There has been heavy fighting in the Quneitra area of the Syrian Golan
Heights in recent days
Philippine peacekeepers trapped by rebels in the Syrian Golan Heights
are "under attack", Philippine Defence Minister Voltaire Gazmin says.
He said the assault had started early on Saturday, but gave no details
on any casualties.
In recent days the Syrian rebels have taken 44 Fijian peacekeepers
hostage in the area and surrounded 75 Filipinos manning two separate
UN posts.
The rebels have also seized a crossing point into the Israeli-occupied Golan.
They are believed to include members of the al-Nusra Front, al-Qaeda's
affiliate in Syria.
Mr Guzman told reporters that 40 Philippine soldiers trapped at one
post had come under attack on Saturday.
Thirty-five others based at the other camp have been "extricated", he said.
Worsening security
The Fijian members of the UN Disengagement Observer Force (Undof) were
detained on Wednesday near Quneitra, during fighting between rebels
and government forces.
Last week the Philippine government said it would bring home its 331
peacekeeping forces from the Golan Heights in October, amid
deteriorating security there.
Israel seized most of the Golan Heights, a strategic plateau in
south-western Syria, during the 1967 Six-Day War.
The two countries signed an armistice in 1974, after which Undof was
put in place to monitor the demilitarised zone.
It has 1,224 lightly-armed military personnel from Fiji, India,
Ireland, Nepal, the Netherlands and the Philippines.
BBC
Saturday 30 August 2014
2015: APGA offers Jonathan, Umeh Automatic Tickets
Alliance has offered automatic tickets to President Goodluck Jonathan
and Chief Victor Umeh.
Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State disclosed this on Saturday in
Awka where a mega-rally was to urge Jonathan to seek re-election as
President.
Obiano however said the party's candidates for all other elective
positions will be determined through primaries.
While Jonathan has the party's presidential ticket, Umeh, APGA's
national chairman, will fly the party's banner in the Anambra Central
Senatorial election.
Umeh said APGA has gone into an accord with the Peoples Democratic
Party to support Jonathan for the presidential election.
Former Anambra State Governor, Mr. Peter Obi, was absent at the rally.
But Obiano said Obi got permission to travel to the United States to
attend the World Igbo Congress.
Former Senate President Ken Nnamani and former PDP national women's
leader, Mrs. Josephine Anenih, presented solidarity messages at the
rally.
Ebola Drug ZMapp Declared 100% Effective
Hopes of a breakthrough in the fight against Ebola have been raised by
the 100% successful treatment of monkeys with the deadly disease.
The experimental drug, ZMapp, cured the animals even when administered
five days after infection, while they were displaying severe symptoms.
All 18 rhesus macaques made a complete recovery, in contrast to three
other untreated monkeys that quickly fell seriously ill and died.
Two U.S. doctors given the drug after they were infected with Ebola
while working in Liberia subsequently recovered. It is not known,
however, whether they were saved by the drug or just lucky.
About 45% of those infected in the current outbreak have survived
without treatment.
At least two other patients treated with ZMapp have died, possibly
because help got to them too late.
The new research, published in a special report on Nature Journal's
website, provides hard evidence that the drug works and can be highly
effective.
ZMapp is a blend of three laboratory-made antibodies designed to
neutralise the virus.
the 100% successful treatment of monkeys with the deadly disease.
The experimental drug, ZMapp, cured the animals even when administered
five days after infection, while they were displaying severe symptoms.
All 18 rhesus macaques made a complete recovery, in contrast to three
other untreated monkeys that quickly fell seriously ill and died.
Two U.S. doctors given the drug after they were infected with Ebola
while working in Liberia subsequently recovered. It is not known,
however, whether they were saved by the drug or just lucky.
About 45% of those infected in the current outbreak have survived
without treatment.
At least two other patients treated with ZMapp have died, possibly
because help got to them too late.
The new research, published in a special report on Nature Journal's
website, provides hard evidence that the drug works and can be highly
effective.
ZMapp is a blend of three laboratory-made antibodies designed to
neutralise the virus.
Ebola Outbreak: 39 Immigrants From DR Congo, Senegal Arrested In Lagos
Immigration officers in two hotels on Lagos Island.
It was gathered that they were arrested following a tip-off by some
residents of the area over fears of the spread of Ebola virus disease.
Upon receiving the report, the Area Commander, Imohimi Edgal, an
Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Area A Command, Lion Building,
contacted Immigration and Health officials who stormed Benin Hotel and
an unamed guest house, situated on Atere street and effected the
arrest of the foreigners, 35 of whom are citizens of the Democratic
Republic of Congo, while the rest are Senegalese nationals.
(Photo: Lagos State Ebola Virus Isolation Center)
A police source said the Immigration officials will determine if the
suspects are legally residing in the country while the Health
officials will determine their health status. He also added that all
the hotels in the area have been placed under surveillance.
It will be recalled that six (6) people have died from the Ebola
Virus Disease (EVD) , while the total number of cases is fifteen(15)
after the Liberian-American Patrick Sawyer flew into the country with
the virus on July 20th and was admmited into a Lagos hospital.
Di Maria Shines But Burnley Frustrate United
Manchester United manager after a 0-0 draw at promoted Burnley in the
Premier League on Saturday.
United's record signing Angel di Maria, who at £59.7 million ($98
million, 75 million euros) cost more than Burnley have spent on
transfer fees in their 132-year history, made a lively debut but went
off after 69 minutes.
Sean Dyche's underdogs, who cost only £5 million to assemble,
nevertheless matched their more illustrious opponents -- who had lost
4-0 at third-tier Milton Keynes Dons in the League Cup in mid-week --
and went closest to scoring.
The visitors were fortunate not to be trailing as early as the third
minute, when a free-kick conceded by Phil Jones on the edge of the
area saw former United midfielder Dave Jones strike the bar.
An error soon after from Jonny Evans, one of the main culprits for the
defeat at MK Dons, forced United goalkeeper David de Gea to improvise
a save with his feet from the alert Danny Ings.
Di Maria showed the calibre of his passing with a fine ball from deep
after 15 minutes that found Robin van Persie racing into the penalty
area.
The United striker took the ball on his chest without stopping, but
his shot was well parried at close range by outrushing goalkeeper Tom
Heaton.
Di Maria was at the heart of United's next foray, taking a pass from
Wayne Rooney and cutting the ball into the area for Juan Mata, who
tripped over as he attempted to shoot.
Burnley were by no means overawed by their neighbours, especially amid
signs that United's three-man defence have yet to come to terms with
their new formation under Van Gaal.
- Young appeal dismissed -
One slack moment on 26 minutes allowed Jones a fierce snapshot from
the edge of the area that De Gea was able to push over the bar only
because it came straight at him.
Then Tyler Blackett, who had appeared to be adapting well, was caught
out by Scott Arfield, who cut inside, only to see his low shot
deflected for a fruitless corner.
United were also bereft of cohesion in attack, with a lack of
understanding between van Persie and Mata diluting their threat, and
their frustration boiled over when Darren Fletcher was booked for
tugging back Ings by his shirt.
United, playing towards the end where their supporters stood, went
close to taking the lead on 58 minutes when Rooney lobbed the ball
into the penalty area and Ben Mee half-cleared the danger with a
header.
The ball fell kindly to van Persie, but the Dutchman's drilled shot
was cleared off the line by Dean Marney. Two minutes later van Persie
drifted a header a foot over the bar as the visitors belatedly flexed
their muscles.
Burnley won a free-kick in a dangerous area when Blackett brought Ings
down from behind and was shown a yellow card, but when the ball was
served up for Matt Taylor on the edge of the penalty box, his tame
effort posed no problem for De Gea.
Di Maria, who had needed treatment earlier, eventually made way for
Anderson after an encouraging debut, while Danny Welbeck was also
introduced by Van Gaal.
Taylor was not far off with a shot from a free-kick that whistled over
the United bar and Rooney went even closer with a far-post header from
a corner.
Ashley Young had a penalty appeal for handball against Burnley
substitute Ashley Barnes waved away as United pushed in vain for a
late winner.
Nasa Approves Rocket To Take Humans To Mars
Nasa has approved construction of the world's most powerful rocket
designed to take astronauts to Mars.
The $7bn (£4.2bn) Space Launch System (SLS) is scheduled to blast off
for a test launch in November 2018.
It will potentially take humans to the red planet for the first time
by the 2030s.
Nasa administrator Charles Bolden said: "We are on a journey of
scientific and human exploration that leads to Mars.
"And we're firmly committed to building a launch vehicle and other
supporting systems that will take us on that journey."
The SLS will have a lift capacity of up to 143-tonnes which means it
can travel deep into the solar system.
Nasa's associate administrator Robert Lightfoot said: "Our nation is
embarked on an ambitious space exploration programme, and we owe it to
the American taxpayers to get it right.
"After rigorous review, we're committing today to a funding level and
readiness date that will keep us on track to sending humans to Mars in
the 2030s - and we're going to stand behind that commitment."
The funding was approved after a smaller model of the rocket passed an
internal review.
designed to take astronauts to Mars.
The $7bn (£4.2bn) Space Launch System (SLS) is scheduled to blast off
for a test launch in November 2018.
It will potentially take humans to the red planet for the first time
by the 2030s.
Nasa administrator Charles Bolden said: "We are on a journey of
scientific and human exploration that leads to Mars.
"And we're firmly committed to building a launch vehicle and other
supporting systems that will take us on that journey."
The SLS will have a lift capacity of up to 143-tonnes which means it
can travel deep into the solar system.
Nasa's associate administrator Robert Lightfoot said: "Our nation is
embarked on an ambitious space exploration programme, and we owe it to
the American taxpayers to get it right.
"After rigorous review, we're committing today to a funding level and
readiness date that will keep us on track to sending humans to Mars in
the 2030s - and we're going to stand behind that commitment."
The funding was approved after a smaller model of the rocket passed an
internal review.
Nasa Approves Rocket To Take Humans To Mars
Nasa has approved construction of the world's most powerful rocket
designed to take astronauts to Mars.
The $7bn (£4.2bn) Space Launch System (SLS) is scheduled to blast off
for a test launch in November 2018.
It will potentially take humans to the red planet for the first time
by the 2030s.
Nasa administrator Charles Bolden said: "We are on a journey of
scientific and human exploration that leads to Mars.
"And we're firmly committed to building a launch vehicle and other
supporting systems that will take us on that journey."
The SLS will have a lift capacity of up to 143-tonnes which means it
can travel deep into the solar system.
Nasa's associate administrator Robert Lightfoot said: "Our nation is
embarked on an ambitious space exploration programme, and we owe it to
the American taxpayers to get it right.
