FOURTH EVICTION IN BIG BROTHER AFRICA "THE CHASE"

Betty from Ethiopia and Motamma from Botswana were the fourth set to be evicted in the Big Brother Africa 'The Chase' Farewell to them from the Big Brother house. LOOD Naija

 

FANS ACCUSED RHIANNA OF BEING ON DRUGS

Is Rihanna spiraling out of control?

Her hard partying has already made her late to several European concerts. But despite those embarrassments and increasingly tepid reviews, she had no problem partying all night with model Cara Delevigne in London on Sunday the night before her concert in Birmingham, for which she showed up more than two hours late.

Rihanna and Cara were out and about in London on Sunday, partying at Bouijs nightclub with Rihanna’s brother, Rorrey, and her assistant, Melissa Forde, until 3 a.m.

When Cara left the club, she appeared dazed and had a suspicious white powder splattered across her lap. Cara was also spotted last month dropping a bag of white powder in front of her apartment after another late night out.

The next day, fans were kept waiting at Rihanna’s scheduled 8 pm appearance in Birmingham. LOOD Naija

 

CHINEDU IKEDIEZE TO BURY FATHER THIS SATURDAY

Nollywood actor Chinedu Ikedieze's late father, Mr Michael Ogbonnaya Ikedieze, who died May 18th, will be buried this Saturday June 22nd at their hometown of Uzuakoli in Abia State.
LOOD Naija

JONATHAN ASK TUKUR TO RESIGN

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

President Goodluck Jonathan  may have  directed  the  National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party,  Dr. Bamanga Tukur,   and other members of the PDP National Working Committee   to resign.

It was learnt  on Monday that Jonathan  gave the directive  after  the  presidential committee on the PDP crises headed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief Pius Anyim,  submitted  its report to him in Abuja .

The order and submission of the report which noted that the party was drifting coincided with the lifting of the suspension of Sokoto State Governor, Aliyu Wamakko, by the 12-member  Tukur-led  NWC.

 A member of the presidential committee,  who spoke to one of our correspondents on condition of anonymity, added that Tukur and  the other NWC members  would tender their resignation letters  at the party’s National Executive Committee meeting scheduled for Thursday in Abuja.

He said apart from the  PDP internal crises, the President  was concerned about  the position of the Independent National Electoral Commission on the  manner  majority of the NWC  members  came to office.

INEC  had queried the affirmation method that returned  most  of the NWC members  to office.

  It was also  gathered  that the NWC members were told that they risked being sacked if they failed to quit before Thursday.

A PDP source said, “If they fail to resign before Thursday,  they will be sacked.” He added  that the Presidency had already directed that a caretaker committee  be set up in place of  the NWC.

When contacted, a member of the NWC, who wondered how  Jonathan’s  directive was leaked, merely said  it was true.

“How did the story leak? Yes, it is true. I am already packing my things from my  office, “ he said.

But another NWC  member, who also admitted  that  they would cease to hold office   before Friday, said,  “We are not resigning because President Jonathan asked us to do so.  If we resign, it will be  because of the report by INEC. We will be resigning to protect the integrity of INEC.”

A national leader of the PDP  confirmed the looming  dissolution of the NWC,  saying,  “You remember INEC had said that it does not recognise the election of a majority of them (NWC members).

“The fear is that one of those on the NWC could go to court and aver that the election that produced him or her was illegal.  Anybody could go to court on that score too. The party may have problem at that point.”

A member of the presidential committee which has governors Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta); Goodwill Akpabio, (Akwa Ibom);  Theodore Orji (Abia );   Isa Yuguda (Bauchi);  Ibrahim Shema (Katsina); and Gabriel Suswam (Benue),  as some of its members,  had said the panel was not pleased with happenings in the PDP.

He said, “Our report, which might not   please    the President and the leadership of the party, is that the party is drifting. We have told him not to allow the party disintegrate further because whether we like it or not, the party is drifting dangerously and we have to arrest that.

“We have put in the report that some actions of the National Working Committee  are repressive and unnecessary.

“We wondered why the party refused to hold its NEC  for about a year, which to us amounts to breaching of the party’s constitution.”

The party’s  constitution  stipulates that NEC must hold at least once in a quarter.

The panel, which also has the Chief of Staff to the President, Mike Ogiadhome; and the Political Adviser to the President, Ahmed Gulak, as members therefore recommended the immediate holding of the NEC meeting,  which has not taken place since July 2012.

The Board of  Trustees of the party  is expected to  meet in Abuja  on Wednesday.

Our correspondents gathered on Monday that  pressure from PDP governors  made  Tukur  and his team  to lift the suspension  on  Wamakko  at a press conference jointly addressed by himself, Akpabio and four other governors–Uduaghan,  Orji, Yuguda and Shema.   Anyim and Gulak were also present at the briefing.

Investigations by our correspondents showed that the governors had indicated their readiness  to fight Tukur  because Wamakko’s suspension was based on a “trivial” issue.

The NWC of the PDP had while announcing the suspension of Wamakko, said it took the decision because of alleged insubordination to Tukur and his office.

The NWC had earlier suspended the Governor of Rivers State and Chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum,  Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, for refusing to reinstate  a suspended Local Government chairman and councillors in the state.

But the PDP governors whose chairman is Akpabio,   were said to have expressed anger over the gale of suspensions in the party, particularly that of Wamakko.

Wamakko, while describing his suspension as null and void, had called for the sack of Tukur and Gulak.

He had accused Tukur of  running the party as his  personal estate.

The governors’ anger  was said to have made  Jonathan to set up  the  Anyim-led  committee to look at the crises in the party.

While announcing the lifting of the suspension   on Wamakko, Tukur said, “Now this issue will never come again. It is a great party, we believe in our nation. We need a party as a platform to stand on, but based on unity, discipline and commitment.

“We are also going to have NEC  meeting.  We have the support to rescind the suspension, which is a very important thing. We rescind the suspension of our governor of Sokoto.

“With that, we are ready for further business because NEC meeting  is the requirement of our own party, always to get in touch with the people to tell them of our programmes, like the state- of -the nation and state of the party.

“So we are going to have our NEC meeting on Thursday, June 20 by 12pm.

“NWC has rescinded the suspension of the Sokoto state governor on the appeal of the PDP Governors’ Forum and secondly the National Chairman is inviting the PDP statutory members to the meeting of  NEC.”

Also speaking at the  briefing , Akpabio said that the  presidential committee appealed to the NWC to lift the suspension  of  Wamakko.

Akpabio added,  “I want to thank the national chairman of our party  and other members of the working committee for granting us the privilege of this meeting today (Monday).

“We came as a select committee of the PDP to discuss the state of affairs of our great party, particularly the relationship between the working committee and the PDP governors and I want to say that we make a very strong appeal to the working committee on behalf of our colleague, Governor Wamakko.”

On why Amaechi’s suspension was not lifted, Akpabio said it was because of a  case he (Amaechi)  instituted against the party. LOOD Naija

CONFEDERATION CUP NIGERIA 6 - 1 TAHITI

The Super Eagles shook off fatigue from their long journey from South Africa to steamroll Tahiti in their first group game of the 2013 Confederations Cup in Brazil. The beat the Pacific Islanders 6-1 on Monday.

In a match that saw Nigeria missing several begging chances, defender Elderson Echiejile got two goals, while Italy-based Nnamdi Oduamadi registered the first hat trick of the competition.

Jonathan Tehau, who pulled one back for Tahiti, was on the weeping end when he netted an own-goal.

It was Tahiti’s first appearance at the Confederation Cup and Nigeria’s second. That fact, however, took nothing away from the African champions as they dominated every department of the game.

The Tahitians had adopted a five-man defensive formation but Echiejile’s fifth minute goal forced them out, making the game more fluid. That only opened the way for Oduamadi five minutes later when he grabbed a spilled ball from goalkeeper Xavier Samin to make it 2-0. He struck again in the 26th minute to make it 3-1.

