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Tuesday 29 October 2013

Dasuki’s Unflinching Integrity Stands

Sometimes, over excitement has a way of blurring reality. It is a short-lived euphoric state that, if not handled well, erases a long-standing cognition. As soon as the National Security Adviser, Mohammed Sambo Dasuki, was mentioned as a member of the three-man administrative panel of enquiry set up by President Jonathan to probe the Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah, hasty and overzealous publications began to emerge quoting a source from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) regarding whether or not the allegedly procured bullet-proof cars were duly permitted by the ONSA.
Col Sambo Dasuki

Many have criticised the need for an administrative panel for the purpose stated above. However, it is my opinion that the idea may not be a bad one. After all, Nigerians demand prompt resolution of the matter. Also, with a little profiling, the general public should be able to conclude that the three men constituting the panel are of the highest integrity. None of them, especially the NSA who is pretty well known to me, is ready to trade his integrity for any cheap political mark. In fact, they are not even politicians. 

It is disheartening for anyone to doubt the ability of any constituted body that includes Col Sambo Dasuki. This is a man who has achieved tremendous success in just over a year as the NSA. Dasuki’s exemplary qualities of dedication, hard work and straightforwardness all complement his competence, detribalised nature, as well as meticulous and innovative approach towards problem solving. Early in his tenure as NSA, he made it clear that matters of national tragedy and security threat in countries that are united elicit cooperation for common solution, irrespective of political, ethnic and social affiliation. Thus, cooperation and synergy are the basis of his managerial philosophy.


In every sector, when relevant outfits pursue different agendas the result is always counter-productive. In matters of national security, the situation is much more critical. It is a well-known fact that intelligence coordination is as vital to national security as intelligence gathering. In fact, failure of a country to adequately coordinate all its security agencies could portend greater danger than any internal or external security threat. After the 9/11 attacks in the United States of America, there were calls for greater coordination among the country’s many national security agencies in spite of an already impressive coordination system. The British government responded to criticisms that lack of coordination among its security agencies was responsible for its unpopular handling of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq by recently setting up the country’s first National Security Council. More recently, the panel of enquiry set up to look into the September 11 killing of American ambassador in Benghazi revealed that inadequate intelligence coordination, not gathering, led to the unfortunate incident.
Therefore, Dasuki’s first step in seeking creative ways of tackling insecurity was to unite all security apparatuses for the benefit of the nation and the safety of its citizenry. It was that effort and synergy that engineered effective running of a counter-terrorism department in ONSA. This has also helped in implementing the counter-terrorism blueprint known as the National Counter-Terrorism Strategy (NACTEST). Going by what is now our national manual for counter-terrorism, security is everybody’s business because insecurity is everybody’s headache. The modest achievements recorded in the fight against terror have been largely due to an improved inter-agency cooperation and proper intelligence coordination.
The NSA did not stop at cooperation within the intelligence community alone. In May 9, 2013, his office organised a one-day workshop for media practitioners geared towards the Effective Understanding and Reporting of Terrorism by the Mass Media. The event underscores the inevitable collaboration that should exist between the security and intelligence community and the media. By this, the ONSA demonstrated that premium importance is placed on forging a cordial relationship with the media because no meaningful headway can be made on security matters if the media is kept in the dark. As a participant at the workshop, I attest to the fact that it was a constructive attempt at cementing mutually beneficial collaboration. It was at the workshop that it was agreed upon that social responsibility has changed in both broadcasting and security due to the social media. If the media fails to feed its audience with prompt, verifiable and credible programming it would seek hearsay and mindless speculations reeled out from people’s living rooms capable of fuelling social unrest. That was the initial challenge.
Also involved in the ‘whole government whole society’ approach of the Dasuki-led intelligence community are non-governmental organisations, traditional and religious leaders, researchers and development agencies.

No doubt, public perception about the nation’s security challenges has changed for the better, and it is due, hugely, to the influence of the ONSA headed by someone who took office amidst high expectations. Thus far, he has not failed, and should be ceded the respect that comes with his integrity.
Munsuru Arilesere, a media and public affairs analyst, wrote from Ring Road, Ibadan

Wednesday 23 October 2013

Munachi Abii Denies Dating 18 Year-Old Briss...Says She Has A Boyfriend!

