The final episode of a stowaway's story - strange story

9:30 PM |


Many months after a man from Mozambique fell to his death from the undercarriage of an aeroplane flying over London, his family has been traced.
Jose Matada's body was found in Portman Avenue, Mortlake, in September 2012, soon after a flight from Luanda, Angola, flew over the residential area.

He had no identity papers on him and no-one had reported him missing. Police were unable to trace his next of kin, but his family recently came forward and identified themselves to the authorities in Mozambique.
Jose's mother, Eugenia Ndazwedjua, and his older brother, Paulino Domingos Matada, who live in Maputo, said they had read about his death in a local newspaper called Verdade.
"I was shocked, it was a huge feeling, knowing he'd already been dead for some time - an overwhelming feeling," said Paulino.
He had thought his brother was in South Africa, where he had been employed for several years as a housekeeper and gardener. 

The last time Paulino spoke to his brother was in June 2012. After that, when he tried to call him, he couldn't get through.
"I called others who knew him there, but they said, 'he's disappeared'. I didn't expect him to go to another country, I just thought he'd suddenly appear here one day, or call."
Jose Matada's story spans two continents and eight countries
Paulino is still not sure why Jose stowed away on the flight from Angola.
He wonders if Jose was trying to re-join his former employer, who had moved from South Africa to Switzerland. "When I heard he had died, I found a Sim card of his here that had messages, with declarations of love on it."

Whatever the reason - whether Jose had fallen in love with his former employer, or whether he was trying to get to Europe to get her help in finding a job - it was a desperate measure. Most stowaways on long-haul flights are killed by the cold and lack of oxygen.
Jose's mother Eugenia wishes that his body could be returned to Mozambique. "He should have been buried in our village, next to his father, next to his great-uncles and aunts, and my other two children who died - but we have no money to bring his body back home."
The family say they have been told that it would cost £7,000 ($11,500) to repatriate Jose's body. 

"I am struggling since he died... His father died a long time ago, but even though we are poor, I had my children - that's the only consolation I had."
There is nothing to mark the grave where Jose Matada is buried in Twickenham, west London - no headstone with his name, or his date of birth. 

But we know now that Jose Matada was born on 8 September 1985. He died in London on 9 September 2012, the morning after his 27th birthday.

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Man who thinks he's Jesus... along with hundreds of young women who follow him across the world

8:30 PM |

A 66-year-old Brazilian man has spent 35 years preaching the word of God - because he believes he is the reincarnation of Jesus.
Inri Christo has ‘hundreds of followers’ from around the world, including the UK, Britain and France, some of whom live with him at his ‘church’ compound outside Brasilia.

Since 1979 he has travelled for 27 countries to spread his word, however his controversial views has seen him expelled from the US, Britain and Venezuela.
Most of the disciples who live at his church – mostly women - have followed Inri for decades, the eldest, Abevere, 86, has been following him for 32 years.
His youngest disciple is now 24 years old and first met Inri when she was just a two years
As ‘Jesus reborn’ he has even taken the name of Inri, which derives from the latin acronym said to have been written on the cross during Jesus' crucifixion, and stands for Iesus Nazarenus, Rex Iudaeorum, or in English: Jesus the Nazarene, King of the Jews' and Christo, meaning Christ.

His Jesus-like dressing and unorthodox views on capitalism, abortion and even Christmas has seen him detained by police more than 40 times

He said: ‘I know that there are countless people scattered throughout Brazil and the world whose hearts beat together with mine.’
But despite seeing himself as Jesus reborn, Inri refuses to celebrate Christmas saying it is just a day where 'the rich humiliate the poor'.

‘It is a day when the little sons of the rich can show the gifts they received while the poor children only get a crumb,’ he said. ‘So it is a very sad day for anyone who sees things with the eyes that I see.’
Inri says he first experienced the 'revelation' that he was Christ during a religious fast in Santiago, Chile, in 1979.

Since childhood he had been following a powerful voice that 'speaks in his head' but it was only on this occasion that it told him: ‘I am your Father. The God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob.

He now runs his own church, the 'Soust' (Suprema Ordem Universal da Santmssima Trindade), located on a lush farmland outside of Brasilia, the capital of Brazil, which he calls the 'New Jerusalem'.
He and his followers survive on homegrown fruit like bananas, avocados and mangos as well as a vegetable garden.
There's also a chapel where Ingra speaks to his followers every Saturday morning and a kennel for the dogs that guard the complex.
His quirky life has led to critics saying he is mentally ill - an accusation he firmly denies.
‘I can be crazy but not dumb,’ he said.
‘Madness is different from dementia. It is the mother of philosophers, prophets and inventors.

