It is only with the heart
that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.
-Antoine de Saint-Exupery
Saturday, 5 May 2012
Movies To Watch Out For: The Summer's Buzziest Crowdpleasers
Hello Friends!
Telling someone "The Avengers" will be summer's biggest movie is about as impressive as giving the odds of a cockroach's survival rate in a nuclear blast. (It's high.) Guessing what your teenage kids will like or what's the Gen X guilty pleasure, that's another story.
By peeking into Yahoo! searches, we've lined up a slate of possible favorites — and sleeper hits — among teens, preadolescent boys, ladies, and more. So if you're trying to decide between "Magic Mike" and "Battleship" for a date movie... all right, maybe you don't need us for that one.
Check out what kind of audiences will be lining up for this year's summer hits.
Overall crowd pleaser: "Marvel's The Avengers" (May 4). Let's get the obvious one out of the way: Yes, the midnight premiere earned millions. What do you expect from a Joss Whedon behemoth that shoehorns in no fewer than seven superheroes? And no disrespect to the A-list male actors, but the Scarlett Johansson factor is pretty big. (Why the Black Widow didn't have her own cinematic introduction first is a question for another forum.) The Y! Search gender breakdown's 66:33 is tilted male, but the broad age range (13-54) makes this the default family outing.
Date Movie for Married Folk: "Rock of Ages" (June 15). Schedule the babysitter, we have Journey. In a way, the Broadway turned Hollywood comedy is really a Tom Cruise mash-up of "Risky Business," "Magnolia," and "Tropic Thunder." The 52-48 gender split on Y! Search, with the edge going to the women, hints that the musical's the ultimate compromise summer flick: '80s jukebox rock, shirtless faux rockers, girlie groupies, and Alec Baldwin's one-liners. The soundtrack comes out June 5... so when's the sing-along?
One for the Millennials: "The Dark Knight Rises" (July 20). Batman as a vigilante. What better fallen hero for the Occupy generation? The last of the trilogy, or at least director Christopher Nolan's version, brings Christian Bale back as Bruce Wayne, a 1 percent billionaire with a 99 percent beaten and battered soul. Nolan may have filmed Occupy protest scenes for the film, although how they will unfold remains secret. What is known is Anne Hathaway is Catwoman, Joseph Gordon-Levitt is awesome, and this movie has the highest proportion of 20-somethings searching than any other top blockbuster.
Gen X Guilty Pleasure: "GI Joe: Retaliation" (June 29). Yes, it's true: People 30-54 make up the biggest proportion of the sequel's online searches on Yahoo!. The first outing wasn't exactly embraced for its plot, but there have been murmurings of lessons learned. The (new) director John Chu actually played with the plastic soldiers, so that must mean something. Regardless, the man-candy aplenty returns with Bruce Willis, the Rock, and Channing Tatum (who curiously counter-programmed himself with his stripper movie, "Magic Mike," opening the same day).
Teen political favorite: "The Dictator" (May 16) Sacha Baron Cohen knows how to hit the under-21 zeitgeist. Onscreen (and sometimes off), Cohen plays Adm. Gen. Aladeen, and he pulled some good advance publicity offscreen when he spilled the "ashes" of Kim Jong Il on red carpet host Ryan Seacrest. How Cohen will fare with a script remains to be seen, but at least Anna Faris is there to look at too. About 25 percent of lookups for the movie come from the 13-17 set, although adults' searches show they're intrigued, too. After all, how can you resist someone who scolds the New York Times' pay wall as true tyranny?
Ladies' Choice: "Snow White and the Huntsman" (May 25). As the "Hunger Games" clearly showed (as did "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon," "The Silence of the Lambs," and "The Perils of Pauline" way back in the silent era), females want to play fantasy action, too. Imagine then the appeal of Kristen Stewart, the quivering vampire lover of "Twilight," as a sword-wielding Snow White out to bring down an evil stepmother — really, what's the prince for, again? Females of all ages are eager for the retelling, and here's a bonus: A sequel may already be in the works.
Boys' Pick: "The Amazing Spider-Man" (July 3). The MPAA rating's not set yet, but that shouldn't stop any self-respecting Spidey fan from checking this reboot. Hero Peter Parker always carries the hesitant boyish innocence. This version with Andrew Garfield, though, in which the superhero delves into his parents' death, treads on traumatically-orphaned-Batman territory. All in all, Parker remains an eternal teenager, and this refreshed franchise boasts the biggest search proportion of boys among the top blockbusters.
Vampire hunk: Johnny Depp, "Dark Shadows" (May 11). Let's face it: Aside from " Snow White" and "Sparkle," it's a man's world this summer. So there's a bit of pleasurable irony that the alpha male in Y! Searches plays the fey undead. Depp partners again with director Tim Burton in the big-screen treatment of the 1970s soap opera. So how will Depp play a bloodsucker, besides with irreverence? Co-star Angelique Bouchard gives a style clue:"What he does is this kind German Expressionist thing." Natürlich.
Non-superhero sequel: "Step Up Revolution" (July 27). Dance and romance, first with Channing Tatum, then later in 3D — what else could this franchise possibly do? Well, this time the revolution is in Miami, and Kathryn McCormick, who was on Season 6 of "So You Think You Can Dance," gets her timing down with Ryan Guzman. You know what, that was more plot than you needed.
Sleeper hits: "Savages" (July 6); "Sparkle" (August 17). Two very different movies may be the blockbuster alternatives this summer. Oliver Stone helms "Savages," a crime drama starring Aaron Johnson, Taylor Kitsch, Blake Lively, and John Travolta about pot growers who go up against a drug lord. "Sparkle" was aimed to be the coming-out film for Jordin Sparks and the comeback film for Whitney Houston, but instead the musical drama will be a salute to the late actress.
Culled from Yahoo!Movies.
xoxo
Simply Cheska...
Girl, 18, who grew up homeless and didn't know how to wash wins scholarship to Harvard
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Homeless, abandoned by her parents and once declared a high school dropout, a hardworking 18-year-old has turned her life around earning her acceptance into Harvard University with scholarship this fall.
High school graduate Dawn Loggins says her life in Lawndale, North Carolina first started out in decay, among bullying and a broken home surrounded by drug use and squalour before eventual abandonment by her parents.
'I looked around at my family and I saw the neglect, the drug abuse, the bad choices and I saw my family living from pay check to pay check,' she recounted to WBTV.
Made it: At 18-years-old, Dawn Loggins says she has finally made it after accepted into Harvard University despite raised in a home of drug use and later abandoned by family
'And I just made a decision that I was not going to end up like my parents. I wasn't going to end up having to decide should I buy food this month or should I pay my rent.'
Change from this life didn't come instantly or easily for the then-middle school student who says her second home with her grandmother was still swept by bad habits.
'There was trash all over the house,' she said. 'She never really explained to me like that it was important to shower, it was important to take care of yourself. So I would go months at a time without showering. I would wear the same dress to school for months at a time.'
This brought teasing by other students who called her ugly - classmates would tell boys that Dawn Loggins had a crush on them, so they would respond appalled.
Striving: To reach her dream, the then-high schooler worked as her school's custodian and took classes online to catch up after deemed a drop out after missing two-months of school
Jeremy Clarkson sparks controversy again... this time he says delays at Heathrow could be 'solved with a bit of racism'
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Jeremy Clarkson sparked controversy by suggesting that long queues at airport control could be solved by 'a bit of racism'.
The BBC Top Gear presenter said that delays were caused because immigration officials could no longer use their discretion to wave certain passengers through.
'Nobody is waved through any more. Immigration officials are not allowed to use their discretion,' he said.
Jeremy Clarkson has suggested that racism might solve lengthy queues at Heathrow
'Common sense has been erased from the system. And the result is plain for all to see. There's a two-hour wait. And come the Olympics they're saying that time frame will double.
