Sickening images show blindfolded and bound couple being brutally stoned to death for having sex before marriage by ISIS militants in Iraq

                           

Gruesome new images have emerged showing Islamic State militants stoning a blindfolded and bound man and woman to death in Iraq after they were accused of having sex before marriage.

Taken in the ISIS-stronghold of Mosul in Nineveh province, the shocking images show a large crowd gathered to watch the jihadis murder the defenceless couple.

Young boys clamber onto their fathers' shoulders to get a better view of the man and woman being charged with 'fornication', before the familiar white-bearded face of ISIS's elderly Mosul-based executioner-in-chief Abu Ansar al-Ansari orders their stoning to death.

                             

The sickening images begin by showing a large crowd gathered in a rain-drenched square in central Mosul.

With heavily armed militants taking up positions on ledges overlooking the crowd, the young men and boys jostle to ensure they get the best view of the murder

In the background of the image, women wearing black niqabs are seen gathered together

An Islamic State militant with a yellow scarf covering his face is then seen using a microphone and PA system to read out the charge of 'fornication' against the couple, suggesting they have been accused of having sex without being married, not of committing adultery. 

A large pile of stones are then seen heaped in the middle of the road, before the barbaric ISIS militants began throwing them at the defenceless and blindfolded couple, who have had their hands bound to prevent them getting away.

As stones rain down on the victims' bodies, large pools of blood appear in the road, before eventually the man and woman die of their injuries and the savagery finally comes to an end.

                     

                     

The images emerged as Iran's Revolutionary Guard this morning said a U.S. drone strike killed two of its advisers in Iraq, though the U.S. said it has only struck militants in its campaign against ISIS.

The claim came as negotiators attempted to reach a deal on Iran's contested nuclear program, which hard-liners in the Islamic Republic have opposed as giving away too much to the West.

The Guard said on its sepahnews.ir website the strike happened March 23, just after the U.S.-led coalition began airstrikes to support Iraqi forces trying to retake the Islamic State-held city of Tikrit. 

It identified the dead as Ali Yazdani and Hadi Jafari, saying they were buried yesterday. It called them advisers, without elaborating on whether Iran contacted Iraqi or U.S. forces after the strike.

Iran occasionally reports on the death of its forces in Iraq and Syria, where it is backing embattled President Bashar Assad, but this is the first time Iran has said it has lost forces in an attack by the U.S. in those campaigns.

                        

                        

The U.S.-led coalition began a campaign of airstrikes and reconnaissance missions around Tikrit, Saddam Hussein's hometown, on March 21 in support of large-scale operations to retake it after Iraqi efforts had stalled.

The U.S. Embassy in Baghdad said: 'The international coalition is aimed at Daesh only,' using an alternate Arabic acronym for the Islamic State group.

'All airstrikes are carried out at the request of the Iraqi government and in full coordination with the (Iraqi) Ministry of Defense,' the embassy said, without directly addressing the Iranian claim.

ISIS now controls a third of both Iraq and neighboring Syria. The U.S. began airstrikes against the group in August, while Iran has offered advisers and other assistance to Iraq to fight the extremists.

The offensive to retake Tikrit largely has been waged by Iraqi troops and Shiite militias advised by General Qassem Soleimani, commander of the Guard's elite Quds Force.

Several Shiite militias announced last Thursday that they would boycott the Tikrit operations due to U.S. involvement.

But General Lloyd Austin, the head of U.S. Central Command, told a Senate hearing Thursday that the U.S. agreed to Iraqi government requests to support the operation on the condition that the militias wouldn't be involved.

Mouin al-Kadhimy, a spokesman for the Popular Mobilization Units, the government-backed body overseeing the various militias, said it was not aware of reports that Iranians were killed near Tikrit.

New images have emerged showing dozens of black balaclava-wearing extremists graduating from an Islamic State-run school of terror in northern Syria.

Brandishing AK47 assault rifles and waving flags carrying the sinister black and white ISIS logo, the photographs showing the jihadi 'Class of 2015' are believed to have been taken in Raqqa city.

Although the are dressed in head-to-toe black and wear balaclavas that cover most of their faces, it is clear that the majority of the graduates are teenagers who have been brainwashed into thinking they are holy warriors, when the reality is they will be little more than cannon fodder.

                 

The images are believed to have been taken somewhere in the city of Raqqa - the eponymous capital of the province and a stronghold of the terrorists' self-declared caliphate, which covers vast swathes of land in northern Syria and western Iraq.

The photographs show dozens of militants sitting on seats in what appears to be a school hall, while chilling black and banners carrying the ISIS logo are seen been waved.

A senior militant is seen giving the jihadi graduates a final lecture before they are sent off to wage jihad in the various provinces - known as wilayats - under the control of the Islamic State.

Having been given a final speech by their commanders, the fighters are seen waving ISIS flags in celebration before taking part in what appears to be a passing out parade.

