Who Wore It Better: Heidi Klum Vs Chinese Tennis Player Li Na In Giles Laser Cut Dress

 

Spring 2012 Giles Deacon dress. It was the same dress Heidi wore last year at the 2011 American Music Awards in LA.

The laser cut dress has cut ins so both stars had to wear something underneath. Heidi opted for a blue undergarment while Li went for a nude garment.

Heidi rip the look from the runway by wearing the same black shoe on the model. Li added color by wearing a peep toe blue platform pump.

So who wore the Giles dress better, Heidi Klum vs Li Na?

UK Denies Syria's Olympics Chief Visa for London Games

BBC .....UK’s Foreign Secretary William Hague

The head of the Syrian Olympic Committee, General Mowaffak Joumaa, has been refused a visa to travel to London for the Games, the BBC has learned.

It is understood the application has been refused because of his links to President Bashar al-Assad's regime.

The decision was made at a recent meeting of senior officials from the Home Office, Foreign Office and Department of Culture, Media and Sport.

The International Olympic Committee is expected to ratify the decision.

"While not unexpected it will still be hugely controversial this, that the British government has decided to refuse his application," said BBC Sports Editor, David Bond.

The board of senior government officials had been assessing Gen Joumaa's application for a while and had reached a decision in the last few days, our correspondent said.

After being informed of the government's decision earlier on Friday, it is the London Games organisers Locog that must now notify the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which has the final say.

Our correspondent said that while the IOC can be "very, very protective of these sorts of issues where politics and sports collide", it was "extremely unlikely" to go against the UK government's ruling.

There has been widespread international condemnation of the Assad regime's violent crackdown on pro-democracy protesters.

The UN says at least 10,000 people have died in Syria since the uprising began in March 2011.After the massacre of more than 100 unarmed men, women and children in the town of Houla in May this year, the British government suggested members of the Assad regime could be banned from the Games.

Foreign Secretary William Hague said at the time he was "absolutely sickened" by the deaths, which "shine a light to the whole world on the oppression and brutality of the regime".

Syrian officials denied army involvement in the massacre, blaming terrorist groups they say have killed more than 6,000 thousand civilians in the months of violence.Earlier this week, US President Barack Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a joint statement calling for an immediate end to violence in Syria.

Russia and China have twice blocked US-backed UN draft resolutions critical of the Syrian government.

Tags: News, World, UK, SYRIA, OLYMPICS, London Games

United States Puts Three Boko Haram Leaders on Terror List

The United States Thursday labelled the acclaimed leader of Boko Haram, Abubakar Shekau, and two others – Abubakar Adam Kambar and Khalid al-Barnawi – global terrorists as part of its efforts to stem the tide of terrorism in Nigeria.

The militant religious sect was, however, not designated a Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO), as canvassed by some sections of the US government.

A statement Thursday by the State Department said the designation under Executive Order 13224, “blocks all of Shekau’s, Kambar’s and al-Barnawi’s property interests subject to US jurisdiction and prohibits US persons from engaging in transactions with or for the benefit of these individuals”.

Until the designation, only Shekau’s name was known to the Nigerian public, as other operatives of the sect had used aliases to conceal their identities.
Over 1,500 people have been killed by Boko Haram since 2009 when it began its bloody campaign against Western education in Nigeria and its bid for the Islamisation of the country.

The US statement described Shekau as the most visible leader of the militant group under whose leadership Boko Haram has claimed responsibility for numerous attacks in Northern Nigeria – its primary area of operation.

For al-Barnawi and Kambar, their designations were premised on their ties to Boko Haram and close links to al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb – a designated FTO.

The US government stated that the militant sect was credited with last year's attack on the United Nations building in Abuja that claimed at least 23 lives and wounded several people.

Boko Haram also claimed responsibility for the December 25, 2011 attack on St. Theresa’s Catholic Church in Madalla, Niger State, which the US government said killed at least 35 people and the January 20, 2012 attack on Kano, which claimed more than 180 lives.

