Ex-President sacks CEO over $4.9m money-laundering scandal

The Olusegun Obasanjo Foundation has sacked its CEO and Board of Trustees member, Anne Welsh, following a video published online by SaharaReporters on Thursday, May 7, which showed Welsh scheming with a group of ‘Lebanese businessmen’ to launder $4.9 million through the Foundation.

Pulse reported that Welsh, according to the video, exploited the Ebola Virus Disease tragedy in West Africa to help the group, who wished to donate money to the Obasanjo Foundation for some work in Sierra Leone.

Welsh stated at the meeting, held in London, that it was not the first time she would be involved in such deals. In the deal, it was agreed that she would pocket over one million dollars.

In reaction to the development, Chairman of the foundation, ChiefOlusegun Obasanjo said that he, and other trustees of the foundation were sad after learning about the allegation against Welsh.

“Accordingly, the Board of Trustees has asked her to immediately resign, and she has done so,” Obasanjo toldPremium Times.

The former president also said that the matter has been reported to the London Metropolitan Polce and the UK Charity Commission for a full-scale investigation.

He added, “I can never associate myself with anything that has to do with money laundering and corruption, and this is a very disturbing development for us all.”

However, in what seems to be an attempt to escape public scrutiny, Welsh has taken down her Facebook page and Website.







Learnt from Pulseng

9 US cops sacked in connection with death of Nigerian, Mathew Ajibade

ATLANTA (CNN) Nine Georgia deputies have been fired in connection with the death of a 21-year-old student in Savannah, Georgia, authorities announced Friday.

The firings are related to the case of Matthew Ajibade, who died in an isolation cell on New Year’s Day, said Gena Bilbo, the Chatham County Sheriff’s spokeswoman.

Mathew Ajibade

Two of the nine deputies who were fired had been on paid leave.

Ajibade, who was from Nigeria, was arrested on January 1 after police received a phone call about a domestic disturbance.

Authorities arrived and saw Ajibade holding a women under a blanket, according to an incident report. Her “face was bruised, and her nose was bleeding,” the report said.

The Sheriff’s Office said Ajibade “became combative during the booking process.”

His family has hired Mark O’Mara, a CNN legal analyst who represented George Zimmerman in the death of Florida teen Trayvon Martin.

Ajibade had bipolar disorder, O’Mara said.

After Ajibade’s death, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Affairs Division of the Sheriff’s Office began separate reviews. The district attorney is still reviewing the case and will decide if criminal charges are warranted, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

The Sheriff’s Office also announced policy changes it intends to pursue as a result of the incident, including procedures that require on-site medical personnel to be notified when a person with medication arrives for booking.

Learnt from pmnewsnigeria

Adaeze Yobo shows off her boys to celebrate mother's day

Adaeze Yobo, the ex-beauty queen and wife of Nigeria ex-international, Joseph Yobo, recently had a swell time with her boys, Joey and Jayden Yobo as the world celebrate Mothers around the world.



Spotting a new look in red hair, the former Most beautiful Girl in Nigeria, Adaeze was spotted enjoying a stroll with her boys in their London home on Saturday, May 9, 2015.

Looking her best in the new look, the WAG is sure going to have a splendid day as she celebrates mothers' day.




Learnt from Pulseng

Tara Durotoye visit Uganda for 14th wedding anniversary with hubby

Top beauty entrepreneur, Tara Fela Durotoye is on her way to Uganda for the celebration of her 14th wedding anniversary with hubby, Fela Durotoye.

According to sources, the couple left the Nigerian shores for the anniversary get away on Sunday, May 10, 2015 for Uganda, where they would be spending an undisclosed days to enjoy some lovely time together as a couple.

Confirming the anniversary get away, the House of Tara took to Instagram account to announce her departure with her hubby, who she refers to as her lover, priest, husband, covering, gardener, coach, groomer and chairman.

The couple would be spending their anniversary at the Uganda beach front this year.

