Mickey Rooney, Hollywood legend, dead at 93

Legendary actor Micky Rooney has died at the age of 93, according to the Los Angeles Times, citing confirmation by the L.A. coroner’s office. The news was first reported byTMZ.

Longevity has a price: At the end of an eight-decade career that included hundreds of films, Rooney was known more as a mascot for Hollywood’s Golden Age than as a star in his own right. But long before his latter-day career as a lovable geezer (most recently in 2006′s Night at the Museum) and chipper red-carpet interviewee, Rooney was one of the world’s most famous actors, a teen icon whose box-office muscle in the 1930s has yet to be matched by the Baios and Efrons who came after him.

China Box Office: 'Captain America: The Winter Soldier' Opens Huge

 

The national Qingming holiday period boosted the movie to a muscular $39.2 million opening in the world's second largest film market.

Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson and Samuel L. Jacksoncame to Beijing to promote the movie last month, and their visit seems to have paid off.

PHOTOS: 'Captain America: The Winter Soldier' Screening: Chris Evans, Cobie Smulders Take New York

Captain America: The Winter Soldier, directed by brothersAnthony and Joe Russo, showed only in 3D in China and notched up 5.6 million admissions at 102,638 screenings here, nearly 40 percent of all showings in the country over the weekend, according to data from the Beijing-based research firm Entgroup. (Marvel Disney reports that the film opened to $39.2 million, while Entgroup has the figure at $36.23 million.)

This puts it ahead of the nearly $35 million that Thor: The Dark World made in its first four days back in November 2013, whileIron Man 3 took $64.5 million in its first five days.

Sahara Tv Reports That,

Son of elder statesman Edwin Clark, Ebikeme,  who was kidnapped last Wednesday by unknown gunmen in Kaigbodo  Brutu local government area of Delta State has been freed by kidnappers.

Ebikeme was released last night by his abductors and has since reunited with his family.

                                                                               By Saharareporters, New York

Soka Forest Of Horror In Ibadan

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=FVBNCGxMaYI

The true face of horror in Ibadan! Bow, knife expose herdsmen as suspects

Everybody who got to the ‘evil forest’ in Ibadan, Oyo State capital where hundreds of people have been killed by kidnappers was stunned to speechlessness seeing the number of decomposed bodies of victims.

Call the place the Soka house of horror, a den of killers, the place of skull, the evil shrine, the valley of dry bones, killers’ hideouts, you will not be wrong. No adjective or description is too much to express the horror there. In the isolated bush, life is hellish, brutish, loutish and nasty. It is distasteful, barbaric and fetish. It is better read and heard than seen. 

If you go there once, you could find it difficult to have your meal. Flies of different sizes and colours were feasting on the bodies. The bodies were in different positions. The odour was unbearable. The land brings to mind David’s statement when he heard about the death of his bosom friend, Jonathan, “Tell it not in Gath or publish it in the streets of Ashkelon; lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph”. Chief Isiaka Bello Olupoju, a community leader in the area who was not sure of the exact number of people killed, put the figure at about 120 persons.

Apart from the atrocities committed in the den, the incident raises a serious security concern.

Alleged connivance

It is indefensible for residents in the area to claim ignorance of the activities of the kidnappers. The stench oozing from the decomposed bodies was a strong indication that nobody in the area could claim ignorance.

A woman, who spoke in the presence of Governor Abiola Ajimobi, said the matter had been reported at Sanyo Police Station several times. She said some policemen either said the place had been set aside to take care of the destitute who had become a nuisance in the city or it didn’t fall under their jurisdiction.

Another source said they always saw some people moving up and down particularly herdsmen. He said the police should investigate the herdsmen. To fuel suspicion that the herdsmen might know something about the  killings there, a knife and a bow commonly used by cattle rearers were found close to one of the decomposed bodies. The knife was still looking fresh as at Tuesday indicating it was just dropped there.

U.S., in nod to Tokyo, to send more ships to Japan, prods China

U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel (R) and his Japanese counterpart Itsunori Onodera attend their joint news conference at the Defense Ministry in Tokyo April 6, 2014. The United States will deploy two additional destroyers equipped with missile defense systems to Japan by 2017, in a move Hagel said on Sunday was a response in part to North Korean missile launches that have alarmed the region.

(Reuters) - The United States moved on Sunday to reassure Tokyo over its mounting security concerns, saying it would send more missile defense ships to Japan following North Korean launches and use a high level trip to warn China against abusing its "great power."

