Busola Adedire: Dear Future Daughter

Dear future daughter,
I have been waiting all my life to have someone like you. I want to call you beautiful, but ‘beauty’ is not all that is to your being. You are more than beautiful! If there is one thing I want you to always remember, it is that ‘you should never allow anyone to define you by your shell’. I want to tell you about the world and people, before you experience them first-hand. The world is many things… it is a happy place, a sad place, it is tough, but it also gets better. Really, it is what you make of it. The world is your oyster; there are no limits, no rules… You make the rules yourself! Dream big!
Speak positive things to yourself because, one day, you will see your words in physical form. You can do anything, become anything, you don’t need to shrink or downplay your intelligence for people to like you. I want you to break limits, push boundaries, fight for your dream… simply because; the real winners are those who never quit. The world sees you in physical form, but I want you to always show that you are more than statistics. You are the queen of your own castle. Always, act as such. A queen is compassionate, and caring, she would risk her life to save others, she is not afraid to lose and she recognises that she has powers. The power to create and the power to power destroy. She uses her powers accordingly to build and not destroy.
The people in the world are also many things… the good, the bad, the liars, and the loyal ones too. You will not always recognise them when you meet them. Treat everyone with kindness but also remember that not everybody will have your best interest at heart, and that is okay. Not everyone will treat you the way you deserve to be treated, that is okay too. You do not have control over these situations but you can control your reactions to them. Some people will push you to your limits, you affirm your authority by staying peaceful and calm. A queen does not need to announce her presence or authority, just by her actions people can recognise who she is.
There are things you will want in life, a career, that fancy dress, new shoes… perhaps, it is a boy…It is okay to want things, but do NOT be desperate for ANYTHING. Be ambitious, have dreams and passions but never let the chase diminish what you already have. You already have what it takes to be successful; all you need is consistency.
I want you to live without fears, and rise above small –minded people because no matter what you do, someone out there still thinks it is not good enough. I want you to live without requiring the validation of anyone… A life where no praise or criticism can phase you. Your life is beautiful no matter what… you will make mistakes but don’t stay there. You will not always have it together because perfect people do not exist! I want you to really love you no matter what, because that is the only way you can experience all life has to offer. Far above everything, desire wisdom. You get wisdom from people, experiences and situations. Sometimes, you may not recognise those you will learn from, be open-minded!
Finally, I want you to be rooted and have an identity in something outside yourself. He is God! I am not talking religion but a relationship. You will need him to navigate your way through life. Always have FAITH. FAITH will get you EVERYWHERE!
Love,
Mummy.
Write your own version of dear future daughter -  something valuable you want her to learn from you, from life, or perhaps something you would have told your younger self. I also urge everyone to ensure they keep this letter safe for their daughters.
Photo Credit: Dreamstime | Carlosphotos

Russia 'to alter military doctrine towards Nato'

Tensions between Russia and Nato countries are high over the ongoing conflict in Ukraine

Russia is to alter its military doctrine as a result of the Ukraine crisis and Nato's presence in eastern Europe, a top Russian official says.

Mikhail Popov, a Kremlin adviser, said that deteriorating relations with the US and Nato would be reflected in the updated military strategy.
Nato said on Monday it would boost its presence in eastern Europe to protect its members.
Ukrainian troops are battling pro-Russian rebels in east Ukraine.
Ukraine's defence minister on Monday accused Russia of launching a "great war" that could claim tens of thousands of lives - claims dismissed by Russia, which denies actively supporting the rebels.
'Aggravating tensions' Mr Popov, deputy secretary of Russia's National Security Council, told Russia's RIA news agency that "the military infrastructure of Nato member states" was "getting closer to [Russian] borders, including via enlargement".
Nato's actions were one of the key "external threats" to Russia, he said.
"Nato's planned action... is evidence of the desire of US and Nato leaders to continue their policy of aggravating tensions with Russia", Mr Popov said.
There were no details on how the doctrine might change.

