Sunday, October 31, 2010

Two-legged dog Faith

Faith is a labrador-chow mix born without one front leg and another that was severely deformed. Despite having only her two hind legs, she can still walk on them. 

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Man with world's biggest mouth

Francisco Domingo Joaquim has the world's biggest mouth. His mouth is so big that he can fit in an entire soda can.

Source:  http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90782/7183264.html Read more...

2011: Jega should watch his back – Prof Oyebode

Prof. Akin Oyebode, a lecturer of International Law and Jurisprudence at the University of Lagos, is a renowned academic and former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ado-Ekiti. He was the legal adviser to the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) between 1991 to 1992 when Professor Attahiru Jega, presently Chairman of the Independent National Commission (INEC), led the union.
In this interview with Vanguard’s Hugo Odiogor, Oyebode spoke on the character of the INEC chairman, the enormity of the challenges facing him and the infantile state of the Nigerian nation after 50 years of self rule.


Read more: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2010/10/2011-jega-should-watch-his-back-prof-oyebode/ Read more...

Mariah Carey confirms she is pregnant with first child

MARIAH Carey confirmed the worst-kept secret in Hollywood in an interview airing overnight, revealing, "Yes, we are pregnant - this is true".
Rumours had been swirling for months as the singer's belly has expanded and husband Nick Cannon has squashed the conversation without ever once directly addressing the question.
"It's been a long journey, but it's been tough because I've been trying to have ... to hold onto a shred of privacy. And that was not easy," she told Access Hollywood. "It's still early, I'm expecting in the spring, I'll say that. I don't want to give too much of like, specific outlines."
According to Access Hollywood host Billy Bush, Carey and Cannon are not going to find out the sex of the baby before the birth.
In the three-part interview, Carey also revealed she suffered a miscarriage nearly two years ago.

Source: http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/entertainment/mariah-carey-confirms-she-is-pregnant-with-first-child/story-e6fredpu-1225945484319 Read more...

Asa releases sophomore

 Asa
On Monday the 25th of October, Nigeria’s international songbird, Bukola Elemide a.k.a Asa released her second album for sale in France, Nigeria, South Africa and Switzerland. It’s titled ‘Beautiful Imperfection’.
A teaser to the full album release was streamed on line few weeks back in a rock-tinged single with hints of 1960s soul.
The song, ‘Be my man’ presented a more confident Asa who dared to dance and let her hair down before a man – her lover.
The full body of work consists 12 tracks with titles like: Why Can’t We, Preacher Man, Bimpé, The Way I Feel, Dreamer Girl, Oré, Broda Olé and Questions.
The album premiered on iTunes on the 15th of this moth before the CD release. Asa describes her new album which is more pop than soul as “uplifting” than the first one – even if it also happens to sound dreamy.
Beautiful Imperfection will be released in other European countries at the beginning of November and next year in the USA, Australia and Canada.

Source: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2010/10/asa-releases-sophomore Read more...

Jazz festival holds

For lovers of Jazz music who have been aching to experience more of the soothing genre without necessarily having to leave the shores of Nigeria, the Lagos Jazz Series, which kicks off in a couple of weeks, is a fulfillment of their dreams.
In the month of November, Jazz enthusiasts will have the opportunity of listening to the best of Jazz music in the garden, on the creek and on the waterfront, courtesy of the Lagos Jazz Series which was created with the main purpose of bolstering the Jazz genre in the Lagos metropolis.
The inaugural Lagos jazz series will hold in November 2010 across three primary stages in Africa’s most populous city.
Over three days, renowned Jazz artistes from the Americas, Europe and Africa will deliver exciting performances from a wide repertoire of best selling and award-winning pieces; for select audiences in the most important event for lovers of fine music and the good life.

read more: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2010/10/jazz-festival-holds/ Read more...

Glo Naija Sings:Niniola drops out

It was a herculean task picking out the loser among the top nine contestants in the ongoing Glo Naija Sings last Sunday. However, the duo of Moses and Ekeng shone like the stars with their stellar performance.
With their different choices of Naija contemporary music for the week, the nine finalists serenaded the audience and indeed the millions of viewers watching at home with good rendition of the music of top Nigerians acts.
Casey sang Wande Coal’s Ololufe and delivered it very beautifully while Velvet voiced Boma on her part sang Omawumi’s In the Music, which Omawumi herself admitted on Twitter she missed on Sunday night.
Da Brodas, (two blood brothers), Fred and Jeff Akoh, did a beautiful rendition of Iyanya Mbuk’s Love Truly.
On her part, Rasine’s performance of one of P-Square’s hits, Omoge Mi and Moses sang Asa’s Eye Adaba which he handled perfectly.
Shedrack sang P-Square’s hit track, Ifunnaya, Najite rendered Today na Today by Omawumi and Ekeng did Dare Art Alade’s Not the girl.
Peace sang Asa’s Bibanke, drawing on the passion that made the song popular.

Source :  http://www.vanguardngr.com/2010/10/glo-naija-singsniniola-drops-out/ Read more...