Japan has watched with alarm in recent weeks as North Korea carried out a series of missile launches, including firing two medium-range missiles capable of hitting the U.S. ally.

Tokyo has also voiced growing anxiety over China's military buildup and increasingly assertive behavior in a territorial dispute over East China Sea islands.

U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel announced that two Navy destroyers equipped with missile defense systems would be deployed to Japan by 2017. It was a response, he said, to provocations from the North, which has also threatened to carry out a "new form" of nuclear test.

The announcement followed other steps taken by the Pentagon to bolster its military posture in Japan, including an October decision to position a second X-band missile defense radar there. That radar is expected to be operational this year.

Chris Okotie Writes On The Nigerian Immigration Employment Test Tragedy

There isn’t much to say here, just scroll down and read Pastor Okotie’s big big grammar on the Immigration crisis.

This tragedy mirrors the desperate situation of Nigeria.

One only hopes that this unfortunate loss of lives, coupled with the incessant Boko Haram killings and other youth-based violence, would serve as a wake-up call to the summiteers, that this country needs a new governance paradigm. If the conference cannot produce that, then the over N7 billion invested in it would amount to another colossal waste of our scarce national resources.

It is an irony that each delegate would earn a whopping N12 million for the 3-month duration of the conference. By conservative estimates, N12 million is enough to provide self-employment for 12 resourceful graduates, and N7 billion could do likewise for thousands, some of whom perished under chaotic conditions in stadia around the country, while waiting for a poorly organised aptitude test by the NIS. The young graduate job-seekers who turned out for the tests filled up many stadia around the country, as if they came to watch high-profile football matches.

Wizkid And Tania Split: “Yeah, I’m Single Now. But It’s All Love I Got Love For Her…..”

Apparently, Wizkid is single again…………Finally.

The Nigerian superstar singer, has confirmed the speculations that he has broken up with his long-time girlfriend,Tania Omotayo.

Wizkid revealed this on the ‘Drive-Time With Gbemi’ show on the Beat 99.9 FM, where he featured as a star guest, promoting his soon-to-be-released album entitled ‘Ayo’. When show host Gbemi Olateru questioned him on his relationship with Tania, (who has been showing signs that on social media that their love is currently suffering some strain), Wizkid was hesitant.

He kept quiet for some seconds, and laughed awkwardly. “My friend is fine. We’re cool, we’re cool. But I’m single now you know. Yeah, I’m single now. But it’s all love. I got love for her. She’s like my best friend anyways.” He replied the question.

WHAT’S BEEF? Wizkid, 2face, Timaya, May D And Many Others Missing At Paul Okoye And Anita Isama’s Wedding

May D, who used to be signed to Square Records, the PSquare label, was conspicuously absent at Paul Okoye and Anita Isama’s wedding ceremony.

 Many presume- wrongly-  that May D is not on speaking terms with

Psquare and the flames of the rumours are being fanned by his absence at

the ceremony. Duncan Mighty, on the other hand, was expected to be present, especially because he is a native of Port Harcourt city, but he never

showed up; same for Timaya who’s also a PH act. 2face and Annie Idibia, Davido, Wizkid, Burnaboy, Olamide and are other top celebrities who skipped the ceremony, possibly because of

performance engagements.

Checkout What Wizkid Wants You To See (SNAPSHOT)

 

Musician, Wizkid is not called the starboy for nothing, he sure knows how to live large every step of the way.

The star, who took a break from being part of UK musician Tinie Tempah’s tour, is now in the beautiful city of 

Dubai, United Arab Emirates. This is the view he wants you to see: 

 

Taylor Swift and Katy Perry are two of the biggest names in pop music, and rank amongst the most famous women in the world. The duo are idolized by twins, teens, and their parents, all of whom flock to their concerts and sing gleefully along with each singer's mountain of hits.

Their shared history with John Mayer aside, Swift and Perry also may be among the best liked female celebrities, not just with the public but with their peers. Each singer seems to have as many friends as they do music videos. Heck, they're even friendly with each other, with Perry once stopping by a Swift concert to sing "Hot N Cold." With most of the world wanting to hang out with either Swift or Perry, we ask the question... who would you rather have as a BFF?