The statement said the designation of the trio as "Specially Designated Global Terrorists” demonstrated the US's resolve to diminish the capacity of Boko Haram to execute violent attacks.

Nigeria's ambassador to the US, Prof. Adebowale Adefuye, while reacting to the Boko Haram members’ designation as global terrorists said he was “sad but not surprised”.

Adefuye, who said he was on his way to Capitol Hill for a meeting with US lawmakers on the issue when THISDAY called, said US officials had informed him of the development earlier and he had also informed Abuja about the possible designation of the affected individuals.

“I was informed in the past and we were told that it would be announced at the appropriate time by the US government,” Adefuye said.

He had held series of meetings with senior US officials at the State Department, White House and with the US National Security Council over the last few months to stave off the designation of Boko Haram as an FTO, because Nigeria believes its consequences far outweigh its benefits to the nation.

Adefuye said the issue also came up during the last high-level meeting between US and Nigerian officials in Washington, adding that arguments were put forward against designating the group so as not to further enhance its image among terrorist organisations.

Acknowledging the US government’s assistance to Nigeria in tackling  the nation's security challenges, Adefuye said both countries would continue to work closely  for their mutual interests.

THISDAY gathered yesterday that Republicans in Congress were also considering mounting more pressure on President Barack Obama to go beyond labelling the trio as terrorists and designate Boko Haram an FTO.

But sources said the Republican lobby might not get the support of Democrats in the Congress, as it could project the Obama administration's policy towards violent militancy in Africa as weak.

Analysts believe that the designation of the trio, which was done by the State Department, in consultation with the Departments of Justice and Treasury, will move the militant religious sect an inch closer to being designated an FTO.

Over the last few months, pressure was mounted on Secretary Hillary Clinton to designate Boko Haram an FTO. Last November, a 28-page report by the US House of Representatives Committee on Homeland Security Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence had outlined the threats posed to US homeland by the militant sect.

The report, titled, 'Boko Haram: Emerging Threat to the US Homeland', which was jointly signed by chairman of the committee, Rep. Patrick Meehan, and a ranking member, Rep. Jackie Speier, examined the evolution of  Boko Haram, its potential, goals and intent  and  its capability to commit acts of terrorism against US interests and US homeland.

It also focused on Nigerian counter-terrorism capability, current US diplomatic efforts and the future of US engagement and assistance options in countering the threats of the sect.

The report had also warned that the US could not afford to miscalculate Boko Haram’s intent and capability to strike the homeland, as its evolution had clearly illustrated that it was a group with fast growing ambitions.

It also charged US intelligence community to stay ahead of Boko Haram in an effort to thwart a potential attack against the country.
Boko Haram has also attracted the attention of academics and public policy commentators in the US. In May, 24 scholars in US wrote a letter to Secretary Clinton, urging her not to designate Boko Haram an FTO.

In reaction to the US government’s decision yesterday, Secretary General of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Alhaji Lateef Adegbite, cautioned the US against designating Boko Haram a terrorist group.

He sounded the note of caution in Abuja when he led Muslim leaders to a meeting with Vice-President Namadi Sambo.

“How do they know those who are Boko Haram and those who are not? The implication will be very serious. They may see someone like me with my long beard and think I am Boko Haram, so the implication will be very serious.
“We are appealing to them to give Nigeria more time to dialogue with our people and we hope we will re-integrate them into our fold,” Adegbite said

Former US Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. John Campbell, on his part, said it was too early to assess what the designation of Shekau and the two other Boko Haram leaders as global terrorist would achieve.

“I rather doubt if these three individuals have any significant amount of property in the United States,” he said.

Campbell, who has consistently argued against designating Boko Haram an FTO said: “There is the political significance in that the US government has singled them out as global terrorists  (But) what the consequences of that would be, I think, is too soon to say.”