P-Square drops new video, tidies VCD

 Peter and Paul Okoye
n related news, Nigeria’s pop award-winning twins, Peter and Paul Okoye have released a new video titled ‘Gimme that’.  It was shot in South Africa and directed, as usual, by their brother and manager, Jude Engees Okoye.
This becomes the fourth video to be released off their fourth LP titled Danger.
Sources close to the twins have confirmed the production of a Video CD compilation of all four videos: Danger, I love You, E no easy and Gimme that and possibly footage from their recently concluded European tour.
With business discussions as regards marketing and retailing currently on-going, the VCD, we gather, will be released in a couple of weeks.
The twins recently completed and moved into their twin-duplex mansion with a swimming pool and underground studio. They also acquired four brand new luxury cars which set them back by a whooping N65million.
The famous singers, choreographers and Glo ambassadors who’s toured Africa repeatedly, are currently on break, getting ready for their next set of engagements as the year draws to an end.

Source:  http://www.vanguardngr.com/2010/10/p-square-drops-new-video-tidies-vcd/ Read more...

NB Plc showers N26.5M on GUS winner, others

The winner of the recently concluded Gulder Ultimate Search Oluwaremi Oyekunle and the eleven other contestants he beat to emerge tops, were last Saturday rewarded by Nigerian Breweries Plc brewers of Gulder brand of beer and sponsors of the reality show.
The 12 contestants were showered with a total prize money of more than of N26million, with the winner getting N7.5m and a SUV worth N10million. last Saturday in Lagos.
The 12 contestants who faced the harsh and unfriendly Omo Forest, an undulating plains of the Ogun State Forestry Plantation in Ijebu East Local Government Area, Ogun State, were unveiled to the public at a red carpet event held at the new Expo Centre, Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The occasion was anchored by the celebrity Nollywood actor and the programme presenter, Mr. Bob-Manuel Udokwu.

Read more:  http://www.vanguardngr.com/2010/10/nb-plc-showers-n26-5m-on-gus-winner-others/ Read more...

The Ben Bruce story

 Ben Bruce
My success is driven by passion to make history
By Ogbonna Amadi, Entertainment Editor and  Lolade Sowoolu
What started off with a capital of N20, 000 has today grown into an empire worth
several billions in Naira.
This is the story of Benedict Murray-Bruce, the starry eyed youth with the lofty dream of becoming the number entertainment company in the world.
Thirty years after he ventured into entertainment business, the Silverbird group has grown  to become a conglomerate.
As the group celebrates thirty years of business we asked the Akassa, Bayelsa born business administration graduate of  University of Southern California if he has realised his dream to be number one in the world.
This is his story
How has the journey been in 30 years?
It’s been fun and its being great. I’ve had a great time and I’m grateful to Nigerians for the support even all across Africa over the last 30 years.
Have you been able to actualise the dream?
No, not yet.
What is the dream?
For me, my greatest dream would be wealth creation in the entertainment industry. It would be for me to see artistes, producers, directors dominate the economy of Nigeria; that is my dream. If I did that in my life time, then my work will not be in vain.
And have been some of the challenges?
The challenge is being in an economy that at a time did not appreciate the art.

READ MORE: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2010/10/the-ben-bruce-story/ Read more...

Census: everyone counts

A census taker checks information collected in a trial run of the sixth national census, at a household in the city of Zaozhuang, East China's Shandong province, on Saturday. Many households were sampled to provide useful data for the census takers. The census officially kicks off on Monday. [Photo/China Daily]
BEIJING - Starting Monday, millions of Chinese census takers will fan out across the country, visiting more than 400 million households to try to get an accurate count of the population over a 10-day period.
The sixth census will use about 6.5 million census takers, each dressed in a uniform and bearing a certificate, asking everyone living and working on the mainland to information about their personal lives.

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Policemen jailed for fatal attempted rape

BEIJING - A court in Hunan province said on Sunday that it had jailed two police officers and three other suspects for the attempted rape of two teenage girls, one of whom jumped to her death while trying to resist her attackers.
Gong Cheng, a Hunan police officer, was given the death penalty with a two-year reprieve for the attempted rape of two teenage girls, the Intermediate People's Court of the Xiangxi Tujia and Miao autonomous prefecture said on Sunday in Fenghuang County People's Court in Fenghuang, Central China's Hunan province, Oct 31, 2010. [Photo/Xinhua]
One of the pair, Gong Cheng, a Hunan police officer, was given the death penalty with a two-year reprieve, the Intermediate People's Court of the Xiangxi Tujia and Miao autonomous prefecture said.
Xu Lei, the other police officer, was sentenced to 15 years in jail. Lin Yi, one of three other men involved in the attempt, was given the death penalty with a two-year reprieve, and the other two, life in prison and 13 years.



