SHARE THIS Print Email More sharing Angry rants bring end to Alec Baldwin MSNBC show

Alec Baldwin's angry outbursts against photographers trailing him have cost the actor his MSNBC talk show job.

"We are jointly confirming that 'Up Late' will not continue on MSNBC," MSNBC and Baldwin's rep, Matthew Hiltzik, told CNN in a joint statement Tuesday.

The channel announced a two-week suspension of Baldwin's show last week amid media reports that he chased after a photographer outside his Manhattan apartment and called him a "c**ksucking f*g."

"Get away from my wife and the baby with the camera," Baldwin could be heard yelling on video taken of the incident. "What f***ing language you want that in?"  

Baldwin later posted a statement on MSNBC's website saying, "I did not intend to hurt or offend anyone with my choice of words, but clearly I have -- and for that I am deeply sorry. Words are important. I understand that, and will choose mine with great care going forward."  

"This is a mutual parting and we wish Alec all the best," the MSNBC spokesman said Tuesday.

Baldwin's last clash with the paparazzi was not his first. He's been photographed several times in the past two years expressing strong displeasure with persistent journalists trailing him with cameras.

The world’s biggest festivals

 

The world’s biggest festivals

There is nothing people around the world love more than festivals – whether they are celebrated for a reason or simply to have some fun.

If you missed out on the enormous variety of festivals and carnivals happening throughout the year, take a look at some of the biggest festivals we would definitely love to go to next year.

Britney Spears: Las Vegas residency 'ideal

Britney Spears says her upcoming Las Vegas residency is "ideal" as she doesn't want to travel too much following two "gruelling" tours in recent years.

Britney Spears believes her Las Vegas residency is "ideal" as she won't have to travel too much.
The 'Work Bitch' hitmaker is set to launch 'Britney: Piece of Me' at Planet Hollywood next month and she is looking forward to the short commute between her home in Los Angeles and Sin City after three "gruelling" years of touring.
She said: "I've done two tours in two years in the past three years and it's so gruelling, being on the road and staying in a different bed every night. The schedule is insane.
"I thought it would be ideal to have one place I could go to and I could just travel back and forth to my home after the show. It's going to be different but I'm excited."
The 31-year-old star - who has sons Sean Preston, eight, and Jayden James, seven, with ex-husband Kevin Federline - also opened up about writing her new album, 'Britney Jean', which she says was like "therapy".
Britney admits to feeling "reclusive" at times and having "harder" days in her life, but writing her eighth studio album sparked her creativity.

Photo of the day!

Copa Lagos: 20 Supersand Eagles Players Invited to Camp.

Full list of invited players:
Goalkeepers: Abdul Isah (Kaduna United), Oladapo Olalekan (Owibesed FC), Joel Theophilus (Kano Pillars).
Defenders: Okemmiri Ogbonaya (Abia Warriors), Emmanuel Onweferia (Owibesed FC), Ayobami Asekumowo (Wikki Tourists, Bauchi), Omotayo Ibrahim (ABS FC), Daniel Adu (Atete FC, Warri)
Midfielders: Isiaka Olawale (Dolphins FC), Ikechukwu Ibenegbu (Heartland), Suleiman Abubakar (Nasarawa Beach team), Badmus Babatunde (Owibesed FC), Emma Elemobor (Siasia FC Academy), Tayi Abdulrahman (FCT Beach team), Emeka Ogbonna (Kogi Beach team).
Strikers: Victor Tale (Shenne FC), Abu Azeez (Kwara United), Abutu Adofu (NYSC FC, Enugu), Rotimi Omoniwa (Nembe City), Nekan Nzeako (El-Kanemi-Warriors).

Police Arrest 45-yr-old For Allegedly R*ping 75-yr-old Woman In Ekiti

Police in Ekiti have arrested a 45-yr-old man identified as Lawrence Adedapo, for allegedly forcibly having carnal knowledge of a 75-year-old woman, Grace Asaolu, at Ogbese Camp, Ise-Ekiti in Ise-Orun Local Government Area of Ekiti State.

