Gaza Conflict: Israel Vows Response To Boy's Death

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said military operations
will "intensify" after an Israeli boy was killed by fire from Gaza.

The four-year-old died in a mortar attack on a southern Israeli
village near the Gaza border.

Meanwhile Israeli air strikes have continued, killing at least four
people on Friday, Palestinian officials say.

More than 2,090 Palestinians - mostly civilians - and 67 Israelis have
been killed in recent weeks.
Most of the dead on the Israeli side have been soldiers. A Thai
national in the country was also killed by rocket fire early on in the
six-week-old conflict.

Netanyahu's spokesman, Ofir Gendelman, quoted him on Twitter as saying
Hamas would "pay a heavy price" for the boy's death.

The Israeli Defense Forces and the Shin Bet security service would
"intensify" operations against Hamas until the goal of Israel's
Operation Protective Edge campaign was achieved, he added.

On Thursday, an Israeli air strike killed three senior Hamas leaders.

Israeli officials say more than 80 rockets were fired from Gaza on Friday.

One strike hit a synagogue in the coastal town of Ashdod, damaging the
building and lightly wounding three civilians.

Israeli says it carried out about 30 air strikes on Friday. In one
evening raid, a house was destroyed in Gaza City, wounding more than
40 people - some seriously.

Hostilities between Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza resumed
on Tuesday, scuppering efforts in the Egyptian capital Cairo to
achieve a long-term ceasefire deal.

Hamas has insisted on a lifting of the economic blockade of Gaza as
part of any longer-term deal.

Israel has vowed to pursue its campaign until "full security" is
achieved through the disarmament of Hamas and other groups in Gaza.

Also on Friday, Hamas sources in Gaza said 18 people accused of
collaborating with Israel had been executed.

Hamas sources said Friday's executions had been carried out by what it
called the Resistance, which may suggest the involvement of other
armed Palestinian factions.

Hamas officials told Reuters news agency that the first 11 executions
were carried out at an abandoned police station.

Witnesses said another seven people were shot dead by men in Hamas
uniforms outside the al-Umari mosque in central Gaza.

After the first 11 executions, Hamas warned that "the same punishment
will be imposed soon on others".

It added that "the current circumstances forced us to take such
decisions", suggesting a link between the executions and the killing
of the three senior Hamas leaders.

Samuel Eto'o Undergoes Medical Ahead of Liverpool Switch

Samuel Eto'o has opted to join Liverpool and is undergoing a medical
on Friday ahead of signing a one-year deal, Goal understands.

Everton's late interest in the 33-year-old had threatened to derail
Liverpool's move, with Roberto Martinez's side ready to offer a
two-year contract, but the striker is excited by the prospect of
working under Brendan Rodgers.

The Cameroon international's medical is taking place outside of the
UK, while the deal could be finalised before Liverpool face Manchester
City on Monday evening.

Eto'o is available on a free transfer having left Chelsea at the end
of last season and had held talks with Ajax earlier this summer before
the Dutch club pulled out of negotiations.

Eto'o scored 12 goals in 34 appearances for Chelsea last season but
hit out at Jose Mourinho after the 51-year-old joked about not knowing
the striker's real age.

Liverpool are also poised to complete the signing of Mario Balotelli
in a EURO 20 million deal from AC Milan.

The Italy international has said goodbye to his team-mates at the
Serie A club and has travelled to England for a medical.

Wande Coal Takes The Shine in Ruggedman's New Single

Ruggedman who has been off the limelight for a while now has been
behind the scene mapping ways to have a great comeback .In an industry
where upcoming talents are gradually taking the centre stage; the
'Opomulero' crooner is sadly missing in action.

The leak of his yet to be released single 'Agidi' recently surfaced on
the internet and Wande Coal shines through with his trademark
voice and fusion of Yoruba and English dishing out melodious vocals.
Many are wondering if Wande Coal actually featured Ruggedman in
the song because Ruggedman 's rap lines hardly dominates the song.