Learnt from Pulseng

Cuba's Raul Castro holds talks with Pope Francis

Castro had already publicly thanked Francis for his role in bringing Havana and Washington closer together 


Cuban President Raul Castro has held talks with Pope Francis, who played a key role in the breakthrough between Washington and Havana aimed at restoring US-Cuban diplomatic ties.

"Bienvenido!" Francis said on Sunday in his native Spanish, welcoming Castro in a studio near the Vatican public audience hall. The Cuban president, bowing his head, gripped Francis' hand with both of his, and the two men began their private talks.

The meeting lasted nearly an hour, a generous amount of time by Vatican standards, especially considering that the Argentine-born Francis and Castro spoke in Spanish, without the need of interpreters that often use up time in other papal-VIP talks.

Castro had already publicly thanked Francis for his role in bringing Havana and Washington closer together after decades of US government policy of strict isolation of the Communist-ruled Caribbean island.

He apparently did so again during the closed-door meeting.

As he took his leave, Castro told journalists, "I thanked the pope for what he did."

Francis was in an upbeat mood, too. "I ruined your Sunday," the pope quipped to journalists after the meeting.

He gave Castro a medal depicting St. Martin of Tours, known for caring for the destitute.

"With his mantle he covers the poor," Francis told Castro, saying more efforts on behalf of the poor are needed.

Papal visit

The pope will stop in Cuba for at least two days in September for a visit, part of a pilgrimage that will then take him to Washington, Philadelphia and New York.

Preparation for the papal's visit has already began in the Carribean Island. Cardenal Jaime Ortega, the leader of the Catholic Church in Cuba, told Al Jazeera: "It's natural that the pope will reaffirm the church’s desire for Cuba to open up to the world and the world open up to Cuba, especially as the pontiff has participated in the dialogue between the United States and Cuba."

Castro's brother, Fidel, the Cuban revolutionary leader who ruled for decades before Raul, met with Pope John Paul II at the Vatican in 1996. That Vatican encounter helped pave the way for John Paul's 1998 pilgrimage to Cuba, the first visit by a pontiff to the island.

With the Vatican keen on protecting its Catholic followers in Cuba, Francis' predecessor, Benedict XVI also visited the island.

Castro was also due to meet Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi later on Sunday before leaving Rome.

Learnt from Aljazeera

South Africa opposition party elects first black leader

South Africa's main opposition party, the Democratic Alliance, has elected Mmusi Maimane as its new leader to succeed Helen Zille.

Maimane, 34, becomes the first black leader of the party.

The part-time pastor is expected to the challenge the African Nation Congress (ANC) which has governed the country since the end of apartheid in 1994.

Zille, a white woman, announced last month she was leaving after leading the party for the last eight years.

South Africa remains deeply divided racially, with most blacks preferring to vote for the ANC.

"Black South African people are scared of being led by a white person. But I don't think it will actually make a difference." Zintle Mabongo, a resident of Port Elizabeth where party delegates elected the new leader, told Al Jazeera.

Learnt from Aljazeera

Here Is A Nigerian Social Network That Allows You Share Prayers With Friends And Strangers

Nigerian-born software developer Adebambo Oyekan Oyelaja is the founder of Prayerbox, a social networking service that allows users to share prayer points, testimonies and religious activities with friends and people from around the world.

Prayerbox, which has been funded by an Angel investor, works like Twitter in the sense that users can create accounts, follow people, post their prayers and view prayers from users they follow in their timeline. In place of a retweet or reply, users can say ‘Amen’ to prayers in their feed. Users can also send private prayers to each other.

Prayerbox was launched in December 2014 and now has over 40,000 users and more than 300,000 prayer points.

Oyelaja, 27, recently spoke to me about his service.

Can we meet you?

I was born in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun state. Nigeria. I picked up an uncontrollable addiction to technology and had started writing software at the age of 14. I studied computer science at Babcock University where I was named programmer of the year twice and made headlines for launching my first startup a social network called Waaazap, which didn’t exactly work out

After dropping out of Babcock University to further pursue my entrepreneurial ambitions, I was employed as Chief Technology Officer of Connectnigeria.com, a local search portal. After ConnectNigeria I worked at a few other companies but never really enjoyed it as much as being an entrepreneur, so I decided to start something new and interesting.