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37 killed, 56 wounded in Iraq's hostage drama

Iraqi Christians attend a traditional Christmas day mass at Our Lady of Salvation church in central Baghdad in this December 25, 2005 file photo. Gunmen held more than 50 Catholic parishioners hostage for several hours in the Iraqi church on Sunday, threatening to kill them if al Qaeda prisoners were not released, before a police raid ended the stand-off. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

As many as 37 people were killed and 56 others were wounded on Sunday in Iraq's hostage drama when gunmen and security forces traded fire in down town Baghdad, an Interior Ministry source told Xinhua.


Source: http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90783/91321/7182928.html Read more...

Expo unveils best pavilions

Germany Pavilion won the first prize of the best development of the Expo 2010 theme "Better City, Better Life" at the Shanghai World Expo on Saturday. The prize was awarded in the A category, which includes pavilions with the largest exposition area (more than 6,000 square meters).

Source: http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90783/91300/7182674.html Read more...

Dilma Rousseff elected Brazil's new president

Brazilian presidential candidate for the ruling Workers' Party Dilma Rousseff talks to the media in the city of Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil, Oct. 31, 2010. Dilma Rousseff was officially declared president-elect Sunday by the Superior Electoral Tribunal (SET). With 93.25 percent of votes already counted, Rousseff won 55.43 percent of valid votes and has 51.59 million votes. Her opponent, Jose Serra, got 41.48 million votes, or 44.57 percent, according to the SET.
The ruling Workers Party (PT)'s presidential candidate Dilma Rousseff was elected Brazi's 40th president after Sunday's runoff votes.

With 76.89 percent of votes already counted, Rousseff won so far 53.56 percent of valid votes and has 41.2 million votes. Mathematically, she can no longer be exceeded by her opponent, Jose Serra, who has 35.7 million votes, or 46.44 percent, according to Datafolha Institute.

   Brazilian presidential candidate for the ruling Workers' Party Dilma Rousseff votes at a polling station in the city of Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil, Oct. 31, 2010. Brazilian polls opened at 8:00 a.m. local time (1000 GMT) on Sunday for the runoff of the presidential election, in which 135.8 million voters would choose a new president and nine governors.
 Brazilian presidential candidate for the ruling Workers' Party Dilma Rousseff gestures as she votes at a polling station in the city of Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil, Oct. 31, 2010. Brazilian polls opened at 8:00 a.m. local time (1000 GMT) on Sunday for the runoff of the presidential election, in which 135.8 million voters would choose a new president and nine governors. 

Source: http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90777/7182937.html Read more...

China holds closing ceremony for Shanghai World Expo

The closing ceremony of Shanghai World Expo 2010 is held at the Expo Cultural Center in the World Expo Park in Shanghai, east China, Oct. 31, 2010. The 184-day Shanghai World Expo concluded here Sunday. The even drew the participation of 246 countries and international organizations, and attracted more than 73 million visitors, a record high in the Expo history.Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and other dignitaries attended the ceremony.

The 184-day Shanghai World Expo came to the end as a closing ceremony started here Sunday evening.
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and other dignitaries attended the ceremony.

Chinese Vice Premier Wang Qishan said the Expo has made China and the world come closer together, and a more open, inclusive and culturally advanced China that steadily moves forward will join other countries in the world to usher in an ever brighter future for all.

He said the Expo spirit will be carried forward from generation to generation.


Read more: http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90776/90883/7182940.html Read more...

Ibadan group honours Olubadan, Arisekola, others

The Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Samuel Odulana
A group, the Ibadan Progressive Union, on Sunday honoured the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Samuel Odulana Odugade 1; the Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Abdulazeez Arisekola-Alao; and others for their contributions to the development of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

The group led by Dr. Asimiyu Oyetunji honoured the dignitaries at the grand finale/award luncheon organised in commemoration of its 80th anniversary at the Mapo Hall, Ibadan.

While the Olubadan was honoured as the union’s grand patron, Arisekola-Alao, the state Chief Judge, Justice Badejoko Adeniji, industrialists, Chief Bode Amoo and Chief Kola Daisi; Prof. Bolanle Awe and the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, Oba Adekunle Aromolaran, were among 11 recipients of the distinguished service award.

Seven persons among whom were the late Chief Adegoke Adelabu, late Chief Nathaniel Idowu, and late Chief Lamidi Adedibu were honoured with post-humous merit awards.

Source: http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art20101101221054 Read more...

FIFA confirm World Cup decision date to go ahead as planned

FIFA president Sepp Blatter has confirmed the voting process for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups will go ahead as planned.
 
FIFA have confirmed they will retain the December date to announce who will host the 2018 and 2022 World Cup finals after the bidding process was dogged by allegations of corruption. FIFA president Sepp Blatter confirmed the decision will be revealed as planned on December 2 despite two committee members being suspended for allegedly offering to sell their votes.
But he did acknowledge his idea of having the two processes running at the same time was flawed -- something he said he took full responsibility for.
"We are five weeks from the final decision so there was never a question of changing anything," Blatter told a press conference. "So on December 2 the FIFA executive committee will decide in a secret ballot the hosts for 2018 and 2022."

Source:http://edition.cnn.com/2010/SPORT/football/10/29/football.fifa.world.cup/index.html?hpt=T2 Read more...