When Did She Wear It Better: Ciara In Christian Louboutin Suede Fringe Boots

Photos Courtesy: Splash

So lovely, when did Ciara wear the suede Christian Louboutin better?

When Did She Wear It Best: Kim Kardashian In The Balenciaga ‘Blade’

Kim just trying to lay low for a while? After her Spanx controversy yesterday,
the reality star came out looking like a cape crusader in Paris today with her beau Kanye West. Dressed in mostly black accept for her oversize white blouse, Kim donned a black cape, her favorite J Brand Quatro Skinny leather pants previously seen HERE HERE and another new favorite the Balenciaga ‘Blade’ open-toe, graphic hourglass heel with elastic sides. (Sorry, Seasonal Item Balenciaga doesn’t carry it anymore, see Here).

Since getting the boots today was her third time wearing it in public. The other 2 occasions were at a business meeting (Blazer below) and ‘Jimmy Kimmel live’ (Dress below)

So, ladies when did she wear the Balenciaga boots best?

Ambassador Olusegun Olusola, Broadcaster, Diplomat, Takes Final Bow

He practically died on his feet. At 78, he hardly bore the signature malaise of his age. He was a regular face at public forums, especially when it had to do with the arts, culture and refugee-related issues. Perhaps, one of his outstanding trademarks was his ability to speak such perfect English with the phonetic accuracy of a quintessential broadcaster.

Ambassador Olusegun Olusola, television playwright, seasoned broadcaster, diplomat and defender of African refugees, died yesterday after years of meritorious service to home and country. However, the details of his death remained sketchy at press time.

The former ambassador to Ethiopia probably hit national prominence with his epic programme Village Headmaster, which he created and directed on television. It was one of most popular television sitcoms in the 70s and early 80s that ran for over a decade before it was taken off the air.  And not too long ago, his footages at public forums were still being shown on national TV across the country.

Ambassador Olusola, who was born at Iperu Remo, Ogun State, on March 18, 1935, apparently took to the arts, as a result of his family background. As the son of a carpenter, his father had many apprentices from different parts of the country.

From them, little Segun began to ingest different cultures, including their songs, folklore, dance. Reflecting on how all these affected his eventual choice of career, he narrated that it influenced his interest in the arts when he got into secondary school, adding, “The very last year I spent in that school (Remo Secondary School), I became the secretary of the Literary and Debating Society. It enabled me to engage in public speaking, singing, dancing and everything that had to do with cultural activities.”

His love of the arts soon took him to the then Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation where he produced some programmes for radio and later moved on to Western Nigerian Television (WNTV)  where he started off as a participant in debates and later as a presenter. Before this, he had worked briefly as an accounts assistant in the then Electricity Corporation of Nigeria (ECN), now the precursor of Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN).

He eventually went to a higher institution, having worked for a few years as a young broadcaster and presenter of a programme, Take a Trip on Television, on the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA).  As a regional manager of NTA, at a time when the station was the only television station nationwide, Olusola undoubtedly became a media maven necessitating his interface with the powerful and mighty men of society.

He soon got nominated to go for a course at the Nigerian Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), in Kuru, near Jos. He graduated along with top-class decision makers of the country, and even became the vice-chairman of the NIPSS alumni association. That drew him nearer decision makers as he regularly held meetings with the then military president, Gen Ibrahim Babangida. In no time, he got appointed ambassador to Ethiopia at a time when Addis Ababa, the country’s capital, was the headquarters of the then Organisation of African Union (OAU), now African Union (AU).

He once noted that his diplomatic assignment was the most challenging in his entire career. “I was nominated to serve as the ambassador of Nigeria to Addis Ababa, which is the headquarters of the African Union (then OAU). In fact, I was pleased because, for me, it was the most challenging assignment that I have ever had. I served in Addis Ababa till 1993," he said.

While he served as an ambassador, he handled several important assignments on the continent like Somalia, South Africa, Uganda, etc, which were all crisis-ridden. He soon got exposed to the plight of war victims, many of whom were displaced in refugee camps. His nature easily chimed with the need to assist the suffering refugees. And that was how he ended up setting up the African Refugees Foundation (AREF).

