Bayelsa Govt Sends 250 Youths To Asari Dokubo’s University In Benin Republic For Training

The Bayelsa Government has sent 250 youths from the state on automobile technology, cinematography, photography and design in a bid to patronize the academy set up by former Niger Delta militant, Asari Dokubo, one of President Jonathan’s supporters for his re-election bid in 2015 polls.

The scheme was announced in Yenegoa at a reception for 200 Bayelsa graduates of a six- month agricultural training programme at the Songhai Integrated System, Cotonou.

The training programme will be held at the Amachree Royal Academy, Benin Republic, which is owned by ex-militant leader,  Alhaji Asari Dokubo.

Although the cost of the contract was not disclosed, Report has it that the scheme is calculated to empower Dokubo for the job of harassing Mr. Jonathan’s opponents before the 2015 Presidential Polls.

It will be recalled that the ex-militant leader had a brush with the authorities in Benin Republic last week, but was released days later following the intervention of Nigeria leader Goodluck Jonathan.

At the reception, which also doubled as a send-off orientation for the 250 youths going for the vocational training, Dickson declared his administration’s commitment to youth empowerment, and charged them to take their training seriously.

The State Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Thomas Commander, congratulated the graduates for the successful completion of the programme in spite of some challenges.

He expressed the state government’s desire to engage some of the graduands, but disclosed that those who intend to be self-reliant, would be encouraged and supported by the government.

Maiduguri International Airport Closed After Boko Haram Raid On Air Force Base

Operations at the Maiduguri International Airport have been suspended and the Joint Task Force has taken over the airport following a raid on nearby military units by Boko Haram.

Residents of Maiduguri said the Islamist militant sect attacked the Nigerian Air Force base in the early hours of today in attempt to overrun the entire city of Maiduguri.  About 300 militants were reported to have arrived in pickup trucks with heavy weaponry

Several explosives were hauled at the base but Air Force personnel reportedly repelled the militants, killing several of them.

There is no word on casualties on the side of the military. Mobile telephone lines have been shut down since President Goodluck Jonathan imposed a state of emergency on three states, including Borno, in May.

A spokesperson for the ministry of Aviation, Yakubu Datti confirmed the closure of the airport, but he denied the airport was affected in the attack.

The Nigerian military despite its denial are fighting the Boko Haram sect with obsolete weapons that are less inferior to that of the sect’s sophistication, and also poorly remuneration for the troops on the war front.

A military source confirmed that for over month, both the Federal Government and the higher military command have been advised on the need to station detachment of counter-terrorist troops around Sahara Desert with sole aim of crushing Boko Haram Islamic sect in view of the sect penetration in Nigeria through several borders with Niger Republic, Cameroon and Chad.

Yobe state, which is second stronghold of the sect, also had international borders with Zinder and Diffa regions of Niger Republic.

The formation of a military base, according to the source remained most viable option in containing the increasingly strength of the sect, who are getting training, support and other logistic support in the un-policed deserts that stretch from Algeria and Mauritania up to Niger and Chad.

The source who spoke on condition of anonymity, said, “It has become imperative for us to submit our candid position as military with sole responsibility of preserving Nigeria’s sovereignty. The terrorists find their way into Borno and Yobe via our porous borders. And their main planning and training is in the desert, afterwards they sneak into their camps inside Nigeria and so instead of waiting, we are proposing that we have full military base in the desert that would comprise both land and air operations.

“This is our submission to the government; it is dangerous waiting for them. They are becoming more sophisticated and organize by the day, and so we must move forward. Their trainees and those providing them with logistics are right inside the desert between Niger Republic and Chad.”, the source said

Justin Bieber Makes Party Guests Sign $3 Million Confidentiality Agreement

Justin Bieber threw a party on Friday (Nov. 15) and he made all his guests sign a confidentiality agreement. In a formal contract obtained by TMZ, everyone in attendance "agreed not to tweet, text, phone, Facebook, record, write or in any other manner spill the beans on what went on inside" at risk of paying the petit Canadian $3 million -- "no trial, no arguing, just pay up."

If that doesn't sound fun enough, TMZ also reported that "sheriff's deputies" (not cops, sheriff's deputies) were called three times and one of Bieber's neighbors said the authorities smelled marijuana.

That's all crazy stuff, but the most important part of this story is that it all took place at what TMZ called a "Gatsby party." And it is legitimately unclear whether that is some metaphorical way of saying it was a very big party or that Justin Bieber actually threw a themed gathering, inspired by F. Scott Fitzgerald's American classic set in the 1920s.

All of Bieber's recent Instagrams are just of that weird PYD symbol, so it's impossible to know for sure. But you are welcome to imagine Bieber and his friends partying in flapper dresses.

