As Yogi Berra turns 90, baseball tips its cap to a true living legend End Zone

Yogi Berra hits the Big 9-0 on Tuesday and all we can say is, Happy Birthday to an American icon, who always knew where he was going and always knew what he was saying, even if we were never quite sure.

Yogi, who never looked like a ballplayer; Yogi, who never hit in an orthodox manner; Yogi, who never seemed like the manager type; Yogi, who never spoke with the most elaborate vocabulary, remains baseball’s all-time winner, with 13 World Series rings, including 10 as a player, as well as being one of the most respected baseball minds of all time and one of world’s most quoted philosophers.

“You’ve got to be very careful if you don’t know where you’re going,” Yogi once told us, “or else you might not get there.”

Words he’s lived by.

When Yogi first reported to the Yankees’ Triple-A farm team in Newark after being discharged from the Navy in 1946, the manager there, George Selkirk, didn’t know what to make of him, this funny-looking 5-foot-7, 185-pound gnome of a man whom Selkirk at first thought was a clubhouse attendant. It wasn’t until Yogi got into the batting cage and began hitting almost every pitch thrown to him — high, low, outside or whatever — into the farthest reaches of Ruppert Stadium did Selkirk and the rest of the Yankee brass quickly come to realize they had something special here.

Yogi still needed to learn the rudiments of catching — and for that, the Yankees assigned Bill Dickey to tutor him where, as Yogi later said, “he learned me all his experiences” — but the .285 lifetime batting average, 358 homers, plus an .830 OPS, 12 homers and 39 RBI in 75 World Series games, were uniquely his own.

“See the ball, hit the ball,” was the simple philosophy of the man who is credited as being baseball’s all-time “bad ball” hitter.

They said he lacked the necessary smarts to be a manager, too, mostly because of his funny way of conveying his thoughts, so all Yogi did was manage the Yankees to the seventh game of the World Series in 1964 — without the services of his best pitcher, Whitey

Ford, who injured his arm in Game 1 — and then again with the Mets in 1973. In the years after, there wasn’t a manager in the Bronx, from Stump Merrill to Billy Martin to Lou Piniella to Joe Torre who didn’t say that Yogi was the greatest baseball mind they’d ever been around.

Learnt from nydailynews

Woman hit, killed by taxi in Midtown as shoppers watched

The victim was thrown over the taxi and ended up crumpled on the roadway in front of high-end clothing stores like Barneys and Calvin Klein, witnesses said.

A woman was hit by a yellow taxi and killed in Midtown Saturday as throngs of shoppers watched in horror on glitzy Madison Ave., officials said.

The unidentified victim, who is believed to be in her 60s, was crossing E. 60th St. near Madison Ave. around 2:45 p.m. when a taxi making a left turn rammed into the woman.

The victim was thrown over the taxi and ended up crumpled on the roadway in front of high-end clothing stores like Barneys and Calvin Klein, witnesses said.

“It smashed her and she went airborne and went over the back (of the car),” said Frank Semmel, 39, a retired New Jersey police officer. “I’ve seen it millions of times...I told people not to move her.”

Paramedics rushed the woman to New York Presbyterian Hospital, but doctors were unable to save her. She died of her injuries about 45 minutes after the crash, cops said.

The taxi driver remained at the scene. When the cabbie stepped out of his vehicle, witness Gloria Cohen, 52, noticed his feet were half-in and half-out of his shoes.

"His shoes were not tied when he stepped out the car,” she recalled. "No driver should be driving with an untied shoe. He would not have control to stop himself."

Cops were investigating the incident Saturday.

No charges had been filed against the taxi driver.

Learnt from nydailynews

Kiss Daniel: Woju' singer loses dad 8 days after 21st birthday

Singing sensation, Kiss Daniel, has lost his dad, Mr. Anidugbebarely eight days after his 21st birthday.

Early on Saturday, May 9, 2015, Pulse had gotten a tipoff that the Woju singer is currently mourning the loss of his father, whom he said had been supportive of his career.

While making enquiries, the singer took to his Instagram account to officially announce the passing away of his father with a blurry picture captioned, 'R.I.P Dad'

The G-Worldwide recording artist, recently returned from a trip to Kenya, where he had gone to shoot a video and also make appearances at some event is currently grieving.

Learnt from Pulseng

Banky W was caught in the act 'kissing' Cynthia Morgan

This is not Mouth wash. It is for real...

Singer and Chief Executive Officer at Empire Mates Entertainment, Banky W has been caught 'kissing' Northside Inc recording act, Cynthia Morgan.

The two were spotted exchanging pleasantries at an event recently and in what looked like mouth brushing against each other, a camera lens caught both entertainers in action.

However, it has been argued that what looked like a kiss was merely a peck on the cheek and it was just a gentleman's gesture by the America trained singer, Banky W.

Learnt from Pulseng

'We live in a highly sexualized world,' actress talks about challenges of raising kids

Mrs Dakore Akande

        

Please read below her findings...

Nigerian actress, Dakore Akande has opened up on the challenges of raising her children and how her 3 years old daughter unconsciously got into a porn sight thinking it was a Barbie cartoon.

In a recent post titled Digital Media, My Babies & I on the actress' blog, Dakore shared her experience in raising two girls and having to sacrifice watching music videos on popular music channels for kid friendly programmes.

On today’s post I want to share the challenge I face as a parent on a daily basis as it concerns digital media/new technology/television.

Growing up we didn’t all have access to it or only had ‘restricted’ access. In my case when school started we weren’t allowed to watch TV so we could concentrate. Yeah, my folks were hard-core like that. We didn’t have much choice in terms of what to watch, it was either “Voltron”, “Sesame Street” or “She-Ra” on television or music videos on Betamax or VHS cassette. Wow, my age don dey show o!

Nowadays my daughters are spoilt for choice as to what to watch on TV with so many different cartoon channels and YouTube on my phone or iPad. I have nothing against mankind’s advancement in technology considering it has made life a lot easier in many ways and saved lives especially in medicine, etc., but as a new parent it’s something we all need to be mindful of.

