Monday, May 18, 2015

Xenophobia: South Africa repatriates 5,645 immigrants


South Africa has repatriated 5,645 foreigners since the end of xenophobic attacks in late April, the government said yesterday. A Minister in the Presidency, Jeff Radebe, who said this in a statement, added that the foreigners chose to leave South Africa voluntarily.

Malawians made up the bulk of the foreigners, numbering 3,506, followed by Zimbabweans (1,440) Mozambicans (682), while Tanzanians had (17). Mr. Radebe said the repatriation process started soon after the latest spate of xenophobic violence ended in April.

"The Department of Social Development continues to work closely with other relevant departments, as well as civil society organisations to provide support to displaced foreign nationals,” Mr. Radebe said. The official also said over 1,000 foreigners received trauma counseling.

According to the statement, 10 women with children under 12 months of which three had just given birth were flown to their respective countries on their insistence. Mr. Radebe further said the department would continue to do its work to ensure that the underlying socio-economic issues that gave rise to tensions between South Africans and foreign nationals were dealt with.

 He also defended the current Operation Fiela (meaning “sweep’’ in Sesotho language) launched after the end of the xenophobia attacks. He said the operation was meant to address the security challenges in a structured and coordinated manner.

(NAN)

Army destroys 10 terrorist camps

Major General Olukolade, the Director for Defence Information, made the disclosure on Sunday, May 17, 2015 via a statement.

Battle ready Nigerian soldiers comb Sambisa Forest. Battle ready Nigerian soldiers comb Sambisa Forest.
 

According to military spokesperson, Chris Olukolade, the Nigerian Army has destroyed 10 more Boko Haram camps as part of its Sambisa Forest operation.
Major General Olukolade, the Director for Defence Information, made the disclosure on Sunday, May 17, 2015 via a statement.
He also said that Nigerian troops killed many terrorists during the operation.
The statement reads:
“An unconfirmed number of terrorists died on Saturday as 10 additional camps, used by terrorists, were overrun in the continuing offensive operations against the terrorists in Sambisa Forest.”
“The Dure camp, which is one of the most prominent camps in the forest, witnessed the fiercest battle as the Special Forces descended heavily on it before it finally fell.”
“Four of the camps were located in a place called Iza, within the forest, while three others were noted to be recently established by the terrorists before the assault began.”
“One soldier died from one of the land mines encountered in the operation while two others were also wounded.”
Olukolade also said that soldiers deployed in the operation captured several vehicles mounted with anti-aircraft guns and armoured vehicles from the insurgents.

US lawmakers declare sect a national security threat


The lawmakers also said that a sustained fight against the sect is in the ‘national security interest of the United States.’

Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau  Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau
(Shoebat)
Members of the US House of Representatives have said that Boko Haram is still a threat to the country.
The lawmakers also said that a sustained fight against the sect is in the ‘national security interest of the United States.’
The comments were made at a hearing held on Friday, May 15, 2015, by the House Foreign Affairs Committee, while passing the amendment to the National Defence Authorization Act to combat Boko Haram.
According to Committee Chairman, Ed Royce:
“Boko Haram is notorious for their vicious kidnappings, killings, and pillaging throughout northern Nigeria. But the story is beginning to change – these terrorists are starting to feel some heat.”
“The Nigerian military has higher morale, and the Africa Union task force is cutting off Boko Haram’s supply lines and reclaiming towns. The pieces are coming into place to destroy this terrorist group; the forces fighting Boko Haram just need crucial support to get the job done.”
“Passing this amendment reaffirms US’ support for the forces on the front lines combating Boko Haram.”
Committee member, Carolyn Maloney supported Royce’s call saying that fighting Boko Haram must remain a national security priority.
“I am proud to stand with Chairman Royce in support of his amendment to clearly affirm that Boko Haram presents a threat not just to one nation, but to the world. Combatting Boko Haram is and should remain a national security priority – and we must remain vigilant in fighting this enemy,” Maloney said.
The amendment titled  ‘Report on United States efforts to combat Boko Haram and support regional allies and other partners’ reads:
“Combating Boko Haram is in the national security interest of the United States; the United States should support regional partners, including the African Union-authorised Multinational Joint Task Force, through training and advice and the provision of key enablers to strengthen operations against Boko Haram.”
Meanwhile, the US has also maintained the $7 million (N1.4 billion) bounty it placed on Abubakar Shekau, the leader of Boko Haram, who has been named among the 71 most wanted terrorists in the world.
 

See pictures from the singer's baby shower


The baby shower took place at Lekki Phase 1 on a boat cruise. The event was attended by celebs such as Annie Idibia, Tania Omotayo, Sasha, Freda Francis and label mate, Di'Ja.

