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Monday, July 31, 2017

North Korea accuses U.S. of preparing for nuclear war

July 31 (UPI) -- North Korea accused the United States of preparing for nuclear war after two B1-B Lancers flew over South Korea on Sunday.
Pyongyang's state-controlled news agency KCNA claimed Monday the bombers were deployed from Guam for "war practice."
"On July 30, two B-1B strategic bombers of the U.S. imperialists returned to South Korean airspace for war practice in preparation for a nuclear-armed attack of North Korea," KCNA stated. "The bombers flew over Jeju Island in the south, traversed the East Sea [Sea of Japan] and excitedly trained in the dropping of nuclear bombs while flying over Osan," a U.S. air base in the South.
On Sunday, the U.S. military confirmed bombers flew over the peninsula for a drill with South Korean fighter jets, a move Pyongyang attacked in its most recent statement.
"The F-15K fighters of the [South Korea] puppet air force flew together with U.S. imperialist nuclear bombers as shields [for the U.S. aircraft], ready to bring about terrible disaster to a unitary [Korean] people," Pyongyang stated.
Yonhap reported the two B-1B Lancers did fly over the South Korean island of Jeju, Osan, then exited the peninsula after flying over Deokjeok Island on the western coast of the peninsula.
The bombers were deployed more than 30 hours after North Korea engaged in its latest provocation on Friday: the launch of what the regime has claimed is an intercontinental ballistic missile capable of reaching the United States.
North Korea also claimed it tested an ICBM, following a missile launch on the Fourth of July.

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)

Former DHS head John Kelly sworn in as Trump's new chief of staff


President Donald Trump (R) shakes hands with the new White House Chief of Staff John Kelly after he was sworn in, in the Oval Office of the White House, July 31, 2017, in Washington, DC. Kelly, a retired Marine Corps general and formerly secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, replaces Reince Priebus. Photo by Mike Theiler/UPI| License Photo
 
July 31 (UPI) -- Marine Gen. John Kelly was sworn in as President Donald Trump's new chief of staff during a closed-door ceremony on Monday in the White House.
A White House statement said the ceremony was held in the Oval Office at 9:30 a.m. prior to a Cabinet meeting at 10 a.m.
Trump on Friday posted on Twitter that he would replace Reince Priebus with Kelly, who served as secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.
In response to reports that the White House is in turmoil, Trump on Twitter suggested that his administration's accomplishments are evidence there are no problems.
"Highest Stock Market EVER, best economic numbers in years, unemployment lowest in 17 years, wages raising, border secure, S.C.: No WH chaos!" Trump tweeted.
Prior to Priebus' departure, The New Yorker magazine published a profanity-laced interview with newly named White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci, who fueled rumors of discord with Priebus.
"Reince is a [expletive] paranoid schizophrenic, a paranoiac," Scaramucci said, suggesting Priebus and White House chief strategist Steve Bannon were behind White House leaks.
Prior to joining the Trump administration, Priebus was chairman of the Republican National Committee and Republican Party of Wisconsin.
Politico reported Kelly has griped privately for months about the disarray at the White House and now his job is to bring order to the chaos -- but one person close to Kelly told the outlet it will not be an easy task.
"I think this is the best and last shot," the anonymous source said. "This is it."


When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)

Football Transfer: Turkey's Super Lig Giant Wants Eto'o Fils



Reports in Turkey suggest that Super Lig giants Fenebarche are courting Antalyaspor’s veteran forward Samuel Eto’o. Despite being 36-years-old, the attacker has shown no signs of slowing down as he notched 18 goals in 30 appearances for Antalyaspor in the previous campaign.
This has not gone unnoticed though as BienSports reports that Eto’o has caught the attention of Fenerbahce.
The Yellow Canaries are looking to bolster their striking department and the report suggests that the Cameroon forward is on the agenda.
According to the report, the side has already made contact with Eto’o and he is expected to travel to Istanbul soon to conclude his move to Ulker Stadium.
Eto’o joined Akrepler ffrom Sampdoria in 2015 and has went on to score 38 goals in 61 appearances.
Should the former Barcelona and Chelsea forward seal the move, he will reunite with his former Indomitable Lions teammate Carlos Kameni who recently arrived from Malaga.
Ligue 1 side Marseille have also been linked with the forward.



When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)

Sunday, July 30, 2017

Back2School: Association of North West Private Higher Institutions Speaks out

The association of North West Private Higher Institution has issued a Press Release expressing its desire for schools to resume by October 2017. The release was issued on Monday July 24 2017 during a meeting in Bamenda. During the meeting, members expressed their desire for government to grant unconditional amnesty to Anglophones who have been arrested and detained. They also urged Government to engage in a frank dialogue in order to give peace, love and harmony a place of preference.

Here below is the Release


Press Release 

 


When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)

Saturday, July 29, 2017

Salary Cuts Announced at CRTV

CRTV General Manager broke the news to workers last Friday July 26, 2017 in a Press Release which indicate that the State owned media shall witness drastic salary reduction in the coming months.