In a courtyard outside the school the newly-graduated fighters march in highly choreographed formations, still brandishing assault rifles and with their faces still covered by black balaclavas. 

Presidential Election: Buhari leads, PDP kicks

                             

By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor, Clifford Ndujihe, Henry Umoru & Jude Opara
ABUJA — Erstwhile Head of State, Major-General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) was last night sustaining his lead over President Goodluck Jonathan in the declared results of the presidential elections released by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, last night.

President Jonathan has, however, protested results declared from Kano, Jigawa, Kaduna, Gombe, Bauchi, Katsina and Kogi States, alleging malpractices.

Jonathan’s protest articulated by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, was, however, followed by another statement late last night in which it claimed it was not perturbed by the results from the North-West, stronghold of Buhari.

Buhari’s All Progressives Congress, APC, has also protested the results submitted from Rivers State on the basis that there was no election in the state.

As at the time the commission suspended announcement of results late last night, Buhari had scored 10,101,497 votes from 21 states and the FCT, to President Jonathan, who has so far polled 6,798,254 votes, to second place.

The results were declared by the returning officers from the states.

Of the 21 states declared, Buhari won the polls in 13 states of Ogun, Kogi, Osun, Ondo, Oyo, Kwara, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Gombe, Sokoto, Jigawa and Kaduna.

Jonathan won the polls in eight states namely Ekiti, Enugu, Nasarawa, Anambra, Abia, Akwa Ibom, Imo and Plateau. Jonathan also won the polls in the FCT.

Buhari had so far marshalled more than 25 per cent in 16 states while the president grabbed 25 per cent in 15 of the states so far declared.

The results from Adamawa, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Lagos, Niger, Rivers, Taraba, Yobe and Zamfara were outstanding at press time and would likely be declared today.

The results earlier submitted from Rivers State, however, turned into a matter of investigation after the APC sent a strongly worded petition rejecting the results. The results returned had given Jonathan 1,487,075 votes, representing 95 per cent of the votes.

Under-aged voters

Addressing journalists, yesterday, in Abuja, Deputy National Chairman of PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, gave the seven states the party has petitioned INEC for the cancellation of the polls to include Kano, Jigawa, Kaduna, Gombe, Bauchi, Katsina and Kogi States.

Secondus alleged that in the seven states, under-aged children were allowed to vote in contravention of the Electoral Act and he also alleged that voting took place late in the night in the affected states, adding: “In Kano and some of these states in the North, majority of voters were under-aged. Voting also took place in the night, and you know that in the night rigging can take place. We have completed our reports from the Kano State chapter.”

We’ll resist rigging—Fani-Kayode

Also yesterday, PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation, PDPPCO, reiterated its claim that its candidate, President Jonathan, was winning the presidential election.

Addressing journalists in Abuja, Director, Media and Publicity of PDPPCO, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode threatened that any attempt to manipulate figures or rig out the PDP from any quarter would be firmly resisted.

Fani- Kayode said: “We wish to take this opportunity to make it clear to the Nigerian public that according to the figures made available to us, we are ahead in the presidential elections by at least two to three million votes.

“We have our own Situation Room and we have collated all our figures from the various polling booths, wards, local government areas and states in the federation.

“Despite the propaganda of the opposition, we are confident of victory. They and all other stakeholders can be rest assured that we will accept nothing less than the announcement of an election result that is truthful and that reflects the true will of the Nigerian people.

“Any attempt to manipulate figures or to rig us out from any quarter will be firmly resisted.”

INEC probes Rivers result

Announcing the constitution of a high-powered investigation team to investigate the allegation that voting did not take place in Rivers State, the commission in a statement issued by Mr. Kayode Idowu, Chief Press Secretary to INEC chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, said the fact-finding mission would ascertain the veracity of the claims and allegations and advise it and the Chief Electoral Commissioner/Returning Officer for the Presidential election appropriately.

Idowu said the committee of National Electoral Commissioners to handle the investigation included Mrs. Thelma Iremirem, Head and Supervisory National Commissioner for Rivers State, Col. M.K Hammanga and Professor Lai Olurode as members.

He said: “They have departed for Rivers State and it is expected that they will submit their report before the end of the collation of results of the other states and the FCT. Following the consideration of the report, the commission will make its decision known.”

The PDP also suffered significant losses in the Senate elections.

The APC swept the three seats in Kogi, Oyo, Lagos, Kwara, Kebbi and Sokoto. The PDP, however, won in Abia, Imo and Ebonyi.

Exactly What to Eat for Dinner to Lose the Most Weight

                     
Want to know how the last meal of the day can help you drop pounds? Follow their advice below to start seeing results.

Calories
Aim for a range between 450 and 550 calories. If you're trying to lose weight, stay closer to 450, and if you're trying to maintain weight, especially if you're working out, shoot closer to 550 calories.

