London 2012: Medals Standings as of July 30th

It's still early, but let's have a look at which nation is the leader of the pack, and if we'll see some shifts in the balance of power in this Olympics.

And taking a look at the medal standings as of today, July 30th China maintains its lead with six golds and 12 overall while the United States follows with three golds and 11 total.
Korea is in fourth with two golds, a silver and two bronzes just eight more golds to reach its 10-10 goal.
[Reporter : ] That's all for now, and hope to see you back here tomorrow with more medal stories.
I'll be bringing you more updates on the Olympic Games on Prime Time News at 10 p.m.
Thank you Ji-sun for the coverage.

LADY GAGA THE ACTRESS??

Lady Gaga will be making her film debut in the highly anticipated action movie, Machete Kills!

The films director, Robert Rodriguez tweeted this “I just finished working with LadyGaga on MacheteKills,” along with the poster (seen above) that reads, “Lady Gaga as La Chameleon.”

Gaga confirmed by tweeting this: 

"Yes its true, I will be making my debut as an actress ln the amazing MACHETE KILLS BY @RODRIGUEZ IM SO EXCITED!!! AH! Filming was insane.”

Machete Kills is set to have superstar cast that includes: Mel Gibson, Jessica Alba, Charlie Sheen, Amber Heard, Zoe Saldana, Danny Trejo, Sofia Vergara and Vanessa Hudgens.

Wow, sounds exciting!

Mother Attempts To Kill Her 11-Year-Old Son To Forget Ex-Husband

An 11 year old Nigerian boy is battling to live at a Kano hospital after being stabbed by his mother, Joy Akule, 28, who was depressed after separating with the father of the teenager.

The lady (pictured above) who hails from Katsina-Ala in Benue state told journalists at Kano state Police headquarters that she transferred the aggression she had for her ex-husband to the innocent child.
“I wanted to kill him to bury the memory of his father because each time I see him, he reminds me of his father’s wickedness to me,” she said.
According to the state Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim K. Idris, Joy on 21 July at Sabuwar Abuja Quarters, Kano, northwest Nigeria used a knife and stabbed her son on his stomach, bursting the intestines.
The boss who raised alarm over the spate of rape involving teenagers in the state said his Command has resolved to ensure prosecution of rapists in the state and advised parents to keep watchful eyes on their children.
He revealed that on 17 July, Abubakar Ya’u, 20, of Jama’ar Ladan in Minjibir Local Government Area lured a six year old girl into his room and raped her.

Lady Gaga tweets 'naked' picture of herself reclining on an armchair

She recently caused a stir when she unveiled her new perfume ad, starring herself, naked, with only 'tiny men' crawling over her to protect her modesty.
But it appears Lady Gaga hasn't tired of baring flesh for her fans.
The 26-year-old tweeted a snap of herself apparently fully naked, sitting in an armchair, hugging her legs to her chest.

Boko Haram Kills 2 Airforce Operatives In Kano

Gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram operatives shot at an Air force staff car on Zaria Road in Kano early afternoon killing  two airmen,- a driver and orderly of a senior airforce officer.
 An airforce commander in Kano confirmed to 3m360 that the two junior ranking airmen died in the attack.
 Two men riding on motorbike appear beside the airmen close to the flyover  and shot severally at the service car.  The airmen were on their way to Kaduna to pick up a senior officer.
The attack, which took place on Zaria Road in Naibawa area of the metropolis, disrupted traffic and forced motorists heading to Kaduna and Abuja to cancel their trips. The gunmen reportedly fled through a farmland in the area.

Thirteen Killed In Benin - Ore Auto Accident

A headlong crash between an IVECO Truck and a commuter on Sunday morning along the busy Lagos -Benin highway has killed thirteen people. One person was critically injured and is currently receiving treatment in a hospital close to the scene of the accident.
The auto accident involving two vehicles occurred on the Benin–Ore part of the Lagos –Benin highway.
Road safety officials reports that a Toyota Hiace commuter bus with 15 passengers on board  crashed headlong into an IVECO Truck while it was descending a steep slope.
 
The two vehicles collided head on at 7.45 AM on kilometer 53 before Ohosun near the boundary of Ondo and Edo state.
The bus which was driving against the traffic when the crash occurred is registered to Anambra state mass transit company.
The accident led to the instant death of 13 males, another male was critically injured and rushed to Shiloh Hospital Ugbogui for medical attention. The death victims of the accident were also deposited in the mortuary at the clinic.

D'banj Puts Auto Lounge Boss, Larry Onuegbu In Police Detention! ...Over fraudulent sale of Naeto C's Porsche Cayenne wedding gift.

Barely days after he suffered public humiliation by been thrown out of the Abuja arm of Auto Lounge- the all night place of leisure owned by money man, Larry Onuegbo- it's pay back time for celebrated musician widely known as Dbanj ( Dapo Oyebanjo).

And fortunately for him- sources claim, he is prosecuting a case that has 'merit'

The singer that is surfing on the wave of international recognition just ensured the continuous detention of the man that assaulted him- club owner, Larry Onuegbu.

Unlike Dbanj that was reportedly ordered out of Auto Lounge at Larry's whim- the club owner has a criminal case to answer for.

He reportedly collected money under false


pretences. And defrauded client millions of naira.

Sources claimed the allegation against him is that, he sold the 2009 edition of choice car, Porsche Cayenne as a 2012 edition.

He reportedly perfected this by buying a 'used car' and refurbished it with guarantees to his client that- it is the 2012 Edition.

