Calais Crisis: Two Migrants Pictured Clinging To Roof Of Lorry In Folkestone

The two unidentified migrants were pictured lying face down on top of the haulage vehicle as it left the Eurotunnel terminal on Friday morning

Entrance: Migrants hang on to the roof of the freight truck. (Getty)

Hanging on for dear life, two men make their way into Britain on the roof of a lorry as the migrant crisis shows no sign of abating.

The two unidentified migrants were pictured lying face down on top of the haulage vehicle as it left the Eurotunnel terminal in Folkestone on Friday morning.

The amazing moment was captured on camera as government ministers discussed ways of easing the crisis.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) is understood to be in the early stages of developing plans which could involve using land owned by the department to free up space on the M20.

MoD land around Folkestone could be used as a temporary lorry parks, according to the Daily Telegraph.

Hanging on: The migrants lay low as the truck leaves Folkestone. (Getty)

In France, meanwhile, police used batons and tear gas to try and control the migrants getting on trains and lorries to the UK, but appeared to be fighting a losing battle.

One astonishing picture even showed a man dragging a young child over a barbed wire fence with him.

David Cameron, who has returned to the UK after a four-day tour of south-east Asia, will head to Westminster to chair a meeting of the Government's emergency Cobra committee this morning.

It is understood he will ask ministers and officials to see whether more can be done to address the situation at the port and the Channel Tunnel railhead at Coquelles.

The meeting comes after Mr Cameron blamed the chaos at Calais on a "swarm" of migrants crossing the Mediterranean and travelling through Europe.

French security and police were again dispatched to prevent desperate migrants from gaining illegal access to the Channel Tunnel following a week of unrest in Calais.

The situation in Calais has threatened to bring the cross-Channel haulage industry to a halt, with long queues at border control points in England and France.

As the situation rumbled into a fourth night of disorder, up to a hundred migrants roared as they steamed through police lines at a petrol station near the terminal to gain access to the tunnel.

French gendarmes and riot police at first were overwhelmed by the numbers coming at them but were able to gain control of the situation.

Migrants rush at a police cordon by a truck route along the perimeter fence of the Eurotunnel site at Coquelles …

Officers, some with their batons drawn, formed a cordon backed up by riot vans.

But they could not prevent the men, women and children, mainly from East African and Arab countries, from bringing the road out of the tunnel in Coquelles to a standstill.

They watched as three or four teenage migrants climbed over a fence but later came back when they realised they had hit a dead end.

Afterwards Eurotunnel said its French platform was unavailable due to "security reasons".

A spokesman said: "Due to overnight activity around our French terminal, timetables are disrupted from both directions."

Nuns Block Katy Perry Move To Convent

No, no Katy Perry isn’t about to become a bride of Christ, which is good as we don’t think she’d suit a habit.

Instead, the Roar singer has got her eyes on a nice little Roman villa-style convent in Los Angeles as her new home.
But she’s been thwarted in her dream to buy her slice of heaven on earth by the remaining nuns who were left clutching their rosaries are checking out some of Katy’s videos online.
The five elderly nuns of the sisters of the Most Holy and Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary order do not want to sell to Katy after they googled the singer’s music videos and “didn’t like what they saw” according to Page Six.
Not into I Kissed A Girl then, ladies?
The sisters have instead sold it to a businesswoman, a move that a judge ruled yesterday was improper as they didn’t have the consent of the archbishop, who is keen to sell it to the singer (bit of a Roar fan are we bish?)
Hold on to your hassocks, it’s a bit of a legal tangle.

Superior Court Judge James C. Chalfant passed a mixed ruling that could mean Katy is unable to move into the house for many months.
The Sisters of the Most Holy and Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary sold the convent to Dana Hollister who plans on turning it into a boutique hotel in a move that Judge James deemed “improper and invalid.” Decidedly unsisterly.
The archbish has to approve the sale of the religious order’s house and he wants to sell it to Katy.

Sadly this ain’t happening. “You’re not selling to Katy Perry anytime soon,” Judge Chalfant confirmed to the archbishop’s lawyers yesterday.
The Roar singer, whose parents are protestant ministers, has agreed to pay $14.5 million for the convent and promises to relocate the prayer house used by priest, but the nuns have God on their side so, we’re not sure this is a fair fight.
Prayer for Katy.

Copyright [Splash

‘Naked Dresses’ in Red Carpet History

                              
                          

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

Woah, there!

“It’s so modern to be naked or almost naked,” said Carolina Herrera, pointing to photos of Beyoncé and Kim Kardashian at the 2015 Met Gala. “They think it’s going to attract younger people if they do those dresses. No! The almost naked! Oh God! They’re trying to get people to pay attention to them. In life, there should be a little mystery.”
“They’re supposed to be fashion icons and they’re not wearing anything,” she added.

Amber Rose stepped out to the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards and immediately turned heads and sent us back to a time warp into 1998.
Amber skipped the pants but made up for it with extra chains when she arrived at the VMAs looking half naked in this Laura Dewitt head-turning, body-baring getup.

We can’t help but be reminded of Rose McGowan’s infamous barely there “dress” that she wore to the 1998 VMAs when she went with Marilyn Manson.  

Admittedly, Rose’s skimpy ensemble showed more skin than Amber’s. Rose bared her boobs and booty, while Amber is slightly more covered up—relatively speaking.
We think that this calls for a new nickname for the two stars: Amber Rose McGowan.
Now, we’ve gotta ask: Who wore it better?
When Amber Rose stepped out in her chainlink Laurel DeWitt number at last night’s MTV Video Music Awards, she joined the ranks of “naked dress”-wearing celebrities. It’s a very particular group of women wearing dresses not just to show off one of their assets (J.Lo’s plunging cleavage in that green gown at the 2000 Grammys? Child’s play…) but all of their bodies at once. Here, we celebrate some of the world’s most fearless female celebs in all their body-baring glory. (WARNING: NSFW!)

Marilyn Monroe at the White House in 1962
The original wearer of the naked dress? Marilyn Monroe. She was known for wearing dresses that made you wonder “am I seeing something I’m not supposed to see?” on several occasions, most notably in Some Like It Hot and when singing Happy Birthday to President Kennedy in 1962

Welcome to Kay Kay Daniels Blog: Bishop David Oyedepo cleared of all allegations in...