Tiwa Savage held a baby shower yesterday, May 18, 2015.
The baby shower took place at Lekki Phase 1 on a boat cruise. The event was attended by celebs such as Annie Idibia, Tania Omotayo, Sasha, Freda Francis and label mate, Di'Ja.
Simi Esiri, Dr. Sid's wife could not make the baby shower as she was in America where she delivered her baby girl a day earlier.
Below are the pictures from Tiwa Savage's baby shower.

Sambisa Offensive: 10 More Boko Haram’s Camps Fall



Military authorities, yesterday, disclosed that an unconfirmed number of terrorists died on Saturday as 10 additional camps used by terrorists were overran in the continuing offensive operations against the terrorists in Sambisa Forest.

According to a statement from Defence Headquarters, “the Dure camp, which is one of the most prominent camps in the forest, witnessed the fiercest battle as the Special Forces, backed by air power, descended heavily on it before it finally fell.
“Four of the camps were located in a place called Iza within the forest, while three others were noted to be recently established by the terrorists before the assault began. One soldier died from one of the land mines encountered in the operation, while two others
were also wounded. 
The terrorists lost a number of vehicles mounted with anti-aircraft guns and armoured vehicles. Some of the terrorists, who escaped from the camps, also died as they ran into troops ambush in some escape routes. 
Meanwhile, some of the fleeing terrorists have also engaged in suicide missions at Bitta, where they encountered Nigerian troops and Kiskeru across the border in Niger Republic. The operation to clear the terrorists in Sambisa and other forests is continuing as troops in all fronts have been alerted to be on the lookout for fleeing terrorists. 
The Nigerian Air Force is maintaining an active air surveillance to track the movement of terrorists for appropriate action as the operation continues.”

Celebrities on the red carpet of the 2015 Billboard Music Awards + full list of winners

Jennifer Lopez, Taylor Swift, Chrissy Teigen, and Mariah Carey looked stunning on the red carpet of the 2015 Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas last night. See more photos after the cut...