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Nato Secretary-General Rasmussen: "We must face the reality that Russia does not consider Nato a partner"

Nato announced its plans on Monday for a rapid response force of several thousand troops to protect eastern European members against possible Russian aggression.
The force, to be made up of troops provided by member states on a rotating basis, would be able to be deployed within 48 hours, Nato secretary general Anders Fogh Rasmussen said.
Military equipment and supplies would be pre-positioned in member states in the east so the force could "travel light, but strike hard if needed", he added.
Mr Rasmussen insisted that the plans would not breach the 1997 Nato-Russia Founding Act, which forbids the presence of permanent bases in eastern and central Europe.
The new measures are set to be approved at a Nato summit in Wales this week.
The Nato security alliance covers 28 member states, including eastern European countries such as Poland and the Czech Republic. It does not include Ukraine.
'Runway destroyed' Meanwhile, crisis talks between Ukraine officials, rebels and Russian envoys ended without agreement on Monday.

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Emily Thomas reports on the Ukrainian accusations that Russia is launching a full-scale military intervention in the east of their country

Ukraine's army has been forced to retreat amid a series of gains by pro-Russian rebels in both the Luhansk and Donetsk regions, and further south around the port of Mariupol.
On Monday, Ukraine's army said it had been forced to withdraw from Luhansk airport after it was attacked by Russian tanks.
The acting Luhansk region administration chief Irina Verihina told Ukraine's 112 TV: "Our troops have withdrawn, but the runway is completely destroyed. There's no way planes can land there."
'I can take Kiev' Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has accused Russia of "direct, overt aggression against Ukraine".
Russia has repeatedly denied Ukrainian and Western accusations that it is providing troops and equipment to the rebels.
Meanwhile, a Russian official responded to allegations that Russian President Vladimir Putin had commented: "If I want to, I can take Kiev in two weeks".
The reported comments were said to be made in a phone call to European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, and were reported in Italy's La Repubblica newspaper.
Kremlin adviser Yuri Ushakov said that whether or not the words were spoken, the quote "was taken out of context and had a totally different meaning", Russia's Itar-Tass news agency reported.

Analysis - Jonathan Marcus, BBC News, diplomatic correspondent

Ukraine has asked for more military supplies from Nato to help deal with pro-Russia separatists in the east

In response to the Ukraine crisis, Nato is to establish a new rapidly deployable "spearhead" force capable of being deployed within a matter of only two days.
This is all part of a much wider overhaul of Nato's response forces which Nato officials say is not solely linked to Ukraine; it will be capable of deploying anywhere within the alliance to give immediate reassurance and a demonstration of alliance resolve.
For such a force to be effective there will have to be regular exercises and Nato officials note that headquarters and other so-called "enablers" - key logistics elements for example - will need to be based closer to areas of potential threat - for that read closer to Nato's eastern and southern borders. Fuel stocks and ammunition may also need to be pre-positioned further east.

Scottish independence: Gordon Brown issues warning over UK debt

Gordon Brown said an independent Scotland refusing to accept a share of UK debt would be considered a "default"

Former prime minister Gordon Brown has said an independent Scotland would become "an international outcast" if it refused to accept a share of UK debt.

In a speech in Coatbridge on Monday night, Mr Brown said refusing to take on debt would be considered as a "default".
He said this would push up interest rates and the cost of borrowing.
The SNP says Scotland cannot be liable for a debt the UK government has accepted full responsibility for.
In the first of a series of speeches Gordon Brown is to make across Scotland, he described defaulting on debt as a "road to ruin" and said even Zimbabwe was honouring its international debt commitments.
He went on to say "we are an interdependent world" and called on Scottish people to "build on something we have built over the last century" naming "Scottish ideas, Scottish leaders" as having helped shape the UK.
Mr Brown claimed there were "five positives" to be enjoyed from remaining part of the UK:

• one million jobs" linked to our membership of the UK"
• £425 extra for pensioners from being part of the UK pension system
• £1 billion more spending on the NHS than Scotland's population share
• a lower cost of living "as part of the UK"
• keeping the pound sterling

