Galaxy

14 May 2014

Justin Bieber Is Accused of Attempted Robbery

Justin Bieber Is Accused of Attempted Robbery

Justin Bieber apparently just had another run in with the law. A representative for Los Angeles Police Department confirmed to media on Tuesday night, May 13 that the Canadian heartthrob was accused of committing an alleged robbery attempt.
"He has been accused of attempted robbery," officer Rosario Herrera said. The alleged victim reported the incident on Monday night at 10:30 P.M. West Coast time and was interviewed on Tuesday night. Police believe that the alleged victim was not injured during the alleged robbery attempt. By late Tuesday, Bieber has not been interviewed and he was not arrested.
A separate report by TMZ suggests that the incident took place after the alleged victim saw Bieber and some friends playing a little mini golf and then hitting balls at the Sherman Oaks Castle Park. The woman told the site that Bieber and his entourage then had an argument with some guys at the batting cage.
The 20-year-old star reportedly suspected that she took photos of him with her phone. He asked for the phone so he could delete the photo, but the woman refused to give it and put it in her purse.
According to the woman, she and Bieber then had a wrestling battle. The pop star ended up getting the phone, but it was locked. She unlocked it and showed him that she took no photos. The woman allegedly told Bieber that she and her daughter only wanted to said hello to him. "You're humiliating yourself in front of your daughter. Why don't you just get out of here," Bieber allegedly said. He then turned to his friends.

Premiere League duo 'Torres and Mata' in Spain provisional squad

Premiere League duo 'Torres and Mata' in Spain provisional squad

Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque has put off making his most difficult squad selection decisions ahead of the upcoming World Cup by including all of Fernando Torres, Fernando Llorente, David Villa, Alvaro Negredo, Santi Cazorla and Juan Mata in his provisional squad list announced on Tuesday.
Real Madrid full-back Alvaro Arbeloa is the biggest name left out of the 30-man list, with his uncapped teammate Dani Carvajal being called up instead.
With Brazil-born Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa thought to be certain of a place in the final squad, at least two of Villa, Torres, Negredo and Llorente are likely to miss out when Del Bosque names his final 23-man list for the tournament on May 25, the day after the Champions League final between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid in Lisbon.
Bayern Munich's Thiago Alcantara is included in the provisional list having returned to fitness, which means one of Manchester United's Mata or Arsenal's Cazorla could be disappointed when the final squad is confirmed.
"The one for Brazil could be my last train to catch to play a World Cup," Cazorla told Marca. "I still feel bad about missing the one in South Africa due to a back injury.
"To have played in a World Cup is not something which many players can say, I am confident of being able to do so. I hope that the boss, as he has done up to now, gives me his confidence. I hope we can keep making history, that is what this group wants."
Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea as expected is calledup and will go to Brazil given the injury to Barcelona's Victor Valdes. Arsenal's Nacho Monreal is left out of the 30-man list, with Chelsea's Cesar Azpilicueta and Atletico Madrid's Juanfran Torres included.
Athletic Bilbao's Ander Iturraspe included as acknowledgement of an excellent club season, but is not expected to make the final list. Others who have been capped this season and might be disappointed at missing out include Madrid youngster Isco and centre-halves Marc Bartra [Barcelona] and Inigo Martinez [Real Sociedad].
Roberto Soldado was another notable omission. The striker joined Tottenham Hotspur from Valencia last August for 26 million pounds but, like many of his fellow summer arrivals at White Hart Lane, struggled to settle in his first season at the North London club.
A return of just six league goals, with just one scored since the turn of the year, has seen Soldado lose out on a place in next month's tournament in Brazil.

Community War Against Boko: Civilians Kill 200 Boko Haram Terrorists In Borno Attack

Community War Against Boko: Civilians Kill 200 Boko Haram Terrorists In Borno Attack

The rise of the civilians against terror took the Boko Haram saga to a new turn in the early hours of Tuesday morning when citizens of Rann, headquarters of Kala-Balge local government area, Borno northeast, who had fore-knowledge of an impending Boko Haram attack, decided not to remain sitting ducks but prepared for battle.
According to reports we received from Civilian sources in Borno, over 400 Boko Haram terrorists stormed Rann and neighboring villages in the early hours of Tuesday, with their usual convoy of hilux trucks, motorcycles and APC (Armored Personnel Carriers) only to meet villagers ready for them this time. The civilian villagers pounced on the terrorists with mere rocks, bows and arrows, local Dane guns, swords and “charms,” but as we have earlier reported, Boko Haram are more frightened of Civilian-JTF than they are of the Nigerian army, and run from the civilians even if they—the civilians—only have knives. The battle raged till the sun came up and ended with the civilians killing over 200 Boko Haram terrorists, capturing several prisoners and recovering several of their vehicles.