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Before now, she was allegedly linked with Peter of Psquare, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu and a host of other top artistes in the country.

Recently, another rumour emanated that Munachi, who is a total failure musically, according to what the people in the know have said about her rating, is having a love affair with one Briss, an 18 Year-old boy, an L.O.S. Member who resides in Dubai

According rumour source, Muna is said to be madly in love with the 18 year old. Briss who studies in Dubai shuttles from there to Lagos regularly to see Muna, there was a time he was said to have bought her an economy class ticket to come over to see him.

But Munachi said "First of all, my boyfriend is my boyfriend and that has nothing to do with L.O.S. I was not with any L.O.S boy. I was with my boyfriend‘, she responded. ‘I’ve been long enough in this industry to know when to speak and when not to"

The fact seems to have established itself with her response. She is not dating any L.O.S. boy but Briss who is her boyfriend. Don't you think so?

source from  Nigeriafilms.com

Nollywood Popular Actresses That Are Still Single


‘And for this reason will a man leave his parents and cling to his wife’ so did a Bible passage say in the book of Genesis. In this part of the world, Africa, marriage is seen as a necessity, especially for a lady. It is very common for a woman to be reminded of her age when she refuses to bring a man home after reaching certain ages.

Also, in this part of the continent, women who have status and are rich are always feared by young and single men due to fear of the known and the unknown. The issue of whether the ‘rich’ woman would totally submit herself to the man at home is what most men don’t want to play with.

While most men believe a woman’s career ends in the kitchen, some career women and society ladies believe otherwise. So, there is the fear that female celebrities might not be submissive to any man because of their status.

For some actresses in the Nigerian film industry referred to as Nollywood, they have remained single despite attaining marriageable ages due to some of these reasons. Some of them have remained single mothers, have never married before, or have divorced their husbands and may be enjoying their present single status.

Below are few of Nollywood actresses who have remained single despite reaching marriageable ages.



Bimbo Akintola

Bimbo Akintola is an actress that is no doubt very beautiful and sexy. To say the crossover actress will be single at a little over 40 remains a mystery to some of her fans. She seems not to be bothered about not finding a man to call her husband as she recently said in an interview.

She has not be linked to any marriage before now and there are reports now that she will soon get hooked to a man. Bimbo has acted in many movies and she is adored by movie buffs as a good role interpreter, but it seems love has not been fair to her. Some attribute her present single stature to heavy drinking and smoking habit.



Genevieve Nnaji

This is another actress that is very sexy and pretty that has not yet found a man to call her husband. Though her love life has been kept secret from the media and the public, one name that has recently popped up is that of the self acclaimed ‘Koko master’, D’Banj. The Imo State-born screen diva is a single-mother that doesn’t presently have someone to call her husband despite being 34 years old.



Rita Dominic

Another name that must be mentioned in this list is that of Rita Dominic. Apart from Bimbo Akintola, Rita can rightly be said to be the next oldest single screen diva. She is reportedly close to 40 years of age and with the way things are going, she may not end up to be someone’s wife in the nearest future. Rita is seen by many as a wife material, but it is amazing to some of her fans that she is still without a husband. She has been linked with Jim Iyke, Noble Igwe and few others in the past, but none of them has taken her to the altar for marriage.



Bisi Ibidapo Obe

This is another actress that is single, though she has a child, which she recently allegedly had for controversial activist, Dino Melaye, who has reportedly denied the child’s paternity. Bisi Ibidapo Obe is yet to be married and she has not been lucky with men. From the look of things, she is ripe for marriage and has the beauty a man would pray to have in a woman.



Ebube Nwagbo

Pretty and blessed with the necessary curves, Ebube Nwagbo may be described as the definition of beauty, but alas, she is single and not the Mrs of a Mr. The innocent-looking actress, though not with many scandals like some married actresses, was once alleged to have wrecked the young marriage of music artiste, KCee, who she once dated.