Two Year Jail Terms For Hiding Ebola Victims in S.Leone

Sierra Leone, battling a deadly outbreak of Ebola, passed a law on
Friday that will see anyone harbouring a victim of the disease facing
a two-year jail term.

The attorney general announced the new measure as a top
parliamentarian lashed out at neighbouring countries for failing to do
more to help resolve the crisis.

Sierra Leone has been one of the hardest hit by the epidemic, with 374
deaths and 907 cases since the outbreak began.

"A maximum of two years jail term will be imposed on anyone caught
hiding somebody who is believed to be infected with the deadly Ebola
disease," Attorney General Frank Kargbo said after introducing the
bill into parliament.

With tensions over the outbreak running high, the majority leader of
the house, Ibrahim Bundu, criticised neighbouring countries that he
said had abandoned Sierra Leone.

"We are appalled by the slow pace of response by some of our
development partners and the abandonment and isolation from those we
viewed and believed to be our biggest friends at sub-regional,
regional and global levels," he said in a statement.

He called the cancellation of flights and closing of borders to
contain the virus "ugly developments" that were leading to further
isolation and causing businesses to shut down "at the time of greatest
need".

He said Sierra Leone would be reviewing its relations with countries
that the government felt had snubbed their cries for help "when life
returns to normal".

According to the latest figures from the World Health Organization,
1,350 people are now believed to have died from the Ebola virus, which
has been raging in the region since March.

The WHO said it was concerned that families were hiding infected loved
ones in the belief they will be more comfortable dying at home.

Sawyer Cremated Ashes To Be Sent To Family - FG

THE body of late Patrick Sawyer who died from the Ebola Virus Disease
in Nigeria has been decontaminated and cremated, officials said,
yesterday.

Minister of Health, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu, who briefed newsmen on
the outcome of the inter-ministerial committee on Ebola held with the
Information Minister, Labaran Maku, in Abuja, said the National
Council of State also received reports on the issue and had approved
that state officials should be trained on issues around Ebola.

International protocol

Chukwu said the body of Sawyer was cremated following international
protocol, and with the approval of the Liberian government. The ashes
from the remains, he said, had been requested by the deceased's
family, noting that the process for the transfer was on.

Late Ebola virus disease victim, Patrick Sawyer's wife, Decontee with
her daughter

The heath minister also noted that the Federal Government was in
possession of the manifest of the airline that brought Sawyer into the
country and that people were still being screened for level of
contact. He said two persons who travelled with the victim on same
flight or who had primary contacts with Sawyer have been quarantined,
while 69 others are placed under surveillance.

Chukwu said observation was on in Calabar to detect those who may have
had secondary contact with Sawyer, stressing that such persons would
be quarantined for three weeks, which is the recommended incubation
period.

" We agreed to cremate him in line with internationally acceptable
protocol on disposing a sufferer of Ebola disease. The body of a
sufferer itself is dangerous. The Centre for Disease Control
decontaminated the body before it was cremated. We are now working
with the governors. We want to begin to train the personnel of states
to be able to handle matters of this nature, " he stated

Meanwhile, the World Health Organisation has sent a team of technical
experts to work with the Nigerian team on the preventing further
importation and spread of the disease.

It was gathered that telecommunication companies in the country had
agreed to start sending out messages to phone users on their mobile
phones on the disease, while the National Call Centre which was
originally scheduled for commissioning on a later date would now be
fast tracked to aid communication on Ebola.

Mimiko Decamps To PDP

AT last, the governor of Ondo state Dr Olusegun Mimiko has decamped
from the Labour Party (LP)to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Leaders of the LP and Chieftains of both parties confirmed to newsmen in Akure.

