Usain Bolt denies describing the Commonwealth Games as 'a bit sh*t'

Usain Bolt was accused of being “hugely disrespectful to Glaswegians and also to the Scottish people” as the row over disparaging remarks he is alleged to have made regarding the Commonwealth Games threatened to cast a shadow over the event.

The world’s fastest man, who is competing in the 4 x 100m relay having decided against entering in the 100m and 200m, denied yesterday that he had said the Games were “a bit ****” and that he thought the Olympics were “better”. Continue...

More photos of Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo’s Son’s Traditional and Church Wedding

Click here if you missed the first report on this event. Check out the lovely photos below after the cut...

PM: 'We Will Find You And Send You Home'

David Cameron has put illegal immigrants on notice telling them: "When we find you - and we will find you - we will make sure you are sent back to the country you came from."

Announcing a number of new measures to tackle problems of immigration, Mr Cameron said he wanted to send a clear message that those in the UK illegally would not be able to work or have a home. Continue...

Nigerian lawyer suspended for allegedly accusing U.S judges of corruption

For several months, a Nigerian lawyer in Chicago, Illinois, United States, Mr Lanre Amu, tried to get the attention of the American media but no one was willing to tell his story or help him get his law licence back.

Amu moved to the U.S in 1982 with the hope of living the American dream. At the beginning, he enjoyed this dream, earning Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Civil Engineering with distinction. He worked as an engineer in Illinois. Continue...

Carlos Tevez’s father is released after being kidnapped for nine hours

The father of former Manchester City and Manchester United striker Carlos Tevez was kidnapped this morning in Argentina (click here), but has now been released according to reports emerging in South America.

Argentine website TN reported that Tevez’s father was in Moron, an area to the west of Greater Buenos Aires when the incident happened at around 7am local time this morning. Continue...

Cameroon Rescues Vice PM’s Wife Kidnapped by Boko Haram

The Cameroonian Army had in a successful operation rescued the abducted wife of the country’s Vice Prime Minister, Amadou Ali, who was kidnapped by the Boko Haram sect on Sunday alongside a traditional ruler of Kolofata town. If you missed the report, click here.

According to BBC Hausa Service, 16 people died during the rescue operations that lasted for several hours.

Although, Cameroon Information Minister, Issa Tchiroma Bakary who disclosed the information said government was investigating the matter to establish the actual number of those killed in the military clampdown and rescue operations, the abducted woman was successfully rescued. Meanwhile, a military court in Cameroon has convicted and sentenced 14 BokoHaram members to 20 years imprisonment after they were arrested with weapons in March around Marwa in northern Cameroon.

10 US senators want Nigeria sanctioned over Anti-gay law

TEN senators of the United States (US) are seeking sanctions against Nigeria, over what they described as “a growing trend of laws and proposed legislation targeting lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals in Africa.”

In a letter to President Barack Obama, published by The Cable, the senators were seeking a review of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which allowed for duty-free treatment of certain imports from Nigeria and other sub-Saharan African countries since 2000. Continue...

Can you help?

Volunteers needed.  I am carrying out a survey to compile the marriage experiences of people who have been married for at least 2 years even if you are no longer married. Are there experiences you think will help others? You never know, someone might be going through what you have been through.  This questionnaire is totally anonymous; however, we do need some general marital information in order to process the results. Please write as much as you can. See the questionnaire after the cut..

  

Sex, Am I getting it right?

Sex has a place in marriage but if it becomes the only positive part of the marriage, it is doomed to fail before it even gets started. Sexual satisfaction is therefore a key component in a good marriage. Yet, the understanding of it is limited and incomplete.

Human sexuality is one of the most beautiful and precious gifts God has given to man and woman. The enemy distorts this gift in men and women to continue his rebellion against God; and at the same time degrade and cheapen what is precious and to pervert what is beautiful into vice, filthiness and obscenities, which culminates in the destruction of innocence, purity and Godly ideals. Infidelity soils and ravages the relationship because the spiritual bonding is ruptured and mutual trust, love and dependency is lost. Continue...