‘My mission is to prepare the elect, the survivors of the inevitable nuclear hecatomb that will culminate in the end of this chaotic world, for the formation of the new earthly society, which will strive to fulfill the Creator's will.’

Man have always wanted to become 'God' but only one God decided to become man.

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50 Cent reveals pictures of his toddler son Sire Jackson

4:52 PM |

Isn't he so cure and adorable.

 


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Another loss as Manchester United lost a third game in a row for the first time since 2001.

4:27 PM |

Sunderland took a one-goal lead into the Capital One Cup semi-final second leg as Manchester United were beaten for the third time in a row.
Fabio Borini's second-half penalty, after Tom Cleverley was controversially penalised for a challenge on Adam Johnson, was the decisive goal.
Ryan Giggs' own goal in first-half injury time had put Sunderland ahead.
Nemanja Vidic levelled with a towering header soon after the restart.
But Sunderland earned their first win over United since 2000, a run of 21 matches, when Liverpool loanee Borini kept his calm from the penalty spot after substitute Johnson went down under Cleverley's challenge. 

Moyes upset with refereeing decisions and his woes continious.
United were furious with the decision but Cleverley's attempt to win the ball looked rash as Johnson cut across him, leaving United chasing the game ahead of the second leg at Old Trafford on 22 January. 

The defeat deepens the woes of manager David Moyes after United's FA Cup hopes were ended by Swansea on Sunday, while their hopes of retaining the Premier League title appear to be disappearing, with leaders Arsenal 11 points clear. 

United have won the League Cup three times in the past decade, in 2006, 2009 and 2010, but a premature exit this time around would leave them relying almost solely on the Champions League to rescue their campaign. 

Am almost sure they will still go through and possibly meet Manchester City in the finals.
 

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Venezuelan ex-beauty queen Monica Spear murdered with husband

4:06 PM |

Former Venezuelan beauty queen Monica Spear, 29, and her British husband Thomas Berry, 39, have been shot dead in their car in Venezuela.
Their five-year-old daughter, who was injured in the incident, is said to be in a stable condition in hospital.
Police have launched a investigation into the killing, which happened on the highway leading from Valencia to Puerto Cabello.
Ms Spear became Miss Venezuela in 2004, and also acted in soap operas.
Venezuelan media reported that Ms Spear and Mr Berry were travelling from the city of Merida to the capital, Caracas, when their car broke down.

Police believe they were the victims of a failed robbery attempt.
The couple and their daughter waited for about 45 minutes for breakdown assistance, says El Universal newspaper. 

The car was about to be towed away when a group of five criminals approached and order them to stop. The couple and their daughter reportedly ran inside to car, but were shot at by the gang.
Ms Spear and Mr Berry died instantly. The daughter, Maya, was shot in the leg.
'Iron fist' Initial reports said Mr Berry was Irish. But the Foreign Office has now confirmed he was a British national, who apparently moved to Venezuela as a child.

They lived in the United States and were in Venezuela on holiday.

Venezuela has one of the highest murder rates in the world. Armed robberies and kidnappings are not unusual, but the death of Ms Spear has had huge impact in the country.
President Nicolas Maduro has promised to respond with "an iron fist" to those who continue to attack the Venezuelan people.

He expressed his condolences and said: "We were evaluating the cruelty with which the suspects acted. Violence is an evil that we have."
"There will be no tolerance to those who carry out acts like that, killing decent men and women, who have a right to live," Mr Maduro added.
The opposition leader, Henrique Capriles, posted a message on his Twitter account calling for a nationwide drive against violence.
"Nicolas Maduro, I suggest we put aside our deep differences and get together to fight the lack of security, as one bloc," he wrote.

So sad. Went back for a visit and never returned back to her beloved USA.
 

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5 Resume Myths That Can Cost You the Job

12:08 PM |


Navigating the unwritten rules of resumes can seem like a daunting task. No one wants to break a rule and lose out on a great job. But who made these rules to begin with? Why are they so pervasive? Are they even relevant anymore?

In many cases the answer is no. These rules aren’t rules; they’re outdated myths. Read on to learn what you should really do with your resume.

It’s All About You

Everyone wants a resume that shows off their skills and experience. Unfortunately, many “job seekers rush off and immediately list all of the wonderful things they have done, many of which may fail to focus on critical aspects of what employers are looking for,” says author and business executive Bill Holland.

