Monday 31 October 2016

Nigerian soldiers, police sexually abuse Boko Haram victims, Human Rights Watch


Nigerian soldiers and policemen have raped and sexually abused women and girls fleeing the Islamist militant group Boko Haram, Human Rights Watch said on Monday. Forty-three cases of "sexual abuse, including rape and exploitation", were documented in July, HRW said. The women and girls were housed at seven camps in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno state, where Boko Haram's seven-year insurgency began. That insurgency has displaced more than two million people and killed some 15,000 in Nigeria's northeast. An army spokesman declined to comment and referred the matter to the defence ministry. A spokesman for the department could not be reached by phone and did not respond to a text message. A spokesman for the Nigerian police could not be reached on his mobile phone. The rights group said it was also told of abuse carried out by camp leaders and members of security groups set up to help the military fight the insurgents.
Read more at https://www.yahoo.com/news

240 Boko Haram Terrorists Surrender to MNJTF


The firepower of the ground troops and joint air operation of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) monday forced a massive defection and subsequent surrender of 240 remnants of the Boko Haram terrorists. The terrorists were given a run for their money during the Operation Gama Aiki, the codename used by the MNJTF and they not just surrendered but also dropped their arms and ammunition. It was gathered that they had surrendered following the sustained offensive operations and blockage of logistics supply routes, which made the terrorists’ locations untenable. According to Colonel Muhammad Dole, the Chief Military Public Information Officer, it was a result of the sustained offensive that the Boko Haram suspects and their families abandoned their locations and surrendered with their arms to the nearest locations of the ground forces in the operation areas.
Read more at http://www.thisdaylive.com/

Getting that beach body needs more than running


Something interesting happened over the weekend or should I say I witnessed something interesting. While coaching a large group of people, I noticed most had given in to stress and pain of the workout and they were on the floor with jaded looks on their faces. This prompted me to stop the music and launch into 10 minute rant about leaving your comfort zone.What made it interesting was the response. They dragged themselves up and slowly started to push. I started hearing grunts and cheers of motivation that sounded like battle cries. It was quite an experience. I doubt it was my rant that got them up but rather, it was the collective agreement that this lifestyle affects every area of your life. For real progress and change, you need to take things to the next level. . 

Government to commercialise gas flaring by Q1 2017


Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the Federal Government has set aside Q1 2017 for the commercialisation of gas flaring in the country and total flare out by 2020. Besides, exploration and development of new gas supply sources from the inland and offshore basins is to be actively encouraged, while gas terms for PSCs will be produced before the end of 2016. The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu, disclosed this on Monday in Lagos, at the 10th International Gas Conference and Exhibition, organised by the Nigerian Gas Association (NGA). Kachikwu, who hinted that government has developed a Draft National Gas Policy, explained that the policy will promote a competitive business environment for both current and new investors, articulates government’s vision for the sector and sets policy goals. It will also set out strategies and an implementation plan for medium to long-term targets for gas market development. According to him, government’s vision for the Gas sector is to be an attractive gas-based industrial nation, giving primary attention to meeting local gas demand requirements, and developing a significant presence in international markets.  Read more http://guardian.ng/

Government targets 300,000 jobs from mining sector


The mining sector would provide over 300,000 jobs and millions of indirect employment for Nigerians before the end of the year, the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi has said. He disclosed this at maiden Nigeria Mining Week, organised by Miners Association of Nigeria, in partnership with Dolf Madi Consulting in Abuja. Represented by Minister of State, Bawa Bwari, he maintained that the guiding principle in the mining sector is to re-position the sector to achieve the mandate of increasing contribution to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and deliver shared prosperity to stakeholders.He noted that the mining sector roadmap would provide a pathway for sustainable turnaround and growth of mining and metal sectors over the short, medium and long term, hoping the conference would address some of the priority areas of the document.“Yes, there are quick-win in the industry which we have already started achieving. The debate continues on how we missed the opportunities in the past to leverage the vast resources to industrialize and become a great nation”, he said.  Read more http://guardian.ng/

From gene editing to death traps, Seattle scientists innovate in race to end malaria


When Kayode Ojo first fell sick with malaria as a young boy in Nigeria, his grandfather shunned modern medicine, venturing into the bush to search for herbs and plants to treat the disease.Having succumbed to malaria a further 50 or more times in his life, the United States-based scientist, now in his forties, is determined that his research - to develop a drug to stop transmission from humans back to mosquitoes - will help to eradicate the deadly disease."When people in Nigeria, the world's hardest-hit country, get malaria, many simply shrug their shoulders and see it as normal ... that needs to change," Ojo told the Thomson Reuters Foundation in a lab at the University of Washington in Seattle.Ojo is one of thousands of scientists, engineers and entrepreneurs striving to develop innovations to end malaria in a city dubbed the "Silicon Valley of saving lives", which boasts more than 160 organizations working on global health issues.  Read more at http://www.reuters.com/

Podolski takes credit for Bastian Schweinsteiger's return to Manchester United training


Former Arsenal striker Lukas Podolski has taken the credit for Bastian Schweinsteiger's return to training with the Manchester United first-team squad. Former Bayern Munich star Schweinsteiger had been exiled from the first-team picture this season, as Jose Mourinho forced the veteran midfielder to train either on his own or with the Under-23 squad. He was even missing from United's annual team photograph which was published last week. But the former Chelsea boss appears to have had a change of heart, as the World Cup winner joined the rest of the first-team squad for training on Monday morning.
 Read more onhttp://www.mirror.co.uk

Gareth Bale eclipses Cristiano Ronaldo as Real Madrid's best-paid player


Gareth Bale has replaced Cristiano Ronaldo as Real Madrid’s best paid player.His stunning new six year deal, worth £600,000 a week, includes a BILLION euro buy-out clause.It effectively ends any interest in the Wales superstar from Premier League clubs, notably Manchester United.
 Read more at http://www.mirror.co.uk

Bitcoin goes on sale across Switzerland via railway ticket machines


If you don't have access to a Swiss bank account, you will soon be able to keep your currency secure by instead buying some Bitcoin at any Swiss railway station. The cryptocurrency will be available for purchase at all Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) ticket machines in November.Bitcoin hype has died down over the past two years in North America and other parts of the world, but during that time SBB determined that there did appear to be a market for selling the digital currency in Switzerland.
SBB has over 1,000 ticket machines, most of them available around the clock, which means that a ubiquitous network for obtaining Bitcoin in Switzerland will literally go online overnight. Swiss Railways has partnered with Swiss payments company SweePay, which will act as the intermediary for Bitcoin purchases on SBB ticket machines. Read more at http://newatlas.com/