First Minister Alex Salmond has said Scotland would not be obliged to take on any debt after a "Yes" vote, if the rest of the UK refused to agree a formal pound-sharing deal.
The Scottish government insists Scotland cannot "default" on a debt it is not legally liable for, pointing out that the UK government has accepted liability for the whole debt in the event of independence.
Alex Salmond will set out his vision of the gains of independence for the food and drink industry on a visit to Eden Mill distillery and brewery in Guardbridge, Fife, on Tuesday.
Speaking ahead of the visit he said: "More and more people are waking up to the fact that Scotland has a strong and diverse economy on which we can build a more prosperous future with control of key economic levers.
"Scotland is currently in the international spotlight like never before, but the huge publicity generated by a 'Yes' vote - and the transition to independence - will be the opportunity of a lifetime for our food and drink sector to extend its global reach even further."
Shadow Scottish secretary Margaret Curran and Labour MSP Iain Gray will be at Glasgow's Tennent Caledonian Breweries to highlight jobs and opportunities they say will be available as part of the UK.

Suspected Ebola Patient Dies In Abuja

Panic has struck the Federal Capital Territory after a patient suspected of having Ebola died at the Asokoro Hospital.
The deceased is said to have exhibited symptoms of the disease before dying on Friday, August 28, 2014.
The Accident and Emergency Unit of the hospital where the patient was being treated has been cordoned off and all staff who came in contact with the patient are being observed.
The FCT Health and Human Services Secretariat issued a statement regarding the incident saying that blood samples of the patient have been taken to a laboratory for testing.
The statement, signed by the secretariat’s Head of Public Relations, Badaru Yakassai, reads
“The Family Medicine unit of Asokoro District Hospital suspected Ebola disease in a patient on admission at the Accident and Emergency unit on the 28th of August 2014 and immediately isolated the patient. Strict infection control measures were immediately instituted.
 Blood sample was then taken to the designated FCT Ebola testing laboratory which happens to be within the hospital premises. The epidemiology unit of Public Health Department of the Health and Human Services Secretariat was notified and their response was immediate.
 The results of the Ebola test was being expected from the laboratory four days later, on Monday the 1st of September 2014.
Unfortunately, the patient died the next day, Friday 29th August 2014. The accident and emergency unit was temporarily relocated to the General Outpatient Unit (GOPD).
 A list of all medical staff who had come into contact with the patient has been compiled and they are all under surveillance”
The secretariat however urged residents of Abuja not to panic as the hospital was only taking precautionary measures to ensure that the disease did not spread.

First photos from Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt's wedding

After nine years and six children together, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt finally said I do on August 23rd their French estate Chateau Mirava in front of small number of family and friends. Her wedding dress was created by Atelier Versace master tailor Luigi Massi with help from her kids in form of pictures displayed on the gown. And it looks like they sold the exclusive wedding photos to People and Hello magazine.

 

A timeline of their love story...


May 2004: Although Brad is married to Jennifer Aniston at the time, rumours of an on-set romance swirl after Pitt and Angelina Jolie start filming Mr & Mrs Smith.

January 2005: Brad and Jennifer announce in a joint statement that after 'much thoughtful consideration' they had decided to split. They add: 'We happily remain committed and caring friends with great love and admiration for one another.'

March 2005: Jennifer files for divorce citing  'irreconcilable differences' as speculation about Brad and Angelina's romance continued.

April 2005: Brad and Angelina's relationship is  confirmed after paparazzi photographs of them on holiday in Kenya with her son Maddox surfaced. They have yet to speak publicly about it.

July 2005: Jennifer is reportedly left heartbroken when Brad and Angelina take part in a revealing photoshoot for W magazine entitled Domestic Bliss. The photo essay shows them as a couple with children. Later that month Angelina adopts her second child, daughter Zahara, from Ethiopia.

September 2005: Jennifer slams Brad as having a 'sensitivity chip missing' following the W photo shoot, which he brainstormed.

