Nick Cannon addresses divorce rumours, comes for the media

Drama king Nick Cannon took to twitter a few hours ago to address his divorce rumours. He defended Mariah Carey, slammed the media, and denied ever speaking about his marriage to the media. See his rants after the cut...


Read from bottom up to get the gist...

Photos from Ashlee Simpson and Diana Ross' son's wedding

Singer, actress and younger sister of singer/fashion mogul Jessica Simpson, Ashlee Simpson, 29, married Evan Ross, 26, who is the last child of legendary singer, Diana Ross, on Saturday Aug. 30th at Diana Ross's estate in Connecticut. Ms Ross is said to have officiated the ceremony.

Evan, who is an actor and Ashlee began dating in July 2013, and got engaged in January 2014. Ashlee was married to Fall Out Boy's Pete Wentz from 2008 to 2011 and they have a 6 year old son named Bronx. Enough of the history, see photos from their wedding after the cut

Peter Okoye sends Lola Omotayo a loving message on her birthday

Peter Okoye took to instagram to wish a happy birthday to his longtime partner and mother of his two children, Lola Omotayo.

It's officially a trend: Kim K & North West cordinate in bold stripes

Kim Kardashian likes to dress her daughter in similar outfits as herself. And I think it's cute! The mum and daughter coordinated in bold stripes as they prepared to jet out of LAX with Kanye West yesterday Monday September 1st. See more photos after the cut...

 

Pres. Jonathan at AU Peace & Security Summit in Nairobi

President Jonathan and some Nigerian delegates pictured arriving at the venue of the 455th AU Peace & Security Summit in Nairobi, Kenya today.

Presidents Kenyatta, Idris Deby, and Goodluck Jonathan

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.

Jump media player

Media player help

Out of media player. Press enter to return or tab to continue.

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.

Jump media player

Media player help

Out of media player. Press enter to return or tab to continue.

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.