Yvonne Nelson Grabs 7 Awards At ZAFAA

This lady has truly been working hard, always appearing in movies due to her incredible acting talent and is now seeing the fruit of her labour, she truly deserves all this.

The Zafaa Global Awards took place yesterday, the 16th of November at the Hilton Metropole Hotel, Edgware, London. Present at the event were a host of nollywood stars such as Yvonne Nelson, AGN President - Ibinabo Fiberesima, Steve Eboh, Francis Odega, Charles Awurum, the aneke twins - Chidimma and Chidiebere,comedian Mc Shakara and Government officials and representatives such as His Excellency, Dr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso (Governor of Kano State).

Yvonne Nelson together with Omawumi, palman and Majid Michel Won 7 awards last night at the ZAFAA 2013. For the price,house of gold and single and married. Congrats Yvonne.

Akon And Wizkid Alledged to Reject Dark Skinned Girls For Music Video Shoot And Request For ''Halfcastes''

Akon and Wizkid made a blunder recently and their latest article is calling out the two African performers to state their stand on the issue or be boycotted when they perform shows in Ghana...I just hope it is not true or like the write up insinuated,they should deny it and move on

According to reports, Ghanaian models were turned away because they were too dark and were told by agent the two artists were looking for "half caste" women.
I am not saying they were wrong to request for a particular lady types, but turning girls  who showed away already based on that basis was very insensitive.

A model reported on the day of the shoot some girls were turned away as the agent (or the man responsible for calling them) informed them that “they now want half cast girls”. A term used to describe girls with mixed heritage, usually ones with white blood in them.

Nigeria, where WizKid is from, and Senegal where Akon is from, are countries both flooded with girls bleaching their skin simply because of such discrimination and being made to feel ugly if dark. Not just in media and modelling, but general favours in life. Whilst there are good people in both countries trying to reverse the self esteem damage of such activities such as Adama Paris who banned skinned bleach models from the Senegalese national fashion week, Akon and Wiz Kid’s team are trying to further such acts internationally.

If this is the intentions Akon and the arrogant side kick WizKid wish to introduce to Ghana, then we will be more than glad to uninvite them. Unfortunately for these bigots, Ghana has never been a land where girls are discriminated for skin tone in any field. In such matters, it is obvious they will pass the blame onto an employee to maintain their reputation. But for any such behavior, both these artists should be boycotted until their position is clarified.

If this “half-cast” casting was truly in effect, you can all blame colonialism.

Dbanj Plans To own A Private Jet As He Misses Peter And Lola's Wedding

Dbanj is not very happy at the moment. 

He took to twitter to let out his frustration for missing the traditional wedding ceremony between Peter and Lola Omotayo. 

He blamed it on the lack of flights from South Africa to Nigeria.

Al Ruscio Dead: Veteran Character Actor Dies At 89

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Veteran character actor Al Ruscio, who appeared in countless film, television and stage productions across half a century, has died at age 89, said his longtime manager, Judy Fox.

Ruscio, who died Nov. 12 at his Encino, Calif., home following declining health, appeared in such films as the "Godfather, Part III" and "Guilty By Suspicion," and on some of the most memorable TV shows of all time, from "Sea Hunt" to "Seinfeld." His stage credits include "A Hatful of Rain" and "A View From the Bridge."

In addition, Ruscio taught college acting classes, wrote a drama text called "So Therefore...A Practical Guide for Actors" and served on the board of directors of the Screen Actors Guild.

Ruscio is survived by his wife, actress Kate Williamson, four children and five grandchildren.

BAFTA Scotland awards: Stars of film, television and games line the red carpet in Glasgow for annual bash

KELLY Macdonald, Edith Bowman, Sharon Rooney and Kirsty Wark put on the glamour alongside Greg McHugh, Ford Kiernan, Brian Cox and Richard Wilson at the BAFTA Scotland awards.

The glitzy red carpet bash at Glasgow’s Radisson Blu hotel welcomed talent and 500 VIP guests from the world of film, television and games to celebrate a year’s worth of entertainment.

Actor Richard Wilson was amongst those who picked up gongs after being awarded for his Outstanding Contribution to Television and Film, while crime writer William McIlvanney presented an award to Kirsty Wark for her Outstanding Contribution to Broadcasting.

This year’s Outstanding Contribution to Craft award went to visual effects supervisor, Steven Begg, in recognition of his 27 years in the industry and world class work on the recent Bond films.

There was also a Special Award for Achievement in 2013 for Rockstar North in recognition of Grand Theft Auto V’s overwhelming global success

George MacKay fought off stiff competition to collect the coveted award for Actor/Actress Film after his critically acclaimed performance in For Those in Peril, the debut film from young Scottish director Paul Wright, which also picked up the Feature Film award.

