Algeria donate WC winnings

The Fennec Foxes, who reached the knockout stages of the competition for the first time in their history, did the continent proud, narrowly losing to European giants Germany 2-1 in their Last 16 encounter on Monday. And Africa’s highest-ranked nation have decided to share their success with the impoverished, donating the money granted by FIFA following their successful World Cup campaign to the poor in Gaza. “They need it more than us,” said Algerian striker Islam Slimani, as quoted in theDaily Mail. Algeria’s World Cup prize money is set to be in the region of $9 million (R97 million) which will be donated to the war-torn region. The Algerian squad were given a hero’s welcome in the country’s capital Algiers on Wednesday after returning from their historic Mundial run in Brazil.

The President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Aminu Maigari, and his entire board have been sacked by a recent court order.

The suit was filed by Mrs Ebiakpo Rumson Baribote, the Chairman of Nembe City FC, who requested the court to restrain Aminu Maigari and all the committee and congress of the Nigeria Football Federation from managing the affairs of football matters in Nigeria. Hon. Justice P. L Lot of the Plateau State High Court sitting in Jos granted the Order of Interlocutory Injunction restraining the president of the NFF, the executive committee members as well as the NFF Congress from running affairs of Nigerian football pending the determination of the Motion on Notice before the court. The court also made a mandatory injunction compelling the 4th defendant (Minister of Sports) to appoint senior members of the civil service in the NFF "to command, control and manage the affairs of Nigeria football, pending the determination of the suit." Consequently, the Minister of Sports, Tamuno Danagogo has appointed Lawrence Longyir Katken as acting Secretary General of the Nigeria Football Federation. "Further to suit No. PLD/J 342/2014 and an order of mandatory injunction, issuing from Hon. Justice PL Lot...you (Lawrence Katiken) are hereby directed to act as Secretary General of the NFF, and to take over the full management of the NFF. "You are to hold this position pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice in the referenced suit." Justice Lot has fixed July 11, 2014 for hearing on the Motion on Notice.

Tinubu Launches N250 Million Pay TV Company, CONSAT

FORMER Lagos State governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has further extended his grip in the media and broadcasting business as he finally rolled out services of his new pay TV company, CONSAT. According to information available to ENCOMIUM Weekly, the new pay TV platform, Continental Satellite Limited, will operate in the form of cable satellite pay television with bouquet and dish and the network will operate from the premises of Continental Broadcasting in Ikosi, Ketu, Lagos. Findings revealed CONSAT package cost N15,000 and will provide 15 channels which include CNN, BBC, Aljazeera and movie channels. Another 95 channels are also available for subscribers who prefer the cable service. The plan to float a pay TV platform by Bola Tinubu has been in the pipeline for some time now. The equipment used in the setting up of the company was shipped in to Nigeria last year from Europe. According to inside source, about N250 million went into setting up the new television venture. Tinubu’s intention to set up this new pay TV is borne out of his inability to take over assets of HiTV, a pay TV company where he is said to have financial stakes. GTBank’s terms and condition is identified as a stumbling block to Tinubu’s takeover bid and that was after the company packed up due to huge debts and its CEO, Toyin Subair left the employment of the company. CONSAT will no doubt give other pay TV platforms like DSTV, Startimes, a run for their money in terms of services and reach. Tinubu’s CONSAT is said to be cheaper and provides more channels than other platforms. The company’s official colour is yellow and black.

‘Iron Man’ star, Robert Downey’s son suffers cocaine addiction!

Reports in Hollywood have it thatIron Manstar, Robert Downey Jr.’s son, Indio Downey is currently suffering cocaine addiction. Iron Manis reportedly helping his son struggle with addiction problems for years privately. The 20-year-oldIndio was arrested last Sunday for cocaine possession afterslip in his ongoing struggle with drugs though his dad has been deeply involved in Indio’s treatment. Indio has been in and out of treatment programs for several years. One source says until Sunday Indio had a fairly long stretch of time when he was clean, in no small part because of Robert’s counseling. One source put it this way, “Because of Robert’s own struggle he’s very much in tune with his son’s sobriety. And that has really helped Indio.“ Additional reports courtesy:TMZ

‘Gone Too Far,’ ‘Half Of A Yellow Sun’ to screen at Durban International Film Festival