Carbs
About 45 to 55 percent of your dinner calories should be devoted to carbs, which is about 50 to 75 grams of carbs. Don't be afraid to eat carbs at night because you're worried you won't have time to burn them off. As long as you're sticking to your total calorie amount for the day, eating carbs at this meal isn't more likely to cause weight gain. Actually, eating enough carbs at dinner can dissolve those post-dinner carb cravings for sweets and chips.

Protein
About 20 to 25 percent of your dinner calorie amount should be protein, which works out to 25 to 35 grams. Protein is vital to help rebuild and maintain muscle, and since your body does a lot of rebuilding at night, ensuring your dinner includes enough protein is important. Protein also makes you feel satisfied, which is another tool for preventing post-dinner noshing sessions.

Fats
Shoot for about 15 to 25 grams, which is about 30 to 35 percent of your total supper calories. Instead of saturated fats like beef and cheese, go for monounsaturated fats (MUFAs) like olive oil, sesame oil, coconut oil, avocado, olives, and nuts and seeds.

Fiber
To help you reach the recommended daily total of 25 grams per day, aim for at least eight grams at dinnertime. This should be coming primarily from fiber-rich carb choices like whole grains, starchy veggies, beans, small amounts of fruit, and fiber-containing fats such as avocado, nuts, and seeds.

         

Sugars
Stick to no more than seven grams or fewer of total sugars. And when it comes to added sugar, try not to exceed four grams—that's about one teaspoon of any sweetener used in sauces or dressing.

Timing
Ideally, you should eat dinner about two to three hours after your 3:30 p.m. afternoon snack. If you plan to exercise after work, fuel up with a later-afternoon snack around 4:30 p.m. Then you can exercise at 5:30 p.m. for an hour and eat dinner by 7/7:30 p.m. As mentioned above, don't worry about eating dinner too late. As long as you don't exceed your daily calories, what time you eat won't impact your weight.

Report by Stephanie Clarke, R.D., and Willow Jarosh, R.D of C&J Nutrition. 

My vision of Nigeria in four years by Goodluck Jonathan

                               

President Goodluck Jonathan’s vision of Nigeria is one of a rosy future built on a secured environment, robust and diversified economy and well laid infrastructure to guarantee good life to all Nigerians.

In articulating his vision of where he wants to take Nigeria to, the president recalled his well known humble beginnings, his challenges in office especially the difficulties tackling Boko Haram which he claims as a worldwide phenomenon that has only lately landed in Nigeria and his achievements so far in office.

“When I was growing up in Otuoke, a small town in Bayelsa, as the son of a boat builder, life was hard. Of nine children to my parents, only two of us survived. But I had the chance to go to school. Many did not. I worked at my studies. God smiled on me. I am here today as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and I tell you now: there is not a moment that I forget where I come from, or how tough life can be for so many of us.

“I have no sense of entitlement. I am not from a big family. I do not come from a profession or background that believes it has some God-given right to rule. I am here because of the will of the people and I will remain here because of the will of the people. I  am willing and able to serve, but I am not desperate to serve. I am living proof that Nigeria is a country that rewards hardwork, integrity and ambition. At its best, Nigeria is a country where, no matter where you come from, through honesty, hard work and by the grace of God, everything is possible.

“I shall win this election because Nigerians know exactly who I am, and what I stand for. I fight for what I believe in. I don’t walk out of the door when the going gets tough. Nigerians know what I have delivered and I want Nigerians to know what I will deliver in the next four years. Our plan will build on the platform we have laid in the last four years, to deliver growth, prosperity, peace and justice for all. We are ready to take Nigeria to the next level.

“The future I see and work for is for a Nigeria that works for all. I see a Nigeria where mothers and children do not die due to lack of medical attention. A Nigeria where no child goes to bed hungry or is out of school because of family circumstances. In the future of Nigeria that I see, the young and the youths will receive quality and sound education that provides them access to job opportunities and a higher standard of living.  A Nigeria where the elderly have access to the medical care they require and life expectancy is significantly higher than it is today.

“A country where the old people realise the benefit of their work and the disabled are not left behind. Nigeria will be a country of equal opportunities where every child is able to attain his or her full God given potential. Indeed, my dream is that someday, a product of the Almajiri Schools becomes the President of this great country. It will be a Nigeria where justice is not measured in any currency but available even to the most vulnerable in our society. My vision is that of a Nigeria that works for all, and not just a few.

“This has been a long campaign. I welcome the challenge of a vigorous campaign. Democracy needs competition, but it should be the right type of constructive competition. It is a sign of strength that Nigerians finally have a choice. In this document, I present to you a very clear choice and path to Nigeria’s progress. It is a choice and path based on the foundations that we laid during my first administration. You will find our plan for security, education, health. Also, our plans for the economy, jobs and the different forms of infrastructure to support our growth. We have not left out the environment and how we will leverage international economic cooperation for our growth and development. Most of our plans have been costed and some are obviously a continuation and completion of what we began. This is my promise to Nigeria, a vision for the next four years.