The release signed by Charles Ndongo has had diversified interpretations and is making headlines around the country as well as on social media. This release comes at the point in that that a controversial has been circulating on the social media indicating the huge salaries some General Managers of state corporations including CRTV earn per month. Critics say the decision by Charles Ndongo is just to camouflage the outburst that has gained very wide criticism from the general public.
The announced revised monthly salary for CRTV employees’ factors critical issues like cost of living and the state of the economy, popular opinion holds.
However, public opinion also holds that the salaries  and huge allowances for senior officials (Ministers, Directors and Sub Directors), lawmakers (MPs and Seniors) should also be slashed down.




When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)

Friday, July 28, 2017

Russia orders out U.S. diplomatic staff, may seize properties


The Russian Foreign Ministry, led by Sergey Lavrov, ordered a reduction of U.S. diplomatic personnel in Russia on Friday, saying the move is a response to new sanctions from Congress. File Photo by Mark Ralston/UPI| License Photo
 
July 28 (UPI) -- Russia ordered a reduction in U.S. diplomatic staff in Moscow and other cities on Friday, and may seize U.S. properties -- in response to new sanctions from Congress.
A Russian Foreign Ministry statement requested the U.S. embassy in Moscow and American consulates in St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg and Vladivostok to reduce its personnel to about 455 in total -- approximately the number of Russian diplomatic staff in the United States.
"This measure is further proof of the Unites States' extremely hostile foreign policy," the foreign ministry said in a statement. "Hiding behind its sense of superiority, the United States arrogantly ignores the stances and interests of other countries."
The ministry also said it would seize a Moscow warehouse and a country home in the suburb of Serebryany Bor that are used by the U.S. embassy.
The actions are similar to the December 2016 expulsion of Kremlin diplomats from the United States and the seizure of two of Moscow's diplomatic compounds in retaliation for Russian interference in the U.S. presidential election. At the time, the Russian foreign ministry recommended that President Vladimir Putin provide a response, but Putin chose to wait in an apparent attempt to build trust with then-incoming President Donald Trump -- a move that Trump lauded.
"Relations with Russia are being dragged down by political infighting in the United States," the foreign ministry added. "Despite Washington's constant outbursts, we have adhered to responsible and reserved behavior and have not responded to express provocations until now. However, the latest events confirm that certain circles in the U.S. are fixated on Russophobia and open confrontation with our country."
The ministry specified that the actions are in response to a vote Thursday in the U.S. Senate which imposed harsher economic sanctions against Russia. The Senate voted 98-2 to pass the bill and send it to Trump's desk. Two days earlier, the House of Representatives passed the legislation by a 419-3 vote.



When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)

North Korean hackers shift focus to stealing money, not secrets Reports say



It has been reported that North Korean hackers are increasingly targeting vulnerable foreign financial institutions, seeking to convert their Internet espionage efforts into a cash cow, according to cybersecurity experts.
UPI reports that  a new report by the South Korea-based Financial Security Institute said North Korean hackers were behind the online theft of $81 million from the central bank of Bangladesh. Internet security experts also said they were able to trace the attempted hacking of Polish banks to hackers in North Korea. Evidence in that case suggested the reclusive communist regime was plotting more than 100 other potential ecommerce robberies, The New York Times reported.
North Korean hackers were also believed to be a part of the global "WannaCry" cyberattack that crippled Britain's healthcare industry and forced major companies to pay ransom in order to have their computer systems unlocked, the BBC said.
The tactic marks a shift from previous hacking attempts by North Korea that did not have a clear economic benefit for the Kim regime. Instead, North Korean hackers mostly targeted institutions to garner secrets from businesses and governments and foster uncertainty. The most notable North Korean hack of that nature was against Sony in 2014.
As international sanctions over its nuclear weapons program continue to pound the North Korean economy, the government of Kim Jong Un has been forced to turn to hacking as a means of generating foreign cash supplies to pay for imports that support its failing domestic economy.


When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)

Jerry Seinfeld tops Forbes' list of highest-paid comedians

 
Jerry and Jessica Seinfeld arrive on the red carpet at the "SNL" 40th Anniversary Special on February 15, 2015. Seinfeld has been named the highest paid comedian for 2017 by Forbes. Chris Rock and Louis C.K. also made the list. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI| License Photo
 
July 28 (UPI) -- Jerry Seinfeld has taken the No. 1 spot atop the Forbes annual list of highest-paid comedians, ahead of Chris Rock and Louis C.K.
The list, released Thursday, has the Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee star earning $69 million over the past year, thanks in part to a Netflix stand-up deal he signed and syndication checks from hit '90s sitcom Seinfeld.
Coming in second place is Chris Rock, who earned $57 million and then Louis C.K. with $52 million.
All top five comedians listed, including Dave Chappelle in fourth place with $47 million and Amy Schumer, the lone woman on the list, with $37.5 million in fifth place, made big profits over the past year due to deals with Netflix.
Last year's top earner Kevin Hart has fallen to sixth place with $32.5 million, as he has focused more on his film career then taking the stage for stand-up shows.
Seinfeld's lucrative deal with Netflix was announced in January, and includes bringing over his series Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee to the streaming service along with filming two new stand-up specials and helping the company develop scripted and non-scripted programming.


