Gunmen Kill Four Police Officers in Kano

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The Police Public Relations Officer, Magaji Musa Majjiya confirmed the attack to Channels TV, saying the attack did take place and that the attackers escaped and no arrest has been made.
“It is true that a team of our police officers on patrol around Yan’ Awaki by Zaria road were attacked this morning, two were killed and one was injured during the attack.”
A police officer on the scene after the attack, who declined to be named said the gunmen ambushed the patrol vehicle before escaping on motorcycles – a classic tactic of Islamist sect Boko Haram.
After a surge in fighting around the turn of the year, there have been fewer assaults by the Islamist militants in the past two weeks, although they remain the biggest security threat to Africa’s top oil producer.
“Four police officers attached to the Kano police command were shot dead today by suspected terrorists of the Boko Haram sect, near the Angwa-Ukwu police checkpoint,” the police officer said. “They escaped on their motorbikes.”
The attack came less than a day after two policeman were killed on Monday at a checkpoint elsewhere in Kano.
The sect has forged links over the years with international jihadists in Mali and Niger, including al Qaeda’s north African wing and Nigerian officials fear the country’s involvement in a proposed intervention force to fight Islamists in Mali could inflame its own Islamist insurgency.
Boko Haram’s violence remains focused mostly on security forces in the northeast, although its attacks have spread across the north and to the capital Abuja.
A senior Boko Haram commander blamed for organizing several suicide bombings; Mohammed Zingina, was captured on Sunday in Maiduguri in the northeast where the sect’s headquarters lie.
The government has promised rewards for information on some Boko Haram members that could lead to their arrest. Zingina was on that list.
Another, emerging group called Ansaru known to have had ties with Boko Haram, claimed an attack on a police barracks in the capital Abuja in November, where it said hundreds of prisoners were released.
The group, labeled a terrorist organization by Britain, has also said it was behind the kidnapping of a French national at the end of last year who is still missing.

Instagram’s Updated User Agreement Goes Into Effect This Week

 


Tuesday morning that it would roll back its user agreement to the previous version, with some minor changes, after a widespread user outrage last year erupted over a change in the service’s terms to suit future monetization of the product.
“Because of the feedback we have heard from you, we are reverting this advertising section to the original version that has been in effect since we launched the service in October 2010,” the new service agreement said.
The initial plan was to institute the new changes on Jan. 16. Instagram sent out an email to its user base on Tuesday morning, reminding users that this week would be the introduction of the new agreement, beginning on Jan. 19.
The changes, according to Instagram, are to help the company better share data with its new corporate overlord, Facebook, months after the company was acquired. Essentially, it means moving Instagram from being hosted on Amazon’s Web Services product, and onto Facebook’s in-house servers.
Also, Instagram claims, it’s going to better prevent the spam that’s so prevalent in many of the comments on the service.
The company invoked user ire back in mid-December, when the company changed the language of its user agreement to potentially include advertising products that would incorporate users’ photos. Many interpreted the changes in language to mean that essentially any photos posted to the service could be co-opted by Instagram and its advertisers, and stuck inside of promos for different advertisers using the service.
Many freaked out, especially those in the artistic community, who upload their photographs and work to the photo-sharing service. A number of high-profile tech bloggers went as far as to delete their accounts entirely, claiming they didn’t want their lives to be monetized or “commoditized.”
“Going forward, rather than obtain permission from you to introduce possible advertising products we have not yet developed, we are going to take the time to complete our plans, and then come back to our users and explain how we would like for our advertising business to work,” the new update said.

VIDEO:Chris Brown Dancing To D’Banj’s Oliver Twist.

 

Chris Brown was Dancing Dbanj Oliver Twist at his recent concert in lagos

'His Voice Is Impressive': Lewis Hamilton Recording Music With Chris Brown And Usher's Songwriter

Some may have laughed off Lewis Hamilton's plans to dabble in music but he may be having the last chuckle now because he has teamed up with Chris Brown's songwriter and UK rapper Angel a studio.
The Formula One racer is apparently taking his music career seriously as he has enlisted Eric Bellinger, who has written tracks for the likes of Chris Brown and Usher, to work on his material in a studio which has set him back £1,500.

We wonder if Lewis' songs are as good as his driving! (Instagram/Lewis Hamilton)

Meanwhile, he has also managed to bend the ear of up and coming UK rapper Angel, who enjoyed success last year with his songs 'Wonderful' and 'Time After Time.'