'Net result: Immigration officials have to assume that the nice family of four coming back from their holiday in Sardinia is going to cheat the social out of millions then blow up during the 100 metres final.'
Clarkson then went on to say there is a possible solution to the problem.
'Nobody likes a racist. Nobody likes prejudice. It has no place at work, at play or on the terraces of a football stadium. It has no place at school, or in government.
'But at Heathrow airport? Hmmm.'
However, a spokesman for the Public and Commercial Services Union, which represents Border Force workers, said: 'Clarkson is an idiot.'
'I fear nothing now': Fabrice Muamba says he's not afraid of anything after dramatic on pitch brush with death
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Bolton Wanderers footballer Fabrice Muamba, who has stunned doctors with his recovery after suffering a near-fatal cardiac arrest on the pitch, says his brush with death has left him fearless.
The 24-year-old needed 78 minutes of resuscitation after collapsing in front of 36,000 fans while playing for Bolton against Tottenham at White Hart Lane in March.
'If God is with me, who can be against me? I died, literally. I am alive,' he told The Times. 'There is nothing now to be in fear of.'
Enjoying the day: Photo from Wembley posted on Twitter by Fabrice Muamba's fiancee Shauna, which she captioned: 'At the FA Cup Finals with my boo @fmuamba. Should be an exciting game'
The former England Under 21 international is continuing to make a remarkable recovery in defiance of predictions he was likely to suffer significant brain damage.
However, he continues to suffer from the after-effects of his ordeal, .
'My memory is literally all over the place. I will talk to (fiancee) Shauna, ask her about someone. Five minutes later I'll ask the same question.'
Good to be back: Muamba waves to the crowds on his return to Bolton after a stunning recovery
Welcome back! A clearly emotional Muamba salutes the crowd on his return to the Reebok Stadium in Bolton
Muamba has been saddened by the deaths of two sportsmen since his own incident - Livorno player Piermario Morosini, who collapsed on the pitch, and Norwegian swimmer Alexander Dale Oen.
Muamba told the paper that he had watched the 'mind-blowing' video of Morosini in Italy on YouTube: 'I said to myself, "This was me not so long ago",' adding that there 'has to be a way of stopping this'.
And, in a sign of just how miraculous his recovery has been, he says his doctor has told him he should be brain-damaged, or dead - and that the medic thought a month ago that he was 'finished'.
Muamba's fiancee Shauna revealed the intervention of Jonathan Tobin, Bolton's club doctor, twice stopped the medics from giving up during the period of resuscitation.
She said: 'It was only the personal relationship between Dr Tobin and Fabrice that kept them going. Dr Tobin told me that.'
She added: 'They thought about stopping twice. Dr Tobin said, "No, let's try again".
'And they kept on trying until they saved his life.'
Horror: Bolton manager Owen Coyle looks on with concern as the midfielder is treated on the pitch after collapsing
Earlier this week, Muamba made an emotional public appearance before Bolton’s game against Tottenham, and was cheered home like a hero.
The star couldn't help shedding a tear as fans from both sides sang his name just 46 days after seeing him collapse in front of them.
He is spending this afternoon watching the FA Cup Final at Wembley with Shauna, who tweeted a photograph of them captioned: 'At the FA Cup Finals with my boo @fmuamba. Should be an exciting game'.
Muamba spent a month at the London Chest Hospital before being discharged on April 16. The speed of his recovery amazed medical professionals.
He started talking two days after his collapse and began walking just over a fortnight later, although it is not yet known if he will play professional football again.
Culled from The Daily Mail UK.
xoxo
Simply Cheska...
Terrorist attacks in Nigeria, Afghanistan, others threat to int’l peace – Ban
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The United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, says recent terrorist attacks in Nigeria, Afghanistan, Iraq and Yemen are an indication that terrorism threat was still formidable.
“Terrorist organisations continue to look for new havens, adopt new tactics and seek new targets,” he told the Security Council, during its debate on threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts.
The debate which was held on Friday was organised by Azerbaijan and chaired by its President, Ilham Aliyev.
Azerbaijan holds the Council’s rotating presidency for the month of May.
Discussion of the debate comes ahead of next month’s review by the General Assembly of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy.
Adopted by the Assembly in September 2006, the strategy is based on four pillars, which include tackling the conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism, and preventing and combating terrorism.
Kim Kardashian Tweets Bondage Pic — Does She Want A Part In ’50 Shades Of Grey’?
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Kim Kardashian doesn’t stop sharing photos of herself on Twitter — and this risque pose makes us think she wants to star in the film rendition of the erotic novel ’50 Shades of Grey.’ Will she never stop?
Kim Kardashian must be bored because she was tweeting tons of pics of herself May 4, including this bondage pic of her in lingerie, posing sexily over a chair. Enough is enough already!
“Gluten free is the way to be….OH Hiiiiiiiiiiii,” the 31-year-old reality star wrote alongside the sexy pic.
While we can’t deny she looks fabulous, Kim seems desperate for attention when she posts photos like this! What do you think of Kim’s hot look — is she trashy or just plain, old sexy?
Kim Kardashian must be bored because she was tweeting tons of pics of herself May 4, including this bondage pic of her in lingerie, posing sexily over a chair. Enough is enough already!
“Gluten free is the way to be….OH Hiiiiiiiiiiii,” the 31-year-old reality star wrote alongside the sexy pic.
While we can’t deny she looks fabulous, Kim seems desperate for attention when she posts photos like this! What do you think of Kim’s hot look — is she trashy or just plain, old sexy?
Culled from HollyWoodLife.
xoxo
Simply Cheska...
Princess Charlene 'depressed' at failure to give Monaco ruler Albert legitimate heir and 'fulfill secret deal to release her from marriage'
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Prince Albert of Monaco’s new wife Charlene Wittstock has become ‘depressed’ at her failure to provide her husband with a legitimate heir, it was claimed today.
Princess Charlene is said to have struck a ‘deal’ with the principality’s playboy ruler to bear him a child after she tried to flee before their wedding last summer.
But the 33-year-old South African is now unable to get pregnant, France’s Voici magazine reported.
Strange union: Charlene is said to have struck a ‘deal’ with Prince Albert to bear him a child after she tried to flee before their wedding last summer
Albert already has already fathered two love-children, but neither can succeed him as they were both born out of wedlock.
Voici magazine said: 'Charlene has made the subject of pregnancy a taboo topic around the Royal palace.
'She might have a smile on her face at official functions, but inside she is stressed and frustrated.
Voici magazine said: 'Charlene has made the subject of pregnancy a taboo topic around the Royal palace.
'She might have a smile on her face at official functions, but inside she is stressed and frustrated.
'This subject is weighing more and more heavily on her shoulders.'
Rumours of a rift and a ‘pregnancy pact’ erupted even before the couple married in a lavish state wedding ten months ago.
Charlene was said to have bolted for Nice airport two days before they married after hearing Albert had had a third love-child during their relationship.
Monaco officials were said to have coaxed her back by brokering a deal between the Prince and his reluctant bride that she provide him with a legitimate heir.
‘Vogue’ Bans Super Skinny & Underage Models From Its Magazine
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In an effort to promote a healthier image, the fashion mag has vowed to stop using too-skinny and underage models in its pages — and we think it’s fantastic that the high-fashion publication is paving the way and promoting a healthy image!
19 Vogue editors from around the world have made up their minds: Skinny is out and healthy is in! In a new project to promote a healthier and more realistic body image, the fashion mag has decided to ban super-skinny models with eating disorders and those under the age of 16 from its future issues – we hope that this healthy approach continues to spread throughout the fashion industry!