When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)

Does sugar make you sad? New science suggests so


Higher rates of refined sugar consumption have been associated with higher rates of depression. Photo courtesy of Pixabay 
 
July 28 (UPI) -- The thought of a cupcake, skillfully frosted with fluffy vanilla icing, may put a smile on your face, but research suggests that, in the long term, a sweet tooth may turn that smile into a frown - but not for the reasons you think. In a new study, published in Scientific Reports, my colleagues and I found a link between a diet high in sugar and common mental disorders.
The World Health Organization recommends that people reduce their daily intake of added sugars (that is, all sugar, excluding the sugar that is naturally found in fruit, vegetables and milk) to less than 5 percent of their total energy intake. However, people in the U.K. consume double - in the United States triple - that amount of sugar. Three-quarters of these added sugars come from sweet food and beverages, such as cakes and soft drinks. The rest come from other processed foods, such as ketchup.
At the same time, 1 in 6 people worldwide suffers from a common mental disorder, such as a mood or anxiety disorder. Could there be a link between high sugar consumption and common mental disorders?
Earlier research, published in 2002, examined the link between depression and sugar consumption in six countries. The researchers, from Baylor College, found that higher rates of refined sugar consumption were associated with higher rates of depression.
Since then, a handful of studies have investigated the link between added sugar consumption and subsequent depression. In 2011, researchers in Spain found that when they grouped participants based on their commercial baked food consumption, those who ate the most baked food had a 38 percent increased chance of developing depression compared with those in the group with the lowest intake. The association remained even after accounting for health consciousness and employment status.
In 2014, researchers studied the association between sweetened beverages in a large U.S. group. They found that sugar-sweetened and artificially sweetened drinks (diet drinks) could increase a person's risk of developing depression. And, more recently, a 2015 study, including nearly 70,000 women, found higher chances of depression in those with a high added sugar intake, but not in those with a high intake of naturally occurring sugars, such as those found in fruit.
Trying to explain the link
We are still not sure what causes depression, but some researchers believe that biological changes are at the root of it. Some of these changes could be influenced by sugar and sweet taste. For example, a study in rats found that diets high in sugar and fat can reduce a protein called BDNF that influences the growth and development of nerve cells in the brain. This protein is thought to be involved in the development of depression and anxiety.
Another possible biological cause is inflammation. High-sugar diets can increase inflammation - a protective reaction of the body, normally directed against microorganisms or foreign substances. While common signs of inflammation, such as redness, are far from a mood disorder, the symptoms that keep us in bed with a cold are much closer, such as low energy and being unable to concentrate. Ongoing research suggests that mood disorders could be linked with inflammation, at least in some cases.
Dopamine is another possible culprit. A study using rats earned headlines for suggesting sweet foods could be as addictive as cocaine. This might be due to affects on dopamine, a brain chemical involved in the reward system. Dopamine is also thought to influence mood. And addiction is itself associated with a higher risk of developing a mood disorder.
Finally, sugar intake could be associated with other factors, such as obesity, which itself is related to mood.
But these associations could also reflect a reverse phenomenon: Low mood could make people change their diet. Sweet foods could be used to soothe bad feelings by providing a short-term mood boost. And low mood and anxiety could make simple tasks, such as grocery shopping or cooking, so difficult and exhausting for the sufferer that they might start to avoid them. Instead, they might opt for junk food, takeout and ready meals - all of which have a high sugar content.
What our study adds to the debate
For our latest study, my colleagues and I put the reverse association idea to the test. We used sugar intake from sweet food and drinks to predict new and recurrent mood disorders in a group of British civil servants. We also investigated whether having a mood disorder would make people more inclined to choose sweet foods and drinks.
We found that men without a mood disorder who consumed over 67g of sugar had a 23 percent increased risk of suffering from a mood disorder five years later, compared with those who ate less than 40g. This effect was independent of the men's socioeconomic status, physical activity, drinking, smoking, other eating habits, body fat and physical health.
We also found that men and women with a mood disorder and a high intake of sugar from sweet food and drinks were at higher risk of becoming depressed again five years later, compared with those who consumed less sugar. But this association was partly explained by their overall diet.
We found no evidence for a potential reverse effect: Participants did not change their sugar intake after suffering from mood disorders.
The ConversationDespite our findings, a number of questions remain about whether sugar makes us sad, whether it affects men more than women, and whether it is sweetness, rather than sugar itself, that explains the observed associations. What is certain, though, is that sugar is associated with a number of health problems, including tooth decay, type 2 diabetes and obesity. So cutting down on sugar is probably a good idea, regardless of whether it causes mood disorders or not.



