Warming from Arctic Sea Ice Melting More Dramatic than Thought

This pristine photo of Arctic sea ice was taken by scientists from the Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar …

Melting Arctic sea ice has contributed considerably more to warming at the top of the world than previously predicted by climate models, according to a new analysis of 30 years of satellite observations.

Sea ice helps cool the Arctic by reflecting incoming solar radiation back into space. Because of its light color, sea ice has what is known as high albedo, which is the percentage of solar radiation a surface reflects back to space. Dark ocean water left behind by melting sea ice, on the other hand, has a low albedo, usually measuring less than 20 percent, whereas bare sea ice generally measures between 50 and 70 percent, according to the National Snow and Ice Data Center.

Since as early as the 1960s, scientists have hypothesized that melting sea ice amplifies global warming by decreasing Arctic albedo. Researchers have since devised climate models to demonstrate this phenomenon but, until now, nobody had relied entirely on satellite data to confirm this effect through time. [See Stunning Photos of Earth's Vanishing Ice]
Now, scientists based at the University of California, San Diego have analyzed Arctic satellite data from 1979 to 2011, and have found that average Arctic albedo levels have decreased from 52 percent to 48 percent since 1979 — twice as much as previous studies based on models have suggested, the team reports today (Feb. 17) in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
The amount of heat generated by this decrease in albedo is equivalent to roughly 25 percent of the average global warming currently occurring due to increased carbon dioxide levels, the team reports.
"Although more work is needed, a possible implication of this is that the amplifying feedback of Arctic sea ice retreat on global warming is larger than has been previously expected," study co-author Ian Eisenman told Live Science.
Previous models of Arctic albedo have suggested the reflectiveness of white cloud cover could potentially mitigate a portion of albedo loss due to melting ice; but these new observations show that cloud cover has had a negligible effect on overall Arctic reflectivity, the team says.
While Arctic sea ice will not likely return to 1979 values in the near future, the ice does change from year to year and might still experience some comeback this century, though the extent to which this might happen remains unclear, Eisenman said.
"There are a lot of questions right now as to why the ice is retreating as fast as it is, and why it has the structure that it has is a little hard to say," said Eisenman. "The cause and effects get subtle — ocean currents respond to sea ice and sea ice responds to currents."
The team is now following up this work by studying how the deposition of black carbon — a component of soot — on Arctic ice and snow may be darkening these reflective surfaces and contributing to the decrease in albedo. If this does turn out to be a significant factor in albedo, it could explain the underestimations of previous models that didn't account for black carbon, Eisenman said.

Follow Laura Poppick on Twitter. Follow us @livescience, Facebook& Google+. Original article on Live Science.

• Images: One-of-a-Kind Places on Earth
• On Ice: Stunning Images of Canadian Arctic
• 6 Unexpected Effects of Climate Change

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Kerry accuses Assad of stonewalling in peace talks

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on Monday accused Syrian President Bashar Assad of stonewalling in peace talks and called on Russia to push its ally to negotiate with opposition leaders.
"Right now, Bashar al-Assad has not engaged in the discussions along the promised and required standard that both Russia spoke up for and the regime spoke up for," Kerry said during a press conference in Jakarta with Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa.
He said Assad's team "refused to open up one moment of discussion" of a transitional government to replace Assad's regime.
"It is very clear that Bashar Assad is trying to win this on the battlefield instead of coming to the negotiating table in good faith," Kerry said
Peace talks last week in Geneva ended with no progress toward breaking the impasse in the nearly 3-year-old conflict in Syria.
Kerry, who called Syria "a tragedy to the world," also had harsh words for Assad's allies in Moscow.