From an account of a civilian who participated in defending the neighborhoods, as reported in DailyTrust, “Our people also recovered over 70 motorcycles that the attackers came with. They also collected 2 Hilux vehicles and an Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) while some of the attackers were captured alive.” [http://dailytrust.info/top-stories/23962-200-insurgents-killed-in-kala-balge-by-villagers]
This amazing victory of good over evil, promises a new direction in the war against terror that has wrecked hundreds of farming villages in the north of Nigeria in the last four years, largely unchecked by State security. Civilians determined to arrest a situation they believe the Nigerian security services has permitted to destroy their farming villages in various towns in the north east, have apparently decided take up a fighting posture against Boko Haram terrorists; no longer waiting for a military response that hardly ever comes.
Last week, Boko Haram terrorists ravaged Gondura Ngala town, freely without any hindrance from the Nigerian military drafted to the north, and decimated the entire town, killing over 300 residents. On April 14th, Boko Haram stormed Chibok and abducted over 200 girls. In that episode, Amnesty International reported that the Nigerian security services were fully informed of the impending attack, by civilian vigilantes and other Intel, several hours prior, yet did not alert or defend the village nor engage the terrorists for a full eight hours of the abduction, looting and destruction of the village.
A mother from Chibok reportedly told CNN, that “if the army is not ready to fight Boko Haram, then we will fight them ourselves.” Apparently that day has come.


The Civilian-JTF and ENDS.ng civil rights group is pressing the Nigerian government for the civilians to have the right and government support, to bear arms, to end the terror scourge once and for all. The government is yet to officially respond to this urgent request as villagers remain at the mercy of Boko Haram terrorists.
The Shehu of Bama is reported to have ordered his citizens to go get guns, after his town was completely decimated twice by Boko Haram terrorists with no military response for the full eight hours of carnage. More towns are expected to follow suit as the nations leadership sleeps and permits terrorists the largely unhindered freedom to operate, massacre and destroy Nigeria’s farmers and northern farming villages.

John Terry signs new deal at Stamford Bridge

John Terry signs new deal at Stamford Bridge

Terry's contract, along with that of experienced duo Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole, was set to expire this summer.
The 33-year-old, who has captained Chelsea 490 times during his career, is understood to have originally been negotiating for a longer contract with the club he has been at since the age of 14.
But Chelsea have a strict policy of only offering one-year deals to players above the age of 30 and Terry, capped 78 times by England, has agreed to the 12-month extension.
Speaking to the club's official website, Terry said: "I'm delighted to have signed an extension to my contract with Chelsea taking me into my 20th year with the club.
"I'd like to thank the fans and club for their continued support, and the manager who was instrumental for me the last season."
Chief executive Ron Gourlay said: "We are very pleased John, who is an undoubted Chelsea legend, will continue to lead the team next season, as he has done for so many years with unrivalled achievement.
"Both Chelsea FC and John have been clear throughout that we wanted his outstanding career at the club to continue, and it is important the matter has been concluded so soon after the end of the season, allowing us to look forward to and plan for 2014/15."
Despite his age, Terry made 47 appearances for Chelsea last season and was a key factor in seeing the club concede only 27 league goals - the best defensive record in the Premier League.
Terry has won 12 major trophies during his 16-year senior career with Chelsea, racking up 621 appearances for the club in addition to scooping a host of personal accolades in that time.
The first of his three Premier League titles came during the 2004/5 season where Chelsea also won the League Cup in the first season of Jose Mourinho's first spell in charge at Stamford Bridge.
Terry has also won the Champions League and the Europa League with Chelsea, in addition to the FA Cup on five occasions.