The pledge, known as The Health Initiative, not only means that the magazine will stop hiring underweight and underage models, but they promise to stick to their commitment by having casting directors ID every model and also check for any signs of an eating disorder.
Young girls face many pressures in the modeling industry — and we’re so happy that the mag is going to look out for their well-being! Not only are we happy for the girls involved, but the message it will send to the masses will do wonders while promoting a healthy image.
After seeing stick-thin models appearing in magazines for years, we’re so glad that Vogue is encouraging women with a new healthier image! Do you agree?
Culled from HollyWoodLife.
xoxo
Simply Cheska...
In an effort to promote a healthier image, the fashion mag has vowed to stop using too-skinny and underage models in its pages — and we think it’s fantastic that the high-fashion publication is paving the way and promoting a healthy image!
19 Vogue editors from around the world have made up their minds: Skinny is out and healthy is in! In a new project to promote a healthier and more realistic body image, the fashion mag has decided to ban super-skinny models with eating disorders and those under the age of 16 from its future issues – we hope that this healthy approach continues to spread throughout the fashion industry!
The pledge, known as The Health Initiative, not only means that the magazine will stop hiring underweight and underage models, but they promise to stick to their commitment by having casting directors ID every model and also check for any signs of an eating disorder.
Young girls face many pressures in the modeling industry — and we’re so happy that the mag is going to look out for their well-being! Not only are we happy for the girls involved, but the message it will send to the masses will do wonders while promoting a healthy image.
After seeing stick-thin models appearing in magazines for years, we’re so glad that Vogue is encouraging women with a new healthier image! Do you agree?
Culled from HollyWoodLife.
xoxo
Simply Cheska...
Kim Kardashian To Kris Humphries: Stop Lagging On Divorce
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Culled from HollyWoodLife.
xoxo
Simply Cheska...
Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries’ lawyers came head to head in court Friday, May 4 — and it’s not looking like Kim’s any closer to being divorced!
Kim Kardashian has made it very clear she wants nothing to do with Kris Humphries — and that includes being married to him! Today Kim’s lawyer, Laura Wasser, and Kris’ lawyers, Lee Hutton from Minnesota, and Marshall Waller from Los Angeles, met in court today to plead their clients’ cases — and neither side got any closer to an agreement. This is truly the divorce from hell!
“I feel that (Humphries’) personal feelings and maybe some media drive is keeping this case alive,” Kim’s lawyer said, adding that the couple is more than eligible for divorce, since it’s been more than six months since Kim filed her petition.
She added, “Certainly, they’ve been separated longer than they’ve been married.”
Wasser continued to explain that Kim will make Kris pay for all her legal fees if she beats him in a trial. As it stands now, Kim is asking for both sides to pay their own fees.
Meanwhile, Kris’s team is continuing to seek an annulment from Kim and claims their marriage was a fraud. They are planning to bring key information and witness depositions in the near future.
Superior Court Judge Stephen Moloney told both sides to return to court on Aug. 15 for a status hearing.
Kim Kardashian has made it very clear she wants nothing to do with Kris Humphries — and that includes being married to him! Today Kim’s lawyer, Laura Wasser, and Kris’ lawyers, Lee Hutton from Minnesota, and Marshall Waller from Los Angeles, met in court today to plead their clients’ cases — and neither side got any closer to an agreement. This is truly the divorce from hell!
“I feel that (Humphries’) personal feelings and maybe some media drive is keeping this case alive,” Kim’s lawyer said, adding that the couple is more than eligible for divorce, since it’s been more than six months since Kim filed her petition.
She added, “Certainly, they’ve been separated longer than they’ve been married.”
Wasser continued to explain that Kim will make Kris pay for all her legal fees if she beats him in a trial. As it stands now, Kim is asking for both sides to pay their own fees.
Meanwhile, Kris’s team is continuing to seek an annulment from Kim and claims their marriage was a fraud. They are planning to bring key information and witness depositions in the near future.
Superior Court Judge Stephen Moloney told both sides to return to court on Aug. 15 for a status hearing.
Culled from HollyWoodLife.
xoxo
Simply Cheska...
Rihanna Admits She Can’t Control Chris Brown
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We think it’s pretty obvious that she’s referring to Chris Brown here. Perhaps all of her raunchy tweets and out-of-control behavior — like going to the strip club – didn’t get the reaction from Chris that she had hoped for.
The best thing Rihanna can do is move on with her life and be happy and comfortable with who she is. THAT is how she will get his attention!
No matter how many sexy pics Rihanna posts on Twitter, she still can’t seem to grab Chris Brown’s full attention. Is she finally coming to her senses?
It looks like Rihanna had an epiphany on Twitter on May 3.
“So much to be thankful for, yet I’m over here stressin on shit I can’t control,” she tweeted.
It looks like Rihanna had an epiphany on Twitter on May 3.
“So much to be thankful for, yet I’m over here stressin on shit I can’t control,” she tweeted.
We think it’s pretty obvious that she’s referring to Chris Brown here. Perhaps all of her raunchy tweets and out-of-control behavior — like going to the strip club – didn’t get the reaction from Chris that she had hoped for.
The best thing Rihanna can do is move on with her life and be happy and comfortable with who she is. THAT is how she will get his attention!
Culled from HollyWoodLife.
xoxo
Simply Cheska...
At home with the real-life Benjamin Buttons: The once-married, middle-aged brothers forced to live with their parents as they slowly regress into a child-like state
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Giggling mischievously and poking out his tongue at his younger brother, Michael Clark hides a Mr Potato Head toy behind the living-room curtains.
Unfazed by these antics, a subdued Matthew is curled up on the sofa, snuggling up to his father.
It sounds like the sort of thing that could occur in any family home where there are small children.
However, in this case, the ‘children’ are 42 and 39 years old.
Adults though they may be, Michael and Matthew Clark are both childlike, infantile and utterly lacking any self-awareness.
The brothers have been diagnosed with leukodystrophy — a rare genetic disorder that causes a progressive loss of speech and movement.
In the case of Michael and Matthew, it has also made them slowly regress into a childlike state.
Where they were once men, they are now young boys, trapped in adult bodies.
Their plight has led to them being likened to the character played by Brad Pitt in the film The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button, an old man who gradually becomes younger.
The brothers, Matthew (left) and Michael, have been diagnosed with leukodystrophy - a rare genetic disorder that causes a progressive loss of speech and movement
For their parents, Christine and Anthony Clark, it is heartbreaking. ‘There are no words to describe how we feel. It’s devastating,’ says Mr Clark, the man who watched both of his sons grow up and marry, who looked on proudly as Michael joined the RAF and Matthew became a father himself.
‘Christine and I lay on the sofa each night and the tears flow very freely. Our biggest fear is that they will outlive us and then who will look after them?’
Following the brothers’ diagnosis last summer, a number of eminent specialists from around the world flew to the UK to discuss the case, but were left baffled by their symptoms.
The two men still look their age, albeit with a disarming air of innocence about them, but they are beginning to exhibit physical signs of their regression back into childhood, manifested by the loss of most of their leg and chest hair.
Michael recently moved into Matthew’s one-bedroom council maisonette in Lincoln. In January, Anthony and Christine returned from their retirement home in Spain to look after them.
Wounded by his warring parents: How Prince William overcame the trauma of witnessing Charles and Diana's disintegrating marriage
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Royal family: Prince Charles holding Prince Harry and Diana, Princess of Wales, holing Prince William in the wild flower meadow at Highgrove on July 14, 1986 in Tetbury, England
At the age of 13, Prince William faced the daunting prospect of becoming a new boy in a school that was almost ten times the size of his old one. That was hard enough.
What made his transition to Eton far more of an ordeal was that no one — from masters to pupils — could fail to be unaware of the open warfare that was tearing his parents’ marriage apart.