On security, the president said:

“Boko Haram is part of an international phenomenon. It is a terror that does not know borders or boundaries. We understood this from the beginning. Nigeria was on the right side of the argument in Mali against the extremists; and in support of democracy in Ivory Coast, Guinea, Niger, Burkina Faso and Guinea-Bissau. What we support abroad, we champion at home: democracy, freedom and the rule of law. It is a proud record and a reflection of Nigeria’s role and responsibilities in Africa and the broader community that we have upheld and deepened.

“We have formed a formidable team with Cameroon, Chad and Niger to effectively dismantle Boko Haram. In fact, everywhere that terror has been successfully tackled, it is through partnership. And that is what this government has championed. In the past four years we have worked hard to improve the capacity of security agencies. We have provided specialised training to our armed forces, established police academy in Kano to beef up policing capabilities. In addition, we have now provided better and improved equipment to our security agencies. This process is ongoing. We have made these investments in order to improve the capacity of security agencies to protect all Nigerians.

“There is still a real risk of further terror attacks, against the kind of soft, innocent target of which there are so many across the country. And there will be further battles ahead. But Boko Haram’s claims of a Caliphate have been shown to be as empty and bankrupt as the rest of their hateful philosophy. Nigeria remains one, and undivided. We shall root out Boko Haram.

Angelina Jolie has ovaries removed after cancer scare

Husband Brad Pitt flew back from France to be with the actress who took the decision two years after undergoing a preventative double mastectomy due to her family history of cancer

                          

Angelina Jolie has described the difficult decision to have her ovaries removed after a cancer scare.

The Hollywood star, who had a preventative double mastectomy two years ago, underwent the operation to remove her ovaries and fallopian tubes in recent days and her husband, Brad Pitt, flew back from France to be her by her side. The operation will put her into forced menopause.

Miss Jolie, 39, carries a mutation in the BRCA1 gene that gave her an 87 per cent risk of breast cancer and a 50 per cent risk of ovarian cancer. Her mother, grandmother and aunt all died from cancer.

In an article for the New York Times headlined "Diary of a Surgery" the actress said she had been planning preventative surgery to remove her ovaries for a while but thought she had time in hand.

                     

Then, two weeks ago, she received a call from her doctor saying there were markers that could be a sign of early cancer.

Miss Jolie wrote: "I told myself to stay calm, to be strong, and that I had no reason to think I wouldn't live to see my children grow up and to meet my grandchildren.

"I called my husband in France, who was on a plane within hours. The beautiful thing about such moments in life is that there is so much clarity. You know what you live for and what matters. It is polarising, and it is peaceful.

"That same day I went to see the surgeon, who had treated my mother. I last saw her the day my mother passed away, and she teared up when she saw me: 'You look just like her.' I broke down."

The actress and UN envoy described how she needed to wait five days for results, which passed in a "haze" while she did things such as watching her children's football game.

When her scan came back it was clear but she chose not to wait any longer to have her ovaries removed.

Miss Jolie said she decided to share her experience to make good on a promise to follow up with information for other women at risk of cancer, having previously written about her double mastectomy.

She wanted to encourage women to seek advice about health issues, adding: "Knowledge is power."

She wrote: "I did not do this solely because I carry the BRCA1 gene mutation, and I want other women to hear this. A positive BRCA test does not mean a leap to surgery.

"The most important thing is to learn about the options and choose what is right for you personally. In my case, the Eastern and Western doctors I met agreed that surgery to remove my tubes and ovaries was the best option."

                 

The actress gave details of the procedure she underwent which was called a laparoscopic bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy.

She wrote: "I am now in menopause. I will not be able to have any more children, and I expect some physical changes.

"But I feel at ease with whatever will come, not because I am strong but because this is a part of life. It is nothing to be feared. I know my children will never have to say, 'Mom died of ovarian cancer'."

Passenger plane carrying 148 people crashes in the French Alps en route from Spain to Germany

A plane carrying 142 passengers and six crew has crashed in the southern French Alps en route from Spain to Germany. 

The Airbus A320 disappeared from radar in the Alpes de Hautes Provence after sending a distress signal at 10.47am local time (9.47am GMT).

Debris from the jet, operated by Lufthansa's Germanwings budget airline, has been found scattered over a wide area near Barcelonnette.

French president Francois Hollande said that he did not expect there to be any survivors. 

He said: It's a loss, a tragedy which has happened on our soil. 

'I am seeking information about homes in the area it came down. It's difficult place to access. In the meantime solidarity must prevail.' 

                           

Mr Hollande said he would be meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and the King of Spain, visiting Paris for three days.

The cause of the crash was not immediately known, with weather conditions described as good in the region and the airliner flying at an altitude high above the Alps.

French Prime Minister Manuel Valls said he understood between 142 and 150 people were on board and feared dead.