Welcome to Kay Kay Daniels Blog: Bishop David Oyedepo cleared of all allegations in...: Bishop Oyedepo, is now cleared of all the allegations of wrong doing and he can enter UK at any time. Dr David O. Oyedepo is a Nigerian...

U.K. Releases New Immigration Rules

*Says Only Legitimate Applicants Are Welcome
The United Kingdom (UK) Thursday expressed its readiness to welcome only travelers who have legitimate purposes and who would not cause harm or abuse the country’s immigration system.

IGP, stop this ill-treatment

 

Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase

The latest trend whereby policemen are following in their so-called bid to carry out investigative patrol is a pitiless step that should be stopped.

Of recent, I heard that some policemen arrest young men with tattoos and wanted to remove the tattoos by pressing hot iron on those body parts. The source said that although he did not have a tattoo on his body,but it is ruthless to carry out such an act on some innocent citizen. I almost thought our policemen have stopped taking bribes until a policeman accosted us on my way to Lagos last week and asked if there was anything for the “boys”. Are they no more the ones to defend us?

The Police Service Commission should intensify its efforts by overseeing disciplinary actions of the police so that they would not hurt the ones they are to protect. By Joseph Damilola Adejumo

PDP officials blew N12bn in nine months –Workers … say NWC members shared money made from nomination forms

 

 

PDP National Secretary, Prof. Wale Oladipo

Angry workers of the Peoples Democratic Party have accused the members of the National Working Committee of the party of squandering N12bn in nine months.

Out of the total sum, the workers said N11bn was realised from the sale of nomination forms while N1bn accrued from the sale of delegates forms.

They alleged that the money was squandered shortly after the sale of the forms commenced on October 27, 2014 till date.

The workers said this in their response to a letter sent to them by the party’s National Secretary, Prof. Wale Oladipo, on Wednesday.

Oladipo, in the letter, had informed the workers about the decision of the NWC to reduce the party’s workforce by 50 per cent and to also cut the salaries of those to be retained by the same percentage.

The national secretary of the party said the decision, among others, would take effect from August.

He said, “Establishment staff, who would remain, are required to obtain individual letters of revalidation from their state chapters within one month of this circular to their suitability for service at the national secretariat.”

But the workers, after a meeting in Abuja on Thursday, sent a reply to Oladipo.

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Their reply, which was directed to Oladipo, was dated July 30, 2015 and titled, ‘Re: Organisation and Restructuring of staff at the national secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party’.

They sent copies of the letter, which was exclusively obtained by our corespondent, to former President Goodluck Jonathan and the acting Chairman, Board of Trustees of the party, Alhaji Haliru Bello.

Also, copies were sent to the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu; PDP caucuses in both the Senate and the House of Representatives, Chairman, PDP Governors’ Forum, Dr. Segun Mimiko, and all the PDP governors.

Besides querying how the N11bn was spent, the workers also said they were aware that the party realised another N1bn in sales of delegates forms recently.

With this, the angry workers wondered how the party that was in power could be in a financial mess.

Their letter to Oladipo read in part, “While we appreciate the fact that the party is no longer in power, we are equally aware that the party realised over eleven billion naira (N11,000,000,000) in income from the sale of nomination and expression of interest forms in the last quarter of 2014.

“We are equally aware that the NWC collected over a billion naira from the sale of delegate forms via a company account called Morufi Nig. Ltd, Zenith Bank Account N0:1014041654.

“With this healthy bank balance, we find it strange that after just two months of handing over power, the NWC is proposing a 50% reduction in staff emoluments.”

They explained that they were aware that the NWC members were in the habit of paying themselves huge sums of money after the party lost power during the 2015 general elections.

The letter read further, “We have also observed from publications in the media that the NWC shared outrageous largesse among themselves immediately after the party’s loss in the last general elections.

“We are appalled by the whimsical and derisory nature of the circular which unfortunately negates all known administrative procedures. We wish to recall that the national secretary, who is statutorily in charge of the administration of the secretariat, has never called for a staff meeting or held any interactive session with the staff since his privileged appointment.

“We wish to draw the national secretary’s attention to the fact that there are administrative procedures for the disengagement of staff whose appointments have been duly confirmed.”

The workers said they welcomed the decision of the NWC members to reduce their personal staff and also reduce their emoluments.

But they said they rejected “the directives for staff members to get revalidation letters from the state chapters as this act will amount to accepting our unlawful disengagement from service.

“We reject in totality the proposal to reduce staff emolument by 50%. This is because unlike the members of the NWC, the staff are solely dependent on their salaries and allowances.”

They said they still have unwavering belief in the possibility of the party bouncing back, and, therefore, urged the NWC to have the same faith.

The workers reminded the NWC members that the establishment staff of the PDP national secretariat were engaged on the basis of a well-articulated establishment manual that expressly stated the conditions of service therein.

However, the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr. Olisa Metuh, told our correspondent that the party took the decisions because it realised that majority of the workers had lost touch with their state chapters of the party.

Bishop David Oyedepo cleared of all allegations in the UK

Bishop Oyedepo, is now cleared of all the allegations of wrong doing and he can enter UK at any time.

Dr David O. Oyedepo is a Nigerian Christian author, preacher, the founder and presiding Bishop of Living Faith Church World Wide, also known as Winners' Chapel, and its affiliated international churches known as Winners Chapel International, with headquarters in Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria. Oyedepo is the senior pastor of Faith Tabernacle, a 50,000 seat church auditorium, reported to be the largest church auditorium in the world by the Guinness Book of Records.

The Winners' Chapel network of churches is located in over 300 cities, in all states of Nigeria, as well as, in several cities in 45 African nations, Dubai, the United Kingdom and the United States. Oyedepo has been seen as one of the pioneers of the Christian charismatic movement in Africa and has been referred to as one of the most powerful preachers in Nigeria. He is the Chancellor of Covenant University and Landmark University. He was named in 2011 by Forbes magazine as being the richest pastor in Nigeria.

Bishop David Oyedepo

In 2014 Bishop Oyedepo was banned from entering the UK over church corruption that includes money laundering, violation of human right. A few years ago, Bishop Oyedepo provoked international outrage when videotapes of one of his church events showed him slapping a teenage girl he accused of being a witch. In the face of mounting criticism, including calls for his arrest for assaulting a minor.

