Passenger Jet Carrying 116 Vanishes From Radar

Sky News has reported that a plane carrying 110 passengers and six crew disappears while flying from Burkina Faso to Algeria in West Africa.

A passenger plane has disappeared from radar while flying from the West African country of Burkina Faso.

The jet carrying 110 passengers and six crew was flying from Burkina Faso's capital

Top African achievers celebrated in Italy

African heros were given achievement awards in Italy. The ceremony was organised by Divino Event Organization and headed by Freda Coope Ambassadors, local authorities, religious leaders, community leaders, entrepreneurs, academics, artists and many more

Kenyan Mall terrorists were from UK, Finland, Kenya, Somalia, Canada and America

Shoppers run out of the mall. Photo: |AFP

Nairobi, KENYA - The group which carried out the massacre at the Nairobi mall in Kenya are mostly from Europe and America according to tweets on the Al-Shabab twitter account and as reported by Australian news website theaustralian.com/au. The tweets claim that Samantha Lewthwaite, the 'white widow' of London 7/7 bomber Jermaine Lindsay, was 'in their ranks' and a 'brave lady' - the British mother-of-four was also claimed to be one of the main financiers and bomb-making tutors for Al Shabaab in Kenya.

During the massacre on Saturday morning, the gunmen ordered all Muslims to leave before carrying out rudimentary tests to see if hostages could recite the Koran and name the mother of the Prophet Mohammed.

Terrified shoppers fled and hid in storerooms, restaurants and a cinema, with the wounded being carried out in shopping trolleys.

Shoppers who were able to prove they were Muslim were among the 1,000 who escaped unharmed, while those who failed were shot for being 'kafir', a derogatory term for non-Muslims. One man, who hid in a box of cartons, said: 'If they had found me ... I'm white and so I'm dead. They hate your skin colour.'

Shocking scene from outside the mall. Photo:AFP

The secret formula: How African countries can combat terrorism

Kenyan soldiers. Photo: Forward.com

On Saturday morning I switched on my TV to see pictures of the horrible massacre as it happened in the Nairobi shopping mall in Kenya. Today, 62 people are dead and over 200 injured.
What is this world turning into? Today, no where is safe. It is risky to walk on the streets anywhere in the world. Acts of terror are now becoming so common place that it is quite sad. Why do people have to kill others in the name of religion? Why would anyone kill innocent people in cold blood? In 2013, one would have thought that such atrocities would have been long forgotten. 
Several countries including Nigeria have fallen prey to modern style 'Jihads' by Islamic sects such as Boko Haram and failed to contain these attacks. After three days of a stand off in Kenyan, the army is still not closer to ending this awful event.

So, is Africa fully equipped to combat this new wave of terrorist attacks?
Looking at video footage from Kenyan, the nation's soldiers look under dressed  - wearing camouflaged uniforms but without head protection or bullet-proof jackets, some even using hand guns.
Arms look outdated and not one military aircraft has been seen around the site of the Kenyan attack.

How can African countries fight terrorism?
Fighting terrorism successfully means that people will be safe to move around, to walk the streets, to go shopping, to sleep in their homes, to travel around the world in safety.  Without security, economic activities can not develop, poverty escalates and people even move away.

Next steps
In order to conquer terrorism, African countries need to revise their national and international policies,  focus on the needs of their people and secure the country with highly trained security force and modernized technological gadgets - fingerprinting and photo-recognition. Countries should stop meddling in each others matters and focus on their own growth and peace. African leaders must realise that Africa is made up of thousands of different people with different cultures. They should understand that the artificial borders created by the Europeans during the colonisation era, has forcibly put different peoples together - people with different cultures, agendas and ideologies. What Africans need to do now is to learn to live together peacefully and respecting each others differences.

Peace
For peace to prevail in Africa today, people should begin to love and tolerant each other.


Keeping safe:

• be aware
• look around 
• walk away when you see suspicious activity
• pray

Burkina Faso to face Nigeria in Sunday's African Cup of Nations FINALS

Nigerian Team

With numerous injuries sustained by Ghanaians throughout the match, the game was quite rough. By full time Burkina Faso and Ghana and Burkina Faso had a 1 -1 draw. However, after 30 minutes extra time and a penalty shoot out, Burkina Faso won 3-2.