The purchase was the wedding gift Dbanj presented to fellow musician Naeto C ( Naeto Chike) on behalf of a wealthy fan and supporter that wished to remain anonymous during the latter's wedding reception.

Sources claimed a clinical examination of the gift- and visits to Porsche mart to confirm the veracity of the seller's assertion revealed the deceptive marketing strategy employed by Larry to sell the car.

It was further confirmed that a director at financial institution, Zenith Bank actually acquired the car brand new- and used it for a while before Onuegbu bought it off him.

The development presented a perfect opportunity for Dbanj to pay the club owner back- especially because the buyer wishes to maintain his anonymosity in the unfolding scenerio.

He handed the matter to the musician to handle.

The police were invited into the case- and Larry Onuegbu arrested and thrown into detention for criminal conduct.

He is still languishing in detention at press time- in the name of investigating the case.

Full List Of Salaries: Nigerian Senators Earn More Than President Barack Obama

In the United States, while the minimum wage is $1,257 (N191, 667), a US lawmaker earns $15,080 (N2.3m) per month. In the United Kingdom, a lawmaker earns $8,686(N1.3m) monthly while the gross national minimum wage is $1,883 (N283, 333) per month.
Also, Nigerian lawmakers earn higher than their counterparts in Sweden. With a monthly pay of $7,707 (N1.2m), a lawmaker in Sweden will need to work for over 12 years to equal what a Nigerian senator earn per annum.
The president of the United States takes home an anual salary of $400,000 (N64.156,0m), including a $50,000 expense allowance making the president the highest paid public servant in the US. The $400,000 includes everything and $350,000 out of it is taxable.
Selected States (salary per annum)
The prime minister of the United Kingdom……USD 226,627.00
French president………………………………….. USD 318,072.00
South African president…………………………..USD 296,112.00
German chancelor………………………………….USD 296,112.00
The Prime Minister of Belgium…………………..USD 174,804.00
President of the Republic of Korea……………..USD 136,669.00
President of Russia…………………………………USD 122,652.00
Prime Minister Portugal……………………………USD 129,730.00
Prime Minister Namibia……………………………USD 115,155.00
President of Angola………………………………..USD 60,000.00
President Argentina………………………………..USD 55,139.00
Prime Minister Ukraine…………………………….USD 61,254.00
President Zimbabwe……………………………….USD 18,000.00
President of People’s republic of China………..USD 10,633.00
President Liberia……………………………………USD 90,000.00
Prime Minister Spain ……………………………..USD 102,960.00
Prime Minister Namibia…………………………..USD 115,155.00
President Namibia…………………………………USD 164,506.00
President of Colombia …………………………..USD 120,685.00
Prime Minister of the Netherlands……………..USD 190,740.00
Prime Minister Ireland……………………………USD 264,000.00
Prime Minister Denmark…………………………USD 264,533.00
President Mexico………………………………….USD 328,839.00
President Austria………………………………….USD 422,231.00
President of the European Council…………….USD 508,916.00
NIGERIAN SENATORS
Basic Salary (BS) = N2,484,245.50
Hardship Allowanc: 50% of Basic Salary = N1,242,122.75
Constituency allowance: 200% of BS = N4,968,509.00
Furniture Allowance: 300% of BS = N7,452,736.50
Newspaper allowance: 50% = N1,242,122.70
Wardrobe allowance: 25% = N621,061.37
Recess Allowance: 10% = N248,424.55
Accommodation: 200% = N4,968,509.00
Utilities: 30% = N828,081.83
Domestic Staff: 35% = N863,184.12
Entertainment: 30% = N828,081.83
Personal Assistance: 25% = N621,061.37
Vehicle Maintenance Allowance: 75% = N1,863,184.12
Leave Allowance : 10% = N248,424.55
One off payments (Severance gratuity): 300% = N7,452,736.50
Motor Vehicle Allowance: 400% of BS = N9,936,982.00
Total per month = N29, 479, 749.00

A senator’s anual salary = over N182 million
multiply by 109 senators (don’t forget the House of rep, ministers, ambassadors, …)
In addition to the regular and legitimate salaries and allowances of over N17 million ($113,333) and N14.99 million ($99,933) which senators and reps were collecting yearly and the irregular allowance of estacodes, duty tours etc, they were also collecting over N192m ($1.28m) and N140m ($0.93m) respectively in illicit quarterly allocation which is not provided for by RMAFC.
Effectively, a Nigerian senator was taking home at least $1.40m ($1.28m quarterly allocations + $0.113m regular salaries and allowances) as against the $0.174m an American senator takes home hence a Nigeria senator earns at least 8 times as much as an American senator and more than 3 times the American president.
Whereas a Senator in the U.S earns N21, 146,000, the same as a member of the House of Representatives; a UK Member of Parliament earn £64,766 (N14, 896,180)
In other words, a Federal Legislator in Nigeria is paid more than double what a Member of British Parliament earns per annum.
Senate President David Mark alone takes N250 million quarterly or N83.33 million per month. Senate Deputy President Ike Ekweremadu gets N150 million per quarter or N50 million a month.
Mark and Ekweremadu earns in 4 months, six times what the UK Prime Minister earns in a year. David Cameron goes home with £190,000 per anum (N43, 700,000)
In a newspaper news article entitled ‘An Assembly for looting’ written by Musikilu Mojeed with Elor Nkereuwem, the authors rightly claimed that each of the 360 members of the House of Representatives were getting N35 million in cash money in quarterly allocation while each of the 109 Senators pockets N48 million each. These allocations have however been slashed by 20% to N27 million ($180,000) and N38 million ($253,333) respectively due to the 20% reduction requested by the late president.