John Legend and wife Christie
Celine Dion 
Mariah Carey 
Taraji P. Henson 


Britney Spears


Britney Spears and Iggy Azalea 



Full list of winners
TOP ARTIST
Taylor Swift

TOP NEW ARTIST
Sam Smith 

TOP MALE ARTIST 
Sam Smith

TOP FEMALE ARTIST
Taylor Swift 

TOP DUO/GROUP
One Direction

TOP BILLBOARD 200 ARTIST
Taylor Swift

TOP HOT 100 ARTIST
Meghan Trainor

TOP DIGITAL SONGS ARTIST
Taylor Swift 

TOP RADIO SONGS ARTIST
John Legend

TOP TOURING ARTIST
One Direction

TOP SOCIAL ARTIST
Justin Bieber

TOP STREAMING ARTIST
Iggy Azalea

TOP R&B ARTIST
Pharrell Williams

TOP RAP ARTIST
Iggy Azalea

TOP COUNTRY ARTIST
Florida Georgia Line

TOP ROCK ARTIST
Hozier 

TOP LATIN ARTIST
Romeo Santos

TOP DANCE/ELECTRONIC ARTIST 
Calvin Harris 

TOP CHRISTIAN ARTIST
Hillsong United 

TOP BILLBOARD 200 ALBUM
Taylor Swift, 1989

TOP SOUNDTRACK 
Frozen 

TOP R&B ALBUM 
Pharrell Williams, G I R L

TOP RAP ALBUM
J. Cole, 2014 Forest Hills Drive 

TOP COUNTRY ALBUM
Jason Aldean, Old Boots, New Dirt 

TOP ROCK ALBUM 
Coldplay, Ghost Stories 

TOP LATIN ALBUM 
Enrique Iglesias, Sex and Love 

TOP DANCE/ELECTRONIC ALBUM 
Lindsey Stirling, Shatter Me

TOP CHRISTIAN ALBUM
Lecrae, Anomaly

TOP HOT 100 SONG 
Meghan Trainor, All About That Bass

TOP DIGITAL SONG
Meghan Trainor, All About That Bass 

TOP RADIO SONG 
Sam Smith, Stay With Me
  
TOP STREAMING SONG (AUDIO)
John Legend, All of Me 

TOP STREAMING SONG (VIDEO) 
Taylor Swift, Shake It Off 

TOP R&B SONG 
Pharrell Williams, Happy

TOP RAP SONG
Iggy Azalea feat. Charli XCX, Fancy 

TOP COUNTRY SONG
Jason Aldean, Burnin’ It Down 

TOP ROCK SONG 
Hozier, Take Me to Church 

TOP LATIN SONG 
Enrique Iglesias feat. Descemer Bueno & Gente de Zona, Bailando 

TOP DANCE/ELECTRONIC SONG 
DJ Snake & Lil Jon, Turn Down For What 

TOP CHRISTIAN SONG 
Carrie Underwood, Something in the Water

BILLBOARD CHART ACHIEVEMENT AWARD PRESENTED BY SAMSUNG GALAXY (FAN-VOTED) 
Taylor Swift

I ask for forgiveness from those we have offended - Pres. Jonathan

While delivering his valedictory speech at the special thanksgiving and farewell service organized by Aso Villa Chapel yesterday May 17th, President Jonathan asked for forgiveness from those who might have felt offended by any of the moves his government made, stating that such moves were not intended to deliberately hurt anyone. He said no human institution is ever perfect. He urged everyone to pursue work towards a better Nigeria even as they leave government positions.
"No system is perfect. Every human system must have an element of imperfection. For the period of eight years that we have been here. I will take the period as a block because my transition from VP to President was gradual and complicated. It was intertwined so you cannot actually draw the line. Because when the President was challenged within major health issues, I was running the country for sometimes even before the doctrine of necessity made me as acting president. Then I took over at first and conducting the 2011 election I won and I had to run my full four years as an elected president. So for the eight that one has been there, definitely one is not perfect. We have certainly done things that probably we wouldn’t have done that way, but we didn’t do things deliberately. So for those who we have offended it was not deliberate, it was circumstances of the office. So we also plead that those people should forgive, we think we have done our best. You can do your best and your friends may misunderstand you. Today we are talking about leaving, it is only God that knows why things go the way they do.We came in as Vice President and my wife, today we are leaving as the former president and former First Lady. We have achieved it through you. Let me specifically thank the chaplain, the clergymen, the pastors and their wives. For the past eight years we have every reason to be thankful to God. Every individual has his/her own calling. I also believe that people who take over political leadership have their own callings to do specific things. No one, head of a government, be it at the national level or the sub- regional levels can do every thing. But when you leave, you will want to do something to show that yes I was here. The chaplain has said that nothing is perfect, if you wait for perfection, you cannot achieve anything. Ordinarily 24th of May would haven been the last Service here. But that 24th, we will all go to the National Christian Centre for the inauguration service. So for me and my wife, this is our last day of worship here. Though we are leaving as president and First Lady, but we have not left you, because we are still in this country, we will continue to interact one way or the other, probably along the line we may even come closer. I believe some of you may even come closer, and even do more meaningful things together when we leave office. I don’t really believe that it is only in government that you can do thing, even outside government you do a lot of things. The richest people in the world don’t even serve in government. Dangote has never been in government, so you don’t need to be in government to be rich. Bill Gates has not been in government. So outside government a lot of things happen, it is for us to be committed and continue to be focus. Me and my wife really love all of you.”he said

Nigeria police responds to alleged ‘Human Flesh Restaurant’ in Anambra story

Some days ago, a few foreign media including BBC, AFP and Daily Mail published a story claiming a Nigerian restaurant in Anambra was shut down for cooking human flesh. (Read here)

The Anambra State Police Command responded to the story yesterday Sunday May 17th, saying nothing of such happened. The State's Police Public Relations Officer, Uche Eze, said;
"There was nothing like that. I advise you to ignore that report. It’s not true and it did not happen. We don’t have such record. It’s embarrassing. I think we definitely deserve an apology because this story has already been sold out to a huge international audience who made so many unnecessary comments about Nigeria and Nigerians" she told Punch

Miss Black Africa UK releases new stunning pics ahead of mission to Nigeria

Reigning Miss Black Africa UK, 21 year old Jacqueline Ilumoka has just released a new set of stunning photos. The UK based Nigerian model won the crown in October 2014 and will be traveling to Nigeria in July to start her Charity Campaign - I am Able Nigeria. Besides donating Wheelchairs and mobility aids, the final year University student will be campaigning for better living conditions for disabled people in Nigeria. See more photos of her after the cut...



Sunday, May 17, 2015

Teen revived after 20 minutes with no pulse said he saw Jesus


A 17-year-old Texas high school student claims he saw Jesus after he collapsed in gym class and was without a heartbeat for 20 minutes. Zack Clements suffered sudden cardiac arrest at Victory Life Academy on May 5 and was unresponsive. But just as doctors were about to declare him dead after 20 minutes, he revived.
He was airlifted to the hospital & woke up in the intensive care unit days later. Even more incredible than Zack’s recovery is what he claims he saw. Jesus!

“When I was out those 20 minutes, I saw a man who had long ruffled hair and kind of a thick beard, and it didn’t take me long to realize that that was Jesus,” Zack said.
“I went up to him and he put his hand on my shoulder and told me everything would be alright.”
Zach and his family are saying that they can’t explain what happened, but they’re calling it a miracle.
Source: CBS