Friday 31 October 2014

Debutantes Nishikori, Raonic Complete World Tour Finals Field

Japan’s Kei Nishikori and Canada’s Milos Raonic complete the eight- player field for this month’s ATP World Tour Finals.


Both Nishikori, 24, and Raonic, 23 are set to make their first appearance in the season-ending tournament and have made history by becoming the first Asian and Canadian player respectively to compete among the best tennis players in the world in the singles at the final showdown.


Sixth seed Nishikori sealed the eight-man field after defeating Spaniard David Ferrer 3-6 7-6 (7-5) 6-4 in a thrilling quarter-finals game at the Paris Masters on Friday. The win over 4th seed Ferrer guaranteed a spot for both him and seventh seed Raonic, who earlier in the day upset Roger Federer 7-6(5) 7-5 to progress to the semi-finals at the Palais Omnisport, Bercy, Paris.


Kei Nishikori Beats David Ferrer to Reach ATP World Tour Finals. Image: Getty.

Kei Nishikori Beats David Ferrer to Reach ATP World Tour Finals. Image: Getty.



The duo joins Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Stanislas Wawrinka, Andy Murray, Tomas Berdych and Marin Cilic at The O2 Arena, London, UK.

The 2014 ATP World Tour begins from November 9 through to 16 November.


Rafael Nadal was due to join the elite field before announcing his withdrawal so as to undergo appendix surgery next week.




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Paris Masters: Djokovic Sees Off Murray, Retains Advantage in Year-End No.1 Quest

Novak Djokovic defeated eighth seed Andy Murray to maintain his push to end 2014 as No. 1 in the world on Friday.


The top seed earned 58 per cent of points on his opponents’ serve and fired 12 winners to seal a 7-5 6-2 win over Murray in 1 hour 41 minutes and set up a last 4 match against Japan’s Kei Nishikori.


The defending champion, who also triumphed in Bercy, Paris, in 2009, will be aiming for his fourth Masters 1000 crown this year following previous successes in Indian Wells, Miami and Rome.


Following a lengthy first set with little separating both players as the Serb closed it out with a late break of serve, Murray broke for an early 2-1 lead. Djokovic broke back immediately before taking the next five straight games to secure his fourth victory in 2014 over the Scot all on hard court.


Novak Djokovic Defeated Andy Murray To Keep Hopes of Finishing the year as NO. 1 Alive. Image: Getty.

Novak Djokovic Defeated Andy Murray To Keep Hopes of Finishing the year as NO. 1 Alive. Image: Getty.



“The first set was very close,” Djokovic told Sky Sports. “I had some a few break point opportunities and held my service games pretty well, then I got a crucial break at the end of the first. He was a break up in the second, but then he hit some double faults and allowed me back in. After that, I started swinging through and felt much better.

“I knew he had played seven weeks in a row, trying to qualify for the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals. He won three titles and played some great tennis. I knew if I could win the first set, I felt I had a little edge over him physically and could take my opportunities when presented.”

The Wimbledon champion is faourite to claim the year-end No.1 ranking after second seed Roger Federer lost to Milos Raonic in straight sets.


“Obviously it helps the battle between Roger and me that I progressed to the semis and he didn’t,” said Djokovic. “But I’m trying not to think about the calculations. I have to focus on my own matches and try to play as well as I did in my first couple of matches of this tournament. Hopefully I can finish the year as No. 1.”


No. 6 seed Nishikori ousted 2012 champion and last year’s runner up David Ferrer 3-6 7-6 (7-5) 6-4 to claim his 52nd win of the season

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The win confirmed Nishikori’s passage to the 2014 ATP World Tour Finals, thus guaranteed Feder’s conqueror Raonic a place in the season-ending tournament a place as well, and halted Ferrer in his bid for a fifth consecutive slot in London.




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Monaco’s Echiejile Scores In Hapless Draw

Monaco’s Elderson Echiejle grabbed his first goal of the season as Cameroon’s Benjamin’s Moukandjo came back with Reims to hunt his former club in a 1-1 draw at the Stade Louis II on Friday.


Elderson Echiiejile gave Leandro Jardim’s men a deserved lead 20 minutes into the match, slamming in Bernardo Silva’s low ball from the back post following a smart passing move.


The strike was also the 26-year-old Super Eagles invitee’s first goal in the French top-flight.


Elderson Echiejile Celebrates His First League Goal With Bernado Silva. Image: AS Monaco Via Getty.

Elderson Echiejile Celebrates His First League Goal With Bernado Silva. Image: AS Monaco Via Getty.



The principality hosts dominated much of the Ligue 1 clash but failed to convert their chances, with impressive teenager, Anthony Martial, denied a goal by Mohamed Fofana, who cleared his goal-bound effort after scuffing the ball over goalkeeper Johnny Placide.

They were left to rue their lack of incision when Moukandjo, who played at the same ground in the 2010-11 season, side-footed past Danijel Subassic from Nicolas de Preville’s inch-perfect delivery from the right.






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Keshi Back on Super Eagles Job

The process for the return of Mr. Stephen Keshi as Head Coach of the Super Eagles appeared complete on Friday after the NFF Technical Committee accepted the plea for his reconsideration, made by Coach Shaibu Amodu on Monday.


Amodu was announced to take over the senior squad in the early hours of October 16, hours after the team’s 3-1 over Sudan in Abuja only took it to third place in the Group A table of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.


However, in a letter dated 27th October, 2014 and addressed to NFF President Amaju Pinnick through the Chairman of NFF Technical Committee, the 56 –year old tactician pleaded that Keshi be reconsidered for the two matches as the time –frame was too short to tinker with the fabric of the squad or start to build a new one altogether.


“As Technical Director of the NFF, I am ready and willing to help build a better relationship among Keshi (with whom I have enjoyed good working relationship in the past and who is still very close to me), the players and the NFF Technical Committee,” Amodu wrote, inter alia.


Keshi Led Nigeria to the Second Round of this Year's Fifa World Cup. Image: Getty.

Keshi Led Nigeria to the Second Round of this Year’s Fifa World Cup. Image: Getty.



Speaking on Friday morning, Chairman of the NFF Technical Committee, Chief Felix Anyansi-Agwu, said his committee has accepted the plea and forwarded same to the NFF President.

“We have deliberated on Coach Amodu’s letter, and after speaking to my committee members, we decided to accept it and informed the NFF President of our approval.”


On his part, NFF President Amaju Pinnick simply said on Friday that he had no objection to the proposal.


“I have never had anything against Keshi as a person. Amodu is someone we all respect and since that is his opinion and the Technical Committee has approved, so be it.


“I have always said that the work of the committees will not be interfered with. We will give the committees the independence to do their work for optimum results. I am also assuring Nigerians at home and abroad that the NFF will give Keshi all the necessary support to successfully prosecute the two very crucial final matches of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying series.”


By Ademola Olajire




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No Ring? No Man? No Problem! 4 Ways Ladies Are Adjusting To Relationships Nowadays

The mark of a good relationship is one that can evolve and adapt through life’s challenges, so it comes as no surprise that women’s ideas on love and relationships are also ever-evolving. From wedding rings to online dating, females are adjusting their attitudes toward single life, dating and marriage.


Here are four ways women are shifting the way they think about relationships:


1. NO RING ISN’T NECESSARILY A PROPOSAL DEAL BREAKER


No Ring No Man No ProblemWhile every girl dreams of a romantic proposal that involves her guy getting down on one knee and pulling out a giant, sparkling engagement ring, the lack of a ring does not have to equate to the lack of an engagement. JDate recently conducted a poll and discovered that 63 percent of women would maybe or definitely accept a proposal without a ring.


While men may delay uttering those four magical words to save up three months’ salary for a giant rock and lock in a “yes,” perhaps they should consider that the question itself is much more important than the hardware with which it typically comes. With more than half of women reporting that they would consider saying yes sans ring, it just goes to show that us ladies do have our priorities in order. And who knows? Stripping away the pressure of the perfect ring could leave the door open for an even more romantic gesture of love.


2. WOMEN ARE MORE SELECTIVE WHEN IT COMES TO COMMITMENT


The dating landscape has changed vastly in the last few decades making women more selective when committing to a significant other as a result. As the community manager for JDate, I’ve seen firsthand how online dating has changed the way people meet and find love.


Dating sites open up a whole new pool of singles providing women with more options at their fingertips. Furthermore, most online dating sites feature search functions, in-depth questionnaires and compatibility ratings, which gives women a wealth of vetting tools to use before they even head out on that first date.


With the help of modern day technologies, women can be choosy when searching for the right guy to build a lasting relationship with, not to mention save hours by avoiding bad dates with the guy that seemed to have it all together after a five minute conversation in a dark bar.


3. MEN NO LONGER NEED TO BE BREADWINNERS


Now more than ever, women are leading successful careers and holding high power positions in the working world. With big careers come big paychecks, so the cliché that men need to be making more money in a relationship is quickly fading. In a recent study by JDate and ChristianMingle, it was revealed that 53 percent of women don’t care who the primary breadwinner is in a relationship.