Unlike his prep school, where the head often pretended the news-papers hadn’t been delivered, multiple sets arrived on the premises daily — and William could simply no longer be shielded.
So it was doubly unfortunate that, almost immediately after his arrival, his mother’s love life was once again making lurid headlines. This time, the man in question was the England rugby captain Will Carling, whom William had met several times with Diana.
For a boy trying to handle his first weeks at a big school, it was excruciatingly hard to bear.
But there was worse to come, as his house master Andrew Gailey soon discovered. While William was still settling in, Gailey learned that the Princess of Wales was recording an interview in secret for the BBC.
Concerned for his pupil, he phoned Diana and told her it was imperative to explain to William, face-to-face, what she was intending to do.
‘Is that really necessary?’ she said. It was, he said — but she refused to come. The next day he phoned again and was even more insistent. Reluctantly, she agreed to go to the school.
In the end, the meeting between mother and son lasted no longer than five minutes. Diana told William that the programme she’d recorded would not contain anything controversial.
What made his transition to Eton far more of an ordeal was that no one — from masters to pupils — could fail to be unaware of the open warfare that was tearing his parents’ marriage apart.
Unlike his prep school, where the head often pretended the news-papers hadn’t been delivered, multiple sets arrived on the premises daily — and William could simply no longer be shielded.
So it was doubly unfortunate that, almost immediately after his arrival, his mother’s love life was once again making lurid headlines. This time, the man in question was the England rugby captain Will Carling, whom William had met several times with Diana.
For a boy trying to handle his first weeks at a big school, it was excruciatingly hard to bear.
But there was worse to come, as his house master Andrew Gailey soon discovered. While William was still settling in, Gailey learned that the Princess of Wales was recording an interview in secret for the BBC.
Concerned for his pupil, he phoned Diana and told her it was imperative to explain to William, face-to-face, what she was intending to do.
‘Is that really necessary?’ she said. It was, he said — but she refused to come. The next day he phoned again and was even more insistent. Reluctantly, she agreed to go to the school.
In the end, the meeting between mother and son lasted no longer than five minutes. Diana told William that the programme she’d recorded would not contain anything controversial.
On tour: Prince Charles and Princess Diana with Prince William and Prince Harry on board The Royal Yacht Britannia in Venice
Chelsea: Terry hails Di Matteo’s impact
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LONDON (AFP) – Chelsea captain John Terry has given interim manager Roberto Di Matteo his stamp of approval as the club prepares for Saturday’s FA Cup final challenge against Liverpool.
Di Matteo has overseen a dramatic transformation in Chelsea’s fortunes since taking over from sacked predecessor Andre Villas-Boas in March, guiding the club to the FA Cup and Champions League finals.
Although Chelsea’s league form has left the club struggling to secure an all-important top-four finish, Terry has praised the impact Di Matteo has had in such a relatively short space of time.
Di Matteo’s future at Stamford Bridge remains uncertain, with Chelsea’s hierarchy insisting no decision on a permanent successor to Villas-Boas will be taken until the close season.
However Terry had nothing but praise for his former team-mate in an interview broadcast by Chelsea TV.
Di Matteo has overseen a dramatic transformation in Chelsea’s fortunes since taking over from sacked predecessor Andre Villas-Boas in March, guiding the club to the FA Cup and Champions League finals.
Although Chelsea’s league form has left the club struggling to secure an all-important top-four finish, Terry has praised the impact Di Matteo has had in such a relatively short space of time.
Di Matteo’s future at Stamford Bridge remains uncertain, with Chelsea’s hierarchy insisting no decision on a permanent successor to Villas-Boas will be taken until the close season.
However Terry had nothing but praise for his former team-mate in an interview broadcast by Chelsea TV.
Arsenal to play in Nigeria August 5
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Arsenal fans and English Premiership League (EPL) followers in Nigeria will have the opportunity of watching the team play in Nigeria come August.
Nigeria has been chosen along side Malaysia, China and Hong Kong to host Arsenal’s 2012 pre-season oversea tour in partnership with Emirates.
Nigeria has been chosen along side Malaysia, China and Hong Kong to host Arsenal’s 2012 pre-season oversea tour in partnership with Emirates.
L-R Boutros Boutros, Emirates’ Divisional Senior Vice President Corporate Communication; Arsenal’s Manager , Arsene Wenger and Tom Fox, Arsenal’s Chief Commercial Officer at the Press Conference to announce the team’s 2012 pre-season overseas tour in partnership with Emirates Airline. Pix by Jimoh Babatunde.
This was disclose yesterday at a press conference addressed by Arsenal’s Chief Commercial Officer, Tom Fox; the team Manager, Arsene Wenger and the Emirates’ Divisional Senior Vice President of Corporate Communication, Boutros Boutros at the club’s training centre in leafy Hertfordshire, London.
Tom Fox said Arsenal Football Club is delighted to announce that its pre-season summer tour is to be presented by Emirates.
“Emirates, who have been an Official Club Partner to Arsenal since 2004 are to be the title partner of the Gunners’ summer overseas tour comprising visits to Malaysia, China and Hong Kong in July, and Nigeria in early August – collectively to be referred to as: ‘Arsenal 2012 Tour, Presented by Emirates”
Breaking News: Police arrest 3 kidnap suspects, rescue victim
P.S. Picture does not reflect exact story...
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Onitsha (Anambra) – The police in Onitsha on Friday stormed the hideout of a suspected kidnapping gang, arrested three suspects and released their victim.
Mr Rowland Omatoje, the Acting Police Area Commander for Onitsha, confirmed the arrest to newsmen in Onitsha, Anambra on Friday.
He said the police stormed the hideout at Nkwelle Ezunaka community, about 3km from Onitsha, at 9 a.m.
He said that during the police action, the suspects were arrested while one Mr Okpara Nsofor, who was being held hostage by the hoodlums, was released.
Omatoje said that the police and the family of the victim had sent the ransom money demanded by the kidnappers to their hideout as they had directed.
“The police then laid ambush and were able to arrest three out of about six of them in their hideout and also rescued the victim unharmed.
Omatoje said that the kidnap suspects would be handed over to the Special Anti Robbery Squad of the state police command.
He assured the residents of Onitsha and its environs of the determination of the police to flush out kidnappers and perpetrators of violent crimes in the commercial city.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Nsofor, who is an Onitsha-based trader, was kidnapped at New Market Road, Onitsha, two weeks ago.
His abductors demanded N5 million ransom before his eventual rescue. (NAN).
Mr Rowland Omatoje, the Acting Police Area Commander for Onitsha, confirmed the arrest to newsmen in Onitsha, Anambra on Friday.
He said the police stormed the hideout at Nkwelle Ezunaka community, about 3km from Onitsha, at 9 a.m.
He said that during the police action, the suspects were arrested while one Mr Okpara Nsofor, who was being held hostage by the hoodlums, was released.
Omatoje said that the police and the family of the victim had sent the ransom money demanded by the kidnappers to their hideout as they had directed.
“The police then laid ambush and were able to arrest three out of about six of them in their hideout and also rescued the victim unharmed.
Omatoje said that the kidnap suspects would be handed over to the Special Anti Robbery Squad of the state police command.
He assured the residents of Onitsha and its environs of the determination of the police to flush out kidnappers and perpetrators of violent crimes in the commercial city.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Nsofor, who is an Onitsha-based trader, was kidnapped at New Market Road, Onitsha, two weeks ago.
His abductors demanded N5 million ransom before his eventual rescue. (NAN).
Culled from The Vanguard.
xoxo
Simply Cheska...
Big Brother StarGame unveils Goldie as housemate
Hello Friends!
I have decided not to say anything about our next representative to the BBA House, because I want to give her the same fair chance and opportunity to PROVE HERSELF...Just like Uti and Karen did...Let's see what she has to offer starting from tomorrow, then Simply Cheska would SPEAK...
