This is default featured slide 1 title

Go to Blogger edit html and find these sentences.Now replace these sentences with your own descriptions.This theme is Bloggerized by Lasantha Bandara - Premiumbloggertemplates.com.

This is default featured slide 2 title

Go to Blogger edit html and find these sentences.Now replace these sentences with your own descriptions.This theme is Bloggerized by Lasantha Bandara - Premiumbloggertemplates.com.

This is default featured slide 3 title

Go to Blogger edit html and find these sentences.Now replace these sentences with your own descriptions.This theme is Bloggerized by Lasantha Bandara - Premiumbloggertemplates.com.

This is default featured slide 4 title

Go to Blogger edit html and find these sentences.Now replace these sentences with your own descriptions.This theme is Bloggerized by Lasantha Bandara - Premiumbloggertemplates.com.

This is default featured slide 5 title

Go to Blogger edit html and find these sentences.Now replace these sentences with your own descriptions.This theme is Bloggerized by Lasantha Bandara - Premiumbloggertemplates.com.

Thursday, 17 October 2013

'Gangnam Style' Tourist Police in South Korea

Snappy uniforms from rapper Psy's costume designer and a "Gangnam Style" launch in central Seoul marked the unveiling of "tourist police" force in South Korea.
 'Gangnam Style' Tourist Police in South Korea



Around 100 young policemen and women make up the first batch of the new force -- formed to protect tourists from being ripped off during their stay in the South Korean capital.

The officers were handpicked for their linguistic skills, and can speak a range of languages including English, Japanese and Mandarin.

"Those who think they were overcharged by taxi drivers or street food vendors can come and talk to us. We will help settle the problem," English-speaking recruit Park Jae-Hyoung told AFP.

Each officer wears a badge denoting his language expertise on a special dark-blue uniform created by one of the costume designers for the "Gangnam Style" star Psy.

The singer's global hit was played at Wednesday's launch event, with a police drill unit performing his signature horse-riding dance.

"The tourist police wasn't created because this country is unsafe," Lee Charm, president of the Korea Tourism Organization told the new recruits.

"You are ambassadors who promote how safe this country is," he said. "From now on, you guys will be very busy having pictures taken with tourists."

The police are unarmed and are meant to summon regular officers in the event of any serious crime.

The number of foreign travellers to South Korea has steadily grown over the years and topped 10 million for the first time in 2012, partly thanks to interest sparked by the global popularity of "Gangnam Style".

The song, released a year ago, made Psy an international star, and is the most popular video of all time on YouTube with nearly 1.8 billion views.


Read more: 'Gangnam Style' Tourist Police in South Korea | Medindia http://www.medindia.net/news/gangnam-style-tourist-police-in-south-korea-126505-1.htm#ixzz2i0fmhFib

Exposed! Champagne's Bouzy Little Secret

It was as if destiny itself had a hand in the production of everyone's favorite tipple in the village of Bouzy in the champagne country of northern France.
 Exposed! Champagne's Bouzy Little Secret



Yes, it really is pronounced "boozy" and that is not the only thing that stands out about this charming little corner of the wine world.

All around stretch vineyards that produce the grapes to make the world's most prestigious sparkling wine. For as far as the eye can see, bubbles are the business, and a lucrative one at that.

Bouzy however has another string to its bow, thanks to a group of dedicated producers who have opted to maintain, albeit largely as a sideline, a centuries old tradition of producing still red wine from pinot noir vines planted close to the northern limit of where the notoriously fickle varietal will ripen fully.

"We are like the little Gaulois village in the Asterix stories," says local vigneron (winemaker) Jean-Rene Brice.

"Instead of holding out against the Romans, we are holding out for red wine production whilst all around everyone is making champagne."

Brice's family property has eight hectares of vines situated above the village on land that is eligible to provide red grapes for the production of the very best, Grand Cru champagnes, most of which are assembled from a mixture of pinot noir and two white grapes, chardonnay and pinot meunier.

Ripest grapes possible for fruit power

Despite the high price that grapes destined for bottles of bubbly can command, Brice keeps one eighth of his land dedicated to the production of Bouzy Rouge, ensuring the maintenance of a tradition his family have nurtured since the 17th Century.

"This wine was being served at royal coronations and savoured at the table of Louis XIV long before champagne acquired its worldwide fame," he says in a reference to the fact that many French kings were once crowned in the cathedral at Reims, the capital of the Champagne region.

The vines used to produce the ruby-coloured nectar are the oldest on Brice's plot and they also benefit from the most favoured spot, half-way up a south-facing slope, in order to maximise their exposure to sun rays that can be rare some years.

"We leave the grapes to ripen for as long as we possibly can before picking them," Brice explains. "Above all we are looking for fruit and power, and lower acidity than is required for grapes destined for champagne production."

In this part of the world, just 100 miles (160km) from the border with Belgium, the winemaker's nightmare is harvest rain, which can drastically dilute the flavour of the grapes as well as the sugar required to ensure the final product has the body producers are aiming for.

An Indian summer this year kept Brice and his colleagues happy with the final batches of grapes landing in their wineries in the second week of October.

Only the plumpest, ripest bunches get through a rigorous selection by hand and, to avoid too many green tanins in the final blend, the stems are removed mechanically before fermentation.

After 10 days in steel, the young wine is transferred to oak barrels for a time that varies by producer before being bottled and stored for at least three years prior to release for drinking.

"It is a wine that can be appreciated young but a Bouzy from a good year can also make an excellent keeping wine," Brice says.

Rarity factor keeps prices high

Overall, only one in 10 of Bouzy's 380 hectares of Grand Cru "terroir" are reserved for the production of still wine -- some producers make a white as well as a red.

The rewards are not as great as for champagne but, with only 45,000 bottles of Bouzy Rouge produced in a good year, producers can count on a rarity factor -- plus that fabulous name -- to help secure a decent price for their output, the reds typically retailing in France at around 20 euros ($27) a bottle.

Bouzy is the best known but by no means the only champagne village to produce still wine. Upmarket brand Bollinger notably makes a celebrated boutique wine, "La Cote aux enfants" from a one-hectare parcel at Ay.