My 1st born is already a whiz on my phone and IPad and I usually let her watch her favourite shows like “Sofia the 1st”, “Frozen”, “Peppa-Pig”, etc and I did not worry about it too much because most times I have to help her type what she wants to watch so that way I can monitor what she’s doing. Right? Well, sort of. It turns out that there are so many suggestions that pop up based on previous history that can lure kids to get into some adult stuff with parodies of these shows such as “Barbie life in the Dream House”- let me just say it was borderline porn! I was shocked but of course I had to play it cool and just changed it to something more wholesome! Phew!

From then on I always ensure to extra double check what she’s up to. It is not as if she’s deliberately searching for naughty stuff because she’s only 3 years old, but if it’s dangled in front of her like a lollipop, then I can’t blame her for her curiosity but it will not be curiosity killing my little kitty if I can help it! That was my first shocker so I brought my husband’s attention together we became more vigilant.

Another issue is with music videos and shows. As we all know, we live in a highly sexualized world where sex sells just about everything and I find myself worrying about the impact that has on the children we are raising today. In my household we are huge lovers of music of all genres, be it our very own Naija pop, hip-hop, or R&B. And one of my favourite things to do is to dance with my daughters. In the past, I would leave the TV on and watch TraceTV or SoundCity and let it keep showing, now I have to be extra vigilant with all the nudity and shaking of bum-bums. This is coupled with the fact that I have two baby girls and I can’t particularly say I’m happy with the way certain women allow themselves to be portrayed. However that is an entirely different topic for another day.

But back to the matter at hand, I find I have to reduce watching those shows or leave it to when they’re asleep or play the audio version only, or just switch to another channel entirely. When the video that comes up is too risqué and that always causes troubles with my feisty 3 year old.

We really have to contend with a lot these days and I want to encourage us as Mums to be more vigilant with our kids so they don’t grow up too fast and start dealing with things they don’t understand.

Till next time.

Blessings,

Dakore

Learnt from Pulseng

Shekau on the run: 'escape may be aided by ISIS

As the military’s special task force units concentrate search on Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau, it has emerged that the evil mastermind may have fled Nigeria.

With the massive and aggressive invasion and capture of the Nigerian troops on the sect’s strongholds, Sambisa Forest and Gwoza, Shekau presumably knows his capture is a matter of time.

According to Saturday Sun, his escape may have been aided by the Islamic State (ISIS) group.

The newspaper cited a reliable military intelligence as saying Shekau sent emissaries to ISIS affiliate with strongholds in East and North Africa to facilitate his escape to their region, from where he intends to coordinate his group’s activities or relocate to ISIS headquarters in the Middle East.

“Having discovered that he was being tracked through his Thuraya satellite phone, Shekau recently dropped the line and handset totally to evade capture. But the last satellite image of him and other intelligence pieced together by forces on the battle frontline show his desperation to escape from the country to parts of East Africa or North Africa where ISIS is having some foot­holds,” the source said.

The military source further stated, “as part of moves being made by Shekau, he now relocates with fewer guards and limited number of lieutenants knowing his movement schedule. This is to frustrate intelligence gathering efforts by security forces and avoid attracting the focus of satellite image capturing technology deployed by some foreign super powers and shared with the Nigerian security forces.”

It was learnt that the terror kingpin totally changed his looks in the last few weeks to evade the ongoing military onslaught in the north-East zone.

“A recent intelligence from one of our foreign partners shows the Boko Haram leader clean shaven which totally alters his look. That heightens our curiosity about his motive, before we got other evidence that pointed to the fact that he was trying to cross the border”, the source added.

Shekau, on behalf of his terror group, had on March 7 pledged allegiance to the leadership of ISIS in Iraq and Syria, and the ISIS in turn replied to welcome Boko Haram terrorists to its fold, referring to them as their 'brother.'

Initially, the terrorist leader was said have been in Mali, where he was in training and coordinating his group before they were flushed out of the zone by French and African forces, includingNigerian troops.

A senior military chief involved in the prosecution of the war against the militant group told Sun that Shekau may be targeting to run to Egypt or Libya, stating that he cannot confirm if he has indeed fled Nigeria.

“He may not find it easy to return to Mali this time round but we suspect he may be targeting East Africa or parts of North Africa such as Libya and Egypt where some islamist groups are causing instability now.”

“On whether he has successfully escaped from Nigeria, I have no such information but at the same time I cannot rule that out because of his level of desperation to flee and his links with some other groups within the region and even beyond. What we strongly believe at this moment is that he is still within our reach or that of our neighbours; especially Niger and Chad. He may find it difficult to move beyond these borders and may end up returning to one of our remote villages in the North-East to hide,” he source said.

The military chief added, “one of his captured commanders once disclosed that Shekau had given instructions to his personal guards to shoot him dead in the face of a confrontation with our troops who he calls infidels. He believes that makes him a martyr.”

Learnt from the Sun

Victoria Beckham reveals 'constant struggle' of being a mum

David and Victoria Beckham with their children Brooklyn (back centre) Romeo (left) and Cruz arriving for the world premiere of The Class of 92

Victoria Beckham has spoken candidly about the "daily uncertainties and unending joy" of being a mother, in a heart-felt open letter about raising her four children.

The singer-turned-fashion designer described the "constant struggle" she feels as a working mother and revealed how her children hide notes inside her suitcase when she travels for work.

She stressed how important it is to her and footballer husband David to teach Brooklyn, Cruz, Romeo and Harper to "never, ever take anything for granted" as a result of their privileged upbringing.

The former Spice Girl was one of a number of famous women who published letters about their role as a mother on news magazine website Time to mark Mothers' Day in America.

She wrote: "They are a wonder to me every day. From a teenage son through to a toddler daughter, each moment of every day is filled with different energies, activities, feelings and a lot of comedy.

"Being in a position where they live such a privileged life, it is important that our children understand humility, that they appreciate how their parents have worked very hard to create this life for the family and that they, too, have a responsibility to work hard, be respectful and never, ever take anything for granted.