Secretary of State Kerry attacks climate change sk … Play video

"Russia needs to be a part of the solution and not be contributing so many more weapons and so much more aid that they are in fact enabling Assad to double down, which is creating an enormous problem," he said.
Russia has told the U.S. it was committed to helping create a transitional government, Kerry said, but has not delivered "the kind of effort to create the kind of dynamic by which that could be achieved."
On Sunday, Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem blamed the U.S. for the breakdown in negotiations, saying the U.S. tried to "create a very negative climate for dialogue in Geneva."
U.N.-Arab League mediator Lakhdar Brahimi apologized to the Syrian people for failing to reach progress. "I am very, very sorry, and I apologize to the Syrian people that their hopes which were very, very high that something will happen here," Brahimi said.
Syria's conflict started as largely peaceful protests against Assad in March 2011 but later degenerated into a civil war in which more than 140,000 people have been killed, according to activists.
The U.N.'s human rights office said in January it has stopped updating the death toll from the war, confirming that it can no longer verify the sources of information that led to its last count of at least 100,000 in late July.
Millions have been driven out of their homes, seeking shelter in neighboring countries and in safer parts of their homeland.
Washington and its European and Persian Gulf allies are backing the opposition in Syria's conflict. Russia and Iran are supporting Assad's government.
"The talks themselves are taking a recess for the moment," Kerry said Monday. "But all of us need to remember that there is no recess for the people of Syria who are suffering."

He added: "The international community needs to use this recess in the Geneva talks to determine how to use this time most effectively in order to bring about a political solution. We still believe there is no military solution."

___

Associated Press writers Barbara Surk, Bassem Mroue and Yasmin Saker in Beirut contributed to this report.

Walter Mazzarri sees Jose Mourinho likeness

                                             Walter Mazzarri sees Jose Mourinho likeness

Inter coach Walter Mazzarri believes him and Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho are kindred spirits as a result of their identical footballing values.

The Italian came up against the Portuguese when Inter faced the Blues in a preseason friendly in America, and it was there that he was struck by similarities between himself and the former Nerazzurri boss.

"I was glad to be able to introduce myself to Mourinho after the game in America. I'm close to Mourinho apart from the tactical side," Mazzarri told Sport 360. "We both fight to do everything we can to bring benefits to our clubs in every way possible and this unites us. Every coach is an artist, and I see very similar to his way of viewing things."

Mazzarri bolstered his squad with the January signing of Hernanes from Lazio, and the Brazilian's arrival has coincided with an upturn in fortunes for the club.

Inter has won back to back games for the first time this year - including its first away win since November following Saturday's 2-1 victory against Fiorentina - and the 52-year-old was quick to compare his new recruit with another Serie A star.

"Hernanes, broadly speaking is like [Marek] Hamsik," he said. "His genius going forward will be so useful to the team, especially at home - he has maturity and qualities that will serve us well."

‘Son of God’ Cuts Satan Scenes Featuring Obama Lookalike

‘Son of God’ Cuts Satan Scenes Featuring Obama Lookalike

“Son of God” producers Mark Burnett and Roma Downey have cast Satan out of their upcoming Biblical epic about Jesus Christ, an individual familiar with the 20th Century Fox project has told TheWrap.
“Son of God” is a reshaped version of last year’s hit History Channel miniseries “The Bible,” which co-starred Mohamen Mehdi Ouazanni as Satan. Burnett and Downey came under fire last year because Ouazanni bears a striking resemblance to President Barack Obama, though the producers said at the time that the casting controversy was unintentional and merely coincidental.
Also read: Jesus Is Back on the Big Screen in ‘Son of God’ Trailer (Video)
“Someone made a comment that the actor who played the devil vaguely resembled our president, and suddenly the media went nuts,” Downey said in a statement Monday. “The next day, when I was sure everyone would only be talking about Jesus, they were talking about Satan instead. For our movie, ‘Son of God,’ I wanted all of the focus to be on Jesus. I want his name to be on the lips of everyone who sees this movie, so we cast Satan out. It gives me great pleasure to tell you that the devil is on the cutting room floor.”
20th Century Fox will release “Son of God” on Feb. 28. The 10-hour miniseries has been pared down to two hours, which meant sacrificing Satan’s scenes to focus on Jesus.
Also read: ‘The Bible’ Producers: Obama-Devil Link ‘Utter Nonsense’
The end of February has proven to be a lucrative time of year for faith-based movies, as “The Passion of the Christ” earned $125 million in its first five days after opening on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2004.
The post ‘Son of God’ Cuts Satan Scenes Featuring Obama Lookalike appeared first on TheWrap.