"After rigorous review, we're committing today to a funding level and
readiness date that will keep us on track to sending humans to Mars in
the 2030s - and we're going to stand behind that commitment."
The funding was approved after a smaller model of the rocket passed an
internal review.
designed to take astronauts to Mars.
The $7bn (£4.2bn) Space Launch System (SLS) is scheduled to blast off
for a test launch in November 2018.
It will potentially take humans to the red planet for the first time
by the 2030s.
Nasa administrator Charles Bolden said: "We are on a journey of
scientific and human exploration that leads to Mars.
"And we're firmly committed to building a launch vehicle and other
supporting systems that will take us on that journey."
The SLS will have a lift capacity of up to 143-tonnes which means it
can travel deep into the solar system.
Nasa's associate administrator Robert Lightfoot said: "Our nation is
embarked on an ambitious space exploration programme, and we owe it to
the American taxpayers to get it right.
"After rigorous review, we're committing today to a funding level and
readiness date that will keep us on track to sending humans to Mars in
the 2030s - and we're going to stand behind that commitment."
The funding was approved after a smaller model of the rocket passed an
internal review.
Chinese Students Tie Hair To Ceiling To Prevent Sleeping
Chinese university students have resorted to tying up their hair to
the ceiling using clothespins to prevent them from falling asleep
while studying. Every time the students try to nod off, the pins pull
back their hair, jerking them awake.
The technique, according to Kotaku, a local publication, became
popular after two students at the Fujian Agriculture and Forestry
University in Fujian province uploaded pictures of themselves on
Weibo. Chen Tang, 20 and her roommate Huang Lu, 21, had been
struggling with a huge workload and needed a quick fix to fight the
urge to nap.
They had tried the regular methods - caffeine, push-ups and cranking
up the air-conditioning - but none of that worked. That's when they
decided to hit the history books for a solution. Chen and Huang read
about two famous Chinese scholars who practised extreme methods to
keep their minds alert.
One would stab himself with needles every time he started to get
drowsy, while the other would tie his hair to a beam in the ceiling so
that it pulled every time he nodded off. Chen saw merit in the second
method and decided to give it a try.
"Chen is so keen to succeed that she decided to give the hair trick a
try, as you can see her hair is more than long enough," said Huang,
who posted the pictures online. "As we didn't have a beam in our dorm,
she used the clothes dryer and claims it worked really well."
Chen said that the trick helped her clear her mind. She plans to use
it more often in the future. "The preparation is boring, but the
hanging hair practice makes it interesting and I really feel much more
energetic by studying this way," she said.
After Huang put up the pictures, the hair-hanging technique seems to
have gone viral. Weibo is now full of photographs of Chinese students
emulating Chen. Some of them used clothespins and others used scarves.
the ceiling using clothespins to prevent them from falling asleep
while studying. Every time the students try to nod off, the pins pull
back their hair, jerking them awake.
The technique, according to Kotaku, a local publication, became
popular after two students at the Fujian Agriculture and Forestry
University in Fujian province uploaded pictures of themselves on
Weibo. Chen Tang, 20 and her roommate Huang Lu, 21, had been
struggling with a huge workload and needed a quick fix to fight the
urge to nap.
They had tried the regular methods - caffeine, push-ups and cranking
up the air-conditioning - but none of that worked. That's when they
decided to hit the history books for a solution. Chen and Huang read
about two famous Chinese scholars who practised extreme methods to
keep their minds alert.
One would stab himself with needles every time he started to get
drowsy, while the other would tie his hair to a beam in the ceiling so
that it pulled every time he nodded off. Chen saw merit in the second
method and decided to give it a try.
"Chen is so keen to succeed that she decided to give the hair trick a
try, as you can see her hair is more than long enough," said Huang,
who posted the pictures online. "As we didn't have a beam in our dorm,
she used the clothes dryer and claims it worked really well."
Chen said that the trick helped her clear her mind. She plans to use
it more often in the future. "The preparation is boring, but the
hanging hair practice makes it interesting and I really feel much more
energetic by studying this way," she said.
After Huang put up the pictures, the hair-hanging technique seems to
have gone viral. Weibo is now full of photographs of Chinese students
emulating Chen. Some of them used clothespins and others used scarves.
Miracle Baby Becomes Healing Sensation In Cambodia
mysterious healing power, is now the new sensation in town. Thousands
of people are travelling from as far as Laos and Vietnam and into the
small village believing that even a glimpse of Kong will help cure
their ailments, according toCambodia Daily. Kong, for many, appears to
be the last ray of hope in a nation with one of the worst health care
systems in the world.
Hundreds of people throng outside the little boy's single-room wooden
home every single day, scrambling to get a gaze and touch from him.
It's a motley crowd of handicapped people in wheelchairs, and ailing,
dying patients on stretchers.
Phat Soen, Kong's 21-year-old mother, brings the boy out and places a
row of eucalyptus balm bottles in front of him. She then guides his
hand over each bottle - his touch is believed to transfer healing
powers to the balm. The toddler's healing powers were discovered by an
accidental healing 'miracle' that occurred a few months ago.
"The miracle happened to my brother," said Sung Bahn, Kong's uncle.
"He was paralyzed from the waist down after a motorcycle accident.
Doctors couldn't cure him and neither could the Kru Khmers
(traditional Cambodian healers)."
"He went to visit his nephew and the boy asked him, 'What's the
matter?' The man told him that he couldn't walk, so the boy found some
leaves to make into a tea for the old man to drink. He drank the tea,
got up, and began walking perfectly."
Naturally, such a miraculous event couldn't remain a secret for long -
the whole village was buzzing about it, and within two weeks the story
was covered by national newspapers and TV channels.
"Twenty thousand people have come here in the last month hoping to be
cured," said village head, Sou Hen. "Over 1,000 people have received
effective treatment from the magic boy so far. I have seen people who
were dumb speak, and others who were paralyzed get up and walk."
Kong is now practically royalty in the sleepy little village of Khnor.
The entire community helps in managing the boy's visitors.
Loudspeakers crackle with regular updates, like: "The magic boy is
sleeping, so please keep quiet so he doesn't get angry." Or, "The boy
is with his mother collecting magic herbs and will return in two
hours."
According to locals, Kong acts as a medium for an elemental spirit
with healing powers. "I don't know why my boy is magic, he just is,"
said his father, Bahn, 25. "The child cured his uncle, the news spread
and now thousands have come. We give the magic leaves away free of
charge, but to get on the waiting list people have to donate $1 to
local Buddhist temples. Supplies are limited and sometimes they have
to wait a few days."
The leaves might be free of cost, but a meeting with the Kong himself
isn't. "If they want to see the boy personally, we charge them $2 or
$3," said Bahn. That might not sound like much, but it actually is a
big deal in a nation where the average wage is $3 a day. Bahn, who is
a rice farmer, earns around $1,000 a year. But his son's healing
powers have earned him $2,500 in the past month alone.
Boy With Extra-Ordinarily Long Neck To Undergo Surgery
long neck, according toSky News. Fu Wengui, who lives in Beijing, the
country's capital, suffers from a number of rare conditions which
leaves him in crushing pains.
While the standard number of vertebrae in the neck is seven, Fu has
10, making movement very difficult and painful. The extra vertebrae
press on the nerves in his neck anytime he attempts to walk, leaving
him in tears most of the time. The teenager as a result of his strange
condition causes stir whenever he goes out.
At only six, Wengui was diagnosed with congenital scoliosis and
abnormal chest frame, according to his 50-year-old father, Genyou.
Congenital scoliosis is a spinal deformity caused by vertebrae that
are not properly formed. It occurs very early in development; in the
first six weeks of embryonic formation.
Wengui is due to undergo surgery to try and reduce the size of his
neck. A Beijing-based charity volunteered to sponsor the operation and
doctors in the hospital it would take place are already mapping out a
treatment plan.
Witches Burn Man Alive In Front Of Son
burning him alive after he approached them for help in treating his
sick 10-year-old son,Daily Mail UKreports.
Brijlal Chopra's wife and son told Police they watched helplessly as
he was stabbed repeatedly and hacked with axes before the witches set
him on fire with kerosene-soaked rags.
"They were laughing and dancing around his body to music while he
screamed in agony. In the end there was just a pile of ashes left,"
said a Police spokesman in Mandla, Madhya Pradesh, the closest city to
where the bizarre event took place.
Chopra had travelled a long distance to visit the local witchdoctor in
the region known as Parvati in desperate search for a cure for his
son's sickness. But as soon as the family reached her commune, Parvati
branded him a rival sorcerer, ordering her devotees to kill him.
The victim's wife, Sushma, told the Police: "It was sickening. They
surrounded him and took turns to stab him with tridents and hack at
him with an axe. They cut off his hands because they said that was
where his power was. My husband told them he had no powers, no
witchcraft, but they wouldn't listen. The more he screamed, the more
they sang and the more they laughed. Then to make sure his power was
gone forever, they said they had to burn him. This was in front of our
son who was terrified."
Parvati allowed Sushma and her son to leave, but vowed to place a
curse on them if they told anyone. But not minding the threat, the
young mother travelled several kilometers to alert the Police on the
shocking incident. All six witches have been rounded up by the
authorities and are awaiting trial for murder.
Lesotho Army 'Seizes Key Buildings'
police headquarters in an apparent coup attempt, officials say.
Sports Minister Thesele Maseribane told AFP news agency that troops
had also surrounded State House, a key government building.
There are reports of gunfire in the capital, Maseru. Radio signals and
phone communications have been jammed.
Geographically, Lesotho is surrounded by South Africa on all sides.
Prime Minister Thomas Thabane has headed a unity government since
elections in May 2012.
But Mr Thabane suspended the country's parliament in June, amid
feuding in the coalition government.
Since independence from Britain in 1966, Lesotho has undergone several
military coups.
Ebola: Wife Of Late Dr Enemuo Moved To Lagos
Harcourt has been moved to the quarantine centre in Lagos.
Rivers State Commissioner for Health, Dr Sampson Parker who disclosed
this yesterday at a briefing in Port Harcourt, gave the name of the
Nigerian Diplomat working with the Economic Community of West Africa
States, ECOWAS, who was treated by late Dr Enemuo in Port Harcourt as
Olu Ibikunle Koye.
This is coming amid fears that the dreaded Ebola disease may have
spread further than anticipated because the body of the late Dr Enemuo
is still at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital
mortuary.
Parker said the late Dr Enemuo was aware of the Ebola status of
Ibikunle before treating him, adding that after the patient went back
to Lagos the late doctor poured bleach in the hotel room where the
patient stayed and received treatment.