Lewis shared snaps on Instagram with his fans, showing the racer sitting behind the decks and posing with Bellinger and Angel, looking a lot harder than he does on the racing track. Apparently, Lewis has been using music as a way to relax when he isn't training for a race.
"Lewis has been spending a lot of his spare time in the studio. His vocals have been impressive," a source told The Sun.
Angel confirmed in November that he was helping Lewis with his music, but claimed it would never see the light of day as "he has no intention of becoming a pop star."
"I’ve been doing a lot of writing for different people. The last couple of days I’ve been working with Lewis. He’s doing his thing right now," Angel told The Sun at the time.
Another source added: "Lewis uses the studio as a way of letting off steam away from the track," the insider said.
"He’s very passionate about music and wants his work to be of good quality."
"He’s got the cash so why not? His management will start to worry if his dedication to music takes precedence over F1. But he has no intention of becoming a pop star."




(crash waiting to happen omg.........)

Rihanna And Chris Brown's 'Nobodies Business' Collaboration Was Jay-Z's Idea

While most assumed Jay-Z was still giving Chris Brown the frosty treatment following his assault on Rihanna in 2009, it was actually a different picture behind the scenes, as it was the hip-hop mogul who came up with the idea for the former couple to collaborate.

Fans were shocked in November when Rihanna unveiled her latest collaboration with her abusive ex, 'Nobodies Business,' which features on her latest album Unapologetic.

Jay-Z was instrumental in RiRi and Chris hooking up over music (WENN)

The song sends out a clear message to the public about Chris and Rihanna's relationship, and while most believed it was a carefully constructed by the pair, it has now emerged that Jay-Z surprisingly had a huge part to play.

In Rihanna's new interview with Complex magazine, Roc Nation co-founder and Jay-Z's best friend Ty Ty Smith, reveals that he and the 'Watch The Throne' rapper came up with the idea without the influence of Chris or RiRi.
"The Dream didn't write it for them as a duet. Jay-Z and I were in the car together listening to the song, and we thought it would be a great duet," Ty Ty told the magazine.
"It feels good. That's how Chris ended up on the song."

Rihanna still says her relationship with Chris is "nobody's business" (WENN)

Jay-Z reportedly turned his back on Chris in 2009 when the young singer assaulted Rihanna during an argument, but the rapper decided to put their ongoing feud to an end last October when it became apparent that Rihanna had redeveloped a friendship with Chris again.

In the Complex interview, Rihanna refused to address the status of her relationship with Chris, referencing their duet, claiming what goes on behind closed doors is "nobody's business."
Who knew Jay-Z would be the one to push Chris and RiRi closer together!

C Junior On The Way To Earth: As Naeto C Confirms Wife Is Pregnant

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Their wedding in July 2012 was one of the celebrity weddings of the year, now Nigerian rap star Naeto C and his wife Nicole Chikwe have even more great news as they are expecting their first child.

Naeto C was a guest on M-Net’s entertainment and lifestyle show, 53 Extra. He was interviewed by 53 Extra co-host Eku Edewor who slyly asked him about the big plans he has for 2013 including being a dad. The star seemed surprised by the question but happily confirmed that he plans to be a great dad and is excited about the new stage in his life.

There had been speculation that Naeto C and Nicole were expecting after she was spotted with “a baby bump” in late 2012. Though there was no official confirmation until now.

Congrats to Naeto and Nicole!

The "Rick Ross" Name Scandal: Freeway Rick Ross and Warner Brothers in court over rapper’s name

Lawyers for Warner Brothers and former drug kingpin/community activist Freeway Ricky Ross faced off in court yesterday (January 9), in down-town Los Angeles. Both sides were in Superior Court, for a hearing in the ongoing battle over the name “Rick Ross.”
Judge Rita Miller finally set an August date for a trial by Jury, to hear the lawyers’ arguments regarding the case.
Freeway Ricky Ross told AllHipHop.com that he would be deposing some of the industry’s biggest executives in the case, all of whom are associated with the rapper Rick Ross.
“We will be deposing Sean Combs, Stephen Cooper, Lyor Cohen and Todd Moscowitz,” Freeway Ricky Ross told AllHipHop.com today (January 9).
Freeway Ricky Ross claims that despite the ongoing court battle, Rick Ross is still flagrantly ripping off his image.
The rapper recently revealed the title of his upcoming sixth album will be titledMastermind.
According to Freeway Ricky Ross, the rapper continues to subtly, or not so subtly associate himself with words, images and phrases that will fool fans – or search engines.
“He uses Mastermind that’s exactly how the Wall Street Journal described me and my life story,” Freeway Ricky Ross pointed out to AllHipHop.com.

England cricketer Sarah Taylor could make history and play in men's match

Sarah Taylor has revealed she is in talks to play men's second XI cricket for Sussex later this summer.