The plane was travelling from the Spanish coastal city of Barcelona to the German city of Duesseldorf when it went down in the Barcelonnette area in southeastern France. 

A spokesman for the DGAC aviation authority said the airplane crashed near the town of Barcelonnette about 100 km (65 miles) north of the French Riviera city of Nice.

German media reports say there is a wide field of debris visible. 

According to flight data from FlightAware 24, at 09.30 UTC (10.30 GMT) the aircraft was cruising at 38,000 feet at 532mph.

It started losing altitude to 37,975 by 10.31am with the speed reportedly increasing to 548mph.

But 10.41am, the last reported radar returns had the aircraft descending to 6,800 feet at 434mph. 

The aircraft plunged 31,200 feet in just ten minutes, according to the data.

                     

Lufthansa's Germanwings unit said it was as yet unable to verify reports of the crash.

The company tweeted: 'We have recently become aware of media reports speculating on an incident though we still do not have any own confirmed information.' 

The crashed A320 is 24 years old and has been with the parent Lufthansa group since 1991, according to online database airfleets.net.  

The local La Provence newspaper said the Airbus A320 was carrying 142 passengers, two pilots and four cabin crew, citing aviation officials. 

Lufthansa were not immediately available for a comment. Airbus had no immediate comment. 

Germanwings today is the low-cost subsidiary of German national carrier Lufthansa, and was first branded in 2002. 

The company’s history can be dated back to 1997, however, when it was known as Eurowings.

                       

The airline’s main hubs are at Cologne Bonn Airport, Stuttgart Airport, Hamburg Airport, Berlin Tegel Airport and Dusseldorf Airport with further bases are Hannover Airport and Dortmund Airport.

Lufthansa have announced that Cologne-based Germanwings will be going back to its roots and re-branding back to Eurowings in autumn this year.

There are a total of 81 aircraft in Germanwings’ fleet, with an average of 9.2 years, flying to 86 destinations around the world. The fleet includes the Airbus A319, Airbus A320 and the Bombardier CRJ900.

There had never been a fatal crash in Germanwings’ history until the reports of today’s tragedy.

Back in December 2010, a Germanwings flight was said to be ‘moments from crashing’ after the pilots were overcome with fumes on landing at Cologne. 

The plane had 150 passengers on board, and officials accused Germanwings of ‘playing down the incident’ to ‘avoid investigation’. 

The first flight of an Airbus A320 took place in February 1987 in Toulouse, France, watched on by Prince Charles and the late Diana, Princess of Wales, who were guests of then French Prime Minister Jacques Chirac.

More than 1,400 people attended the opening at the French company’s headquarters.

The first delivery of the aircraft was to Air France on March 26, 1988.

Airbus A320 aircraft have been part of Lufthansa fleet, including its subsidiaries, since 1989.

Ballot papers arrive states tomorrow

                 
ABUJA—Ballot papers for this Saturday’s presidential and National Assembly elections are to be moved from Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN vaults from tomorrow, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC has said. - See more at: 

Mr. Kayode Idowu, chief press secretary to the INEC chairman, told Vanguard yesterday that already, all the non-sensitive materials have been distributed while the ballot papers where kept in the vaults of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) branches across the country.

Mr. Idowu also dismissed any effect on the election arising from the theft of a card reader in Zamfara State as he said that the particular reader stolen had not been configured and will be useless to the thieves.

He also confirmed that the ballot papers for the different positions and locations had been customised in such a way that it will be difficult to be faked by anybody.

The commission he said, is ready with the logistics that will enhance a free, fair and credible polls across the country.

“The non-sensitive materials have long been sent to locations for onward distribution to polling units for the polls while the sensitive materials which are the ballot papers have been at the Central Bank vaults, and by this Wednesday, they will be distributed to the states. From the state offices they will be taken to the local government offices on Thursday and from there we distribute to ward levels on Friday. And by 5 am on Saturday people will move them from the wards to the polling units,” Mr. Idowu said.

“So the commission is ready for the polls, we have concluded the training of the staff that will man the various polling units, so we anticipate a very successful outing this weekend.” Idowu stated.

Nigeria, others, have world’s worst energy access

                                         
Nigeria and other countries of the Sub-Sahara African region have the world’s worst access to electricity, the International Energy Agency, IEA, said in its latest report. - See more at:

The report said that the sub-region has 13 percent of the world’s population, but 48 percent of the share of the global population without access to electricity. The only other region with a similar imbalance is South Asia, with 23 percent of the world’s population and 34 percent of the people without access to electricity. This means that almost 600 million people in sub-Saharan Africa lack access to electricity.

Only seven countries—Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon, Ghana, Namibia, Senegal and South Africa, have electricity access rates exceeding 50 percent. The rest of the region has an average grid access rate of just 20 percent. Moreover, even when there is access to electricity, there may not be enough to go around, the report said.   Nigeria is the most populous country in Sub-Sahara Africa.

