Home » Archives for March 2015

Wednesday, March 11, 2015

Secret Cinema strikes back

charlie | 8:38 AM | ENTERTAINMENTS Be the first to comment!

Last year's Secret Cinema event caused a bit of a storm when its Back to the Future event was forced to cancel the first few screenings as the venue wasn't ready in time.

Rihanna takes a bow

charlie | 8:29 AM | ENTERTAINMENTS Be the first to comment!

Rihanna is to get a feature-length documentary charting her rise to pop supremacy.

Filmmaker Peter Berg (Lone Survivor) is behind the project, which is described as an "unfiltered look into Rihanna's life", that is "much more a character study than a music film".

Regular use of Paracetamol can lead to heart attack, stomach ulcer - NAFDAC

charlie | 8:24 AM | HEALTH Be the first to comment!

Here is a statement from NAFDAC informing Nigerians on the dangers of prolonged use of Paracetamol

The National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has said that the regular use of painkillers especially, paracetamols could lead to heart attacks, stroke and early death, According to a study published in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

MPs expected to back cigarette plain packaging

charlie | 11:06 PM | HEALTH Be the first to comment!

Department of Health images of how standardised packaging may look

How the standardised packets may look

MPs are expected to approve the introduction of standardised packaging for cigarettes in England later.

If passed, it will mean from 2016 every packet will look the same except for the make and brand name, with graphic photos accompanying health warnings.

Boko Haram child captives 'forgot names

charlie | 11:02 PM | NEWS Be the first to comment!

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Cameroonian security forces have joined a regional battle against Boko Haram militants

About 80 children rescued from a Boko Haram camp in Cameroon cannot remember their own names or origins, according to an aid official who visited them.

Number of Dollar millionaires in Ethiopia on the rise

charlie | 1:14 PM | ENTERTAINMENTS Be the first to comment!

At first glance, Ethiopia would seem like a tough place for business owners to make it big.

The strength of the state stands in contrast to the fledgling private sector, where foreign competition is barred in key industries and big sectors are entrusted to state-owned companies.

C-section rates 'vary widely' across Europe

charlie | 10:59 AM | ENTERTAINMENTS Be the first to comment!

Around 25% of women give birth by Caesarean section in the UK

Around one in four births in the UK is by C-section, while in Cyprus the figure is 52% and in Sweden 17%.There are wide variations in Caesarean section rates across Europe, indicating a lack of consensus about the best way of delivering babies, a study suggests.

Jeremy Clarkson, Top Gear host, suspended by BBC after 'fracas'

charlie | 10:51 AM | ENTERTAINMENTS Be the first to comment!

Jeremy Clarkson has hosted Top Gear since 2002

Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson has been suspended by the BBC "following a fracas" with a producer.

The corporation said the 54-year-old presenter had been suspended "pending an investigation".

"No one else has been suspended. Top Gear will not be broadcast this Sunday," it said.

Ivory Coast's former first lady Simone Gbagbo jailed

charlie | 10:47 AM | NEWS Be the first to comment!

Ivory Coast's former first lady, Simone Gbagbo, was a powerful politician in her own right

Ivory Coast's former first lady, Simone Gbagbo, has been sentenced to 20 years in jail for her role in the violence that followed the 2010 elections.

Two Oklahoma students expelled over racist chant video

charlie | 10:45 AM | ENTERTAINMENTS Be the first to comment!

Protests followed news of the video

Two University of Oklahoma students who led the singing of a racist chant that was recorded and posted to social media have been expelled.

Cameroonians angry after their President is photo-shopped into soldiers funeral

charlie | 10:31 AM | NEWS Be the first to comment!

Cameroonians are at the moment angry with their President Paul Biya and members of his cabinet after this image of him above purportedly showing him at the state burial for 39 soldiers killed by Boko Haram members, surfaced online yesterday. The President, who traveled to Switzerland yesterday, did not attend the funeral but someone in his team photo-shopped him into one of the funeral photos and posted it on their website.

Cameroonians, who were already angry that Mr Biya didn't honor the soldiers with his presence, are enraged by the photo and are slamming their president on social media. Continue...