When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)

The Corruption Perceptions Index: See The Most Corrupt and Least Corrupt in the World

 The Corruption Perceptions Index ranked 176 countries on a scale of 0 (perceived to be highly corrupt) to 100 (perceived to be very clean).
In the 2016 Corruption Perceptions Index released on Wednesday July 26 by the Berlin-based ​organisation, Somalia was ranked the most corrupt country in the world for the 10th straight year.
Transparency International estimates that, “corruption, bribery, theft and tax evasion, cost developing countries US $1.26 trillion per year.”
Chairman of the group, José Ugaz, said in the most corrupt countries, “we often see democracies in decline and a disturbing pattern of attempts to crack down on civil society, limit press freedom, and weaken the independence of the judiciary.”
The 2016 CPI, showed that 122 of the 176 countries ranked finished with a score below 50, which Transparency International identifies as having a “serious corruption problem.”
The countries topping the list are generally clustered in Africa and Central Asia Several war-torn nations, such as South Sudan, Syria, Sudan, Yemen, Afghanistan and Iraq which are ranked in the top 10 
Meanwhile, Denmark (90 points) was ranked as the least corrupt nation in the world for the fifth straight year. New Zealand tied for the top spot, while Finland, Sweden and Switzerland round out the top five.
The Corruption Perceptions Index conducted by Transparency International, commenced in the year 1995.

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)

One of Ronaldo, Bale or Benzema Could Leave Real Madrid Zidane Says

French tactician, Zidane has revealed that the trio of Real Madrid star men could make an exit from the club considering the situation of the transfer market.

 
Cristiano Ronaldo
 
Real Madrid manager, Zinedine Zidane has admitted that one of Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale or Karim Benzema, could leave this summer.
Zidane says he is eager to ensure they all stay at the club, but refused to guarantee anything.
This comes amid the La Liga club heavily linked with Monaco’s Kylian Mbappe. Speaking after Wednesday night’s 4-1 friendly defeat to City, Zidane refused to comment on the race for Mbappe’s signature.
“That question is not for me, it is for someone else,” he told Marca.
“I hope that BBC (Bale, Benzema, Cristiano) remains, hopefully all of them will stay,” he said.
“But until August 31 anything can happen.”


When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)

Wonders: See the World’s Most Lifelike Toy that Speaks, Smiles and Sings


A company has built an intelligent s*x robot that can smile, speak and sing which has given many people pleasure.
The new robot head can speak, smile and even sing
 
A s*x doll company is making a Terminator-style robot head which can speak, smile and even sing – but only in Chinese, The Sun UK has reported.
The report revealed that the prototype of the DS Doll Robotic Head, which is coated in silicone “skin” and is controlled by a smartphone and a PlayStation controller, is the world’s most lifelike mechanical s*x servant.
Photos of the model made by Doll Sweet Dolls and EX Doll, has a “stunningly beautiful” face and can listen and answer questions using sophisticated voice recognition software.
 
 
The company is hoping to launch a crowdfunding campaign to help produce an English and Japanese version.
Despite not having a rotatable neck, the robot head will fit all the company’s other doll bodies, which have flexible limbs allowing them to “move as a real person.” Paul Lumb, head of Cloud Climax, says the prototype is the “Bugatti Veyron of VR” and comes with a similarly hefty price tag of around £4,500.
 
 
The company is Europe’s only authorised EX Doll retailer and the makers are hoping to bring the robotic head to the UK at the end of next year

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)

World's Biggest Fertiliser Plant Goes Operational in Nigeria

 The Senior Special Assistant to the Acting President on Media and Publicity, has announced in a statement issued in Abuja that Osinbajo will be inaugurating the world's biggest fertilizer plant in Rivers state.


 
Acting President Yemi Osinbajo will visit Port Harcourt, on Thursday, to inaugurate the world’s biggest fertiliser plant built by Indorama Eleme Fertiliser and Chemicals Limited.
Mr Laolu Akande, the Senior Special Assistant to the Acting President on Media and Publicity, made the announcement in a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday.
According to the presidential aide, the plant with production capacity of 1.5 million metric tons of Urea fertiliser is considered the world’s largest single-train Urea plant.
Eleme Petrochemicals Company Ltd, now Indorama Eleme Fertiliser and Chemicals Limited, was privatised in 2006 after the sale of Federal Government’s 75 per cent shares to a core investor through competitive bidding process.
The  plant has a production capacity of 4,000 metric tons of nitrogenous fertiliser per day. It was built with $1.5 billion dollars.
The  opening of the plant is expected to boost the agriculture sector not just in Nigeria, but also in Africa and beyond.
Akande said fertiliser from the plant would be made available to farmers nationwide at affordable cost.
This will boost crop yield for farmers and help in minimising food grain deficit in Nigeria, Akande said.
The plant consists of 2300 TPD Ammonia plant, 4000 TPF Urea plant, 83 km long Gas Pipeline, and an Export Port Terminal.
The main plant, measuring approximately 40 hectares, is located within the perimeter of Indorama’s existing petrochemical site in Port Harcourt.
The Gas Pipeline for the fertiliser plant was constructed by IEFCL within an existing 15 meter wide Right of Way (“ROW”).
Part of the $1.5billion was used to build a new jetty  at Onne Port on a plot of land measuring approximate 6 hectares
The jetty comprises 320 m long Quay along with terminal infrastructure including all material handling facilities necessary for urea and a urea storage facility with a capacity of 45,000 MT.
The transfer of urea from the fertiliser plant will be by road via an existing road network.
Construction of the new fertiliser plant commenced in early 2013 with commissioning coming two years later than planned. 
 
