Countdown to 2014 World Cup in Brazil: Day 30

By JACK BELLMAY 13, 2014

Photo

The Lille forward Divock Origi, center, will be counted on by Belgium to replace the injured striker Christian Benteke in the World Cup. Credit Boris Horvat/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images

The 2014 World Cup begins on June 12, when Brazil plays Croatia in the opening match. Reporters and editors for The Times will count down to the start of the tournament each day with a short capsule of news and interesting tidbits.

From two-thirds of the Benelux countries (Belgium and the Netherlands, but not Luxembourg) to Spain, Portugal, France and Italy in Europe; Colombia, Argentina and Chile in South America; and Ivory Coast in Africa, World Cup squads are taking shape as a sense of urgency sets in only 30 days from the start of the tournament.

Here is a quick look at some of the roster news from Tuesday:

Colombia

Radamel Falcao, the Monaco striker who has been sidelined by a knee injury since January, was included among the 30 players named by Colombia’s Argentine coach, José Peckerman. According to news media reports, doctors have given Falcao a 50-50 chance of making the 23-man final roster, which must be submitted to FIFA by June 2. Falcao scored 70 goals in two years with Atlético Madrid and 11 goals in 19 appearances in France’s Ligue 1 for his new club, before sustaining the injury. He struck for 9 goals as Colombia finished fourth in South America’s marathon qualifying round.

“Falcao is very important for us, he’s like Lionel Messi is for Argentina,” goalkeeper Faryd Mondragón told reporters last month. “We are hopeful he will recover. I think if anyone has the courage and pride to come through this injury it’s Falcao, and he’s important for us on and off the pitch.”

Colombia is in Group C with Greece, Japan and Ivory Coast.

Belgium

Coach Marc Wilmots on Tuesday named a provisional squad that includes two youngsters who have never played internationally for Belgium: Manchester United’s Adnan Januzaj and Lille’s Divock Origi. Januzaj only three weeks ago declared his intention to play for Belgium. Origi is seen as a possible replacement for the injured Christian Benteke. Origi’s family is from Kenya, but he was born in Belgium. Januzaj’s family is from Albania, and he could have played for that country, Kosovo, Serbia and even England (in a stretch).

“He is a top talent and has such exceptional qualities, he can play several positions,” Wilmots said of Januzaj. On Origi, Wilmots said: “He has great potential. He has Benteke’s profile. It is easy to target him.”

Ukraine rebels hold referendums in Donetsk and Luhansk

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The BBC's Richard Galpin visited a polling station in Sloviansk

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Ukraine crisis

"Self-rule" referendums have been taking place in Ukraine's easternmost regions, with pro-Russian separatists claiming a big turnout.

BBC reporters at polling stations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions spoke of chaotic scenes, no voting booths in places and no electoral register.
At least one person is reported to have been killed by armed men loyal to Ukraine's government.
Ukraine called the vote a "criminal farce" organised by Russia.
Western countries have also condemned the vote. Separatist leaders ignored a call by the Russian president to delay it.

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At the scene

Will Vernon BBC News, Mariupol

At the Primorsky polling station in Mariupol, a large crowd is gathered outside, waiting to vote. There is a crush of people inside.
Organisation is chaotic at best. There are no polling booths: people vote at the registration desks. People's details are hastily scribbled on generic forms. There is also a collection for money towards funding the Donetsk People's Republic.

Manchester City crowned Premier League champions with 2-0 victory over West Ham

Barclays Premier League

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Vincent Kompany smashes home the second

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 Manchester City cruised to their second Premier League title in three years with a comfortable 2-0 victory over West Ham at the Etihad Stadium.

Needing only a point for glory, City finally broke through the massed ranks of West Ham defenders in the 39th minute when Samir Nasri's low long-range shot proved too hot to handle for goalkeeper Adrian.

Nigeria kidnap: David Cameron joins "Bring Back Our Girls" campaign

David Cameron and Christiane Amanpour with Andrew Marr

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Prime Minister David Cameron has promised Britain "will do what we can" to help find more than 200 kidnapped Nigerian schoolgirls.

He made the comments as he held a sign bearing the "#Bring Back Our Girls" slogan on the BBC's Andrew Marr show.

'Rich List' counts more than 100 UK billionaires.

Sir Richard Branson is worth £3.6bn according to the list

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Related Stories

• Do 85 rich people have same wealth as half the world?
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• Rich List 25 years on: Changing face of wealth

The number of billionaires living in the UK has risen to more than 100 for the first time, according to the 2014 Sunday Times Rich List.

There are now 104 billionaires based in the UK with a combined wealth of more than £301bn, the list says.
That means the UK has more billionaires per head of population than any other country.
London has more billionaires than any other city in the world with 72 - far ahead of nearest rival Moscow with 48.
The Indian-born brothers Sri and Gopie Hinduja - who run the conglomerate Hinduja Group - top the list with a fortune of £11.9bn.
Arsenal shareholder and Russian business magnate Alisher Usmanov fell to second after his estimated fortune dropped to £10.65bn.

