U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry will travel to sub-Saharan Africa

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry will travel to sub-Saharan Africa next week on a trip to promote security, democracy and respect for human rights.

The State Department says Kerry leaves on Tuesday for a six-day trip, with stops in Ethiopia, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Angola.

State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said Kerry will hold high-level talks with the African Union in Addis Ababa.

In a Friday statement, she said Kerry would also discuss efforts to promote peace and democracy with Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn and other officials.

Psaki says during the trip, Kerry will also discuss efforts to neutralize armed groups in the D.R.C. and hold talks on trade and bilateral policy in Angola.

Kerry visited North and West Africa earlier this month.

His trip included a stop in Algiers where he met with officials to discuss ways to combat terrorism and strengthen security in the region.

Kenyan President Says he Will Not Allow Genocide in South Sudan

Kenyan President Says he Will Not Allow Genocide in South Sudan

Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta reacts as he attends Mashujaa (Heroes) Day at the Nyayo National Stadium in capital Nairobi,

NAIROBI — Kenya's president said he would not let the conflict in neighboring South Sudan descend into genocide, though he stopped short of spelling out any action to end the increasingly ethnic slaughter.

Four months of fighting between government and rebels in the world's newest nation has raised fears of a wider conflict that could further destabilize a fragile region and send hundreds of thousands more refugees over borders.

Uganda, another neighbor of oil-producing South Sudan, has already sent in troops to back the government. Regional bloc IGAD, which is brokering troubled peace talks, has said it will hold a meeting in coming days to “consider options”.

“We refuse to be witnesses to such atrocities and to remain helpless and hopeless in their wake,” Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta said in a statement late on Friday.

“We especially reject the possibility that we are creeping into genocide again in our region. We shall not stand by and allow it to happen.”

Fighting began in December between troops loyal to South Sudan President Salva Kiir and his sacked deputy, Riek Machar. Clashes spread quickly beyond the capital, often pitting Kiir's Dinka people against Machar's Nuer.

The United Nations said rebels slaughtered hundreds of civilians when they seized the South Sudan oil hub of Bentiu earlier this month, hunting down men, women and children who had sought refuge in a hospital, a mosque and a Catholic church. The rebels dismissed the accusations.

Days later, Dinka residents of Bor town in Jonglei state attacked a U.N. base where about 5,000 people, mostly Nuer, were sheltering, the United Nations said.

Kenyatta's use of the word “genocide” has resonance in a region that has vowed never to see a repeat of the ethnic slaughter of hundreds of thousands of Rwandans twenty years ago.

The stalled talks are due to resume in Ethiopia on Monday to try and thrash out a deal on political reform after a long power struggle between Kiir and Machar triggered the unrest.

South Sudan's government, under growing pressure from regional and Western powers to end the conflict, on Friday released four senior political figures it had accused of helping start the violence in a bid to seize power.

Machar's negotiation team on Saturday welcomed the release of the four detainees - a former top ruling party official, national security minister, deputy finance minister and ambassador to Washington - after treason charges were dropped.

But rebel spokesman Hussein Mar Nyot said another of their key demands - the exit of Ugandan troops and other militia supporting the government - had not been met.

“If these forces from outside are withdrawn, this will give a very strong ground for peace to come,” Nyot told Reuters.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry will travel next week to Ethiopia, another South Sudanese neighbor which is leading the mediation, to discuss peace efforts in the region.

South Sudan declared independence from Sudan in 2011 under the terms of a peace deal that ended decades of civil war fuelled by ethnicity, religion, ideology and oil rights.

Looting Follows Evacuation of Muslims in CAR

Christians carry property left behind by the Muslim community who were evacuated 

Heavily armed peacekeepers have escorted some of the last remaining Muslims out of Central African Republic’s capital, Bangui, trucking more than 1,300 people who for months had been trapped by Christian militants.

Moments after the convoys departed Sunday, Christians swarmed into and picked apart houses and a mosque in Bangui's PK12 neighborhood, which had been a Muslim stronghold in the majority Christian south.