-NAN


When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)

See What 24,000 Facebook Likes Have Done to a Couple

 A man promised to marry his girlfriend if her Facebook gets as many as 500 likes, however something much more impressive happened.

Amanda Barr and Stuart Gunn
 
Women want longterm commitment, men are resistant – or so the stereotype goes.
While we may all dream of meeting someone who wants to marry us without being paid, bargained with, or badgered into it (wouldn’t it be nice to get hitched to someone who actually wants the same in return), sometimes, things don’t run that smoothly.
That’s the case for Amanda Barr, anyway.
She’s been bugging her partner, Stuart Gunn to marry her for the past ten years, but he’s always put off making the legal commitment.
This week, Amanda came up with a way to finally get a wedding: Facebook.
Amanda managed to get Stuart to agree to marry her if she got 500 likes on a Facebook post.
‘So as many of you already know me and Stuart has Been together now for 13 years we have 3 amazing beautifull children, a lovely home, we are happy and content,’ Amanda wrote on Facebook.
‘The only problem is my last name!! [I’ve] been nagging him for the past 10 years now to get married but no luck such as yet!!
‘So enough is enough now I’m not getting any younger I would love to be married by next year.
‘So Stuart has said if I get 500 likes and 50 shares by the end of this month he will propose this year and set a date for next year.
‘So I need all mine and Stuart’s family and friends to share and like the hell out of this post. LETS GET ME DOWN THE AISLE GUYS.’
The post has since received more than 24,000 likes, and racked up the necessary 500 likes within 55 minutes, so it’s safe to say that Stuart is now officially obligated to tie the knot.
‘I can’t believe it has gone like it has,’ said Amanda. ‘I’ve had messages from Australia, Poland, and America.’
 It sounds like Stuart will be sticking to his end of the bargain.
‘If 22,000 people reckon I should marry Amanda then I should get on with it,’ he said. ‘It’s about time.’
Getting on with getting married out of social obligation and pressure from the internet. So romantic.
 
***
Via Metro UK


When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)

Zlatan Ibrahimovic Immortalized on Bank Note in Sweden (Photos)


It is barely overstating the matter to say Zlatan Ibrahimovic has attained living legend status in Sweden. He is the country's top scorer and is being immortalised in a statue outside the national stadium.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has his face on currency after being represented on the 1,000 kroner note
Swedish professional footballer, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who played as a striker for Manchester United in last season's English Premier league, has attained living legend status in his country as he has just being immortalised with his face on currency after being represented on the 1,000 kroner note by a Swedish artist.
According to a report by Dailymail, he former Barcelona and Juventus striker who is also in a statue outside the country's national stadium, seemed impressed with the piece, made by photographer Bingo Rimer.
Ibrahimovic who shared the photo showing him posing with a blown up version of the note on Instagram, captioned it; 'You have Benjamin Franklin and you have me,' referring to the statesman whose likeness adorns the $100 note in the US.
 
 
Unfortunately for his fans, the note is not official Swedish currency and is not available, meaning you cannot make a payment with a wad of Zlatans.
It is unlike the official stamps released by Sweden in 2014, with five special edition pieces released of the forward in the yellow of the national team.
However the famously self-confident forward will be pleased with Rimer's choice of note, with 1,000 kroner - roughly equivalent to £93 - the largest denomination available in Swedish currency.


When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)

Here are the Top 23 African Cities with the Highest Number of Billionaires

Africa is indeed producing more millionaires, as the number of millionaires are increasing dramatically judging by the latest report by AfraAsia Bank.
File photo: Lekki, Lagos, Nigeria
 
AfraAsia Bank's Africa Wealth Report 2017 has made a comparison of 23 African cities with the highest number of billionaires as at the year 2016.
 In the list of 23 countries, Lagos, Nigeria's former capital came 4th, only topped by two South-African cities; Johannesburg and Cape Town as well as the Egyptian city of Cairo.
 Here is the list of cities and the number of multi-millionaires they have respectively:
 
1. Johannesburg (incl. Sandton) - 970
2. Cairo - 480
3. Cape Town - 440
4. Lagos - 360
5. Nairobi - 280
6. Luanda - 240
7. Durban (incl. Umhlanga) - 130
8. Pretoria - 110
9. Casablanca - 110
10. Accra - 100
11. Abidjan - 90
12. Algiers - 90
13. Alexandria - 110
14. Windhoek - 60
15. Dar Es Salaam - 50
16. Gaborone - 50
17. Mombasa - 40
18. Abuja - 40
19. Addis Ababa - 40
20. Kampala - 40
21. Maputo - 40
22. Lusaka - 30
23. Marrakesh - 30
 
With no other Nigerian cities listed, the nation’s commercial nerve-centre automatically clinches the wealthiest spot among Nigerian major cities.
The report is the result of New World Wealth’s extensive research covering the wealth market in Africa which report covers wealth, luxury, prime property, collectable and wealth management trends on the continent from 2006 to 2016, with projections to 2026.