“Successful job seekers first find out what that is and describe their background in those terms,” Holland explains. “That catches the eye of the hiring manager and improves their chances of getting to the next level.”

It Can Only Be One Length

Your resume absolutely can’t be longer than one page. No wait, it’s one page for every five years of experience. Or was it 10 years?

Forget all of that. Instead, focus including the most important information as clearly and concisely as possible.

"When I hire for an entry-level position, I expect to see one-page resumes because the candidates shouldn't have very much experience, so in this case, the myth is absolutely true. When I'm hiring for a mid-level position, though, it's common and acceptable to see two-page resumes,” says FlexJobs founder and CEO Sara Sutton Fell.

“The key is that all of the information needs to be relevant to the job for which you're applying,” she explains. “[T]he last thing I want to do is try to sort through all of that info to find what's relevant to me.”

It Can’t Contain Any Gaps in Employment

This may have been true before the Great Recession, but it’s definitely a myth now, says career consultant Tiffani Murray.

“Gaps between employment are much more common these days than 20 years ago,” she explains. “Employers and recruiters almost expect to see gaps on resumes, particularly in younger applicants. Don't let a block of unemployed time on your resume deter you from applying for a job that is right for you.”

It’s a One-Size-Fits-All Document

When you’re applying to different jobs and different employers, you need different resumes to fit each one.

“Job seekers in the 2014 workforce are encouraged to target their resumes based on their career fields, job duties and relevant keywords within a job description,” says Debra Ann Matthews, a professional resume writer and job coach.

It Should Only Include Paid Experience

If you’re young and inexperienced or you’ve been out of work for awhile, showcasing relevant coursework, volunteer experience and community participation can help beef up your resume. Doing so can demonstrate valuable skills, passion and drive.

Another benefit, says career coach Torski Dobson-Arnold, is showing a fit with company culture. Many companies support charities and community organizations “and knowing that an applicant has that same type of philosophy shows a match between the company culture and the applicant's beliefs to a certain degree,” she explains. “If you are able to show value in your volunteer experience and/or show value from fundraising efforts, then that's even better to have on your resume.”


Hope this helps you to secure that job of your dream in 2014.

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Sack Oduah now, Mr President - Is she still a minister? haha Naija!!!

10:30 PM |


A minister in Ghana just said she would surely make money with her ministerial position and she was immediately fired. But here in Nigeria, people actually do things that the mind can not comprehend and they still remain in power. How this lady has remained a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria beats my me. It's just unbelievable and beyond any logical reasoning.

Kindly read the Editorial piece below by PUNCH NEWS PAPER. Great write-up.

HAVING tried all the delay tricks in the book, President Goodluck Jonathan is now confronted with a choice: retain the Aviation Minister, Stella Oduah, or sack her. The President’s body language and vacillation demonstrate unmistakeably that he prefers to keep the controversial minister. This is a tragic error of judgment and confirms to the whole world what many Nigerians already know: that Jonathan’s body language encourages corruption.

Indeed, most Nigerians believe that under the current administration, the war against corruption is virtually lost. Jonathan will only be confirming the view of critics by his continued waffling over Oduahgate. Surely, he does his credibility no good by retaining a minister that has been so tainted in a corruption scandal. Just two weeks ago, in response to an acerbic letter to him from a former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, which was leaked to the press, he pompously declared that he (Jonathan) was fighting corruption. “I have been strengthening the institutions established to fight corruption. I will not shield any government official or private individual involved in corruption…,” he declared.

But he has been shielding Oduah in the full glare of the public. When the news first broke in October via an online publication that the minister had allegedly caused two bullet-proof BMW limousines to be purchased for her by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, in violation of the law, he kept quiet. It was only after much public outcry and a probe got under way at the House of Representatives that he belatedly asked her to be queried. As more revelations emerged from the House probe demonstrating how the minster exceeded her spending limits of N100 million, how import duty waivers were misapplied and how NCAA officials and other aviation parastatals “contravened the Appropriation Act 2013,” Jonathan sought to buy time by setting up an unnecessary three-man administrative panel to examine the case.

Diversionary though it was, the panel had submitted its report since mid-November. While one can concede to the President the need to be cautious to avoid penalising the innocent, seven weeks after the panel turned in its report and another two after a damning verdict by the House probe should surely be enough for the President to demonstrate that he truly abhors corruption. If his concern, as he said in his response to Obasanjo, is “to follow due process in all that I do,” this high-minded requirement has been amply met by the House probe and his own panel.