It explained that as regards consumption, Africa’s rates are far below other emerging markets. Average electricity consumption in Sub-Saharan Africa, excluding South Africa, is only about 150 kilowatt-hours per capita. This is a fraction of consumption rates in Brazil, India, and South Africa. According to the report, sub-Saharan Africa has an extraordinary opportunity but will have to do a lot of work to take advantage of it.

The report noted that Sub-Saharan Africa is starved for electricity, as the region’s power sector is significantly underdeveloped, from the point of view of energy access, installed capacity, or overall consumption. “The fact that Sub-Saharan Africa’s residential and industrial sectors suffer electricity shortages means that countries struggle to sustain GDP growth. The stakes are enormous. Indeed, fulfilling the economic and social promise of the region, and Africa in general depends on the ability of government and investors to develop the continent’s huge electricity capacity,” it said.

“Countries with electrification rates of less than 80 percent of the population consistently suffer from reduced GDP per capita. The only countries that have electrification rates of less than 80 percent with GDP per capita greater than $3,500 are those with significant wealth in natural resources, such as Angola, Botswana, and Gabon. But even they fall well short of economic prosperity. Whether people can obtain electricity (access), and if so, how much they are able to consume (consumption) are the two most important metrics that can indicate the degree to which the power sector is supporting national development,” the report said.

It also projected that Sub-Saharan Africa will consume nearly 1,600 terawatt hours by 2040, four times what was used in 2010. “The forecast is based on a number of important factors, including a fivefold increase in GDP, a doubling of population, electricity-access levels reaching more than 70 percent by 2040, and increased urbanisation.

Kerry Washington Accepts the Vanguard Award at the 2015 GLAAD Media Awards & Delivers a Powerful Speech – Watch

Hollywood actress Kerry Washington was the recipient of the Vanguard Award at the recently held 2015 GLAAD Media awards and as she was presented the award the gorgeous actress gave a powerful speech.

The 38-year-old actress started off her speech by saying:

On Monday morning, people are going to click a link to hear what that woman from Scandal said at that awards show, and so, I think some stuff needs to be said. Women, poor people, people of color, people with disabilities, immigrants, gay men, lesbians, bisexuals, trans people, intersex people…have been pitted against each other and made to feel like there are limited seats at the table for those of us who fall into the category of other. We need more diverse LGBT representation [in the media]. And this is big — we need more employment of LGBT people, in front of and behind the camera. We can’t say that we believe in each other’s fundamental humanity and then turn a blind eye to the reality of each other’s existence and the truth of each other’s hearts.

                                      

                                     

Actress Ruth Kadiri Looks Stunning In New Pics As She Turns A Year Older

                                        

                                       

                                 

Unborn baby shown grimacing in womb as mother smokes

                                 

The researchers are hoping the images will encourage mothers who are struggling to give up smoking

Unborn babies appear to grimace in the womb when their mother lights up, scientists have shown, demonstrating the harmful effects of smoking during pregnancy.

The tiny movements were captured in the faces of the foetuses during using 4D ultrasound scans.

Pregnant women have long been urged to give up cigarettes because they heighten the risk of premature birth, respiratory problems and even cot death.

Now researchers believe they can show the effects of smoking on babies in the womb - and use the images to encourage mothers who are struggling to give up.

^{Foetuses whose mothers smoked (left) continued to show significantly higher rates of mouth movement and self-touching than those carried by non-smokers (right)}

Dr Nadja Reissland has studied moving 4D scan images and recorded thousands of tiny movements in the womb.

She monitored 20 mothers attending the James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough, four of whom smoked an average of 14 cigarettes a day.

After studying their scans at 24, 28, 32 and 36 weeks, she detected that foetuses whose mothers smoked continued to show significantly higher rates of mouth movement and self-touching than those carried by non-smokers.

Foetuses usually move their mouths and touch themselves less as they gain more control the closer they get to birth.

                                                  

The pilot study, which Dr Reissland hopes to expand with a bigger sample, indicated that babies carried by smokers may have delayed development of the central nervous system.

The research, conducted by Durham and Lancaster University, is published in the journal Acta Paediatrica.

Dr Reissland, from Durham's Psychology Department, said: "A larger study is needed to confirm these results and to investigate specific effects, including the interaction of maternal stress and smoking."

She believed that videos of the difference in pre-birth development could help mothers give up smoking.

But she was against demonising mothers and called for more support for them to give up. Currently, 12 per cent of pregnant women in the UK smoke but the rate is over 20 per cent in the Durham, Darlington and Tees area.

                                          

^{Fetus of a mother who smoked up to 14 cigarettes a day (left) and fetus of a non-smoking mother (right)}

All the babies in her study were born healthy, and were of normal size and weight.

Dr Reissland, who has an expertise in studying foetal development, thanked the mothers who took part in her study, especially those who smoked.

"I'm really grateful, they did a good thing," she said. "These are special people and they overcame the stigma to help others."