Olaitan’s murder:Why his friend was arrested in Benin..Group alleges frame-up

Controversy appears to be trailing the arrest by the Police in Benin yesterday  of Rev David Ugolor,Executive Director of  Afri Network For Environment And Economic Justice,ANEEJ in the course of investigations into  the assassination of Olaitan Oyerinde ,principal private secretary to Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State.Ugolor’s arrest remains a puzzle to outsiders because the late Oyerinde was his bosom friend .

But just as the member of the public were wondering what may be happening, a press release by ANEEJ today gave  some insight into why the cleric was arrested just as the group alleged that Ugolor was being framed up.

Though the Police have yet to issue a statement on the matter at the time of this report,Innocent Edemhanria, programme/policy officer of ANEEJ said in a statement  today that “Between 5-6pm, the security men (who arrested Ugolor)  met with some relations of Rev. David Ugolor and his Lawyer and informed him that one of the suspects arrested in connection with the murder of Comrade Olayinta Oyerinde had mentioned the name “DAVID” to them hence his arrest. Ugolor was taken for identification parade in presence of his lawyers and relations. The suspect whom is accusing David Ugolor is of a northern Nigeria origin and  is completely unknown to Rev.

David Ugolor , colleagues and friends. At the moment, the police are still holding onto David as they carry out their investigations on the allegation we consider spurious”

ANEEJ in its statement added, “As a civil society  organisation,  we have discharged our duties creditably and professionally and we including being critical of government’s policies and programmes . But we suspect strongly that somebody high up somewhere is framing up our  Executive Director  Rev. David Ugolor over the murder of the personal aide to the Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.We  equally understood the impeccable private relationship that existed between the slain Comrade Olayintan  Oyerinde and our Executive Director. It was convivial and certainly not what any of them could plot the killing of the other.”

And so the puzzle continues.A civil society heavyweight told Newsdiaryonline.com that  however puzzling this may seem ,the police should be allowed to carry out the  investigations thoroughly.

Read the full text ANEEJ statement below:

“David Ugolor being framed up in murder of Olaitan Oyerinde

At about 2.05pm on Friday heavily armed security operatives some wearing  Federal SARS jacket, others plain clothes swooped on  our office and took away our Executive Director, Rev. David Ugolor. The security operatives which numbered over ten had picked him up from somewhere in town and brought him to the office. They had ransacked his private home and office and took away some items. Staff of the office had their cell phones taken away from them and switched off for as long as the security men held them hostage which lasted for about three hours. They later returned the phones at about 4.35pm before vacating the office premises. A staff of Centre for Social Justice Mr. Kingsley Nnajiaka was at ANEEJ secretariat then and was also held hostage for the same period.

Between 5-6pm, the security men  met with some relations of Rev. David Ugolor and his Lawyer and informed him that one of the suspects arrested in connection with the murder of Comrade Olayinta Oyerinde had mentioned the name “DAVID” to them hence his arrest. Ugolor was taken for identification parade in presence of his lawyers and relations. The suspect whom is accusing David Ugolor is of a northern Nigeria origin and  is completely unknown to Rev.

David Ugolor , colleagues and friends. At the moment, the police are still holding onto David as they carry out their investigations on the allegation we consider spurious.

As a civil society  organisation,  we have discharged our duties creditably and professionally and we including being critical of government’s policies and programmes . But we suspect strongly that somebody high up somewhere is framing up our  Executive Director  Rev. David Ugolor over the murder of the personal aide to the Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.

We  equally understood the impeccable private relationship that existed between the slain Comrade Olayintan  Oyerinde and our Executive Director. It was convivial and certainly not what any of them could plot the killing of the other.

As founder of ANEEJ and its Executive Director, Rev. David Ugolor entrenched a non-violent approach to development in our policy document and  naturally and practically abhors violence in any form and shape. It is also important to inform the Nigerian public that Rev. David Ugolor is a life saver, not taker as his natural penchant for poverty eradication, enlarging  the voice of the voiceless,  assisting the poor and needy is unparallel  in his almost twenty-five years of  effective and result-oriented activism.

While, we wouldn’t want to obstruct police investigations on the murder of our friend, Comrade Olaitan Oyerinde as a law abiding corporate citizen, we insist that Rev. David Ugolor is innocent of any accusation being leveled against him.

We call for his immediate release so he can rejoin his family.

Drake's Management Sued For Unpaid Royalties

Before Lil Wayne made headlines signing Drake to Young Money, it was talent scout James "Jas" Prince Jr. who first saw the potential in the Toronto MC. And now the young Houston executive wants what he claims is his just due.
The New York Daily News reported that Jas Prince, son of Rap-a-Lot CEO J. Prince, has filed a lawsuit in Manhattan Supreme Court against Drake's management team for breach of contract and breach of fiduciary duty. In total, there are 10 claims against Drizzy's manager Cortez Bryant, Gerald "Gee" Roberson, Derrick Lawrence and the firm Aspire Music Group LLC.
It's well-known that it was Prince who first introduced Drake to the team over at Young Money after hearing his music on MySpace. "One day while leavin the [mall], I just threw [Drake's] CD in and let it play," Prince told music-industry veteran Al Lindstrom in an April interview.
"[Lil Wayne] was like, 'Wait ... who is this?' and I was like, 'Drake ... the guy I been tellin' you about.' Wayne told me to book him on the next flight to Houston."
From there, Drizzy released his 2009 breakout mixtape, So Far Gone, then became a household name with platinum albums Thank Me Later and his latest, Take Care, but Prince says he hasn't been paid what is owed to him. In the lawsuit, Prince alleges that Bryant verbally agreed to pay a portion of the profits earned from Drake's deal with Young Money, a deal that Bryant facilitated.
Prince's attorney, James McMillan, said his client hasn't received any money in over a year. In his papers, Prince claims that Drake is also being cheated by his management team and says that the Young Money standout is "on the brink" of suing Aspire and Bryant himself.