Tahue, grabbing his fourth international goal, scored Tahiti’s first goal at the Confederations Cup, but he was to be on the scorers’ sheet again when he aided Nigeria to their fourth goal with an own-goal in the 68th minute.

Oduamadi, however, resumed scoring in the 76th minute, getting an assist from Brown iideye, who himself had missed three one-on-one with the goalkeeper.

It was Echiejile who capped it all with an assist from Ahmed Musa to finish the game at 6-1 in the 80th minute.

Coach Stephen Keshi was obviously unimpressed with the team’s missed chances but promised he would work on the attack before their next game against Uruguay.

“We didn’t play at a high tempo. Their performance was not as good as it was against Mexico. Perhaps they were looking at the Tahitians as a weaker team. We’re still going to work on that,” he said after the game.

“The fatigue was still there but we hope to freshen up before our game against Uruguay.”

The Nigerian team had arrived late for the competition, landing in Brazil in the early hours of Sunday, few hours before their first training.

Nigeria now top Group B with three points and five goals advantage ahead of Spain who have three points but one goal advantage.

Nigeria will next meet Uruguay on Thursday in their second group game.

 

What a good start for Nigeria. LOOD Naija

11 KILLED DURING ISLAMIC SECT ATTACK ON SCHOOL IN YOBE

SEVEN students, two teachers and two insurgents were killed when suspected members of Nigerian Islamist sect Boko Haram attacked a school in the northeastern town of Damaturu, the military said.

Groups like Boko Haram and the al Qaeda linked Ansaru have become the biggest risk to stability in Nigeria, Africa's top oil producer and second-largest economy.

Sunday's attack will raise fears that, as with past surges, a month-long offensive by government troops has merely pushed militants into hiding or across borders to Niger, Chad and Cameroon, where they can regroup and prepare new attacks.

"Two teachers and two insurgents were killed when Boko Haram terrorists attacked the Government Secondary School ... Also seven innocent students lost their lives," Eli Lazarus, military spokesman in Yobe state, said in a statement.

Boko Haram, which roughly translates as "Western education is sinful", has attacked several schools in the past. It was not clear how two of the attackers were killed.

Vigilante groups armed with machetes and sticks have joined the effort to oust Islamist insurgents in the northeast, prompting concerns by some residents that this will lead to a breakdown in law and order.

The military has cautiously welcomed the support, while warning it must not lead to witch-hunts or the settling of scores.

Lazarus said three soldiers were critically wounded during a separate attack by Boko Haram targeting the military in Damaturu, and three insurgents had been arrested.

Nigerian forces say their offensive has enabled them to wrest back control of the country's remote northeast from Boko Haram. They say they have destroyed key bases and arrested more than 150 suspected insurgents in the states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa -- all covered by a state of emergency declared by President Goodluck Jonathan last month.

Some Nigerians saw the push as long overdue. But rights groups and aid agencies fear the longer it goes on, the more the region's vulnerable local population, which includes some of the poorest people on earth, will suffer.

The offensive has forced more than 6,000 refugees - mostly women, children and the elderly - to flee to neighbouring Niger, the U.N. refugee agency said last week. LOOD Naija

Dr Oz ADVICES KIM KARDASHIAN AND KANYE WEST ON THEIR PREMATURE BABY GIRL

 

Dr. Mehmet Oz has some cautionary words for Kim Kardashian and Kanye West: He knows first-hand what it's like to have a five-weeks-premature baby -- and it's not easy. Far from it, in fact.

 

The host of The Dr. Oz Show spoke at the Daytime Emmy Awards on June 16 in Beverly Hills about his thoughts on the new parents' pre-term baby girl. (A newborn is considered premature if born before 37 weeks of pregnancy; Kardashian and West's daughter was born June 15, after 35 weeks of pregnancy.) "I've been following Kim's story, which I have a personal interest in aside from being a doctor," he shares. "Our youngest child [Oliver] was born five weeks premature. So I know how hair-raising that is, and the most important thing to recognize is today, we can actually get kids to survive almost always, but if you don't manage them really well early on, they can grow up to develop all kinds of issues."

 

The new parents will need to really put the focus on their pre-term newborn in the coming weeks, he says. "We change how a child responds to a world around it in those first few weeks of life, so they ought to really focus in on that little girl."

"It's sacred, those first few months, for all babies but especially for the premature," he explains. "It's a sacred time. They should focus on the child."

 

Dr. Oz reveals that his own pre-term son left the hospital after just two days at the hospital, but once home, "he would turn blue and pass out, which would scare me. And I'm a doctor, so maybe they let him to my care [early], but it's a little nerve-wracking." The Oprah-approved celebrity doctor has four kids, Daphne, Arabella, Zoe and Oliver, with his wife Lisa. LOOD Naija

THIRD EVICTION IN BIG BROTHER AFRICA "THE CHASE"

A big blow has been dealt to Angola yesterday as both of the Housemates in The Chase from the Southern African country were sent marching home.

Shy Diamond dudes Biguesas and Neyll became the third pair to be Evicted from Big Brother The Chase. First to receive the news of his fate in the House was Biguesas who took it all in his stride as he smiled and had nothing but love for his fellow Housemates as he made his grand exit from the Diamond House.

Only a few minutes after learning that he had his head thrown under the Eviction guillotine by HoH Selly in order to save Oneal; Neyll then got word from Live Show presenter IK that his journey on The Chase had come to an end. The news of Neyll’s exit was met with shock from the fellow Housemates and the tears flowed in both Houses. Clearly the quiet gentleman had a lasting impression on his fellow Housemates in both Houses.

Goodbye Biguesas and Neyll. Good luck to you both in all of your future endeavours. LOOD Naija

ASIWAJU BOLA AHMED'S MOTHER ABIBAT MOGAJI IS DEAD

Alhaja Abibat Mogaji, mother of the National leader, Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is dead.

Mogaji, who was the President-General, Association of Nigerian Market Women and Men died in her home this evening at Sunday Adigun, Alausa in Ikeja, Lagos, Southwest Nigeria. She was 96 years of age and will be buried Sunday at the Ikoyi Cemetery.

Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Aderemi Ibirogba confirmed the death of Mogaji yesterday, saying that she would be buried at 11 am on Sunday, adding that he was right in her house to commiserate with the Tinubu’s family.

Ibirogba said she would be buried at Vaults and Garden Cemetery, Ikoyi tomorrow while prayers would be offered for her at the Blue Roof, Lagos Television, Ikeja by 12.00 noon on Sunday.

The commissioner said the state government commiserated with the Tinubu’s family for the death of Mogaji, saying that “it is unfortunate she left us now but we take solace that she has gone to be with the Lord. She was a devout Muslim and a caring mother.
“We will always miss her. We prayed God to grant her heaven. She lived a life worthy of emulation.”

Chairman, ACN, Lagos State, Henry Ajomale described the death of Mogaji as a great loss, saying that she had contributed immensely to the development of markets in Nigeria and that her departure should be celebrated.

“She was a great woman, who lived a fulfilled life and contributed to the development of markets in Nigeria. May her soul rest in peace,” he said.

Ajomale commiserated with Tinubu for the loss of her mother, praying God to grant him the fortitude to bear the loss.

Also, Publicity Secretary, ACN, Lagos State, Joe Igbokwe simply said, “Mama Tinubu, the great mother of our leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu lived an eventful and glorious life, a life full of activities, full of fun, full of challenges, full of gains. May her gentle soul rest in perfect peace.”

Till her death, Mogaji was the Chairman, Lagos State Market Development Board, a body established by the Lagos State Government to supervise the activities and development of markets in the state.

She was 96 years old. She was a woman dedicated a larger part of her adult life to protecting the rights of market men and women. She earned their respected having succeeded in mobilising them for greatness and innovation, and giving every market person out there a brand to associate with.

She was honoured with no fewer than 10 titles by various traditional rulers and interest groups across the nation.