READ iSHINE MAGAZINE JANUARY edition here - featuring Anthony Williams, Lorraine Latin, Dare Olagoke-Adaramoye and lots more

 

 

OUT NOW!!!!! Read it quickly - You mustn't miss this one. Our January edition is packed full of fabulous interviews, fashion inspiration, personal development and business advice, it's free to download. Now get ready to sit tight, feel cozy and extract a LOT of happiness from this fantastic edition...OUT TODAY!

READ JANUARY iSHINE MAGAZINE here
 
To SHARE on Twitter, Facebook or by Yahoo, Gmail , Hotmail - copy and paste this LINK : http://bit.ly/SaTEND into your account.
 
We hope you truly enjoy this edition as we have put so much hard work into it. Have you ever heard the popular saying, 'One good turn deserves another?' So, please, to help us spread the word around SHARE iShine Magazine before you leave this page.
 
READ JANUARY iSHINE MAGAZINE here

Much Love and Many Thanks!
Morin Okenla

 
Morin Okenla is the editor of iShine Magazine, the exciting small business and lifestyle magazine for black and African people showcasing achievers across the globe. iShine Magazine publishes feature stories on small business tips and advice, career, personal development, high achievers across Africa and in Diaspora, exclusive interviews with leaders, entrepreneurs, musicians, artists, designers, charities, celebrities, outstanding young people and anything interesting. We have exciting lifestyle articles on fashion, beauty, health, music, food, art & culture, education, relationships and events covering UK, Ireland, USA, Canada, Australia, Europe, Nigeria and the rest of Africa.
 
She is also a small business expert, an artist, event organiser, public speaker and writer of numerous small business, family and religios articles. You can follow her on Twitter HERE

Check out Africa's Prettiest - Miss Integration Pageant is here again!

Oredola Adeola Crown, the CEO of E-Zone Africa talks about his upcoming event,  the Miss Integration Beauty Pageant coming up on Thursday 22 November, 2012 please read on...and see all the contestants below!

What is Miss Integration about?

Miss Integration is an event put together by Mr Bonny Botoku, the Executive director of Multiple Vision Services Ltd, MD Francophone and Z-Mirage Multimedia. He is also the interpreter between Republic of Benin and Nigeria on peace and security within the borderline communities.

What is the purpose of the event?

The idea came up some years ago when there were disputes between the Nigeria and Benin at the border. In one of the peace meetings held, the idea of a unique brand that would further deepen peaceful co-existence came-up – the idea of a beauty pageant called the ‘Miss Integration’, the first edition tagged: ''War Against Child Trafficking'' came up in 2010, Idiroko, Ogun state, Nigeria.  The second edition, tagged: ‘Kick Against Malaria' took place, in Cotonou in 2011. This year’s event would once again take place in the capital of the Republic of Benin, Cotonou and tagged: 'Fight against Discrimination on Women and Children'.

The Queen when she emerges has the specific duty of initiating programmes aimed at promoting peace and integration amongst various borderline communities in Africa, using useful tools of Cultural and tradition to achieve result.

Who are the past winners what are they doing now?

2010 -  Idiroko, Ogun state, Nigeria, Miss Tobi (Nigeria)

2011 -  Cotonou, Republic of Benin, Miss Maya Nwokeji (Nigeria)

2012 -  still in process

Who are the people and organisation behind the show?

Bonny Botoku: Convener of Miss Integration.

Z-Mirage Multimedia

Multiple Vision services.

Goge African.

E-Zone Africa.

Laface entertainment.

Sica Festival

How are you involved?

E-Zone is the official print media handling all the print publicity especially on National Newspapers including PM News, The Nation, The Guardian... This year we shall be there for both print and visual as we have had a request from The Nation online and a satellite TV for our content.

As a pan African reporter what do you do?

My sojourn in the media, has given me the opportunity to cover events both within Nigeria and Outside Nigeria, as a freelance journalist, I promote and cover the following events:

*SICA Fashion Show  -  Republic of  Benin

*Miss Integration   - Republic of Benin

*Igbale Aye  -  Republic of Benin

*Yoruba Movie Academy Award  -  Nigeria

*Miss Olokun Beauty Pageant  -  Nigeria

*Ankara Music Festival  - Victoria Island, Nigeria amongst other entertainment and social news.

Where is the contest taking place?

This year's edition will be holding on 22 November 2012 in Cotonou Republic of Benin. It is supported by E-Zone Africa, LaFace Entertainment, Goge Africa, Zeebah Concept and iShine Magazine.