The progress women have made in the professional world has brought about a sense of independence that has diluted the need to feel taken care of financially. In relieving the pressure of being the sole provider for the family, men and women can live and love in a way that allows them both to thrive as individuals and a couple.


4. WOMEN ARE EMBRACING THE SINGLE LIFE


Most people are looking for that special someone to settle down with, but in the meantime women are also enjoying their independence. A recent study from the Pew Research Center found that fewer 18 to 32 year olds are walking down the aisle than they were in the 1960s.


Reporting a drop from 65 to 26 percent, the study indicates that women are using their 20s to establish careers and focus on themselves, which often leads to an even stronger foundation for a successful relationship when the time is right.


Whether they have a ring on their finger or are enjoying the single life, women are altering their standards of love in order to form stronger, healthier relationships as a whole. In a world that’s always changing, women should always feel empowered to date, marry and love the way they see fit.


Source: galtime.com




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10 “Crazy” Things All Women Do That Are Actually Totally Normal

es, you ARE normal.

Listen, we all have our days when we’re not sure which way is up or down and we wind up asking the people we’re closet to if we’re acting “totally crazy.” (Spoiler alert: You’re probably not.) Here 10 “crazy” things all women do that are 100% normal. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise!


1. Thinking You’re Crazy

If the guy you’re seeing is consistantly calling you “crazy”, he may be gaslighting you. And don’t worry – I didn’t know what gaslighting was until I personally experienced it. Its actually a form of mental abuse that makes you question your sanity or memory of an argument or situation. Do you constantly feel like your mate has selective memory? Is he/she saying his accusations are “jokes”? Are you confused in general? Then he’s gaslighting you and playing mind games. So, no. You’re not crazy.


2. Wanting Commitment

If you’ve been “nagging” him for a few months about making it official, you’re not actually nagging. You’re asking for what you deserve based on your time and investment. There’s nothing wrong with wanting a commitment, and you shouldn’t be ashamed for wanting to take things to the next level with a guy you care about. If he doesn’t give it to you in a fair amount of time, walk away. You should be with a man who’s excited to call you his girlfriend. And trust me, you’ll be happy that you did it.


3. Doubting Your Appearance From Time To Time

We all know how to “s*x up” our look when the occasion calls for it. But some days, self-doubt gets the best of us. YOU ARE NOT ALONE, but it’s temporary. When I’m in an appearance rut, I spend some extra time pampering myself ith a new outfit, changing my hair or color, and sometimes just a pedicure will do the trick. Sprucing yourself up a little bit always helps to boost your confidence!


4. Wanting the wrong guy

Sometimes we want the wrong guy. It’s like craving pizza when you’re on a diet—deep down you know you’re not supposed to indulge, but it’s so good. But, stop! Get out of a bad situation before it gets worse. If your gut tells you he’s wrong—then let your feet match it and walk away. Better yet, if your friends and mother tell you a guy is no good, run!


5. Social Media Stalking

To quote Cruel ​Intentions, “EVERYONE does it, but NO ONE talks about it.”


It’s not unusual for women to check out an ex on Facebook or Instagram to … see what they’re up to. But while it may be normal, it’s not healthy. When I find myself doing this, I’m more likely to unfriend them or unfollow to avoid the obvious temptation.


6. Hurting When You Learn Your Ex Has Moved On

It doesn’t matter if you’re in fabulous new relationship or getting married, there will always be a slight twinge when you hear that your ex has a new love. As strong as you may be, it’ll still sting. But don’t worry! You’re normal for feeling that way. And the pain of feeling a little ‘replaced’ is certainly real.


7. Being Opinionated

Do your views (particularly about the opposite s*x) sound, well, more feminist the older you get? Do new dating norms offend you? This is totally normal because the world has literally changed before our eyes in the last decade—and so has dating. So if you feel like the men you’re encountering are chauvinistic and sexist, chances are, there’s some truth in that statement. I promise for every 10 guys I meet, there is a chance that half of them will ignite something inside that makes me become that know-it-all girl you remember from class.


8. Wondering If You Can Be With A Man You’re Not Physically Attracted To

There will be a time when you like a guy, but aren’t totally into him physically. Does the fact that you don’t want to be with him make you shallow? No. You’re not alone here. The question has crossed my mind more than a few times in the last several years. While I may stick it out for a little bit—especially if others think he’s good looking—truthfully, if he doesn’t tickle my fancy, he must go. Attraction is key in a relationship.


9. Questioning Why Your Friend Got Married Before You

It’s totally normal, believe me. Just know that your opportunity will come, too. Thanks to social media, I’ve had many head-scratchers that I couldn’t quite understand. But I’ve learned that the best thing to do is to be happy for the couple and know that the best is always last.


10. Questioning Whether Marriage Is Right For You

It’s normal—more than that, it’s OK—to question whether or not marriage is right for you because it encourages you to examine the WHY behind your life goals. Reasons other than “I’d always wanted it” will help you affirm those life goals and work toward achieving them. When you’ve finally decided that you actually want to get married, you can start looking for what will actually work for you. I’ve seen many marriages fail because people wanted a wedding and didn’t actually want to be wives or husbands (a lot of times because they didn’t know what that meant). Questioning if it’s for you will give you a new lease on your life goal (because chances are, it is totally what you want, and it will happen for you).


Source: yourtango.com




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Police Arrest 3 Suspects As 8 Die In Gombe Blast

Police have arrested three suspects in connection with an early morning explosion at the Gombe Motor Park which reportedly led to the death of eight people and left about 34 people injured.


The spokesman for the National Emergency Management Agency, Manzo Ezekiel, told AFP his staff had confirmed five dead but noted the toll could be higher.


According to the Gombe State Commissioner of Police, Mr Kudu Nma, a vehicle with an inscription “Yobe Line” was reported to have brought the suspected bombers to the motor park.


“A vehicle which was suspected to have carried the bombers who came in with Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) was recovered.


“Unfortunately for them, they were caught when they were about to run away,” Nma said.


According to a report by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the explosion had gone off around 9.30 a.m. at the park at a time when many passengers were at the park boarding vehicles to various destinations.




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Three Crazy Norwegians Visit 19 Countries in 24 Hours, Set New World Record

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Last month, three friends from Norway set a new world record for visiting the most number of countries in a day. They made it to 19 different countries across Europe in only 24 hours, beating the 2012 world record of 17 countries. Throughout the journey, they had to follow only three simple rules: physically stand in each country, complete visits within any consecutive 24-hour period, and provide media evidence.


The three extreme travelers – Gunnar Garfors, 39, Tay-young Pak, 42, and Øystein Djupvik, 40 – started their journey from Greece at midnight on September 22. From there they followed a northwestern route, passing through 18 other countries: Bulgaria, Macedonia, Kosovo, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia, Slovenia, Austria, Hungary, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, France, and Switzerland.


They managed to make their final stop in Liechtenstein, just before the 24 hours were up. And although they had time to spare at the end of the trip, bad weather conditions prevented them from making it to their 20th country, Italy. But that didn’t bother the trio, who were obviously elated with their achievement.


“It was a fantastic journey. Now we need to celebrate for 24 hours as well,” said Garfors, shortly after completing the epic trip. “It has been a fantastic journey. We crushed the old record with two countries, and we are extremely happy with ourselves.”


“Our main sponsor, the gambling company ComeOn, kept the excitement going by setting odds on whether we would set the record or not, and on which countries we would visit on our journey,” Pak and Djupvik added.


To complete such a time-sensitive trip required extensive planning, but the trio managed to rise to the occasion. They made use of rental cars to complete most of the journey, and took two commercial flights – Macedonia to Serbia, and Austria to Germany. Djupvik was the driver for the trip, while Garfors was the guide and Tay was responsible for rations. They didn’t have much time to stop and eat, so they ate on the go and relieved themselves during fuel breaks. They even used a peeing bottle when there was no time to stop for a loo break! All through the journey, they documented their progress and experiences using the hashtag #recordrun.


This isn’t the first time Garfors, Pak and Djupvik attempted to break the world record. They previously made an attempt in May, but only managed to tie with the previous record holders at 17 countries. “I don’t like sharing. Not world records, at least,” Garfors wrote on his personal blog, just before their second attempt. “The route is all brand new, we have put even more planning into the project this time and we have experience. The experience of failure. Can’t beat that.”


Lucky for them, everything went according to plan this time. “Everything went smooth, besides from some bad weather in Switzerland, and some trouble with a rental car in Greece before the start of the race,” Garfors explained. There was also a bit of a hiccup when the team’s photographer John Bjarne Lium almost got himself arrested at the Greece-Bulgaria border. The Border guards didn’t like being caught on camera, but luckily it was all smoothed out in no time. In Kosovo, the border crossing queue was so long that they had to abandon their car and sprint across and back, just to be able to add the country to their list.


“We all like drama and good stories, as long as they end well. And this one really did end well. You could call it the ultimate boys trip, three lads visiting all these countries and having a bit of fun. Now we have been on the road and should be tired, but setting a new world record feels like winning the lottery and we wonder if we should continue to travel for 24 hours more,” he said, just after completing the journey.