Taylor Swift

Swift, 24, seems to collect friends the way that Star Wars fans collect action figures, and isn't afraid to share the experience with her fans. When she took a road trip with Victoria's Secret model Karlie Kloss, the duo posted photos documenting every step of the way on Instagram.She also has been known to post videos from her exploits with Modern Family's Sarah Hyland. "She's just the most down-to-earth person," Hyland told PEOPLE magazine. "She just seems like a really true friend."

Chris Brown's misdemeanour assault charge could reportedly be upgraded to a felony.

The Fine China singer, who allegedly broke Parker Adams' nose when he tried to insert himself in a photograph that the singer was taking with two female fans outside the W Hotel in Washington D.C. last October, is due to appear in front of a judge in the city on Monday with his lawyer, Mark Geragos, in a bid to get all charged against him.   . 

Justin Faces May 5 Trial Date

A judge has set a May 5 trial date for pop star Justin Bieber, who faces charges of driving under the influence, resisting arrest and possessing an invalid driver's license.

Speaking at a brief hearing today, prosecutor Daniel Diaz-Balart said no plea offer has been made for 20-year-old Bieber, who has pleaded not guilty.

Justin Bieber's mugshot after being arrested on DUI charges in Miami. Credit: Police

An initial March trial date was postponed while attorneys for news organisations and Bieber wrestled over the release of police videos that show him giving a urine sample for a drug test.

Those videos were made public last week with the singer's genitals blacked out.

Bieber and R&B singer Khalil Amir Sharieff were arrested in Miami Beach, Florida, on January 23 after what police said was an illegal drag race with high-end sports cars.

UNBELIEVABLE: Nine-Month Old Boy Lands In Court, READ Why

A nine-month-old baby, Muhammad Mosa Khan, has appeared in a Pakistan court along with other family members on charges of attempting murder.

According to police report, Muhammad, who sat on his grandfather’s leg in court while his fingerprints were being taken before a hearing in court, threatens police and interfering in state affairs.

A video uploaded online showed the bewildered baby being fingerprinted, holding a bottle of milk and being carried into court by his grandfather.

A Lahore police report claimed the suspects tried to murder officers by throwing stones at them during a raid on houses who owed money for gas bills, reports in Pakistan read.
READ MORE: http://news.naij.com/63739.html

* Muhammad accused of attempted murder

The report lodged a complaint against the whole of Muhammad Yaseen’s family, which unilaterally included nine-month-old Khan who was present in court.

“He was nominated in the FIR so I took the child to court,” his grandfather, Mr Yassen said.

The child's father said the group had been protesting against a shortage of electricity in their area.

Judge Rafaqat Ali granted bail to the “accused” and the case has been adjourned until 12 April, Lahore media reported.

A child under the age of seven cannot be convicted of an offence under Pakistan’s penal code. Police have since claimed they were unaware that Yaseen’s son Imran, who was among the accused, had a child. 
READ MORE: http://news.naij.com/63739.html

READ MORE: http://news.naij.com/63739.html

READ MORE: http://news.naij.com/63739.html

BREAKING NEWS: Search Ship Of Missing Malaysian Plane ‘Picks Up Signal’

They say the signal has a frequency of 37.5kHz per second - the same as those emitted by the flight recorders.

However, there is no evidence so far that it is linked to MH370.

Dozens of ships and planes have joined the search, with the operation moving into its most intensive phase before batteries on the data recorders fade.

The Chinese search ship Haixun 01 on Saturday picked up the signal at about 25 degrees south latitude and 101 degrees east longitude, the state-run Xinhua news agency said.

"It is yet to be established whether it is related to the missing jet," it cautioned.

Also, a report says Chinese air force plane in search for MH370 spotted a number of white floating objects in Southern Indian Ocean on Saturday.

The flight is believed to have crashed in the southern Indian Ocean, although no confirmed debris has been found.

It is still not known why the plane diverted from its planned flight path from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing four weeks ago with 239 people on board. 

Up to 10 military planes, three civilian jets and 11 ships are scouring a 88,000-sq-mile patch of desolate ocean northwest of Perth near where investigators believe the plane went down on March 8 with the loss of all 239 passengers and crew on board.
READ MORE: http://news.naij.com/63742.html

READ MORE: http://news.naij.com/63742.html

The fast rising actress, Lizzy in a chat with Entertainment Express also revealed how she gets turned on when she receives  bank alerts.

 What she said below

"A poor man shouldn't even think of admiring my picture, not to talk of wooing me. I love money so much so I can't marry a poor man. I don't even want a man who is merely comfortable.