Armed Congolese peacekeepers stood watch, but did not attempt to stop the looting.

The exodus further partitions the country, a process that has been under way since January, when a Muslim rebel government gave up power nearly a year after overthrowing the president of a decade.

The United Nations has described the forced displacement of tens of thousands of Muslims as "ethnic cleansing.''

Earlier, Reuters news agency reported that at least 22 people, including 15 local chiefs and three local members of staff of the medical charity Doctors Without Borders, were killed in an attack about 450 kilometers north of Bangui.

A local official told the news agency most were killed in an attack on a clinic run by the charity while the chiefs were holding a meeting there.

Vice President brother dies

Captain Sabo Sambo, elder brother to Vice President Namadi Sambo was Sunday morning killed in a car crash.
The accident reportedly occurred on the Bill Clinton Drive end of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
He was 60.
Details of the accident were sketchy, but it was gathered that his car skid off the road, hit a tree and burst into flames.
Managing Director/CEO of Manyatta Engineering Services Ltd since January 2007, Sabo was a retired pilot for the defunct Nigeria Airways.
An experience pilot who put in over 14,000 hours in 28 years flying big aircraft, Sabo upon retirement set up Manyatta Engineering Services.
With headquarters in Kaduna, and an office in Abuja, Manyatta Engineering Services deals with 'maintenance/procurement of aircraft and helicopters and hardware for government organizations and private companies/Individuals in Nigeria.'
The body, according to sources, was being moved to Kaduna for burial this afternoon.

President Goodluck Jonathanb swears

President Goodluck Jonathan on Saturday in Badagry pledged that the Federal Government was planning to build the biggest seaport in Badagry, Lagos State.
Jonathan made the pledge at the 37th coronation anniversary of the Akran of Badagry, Aholu Menu-Toyi I, held at his palace in Badagry, Lagos State.
The president, who was represented by the Minister of Information, Mr Labaran Maku, said the decision to establish the seaport was part of the Federal Government's Transformation Agenda.
'Badagry is a historic town and it is the cradle of tourism, so we hold it in high esteem.
'For over 100 years, Badagry was the exporting point in Nigeria but back then, it was slave that was being exported out of the country.
'We are making plans to build a seaport in Badagry which will be bigger than the one in Ibeju-Lekki.
'The reason for this is to ensure that Badagry exports everything from Nigeria to the whole of Europe.
'With this, Badagry would be redeemed of it lost glory, and also we are not going to marginalise Badagry because it is important to the country,' Jonathan said.
The President commended the Akran for instilling peace in Badagry.
'Badagry is a very peaceful place and the Akran must be commended for that because Badagry is a town of many ethnic groups and religions, but he has been able to unite everyone together.
'We appreciate your efforts and we pray God keeps on giving you strength to live for many more years,' he said.
Responding, the Akran appreciated the gesture of the Federal Government to develop Badagry after several years of neglect.
Menu-Toyi urged the government not to relent in the ongoing projects in the area, especially the development of Air Force School and vehicles assembly plant.
'I would keep on doing my best in ensuring that peace continues to reign in the town.' the Akran said.
The Minister of State for Defence, Sen. Musiliu Obanikoro was part of the Federal Government's delegation to the event.
The Akran of Badagry, at the end, presented a Badagry Pilgrimage Award to the president. (NAN)
 on Saturday in Badagry pledged that the Federal Government was planning to build the biggest seaport in Badagry, Lagos State.
Jonathan made the pledge at the 37th coronation anniversary of the Akran of Badagry, Aholu Menu-Toyi I, held at his palace in Badagry, Lagos State.
The president, who was represented by the Minister of Information, Mr Labaran Maku, said the decision to establish the seaport was part of the Federal Government's Transformation Agenda.
'Badagry is a historic town and it is the cradle of tourism, so we hold it in high esteem.
'For over 100 years, Badagry was the exporting point in Nigeria but back then, it was slave that was being exported out of the country.
'We are making plans to build a seaport in Badagry which will be bigger than the one in Ibeju-Lekki.
'The reason for this is to ensure that Badagry exports everything from Nigeria to the whole of Europe.
'With this, Badagry would be redeemed of it lost glory, and also we are not going to marginalise Badagry because it is important to the country,' Jonathan said.
The President commended the Akran for instilling peace in Badagry.
'Badagry is a very peaceful place and the Akran must be commended for that because Badagry is a town of many ethnic groups and religions, but he has been able to unite everyone together.
'We appreciate your efforts and we pray God keeps on giving you strength to live for many more years,' he said.
Responding, the Akran appreciated the gesture of the Federal Government to develop Badagry after several years of neglect.
Menu-Toyi urged the government not to relent in the ongoing projects in the area, especially the development of Air Force School and vehicles assembly plant.
'I would keep on doing my best in ensuring that peace continues to reign in the town.' the Akran said.
The Minister of State for Defence, Sen. Musiliu Obanikoro was part of the Federal Government's delegation to the event.
The Akran of Badagry, at the end, presented a Badagry Pilgrimage Award to the president. (NAN)