"The patient had received the late Dr. Patrick Sawyer in Lagos. Upon
developing the symptom confided in a female colleague, called Lillian,
who contacted the late Dr. Enemuo. It was after contact was
established with Dr. Enemuo that Olu Ibikunle Koye flew to Port
Harcourt to see Dr. Enemuo", he said.
The Commissioner said the Diplomat who escaped from a quarantine
centre in Lagos sneaked into a hotel, Mandate Gardens in Rumuokoro
area of the state and also switched off his phones to evade arrest.
The late Dr Enemuo who runs Sam Steel clinic in the same Rumuokoro
area had to be going to treat the patient at the hotel.
"From what we have gathered so far, Dr. Enemuo, knowing full well that
Koye was positive of the Ebola virus took some measure of precaution
to protect himself while treating Koye. Knowing the enormity of what
he was doing, Dr. Enemuo upon Koye's departure for Lagos poured bleach
all over the room that Koye slept in order to sanitise the place".
"Upon developing the Ebola symptom, Dr. Enemuo approached one of our
colleagues for treatment at Green Heart Hospital, along Evboh Road, in
G.R.A. Dr. Enemuo did not tell the doctor that was treating him the
truth. He merely told him that he had fever. He lied. He did not tell
the doctor that was treating him his full story".
But the doctor, a nice and conscientious professional, suspected that
Dr. Enemuo was either hiding something or was suffering from a strange
ailment because he proved negative to malaria, fever and typhoid
fever. To be sure of what he was doing, he spoke to other very
experienced doctors about the strange case he was handling in his
hospital."
"He even invited some of his colleagues to come over to his hospital
to study Dr. Enemuo's medical history. Of course, the news of the
Ebola virus was everywhere, so, they were afraid to go. None of them
showed up at the hospital where Dr. Enemuo was being treated. His
condition continued to deteriorate and he eventually died and his body
was taken to the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital.
I Never Thought Of Breaking World Records - Bolt
five-year anniversary of the two world records he set at the 2009 IAAF
World Championships in Berlin. For more than three decades, no 100m
world record has stood for such a period, and no one other than Bolt
has moved the world record forward by more than a tenth of a second
since the measurement of time in second hundredths was
introduced.News24finds out what the world's fastest man thinks about
his accomplishments, his legacy and what else he has broken besides
records
Your 100m record has now stood for five years. It's been more than
three decades since the 100m World Record was unbroken for that
period. Why do you think your record from Berlin has stood for so
long?
I don't know really. For me I've struggled with injuries over the past
five years so it's been hard to be in the condition that I was in
Berlin to really challenge that record. In London I felt good, and I
wasn't far away but everything has to be in your favour - your
condition, the weather, the track, and then if you execute your race
perfectly from the start through the transition and then driving to
the line - then you have a chance.
In Berlin, you moved the World Record forward by more than a tenth of
a second, no-one has done that since the measurement of time in
hundredths of a second was introduced more than fifty years ago. Is
that a key part of your legacy?
Yes, I think it is definitely part of it. But gold medals are what
I've always counted as being the main aspect of my legacy, winning
three gold medals again in London and defending those 100m, 200m and
the 4x100m titles was the moment. I'm looking ahead to Rio and I
really want to be in a position to win those medals again. If I did, I
think people would talk about that for a long time.
Thinking back to that 100m final in Berlin, what do you remember of the night?
I remember the night well, the atmosphere in the stadium, walking out
there and hearing the people. The crowd was brilliant. I was in really
good shape. I felt good and had a confidence that I was going to do
it. The track was so quick as well, I liked the blue track. I remember
that I started really well that night, and ran really hard through the
line. It was a great night. I was going there to prove myself to the
world again, that I was the best in my discipline.
And the 200m final four days later?
It was a similar experience. I ran conservatively through the heats
and so had good energy for the final, which I knew I was going to
need. Coming off the bend I knew I was running quickly and I was just
focused on pumping my arms well and opening up my legs. I wanted to
win, but win well more than run a quick time - but when I saw 19.19 on
the clock after I finished I was really happy.
Looking back further still, when did you first believe you could break
a World Record?
I can't really remember, because it wasn't something I thought about.
I was always a 200m runner, that was my thing but my coach wanted me
to try the 100m which I did and I liked it, and learned I was quick.
But World Records were never something I thought about.
How did things change for you after New York?
People started paying more attention to me. I think that was the
moment I really arrived in track and field. It was an Olympic year so
there was a real spotlight on the sport to see what kind of form
athletes were in and so there was some good interest in me. But
Beijing was where it all started.
So the Legend of Usain Bolt was really born in Beijing. Had you ever
considered that you could return to Jamaica with three gold medals?
I dreamed about it, but never thought it would actually happen.
Next year the World Championships are in that stadium and I'm really
looking forward to going back to where it all began.
You were the first sprinter since Don Quarrie to hold both 100m and
200m world records simultaneously. How much did you know about him
growing up, did he inspire you?
Yes, everybody knew about Don, as a young kid he was a hero of mine.
He did great things to raise the profile of Jamaica as a nation in
track and field and what he did in the 100m and 200m was phenomenal.
So to be mentioned alongside him is a real honour for me.
Before the Olympics in London you said you wanted to become a legend
and win the gold medals again, which you proved to the world. If you
were to win more gold medals in Rio, what would that make you?
I think I would still be a legend. It's hard to imagine anyone would
do that again, so I'm in a privileged position to be going for it.
That would keep people talking about me for years to come.
Another MASSOB Bloodshed Imminent In Owerri Today
The crisis rocking the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign
State of Biafra (MASSOB) has taken a new twist with the organization's
director of information, Mr. Uchenna Madu warning members to steer
clear of the meeting convened in Owerri today by its leader, Chief
Ralph Uwazurike as there is most likely to be bloodshed during the
meeting.
In a statement made available to reporters in Awka yesterday, Madu
said it was improper for Uwazurike to convene such a meeting when the
mayhem that led to the loss of several lives at Okwe, Uwazurike's home
town, was yet to calm down.
He said: "Uwazuruike has just summoned a meeting of all MASSOB members
at Owerri for Saturday, 30th August, 2014. We see this as another evil
plan to sacrifice the blood of some members.
"Because of the face-off between Uwazurike and the Nigeria police,
there was unwarranted death of some members from Onitsha at Okwe on
the order of Chief Ralph Uwazurike recently.
"The death of our members from Onitsha has exposed the selfishness and
insensitivity of MASSOB leader who uses the organization to enrich
himself."
"MASSOB lost 18 members in Onitsha during the last sit at home
exercise on June 08, 2013 which was a total flop, During MASSOB two
months camping at Kilometer 7 Onitsha-Owerri Road, beside old spare
parts market, Obosi on the order of Uwazuruike, MASSOB lost about
eight members and these young Igbo youths have not been given proper
burials, neither have their families been consoled. In fact, their
names no longer exist in MASSOB register.
"Our members should be aware that security situation in Imo state is
not healthy for MASSOB because of the ongoing crisis and death of our
members at Okwe recently.
"This Owerri meeting is merely to create tension and bloody encounters
which may result to sacrificing more innocent lives.
"Because of Uwazurike's actions, MASSOB members are no longer
interested in Nigeria politics. Since he threw MASSOB into the open
market of Nigeria politics, anybody, group or political party who
needs MASSOB members' political support, campaign and vote should also
involve MASSOB regional administrators, zonal leaders and national
officials in their discussions and modalities for them to succeed."
State of Biafra (MASSOB) has taken a new twist with the organization's
director of information, Mr. Uchenna Madu warning members to steer
clear of the meeting convened in Owerri today by its leader, Chief
Ralph Uwazurike as there is most likely to be bloodshed during the
meeting.
In a statement made available to reporters in Awka yesterday, Madu
said it was improper for Uwazurike to convene such a meeting when the
mayhem that led to the loss of several lives at Okwe, Uwazurike's home
town, was yet to calm down.
He said: "Uwazuruike has just summoned a meeting of all MASSOB members
at Owerri for Saturday, 30th August, 2014. We see this as another evil
plan to sacrifice the blood of some members.
"Because of the face-off between Uwazurike and the Nigeria police,
there was unwarranted death of some members from Onitsha at Okwe on
the order of Chief Ralph Uwazurike recently.
"The death of our members from Onitsha has exposed the selfishness and
insensitivity of MASSOB leader who uses the organization to enrich
himself."
"MASSOB lost 18 members in Onitsha during the last sit at home
exercise on June 08, 2013 which was a total flop, During MASSOB two
months camping at Kilometer 7 Onitsha-Owerri Road, beside old spare
parts market, Obosi on the order of Uwazuruike, MASSOB lost about
eight members and these young Igbo youths have not been given proper
burials, neither have their families been consoled. In fact, their
names no longer exist in MASSOB register.
"Our members should be aware that security situation in Imo state is
not healthy for MASSOB because of the ongoing crisis and death of our
members at Okwe recently.
"This Owerri meeting is merely to create tension and bloody encounters
which may result to sacrificing more innocent lives.
"Because of Uwazurike's actions, MASSOB members are no longer
interested in Nigeria politics. Since he threw MASSOB into the open
market of Nigeria politics, anybody, group or political party who
needs MASSOB members' political support, campaign and vote should also
involve MASSOB regional administrators, zonal leaders and national
officials in their discussions and modalities for them to succeed."
Cristiano Ronaldo Deemed Unfit, Will Miss Portugal Euro 2016 Qualifier
on September 7 against Albania. The team's medics have deemed him
unfit to play, ruling him out of the contest.
''Regardless of whether he has been playing more or less regularly, at
the moment he can't play,'' Portugal manager Paulo Bento said at a
press conference.
Ronaldo injured his left leg in the spring and was limited at the tail
end of Real Madrid's season. He still played, and played well, in
helping his club win the Champions League, but he was clearly battling
an injury. It didn't get much better as Ronaldo played in the World
Cup, but said afterward that he wasn't at full fitness. He has been
slow to get back to 100 percent with Real Madrid now that their new
season is underway too, although he did start the club's first match
of the La Liga campaign.
Portugal should not have a problem qualifying for Euro 2016. The
expended 24-team field should make it rather easy for them to get in
and Ronaldo is missing a match against a weak Albania side. While he
is undoubtedly central to everything that Portugal do, they should
make it through this match with ease and even if they don't, it's not
as if the Portuguese will be flirting with elimination.
Number Plates: FRSC Impounds 50 Vehicles
The Federal Road Safety Corps in Anambra has impounded about 50
vehicles for plate number related offences in the past seven days.