The three globetrotters now plan to release a documentary about their unique adventure, complete with instruction on how to use a ‘peeing bootle’ when there is not time for a bathroom break. Here is a short preview:


Source: The Local via Kickass Trips




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Australian Cafe Charges Different Prices for Coffee Depending on How Nice You Ask for It

polite-cafe-550x352


The Seven Mile Beach Kiosk Café in Gerroa, New South Wales, doesn’t just serve its customers good coffee, but also a lesson in politeness. In order to reinforce the importance of being nice, the café’s owners are actually charging people different rates for coffee, depending on how they ask for it.


Just so this doesn’t confuse their customers, they’ve put up a sign outside the café explaining their innovative pricing policy. According to the sign, merely asking for “A coffee” will set you back by $5.00. But saying, “A coffee, please” will bring the price down to $4.50. And if you want to go the whole mile, you could say “Good morning, a coffee please.” Then they’ll only charge you $4.00.


The initiative is only two months old, and things have been going pretty well so far. Owner Kev Chilver and his wife Kylie Pickett said they wanted to bring good manners back, and they got the idea after one of their employees saw a similar sign in another shop. And ever since they put up the sign, they said their customers have been making an effort to ask nicely.


“Common courtesy is less common, and we’re trying to bring it back,” Chilver said. “We are in the service industry but we deserve as much respect as anyone else. Please and thank you go a long way.”


Photos: Kylie Pickett


via Daily Mail




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Heartwarming Story of Man Who Still Eats Out with His Late Wife Melts Internet Hearts

love-is-forever2-550x553


This picture of an elderly man eating out with a photo of his late wife has melted the hearts of thousands after it went viral last week. It was tweeted by Madina Bashizadah, who clicked the picture while having lunch with a friend at In-N-Out Burger in Fremont, California. Since she uploaded the pic on October 22, it has been retweeted over 8,000 times.


Madina said that she noticed the man seated at a nearby table, eating his meal while staring at a framed photograph in front of him. She immediately interpreted that the woman in the photo must be his deceased wife. This moved her so much that she burst into tears and couldn’t bring herself to approach him.


“When I saw him, I got very emotional and started tearing up,” she later said. “My best friend wanted me to talk to him but I couldn’t without breaking down.” Other diners at the restaurant, however, did pluck up the courage to speak to the old man and ask him about the photo. He confirmed that the woman was indeed his wife who had passed away five years ago, and he seemed excited to talk about her and share their beautiful love story .


Madina learned that the old man first met his wife when they were only 17 years old. The war kept them apart for 10 years after that, but he never stopped searching for her. “One day as he was telling his barber about her, the barber calls his daughter and it ends up being her,” she shared on Twitter. “They were married instantly and it lasted 55 years until she passed away. He takes her photo everywhere.”


The photo has been marked as a favorite by over 13,000 people, and Madina is quite overwhelmed with the response. “I didn’t think anything like that would ever happen. I tweet everything, it’s kinda like my public diary,” she said. “So when I saw this, it was such a beautiful moment I was like ‘aw, I’m gonna tweet this’. Not to be cheesy, but it made me want that kinda love.”


Interestingly, another photo of the old man eating out with a photo of his wife has been circulating around the internet lately. Two weeks ago, a picture of the same man, in the same spot, but on a different day was posted onImgur, with the caption: “Be sure to talk to the elderly. Especially strangers. You may think that you will brighten their day, but you may be surprised that they can actually brighten yours.”


Madina said she’s been receiving hate tweets from users who think she stole the photo from someone else. But she clarified that the picture was hers, because you can see the corner of her eye in the pic she posted. She’s just glad that she was able to share the story that has managed to touch so many hearts. “Goes to show you true love does exist and I would love for everyone to know!”


Sources: Today.com, Huffington Post




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El-Rufai Picks Up Governorship Nomination Form, Says He’s Not Desperate To Win

Former FCT Minister, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai has declared his intention to offer credible leadership in Kaduna State if he wins the 2015 governorship election, saying however that he was not desperate to win.


El-Rufai said this on Friday in Kaduna when he obtained the APC nomination forms in the state.


Speaking to officials of the party and supporters at the APC State Secretariat in Kaduna, El-Rufai said he did not enter into the contest to enrich himself but to help in transforming the state.


He called on party members to be united and support whoever emerges as the flag bearer of the party for the governorship election.


The former minister noted that APC was in Kaduna to save the state from years of bad leadership.


APC Chairman in the state, Mr Bala Bantex, who spoke earlier promised that the party’s leadership would be fair and just to all contestants.




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Professor Beheaded by Own Son In

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The New York man who beheaded his mother before jumping in front of a train Tuesday night was off his medication and scheduled to see his psychiatrist, according to family.


Rev. Robert Lubrano, brother of slain professor Patricia Ward, told the New York Daily News that his nephew, Derek Ward, had not taken his medication for four days when he killed his mother.


“She’s dead because he had a mental illness, and we didn’t know how serious it was,”Lubrano told the newspaper. “We’re in terrible shock. She was a wonderful person… [He was a] sick, sick, kid.”


Lubrano said that Derek Ward, 35, had never been violent toward his mom before the gruesome slaying. His uncle blamed the deaths on lack of access to psychiatric help.


“He never raised his hand to her before this. Never had a gun. This is all about mental illness and the difficulty of getting a psychiatrist,” Lubrano said.


Patricia Ward, 66, was killed and beheaded in her Farmingdale apartment on Tuesday night. Derek Ward dragged his mother’s body into the street, and then kicked her head across the road.


Passersby at first thought the crime scene was a sick Halloween prank.


“The body’s feet were at the curb, the shoulders were at the middle of the street. The head was across the street,” said witness Jack Imperial, who saw the scene from a cab. “I’ve seen some gruesome stuff in my years of living… but nothing like this. I didn’t expect to see something like this, especially not out here.”


Patricia Ward was a professor of language arts at Farmingdale State College, a spokesman for the school said Wednesday. She taught there for 28 years.


“[She was] well-liked, well-known and well-respected,” Spokesman Patrick Calabria told the New York Post. “We are in shock. The staff in her department is teary-eyed… A lot of people are taking it very hard.”




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Man Bit Off Part Of Groundskeeper’s Ear

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Police say a New York man bit off part of another man’s ear during an unprovoked attack.


Police in the town of Evans, southwest of Buffalo, say they shocked John Pawlowski with a stun gun Tuesday when they found two men struggling on the front lawn of a home.


The 31-year-old was taken to a hospital for a mental evaluation and charged with assault, reckless endangerment and harassment.


It’s unknown whether he has a lawyer. A phone listing isn’t working.


Police say Pawlowski bit a groundskeeper’s face for no apparent reason, tearing off skin and part of his ear.


Pawlowski served six months in jail on a weapons charge in 2007 after he threatened Evans police officers with a loaded handgun after a high-speed chase.




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Oando To Build 400MW Power Plant In Nigeria

Oando Plc has disclosed plans to build a 400-megawatt power plant in Nigeria, after failing three times in bids to buy electricity utilities put up for sale in 2013.


Chief Executive Officer of Oando Gas & Power Ltd. Bolaji Osunsanya in an October 29 interview with Bloomberg News said work on the power plant will start by mid-2015 and last for about three years.


Nigeria had last year sold generation companies (Gencos) including Geregu power station, Ughelli power plant, Kainji hydro power station, the Egbin power station, Sapele power plant and Shiroro hydro power station.


The privatisation of assets in its power sector was undertaken by Nigeria to improve power supply in the country where power cuts are common. The current capacity of the country’s power generation of 3,100 megawatts is about half of the demand. The country presents a massive investment opportunity in the power sector, which Oando seeks to exploit.


Oando has been increasing investments in the country in recent times, concluding its $1.65 billion acquisition of ConocoPhillips’s Nigerian oil and gas assets in June following regulatory approval. The new power investment is expected to help strengthen the company’s position as a major player in the oil and gas sector.




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Twins Have Different Hair Colors But Identical Surgical Modifications

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Sara Koponen and Emma Koponen may be identical twins, but there are some differences.


Sara is blonde while Emma has dyed black hair and a skull tattoo on her left leg.


Nevertheless, the 25-year-old twins live together, wear the same clothes, have the same friends and work the same jobs as ringside girls in Marbella, Spain.


They also have the exact same surgical modifications.


Sara and Emma have spent nearly $24,000 on cosmetic surgeries — each one carefully calibrated to match up identically with the other.


“As twins we have to look the same,people have expected that from us since we were children,” Sara Koponen told Barcroft TV. “We are both addicted with modifying our bodies — but we have to make sure we both do the same things otherwise we won’t match. We are obsessed with surgery and the pursuit of perfection — for us there’s no such thing as too much.”


The two grew up in Vastervik, Sweden, but were studious and more interested in sports than boys.


But that changed when they were 16.


“There was one girl in our class who had big b**bs and we fixated on her — we were so jealous,” she said, according to the Daily Mail. “We were so self-conscious about our b**bs we grew our hair long to cover our chests.”