When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)

Breaking News: Jeff Bezos, Owner of Amazon.com, is Worlds Richest Man, Bill Gate Dethroned

A new billionaire has emerged today as the world's richest person in the world thereby overtaking Microsoft founder, Bill Gates.

Jeff Bezos, owner of Amazon.com, became the worlds richest man on Thursday
 
Jeff Bezos, owner of online retail giant Amazon.com, surpassed Bill Gates as the wealthiest man in the world on Thursday.
 
According to Forbes,  Bezos emerged as the the richest person in the world, with a fortune topping $90 billion for the first time ever.
 
When markets opened on Thursday, Bezos had a net worth of $90.6 billion, putting him $500 million ahead of Microsoft founder Bill Gates.
 
Amazon stock opened up 1.6% on Thursday, adding $1.4 billion to Bezos’ net worth. That was enough to put him ahead of Gates, who was last surpassed on Forbes’ real-time rankings for just two days nearly a year ago by Spanish retail giant Amancio Ortega.
 
Forbes started tracking billionaires around the globe in 1987. Bezos is now the seventh person to hold the title of the world’s richest person and the third American to top the global ranks besides Gates and Berkshire Hathaway CEO Warren Buffett.


When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)

Five Kenyan School Girls to Represent Africa at Google's Technovation Challenge

The five Kenyan school girls, aged 15 to 17, are the only Africans selected to take part in this year's international Technovation competition. The young girls developed an App to end female genital mutilation.
One of them is quoted by Thomson Reuters Foundation as saying that "FGM is a big problem affecting girls worldwide and it is a problem we want to solve". Stacy continued that "This whole experience will change our lives. Whether we win or not, our perspective of the world and the possibilities it has will change for the better."  According Reuters, the five girls are from Kenya's western city of Kisumu call themselves the 'Restorers' because they want to "restore hope to hopeless girls", said Synthia Otieno, one of the team.
Reports say almost one in four Kenyan women and girls have undergone FGM, which involves the partial or total removal of the external genitalia, even though it is illegal in the East African nation.
Although the girls' Luo community does not practice FGM, they have friends who have been cut.
"We were very close but after she was cut she never came back to school," said Purity Achieng, describing a classmate who underwent FGM. "She was among the smartest girls I knew."
I-cut connects girls at risk of FGM with rescue centres and gives legal and medical help to those who have been cut.
Its simple interface has five buttons - help, rescue, report, information on FGM, donate and feedback – offering users different services.
Kenya is one of the most technologically advanced countries in Africa, known for its pioneering mobile money transfer apps.
Technovation, which is sponsored by Google, Verizon and the United Nations, aims to teach girls the skills they need to become tech entrepreneurs and leaders.

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)

'Titanic' Stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet, Billy Zane Reunite


Leonardo DiCaprio (L) and Kate Winslet attend the London premiere of "Revolutionary Road" on January 18, 2009. File Photo by Rune Hellestad/UPI| License Photo
 
July 27 (UPI) -- Titanic stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet and Billy Zane reunited this week ahead of the film's 20th anniversary.
DiCaprio, 42, hosted Winslet, 41, and Zane, 51, at his annual Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation dinner Wednesday in St. Tropez, France, which raised funds for environmental causes.
"Gangs back together," Zane captioned a photo on Instagram of himself with his former co-stars. "Now we're saving icebergs. Go figure.."
People reported prior to the event that DiCaprio and Winslet would auction off a private dinner with the two of them at the gala. The winning bidder will dine with the stars in October or November at a place of their choosing in New York.
DiCaprio and Winslet played ill-fated lovers Jack Dawson and Rose Bukater in Titanic, with Zane as Rose's villainous fiancé, Cal Hockley. Zane said in a 2016 interview with Today that he wishes Rose and Cal had stayed together in the film.
"He was a little misunderstood," the actor said of his character. "I wasn't the iceberg. I did not drown 2,000 people. I got off the boat."
"Yes, [I think Rose made the wrong choice]," he added. "I think he found redemption by the end. I wish he had found her on the Carpathia and was able to right his wrongs."