The new Sector Commander of the corps in the state, Mr. Sunday Ajayi,
told reporters in Awka on Friday that the corps had discovered that
vehicle owners were now in the habit of using one plate number for
more than one vehicles.
Ajayi who led a team of safety officers on a patrol on plate number
awareness tagged "Strategic Intelligence Patrol Operations," said
using a plate number that was not registered with the vehicle bearing
it was an offence.
He said some criminals had used fake number plates in the past to
commit crime and mislead security agents trailing them.
Ajayi noted that about 50 offenders had been apprehended since last
week when the campaign began.
The commander further said that exercise was not only to punish
offenders but to educate government authorities and private vehicle
owners on the need to comply with rules of vehicle registration.
"The purpose of this patrol exercise is to check security and safety
on our highways, and since we started we found out that most drivers
and vehicle owners use one plate number for more than one vehicle,
others use private numbers for commercial vehicles .
"Others use government numbers for private vehicles, all this means is
that when crime is committed, plate number cannot give the correct
information, so we are creating the awareness so that people will
understand the importance of using duly registered vehicles for their
own safety and those of other members of the society."
The Special assistant to Gov Willie Obaino on Special Duties, Mr.
Uzoechina Chris, who witnessed the exercise praised the FRSC for
ensuring that government registration numbers were not abused.
Uzoechina added that the Obiano administration was always ready to
collaborate with the FRSC to make the roads in the state safe.
vehicles for plate number related offences in the past seven days.
The new Sector Commander of the corps in the state, Mr. Sunday Ajayi,
told reporters in Awka on Friday that the corps had discovered that
vehicle owners were now in the habit of using one plate number for
more than one vehicles.
Ajayi who led a team of safety officers on a patrol on plate number
awareness tagged "Strategic Intelligence Patrol Operations," said
using a plate number that was not registered with the vehicle bearing
it was an offence.
He said some criminals had used fake number plates in the past to
commit crime and mislead security agents trailing them.
Ajayi noted that about 50 offenders had been apprehended since last
week when the campaign began.
The commander further said that exercise was not only to punish
offenders but to educate government authorities and private vehicle
owners on the need to comply with rules of vehicle registration.
"The purpose of this patrol exercise is to check security and safety
on our highways, and since we started we found out that most drivers
and vehicle owners use one plate number for more than one vehicle,
others use private numbers for commercial vehicles .
"Others use government numbers for private vehicles, all this means is
that when crime is committed, plate number cannot give the correct
information, so we are creating the awareness so that people will
understand the importance of using duly registered vehicles for their
own safety and those of other members of the society."
The Special assistant to Gov Willie Obaino on Special Duties, Mr.
Uzoechina Chris, who witnessed the exercise praised the FRSC for
ensuring that government registration numbers were not abused.
Uzoechina added that the Obiano administration was always ready to
collaborate with the FRSC to make the roads in the state safe.
Ebola: 160 Persons Under Observation In Rivers State
Ebola disease, Iyke Enomoah, have been identified and put under
observation.
The Rivers State Commissioner of Health, Sampson Parker, told a press
conference at the state's ministry secretariat in Port Harcourt on
Friday that the persons had shown no signs of the Ebola disease.
He, however, said that the persons were strictly under watch.
The commissioner told the reporters that the baby of the wife of the
late health worker, who has since been quarantined, was in good
health.
"Rivers State now has a mobile testing unit for testing blood samples
for the virus. A national Ebola response team has been set up headed
by the Minister of Health, Professor Oyenbuchi Chukwu," Mr Parker
said, dispelling rumours that the state was not working with the
Federal Government in tackling the spread of the disease.
He also stated that all places identified to have been visited by late
Dr Iyke after he met with the ECOWAS diplomat, known as Oluibukun
Koye, were being decontaminated as part of measures to contain the
spread of the disease.
The late doctor's residence, the Green Heart hospital, where he was
treated and the morgue, where his body was kept, were part of the
places being decontaminated.
The Ebola Virus Disease has killed five persons in Nigeria, with five
of the deaths occurring in Lagos State, where the first case of the
disease was recorded.
A Liberian-American man, Patrick Sawyer, who brought the virus to
Nigeria died on July 25 in Lagos.
Since the outbreak of the disease in West Africa, at least 1,500
deaths have been recorded.
Health Tips
Stress weakens the immune system. Reduce stress and reduce your
chances of getting sick.
chances of getting sick.
Friday 29 August 2014
Torres Joins AC Milan On Loan
Fernando Torres, the Premier League club have confirmed.
The Spain international has endured a troubled career at Stamford
Bridge, struggling for form following his £50 million move from
Liverpool.
Chelsea are now likely to be on the hunt for a new striker, with Jose
Mourinho having previously insisted that he would need three forwards
this season.
A loan deal for Fernando Torres has been agreed... http://t.co
/cfd1Iffu6e #CFC pic.twitter.com/X6W tDCpazQ
-- Chelsea FC (@chelseafc) August 29, 2014
FIFA Rejects Chris Giwa As NFF President
Federation elective congress that produced Chris Giwa as illegal and
ordered his board to leave office by Monday
Fifa has rejected the Chris Giwa led excutive board of the Nigeria
Football Federation and ordered the group to vacate office on or
before midnight, Monday September 1.
Giwa was declared the president of the country's apex football body on
Tuesday at an elective congress held at Chida Hotel, Abuja where he
defeated former NFF Vice President Mike Umeh.
In a letter signed by Jérôme Valcke and addressed to NFF General
Secretary, Musa Amadu and dated August 29, the world football
governing body declared the election congress that produced Giwa as
unacceptable, based on its recieved correspondence.
Fifa highlighted the implications should Giwa continue to parade
himself as the NFF President, stressing that the governing body will
seek no other option than presenting Nigeria's case before its
executive committee for sanction.
The body further declared the congress held at Bentley Hotel as valid
while that of Chida Hotel as not acceptable as it contradicted the
earlier proposed agenda for a non-elective congress.
"We refer to the enclosed reports we have received from members of the
Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the Association of Professional
Footballers of Nigeria, as well as to information relayed by the media
with regard to the events linked to the general assembly of the NFF on
26 August 2014," the statement read.
"We understand from the sequence of events that the general assembly
duly convened by the NFF Executive Committee could not start as
planned because some NFF members, including the president, were being
held by security forces for questioning.
"We also note that, despite these absences, some members decided to
hold an impromptu 'elective general assembly' while the delegates were
supposed to be deciding on a new roadmap leading to elections for a
new NFF Executive Committee.
"According to the enclosed reports, 39 out of 44 of the delegates then
resolved to hold an ad-hoc general assembly during which they decided
that elections would be organised for 4 September 2014 and elected new
members to the electoral committees.
"Finally, we have learnt that the persons who claim to have been
elected during the so-called 'elective general assembly' have come to
the NFF offices claiming to be the legitimate president and members of
the NFF. It also appears that the Ministry of Sports has recognised
them.
"As stated previously, FIFA deems the general assembly to be the
highest decision-making body of any football association and that its
decisions are consequently binding, provided that these comply with
the member association's own statutes.
"According to the facts reported to us, it appears that the vast
majority of the NFF members decided to set the elections for 4
September 2014 and we consider this decision to be valid since it was
taken by the highest decision-making body (the NFF general assembly)
and conforms to what has been previously reported to FIFA.
"As a consequence, we will not recognise the outcome of the
abovementioned elections and should there still be persons claiming to
have been elected and occupying the NFF offices at midnight on Monday
1 September 2014, we will bring the case to the appropriate FIFA body
for sanctions, which may include the suspension of the NFF.
"We ask you to inform all parties concerned accordingly and we thank
you in advance for keeping us informed of any developments in the
situation. In particular, we would like you to confirm that the date
of 4 September 2014 will be met because the timing seems very short,"
it concluded.
I Can Never Reconcile With My Ex-Wife Fathia --Saidi Balogun
There has been rumours that since the estranged couple managed to work
together in a movie, there is a possibility that they would reconcile
and start living as husband and wife for the sake of their kids.
But Saidi Balogun dropped the bombshell in a chat with Encomium,
declaring that he was not ready to reconcile with his ex-wife, Fathia,
and as a matter of fact, they will never talk again for life.
The popular actor is angry, he said he and Fathia have not
communicated in over 8 years:
"People don't understand what's really going on between us. I believe
that's why they are peddling the rumour. There is no logic in it at
all.
"I think it's because they saw us in Mercy Aigbe's new movie, Life
After Marriage, that's why they imagined we're back in love. The
marketer of the movie only used Fathia and myself to promote the
movie. And so far people saw the two of us in the movie, they started
peddling the rumour that the movie was meant to reconcile us.
"The funniest thing is that we didn't act together on the set of the
movie. We didn't even see each other for once. I acted my role
separately, she also did hers separately. Our paths didn't cross at
all...
"On the set of Life After Marriage till the production ended. So, I
don't know how people arrived at the conclusion that we have
reconciled. After how many years? That's a big joke."
Asked if they have started communicating with each other as being
bandied, he reacted,
"There is nothing like that, my brother. On what basis will that
communication be? To be honest, the last time we spoke was 2006. I
have since moved on. I thank God for that. We don't have any reason to
talk to each other. It can't happen at all."
You may wish to know that the couple had two children, Khalid and
Halia, before breaking up.
Source: Afrinaija
together in a movie, there is a possibility that they would reconcile
and start living as husband and wife for the sake of their kids.
But Saidi Balogun dropped the bombshell in a chat with Encomium,
declaring that he was not ready to reconcile with his ex-wife, Fathia,
and as a matter of fact, they will never talk again for life.
The popular actor is angry, he said he and Fathia have not
communicated in over 8 years:
"People don't understand what's really going on between us. I believe
that's why they are peddling the rumour. There is no logic in it at
all.
"I think it's because they saw us in Mercy Aigbe's new movie, Life
After Marriage, that's why they imagined we're back in love. The
marketer of the movie only used Fathia and myself to promote the
movie. And so far people saw the two of us in the movie, they started
peddling the rumour that the movie was meant to reconcile us.
"The funniest thing is that we didn't act together on the set of the
movie. We didn't even see each other for once. I acted my role
separately, she also did hers separately. Our paths didn't cross at
all...
"On the set of Life After Marriage till the production ended. So, I
don't know how people arrived at the conclusion that we have
reconciled. After how many years? That's a big joke."
Asked if they have started communicating with each other as being
bandied, he reacted,
"There is nothing like that, my brother. On what basis will that
communication be? To be honest, the last time we spoke was 2006. I
have since moved on. I thank God for that. We don't have any reason to
talk to each other. It can't happen at all."
