LISTEN TO THE NIGERIAN WHO PLANNED TO RUN FOR LONDON MAYORAL ELECTION NEXT MONTH

 

Status Update

By Femi Solola

A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL MY SUPPORTERS, VOLUNTEERS AND THOSE WHO DONATED TO MY LONDON MAYORAL ELECTION 2012 CAMPAIGN.

Dear Supporters, Volunteers and Donors,

March 28, 2012, 12 noon was the dead line for the payment of the mandatory £10,000 for election application forms submission and the optional £10,000 for candidates' address booklets that will be sent to the homes of all the over 5.5 million registered voters in London. Unfortunately, we were unable to meet up with the payment. Hence, we cannot continue with the campaign and we will not be taking part in the election.
From February 28, 2011 till today April 5, 2012, the total amount donated was £1,851, while the total amount spent was £4,768. The total number of those that donated was 49.
I most sincerely appreciate your support, love and donations.
I wish you God's speed and blessings in all you do.
I will certainly keep in touch.
Many thanks from the bottom of my heart.

Yours sincerely,
Femi Solola.

A ban on tobacco and cigarettes being on display in supermarkets comes into effect in England today.

Tobacco has been banned from displays in shops as the latest anti-smoking law comes into effect in England.

The new rules mean all cigarettes and tobacco products will be kept hidden behind screens or under the counter in large shops and supermarkets.
Small shops will follow suit in 2015, allowing them more time to refit shelves and cabinets.
Smoking causes 80,000 preventable deaths each year and costs the NHS £5bn annually.

Anti-smoking campaigners argue displays had become increasingly colourful and appealing as other forms of tobacco advertising were closed down.
The changes are the latest in a long line of legislative measures aimed at reducing smoking rates.
Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said the Government hopes the move will discourage young people from taking up the habit.
"We want a range of measures that help to reduce smoking in this country, and in particular, that help make a significant impact on young people starting smoking," he told Sky News.
"That was why, for example, last October in England we introduced the ban on tobacco vending machines, which was a route by which young people were able to buy cigarettes.
"This will also make an impact, not just in terms of sales, because hopefully supermarkets were preventing under-age sales of tobacco, but reducing visibility and starting thinking about smoking."

The Department for Health points to evidence that in countries such as Ireland and Canada, where displays have been scrapped, smoking in the young has fallen by 10%.

Robin Hewings, from Cancer Research UK , told Sky News: "We have good research to show that when you remove tobacco displays in shops then it reduces the overall visibility of it in people's lives.
"The way they're sold at the moment, like razor blades or batteries or crisps, makes them seem like normal everyday products, when really they are not - they are a very dangerous drug."
More than eight million people smoke in England, and opponents of the ban say it is unlikely to be a case of out of sight, out of mind.
Simon Clark, director of smokers' group, Forest , said: "There is no justification for a display ban.
"There are tens of millions of people in Britain today who have never smoked and have never been encouraged to smoke by the sight of a packet of cigarettes in a shop or anywhere else.
"After some initial confusion existing smokers will ask for their regular brand and carry on smoking."
It is likely similar measures will eventually be introduced in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland in future.

 

FABRICE MUAMBA TAKES FIRST STEPS

Fabrice Muamba walking as cardiac arrest recovery continues

Fabrice Muamba has walked for the first time since suffering a cardiac arrest as his condition continues to improve.

"He's taking steps, talking and has that big smile we love to see. He is progressing the right way," said Owen Coyle, the player's manager at Bolton.

Former England Under-21 international Muamba was technically "dead" for 78 minutes after collapsing in Wanderers' FA Cup tie at Tottenham last month.

Muamba, who turns 24 on Friday, remains in intensive care at a London hospital.

"He has done some short periods of walking down the corridor he is in as part of the unit, staying in intensive care," added Coyle.

The midfielder collapsed on the White Hart Lane pitch during the quarter-final match on 17 March and was given 15 defibrillator shocks before he reached hospital.

Muamba, whose family posted the first public picture of him on Twitter from his hospital room last week, has received thousands of get-well messages from players, officials and supporters across the world.

Bolton chairman Phil Gartside and club doctor Jonathan Tobin have visited the player at the London Chest Hospital this week.

Coyle said: "A couple of players have been sending him messages and we are keeping in touch. It has been great to see that smile and he continues to get better.

"We have to stress that he still has a long way to go, but the improvement has been remarkable and long may that continue."

source:BBC.co.uk

MY FATHER'S NAME SAVED ME FROM SEXUAL HARRASSMENT-LATE COMEDIAN JAGUA'S DAUGHTER,OMOTOLA.

Omotola Afolabi Afolayan, is the daughter of late comedian Jagua. The suave actress who is the most notable of Jagua’s children in this interview with Temidayo Badmus, reveals how the strong bond between Jagua and his wife, Sierra Leonian born Elyzer, who died last year finally claimed the life of the later after over ten years of the former’s death


What went wrong before you finally lost your Mum last year?

Mum was ill for many months. She was taken to different hospitals, before she finally died last year. I am the last and the only girl in Nigeria. So, the responsibility fell so much on me. We have so many boys in our family.


How has that affected your appearances in movies?