Brooklyn Beckham and Victoria Beckham attend Harper's Bazaar Women of the Year Awards 2013 at Claridge's Hotel


"Like so many working mothers all over the world, I feel the constant struggle to be the best mother I can, whilst setting a good example to my children to work hard. I travel for work when it's necessary, and I miss them all the time when I am away.

"I have always been a great believer that women should support women, and my admiration goes out to mothers everywhere, as they constantly put their own needs behind those of their children, embracing daily uncertainties and entering the new uncharted territories that each day brings, to be, in return, rewarded with joy and unending love."

Sharon Osborne also published a letter addressed to her three children Aimee, Jack and Kelly telling them "success doesn't mean shit to me, this entertainment industry doesn't mean anything to me" - adding that only their happiness does.

She described her pride that Jack and Kelly had overcome drink and drug addictions, and that Aimee, who shunned much of the limelight that her family has shared over the years, was pursuing her dreams.


Sharon (left) and Kelly Osbourne


But like Beckham, she also spoke of the "endless guilt" she felt at being a working mother.

She said: "I'm now terribly overprotective. I will always stand by you and be there for you. You'll never fall because I'm there to catch you. But I've also learned, especially over the past five years, that I can't fix everything. I cannot protect you from the world. And now I know I don't have to.

"Being your mom has made me a well-rounded person. It's made me not as selfish, and not as motivated when it comes to the competitiveness I had in the industry. It gave me a different outlook on life that it's not about winning or being number one. Raising a child is the most important thing you can ever do.

"It's the hardest thing in the world, to be a hands-on mother and sustain a career. You cannot do it without having endless guilt.

"When I think of you all, my heart just melts."


Learnt from manchestereveningnews

What the world wants to BUY: From plastic surgery to prostitutes, map based on Google searches reveals what countries want most

The cost of everything from carpets and croissants to petrol and prostitutes is shown in a fascinating map.

Made using popular Google requests about the price of goods, the map confirms some stereotypes, such as that people want to eat croissants in France and ride camels across Egypt's sandy landscape.

But it also shows some surprising requests, such as that people are interested in the price of watermelons in Japan, Panama hats in Ecuador but parasailing in Panama, as well as how much it costs to fly a MiG fighter jet in Russia.

Scroll down for close-ups




The cost of everything from carpets and croissants to petrol and prostitutes is shown in a fascinating and occasionally funny map of the world (pictured)

While not a precise science, as Google results depend on personal searches too, the map enables people to look at the world in a new way.

It was put together by cost-estimating website Fixr.com, using the autocomplete formula in Google of, ‘How much does [X object] cost in [X country].

The company says: ‘Looking at some of the most popular Google searches throughout the world reveals some cultural differences, but also many key similarities.

‘It also provides insights into the sometimes-strange things people think about when they are alone.



It was put together by cost-estimating website Fixr.com , using the autocomplete formula in Google of, ‘How much does [X object] cost in [X country]. This part of the map shows North America where people are most interested in the cost of a passport or patent

Strange queries include the price of a kidney in Iran and watermelons in Japan where perfect examples are prized. A stock image of an unusual and expensive square watermelon is pictured left. There were also queries about the cost of camels (pictured right) for African and Asian countries - from buying them as livestock to enquiring about the cost of riding them on holiday

The map shows that people are most interested in the cost of a passport or patent in North America, while Europeans seem to focus on practical things such as the cost of studying or buying a car or drink.

For Europe, one popular search is how much it costs to study in the UK, as well as the price of a BMW in Germany and a Rolex in Switzerland, which are both famous exports.

The cost of beer in Iceland and Belgium is also a popular concern, possibly because alcohol is notoriously expensive in Iceland and a famous product of Belgium.

Searches for Africa are most concerned with daily necessities such as food and livestock in the form of camels, cows and goats.



South America’s party atmosphere may be echoed in Google searches, because beer, prostitutes and coke – it’s not specified which kind – is in demand. It may be that travellers are Googling the cost of living in some countries, because it's thought to be cheap





One popular Google search marked on the map was how much it costs to fly a MiG (pictured) in Russia. This is a tourist attraction in the country, but it costs around £11,550 for less than an hour of flying time

Other price queries include the cost of bread and houses, as well as tourist attractions and luxuries such as diamonds in Sierra Leone, safaris in Tanzania and the cost of riding a camel in Tunisia.

Livestock is also of concern in Asia, with people Googling the cost of cows in India, where they can be sacred and a symbol of wealth.

Last year, a Murrach buffalo called Yuvraj from Meerut in Northern India won the All India Cattle show and his owner received an offer of more than $1 million, Inquisitir.com reported.

Parts of the Middle East and Asia are associated with expensive tastes. The biggest financial concern for people searching about Kuwait is Lamborghinis, and the United Arab Emirates, Ferraris.



For Europe, one popular search is how much it costs to study in the UK and Scandanavia, as well as the price of a BMW in Germany and a Rolex in Switzerland, which are both famous exports.The cost of beer in Iceland and Belgium is also a popular concern, possibly because alcohol is notorious expensive in Iceland and a famous product of Belgium

South America’s party atmosphere may be echoed in Google searches, because beer, prostitutes and coke – it’s not specified which kind – is in demand according to web searches.

The price of IVF is a major concern in Australia, while conversely, a popular search is how much a Vasectomy costs in New Zealand.

But some strange search results have also come to light all across the world – such as the cost of slaves in Mauritania, buying a kidney in Iran, Rhinoplasy in South Korea and prostitutes in Brazil, Ukraine, Hong Kong, and Latvia.

The price of carpets in Armenia was another common search. The country's known for its handmade carpets with traditional patterns




The price of IVF is a major concern in Australia, while conversely, a popular search is how much a Vasectomy costs in New Zealand, according to Google searches shown on the map (pictured)


This map shows cost-based searches for Asia. A cheery popular query was how much watermelons cost in Japan. In June last year a single Densuke watermelon sold for more than £2,000 because of its distinctive black rind and very circular shape

The practice of selling your kidney for profit in Iran is legal and regulated by the government, which makes the Google data less strange.