Opposition parties, ACN bicker over calls for Fashola’s resignation

Governor Babatunde Fashola

The Lagos State chapter of the Action Congress of Nigeria has disagreed with 26 opposition parties in the state calling for the resignation of Governor Babatunde Fashola over an alleged loan taken by the Lagos Metropolitan Transport Authority for road and transportation related projects in the state.

The opposition parties under the aegis of Coalition of Lagos State Coalition Parties said its call was based on the fact that while it is true that the roads in the metropolis was bad, it was unnecessary for the state government through LAMAT to resort to borrowing to address roads and transportation challenges.

In a statement issued by the Convener of COLASOPP, Dr. Adegbola Dominic, the opposition parties said, “Can’t Fashola see that the problems of transportation in Lagos State are not shortage of buses? This fact has been appreciated as far back as three decades ago when Alhaji Lateef Jakande as governor of the state began the process of establishing the Metro line.

Source: http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201010293211929 Read more...

Michael Essien Profile, Biography

Name: Michael Essien
Nationality: Ghanaian
Date of Birth: 03/12/1982
Height:5' 10" (177cm)
Weight:13st 6lbs (85.35kg)
Previous  
Clubs:Lyon, Bastia
Position: Midfielder

Michael Essien signed a two-year extension to his existing contract in June 2010 that will keep him at the club until 2015.
It was welcome news for a player who has suffered two bad seasons with injury and missed the first African World Cup as a result.
The midfielder, nicknamed 'The Bison' by fans in his home country of Ghana, ruptured a cruciate ligament on international duty in early September 2008, and it wasn't until March that season that Chelsea fans saw him again.
His comeback was a half-hour cameo in the FA Cup quarter-final as Coventry were swept aside, before he landed a starting role in Turin for a crucial Champions League tie against Juventus.
In typical Essien style, he came back with a performance full of running and commitment, weighing in with an equalising goal on the stroke of half-time to dampen home spirits.

Source: http://www.chelseafc.com/page/PlayerProfileDetail/0,,10268~27901,00.html Read more...

Voter registration: INEC begins staff training

The Independent National Electoral Commission will this week begin the training of its permanent staff on the usage of the Direct Data Capturing machines.

The Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Mr. Kayode Idowu, said those to be trained would in turn train ad hoc staff for voter registration.

Idowu said, “The train-the-trainers phase begins this week.”

He added that the commission had concluded arrangements to ensure that the training was hitch-free.

At least 360,000 ad hoc workers will be employed by the commission for the voter registration.The commission had last week explained that the training would begin in Abuja. It said that those trained in Abuja would go to six geo-political zones and train other operators.

Source: http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art20101101259384 Read more...

US, Russia join Asia club in a blow to China — Analysts

Hillary Clinton The United States and Russia will be formally welcomed into a 16-nation Asian bloc on Saturday, in what analysts say is a blow to Chinese attempts to diminish US influence in the region.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will be invited to join the East Asia Summit (EAS) when the group holds its annual summit in Hanoi on Saturday.

Their entry into the EAS, which elevates its diplomatic heft, comes despite Chinese attempts to promote another grouping — which does not include the US — as the region‘s premier forum for regional cooperation.


Read more: http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201010312493723 Read more...

Anger, advertising dominate U.S. mid-terms

A man arrives to vote in Las Vegas, Nevada, on October 16 as part of the state's two-week early voting period.
 
Barack Obama won the presidency two years ago by harnessing the hopes of his supporters, but now faces a debacle after a very different campaign fueled by anger, nasty advertising and an awful lot of cash. "Let's not fool ourselves," he said." This is a tough election. This country has gone through one of the most difficult periods of our history."
American voters go to the polls Tuesday to choose national lawmakers and state leaders, with two wars, high unemployment and record deficits on their minds.

Source: http://edition.cnn.com/2010/US/10/29/mann.mid.terms/index.html?hpt=C1 Read more...

Yemeni forces arrest woman believed linked to explosive packages

A suspicious package contained a "manipulated" toner cartridge that had white powder on it, a law enforcement source said.
 
A woman believed to be connected to a plot to send explosive packages bound for the United States has been arrested in the Yemeni capital of Sanaa, according to a Yemeni government official and a reporter with the state news agency. A female relative of the woman was also being questioned by Yemeni authorities, the government official said. The relationship between the two women was not immediately known.
Believing that a Yemen affiliate of al Qaeda was involved, American and British authorities said explosive devices jammed into ink toner cartridges were powerful enough to bring down a large aircraft. One package was found in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates; the other in England.

Source: http://edition.cnn.com/2010/US/10/30/security.concern/index.html?hpt=T1 Read more...

Divided families from North, South Korea meet after six decades

North Korean Kim Ho-Sook, right, 83, meets her South Korean brother Kim Ho-Dae during a family reunion after being separated for 60 years on Saturday in Mount Kumgang, North Korea.
 