Mobb Deep's Havoc Confirms He Sent 'Gay' Prodigy Tweets

It's about to be hell on earth all over again, now that the quiet storm that was brewing between Mobb Deep's Havoc and Prodigy seems to be threatening the group's reign on hip-hop. On Friday (July 27), in an interview with AllHipHop.com, Hav took full ownership of tweets alleging that Pee was a homosexual, months after claiming his account was hacked.
"The tweets is crazy," he told AllHipHop.com Friday, before confirming that he sent all of the original messages on April 9. "And I was speaking of a standpoint of being mad, but still being truthful of how I felt — but it was just the wrong thing to do at that time."
Things began to sour between the groupmates in April when Havoc took to Twitter and made serious allegations about Prodigy's sexuality, even strangely congratulating Pee and Rihanna on their engagement, which, of course, never happened. "Congrats to P @prodigymobbdeep and @rihanna for getting married soon!! @rihanna please confirm," Havoc wrote, setting off a barrage of early-morning tweets.
"Prodigy abitch and I'm gonna show it, follow!! Ground breaking new," Hav wrote soon after.
Each tweet got progressively more inflammatory. Havoc then charged that his childhood friend, with whom he has recorded seven full-length albums, was involved in a homosexual relationship during his three-year jail bid. "I got n---as in the jail system to back up that prodigy was f---ing homes in jail," he wrote. "Now i will silence... and let the jails take care of the rest."
Hav went on to write about a fist -fight that he and Prodigy had, writing that he "had to smack P."
A few days later, Havoc released a statement claiming that his phone was stolen and denying that he had sent any of the tweets, nor that he had any beef with his partner-in-rhyme.
During a May interview on MTV News' "RapFix Live," Pee also debunked the break-up rumors. "If [Havoc] had a problem, he would've told me that, he wouldn't put it on Twitter," he said, adding that the duo would soon be releasing a new album.
Well, on Friday, Havoc was singing a different tune. "Right now, Mobb Deep is on hiatus, indefinitely ... until things get hashed out," he told the site.
Can Mobb Deep survive this latest beef? Sound-off in the comments!

Krayzie Bone Arrested For DUI

Bone Thugs-n-Harmony rapper Krayzie Bone, was arrested this morning in L.A. for driving drunk.
Law enforcement state the 39-year-old was pulled over around 12:30 AM on a routine traffic stop, when officers suspected Krayzie was too tipsey to drive. The rapper is said to have failed the field sobriety tests. The breathalyzer tested over .10, which is well above the legal limit in California, .08.

EXCLUSIVE: 'Batman' Movie Massacre -- Theater Steps Up for Victims' Funeral Expenses

The theater where James Holmes opened fire last week, killing 12 people, is offering to pick up funeral expenses for the victims' families ... 3m360 has learned.Several funerals were held Friday in Aurora, Colorado -- one of them for Rebecca Wingo ... a 32-year-old mother of 2. Sources close to Rebecca's mother tell 3m360, Cinemark -- corporate owners of the Century 16 Theater -- called the chapel where Rebecca's service was held ... and offered to foot the bill for her funeral.In fact, the owner of the chapel says Cinemark told him it was willing to provide financial backing to all victims' families -- by paying any funeral expenses not covered by the Crime Victims' Compensation Fund.We're told Rebecca's mother turned down the offer.It's unclear how many funeral homes and chapels in Aurora got the same call. Cinemark hasn't returned our call for comment yet.

JTF Kills Four, Arrests 50 Over Killings of Two Indians, Others - As Gunmen

Nigeria:Maiduguri — The Joint Task Force (JTF) in Borno State said it has killed two suspects and arrested 26 others who were responsible for the killing of two Indians at a Gum Arabic Factory in Maiduguri on Wednesday. JTF spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Sagir Musa said in a statement in Maiduguri yesterday that the suspects were responsible for the slaughtering of Shanker Saha, 35, and Bokul Chander Mondal also 35 as well as serial killings in Maiduguri and environs in the last few days.

Another Indian, Biesh Yadav, 43, is recuperating at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) following cuts in his neck during the attack.

According to the JTF spokesman, "following intelligence report available to the Joint Task Force Operation Restore Order, special operation was conducted on Thursday 26 and early hours of Friday 27 July, 2012.

"The operation led to the arrest of 26 terrorists and the killings of two suspected members of Boko Haram terrorists at Biafra Bula-bulin, Kasuwan Shanu and GRA in Maiduguri metropolis. Some of the suspects killed and arrested were responsible for the killings of the two Indians, a cleric and several other killings in Maiduguri in the past.

He said during the raid, some weapons were recovered from the suspects. They include 2 AK 47 rifles, 3 AK 47 Magazine, 200 rounds of 7.62 mm special ammunition, a primed Improvised Explosive Device (IED) which was detonated by the Bomb Disposal Unit of the JTF.

Others, according to him include, cutlasses, daggers and charms, blood stained cloth used during the killing of a cleric in Kasuwan Shanu, Maiduguri.