Some of the titles include President General, Association of Nigerian market women and men; Iya Adinni of Yaya Abatan Central Mosque, Ogba-Agege; Yeye Oba of Ikirun Land; Yeye Oba of Kweme Kingdom, Badagry; Yeye Oba of Osolu Kingdom and Yeye Oba of Lagos. LOOD Naija

KATE MIDDLETON LAST EVENT BEFORE MATERNITY LEAVE

Getting close to baby! Before Kate MIddleton begins 26 weeks of maternity leave, she was on hand to join the Royal family at her last official engagement, the Trooping the Colour ceremony in London, on Saturday, June 15.

In perhaps a nod to the baby's gender, the Duchess of Cambridge donned a pale pink Alexander McQueen coat with a pale pink Jane Corbett hat and pearl earrings for the annual event, which celebrates the Queen's official birthday.

Riding in a horse and carriage alongside Prince Harry and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, the mom-to-be looked radiant, smiling and waving to the crowd, staying warm with a blue and green-colored tartan blanket, which was draped over her bare legs.

"They were all in great moods," a source tells Us Weekly.

Queen Elizabeth II rode ahead in her glass carriage with her cousin, the Duke of Kent, since her husband, Prince Philip, is recovering in the hospital. (Although a palace rep tells Us that the 92-year-old is "in good spirits," he's expected to remain in the hospital for two weeks). The 87-year-old Queen wore a deep blue colored coat, a white and blue hat, and a jeweled brooch for the affair.

All the carriages rode down The Mall and was headed to Horse Guards Parade for the military spectacle. Taking part in the ceremony on horseback were Prince Charles, Prince William and Princess Anne, since Charles is Colonel of the Welsh Guards, William is Colonel of the Irish Guards and Anne is Colonel of the Blues and Royals.

Prince William later joined Middleton, 31, at the Buckingham Palace, where three generations of the Royals -- including Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie -- stood on the balcony to watch a a big RAF fly-by, which featured around 30 planes.

Trooping the Colour is a celebration of the Queen's official birthday. Although she actually turned 87 on April 21, it's long been tradition to celebrate the Sovereign's birthday publicly on a day in the summer, when good weather is more likely.

In a sweet moment, as William walked out behind Kate on the balcony, he put his hand on her back. As they prepared to go back inside the Palace, a source tells Us that the Queen waved, telling the crowd, "Thank you everybody."

After the flypast, the Royal families enjoyed a private lunch inside the Palace and later today, the Queen will visit Phillip at the clinic in London.

With the her last formal engagement wrapped up, Middleton can now focus on final preparations for the Royal baby, due in July. On Tuesday, June 4, she was spotted furniture shopping, looking stunning as ever.

"She looked gorgeous," a source tells Us. "Her hair was silky and from the front you would never even guess she was pregnant, but boy was there a bump! She looked marvelous." LOOD Naija




 

KIM KARDASHIAN GIVES BIRTH TO BABY GIRL

Kim Kardashian has given birth to her daughter with Kanye West.

The delivery took place Saturday morning at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in West Hollywood, according to several sources.

Kanye skipped his own listening party Friday night because Kim had gone to the hospital.

The birth came weeks before the Keeping Up with the Kardashians star’s July 4 due date, but she reportedly became ill yesterday and it was decided to deliver the baby early.

That was just hours before the very pregnant reality queen tweeted out several images of herself from her sexy swimsuit days.  It was Throwback Thursday and Kim seemed to want to pay homage to her former body.

New dad Kanye was there at Cedars for the C-section delivery but don’t expect him to go blabbing about his daughter anytime soon.

“I just don’t want to talk to America about my family. Like, this is my baby. This isn’t America’s baby,”

Mother and daughter are said to both being doing well. LOOD Naija

GLO SLIDE AND BOUNCE

Got to dig it! LOOD Naija

SIMPLICITY AND HUMILITY OF LEADERSHIP IN BARACK OBAMA

PHOTOS

Give your comment on this gesture of number one citizen of America

OBAMA AFRICA TRIP TO COST UPTO $100 MILLION

President Barack Obama's tour of sub-Saharan Africa this month was supposed to make history as his first stay extended stay in the region, but a report by the Washington Post this week has shifted focus onto the trip's price tag, which could reach upwards of $100 million.

When the first family departs on June 26 for a weeklong visit to the continent that will bring them to Senegal, South Africa and Tanzania, they'll kick into motion an expansive security procedure that is typical for any presidential travel.

The entire security apparatus is required to be present on the ground at each of Obama's stops, as his quick pace will leave little time for the entire detail to pack up and redeploy at the next location. The Post reports that this challenge has led to a requirement of 56 total support vehicles -- 14 of them limousines and three of them trucks carrying bulletproof glass panels to cover the windows where the first family is set to stay. All of these will be flown to their various positions by military jet.

Secret Service agents will also be flying to each of the African locations en-masse, ensuring that they have secured the premises prior to the first family's arrival. The Post reports that hundreds of agents will be needed for the operation.

All said, the cost is expected to run the federal government somewhere between $60 million and $100 million, an amount that the White House told the Post is almost entirely determined by what the Secret Service deems necessary in order to ensure the safety of the president and first family. But the fact that the report comes amid sequestration, which took a toll on the Secret Service budget earlier this year, is likely to bolster critics who have questioned the real impact of the cuts.

(Read the entire report from the Washington Post here.)

Obama's forthcoming trip is the latest evidence that presidential travel is both incredibly expensive and frequently controversial. When President Bill Clinton went to Africa in 1998, his trip came at a cost of around $42.8 million. President George W. Bush made two trips to Africa during his tenure, though information from the Government Accountability Office hasn't turned up a specific figure.

Of course, Obama's milestone trip to Africa isn't all about how much people are spending on it. The president is also expected to spend time re-affirming partnerships with the sub-Saharan powers and emphasizing the importance of global health programs, including HIV/AIDS prevention.
LOOD Naija

 