Boeing may be building a new passenger plane that takes off and lands vertically


Boeing may be building a new commercial passenger plane that can take off and land vertically, according to a patent awarded to the company. The aircraft features two tilt-rotors on each wing that can rotate to a vertical or horizontal orientation, depending on the circumstances. Vertical would be used for takeoff and landing, much like a helicopter, and then once it is in flight, the rotors can be switched to horizontal so it can be flown like a normal airplane.Known as a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft, it allows much more flexibility and longer range than a traditional helicopter may provide. The military has been using a VTOL aircraft known as the V-22 Osprey since 2007. That aircraft was built by Boeing and Bell.Bell used its experience on the V-22 to develop its own civilian VTOL aircraft, called the BA609. Its partner AgustaWestland took over ownership of the project in 2011 and developed a prototype, though it can only carry nine people.The new Boeing patent says the plane can carry at least 100 passengers as a regional commercial plane, be reconfigured for military use, or it can be used as a personal aircraft. While the military V-22 is powered by two Rolls Royce engines, the civilian version would be powered by four engines, each coupled to the aircraft's wings.
Read more at http://www.businessinsider.com/

Don't let me down


Sunday 30 October 2016

Prince Harry 'follows new girlfriend actress Meghan Markle on Instagram


Prince Harry follows his new American girlfriend on Instagram via a top secret account using a pseudonym, it has been claimed. The 32-year-old is said to be enjoying dates with actress Meghan Markle , who he met in Toronto in the summer while promoting his Invictus Games for disabled service men and women. Harry, who has previously said he hates social media, also 'follows' Meghan via an Instagram account - and she follows him back. According to the Daily Mail, Meghan is one of only a handful of people to be followed by Harry's secretive profile. It will added further fuel to claims the pair are an item with one source saying Harry is “besotted”. 
Read more athttp://www.mirror.co.uk/

5 Things You Should Lie About in a Relationship


When it comes to you and your significant other, a solid foundation for a relationship is built on a mixture of communication, connection, and trust. While you may be totally open and honest with your partner about all aspects of your life, there are certain instances when it may be OK, or even preferable, to lie to your partner. Even if you’re incredibly blunt with your friends and family, telling your romantic partner the cold hard truth of some situations can lead to bickering, fighting, and unnecessary tension. When speaking with your partner, always consider the impact of your words — is what you’re about to tell them truly important, or are there instances when a listening ear and a different attitude about the situation are more necessary than your hurtful (but possibly true) words? Here are five things that it’s OK to lie about to your romantic companion. 
Read more at http://www.cheatsheet.com/

Babies Should Sleep in Parents' Room, New Guidelines Say


Infants should sleep in the same bedroom as their parents for at least the first six months of their lives to minimize the risk of sleep-related deaths, according to new guidelines from U.S. pediatricians. Ideally, babies should stay in their parents' room at night for a full year, according to recommendations released today by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Babies shouldn't share a bed with parents, however, because that increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), the guidelines stress. The safest spot for infant sleep is on a firm surface such as a crib or bassinet without any soft bedding, bumpers or pillows. Read more at http://www.nbcnews.com

Militants Claim Responsibility for Bombing on NPDC Trunkline


Urhobo/Isoko militant group, Niger Delta Greenland Justice Mandate (NDGJM), yesterday claimed that it bombed the 32-inch Effurun-Otor delivery line operated by the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC).The group said in a statement signed by its spokesman. Aldo Agbalaja, that its action was in protest against the pan-Niger Delta Forum headed by Chief Edwin Clark that will be meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari tomorrow.The group claimed that its Akuma Strike Team brought down the trunkline at about 11.30p.m last Saturday in furtherance of its Operation Hammurabi Code. “At about 23:30hour of October 29, in furtherance of the Operation Hammurabi Code, our Akuma Strike Team struck and brought down the 32-inch Effurun-Otor delivery line. “This is not ending soon; we shall fulfill our promise of uprooting your entire assets in our land,” the group threatened. NDGJM reiterated its belief that the pan-Niger Delta Forum led by that was a job and can never get the militant group’s support.

US to Buhari: Keep up pressure on Boko Haram


As the Federal Government weakens Boko Haram, United States yesterday advised President Muhammadu Buhari to sustain the momentum.Washington has urged the President to put more pressure on Boko Haram to ensure the insurgents do not regroup even as the country distanced herself from the Nigerian government negotiations with the group that led to the release of 21 Chibok girls recently. United States Under-Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy and Human Rights, Sarah Sewall, told Daily Sun in Maiduguri that the Buhari administration has made progress in the fight against Boko Haram, but Washington wants the Federal Government to step up pressure on the terrorists. “From our experiences, insurgency and terrorist groups can be very resilient, can move and again reconstitute themselves. So, it’s absolutely critical that both federal and state levels of governments partner very closely the military campaigns to ensure they can provide security, services and good governance for the country as Boko Haram is pushed out particularly in the neighborhoods. At the same time, Nigeria needs to put pressure on Boko Haram,” Sewall said. She said the United States which claimed not to be disposed to negotiation with terror groups, would not comment on how Nigeria secured the release of her citizenry abducted by terrorists but would rather support the country’s efforts at getting rid of all forms of terrorism acts. “We’re doing what we can in supporting Nigeria through the military efforts; military partnership which include providing information. We’ve been engaged in the training of the Nigerian Army. We’re pleased to be partners with the Nigerian military,” she noted. Read more at http://sunnewsonline.com/

World Bank, IMF put pressure on Buhari to come up with economic blueprint


The World Bank and International Monetary Fund, IMF, have piled pressure on the Federal Government to come up with an economic blueprint, if its drive for foreign loans was not to be stalled. Vanguard gathered that officials of both financial  institutions have questioned the Minister of Finance and her team over the absence of a blueprint for which the loans being sought would be utilised.Sources at the Presidency said at the last IMF/World Bank Group Annual Meetings, that the Nigeria team was asked to produce an economic blueprint for which the IMF/World Bank Group will offer support. Specifically, Vanguard learned that the US Secretary of Finance and that of the United Kingdom, told the Nigerian team that without a comprehensive economic blueprint, Nigeria would not get support from IMF and the World Bank.
Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com

