PHOTOS OF THE DAY: Dog Named Romy Gives Birth To 15 Puppies After 8 Hour Labour

Proud mum: Romy with her litter of 15 healthy Irish setter newborns
born after eight hours of labour

Three-year-old Romy spent 8 hours in labour but her owners Alicia Copping and Natasha White, both aged 28 knew they had a long night ahead of them.

When she started to give birth at their Coventry home she didn’t stop until an astonishing 15 Irish setter puppies were born. The amazing feat was almost double the average of a traditional litter of eight or nine and not far off the UK record.

The record in Britain is 24 pups which was set in 2004 in Cambridgeshire beating the previous record of 13.

Romy spent eight hours in labour with just a few hours break before giving birth
 to the remaining five heaviest puppies

Owner Natasha White with two of the 15 puppies. Despite not being able to open their
eyes they have been gulping milk every two hours of the day

Tiny: The squealing newborns, a healthy 10 girls and five boys, weighed between 275 and 339 grams

{Via dailymail}

Birthday Kisses....Happy 29th Birthday Keri Hilson!

Today is Keri Hilson's 29th birthday. Sexy singer/songwriter Keri didn't necessarily endear herself to fans over the year while dissing Beyonce, then Ciara on wax, Keri did show that she's not afraid to speak her mind. And that has to count for something.

And later on, she did shout out to all the beautiful women around the world by writing an anthem to bring women closer together and bridge the "pretty girl" divide. 

Now it looks like we will see a softer side of Miss Keri in 2012 as she tweeted earlier, I asked God to clear my mind of useless clutter that was taking up space frm the stuff that really matters. That was my b-day wish ;)

Anti-Gay Law in Nigeria Is Cruel, Says Sir Richard Branson of Virgin

Too sad to comprehend that Nigeria are passing a law in this day and age to put gay people in prison just for being gay. 

The Prohibition of Same-Sex Marriage Bill passed through Nigeria’s Senate unopposed last week. It means gay couples entering into either marriage or cohabitation will be jailed for up to 14 years. Even people "witnessing" or "abetting" gay relationships could be punished under this sad, repressive and cruel law. 

Like everyone else in society, gay people have an enormous amount to offer and Nigeria should embrace them not prosecute them. 

All of us with influence in Nigeria must do what we can to stop this cruel law. I would urge educated Nigerians all over the world to do what they can to help fight this discrimination.

{Via virgin}

Warning! Graphic Images…Another Robbery In Port-Harcourt Today, 4 Killed

Armed robbers on Monday morning attacked two banks and a private company in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, killing four persons including a police officer.

An eyewitness account suggested a grayish Volkswagen Jetta car conveying cash was double crossed at Rumuola by gun totting lads who shot death all occupants (the driver and a police man in front, a woman and another man at the back) of the car before carting away an undisclosed amount of money.

"I was upstairs in my friend's office and saw everything from where I was," he continued, the eyewitness told wezinareports. "As soon as they got there, one of them started shooting in the air for almost a minute and that caused pandemonium with drivers jumping out of their cars running for cover.

"That also meant that traffic was at a standstill and the car they were chasing had nowhere to go. It was at this point the opened fire on the car killing everyone in it.

"One of them now went in the car, grabbed the bag of money, dumped it in their own car and while they moved he stayed behind shooting in the air until the road was cleared before he jumped into their car and they sped off."

The victims of the attack are said to have died instantly while an unlucky bystander who got struck by a bullet had been rushed to the hospital.

People were of the opinion that this group may be the same that kept Port Harcourt under siege for most of October and November.

That group specialized in robbing banks and bullion vans but the Rivers State Police P.R.O, Ben Ugbuegbulam in a press briefing in November said they killed two members of that group in a shoot-out while a female member got away.

 {images and story via wezinareports}

VIDEO: Beyonce Rocks Out For ITV Special "A Night With Beyonce" In The UK Last Night

Beyonce appeared on ITV in the UK last night for an intimate special she filmed back in July. 

She may have donned glammed up sexy looks for last night's special, but she also did something she's never really done.  Beyonce did a segment of her performances for "A Night With Beyonce", which was an hour and 15 minute special hosted by "X Factor USA" presenter Steve Jones, in the this relaxed blue pajama-like pants and blouse. 