Goldie...
The pop-princess of Nigeria’s music industry, Goldie has been unveiled as one the seven celebrity housemates that will be part of the seventh season of Africa’s biggest reality TV show, Big Brother StarGame.
With less than 24 hours to commence the yearly reality TV that grasp the attention of the entire continent, Goldie was unveiled alongside the six celebrities, ahead of announcing the remaining 29 housemates of two pairs.
The other six celebs housemates include , stand-up comedian and television pro DKB from Ghana, talented rap icon Prezzo from Kenya, award-winning songstress Lady May from Namibia, Famed socialite, model and businesswoman Barbz from South Africa, R&B diva Mampi from Zambia, soulful musician Roki from Zimbabwe.
With a prize of $300 000 for the winner, and the new format that sees contestants doubling, the 91 day series is shaping up to be exciting entertainment but this latest twist of having super stars as housemates.
Goldie famed for her renaissance dress-sense and music videos is currently signed to Kennis Music label where she released her album in 2011 which had hit tracks such as ‘You Know It’, ‘Jawo Jawo’ and ‘Don’t touch my body’.
This year’s edition of BigBrother is with the theme StarGame and it will see these stars struggle it out the housemates in the doubles theme.
According to the managing director of M-Net Africa, Biola Alabi, “It’s super to see the high level of interaction StarGame is getting from fans, media and viewers. The guessing around who the housemates will be; people trying to work out what Biggie is planning; the rumours and the speculation; it all adds to the excitement.
It’s great for the show to get this type of support from the Big Brother community who really do engage with it, even before it starts on air. I want to thank them and promise that we’re working hard to deliver a great series.”
Big Brother StarGame is produced M-Net and will be broadcasted for 91 days on AfricaMagic Entertainment and DStv Channel 198. The show launches on Sunday May 6 at 20:00 CAT.
With less than 24 hours to commence the yearly reality TV that grasp the attention of the entire continent, Goldie was unveiled alongside the six celebrities, ahead of announcing the remaining 29 housemates of two pairs.
The other six celebs housemates include , stand-up comedian and television pro DKB from Ghana, talented rap icon Prezzo from Kenya, award-winning songstress Lady May from Namibia, Famed socialite, model and businesswoman Barbz from South Africa, R&B diva Mampi from Zambia, soulful musician Roki from Zimbabwe.
With a prize of $300 000 for the winner, and the new format that sees contestants doubling, the 91 day series is shaping up to be exciting entertainment but this latest twist of having super stars as housemates.
Goldie famed for her renaissance dress-sense and music videos is currently signed to Kennis Music label where she released her album in 2011 which had hit tracks such as ‘You Know It’, ‘Jawo Jawo’ and ‘Don’t touch my body’.
This year’s edition of BigBrother is with the theme StarGame and it will see these stars struggle it out the housemates in the doubles theme.
According to the managing director of M-Net Africa, Biola Alabi, “It’s super to see the high level of interaction StarGame is getting from fans, media and viewers. The guessing around who the housemates will be; people trying to work out what Biggie is planning; the rumours and the speculation; it all adds to the excitement.
It’s great for the show to get this type of support from the Big Brother community who really do engage with it, even before it starts on air. I want to thank them and promise that we’re working hard to deliver a great series.”
Big Brother StarGame is produced M-Net and will be broadcasted for 91 days on AfricaMagic Entertainment and DStv Channel 198. The show launches on Sunday May 6 at 20:00 CAT.
Culled from The Vanguard.
xoxo
Simply Cheska...
Oluchi joins Asa,Nneka on Twitter’s verification list
Oluchi...
Hello Friends!
Joining the likes of Asa, Nneka and footballer, Odemwinge who recently had their Twitter accounts verified, internationally acclaimed model, Oluchi, has also got her account on point.
Showtime gathered this when we caught up with the model on Twitter, where she tweeted about the good news of Twitter authenticating her Twitter account.
The model tweeted, showing her joy and happiness, which means that the operators of the social network, Twitter recognizes her personality and contributions to the globe.
My Twitter Account @OLUCHI is VERIFIED!!! *Wooohooo*’, she tweeted.
It would be recalled that just recently, Showtime reported that social network, Twitter, had verified international singer, Asa’s account with them. Others who have also enjoyed such privilege include singer, Nneka and Super Eagles’ Peter Odemwinge.
Twitter introduced the verification programme in June 2008, as a means of allowing celebrities to authenticate their accounts, guarding against fraudsters and hackers.
This programme also allows users who are followers of theses celebrities to differentiate who the real account of celebrities as against imposters.
Showtime gathered this when we caught up with the model on Twitter, where she tweeted about the good news of Twitter authenticating her Twitter account.
The model tweeted, showing her joy and happiness, which means that the operators of the social network, Twitter recognizes her personality and contributions to the globe.
My Twitter Account @OLUCHI is VERIFIED!!! *Wooohooo*’, she tweeted.
It would be recalled that just recently, Showtime reported that social network, Twitter, had verified international singer, Asa’s account with them. Others who have also enjoyed such privilege include singer, Nneka and Super Eagles’ Peter Odemwinge.
Twitter introduced the verification programme in June 2008, as a means of allowing celebrities to authenticate their accounts, guarding against fraudsters and hackers.
This programme also allows users who are followers of theses celebrities to differentiate who the real account of celebrities as against imposters.
Culled from The Vanguard.
xoxo
Simply Cheska...
I was not ‘a bad girl’ before millions – Karen
Hello Friends!
As we get set in crazy excitement for tomorrow...Big Brother Africa Season 7 Premiere, Simply Cheska has decided to look back at our Nigeria's last two winners of the prestigious Reality Show that has kept the entire world glued to their TV screens... Staring with KAREN Winner of BBA 6.
Karen Igho, popularly known as Queen Karen, gave a whole new meaning to BBA Reality Show...She re defined the whole essence of what reality TV shows signifies. Some might call her Crazy, Loud, Blunt, Funny, Friendly, Controversial, Rude, Bad Street Girl etc...
But we at Simply Cheska, simply know her as Lovable, Honest, Sincere, Dedicated to friendships and Family, Down to earth and "In your face", Beautiful and Adventurous...Our list is endless...
Karen Igho was the winner of last year’s Big Brother Africa reality show powered by M-net. Contrary to divergent views that the Edo State born entertainer is loose and cheap, Karen in this interview , proves her critics wrong, saying that she is a decent lady devoid of any dirty character.
Read on..
You were talking about your mum. How’s she doing?
My mum is doing fine and she’s in Jos and doing her poultry business. But the crises in Jos is really affecting her business. Right now, all we can do is pray and ask God to guide them.
Don’t you want to relocate her to another city?
Basically, she was born in Jos. I was also born in Jos, we have our family house there and some of my family members are still living in Jos. So, it’s hard to move everything just like that. We want to see how it goes and maybe, we’ll have to move. For me, Jos is a home because I was born there even though I hail from Urhobo. But I’ll never forget where I was born and I hope there will be peace in that city again.
How does the whole Jos crisis make you feel?
I’m just a kid and I did my best when I was in the Big Brother house. I was always wearing a T-shirt with Jos Wants Peace inscribed on it. And when I left the Big Brother house, I went straight to jos to create my own little awareness because everybody was saying there was fighting everywhere. But as at that time, Jos was peaceful and there was no crisis there.
What’s the relationship between you and your mum like?
My mum and I are close to each other. I tell her everything and she encourages me in everything I do. She tells me the difference between good and bad. But don’t forget, I have a mind of my own- I tell her my idea, if she likes it, good and if she doesn’t- she’s my role model.
That brings me to the question that-why would a sitdown and watching her daughter on TV while all manner of photographs and things happened
Read on..
