AK-47 Inventor Mikhail Kalashnikov dead

The inventor of the Kalashnikov assault rifle, Mikhail Kalashnikov, has died aged 94, Russian TV reports.

The automatic rifle he designed became one of the world’s most familiar and widely used weapons.

Its comparative simplicity made it cheap to manufacture, as well as reliable and easy to maintain.

Although honoured by the state, Kalashnikov made little money from his gun. He once said he would have been better off designing a lawn mower.

Mikhail Kalashnikov was admitted to hospital with internal bleeding in November.

Man Marries Tree in Argentina

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina - An environmental activist “married” a tree in Argentina.

Dressed in a crisp white suit and blue hat, Richard Torres carried a bouquet as the wedding party approached his "bride-to-be” in one of the capital's main parks on Sunday.

The Peruvian actor and activist read vows and was given a ring. He even gave the tree a kiss to keep the ceremony authentic.

Torres said the spectacle was intended to draw attention to environmental issues.

While this is the actor's first ecological event outside of Peru, he said it's the start of his championing of the environment and plans to take his unique style of activism to countries throughout Latin America.

Angry Ronaldo Blasts FIFA President for Making Jokes About Him

Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo has responded angrily to a video of FIFA president Sepp Blatter imitating him and describing him as a “commander on the field.”

Speaking at an event at Oxford University last week, Blatter said he preferred four-time World Player of the Year Lionel Messi to Ronaldo, who he claimed spends more money on his hairstyle than the Argentine.

Ronaldo has finished second to Messi in three of the last four years in the voting for the Ballon d’Or, although the Portuguese did win the award whilst still at Manchester United in 2008.

And both men were once again selected in the shortlist of 23 for this year’s award which was released on Tuesday.

“This video shows clearly the respect and consideration that FIFA has for me, for my club and my country,” Ronaldo said on his official Facebook page.

“Much is explained now. I wish Mr. Blatter health and a long life, with the certainty that he will continue to witness, as he deserves, the successes of his favourite teams and players.”

The comments also enraged Ronaldo’s club and country as both Real Madrid and the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) sent letters to FIFA to complain about Blatter’s conduct.

However, in a reply to Madrid, published on the club’s website, Blatter defended his comments and said he believes Ronaldo is on a par with Messi as a player.

“In response to a question about Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, the moderator asked me to choose between one of the two and, in this moment having commented that Messi is the type of son all mothers would like to have, I ended up saying his name.

“However, I want to make it clear that for me Cristiano Ronaldo is at the same level as Messi and that they are both exceptional players, each one in their own way.

“It was never my intention to upset or show a lack of respect towards Real Madrid, one of their players or their fans.”

Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti said the comments lacked respect for a player he described as a “great professional”.

“It seems to me like a lack of respect,” remarked the Italian.

“I haven’t spoken with Cristiano about it. Today he trained very well as he always does.

“He shows every day that he is a great player. He is serious, professional and respects everyone.”

And a statement on behalf of FPF president Fernando Gomes on the federation’s website was even more damming of Blatter’s behaviour.

“I can’t, in any way, agree with the position expressed by the person who leads world football in his comments about the national team and about someone who is a symbol of Portuguese football,” he said.

“Moreover, they seem unfit and inappropriate and clearly show a lack of respect for Cristiano Ronaldo and for Portugal.

“We learned today that Cristiano Ronaldo was one of the nominees for the Ballon d’Or, it does not seem appropriate or adequate that the president of FIFA makes comments saying which player he prefers between one or other.”

Lady Gaga Goes Stark Naked On Stage at London GAY Club

She never fails to shock and entertain her fans, with one outrageous outfit following another. 

So as Halloween draws closer, Lady Gaga took inspiration from ghosts and ghouls and stripped naked as she performed in a banshee costume at G-A-Y on Friday. 

The 27-year-old singer appeared on stage looking pale and ethereal in a long, white petticoat-style gown.

She sported a long frazzled blonde wig and enhanced her already porcelain skin with a dusting of white powder on her hands and neck.