When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)

Thursday, July 27, 2017

Quincy Jones Wins $9.42M in Royalties Dispute with Michael Jackson's Estate

Quincy Jones (R) and Chris Tucker attend the 50th anniversary screening of "In the Heat of the Night" on April 6. Jones was awarded $9.42 million in a dispute with the estate of Michael Jackson. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UP| License Photo
 
July 27 (UPI) -- Music producer Quincy Jones was awarded $9.4 million in damages Wednesday in a dispute over unpaid royalties with the estate of Michael Jackson.
A Los Angeles jury sided with Jones who took Jackson's estate to court for underpaid royalties stemming from Jackson concert film This Is It and two Cirque du Soleil shows that used the pop icon's music following his death in 2009, Variety reported.
Jones sought $30 million in damages when he sued the estate in 2013 stating that he was unfairly cut out of posthumous deals made for the film and Cirque du Soleil shows. The estate countered that he was only due $392,000 due to minor accounting errors.
"This lawsuit was never about Michael," Jones said a statement, The New York Times reported. "It was about protecting the integrity of the work we all did in the recording studio and the legacy of what we created."
"I view it not only as a victory for myself personally, but for artists' rights overall," he added.
"Any amount above and beyond what is called for in his contracts is too much and unfair to Michael's heirs," Jackson estate lawyer Howard Weitzman said following the verdict.
Jones collaborated with Jackson and produced three of his most successful albums, Off the Wall, Thriller and Bad.


When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)

Falling Sperm Counts Could Lead To End Of Human Race - New Study Reveals

A new study has made a controversial claim that failing sperm counts could effectively lead to the end of the human race.
 
A major study has found that sperm counts of Western men are at a ‘shocking’ record low that it now poses a potential threat to fertility in industrialised countries.
There has been a 59.3 per cent drop in sperm produced by men from North America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand between 1973 and 2011.
One possible cause of the decline, which shows no sign of slowing, is environmental chemicals.
Study co-leader, Dr. Hagai Levine, of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, said the findings were ‘an urgent wake-up call.’
Levine said, “Eventually, we may have a problem, and with reproduction in general, and it may be the extinction of the human species.”
Professor Daniel Brison, of the department of reproductive medicine at Manchester University, said “the extent of the decline in this study is shocking.”
Other fertility experts warned of a “double whammy” caused by falling sperm counts and women waiting until their 30s to get pregnant.
The study, published in the journal Human Reproduction Update, found no similar decline in South America, Asia and Africa.
Co-author, Prof. Shanna Swan, from New York’s Icahn School of Medicine, said: “The fact that the decline is seen in Western countries strongly suggests that chemicals in commerce are playing a causal role.”
Exposure to chemicals in the womb, adult exposure to pesticides, smoking, stress and obesity have all been linked to falling sperm counts.
 
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When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)

Football Transsfer: Doubts over Neymar Moving to PSG in France


Reports have it that Barcelona players are currently talking with Brazilian superstar, Neymar to discourage his move to the French giants.
 
Neymar
 
Gerard Pique has sparked panic at Barcelona after appearing to backtrack on his ‘he stays’ tweet on teammate Neymar, target of a blockbuster transfer by Paris Saint Germain.
“Doubts, doubts and more doubts,” ran the headline Wednesday on the front page of Catalan daily Sport above a photo of the striker lost deep in thought.
PSG are trying to lure the 25-year-old Brazilian to France and are ready to pay off his 222 million euro ($256.8 million) release clause and make the player the best-paid footballer on the planet.
Last week Pique took to social media to say “he’s staying” – but when pressed on the matter Tuesday ahead of a pre-season friendly in the United States against Manchester United he was less sure of himself.
“It’s a personal opinion from the conversation that I had with him and my intuition,” Pique said.
“But it’s not official,” he added. “And it’s not for me to say if he’s going to stay or not.”
The position sent a shudder down the spine at Barcelona.“Pique retracts and feeds the uncertainty,” the newspaper Sport said. “The situation is eroding confidence at the club,” columnist Tomas Andreu wrote in Sport.
“What really hurts here is the silence of the player himself, which in the end says a great deal.”
 Neymar departed the stadium without addressing reporters after starring in a 2-1 win over Juventus on Saturday.
“They (the club) did not expect the negotiations with PSG and the player to go this far,” he said.
At the same press conference, the Argentine defender Javier Mascherano said he had told Neymar to carefully weigh up the pros and cons.
Mascherano added all the players, including Lionel Messi, had spoken the player to ask him to stay.


When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)

What You Need to Know About this Woman Who Has Lived All Alone For The Past 40 Years In One of the World's Most Remote Islands

A woman has been found out to have lived in one of the world's mot remote islands all alone by herself for the past 40 years.

 
Zoe Lucas has lived all alone by herself
 
Zoe Lucas is a 67-year-old woman who has lived alone on a remote island for 40 years.
However, she insists she never gets lonely – as long as she’s got her binoculars to hand to admire its stunning wildlife.
According to The Sun UK, Zoe Lucas lives in a wooden-clad house on Sable Island off the coast of Canada, which is covered in fog for around 127 days of the year.
But despite that, Zoe feels perfectly at home in the peace and quiet – with 400 horses, 300,000 grey seals and 350 species of bird to keep her company on the 26-mile island.
 