Matthew Ashimolowo's son gets married

KICC Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo's first son, Tomi, got married to his heartthrob, Dorothy Jeneba Kamara at KICC Prayer City in Kent, London today. Dorothy is from Sierra Leone. Their traditional wedding held in London yesterday. I join millions of well-wishers to wish you a blissful, lasting & happy marriage. See more photos from their church and traditional weddings after the cut…

Hillary Clinton 'blamed Bill Clinton's abusive mother'

The former Secretary of State reportedly made the comments a year after the Monica Lewinsky scandal saw the then-President impeached by the House of Representatives, during an interview with Pulitzer-prize winning journalist Lucinda Franks.

The original interview was published by Tina Brown’s magazine Talk in 1999. However, Franks made the decision to water down Hillary’s comments due to the heightened political climate and the media circus surrounding the affair at the time, she claims in her new memoir Timeless: Love, Morgenthau and Me.

Galleys of Franks’ book, due out next month, have since been obtained by the Daily News.

In the extracts, Franks recounts purported quotes from her meeting with Hillary, beyond what was published in 1999, about Bill’s mother Virginia Kelley – a woman Hillary allegedly called a "doozy".

Hillary reportedly told Franks that Kelley hurt her son "in ways you wouldn't believe".

"He was abused," the book quotes Hillary as saying. "When a mother does what she does, it affects you forever." Continue...

Chevening Scholarships now open

The Chevening Scholarships Programme will soon be accepting applications for the 2015/16 cycle. Online applications will open on 1 August 2014 and with the recent expansion of the scheme, Chevening have confirmed on their official page that they will be able to offer more than 1500 scholarships globally.

Chevening Scholarships are the UK government’s global scholarship programme, funded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and partner organisations. The programme makes awards to outstanding scholars with leadership potential from around the world to study postgraduate courses at universities in the UK. The programme provides full or part funding for full-time courses at postgraduate level, normally a one-year Master’s degree, in any subject and at any UK university.

click here for more information on how to apply.

China shuts meat producer supplying McDonald’s, KFC

In a recent bid to increase health and safety of consumers of meat, China has had to ensure its exports are healthy. Especially in the face of problems such as bird flu and horse meat scandal.

Shanghai has shut a factory of US food producer OSI Group for selling out-of-date meat to restaurant giants including McDonald's and KFC, authorities said on Monday 21 July 2014, in China's latest food safety scandal. Continue...

The rise of solo dining

Do you like to eat alone by yourself in your favourite restaurant? Do you feel guilty sitting alone by yourself at a table while other tables around you are crammed with people? Do you feel upset when other people assume you want company but you just want to be by yourself? Here's something interesting for you to consider...

Sudanese woman Meriam Ibrahim meets the Pope

Meriam was imprisoned for her faith as a Christian in Sudan with a charge of apostasy and had to deliver her daughter while in prison awaiting verdict. She got support and petitions signed in her favour from all over the world as she would have been killed if she was found guilty. She was found not guilty but she had to leave her country, arriving in Italy today. Meriam met with the Pope soon after her arrival in Rome. Continue...

Indian boy has 232 teeth removed

An adult usually has 32 teeth but a rarity occurred when a 17 year old Indian boy had intense surgery lasting over 5 hours to remove over 200 teeth. This condition is referred to as odontoma which is a malformation of the tissues of the mouth and may interfere with the eruption of the associated tooth and disturbances where the dental components are laid down in a disorganized manner. (Caution - some of the pictures below may be distressing). Continue...

Former Homosexual Reveals 'Unmitigated Disaster of Gay Marriage'

David Kyle Foster

This is what David Kyle Foster has to say: 
For over 10 years I lived the homosexual lifestyle, and for 34 years I have not. And there are very good reasons for that difference. To those who suggest that I never was homosexual, my response is, "Does sleeping with over 1,000 men count?"

Oh yes. I was homosexual, though like most, I never wanted to have such attractions. I saw the narcissism and arrested emotional development all around me, and in me. Guys flitting around like Peter Pan were sometimes cute and funny, and certainly non-threatening, but I wanted to be a grown up. I wanted to be a man. I wanted to be strong, solid, stable and reliable. Continue...

Kim Kardashian, Kanye West Divorce Rumours

Photo Credit - May 21, 2014 Reuters

Kanye West and Kim Kardashian haven't been seen together in public much since getting married in Italy in May, so, of course, some are now speculating that their brief wedded bliss is already coming to an end. West has been travelling for his "Yeezus" national tour, while Kardashian has also been travelling, dealing with her various business ventures, and taking care of their daughter, North.