She also lined her eyes with white shadow and eyeliner and made her eyebrows paler, while she also reminded fans that she was still in the land of the living with a touch of blusher and rose-pink lips.

iPad Air Unveiled by Apple

Apple trotted out its fifth-generation iPad today in San Francisco at the company's annual unveiling event. This model, which is now called the iPad Air, is "thinner, lighter, and more powerful than ever before," Apple's Phil Schiller said.

In this model, the 9.7-inch tablet with Retina Display weighs just a pound (down from 1.9 in the fourth-generation iPad. It weighs an extremely thin 7.5 millimeters, down from 9.4mm -- that's a 20 percent slimmer build, if you're keeping count. The bezel is also much narrower, too; 43 percent so, in fact.

A new A7 chip inside makes it 8 times faster than before. For reference, this is the same 64-bit chip populating the iPhone 5S, and also comes with its M7 motion co-processor. M7 promises graphics that render at twice the rate as the previous iPad.

Graphics-wise, that means that this iPad Air is 72 times faster than the original iPad in GPU performance. In terms of Wi-Fi, there's MIMO wireless technology onboard, but the Air is using 802.11n standard, not the the more current 'ac' Wi-Fi designation.

Why You Need to Have More Sex

When it comes to sex, the more, the merrier—no really: People are happier when they’re having more sex, according to recent research out of the University of Colorado Boulder.

To reach that conclusion, lead researcher Tim Wadsworth, PhD, an associate professor of sociology at the University of Colorado Boulder, looked at data from the national and biennial General Social Survey. He analyzed responses from 15,386 people who were surveyed about their happiness levels and sexual frequency. The findings: As that frequency increased, so did the respondents’ happiness levels. (Sounds about right!) There is a catch, though: When Wadsworth examined respondents’ sexual frequency in comparison to that of the people in their peer groups, he found that people who were having less sex than their peers reported being less happy.

That’s consistent with previous research on social comparison and income, says Wadsworth: “If I had a lot of income but there was nobody else around me, there’s no marker for me to know whether I’m rich or poor,” he says—and the same principle applies to sex: “If other people are having more sex than you are, it makes your own sex life feel less satisfying.”

The takeaway: Regardless of how much you (or your girlfriends) are getting it on right now, you’ll be happier if you spend more time in the bedroom. These tips will help you make the most of it:

Second Giant 'Sea Serpent' Measuring 13.5 FT Long Washes Up In California

This 18ft oarfish was discovered last week - and now there's another one.

A giant oarfish has washed up on the shores of California - the second to do so in less than a week.

This specimen appeared in the Oceanside area of San Diego on Friday just five days after an 18ft-long example of the deep sea fish washed up near Catalina Island.

The oarfish is thought to live at depths of between 700 and 3,000ft making sightings of the species extremely rare.

Scientists are excited to learn more about this rare fish and are also planning to conduct tests in the hope of ascertaining just what caused this particular specimen to die.

"We are very intrigued," Russ Vetter, director of southwest Fisheries Science Centre told the New York Daily News.

"This is an opportunity for... the scientific community to study different aspect of this fish that we know absolutely nothing about."

He added: "We will be very interested - if it has any stomach contents - (in) what it was eating.

"At first glance, it was pretty heavy so it didn't appear to be starving."

Antifungal Foot Cream May Help Eradicate HIV

In a breakthrough, scientists have discovered that a common drug used to treat nail fungus in feet may permanently eradicate the deadly HIV from the body. The topical anti-fungal drug Ciclopirox causes HIV infected cells to commit suicide by jamming up the cells' powerhouse — the mitochondria, researchers said.

Unlike current anti-HIV drugs, Ciclopirox completely eradicates infectious HIV from cell cultures, with no rebound of virus when the drug is stopped, according to researchers at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School. The treatment of patients with HIV has been revolutionized by the advent of combination anti-retroviral drugs.

The World's First Robotic Man With Heart and Human-like Organs

Meet Frank, a robot made of prosthetic limbs and body parts. He has a beating heart and complete circulatory system. He's the world's first full Bionic Man to be introduced at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum at Washington, D.C.

It's not fake. He's real...and he's the first! Frank, the 'bionic man' is 6 feet and weighs 170 lbs. His face is made of synthetic parts and modeled after Bertolt Meyer, a social psychologists from the University of Zurich in Switzerland. Meyer thought it was awkward when he first saw his replica. Meyer will also be hosting the documentary created to show the making of Frank and shed insight on the bionic man. 