Situation Room
May 1, 2011: President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden, along with members of the national security team, receive an update on the mission against Osama bin Laden in the Situation Room of the White House, May 1, 2011. Seated, from left, are: Brigadier General Marshall B. "Brad" Webb, Assistant Commanding General, Joint Special Operations Command; Deputy National Security Advisor Denis McDonough; Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton; and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates. Standing, from left, are: Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; National Security Advisor Tom Donilon; Chief of Staff Bill Daley; Tony Blinken, National Security Advisor to the Vice President; Audrey Tomason Director for Counterterrorism; John Brennan, Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism; and Director of National Intelligence James Clapper. Please note: a classified document seen in this photograph has been obscured. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
Head Pat
May 8, 2009: President Barack Obama bends over so the son of a White House staff member can pat his head during a family visit to the Oval Office May 8, 2009. The youngster wanted to see if the President's haircut felt like his own. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
Fist-Bump
Dec. 3, 2009: President Barack Obama fist-bumps custodian Lawrence Lipscomb in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building following the opening session of the White House Forum on Jobs and Economic Growth, Dec. 3, 2009. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
Mohawk Baby
July 4, 2012: President Barack Obama holds a baby while greeting guests during an Independence Day celebration on the South Lawn of the White House, July 4, 2012. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
The President
July 26, 2012: President Barack Obama holds a Cabinet meeting in the Cabinet Room of the White House, July 26, 2012. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
Oval Office Chase
July 9, 2012: President Barack Obama runs around his desk in the Oval Office with Sarah Froman, daughter of Nancy Goodman and Mike Froman, Deputy National Security Advisor for International Economics, July 9, 2012. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
First Couple
June 13, 2012: President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama wave goodbye to President Shimon Peres of Israel on the North Portico of the White House following the Presidential Medal of Freedom ceremony and dinner in his honor, June 13, 2012. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
Holocaust Museum
April 23, 2012: President Barack Obama tours the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C., with Elie Wiesel, Nobel Peace Prize laureate and Holocaust survivor, and Sara Bloomfield, museum director, April 23, 2012. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
Golden Girl
June 11, 2012: President Barack Obama talks with Betty White in the Oval Office, June 11, 2012. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
Venus In Transit
April 24, 2012: President Barack Obama stops to view the moon and Venus before boarding Marine One in Boulder, Colo., April 24, 2012. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
'Sweet Home Chicago'
Feb. 21, 2012: President Obama joins in singing "Sweet Home Chicago" during the "In Performance at the White House: Red, White and Blues" concert in the East Room of the White House, Feb. 21, 2012. Participants include, from left: Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews, Jeff Beck, Derek Trucks, B.B. King, and Gary Clark, Jr. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
The Redeemer
March 20, 2011: "The Obama family was scheduled to tour the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio before dinner one night. But when heavy fog rolled in, they canceled the visit. After dinner, the fog had dissipated somewhat so they decided to make the drive up the mountain. It was quite clear when they arrived and then the fog started to roll back in. I managed to capture this silhouette as they viewed the statute one last time just before departure." (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
Water Fight
June 11, 2011: "The top photograph shows the President having a water gun fight with his daughter Sasha on her birthday weekend at Camp David. Unbeknownst to me, David Lienemann captured a similar photo of the Vice President on the very same day." (Official White House Photos by Pete Souza and David Lienemann)
Christmas Card
Dec. 11, 2011: President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, and their daughters, Malia, left, and Sasha, right, sit for a family portrait in the Oval Office, Dec. 11, 2011. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
MLK Memorial
Oct. 14, 2011: President Barack Obama tours the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial in Washington, D.C., Oct. 14, 2011. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
Balloon Man
Oct. 11, 2011: "This photograph by Chuck Kennedy has to catch your eye. It shows Guinness Book of World Records holder John Cassidy performing a balloon act for First Lady Michelle Obama in the Diplomatic Reception Room following a Let's Move event." (Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy)
Mandela
June 21, 2011: First Lady Michelle Obama meets with former President Nelson Mandela of South Africa at Mandela's home in Houghton, South Africa, June 21, 2011. (Official White House Photo by Samantha Appleton)
Joplin, Mo.
May 29, 2011: President Barack Obama greets Hugh Hills, 85, in front of his home in Joplin, Mo., May 29, 2011. Hills hid in a closet during the tornado, which destroyed the second floor and half the first floor of his house. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
Daycare
June 9, 2011: President Barack Obama greets children at a day care facility adjacent to daughter Sasha's school in Bethesda, Md., following her 4th grade closing ceremony, June 9, 2011. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
Tucson Shooting
Jan. 10, 2011: President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama walk towards the White House after observing a moment of silence for the victims of the Arizona shooting, on the South Lawn, Jan. 10, 2011. White House staff joined the President and First Lady for the moment of silence.(Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy)
What's Up?
March 7, 2011: President Barack Obama, Prime Minister Julia Gillard of Australia, and members of the Australian and American delegations look up at the presidential seal in the Oval Office ceiling following their bilateral meeting, March 7, 2011. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
Inclement Weather
May 31, 2010: "The skies opened up on Memorial Day outside of Chicago. When the lightning began, the Secret Service told the President that it was too dangerous to proceed. He took the stage by himself and informed the audience that his speech was canceled and that for everyone's safety, they should return to their busses. Later, he boarded a few of the busses to thank them for attending and apologized for not being able to speak." (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
Power Walk
July 20, 2010: President Barack Obama and British Prime Minister David Cameron walk across the South Lawn of the White House, July 20, 2010. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
Oil Spill
May 28, 2010: President Barack Obama and Lafourche Parish President Charlotte Randolf, left, inspect a tar ball as they look at the effect the BP oil spill is having on Fourchon Beach in Port Fourchon, La., May 28, 2010. (Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy)
Finally
March 21, 2010: President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, and senior staff, react in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, as the House passes the health care reform bill, March 21, 2010. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
First Pitch
March 31, 2010: President Barack Obama practices his pitching form with personal aide Reggie Love and Jake Levine in the Rose Garden of the White House, March 31, 2010. The President threw out the ceremonial first pitch on opening day of the baseball season prior to the game between the Washington Nationals and the Philadelphia Phillies.
3D
Feb. 1, 2009: "During a Super Bowl watching party in the White House theatre, the President and First Lady join their guests in watching one of the TV commercials in 3D." (Official White House photo by Pete Souza)
Bo
March 15, 2009: "The Obama family was introduced to a prospective family dog at a secret greet on a Sunday. After spending about an hour with him, the family decided he was the one. Here, the dog ran alongside the President in an East Wing hallway. The dog returned to his trainer while the Obama's embarked on their first international trip. I had to keep these photos secret until a few weeks later, when the dog was brought 'home' to the White House and introduced to the world as Bo." (Official White House photo by Pete Souza)
Moment Of Reflection
Jan. 20, 2009: "President-elect Barack Obama was about to walk out to take the oath of office. Backstage at the U.S. Capitol, he took one last look at his appearance in the mirror." (Official White House photo by Pete Souza)
Snowball Fight
Dec. 19, 2009: "Snowball in hand, the President chases Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel on the White House colonnade. To escape, Rahm ran through the Rose Garden, which unfortunately for him, was knee-deep in snow." (Official White House photo by Pete Souza)
Nobel
Dec. 10, 2009: President Barack Obama looks at the Nobel Peace Prize medal for the first time at the Norwegian Nobel Institute in Oslo, Norway, Dec. 10, 2009. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
Presidential Trio
Jan. 16, 2010: "President Obama had called on the two former Presidents to help with the situation in Haiti. During their public remarks in the Rose Garden, President Clinton had said about President Bush, 'I've already figured out how I can get him to do some things that he didn't sign on for.' Later, back in the Oval, President Bush is jokingly asking President Clinton what were those things he had in mind." (Official White House photo by Pete Souza)
Wounded Warriors
Oct. 8, 2009: President Barack Obama watches as members of the National Naval Medical Center's Marine Wounded Warrior basketball team play on the White House basketball court, Oct. 8, 2009. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
Shoot The J
Oct. 8, 2009: President Barack Obama takes a shot during a game with Cabinet secretaries and members of Congress on the White House basketball court, Oct. 8, 2009. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
Grand Canyon
Aug. 16, 2009: President Barack Obama looks at the Grand Canyon in Arizona on Aug. 16, 2009. (Official White House photo by Pete Souza)
Ted Kennedy
April 21, 2009: President Barack Obama and Sen. Ted Kennedy walk down the South Lawn sidewalk at the White House April 21, 2009. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
The Pope
July 10, 2009: President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama meet with Pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican on July 10, 2009. (Official White House photo by Pete Souza)
Punch
July 13, 2009: President Barack Obama feigns a punch while talking about health care reform with Nancy-Ann DeParle, Peter Orszag, Phil Schiliro and Larry Summers in the Outer Oval Office, July 13, 2009. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
Teasing
June 26, 2009: President Barack Obama jokingly reacts to news that staffer Nora Becker will be leaving to pursue a joint MD and PhD in healthcare economics, during the White House staff picnic on the South Lawn, June 26, 2009. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
Nancy Reagan
June 2, 2009: President Barack Obama and former First Lady Nancy Reagan walk side-by-side through Center Hall in the White House, June 2, 2009. To the left of Mrs. Reagan hangs her official White House portrait as First Lady. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
Cairo Visit
June 4, 2009: Secretary of State Hillary Clinton recounts a story to President Barack Obama, Senior Advisors David Axelrod and Valerie Jarrett, outside the Sultan Hassan Mosque in Cairo, Egypt, June 4, 2009. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
The Sphinx
June 4, 2009: President Barack Obama tours the Egypt's Great Sphinx of Giza (left) and the Pyramid of Khafre, June 4, 2009. (Official White House photo by Pete Souza)
Behind The Camera
Feb. 18, 2009: President Barack Obama takes aim with a photographer's camera backstage prior to remarks about providing mortgage payment relief for responsible homeowners at Dobson High School, Mesa, Ariz., Feb. 18, 2009. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
First Day
Jan. 21, 2009: President Barack Obama walks into the Oval Office for his first full day in office, Jan. 21, 2009. His Personal Aide Reggie Love stands nearby. (Official White House photo by Pete Souza)

