Basketmouth 2015 ‘Valentine Special’ in London...

After the massive and oversubscribed Basketmouth Uncensored Tour in 2014, Basketmouth and cokobar.com decided hold the 2015 London Valentine date at the prestigious and bigger London 'Eventim Apollo'.

The event will have other guest comedians, a special feature on Dr Love AKA Basketmouth and music performance by popular Afrobeat Artistes.

Just get ready for a rib cracking evening!!

To be the first to hear when future Basketmouth tickets go on sale you can sign up to the Eventim Ticket Alarm.

Sat, 14/02/15, 19:30 Eventim Apollo

45 Queen Caroline Street, W6 9QH LONDON

One of Africa's top comedians 'Basketmouth' has announced a 2015 UK tour.

US/UK strong relationship still alive'

US ambassador to the UK, Matthew Barzun, said that  he is "inspired every day" by Sir Winston Churchill. He says the wartime leader was the first person to be made an honorary citizen of the United States and the special relationship between the US and the UK is still "alive" as the countries stand "shoulder to shoulder" in the fight against Ebola in Africa and ISIS in Iraq.

Bismarck retained as Sharks Super Rugby skipper

The 30-year-old, who was among the most capped players in the competition with 120 appearances, would be supported by vice-captains Pat Lambie, Frans Steyn and Tera Mtembu.

The way the modern game is going it is not about individuals but a group of leaders who share ideas and work together as a team in order to achieve the desired results," new director of rugby, Gary Gold, said on Friday.

These four players have proven their leadership ability and commitment to the Sharks over the years and they will be able to rally the group and get the best out of their teammates."

Du Plessis had served as vice-captain of the Springboks in recent seasons and his first assignment under Gold, the man named to succeed Jake White late last year, would be a pre-season friendly against French giants Toulon next week.

Lambie, aged 24, had also previously served as a number two, while 27-year-old Steyn led the Sharks two seasons ago.

Mtembu, 24, became the first black captain of the Sharks when he spearheaded their Currie Cup campaign last season.

The Sharks, who open their Super Rugby season against the Cheetahs in Durban on February 14, would name their squad for the competition on Monday.

On Friday they announced a list of 26 players travelling to France to face the European champions at Stade Mayol next Thursday.

Jannie du Plessis, Willem Alberts and Thomas du Toit were the only major absentees as they continued their recovery from injuries.

Gold had officially linked-up with the team for the first time since his club commitments in Japan.

This match will provide us with the ideal opportunity to test combinations as we look to conclude our preparations ahead of the start of the Vodacom Super Rugby tournament

David Cameron lays wreath

Prime Minister David Cameron lays a wreath at the Churchill commemoration ceremony at the Houses of Parliament.

Boris Johnson Outspoken Attack On Jihadi 'Onanists'

Mayor of London says the terrorists are "tortured" men who are "rejected by women" and are "in desperate need of self-esteem".

President Jonathan’s convoy was stone in Taraba by resident youth.

President Goodluck Jonathan’s convoy was again stoned on Thursday by youths in Jalingo, Taraba State.

 Jonathan was in the city in continuation of the People’s Democratic Party’s presidential rally.

His convoy had before Thursday been stoned in Katsina and Bauchi states when he went to seek the votes for his re-election bid.

It was gathered that the windscreens and windows of some of the vehicles on the convoy were destroyed before security operatives   used tear gas and   horsewhips to disperse the youths.

Those who witnessed the Thursday incident but pleaded anonymity told The reporter  that the incident occurred when the President’s convoy was going to the palace of the Emir of Muri,   Abass Tafida, from the airport.

One of them said, “Security agents ensured that people were moved very far from the main but at a point, the convoy got to a particular village where the youths became restive.

Before we knew what was happening, they started stoning the convoy.

Wizkid has release new song titled – Amin

Wizkid has released his new single album titled ‘Amin’. Wizkid is  thanking  God for all he as done for him  for years back and also thanking all his fans and friend for all their support...