You were talking about your mum. How’s she doing?
My mum is doing fine and she’s in Jos and doing her poultry business. But the crises in Jos is really affecting her business. Right now, all we can do is pray and ask God to guide them.
Don’t you want to relocate her to another city?
Basically, she was born in Jos. I was also born in Jos, we have our family house there and some of my family members are still living in Jos. So, it’s hard to move everything just like that. We want to see how it goes and maybe, we’ll have to move. For me, Jos is a home because I was born there even though I hail from Urhobo. But I’ll never forget where I was born and I hope there will be peace in that city again.
How does the whole Jos crisis make you feel?
I’m just a kid and I did my best when I was in the Big Brother house. I was always wearing a T-shirt with Jos Wants Peace inscribed on it. And when I left the Big Brother house, I went straight to jos to create my own little awareness because everybody was saying there was fighting everywhere. But as at that time, Jos was peaceful and there was no crisis there.
What’s the relationship between you and your mum like?
My mum and I are close to each other. I tell her everything and she encourages me in everything I do. She tells me the difference between good and bad. But don’t forget, I have a mind of my own- I tell her my idea, if she likes it, good and if she doesn’t- she’s my role model.
That brings me to the question that-why would a sitdown and watching her daughter on TV while all manner of photographs and things happened
All manner of photographs…funny. You know one part of the show for me was just living your life in the house. It’s like what I wear and do in the house isn’t what I’ll do outside. I can be in the house and get drunk. But when you’re outside, you are more composed. So the way people see us is different from the way we see ourselves. Basically, we were home having fun, we couldn’t leave the house and our whole life revolves around that house.
New Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria emerges today
Hello Friends!
A new most beautiful girl in Nigeria is billed to emerge today as Silverbird Group, organisers of the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN), holds the 25th edition of the beauty pageant. The new beauty queen will represent Nigeria at all international pageants, including the Miss World.
The event is scheduled to hold at Best Western Homeville Hotel, Benin City, at 7.00 p.m.
A new most beautiful girl in Nigeria is billed to emerge today as Silverbird Group, organisers of the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN), holds the 25th edition of the beauty pageant. The new beauty queen will represent Nigeria at all international pageants, including the Miss World.
The event is scheduled to hold at Best Western Homeville Hotel, Benin City, at 7.00 p.m.
*Miss Sylvia Nduka, MBGN 2011
The winner, according to the organisers, will go home with N3 million, a brand new car, a chance to represent Nigeria at the 2012 Miss World Beauty contest, among other benefits. The second runner-up will go home with N1m and a chance to represent Nigeria at 2012 Miss Tourism International pageant.
Miss Sylvia Nduka, the reigning queen(2011), will have the opportunity to crown the next beauty queen from among the 36 finalists drawn from across the 36 states of the federation.
The MBGN pageantry which has been in existence for 25 years now, had its first screenings in Benin, Port-Harcourt, Abuja and finally in Lagos at the Xclusive lounge, Silverbird Galleria, Victoria Island, Lagos, producing 36 finalists who will slug it out today as the next MBGN queen.
Miss Sylvia Nduka, the reigning queen(2011), will have the opportunity to crown the next beauty queen from among the 36 finalists drawn from across the 36 states of the federation.
The MBGN pageantry which has been in existence for 25 years now, had its first screenings in Benin, Port-Harcourt, Abuja and finally in Lagos at the Xclusive lounge, Silverbird Galleria, Victoria Island, Lagos, producing 36 finalists who will slug it out today as the next MBGN queen.
Culled from The Vanguard.
xoxo
Simply Cheska...
Genevieve, Mercy Johnson, Omotola to battle for NMA Best Actress award
Hello Friends!
The inaugural edition of the Nollywood Movies Awards is billed to hold on Saturday, June 2, 2012 and already organizers have unveiled this year’s nominations list.
The list which was revealed at a press parley held last Friday, at the Lagos Ikeja Hotel (Best Western) features 17 categories with over 50 nominees.
The list which was revealed at a press parley held last Friday, at the Lagos Ikeja Hotel (Best Western) features 17 categories with over 50 nominees.
One category to look out for is the ‘Best Actress in a Leading Role’ which fields Nollywood heavyweights Genevieve Nnaji, Omoni Oboli, Mercy Johnson, Uche Jumbo and Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde. No Ghanaian actress made the list.
In the ‘Best Actor in a Leading Role’ Nigeria’s Joseph Benjamin was nominated twice for his roles in Mahood Ali-Balogun’s “Tango With Me”and “Kiss and Tell” by Emem Isong and Monalisa Chinda.
Other nominees include Ghanaian actor Van Vicker(Against the Law), Ramsey Nouah(Private Storm), Trybson Dudukoko(GhettoDreamz),and Charles Okafor who was nominated for his role in “Fake Prophet.”
Also nominated for the award of the Best Actress in a Supporting Role are Tina Mba, Rachel Oniga, Stella Damasus and Nse Ikpe-Etim.
Meanwhile, a nominees’ party is scheduled to hold today, at the Oriental Hotel in Lagos, with the main awards ceremony coming up on Saturday, June 2 at the Civic Centre also in Lagos. The show will be hosted by Kate Henshaw and Julius Agwu
Organisers said the awards is designed to celebrate excellence, outstanding achievements and diversity in the industry.
Culled from The Vanguard.
xoxo
Simply Cheska...
Gringory goes home today
Late James Kelechi aka Gringory
Hello Friends!
The ancient town of Amokwe Item, in Bende Local Government Area of Abia State will come alive today with songs and dances as the remains of the legendary actor, James Kelechi Iroha popularly known as Gringori will be laid to rest.
Gringori died on February 28, after a protracted illness at a hospital in Onitsha, Anambra State. His final burial this weekend will mark the end of an era for a man who lived and touched many lives through his creativity.
Until his death, the legendary actor was one of the finest and most gifted humour merchants this country ever produced in recent times. Iroha was known for his role in the now rested TV series, The New Masquerade.
In a burial arrangements released by his family members, the departed actor began his final journey home yesterday, after a service of songs was held at his residence, Obioma quarters, World Bank Housing Estate, Umuahia, Abia state.
This morning, his body leaves, in a motorcade to Methodist Church Mission Hill Umuahia for church service. After the church service, his body will make a brief stop over at the Rich Club, Umuahia, en- route to his home town in a motorcade. While his home town, Iroha’s body will be lying in state for service and ceremony at the Central school Amokwe Item.
Interment takes place at his country home Iyiamayi Amokwe item by 3pm .The Umuahia-based actor would be remembered for his role as ‘Gringori Akabogu’ in the now-defunct ‘The Masquerade’, a T.V series he actually created.
Gringori died on February 28, after a protracted illness at a hospital in Onitsha, Anambra State. His final burial this weekend will mark the end of an era for a man who lived and touched many lives through his creativity.
Until his death, the legendary actor was one of the finest and most gifted humour merchants this country ever produced in recent times. Iroha was known for his role in the now rested TV series, The New Masquerade.
In a burial arrangements released by his family members, the departed actor began his final journey home yesterday, after a service of songs was held at his residence, Obioma quarters, World Bank Housing Estate, Umuahia, Abia state.
This morning, his body leaves, in a motorcade to Methodist Church Mission Hill Umuahia for church service. After the church service, his body will make a brief stop over at the Rich Club, Umuahia, en- route to his home town in a motorcade. While his home town, Iroha’s body will be lying in state for service and ceremony at the Central school Amokwe Item.
Interment takes place at his country home Iyiamayi Amokwe item by 3pm .The Umuahia-based actor would be remembered for his role as ‘Gringori Akabogu’ in the now-defunct ‘The Masquerade’, a T.V series he actually created.