Situation Room
May 1, 2011: President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden, along with members of the national security team, receive an update on the mission against Osama bin Laden in the Situation Room of the White House, May 1, 2011. Seated, from left, are: Brigadier General Marshall B. "Brad" Webb, Assistant Commanding General, Joint Special Operations Command; Deputy National Security Advisor Denis McDonough; Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton; and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates. Standing, from left, are: Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; National Security Advisor Tom Donilon; Chief of Staff Bill Daley; Tony Blinken, National Security Advisor to the Vice President; Audrey Tomason Director for Counterterrorism; John Brennan, Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism; and Director of National Intelligence James Clapper. Please note: a classified document seen in this photograph has been obscured. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
Head Pat
May 8, 2009: President Barack Obama bends over so the son of a White House staff member can pat his head during a family visit to the Oval Office May 8, 2009. The youngster wanted to see if the President's haircut felt like his own. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
Fist-Bump
Dec. 3, 2009: President Barack Obama fist-bumps custodian Lawrence Lipscomb in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building following the opening session of the White House Forum on Jobs and Economic Growth, Dec. 3, 2009. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
Mohawk Baby
July 4, 2012: President Barack Obama holds a baby while greeting guests during an Independence Day celebration on the South Lawn of the White House, July 4, 2012. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
The President
July 26, 2012: President Barack Obama holds a Cabinet meeting in the Cabinet Room of the White House, July 26, 2012. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
Oval Office Chase
July 9, 2012: President Barack Obama runs around his desk in the Oval Office with Sarah Froman, daughter of Nancy Goodman and Mike Froman, Deputy National Security Advisor for International Economics, July 9, 2012. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
First Couple
June 13, 2012: President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama wave goodbye to President Shimon Peres of Israel on the North Portico of the White House following the Presidential Medal of Freedom ceremony and dinner in his honor, June 13, 2012. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
Holocaust Museum
April 23, 2012: President Barack Obama tours the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C., with Elie Wiesel, Nobel Peace Prize laureate and Holocaust survivor, and Sara Bloomfield, museum director, April 23, 2012. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
Golden Girl
June 11, 2012: President Barack Obama talks with Betty White in the Oval Office, June 11, 2012. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
Venus In Transit
April 24, 2012: President Barack Obama stops to view the moon and Venus before boarding Marine One in Boulder, Colo., April 24, 2012. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
'Sweet Home Chicago'
Feb. 21, 2012: President Obama joins in singing "Sweet Home Chicago" during the "In Performance at the White House: Red, White and Blues" concert in the East Room of the White House, Feb. 21, 2012. Participants include, from left: Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews, Jeff Beck, Derek Trucks, B.B. King, and Gary Clark, Jr. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
The Redeemer
March 20, 2011: "The Obama family was scheduled to tour the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio before dinner one night. But when heavy fog rolled in, they canceled the visit. After dinner, the fog had dissipated somewhat so they decided to make the drive up the mountain. It was quite clear when they arrived and then the fog started to roll back in. I managed to capture this silhouette as they viewed the statute one last time just before departure." (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
Water Fight
June 11, 2011: "The top photograph shows the President having a water gun fight with his daughter Sasha on her birthday weekend at Camp David. Unbeknownst to me, David Lienemann captured a similar photo of the Vice President on the very same day." (Official White House Photos by Pete Souza and David Lienemann)
Christmas Card
Dec. 11, 2011: President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, and their daughters, Malia, left, and Sasha, right, sit for a family portrait in the Oval Office, Dec. 11, 2011. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
MLK Memorial
Oct. 14, 2011: President Barack Obama tours the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial in Washington, D.C., Oct. 14, 2011. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
Balloon Man
Oct. 11, 2011: "This photograph by Chuck Kennedy has to catch your eye. It shows Guinness Book of World Records holder John Cassidy performing a balloon act for First Lady Michelle Obama in the Diplomatic Reception Room following a Let's Move event." (Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy)
Mandela
June 21, 2011: First Lady Michelle Obama meets with former President Nelson Mandela of South Africa at Mandela's home in Houghton, South Africa, June 21, 2011. (Official White House Photo by Samantha Appleton)
Joplin, Mo.
May 29, 2011: President Barack Obama greets Hugh Hills, 85, in front of his home in Joplin, Mo., May 29, 2011. Hills hid in a closet during the tornado, which destroyed the second floor and half the first floor of his house. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
Daycare
June 9, 2011: President Barack Obama greets children at a day care facility adjacent to daughter Sasha's school in Bethesda, Md., following her 4th grade closing ceremony, June 9, 2011. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
Tucson Shooting
Jan. 10, 2011: President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama walk towards the White House after observing a moment of silence for the victims of the Arizona shooting, on the South Lawn, Jan. 10, 2011. White House staff joined the President and First Lady for the moment of silence.(Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy)
What's Up?
March 7, 2011: President Barack Obama, Prime Minister Julia Gillard of Australia, and members of the Australian and American delegations look up at the presidential seal in the Oval Office ceiling following their bilateral meeting, March 7, 2011. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
Inclement Weather
May 31, 2010: "The skies opened up on Memorial Day outside of Chicago. When the lightning began, the Secret Service told the President that it was too dangerous to proceed. He took the stage by himself and informed the audience that his speech was canceled and that for everyone's safety, they should return to their busses. Later, he boarded a few of the busses to thank them for attending and apologized for not being able to speak." (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
Power Walk
July 20, 2010: President Barack Obama and British Prime Minister David Cameron walk across the South Lawn of the White House, July 20, 2010. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
Oil Spill
May 28, 2010: President Barack Obama and Lafourche Parish President Charlotte Randolf, left, inspect a tar ball as they look at the effect the BP oil spill is having on Fourchon Beach in Port Fourchon, La., May 28, 2010. (Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy)
Finally
March 21, 2010: President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, and senior staff, react in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, as the House passes the health care reform bill, March 21, 2010. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
First Pitch
March 31, 2010: President Barack Obama practices his pitching form with personal aide Reggie Love and Jake Levine in the Rose Garden of the White House, March 31, 2010. The President threw out the ceremonial first pitch on opening day of the baseball season prior to the game between the Washington Nationals and the Philadelphia Phillies.
3D
Feb. 1, 2009: "During a Super Bowl watching party in the White House theatre, the President and First Lady join their guests in watching one of the TV commercials in 3D." (Official White House photo by Pete Souza)
Bo
March 15, 2009: "The Obama family was introduced to a prospective family dog at a secret greet on a Sunday. After spending about an hour with him, the family decided he was the one. Here, the dog ran alongside the President in an East Wing hallway. The dog returned to his trainer while the Obama's embarked on their first international trip. I had to keep these photos secret until a few weeks later, when the dog was brought 'home' to the White House and introduced to the world as Bo." (Official White House photo by Pete Souza)
Moment Of Reflection
Jan. 20, 2009: "President-elect Barack Obama was about to walk out to take the oath of office. Backstage at the U.S. Capitol, he took one last look at his appearance in the mirror." (Official White House photo by Pete Souza)
Snowball Fight
Dec. 19, 2009: "Snowball in hand, the President chases Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel on the White House colonnade. To escape, Rahm ran through the Rose Garden, which unfortunately for him, was knee-deep in snow." (Official White House photo by Pete Souza)
Nobel
Dec. 10, 2009: President Barack Obama looks at the Nobel Peace Prize medal for the first time at the Norwegian Nobel Institute in Oslo, Norway, Dec. 10, 2009. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
Presidential Trio
Jan. 16, 2010: "President Obama had called on the two former Presidents to help with the situation in Haiti. During their public remarks in the Rose Garden, President Clinton had said about President Bush, 'I've already figured out how I can get him to do some things that he didn't sign on for.' Later, back in the Oval, President Bush is jokingly asking President Clinton what were those things he had in mind." (Official White House photo by Pete Souza)
Wounded Warriors
Oct. 8, 2009: President Barack Obama watches as members of the National Naval Medical Center's Marine Wounded Warrior basketball team play on the White House basketball court, Oct. 8, 2009. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
Shoot The J
Oct. 8, 2009: President Barack Obama takes a shot during a game with Cabinet secretaries and members of Congress on the White House basketball court, Oct. 8, 2009. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
Grand Canyon
Aug. 16, 2009: President Barack Obama looks at the Grand Canyon in Arizona on Aug. 16, 2009. (Official White House photo by Pete Souza)
Ted Kennedy
April 21, 2009: President Barack Obama and Sen. Ted Kennedy walk down the South Lawn sidewalk at the White House April 21, 2009. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
The Pope
July 10, 2009: President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama meet with Pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican on July 10, 2009. (Official White House photo by Pete Souza)
Punch
July 13, 2009: President Barack Obama feigns a punch while talking about health care reform with Nancy-Ann DeParle, Peter Orszag, Phil Schiliro and Larry Summers in the Outer Oval Office, July 13, 2009. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
Teasing
June 26, 2009: President Barack Obama jokingly reacts to news that staffer Nora Becker will be leaving to pursue a joint MD and PhD in healthcare economics, during the White House staff picnic on the South Lawn, June 26, 2009. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
Nancy Reagan
June 2, 2009: President Barack Obama and former First Lady Nancy Reagan walk side-by-side through Center Hall in the White House, June 2, 2009. To the left of Mrs. Reagan hangs her official White House portrait as First Lady. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
Cairo Visit
June 4, 2009: Secretary of State Hillary Clinton recounts a story to President Barack Obama, Senior Advisors David Axelrod and Valerie Jarrett, outside the Sultan Hassan Mosque in Cairo, Egypt, June 4, 2009. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
The Sphinx
June 4, 2009: President Barack Obama tours the Egypt's Great Sphinx of Giza (left) and the Pyramid of Khafre, June 4, 2009. (Official White House photo by Pete Souza)
Behind The Camera
Feb. 18, 2009: President Barack Obama takes aim with a photographer's camera backstage prior to remarks about providing mortgage payment relief for responsible homeowners at Dobson High School, Mesa, Ariz., Feb. 18, 2009. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
First Day
Jan. 21, 2009: President Barack Obama walks into the Oval Office for his first full day in office, Jan. 21, 2009. His Personal Aide Reggie Love stands nearby. (Official White House photo by Pete Souza)

