The man arrested after attempting to upstage Adele atthe Grammys says his stunt was spontaneous and he hopes it doesn't hurt his chances to remain in Los Angeles.
Ukraninan television journalist Vitalii Sediuk says he accepts responsibility for entering the show without a ticket, but that he hopes the incident has exposed some security lapses.
The 24-year-old was arrested after briefly taking the microphone before Adele accepted her Grammy on theshow's telecast.
He was shooed away by presenter Jennifer Lopez and later released by police.
Jail records show Sediuk spent the next several hours in custody and was ordered to appear for a March 4 court date.
He told The Hollywood Reporter, which first reported his arrest, that he did not have a ticket to the show and took musician Adam Levine's seat before going onstage.
Sediuk's intrusion came after Los Angeles police increased security at the Grammys due to an ongoing manhunt for a rogue ex-officer targeting police and their families.
Publicists for the Grammy Awards did not return emails seeking comment on the incident.
Sediuk, 24, has gained notoriety for other stunts involving celebrities. Will Smith slapped the 24-year-old last year after attempting to kiss him on the red carpet of the Moscow premiere of ''Men in Black III.''
Madonna received a bouquet of hydrangeas from Sediuk at the 2011 Venice Film Festival and promptly stashed them under a table, declaring, ''I absolutely loathe hydrangeas.''
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Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Adele Blast Chris Brown
The controversial star - who was also nominated for the Best Urban Contemporary Album award - was captured on camera sitting down while every other guest was on their feet.
A picture of Brown and Adele has emerged in which the ballsy British songstress appears to be shouting at him. The stars - who are both standing up in the photo - were seated in close proximity at the star-studded ceremony.
The photo is believed to have been taken moments after Brown refused to stand for Ocean. In the shot, Brown is holding his arms out in protest as Adele addresses him in what appears to be a tense one-on-one.
Another photo taken later in the evening shows the pair in a happier interlude.
Brown was recently involved in a fight with Ocean outside a recording studio in Los Angeles, and although no arrests were made after the brawl, Brown was largely blamed for the scuffle.
But Brown might be in for even more trouble: Celebrity gossip site TMZ reports that he and Rhianna were seen sharing a suspicious rolled up cigarette at a Grammys afterparty.
They also managed to get a shot showing Brown driving away from the club with Rihanna in the passenger seat at around 3:20am, "which would be a big issue if he's driving under the influence of pot - a big issue because he's on probation for beating his passenger to a pulp," TMZ wrote.
Beyonce Opens Up About Motherhood
In a Vogue magazine interview she also teased her next, as yet untitled, album saying the music is ''a lot more sensual ... empowering'' thanks to motherhood.
The Grammy-winning singer, 31, who is married to rapper Jay-Z, took a year off her music career to care for her first child, Blue Ivy Carter, who was born in January 2012.
''At some point it's very important to me that my daughter is able to experience life and run through the sprinklers and have slumber parties and trust and live and do all the things that any child should be able to do ... School visits and lemonade stands and all that stuff. It's very important for me,'' she told Vogue in an interview for its March issue.
The singer, who is making a comeback with a world tour starting in April, talked about bringing her daughter to work, saying, ''She's my road dog. She's my homey, my best friend.''
The Vogue interview was conducted in late 2012 before Beyonce's controversial lip-synced performance of The Star-Spangled Banner at President Barack Obama's inauguration in January.
Two weeks later she silenced her critics with a live performance at the Super Bowl halftime show.
On Saturday, her HBO documentary Life is But A Dream gets a first airing, giving viewers a glimpse of her life outside the spotlight.
An interview with Oprah Winfrey on the OWN cable channel airs the same day in the United States.
Beyonce called media gossip last year that she had faked her pregnancy ''very odd'' and spoke in detail about giving birth for the first time.
''I felt like when I was having contractions. I envisioned my child pushing through a very heavy door. And I imagined this tiny infant doing all the work, so I couldn't think about my own pain...We were talking. I know it sounds crazy, but I felt a communication,'' she told Vogue.