Adedapo, a farmer, was said to have invited the old woman to his house on November 7 this year under the pretext that he brought some plantain from his farm for sale.
The accused was said to have taken advantage of the septuagenarian’s fragile nature, overpowering her before having carnal knowledge of her.
Narrating her ordeal, Mrs Asaolu said; “Lawrence Adedapo is my neighbour. He invited me to come and collect plantain but instead he pushed me on his children’s bed and forcefully had carnal knowledge of me. I later rushed to the police station to report the matter.”
When he was interrogated by the police, the suspect confirmed that he had carnal knowledge of the woman but however denied forcing her, claiming that she was his mistress.
“I knew her long time ago. I knew her as a widow from Moba Local Government Area of the state. We have known each other for the past 35 years and I have been dating her for long.
“The last time I had s*x with her was in April during Easter before meeting her again on November 7. That was the second time we met this year. I did not force her into it and I had her consent before doing it”.
Asked why she reported the matter to the police, Adedapo said: “I promised to give her N2,000 which she asked for before we did it. But after the s*x I was able to give her N1,000 only. That could be the reason why she alleged that I r*ped her. I later found out that she was bleeding as a result of the s*x.
“I did not even release because I used my children’s room, so I had to rush.”
Confirming the incident, Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Mr. Victor Babayemi, ASP, insisted that the investigation carried out by the police revealed that the old woman was actually r*ped by the suspect.
“In the course of investigation, facts emerged that the suspect knew the victim to be of old age, 75, and in menopause.
“She could not have been bleeding without tampering with her organ. Medical report shows that there was a violent s*xual assault on her; she was also said to be distressed with her private part smeared with fresh blood.

NBA doubts INEC’s ability to conduct 2015 elections

The Nigerian Bar Association on Tuesday expressed doubts over the ability of the Independent National Electoral Commission to conduct credible elections in 2015.

In a communiqué at the end of its National Executive Committee meeting in Nasarawa State, the NBA described the inconclusive governorship election in Anambra State as embarrassing and unacceptable.

NBA President, Okey Wali, SAN, read the communiqué at a press conference in Abuja.

The communiqué read in part, “The inconclusiveness of the said elections and the serious operational and logistical challenges that gave rise to the supplementary elections have created serious doubts in the minds of Nigerians regarding the preparedness of the Independent National Electoral Commission to conduct acceptable elections in 2015.

“The NBA views as very embarrassing and unacceptable the inconclusiveness of the Anambra State governorship election, occasioned by operational and logistic challenges in an election supervised by six national commissioners, 15 Resident Electoral Commissioners and a galaxy of permanent staff from the contiguous states.”

Five rebel governors join APC

The New Peoples Democratic Party on Tuesday formally announced that it had merged with the opposition All Progressives Congress.

The decision  was taken at a  meeting  between   leaders  of the APC and the New PDP   at  the Kano State  Governor’s residence  in Abuja.

The  National Chairman of the New PDP, Alhaji Abubakar Baraje, announced the decision  which was described by the Presidency as a welcome development.

“The Presidency does not feel threatened; the PDP does not feel threatened,” the Special Adviser to   President  Goodluck Jonathan on Political Matters, Mr. Ahmed Gulak, told  State House correspondents in Abuja.

But the New PDP  said its members, including the rebel governors, were elated to “have abandoned PDP’s sinking ship.”

Although Baraje claimed that the group’s merger  with the APC  was a unanimous decision,  two  of the seven  rebel governors – Babangida Aliyu (Niger) and Sule Lamido(Jigawa), distanced themselves from it.

Governor Aliyu Wamakko(Sokoto) and Lamido  were absent from the  Tuesday meeting.

One of our correspondents reported that Aliyu attended the meeting but left before it ended.

The    other  rebel  governors   in attendance  were  Rotimi Amaechi(Rivers);  Rabiu Kwakwanso (Kano);  Murtala Nyako(Adamawa);  and Abdulfatah Ahmed(Kwara)

How Tony Elumelu Makes $123million in 3 Weeks

How Tony Elumelu Makes $123million in 3 Weeks
According to Forbes Africa, former United Bank for Africa (UBA) Managing director, and chairman of Heirs Holdings, Tony Elumelu made $123million in just three weeks. Wow! Read below...
It’s just paper gains, but it counts. Nigerian banker Tony O. Elumelu has become at least $123 million richer between November 1 and November 21 as shares of Transcorp PLC, a Nigerian-Stock Exchange-listed conglomerate, surged 186% in that period.
Transnational Corporation Of Nigeria, usually referred to as Transcorp, is an emerging conglomerate holding investments in hotels, power and agriculture. On November 1, the company’s stock was trading at N1.87 ($0.01), and at the close of trading today (Thursday), the stock was trading at N5.35 ($5.35).

According to an analyst who did not want to be quoted, there has been an unprecedented demand for Transcorp’s shares at the bourse on account of the company’s recent acquisition of the Ughelli Power plant, a strategic power generation company that the government recently sold in a privatization exercise.

Transcorp PLC, under Elumelu’s leadership, acquired the plant for $300 million. Transcorp officially took over the plant on November 1. Investors are scrambling for the stock in anticipation of the long-term impact the new acquisition will likely have on Transcorp’s financial results.