Jonathan is simply not serious about combating corruption as widely alleged by his critics and confirmed by all global corruption rating agencies. The standard worldwide by nations where corruption is truly detested is to fire any official tainted by even a whiff of wrongdoing if the person fails to resign. Jonathan has not been asked to convict Oduah; only a court of law can do that. All that Nigerians expect of him, and as the House of Representatives recommended, is that he should fire Oduah. She has been sufficiently tainted to make her continued presence in government odious.

In Turkey, three top cabinet ministers have resigned in a corruption case that does not even name them directly as beneficiaries; in Ghana, a deputy minister of communications was promptly sacked by President John Mahama for merely expressing a desire to make $1 million in politics; in Italy, a three-time prime minister, Silvio Berlusconi, has been convicted on corruption charges, while a former Israeli president, Ezer Weizman, was investigated and only avoided criminal prosecution due to the statute of limitation. In any other country, Oduah would have since resigned or been sacked and, together with the complicit aviation officials, prosecuted. Indeed, prosecution would afford Oduah an opportunity to prove the innocence she has steadfastly claimed.

Jonathan is letting another opportunity to take a stand against corruption slip by. Does he relish Nigeria’s persistent rating as one of the most corrupt nations on earth? The nation’s landscape is littered with unresolved corruption scandals to the extent that many Nigerians consider corruption to be much worse than our latest rating as the world’s 144th out of 177 in the Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index. His declaration in his 2014 New Year message that he would “take additional steps to stem the tide of corruption and leakages” sounds patently hollow.

Nigerians should not allow Jonathan and Oduah to get away with this missuse of public office. Since our President cannot live up to the standards of decorum in public office that the world has now come to accept, the House of Representatives should not stop at its recommendations; it should insist that Nigeria meets global practices in public morality and seriously combats corruption.

The Oduah case goes beyond partisan politics; corruption has laid Nigeria low and handicapped all development efforts. Public officials are stealing the people blind at the federal, state and local government levels and the anti-graft agencies appear to have lost their bite.

However, it is not too late for Jonathan to stamp out the stench of corruption swirling around his Presidency by genuinely backing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Related Offences Commission and the Code of Conduct Bureau to fulfil their mandate. He should change his body language and send clear signals that corruption will no longer be tolerated.
The place to start is by sacking Oduah. 

MY TAKE  

For Nigeria to become better, corruption has to stop and it has to stop from the top. Too many ministers and government officials are corrupt. They are solely in the corridors of power for what they can siphon from the purse of the country, they themselves offer the country nothing. 

It seems to me that there appointment in the first place was to siphon the country as a reward for their loyalty to god knows who.  I voted for Jonathan but am beginning to wonder if some of the his ministers are worth their onions. Yes there are some who have done exceptionally well, people like the minister for Agriculture, Dr Akinwunmi Ayo Adesina  (named Forbes African of the Year for his reforms to the country's farming sector) an honour well deserved but the good works these few men and women have done are being undo by the corruptness of the larger majority of your ministers.

Mr. President please help us by showing the right example. Corrupt ministers can not, I repeat can not continue to serve in your government. Show us that you mean business and do the right thing not just the political things. 

The whole world is watching but most of all, the youths of Nigeria who are without a doubt some of the most intelligent and educated people in the world, we are looking for a true leader, one we can lay down our lives for. We see you as that person but you must prove to us that you are. 

Actions speaks LOUDER than words.


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At work or at home, it’s important to listen to your body and take time out.

7:30 PM |


Although all of us have times when we feel a bit tired or rundown, it’s easy to trudge on without giving our bodies a break.

 Keeping a check on stress
Our bodies normally operate with varying levels of stress day to day. The natural ability to cope with stress depends on a range of the body’s chemicals that help us deal with pressure points. Adrenalin, for example, enables us to act to counter the pressure we face.

However, sometimes we are put in situations where we can’t utilise these natural chemicals in a balanced and efficient way – pressure points which are beyond our ability to resolve immediately, for example. These might be worries about work or money that can’t so easily be remedied, for example.

Physical signs of stress
If the natural ‘stress’ chemicals like adrenalin, noradrenalin and cortisol are not properly used when released, they can instead cause problems like increased heart rate. Cortisol can cause impaired function of the immune system so you become more prone to illness.

Other common signs of stress can be: inability to sleep well, getting more angry or tearful than usual at small flashpoints during the day, losing interest in sex, or suffering regular headaches.

Stress doesn’t have to result in extreme longterm physical problems but it is worth taking some time out to find out how your body best recovers from stress.

 De-stress action plan

Assessing your situation: Get into the habit of being able to assess exactly what is the source of your stress. Sift through the whole situation and put aside the knock-on problems to get to the heart of what is really wrong.