Frank's voice is similar to Siri on an Apple iPhone, and his personality is programmed to mimic a 13-year-old Ukrainian boy. This robot cost a whopping $1 million. Not bad at all, in comparison to many expensive projects that scientists attempt which eats up taxpayers' money. Frank has over 2/3rd of the human body. He has an artificial heart, a programmed, legs, pancreas, head, see-through chest, and some body parts you probably didn't know existed. These artificial organs were actually donated from laboratories around the world. So, it's a joint effort of several global scientists.

Frank, however, does not have a liver, stomach, and intestines because they are too complicated to generate in a lab. Frank's assembly took 3 months and was directed by roboticists Rich Walker and Matthew Godden of Shadow Robot Co. in England. This is a ground-breaking scientific development. Scientist and roboticists never cease to amaze me.

I don't know if Frank is worth the cost of a flight to Washington. Nevertheless, I'm willing to check out the documentary premiering on October 20. I'm interested in knowing how these scientists replicated Frank's prosthetic body parts. 

The creation of this bionic man raises some ethical questions: "Does creating something so life-like threaten notions of what it means to be human? What amount of body enhancement should be allowed or acceptable? And is it wrong that only some people have access to these life-extending technologies?

Guys, 30 Ways to Protect your Sperm

1. Do not have unprotected sex. Sexually-transmitted diseases, such as gonorrhoea and Chlamydia, can damage the sperm-producing cells that block the tubes carrying sperm from the testis to the penis.

2. Avoid pesticides that control pests in the garden and on the farm. Such chemicals can damage the sperm-reproducing organs.

3. Avoid insecticides sprayed to kill mosquito. Such chemicals can damage the sperm- reproducing organs. Therefore, if you must spray your room against mosquitoes, allow at least one hour before going back to the room.

4. Avoid exposure to lead fumes generated in the manufacture of small cell batteries and in bullets. Such fumes can reduce sperm count through their negative effects on the hormones and the testis.

5. Avoid exposure to heavy metals like cadmium from the manufacture of heavy batteries, as they negatively affect the hormones.

6. Avoid exposure to paint fumes and plastic softening chemicals like phthalates, hydrocarbons such as ethylbenze, benzene, toluene, and xylene, as they destroy the sperm-producing cells and hormones.

7. Minimise exposure to e-rays, as the sperm germ cells are very easily damaged by the gamma rays.

8. Minimise exposure to radiation, as the sperm germ cells are very easily damaged by radiation.

9. Avoid fumes generated by welders and iron smelters, as their heat can affect sperm production and lead to low sperm count.

10. Avoid exposure to accumulated old newsprints, as the carbon can lead to low sperm count.

11. Avoid wearing tight pants and trousers, as the heat generated can cause low sperm count.

12. Avoid children with mumps as having mumps in childhood can cause irreversible damage to the testis. Therefore, never allow a male to visit other children that have mumps.

13. Minimise your consumption of alcohol as drinking to excess can cause low sperm count and also reduce libido, causing you to have a low sex drive.

14. Do not smoke, as cigarette smoking can damage the testis and lower sperm count, lower the ability of sperm to move and lower the lifespan of the sperm.

15. Do not eat too much saturated fat, as they reduce the efficiency of the hormones and enzymes that help in the sperm production process.

16. Do not eat food or supplements with soya beans, as soya beans convert to the female hormone oestrogen, which tends to neutralise the male hormone testosterone, which is needed for men to reproduce sperm.

17. Minimise your intake of refined carbohydrate like white flour, white bread and white rice, as they reduce the efficiency of the hormones and enzymes that help in the sperm reproduction process. Instead, eat more of the unrefined carbohydrate like brown rice, wheat bread and oats.

18. Do not become constipated, as this can obstruct blood flow to the testis. Therefore, eat more dietary fibres.

19. Do not eat a poor diet, as this affect the quality of the sperm. Instead, eat more whole grains, vegetables and fruits.

20. Do not take artificial sweeteners like nutrasweet, candarell and sweetex, as they reduce sperm count.

21. Avoid excessive consumption of raw lemon, as this may inhibit the enzymes responsible for sperm production and libido.