According to the source, the ban arose from preliminary investigations by Britain’s Charity Commission that determined that monies donated to Bishop Oyedepo’s church for charitable purposes were funneled to Nigeria to fund the preacher’s flamboyant lifestyle.

Bishop Oyedepo owns a plush private jet and has a fleet of expensive cars, among many other astonishing personal assets.

Bishop Oyedepo was barred from entering the United Kingdom in July 2014. At the time it was noted that Bishop Oyedepo and one of his sons had been aware of the probe of church finances for at least four years now. It was gathered that the probe was triggered after the British Charity Commission found out that the wealthy pastor had taken out more than £16 million from the UK since 2009. He added that the commission closely monitors any repatriation of church resources, disclosing that any repatriation of funds of that size was most likely illegal.

According to the source, Bishop Oyedepo claimed that he was running a not-for-profit religious organization, “but the commission determined that he was diverting funds to engage in a series of profitable ventures.”

Bishop Oyedepo, who recently turned 61, is now cleared of all the allegations of wrong doing and he can enter UK at any time now.

Many feared killed in Maiduguri bus station explosion

   

Bombing in Maiduguri File Photo

A bomb explosion has rocked a crowded motor park in Maiduguri, the Borno state capital, residents and security operatives have tol‎d PREMIUM TIMES.

The incident occurred at a busy location where tricycles pick passengers, and may have killed dozens and injured even many more.
The thunderous blast, which sounded at about 6:30am, resonated all over Maiduguri, residents say.
Witnesses later said the explosion occurred near the entrance of Gamboru Market where operatives of commercial tricycles park to pick passengers.
“We heard the blast at about 6:30am this morning and shortly afterwards, we saw people running from the direction of the market screaming that it was a bomb,’ said Maryam Abu, a civil servant whose residence is close to the area.
No one has so far claimed responsibility for the bombing. But security operatives believe it has the imprint of the extremist Boko Haram sect.
Details later …

Welcome to Kay Kay Daniels Blog: How Depression Affects Your Brain Structure

Welcome to Kay Kay Daniels Blog: How Depression Affects Your Brain Structure:   That depression can take a toll on your physical health is pretty well-recognized. Recent research has also found that it can actua...

How Depression Affects Your Brain Structure

 

That depression can take a toll on your physical health is pretty well-recognized. Recent research has also found that it can actually cause changes in your brain.

Specifically, recurring depressive episodes reduce the size of your hippocampus — an area of your brain involved in forming emotions and memory — stressing the importance of early intervention, especially among teenagers.

Your memory isn't only restricted to remembering dates and passwords; it also plays an important role in developing and maintaining your sense of self.

When your hippocampus shrinks, it's not just your rote memory that is affected, behaviors associated with your sense of self are also altered, and a smaller hippocampus equates to a general loss of emotional and behavioral function.

The good news is the damage is likely reversible, but to do that, you have to actually do something about your situation.

Chronic Depression Can Damage Your Brain

Using brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data of nearly 8,930 people from around the world, an international team of researchers found that those who suffered recurring bouts of depression also had a smaller hippocampus.^1,2,3

This applied to about 65 percent of all depressed participants.  Those who were experiencing their first depressive episode did not show evidence of shrinkage, suggesting it's the repetitive recurrence that causes the hippocampus to shrink.

Those who showed hippocampal shrinkage also reported getting depressed earlier than the others, typically before the age of 21.

Previous studies have noted that depressed people tend to have a smaller hippocampus, but it was not known whether this was a predisposing factor, or a result of the illness.

This study reveals the answer: Depression comes first; the brain damage follows...  According to co-author Professor Ian Hickie:⁴

"[The] more episodes of depression a person had, the greater the reduction in hippocampus size. So recurrent or persistent depression does more harm to the hippocampus the more you leave it untreated.

This largely settles the question of what comes first: the smaller hippocampus or the depression? The damage to the brain comes from recurrent illness...

Other studies have demonstrated reversibility, and the hippocampus is one of the unique areas of the brain that rapidly generates new connections between cells, and what are lost here are connections between cells rather than the cells themselves.

Treating depression effectively does not just mean medicines. If you are unemployed, for example, and then sit in a room doing nothing as a result, this can shrink the hippocampus. So social interventions are just as important, and treatments such as fish oils are also thought to be neuro-protective."

The Inflammatory Roots of Depression

Contrary to popular belief, depression is not likely caused by unbalanced brain chemicals; however there are a number of other biological factors that appear to be highly significant. Chronic inflammation is one such factor.⁵

Scientists have also found that your mental health can be adversely impacted by factors such as vitamin D deficiency and/or unbalanced gut flora — both of which, incidentally, play a role in keeping inflammation in check, which is really what the remedy to depression is all about.

As discussed in an article by Dr. Kelly Brogan, depressive symptoms can be viewed as downstream manifestations of inflammation.

"The source itself may be singularly or multiply-focused as stress, dietary and toxic exposures, and infection... [I]nflammation appears to be a highly relevant determinant of depressive symptoms such as flat mood, slowed thinking, avoidance, alterations in perception, and metabolic changes,"⁶ she writes.

Certain biomarkers, such as cytokines in your blood and inflammatory messengers like CRP, IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-alpha, show promise as potential new diagnostic tools, as they're "predictive⁷ and linearly⁸ correlative" with depression.

For example, researchers have found that melancholic depression, bipolar disorder, and postpartum depression are associated with elevated levels of cytokines in combination with decreased cortisol sensitivity (cortisol is both a stress hormone and a buffer against inflammation).⁹

As explained by Dr. Brogan:

"Once triggered in the body, these inflammatory agents transfer information to the nervous system, typically through stimulation of major nerves such as the vagus, which connects¹⁰ the gut and brain. 

Specialized cells called microglia in the brain represent the brain's immune hubs and are activated in inflammatory states.

In activated microglia, an enzyme called IDO (indoleamine 2 3-dioxygenase) has been shown¹¹ to direct tryptophan away from the production of serotonin and melatonin and towards the production of an NMDA agonist called quinolinic acid that may be responsible for symptoms of anxiety and agitation.

These are just some of the changes that may conspire to let your brain in on what your body may know is wrong."