PRINCE WILLIAM HAS LINEAGE FROM INDIA

The British royal family may have some explaining to do. If the results of a DNA test conducted by BritainsDNA are to be believed, the royal lineage has some unlikely roots -- in India.

The United Kingdom-based genetic ancestry testing company analyzed the mitochondrial DNA of two cousins of Princess Diana and compared them to global samples. According to the results of the DNA test, Princess Diana's son Prince William has Indian heritage.

The royal's connection to the South Asian country stems from Williams' great-great-great-great-great-grandmother Eliza Kewark, who worked as a housekeeper in India. As ABC News notes, Kewark has often been described as Armenian, but the DNA results indicate that she is at least half Indian.

BritainsDNA discovered the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) belonged to a rare haplogroup, R30b, that is usually only found in the Indian population.

According to Jim Wilson, a genetics expert at the University of Edinburgh who also works for BritainsDNA, the specific type of mtDNA has only be found in 14 other people worldwide, 13 of which are Indian, The Times of India reports.

"To add to this research, it is important to note that the other related branches of R30b, that is R30a and R30, are also entirely South Asian in origin. This confirms beyond doubt that the mtDNA of Eliza Kewark was of Indian heritage," BritainsDNA wrote in a statement on its website.

Since mtDNA is only passed from mother to child, it's likely that William carries a portion of Kewark's mtDNA. LOOD Naija

PLANE PARKED IN PETROL STATION IN LAGOS

A scrap plane formerly owned by the late Apostle Gabriel Oduyemi of Bethel Ministries, Ajah, Lagos, caused panic in the city on Thursday as rumour spread that another aircraft had crashed in Lagos.

It was learnt that the plane, which was recently released to Capt Matthew Ekeinde, husband of Nollywood star, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, was being dragged to Badagry area of the state before its tyre burst. The incident forced the new owner to dump the plane in a nearby filling station.

Hundreds of residents trooped out with their smart phones and camera, and queued behind the gate of Dapsey Oil filling station at Igando where the plane was parked.

A senior employee of the filling station said the plane, with registration number N972TF, was being towed from Muritala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja to Badagry.

He said, “The plane was brought here around 2am after one of its tyres burst. It was being towed by a red vehicle, but after it got to Igando, they discovered it would be difficult to get it to its destination with burst tyre, which was why they brought it here.”

The Lagos State Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, Damasus Ozoani, told the News Agency of Nigeria that the police provided escort for the plane.

He said, “About 12.45am, the command got a directive to escort the jet from MMIA Ikeja to Badagry by road.

The operation was led by one Capt. Matthew Ekeinde, but in the process of the journey, one of the jet’s tyres burst at College Bus Stop and the jet could not move.

It was parked at Dapsey Filling Station along Igando for repairs. We have provided security for the plane until it is moved to Badagry.”

It was observed that men of The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps were on the ground to “ensure the safety of people” living in the area.

The Igando Divisional Police Officer, Adeoye Olugbemiga, came with his team around 12pm to control on-lookers.

In a short time, some of the residents turned the scene into an amusement park and began to pose and take shots near the plane.

One of our correspondents observed that the plane’s two wings had been chopped off and the cockpit was stuffed with nylons.

The Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, Nnamdi Udoh, in a statement, said the aircraft had long been within the agency’s facility till Wednesday night when it was removed.

Udoh said, “The aircraft that was sighted by the residents was actually a junk one belonging to the late Apostle Gabriel Oduyemi of Bethel Ministries.

“The aircraft was actually released to Capt Ekeinde who will be using it for educational purposes in Badagry, Lagos.”

Ekeinde confirmed on the telephone that the scrap plane belonged to him.

He said, “The aircraft will be situated in a multipurpose and entertainment centre which wlll be open very soon.

“When opened, the centre will be the first of its kind in West Africa.” LOOD Naija

LIONELL MESSI ACCUSED OF 3.4 MILLION POUNDS TAX FRAUD

The Barcelona star and his dad, Jorge, are accused of filing fraudulent tax returns from 2006-2009 according to a spokesman for tax crime in Catalonia.

The 25-year-old recognised as the best player in the world and is rumoured to earn £250,000-a-week and £13MILLION in endorsements.

Last year the player agreed a new six-year deal with Barcelona worth an estimated £17million-a-year AFTER tax which will run until 2018.

He revealed his shock at allegations and insisted he has done nothing wrong.

In a statement the Argentine forward hit back saying: "We have just known through the media about the claim filed by the Spanish tax authorities. We are surprised about this news, because we have never committed any infringement.

"We have always fulfilled all our tax obligations, following the advice of our tax consultants who will take care of clarifying this situation."
His club has not commented yet.

Messi - who has won the world player of the year title FOUR times - is one of the world’s highest paid footballers earning around £250,000 a WEEK.

Any club wanting to buy him would have to shell out an astronomical £320million to include his wages and £210million transfer fee to release him from the Spanish champions Barcelona.

But due to new tax laws in Spain, Messi's new deal will cost Barca a lot more.

Instead of 24 per cent tax they will now pay up to 52 per cent on Messi's salary which means his wages will increase from £10m-a-year to £17m.