22. Do seek immediate medical help if one or both of the testes are un-descended from the abdominal cavity into the scrotal sac, as this can significantly reduce sperm production.

23. Do not sit for long periods of time in one position if you are a long distance driver, drive a small sport car, or a chief executive having many board meetings in leather chairs, as this can increase the temperature around the scrotum which can reduce sperm count.

24. Avoid traumatic injury around the testes, as this can damage the sperm-producing cells.

25. Avoid bicycling, as this can damage the tube carrying the sperm.

26. Avoid stress, as this can decrease the sperm count and lead to production of abnormal sperms.

27. Avoid obesity,s as this can reduce blood flow to the testes, making the sperm production process more difficult and significantly reduce libido.

28. Avoid substance abuse like cocaine or heavy marijuana use, as this can lead to low sperm count and deformed sperms.

29. Avoid poor nutrition, as this affects the quality of the sperm.

30. Do not have children at a late age, as the quality of the sperm decreases with age, leading to more difficult conception and greater possibility of having children with deformities.

10 Medical and Health Benefits of Sex

1. Sex cures mild depression by releasing endorphins into the bloodstream, producing a sense of euphoria and a feeling of well-being.

2. Sex is a natural antihistamine. It can help combat asthma and hay fever. No one ever gets a stuffy nose during lovemaking.

3. Lovemaking can burn up those calories you piled on during that romantic dinner.

4. Sex tones up just about every muscle in the body, and it’s more fun than swimming twenty laps.

5. When women make love, they produce large amounts of estrogen,which makes hair shiny and skin smooth.

6. The more often you have sex, the more sex you will be offered. A sexually active body secretes large quantities of pheromones. These subtle sex perfumes drive the opposite sex crazy.

7. Sex is around ten times more effective as a tranquilizer than Valium.

8. Kissing encourages saliva to wash food from the teeth and lowers the level of the acid that causes decayand plaque build up.

9. Sex relieves headaches by releasing the tension that restricts blood vessels in the brain.

10. Gentle, relaxed lovemaking reduces your chance of suffering dermatitis, rashes, and blemishes. The sweat produced cleanses the pores and makes the skin glow.

Food & Nutrition: Healthy Benefits of Red Wine

Red wine is known to reverse the effect of dying ear hair cells which marks the onset of losing hearing abilities. Raise your glasses and hear them clink, more clearly each time. On a side note, the article does not encourage you to get a bottle of red wine and binge on it.

1. Stay young forever
Red wine contains a LOT of anti-oxidants. Lots mean LOTS and LOTS of them. These are the primary compounds that have anti-ageing properties and even help with diabetes. It might not be the ever illusive “Fountain of youth” but it can be safely said that the Spanish were better off sipping the drink of the gods.

2. Let it beat
Just fell in love and gave your heart to someone? Well, at least make it last a bit. Red wine contains a powerful anti-oxidant known as “Resveratrol”. Consuming red wine cuts the harmful effects of the “bad” LDL cholesterol and prevents the formation of blood clots while increasing the level of “good” LDL cholesterol.

3. More brainy
A recent study shows a boost in brain power for women who enjoy a little alcohol. The study, published in the Jan. 20 issue of The New England Journal of Medicine, evaluated more than 12,000 women aged 70-81. Moderate drinkers had a 23% reduced risk of mental decline compared with non-drinkers. No reason not to have a glass before that big exam the next day.

4. Control the dreaded cancer
Yes, that’s right. Red wine can prevent and even cure cancer. The oxidative damage to body functions, the primary cause of Alzheimer’s, type – 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases can be readily prevented by the consumption of anti-oxidants found in red wine. These in conjunction with chemo therapy can enhance its success rate greatly.

5. Stay slim the French way
The French have a peculiar habit of having wine with their meals. Apparently, alcohol stimulates the appetite so it is better to drink it with food. When alcohol is mixed with food, it slows the stomach’s emptying time and decreases the amount of food consumed at the meal.

6. Healthy white shining teeth
Red wine hardens the enamel of the tooth to prevent tooth decay. Hardened enamel is much more resistant to micro-organisms causing dental problems. Even though red wine cannot replace your regular dentist but it certainly contributes to dental well-being.