Check out videos below of her "Best Thing I Never Had".  She rocked 2 Ralph & Russo looks for the performance, and the designers commented on this exclusive collaboration: "Beyonce’s performances are always so incredible and spectacular that we really wanted to design something very special to reflect this. Both outfits were created especially for the evening to create a fun but edgy feel to the show."

"Irreplaceable" is below:

Oldest Woman in The World To Have Breast Implants, 84-Year-Old, Increased Bust From 36B To 38D

Pleased with the results: Marie Kolstad showing
off her new bust in Hawaii

Marie Kolstad, a glamourous 84-year-old grandmother has become the oldest woman in the world to have breast implants. Marie Kolstad, from California, splashed out over £5,000 for the procedure to help her find a new man.

Mrs Kolstad had a breast lift with implants, increasing her bust from 36B to 38D.

The former fashion worker lost her husband Norman to cancer in 1992 and has been single for some time. 'I would love to find a new man,' said Marie, from Santa Ana. 'But all the men my age want women 20 years younger. I thought I'd better take action so I can compete.

Mrs Kolstad went under the knife in a three-hour operation on July 22 with private surgeon Dr Michael Niccole in California.

The 84-year-old great-grandmother with her surgeon in Newport Beach,
California, where she underwent the procedure

The energetic pensioner balances a busy life working as a property manager and spending time with her family, which includes four children, 12 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

'It's made my life more exciting these past few months, Mrs Kolstad said.

'After the surgery I went to Hawaii to celebrate. I got a new bathing suit and put pictures of myself on Facebook,' she added.

Mrs Kolstad aged 16 years (right) at her former home in New York
and (left) after her surgery

Mrs Kolstad with her three oldest children Rick, Renee, and Denise
in 1953 at Orchard Beach, New York

{via dailymail}

Messi, Xavi, Ronaldo Shortlisted for Ballon d’Or Award

Lionel Messi is on course for a record-equalling third consecutive Ballon d’Or, football’s highest individual award, after the Argentinian forward was among the three shortlisted nominees named Monday.

Messi‘s Barcelona teammate Xavi and Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo were also shortlisted. Messi, who won the Ballon d’Or in 2009 and 2010, will be the favourite to complete a hat-trick of titles after his man-of-the-match performance helped the Spanish side beat Manchester United in the Champions League final in May.

Former France international and current UEFA President Michel Platini won the Ballon d’Or for three consecutive years from 1983.

Last year, the FIFA Player of the Year and the Ballon d’Or awards merged into the FIFA Ballon d’Or and votes now come from the coaches and captains of international teams as well as from journalists.

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has been nominated for Goal of the Year, while boss Sir Alex Ferguson is in contention for Coach of the Year. Rooney has been nominated for his stunning overhead kick against Manchester City last season.

The winner will be announced on 9 January in Zurich with 1987 Ballon d’Or winner Ruud Gullit of Netherlands presiding over the ceremony.

Naeto C and Kevin Pam (BBA Winner) Made Ambassadors For Nigerian Youth & The Rape Challenge

Nigerian Ministry of Youth Development has unveiled plans to ensure that cases of sexual abuses and other violence against Nigerian young women are tackled to ensure human dignity.  

As a strategic bait of hooking the youths to the moral thrust of the campaign, scintillating slogans like, Rape a Woman and Kiss Goodbye to Greatness; Let's Wage War against Rape'; 'Real Men Don't Rape; The Federal Ministry of Youth Development Warns Against All Forms of Violence against Young Women; I swear I Can Never Rape a Woman; and Rapists Are Monsters and I am Not a Monster, have been introduced. 
    
Nigerian rapper Naeto C and Big Brother Africa winner Kevin Pam have also been appointed by the Hon Minister Of Youth, Mallam Bolaji Abdulahi as the Spokespersons and the Ambassadors for the Nigerian Youth & the Rape Challenge and they will be unveiled today at the Ladi kwali hall, Sheraton Hotel, Abuja.

{Via celebregion}

VIDEO: Nigerian Gay Man Rashidi Williams Spoke To BBC News On Country's Hostility

Nigerian Gay man, Rashidi Williams Spoking with BBC News 

Nigerian Gay man, Rashidi Williams spoke to BBC News about his experience of being an openly gay man in Nigeria.