Sugar Is One of the Most Inflammatory Ingredients in Your Diet

It's virtually impossible to address inflammation without noting the role of sugar, found in ample supply in most processed foods.

Besides promoting chronic inflammation, refined sugar intake can also exert a toxic effect by contributing to insulin and leptin resistance and impaired signaling, which play a significant role in your mental health.

Sugar also suppresses activity of a key growth hormone called BDNF (brain derived neurotrophic factor), which promotes healthy brain neurons. BDNF levels are critically low in both depression and schizophrenia, which animal models suggest might actually be causative.

In 2004, the British psychiatric researcher Malcolm Peet published a provocative cross-cultural analysis of the relationship between diet and mental illness.¹² His primary finding was a strong link between high sugar consumption and the risk of both depression and schizophrenia.

Another study¹³ published in 2007 found that inflammation may be more than just another risk factor for depression. It may in fact be the risk factor that underlies all others. According to the researchers:

"The old paradigm described inflammation as simply one of many risk factors for depression. The new paradigm is based on more recent research that has indicated that physical and psychological stressors increase inflammation.

These recent studies constitute an important shift in the depression paradigm: inflammation is not simply a risk factor; it is the risk factor that underlies all the others.

Moreover, inflammation explains why psychosocial, behavioral and physical risk factors increase the risk of depression. This is true for depression in general and for postpartum depression in particular."

Eating Real Food May Be Key for Successful Treatment of Depression

The evidence clearly indicates that your diet plays a key role in your mental health, for better or worse. So if you're struggling with depression, mood swings, or feel yourself sliding into "the blues," I strongly advise you to look at what you're eating. The key is to eat real food, ideally organic (to avoid chemical exposures) and locally grown (for maximum freshness).

Also make sure to eat plenty of traditionally cultured and fermented foods, which will help nourish beneficial bacteria in your gut. Good examples include fermented vegetables of all kinds, including sauerkraut and kimchi, kombucha (a fermented drink), as well as fiber-rich prebiotic foods like jicama (Mexican yam).

Optimizing your gut flora appears to be absolutely crucial for good mental health, which is understandable when you consider that gut bacteria actually manufacture neurochemicals such as dopamine and serotonin, along with vitamins that are important for brain health. In fact, you have a greater concentration of serotonin in your gut than in your brain.

I recommend avoiding all types of processed foods, including certified organic ones, as processed foods are no longer "alive." What you're looking for is whole, unadulterated foods, with which to cook from scratch (or eat raw). Processed foods are simply loaded with ingredients known to alter your gut flora and promote inflammation, thereby inviting depression. This includes:

• Added sugar and high fructose corn syrup
• Genetically engineered (GE) ingredients (primarily corn, soy, and sugar beets) which, besides their own unknown health risks, also tend to be heavily contaminated with glyphosate—a Class 2A carcinogen that can also damage your gut microbiome and has been linked to antibiotic-resistance. Most conventional (non-GE) wheat is also treated with toxic glyphosate prior to harvesting.
By altering the balance of your gut flora, pesticides and herbicides also disrupt the production of essential amino acids like tryptophan, a serotonin precursor, and promote production of p-cresol, a compound that interferes with metabolism of other environmental chemicals, thereby increasing your vulnerability to their toxic effects.
• Artificial sweeteners, along with thousands of food additives, most of which have never been tested for safety
• Chemicals in the food packaging, such as bisphenol-A (BPA), bisphenol-S (BPS), and phthalates, which can migrate into the food
• Trans fats

Exercise Effectively Combats Depression and Helps Rebuild Your Hippocampus

Recent research has shown clear links between inactivity and depression. Women who sat for more than seven hours a day were found to have a 47 percent higher risk of depression than women who sat for four hours or less per day. Those who didn't participate in any physical activity at all had a 99 percent higher risk of developing depression than women who exercised. Indeed, exercise is perhaps one of the most effective yet underutilized treatments for depression.

Studies have shown its efficiency typically surpasses that of antidepressant drugs. One of the ways exercise promotes mental health is by normalizing insulin resistance and boosting natural "feel good" hormones and neurotransmitters associated with mood control, including endorphins, serotonin, dopamine, glutamate, and GABA. 

It also helps rid your body of stress chemicals that can lead to depression, and while depression can shrink your hippocampus, exercise has been shown to increase the volume of gray matter in the hippocampal region of the brain. It also promotes neurogenesis, i.e. your brain's ability to adapt and grow new brain cells. While sugar suppresses brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), thereby raising your risk of depression, exercise boosts it. 

Exercise initially stimulates the production of a protein called FNDC5, which in turn triggers the production of BDNF. BDNF is a remarkable rejuvenator in several respects. In your brain, it not only preserves existing brain cells, it also activates brain stem cells to convert into new neurons, and effectively makes your brain grow larger. Research¹⁴ confirming this includes a study by Kirk Erickson, PhD, in which seniors aged 60 to 80 who walked 30 to 45 minutes, three days per week for one year, increased the volume of their hippocampus by two percent.

Meditation Also Alters Your Brain in Beneficial Ways

Meditation is another underutilized tool to optimize mental health. Not only is it helpful for stress relief and gaining greater self awareness (if not a more spiritual perspective of life's ups and downs), it too has been shown to alter the structures of your brain for the better. As reported by Forbes:¹⁵

"The practice appears to have an amazing variety of neurological benefits – from changes in grey matter volume to reduced activity in the 'me' centers of the brain to enhanced connectivity between brain regions...

Skeptics, of course, may ask what good are a few brain changes if the psychological effects aren't simultaneously being illustrated? Luckily, there's good evidence for those as well, with studies reporting that meditation helps relieve our subjective levels of anxiety and depression, and improve attention, concentration, and overall psychological well-being."

With regards to depression specifically, a 2014 meta analysis¹⁶ of 47 studies concluded that mindfulness meditation can be helpful. While the overall effect size¹⁷ was "moderate" at 0.3, Forbes rightfully points out that this is identical to the effect size for antidepressants, which is also 0.3, and the go-to solution in most cases of depression. Like exercise, mindfulness meditation has also been shown to increase cortical thickness in the hippocampus, and brain areas involved in the regulation of emotions and self-referential thought processes.¹⁸

Shrinkage of the amygdala has also been noted. In this case, less cell volume in a brain center can be a blessing, as the amygdala controls the subjective perception of fear, anxiety, and stress.