Three Nigerian linked movies,B for Boy,Gone Too FarandHalf Of A Yellow Sun, are some of the films that would be screened at the 35th Durban International Film Festival. Kicking off on July 17, 2014 – July 27, 2014, the Durban International Film Festival would have screen 200 theatrical screenings and a full seminar and workshop programme, as well as the Wavescape Film Festival, Wild Talk Africa Film Festival and various industry initiatives, including the 7th Talents Durban (in cooperation with the Berlinale Talents) and the 5th Durban FilmMart co-production market (in partnership with the Durban Film Office). Further probe showed that the popularHalf Of A Yellow Sunwould be screened at the SUNCOAST on July 18, 2014 between 6:15pm and 8:05pm and at the MUSGRAVE on July 26, 2014 between 2:30pm – 4:16pm. Meanwhile, Gone Too Farhas been scheduled for screening at the BAY OF PLENTY on July 18, 2014 between 8:30pm and 10:00pm as well as the LUTHULI MUSEUM between July 21, 2014 10:00am and 11:30am asB For Boywould be screened on July 19, 2014 at SUNCOAST between @:30pm and 4:30pm and July 22, 2014 between 6:00pm and 8:00pm Organised by the Centre for Creative Arts at the University of KwaZulu-Natal with support from the National Film and Video Foundation and Goethe Institute, the Durban International Film Festival is backed by KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development & Tourism, KwaZulu-Natal Film Commission, City of Durban, German Embassy, Industrial Development Corporation, KwaZulu-Natal Department of Arts and Culture.

Bone Marrow Transplant Gives Hope To Adult Sickle Cell Patients

Sickle cell disease in adults might be treatable with a bone marrow transplant, researchers reportJuly 1 in JAMA. The researchers and others say the findings show age need not be a barrier and that the technique may change practice for some adult patients when standard treatment fails. “We’re very pleased,” said Dr. John Tisdale, the study’s senior author and a senior investigator at the National Institutes of Health. “This is what we hoped for.” The treatment is a modified version of bone marrow transplants that have worked in kids. Donors are a brother or sister whose stem cell-rich bone marrow is a good match for the patient. Hundreds of children with sickle cell disease had previously been treated and most cured with the procedure, which requires that their defective bone marrow be largely wiped out by radiation and chemotherapy and then replaced by a closely matched marrow transplant, but, until recently, the harsh regimen was considered too risky for adults because they often have accumulated organ damage from sickle cell disease. In a test of 30 adult patients, 29 have now survived for an average of 3.4 years after undergoing a mild course of radiation and chemo before getting a marrow transplant. The replacement cells act as starters that grow into normal blood without sickle-shaped deformities, which cause pain, anemia, blood flow problems and a need for blood transfusions. The mild course of radiation and chemo partially wiped out defective marrow, leaving the patients with a mixed batch of marrow cells. The procedure failed to fully replace the abnormal cells in four of the patients, and a fifth died of bleeding in the brain 10 months after transplant. But one year after transplant, the other 25 patients had fully functioning blood cells, and 15 have since stopped taking immune-suppressing medication, according to the study coauthors at the National Institutes of Health and Johns Hopkins University

Ebola Virus: WHO Holds Emergency Meeting Over Spread In West Africa

The World Health Organization (WHO) is hosting an emergency meeting in Ghana today on the deadly Ebola outbreak in West Africa. Health officials from 11 countries are meeting in Accra to discuss how to put an end to the crisis. Over 400 people have died in what has now become the worst Ebola outbreak in history, most deaths coming from Guinea, while there are increasing number of cases in Liberia and Sierra Leone. Health ministers from the three affected countries will join officials from neighbouring Ivory Coast, Mali, Guinea Bissau and Senegal, as well as Uganda, DRC, Gambia and hosts Ghana. According to the WHO, the number of cases had risen from 635 on 23 June to 759, a 20% increase. The body added that it has sent over 150 experts into West Africa over the last few months to try and contain the outbreak.

UBA Begins Twitter Notifications Service

United Bank for Africa (UBA) has become the first Nigerian bank to offer transaction notifications on Twitter for its customers. UBA said the solution is based on a secure custom application it had built and enables its customers to receive bank transaction alerts directly on Twitter. “Dear Customer, we are happy to inform you that you can now receive your transaction alerts in your Twitter direct messages inbox,” the bank said. UBA said the innovation enables its customers to be informed of transactions wherever they are. “When you enroll for this service, you’ll receive transaction alerts, as direct messages on your Twitter handle. This service does not replace SMS alerts on your mobile phone. It is an added value service in our desire to exceed your expectations always and reach you anytime, anywhere.” United Bank for africa (UBA)has become the first Nigerian bank to introduce twitter notifications for banking transactions for its customers. The bank introduced its twitter transaction notification service in Nigeria this week, with customers now having the added option of receiving transaction alerts via Twitter in direct messages inbox. Twitter is a popular means of online social networking and microblogging channel especially among the younger generation. Like the bank’s Email and SMS alerts services, customers would get the following alerts sent via twitter in their direct messages inbox: Deposit / Credit Transaction Alert Withdrawal / Debit Transaction Alert Account Balance Alert To get the service, customers just have to: Step 1: Visit UBA website Step 2: Enter your account number and click on submit Step 3: Follow the instructions to log in to your personal twitter account and allow access. Step 4: Transact as normal. Users will start receiving transaction alerts immediately and the alerts will only be seen by person, as it goes direct into your twitter handle direct message box, just like SMS alerts

Nigerian L*sbian Aderonke Apata Plans To Send S*x Tapes To British Govt. In Deportation Case