In all, around 100,000 bottles of still wine are produced each year in the area authorised for champagne production -- a mere splash in the lake of 308 million bottles of fizz the region turned out in 2012.

The bulk of the still production is sold as it is, but some also goes into the manufacture of pink champagne, which is currently enjoying a mini-boom in popularity and now accounts for 10 percent of all champagne sales. It is the only French rose wine allowed to be made by blending red and white wines.


Read more: Exposed! Champagne's Bouzy Little Secret | Medindia http://www.medindia.net/news/champagnes-bouzy-little-secret-126509-1.htm#ixzz2i0eDomdM

Despite Slowing Economy, China's Rich Get Richer

Despite a slowdown in the world's second largest economy, China's 400 richest people became $150 billion wealthier this year, Forbes magazine said Wednesday.
 Despite Slowing Economy, China's Rich Get Richer



The vast increase -- an average of almost $400 million each -- highlights the growing inequality between the Communist country's superrich and the millions who still live in poverty.

"The rich are getting richer," Forbes Shanghai bureau chief Russell Flannery told a press conference as the magazine unveiled its annual China rich list.

"The rapid growth of wealth in China seems to be out of line with the Chinese economic slowdown," he said.

The net assets of the top 100 richest people in China soared 44 percent from a year earlier to $316 billion, the magazine said, while the number of dollar billionaires rose to a record high of 168.

That came even as China's economy has slowed. The Chinese economy expanded 7.7 percent last year, the worst performance since 1999.

Forbes attributed the increase in wealth to growth in select industries, such as the Internet, auto, entertainment and property sectors.

Wang Jianlin, head of property giant Wanda Group and buyer of US cinema chain AMC Entertainment, topped the list with a net worth of $14.1 billion.

His fortune leaped from $8 billion last year, helped by a rebound in property prices and his investment in AMC.

Forbes had already announced last month that Wang had taken the top spot. Another ranking by the independent Hurun Report also put him at number one.

Last year's leader, beverage tycoon Zong Qinghou, slipped to second place in the Forbes list, even though his wealth increased 12 percent to $11.2 billion.

Robin Li, founder of China's homegrown search engine Baidu, dropped to third but his wealth jumped 37 percent from last year to $11.1 billion.

In a surprise new entry to the ranking Li Hejun, chairman of clean energy firm Hanergy Holding Group, appeared for the first time in fourth place with a net worth of $10.9 billion.

Yang Huiyan, who inherited a majority stake in property developer Country Garden, was China's richest woman with a fortune of $7.2 billion giving her seventh place.

As well as Robin Li, two other Internet billionaires made the top ten.

Ma Huateng, owner of social gaming and networking company Tencent, took fifth place with net worth of $10.2 billion, jumping nearly 60 percent year-on-year due to a surge in his Hong Kong-listed firm's share price.

And Jack Ma, founder of China's leading e-commerce firm Alibaba, ranked eighth as his fortune more than doubled to $7.1 billion from $3.4 billion last year.


Read more: Despite Slowing Economy, China's Rich Get Richer | Medindia http://www.medindia.net/news/despite-slowing-economy-chinas-rich-get-richer-126524-1.htm#ixzz2i0dbTmhu

Silence is Golden at a New York Restaurant

Silence is golden, at the table, especially in noisy New York. That's the gamble a young restaurant owner is taking with patrons, who are prohibited from talking during four-course meals.
 Silence is Golden at a New York Restaurant



The project, launched a month ago at Eat in Brooklyn's fashionable Greenpoint neighborhood, has created a buzz in a city where restaurants are often so noisy that they trigger routine complaints.

Customers have to reserve days in advance for the privilege of eating without speaking or hearing a word on Friday or Saturday night in the small room that seats 25.

"I want to provide the opportunity for people to experience the food with a kind of intention and attention to the experience that isn't usually afforded by a loud meal, especially in New York City," manager Nicholas Nauman told AFP.

Customers who dare break the golden rule during the $40 prix fixe meal are forced to finish their plate on a bench outside.

Sitting at long, wooden tables adorned with stoneware, the clients play along while tasting a menu based on local organic ingredients.

For an entire hour, they savor the food, watch one another and don't say a word, as though cut off from the hustle and bustle of the outside world.

Cell phones must also be turned off. Some struggle to keep serious in the face of an experience that is the polar opposite of the constant frenzy prevalent in New York, the city that never sleeps.

Accolades from all around

"We're bringing our own intentionality to it as well," explained the restaurant's chef Elsa Schmitt, using a philosophical term for the mind's power to stand in for things or concepts.

"We know what is about to take place so we're bringing our own energies to it."

As the dinner ends, after dessert, the silence ends.

Nauman, 28, breaks the silence first with a "thank you guys," and is greeted by applause from his customers.

"It was very enjoyable," said chemist Kevin Stokely.

Morgan Yakus, who like most clients was in her 30s, spoke of the almost transcendental experience as an "internal dialogue of your mind, saying all kids of things."

"I wanted to laugh. You're going through stages but by the end, you're in a really zen, relaxed stage," she said.

Alison Wise came with her boyfriend, and the couple was won over as well, though for different reasons.

"It was a really nice way to spend time together without any of the pressure of coming up with anything to say," she said.

At first, Nauman had hoped to organize one silent meal per month. But his haven of silence in a hub of sound was so popular that it quickly became a weekly affair.


Read more: Silence is Golden at a New York Restaurant | Medindia http://www.medindia.net/news/silence-is-golden-at-a-new-york-restaurant-126526-1.htm#ixzz2i0biN2eb

Why TLC Said 'Hell No' To Britney's '...Baby One More Time

T-Boz and Chilli explain why they passed on the pop princess' debut single.


This year marks the 15th anniversary of Britney Spears' "...Baby One More Time." And while it put the former Mouseketeer on the map, the song wasn't written with Britney's vocals in mind. Turns out, the pop anthem was actually penned for 90s hit makers TLC.

While the trio was coming off of the success of their single "Baby-Baby-Baby," songwriters Max Martin and Rami Yacoub thought the lyrics of "...Baby One More Time" would be right on par with TLC's sound and style. But apparently they thought wrong.