"The items and suspects are in custody of the JTF for necessary action," he said.

In a related development, a detachment of mobile and regular policemen have raided the Bolori Market in Maiduguri on Thursday and arrested dozens of people, including traders, labourers and artisans.

Though no official communication from the police on why the market was raided, Saminu Aliyu, a senior official of the traders lamented that "many" members had been arrested during the raid.

"The whole market was cordoned off around 4pm. Heavily armed policemen took strategic positions which made it impossible for all of us in the market to move an inch. Nobody told us why the market was raided, but I want to use this opportunity to plead with relevant authorities to release our members," Aliyu said.

Meanwhile, a soldier died and some others were injured yesterday when gunmen, suspected to be members of the Boko Haram sect, threw an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) at a moving patrol vehicle of the Joint Task Force (JTF) at Shehuri ward.

The attack took place not far from the Shehu of Borno's palace in Maiduguri metropolis.

Weekly Trust reports that there was a heavy sound of explosion, followed by sporadic gunshots shortly before the Friday prayers yesterday.

The incident prevented many worshippers, mostly those living around Shehuri and neighbouring settlements from observing the weekly obligatory prayers.

Witnesses said at about the same time, angry youths vandalized another JTF vehicle at Maisaje Juma'at mosque along the Post Office area when some soldiers allegedly insisted that worshippers must vacate a tarred road to enable them (soldiers) pass.

Earlier in the morning, a bomb had exploded at Bulunkutu, a densely populated area in Maiduguri, though security sources said the explosive was discovered and demobilized before it killed people.

"It was yet another hectic Friday for us," Mohammed Ustaz, a resident of Maiduguri said. "May Almighty Allah consider the pains we are going through and bring succour to us, for the sake of the holy month of Ramadan," he said.

"Many innocent passersby have been injured, some are in critical conditions," Sulaiman Babagana, another witness at Shehuri said.

Confirming the three incidences, JTF spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Sagir Musa said, "a JTF patrol vehicle was attacked at about 1300 hrs today in Shehuri general area by suspected Boko Haram terrorists and the attack was resisted. The incident led to the killing of two Boko Haram terrorists, two JTF personnel were wounded (but) are stable and are responding to treatment at UMTH.

"Twenty five suspects had been so far arrested in connection with the episode. Similarly, an improvised explosive device was detected by our troops and detonated by the bomb disposal unit of the task force. The incident occurred at Bulunkutu area, Maiduguri metropolis today at about 1130 hrs. Thus, the shootings and explosions were the result of the mentioned occurrences.

In a related development, he said, lack of effective communication and respect to constituted authority between JTF personnel on a rescue mission rushing to evacuate wounded and dead colleagues to hospital led to some misunderstanding with worshippers seated on the main road ready for Friday congregational prayers at Maisaje Friday Mosque. He, however, said the timely intervention of JTF spokesman doused the tension

China claimed the first Olympic gold of the London 2012 Games

China claimed the first Olympic gold of the London 2012 Games Saturday, with a victory for 23-year-old Siling Yi in the women's 10-meter air rifle shooting.

Meanwhile, rival American swimmers Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte are set to go head-to-head in a battle that will be a highlight of the first official day of the Games.

And Albanian weightlifter Hysen Pulaku became the first athlete to be sanctioned for failing an anti-doping test at the London Games.

Pulaku, 20, tested positive on Monday for the steroid stanozolol, the International Olympic Committee said, and has been excluded from the competition.

Queen Elizabeth II, who officially declared the Games open on Friday night, made an appearance at the Aquatics Center Saturday to watch the action.

Phelps and Lochte are competing in the men's 400-meter individual medley -- a race that combines four different swimming strokes -- after both made it through the heats to the final, Phelps only by a whisker.

Phelps' slightly below-par performance in the heats means the 400-meter individual medley champion is unlikely to be situated in the preferred middle lanes for the final Saturday evening.

The 27-year-old Phelps, who already has 14 gold medals from previous Games, is looking to add to his pot of Olympic gold.

Lochte, thought of as the biggest threat to Phelps, is hoping to live up to the hype and steal his thunder.

The highly anticipated match-up has had many choosing sides.

First world records fall at London 2012

The first world records of the London 2012 Olympics have been set by a blind South Korean archer -- hours before Friday's much-anticipated opening ceremony was due to begin.

Im Dong Hyun is legally classified as blind and cannot see out of his right eye, but it did not stop the two-time gold medalist bettering his own leading 72-arrow score in the qualification competition at Lord's cricket ground in the British capital.

London 2012: Results and Schedule

The 26-year-old, who struggles to read a newspaper, scored 699, which put him top of the standings ahead of compatriots Kim Bubmin and Oh Jin Hyek.

The efforts of the trio also delivered a second world record, as South Korea registered a landmark combined total of 2,087 for the team event -- a discipline the Asian nation has won gold in at the last two Games.

The event at the home of English cricket was held behind closed doors, but it did not stop fans queuing in an attempt to gain entry to the stadium.

"Tickets have not been advertised or sold by (Olympic organizers) LOCOG for the archery ranking event," read a statement from the venue. We have always made it clear that the preliminary rounds are not open for spectators.

"There are a number of unofficial websites claiming to sell tickets, we therefore advise people to be extremely cautious and vigilant when attempting to buy tickets and only purchase from an official source."

A non-ticketed event that people can attend is the cycling road race, which is a 250-kilometer trek from Box Hill in the English county of Surrey to the Buckingham Palace in the heart of London.