My mum’s sickness really affected my appearances in movies. Through out 2010, I didn’t do any job. Even before she died last year, I was just moving with her from one hospital to another and we spent whole lots of money. I believe God loves her more than us.


What will you say was responsible for your Mum’s constant sickness until her death?

I think the love my mother has for her husband (Late Jagua) affected her. They both have very strong feelings for each other. Since the death of my Dad, she has been in and out of hospital. Most times, she was diagnosed with high blood pressure. I am convinced that my father’s death really affected her because before his death,she lived a very healthy life . I think money and God sustained her till last year.


How was she buried?

ANTP members from Lagos, Ogun, Osun Kwara and virtually all the southwest states came for her burial. They did so well, she had a befitting burial.


Is it true she was not  a Nigerian?
Yes, she was from eastern Sierra Leone.


When did she come to Nigeria?

She lived most of her adult life in Nigeria.


When was the last time she visited Sierra Leone?

She was in Sierra Leone about five years before her death.


When are you going to produce your next movie?

My latest film ORE-OLUWA will be out soon. That is the last film that featured my Mum before she died.


What is your plan of retaining the legacy of the late Jagua?

Gbolahan Afolayan is my younger brother. He has picked up the late Jagua’s idea on the new Jagua series on Television. He is funny and unpredictable just like my Dad. He is the new Jagua. My late Mum, Elyzer Afolayan played her usual role of Grace. I played Lady T. Raymond Afolayan is a director. He directed the new series. We also have Afolabi Afolayan Jnr who played Thunder. We are working on putting it on other Television Stations.


Who are your other siblings?

My other siblings are Ola Afolayan, Bolaji Afolayan and my elder sister, Olayinka Afolayan who is married in U.K


How many movies have you done in the past?
My first movie, KOYEWON, was a big success and ORE-OLUWA is coming.


Have you been sexually harassed?

People don’t come to me for such dirty things. If they think about it, once I mention who my father is, they stop. I have not been harassed by anybody.


Who are your friends in the industry?

I have lots of them that we are friends. People like; Biodun Okeowo, Lizzy Anjorin, Funke Eti and others. I can’t mention all of them.


How was the experience of your first kiss?

I really cannot remember when it happened but, I enjoyed my first kiss.


……And your first love?

Haba,..Dayo! I just told you I really enjoyed my first kiss. I enjoyed my first love too but, I don’t want to go further than that.


How was life with your dad?

During my Dad’s days, I enjoyed acting. He makes sure that we do something on his programme during vacations. You dare not say no,he may wake us up in the middle of the night and tell us to memorize a song before the next day. Some of these things now give me an edge and it made me a complete professional. As Jagua’s daughter then, I lacked nothing. My father is always a provider. To be modest, I won’t say he was rich. But, he was financially ok.


That means you were born with silver spoon

If what you mean by that is that I had everything as a kid, then I was born with a silver spoon. I told you my Mum was from Sierra Leone and they love jewelries in that country. With her, I started wearing gold earrings and gold necklaces as a toddler.

When did you become a celebrity?

I was more popular as a kid than now. More people knew me then as Omotola Jagua. Maybe because my Dad was still around and he was really making waves. Some people don’t even recognize me now because I am grown up. But, as a kid, I was a celebrity.
 He taught me to be honest and respectful.


What type of car do you drive now?

I don’t have a Range (Rover) now but, I have a Nissan Quest that takes me around.


Which is your favourite car?
I love fast and luxury cars so, I don’t mind a Range Rover now.


Tell us about your education

After my Economics degree at the Obafemi Awolowo University, I did a course in Communication at the Television College,Jos.


How do you spend money?

I help the needy. I feed the hungry people and I cloth the naked people. This is one thing I love doing in my life. I don’t believe until I have N200million in my account that I will help the needy. I have been doing this even when I was collecting money from my Dad.


When are you getting married?

I will get married soon.


Who is your ideal man?

I want a handsome, caring and sexy man.

culled:Dayo Badmus facebook page.

PMAN: WILL THE BONE RISE AGAIN FOR MAJEK FASHEK?

 

MAJEK FASHEK NOW AND THEN

Can you still remember the “Rain maker”, a once handsome young looking man with a powerful voice, a ladies delight created with smooth face and well structured body? The rain magic maker, yes, I am talking about Majek Fashek, the man baptised "rain maker" by his Nigerian audience. When I saw Majek Fashek's current pictures and the way they looked so frightening and shocking, I wept.

"There comes a time when we heed a certain call, when the world must come together as one.” And “It is really true that there are choices we make that save lives and make the world a better place.”

Majek Fashek took Nigerian music to another level in the late 80s and early 90s with his sweet melodies. He was then compared only to the best, the late king of Reggae, a legend and a visionary musician, Robert Nesta Bob Marley by many people that know his music. The rhythms of his musics could only be traceable to him alone while the lyrics of his songs were inspirational and educative. Anytime Majek Fashek had been on stage and sung one of his tracks titled "Send down the rain" hardly had he finished the first paragraph of this track as stated below no matter how sunny it was that it did not rain.