Wealth creation through cryptocurrency


Cryptocurrency is a medium of exchange that uses what is called cryptography to execute. Cryptocurrencies are classed as alternative currencies, or digital monies compared to fiat money or paper money. In 2008, in a landmark paper, a Japanese, Satoshi Nakamoto, said he could make secure transactions or send money across to someone without a bank as an intermediary. That bank charges were often too high. People thought it was not possible. So, in 2009 he developed Bitcoin. It was the first decentralized  cryptocurrency. Skeptics called it a scam. But it was working. Those skeptics watched Bitcoin rise in value from 0.1 cents to more than 1000 dollars in two years. Bitcoin was a success to say the least. Today there are more than 600 cryptocurrencies, or altcoins as an alternative to Bitcoin. Cryptocurrencies use blockchains or distributed ledgers to do transactions. The blockchain is like the internet for cryptocurrency. The coins are created through a process called mining, just like mining gold. There is a mathematical algorithm involved. But Bitcoin had some problems. It was like a cult thing. Since it was born in 2009 there are just 250,000 people. It was not accessible to everyone.  Also, it required sophisticated software to mine and you had to be technologically savvy. Bitcoin transactions were anonymous, which means you don’t know who is doing the transactions. So, it can be used to finance terrorism. So, it could not be integrated into today’s financial system. Read more at http://sunnewsonline.com/

CBN to Sell $500m FX Forwards to Meet Manufacturers’ Pent-up Demand


Desirous of ensuring that manufacturers get the required foreign exchange (FX) for the importation of critical raw materials as well as meeting the pent-up demand for the greenback, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) will tomorrow sell $500 million through FX forwards to banks, for onward sales to their customers. The move, which is also aimed at boosting economic activities in the country, would cater to some of the FX demand of manufacturers that want to import plants and machinery, raw materials and agriculture equipment. A top official of the CBN, who disclosed this to THISDAY yesterday, said banks were notified last week and given till noon today to send the list of FX requests from their customers in the manufacturing sector. Read more at http://www.thisdaylive.com/

Buhari behind Ibrahim’s emergence as Ondo PDP candidate – Babatope



A member, Board of Trustees, Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Ebenezer Babatope, has accused President Muhammadu Buhari of being behind the emergence of business mogul, Jimoh Ibrahim, as the candidate of the opposition party in the forthcoming Ondo State governorship election.In a text message sent to our correspondent on Sunday, Babatope said Buhari manipulated the political events in Ondo State in order to favour Ibrahim and set the state on the path of dictatorship. He called on Nigerians to resist what he described as President Buhari’s ploy to destroy democracy in the country. 
Babatope said the declaration of Ibrahim as the governorship candidate of the PDP in Ondo State was designed by Buhari and the All Progressives Congress to electorally manipulate the governorship election. The former minister of transport warned that the future of the nation’s democracy was fraught with danger with the way the Buhari administration was going about governance. Read more at http://punchng.com/

Recession: Ford stops exportation of 500 vehicles to Nigeria


There are indications that Ford Motor Company has suspended its planned exportation of 500 units of vehicles meant for the Nigerian market owing to the current economic recession. The United States automaker was said to have assembled the vehicles in its South African factory and completed all arrangements to ship them to Nigeria before halting the decision. Prof. Okey Iheduru of the Arizona State University, United States, hinted at a forum in Lagos that Ford had dismantled over 500 units of vehicles meant for the Nigerian market because the Coscharis Group, its local representative, could not accommodate them.The General Manager, Marketing and Corporate Services, Coscharis Group, Mr. Abiona Babarinde, who confirmed this in an emailed response to our correspondent’s enquiry, attributed the development to “forex-related issues.”Read more at http://punchng.com/

Pique, Alba to miss City clash


Luis Enrique has revealed his squad list for Barcelona’s trip to face Manchester City in the Champions League tomorrow night. The Catalan coach has not been able to pick injured duo Jordi Alba and Gerard Pique, half of his first-choice defence. The technical team had hoped Pique might be back after hurting his ankle 15 days ago.Good news is the inclusion of Arda Turan, who missed the Granada win while he recovered from a tough tackle he received in the Catalan Super Cup.

Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com

$15m : Patience Jonathan’s suit illegal, says SERAP


A human rights group, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, has described the suit filed against it by wife of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Patience, as grossly incompetent and urged a Federal High Court in Lagos to dismiss it. A group, the Union of Niger Delta Youth Organisation for Equity, had on behalf of itself and Patience sued SERAP for allegedly championing a campaign of calumny against Patience. The group and Patience had accused SERAP of instigating the Attorney General of the Federation to prosecute Patience in relation to a controversial $15m seized by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. SERAP, however, said it had filed a preliminary objection, seeking the dismissal of the suit on the grounds that the UNDYOE, which filed the suit, was not a registered organisation recognised by law. Read more at http://punchng.com/

Despite new oil discovery ExxonMobil faces reserves reduction


Despite announcing a billion-barrel discovery off the coast of Niger Delta, Nigeria, ExxonMobil Corporation, weekend, said it might be facing the biggest reserves revision in its history as production sank to a 7-year low and profit slid amid a prolonged slump in energy markets.The company stated that about 3.6 billion barrels of reserves in the Canadian oil sands and the equivalent of another 1 billion oil-equivalent barrels in other North American fields, might be in jeopardy if the average energy prices seen during the first nine months of 2016 persisted. That would equate 19 per cent of Exxon’s reserves and would be the largest de-booking since the 1999 merger that created the company in its modern form. Exxon’s accounting has prompted a United States Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC, investigation into whether the company should have written down assets as a result of the oil slump, a person with knowledge of the matter said last month.
Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com

Reps summon CG Customs over alleged N250m insurance fraud


An ad hoc committee of the House of Representatives has summoned the Controller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Col. Hameed Ali (retd.), over an alleged N250m insurance fraud committed by the NCS in connivance with some insurance brokers.The committee, which is chaired by Mr. Adekunle Akinlade,  said there were “fraudulent practices” perpetrated by insurance firms in connivance with Ministries, Departments and Agencies to defraud the Federal Government of billions of naira annually in insurance premiums. Details of the committee’s proceedings, which The PUNCH obtained on Sunday, indicated that the Customs’ CG was summoned in respect of the agency’s insurance transactions between 2013 and 2015.The panel observed that the NCS had a “record” of engaging unlicensed insurance brokers, while there were questionable payments to insurance firms.
Read more at http://punchng.com/