Spectators will be able to line certain areas of the route free of charge to cheer on British hopefuls such as Tour de France winner Bradley Wiggins and sprint star Mark Cavendish in Saturday's men's race, while the women compete on Sunday.

London welcomes world for Olympics opening ceremony

London Olympics by the numbers

Protests on opening day of Olympics

Diesel Tanker Explodes At MTN Premises In Abuja

Residents of Maitama District in Abuja, Nigeria’s federal capital city, were thrown into panic today when a truck delivering diesel at the MTN premises caught fire and exploded in the high brow neighborhood.
The area was condoned off by security agents, but police spokesman Frank Mba told SaharaReporters that there were no fatalities or injuries in the incident

Mystery fire disfigures woman 11 days before wedding

If Charity Okoroukwu, a 27-year-old woman, who graduated in Business Administration from the Institute of Management Technology (IMT), Enugu, had known that danger was lurking around the corner 11 days to her wedding, she would not have attempted to refuel a kerosene lantern on December 17, 2011.

On that fateful day, she was refuelling the lantern when it caught fire, exploded and left her with third degree burns. But till date, a yet unsolved riddle still bothers her about the incident. The fire, which disrupted her life, did not affect the keg containing the kerosene. At the time, the native of Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra State was awaiting mobilisation for the mandatory national youths service scheme. Now, she needs more than N2 million for a plastic surgery.

Charity, fondly addressed as ‘Chacha’ by her friends at the IMT, told Daily Sun: “When I was in the IMT where I graduated on December 6, 2011, I was popularly known as Chacha. Few days later, I left Enugu for our village in Anambra State to prepare for my wedding that was to hold on December 28. On December 17, which was exactly 11 days to my wedding ceremony, I wanted to put kerosene in one of our lanterns and it exploded. So, the fire burnt my body without mercy.

“People that were around poured water on me and I was rushed to a nearby hospital. I was later transferred to another private hospital in Awka. I spent more than two months there before I was discharged. My bill at the hospital was well above N500, 000. In spite of the treatment and the money involved, I was not okay as at the time I was discharged,” she said. Charity, who noted that she was five months pregnant when the fire burnt her, stated that the wedding was held in the hospital. Her husband, according to her, insisted that the wedding must be held to shame the devil. She continued: “After that, my husband, who has been residing in Lagos, asked me to come. When I got to Lagos, we went to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Ebutte Meta. At the FMC, I registered for ante natal. Shortly thereafter, we were referred to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).

“I was admitted when I got to LUTH and I was subjected to series of tests. In the hospital, I had my baby through caesarean section because of my condition. We named the boy Victor Chidera. Victor means victory and Chidera means what God has written. I gave him the name because of my condition and the circumstances, surrounding his birth.”Charity appealed to kind-hearted Nigerians, philanthropists and corporate organisations to assist her so she could undergo a corrective surgery in Israel.

“Please, help me because I don’t like my present condition. Now, I cannot stay wherever is hot. I must stay indoors in the afternoon because of the sun. Please, help me. I pray that neither you nor your children will have this kind of experience. The explosion has spoilt my beauty.” Charity’s mother, Mrs. Grace Nnamezie, described the incident as an attack masterminded by evil forces. “How could the fire burn my daughter and didn’t touch the keg, containing the kerosene?” she wondered.

A private medical practitioner, Olakunle Adigun, said the surgery could be done at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH). He said, however, that it would be in three stages: face, arms and abdomen. The first stage, he said, would gulp about N400, 000, while the second stage would cost about N650, 000.

“The cost for the third stage has not been given but the first two stages will cost above N1 million apart from other miscellaneous expenses. If all other expenses and the third stage are factored into the surgery, the total cost will be more than N2 million,” he stated. Adigun expressed hope that Charity would be better off after the surgery.

While Charity can be contacted on the mobile numbers 08032229181 and 08033037223, a bank account number 0005774736 has been opened in her name, Charity Nnamezie, at the Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, Lagos branch of the GT Bank

Prince Jackson, Son Of Michael Jackson, Threatens To Tell The Truth

As if the Jackson family drama couldn't get any more twisted, Michael Jackson's oldest son, Prince, is now threatening to tell the truth if the lies don't stop. The 15-year-old tweeted early Thursday morning about the return of his grandmother Katherine, about the mistreatment from his aunts and uncles (including Janet, Austin and Rebbie) and about a warning issued from his late father, who he said "had repeatedly warned me of certain people and their ways."
Prince's exigency comes at the behest of his two siblings, sister Paris, 14, and brother Blanket, 10. Prince had previously remained quiet about the bizarre series of events this week, which have seen his 82-year-old grandmother reported missing, found the next day at a resort in Arizona on doctor's orders, and then losing her guardianship over her three grandchildren.
Early Thursday morning, Prince tweeted, "grandma's here! #thankyougod." He then continued with shocking claims against his family members, saying that Katherine Jackson had been "lied to" and that he and his two siblings had been denied contact with their grandmother.
"For this whole time, they denied us contact to our grandmother. If you continue with your lies I will continue with the truth," Prince tweeted. "As long as I can remember my dad had repeatedly warned me of certain people and their ways. Although I am happy my grandma was returned, after speaking with her I realized how misguided and how badly she was lied to. I'm really angry and hurt."
He then appeared to threaten his family members with a screenshot of a group text he had sent to his aunts and uncles. The screenshot would almost be brilliant satire if it weren't coming from a verified account, and also a child (for instance, Janet Jackson is stored as "Janet Jackson" in his phone, Rebbie Jackson is "Auntie Rebbie," etc.).