Chelsea agree Diego Costa signing deal

 Chelsea agree Diego Costa signing deal
Costa, who has played a starring role in the Spanish club's run towards a possible La Liga/Champions League double, has long been linked with a move to London, with Jose Mourinho desperate to sign a prolific striker.
Mourinho suggested at the end of Chelsea's final Premier League game of the season that he was keen to make his biggest splash into the summer transfer market as soon as possible.
The deal with Costa is not expected to be formally announced until early June, after the big two games he is fighting to be fit for.
Costa suffered a hamstring injury and missed Atletico's 1-1 draw with Malaga on Sunday, a game in which a win would have sealed the Spanish title.
Atletico travel to Barcelona on Saturday for a match that will now decide where the trophy goes and seven days later they take on city rivals Real in the Champions League final in Lisbon.
Chelsea finished the 2013/14 season in third place, four points behind Manchester City and two behind Liverpool, with their goalscoring record seen by many as the reason for them failing to win a trophy.
The Blues scored 71 goals, compared to 102 for City and Liverpool's 101, and their only player in double figures was attacking midfielder Eden Hazard, who managed 14.
Samuel Eto'o, Fernando Torres and Demba Ba scored only 19 goals between them, often leading to speculation Mourinho would make a big-money move for a player like Costa, who has scored 27 times in 33 appearances in La Liga this season.

Parents Identify Four Abducted Girls In Boko Haram Video, while many haven't

Parents Identify Four Abducted Girls In Boko Haram Video : some women have seen their daughters while most haven't

Esther Mutali, one of the women whose daughters were abducted by Boko Haram militants in Chibok, Borno State, today stated that three mothers have identified their children in a video released by the Islamist sect. Mrs. Mutali’s daughter, Douka Yakubu, is among 276 schoolgirls abducted from Chibok Government Girls Secondary School by members of the Islamist sect in an April 14 midnight raid that has garnered worldwide outrage.
In a telephone chat with SaharaReporters, Mrs. Mutali disclosed that the girls so far identified include two seniors from Askari Uba Secondary School and Wuyo Secondary School respectively. Both schools are near Chibok. A third girl, whose name was given as “Abdu Hauwa”, has also been identified by her mother. The source added that a fourth girl, Adiza Isah, has also been sighted in the video, making the total of identified girls four.
Mrs. Mutali said she and other mothers were saddened by earlier claims by Nigerian government officials questioning the abductions. Asked if the parents know the whereabouts of their daughters, she said they keep hearing that the girls are with the militants inside Sambisa game reserve.
The frenzy to identify the abducted girls has been heightened by claims by Allan Manasseh, a Chibok community leader, who told SaharaReporters that most parents of abducted schoolgirls were still unable to identify their children 24 hours after Boko Haram’s leader, Abubakar Shekau, released a video of the teenage girls dressed in Hijab and reciting the Qur’an. 
Mr. Manasseh stated that he personally visited seven parents and also met with one of the girls who escaped from the Boko Haram militants, but none could find their daughters in the video or recognize any of the girls. He said he was worried that Boko Haram may be using the new video to distract the world from pursuing the rescue of the abducted schoolgirls.
He further stated that the video has shown that the fringe Islamist sect has many teenage girls in their possession, adding that all the girls need to be rescued by the Nigerian government forces.
SaharaReporters contacted a Borno State government official who disclosed that the state government had constituted a committee headed by the chairman of Chibok local government area to handle identification of the girls in the video. “The committee will work with the parents, relatives and friends of the missing girls to identify them,” said the official, who asked not to be named. 
The state official remarked that the committee has been showing the video to many parents in different parts of Borno, Abuja, Kano and other places to which some parents have relocated since the abductions.
The official asserted that the state government strongly believes that the girls in the video are those kidnapped by Boko Haram from their school in Chibok. He noted that, since the sect only showed a partial list of girls, it was possible that some parents who did not see their daughters would naturally be disinterested in identifying others.
Meanwhile the official revealed that the state government plans to gather parents of the abducted girls living in Maiduguri and its surrounding areas to watch the video at the Government House today to enable them to identify their daughters.