Slavery was only criminalised in Mauritania in 2007 – the last place in the world to do so, but the problem persists, making the search a depressing one.

A cheerier popular query was how much watermelons cost in Japan.

In June last year a single Densuke watermelon sold for more than £2,000 because of its distinctive black rind and very circular shape, The Telegraphreported.

Fruit is prized as a luxury item in the country where a single apple can cost £3 and there was a trend for eating expensive square watermelons at the turn of the millennium.



some strange search results have also come to light all across the world – such as the cost of slaves in Mauritania, buying a kidney in Iran, Rhinoplasy in South Korea and prostitutes in Brazil, Ukraine, Hong Kong, and Latvia, but people are most concerned with how much land costs in Antarctica (pictured above) 



Perhaps unsurprisingly, people in Africa are most concerned with daily necessities such as food and livestock in the form of camels, cows and goats. Price queries include the cost of bread and houses, as well as tourist attractions and luxuries such as diamonds in Sierra Leone, safaris in Tanzania and the cost of riding a camel in Tunisia

Learnt from Dailymail

Heart-warming moment thanks to Facebook post

Two sisters who have been searching for their long-lost brother have finally been reunited with him after they were separated for 60 years.

Linda McCloskey, 71, and Betty Jean Musselman last saw their brother, Robert Barwick, 64, when he was a baby only before the state removed them from an unsafe South Carolina household in the 1950s.

While the sisters reconnected, they could not find Barwick and made a post on Facebook on April 19 appealing to the public to help with their search.

The photo went viral and with the help of police and a forensic historian, they were led to their brother, who never even knew he had sisters, in an emotional reunion in Florida on May 7, according to WPBF.

Scroll down for video


Linda McCloskey (left), Betty Jean Musselman (right) and Robert Barwick (center) were separated after the state removed them from an unsafe South Carolina household in the 1950s. The sisters were reunited shortly after, however for years they could never find Barwick



On May 7, the two sisters were finally reunited with their long-lost brother after they were separated for 60 years (above the sisters in the picture shared on Facebook). The picture was shared more than 280,000 times to date

'Last time I saw him, he was a baby and I was holding him,' Linda McCloskey told WPBF after seeing her brother. 'And to hold him again, I felt complete.'

Barwick, who was born deaf, was nearly one year old when the siblings were split up after child services put them into homes of different family members.

This was after they were taken from their South Carolina home where they lived with alcoholic parents, according to the Palm Beach Post.

'We were just shipped away,' McCloskey told the Palm Beach Post. 'But God knows what would have happened to us if we stayed in that home.'

The sisters eventually reconnected but they were not able to find their brother.

Learnt from Dailymail

2baba & Sound Sultan: Real Homies shopping.

Hey! Hey! Hey!

A flip through IG saw this photo via Sound Sultan's. #justthinking
"Money cannot buy true friends" The have been cool friends way back...

See Photo...

Learnt from SS IG.

FLOYD MAYWEATHER BABY MAMA SUES FOR $20 MIL ... He's a Despicable Liar

Floyd Mayweather could lose tens of millions of dollars from his big payday if his baby mama gets her way ... because she's just filed a lawsuit claiming he ruined her with lies to save his own ass.

Josie Harris, who has 3 kids with Floyd, claims he lied through his teeth in an interview with Katie Couric just 2 weeks before the big fight ... when he claimed Josie was in a drug-fueled rage and he had to "restrain" her during their infamous 2010 domestic violence incident.

Point of fact ... Floyd was convicted of domestic violence and spent two months in jail.

Josie recounts her terror in the lawsuit, explaining how she and Floyd had broken up ... but he flew into a jealous rage that night, broke into her home and viciously attacked her while she was sleeping on her couch ... and her kids saw part of the beating.

Harris says she is now labeled a drug addict thanks to Mayweather's lies -- and was embarrassed and humiliated on a global scale.

Her lawyer, Dan Friedlander, writes in the lawsuit -- Floyd's lies to Couric "were knowingly fabricated in order to hype Mayweather's upcoming fight with Pacquiao, to avoid bad press by deflecting responsibility for beating the mother of his children."

Harris wants in excess of $20 million.

Learnt from TMZ

Jonathan appoints Daniel, Abacha’s aide varsities council chairmen

President Goodluck Jonathan has announced the appointment of some key members of the Peoples Democratic Party as Chairmen of the Governing Councils of some federal universities, with three weeks left for his administration.

While a former Governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, is the Chairman, Governing Council of Federal University in Kashere, Gombe State; a former Deputy Governor of Osun State and ex-Minister of State for Defence, Chief Olusola Obada, heads the Governing Council of the Federal University in Dutsin-Ma, Katsina State.

A former Chief of Army Staff during the regime of the late dictator, Gen. Sani Abacha, Lt. Gen. Ishaya Bamaiya (retd.), was also appointed Chairman, Governing Council of the Federal Polytechnic of Oil and Gas in Bonny, Rivers State.

Although Daniel and Bamaiyi were absent at the inauguration ceremony, Obada and others received their letters of authority.

At the event held on Tuesday in Abuja, the Minister of Education, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, inaugurated the Chairmen and Pro-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Governing Councils of 12 new federal universities and four new polytechnics and Board of National Library of Nigeria.

He cautioned them against undue interference in the day-to-day running of the institutions, adding that governing councils found wanting would be dissolved, even though they have not reached the constitutionally required provision of four years for universities and three years for polytechnics.

The Minister said, “Governing Councils should ensure that the funds allocated by government are judiciously utilized. They should also come up with ideas that will generate more revenue, outside government allocations.

“In the course of your tenure, you should ensure that proper attention and priority are accorded to the relevant University laws, Polytechnics Act and government guidelines in the appointment of principal officers and other staff. You must ensure that transparency, probity and due process are followed in the selection and appointment so that the best and the right candidates emerge for these positions.

“The idea that the Chief Executive or any principal officer should come from its locality is erroneous and alien to the system and should not be allowed to becloud your decisions. Merit should be the watchword and guiding principle.”

The Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, Prof. Julius Okojie, cautioned the Governing Councils against exhibiting domineering attitude.

The NUC boss urged them to play their roles and strengthen the structure of the nation’s universities.

Learnt from Punchng

A Picture of some Unilorin students on a ride in a taxi trunk.

The picture was captured in Unilorin earlier today. Even without fuel scarcity, transportation is a problem

Learnt from nairaland 

ARISE NEWS Wins 58th New York Emmy Award

The emerging global news and entertainment channel, ARISE NEWS won the Emmy’s in New York with the documentary: “Game Changers: How the Harlem Globetrotters Battled Racism.”

The documentary was recognised in the Nostalgia Programme category – the first Emmy for ARISE News Channel.

On winning the Emmy’s, executive producer, Alan Weiss sent a simple note at 2:43 AM (GMT) this AM: “Thank you Nduka, I am glad we made you proud!”

Alan Weiss also congratulated all founding members of the ARISE NEWS CHANNEL in New York, London and Africa who made this feat possible even before the formal launch of the ARISE NEWS.

The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences announced the nomination of ARISE NEWS February 17, 2015 for the 58th Annual New York Emmy Awards among others.

Africa's richest man Aliko Dangote has future plans to purchase Gunners when the time is right.

Africa's richest man Aliko Dangote claims he still harbours hopes of one day buying Arsenal.

The Nigerian has an estimated fortune of 15billion US dollars (£10.4billion) and is reported to have wanted to buy into the Gunners when former director Lady Nina Bracewell-Smith was selling her shares in 2010.

Arsenal's current majority shareholder is American tycoon Stan Kroenke, who remains committed to the Barclays Premier League club for the long-term. Uzbek magnate Alisher Usmanov controls around 30 per cent and has also expressed no desire to offload any of his stock.

Africa's richest man Aliko Dangote claims he is interested in buying Arsenal one day and knows his 'strategy'

Nevertheless Dangote, whose business interests include sugar, flour and oil, remains keen to become part of the Emirates Stadium club sometime in the future.

Speaking to Bloomberg, he said: 'I still hope, one day at the right price, that I will buy the team.

'I might buy it, not at a ridiculous price but a price that the owners won't want to resist. I know my strategy.'

Dangote, though, added no imminent bid was in the pipeline.

'We have 16billion dollars-worth of investments in the next few years. Right now I want to take my own business to a certain level. Once I finish on that trajectory, then maybe,' he said.

Arsenal beat Hull 3-1 on Monday night to give themselves a good chance to finish second behind Premier League champions Chelsea, and will face Aston Villa in the FA Cup final at Wembley on May 30.

Dangote, however, suggested Arsene Wenger's side should be achieving more.

He added: '(Wenger) needs to change his style a bit. They need new direction.'

Francis Coquelin and Alexis Sanchez celebrate during Arsenal's 3-1 victory over Hull on Monday night

Learnt from Dailymailuk

Stephen Curry back in action after MVP award

Stephen Curry was named the 2014-15 Most Valuable Player on Monday. On Wednesday morning he resumes his quest for a NBA championship when the Golden States Warriors host the Memphis Grizzlies in Game 2 of their Western Conference semifinals.

Curry was a factor in Monday’s 101-86 Game 1 victory over Memphis, after finishing with a game-high 22 points and seven assists, helping the Warriors extend their home winning streak to 21 games, including playoffs, and posted an NBA-best 39-2 home record in the regular season.

Game after game, this Warriors team continue to build on its championships credentials. Assuming the Warriors see off the Grizzlies in the series, they will face either the Los Angeles Clippers or the Houston Rockets, against whom they have a combined 7-1 record.

“It’s not that other teams have injuries or someone’s eliminated,” Warriors forward Draymond Green said. “We feel like we can beat anyone. That’s been our mind-set the entire year and it’s not going to change.”

Nevertheless, the Grizzlies hope to bounce back and give themselves a chance in the post-season, despite the fact that their starting point guard Mike Conley, who sat out Game 1 due to a facial surgery, remain questionable for Game 2.

It is not an easy task to stop Curry, says Memphis coach David Joerger: “He makes tough shots. You have to just keep your head up and keep pushing forward.”

Both Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph are key for the Grizzlies, not only on the defence end, but also attacking the basket. But entering Game 2 against a team they were able to beat only once in five of their meetings this season, is a task for the ages.

“I didn't think the game (1) was physical at all,” Gasol said. “We didn't bring it to that point yet. I hope, the next game, we have to bring it to our advantage.”

Learnt from SS

DWYANE WADE $900,000 WARDROBE ... For Met Gala

If Dwyane Wade looked like a million bucks at the Met Gala and the Met Gala after-party ... it's because that's roughly how much his outfits were worth at his big night out ... TMZ Sports has learned.

Our fashion sources close to Wade tell us the total value of the NBA star's two looks he rocked out last night added up to roughly $900,000.

Here's the breakdown ...

1st Outfit

Versace Tux -- $3,900
Custom red sash -- (no price, but it was custom made by Versace ... so, expensive).
Shirt -- $395
Del Toro suede leather Italian loafers -- $395
Bow tie from Wade's Tie Bar collection -- $20
Hublot watch with diamond skeleton face -- $113,000
Buccellati jewelry on tie and jacket -- $500,000

2nd Outfit

White Versace jacket -- $8,000
Jewelry -- $250,000
Cufflinks -- $2,000
Versace Monk strap shoes -- $1,500
Versace pants -- $6,000

OMG!

Learnt from TMZ

G-Unit rapper beats girlfriend till she bleeds

A member of the music business group G-Unit has been reported to 50 Cent after he beat up his girlfriend to stupor!

Kidd Kidd's lover named Maurita claims the rapper beat her up in Las Vegas this weekend [May 3].

Reports say she is now asking the group's boss, 50 Cent to help her out in her situation.