7. Keeping the digestive system clean
Studies have found that red wine has anti-bacterial properties too. In the past it was used as a full-fledged antiseptic, but that is not what doctors recommend today. Scientists show that red wine can kill bacteria related to gastritis and peptic ulcers as well as being closely linked to stomach cancer.

8. Hear well
Red wine is known to reverse the effect of dying ear hair cells which marks the onset of losing hearing abilities. Raise your glasses and hear them clink, more clearly each time. On a side note, the article does not encourage you to get a bottle of red wine and binge on it. Always remember, the term to abide by is “MODERATION”. The positive health effects are only experienced when an optimum limit of 1-3 glasses a day is followed. Have more and there’s no guarantee you will not become yet another alcoholic.

US Army Plans ‘Iron Man’ Armor for Soldiers

US Army researchers are working on building hi-tech body armor that would give soldiers “superhuman strength” in a real-life version of the suit featured in “Iron Man” films.

The blueprint for the “revolutionary” Tactical Assault Light Operator Suit (TALOS) would include an exoskeleton to allow a soldier to carry heavy equipment, built-in computing power, beefed up protection to stop bullets and a system to monitor vital signs, officials said.

“Some of the potential technologies planned for TALOS research and development include advanced armor, situational awareness, command and control computers, power management systems, and enhanced mobility exoskeletons,” according to a US Army statement issued last month.

US Special Operations Command, which oversees elite Navy SEAL and Army Ranger commandos, put out the call last month for research papers on potential technologies that a “smart” combat suit could incorporate.

The new combat armor might also employ “liquid armor,” reminiscent of the “Terminator” films, though the technology is still in an early stage of development, Teel told AFP.

The liquid would transform into a solid if a magnetic or electrical charge was applied.

“There is a liquid armor that they are looking at developing,” said Teel, adding that scientists at MIT were studying the idea. “It could possibly be turned on with a battery switch” to deflect gunfire, he said.

TALOS “is an advanced infantry uniform that promises to provide superhuman strength with greater ballistic protection,” according to an earlier statement from RDECOM.

In a crude animated demonstration video released by the army on how the combat suit might operate, a soldier in science fiction-inspired gear stands in a doorway as bullets bounce off at close range from an unidentified enemy.

While ominous music plays in the background, the words “to be continued…” flash upon the screen.

The project’s acronym, TALOS, refers to the automaton of Greek mythology made of bronze that Zeus deploys to safeguard his lover Europa.

The concept of providing virtual displays of battlefield forces in a soldier’s helmet screen resembles similar efforts already underway for a sophisticated helmet for pilots flying the new F-35 fighter jet.

Reflecting advances in robotics and computing power, the TALOS suit is part of a trend in current research focusing on what defense industry experts call “man-machine interface,” aiming to dramatically increase the capabilities of a single soldier.

Officials said the TALOS project is the brainchild of Admiral William McRaven, head of special operations command, who rose to prominence presiding over the Navy SEAL raid that killed Al-Qaeda mastermind Osama bin Laden.

“I’m very committed to this,” McRaven told an industry conference in July. “I’d like that last operator that we lost to be the last operator we lose in this fight or the fight of the future, and I think we can get there.”

And officials said it was too early to offer any cost estimate.

Although defense officials acknowledge the project evokes comparisons to Tony Stark’s superhero suit from the “Iron Man” movies, they note that no one is claiming the smart armor will enable soldiers to soar like a plane over cities.

“It’s not going to fly. It’s not going to be all that,” Teel said. “But it’s going to be special.”

Nissan, Stallion sign Nigeria Assembly Deal

The Renault-Nissan Alliance and West African conglomerate Stallion Group have signed a preliminary agreement to start vehicle assembly in Nigeria and potentially create a major Nissan manufacturing hub for Africa.

The memorandum of understanding would see Stallion, which is Nissan's exclusive distributor in the country, increase capacity at its existing plant in Lagos, Renault-Nissan said in a statement on Wednesday.

Stallion currently produces commercial vehicles at the facility, but the plant's annual capacity would be expanded to 45,000 units to assemble a range of cars, light duty trucks, pickups and vans, the alliance said.