People suffering with anxiety disorders tend to produce too much serotonin in the amygdala, which is why serotonin-boosting drugs like SSRIs can worsen depression and anxiety in some people. Previous studies have also revealed that increased nerve activity in the amygdala is part of the underlying mechanism that produces anxiety. Basically, those with anxiety disorders have an over-active fear center, and meditation may help dampen this over-activity.

Key Strategies to Overcome Depression

Two key strategies for overcoming depression have already been addressed above: diet (trading in the processed foods for real food, with an emphasis on fermented foods to optimize your gut flora), and exercise. Optimizing your vitamin D level by getting appropriate sun exposure (or taking a vitamin D3 supplement with vitamin K2) is another key strategy not to be overlooked. In one previous study, people with the lowest levels of vitamin D were 11 times more prone to be depressed than those who had normal levels.

Considering the fact that vitamin D deficiency is typically the norm rather than the exception, and has been implicated in both psychiatric and neurological disorders, getting your vitamin D level checked and addressing any deficiency is a crucial step.

There's no doubt in my mind that if you fail to address the root of your depression, you could be left floundering and struggling with ineffective and potentially toxic band-aids for a long time. Your diet does play a large part in your mental health, so please address the impact processed foods might be having.

Also be sure to support optimal brain functioning with essential fats. This includes healthy saturated fats like avocados, butter made from raw grass-fed organic milk, raw dairy, organic pastured egg yolks, coconuts and coconut oil, unheated organic nut oils, raw nuts, and grass-fed meats. I also recommend supplementing your diet with a high-quality, animal-based omega-3 fat, like krill oil. This may be the single most important nutrient to battle depression.

Last but not least, add some effective stress-busting strategies to your toolbox. Ultimately, depression is a sign that your body and your life are out of balance. One way to return balance to your life is by addressing stress. Meditation can be helpful, as discussed above. When weather permits, get outside for a walk. But in addition to that, I also recommend using a system that can help you address emotional issues that you may not even be consciously aware of.

For this, my favorite is Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT). Recent research has shown that EFT significantly increases positive emotions, such as hope and enjoyment, and decreases negative emotional states.  EFT is particularly powerful for treating stress and anxiety because it specifically targets your amygdala and hippocampus, which are the parts of your brain that help you decide whether or not something is a threat.

 

Although you can learn the basics of EFT on your own, if you have a serious mental disorder or depression, I highly recommend consulting a qualified EFT practitioner. For serious or complex issue you need a qualified health care professional that is trained in EFT to help guide you through the process, as it typically takes years of training to develop the skill to tap on and relieve deep-seated, significant issues.         By Dr. Mercola

 

Man In Court For Raping 11-year-old Daughter

 A middle-aged man (names withheld) has been arraigned before a court in Makurdi, Benue State, for allegedly raping his 11-year-old daughter.

It was gathered that a neighbor blew the whistle on the man when she heard the repeated cries of the girl who was in agony during the incident.
She immediately drew the attention of the girl’s mother (the wife of the accused) to the development. After examining the daughter and ascertaining that the child was abused, the mother reported the matter to the police, who effected his arrest.
It was reported that the man was caught in the act, after repeatedly abusing his daughter whenever his wife was away at work.
The prosecuting police officer, Hyacinth Gbakun, told the court that the action of the man contravened Section 91 of the Penal Code and the laws of Benue State. No plea was taken for want of jurisdiction as the prosecuting officer requested for adjournment to enable the police carry out further investigation into the matter.
In her ruling, presiding judge, Cecilia Bakare, who adjourned the case to September 29, 2015 for further mention, ordered that the accused be remanded in prison custody.

2Face kick starts 2015 Star Music Trek Phase 2 in Makurdi

 

Benue, the food basket of the nation is set for the most notable concert to hold in the state this year as Star, Nigeria’s iconic lager resumes the 2015 Star Music Trek on Saturday August 1 at the IBB Square in Makurdi. Headline acts billed to perform include local boy turned international megastar 2Face, MI, Faze, Yemi Alade, KCee and Runtown. Gbenga Adeyinka is also set to MC the mega concert with Tony Blaze and DJ Neptune on the wheels.

2face Idibia

Speaking on the upcoming concert tagged #MakurdiRocks! Benue State homeboy 2Face remarked, “This is where it all began for me so obviously it’s a highly emotional experience. It’s a bit like a homecoming and I can’t wait to get in front of the crowd in my home state and show them some of the love they have showed me. I am thrilled to have this opportunity to perform for my people at home on such a large national platform. Credit to Star Lager.”
On his part, Corporate Media & Brand PR Manager, NB Plc, Edem Vindah was quoted as saying, “Star Lager is committed to providing a platform to inspire Nigerian youths wherever they may be, and #MakurdiRocks! is another instance of this. We are particularly excited to present 2Face to his hometown crowd in Benue State for inspiration to Benue youths.”
Organised by Star Lager, Nigeria’s most popular beer brand for over 65 years, Star Trek has thrilled Nigerian music fans for nearly two decades, using the potent vehicle of music to pass across positive social messages to young people. This year’s theme My Superstar Story inspires the youth to view their situations as a work in progress and to always keep their goals in mind.
After a hugely successful first phase which passed through Calabar, Abakaliki and Awka, phase 2 aims to continue with the theme of inspiration and promoting success by inspiring youths with captivating performances in Makurdi, Sapele, Auchi, Ibadan and Lagos. Following MakurdiRocks! the 2015 Star Music Trek will berth in Sapele on August 8, Auchi on August 15, Ibadan on August 22 and finally Lagos on August 29.

StarMusicTrek : 2face, MI, Yemi Alade to rock Makurdi

 

    

The 2015 Star Music Trek is back for the second time this year and it’s bringing the country’s largest and most popular annual music festival to the city of Makurdi.

MI and a fan

2face Sings to a fan

The concert, which is sponsored by Nigeria’s favorite beer, STAR will feature blockbuster performances by some of the biggest names in Nigerian music such as 2Face, MI, Faze, Yemi Alade, KCee, Runtown, Dj Neptune, DJ Tony Blaze and host Gbenga Adeyinka

#MakurdiRocks will take place at IBB Square, Makurdi on Saturday August 1st, 2015 from 7pm.