Relatives divided since 1953 reunited for the first time Saturday at a South Korean-built tourism resort in North Korea amid tensions between the two sides. Elderly men in suits and women in traditional Korean silk hanbok dresses sat at numbered tables in a large restaurant,
Many burst into tears; some sat, spoke and exchanged photographs; others simply looked bewildered as they clutched hands and stared into faces unseen for six decades. The relatives have been separated from since the 1950-53 Korean War.
In Seoul, the scenes at a tourism resort at Mount Kumgang played on TV at a press room.

Source: http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/10/30/nkorea.skorea.reunions/index.html?hpt=C2 Read more...

Indonesian village vanishes in wake of tsunami

Tsunami kills 30 in one village
 
Saluhu stares at the mass grave where his youngest son is buried. He struggles to comprehend the split second that changed his life forever. He relives the moment he started to run inland with his family after feeling Monday's earthquake and hearing the distant roar of the tsunami.
"My youngest son's hand slipped out of my wife's hand when the tsunami hit us. It just slipped," Saluhu says. "We didn't know where he was. We couldn't see a thing -- it was pitch black."
Nine-year-old Warisman is one of 30 victims in the village of Monai on the Indonesian island of South Pagai, one of the areas worst hit by the tsunami.

Source; http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/10/29/indonesia.tsunami.aftermath/index.html?hpt=C2 Read more...

Soccer shooting in Honduras leaves 14 people dead

Ten people died on the scene; four others died at an area medical center, police say.
 
Fourteen people were shot and killed at a soccer field in northern Honduras, a police spokesman said Saturday. Juan Lopez, a police spokesman in the industrial city of San Pedro Sula, said 10 people died on the scene, while four more were transported to an area medical center for treatment. They died of their wounds, he added.
"We're investigating to see what sort of organization could be behind this. The most likely (scenario) is that the attack was directed at one or some of the men on the field and that the others were caught in the crossfire," Lopez said.
He declined to identify the victims.
 
Read more...

Smuggled weapons seized in Nigeria

Smuggled weapons seized in Nigeria
 
The shipping containers filled with illegal weapons seized in Lagos, Nigeria, earlier this week came from Iran, a leading global shipping company said Saturday. The company, CMA CGM, said it was a victim of false cargo declaration. The shipper -- who the company identified as an Iranian trader -- had listed the materials inside the containers as "packages of glass wool and pallets of stone."
The containers in question were loaded in Bandar Abbas, a port in southern Iran, and discharged in Lagos in July, the company said. They were then transferred to a depot.
Last week, the shipper asked that the containers be re-loaded and sent to Gambia, CMA CGM said in a statement, adding that the trader had obtained the necessary documentation and clearance for customs.
Authorities in Nigeria intervened before the containers were moved.
Nigeria's security service said earlier this week that it had seized 13 shipping containers in the Lagos port filled with illegal weapons, including rockets, grenades and bullets. Each shipping container carries 20 wooden crates.
The seizure comes as Nigeria prepares for the 2011 elections, which analysts say are likely to be one of the most-controversial and potentially most-violent elections in the country's history.
 
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Official: Haiti cholera deaths rise above 330 as hurricane approaches

Doctors receive hundreds of Cholera patients per day at the hospital in L'Estere on October 26, 2010

The death toll from a cholera outbreak in Haiti has risen to more than 330, and officials believe Hurricane Tomas may worsen the situation as it approaches, a U.N. spokeswoman said Saturday.
The number of confirmed cholera cases has climbed to 4,764, with 337 deaths, said Imogen Wall, spokeswoman for the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Haiti, citing information provided by the Haitian government. Those numbers represent the people that were able to make it to the hospital, she said.
Another 200 cases are suspected in the nation's West Department, or province, she said.

Source: http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/americas/10/30/haiti.cholera/index.html?hpt=T2 Read more...

Rescue crews find 135 missing people after Indonesia quake

Soldiers unload aid for tsunami and victims in Indonesia's Mentawai islands

Rescue crews have found 135 missing people after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck off Indonesia's coast, triggering a tsunami and leaving hundreds dead, authorities said Saturday.
At least 413 were killed and 133 remain missing, according to the Indonesia Disaster Management Agency.
Dozens were found alive over the past five days, officials said. Authorities said 270 people were seriously injured.
More than 22,000 people have been displaced or affected by the tsunami, which swept up villagers and swallowed homes without warning.

Source: http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/10/30/indonesia.tsunami/index.html?hpt=T2 Read more...

'Hotel Rwanda' hero denies sending money to rebels

Paul Rusesabagina is credited with saving hundreds in the 1994 genocide in Rwanda

A man depicted as a hero in the movie "Hotel Rwanda" on Thursday slammed accusations by Rwandan authorities that he helped fund a rebel group.
Paul Rusesabagina's efforts to save hundreds during the 1994 genocide are depicted in the Oscar-nominated movie starring Don Cheadle.
Rwanda's general prosecutor, Martin Ngoga, said he has evidence showing that Rusesabagina funded terror activities in Rwanda.
He wired large sums of money from San Antonio, Texas, to commanders of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda, the prosecutor said. The rebel group is known by its acronym, FDLR.
Ngoga said he plans to file formal charges, and is pushing the United States to be part of the investigation because of the funds' origin.

