Rhianna and Chris Brown 'back together' - Why Rihanna can't let go?

LONDON - RnB stars Rihanna and Chris Brown are 'back togerther ' again according to latest reports. 

To celebrate her 24th birthday on Monday, Rihanna released  a remix to her new song “Birthday Cake” which features Chris Brown. This came as a shock to many of her fans. On the same day, Chris Brown tweeted the remix to his song “Turn Up the Music,” featuring Rihanna. What made this public show of friendship slightly uncomfortable was that three years ago, Chris Brown had been convicted of assaulting Rihanna. After pictures of Rihanna badly bruised face appeared on various websites, Chris was charged for assault and given a restraining order by the court -  he was told not to go near Rihanna till further notice. 

However, last year it was reported that Rihanna requested that the order be reduced and last year it ended. Soon after that, the two began following each other on Twitter. Now rumours bound that the two are secretly seeing each other again and have been for some time.

And there is sound evidence that their relationship has been rekindled. Rihanna and Chris Brown have recently come together to record two new songs and this has sparked rumours that the pair have been spending time together and that their relationship has once again turned romantic.

The lyrics of their new songs are clearly explicit. Apart from collaborating with Brown on a remix of his new single 'Turn Up The Music' which has family friendly lyrics, the pair have also come together for an X-rated remix of her song Birthday Cake - which includes a lewd cameo from Brown.
 
On the first line of the song Brown raps: 'Girl I wanna f*** you right now. Been a long time, I've been missing your body.
'Let me turn the lights down, when I go down it's a private party, ooh, it's not even her birthday but I wanna lick the icing off.
'Give it to her in the worst way. Can't wait to blow her candles out.'
Rihanna also repeats the refrain: 'It's not even my birthday, but you wanna put your name on it, oh baby I like it, it's so exciting, don't try to hide it, I'm gonna make you my b****.

To highlight the level of their intimacy, Chris tweeted happy birthday wishes to Rihanna using her birth name - ROBYN.
She took the reconciliation to the next level by tweeting out a version of his single Turn Up The Music that features her own vocals in the background.

And it is not the first time that Rihanna has reunited with Chris Brown. In an interview with ABC’s Diane Sawyer, Rihanna revealed why she went back to him after the assault incident in February 2009. “It’s completely normal to go back. It’s not right. I learned the hard way, but again, this is what I want people to know,” she said. “When I realized that my selfish decision for love could result in some young girl getting killed, I could not be easy with that part. I couldn’t be held responsible for going back.”
And it’s not that I think Chris Brown is the devil or anything, but he was wrong and more plainly horrifically abusive."

Just one week ago, Chris snuck into her birthday party in Los Angeles and the two were seen talking and dancing.
Chirs Brown is said to be in relatioship with model Karrueche Tran, and the model has told reporters that she is not concerned about Brown's rekindled relationship with Rihanna.

Most of Rihanna's close frieds are really concerned over her reconnection with Brown and recently she was seen in London looking decidedly down cast. Friends say Rihanna is still head over heels for Chris. Similarly it's claimed Chris - who is in a relationship with Karrueche Tran  - also has extremely strong feelings for Rihanna.


But both Rihanna and Chris' friends are trying to stop the two getting back together - they believe it is a terrible idea both personally and professionally and they are doing everything to prevent a possible reunion. But the battle to stop love between these two adults is not going to be an easy one.

Why Rihanna can't let go of her relationship with Chris?
These two have tried reconciling twice. In 2009 when Rihanna got back with Chris, the public backlash was so great that she had to let go and apologise to her fans. This time, the wounds have healed and she has obviously forgotten the pain. All she can remember now are the good times they both had together - until she gets hit again and the memories of the pain come flooding back, she will remain in her bubble. 