Making a plan of action: If the source of stress is something you can act on, try to remedy the situation as soon as you can. Sometimes it isn’t so simple – relationship stress (at home or work) can be caused by a complex set of issues. However, sharing your feelings really will help if you can find the right person to talk the issues through with. It will offer you a path to understanding your situation, while objective feedback might give you the chance to at least address part of the root of the problem.

 Getaway routes: Some moments of stress are not helped if your way of dealing with stress is to blow a fuse. Simple ‘quick escapes’ like taking a walk around the block, a long soothing bath or just digging out a CD and having a blast of your favourite songs can really help. We’re all different, so it’s important to learn from our experiences and find a few reliable shortcuts to feeling good that really work for you.

Healthy rescue: Having a drink or a box of chocolates are understandable ways in which we seek to treat ourselves when we feel low. However physically, too much of these kinds of treats can bring about their own problems. Instead, try taking up a new activity – whether it’s swimming or yoga or Pilates, or just a new hobby that you can channel your energies into. Physical activities can have genuine feelgood value mentally and physically, but hobbies – so long as they do not require too much emotional investment – can also help by arming you with new skills, which is a great morale booster.

Focus on the positive: Not all of us are good at serious meditation. But chilling out and focusing on something good is a popular method of de-stressing, championed in many countries from America to China. Try just taking five or ten minutes to yourself and either try silent or vocal chanting, or if that’s not really your cup of tea, try concentrating on a pleasing visual image, whether this is an imagined place like a warm beach, or a scene from a fondly remembered holiday. Try to think around the experience to really get the most out of your quiet time – if you are visualising, think about the restful sounds and scents that go with your scene, too. If you are chanting try to even out your voice as much as possible by adding a ‘sing song’ tone

Manage your Monday.....Enjoy health....Enjoy your life.

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Bayelsa: Dickson’s aides defect to APC - sad days indeed for PDP

5:31 PM |


At last, the defection train has hit President Goodluck Jonathan’s home state of Bayelsa with some aides of Governor Seriake Dickson dumping the Peoples Democratic Party for the All Progressives Congress.
 
Also, loyalists of former governor, Chief Timipre Sylva, have shifted allegiance to the APC in Bayelsa.
The APC in the state is chaired by former Security Adviser to Sylva, Chief Richard Kpodo, while former Youth Leader of PDP in the South-South, Mr. Godwin Sidi, is the Interim State Secretary of the APC.Apart from Kpodo, Sidi and scores of Dickson’s special advisers and commissioners, other defectors include former Chairman of Southern Ijaw Local Government, Mr. Timipa Orunemigha, alias Tiway.
 
The APC in the state will be inaugurated in Yenagoa, the state capital, this week.
The defection to the APC has put paid to months of political manoeuvrings and horse-trading, which had characterised the PDP since the New PDP’s conundrum.
Kpodo and other supporters had allegedly dumped the PDP and embraced the then Baraje Kawu-led nPDP for what they described as “lack of internal democracy and culture of impunity”.

Confirming their defection, Sidi told The PUNCH that their decision to move out of the PDP was due to the failure of peace talks in the party.

He claimed that the APC boasted of over two million supporters in Bayelsa.
The interim secretary said, “All arrangements have been put in place for the APC and Kpodo, I and other supporters find it expedient to move over to the APC with our supporters.
“The decision to move to the APC was taken due to the fact that every peace talk within the PDP has failed and also we have found out that the PDP is in life support and it will die very soon.

“We do not want to witness such a tragedy in a political party we have tried over the years to build.
“The APC secretariat will be opened within this week and we are solidly on ground. Kpodo will serve as Interim Chairman and I will serve as Secretary until party congress takes place.”
He urged Nigerians to stand up against Jonathan’s third term oath in office.

PUNCH NEWS

These are indeed sad days for the ruling people. They seem to be losing everyone to APC. Is this a sign of things to come in the political arena or just another, "hand of Esau but the voice of Jacob" moment.

Politics afterall, is purely a game of interest and not friends. 

 

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Mikel scores for Chelsea (Public Holiday?) in FA CUP

5:19 PM |

 It was a day of mixed fortunes for Chelsea midfielders. Ramires won no applause for his dive but John Mikel Obi was hailed for his courage as he ventured into unfamiliar territory wearing armbands.