Aderonke Apata is the voice of the Nigerian g*y community in the United Kingdom and she says if she is deported back to Nigeria, she faces certain death from people who are anti-g*y…. Nigeria’s most vocal l*****n,Aderonke Apata,has vowed to fight on as she faces deportation from the United Kingdom back to Nigeria, as she seeks asylum. Aderonke Apata, who fled to the UK some years ago for fears of being killed in Nigeria, after it was discovered that she is g*y, feels she has tried everything to persuade the UK Home Office that she is a l*****n and that deporting her back to the country means a certain death. She says she has sent letters from former girlfriends, both in Britain and Nigeria, and supporting statements from friends, all stating that she is g*y. But once her claim that she could be killed because of her sexuality if sent back to Nigeria was rejected, she feels there was only one way of providing a judge with irrefutable evidence that she was g*y: by sending a s*x tape that she recorded while having s*x with a partner. According to authoritativeUK newspaper,Independent UK, Apata will hand in a petition toTheresa May, the Home Secretary, demanding that the deportation would lead to her death. The Independent newspaper said that Apata, who is 47 years old, reveals the ordeal she has experienced: I was asked to bring my supporting documents for my judicial review for the court to look at. What evidence do we have to compile apart from letters from people? I have a video of myself and my girlfriend making love, so I thought why not just put it in? I cannot afford to go back to my county where I will be tortured, so if I have to prove it with a sexual video, then I have to do it. I feel so bad it’s got to this stage. It’s such a desperate and precarious situation to be in, very dangerous, because anything could happen to those pictures, those videos. I want sanctuary. I just want to be protected. I want to be who I am. I am a l*****n and I am proud of it. Ms Apata said she is from a Christian but while she was in Nigeria, she got married to a Muslim man in what she says was a sham arrangement to cover up her long-term relationship with another woman. According to her, her husband’s family turned against her when they suspected she was g*y and took her to a sharia court, where she was sentenced to death for adultery. She says her girlfriend, brother and three-year-old son were killed in related vigilante incident.

Vegas cop killers 'had pro-gun militia links'

A gun-toting couple possibly linked to anti-government militias killed two US cops execution-style and left a swastika on the bodies, in America's latest chilling shooting rampage, police said on Monday. In the third mass shooting in three weeks in the western US, the couple shot the police in cold blood at a Las Vegas pizza restaurant, before killing a civilian at a nearby Walmart and then committing suicide. Jerad and Amanda Miller saw police as Nazi-style oppressors, and claimed links to a Nevada cattle rancher who won a high-profile stand-off with authorities two months ago with the help of pro-gun militias. "This is the beginning of the revolution," read a note pinned on one of the bodies by Jerad Miller, aged 31, after he and his 22-year-old wife slaughtered the cops on Sunday, said assistant sheriff Kevin McMahill. "There's no doubt that the suspects have some apparent ideology that's along the lines of militia and white supremacists," he said, the morning after the massacre which left five dead. 'Beginning of the revolution' The couple entered the restaurant, walked past the booth where the officers were eating, and then Jerad Miller "pulled a handgun out and shot officer (Igor) Soldo one time in the back of his head," said McMahill. "Officer Soldo immediately succumbed to his injuries. At that time, officer (Alyn) Beck immediately began to react, when he was confronted by lethal gunfire from Jerad Miller, and he was shot once in the throat area," he told reporters. The couple then both shot multiple rounds into the two officers, before pulling the bodies out of the restaurant booth. They placed an American revolutionary flag on one of the bodies, "and also threw a swastika on top of his body." Jerad Miller then "pinned a note to officer Soldo basically stating that this is the beginning of the revolution." Officers were still investigating the motive for the attack. While suggesting some kind of militia link, McMahill said: "We believe at this point, with the swastika, we don't necessarily believe that they are white supremacists or associated with the Nazi movement. "We believe... that they equate government and law enforcement ... and those who support it with Nazis.... They believe that law enforcement is the oppressor." 'Epidemic of gun violence' The couple eventually holed up in the back of the Walmart store, where Amanda Miller shot her husband before taking her own life. Police were investigating links to Cliven Bundy, a Nevada cattle rancher who billed himself as a people's hero, who was locked in a showdown with US federal authorities earlier this year. Bundy also became the unlikely ring-leader of a spontaneous armed right-wing militia, who sprang to his defense to prevent federal police from removing his cattle. Jerad Miller said on his Facebook page that he was at the Bundy ranch, further north in Nevada, during the cattle standoff. CNN reported Miller was seen in video of the Bundy standoff in April. The Millers only moved to Nevada from Indiana in January. Jerad Miller had a criminal record in Washington state and wrote on Facebook he was kicked out of the Bundy ranch because of his criminal background, said McMahill. The Vegas shooting is the latest in only a few weeks in the former Wild West region of the US. On 23 May, a student with mental problems, the son of a Hollywood director, went on a gun rampage at a college campus in Santa Barbara, north of Los Angeles, killing six people and then himself. On 5 June, a gunman killed one person and injured two others on on a college campus in the north western US city of Seattle, in what the local mayor denounced as America's "epidemic of gun violence".