Last time she had a lucky escape, her injuries were superficial. If Chris assaults her again, she may have to deal with more serious injuries like a blind eye, ugly knife scars, lost teeth, an operation and so on. 
Once there is violence in a relationship, it is often difficult for the abusive partner to change that behaviour. 
Rihanna should realise that she is not to blame for Brown's violence, no one should feel guilty that violence was inflicted on them for a reason. It is never the victim's fault - it is the abuser's lack of self-control. NO ONE DESERVES TO BE ABUSED!

Though anger management programmes and counselling can be effective, success rates are very low. For as long as Rihanna thinks about Chris and the good times, she would always want to go back to him. Rihanna needs to move and stop being stuck in the past. Pleasure and pain don't go hand in hand as she sang with Enimen last year. But who can stop LOVE?

President Goodluck Jonathan in London for 'Somalia anti-terrorism meeting'

LONDON - Nigeria's President Goodluck Jonathan was one of the dignitaties invited to the Thursday meeting on Somali in London. Worrisome activities of the Islamic fundamentalist, Boko Haram across some states in the northern part of the country was said to have influenced President Goodluck Jonathan's participation in the just concluded International Conference on Somalia.

 

President Jonathan was on a two-day working visit to United Kingdom from Wednesday, 22nd February to Thursday 23rd February, 2012 and attended the conference which was put together by the British Government to find peace and stability to the war-torn African country.

According to a statement, Nigeria High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Dr. Dalhatu Sarki Tafida, said the president's participation was purely on a security point of view, especially when there are suspicions of links between the Boko Haram and Al-Shabab and similar terrorists organisations in the Maghreb-Sahelian region.

Jonathan was accompanied on this maiden visit to the UK as President by the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru, the National Security Adviser, General Andrew Azazi and other top government officials.

The international meeting took place to seek to resolve the political crisis in Somalia. However,  the local media in this East African nation has been awash with scepticism, referring to the efforts as a new system of re-colonising the country.

The country has been without an effective government since 1991. The meeting, hosted by British Prime Minister David Cameron amid tight security, had representatives from global organsiations and over 50 governments, including  U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Britain also invited representatives of Somalia's Transitional Federal Government (TFG), as well as the presidents of the breakaway Somaliland, Puntland, and Galmudug, and the non-militant Islamist group Ahlu Sunnah Waljama'a (ASWJ).

But one of the country's most influential political leaders and future presidential candidate, Omar Abdirahman Mohamed has said that Britain wanted Somalia to have a "weak administration".

"The U.K. doesn't want Somalia to have its military reformed and it was the sole superpower that negated the lifting of the arms embargo on Somalia. This shows that the U.K. government is totally against the formation of a stable government and powerful military in Somalia," said Mohamed, who heads the Mogadishu-based Midnimo Political Party.

In 2008 U.K. law implemented various statutory instruments to enforce the arms embargo on Somalia. The embargo was first implemented on the country by the United Nations in 1992 after civil war broke out. It was partially lifted in 2007 to allow the importation of arms by the African Union Mission in Somalia.

"All Somalis are carefully watching the London conference and its outcome. Let the conference not be a conspiracy against the sovereignty of Somalia," Mohamed said.

An alleged "leaked" communiqué, apparently written for release after the talks, had been circulating here, fuelling speculation in this East African nation about the negative outcome of these talks.

One controversial point on the document, which is available online, refers to allegedly passing on the functions of government to a caretaker authority until the constitutional discussions are concluded. However, the point further explained that the country's constitution must be endorsed through a referendum or elected parliament.

The radio station Voice of the Peace said in its editorials that the U.K. was not looking for a lasting solution for Somalia.

Most newspapers including Kulmiye News and Xog-ogaal highlighted stories of locals who were concerned over Somalia becoming a colony once more.

One well-known elder, Ahmed Diriye, told local Radio Daljir earlier today that he did not believe that the London conference would have positive results for Somalia. "We know that Kenya (does not have a) powerful military and that was (because of the) U.K., and I am afraid that it wants Somalia to have only a police force," Diriye said.