TO VOTE FOR YOUR CONTESTANT PLEASE CLICK  VOTE HERE NOW

For more details please contact the organisers at  - MISS INTEGRATION WEBSITE

Email - missintegration@rocketmail.com

TO ATTEND VISIT -  MISS INTEGRATION EVENT PAGE

Here's a selection of the beauties...

 

U.S. ambassador to Libya is killed in Benghazi rocket attack

BENGHAZI, Libya - Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens was among four embassy staff killed in rocket attack in Libya's capital city Benghazi. The attack took place on the Benghazi consulate and a safe house refuge when the building was bombed by Islamist gunmen

NIGERIA: Plateau state flood kills 33

PLATEAU STATE, NIGERIA - At least 33 people have been killed by heavy flooding in central Nigeria's Plateau state according to news reports from the BBC.

The floods destroyed homes and washed away roads and bridges, hampering rescue efforts.

More than 12,000 people were affected by the heavy rains in six districts, including Shendam.

Egyptian football tragedy leaves 104 people dead

PORT SAID - Egypt has begun three days of mourning for the victims of the worst soccer violence in the nation's history.



Riots began when fans invaded the pitch after a football match involving top Cairo club al-Ahly and the Port Said side al-Masry leaving 104 dead.


The people of Port Said are reeling after the spasm of violence tore through this coastal town and many are blaming the military government for failing to maintain security.

African Cup 2012: Ghana secures place in quartre finals

The African cup is getting more exciting. Asamoah Gyan scored a beautiful free-kick for the Black Stars. Unfortunately, Mali was unable to score a free-kick through Cheick Diabate.

Andre ‘Dede’ Ayew then sealed a place in the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals for Ghana with a 2-0 win over Mali in Franceville.

Inauguration of New AU Headquarters Celebrates China's Rise in Africa

President Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria with his wife

Welcome by the Ethiopians



Prime Minister of Ethiopia Meles Zenawi



Aerial view

Former President of Ghana - Jerry Rawlings

A snapshot of Africa leaders

Addis Ababa AU headquatres

 

 VOICE OF AMERICA - Africa is rising indeed. The African Renaissance has begun." Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi


The African Union has inaugurated a new headquarters with tributes to China's rise in Africa, and to the political prisoners who died in the jail that once occupied the site.


The new $200 million Chinese-built headquarters was officially opened by China's senior political adviser Jia Qinglin, standing in for Premier Hu Jintao.


In a speech to an audience of heads of state and African diplomats in the spectacular 2500-seat Grand Hall, Jia hailed the rapid growth of China-Africa relations. China's trade with African countries reached $150 billion last year, he said, a 13 fold increase in the past decade.


Others at the ceremony praised China as the model for Africa's economic growth.
Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi derided western economic prescriptions of the late 20th century as “medicine that turned out to be worse than the disease."


He singled out The Economist magazine for criticism, saying policies it advocated a decade ago had set the continent on the path to recolonization.


"The Economist, which espouses the very market fundamentalist ideas that wrecked our economies, had a banner headline in one of its issues which simply read, 'The Hopeless Continent.' Clearly, these pundits, these experts and international magazines had given up on Africa," Meles said.


The Ethiopian leader suggested that the recent rapid growth experienced by many African countries had coincided with the trend toward adoption of China's state-led economic model. He said western economists were having to reconsider their ideas in light of what he called “the African Renaissance."


"The pundits and academics who were publicly advocating for the recolonization of our continent have now refrained from doing so, at least in polite company," said Meles. "The very magazine that came up with the banner headline, 'The Hopeless Continent' a decade ago, has recently come up with a new banner headline that simply read, 'Africa Rising.' Africa is rising indeed. The African Renaissance has begun."


The ceremonies included dedication of a memorial to victims of the Red Terror campaign during the previous Ethiopian government led by Marxist dictator Mengistu Hailemariam. Prime Minister Meles noted that the new AU headquarters had been built over the site of the maximum security prison where opponents of the Mengistu regime were tortured and executed.


"People in Ethiopia used to call that infamous prison Alem Bekagn. Loosely translated it means, 'I have given up on this life.' This building, which will now house the headquarters of our continental organization, is built on the ruins of a prison that represented desperation and hopelessness."


African heads of state will convene Sunday for a two-day meeting in the new conference hall. The summit theme, "Boosting Intra-African Trade," is being overshadowed by several hotly contested elections for leadership posts.

AU Commission chairman Jean Ping's bid for a second term is being challenged by South Africa's veteran freedom fighter and former foreign minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma. The election, by a secret ballot of African heads of state, is set for Monday.