Medical marijuana reduces epileptic seizures

Epilepsy is the fourth most common neurological disorder in the world and affects people of all ages. Epilepsy, also known as "seizure disorder", is a chronic disorder in which a person has recurrent, unpredictable and unprovoked seizures; these seizures can vary from being brief and almost unnoticeable to lengthy and strenuous. A number of studies have shown that substances from the cannabis plant have helped animals suffering from epilepsy. However, there is limited information on its effectiveness in humans. Last year, 5-year-old Charlotte Figi became the poster-child for a marijuana treatment that is now called "Charlotte’s Web", named after Figi. Medical marijuana Charlotte’s Web is a strain of marijuana low in tetrahydrocannabinol and high in cannabidiol. Figi grew up with Dravet syndrome, a severe type of epilepsy. As a last resort, her parents decided to try giving her medical marijuana, which ended up helping her exponentially; Figi’s seizures markedly decreased from 50 convulsions a day to two to three convulsions a month. Some doctors claim that those taking cannabidiol receive the medicinal effect of cannabis without the intoxication. The oil is created by extracting the mixture from cannabis using a rotary evaporator and mixing it with olive oil, which is then ingested. Schedule I drug Though many researchers and physicians are sceptical about cannabidiol use, due to the lack of testing in controlled, scientific studies, many of them are wary of completely disregarding the results. Studies on cannabidiol have been limited because of cannabis’ classification as a Schedule I drug. Schedule I drugs have high potentials for abuse and are defined by having no medicinal qualities and a lack of accepted safety of use. Interestingly, cannabidiol is under the same classification as heroin. Additionally, cannabidiol products are often not tested, and every batch also tends to contain different levels of cannabidiol. Therefore, oftentimes, families have to take the drugs to a third party to check for e.g. pesticides and tetrahydrocannabinol.

Luke Shaw Agrees £160,000 Weekly Deal With Manchester United

Luke Paul Hoare Shaw is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender for Southampton and the England national team. He primarily plays as an attack-minded left back. He has agreed personal terms in principle with Manchester United on a deal worth an astonishing £160,000-a-week, Goalcan reveals.

It's Official! Tonto Dikeh Signs On To D’banj’s DB Records

Tonto Dikeh is officially Pokolee, the duchess of D'banj's DB Records. During an interview with Toolz on "The Juice," D'banj had mentioned that he wouldn't mind signing the Nollywood actress Tonto on his newly formed record label. He guaranteed that Pokolee would 'blow' if she pitches her tent with DB Records. Fast forward to today, Bangalee D'banj just made an announcement on his Instagram page that Tonto, who also happens to be his birthday mate, has joined the record label. Congratulations Pokolee! http://www.infonubia.com/2014/06 /its-official-tonto-dikeh-signs-on-to-dbanjs- db-records.html

Actor Tracy Morgan critically hurt in pile-up

New Jersey - A six-car accident left actor Tracy Morgan in critical condition in New Jersey early on Saturday, CNNreports The formerSaturday Night Livecast member was riding in a limo bus when the accident occurred in Mercer County, a spokesperson for the state police told the service. One person was killed and four others hospitalised with injuries, authorities said. Morgan also starred on NBC's hit sitcom,30 Rock.

Congrats!! Davido Wins Big At MAMAs 2014 (Photo)

Davido is Currently the rave of the moment, The artiste won in the best male category and artiste of the year. Big congrats to him. #OBO #MTVMAMAs2014.

Forbes Announce The Name Of Five Richest Kings In Africa

Forbes Africa just released their list of the richest Kings in Africa and two Nigerian monarchs make the list – at No.2 and No.3. I think this is lovely… See the list below 1.King Mohammed VI, Morocco Estimated net worth: $2 billion Source: Investments 2.Oba Obateru Akinrutan, Ugbo Land, Nigeria Estimated net worth: $300 million Source: Oil 3.Oba Okunade Sijuwade, Ile-Ife, Nigeria Estimated net worth: At least $75 million Source: Construction, Property, Oil 4.King Mswati III, Swaziland Estimated net worth: At least $50 million Source: Investments 5.Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Ashanti, Ghana Estimated net worth: $10 million

19-yr-old, Who Tested HIV-Positive After She Was Gang-Molested In Lagos, Seeks Justice