The woman lives in this wooden building on the island
 
She first fell in love with Sable Island when visiting as a 21-year-old student in 1971 and soon made it her home.
Speaking to MailOnline Travel, Zoe said: “I squawked and squawked, I wanted to come so bad. I originally came out here for the horses.”
Now a citizen scientist, the 67-year-old rarely returns to her hometown of Halifax in Nova Scotia – and instead depends on supplies being flown in on a weekly basis.
There is no way to reach the island, other than by boat or charter plane.
 
It earned the nickname “graveyard of the Atlantic” after more than 300 shipwrecks.
 
 
During her four decades living on the island, a refrigerator, crateful of fresh peppers from a shipping container, popped balloon carcasses and even a fake LEG has washed up on the beach.
Zoe spends her days studying ecology and collecting horses’ skulls so that scientists can discover how the animals have been able to adapt to the island’s stark landscape.
In 2013 Sable Island was made a National Park Reserve on June 20, 2013.


When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)

See Thrilling Photos of 2017 Miss BumBum Beauty Pageant Contestants (Photos)

 Many people are drooling following the release of tantalizing photos showing beautiful Miss BumBum 2017 Beauty Pageant contestants.

One of the Miss BumBum 2017 hopeful poses for the camera
 
Hopefuls who might emerge victorious in the 2017 Miss BumBum pageant have released these jaw-dropping photos of their incredible assets as the next stage of the controversial competition looms.
According to The Sun, the shapely candidates are getting ready for the official launch of the contest in Sao Paulo’s famous Paulista Avenue next month.
 
 
The curvy competitors are trying to wow the public with these breath-taking “belfies” before an online vote narrows the 27-strong field to 15 finalists.
 
The final will take place in Sao Paulo in November.
 

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)

Nigerian Youths Can Now Contest for Presidency as Senate Reduces Age of Office of President, Governor, Others


A total of 86 Nigerian Senators have voted and passed the bill which seeks age reduction for elective offices in Nigeria.
 
The members of the Senator Bukola Saraki-led Nigerian Senate have on Wednesday, July 26, passed a bill which proposed a 35-years as the minimum age for the office of the president from the initial 40-years mandated by the 1999 constitution. 
The lawmakers also moved a motion to encourage Nigerian youths to contest for the post of Governor or Senator at the age of 30, away from the initial 35years limit mandated by the 1999 constitution. 
TORI News also gathered that the bill goes on to stipulate that 25-year-olds can now legislate in the National and State Houses of Assemblies in Nigeria. 
 
 
The amendments were made during the debate on report for constitution review which had been earlier adopted by the joint session of the committees of both the Senate and the House of Representatives.
NOTE: For the new bill to take effect, it needs the endorsement of 24 state assemblies and President Muhamamdu Buhari's assent.
Senate's approval is just one of the steps required to amend the constitution. 
We'll be bringing you more details later.

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)

Nigerian Pastor Makes Baffling Prophecies, Says Buhari Will Lose Battle, Osinbajo Sworn-in as President and Atiku Will Win 2019 Election

A Nigerian pastor has made shocking revelations of what will happen in the near future for Nigeria as the President's health crisis lingers.

President Muhammadu Buhari and Acting President Yemi Osinbajo
 The General overseer of King of Kings Deliverance Ministry, Prophet Emmanuel Chukwudi has prophesied that ailing President Muhammadu Buhari will not return to Nigeria as the President.
 He further noted that Acting President Yemi Osinbajo will be sworn-in as President amid fierce opposition. The Prophet added that the 2019 will be won by the former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar.
He made the prophesies while being conferred with a new title by his kinsmen, according to a report by DailyPost.
“I saw Buhari saying that he is no more in charge. Then I saw Osinbajo being sworn in. But the opposition is just too much. He can only last till 2019.
"He should battle very well not to be removed from office before then. This is not the first time I am saying that Buhari will not pilot Nigeria into 2019, and this is not the first time I am being shown Atiku as the next president.
"It’s over three years now that Atiku was first revealed to me.
“Buhari has handed over power spiritually to Osinbajo. He cannot return to power, in case anyone is expecting him”, the Prophet said.

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)

Lesson from Nigeria: Senate Okays Independent Candidature For Elections

Independent candidacy which has been constantly advocated in the Nigerian political space has finally been approved by the upper chamber.

 
 
Nigerian Senate on Wednesday approved independent candidature for the country’s electoral process.
The approval on Wednesday was part of the ongoing amendment of the 1999 constitution. Before now, only political parties could sponsor candidates for elections in the country.
The development means candidates can now vie for elective positions without joining a party.
The amendment had sought to move certain items to the concurrent legislative list to give more powers to the States.
During the electronic voting on the amendment of the constitution, 46 senators voted in support of the proposal, while 48 senators voted against and one abstained.


When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)