Source: http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/africa/10/28/rwanda.terror.allegations/index.html Read more...

Panamanian ship seized by pirates off Somali coast

A Panamanian tanker was seized by pirates off the coast of Somalia Saturday morning, according to the European Union Naval Force Somalia, which escorts ships traveling near the Somali coast.
The owner of the MV Polar also confirms that the vessel is under the control of pirates. It was flying under a Panamanian flag and carrying a crew of 24 when it was seized. The crew consisted of 16 members from the Philippines, four from Montenegro, three from Greece and one from Romania.

The attack came under cover of darkness, nearly 1,100 kilometers from Socotra Island.
 
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Two teenage girls executed by Somali militants

Somali women carry weapons during a demonstration organized by the islamist Al-Shabaab group iin Mogadishu on July 5, 2010

A Somali militant group publicly executed two teenage girls Wednesday after accusing them of being spies for the Somali government, according to the group, eyewitnesses and a relative of one of the girls.
"Those two girls were evil and they were spies for the enemy (the Somali government), but the mujahedeen caught them and after investigation, they admitted their crime, so they have been executed," said Sheikh Yusuf Ali Ugas, commander of Al-Shabaab in Beledweyne, a town in central Somalia.
The teens were blindfolded with their hands behind their backs against a tree, and shot, according to a local journalist.
A resident of Beledweyne told CNN that Al-Shabaab called on the town's residents to come out and watch the execution.
"Hundreds of people came out to watch the execution," he said. "It was very bad ... the girls looked shocked and were crying but [no one] could help."
A relative of one of the teens denied they were spies.

Read more: http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/africa/10/28/somalia.teens.executed/index.html Read more...

Congolese women raped on Congo-Angola border, U.N. officials say

A Congolese woman participates in the 'World March of Women' in the Democratic Republic of Congo on October 17

Thirty Congolese women on the border of Angola and Congo were held in a dungeonlike prison and systematically raped by uniformed men, according to U.N. officials.
The Congolese women were part of a group of 150 people who had recently been expelled from Angola.
The United Nations said the women reported they were held for nearly two weeks in early October and raped. The U.N. said three people in the group were killed, including two men and a woman, who died after being repeatedly raped. Those who survived and were released then returned to the Congo in the nude and with no belongings, according to the United Nations.

Source: http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/africa/10/27/congo.women.raped/index.html Read more...

Ronaldo double rescues Real Madrid; Milan crash to Juventus defeat

Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 10 times in his last four La Liga outings for Real Madrid.
 
Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi continued their hot goalscoring runs as Real Madrid and Barcelona moved ominously clear of their La Liga rivals in Spain on Saturday night. Ronaldo followed up his four strikes from last weekend with another two as Real came from behind to beat Hercules 3-1 and stay a point clear of second-placed champions Barcelona.
Third-placed Villarreal trail Real by four points ahead of Sunday's trip to Sporting Gijon.
Real, held 0-0 by third-division Murcia in the Copa del Rey on Tuesday, looked like suffering another humiliation after going behind only three minutes into the game in Alicante -- the first time the Galacticos have trailed in Jose Mourinho's first season as coach.

Source: :http://edition.cnn.com/2010/SPORT/football/10/30/football.ronaldo.messi.madrid.barcelona/index.html Read more...

Frank Lampard Profile, Biography

Name: Frank Lampard
Nationality: English
Date of Birth: 20/06/1978
Height:6' 0" (184cm)
Weight:13st 12lbs (88.0kg)
Previous  
Clubs:West Ham Utd, Swansea City (loan)
Position: Midfielder

With 27 goals  from central midfield in 2009/10 and countless assists, it seems Frank Lampard is getting better with age.
If you factor in the England man's extraordinary resistance to injury and his ability not to earn one booking in the entire campaign it is easy to see why many think it is he that makes the Blues tick.
His season began as it would continue against Manchester United at Wembley, where he contributed a goal, helped set up the other, and then buried a penalty in the shootout.
Questions were raised over his impact in games, but having returned to a deeper position from the top of the diamond, where he had been restricted, his influence grew once more.
He netted another at Sunderland as we turned around a half-time deficit, and helped create seven in as many league games that followed, despite not scoring himself.
The 31-year-old actually went 10 without a goal before four in three arrived in October, helping send Atletico back to Madrid empty-handed as we began to score freely.

Source; http://www.chelseafc.com/page/PlayerProfileDetail/0,,10268~6076,00.html Read more...