Saturday 29 October 2016

NNPC seeks $25bn oil investment in Lake Chad

Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Ibe Kachikwu, has said that the Federal Government would intensify quest for oil in commercial quantities in the Lake Chad basin by encouraging private sector to invest in the sector. He said “We are targeting to raise 5 billion dollars in short term funds for this and over 20 billion dollars in medium to long term funds.” Kachikwu also said that the Federal Government has set a timeline of 2017 as a period of zero militancy and drastic reduction of incidences in the Niger Delta. The minister made the declaration yesterday at a Press Conference held in the Presidential Villa after the launch of the Oil and gas Industry Roadmap tagged “The 7 Big Wins” by President Muhammadu Buhari in the Presidential Villa. He assured that the Buhari administration would ensure maximum security in the Niger Delta by engaging stakeholders from that region.Read more at: http://www.peoplesdailyng.com/

1 In 5 Don't Know What Kind Of Health Plan They

When it comes to health benefits, consumers aren’t singing their praises—or even fully aware of what they’ve got going on. Twenty percent of consumers don’t know what kind of health insurance plan they have, according to a new survey from Copatient, a medical bill reviewing company, and more than a quarter don’t know when their open-enrollment period begins. Overall, almost half of consumers aren’t happy with their health benefits, and more than 55% said they spent more than $1,000 in out-of-pocket healthcare expenses last year. Fifteen percent spent more than $5,000.
“The results are consistent with what we have been seeing in the marketplace: Consumers are spending more than ever on healthcare, yet they don’t currently have the resources to self-educate and navigate the system effectively,” says Copatient CEO Tom Torre. “The severity of the situation, however, was noteworthy in some cases.”Read more at: http://www.forbes.com/

Mariah Carey And Her Billionaire Fiancé James Packer Reportedly Split


“Mariah and James had a fight in Greece, and have not seen each other since. The fight was not because of any cheating allegations or excessive spending by Mariah. James is one of the most successful businessmen in the world.  They are trying to work it out. Right now, they’re not sure if they will stay together. They are discussing it, and plan to release an official statement together about their future.”Read more at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/

10 Ways Taylor Swift Has Changed On The 10th Anniversary Of Her First Album


On her self-titled debut album, Taylor Swift tells us about “Our Song.” You know, the one about the sound of screen doors slamming and window tapping. No one could have known that 10 years and four studio albums later, her songs would become the soundtrack to our own lives. Who hasn’t belted “You Belong With Me” at the top of their lungs or found comfort from a breakup in “All Too Well?” If you’re not raising your hand, you’re lying. This week marks the 10th anniversary of Swift’s first album, so what better time to reflect on how the country princess transformed into a bona fide pop star? Let’s count the ways in which she’s changed since she name-dropped Tim McGraw all those years ago. Read more at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/

APC National Legal Adviser Muiz Banire Allegedly Paid Federal Judge ₦500k

Agents of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) currently investigating cases of judicial corruption have told SaharaReporters that their review of banking and other financial documents discovered that Muiz Banire, the National Legal Adviser of the All Progressives Congress (APC), paid N500, 000 to one of the judges under investigation. EFCC agents said their forensic scrutiny of some judges’ bank accounts revealed suspicious payments made to numerous federal judges, including the one made by Mr. Banire. Read more at: http://saharareporters.com/

Two Boko Haram Suicide Bombers Kill 9 in Maiduguri

At least 9 people have been killed and 24 others seriously injured when two explosions rocked Maiduguri, the Borno state capital on Saturday morning. The first occurred when a young man disguised as women stormed a Civilian JTF checkpoint attached to the Bakassi Internally Displaced Persons camp and blew himself up along with 2 others. A second suicide attack took place in front of NNPC depot along Damboa Road in Maiduguri where a lone suicide bomber on a tricycle killed 3 others.Read more at: http://saharareporters.com/

I made you a billionaire, Obasanjo tells Folorunsho Alakija


Former President Olusegun Obasanjo said on Saturday in Lagos that Mrs Folorunsho Alakija, Africa’s richest woman by Forbes reckoning, was among the 25 billionaires he made during his tenure as President.The former president was reacting to an allegation by Alakija at the event, that the Obasanjo administration frustrated her effort when she ventured into oil business.Alakija, who spoke before Obasanjo, alleged that his administration illegally took an oil block allocated to her company after her family had invested all its savings to strike oil in commercial quantity. “This oil block is in 5000 feet depth of water and was extremely difficult to explore. “It took 15 years from the time that we were awarded the licence in 1993 till 2008 when we struck the first oil
Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/

Adultery could sometimes strengthen a marriage



A spouse strays and a marriage of many years hits the rocks. Yet a lot or marriages tagged ‘hopeless’ have been known to defy the odds when the estranged couples reunite. What makes a marriage work the second time around?  Some couple of years back, Rachael walked out on her husband of over 17 years taking with her the three children of the marriage.“He had an affair that resulted in a child,” she explained. “At the time the child was born, I was completely unaware of the other woman. It was my husband’s uncle that told me arrogantly that as a ‘senior’ wife, I had to be present at the christening. I felt insulted and humiliated.  My friends advised I shouldn’t do anything drastic, so I went. Where I got the serenity to go through the whole ceremony from, only God knows.

Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com

Friday 28 October 2016

The Answer to Zika May Be More Mosquitos


The mosquito Aedes aegypti is infamous for carrying Zika and dengue fever. The quest to kill it has consumed enormous amounts of money, time, and effort. So it seems counterintuitive that a team of scientists and health workers have just received $18 million to release these mosquitoes over densely populated parts of Brazil and Colombia.Their insects are no ordinary mosquitoes, though. They’ve been implanted with a bacterium called Wolbachia, which stops them from spreading the viruses behind Zika, dengue, yellow fever, chikungunya, and other diseases. It's not totally clear how it does this, but it may be by competing with the viruses for nutrients or boosting the insects' immune system. With this microbe inside them, the mosquitoes are no longer carriers of sickness. They are dead-ends.Better still, Wolbachia also excels at spreading through a population, manipulating its hosts to maximize its chances of entering the next generation. If you release small numbers of Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes over a region, within a few months, almost all the local insects should carry the microbe and thus be unable to spread several human diseases.
Read more at http://www.theatlantic.com/