The Fear star Peter Mullan picked up the Actor/Actress Television award, presented by broadcaster Muriel Gray.

Other stars of the night included cult comedian Brian Limond, who collected Comedy/Entertainment Programme for Limmy’s Show and Robert Jones who walked away with the Writer award for his gripping thriller, Murder, which also triumphed in the Television Drama category.

The Director award went to Emma Davie and Morag McKinnon who co-directed the emotionally charged I Am Breathing, depicting the final months of MND sufferer Neil Platt.

BBC Scotland’s controversial documentary Sins of Our Fathers picked up the award for Current Affairs, whilst Operation Iceberg won the Factual Series award.

Other winners on the night included: Hart’s Desire for Animation; Comic Relief Does Glee Club Live Final for Children’s Programme; Fire in the Night for Single Documentary; Bank of Dave – Fighting the Fat Cats for Features/Factual Entertainment and Coolson’s Artisanal Chocolate Alphabet for Game

Edith Bowman said: “Once again it was great to host to host the British Academy Scotland Awards and it is an absolute honour to help celebrate the very best Scottish talent in the film, television, games and animation industries.

The talent here tonight is just incredible and to be amongst them is just brilliant.”Alan de Pellette, Acting Director BAFTA Scotland, said: “The quality and range in this year’s British Academy Scotland Awards reflects the sheer breadth of content being created in Scotland across film, television and games.

The work celebrated is inspiring to all of us working in the screen industries and it’s great to see so much talent being recognised tonight. Congratulations to all of our very worthy winners.”

Justin Bieber Owes Germany $11,000 For Abandoning His Monkey, Mally

Justin Bieber has some money problems and it's all because of his monkey problem.

Back in March, Bieber's pet monkey, Mally, was seized by German officials when the singer tried to bring the animal into the country without permission during a stop on his "Believe" tour, People magazine previously reported. Without the proper paperwork, Munich authorities seized the monkey and quarantined it at the airport.

In May, it became the property of Germany and Bieber was sent a bill of $1,500 in July for the monkey's care, according to the Associated Press.

That bill has yet to be paid.

Germany's Federal Agency for Nature Conservation told Celebuzz Bieber owes them $11,000, or 8,088 Euros, to date. And that number keeps growing. Attorney Ellen Frederichs has tried to get in touch with the pop star, as recently as Wednesday (Nov. 13), but to no avail.

“As Mr. Bieber should be informed about his payment obligations by now, we hope that he takes his responsibility and settles the costs he has caused to the public, just like anybody else would have to do," Frederichs told Celebuzz. “If Mr. Bieber will not settle his costs, the payment might have to be enforced when he enters Germany again.”

In September, HLN reported Mally is currently living with a group of other Capuchin monkeys at the Serengeti Park, a wildlife refuge in North Germany. At that time, the 19-year-old owed the German government $8,000 for things like vaccinations and re-homing fees

GEJ Denies Governor Lamido Ever Informed Him A Minister Took $250m Bribe

The Presidency has denied that Governor Sule Lamido of Jigawa State ever informed President Goodluck Jonathan of a N250m bribe that was collected by a serving Minister on which Mr. Jonathan refused to act.

According to a statement by presidential spokesman Reuben Abati, the claim by the governor was made in a radio interview.

Mr. Abati described the claim as “an unacceptable and callous attempt to unjustly impugn the integrity of President Jonathan and cast aspersions on the seriousness of his Administration’s efforts to curb corruption.”

He described the claim as an “unscrupulous, reckless and thoughtless peddling of arrant falsehood” for the purpose of personal and sectional political gains.

“If, as he claims, Alhaji Lamido has credible information about a minister receiving the said amount as bribe, he should publicly name the minister involved without delay and provide evidence to support his allegation,” the statement said.

“In the event that he is unable to do so, he should be prepared to offer an unreserved apology to the President and Nigerians for his unwarranted and unjust effort to denigrate, disparage and malign the President and the Federal Government.”

The problem with Mr. Jonathan’s denial is that of credibility; SaharaReporters has reported hundreds of corruption stories about the government since 2006, most of them since he ascended to the highest political office and some of them about his Ministers, all of which he has ignored.  

He has also refused to lead by example, famously declaring in response to popular appeals to publicly declare his assets, “I don’t give a damn.”

Reporters however challenged Governor Lamido to publicly and urgently name the Minister in order to test the character of the president and his claims to “transformation.”

Yesterday, two of Governor Lamido’s sons, Aminu and Mustapha, were arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over an alleged N10 billion money-laundering scheme.  

Governor Lamido, an Olusegun Obasanjo ally, is one of Mr. Jonathan’s biggest critics within the People’s Democratic Party, and is thought to be a leading candidate for president in 2015.