But his Information Commissioner Kayode Akinmade said that due to the
" serious Pressure" from the Leadership of the PDP before and after
the Osun governorship election, the governor is still consuylting with
stakeholders across the Country on this"

Akinmade said that " for now the governor is still in Labour Party
even if he will eventually move he cannot take a unilateral decision
on this matter.

But another Commissioner in the cabinet Barrister Remi Olatubora of
Adult Education Ministry was categorical about the governor movement
to PDP when he said " I woke up this morning as a LP chieftain but
going to bed tonight as a PDP chieftain.

Lagos Begins 71-Day Repair Work On Eko Bridge

The Lagos State Government will tomorrow Saturday commence the
repairs on the expansion joints on Eko Bridge expected to be completed
in 71 days.

It will be recalled that the state government had earlier announced
plans to commence repair on the expansion joint replacement beginning
from Saturday 23rd August, 2014 to Monday 27th October 2014 to last
for 71 days.The government added that would not necessitate its total
closure but rather a phased partial restriction.

Commissioner for Transportation Mr, Kayode Opeifa, who announced this,
said the first phase of the bridge expansion joint replacement being
carried out by a leading construction firm would witness a partial
restriction from two lanes to one lane at the loop towards Elegbata
(Apongbon inter-change) in-ward Lagos for six days, between Saturday,
23rd August to Thursday 25th August 2014. "By this, vehicular
movements in-ward Surulere will not be affected.

To avoid delay, motorists coming from Surulere and Apapa going towards
Ebute-Ero and outer Marina are advised to use the connecting road to
link Carter Bridge.

"The state government however, appeals for caution and co-operation
from all road users by obeying traffic regulations and has directed
all traffic management personnel to ensure traffic flow during the
maintenance period while regretting any inconvenience occasioned by
this project." Opeifa stated.

Ebola Crisis: Senegal Defends Guinea Border Closure

Senegal has defended the closure of its border with Guinea because of
the Ebola outbreak.

The border closure came even as the World Health Organization (WHO)
had declared that travel bans do not work.

Senegal's Health Minister, Dr Eva Marie Colle Seck, said that the
travel ban would not affect humanitarian flights.

Senegal's capital, Dakar, is a regional hub for West Africa and many
doctors and medical supplies arriving from Europe or the US would pass
through there before going to the affected countries.

Dr Seck told the BBC that the countries surrounding those affected
were a sentinel for the world and had a duty to stop the virus
spreading further.

But WHO spokesman, Gregory Hartl, said that the borders in the region
were porous, so any ban would be"impossible to enforce".

However, Senegal also banned flights and ships from Guinea, Liberia
and Sierra Leone- the three worst-hit countries.

Senegal first closed its border with Guinea in March when the outbreak started.

It was reopened in May after the situation in Guinea seemed to have
stabilised but there has been a recent increase in the number of cases
in the country.

Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Kenya and South Africa have also imposed travel bans.

Ebola has no known cure but some affected people have recovered after
being given an experimental drug, Zmapp. However, supplies are now
exhausted.

On Thursday, two U.S. doctors were discharged from hospital after
being given the drug, while three Liberian medics are also recovering
well.

My Quotes

In order to excel, you must be completely dedicated. - Willie Mays

My Quotes

Time and health are two precious assets that we don't recognize and
appreciate until they have been depleted. - Denis Waitley

Spouses Of Late Ebola Victims Test Positive- Health Minister

The Minister of Health, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu, has confirmed two
new cases of the Ebola Virus Disease. Professor Chukwu says the two
victims are spouses of dead victims of the disease.

They are currently being treated in Lagos.

This brings the total number of cases, including the index case to 14,
with five deaths and five survivors, while four are currently being
treated.

At a media briefing in Abuja on Friday, Professor Chukwu said the 67
persons under surveillance had completed the 21 days incubation period
for Ebola, and had been discharged. "Presently, there are 213 people
under surveillance," he said.

The Health Minister further refuted reports credited to the Lagos
State Commissioner, Mr Jide Idris, that there are additional five
cases of Ebola.