"The following image is of a group chat I had started to several family members," Prince wrote. "This group text message I had started was replied to but they didn't know that I could see the responses. For this whole time, they denied us contact to our grandmother. If you continue with your lies I will continue with the truth."
Katherine temporarily lost custody of her son Michael Jackson's three children on July 25; a Los Angeles Superior Court judge installed Michael's nephew T. J. Jackson as the temporary guardian over the three children. In a statement she read on ABC's "Nightline," a disoriented Katherine said she was "devastated" to have lost her guardianship.

World’s eyes on London ahead of opening ceremony

LONDON (AFP) – London began the final countdown Friday to the opening ceremony that will officially kick off its Olympic Games, with some 120 world leaders arriving in the British capital for the spectacle.

Organisers expect more than a billion people worldwide to watch the event on television, while tens of thousands will see the show live at the Olympic Stadium in east London.

The Olympic torch was making its way down the River Thames onboard the Gloriana, the royal barge of Queen Elizabeth II, on the last day of its 10-week journey around Britain.

In Westminster, Big Ben chimed for three minutes from 8:12 am (0712 GMT) to ring in the Games, 12 hours ahead of pre-ceremony entertainment scheduled to start at the symbolic time of 20:12 pm.

The huge bell at the British parliament was joined by hundreds of bell-ringers across the country in a cacophony of ringing to mark the beginning of the extravaganza.

Footballer David Beckham is expected to be among the final torchbearers carrying the Olympic torch as it finally arrives at the stadium for the opening ceremony.

The former England captain, who played a key part in London’s original bid for the Games seven years ago, said the thought of the spectacle gave him “goosebumps”.

“I have been lucky enough to have been involved in some amazing sporting moments in my career, but nothing can compare with what is about to take place in London,” he wrote in The Sun newspaper.

“I know every part of the Games is going to be spectacular and tonight is the night it all kicks off, with the whole world watching Great Britain and the opening ceremony.

“It will be one of those moments people will always remember watching.”

Sneak previews of the £27 million ($42 million, 35 million euros) opening ceremony — filmed at Wednesday’s final rehearsal — suggest it will be a grand but quirky production, reflecting the philosophy of director Danny Boyle.

The Slumdog Millionaire Oscar-winner has promised to create a “picture of us as a nation” and revealed that the eccentric show will feature live sheep and dancing surgeons from the National Health Service.

Audience members at rehearsals for the ceremony have been full of praise for the show, but they have stayed tight-lipped about details.

The weather is expected to be dry for the ceremony after showers during the day in London.

Thousands of VIPs including some 120 national leaders are in town for the ceremony, with guests including Angelina Jolie, US First Lady Michelle Obama and the king of Swaziland.

The Games will see Britain launch its biggest-ever peacetime security operation, and British Prime Minister David Cameron stressed Thursday that safety would be his top priority.

“I think we’ve made as many preparations as we can. I think we have very good contingency plans in place,” he told a press conference at the Olympic Park.

A force of more than 40,000 military and civilian personnel, backed by a huge intelligence operation, has turned the British capital into a fortress to protect venues, athletes and millions of visitors.

But security has been under the spotlight after the government was forced to deploy an extra 4,700 troops to guard the Games because of a recruitment shortfall at private contractor G4S.

NDLEA Arrests Female Drug Smugglers "Their Bras, Hair Wig Are Hideout For Drugs"

NDLEA officers nab three young women attempting to smuggle drugs overseas.

They were arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for attempting to smuggle 4.5 kilogrammes of narcotics, carefully hidden in their brassieres and hair wigs.

All three suspects were apprehended at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

Two of the suspects, who were to board an Egypt airline flight to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, through Cairo were caught with 3.6 kilogrammes of methamphetamines neatly hidden in customized underwears and hair wigs.

Another female suspect, who claimed to be three months pregnant, was found to have ingested 900 grammes of substance that tested positive for cocaine.

The NDLEA Commander at the Abuja Airport, Mr. Hamisu Lawan gave the names of the suspects as Miss Anene Blessing Iruoma, 26, Miss Obiakor Maryann Okwudili, 34 and Miss Mbechi Obiageli Susan, 38 years old.

The NDLEA boss commended FAAN for alerting the NDLEA of possible drug concealment following a body frisk on one of the suspects.

According to Hamisu: "Anene Blessing Iruoma and Miss Obiakor Maryann Okwudili concealed 1.7kilogrammes and 1.90kilogrammes of methamphetamine in underwears and hair wigs while Mbechi Obiageli Susan ingested 900 grammes of substance that tested positive for cocaine.

THE STAGE, "unrivaled talents and skills".

THE STAGE, "unrivaled talents and skills".
Music, Comedy, Dance, Visual art, Poetry, Fashion.
Sunday July 29th, Time: 5pm, Venue: Koga Lounge, 2 Bolaji Street Oregun, Ikeja.
Let?s take you on a new cruise of relaxation and entertainment.
For seats reservation call 07037711345. Be our guest.

LOUD ON SOUND ( Concert/Fashion Show)

Bankhead Entertainment And Storm Records Presents

LOUD ON SOUND ( Concert/Fashion Show)

Performances By :-LOS  Davido, Shank, Iyanya, Adey, Sasha P, Burna Boy, Ozzy-B, Rilwan, Muna, Vector, Dammy Krane, Flowssick, Dotstar, ChuddyK, Hakeem D Dream, Dpzle, Yung6ix, Ajebutter, DRB

Venue:- Federal Palace Hotel, Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island.