12 May 2014

Ronaldo, Bale should be fit for Champions League final

Ronaldo, Bale should be fit for Champions League final

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti says Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale should both be fine to play in May 24's Champions League final against Atletico Madrid, even though injury concerns saw both sit out Sunday's 2-0 La Liga defeat at Celta Vigo.
Ronaldo has completed just two of Madrid's last nine games in all competitions, and missed the trip to Vigo as he recovers from the "muscular fatigue" which saw him substituted early in Madrid's 1-1 draw at Valladolid the previous Wednesday.
Bale missed the game at Valladolid due to a "knock," the exact details of which have not been confirmed by the club.
The Wales winger did travel with the squad for Sunday's game at Balaidos, but remained on the bench throughout the 90 minutes, even though Madrid kicked off still with an outside chance of taking the title given leaders Atletico Madrid and second placed Barcelona have also been stumbling lately.
The Italian coach told his postgame news conference that he had decided against taking any risk with the ex-Tottenham player.
"[Bale] is not 100 percent," Ancelotti said. "He got a knock, but I decided not to risk him, especially when I could have put him on. I wanted to avoid any problems."
Ancelotti said Ronaldo's injury was responding well to treatment and both "galacticos" could be back for Madrid's last La Liga game of the season at home to Espanyol next weekend and especially the Champions League final against Atletico in Lisbon seven days later.
"Ronaldo underwent treatment this morning and is almost fully recovered," he said. "We have a fortnight to prepare for the match and I think they'll be completely fit for the final. I think he'll be able to play against Espanyol [next Saturday]."
Madrid defender Sergio Ramos -- whose slip let in Celta striker Charles to opening the scoring on Sunday's first goal -- told reporters after the game that taking just two points from their last three games against Valencia, Valladolid and Celta was just not good enough.
"After a great season in this competition the team wasn't up to scratch and we've let the Liga slip away from us in a very bad way," Ramos said.
"We can't complain or let our heads go down. We have to switch gears from the last few matches. You go home feeling sad and disappointed for having let this unique opportunity to win the title pass us by. Nobody would have expected Barcelona and Atletico not to win today."

Jay Z Violently Attacked By Beyonce’s Sister Solange In Leaked Video

Jay Z Violently Attacked By Beyonce’s Sister Solange In Leaked Video

Jay Z and Beyoncé were all smiles on the red carpet at the Met Gala last week (with the mock proposal, and all) but things may have gotten very ugly by the end of the night.
On Monday (May 12), TMZ released new footage that appears to show Jay Z being violently attacked by a woman alleged to be his sister-in-law, Solange Knowles, in an elevator. (MTV News could not independently verify the clip at press time.)
The video footage shows Jay Z, Solange and Beyoncé all stepping into an elevator at what the gossip site said was the Standard Hotel in New York City. Within seconds, the woman alleged to be Solange completely loses it. She begins to kick and punch Hov, while the rapper — dressed in a tux — tries to fend off her blows.
A bodyguard steps in between to break things up, but even he can’t prevent the woman from landing a last kick. There’s no audio in the footage, so it’s impossible to know what Beyonce said during the altercation, but she definitely is not seen getting in between the two in the footage released by TMZ.

53 Girls that escaped and latest Boko Haram released footage

53 Girls that escaped and latest Boko Haram released footage

The news: It's been nearly a month since over 300 schoolgirls from the village of Chibok were kidnapped by Boko Haram, an Islamist insurgency loosely affiliated with al-Qaida.
Though the Nigerian government has made little headway in rescuing these girls, outrage over the incident has inspired a viral social media campaign and pledges by the U.S., the U.K., France, China, Spain and Israel to assist with the operation.
But in the meantime, around 53 girls are estimated to have escaped their captors on their own and some of them have begun sharing stories of their ordeal.
The girls' stories: At a meeting with Borno state officials, a group of girls who managed to escape recounted how they were forced outside to wait while Boko Haram men raided the school storeroom for food. "The girls that had no shoes on and were not wearing veils were told to go and fetch them as they started to set the school on fire," one girl said.
Another remembered how she convinced her friend to run away with her. "I told my friend that it is better to be killed than to be taken to a place that we did not know," she said.
According to 19-year-old Sarah, a science student, the entire experience was "too terrifying for words." Though she saw an opportunity to escape, other girls were too afraid of their captors' threats. And while she has safely returned home, she is wrecked with survivor's guilt. "I am pained that my other colleagues could not summon the courage to run away with me. Now I cry each time I come across their parents and see how they weep when they see me," Sarah told the Associated Press.
She added that although she was afraid of returning to school, she wanted to fulfill her dream of studying law. "I am really scared to go back there; but I have no option if I am asked to go because I need to finish my final year exams which were stopped half way through," Sarah said.
Another girl, who asked not to be identified, told CNN that she and two of her friends were able to run to safety after seeing a fire from far away. "We would rather go than die ... We ran into the bush. We ran and we ran," she said. Afraid of retaliation, she declined to describe the interviewers, and unlike Sarah, she said she would not return to her school if it opened again.
Breaking video: Northeast Nigeria-based Boko Haram sect leader, Abubakar Shekau has released another video showing  abducted school girls in Nigeria.
The newly released video , exclusively obtained by French news agency, AFP, shows hundreds of the school girls huddled together purportedly praying after they were converted to Islam by the sect.
All the girls wore the Islamic Hijab dress covering their entire body.
The release of the video follows a revelation yesterday by the Governor of Borno State, Kashim Shettima that the girls had been sighted somewhere in Nigeria.