The actress is among the eligible single Nollywood stars who have remained single. No doubt, many men are fighting hard to have her hand in marriage, but Ebube seems not to be interested in them, but only interested in concentrating on her jobs and selling her Posh Hair products.



Fathia Balogun

This sexy Yoruba movie star was once married to an actor, Saidi Balogun, and they had two children together as husband and wife, but she is now single. Her marriage crashed like a pack of badly arranged cards few years back and she has remained single since then.

The over 40 years old actress is a sought-after, but her career seems to be her major priority for now. Some are even speculating that she might reconcile with her ex-husband soon based on the retention of ‘Balogun’ in her name. She has remained single for some years now, and many are wondering why she has not yet decided to move on into the arms of another man. Only Fathia knows why she is saying ‘no’ to men who are coming to her, possibly for marriage.



Kate Henshaw

To say Kate Henshaw has not been lucky with relationship may be stating the obvious. Her relationship with a popular gospel artiste in Nigeria ended badly. It was even alleged that she then suffered domestic violence from the hands of the ‘minister’ of the gospel. Her marriage to her ex-British husband ended few years ago. Since then, the tall and dark screen diva has chosen to remain a single mother.



Ayo Adesanya

Ayo Adesanya, like some of her colleagues, used to be married, but she is presently single after her union to Goriola Hassan crashed. Close friends of the actress are not even certain if she will remarry anytime soon. Ayo Adesanya is a woman a man would pray to have as wife. She is pretty and presentable as ‘mama’, but why she is not yet married remains a mystery to some of her fans.



Clarion Chukwura

To put up a list like this and never mention Clarion Chukwura’s name would be like listing the best football clubs in the world without mentioning Real Madrid. In fact, she should have opened the floor of single Nollywood actresses. Clarion is a single mother who is over due to be a man’s wife, but that is not the case at the moment.

She is the mother of popular music video director, Clarence Peters, who she bore for another popular figure, Sir Shina Peters (SSP). Clarion is still single and is probably happy with that. She has been alleged to have warmed the beds of younger lovers. She still has that beauty that could make a man get a hard on.

Culled from First Weekly Magazine.

Gov. Okorocha's Deal With Nollywood Actresses, Appoints Shirley Igwe Principal Protocol Officer

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Shirley Igwe


A lot of people in Imo State can not phantom the motive behind using Nollywood beautiful actresses as SAs, Liaison Officers etc.

Remember, the beautiful actress, Nkiru Silvanus who was used and later dumped by the rich politician, Governor Rochas Okorocha from his cabinet as the Senior Special Adviser on Liaison Matters, well now, we learnt, he has just jumped to another pretty actress, Shirley Igwe, the former Delta Soap model, as his Principal Protocol Ofiicer.

The fast rising actress' appointment involves that she would be coordinating the governor's daily itinerary, ensuring his comfort and that of his visitors every day. (This simply mean, they have to be together all the time, action governor!)

The so-called governors are really not employing brains but beauties as PAs, SAs et all. I wonder if men don't fit-in in such positions

source from
 Nigeriafilms.com

Nollywood Actor, Femi Brainard In Love Child Scandal: Abandons Babymama, Child

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Having children outside wedlock is not what is new to Nigerian celebrities who many young ones look up to as role models. Such scenarios are usually kept as secrets from members of the press most of the times.

Only recently there were reports alleging that D’Banj and Wande Coal had children outside wedlock, which sources said was only known to a few family members and associates.

Segun Arinze was once alleged to have had a love child, who he kept away from the media. He was even alleged to have abandoned the babymama.

For delectable Nollywood actor, Femi Brainard, thinking he would have a baby outside wedlock might be difficult to believe due to the kind of positive image the actor has. He is loved for the way he delivers his characters.

On and off the scene, Femi Brainard is regarded as a very responsible actor who has managed to live without scandal. But present information reaching First Weekly may have proven that he may have only tried to keep some dirty secrets away from the public and the prying eyes of journalists.

The actor, married to a Top Radio FM presenter, is allegedly has a love child, who we gathered he abandoned, along with the mother of the child.