She has posted pictures of her broken face on her Instagram on Sunday to show prove about her claims. She wrote underneath:

I decided to speak up today because i finally built the courage to walk away from domestic violence. somebody who is violent and not in control of there emotions is not at all your problem and you are not there as punching bag for whatever crises that he may be going through, which im guily in i made excuses for many months hiding behind the pain trying to be a goid woman and continue to "hold it down" as hundreds of women probably have done or maybe still going through.

Learnt from Pulseng

"If I was trying to be a lady, I am deceiving my conscience, and living a lie" says Denrele Edun

Denrele Edun, the Channel O VJ who sometimes courts controversy with his eccentric style of dressing which includes him wearing feminine attire, and feminine make up says that he is not trying to be a lady.

In an interview with Encomium, the former Sound City man said it would be against his conscience if he tries to be a woman. "If I was trying to be a lady, I am deceiving my conscience, and living a lie. I am just comfortable with the person I am. I am comfortable with my identity I have built over the years. I am comfortable with the brand that is selling my market" said Denrele.

"I was a bit confused about my identity while growing up. Everyday people would ask me if I was a girl or a boy" admitted the TV host. Even at the university, most time, I open my chest and tell them I will open my trouser too if they can open thiers. We will just end up laughing about it. I like who I am, I can't give up Denrele for anything" he said.

Denrele might say he does not want to be a woman, but his outfit at the last AMVCA where he wore a gold dress and rocked blonde attachments. He revealed that the dress he wore was a last minute plan, and he wanted to try something different. He said he wasn't planning on doing a publicity stunt.

It has been rumoured that the wild VJ plans on getting married this year. A female artiste has also been rumoured to be his future bride. Denrele refused to reveal the identity of his future wife but he more or less confirmed that he is engaged.

"I don't want to say much about it. I don't want anybody to know the bride. I can't wait to start having children. I love children so much" he said. Denrele admitted that he won't change his personality when he gets married and starts having kids.

Learnt from Pulseng

Nigerians react to Nobel Laureate’s alleged anti-Igbo statements

Nobel Laureate, Wole Soyinka has reportedly said that Igbos tend to put their votes where their stomachs take them.

Soyinka also added that Igbos “suffer from incurable money-mindedness, as they would stop at nothing in their quest for personal financial gain”, according to The Cable.

Soyinka is said to have made the statements on April 29, 2015, while delivering a lecture titled ‘Predicting Nigeria, Electoral Ironies’ at the Harvard University Hutchins Centre for African & African American Research, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.

“The Igbos are probably the only group of Nigerians that you can predict with great accuracy whom they will vote for in an election, because they tend to put their votes where their stomachs take them; suffering as it were, from incurable money-mindedness, as they would stop at nothing in their quest for personal financial gain,” Soyinka said.

He also spoke on the victory of President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari in the March 28 elections saying that the re-election of President Goodluck Jonathan would have been a disaster

“Muhammadu Buhari was the better of the two evils as the incumbent president Goodluck Jonathan had been an unmitigated disaster and failure. It was a painful decision to tell people to vote Buhari, but the country needed a new beginning. I was more against Jonathan, than I was pro-Buhari,” he said.

Soyinka also said that during Jonathan’s administration, Nigeria witnessed impunity and authoritarian madness.

Learnt from Pulseng

'He was our real life hero'... Friends pay tribute to basketball player Juma Ngqobongwana after his sudden death

Tributes have been paid to much-loved local basketballer Juma Ngqobongwana who has died suddenly

Friends of a talented young basketball player have paid heartfelt tributes to him after his sudden death at the age of 30.

Juma Ngqobongwana lived at Salford Quays and played for amateur side Moss SideTropics in the Manchester Area Basketball League, as well as writing match reports for Manchester Giants and Manchester Magic.

The former Manchester Grammar School student died on Friday at a hotel in Bradford, ahead of a basketball tournament with his team.

On behalf of his family, five of his closest friends have spoken out to explain what he meant to them and to pay tribute to their ‘real life hero’, who they describe as a model friend who put the needs of others ahead of his own.

Yoseph Williams said: “Juma’s impact on my life is incalculable; he took me under his wing when I was a young man and showed me a kindness and humility that are irreplaceable in my life.

“He truly treated me as a younger brother and played a large part in making me the man I am today. When I was down, he raised me up with his fantastic smile.

“When I was up, he was usually the reason for it. I have so many amazing memories with him that I will cherish and I feel I am truly blessed to have been able to have known him so closely.

“Juma has always been someone I looked up to and the example he set is nothing short of impeccable as a model person and friend.”



Natalie Balmain said: “Apart from being our friend, Juma was a real-life hero; someone who had time for everyone, and put everyone’s needs before his own. He lived life in a way that we should all aspire to- always full of energy, optimism and laughter.

“In his presence, you couldn’t help but get swept up in his enthusiasm. Juma had the rare mix of being intelligent, talented and dedicated, as well as caring, humble and selfless; and the world is a far worse place without him.

“But though we miss Juma with heavy hearts, his memory lifts us up and he will continue to inspire all those who knew him.”

Robert Serrant said: “Juma’s family, friends and colleagues past and present will all be feeling a profound sense of loss at his untimely passing.

“It is a credit to him and his upbringing that of the many, many people that he would have crossed paths with, none of them would have a negative comment to make.

“We can only take solace in the fact that his final moments on this earth were spent in the company of some of his closest friends, doing something which he truly loved.

“He was someone who I knew as far back as the earliest days of primary school - there will be people twice our ages who do not and will not have friendships that have lasted that long.

“Having seen him progress and surpass anybody’s expectations, his humility, limitless ability and dedication to his craft is an example for us all to follow. I am honoured to have known him. His spirit will live on in all of our hearts.”

Kate Bailey said: “Juma was that fun loving basketball guy from Manchester who everyone knew and adored. He impacted so many lives and was the kindest most loving person I know.

“Juma always had a smile on his face and was always full of life, it’s such a tragedy losing someone so special to me. He’ll be forever in my heart and I will never forget such an amazing person. R.I.P. Juma, love you always.”

Ray Chui said: “J2K, your infectious smile, laughter and positivity never fails to lift the room. No matter how long you knew that person, be it five minutes, five days or five years you always left a lasting impression.