The Koponen twins have undergone three chest enhancement surgeries to increase their busts from an A to an E, and get lip fillers on a regular basis.


There is more surgery planned in the future, including b*tt implants, dental veneers and twin nose jobs.


Emma is the “twinstigator” for the surgery.


“I think it’s always me who wants more,” she said, according to News.com.au. “It’s usually my decision at first and Emma says yes, for example because she didn’t want to have smaller b**bs than me.”


The Koponen twins are happy with their appearance, but admit their family members aren’t quite on board.


“Our father is not proud of us at all — he hates our big b**bs and our tattoos,” Emma said, according to the Mirror. “Some girls have called us names like ‘whore’ to our faces, but I think they are just jealous of the attention we get.”


Sara and Emma insist they love their looks and say their collective goal is to look as artificial as a doll by the time they are finished.


However, Sara also admits that she would never allow a child to follow in her footsteps.


“I’m proud about how I chose to change my body but I would never let my own child do this to herself,” she said, according to HuffPost UK. “You will never be happier — that’s the point. You will always want more. If you start, you will never stop.”


To see how the Koponen twins have changed over the years, click over to HuffPost UK.




by Greenstarnetwork admin..

7 Warning Signs of Lung Cancer You Should Not Ignore

90% of lung cancer is related to a past or present habit of smoking or of being exposed to secondhand smoke. Other causes are air pollution and exposure to elements like asbestos. As with any cancer, early detection and treatment can greatly increase the chance of survival and as well as increasing the general quality of life, so knowledge of symptoms, such as those listed below, is very important.


1. Cough

A persistent cough – especially in absence of any obvious reason, such as colds, flus, or respiratory infection – is an early warning sign. Changes in cough, such as a cough that is deeper or contains blood or more mucous than usual, should be investigated.


2. Shortness of Breath

Feeling short of breath if you are exercising or exerting yourself in one thing. However, if you feel this way with minimal effort or if you notice that you are getting short of breath doing things you used to be able to do easily, this could be a sign that something is amiss.


3. Chest/Upper Body Pain

Not surprisingly, lung cancer can also cause pain in the chest or in the shoulders or upper back if the cancer has spread to the bones there. If you have pain in this area that is not going way, make an appointment with your doctor to discuss your concerns.


4. Wheezing

A wheeze refers to a high-pitched whistling sound which happens when you breathe in or out. This can happen if you have asthma or allergies, but if it is going on in absence of these conditions, it should certainly be checked out.


5.Changes in Voice

It is normal for your voice to get hoarse or deep if you have, for instance, a cold or the flu; however, if this is happening even when you do not have some sort of respiratory infection, this also should be reported to your doctor.


6. Chest Infections

If you notice that you are developing chest/respiratory infections such as pneumonia or bronchitis more frequently than is normal for you or that you are finding it harder to recover from them than before, this too could be a sign that lung cancer is developing.


7. Loss of Appetite and Weight

These symptoms can happen with the onset of many diseases, not just cancer; however, if you are experience these along with some of the symptoms mentioned above, it is definitely worth reporting to the doctor.


Many people who get signs and symptoms such as these can get scared or will try to ignore the problem. However, ignoring it will not make the issue go away and you greatly improve your chances of survival if you are diagnosed early and begin treatment to help you battle the disease.


Source: blogs.naturalnews.com




by Greenstarnetwork admin..

India Robbers Dig 125-ft Tunnel To Loot Bank

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Police in northern India are searching for thieves who robbed a bank by digging a 125-foot (40-metre) tunnel straight into the vault late at night.


They stole cash, jewellery and other valuables worth hundreds of thousands of dollars from a branch of the Punjab National Bank in Haryana.


The tunnel started in an empty house nearby, police said.


Correspondents say the thieves appeared inspired by popular Bollywood film Dhoom which depicts a similar robbery.


Bank officials at the government-owned bank in Gohana town were stupefied when they discovered the huge hole in the ground on Monday morning.


Police say they believed the robbery took place on Saturday night.


The robbers emptied 77 of more than 350 lockers, the Press Trust of India (PTI) quoted Superintendent of Police in Sonepat district Arun Nehra as saying.


A special team has been set up to investigate the robbery but no arrests have been made so far, he said.


Bank officials said the exact value of the stolen goods was yet to be estimated.


Bank manager Devender Malik said “it appeared the robbery was carried out after meticulous planning by the robbers which may have stretched over several days”.




by Greenstarnetwork admin..

Man Faces Environmental Charges For Trying To Move River In Washington State

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A Washington state man accused of using an excavator and a bulldozer to try to alter the Tahuya River was charged on Thursday with environmental violations, the state’s top attorney said.


William Cayo Sr. was charged in Mason County District Court with violating water pollution and shoreline management laws as well as conducting unpermitted hydraulic activities in February 2013, Attorney General Bob Ferguson’s office said in a statement.


Federal biologists concluded that about 5,747 square meters of river bed were moved to fill the active channel or otherwise alter the streambed conditions in the river, about 50 miles west of Seattle, Ferguson said.


Under Washington state law, a property owner can work with a county and other agencies to develop “responsible, professional and effective” hydraulic or shoreline projects that protect both private property and natural resources.


“Unpermitted and improperly designed work in a riverbed or on a shoreline, however, can damage neighboring properties, pollute the river, and kill fish,” the statement said.




by Greenstarnetwork admin..

Read This Interview With a Real-Life Vampire, As Told By Aimee Heckel

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The theater invited me to run a discussion about vampires after the film, and in light of Halloween. I do not live as a vampire. But I met a handful of people who do several years ago when I wrote a story about this unusual subculture.


While working on a story about the umpteenth “Twilight” film, I had accidentally stumbled across a Meet-Up group for Colorado vampires. Not a vampire fan club. A group of people who practiced vampirism as a lifestyle — a “condition,” many called it.


That’s where I met J, the now-19-year-old Boulder County vampire who asked to not use his last name, for the same reason he did not walk into the theater and loudly proclaim, “I am vampire!”


The misconceptions. The judgment.


That’s what brought him here tonight. He wanted to refresh my memory, since the last time we talked in 2011.


Why drink blood?


I was preparing for the talk-back when I found about 40 pages of notes and chats that I had never used, from my original interview with J.


Me: What is your interest in vampires, and do you believe that vampires exist among us?

J: I have no wish at all to sound grandiose in my response to this, so I’m going to be as down-to-earth as possible. I am vampire, vampires exist and I know many others who share this condition.

Please for a moment forget all that comes to mind when you hear the “V” word. Definition is the key. A vampire has a physical need to take in life energies from an external source for his or her well being and personal health.


There was the answer to the question why, which Hollywood and even artistic flicks like “Only Lovers Left Alive” have all but avoided.


As J explained, many vampires believe all people have energy. Many martial artists, yogis, meditators and energy workers believe this, too. Some call it prana or chi.


Only vampires believe they have a sort of energetic hole, or a leak in their energy supply, that leaves them depleted. And one way to fill that hole is with other people’s life force. Vampires believe you can consume that needed energy through other people’s blood, their energy field or even ambient energy in a room.


J: When I go too long without taking in more energy to make up for what I lose, it is not fun at all. My immune system will gradually get weaker, I feel lethargic and often get very bad headaches.


And blood is an “extremely potent source of human prana or vital energy,” he explained.


For several months, he said he consensually consumed blood, from his girlfriend, and in a sterile way: carefully drawing blood out with a disposable razor blade. It gave him an energetic rush, he said, but he eventually stopped doing it.


Only between 12 and 17 percent of vampires drink blood, according to the vampire research group, Suscitatio Enterprises. Most are energetic vampires, or a hybrid of the two.


Me: And you are not “made” a vampire? You are born one?

J: Correct. However, temporary vampires can be created. This is called a sympathetic vampire. It’s not a condition anyone would want, though.

Me: I have 90 million questions for you.


I wondered if the audience at the Boedecker would, too — questions that I wouldn’t be able to answer. On a whim, I messaged J. I expected nothing.


He responded right away.


He said he’d meet me at the theater; he’d love to watch the movie. Plus, a lot had changed since we last talked.


Hiding in plain sight


“You should lead the talk-back instead of me,” I whisper to J, as the credits run.


He shakes his head.


“There’s a whole lifetime of ethical battles and personal challenges that go into having an energy deficiency,” he says.


I think back on an email he sent me years ago:


J: People don’t believe because they assume you are making a fantastic and wild claim, such as being undead and super powers, etc. It’s hard to explain to someone who instantly gives you zero credibility because of Hollywood’s portrayal of vampires. … The vampire community is something literally hiding in plain sight.


I take the stage to answer questions — suddenly feeling the pressure of trying to explain the beliefs of a group of people to whom I do not belong, with one of them sitting right in front of me — and the concept of “hiding in plain sight” becomes literal.


If only they knew. Would they be curious? Condemning? Scared? Would he be able to explain his lifestyle better than me, in a way that would make more sense? Were there other vampires in the audience I didn’t know about?


“This is just my interpretation of what I have been told,” I disclaim. “An actual condition or not, people in our community live like this.”