TLC Said 'Hell No' To Britney's '...Baby One More Time'
When MTV News caught up with the group, while promoting the biopic "Crazy Sexy Cool: The TLC Story," Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins and Roxonda "Chilli" Thomas explained exactly why they passed on the pop princess' debut single.

"I was like, I like the song but do I think it's a hit? Do I think it's TLC? I'm not saying 'hit me baby.' No disrespect to Britney," T-Boz replied when asked what she originally thought of the song. "It's good for her. But was I going to say 'hit me baby one more time'? Hell no!"

TLC rose to fame spreading a message of female empowerment with singles like "Hat 2 Da Back" and "Unpretty." And while they knew the track would blowup — "Understand we're not just passing up hits," Chilli said — they didn't feel it represented the band appropriately.

TLC Says It's 'Surreal' To See Actresses Play Them On Screen
"That's not even my subject of conversation, so you know, it worked for her, I'm happy for her, I like Britney," T-Boz explained. "Every song isn't good for each artist, and when you're a real artist you know what you believe in and what you really want to sing. So, I'm clear that it was a hit, but I'm also clear that it wasn't for TLC."

To learn more about TLC, tune in to "Crazy Sexy Cool: The TLC Story" Monday, October 21 at 9 p.m. on VH1. You won't want to miss it.

Monday, 14 October 2013

“Something About You” is not by P-Square!

A few days ago a new P-Square single surface online and fans everywhere rejoiced that the twins had released a follow up to “Personally”. Strangely though, once fans started tweeting P-Square about their ‘new single’, the music stars quickly dismissed the track. 

Peter Okoye even tweeted, “Peeps pls we haven't released any other single After PERSONALLY. Thanks”. The question then becomes, who then recorded and released “Something About You”?

The mystery continues.

Record breaking show by Rihanna!


Rihanna set new heights with her sold-out show in Johannesburg, South Africa this past weekend. The “Diamonds” singer packed the FNB stadium on Sunday (13 Oct) with over 90 000 fans! The massive turnout is a believed to be a record for a female artist performing at the venue.

Rihanna will perform in Cape Town, South Africa on (16 Oct). In the meantime she’s taking it easy chilling with wildlife.

Lady Gaga's Twitter Q&A: Waffles, Weed And Work

Gaga revealed plenty about ARTPOP during an impromptu Twitter chat on Sunday.


Lady Gaga took took to Twitter on Sunday night for an impromptu Q&A session that was as wide-ranging — did you know she likes Belgian waffles with bananas and Nutella?!? — as it was weird.

Yes, Gaga revealed plenty during her chat, including the inspiration behind ARTPOP ("I delved deep into my heart and mind and truly made a record that I wanted to listen to," she wrote), the "very personal" nature of songs like "Swine," and some, uh, higher aspirations for the album:


There was also information about the much-discussed ARTPOP app — there will be something called "VOLANTIS" premiering soon — and collaborations with producers Madeon and RedOne. And on the stony tip, she revealed that her new song "Mary Jane Holland" is all about marijuana (shocker!), and that some of her favorite tracks on the album include "Dope," "Sexxx Dreams," "G.U.Y." and next single "Venus."

Lady Gaga - "Applause"
Oh, and on the subject of that single — and the accompanying music video — Gaga hinted that it may very well mark the beginning of something big:

Cash Money Signs Game, But Which New York Rappers Are Next?

Birdman is on a signing spree, and MTV News takes a look at who might be next on the lineup.


Birdman is all about expansion. On Saturday, the Cash Money boss hopped on Twitter and revealed that the Game has signed to his multi-tiered YMCMB roster, which already includes the likes of Lil Wayne, Drake, Nicki Minaj, Paris Hilton, Austin Mahone and EDM act the Stafford Brothers.

So who will the #1 Stunna sign next? Hint, they're from New York.

"Sh-- just startin 2014 a Movie ahead of tha Game we just sign some Great NY.Rappers connectin tha dots Richgang YMCMB," Birdman tweeted on Sunday.

Paris Hilton Knew Cash Money Would Be A 'Perfect Fit'
"I just want to expand the roster and me and [DJ Khaled] been on that banging heads about that and we got some artists that's from New York that we're gonna put on the team that we're working with and we're excited about it," Birdman said in September when he appeared on "RapFix Live" alongside Paris Hilton.

"For me, I'm attracted to talent and some of these New York rappers I've always wanted to work with and I think I might finally get my chance to work with 'em and we're excited about it," he continued, promising that he would make an official announcement later this year.

For those paying attention, the Game signing shouldn't come as that big of a surprise. Birdman has always loved the Los Angeles rap star, and The Documentary MC has often spoke about signing with Cash Money after he fulfilled his recording contract with Interscope.

Birdman made no hint as to which "great NY rappers" he signed, but last October, The LOX-member Sheek Louch revealed exclusively to MTV News that he, Jadakiss and Styles P will be putting out their third group LP with Swizz Beatz. DJ Khaled will handle executive production duties. Given Khaled's partnership with Cash Money for his own We the Best label, a LOX signing is not far-fetched.

"Lil Wayne tried to sign us, Puff tried to re-sign us and paint that picture over, we done been in mother---ers' living rooms and talkin' business," he told us of the trio's business dealings. "The meeting we just had with Swizz and Khaled about executive producing this project was the one that grabbed us and we're gonna give y'all some real, real big records."


Justin Bieber's 'Believe 3D': Five Things We're Dying To See

The holidays will be especially sweet for Justin Bieber's fans this year. The singer's "Believe 3D" documentary/concert flick will hit theaters in December, just in time for Christmas.

The Jon Chu-directed movie will take fans inside Bieber's world, much like the twosome did in 2011's "Never Say Never." We already know that Bieber's moustache will have a part in the flick, but there's a lot more that we hope to see. Are you paying attention, Chu?



His Cars
Bieber has made a few headlines, good and bad, related to his love for fast cars. Who wouldn't want to peek inside Bieber's garage to get a glimpse at his envy-inducing collection? Car lovers will certainly delight in those moments.