What is happening now? After weeks of inaction, the Nigerian government has accepted international offers for help — but some fear it may already be too late. Amnesty International has accused officials of failing to respond despite advanced notice that Boko Haram was planning on attacking Chibok. According to the organization's report, the military commanders could not gather enough men to respond.
"There's a lot of frustration, exhaustion and fatigue among officers and [troops] based in the hotspots," one local commander told Amnesty. "Many soldiers are afraid to go to the battle fronts." Other reports indicate that the local police fled into the bush during the attack.
According to intelligence sources, the kidnapped girls may have been divided into groups and moved to neighboring countries such as Niger, Cameroon and Chad.

Nicki Minaj Oil Herself up in Instagram Pics

Nicki Minaj Oil Herself up in Instagram Pics

I guess Nicki Minaj got the message that we couldn’t get enough of the pics she posted of herself in a salmon-colored bikini on Wednesday, because the rapper turned up the heat on Thursday with her latest set of Instagram selfies.
For the second day in a row, the “Yasss Bish” MC posted a string of behind-the-scenes photos from her Myx Fusions commercial shoot, and for the second day in a row, they were a sight to behold. Nicki looks as stunning as ever in her indigo lingerie, as she sprinkles in oiled-up close-up shots while shooting the commercial.
I don’t exactly remember what Myx Fusions is, but I’m ready to buy some.
Enough talk.

Worthy Champions

Worthy Champions

There was no call for last-gasp heroics as Manchester City claimed the Premier League with a comfortable 2-0 victory over West Ham United at the Etihad Stadium.
City had famously relied on two injury-time goals when beating Manchester United to the title on goal difference in 2012, but this time around Samir Nasri broke the deadlock six minutes before the break before Vincent Kompany settled the nerves on 49 minutes.
City had gone into the game knowing a draw was almost certainly enough to secure the title as a result of their goal difference.

Miley Cyrus rode on a giant blow-up penis on stage in London


Miley Cyrus rode a giant inflatable penis on stage in London on Friday. Because of course she did. She also simulated fellatio on that inflati-dick, because of course she did. And in further unsurprising Miley Cyrus news, she also said a bunch of stuff about sex and roofies and sexuality whilst atop the puffed-up member because — you guessed it! — of course she did. She’s just Miley bein’ Miley, y’all. And a Miley do what a Miley wants to do.
While performing onstage at Heaven nightclub in London for her friend Cheyne Thomas’ birthday, the singer/actress/tongue enthusiast worked the crowd out for several songs and even gave us a bit of insight into the mind of Miley Cyrus. “Everyone’s a little bit gay. Some of us just a little bit more than others.” She also insinuated that if your intended partner doesn’t want to get down — gay or otherwise — to “sprinkle something in their drink. That’s what I always do” which is, unsurprisingly, 100% what you should most definitely not do because it is super-duper illegal and dangerous and not at all cool because roofies are fun for approximately no one.


Photos from Kim Kardashian's bridal shower as she Celebrates Upcoming Wedding



As Kim Kardashian's wedding to Kanye West is coming closer, a bridal shower was held in honor of the bride-to-be. Friends and family, including mom Kris Jenner and sisters Khloe Kardashian and Kylie Jenner, attended the event at the Peninsula Hotel in Beverly Hills over the weekend.

Kim showed off her curvaceous figure in a white minidress with pearl straps and rocked silver stilettos. The mother of one was spotted making a trip to the local shop with her mum Kris Jenner in preparation of the bridal shower, just hours before the celebratory event took place. She donned the same white dress.





Details of Kim's nuptials with her baby daddy are still scarce. Her momager said she couldn't tell any of it because she had been kept out of the preparation. In a leaked wedding invitation, the couple who got engaged last October is allegedly set to tie the knot in Paris on May 24. TMZ reports they are now finalizing their prenup before the big day.

The pair started dating in 2012 and welcomed their first daughter, North West, on June 15, 2013. Kim celebrated her first Mother's Day on Sunday by posting an adorable new Instagram picture of her with 11-month-old Nori. She was lying on the floor while holding up and cooing her daughter. "This little girl has changed my world in more ways than I ever could have imagined!" she said. "Being a mom is the most rewarding feeling in the world! Happy Mothers Day to all of the moms out there!"

She also received an extravagant flower arrangement from her fiance. "I woke up to a wall of roses, hydrangeas and peonies!!!" she wrote in another post. "I have the best fiance in the world! I love you so much baby!!!! #HappyMothersDay."