Miliband: 'Home Rule Bill' for Scotland within 100 days of Labour win

A "Home Rule bill for Scotland" would be introduced within the first 100 days of a Labour government, according to the party's leader.

Ed Miliband will make a  promise  during a visit to Glasgow later.

The SNP said any suggestion the bill would amount to real Home Rule was "laughable".

It said 70% of taxation and 85% of welfare spending would remain under Westminster control.

The UK government has published plans for new powers for the Scottish government based on the recommendations of the Smith Commission.

All three main Westminster parties have pledged to ensure the new Scotland Bill becomes law, whoever wins the general election in May.

Mr Miliband will be campaigning in Glasgow alongside Scottish Labour leader Jim Murphy on Thursday.

He will also announce plans to immediately devolve control over the work programme to Holyrood.

He said Labour would force a vote on a bill to pass the powers to Scotland before the general election.

Speaking ahead of his visit, he said: "We will put the Home Rule Bill before Parliament in the first 100 days of the next Labour Government.

This bill will give Scotland the powers that were promised over jobs, welfare and tax.

But we want to go faster. Scotland needs the job creating powers that the Smith Agreement promised. And Scotland needs them now. Next month, Labour will force a vote on our bill to pass these powers now.

If that's not accepted, we will devolve control over the work programme immediately on taking power."

Number of women being sent to prison should be halved, Justice Minister Simon Hughes has said.

Female offenders are a "special case" and should be treated differently to men because many had been victims themselves, he told BBC Radio 5 live Breakfast.

There are currently around 3,800 women in prison in England and Wales.

Further government measures to help stop women ending up in custody are expected to be announced later.

There are so many women who ought not to be in prison. About half ought not to be there at all," the minister said.

I met a woman in her 20s the other day who clearly ought to be sectioned. Her problem is a health problem, not a criminality one. Prisons shouldn't have to cope with that."

When asked why female offenders should be treated differently to men Mr Hughes said: "Women are a special case for very good, evidenced reasons. Firstly, many more women who go to prison have themselves been victims. They've often been abused or in violent partnerships.

Secondly, many more women have caring responsibilities than men do."

The Liberal Democrat justice minister said that very few women were inside for violent offences.

There are some women who do terrible things and deserve to be locked up for a very long time," he said. "My concern is for those who are not a danger to society, who have become caught by a system which then does not help them out of it."

Mr Hughes was speaking ahead of an announcement expected to say that a scheme in Manchester to stop women ending up in prison will be rolled out to six other areas in England.

Nigeria's Upcoming Elections Could Turn Into 'Valentine's Day Massacre' for Christians

As if Nigeria hasn’t seen enough violence lately, experts are warning that elections being held next month may trigger even more bloodshed.

The country, which is divided nearly equally between Muslims and Christians, will head to the polls on Feb. 14 to choose from a number of presidential candidates. The main contenders, however, are Christian incumbent Goodluck Jonathan and Muslim opponent Mohammadu Buhari.

But depending on the results, Feb. 14 could turn into “a Valentine’s Day massacre for the poor Christians in northern Nigeria,” said human rights lawyer Emmanuel Ogebe during his testimony Tuesday to the House Foreign Affairs subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights and International Organizations.

“The circumstances that surrounded the 2011 elections are quite similar to the political atmosphere in the run-up to the 2015 elections,” Ogebe explained. “Akin to the 2011 elections, the 2015 elections appear to be polarizing into essentially yet another Christian versus Muslim contest.”

In 2011, Jonathan’s victory over Buhari triggered widespread violence against Christians in the Muslim north.

When Muslim challenger General Mohammadu Buhari lost the 2011 presidential election, violence erupted in 12 northern states where he commands a large following from the Muslim population. The final toll for the Christian community was staggering. In a 48-hour period, over 700 church buildings were burned, hundreds of Christians were confirmed killed, more than 3,100 Christian-operated businesses, schools, and shops were burned, and over 3,400 Christian homes were destroyed. Thousands of Muslim youths in 12 states with machetes, knives, matches and gasoline carried out this pogrom.”