The country's President Sheik Sharif Sheik Ahmed denied this saying media reports were "rumours and baseless propaganda" intended to mislead the views of Somalis. Appearing on Channel 4 he said,  "There is no cause for concern over the sovereignty of the country. I can assure the Somali people that the London conference focused on the interest of Somalia and how the world community would help the country out of its long-existing hardships."

 

At the start of the conference, President Sheikh Sharif Ahmed, leader of the transitional government, said Somalis wanted to shake off "horrendous memories of the past", but feared the gathering might be just another diplomatic talking shop.

World leaders have pledged to boost support for measures to fight piracy, terrorism and political instability in Somalia, after a meeting in London.

In a final communique, the 55 countries and organisations gathered in London said they would:

• back the handover of power from the transitional government to an inclusive administration by August
• provide more support for African Union peacekeepers
• better co-ordinate humanitarian aid, shifting focus to long-term needs
• crack down on piracy by expanding on agreements to bring suspects to trial in countries away from Somalia

Various sources

David Cameron's back to work champion - Emma Harrison quits amid fraud allegations

LONDON - A4e a training company funded by the government  is at the centre of a police investigation and could be investigated by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) following the arrest of four of its former employees on suspicion of fraud.

The SFO also revealed that a former A4e subcontractor is being investigated in a separate police investigation and that the company has been at the heart of five serious investigations into financial irregularity since 2005.

It later emerged that the company, which is paid by the Government to find people paid jobs, forced unemployed clients to work for nothing in their own offices or face having their benefits stripped, it has emerged..

Now Mrs Harrison, 48, has told the Prime Minister that she intends to resign from her Government role.

She said: "I have asked to step aside from my voluntary role as Family Champion as I do not want the current media environment to distract from the very important work with troubled families.

A4e is paid by the Government to help the long term unemployed find jobs. The company receives payment for each person it finds a job for and employees were apparently paid a bonus each time they placed someone in work. However both payments are only made after someone has been employed for 13 weeks.
A4e say the police investigation centres solely on four former employees who are alleged to have falsely claimed people jobseekers had been placed in work.

But police sources say that the investigation goes wider than the four arrested people and is looking at the “wider practices” of the company. Officers have now spoken to a fifth employee about the allegations, but did not arrest the woman.
The police investigation is being overseen by Thames Valley Police, but Fiona Mactaggart MP has written to the SFO asking for an inquiry.

Sources said that the SFO’s resources would mean they would be well placed to take over the Thames Valley investigation.

Lagos stands still as Chief Odumegwu Ojukwu is laid-in-state

LAGOS –  Large crowds including important dignitaries have gathered for Ikemba Nnewi, Chief Odumegwu Ojukwu's  lying-in-state at the Tafawa Balewa Square in Lagos, Nigeria on Thursday. Within hours the whole of the city was literally shut down as people scambled towards the square.

Traffic in almost the entire metropolis came to a near stand-still. The heavy traffic was recorded at the Funsho Williams Avenue in Lagos Island and Apapa route.Witnesses observed that the routes were completely blocked.

The body of Odumegwu Ojukwu, a former presidential candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) would later be laid in state in various cities in the eastern parts of Nigeria as burial rites continue.

The story of the longest kidney transplant chain ever created

Look at hthese faces carefully. Each one of them has only one kidney. They have generously given their other kidney away. I read this story and it blew my mind! This is the most inspiring story I have ever come across. It is a must read...How do you give away a healthy part of your body – an organ, a kidney?  After reading the New York Times story of Chain 124, "the longest chain of kidney transplants ever constructed, linking 30 people who were willing to give up an organ with 30 who might have died without one,” I realised that this indeed is a small world. Although, the world seems big and we feel so far away from each other, we are or could all be connected in many ways. Isn’t that amazing?  