Glasgow 2014: Commonwealth Games begin at Celtic Park

The 2014 Commonwealth Games being held in Glasgow, Scotland was declared open this evening by Her Majesty the Queen at Celtic park. This is the largest multi-sport event ever held in Scotland with around 4,560 athletes from 71 different nations and territories competing in 17 different sports in 11 days of competition, beginning on Thursday 25 July 2014.

The opening ceremony also featured a fund raising appeal in partnership with UNICEF to give aid to children from the Commonwealth nations. Continue...

Some issues to consider in your Marriage

Marriage is a union between two people. Today many people show how happy their marriages are on social websites but statistics today on marriage in the United Kingdom show that this is not the case for most people (Ref).

Many people are  unhappy in their marriages. The reasons for this include but are not limited to sacrificing your marriage for your career and personal ambition, infidelity, abuse and poor communication (Ref).

Being married should not make anyone feel imprisoned or unhappy. It is a companionship that should be mutually enjoyed and not endured. Continue...

An inspirational story!

In a world filled with chaos and various disparities, there are people who initiate a change in their individual circumstances in a bid to affect and change the experiences of others. I would like to highlight the work of a doctor who decided to spearhead a revolution in West Africa with the view of transporting people with health needs requiring emergency services through air transport.

According to her presentation on TEDx, when Ola Orekunrin was a 22-year-old medical student in the UK, her 12-year-old sister became critically ill while visiting relatives in Nigeria. With no medical facility nearby that could treat her condition, the family attempted to arrange an air evaluation. Orekunrin was shocked to discover that not only was no air ambulance available in Nigeria, there was not one available in the whole of West Africa: "The nearest one at the time was in South Africa. They had a 12-hour activation time so by the time they were ready to activate, my sister was dead.” It was then, she explains, "I started thinking about whether I should be in England talking about healthcare in Africa, or I should be in Africa dealing with healthcare and trying to do something about it.” Continue...

Boko Haram kills villagers, RCCG pastor

Scores of people were reportedly killed by Boko Haram in Damboa, Borno State by the dreaded Boko Haram sect, Saturday Tribune gathered in Maiduguri on Friday. The gunmen, sources added, had a field day as Damboa town had earlier been deserted by policemen and soldiers. Read their statement below…

Cristiano Ronaldo’s mother admits she tried to abort Real Madrid star using alcohol while pregnant

The mother of Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has admitted that she drank alcohol and ran until she ‘dropped’ in an attempt to abort him while she was pregnant.

Dolores Aveiro revealed the story in a biography called Mother Courage, which was released in Portugal on Friday 18 July 2014.

In the book, Mrs Aveiro admitted that she tried to abort Ronaldo – who is the youngest of four children – by drinking warm beer and running ’till she dropped’ following the refusal of doctors to carry out the procedure. Continue..

FIFA lifts ban on Nigeria

Photo credit - FIFA

The game's governing body withdrew the suspension it imposed on the NFF, which meant no Nigerian team, including club sides, could play internationally, today Friday 18 July 2014, after its president, executive committee and congress were reinstated.

A FIFA statement said: "FIFA has noted that the court proceedings and order preventing the president of the NFF, the NFF Executive Committee members and the NFF Congress from running the affairs of Nigerian football that prompted the suspension have been withdrawn.

FIFA World Rankings: Latest Standings Following 2014 World Cup

Germany have rocketed to the summit of FIFA's World Rankings after claiming their fourth World Cup title in Brazil.  Nigeria have risen by 10 places from 44 to 34th whilst England have fallen from 10 to 20th, their lowest position since May 1996.

Joachim Low's side move up one place to head up a list which has altered dramatically following the South American tournament, reported by the governing body's official website.

Before we take a look at the top 40, it's important to note how FIFA weights its points system. The rankings are currently decided through this formula: Result x Importance of Match x Strength of Opposition x Confederation Strength = Total Points. You can check the intricacies right here.

Here's a look at the updated top 40 after the cut…

Malaysian plane crashes in Ukraine: updates

The Ukrainian Security Service SBU has published on its Youtube account what it says are intercepted        conversations between pro-Russian militants in which they say they admit shooting down a civilian plane, BBC Monitoring reports.