PHOTOS: Mariah Carey Can't Get Trey Songs Out Of Her Mind [VIDEO] 15 February, 2014 Arts and Entertainment Mariah Carey has released the video for her new single, “You’re Mine (Eternal)”, and just in time for the valentines celebration. The video which was produced by her new manager, Jermain Dupri, shows the singer topless and covered in sparkly gold glitters while singing about a love of her life she can't get out of her head; the love her life is played by no other person than the handsome Trey Songz. Mariah Carey also revealed it was her choice to feature the handsome singer in the video instead of a previously picked model, during an interview with Power 105.1 FM. "What happened was there was a model. I guess people would find him handsome. Once Jermaine and I had finished the remix I said, ‘Trey Songz needs to be the star of this video.’ He’s just amazing!" she said. Trey Songz who also took part in the vocals of the song had this to say; "I’m happy to be on the record. I’m very much happy to share any musical space with you. A living icon; to be involved in your latest is such a blessing." Check out video below;

 Mariah Carey has released the video for her new single, “You’re Mine (Eternal)”, and just in time for the valentines celebration.
The video which was produced by her new manager, Jermain Dupri, shows the singer topless and covered in sparkly gold glitters while singing about a love of her life she can't get out of her head; the love her life is played by no other person than the handsome Trey Songz.

Mariah Carey also revealed it was her choice to feature the handsome singer in the video instead of a previously picked model, during an interview with Power 105.1 FM.
"What happened was there was a model. I guess people would find him handsome. Once Jermaine and I had finished the remix I said, ‘Trey Songz needs to be the star of this video.’ He’s just amazing!" she said.
Trey Songz who also took part in the vocals of the song had this to say;
"I’m happy to be on the record. I’m very much happy to share any musical space with you. A living icon; to be involved in your latest is such a blessing."
Check out video by following this linkhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=toOlPqXW75A&feature=player_embedded;

PHOTOS: Yvonne Nelson Says She Is Single And A Virgin + Gorgeous New Photos

Popular Ghanian actress, Yvonne Nelson, is always on the spotlight entertaining her audiences both on and off screen.
The Diva always gives something to talk about, either with her great acting, posting pictures of herself or talking about personal stuffs.
Anyway, this time, she has given two topics at a go.
Her post on valentines day shows her rocking a lovely outfit which a lot of people would love, and some others would say a 'nay' too; either way, she is looking fabulous in it.
It however goes with a little caption that seems to be catching more attention than the stunning picture, she says she is a 'secondary virgin'. It's up to you to think what you want about it though.
Check out photos and caption below;

I Am Attracted To Nigerian Men - American Actress Kenya Moore Confesses

 Real Housewives of Atlanta star Kenya Moore confessed to OK! Magazine: “Nigerian men are very successful, and confident and those are the type of men I am attracted to”.
There is transparent proof that she's dating a Nigerian. Apart from hosting D’banj‘s DKM Live in Concert show last year, Kenya has been spotted a few times in Nigeria, presumably to visit her man.
Moreover, in December 2013, Kenya sat down with Wendy Williams on The Wendy Williams Show to dish about her love life.
When Wendy mistakes her secret beau for one of Folorunsho Alakija‘s sons, she corrected her and said she isn’t dating any of the Alakija blood, nor a prince but calls him “My African Prince”.
The American start also told Wendy that he runs a multi-million dollar company plus he is young because she “needs someone with a strong back”.

UNBELIEVABLE: Guess Which US Celeb "Hired" D'Banj To Be Her Boyfriend?