Helen Like any lady of her age, Helen, 19, dreamt of a bright future. That dream brought her from her hometown in Benue State, to Bariga, Lagos State, where she stayed with her sister. But in her quest for a better life, her dream was shattered last January when she was gang-molested. The incident dramatically altered her life. Helen, who is now living with the Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV), is seeking justice against those who violated her. She tells her story to Senior TheNation Correspondent, EVELYN OSAGIE. HELEN (surname withheld) will be 20 years on October 10. But she now bears a burden that is too heavy for her age. She was gang-molested in January this year and was diagnosed with HIV last month. After secondary school in 2008, Helen wanted to further her education, but being the fifth of 11 children comes with its own challenge. However, determined that she would return to school some day, she began working as a cleaner in a big firm at Lekki, Lagos, from where she hoped to save for school. She had worked there for almost a year before the tragic episode that altered her life dramatically took place. It was with a deep emotion that she recounted her ordeal. All was quiet and the street lonely early that Tuesday morning when the unsuspecting lady set out from her Bariga home to resume her morning shift at work. It was at exactly 5:05am, the same time she often left home everyday to board a bus some streets away to Lagos Island. But that morning, something was not right. She noticed five young men lurking about as she got out of her street’s gate. On seeing their fearsome appearance, her heart skipped a beat. Consumed by fear, her first instinct was to turn and run back into the street, but it was too late. She had been spotted. “They blocked and grabbed me. They pointed a gun at me and told me to be quiet and do everything they said I should do, or else they would harm me,” Helen said before she was overcome by emotion. After a short silence that seemed ages, she added: “I tried to shout but when I looked around and did not see anybody except those guys, I was so afraid and did as they said… They, then, carried me to one corner by the side of the street… (She bowed her head). They asked me to lie down.” Helen went silent again with head still bowed, to hold back tears. She said: “I begged them to release me, that I was on my way to work and that I didn’t have anything to offer them. They told me to shut up, saying they would waste me, if I didn’t like my life. I begged them to spare my life.” Her plea touched a member of the gang; he said she should be freed. But his statement fell on deaf ears, for Helen’s other attackers were determined to carry out their task to the letter. Fighting back tears, she continued: “The others said he could leave if he wanted to; they then collected my handbag, my purse and the N5,000 inside with my two phones – one was in my hand. I used its torchlight; the other was in my Jeans pocket. They removed the phone, pulled off my trousers and started violating me (Silence)…They asked me to pull off my clothes. I begged them.” Her face became contorted as the agony of the incident swelled her being. Helen became silent again. One could see she was fighting to hide several conflicting emotions as she recounted. “But was there no way you could have shouted for help?” the reporter asked in an attempt to douse the tension. “There was no way I could have shouted because there were five of them against only me… I was so scared. So, I just kept begging them to release me.” As her attackers were beginning to enjoy their violent act, they spotted another young man and lady walking towards them. Helen’s attackers also pounced on the couple, robbing them of their valuables at gunpoint. Two of them also molested the second lady. By that time, Helen’s eyes were already swollen, from her trauma and obvious helplessness in the hands of the crooks. The two men molested the girl while the other three continued molesting me,” she said in a subdued voice. On how she felt when her violators had their turns, Helen, in tears, said: “I swallowed my scream, felt very bad and closed my eyes as each of them…(Silence). For my mind e be like say make I get knife take kill them, because it was a very painful thing to experience. Before they started, I had asked if they had condoms but they said ‘No’. ‘’After they finished, all I could think of was running to the hospital and getting some drugs or treatment that could wash everything away from my whole being: my physical body, heart, soul and all. (Again, she lapsed into another silence). I felt very bad and, somehow, dirty.” After the incident, She ran back home to her sister. Both ladies cried in silence; they felt ashamed to share with neighbours what had happened. As if that was not enough, while nursing the psychological trauma of the assault she got, another shocker happened to her on the same day. Helen discovered that her violators were her neighbours. “I recognised them: two of them live opposite my house. Before that time, I did not notice them. I see them every day and cringe; I’m always in fear each time I see them,” she said. Three months after: Besides the traumatic r**e, Helen has fallen into a worrisome medical condition. Last month, she was diagnosed with HIV at the General Hospital where she was rushed to after she was molested. Before then, Helen said she had been “negative”, adding that she knew through a test she did some time back. “When I went there when it first happened, they asked me some questions, gave me some drugs and told me to come back after three months for more tests. The three-month period lapsed last month. The hospital did the followup test and found that I have become HIV-’positive’. ‘’I felt bad, very bad; and I cried. In fact, the doctor tried to calm my mind; but I kept on crying that ‘I’m finished’. I wanted to take my life because I never expected this to happen to me. They told me life still goes on and that I can still live my life to the fullest. They say people with HIV are can be healthier than those who are negative with the help of drugs. Before I left the hospital, I cried and begged them to help me because I did not plan to live on drugs for rest of my life,” she said. With tears dripping freely and looking straight at the reporter as if to find answers on her face, she continued: “What kind of life can one live now? I feel so bad; I feel so weak and I am asking myself: what did I do wrong in this life to deserve this? What will happen to my dream of going to school? I have not been able to save for school, and I now am treating HIV.” The news of her status has added more sadness to her family who were still recovering from the shock of her violation. “When my parents heard the news, they were very sad and they all cried,” Helen said amid tears. The 20-year-old has since turned an advocate, seeking justice against her attackers. After living in fear for months, the dread of the rapists forced her and her sister to relocate last weekend. The move has emboldened to seek for justice, feeling she is beyond their reach. “I want justice. I need help. I want those men to go to jail for what they did to me and perhaps many other ladies in the area. These people cannot be allowed to go free. Everybody knows them as thieves in the area; they do not go to work or school but just hang around all day doing nothing. Still nobody has done anything about it. It is almost as if they are using charms. Their father is a very aggressive landlord. I see them always and I’m always in fear; that’s why we packed out of the house last weekend. You won’t believe that till we packed, my attackers are still using my phone,” she said. Helen’s sister, Stella, who was also in her 20s, said the whole incident has left the family heart-broken. Stella, who lent a comforting hand to her sister, said: “We felt so weak and very unhappy, but there is nothing else we can do but to support her and pray that those crooks would be made to pay and suffer for what they did to my sister.”