Human rights groups have criticised the passage of a Bill in Nigeria's Senate, saying it would further penalise the country's homosexuals.

Amnesty International said the new legislation threatens the basic human rights of a large number of Nigerians.

The Same Sex Marriage Bill would criminalise those in homosexual relationships, with jail sentences of up to 14 years. It must still pass Nigeria's lower chamber and be signed by the president before becoming law.


Watch the video here

New Law Would Criminalise Gays Nigerians

VIDEO: Tiger Woods Wins First Tournament in 2 Years

{AP} Two years after his personal life and golf career came crashing down, Tiger Woods is a winner again.

One shot behind with two holes to play, Woods closed with clutch birdie putts Sunday to win the Chevron World Challenge by one shot over former Masters champion Zach Johnson.

Woods holed a 6-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole for a 3-under 69, sweeping his arm and slamming down his fist in a celebration that was a long time coming.

It was the 83rd title worldwide for Woods, but his first since the Australian Masters on Nov. 15, 2009, a span of 749 days and 26 official tournaments. Woods crashed his car outside his home on Thanksgiving night two years ago, followed by shocking revelations of extramarital affairs.

Video:

Akon Dispels Death Rumour: “No I'm Not Dead! I'm Alive…Godwilling, I’ll Live 100 More Years”

Akon took to twitter earlier today to dispel rumour making waves online about his death. 

He tweeted, “No I'm not dead! I'm alive and well, planning to live 100 more years god willing! Thank u all for being there! I love u sincerely!”.

So please, now we have heard from Akon. If only people could at least stop spreading Akon's death rumour.  

Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu Would Be Laid To Rest On February 2, 2012

THE remains of the former leader of Biafran republic, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu who passed on November 26 would be laid to rest on February 2, 2012, the South East Governors’ Forum announced Sunday.

Chairman of the forum, Governor Peter Obi, who briefed newsmen after their meeting in Enugu, said that all the funeral ceremonies of the late Igbo leader would commence in Enugu on February 2nd after which his remains would be taken to his country home, Nnewi for interment.

{Via Vanguard}

Sepp Blatter Blasts English FA, Says England Are Sore Over 2018 World Cup Bid…

FIFA president Sepp Blatter has said that England and English football holds a grudge against him because of the failed vote to bring the 2018 FIFA World Cup to the country. 

The English Football Association were hopeful of hosting the tournament that it last staged in 1966, but lost out to Russia despite the efforts of the Prime Minister, David Cameron, Prince William and David Beckham. Since then,the FA has opposed Blatter's re-election as the world governing body's president. He feels there is still some upset lingering.

He was quoted as telling the Swiss newspaper Matin Dimanche: "In the 60s and 70s, the great sporting federations were in the main British. It's no longer the case.

"The English have lost power and, most recently, the 2018 World Cup. They were very keen, more than for the Olympics. They thought that football should have come home. The World Cup was theirs by right. When they came here with Beckham, Prince William and Prime Minister Cameron, they were certain of winning”.

"They got two votes. Since then, they have looked for every means to justify their defeat."

 Source

English FA Cup Third Round Draw Has Paired Manchester City With Manchester United

ManU Defender Ferdinand Seems Not Happy With Draw...

The FA Cup with Budweiser
Third Round Proper Draw
2.40pm (approx), Sunday 4 December 2011
Ties to be played over the weekend of 7 and 8 January 2012

1 Middlesbrough v Shrewsbury Town
2 Nottingham Forest v Leicester City
3 Manchester City v Manchester United
4 Dagenham & Redbridge or Walsall v Millwall
5 Crawley Town v Bristol City
6 Doncaster Rovers v Sutton United or Notts County
7 Bristol Rovers v Aston Villa
8 Tottenham Hotspur v Cheltenham Town
9 Sheffield Wednesday v West Ham United
10 Milton Keynes Dons v Queens Park Rangers
11 Hull City v Ipswich Town
12 Coventry City v Southampton
13 Brighton & Hove Albion v Wrexham
14 Fulham v Charlton Athletic
15 Birmingham City v Wolverhampton Wanderers
16 Norwich City v Burnley
17 Arsenal v Leeds United
18 Derby County v Crystal Palace
19 Fleetwood Town or Yeovil Town v Blackpool
20 Swindon Town v Wigan Athletic
21 Barnsley v Swansea City
22 Chelmsford City or Macclesfield Town v Bolton Wanderers
23 Newcastle United v Blackburn Rovers
24 Everton v Tamworth
25 Sheffield United v Salisbury City or Grimsby Town
26 Liverpool v Southend United or Oldham Athletic
27 Gillingham v Stoke City
28 Chelsea v Portsmouth
29 Watford v Bradford City
30 Peterborough United v Sunderland
31 West Bromwich Albion v Cardiff City
32 Reading v Stevenage