               

Legendary dancehall singer Vybz Kartel has been sentenced  was sentence to life in prison for the 

 

murder of his former associate Clive “Lizard” Williams in 2011.The sentencing which took place 

 

yesterday (April 3rd) was the longest murder trial in Jamaica’s history. Prosecutors say Williams was murdered after a failed business deal. Vybz Kartel, who was convicted of the murder last month won't have a shot at having parole for 35 years.
Vybz is 38 years may only stand a chance at leaving prison at the age of 73..

Williams body was never found and the jury voted 10-1 .The one juror who voted against the decision has since been charged with attempting to bribe other jurors into changing their decisions.
A key piece of evidence was a text message said to be sent from Kartel's phone.It claimed Clive 'Lizard'
Williams had been chopped up into so many pieces his body would never be found.
If you recall,he has been accused of skin bleaching but claimed it was due to spending so much time in air-conditioned enviroment.

Oduah Quizzed By EFCC, Granted Provisional Bail

Ms. Stella Oduah

 

Former Minister of Aviation, Ms. Stella Oduah, was Wednesday quizzed for more than five hours by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The ex-minister, who was embroiled in a N255 million bulletproof car scandal in the twilight of her tenure, arrived the commission at about 10 am and left  at 3.30 pm.

Sources at the commission disclosed that she was granted provisional bail after making a useful statement that will assist the investigation of the commission into the procurement of the two bulletproof BMWs by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) for her personal use when she was the minister.

Her visit to the commission came on the heels of several statements by the EFCC assuring Nigerians that it would carry out a thorough investigation into the alleged shoddy purchase of the two BMW cars at an outrageous price of N255 million.

EFCC's Head of Media and Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren, recently informed journalists that given the delicate nature of the cases of which included the purchase of the cars, the commission would have to discreetly investigate the cases before it would make public its findings.
Uwujaren had requested that the media be patient and not to be in a hurry to seek information on cases concerning Oduah, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the unaccounted billions, among others, as investigations were still on-going.

Though Oduah was granted provisional bail, it is not certain if she would appear again at the commission's headquarters.

Oduah was relieved of her position in the federal cabinet when it emerged that she had ordered the NCAA to buy two BMW bulletproof cars at the over-inflated price of N255 million.

The outcry over the scandal and calls for her sack prompted the House of Representatives, whose Committee on Aviation investigated the purchase of the cars and recommended her sack.

During the probe, it also emerged that the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) had bought her two bulletproof Prado SUVs.

President Goodluck Jonathan, after initial resistance, also set up a presidential panel, which recommended her removal from office.
Although the minister professed her innocence when news broke on the issue, she was eventually relieved of her post by the president in February.

 

 

Helicopters drop arms for insurgents —Borno, Yobe elders

Political and opinion elders in Borno and Yobe states have alleged that helicopters drop arms and ammunition, food and medicine to areas known to be strongholds of the members of the violent Islamic sect,  Boko Haram, in the North-East.

They said the authorities in the states could not claim ignorance of the development and that it was a bad omen if a convoy of about 20 to 30 Toyota Hilux vehicles could move freely without being detected despite the curfew in place.

The elders, who spoke at a press conference in Abuja on Monday, also asked the government to provide answer to the attack on the Maiduguri Air Force Base by insurgents, who reportedly de-mobilised and set ablaze aircrafts and other military facilities even with the existing state of emergency and curfew in the town.

Speaking under the aegis of Borno, Yobe People’s Forum, the elders also asked those in authorities to tell Nigerians those that authorised the withdrawal of security personnel from the Federal Government College, Buni Yadi, few hours before the recent attack that claimed the lives of 59 innocent children.

A former Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshall Al-amin Dagash (retd.), spoke on behalf of the forum at the press conference.

What is your name?

Nafiu Shittu

Where do you come from?

I am from Isale-Osun, Osogbo. I live in the Foko area of Ibadan city.

After some days of respite, fuel scarcity  worsened in different parts of the country on Saturday.

Reports by our correspondents from different states indicated that many petrol stations were still not selling fuel, while others had long queues of vehicles.

Black marketeers were seen hawking fuel on the streets in some major towns and state capitals.

In Lagos, our correspondent observed that queues had reappeared at some petrol stations, while some that had dispensed fuel earlier in the week were shut on Saturday.

In Ilorin, Kwara State capital, the fuel scarcity had also worsened.

Our correspondent, who visited some petrol stations in Ilorin, observed that they were not selling the product to their customers.