"The sky looks misty and cloudy
It looks like the rain is gonna fall today
Since morning I being sowing my seeds
Waiting for the rain to drop and water it up, e e h
I’m a hungry man and I don’t wanna be hungry
Send down the rain
Send down the rain, send down the rain
Everything in life has got its time and season, so you don’t have to ask my why
You don’t expect to sow cassava and reap up cocoyam
You don’t expect to sow rice and reap up cassava
Whatever I n I soweth in this word must surely reap

I’m a living man
Got a lot of work to do
Send down the rain
Papa papa papa yo
Mama mama mama yo
Send down the rain …”

Majek Fashek’s incredible stage performances with this track "Send down the rain" created magnificent awareness then that could only now be likened to the active days of Mike Tyson who had forced late comers to boxing venues to wake up or else they would be busy struggling to buy tickets for his match and the match would have been over because his opponent had been overwhelmingly taken to the cleaners in the first round within seconds. The same manner, Majek Fashek was invited in some West African cities that had had no rain for a long time with the sole aim to come and sing his music track “Send down the rain” so that it would rain for them to plant their crops and water up their seeds. He was then in the class of Mandators, Orits Williki, Ras Kimono and Alex O etc. or even a little bit higher than some of them in the Nigerian chart of musicians locally and internationally. He was a highly talented guitarist combined with an amazing voice. He improved Nigeria’s music and image around the globe with his musical messages when the world took everything about Nigeria to be evil because of bad leadership, fraud, corruption and massive loot of Nigeria’s wealth by the military junta.

The experience he had on one of his tours in America led him to sing a song titled “Majek Fashek in the New York” where he explained that he had never known that there were beggars in the streets of New York because of our complex nature of painting everything about America gold that had deeply affected the mentality of many of our children who abandoned their education, good jobs and their businesses in pursuit of greener pastures as plate washers and street sweepers in the USA and other developed countries.

“Rumour has it that he is homeless in the city of California and I tried everything humanly possible by calling every person or body I felt that could be helpful with the information about his whereabouts and condition without success.”

Please help, one of the most celebrated artists in Nigeria, Majek Fashek is dying. Kindly try to look for Majek Fashek photos before and now then you will understand my concerns better. Where did Majek Fashek get it wrong? There have been rumours that the reason behind his ordeal now is traceable to the magical powers he associated with that his wonderful track titled “Send down the rain”that made it almost certain for rain to fall each time he had been on stage and sung that track. But there are strong indications that Majek Fashek is suffering from drug abuse. However, no matter where the problem came from the bitter truth is that Majek Fashek needs our help.

“We all cannot wait for Majek Fashek to die to give him a befitting burial with newspapers advertisement, editorial praises, killing so many cows and providing so many drinks for people to drink to stupor and bury him in an expensive casket while we abandoned him when he was alive.”

Where is Majek Fashek? Rumour has it that he is homeless in the city of California and I tried everything humanly possible by calling every person or body I felt that could be helpful with the information about his whereabouts and condition without success. Here are some of the PMAN officers’ responses to my enquiries in trying to find out the true states of Majek Fahek and what they have done to help him. The first vice president of PMAN Eng. George Durueke, “I do not know Majek Fashek’s whereabouts now and cannot confirm if it is true that he is homeless in California or not but since you have informed me, I promise to make inquiries tomorrow,” Chief Morocco Maduka, PMAN state Governor, Anambra state, “I do not know anything about Majek Fashek” meaning Majek Fashek’s condition “and I am hearing it for the first time.” Danjuma Musa Kaduna state PMAN Governor, “The picture of Majek Fashek I saw last time was bad that is all I know and cannot confirm if he is homeless or not but thank you for your concern I will make calls and get back to you, I appreciate.” Another gossip has it that Majek Fashek is currently in Nigeria trying to re-discover his lost glory with the help of few good spirited Nigerians. However, the last time I watched Majek Fashek was in U-Tube where he was still his old person preaching love and unity while his look brought me to tears that finally pushed me to take action.

I call on the “Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria” (PMAN) to please help with the rehabilitation of Majek Fashek before he dies. They should as a matter of urgency genuinely with perseverance come to his aid because he might not be able to help himself alone right now. When the golden voice of Nigerian music died, Chief Christ Essien Igbokwe PMAN as an entity and its members participated physically active and they were also financially visible that they even had accusations of misappropriation of money which led Tony Okoroji and Onyeka Owenu to go to court as reported. Nigerians stood still and millions of naira were spent to give her a memorable burial as someone we all loved and cherished while our press men and women congratulated her in death and eulogised her as a hero which she deserved. The death of Evangelist Sunny Okosun who used his music and fought the wicked apartheid regime in South Africa sponsored by Britain and supported by USA to submission was equally not different, but today the reality is stark naked before us because while the deaths of our lovingly Chief Christ Essien Igbokwe and the patriotic pan-African nationalist Evangelist Sunny Okosun were beyond human control, the case of Majek Fashek cannot be said to be the same today because his situation is still within our reach and as such redeemable. Can we all be magnanimous enough to show a little kindness and shine the light for him to see again?