A rustic mask belonging to telecommunication giant, MTN, collapsed on a Church

A rustic mask belonging to telecommunication giant, MTN, collapsed on a Church building Sunday in Okwagbe community, Otu-Jeremi Local Government Area of Delta State, killing a man, injuring 36 , while 250 others escaped death by the whiskers.
The worshipers were on a sabbath day service at St. Lazarus Christ Church (INC) when the mask which was erected close to the church suddenly collapsed,causing serious damage to the church building.
The deceased simply identified as Mr Prince Agbodobri, (36years) hailed from Okirika, an Ijaw community in Burutu LGA.
He was reportedly trapped by the mask and died before he could be rushed to Otu-Jeremi General Hospital.
The deceased was said to have been accompanied to the service by one of his two wives and three children who also survived the tragedy except his three-year-old son who was severely injured.
A local source said some part of the mask had to be cut before the victim could be evacuated as the mask was said to have trapped him beneath the ground.
The source said the mask collapsed as a result of heavy windstorm as the pillars holding it were not strong.
'The pillars at the ground level is about 3-feet. If the work is good enough, 'common wind' could not have uprooted such an heavy mask,' the source added.
General Overseer of the Church, Bishop (Dr) J.M.O Arhavwarien, said he was devastated when he got the sad news from his Ewu headquarters.
Describing the incident as a big tragedy for his church, Arhavwarien said the death of Prince Agbodobri, a member of the church, was sad and devastating.
He said the entire church,with both the musical and electrical instruments and desks were among other things damaged by the collapsed mask.
The cleric however attributed the cause of the collapse to shoddy job done by MTN.
He said he was traumatised as they mourned and commiserated with the family of the deceased and equally sympathise with other affected members who are in various hospital receiving treatment.‬
While promising that the church will do its best to see that the affected victims get well in no distant time, the clergyman called on Delta State governor,Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, Federal Government, DESOPADEC, NEMA, donor agencies and other good Nigerians to come to the aid of the affected persons and the family of the deceased person.
In the same vein, a family relation of the deceased, Hon Hope Yonmo said the death of his family member was a big shock and very unfortunate.
He asserted that they have lost a bread winner as the deceased left behind two wives and six kids, adding that the death was a great loss to the family, the entire Okirika community and Burutu LGA.
While blaming MTN for culpability on the fallen mask, Yonmo, called on Delta State government,and federal government to come to the aid of the family of the deceased and other surviving victims who are currently in need of medical attention.
The body of the deceased has been deposited at Otu-jeremi General Hospital morque.

Nigerian idol goes to church for God and votes

ON the 27th of April in a little unknown redeemed church which was staging its first anniversary. THE church known has solomon's porch ,which is situated on the tantilizer builder on ademola adetokunboh near eko hotel in vi, which funnily enough happens to the the food sponsores of the said project.the church had  a seating capacity of 250 .They werte given a rear treat when one of the favorite nigerian idol contestants(bee bee bassey )decided to pay them a visit .IT was said that immediately she was allowed to render a special number to her maker ,which she did so well that after the anniversary she was  swamped with admirers ,who collected her number and promised to vote for her. WE at pecunia were able to schedule an interview with he which we promise to publish in due time.       