 

 

Photos: More Support to the #BringBackOurGirls Champaign

Cute baby: #BRINGBACKOURGIRLS ALIVE
More supports are been shown to the #BRINGBACKOURGIRLS Champaign.
The likes of Usher, David Cameron, The Rock, even toddlers and many others.

British Prime Minister 'David Cameron' with Christiane
#BRINGBACKOURGIRLS: The Rock show support
Usher: lend his support

Conchita Wurst of Austria Wins Eurovision Song Contest




Austria's popular bearded lady, Conchita Wurst, won the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday night in a result that promises to reinforce the tolerant tone the event has sought to strike in recent years.

Ms. Wurst's onstage drag persona was created by a 25-year-old singer named Thomas Neuwirth. Sporting a skintight glittery dress, long brown hair and a beard, Ms. Wurst won the contest with a song titled "Rise Like A Phoenix."
The victory came following a gradual snowballing of support for the drag queen in the days leading up to the final in Denmark. A polarizing figure, Ms. Wurst attracted a flood of respect for her views on gender and sexuality, but she also became the target of criticism, including from a prominent Russian politician known for holding antigay views.
Following the win, Ms. Wurst said "this night is dedicated to everyone who believes in a future of peace and freedom...we are unity and we are unstoppable."
Ms. Wurst wasn't the only subject of controversy at the 59th Eurovision contest. At many points in the evening, particularly during the voting session that follows official performances, Russia received a chorus of boos, forcing organizers to remind the audience that the event is about love and respect, not politics.
Geopolitical tensions have escalated in Eastern Europe following Russia's annexation of Ukraine's Crimea region earlier this year. Meanwhile, violence has recently flared in Ukraine's eastern regions, with pro-Russian separatists planning to hold a referendum on independence Sunday, a vote that the government in Kiev says is illegal.
At the Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday night, Russia's performers this year, the 17-year-old Tolmachevy Twins, had to endure a bit of negative reaction throughout the night even if their own musical performance was well received. Ukraine's entrant, Mariya Yaremchuk led off as the first of 26 performers to hit the stage.
The contestants from Russia and Ukraine finished well behind Ms. Wurst, whose performance resulted in Austria's first contest win in several decades. Voting in dozens of nations delivered a wide margin of victory over closest rivals the Netherlands and Sweden.
Even before Ms. Wurst had earned a spot in Saturday's final, the performer was ensnared in a political thicket. In some Eastern European countries, online petitions were set up to protest her participation, and Vitaly Milonov, a Russian politician known as a force behind his country's antigay laws, called the performer "sick" in a Danish newspaper interview.
Eurovision has long been known for over-the-top antics, and organizers have for decades sought to keep politics on the sidelines. Past winners have been no strangers to drama and some are rarely heard from after winning. Others, including ABBA and Celine Dion, established a legacy that long endured.
The last two Eurovision winners before Ms. Wurst were women from Scandinavia who staged relatively modest performances. In 2006, Finnish heavy metal band Lordi won the competition with its "Hard Rock Hallelujah."
Eurovision has long attempted to preserve or create unity in a region sometimes split by ethnic or political tension. Ms. Wurst will likely be remembered in the Eurovision history books for what she represents rather than the song that secured her victory.
In a news conference Saturday, Ms. Wurst was asked if a message was being delivered to Russian President Vladimir Putin with the win.
"I don't know if he's watching, but if so, I said clearly, we are unstoppable," Ms. Wurst said. "I really dream of a world where we don't have to talk about unnecessary things like sexuality, where you're from, who you love."

10 May 2014

Al-Qaida's Thoughts on Boko Haram

Al-Qaida's Thoughts on Boko Haram

The news: You know that you're getting too extreme if even al-Qaida is giving you major side-eye.
That's precisely what's happening with Boko Haram, the Islamist group behind the April kidnapping of over 270 schoolgirls in Nigeria. Though it's known to be loosely affiliated with al-Qaida, it is now catching flak from Islamist militants who believe that the group went too far and is even being counterproductive to al-Qaida's goals.
The New York Times contends that Muslim scholars and Islamist parties around the world rejected Boko Haram many years ago for its "senseless cruelty and capricious violence against civilians." But despite their self-distancing, this week's actions have been too much even for "fellow militants normally eager to condone terrorist acts against the West and its allies." Notes the Times:
"Such news is spread to taint the image of the Mujahedeen,' wrote one dubious poster on a web forum used by Islamic militants whose administrator uses a picture of Osama bin Laden."
"The violence most of the African rebel groups practice makes al-Qaida look like a bunch of schoolgirls," Bronwyn Bruton, an Africa scholar at the Atlantic Council in Washington, told the Times. "And al-Qaida at this point is a brand — and pretty much only a brand — so you have to ask yourself how they are going to deal with the people who are doing things so hideous even the leaders of al-Qaida are unwilling to condone them."