Full text of the statement:

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE

LAMIDO NEVER TOLD PRESIDENT JONATHAN OF $250 MILLION BRIBE ALLEGEDLY COLLECTED BY MINISTER

We have noted with much regret, the grossly irresponsible, false and mischievous claim by the Governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Sule Lamido that President Goodluck Jonathan has refused to act on information that a serving minister recently collected a bribe of $250 million from an oil company.

The Presidency views the patently bogus allegation reportedly made by the Governor in a radio interview yesterday as an unacceptable and callous attempt to unjustly impugn the integrity of President Jonathan and cast aspersions on the seriousness of his Administration’s efforts to curb corruption.

The allegation and the claim by Alhaji Lamido that he informed President Jonathan of the acceptance of the huge bribe by an unnamed minister is absolutely without any foundation in fact or reality because no such communication has ever taken place between them.

We abhor Governor Lamido’s descent to the unscrupulous, reckless and thoughtless peddling of arrant falsehood in a puerile effort to score cheap political points against President Jonathan for personal and sectional political gains.

If, as he claims, Alhaji Lamido has credible information about a minister receiving the said amount as bribe, he should publicly name the minister involved without  delay and provide evidence to support his allegation.

In the event that he is unable to do so, he should be prepared to offer an unreserved apology to the President and Nigerians for his unwarranted and unjust effort to denigrate, disparage and malign the President and the Federal Government.

While the Jonathan Presidency will continue to make corrupt public officials answerable for their actions, it will not succumb to harassment and blackmail by self-seeking politicians jostling for personal advantage.

Reuben Abati

Special Adviser to the President

(Media & Publicity)

November 15, 2013

MISS BUM BUM - Dai Macedo Wins 2013 Miss Bum Bum Competition, Despite Controversy

 Stunning brunette Dai Macedo, with her 42 inches of 'bumbum', officially has the best butt in the land famous for its derrieres after being crowned Miss Butt Brazil 2013 in one of the most controversial and hotly-contested editions of the competition to date. But she admitted that she had had help from liposuction. 

The 25-year-old, representing the central state of Goias, beat off competition from 14 other finalists at the event in Sao Paulo to walk away with the top prize which is set to include international fame, a GBP1,350 cash prize and advertising contracts worth ten times that. 

It came after some of the fiercely competitive candidates - including Ms Macedo - had thrown the pageant into disarray by claiming on twitter some of the girls had paid to guarantee a top three result. 

Eliana Amaral, who came in 2nd, was said to have paid for the result and also to have forged an x-ray to show she did not have a butt implant. 

Third place this year went to Jessica Amaral. "I'm all emotional - I didn't expect to win,'' said Ms Macedo as she put the pre-event controversy behind her. 

"All hell broke loose on social media sites but now I can say the contest was real.'' But she admitted she had a bit of help with her butt. "It isn't 100 per cent natural - I had a butt lift. I always had a large backside but liposuction improved it."

Chicago Neighbors Fight Over Loud Sex In Apartment Building Via Passive-Aggressive Notes (PHOTO)

For two Chicago neighbors, the thin line between love and hate is apparently the paper-thin wall separating their apartments. 

Frustrated by the loud sex noises coming from next door, a fed-up tenant in a Boystown apartment building penned a "pipe down" missive to the neighbor -- and then slapped it on her front door. 

Instead of being shamed into silence, however, "The girl in 517" shot back with a note of her own.

Naturally, a third neighbor (and Reddit user) who lives in the Boystown apartment snapped a photo of the sex noise note squabble for all to see. 

In the first note to the noisy neighbor, the letter writer said "I'd really appreciate not having to hear every trust (sic) and moan," ending with a jab that "Luckily for me, it never lasts very long." 

In response, "The girl in 517" chided her neighbor for attempted slut-shaming and advised her to get a vibrator as good as the one Lady 517 enjoys. 

Bishop Olarenwaju Obembe In $9 Million Oil Bloc Fraud Scandal

Joseph Olarenwaju Obembe, a former head of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) and the presiding Bishop of Elshaddai Bible Church in Dolphin Estate, Lagos State has been accused by his business partners of acting criminally in a crude oil deal. The bishop’s accusers allege that the cleric sought to cheat them out of a huge amount of cash after some prospective investors offered $9 million for an oil deal.

Entertainment News Update learnt that the Bishop was specifically accused of declaring only $1 million to his partners instead of $10 million that was the actual offer by the investors. In addition, the bishop’s accusers allege that he also insisted that 10% of the $1 million he fraudulently declared as the total receipts must be paid as tithe to his church. 

In December 2010, Mr. Obembe filed a lawsuit in which he accused his partners of forgery and altering the letter-head of Elshaddai Petroleum Limited with intent to dupe his company to the tune of N100 million. However, his witnesses at the trial as well as other partners contradicted his claims, stating that the Bishop was himself responsible for any fraud that happened in their business relationship. 