Photos from fire outbreak at UNILAG yesterday

charlie | 10:26 AM | ENTERTAINMENTS Be the first to comment!

There was a fire outbreak at an ATM terminal close to the cloak room at UNILAG library yesterday afternoon March 9th. Cause of the fire has not been ascertained and thankfully, there was no injury. See another photo after the cut...

Saturday, March 7, 2015

The President Nigeria Jonathan and First Lady at the ''GYM'' See more photos

charlie | 9:10 AM | GOSSIP Be the first to comment!

The president & his wife at the gym ahead of the president's Fitness rally for all government officials in Abuja tomorrow March 7th. See more photos and a press statement after the cut...

Pink Fur & leather pants. Kim Kardashian steps out in Paris...nice and beautiful

charlie | 8:53 AM | ENTERTAINMENTS | GOSSIP Be the first to comment!

Mrs West out & about in Paris. Her butt in those leather pants though. See more photos after the cut...

Seyi Shay speaks on the controversial dress she wore to meet with GEJ, says I wasn't trying to seduce him

charlie | 7:12 AM | GOSSIP Be the first to comment!

Singer Seyi Shay says she had no intention of seducing the president when she wore the short dress to sing and greet the President at the MeetThePresident Youth event in Lagos last Saturday.

Etisalat presents Unbeatable Smartphone offer with new campaign

charlie | 7:07 AM | ENTERTAINMENTS Be the first to comment!

The biggest smartphone offer ever launched in Nigeria is about to storm the mobile market, courtesy of the most Innovative Telecommunications Company, Etisalat Nigeria.

If you want to enjoy data that is super-fast and reliable; reconnect w

Photos: Kanye grabs Kim's butt as the two return to their hotel

charlie | 7:05 AM | GOSSIP Be the first to comment!

Behave Mr..lol. Kanye West grabbed his wife's backside and gave the back of her neck a smooch as they walked back to their Paris hotel today after an outing. See more photos after the cut...

Cricket World Cup: Ireland's John Mooney bats in customised helmet

charlie | 6:56 AM | SPORTS Be the first to comment!

Pool B: Zimbabwe v Ireland
Venue: Hobart Date: Saturday, 7 March (0330 GMT)
Coverage: Live Test Match Special radio and text commentary on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra & BBC SPORTS, plus desktop, tablets, mobiles and app.

Cricket World Cup 2015: Ireland deny Zimbabwe in thriller

charlie | 6:50 AM | SPORTS Be the first to comment!

World Cup, Pool B, Hobart:
Ireland 331-8 (50 overs): Joyce 112; Chatara 3-61
Zimbabwe 326 (49.3 overs): Taylor 121; Cusack 4-32
Ireland won by five runs
Scorecard. Tables

Mali bar attack kills five in Bamako

charlie | 6:41 AM | NEWS Be the first to comment!

Five people have been killed in a machine-gun and grenade attack on a bar in Mali's capital, Bamako.

A masked gunman opened fire at La Terrasse bar, killing a French national.

A Belgian security guard working for the EU and three Malians also died at or near the site of the attack.

Witnesses say the attackers shouted "God is Great" in Arabic ("Allahu Akbar"). It is the first attack of its kind in the capital.

Police sources said two people connected to the incident had been detained.

The attack on La Terrasse came as a surprise as Bamako, in the south, has been free

Friday, March 6, 2015

South Sudan mediators attack 'unacceptable' talks failure

charlie | 1:38 PM | NEWS Be the first to comment!

Women are screened for malnutrition at a UN clinic in northern Jonglei, South Sudan (03 March 2015)

The conflict in South Sudan has left an estimated 2.5 million people facing severe food shortages

Watch

Mediators in peace talks between South Sudan's government and rebels have said both sides' failure to reach a deal is morally and politically "unacceptable".

Thursday, March 5, 2015

India rape film: Leslee Udwin rejects Delhi legal action

charlie | 11:57 PM | ENTERTAINMENTS Be the first to comment!