Culled from The Vanguard.
xoxo
Simply Cheska...
We're proof that glossy magazines can give you anorexia: Here in an emotional encounter, LIZ JONES meets the girl campaigning to ban the airbrushed models she blames for their shared torment
Hello Friends!
When I meet Rachael Johnston, it’s like looking in a mirror.
The same ability as me to lie, the same steely single-mindedness, the same self-doubt.
There’s the lofty disdain of health professionals and parents, the conviction that we are right and the rest of the world is wrong; a feeling that everyone else is slovenly and greedy.
Rachael and I share the wish to be perfect, as well as an addiction to Diet Coke.
We both have anorexia nervosa, the psychiatric illness which causes more fatalities than any other, and which is the most difficult disease from which to recover fully.
We also share an addiction to the only thing we have ever wanted to feed on, suckle at and drink in great big, thirsty gulps: the glossy world of fashion magazines, the sartorial equivalent of toxic waste.
Rachael, who is 20, hit the headlines last week when she and her mother, Lynne, set up an online petition calling for airbrushed photographs in glossy magazines to be clearly labelled as such.
Rachael’s decline into anorexia was made worse by her obsession with photographs of super-slim celebrities in magazines.
The same ability as me to lie, the same steely single-mindedness, the same self-doubt.
There’s the lofty disdain of health professionals and parents, the conviction that we are right and the rest of the world is wrong; a feeling that everyone else is slovenly and greedy.
Rachael and I share the wish to be perfect, as well as an addiction to Diet Coke.
We both have anorexia nervosa, the psychiatric illness which causes more fatalities than any other, and which is the most difficult disease from which to recover fully.
We also share an addiction to the only thing we have ever wanted to feed on, suckle at and drink in great big, thirsty gulps: the glossy world of fashion magazines, the sartorial equivalent of toxic waste.
Rachael, who is 20, hit the headlines last week when she and her mother, Lynne, set up an online petition calling for airbrushed photographs in glossy magazines to be clearly labelled as such.
Rachael’s decline into anorexia was made worse by her obsession with photographs of super-slim celebrities in magazines.
Actress Anita Joseph abducted, Toyota FJ stolen
Hello Friends!
Rising actress Anita Joseph has a bitter story to tell last Wednesday night as she was attacked by armed robbers who made away with her Toyota FJ Cruiser and other personal belongings.
The ugly incident happened around Ogba area of Lagos, same area where popular Yoruba actor, Femi Adebayo was also attacked at gunpoint while returning from Sango Ota, few months ago.
Anita Joseph
Eye-witness account said the curvy actress was abducted together with her two nephews aged between 3 and 1 year who were in the car by the armed bandits as they later dumped them at a hangout in Ijoko Ota, Ogun State, with N3000 as transport fares.
HVP gathered that Anita was robbed moments after an Entertainment journalist with The Punch Newspaper, Shina Oyetayo suffered the same fate. His Toyota Camry was also stolen at gunpoint at the same Ogba area.
Anita who recently released her debut single titled ‘Go Gaga’ has since returned home, but still traumatised resulting from the attack.
On the ugly incident however, Oyetayo narrates thus; ‘I was returning from work at about 10:30 pm when I noticed a car tailing me. I stopped twice and they overtook me and I did as well but they still didn’t stop following me. I couldn’t speed because my neighbour’s car was in between and I had to stop for my neighbour to go.
“ My in-law already opened the gate for me but I didn’t drive in just to be sure they were not after me. So, I parked outside the compound, and that was how they entered my car and took me away. They were five in number and armed to the teeth but I was lucky enough to be released at Ijoko. They didn’t beat me because I was gentle enough with them.” he added. His Toyota Camry car has since been recovered.
Culled from The Vanguard.
xoxo
Simply Cheska...
Legendary footballer, Rashidi Yekini dies at 49
Hello Friends!
A retired Nigerian footballer, Rashidi Yekini who scored the country’s first goal at the World Cup is dead. Yekini who was born in Kaduna was said to have died in his Kwara residence.
Though, the circumstances surrounding his death were still sketchy at the time of this story, his death was reportedly confirmed by one of his colleagues, Mutiu Adepoju, who was part of the Super Eagles team that won the prestigious African Cup of Nations in 1994.
During his heydays as a footballer, he scored about 37 goals for the country in 58 appearances.
His soccer prowess especially during the 1994 FIFA World Cup when he did a yeoman’s job in Nigeria’s defeat of Bulgaria by 3-0.
Apart from playing for his country, he featured in other international clubsides such as Cote d’ivoire where he played for Africa Sports National, Victoria Setubal in Portugal among others.
He won the best African footballer of the year in 1993.
There were conflicting stories about where he died. While some claimed he died Kwara State, some said he died in Osogbo in Osun State. He would be buried Saturday according to Muslim rites in Ilah, Kwara State in Ira.
Though, the circumstances surrounding his death were still sketchy at the time of this story, his death was reportedly confirmed by one of his colleagues, Mutiu Adepoju, who was part of the Super Eagles team that won the prestigious African Cup of Nations in 1994.
During his heydays as a footballer, he scored about 37 goals for the country in 58 appearances.
His soccer prowess especially during the 1994 FIFA World Cup when he did a yeoman’s job in Nigeria’s defeat of Bulgaria by 3-0.
Apart from playing for his country, he featured in other international clubsides such as Cote d’ivoire where he played for Africa Sports National, Victoria Setubal in Portugal among others.
He won the best African footballer of the year in 1993.
There were conflicting stories about where he died. While some claimed he died Kwara State, some said he died in Osogbo in Osun State. He would be buried Saturday according to Muslim rites in Ilah, Kwara State in Ira.
NNPC spends N1.35bn annually on 36 employees
Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke
Hello Friends!
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation has been spending N1.35bn annually on 36 of its employees redeployed to the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board.
This much was discovered and made known by the Presidential Committee on Restructuring and Rationalisation of Federal Government Parastatals, Commissions and Agencies in its report.
Apart from the fuel subsidy issue, the NCDMB, which was established on April 22, 2010, came under serious scrutiny from the members of the Stephen Oronsaye Committee.
A breakdown of the figure by the committee showed that each of the 36 NNPC officials deployed in the new board received on the average N37m per annum.
The committee noted that the figure “is very high and cannot be supported when the basic salary per annum in the public sector is N216,000.”
The committee has also listed the Petroleum Products Pricing and Regulatory Agency and the Petroleum Equalisation Funds among agencies that should lose their independent status.
This much was discovered and made known by the Presidential Committee on Restructuring and Rationalisation of Federal Government Parastatals, Commissions and Agencies in its report.
Apart from the fuel subsidy issue, the NCDMB, which was established on April 22, 2010, came under serious scrutiny from the members of the Stephen Oronsaye Committee.
A breakdown of the figure by the committee showed that each of the 36 NNPC officials deployed in the new board received on the average N37m per annum.
The committee noted that the figure “is very high and cannot be supported when the basic salary per annum in the public sector is N216,000.”
The committee has also listed the Petroleum Products Pricing and Regulatory Agency and the Petroleum Equalisation Funds among agencies that should lose their independent status.
Only Northern leaders can end Boko Haram – Monarch
Hello Friends!
The traditional ruler of Aghoro Kingdom in Ekeremor, Bayelsa State, Ibamughan Binarade, has said that terrorism inflicted on Nigerians by Boko Haram won’t end until northern leaders take a common position against the sect.
Binarade, who lamented the reckless killings, maiming and destruction of property by the sect, noted that the end to the menace lay in the hands of the Northern leaders.
He recalled that leaders in the South-East and South-South took a common position with the Federal Government to end kidnapping and militancy in their regions.