Leading up to the 2015 general election, Nigeria is dealing with a number of issues that are heightening tensions, including, but not limited to: religious considerations of the candidates, the continued Boko Haram insurgency, fear of disenfranchisement among a large segment of the voting population, and the staggering number of internally displaced persons.

Because of these factors, which inhibit free and fair elections, lawyer Jadegoke Badejo said at the hearing that the “fear of political explosion is real.”

In the past, such Gathering Clouds have fizzled away with deft political maneuvering and appeasement of the contending forces,” Badejo continued. “It seems that this time around, the forces of inefficiency, regional and religious sentiments, systemic and structural defects in the political configuration and the endemic corruption have finally consumed the country beyond redemption.”

Secretary of State John Kerry visited Lagos last week to meet with Jonathan and Buhari, both of whom gave their assurances that they’d urge their supporters to accept the election’s results and abstain from post-election violence.

If the elections are democratic and peaceful, Kerry promised the U.S. would do more to help in the fight against Boko Haram.

Nicki Minaj’s Ex Wants To Clear The Rumour Once And For All

Breakups are miserable enough, but when one or both parties involved are celebrities, it can turn into an all-out nightmare. Nicki Minaj and Safaree “Scaff Beezy” Samuels ended their 11-year relationship last year, but a recent interview is still causing a bit of turmoil.

Samuels, who worked closely with Nicki on her music as well — he was the executive producer on Pink Friday — spoke about the breakup with “The Breakfast Club,” and one portion got the rumor mill going.

Samuels said that he sometimes helped Nicki in the studio, which of course started rumors that he wrote raps for her. “Every time it came to writing raps, it was me, her and the beat,” he said at the time.

Cumberbatch controversy is ridiculous, says Selma star David Oyelowo

David Oyelowo has defended fellow British actor and friend, Benedict Cumberbatch, for using the term "coloured" during an interview.

Cumberbatch has apologised and said he was "devastated to have caused offence" after using the word on a US TV show to describe black actors.

"I think it's ridiculous," Selma star Oyelowo told reporter

"When you look at what he was actually saying it's clear that he's a huge supporter of black performers."

David Oyelowo was speaking at the UK premiere of Selma, in which he stars as 1960s civil rights activist Martin Luther King, Jr. Cumberbatch mentioned David Oyelowo and Chiwetel Ejiofor as part of a wider discussion with US talk show host Tavis Smiley about diversity in the film industry.

"To attack him for a term, as opposed to what he was actually saying, I think is very disingenuous and is indicative of the age we live in where people are looking for sound bites as opposed to substance."

THY WILL BE DONE VIDEO PROMO.

Meet the bold lady who decided to marry herself at 40 years of age

Yasmin Eleby recently decided to do unusual yes l do in the proverbial sense, take the bull by the horn by getting married to herself in a lovely candlelight ceremony which happened at the Huston Museum of African American Culture (HMAAC), on Saturday, January 3, 2015. Present at the unusual ceremony were family and friends of the bride/groom who were there to give support to Yasmin as she exchanged vows with no one else but herself

Jonathan takes election campaign to Niger Delta

President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday took his re-election campaign to the Niger Delta, knowing that victory in the key region will help to determine overall victory in next month’s vote.

The head of state, who is looking for a second, four-year term, was in Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers State, which is controlled by the opposition and is seen as a pivotal election battleground.

Rivers was run by Jonathan’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) until the defection of its governor Rotimi Amaechi in late 2013 to the main opposition All Progressives Congress (APC).

It has since been a flashpoint for violence between supporters of the two parties, with long-standing complaints from Amaechi about a personal campaign against him by the government in Abuja.