Chelsea great Lampard quits after 13 years

London - Chelsea will have a massive void to fill in midfield next season after the club's all-time record goalscorer Frank Lampard announced on Monday he was ending his 13-year spell at Stamford Bridge. The England World Cup player, who joined the Premier League club from London rivals West Ham United in 2001 for a fee of 11 million pounds ($18.43 million), scored 211 goals in all competitions for Chelsea. "Whatever the next challenge is for me I will always be amongst you and have Chelsea in my heart," Lampard told the club's fans in a statement. "Hopefully I will get to see you all soon to say goodbye properly. In the meantime thank you for the memories and keep making history." Lampard, who turns 36 on June 20 and will be England's vice-captain at the World Cup in Brazil, is out of contract and has been linked with a move to new Major League Soccer franchise New York City. The New York club announced earlier on Monday that Spain World Cup forward David Villa had signed on a three-year deal from Atletico Madrid. Lampard won three Premier League titles, four FA Cups, two League Cups, the Europa League and the Champions League with Chelsea. "When I arrived at this fantastic club 13 years ago I would never have believed that I would be fortunate enough to play so many games and enjoy sharing in so much success," he said. "This club has become part of my life and I have so many people to thank for the opportunity. Firstly (former chairman) Ken Bates, who put his neck on the line to sign me as a young player and without him I would not have even begun this experience. "Roman Abramovich, the man who saved our club and took us all to new levels. His desire to push the club to the top of the football world has rubbed off on everyone," he added, referring to the Russian billionaire who bought the club in 2003. FIRST SEASON Lampard was brought to Chelsea by manager Claudio Ranieri and the player struggled to prove his worth in his first season at Stamford Bridge. The Londoner started to blossom in his second campaign and it was his two goals at Bolton Wanderers, in Jose Mourinho's maiden season in charge in 2004-05, that sealed the club's first top-flight title in 50 years. Lampard, by then, had turned into the modern-day version of England 1966 World Cup winner Bobby Charlton, with a penchant for spectacular long-range goals. Chelsea won the Premier League title again in 2006 and it was his pass to Didier Drogba that set up the only goal in the 2007 FA Cup final victory over Manchester United at Wembley. Lampard, vice-captain to skipper John Terry, flourished under Mourinho but the midfielder's insatiable thirst for goals continued when the Portuguese left in September 2007. The England international, who has won 103 caps for his country, claimed the domestic league and cup double with Chelsea under Italian Carlo Ancelotti in 2010. However, the crowning glory of his days in the royal blue number eight shirt came in Munich in May 2012. With Terry missing because of suspension, Lampard hoisted the Champions League trophy aloft after Chelsea beat Bayern Munich in a penalty shootout in the German team's own Allianz Arena stadium. He was also captain, with Terry this time sidelined by injury, when Chelsea beat Benfica 2-1 in the 2013 Europa League final in Amsterdam. Earlier that season Lampard went past Bobby Tambling's club record tally of 202 goals when he struck twice in a 2-1 Premier League victory at Aston Villa. "He achieved everything with Chelsea," former midfield partner Michael Ballack told Sky Sports. "He's a legend there and also for England. "I think he has had a lot of offers so he can choose what he wants. He's experienced enough to make the right decision now," added the former German international. Ballack believes Lampard could one day return to Chelsea as a member of the coaching staff. "Maybe he leaves just for a few years and then he can come back," said Ballack. "He is a player who will always be involved in such a club. "He's really well connected with Chelsea and there will always be a place in the future there for him."