Well, he had one, even if he wasn’t meant to, and it seemed to make all the difference as Mikel rose to head Chelsea into the lead. It was only his fourth goal in seven-and- a-half years at the club and came on his 300th appearance.Perhaps it was the armband, thrust into his possession when captain Michael Essien went off, that supplied him with the extra buoyancy and added confidence required on a rare excursion into the deep end of the pitch.

There was a smile on my face,’ said manager Jose Mourinho. ‘I never recognised his ability to score goals. I recognised his ability to play as an anchorman. He reads the game well and he plays that position in a very intelligent and safe way. I never recognised his goalscoring appetite.

‘For some reason, Essien gave him the armband when normally it should go to Ashley Cole, and it made him believe he was a  goalscorer. It was important. We were dominating and creating but the goal was not arriving. It was like the winning goal.’
Mikel leapt at the near post to flash a header past Lee Grant from a free-kick by Willian in the 66th minute. Oscar smashed in the second six minutes later, an effort Grant should have saved, and Chelsea eased into the fourth round of the FA Cup without fuss.

Should there be a public holiday when Mikel scores. This is his fourth goal for Chelsea in over 300 games and his third in FA competitions.

We must wash am oh. Great header Mikel, please carry this form to the Nations Cup and the World cup oh. Unless....

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Moyes woes continues as ManU is knockout of FA cup, Chelsea wins as Mikel scores

4:11 PM |


 Now it's getting serious. Now, David Moyes's difficult first season at Manchester United is developing into a full-blown crisis, a train-wreck of a campaign that just seems to lurch from bad to worse.
Consider these statistics. Sir Alex Ferguson went out of the FA Cup at the third round stage just once in his 27 years at the club. 

The Barclays Premier League champions and record 11-time cup winners have lost at Old Trafford five times this season, including four of their last six at home. Before Sunday, Swansea had never won here, going back 10 games and 82 years.
Michael Laudrup's side also arrived in Manchester without a win in seven games but they were fully deserving of the victory that was sealed by Wilfried Bony's 90th-minute header.
By then United were in disarray. With Antonio Valencia off the field and Rio Ferdinand forced off by injury, Moyes sent on Fabio da Silva to play at right-back and moved Chris Smalling to central defence.

The Brazilian lasted three-and-a-half-manic minutes, sent off by referee Mike Dean for a reckless lunge at Swansea substitute Jose Canas. No-one argued with the red card, not even Fabio.
Darren Fletcher was next to take up position on the right side of defence, and in the final minute of normal time the Scotland midfielder was left trailing by Wayne Routledge who got to the line and clipped a cross to the near post. Neither Smalling or Jonny Evans were anywhere near Bony as the Ivory Coast striker rose to plant a header beyond Anders Lindegaard.

Moyes tried to put a brave face on it afterwards. Fortune is not smiling on him at the moment, no question, and Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie were among seven players unavailable to him yesterday.
But he knows this simply isn't good enough.

United's title hopes have all but disappeared by New Year and now they are out of the FA Cup. They go to Sunderland in the first leg of the Capital One Cup semi-final on Tuesday night and resume Champions League duty next month, but the doors are starting to slam shut on their new manager.

You can take a middle level coach to handle a top level team and think the team will rise to what level? ofcourse to the level of the middle level coach. Its all about the head. The direction of the head determines where the body goes. 

Well done Moyes on behalf of all Chelsea's fans. You are doing a fantastic job. Keep it up. Hehe

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Desmond Elliot Lends his Voice to Animated Movie – “The Secret Princess” – Nollywood now doing animated videos?

4:09 PM |


With the success of Shrek, Toy Story and the Disney ladies (Pocahontas, Cinderella, Snow White…) at the international box office, it is no surprise that Nigerians are getting interested in animated movies.

Nollywood superstar Desmond Elliot has lent his voice to an animated film – The Secret Princess.

The flick set to be released in 2014, is a romantic love story full of adventure, drama, music, a fantasy animal jungle and many twists. It is produced by TransTales Entertainment.

 No word on Desmond’s character, but we are presented with a video giving us a behind the scenes look of the actor at work alongside his other co-stars.
Official Synopsis

Two babies are exchanged at child birth, a boy born to a poor farmer and a girl born to the King’s third wife. The king already has 5 daughters and no son. He is in the dark about the baby switch.

Following the mysterious disappearance of the farmer, the wife is accused of being a witch and to escape any consequences she runs away with the baby girl.

Talking animals – A parrot that witnesses the baby switch in the Palace spreads the word in the jungle, and all the animals plan to help the girl and her mother who live alone in the jungle; often sad about their loneliness.