"Nissan is preparing to make Nigeria a significant manufacturing hub in Africa," said Carlos Ghosn, chief executive of Nissan and Renault. "As the first-mover in Nigeria, we are positioned for the long-term growth of this market and across the broader continent."

The move comes as the government is expected to approve a new policy designed to encourage the development of the automobile industry in Nigeria, the carmakers said.

The first vehicle to be introduced was expected to be the Nissan Patrol SUV in the spring of next year. The plant would also be opened to French auto group Renault, though the companies did not give any details.

Japan's Nissan is aiming to double annual sales in Africa by 2016 from 110,000 units last year. It already plans to launch the Datsun brand in South Africa before the end of next year.

2015 Cadillac Escalade Unveiled

By far the most stunning Escalade ever to be made; this 2015 Cadillac Escalade is slated to be up for sale in the US by 2014, as usual since the demise of the EXT trim, this breed of Escalade will be available in two configurations – standard length and ESV. Its 6.2-liter V8 engine (standard) will ride on a 6-speed automatic gearbox; all of which are mounted on the separate body-on-frame ladder chassis configuration.

The new Escalade is all new inside and outside with a new electronic power steering system in place to ensure more precise steering. The standard and optional wheel sizes are 20inches and 22-inches alloy wheels respectively.

The Cadillac’s ever roomy interior boasts of real wood accents and triple-sealed doors, CUE infotainment system, an additional 12.3-inch unit screen , Blu-Ray/DVD entertainment system (option) and a whole range of high-end goodies. The seating configuration offers more head and leg room plus flat-folding second and third-row seats.

A few of the safety and security features of this SUV are automatic braking, blind spot monitor, rear cross traffic alert and adaptive cruise control, collision mitigation, standard Front seat Centre-Mounted airbag (advanced safety feature), intrusion sensor, an inclination sensor and glass breakage sensors are all on board.

Ferrari GTO Becomes Most Expensive Car at $52 Million

A 1963 Ferrari 250 GTO racer has become the world’s most expensive car, selling for $52 million.

The red competition car, formerly owned by the Greenwich, Connecticut-based collector Paul Pappalardo, was acquired by an unidentified buyer in a private transaction, said three specialist traders who independently confirmed the purchase and price to Bloomberg News. 

Recently, the car has been owned by a Spanish collector, the car website Barchetta said.

“Today the GTO is considered the top car to own,” the California-based dealer Don Williams of Blackhawk Collection said in an interview. “It’s like the Mona Lisa. It has a mystique. If you have a GTO, you have a great collection.”

Concert Promoter found NOT GUILTY of Negligence by Hiring Conrad Murray to treat Michael Jackson

Making the case: Brian Panish was hired by Jackson's family to argue that AEG should have done a background check on the doctor and found him to be unsuitable to treat the 'King of Pop'

The jury in the Michael Jackson wrongful death trial has ruled that the concert promoter was not negligent in hiring the doctor who treated the singer.

Jackson's mother sued concert promoter AEG Live LLC over the hiring of Dr. Conrad Murray, who was convicted of involuntary manslaughter for giving Jackson an overdose of the anesthetic propofol in 2009.

Katherine Jackson claimed AEG Live should have done a thorough background check on Murray. The Jackson family matriarch was seeking hundreds of millions of dollars in damages for herself and her son's three children.

The company denied hiring Murray and said he had been picked by the singer as the doctor for his upcoming shows.

The panel of six men and six women began deliberating on September 26, more than five months after the start of the trial that offered an unprecedented look into the superstar's private life.

The case provided the closest look yet at Jackson's drug use and his battles against chronic pain and insomnia.

It also took jurors behind the scenes in the rough and tumble world of negotiations with one of the world's most famous entertainers looking to solidify his legendary status after scandal interrupted his career.

'We reached a verdict that we understand that not everybody is going to agree with,' jury foreman Gregg Barden said after the decision was reached.

Lagos Plane Crash: Engine Failed Shortly After Takeoff

A plane with 20 people on board suffered engine failure Thursday shortly after takeoff in Lagos, crash-landing near an airport fuel depot and killing at least eight people, officials told AFP

The Associated Airlines charter flight took off at roughly 9:30 am (0830 GMT) from the domestic terminal at Lagos’ Murtala Mohammed International Airport.