First Weekly reliably gathered from a source that Femi put a young lady identified as Funmi Akinyele in the family way late 2008 and the lady eventually gave birth to a bouncing baby girl in 2009. The handsome actor, according to further information revealed to us, allegedly abandoned the beautiful baby since the day she was born, as the actor reportedly didn’t show up at the child’s christening held in Abeokuta, Ogun State in 2009 and afterwards.

It was squealed to us that the relationship between Femi and the 30-year-old lady started in 2007 after they both met on a movie set, Korede Ke’, sometime in 2006. Soon, they both became live-in-lovers at Femi’s Mende, Maryland, Lagos-home.

First Weekly learnt that Funmi became pregnant for Femi in September 2008 and gave birth to the actor’s alleged love child, Tolani, in June 2009, in Abeokuta, Ogun State, where the alleged babymama had relocated to in November 2008.

Our source further hinted that Femi failed to show up during the child’s christening, and that his parents were initially not aware of the whole scenario until Funmi travelled to Lagos to meet them when her pregnancy clocked seven months.

Femi had allegedly told Funmi that his parents were aware of the pregnancy only for Funmi to find out that it was all lies as Femi’s parents were surprised to discover that she was pregnant for their son, when they saw her. However, Femi later reportedly confirmed to his dad that he is responsible for Funmi’s pregnancy.

When contacted by First Weekly to confirm the story, Femi didn’t deny it, but laughed and said, “it is an old story.”

However, minutes after dropping the call, he sent us a text message to appreciate our efforts to reach him before publishing the story, but reiterated his earlier ‘it is an old story’ claim.

Culled from First Weekly Magazine.

Celebrity Birthday: Vivian Ejike Marks Birthday

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Vivian Ejike


Prolific Nollywood filmmaker, Vivian Ejike is a year older today, Wednesday, October 23, 2013. The 'Private Storm' movie producer has come a long way in the business of filmmaking in Nigeria. 

She is one of the best producers in Nigeria who has done classic and award-winning flicks. Vivian is known for quality and also a woman with the 'Midas touch'.

She has produced many films and also featured Nollywood's big fishes in most of her movies.

From Nigeriafilms.com, we wish Vivian a wonderful birthday.

source from Nigeriafilms.com

Star Actress, Genevieve Nnaji Disappoints Fans In UK ...Down With Flu

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Despite her heavy preparation prior to the premier of the well-hyped movie, 'Half of a Yellow Sun', Genevieve Nnaji the sultry actress disappointed all as she was unable to register her presence at the star-studded event in London.

The reason for her absence at the Odeon West End, venue of the premier of the film, we gathered, was because she had Flu and was under serious medical watch throughout the week.

The cruel fate that befell Genevieve, who plays Ms. Adebayo in the world acclaimed movie, was disclosed by the director, Biyi Bandele, on his Facebook Timeline who expressed how much they missed the mother of one, Genny at the premiere.

Read what he posted, “Just got back from the BFI London Film Festival European premiere of Half of a Yellow Sun at the Odeon West End. Humbled and moved by the rapturous reception the audience gave it. It was also great to see the hardest working actor on our hemisphere, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and the great John Boyega, and the amazing Babou Ceesay, and the one and only Onyeka Onwenu. And Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, of course. Without whom... We missed Thandie, who is on location in Vancouver. We missed Genevieve, who flew in for the premiere and promptly went down with a flu (mind yourself o, London weather). What a night though. What a night.”

As you're reading this, Genevieve has fully recuperated and is said to have promised her fans, who missed her at the premier, to give them a surprise visit before the end of the year.

One of the most eagerly awaited films to come out of Africa in recent years, Half of a Yellow Sun is a British-Nigerian production based on the 2006 award-winning novel of the same title by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.

sourced from Nigeriafilms.com

See Photo Of Don Jazzy Chilling In A Private Jet [Pics]

 
MAVIN Record Boss, Don Jazzy On Air Enroute Mauritius Island. Money Good OOO!!!

Kim Kardashian's Engagement Rings From Kanye West, Kris Humphries Compared!


Kim Kardashian's Engagement Rings From Kanye West, Kris Humphries Compared!