Clinton calls on FBI to release 'full and complete facts' of email review


Hillary Clinton's email controversy roared back to the forefront of the presidential campaign Friday when FBI Director James Comey told lawmakers the bureau is reviewing new emails related to her personal server. The revelation -- 11 days before the election and nearly four months after Comey said he wouldn't recommend criminal charges because of Clinton's use of the server -- shook the Democratic nominee's campaign. She forcefully called on the FBI to release the "full and complete facts" about its review. "Voting is underway, so the American people deserve to get the full and complete facts immediately," Clinton said at a brief news conference in Des Moines, Iowa, adding it was "imperative that the bureau explain this issue in question, whatever it is, without any delay."
Clinton said she was "confident whatever (the emails) are will not change the conclusion reached in July," when Comey said he wouldn't recommend criminal charges in the matter. Republican nominee Donald Trump, who has spent the past several weeks on defense, seized on the issue.
Read more at http://edition.cnn.com/

Relationship problems after a baby arrives


When you feel like things aren’t what they used to be in your relationship, it can be a sad time. Having a baby can bring this feeling on overnight, so it’s important to recognise and accept that all relationships change and adapt over time. Having a baby is such an exciting time with so many positives that it’s easy to see why couples expect to feel happier together and it can come as a real shock to find that you are not getting on. But research shows that this is normal – parenthood is often the most difficult transition anyone will have to make.
Struggling with new rolesYou may struggle to hold onto a clear sense of who you are when you first become a parent. You have to get used to a new identity and sometimes the other roles in your life become secondary, at least in the beginning. This includes your role as a partner.New mums may also find it difficult to adjust to changes in their body like increased weight, stretch marks, sagging and scarring. The demands of breastfeeding can be difficult to adjust to and many new mums find themselves feeling unattractive or at odds with their body.However, while some mothers and fathers may feel the loss of their old selves, others are happy with their new identity. Read more at http://thecoupleconnection.net/

Tesla's Musk adds solar roofs to his clean energy vision


Tesla Motors Inc (TSLA.O) Chief Executive Elon Musk on Friday unveiled new energy products aimed at illustrating the benefits of combining his electric car and battery maker with solar installer SolarCity Corp (SCTY.O). The billionaire entrepreneur showed of solar-powered roof tiles that eliminate the need for traditional panels and a longer-lasting home battery, which Tesla calls the Powerwall, aimed at realizing his vision of selling a fossil fuel free lifestyle to consumers. "This is sort of the integrated future. An electric car, a Powerwall and a solar roof. The key is it needs to be beautiful, affordable and seamlessly integrated," Musk said while showcasing the products on homes that once served as the set of the television show "Desperate Housewives." Musk is the biggest shareholder in both Tesla and SolarCity, which is run by two of his first cousins. Analysts have been dubious of the deal's proposed synergies, with some suggesting the merger is a way for Tesla to rescue money-losing SolarCity. A vote on the acquisition is scheduled for Nov. 17. The rollout of the product, expected as soon as next summer, would be "unwieldy" if the two companies are not combined, Musk told reporters. Having two separate companies "slows things down, makes them more expensive. It's worse for shareholders," he said.
Read more at http://www.reuters.com/

All-New 2018 Volkswagen Atlas Adds a Three-Row SUV to Carmaker's Lineup


Volkswagen is joining the three-row family SUV segment, dominated by the likes of the Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander, with its all-new Atlas. This seven-passenger coach will go on sale in spring 2017. Slated to be assembled at the automaker’s Chattanooga, Tennessee, facility next to the Passat, the Atlas is touted as the largest vehicle the company has manufactured in the U.S. And when the company says large, it is sincere. The 2018 Volkswagen Atlas is among the largest in the segment at 198 inches long, which is about 5 inches longer than a Honda Pilot. It’s also about an inch wider. VW says those large dimensions enable the Atlas to accommodate seven adult-sized passengers. And as seen in the Nissan Pathfinder and GMC Acadia, VW promises a seat-folding solution that enables access even with child seats installed in the second row, addressing an issue many parents are familiar with. Read more at https://www.yahoo.com

Microsoft goes after Apple users with sleek Surface desktop


Microsoft aims to lure designers away from Apple with its new Surface desktop computer. The company showed off a collection of shiny new tech products Wednesday morning ahead of the holiday shopping season. As expected, Microsoft (MSFT, Tech30) debuted an all-in-one Surface PC called Surface Studio ($2,999), which has a strong focus on creativity. It's clear the company wants users to start thinking of its products as more than just productivity tools. While the tech giant has launched tablets and laptops under the Surface branding, this is the first time its landed on a desktop computer. Surface Studio includes a hinge that lets you tinker with the display angle and supports touchscreen and stylus capabilities -- similar to what's already standard for other Surface products.
Read more at http://money.cnn.com/

Kardashian thieves not 'there for jewels'


The concierge who was held at gunpoint with Kim Kardashian West has revealed more details about the robbery. The hotel employee who goes by Abdulrahman sat down with "Entertainment Tonight" to share details about the daring heist on October 3 in Paris. A group of men surprised him and the reality star, making off with millions of dollars' worth of jewelry from Kardashian West."They weren't there for jewels at first; they were there for money," Abdulrahman told the show. Kardashian West was bound on that terrifying night and has since greatly reduced her social media presence and public outings. Read more at http://edition.cnn.com/

South Korea: President Park embroiled in leaked documents scandal

Political turmoil is gripping South Korea as a scandal engulfs President Park Geun-hye, who stands accused of leaking official state documents to a friend.The outcry over the allegations that she shared information with a confidante, who does not hold any public office, led to a rare event in South Korean politics on Tuesday -- a televised presidential apology.In it, Park admitted to sharing state documents with Choi Soon-sil, who gave "her personal opinion" on Park's speeches before the presidential election in 2012. Park also said Choi looked at "some documents" for a certain period of time after Park took office, but didn't specify what they were.Read more at http://edition.cnn.com/

FedEx cargo plane burns at Fort Lauderdale airport


A FedEx cargo plane caught fire on the runway at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport on Friday afternoon, causing the airport to shut down for several hours, the Federal Aviation Administration said.Video shot by an onlooker at the airport showed a fireball exploding out of the damaged aircraft and recorded the startled cries of people watching. The pilot and copilot escaped harm using a rope ladder on the right side of the aircraft, according to Mike Jachles of Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue. No members of the ground crews were hurt, he added. The fire occurred after the plane's landing gear collapsed as it touched ground, the FAA said. The Boeing MD-10 was operating as Flight 910 from Memphis, Tennessee, where FedEx is based. Most of the fire damage occurred on the plane's exterior near the left wing and engine, Jachles said. The interior of the plane appeared to be undamaged. Read more at http://edition.cnn.com/