Testifying last Wednesday before Justice Okunnu of the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja, a defense witness, Julius Sajuyigbe, asserted that the Bishop's greed and intent to defraud broke their relationship.

Helyn Aninye, a witness called by Bishop Obembe, had in her earlier testimony portrayed the bishop as the traitor whose greed caused the collapse of the business relationship.

Court testimonies have painted the picture that the now soured business journey started in 2006, when the partners, who include, Mr. Remi Folorunsho, Pastor Olagunju, Bishop Obembe and Mr. Sajuyigbe signed an agreement to pursue an oil bloc. 

Witnesses disclosed that the partners agreed to use Bishop Obembe's Elshaddai Petroleum Limited as the bidding firm for an oil bloc as it was too late to incorporate another company. in addition, the partners decided that Bishop Obembe’s spiritual profile might help their hunt for an oil bloc.

Mr. Sajuyigbe said he facilitated the meeting of all the partners, adding that Ms. Aninye was the last partner to join, bringing the number of partners to five. 

The partners appeared set to flourish when they won their bid for the oil bloc marked '294' in the Niger Delta for $51 million. Unable to finance the business, the partners went searching for investors in their oil bloc. 

Ms. Aninye told the court that all partners were made directors in the El Shaddai Petroleum Company. She added that the firm had not filed all the relevant forms to be registered before the partnership began crumbling. 

She also disclosed that the original owners of Elshaddai Petroleum Limited were Bishop Obembe, his wife and kids, but that after the successful bid for an oil bloc, the new partners were to become the new owners and directors of the registered oil company to continue their new business. 

A defense witness, Mr. Sajuyigbe, said the partners agreed that Bishop Obembe should remain as chairman of the company, while Mr. Folorunsho began serving as the Chief Executive Officer. Ms. Aninye, who is a lawyer, served as company secretary and legal adviser. The witness said he served as Finance Director while Pastor Olagunju had no special function but served as liaison for the team abroad because he is based outside the country.

Several witnesses testified that some investors showed interest in the oil bloc and offered to fund the business. However, the partners agreed to accept one of the prospective investors, IGI, introduced by the bishop.

However, Mr. Sajuyigbe, who corroborated testimony of Ms. Aninye alleged that Bishop Obembe concealed the actual value of IGI’s investment, which was $10 million. He told the court that the bishop declared only $1 million to the other partners, and demanded 10% of the $1 million as tithe to his church.

The witness said they later discovered from reliable sources that the actual amount offered by IGI was $10 million. He revealed that the discovery led to a rift in the partnership. He told the court that, when the partners confronted Bishop Obembe over his fraud, the cleric described it as “a mistake of the mind and not of the body.”

A lawyer familiar with their partnership said the other partners opened a new domiciliary account and advised IGI to pay its investment there. He added that the partners informed the bishop of their move, which was designed to checkmate his fraud. A reportedly furious Bishop Obembe then decided to file a lawsuit accusing the other partners of “forgery” of letter-head to in order to enter into correspondence and for the purpose of opening a new account.

Further hearing was adjourned till January 29, 2014.

2013 Anambra Governorship Election – First Results Come In

OGIDI TOWN HALL, IDEMILI NORTH, IN ANAMBRA STATE



Polling Unit 009

APC-58

PDP-22

APGA-23

LP-4

ACCORD-1

CPP-1

DPP-1

APA3

ACD-1

ACPN-1

Polling Unit  010, voting point 1

APGA-8

APC-39

PDP-14

PPA-3

APA-1

CPP-1      

INVALID is 1

Polling Unit 010, voting point II

APC-13

PDP-4

APGA-4

PPA-1        

INVALID 1

Aroma ward 1, Awka south

APGA-45
APC-26
LP-4
SDP-1
KOWA-1
ACCORD-1
PPA-1

Aroma ward 1, Awka south

APGA-34
APC-32
PDP-15
LP-13

   Invalid is 5

UDEOZO ward 2, Awka South.

APGA-57
APC-88
PDP-48
LP-82
PPA-2
UPP-1
PPN-3
ACPN-2
CPP-1
KOWA-1

    Invalid is 21

For continued coverage and updates follow SaharaReporters, and our live broadcast on SaharaTV starting at 6pm. We are speaking to candidates, voters, and more.

Passenger Falls Out of Plane Off Florida Coast

A passenger fell out of small plane and plummeted into the water in Miami's Biscayne Bay today, police said.

The plane was flying at 1,800 feet at the time.

Air traffic control received a "mayday" call around 1:30 p.m. ET when the Piper PA 46 was flying roughly eight miles southeast of Tamiami Executive Airport.