“It was going to Akure (in the southwest). The engine failed on takeoff and it crash-landed and burst into flames,” said Supo Atobatele, spokesman for the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency.

Ibrahim Farinloye of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) told AFP that “eight bodies” had been recovered so far, with another person being treated for serious injuries.

“The rescue operation is still on,” he said, with NEMA staff searching the wreckage of the charter flight for potential survivors.

Another NEMA spokesman, Manzo Ezekiel, told AFP that the plane crashed in an area within the airport complex where fuel is stored.

The area lies between the international and domestic terminal, he added, but it was yet unclear if the fuel caught fire.

Apple Overtakes Coca Cola As The World's Most Valuable Brand

Tech giant Apple is the world’s most valuable brand – worth a massive £60billion, according to a report.

The iPhone maker was named number one by industry experts Interbrand, knocking Coca Cola off the top spot for the first time in 13 years.

The soft drinks giant drops down to third in the list, one behind internet firm Google.

Apple has been in the annual Interbrand list of top brands since it was launched in 2000, entering back then at no 36.

The 100 firms that make up the world’s biggest brands are together worth a cool £928bn.

Jez Frampton, from Interbrand, said: “Every so often a company changes our lives, not just with its products, but with its ethos.

“That is why, following Coca Cola’s 13-year run at the top, Apple now ranks number one."

He said current Apple CEO Tim Cook has assembled a solid leadership team and has kept the company's late founder Steve Jobs’ vision intact — 'a vision that has allowed Apple to deliver on its promise of innovation time and time again'.

Technology companies account for five of top 10 brands this year - Apple, Google, Microsoft, Samsung and Intel.

However, not all technology brands fared well. BlackBerry, which tumbled last year to 93 from 56 in 2011, has disappeared from the list.

And Nokia, which dropped to 19 from 14 in 2011, finished this year in 57th place — “the biggest faller” among the 100.

Cntrl + Alt + Del: Bill Gates Comes out Clean Says It Was A Mistake

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates confessed on Thursday that Control-Alt-Delete, the infamous three-key combination long used by frustrated PC users, was a “mistake,” and was only implemented after an IBMkeyboard designer wouldn’t assign a single button to perform the task of rebooting or logging in to Windows and accessing the task manager.

“So we could have had a single button, but the guy who did the IBM keyboard design didn’t want to give us our single button,” Gates said during a talk at a Harvard fundraising initiative (the comments on “Control-Alt-Delete” begin at 16:30).

“It was a mistake,” he said in a confession greeted by cheers and warm laughter from the audience.

Gates’ statement marks the first time he has so convincingly acknowledged that the feature wasn’t exactly one of Microsoft’s greatest ideas.

David Bradley, a designer of the original IBM PC, is the man behind the “Control-Alt-Delete” command to reboot a system. He famously teased Gates a decade ago on stage during an event marking the 20th anniversary of IBM’s PC.

“I may have invented it, but Bill made it famous,” Bradley said at the time.

In a recent interview with CNET, Bradley said he never really knew why Microsoft decided to make his invention their log-in command.

“Why they used it for the log-in also, I don’t know,” he said. “I guess it made sense to them.”

Sex on The Railway Tracks: Woman Killed and Man Loses Legs

The loved-up couple had been on their way home from a party at a friend’s house when they hit by amorous, and fatal, desire.

A woman was killed and her boyfriend’s legs cut off when they were hit by a train while having sex on a railway line.

Police said the pair had embarked on their early morning romp after a night out boozing.

The woman, who was in her 30s, was pronounced dead at the scene while her 41-year-old lover was taken to hospital with both legs severed.

They had been on their way home from a party at a friend’s house when they hit by amorous, and fatal, desires.

An official said: “The man told police they had failed to overcome their natural passion when walking home… and wanted to experience an extreme sensation near the railroad tracks.”

To make matter worse, officers are considering charging the man for trespassing on the track after the couple’s sex session in the Ukrainian city of Zaporozhye.

In 2008 a pair having sex on a railway track in South Africa were killed by a freight train.

The driver later told police he saw the couple from a distance and repeatedly hooted “but they continued with their business”.

Nigeria 53rd Independence Anniversary: Russia Congratulates Nigeria

Independence anniversary: Russia congratulates Nigeria.