This Blog Linked From Here The Web This Blog Linked From Here The Web Sunday, October 31, 2010 Fashanu likens Keshi and Siasia to Rolls Royce and Jaguar Fashanu John Fashanu is not a man in search of words to aptly explain a given situation and indeed took a winding road in explaining his preference of the Super Eagles coaching job that two former internationals Stephen Keshi and Samson Siasia have been short listed for by the Nigeria Football Federation. Fashanu who said he could not make any choice publicly being a member of the Presidential Task Force on football is hopeful that the technical committee of the federation and the board itself will put aside sentiment and make the right choice for the team. ”Both of them (Keshi and Siasia) are good and so selection will depend on exactly the type of person we need now. ”They are like Rolls Royce and Jaguar. Both cars are very good but there are still essential differences in details which will ultimately determine the one you pick. Both cars are very well engineered and can speed very well if you want to. They have quality interiors and external views something to behold but the Rolls Royce will give you a little more comfort on the road than the Jaguar. And so it is with the two gentlemen. ”One of them is older, more refined, softer and able to control his temper. He is able to listen more to criticism and take it in his stride. He is quite diplomatic. The other one is younger, not as refined and can be very temperamental and difficult to manage. “Nobody knows it all and so I believe that Nigeria needs somebody who has a listening spirit. In 1994 while picking Ian Porterfield for the Zambian job after the plane crash I sought for a person that suited the mood of the time and it worked out perfectly. Managing a team demands thorough diplomacy. Under this condition we need the comfort of a Rolls Royce,” Fashanu said. Source:http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art20101031135662 Posted by perfect at 3:35 PM Email This BlogThis! Share to Twitter Share to Facebook Share to Google Buzz Labels: Sport News How women can be financially independent How women can be financially independent With the current economic reality, both married and single women are required to be financially independent. This means that they will not have to rely on men to survive or meet their daily obligations. Furthermore, though it is the primary obligation of the husband in the Nigerian culture to provide for the needs of the immediate family, there is the need for married women to complement the efforts and contributions of men. In some cases too, there are certain needs of women that may not be provided for by men, especially when they are personal. While it is true that some educated women are actively engaged, so they can meet their financial obligations, there is still need for them to be prudent. This will ensure that even after retirement, they will be able to sustain their lifestyles, or at least meet their day-to-day obligations. To be able to do that, those who spoke on the issue suggested that women must be enterprising and endeavour to save and invest, while ensuring that they spend less on luxuries. Read More:http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201010311383017 Posted by perfect at 3:17 PM Email This BlogThis! Share to Twitter Share to Facebook Share to Google Buzz Labels: Business News Constitution: Rationalising the governorship petition clause David Mark As the issue of extension of elections time-table came to the fore in the National Assembly, OLUWOLE JOSIAH writes about the constraint and discrepancy that trail the process Arguments for the quick dispensation of justice during adjudication on election petitions before presumed winners of elections are sworn in are gradually petering off. Proponents for now have been quiet. As a matter of expediency, that ambition is no longer attainable as the request for an extended time frame by the Independent National Electoral Commission to conduct credible elections next year has become paramount. INEC will have up till April 30, 2011 to conduct elections into the various political offices, provided members of the National Assembly vote in support of the proposition next week. The issue is contained in the Second Alteration to the 1999 Constitution, which was laid before the Senate on Thursday. The amendment captured two crucial issues. The first is to determine an adequate time period within which INEC can conduct credible elections without exceeding the May 29 handover date. The second is to provide for the possibility of petitions arising from governorship elections to begin at the tribunal and terminate at the Supreme Court. Read More:http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201010310184729 Posted by perfect at 3:09 PM Email This BlogThis! Share to Twitter Share to Facebook Share to Google Buzz Labels: Nigeria Politics Ilase, community on a tinderbox Ilase, community on a tinderbox In 1998, Jesse Town in Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State went up in flames – a consequence of illegal oil drilling. Twelve years later, another community, this time, in Lagos State, is at the risk of going up in flames as a result of the same activity. SUCCESS NWOGU reports Ilase is a small town in Lagos, and it is blessed with arable land and good vegetation. It is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and the adjoining Lagos Lagoon. The community, which was said to be previously in the old Amuwo Odofin Local Government, is currently in Ori-Ade Local Council Development Area, and it shares borders with Ojo Local Government. The village lacks social infrastructure such as electricity, potable water and access roads. Our correspondent who visited the area recently observed that school age children from Ilase attend a primary school with dilapidated structures and insufficient teachers, educational officials and facilities. Read More:http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201010314245776 Posted by perfect at 3:07 PM Email This BlogThis! Share to Twitter Share to Facebook Share to Google Buzz Labels: Education Melody Traits out with N30m ultramodern platform

Ultramodern platform

An entertainment outfit, Melody Traits, is changing the face and total outlook of outdoor events in Nigeria with its recent introduction of an ultramodern platform.

The N30m-worth 40 by 40 platform supplied from China came with a metallic roof top and light thrust that gives outdoor programmes a unique look.

It is also equipped with a fidelity sound system that is specially configured for 20,000 capacity.

While showcasing the platform to journalists at the premises of the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State, Ibadan, the state capital, the firm‘s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Semiu Adenekan (DJ SEMIGHT), said it was done to specifications provided by his firm after considering the nation‘s peculiarities, including weather.

Source: http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201010312221335 Read more...