Beef: T-Pain Throws Shot At Rapper, Future
T-Pain, who saw worldwide success in the mid-2000s after popularizing the use of auto-tune in records, called Future the "new T-Pain" in not so flattering terms. "Funny thing about that Bugatti you woke up in, its mine. Oh, the irony," Pain left in a message on an Instagram picture that has since been deleted.
"Funny how "the new T-Pain" has to use "The oldT-Pain's Bugatti for his Bugatti hook. So there's that. Not at all throwing shots at Ace Hood. That's my man, 100 grand," Pain said in reference to the Future Hendrix rapper's latest hook, " Bugatti ."
The Free Band Gang leader has been looked at asthe person mainly responsible with bringing back auto-tune after Jay-Z famously dropped his Blueprint 3- single, " Death of Autotune ." The Atlanta rapper has saw much success with hit singles like "Turn On The Lights," "Same Damn Time," "Itchin," and "Tony Montana."
"When I first used Auto-Tune, I never used it to sing. I wasn't using it the way T-Pain was. I used it to rap because it makes my voice sound grittier. Now everybody wants to rap in Auto-Tune. Future's not everybody," he told Complex in a recent interview. "The people who are taking my style are like my babies. I've got a tribe of kids that want to be like me."
Prepare yourselves, folks. The first ever all Auto-Tune rap battle might be on the way
Two Men Force Sex On Teenage Girl And Slit Her Stomach Open
South Africa's women's minister called on Tuesday for the toughest possible sentence for two men accused of "forcing sex" and murdering a teenage girl, a crime that shocked a nation hardened by some of the world's highest rates of sexual violence.
At a hearing in the sleepy town of Bredasdorp, 130 km (80 miles) east of Cape Town, Minister of Women Lulu Xingwana hugged and offered condolences to the family of murdered 17-year-old Anene Booysen, who was left to die on a building site 10 days ago after being forced into sex. Her stomach had been slit open down to her ge****ls.
"We are saying to the court today there must be no bail for these criminals and monsters," Xingwana told reporters.
"We expect the toughest and the harshest sentence that can act as a deterrent to other criminals that abuse and kill our women and children," she said.
Her unusual intervention follows widespread condemnation, including from President Jacob Zuma, of a crime that has brought attention to the shockingly high levels of violence against women and children in South Africa.
The suspects face a maximum life sentence if found guilty.
These animals deserve life in prison and then some. This is truly disgusting.
Bayer Leverkusen Intrested In Sunday Mba
Nigeria’s unlikely hero in the final of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations, Sunday Mba, has said he hopes he has done enough to earn a dream move to Europe.
On Sunday in Johannesburg, the 24-year-old Warri Wolves forward scored the goal that ended Nigeria’s 19-year wait for a continental glory as they won their third Nations Cup trophy at the expense of Burkina Faso.
In the 1994 final in Tunisia, Emmanuel Amuneke came off the bench to fire two goals past Zambia and give the Super Eagles their second Nations Cup triumph after they first won the tournament on home soil in 1980.
Amuneke, who was then playing for top Egyptian side Zamalek, would subsequently move to Portuguese club Sporting Lisbon and eventually Barcelona.
“I hope I can also get a deal in Europe after what I achieved at the Nations Cup,” said the former Nigeria U17 star, who was also the match winner against star-studded Ivory Coast in the quarter-finals of the competition.
His exploits have already sparked off interest from top German Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen.
In 2008, he was close to teaming up with Spanish lower league side Elche, but the deal collapsed after his local club, Enugu Rangers, demanded too much money.
“A transfer abroad is the next step for his career after his decisive goals capped a very decent tournament for him,” said Nigerian football agent Vincent Alumona, who was behind the player’s move to Spain five years ago.
“However, this could be tricky. The window in western Europe is shut, but there are still opportunities in places like Ukraine and Russia. And that is where the dilemma for Mba lies. To move now or wait till the next window in Germany, Spain or France opens in July?