According to MediaTakeOut, former Miss USA and Real Housewives of Atlanta star Kenya Moore, who claims she's dating an Africa prince and was in Lagos for Valentine, has hired D'banj to be her boyfriend in the reality reunion show.
Find MTO report below:
MediaTakeOut.com just received some extra steaming hot tea surrounding Kenya, and the upcoming Real Housewives reality show.
We spoke exclusively to a Bravo insider that told us that Bravo has just set up taping for the reunion everyone is scheduled to attend, each lady and their husband. And we're told that while Porsha does not have a guest/husband, Kenya Moores will be bringing a guest.
Word is she wants to help secure her spot for another season so she has in fact hired an African prince.
According to another person close to Kenya, she has contracted to bring in Nigerian singer D'Banj to the reunion. And by "contracted" we mean a business deal... she has hired him to pretend to be her boyfriend.
D'Banj is a popular singer in Nigeria, and he and Kenya have done appearances together before - but they are not in any kind of relationship... and he did not buy her any type of car.
According to our sources, Kenya promised D'Banj $40K, plus promotion, to LIE on TV and pretend to be her boyfriend. She even arranged it all through D'Banj's BOOKING AGENT... they got PAPERWORK and everything.

BAFTA: Nigerian-Born Chiwetel Ejiofor Beats Tom Hanks, Leonardo DiCaprio, Others And Wins Best Actor Award (+ PHOTO)

BAFTA 2014 best actor award went to the 36-year old British actor Chiwetel Ejiofor, who demonstrated outstanding acting in Steve McQueen's slavery drama 12 Years a Slave.
He went on to beat such movie gurus as Tom Hanks, Leonardo DiCaprio, Christian Bale and Bruce Dern.
Ejiofor has already earned the reputation of "one of the greatest actors in his generation", having received numerous awards, including the BAFTA Orange Rising Star Award in 2006, 5 Golden Globe Award nominations and the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor. Moreover, he was presented with an OBE by Queen Elizabeth II for services to the arts.

PHOTO: Tiwa Savage And Kelly Rowland Look Like TWINS As They Pose Together!

 American soul singer Kelly Rowland, who was in Lagos over the weekend for Dare Art Alade's Love Like a Movie Concert was pictured with famous Nigerian singer Tiwa Savage.
Despite some technical issues, the concert was fabulous, and Kelly's fans were excited and thrilled with her performance.
During the show Kelly and Tiwa posed together, and the two gorgeous ladies seem to share similar facial features.
What do you think?

19-Year-Old And Husband Kill Man To "Do Something Together", Now She Claims To Have Murdered At Least 22 More

 Police are investigating after Miranda Barbour, accused with her husband of killing a man they met through the Craigslist website, admits to the crime in a newspaper interview and claims she has killed at least 22 more.
In an interview with The Daily Item in Sunbury, 19-year-old Miranda Barbour said she wants to plead guilty to killing Troy LaFerrara in November. She also said in the interview she has killed at least 22 others from Alaska to North Carolina in the last six years as part of her involvement in a satanic cult.
"I feel it is time to get all of this out. I don't care if people believe me. I just want to get it out," Mrs Barbour told the newspaper for a story published Saturday night. Sunbury Police Chief Steve Mazzeo told the newspaper that investigators were aware of Mrs Barbour's claims of involvement in other murders.
He said they are "seriously concerned" and have contacted police in other jurisdictions. In a statement issued on Sunday, the FBI's Philadelphia division said it had been in contact with Sunbury police and "will offer any assistance requested in the case."
Mrs Barbour's lawyer did not immediately return messages from The Associated Press left at his office Sunday. Attorneys for Barbour and her husband, 22-year-old Elytte Barbour, have both sought psychiatric evaluations for their clients.
Mrs Barbour said in the jailhouse interview that she wanted to plead guilty at her arraignment, but that Greco pleaded not guilty for her. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for both defendants in Mr LaFerrara's killing.
Mrs Barbour, a petite woman with long brown hair, told investigators she met the 6-foot-2, 278-pound victim after he responded to her Craigslist ad offering companionship for money.
Mr Barbour told investigators they committed the crime because they wanted to kill someone together, according to court papers.
The couple, who were married in North Carolina and moved to Pennsylvania about three weeks before the crime, told police Mrs Barbour stabbed Mr LaFerrara in the front seat of her car while her husband held a cord around his neck.
Mrs Barbour said in the interview that she doesn't want to get out of jail and that she would kill again if released.
She said she had no remorse and killed only "bad people." Mrs Barbour offered little detail on the murders she claimed to have participated in, in Alaska, Texas, North Carolina and California.
She claims she joined a satanic cult in Alaska when she was 13 before moving to North Carolina.