American Airlines 767 catches fire on runway


The right-side engine of an American Airlines Boeing 767 failed Friday during an attempted takeoff, sending debris as far as a half mile and passengers hurriedly down emergency slides onto a runway at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport. Three sources familiar with the unfolding investigation told CNN the General Electric engine suffered an apparent "uncontained" failure. The 161 terrified passengers and nine crew members scrambled to safety Friday afternoon after huge flames erupted on the right side of the plane. Airport fire Chief Timothy Sampey said crews responded to a report of a No. 2 engine on fire. The plane, which had stopped well before the end of the runway, had about 43,000 pounds of fuel."This could have been absolutely devastating if it happened later," he said.
Read more at http://edition.cnn.com/

Wayne Rooney: Man Utd captain 'is going nowhere


Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney is "going nowhere", according to manager Jose Mourinho.
Mourinho dismissed reports the England forward was told to leave Old Trafford to get regular first-team football.Rooney, 31, has not started a league game since the 3-1 defeat to Watford on 18 September and has missed United's last two games with injury."There is no problem at all but you need stories to sell papers," said the former Chelsea and Real Madrid boss."[Rooney] is a top player, a very important player for us," added Mourinho. "He is going nowhere - we like him, he likes us. He's not happy because he's been on the bench but he is even unhappier when he's injured."Rooney is now fit after recovering from the calf injury that forced him to miss Sunday's 4-0 defeat to Chelsea and Wednesday's EFL Cup win over Manchester City.He is just four goals short of surpassing Sir Bobby Charlton's tally of 249 goals for United, to become the club's all-time record goalscorer.
Read more at http://www.bbc.com/sport/football

Henrikh Mkhitaryan: Man Utd midfielder needs time to adapt

Manager Jose Mourinho believes Henrikh Mkhitaryan can become a top player for Manchester United, but needs time to adapt to the "intensity and aggression" of the English game. The Armenian midfielder, 27, signed for £26m from Borussia Dortmund in July. He has only played 104 minutes all season and has not featured since being taken off at half-time in the defeat by Manchester City on 10 September. United boss Mourinho said Mkhitaryan "is training with the team 100%". "Mkhitaryan is not injured," he added. "Sometimes I confuse the meaning 'fit' in English language. Sometimes fit is ready to compete. "Some players are really adapted to come and play and not to feel. Some players they need time, to feel it, to feel the intensity, time to feel the aggression, the game without the ball."
Read more at http://www.bbc.com/sport/football

Cristiano Ronaldo should be named the world's best player

Cristiano Ronaldo should be named the world's best player ahead of Lionel Messi despite his faltering form for Real Madrid, says Zinedine Zidane. Ronaldo, 31, is one of the favourites to win the Ballon d'Or after helping Portugal win Euro 2016. But he has struggled to replicate his previous scoring form for the Spanish club this season, netting just four goals in nine appearances. "He clearly deserves the Ballon d'Or," said Real Madrid manager Zidane. "Not just at an individual level, but above all on a collective level. 
Read more at http://www.bbc.com/sport/football

The 10 Habits of Long-Lasting Couples


We've all swooned at the adorable stories of couples who spend their whole lives together, and are just as much in love with each other in old age as they were right at beginning. But what is their secret? How do they manage to maintain, and strengthen, their love through the years? Well, psychiatrist Mark Goulston has published his advice. Read on to discover his 10 tips for lasting relationships:
1. Go to bed together. This doesn't mean go have sex every single night, but rather go to bed at the same time. Dr. Goulston reckons that "happy couples resist the temptation to go to bed at different times" even if one gets back up shortly after. There's nothing like a bedtime cuddle!
Read more at http://www.cosmopolitan.com/

BMW recalling 136,000 US vehicles over fuel pump: regulators

BMW (BMWG.DE) is recalling about 136,000 vehicles registered in the United States for a fuel pump problem that could cause stalling, according to a filing with U.S. safety regulators. BMW told regulators that no injuries have been reported from the issue. Since 2014, the German-based company has conducted safety recall campaigns in China, Japan and South Korea for the same issue, according to a filing posted on Friday by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. BMW officials in the United States and Germany did not respond to calls seeking comment. BMW is recalling certain vehicles in the United States model year 2007-2011. Among them in the United States are the X5 3.0si, X5 4.8i, X5 M, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i and X5 xDrive50i, 2008-2011 X6 x Drive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6 M, 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid, according to the filing. Read more at http://www.reuters.com/

Does taking more selfies make you happier?


Want to be happy? Lift your smartphone in the air, angle it to the best side of your face, and click – because selfies make you happy, according to a recent report. Google estimates that, in 2014, at least 93m selfies a day were posted on Android phones alone, and the Pew Research Center says more than 91% of teenagers have posted a self portrait online.But the ubiquitous selfie irritates the hell out of anyone over 40 years of age and is more usually associated in the media with unhappy outcomes. Last year, more people died worldwide while taking selfies than from shark attacks – mostly from falling but also from being hit by vehicles and even gored by a bull. The selfie has also been linked to mental health problems. In 2014, a study from Ohio State University found that men who posted the most selfies on social media scored highest on questionnaires for narcissistic and psychopathic traits. An editorial by Dr Pankaj Shah in the International Journal of Emergency Mental Health and Human Resilience also argued that taking selfies was addictive and that spending more than five minutes on a selfie or taking more than three to five a day may be “considered a disease”. So, when a hoax news report in 2014 claimed that Selfitis was a new mental health problem defined by the American Psychiatric Association as “the obsessive compulsive desire to take photos of one’s self and post them on social media”, many people believed it.
Read more at https://www.theguardian.com

'I eat an avocado every day': veteran women runners share their secrets

Among the unfunny cliches aimed at the middle-aged on reaching milestone birthdays – references to old wine, elasticated waistbands, 60-is-the-new-40 etc – lies the happy fact that, for the midlife runner, age and wisdom bring rewards. As a V50 parkrunner, for example, you can be well placed in your age group despite finishing near the back of the pack. For some veteran runners, every milestone birthday earns them more bling at the finish line, as these three women champs in the V50, V60 and V70 categories have proved with some panache. 
Read more at https://www.theguardian.com