How the chain began

The chain began with Rick Ruzzamenti, who decided rather impulsively that he wanted to donate his kidney to someone in need. As the article reports, the donation chain's "momentum was then fueled by a mix of selflessness and self-interest among donors who gave a kidney to a stranger after learning they could not donate to a loved one because of incompatible blood types or antibodies. Their loved ones, in turn, were offered compatible kidneys as part of the exchange."

In other words, a wife who wanted to donate a kidney to her husband but couldn't because they were incompatible for whatever reason, donated a kidney to someone, and in return, her husband eventually would get a compatible kidney from someone else.

Jos University leads in breakthrough of malaria treatment

NIGERIA - The University of Jos yesterday announced a breakthrough in the treatment of malaria when it confirmed the viability of Artemisia annua, a plant used in the prevention and treatment of malaria in Plateau State.

The university’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Hayward Mafuayi, who made the announcement at a press conference in Jos, said the plant, also known as Sweet wormwood, is an active ingredient in the anti-malarial combination therapy that is widely used to treat malaria.

He said the study conducted by the university successfully tested and confirmed the growing of Artemisia annua for research and production which until recently, was only known to have been grown in China, India, East Africa and the Island of Madagascar.

Mafuayi explained that the institution through its Centre for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering have harvested “283 kg of dry Artemisia annua leaves and 48 kg of Artemisia annua seeds which have already been tested at the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), Abuja, and have confirmed that the Artemisinin content of the leaves contains 4.8% of Artesinin weight.

“The percentage is much higher than most strains of the plant grown in other parts of the world which have been used for Artemisin combination Therapy,” he said.

He thanked the Federal Ministry of Education and the World Bank for funding STEP-B initiative for commercial cultivation of the plant which he said gulped  $198,000 and urged pharmaceutical companies and other interested clients to partner with the university in the continued cultivation and research on plant.

Sweet Wormwood was widely used by Chinese herbalists in ancient times to treat fever, but had fallen out of common use, but was rediscovered in 1970's when the Chinese Handbook of Prescriptions for Emergency Treatments (340 AD) was found. This pharmacopeia contained recipes for a tea from dried leaves, prescribed for fevers (not specifically malaria).

Have you found a particular herb effective? Tell us what it is ad how it is prepared?

The West finally speaks out aganist the war in Syria

SYRIA - After the death of two European war journalists, the United Kingdom, the United Nations and the US have finally spoken out against the war in Syria. 

The UN estimates that 5,400 people have been killed in repression by the Assad regime against a popular uprising that began 11 months ago. That figure was given in January and has not been updated. Syrian activists put the death toll at more than 7,300. Around 15,000 people who opposed King Assad are being held in prisons across Syria. 

The deaths of Colvin and photographer Remi Ochlik were two of 74 reported Wednesday in Syria. Witnesses watched tens of people including babies and children been hit by shrapnel.

The two journalists were among a group who had crossed into Syria and were sharing accommodations with activists, raising speculation that government forces targeted the makeshift media center, although opposition groups had previously described the shelling as indiscriminate. At least two other Western journalists were wounded.  

The Syrian military appears to be stepping up assaults to block the opposition from gaining further ground and political credibility with the West and Arab allies. On Wednesday, helicopter gunships reportedly strafed mountain villages that shelter the rebel Free Syrian Army, and soldiers staged door-to-door raids in Damascus, among other attacks.

The bloodshed and crackdowns brought some of the most galvanizing calls for the end of Assad's rule. 

"That's enough now. The regime must go," said French President Nicolas Sarkozy after his government confirmed the deaths of Colvin, 56, and Ochlik, 28.

The US and other countries have begun to cautiously examine possible military aid to the rebels. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton heads to Tunisia for a meeting Friday of more than 70 nations to look at ways to assist Assad's opponents, which now include hundreds of defected military officers and soldiers.

"This tragic incident is another example of the shameless brutality of the Assad regime," US State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said of the killing of the journalists. 