  Sarah Taylor, the England wicketkeeper, has revealed that she is in talks to play men's second XI county cricket this summer in what would be a groundbreaking move for women's sport.
Taylor, widely regarded as one of the best female cricketers in history, has an informal agreement with the coaching staff at Sussex that if their second team needs a wicketkeeper at short notice this year, she will be selected to play.
In an exclusive interview with the Guardian, the 23-year-old keeper and No3 batter said the prospect is "phenomenal" if "daunting". Taylor also conceded that her task would be as much a psychological challenge as a physical test.
"Part of me knows it would be phenomenal," Taylor said. "But there's part of me doubting myself. I've just got to start believing in myself a little bit more. But I would love to do it. It would be such a challenge – facing a bigger ball and bigger bowlers [the ball used in women's cricket is slightly smaller in circumference and weighs a little less]. But I'd have to look at myself after the second XI games and say: 'Can you handle this?'
Taylor, who leaves for India on Thursday with the England women's team, as they prepare to defend the 50-over World Cup they won in 2009, is being championed to make the switch to the men's game by Mark Lane, the national women's coach.
England's wicketkeeper Sarah Taylor will be heading off with the team to defend the 50-over World Cup in India on Thursday. Photograph: Andy Hall for the Guardian "Mark is looking at me getting some games with the second XI at Sussex and that will be just phenomenal cricket," said Taylor. "The plan is also for me to play some early season games for the MCC boys. Mark is trying to get me a lot of men's cricket which can only help my game.
"It's just a case of here could be an opportunity for me. Someone at Sussex approached Mark and asked if there was anyone who could keep [wicket] and Laney, being Laney, was quick to back me. It's daunting but it's brilliant that he backs me to do it in men's cricket. The MCC also approached him about me playing for them.
"I was almost offered a chance to play for the MCC boys against a county cricket first team – Sussex – in a Twenty20 game. But it would have to be in the longer form because the shorter game needs more power. So, yeah, you'll have to keep an eye out and see how I go against the men."
The ECB has stressed that no exact dates have been set for Taylor to play second XI county cricket and that discussions between Lane and Sussex have been "informal". She will, initially, play a high standard of men's club cricket. "I've moved to Walmley cricket club and I'll play for them [in the Birmingham and District Premier League]. I've been playing six years for England and I'm still only 23. I've still got so much to look forward to, especially in men's cricket. But I need to see how well I go in club cricket first."
'Part of me knows it would be phenomenal,' says Taylor. Photograph: Gemunu Amarasinghe/AP Taylor played cricket in her school's first team, Brighton College. "In my first couple of years you felt like you were proving yourself in every game. But I was lucky my best mate was captain and he was brilliant. If anyone messed with me he was my saviour. Brighton College is a strong cricket school in the A league. So they knew I warranted it on merit."
Taylor told the Guardian that she briefly became disillusioned with cricket in 2010 when, at the age of 21, she walked away from the game and moved to New Zealand. "There were lots of personal reasons and I'd also hit a point where I'd won everything that England could possibly win. In 2009 we won the World Cup, the Twenty20 and retained the Ashes. I thought: 'What else is there for me?' I went to Wellington to get away from cricket. I'd almost hit a wall."
Taylor has returned with renewed ambition. Apart from continuing to dazzle in the women's game, she now has the chance to overcome some old prejudices – and, potentially, to establish herself as a pioneer should she eventually play men's first-class cricket.