Depressed Man Mauled by Zoo's Tiger After Offering Himself As Food In Front Of Horrified Onlookers

Chinese zoo keepers managed to save the life of a mentally disturbed man after he announced he wanted to improve the lives of caged tigers at a local zoo by offering them his own body to eat.

Yang Jinhai, 27, had posted several online messages about how optimistic he was about starting a new life after getting a job as a security guard in Chengdu in southwest China's Sichuan province.
But he quickly found the job boring and monotonous and moved instead to a job in a printing factory where he also then resigned, saying that he felt there was more to life.

Troubled: Mr Jinhai had apparently been depressed and wanted to sacrifice himself to the tigers
After going to the local zoo he wrote how depressing it was to see the ‘noble and magnificent tigers’ living in such humble surroundings, where they were caged and unable to follow their natural instincts to hunt and kill.

Horrified witnesses watch a man being dragged around by a Bengal tiger at Chengdu Zoo in China
He then announced that he had decided to sacrifice himself in order to provide the Bengal tigers with support.
Eyewitness Feng Lin said: "He climbed up the outside of the cage and jumped inside expecting, I assume, that the tigers would pounce on him.
Instead the two tigers, a male and a female, seemed more nervous than anything else and the 



Rescued: The tiger eventually let Mr Jinhai go and zoo keepers led him to safety
"He then tried to antagonise the tigers by pulling faces at them. Eventually he was attacked by the male where he was cut after being scratched and bitten before he could be rescued by zoo keepers who fired a tranquilliser dart at the male tiger."
They then pulled the man out of the cage. Yang's family told local media Mr Jinhai had been depressed for a long time and said that he had been taken to a home where he was given psychiatric counselling to cope with his problems.

Meet Young Bearded Woman Who Feels More Feminine and Sexy With Her Beard

A 23-year-old woman with a condition causing excessive hair development has revealed that growing a beard makes her feel more feminine.

Harnaam Kaur, of Slough, Berkshire, suffers from polycystic ovary syndrome - and a beard first started to appear on her face aged just 11.
The hair quickly spread to her chest and arms, and the condition made her the victim of taunts at school and on the street.
She even received death threats from strangers over the internet. But Miss Kaur has now decided to stop cutting her hair after being baptised as a Sikh - a religion in which cutting body hair is forbidden.
She said: "I would never ever go back now and remove my facial hair because it's the way God made me and I'm happy with the way I am.
I feel more feminine, more sexy and I think I look it too. I've learned to love myself for who I am nothing can shake me now."

During her early teens, Miss Kaur was so ashamed of her beard that she waxed twice a week, and also tried bleaching and shaving.
But the hair became thicker and spread - with Miss Kaur feeling so self-conscious that she refused to leave her house.
She even began self-harming and she considered suicide. She said: "I got bullied badly - at school I was called a “beardo” and things like “shemale” and “sheman”.
I can laugh about it now, but back then it affected me so badly that I began to self-harm because it felt better than all the abuse I was getting.
I'd talk to people with a hand over my face and I wore baggy, tomboy clothes to cover up the hair on my chest and arms.
I didn't want to go outside my house because I couldn't take the stares from strangers so I'd lock myself in my room.
It got so bad that I just didn't want to live anymore."

Despite all the opposition, she took the step to bear her beard, and now embraces the thick hair on her face and chest.
But at the age of 16, everything changed for Miss Kaur when she decided to be baptised as a Sikh.
It meant she would have to let her facial hair grow out.