“He will need good advisers to make a decision about this. And whatever he chooses would surely shape his career for the next two, three years.”
What would a European club be getting if they sign Mba?
He is a skillful, hard working player who could play deep in midfield, as a second striker or even as the top striker.
He shot to national prominence early last year when he scored twice for the Eagles in an international friendly in Liberia.
He took his chance in South Africa when the highly-rated Nosa Igiebor from La Liga outfit Real Betis struggled.
The former Enyimba star would go on to play a very deep role in the middle, using his big engine to graft for Chelsea star Mikel Obi and also having enough strength to move forward to score his two tournament-defining goals.
But the only drawback for Mba is that at 24, he is a little too long in the tooth for a big breakthrough in Europe
Box Office Milestone: Ben Affleck's'Argo' Hitting $200 Million Worldwide
The Oscar best picture contender, picking up one trophy after another, has earned nearly $124 milliondomestically and $76.1 million internationally.
Over the weekend, Warner Bros. upped Argo's theater count from roughly 900 locations to 1,405, almost unheard of in a film's 18th week in release ( Argo opened Oct. 12). The film grossed $2.4 million to land back on the top 10 chart in the No. 8 slot.
On the eve of the Oscar nominations and Golden Globe ceremony in early January, Argo was playing in only 302 theaters, but Warners slowly started adding locations.
Argo won the Globe for best motion picture in the drama category, while Affleck won for best director. The accolades have continued in force, topped off by Sunday's BAFTA wins for best director and best picture.
"It's very cool. We've grossed $14 million since the Academy Award nominations, and for a film that's been out that long, that's really a terrific result," said Warners president of domestic distribution Dan Fellman. "We'll keep Argo in theaters right through the Oscars."
Argo's strength at the box office also underscores the boost a film can enjoy when receiving an A+ CinemaScore.
The movie won't be released on DVD until after the Feb. 24 Oscar ceremony.
President Jonathan To Host Eagles In Abuja
Dr. Jonathan, who will be joined by other top officials of government, is to announce a package for the players and the officials of the national team that ended Nigeria's 19-year wait for Africa's top football honour.
The team defeated Burkina Faso 1-0 to win the trophy, which they last won in 1994 in Tunisia.
The squad is expected to arrive aboard a special Arik Air flight. Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Bala Mohammed will on behalf of Jonathan receive the Eagles at 1.00pm at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport. The victorious Super Eagles will stop over at the National Stadium in the capital city for a mini reception before proceeding to the Presidential Villa. The public is expected to grace the stadium reception. President Jonathan was held back in Europe by official assignment, which prevented him from travelling to South Africa to watch the final match in South Africa. But he sent a delegation led by Senate President David Mark.
Other members of the delegation were Governors Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers) and Peter Obi (Anambra). Nigerians have been reacting to the victory, which they see as a sign of good omen for Nigeria. One of the harshest critics of the government, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, in a tweet after the match, described the Eagles victory as "an achievement of the Jonathan administration". Winger Victor Moses, who played a pivotal role in the Eagles victory described the day as one of the best in his life. Moses, on his debut in the continental showcase, scored the two late goals that saw off Ethiopia to put Nigeria into the knock-out stages. He was part of Mba's first-half strike that proved sufficient to bring the coveted crown back home. "One of best days of my life; this is a dream come true. I'm so proud to be a Nigerian," Moses wrote on Twitter.
The opposition Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) said the victory showed what Nigeria can achieve when it allows talent, rather than mediocrity, to lead the way. Ina statement yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said the Eagles' victory, coming just a little over a year after Stephen Keshi took charge of the team and started a rebuilding process, shows that transformation does not necessarily have to be an endless quest. ''The Super Eagles who failed to qualify for the last edition of the Nations Cup in 2012 rose to win the cup a year later.
Keshi's transformation agenda has produced positive results, even when not everyone believes in him. This is how it should be,'' it said. The ACN noted that while Nigerians were not too happy at the players' performance in the group stage, they quickly supportedthem when they stepped up their game in the knockoutstage, an indication that Nigerians do not need endless prodding to support a winning team, whether in sports or politics.