She knows how to flaunt it! Kanye West put a ring on it andproposed to girlfriend Kim Kardashian on her 33rd birthday Monday, Oct. 21. Surprisingly (or not), Kardashian's new bling appears to be similar in style to her old one from ex-husbandKris Humphries.

The reality star's hairstylist, Clyde Haygood, shared a picture of Kardashian flashing her new bling on Instagram Monday. According to TMZ, the 36-year-old rapper proposed to the mother of his 4-month-old daughter, North, with a 15-carat diamond ring. A Lorraine Schwartz rep confirms to Us Weeklythat the ring is a D flawless cushion cut and a perfect diamond. West and Schwartz worked together and he had a vision on how the ring should look.

PHOTOS: Kim Kardashian's wedding to Kris Humphries

Kardashian posted a close-up photo of her ring on Instagramon Tuesday with the stadium screen in the background. She simply captioned the photo, "YES!!!"

Humphries, whom Kardashian filed for divorce from after 72 days of marriage in October 2011, proposed with a 16.21-carat center diamond and two 1.8-carat side diamonds from Lorraine Schwartz. (Kardashian, not Humphries, initially paid for the ring.) The ring's initial reported worth was $2 million, but sold for a total of $749,000 at a Christie's auction in New York City on Oct. 15. A portion of the proceeds from the sale was going to charity.

PHOTOS: Kim Kardashian's love life

Though the rings may be similar, the proposals were very different. West popped the question in front of Kardashian's family and friends at AT&T Park in San Francisco by projecting "pleeease marry meee!!!" on the stadium screen. NBA player Humphries proposed in May 2011 in Kardashian's bedroom with candles and rose petals spelling out, "Will you marry me?" His proposal aired on an episode of Keeping Up With the Kardashians.

PHOTOS: Kim Kardashian's post-baby body

And don't expect the weddings to be similar either. Kardashian told England's Tatler magazine in November 2012 that her next wedding won't be as big as it was with Humphries. "It had always been my dream to have a big wedding, and when people said that I'd made it over the top for the show, that was just me: I am over the top," she said. "But the next time, I want to do it on an island with just my friends and family and that's it."

This article originally appeared on Usmagazine.com: Kim Kardashian's Engagement Rings From Kanye West, Kris Humphries Compared!
Vie

Thursday 3 October 2013

News- Kaduna Attack Death Toll Rises To 100 People.

 

The death toll from last Saturday’s attack on Zangan village in Attakar Chiefdom, Kaura Local Government Area of Kaduna State has risen to about 100, with 500 houses destroyed and over 10,000 persons displaced. Foodstuffs and household items lost were also estimated at about N500 million naira. This was made known, yesterday, by the National President of Attakar Community Development Association, ACDA, Mr. Ishaya Samaila at a briefing in Fadan Attakar, the headquarters of the Attakar Chiefdom. This was even as the paramount ruler of Attakar Kingdom, the Agwam Takad I, Chief Tobias Nkom Wada, expressed disappointment in the members representing the area at the National Assembly for their inability to sponsor a motion calling the attention of the Federal Government to the plight of the Attakar people since alleged Fulani gunmen started attacking his communities in March. Samaila said: “On March 19 and 20, Stephen Aboye was killed at Mafan and Markus Aba was shot dead in Telak by suspected Fulani gunmen. “On March 21, Attakar villages on the Plateau State axis (Kirim, Danti, Mayit, Zadian, Dajak, Tinga Mogwai and Durag) were invaded, leaving 14 people dead, while 247 houses were burnt, including four churches and two schools. Personal items worth about N150 million were destroyed in that attack.” On his part, Chief Tobias said: “We are not impressed with our representatives at the state and National Assemblies. We acknowledge their private donations and concerns, but our displaced persons cannot keep feeding from such gestures alone. “We expect them to raise a serious motion calling on relevant authorities to intervene so that, we can have permanent security and sustainable way of feeding our displaced persons.” The Attakar people dwell mainly on the Attakar Hill, about 220km South of Kaduna metropolis.

News- Factors that hinder efforts to combat Boko Haram - Nigerian Military Says.