Justin Bieber says sorry for racial slur joke

New York — Justin Bieber is apologising after a years-old video surfaced showing the then-teenager telling a racist joke with the N-word. In a statement Bieber said when he was a kid he didn't realize how certain words could hurt. He says he learned from his mistakes and apologized for them, and now is apologizing again because they have become public. "I'm very sorry," Bieber said. "I take all my friendships with people of all cultures very seriously and I apologize for offending or hurting anyone with my childish and inexcusable behaviour." In the video, which is five years old, a then 15-year-old Bieber tells a joke about black people that has the racial epithet as the punchline. Before he says it, someone warns him not to — but he says it anyway amid laughter. "I thought it was OK to repeat hurtful words and jokes, but I didn't realize at the time that it wasn't funny and that in fact my actions were continuing the ignorance," the statement said. "Thanks to friends and family I learned from my mistakes and grew up and apologized for those wrongs. Now that these mistakes from the past have become public I need to apologize again to all of those who I have offended." Bieber went on to say "ignorance has no place in our society and I hope the sharing of my faults can prevent others from making the same mistake in the future. I thought long and hard about what I wanted to say but telling the truth is always what's right." He ends the statement by saying "Once again ... I'm sorry."

Chris Brown has been released from jail

Los Angeles – Chris Brown is a free man. According to TMZBrown was released around midnight after serving 108 days of his 131 days jail sentence. He was initially sentenced for a year but got credit for the 116 days he spent in rehab and another 59 days in jail. Brown was taken into custody after a judge ruled that he violated his probation in the Rihanna case. His legal battles don’t end here though he still has an assault trial pending in Washington DC which is set to being in the next few months. Chris Brown posted this tweet hours after his release: Humbled and Blessed— Chris Brown (@chrisbrown)

Sudan mom facing death sentence to be freed

Khartoum - A Christian Sudanese woman sentenced to hang for apostasy will be "freed within days", a foreign ministry official told AFP on Saturday. Meriam Yahia Ibrahim Ishag, whose father was Muslim, was condemned to death on May 15 under the Islamic sharia law that has been in place since 1983 and outlaws conversions under pain of death, triggering an international outcry. She gave birth to a baby girl in a women's prison on Tuesday.

Daniel Radcliffe wants to be Bond villain

Daniel Radcliffe wants to star in a James Bond film. TheHarry Potteractor is keen to swap is wand for a gun but would rather be a villain in the famous spy movie franchise than take on the role of 007 because he doesn't think he has the body for it like hunk Daniel Craig. A source told The Sun newspaper: "Daniel thinks he would be an excellent villain in the Bond films. He loves the franchise but admires the villains as much as Bond. "He feels he could appear as a modern bad guy, an evil mastermind who wants to take down MI5. "He may not have the physique to take on Daniel Craig, but his broody acting can make him a menace. The source added: "And like the old Bond films, he hopes the role may be recurring." Fans haven't seen a Bond villain return in the movies since the 1960s and 1970s when Blofeld and Jaws came back but Radcliffe hopes his character could secure a more regular spot. Meanwhile, Radcliffe, 24, will star in his first romantic comedyWhat Ifthis year, alongside Zoe Kazan and Adam Driver. It tells the story of a medical student drop-out, played by Radcliffe, who's had bad luck in relationships.

Thousands march in Cyprus' first gay pride

Nocosia - Thousands of people marched in Cyprus' first gay pride parade on Saturday, calling for equal rights in a country where homosexuality is still vehemently opposed by an influential Orthodox Church. Waving rainbow flags, more than 3 500 people of all ages marched peacefully through the streets of the Cypriot capital where earlier a much smaller, anti-gay group clashed with police. "I'm here because I support the right of everyone to be who they are," said activist Magda Zenon. "I want to live in a society where everyone has equal access to resources and the law." Cyprus decriminalised homosexuality in 1998, five years after a lone activist won a damning judgement against the country from the European Court of Human Rights. Sixteen years on, activists say Cyprus still lags far behind its European Union peers in terms of rights for gay people, and has been slow in pursuing legislation on civil partnerships. Gay couples in Cyprus do not have the same rights to social housing and other benefits as heterosexuals and miss out on other entitlements such as being consulted over medical treatment if a partner is ill. "There is one love, and our love deserves equal recognition before the law," said Gabi Calleja of ILGA Europe, an advocacy group for lesbians and gays. Shortly before the gay pride started, about 200 people, including clerics, held a noisy protest outside the island's parliament. Some scuffles broke out. The island's conservative Orthodox Church had denounced the gay pride, calling homosexuality an "illness". A pamphlet issued by organisers of the counter-demonstration, a religious group, described homosexuality as a mortal sin. One placard said acceptance of homosexuality would turn Cyprus, once known as an "island of saints" into an "island of savages". The gay pride was one of the largest marches seen in Cyprus in several years, bigger than protest gatherings over Cyprus's tumultuous financial bailout in 2013. Several ambassadors accredited to the island showed their support by attending. Austria's ambassador Karl Mueller turned up with painted sideburns to resemble drag artist Conchita, the 2014 winner of the Eurovision song contest. "This is part of a person's rights to express themselves freely and I think its high time to emphasise the rights for these groups," Mueller told Reuters.