José Mourinho puts Chelsea on alert over desire to return to England

Real Madrid's manager, José Mourinho, has hinted at a return to England.  José Mourinho has alerted elite Premier League clubs, principal among them his former employers Chelsea, to his potential availability in the summer by reiterating a desire to work in England again.
The Real Madrid head coach's position at the Bernabéu has come under intense scrutiny in recent months as his side have slipped 18 points behind Barcelona and even trail their city rivals Atlético by seven points to leave the defence of the title effectively wrecked by the turn of the year. That has prompted suggestions he will leave the club at the end of the season but, while his standing has suffered in Spain as Real have stuttered, his reputation in England remains buoyant.
A summer of change beckons with a number of high-profile clubs potentially looking for new managers. One of those will be Chelsea, who sacked Roberto Di Matteo in November and have employed Rafael Benítez on an interim basis until May, and while the prospect of turning back to Mourinho – who won two Premier League titles in three glittering seasons at the club before leaving in the autumn of 2007 – would have felt unthinkable a few years ago when his relationship with Roman Abramovich was so fractured, now that scenario feels less improbable.
The two have reconciled since and, on the basis that he could well depart Real in the summer, he will be under consideration when Chelsea start to address who should be Di Matteo's long-term successor, a process that will gather pace most likely after the closure of the current transfer window. The club remain keen on Pep Guardiola, though they accept that he may see his own future elsewhere when he returns from a year-long sabbatical.
Mourinho's desire to return to England would appear to offer some encouragement. Speaking in a video message of congratulation recorded for the launch of the Football Association's 150th anniversary on Wednesday, the two-time European Cup winning manager said: "My memories from English football could not be better. It was my first experience outside of Portugal – I was still a very young coach when I left Portugal to go to England. But there couldn't be a better place to go. In England you feel the real passion for the game. You also don't feel what we feel in almost every other country which is the passion for clubs. In England, it's not just about passion for clubs, it's mainly about passion for football – and you feel it.
"So, my memories are great. I loved it from the first to the last day. I don't regret my last day because after that I was lucky enough to enjoy Italy and to have and enjoy some success there and also in Spain, so I don't regret the day I left. But I know that one day I will come back because English football means a lot to myself … Of course, it's impossible, but I feel everybody involved in the game should experience English football because it's a special feeling. You really enjoy being a football professional there."
The Portuguese was in the country earlier this week having watched Real's opponents in next month's knockout phase, Manchester United, defeat Liverpool at Old Trafford on Sunday and attended a League Managers' Association seminar stretched across two days at St George's Park. He has since returned to Spain to prepare for Tuesday's Copa del Rey quarter-final against Valencia, a game in which Cristiano Ronaldo returns after suspension having confirmed in an interview with fifa.com that he does not know what his own future will hold after his contract with Real expires in 2015. "I want to see out my contract at Real, I'm very clear about that," he said. "After that, well, I don't know what'll happen."
The FA will launch their programme for a year of celebrations on Wednesday in London, an event that will be attended by former England players and managers, including Fabio Capello, and have confirmed Pelé as the guest of honour at their inaugural FA England awards next month, as well as for the friendly against Brazil at Wembley on 6 February.

Vincent Kompany Red Card Has been Overturned By The FA

Man City's captain Vincent Kompany will not miss their next three games after the FA rescinded his red card against Arsena.

New Scotland Manager: Gordon Strachan

The SFA has confirmed that Gordon Strachan will take over from Craig Levein as the new manager of Scotland. Photograph: Lynne Cameron/PA

Gordon Strachan has been appointed as the new manager of Scotland, the Scottish Football Association has confirmed.
The 55-year-old, who has been out of work since leaving Middlesbrough in October 2010, has been in negotiation with the SFA with regards to his salary and contract length since the turn of the year.
Strachan – whose contract runs until Euro 2016 – stated his desire to make Scotland a proud footballing country once more. He said: "Every club you go to there's always challenges, but this is the first time the challenges are in front of a nation. If you can be successful you can make a nation happy and make a nation proud and that is the priority for me to be able to do that with help from other people."
Strachan also said that it is the perfect time to step into the role. "You're always interested as long as someone asks you but I think that time is right now because I've had that European experience. I've had to deal with players and I've also had a couple of years where I can look at national football. The time is right for me to be able to take a job like this. I have the experience, I like working with people, I like dealing with people and I like trying to make people better."
Strachan also stated his desire to reach the finals of either the World Cup or the European Championship. Scotland have not qualified for the finals of a major tournament since reaching the 1998 World Cup in France.
"I really want the squad and the staff to give something back to the country and the fans who support us, because the fans are probably more famous than the squad now. So what we want to try and do is to give back something and make them turn up for a major finals competition. Through my TV work I've been to these competitions and the Irish have kind of stepped up for a while so hopefully the Irish and the Scottish can get together for one major and it'll be one hell of a party."
Scotland have picked up only two points in their bid to qualify for the World Cup in Brazil but Strachan rejected the suggestion that a top-two spot is out of the players' reach. "If we work together as a group and a set of fans I know for a fact we'll be successful. I can't ask for anything more than we're doing at the moment. We're going to use the games to try and win. My philosophy is to win games of football, like Manchester United.
"We still have to collect as many points as we can and it's disrespectful to say we'll use the games just to improve. We'll give it a go. What I know is that these guys, for all they might get criticised, are the best at what they do. They play for Scotland and we have to find a system that suits these players to win games of football."
Strachan also denied the national coach's role is a poisoned chalice, adding: "I think it's a great job. At this time in my life I can deal with this. All my experiences have prepared me for this moment."
The former midfielder laughed off suggestions the Scotland job was the best opportunity made available to him since his departure from Middlesbrough. "I'm not saying that, no," he added. "I'm just saying it was a job I wanted to do. For a Scotsman, it's a fantastic thing. I played for Scotland then started coaching and thought: 'I want to be Scotland manager some day.' You don't get easy jobs but the important thing is to make people happy by winning games of football. The more successful I am I look around, and the more people there are around me. Together, we'll look to do something."
His first match in charge will be a friendly against Estonia next month.