Tell me about Prayerbox. What prompted you to set up Prayerbox, and how where you initially funded?

Prayerbox is a simple way through which users can share prayer points, testimonies and religious activities with their friends and people from around the world. Prayerbox users can share prayers, testimonies, pray for each other, stay connected to their churches, and even pay their tithes, offerings and donations directly to their churches through the service.

The story behind the birth of Prayerbox is quite interesting. As a programmer, I would spend most of my Saturday nights writing code and end up waking up late on Sundays and obviously miss church services. My pastor invited me one day and asked why I had stopped coming to church as often as I used to. I told him why and he asked me how technology could affect my religious life. Being a heavy social media user, I had noticed the growing trend of people sharing prayers on social networks but these platforms often come out of context when fused with religion. BOOM! I said I’d build a twitter for religion. In one week, I had built a working prototype which I showed to my pastor who was beyond impressed. Prayerbox initially launched as Ourprayerbox in 2011 but was shut down as I had run out of funds. 440.ng an accelerator based in Lagos launched sometimes in 2014 and after sending in a brief about Prayerbox they invested in the idea.

How does Prayerbox work? What’s the business model and how do you monetize it?

Prayerbox works like Twitter. Users can create accounts, follow one another, post their prayers and view prayers from users they follow in their timeline. In place of a retweet or reply, users can say ‘Amen’ to prayers in their feed. When prayers are answered, users can post testimonies and members of their church and people in their circle can see these testimonies. Users can also send private prayers to each other. Churches are also allowed to create pages through which they can share updates, sermons, prayer points, program schedules, events and much more with their congregation.

At the moment, targeted ads are our main source of revenue. Religion is bigger than we know and there are a lot of options we are exploring to monetize the service without conflicting the sole purpose of the platform which is to connect people religiously.

Is Prayerbox making any money yet? If so, can you provide a hint of revenues?

Yes Prayerbox is making some money at the moment. For a service that launched December 10, 2014 our revenue has been impressive so far even though we can’t provide exact numbers.

How do you imagine Prayerbox’s investors would exit from their investment in this firm? What possible takers do you have in mind, if any?

It’s hard to guess how investors would exit from this but as with fast rising platforms these days, a huge acquisition could be a possible exit for our investors.

There are other prayer request services online already. What is Prayerbox doing differently from the others?

Yes there are other services out there all of which are doing quite interesting stuff but Prayerbox is the only religious platform that is highly social and goes beyond sharing prayer requests. There are a lot of features that sets us apart from these services. Features such as tithes, offerings, donations, religious calendars and much more are unique to Prayerbox. And the social model takes sharing prayer requests further than existing services.

How has the reception to your service been so far?

The reception so far has been great. Over 40,000 users are using the service with more users signing up daily. Churches are also signing up for the service faster than we anticipated. Not to mention numerous media mentions.

How has innovation changed the way you do business?

Innovation changes everything when you start a business. You need to study the industry, validate the need for your product, make sure it solves a problem and most importantly innovation helps you keep your business alive. When you innovate you iterate and make sure your innovation stays alive by constantly tweaking and experimenting.

In five years I see PrayerBox having over five million active users and becoming the destination for religious content online, definitely, we have huge expansion plans. By the end of the year we are targeting over a million active users and signing up over 500 churches on the platform. Partnerships with key players are also a major focus for us right now, and judging from our statistics so far this has been the fastest way for us to grow. My major focus right now is building a product that people find indispensable.

Learnt from forbes

Happy Mother's Day: Famous mothers and their famous daughters

Dakota Johnson and Melanie Grifith

Sharon and Kelly Osbourne

Demi Moore and Rumer Willis

Kris Jenner, Khloe, Kourtney and Kim Kardashian and Kendall and Kylie Jenner

Goldie Hawn and Kate Hudson

Lisa Bonet and Zoe Kravitz

Madonna and Lourdes Leon

Gigi Hadid , Yolanda Hadid and Bella Hadid

Meryl Streep and Mamie Gumer

Robin Wright and Dylan Penn

Cindy and Kaia Crawford

Jada Pinkett Smith and Willow Smith

Jerry Hall and Georgia May Jagger

Eva Amurri and  Susan Sarandon

Blythe Danner and Gwyneth Paltrow

Photos from nydailynews

Roc Nation betting on Miguel Cotto to make inroads in boxing game

Michael Yormark said he would pack his bags and head to Houston for a fight between Saul (Canelo) Alvarez and James Kirkland on Saturday.