Along the line the The Prince meets the girl, they fall in love. He fights a wrestling match to become the one who gets to marry her. In the last few scenes a lot of amazing twists are revealed about many characters including the princess, the prince, the farmer and her wife, the queen and the King and of course Mr Tortoise.

Bella Naija

I hope the characters won't make us laugh as in former times. But well done guys.


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Pope Francis – ALL RELIGIONS ARE TRUE, ADAM AND EVE A FABLE, HELL IS A MERE METAPHOR story is a SPOOF.

10:59 PM |


On December 2013, the Diversity Chronicle blog published an article positing that at the Third Vatican Council, Pope Francis had condemned racism and declared that "all religions are true":

For the last six months, Catholic cardinals, bishops and theologians have been deliberating in Vatican City, discussing the future of the church and redefining long-held Catholic doctrines and dogmas. The Third Vatican Council, is undoubtedly the largest and most important since the Second Vatican Council was concluded in 1962. Pope Francis convened the new council to "finally finish the work of the Second Vatican Council." While some traditionalists and conservative reactionaries on the far right have decried these efforts, they have delighted progressives around the world.

To a chorus of thunderous applause, Pope Francis stated "because Muslims, Hindus and African Animists are also made in the very likeness and image of God, to hate them is to hate God! To reject them to is to reject God and the Gospel of Christ. Whether we worship at a church, a synagogue, a mosque or a mandir, it does not matter. Whether we call God, Jesus, Adonai, Allah or Krishna, we all worship the same God of love. This truth is self-evident to all who have love and humility in their hearts!"

Shortly afterwards links and excerpts referencing this article were being circulated via social media, with many of those who encountered the item mistaking it for a genuine news item. However, the article was just a spoof: 

No Third Vatican Council has been convened (the Second Vatican Council took place in the early 1960s), and the blog that published this item, the Diversity Chronicle includes a disclaimer noting that "The original content on this blog is largely satirical."

The story is FALSE.

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New Year Gesture: Boko Haram Frees French Priest on Compassionate Grounds

9:30 PM |


A French Roman Catholic priest abducted in Cameroon by Islamic militants arrived home Wednesday after a seven-week ordeal he described as a time of “terrible boredom, sadness and anger.”

Georges Vandenbeusch, who was freed on Tuesday, touched down at the military air base of Villacoublay near Paris, where President Francois Hollande greeted him and hailed his “courage” and “self-sacrifice”.

The 42-year-old was kidnapped on November 13 by heavily armed men who burst into his parish at night in the far north of the central African country and reportedly took him to neighbouring Nigeria.

 The radical Islamist movement Boko Haram, which has killed thousands of people in attacks against Christians and government targets in northern Nigeria, claimed responsibility for holding him soon after he was kidnapped.

The circumstances of his release are as yet unclear, but both France — often accused of paying ransoms for hostages despite stiff government denials — and Boko Haram have denied that a ransom was paid.

A source within the Islamist group told AFP Wednesday they had asked Paris for money through the Cameroon government, but the French government refused and requested Vandenbeusch be released on humanitarian grounds because of his status as a clergyman.

“The leadership (of Boko Haram) decided to release the priest on compassionate grounds and having benefited from his medical expertise,” the source told AFP.

“The priest offered medical service to sick members during his period of captivity. The leadership felt there was no longer need for keeping him.”

Speaking in the Cameroonian capital Yaounde before he boarded a flight back to France, Vandenbeusch said he had not been mistreated by his captors despite being kept in “rustic conditions”.

He expressed “great joy” at returning home but said people should remember those who are still being held hostage.

Vandenbeusch described his time in captivity as a period of “terrible boredom, sadness and anger because I’m very fond of the parish where I worked” in Cameroon.

“I was under a tree for a month and a half,” he said, explaining that his two main guards spoke a local language and not English, he did not have anything to read, or a radio to listen to.

Speaking at the air base on Wednesday morning, Hollande warned other Frenchmen and women in high-risk areas to take care and avoid putting themselves in danger’s way.

“We have to warn those who may be at risk in areas where there is danger,” said Hollande.

He said this applied not only to “priests who have a mission to accomplish” but to other French nationals.

France needed to be “rigorous” not to allow other hostages to be taken, added Hollande.

The Vatican on Tuesday welcomed the priest’s release and called on the faithful to pray for those still being held around the world.

“We hope that all forms of violence, hatred and conflict in the tormented regions of Africa be stamped out, as well as elsewhere in the world,” Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi said.

In his former parish of Sceaux, near Paris, local faithful expressed joy at his release.