Congrat: D’banj (Banga Lee/ Eja Nla) Wins ‘Best Selling African Artist’ At 2014 World Music Awards

D”banj won ‘Best Selling African Artist’ award at the 2014 World Music Awards which took place on Tuesday 27th of May at the Salle des Etoiles in Monte Carlo, Monaco. D’banj performed at this event alongside artists such as Miley Cyrus, Mariah Carey, Flo Rider, DJ Khaled, Ricky Martin, Tinie Tempah, Leonah Lewis and more! Congrats to him

We Were Barred From Repelling Gamboru Attack – Soldier

A Nigerian soldier currently serving in Borno state has alleged that members of the Boko Haram attacked Gamboru Ngala in their presence but that their commander instructed them not to repel the insurgents. The soldier who did not want to be named told the BBC Hausa Service that apart from foot soldiers, choppers were seen hovering in the air while the attacks were ongoing, but no assistance was rendered to the people. Gamboru Ngala, a neighbouring community in the Nigeria-Cameroon border was attacked on May 5 where over 300 people were killed with many houses and a market completely razed down. The soldier said: “What I saw the day the attack took place really surprised me. Not only me, even my other colleagues were surprised, and we were all afraid. We entered Gamboru Ngala town few minutes to 5pm, we heard loud sounds and saw thick smokes from around the Gamboru market. “We then realized that it was the market that was set ablaze. As we got to our camp at Gamboru, before our commander went to his office, he told the soldiers that nobody should dare go close to the town. “He further said an all-round defence be deployed to guard our camp. But even when we were coming, we saw that soldiers with armoured tanks and all the weapons, police and members of Civilian JTF had already surrounded our camp,” he said. The soldier said “Instead of him to direct us to go and face the insurgents, since we’re soldiers who know how to attack them, and the Civilian JTF are from the town who know where we would follow to enter the town so that the insurgents would not see us,” that was not done. Asked if he suspected any foul play, the soldier said: “Exactly, we thought it was a set up. If he had allowed us to go into Gamboru town, I’m sure no member of Boko Haram would have escaped that day, because we soldiers were more than 200, and the Civilian JTF told us that only about 50 of the insurgents had guns. But we were shocked when our CO asked us not to go.” The soldier also said that the Boko Haram insurgency could only be tackled if their “superiors remove their hands from the matter.” “If our superiors don’t remove their hands from this issue, I can assure you the Boko Haram insurgency would not be tackled. We saw a chopper right at the point the insurgents were operating giving them cover. “We learnt those in the chopper were instructed to attack the armoured tank brought by the insurgents, but that was not done. If they didn’t allow us to face the insurgents, why didn’t the chopper attack? That is where you’ll see complicity clearly,” he added. However, chairman of the National Information Centre on security and Director-General of the National Orientation Agency, Mike Omeri, said the allegations were baseless. “You know Nigerian soldiers are experts; they know what they’re doing. If they ever get such information, they immediately swing into action and do the right thing. “We heard about the incident of Gamboru Ngala that soldiers were initially told about the attack. But we later discovered it wasn’t true. I am sure whatever comes to our soldiers, they investigate to see what it is and tackle it,” he said. http://dailytrust.info/news/24766-we-were- barred-from-repelling-gamboru-attack- soldier

Unbelievable:- See The Full Story Of The Woman Who Turned To Bird In Ajegunle, Lagos (Photo)

Residents of Ajegunle area of Lagos were, yesterday, thrown into shock, after a bird was said to have transformed into an old woman who confessed to being a witch, Vanguardreports. The dark-complexioned nonagenarian with tribal marks, who spoke in Yoruba, told a bewildered crowd that she was on her way back to Ibadan, Oyo State (as a bird) when she missed her track. She was also said to have told the mammoth crowd that her mystical powers disappointed her because it was dawn. Eye-witnesses toldVanguardthat three black birds were seen at about 7am, flying side‑by‑side along Old Ojo Road. Then, all of a sudden, one of them landed on a moving pick‑up van owned by Eko Electricity Distribution Company. An eye witness who identified himself simply as Mr Okafor said: “Immediately the bird landed on the van, it transformed into an old woman. “Everyone ran away at first but we later gathered round the woman only to discover that she had a bruise on her forehead with which she landed. “When we asked her what her mission was, she said three of them were sent to Lagos from their coven in Ibadan but that on their way back, they missed their way. “She said they started hovering in the area until it was morning, adding that she fell because she was tired. “She also told us that she initially did not want to embark on the journey and that she used to restrict her witchcraft activities to Ibadan because of her age. “She was thereafter taken to the Baale of Ajeromi, where she confessed to have killed her husband through witchcraft.” Policemen from Layeni Police Division were said to have been contacted to prevent the woman from being lynched and they came and took her away. Police sources toldVanguardthat the woman would be released to any of her relations who shows up, explaining that the law does not recognise witchcraft. “She has not committed any crime and will, therefore, be released to any member of her family who shows up. We did not arrest her. We only prevented a likely jungle justice,”the police source said.