Last December Messi turned down a monster £460,000-a-week offer to quit Barcelona.

As well as his Barcelona wages, he earns millions from sponsors including Adidas, PepsiCo and P&G and he is 10th on Forbes’s latest list of top-earning athletes.

He came on for the final half-hour of Argentina’s World Cup 2014 qualifier against Ecuador in Quito on Tuesday which ended in a 1-1 draw.

Argentina coach Alejandro Sabella said Messi is expected to be included in the line-up for their friendly against Guatemala on Friday. LOOD Naija

OLDEST MAN IN THE WORLD DIES AT 116 IN JAPAN

THE oldest man in history has died at the age of 116 in hospital in Japan, the country's government has said.

Ancient Jiroemon Kimura was verified as being the oldest man ever by the Guinness Book of Records in December last year.

When he turned 115 he took up English lessons - to keep his mind occupied.

The former post office worker was a dad of seven, and had 14 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren, and 13 great-great-grandchildren.

Presentation ... with officials from record book

After retiring, he began lending a hand on his son's farm.

Mr Kimura was born in 1897 the same year as aviator Amelia Earhart and the year Queen Victoria celebrated her Diamond Jubilee.

He died in hospital in his hometown of Kyotango after being treated for pneumonia.

He attributed his longevity to getting out in the sunlight. "I am always looking up towards the sky. That is how I am,” he said.

The title of oldest living person is now held by a Japanese woman, 115-year-old Misao Okawa.
"Jiroemon Kimura was an exceptional person,” said Craig Glenday, editor-in-chief of Guinness World Records.

“As the only man to have ever lived for 116 years, and the oldest man whose age has been fully authenticated, he has a truly special place in world history."

Mr Kimura’s funeral is set to be held Friday.

“Mr Kimura was and will always be a treasure to our town, to our country and to our world,” said Kyotango Mayor Yasushi Nakayama. LOOD Naija

 

NELSON MANDELA RESPONDING TO TREATMENT

After four days in the hospital battling a lung infection, former President Nelson Mandela of South Africa “is responding better to treatment,” President Jacob Zuma told Parliament in Cape Town on Wednesday.

 

“We are very happy with the progress that he’s now making, following a difficult few days,” Mr. Zuma said.

 

It was the first report of an improvement in Mr. Mandela’s condition since he was admitted to a hospital in Pretoria early Saturday morning after suffering a recurrence of a persistent lung ailment, a legacy of the tuberculosis he contracted during the 27 years he was imprisoned for opposing apartheid. His health has been frail lately, and this hospitalization was his fourth in the last seven months.

 

Government officials in the last few days had been more downbeat, describing Mr. Mandela’s condition as “serious but stable” with no improvement.

 

Mr. Mandela, 94, is being treated in an intensive care unit, where close family members have been visiting him regularly. Among them are his daughters, his former wife, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, and his grandson Mandla Mandela. His wife, Graça Machel, canceled a speech in London to be by his side.

 

Mandla Mandela, who is a traditional leader in the Eastern Cape village where his grandfather was born, spoke to reporters outside Mr. Mandela’s home.

 

“My grandfather is the father of the nation,” he said. “He’s embraced by the global community, and we appreciate the support that we’ve received.”

 

As an underground leader of the banned African National Congress, Mr. Mandela was convicted of treason 49 years ago on Wednesday. He was sentenced to life in prison, but was released in 1990 as the government, under intense international pressure, began negotiating with Mr. Mandela and the A.N.C.

 

Mr. Mandela was elected as South Africa’s first black president in 1994 and served one term. He retired from public life in 2004, and has not been seen in public since 2010, when South Africa hosted the World Cup. LOOD Naija

FATAI ROLLING DOLLAR DIES AT 85

Fatai rolling dollar died in a Lagos hospital this was confirmed by daughter Funmilayo.
FRD R.I.P LOOD Naija

LADY GAGA IN HER MODEST DRESSING

This is a miracle, lady Gaga? I cover my mouth o! LOOD Naija

ALERT ON 3 DEADLY VIRUS - WHO

The World Health Organisation has raised alarm over fears that the deadly Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS) discovered last year, and two human strains of bird flu-H5N1, which emerged a decade ago, and H7N9, first detected in China in March this year, are already spreading.

It has therefore urged health workers around the world to be on the alert for symptoms of any of the diseases, saying they have the potential of causing a pandemic.

MERS-coronavirus, which emerged last year in Saudi Arabia, has been confirmed in 55 people worldwide, killing 31 of them. WHO said of the 55 cases, 40 occurred in Saudi Arabia.

“We are trying to find out as much as we can and we are concerned about these viruses,” Andrew Harper, WHO Special Adviser for Health Security and Environment, said Monday.


According to him, international concern about these infections is high, because it is possible for thes viruses to move around the world.

Speaking about the MERS which symptoms include coughing, fever and pneumonia, the WHO said: “there have been several examples where the virus has moved from one country to another through travellers.”

The United Nations agency said travellers have carried the virus to Britain, France, Germany and Italy. Infected people have also been found in Jordan, Qatar, Tunisia and the United Arab Emirates.

WHO said: “consequently, all countries in the world need to ensure that their healthcare workers are aware of the virus and the disease it can cause and that, when unexplained cases of pneumonia are identified, MERS-CoV should be considered.

“The overall number of cases is limited but the virus causes death in about 60 percent of patients.

“So far, about 75 percent of the cases in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have been in men and most have occurred in people with one or more major chronic conditions.”

The major challenge before the agency is that the source of the MERS virus is still unknown.

WHO further warned all countries in the Middle East and other parts of the world to urgently intensify disease surveillance to detect any MERS infections. LOOD Naija

LUIS SUAREZ - PLAYING FOR REAL MADRID IS A DREAM

Liverpool striker Luis Suarez has admitted it would be a "dream" to play for Real Madrid, and once again slammed the English media for what he deems unfair treatment.

The Uruguay international, currently in South America for the Confederations Cup, had earlier stated that he would like to link up with Cristiano Ronaldo in the Spanish capital.

And in a second interview, the 26-year-old has reiterated his desire to leave the Premier League while refusing to rule out a move to Madrid.

"Any player would like to play for a great team and Real Madrid certainly are that," Suarez told television show RR Gol. "Every player wants to reach the very top and Real Madrid are at the very top, but everything that has been said is just rumors, I have had nothing concrete."

He added, "Obviously Real Madrid is a great team and every player dreams about them; Real Madrid is Real Madrid and it's as high as you can go as a player and they will always tempt you. I'm not sure if I see myself in the white [Madrid], the only thing I know is that I have a contract."

Suarez, who is currently serving a domestic suspension for biting Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic, is adamant he wants to leave Anfield because of his harsh treatment by the British press.

"Ever since I arrived I have felt bad, they have never judged me for my play but with the attitude that I dive, protest, makes gesture, racism... everything," Suarez said.

"They have never spoken well of me. For that reason, when I was told I could win the Player of the Year award, I said: 'I will not get excited as I know that I will never win an important award in England.'"

The 26-year-old also slammed the length of his racism ban compared to that of John Terry, who received half the punishment for an incident involving Anton Ferdinand, and believes he can never forgive or forget his harsh treatment despite his love for Liverpool.

"Without any proof they gave me an eight-match ban, but with Terry, where they had proof, lip-readers, they gave him four, I'm South American and I think that's the root of all of this," Suarez continued.

"Liverpool is a club that I dreamed about playing for as a boy. I have been with great players there, they know me and I would love to continue for many more years at Liverpool. The stadium is spectacular, the fans are phenomenal: people with tattoos of me, things that I could never have imagined.

"After the [Evra] suspension people would come up to me, this is something that really touched me and they would say: 'Luis forget everything and stay.' But I can't forget as it was something that I had to suffer, that my family had to suffer and away from football I have a family to support and who are hurt by these things."

Suarez went on to describe one such example of his family being subjected to abuse, describing a shopping trip that almost brought his family to tears.