That Ariana Grande Photo
We've heard Ariana's side of the story. Now we're hoping to see footage of how the photo of Bieber and Ariana snuggling actually happened. Were the cameras rolling back in August when the snapshot made headlines? Fingers crossed!

All That Ink
Bieber has never been shy about sharing photos of his ink, including that tattoo of his mom's eye on his arm, but we're sure Beliebers would love the chance to see it all happen. Is there any chance someone was filming during one of Bieber's inking sessions? Let's hope so.

The Breakup
The team has been filming with Bieber for some time now, including shooting him at a Miami concert as far back as January. That means that filming would have been taking place right in the middle of Bieber's breakup with Selena Gomez. The were on-again, off-again for months after the initial breakup. How real will "Believe" get, and will Bieber share his side of the breakup in it? Only time will tell.

The Music Journals
With two cuts off his Music Mondays/music journals project out ("Heartbreaker" and "All That Matters") by December, the entire 10-week cycle of new music would have come to an end. We hope "Believe" will take fans inside the process of making this batch of new tunes. Could it also mean some more new music? If we know Bieber, it is completely likely.

What really is Life Insurance?

Life insurance is a contract made with a life insurance company where premiums are paid on the life of the insured (person) according to the terms of the policy. In return, on the death of the insured, the company makes a lump-sum payment to the beneficiaries.
Term life insurance provides protection for a set period of time as stated within the contract. 
Permanent insurance, such as universal or whole life, provides complete lifetime coverage. Many times income tax on life insurance payments is tax-free, but you should make inquiries from your insurance provider. Whole life can also be used as an estate-planning tool to help preserve the wealth you plan to transfer to your beneficiaries.
Life insurance can be a pretty complex and tricky subject, so it’s best to research your options and talk to an insurance professional. Compare prices and policies with different companies to get the best deal; you’ll see huge differences in offerings between companies 

ASUU strike: Don’t force youth to react – Bishop warns FG

The Catholic Bishop of Nsukka Diocese, Rt. Rev. Godfrey Onah, at the weekend,
warned politicians to retrace their steps, as it would not be possible to quench the anger of Nigerian youth who may soon run out of patience over the poor treatment they are getting from government and their leaders at various levels.
The clergyman stated at the funeral mass organized for Lolo Josephine Oyima Abba, mother of the Enugu State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Engr. Vita Abba at Ede-Oballa, in Nsukka Council Area of Enugu State.
He warned that such neglect could force the youth to revolt against their leaders
The Bishop cautioned that it would be difficult to stop the youth if they were further pushed into frustration.
He threw posers to both the government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, on the reasons behind the over three-month-old industrial action that has paralyzed academic activities.
He said, “I know that I have enough persons here and also hopefully, enough instruments to carry this message to the ears of the highest echelons of power in this country.
”The common people, the students and their parents, whom I represent, do not believe the explanations the politicians and the academics are giving for the strike; we don’t believe them and we are appealing to them in God’s name to remember we will all end this way (pointing to the dead); let them end this strike immediately.
”I want to ask a question; it is a question not a statement. I am asking the leadership of the country; is it really true that you don’t have enough money to improve upon the quality of education in this country or is it that you are stocking up money in preparation for 2015 in order to buy your way to power or to secure your future indefinitely through corruption?”

Saturday, 12 October 2013

Mikel upbeat ahead of Ethiopia clash

Nigeria's John Obi Mikel is not distracted by the hype surrounding the much awaited World Cup playoff clash against Ethiopia saying he is totally focused on Sunday’s game.
The Chelsea midfielder admitted that the hosts would pose a tough challenge but maintained that the African champions are determined to win the first leg at the National Stadium in Addis Ababa.
"My focus is on Sunday's game and nothing else. Ethiopia are a good side but we have to realize both of us are fighting to qualify for the World Cup. We have to work hard and get all the three points against our opponents to realize our dream," Mikel told supersport.com.
Nigeria arrived in Addis Ababa on Saturday and held a training session before the crunch match against the Walia Ibex.

Enyeama optimistic of victory

Nigeria Super Eagles skipper Vincent Enyeama is optimistic of his side winning their clash against hosts Ethiopia on Sunday.
"We are glad we arrived safely in Addis Ababa and now our main focus will be our game against Ethiopia. In football you cannot judge a team until after 90 minutes but we hope to get the win in Addis though we know it will be a tough game."
Enyeama though was unhappy with the standard of the pitch but alluded to the fact the team had prepared well tactically and technically to soak any pressure against Ethiopia.
"The pitch looks very dry but all in all we will give our best in any circumstances as we have reached a crucial stage where every player dreams of the World Cup," Enyeama told Supersport.com in Addis Ababa.
Enyeama has played an integral part in the World Cup qualifiers and is one of the veterans in the Nigerian team.

Friday, 11 October 2013

'Vampire Academy' Set Visit Is A Bloody Good Time

MTV News chats up young stars Zoey Deutch, Lucy Fry and Danila Kozlovsky ahead of film's February 2014 release.


Pack your Trapper Keeper and silver stake — we're enrolling at St. Vladimir's Academy! MTV News nabbed a special sneak peek at the London set of the upcoming "Vampire Academy" movie, and we're sharing all of our dishy secrets with you!

For the uninitiated, "Vampire Academy" — based on the best-selling book series by Richelle Mead — centers around 17-year-old heroine Rose Hathaway (Zoey Deutch), a dhampir (i.e. human-vampire hybrid), who is training to one day serve as bodyguard for her best friend Lissa Dragomir (Lucy Fry), a royal Moroi vampire and the last in her line. But, as is so often the case, there are forces transpiring against Rose and Lissa that will put their special bond to the test.

On The Set Of 'Vampire Academy'
The screenplay was adapted by "Heathers" writer Dan Waters, who then passed the script along to director brother Mark. Though initially skeptical, he was quickly charmed.

"Originally, the thing that drew me in was just reading Richelle's books," Waters said. "Immediately, I sensed something that was a little more cinematic about 'Vampire Academy' than any other young-adult thing I had ever read, and it really had to do with this bond between Rose and Lissa."

Star Deutch was also won over by Rose and Lissa's strong relationship.

"I think that's what I appreciate about the story so much is that it's truly a story of friendship, and Rose Hathaway will do anything, literally, she'll die for her best friend."