''The Super Eagles, who were not among the pre-tournament favourites, won because the coach assembled his team based on talent rather than any extraneous considerations, and also because the team and its technical crew believe that when there is determination and self-belief, no mountain can be high enough. ''If Nigeria will always field its best eleven in all human endeavours, be it sports, economy or politics, and also allows a visionary rather than a waffling dreamer to lead the team, the country will always be a world beater. That is the lesson from the Super Eagles' class of 2013,'' the party said. The ACN, however, criticised President Jonathan for opting to travel to London for the launch of Obasanjo Foundation instead of travelling to South Africa to witness the final match.
''Again, the President missed a chance to be seen to personally inspire his compatriots when it matters most. With millions around the world watching on television, there can be no better opportunity for a leader to showcase his nation and its talents. That explains why a world leader like President Barack Obama flew to London to watch the US basketball team play against Brazil at the 2012 London Olympics.
The statement added that the victory had opened the doors for the nation to achieve other goals. "It is an indication that there is nothing impossible and that collectively we will overcome all the challenges we are facing as a nation," Metuh said. Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) leader Gen. Muhammadu Buhari praised the Eagles for winning the cup. Gen. Buhari, who expressed joy over the victory, advised the President to apply the sincerity of the players which enabled them to win the championship, to purposeful and genuine governance. A statement by CPC's National Publicity Secretary Mr. Rotimi Fashakin, said Gen. Buhari noted that the campaign of the Super Eagles typified the resilience and indomitable spirit embedded in the Nigerian people. "Undoubtedly, CoachStephen Keshi must be showered with encomiums for providing the right leadership that saw the players and the rest of the crew through a successful football campaign even when hopes were waning- a feat that drew loud applause from across Africa, nay, the entire globe.
The conduct of the players on the pitch and outside equally evinced the discipline required of Champions. The players must build on this success to ensure another successful campaign at the Confederation's Cup in Brazil in June. "It is the belief of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari that if the sincerity of purpose exhibited by the Super Eagles can be transposed into the Nation's political governance, Nigeria should be a better place."
Stephen Keshi Withdraws Resignation
Just barely 24hours after lifting the African Nations Cup 2013 trophy, Stephen Keshi tendered his resignation from what was said to have been caused by certain actions taken by members of the NFF board during the tournament in a bid to remove Keshi.
Below is an official press statement from Stephen Keshi
My attention has been drawn to reports in the media that I have resigned my appointment as the Head Coach of Super Eagles of Nigeria.
While I have had cause to express my displeasure oversome issues that happened in the course of our participation in the AFCON 2013, which my team won by the grace of God, especially concerning my relationship with the Nigerian Football Federation, I have since had opportunity to discuss the various issues with all concerned. I am therefore pleased to say that I have reconsidered my position and have decided to continue with my job.
I want to thank the Honourable Minister of Sports, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, for his swift and kind intervention.
Signed
Stephen Okechukwu Keshi
12th February 2013
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Nigeria’s Francis Arinze May Be The Next Pope
According to reuters, William Hill, Britain's largest bookmaker, offered odds of 3/1 against for Arinze, or a probability of 25 percent, while Ouellet and Turksonwere priced at 7/2 against, meaning successful punters would win seven pounds for every two staked.
Irish bookmaker Paddy Power had the same three cardinals as leading contenders but placed Ouellet as favorite ahead of the two Africans. Britain's Ladbrokesnarrowly made Turkson its initial frontrunner.
"I have been taking bets on the Pope and the Archbishop of Canterbury for as long as I care to remember," said William Hill spokesman Graham Sharpe, denying that gambling on the papal succession was blasphemous.
"It's fair to say that this is the first papal punt to be decided in the full Internet betting era," he added, noting the growth of online gambling could make for a more lively market.
"It's not going to rival the Champions League (soccer)but it will produce enough turnover to make it worth doing."