Can PMAN be kind as much as necessary and organise shows within and outside Nigeria with Nigerian musicians and their foreign counterparts that would be interested to participate in the concerts just to help to raise funds for Majek Fashek's rehabilitation programmes? According to PMAN’s statute they will do whatever the association deems desirable in this situation to help its members and I quote “To publish and distribute periodicals, newspapers, books, leaflets, documents, magazine, sheet music and other related publications and documents that the Association may deem desirable in the promotion of its interest and that of its members.” And in another paragraph it says that “To organize joint recording and musical performance of members to promote unity and raise funds for the association and/or any charitable cause.”

I personally believe that nothing should call for charitable actions more than a life threatening situation. I call on the Edo state government and her indigenes, the Federal government of Nigeria and good hearted Nigerians all over the world to please help save the life of this Nigerian God made Bob Marley. The Federal government of Nigeria and the Edo state government should not wait for our Majek Fashek to die and then sing praises of him with national and state awards. Majek Fashek in his track "Send down the rain" said "You don't expect to sow cassava and reap up cocoyam." He may have sowed wrongly out of youthful exuberance and as such had gone astray. Do we all close our eyes and allow him sink when we know we could help put smiles on his face and his families again?

Who is that person born of a woman without blame? Let us not throw this child with birth water because Majek Fahsek is still full of talent, capably blessed to storm the world again, perhaps in a different form. He would still be very useful to Nigeria and the world especially in the campaign against drug abuse.

Do not forget that national president of the Christian Association of Nigeria pastor Ayo Oritsejafor was once a drug addict but today he has won millions of fans for Christ and he is a very good ambassador for Nigeria. He once said "[...] 40 years ago, [...] I could still picture myself, a young man with no direction, all messed up and mixed up in life, totally hooked on drugs [...] but somehow I found myself in the midst of Christians [...]." Today is not only that Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor is a total changed person but he is a beacon of freedom in so many homes and families to the shame of the devil. As you read this article; are you touched? Do you know that you could be one of those Christians that rescued Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor in the life of Majek Fashek? If you are touched ask yourself; how can I help? Take this message to as many people as you can because it could be the catalyst of the change we are looking for. God is a spirit that uses humans to amend catastrophic situations and gives hope to the hopeless. Do not shy away from any calling because whomever that runs away from responsibilities runs away from promotions.

“God is a spirit that uses humans to amend catastrophic situations and gives hope to the hopeless.”

As the best American singers came together for the sake of humanity and peace to sing an inspirational and a well worded song titled "We are the world" I once more encourage Nigerian musicians under PMAN not to abandon Majek Fashek in this his dark time. The lyrics of that song "We are the world" were so peaceful and powerful, it says;

“Do not shy away from any calling because whomever that runs away from responsibilities runs away from promotions.”

"There comes a time when we heed a certain call
When the world must come together as one
There are people dying and it’s time to lend a hand
To life, the greatest gift of all
We can’t go on pretending day by day
That someone somewhere will soon make a change
We are all part of God’s great big family
And the truth
You know
Love is all we need
We are the world
We are the children
We are the ones who make a brighter day
So let’s start giving ...."

Yes, there is joy in sharing and there is progress in giving because givers never lack. There are moments we must heed some certain calls like Majek Fashek’s call now because we are part of God’s great family. It is really true that there are choices we make that save lives and make the world a better place. We all cannot wait for Majek Fashek to die to give him a befitting burial with newspapers advertisement, editorial praises, killing so many cows and providing so many drinks for people to drink to stupor and bury him in an expensive casket while we abandoned him when he was alive. The best burial we all can give Majek Fashek is now. The best awards for Majek Fashek are now and not when he dies. Nigerian press men and women should please wake up to this clarion call and begin to create the positive awareness needed for the plight of Majek Fashek to turn around. Everyone that believes in humanity should rise and make a contribution as much as one could for Majek Fashek to stand on his feet firmly again. This help could come in different forms and must not necessarily mean money. Some people could of course help with money or counselling, while some may come in with professional advice and creating awareness etc. Let’s show brotherhood.

Majek Fashek, a proud owner of the “Prisoner of conscience” album in 1991 sang in some of his other albums tracks like “Cover the world, cover the earth oh righteousness” and “Holy Spirit take over the world now,” in the same vain I pray that the Holy Spirit will take over his life now and cover him with righteousness while we the concerned people will help him as a prisoner of conscience to brake the wall of Jericho and free him from the shackles of the devil that has kept him in the states of regrets, mockery and shadow of his old self.
This is a wake-up call to all those that love humanity to join in this crusade for our Majek Fashek to live and tell his own story.

Who can help to heal Majek Fashek? Do not be sarcastic about his situation and do not claim to be righteous for we all have sinned and come short of the glory of the lord.
Who the cap fits let him wear it so chorused by late Bob Marley. Today the caps fit better the Governor of Edo state His Excellency comrade Adams Oshimole, the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN) and of course fellow heart spirited Nigerians. On these caps we are wearing, it is written “If we agree in unison the bone shall rise again for Majek Fashek.”

“As tears wet my papers now and cover my eyes while writing these words, Fashek, it is my love for you and as Lucky Dube sang, wherever you are just know it that I will always remember you and whatever you do no matter your condition, I love you.”