The background: It's important to keep in mind that Boko Haram did not start off as an al-Qaida offshoot. The group was founded a decade ago by the radical Kanuri cleric Mohammed Yusuf, who gained popularity in the troubled Nigerian region of Borno. After his death, he was succeeded by current leader Abubakar Shekau, and over time, the group evolved into a national insurgency fighting to institute Sharia law.
Unlike al-Qaida, Boko Haram's goals are highly localized and based on a cult of personality. Shekau claims to communicate directly with God and demands complete obedience from his followers, which doesn't sit well with many in the al-Qaida network.
Why this is important: Though it's easy to loop all radical Islamist groups together, the fragile relationship between Boko Haram and al-Qaida captures this network's true fragmentation.
Since Osama bin Laden's death, al-Qaida has become much more conscious about its image. Afraid of alienating potential supporters, it has called upon its allies to reduce attacks on civilians and noncombatants. Dispute over indiscriminate violence is precisely why al-Qaida has cut ties with Iraq's Abu Musab al-Zarqawi and the Syrian jihadist group Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIS) — earlier this year, the Arabian Peninsula branch punished one of its fighters for throwing a grenade at unarmed medics at a hospital.
Given how strict al-Qaida has become in determining whether certain affiliates or activities are "on brand," Boko Haram is treading on thin ice right now. Al-Qaida's core leadership hasn't publicly commented on the kidnapping, but the high-profile incident — coupled with Boko Haram's increasing streak of murders and bombings — is generating a lot of bad publicity for everyone. Who knows how much longer they'll put up with it?

-policymic ( Eileen Shim)

Chelsea's future plan- as Mourinho starts the process

Chelsea's future plan- as Mourinho starts the process

Jose Mourinho has admitted his position as Chelsea manager may not be secure, as he prepares to submit a detailed report outlining his vision for the club's future on Monday.
Mourinho is looking to reshape his squad after a season that will end on Sunday without a trophy success.
Near misses in the Premier League and Champions League have left Mourinho to look towards a fresh start at Stamford Bridge, as he has declared the most successful era in the club's history has now come to an end.
While hinting the club icons such as John Terry, Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole could still have a future at Chelsea despite the trio being out of contract this summer, he has claimed that the likes of Eden Hazard and Nemanja Matic are the future of the club.
"Clearly, Chelsea had a fantastic team that lasted for 10 years, but he that team is over, it doesn't exist any more," he told reporters at the club's Cobham training base.
"Chelsea needs to build another team with some similarities to that one. Some of these boys are still here, but not many of them. And Chelsea is building its future.
"You could see this season that these people were important to give some stability, to give some experience to the team, but obviously they're not the players for the next 10 years.
"The players for the next 10 years have to be the Hazards, Oscars, Matic... these young guys are the guys for the next 10 years."
Commenting on his plans to present a plan for the future to the Chelsea hierarchy, he revealed his plans include the calls he has made on loan players Thibaut Courtois, who has been with Atletico Madrid for the last three years and striker Romelu Lukaku, who has impressed at Everton this season.
"I made a decision, but I'm not the club, I'm the manager." he said when asked about Belgian keeper Courtois. "I have an opinion. I informed the club about my opinion, not just a simple comment made in a corridor.
"My final report will have, in detail, this kind of case [Courtois] which you can compare with Lukaku. His was also a successful loan, a long loan in this case. I have my opinion very, very clear.
"That's my job. My job is to analyse things, to have opinions and to make my decisions. After that the club is the club and obviously I have to work for and with the club and respect the club's decisions.
"I like to do things in a proper way, I like to be committed with my opinions, and I do that written always. That's the proper way, to do it officially."
When commenting on his own position at Chelsea, Mourinho accepted he could be replaced unless he leads the team to a more successful season next time around.
"I don't have to win [trophies] next time, but I have to improve," added Mourinho. "Nobody has that security in football, I believe. I work hard every day to try to prove I'm the right person for the job and the Chelsea job at the moment is a different job than in previous years.
"David Moyes signed a six-year contract at United and everyone spoke about stability. Everyone was convinced he had stability, myself included, but he didn't get to the end of his first season.
"So, in football now, there must be something really special between manager and club, or the manager must be something really special to be there for five, 10 years.
"I'm not saying I'll have that security to be here until the end of my contract or beyond that. I just try and prove I can do my job."