The audience is curious about the science of consuming blood, the health, the safety, the source of blood. We talk about energy-suckers; you know, those people who drain your energy when you’re around them. Could they unknowingly be vampires? I wonder what J would say.


Then he raises his hand.


He does not answer. Instead, he asks.


“Can anybody take my energy? And how can I protect myself?” he asks.


Now I’m being interviewed, by the vampire.


I stumble through concepts he shared with me earlier, about grounding your own energy and being aware of your relational boundaries, and how others are affecting you.


“When you become consciously aware of energy fields, that’s the first step in strengthening it,” J had said.


Whether it works, or is even necessary, I can’t say.


But I can say that I left tonight with my energy — and my jugular — both in tact.


Where is he now?


Since I last talked to J, he says he now studies martial arts and bodywork, which have both taught him how to ground himself, increase awareness of his own energy, heal the “holes,” and cultivate more energy through mutually beneficial practices. He says he loses less energy, so his vampire needs are not as strong.


“I’m at a state of peace. I’ve found a calmness and accepted that I’m more sensitive to energy than other people. I’ve accepted I have to be careful with my energy and how I affect others,” he says.


He’s careful to say this is not the story for every vampire. Some cannot change, and some do not want to, he says.


“Often, depleted energy states happen from imbalance, and if you can find the balance you won’t feel as drained. But that’s not an end all, be all. I don’t want to discredit people who need to get energy from other people,” he says. “Even for them, it’s not about draining other people, but finding harmony and a way to manage your energy.”


What is a ‘real-life’ vampire?

“A real vampire is essentially an energy feeder or blood drinker. While the causality, interpretation and sometimes even the ‘proper’ spelling of vampirism is debated, vampires are generally individuals who cannot adequately sustain their own physical, mental or spiritual well-being without taking the blood or vital life energy from other sources, often humans.”

– Merticus (full name), with the Atlanta Vampire Alliance and Suscitatio Enterprises


By the numbers

At least three dozen — Colorado residents identify as vampires

Thousands — People nationwide identify as vampires

38 — Members of the Colorado Vampire Association, up from 33 in 2011

28-31 percent — Vampires are psi or psychic vampires (depending on which study you cite)

12-17 percent — Are sanguinarian or blood feeders

40-52 percent — Are a hybrid of blood and energy feeders

17 percent — Vampires also identify as energy workers

64 percent — Vampires are women

66 percent — Vampires don’t consider themselves Goth

Since the ’90s, Colorado has had at least five vampire houses (or groups), although most are now either defunct or operating under untracked names.


Debunk these myths

Many people who live as vampires say:

They are not immortal.

Vampires don’t have super powers.

They follow a code of ethics, so they won’t hunt you down in the dark alley and suck you dry.

Not all vampires drink blood.

Vampires can eat garlic.

Vampires are human.

Vampires do not sparkle, and they’re not all ice cold.


These stereotypes may be true for some:

Some vampires say they have sensory-processing disorders or are sensitive to intense energy, like sunlight and loud sounds.

Many vampires reported they have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia, which may cause trouble with sleeping.




by Greenstarnetwork admin..

5 Most Important Pre-conception Health Checks

he essence of preconception care is this: Treat your body as though you are already pregnant.

Conception takes place about 2 weeks before a menstrual period, when you ovulate (release an egg from the ovaries). You may not know that you’re pregnant until 3 weeks after conception, or later in the pregnancy. The baby is most sensitive to harm from 2-8 weeks, when the organs are being formed, (e.g. heart, lungs, and kidneys). Anything you eat, drink, smoke or are exposed to can have ill effects on your baby.

Ideally, any woman should take care of her body regularly, especially with well-woman care, such as pelvic and chest exams. One reason is that about half of pregnancies are unplanned, which has greater risks of preterm birth, and low-weight babies. By taking action on health issues and risks, you can prevent problems that could affect you or your baby for a lifetime.

Both women and men should prepare for pregnancy before becoming sexually active (remember: 50 % of pregnancies are unplanned) or at least 3 months before getting pregnant. Some health issues will take longer than three months to improve or stabilize, such as reaching a healthy weight, adjusting medications, quitting smoking, alcohol and illicit drug use.

The 5 most important things to do for preconception health

1. Take 400-800 micrograms (400-800 mcg or 0.4-0.8 mg) of folic acid (also called folate) every day. Many physicians advise ALL women of childbearing age, even women who have no intention of becoming pregnant, to take folate because it lowers the risk of brain and spinal cord defects. The protective effects occur at the time of conception and the first few weeks of pregnancy. An unplanned pregnancy may not be apparent until after the folate’s protective effects have passed. Some doctors prescribe prenatal vitamins with greater amounts of folic acid.

folic-acid

2. Stop smoking, using alcohol, marijuana and other harmful substances.

3. If you have a medical condition, work with your doctor to resolve it or get it under control. Some conditions that can affect pregnancy are asthma, diabetes, oral health, obesity, epilepsy, and many others.

4. Talk to your doctor about any medications you are using, including dietary or herbal supplements. Get your vaccinations up to date.

5. Avoid contact with toxic substances that could cause infection, be absorbed through the skin, or inhaled. Stay away from chemicals and cat or rodent feces.

Preconception care should begin at least 3 months before you try to conceive. Your partner’s health should be discussed, as well.

It’s best to be at a healthy weight when you become pregnant. Being overweight or underweight puts you at increased risk for problems during pregnancy.


Source: radianthealthmag.com




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UN peace envoy Staffan de Mistura proposes Syria ‘fighting freeze’

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UN peace envoy Staffan de Mistura has presented an “action plan” for Syria, proposing to “freeze” fighting in local areas to allow for aid deliveries and to lay the groundwork for talks.


De Mistura told reporters after meeting with the UN Security Council on Thursday that he did not have a peace plan but rather “an action plan” to ease suffering from the more than three-year war in Syria.


The envoy said the divided city of Aleppo would be a “good candidate” to become a “freeze zone”. He did not describe in detail how it would work but said that agreement on a local level would be needed to suspend fighting.


“It should be something that freezes the conflict in that area and gives an opportunity for some type of humanitarian improvement and for the people to feel that, at least there, there will not be this type of conflict,” he said.


Aleppo has been divided since a rebel offensive in summer 2012 between government-controlled sectors on its west side and rebel territory on the east.


The envoy said the “horrific trigger” of the offensive should provide an opportunity to “move forward” and seek ways to end the war that has killed more than 180,000 people and forced millions from their homes.


De Mistura was reporting to the 15-member council after making key visits to Russia and Iran, two countries that have influence with President Bashar al-Assad’s regime, and to Damascus last month.


Appointed in July, the Italian-Swedish diplomat is the third envoy tasked by the UN with brokering a peace deal for Syria.


Syrian Ambassador Bashar Jafaari said his government was ready to give the envoy’s proposals “due consideration” and that he would hear more about the plan during a meeting on Friday.


Council members were cautiously open to the idea which could be the first steps toward a national dialogue, but requested more details, according to diplomats.


Concerns were raised over whether the Assad regime would use the pause in ground fighting to launch more bombing against civilians and gain the upper hand over opposition forces.


“We have to start somewhere,” said De Mistura who acknowledged that while this may be only “a drop” in the peace process, “many drops can produce a lake and a lake can produce a sea.”


The Council heard from senior UN aid official Kyung-wha Kang that the humanitarian crisis was worsening, with “millions of Syrians forced to live in appalling conditions where there is no safe refuge”.


“Tens of thousands of Syrians were forced to flee their homes again this month, many of them for the second or third time.”


Despite a UN resolution authorizing cross-border aid deliveries without Syria’s consent, Kang acknowledged that UN agencies were “still unable to deliver sufficient quantities of aid to people in the hardest to reach areas”.




by Greenstarnetwork admin..

ISIL attack Kobane’s border to prevent the arrival peshmerga from Iraq to bolster Kobane defence

isil


Fighters from the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant have shelled the border crossing between Syria and Turkey in their latest attempt to stop an expected arrival of Kurdish fighters from Iraq to help defend Kobane.


Friday’s bombardment of the Mursitpinar post came a day after a first contingent of Iraqi Kurdish peshmerga fighters entered the Syrian town of Kobane from Turkey to join the effort to break an ISIL siege.


ISIL on Friday also hit the al-Jemrok district in the north of Kobane with mortar shells and heavy machine gun fire, A reporter in the town reported. They also attacked Kurdish forces using a suicide car bomb.


ISIL attacked Kobane six weeks ago, capturing dozens of nearby Kurdish villages in addition to parts of the border town. Kobane is now under attack from three sides and weeks of US-led air strikes have failed to break the ISIL assault.


Syrian Kurds have pleaded for advanced weapons to help them gain the upper hand.


Around 100 fighters arrived by plane to southeastern Turkey on Wednesday, joined later that night by a land convoy of vehicles carrying arms including a cannon and truck-mounted machine guns.


Activists say there are about 1,000 Syrian Kurdish fighters and more than 3,000 ISIL members in the Kobane area.