Late Lucky Dube in one of his touching tracks “Remember me” which I call his biography in his album titled "Prisoner " he sang how his daddy had left their family many years ago with the promise to come back and take care of them but that many years had gone and there was still no sign of his daddy coming back home. He sang that his mother died of a heart attack as soon as she heard that his daddy had got married to another woman, and that he was the only one left in the family wandering in the streets of Soweto without any place to call his home. Irrespective of the callousness of his daddy in his upbringing, but because of love, he still had sung, “Daddy wherever you are, remember me, in whatever you do I love you.” As tears wet my papers now and cover my eyes while writing these words, Fashek, it is my love for you and as Lucky Dube sang, wherever you are just know it that I will always remember you and whatever you do no matter your condition, I love you.

Who is a rich person? A rich person is not that person that has got many mansions, expensive cars, gold, jewelleries, best education, billions in the account or that uses the most expensive fragrance etc. but rather a rich person is that person that has affected positive changes in other people’s lives. That person that has saved lives or that has made difficult sacrifices for others to live, that person that has used his/her position to wipe the tears and pains of others and turn their sorrows to joy, this is the ideal accomplished rich person. How rich are you?

Let’s use our talents, positions and money to make the world a better place. According to John Mason “The world is blessed mostly by people who do things, and not those who talk about things and do nothing.”

Majek Fashek needs your help.

For further information contact PMAN: Phone, +234-8033052209, +234-7036651111, +234-80382532, Mail, info@pmanonline.net

Written By Uzoma Ahamefule
Uzomaah@yahoo.com

culled:The Will

Can Older woman/younger man romance last?.....Dannii Minogue and Kris Smith confirm split

Following yesterday's sad rumours, Dannii Minogue and her boyfriend Kris Smith have both confirmed on Twitter that they have split up.

Dannii Minogue took to Twitter early on Wednesday morning to announce: "It brings me great sadness to tell you that Kris & I have separated. We still care for each other & ask for privacy at this difficult time, in particular for our son Ethan who remains our number one priority."

Kris Smith tweeted at the same time: "Dannii and I have a deep mutual love and respect for each other and although things have not worked out we have a gorgeous son together that we both love and implore everyone to respect our privacy at this challenging time."

[Related gallery: Shocking celebrity splits]

[Related article: Dannii slams The X Factor]

The couple were together for four years and have a 21-month old son, Ethan, together. Reports started circulating yesterday that the pair had called time on their relationship.

Dannii hasn't tweeted Kris for over a month, they haven't been pictured together since October, and Kris has recently changed his Twitter bio.

It now reads: "It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice... not really sure what my job is anymore... but I do know I love my boy more than life..."

Dannii and Kris have a son, Ethan, together / TwitterThe pair were forced to fight speculation that they were splitting up in May last year. At the time, they issued a statement slamming the reports.

"Thanks for your concern. We're happy to be back at home in Melbourne together as a family," they said.

"We are committed to our relationship and Ethan as always."

However, Dannii and Kris have been plagued by split rumours ever since their careers have forced them to spend considerable amounts of time apart.

Kris even commented last year: "I wish she'd sit back and relax at some point, before stress levels do their worst. But that's the way she is, so inclined to work hard and strive for things.

"I'm more laid-back. We balance each other out. It's a ­counter-balance. I like to chill out and enjoy life."

We're sad that they weren't able to work things out.

culled:yahoo

Chelsea 2 Benfica 1 (agg 3-1): match report

Read a full match report of the Champions League quarter-final between Chelsea and Benfica at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday Apr 4 2012.

Image 1 of 2

Take that: with five minutes remaining Raul Meireles silences the Benfica fans with a thunderbolt to put the tie beyond the visitors Photo: EPA

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Spot on: Frank Lampard opens the scoring for Chelsea from the penalty spot Photo: GETTY IMAGES

By Jason Burt, Senior Football Writer, at Stamford Bridge

9:51PM BST 04 Apr 2012

 

And now for Barcelona. Chelsea last night advanced into the last four of the Champions League for the sixth time in nine years and, once again, will meet their old nemesis.

There have been some epic, and epically controversial, encounters over those years and another is on its way. Better buckle up.

Ten-man Benfica were beaten but certainly not out-played, in this quarter-final and Chelsea will have to perform far, far better than this if they are to at last capture that Holy Grail of a prize, the one Jose Mourinho called the beautiful trophy with big ears, come the final in May.

Mourinho, and Real Madrid, potentially lie in wait again, or Bayern Munich, and Chelsea are in rarefied company in the semi-finals and in a position they could not have imagined being in not so long ago.

Credit to the ‘interim head coach’ Roberto Di Matteo and, maybe also, his burgeoning stewardship has the feel of a ‘lucky’ manager.