The Third Round draw was made by Chelsea legend Gianfranco Zola and ex-Everton and Sheffield United midfielder Li Tie.

ChelseaFC Player Nicolas Anelka Reacted To Transfer Rumours On His Website…

Anelka reacted on speculation about his departure...

{via nicolas-anelka.net}

ChelseaFC Accepts Transfer Requests From Nicolas Anelka & Alex

Speaking immediately after the win over Newcastle, Andre Villas-Boas confirmed that two players who were not in the squad for the game, Nicolas Anelka and Alex, have handed in transfer requests.

The manager said the requests have been accepted so the players will be allowed to leave in January.

'The conversation was fair and direct with the players,' Villas-Boas said.

'They are top professionals and their professionalism and integrity is never in question but on recent results and form we have decided to try to get the group together and we have decided to assign different training times for them.

'The transfer requests were accepted but it doesn't mean it will happen and if it doesn't happen they will return to full training.'

{Via Chelsea website}

Brazil Football Legend Socrates Dies, Aged 57

Brazil Football Legend Socrates

Former Brazil clever playmaker who captained Brazil at the 1982 World Cup,  great Socrates died Sunday, aged 57.

Known for his elegant style on the field and his deep involvement with Brazilian politics, Socrates died of septic shock resulting from an intestinal infection, according to a statement by the Albert Einstein hospital.

He had been rushed to hospital on Saturday and had been in critical condition in an intensive care unit, breathing with the help of a ventilator.

Socrates was twice hospitalized and placed in intensive care in the last few months, most recently in September. Both times he was admitted for hemorrhage caused by high pressure in the vein that carries blood from the digestive system to the liver.

Socrates acknowledged being a heavy drinker, even when he starred as a player in the 1980s. He publicly said he had been drinking occasionally until recently, but stopped completely after his stints in the hospital earlier this year.

Brazil Football Legend Socrates

It was the third time in four months that Socrates was rushed to the hospital. Some local media, including the Folha de S. Paulo newspaper, said his latest trip was caused by food poisoning that also made his wife and other relatives sick, but he suffered most because his digestive system was already debilitated.

Being a heavy drinker during his career, Socrates still managed to score 22 goals in 60 appearances.

Socrates is survived by his wife and six children.

{Story via brandonsun}

Teju Cole, 36, A Nigerian-American Writer Robbed At Gun Point Last Night At Ojota, Lagos

Teju Cole, 36, A Nigerian born - American based writer and street photographer was robbed at gun point last night at Ojota, Lagos State. Teju made this known on his twitter page some minutes ago, he tweeted, “(First time I've had someone threaten to shoot me. Shaken by the encounter, but alive.)”.

Sorry dear, insecurity in the land remains a monster staring at millions of helpless and armless Nigerians…Government is also staring at this monster and the monster keeps staring back. Like they say, “where two giant monsters (elephants) fight, it is the grass (the helpless and armless millions of Nigerians) that suffer most…

Below is a Bio video of Teju Cole for those who do not know him:

Boko Haram Bombed 2 Police Divisional Headquarters, Raided A Bank In Bauchi On Sunday

Police officers armed with AK-47 rifles stand guard at
 sandbagged bunkers in Maiduguri, Nigeria Photo: AP

The attacks by suspected members of the radical Boko Haram sect, which also seriously injured two other policemen, happened in the town of Azare and lasted four hours, they said.

The attackers armed with heavy machine guns, threw explosives and fired heavy machine guns into a regional police headquarters and an adjoining police station in the town, setting fire to the buildings, residents said.

"They came in a large convoy of cars armed with heavy machine guns and headed to the police area command office and bombed it along with the divisional police station attached to it," resident Usman Musa told AFP.

