Costa Concordia: How cruise ship tragedy transformed an island paradise

  
Giglio, Italy (CNN) -- Father Lorenzo Pasquotti keeps hundreds of cards and letters from the passengers and crew members who survived the wreck of the Costa Concordia cruise liner on a shelf in the rectory of the brick-faced Church of the Madonna of Giglio, just up the narrow street from the island's only port.

Many of the letters, handwritten in English, German, French and Italian, are addressed simply to "Giglio, Italy 58012" to no one in particular, almost as if the island itself is a person. When the postal carrier brings the mail over on the morning ferry from the Italian mainland, he either leaves the new letters with Mayor Sergio Ortelli or at the church with Father Pasquotti. After all, Giglio has always been the type of place where the mailman knows exactly who is around and who is not.

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Ifeanyi Uba gives Agulu a new Igwe: Obienyem..

 During The flag-off of Labour party campaign, Ifeanyi Ubah, whose Capital Oil is now being managed by AMCON for over 160 Billion Naira he is owing to banks and ehseprivate jet is up for sale by the same AMCOM, typical of him, got one charlatan from Obe village, Agulu, Mr. Julius Ilo, an Ichie, to pretend to be the Igwe Of Agulu. We do not know what he paid him. Is this the character of a person that will govern Anambra State?

The real Igwe, HRH, Igwe Innocent Obodoakor was throughly embarrassed. He called his Cabinet meeting immediately and Julius was suspended as an Ichie. There will be another meeting today, where he will most probably be removed as an Ichie, for lack of character.

With the report to the Police, the Ichie got wind that he might be arrested, prosecuted and jailed for impersonation is already on the run.

We shall feed you as details unfold.

So gentlemen, what do you think about Ifeanyi Uba?

By Valentine Obienyem

Kim and Kanye inspect construction of their $11million mansion

Kim and Kanye, who have been living with Kim's mum since welcoming their daughter, were seen yesterday inspecting on-going construction of their $11million mansion in Bel Air. Kim bought the stunning Mediterranean-style mansion brand new last month but wanted some renovations before moving in.

Monalisa looking stunning as she gets ready for her birthday party

Monalisa Chinda is a year older today and I hear there's a party going down tonight. Happy birthday Ms Chinda.

Former Ondo State Governor Olusegun Agagu passes on at 65

Former governor of Ondo State, Olusegun Agagu has passed on. Agagu, who also served as minister of power under Obasanjo administration reportedly slumped and died this evening Friday September 13th at his home in Lagos. He was 65 years old. May his soul rest in peace...amen.

Court sentences 4 men to death for gang rape and murder of student

The four Indian men who attacked and raped a 23 year old student on a Delhi bus on December 16th 2012, have been sentenced to death by hanging. An Indian court ruled today Friday September 13th that the men deserved to die for the vicious attack which left the victim with such severe internal injuries she died two weeks later. 

The victim and her boyfriend had been returning from a movie date when they encountered the rapists inside one of India’s many private buses. The driver of the bus and four friends had taken the bus out into the night, looking for sex. Unfortunately the victim and her boyfriend got into the bus not knowing what would happen next.

According to court documents, the men attacked the couple, beating them before taking the woman to the back of the bus and raping her one by one, then penetrating her body with iron rods. She died at a hospital in Singapore several days later. The bus driver, Ram Singh, committed suicide in his jail cell in March. The judge said in court today that they are hoping the sentence will serve as a ‘strong deterrent’ to others in a country where crimes against women, especially rape, is on the rise.

2015: Jonathan kicks off campaign

 

The presidency has picked holes in the rumours making the rounds that the sack of nine Ministers by President Goodluck Jonathan had political undertones.

Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Political Matters, Ahmed Gulak explained that the decision to unseat the ministers was far from being connected with the current crises rocking the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
President Goodluck Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan

Speaking while inaugurating a 44 member Elders Committee, Gulak at the behest of the Goodluck Support Group (GSG) stated that the unity of the country remained paramount over and above parochial interest of persons or group of individuals in the polity.

According to him: “This is the decision of Mr. President. It is his constitutional power to hire and fire. The ministers were working for Mr. President and it has nothing to do with the PDP misunderstanding and disagreement. I believed that ministers who were relieved of their appointments had already contributed their own quota.

Apparently referring to members of the “New PDP” faction,  Gulak who is the national coordinator of the GSG noted that the PDP-led administration would not be intimidated with the presence of any viable opposition political party.

Charging members of the committee to work assiduously to keep both the PDP and the country at peace, he said: “There are some few people who believe that power must always belong to them and who believe you and me cannot lead this country. But we know that in this country, it is God that decides what he wants. No human being is a partner to God.

Anybody who tries to assert himself above where God has put us in Nigeria’s political development is only dealing with himself.

Power belongs to God.
Reacting, former Deputy Senate President, Alhaji Ibrahim Mantu who was one of the Elders assured that with the constitution of the elders committee, the PDP now enmeshed in internal crises would reenact its potency ahead of the 2015 poll.

Among members of the 44 elders committee were former Senate President, Ken Nnamani, Sheik Dan Zangar, Rev Yusuf Turaki, Bishop Thomas Okpor, Maj Gen Patrick Aziza (rtd), Senator Victor Ndoma Egba, Bishop C.N William, Sheik Dahiru Bauchi, Prof Jibril Aminu, Gen Yakubu Usman (rtd), Gen Haladu Hananiya (rtd), Prof Jerry Gana, Dr Olusegun Agagu, Dr Okwesileze Nwodo, Senator Tunde Ogbeha, Chibudom Nwuche, Saidu Umaru Kumo, Chief Innocent Chukwuma, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe, Chief Solomon Lar, Alhaji Abba Dabo, Lili Gabari, Senator Ibrahim Mantu, Bode Olajumoke, Prof Jibril Aminu, Senator Umar Hambagda, Alha Musa Liman, Aisha Aliyu Zamfara, Aisha Alhassan, Sam Ode, Senator Ayoola Agboola, Patricia Etteh, Dr Eze Kano and Alhaji Danlkadi Maidugu.

BY LEVINUS NWABUGHIOGU, Abuja

BBA The Chase star Beverly Osu debuts Colourful Hairstyle

Beverly Osu is definitely one of this year’s break out star.

The Big Brother Africa season 8 housemate has constantly been making headlines since she returned from the competition in South Africa.

The model/video vixen is currently making media rounds in cities like Abuja and Calabar with her fellow Nigerian housemate Melvin Oduah.

With the spotlight constantly on you, switching up your style is key and that is what Beverly did. She recently debuted a new hairstyle.

From her long brown hair, she is now rocking dark wavy locks with green highlights. Check out recent photos of the star at an event in Abuja and the Ebony Life TV studio in Calabar.

Yay or Nay?

Photo Credit: www.twitter.com/melvin0duah

Breaking News: Catholic priests to be allowed to marry if..

 

In what is an unprecedented move, the Vatican has opened the door to the possibility of Catholic priests being allowed to marry.

For centuries Catholic Church tradition has required celibacy from priests and the Canon Law of the church clearly states: “Clerics are obliged to observe perfect and perpetual continence for the sake of the kingdom of heaven, and therefore are bound to celibacy, which is a special gift of God by which sacred ministers can adhere more easily to Christ with an undivided heart and are able to dedicate themselves more freely to the service of God and humanity.”

However, Archbishop Pietro Parolin, the incoming No. 2 in the Catholic Church when be becomes secretary of state next month, has declared that priestly vow of celibacy derived from an age-old rule but was not Catholic dogma.

“It’s not a dogma of the Church and it can be discussed because it’s an ecclesiastical tradition,” Archbishop Parolin told El Universal in Venezuela, where he is completing his term as Papal Nuncio.

This has been interpreted to mean that the church under reformist-minded Pope Francis I would welcome married priesthood if most Catholics so desire.

The number of priests has been declining steadily partly because of the rule on celibacy. In the United States alone, about 30,000 priests have left because they wanted to pursue a relationship.

“I think it would be an enormously welcome conversation,” Thomas Groome, a professor of theology at Boston College, USA, told interviewers. “I think Catholics, certainly American Catholics, but Catholics of the world, have been waiting for this conversation.”

Groome said that the idea of complete celibacy among the clergy only started to become standard practice in the 11th, 12th, and 13th centuries, adding:

“As far as we can tell from the Gospels, all of the apostles were married, with the possible exception of John.” VIA Times Of London.

Ice Prince Endlessly Working On His Second Album In The US

Ice prince and kendra

Zamani is in New York busy with work while some are here fighting each other over top rappers list.

Ice Prince Zamani

“Back on the streets of New york!

Ice prince is currently in the city of New york working on his new album, the rapper also disclosed that he’s currently working with Donjazzy on new tune, i will surely get some updates on that

Princess Pat finally bows out of Glo X Factor

 
 
 "Like I always do, I'll like to give praises to Jah," said Ghanaian artiste and X Factor judge, Reggie Rockstone as he made to deliver the deciding vote that sent Princess Pat out of the show recently.

"Sister Pat, I love you. You're an inspiration. Vicky, I love you too; you're a fighter. Both of you deserve to wear the crown. I'll give my sister, the young girl, a shot. I didn't just come up with that, Princess Pat, God needs you out there. Give the young girl a shot!"

With that verdict by Reggie, the quest for the X Factor crown ended for 49-year-old Princess Pat, whose full name is Mohie Patience Uyoyo Oghene, leaving Eshun, Vicky and DJ Switch to battle for the top prize. 

Before the voting, however, there was a surprise performance by Glo ambassador, Asem from Ghana. Decked in a white blazer and blue jeans trousers, the singer crooned "Get down" which got the audience applauding on their feet.

After the thrilling performance, Toolz announced, "the contestants with the least votes are Vicky and Princess Pat. How do you feel?" Toolz asked Vicky, apparently referring to the fact that Vicky was facing eviction for the third time. "I'll give it my best shot. I'm grateful I made it this far though," the unassuming Vicky answered.

"This is the first time you're up for eviction, how devastated are you?" Toolz turned to Princess Pat. "I'm not devastated. My name is Hope." she declared valiantly.

Both of then sang for survival, after which a cacophony of voices rose up from the audience chanting both names as everybody waited for Reggie's verdict. He was left to cast the deciding vote after both MI and Onyeka Onwenu had decided to save their respective mentees, Pat and Vicky, who were both in the bottom two.

After his pronouncement, Vicky couldn't contain herself as she cried on Toolz's shoulder. Betraying no emotion, Princess Pat said, "It's been absolutely wonderful. I hoped to get to the top three, but I'm so happy for Vicky. Well done, you deserve it," she said, congratulating the young girl.

"It's sad to see her leave. What are your final words to her?" Toolz asked MI.

The rapper was silent for a while, but he finally said, "Good job" without speaking further.

Princess Pat came back on stage to give a powerful and moving last performance as she shook hands with members of the audience for the last time. Holding nothing back, she sang from the wells of her stomach. The remaining three contestants came to join her on stage, with Eshum even crying.

After her performance, Princess Pat admonished the audience, "Whenever you feel lonely and feel like giving up, remember Princess Pat and keep working."

SOURCE 

Fresh Video from Independent Igbo Rap Artiste: Bosalin "Shine"

 

 New visuals from the indigenous Nigerian rapper. 
BosaLin Onye UtaLi, "SHINE" 

 Watch video