There was luck against Benfica – with that sending ff and punished with a ‘soft’ penalty – and there is a touch of the Guus Hiddink regime about Di Matteo.
He has steadied the club; improved the atmosphere and touched wood on occasions with results. Can Barca be beaten?
Maybe, just maybe, with another slice of fortune and the Premier League’s last man standing will dare to dream. The only blight was an injury to John Terry.
The records were all stacked up against Benfica. Only twice in the history of this competition has a team reversed a first-leg defeat at home; Chelsea have proved formidable at the Bridge and, more immediately, the Portuguese could not call on any of the four central defenders on their books. All were injured.
It made the task ahead even more daunting despite the pre-match chutzpah of their coach, Jorge Jesus, who had declared Chelsea fortunate to have come away last week with that advantage gained through Salomon Kalou.
He was wrong. Chelsea’s victory was deserved then but Jesus needed to relay a sense of injustice to his players ahead of trying to stir them to a famous comeback. If they felt injustice, it was amplified by the events of the first half.
There was danger within this Benfica side with Oscar Cardozo, Pablo Aimar, Bruno Cesar and the eye-catching Argentine Nicolas Gaitan and, three times in the opening three minutes, he forayed down the left as they came out of the traps at pace.
It meant Frank Lampard and then John Terry had to charge down shots from the edge of the penalty area.
Inevitably Chelsea tried to arrest some of that impetus.
Maybe they had hoped to make their own quick start; instead that initiative had been taken from them and, not wanting to create a dangerously open encounter, they attempted to retain possession and draw the sting with Lampard the only alteration from the line-up that had triumphed in Lisbon.
Benfica needed a goal but they also knew that their defence was less trustworthy than usual although one replacement, the veteran Spanish full-back Joan Capdevila, threw himself to block David Luiz’s fierce half-volley. It would have settled Chelsea’s obvious nerves but back came Benfica with Terry bellowing for a reaction.
Part of Chelsea’s troubles were being caused by Lampard’s desire to break forward, leaving John Obi Mikel exposed with Aimar dropping in around him to try and pick out Gaitan, who was being afforded too much space by Branislav Ivanovic, in particular.
Just as they continued to struggle, Chelsea cut a break with Ashley Cole running into the area to meet Terry’s lobbed ball forward.
Javi Garcia, one of those makeshift central defenders, clumsily collided with him and the referee, Damir Skomina, awarded the penalty.
The Benfica players protested, and it did look a harsh award, but Lampard stepped up to drive the ball low to the left of goalkeeper Artur.
It meant that Chelsea have taken the lead in all their Champions League ties this season and it also meant this match could not go to extra-time.
Benfica needed a response and almost found one from a free-kick with the ball eventually guided back to Cardozo whose snapshot beat Petr Cech but was cleared off the goal line by Terry.
In fairness, Benfica were playing some wonderfully creative attacking football with Aimar, by some distance, the most impressive player on show as he ran proceedings, threading passes and causing all manner of difficulties to the Chelsea defence.
The home side did not help matters by constantly surrendering possession.
Chelsea then cut another break. This time Maxi Perreira overran the ball and propelled himself, catching Mikel.
The referee cautioned the captain but, having already booked him for protesting at the penalty, it meant a red card followed. Benfica were down to 10 men.
They were now there to be picked off and Fernando Torres was released down the left. Instead of pulling the trigger, he tried to pull the ball back.
It was a poor decision and highlighted his continuing lack of belief. As Benfica trudged off at half-time, their coach looked forlorn. Jesus knew he needed a miracle.
But it was Benfica who threatened again. And again it was Cardozo. This time Aimar worked the ball to him on the area’s edge and his side-footed, curling shot was clawed over by Cech.
Somehow, then, Ramires failed to extend Chelsea’s advantage as Kalou crossed almost onto the goal-line and the midfielder scuffed at it.
Torres was afforded another chance, his shot deflected wide before Kalou, through on goal, fired straight at the goalkeeper and, then, with another opportunity he swiveled and drove the ball wide.
For Benfica, Capdevila blazed over as did substitute Yannick Djalo, who later headed wide, while Aimar continued to weave his patterns and the frustrations of Jesus grew.
Benfica gained a life-line, late, with Javi Garcia rising to head home a corner. Suddenly the atmosphere changed, the nerves returned but substitute Raul Meireles broke away to crash the ball into the net and end any doubt.

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culled:The Telegraph

 

Forty-Year-Old Nigerian Woman From Enugu Among Victims Of Mass Shooting In Oakland California

Posted: April 4, 2012 - 13:20

Posted by siteadmin

caption: Doris Chibuko

By SaharaReporters, New York

Forty year old Nigerian mother of three, Doris Chibuko, was among the victims of a deadly shooting at the Koreans Nursing school in Oakland, California on Monday.
Doris was among the 7 people fatally shot by a lone gunman at Oakland's Oikos University in Oakland.

Doris hails from Enugu state in South Eastern region of Nigeria. Before migrating to the US she studied and practiced law in Nigeria before marrying Efanye Chibuko in 2002.
The killing of Doris happened two months away from her planned graduation from the small private college. She and her colleagues were murdered by a fellow student One Goh who later surrendered to the police in a supermarket.

 

http://gu.com/p/36j3z

culled:sahara reporters,
quardian.co.uk/(pix/video)

I would love to have a thousand more children-Bruce Willis

Bruce Willis and his wife, Emma Heming Willis have welcomed their first child - and have chosen English name Mabel for their newborn daughter.

The actor, who just turned 57, and his 33-year-old wife of three years Emma are said to be "overjoyed" by the arrival.
Mabel - which means "lovable" - Ray was born in Los Angeles yesterday and weighed in a 9lbs 1oz.