You may wish to know that the couple had two children, Khalid and
Halia, before breaking up.
Source: Afrinaija
PDP Officials Grant Aspirants Waivers To Run In Adamawa Primary Election
Party today granted the much needed waiver to boost the governorship
dreams of a former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission (EFCC), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.
The party also grant waivers to Brigadier General Buba Marwa (ret.)
and Marcus Gundiri to participate in the primary process for the party
during a meeting in Abuja today.
All three governorship aspirants had requested the waivers to enable
them to vie in the primaries after they recently defected from the All
Progressives Congress (APC) to the PDP.
The NWC granted the waivers after a subcommittee set up by the party
submitted a report favorable to Mr. Ribadu and others.
The Secret Behind My Success - Serena
of the U.S Open at Flushing Meadows. In this interview,, Serena,
outlines her mission at the ongoing tournament and reveals why she has
remained a dominant force in the game. Excerpts:
How much harder on your body would it be over time if you had to play five sets?
SERENA : I have never thought about that. I don't know. I really don't
know. I can't answer that fairly I don't think.
Do you think it's funny that the guys play five and women play three?
Would you want it to be equal?
No, it's definitely not funny. We actually offered to play five sets
many times. They don't want the women to play five sets. They prefer
we play three sets. We've given that offer many, many, many occasions,
but it's not what the tournaments in general desire.
Do you talk to the WTA or the tournaments themselves?
I'm on the Player Council for a hundred years. We've had this
discussion. Yeah, we women are strong, ready, willing and able. All
the players have agreed to it but it's not what they want right at
this time.
If you were in charge of the whole sport and could change any rule
about play, enact a new rule, what one thing would you like to do?
Well, I think I love tennis the way it is. I think it's a great game.
As for changing the rules, yeah, I don't know. It would be something
more technical. Nothing that I can think of in terms of tennis play.
What is so special about playing here in New York as opposed to
playing any of the other tournaments or slams?
Well, playing in New York is great because I'm American, it's the only
Grand Slam in the USA, so it's always good. When you're young, you
always dream of winning the Open. It's a good feeling.
One of the things Taylor was saying, the great thing about playing
against you is she would like to play till she's 30 years old. What
does it take to stand the test of time?
Well, I think you just have to have a real love for the sport. That's
the only reason I'm still here. I enjoy my job. It's fabulous. I get
to travel the world, get to do what I really love to do. I think
that's what everyone ultimately dreams of.
Given the setbacks in the previous Grand Slams, have you changed your
preparation at all?
I've decided I'm not going to overthink it. I think I've overthought
every Grand Slam so far this year. It didn't really work out great for
me. So worst-case scenario, I'm just going to stay positive and do the
best I can. That's all I can do.
Taylor told a story about being here seven years ago and watching you
and your sister play. How does that make you feel? What does that say
about your longevity?
Well, that's kind of awesome. When you're so young, you get to see
people, then you play on the tour with them, you're competing at the
same level as well as them, it's really just those, if anything, a
desire for her to be 10 years old, and then all of a sudden to be one
of the elite few that actually can make it in a Grand Slam. If
anything, I think it speaks more to her.
Would you like to see more tournaments come back to New York?
I think there was always just this.
Virginia Slims used to be here.
That's even before my time (smiling).
Prototype Ebola Drug Passes Early Test Hurdle
with Ebola has cleared an important test hurdle, showing that it cured
lab monkeys with the disease, scientists said Friday.
Normally, experimental drugs are tested first on animals and then on
progressively larger groups of humans to ensure they are safe and
effective.
But, in an exceptional move, a new drug called ZMapp that has not gone
through these tests has been rushed to the outbreak in west Africa, as
the lethal disease has no cure.
Reporting online in the British journal Nature, researchers at the
Public Health Agency of Canada said 18 rhesus macaque monkeys given
high doses of Ebola virus fully recovered after being given ZMapp,
even when it was administered five days after infection.
It reversed dangerous symptoms such as bleeding, rashes and high
levels of enzymes in the liver.
Three "control" monkeys that had been infected, but not treated, all
died within eight days.
The 21 animals had been given the so-called Kikwit strain of Ebola,
named after a location in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the
country where the haemorrhagic fever was discovered in 1976.
But lab-dish tests indicate it can also inhibit the strain in Guinea
which has sparked the current epidemic, the scientists said.
- Good first step -
Independent experts hailed the results as an encouraging first step in
the long vetting process.
They added, though, it was still unclear whether ZMapp worked on
humans, as two patients who have been given it have died and two
others have recovered.
"Widespread availability and use of ZMapp will require human safety
testing and licensing, coupled with scaleup of the manufacturing
process," cautioned David Evans, a professor of virology at Britain's
University of Warwick.
A cocktail of three antibodies designed to cling to the Ebola virus
and inhibit its reproduction, ZMapp is being developed by Mapp
Biopharmaceutical Inc. of San Diego, California, partly in conjunction
with the US Army.
ZMapp has so far been given to seven infected frontline workers.
Of these, two American doctors have recovered; a Liberian doctor and a
Spanish priest have died; and a doctor and a nurse, both Liberian, and
a British nurse, who has been flown to London from Sierra Leone, are
still in treatment.
The World Health Organisation gave the green light on August 12,
saying it was ethical to use experimental drugs in the context of this
dangerous epidemic.
Stocks of ZMapp, which is derived from tobacco leaves and is hard to
produce on a large scale, are exhausted, the company said on August
12.
The other main experimental drug for the disease is TKM-Ebola, being
developed by Tekmira Pharmaceuticals Corp. of Vancouver, Canada, under
a $140-million (105-million-euro) contract with the Pentagon.
It is currently in a Phase I human trial, the first step in the
three-phase test process. In this phase, a drug is evaluated on
healthy non-infected humans to see whether it is safe. Further phases
test it for safety and also effectiveness.
More than 1,500 people have died in Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria and
Sierra Leone since the disease emerged in West Africa last December.
Pastor Oyakhilome's Wife Files For Divorce In London Court, Citing Adultery And Unreasonable Behavior
Loveworld, better known as Christ Embassy – has been thrown into
disarray as its vice-president and wife of founder, Pastor Chris
Oyakhilome, has filed for a divorce in a London court.
According to TheCablewhich got the exclusive, Pastor Anita is seeking
divorce on the grounds of "unreasonable behaviour" and "adultery". She
also outlined several allegations against the pastor which cannot be
published for legal reasons.
You recall that sometime in May, 2014, some church members had
launched a Facebook campaign, asking: "Where is Rev. Anita
Oyakhilome?" According to them, Pastor Chris and Rev. Anita were going
through big issues and there were divorce insinuations. That their
page was a call to prayer for all believers who understand God's heart
concerning marriage and a call to action for Pst. Chris. to do what he
preaches. Officials of the church had quickly moved to deny any rift
between the pastor couple.
Unfortunately, it turns out the efforts to reconcile the popular
couple, whose church is one of the biggest denominations in Nigeria
and has branches all over world, have failed.
The divorce case, with Suit No FD14D01650, was filed on April 9, 2014
at Divorce Section A,
Central Family Court, First Avenue House, High Holborn, London, United
Kingdom (UK), on behalf of Pastor Anita by Attwaters Jameson Hill
Solicitors.
Pastor Chris, according to an elder of the church, has denied the
allegations of adultery and believes his wife is being influenced by
"bad friends" who are intent on destroying their home. While Anita
believes she has been relegated in the scheme of things in the church,
her husband has reportedly accused her of trying to usurp power and
authority above her seniors in the ministry.
Sources told TheCable that the pastor had been making efforts to avoid
divorce in the hope that the wife would eventually have a change of
mind. However, the decree nissi was served on the charismatic pastor
in his hotel room during a recent visit to the UK. Decree nissi, in
legal terms, is like a yellow card in a football match which is a
precursor to a red card ("decree absolute") if no new evidence is
provided to stall proceedings.
Church insiders said Oyakhilome had been hoping for rapprochement, but
he was left with no option than to receive the papers when the lawyers
cornered him at his hotel in London. The decree absolute, which will
effectively end the marriage, is expected to be issued soon while
terms of the divorce will be worked out by the lawyers on both sides.
The Cable learnt Anita recently wanted to go public with the details
of her allegations against the husband but reached an informal
agreement to sheathe her sword in the interest of the church.
Oyakhilome is regarded as one of the richest and most influential
pastors in Nigeria, and co-authors the fast-selling Christian daily
devotional, Rhapsody of Realities, with the wife. However, following
the strain in the marriage, the wife had been complaining to friends
that her husband had stopped the payment of royalties due her from the
devotional.
"She complained of being deliberately starved of funds, perhaps to
bring her to her knees in the belief that she would eventually return
to her matrimonial home and mend things," a church member told
TheCable in the UK.A wealthy Zimbabwean businessman, who is into
telecoms, is one of the biggest financiers of the London branch of the
church which Anita pastors along with other branches in Europe. When
the crisis got to a head, the Zimbabwean stopped funding the church ─
some said in solidarity with Oyakhilome, his close friend and
neighbour in Johannesburg, South Africa.
However, Oyakhilome was said to have been shocked when the wife
announced at a fundraiser that she was sowing a "seed" (donation) of
$1 million ─ despite her assumed lack of access to funds.
Matters got to a head on Sunday, July 13, 2014, when some relatives of
Anita locked up the London branch of the church to protest against the
"humiliation" being meted out to their sister ─ who had not overseen
services at the branch since November 2013.
Pastor Chris & Pastor Anita have two teenage daughters together,
Sharon and Charlyn.
Amaechi's Negligence Responsible For Spread Of Ebola In Rivers - PDP
carelessness and insensitivity on the part of the Rivers State
Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, and the State Commissioner for Health, Dr.
Samson Parker, are responsible for the unfortunate spread of the
deadly Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in the State, with a confirmed death
incident of an innocent doctor, Ike Samuel Elemo, as the first victim.
The PDP in a statement signed by Jerry Needam Special Adviser, on
Media to State PDP Chairman, Bro. Felix Obuah notes that Gov Amaechi's
laxity and his Health Commissioner not been proactive in putting in
place necessary facilities and modalities in preventing the Ebola
outbreak or tackling it to avoid spread in the event of any reported
case is consequently regrettable, as the Rivers State situation might
be more severe than that of Lagos State, in which case the State
government at least showed some form of seriousness by cooperating
with the Federal government prompt responses to the index case and
others who had contacts with him .
The PDP expresses astonishment while reacting to the death of the
medical Doctor in Port Harcourt, who had contact with an Ebola
patient, and who's wife and over 200 persons are reported being
infected with the Ebola virus in Port Harcourt.