Indian girls take a pledge to act towards stopping atrocity on women on the second anniversary of the deadly gang rape of a student on a bus in Delhi, in Ahmadabad, December 16, 2014

The 2012 gang rape was regarded as a watershed moment for India's attitudes towards the crime

A British film-maker has defended an interview with a convicted Indian rapist, hours after authorities there launched a slew of legal measures.

Leslee Udwin denies claims that she broke a contract with the prison by airing the interview with the rapist, convicted over the 2012 Delhi bus rape.

Population rose 565,000 since 2011 - Oxford analysis

charlie | 11:48 PM | NEWS Be the first to comment!

By Dominic CascianiHome affairs correspondent

The population of England has risen by 565,000 since 2011 because of immigration, a major analysis by the University of Oxford estimates.

The figures suggest the migrant population of every local authority in the country may have risen.

Two-thirds of the rise is attributed to people from the European Union.

Broken dreams for woman forced to flee IS-held Syria

charlie | 11:37 PM | NEWS Be the first to comment!

Razan became accustomed to the new look imposed on women living in parts of northern Syria that were seized by Islamic State (IS) in 2013.

She used to wear modern headscarves with colourful outfits. But the jihadists forced her to wear a long, black abaya, a cloak covering her body, and a niqab, a veil that covered all but the area around her eyes.

Gunmen wound five Kano Pillars players

charlie | 11:24 PM | NEWS Be the first to comment!

Kano Pillars's bus was attacked by gunmen

Five Kano Pillars players have been shot by gunmen in an attack on the club's entourage as they travelled to Owerri for the start of the new Nigerian Premier League

Suspected Boko Haram militants have killed at least 45 people in a village in Borno state, north-east Nigeria,

charlie | 10:55 AM | NEWS Be the first to comment!

Tank used by Boko Haram captured by Nigerian troops at Uba. 1 March 2015

Nigerian forces have been struggling to contain the Boko Haram insurgency

Suspected Boko Haram militants have killed at least 45 people in a village in Borno state, north-east Nigeria, witnesses have said.

US ambassador to South Korea injured by knife-wielding attacker

charlie | 12:00 AM | NEWS Be the first to comment!

Mark Lippert was at a breakfast meeting when the attack happened, Steve Evans reports from Soul.

The US ambassador to South Korea, Mark Lippert, has been injured by a knife-wielding attacker in Seoul.

Mr Lippert, 42, was attending a breakfast meeting when he was slashed on his face and left hand.He was taken to hospital but his injuries are not life-threatening.

Wednesday, March 4, 2015

Yvonne had found the perfect wedding dress;

charlie | 11:38 PM | ENTERTAINMENTS Be the first to comment!

Yvonne had found the perfect wedding dress; it was fitted and flowing, and it would make her look like amazing. But her tummy rendered the dress ill-fitting.

She didn’t really mind her size and her fiancé did not mind it either,but on her special day, she did not want it to be

wahoooo...See photos of the Former Federal Republic of nigeria Olueegun Obasanjo playing football

charlie | 11:27 PM | ENTERTAINMENTS Be the first to comment!

Chief Obasanjo joined members of staff of his Library, the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library OOPL and officials of the Ogun state government in a novelty match played at the MKO Abiola stadium Abeokuta,

Tracey Ullman is to return to the BBC with her own comedy series, some 30 years after she was a regular face on British TV.

charlie | 11:21 PM | NEWS Be the first to comment!

Ullman last appeared regularly on the BBC in the 1980s

The actress, writer and singer, who has enjoyed decades of success in the US, said it was "a privilege" to be back.

Election 2015: Cameron agrees to just one TV debate

charlie | 11:14 PM | NEWS Be the first to comment!

Natalie Bennett, Nigel Farage, Nick Clegg, David Cameron, Ed Miliband, Nicola Sturgeon, Leanne Wood

The broadcasters proposed two live election debates featuring seven UK political parties

David Cameron has said he will take part in only one televised debate ahead of the general election, featuring seven party leaders.

The announcement rules out a head-to-head clash with Labour leader Ed Miliband ahead of the 7 May poll.

Downing Street said it was a "final offer" and criticised the "chaos" of the negotiating process.

Other parties criticised the PM, accusing him of "acting like a chicken" and trying to "bully" broadcasters.