"Mayday! Mayday! Mayday! I have a door ajar and I'm heading toward Tamiami," the pilot told air traffic control. "I have a door ajar and a passenger that fell down. I'm six miles from Tamiami."

"You said you've got a passenger that fell out of your plane?" the air traffic controller asks the pilot.

"That's correct, sir. He opened the backdoor and he just fell out the plane," said the unidentified pilot.

The aircraft continued onto Tamiami Airport and landed.

Miami-Dade Police tell ABCNews.com that their homicide unit was dispatched to the airport Thursday afternoon to question the pilot. The only people aboard the plane had been the pilot and the passenger, police said.

Detectives are currently at the Tamiami Airport "talking to the pilot to see what transpired before the passenger fell from the plane."

Divers with the Miami-Dade police department are searching the area where the man is believed to have fallen into the water. That area is between the Cape Florida Lighthouse on Key Biscayne and the seashore so some-where in that section of Biscayne Bay.

The Coast Guard station Miami Beach sent a search and rescue boat to search the waters and Miami-Dade County Air Rescue dispatched one of their helicopters as well. That helicopter has since been called off.

Kristy Love earns $1800 for having big breats!

Georgia-based masseuse Kristy Love, 34, earns as much as $1800 a day by massaging clients with her size 48NN breasts

Jacqui Beck Learns She Was Born With No Vagina; British Teen Born With MRKH

A British teenager said she was in "total shock" to learn that she had been born without a vagina.

During a routine visit to the doctor, Jacqui Beck, 17, mentioned that she hadn't started getting her periods. Tests soon showed that she had MRKH syndrome, a genetic condition that meant she had been born without a vagina, womb or cervix.

"I left the doctor's [office] in tears. I would never know what it was like to give birth, be pregnant, have a period. All the things I had imagined doing suddenly got erased from my future," Beck told the Daily Mail. "I was really angry and felt like I wasn’t a real woman any more." 

Shocking as it may seem, Beck is not alone. In fact, her condition isn't even especially rare. According to the National Institutes of Health, Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome (named for the physicians that first diagnosed it), or MRKH, affects one in 4,500 newborn girls. 

The condition mainly affects the reproductive system and "causes the vagina and uterus to be underdeveloped or absent." According to the NIH, it mostly occurs in people with no family history of the disorder. 

The external genitalia are normal, and women with MRKH have functioning ovaries and undergo puberty. The condition is usually detected once someone with MRKH tries to have sex, or doesn't begin having periods by age 16. 

Like Beck, Christina Ruth was diagnosed with MRKH at age 17. She spoke out about her condition in May, after graduating from high school. She said the shame associated with the disorder can be difficult to deal with. 

"I had two doctors ask me why I hadn't fixed myself yet," Ruth told Lancaster Online at the time. "That's completely inappropriate. I was born this way and should not be made to feel like I am second-rate because of it."

Although the condition has no cure, there are several treatment options available to women with MRKH. Medical procedures such as dilation or surgery can help create a vaginal canal in women with MRKH, allowing them to have intercourse. Eggs can be removed and fertilized to be used in surrogacy. 

Several support communities for women with MRKH exist. The Beautiful You MRKH Foundation, a non-profit group, seeks to "eliminate the shame and isolation that often accompanies a diagnosis of MRKH."

Beck, now 19, is also taking ownership of her condition.

"I’m a hopeless romantic and I see it as a great test of someone’s character. Instead of focusing on it putting off men, I actually think it will help me find 'the one',” Beck told the Daily Mail. 

"I want to be upfront with any men I meet and tell them straight away about my condition... If they run at the mention of MRKH then I don’t want to be intimate with them."

Sarah Palin Apologizes For Remarks On Pope Francis

Former Alaska governor and Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin apologized Thursday for her criticism of Pope Francis and his "liberal" statements.

"It was not my intention to be critical of Pope Francis," Palin wrote Thursday on her Facebook page. "I was reminding viewers that we need to do our own homework on news subjects, and I hadn't done mine yet on the Pope's recent comments as reported by the media." 

She continued, "I apologize for not being clearer in my response, thus opening the door to critical media that does what it does best in ginning up controversy." 

During a Tuesday interview with CNN's Jake Tapper, Palin said she was taken "aback" by some of the Pope's remarks. 

"He's had some statements that to me sound kind of liberal, has taken me aback, has kind of surprised me," Palin said. "Unless I really dig deep into what his messaging is, and do my own homework, I’m not going to just trust what I hear in the media."

'God particle' professor Peter Higgs to be given Freedom of Edinburgh

GOD particle scientist Professor Peter Higgs is to be given a rare honour by his adopted home city.

The acclaimed theoretical physicist will be awarded the freedom of the city of Edinburgh in recognition of his "immense contribution to science".