Date :- 27th Of July 2012
Time :- 6PM
Win ticket to this concert by commenting on this post......Courtesy of Bankhead Entertainment

Nas Explains How He Went From 'Life's A Bitch' To 'Life Is Good'

Listening to Nas' Life Is Good is like dropping a golden subway token into a mechanical turnstile, one that grants you instant entry into a New York City of days long gone.
A product of the gritty Queensbridge Houses, Nas navigates his borough in dizzyingly poetic detail, shouting out 'hood-famous hustlers and incense-burning Five-Percenters over a bed of rich horns and pounding knocks. "Colosseum downstairs, gold-teeth mouth," the baby-faced 39-year-old spits on "A Queens Story," giving a nod to the mall on Jamaica Avenue and 165th Street where a basement throbbed with jewelers and hair-extension purveyors.
If that sounds like golden-era nostalgia, then fair enough, but as God's Son told us when we sat down with him in L.A. for MTV's Hip-Hop Music Preview, "I got jazz in my soul." On Life Is Good, Nasty Nas tapped those blues for a reverie on his rise but also an honest dissection of his failed marriage and his shortcomings as a father, extending the narrative to his instant-classic album cover (sigh every time we see that green wedding dress). Still, the MC scored a #1 album this week, 20 years after recording his game-changing Illmatic debut.
We'd say life is good, and Nasir explains why, in his own words.
The Title: Life Is Good "A couple of years ago, I just started to really appreciate the opportunities that I've had, the places that I've traveled and the people I met and just the life that God gave me. So I felt like 'life is good' was a positive message that we should just say to each other during such challenging times. Just have to remember the important things, you know?"
The Album Cover "I feel like album covers used to be just as important as the music. And to me, I'm still that kind of dude, like, I still feel like if you can come up with something cool for your album cover that makes the whole package more beautiful. The album cover, of course, you see what's going on there: just love of life and appreciation of where I've come from and where I've been.
"On my first album, I said "life's a bitch," now I'm saying 'life is good.' That just shows you my journey has been peaks and valleys, ups and downs, obstacles, fun, all kinds of things that brought me to this place."
The Recording Process "This record was just me appreciating the people who listen to me for all these years and just understanding that it could've went a different route. I could be someone who don't love the music no more. For this record, my appreciation for the music is there."
The Cinematic Influence "The scene in 'Godfather II' was at the end when Michael Corleone was sitting on his property after all the executive decisions he had to make. He's sitting on his property just thinking.
The Tracks "Bye Baby": "That was a song that had to be done. It gets into my relationship that I had [with ex-wife Kelis] and why did things go wrong. You know, certain people just hit that point where they need to take a break or they need to move on separate ways. So 'Bye Bye' is a record that has that story line, from beginning to end. With life, you take [it] there's wins, there's losses, there's bad, there's joy, pain, all the emotions ... life is still good, no matter what, you have to keep your head up."
The Five-Word Description "Hip-hop, jazz, it's personal, love, it's a great sound put together by No I.D. and Salaam Remi and myself; it's all good.
"A lot of producers that I like, they sample a lot of jazz. They are inspired by jazz, so a lot of their music comes out that way. So a lot of the stuff I rapped on sounds like jazz. I was talking to Sting one time and he had heard Illmatic — someone played it for him — and he said, 'It's a jazz album!' I love that he said that because I got jazz in my soul."

Kristen Stewart’s scandal gets Gaga’s sympathy, but fan’s ire

Kristen Stewart can count Lady Gaga among the celebs coming to her defense in the wake of a cheating scandal involving the “Twilight” star and a film director.

Gaga tweeted some words of sympathy for Stewart and her co-star/boyfriend Robert Pattinson on Wednesday, not long after Stewart publicly apologized to Pattinson for her fling with filmmaker Rupert Sanders. Sanders, who helmed Stewart’s “Snow White and the Huntsman,” is married with two kids.


“I’m deeply sorry for the hurt and embarrassment I’ve caused to those close to me and everyone this has affected,” Stewart said in a statement to People magazine. “This momentary indiscretion has jeopardized the most important thing in my life, the person I love and respect the most, Rob. I love him, I love him, I’m so sorry.”

The coverage of Stewart’s apology was so pervasive that even Lady Gaga offered her opinion: “Geez this kirstew rob stuff is brutal. Makes me sad the way press acts,” she wrote. “Hope they’re ok.”

So far, Pattinson is the only one involved who has not spoken publicly on the mess. Sanders released his own apology Wednesday after details about his tryst with Stewart hit the Web.

“I am utterly distraught about the pain I have caused my family,” Sanders said in a statement to CNN. “My beautiful wife and heavenly children are all I have in this world, I love them with all my heart. I am praying that we can get through this together.”

Those apologies might not have been enough for at least one “Twilight” fan, however. A woman by the name of Emma Clark gave a tearful rant regarding 22-year-old Stewart’s mea culpa on YouTube, demanding an explanation for her indiscretion (specifically the part about her hurting R. Patz).

In a post titled, “HOW COULD YOU DO THIS KRISTEN,” Clark railed, “I don’t understand how she could do this! Why, why would you cheat on Robert Pattinson? … With Rupert… I’m so not OK with this.”

She also directed her venom at Sanders.

“CongratuF*****Glations Rupert Sanders. You just pissed off a million people cause you just couldn’t keep it in your pants,” she tweeted after uploading her angry missive.

To quote the reported tweet of Sanders’ model wife Liberty Ross before she deactivated her account, “Wow.”