburg/Manchester City), Eden Hazard (Belgium/Chelsea), Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Sweden/Paris Saint-Germain), Andres Iniesta (Spain/FC Barcelona), Toni Kroos (Germany/Real Madrid), Robert Lewandowski (Poland/FC Bayern Munich), Javier Mascherano (Argentina/FC Barcelona), Lionel Messi (Argentina/FC Barcelona), Thomas Muller (Germany/FC Bayern Munich), Manuel Neuer (Germany/FC Bayern Munich), Neymar (Brazil/FC Barcelona), Paul Pogba (France/Juventus), Ivan Rakitic (Croatia/FC Barcelona), Arjen Robben (Netherlands/FC Bayern Munich), James Rodriguez (Colombia/Real Madrid), Alexis Sanchez (Chile/Arsenal), Luis Suarez (Uruguay/FC Barcelona), Yaya Toure (Côte d'Ivoire/Manchester City), Arturo Vidal (Chile/Juventus/FC Bayern Munich).

Fifa World Coach of the Year for Men's Football shortlist: Massimiliano Allegri (Italy/Juventus), Carlo Ancelotti (Italy/Real Madrid), Laurent Blanc (France/Paris Saint-Germain), Unai Emery (Spain/Sevilla FC), Pep Guardiola (Spain/FC Bayern Munich), Luis Enrique (Spain/FC Barcelona), Jose Mourinho (Portugal/Chelsea), Jorge Sampaoli (Argentina/Chilean national team), Diego Simeone (Argentina/Atletico Madrid), Arsene Wenger (France/Arsenal). 

Emmanuel Emenike: Nigeria striker retires from internationals

 

Nigeria striker Emmanuel Emenike has retired from international football.

The 28-year-old, who plays for Al Ain of Dubai, has not scored for the Super Eagles since October 2013.
"It was not an easy decision. I didn't think my international career would come to a sudden end, but that is life," Emenike told BBC Sport.
"Sometimes it's better to remove yourself from an environment that doesn't suit you mentally and physically, this is what I have done."
He added: "I also felt it was important that people hear directly from me to avoid a funny twist to the story.
"I wish to thank the coaches who gave me a chance, fellow players and in particular big thanks to all my fans for their unconditional support."

Port Harcourt in Nigeria voted world's worst airport

Port Harcourt International Airport in Nigeria has been voted the world’s worst airport, according to tens of thousands of travellers.
The airport topped the Guide to Sleeping in Airports world’s worst airports 2015 list, which surveyed over 26,000 fliers to find out the best and worst airports around the globe.
Unhelpful staff, a severe lack of seating and broken air-conditioning were just some of the reasons the Port Harcourt International Airport was given the worst airport title.
Saudi Arabia’s Jeddah King Abdulaziz airport was second on the list – as it was last year - due to passengers’ annoyance at the “crowded, chaotic and unclean” Hajj terminal. A new airport in Jeddah is scheduled to open next year.

bionethe: See 114 roads that’ll cost Lagos N19bn

bionethe: See 114 roads that’ll cost Lagos N19bn: Poised to fulfill one of his campaign promises of investing massively in the construction of rural roads, the Lagos State Government has a...

See 114 roads that’ll cost Lagos N19bn

Poised to fulfill one of his campaign promises of investing massively in the construction of rural roads, the Lagos State Government has announced invitation for bids for the construction of 114 roads across the 20 Local Governments and 37 Local Council Development Areas in the State.

Recall that last Monday, while speaking at the Lagos House, Ikeja, during the monthly meeting with the Executive Secretaries of the 57 Councils to review the progress report in their various communities as well as their challenges, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode had disclosed that the decision to embark on the road rehabilitation was in line with the reforms at the local government level, noting that the first phase will commence with the reconstruction of 114 roads, two per local government, at the cost of N19 billion.

Ambode, who said the execution of the projects will be left in the care of the local governments, however, charged the Councils’ Executive Secretaries to judiciously ensure that the projects meet international standard.

According to the bidding invitation document sighted by Vanguard, each of the roads are to be delivered in six months from the commencement of works.

Meanwhile, residents of Ajegunle, a popular suburb of Lagos in the Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government Area, have decried that the apparent neglect by successive administrations to fix the numerous deplorable roads in their community.