The decision proved controversial - especially with her family. Miss Kaur said: "My mum and dad didn't want me to do it - they didn't think I'd be able to have a normal life if I had a beard.
They worried I wouldn't be able to get married and that I'd never get a job. But I wanted to make my own decisions and live for myself - not anyone else.
I'd had enough of hiding. I'd had enough of the bullying and the self-harming and the suicidal thoughts.
I wanted to change my whole outlook on life and I thought I thought it was time to stop locking myself away - I had to do something about it."

Her parents have come to terms with her decision - and her brother Gurdeep Singh, 18, is her biggest supporter.
She said: "It was incredibly daunting going outside because people would stare more than ever. 
At first I was angry but I realised that they didn't understand and were probably too afraid to ask me so I just decided to smile back."
But Miss Kaur has struggled to get a job and even shaved off her beard at the age of 17 after pressure from members of her extended family.
She said: "I removed my beard once during a really low moment but when I'd done it all I could do was cry because I didn't feel like myself without my beard.
My brother was actually the one person who was completely shocked by what I had done - he hugged me and said I had looked so beautiful with my beard, he didn't understand why I had done it.
It was from that point that I thought I'm never going to remove it ever again."

Since then Miss Kaur has been employed at a local Sikh primary school as a teaching assistant and her confidence has soared.
She said: "I still get shop assistants calling me “sir” and strange looks from people - they see my beard first and realise I've actually got breasts too.
It must be confusing for a lot of people. The funniest reactions I get are from the children at my school.
Some ask me what my beard is and I joke it's a Halloween costume. Some even ask me where I buy it and I just say “Asda”.

I can laugh about it now - sometimes I say I'm a man and I put on a deep voice to scare other people because it's quite funny to see their reaction."
Despite often being mistaken for a man, Miss Kaur says she feels more feminine than ever - choosing girly tops over baggy, high-necked jumpers.
She said: "I'm able to go out and shop in the women's section without feeling I shouldn't be there. I wear skirts, dresses and jewellery and I like to get my nails done like every other girl."
Today Miss Kaur hopes her story will help other women find self-confidence. She has decided to share her story on YouTube - and continues to upload videos despite receiving death threats.
She said: "I've had people telling me they're going to burn me and throw a brick at me - all sorts of things like that.
But I've also had a lot of positive messages from women in the same situation as me.
I've also had loads of nice comments from men all over the world. One even asked me to marry him.
I haven't found a potential husband yet. I still get some grief from the men in my community and it does still seem to be a barrier to marriage.
But I'm young and there's still plenty of time for that. All that matters to me at the moment is that I love myself.
I love my beard and all my other little quirks - my tattoos, my scars, stretch marks and blemishes.
I want other women to find the strength that I have. If I had any message it would be to live the way you want - it's your journey and it's your life."

Boko Haram Insurgency: Army of Niger Arrests 20 Suspected Members

About 20 suspected Boko Haram terrorists from neighbouring Nigeria were arrested by the Army of Niger for allegedly masterminding attacks in the country’s south east. This has been confirmed by local security officials on February 17, 2014, Monday.

The alleged plot to strike Diffa, a Nigerien town that borders Nigeria’s Borno State, highlights the cross-border threats following a Nigerian army offensive against militants that has pushed thousands of refugees and some insurgents across the porous border into the Sahelian nation.

Gen. Seyni Garba, the Army Chief of Niger, revealed that the insurgents were preparing attacks on markets and other gathering places in retaliation for the country’s stance against extremists in the region.

Niger has become a firm ally of France and the United States of America in the fight against al Qaeda-linked groups in the Sahel.

It is a base for French and U.S surveillance drones and Niamey has also sent 650 troops to the neighbouring Mali to back a French-led campaign against Islamists there.

“The bloodbath planned by the terrorist organization to punish our country has fortunately been avoided,” Gen. Garba was quoted as saying in Monday’s edition of Niger National newspaper Le Sahel.

Gen. Garba confirmed the arrests in Diffa while visiting Nigerien troops in the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Mali. However, he did not name the exacts number of neutralised militants.

According to a source of the Reuters, about 20 Boko Haram militants, all Nigerians, were detained. The source also confirmed that this terrorist cell was planning attacks on Diffa and the surrounding areas.