When brain tells you to stop drinking water

Although we cannot predict if our brain signals us to stop taking that extra glass of champagne, our brains are hardwired to stop us from drinking more water than what is healthy.
Scientists have found a “stop mechanism” that determines brain signals telling the individual to stop drinking water.
The study provides a new insight into the human instincts that determine survival behaviour and are also of medical importance.
“Different areas of the brain involved in emotional decision-making were activated when people drank water after becoming thirsty and when study participants followed instructions to keep drinking when no longer thirsty,” said professor Derek Denton from University of Melbourne.
The brain regions determining the signals to stop drinking have not previously been recognised in this context.
The research identifies an important component in regulation and this “stop mechanism” that may prevent complications from excessive water intake, Denton added.
Overdrinking can reduce the salt concentration of the blood that can result in the swelling of the brain, a potentially fatal condition.
Also known as polydipsia, it has been found in some patients with schizophrenia and in some marathon runners.
The study used magnetic resonance imaging to scan two physiological conditions of the brain, starting with scanning brain regions during the experience of thirst.
Participants were then removed from the scanner and asked to drink to satiation or “overdrink” and return for further scanning.
According to Denton, the data are relevant to study the gratification of other instincts such as food intake, salt intake and sexual behaviour.

Watermelon can improve sex life too!

London : The summer just got hotter. The humble watermelon in your neighbourhood fruit market not only helps you shed weight, improve circulation or lower blood pressure, it can also boost your sex drive!

According to a recent study by Italian researchers, citrulline amino acid in watermelons improve blood flow and can alleviate erectile dysfunction.
Our bodies use citrulline to make yet another amino acid called arginine, which has viagra-like effect. Arginine boosts nitric oxide which relaxes blood vessels – the same basic effect that viagra has.
Extra nitric oxide can also help treat angina, high blood pressure and other cardiovascular problems, the study noted.
The juicy fruit is 92 percent water, eight percent sugar, a great source of vitamin C and only 71 calories per serving.

Captain America: The Winter Soldier Movie Rewiew : 3 out of 5 stars

Troy Ribeiro

Film: “Captain America: The Winter Soldier”;