China - Africa relationship

The building in Addis is seen as a symbol of China’s new role in Africa. The African Union has inaugurated its newly built headquarters in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa. The entire $200m project was funded by China as a gift to the AU, as Beijing continues to strengthen its influence in Africa.



In front of African leaders a huge golden key was handed over and the 100m high building was officially opened. The tower overlooks a vast conference center where African heads of state are expected to meet for years to come. Their first AU summit in the building will take place on Sunday.

The AU chairman, Equatorial Guinea’s President Teodoro Obiang Nguema, said the complex was “a reflection of the new Africa,” the agency reports. The new AU building dominates the skyline of Addis Ababa and is the city’s tallest building.


Most of the materials used were imported from China and even the furnishings were paid for by Beijing, AFP news agency reports.


Construction began in January 2009 and involved 1,200 Chinese and Ethiopian workers.

Trade between China and Africa has increased more than six-fold during the past decade to $120bn in 2011. China is interested in Africa’s natural resources and in return is investing huge sums in African infrastructure.


Roads are being built by Chinese firms at a staggering rate, says the BBC’s Will Ross in Addis Ababa.

African Cup 2012 ~ Fixtures and Tables

Fixtures and tables for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations finals co-hosted by Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.

Cup Holder: Egypt

Group A

P W D L GF GA Pts

Zambia 1 1 0 0 2 1 3

Eq Guinea 1 1 0 0 1 0 3

Senegal 1 0 0 1 1 2 0

Libya 1 0 0 1 0 1 0

21/01/12: Equatorial Guinea 1-0 Libya, Bata

21/01/12: Senegal 1-2 Zambia, Bata

25/01/12: Libya v Zambia, Bata

25/01/12: Equatorial Guinea v Senegal, Bata

29/01/12: Equatorial Guinea v Zambia, Malabo

29/01/12: Libya v Senegal, Bata

Group B

P W D L GF GA Pts

Angola 1 1 0 0 2 1 3

Ivory C 1 1 0 0 1 0 3

Burkina F 1 0 0 1 1 2 0

Sudan 1 0 0 1 0 1 0

22/01/12: Ivory Coast 1-0 Sudan, Malabo

22/01/12: Burkina Faso 1-2 Angola, Malabo

26/01/12: Sudan v Angola, Malabo

26/01/12: Ivory Coast v Burkina Faso, Malabo

30/01/12: Sudan v Burkina Faso, Bata

30/01/12: Ivory Coast v Angola, Malabo

Group C

P W D L GF GA Pts

Gabon 1 1 0 0 2 0 3

Tunisia 1 1 0 0 2 1 3

Morocco 1 0 0 1 1 2 0

Niger 1 0 0 1 0 2 0

23/01/12: Gabon 2-0 Niger, Libreville

23/01/12: Morocco 1-2 Tunisia, Libreville

27/01/12: Niger v Tunisia, Libreville

27/01/12: Gabon v Morocco, Libreville

31/01/12: Gabon v Tunisia, Franceville

31/01/12: Niger v Morocco, Libreville

Group D

P W D L GF GA Pts

Ghana 1 1 0 0 1 0 3

Mali 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Guinea 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Botswana 1 0 0 1 0 1 0

24/01/12: Ghana 1-0 Botswana, Franceville

24/01/12: Mali v Guinea, Franceville

28/01/12: Botswana v Guinea, Franceville

28/01/12: Ghana v Mali, Franceville

01/02/12: Botswana v Mali, Libreville

01/02/12: Ghana v Guinea, Franceville

________________________________________

Quarter-Finals:

1. 04/02/12: 1st A v 2nd B, Bata

2. 04/02/12: 1st B v 2nd A, Malabo

3. 05/02/12: 1st C v 2nd D, Libreville

4. 05/02/12: 1st D v 2nd C, Franceville

Semi-Finals:

08/02/12: QF1 winner v QF4 winner, Bata

08/02/12: QF3 winner v QF2 winner, Libreville

3rd place play-off: 11/02/2012, Malabo

Final: 12/02/2012, Libreville

MATCH RESULTS
21/01/12: Equatorial Guinea 1-0 Libya
 
21/01/12: Senegal 1-2 Zambia

22/01/12: Ivory Coast 1-0 Sudan

22/01/12: Burkina Faso 1-2 Angola

23/01/12: Gabon 2-0 Niger

23/01/12: Morocco 1-2 Tunisia

24/01/12: Ghana 1-0 Botswana

24/01/12: Mali v Guinea