In Saudi Arabia, Moscow, Russia stand in this conflict is crucial and the latest development has brought small but potentially significant shifts in US strategies. It remains unclear, however, what kind of direct assistance the US would be willing to provide.

The toppling of Assad also could mark a major blow to Iran, which depends on Damascus as its main Arab ally and a pathway to aid Iran's proxy Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Military actions could contribute to the further militarization of Syria and that could take the country down a dangerous path, White House press secretary Jay Carney has said.

The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists condemned the killings of the journalists, calling them an "unacceptable escalation in the price that local and international journalists are being forced to pay" in Syria.

A statement by Information Minister Adnan Mahmoud said there was "no information" about Colvin, Ochlik and other foreign journalists in Syria who entered without official permission, the state-run news agency SANA reported. It warned all foreign journalists to come forward to "regularize their status." 

In London, British diplomats summoned Syria's ambassador to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, asking Syrian officials to facilitate immediate arrangements for the repatriation of the journalists' bodies and for help with the medical treatment of the British journalist injured in the attack.

Whitney Houston is laid to rest, Bobby Brown asked to leave - How it all happened

Whitney Houston 1963 - 2010

Houston who was found dead in her room last week was flown to New Jersey

Arrival in Newark NJ

On her way to the Church

A picture of the star on the window of her hearse

Mounted police officers in the procession

The home going

Around the church where Houston started singing aged 11

The Reverend Jesse Jackson arrives

More guests arrive to the invitation only funeral

Security was tight

A fan holds up a tribute

Parazzi

A procession of officers

A tribute of balloons, portraits and cards

Another fan feels the loss

The Baptist church where it all took place

Bobbi Brown, Houston's only daughter arrives

Singer, mama Ciccy Houston arrives ahead of guests

RIP Houston

Bobby Brown arrives with nine guests

Bobby Brown looking disraught after he was turned away

Bobby Brown leaves

Brown gets into his car and leaves

A fan scribbles a tribute on a large poster of Houston

The service book for Houston (A Child of God)

The church choir were all dressed in white and gold

Housten 1963 - 2012

Houston takes a bow

With Bobbi in 2011

Houston aged 5

 A weepy Alecia Keys sings

Stevie Wonder sang a new song he made for Houston

Kevin Cosner tried his best to hold back the tears



Tyler Perry giving a speech



Donni McClarken sings at the funeral

Houston laid to rest next to her father in Newark

Dionne Warwich, Houston's cousin was the MC at the funeral

Clive Davies had many good things to say about Houston

The funeral service

Dionne Warwich

 Home Going of Whitney Elizabeth Houston

Last journey

RIP

The streets were packed with military officers and crowds from the town

The gold colour chosen for the funeral symbolized the golden child  - Whitney Houston

A fan waits to show her gratitude

Dignity in life and in death

Sleep well

 NEWARK, N.J. – Whitney Houston was finally laid to rest Saturday after a four-hour invitation-only funeral service for family and friends at the New Hope Baptist Church.


Many famous stars attended including the actor Kevin Costner, filmmaker Tyler Perry, music producer Clive Davis and musicians Stevie Wonder. Alicia Keys and the Winans gathered to pay their respects to Whitney Houston in her hometown of Newark, N.J.

More than 1,500 packed the New Hope Baptist Church for the service that celebrated Houston's life and career. Houston’s cousin Houston's cousin Dionne Warwick presided over the service, introducing speakers and singers and offering short comments about Houston between them. Donnie McClurkin was the first singer to pay tributes to Houston followed by Tyler Perry.

Next on stage were Stevie Wonder, Alicia Keys, BeBe Winans, CeCe Winans, Reverend Winans and his other children who all sang together. Bishop TD Jakes was also there to give an inspiring eulogy. Aretha Franklin, Houston’s god mother who was too ill to attend sent a message expressing her love for Whitney but was too ill to attend.