Arinze and Benedict, who was then Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, were both among the bookmakers' favorites in 2005 when the German was elected to succeed Pope John Paul II, Sharpe said.
The Untold Story Of Stephen Keshi Okechukwu
Stephen Okechukwu Keshi (born 23 January 1962), his birthday anniversary was during the AFCON 2013 which was quite graced over because of the call to duty. The former football defender who has managed the Nigeria national team since 2011, is one of only two people, along with Egypt's Mahmoud El-Gohary, to have won the Africa Cup of Nations as both a player and a coach
Keshi was captain of the squad for the 1994 FIFA World Cup and played in five different African Nations Cup tournaments, helping Nigeria to win the 1994 African Nations Cup.
Keshi's devotion and outstanding leadership qualities made history for Nigeria.
His last club was Perlis FA and Tumpat FA in Malaysia. In 2000, a testimonial match was arranged for him in Lagos, Nigeria.
Keshi is one of the few successful coaches, career wise and as a family man
Yvonne Nelson And Iyanya Covers Complete Fashion
Reasons Why Stephen Keshi Resigned
According to Super Eagles' spokesman, Ben Alaiya, Stephen Keshi has indeed resigned.
" It is true," While speaking to a South African radio show on Monday evening, Keshi said that he handed in his resignation letter after the match on Sunday night.
"I gave them (Nigeria Football Federation) my letter of resignation immediately after last night's game, but I haven't heard from them yet, " – said Ben Alaiya
According to a report from Punch, a direct communication line has opened between the President Jonathan and Keshi after the announcement and the former captain of the national team confirmed he had resigned and was only awaiting the response of the NFF officials.
A very highly placed official in the Presidency said that the matter had been taken up immediately. The source added that after the discussion with Keshi, he agreed to withdraw his resignation and continue his job with the team.
The official said, "Yes, it is very true that Keshi resigned his position as coach of the Eagles. That he confirmed to us. It was quite alarming given the complaints he brought up. There were a lot on things going on that the nation didn't know.
Why Stephen Keshi Resigned
"He informed us about backlog of salaries , his official car that has only been on paper since he took office. Even in South Africa, money was a lot of issue. It is appalling but the key thing is that Keshi has calmed down and has agreed to continue as the coach of Nigeria."
Nigerians React To Stephen Keshi's Resignation
Below are some open letters to Super Eagles
Coach Keshi
Dear Keshi, I am sorry to tell you that this resignation cannot stand! I am sure you only wanted to teach NFF a bitter lesson.
They were pressurizing you to resign when the team played two games with straight draws and were looking good for early exit in the tournament. But you did not resign at
that time because you loved your job and believed in your boys. Now you have been vindicated by God and just like any normal human being with sense of pride and accomplishment, you feel the time is right to get back at your critics. You chose to do it in a great way that would shake the whole country and shock the world (and not just Africa). You calculated well and your advisers did well too.
Dear Keshi , I want you to understand one thing. They (NFF) meant well for you and the team when they called for your resignation during the poor performance era in the competition after all your job is'hire and fire' and you know it. The whole nation was apprehensive about the money and time spent preparing the team for the competition which was not commensurate to their performance at that period in time.
Yes, you can say we were inpatient like every Nigerian is known to be, this has been our shortcoming (in Lagos, for instance, people rush here and there for nothing)! But somehow, that turned to become a tonic for steady improved performance in
the competition. It pushed you to perform.
With the stress tonic in your systems, every member of the team improved their games (including your technical unit) and over night, you were transformed from 'Super Chicken' to our enviable and respected 'Super Eagle'. I am not holding brief for NFF and I am not saying that there is no possibility of witch hunting you (by some of their members who were against
your employment from the onset) during your trying period with the team but
even if that happened, I believe you can now look up to the sky to thank your God for vindicating you with victory over all of them and (just like Joseph in the Bible) say:' what they meant for evil , my God has now turned for my
good!'.