Last Saturday, unknown gunmen stormed and bombed the site of a planned APC rally outside Port Harcourt in a sign of rising tensions and fears of a repeat of widespread violence that hit polls in 2011.

There was a heavy presence of armed police and soldiers at the PDP rally venue before Jonathan’s arrival.

As a southerner and Christian from neighbouring Bayelsa state, he would ordinarily be expected to count on widespread support from his kinsmen.

But apparent momentum for the APC on the campaign trail — and predictions that the party could even seize power — has given added importance to control of the major urban centre.

Rivers State information commissioner Ibim Semenitari said the APC was “not worried” about the PDP challenge, even though Jonathan was from the Delta.

“It won’t change anything to their favour,” she told AFP.

“We know we have the people, goodwill and track record of performance on our side and these will be determining factors in the election.

“We have the required numbers of voters that will sustain us in power.”

APC chairman for the state, Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, also said he was confident of victory in the February 14 presidential and parliamentary polls, as well as the governorship and state assembly vote two weeks later.

“Rivers state, with Port Harcourt as capital, is strategic because it is the hub of the country’s oil and gas sector,” he said.

“President Jonathan won massively in the state in 2011 but he has lost that goodwill because of poor performance in office. The people are clamouring for a change which is the APC is ready to bring about.”

Wilfred Agbonavbare, a former Nigeria goalkeeper died of cancer

The former Nigeria goalkeeper died on Tuesday at the Hospital Universitario Príncipe de Asturias in Alcalá de Henares, Spain after a protracted battle with cancer.

The former Rayo Vallecano shot stopper, 48, was initially hospitalised in the USA, but the inability to pay an increasing hospital bill led to his relocation to Spain for treatment last week.

The Spanish club had responded to Agbonavbare’s call for financial help last week when it raised over €21,000 for his treatment.It said on its website after his death, “El Rayo Vallecano informs that our ex- player Wilfred Agbonavbare has died early this morning at the Prince of Asturias Hospital in Alcalá de Henares.

 The club shall, as soon as possible, and with permission from the family confirm the place where they can give him before their last Saturday’s game, Rayo Vallecano and their La Liga opponents Atlético Madrid displayed a banner at the Vicente Calderón Stadium, saying ‘You Can Do It Wilfred’, to motivate the former goalkeeper.The club was in the process of assisting Agbonavbare’s three children to obtain Spanish visas to allow them see their father, but the paperwork had to be completed before his death.

The former New Nigeria Bank goalkeeper retired from football at the age of 31 and became a delivery man in Madrid before taking up a goalkeeper trainer job.

Agbonavbare’s former teammate in the Flying Eagles, Tajudeen Disu, condemned the attitude of the Nigeria Football Federation and the sports ministry towards the plight of ex-internationals, saying Agbonavbare could have lived longer if help had come earlier from the sports bodies.

“Agbonavbare died with no help coming from Nigeria. He served this country and deserved to be honoured, but it is clear the government and the NFF prefer to recognise athletes when they are dead,” Disu said on the telephone from the USA.

“The 1983 Flying Eagles, in which Agbonavbare and I played, were the first Nigerian team to play in a FIFA-organised tournament. We were promised money and scholarship but we got nothing eventually.”

Agbonavbare became the fourth member of that team now dead. Other deceased members include Chris Anigala, Ali Jeje, who was the captain of the team.

Alexis Tsipras MP said tackling Greece's humanitarian crisis was his first priority

New Greek PM Alexis Tsipras says his country will not default on its debts.

Addressing his first cabinet meeting since being elected on Sunday, the left-wing Syriza party leader said he would negotiate with creditors over the €240bn (£179bn; $270bn) bailout.

Saying his first priority was to help those in need, Mr Tsipras promised "realistic proposals" for an economic recovery and vowed to fight corruption.

The EU has warned his government to stick to its creditor commitments.

As the newly-elected leader of the radical left party made his inaugural cabinet speech, Greek 10-year bond yield rose above 10% - reflecting investors' concerns about short-term risks of a debt restructuring over the coming months.