Russia has congratulated Nigeria on its 53rd independence anniversary, the News Agency of Nigeria reports.

The felicitation is contained in a message sent by Russian President Vladimir Putin to President Goodluck Jonathan on Monday.

A statement issued by the Russian Embassy in Abuja quoted Putin as saying: “please accept my sincere congratulation on the occasion of your country’s Independence Day.

“I am confident that the relations between Russia and Nigeria, based on the principle of friendship and mutual respect, will keep on developing actively in all directions.

“I wish you good health, happiness and success, and I wish the people of Nigeria peace and prosperity.”

N30bn Tallest Hotel in West Africa Unveiled in Lagos

Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, yesterday, unveiled the tallest hotel in West Africa, the Intercontinental Lagos built at a cost of N30 billion.

Fashola unveiled the hotel in a ceremony also attended by the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi; Oba of Lagos, Oba Riliwan Akiolu 1; ex-governor of CBN, Joseph Sanusi, and other dignitaries.

The hotel located at Kofo Abayomi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, is a 23-storey building with 358 rooms, 37 suites and a presidential suite.

The Intercontinental Lagos, a subsidiary of the Intercontinental Hotel Group, IHG, is owned by the Milan Group.

Fashola said the new hotel showed that the economy of the country was witnessing growth daily but without corresponding employment.

According to him: “The new sector is the tourism sector. This is the only virgin sector in the country, and it will help address the challenges of unemployment in the country.”

The governor said the new hotel had helped to create new 650 direct jobs in the state.

He noted that with the construction of more hotels and hospitality outfits, more direct jobs would be created as well as numerous indirect jobs.

Chairman, Milan Group, Ramesh Valechha said the hotel will change the landscape of Lagos and boost the hospitality industry in the state.

He noted that the Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, for the project was signed on March 31, 2004 while it took two years to complete the design work before the conceptual- isation of the project began.

He stated that the Lagos State Government, Skye Bank and Wema Bank were in supportive of the project.

Valechha disclosed the building of the hotel cost over N30 billion while 650 jobs were created for Nigerians.

Brazilian Businessman Inspired By Egypt's Pharaohs Buries £310,000 Bentley For Use Afterlife

He has all the riches he could ever dream for in this life. But to avoid any risk of missing out in the afterlife, wealthy entrepreneur 'Count Scarpa' is burying his greatest treasure - his new £310,000 Bentley convertible.

In a bizarre announcement on his Facebook page the 62-year-old declared that he plans to do as the Pharaohs of Egypt did and take his riches with him when he dies by burying them.

So tomorrow, he will entomb his brand new Bentley Continental worth over £310,000 to make sure he has a comfortable journey into the ‘other side’. The funeral ceremony, he promises, will be at 11am.

His Bentley is his prized possession, so he's burying it, inspired by the Egyptian Pharaohs, in the hope of having it in his afterlife

In a photo on his social network site Count Scarpa stands beside his black Flying Spur, the latest model on the market, with a cockatoo on his arm and writes: 'I decided to do as the Pharaohs: this week I will bury my favourite car, the Bentley here in the home garden! Bury my treasure in my palace rssss !!!'

He says he’s digging the grave in the back garden of his mansion in Jardins, one of the wealthiest neighbourhoods in Sao Paulo.

Brazilian Ronaldinho Undergo Tooth Surgery To Fix His Famous Buck Tooth

Football's most famous buck-toothed grin is no more, as former Barcelona star Ronaldinho has undergone a tooth correction procedure at a dentist in Brazil.

The World Cup winning forward underwent the surgery last month but videos have just emerged of the Samba star in the dentists chair.

The procedure - which reportedly cost £36,000 - means that the 33-year-old is now sporting a Hollywood smile, rather than the wonky grin that football fans came to know and love over the years.

The party loving forward is currently on the books at Atletico Mineiro and his trip to the dentist coincided with an interview he gave to Brazilian Playboy, where he has insisted it's not just his teeth that have changed: "I’m now in love," he said.

"I have girlfriend and I now have a much quieter life. In the past I was often unfaithful, but I have no intention of making the same mistake now."

No if he'd do something about that perm, he'd be a new man completely.