On Wednesday, a group of 50 Syrian rebels entered Kobane – also via Turkey – in a bid to help. The rebels are members of the Free Syrian Army and were meant to help the long-awaited Iraqi peshmerga fighters and the town’s Kurdish defenders.


The FSA is a loose umbrella group of mainstream rebels trying to topple Syrian President Bashar al-Assad




by Greenstarnetwork admin..

Long-time president of Burkina Faso — Blaise Compaore refuses to heed protesters demands to step down

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Burkina Faso’s president has refused to resign in the face of violent protests that posed the greatest threat yet to his 27-year rule, saying instead he will lead a transitional government after parliament is dissolved.


Protesters stormed the parliament building in the capital city of Ougadougou on Thursday and set part of it ablaze in a day of violence around the country aimed at stopping a parliamentary vote that would have allowed President Blaise Compaore to seek a fifth term in office.


In a concession to the protesters, the government withdrew the bill from consideration. But the move did not calm protesters, and General Honore Traore, the army’s joint chief of staff, later announced that the government and parliament had been dissolved and a new, inclusive government would be named.


However, the General did not spell out who would lead the transitional government.


At least one person was killed and several others wounded during the unrest, authorities said, and a curfew was put in place from 7 pm to 6 am.


After hours of confusion about whether Compaore would hold on to power, and even about where he was, the president spoke briefly on television and radio to stay he was still in charge and would not step down.

“I am available to open discussions with all parties,” he said in a recorded address. The transitional government will include representatives from all sides and work to hold elections within 12 months.


But an opposition leader told the AFP news agency that the army’s seizure of power amounted to a “coup”, adding that they consider the president’s departure “non-negotiable”.


Compaore “is again in the process of duping the people,” said opposition leader Benewende Sankara. “We have been saying for a long time that he must hand in his resignation. His departure is non-negotiable.”


In a sign of spreading discontent, crowds also attacked the homes of government ministers and looted shops in the country’s second-largest city, Bobo Dioulasso, witnesses said.


“It is over for the regime!” and “We do not want him again!” shouted demonstrators when they heard that the vote on term limits had been stopped.


“It is difficult to say what happens next, but things are out of control because the demonstrators do not listen to anyone,” said Ablasse Ouedraogo, an opposition lawmaker.


United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called on all parties to end the violence, and was “saddened over the loss of life resulting from recent events,” a statement said.


In a bid to restore calm, military leaders met on Thursday afternoon with the influential traditional chief of the country’s largest ethnic group, the Mossi, according to Jonathan Yameogo, a spokesman for the ruling party.


Burkina Faso has long been known for its relative stability in volatile West Africa, though tensions have been mounting over Compaore’s plans to extend his rule.


He first came to power following an October 1987 coup against then-President Thomas Sankara, Compaore’s longtime friend and political ally, who was shot dead.


Since then, Compaore has been elected four times but the opposition disputed the results.




by Greenstarnetwork admin..

Tennis: Berdych Through to World Tour Finals

Fifth seed Tomas Berdych came back from losing the opening set against South Africa’s Kevin Anderson to advancing into the last four of the Paris Masters on Friday.


The Czech battled out a 6-7(4) 6-4 6-4 win over 12th seed Anderson to claim his 54th tour-level win and also qualify for the ATP World Tour Finals for a fifth successive year.


He joins Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Stanislas Wawrinka, Marin Cilic and Andy Murray at the ATP final showdown.


Berdych, 29, was a semi-finalist at the season-finale in 2011 but lost to Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. His progress to the semi-finals in Bercy is his eighth at tour-level this year.


Tomas Berdych Wins Race to London. Image: Getty.

Tomas Berdych Wins Race to London. Image: Getty.



He will next face either second seed Roger Federer or seventh seed Milos Raonic on Saturday.

Anderson, who knocked third seed Stanislas Wawrinka out in the 3rd round on Thursday, ends 2014 with a 38-24 win-loss record.

More to follow…




by Greenstarnetwork admin..

Eduok, Udoh to Lead Home Eagles Against Ghana

Dolphins FC striker Emem Eduok and Enyimba international goal-poacher Mfon Udoh are set to lead Nigeria’s home-based Eagles against Ghana in an international friendly organised for the official opening of the Uyo International Stadium.


The pair, who recently equaled the Glo Premier League record for most goals in a single season set by Jude Aneke in 2011, have 40 league goals in between them and are currently tied on 20 goals apiece.


The friendly encounter against Ghana’s ‘Black Stars’ comes up on Sunday, November 9, a week after they face off in a Nigeria league clash at the Liberation Stadium, Port-Harcourt.


Enyomba Striker Mfon Udoh Among Invitees for International Friendly Against Ghana.

Enyomba Striker Mfon Udoh Among Invitees for International Friendly Against Ghana.



Warri Wolves Gbolahan Salami, who himself have scored 15 goals this season, Sharks FC’s Christian Pyagbara, Enugu Rangers’ Osaguona Ighodaro, Kano Pillars’ duo of Rabiu Ali and Umar Zango and Sunshine Stars defender Somlomon Kwambe are also invited.

All invited players are to report at the Le Meridien Hotel in Uyo on Monday, 3rd November, 2014.


The Full squad:



Goalkeepers
: Chigozie Agbim (Gombe United); Daniel Akpeyi (Warri Wolves); Theophilus Afelokhai (Kano Pillars)


Defenders: Solomon Kwambe (Sunshine Stars); Idris Aloma (El-Kanemi Warriors); Chimma Akas (Sharks); Nelson Ogbonna (Heartland); Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves); Erhun Obanor (Bendel Insurance); Bright Esieme (Enyimba FC); Umar Zango (Kano Pillars)


Midfielders: Christian Pyagbara (Sharks); Charles Henlong (Giwa FC); Joseph Nathaniel (Sharks); Stanley Dimgba (Warri Wolves); Rabiu Ali (Kano Pillars); Chinedu Udeaga (Enugu Rangers); Kingley Sokari (Enyimba FC); Tony Edjomari (Nasarawa FC)



Forwards
: Mfon Udoh (Enyimba FC); Christian Obiozor (Enugu Rangers); Gbolahan Salami (Warri Wolves); Osaguona Ighodaro (Enugu Rangers); Emem Eduok (Dolphins FC)




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Gombe Police Parades 22 Suspected Thugs, Recovers Dangerous Weapons

Nigeria-Police-Force13-300x277Ahead of the 2015 general elections, the Gombe State Police Command has warned politicians in the state against recruiting youths as thugs.


The state commissioner of police, Abdullahi Kudu Nma, gave the warning yesterday in Gombe when he paraded 22 suspected thugs.


The police boss said: “We resuscitated Patrol 99, not only because of politics, but because of a lot of complaints of hooliganism. Some miscreants are trying to resurface under the guise of yan kalare”.


Narrating how the suspects were arrested, Nma said, “Early this morning, we acted on a tip-off and arrested 22 people. We recovered dangerous weapons from them.


“I want to use this medium to urge politicians to conduct themselves appropriately during the campaigns”, he said.




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Nigeria Recall IK Uche for Congo and South Africa

Nigeria have recalled Villarreal striker Ikechukwu Uche for next month’s Africa Cup of nations (Afcon) qualifiers against Congo and South Africa.


IK Uche last featured for the Super Eagles in the final of the 2013 Afcon in South Africa, where Nigeria emerged champions for a third time.


There is also a first senior team call up for Nasarawa United midfielder Tony Adjomari.


Aaron Samuel, who got among the goals against Sudan in Abuja, Reading FC impressive playmaker Hope Akpan, Sunday Emmanuel all have the chance to build on the Eagles career following their first call-up last month.


Dolphins FC goal-poacher Emem Eduok is also included in the squad.


Ikechukwu Uche Recalled Finally for Must-Win Qualifiers Congo and Sudan. Image: Getty.

Ikechukwu Uche Recalled Finally for Must-Win Qualifiers Congo and Sudan. Image: Getty.



Nigeria need win by at least two goal margin in Point-Noire to leapfrog Congo into third position and also beat South Africa in Akwa Ibom to secure their passage to Afcon 2015.

All 25 invited players are expected to report at the Bolton White Apartments, Wuse, Abuja on Sunday, November 9.


The full squad:



Goalkeepers
: Vincent Enyeama (Lille OSC, France); Austin Ejide (Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel); Chigozie Agbim (Gombe United, Nigeria)



Defenders
: Elderson Echiejile (Monaco FC, France); Juwon Oshaniwa (Ashdod FC, Israel); Efe Ambrose (Celtic FC, Scotland); Solomon Kwambe (Sunshine Stars, Nigeria); Godfrey Oboabona (Rizespor FC, Turkey); Kenneth Omeruo (Middlesbrough FC, England); Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves, Nigeria)


Midfielders: John Mikel Obi (Chelsea FC, England); Ogenyi Onazi (SS Lazio, Italy); Hope Akpan (Reading FC, England); Raheem Lawal (Eskisehirspor FC, Turkey); Omatsone Aluko (Hull City, England); Tony Edjomari (Nasarawa United, Nigeria)


Forwards: Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Emmanuel Emenike (Fenerbahce FC, Turkey); Gbolahan Salami (Warri Wolves, Nigeria); Osaguona Ighodaro (Enugu Rangers, Nigeria); Ikechukwu Uche (Villareal FC, Spain); Aaron Samuel (Guangzhou R&F, China); Sunday Emmanuel (SV Scholz Grodig, Austria); Babatunde Michael (Volyn Lutsk, Ukraine): Emem Eduok (Dolphins FC, Nigeria)




by Greenstarnetwork admin..