The ceremony, expected to take place in private early next year, will see him become one of only a few living recipients of the award, joining the Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh, Sir Sean Connery, Nelson Mandela, Aung San Suu Kyi and Sir Chris Hoy.

Prof Higgs said: "I am extremely pleased to be offered the freedom of the city of Edinburgh, the city that I have grown to love and has been my adopted home for almost all of my working life."

He has lived and worked there for over 50 years and it was where he came up with the idea which has earned him worldwide fame. He predicted the existence of the Higgs boson in 1964.

Because of its fundamental importance in giving all other particles mass, it was dubbed the "God particle".

A particle confirmed as being a type of Higgs boson was finally detected last year by the Large Hadron Collider, a giant atom-smashing machine near Geneva in Switzerland.

The find earned the professor a share in the Nobel Prize in Physics.

Details of the latest honour for the scientist were announced by City of Edinburgh Council.

The honour is granted to individuals deemed to have distinguished themselves through their work or efforts, or in recognition of the respect and high esteem in which they are held by the people of the city.

Prof Higgs's contribution to theoretical physics has earned him numerous awards including the Edinburgh Medal and the Edinburgh Award.

The freedom of the city award is subject to councillors' approval at a meeting on Thursday.

Lord Provost Donald Wilson submitted the motion to be considered by the council. It states that the local authority "congratulates Professor Peter Higgs for his outstanding hard work, lifetime commitment and achievement for winning the Nobel Prize for Physics".

Mr Wilson said: "I had the pleasure of presenting Peter with the Edinburgh Medal on behalf of the Edinburgh International Science Festival earlier this year and I think it is absolutely right that we, the people of Edinburgh, recognise his immense contribution to science.

"His achievements with the University of Edinburgh are of global significance and this latest honour will be further evidence of the high esteem in which he is quite deservedly held, not just by his peers but by the people of the city he now calls home."

Wet Wet Wet prepare to perform 'Love Is All Around' for Children in Need

THE Scottish band are back with their latest album Step By Step - The Greatest Hits and speak with John Dingwall ahead of their Children in Need performance.

Man, 23, arrested over abduction and assault of teenage girl

POLICE have arrested a man after a teenager was allegedly abducted outside her home and assaulted.

POLICE say the 18-year-old victim was lured from her house and driven around Clydebank early on Thursday morning before being dropped outside her home again.

The 18-year-old was driven around Clydebank, Dunbartonshire, after being lured from her house and into a car at around 3am yesterday.

The woman said she was assaulted before being dropped outside her home again.

Police said a 23-year-old man had been arrested in connection with the incident.

The alleged victim reported three other men in the BMW car, which was found in the Speirs Wharf area of Possilpark at around 4am yesterday.

Boko Haram ThisDay Bomber Jailed For Life

Mustapha Umar, a self confessed Boko Haram member arrested and tried before a Federal High Court siting in Abuja in connection with the 26th April, 2012 bombing of SOJ Plaza in Kaduna state occupied by ThisDay, The Moment and The Sun Newspapers, was on Friday found guilty of the one count charge of terrorism and sentenced for life.

The convicted terrorist was alleged to have driven a white Honda Academy car with registration number AL 306 MKA with improvised explosives devices into the premises of SOJ plaza with the intention to detonate improvised explosive devices within the premises.

The incident claimed the lives of three persons and caused several degrees of injuries on others.

The convict had pleaded not guilty during his trial but the court placed heavy reliance on his recorded interview which he granted to investigators during interrogations where he claimed to be a member of the deadly Islamic fundamentalist group, Boko Haram, as well as the testimonies of ten witnesses comprising of police officers who participated in the investigation and were led in evidence during the trial.

The prosecution drew the court’s attention to section 4 (2) of the Terrorism Act and asked the court to consider the deaths recorded at the incident and to pronounce a death sentence on the accused but the court declined that invitation and pointed out that the convict was charged against section One of the Terrorism Prevention Act which provides for a life sentence upon conviction.

The court also found that the convict demonstrated no remorse for his actions throughout the trial and observed that the souls of those whose deaths were caused by his actions are crying out for substantial justice noting that no one’s life is more important than that of others.

Furthermore, the court held that the convict’s reason for attacking ThisDay newspapers which he said was because the newspaper was denigrating Prophet Mohammed was unattainable and noted that as members of the fourth realm, nobody should be allowed to muzzle the press, an objective which the terrorist act was calculated to achieve .

Pleadings by the defence lawyer for the court to temper justice with mercy as the convict is a youth whose family and aged parents depend on for their livelihood fell on deaf ears as the court slammed a life sentence on the convict with a fine of One Hundred and Fifty Million Naira. His sentence is to be served with hard labour.

The court further noted that the state of mind of the convict with which the terrorism attack was planned, coordinated and orchestrated reinforced its determination to remove him from the public for life.