Bisi Ibidapo Obe Turns Born Again

Popular Nollywood actress, Bisi Ibidapo, we gathered has joined the league of actresses who have moved closer to God. According to the information at our disposal, the mother of one has decided to turn to God since her pregnancy tales. She was allegedly said to have been shocked with the faallout of her pregnancy and child bearing event, and another factor is the fact that she and Lola Alao would have drifted over Dino Melaye issue which became a mystery to her.
A busybody said recently Bisi has been sighted severally in church. Not only that she has also stopped attending functions like before, that if she is not directly involved in an event, she will not appear there.
Bisi Ibiodapo-Obe is one of the most beautiful faces that have graced the movie screens in the Yoruba genre of Nollywood. Kogi State-born actress, Lola Alao and Bisi were once close friends. According to gist merchants, “the Dino Melaye” saga was the cause of their breakup. Actually there was a time no one could come between these two actresses until that moment. A bird squealed Lola Alao who hails from the same state with Dino is a pimp, so she was the “matchmaker” between Bisi and the former House of Representatives member.

I Would Love To Be A Pastor Like Bishop David Oyedepo” – Timaya.

It was obvious that the self-styled Egberi Papa 1 had not quite recovered from the impact of his breakup with a controversial actress that he dated a few years ago. Although it is common knowledge that Timaya broke up with the actress in 2009, he confessed that the relationship had robbed off on him badly and wished he could be rid of the attendant negative aura.

“You should not date somebody who already has a negative record. In my own case, it affected me at that time. I feel that a relationship should be between two people and not exposed to the rest of the world. Only a smart man is able to keep his relationship private.
“You see, Desmond Elliot and Jimmy Jatt are both married, but you will never see their wives in public. Naturally I’m a private person. The only thing that takes me out of my shell is my music, which is what I do for a living. It seems that the only thing people know about me is that ugly episode. So I don’t like to talk about it,” he says, adding that he has learnt a lesson from the experience.
However, the singer is currently involved in what he describes as a healthy relationship and he has since moved on with his life. Apart from that single dark spot in his life, Timaya seems to have been on top of his game since his fortunes shot up about a decade ago. During that period, he earned a fat bank account, recorded six successful albums and scored several chart busting hits. The seventh album is currently in the works. In spite of his achievements, the artiste, who considers his maiden album to be the turning point in his career, nurses a secret desire.

Nollywood Receives N150m Grant from GEJ, While Twenty Times More Expected

On March 3, 2013, President Goodluck Jonathan organised a dinner at Marina in Lagos to celebrate Nollywood at 20. On that occasion, he announced a N3billion grants geared towards supporting the nation’s foremost movie industry, Nollywood.
But ever since the announcement, a sharp division has risen among the members of the umbrella body of actors and actresses, Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), with key players having different stance on how the money should be disbursed.
What happens to the fund? It’s obvious it has been squandered. While practitioners suffer from lack of funds and humiliation in the quest to produce films, some people are busy working to ensure that the money lands in their bank account.
Currently, Nollywood stars operating in the country’s film industry under the recently launched Capacity Training Fund of the Presidential Intervention scheme called “Project ACT Nollywood, “with an objective to help the industry make further progress on a more solid foundation.”
The Federal Government said on November 20, 2013, Wednesday, it awarded various grants adding that this was in line with President Jonathan’s vision for the industry.
The training portion of the Capacity Building Fund valued at about N150 million is dedicated to training and skill acquisition for Nigerian movie practitioners in all competences along the value chain of Nigeria’s movie industry.

EFCC accuses Ikuforiji of 57 illegal cash transactions

he Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Thursday told a Federal High Court, Lagos that there were 57 illegal cash transactions involved in the money laundering charges it preferred against the Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr. Adeyemi Ikuforiji, and his aide, Mr. Oyebode Atoyebi.

At the commencement of the trial on Thursday, the first prosecution witness,  Mr. Adeniyi Adebayo, who is an EFCC investigator, said the cash transactions were above the threshold prescribed by the Money Laundering Act.

Both Ikuforiji and Atoyebi are being prosecuted by the EFCC for 54 counts of allegedly receiving over N600m from the Lagos State House of Assembly without passing through a financial institution between April 2010 and July 2011.

The EFCC said the alleged offence contravened Section 18 (a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011.

Adebayo, who was led in evidence by EFCC counsel, Chief Godwin Obla (SAN), said the anti-graft agency in June 2011 received a petition which “was a complaint of siphoning of public funds against the first accused person (Ikuforiji).”