In an interview he granted, he lamented people’s indifference to the plight of others, stressing the need to become a peacemaker. This had become his forte, having imbibed same from his late father, who was, so-to-speak, a community quarrel settler. As he put it, “I always feel sad when I see people suffering and nobody is there to help, just like what I have seen in refugee camps. You see people dying on a daily basis and yet the society is not bothered. Such situation is always very painful and sad. And it can move me close to tears.

“Outside of broadcasting, what I do now is peacemaking, settling and preventing quarrels. That primarily is what I do now with African Refugee Foundation. It was the kind of life I was exposed to early in life that shaped me towards what I am doing today.”

Olusola was married to Elsie, a former TV presenter and actress, who played the role of 'Sisi Clara' in the Village Headmaster. She passed on in 1993. The couple had three children: Ronke, Jimmy and Toyin.  He was later to remarry a former classmate of his.

His life’s ambition, he said, was to become a preacher of peace, a task he dutifully pursued. He said: “I think I will end up as a preacher of the gospel of peace and reconciliation.” The desire to help those in difficulty became his defining goal in life. And before he rounded off his task on earth last night, he left a memorable message to humanity: “Wherever you are and whenever you can, lift a voice, a finger to assist anyone. Try when you can. Don't postpone it. Even if it is a wish you can communicate, try and do it because it may well be your very last encounter. And it may go a long way to save a soul.”R.I.P SIR WE LOVE U...

Tags: News, Nigeria, Featured, AMBASSADOR, Broadcaster, Diplomat

CCTVs coming to Lagos state

The Lagos State government in collaboration with the Federal Government is installing CCTVs in strategic locations around Lagos state

Maneta Missing As Roki Lands At Harare

Even as Roki was being whisked away to the Meikles Hotel where he will spend the night, there was baying for Maneta. “Where is Maneta?” Someone kept on asking. “We want Maneta! We want to sort her out.”

Ousted Big Brother Africa contestant Maneta Mazanhi was nowhere to be found at Harare international airport as Rockford ‘Roki’ Josphats landed at Harare on Thursday evening(yesterday).Maneta’s whereabouts where not known at the time of writing and it was not clear if had boarded the same aircraft as Roki.Scores of fans mobbed Roki as they also on another hand demanded to see Maneta, who engaged in a disgraceful physical fight with Roki which resulted in both being kicked out of the contest.

Roki was mobbed by fans who had waited patiently for him, some for over an hour.

KRIS HUMPHRIES Claims Kris Jenner Staged Kim's Sex Tape

Kris Humphries trashed Kim Kardashian and her family in conversations and text messages to his former girlfriend, Myla Sinanaj ... telling her Kris Jenner not only directed Kim to shoot her sex tape, but to re-shoot because Kris J didn't think the first one was pretty enough.

As TMZ first reported, Kim has subpoenaed Myla in Kim's divorce case, and we've learned Myla has a lot to say about what Kris told her about his relationship with his famous estranged wife.

In addition to the sex tape, sources tell us Myla has numerous text messages in which Kris says she is the love of his life and he wants to get the divorce over with quickly so they can spend the rest of their time on earth together. In several of the messages, we're told Kris says specifically that he's "moved on" from Kim.


The information is extremely damaging to Kris, because he's alleging in his divorce that Kim has destroyed him emotionally by allegedly defrauding him into believing it was a real marriage. Turns out, Kris has been banging Myla since mid-January, so his devastation argument may be hard to swallow.

Sources close to the Kardashians tell TMZ ... Kris is lying about the sex tape. They say Kim made it clear at the beginning of their relationship she would not discuss the tape because she didn't want to be judged by it. Our sources say the sex tape never came up in any subsequent discussions between Kim and Kris and it just shows he's delusional.

Myla's deposition should be interesting.