Yormark, the president of Jay Z’s Roc Nation agency, likes boxing.

But he didn’t make the trip as a fan.

Following Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s win against Manny Pacquiao last week, the biggest fight left in 2015 involves Roc Nation client Miguel Cotto and Alvarez later this year.

Yormark didn’t want to talk about the super fight on Friday because there was still unfinished business to attend to — Alvarez vs. Kirkland and Cotto in a middleweight title defense on June 6 at Barclays Center against former titlist James Geale.

But admitting he will be in Houston indicated what was foremost on his mind.

“As (Cotto’s) promoter, it’s important we’re also keeping an eye on what could happen down the road,” he said in a phone interview of making the trip.

And for a company that is vying to become a major player in boxing — much like it has in other sports with Kevin Durant in basketball and Victor Cruz in football — making the fight between Cotto and Alvarez would be a huge triumph.

“Now that May 2 is behind us, (Cotto vs. Alvarez is) the biggest fight in boxing,” said David Itskowitch, chief operating officer of Roc Nation Sports boxing. “There’s no fight in boxing that’s as big as this.”

Making the fight would also likely mute criticism that’s been directed at Roc Nation since it started a boxing division in August, criticism that says it has overpaid for boxers, is way too corporate and may struggle in its attempt to marry live music with the sweet science.

“They’ve come into boxing talking a very big game, but let’s see how long it lasts,” a rival promoter said.

The company quickly made a name for itself — and sparked jealousy within the industry — by inking the super middleweight champion Andre Ward to a deal in late January.

Boxing lifer Gary Shaw then sold his company to Roc Nation Sports a day before Jay Z put on his first boxing show on January 9 at the Garden.

With Jay Z and Rihanna looking on from ringside, the show felt like a coronation.

The longtime promoter Dino Duva was soon brought aboard in January.

Less than a month later, however, Shaw and Roc Nation split over philosophical differences.

Shaw moved out of the Roc Nation offices and took his fighters with him.

The break-up cost Roc Nation a chance to be involved in the heavyweight championship fight between Wladimir Klitschko and the Shaw-promoted Bryant Jennings last month at Madison Square Garden.

“Listen, we’ve got our hands full here,” Yormark said of the missed opportunity. “We’ve got a lot of things to look forward to.”

Shaw declined an interview request for this story.

In March, Cotto signed a rich multi-year pact with Roc Nation, surprising some by spurning his longtime promoter Top Rank.

Roc Nation Sports also hired Eric Bottjer to be its full-time matchmaker on April 20.

Itskowitch now oversees a staff of four that is supported by the larger staff at Roc Nation that also includes public relations and sponsorship departments, among others.

The company’s goal is to meld music, boxing and pop culture.

Think Jay Z with boxing gloves.

Grammy-nominated rapper Big Sean will perform before Cotto’s WBC middleweight bout on June 6 at Barclays.

Yormark said he was also in the process of negotiating “a couple of endorsements right now” for Cotto.

And Ward is scheduled to return from a long absence to face England’s Paul Smith in a non-title fight in the first of a new time-buy venture on June 20 with BET.

Though Cotto (39-4, 32 knockouts), is 34 and is in the back nine of his career, Yormark pointed out he’s still younger than both Mayweather (38) and Pacquiao (36). The future is bright for the company, he said.

“We’ve only been in this thing for what, nine months?” Yormark told the News. “We’ve established ourselves as pretty significant promoters. We’ve got the opportunity in front of us to make a huge fight, assuming Canelo and Miguel get through their fights in front of them. What promoter in basically a year can say that?”

Learnt from nydailynews

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.

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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...

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Learnt from SS IG.