Describing the situation as devastating, the PDP regretted that all
efforts by the Federal Government to contain the spread of Ebola to
Rivers State were rebuffed by Governor Rotimi Amaechi, including
shunning a meeting convened in Abuja on the prevention of the spread
of Ebola to other States, presided over by President Jonathan, which
had in attendance, 35 States Governors, except him (Amaechi).
At the meeting, modalities for containment of the spread of the virus
were considered and agreed upon, and all the governors in attendance
resolved and had immediately taken proactive steps in impeding the
spread.
This development, the PDP believes, elucidates the fact that the
Governor had always look for an avenue to milk dry the State, as what
he and his Executive members will now do is to present an expansive
budget purportedly for dealing with the current avoidable situation in
the State, thereby enriching themselves.
The Party also observes that rather than key into the policies and
programmes of the Federal Government in containing the spread of Ebola
to Rivers State, Governor Amaechi prefers to embark on ward to ward
APC campaigns in the State, against the advice by the Rivers State
Police Command.
By the latest development in the State, PDP is convinced that more
Ebola cases are in Rivers State, following out right negligence of the
governor, who prefers to travel to other parts of the States and
beyond than stay back and first tackle Ebola and other emergency
developments.
The PDP also expresses strong disapproval of claims made by the
Commissioner of Health, Dr. Sampson Parker, that all adequate measures
have been taken to contain the spread of Ebola in Rivers State,
believing that if that was the true reflection of government's action,
the heart breaking death of Dr. Elemo would have been avoided.
The PDP is not in doubt that all actions taken by the Rivers State
Government so far, are measures that are not in the interest of the
people, but aimed at looting the State resources.
At Least 10 Die As Boat Capsizes In Port Harcourt
At least 10 people died in Nigeria on Friday when a boat carrying 35
passengers bound for Port Harcourt capsized and sank, a rescue
official and local government spokesman said.
"We can confirm that 10 persons died early today when a Port
Harcourt-bound passenger boat sank," National Emergency Management
Agency (NEMA) co-ordinator Onimode Bandele told AFP.
"Rescue efforts are ongoing and the agency is already working with
other bodies and security agencies in the rescue efforts."
The chairman of Bonny local government council, Adonye Wilcox, also
confirmed the accident, which he said occurred at 7:45 am (0645 GMT).
"Information available... indicates that the boat hit an object on the
way and sank," he said.
"Local divers have rescued 17 persons, including four members of the
National Youth Service Corps, while 10 persons died as a result of the
accident".
A search was being conducted for the eight people unaccounted for, Wilcox added.
Boat accidents in Nigeria occur frequently and are often caused by
overloading, poor vessel maintainance, speeding and poor lighting.
AFP
passengers bound for Port Harcourt capsized and sank, a rescue
official and local government spokesman said.
"We can confirm that 10 persons died early today when a Port
Harcourt-bound passenger boat sank," National Emergency Management
Agency (NEMA) co-ordinator Onimode Bandele told AFP.
"Rescue efforts are ongoing and the agency is already working with
other bodies and security agencies in the rescue efforts."
The chairman of Bonny local government council, Adonye Wilcox, also
confirmed the accident, which he said occurred at 7:45 am (0645 GMT).
"Information available... indicates that the boat hit an object on the
way and sank," he said.
"Local divers have rescued 17 persons, including four members of the
National Youth Service Corps, while 10 persons died as a result of the
accident".
A search was being conducted for the eight people unaccounted for, Wilcox added.
Boat accidents in Nigeria occur frequently and are often caused by
overloading, poor vessel maintainance, speeding and poor lighting.
AFP
Boko Haram Sponsor: Ihejirika, El-Rufai Trade Accusations
FORMER Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Minister, Malam Nasir
El-Rufai and immediate past Chief of Army Staff, Lt-General Azubuike
Ihejirika (rtd), Thursday, accused each other of sponsoring the deadly
Boko Haram sect that has been terrorising many parts of northern
Nigeria since 2011 with over 5000 people killed.
El-Rufai kick-started the accusations on his Facebook page with a post
that read: "Breaking News: Sheriff and Ihejirika Just Named as Boko
Haram Kingpins - Arise TV - August 28, 2014.''
He said: "Australian hostage negotiator, Stephen Davis has just named
former Borno Governor Ali Modu-Sheriff and immediate past Chief of
Army Staff Lt-Gen Ihejirika (removed in January 2014) as the Boko
Haram brains on ARISE NEWS.
"Davis said Boko Haram commanders that he has been negotiating with
were the source of this information. The kingpins not only finance
Boko Haram operations but select targets for assassination and
execution. Finally, the truth about Boko Haram is coming out.
Hopefully, the murderers of General Muhammadu Shuwa, the abductors of
the Chibok girls, those truly responsible for the Nyanya bombings, and
attempted assassination of General Buhari and Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi
will be known.
"We hope the authorities will take the steps necessary to act on this
revelation, and thereby discharge their duty to protect us, the
citizens of Nigeria. That is just what it is, a hope!"
Reacting to the accusation, General Ihejirika countered that El-Rufai,
who is a chieftain of the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC,
is one of the front-line commanders of the terrorist group
Speaking with Vanguard over El-Rufai's allegation, Ihejirika said he
is not surprised that this unimaginable allegation is coming from 'one
of the Boko Haram Commanders' because "The (Commanders) including
El-Rufai know where the problem is. He should stop deceiving Nigerians
by trying to divert attention."
According to Ihejirika, "When the Boko Haram operation started,
supporters of the sect like El-Rufai said that there was nothing like
Boko Haram and that the army was just killing innocent youths. If you
also remember, not too long ago, some of their supporters including
El-Rufai said that I was re-inventing the killing of the Ibos during
the Biafra war following government's determination to rid the country
of terrorism."
An obviously angry Ihejirika, who spoke on phone, said: "The likes of
El-Rufai started the campaign of human right abuses in order to divert
international attention from the heinous crime being committed by the
Boko Haram terrorists."
Ihejirika recalled recent allegations that he took away N48 billion,
an amount of money he said is still in the coffers of the Ministry of
Defence and can be verified by anybody, adding that he was not
surprised that this allegation is coming from the likes of El-Rufai
who started the campaign.
"The likes of El-Rufai have been supporting Boko Haram. In fact,
El-Rufai and his likes are the same group of people that ensured the
army did not get the requested equipment to deal with this menace once
and for all, as they used their cohorts to tell the government that
procuring modern equipment was not necessary."
Recalling that the same El-Rufai went to This Day Newspaper premises
to grant interview to condemn security forces for the efforts to rid
the country of the senseless mayhem unleashed by the terrorists,
Ihejirika said: "At the onset of this crisis, I was the first person
to declare that the country was at war but a group of sponsors led by
El-Rufai disagreed, saying that it was not true.
"It is the same group of El-Rufai that started the human rights abuses
campaign. It was done in order to block any international assistance
after the state of emergency was declared and the sect was initially
tamed. That gave Boko Haram time and respite to build up again".
Furthermore, General Ihejirika said that when the United States was to
initially declare Boko Haram a terrorist organization, the same
El-Rufai and his group mounted pressure on the international
community, using alleged human rights abuses as campaign strategy.
The former Army Chief revealed that this same group including El-Rufai
has taken further steps in support of Boko Haram, "which I cannot
disclose for now".
Vanguard
El-Rufai and immediate past Chief of Army Staff, Lt-General Azubuike
Ihejirika (rtd), Thursday, accused each other of sponsoring the deadly
Boko Haram sect that has been terrorising many parts of northern
Nigeria since 2011 with over 5000 people killed.
El-Rufai kick-started the accusations on his Facebook page with a post
that read: "Breaking News: Sheriff and Ihejirika Just Named as Boko
Haram Kingpins - Arise TV - August 28, 2014.''
He said: "Australian hostage negotiator, Stephen Davis has just named
former Borno Governor Ali Modu-Sheriff and immediate past Chief of
Army Staff Lt-Gen Ihejirika (removed in January 2014) as the Boko
Haram brains on ARISE NEWS.
"Davis said Boko Haram commanders that he has been negotiating with
were the source of this information. The kingpins not only finance
Boko Haram operations but select targets for assassination and
execution. Finally, the truth about Boko Haram is coming out.
Hopefully, the murderers of General Muhammadu Shuwa, the abductors of
the Chibok girls, those truly responsible for the Nyanya bombings, and
attempted assassination of General Buhari and Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi
will be known.
"We hope the authorities will take the steps necessary to act on this
revelation, and thereby discharge their duty to protect us, the
citizens of Nigeria. That is just what it is, a hope!"
Reacting to the accusation, General Ihejirika countered that El-Rufai,
who is a chieftain of the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC,
is one of the front-line commanders of the terrorist group
Speaking with Vanguard over El-Rufai's allegation, Ihejirika said he
is not surprised that this unimaginable allegation is coming from 'one
of the Boko Haram Commanders' because "The (Commanders) including
El-Rufai know where the problem is. He should stop deceiving Nigerians
by trying to divert attention."
According to Ihejirika, "When the Boko Haram operation started,
supporters of the sect like El-Rufai said that there was nothing like
Boko Haram and that the army was just killing innocent youths. If you
also remember, not too long ago, some of their supporters including
El-Rufai said that I was re-inventing the killing of the Ibos during
the Biafra war following government's determination to rid the country
of terrorism."
An obviously angry Ihejirika, who spoke on phone, said: "The likes of
El-Rufai started the campaign of human right abuses in order to divert
international attention from the heinous crime being committed by the
Boko Haram terrorists."
Ihejirika recalled recent allegations that he took away N48 billion,
an amount of money he said is still in the coffers of the Ministry of
Defence and can be verified by anybody, adding that he was not
surprised that this allegation is coming from the likes of El-Rufai
who started the campaign.
"The likes of El-Rufai have been supporting Boko Haram. In fact,
El-Rufai and his likes are the same group of people that ensured the
army did not get the requested equipment to deal with this menace once
and for all, as they used their cohorts to tell the government that
procuring modern equipment was not necessary."
Recalling that the same El-Rufai went to This Day Newspaper premises
to grant interview to condemn security forces for the efforts to rid
the country of the senseless mayhem unleashed by the terrorists,
Ihejirika said: "At the onset of this crisis, I was the first person
to declare that the country was at war but a group of sponsors led by
El-Rufai disagreed, saying that it was not true.
"It is the same group of El-Rufai that started the human rights abuses
campaign. It was done in order to block any international assistance
after the state of emergency was declared and the sect was initially
tamed. That gave Boko Haram time and respite to build up again".