Professor Chukwu added that it was his duty as the head of Nigeria's
Health Ministry to announce new cases and also give updates on the
virus.

According to the Minister, the six people under surveillance in Enugu
State had not developed symptoms of Ebola, but are still being
monitored.

"The Federal Government, working with the Lagos State government and
other partners, will continue to maintain vigilance, continue to
strengthen our containment activities and wishes to reassure the
Nigerian public and the global community that efforts will not relent
until the very last case of Ebola Virus Disease is seen in Nigeria,"
he stressed.

Professor Chukwu, however, cautioned that the government could not
give an assurance of complete eradication at the moment.

He asked Nigerians to be calm and not panic, as the efforts of the
government to battle the disease had been applauded by the
international community.

Spouses Of Late Ebola Victims Test Positive- Health Minister

The Minister of Health, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu, has confirmed two
new cases of the Ebola Virus Disease. Professor Chukwu says the two
victims are spouses of dead victims of the disease.

They are currently being treated in Lagos.

This brings the total number of cases, including the index case to 14,
with five deaths and five survivors, while four are currently being
treated.

At a media briefing in Abuja on Friday, Professor Chukwu said the 67
persons under surveillance had completed the 21 days incubation period
for Ebola, and had been discharged. "Presently, there are 213 people
under surveillance," he said.

The Health Minister further refuted reports credited to the Lagos
State Commissioner, Mr Jide Idris, that there are additional five
cases of Ebola.

Professor Chukwu added that it was his duty as the head of Nigeria's
Health Ministry to announce new cases and also give updates on the
virus.

According to the Minister, the six people under surveillance in Enugu
State had not developed symptoms of Ebola, but are still being
monitored.

"The Federal Government, working with the Lagos State government and
other partners, will continue to maintain vigilance, continue to
strengthen our containment activities and wishes to reassure the
Nigerian public and the global community that efforts will not relent
until the very last case of Ebola Virus Disease is seen in Nigeria,"
he stressed.

Professor Chukwu, however, cautioned that the government could not
give an assurance of complete eradication at the moment.

He asked Nigerians to be calm and not panic, as the efforts of the
government to battle the disease had been applauded by the
international community.

Faze Releases New Single 'Your Daughter'

The Former Plantashun Boyz Member, Faze, has released a brand new song
titled 'Your daughter'.

Faze, originally named Chibuzor Oji, was in the defunct Nigerian
all-male pop group, Plantashun Boyz, along with BlackFace Naija and
TuFace (also known as 2face Idibia).

The group split up in 2004 and each member of the group has gone on to
launch successful solo careers.

This latest work by Faze was produced by Tyce.

Angel Di Maria And Sami Khedira Reject Real Madrid Deals

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has said that Angel Di Maria has
asked to leave the club and Sami Khedira has rejected a new contract.

Di Maria, who has been heavily linked with a move to both Manchester
United and Paris St Germain, has rejected the offer of a new contract
with the current European champions.

Khedira, who has also turned down new terms at the Bernabeu, has been
a reported target for Arsenal this summer and Arsene Wenger admitted
on Thursday that he was still hoping to strengthen his squad before
the transfer window closes.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed he will make no emergency
purchases in the summer transfer window, but he is open to
strengthening his defence,

Ancelotti said. "Di Maria asked to go in the summer and has rejected
an offer from the club, The player has to look for a solution.

"If when the transfer market closes he's still here, he will work with
us like last season and there will be no problem."

PSG manager Laurent Blanc admitted that UEFA fair play rules could
scupper any further interest from his club.

"With large players like Di Maria, there are a lot of clubs behind him
certainly," Blanc told L'Equipe.

"PSG can not do what he wants in terms of recruitment (because of
financial fair play). This is a difficult issue, the president has
confirmed to me."