“You were taken too soon but your good soul was needed, I wake each day waiting for your witty reply to my message and I wish I can call your phone and hear you on the other end.

“You were such a caring and inspirational individual who everyone should aspire to be and I speak for everyone when I say it is an honour to be your friend.
“Until we meet again to get some chicken splits! Gone but never forgotten.”

Learnt from manchestereveningnews

What went wrong with Jenny from the block?

What went wrong with Jenny from the block behind? In the 90s she was the gist...

Okonjo-Iweala To Buhari: You must do something about oil cartel

General Muhammadu Buhari

She spoke in Abuja today to refute the claim by the oil marketers that the nation is owing them another N200.2bn, just after the government paid them N156bn.
She said by government’s computation, the outstanding amount is about N131bn billion.
Okonjo-Iweala urged the marketers to be patriotic in their decisions by considering the interest of Nigerians who always bear the brunt of their actions, noting that they should not by their actions hold the country to ransom.
The marketers had claimed that the government’s indebtedness to them for oil subsidy was about N354,4bn.
Confirming the figure, the Executive Secretary, Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria, Mr. Thomas Olawore, had said, “The government had paid N154.2bn out of N354.4bn and we are left with a balance of N200.2bn.
“What happens to the N200.2bn? That is why we requested that the government invite us so that we can be told how it intends to liquidate the remaining N200.2bn.”

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Nigeria’s Finance Minister

But the minister said this figure could not be correct, noting that the balance that is left based on Petroleum Pricing Products Regulatory Agency’s template is about N131bn.
She said, “As you know, we paid N156bn recently, N100bn of the principal payment that we owe them and then we paid N56bn interest rate and some remaining exchange rate differentials.
“Prior to that, we have just paid N31bn exchange rate differentials. So at the time we paid that last week, what we had outstanding is N98bn.”
According to her, every week, the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency sends data and that is what government only subscribe and certified as what is due to marketers.
“As at now, since we made the announcement last week, it has now risen from N98bn to N131bn outstanding in principle payment.
“And they are now making a demand of N200bn and I asked them what is the balance for,” she added.
She likened the oil marketers to a small cartel that are into a no risk business based on template negotiated with PPPRA long time ago which factored in exchange rate differential, and profit margin guarantee.
This situation, she said, leaves them with absolutely no risk.
She said. “It has become a situation where we have a cartel that can ground the nation to a halt at will. I strongly suggest that the nation has to do something about it.

Nigeria’s finance minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has set an agenda for the Buhari administration: to tame urgently the oil cartel holding the nation to ransom.

Learnt from PM news

Texas police shoot dead two gunmen at exhibit of Prophet Mohammad cartoons

GARLAND, Texas (Reuters) - Texas police shot dead two gunmen who opened fire on Sunday outside an exhibit of caricatures of the Prophet Mohammad that was organised by an anti-Islamic group and billed as a free-speech event.

The shooting in a Dallas suburb was an echo of past attacks or threats in other Western countries against art depicting the Prophet Mohammad. In January, gunmen killed 12 people in the Paris offices of French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo in revenge for its cartoons.

Sunday's attack took place shortly before 7 p.m. in a parking lot of the Curtis Culwell Center, an indoor arena in the suburb of Garland, northeast of Dallas. Geert Wilders, a polarizing Dutch politician and anti-Islamic campaigner who is on an al Qaeda hit list, was among the speakers at the event.

Police said they had not immediately determined the identity of the two gunmen or whether they were linked to critics of the event who had branded it anti-Islamic.

As a precaution, a police bomb squad was called to check the suspects' car for possible explosives, and the immediate vicinity of the Culwell Center was evacuated, city police spokesman Joe Harn told Reuters.

The exhibit was organised by Pamela Geller, president of the American Freedom Defense Initiative (AFDI). Her organisation, which is described by the Southern Poverty Law Center as a hate group, has sponsored anti-Islamic advertising campaigns in transit systems across the country.

Organizers of the "Muhammad Art Exhibit and Contest" said the event was to promote freedom of expression. They offered a $10,000 prize for the best artwork or cartoon depicting the Prophet, as well as a $2,500 "People's Choice Award."

Depictions of the Prophet Mohammad are viewed as offensive in Islam, and Western art that portrays the Prophet has sometimes angered Muslims and provoked threats from radicals. Charlie Hebdo, the French magazine attacked in January, had printed cartoons of the Prophet.

In Sunday's incident, the two suspects drove up to the building in a car as the event was coming to an end, and opened fire with automatic rifles at an unarmed security officer, striking him in the leg, police and city officials said.

Garland police officers who were on the scene assisting with security returned fire, killing both suspects, Harn said. He told reporters the shooting incident lasted seconds.

The security officer was treated at a local hospital and later released, Harn said. No one else was injured.

Most of the around 200 people attending the event were still inside the arena when the violence unfolded and were unaware of what had happened until police came into the building and advised everyone to remain indoors because of a shooting.

"The first suspect was shot immediately. The second suspect was shot and wounded – reached for his backpack. Of course officers not knowing what was in the backpack, shot him again. He was killed," Garland Mayor Douglas Athas told CNN.

The mayor said the city permitted the event even though officials knew its inflammatory theme could provoke an attack.

"There was concern, which is why we had heightened security in the area, but we all swear to uphold the Constitution: free speech, free assembly and in this case perhaps, free religion," Athas said. "So in this case they were free to use the building."

He said the school district that owns the building had posted extra security officers at the venue, and the city of Garland also had a number of security and SWAT (special weapons and tactics) teams in the area.

GELLER'S STANCE ON ISLAM

Geller, who is known for her stance on Islam, said on Fox News that she chose the Garland venue for the art exhibit because it was where American Muslim leaders held a conference on combating Islamophobia a week after the Charlie Hebdo attacks.

In 2010, Geller led a march to the site of a proposed Islamic centre near the site of the destroyed World Trade Center.

In response to the shooting in Garland, the AFDI issued a statement on Facebook saying, "This is war on free speech. What are we going to do? Are we going to surrender to these monsters?"