Co-author Professor Brian Francis, of Lancaster University, added: "Technology means we can now see what was previously hidden, revealing how smoking affects the development of the foetus in ways we did not realise.

"This is yet further evidence of the negative effects of smoking in pregnancy."

Last year the number of women smoking in pregnancy fell to its lowest in eight years, but more than one in 10 still struggle to kick the habit.

Smoking not only impacts pregnancy but stops women conceiving.

Studies have shown that lighting up reduces sperm count, harms egg quality, hastens the menopause and increases the dangers of premature birth and the need for caesarean sections.

It also reduces the chances of a woman becoming pregnant because it undermines the ability of fertilised eggs to implant in the lining of the womb, according to research to be published today.

The Department of Health is hoping to reduce the percentage of women smoking in pregnancy from 12 per cent to 11 per cent by the end of the year.

10 Wise Ways to Redefine Yourself

                           

Life consists of ups and downs. Sometimes you may face a moment when you feel that your life has hit a brick wall and you’re unable to feel happy until the main concepts of your life are changed for better. From time to time it’s desirable to set new priorities that will fill your life with interesting adventures and events. Moreover, new directions will bring new friends and acquaintances into your life.

The process of redefining your life can heal various mental problems and conditions and can stimulate your personal growth. Unfortunately, many people lose valuable opportunities, because they treat life changes as something unidentified and unsafe. I hope these pieces of advice will help you become a person you have always dreamt to be.

1. Get rid of one bad habit

Nowadays bad habits are peculiar to every personality. If you want to start a new stage of personal development, you should rid yourself of bad habits. Bad habits are the weak points of your character. Plus, they can be a silent killer of your body. I realize that it’s very hard to break all bad habits at once, but you can conquer one of your worst bad habits and say “goodbye” to it. It will give you the motivation to fight other bad habits.

2. Cultivate new qualities

I’ve found that cultivating new qualities is one of the most effective ways to redefine yourself. This step will develop all the qualities you would like to have. First of all, you need to create the list of qualities that you think will improve your personality. Some people want to become more active, while others prefer to be more brave and determined. This list will help you embody all desired qualities. Those people who know what they really want to become in their life usually have more chances to reach their goals.

3. What defines you?

There are many life factors that define you. You are the only one who can decide what changes you need. Some people believe that the family is the main priority in their life. Others find career the main defining factor. Take a moment and realize what things define you. You should focus more on the areas and directions that can change your inner world. These thoughts can create new interests that will inspire you to set new standards and help you enjoy your life with a smile on your face.

4. New friends

It’s not surprising that people can change the life of others both positively and negatively. If your current friends and acquaintances oppress you and fill you up with constant negativity, then you should break this cycle and change the circle of your contacts. The change of the atmosphere will make you feel free and refreshed. Furthermore, new people can help you become what you want to be and make your common dreams come true. If you have no idea where to find these people, you may try to join social networks. You should believe in something wonderful and people around will do their best to help you succeed in your actions.

5. Follow your old passion

Don’t say that you’re too old to follow your passions. I’m sure that everyone has an old dream that is forgotten due to the lack of opportunity to fulfill it. Now it’s high time to recollect those old passions and do all possible things to make them come true even if it requires you to step out of your comfort zone. Try to redefine your life with a help of your old passions. Life is too short to postpone your happiness for tomorrow all the time. You should understand that your old passions and dreams can open a new page in the book of your happy life.

6. Visual plan

Redefining yourself is a challenging thing, so you need to create a visual plan in order to achieve your desired changes gradually. This visual plan will motivate you to follow the instructions until you succeed. You can put this visual plan in front of your eyes. It will remind you about it every day.

7. Do what you love

The greatest pleasure in life is doing what you love to do. Unfortunately, life is so hectic and busy that you often find compromises and avoid things that make you happier. Take a sheet of paper and create a list of things that make your eyes shine with delight. Maybe you would like to work as a florist? Maybe you want to join a sports club? Don’t waste time dreaming and just do it! Don’t worry too much only about the size of your incomes. Just like Marsha Sinetar once said, “Do what you love and the money will follow.” If you do your job properly, you will succeed without a doubt.

8. Be realistic

When you decide to redefine yourself, you shouldn’t go into extremes. Changing the circle of contacts doesn’t mean that you should burn all bridges with the people around you. It’s better to change the atmosphere around you step by step in order to avoid stress both for you and your family. If redefining yourself means going in for sports then you should develop a realistic vision of the situation. Don’t overload yourself with hard and exhausting exercises. Try to do new things in a sensible manner.

9. Don’t mind what others think

Life is better when you care less about what others think and say about you. People will always judge you, because they have to react your actions. You need to ignore their comments and focus on your inner world. It will help you reach new goals and satisfy your needs. If you stop listening to the destructive criticism of others, you’ll live in harmony with yourself. Don’t even try to please people around you since it’s just a waste of time.

10. Try to be positive

One of the most effective ways to redefine yourself is to fill your life with positivity. If you want to be on the positive wave all the time, then you should make positivity a habit and replace negative thinking by a positive one. Soon, you’ll notice nice changes of both your life and your personality. Furthermore, it will be easier to find new friends, because nowadays people tend to communicate with interesting and positive personalities.

A frank desire to redefine yourself can overcome all barriers. Unfortunately, many things cannot be changed in a moment. You should be patient enough to wait and face all possible difficulties on your way. Have you ever tried to redefine yourself? What are your secrets to make a positive change?

Read also 

7 Reasons Why It’s So Important to Love Yourself

'The bed bangs up against the wall!' Kim Kardashian reveals her mother Kris Jenner's is keeping her awake with toyboy Corey Gamble

                      

She called time on her 23-year marriage to husband Bruce last year and it seems Kris Jenner is in no hurry to walk down the aisle again.

As her romance with toyboy beau Corey Gamble was seen heating up on Keeping Up With The Kardashians, Kris assured daughter Khloe she was not rushing into another serious relationship.

'We're just hanging out right now,' the Kardashian family matriarch said coyly when asked by Khloe if they were dating. 'I don't think I will ever get married again.'

You can f*** whoever you want, just don't get married right now,' Khloe advised.

The state of Kris's love life was on everyone's lips on Sunday's episode of the hit reality TV show.

Speaking to Kylie Jenner, Scott Disick said: 'She's newly single. We've got to get her in the playing field. I just don't know what kind of man she expects or is going to want at this point.'

'I think the same age, but I don't think she thinks the same age,' Kylie quipped.

'She thinks the "same age" is 40 and she's not 40,' Scott laughed.

'She's a cougar,' Kylie said.

A horrified Kris caught Scott, Kylie and Kendall looking through her text messages to see who she had been flirting with.

'It must be very difficult to jump back into the dating world 23 years later, but if she's sexting with other guys it's very odd because 20 years ago I don’t think you were getting laid over text messages,' Scott said.

'I don't know if Kris googled "how to be sexy over text" but she's doing it and it's inappropriate and very uncomfortable.'

As Kim expressed concern that her mother was ignoring her advice to take it slow, Scott pointed out: 'Didn't you get married both times after a couple of months?']

But the self-confessed 'Lord' Disick was left open-mouthed when Kim revealed she had heard some strange noises coming from her mother’s bedroom.

'The bed bangs up against the wall. I was literally trying to pass out and I woke up and I swear I thought I heard moaning,' she said.

'That’s disgusting. I have the worst visual,' Khloe said.

Kris, who was later seen getting cosy with Corey in a Las Vegas nightclub, said she was feeling exasperated at all the questions about her love life.

'I can't do anything right,' she told Khloe, who pointed out a bruise on her neck and said: 'You got the hickey right though.'

'It's not a hickey,' Kris protested.

It's so annoying that my family is being so judgmental because all I really want to do is live my life.

'Everybody wants to know what the title is, everybody wants answers. It's like a bunch of haters.'

'We just want you to be happy and have fun,' Khloe reassured her mother.

'Life is about having fun,' Kim added.

Kourtney, meanwhile, managed to upset Kim by kicking up a fuss when her sister asked if she would appear as a character in her Glu Mobile video game.

'I just don't get why they use our name and likeness but don’t pay us,' she said.

'Kourtney's always difficult,' Kim told the cameras. 'When we were first starting our careers I would do anything to help them out.'

Kourtney doesn't have to lift a finger, she doesn't have to do anything. She should do this for me with no questions asked.'

During a heated row with her sister, Kim said Scott had advised her to buy Kourtney a pair of shoes to sweet-talk her into taking part.

Kim said: 'I said to Scott 'I'm not buying her a pair of shoes, I bought her a f***ing career. It's just lame to not do me a favour.'

But the mother-of-one was left stunned when she received a cease and desist letter from Kourtney, ordering her to stop pressing her about the game.

'Obama has a character and Kourtney Kardashian is being difficult,' Kim laughed.

But she eventually decided to apologise to her sister for not simply asking her for a favour and told her she had managed to negotiate a fee.

'I appreciate the apology and I'm happy to do it,' Kourtney said.

''I'll get your check over a.s.a.p.' Kim replied.

While Kourtney and Kim were rowing over video games, Khloe and Scott attended a Halloween party in Ottawa, Canada dressed as a cat and a Saudi Prince.

Khloe upset her Instagram followers when she posted a photo and captioned it 'Sheik p***y.'

'I have to be more aware of what I write, even if it's tongue in cheek,' she later admitted.

Scott confessed he was finding it hard to attend meet and greet events where everyone was drinking around him.

'Doing events and parties is one of my jobs, so I don't want to mess that up and I feel like I can't go to these things and act like an animal. I just don't want to not be able to drink at all because then all I think about is drinking,' he said.