[Related gallery: Celebrity pregnancies]

Mum and baby and healthy, but no further details have been released at this stage.

Bruce Willis and Emma Heming a month before Mabel Ray's birth / WENN

The couple announced their pregnancy news back in October, and revealed they were expecting a girl in January.

Mabel Ray is Bruce Willis' fourth daughter. He has three girls with ex-wife Demi Moore: 23-year-old Rumer, 20-year-old Scout and 18-year-old Tallulah.
The movie star previously said he didn't care whether he and Emma had children or not.
He said: "I'd like to have a thousand more children, or zero more children. It doesn't matter. Emma makes me feel great."
And it's pretty clear he's smitten with his wife, after he told journalists she had turned his life around.
He added: "I'm the happiest I've ever been and this comes after a long period of being kind of lonely, eve though I tried to convince myself I was enjoying life.
"Before I met Emma I was very pessimistic about finding that special woman with whom I would want to spend my life with.
"I thought it would be difficult for someone like me, who is well known, to find a woman who didn't have an agenda and who just wanted to be with me because they loved me, pure and simple."
Yikes, we hope his ex-wife Demi Moore didn't read that interview. The American actress, who only left rehab last month is said to be "sick to her stomach" at rumours that her other ex Ashton Kutcher is having a relationship with global popstar Rihanna.
Rumours remain to circulate around the pair - despite the 'Rude Boy' singer insisting she is single last week whilst in London to promote her new film 'Battleship'.

Congrats to Bruce and Emma!

source:omg yahoo.

Why you won't see Jennifer Aniston on the cover of Vogue

Her face has launched a thousand magazines and sold even more, but Jennifer Aniston will not be appearing on the cover of Vogue in Britain any time soon.

Vogue's editor Alexandra Shulman has revealed that she refuses to put Aniston on the cover because of the actress's stringent demands over copy approval.
In an interview with the Observer Magazine, Shulman said: "Somebody like Jennifer Aniston will only do an interview with copy approval and picture approval. I've never had anybody on the cover, ever, who's had copy approval and picture approval. I just don't think it's a proper thing if you do."
The practice of demanding to read and amend an article and to choose which photos will be used before publication has become increasingly commonplace among celebrities anxious to protect their public image.
Shulman's stand is all the more surprising given that Aniston, who made her name in the 1990s sitcom Friends before starring in hit films including Marley & Me and Horrible Bosses, is one of the bestselling celebrities on the newsstands. When she appeared dressed in a tuxedo jacket on the front of Marie Claire in the US last July, the issue was their top seller of the year. In 2010, when Aniston was on the cover of Harper's Bazaar, sales went up 22%.

[Related story: How much does Jennifer Aniston spends to look like Jennifer Aniston?]

However, Shulman, 54, who has been editing British Vogue since 1990, said that she felt some PR people and celebrities now exerted too much influence.
She said: "It's this thing of people just basically treating you… as if you're bound to be doing something that is in some way going to be insulting to their client. I just find that so offensive."
In a wide-ranging interview, Shulman, whose first novel, Can We Still Be Friends, is published this month, also talked openly about her panic attacks – a recurring problem ever since she fell ill with glandular fever in her second year at Sussex University.
"When I first got them, I thought I was going to die," she said. "I literally thought I was dying. And then you've got this odd thing where half of your brain is going: 'This is a panic attack, it's fine, keep calm, it'll pass' and half of you is saying: 'I am going to die.' And it's so frightening that your body and your brain are out of sync with each other."
Shulman added: "I think if you have a susceptibility to it, it isn't something that you can eradicate completely so I'm sort of aware of a vulnerability to it."
Shulman was similarly candid when asked about her part in perpetuating a fashion culture where extreme thinness is equated with beauty.
She said: "I think it's one of the real blinkered aspects of the fashion industry, and I find it very frustrating and I don't know quite where it comes from but I think if I had to absolutely nail it, [it's] probably the designers, because they're the ones that are cutting the clothes so small. And if the girl can't fit into the clothes, then they won't get booked. So then you've got the model agent saying: 'You've got to lose weight.' And then, when it comes down the wire, the photographers – and to some extent the fashion editors – want to use the girls that they think are the cool girls, and the cool girls are the ones who have got to be working with the designers, so it kind of feeds itself."
In June 2009, Shulman wrote a letter to major international fashion houses including Karl Lagerfeld, John Galliano, Prada and Versace, complaining that their "minuscule" sample sizes were forcing fashion editors to use models with "jutting bones" and "no breasts or hips". But, three years on, she admitted that the letter did not have any great impact.
"I'm pleased I wrote it. Did it make any difference? I don't think so. But at least I tried to do something."
As a single mother – Shulman has a teenage son with her former husband, the US writer Paul Spike – she also had forthright views about maternity leave. "The reality is, if you take time out and have children, it does damage your trajectory in some way," she said. "You can't pretend it doesn't."
guardian.co.uk © Guardian News and Media 2012

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source:the guardian,yahoo lifestyle

Woman raped by goons she and Lover hired to kill husband

Falguni Banerjee

Investigators say a 39-year-old woman in Hooghly’s Polba, 60km from Kolkata, was raped by the killers she had hired with the help of her lover to murder her husband.