39 Years-old Matteo Renzi Becomes Italy Youngest PM

 

The leader of the Centre-left Democratic Party (PD), Matteo Renzi, was on Monday appointed as the new Italian Prime Minister

Renzi, 39-year-old Mayor of Florence, was summoned by Italian President Giorgio Napolitano at Quirinale Presidential Palace in the morning and given a mandate to try to form a new cabinet, after the resignation of Enrico Letta last week.

“I accepted the mandate President Napolitano has given me with reservation, and I will put all my energy and strength in the commitment of forming a new government that could last until the natural end of the parliamentary term and implement all necessary reforms,” Renzi told reporters.
“Today I will meet with the presidents of the Senate and the House of Chambers and then I will begin talks with political parties to strike a deal on the programme,” Renzi added. “The new programme will require an urgent discussion on constitutional reforms to be carried out during February.
“Then government and parliament will be put at work on the unemployment emergency in March and on the reform of public administration and tax system between April and June,” he concluded. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Renzi is the youngest Italian prime minister ever.
Intense and swift consultations with political parties were carried out by President Napolitano on Friday and Saturday, in order to shorten the political uncertainty as much as possible. It was widely expected that Renzi would be chosen for the role, since he leads the largest party in parliament.
Renzi became prime minister after Letta resigned on Friday following a call of his own Democratic Party on Thursday for a new administration and a more incisive implementation of reforms. Letta was increasingly blamed by party for the slow pace of his cabinet in dealing with the crisis.
His younger rival Renzi said the country had an urgent need to end “uncertainty” and pull out from the economic “swamp.”

- Actor Pete Edochie

"I bought cars for all six of my children" - Actor Pete Edochie

The veteran actor said to motivate each of his six children, he bought them all cars upon graduation from the university.

"I wanted to motivate them and keep them away from peer pressure. Parents must be able to motivate their children and set target for them. The minimum target for each of them was to graduate from higher institution; their reward upon graduation is a car. And where I come from, it is important to keep one’s word; I bought the car for each of them. Yul who is over 30 (pictured above) is the last born and he got his too.” Pete Edochie tells The Nollywood Reporter

The celebrated actor who has been married for over 45 years said his marriage is about the longest in the industry and he never thought of taking a new wife.

“I married early and have remained married since then. What am I looking for a second wife for? I married a woman who gave me six children, what could I possibly be looking for in another woman that I didn’t get from this woman? There is no reason for it"

SSS, Military Rescue 3 Foreigners, Arrest 5 Kidnappers (PHOTO)

The Department of State Security Service (SSS) said it has rescued three kidnapped Indians and arrested five suspected kidnappers at Bonny Channel in Rivers State.

The SSS spokesperson, Marilyn Ogar, confirmed this in a statement on January 31, 2014, Friday.

“On 30th January 2014, this Service in collaboration with the Military rescued three Indians: Kanishik JHORAR, Mhinder Singh SAINI and Balwinder SINGH.”

“They were kidnapped on 3rd January, 2014, while on board a cargo ship, MV SAN MIGUEL belonging to Martinez Hermanos Limitada, an Equatorial Guinea Company, off the coast of Equatorial Guinea and brought to Bonny Channel, Rivers State, where they were held hostage,” the SSS revealed.

The foreign nationals were handed over to the Indian High Commission and the country of their employers (Equatorial Guinea Embassy) respectively.

SSS stated that no ransom was paid for their release.

At the same time, five members of the kidnap gang have been arrested, while the leader of the group and some other alleged kidnappers were on the run.

OMG: Kanye West May Be A Messiah, You Won't Believe Where His Face Mysteriously Appears (PHOTOS)

Several allegations appear on the web that Kanye West is the next Messiah, as his face appears in various places. Though, the rapper and the genius has not confirmed this officially, after seeing the graphic images below, you would be convinced even without his confirmation.

First time, his face mysteriously appeared in the middle of last month, inside the sack full of coffee beans. This pictures appeared on twitter and soon became viral.