To the families of the victims of the terror act, the court awarded the sum of One Hundred and Fifty Million Naira, noting that their deaths should not just go like that. This will be forwarded to the Committee set up by the President on the resolution of the Boko Haram insurgents actions for payment.

The court presided by Justice Ademola Adeniyi also praised the Nigeria Police Force for the expertise and professionalism demonstrated in the trial which led to the quality prosecution of the matter by the team of lawyers led by Mr. Shuaibu Labaran, a senior state counsel from Nigeria’s Ministry of Justice.

The case is the first conviction recorded under the amended Terrorism Prevention Act of 2011.

EFCC Arrests Gov. Sule Lamido’s Sons Over N10 Billion Money Laundering Fraud

Aminu Lamido and Mustapha  Lamido, sons of Jigawa State governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido were arrested yesterday, November 14, 2013  by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. Dependable sources say they were picked up by operatives of the Commission between 10 and 11.55pm in Kano and have been moved to Abuja, the Commission’s headquarters, where a crack team of investigators will grill them.

Their arrest, according to a knowledgeable source, is in furtherance of the investigation that commenced in December 2012 when Aminu Sule Lamido was arrested at the Mallam Aminu Kano Airport en route Cairo, Egypt for failure to declare the $50,000 he had on him.

Though Aminu has since been prosecuted and convicted by a Federal High Court in Kano, investigation as to how he came by the money has led investigations to uncover a web of money laundering in which billions of naira from Jigawa state government accounts are funneled into the accounts of companies run by the Jigawa state governor and his two sons.

Over N10billion is said to have been transferred from Jigawa state government accounts into the accounts in which Sule Lamido and his two sons have interest from 2007 till date.

The Commission is said to have traced these transfers to 10 companies where Lamido and sons are directors and signatories to the account.

The companies include Bamaina Alluminium Limited, Bamaina Holdings Limited, Bamaina Company Nigeria Limited, Rawda Integrated Services Limited, Speeds International Limited and Saby Integrated Nigeria Limited.

The account of these companies received huge cash inflow between 2007 and 2013, a period that coincide with the tenure of Sule Lamido as governor of Jigawa state. For instance in Bamaina Aluminium where Sule Lamido and his two sons are directors, investigations revealed that the company’s account controlled by Mustapha as signatory received total credit of N1.52billion between January 2010 and August 2013. It recorded a total debit of the same amount, with Mustapha and other companies in which Lamido and his sons are directors, being the beneficiaries.

In the same vein, Bamaina Holdings Limited’s account with the governor as sole signatory received a total of N1.19billion between February 2007 and July 2013. About N1billion was paid from this account into accounts of companies controlled by the governor and his sons.

Massive lodgements were also discovered in the account of Bamaina Company Nigeria limited controlled by Mustapha as sole signatory from Bamaina Alluminium. Between January 2010 and July 2013, the account received over N500million.

From the account of Rawda Integrated Services Limited controlled by Mustapha, there have also been massive movement of funds to another company run by Sule Lamido, Speeds International Limited. Speeds’ account recorded a turnover of N2.2billion between January 2007 and February 2010.

In the account of Rawda with a new generation bank investigators discovered the movement of N2.6billion to an unknown signatory. That account recorded over one hundred withdrawals running to over N600milion in cash between November 2007 and April 2008.

Saby Integrated Services Nigeria Limited, another company owned by Lamido received over N730million from several Jigawa State government agencies between June 2010 and August 2010.

PSG Rejects Messi

Paris Saint-Germain(PSG) president Nasser Al-Khelaifi says he is not interested in bringing Barcelona star Lionel Messi to the French capital.

PSG's have one of the deepest purses around and were rumoured to be ready to trigger Messi's 250 million euro buy-out clause.

The Qatari tycoon has however dismissed the rumours, suggesting that the Catalans valuation of their starlet is too much.

"I haven't spoken to Messi because I'm not interested," Al-Khelaifi said.

"You would have to ask the Barca president (If he is available), not me."

He added: "I won't pay what they say he's worth. I'm a realist and that amount is unrealistic.

"I ain't thinking about the possibility at all."

Don Jazzy & D'Prince Confirmed as MTN ambassadors

Don Jazzy and D'Prince have both tweeted to confirmed the gist going round town that they have be signed as MTN ambassadors. Congratulations to the brothers!!

Like Mother, like daugther - ADORABLE Yvonne Nelson and Mother

To those of you who haven't seen the mother of this beautiful actress this is a very good chance to do so, other actresses have shared photos of their parents like Tonto, Nadia and some other few and Yvonne is sharing hers now.

She shared the photo below with the caption:

It's her Birthdayyyyy. Happy Birthday Maa. That's how I call her...she's my everything!