24-Year-Old UNIZIK Student Goes Missing After Clubbing

A 300-Level English Language and Literature student of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) in Awka, Anambra State, Annabel Nzubechukwu Edeh went missing after going clubbing with friends.


unizik


24-year-od Annabel, a native of Enugu State had on September 17, 2014 gone clubbing at Lounge 24 Gaga, a nightclub in Awka, with some of her friends and reportedly left at midnight with a guy she met at the club which was the last time she was seen.


Annabel before leaving the club with the man was said to have told her friends that she was in need of money, which could have informed her decision to go home with him.




by Greenstarnetwork admin..

List Of Celebrities In Nigeria That Rock As Single Moms

Women of any age can become single parents at any time either through teenage pregnancy, divorce, separation, death of a spouse or by choice.


Parenting is not such an easy task and it could be more challenging when you are a single parent.


For some being a single mom is not such a big deal but for some others it is, especially when you are a celebrity, constantly in the limelight and have to deal with maintaining a stable family and pursuing your career.


Below is a list of women in the Nigerian entertainment industry who have been single moms for a while and they rock at it.


Genevieve Nnaji:


genevieve


Nollywood star actress Genevieve gave birth to her daughter when she was still a teenager in secondary school. She single handedly took care of her daughter, Chimebuka, who is now in her 20s without the help of any man. Genevieve still rocks and has a figure that many will die for.


Kate Henshaw:


kate-henshaw-


Talented Nollywood actress, Kate separated from her British husband, Roderick James Nuttal in 2011 after being married for 12 years and the union produced a daughter named Ella. Though the 13-year-old daughter is in Kate’s custody, she rarely talks about her, probabl;y to keep her away from the public eye. Kate Henshaw is still a hot mama and many often wonder how she manages to stay trim.


Fathia Balogun:


Fathiaaaaa


Sexy Yoruba actress, Fathia is a proud mother of children, twoo girls and a boy. She separated from her husband Siadi Balogun in 2006. Following their divorce, Saidi had revealed that only two of the children were his as one belonged to Fathia’s former husband who she divorced before marrying him.


Waje:


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Talented Nigerian singer, Waje gave birth to her child years ago. Her daughter is now 16-years-old and recently graduated from secondary school. Waje shot to the limelight after she featured in one of singing duo, P-Square’s hit song, Do Me. She has since done other hit songs with M.I, Tiwa Savage and others.


Grace Amah:


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Petite and light-skinned Nollywood actress welcomed a baby boy some years back and she has kept the identity of her son’s father as a mystery. Grace is not disturbed by critics who think it’s wrong to have a child out of wedlock.


Clarion Chukwura:


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Popular Nollywood actress, Calrion got pregnant at the age of 17 for top Nigerian Fuji musician, Sir Shina Peters and the product of that child is Clarence Peters, who is now a popular music producer. Clarion has come a long way in the movie industry and has won so many award.


Monalisa Chinda:


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One of Nollywood’s finest, Monalisa got separated from her husband Segun Dejo-Richard in 2009 and the union produced a beautiful daughter named Tamar. The 6-year-old girl shares the striking image of her movie star mother.


Ibinabo Fiberesima:


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Nollywood actress and the President of the Actors’ Guild of Nigeria, Ibinabo Fiberesima is a proud mother of five, four boys and a girl. The ex-beauty queen who has never been married before took many by surprise when news filtered in that she would be getting married in December.


Liz Anjorin:


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Elizabeth Anjorin is one of the most talented Yoruba actresses. She is a proud mother of one who definitely enjoys the admiration of many. At one time, she revealed she can’t marry a poor man.




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Keshi Seeks Time to Decide on Eagles Return

Stephen Keshi says he needs time to mull over the possibility of returning to coach Nigeria.


The ex-Nigeria international says he will take his time to make the “difficult” decision of whether to return as coach of the Nigeria national team.


Keshi was dismissed from the Super Eaglels coaching role earlier this month after guiding the African champions to just four points in four Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifying matches and was replaced by a consortium of coaches headed by Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) technical director Shuaibu Amodu.


Following a meeting with the country’s football stakeholders in Abuja this week, President Goodluck Jonathan ordered that the 52-year-old be recalled and given a new contract- a position shared by Amodu who himself has requested the coach be allowed to finish the 2015 Afcon qualifying series.


“It is a very, very difficult decision. I am not sure I would say ‘no’ for now or ‘yes’ to the order,” Keshi told reporters after meeting with sports minister Tammy Danagogo on Thursday.


Keshi Led Nigeria to the Second Round of this Year's Fifa World Cup. Image: Getty.

Keshi Led Nigeria to the Second Round of this Year’s Fifa World Cup. Image: Getty.



“I still have to think about it because we all want peace. I want a settled mind before making the decision. I don’t have issues with anybody because life is too short. This is my country. I am always willing to offer my service.”

Keshi also reiterated his resolve not to let money determine his decision.


He added: “If I separately wanted a contract, I would have opted for the offer made by Equatorial Guinea because the offer they made was bigger than what Nigeria offered. But this is my country and I want to serve it.”


The former Togo and Mali coach led the Eagles to a third Afcon title last year in South Africa and also qualified Nigeria for last summer’s World Cup in Brazil, where they lost out in the second round to France.


Nigeria are third in their pool in the race to Morocco 2015 and need defeat Congo in Point-Noir by two-goal margin to improve their chances. They must also win their final qualifier at home to South Africa. Both remaining matches are slated for November.


Source: Reuters.




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Lille Coach Girard Banned for Four Matches

The French football league has suspended Lille head coach Rene Girard for four matches following his second sending off this season.


The 60-year-old was sent to the stands during the 3-0 loss at home to Lyon on October 5. He protested vigorously to referee Clement Turpin against the first goal of Alexandre Lacazette’s hat-trick, claiming it was an offside.


The LFP said in a statement: “Having read the letter of explanation from Mr Rene Girard, the (disciplinary) commission imposes on him a suspension of four matches.”


It stressed that suspension means Girard is banned “from the touchline and the referees’ changing room and all official functions”.


Rene Girard Handed a Four-Game Ban By the LFP. Image: AFP.

Rene Girard Handed a Four-Game Ban By the LFP. Image: AFP.



Girard had a one-game suspended ban hanging over him following his dismissal from the dugout at Monaco in August and has been enforced along with a further three-game punishment.

Girard will, however, be able to fulfill his touchline duties for Saturday’s match against St Etienne, with his ban set to take effect from November 4, according to the Ligue 1. He will sit out matches against Reims, Bordeaux, Paris St Germain and Lens.


Lille are aiming to end a run of three league matches without a win.




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Ezekwesili Calls On FG To Prioritize Bringing Back Chibok Girls

Former Minister of Education and Bringbackourgirls campaigner, Oby Ezekwesili has called on the Federal Government to make the rescue of the 219 girls abducted from Government Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State by the Boko Haram group priority over every other activity.


Ezekwesili, who spoke yesterday ahead of the 200th day since the schoolgirls were abducted by the terrorists, expressed sorrow that the girls remained in the hold of their abductors.


She also dismissed claims that the BringBackOurGirls group’s activities had a political undertone.


“As far as we are concerned, we are not looking at any other thing, we are just interested in the Federal Government living up to its responsibility, the need to rescue the Chibok girls,” said Ezekwesili.


“Every other thing pales into insignificance to the lives of 219 citizens of Nigeria who should not be in the enemy’s den for 200 days now,” she added.


276 girls were on April 14 abducted from the Government Secondary School, Chibok. 57 of the girls reportedly escaped from the insurgents, but efforts to rescue the remaining girls have so far proven abortive.


Hopes were however raised on October 17 when the government announced it has agreed a ceasefire with the Boko Haram sect and that the abducted Chibok girls would be released as part of the agreement.


Despite the announced ceasefire, attacks and abductions have continued in Nigeria’s north, raising concerns on whether the FG was negotiating with the right group.


The girls remain missing and many more were reported to have joined them in the last few weeks as the Boko Haram sect continued its attacks and abduction.




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2015: Despite Fears, Nigeria’ll Emerge Stronger, United – Mark

david bonaventure markSenate President, David Mark, on Thursday expressed optimism that despite the growing anxiety and challenges ahead of the 2015 general elections, Nigeria would emerge stronger and more united as a nation.


The senate president, who made this known when the European Union (EU) Ambassador to Nigeria, Michel Arrion, visited him in Abuja, added that government has improved and indeed strengthened political institutions to withstand any storm no matter the circumstances.