Cast: Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Anthony Mackie, Sebastian Stan, Samuel L. Jackson, Robert Redford;
Director: Anthony and Joe Russo;
Rating: ***
With its taut editing and well-choreographed, synchronised action sequences, “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” is a sleekly made spy thriller with a super-soldier twist.
It is a cult film with its own set of admirers. Those in tune with Marvel Comics will relish its representation in the cinematic universe, but for others this film could just be one of the ordinary. Nevertheless, the film definitely can’t be ignored.
For the uninitiated, Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) is Captain America, the superhero. He is the loyal and brave soldier who during the World War II followed orders without questioning and survived helping those around him.
The film begins in present day, with Steve working under Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) for S.H.I.E.L.D, a top-secret government organisation that protects the world from threats both internal and external.
One morning while befriending Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) during a jog, he is swished away by Natasha Romanoff (Scarlett Johansson) also known as Black Widow, for a mission in the Indian Ocean, to save a S.H.I.E.L.D. vessel, which has been hijacked by some pirates headed by Georges Batroc (Georges St-Pierre).
During the mission, he realises that there is a glitch between the objective of the task given to him and Natasha. So after successfully completing the mission, he returns to Washington to confront his senior, Fury, who instructs him, “Don’t trust anyone!”
Later, Fury introduces Steve to Operation: Insight – a massive undercover heli-base that is linked by spy satellites designed to pre-empt threats. Seeing this, Steve reacts saying, “This is not freedom. It’s fear.”
Soon, there is an attempt on Fury’s life by police officials and trust issues surface, making Steve’s tasks more difficult and challenging.
With world security at stake and an enemy within, Steve is soon termed a fugitive. He has to combat a deadly assassin named the Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan). Also, during investigation, Steve discovers that another threat, HYDRA, has infiltrated the ranks within S.H.I.E.L.D. and would use Operation: Insight to eliminate potential threats that will not be loyal to HYDRA’s cause.
Buoyant and constantly on the move, Captain America fights with the help of his star-studded shield, which he flings like a Frisbee. It makes an interesting piece of self-defence weapon.
In his endeavour, Black Widow and Sam Wilson, also known as “Falcon”, assist him.
With no signs of aging, Chris Evans as Captain America is charming and truly lends life to his character. It is interesting yet incredibly fascinating to watch him catch up seventy years’ worth of history, as well as he finds a way to fit into society after his long hiatus.
There is no chemistry between Evans and Scarlet Johansson, but nonetheless, they make a good pair.
With a metallic arm, Sebastian Stan makes an excellent villain, but he barely registers amid the densely plotted tale, as he is not the only antagonist in the film.
It’s also nice seeing Robert Redford as Agent Alexander Pierce, Nick Fury’s Superior and Frank Grillo as Broc Rumlow the guy who hunts Captain, carve out small but effective performances.
There is drama with mild humour. But what makes Captain America: The Winter Soldier exceptional is its action driven plot that keeps its viewers glued.
The visuals, with high-tech weaponry, crunching action set pieces in the obligatory mega settings are wonderful and eye ogling, almost every action sequence here resonates with feats seen before, mostly in Marvel films.
Though the film has a few thoughtless plot holes that could excavate logical flaws, the director brothers, Anthony and Joe Russo have taken great pains to make this film distinct and far superior to the 2011 released, “Captain America: The First Avenger” or any other Marvel Franchises.
Overall, Captain America: The Winter Soldier would appeal only to Marvel Fans.

Corageous popes John XXIII, John Paul II are saints

Vatican City : Popes John XXIII and John Paul II were canonised by Pope Francis Sunday in the Vatican City, the country’s official news network News.VA said.

For the first time in history, two popes have been elevated to the vele of sauinthood at the same time.
Pope Francis read the formal proclamation at the canonisation mass in Latin.
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, Francis’ predecessor who abdicated on grounds of ill health, was also present at the canonisation mass.
Pope Francis termed the two saints as “men of courage” and placed relics, a container of blood from John Paul and a piece of skin from John near the altar.
The Vatican confirmed the sainthood on the two former popes Sunday in front of some 800,000 pilgrims who packed the St.Peter’s Square during the two-hour ceremony.
The mass was attended by a hundred foreign delegates comprising of heads of state, government and royal dignitaries along with members of the Christian church.
Notable guests included Floribeth Mora, who claims John Paul II cured her of a serious brain condition.
Of Polish origin, Saint John Paul II served from October 16, 1978, until his death in 2005, was the second longest serving pope in history and also the first non-Italian since Pope Adrian VI, who died in 1523.
He has been deemed as one of the most influential leaders of the 20th century as he is recognised for his efforts to end the Communist rule in Poland and eventually all of Europe.
He was one of the most travelled world leaders in history, visiting 129 countries during his pontificate, including Goa Feb 6, 1986.
He has been attributed for two miracles including healing a French nun of Parkinson’s Disease.
He also supported the end the Apartheid in South Africa, pushing for the European Constitution draft, opposed the Iraq War and the Gulf War, and fought for homosexual rights.
Saint John XXIII, an Italian, served from October 28, 1958, to his death in 1963 and was the first pope to take the pontifical name of “John” upon election in more than 500 years.
He is famous for his efforts during the Holocaust in World War II to save Jewish people and the refugees from the Nazis.
He also became the first pope since 1870 to make pastoral visits in his Diocese of Rome, when he visited children infected with polio, a reformatory school for juvenile delinquents.
He also fought for human rights and opposed the idea of a divorce.
In 1962, he was named “Man of the Year” by Time magazine, the first ever pope to be so named.
Saint John XXIII is said to have had echieved apocalyptic visions of the future and also claimed to have seen an apparition of the Virgin Mary.