Continue reading the main story

what a great loose of a Vibrant UNIBEN 400l Law student that dies of Cerebral Abscess at 19 .

19 year old 400l Law student of University of Benin, Ceasar Augustus Ekeoba, died on May 6th. Doctors said he suffered from Cerebral Abscess which culminated in his death. Until his death, he was class representative, loved by lecturers and adored by students, this is according to his friends. They say Caesar had done UNIBEN Law Faculty proud in many competitions, a master of advocacy and an intellectual. He and some students had just returned from the US where they represented Nigeria at the Jessup Moot Court Competition in Washington DC, before he died.

A procession was held for him yesterday at the University Campus. May his soul rest in peace, amen. Continue to see more photos...

Senator Daisy Danjuma's son wedding pictures.

 

First son of Senator Daisy Danjuma, Yuki Omenai and his beau Mariam Omobolanle had their white wedding yesterday May 10th in Marbella Spain in the presence of family, friends and well wishers

The couple, who already had their traditional wedding in September 2013 in Lagos, are expecting their first child. Guests at the wedding yesterday included Senator Tunde Ogbeha, Terry Waya, Chief Dele Momodu and a host of others. Continue to see more photos...

Aliko Dangote to invest $2.3bn in northern Nigeria, hopes it will help with BH scourge

Africa's richest man, Aliko Dangote, says he would be investing $2.3bn in rice and sugar production in the north. The billionaire industrialist made this known yesterday at the just concluded World Economic Forum, WEF Africa.

He said creating job opportunities is the surest way to end the Boko Haram scourge. He also revealed that he would be investing a total of $12billion in Nigeria, and $4bn outside the country over the next four years.

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Week 4 Winners

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Kevin Hart & Mike Epps in twitter war after Epps calls Hart overrated

Kevin Hart is arguably the biggest US comedian right now...sold out arenas, hit TV show, block buster movies, ...and it's making some of his colleagues a little jealous, maybe? Comedian Mike Epps appeared on a radio show yesterday and when asked which comedian he thought was overrated, he said Kevin Hart. He implied that Kevin was more marketing than talent and that his people are just forcing him down our throat. Kevin heard and went ham on Mike on twitter. His tweets below...

Of course Mike replied Kevin. See more tweets after the cut...

Building collapse in Ibadan, one feared dead .

An uncompleted 2-storey building collapsed yesterday at Ologuneru in Ido LGA of Ibadan city with one feared dead. According to those who were working at the site, they head a deafening noise at about 2pm, which made them all run out for safety but unfortunately, the tipper driver who supplies sand to the construction site didn't run fast enough and got trapped in the building as it collapsed.

Men from the Nigerian Security & Civil Defence Corps, Federal Road Safety Corps & other agencies were involved in rescue efforts but were not able to lift the heavy debris to rescue the man on time.

The site engineer reportedly fled the scene immediately the collapse happened.

ADAORA UKOH CELEBRATES BIRTHDAY WITH DENIM THEMED PARTY

BIRTHDAY GIRL ARRIVING IN A STRETCH LIMO

CARNIVAL IN IGBERE AT EZINNE & KELECHI'S IGBA NKWU NWANYI (IGBO TRADITIONAL WEDDING)

KELS & EZINNE

DANCING TIME...........

1ST OUTFIT

It was an unprecedented carnival sort of when the Chairman & CEO of Nepal Oil & Gas, Elder Ekeoma Ekeoma and his delightsome wife Ngozi Ekeoma hosted everyone at their first daughter's Igba Nkwu Nwanyi last weekend in Igbere, Bende LGA of Abia State. 


From the Owerri Airport has you land, everyone knew something major was happening somewhere in town, there were several Toyota Hiace buses owned by the Young Shall Grow Transport company ready on ground to convey most of the guests landing from all over, just confirm you were here for the Ekeomas or the Anyasos, then you were immediately given the royal treatment, off you go in the air-conditioned buses for the 1 and half hour journey to Igbere. In preparation for the many guests coming to town the families involved had booked all the hotels & guest houses for their guests, so as you land you get taken to your place. Truth be told it was a massive event. 

By the time we arrived at the expansive country home of Elder Ekeoma & Ngozi, you could  see very clearly that preparation had been done to receive a colossal number of guests. The place was superbly decorated and gift bags containing bags of rice and other gifts were already placed on each chair ready to be picked up by the guests. Because Ezinne is Chima Anyaso's niece and Kelechi the groom his friend, he  put in so much effort to make sure all things were on ground to host all his hundreds of friends and other guests that were coming to celebrate him and his family. 

By like 2pm the traditional wedding ceremony began, the master of ceremony was the incredible Okey Bakassi, who was dressed like an Honourable member of the House of Assembly, in his resource control outfit, atop a beautiful pair of suede shoes, as usual he was on the top of his game, dishing out jokes and instructions with authority and great aplomb, to the delight of all. 