Most of the stars talked about how uncertain of Houston washerself, her looks and her talent. Costner remembered his co-star in "The Bodygiard" as a movie star who was unsure of her own fame, who "still wondered, 'am I good enough? Am I pretty enough? Will they like me?' "

"It was the burden that made her great and the part that caused her to stumble in the end," Costner said.

Before the funeral, mourners at the New Hope Baptist Church fell quiet as three police officers escorted Houston's silver casket, draped with white roses and purple lilies. White-robed choir members began to fill the pews on the podium. As the band played softly, the choir sang in a hushed voice, "Whitney, Whitney, Whitney."

"We are here today, hearts broken but yet with God's strength we celebrate the life of Whitney Houston," Rev. Joe A. Carter told the packed church after the choir behind him sang "The Lord is My Shepherd." "Whitney, you are the only woman that could bring all of us together. Whitney, today is your day."

Houston's mother, Cissy Houston and Houston's daughter, 18-year-old Bobbi Kristina, clutched each other in the front of the row surrounded by extended family.

Ray J., Houston’s friend who spent time with her during her last days, broke down crying. His sister, singer Brandy, put her arm around him.

Oprah Winfrey, Jennifer Hudson, Robert Flack, Chaka Khan, Rev. Jesse Jackson, actor Lela Rochon, Monica and Jordin Sparks were among the guests at the funeral.

Before her performance, Alicia Keys, wiping tears, called Houston a "beautiful human being," adding, "She's an angel to us. She's been an angel to us."

Houston's producer and longtime mentor Clive Davis then took the podium, saying, "She never took anything for granted ... She was always appreciative."

"Personally all I can say is that I loved her very much," Davis said, calling her "one of a kind." "You wait for a voice like that for a lifetime," he added.

Davis also acknowledged her public battles, adding, "But when I needed her, she was there."

The music mogul talked about meeting with Houston shortly before she died. During that encounter, Houston said, "I'm committed to getting in shape ...I'm sing for two to three hours daily Clive, I'll be ready by August" [when the movie "Sparkle" hits theaters.]

Prior to his performance, Stevie Wonder told the crowd he wanted to praise God "for just allowing me to be alive the same time as Whitney."

He reworked his song, "Ribbon in the Sky," as a dedication for Houston, changing the lyrics from "a ribbon in the sky for our love" to "an angel from God's choir of love."

More music filled the church when R. Kelly, joined by a choir, sang "I Look to You." He was followed by gospel singer and good family friend CeCe Winans, who sang a soulful rendition of "Don't Cry for Me."

Houston's sister gave an emotional speech about the mate and friend and several times had to be consoled by an uncle as she sobbed.

Her body guard of 11 years talked about the bond he had with Houston, "It was more than been just a boss, she was my friend, she was caring and she new all my grandchildren by name..."

Gospel singer and pastor Marvin Winans spoke about faith and priority during his eulogy. He also commended New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie's choice to fly flags at half-staff on Saturday.

A program featuring a picture of Houston looking skyward read "Celebrating the life of Whitney Elizabeth Houston, a child of God." Pictures of Houston as a baby, with her mother, gospel singer Cissy Houston, and daughter, Bobbi Kristina, filled the program.


Her mother Ciccy Houston wrote, "I never told you that when you were born, the Holy Spirit told me that you would not be with me long," Cissy Houston wrote her daughter in a letter published in the program. "And I thank God for the beautiful flower he allowed me to raise and cherish for 48 years."

"Rest, my baby girl, in peace," the letter ends, signed "mommie."


And a fitting ending to the nearly four-hour-long funeral: Houston's recording of "I Will Always Love You" played while guests left and Houston's casket was removed from the church. Her mother's sobs could be heard throughout the church, and Houston's daughter was crying, too.

Houston's mother was helped by two people on either side of her as she walked in and sat with her granddaughter and other family. Houston's ex-husband, Bobby Brown, briefly appeared at her funeral, walking to the casket, touching it and walking out.