Binarade told our correspondent shortly after a thanksgiving ceremony organised in the community by the Aghoro Christian Fellowship, that Northern leaders should consider the unity of the country as superior to power.
He argued that Boko Haram became pronounced since President Goodluck Jonathan took over the leadership of the country.
He contended that the sect was faceless, but added that its promoters and backers were “dark political elements,” who felt dissatisfied with the way Jonathan emerged as the President.
He reminded the North that the country relied on oil and gas for its survival, noting that the economy would only be strengthened by unity.
Binarade said if the onslaught of Boko Haram continued unabated, other parts of the country would have no option but to call for true federalism.
He said, “The northerners need to realise that unity is more than power. They should understand the true nature of unity and work hand-in-hand to maintain the unity of this country.
“I know one day, our constitution will change and we will go for true federalism. They should realise that the economy of Nigeria is not plural. It is one and it is based on oil and gas.
“If we produce the bulk of the oil and we see one of us at the helms of affairs, one would have expected that great changes will come.
“They are fighting us because they want to control our resources. They have been ruling this country from the time of old and we have been remaining quiet. I wish they would one day go with their groundnut pyramid of old and allow us to control our resources and grow.
Binarade, who lamented the reckless killings, maiming and destruction of property by the sect, noted that the end to the menace lay in the hands of the Northern leaders.
He recalled that leaders in the South-East and South-South took a common position with the Federal Government to end kidnapping and militancy in their regions.
Binarade told our correspondent shortly after a thanksgiving ceremony organised in the community by the Aghoro Christian Fellowship, that Northern leaders should consider the unity of the country as superior to power.
He argued that Boko Haram became pronounced since President Goodluck Jonathan took over the leadership of the country.
He contended that the sect was faceless, but added that its promoters and backers were “dark political elements,” who felt dissatisfied with the way Jonathan emerged as the President.
He reminded the North that the country relied on oil and gas for its survival, noting that the economy would only be strengthened by unity.
Binarade said if the onslaught of Boko Haram continued unabated, other parts of the country would have no option but to call for true federalism.
He said, “The northerners need to realise that unity is more than power. They should understand the true nature of unity and work hand-in-hand to maintain the unity of this country.
“I know one day, our constitution will change and we will go for true federalism. They should realise that the economy of Nigeria is not plural. It is one and it is based on oil and gas.
“If we produce the bulk of the oil and we see one of us at the helms of affairs, one would have expected that great changes will come.
“They are fighting us because they want to control our resources. They have been ruling this country from the time of old and we have been remaining quiet. I wish they would one day go with their groundnut pyramid of old and allow us to control our resources and grow.
Culled from Saturday Punch.
xoxo
Simply Cheska...
FG to release list of Boko Haram sponsors
Hello Friends!
In their bid to end the ceaseless attacks being unleashed on some parts of the country by the Islamic sect, Boko Haram, security chiefs have prepared a list of the sect’s backers. The list is said to contain names of suspected backers of the sect and other terror groups.
A security source told our correspondent on Friday that the list was compiled by top security chiefs at a meeting held to strategise on how to end the spiralling violence.
The official said the decision to compile the list was born out of the belief of the security chiefs that the anti-terrorism battle could be won sooner than expected if people linked with violence were exposed.
The security chiefs were said to have worked on the intelligence report that some top politicians had been giving financial backing to terror groups with the aim of destabilising the present administration.
The official said the security officials had resolved to formally inform the office of the National Security Adviser about the alleged involvement of such politicians supporting terror groups.
Apparently supporting the claims of the NSA, Gen. Owoye Azazi, that some undemocratic practices within the ruling Peoples Democratic Party in the build-up to the 2011 general elections fuelled the violence, they heaped the blame on those they called greedy politicians.
They went further to identify the alleged politicians to include those who held the opinion that only persons from their region could contest the presidential election after the demise of President Umaru Yar’Adua.
“The meeting heaped the blame on greedy and selfish politicians who don’t want Nigerians from outside their region to rule the country,” the source said.
He described the meeting as fruitful, adding that Nigerians would soon be seeing results.
A security source told our correspondent on Friday that the list was compiled by top security chiefs at a meeting held to strategise on how to end the spiralling violence.
The official said the decision to compile the list was born out of the belief of the security chiefs that the anti-terrorism battle could be won sooner than expected if people linked with violence were exposed.
The security chiefs were said to have worked on the intelligence report that some top politicians had been giving financial backing to terror groups with the aim of destabilising the present administration.
The official said the security officials had resolved to formally inform the office of the National Security Adviser about the alleged involvement of such politicians supporting terror groups.
Apparently supporting the claims of the NSA, Gen. Owoye Azazi, that some undemocratic practices within the ruling Peoples Democratic Party in the build-up to the 2011 general elections fuelled the violence, they heaped the blame on those they called greedy politicians.
They went further to identify the alleged politicians to include those who held the opinion that only persons from their region could contest the presidential election after the demise of President Umaru Yar’Adua.
“The meeting heaped the blame on greedy and selfish politicians who don’t want Nigerians from outside their region to rule the country,” the source said.
He described the meeting as fruitful, adding that Nigerians would soon be seeing results.
Culled from Saturday Punch.
xoxo
Simply Cheska...
Friday, 4 May 2012
Bad dads and moronic mums: Shocking pictures of the world's worst parents and their very unlucky children
Hello Friends!
If you've ever felt embarrassed by your parents, then spare a thought for this lot.The tragic youngsters are seen with cigarettes dangling from their mouths, guzzling bottles of beer, taped to furniture and left dangling from coat hooks, proving that sometimes mum and dad really don't know best.
In another shot a young boy is handed a potentially lethal axe while a smiling girl is given a wash, oblivious to the fact she's been shoved into the toilet bowl.
One truly despicable dad is seen parading his little boy in a Nazi T-shirt while others parents clearly have no concern for their children's safety leaving them in the most precarious positions.
The collection of shots has been taken from the blog My Parent Is An Idiot.
Life's a drag: A toddler is seen with a cigarette dangling from her mouth
Booze sorry now? This ginger-haired tot is pictured guzzling a bottle of dad's beer
Dangerous dad: A sniggering father hands his two-year-old an axe
Flushed away: A smiling girl is given a bath in a toilet bowl
Not cool: A toddler is seen perched dangerously on a shelf as he raids the fridge
Hate teacher: A Nazi father dresses his young son in a swastika T-shirt
Hanging out: A hapless toddler dangles from a peg
Keep still: A child continues playing video games despite being duct-taped to a side table
One for the pot: A toddler dressed up as a lobster is stuffed into a saucepan
Beery me: A child's toy shopping trolley is crammed with bottles of booze
Don't shoot: This youngster is seen stuffing the barrel of a gun into its mouth
Playpen: A miserable-looking child is seen stuffed into a birdcage with a few toys
Hold on tight: Astonished pedestrians watch on as a youngster is forced to clutch a huge board while riding on the back of a bike
Sleazy riders: Parents tow a child's pushchair behind them as they ride along on a scooter
Unhappy shopper: A child is wheeled along in a pushchair buried under a mountain of groceries
The slobfather: A lazy dad feeds his tiny baby its bottle with his feet
Rag doll: This tiny tot has been left stuffed into the kitchen tea towel draw
Monster much: A man in a weird-looking costume appears to take a bite out of a child's head
Get the message: This boy's T-shirt reads: 'I still live with my parents', But I bet he wish he didn't
Glam rags: A youngster poses in a terrible tacky dress. If there was ever a picture likely to come back and haunt a child...
Kid vicious: This hapless lad has been given an appalling pink mohican hairdo
Asking for trouble: Idiotic parents have left their young baby in a precariously balanced washing basket
One from the archives: A little youngster gets binned in a cruel stunt from the early days
Culled from The Daily Mail UK.
xoxo
Simply Cheska
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