Kelechi the groom is a very handsome guy, much to the delight of all that were at the venue, we are sure many of the single ladies at the event would have loved to have him as theirs, Ezinne also,  is young nubile beauty, who could have won a beauty contest any day, were she to have been taller. The first to arrive as tradition dictates was Kelechi and he came with many of his friends in tow, he was welcomed to the occasion by Chima Anyaso, thereafter he was received by the family. Later on the superbly gorgeous Ezinne was called out, and she came out in her tradition outfit with native beads adorning her body looking every inch like a Princess, she was in the midst of her many gorgeous friends who all wore sunflower yellow outfits, sown in very may stylish ways. They equally looking gorgeous and the bride were a delight to watch as they danced in, to Ezinne's favourite song. 

Thereafter all that tradition dictated to be done was done, the sharing of kolanuts etc. Ezinne was told to go find her husband, something she went away to do with aplomb and thereafter both were joined together according to the Igbo's native law & custom. The drama and display of culture was a beauty to behold and even be a part of. 

It was a gathering of the movers and shakers of the Eastern parts of Nigeria mixed with guests from many other parts, some of those we saw were the likes of the former Governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, billionaire mogul & owner of Ibeto Groups of Companies, Clement Ibeto, Senator Andy Uba, Professor Anya O. Anya, Senator Joy Emordi, Dr. Alex Otti MD/CEO of Diamond Bank, Kalu Idika Kalu- Former federal Minister for Finance, Charles Odunukwe, a Special Adviser to the President of Nigeria, Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe- the Chairperson of Fleet Technologies Ltd & ED of Enterprise Bank, Hon. Chinenye Ukeaje, Dimgba Igwe, Ahmad Damcida, Dada Awosika, Kunle Robert, Sir J.I.A Arumemi-Ikhide, Chairman of Arik Air, Princess Mrs. Nzeribe, Chief Kalu Ogbonna, Eze Uche I.C Dimgba, Dr. Uche Ogah, President Masters Energy Oil & Gas Ltd, Uju Ifejika and very many others.

We were on ground to cover the beautiful event for your viewing pleasure. The upcoming white wedding we hear is set for Saturday, August 9, 2014 in Lagos at the Oriental Hotel, on the Island, that is sure going to be another superlative occasion. 

MORE GORGEOUS PICTURES AFTER THE BREAK. PLS CLICK ON READ MORE BELOW

OMOTOLA JALADE EKEINDE, NGOZI OKONJO-IWEALA AND OTHERS AT THE TIME 100 GALA

OMOTOLA JALADE-EKEINDE

NGOZI OKONJO-IWEALA

UZO ADUBA

GAYLE KING

PADMA LAKSHMI

Our very own star actress Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, who is gradually becoming a well recognized international star, joined our Finance Minister/Coordinating Minister in charge of the Economy at the Time 100 Gala 2014 red carpet on Tuesday, April 29, 2014.  Omo-Sexy like many of we her fans love to call her sizzled in a red outfit, that had a white applique with black trimmings at the front.


You all would recall that 2 top Nigerians, in the person of world's richest black man Alhaji Aliko Dangote, the President of the Dangote Group of Companies and Mrs Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, one of Nigeria's most influential person, were both listed amongst the very distinguished personalities that made up Time 100 Most Influential People in the World. In fact Aliko Dangote's accolade was written by the world's richest person, in the person of Bill Gates. While that of Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala was done by no less a personage than Bono of the world famous U2 band.

It was a night of glamour and pizazz to celebrate those that were listed in that illustrious company. While the dress-code was supposed to have been black-tie, all glam outfits many came just dressed as they felt. Also many of those listed were clearly absent at the event. 2 of those missing in action were the Cover girl on this year's edition of the Time 100 publication, in the person of Beyonce and also our own Alhaji Aliko Dangote.

FOR MORE PICTURES AFTER THE BREAK. PLS CLICK ON READ MORE BELOW

WICKEDNESS! How HIV-positive kidnappers r*pe female victims!

 
An HIV positive suspected kidnapper, Holy Ighoragbor, has confessed to r*ping female victims held in captivity by his gang. Ighoragbor, a member of a seven-man kidnap gang, was paraded yesterday with other members of the gang at the premises of the State Security Service (SSS), Delta Command. State Director, Ms Florence Ikakone, said the gang emerged sometimes in January 2014 and have been responsible for many kidnap incidents in Warri and environ. Ikakone said the gang was responsible for kidnap, murder and sale of victim’s vehicles.

She identified the kidnappers as Sunday Ogisi, leader of the gang, Kesiena Onwubolu a.k.a (Kes), Holy Ighoragbor, John David, Moses Urhode , Samuel Onyekachi Onyema, and Francis Oshevire.

How a ‘Prophet’ R@ped A Woman In Order To ‘Heal’ Her Stomach Problem!

 

In the latest round of unbelievable, un-Godly things that some pastors have been doing lately, Lungile Ncube, supposed prophet of the Twelve Apostolic Church, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, stands accused of r@ping a woman he was supposed to be helping with her stomach problem. , .

can you Believe This! MEET The man who lives without money!

  
  Irishman Mark Boyle tried to live life with no income, no bank balance and no spending. Here’s how he finds it.