Furthermore, General Ihejirika said that when the United States was to
initially declare Boko Haram a terrorist organization, the same
El-Rufai and his group mounted pressure on the international
community, using alleged human rights abuses as campaign strategy.
The former Army Chief revealed that this same group including El-Rufai
has taken further steps in support of Boko Haram, "which I cannot
disclose for now".
Vanguard
Ebola: NUT, Parents Differ Over Postponement Of Schools' Resumption
expressed divergent views on the decision by the Federal Government to
postpone the resumption date of all primary and secondary schools
nationwide till October 13 following the recent outbreak of the Ebola
Virus Disease, EVD, in the country.
While some stakeholders believe that the move will restrict the spread
of the disease, others argue that prolonged stay at home will do more
harm than good.
Parents who spoke to Vanguard unanimously agreed that keeping children
away from schools for the time being was the right move.
One of such parents, Mrs. Chinyere Chidiadi, said: "We all know how
easy it is for children to contract the virus because of their
frequent hand and body contact with each other. Extending the holidays
would at least give the appropriate agency more time to eradicate or
prevent further spread of the virus."
In the same vein, Mrs. Tarelade Adefe, said before the official
extension, she had made up her mind that her children would not resume
school till the virus was under control.
According to her, "It is the safest thing to do for now because I
doubt if there are any serious measures put in place by these schools
to protect our children. We had already made up our minds that our
children would not resume school yet till we are sure that the spread
is under control. You can't tell young children to be careful and what
guarantee is there that some exposed persons won't come around them?"
Another parent, Mrs. Ede Jakande said: "It is a very good decision
because my parents are with me and my son is not exposed to playmates,
but if school is open he will meet other children from other
backgrounds and that is risky. It is best schools are shut because the
health of my boy is important. Education is nothing compared to my
child's life."
Similarly, Mrs. Ifeoma Ekawhare, a parent in Abuja, said: "Presently
children are better off at home unsupervised, than dead with Ebola. It
is not permanent; it is just till the appropriate authorities can
curb the disease. It is better off this way."
However, speaking, President of Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, Mr.
Michael Alogba, toldVanguardthat "asking schools to close down will
not solve the problem, there is not a cure for the disease yet, and
the rate of spread is very high. We must avail ourselves of all the
sensitization efforts being made by the government and other agencies.
But postponing resumption alone will jeopardise our results, affects
the time table and reduces the rate of achievements in education.'
On her part, Proprietress of Wise Generation Schools, Lagos, Mrs.
Peace Ogar, said: "The disease is not only limited to the Children. It
cuts across all ages, nation and communities. The issue of ensuring
that it does not spread by postponing resumption of school children
should be reconsidered. The same children we want to protect will
still be with their parents who will go to work, meet people and come
back home to meet the same children. Children would also attend church
and other social activities, so it doesn't really solve anything.
Besides, the public transport is available for all and everyone boards
either motor bike or cab from one place to another. We don't know who
actually may be a victim or a carrier.
"If we say children should not go to school because we want to curtail
that, what consideration does government has to address the
aforementioned issues?"
Similarly, Mrs. Durodola Adigun, also an educationist, said "the move
will curb the virus from spreading. Children staying at home will
reduce the rate of mixing up in the school. Children can only mixed up
with few friends in the neighbourhood which parents can control. But
at school, parents and teachers will not be able to control the crowd.
Be it in nursery, daycare, crèche, teachers cannot control them."
The Proprietress, Danpraise Private Schools, Ikorodu, Mrs Bernice
Omobola Adams, said "Parents are in the best position to take proper
care of their children. Staying at home will ensure their safety than
allowing them to be in school where we have few teachers taken care of
large crowd."
Vanguard
Gunmen Kill Couple, Child, Maid In Lagos
Gunmen, in the early hours of yesterday, stormed an apartment in a
block of flats in Unity Estate, Akowonjo area of Egbeda, killing a
man, his wife, his child and their maid.
Details of the tragic incident that sent cold shivers down the spines
of residents of the area were sketchy at press time.
Vanguard,however, reported that the gunmen suspected to be hired
assassins, stormed the building at about 2am and fired shots,
apparently to wade off intruders.
A resident of another flat in the block, who pleaded anonymity, said
there was an argument between the gunmen and owner of the flat whose
identity could not be immediately ascertained.
According to the neighbour, "the gunmen scaled through the fence of
the building and held the gateman hostage.
"They beat the gate man, tied his hands and asked him to leave the
vicinity, threatening to kill him if he alerted the Police.
"They, thereafter, made straight for the flat from where we heard
argument. We heard the owner of the apartment shouting 'no, no'. We
did not know what the argument was about. The next thing we heard were
gun shots, with the victim still shouting 'no, don't,' but the
assassins continued to fired intermittently.
Sound of the gun shots died down when it was 4 am. But nobody dared to
go to the affected flat until daylight."
It was gathered that policemen later arrived and took the corpses away.
When the Lagos State Police Command Deputy spokesman, Lelma Kolle, was
contacted, he said he was on an official assignment but promised to
get back after he would have received details from the Divisional
Police Officer under whose juridiction the incident occurred.
Robbers attack Elerinko Estate
In another development, robbers yesterday, went on the rampage in
Ijoko Otta area of Ogun State, dispossessing residents of Elerinko
Estate of cash and other valuables. Among those attacked was a man who
reportedly just returned from Ghana.
The attack, as gathered, was in confirmation of the robbers' earlier
threat to attack the area. They were said to have written the
residents two months ago, advising them to keep cash at home for them.
Although the Ogun State Police Command was said to have deplored teams
of policemen on a 24-hour patrol which was done for one month, the
robbers took residents unaware barely two weeks after the patrol team
stopped.
To this effect, the fear stricken residents have stressed the need for
the establishment of a police post in the area with a view to nipping
activities of robbers in the bud.
block of flats in Unity Estate, Akowonjo area of Egbeda, killing a
man, his wife, his child and their maid.
Details of the tragic incident that sent cold shivers down the spines
of residents of the area were sketchy at press time.
Vanguard,however, reported that the gunmen suspected to be hired
assassins, stormed the building at about 2am and fired shots,
apparently to wade off intruders.
A resident of another flat in the block, who pleaded anonymity, said
there was an argument between the gunmen and owner of the flat whose
identity could not be immediately ascertained.
According to the neighbour, "the gunmen scaled through the fence of
the building and held the gateman hostage.
"They beat the gate man, tied his hands and asked him to leave the
vicinity, threatening to kill him if he alerted the Police.
"They, thereafter, made straight for the flat from where we heard
argument. We heard the owner of the apartment shouting 'no, no'. We
did not know what the argument was about. The next thing we heard were
gun shots, with the victim still shouting 'no, don't,' but the
assassins continued to fired intermittently.
Sound of the gun shots died down when it was 4 am. But nobody dared to
go to the affected flat until daylight."
It was gathered that policemen later arrived and took the corpses away.
When the Lagos State Police Command Deputy spokesman, Lelma Kolle, was
contacted, he said he was on an official assignment but promised to
get back after he would have received details from the Divisional
Police Officer under whose juridiction the incident occurred.
Robbers attack Elerinko Estate
In another development, robbers yesterday, went on the rampage in
Ijoko Otta area of Ogun State, dispossessing residents of Elerinko
Estate of cash and other valuables. Among those attacked was a man who
reportedly just returned from Ghana.
The attack, as gathered, was in confirmation of the robbers' earlier
threat to attack the area. They were said to have written the
residents two months ago, advising them to keep cash at home for them.
Although the Ogun State Police Command was said to have deplored teams
of policemen on a 24-hour patrol which was done for one month, the
robbers took residents unaware barely two weeks after the patrol team
stopped.
To this effect, the fear stricken residents have stressed the need for
the establishment of a police post in the area with a view to nipping
activities of robbers in the bud.
Day-Old Baby Emerges Crown Prince Of Igbodo Kingdom
HISTORY was made yesterday in Igbodo Kingdom of Ika North East Local
Government Area of Delta State, when a day old baby boy was crowned to
become the crown prince of the kingdom, ostensibly to forestall any
succession controversy in future.
He was crowned some few hours after his birth within the hospital environment.
To address the succession issue once and for all warranted the Igbodo
ruling house to move straight to the hospital, where the child was
born and crowned him there without further protocols.
The child, named Ugochukwu was crowned by the leader of a delegation
from the Igbodo palace at St. Luke's Hospital Asaba, where he boy was
delivered.
Vanguard reported that the boy was delivered on Wednesday night and
the following morning (yesterday ) he was crowned. Chief Eugene Iyeke
of the ruling house of Igbodo led the delegation to Asaba with members
of the Obi-in-council and notable indigenes.
It will be recalled that that the Obi of Igbodo, Obi Ikechukwu Osedume
I, succumbed to the wishes of his people by formally marrying an
indigene of the community in accordance to the native law and custom
early in October last year.
And it was the wife, called Onyinyechukwu, a native of Igbodo that
bore the boy that was crowned yesterday morning.
Government Area of Delta State, when a day old baby boy was crowned to
become the crown prince of the kingdom, ostensibly to forestall any
succession controversy in future.
He was crowned some few hours after his birth within the hospital environment.
To address the succession issue once and for all warranted the Igbodo
ruling house to move straight to the hospital, where the child was
born and crowned him there without further protocols.
The child, named Ugochukwu was crowned by the leader of a delegation
from the Igbodo palace at St. Luke's Hospital Asaba, where he boy was
delivered.
Vanguard reported that the boy was delivered on Wednesday night and
the following morning (yesterday ) he was crowned. Chief Eugene Iyeke
of the ruling house of Igbodo led the delegation to Asaba with members
of the Obi-in-council and notable indigenes.
It will be recalled that that the Obi of Igbodo, Obi Ikechukwu Osedume
I, succumbed to the wishes of his people by formally marrying an
indigene of the community in accordance to the native law and custom
early in October last year.
And it was the wife, called Onyinyechukwu, a native of Igbodo that
bore the boy that was crowned yesterday morning.
Suspected Islamists Attack UN Camp In Northern Mali
of the UN mission in Mali in the north of the country, a Malian
security source said.
The attackers fired four rockets at the MINUSMA base close to the
border with Algeria at about 4:00 am (0400 GMT), the source told AFP,
but could not say whether the camp at Aguelhoc had been struck or if
there were any injuries.
"This is the work of the Islamists," he stated.
A Malian Islamist close to the Movement for Oneness and Jihad in West
Africa (MUJAO) claimed responsibility for a first attack Wednesday on
the UN camp, in the Kidal region.