     

    

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev tweets: Hundreds of people lost their lives in the plane crash. Such a tragedy. I mourn for the victims.

Key Points

• A Malaysian airliner has crashed in Ukraine, near Russian border
• Malaysia Airlines says contact with Flight MH17 from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur was lost at 1415 GMT
• There were 280 passengers and 15 crew members on board
• There are reports of bodies and burning wreckage on the ground
• The Ukrainian military and pro-Russian rebels have accused each other of shooting down the plane; both sides say they were not responsible
• Several airlines, including Lufthansa and Air France, say they will now avoid eastern Ukrainian airspace

Continue....

Reshuffle 2014: The Full List Of Who's In And Who's Out Of Cameron's Cabinet

 David Cameron has made his big changes for his last major reshuffle before the 2015 general election, with a raft of women promoted to some senior positions while a few veteran male politicians have been shown the door.

However, other middle-aged men have been promoted. So, who has survived the reshuffle? Who has been promoted, sacked or moved? Check their faces and their new roles after the cut...

Pastor Kumuyi of Deeper Life denies banning Ipads & phones in his church

The General Overseer of the Deeper Life Bible Church, Pastor W.F. Kumuyi, has denied media reports that he banned the use of Ipads and Iphones in his church (Read here). He released a statement to that effect on his Facebook page. Read his statement after the cut..
 

Re - UK based Nigerian tackles church over marriage breakdown

I recently read the story reported by Punch newspaper which recounts Ayadi Moniaye's report of his marriage breakdown. If you missed the report, click here

Can I state that marriage is not meant for boys and girls but 2 adults, who are responsible for their choices, decisions and actions. Of course we know that what we listen to and watch can influence the way we think, behave and our character.

I have been a member of this Church since 2008. This is what I have to say. Continue...

PTDF OSS Releases List of Successful Candidate for 2014/2015

Find below, the list of successful candidates for the award of 2013/14 and 2014/2015 Overseas Scholarship MSc.

The Induction Exercise for successful awardees will hold from 11th - 15th August, 2014.

The venue and time for the induction will be announced soon. Please keep checking this website.

Successful Candidates are expected to:

·         Come along with SOFT and HARD copies of all their credentials including: BSc Certificate, Data Page of International Passport, Overseas MSc Admission Letters, etc

·         Be guided and apply for admission and accommodation ONLY from the Universities indicated against the courses advertised for scholarship. Please see Table below.

·         Endeavour to come for Induction Programme with a valid International Passport.

·         Forward MSc Admission Letters (if already secured) to oss_msc@ptdf.gov.ng immediately for consideration.

·         Arrive at the venue of the Induction Ceremony (to be communicated in due course) on Sunday 10th August 2014, where accommodation will be provided for the duration of the programme.

click to see the list

Nyako impeachment: Panel concludes sitting

The seven-man panel consti­tuted by the Act­ing Chief Judge of Adamawa State to investigate the allega­tions of gross miscon­duct levelled against Governor Murtala Nya­ko and his Deputy, Mr Bala Ngilari yesterday concluded its public sitting.

The Buba Kaigamma-led panel, which began sit­ting last Friday rounded off its assignment yesterday with only the complainant, Adamawa State House of Assembly making appearance to substantiate its al­legations against the gover­nor and his deputy who had declined appearance. The panel said it had followed all due process to make the respondents appear before it but after waiting in vain for repre­sentatives of the governor and deputy governor, it de­cided to go ahead to watch a video clip tendered as exhibit by the complain­ants and also cross-exam­ined the only witness pre­sented by the Assembly, Mr. Wafarninyi Theman. Continue...

Ondo traditional ruler renounces fraternity

The traditional ruler of Ode community in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State, Sunday Boboye has revealed that his desire to be a feudal lord over his town made him to join the Ogboni fraternity, a sect he has now renounced after 10 years of joining the society. “I wanted powers to face the mighty and powerful people who have usurped my fathers’ land. To do this, I needed to accept one of the heist titles in the land and which was my family’s royal entitlement. It is the Ajagun (General at war) of Ode land”, the 45-year-old ex-Ogboni chief stated. Continue...

The Jewel of Pastor E.A Adeboye

Pastor (Mrs.) Foluke Adeboye is the wife of RCCG Overseer, Pastor E.A Adeboye.