We won't get into a mutually destructive clash but we will not continue a policy of subjection," Mr Tsipras told the televised cabinet meeting.

The troika of lenders that bailed out Greece - the European Union, European Central Bank and International Monetary Fund - imposed big budgetary cuts and restructuring in return for the money.

Vowing to defend Greek dignity, Mr Tsipras said a renegotiation of the Greek debts would be in search of "a viable, fair, mutually beneficial solution". He did not give any details.

His recovery plan - involving reform and changes, in addition to fighting tax evasion - was aimed at preventing deficits in the future.

The Greek government's chief economics spokesman, Euclid Tsakalotos, has argued that it is unrealistic to expect Greece to repay its huge debt in full.

Jose Mourinho says stamps 'absolutely accidental. Diego Costa's alleged stamps during Chelsea's Capital One Cup semi-final win over Liverpool were "absolutely accidental", says boss Jose Mourinho.

Costa trod on Emre Can and Martin Skrtel in a second-leg tie that saw the Londoners progress after extra time.

Mourinho insisted the Blues striker was blameless, claiming he was only "looking to the ball".

But Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers said: "He has this edge to him. With Emre Can, that was poor, I felt."

The first-half incident involving Can took place close to the technical area and prompted an angry response from the Liverpool player.

Rodgers felt Costa could have avoided treading on his player.

"He could easily hurdle over the young player and he directs his studs right on to his ankle, which could've been nasty," said the Reds boss.

"Again the one with Martin Skrtel, there's no need to do it. That's the sad thing. He's a top-class player and he's clever enough that the officials don't see it."

Chelsea reached the final thanks to Branislav Ivanovic's goal, although they would have progressed on away goals anyway having drawn 1-1 at Anfield in the first leg.

Costa could face retrospective punishment from the Football Association if referee Michael Oliver reports that he did not see either incident.

If he is banned, the Brazil-born Spain international would miss Saturday's Premier League clash with second-placed Manchester City at Stamford Bridge.

Oscars 2015 nominations announced: Birdman' and 'The Grand Budapest Hotel' lead pack of Academy Awards hopefuls

Oscar prognosticators predicted "Birdman" would be a major winner at the 2015 Academy Awards, but few expected "The Grand Budapest Hotel" to check in to a spot among the favorites.

Wes Anderson's quirky comedy tied "Birdman," director Alejandro González Iñárritu's off-kilter Broadway drama, with nine nominations each, to lead the pack when Oscar nominees were announced Thursday.  (See the complete list)

The Imitation Game," a biopic about World War II code-breaker Alan Turing, who was prosecuted by British authorities for homosexuality, cracked into the ranks of top contenders, earning eight nominations.In a couple of major stunners, the historical drama "Selma," about the famed voting rights march in Alabama in 1965, and "Unbroken," Angelina Jolie's drama about a world-class athlete who became a Japanese prisoner during World War II, led the field of snubs.

Usher dresses as gold-painted street dancer to surprise fans while filming video with 'Voice' contestant

The 36-year-old R&B star disguised himself as a gold-painted street dancer and showed off his shows topping moves on the boardwalk in Venice Beach

The gathering fans had no idea they were actually watching the “OMG” singer break it down right in front of them until he took off his mask.

The crowd went wild for Usher as they quickly pulled out their phones to snap photos of the smiling entertainer.

It turns out Usher was filming a campaign video with a contestant from season 8 of "The Voice” and the two just kept on dancing after he revealed himself to the cheering audience.

The newly engaged star is gearing up for next month’s Grammy Awards as he is nominated in two categories, including Best R&B Performance.

Two days after music's biggest night, he will perform at a tribute concert to Stevie Wonder alongside Coldplay's Chris Martin and Willie Nelson at the Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE in Los Angeles.

The 57th annual Grammy Awards air Sun., Feb. 8 on CBS.