Fashanu likens Keshi and Siasia to Rolls Royce and Jaguar

Fashanu

John Fashanu is not a man in search of words to aptly explain a given situation and indeed took a winding road in explaining his preference of the Super Eagles coaching job that two former internationals Stephen Keshi and Samson Siasia have been short listed for by the Nigeria Football Federation.

Fashanu who said he could not make any choice publicly being a member of the Presidential Task Force on football is hopeful that the technical committee of the federation and the board itself will put aside sentiment and make the right choice for the team.

”Both of them (Keshi and Siasia) are good and so selection will depend on exactly the type of person we need now.

”They are like Rolls Royce and Jaguar. Both cars are very good but there are still essential differences in details which will ultimately determine the one you pick. Both cars are very well engineered and can speed very well if you want to. They have quality interiors and external views something to behold but the Rolls Royce will give you a little more comfort on the road than the Jaguar. And so it is with the two gentlemen.

”One of them is older, more refined, softer and able to control his temper. He is able to listen more to criticism and take it in his stride. He is quite diplomatic. The other one is younger, not as refined and can be very temperamental and difficult to manage.

“Nobody knows it all and so I believe that Nigeria needs somebody who has a listening spirit. In 1994 while picking Ian Porterfield for the Zambian job after the plane crash I sought for a person that suited the mood of the time and it worked out perfectly. Managing a team demands thorough diplomacy. Under this condition we need the comfort of a Rolls Royce,” Fashanu said.

Source:http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art20101031135662 Read more...

Filmmaker Hickenlooper dies in Denver at 47

U.S. director George Hickenlooper points at a documentary camera crew as he arrives at the gala presentation for the film 'Casino Jack' during the 35th Toronto International Film Festival, September 16, 2010.
Filmmaker George Hickenlooper has died at age 47, just before the premiere of his new film "Casino Jack" at the Starz Denver Film Festival, the Denver Post newspaper reported on Saturday.
"We are devastated," John Hickenlooper, his cousin and the mayor of Denver, said in a statement. "His passion for life, zeal for people and unquenchable curiosity enriched everyone who had the fortune to know him."
The filmmaker appears to have died from natural causes and no foul play was suspected, the Denver Post said, quoting a statement from the mayor's office.
"Casino Jack," starring Kevin Spacey as jailed lobbyist Jack Abramoff, was set to premiere on Thursday, it said.
The film festival, which starts on Wednesday, "will be dedicated in its entirety to our friend George Hickenlooper," festival director Britta Erickson said.
Hickenlooper's other films include "Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmakers Apocalypse" in 1991 and "The Mayor of Sunset Strip" in 2003.

Read more...

Soft-spoken 18-year-old American wins Miss World

Alexandria Mills of the US, front center, reacts after being crowned as winner of the 2010 Miss World pageant contest at the Beauty Crown Cultural Center in Sanya, in southern China's island province Hainan, Saturday, Oct. 30, 2010. 

Read more: http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/entertainment/2010-10/31/content_11481224.htm Read more...

People pay respect to hearse of former Argentine president

People pay respect to the hearse which carries the remains of former Argentine President Nestor Kirchner from the Casa Rosada Presidential Palace to a local airport for a flight to his home El Calafate, Province of Santa Cruz, where he will be buried in his family cemetery, Oct. 29, 2010. 

Source: http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90783/91321/7182150.html Read more...

26th Int'l Auto Show held in Sao Paulo

People ask for information beside the Fuwin 2 of China's automaker Chery at the 26th International Auto Show in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Oct. 29, 2010. As the most important auto event in the Latin America, the 26th Sao Paulo International Auto Show attracts 42 brands from all over the world. 
 A model presents a Fiat's new car at the 26th International Auto Show in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Oct. 29, 2010. As the most important auto event in Latin America, the 26th Sao Paulo International Auto Show attracts 42 brands from all over the world.
 Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva visits the 26th International Auto Show in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Oct. 29, 2010. As the most important auto event in the Latin America, the 26th Sao Paulo International Auto Show attracts 42 brands from all over the world.

Source: http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90783/91321/7182211.html Read more...

Celine Dion was expecting triplets

Celine Dion was pregnant with triplets.
The singer gave birth to twin boys via Caesarean section last Saturday (23.10.10) but has revealed she was initially expecting three sons after conceiving via in vitro fertilisation (IVF).
In an interview with a French news station - which was recorded before she delivered the tots - Celine said: "He chose to let go to give space to his brothers to grow."
It is not yet known at what stage of the pregnancy she lost the third child.
The 42-year-old music star and her 68-year-old husband Rene Angelil - who also have a nine-year-old son Rene-Charles together - underwent six in vitro fertilisation (IVF) attempts before Celine got pregnant.
The couple have named the boys Eddy and Nelson, after record producer Eddy Marnay and human rights campaigner and former South African President Nelson Mandela, who Celine met two years ago.
Celine's representative told People: "Eddy is a major influence in both Celine and Rene's lives.
"Rene said that in just the few minutes they were able to spend with Nelson Mandela they were impressed by the human being he is.
"Celine and Rene want their children to be inspired by their names, because they were so inspired by these men."
Read more...