Dani Alves threatens to leave Barcelona

Dani Alves threatens to leave Barcelona

Reported Paris Saint-Germain target Dani Alves says he will leave Barcelona in the summer unless the "negative energy" changes around the Camp Nou.
Alves, whose eating of a banana thrown onto the pitch during a recent game at Villarreal has sparked a national debate in Spain over racism, is one of the Barca players who have been most regularly criticised by Blaugrana pundits and fans as their season appeared to go off the rails after April defeats in the Champions League, Copa del Rey and La Liga.
The Brazil international, 31, has also been one of the players regularly mentioned in speculation of a squad shake-up this summer, and has reportedly already agreed to join the big-spending Ligue 1 outfit.
Alves told Catalan radio RAC 1 that he did not appreciate being singled out for criticism lately and would need things to change if he were not to move clubs this summer.
"It takes a lot to get to Barcelona, and whoever it hurts I am part of the history of this club," Alves said. "I need energy, it is what moves me, I am a happy person. I have always been like that, but when the results not being as people expected there have to be shots fired, and I feel fired at. If you begin to feel the energy is negative, then things do not flow. If this energy does not change, for sure I will leave because it takes a lot out of you. For me to stay this summer the energy would have to change."
The former Sevilla right-back also criticised the Barca board's apparent move to seal the appointment of current Celta Vigo boss Luis Enrique as coach for next season, even as incumbent Gerardo Martino is still trying to guide the team to this year's title.
"As a player [Luis Enrique] was phenomenal and as a coach he is doing very well at Celta, but I believe this club often moves too quickly with things," he said. "We are still fighting for La Liga. Things should be a bit more relaxed, with less hurry, because the season has not ended yet."
Recent slips by Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid mean Barca will win the La Liga title should they win their two remaining games -- at Elche on Sunday and then at home to current leaders Atletico on the final day. Alves echoed teammates Pedro Rodriguez and Lionel Messi in saying that not taking this second chance to retain the trophy would be a 'disaster'.
"If we do not win La Liga, the season is a disaster," he said. "We are getting too many chances and cannot let them go. I trust 100 percent in this team and guarantee we will not fail."

Report: Kim Kardashian and Kanye West's Wedding Invitation Revealed


A wedding invitation which reportedly is from Kim Kardashian and Kanye West's nuptials has leaked online. A photo of the couple's alleged wedding invitation, obtained by Us Weekly, shows the elegant card being featured with gold letterings. Info such as the date of the wedding and guests' dress code is also included.

The star of "Keeping Up with the Kardashians", who previously said that her wedding to the rapper would be a small and intimate affair, took to Twitter to dispel various rumors about her wedding earlier this week. In some Twitter posts, the mother of one said that she and West were not married yet and did not plan to televise her wedding on her reality show.

She also slammed a report about her wedding dress. "Seeing fake wedding dress pics of me. No one has seen my dress! Those photos are old or photo shopped," she wrote.

On Friday, May 9, the reality star made further comment on a magazine report of her wedding dress. She slammed the report on her site, writing, "It's pretty unbelievable what people will do to sell a magazine... this picture says in really small print that it's a 'Photo Recreation.' It's not a real photo of me, but they're implying that it is... Super lame!!" 

Chris Brown sentenced to 131 days in jail

Chris Brown sentenced to 131 days in jail

Chris Brown is ordered to stay in jail for a bit more after he admitted to violating his probation by getting into an altercation with a man outside the W hotel in Washington D.C. in October. The R&B singer appeared in a hearing on Friday, May 9 in Los Angeles where he made the admission wearing his orange uniform.

Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge James Brandlin then sentenced the singer to 365 days in jail. Brown, however, was given credit for serving 234 days in rehab facility and behind bars. Therefore, he has 131 days to serve.

As reported by CNN, Brown's lawyer Mark Geragos believes that his client will be released soon. He told the news outlet after the hearing, "I would expect that Chris should be out of jail before the weekend's up or before Monday. If he isn't out by Monday, then I would expect he's getting special treatment. He's got over 230 days credit on a 365 (day sentence) and generally the sheriff is releasing on a lot less than that."

Brown was sentenced to probation following an assault related to his then-girlfriend Rihanna in addition to community service. Brown still have about 700 hours of work to complete, but Geragos said that the singer "enjoyed" the activity. Brown also needs to attend therapy session twice a week and take random drug test three times a week.

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