POLBA (HOOGHLY): Police have dug up a fact more bizarre than fiction in the gangrape of a 39-year-old woman in Hooghly's Polba, 60km from Kolkata. Investigators say she was raped by the killers she had hired with the help of her lover to murder her husband.

The lover, Zico Pal alias Potla, is a rich, married farmer 14 years younger to the woman. He wept inconsolably in the police station as he narrated how he tried to stop the killers from raping her, sources said. But the gang tied him up and went on raping the woman.

The four killers had been hired by Potla from Belgharia on the city's fringes, Baranagar and Bandel, police said. He and the woman have confessed to the crime. The lovers and the killers have been arrested.

Police grew suspicious of the woman because she seemed reluctant to file a complaint of rape although a medical examination had confirmed sexual assault. Her FIR mentioned only dacoity and murder. It was her 14-year- old son, Kushal, who told the villagers she had been raped. She added a rape complaint at their insistence.

The incident occurred around midnight on March 28 in Patna village of Polba. The woman's 50-year-old husband, Krishna Chandra Mal, a wealthy potato farmer, was attacked in his courtyard when he got up to go to the bathroom. The robbers slit Mal's throat and stabbed him repeatedly before they ransacked the house to make it look like a dacoity. They tied and gagged his wife and son. But before leaving with the loot, they took turns sexually assaulting the woman.

Potla has admitted he had led the way to Mal's house and was present during the incident, police said. He had not told the gang of his involvement with the woman and was shocked when they decided to rape her before leaving the house. He tried to stop them but in vain. It was Kushal who managed to free himself and alert neighbours.

Inconsistencies in woman's statements alerted police: Police say the woman had a kind of obsession for Potla. "The two would meet whenever she went to her maternal home in Balagarh. Potla would even visit her house on a motorcycle when her husband was not around. The two would spend some time in private on the terrace. After arresting the criminals who raided Mal's house, we came to know that they were hired by Potla. The conspiracy became clear thereafter," an officer said. "During sustained interrogation, the woman broke down and confessed to her involvement," he added.

"There were inconsistencies in the woman's statements from the start. Since the time we started the investigation, we suspected that there was more to the incident than what was being said. It was after sustained interrogation of the woman and the four accused that we got to the bottom of the matter," said Hooghly SP Tanmoy Roy Chowdhury.

Hi !

source:Times of India

Sex with a corpse

Nura Mustapha is in police custody after he was allegedly caught having sex with a dead lady friend in a hotel room

Article | March 21, 2012 - 12:13am | By Patience Ogbo

Nura Mustapha, 28, is currently explaining to homicide detectives at the State Criminal Investigative Department, Panti, Yaba, Lagos State, why he was allegedly caught having sex with the corpse of a lady identified as Faith Akin.
Mustapha was arrested early in March after an attendant at the Green Star Hotel, Alaba-Rago, raised an alarm that he would not allow the corpse to be retrieved.
Police officers identified the corpse of the lady as Faith Akin, a resident of Ondo State, who visited her mother in Lagos.
“We have a lot of customers coming with different girls to the hotel but on that fateful day, Mustapha came in about 5.00 pm and booked the room; after about 9.00pm, he brought in this lady and they stayed the night,” said the hotel attendant, who gave his name as Mathew. “Early the next day, before I would hand over to the morning staff, I went round to check the rooms; [and] that was how I saw the lady lying down. I went to touch her but there was no response; I called out to Nura but he did not answer. It was when I came back the second time after I had informed the manager that I saw the customer having sex with the corpse again; I tried to call his attention but he did not respond, so I went to call the police.”
When officers from the Ojo Police Station arrived the scene, it was gathered that the suspect was seen having sex with the unconscious lady. “As soon as we got the complaint from the hotel management, we rushed to the scene of the incident; unfortunately, we experienced the shock of our lives when we saw Nura on top of the lifeless lady still banging (having sex with) her,” said a police officer who did not want his name published.
“We had to drag him from the lady's corpse before he realised that people had been watching him. It was a terrible thing for such a young man to sleep with a corpse; maybe for ritual purpose but we do not know.”
During questioning, Mustapha allegedly told the police officers that he had taken a sex enhancement drug before inviting the deceased to his hotel room.
“He said he used a local Hausa herb, called ‘burutashe’ to enhance his sexual performance before he had sex with the lady,” said the police source. “The corpse had foam coming out from her mouth; and despite that he kept banging her because the drug made him to have delayed ejaculation. So to satisfy himself, he kept banging the lady; even when he discovered that she was dead, so as to relieve himself.”
The corpse has been deposited at a mortuary and police authorities are hoping that autopsy results will reveal the exact cause of Akin’s death.
The Tiv Yam market in Alaba-Rango is predominantly populated by Hausas and it was gathered that commercial sex workers often congregate there at night to solicit for customers.

source:Daily Times NG

OBAMA :CLOSE UP AND PERSONAL

Obama showed off his abs while bodysurfing with his family in Honolulu, Hawaii, on Aug. 14, 2008.

President Obama read Green Eggs and Ham with First Lady Michelle (and daughters Malia and Sasha) during the Annual Easter Egg Roll in Washington, D.C. on April 5, 2010

Credit: AP Photo

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