Anambra supplementary election to hold November 30 – Jega

NEC to announce Anambra supplementary election date today

The Independent National Electoral Commission will meet today (Friday) to pick a date for the supplementary election of the Anambra State governorship poll.

Kayode Idowu, the Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman,  Prof. Attahiru Jega, confirmed this in an interview with The PUNCH on Thursday night.

He said, “Today (Thursday’s) meeting was just a meeting where the field staff debriefed the commission on the last election and not just for the choice of a date for the supplementary election. The 12 national commissioners of INEC and the Chairman will meet tomorrow (today) and it is likely that a date would be fixed for the Anambra state governorship election.”

I haven’t lost my form, insists Mba

Sunday Mba insists that his form has not dropped despite failing to start for Nigeria in recent games.

Mba was the hero of the African Nations Cup where he scored not only the goal that eliminated the highly-fancied Côte d’Ivoire at the quarter-final stage, but also the one that decided the championship game.

Since then, however, he has dropped to the bench and did not feature at all in the last two games.

But the Rangers midfielder told KickOffNigeria.com that his form had not dropped.

“I’m still the same player, I’m still playing my normal game and I’m still doing well.

“Somehow, I can’t say why I’m not playing but I believe the coach wants to change the team, wants to try something else.

“But I’m still part or the team and whenever I’m called upon, I will do my best and prove myself very well,” he said.

Outrage as Senate makes U-turn on Stella Oduah

THERE was outrage on Thursday as the  Senate rescinded its resolution to have  the Minister of Aviation, Ms. Stella Oduah,   appear  before  its members over the  October 3 Associated Airlines’ plane crash in Lagos.

Oduah  is now to appear before the Senate Committee on Aviation alongside the Chief Executive Officers of  the aviation agencies under her ministry.

The Senate Leader,  Victor Ndoma-Egba,  who moved a motion for the lawmakers to have a rethink on the invitation of the minister, had  argued that the  action was based on the Senate Standing Order 53 (6) which empowers  it to reverse its decisions.

He also explained that   the decision  was earlier  reached at an  executive committee meeting of the Senate last week.

Senator Ganiyu Solomon, who seconded the motion,   said,  “At  the executive session last week, the senators were unanimous in the decision  that  the resolution should be rescinded and that the minister should rather face the aviation committee.”

There was however  deafening silence when  the Senate President, David Mark,  called for  comments from the senators and none of them offered any contrary opinion.

When  Mark   requested votes from his colleagues on whether to approve or reject the prayers contained  in the motion,  all of them voted in support.

Friends deserted me when I was sick – Paul Play Dairo

Bouncing back after a seven-year break, Paul Play Dairo recalls the medical challenge that affected his career, writes JAYNE AUGOYE

After a seven-year hiatus, ace music producer and artiste, Paul Play Dairo, is working towards staging a big come back. Having dropped a total of five singles since March, he says the response has been massive. In spite of the seeming lull in album sales, the RnB star who says he is up-to- beat with current trends in the music scene, still intends to drop a ‘luxury’ album.

“The idea is basically to fill in the gap since my last album and also sample people’s opinion. Thankfully, the online comments have been encouraging. So far, I have recorded 20 songs and some of them have already been released as singles. I am currently tidying my gospel and each track has an element of Nigerian flavor and pop.

“The bulk of the money is no longer coming from album sales because these songs are already online and people are downloading them. Music business is now streamlined to performance and endorsement. I am still going ahead with the limited edition album which will be expensive because that way I will be able to control and monitor the sales and distribution,” he discloses.

Governor Fashola donates four buses to Nigerian Prison Services

Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola yestreday November 11th donated four buses to the Lagos Command of the Nigerian Prison Services. Pictured above presenting the keys to the Controller of Prison, Lagos State Command, Mrs. Catherine Nkolika Ononye at the Lagos House, Ikeja, yesterday.

NCAA To Sanction Aero For Maltreating Passengers

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has commenced proceedings to sanction Aero Contractors over its shoddy treatment of passengers last Saturday.
Passengers who were to travel by the airline’s 5pm flight from Abuja to Lagos were reported to have been delayed until midnight after which it peremptorily cancelled the flight.
There was no explanation whatsoever about the reason for the cancellation of the flight. To make matters worse, the pilot was alleged to have tactfully switched off the aircraft’s engine and sneaked out of the aeroplane with the cabin crew, leaving the passengers behind.
The Director General of NCAA, Capt. Fola Akinkuotu, has instructed the Director of Consumer Protection (DCP), Adamu Abdullahi, to immediately commence proceedings towards imposing appropriate sanctions on Aero Contractors.