“This church prayed for him a lot. Every day, candles were lit. You had to believe in it,” said Marie, a 45-year-old worshipper.

In a statement, his family thanked French, Cameroonian and Nigerian authorities and all those who supported them during the ordeal.

“At this time of joy, we do not forget the other French hostages, and are thinking of their families,” they said Tuesday.

There are still six French people being held hostage in Mali and Syria.

Vandenbeusch was abducted from his home near the town of Koza in northern Cameroon, about 30 kilometres (20 miles) from the Nigerian border.

He was seized by about 15 people who had first gone to the nuns’ house, apparently to look for money, giving him time to warn the embassy.

The priest had been advised not to stay on in an area designated as a dangerous zone prone to militancy and kidnappings.

In February, a Frenchman employed by gas group Suez was kidnapped in the same area together with his wife, their four children and his brother while visiting a national park.


They were taken to neighbouring Nigeria and also held by Boko Haram, before being released in April.

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New Year's Twin Babies Born in Separate Years

12:04 PM |


As people around the world partied their way into the new year, two mothers gave birth to two of the last babies of 2013 and two of the first babies of 2014. While born just minutes apart, their twin babies entered the world in two different years.

On Dec. 31, 2013, at 11:58 p.m., Yaleni Santos Tohalino gave birth to baby girl Lorraine Yaleni Begazo, who weighed at 6 pounds, 4.9 ounces, at MedStar Washington Hospital Center, in Washington, D.C.
Soon after, her twin brother Brandon Ferdinando Begazo was born on Jan. 1, 2014, at 12:01 a.m., weighing at 5 pounds, 10.4 ounces.

"I feel wonderful full of joy and happiness and a full sense of realization," the twins' father, Warren Begazo, told ABCNews.com. "This is her first children ever, and they're beautiful and she's really happy."
In Toronto, two fraternal twin sisters were also born in 2013 and in 2014, respectively. At Trillium Health Partners-Credit Valley Hospital, older sister Gabriela Salgueiro was born on Dec. 31, 2013, at 11:52 p.m., weighing 6 pounds, 16 ounces.
On Jan. 1, 2014, at 12:00:38 a.m., younger twin Sophia Salgueiro was born, weighing 5 pounds, 13 ounces.

"They kind of got that golden ticket. They've got different birthdays," the twins' mother, Lindsay Salgueiro, told ABCNews.com. "They're going to be best friends for life."
"We really did celebrate New Year's Eve," Begazo said.
"Not a bad way to end the year and not a bad a way to start the year off," said Salgueiro.

Both the mothers and babies are healthy and looking forward to going home.

I love this kind of blessing. Two in one. Welcoming the babies with joy.

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Mike the Headless Chicken - chicken without head lives for 18 months. Unbelievable

9:54 AM |


On September 10, 1945, farmer Lloyd Olsen of Fruita, Colorado, United States, was eating supper with his mother-in-law and was sent out to the yard by his wife to bring back a chicken. Olsen chose a five-and-a-half-month-old cockerel named Mike. The axe missed the jugular vein, leaving one ear and most of the brain stem intact.

Despite Olsen's failed attempt to behead Mike, Mike was still able to balance on a perch and walk clumsily; he even attempted to preen and crow, although he could do neither. When the bird did not die, Mr. Olsen, who was surprised, decided to continue to care permanently for Mike, feeding him a mixture of milk and water via an eyedropper; he was also fed small grains of corn.

When used to his new and unusual center of mass, Mike could easily get himself to the highest perches without falling. His crowing, though, consisted of a gurgling sound made in his throat. Mike also spent his time attempting to preen and peck for food with his neck.

Once his fame had been established, Mike began a career of touring sideshows in the company of such other creatures as a two-headed calf. He was also photographed for dozens of magazines and papers, featuring in Time and Life magazines.
Mike was on display to the public for an admission cost of twenty five cents. At the height of his popularity, the chicken earned US$4,500 per month ($48,000 in 2010 dollars) and was valued at $10,000.[2] Olsen's success resulted in a wave of copycat chicken beheading, but no other chicken lived for more than a day or two.

In March 1947, at a motel in Phoenix on a stopover while traveling back from tour, Mike started choking in the middle of the night. The Olsens had inadvertently left their feeding and cleaning syringes at the sideshow the day before, and so were unable to save Mike. Olsen claimed that he had sold the bird off, resulting in stories of Mike still touring the country as late as 1949. Other sources say that the chicken's severed trachea could not take in enough air properly to be able to breathe; and therefore choked to death in the motel.

In life, anything is possible, never give up.  Happy new year Y'all

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