On Twitter, Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg told Mr Cameron people wanted the debates to go ahead and added: "Stop holding them to ransom by trying to dictate the terms."

The broadcasters said they would respond to the Conservatives' proposal in due course.

'Muddy water'

Under Mr Cameron's proposal, one 90-minute contest would take place before 30 March, when the official general election campaign is likely to start.

Downing Street said the Democratic Unionist Party should also be considered for inclusion.

It follows fierce debate over how the debates should be organised.

Speaking about Mr Cameron's "final offer", BBC deputy political editor James Landale said: "Water that was pretty muddy has just got muddier."

Broadcasters have proposed a total of three debates.

The BBC and ITV were to hold two, both involving the Conservatives, Labour, Liberal Democrats, UKIP, Plaid Cymru, the SNP and the Greens.

A third debate - hosted by Sky and Channel 4 - would feature a head-to-head between Mr Cameron and Mr Miliband.

'Running away'

Labour's Douglas Alexander said his party still supported the broadcasters' plan and said Mr Cameron was "scared" of a debate with Mr Miliband.

"This is an outrageous attempt from the prime minister to bully the broadcasters into dropping their proposals for a head-to-head debate between David Cameron and Ed Miliband," he said.

A Liberal Democrat spokesman said it was "not right for one party to dictate their terms" over the debates.

"The Tories clearly do not want to discuss and debate the merits of their manifesto with the British public," he said.

"David Cameron and the Conservatives should stop thinking they can hold these debates to ransom."

A UKIP spokesman said: "After praising what a good thing debates were for democracy as recently as 2014, why is David Cameron now acting chicken and running as far away from them as possible?"

Broadcasters 'committed'

Sky and Channel 4 then offered to move the event to a different date if the leaders could agree.

In a joint statement, broadcasters said: "The BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Sky have received an email from the prime minister's office with a proposal.

"The broadcasters are committed to providing our audiences with election debates.

"Twenty two million people watched the debates in 2010 and we believe the debates helped people to engage with the election.

"The broadcasters have set out their proposals and continue to talk to all the relevant parties on an equitable basis.

"We will respond to the Conservatives' proposal in due course."

Ashley Young saves Man U

charlie | 11:09 PM | SPORTS Be the first to comment!

The visitors threatened within the first 30 seconds as a slip from Mehdi Abeid allowed Wayne Rooney to slip Angel di Maria through on goal, but Fabricio Coloccini was able to get back and clear things up

A late Ashley Young goal has given Manchester United a 1-0 win away at Newcastle United in Wednesday evening’s Premier League clash at St James’ Park. The visitors threatened within the first 30 seconds as a slip from Mehdi Abeid allowed Wayne Rooney to slip Angel di Maria through on goal, but Fabricio Coloccini was able to get back and clear things up. In the 10th minute, the Magpies had a penalty shout when Emmanuel Riviere appeared to be brought down by Chris Smalling in the Red Devils box, but referee Anthony Taylor waved away the appeals. Man United continued to push forward following that minor setback and, on the quarter-hour mark, saw Marouane Fellaini fire a shot into the Newcastle defence, with Ander Herrera’s follow-up flying narrowly wide. Rooney nearly opened the scoring in the 27th minute when he collected Ashley Young’s ball before lofting a chip over Tim Krul that floated wide of the post. Not long before the break, Papiss Cisse brought the ball down well before letting up from distance with a shot which flew a yard or so wide in the end. After the restart, Marcos Rojo struck a ferocious shot from the edge of the box, but the ball was off target by about four inches. Just two minutes later, David de Gea had to be at his best to deny Riviere after the Frenchman latched onto Coloccini’s headed flick-on. There was no let-up to the action as Krul pulled off a smart double save from Fellaini and Young, while just before the hour, Rooney had the ball in the back of the net, though it was disallowed for offside. In the 65th minute, St James’ Park erupted into applause as Jonas Gutierrez entered the pitch in a black-and-white shirt for the first time since beating testicular cancer. Both sides continued plugging away as Cisse made the most of Herrera’s hesitation to drag his shot wide of goal, while at the other end, Rooney tested Krul again. Just as it seemed like both sides would play out a goalless draw, Young made the most of Krul’s spilled ball in the 89th minute to poke home and give the visitors the win.