The nationwide concert tour which has thrilled Nigerian music fans for nearly two decades has a tradition of bringing the country’s biggest artists together to thrill fans around the country and this year’s theme My Superstar Story aims to inspire the youth to view their situations as a work in progress and to always keep their goals in mind.

Following Markurdi, the 2015 Star Music Trek will make the following stops: Sapele on August 8, Auchi on August 15, Ibadan on August 22 and Lagos on August 29.

Jaiye Kuti is Most Friendly Nollywood actress

 

Jaiye Kuti may not be a popular face in Nollywood, but when it comes to television dramas, she’s a household name.  Following her hard work and friendliness, the screen diva is set to be honoured as as the most friendly actress in the nation’s movie industry.
The event which is schedule to hold on Sunday, September 20, at Time Square Event in Lagos, will unveil Jaye Kuti as the Most Friendly Nollywood Actress at the 2015 Nigeria Media Nite Out Award.
According to the organizer, Mr. Shola Olugbero,  “It was difficult for us to arrive at the choice of Jaye Kuti. We received many names, but she came top after our compilation, we just hope she will keep her   statue as most friendly actress even after the event.”

Two dead after eating ‘forbidden’ fish in Ebonyi

TWO persons Thursday reportedly lost their lives in Ezillo community, Ishielu local government area of Ebonyi State after eating a fresh fish alleged to be forbidden in the area.

Another victim was said to have become blind also after eating the said fish.
The victims (names withheld) are labourers who were hired by one Mr. Alieze for a construction work.
An eye witness who gave his name as Mrs. Odoh Onyinyechi told our correspondent that the victims who decided to go on break while working at the site, went to the near-by stream where they harvested the said fish.
The specie of the fish is forbidden by the community.
“A man from our community went to the town and brought people to work for him. The people later went to the stream to fetch water and came back with some fishes.

Breaking news: EFCC grills Nwobodo, Chime’s Chief of Staff

 

In a move seen as preparatory to moving against the former Enugu State Governor, Sullivan Chime, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has begun interrogating his former Chief of Staff, Chief Mrs. Ifeoma Nwobodo over alleged misappropriation of public funds.

Nwobodo, who arrived the EFCC headquarters in Abuja at about 9.30am, was immediately confronted with series of petitions bordering on conspiracy and diversion of Enugu State funds by the former governor and his cronies and was asked to speak on what she knew about the issues.
Nwobodo is still being quizzed by a team of crack detectives to determine whether or not to file charges against her, the former governor and his aides named in the petitions.
A top EFCC official said: “Nwobodo’s invitation is believed to be precursor to the interrogation of her former principal as the agency is said to be flooded with petitions indicting Chime of humongous graft during his eight-year rule of Enugu State as governor from 2007 to 2015”.
Details later

Nigeria declares August 24, 25 Diaspora Days

 

 The Federal Government on Thursday in Abuja declared August 24 and 25 as Diaspora Days to recognise Nigerians in Diaspora as important stakeholders in national development.

This is contained a statement issued by Mrs Ibukun Odusote, Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Secretary to Government of the Federation.
The statement said the days were set aside to create an environment for cross fertilisation of ideas among the Diaspora experts and their Nigerian counterparts.
It hoped this would lead to proffering solutions to some of the nation’s developmental challenges.
According to the statement, the 2015 Diaspora Day celebration will be marked with a National Diaspora Day and Conference with the theme, “Diaspora and Nigeria Change Agenda.
“It would serve as a platform for dialogue, interaction and collaboration by Nigerians in Diaspora particularly professionals who have excelled in their various fields of endeavors as health, science, sport and arts, among others.
“The event, slated to hold at the State House Conference Centre, Presidential Villa, Abuja, will be declared opened and closed by President Muhammadu Buhari.”

Nigerian former minister 'stole $6bn of public money'

 

 

Nigeria has asked US and other western countries to help it recover stolen funds

A former government minister in Nigeria stole $6bn (£3.8bn) of public money, a state governor has alleged.

Adams Oshiomhole said US officials informed President Muhammadu Buhari of the alleged theft during his visit to Washington last month.

Mr Buhari took office in May, ending the rule of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The PDP has repeatedly denied allegations of widespread corruption during its 16-year rule.

Mr Oshiomhole, who accompanied Mr Buhari to Washington, did not name the minister who allegedly stole the money.

During his visit to the US, Mr Buhari said he had asked the US to help recover $150bn "stolen in the past decade and held in foreign bank accounts".

President Buhari met President Obama in the White House's Oval Office

US officials described the theft during the PDP's rule as "earth-quaking", Mr Oshiomhole, the Edo State governor, told journalists in the Nigerian capital, Abuja.

The PDP said Mr Buhari's visit to Washington was a failure, in particular for failing to obtain "any sort of tangible gain for the fight against terrorism".

Mr Buhari, a former military ruler, was invited to Washington shortly after becoming the first opposition candidate to win a national election in March.

He succeeded President Goodluck Jonathan.

Nigeria is Africa's biggest oil producer, but the majority of its citizens live in poverty. Its oil sector has often been hit by allegations of corruption

Don't Let the Bed Bugs Bite

By Dr. Mercola

Bed bugs are small, parasitic insects that crawl out like vampires in the night, feeding on the blood of people and animals while they sleep. Although they’re found worldwide, bed bugs were considered largely eradicated in the US until recent decades.
Now, they’re spreading rapidly in North America, including in the US where they’ve been detected in every state. Cleanliness is no deterrent for these pesky creatures, and they’ve popped up everywhere from five-star resorts and cruise ships to libraries, schools, and day care centres.
While a bed bug may go for months without eating, they prefer to feed every several days, and will travel up to 100 feet to find a meal (although most live within eight feet of a sleeping surface).¹
Bed bugs typically hide during the day, in mattress seams, bed frames, headboards, dressers, behind wallpaper, and any other small crack or crevice they can find. This is why one of the first things you should do while traveling is to check your sleeping area thoroughly for bed bugs or signs that they’re around (like faeces).

Are Bed Bugs Dangerous?