Of course, that doesn't mean the girls don't find time for separate relationships...of the romantic variety. Enter hot teacher Dimitri (Danila Kozlovsky), who gets all hot and sweaty with Rose. You know, in training. Mostly.

"Dimitri is a rather mysterious person," Kozlovsky explained. "First of all, he's Russian, but he's been living in America for a long time. I would say he has Russian blood, Russian character, Russian temperament."

Vampire Academy
With production in full swing, Mead also hopped the pond to check on the progress of the adaptation, and she liked what she saw.

"It's amazing seeing the movie come to life," Mead said. "It's like stepping into the world I created. They go to so much work with all the details: the sets, all the clothes, everything is just thought out."

Click play on the video above to hear even more from the cast of "Vampire Academy"!

"Vampire Academy" hits theaters February 14, 2014.

'Walking Dead' Season Four: Meet The New Blood

From Tyreese to Bob Stookey, here's MTV News' rundown of the newzombie fodder faces you'll meet in the 'Walking Dead' premiere.

Meet the new "Walking Dead" cast, same as the old "Walking Dead" cast. New in the sense that there are plenty of new faces to study when season four premieres on Sunday (October 13). Old in the sense that, come on, you know this story by now; if you're alive in the zombie-apocalypse, you're only alive for so long.
Before the inevitable unpleasantness, enjoy a quick look at the new faces of "The Walking Dead" (and a refresher on three of the bit-players from last season who have larger roles in season four) while you still can.
'Walking Dead' Season 4: Where Are They Now?
Most Likely To Lead: Sasha
Played by: Sonequa Martin-Green
The Scoop: Step aside, Rick: there's a new sheriff in town. Well, sheriffsplural, actually, and Sasha's one of them. After spending most of her short season-three screen time on the outs of Rick's group, Sasha's very much a part of the inner circle as the new season begins. Expect big things from Tyreese's sister as the year pushes on.
The Prediction: Martin-Green's battle-hardened performance will win over any and all detractors by the end of the season premiere.
Most Likely To Kill: Tyreese
Played by: Chad Coleman
The Scoop: Sasha's brother, Tyreese, was also a bit player during season three, despite being a fan-favorite character from the "Walking Dead" comics series. Tyreese steps up his game with a big smile and an even bigger heart as season four begins, but it won't take long for that smile to fade and for that heart to grow cold. When those things happen, steer clear of the big man's hammer. It won't end well for anyone on the receiving end.
The Prediction: As the new breakout star, don't expect Tyreese to go anywhere anytime soon — not until the Governor rears his head again, at least.
Most Likely To Love: Karen
Played by: Melissa Ponzio
The Scoop: You met her last season, albeit briefly: she was the lone survivor of the Governor's assault on his own people. As season four begins, Karen has a much bigger role, and a new reason to live — and to love — thanks to a man who knows a thing or two about "hammer time."
The Prediction: If there aren't "Kyreese" shippers out there already, just wait until Monday.
Most Likely To Learn: The Kids
Played by: Various
The Scoop: There are several young new members of the prison group this season, including two sisters, both of whom play a pivotal role in the second episode. In the premiere, viewers will saddle up alongside Carol and the children and learn what it takes to live in a zombified world.
The Prediction: They're kids, so there's no way they'll ever die, right? Well, tell that to Sophia. Also, those sisters we mentioned? If they don't make you cry in episode two, titled "Infection," you're probably a walker.
Most Likely To Annoy: Patrick
Played by: Vincent Martella
The Scoop: Martella, best known for his work on the animated series "Phineas and Ferb," steps out of the voice-booth and onto the "Walking Dead" set as one of the prison's newest and youngest "inmates." Patrick comes off as a nice enough kid, a suitable if dorky friend for Carl. The real reason why Patrick will get under your skin? What he ends up doing to the group — accidentally or otherwise.
The Prediction: His very first scene — an awkward encounter with Daryl Dixon — will be the subject of many Monday morning memes. His very last scene — details redacted for spoilers — could be the subject of some derision as well.
Most Likely To Ask: Zach
Played by: Kyle Gallner
The Scoop: When season four begins, young Zach is already a trusted and important member of the group's zombie-slaying efforts. He's at the heart of a budding romance with someone we won't name here. On top of that, he's absolutely fascinated by Daryl Dixon, leading to a lot of questions and guessing games surrounding the bad-boy's past.
The Prediction: Zach's breakout scene in the season premiere will get you out of your seat, guaranteed.
Most Likely To Drink: Bob Stookey
Played by: Lawrence Gillard Jr.
The Scoop: Bob, a former army medic, joined the group as recently as one week before the season premiere. He owes his life to Daryl and the others who saved him, and he wants to contribute in tangible, walker-hunting ways — but does he have what it takes to overcome his own personal demons-in-a-bottle first?
The Prediction: I don't trust this guy. Not. One. Bit.
Most Likely To Die: All of Them
I mean, this is "The Walking Dead," right? They're all toast eventually — it's just a matter of when and how.
Which new characters are you looking forward to seeing in the "Walking Dead" premiere? Tell us in the comments section below!

Miley Cyrus On Hemsworth Breakup: 'I'm The Happiest I've Ever Been'

Cyrus tells Ellen DeGeneres that she's 'obsessed' with being alone.


There are two ways you can handle the very public break-up of your engagement to a fellow Hollywood star: cocoon at home and drown our sorrows in "Real Housewives" marathons and triple Venti caramel Macchiatos. Or, as Miley Cyrus has done, you can focus on your music and just enjoy some "me" time.

In the midst of the non-stop publicity blitz for Bangerz, Cyrus, 20, has somehow managed to avoid talking about her breakup with fiancée Liam Hemsworth
 until now.

But on Friday's (October 11) episode of "The Ellen DeGeneres Show," she finally opens up and talks about the end of their relationship.



"I think people spend more time actually thinking about it then I really do. I just believe when a chapter is done you have to close it and start that new one," she said. "That's kind of where I am right now. I felt like I have so much to be thankful for at this time that my energy hasn't really been focused on that."