Why we’re taking a huge N9.61 trillion loan – Nigerian Government

The federal government has explained why it wants to take a $30.54 billion (about N9.61 trillion) loan, which is believed to be the biggest single external loan request by any government in recent history. President Muhammadu Buhari, who on Tuesday requested the National Assembly’s accelerated approval of the borrowing plan, said it would include a $575 million World Bank loan.
The total loan will fund a number of key projects in the country, he said. The projects cut across key sectors of the economy, with special emphasis on infrastructure development, agriculture, health, education, water supply, growth and employment generation, poverty reduction through social safety net programmes and governance and financial management reforms. Mr. Buhari said the proposed programmes would receive about $11.274 billion of the total loan, while special infrastructure projects would take $10.69 billion. Euro bonds will take $4.4 billion and federal budget support, $3.5 billion, he said. Details of the projects to be executed with the World Bank loan include polio eradication support and routine immunization project ($125 million); community and social development project ($75 million), and Nigerian states health programme investment project ($125 million). Read more at http://www.premiumtimesng.com/

Buhari unveils petroleum roadmap, says oil and gas critical for Nigeria’s growth

President Muhummadu Buhari has unveiled Seven Big Wins, as part of short to medium term strategy framework with robust priorities to grow Nigeria’s oil and gas sector. The seven big wins to revamp and revive the sector will focus on key areas including Niger Delta development and security of the oil producing region; policy and regulation; business environment and investment drive;‎ transparency and efficiency; stakeholder management and international coordination; gas revolution, refineries and local oil production capacity. Unveiling the document in Abuja on Thursday, the president noted that the oil and gas sector was still a critical revenue point for the country despite the drastic dip in global crude oil prices at the international market. “As important as it is to ensure that Agriculture, Solid minerals and other critical sectors of the economy are supported to grow and contribute more to the nation’s economy, we still need a virile and efficient oil and gas industry to take care of our foreign exchange requirements,” he said. 
Read more at http://www.premiumtimesng.com/

Oil exports resume at key terminal destroyed by Niger Delta Avengers

Oil exports have resumed at Forcados terminal, a key platform attacked by the Niger Delta Avengers in early 2016. The director of Shell Oil Company’s Global Upstream, Andrew Brown, confirmed the development on Tuesday. He spoke at a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari. Forcados, with a 400,000 barrels-per-day capacity, was attacked by the so-called Niger Delta Avengers in February.
The attack significantly cut Nigeria’s oil output. It compelled Shell to announce a force majeure, a declaration made by a party to an agreement when it is unable to meet an obligation due to unforeseen circumstances. The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) said at least N689 billion was lost during the period. Read more at http://www.premiumtimesng.com/

Cabal At Buhari’s Presidency Agrees To Free Senate President Saraki If

A five-man panel of the Court of Appeal in Abuja has dashed the hopes of Senate President Bukola Saraki of evading the corruption trial initiated by the Federal Government for the alleged false declaration of assets. The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja today struck out the application filed by the embattled Senate President challenging the jurisdiction of the at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) to entertain the charges against him.In a unanimous decision which was read by Justice Abdul Aboki who led the five-man panel ruled that the appeal is unmeritorious and was then entirely dismissed. The court resolved all the nine grounds of appeal against Saraki and affirmed the power of the tribunal to entertain and try him for the charges brought against him. With the court ruling, Justice Abdul Aboki ruling on Thursday meant that the trial of the Senate President would continue at the Code of Conduct Tribunal, where he is facing a 16-count charge of corruption and false assets declaration. Read more at http://saharareporters.com/

Recession: FG must increase minimum wage – NLC

Worried by the State of the country’s economy, President of National Labour Congress, NLC, Mr. Ayuba Wabba, yesterday, urged President Munammadu Buhari not to jettison increment in minimum wages from N18, 000, saying “this is the logic used by United State to address recession.” Wabba, who made the appeal in an interview with Vanguard after presenting N400, 000 Cheque to wife of late Vanguard deputy photo-editor, Mr. Tunji Oyeleru at the Airport Hotel, Ikeja, argued that the economy cannot return to its former state unless the citizens have purchasing power. The NLC president said “The state of the country’s economy requires that we increase minimum wage. We need to empower the people to buy and sell. If the economy is at standstill and people cannot buy, the economy will not grow.
Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com

Okonjo-Iweala: Financial Inclusion of Women Can Raise Nigeria’s GDP By 12%

A former Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on Thursday called for policies that would ensure that more women are brought into the financial system. According to her, including more women in the financial system could add about 10 to 12 per cent to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Speaking in Lagos at a Diamond Bank partnership programme with Women’s world banking counsel for Africa, an initiative focused on women’s economic empowerment, financial inclusion and gender diversity in Africa, the former minister said reports had shown that two billion people were excluded from financial inclusion.
Read more at http://www.thisdaylive.com/

Toyota recalls fresh 5.8 million cars globally over faulty airbags

Toyota Motor Corp  said it was recalling about 5.8 million cars at home and abroad over potentially faulty air bag inflators made by Takata Corp. The company said in a statement in Tokyo, that the recalled cars included those used as replacement parts following a 2010 recall. It said the recalled covered airbags installed in cars produced between May 2000 and November 2001, and April 2006 and December 2014. Toyota’s latest recall includes the Corolla, one of the world’s best-selling models, and the Vitz or Yaris subcompact hatchback model. It affects about 1.16 million vehicles sold in Japan, about 820,000 cars sold in China and around 1.47 million cars in the European market.
The recall extends to Central and South America, Africa, the Near and Middle East and Singapore, and also includes the Hilux pick-up truck and the Etios line of sedans and hatchbacks.
Read more at http://www.premiumtimesng.com/

NB Plc Records Decline in Profit, Declares N7.9bn Interim Dividend

The Board of Directors of Nigerian Breweries (NB) Plc has recommended an interim dividend of N7.929 billion, which translates to N1.00 per share for the nine months ended September 30, 2016. This interim dividend is being recommended despite a decline in the company’s profit for the period occasioned by the current challenging environment. The company said in a statement signed by NB Plc’s Company Secretary/Legal Adviser, Mr. Uaboi Agbebaku, that revenue rose from N214. 918 billion recorded at the end of September 2015 to N222.716 billion in the same period in 2016. However, operating profit fell by 11 per cent from N42.766 billion in 2015 to N37.962 billion in 2015. The company’s profit after tax (PAT) declined by 23 per cent from N26.175 billion in the period under review in 2015 to N20.100 billion in 2016. Read more at http://www.thisdaylive.com/