"The attackers left behind a black banner hanging at the entrance of the police station with the arabic inscription of 'Allahu Akbar'(God is Great), which made people suspect they were Boko Haram," he said. The attackers also bombed and robbed two banks in the town, 230 kilometres (140 miles) from the state capital Bauchi, residents said.

Musa, who was at the federal medical centre where victims from the attacks were taken said he saw the bodies of a soldier, a policeman and an errand boy for the police, while two policemen were being treated for gunshot wounds.

Another resident Garba Mohammed said two banks were bombed by the attackers who broke into the vaults. "They emptied the banks' safes and made away with the money," said Mohammed, a dealer in second-hand clothes.

Read more here.

Zimbabwean Man Collapses After Hiring A Prostitute, Only To Be Met By His Daughter

A Zimbabwean man Titus Ncube from Bulawayo who ordered a prostitute to his hotel room collapsed when his daughter turned up at the door. The shock at seeing his 20-year-old daughter sent him to the ground.

The unnamed woman reportedly fled the building.

According to the Zimbabwe News, Ncube ordered the prostitute as he was experiencing marital problems.

“I am sorry for what I did,” he said. “I spoke to my wife and my daughter… I apologised for my actions because I just wanted my family back." Ncube said his daughter was no longer working as a prostitute and was planning to return to school.

"My marital problems are not over, but we have a marriage counsellor who is helping us to get over this most difficult period in our marriage," he added. 

On hearing the news, his wife said: “If it were not for my children, I could have divorced him a long time ago.”

VIDEO: Steve Jobs’ Biological Dad Protests Syrian “Brutality”…As Syrian Authorities Ban iPhones

John Jandali

Syrians are no longer allowed to use Apple’s iPhone after authorities banned the popular device this week in a bid to stop activists from documenting government violence. Following the move, Steve Jobs’ biological father, John Jandali, announced his support for the Syrian people today by joining the “Syrian Sit-in” on YouTube. Jandali said:

I am in solidarity with the Syrian people. I reject the brutality and killing that the Syrian authorities are committing against the unarmed Syrian people. And because silence is participation in this crime, I declare my participation in the Syrian Sit-in on YouTube

Video:

BREAKING: Herman Cain Suspends US 2012 Presidential Campaign

AP - Herman Cain has suspended his presidential campaign. The Republican hopeful had been among the front runners in the race for the party's nomination, but his campaign was side tracked following allegations of infidelity.

Video:

El-Rufai Fought Back Tears As He Buries His Daughter, Yasmin

The steely character of the former Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Mallam Nasir El- Rufai, was broken yesterday at the interment of his first daughter, Yasmin, who died in London six days ago. Emotions ran all over El-Rufai who fought back tears when sandwiched between his son, Sani and friend, Pat Ezekwesili, and other family members at the graveside.

The ministering cleric, Mohammed Kabir, exhorted the sympathisers about the inevitability of death and prayed to God to grant the late Yasmin Aljanat Firdaus and give the family the strength to bear the loss.

Yasmin was lowered into the grave in line with Islamic traditions at about 10.30 am at the Gwarimpa Muslim Cemetery, Abuja.

A horde of political dignitaries and associates from across the country thronged the El-Rufai’s Asokoro residence early in the morning to commiserate with the family and pray for her sole. Some of the visitors who consoled the El- Rufais included former Military Head of State Major General Muhammadu Buhari. Buhari who was also the presidential candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) in the last general election, visited the family and attended the service at the central mosque and the cemetery.

While speaking with reporters, Ribadu and Fani-Kayode, described Yasmin’s passage as a painful loss. They both thanked the people for the outpouring of love for El- Rufai. Ribadu recalled last seeing the deceased in June in London, describing her as a very “precious girl”.

“She was a good girl, a gift of God – the first daughter of El- Rufai. It‘s a painful loss, but that is how Allah wished and that is how Allah wanted because He takes and gives and we can’t say anything other than to say thank you for the good life.”

Yasmin’s body arrived in the country yesterday from London, where she was found dead in her house last Sunday.
The 25-year-old Yasmin held a bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Bath in the United Kingdom and a master’s degree from the London School of Economics (LSE). She also had a law degree from the University of London.

It would be recalled the Blogger broke the sad story online 6 days ago…If you missed the story, you can read it here.

{Story Via thisday}