Bed bugs are more of a nuisance than a danger, although they can prompt serious allergic reactions in some people. Although more than 40 human diseases have been detected in bed bugs, they’re not known to spread diseases, although evidence in this area is lacking.²
Their bites can cause significant itching, however, which can in turn lead to a secondary skin infection if excessive scratching damages your skin. They can also lead to loss of sleep, although this is typically due to anxiety over the bed bugs and not the bites themselves. When you’re bitten by a bed bug, it injects anesthetic and anticoagulant at the same time, so you won’t feel the bite until later.
Anywhere from a day to several days later red, swollen bumps, similar to mosquito bites, will appear, typically on your neck, arms, hands, and face (although they can be anywhere on your body). They may itch or feel irritated, but try not to scratch them.
The psychological toll that bed bugs exact can be steep, however. There is one case report showing a woman who committed suicide following repeated bed bug infestations in her apartment, and the researchers concluded, “the bed bug infestations were the likely trigger for the onset a negative psychological state that ultimately led to suicide.”³
Research has also shown that people who have experienced bed bugs in their living environment are significantly more likely to report anxiety and sleep disturbances.⁴ Emotional distress and even psychological and emotional effects associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have also been reported after bed-bug infestations.

How to Detect a Bed Bud Infestation – and the Top 10 Bed Bug Cities

Bed bugs’ bodies are flat and range in size from one to seven millimetres (mm). Their shape, combined with their reddish-brown colour, makes it easy for bed bugs to hide out along baseboards and the folds of luggage, bedding, folded clothing, furniture, and more.
If you look carefully, you may be able to spot bed bugs near your sleeping area, but they may also be present if you detect the following signs:⁵

• Bed bug exoskeletons, which are released after molting
• Rust-colour blood spots on mattresses or furniture (this is from their blood-filled faecal matter)
• A sweet, musty odour

While bed bugs are found year-round, infestations tend to peak during the summer months, perhaps because more people are travelling during this time. And if you’ll be travelling, you might be interested to know if you’re going to one of the worst cities for bed bugs in the US, as compiled in Orkin Pest Control's 2014 Bed Bug Cities List:⁶
 

The Pesticides Used to Eliminate Bed Bugs Are Causing Illnesses…

No one wants to let bed bugs linger in their home or place of business, but you must use caution before accepting any of the standard pesticide-based treatments.
From 2003 to 2010, 111 illnesses, including one fatality, associated with bed bug-related insecticide use were detected by the Sentinel Event Notification System for Occupational Risks (SENSOR)-Pesticides program and the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC DOHMH).⁷
The National Pesticide Information Centre (NPIC) has also reported a “dramatic increase” in the number of bed bug-related calls due to pesticide exposures. NPIC reported 169 such calls from 2006 to 2010, 129 of which resulted in mild or serious health effects (including one death).⁸
Most often, the illnesses were related to excessive insecticide application, failure to wash or change pesticide-treated bedding, and inadequate notification of pesticide application.

Serious Neurological Symptoms Reported After Bed Bug Treatments

Cases have also been reported of pesticides intended only for outdoor use being sprayed indoors. In one case in Ohio, according to a health advisory released by the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):⁹

“These illegal applications were made five times over 72 hours and included spraying of ceilings, floors, and even beds and a crib mattress. The occupants included a family with small children, who displayed health symptoms typical of pesticide poisoning, including headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, dizziness, and muscle tremors.
The families were evaluated and treated at a local hospital. The homes were evacuated and families relocated. The families lost furniture, electronics, clothing, linens, toys, and other personal items that were grossly contaminated.”

In other calls to NPIC, the CDC reported:¹⁰

“…the family members (ranging in ages from 1-32 years) experienced neurological symptoms (such as headaches, dizziness, nausea, visual disturbances, numbness in the face and limbs, muscle tremors, etc.), abdominal pain, and cardiopulmonary symptoms (chest tightness, heart palpitations, and chest pain).
Documented in another call was a mother who contacted NPIC describing her infant who developed vomiting and diarrhoea after being placed on a mattress treated with an undiluted indoor insecticide.
Other bed bug related calls to NPIC describe similar complaints where the caller or the caller’s family members experienced headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, tremors, etc., from indoor pesticides being misapplied (often over applied).”

Chemical-Free Thermal Remediation May Offer Non-Toxic Bed Bug Treatment

If your home is infested with bed bugs and you don’t want to douse your home in pesticides, there is another option: thermal remediation. The process essentially turns your home into an oven for a number of hours, during which the extreme heat (upwards of 130 degrees Fahrenheit) kills the bugs – no chemicals needed.¹¹
Everything can remain in your home, except for plastic items or anything that might melt (and pets must be removed, of course). This makes it far more convenient than chemical treatment, which typically involves packing and bagging everything in your home and getting rid of clothing and mattresses. Plus, it solves the issue of pesticide resistance, which has been spreading among bed bugs. While thermal remediation may be slightly more costly than chemical processes, the health effects it can spare your family are truly priceless.

How to Avoid a Bed Bug Infestation

Bed bugs have become a fact of life in the 21st century, and not one that’s likely to go away any time soon. If you travel at all or visit any facilities like hospitals, libraries, movie theatres, etc., there’s a possibility you could bring home some of these unwelcome visitors. To minimize your chances of an infestation, follow the tips below:¹²

Always inspect hotel rooms for signs of an infestation (look for bed bugs in mattress seams and check for any rust-colour spots on bedding)	Check your sleeping area thoroughly, including under the mattress, bed frame, and headboard as well as in nearby furniture	Keep your luggage on luggage racks, not on the bed or on the floor and away from electrical outlet panels, art frames, and other bed-bug hiding spots
When you return home, examine your luggage and clothing carefully, and store it away from your sleeping area	Place all of your previously packed clothing directly into the dryer for at least 15 minutes on the highest setting	Keep clutter in your home to a minimum (which will give bed bugs fewer places to hide)
Wash and dry bed linens on the hottest temperature setting allowed	Inspect any used furniture carefully before bringing it into your home	Inspect your home for signs of bed bugs regularly, after you’ve travelled, had houseguests, or even when a service technician has been in your home

Checkout 13 SHOCKING Reasons Why Some Women Lie About Rape

False allegations of rape can and do happen, but then most women lie about being raped find out why they did it;

Women lie about rape to cover up their infidelity
One night, Nicola Osborne got a bit drunk and ended up in bed with a man and they enjoyed “extensive sexual activity.” The episode was entirely consensual and the two swapped phone numbers after they were through. On the way home, it occurred to Osborne that her husband might not think very highly of her “activities” and she became flustered and visibly upset. When passers-by came to her aid, she told them that she had been forcibly abducted and raped by a stranger, sparking a massive police  response to find the rapist. A subsequent DNA test led police to the man whom she had slept with and he was arrested and held for 12 hours. Once the truth came out that the encounter has been consensual, Osborne was charged with filing a false report and sentenced to 18 months in prison.