 

The military says the influx of illegal aliens, arms, ammunition and Improvised Explosive Device (IED) materials into Nigeria through porous borders is a challenge to the efforts to combat terrorism. It also identifies the use of animals like camels, donkeys and cows to traffic small, light and collapsible arms into the country as another challenge. This is contained in the current special edition of the “Nigerian Defence Magazine’’, a publication of the Defence Headquarters. The magazine said that the arms were being brought into the nation through some of its porous borders. It said that most of such arms came to the Boko Haram insurgents through Libyan and Malian rebels, desperate to exchange arms for money. “This has added to the overwhelming challenge of the influx of illegal aliens, arms, ammunition and sophisticated IED materials into the country, and efficient and effective fight against terrorism,’’ it said. It also said that the waterways and sea ports in the South provided another means through which those arms were trafficked to the country via the ships, speed boats and canoes through the creeks. It described as “disheartening and unfortunate’’ the means by which “merchants of death” (insurgents) trafficked small weapons, to beat security agencies at the borders. “The fact that the weapons are small, light and collapsible makes them easy to be concealed and moved on camels and donkeys’ back in specially crafted skin or thatched bags,’’ it said. It said that some merchants of cows and grains in the region hid the arms and ammunition in empty fuel tankers, under vehicle engines and bags of grains and smuggled them in. “The grains are transported in large number via trucks, trailers, lorries and old model pick up vans and jeeps with little attention given to them by security agents. “The use of tricycles (Keke NAPEP), camels, donkeys and cows moving in flocks to deceive, hide and conveniently traffic arms in some parts of the North are ways hitherto unknown,’’ it said. It, however, said that the Joint Task Force (JTF) in the region had since uncovered those means and had taken measures to contain them. The magazine called for adequate deployment of personnel and technology in the borders to man, monitor and check the movement of illegal persons, goods and arms into the country. “Security agencies at the borders and seaports have complained of the porosity of the nation’s border and water ways. “The problem of porous borders is compounded by inadequate personnel, patrol vehicles, surveillance helicopter and equipment. “Consequently, most of the borders are leaky and this makes effective control of intruders, smugglers and merchants of deaths, a mirage,’’ it said. The military has been battling against terrorists in the northern part of Nigeria where a state of emergency has already been declared in three states. The Boko Haram, the most deadly of the terrorist groups operating in Northern Nigeria, is responsible for the killing of thousands of civilians and soldiers in various attacks across the northern states. (NAN)

Sad- Nollywood Actor Shot Dead Three Weeks After Wedding

 


Edo born Nollywood actor, Flavian Okojie has been reportedly shot dead in Benin city by unknown gunmen, three weeks after his wedding. Flavian and former EBS but now NTA(Benin)presenter Omo-kivie Adeola got married barely three weeks ago. He was also a staff of Edo State Board of Internal Revenue. His wife confirmed the information via her Facebook page


sourced from naijaeye.tk

Italy boat sinking: Hundreds feared dead off Lampedusa

Rescued migrants arrive onboard a coastguard vessel at the harbour of Lampedusa
More than 140 people have been rescued from the shipwreck, officials say

At least 130 African migrants have died and many more are missing after a boat carrying them to Europe sank off the southern Italian island of Lampedusa.

Ninety-four bodies have been recovered and a further 40 have been discovered inside the wreck, coast guards said.

Passengers reportedly threw themselves into the sea after a fire broke out on board. More than 150 of the migrants have been rescued.

Most of those on board were from Eritrea and Somalia, said the UNHCR.

The boat was believed to have sailed from Libya, the Italian coast guard said.

Simona Moscarelli, a spokeswoman from the International Organization for Migration in Rome, told the BBC that "at one point there was a fire on the boat and so the migrants moved, all of them, to one side of the boat which capsized".

She estimated that only three of about 100 women on board survived, adding that most of the migrants were unable to swim.

"Only the strongest survived," she told the Associated Press news agency.

It is one of the worst such disasters to occur off the Italian coast in recent years; Prime Minister Enrico Letta tweeted that it was "an immense tragedy".

The boat was believed to have been carrying about 500 people at the time.

"There is no miraculous solution to the migrant exodus issue," said Italian Foreign Minister Emma Bonino. "If there were we would have found it and put it into action."