In his speech at the event, shown in a video clip posted on AFDI’s website, Dutch politician Wilders offered his rationale for supporting the cartoon contest, saying depicting the Prophet and violating one of Islam’s greatest taboos was a liberating act.

"Our message today is very simple: we will never allow barbarism, never allow Islam, to rob us of our freedom of speech," said Wilders.

The Charlie Hebdo attack in Paris was followed by another attack in Europe this year.

In February, a masked gunman sprayed bullets into a Copenhagen meeting attended by a Swedish artist who had been threatened with death for his cartoons of the Prophet Mohammad. A civilian was killed and three police officers were injured in the attack, aimed at artist Lars Vilks, who stirred controversy in 2007 with published drawings depicting the Prophet Mohammad as a dog.

Denmark itself became a target 10 years ago after the publication of cartoons lampooning the Prophet Mohammad. The images led to sometimes fatal protests in the Muslim world.

(Additional reporting by Frank McGurty in New York and Jon Herskovitz in Austin, Texas. Writing by Steve Gorman; Editing by Frances Kerry)

Learnt from Arisetvnews

In Sambisa Men Took Turns To Have Me,now I'm Pregnant

From one traumatized person to another, the 275 women rescued last week from the evil forest of Sambisa told different tales of woes at the weekend.

During a visit to Malkoi, one of the camps for displaced persons in Yola, Adamawa State, the Daily Times met women young and old, as well as girls who may need a long time to readjust to normal living.

Some of the women disclosed that they trekked for three days before they were rescued and finally arrived in Yola.

Their disheveled and gaunt looks drew sympathy from onlookers. Many of them looked hunger-stricken while the children kept wailing as a result of illness and malnutrition.

Some of the women and children had to be assisted as they could not walk on their own. Another set could not alight from the vehicles that brought them from Sambisa following exhaustion and hunger.
One of the returnees is Asabe Aliyu, a 23-year-old mother of four children from Delsak, a village near Chibok town. She intermittently vomited blood an indication that she sustained internal injuries. She disclosed that beating was the order of the day in the Boko Haram camp. That was in addition to the deployment of all forms of vulgar words. They forced her into marrying somebody after a series of sexual assaults unleashed on her by different men on a daily basis.

Death was the punishment for any infraction or mistake, in Sambisa, under the Islamic sect.
“I was abducted six months ago in Delsak when our village was overrun by Boko Haram. First I had sojourned from my village to a forest close to Cameroun, they turned me into a sex machine. They took turns to sleep with me. Now, I am pregnant and I cannot identify the father,” she said in tears.
If she thought that the pregnancy would elicit compassion from the sect, Asabe was wrong. “With my condition as a pregnant woman, I did the cooking of their food,” she lamented.

Lami Musa clutched a three-day-old baby girl. She looked tired and haggard. Her legs were swollen and a support had to be given to her before she could work.

Fighting back tears tears, she said: “They adducted the whole of my family and killed my husband at Kilkasa forest when I was four months pregnant. They took us to Sambisa forest, we were sleeping in an open field. For days, we went without water or food.”

Lami continued: “Three days ago, I gave birth to this baby girl. As I am talking to you, I cannot ascertain the status of her health. I have not had a bath since I was delivered of the baby. The baby is yet to be bathed too. “

Another woman from Minchika, Maryamu Adamu said she saw hell call Sambisa. She could not tell if her two children and husband were still alive because she had not set her eyes on them since she was captured and taken to the Sambisa forest nine months ago.

She is, however, full of thanks to God that the ordeal appears to have now ended.

Her words: “I know I was dead, my existing now is just a mere shadow of life as nothing moves me. But now that I am here, I confirm that I am a living being.I thank God that I am alive. I thank God.”

A displaced man, staying in Malkoi Camp in Yola, where the women were taken to, had a reunion of sorts. He saw four of his cousins and their children whom the family had thought were dead, among the 275 rescued women. He was full of Joy and openly shed tears.


Learnt from Dailytimes.com

Hilarious! See photo

Dwayne Wade & Gabrielle Union in the Bonnie & Clyde mood.

Caught this photo via IS... Love birds...

101-year-old man rescued one week after Nepal quake

Police rescued a 101-year-old man from under the rubble of his home on Saturday, one week after an earthquake hit his country, Nepal Police spokesman Kamal Singh Bam told CNN.

The elderly man is in stable condition and police do not know how he survived or the extent of his injuries. He was rescued in Nuwakot district, just northwest of the capital, Kathmandu.

The death toll from the devastating magnitude-7.8 earthquake that struck Nepal last weekend stands at 7,250, and the number of people injured is 14,122, according to the National Emergency Operation Center.


Funchu Tamang, 101, sits at a hospital in Nuwakot district on Sunday after being rescued from his collapsed home.

A Nepalese government minister warned Sunday that the death toll is expected to climb "much higher."

"There are still villages where we know that all houses have been destroyed, but have not yet been able to reach," Finance Minister Ram Sharan Mahat said at an event in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Mahat portrayed a desperately bleak situation in his comments at an event on the sidelines of an Asian Development Bank meeting.

"It is with great pain and sadness that I stand before you to present the case of my country Nepal which now remains devastated," he said, according to a transcript of his remarks posted on the bank's website.

Mahat said the quake had caused "incalculable human loss and suffering, with millions of people rendered homeless."

"The aftershocks have not receded and we expect the final casualty numbers to climb much higher," he said.

His government warned Saturday that the chances of finding survivors buried in rubble are "extremely slim."

"It will be a miracle if anyone is found alive," Home Ministry spokesman Laxmi Dhakal said. "But we have not completely given up yet and are continuing to look."

The United Nations estimates that more than 3 million people are in need of food assistance -- and nearly half of those need it immediately. Emergency funding of $415 million is needed, the United Nations said.

Mahat said the quake had completely or partially destroyed nearly 300,000 houses.

He said Nepalis would rebuild their nation and come out of the crisis stronger, but not without help from other countries.

"We need your technical advice, global knowhow and importantly, substantial financial resources to propel us," he said.