October 2005: Brad and Aniston's divorce is finalized.

January 2006: Angelina and Brad announce she is pregnant with their first child while Brad applies to formally adopt her children Maddox and Zahara.

May 2006: The couple's first biological child Shiloh Nouvel Jolie-Pitt born in Swakopmund, Namibia.

December 2006: Angelina tells Vogue that while filming Mr & Mrs Smith, she couldn't 'wait to get to work' to see Brad. Two years later, Jennifer brands the comments 'uncool.'


March 2007: Jolie adopts three-year-old Pax Thien from Vietnam.

May 2008: At the Cannes Film Festival, Angelina confirms she is expecting twins. Knox Leon and Vivienne Marcheline are born in July.

October 2008: Angelina reveals her romance with Brad began while he was married to Jennifer as she says they 'fell in love' on the set of Mr & Mrs Smith. The pair had always maintained up until this point that their relationship only started after he split from Jennifer.

September 2011: Brad tells Parade magazine that before Angelina he 'wasn't living an interesting life.' He added: 'I think that my marriage had something to do with it. Trying to pretend the marriage was something that it wasn't.' He said he's finally a 'satisfied man' with Angelina. He later insisted the comments were misunderstood, adding: 'Jen is an incredibly giving, loving, and hilarious woman who remains my friend.'

Pic from the 'Domestic Bliss' photoshoot for W magazine.

December 2011/January 2012: The couple admit in separate interviews that the children are encouraging them to marry. While they had planned to wait until gay marriage was legal, they reveal the pressure from the children is strong. 

April 2012: Brad and Angelina reveal their engagement.

February 2013: Angelina has a secret double mastectomy after discovering she had a defective BRCA-1 gene that put her at high risk of developing breast and ovarian cancers. She tells the world about it in a New York Times Op Ed in May.

July 2014: It is announced that Brad and Angelina will reunite on the big screen for the first time since Mr & Mrs Smith. Jolie will write and direct – the 'intimate, character-driven drama' By the Sea.

August 2014: The couple tie the knot in a secret ceremony at Chateau Miraval in France and after a short family honeymoon in Nice, the Jolie-Pitts head to Malta to start shooting By The Sea.

I killed my father over a stick of cigarette – Suspect

25 year old Best Momodu, (pictured in blue) one of the 63 criminals paraded yesterday September 1st by men of the Edo state Police command at the state Force Headquaters, confessed to stabbing his own father to death over a stick of cigarette he stole from the man, Vanguard reports.

“I stole his cigarette and he found out. So he started shouting at me and quarreling. So, mistakenly I took a knife and stabbed him. I have not seen the dead body but I heard he died. But the community people arrested me after I killed him.” the Edo state indigene said while confessing to the crime. Continue...

While parading the suspects, the state Police Commissioner, Folunso Adebanjo, advised residents of the state to be very vigilant as we approach the end of the year when criminal activities is usually on the increase.

UK-based Nigerian Lady gives birth to “White Baby” & makes Headlines | See Pics

Baby Jonah is making headlines in the UK!

The Daily Mirror published a story with the headline “Black mum gives birth to WHITE baby in 1,000,000-1 odds that baffled midwives“

Catherine who is of Nigerian parentage and her husband Richard who is white, expected their baby son to look “mixed” but when he was born, he was so white that she was convinced the midwives had brought her the wrong baby. Doctors have said the baby is not an albino.

Financial analyst Catherine said: “Some children get darker after a few weeks when the skin colour they will have for life starts to become obvious. But you can see from the colour at the tips of their ears what that will be. We saw straight away that Jonah was fully white.”

“We have been told that I must have been carrying a recessive gene,” said Catherine.

“My parents were from Nigeria and, for as far back as anyone can remember, my family have all been black.

“But at some point there must have been a white gene in my family that has remained dormant for years and years – until now.

“The doctors said they had researched the chances of this happening and discovered that it was very, very rare.

Black, white or mixed, baby Jonah is super cute!