DeGeneres joked that she was upset about hiring a bunch of strippers for Cyrus' November 2012 engagement party, saying, "I want my money back ... I sent you, like, [strippers]. You enjoyed it!"

"I should have one of those dudes' numbers, it would have come in handy now," Cyrus hit back. DeGeneres wondered if it was awkward to talk about the break on TV and Miley said it wasn't because, "I'm living it." Wearing a white jogging bra underneath a pair of brown overalls, Cyrus added that she's been impressed with how much respect her fans and the media have shown (though she doesn't really Google her break-up, so she has no idea what they're saying) and by how people seems to be focusing on her music at this point.

"Because that's the only thing I worried about, I didn't want it to make me to sacrifice what I've been working for, for just the attention to be on that," she said. Not to say that she avoided the issue on the album, revealing that the arc of the couple's relationship can be heard starting with "Adore You" and ending with "Someone Else."

"I feel like you can really find like this arc of, like, growth," she said. Cyrus didn't even realize herself what story she was telling until she got a physical copy of Bangerz and listened to it in her car. "I'm like, 'This is really like telling a story.' I think I knew more intuitively where my life was going then I actually thought I did at the time," she said. Asked if she's seen Hemsworth, 23, lately, Cyrus said she's been so busy promoting the album that she hasn't really seen anyone and is happy to let that chapter of her life close and just move on.

"I want to be really clear and determined with everything I'm doing in my life right now, and I have been," she said. "I keep saying I'm the happiest I've ever been and that's not even a dig. That's just me, because I really am genuinely happy finally with myself, which I think sometimes it takes you separating yourself from someone else to really be happy with who you are. I've never been able to just be alone, and I'm obsessed with being alone and like hearing my thoughts."

And what does she do when she's alone? Cyrus said she's asked the few people in her life to give her lists of their favorite movies, books and albums so she can know more about her inner circle and find more inspiration for her life.

Miley Cyrus And Justin Bieber: The Next 'Workaholics?'

Last week, Justin Bieber took time out of his busy — and frequently shirtless — schedule to express his love for Comedy Central's "Workaholics," posting a photo of him watching the show with what appeared to be a half-eaten pizza at his feet (which is the way true fans watch, of course).

That was the show's second, uh, high-profile endorsement in recent months, following a tweet by Miley Cyrus, who wistfully lamented the lack of new "Workaholics" episodes earlier this summer.


Fear not, Miley, your wait is almost over. Because MTV News was just on the set of "Workaholics," where the guys are filming a new season (it's set to debut in January). And in between offering advice about how to survive with the government shutdown — hint: lots of internet porn — they also weighed in on their new spate of superstar fans. And, yes, they're thankful for the endorsements.

'Workaholics' Talk Possible Justin Bieber Cameo
"We got two number one stunners, Justin Bieber and Miley Cyrus, couple of 'Bebe's Kids' lovin' 'Workaholics,'" Adam DeVine said. "We love it."

Of course, that love only goes so far. Because if JB or Miley want to actually appear on "Workaholics," well, they're going to have to go through the traditional channels. Which means they better get their headshots ready. And their dance steps on lock.

"[Justin] would have to come on and play Miley Cyrus," DeVine said. "And he will need to audition; we're not just giving him a role."

"We don't go out of our way to invite anybody but Bruce Willis," Anders Holm added. "And he might have to dance-battle Blake [Anderson]. That's just something Blake does for everyone who auditions.

BBM ready for Android, iPhone smart phones

By Emeka Aginam

Global mobile phone ecosystem will witness a new dimension in instant mobile to mobile messaging with privacy, as the iconic mobile social network, BBM will begin rolling out for Android and iPhone customers around the world .
Although previously exclusive to BlackBerry smartphones, what this means is that BBM will be available as a free download in Google Play and the App StoreSM.
Accordingly, customers will be able to download BBM by visiting www.BBM.com from their smartphone browser.
BBM gives you a private social network for active, real conversations with many advantages including:
* It’s immediate. BBM is always on so you are always connected. And because messages on BBM are typically delivered and read within seconds, it’s the closest thing to a live conversation.
*You trust it. BBM always tells you that messages are delivered and read. BBM conversations come alive on a private network you can count on.
*You control it. BBM allows you to choose your contacts and how you share your information. BBM uses a PIN so you don’t have to give anyone your phone number or email address.
“BBM is a very engaging messaging service that is simple to use, easy to personalize and has an immediacy that is necessary for mobile communications,” Andrew Bocking, Executive Vice President for BBM at BlackBerry, said, adding that , “With more than a billion Android, iOS, and BlackBerry smartphones in the market, and no dominant mobile messaging platform, this is absolutely the right time to bring BBM to Android and iPhone customers.”
BBM for Android and iPhone features:
With BBM chat, users will enjoy real, immediate conversations with friends on Android, iPhone and BlackBerry smartphones.
Not only does BBM allows you know that your message has been delivered and read, it also shows you that your friend is responding to the message.
Beyond that, with BBM, users can share files on your phone such as photos and voice notes, all in an instant.
Keep your group in the loop
Multi-person chats are a great way to invite contacts to chat together. BBM Groups alows you invite up to 30 friends to chat together, and go a step further than multi-chat by sharing photos and schedules. With Broadcast Message, also, users can send a message out to all their BBM contacts at once.
Post Updates and stay in the know
BBM allows you post a personal message, profile picture and your current status, and lets your contacts know instantly in Updates.
Your unique PIN
Every BBM user has a unique PIN that maintains your privacy, so you don’t have to give out your phone number or email address to a new or casual contact.
BBM will be available as a free download for Android smartphones running Ice Cream Sandwich and Jelly Bean (Android 4.x) beginning at 7AM EDT on September 21.
BBM for iPhones running iOS 6 and iOS 7 will become available for each market on the App Store schedule of 12:01 AM local time on September 22. For more information, or to download BBM for Android or iPhone, visit www.BBM.com.
BBM will continue to evolve quickly. Later this year, BBM Channels will provide a forum for active, real conversations between you and the people, brands, celebrities, artists, service providers, communities and more, that matter to you.
By creating a Channel, individuals and brands can engage their friends and communities in conversations sparked by their thoughts, ideas and passions. Subscribing to a Channel will let you join conversations with people who share your interests.
In addition, BBM Video calling and BBM Voice calling are planned for availability for Android and iPhone in a future version.
BBM has more than 60 million monthly active customers on BlackBerry alone, and the overwhelming majority use BBM an average of 90 minutes per day.
BBM customers collectively send and receive more than 10 billion messages each day, nearly twice as many messages per user per day as compared to other mobile messaging apps. Messages on BBM are typically read within seconds, reflecting how truly engaged BBM customers are.
A global leader in wireless innovation, BlackBerry revolutionized the mobile industry when it was introduced in 1999.
Today, BlackBerry aims to inspire the success of our millions of customers around the world by continuously pushing the boundaries of mobile experiences. Founded in 1984 and based in Waterloo, Ontario, BlackBerry operates offices in North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Latin America.
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/09/bbm-ready-for-android-iphone-smart-phones/#sthash.HZZAh8Bw.dpuf - See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/09/bbm-ready-for-android-iphone-smart-phones/#sthash.HZZAh8Bw.dpuf