Women lie about rape to explain why they are looking at porn
When Elizabeth Coast’s mother discovered her looking at porn on the internet, Coast explained that her actions were the result of sexual abuse she had experienced at the hand of a neighbour. Coast testified that when her neighbour was 14, and she was 10, he had sexually molested her.
Her testimony was compelling enough to secure the man’s conviction. He was sentenced to seven years and served four of those until Coast’s guilty conscience became too much to bear and she admitted that she had lied about an innocent man. Coast was sentenced to two months in prison for her lie and must pay the man $90,000 restitution.

Women lie about rape because they are mentally ill

Rosanne England scratched her face, tore her clothing and concocted a story about a man asking to use her telephone and then violently raping her.
She gave police a detailed description that happened to match a 59-year-old father of two teenaged daughters who had no alibi as he had been walking his dog in the woods when the rape allegedly occurred.
The man was arrested and held for 28 hours until DNA tests finally cleared him. He continues to face suspicion from his neighbors about his guilt. England gave no justification for the accusation other than she suffers from “mental illness.”

Women lie about rape because they feel guilty
Kelly Harwood had a few drinks and decided that sleeping with her friend’s son was a good idea. Upon reflection, she decided that she had betrayed her friend by doing so and reported her friend’s son for rape.
She told police that she had been raped while sleeping, and her friend’s son was subjected to an “intrusive medical examination and interviewed under caution.” Two days later, Harwood relented and admitted that she had lied about the rape. She suffers from depressive illness, exacerbated by the amount of alcohol she had consumed. Women lie about rape because they feel guilty.

Women lie about rape if the sex is bad
Lynette Lee arranged to meet a man whom she had contacted through a dating site. They went on a date, which ended with consensual s*x in a motel room. Lee then reported the man for forcible rape. He was interviewed by police, who then re-interviewed Lee, who confessed to lying about the rape because “she did not enjoy the s*x” and “it was bad.” Women lie about rape when they fail school exams
Rhiannon Brooker knew her party lifestyle was catching up with her when the law student failed her bar exams.
She told her exam committee that her performance was affected by “extenuating circumstances” and had her boyfriend charged with multiple counts of rape and assault, including punching her so hard in the stomach that she miscarried. She faked her own injuries to support the charges.
The accused spent 36 days in jail before police confirmed that he was at work and had alibis for each of the alleged rapes. Brooker was sentenced to three and a half years for false allegations.Women lie about rape because of psychiatric medication complications
Katherine Bennett had consensual sex with a national guardsman but then reported to police that he had abducted her from a parking lot, taken her to his house and drugged her and raped her at knifepoint before she was able to escape.
The police were able to establish that the story had been fabricated but not before the guardsman lost his job and had his reputation seriously damaged.
Bennett’s attorney said that Bennett suffers from depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder and “although her condition and complications from medication were not an excuse for the false report, they were contributing factors.”

Women lie about rape when they want attention
Gemma Gregory, desperate for attention from police officers, filed eight false rape charges, accusing seven different men over a period of six years. Former boyfriends were subjected to DNA tests and interviews and huge amounts of police time were wasted so that Gregory could have the attention she craved. After recording hundreds of calls with Gregory, the police arrested and charged her with false allegation offences.

Women lie about rape to get sympathy
Linsey Attridge was having some relationship problems with her boyfriend and needed to win some sympathy from him. She trolled Facebook and found a picture of a 26-year-old man and his 14-year-old brother whom she had never met and reported them both for a violent rape. To make her story more credible, she punched herself in the face, ripped her clothing and told police that the two men had broken into her house while her boyfriend was away and subjected her to a brutal attack. Both were arrested and had their lives turned upside down as word of the charges spread throughout the community. Attridge eventually admitted to making the whole thing up and was sentenced to 200 hours of community service. She has never apologized. Her boyfriend dumped her.

Women lie about rape to make boyfriends jealous

Hannah Bryon was mad at her boyfriend for breaking up with her. Wanting some attention from him and to make him jealous, she told him that a man whom she had been flirting with attacked her on a bridge, raped her and then threw money at her to get a taxi.
The man whom she identified as her rapist was arrested and put through a stressful examination and questioning but was able to provide police with evidence that he had not attacked Bryon. Bryon was given a suspended sentence and 150 hours of community service.

Women lie about rape for revenge
When Cori Lynn Osiecki’s boyfriend broke up with her and started “spreading rumours,” she decided to exact revenge on him by filing a rape charge. She was taken by ambulance to the hospital, where a rape kit was collected and an investigation was started. Eventually Osiecki admitted that she had lied about the assault because she “wanted to get back at him.”

Women lie about rape because they are “moody”

Isabella Himmel was at a bar and her friend wasn’t paying attention to her, which left her feeling “moody,” so she told another friend that she had been gang-raped by a group of male students at the University of Connecticut. That friend believed her story and reported it to police, triggering an action alert to more than 30,000 students and a considerable amount of distress on campus. Surveillance video, however, showed no attack.
Himmel then agreed that she might not have been grabbed by the hair and gang-raped by five men, but she might have been kicked or she might have just fallen. Himmel must complete a program that could lead to the dismissal of the false rape report charges against her. Women lie about rape when their friends get mad at them
Biurny Peguero was extremely drunk, out at a bar with friends, and impetuously accepted a ride in a van with three men. When she realized where she was, she became frightened and hysterical. The men took her back to the bar, and that’s when the trouble started.
The friends she had left behind were angry with her and a brawl broke out among the women, who punched and bit one another. When a friend demanded to know if the men had raped Peguero, she said that they had. The bruises she had sustained in the fight with her friends were accepted as evidence of rape, and one man spent four years in jail on the charge.

Shockingly, this is not even a complete list of the reasons women lie about rape, but if anything is clear, it is that women do lie…. Leave your comment below if you are in support or against…