Keshi, I understand how you feel as a human being butI want you to know that we (Nigerians) truly love you. I believe that now is not the right time for controversies but time for celebration. I expect you to be ready for the greater task ahead of you immediately the national welcome party is over. The task to the Confederations Cup is a serious one because as against the AFCON where you represented Nigeria (a country in the continent of Africa), at the Confederations Cup (which is just few months away) you will be representing the continent of Africa herself and you cannot afford to fail her.
You are now Keshi of Africa! The World Cup qualification format presented by
CAF is a thorough one aimed at picking nothing but the very best to represent Africa in Brazil next year and it will be a big shame if the African Champions arenot part of the party in summer 2014 in Brazil. Here again, failure or average performance can not be accepted.I want to believe that the responsibilities of leadership and the pressure that comes with being in the eyes of the press with continuous expectations to perform well at every competition is not scaring our winning(and Africa's best) Coach Keshi away. I hope you see the challenges ahead as surmountable or do I recommend you spend some time with the current coach of the Spanish national team to be mentored by him? Greatness brings challenges and great men are never scared of limelight. You have been there before as a player so there is no reason to fright now as a coach Keshi!
Keshi, on behalf of all Nigerians(and not just NFF) , I tender my unreserved apology for whatever wrong treatment NFF must have done to you while in South Africa for the AFCON. Please understand that even the common man on the streets of Lagos, Aba, Abuja, Ibadan, kano to mention but a few called for your resignation at the time the team was not grinding out
good results in AFCON 2013. Yes, NFF did not act rightto you but you must not forget that even them were not spared by angry Nigerians. Check the news papersand see how they were crying and looking for how to save their jobs during that trying period in South Africa. Nigerians were calling for their heads and I guess they just transferred their aggression to you theway it was targeted at them at that time by Nigerians for employing you instead of other preferred coaches whose names you already know.
Brother keshi, uneasy lies the head that wears the crown and I know that you will have a rethink soon andwithdraw your resignation because no one in NFF will dare accept your resignation without attracting the wrought of the whole world. You have proved to be a true Nigerian, the very true son of your father by exhibiting the 'I can do spirit 'of an average Nigerian. You gave us all cause to smile even when we were all against you like the true
Stephen Okechukwu keshi we had always known since1994. The uncommon resilient spirit of a Nigerian you exhibited in South Africa in maintaining steady growth, improvement and brilliance in the way you handled the team in AFCON 2013 speaks volume of your credibility as the worthy Coach we
must trust to do the job for us in a long time to come. No one can take your
place in the Super Eagles right now.Yes, let whom the cap fits wear it. Stepehen, the cap fits you for now and you have to continue to wear it or do
you have any other reason for resigning apart from theones already highlighted in this write up?
I am sure you want to continue building the team you reportedly said was just eighty percent near completion. I believe you will not sow for others to reap keshi. Brother, get up, dust your buttocks and getback to work. You can not resign now! I repeat that this resignation cannot stand!
I Sold My Kidney To My Dean To Graduate With First Class - Unilag Student
The 24 years old boy recollected how he sold one of hiskidneys to the dean of his faculty a few days before hisconvocation. He says he was being threatened with the reality of having to spend an additional two years to his already prolonged eight years stay in the school.
He was nearly in tears while he explained why he couldn't donate his last and only kidney to his father who is in desperate need of a kidney to survive .
Despite him graduating with a first class, it is sad to say he has never been able to secure an adequate job.
So with no kidney, no job, and no money, how does this young boy expect to save his dying father?
No job and not enough money…. and now he needs a kidney to save his dad.
Richard Mofe Damijo And Goldie Attend The Grammy Awards.
Nollywood actor-turned politician, Richard Mofe Damijo , RMD and singer Goldie Harvey were spotted on the red carpet of the event.
Goldie came alongside Dayo D1 Adeneye, Kenny Ogungbe and DJ Soupamodel Kehinde.
Grammy Awards 2013 took place at the Staples Center in LA.
Several other Nigerian Celebrities also graced the event.
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