China sets 2015 growth target at 7%

charlie | 11:03 PM | NEWS Be the first to comment!

Chinese president Xi Jinping (L) and premier Li Keqiang

China sets its official growth target at 7% for this year as the economy continues to slow

China, the world's second-largest economy, has set its growth target at about 7% for this year, the government said.

The announcement was made by Premier Li Keqiang at the start of the National People's Congress on Thursday.

The target is lower than 7.5% set last year, which was missed after China grew at its slowest pace in 24 years.

The new target is in line with China's plan to guide the economy towards slower and more sustainable growth.

China's economy expanded by 7.4% last year from 7.7% in 2013, following a cooling of the property market, slowing factory activity and easing business and government investment.

Growth of 7% in 2015 will mark the country's weakest expansion in a quarter of a century.

Other targets

Premier Li also said the government would have a consumer inflation target at about 3%, down from 3.5% in 2014.

The country's annual inflation hit a five-year low in January of 0.8% - below expectations of a 1% rise. Factory deflation also worsened - highlighting persistent weakness in the economy.

Mr Li said that the economy would face greater difficulties this year, compared to the previous one.

Over the weekend, China cut interest rates for the second time in three months to boost lending and growth in the economy.

The government also pledged to rein in local government debt and deepen reforms of state-owned businesses.

It aims to create 10 million jobs and keep the urban unemployment rate at 4.5% or below.

In an attempt to push for financial reforms, Mr Li announced that a trial of a trading link between its Shenzhen and Hong Kong stock markets would be launched at an "appropriate time".

The move comes after a link between the Shanghai and Hong Kong stock exchanges was established in November - allowing investors to trade stocks on both exchanges.

Nigeria target African Under-20s Championship success

charlie | 10:56 PM | SPORTS Be the first to comment!

Nigeria's Under-20s have been challenged by the country's football federation to win the upcoming African Under-20 Championship in Senegal.

The bulk of the squad won the Under-17s World Cup two years ago.

Nigeria Football Federation deputy secretary general Emmanuel Ikpeme said: The target is for the team to win the AYC and confirm that winning the U17 World Cup was not a fluke."

The Flying Eagles begin their campaign against the hosts on Sunday 8 March.

Ikpeme told the team: "Do not expect it to be an easy match but we believe you are up to the task going by what you showed in your recent test matches in Ghana.

"We should not take any match or opponent for granted and so you should resolve as a team to make Nigeria happy and proud in Senegal."

Coach Manu Garba assured the NFF the team are fired up for glory in Senegal.

"We as a team always want to win every game we play and that is the attitude we will take to the AYC," Manu said. "We will not underrate any team in Senegal, but we are confident we will do the nation proud."

Eight teams will take part in the tournament, to be played between, 8 and 22 March, with the semi-finalists qualifying for the 2015 U-20 World Cup
.

From Ground Zero to Cloud 9: President E.Jonathan's 18yr old Pilot and other Flying Stars

charlie | 11:24 AM | ENTERTAINMENTS Be the first to comment!

Sponsored post. President Jonathan hosted 5000 Young Nigerians to an even titled "Meet The President in Lagos, Sunday evening. For Mr. President the rewarding moment was when a group of young Pilots, including Nigeria’s youngest pilot, an 18-year-old, which were trained by his administration came on stage to thank and appreciate the President amongst several endorsements and verifiable testimonials of the Jonathan administration’s impact on Nigerian Youths.

The President was stirred and visibly impressed as he invited the Pilots to join him for discussion and refreshments at the State House.

President Jonathan’s administration will go into record as one of the most youth friendly governments and with this breed of young pilots testifying it is symbolic that the President has impressed himself on the hearts of Nigerian Youths as the government on whose wings the young can fly!

For commenters who will ask how does this put food on the table or affect the common man. Remember that this were the children of the ordinary and their success will put food on their family and friends' tables and more than anything else bring hope, joy, inspiration and succor to many others. Dare to achieve!

See photos from the meeting below: