Shahid Lawal, a 16-year-old boy has drowned while bathing in a pond at Bacharawa Ramin Kasa, Fagge Local Government Area in Kano.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the Public Relations Officer of the State Fire Service, Mr. Saidu Mohammed gave the information on Friday in Kano.

Mohammed said that the incident happened on Thursday evening when the deceased went to take his bath.

“We received a distress call from Rabiu Nasiru at about 6:23 p.m. that Lawal’s body has been found floating in a pond. On receiving the information, we quickly sent our rescue team to the scene at about 6:34 p.m.’’

The cause of the incident was still under investigation.

“Lawal was found dead and handed over to the Ward Head of Bachirawa Gabas, Alhaji Rabiu Bala,” he added.

A family of six—man, pregnant wife, his three children and a female relative— were found dead yesterday, in their apartment at 19 Olowora, Mafoloku area of Lagos State.

The family were said to have eaten jollof rice the previous (Tuesday) night.

However, one of the children, a twin, aged four, survived the attack, but was still undergoing treatment at press time.

Though there was no official report on the cause of the death, the family was suspected to have either been suffocated by an insecticide which was sprayed in their one-room apartment on Tuesday night, or died of food poisoning.

Identities of the deceased are Mr. Zakaria, popularly called Cool Money; pregnant wife, popularly called Iya Aliyah; Aliyah, 11; Firdaous, 9; Tawio, 4, and Wasilia, 17, a relative that came to spend the holiday with the family.

…late woman’s mother

Further information gathered that the mother of late Mrs Zakaria slumped and died when news of her daughter’s death was related to her.

The aged woman was said to have visited her daughter the previous day, but left for Badagry at night, turning down request by her pregnant daughter to pass the night with them.

It was learned that at about 9a.m. yesterday, curious neighbours discovered that no member of the Zakaria family had come out of their apartment, which was unusual.

After several attempts were made to wake them up by knocking on their door, the neighbours had to forcefully open it.

The family’s neighbour, Aina Adeleke, told Vanguard: “Immediately we forced the door open, we found seven of them lying down like they were asleep. On closer look, we observed that Mr. Zakaria a.k.a. Cool Money, was dead.

“Wasilia had foamy substance in her mouth, while the corpse of Firdaous and Taiwo (one of the twins) were very cold and stiff like they had died several hours ago.

“As soon as we discovered that Mrs Zakaria a.k.a. (Iya Aliyah), Kehinde and Aliyah were still breathing, we rushed them to the hospital. Unfortunately, only one of the twins, Kehinde, survived, while Aliyah and her mother died at the hospital.”

The emotional Adeleke added: “Sincerely, I can’t say for sure what happened to them or what killed them. But we found out that they ate jollof rice last (Tuesday) night. It is only God that can say what exactly happened to the family.”

It was learned that one of the twins, Kehinde, who survived at a private hospital was later referred to Lagos Teaching University Hospital, LUTH.

When journalists and investigators got to the scene of the incident, it was like a tourist centre, as people trooped in.

Policemen, led by the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Makinde Division, were sighted at the scene collecting items for forensic investigation, while the bodies were moved into the ambulance of Lagos respond unit by officials of Lagos State Emergency Agency, LASEMA.

Thereafter, the building was sealed off by health officials from the Oshodi Local Government Area, Bolade, Oshodi.

A staff of Bells Nursery and Primary School, where the children attended, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said: “The children were so brilliant that the owner of the school had to award them scholarship.”

Another resident, Azeez, said: “I was in the bathroom when I heard shouts from neighbours that something had happened to the Zakarias. I didn’t know it was serious until I got to their room and saw the lifeless bodies.

“Cool Money was very jovial and popular because he was an electrician and helped people in the street repair electrical appliances. His wife, Iya Aliyah, sold shoes and bags at Ajibolu Market, in Mafoluku. That is why there is so much crowd here.”

It was gathered that late Cool Money was a contract staff at Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company, IKEDC.

Lamenting, another resident, who simply gave his name as Lukmon, said: “If really the security officials who sealed the place, want to do a thorough investigation, they won’t have allowed any tenant or occupant in the building to take any item before sealing the entire building.

“Allowing them take things from the building would lead to loss of vital evidence.”

Meanwhile, Mr. Bosun Olukolade, Operational Head of LASEMA, who supervised the evacuation of the bodies, advised tenants of the building to restrain their movement into the deceaseds’ apartment, as fumigation would be carried out to prevent outbreak of diseases.

Contacted, Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Elkana Bala, said investigation into the incident had begun.

According to the Police spokesman, “when we got the distress call, we responded and found a 42-year-old man, his wife and three other persons dead. One of their children survived.”

Source: Vanguard NGR

Former Head of Service in Lagos State, Alhaji Rafiu Tinubu is dead. Tinubu died in Abuja on Wednesday at the age of 75, after a brief illness.

A statement signed by Mr Gboyega Akosile, Chief Press Secretary to Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu described Tinubu’s death as a huge loss to the state and the nation in general.

Sanwo-Olu sympathized with Tinubu’s family, the deceased’s friends and associates, saying: “Alhaji Tinubu’s demise came at a time the nation and Lagos in particular needed his wealth of experience the most.”

“As experienced administrator per excellence, we certainly will miss the late Alhaji Tinubu’s counsel on matters of importance in the state civil service.”

The Governor said people of the state would always remember the “laudable achievements” of the former top civil servant, who, he said, served the state meritoriously for 26 years before he rose to become the Head of Service.

Sanwo-Olu said: “We can’t forget the contributions of late Alhaji Rafiu Tinubu towards the professionalisation of Lagos civil service. His quest for excellence and exemplary leadership were a hallmark of his earthly sojourn.

“We condole the Tinubu family, especially our National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, wife and children of the deceased and the entire extended families of late elder statesman.

“I pray that Almighty Allah grant the late Alhaji Rafiu Tinubu Al-Janah Firdaus and grant members of the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.”

South African Foreign Affairs Minister, Naledi Pandor, has accused Nigerians of dealing on drugs, human trafficking and other related criminal activities in their country.

“I would appreciate them in helping us as well to address the belief our people have and the reality that there are many persons from Nigeria dealing in drugs in our country.

“I believe that Nigerian nationals are involved in human trafficking and other abusive practices.

“These kind of assistance of ensuring that such persons do not come to our country will be of great assistance to our nation,” TheCable quoted her as saying. Pandor who in an interview with ‘eNCA’, a South African news website, solicited for President Muhammadu Buhrai’s help in tackling different criminalities in the country averred, that Nigeria needs to help address the belief that its countrymen are involved in criminal activities.

The minister said government was aware of a resentment-driven “Afrophobia” and was working to restore calm. Recall that South Africans have been accused of killing foreigners in their country. But the recent one that triggered tension was the Fridays attack on foreigners which resulted to the death of three persons.

Reports equally have it that houses owned by some Nigerians and business shops were burnt down. Reacting on this, Nigerian Federal government pulled out of the ongoing World Economic Forum in Cape Town, and recalled it envoy back.

However, Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Onyeama while briefing journalists said, “In the first place, we must address the issue of compensation.

There has to be accountability and there has to be responsibility for compensating all those Nigerians that have suffered loss and we are going to absolutely push forward.”

The attacks, looting and burning of businesses allegedly owned by Nigerians in South Africa had on Wednesday morning, sparked off protest in some Nigerian cities as some irate youths stormed a Shoprite mall in Abuja, Lagos, Enugu others to protest the attack on Nigerians in South Africa.

Super star Davido has shared plans to officially tie the knot with his long time girlfriend, Chioma Rowlands.

The 27-year-old singer had just concluded an introduction ceremony with his would be wife’s family on Monday.

On photos he shared on his social media handles, the celebrity said 2020 was the anticipated year for the big events, calling on friends and family to get ready.

He confirmed all pictures and information shared online recently in an interview with Beat FM, saying 2020 is the year for sure. “We have not started all that plans yet. 2020 is the year for sure”, the singer said. Meanwhile, he has also addressed rumours that his bride to be was pregnant asking Nigerians to be patient.

“Wait and see now,” he said. Despite all attempts on him to confirm or debunk the rumors, an excited Davido explained. This one is special”.

Just as many Nigerian entertainment stars have voiced their minds on the barbaric xenophobic attacks being unleashed on Nigerians and other foreign nationals in South Africa, Nollywood leading lady, Genevieve has joined the party but instead of being intemperate like many others, the ‘Lionheart’ star has elected to go philosophical.

Speaking on the development, she stated that South Africans had shown Nigerians countless times who they were.

The super star, on her Instagram page, wrote “A life with us isn’t the worse thing. They need to see one without us. They’ve shown us countless times who they are. Let’s believe them.“It’s time to show them who we are.

But most importantly, it’s time we believed in ourselves. They see our potential; our greatness. We need to see it too.“It’s tough out here I know, but sooner than later we’ll have to realize it’s all we’ve got. We have to make sure our energy and resources are beneficial to all things here.“We can’t ignore the signs much longer. Change is inevitable. Let us stay ahead of it. Long live Nigeria.” Tiwa Savage in the same vein has also cancelled her musical show scheduled to hold in South Africa.

Nollywood actress, Angela Okorie was in high spirits yesterday when she released a photo splash on her Instagram page to celebrate the 8th birthday of her son, Chamberlain Kasiemobi, who she described as a miracle child, having been declared a stillborn by doctors.

Angela’s celebration of the little boy is coming amid death threat issued to him, by an unknown follower on social media who asked her to apologize to Mercy Johnson or face the danger of losing her son within seven days. The actress was said to have corroborated a story of an actress Sonia Ogiri, who shared her bitter experience with Mercy Johnson on her Instagram page. While Ogiri claimed that the mother of three repeatedly humiliated and talked down on her, Angela Okorie accused MJ of fighting her spiritually. However, following these allegations, the beautiful actress reportedly claimed that she received a death threat on her son, who celebrated his birthday yesterday in her DM on Instagram. Reacting to the death threat, Angela Okorie wrote, “You have to bite the wrong meat accusing Mercy Johnson of attacking you spiritually i give you seven days to go back and apologize for your lies or else your son will die.” The actress said their plans would not be established as she serves a bigger God.

“Only if you know how many alters I have raised for God. Only if you know who my son is. Before he was conceived God knew him. May death visit your full generation. Any gathering that is not of the lord they shall scatter. You evil spirit may you drink your own blood and eat your own flesh Any coven that my name and my son’s name have been mentioned Holy ghost fire destroy you all.” “Be destroyed and removed from the surface of the earth. Since you are wishing my son death, may your generation be closed.” Meanwhile, in her birthday message, Angela called the handsome boy, her future president, as she narrated the circumstances that rounded the birth of little Chamberlain. In her post, Angela Okorie wrote “Happy birthday to this Miracle child. When I gave birth to you You died and the doctor asked us to go. But God proved himself. He proved to me and to the world that it’s Him that gives life and takes life. You actually died when Christ died and resurrected when he resurrected. “Every evil eye monitoring your life Go blind In Jesus name.”

Source: VanguardNGR

Yet another Nigerian is at the receiving end of the excesses of SARS operatives. Rapper Ikechukwu took to Instagram Thursday morning to share his experience with some officers of the unit who didn’t bear any form of identification.

Ikechukwu visibly distraught narrated how the officers made him exhaust his bank account before asking questions that showed they actually know who he was.

He wrote: “was kidnapped by sars last night. Two mins away from my house, taken to Lagos island and made to exhaust my atm allowance or I would be killed and no one would know. “Not by armed robbers. But when you are robbed and they are armed fully, 5 AK-47’s. Blows to the head and bundled into a vehicle. Isn’t it the same thing. And then after you will now tell me our govt is working. Things are in place. Bla bla. Let me tell you now straight up. I don’t care who you are, if you are rolling solo in this town and sars get you, day or night. If they get your phone, it’s over for you. They don’t have names or numbers on their uniforms. They literally said to me ” na u burn this our Hilux here yesterday abii”, acting like they didn’t know who I was and were gonna rope me in anything they felt or do with me what they would. After collecting all the money in Lagos Island they start laughing telling me I’m too stubborn that when will I introduce them to Don Jazzy. Oh, so u know me. One even bragged about working a lot with Wazobia FM. Thanx for that info at least now I have a point to start my own investigation.

View this post on Instagram

was kidnapped by sars lastnight. Two mins away from my house, taken to lagos island and made to exhaust my atm allowance or i would be killed and no one would know.. Not by armed robbers. But when u are robbed and they are armed fully , 5 ak-47's . Blows to the head and bundled into a vehicle. Isnt it the same thing. And then after u will now tell me our govt is working. Things are in place. Bla bla. Let me tell u now straight up. I dont care who u are , if u are rolling solo in this town and sars get u. Day or night. If they get ur phone. Its over for u. They dont have names or numbers on their uniforms. They literally said to me " na u burn this our hilux here yesterday abii" . Acting like they didnt know who i was and were gonna rope me in anything they felt or do with me what they would. After collecting all the money in lagos island they start laughing telling me im too stubborn that when will i introduce them to don jazzy. Oh so u know me. One even bragged about working alot with wazobiafm. Thanx for that info at least now i have a point to start my own investigation. I couldve been shot and left in the dark space on thst dark road. No id no phone . Who would id me. Who would be looking for me for days? Afterall my people saw me enter uber heading home. On the island. Shey im safe . Good morning. Its a good day to be alive. I dont even know what hashtag to put sef. Its ok. I recorded a video initially from when I got home last night but it was too long and it made me cry again. So i just said lemme just yan straight no need for in the moment . Just the facts. We are not safe. End of story. Know as u dey take move. Shout out to @@chris_yaks who was with me thru the whole ordeal. I hope say u dey alright.

A post shared by Ikechukwu Onunaku (@official_ikechukwu) on Sep 4, 2019 at 11:51pm PDT

“I could’ve been shot and left in the dark space on that dark road. No id no phone. Who would id me? Who would be looking for me for days? Afterall my people saw me enter uber heading home. On the island. Shey, I’m safe. Good morning. It’s a good day to be alive. I don’t even know what hashtag to put sef. It’s ok. I recorded a video initially from when I got home last night but it was too long and it made me cry again. So I just said lemme just yan straight no need for in the moment. Just the facts. We are not safe. End of story. Know as you dey take move. Shout out to @@chris_yaks who was with me thru the whole ordeal. I hope say u dey alright.”

Nigerian youths between 13 and 50 years will jostle to win N15 million prize money in a talent hunt television reality show billed to take place across the country in December.

A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Blessworld Foundation in partnership with Youth Cultural Association of Nigeria (Youth-CAN) has initiated a talent hunt and youth empowerment TV reality show to enable Nigerian showcase their talents and skills.

The reality show known as “Cradle to Fame” has been designed for participants between ages 13 and 50.

Project Manager, Mr Opeyemi Babatunde told newsmen in Abuja that the show was aimed at empowering Nigerian youths who have vocational skills and those who are into agriculture.

According to Babatunde, N15 million will be up for grabs in the show expected to begin in December in the six geopolitical zones, while the grand finale holds in Umuahia, Abia State.

He urged participants to visit www.cradletofame.com to register to guarantee their participation in the show.

“We are organising a television show called ‘Credit to Fame’ talent hunt and business TV reality show targeted at discovering young talents in Nigeria.

“We want to discover, nurture and promote young minds and entrepreneurs in Nigeria within the age range of 13 to 50 in areas such as music, acting, comedy and professional skills like agriculture, fashion, ICT, among others.

“For the winners, we have whopping some of N15 million prize money for grabs. The overall winner will get N5 million, endorsement deals and other accruing benefits.

“The first runner-up will get N2 million cash, an affirmation deal and other benefits, while the second runner-up gets N1 million cash with access to microcredit loan facilities.

“Other 120 finalists will go home with N50,000 cash reward,” Opeyemi said.

He noted that the organisers will work with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (SMEDAN) and some Nigerian comedian and Nollywood actors and actresses to ensure a successful outing..

“We want to create employment, build capacity and alleviate poverty.

“We have reputable brand ambassadors like AY who is the chief host and MC of this event as well as Ebube Nwagbo, Nollywood actress.

“The show will take place in the six geopolitical zones of the country and this is not a show to reward one or two participants because up to 125 participants will be rewarded.

“Since SMEDAN will be sponsoring, every participant will be trained in their areas of talent. Certificate will equally be issued after the training,” he added.

So. My twins have discovered each other & I seriously can not take it...😩💕 pic.twitter.com/Fijbh7farL

— Rae 🌻🌱 (@raediancee) August 22, 2019

A video has surface online showing twin babies talking to each other to the amazement of their mother.

In the video, the babies are since facing each other and conversing in baby language.

Twitter user @raediancee who posted the video online said “So, my twins have discovered each other & I seriously can not take it.”

A Zambian pastor identified as Brighton Samajomba has reportedly died of starvation 10 days before the end of his annual 30-day fasting programme.

Samajomba, 37, of “Heaven Is My Home” in Solwezi, Northwest area of Zambia, was reportedly found dead by his wife in the early hours of the 20th day of his 30-day fasting programme of standing in the gap for his family and church members.

Samajomba’s death was confirmed by his brother Reagan Samajomba in Solwezi on Wednesday.

Reagan said the deceased Samjomba who led a lifestyle of taking on many days of prayer and fasting programmes, started his annual fasting programme on 8th of August with a view to pray for his family and church members who he wanted to remain united.

He told The Zambian Sun that, Pastor Samanjomba took on many other yearly 90 days fasting programmes during which he only had a single meal in the evening each August.

“I would say he died in the early hours, because my sister and his wife were there and took turns to check on him, and then it was time for my in law to check on him, she was with him according to her till mid night,

“Then she decided to rest, when she woke up, they had a tendency of sharing dreams with each other as partners. So she dreamt of something and wanted to tell the husband.

“But as she tried to shake him up, he was not responding and so he was rushed to the hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

“The only consolation that we have as a family is the way he died because he was in the closet with the Lord,” Reagan said.

American superstar, Nicki Minaj says she has “decided to retire and have a family”.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the rapper made the announcement on Thursday via her Twitter page @nickiminaj.

“Love you for LIFE,” the post reads, closing with emojis.”

The Grammy-nominated rapper is dating a man called Kenneth Petty and has hinted that they are planning to get married.

Apart from music, the 36-year-old has appeared in several Hollywood films and has her own radio show.

It was not clear whether or not the post was serious, a plea for attention, or, as the second sentence suggests, an act of spite toward naysayers.

In August, she said on her Queen Radio show that she and boyfriend Kenneth Petty will be married “in 80 days.”

After releasing a string of mixtapes in the 2000s, Nicki Minaj joined Drake on Lil Wayne’s record label Young Money Entertainment.

Her debut album Pink Friday came out in 2010 and has since released mega-hits like ‘Super Bass’, ‘Anaconda’ and ‘Starships’, which established her as one of the world’s biggest female rappers.

Her solo albums have sold millions as well as her collaborations with Ludacris, Usher, David Guetta, Madonna, Ariana Grande, Kanye West and Justin Bieber.

She has been nominated for ten Grammys, won five MTV Video Music Awards and broken the record for the most Billboard Hot 100 entries by a solo female artist.

Away from music, her film appearances include ‘The Other Woman’ and ‘Ice Age: Continental Drift’.

Tennis star, Serena Williams stunned fans with a black sleeveless Kimono jacket by a Nigerian designer, Jane Michael Ekanem

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the jacket was part of her fashion ensemble for the cover of Essence Magazine’s latest issue.

Essence is a popular monthly magazine for African-American women. It was first published in 1970.

Ekanem is a popular Nigerian fashion designer who has styled Yemi Alade, Tiwa Savage and other celebrities.

Serena paired the Kimono with a floor-length skirt, white shirt, and strappy heels and has raved about how much she loves the design.

According to Ekanem, the Kimono represents light and energy which Serena is known for globally.

The kimono featured inked artwork on the lapels by Laolu Senbajo, another Nigerian designer, was also responsible for Serena’s face art on the magazine cover.

Laolu, who is a popular name in the international fashion scene, is also a renowned face artist.

He has worked with notable brands like Nike, Bvlgari, Beyoncé, and most recently a Grace Jones-inspired bodysuit for Hollywood actress, Taraji P. Henson.

In the cover feature interview, Serena spoke about her take on the fashion world following the launch of her own fashion line ‘Serena’ in 2018.

Reacting to the cover, an excited Jane Ekanem, on Instagram @janemichaelekanem appreciated Serena for rocking the designs.

She wrote, “About this same time 4 years ago, I posted a video of Serena Williams of how she said ‘I want other people to be like me’ when she was asked who she would like to be like.

“It’s not far fetched from mine as I always tell people I want to be a better version of myself.

“Today, at this same period, I have my piece worn by @serenawilliams, one of the most powerful and most accomplished women in the world wear my Kimono piece.

“(The piece was) tailored and made here in Surulere, Lagos, Nigeria in a global magazine, @essence, in a global fashion edition.

“No matter who you are and where you are, when your time is here, your universe will come for you. Keep at what you are doing. Do good relentlessly.

“I am just that young black girl who is trying to keep the dreams alive. And as @lupitanyongo would say ‘your dreams are still valid’.

“I have never doubted my journey even though sometimes I got angry and impatient.

“My life is a work in progress and I will trust the process. A huge thanks to @laolunyc for being the bridge. The art you put on the lapel made it even more attractive.

“The kimono was inspired from the #EnergyGod kimono made by @janemichaelcollection for @do2dtun during his photoshoot. The Kimono symbolizes energy and light,” Ekanem said.

NAN reports that the outfit is the latest design in the Jane Ekanem’s eponymous brand collection.

A 33-year-old bride preparing for two weddings suffered a grueling medical emergency that required surgery just one day before she was set to exchange her vows.

When it came time for longtime sweethearts Rhema Gaines and Eze Nnadi to marry, the Orlando, Florida, couple wanted to throw two separate weddings for their families. The first would be a traditional Nigerian ceremony on May 24, followed by a Western wedding on May 26.

With the big weekend approaching, Gaines had her sights set on piecing together the final wedding details — until something wasn’t right.

“I had come down with a flu or upper respiratory infection. I went to the ER, and they kept me for a really long time,” Gaines, who shares a 2-year-old daughter with Nnadi, tells PEOPLE. “Eventually symptoms of the infection were going away, but I was still there. They were still running scans, and I didn’t know what was going on.”

Doctors ultimately found a cyst resting on Gaines’ ovaries, but this was no typical growth — it was a dermoid ovarian cyst, a noncancerous lump that often contains a buildup of hair, fluid, teeth or skin glands since they form from embryonic cells, according to Mayo Clinic. Dermoid cysts are rare, and even more so on the ovaries. The growths will typically begin during a woman’s reproductive years.

Gaines’ cyst either wasn’t noticed by doctors when she was pregnant two years earlier, or it simply hadn’t grown yet.

“There we were two years after giving birth, and they’re seeing this mass grow inside of me that’s the size of a melon,” Gaines says. “That’s not normal.”

The team’s plan was to remove the cyst via an operation to minimize any risk it would rupture and cause an infection, but because her dual weddings were approaching, the doctors assured her the surgery could wait. One doctor even said he had never seen a cyst like hers burst in his 30-year career.

Gaines went on with her wedding preparations, confident that her medical scare could be put on pause. Then things went wrong once again.

“With the wedding planning, all the stress of having not one but two weddings is going on, and the Sunday before that wedding I started to not feel well,” she says. “By Tuesday I was really ill. By Wednesday I couldn’t even walk. I was hunched over, and I’m still trying to do last-minute wedding stuff.”

By 10 p.m. that night, Gaines was back in the emergency room, where doctors discovered the melon-sized cyst had ruptured.

“At this point I’m scared. Because I’m thinking, am I going to miss my wedding?” says Gaines, adding that doctors were worried she could develop sepsis. “I’m like, I don’t think I’m gonna make it. They told me, ‘Sweetie, you’re past that point. You’re going to have emergency surgery. We have to do this to save your life.’ “

Once in the operating room, the surgeons made three incisions in Gaines’ abdomen, one on her side and another near her belly button.

“They got it out, everything,” she says. “The surgery went very well, thankfully. But everything leading up to the surgery was a nightmare.”

Gaines was released from the hospital shortly after the operation, with only 24 hours to go before the first of her ceremonies.

“Everybody was at the house trying to organize everything, and then the next morning I had to go to the rehearsal walk through — and I could barely walk,” she says.

“I had to pull it together to get hair and makeup done. But they had me on pain killers, which helped me get through Friday,” adds Gaines. “Friday was the worst, though, because I was in so much pain, and Nigerian weddings are all about dancing and it’s all about the bride.”

The second wedding, which was captured by Orlando photographer Anesha Collins of Unashamed Imaging, went off without a hitch, and now Gaines and Nnadi are settling into married life after an eventful start.

“I’m so happy. Even though there was that black mark on the situation, it just feels really good to walk away with a legacy that we had one of the best weddings in our family, like wow, we did it,” Gaines says of the situation. “I’m so grateful that I was able to triumph.”

Robert Mugabe, the Zimbabwean independence icon turned authoritarian leader, has died aged 95.

Mr Mugabe had been receiving treatment in a hospital in Singapore since April. He was ousted in a military coup in 2017 after 37 years in power.

The former president was praised for broadening access to health and education for the black majority.

But later years were marked by violent repression of his political opponents and Zimbabwe's economic ruin.

His successor, Emmerson Mnangagwa, expressed his "utmost sadness", calling Mr Mugabe "an icon of liberation".

Mr Mnangagwa had been Mr Mugabe's deputy before replacing him.

It is with the utmost sadness that I announce the passing on of Zimbabwe's founding father and former President, Cde Robert Mugabe (1/2)

— President of Zimbabwe (@edmnangagwa) September 6, 2019

Who was Robert Mugabe?

Mr Mugabe was born on 21 February 1924 in what was then Rhodesia - a British colony, run by its white minority.

He was imprisoned for more than a decade without trial after criticising the government of Rhodesia in 1964.

In 1973, while still in prison, he was chosen as president of the Zimbabwe African National Union (Zanu), of which he was a founding member.

Once released, he headed to Mozambique, from where he directed guerrilla raids into Rhodesia. But he was also seen as a skilled negotiator.

Political agreements to end the crisis resulted in the new independent Republic of Zimbabwe.

With his high profile in the independence movement, Mr Mugabe secured an overwhelming victory in the republic's first election in 1980.

But over his decades in power, international perceptions soured, with an increasing number of critics portraying Mr Mugabe as a dictator.

In 2000, he seized land from white owners, and in 2008, used violent militias to silence his political opponents during an election.

He famously declared that only God could remove him from office.

He was forced into sharing power in 2009 amid economic collapse, installing rival Morgan Tsvangirai as prime minister.

But in 2017, amid concerns that he was grooming his wife Grace as his successor, the army - his long-time ally - turned against the president and forced him to step down.

A rescue team on a scuba diving training exercise found two cell phones that were in a plastic bag in a river in Southwest China and were still in working order.

Zhai Ke, leader of the Blue Sky rescue team in Guiyang, Guizhou Province, told Pear Video that he found two cell phones at the bottom of the river on July 29.

"I saw two phones that had been put into waterproof bags in the sand, so I took them out of the water," Zhai said.

He cleaned the phones and took them to his home. "I put them on a sponge to absorb water in the phones and then charged them." To his surprise, the phones turned on and could still work.

Zhai guessed the two phones belonged to a couple and their passwords were 1314, which sounds like the Chinese words meaning together forever, a popular phrase among couples.

After checking contact list on the phones, Zhai was able to reach the owners of the phones and found they were married.

The wife told Zhai that their phones accidentally fell in the river while they were on a boat cruise in August 2016 and never expected the phones would be returned.

"TV dramas do not dare make a story like this," the wife said. "We will not use the old phones but consider them as a beautiful memory and preserve them."

A grandfather in Changsha, Central China's Hunan Province, carried his grandson along a narrow ledge outside his 8th floor in a heart-stopping attempt to escape a furious fire in his apartment.

A video posts by btime on Weibo, a Chinese social platform, shows the man carrying a child on his back as they sidestep along the ledge. He then attempts to use the bars covering the window of an apartment on a lower floor as ladder but he can't seem to get a foothold.

The shaky video ends just as the man and child appear to be in danger of falling, but btime reported that they were rescued by firefighters.

The video then shows thick black smoke billowing from a window and the fire appears to have completely engulfed the apartment.

The viral video on Weibo received a lot of comments, with many netizens saying the grandfather's attempted escape was too reckless and could have resulted in the death of both the man and the child. Others admired the man's courage and one netizen nicknamed him "Grandpa Spiderman."

A rare two-headed baby timber rattlesnake has been found in a forest in the US state of New Jersey.

The reptile, named Double Dave, was spotted last month and taken by an environmental group.

Joined at the body, the baby venomous snake has two fully-formed heads, four eyes and two flickering tongues - which work independently of each other.

"It would be pretty difficult for this snake to survive in the wild," environmentalist Dave Schneider said.

He said the snake stiffens when trying to escape, and it would have been an easy catch for predators.

Mr Schneider from Herpetological Associates (HA), a consultancy specialising in the study of endangered and threatened reptiles and amphibians, said he and his colleague spotted Double Dave on 25 August in the Pine Barrens forested area.

This happened as they were observing a rattlesnake giving birth.

Two-headed snakes are usually born the same way as Siamese twins: a developing embryo begins to split into identical twins - but then stops part way.

They came up with the name Double Dave because Mr Schneider and his colleague are both called David.

Mr Schneider told the BBC a special permit had been obtained from the state authorities for HA to keep and study the rare snake.

"We'll take care of it," he said.

Source: BBC

A 17-year-old is undertaking one of the most controversial lawsuits of the history of the country as he is suing his own biological parents for being born white.

Anthony Dwight, 17, claims he has suffered his whole life from the shame of being born white.

“When I was a kid, I’d spend hours in the shower trying to wash off the white off my skin, but it would never go away,” he recalls painfully.

“Isn’t there enough white people on this planet already? Haven’t we inflicted enough suffering, racism and oppression in this world?” he asked reporters.

His parents admit they were completely in shock when they learned their son had hired a lawyer against them. “We just want to end this nonsense and we want him to come back home. We love you whatever the color of your skin,” pleaded his mother on camera.

White guilt

The young man’s lawyer, Robert Hoffman, claims his client has suffered severe psychological distress, symptoms of depression and suicidal tendencies because of what he called “the burden of white privilege.”

“My client did not choose to live this kind of life. Why would he have to carry the burden of hundreds of years of slavery and racism all because his parents had the selfish desire to bring another white child into this world,” he told the judge.

“Because of the level of psychological distress of my client, we ask that his parents pay for all necessary expenses to change his racial status, including skin coloring treatments,” he added.

Anthony Dwight, who plans to change his name to Jamal Freeman, is asking that his parents pay for the $20,000 skin coloring treatment he needs to turn his skin color to “dark black” he told reporters.

His lawyer argued in court that $20,000 is a low price to pay to positively change this young man’s life, considering the suicidal tendencies of his client and the “profound feeling of shame and despair” his client has faced since his birth.

United Airlines announced this morning that it had fired two of its employees after they allegedly engaged in sexual intercourse in midflight while the plane’s internal communication system was on.

49-year old Jordan McPhee and 38-year old Bayani Ceniza were operating a Boeing 747 carrying 412 passengers from Manilla to Los Angeles when the speakers in the plane’s passenger area started emitting strange noises.

71-year old Betty Garrison who was aboard with her husband, says that both flight attendants and passengers were shocked when the unidentifiable sounds turned into “a gay porn soundtrack”.

“At first, we heard strange sounds and thought someone had entered the cockpit and was wrestling the pilots. But then it became clearer and we heard stuff like “fuck me harder Daddy” and other disgusting things.”

According to Ms. Garrison, flight attendants rapidly ran to the cockpit to warn the pilots, but the two ignored them and continued for several minutes before finally answering the door.

“We could clearly hear the poor girls yelling and banging the door and the two men complaining about it while they continued having sex.”

Over 30 passengers filed complaints with United Airlines upon their arrival in Los Angeles and the company decided to act swiftly.

In a brief press conference held in Chicago this morning, the airline has announced that it had launched an investigation on the event and that both Mr. Mcphee and Mr. Ceniza had been fired.

United Airlines executive vice-president James Garreth claims the company will investigate the incident thoroughly and do everything it can to prevent such a thing from happening again.

Over 300 incidents of sexual nature involving airplane pilots are reported every year in North America according to the FAA.

A vast majority of these cases involve pilots engaging in sexual intercourse with flight attendants or passengers, and cases involving both pilot and co-pilot are extremely rare.

In 2013, four employees of American Airlines had been fired after engaging in group sex with 17 passengers.