Her humility, unique insight in the role of women in ministry,  gracious comportment and general impact on the women folk have endeared her to millions of women all over the world. She is a woman of prayer and intercession.

Her deep compassion for the less privileged, the poor and the less fortunate birthed a passion in her to reach out to them in a unique way. She founded Africa Missions, a program where RCCG parishes in the western world support missions in developing countries financially, spiritually and by volunteering time to travel to train and equip the missionaries. Continue ...

4 Germans made the FIFA World Cup Golden Ball nominees!

FIFA officially announced the names of the 10 players of the 2014 World Cup in the running for the adidas Golden Ball, which is awarded to the competition’s most outstanding performer. Only 2 teams that  have more than 1 nominee meet tomorrow for the Final (4 nominees for Germany & 3 for Argentina). May be the score line would be 4-3 and Germany wins!

The shortlist was drawn up by the members of FIFA’s Technical Study Group. Appearing in alphabetical order are as follows...

ASUP Suspends 10-Month Old Strike… Polytechnics To Reopen Tuesday

In what apparently is good news for polytechnic students across the country and a breakthrough for the newly appointed Minister of Education and former Kano State Governor, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, ASUP, has suspended its 10-month-old strike.

The strike, which started in October 2013, was suspended today Saturday 12 July at the National Executive Council, NEC, meeting of the union held in Abuja.

The National Publicity Secretary of ASUP, Clement Chirman announced the suspension and also stated that academic activities would resume in all polytechnics nationwide from Tuesday 15 July. Recall that upon his swearing in on Wednesday, the Minister of Education made his first official assignment on Thursday, a ‘fruitful’ meeting with top ASUP officials.

Maradona to stay in Argentina team hotel ahead of World Cup final

Argentina's national team will be accompanied by legend Diego Maradona as they prepare for Sunday's FIFA World Cup final against Germany at the Maracana stadium.

  

Facts about the final World Cup Special:

The 1986 World Cup winner has checked himself into the same hotel as the Albiceleste squad in Rio's beachside neighbourhood of Barra da Tijuca, reports Xinhua. It will be the first time this tournament that Maradona will visit Alejandro Sabella's team, which has been based in Vespasiano, near the southeastern city of Belo Horizonte. Maradona has been in Brazil during the World Cup as a journalist for Venezuelan television broadcaster TeleSur. His presence is understood to have irked some members of Argentina's Football Association. 

The entity's president Julio Grondona, with whom Maradona has a long-running feud, accused the former Barcelona and Napoli forward of bringing bad luck to the team during their group match against Iran in Belo Horizonte. The 53-year-old left the Mineirao stadium late in the match with the scores tied at 0-0 before Lionel Messi promptly scored the winning goal. Maradona was captain of the Argentine team that beat Germany 3-2 at the 1986 World Cup final at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. 

The Albiceleste, who progressed to the showpiece at the Maracana after a 4-2 penalty shootout win over Netherlands, are aiming to lift their third World Cup and their first since Mexico in 1986 where they defeated die Mannschaft 3-2 in the final. Continue...

Get Connected!

Our generation is so blessed with the gifts of men and seasoned messages served fresh and hot on daily basis that we have no excuse not to grow. God builds His people by the revelation of His word. Confusion creates darkness but the entrance of God's word gives light.

The Bible says:

 Until the time came to fulfil his dreams, the Lord tested Joseph’s character. (Ps 105:19 NLT)

 Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O Lord God of hosts. (Jer 15:16 KJV)

U.S. steel producers seek to scrap Russian trade deal

U.S. steel producers on Thursday 10 July 2014 accused Russia of flooding the market with cheap flat-rolled steel, challenging a 15-year trade deal and potentially reigniting a decades-old dispute over imports amid heightened tensions between Washington and Moscow.

A red-hot slab of metal is transported on a production line at a hot rolling workshop of the Novolipetsk (NLMK) steel mill in Lipetsk, about 500 km (311 miles) southeast of the capital Moscow, January 30, 2014.

In a submission to the Commerce Department, Nucor Corp , U.S. Steel Corp, ArcelorMittal USA LLC and others said the agreement had not stopped Russian producers from undercutting local prices or flooding the U.S. market with a 1,400 percent shipment increase in the first half of 2014 compared with the year-ago period.