Mark, according to a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Paul Mumeh, said, “Our political situation is steadily progressing. All Nigerians are now more conscious and indeed aware of elections and the processes.


“Both the government and the governed are now doing the right thing to guarantee a free, fair and credible election.


“Steadily, Nigerians have learnt how to play the game according to the rules. I have no doubt that the 2015 elections would be better than our previous elections. It would comply with international best practices.


“It is going to be exciting and the whole world would appreciate that Nigeria is on the right track democratically”.


He, however, appealed to the international election observers to report facts about the exercise without sentiment or narrow perspective, saying, “election observers should be able to go round in order to get the true position rather than a situation where reports would be based on just a visit to one or two polling units”.


The senate president also used the occasion of the visit to plead with the EU to assist Nigeria in its war against insurgency, pointing out that terrorism is no longer an internal affair of a nation, but already assuming international dimension.




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Paris Masters: Djokovic in “Tough Battle” With Murray

Novak Djokovic will look to maintain his push for the year-end world number one status when he comes up against Andy Murray in the quarter-finals of the Paris Masters on Friday evening.


The Serb, 27, claimed 82 per cent of points on his first serves to see off unseeded Frenchman Gael Monfils 6-3 7-6 (7-2) and retain hopes of a successful title defence in Bercy.


“It was anybody’s game,” Djokovic said “Against Murray it will be a very tough battle.”


The relief for Murray, who would fancy another opening to advance into the semi-finals for a first time in four attempts, is that he has secured his spot in the ATP World Tour Final showdown with a comfortable demolition of Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov.


Novak Djokovic Will Be Seeking For His Fourth Win Over Murray in 2014. Image: Getty.

Novak Djokovic Will Be Seeking For His Fourth Win Over Murray in 2014. Image: Getty.



The last time the No. 8 seed defeated Djokovic was in a three-setter triumph in Wimbledon last year. He has lost all three of their meetings this year, including a recent straight sets defeat at the Beijing Masters earlier in the month. Djokovic is 14-9 in their career head-to-head record and knows anything short of a win could halt his bid to maintain his 490 point lead over Roger Federer, who yet lurks fanatically behind.

“Novak has played some great tennis over the last few months winning Wimbledon, and is No. 1 in the world again for a reason,” Murray said on Thursday. “He’s obviously going to be very motivated as well trying to finish the season No. 1. [It’s going to] be a tough match.”


Second seed Federer ousted 20-year-old French qualifier Lucas Pouille 6-4, 6-4 to set up a clash against seventh seed Milos Raonic, who has a chance of conquering in the Race to London.


Should the 17-time Grand Slam champion win the Paris Masters, he will replace Djokovic in the ATP rankings/Race to London at No. 1 and also attain his 250 indoor victories. The 33-year-old has won five trophies from ten finals this year, including his last two tournaments- the Shanghai masters and the Swiss Indoors.


On facing the Canadian 7th seed, against whom he has won all six of their previous meetings, Federer said: “Milos has a lot in his racquet. I mean, the way he serves, the way he plays after that. It’s a tough match, but I’m looking forward to it. There is a possible semi-final after that for both of us and also the London issue, so it’s more fun.”


Fifth seed Tomas Berdych will fancy a chance of playing in the semi-finals at the Palais Omnisport, Bercy, but must first outwit South Africa’s Kevin Anderson, who fought back from losing the opening set to seeing off third seed Stan Wawrinka.


The Czech is 11-0 against Anderson in their career head-to-head meetings, including twice this year in straight sets.


The fourth quarter-final will have two players bidding for a place in the season-ending tournament at London’s O2 Arena lock horns- fourth seed David Ferrer and sixth seed Kei Nishikori.


Nishikori halted Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga’s run to another Paris Masters title on Thursday via a 6-1 4-6 6-4 third round win and will have to up the antics against Ferrer; winner in 2012.


US Open finalist Nishikorin leads the pair’s career head-to-head 4-3, including both of their contest in 2014, a pair of three-setters in Miami and Monte Carlo.




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Defection: LP Gives Mimiko 21 Day Ultimatum To Resign

MIMIKO-SAMBOGovernor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State has been advised by the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Labour Party to respect the party’s constitution and resign from office.


Mimiko, who was elected governor on the platform of the LP, dumped the party for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) earlier this month.


The Labour Party NWC took the decision after a meeting in Abuja on Wednesday.


According to a statement issued by the LP National Publicity Secretary, Ikpe Etokudo: “The NWC came to the inevitable conclusion that the constitution of the republic and provision of relevant section of the electoral laws must be respected by Dr. Olusegun Mimiko and his new party – the PDP.


“The case of Dr. Boroffice who was elected as a Senator on the platform of our party but defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) was cited. The NWC reminded Dr. Mimiko that he was so incensed by Boroffice’s action that he advised the party to approach the court for justice.


“The NWC warned all those concerned to take the path of honour immediately or should expect to defend their deliberate defiling of the constitution of the country within next 21 days in court as well as be ready to face the wrath of workers of Ondo State in particular and the nation in general”.




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PDP Bars Adamawa Gov From 2015 Race

Bala NgilariAhead of the 2015 general elections, Governor James Ngilari of Adamawa State has been barred from contesting the governorship election of the state on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party.


The party said it was bound to comply with the agreement it entered into with governorship aspirants from the state about two months ago.


The decision to ban Ngilari was taken at the meeting of the members of the National Working Committee of the party in Abuja on Wednesday night.


National Publicity Secretary of the party, Chief Olisa Metuh, disclosed this to journalists in Abuja, Thursday.


According to Metuh, the next governorship candidate of the party would come from the Central Senatorial District of the state, which has never produced a governor.


Ngilari is from the northern part of the state.


He said, “On Adamawa, the NWC has decided that the decision and agreements of the candidates in Adamawa during our last exercise would be upheld.


“Accordingly, the governorship election in 2015 has been zoned to Adamawa Central. All aspirants, who bought forms (eight of them) that signed the agreement and withdrew are advised to come and exchange it without any payment with the new 2015 forms.


“It means they are entitled to run since they are from the same senatorial zone. The party will fully implement that agreement”.


It would be recalled that the former acting governor of the state, Alhaji Ahmadu Fintiri and seven other governorship aspirants in the state stormed the PDP national headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday to insist that Mr. Ngilari must not be allowed to contest the governorship primary of the party in the state.


The eight aspirants insisted that the zoning arrangement earlier reached with them by the party must be respected.


Apart from Fintiri, those who also visited the party to register their grievances were a former political aide to President Goodluck Jonathan, Ahmed Gulak; son of a former PDP national chairman, Awwal Tukur, former minister of health, Idi Hong; Mr. James Barka, Aliyu kama, Marcus Gundiri and Abubakar Girei.


A former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, Nuhu Ribadu, who was part of the team with whom the agreement was made, was conspicuously absent.




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2015: NASS Members, State Lawmakers From Borno Obtain APC Guber Form For Shettima

Kashim-ShettimaTwenty-eight members of both the National Assembly and the Borno State House of Assembly on Thursday picked an Expression of Interest and Nomination Form which they intend to donate to the state governor, Alhaji Kashim Shettima, their choice candidate for the All Progressives Congress (APC), to enable him seek a second term in office.


The lawmakers comprise of one out of the two APC senators, five out of the eight members of the House of Representatives under the APC and 22 out of the 27 members of the Borno State House of Assembly, who did not join the former governor of the state, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff to defect to the PDP.


Speaking on their decision to obtain the forms for the governor, Hon. Tahiru Monguno said that as representatives of Borno people, they were at the party secretariat to express the confidence that Borno people and other residents have in Governor Shettima.


The lawmaker said Borno people are very impressed with what he described as “the excellent performance of the governor in the last three and a half years, especially the manner in which he manages the security challenges in the state, his genuine efforts towards reclaiming peace, his reconstruction efforts and his courage in carrying out numerous projects despite the challenges”.




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Violence-Free 2015 Election Possible, Says Maitama Sule

YusufMaitamaSuleDan masanin Kano and elder statesman, Dr. Maitama Sule, on Thursday, expressed optimism that a violence-free 2015 general election in Nigeria is possible, stressing that youth involvement will go a long way in achieving such.


Deadly election-related violence, which occurred in northern Nigeria following the April 2011 presidential election left no fewer than 300 people dead in three days of protests in 12 northern states.


The elder statesman, who made the appeal during the October lecture of Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) in Abuja on Thursday, said engaging the youths as thugs undermines the essence of democracy.


He, therefore, advised them to shun acts of thuggery in the forthcoming 2015 general elections.


He also appealed to youths to avoid activities that would incite violence, but should rather channel their energies into profitable ventures.


Speaking further, Maitama Sule also stressed the importance of learning and understanding one another before we can come together. “Let us start from the known to the unknown, from the familiar to the unfamiliar. Nigeria has an important role to play in the politics of African continent”, he said.


The supervising minister of information, Dr Nurudeen Mohammed, represented by Alhaji Garuba Bello, said the lecture presented an opportunity to examine gains of the transformation agenda.


“There is no better day than today to choose to re-emphasize on the transformation agenda”, he said.




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