NB Plc Records Decline in Profit, Declares N7.9bn Interim Dividend

The Board of Directors of Nigerian Breweries (NB) Plc has recommended an interim dividend of N7.929 billion, which translates to N1.00 per share for the nine months ended September 30, 2016. This interim dividend is being recommended despite a decline in the company’s profit for the period occasioned by the current challenging environment. The company said in a statement signed by NB Plc’s Company Secretary/Legal Adviser, Mr. Uaboi Agbebaku, that revenue rose from N214. 918 billion recorded at the end of September 2015 to N222.716 billion in the same period in 2016. However, operating profit fell by 11 per cent from N42.766 billion in 2015 to N37.962 billion in 2015. The company’s profit after tax (PAT) declined by 23 per cent from N26.175 billion in the period under review in 2015 to N20.100 billion in 2016. Read more at http://www.thisdaylive.com/

Reps Hinge Approval for $30bn Loan on Funding for Constituency Projects

Members of the Nigerian House of Representatives have hinged their approval for the $30 billion external borrowing plan request of the federal government and the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) on a firm commitment by the executive to the release of funds for their constituency projects. President Muhammadu Buhari early this week had written to the National Assembly, seeking approval for the loan to address critical infrastructure deficit, and for virement of N180 billion in the 2016 budget to fund capital and recurrent items.
Read more at http://www.thisdaylive.com/

Reps Hinge Approval for $30bn Loan on Funding for Constituency Projects

Members of the Nigerian House of Representatives have hinged their approval for the $30 billion external borrowing plan request of the federal government and the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) on a firm commitment by the executive to the release of funds for their constituency projects. President Muhammadu Buhari early this week had written to the National Assembly, seeking approval for the loan to address critical infrastructure deficit, and for virement of N180 billion in the 2016 budget to fund capital and recurrent items.
Read more at http://www.thisdaylive.com/

Reps Hinge Approval for $30bn Loan on Funding for Constituency Projects

Members of the Nigerian House of Representatives have hinged their approval for the $30 billion external borrowing plan request of the federal government and the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) on a firm commitment by the executive to the release of funds for their constituency projects. President Muhammadu Buhari early this week had written to the National Assembly, seeking approval for the loan to address critical infrastructure deficit, and for virement of N180 billion in the 2016 budget to fund capital and recurrent items.
Read more at http://www.thisdaylive.com/

Senate Amends CCT/CCB Act, Transfers President’s Power to N’Assembly

The Nigerian Senate yesterday amended the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act (CCB/CCT Act) tinkering with Section 18(1) & (2) of the extant law by transferring the president’s regulatory power over the bureau and tribunal to the National Assembly.The parliament also reintroduced a provision which authorises the CCB to invite anyone found culpable in asset declaration to make necessary correction as against being charged to the tribunal for trial. This provision had earlier been expunged from the extant law. Read more at http://www.thisdaylive.com/

ExxonMobil Discovers One Billion Barrels of Oil in Nigeria

Barely a week after it sold its downstream subsidiary in Nigeria, United States’ oil giant, ExxonMobil Corporation, has announced the discovery of up to one billion barrels of oil reserves in the Owowo field, offshore Nigeria. The development is a boost to Nigeria’s efforts to increase her crude oil reserves from the current 36 billion barrels to 40 billion barrels target, which was set for 2010 but could not be achieved as a result of lack of investment in exploratory activities. The Owowo field spans portions of the contract areas of Oil Prospecting License (OPL) 223 and Oil Mining License (OML) 139. Read more at http://www.thisdaylive.com/

Wednesday 26 October 2016

FG releases N65bn for Social Investment Programme – Minister

The Federal Government of Nigeria has directed the immediate release of N65 billion for the take- off of its National Social Investment Programme. Minister of State for Budget and National Planning Zainab Ahmed announced this while addressing State House correspondents on the outcome of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, which was presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari. She stated that the N65 billion was part of the N150 billion approved by the steering committee of the programme. The N500 billion is earmarked by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration in the 2016 appropriation bill for the implementation of the social investment programme.

Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com

IS executes dozens of prisoners near Mosul, officials say

Islamic State militants have in recent days executed dozens of prisoners taken from villages the group has been forced to abandon by an Iraqi army advance on the city of Mosul, officials in the region said on Wednesday. Most of those killed were former members of the Iraqi police and army who had lived in areas under Islamic State control south of Mosul, Abdul Rahman al-Waggaa, a member of the Nineveh provincial council, told Reuters. The militants forced them to leave their homes with their families, and took them to the town of Hammam Al-Alil, 15 km (9 miles) south of Mosul, where the executions took place, he said in Erbil, the capital of the Kurdish region, east of Mosul. The men were shot dead, he said, quoting the testimony of remaining residents of the villages and people displaced from the area. The executions were meant "to terrorize the others, those who are in Mosul in particular", and also to get rid of the prisoners, he said.

Donald Trump's Hollywood Walk of Fame star smashed up


Donald Trump's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame has been smashed to pieces with a sledgehammer. A man in a high visibility jacket and helmet was videoed destroying it on Wednesday night. Reporters claim the man said he wanted to auction the star off, to raise funds for the women who have accused Mr Trump of sexually assaulting them. The US presidential candidate denies all the allegations against him.
Read more at http://www.bbc.com/

Jay Z 'offers Prince's family $40m' for rights to unreleased music


Hip hop mogul Jay Z has reportedly made a major play to expand his music catalogue. The Big Pimpin' rapper is said to have reached out to the family of late musician Prince in a bid to obtain rights to the singer's unreleased music.  Prince, who died on 21 April after overdosing on powerful painkillers, famously had heaps of unheard songs in a vault at his Paisley Park home. TMZ reports that Jay Z, 46, flew Prince's sister Tyka Nelson and her husband Maurice Phillips to New York City "several weeks ago" to meet with him.
Read more at http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/

Dating Advice: Is an Old Relationship Holding You Back?


If you’re having trouble getting over a past relationship, the clutter in your closet might be to blame. A recent study by Wakefield Research for SpareFoot found that 44% of U.S. millennials still hold on to their ex’s belongings and other items that remind them of the relationship. Consequently, this “relationship clutter” makes it difficult to move on.“We often don’t think about why we keep certain things but rather just go through the motions. In reality, most people keep things to hold onto the past, and in hope for a better future,” said clinical psychologist Susan Bartell one of the sudy’s researchers. “We hold onto items that remind us of happier times, past relationships, and our childhood, but also things that we think we will need, such as clothing in a smaller size, our kids’ toys, and legacy items.” The Cheat Sheet caught up with Bartell  to learn more about how this emotional clutter could hold us back from fully engaging in a new relationship.  
Read more at http://www.cheatsheet.com/