"About a week ago I was walking in a shopping center near Manchester and three or four guys asked me for a photo," he revealed. "While we were posing for it my wife said to me "Luis, get out of the photo". She noticed they were making biting gestures. I was with my wife and my daughter. Things like that get on your nerves. My wife was on the brink of tears and the blokes ran off laughing. You get tired of stuff like that." LOOD Naija

FRED AJUDUA SENT TO JAIL

A Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja  Tuesday ordered that notorious fraudster Fred Ajudua be remanded in Kirikiri Prisons over a fraud charge filed against him since 2003.

Fred Ajudua has been standing trial before the court over allegations of fraud to the tune of over $1.5 billion but has refused to attend the trial since four years ago after being granted bail by the trial judge, Justice Olubunmi Oyewole.

The judge issued a warrant for his arrest since then but police authorities have not been able to produce him in court since then prompting an unending adjournments in the matter.

Fred Ajudu however appeared in court Tuesday with a request for bail since the court had revoked the earlier one he was granted.

Justice Oyewole, however, turned down the hearing of the request and instead made an order that he should be remanded in prison custody pending the hearing of the bail application.

Making the order, the judge said: “The first defendant ceased to be on bail since December 15, 2006 when his bail was revoked. The case has been held up as the agents of the Federal Government of Nigeria have been unable to execute the warrant of arrest issued on January 24, 2005.

“The first defendant is hereby ordered to be remanded in prison. The Superintendent of Prison shall ensure that the accused is given unrestricted access to medical treatment including being taken to LUTH as an out patient when occasions demand.”

The matter was subsequently adjourned till 24 June, 2013 for the hearing of the bail application.

Ajudua’s name is frequently linked with advance-fee fraud. Ajudua views himself as a sort of folk hero or Robin Hood, getting money out of gullible westerners in repayment for colonial mistreatment.

Ajudua studied law and graduated from the University of Benin, Edo State.

In October 2003, Alhaji Nuhu Ribadu, Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), said that Ajudua had twelve cases pending against him, including an advance fee fraud of 1.6 million Euros and another of $1.5 million, both committed in 2001. He was accused of collecting money from Nelson Allen, a Canadian who lost $250,000. A German was said to have lost $350,000 to him. He was also said to have tricked more than $1.69million out of two Dutch nationals between 1999 and 2000.

In year 2000 he was reported as having served five years of prison at Kirikiri and Agodi.

On 26 July, 2005 the German woman, Frieda Springer-Beck, agreed to an out-of-court settlement after a long series of inconclusive court appearances dating back to 1993.

Ajudua was granted bail to seek medical attention in India on 3 February 2005. Hearing that he was back in Nigeria, the EFCC attempted to arrest him on 20 March, 2007 at a beer parlour in Ibusa. The move was thwarted by armed thugs.

In 2007, the Administrative Panel of Inquiry on Reports of Alleged Corrupt Practices recommended that Ajudua’s wife should not run for political office on the basis of an EFCC report that she had been involved in a conspiracy to obtain $7.85m and N3 million under false pretence and had used money from fraudsters to campaign for election, although the panel noted that there was no direct evidence linking her to the activities of her husband.LOOD Naija

FEDERAL MINISTRY OF EDUCATION RELEASES CUT OFF MARK FOR NATIONAL COMMON ENTRANCE

The Federal Ministry of Education has released the cut-off marks on State-by-State basis of the just concluded 2013 National Common Entrance Examination for admission processes into Federal Unity Colleges nation-wide.
Parents are advised to check the results of their wards which have been posted on notice board of all Unity Colleges throughout the Federation.
Pupils that scored above the cut-off marks based on their state of origin are eligible for admission on merit.
Abia - Male(130) Female(130)
Adamawa - Male(62) Female(62)
Akwa-Ibom - Male(123) Female(123)
Anambra - Male(139) Female(139)
Bauchi - Male(35) Female(35)
Bayelsa - Male(72) Female(72)
Benue - Male(111) Female(111)
Borno - Male(45) Female(45)
Cross-Rivers - Male(97) Female(97)
Delta - Male(131) Female(131)
Ebonyi - Male(112) Female(112)
Edo - Male(127) Female(127)
Ekiti - Male(119) Female(119)
Enugu - Male(134) Female(134)
Gombe - Male(58) Female(58)
Imo - Male(138) Female(138)
Jigawa - Male(44) Female(44)
Kaduna - Male(91) Female (91)
Kano - Male(67) Female(67)
Kastina - Male(60) Female(60)
Kebbi - Male(9) Female(20)
Kogi - Male(119) Female(119)
Kwara - Male(123) Female(123)
Lagos - Male(133) Female(133)
Nassarawa - Male(58) Female(58)
Niger - Male(93) Female(93)
Ogun - Male(131) Female(131)
Ondo - Male(126) Female(126)
Osun - Male(127) Female(127)
Oyo - Male(127) Female(127)
Plateau - Male(97) Female(97)
Rivers - Male(118) Female(118)
Sokoto - Male(9) Female(13)
Taraba - Male(3) Female(11)
Yobe - Male(2) Female(27)
Zamfara - Male(4) Female(2)
FCT Abuja - Male(90) Female(90)
LOOD Naija

NELSON MANDELA ILL BACK TO THE HOSPITAL

Former South African president Nelson Mandela, 94, was readmitted to hospital on Saturday with a renewed lung infection and is in “serious but stable” condition, the presidency said.

“This morning at about 1:30 am (2330 GMT Friday) his condition deteriorated and he was transferred to a Pretoria hospital. He remains in a serious but stable condition,” President Jacob Zuma’s office said in a statement.

It marks the second hospitalisation for the ailing anti-apartheid hero in two months. On April 6 he was released from hospital after being treated for pneumonia during a 10-day stay.

Nelson Mandela, 94, has suffered several health problems over the years:

While serving his 27-year prison term, Mandela was diagnosed with early stage tuberculosis in 1988 after being admitted to hospital in Stellenbosch near Cape Town with a bad cough and weakness and having complained of dampness in his cell.

Two litres of fluid were drained from his chest and he spent six weeks recuperating in the hospital before being transferred to a private clinic near his mainland Cape Town prison where he was the facility’s first black patient.

“When the report came back from hospital they indicated that fortunately we sent the specimen before there were holes in the lung,” he said in 2004. “I underwent treatment and was completely cured after four months.

In January 2011, Mandela set the nation on edge when he was hospitalised for two nights with an unnamed acute respiratory infection at the age of 92.

He was released in a stable condition for home-based care and intense medical monitoring.

In December, 2012 Mandela underwent nearly three weeks of treatment for a recurrent lung infection and surgery to extract gallstones.

He was admitted on December 8 and allowed to leave on December 26 for home-based care.

He also spent one night in hospital in early March 2013 for what was described as a scheduled medical checkup.

He was readmitted on March 27 for 10 days of treatment for pneumonia when doctors drained a build up of fluid from his chest, known as a pleural effusion.

On June 8, he was back in hospital with a renewed lung infection after his condition deteriorated and was in a “serious but stable” condition.

Mandela had surgery in 1985 for an enlarged prostate gland that had caused a urinary blockage.

In 2001, he received radiotherapy treatment for prostate cancer and told reporters the following year that he had been given a clean bill of health against the disease.

In February 2012, he spent the night in hospital after a minor exploratory procedure to investigate persistent abdominal pain.

He underwent a diagnostic laparoscopy, or keyhole surgery, in which doctors made small incisions in the abdominal area to probe it with a tiny camera.

Mandela’s tear ducts were damaged by years of being forced to smash limestone rocks in the quarry on Robben Island, due to the alkalinity of the stone, leaving them dry and prone to irritation.

He had cataract surgery aged 75 in 1994, a few months after being sworn in as the nation’s first black president.

Press photographers were asked not to use camera flash when taking pictures of Mandela. LOOD Naija