Also on Thursday, local media reported that around 200 migrants were escorted to the port of Syracuse on the island of Sicily, when the vessel encountered difficulties five miles off the coast.

Earlier this week, 13 migrants drowned while trying to reach Sicily.

'Continuous horror'

Footage from the scene showed bodies being laid out on Lampedusa's dockside.

The mayor of Lampedusa, Giusi Nicolini, described the scene as a "continuous horror".
This picture grabbed on a video released by the Guardia Costiera on October 3, 2013 shows some of the immigrants after their rescue near Lampedusa
The vessel reportedly capsized after a fire on board
Survivors of a ship carrying migrants which caught fire and sank off the Sicilian island of Lampedusa are seen aboard an Italian Coast Guard vesselThere are believed to have been around 500 people on board the vessel
Body bags containing African migrants, who drowned trying to reach Italian shores, lie in the harbour of LampedusaThe bodies of the victims were lined up at Lampedusa dockside

"It's like a cemetery, they are still bringing them out," she said.

Local media reports say that at least one child and a pregnant woman are among the dead and that a suspected people smuggler has been arrested.

Pope Francis sent a Twitter message calling for prayers for the "victims of the tragic shipwreck off Lampedusa". In July he visited the island and condemned the "global indifference" to the plight of migrants trying to arrive there.

sourced bbc.co.uk

Lady Gaga and Eminem to play first YouTube Music Awards

Arcade Fire, Lady Gaga, EminemArcade Fire, Lady Gaga and Eminem will play at the first YouTube Awards
YouTube is launching its own music awards show.

According to YouTube's official blog the YouTube Music Awards will be an "event honouring the artists and songs that you have turned into hits over the past year".

Lady Gaga, Eminem and Arcade Fire, among others, will perform at the event in New York on 3 November.

Nominations will be chosen based on videos that have been watched and shared over the past year.

Users will then be asked to choose winners by sharing the nominees across social media.

The ceremony will be streamed live online with nominees for the awards being announced on 17 October.

YouTube claims to have one billion unique users to the site each month

In the days leading up to the event, nominees will share official music videos, covers, parodies, concerts, interviews and fan videos.

On the night itself artists and some of YouTube's most popular contributors, including Lindsey Stirling and Cdza, will take part in performances and musical collaborations around the world.

Shows will take place in Seoul, Moscow, London and Rio de Janeiro as well as the live event in New York.

The YouTube Music Awards will be hosted by American actor Jason Schwartzman.

Spike Jones, who directed Where The Wild Things Are as well as videos and documentaries for The Chemical Brothers and Bjork, will be the creative director of the event.

Plane crashes after take-off in Lagos, Nigeria




















A rescue operation is ongoing. At least 13 people are known to have died and several more of those on board were injured.

The Associated Airlines plane was bound for Akure, which lies about 140 miles (225km) north-east of Lagos.

The plane's engine appeared to fail and the aircraft plunged to the ground and burst into flames, officials said.

The charter flight took off at about 09:30 local time (08:30 GMT) from the domestic terminal at Lagos's Murtala Mohammed International Airport.

Officials said the plane crashed on to open land within the airport complex, close to a fuel storage depot.

It is not yet clear whether the fuel caught fire.

Eyewitness Ahmad Safian told the BBC: "I heard a loud bang and then there was lots of black smoke. The security forces rushed straight to the scene. I saw three bodies removed from the wreckage."

Mr Safian said the road to the airport was blocked for a short time but operations were continuing as normal at the airport.

Yakubu Dati from the Nigerian airports authority said that 20 people had been on board the plane.

Akure is the capital of Ondo state. Local media reported that the plane was carrying the body of the former state governor, Olusegun Agagu, who was to have been buried this weekend.

Although Nigeria's air safety record has improved in recent years, the country has a history of major passenger plane crashes.
In June 2012, more than 150 people were killed after a dual engine failure caused a plane to crash in Lagos.

Lagos airport is a major hub for West Africa and saw 2.3 million passengers pass through it in 2009, according to the most recent statistics provided by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria.

sourced from bbc.com