"In the name of all the mujahedeen, we have attacked the camp of the
enemies of Islam today at Aguelhoc," Sultan Ould Bady, known for his
links with MUJAO, told AFP.
Nine rockets were then fired on the base, one of which landed inside
its perimeter without causing any casualties, a UN source on the scene
said.
Three jihadist groups, Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), Ansar
Dine and MUJAO, in 2012 took control of much of the desert north of
the west African country, including the three main towns of Kidal, Gao
and Timbuktu.
They seized power on the back of an uprising by ethnic Tuareg
separatists and imposed strict Sharia law and punishments for 10
months, before being ousted from the towns and forced back into desert
hideouts by a French military intervention launched in January 2013.
Though order has largely been restored across the territory, Islamist
extremists continue to carry out raids and attacks and French troops
are still on patrol.
They are blamed for a suicide attack on August 16 that killed two
soldiers from Burkina Faso serving with MINUSMA at Ber, a place near
the major town of Timbuktu.
AFP
Senegal Reports First Case Of Ebola
health minister announced that a young Guinean had tested positive for
the deadly virus.
Guinean health services had reported on Wednesday "the disappearance
of a person infected with Ebola who reportedly travelled to Senegal",
Senegalese health minister Awa Marie Coll-Seck said.
She said the infected patient was a young Guinean man who was
immediately quarantined at a Dakar hospital, where he was in a
"satisfactory condition".
The minister said "plans were being reinforced to prevent the disease
from spreading from this major case".
The patient is a university student in Conakry who had disappeared
three weeks ago from the Guinean capital. Authorities are trying to
piece together where he went, and all the people he encountered.
It is the first case of Ebola in Senegal, which has claimed more than
1,500 lives in four other west African nations -- Sierra Leone,
Liberia, Guinea and Nigeria.
Shakira Pregnant With Second Child
footballer Gerard Pique, she said in an interview published Thursday.
"The truth is that yes, I'm pregnant," the multi-Grammy-winning singer
told the Latin American edition of Cosmopolitan magazine.
The exclusive interview confirmed rumors that swirled after she
performed at the closing ceremony of the World Cup last month with
what some viewers said appeared to be a slight curve in her normally
flat belly.
Shakira, 37, did not say how far into her pregnancy she was.
Her first son, Milan, is just over a year and a half old.
"Seeing myself in love is a constant state, and there are no
questions, the answer is just there... you are the living answer," she
told Cosmopolitan, which put her on the cover of its September issue
and entitled the article "The perfect world of the Latin icon."
Shakira and Pique, 27, met at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and
went public with their relationship in early 2011.
NFF Refutes Suspension Of Premier League Matches
Nigeria Professional Football League would go on as scheduled this
weekend.
In a statement by its Assistant Director, Communications, Ademola
Olajire, it urged all stakeholders to disregard a statement from the
League Management Company that the matches had been suspended.
The statement quoted the NFF Chairman, Chris Giwa, to have said in
Abuja on Thursday that: "It has come to our notice that the LMC has
been issuing notices to clubs in the Premier League that matches are
being suspended from this weekend.
"This is totally untrue. If the LMC received a notice from the Nigeria
Referees Association about a purported withdrawal of referees, the LMC
should have brought this to the notice of the NFF.
"It was not for it (the LMC) to take a decision to suspend the League
on its own."
It said Giwa expressed his unhappiness with the NRA for the threat to
withdraw referees from the Premier League, and said the NFF would not
take the matter lightly.
"As the owners of the League, the NFF is hereby making it clear that
Premier League matches have not been suspended. Matches scheduled for
this weekend will definitely take place," Giwa was quoted as saying.
The statement said the NFF has therefore called on all referees
appointed for the weekend matches to go for their matches.
Malaysia Airlines To Cut 6,000 Staff After Disasters
being hit by two disasters this year.
The reduction in staff numbers represents around 30 per cent of its
workforce of 20,000.
The airline will become completely state owned, and a new chief
executive will eventually be put in place.
Investigators continue to hunt for flight MH370, the Kuala Lumpur to
Beijing flight which went missing in March.
The MH17 air crash in eastern Ukraine is also under investigation. The
plane was shot down on July 17, with the loss of all 298 people on
board.
The recovery plan will cost about six billion Malaysian ringgit
(£1.1bn, $1.9bn).
Khazanah Nasional, the state investment company that owns a 69% stake
in the troubled firm, will take 100% ownership.
"The combination of measures announced today will enable our national
airline to be revived," said Khazanah's managing director Azman
Mokhtar.
"Success is by no means guaranteed - while it is imperative that MAS
[Malaysia Airlines] as a critical enabler in national development is
revived, public accountability for the use of the funds mean that it
cannot be renewed at any cost," he added.
Long-haul routes will be slashed, and the airline aims to return to
profitability by 2018.
Malaysia Airlines warned on Thursday that it had seen a sharp decline
in weekly bookings following the two air disasters.
However, the company has been in trouble over the past few years, and
has lost billions of ringgit in that time.
The firm will be completely delisted from the Bursa Malaysia stock
exchange by the end of 2014.
Relevant assets, operations and liabilities of Malaysia Airlines will
be transferred to a new company by 1 July 2015.
The current chief executive, Ahmad Jauhari Yahya, will continue to
lead the firm until the new company is formed next year.
Travel expert Simon Calder said that the staff cuts and business
reorganisation should allow the company to turn its fortunes around.
"There is a slice of business to have, but nothing like the scale and
dominance it once enjoyed," he said.
Competition from low-cost airlines for short-haul flights, coupled
with the expansion of long-haul Gulf carriers, had eaten into the
firm's profitability in the past, he added.
Libya's Prime Minister Resigns
Abdullah al-Thinni has stepped down as Libya's prime minister in a
move to end the power struggle in the country.
The cabinet said it was resigning to enable the elected parliament to
choose a new, inclusive government.
The Islamist-linked militia which seized the capital, Tripoli, last
week has called for the elected MPs to be replaced by the previous
body, the General National Congress.
Libya has been hit by instability since the 2011 ousting of Muammar Gaddafi.
The various armed groups which united against Libya's long-time leader
have refused to disarm, leaving the government unable to exert
control.
France's President Francois Hollande on Thursday called for the UN to
give "exceptional support" to Libya to prevent the country sliding
further into chaos.
The BBC's Rana Jawad in Tripoli says the key issue for MPs to mull
over is that the new cabinet needs to be an inclusive government with
ministers acceptable to all sides of Libya's political divide.
Anything less will see the country's current stalemate continue, she says.
Following the call by the Misrata-led militia for the GNC to reform,
some members gathered this week in Tripoli and said they had appointed
a new prime minister.
The UN this week stressed that it only recognised the elected body,
the House of Representatives, which is dominated by liberal and
federalist lawmakers.
The GNC had an Islamist majority.
Because of the instability in Tripoli, and the second city Benghazi,
the House of Representatives has been meeting in the far eastern town
of Tobruk.
move to end the power struggle in the country.
The cabinet said it was resigning to enable the elected parliament to
choose a new, inclusive government.
The Islamist-linked militia which seized the capital, Tripoli, last
week has called for the elected MPs to be replaced by the previous
body, the General National Congress.
Libya has been hit by instability since the 2011 ousting of Muammar Gaddafi.
The various armed groups which united against Libya's long-time leader
have refused to disarm, leaving the government unable to exert
control.
France's President Francois Hollande on Thursday called for the UN to
give "exceptional support" to Libya to prevent the country sliding
further into chaos.
The BBC's Rana Jawad in Tripoli says the key issue for MPs to mull
over is that the new cabinet needs to be an inclusive government with
ministers acceptable to all sides of Libya's political divide.
Anything less will see the country's current stalemate continue, she says.
Following the call by the Misrata-led militia for the GNC to reform,
some members gathered this week in Tripoli and said they had appointed
a new prime minister.
The UN this week stressed that it only recognised the elected body,
the House of Representatives, which is dominated by liberal and
federalist lawmakers.
The GNC had an Islamist majority.
Because of the instability in Tripoli, and the second city Benghazi,
the House of Representatives has been meeting in the far eastern town
of Tobruk.
Libya's Prime Minister Resigns
Abdullah al-Thinni has stepped down as Libya's prime minister in a
move to end the power struggle in the country.
The cabinet said it was resigning to enable the elected parliament to
choose a new, inclusive government.
The Islamist-linked militia which seized the capital, Tripoli, last
week has called for the elected MPs to be replaced by the previous
body, the General National Congress.
Libya has been hit by instability since the 2011 ousting of Muammar Gaddafi.
The various armed groups which united against Libya's long-time leader
have refused to disarm, leaving the government unable to exert
control.
France's President Francois Hollande on Thursday called for the UN to
give "exceptional support" to Libya to prevent the country sliding
further into chaos.
The BBC's Rana Jawad in Tripoli says the key issue for MPs to mull
over is that the new cabinet needs to be an inclusive government with
ministers acceptable to all sides of Libya's political divide.
Anything less will see the country's current stalemate continue, she says.
Following the call by the Misrata-led militia for the GNC to reform,
some members gathered this week in Tripoli and said they had appointed
a new prime minister.
The UN this week stressed that it only recognised the elected body,
the House of Representatives, which is dominated by liberal and
federalist lawmakers.
The GNC had an Islamist majority.
Because of the instability in Tripoli, and the second city Benghazi,
the House of Representatives has been meeting in the far eastern town
of Tobruk.
move to end the power struggle in the country.
The cabinet said it was resigning to enable the elected parliament to
choose a new, inclusive government.
The Islamist-linked militia which seized the capital, Tripoli, last
week has called for the elected MPs to be replaced by the previous
body, the General National Congress.
Libya has been hit by instability since the 2011 ousting of Muammar Gaddafi.
The various armed groups which united against Libya's long-time leader
have refused to disarm, leaving the government unable to exert
control.
France's President Francois Hollande on Thursday called for the UN to
give "exceptional support" to Libya to prevent the country sliding
further into chaos.
The BBC's Rana Jawad in Tripoli says the key issue for MPs to mull
over is that the new cabinet needs to be an inclusive government with
ministers acceptable to all sides of Libya's political divide.
Anything less will see the country's current stalemate continue, she says.
Following the call by the Misrata-led militia for the GNC to reform,
some members gathered this week in Tripoli and said they had appointed
a new prime minister.
The UN this week stressed that it only recognised the elected body,
the House of Representatives, which is dominated by liberal and
federalist lawmakers.
The GNC had an Islamist majority.
Because of the instability in Tripoli, and the second city Benghazi,
the House of Representatives has been meeting in the far eastern town
of Tobruk.
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