 

In the development of this story, Kanye’s face was also spotted on a woman's knee (pictured below). The images were initially posted on Reddit on January 30, 2014, and have collected over 2 million views so far.

 

Looks like hoax and photoshop, but still, the idea of the joke is super funny. 

Read more: Kanye West To Pay $250k To Boy Who Insulted Him And Kim

Abiola's Wife Reveals the Platform for Her 2015 Lagos Governorship Ambition

 

One of the wives of the late Chief MKO Abiola, Mrs Modupe Onitiri-Abiola, on February 1, 2014, Saturday, gave more details on her ambition to run the 2015 governorship election in Lagos state.

She said she would do it on the ticket of ACCORD Party that she had joined ‘to assist in the eradication of poverty.’

The wife of the acclaimed winner of the annulled June 12, 1993, presidential election, made her intention public in a statement issued by her in Lagos.

“Since there is no Independent Candidacy in Nigerian Political System yet, I needed to join a political party.

“During my search for the party to join, I found out that what we have on ground is severe poverty.

“I saw that the people of Lagos are yet to truly receive the dividends of democracy they deserve.

“I have seen the suffering of those caught in the grasp of poverty. I have also seen the great potentials our state can achieve,” she said.

Late MKO Abiola’s wife said if she became successful at the polls, poverty, god-fatherism, money politics and corruption would be eliminated.

She said it was time for government at all levels to truly serve the people’s interest and raise their hopes and opportunities.

The aspirant said that she worked with her late husband in the struggle for the actualisation of the June 12 elections annulled by the military regime of former president Ibrahim Babangida in 1993.

She said she believed that ACCORD party was the new way that would lead the people to the Promised Land, where true benefits of democracy would be received.

Mrs Modupe Onitiri-Abiola urged the potential voters to stand up and accept change, adding that her party had their interests at heart.

(NAN)

YOU MUST KNOW: 5 Health Reasons To Eat More Onions

Onion is a member of the Allium family and is rich in sulfur containing compounds that are responsible for its pungent odor and for many of onion’s health promoting effects.

1. Cardiovascular benefits
There is evidence that sulfur compounds found in onion work in an anti clotting capacity and help prevent the unwanted clumping together of blood platelet cells. There is also evidence showing that onion’s sulfur compounds can lower blood levels of cholesterol and improve cell membrane function in red blood cells as well. The benefits of onion in the overall dietary context extend to prevention of heart attack.
2. Bone and connective tissue benefits
Human studies have shown that onion can help increase your bone density and may have special benefit on women ofmenopausal age who are experiencing loss of bone density. Plus, there is evidence that women who have passed the age of menopause may be able to lower their risk of hip fracture through daily eating of onions. Daily consumption of onion boosts benefits for bone density. So do not skimp on onions when you are incorporating them into your diet plan.
3. Anti-inflammatory benefits
This allium vegetable has nevertheless been shown to provide important anti inflammatory response. A unique sulfur molecule found in the bulb portion of the onion has been shown to inhibit the activity of macrophages-specific white blood cells that play a major role in your immune system and one of their defense activities is the triggering of large scale inflammatory responses. Onion’s antioxidants provide you with anti inflammatory sources.
4. Cancer protection
Onion has been shown to lower the risk of several cancers, even when you consume it in only moderate amounts. Colorectal, laryngeal and ovarian cancers are the types for which risk is reduced along with moderate amounts of dietary onion. Do not err on the side of small onion servings or infrequent onion intake if you want to obtain the full cancer related benefits of this veggie. Try to include at least one whole onion in the recipe. In terms of individual portion sizes when you sit down to eat, try to consume the equivalent of half onion.

5. Other health benefits
Onions have shown potential for improvement of blood sugar balance, help prevent bacterial infection. Some studies suggest that length of storage for onion that has been chopped but not cooked and duration of heat exposure in this case involving exposure to steam for ten minutes can affect some of onion’s health benefits. For these reasons, special care is needed in the storage, handling and cooking of this vegetable.
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