Ancelotti said of Khedira: "It's a different situation to Di Maria.
He's not asked to go. He's rejected an offer to renew, but has a year
of contract. We'll see what happens."

Madrid signed two more attacking midfielders in James Rodriguez and
Toni Kroos this summer to increase the pressure for places in their
star-studded squad.

Di Maria came off the bench in the Super Cup first leg against
Atletico Madrid on Tuesday night, but Khedira did not feature.

Why I Premiered Being Mrs Elliot at Aso Rock -- Omoni Oboli

Award-winning Nollywood actress has been in the eye of the storm since
her debut production effort with her movie Being Mrs Elliot. With some
still questioning her experience as a director and producer, the
actress chose to do something no one has ever done before - premiering
her film at Aso Rock. Only for the eyes of the President, his vice,
senators and other top government officials.

Since she achieved the feat, tongues have been wagging as to the
motive of the idea. Here, with Weekend Groove, Omoni bares it all.
Excerpts from her interview with Vanguard:

You recently premiered your movie 'Being Mrs Elliot' at Aso Rock,
what was it like?

It was very interesting. I honestly didn't believe it was going to
happen. The Film Producers and Marketers Association of Nigeria
actually wrote to the presidency. We just thought, Well, they are too
busy, they won't answer us. But to our greatest surprise, they agreed.
Even till after the event, I was still telling my assistant that if I
woke up and realise that it's all a dream, I would be very unhappy. I
kept thinking it wasn't happening, that it wasn't real. I think it's a
very big achievement for Nollywood as a whole, because when things
like this happen, it makes other people believe that they can even do
more. For us, it's a big thing. The president said Nollywood has put
Nigeria on the map and has affected the economy of the nation in so
many ways, which is why he's doing all he can to ensure that the
industry gets all the support it needs .

So you think this has given the industry a big boost?

It is a big achievement for the industry. Every other person is going
to be thinking "What else can I do that will top the presidential
screening?". It means that the industry will get better, because
everyone will be thinking about doing something bigger and better, and
that's the way we grow. It's healthy competition, it becomes unhealthy
when you're trying to pull me down, because you want to be on top.

How did you feel screening your movie exclusively to the president?

It wasn't just the president; the Vice-President, PDP Chairman, the
Senators, Ministers, Elder Statesmen and some Governors. It was a huge
event. I was sitting at the hightable with all these people. Not even
in my wildest dream did I think I'd ever get to that point where I
would sit on the same hightable with the president and his ministers
and it's about me. I played two roles in the movie and the president
was like "How did you do it?". He commended the movie which had a bit
of culture and tourism in it. I shot in Ekiti, Asaba and Lagos. He
said the quality of the movie was very good.

What was the inspiration behind the story?

I just wanted to do something that people can sit back, relax and have
fun. It's drama/romantic comedy. Nigerians work hard, that's the truth
and they're stressed out day in, day out, I just need them to relax
and laugh away their troubles. At the same time, it's a story that you
have to concentrate to understand it. But it's a feel-good movie.

You are one actress that has been able to stay scandal free, how have
you been able to achieve that?

The truth is I am who I am. I'm not trying to stay scandal free. I'm
just me. Nobody is perfect. It would be unfair for me to portray a
squeaky clean image. I'm just like the regular person out there.
Everyone has their good and bad side. I'm just being who I am.

What is unique about you?

It's favour and the truth is favour is not fair. God just decides to
smile on a person. I've had my bad times of course. Last year, there
were times when I was crying everyday for months. Did anybody hear
about it?. This things just happen, it's just God's favour and grace.
I'm not going to let anything pull me down or steal my shine. I don't
read blogs, so all those things they say don't matter to me. The
people who matter to me are those who really know me. My true fans
know who I am and my true intentions.

For how long have you been acting?

It's always a difficult question for me to answer because there was a
break in between. It's dishonest to count the years I was on break. I
acted for a while I was in the university for about a year plus. But I
left it for over a decade and then I came back.