akpos and his two drunk friends

LOOOOOOOLZZZZ


Akpos and his two friends attended a party and got themselfs drunk......On there way home they chatted a cab(taxi).When they entered, they told the driver there destination..The driver noticing that they were drunk started his car and turned it off..He turned and told them that have arrieved at their destination......they paid the taxi driver his money,, and he was happy that his plan worked... to his grtest suprise while AKPOS was coming down he gave him a sound slap....the driver thought that Akpos knew what he did but decided to ask Akpos why the slap and Akpos answerd ``YOU ALMOST KILLED US````

JOKES OF THE DAY

Father's Occupation

(OMODAN CLASS)

OMODAN: today we will b treating career development, so each one of u will tell me where ur father' work

BOLA: Sir, My Dad, is a medical Doctor E work's in National Hospital Abuja

OMODAN: clap for Her, next person

ALI: sir, my dad, is a banker E works with Skye Bank

OMODAN: clap for him, next

SABISABI: bros, my papa na Bank too, E dey Work with Moon Bank.

OMODAN: clap for him,........

Overweight dogs may die young

Dog owners may want to keep their pooch's weight in check!
Being overweight shortens a dog's life expectancy, a new study has found.
Data on a range of popular dog breeds from across the US showed that dogs that are overweight in middle age have a shorter life expectancy than ideal weight dogs.
Specifically, overweight dogs were found to suffer a reduction in life expectancy of up to ten months compared to ideal weight dogs, researchers said.
Being overweight in middle age can have potentially far-reaching consequences for a dog's life span, highlighting the importance of maintaining dogs at a healthy body weight throughout life.
The research examined the impact of body condition score on the life expectancy of a broad range of popular breeds.
"We saw that overweight dogs tend to have a shorter life expectancy. This was particularly pronounced in five breeds - Labrador, Shih Tzu, American Cocker Spaniel, Golden Retriever and Beagle," said lead scientist Carina Salt, from WALTHAM Centre for Pet Nutrition.
"This is the first reported research of its kind looking specifically at a large number of pet dogs. The findings therefore provide important insights into the risks of being overweight for dogs in the general population," said Salt.
"Being overweight in middle age can have long-term consequences and, depending on breed, mean a reduction in life span of between one and ten months," Salt added.
The research used data on the body condition of male and female neutered dogs aged between 6.5 and 8.5 years from 10 popular breeds.
There were on average 546 dogs per breed and data were collected by veterinarians during consultations across the network of Banfield Pet Hospital locations in the US.
The findings were presented at the WALTHAM International Nutritional Sciences Symposium

Carrot compound may ward off cancer, heart disease

Scientists have developed a new technology that uses grated carrot to obtain natural compounds which they claim have the potential to prevent cancer, flu, cardiovascular diseases and neurodegenerative conditions.
Researchers from the FEMSA Center of Biotechnology at Technologic of Monterrey (ITESM) designed the technique, which also allows them to obtain shikimic acid - a substance which is a raw material used to produce antiviral drugs for influenza.
Currently the production of bioactive compounds in plants is accomplished by genetic engineering; however, this new process employs an alternate technique in which the tissue is stressed by cutting and applying herbicides.
The project, lead by Daniel Alberto Jacobo Velazques, won the National Award in Food Science and Technology (PNCTA) 2012 in the Technology Professional in Food category.
The award has been given and organised for 37 years by the National Council of Science and Technology (CONACYT) and the Mexican Industry of Coca-Cola.
Velazques explained that they activate the carrot's metabolism using cut stress (grating), and then the carbon flow of its metabolism is modulated by applying an herbicide called glyphosate that inhibits enzymes.
This technique makes it possible to accumulate great amounts of shikimic acid and phenolic compounds in the plant tissue.
"The first four parts of the research have been completed, we have figured out the mechanism by which the carrot produces this compounds when subjected to stress. Now, we look for the optimisation of the production so the plant tissue will secrete more of this compounds," Velazques said.
"Afterwards we'd like to extract them to produce dietary supplements and shikimic acid. The shikimic acid is the raw material that the pharmaceutical industry needs to produce Tamiflu, a useful drug in the treatment against flu," Velazques added.
Velazques pointed that currently, shikimic acid is extracted from the Star anise, which is only produced in China; in contrast, the carrot is cultivated in many regions across the planet.

Chocolate Meltdown: The world will run out of cocoa by 2020

The world will run out of cocoa - the basic ingredient of chocolate - within the next seven years due to pressures of rising global demand, experts have warned.
Industry experts who met at the British Library in London last week have even predicted the exact date of the impending meltdown - October 2, 2020.
"There will be a chocolate shortage and there isn't a solution to the problem. Seven years is what we think we have left," chocolate taster and expert Angus Kennedy said.
Confectionery giants noted that there are just not enough cocoa plantations across the globe to cater to the soaring chocolate demand, the 'Daily Star' reported.
They warned that world would need the equivalent of another planet Earth to fill the gap needed to keep the chocolate industry going.
"We need another Earth basically if we carry on at this rate. We are destroying the whole thing. The problem we've got is that much of the space that was used for cocoa plantations is no longer there," Kennedy said.
Chocolate prices may increase over the next few years as cocoa becomes harder to get hold of.
With the result, many big chocolate brands will fill small sized bars with more nuts and fruit as they are cheaper to produce.
"If you plant a cocoa plant you get cocoa beans in four years, which means the farmers are waiting four years for a profit so obviously they think 'What is the point?'" said Kennedy.
There is very little growth projected for cocoa consumption in Europe and America but in Asia it is set to go sky high, said Kennedy.

World's first malaria vaccine may hit markets by 2015

The world's first anti-malaria vaccine may be approved for use within two years, after encouraging results from a large-scale trial of a vaccine candidate.
UK drug maker GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) is seeking regulatory approval for the vaccine after trial data showed that it had cut the number of cases in African children.
Results from a large-scale Phase III trial, presented in Durban, show that the most clinically advanced malaria vaccine candidate, RTS,S, continued to protect young children and infants from clinical malaria up to 18 months after vaccination.
"Based on these data, GSK now intends to submit a regulatory application to the European Medicines Agency (EMA)," GSK said in a statement.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has indicated that a
policy recommendation for the RTS,S malaria vaccine candidate is possible as early as 2015 if it is granted a positive scientific opinion by EMA, it said.
These latest results demonstrated that over 18 months of follow-up, RTS,S was shown to almost halve the number of malaria cases in young children (aged 5-17 months at first vaccination) and to reduce by around a quarter the malaria cases in infants (aged 6-12 weeks at first vaccination).
Vaccine efficacy was also assessed separately at each of the trial sites, which represent a wide range of malaria transmission settings; efficacy was found to be statistically significant at all sites in young children and at four sites in infants, according to the statement.
Eleven African research centres in seven African countries are conducting this trial, together with GSK and the PATH Malaria Vaccine Initiative (MVI), with grant funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to MVI.
If the EMA gives a positive opinion, and the public health information is satisfactory, including safety and efficacy data from the Phase III programme, the WHO has indicated that a policy recommendation for the RTS,S malaria vaccine candidate is possible as early as 2015, GSK said in a statement.

Kissing may help you find right partner

Kissing helps us size up potential partners and, once in a relationship, may be a way of getting a partner to stick around, a new Oxford study suggests.
"Kissing in human sexual relationships is incredibly prevalent in various forms across just about every society and culture," said Rafael Wlodarski, from the Department of Experimental Psychology at Oxford University.
Wlodarski and colleagues set up an on-line questionnaire in which over 900 adults answered questions about the importance of kissing in both short-term and long-term relationships.
"There are three main theories about the role that kissing plays in sexual relationships: that it somehow helps assess the genetic quality of potential mates; that it is used to increase arousal; and that it is useful in keeping relationships together. We wanted to see which of these theories held up under closer scrutiny," Wlodarski said.
The survey responses showed that women rated kissing as generally more important in relationships than men.
Furthermore, men and women who rated themselves as being attractive, or who tended to have more short-term relationships and casual encounters, also rated kissing as being more important.
Previous studies have shown women tend to be more selective when initially choosing a partner.
Men and women who are more attractive, or have more casual partners, have also been found to be more selective in choosing potential mates.
As it is these groups which tended to value kissing more in their survey responses, it suggests that kissing helps in assessing potential mates, researchers said.
It has been suggested previously that kissing may allow people to subconsciously assess a potential partner through taste or smell, picking up on biological cues for compatibility, genetic fitness or general health.
"Mate choice and courtship in humans is complex," said Professor Robin Dunbar.
"Initial attraction may include facial, body and social cues. Then assessments become more and more intimate as we go deeper into the courtship stages, and this is where kissing comes in," he said.

Wednesday, 9 October 2013

Benzema: I won't go 10 years without scoring

The 25-year-old has gone 1,217 minutes without scoring for his country, but brushed off any doubts over his ability to find the back of the net

BET=FRA12.9$DRAW48$AUS110$LadbrokesReal Madrid striker Karim Benzema says he is not overly concerned about his current goal drought for France, claiming "it will not last 10 years".

The 25-year-old hasn't found the back of the net for les Bleus for 1,217 minutes, but insists he knows that run will end sooner rather than later.

"It is true that it's the longest period of my career without scoring, but it will not last 10 years," Benzema told Sport.

"I have to keep working hard on my game and not give up, and I know I will reap the rewards. There are various types of number 9. There are those that don't score so much, but that offer other things. I'm in that group.

"I don't have it in my head to score, I have it in my head that my team must win. If I score, all the better. Although of course, it is better if I do score."

The Real Madrid star also played down claims that he has a poor attitude, insisting he has an unrelenting appetite to play football.

"For me, an attitude problem is not wanting to enter the field of play," he continued.

"Trust me, I want to play all time so I do not have a bad attitude.

"I have to start to work defensively, but I know that above all my main job is to score goals. It's not my job to run all the way to Lloris' area.

"However, I run 10 kilometres a game, and so feel that this criticism is undeserved. I run a lot."

Nigeria Player of the Week: Peter Odemwingie of Cardiff City

The West Brom reject finally scored a goal again after nine months playing for Cardiff City against Newcastle
Nigeria Player of the Week
PETER ODEMWINGIE 
AGE32
POSITIONStriker
PLAYS FORCardiff City/Nigeria
WEEK IN NUMBERS
APPS (GOALS SCORED)/ASSISTS2(1)/0
TIME ON PITCH162mins
PREVIOUS WINSNone
Fulham
1-2Cardiff City
Cardiff City
1-2Newcastle
There is nothing to be said again about Peter Odemwingie – he has had loads of ink since January when he made that infamous car interview at the gates of QPR’s training ground.
He scored his first league goal in nine months for Cardiff City last Saturday, though it was scant consolation for the Bluebirds as they lost the second consecutive home game.
But the Nigerian would have been glad to get another chapter started as he hopes to get back to the level that he attained three years ago when he won the Player of the Month award twice in one season.
Odemwingie had also helped the newly promoted side achieve their first away win with a 2-1 win over Fulham though he may have to score as much as 15 goals to keep his team in the Premiership.